| Server IP : 152.69.216.235 / Your IP : 80.80.80.28 Web Server : Apache/2.4.37 (Oracle Linux Server) System : Linux ust-wp4-prod 5.15.0-310.184.5.2.el8uek.x86_64 #2 SMP Wed Jul 9 16:08:33 PDT 2025 x86_64 User : apache ( 48) PHP Version : 8.4.10 Disable Function : NONE MySQL : OFF | cURL : ON | WGET : ON | Perl : ON | Python : ON | Sudo : ON | Pkexec : ON Directory : /home/lawreview/public_html/ |
Upload File : |
-- MySQL dump 10.13 Distrib 5.7.28, for Linux (x86_64)
--
-- Host: localhost Database: ustlawrev
-- ------------------------------------------------------
-- Server version 5.7.28
/*!40101 SET @OLD_CHARACTER_SET_CLIENT=@@CHARACTER_SET_CLIENT */;
/*!40101 SET @OLD_CHARACTER_SET_RESULTS=@@CHARACTER_SET_RESULTS */;
/*!40101 SET @OLD_COLLATION_CONNECTION=@@COLLATION_CONNECTION */;
/*!40101 SET NAMES utf8 */;
/*!40103 SET @OLD_TIME_ZONE=@@TIME_ZONE */;
/*!40103 SET TIME_ZONE='+00:00' */;
/*!40014 SET @OLD_UNIQUE_CHECKS=@@UNIQUE_CHECKS, UNIQUE_CHECKS=0 */;
/*!40014 SET @OLD_FOREIGN_KEY_CHECKS=@@FOREIGN_KEY_CHECKS, FOREIGN_KEY_CHECKS=0 */;
/*!40101 SET @OLD_SQL_MODE=@@SQL_MODE, SQL_MODE='NO_AUTO_VALUE_ON_ZERO' */;
/*!40111 SET @OLD_SQL_NOTES=@@SQL_NOTES, SQL_NOTES=0 */;
--
-- Table structure for table `wp_commentmeta`
--
DROP TABLE IF EXISTS `wp_commentmeta`;
/*!40101 SET @saved_cs_client = @@character_set_client */;
/*!40101 SET character_set_client = utf8 */;
CREATE TABLE `wp_commentmeta` (
`meta_id` bigint(20) unsigned NOT NULL AUTO_INCREMENT,
`comment_id` bigint(20) unsigned NOT NULL DEFAULT '0',
`meta_key` varchar(255) COLLATE utf8mb4_unicode_ci DEFAULT NULL,
`meta_value` longtext COLLATE utf8mb4_unicode_ci,
PRIMARY KEY (`meta_id`),
KEY `comment_id` (`comment_id`),
KEY `meta_key` (`meta_key`(191))
) ENGINE=InnoDB AUTO_INCREMENT=25 DEFAULT CHARSET=utf8mb4 COLLATE=utf8mb4_unicode_ci;
/*!40101 SET character_set_client = @saved_cs_client */;
--
-- Dumping data for table `wp_commentmeta`
--
LOCK TABLES `wp_commentmeta` WRITE;
/*!40000 ALTER TABLE `wp_commentmeta` DISABLE KEYS */;
INSERT INTO `wp_commentmeta` VALUES (13,7,'_wp_trash_meta_status','0'),(14,7,'_wp_trash_meta_time','1626759199'),(15,8,'_wp_trash_meta_status','0'),(16,8,'_wp_trash_meta_time','1627207283'),(17,10,'_wp_trash_meta_status','0'),(18,10,'_wp_trash_meta_time','1629071212'),(19,9,'_wp_trash_meta_status','0'),(20,9,'_wp_trash_meta_time','1629071212'),(21,12,'_wp_trash_meta_status','0'),(22,12,'_wp_trash_meta_time','1629342597'),(23,11,'_wp_trash_meta_status','0'),(24,11,'_wp_trash_meta_time','1629342597');
/*!40000 ALTER TABLE `wp_commentmeta` ENABLE KEYS */;
UNLOCK TABLES;
--
-- Table structure for table `wp_comments`
--
DROP TABLE IF EXISTS `wp_comments`;
/*!40101 SET @saved_cs_client = @@character_set_client */;
/*!40101 SET character_set_client = utf8 */;
CREATE TABLE `wp_comments` (
`comment_ID` bigint(20) unsigned NOT NULL AUTO_INCREMENT,
`comment_post_ID` bigint(20) unsigned NOT NULL DEFAULT '0',
`comment_author` tinytext COLLATE utf8mb4_unicode_ci NOT NULL,
`comment_author_email` varchar(100) COLLATE utf8mb4_unicode_ci NOT NULL DEFAULT '',
`comment_author_url` varchar(200) COLLATE utf8mb4_unicode_ci NOT NULL DEFAULT '',
`comment_author_IP` varchar(100) COLLATE utf8mb4_unicode_ci NOT NULL DEFAULT '',
`comment_date` datetime NOT NULL DEFAULT '0000-00-00 00:00:00',
`comment_date_gmt` datetime NOT NULL DEFAULT '0000-00-00 00:00:00',
`comment_content` text COLLATE utf8mb4_unicode_ci NOT NULL,
`comment_karma` int(11) NOT NULL DEFAULT '0',
`comment_approved` varchar(20) COLLATE utf8mb4_unicode_ci NOT NULL DEFAULT '1',
`comment_agent` varchar(255) COLLATE utf8mb4_unicode_ci NOT NULL DEFAULT '',
`comment_type` varchar(20) COLLATE utf8mb4_unicode_ci NOT NULL DEFAULT 'comment',
`comment_parent` bigint(20) unsigned NOT NULL DEFAULT '0',
`user_id` bigint(20) unsigned NOT NULL DEFAULT '0',
PRIMARY KEY (`comment_ID`),
KEY `comment_post_ID` (`comment_post_ID`),
KEY `comment_approved_date_gmt` (`comment_approved`,`comment_date_gmt`),
KEY `comment_date_gmt` (`comment_date_gmt`),
KEY `comment_parent` (`comment_parent`),
KEY `comment_author_email` (`comment_author_email`(10))
) ENGINE=InnoDB AUTO_INCREMENT=13 DEFAULT CHARSET=utf8mb4 COLLATE=utf8mb4_unicode_ci;
/*!40101 SET character_set_client = @saved_cs_client */;
--
-- Dumping data for table `wp_comments`
--
LOCK TABLES `wp_comments` WRITE;
/*!40000 ALTER TABLE `wp_comments` DISABLE KEYS */;
INSERT INTO `wp_comments` VALUES (7,1307,'Merziuziy','yefiht84797@serohitv.com','https://xnxxx.web.fc2.com/','5.188.211.35','2021-06-29 16:41:07','2021-06-29 08:41:07','RxPi3s https://xnxxx.web.fc2.com/ xnxx',0,'trash','Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 6.0; Windows NT 5.1; SV1)','comment',0,0),(8,1307,'johnanz','smithio34ga2s534@yahoo.com','https://writemyessayforme.web.fc2.com#write','5.188.211.13','2021-07-23 05:27:12','2021-07-22 21:27:12','write my essays writemyessayforme.web.fc2.com',0,'trash','Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 6.0; Windows NT 5.1; SV1)','comment',0,0),(9,1307,'johnanz','smithio34ga2s534@yahoo.com','https://xnxxx.web.fc2.com/sitemap1.html','5.188.211.21','2021-08-03 21:30:41','2021-08-03 13:30:41','https://beeg.x.fc2.com/sitemap1.html\r\nhttps://beeg.x.fc2.com/sitemap2.html\r\nhttps://xnxxx.web.fc2.com/sitemap1.html\r\nhttps://xnxxx.web.fc2.com/sitemap2.html\r\nhttps://xvideoss.web.fc2.com/sitemap1.html\r\nhttps://xvideoss.web.fc2.com/sitemap2.html',0,'trash','Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 6.0; Windows NT 5.1; SV1)','comment',0,0),(10,1307,'johnanz','smithio34ga2s534@yahoo.com','https://xvideoss.web.fc2.com/','188.143.232.14','2021-08-03 21:39:05','2021-08-03 13:39:05','https://xvideoss.web.fc2.com/',0,'trash','Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 6.0; Windows NT 5.1; SV1)','comment',0,0),(11,1261,'SEO','Moreles79737@hotmail.com','https://www.blogexpander.com/all-you-need-to-know-about-facebook-marketing/','92.251.89.145','2021-08-18 21:58:51','2021-08-18 13:58:51','I just could not depart your web site before suggesting that I extremely loved the standard info an individual supply for your visitors? Is gonna be again frequently in order to check out new posts.',0,'spam','Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 10.0; Win64; x64) AppleWebKit/537.36 (KHTML, like Gecko) Chrome/62.0.3202.94 Safari/537.36','comment',0,0),(12,1261,'Facebook Marketing','Clarno6858@icloud.com','https://www.blogexpander.com/when-youre-in-a-hurry-this-article-about-making-money-online-is-perfect/','92.251.89.145','2021-08-19 02:30:41','2021-08-18 18:30:41','I just couldn\'t go away your web site before suggesting that I really enjoyed the standard information a person supply for your visitors? Is going to be back ceaselessly in order to check out new posts.',0,'spam','Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 10.0; Win64; x64) AppleWebKit/537.36 (KHTML, like Gecko) Chrome/62.0.3202.94 Safari/537.36','comment',0,0);
/*!40000 ALTER TABLE `wp_comments` ENABLE KEYS */;
UNLOCK TABLES;
--
-- Table structure for table `wp_ewwwio_images`
--
DROP TABLE IF EXISTS `wp_ewwwio_images`;
/*!40101 SET @saved_cs_client = @@character_set_client */;
/*!40101 SET character_set_client = utf8 */;
CREATE TABLE `wp_ewwwio_images` (
`id` int(10) unsigned NOT NULL AUTO_INCREMENT,
`attachment_id` bigint(20) unsigned DEFAULT NULL,
`gallery` varchar(10) COLLATE utf8mb4_unicode_520_ci DEFAULT NULL,
`resize` varchar(75) COLLATE utf8mb4_unicode_520_ci DEFAULT NULL,
`path` text COLLATE utf8mb4_unicode_520_ci NOT NULL,
`converted` text COLLATE utf8mb4_unicode_520_ci NOT NULL,
`results` varchar(75) COLLATE utf8mb4_unicode_520_ci NOT NULL,
`image_size` int(10) unsigned DEFAULT NULL,
`orig_size` int(10) unsigned DEFAULT NULL,
`backup` varchar(100) COLLATE utf8mb4_unicode_520_ci DEFAULT NULL,
`level` int(10) unsigned DEFAULT NULL,
`pending` tinyint(4) NOT NULL DEFAULT '0',
`updates` int(10) unsigned DEFAULT NULL,
`updated` timestamp NOT NULL DEFAULT '1970-12-31 16:00:00' ON UPDATE CURRENT_TIMESTAMP,
`trace` blob,
PRIMARY KEY (`id`),
KEY `path` (`path`(191)),
KEY `attachment_info` (`gallery`(3),`attachment_id`)
) ENGINE=InnoDB AUTO_INCREMENT=1747 DEFAULT CHARSET=utf8mb4 COLLATE=utf8mb4_unicode_520_ci;
/*!40101 SET character_set_client = @saved_cs_client */;
--
-- Dumping data for table `wp_ewwwio_images`
--
LOCK TABLES `wp_ewwwio_images` WRITE;
/*!40000 ALTER TABLE `wp_ewwwio_images` DISABLE KEYS */;
INSERT INTO `wp_ewwwio_images` VALUES (1,695,'media','full','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/07/NO-Image-scaled.jpg','','Reduced by 8.4% (34.2 KB)',381329,416302,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:35:41',NULL),(2,695,'media','medium','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/07/NO-Image-scaled-240x300.jpg','','Reduced by 5.1% (418 B)',7780,8198,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:35:41',NULL),(3,695,'media','large','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/07/NO-Image-scaled-819x1024.jpg','','Reduced by 9.7% (7.1 KB)',68119,75397,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:35:42',NULL),(4,695,'media','thumbnail','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/07/NO-Image-scaled-150x150.jpg','','Reduced by 9.2% (351 B)',3452,3803,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:35:42',NULL),(5,695,'media','medium_large','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/07/NO-Image-scaled-768x960.jpg','','Reduced by 9.4% (6.1 KB)',59882,66095,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:35:42',NULL),(6,695,'media','1536x1536','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/07/NO-Image-scaled-1229x1536.jpg','','Reduced by 9.8% (15.7 KB)',148450,164547,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:35:42',NULL),(7,695,'media','2048x2048','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/07/NO-Image-scaled-1638x2048.jpg','','Reduced by 9.1% (24.1 KB)',248317,273041,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:35:42',NULL),(8,695,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/07/NO-Image-scaled-170x110.jpg','','Reduced by 9.5% (354 B)',3368,3722,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:35:42',NULL),(9,695,'media','bfastmag_small_thumb_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/07/NO-Image-scaled-86x70.jpg','','Reduced by 18.7% (354 B)',1535,1889,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:35:42',NULL),(10,695,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/07/NO-Image-scaled-88x110.jpg','','Reduced by 16.3% (358 B)',1834,2192,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:35:42',NULL),(11,695,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/07/NO-Image-scaled-370x250.jpg','','Reduced by 4.7% (560 B)',11407,11967,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:35:42',NULL),(12,695,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/07/NO-Image-scaled-200x250.jpg','','Reduced by 6.6% (404 B)',5746,6150,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:35:42',NULL),(13,695,'media','bfastmag_related_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/07/NO-Image-scaled-288x160.jpg','','Reduced by 5.0% (346 B)',6565,6911,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:35:42',NULL),(14,695,'media','bfastmag_blog_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/07/NO-Image-scaled-780x544.jpg','','Reduced by 8.3% (3.7 KB)',42673,46512,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:35:42',NULL),(15,695,'media','bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/07/NO-Image-scaled-435x544.jpg','','Reduced by 5.7% (1.2 KB)',20192,21406,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:35:42',NULL),(16,680,'media','full','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/1.png','','Reduced by 13.1% (142.1 KB)',967451,1112991,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:36:01',NULL),(17,680,'media','medium','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/1-240x300.png','','Reduced by 13.7% (11.3 KB)',72891,84495,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:36:03',NULL),(18,680,'media','large','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/1-819x1024.png','','Reduced by 15.5% (132.7 KB)',743358,879240,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:36:30',NULL),(19,680,'media','thumbnail','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/1-150x150.png','','Reduced by 14.7% (4.8 KB)',28490,33414,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:36:31',NULL),(20,680,'media','medium_large','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/1-768x960.png','','Reduced by 14.2% (80.3 KB)',498074,580341,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:36:40',NULL),(21,680,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/1-170x110.png','','Reduced by 17.5% (5.2 KB)',25075,30394,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:36:40',NULL),(22,680,'media','bfastmag_small_thumb_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/1-86x70.png','','Reduced by 14.2% (1.5 KB)',9196,10720,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:36:40',NULL),(23,680,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/1-88x110.png','','Reduced by 13.6% (2.1 KB)',13851,16028,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:36:40',NULL),(24,680,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/1-370x250.png','','Reduced by 15.0% (18.4 KB)',106834,125722,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:36:42',NULL),(25,680,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/1-200x250.png','','Reduced by 13.5% (8.2 KB)',53746,62109,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:36:43',NULL),(26,680,'media','bfastmag_related_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/1-288x160.png','','Reduced by 16.3% (10.2 KB)',53809,64281,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:36:44',NULL),(27,680,'media','bfastmag_blog_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/1-780x544.png','','Reduced by 14.0% (56.0 KB)',353130,410479,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:36:53',NULL),(28,680,'media','bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/1-435x544.png','','Reduced by 14.0% (37.6 KB)',237587,276111,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:36:59',NULL),(29,678,'media','full','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/2-1.jpeg','','Reduced by 5.8% (13.2 KB)',220066,233602,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:00',NULL),(30,678,'media','medium','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/2-1-300x221.jpeg','','Reduced by 5.4% (1.0 KB)',18103,19141,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:00',NULL),(31,678,'media','large','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/2-1-1024x754.jpeg','','Reduced by 3.4% (4.0 KB)',116051,120162,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:00',NULL),(32,678,'media','thumbnail','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/2-1-150x150.jpeg','','Reduced by 4.9% (420 B)',8117,8537,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:00',NULL),(33,678,'media','medium_large','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/2-1-768x566.jpeg','','Reduced by 3.6% (2.9 KB)',77307,80231,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:00',NULL),(34,678,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/2-1-170x110.jpeg','','Reduced by 6.0% (414 B)',6477,6891,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:00',NULL),(35,678,'media','bfastmag_small_thumb_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/2-1-86x70.jpeg','','Reduced by 12.6% (374 B)',2595,2969,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:00',NULL),(36,678,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/2-1-149x110.jpeg','','Reduced by 6.6% (393 B)',5566,5959,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:00',NULL),(37,678,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/2-1-370x250.jpeg','','Reduced by 5.3% (1.3 KB)',23662,24975,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:00',NULL),(38,678,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/2-1-339x250.jpeg','','Reduced by 5.2% (1.2 KB)',21758,22941,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:00',NULL),(39,678,'media','bfastmag_related_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/2-1-288x160.jpeg','','Reduced by 6.7% (949 B)',13314,14263,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:00',NULL),(40,678,'media','bfastmag_blog_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/2-1-780x544.jpeg','','Reduced by 3.7% (2.9 KB)',76124,79089,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:00',NULL),(41,678,'media','bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/2-1-738x544.jpeg','','Reduced by 3.6% (2.6 KB)',72129,74809,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:00',NULL),(42,674,'media','full','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/2.jpeg','','Reduced by 5.7% (11.9 KB)',203414,215602,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:01',NULL),(43,674,'media','medium','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/2-300x203.jpeg','','Reduced by 5.4% (943 B)',16459,17402,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:01',NULL),(44,674,'media','large','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/2-1024x694.jpeg','','Reduced by 3.6% (3.9 KB)',109350,113376,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:01',NULL),(45,674,'media','thumbnail','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/2-150x150.jpeg','','Reduced by 5.0% (439 B)',8279,8718,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:01',NULL),(46,674,'media','medium_large','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/2-768x520.jpeg','','Reduced by 3.9% (2.8 KB)',72193,75092,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:01',NULL),(47,674,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/2-170x110.jpeg','','Reduced by 6.1% (409 B)',6347,6756,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:01',NULL),(48,674,'media','bfastmag_small_thumb_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/2-86x70.jpeg','','Reduced by 12.2% (376 B)',2713,3089,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:01',NULL),(49,674,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/2-162x110.jpeg','','Reduced by 6.2% (399 B)',6073,6472,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:01',NULL),(50,674,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/2-370x250.jpeg','','Reduced by 5.1% (1.2 KB)',23363,24620,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:01',NULL),(51,674,'media','bfastmag_related_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/2-288x160.jpeg','','Reduced by 6.7% (936 B)',13128,14064,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:01',NULL),(52,674,'media','bfastmag_blog_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/2-780x544.jpeg','','Reduced by 3.8% (2.9 KB)',76258,79251,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:01',NULL),(53,674,'media','bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/2-780x528.jpeg','','Reduced by 3.9% (2.9 KB)',74353,77364,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:01',NULL),(54,673,'media','full','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/1.jpg','','Reduced by 9.5% (18.3 KB)',179094,197869,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:02',NULL),(55,673,'media','medium','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/1-240x300.jpg','','Reduced by 5.4% (894 B)',15714,16608,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:02',NULL),(56,673,'media','large','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/1-819x1024.jpg','','Reduced by 7.1% (7.8 KB)',104666,112614,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:02',NULL),(57,673,'media','thumbnail','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/1-150x150.jpg','','Reduced by 5.3% (360 B)',6489,6849,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:02',NULL),(58,673,'media','medium_large','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/1-768x960.jpg','','Reduced by 7.1% (7.1 KB)',95580,102860,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:03',NULL),(59,673,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/1-170x110.jpg','','Reduced by 6.2% (383 B)',5776,6159,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:03',NULL),(60,673,'media','bfastmag_small_thumb_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/1-86x70.jpg','','Reduced by 15.2% (368 B)',2059,2427,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:03',NULL),(61,673,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/1-88x110.jpg','','Reduced by 11.4% (361 B)',2806,3167,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:03',NULL),(62,673,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/1-370x250.jpg','','Reduced by 6.9% (1.7 KB)',23369,25091,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:03',NULL),(63,673,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/1-200x250.jpg','','Reduced by 5.1% (636 B)',11849,12485,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:03',NULL),(64,673,'media','bfastmag_related_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/1-288x160.jpg','','Reduced by 7.1% (1.0 KB)',13726,14771,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:03',NULL),(65,673,'media','bfastmag_blog_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/1-780x544.jpg','','Reduced by 7.8% (5.6 KB)',67885,73630,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:03',NULL),(66,673,'media','bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/1-435x544.jpg','','Reduced by 6.5% (2.9 KB)',42480,45428,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:03',NULL),(67,672,'media','full','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/2.jpg','','Reduced by 4.3% (9.1 KB)',207455,216815,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:04',NULL),(68,672,'media','medium','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/2-240x300.jpg','','Reduced by 5.2% (937 B)',17194,18131,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:04',NULL),(69,672,'media','large','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/2-819x1024.jpg','','Reduced by 2.7% (3.3 KB)',121963,125363,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:04',NULL),(70,672,'media','thumbnail','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/2-150x150.jpg','','Reduced by 5.4% (391 B)',6897,7288,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:04',NULL),(71,672,'media','medium_large','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/2-768x960.jpg','','Reduced by 2.7% (3.0 KB)',111054,114140,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:04',NULL),(72,672,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/2-170x110.jpg','','Reduced by 6.0% (414 B)',6432,6846,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:04',NULL),(73,672,'media','bfastmag_small_thumb_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/2-86x70.jpg','','Reduced by 13.3% (370 B)',2422,2792,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:04',NULL),(74,672,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/2-88x110.jpg','','Reduced by 10.2% (367 B)',3220,3587,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:04',NULL),(75,672,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/2-370x250.jpg','','Reduced by 5.1% (1.3 KB)',24058,25356,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:04',NULL),(76,672,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/2-200x250.jpg','','Reduced by 5.1% (693 B)',12795,13488,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:04',NULL),(77,672,'media','bfastmag_related_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/2-288x160.jpg','','Reduced by 6.1% (867 B)',13378,14245,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:04',NULL),(78,672,'media','bfastmag_blog_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/2-780x544.jpg','','Reduced by 3.6% (2.8 KB)',76094,78937,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:04',NULL),(79,672,'media','bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/2-435x544.jpg','','Reduced by 3.7% (1.8 KB)',47128,48951,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:04',NULL),(80,645,'media','full','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Jyrus-1-scaled.jpeg','','Reduced by 3.7% (23.4 KB)',618267,642224,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:05',NULL),(81,645,'media','medium','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Jyrus-1-scaled-240x300.jpeg','','Reduced by 4.4% (803 B)',17399,18202,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:05',NULL),(82,645,'media','large','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Jyrus-1-scaled-819x1024.jpeg','','Reduced by 4.1% (5.3 KB)',128261,133716,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:06',NULL),(83,645,'media','thumbnail','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Jyrus-1-scaled-150x150.jpeg','','Reduced by 5.5% (408 B)',6959,7367,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:06',NULL),(84,645,'media','medium_large','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Jyrus-1-scaled-768x960.jpeg','','Reduced by 3.9% (4.6 KB)',114645,119338,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:06',NULL),(85,645,'media','1536x1536','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Jyrus-1-scaled-1229x1536.jpeg','','Reduced by 4.4% (11.5 KB)',254803,266611,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:06',NULL),(86,645,'media','2048x2048','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Jyrus-1-scaled-1638x2048.jpeg','','Reduced by 4.0% (16.8 KB)',410902,428150,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:06',NULL),(87,645,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Jyrus-1-scaled-170x110.jpeg','','Reduced by 6.6% (401 B)',5634,6035,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:06',NULL),(88,645,'media','bfastmag_small_thumb_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Jyrus-1-scaled-86x70.jpeg','','Reduced by 13.1% (376 B)',2484,2860,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:06',NULL),(89,645,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Jyrus-1-scaled-88x110.jpeg','','Reduced by 9.7% (384 B)',3580,3964,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:06',NULL),(90,645,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Jyrus-1-scaled-370x250.jpeg','','Reduced by 4.0% (807 B)',19615,20422,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:06',NULL),(91,645,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Jyrus-1-scaled-200x250.jpeg','','Reduced by 5.1% (709 B)',13193,13902,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:06',NULL),(92,645,'media','bfastmag_related_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Jyrus-1-scaled-288x160.jpeg','','Reduced by 4.4% (500 B)',10858,11358,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:06',NULL),(93,645,'media','bfastmag_blog_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Jyrus-1-scaled-780x544.jpeg','','Reduced by 4.1% (2.8 KB)',66144,68998,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:06',NULL),(94,645,'media','bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Jyrus-1-scaled-435x544.jpeg','','Reduced by 3.7% (1.7 KB)',45484,47232,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:06',NULL),(95,644,'media','full','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Jyrus-scaled.jpeg','','Reduced by 3.7% (23.4 KB)',618267,642224,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:07',NULL),(96,644,'media','medium','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Jyrus-scaled-240x300.jpeg','','Reduced by 4.4% (803 B)',17399,18202,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:07',NULL),(97,644,'media','large','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Jyrus-scaled-819x1024.jpeg','','Reduced by 4.1% (5.3 KB)',128261,133716,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:08',NULL),(98,644,'media','thumbnail','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Jyrus-scaled-150x150.jpeg','','Reduced by 5.5% (408 B)',6959,7367,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:08',NULL),(99,644,'media','medium_large','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Jyrus-scaled-768x960.jpeg','','Reduced by 3.9% (4.6 KB)',114645,119338,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:08',NULL),(100,644,'media','1536x1536','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Jyrus-scaled-1229x1536.jpeg','','Reduced by 4.4% (11.5 KB)',254803,266611,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:08',NULL),(101,644,'media','2048x2048','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Jyrus-scaled-1638x2048.jpeg','','Reduced by 4.0% (16.8 KB)',410902,428150,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:08',NULL),(102,644,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Jyrus-scaled-170x110.jpeg','','Reduced by 6.6% (401 B)',5634,6035,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:08',NULL),(103,644,'media','bfastmag_small_thumb_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Jyrus-scaled-86x70.jpeg','','Reduced by 13.1% (376 B)',2484,2860,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:08',NULL),(104,644,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Jyrus-scaled-88x110.jpeg','','Reduced by 9.7% (384 B)',3580,3964,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:08',NULL),(105,644,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Jyrus-scaled-370x250.jpeg','','Reduced by 4.0% (807 B)',19615,20422,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:08',NULL),(106,644,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Jyrus-scaled-200x250.jpeg','','Reduced by 5.1% (709 B)',13193,13902,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:08',NULL),(107,644,'media','bfastmag_related_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Jyrus-scaled-288x160.jpeg','','Reduced by 4.4% (500 B)',10858,11358,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:08',NULL),(108,644,'media','bfastmag_blog_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Jyrus-scaled-780x544.jpeg','','Reduced by 4.1% (2.8 KB)',66144,68998,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:08',NULL),(109,644,'media','bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Jyrus-scaled-435x544.jpeg','','Reduced by 3.7% (1.7 KB)',45484,47232,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:08',NULL),(110,643,'media','full','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Marianne-scaled.jpeg','','Reduced by 3.8% (15.7 KB)',407317,423390,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:09',NULL),(111,643,'media','medium','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Marianne-scaled-240x300.jpeg','','Reduced by 3.8% (524 B)',13432,13956,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:09',NULL),(112,643,'media','large','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Marianne-scaled-819x1024.jpeg','','Reduced by 2.6% (2.3 KB)',90509,92904,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:09',NULL),(113,643,'media','thumbnail','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Marianne-scaled-150x150.jpeg','','Reduced by 6.6% (403 B)',5726,6129,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:09',NULL),(114,643,'media','medium_large','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Marianne-scaled-768x960.jpeg','','Reduced by 2.5% (2.1 KB)',81411,83533,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:10',NULL),(115,643,'media','1536x1536','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Marianne-scaled-1229x1536.jpeg','','Reduced by 3.3% (5.8 KB)',174750,180684,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:10',NULL),(116,643,'media','2048x2048','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Marianne-scaled-1638x2048.jpeg','','Reduced by 3.6% (10.1 KB)',277684,288051,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:10',NULL),(117,643,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Marianne-scaled-170x110.jpeg','','Reduced by 7.6% (388 B)',4741,5129,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:10',NULL),(118,643,'media','bfastmag_small_thumb_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Marianne-scaled-86x70.jpeg','','Reduced by 13.9% (374 B)',2313,2687,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:10',NULL),(119,643,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Marianne-scaled-88x110.jpeg','','Reduced by 10.9% (387 B)',3178,3565,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:10',NULL),(120,643,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Marianne-scaled-370x250.jpeg','','Reduced by 3.3% (514 B)',15275,15789,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:10',NULL),(121,643,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Marianne-scaled-200x250.jpeg','','Reduced by 3.6% (394 B)',10403,10797,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:10',NULL),(122,643,'media','bfastmag_related_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Marianne-scaled-288x160.jpeg','','Reduced by 4.5% (407 B)',8563,8970,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:10',NULL),(123,643,'media','bfastmag_blog_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Marianne-scaled-780x544.jpeg','','Reduced by 2.8% (1.4 KB)',47859,49256,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:10',NULL),(124,643,'media','bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Marianne-scaled-435x544.jpeg','','Reduced by 2.7% (926 B)',33393,34319,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:10',NULL),(125,641,'media','full','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Jenla.jpeg','','Reduced by 2.4% (16.0 KB)',670451,686861,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:11',NULL),(126,641,'media','medium','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Jenla-240x300.jpeg','','Reduced by 4.3% (650 B)',14311,14961,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:11',NULL),(127,641,'media','large','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Jenla-819x1024.jpeg','','Reduced by 3.5% (3.6 KB)',101752,105467,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:11',NULL),(128,641,'media','thumbnail','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Jenla-150x150.jpeg','','Reduced by 6.3% (402 B)',5982,6384,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:11',NULL),(129,641,'media','medium_large','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Jenla-768x960.jpeg','','Reduced by 3.5% (3.2 KB)',90546,93841,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:12',NULL),(130,641,'media','1536x1536','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Jenla-1229x1536.jpeg','','Reduced by 3.8% (7.9 KB)',202607,210693,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:12',NULL),(131,641,'media','2048x2048','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Jenla-1638x2048.jpeg','','Reduced by 3.7% (12.2 KB)',324453,336992,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:12',NULL),(132,641,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Jenla-170x110.jpeg','','Reduced by 7.4% (395 B)',4945,5340,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:12',NULL),(133,641,'media','bfastmag_small_thumb_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Jenla-86x70.jpeg','','Reduced by 14.6% (388 B)',2266,2654,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:12',NULL),(134,641,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Jenla-88x110.jpeg','','Reduced by 10.5% (391 B)',3323,3714,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:12',NULL),(135,641,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Jenla-370x250.jpeg','','Reduced by 3.5% (591 B)',16069,16660,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:12',NULL),(136,641,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Jenla-200x250.jpeg','','Reduced by 4.7% (542 B)',10956,11498,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:12',NULL),(137,641,'media','bfastmag_related_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Jenla-288x160.jpeg','','Reduced by 4.4% (413 B)',9069,9482,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:12',NULL),(138,641,'media','bfastmag_blog_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Jenla-780x544.jpeg','','Reduced by 3.4% (1.8 KB)',53699,55563,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:12',NULL),(139,641,'media','bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Jenla-435x544.jpeg','','Reduced by 3.2% (1.1 KB)',35916,37089,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:12',NULL),(140,639,'media','full','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Caloy-scaled.jpeg','','Reduced by 2.9% (12.5 KB)',432303,445111,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:13',NULL),(141,639,'media','medium','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Caloy-scaled-240x300.jpeg','','Reduced by 3.8% (543 B)',13748,14291,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:13',NULL),(142,639,'media','large','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Caloy-scaled-819x1024.jpeg','','Reduced by 2.7% (2.6 KB)',95745,98416,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:13',NULL),(143,639,'media','thumbnail','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Caloy-scaled-150x150.jpeg','','Reduced by 6.4% (394 B)',5757,6151,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:13',NULL),(144,639,'media','medium_large','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Caloy-scaled-768x960.jpeg','','Reduced by 2.7% (2.3 KB)',85482,87879,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:13',NULL),(145,639,'media','1536x1536','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Caloy-scaled-1229x1536.jpeg','','Reduced by 2.9% (5.4 KB)',187613,193185,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:14',NULL),(146,639,'media','2048x2048','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Caloy-scaled-1638x2048.jpeg','','Reduced by 2.8% (8.2 KB)',296766,305209,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:14',NULL),(147,639,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Caloy-scaled-170x110.jpeg','','Reduced by 8.1% (396 B)',4483,4879,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:14',NULL),(148,639,'media','bfastmag_small_thumb_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Caloy-scaled-86x70.jpeg','','Reduced by 14.0% (356 B)',2189,2545,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:14',NULL),(149,639,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Caloy-scaled-88x110.jpeg','','Reduced by 10.5% (380 B)',3228,3608,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:14',NULL),(150,639,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Caloy-scaled-370x250.jpeg','','Reduced by 2.9% (437 B)',14496,14933,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:14',NULL),(151,639,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Caloy-scaled-200x250.jpeg','','Reduced by 4.8% (547 B)',10738,11285,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:14',NULL),(152,639,'media','bfastmag_related_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Caloy-scaled-288x160.jpeg','','Reduced by 5.0% (416 B)',7918,8334,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:14',NULL),(153,639,'media','bfastmag_blog_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Caloy-scaled-780x544.jpeg','','Reduced by 2.6% (1.2 KB)',47138,48389,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:14',NULL),(154,639,'media','bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Caloy-scaled-435x544.jpeg','','Reduced by 3.0% (1.0 KB)',34468,35533,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:14',NULL),(155,636,'media','full','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Grp_Shot_1_75_1_70_1_80.jpeg','','Reduced by 6.1% (93.0 KB)',1460365,1555568,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:15',NULL),(156,636,'media','medium','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Grp_Shot_1_75_1_70_1_80-300x200.jpeg','','Reduced by 7.4% (1.6 KB)',20676,22322,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:15',NULL),(157,636,'media','large','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Grp_Shot_1_75_1_70_1_80-1024x682.jpeg','','Reduced by 5.3% (9.3 KB)',171575,181141,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:15',NULL),(158,636,'media','thumbnail','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Grp_Shot_1_75_1_70_1_80-150x150.jpeg','','Reduced by 4.5% (443 B)',9488,9931,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:15',NULL),(159,636,'media','medium_large','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Grp_Shot_1_75_1_70_1_80-768x512.jpeg','','Reduced by 5.9% (6.4 KB)',104764,111354,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:16',NULL),(160,636,'media','1536x1536','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Grp_Shot_1_75_1_70_1_80-1536x1023.jpeg','','Reduced by 4.6% (15.5 KB)',332177,348097,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:16',NULL),(161,636,'media','2048x2048','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Grp_Shot_1_75_1_70_1_80-2048x1364.jpeg','','Reduced by 4.1% (22.1 KB)',528114,550733,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:16',NULL),(162,636,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Grp_Shot_1_75_1_70_1_80-170x110.jpeg','','Reduced by 5.1% (438 B)',8080,8518,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:16',NULL),(163,636,'media','bfastmag_small_thumb_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Grp_Shot_1_75_1_70_1_80-86x70.jpeg','','Reduced by 10.6% (378 B)',3175,3553,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:16',NULL),(164,636,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Grp_Shot_1_75_1_70_1_80-165x110.jpeg','','Reduced by 5.0% (408 B)',7731,8139,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:16',NULL),(165,636,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Grp_Shot_1_75_1_70_1_80-370x250.jpeg','','Reduced by 6.9% (2.2 KB)',30394,32654,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:16',NULL),(166,636,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Grp_Shot_1_75_1_70_1_80-370x246.jpeg','','Reduced by 7.1% (2.3 KB)',29999,32308,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:16',NULL),(167,636,'media','bfastmag_related_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Grp_Shot_1_75_1_70_1_80-288x160.jpeg','','Reduced by 7.9% (1.4 KB)',16299,17703,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:16',NULL),(168,636,'media','bfastmag_blog_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Grp_Shot_1_75_1_70_1_80-780x544.jpeg','','Reduced by 5.7% (6.7 KB)',112133,118963,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:16',NULL),(169,636,'media','bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Grp_Shot_1_75_1_70_1_80-780x520.jpeg','','Reduced by 5.8% (6.5 KB)',108304,114924,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:16',NULL),(170,630,'media','full','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Edz-scaled.jpeg','','Reduced by 3.8% (20.9 KB)',549786,571232,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:17',NULL),(171,630,'media','medium','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Edz-scaled-240x300.jpeg','','Reduced by 4.8% (808 B)',16018,16826,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:17',NULL),(172,630,'media','large','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Edz-scaled-819x1024.jpeg','','Reduced by 3.6% (4.0 KB)',111428,115559,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:17',NULL),(173,630,'media','thumbnail','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Edz-scaled-150x150.jpeg','','Reduced by 5.8% (410 B)',6706,7116,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:17',NULL),(174,630,'media','medium_large','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Edz-scaled-768x960.jpeg','','Reduced by 3.6% (3.6 KB)',99601,103296,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:17',NULL),(175,630,'media','1536x1536','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Edz-scaled-1229x1536.jpeg','','Reduced by 4.0% (8.9 KB)',220826,229955,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:18',NULL),(176,630,'media','2048x2048','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Edz-scaled-1638x2048.jpeg','','Reduced by 3.9% (14.3 KB)',358501,373169,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:18',NULL),(177,630,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Edz-scaled-170x110.jpeg','','Reduced by 6.8% (405 B)',5517,5922,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:18',NULL),(178,630,'media','bfastmag_small_thumb_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Edz-scaled-86x70.jpeg','','Reduced by 13.4% (380 B)',2466,2846,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:18',NULL),(179,630,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Edz-scaled-88x110.jpeg','','Reduced by 10.0% (390 B)',3498,3888,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:18',NULL),(180,630,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Edz-scaled-370x250.jpeg','','Reduced by 4.1% (791 B)',18423,19214,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:18',NULL),(181,630,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Edz-scaled-200x250.jpeg','','Reduced by 5.1% (654 B)',12250,12904,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:18',NULL),(182,630,'media','bfastmag_related_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Edz-scaled-288x160.jpeg','','Reduced by 4.9% (527 B)',10152,10679,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:18',NULL),(183,630,'media','bfastmag_blog_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Edz-scaled-780x544.jpeg','','Reduced by 3.8% (2.3 KB)',59472,61802,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:18',NULL),(184,630,'media','bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Edz-scaled-435x544.jpeg','','Reduced by 3.5% (1.4 KB)',40301,41759,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:18',NULL),(185,629,'media','full','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Rochelle-scaled.jpeg','','Reduced by 3.9% (21.2 KB)',536470,558207,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:19',NULL),(186,629,'media','medium','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Rochelle-scaled-240x300.jpeg','','Reduced by 4.9% (836 B)',16265,17101,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:19',NULL),(187,629,'media','large','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Rochelle-scaled-819x1024.jpeg','','Reduced by 3.5% (4.0 KB)',112699,116806,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:19',NULL),(188,629,'media','thumbnail','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Rochelle-scaled-150x150.jpeg','','Reduced by 6.0% (424 B)',6663,7087,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:19',NULL),(189,629,'media','medium_large','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Rochelle-scaled-768x960.jpeg','','Reduced by 3.5% (3.6 KB)',100939,104590,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:19',NULL),(190,629,'media','1536x1536','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Rochelle-scaled-1229x1536.jpeg','','Reduced by 3.9% (8.8 KB)',222190,231158,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:20',NULL),(191,629,'media','2048x2048','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Rochelle-scaled-1638x2048.jpeg','','Reduced by 3.9% (14.2 KB)',357177,371714,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:20',NULL),(192,629,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Rochelle-scaled-170x110.jpeg','','Reduced by 7.4% (430 B)',5368,5798,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:20',NULL),(193,629,'media','bfastmag_small_thumb_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Rochelle-scaled-86x70.jpeg','','Reduced by 13.4% (388 B)',2502,2890,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:20',NULL),(194,629,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Rochelle-scaled-88x110.jpeg','','Reduced by 9.8% (395 B)',3617,4012,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:20',NULL),(195,629,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Rochelle-scaled-370x250.jpeg','','Reduced by 4.4% (820 B)',17859,18679,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:20',NULL),(196,629,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Rochelle-scaled-200x250.jpeg','','Reduced by 5.3% (698 B)',12444,13142,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:20',NULL),(197,629,'media','bfastmag_related_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Rochelle-scaled-288x160.jpeg','','Reduced by 5.2% (541 B)',9898,10439,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:20',NULL),(198,629,'media','bfastmag_blog_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Rochelle-scaled-780x544.jpeg','','Reduced by 3.5% (2.0 KB)',58633,60731,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:20',NULL),(199,629,'media','bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Rochelle-scaled-435x544.jpeg','','Reduced by 3.6% (1.5 KB)',40877,42407,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:20',NULL),(200,628,'media','full','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Rani.jpeg','','Reduced by 8.9% (53.0 KB)',557940,612208,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:21',NULL),(201,628,'media','medium','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Rani-240x300.jpeg','','Reduced by 4.3% (694 B)',15523,16217,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:21',NULL),(202,628,'media','large','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Rani-819x1024.jpeg','','Reduced by 3.6% (4.3 KB)',118787,123193,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:21',NULL),(203,628,'media','thumbnail','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Rani-150x150.jpeg','','Reduced by 6.1% (407 B)',6229,6636,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:21',NULL),(204,628,'media','medium_large','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Rani-768x960.jpeg','','Reduced by 3.5% (3.8 KB)',105576,109453,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:21',NULL),(205,628,'media','1536x1536','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Rani-1229x1536.jpeg','','Reduced by 3.7% (8.8 KB)',237044,246064,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:22',NULL),(206,628,'media','2048x2048','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Rani-1638x2048.jpeg','','Reduced by 3.4% (13.2 KB)',380706,394264,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:22',NULL),(207,628,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Rani-170x110.jpeg','','Reduced by 7.5% (422 B)',5196,5618,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:22',NULL),(208,628,'media','bfastmag_small_thumb_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Rani-86x70.jpeg','','Reduced by 14.2% (392 B)',2375,2767,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:22',NULL),(209,628,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Rani-88x110.jpeg','','Reduced by 10.5% (393 B)',3362,3755,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:22',NULL),(210,628,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Rani-370x250.jpeg','','Reduced by 3.7% (688 B)',18068,18756,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:22',NULL),(211,628,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Rani-200x250.jpeg','','Reduced by 4.9% (602 B)',11803,12405,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:22',NULL),(212,628,'media','bfastmag_related_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Rani-288x160.jpeg','','Reduced by 4.5% (467 B)',9952,10419,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:22',NULL),(213,628,'media','bfastmag_blog_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Rani-780x544.jpeg','','Reduced by 3.6% (2.3 KB)',62653,64999,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:22',NULL),(214,628,'media','bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Rani-435x544.jpeg','','Reduced by 3.6% (1.5 KB)',40967,42476,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:22',NULL),(215,627,'media','full','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Lovely-scaled.jpeg','','Reduced by 4.0% (22.2 KB)',541485,564194,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:23',NULL),(216,627,'media','medium','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Lovely-scaled-240x300.jpeg','','Reduced by 4.9% (791 B)',15496,16287,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:23',NULL),(217,627,'media','large','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Lovely-scaled-820x1024.jpeg','','Reduced by 3.4% (3.8 KB)',110889,114810,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:23',NULL),(218,627,'media','thumbnail','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Lovely-scaled-150x150.jpeg','','Reduced by 6.1% (408 B)',6325,6733,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:23',NULL),(219,627,'media','medium_large','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Lovely-scaled-768x960.jpeg','','Reduced by 3.4% (3.4 KB)',99041,102552,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:23',NULL),(220,627,'media','1536x1536','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Lovely-scaled-1229x1536.jpeg','','Reduced by 3.8% (8.5 KB)',220345,229044,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:24',NULL),(221,627,'media','2048x2048','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Lovely-scaled-1639x2048.jpeg','','Reduced by 4.0% (14.4 KB)',355724,370462,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:24',NULL),(222,627,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Lovely-scaled-170x110.jpeg','','Reduced by 7.3% (418 B)',5336,5754,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:24',NULL),(223,627,'media','bfastmag_small_thumb_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Lovely-scaled-86x70.jpeg','','Reduced by 14.0% (395 B)',2430,2825,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:24',NULL),(224,627,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Lovely-scaled-88x110.jpeg','','Reduced by 10.3% (393 B)',3438,3831,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:24',NULL),(225,627,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Lovely-scaled-370x250.jpeg','','Reduced by 4.0% (742 B)',17914,18656,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:24',NULL),(226,627,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Lovely-scaled-200x250.jpeg','','Reduced by 4.9% (600 B)',11770,12370,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:24',NULL),(227,627,'media','bfastmag_related_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Lovely-scaled-288x160.jpeg','','Reduced by 4.9% (517 B)',10077,10594,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:24',NULL),(228,627,'media','bfastmag_blog_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Lovely-scaled-780x544.jpeg','','Reduced by 3.6% (2.2 KB)',60043,62297,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:24',NULL),(229,627,'media','bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Lovely-scaled-435x544.jpeg','','Reduced by 3.6% (1.4 KB)',39540,41019,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:24',NULL),(230,626,'media','full','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Arella-scaled.jpeg','','Reduced by 3.5% (20.9 KB)',589560,610925,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:25',NULL),(231,626,'media','medium','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Arella-scaled-240x300.jpeg','','Reduced by 5.2% (981 B)',17901,18882,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:25',NULL),(232,626,'media','large','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Arella-scaled-819x1024.jpeg','','Reduced by 3.5% (4.7 KB)',130961,135752,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:25',NULL),(233,626,'media','thumbnail','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Arella-scaled-150x150.jpeg','','Reduced by 5.5% (418 B)',7114,7532,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:26',NULL),(234,626,'media','medium_large','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Arella-scaled-768x960.jpeg','','Reduced by 3.6% (4.3 KB)',117411,121814,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:26',NULL),(235,626,'media','1536x1536','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Arella-scaled-1229x1536.jpeg','','Reduced by 3.5% (9.0 KB)',252195,261408,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:26',NULL),(236,626,'media','2048x2048','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Arella-scaled-1638x2048.jpeg','','Reduced by 3.6% (14.3 KB)',398492,413163,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:26',NULL),(237,626,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Arella-scaled-170x110.jpeg','','Reduced by 6.8% (412 B)',5618,6030,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:26',NULL),(238,626,'media','bfastmag_small_thumb_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Arella-scaled-86x70.jpeg','','Reduced by 13.3% (389 B)',2538,2927,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:26',NULL),(239,626,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Arella-scaled-88x110.jpeg','','Reduced by 9.9% (406 B)',3704,4110,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:26',NULL),(240,626,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Arella-scaled-370x250.jpeg','','Reduced by 4.7% (992 B)',20266,21258,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:26',NULL),(241,626,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Arella-scaled-200x250.jpeg','','Reduced by 5.6% (801 B)',13404,14205,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:26',NULL),(242,626,'media','bfastmag_related_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Arella-scaled-288x160.jpeg','','Reduced by 5.2% (617 B)',11152,11769,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:26',NULL),(243,626,'media','bfastmag_blog_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Arella-scaled-780x544.jpeg','','Reduced by 3.6% (2.5 KB)',68764,71325,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:26',NULL),(244,626,'media','bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Arella-scaled-435x544.jpeg','','Reduced by 4.2% (2.0 KB)',47063,49110,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:26',NULL),(245,625,'media','full','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Alarice-scaled.jpeg','','Reduced by 4.3% (20.8 KB)',470069,491367,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:27',NULL),(246,625,'media','medium','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Alarice-scaled-240x300.jpeg','','Reduced by 4.7% (749 B)',15128,15877,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:27',NULL),(247,625,'media','large','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Alarice-scaled-819x1024.jpeg','','Reduced by 3.3% (3.4 KB)',101629,105131,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:27',NULL),(248,625,'media','thumbnail','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Alarice-scaled-150x150.jpeg','','Reduced by 5.8% (393 B)',6388,6781,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:27',NULL),(249,625,'media','medium_large','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Alarice-scaled-768x960.jpeg','','Reduced by 3.4% (3.1 KB)',91336,94518,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:28',NULL),(250,625,'media','1536x1536','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Alarice-scaled-1229x1536.jpeg','','Reduced by 3.6% (7.1 KB)',196424,203674,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:28',NULL),(251,625,'media','2048x2048','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Alarice-scaled-1638x2048.jpeg','','Reduced by 3.8% (12.1 KB)',312578,324952,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:28',NULL),(252,625,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Alarice-scaled-170x110.jpeg','','Reduced by 7.0% (408 B)',5380,5788,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:28',NULL),(253,625,'media','bfastmag_small_thumb_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Alarice-scaled-86x70.jpeg','','Reduced by 13.5% (377 B)',2409,2786,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:28',NULL),(254,625,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Alarice-scaled-88x110.jpeg','','Reduced by 9.9% (377 B)',3416,3793,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:28',NULL),(255,625,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Alarice-scaled-370x250.jpeg','','Reduced by 3.9% (700 B)',17380,18080,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:28',NULL),(256,625,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Alarice-scaled-200x250.jpeg','','Reduced by 4.8% (595 B)',11688,12283,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:28',NULL),(257,625,'media','bfastmag_related_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Alarice-scaled-288x160.jpeg','','Reduced by 4.6% (486 B)',10018,10504,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:28',NULL),(258,625,'media','bfastmag_blog_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Alarice-scaled-780x544.jpeg','','Reduced by 3.4% (1.9 KB)',55566,57550,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:28',NULL),(259,625,'media','bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Alarice-scaled-435x544.jpeg','','Reduced by 3.6% (1.4 KB)',37709,39111,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:28',NULL),(260,624,'media','full','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Portia-scaled.jpeg','','Reduced by 4.5% (35.6 KB)',769980,806469,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:29',NULL),(261,624,'media','medium','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Portia-scaled-240x300.jpeg','','Reduced by 5.0% (911 B)',17129,18040,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:29',NULL),(262,624,'media','large','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Portia-scaled-819x1024.jpeg','','Reduced by 4.8% (6.2 KB)',125782,132166,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:30',NULL),(263,624,'media','thumbnail','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Portia-scaled-150x150.jpeg','','Reduced by 6.3% (457 B)',6769,7226,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:30',NULL),(264,624,'media','medium_large','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Portia-scaled-768x960.jpeg','','Reduced by 4.8% (5.5 KB)',111775,117366,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:30',NULL),(265,624,'media','1536x1536','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Portia-scaled-1229x1536.jpeg','','Reduced by 5.5% (15.3 KB)',267069,282686,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:30',NULL),(266,624,'media','2048x2048','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Portia-scaled-1638x2048.jpeg','','Reduced by 5.3% (25.6 KB)',466128,492328,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:30',NULL),(267,624,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Portia-scaled-170x110.jpeg','','Reduced by 6.9% (408 B)',5548,5956,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:30',NULL),(268,624,'media','bfastmag_small_thumb_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Portia-scaled-86x70.jpeg','','Reduced by 13.6% (377 B)',2389,2766,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:30',NULL),(269,624,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Portia-scaled-88x110.jpeg','','Reduced by 10.2% (396 B)',3482,3878,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:30',NULL),(270,624,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Portia-scaled-370x250.jpeg','','Reduced by 4.2% (823 B)',18694,19517,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:30',NULL),(271,624,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Portia-scaled-200x250.jpeg','','Reduced by 5.3% (728 B)',12982,13710,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:30',NULL),(272,624,'media','bfastmag_related_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Portia-scaled-288x160.jpeg','','Reduced by 4.7% (521 B)',10567,11088,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:30',NULL),(273,624,'media','bfastmag_blog_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Portia-scaled-780x544.jpeg','','Reduced by 4.5% (2.9 KB)',62371,65310,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:30',NULL),(274,624,'media','bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Portia-scaled-435x544.jpeg','','Reduced by 4.2% (1.9 KB)',44148,46061,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:30',NULL),(275,623,'media','full','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Kimmy-1-scaled.jpeg','','Reduced by 4.0% (22.9 KB)',563954,587449,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:32',NULL),(276,623,'media','medium','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Kimmy-1-scaled-240x300.jpeg','','Reduced by 5.2% (894 B)',16441,17335,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:32',NULL),(277,623,'media','large','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Kimmy-1-scaled-819x1024.jpeg','','Reduced by 4.0% (4.6 KB)',113851,118593,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:32',NULL),(278,623,'media','thumbnail','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Kimmy-1-scaled-150x150.jpeg','','Reduced by 5.9% (424 B)',6755,7179,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:32',NULL),(279,623,'media','medium_large','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Kimmy-1-scaled-768x960.jpeg','','Reduced by 3.9% (4.1 KB)',101637,105788,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:33',NULL),(280,623,'media','1536x1536','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Kimmy-1-scaled-1229x1536.jpeg','','Reduced by 4.4% (10.2 KB)',227657,238076,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:33',NULL),(281,623,'media','2048x2048','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Kimmy-1-scaled-1638x2048.jpeg','','Reduced by 4.3% (16.4 KB)',369984,386807,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:33',NULL),(282,623,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Kimmy-1-scaled-170x110.jpeg','','Reduced by 6.9% (425 B)',5730,6155,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:33',NULL),(283,623,'media','bfastmag_small_thumb_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Kimmy-1-scaled-86x70.jpeg','','Reduced by 13.2% (385 B)',2526,2911,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:33',NULL),(284,623,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Kimmy-1-scaled-88x110.jpeg','','Reduced by 9.9% (390 B)',3533,3923,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:33',NULL),(285,623,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Kimmy-1-scaled-370x250.jpeg','','Reduced by 4.5% (889 B)',18804,19693,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:33',NULL),(286,623,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Kimmy-1-scaled-200x250.jpeg','','Reduced by 5.4% (709 B)',12509,13218,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:33',NULL),(287,623,'media','bfastmag_related_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Kimmy-1-scaled-288x160.jpeg','','Reduced by 5.2% (577 B)',10417,10994,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:33',NULL),(288,623,'media','bfastmag_blog_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Kimmy-1-scaled-780x544.jpeg','','Reduced by 3.9% (2.4 KB)',61101,63554,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:33',NULL),(289,623,'media','bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Kimmy-1-scaled-435x544.jpeg','','Reduced by 3.9% (1.6 KB)',41284,42944,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:33',NULL),(290,622,'media','full','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Gab.jpeg','','Reduced by 9.0% (50.6 KB)',523099,574863,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:34',NULL),(291,622,'media','medium','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Gab-240x300.jpeg','','Reduced by 5.0% (837 B)',16067,16904,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:34',NULL),(292,622,'media','large','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Gab-819x1024.jpeg','','Reduced by 3.3% (4.0 KB)',118469,122567,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:34',NULL),(293,622,'media','thumbnail','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Gab-150x150.jpeg','','Reduced by 5.6% (377 B)',6297,6674,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:34',NULL),(294,622,'media','medium_large','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Gab-768x960.jpeg','','Reduced by 3.4% (3.6 KB)',105685,109374,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:34',NULL),(295,622,'media','1536x1536','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Gab-1229x1536.jpeg','','Reduced by 3.4% (8.0 KB)',230316,238543,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:35',NULL),(296,622,'media','2048x2048','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Gab-1638x2048.jpeg','','Reduced by 3.3% (12.1 KB)',363181,375587,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:35',NULL),(297,622,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Gab-170x110.jpeg','','Reduced by 7.1% (377 B)',4960,5337,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:35',NULL),(298,622,'media','bfastmag_small_thumb_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Gab-86x70.jpeg','','Reduced by 14.0% (372 B)',2285,2657,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:35',NULL),(299,622,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Gab-88x110.jpeg','','Reduced by 9.8% (364 B)',3365,3729,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:35',NULL),(300,622,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Gab-370x250.jpeg','','Reduced by 3.8% (691 B)',17518,18209,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:35',NULL),(301,622,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Gab-200x250.jpeg','','Reduced by 5.3% (677 B)',12061,12738,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:35',NULL),(302,622,'media','bfastmag_related_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Gab-288x160.jpeg','','Reduced by 3.8% (366 B)',9235,9601,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:35',NULL),(303,622,'media','bfastmag_blog_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Gab-780x544.jpeg','','Reduced by 3.2% (1.9 KB)',58022,59941,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:35',NULL),(304,622,'media','bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Gab-435x544.jpeg','','Reduced by 3.7% (1.6 KB)',42470,44103,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:35',NULL),(305,621,'media','full','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Kimmy-scaled.jpeg','','Reduced by 4.0% (22.9 KB)',563954,587449,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:36',NULL),(306,621,'media','medium','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Kimmy-scaled-240x300.jpeg','','Reduced by 5.2% (894 B)',16441,17335,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:36',NULL),(307,621,'media','large','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Kimmy-scaled-819x1024.jpeg','','Reduced by 4.0% (4.6 KB)',113851,118593,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:36',NULL),(308,621,'media','thumbnail','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Kimmy-scaled-150x150.jpeg','','Reduced by 5.9% (424 B)',6755,7179,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:36',NULL),(309,621,'media','medium_large','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Kimmy-scaled-768x960.jpeg','','Reduced by 3.9% (4.1 KB)',101637,105788,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:37',NULL),(310,621,'media','1536x1536','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Kimmy-scaled-1229x1536.jpeg','','Reduced by 4.4% (10.2 KB)',227657,238076,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:37',NULL),(311,621,'media','2048x2048','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Kimmy-scaled-1638x2048.jpeg','','Reduced by 4.3% (16.4 KB)',369984,386807,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:37',NULL),(312,621,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Kimmy-scaled-170x110.jpeg','','Reduced by 6.9% (425 B)',5730,6155,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:37',NULL),(313,621,'media','bfastmag_small_thumb_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Kimmy-scaled-86x70.jpeg','','Reduced by 13.2% (385 B)',2526,2911,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:37',NULL),(314,621,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Kimmy-scaled-88x110.jpeg','','Reduced by 9.9% (390 B)',3533,3923,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:37',NULL),(315,621,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Kimmy-scaled-370x250.jpeg','','Reduced by 4.5% (889 B)',18804,19693,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:37',NULL),(316,621,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Kimmy-scaled-200x250.jpeg','','Reduced by 5.4% (709 B)',12509,13218,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:37',NULL),(317,621,'media','bfastmag_related_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Kimmy-scaled-288x160.jpeg','','Reduced by 5.2% (577 B)',10417,10994,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:37',NULL),(318,621,'media','bfastmag_blog_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Kimmy-scaled-780x544.jpeg','','Reduced by 3.9% (2.4 KB)',61101,63554,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:37',NULL),(319,621,'media','bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Kimmy-scaled-435x544.jpeg','','Reduced by 3.9% (1.6 KB)',41284,42944,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:37',NULL),(320,620,'media','full','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/IMG_1342-scaled.jpg','','Reduced by 3.7% (19.6 KB)',518047,538126,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:38',NULL),(321,620,'media','medium','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/IMG_1342-scaled-200x300.jpg','','Reduced by 5.8% (1.0 KB)',16911,17961,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:38',NULL),(322,620,'media','large','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/IMG_1342-scaled-683x1024.jpg','','Reduced by 3.6% (4.3 KB)',118571,123022,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:38',NULL),(323,620,'media','thumbnail','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/IMG_1342-scaled-150x150.jpg','','Reduced by 5.0% (391 B)',7485,7876,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:38',NULL),(324,620,'media','medium_large','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/IMG_1342-scaled-768x1152.jpg','','Reduced by 3.6% (5.1 KB)',141551,146773,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:38',NULL),(325,620,'media','1536x1536','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/IMG_1342-scaled-1024x1536.jpg','','Reduced by 3.5% (7.8 KB)',221658,229676,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:39',NULL),(326,620,'media','2048x2048','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/IMG_1342-scaled-1366x2048.jpg','','Reduced by 3.4% (11.7 KB)',345687,357704,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:39',NULL),(327,620,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/IMG_1342-scaled-170x110.jpg','','Reduced by 6.8% (430 B)',5902,6332,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:39',NULL),(328,620,'media','bfastmag_small_thumb_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/IMG_1342-scaled-86x70.jpg','','Reduced by 12.4% (378 B)',2659,3037,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:39',NULL),(329,620,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/IMG_1342-scaled-73x110.jpg','','Reduced by 10.2% (385 B)',3405,3790,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:39',NULL),(330,620,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/IMG_1342-scaled-370x250.jpg','','Reduced by 4.4% (932 B)',20032,20964,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:39',NULL),(331,620,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/IMG_1342-scaled-167x250.jpg','','Reduced by 5.9% (796 B)',12698,13494,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:39',NULL),(332,620,'media','bfastmag_related_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/IMG_1342-scaled-288x160.jpg','','Reduced by 5.2% (614 B)',11238,11852,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:39',NULL),(333,620,'media','bfastmag_blog_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/IMG_1342-scaled-780x544.jpg','','Reduced by 2.8% (1.8 KB)',63139,64990,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:39',NULL),(334,620,'media','bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/IMG_1342-scaled-363x544.jpg','','Reduced by 4.7% (2.1 KB)',43958,46122,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:39',NULL),(335,619,'media','full','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Yurii-scaled.jpeg','','Reduced by 3.5% (22.1 KB)',615324,637964,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:40',NULL),(336,619,'media','medium','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Yurii-scaled-240x300.jpeg','','Reduced by 5.3% (1.0 KB)',18952,20011,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:40',NULL),(337,619,'media','large','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Yurii-scaled-819x1024.jpeg','','Reduced by 4.1% (5.7 KB)',135398,141219,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:40',NULL),(338,619,'media','thumbnail','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Yurii-scaled-150x150.jpeg','','Reduced by 5.0% (409 B)',7737,8146,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:40',NULL),(339,619,'media','medium_large','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Yurii-scaled-768x960.jpeg','','Reduced by 4.2% (5.2 KB)',121484,126795,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:40',NULL),(340,619,'media','1536x1536','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Yurii-scaled-1229x1536.jpeg','','Reduced by 3.9% (10.3 KB)',261526,272030,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:40',NULL),(341,619,'media','2048x2048','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Yurii-scaled-1638x2048.jpeg','','Reduced by 3.7% (15.6 KB)',413991,429942,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:41',NULL),(342,619,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Yurii-scaled-170x110.jpeg','','Reduced by 6.0% (424 B)',6631,7055,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:41',NULL),(343,619,'media','bfastmag_small_thumb_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Yurii-scaled-86x70.jpeg','','Reduced by 11.8% (367 B)',2751,3118,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:41',NULL),(344,619,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Yurii-scaled-88x110.jpeg','','Reduced by 8.7% (378 B)',3965,4343,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:41',NULL),(345,619,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Yurii-scaled-370x250.jpeg','','Reduced by 4.9% (1.1 KB)',22927,24099,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:41',NULL),(346,619,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Yurii-scaled-200x250.jpeg','','Reduced by 5.9% (907 B)',14423,15330,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:41',NULL),(347,619,'media','bfastmag_related_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Yurii-scaled-288x160.jpeg','','Reduced by 5.7% (783 B)',13026,13809,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:41',NULL),(348,619,'media','bfastmag_blog_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Yurii-scaled-780x544.jpeg','','Reduced by 4.2% (3.2 KB)',74919,78232,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:41',NULL),(349,619,'media','bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Yurii-scaled-435x544.jpeg','','Reduced by 4.6% (2.3 KB)',49058,51410,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:41',NULL),(350,618,'media','full','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Alyssa.jpeg','','Reduced by 5.6% (41.2 KB)',712910,755072,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:42',NULL),(351,618,'media','medium','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Alyssa-240x300.jpeg','','Reduced by 4.9% (788 B)',15267,16055,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:42',NULL),(352,618,'media','large','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Alyssa-819x1024.jpeg','','Reduced by 3.6% (4.3 KB)',115586,119950,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:42',NULL),(353,618,'media','thumbnail','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Alyssa-150x150.jpeg','','Reduced by 6.3% (430 B)',6382,6812,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:42',NULL),(354,618,'media','medium_large','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Alyssa-768x960.jpeg','','Reduced by 3.6% (3.8 KB)',102527,106369,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:42',NULL),(355,618,'media','1536x1536','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Alyssa-1229x1536.jpeg','','Reduced by 3.7% (8.6 KB)',230258,239040,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:42',NULL),(356,618,'media','2048x2048','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Alyssa-1638x2048.jpeg','','Reduced by 3.6% (13.2 KB)',368341,381903,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:43',NULL),(357,618,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Alyssa-170x110.jpeg','','Reduced by 7.2% (409 B)',5308,5717,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:43',NULL),(358,618,'media','bfastmag_small_thumb_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Alyssa-86x70.jpeg','','Reduced by 13.4% (373 B)',2410,2783,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:43',NULL),(359,618,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Alyssa-88x110.jpeg','','Reduced by 10.2% (372 B)',3268,3640,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:43',NULL),(360,618,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Alyssa-370x250.jpeg','','Reduced by 3.6% (683 B)',18171,18854,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:43',NULL),(361,618,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Alyssa-200x250.jpeg','','Reduced by 5.0% (603 B)',11455,12058,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:43',NULL),(362,618,'media','bfastmag_related_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Alyssa-288x160.jpeg','','Reduced by 4.6% (488 B)',10125,10613,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:43',NULL),(363,618,'media','bfastmag_blog_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Alyssa-780x544.jpeg','','Reduced by 3.7% (2.3 KB)',61965,64330,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:43',NULL),(364,618,'media','bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/Alyssa-435x544.jpeg','','Reduced by 3.7% (1.5 KB)',39999,41528,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:43',NULL),(365,615,'media','full','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/banner-2.jpg','','Reduced by 19.9% (21.3 KB)',87371,109138,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:44',NULL),(366,615,'media','medium','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/banner-2-300x40.jpg','','Reduced by 8.8% (374 B)',3889,4263,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:44',NULL),(367,615,'media','thumbnail','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/banner-2-150x115.jpg','','Reduced by 5.3% (402 B)',7169,7571,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:44',NULL),(368,615,'media','medium_large','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/banner-2-768x102.jpg','','Reduced by 6.2% (1.1 KB)',17119,18251,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:44',NULL),(369,615,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/banner-2-170x110.jpg','','Reduced by 6.0% (415 B)',6521,6936,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:44',NULL),(370,615,'media','bfastmag_small_thumb_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/banner-2-86x70.jpg','','Reduced by 11.6% (377 B)',2887,3264,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:44',NULL),(371,615,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/banner-2-170x22.jpg','','Reduced by 17.3% (355 B)',1696,2051,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:44',NULL),(372,615,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/banner-2-370x115.jpg','','Reduced by 6.3% (824 B)',12277,13101,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:44',NULL),(373,615,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/banner-2-370x49.jpg','','Reduced by 6.8% (432 B)',5897,6329,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:44',NULL),(374,615,'media','bfastmag_related_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/banner-2-288x115.jpg','','Reduced by 5.9% (650 B)',10338,10988,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:44',NULL),(375,615,'media','bfastmag_blog_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/banner-2-780x115.jpg','','Reduced by 6.4% (1.5 KB)',21909,23418,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:44',NULL),(376,615,'media','bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/banner-2-780x103.jpg','','Reduced by 6.2% (1.1 KB)',17728,18896,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:44',NULL),(377,614,'media','full','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/banner-2-2-780x103-1.jpg','','Reduced by 6.3% (1.2 KB)',17770,18973,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:45',NULL),(378,614,'media','medium','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/banner-2-2-780x103-1-300x40.jpg','','Reduced by 8.9% (368 B)',3783,4151,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:45',NULL),(379,614,'media','thumbnail','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/banner-2-2-780x103-1-150x103.jpg','','Reduced by 7.1% (437 B)',5681,6118,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:45',NULL),(380,614,'media','medium_large','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/banner-2-2-780x103-1-768x101.jpg','','Reduced by 6.3% (1.0 KB)',15670,16731,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:45',NULL),(381,614,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/banner-2-2-780x103-1-170x103.jpg','','Reduced by 6.1% (408 B)',6289,6697,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:45',NULL),(382,614,'media','bfastmag_small_thumb_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/banner-2-2-780x103-1-86x70.jpg','','Reduced by 12.6% (385 B)',2660,3045,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:45',NULL),(383,614,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/banner-2-2-780x103-1-170x22.jpg','','Reduced by 17.9% (364 B)',1667,2031,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:45',NULL),(384,614,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/banner-2-2-780x103-1-370x103.jpg','','Reduced by 5.8% (597 B)',9737,10334,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:45',NULL),(385,614,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/banner-2-2-780x103-1-370x49.jpg','','Reduced by 7.0% (426 B)',5661,6087,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:45',NULL),(386,614,'media','bfastmag_related_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/03/banner-2-2-780x103-1-288x103.jpg','','Reduced by 4.7% (408 B)',8323,8731,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:45',NULL),(387,608,'media','full','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2019/11/cropped-logo-2.png','','Reduced by 5.2% (1.7 KB)',31986,33732,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:46',NULL),(388,608,'media','medium','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2019/11/cropped-logo-2-300x99.png','','Reduced by 9.0% (3.2 KB)',33368,36687,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:47',NULL),(389,608,'media','thumbnail','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2019/11/cropped-logo-2-150x115.png','','Reduced by 7.1% (840 B)',10955,11795,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:47',NULL),(390,608,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2019/11/cropped-logo-2-170x110.png','','Reduced by 9.0% (1.9 KB)',19613,21549,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:47',NULL),(391,608,'media','bfastmag_small_thumb_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2019/11/cropped-logo-2-86x70.png','','Reduced by 15.4% (1.2 KB)',6640,7849,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:48',NULL),(392,608,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2019/11/cropped-logo-2-170x56.png','','Reduced by 12.1% (1.7 KB)',12439,14154,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:48',NULL),(393,608,'media','bfastmag_related_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2019/11/cropped-logo-2-288x115.png','','Reduced by 5.3% (1.7 KB)',31022,32760,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:48',NULL),(394,606,'media','full','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/banner-2-2.jpg','','Reduced by 19.9% (21.3 KB)',87371,109138,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:49',NULL),(395,606,'media','medium','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/banner-2-2-300x40.jpg','','Reduced by 8.8% (374 B)',3889,4263,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:49',NULL),(396,606,'media','thumbnail','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/banner-2-2-150x115.jpg','','Reduced by 5.3% (402 B)',7169,7571,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:49',NULL),(397,606,'media','medium_large','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/banner-2-2-768x102.jpg','','Reduced by 6.2% (1.1 KB)',17119,18251,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:49',NULL),(398,606,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/banner-2-2-170x110.jpg','','Reduced by 6.0% (415 B)',6521,6936,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:49',NULL),(399,606,'media','bfastmag_small_thumb_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/banner-2-2-86x70.jpg','','Reduced by 11.6% (377 B)',2887,3264,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:49',NULL),(400,606,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/banner-2-2-170x22.jpg','','Reduced by 17.3% (355 B)',1696,2051,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:49',NULL),(401,606,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/banner-2-2-370x115.jpg','','Reduced by 6.3% (824 B)',12277,13101,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:49',NULL),(402,606,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/banner-2-2-370x49.jpg','','Reduced by 6.8% (432 B)',5897,6329,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:49',NULL),(403,606,'media','bfastmag_related_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/banner-2-2-288x115.jpg','','Reduced by 5.9% (650 B)',10338,10988,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:49',NULL),(404,606,'media','bfastmag_blog_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/banner-2-2-780x115.jpg','','Reduced by 6.4% (1.5 KB)',21909,23418,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:49',NULL),(405,606,'media','bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/banner-2-2-780x103.jpg','','Reduced by 6.2% (1.1 KB)',17728,18896,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:49',NULL),(406,605,'media','full','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/banner-2-1.jpg','','Reduced by 18.8% (21.4 KB)',94332,116237,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:50',NULL),(407,605,'media','medium','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/banner-2-1-300x44.jpg','','Reduced by 7.7% (374 B)',4452,4826,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:50',NULL),(408,605,'media','thumbnail','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/banner-2-1-150x125.jpg','','Reduced by 5.6% (457 B)',7681,8138,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:50',NULL),(409,605,'media','medium_large','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/banner-2-1-768x113.jpg','','Reduced by 6.3% (1.3 KB)',19722,21039,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:50',NULL),(410,605,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/banner-2-1-170x110.jpg','','Reduced by 5.9% (428 B)',6871,7299,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:51',NULL),(411,605,'media','bfastmag_small_thumb_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/banner-2-1-86x70.jpg','','Reduced by 11.4% (377 B)',2938,3315,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:51',NULL),(412,605,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/banner-2-1-170x25.jpg','','Reduced by 17.4% (402 B)',1907,2309,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:51',NULL),(413,605,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/banner-2-1-370x125.jpg','','Reduced by 6.3% (901 B)',13376,14277,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:51',NULL),(414,605,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/banner-2-1-370x55.jpg','','Reduced by 5.8% (385 B)',6263,6648,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:51',NULL),(415,605,'media','bfastmag_related_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/banner-2-1-288x125.jpg','','Reduced by 6.4% (804 B)',11667,12471,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:51',NULL),(416,605,'media','bfastmag_blog_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/banner-2-1-780x125.jpg','','Reduced by 6.7% (1.7 KB)',23986,25695,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:51',NULL),(417,605,'media','bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/banner-2-1-780x115.jpg','','Reduced by 6.4% (1.4 KB)',20543,21952,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:51',NULL),(418,604,'media','full','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/banner-2.jpg','','Reduced by 18.9% (20.4 KB)',89604,110493,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:51',NULL),(419,604,'media','medium','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/banner-2-300x45.jpg','','Reduced by 7.4% (382 B)',4806,5188,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:51',NULL),(420,604,'media','thumbnail','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/banner-2-150x119.jpg','','Reduced by 5.6% (432 B)',7276,7708,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:51',NULL),(421,604,'media','medium_large','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/banner-2-768x115.jpg','','Reduced by 6.4% (1.4 KB)',20941,22367,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:52',NULL),(422,604,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/banner-2-170x110.jpg','','Reduced by 6.0% (438 B)',6880,7318,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:52',NULL),(423,604,'media','bfastmag_small_thumb_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/banner-2-86x70.jpg','','Reduced by 11.9% (382 B)',2833,3215,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:52',NULL),(424,604,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/banner-2-170x25.jpg','','Reduced by 17.2% (402 B)',1931,2333,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:52',NULL),(425,604,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/banner-2-370x119.jpg','','Reduced by 6.0% (855 B)',13484,14339,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:52',NULL),(426,604,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/banner-2-370x55.jpg','','Reduced by 5.3% (384 B)',6803,7187,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:52',NULL),(427,604,'media','bfastmag_related_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/banner-2-288x119.jpg','','Reduced by 6.5% (825 B)',11789,12614,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:52',NULL),(428,604,'media','bfastmag_blog_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/banner-2-780x119.jpg','','Reduced by 6.7% (1.6 KB)',23670,25357,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:52',NULL),(429,604,'media','bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/banner-2-780x116.jpg','','Reduced by 6.4% (1.4 KB)',21260,22710,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:52',NULL),(430,603,'media','full','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/banner-1-scaled.jpg','','Reduced by 3.9% (9.4 KB)',236791,246388,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:53',NULL),(431,603,'media','medium','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/banner-1-scaled-300x69.jpg','','Reduced by 5.1% (425 B)',7908,8333,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:53',NULL),(432,603,'media','large','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/banner-1-scaled-1024x237.jpg','','Reduced by 5.0% (2.9 KB)',56103,59035,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:53',NULL),(433,603,'media','thumbnail','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/banner-1-scaled-150x150.jpg','','Reduced by 5.2% (400 B)',7349,7749,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:53',NULL),(434,603,'media','medium_large','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/banner-1-scaled-768x178.jpg','','Reduced by 5.3% (2.0 KB)',36067,38082,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:53',NULL),(435,603,'media','1536x1536','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/banner-1-scaled-1536x355.jpg','','Reduced by 4.3% (4.6 KB)',105763,110511,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:53',NULL),(436,603,'media','2048x2048','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/banner-1-scaled-2048x474.jpg','','Reduced by 3.9% (6.4 KB)',162300,168851,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:53',NULL),(437,603,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/banner-1-scaled-170x110.jpg','','Reduced by 6.0% (406 B)',6356,6762,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:53',NULL),(438,603,'media','bfastmag_small_thumb_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/banner-1-scaled-86x70.jpg','','Reduced by 13.0% (376 B)',2524,2900,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:53',NULL),(439,603,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/banner-1-scaled-170x39.jpg','','Reduced by 11.5% (393 B)',3019,3412,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:53',NULL),(440,603,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/banner-1-scaled-370x250.jpg','','Reduced by 4.3% (1.0 KB)',23315,24363,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:53',NULL),(441,603,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/banner-1-scaled-370x86.jpg','','Reduced by 6.8% (780 B)',10760,11540,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:53',NULL),(442,603,'media','bfastmag_related_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/banner-1-scaled-288x160.jpg','','Reduced by 5.6% (802 B)',13462,14264,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:53',NULL),(443,603,'media','bfastmag_blog_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/banner-1-scaled-780x544.jpg','','Reduced by 3.0% (2.2 KB)',73461,75744,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:53',NULL),(444,603,'media','bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/banner-1-scaled-780x180.jpg','','Reduced by 5.3% (2.0 KB)',36859,38930,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:53',NULL),(445,602,'media','full','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/banner-scaled.jpg','','Reduced by 4.1% (9.6 KB)',226806,236616,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:54',NULL),(446,602,'media','medium','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/banner-scaled-300x69.jpg','','Reduced by 5.2% (442 B)',8109,8551,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:54',NULL),(447,602,'media','large','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/banner-scaled-1024x237.jpg','','Reduced by 5.2% (2.9 KB)',54003,56980,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:54',NULL),(448,602,'media','thumbnail','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/banner-scaled-150x150.jpg','','Reduced by 5.2% (392 B)',7082,7474,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:54',NULL),(449,602,'media','medium_large','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/banner-scaled-768x178.jpg','','Reduced by 5.8% (2.1 KB)',35218,37397,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:54',NULL),(450,602,'media','1536x1536','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/banner-scaled-1536x355.jpg','','Reduced by 4.5% (4.6 KB)',101283,106044,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:54',NULL),(451,602,'media','2048x2048','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/banner-scaled-2048x474.jpg','','Reduced by 4.1% (6.5 KB)',154864,161505,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:54',NULL),(452,602,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/banner-scaled-170x110.jpg','','Reduced by 6.4% (401 B)',5907,6308,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:54',NULL),(453,602,'media','bfastmag_small_thumb_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/banner-scaled-86x70.jpg','','Reduced by 13.6% (378 B)',2399,2777,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:54',NULL),(454,602,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/banner-scaled-170x39.jpg','','Reduced by 10.9% (387 B)',3162,3549,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:54',NULL),(455,602,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/banner-scaled-370x250.jpg','','Reduced by 5.4% (1.2 KB)',21064,22260,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:54',NULL),(456,602,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/banner-scaled-370x86.jpg','','Reduced by 6.8% (797 B)',10921,11718,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:54',NULL),(457,602,'media','bfastmag_related_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/banner-scaled-288x160.jpg','','Reduced by 6.7% (879 B)',12232,13111,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:54',NULL),(458,602,'media','bfastmag_blog_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/banner-scaled-780x544.jpg','','Reduced by 3.9% (2.7 KB)',66711,69445,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:54',NULL),(459,602,'media','bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/banner-scaled-780x180.jpg','','Reduced by 5.8% (2.2 KB)',36019,38229,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:55',NULL),(460,601,'media','full','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_4346-scaled.jpg','','Reduced by 3.7% (22.3 KB)',593726,616539,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:56',NULL),(461,601,'media','medium','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_4346-scaled-300x200.jpg','','Reduced by 7.0% (1.4 KB)',18778,20183,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:56',NULL),(462,601,'media','large','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_4346-scaled-1024x683.jpg','','Reduced by 4.4% (6.1 KB)',136779,143014,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:56',NULL),(463,601,'media','thumbnail','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_4346-scaled-150x150.jpg','','Reduced by 5.1% (446 B)',8321,8767,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:56',NULL),(464,601,'media','medium_large','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_4346-scaled-768x512.jpg','','Reduced by 5.0% (4.4 KB)',86775,91308,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:56',NULL),(465,601,'media','1536x1536','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_4346-scaled-1536x1024.jpg','','Reduced by 3.6% (9.5 KB)',256933,266653,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:56',NULL),(466,601,'media','2048x2048','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_4346-scaled-2048x1366.jpg','','Reduced by 3.5% (14.1 KB)',398152,412565,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:56',NULL),(467,601,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_4346-scaled-170x110.jpg','','Reduced by 6.0% (483 B)',7559,8042,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:56',NULL),(468,601,'media','bfastmag_small_thumb_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_4346-scaled-86x70.jpg','','Reduced by 11.7% (394 B)',2960,3354,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:56',NULL),(469,601,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_4346-scaled-165x110.jpg','','Reduced by 5.7% (442 B)',7368,7810,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:56',NULL),(470,601,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_4346-scaled-370x250.jpg','','Reduced by 6.3% (1.8 KB)',27035,28850,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:56',NULL),(471,601,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_4346-scaled-370x247.jpg','','Reduced by 6.3% (1.8 KB)',26690,28488,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:56',NULL),(472,601,'media','bfastmag_related_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_4346-scaled-288x160.jpg','','Reduced by 7.4% (1.2 KB)',14828,16011,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:56',NULL),(473,601,'media','bfastmag_blog_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_4346-scaled-780x544.jpg','','Reduced by 4.9% (4.6 KB)',91860,96617,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:57',NULL),(474,601,'media','bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_4346-scaled-780x520.jpg','','Reduced by 4.9% (4.5 KB)',89560,94129,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:57',NULL),(475,600,'media','full','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_4363-scaled-e1582802745790.jpg','','Reduced by 4.6% (4.6 KB)',96651,101315,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:57',NULL),(476,600,'media','medium','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_4363-scaled-e1582802745790-300x49.jpg','','Reduced by 9.1% (399 B)',3983,4382,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:57',NULL),(477,600,'media','large','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_4363-scaled-e1582802745790-1024x166.jpg','','Reduced by 2.0% (465 B)',22224,22689,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:57',NULL),(478,600,'media','thumbnail','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_4363-scaled-e1582802745790-150x150.jpg','','Reduced by 8.5% (382 B)',4095,4477,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:57',NULL),(479,600,'media','medium_large','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_4363-scaled-e1582802745790-768x125.jpg','','Reduced by 2.1% (316 B)',14763,15079,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:57',NULL),(480,600,'media','1536x1536','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_4363-scaled-e1582802745790-1536x250.jpg','','Reduced by 2.1% (895 B)',41242,42137,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:58',NULL),(481,600,'media','2048x2048','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_4363-scaled-e1582802745790-2048x333.jpg','','Reduced by 3.2% (2.1 KB)',64193,66295,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:58',NULL),(482,600,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_4363-scaled-e1582802745790-170x110.jpg','','Reduced by 9.6% (406 B)',3822,4228,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:58',NULL),(483,600,'media','bfastmag_small_thumb_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_4363-scaled-e1582802745790-86x70.jpg','','Reduced by 16.8% (368 B)',1821,2189,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:58',NULL),(484,600,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_4363-scaled-e1582802745790-170x28.jpg','','Reduced by 16.7% (365 B)',1824,2189,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:58',NULL),(485,600,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_4363-scaled-e1582802745790-370x250.jpg','','Reduced by 2.0% (251 B)',12074,12325,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:58',NULL),(486,600,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_4363-scaled-e1582802745790-370x60.jpg','','Reduced by 6.7% (381 B)',5266,5647,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:58',NULL),(487,600,'media','bfastmag_related_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_4363-scaled-e1582802745790-288x160.jpg','','Reduced by 5.8% (432 B)',7011,7443,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:58',NULL),(488,600,'media','bfastmag_blog_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_4363-scaled-e1582802745790-780x416.jpg','','Reduced by 3.9% (1.3 KB)',32464,33784,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:58',NULL),(489,600,'media','bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_4363-scaled-e1582802745790-780x127.jpg','','Reduced by 2.0% (312 B)',15094,15406,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:58',NULL),(490,584,'media','full','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_4690-scaled.jpg','','Reduced by 4.0% (27.1 KB)',669505,697220,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:59',NULL),(491,584,'media','medium','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_4690-scaled-300x200.jpg','','Reduced by 7.2% (1.6 KB)',20667,22261,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:59',NULL),(492,584,'media','large','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_4690-scaled-1024x683.jpg','','Reduced by 4.9% (7.8 KB)',153981,161991,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:59',NULL),(493,584,'media','thumbnail','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_4690-scaled-150x150.jpg','','Reduced by 4.7% (469 B)',9510,9979,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:59',NULL),(494,584,'media','medium_large','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_4690-scaled-768x512.jpg','','Reduced by 5.5% (5.5 KB)',96913,102522,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:37:59',NULL),(495,584,'media','1536x1536','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_4690-scaled-1536x1024.jpg','','Reduced by 4.3% (12.6 KB)',289316,302185,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:00',NULL),(496,584,'media','2048x2048','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_4690-scaled-2048x1366.jpg','','Reduced by 3.9% (17.6 KB)',448251,466234,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:00',NULL),(497,584,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_4690-scaled-170x110.jpg','','Reduced by 5.5% (468 B)',8041,8509,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:00',NULL),(498,584,'media','bfastmag_small_thumb_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_4690-scaled-86x70.jpg','','Reduced by 10.5% (383 B)',3279,3662,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:00',NULL),(499,584,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_4690-scaled-165x110.jpg','','Reduced by 5.7% (469 B)',7810,8279,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:00',NULL),(500,584,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_4690-scaled-370x250.jpg','','Reduced by 6.5% (2.0 KB)',30000,32086,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:00',NULL),(501,584,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_4690-scaled-370x247.jpg','','Reduced by 6.7% (2.1 KB)',29607,31734,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:00',NULL),(502,584,'media','bfastmag_related_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_4690-scaled-288x160.jpg','','Reduced by 7.3% (1.3 KB)',16407,17707,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:00',NULL),(503,584,'media','bfastmag_blog_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_4690-scaled-780x544.jpg','','Reduced by 5.3% (5.6 KB)',103455,109237,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:00',NULL),(504,584,'media','bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_4690-scaled-780x520.jpg','','Reduced by 5.5% (5.7 KB)',99860,105681,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:00',NULL),(505,571,'media','full','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/john-salvino-QXgPXa6ydzg-unsplash-scaled-e1582798230673.jpg','','Reduced by 7.6% (98.0 KB)',1223773,1324168,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:02',NULL),(506,571,'media','medium','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/john-salvino-QXgPXa6ydzg-unsplash-scaled-e1582798230673-300x192.jpg','','Reduced by 8.0% (1.4 KB)',16923,18392,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:02',NULL),(507,571,'media','large','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/john-salvino-QXgPXa6ydzg-unsplash-scaled-e1582798230673-1024x654.jpg','','Reduced by 7.5% (15.7 KB)',198351,214429,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:02',NULL),(508,571,'media','thumbnail','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/john-salvino-QXgPXa6ydzg-unsplash-scaled-e1582798230673-150x150.jpg','','Reduced by 5.9% (511 B)',8147,8658,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:02',NULL),(509,571,'media','medium_large','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/john-salvino-QXgPXa6ydzg-unsplash-scaled-e1582798230673-768x491.jpg','','Reduced by 8.8% (9.9 KB)',105554,115719,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:02',NULL),(510,571,'media','1536x1536','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/john-salvino-QXgPXa6ydzg-unsplash-scaled-e1582798230673-1536x981.jpg','','Reduced by 5.9% (28.5 KB)',465348,494550,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:02',NULL),(511,571,'media','2048x2048','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/john-salvino-QXgPXa6ydzg-unsplash-scaled-e1582798230673-2048x1309.jpg','','Reduced by 6.8% (57.3 KB)',801974,860683,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:02',NULL),(512,571,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/john-salvino-QXgPXa6ydzg-unsplash-scaled-e1582798230673-170x110.jpg','','Reduced by 6.3% (464 B)',6954,7418,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:02',NULL),(513,571,'media','bfastmag_small_thumb_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/john-salvino-QXgPXa6ydzg-unsplash-scaled-e1582798230673-86x70.jpg','','Reduced by 13.2% (414 B)',2721,3135,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:02',NULL),(514,571,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/john-salvino-QXgPXa6ydzg-unsplash-scaled-e1582798230673-370x250.jpg','','Reduced by 8.4% (2.4 KB)',26514,28939,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:02',NULL),(515,571,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/john-salvino-QXgPXa6ydzg-unsplash-scaled-e1582798230673-370x236.jpg','','Reduced by 8.2% (2.2 KB)',25091,27327,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:02',NULL),(516,571,'media','bfastmag_related_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/john-salvino-QXgPXa6ydzg-unsplash-scaled-e1582798230673-288x160.jpg','','Reduced by 8.1% (1.2 KB)',13635,14832,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:02',NULL),(517,571,'media','bfastmag_blog_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/john-salvino-QXgPXa6ydzg-unsplash-scaled-e1582798230673-780x544.jpg','','Reduced by 8.0% (10.5 KB)',123266,133997,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:02',NULL),(518,571,'media','bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/john-salvino-QXgPXa6ydzg-unsplash-scaled-e1582798230673-780x498.jpg','','Reduced by 8.6% (10.2 KB)',110058,120472,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:02',NULL),(519,487,'media','full','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/554084_10151505444402938_121776839_n-e1582788096574.jpg','','Reduced by 6.6% (7.9 KB)',115831,123957,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:03',NULL),(520,487,'media','medium','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/554084_10151505444402938_121776839_n-e1582788096574-300x122.jpg','','Reduced by 7.3% (1.2 KB)',15275,16485,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:03',NULL),(521,487,'media','thumbnail','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/554084_10151505444402938_121776839_n-e1582788096574-150x150.jpg','','Reduced by 4.7% (444 B)',8920,9364,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:03',NULL),(522,487,'media','medium_large','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/554084_10151505444402938_121776839_n-e1582788096574-768x312.jpg','','Reduced by 6.1% (4.5 KB)',70092,74662,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:03',NULL),(523,487,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/554084_10151505444402938_121776839_n-e1582788096574-170x110.jpg','','Reduced by 5.4% (475 B)',8242,8717,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:03',NULL),(524,487,'media','bfastmag_small_thumb_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/554084_10151505444402938_121776839_n-e1582788096574-86x70.jpg','','Reduced by 11.5% (395 B)',3030,3425,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:03',NULL),(525,487,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/554084_10151505444402938_121776839_n-e1582788096574-170x69.jpg','','Reduced by 6.9% (438 B)',5904,6342,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:03',NULL),(526,487,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/554084_10151505444402938_121776839_n-e1582788096574-370x250.jpg','','Reduced by 6.0% (1.9 KB)',30242,32166,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:04',NULL),(527,487,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/554084_10151505444402938_121776839_n-e1582788096574-370x150.jpg','','Reduced by 7.1% (1.6 KB)',21471,23121,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:04',NULL),(528,487,'media','bfastmag_related_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/554084_10151505444402938_121776839_n-e1582788096574-288x160.jpg','','Reduced by 7.2% (1.3 KB)',17197,18523,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:04',NULL),(529,487,'media','bfastmag_blog_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/554084_10151505444402938_121776839_n-e1582788096574-780x388.jpg','','Reduced by 6.2% (6.1 KB)',94019,100263,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:04',NULL),(530,487,'media','bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/554084_10151505444402938_121776839_n-e1582788096574-780x317.jpg','','Reduced by 6.1% (4.6 KB)',72363,77026,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:04',NULL),(531,486,'media','full','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/understudy-program.jpg','','Reduced by 5.5% (3.4 KB)',59823,63301,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:04',NULL),(532,486,'media','medium','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/understudy-program-300x84.jpg','','Reduced by 4.0% (399 B)',9605,10004,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:04',NULL),(533,486,'media','thumbnail','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/understudy-program-150x150.jpg','','Reduced by 5.0% (463 B)',8799,9262,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:04',NULL),(534,486,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/understudy-program-170x110.jpg','','Reduced by 5.3% (435 B)',7749,8184,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:04',NULL),(535,486,'media','bfastmag_small_thumb_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/understudy-program-86x70.jpg','','Reduced by 10.8% (379 B)',3129,3508,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:04',NULL),(536,486,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/understudy-program-170x48.jpg','','Reduced by 9.9% (379 B)',3459,3838,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:05',NULL),(537,486,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/understudy-program-370x190.jpg','','Reduced by 7.3% (1.8 KB)',23334,25169,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:05',NULL),(538,486,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/understudy-program-370x103.jpg','','Reduced by 7.6% (1.0 KB)',12999,14067,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:05',NULL),(539,486,'media','bfastmag_related_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/understudy-program-288x160.jpg','','Reduced by 7.5% (1.2 KB)',14802,16005,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:05',NULL),(540,485,'media','full','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/ulr1617-scaled.jpg','','Reduced by 3.9% (14.8 KB)',371200,386348,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:06',NULL),(541,485,'media','medium','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/ulr1617-scaled-300x124.jpg','','Reduced by 7.5% (1,007 B)',12372,13379,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:06',NULL),(542,485,'media','large','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/ulr1617-scaled-1024x422.jpg','','Reduced by 4.8% (4.2 KB)',85441,89719,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:06',NULL),(543,485,'media','thumbnail','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/ulr1617-scaled-150x150.jpg','','Reduced by 5.1% (424 B)',7854,8278,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:06',NULL),(544,485,'media','medium_large','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/ulr1617-scaled-768x316.jpg','','Reduced by 5.4% (3.0 KB)',54340,57456,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:06',NULL),(545,485,'media','1536x1536','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/ulr1617-scaled-1536x632.jpg','','Reduced by 4.2% (6.9 KB)',160558,167626,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:06',NULL),(546,485,'media','2048x2048','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/ulr1617-scaled-2048x843.jpg','','Reduced by 3.9% (9.8 KB)',249481,259484,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:06',NULL),(547,485,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/ulr1617-scaled-170x110.jpg','','Reduced by 5.6% (428 B)',7166,7594,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:06',NULL),(548,485,'media','bfastmag_small_thumb_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/ulr1617-scaled-86x70.jpg','','Reduced by 11.2% (368 B)',2914,3282,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:06',NULL),(549,485,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/ulr1617-scaled-170x70.jpg','','Reduced by 7.0% (398 B)',5308,5706,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:06',NULL),(550,485,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/ulr1617-scaled-370x250.jpg','','Reduced by 6.4% (1.6 KB)',24286,25957,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:06',NULL),(551,485,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/ulr1617-scaled-370x152.jpg','','Reduced by 7.0% (1.3 KB)',17211,18501,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:06',NULL),(552,485,'media','bfastmag_related_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/ulr1617-scaled-288x160.jpg','','Reduced by 7.3% (1.1 KB)',14182,15303,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:06',NULL),(553,485,'media','bfastmag_blog_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/ulr1617-scaled-780x544.jpg','','Reduced by 4.5% (3.6 KB)',78245,81973,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:06',NULL),(554,485,'media','bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/ulr1617-scaled-780x321.jpg','','Reduced by 5.2% (3.0 KB)',56059,59125,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:06',NULL),(555,484,'media','full','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/history-1.jpg','','Reduced by 3.0% (1.2 KB)',39140,40352,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:07',NULL),(556,484,'media','medium','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/history-1-300x84.jpg','','Reduced by 6.7% (476 B)',6625,7101,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:07',NULL),(557,484,'media','thumbnail','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/history-1-150x150.jpg','','Reduced by 8.0% (417 B)',4786,5203,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:07',NULL),(558,484,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/history-1-170x110.jpg','','Reduced by 8.8% (434 B)',4487,4921,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:07',NULL),(559,484,'media','bfastmag_small_thumb_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/history-1-86x70.jpg','','Reduced by 15.8% (365 B)',1941,2306,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:07',NULL),(560,484,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/history-1-170x48.jpg','','Reduced by 12.2% (368 B)',2657,3025,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:07',NULL),(561,484,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/history-1-370x190.jpg','','Reduced by 3.8% (511 B)',12805,13316,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:07',NULL),(562,484,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/history-1-370x103.jpg','','Reduced by 5.1% (481 B)',8971,9452,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:07',NULL),(563,484,'media','bfastmag_related_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/history-1-288x160.jpg','','Reduced by 5.4% (483 B)',8470,8953,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:07',NULL),(564,472,'media','full','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/black-vintage-typewriter-163084-scaled-e1582787342854.jpg','','Reduced by 6.3% (17.8 KB)',273803,292058,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:08',NULL),(565,472,'media','medium','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/black-vintage-typewriter-163084-scaled-e1582787342854-300x199.jpg','','Reduced by 5.8% (918 B)',14832,15750,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:08',NULL),(566,472,'media','large','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/black-vintage-typewriter-163084-scaled-e1582787342854-1024x679.jpg','','Reduced by 4.6% (5.0 KB)',105059,110145,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:08',NULL),(567,472,'media','thumbnail','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/black-vintage-typewriter-163084-scaled-e1582787342854-150x150.jpg','','Reduced by 6.3% (458 B)',6757,7215,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:08',NULL),(568,472,'media','medium_large','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/black-vintage-typewriter-163084-scaled-e1582787342854-768x509.jpg','','Reduced by 4.2% (2.8 KB)',65659,68559,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:08',NULL),(569,472,'media','1536x1536','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/black-vintage-typewriter-163084-scaled-e1582787342854-1536x1018.jpg','','Reduced by 5.3% (11.4 KB)',207765,219405,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:08',NULL),(570,472,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/black-vintage-typewriter-163084-scaled-e1582787342854-170x110.jpg','','Reduced by 6.7% (439 B)',6116,6555,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:08',NULL),(571,472,'media','bfastmag_small_thumb_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/black-vintage-typewriter-163084-scaled-e1582787342854-86x70.jpg','','Reduced by 13.0% (380 B)',2535,2915,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:08',NULL),(572,472,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/black-vintage-typewriter-163084-scaled-e1582787342854-166x110.jpg','','Reduced by 6.7% (430 B)',5947,6377,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:08',NULL),(573,472,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/black-vintage-typewriter-163084-scaled-e1582787342854-370x250.jpg','','Reduced by 5.6% (1.2 KB)',20920,22157,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:08',NULL),(574,472,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/black-vintage-typewriter-163084-scaled-e1582787342854-370x245.jpg','','Reduced by 5.8% (1.2 KB)',20778,22054,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:08',NULL),(575,472,'media','bfastmag_related_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/black-vintage-typewriter-163084-scaled-e1582787342854-288x160.jpg','','Reduced by 6.2% (781 B)',11819,12600,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:08',NULL),(576,472,'media','bfastmag_blog_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/black-vintage-typewriter-163084-scaled-e1582787342854-780x544.jpg','','Reduced by 4.2% (3.0 KB)',70524,73629,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:09',NULL),(577,472,'media','bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/black-vintage-typewriter-163084-scaled-e1582787342854-780x517.jpg','','Reduced by 4.3% (2.9 KB)',67774,70783,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:09',NULL),(578,471,'media','full','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/woman-typing-writing-programming-7112-1-scaled-e1583307075737.jpg','','Reduced by 2.9% (5.7 KB)',192084,197918,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:09',NULL),(579,471,'media','medium','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/woman-typing-writing-programming-7112-1-scaled-e1583307075737-300x212.jpg','','Reduced by 3.2% (409 B)',12292,12701,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:09',NULL),(580,471,'media','large','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/woman-typing-writing-programming-7112-1-scaled-e1583307075737-1024x722.jpg','','Reduced by 1.7% (1.3 KB)',72087,73368,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:10',NULL),(581,471,'media','thumbnail','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/woman-typing-writing-programming-7112-1-scaled-e1583307075737-150x150.jpg','','Reduced by 6.6% (397 B)',5647,6044,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:10',NULL),(582,471,'media','medium_large','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/woman-typing-writing-programming-7112-1-scaled-e1583307075737-768x542.jpg','','Reduced by 1.7% (791 B)',47105,47896,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:10',NULL),(583,471,'media','1536x1536','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/woman-typing-writing-programming-7112-1-scaled-e1583307075737-1536x1084.jpg','','Reduced by 2.3% (3.1 KB)',131471,134634,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:10',NULL),(584,471,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/woman-typing-writing-programming-7112-1-scaled-e1583307075737-170x110.jpg','','Reduced by 7.4% (404 B)',5033,5437,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:10',NULL),(585,471,'media','bfastmag_small_thumb_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/woman-typing-writing-programming-7112-1-scaled-e1583307075737-86x70.jpg','','Reduced by 14.6% (389 B)',2278,2667,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:10',NULL),(586,471,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/woman-typing-writing-programming-7112-1-scaled-e1583307075737-156x110.jpg','','Reduced by 8.0% (413 B)',4750,5163,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:10',NULL),(587,471,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/woman-typing-writing-programming-7112-1-scaled-e1583307075737-370x250.jpg','','Reduced by 2.6% (426 B)',16181,16607,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:10',NULL),(588,471,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/woman-typing-writing-programming-7112-1-scaled-e1583307075737-354x250.jpg','','Reduced by 2.7% (441 B)',15603,16044,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:10',NULL),(589,471,'media','bfastmag_related_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/woman-typing-writing-programming-7112-1-scaled-e1583307075737-288x160.jpg','','Reduced by 4.3% (433 B)',9541,9974,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:10',NULL),(590,471,'media','bfastmag_blog_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/woman-typing-writing-programming-7112-1-scaled-e1583307075737-780x544.jpg','','Reduced by 1.5% (741 B)',47766,48507,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:10',NULL),(591,471,'media','bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/woman-typing-writing-programming-7112-1-scaled-e1583307075737-771x544.jpg','','Reduced by 1.5% (736 B)',47488,48224,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:10',NULL),(592,470,'media','full','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/history.jpg','','Reduced by 3.0% (1.2 KB)',39140,40352,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:11',NULL),(593,470,'media','medium','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/history-300x84.jpg','','Reduced by 6.7% (476 B)',6625,7101,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:11',NULL),(594,470,'media','thumbnail','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/history-150x150.jpg','','Reduced by 8.0% (417 B)',4786,5203,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:11',NULL),(595,470,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/history-170x110.jpg','','Reduced by 8.8% (434 B)',4487,4921,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:11',NULL),(596,470,'media','bfastmag_small_thumb_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/history-86x70.jpg','','Reduced by 15.8% (365 B)',1941,2306,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:11',NULL),(597,470,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/history-170x48.jpg','','Reduced by 12.2% (368 B)',2657,3025,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:11',NULL),(598,470,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/history-370x190.jpg','','Reduced by 3.8% (511 B)',12805,13316,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:11',NULL),(599,470,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/history-370x103.jpg','','Reduced by 5.1% (481 B)',8971,9452,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:11',NULL),(600,470,'media','bfastmag_related_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/history-288x160.jpg','','Reduced by 5.4% (483 B)',8470,8953,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:11',NULL),(601,469,'media','full','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/auditorium-benches-chairs-class-207691-scaled.jpg','','Reduced by 3.9% (30.7 KB)',779716,811158,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:12',NULL),(602,469,'media','medium','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/auditorium-benches-chairs-class-207691-scaled-300x214.jpg','','Reduced by 5.0% (933 B)',17605,18538,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:12',NULL),(603,469,'media','large','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/auditorium-benches-chairs-class-207691-scaled-1024x731.jpg','','Reduced by 4.3% (6.6 KB)',149244,156031,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:12',NULL),(604,469,'media','thumbnail','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/auditorium-benches-chairs-class-207691-scaled-150x150.jpg','','Reduced by 6.1% (458 B)',7082,7540,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:12',NULL),(605,469,'media','medium_large','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/auditorium-benches-chairs-class-207691-scaled-768x548.jpg','','Reduced by 4.5% (4.1 KB)',89435,93603,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:12',NULL),(606,469,'media','1536x1536','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/auditorium-benches-chairs-class-207691-scaled-1536x1097.jpg','','Reduced by 4.4% (13.5 KB)',303237,317033,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:12',NULL),(607,469,'media','2048x2048','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/auditorium-benches-chairs-class-207691-scaled-2048x1462.jpg','','Reduced by 4.1% (20.8 KB)',495247,516537,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:13',NULL),(608,469,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/auditorium-benches-chairs-class-207691-scaled-170x110.jpg','','Reduced by 7.0% (492 B)',6497,6989,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:13',NULL),(609,469,'media','bfastmag_small_thumb_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/auditorium-benches-chairs-class-207691-scaled-86x70.jpg','','Reduced by 12.9% (376 B)',2549,2925,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:13',NULL),(610,469,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/auditorium-benches-chairs-class-207691-scaled-154x110.jpg','','Reduced by 7.3% (455 B)',5809,6264,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:13',NULL),(611,469,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/auditorium-benches-chairs-class-207691-scaled-370x250.jpg','','Reduced by 5.4% (1.4 KB)',24465,25873,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:13',NULL),(612,469,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/auditorium-benches-chairs-class-207691-scaled-350x250.jpg','','Reduced by 5.6% (1.3 KB)',22848,24198,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:13',NULL),(613,469,'media','bfastmag_related_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/auditorium-benches-chairs-class-207691-scaled-288x160.jpg','','Reduced by 5.7% (849 B)',14056,14905,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:13',NULL),(614,469,'media','bfastmag_blog_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/auditorium-benches-chairs-class-207691-scaled-780x544.jpg','','Reduced by 4.8% (4.5 KB)',91044,95624,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:13',NULL),(615,469,'media','bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/auditorium-benches-chairs-class-207691-scaled-762x544.jpg','','Reduced by 4.7% (4.3 KB)',88627,93019,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:13',NULL),(616,466,'media','full','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/advertisements-batch-blur-business-518543-scaled.jpg','','Reduced by 5.6% (13.2 KB)',226757,240244,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:14',NULL),(617,466,'media','medium','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/advertisements-batch-blur-business-518543-scaled-300x200.jpg','','Reduced by 4.5% (458 B)',9627,10085,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:14',NULL),(618,466,'media','large','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/advertisements-batch-blur-business-518543-scaled-1024x683.jpg','','Reduced by 2.0% (1.2 KB)',58422,59601,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:14',NULL),(619,466,'media','thumbnail','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/advertisements-batch-blur-business-518543-scaled-150x150.jpg','','Reduced by 8.1% (413 B)',4673,5086,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:14',NULL),(620,466,'media','medium_large','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/advertisements-batch-blur-business-518543-scaled-768x512.jpg','','Reduced by 1.9% (720 B)',37994,38714,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:14',NULL),(621,466,'media','1536x1536','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/advertisements-batch-blur-business-518543-scaled-1536x1024.jpg','','Reduced by 3.0% (3.2 KB)',105432,108741,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:14',NULL),(622,466,'media','2048x2048','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/advertisements-batch-blur-business-518543-scaled-2048x1366.jpg','','Reduced by 4.4% (7.2 KB)',162106,169489,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:14',NULL),(623,466,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/advertisements-batch-blur-business-518543-scaled-170x110.jpg','','Reduced by 8.9% (418 B)',4253,4671,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:14',NULL),(624,466,'media','bfastmag_small_thumb_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/advertisements-batch-blur-business-518543-scaled-86x70.jpg','','Reduced by 16.4% (388 B)',1973,2361,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:14',NULL),(625,466,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/advertisements-batch-blur-business-518543-scaled-165x110.jpg','','Reduced by 8.9% (409 B)',4169,4578,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:14',NULL),(626,466,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/advertisements-batch-blur-business-518543-scaled-370x250.jpg','','Reduced by 2.7% (368 B)',13426,13794,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:15',NULL),(627,466,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/advertisements-batch-blur-business-518543-scaled-370x247.jpg','','Reduced by 2.5% (344 B)',13285,13629,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:15',NULL),(628,466,'media','bfastmag_related_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/advertisements-batch-blur-business-518543-scaled-288x160.jpg','','Reduced by 5.3% (448 B)',7951,8399,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:15',NULL),(629,466,'media','bfastmag_blog_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/advertisements-batch-blur-business-518543-scaled-780x544.jpg','','Reduced by 1.6% (661 B)',40356,41017,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:15',NULL),(630,466,'media','bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/advertisements-batch-blur-business-518543-scaled-780x520.jpg','','Reduced by 2.0% (779 B)',39153,39932,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:15',NULL),(631,465,'media','full','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/person-reading-magazine-2333332-scaled.jpg','','Reduced by 4.3% (13.2 KB)',302314,315858,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:16',NULL),(632,465,'media','medium','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/person-reading-magazine-2333332-scaled-300x199.jpg','','Reduced by 4.4% (563 B)',12182,12745,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:16',NULL),(633,465,'media','large','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/person-reading-magazine-2333332-scaled-1024x678.jpg','','Reduced by 2.4% (1.8 KB)',74446,76285,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:16',NULL),(634,465,'media','thumbnail','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/person-reading-magazine-2333332-scaled-150x150.jpg','','Reduced by 6.6% (415 B)',5892,6307,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:16',NULL),(635,465,'media','medium_large','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/person-reading-magazine-2333332-scaled-768x509.jpg','','Reduced by 2.4% (1.2 KB)',48587,49777,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:16',NULL),(636,465,'media','1536x1536','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/person-reading-magazine-2333332-scaled-1536x1018.jpg','','Reduced by 2.8% (3.8 KB)',136506,140393,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:16',NULL),(637,465,'media','2048x2048','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/person-reading-magazine-2333332-scaled-2048x1357.jpg','','Reduced by 3.5% (7.3 KB)',208309,215814,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:16',NULL),(638,465,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/person-reading-magazine-2333332-scaled-170x110.jpg','','Reduced by 7.4% (416 B)',5171,5587,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:16',NULL),(639,465,'media','bfastmag_small_thumb_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/person-reading-magazine-2333332-scaled-86x70.jpg','','Reduced by 13.8% (378 B)',2368,2746,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:16',NULL),(640,465,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/person-reading-magazine-2333332-scaled-166x110.jpg','','Reduced by 7.3% (398 B)',5063,5461,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:16',NULL),(641,465,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/person-reading-magazine-2333332-scaled-370x250.jpg','','Reduced by 3.6% (638 B)',16995,17633,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:16',NULL),(642,465,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/person-reading-magazine-2333332-scaled-370x245.jpg','','Reduced by 3.7% (648 B)',16684,17332,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:16',NULL),(643,465,'media','bfastmag_related_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/person-reading-magazine-2333332-scaled-288x160.jpg','','Reduced by 4.6% (480 B)',9901,10381,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:16',NULL),(644,465,'media','bfastmag_blog_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/person-reading-magazine-2333332-scaled-780x544.jpg','','Reduced by 2.3% (1.2 KB)',51426,52627,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:16',NULL),(645,465,'media','bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/person-reading-magazine-2333332-scaled-780x517.jpg','','Reduced by 2.3% (1.1 KB)',49952,51113,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:16',NULL),(646,464,'media','full','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/woman-typing-writing-programming-7112-scaled.jpg','','Reduced by 4.7% (13.0 KB)',269212,282491,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:17',NULL),(647,464,'media','medium','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/woman-typing-writing-programming-7112-scaled-300x200.jpg','','Reduced by 3.5% (406 B)',11319,11725,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:17',NULL),(648,464,'media','large','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/woman-typing-writing-programming-7112-scaled-1024x683.jpg','','Reduced by 2.0% (1.3 KB)',66060,67415,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:18',NULL),(649,464,'media','thumbnail','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/woman-typing-writing-programming-7112-scaled-150x150.jpg','','Reduced by 6.7% (412 B)',5730,6142,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:18',NULL),(650,464,'media','medium_large','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/woman-typing-writing-programming-7112-scaled-768x512.jpg','','Reduced by 2.1% (936 B)',43180,44116,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:18',NULL),(651,464,'media','1536x1536','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/woman-typing-writing-programming-7112-scaled-1536x1024.jpg','','Reduced by 2.6% (3.2 KB)',120742,124021,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:18',NULL),(652,464,'media','2048x2048','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/woman-typing-writing-programming-7112-scaled-2048x1366.jpg','','Reduced by 3.7% (6.9 KB)',186226,193335,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:18',NULL),(653,464,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/woman-typing-writing-programming-7112-scaled-170x110.jpg','','Reduced by 7.7% (414 B)',4958,5372,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:18',NULL),(654,464,'media','bfastmag_small_thumb_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/woman-typing-writing-programming-7112-scaled-86x70.jpg','','Reduced by 14.2% (389 B)',2348,2737,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:18',NULL),(655,464,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/woman-typing-writing-programming-7112-scaled-165x110.jpg','','Reduced by 8.0% (421 B)',4857,5278,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:18',NULL),(656,464,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/woman-typing-writing-programming-7112-scaled-370x250.jpg','','Reduced by 3.1% (499 B)',15604,16103,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:18',NULL),(657,464,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/woman-typing-writing-programming-7112-scaled-370x247.jpg','','Reduced by 3.0% (474 B)',15418,15892,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:18',NULL),(658,464,'media','bfastmag_related_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/woman-typing-writing-programming-7112-scaled-288x160.jpg','','Reduced by 4.5% (449 B)',9435,9884,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:18',NULL),(659,464,'media','bfastmag_blog_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/woman-typing-writing-programming-7112-scaled-780x544.jpg','','Reduced by 1.8% (832 B)',45786,46618,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:18',NULL),(660,464,'media','bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/woman-typing-writing-programming-7112-scaled-780x520.jpg','','Reduced by 1.9% (862 B)',44426,45288,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:18',NULL),(661,452,'media','full','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/aerial-photo-of-islands-on-sea-2583852-scaled.jpg','','Reduced by 5.3% (36.1 KB)',660660,697651,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:19',NULL),(662,452,'media','medium','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/aerial-photo-of-islands-on-sea-2583852-scaled-227x300.jpg','','Reduced by 4.1% (587 B)',13787,14374,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:19',NULL),(663,452,'media','large','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/aerial-photo-of-islands-on-sea-2583852-scaled-776x1024.jpg','','Reduced by 4.4% (5.3 KB)',117465,122864,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:19',NULL),(664,452,'media','thumbnail','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/aerial-photo-of-islands-on-sea-2583852-scaled-150x150.jpg','','Reduced by 5.9% (368 B)',5873,6241,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:19',NULL),(665,452,'media','medium_large','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/aerial-photo-of-islands-on-sea-2583852-scaled-768x1014.jpg','','Reduced by 4.3% (5.1 KB)',115265,120487,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:19',NULL),(666,452,'media','1536x1536','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/aerial-photo-of-islands-on-sea-2583852-scaled-1163x1536.jpg','','Reduced by 4.5% (11.3 KB)',243047,254591,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:20',NULL),(667,452,'media','2048x2048','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/aerial-photo-of-islands-on-sea-2583852-scaled-1551x2048.jpg','','Reduced by 4.7% (19.4 KB)',401715,421536,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:20',NULL),(668,452,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/aerial-photo-of-islands-on-sea-2583852-scaled-170x110.jpg','','Reduced by 7.2% (408 B)',5230,5638,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:20',NULL),(669,452,'media','bfastmag_small_thumb_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/aerial-photo-of-islands-on-sea-2583852-scaled-86x70.jpg','','Reduced by 14.2% (367 B)',2211,2578,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:20',NULL),(670,452,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/aerial-photo-of-islands-on-sea-2583852-scaled-83x110.jpg','','Reduced by 12.1% (375 B)',2723,3098,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:20',NULL),(671,452,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/aerial-photo-of-islands-on-sea-2583852-scaled-370x250.jpg','','Reduced by 4.3% (935 B)',20832,21767,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:20',NULL),(672,452,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/aerial-photo-of-islands-on-sea-2583852-scaled-189x250.jpg','','Reduced by 4.5% (471 B)',10113,10584,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:20',NULL),(673,452,'media','bfastmag_related_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/aerial-photo-of-islands-on-sea-2583852-scaled-288x160.jpg','','Reduced by 4.5% (523 B)',11068,11591,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:20',NULL),(674,452,'media','bfastmag_blog_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/aerial-photo-of-islands-on-sea-2583852-scaled-780x544.jpg','','Reduced by 4.6% (3.7 KB)',80115,83945,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:20',NULL),(675,452,'media','bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/aerial-photo-of-islands-on-sea-2583852-scaled-412x544.jpg','','Reduced by 3.9% (1.5 KB)',37831,39379,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:20',NULL),(676,430,'media','full','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/Current-Editorial-Board-scaled.jpg','','Reduced by 7.3% (75.3 KB)',981309,1058410,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:21',NULL),(677,430,'media','medium','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/Current-Editorial-Board-scaled-300x169.jpg','','Reduced by 6.9% (1.1 KB)',15266,16389,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:21',NULL),(678,430,'media','large','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/Current-Editorial-Board-scaled-1024x575.jpg','','Reduced by 5.1% (6.9 KB)',130777,137869,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:21',NULL),(679,430,'media','thumbnail','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/Current-Editorial-Board-scaled-150x150.jpg','','Reduced by 4.9% (400 B)',7780,8180,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:21',NULL),(680,430,'media','medium_large','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/Current-Editorial-Board-scaled-768x431.jpg','','Reduced by 5.1% (4.0 KB)',75914,80016,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:21',NULL),(681,430,'media','1536x1536','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/Current-Editorial-Board-scaled-1536x863.jpg','','Reduced by 5.5% (16.5 KB)',288276,305164,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:22',NULL),(682,430,'media','2048x2048','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/Current-Editorial-Board-scaled-2048x1150.jpg','','Reduced by 5.6% (29.6 KB)',516311,546665,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:22',NULL),(683,430,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/Current-Editorial-Board-scaled-170x110.jpg','','Reduced by 5.8% (430 B)',6947,7377,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:22',NULL),(684,430,'media','bfastmag_small_thumb_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/Current-Editorial-Board-scaled-86x70.jpg','','Reduced by 11.8% (377 B)',2811,3188,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:22',NULL),(685,430,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/Current-Editorial-Board-scaled-170x95.jpg','','Reduced by 6.4% (422 B)',6128,6550,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:22',NULL),(686,430,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/Current-Editorial-Board-scaled-370x250.jpg','','Reduced by 6.0% (1.6 KB)',25387,27017,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:22',NULL),(687,430,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/Current-Editorial-Board-scaled-370x208.jpg','','Reduced by 6.2% (1.4 KB)',21423,22832,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:22',NULL),(688,430,'media','bfastmag_related_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/Current-Editorial-Board-scaled-288x160.jpg','','Reduced by 6.7% (984 B)',13711,14695,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:22',NULL),(689,430,'media','bfastmag_blog_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/Current-Editorial-Board-scaled-780x544.jpg','','Reduced by 5.1% (5.1 KB)',96215,101428,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:22',NULL),(690,430,'media','bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/Current-Editorial-Board-scaled-780x438.jpg','','Reduced by 5.1% (4.1 KB)',78774,83016,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:22',NULL),(691,428,'media','full','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/cj-andres-narvasa.jpg','','Reduced by 6.8% (1.1 KB)',15421,16549,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:23',NULL),(692,428,'media','thumbnail','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/cj-andres-narvasa-150x150.jpg','','Reduced by 6.8% (379 B)',5199,5578,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:23',NULL),(693,428,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/cj-andres-narvasa-170x110.jpg','','Reduced by 8.2% (380 B)',4282,4662,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:23',NULL),(694,428,'media','bfastmag_small_thumb_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/cj-andres-narvasa-86x70.jpg','','Reduced by 14.6% (357 B)',2091,2448,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:23',NULL),(695,428,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/cj-andres-narvasa-91x110.jpg','','Reduced by 10.6% (363 B)',3071,3434,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:23',NULL),(696,428,'media','bfastmag_related_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/cj-andres-narvasa-177x160.jpg','','Reduced by 5.9% (397 B)',6299,6696,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:23',NULL),(697,426,'media','full','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-003-1.jpg','','Reduced by 14.0% (37.9 KB)',237758,276613,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:24',NULL),(698,426,'media','medium','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-003-1-300x232.jpg','','Reduced by 7.9% (1.2 KB)',14101,15310,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:24',NULL),(699,426,'media','large','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-003-1-1024x791.jpg','','Reduced by 11.3% (15.8 KB)',126487,142670,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:24',NULL),(700,426,'media','thumbnail','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-003-1-150x150.jpg','','Reduced by 8.6% (509 B)',5408,5917,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:24',NULL),(701,426,'media','medium_large','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-003-1-768x593.jpg','','Reduced by 10.2% (8.8 KB)',78666,87632,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:24',NULL),(702,426,'media','1536x1536','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-003-1-1536x1187.jpg','','Reduced by 12.3% (31.6 KB)',230968,263364,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:24',NULL),(703,426,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-003-1-170x110.jpg','','Reduced by 8.8% (466 B)',4842,5308,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:24',NULL),(704,426,'media','bfastmag_small_thumb_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-003-1-86x70.jpg','','Reduced by 17.1% (389 B)',1888,2277,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:24',NULL),(705,426,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-003-1-142x110.jpg','','Reduced by 10.5% (436 B)',3722,4158,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:24',NULL),(706,426,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-003-1-370x250.jpg','','Reduced by 8.5% (1.8 KB)',20304,22183,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:24',NULL),(707,426,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-003-1-324x250.jpg','','Reduced by 8.7% (1.5 KB)',16185,17729,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:24',NULL),(708,426,'media','bfastmag_related_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-003-1-288x160.jpg','','Reduced by 8.3% (1.0 KB)',11687,12751,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:24',NULL),(709,426,'media','bfastmag_blog_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-003-1-780x544.jpg','','Reduced by 10.4% (9.2 KB)',80715,90115,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:24',NULL),(710,426,'media','bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-003-1-704x544.jpg','','Reduced by 10.0% (7.5 KB)',68932,76615,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:24',NULL),(711,425,'media','full','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-002-1.jpg','','Reduced by 11.5% (46.1 KB)',362690,409924,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:28',NULL),(712,425,'media','medium','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-002-1-300x232.jpg','','Reduced by 7.9% (1.7 KB)',20199,21922,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:28',NULL),(713,425,'media','large','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-002-1-1024x791.jpg','','Reduced by 9.8% (20.6 KB)',194376,215501,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:28',NULL),(714,425,'media','thumbnail','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-002-1-150x150.jpg','','Reduced by 6.6% (532 B)',7484,8016,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:28',NULL),(715,425,'media','medium_large','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-002-1-768x593.jpg','','Reduced by 9.0% (11.6 KB)',120300,132216,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:28',NULL),(716,425,'media','1536x1536','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-002-1-1536x1187.jpg','','Reduced by 10.4% (39.7 KB)',350296,390969,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:28',NULL),(717,425,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-002-1-170x110.jpg','','Reduced by 6.5% (464 B)',6641,7105,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:28',NULL),(718,425,'media','bfastmag_small_thumb_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-002-1-86x70.jpg','','Reduced by 14.4% (388 B)',2308,2696,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:28',NULL),(719,425,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-002-1-142x110.jpg','','Reduced by 7.7% (417 B)',4993,5410,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:28',NULL),(720,425,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-002-1-370x250.jpg','','Reduced by 7.2% (2.2 KB)',29382,31678,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:28',NULL),(721,425,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-002-1-324x250.jpg','','Reduced by 7.6% (1.9 KB)',23221,25144,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:28',NULL),(722,425,'media','bfastmag_related_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-002-1-288x160.jpg','','Reduced by 7.0% (1.2 KB)',15965,17167,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:28',NULL),(723,425,'media','bfastmag_blog_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-002-1-780x544.jpg','','Reduced by 9.0% (11.9 KB)',123738,135916,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:29',NULL),(724,425,'media','bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-002-1-704x544.jpg','','Reduced by 9.1% (10.1 KB)',103326,113666,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:29',NULL),(725,424,'media','full','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-001-1.jpg','','Reduced by 11.2% (48.6 KB)',393483,443251,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:31',NULL),(726,424,'media','medium','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-001-1-300x232.jpg','','Reduced by 7.1% (1.6 KB)',21192,22803,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:31',NULL),(727,424,'media','large','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-001-1-1024x791.jpg','','Reduced by 9.6% (21.4 KB)',205812,227773,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:31',NULL),(728,424,'media','thumbnail','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-001-1-150x150.jpg','','Reduced by 5.3% (457 B)',8095,8552,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:31',NULL),(729,424,'media','medium_large','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-001-1-768x593.jpg','','Reduced by 9.0% (12.2 KB)',126773,139274,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:31',NULL),(730,424,'media','1536x1536','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-001-1-1536x1187.jpg','','Reduced by 10.4% (42.3 KB)',371186,414493,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:31',NULL),(731,424,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-001-1-170x110.jpg','','Reduced by 5.6% (423 B)',7128,7551,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:31',NULL),(732,424,'media','bfastmag_small_thumb_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-001-1-86x70.jpg','','Reduced by 14.2% (368 B)',2219,2587,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:31',NULL),(733,424,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-001-1-142x110.jpg','','Reduced by 6.9% (385 B)',5183,5568,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:31',NULL),(734,424,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-001-1-370x250.jpg','','Reduced by 6.9% (2.3 KB)',31866,34225,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:32',NULL),(735,424,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-001-1-324x250.jpg','','Reduced by 7.2% (1.9 KB)',24909,26839,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:32',NULL),(736,424,'media','bfastmag_related_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-001-1-288x160.jpg','','Reduced by 6.5% (1.2 KB)',17173,18362,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:32',NULL),(737,424,'media','bfastmag_blog_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-001-1-780x544.jpg','','Reduced by 8.8% (12.4 KB)',131807,144480,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:32',NULL),(738,424,'media','bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-001-1-704x544.jpg','','Reduced by 8.4% (9.9 KB)',110791,120977,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:32',NULL),(739,423,'media','full','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-001.jpg','','Reduced by 11.2% (48.6 KB)',393483,443251,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:34',NULL),(740,423,'media','medium','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-001-300x232.jpg','','Reduced by 7.1% (1.6 KB)',21192,22803,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:34',NULL),(741,423,'media','large','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-001-1024x791.jpg','','Reduced by 9.6% (21.4 KB)',205812,227773,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:34',NULL),(742,423,'media','thumbnail','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-001-150x150.jpg','','Reduced by 5.3% (457 B)',8095,8552,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:34',NULL),(743,423,'media','medium_large','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-001-768x593.jpg','','Reduced by 9.0% (12.2 KB)',126773,139274,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:34',NULL),(744,423,'media','1536x1536','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-001-1536x1187.jpg','','Reduced by 10.4% (42.3 KB)',371186,414493,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:34',NULL),(745,423,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-001-170x110.jpg','','Reduced by 5.6% (423 B)',7128,7551,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:34',NULL),(746,423,'media','bfastmag_small_thumb_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-001-86x70.jpg','','Reduced by 14.2% (368 B)',2219,2587,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:34',NULL),(747,423,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-001-142x110.jpg','','Reduced by 6.9% (385 B)',5183,5568,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:34',NULL),(748,423,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-001-370x250.jpg','','Reduced by 6.9% (2.3 KB)',31866,34225,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:34',NULL),(749,423,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-001-324x250.jpg','','Reduced by 7.2% (1.9 KB)',24909,26839,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:34',NULL),(750,423,'media','bfastmag_related_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-001-288x160.jpg','','Reduced by 6.5% (1.2 KB)',17173,18362,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:34',NULL),(751,423,'media','bfastmag_blog_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-001-780x544.jpg','','Reduced by 8.8% (12.4 KB)',131807,144480,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:34',NULL),(752,423,'media','bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-001-704x544.jpg','','Reduced by 8.4% (9.9 KB)',110791,120977,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:34',NULL),(753,422,'media','full','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-003.jpg','','Reduced by 14.0% (37.9 KB)',237758,276613,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:39',NULL),(754,422,'media','medium','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-003-300x232.jpg','','Reduced by 7.9% (1.2 KB)',14101,15310,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:39',NULL),(755,422,'media','large','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-003-1024x791.jpg','','Reduced by 11.3% (15.8 KB)',126487,142670,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:39',NULL),(756,422,'media','thumbnail','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-003-150x150.jpg','','Reduced by 8.6% (509 B)',5408,5917,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:39',NULL),(757,422,'media','medium_large','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-003-768x593.jpg','','Reduced by 10.2% (8.8 KB)',78666,87632,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:39',NULL),(758,422,'media','1536x1536','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-003-1536x1187.jpg','','Reduced by 12.3% (31.6 KB)',230968,263364,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:40',NULL),(759,422,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-003-170x110.jpg','','Reduced by 8.8% (466 B)',4842,5308,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:40',NULL),(760,422,'media','bfastmag_small_thumb_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-003-86x70.jpg','','Reduced by 17.1% (389 B)',1888,2277,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:40',NULL),(761,422,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-003-142x110.jpg','','Reduced by 10.5% (436 B)',3722,4158,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:40',NULL),(762,422,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-003-370x250.jpg','','Reduced by 8.5% (1.8 KB)',20304,22183,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:40',NULL),(763,422,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-003-324x250.jpg','','Reduced by 8.7% (1.5 KB)',16185,17729,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:40',NULL),(764,422,'media','bfastmag_related_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-003-288x160.jpg','','Reduced by 8.3% (1.0 KB)',11687,12751,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:40',NULL),(765,422,'media','bfastmag_blog_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-003-780x544.jpg','','Reduced by 10.4% (9.2 KB)',80715,90115,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:40',NULL),(766,422,'media','bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-003-704x544.jpg','','Reduced by 10.0% (7.5 KB)',68932,76615,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:40',NULL),(767,421,'media','full','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-002.jpg','','Reduced by 11.5% (46.1 KB)',362690,409924,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:41',NULL),(768,421,'media','medium','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-002-300x232.jpg','','Reduced by 7.9% (1.7 KB)',20199,21922,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:41',NULL),(769,421,'media','large','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-002-1024x791.jpg','','Reduced by 9.8% (20.6 KB)',194376,215501,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:41',NULL),(770,421,'media','thumbnail','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-002-150x150.jpg','','Reduced by 6.6% (532 B)',7484,8016,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:41',NULL),(771,421,'media','medium_large','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-002-768x593.jpg','','Reduced by 9.0% (11.6 KB)',120300,132216,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:41',NULL),(772,421,'media','1536x1536','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-002-1536x1187.jpg','','Reduced by 10.4% (39.7 KB)',350296,390969,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:41',NULL),(773,421,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-002-170x110.jpg','','Reduced by 6.5% (464 B)',6641,7105,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:41',NULL),(774,421,'media','bfastmag_small_thumb_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-002-86x70.jpg','','Reduced by 14.4% (388 B)',2308,2696,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:41',NULL),(775,421,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-002-142x110.jpg','','Reduced by 7.7% (417 B)',4993,5410,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:41',NULL),(776,421,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-002-370x250.jpg','','Reduced by 7.2% (2.2 KB)',29382,31678,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:41',NULL),(777,421,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-002-324x250.jpg','','Reduced by 7.6% (1.9 KB)',23221,25144,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:41',NULL),(778,421,'media','bfastmag_related_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-002-288x160.jpg','','Reduced by 7.0% (1.2 KB)',15965,17167,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:42',NULL),(779,421,'media','bfastmag_blog_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-002-780x544.jpg','','Reduced by 9.0% (11.9 KB)',123738,135916,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:42',NULL),(780,421,'media','bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-002-704x544.jpg','','Reduced by 9.1% (10.1 KB)',103326,113666,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:42',NULL),(781,417,'media','full','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/silver-and-gold-coins-128867-1-1-scaled.jpg','','Reduced by 7.0% (35.6 KB)',482997,519447,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:43',NULL),(782,417,'media','medium','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/silver-and-gold-coins-128867-1-1-scaled-300x200.jpg','','Reduced by 4.6% (658 B)',13497,14155,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:43',NULL),(783,417,'media','large','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/silver-and-gold-coins-128867-1-1-scaled-1024x683.jpg','','Reduced by 5.4% (6.3 KB)',114520,121004,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:43',NULL),(784,417,'media','thumbnail','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/silver-and-gold-coins-128867-1-1-scaled-150x150.jpg','','Reduced by 5.7% (414 B)',6866,7280,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:43',NULL),(785,417,'media','medium_large','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/silver-and-gold-coins-128867-1-1-scaled-768x512.jpg','','Reduced by 4.8% (3.5 KB)',70254,73802,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:43',NULL),(786,417,'media','1536x1536','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/silver-and-gold-coins-128867-1-1-scaled-1536x1024.jpg','','Reduced by 6.2% (13.9 KB)',214582,228802,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:43',NULL),(787,417,'media','2048x2048','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/silver-and-gold-coins-128867-1-1-scaled-2048x1366.jpg','','Reduced by 6.7% (23.0 KB)',330647,354232,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:43',NULL),(788,417,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/silver-and-gold-coins-128867-1-1-scaled-170x110.jpg','','Reduced by 7.6% (416 B)',5089,5505,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:43',NULL),(789,417,'media','bfastmag_small_thumb_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/silver-and-gold-coins-128867-1-1-scaled-86x70.jpg','','Reduced by 13.2% (379 B)',2492,2871,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:43',NULL),(790,417,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/silver-and-gold-coins-128867-1-1-scaled-165x110.jpg','','Reduced by 7.6% (413 B)',5026,5439,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:43',NULL),(791,417,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/silver-and-gold-coins-128867-1-1-scaled-370x250.jpg','','Reduced by 4.1% (873 B)',20517,21390,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:43',NULL),(792,417,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/silver-and-gold-coins-128867-1-1-scaled-370x247.jpg','','Reduced by 4.4% (905 B)',19784,20689,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:43',NULL),(793,417,'media','bfastmag_related_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/silver-and-gold-coins-128867-1-1-scaled-288x160.jpg','','Reduced by 4.6% (482 B)',10040,10522,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:43',NULL),(794,417,'media','bfastmag_blog_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/silver-and-gold-coins-128867-1-1-scaled-780x544.jpg','','Reduced by 4.9% (3.9 KB)',77246,81227,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:43',NULL),(795,417,'media','bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/silver-and-gold-coins-128867-1-1-scaled-780x520.jpg','','Reduced by 4.9% (3.6 KB)',72378,76068,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:43',NULL),(796,416,'media','full','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/silver-and-gold-coins-128867-1-scaled.jpg','','Reduced by 7.0% (35.6 KB)',482997,519447,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:45',NULL),(797,416,'media','medium','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/silver-and-gold-coins-128867-1-scaled-300x200.jpg','','Reduced by 4.6% (658 B)',13497,14155,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:45',NULL),(798,416,'media','large','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/silver-and-gold-coins-128867-1-scaled-1024x683.jpg','','Reduced by 5.4% (6.3 KB)',114520,121004,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:45',NULL),(799,416,'media','thumbnail','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/silver-and-gold-coins-128867-1-scaled-150x150.jpg','','Reduced by 5.7% (414 B)',6866,7280,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:45',NULL),(800,416,'media','medium_large','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/silver-and-gold-coins-128867-1-scaled-768x512.jpg','','Reduced by 4.8% (3.5 KB)',70254,73802,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:45',NULL),(801,416,'media','1536x1536','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/silver-and-gold-coins-128867-1-scaled-1536x1024.jpg','','Reduced by 6.2% (13.9 KB)',214582,228802,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:45',NULL),(802,416,'media','2048x2048','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/silver-and-gold-coins-128867-1-scaled-2048x1366.jpg','','Reduced by 6.7% (23.0 KB)',330647,354232,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:45',NULL),(803,416,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/silver-and-gold-coins-128867-1-scaled-170x110.jpg','','Reduced by 7.6% (416 B)',5089,5505,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:45',NULL),(804,416,'media','bfastmag_small_thumb_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/silver-and-gold-coins-128867-1-scaled-86x70.jpg','','Reduced by 13.2% (379 B)',2492,2871,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:45',NULL),(805,416,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/silver-and-gold-coins-128867-1-scaled-165x110.jpg','','Reduced by 7.6% (413 B)',5026,5439,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:45',NULL),(806,416,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/silver-and-gold-coins-128867-1-scaled-370x250.jpg','','Reduced by 4.1% (873 B)',20517,21390,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:45',NULL),(807,416,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/silver-and-gold-coins-128867-1-scaled-370x247.jpg','','Reduced by 4.4% (905 B)',19784,20689,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:45',NULL),(808,416,'media','bfastmag_related_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/silver-and-gold-coins-128867-1-scaled-288x160.jpg','','Reduced by 4.6% (482 B)',10040,10522,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:45',NULL),(809,416,'media','bfastmag_blog_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/silver-and-gold-coins-128867-1-scaled-780x544.jpg','','Reduced by 4.9% (3.9 KB)',77246,81227,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:45',NULL),(810,416,'media','bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/silver-and-gold-coins-128867-1-scaled-780x520.jpg','','Reduced by 4.9% (3.6 KB)',72378,76068,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:45',NULL),(811,412,'media','full','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2019/11/ustmain-1.jpg','','Reduced by 9.6% (7.5 KB)',72251,79891,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:46',NULL),(812,412,'media','medium','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2019/11/ustmain-1-300x163.jpg','','Reduced by 6.7% (789 B)',10943,11732,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:46',NULL),(813,412,'media','thumbnail','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2019/11/ustmain-1-150x150.jpg','','Reduced by 7.3% (431 B)',5466,5897,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:46',NULL),(814,412,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2019/11/ustmain-1-170x110.jpg','','Reduced by 7.7% (418 B)',5008,5426,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:46',NULL),(815,412,'media','bfastmag_small_thumb_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2019/11/ustmain-1-86x70.jpg','','Reduced by 16.3% (398 B)',2044,2442,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:47',NULL),(816,412,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2019/11/ustmain-1-170x93.jpg','','Reduced by 8.3% (393 B)',4320,4713,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:47',NULL),(817,412,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2019/11/ustmain-1-370x250.jpg','','Reduced by 6.2% (1.2 KB)',17914,19100,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:47',NULL),(818,412,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2019/11/ustmain-1-370x201.jpg','','Reduced by 6.3% (1.0 KB)',15232,16257,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:47',NULL),(819,412,'media','bfastmag_related_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2019/11/ustmain-1-288x160.jpg','','Reduced by 6.6% (731 B)',10334,11065,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:47',NULL),(820,411,'media','full','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_20191127_114955-scaled.jpg','','Reduced by 9.3% (24.7 KB)',248437,273763,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:48',NULL),(821,411,'media','medium','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_20191127_114955-scaled-300x225.jpg','','Reduced by 6.7% (639 B)',8888,9527,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:48',NULL),(822,411,'media','large','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_20191127_114955-scaled-1024x768.jpg','','Reduced by 4.3% (2.5 KB)',57948,60536,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:48',NULL),(823,411,'media','thumbnail','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_20191127_114955-scaled-150x150.jpg','','Reduced by 8.9% (400 B)',4099,4499,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:48',NULL),(824,411,'media','medium_large','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_20191127_114955-scaled-768x576.jpg','','Reduced by 4.0% (1.5 KB)',36831,38378,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:48',NULL),(825,411,'media','1536x1536','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_20191127_114955-scaled-1536x1152.jpg','','Reduced by 5.9% (6.6 KB)',107543,114316,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:48',NULL),(826,411,'media','2048x2048','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_20191127_114955-scaled-2048x1536.jpg','','Reduced by 7.5% (13.2 KB)',167466,180996,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:48',NULL),(827,411,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_20191127_114955-scaled-170x110.jpg','','Reduced by 11.0% (431 B)',3470,3901,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:48',NULL),(828,411,'media','bfastmag_small_thumb_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_20191127_114955-scaled-86x70.jpg','','Reduced by 17.4% (377 B)',1790,2167,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:48',NULL),(829,411,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_20191127_114955-scaled-147x110.jpg','','Reduced by 11.3% (413 B)',3239,3652,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:48',NULL),(830,411,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_20191127_114955-scaled-370x250.jpg','','Reduced by 3.7% (434 B)',11357,11791,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:49',NULL),(831,411,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_20191127_114955-scaled-333x250.jpg','','Reduced by 3.6% (397 B)',10507,10904,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:49',NULL),(832,411,'media','bfastmag_related_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_20191127_114955-scaled-288x160.jpg','','Reduced by 7.6% (513 B)',6213,6726,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:49',NULL),(833,411,'media','bfastmag_blog_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_20191127_114955-scaled-780x544.jpg','','Reduced by 4.1% (1.5 KB)',34861,36367,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:49',NULL),(834,411,'media','bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_20191127_114955-scaled-725x544.jpg','','Reduced by 4.0% (1.4 KB)',34135,35565,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:49',NULL),(835,410,'media','full','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_20191127_114837-scaled.jpg','','Reduced by 7.4% (28.9 KB)',370057,399615,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:51',NULL),(836,410,'media','medium','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_20191127_114837-scaled-300x225.jpg','','Reduced by 3.8% (513 B)',13167,13680,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:51',NULL),(837,410,'media','large','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_20191127_114837-scaled-1024x768.jpg','','Reduced by 3.1% (2.5 KB)',78676,81208,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:51',NULL),(838,410,'media','thumbnail','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_20191127_114837-scaled-150x150.jpg','','Reduced by 6.9% (405 B)',5507,5912,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:51',NULL),(839,410,'media','medium_large','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_20191127_114837-scaled-768x576.jpg','','Reduced by 3.0% (1.5 KB)',50894,52454,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:51',NULL),(840,410,'media','1536x1536','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_20191127_114837-scaled-1536x1152.jpg','','Reduced by 4.4% (6.6 KB)',148575,155345,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:51',NULL),(841,410,'media','2048x2048','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_20191127_114837-scaled-2048x1536.jpg','','Reduced by 5.7% (14.1 KB)',238758,253243,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:51',NULL),(842,410,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_20191127_114837-scaled-170x110.jpg','','Reduced by 7.5% (410 B)',5056,5466,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:52',NULL),(843,410,'media','bfastmag_small_thumb_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_20191127_114837-scaled-86x70.jpg','','Reduced by 13.9% (385 B)',2393,2778,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:52',NULL),(844,410,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_20191127_114837-scaled-147x110.jpg','','Reduced by 8.1% (416 B)',4742,5158,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:52',NULL),(845,410,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_20191127_114837-scaled-370x250.jpg','','Reduced by 3.1% (512 B)',16146,16658,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:52',NULL),(846,410,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_20191127_114837-scaled-333x250.jpg','','Reduced by 3.7% (581 B)',15250,15831,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:52',NULL),(847,410,'media','bfastmag_related_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_20191127_114837-scaled-288x160.jpg','','Reduced by 4.4% (412 B)',8877,9289,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:52',NULL),(848,410,'media','bfastmag_blog_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_20191127_114837-scaled-780x544.jpg','','Reduced by 2.9% (1.4 KB)',49041,50519,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:52',NULL),(849,410,'media','bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_20191127_114837-scaled-725x544.jpg','','Reduced by 2.9% (1.4 KB)',46860,48260,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:52',NULL),(850,409,'media','full','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_20191127_114446-scaled.jpg','','Reduced by 6.5% (26.6 KB)',391643,418866,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:53',NULL),(851,409,'media','medium','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_20191127_114446-scaled-300x225.jpg','','Reduced by 4.9% (647 B)',12673,13320,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:53',NULL),(852,409,'media','large','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_20191127_114446-scaled-1024x768.jpg','','Reduced by 5.2% (4.5 KB)',84428,89066,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:53',NULL),(853,409,'media','thumbnail','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_20191127_114446-scaled-150x150.jpg','','Reduced by 9.2% (534 B)',5274,5808,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:53',NULL),(854,409,'media','medium_large','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_20191127_114446-scaled-768x576.jpg','','Reduced by 5.3% (2.9 KB)',52831,55760,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:53',NULL),(855,409,'media','1536x1536','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_20191127_114446-scaled-1536x1152.jpg','','Reduced by 5.4% (9.2 KB)',163237,172616,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:53',NULL),(856,409,'media','2048x2048','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_20191127_114446-scaled-2048x1536.jpg','','Reduced by 5.9% (15.8 KB)',259588,275780,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:53',NULL),(857,409,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_20191127_114446-scaled-170x110.jpg','','Reduced by 9.6% (527 B)',4947,5474,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:53',NULL),(858,409,'media','bfastmag_small_thumb_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_20191127_114446-scaled-86x70.jpg','','Reduced by 15.3% (410 B)',2269,2679,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:53',NULL),(859,409,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_20191127_114446-scaled-147x110.jpg','','Reduced by 9.8% (487 B)',4486,4973,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:53',NULL),(860,409,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_20191127_114446-scaled-370x250.jpg','','Reduced by 5.2% (883 B)',16191,17074,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:53',NULL),(861,409,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_20191127_114446-scaled-333x250.jpg','','Reduced by 5.7% (908 B)',14946,15854,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:53',NULL),(862,409,'media','bfastmag_related_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_20191127_114446-scaled-288x160.jpg','','Reduced by 8.1% (754 B)',8524,9278,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:53',NULL),(863,409,'media','bfastmag_blog_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_20191127_114446-scaled-780x544.jpg','','Reduced by 5.3% (2.9 KB)',52463,55421,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:53',NULL),(864,409,'media','bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_20191127_114446-scaled-725x544.jpg','','Reduced by 5.2% (2.6 KB)',48554,51194,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:53',NULL),(865,408,'media','full','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_20191127_114356-scaled.jpg','','Reduced by 6.9% (25.9 KB)',355758,382250,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:54',NULL),(866,408,'media','medium','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_20191127_114356-scaled-300x225.jpg','','Reduced by 5.7% (781 B)',12931,13712,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:55',NULL),(867,408,'media','large','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_20191127_114356-scaled-1024x768.jpg','','Reduced by 5.1% (4.2 KB)',80017,84349,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:55',NULL),(868,408,'media','thumbnail','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_20191127_114356-scaled-150x150.jpg','','Reduced by 8.9% (525 B)',5352,5877,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:55',NULL),(869,408,'media','medium_large','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_20191127_114356-scaled-768x576.jpg','','Reduced by 5.3% (2.8 KB)',51057,53914,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:55',NULL),(870,408,'media','1536x1536','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_20191127_114356-scaled-1536x1152.jpg','','Reduced by 5.4% (8.4 KB)',151414,160050,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:55',NULL),(871,408,'media','2048x2048','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_20191127_114356-scaled-2048x1536.jpg','','Reduced by 6.1% (15.0 KB)',236635,252012,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:55',NULL),(872,408,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_20191127_114356-scaled-170x110.jpg','','Reduced by 10.1% (525 B)',4689,5214,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:55',NULL),(873,408,'media','bfastmag_small_thumb_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_20191127_114356-scaled-86x70.jpg','','Reduced by 14.7% (394 B)',2292,2686,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:55',NULL),(874,408,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_20191127_114356-scaled-147x110.jpg','','Reduced by 10.1% (492 B)',4384,4876,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:55',NULL),(875,408,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_20191127_114356-scaled-370x250.jpg','','Reduced by 5.4% (900 B)',15631,16531,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:55',NULL),(876,408,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_20191127_114356-scaled-333x250.jpg','','Reduced by 5.0% (791 B)',14900,15691,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:55',NULL),(877,408,'media','bfastmag_related_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_20191127_114356-scaled-288x160.jpg','','Reduced by 7.7% (689 B)',8211,8900,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:55',NULL),(878,408,'media','bfastmag_blog_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_20191127_114356-scaled-780x544.jpg','','Reduced by 5.4% (2.8 KB)',49556,52400,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:55',NULL),(879,408,'media','bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_20191127_114356-scaled-725x544.jpg','','Reduced by 5.3% (2.6 KB)',47626,50287,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:55',NULL),(880,406,'media','full','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_20191127_114354-scaled.jpg','','Reduced by 6.4% (25.1 KB)',373698,399433,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:56',NULL),(881,406,'media','medium','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_20191127_114354-scaled-300x225.jpg','','Reduced by 4.4% (573 B)',12570,13143,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:56',NULL),(882,406,'media','large','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_20191127_114354-scaled-1024x768.jpg','','Reduced by 4.3% (3.5 KB)',80684,84294,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:56',NULL),(883,406,'media','thumbnail','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_20191127_114354-scaled-150x150.jpg','','Reduced by 8.4% (490 B)',5317,5807,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:56',NULL),(884,406,'media','medium_large','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_20191127_114354-scaled-768x576.jpg','','Reduced by 4.0% (2.1 KB)',51189,53326,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:56',NULL),(885,406,'media','1536x1536','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_20191127_114354-scaled-1536x1152.jpg','','Reduced by 4.9% (7.8 KB)',155373,163399,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:57',NULL),(886,406,'media','2048x2048','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_20191127_114354-scaled-2048x1536.jpg','','Reduced by 5.6% (14.2 KB)',246431,260924,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:57',NULL),(887,406,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_20191127_114354-scaled-170x110.jpg','','Reduced by 9.3% (472 B)',4630,5102,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:57',NULL),(888,406,'media','bfastmag_small_thumb_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_20191127_114354-scaled-86x70.jpg','','Reduced by 14.8% (387 B)',2223,2610,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:57',NULL),(889,406,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_20191127_114354-scaled-147x110.jpg','','Reduced by 9.5% (460 B)',4359,4819,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:57',NULL),(890,406,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_20191127_114354-scaled-370x250.jpg','','Reduced by 3.8% (608 B)',15374,15982,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:57',NULL),(891,406,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_20191127_114354-scaled-333x250.jpg','','Reduced by 4.4% (684 B)',14828,15512,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:57',NULL),(892,406,'media','bfastmag_related_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_20191127_114354-scaled-288x160.jpg','','Reduced by 7.1% (614 B)',8007,8621,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:57',NULL),(893,406,'media','bfastmag_blog_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_20191127_114354-scaled-780x544.jpg','','Reduced by 4.0% (2.0 KB)',49301,51332,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:57',NULL),(894,406,'media','bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_20191127_114354-scaled-725x544.jpg','','Reduced by 4.0% (1.9 KB)',47016,48981,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:57',NULL),(895,405,'media','full','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_20191127_114227_1-scaled.jpg','','Reduced by 5.8% (22.0 KB)',364692,387229,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:58',NULL),(896,405,'media','medium','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_20191127_114227_1-scaled-300x225.jpg','','Reduced by 3.7% (549 B)',14254,14803,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:58',NULL),(897,405,'media','large','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_20191127_114227_1-scaled-1024x768.jpg','','Reduced by 2.5% (2.1 KB)',82888,85046,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:58',NULL),(898,405,'media','thumbnail','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_20191127_114227_1-scaled-150x150.jpg','','Reduced by 6.7% (453 B)',6315,6768,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:58',NULL),(899,405,'media','medium_large','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_20191127_114227_1-scaled-768x576.jpg','','Reduced by 2.2% (1.2 KB)',54167,55407,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:58',NULL),(900,405,'media','1536x1536','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_20191127_114227_1-scaled-1536x1152.jpg','','Reduced by 3.5% (5.4 KB)',154684,160233,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:58',NULL),(901,405,'media','2048x2048','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_20191127_114227_1-scaled-2048x1536.jpg','','Reduced by 4.7% (11.7 KB)',243254,255215,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:59',NULL),(902,405,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_20191127_114227_1-scaled-170x110.jpg','','Reduced by 7.7% (468 B)',5578,6046,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:59',NULL),(903,405,'media','bfastmag_small_thumb_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_20191127_114227_1-scaled-86x70.jpg','','Reduced by 12.9% (379 B)',2570,2949,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:59',NULL),(904,405,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_20191127_114227_1-scaled-147x110.jpg','','Reduced by 8.0% (438 B)',5057,5495,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:59',NULL),(905,405,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_20191127_114227_1-scaled-370x250.jpg','','Reduced by 3.6% (664 B)',17962,18626,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:59',NULL),(906,405,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_20191127_114227_1-scaled-333x250.jpg','','Reduced by 3.7% (617 B)',16248,16865,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:59',NULL),(907,405,'media','bfastmag_related_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_20191127_114227_1-scaled-288x160.jpg','','Reduced by 4.6% (522 B)',10937,11459,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:59',NULL),(908,405,'media','bfastmag_blog_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_20191127_114227_1-scaled-780x544.jpg','','Reduced by 2.4% (1.3 KB)',53390,54717,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:59',NULL),(909,405,'media','bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_20191127_114227_1-scaled-725x544.jpg','','Reduced by 2.2% (1.1 KB)',49837,50978,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:38:59',NULL),(910,404,'media','full','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_20191127_114227-scaled.jpg','','Reduced by 5.8% (22.0 KB)',364692,387229,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:39:00',NULL),(911,404,'media','medium','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_20191127_114227-scaled-300x225.jpg','','Reduced by 3.7% (549 B)',14254,14803,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:39:00',NULL),(912,404,'media','large','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_20191127_114227-scaled-1024x768.jpg','','Reduced by 2.5% (2.1 KB)',82888,85046,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:39:00',NULL),(913,404,'media','thumbnail','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_20191127_114227-scaled-150x150.jpg','','Reduced by 6.7% (453 B)',6315,6768,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:39:00',NULL),(914,404,'media','medium_large','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_20191127_114227-scaled-768x576.jpg','','Reduced by 2.2% (1.2 KB)',54167,55407,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:39:00',NULL),(915,404,'media','1536x1536','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_20191127_114227-scaled-1536x1152.jpg','','Reduced by 3.5% (5.4 KB)',154684,160233,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:39:00',NULL),(916,404,'media','2048x2048','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_20191127_114227-scaled-2048x1536.jpg','','Reduced by 4.7% (11.7 KB)',243254,255215,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:39:00',NULL),(917,404,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_20191127_114227-scaled-170x110.jpg','','Reduced by 7.7% (468 B)',5578,6046,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:39:00',NULL),(918,404,'media','bfastmag_small_thumb_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_20191127_114227-scaled-86x70.jpg','','Reduced by 12.9% (379 B)',2570,2949,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:39:00',NULL),(919,404,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_20191127_114227-scaled-147x110.jpg','','Reduced by 8.0% (438 B)',5057,5495,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:39:00',NULL),(920,404,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_20191127_114227-scaled-370x250.jpg','','Reduced by 3.6% (664 B)',17962,18626,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:39:00',NULL),(921,404,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_20191127_114227-scaled-333x250.jpg','','Reduced by 3.7% (617 B)',16248,16865,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:39:01',NULL),(922,404,'media','bfastmag_related_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_20191127_114227-scaled-288x160.jpg','','Reduced by 4.6% (522 B)',10937,11459,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:39:01',NULL),(923,404,'media','bfastmag_blog_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_20191127_114227-scaled-780x544.jpg','','Reduced by 2.4% (1.3 KB)',53390,54717,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:39:01',NULL),(924,404,'media','bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_20191127_114227-scaled-725x544.jpg','','Reduced by 2.2% (1.1 KB)',49837,50978,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:39:01',NULL),(925,403,'media','full','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_20191127_114224-scaled.jpg','','Reduced by 4.4% (15.5 KB)',346619,362468,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:39:02',NULL),(926,403,'media','medium','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_20191127_114224-scaled-300x225.jpg','','Reduced by 3.8% (569 B)',14248,14817,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:39:02',NULL),(927,403,'media','large','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_20191127_114224-scaled-1024x768.jpg','','Reduced by 2.1% (1.7 KB)',84658,86443,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:39:02',NULL),(928,403,'media','thumbnail','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_20191127_114224-scaled-150x150.jpg','','Reduced by 6.7% (468 B)',6558,7026,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:39:02',NULL),(929,403,'media','medium_large','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_20191127_114224-scaled-768x576.jpg','','Reduced by 2.2% (1.2 KB)',55554,56823,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:39:02',NULL),(930,403,'media','1536x1536','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_20191127_114224-scaled-1536x1152.jpg','','Reduced by 2.6% (3.9 KB)',153797,157839,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:39:02',NULL),(931,403,'media','2048x2048','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_20191127_114224-scaled-2048x1536.jpg','','Reduced by 3.2% (7.6 KB)',234556,242292,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:39:02',NULL),(932,403,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_20191127_114224-scaled-170x110.jpg','','Reduced by 7.2% (433 B)',5562,5995,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:39:02',NULL),(933,403,'media','bfastmag_small_thumb_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_20191127_114224-scaled-86x70.jpg','','Reduced by 13.0% (380 B)',2542,2922,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:39:02',NULL),(934,403,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_20191127_114224-scaled-147x110.jpg','','Reduced by 8.0% (431 B)',4965,5396,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:39:02',NULL),(935,403,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_20191127_114224-scaled-370x250.jpg','','Reduced by 3.2% (606 B)',18233,18839,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:39:02',NULL),(936,403,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_20191127_114224-scaled-333x250.jpg','','Reduced by 3.5% (601 B)',16646,17247,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:39:02',NULL),(937,403,'media','bfastmag_related_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_20191127_114224-scaled-288x160.jpg','','Reduced by 5.0% (554 B)',10605,11159,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:39:02',NULL),(938,403,'media','bfastmag_blog_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_20191127_114224-scaled-780x544.jpg','','Reduced by 2.2% (1.2 KB)',54400,55618,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:39:02',NULL),(939,403,'media','bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_20191127_114224-scaled-725x544.jpg','','Reduced by 2.4% (1.2 KB)',51354,52598,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:39:02',NULL),(940,402,'media','full','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_20191127_114218-scaled-e1582802521926.jpg','','Reduced by 4.0% (10.3 KB)',251663,262209,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:39:03',NULL),(941,402,'media','medium','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_20191127_114218-scaled-e1582802521926-300x154.jpg','','Reduced by 5.1% (627 B)',11680,12307,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:39:03',NULL),(942,402,'media','large','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_20191127_114218-scaled-e1582802521926-1024x527.jpg','','Reduced by 2.7% (1.9 KB)',69935,71841,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:39:03',NULL),(943,402,'media','thumbnail','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_20191127_114218-scaled-e1582802521926-150x150.jpg','','Reduced by 6.9% (444 B)',6020,6464,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:39:03',NULL),(944,402,'media','medium_large','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_20191127_114218-scaled-e1582802521926-768x396.jpg','','Reduced by 2.9% (1.3 KB)',45826,47186,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:39:03',NULL),(945,402,'media','1536x1536','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_20191127_114218-scaled-e1582802521926-1536x791.jpg','','Reduced by 2.9% (3.8 KB)',128219,132071,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:39:03',NULL),(946,402,'media','2048x2048','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_20191127_114218-scaled-e1582802521926-2048x1055.jpg','','Reduced by 3.5% (7.0 KB)',196908,204028,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:39:04',NULL),(947,402,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_20191127_114218-scaled-e1582802521926-170x110.jpg','','Reduced by 7.5% (457 B)',5631,6088,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:39:04',NULL),(948,402,'media','bfastmag_small_thumb_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_20191127_114218-scaled-e1582802521926-86x70.jpg','','Reduced by 13.8% (392 B)',2455,2847,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:39:04',NULL),(949,402,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_20191127_114218-scaled-e1582802521926-170x88.jpg','','Reduced by 7.8% (434 B)',5118,5552,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:39:04',NULL),(950,402,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_20191127_114218-scaled-e1582802521926-370x250.jpg','','Reduced by 3.6% (670 B)',18089,18759,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:39:04',NULL),(951,402,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_20191127_114218-scaled-e1582802521926-370x191.jpg','','Reduced by 4.5% (751 B)',15769,16520,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:39:04',NULL),(952,402,'media','bfastmag_related_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_20191127_114218-scaled-e1582802521926-288x160.jpg','','Reduced by 5.2% (620 B)',11252,11872,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:39:04',NULL),(953,402,'media','bfastmag_blog_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_20191127_114218-scaled-e1582802521926-780x544.jpg','','Reduced by 2.8% (1.6 KB)',54839,56430,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:39:04',NULL),(954,402,'media','bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_20191127_114218-scaled-e1582802521926-780x402.jpg','','Reduced by 2.9% (1.4 KB)',47264,48675,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:39:04',NULL),(955,401,'media','full','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2019/12/silver-and-gold-coins-128867-1-scaled.jpg','','Reduced by 7.0% (35.6 KB)',482997,519447,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:39:05',NULL),(956,401,'media','medium','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2019/12/silver-and-gold-coins-128867-1-scaled-300x200.jpg','','Reduced by 4.6% (658 B)',13497,14155,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:39:05',NULL),(957,401,'media','large','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2019/12/silver-and-gold-coins-128867-1-scaled-1024x683.jpg','','Reduced by 5.4% (6.3 KB)',114520,121004,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:39:05',NULL),(958,401,'media','thumbnail','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2019/12/silver-and-gold-coins-128867-1-scaled-150x150.jpg','','Reduced by 5.7% (414 B)',6866,7280,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:39:05',NULL),(959,401,'media','medium_large','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2019/12/silver-and-gold-coins-128867-1-scaled-768x512.jpg','','Reduced by 4.8% (3.5 KB)',70254,73802,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:39:05',NULL),(960,401,'media','1536x1536','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2019/12/silver-and-gold-coins-128867-1-scaled-1536x1024.jpg','','Reduced by 6.2% (13.9 KB)',214582,228802,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:39:05',NULL),(961,401,'media','2048x2048','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2019/12/silver-and-gold-coins-128867-1-scaled-2048x1366.jpg','','Reduced by 6.7% (23.0 KB)',330647,354232,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:39:05',NULL),(962,401,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2019/12/silver-and-gold-coins-128867-1-scaled-170x110.jpg','','Reduced by 7.6% (416 B)',5089,5505,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:39:05',NULL),(963,401,'media','bfastmag_small_thumb_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2019/12/silver-and-gold-coins-128867-1-scaled-86x70.jpg','','Reduced by 13.2% (379 B)',2492,2871,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:39:05',NULL),(964,401,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2019/12/silver-and-gold-coins-128867-1-scaled-165x110.jpg','','Reduced by 7.6% (413 B)',5026,5439,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:39:05',NULL),(965,401,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2019/12/silver-and-gold-coins-128867-1-scaled-370x250.jpg','','Reduced by 4.1% (873 B)',20517,21390,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:39:05',NULL),(966,401,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2019/12/silver-and-gold-coins-128867-1-scaled-370x247.jpg','','Reduced by 4.4% (905 B)',19784,20689,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:39:06',NULL),(967,401,'media','bfastmag_related_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2019/12/silver-and-gold-coins-128867-1-scaled-288x160.jpg','','Reduced by 4.6% (482 B)',10040,10522,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:39:06',NULL),(968,401,'media','bfastmag_blog_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2019/12/silver-and-gold-coins-128867-1-scaled-780x544.jpg','','Reduced by 4.9% (3.9 KB)',77246,81227,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:39:06',NULL),(969,401,'media','bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2019/12/silver-and-gold-coins-128867-1-scaled-780x520.jpg','','Reduced by 4.9% (3.6 KB)',72378,76068,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:39:06',NULL),(970,399,'media','full','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/dean-ernesto-pineda.jpg','','Reduced by 7.5% (1,020 B)',12639,13659,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:39:06',NULL),(971,399,'media','thumbnail','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/dean-ernesto-pineda-150x150.jpg','','Reduced by 8.8% (395 B)',4088,4483,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:39:06',NULL),(972,399,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/dean-ernesto-pineda-170x110.jpg','','Reduced by 10.2% (383 B)',3360,3743,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:39:06',NULL),(973,399,'media','bfastmag_small_thumb_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/dean-ernesto-pineda-86x70.jpg','','Reduced by 18.2% (369 B)',1657,2026,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:39:06',NULL),(974,399,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/dean-ernesto-pineda-91x110.jpg','','Reduced by 14.3% (383 B)',2293,2676,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:39:07',NULL),(975,399,'media','bfastmag_related_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/dean-ernesto-pineda-177x160.jpg','','Reduced by 7.2% (386 B)',4972,5358,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:39:07',NULL),(976,396,'media','full','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/dr-nilo-divina.jpg','','Reduced by 6.9% (834 B)',11168,12002,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:39:07',NULL),(977,396,'media','thumbnail','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/dr-nilo-divina-150x150.jpg','','Reduced by 9.8% (378 B)',3467,3845,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:39:07',NULL),(978,396,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/dr-nilo-divina-170x110.jpg','','Reduced by 11.2% (382 B)',3029,3411,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:39:07',NULL),(979,396,'media','bfastmag_small_thumb_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/dr-nilo-divina-86x70.jpg','','Reduced by 18.7% (362 B)',1571,1933,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:39:07',NULL),(980,396,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/dr-nilo-divina-91x110.jpg','','Reduced by 15.9% (384 B)',2030,2414,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:39:07',NULL),(981,396,'media','bfastmag_related_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/02/dr-nilo-divina-177x160.jpg','','Reduced by 8.5% (389 B)',4213,4602,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:39:07',NULL),(982,242,'media','full','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2019/12/ulr1617-scaled.jpg','','Reduced by 3.9% (14.8 KB)',371200,386348,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:39:08',NULL),(983,242,'media','medium','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2019/12/ulr1617-scaled-300x124.jpg','','Reduced by 7.5% (1,007 B)',12372,13379,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:39:08',NULL),(984,242,'media','large','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2019/12/ulr1617-scaled-1024x422.jpg','','Reduced by 4.8% (4.2 KB)',85441,89719,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:39:08',NULL),(985,242,'media','thumbnail','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2019/12/ulr1617-scaled-150x150.jpg','','Reduced by 5.1% (424 B)',7854,8278,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:39:08',NULL),(986,242,'media','medium_large','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2019/12/ulr1617-scaled-768x316.jpg','','Reduced by 5.4% (3.0 KB)',54340,57456,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:39:08',NULL),(987,242,'media','1536x1536','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2019/12/ulr1617-scaled-1536x632.jpg','','Reduced by 4.2% (6.9 KB)',160558,167626,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:39:08',NULL),(988,242,'media','2048x2048','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2019/12/ulr1617-scaled-2048x843.jpg','','Reduced by 3.9% (9.8 KB)',249481,259484,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:39:09',NULL),(989,242,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2019/12/ulr1617-scaled-170x110.jpg','','Reduced by 5.6% (428 B)',7166,7594,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:39:09',NULL),(990,242,'media','bfastmag_small_thumb_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2019/12/ulr1617-scaled-86x70.jpg','','Reduced by 11.2% (368 B)',2914,3282,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:39:09',NULL),(991,242,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2019/12/ulr1617-scaled-170x70.jpg','','Reduced by 7.0% (398 B)',5308,5706,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:39:09',NULL),(992,242,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2019/12/ulr1617-scaled-370x250.jpg','','Reduced by 6.4% (1.6 KB)',24286,25957,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:39:09',NULL),(993,242,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2019/12/ulr1617-scaled-370x152.jpg','','Reduced by 7.0% (1.3 KB)',17211,18501,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:39:09',NULL),(994,242,'media','bfastmag_related_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2019/12/ulr1617-scaled-288x160.jpg','','Reduced by 7.3% (1.1 KB)',14182,15303,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:39:09',NULL),(995,242,'media','bfastmag_blog_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2019/12/ulr1617-scaled-780x544.jpg','','Reduced by 4.5% (3.6 KB)',78245,81973,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:39:09',NULL),(996,242,'media','bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2019/12/ulr1617-scaled-780x321.jpg','','Reduced by 5.2% (3.0 KB)',56059,59125,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:39:09',NULL),(997,237,'media','full','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2019/12/554084_10151505444402938_121776839_n-e1582788058670.jpg','','Reduced by 6.2% (8.9 KB)',137793,146857,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:39:10',NULL),(998,237,'media','medium','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2019/12/554084_10151505444402938_121776839_n-e1582788058670-300x152.jpg','','Reduced by 7.5% (1.4 KB)',18236,19713,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:39:10',NULL),(999,237,'media','thumbnail','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2019/12/554084_10151505444402938_121776839_n-e1582788058670-150x150.jpg','','Reduced by 4.8% (463 B)',9123,9586,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:39:10',NULL),(1000,237,'media','medium_large','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2019/12/554084_10151505444402938_121776839_n-e1582788058670-768x390.jpg','','Reduced by 5.7% (5.0 KB)',84765,89877,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:39:10',NULL),(1001,237,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2019/12/554084_10151505444402938_121776839_n-e1582788058670-170x110.jpg','','Reduced by 5.4% (483 B)',8541,9024,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:39:10',NULL),(1002,237,'media','bfastmag_small_thumb_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2019/12/554084_10151505444402938_121776839_n-e1582788058670-86x70.jpg','','Reduced by 11.0% (392 B)',3159,3551,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:39:10',NULL),(1003,237,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2019/12/554084_10151505444402938_121776839_n-e1582788058670-170x86.jpg','','Reduced by 6.0% (459 B)',7147,7606,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:39:10',NULL),(1004,237,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2019/12/554084_10151505444402938_121776839_n-e1582788058670-370x250.jpg','','Reduced by 6.3% (2.1 KB)',31796,33944,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:39:10',NULL),(1005,237,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2019/12/554084_10151505444402938_121776839_n-e1582788058670-370x188.jpg','','Reduced by 6.8% (1.9 KB)',26246,28162,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:39:10',NULL),(1006,237,'media','bfastmag_related_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2019/12/554084_10151505444402938_121776839_n-e1582788058670-288x160.jpg','','Reduced by 7.5% (1.4 KB)',17946,19398,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:39:10',NULL),(1007,237,'media','bfastmag_blog_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2019/12/554084_10151505444402938_121776839_n-e1582788058670-780x487.jpg','','Reduced by 6.1% (7.1 KB)',112077,119324,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:39:10',NULL),(1008,237,'media','bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2019/12/554084_10151505444402938_121776839_n-e1582788058670-780x396.jpg','','Reduced by 5.7% (5.1 KB)',86915,92141,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:39:10',NULL),(1009,21,'media','full','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2019/11/UST_Main_Building2.jpg','','Reduced by 9.4% (80.8 KB)',794662,877394,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:39:11',NULL),(1010,21,'media','medium','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2019/11/UST_Main_Building2-300x192.jpg','','Reduced by 4.9% (557 B)',10830,11387,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:39:11',NULL),(1011,21,'media','large','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2019/11/UST_Main_Building2-1024x655.jpg','','Reduced by 9.7% (11.8 KB)',112270,124376,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:39:11',NULL),(1012,21,'media','thumbnail','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2019/11/UST_Main_Building2-150x150.jpg','','Reduced by 7.3% (401 B)',5105,5506,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:39:11',NULL),(1013,21,'media','medium_large','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2019/11/UST_Main_Building2-768x491.jpg','','Reduced by 4.8% (2.8 KB)',57338,60226,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:39:11',NULL),(1014,21,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2019/11/UST_Main_Building2-170x110.jpg','','Reduced by 8.5% (402 B)',4312,4714,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:39:11',NULL),(1015,21,'media','bfastmag_small_thumb_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2019/11/UST_Main_Building2-86x70.jpg','','Reduced by 17.1% (382 B)',1858,2240,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:39:11',NULL),(1016,21,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2019/11/UST_Main_Building2-370x250.jpg','','Reduced by 4.4% (766 B)',16517,17283,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:39:11',NULL),(1017,21,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2019/11/UST_Main_Building2-370x237.jpg','','Reduced by 4.6% (753 B)',15642,16395,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:39:11',NULL),(1018,21,'media','bfastmag_related_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2019/11/UST_Main_Building2-288x160.jpg','','Reduced by 4.4% (438 B)',9490,9928,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:39:11',NULL),(1019,21,'media','bfastmag_blog_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2019/11/UST_Main_Building2-780x544.jpg','','Reduced by 6.1% (4.3 KB)',66477,70833,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:39:11',NULL),(1020,21,'media','bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2019/11/UST_Main_Building2-780x499.jpg','','Reduced by 4.9% (3.0 KB)',59348,62423,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:39:11',NULL),(1021,18,'media','full','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2019/11/cropped-logo-1.png','','Reduced by 5.7% (1.9 KB)',31602,33497,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:39:12',NULL),(1022,18,'media','medium','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2019/11/cropped-logo-1-300x91.png','','Reduced by 5.6% (2.2 KB)',38388,40653,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:39:13',NULL),(1023,18,'media','thumbnail','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2019/11/cropped-logo-1-150x93.png','','Reduced by 7.2% (846 B)',10889,11735,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:39:13',NULL),(1024,18,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2019/11/cropped-logo-1-170x93.png','','Reduced by 6.2% (895 B)',13633,14528,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:39:13',NULL),(1025,18,'media','bfastmag_small_thumb_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2019/11/cropped-logo-1-86x70.png','','Reduced by 16.4% (1.3 KB)',6705,8016,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:39:13',NULL),(1026,18,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2019/11/cropped-logo-1-170x52.png','','Reduced by 8.9% (1.4 KB)',14235,15632,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:39:14',NULL),(1027,18,'media','bfastmag_related_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2019/11/cropped-logo-1-288x93.png','','Reduced by 5.5% (1.8 KB)',30871,32680,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:39:14',NULL),(1028,16,'media','full','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2019/11/cropped-logo.png','','Reduced by 5.1% (1.7 KB)',31977,33703,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:39:15',NULL),(1029,16,'media','medium','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2019/11/cropped-logo-300x99.png','','Reduced by 8.6% (3.1 KB)',33646,36817,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:39:16',NULL),(1030,16,'media','thumbnail','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2019/11/cropped-logo-150x114.png','','Reduced by 7.1% (838 B)',10954,11792,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:39:16',NULL),(1031,16,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2019/11/cropped-logo-170x110.png','','Reduced by 8.6% (1.8 KB)',19545,21376,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:39:17',NULL),(1032,16,'media','bfastmag_small_thumb_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2019/11/cropped-logo-86x70.png','','Reduced by 14.6% (1.1 KB)',6590,7716,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:39:17',NULL),(1033,16,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2019/11/cropped-logo-170x56.png','','Reduced by 11.7% (1.6 KB)',12624,14299,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:39:17',NULL),(1034,16,'media','bfastmag_related_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2019/11/cropped-logo-288x114.png','','Reduced by 5.3% (1.7 KB)',31014,32755,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:39:17',NULL),(1035,15,'media','full','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2019/11/logo.png','','Reduced by 2.5% (1.1 KB)',45133,46279,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:39:18',NULL),(1036,15,'media','medium','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2019/11/logo-300x112.png','','Reduced by 8.2% (2.9 KB)',33626,36642,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:39:19',NULL),(1037,15,'media','thumbnail','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2019/11/logo-150x129.png','','Reduced by 7.1% (835 B)',10997,11832,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:39:19',NULL),(1038,15,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2019/11/logo-170x110.png','','Reduced by 9.0% (1.9 KB)',19501,21439,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:39:20',NULL),(1039,15,'media','bfastmag_small_thumb_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2019/11/logo-86x70.png','','Reduced by 11.0% (819 B)',6642,7461,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:39:20',NULL),(1040,15,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2019/11/logo-170x63.png','','Reduced by 12.2% (1.7 KB)',12634,14386,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:39:20',NULL),(1041,15,'media','bfastmag_related_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2019/11/logo-288x129.png','','Reduced by 5.2% (1.7 KB)',31105,32812,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:39:21',NULL),(1042,14,'media','full','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2019/11/cropped-Badge-ULR.png','','Reduced by 6.2% (3.8 KB)',58536,62414,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:39:25',NULL),(1043,14,'media','medium','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2019/11/cropped-Badge-ULR-300x300.png','','Reduced by 5.0% (4.5 KB)',87368,91983,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:39:27',NULL),(1044,14,'media','thumbnail','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2019/11/cropped-Badge-ULR-150x150.png','','Reduced by 2.6% (829 B)',31439,32268,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:39:28',NULL),(1045,14,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2019/11/cropped-Badge-ULR-170x110.png','','Reduced by 2.2% (679 B)',30782,31461,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:39:28',NULL),(1046,14,'media','bfastmag_small_thumb_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2019/11/cropped-Badge-ULR-86x70.png','','Reduced by 0.9% (109 B)',11908,12017,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:39:28',NULL),(1047,14,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2019/11/cropped-Badge-ULR-110x110.png','','Reduced by 1.9% (362 B)',18619,18981,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:39:28',NULL),(1048,14,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2019/11/cropped-Badge-ULR-370x250.png','','Reduced by 5.4% (5.1 KB)',90692,95881,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:39:31',NULL),(1049,14,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2019/11/cropped-Badge-ULR-250x250.png','','Reduced by 4.5% (3.1 KB)',68302,71492,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:39:33',NULL),(1050,14,'media','bfastmag_related_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2019/11/cropped-Badge-ULR-288x160.png','','Reduced by 3.7% (2.0 KB)',53928,56011,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:39:34',NULL),(1051,13,'media','full','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2019/11/Badge-ULR.png','','Reduced by 9.4% (1.7 KB)',17128,18909,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:39:22',NULL),(1052,13,'media','thumbnail','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2019/11/Badge-ULR-150x107.png','','Reduced by 1.7% (302 B)',17122,17424,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:39:22',NULL),(1053,13,'media','bfastmag_small_thumb_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2019/11/Badge-ULR-86x70.png','','Reduced by 2.4% (228 B)',9345,9573,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:39:22',NULL),(1054,NULL,NULL,NULL,'ABSPATHwp-content/themes/bfastmag/assets/images/banner.png','','Reduced by 1.8% (2.7 KB)',144219,146933,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:39:37',NULL),(1055,NULL,NULL,NULL,'ABSPATHwp-content/themes/bfastmag/assets/images/banner_default.png','','Reduced by 1.8% (2.7 KB)',144219,146933,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:39:37',NULL),(1056,NULL,NULL,NULL,'ABSPATHwp-content/themes/bfastmag/assets/images/banner_th.png','','Reduced by 11.2% (2.6 KB)',21468,24181,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:39:37',NULL),(1057,NULL,NULL,NULL,'ABSPATHwp-content/themes/bfastmag/assets/images/bfastmag-background.jpg','','Reduced by 5.6% (4.1 KB)',70961,75181,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:39:37',NULL),(1058,NULL,NULL,NULL,'ABSPATHwp-content/themes/bfastmag/assets/images/bfastmag.jpg','','Reduced by 3.2% (2.4 KB)',76431,78924,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:39:37',NULL),(1059,NULL,NULL,NULL,'ABSPATHwp-content/themes/bfastmag/assets/images/blog-default.jpg','','Reduced by 76.6% (9.3 KB)',2892,12381,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:39:37',NULL),(1060,NULL,NULL,NULL,'ABSPATHwp-content/themes/bfastmag/assets/images/default-image.jpg','','Reduced by 85.4% (9.2 KB)',1602,10986,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:39:37',NULL),(1061,NULL,NULL,NULL,'ABSPATHwp-content/themes/bfastmag/assets/images/related-default.jpg','','Reduced by 85.4% (9.2 KB)',1602,10986,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:39:37',NULL),(1062,NULL,NULL,NULL,'ABSPATHwp-content/themes/bfastmag/inc/prevdem_tpacific/img/1.jpg','','Reduced by 1.1% (1.1 KB)',108061,109210,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:39:37',NULL),(1063,NULL,NULL,NULL,'ABSPATHwp-content/themes/bfastmag/inc/prevdem_tpacific/img/2.jpg','','Reduced by 1.4% (1.1 KB)',82710,83860,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:39:38',NULL),(1064,NULL,NULL,NULL,'ABSPATHwp-content/themes/bfastmag/inc/prevdem_tpacific/img/3.jpg','','Reduced by 1.4% (1.1 KB)',80272,81422,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:39:38',NULL),(1065,NULL,NULL,NULL,'ABSPATHwp-content/themes/bfastmag/inc/prevdem_tpacific/img/4.jpg','','Reduced by 0.7% (1.1 KB)',171794,172943,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:39:38',NULL),(1066,NULL,NULL,NULL,'ABSPATHwp-content/themes/bfastmag/inc/prevdem_tpacific/img/5.jpg','','Reduced by 0.7% (1.1 KB)',157144,158294,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:39:38',NULL),(1067,NULL,NULL,NULL,'ABSPATHwp-content/themes/bfastmag/inc/prevdem_tpacific/img/6.jpg','','Reduced by 1.1% (1.1 KB)',104016,105165,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:39:38',NULL),(1068,NULL,NULL,NULL,'ABSPATHwp-content/themes/bfastmag/screenshot.png','','Reduced by 0.4% (1.3 KB)',311992,313278,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 07:39:41',NULL),(1069,NULL,NULL,NULL,'ABSPATHwp-content/ewww/lazy/placeholder-347x115.png','','Reduced by 18.2% (25 B)',112,137,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-01 23:42:22',NULL),(1070,NULL,NULL,NULL,'ABSPATHwp-content/ewww/lazy/placeholder-869x115.png','','Reduced by 17.4% (25 B)',119,144,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-01 23:42:22',NULL),(1071,NULL,NULL,NULL,'ABSPATHwp-content/ewww/lazy/placeholder-26x26.png','','Reduced by 20.7% (25 B)',96,121,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-01 23:42:22',NULL),(1072,NULL,NULL,NULL,'ABSPATHwp-content/ewww/lazy/placeholder-64x64.png','','Reduced by 20.2% (25 B)',99,124,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-01 23:42:22',NULL),(1073,NULL,NULL,NULL,'ABSPATHwp-content/ewww/lazy/placeholder-370x250.png','','Reduced by 16.8% (24 B)',119,143,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 16:23:25',NULL),(1074,NULL,NULL,NULL,'ABSPATHwp-content/ewww/lazy/placeholder-1024x682.png','','Reduced by 11.1% (24 B)',192,216,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 22:38:46',NULL),(1075,NULL,NULL,NULL,'ABSPATHwp-content/ewww/lazy/placeholder-819x1024.png','','Reduced by 10.6% (25 B)',210,235,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 22:38:46',NULL),(1076,NULL,NULL,NULL,'ABSPATHwp-content/ewww/lazy/placeholder-240x300.png','','Reduced by 17.1% (24 B)',116,140,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-02 22:39:28',NULL),(1077,NULL,NULL,NULL,'ABSPATHwp-content/ewww/lazy/placeholder-1024x679.png','','Reduced by 11.5% (25 B)',192,217,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-03 22:38:39',NULL),(1078,NULL,NULL,NULL,'ABSPATHwp-content/ewww/lazy/placeholder-300x200.png','','Reduced by 17.3% (24 B)',115,139,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-03 22:38:39',NULL),(1079,NULL,NULL,NULL,'ABSPATHwp-content/ewww/lazy/placeholder-1024x791.png','','Reduced by 10.8% (25 B)',206,231,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-04 01:41:35',NULL),(1080,NULL,NULL,NULL,'ABSPATHwp-content/ewww/lazy/placeholder-96x96.png','','Reduced by 19.7% (25 B)',102,127,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-04 01:41:35',NULL),(1081,NULL,NULL,NULL,'ABSPATHwp-content/ewww/lazy/placeholder-182x221.png','','Reduced by 17.5% (24 B)',113,137,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-04 11:28:35',NULL),(1082,NULL,NULL,NULL,'ABSPATHwp-content/ewww/lazy/placeholder-1024x655.png','','Reduced by 11.7% (25 B)',189,214,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-04 19:01:34',NULL),(1083,NULL,NULL,NULL,'ABSPATHwp-content/ewww/lazy/placeholder-240x291.png','','Reduced by 17.9% (25 B)',115,140,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-04 19:21:01',NULL),(1084,NULL,NULL,NULL,'ABSPATHwp-content/ewww/lazy/placeholder-1024x754.png','','Reduced by 10.7% (24 B)',201,225,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-04 22:06:26',NULL),(1085,NULL,NULL,NULL,'ABSPATHwp-content/ewww/lazy/placeholder-177x215.png','','Reduced by 17.6% (24 B)',112,136,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-19 10:17:27',NULL),(1086,NULL,NULL,NULL,'ABSPATHwp-content/ewww/lazy/placeholder-680x190.png','','Reduced by 16.9% (25 B)',123,148,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-21 14:41:43',NULL),(1087,NULL,NULL,NULL,'ABSPATHwp-content/ewww/lazy/placeholder-955x388.png','','Reduced by 13.6% (24 B)',152,176,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-21 14:41:43',NULL),(1088,NULL,NULL,NULL,'ABSPATHwp-content/ewww/lazy/placeholder-1920x1079.png','','Reduced by 6.3% (24 B)',359,383,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-21 16:55:15',NULL),(1089,793,'media','full','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/08/Image-8-27-20-at-6.13-PM.jpeg','','Reduced by 7.2% (8.0 KB)',106291,114519,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-27 02:15:58',NULL),(1090,793,'media','medium','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/08/Image-8-27-20-at-6.13-PM-300x169.jpeg','','Reduced by 5.6% (823 B)',13884,14707,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-27 02:15:58',NULL),(1091,793,'media','thumbnail','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/08/Image-8-27-20-at-6.13-PM-150x150.jpeg','','Reduced by 5.8% (445 B)',7293,7738,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-27 02:15:58',NULL),(1092,793,'media','medium_large','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/08/Image-8-27-20-at-6.13-PM-768x432.jpeg','','Reduced by 3.3% (1.8 KB)',54586,56447,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-27 02:15:58',NULL),(1093,793,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/08/Image-8-27-20-at-6.13-PM-170x110.jpeg','','Reduced by 6.6% (447 B)',6338,6785,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-27 02:15:58',NULL),(1094,793,'media','bfastmag_small_thumb_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/08/Image-8-27-20-at-6.13-PM-86x70.jpeg','','Reduced by 12.7% (385 B)',2648,3033,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-27 02:15:58',NULL),(1095,793,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/08/Image-8-27-20-at-6.13-PM-170x96.jpeg','','Reduced by 6.9% (432 B)',5851,6283,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-27 02:15:58',NULL),(1096,793,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/08/Image-8-27-20-at-6.13-PM-370x250.jpeg','','Reduced by 4.8% (1.0 KB)',21493,22566,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-27 02:15:58',NULL),(1097,793,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/08/Image-8-27-20-at-6.13-PM-370x208.jpeg','','Reduced by 5.3% (1.0 KB)',18730,19769,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-27 02:15:58',NULL),(1098,793,'media','bfastmag_related_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/08/Image-8-27-20-at-6.13-PM-288x160.jpeg','','Reduced by 5.8% (771 B)',12507,13278,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-27 02:15:58',NULL),(1099,793,'media','bfastmag_blog_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/08/Image-8-27-20-at-6.13-PM-780x500.jpeg','','Reduced by 3.8% (2.5 KB)',64171,66708,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-27 02:15:58',NULL),(1100,793,'media','bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/08/Image-8-27-20-at-6.13-PM-780x439.jpeg','','Reduced by 3.3% (1.9 KB)',56346,58267,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-27 02:15:58',NULL),(1101,802,'media','full','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/08/OCA-130.jpeg','','Reduced by 43.5% (33.7 KB)',44870,79382,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-28 23:30:55',NULL),(1102,802,'media','medium','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/08/OCA-130-300x169.jpeg','','Reduced by 7.2% (1.2 KB)',16397,17670,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-28 23:30:55',NULL),(1103,802,'media','thumbnail','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/08/OCA-130-150x150.jpeg','','Reduced by 6.2% (529 B)',7971,8500,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-28 23:30:55',NULL),(1104,802,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/08/OCA-130-170x110.jpeg','','Reduced by 6.4% (529 B)',7786,8315,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-28 23:30:55',NULL),(1105,802,'media','bfastmag_small_thumb_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/08/OCA-130-86x70.jpeg','','Reduced by 11.5% (406 B)',3115,3521,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-28 23:30:55',NULL),(1106,802,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/08/OCA-130-170x96.jpeg','','Reduced by 6.6% (505 B)',7114,7619,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-28 23:30:55',NULL),(1107,802,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/08/OCA-130-370x250.jpeg','','Reduced by 6.3% (1.6 KB)',24280,25926,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-28 23:30:55',NULL),(1108,802,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/08/OCA-130-370x208.jpeg','','Reduced by 6.6% (1.5 KB)',22292,23858,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-28 23:30:55',NULL),(1109,802,'media','bfastmag_related_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/08/OCA-130-288x160.jpeg','','Reduced by 7.5% (1.2 KB)',14962,16168,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-28 23:30:55',NULL),(1110,809,'media','full','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/08/accomplishments_05-1.jpg','','Reduced by 15.5% (13.6 KB)',75972,89944,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-29 00:19:40',NULL),(1111,809,'media','medium','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/08/accomplishments_05-1-300x156.jpg','','Reduced by 6.3% (1.0 KB)',15255,16289,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-29 00:19:40',NULL),(1112,809,'media','thumbnail','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/08/accomplishments_05-1-150x150.jpg','','Reduced by 5.5% (460 B)',7925,8385,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-29 00:19:40',NULL),(1113,809,'media','medium_large','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/08/accomplishments_05-1-768x399.jpg','','Reduced by 4.4% (3.1 KB)',68065,71210,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-29 00:19:41',NULL),(1114,809,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/08/accomplishments_05-1-170x110.jpg','','Reduced by 5.6% (431 B)',7240,7671,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-29 00:19:41',NULL),(1115,809,'media','bfastmag_small_thumb_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/08/accomplishments_05-1-86x70.jpg','','Reduced by 11.5% (379 B)',2910,3289,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-29 00:19:41',NULL),(1116,809,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/08/accomplishments_05-1-170x88.jpg','','Reduced by 6.7% (439 B)',6120,6559,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-29 00:19:41',NULL),(1117,809,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/08/accomplishments_05-1-370x250.jpg','','Reduced by 6.0% (1.6 KB)',26380,28052,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-29 00:19:41',NULL),(1118,809,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/08/accomplishments_05-1-370x192.jpg','','Reduced by 6.4% (1.4 KB)',21212,22655,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-29 00:19:41',NULL),(1119,809,'media','bfastmag_related_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/08/accomplishments_05-1-288x160.jpg','','Reduced by 6.3% (964 B)',14379,15343,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-29 00:19:41',NULL),(1120,809,'media','bfastmag_blog_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/08/accomplishments_05-1-780x452.jpg','','Reduced by 4.5% (3.8 KB)',82749,86681,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-29 00:19:41',NULL),(1121,809,'media','bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/08/accomplishments_05-1-780x405.jpg','','Reduced by 4.7% (3.4 KB)',70731,74201,'',10,0,1,'2020-08-29 00:19:41',NULL),(1122,818,'media','full','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/09/atty-rene-grorospe.jpg','','Reduced by 7.2% (1.0 KB)',13343,14375,'',10,0,1,'2020-09-08 19:20:54',NULL),(1123,818,'media','thumbnail','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/09/atty-rene-grorospe-150x150.jpg','','Reduced by 8.1% (381 B)',4347,4728,'',10,0,1,'2020-09-08 19:20:54',NULL),(1124,818,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/09/atty-rene-grorospe-170x110.jpg','','Reduced by 9.4% (390 B)',3767,4157,'',10,0,1,'2020-09-08 19:20:54',NULL),(1125,818,'media','bfastmag_small_thumb_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/09/atty-rene-grorospe-86x70.jpg','','Reduced by 16.2% (363 B)',1872,2235,'',10,0,1,'2020-09-08 19:20:54',NULL),(1126,818,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/09/atty-rene-grorospe-91x110.jpg','','Reduced by 13.7% (379 B)',2387,2766,'',10,0,1,'2020-09-08 19:20:54',NULL),(1127,818,'media','bfastmag_related_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/09/atty-rene-grorospe-177x160.jpg','','Reduced by 6.4% (375 B)',5496,5871,'',10,0,1,'2020-09-08 19:20:54',NULL),(1128,821,'media','full','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/09/atty-rene-grorospe-1.jpg','','Reduced by 7.2% (1.0 KB)',13343,14375,'',10,0,1,'2020-09-08 19:22:43',NULL),(1129,821,'media','thumbnail','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/09/atty-rene-grorospe-1-150x150.jpg','','Reduced by 8.1% (381 B)',4347,4728,'',10,0,1,'2020-09-08 19:22:43',NULL),(1130,821,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/09/atty-rene-grorospe-1-170x110.jpg','','Reduced by 9.4% (390 B)',3767,4157,'',10,0,1,'2020-09-08 19:22:43',NULL),(1131,821,'media','bfastmag_small_thumb_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/09/atty-rene-grorospe-1-86x70.jpg','','Reduced by 16.2% (363 B)',1872,2235,'',10,0,1,'2020-09-08 19:22:43',NULL),(1132,821,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/09/atty-rene-grorospe-1-91x110.jpg','','Reduced by 13.7% (379 B)',2387,2766,'',10,0,1,'2020-09-08 19:22:43',NULL),(1133,821,'media','bfastmag_related_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/09/atty-rene-grorospe-1-177x160.jpg','','Reduced by 6.4% (375 B)',5496,5871,'',10,0,1,'2020-09-08 19:22:44',NULL),(1134,824,'media','full','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/09/dr-maria-liza-lopez-rosario.jpg','','Reduced by 6.9% (1,000 B)',13570,14570,'',10,0,1,'2020-09-08 19:28:06',NULL),(1135,824,'media','thumbnail','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/09/dr-maria-liza-lopez-rosario-150x150.jpg','','Reduced by 8.2% (378 B)',4240,4618,'',10,0,1,'2020-09-08 19:28:06',NULL),(1136,824,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/09/dr-maria-liza-lopez-rosario-170x110.jpg','','Reduced by 9.6% (375 B)',3540,3915,'',10,0,1,'2020-09-08 19:28:06',NULL),(1137,824,'media','bfastmag_small_thumb_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/09/dr-maria-liza-lopez-rosario-86x70.jpg','','Reduced by 17.6% (370 B)',1732,2102,'',10,0,1,'2020-09-08 19:28:06',NULL),(1138,824,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/09/dr-maria-liza-lopez-rosario-91x110.jpg','','Reduced by 13.7% (372 B)',2341,2713,'',10,0,1,'2020-09-08 19:28:06',NULL),(1139,824,'media','bfastmag_related_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/09/dr-maria-liza-lopez-rosario-177x160.jpg','','Reduced by 6.9% (398 B)',5374,5772,'',10,0,1,'2020-09-08 19:28:06',NULL),(1140,833,'media','full','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/09/QC-San-Mateo-boundary.jpg','','No savings',132191,132191,'',10,0,1,'2020-09-09 00:33:45',NULL),(1141,833,'media','medium','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/09/QC-San-Mateo-boundary-300x200.jpg','','Reduced by 7.2% (1.4 KB)',18161,19560,'',10,0,1,'2020-09-09 00:33:45',NULL),(1142,833,'media','large','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/09/QC-San-Mateo-boundary-1024x683.jpg','','Reduced by 4.5% (5.7 KB)',122924,128722,'',10,0,1,'2020-09-09 00:33:45',NULL),(1143,833,'media','thumbnail','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/09/QC-San-Mateo-boundary-150x150.jpg','','Reduced by 4.8% (430 B)',8566,8996,'',10,0,1,'2020-09-09 00:33:45',NULL),(1144,833,'media','medium_large','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/09/QC-San-Mateo-boundary-768x512.jpg','','Reduced by 5.1% (4.1 KB)',78627,82850,'',10,0,1,'2020-09-09 00:33:45',NULL),(1145,833,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/09/QC-San-Mateo-boundary-170x110.jpg','','Reduced by 5.5% (426 B)',7320,7746,'',10,0,1,'2020-09-09 00:33:45',NULL),(1146,833,'media','bfastmag_small_thumb_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/09/QC-San-Mateo-boundary-86x70.jpg','','Reduced by 11.3% (377 B)',2967,3344,'',10,0,1,'2020-09-09 00:33:45',NULL),(1147,833,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/09/QC-San-Mateo-boundary-165x110.jpg','','Reduced by 5.7% (430 B)',7117,7547,'',10,0,1,'2020-09-09 00:33:45',NULL),(1148,833,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/09/QC-San-Mateo-boundary-370x250.jpg','','Reduced by 6.7% (1.8 KB)',25854,27709,'',10,0,1,'2020-09-09 00:33:45',NULL),(1149,833,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/09/QC-San-Mateo-boundary-370x247.jpg','','Reduced by 6.6% (1.7 KB)',25370,27154,'',10,0,1,'2020-09-09 00:33:45',NULL),(1150,833,'media','bfastmag_related_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/09/QC-San-Mateo-boundary-288x160.jpg','','Reduced by 7.5% (1.2 KB)',14700,15885,'',10,0,1,'2020-09-09 00:33:45',NULL),(1151,833,'media','bfastmag_blog_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/09/QC-San-Mateo-boundary-780x544.jpg','','Reduced by 5.1% (4.4 KB)',83920,88421,'',10,0,1,'2020-09-09 00:33:45',NULL),(1152,833,'media','bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/09/QC-San-Mateo-boundary-780x520.jpg','','Reduced by 5.2% (4.4 KB)',80912,85374,'',10,0,1,'2020-09-09 00:33:45',NULL),(1153,852,'media','full','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/09/Aetes-in-New-Clark-City.jpg','','No savings',61331,61331,'',10,0,1,'2020-09-23 20:37:43',NULL),(1154,852,'media','medium','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/09/Aetes-in-New-Clark-City-300x200.jpg','','Reduced by 7.7% (1.6 KB)',19426,21046,'',10,0,1,'2020-09-23 20:37:43',NULL),(1155,852,'media','thumbnail','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/09/Aetes-in-New-Clark-City-150x150.jpg','','Reduced by 5.1% (475 B)',8848,9323,'',10,0,1,'2020-09-23 20:37:43',NULL),(1156,852,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/09/Aetes-in-New-Clark-City-170x110.jpg','','Reduced by 5.8% (467 B)',7575,8042,'',10,0,1,'2020-09-23 20:37:43',NULL),(1157,852,'media','bfastmag_small_thumb_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/09/Aetes-in-New-Clark-City-86x70.jpg','','Reduced by 11.1% (394 B)',3154,3548,'',10,0,1,'2020-09-23 20:37:43',NULL),(1158,852,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/09/Aetes-in-New-Clark-City-165x110.jpg','','Reduced by 5.7% (455 B)',7473,7928,'',10,0,1,'2020-09-23 20:37:43',NULL),(1159,852,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/09/Aetes-in-New-Clark-City-370x250.jpg','','Reduced by 6.5% (1.8 KB)',26693,28558,'',10,0,1,'2020-09-23 20:37:43',NULL),(1160,852,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/09/Aetes-in-New-Clark-City-370x247.jpg','','Reduced by 6.7% (1.8 KB)',26309,28188,'',10,0,1,'2020-09-23 20:37:43',NULL),(1161,852,'media','bfastmag_related_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/09/Aetes-in-New-Clark-City-288x160.jpg','','Reduced by 7.6% (1.1 KB)',14310,15487,'',10,0,1,'2020-09-23 20:37:43',NULL),(1162,NULL,NULL,NULL,'ABSPATHwp-content/ewww/lazy/placeholder-600x400.png','','Reduced by 14.9% (24 B)',137,161,'',10,0,1,'2020-09-23 21:12:52',NULL),(1163,NULL,NULL,NULL,'ABSPATHwp-content/ewww/lazy/placeholder-1200x800.png','','Reduced by 9.6% (24 B)',225,249,'',10,0,1,'2020-09-23 21:20:03',NULL),(1164,912,'media','full','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/09/20200911a-KNG-17.jpg','','Reduced by 17.1% (34.4 KB)',171299,206540,'',10,0,1,'2020-09-26 03:34:12',NULL),(1165,912,'media','medium','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/09/20200911a-KNG-17-300x200.jpg','','Reduced by 6.2% (1.3 KB)',19322,20610,'',10,0,1,'2020-09-26 03:34:12',NULL),(1166,912,'media','large','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/09/20200911a-KNG-17-1024x684.jpg','','Reduced by 3.8% (4.9 KB)',129071,134123,'',10,0,1,'2020-09-26 03:34:12',NULL),(1167,912,'media','thumbnail','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/09/20200911a-KNG-17-150x150.jpg','','Reduced by 5.4% (489 B)',8611,9100,'',10,0,1,'2020-09-26 03:34:12',NULL),(1168,912,'media','medium_large','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/09/20200911a-KNG-17-768x513.jpg','','Reduced by 4.4% (3.7 KB)',84038,87860,'',10,0,1,'2020-09-26 03:34:13',NULL),(1169,912,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/09/20200911a-KNG-17-170x110.jpg','','Reduced by 6.2% (498 B)',7483,7981,'',10,0,1,'2020-09-26 03:34:13',NULL),(1170,912,'media','bfastmag_small_thumb_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/09/20200911a-KNG-17-86x70.jpg','','Reduced by 11.8% (402 B)',3017,3419,'',10,0,1,'2020-09-26 03:34:13',NULL),(1171,912,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/09/20200911a-KNG-17-165x110.jpg','','Reduced by 6.1% (473 B)',7309,7782,'',10,0,1,'2020-09-26 03:34:13',NULL),(1172,912,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/09/20200911a-KNG-17-370x250.jpg','','Reduced by 5.4% (1.5 KB)',27635,29210,'',10,0,1,'2020-09-26 03:34:13',NULL),(1173,912,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/09/20200911a-KNG-17-370x247.jpg','','Reduced by 5.4% (1.5 KB)',27007,28549,'',10,0,1,'2020-09-26 03:34:13',NULL),(1174,912,'media','bfastmag_related_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/09/20200911a-KNG-17-288x160.jpg','','Reduced by 6.3% (1,013 B)',15083,16096,'',10,0,1,'2020-09-26 03:34:13',NULL),(1175,912,'media','bfastmag_blog_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/09/20200911a-KNG-17-780x544.jpg','','Reduced by 4.2% (3.8 KB)',88655,92511,'',10,0,1,'2020-09-26 03:34:13',NULL),(1176,912,'media','bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/09/20200911a-KNG-17-780x521.jpg','','Reduced by 4.2% (3.7 KB)',86152,89904,'',10,0,1,'2020-09-26 03:34:13',NULL),(1237,NULL,NULL,NULL,'ABSPATHwp-content/ewww/lazy/placeholder-791x1024.png','','Reduced by 10.4% (24 B)',206,230,'',10,0,1,'2020-09-26 04:29:25',NULL),(1238,967,'media','full','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/09/jacob-creswick-ra3oAd6hrnM-unsplash.jpg','','Reduced by 12.0% (38.9 KB)',292706,332576,'',10,0,1,'2020-09-29 02:01:25',NULL),(1239,967,'media','medium','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/09/jacob-creswick-ra3oAd6hrnM-unsplash-300x145.jpg','','Reduced by 6.7% (917 B)',12708,13625,'',10,0,1,'2020-09-29 02:01:25',NULL),(1240,967,'media','large','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/09/jacob-creswick-ra3oAd6hrnM-unsplash-1024x494.jpg','','Reduced by 4.5% (3.9 KB)',84739,88764,'',10,0,1,'2020-09-29 02:01:25',NULL),(1241,967,'media','thumbnail','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/09/jacob-creswick-ra3oAd6hrnM-unsplash-150x150.jpg','','Reduced by 6.0% (474 B)',7464,7938,'',10,0,1,'2020-09-29 02:01:25',NULL),(1242,967,'media','medium_large','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/09/jacob-creswick-ra3oAd6hrnM-unsplash-768x371.jpg','','Reduced by 5.2% (2.9 KB)',54851,57849,'',10,0,1,'2020-09-29 02:01:25',NULL),(1243,967,'media','1536x1536','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/09/jacob-creswick-ra3oAd6hrnM-unsplash-1536x741.jpg','','Reduced by 3.7% (5.8 KB)',155589,161519,'',10,0,1,'2020-09-29 02:01:25',NULL),(1244,967,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/09/jacob-creswick-ra3oAd6hrnM-unsplash-170x110.jpg','','Reduced by 6.4% (453 B)',6607,7060,'',10,0,1,'2020-09-29 02:01:25',NULL),(1245,967,'media','bfastmag_small_thumb_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/09/jacob-creswick-ra3oAd6hrnM-unsplash-86x70.jpg','','Reduced by 12.3% (404 B)',2879,3283,'',10,0,1,'2020-09-29 02:01:25',NULL),(1246,967,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/09/jacob-creswick-ra3oAd6hrnM-unsplash-170x82.jpg','','Reduced by 7.0% (412 B)',5499,5911,'',10,0,1,'2020-09-29 02:01:25',NULL),(1247,967,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/09/jacob-creswick-ra3oAd6hrnM-unsplash-370x250.jpg','','Reduced by 6.4% (1.5 KB)',22529,24070,'',10,0,1,'2020-09-29 02:01:25',NULL),(1248,967,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/09/jacob-creswick-ra3oAd6hrnM-unsplash-370x179.jpg','','Reduced by 6.5% (1.2 KB)',17682,18919,'',10,0,1,'2020-09-29 02:01:25',NULL),(1249,967,'media','bfastmag_related_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/09/jacob-creswick-ra3oAd6hrnM-unsplash-288x160.jpg','','Reduced by 7.1% (966 B)',12643,13609,'',10,0,1,'2020-09-29 02:01:25',NULL),(1250,967,'media','bfastmag_blog_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/09/jacob-creswick-ra3oAd6hrnM-unsplash-780x544.jpg','','Reduced by 4.5% (3.2 KB)',70316,73619,'',10,0,1,'2020-09-29 02:01:25',NULL),(1251,967,'media','bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/09/jacob-creswick-ra3oAd6hrnM-unsplash-780x376.jpg','','Reduced by 5.2% (3.0 KB)',55975,59036,'',10,0,1,'2020-09-29 02:01:25',NULL),(1252,977,'media','full','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/10/pexels-anna-shvets-39004651-scaled.jpg','','Reduced by 10.7% (51.0 KB)',433421,485625,'',10,0,1,'2020-10-03 17:24:37',NULL),(1253,977,'media','medium','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/10/pexels-anna-shvets-39004651-300x200.jpg','','Reduced by 5.4% (412 B)',7279,7691,'',10,0,1,'2020-10-03 17:24:37',NULL),(1254,977,'media','large','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/10/pexels-anna-shvets-39004651-1024x683.jpg','','Reduced by 5.5% (3.5 KB)',61209,64742,'',10,0,1,'2020-10-03 17:24:37',NULL),(1255,977,'media','thumbnail','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/10/pexels-anna-shvets-39004651-150x150.jpg','','Reduced by 9.7% (371 B)',3449,3820,'',10,0,1,'2020-10-03 17:24:37',NULL),(1256,977,'media','medium_large','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/10/pexels-anna-shvets-39004651-768x512.jpg','','Reduced by 4.5% (1.6 KB)',35518,37199,'',10,0,1,'2020-10-03 17:24:37',NULL),(1257,977,'media','1536x1536','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/10/pexels-anna-shvets-39004651-1536x1024.jpg','','Reduced by 8.2% (11.8 KB)',136231,148348,'',10,0,1,'2020-10-03 17:24:37',NULL),(1258,977,'media','2048x2048','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/10/pexels-anna-shvets-39004651-2048x1365.jpg','','Reduced by 10.1% (28.4 KB)',257670,286722,'',10,0,1,'2020-10-03 17:24:37',NULL),(1259,977,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/10/pexels-anna-shvets-39004651-170x110.jpg','','Reduced by 10.1% (351 B)',3125,3476,'',10,0,1,'2020-10-03 17:24:37',NULL),(1260,977,'media','bfastmag_small_thumb_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/10/pexels-anna-shvets-39004651-86x70.jpg','','Reduced by 19.2% (356 B)',1498,1854,'',10,0,1,'2020-10-03 17:24:37',NULL),(1261,977,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/10/pexels-anna-shvets-39004651-165x110.jpg','','Reduced by 10.4% (354 B)',3062,3416,'',10,0,1,'2020-10-03 17:24:37',NULL),(1262,977,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/10/pexels-anna-shvets-39004651-370x250.jpg','','Reduced by 5.0% (552 B)',10550,11102,'',10,0,1,'2020-10-03 17:24:37',NULL),(1263,977,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/10/pexels-anna-shvets-39004651-370x247.jpg','','Reduced by 5.6% (615 B)',10406,11021,'',10,0,1,'2020-10-03 17:24:37',NULL),(1264,977,'media','bfastmag_related_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/10/pexels-anna-shvets-39004651-288x160.jpg','','Reduced by 6.1% (381 B)',5842,6223,'',10,0,1,'2020-10-03 17:24:37',NULL),(1265,977,'media','bfastmag_blog_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/10/pexels-anna-shvets-39004651-780x544.jpg','','Reduced by 4.6% (1.8 KB)',37643,39465,'',10,0,1,'2020-10-03 17:24:37',NULL),(1266,977,'media','bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/10/pexels-anna-shvets-39004651-780x520.jpg','','Reduced by 4.6% (1.7 KB)',36708,38489,'',10,0,1,'2020-10-03 17:24:37',NULL),(1267,983,'media','full','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/09/you-x-ventures-Oalh2MojUuk-unsplash-scaled.jpg','','Reduced by 5.6% (16.9 KB)',291125,308408,'',10,0,1,'2020-10-03 17:55:48',NULL),(1268,983,'media','medium','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/09/you-x-ventures-Oalh2MojUuk-unsplash-300x200.jpg','','Reduced by 4.3% (540 B)',11903,12443,'',10,0,1,'2020-10-03 17:55:48',NULL),(1269,983,'media','large','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/09/you-x-ventures-Oalh2MojUuk-unsplash-1024x683.jpg','','Reduced by 2.3% (1.5 KB)',65393,66921,'',10,0,1,'2020-10-03 17:55:48',NULL),(1270,983,'media','thumbnail','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/09/you-x-ventures-Oalh2MojUuk-unsplash-150x150.jpg','','Reduced by 6.8% (389 B)',5359,5748,'',10,0,1,'2020-10-03 17:55:48',NULL),(1271,983,'media','medium_large','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/09/you-x-ventures-Oalh2MojUuk-unsplash-768x512.jpg','','Reduced by 2.6% (1.1 KB)',43317,44454,'',10,0,1,'2020-10-03 17:55:48',NULL),(1272,983,'media','1536x1536','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/09/you-x-ventures-Oalh2MojUuk-unsplash-1536x1024.jpg','','Reduced by 3.1% (3.8 KB)',120391,124237,'',10,0,1,'2020-10-03 17:55:48',NULL),(1273,983,'media','2048x2048','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/09/you-x-ventures-Oalh2MojUuk-unsplash-2048x1365.jpg','','Reduced by 4.3% (8.5 KB)',194791,203527,'',10,0,1,'2020-10-03 17:55:48',NULL),(1274,983,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/09/you-x-ventures-Oalh2MojUuk-unsplash-170x110.jpg','','Reduced by 7.0% (403 B)',5317,5720,'',10,0,1,'2020-10-03 17:55:48',NULL),(1275,983,'media','bfastmag_small_thumb_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/09/you-x-ventures-Oalh2MojUuk-unsplash-86x70.jpg','','Reduced by 14.0% (393 B)',2421,2814,'',10,0,1,'2020-10-03 17:55:48',NULL),(1276,983,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/09/you-x-ventures-Oalh2MojUuk-unsplash-165x110.jpg','','Reduced by 7.5% (423 B)',5198,5621,'',10,0,1,'2020-10-03 17:55:48',NULL),(1277,983,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/09/you-x-ventures-Oalh2MojUuk-unsplash-370x250.jpg','','Reduced by 3.6% (608 B)',16056,16664,'',10,0,1,'2020-10-03 17:55:48',NULL),(1278,983,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/09/you-x-ventures-Oalh2MojUuk-unsplash-370x247.jpg','','Reduced by 3.9% (640 B)',15898,16538,'',10,0,1,'2020-10-03 17:55:48',NULL),(1279,983,'media','bfastmag_related_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/09/you-x-ventures-Oalh2MojUuk-unsplash-288x160.jpg','','Reduced by 5.1% (524 B)',9756,10280,'',10,0,1,'2020-10-03 17:55:48',NULL),(1280,983,'media','bfastmag_blog_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/09/you-x-ventures-Oalh2MojUuk-unsplash-780x544.jpg','','Reduced by 2.4% (1.1 KB)',45375,46471,'',10,0,1,'2020-10-03 17:55:48',NULL),(1281,983,'media','bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/09/you-x-ventures-Oalh2MojUuk-unsplash-780x520.jpg','','Reduced by 2.4% (1.1 KB)',44464,45540,'',10,0,1,'2020-10-03 17:55:48',NULL),(1282,987,'media','full','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/09/annie-spratt-dWYU3i-mqEo-unsplash-Medium.jpg','','Reduced by 5.7% (9.9 KB)',167812,177990,'',10,0,1,'2020-10-03 18:39:44',NULL),(1283,987,'media','medium','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/09/annie-spratt-dWYU3i-mqEo-unsplash-Medium-300x200.jpg','','Reduced by 5.2% (808 B)',14682,15490,'',10,0,1,'2020-10-03 18:39:44',NULL),(1284,987,'media','large','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/09/annie-spratt-dWYU3i-mqEo-unsplash-Medium-1024x683.jpg','','Reduced by 2.6% (2.4 KB)',92749,95229,'',10,0,1,'2020-10-03 18:39:44',NULL),(1285,987,'media','thumbnail','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/09/annie-spratt-dWYU3i-mqEo-unsplash-Medium-150x150.jpg','','Reduced by 6.1% (449 B)',6945,7394,'',10,0,1,'2020-10-03 18:39:44',NULL),(1286,987,'media','medium_large','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/09/annie-spratt-dWYU3i-mqEo-unsplash-Medium-768x512.jpg','','Reduced by 2.8% (1.7 KB)',59069,60779,'',10,0,1,'2020-10-03 18:39:44',NULL),(1287,987,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/09/annie-spratt-dWYU3i-mqEo-unsplash-Medium-170x110.jpg','','Reduced by 6.4% (429 B)',6295,6724,'',10,0,1,'2020-10-03 18:39:44',NULL),(1288,987,'media','bfastmag_small_thumb_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/09/annie-spratt-dWYU3i-mqEo-unsplash-Medium-86x70.jpg','','Reduced by 12.6% (387 B)',2696,3083,'',10,0,1,'2020-10-03 18:39:44',NULL),(1289,987,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/09/annie-spratt-dWYU3i-mqEo-unsplash-Medium-165x110.jpg','','Reduced by 6.5% (424 B)',6108,6532,'',10,0,1,'2020-10-03 18:39:44',NULL),(1290,987,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/09/annie-spratt-dWYU3i-mqEo-unsplash-Medium-370x250.jpg','','Reduced by 4.7% (1,008 B)',20456,21464,'',10,0,1,'2020-10-03 18:39:44',NULL),(1291,987,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/09/annie-spratt-dWYU3i-mqEo-unsplash-Medium-370x247.jpg','','Reduced by 4.6% (979 B)',20210,21189,'',10,0,1,'2020-10-03 18:39:44',NULL),(1292,987,'media','bfastmag_related_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/09/annie-spratt-dWYU3i-mqEo-unsplash-Medium-288x160.jpg','','Reduced by 5.8% (717 B)',11725,12442,'',10,0,1,'2020-10-03 18:39:44',NULL),(1293,987,'media','bfastmag_blog_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/09/annie-spratt-dWYU3i-mqEo-unsplash-Medium-780x544.jpg','','Reduced by 3.0% (1.9 KB)',62883,64802,'',10,0,1,'2020-10-03 18:39:44',NULL),(1294,987,'media','bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/09/annie-spratt-dWYU3i-mqEo-unsplash-Medium-780x520.jpg','','Reduced by 2.8% (1.7 KB)',60906,62647,'',10,0,1,'2020-10-03 18:39:44',NULL),(1295,NULL,NULL,NULL,'ABSPATHwp-content/ewww/lazy/placeholder-1024x683.png','','Reduced by 11.1% (24 B)',193,217,'',10,0,1,'2020-10-06 02:09:15',NULL),(1296,NULL,NULL,NULL,'ABSPATHwp-content/ewww/lazy/placeholder-683x1024.png','','Reduced by 11.0% (24 B)',194,218,'',10,0,1,'2020-10-06 02:09:16',NULL),(1297,993,'media','full','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/10/ULR@70_2.jpg','','Reduced by 22.5% (25.8 KB)',90877,117293,'',10,0,1,'2020-10-06 07:11:29',NULL),(1298,993,'media','medium','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/10/ULR@70_2-300x200.jpg','','Reduced by 3.3% (426 B)',12665,13091,'',10,0,1,'2020-10-06 07:11:29',NULL),(1299,993,'media','thumbnail','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/10/ULR@70_2-150x150.jpg','','Reduced by 6.8% (424 B)',5767,6191,'',10,0,1,'2020-10-06 07:11:29',NULL),(1300,993,'media','medium_large','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/10/ULR@70_2-768x512.jpg','','Reduced by 3.9% (2.1 KB)',52399,54503,'',10,0,1,'2020-10-06 07:11:29',NULL),(1301,993,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/10/ULR@70_2-170x110.jpg','','Reduced by 7.1% (404 B)',5267,5671,'',10,0,1,'2020-10-06 07:11:29',NULL),(1302,993,'media','bfastmag_small_thumb_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/10/ULR@70_2-86x70.jpg','','Reduced by 14.2% (383 B)',2313,2696,'',10,0,1,'2020-10-06 07:11:29',NULL),(1303,993,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/10/ULR@70_2-165x110.jpg','','Reduced by 7.2% (395 B)',5067,5462,'',10,0,1,'2020-10-06 07:11:29',NULL),(1304,993,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/10/ULR@70_2-370x250.jpg','','Reduced by 3.0% (529 B)',17390,17919,'',10,0,1,'2020-10-06 07:11:29',NULL),(1305,993,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/10/ULR@70_2-370x247.jpg','','Reduced by 2.6% (462 B)',17181,17643,'',10,0,1,'2020-10-06 07:11:29',NULL),(1306,993,'media','bfastmag_related_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/10/ULR@70_2-288x160.jpg','','Reduced by 4.2% (416 B)',9598,10014,'',10,0,1,'2020-10-06 07:11:29',NULL),(1307,993,'media','bfastmag_blog_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/10/ULR@70_2-780x544.jpg','','Reduced by 4.0% (2.2 KB)',55250,57545,'',10,0,1,'2020-10-06 07:11:29',NULL),(1308,993,'media','bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/10/ULR@70_2-780x520.jpg','','Reduced by 3.8% (2.1 KB)',54059,56214,'',10,0,1,'2020-10-06 07:11:29',NULL),(1309,1003,'media','full','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/11/cover-photo-satire.jpg','','Reduced by 9.8% (43.4 KB)',409670,454142,'',10,0,1,'2020-11-13 04:35:19',NULL),(1310,1003,'media','medium','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/11/cover-photo-satire-300x209.jpg','','Reduced by 7.5% (1.9 KB)',23393,25292,'',10,0,1,'2020-11-13 04:35:19',NULL),(1311,1003,'media','thumbnail','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/11/cover-photo-satire-150x150.jpg','','Reduced by 8.9% (1,019 B)',10456,11475,'',10,0,1,'2020-11-13 04:35:19',NULL),(1312,1003,'media','medium_large','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/11/cover-photo-satire-768x534.jpg','','Reduced by 6.3% (5.7 KB)',86015,91807,'',10,0,1,'2020-11-13 04:35:19',NULL),(1313,1003,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/11/cover-photo-satire-170x110.jpg','','Reduced by 5.7% (547 B)',9112,9659,'',10,0,1,'2020-11-13 04:35:19',NULL),(1314,1003,'media','bfastmag_small_thumb_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/11/cover-photo-satire-86x70.jpg','','Reduced by 10.3% (413 B)',3606,4019,'',10,0,1,'2020-11-13 04:35:19',NULL),(1315,1003,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/11/cover-photo-satire-158x110.jpg','','Reduced by 5.8% (525 B)',8531,9056,'',10,0,1,'2020-11-13 04:35:19',NULL),(1316,1003,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/11/cover-photo-satire-370x250.jpg','','Reduced by 7.5% (2.5 KB)',31238,33767,'',10,0,1,'2020-11-13 04:35:19',NULL),(1317,1003,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/11/cover-photo-satire-359x250.jpg','','Reduced by 7.6% (2.4 KB)',30423,32912,'',10,0,1,'2020-11-13 04:35:19',NULL),(1318,1003,'media','bfastmag_related_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/11/cover-photo-satire-288x160.jpg','','Reduced by 8.2% (1.5 KB)',17729,19312,'',10,0,1,'2020-11-13 04:35:20',NULL),(1319,1003,'media','bfastmag_blog_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/11/cover-photo-satire-780x544.jpg','','Reduced by 6.4% (5.8 KB)',87500,93434,'',10,0,1,'2020-11-13 04:35:20',NULL),(1320,1017,'media','full','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/11/Screenshot-2020-11-19-111008.jpg','','Reduced by 5.8% (2.2 KB)',36433,38666,'',10,0,1,'2020-11-18 19:10:10',NULL),(1321,1017,'media','medium','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/11/Screenshot-2020-11-19-111008-300x168.jpg','','Reduced by 5.5% (514 B)',8893,9407,'',10,0,1,'2020-11-18 19:10:10',NULL),(1322,1017,'media','thumbnail','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/11/Screenshot-2020-11-19-111008-150x150.jpg','','Reduced by 6.3% (427 B)',6309,6736,'',10,0,1,'2020-11-18 19:10:10',NULL),(1323,1017,'media','medium_large','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/11/Screenshot-2020-11-19-111008-768x429.jpg','','Reduced by 5.6% (1.9 KB)',32876,34820,'',10,0,1,'2020-11-18 19:10:10',NULL),(1324,1017,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/11/Screenshot-2020-11-19-111008-170x110.jpg','','Reduced by 8.5% (434 B)',4679,5113,'',10,0,1,'2020-11-18 19:10:10',NULL),(1325,1017,'media','bfastmag_small_thumb_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/11/Screenshot-2020-11-19-111008-86x70.jpg','','Reduced by 14.1% (393 B)',2400,2793,'',10,0,1,'2020-11-18 19:10:10',NULL),(1326,1017,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/11/Screenshot-2020-11-19-111008-170x95.jpg','','Reduced by 10.0% (425 B)',3837,4262,'',10,0,1,'2020-11-18 19:10:10',NULL),(1327,1017,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/11/Screenshot-2020-11-19-111008-370x250.jpg','','Reduced by 4.9% (779 B)',15053,15832,'',10,0,1,'2020-11-18 19:10:10',NULL),(1328,1017,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/11/Screenshot-2020-11-19-111008-370x207.jpg','','Reduced by 5.4% (678 B)',11895,12573,'',10,0,1,'2020-11-18 19:10:10',NULL),(1329,1017,'media','bfastmag_related_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/11/Screenshot-2020-11-19-111008-288x160.jpg','','Reduced by 5.1% (437 B)',8080,8517,'',10,0,1,'2020-11-18 19:10:10',NULL),(1330,1017,'media','bfastmag_blog_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/11/Screenshot-2020-11-19-111008-780x447.jpg','','Reduced by 5.3% (2.0 KB)',37137,39234,'',10,0,1,'2020-11-18 19:10:10',NULL),(1331,1017,'media','bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/11/Screenshot-2020-11-19-111008-780x436.jpg','','Reduced by 5.8% (2.0 KB)',33654,35727,'',10,0,1,'2020-11-18 19:10:10',NULL),(1347,1040,'media','full','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/11/weston-mackinnon-vw_kWuxOPRo-unsplash-scaled.jpg','','Reduced by 8.7% (18.7 KB)',201989,221116,'',10,0,1,'2020-11-22 20:47:37',NULL),(1348,1040,'media','medium','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/11/weston-mackinnon-vw_kWuxOPRo-unsplash-300x169.jpg','','Reduced by 7.3% (479 B)',6096,6575,'',10,0,1,'2020-11-22 20:47:37',NULL),(1349,1040,'media','large','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/11/weston-mackinnon-vw_kWuxOPRo-unsplash-1024x576.jpg','','Reduced by 3.9% (1.6 KB)',40381,42023,'',10,0,1,'2020-11-22 20:47:37',NULL),(1350,1040,'media','thumbnail','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/11/weston-mackinnon-vw_kWuxOPRo-unsplash-150x150.jpg','','Reduced by 9.7% (400 B)',3705,4105,'',10,0,1,'2020-11-22 20:47:37',NULL),(1351,1040,'media','medium_large','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/11/weston-mackinnon-vw_kWuxOPRo-unsplash-768x432.jpg','','Reduced by 3.0% (776 B)',25445,26221,'',10,0,1,'2020-11-22 20:47:37',NULL),(1352,1040,'media','1536x1536','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/11/weston-mackinnon-vw_kWuxOPRo-unsplash-1536x864.jpg','','Reduced by 5.9% (4.8 KB)',78645,83542,'',10,0,1,'2020-11-22 20:47:37',NULL),(1353,1040,'media','2048x2048','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/11/weston-mackinnon-vw_kWuxOPRo-unsplash-2048x1152.jpg','','Reduced by 7.5% (10.5 KB)',132080,142832,'',10,0,1,'2020-11-22 20:47:37',NULL),(1354,1040,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/11/weston-mackinnon-vw_kWuxOPRo-unsplash-170x110.jpg','','Reduced by 11.7% (401 B)',3035,3436,'',10,0,1,'2020-11-22 20:47:37',NULL),(1355,1040,'media','bfastmag_small_thumb_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/11/weston-mackinnon-vw_kWuxOPRo-unsplash-86x70.jpg','','Reduced by 18.9% (375 B)',1610,1985,'',10,0,1,'2020-11-22 20:47:37',NULL),(1356,1040,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/11/weston-mackinnon-vw_kWuxOPRo-unsplash-170x96.jpg','','Reduced by 12.7% (393 B)',2701,3094,'',10,0,1,'2020-11-22 20:47:37',NULL),(1357,1040,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/11/weston-mackinnon-vw_kWuxOPRo-unsplash-370x250.jpg','','Reduced by 1.9% (202 B)',10369,10571,'',10,0,1,'2020-11-22 20:47:37',NULL),(1358,1040,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/11/weston-mackinnon-vw_kWuxOPRo-unsplash-370x208.jpg','','Reduced by 5.9% (526 B)',8344,8870,'',10,0,1,'2020-11-22 20:47:37',NULL),(1359,1040,'media','bfastmag_related_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/11/weston-mackinnon-vw_kWuxOPRo-unsplash-288x160.jpg','','Reduced by 7.4% (448 B)',5629,6077,'',10,0,1,'2020-11-22 20:47:37',NULL),(1360,1040,'media','bfastmag_blog_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/11/weston-mackinnon-vw_kWuxOPRo-unsplash-780x544.jpg','','Reduced by 2.9% (980 B)',33199,34179,'',10,0,1,'2020-11-22 20:47:37',NULL),(1361,1040,'media','bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/11/weston-mackinnon-vw_kWuxOPRo-unsplash-780x439.jpg','','Reduced by 3.2% (865 B)',26378,27243,'',10,0,1,'2020-11-22 20:47:37',NULL),(1362,1047,'media','full','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/11/640_modules_2020_07_06_13_03_09.jpg','','Reduced by 0.1% (64 B)',58936,59000,'',10,0,1,'2020-11-22 21:08:06',NULL),(1363,1047,'media','medium','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/11/640_modules_2020_07_06_13_03_09-300x200.jpg','','Reduced by 6.0% (1.1 KB)',18051,19201,'',10,0,1,'2020-11-22 21:08:06',NULL),(1364,1047,'media','thumbnail','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/11/640_modules_2020_07_06_13_03_09-150x150.jpg','','Reduced by 4.7% (420 B)',8439,8859,'',10,0,1,'2020-11-22 21:08:06',NULL),(1365,1047,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/11/640_modules_2020_07_06_13_03_09-170x110.jpg','','Reduced by 5.9% (439 B)',7062,7501,'',10,0,1,'2020-11-22 21:08:06',NULL),(1366,1047,'media','bfastmag_small_thumb_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/11/640_modules_2020_07_06_13_03_09-86x70.jpg','','Reduced by 11.4% (377 B)',2916,3293,'',10,0,1,'2020-11-22 21:08:06',NULL),(1367,1047,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/11/640_modules_2020_07_06_13_03_09-165x110.jpg','','Reduced by 5.8% (423 B)',6908,7331,'',10,0,1,'2020-11-22 21:08:06',NULL),(1368,1047,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/11/640_modules_2020_07_06_13_03_09-370x250.jpg','','Reduced by 5.6% (1.5 KB)',26025,27566,'',10,0,1,'2020-11-22 21:08:06',NULL),(1369,1047,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/11/640_modules_2020_07_06_13_03_09-370x247.jpg','','Reduced by 5.6% (1.5 KB)',25650,27186,'',10,0,1,'2020-11-22 21:08:06',NULL),(1370,1047,'media','bfastmag_related_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/11/640_modules_2020_07_06_13_03_09-288x160.jpg','','Reduced by 6.6% (1,008 B)',14231,15239,'',10,0,1,'2020-11-22 21:08:06',NULL),(1371,1051,'media','full','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/11/640_modules_2020_07_06_13_03_09-1.jpg','','Reduced by 0.1% (64 B)',58936,59000,'',10,0,1,'2020-11-22 21:14:06',NULL),(1372,1051,'media','medium','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/11/640_modules_2020_07_06_13_03_09-1-300x200.jpg','','Reduced by 6.0% (1.1 KB)',18051,19201,'',10,0,1,'2020-11-22 21:14:06',NULL),(1373,1051,'media','thumbnail','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/11/640_modules_2020_07_06_13_03_09-1-150x150.jpg','','Reduced by 4.7% (420 B)',8439,8859,'',10,0,1,'2020-11-22 21:14:06',NULL),(1374,1051,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/11/640_modules_2020_07_06_13_03_09-1-170x110.jpg','','Reduced by 5.9% (439 B)',7062,7501,'',10,0,1,'2020-11-22 21:14:06',NULL),(1375,1051,'media','bfastmag_small_thumb_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/11/640_modules_2020_07_06_13_03_09-1-86x70.jpg','','Reduced by 11.4% (377 B)',2916,3293,'',10,0,1,'2020-11-22 21:14:06',NULL),(1376,1051,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/11/640_modules_2020_07_06_13_03_09-1-165x110.jpg','','Reduced by 5.8% (423 B)',6908,7331,'',10,0,1,'2020-11-22 21:14:06',NULL),(1377,1051,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/11/640_modules_2020_07_06_13_03_09-1-370x250.jpg','','Reduced by 5.6% (1.5 KB)',26025,27566,'',10,0,1,'2020-11-22 21:14:06',NULL),(1378,1051,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/11/640_modules_2020_07_06_13_03_09-1-370x247.jpg','','Reduced by 5.6% (1.5 KB)',25650,27186,'',10,0,1,'2020-11-22 21:14:06',NULL),(1379,1051,'media','bfastmag_related_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/11/640_modules_2020_07_06_13_03_09-1-288x160.jpg','','Reduced by 6.6% (1,008 B)',14231,15239,'',10,0,1,'2020-11-22 21:14:06',NULL),(1380,NULL,NULL,NULL,'ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/11/weston-mackinnon-vw_kWuxOPRo-unsplash-scaled-150x150.jpg','','Reduced by 9.9% (405 B)',3704,4109,'',10,0,1,'2020-11-23 07:39:16',NULL),(1381,NULL,NULL,NULL,'ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/11/weston-mackinnon-vw_kWuxOPRo-unsplash-scaled-300x169.jpg','','Reduced by 7.3% (480 B)',6115,6595,'',10,0,1,'2020-11-23 07:39:17',NULL),(1382,NULL,NULL,NULL,'ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/11/weston-mackinnon-vw_kWuxOPRo-unsplash-scaled-768x432.jpg','','Reduced by 3.0% (798 B)',25585,26383,'',10,0,1,'2020-11-23 07:39:17',NULL),(1383,NULL,NULL,NULL,'ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/11/weston-mackinnon-vw_kWuxOPRo-unsplash-scaled-1024x576.jpg','','Reduced by 3.7% (1.5 KB)',40945,42506,'',10,0,1,'2020-11-23 07:39:17',NULL),(1384,NULL,NULL,NULL,'ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/11/weston-mackinnon-vw_kWuxOPRo-unsplash-scaled-1536x864.jpg','','Reduced by 5.7% (4.7 KB)',79670,84518,'',10,0,1,'2020-11-23 07:39:17',NULL),(1385,NULL,NULL,NULL,'ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/11/weston-mackinnon-vw_kWuxOPRo-unsplash-scaled-2048x1152.jpg','','Reduced by 7.3% (10.1 KB)',130515,140844,'',10,0,1,'2020-11-23 07:39:18',NULL),(1386,NULL,NULL,NULL,'ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/11/weston-mackinnon-vw_kWuxOPRo-unsplash-scaled-170x110.jpg','','Reduced by 11.7% (404 B)',3046,3450,'',10,0,1,'2020-11-23 07:39:18',NULL),(1387,NULL,NULL,NULL,'ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/11/weston-mackinnon-vw_kWuxOPRo-unsplash-scaled-86x70.jpg','','Reduced by 18.9% (376 B)',1618,1994,'',10,0,1,'2020-11-23 07:39:18',NULL),(1388,NULL,NULL,NULL,'ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/11/weston-mackinnon-vw_kWuxOPRo-unsplash-scaled-170x96.jpg','','Reduced by 12.7% (395 B)',2712,3107,'',10,0,1,'2020-11-23 07:39:18',NULL),(1389,NULL,NULL,NULL,'ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/11/weston-mackinnon-vw_kWuxOPRo-unsplash-scaled-370x250.jpg','','Reduced by 1.7% (180 B)',10362,10542,'',10,0,1,'2020-11-23 07:39:18',NULL),(1390,NULL,NULL,NULL,'ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/11/weston-mackinnon-vw_kWuxOPRo-unsplash-scaled-370x208.jpg','','Reduced by 6.1% (545 B)',8339,8884,'',10,0,1,'2020-11-23 07:39:19',NULL),(1391,NULL,NULL,NULL,'ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/11/weston-mackinnon-vw_kWuxOPRo-unsplash-scaled-288x160.jpg','','Reduced by 7.5% (455 B)',5649,6104,'',10,0,1,'2020-11-23 07:39:19',NULL),(1392,NULL,NULL,NULL,'ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/11/weston-mackinnon-vw_kWuxOPRo-unsplash-scaled-780x544.jpg','','Reduced by 2.9% (981 B)',33238,34219,'',10,0,1,'2020-11-23 07:39:19',NULL),(1393,NULL,NULL,NULL,'ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/11/weston-mackinnon-vw_kWuxOPRo-unsplash-scaled-780x439.jpg','','Reduced by 3.1% (860 B)',26470,27330,'',10,0,1,'2020-11-23 07:39:19',NULL),(1394,NULL,NULL,NULL,'ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/09/you-x-ventures-Oalh2MojUuk-unsplash-scaled-150x150.jpg','','Reduced by 6.8% (388 B)',5351,5739,'',10,0,1,'2020-11-23 07:41:02',NULL),(1395,NULL,NULL,NULL,'ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/09/you-x-ventures-Oalh2MojUuk-unsplash-scaled-300x200.jpg','','Reduced by 4.4% (549 B)',11865,12414,'',10,0,1,'2020-11-23 07:41:02',NULL),(1396,NULL,NULL,NULL,'ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/09/you-x-ventures-Oalh2MojUuk-unsplash-scaled-768x512.jpg','','Reduced by 2.5% (1.1 KB)',43404,44498,'',10,0,1,'2020-11-23 07:41:02',NULL),(1397,NULL,NULL,NULL,'ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/09/you-x-ventures-Oalh2MojUuk-unsplash-scaled-1024x683.jpg','','Reduced by 2.3% (1.5 KB)',65796,67362,'',10,0,1,'2020-11-23 07:41:02',NULL),(1398,NULL,NULL,NULL,'ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/09/you-x-ventures-Oalh2MojUuk-unsplash-scaled-1536x1024.jpg','','Reduced by 3.0% (3.6 KB)',120847,124568,'',10,0,1,'2020-11-23 07:41:03',NULL),(1399,NULL,NULL,NULL,'ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/09/you-x-ventures-Oalh2MojUuk-unsplash-scaled-2048x1366.jpg','','Reduced by 4.0% (7.9 KB)',191974,200074,'',10,0,1,'2020-11-23 07:41:04',NULL),(1400,NULL,NULL,NULL,'ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/09/you-x-ventures-Oalh2MojUuk-unsplash-scaled-170x110.jpg','','Reduced by 6.9% (396 B)',5320,5716,'',10,0,1,'2020-11-23 07:41:04',NULL),(1401,NULL,NULL,NULL,'ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/09/you-x-ventures-Oalh2MojUuk-unsplash-scaled-86x70.jpg','','Reduced by 13.8% (388 B)',2422,2810,'',10,0,1,'2020-11-23 07:41:04',NULL),(1402,NULL,NULL,NULL,'ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/09/you-x-ventures-Oalh2MojUuk-unsplash-scaled-165x110.jpg','','Reduced by 7.4% (415 B)',5204,5619,'',10,0,1,'2020-11-23 07:41:04',NULL),(1403,NULL,NULL,NULL,'ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/09/you-x-ventures-Oalh2MojUuk-unsplash-scaled-370x250.jpg','','Reduced by 3.7% (609 B)',16051,16660,'',10,0,1,'2020-11-23 07:41:04',NULL),(1404,NULL,NULL,NULL,'ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/09/you-x-ventures-Oalh2MojUuk-unsplash-scaled-370x247.jpg','','Reduced by 4.0% (663 B)',15865,16528,'',10,0,1,'2020-11-23 07:41:05',NULL),(1405,NULL,NULL,NULL,'ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/09/you-x-ventures-Oalh2MojUuk-unsplash-scaled-288x160.jpg','','Reduced by 5.1% (523 B)',9769,10292,'',10,0,1,'2020-11-23 07:41:05',NULL),(1406,NULL,NULL,NULL,'ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/09/you-x-ventures-Oalh2MojUuk-unsplash-scaled-780x544.jpg','','Reduced by 2.2% (1.0 KB)',45567,46603,'',10,0,1,'2020-11-23 07:41:05',NULL),(1407,NULL,NULL,NULL,'ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/09/you-x-ventures-Oalh2MojUuk-unsplash-scaled-780x520.jpg','','Reduced by 2.5% (1.1 KB)',44518,45641,'',10,0,1,'2020-11-23 07:41:05',NULL),(1408,NULL,NULL,NULL,'ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/10/pexels-anna-shvets-39004651-scaled-150x150.jpg','','Reduced by 9.7% (368 B)',3425,3793,'',10,0,1,'2020-11-23 07:41:21',NULL),(1409,NULL,NULL,NULL,'ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/10/pexels-anna-shvets-39004651-scaled-300x200.jpg','','Reduced by 5.4% (419 B)',7279,7698,'',10,0,1,'2020-11-23 07:41:22',NULL),(1410,NULL,NULL,NULL,'ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/10/pexels-anna-shvets-39004651-scaled-768x512.jpg','','Reduced by 4.6% (1.7 KB)',35445,37142,'',10,0,1,'2020-11-23 07:41:22',NULL),(1411,NULL,NULL,NULL,'ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/10/pexels-anna-shvets-39004651-scaled-1024x683.jpg','','Reduced by 5.6% (3.5 KB)',60922,64543,'',10,0,1,'2020-11-23 07:41:22',NULL),(1412,NULL,NULL,NULL,'ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/10/pexels-anna-shvets-39004651-scaled-1536x1024.jpg','','Reduced by 8.0% (11.2 KB)',132472,143951,'',10,0,1,'2020-11-23 07:41:23',NULL),(1413,NULL,NULL,NULL,'ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/10/pexels-anna-shvets-39004651-scaled-2048x1366.jpg','','Reduced by 9.6% (24.9 KB)',241383,266928,'',10,0,1,'2020-11-23 07:41:23',NULL),(1414,NULL,NULL,NULL,'ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/10/pexels-anna-shvets-39004651-scaled-170x110.jpg','','Reduced by 10.2% (355 B)',3123,3478,'',10,0,1,'2020-11-23 07:41:24',NULL),(1415,NULL,NULL,NULL,'ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/10/pexels-anna-shvets-39004651-scaled-86x70.jpg','','Reduced by 19.5% (362 B)',1491,1853,'',10,0,1,'2020-11-23 07:41:24',NULL),(1416,NULL,NULL,NULL,'ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/10/pexels-anna-shvets-39004651-scaled-165x110.jpg','','Reduced by 10.4% (355 B)',3060,3415,'',10,0,1,'2020-11-23 07:41:24',NULL),(1417,NULL,NULL,NULL,'ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/10/pexels-anna-shvets-39004651-scaled-370x250.jpg','','Reduced by 5.0% (556 B)',10529,11085,'',10,0,1,'2020-11-23 07:41:24',NULL),(1418,NULL,NULL,NULL,'ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/10/pexels-anna-shvets-39004651-scaled-370x247.jpg','','Reduced by 5.3% (577 B)',10410,10987,'',10,0,1,'2020-11-23 07:41:24',NULL),(1419,NULL,NULL,NULL,'ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/10/pexels-anna-shvets-39004651-scaled-288x160.jpg','','Reduced by 6.1% (382 B)',5838,6220,'',10,0,1,'2020-11-23 07:41:25',NULL),(1420,NULL,NULL,NULL,'ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/10/pexels-anna-shvets-39004651-scaled-780x544.jpg','','Reduced by 4.7% (1.8 KB)',37515,39366,'',10,0,1,'2020-11-23 07:41:25',NULL),(1421,NULL,NULL,NULL,'ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/10/pexels-anna-shvets-39004651-scaled-780x520.jpg','','Reduced by 4.6% (1.7 KB)',36547,38325,'',10,0,1,'2020-11-23 07:41:25',NULL),(1436,1083,'media','full','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/11/website-background-scaled.jpg','','Reduced by 42.4% (42.1 KB)',58599,101711,'',10,0,1,'2020-11-26 23:36:31',NULL),(1437,1083,'media','medium','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/11/website-background-300x214.jpg','','Reduced by 15.1% (777 B)',4371,5148,'',10,0,1,'2020-11-26 23:36:31',NULL),(1438,1083,'media','large','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/11/website-background-1024x732.jpg','','Reduced by 28.0% (6.6 KB)',17389,24145,'',10,0,1,'2020-11-26 23:36:31',NULL),(1439,1083,'media','thumbnail','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/11/website-background-150x150.jpg','','Reduced by 20.2% (473 B)',1866,2339,'',10,0,1,'2020-11-26 23:36:31',NULL),(1440,1083,'media','medium_large','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/11/website-background-768x549.jpg','','Reduced by 25.1% (4.0 KB)',12227,16335,'',10,0,1,'2020-11-26 23:36:31',NULL),(1441,1083,'media','1536x1536','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/11/website-background-1536x1098.jpg','','Reduced by 34.8% (15.1 KB)',28987,44491,'',10,0,1,'2020-11-26 23:36:31',NULL),(1442,1083,'media','2048x2048','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/11/website-background-2048x1464.jpg','','Reduced by 40.0% (27.5 KB)',42312,70510,'',10,0,1,'2020-11-26 23:36:32',NULL),(1443,1083,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/11/website-background-170x110.jpg','','Reduced by 17.9% (424 B)',1947,2371,'',10,0,1,'2020-11-26 23:36:32',NULL),(1444,1083,'media','bfastmag_small_thumb_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/11/website-background-86x70.jpg','','Reduced by 26.4% (386 B)',1074,1460,'',10,0,1,'2020-11-26 23:36:32',NULL),(1445,1083,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/11/website-background-154x110.jpg','','Reduced by 17.5% (416 B)',1966,2382,'',10,0,1,'2020-11-26 23:36:32',NULL),(1446,1083,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/11/website-background-370x250.jpg','','Reduced by 14.8% (899 B)',5166,6065,'',10,0,1,'2020-11-26 23:36:32',NULL),(1447,1083,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/11/website-background-350x250.jpg','','Reduced by 14.2% (827 B)',4981,5808,'',10,0,1,'2020-11-26 23:36:32',NULL),(1448,1083,'media','bfastmag_related_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/11/website-background-288x160.jpg','','Reduced by 18.5% (581 B)',2565,3146,'',10,0,1,'2020-11-26 23:36:32',NULL),(1449,1083,'media','bfastmag_blog_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/11/website-background-780x544.jpg','','Reduced by 23.4% (3.7 KB)',12469,16277,'',10,0,1,'2020-11-26 23:36:32',NULL),(1450,1083,'media','bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/11/website-background-761x544.jpg','','Reduced by 21.6% (3.4 KB)',12571,16042,'',10,0,1,'2020-11-26 23:36:32',NULL),(1451,1085,'media','full','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/11/website-background-distorted-scaled.jpg','','Reduced by 6.8% (74.3 KB)',1047744,1123857,'',10,0,1,'2020-11-26 23:38:25',NULL),(1452,1085,'media','medium','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/11/website-background-distorted-300x214.jpg','','Reduced by 12.1% (942 B)',6853,7795,'',10,0,1,'2020-11-26 23:38:25',NULL),(1453,1085,'media','large','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/11/website-background-distorted-1024x732.jpg','','Reduced by 8.8% (11.5 KB)',121445,133217,'',10,0,1,'2020-11-26 23:38:25',NULL),(1454,1085,'media','thumbnail','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/11/website-background-distorted-150x150.jpg','','Reduced by 18.1% (514 B)',2320,2834,'',10,0,1,'2020-11-26 23:38:25',NULL),(1455,1085,'media','medium_large','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/11/website-background-distorted-768x549.jpg','','Reduced by 10.2% (6.6 KB)',59847,66613,'',10,0,1,'2020-11-26 23:38:25',NULL),(1456,1085,'media','1536x1536','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/11/website-background-distorted-1536x1098.jpg','','Reduced by 7.7% (26.6 KB)',325430,352636,'',10,0,1,'2020-11-26 23:38:25',NULL),(1457,1085,'media','2048x2048','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/11/website-background-distorted-2048x1464.jpg','','Reduced by 7.1% (47.4 KB)',633632,682145,'',10,0,1,'2020-11-26 23:38:25',NULL),(1458,1085,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/11/website-background-distorted-170x110.jpg','','Reduced by 16.6% (429 B)',2162,2591,'',10,0,1,'2020-11-26 23:38:25',NULL),(1459,1085,'media','bfastmag_small_thumb_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/11/website-background-distorted-86x70.jpg','','Reduced by 27.6% (391 B)',1028,1419,'',10,0,1,'2020-11-26 23:38:25',NULL),(1460,1085,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/11/website-background-distorted-154x110.jpg','','Reduced by 17.0% (427 B)',2086,2513,'',10,0,1,'2020-11-26 23:38:25',NULL),(1461,1085,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/11/website-background-distorted-370x250.jpg','','Reduced by 12.2% (1.4 KB)',10162,11574,'',10,0,1,'2020-11-26 23:38:25',NULL),(1462,1085,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/11/website-background-distorted-350x250.jpg','','Reduced by 11.9% (1.3 KB)',9541,10833,'',10,0,1,'2020-11-26 23:38:25',NULL),(1463,1085,'media','bfastmag_related_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/11/website-background-distorted-288x160.jpg','','Reduced by 15.5% (798 B)',4364,5162,'',10,0,1,'2020-11-26 23:38:25',NULL),(1464,1085,'media','bfastmag_blog_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/11/website-background-distorted-780x544.jpg','','Reduced by 9.9% (6.5 KB)',60334,66973,'',10,0,1,'2020-11-26 23:38:25',NULL),(1465,1085,'media','bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/11/website-background-distorted-761x544.jpg','','Reduced by 10.0% (6.4 KB)',58602,65145,'',10,0,1,'2020-11-26 23:38:25',NULL),(1466,1088,'media','full','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/11/website-bg.jpg','','Reduced by 23.7% (129.2 KB)',426145,558407,'',10,0,1,'2020-11-27 02:18:31',NULL),(1467,1088,'media','medium','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/11/website-bg-300x169.jpg','','Reduced by 6.7% (543 B)',7593,8136,'',10,0,1,'2020-11-27 02:18:31',NULL),(1468,1088,'media','large','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/11/website-bg-1024x576.jpg','','Reduced by 10.1% (4.4 KB)',40360,44907,'',10,0,1,'2020-11-27 02:18:31',NULL),(1469,1088,'media','thumbnail','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/11/website-bg-150x150.jpg','','Reduced by 13.5% (464 B)',2962,3426,'',10,0,1,'2020-11-27 02:18:31',NULL),(1470,1088,'media','medium_large','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/11/website-bg-768x432.jpg','','Reduced by 9.0% (2.7 KB)',27400,30120,'',10,0,1,'2020-11-27 02:18:31',NULL),(1471,1088,'media','1536x1536','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/11/website-bg-1536x864.jpg','','Reduced by 12.5% (9.4 KB)',67614,77230,'',10,0,1,'2020-11-27 02:18:31',NULL),(1472,1088,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/11/website-bg-170x110.jpg','','Reduced by 10.4% (404 B)',3487,3891,'',10,0,1,'2020-11-27 02:18:31',NULL),(1473,1088,'media','bfastmag_small_thumb_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/11/website-bg-86x70.jpg','','Reduced by 21.2% (373 B)',1385,1758,'',10,0,1,'2020-11-27 02:18:31',NULL),(1474,1088,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/11/website-bg-170x96.jpg','','Reduced by 11.2% (398 B)',3162,3560,'',10,0,1,'2020-11-27 02:18:31',NULL),(1475,1088,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/11/website-bg-370x250.jpg','','Reduced by 7.7% (884 B)',10629,11513,'',10,0,1,'2020-11-27 02:18:31',NULL),(1476,1088,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/11/website-bg-370x208.jpg','','Reduced by 7.5% (788 B)',9727,10515,'',10,0,1,'2020-11-27 02:18:31',NULL),(1477,1088,'media','bfastmag_related_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/11/website-bg-288x160.jpg','','Reduced by 6.8% (495 B)',6762,7257,'',10,0,1,'2020-11-27 02:18:31',NULL),(1478,1088,'media','bfastmag_blog_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/11/website-bg-780x544.jpg','','Reduced by 10.2% (3.2 KB)',28525,31754,'',10,0,1,'2020-11-27 02:18:31',NULL),(1479,1088,'media','bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/11/website-bg-780x439.jpg','','Reduced by 8.7% (2.7 KB)',28641,31379,'',10,0,1,'2020-11-27 02:18:31',NULL),(1480,NULL,NULL,NULL,'ABSPATHwp-content/ewww/lazy/placeholder-80x80.png','','Reduced by 19.8% (25 B)',101,126,'',10,0,1,'2020-12-05 14:43:33',NULL),(1481,1094,'media','full','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/12/pexels-pixabay-2092241.jpg','','Reduced by 1.3% (1.8 KB)',138458,140280,'',10,0,1,'2020-12-08 05:29:08',NULL),(1482,1094,'media','medium','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/12/pexels-pixabay-2092241-300x200.jpg','','Reduced by 5.2% (740 B)',13618,14358,'',10,0,1,'2020-12-08 05:29:08',NULL),(1483,1094,'media','large','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/12/pexels-pixabay-2092241-1024x682.jpg','','Reduced by 4.9% (4.2 KB)',83040,87337,'',10,0,1,'2020-12-08 05:29:08',NULL),(1484,1094,'media','thumbnail','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/12/pexels-pixabay-2092241-150x150.jpg','','Reduced by 6.5% (434 B)',6226,6660,'',10,0,1,'2020-12-08 05:29:08',NULL),(1485,1094,'media','medium_large','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/12/pexels-pixabay-2092241-768x512.jpg','','Reduced by 5.3% (3.0 KB)',55022,58083,'',10,0,1,'2020-12-08 05:29:08',NULL),(1486,1094,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/12/pexels-pixabay-2092241-170x110.jpg','','Reduced by 7.4% (437 B)',5487,5924,'',10,0,1,'2020-12-08 05:29:08',NULL),(1487,1094,'media','bfastmag_small_thumb_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/12/pexels-pixabay-2092241-86x70.jpg','','Reduced by 15.0% (384 B)',2184,2568,'',10,0,1,'2020-12-08 05:29:08',NULL),(1488,1094,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/12/pexels-pixabay-2092241-165x110.jpg','','Reduced by 7.4% (425 B)',5297,5722,'',10,0,1,'2020-12-08 05:29:08',NULL),(1489,1094,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/12/pexels-pixabay-2092241-370x250.jpg','','Reduced by 5.0% (1,005 B)',19072,20077,'',10,0,1,'2020-12-08 05:29:08',NULL),(1490,1094,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/12/pexels-pixabay-2092241-370x247.jpg','','Reduced by 5.3% (1.0 KB)',18767,19812,'',10,0,1,'2020-12-08 05:29:08',NULL),(1491,1094,'media','bfastmag_related_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/12/pexels-pixabay-2092241-288x160.jpg','','Reduced by 5.3% (639 B)',11481,12120,'',10,0,1,'2020-12-08 05:29:08',NULL),(1492,1094,'media','bfastmag_blog_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/12/pexels-pixabay-2092241-780x544.jpg','','Reduced by 5.2% (3.1 KB)',57939,61147,'',10,0,1,'2020-12-08 05:29:08',NULL),(1493,1094,'media','bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2020/12/pexels-pixabay-2092241-780x520.jpg','','Reduced by 5.3% (3.1 KB)',56711,59911,'',10,0,1,'2020-12-08 05:29:08',NULL),(1494,1144,'media','full','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2021/01/kelly-sikkema-E8H76nY1v6Q-unsplash2-scaled.jpg','','Reduced by 32.9% (36.9 KB)',76966,114724,'',10,0,1,'2021-01-24 04:34:59',NULL),(1495,1144,'media','medium','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2021/01/kelly-sikkema-E8H76nY1v6Q-unsplash2-300x200.jpg','','Reduced by 17.1% (676 B)',3274,3950,'',10,0,1,'2021-01-24 04:34:59',NULL),(1496,1144,'media','large','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2021/01/kelly-sikkema-E8H76nY1v6Q-unsplash2-1024x683.jpg','','Reduced by 25.4% (5.6 KB)',16915,22679,'',10,0,1,'2021-01-24 04:34:59',NULL),(1497,1144,'media','thumbnail','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2021/01/kelly-sikkema-E8H76nY1v6Q-unsplash2-150x150.jpg','','Reduced by 20.7% (475 B)',1824,2299,'',10,0,1,'2021-01-24 04:34:59',NULL),(1498,1144,'media','medium_large','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2021/01/kelly-sikkema-E8H76nY1v6Q-unsplash2-768x512.jpg','','Reduced by 23.1% (3.2 KB)',10822,14073,'',10,0,1,'2021-01-24 04:34:59',NULL),(1499,1144,'media','1536x1536','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2021/01/kelly-sikkema-E8H76nY1v6Q-unsplash2-1536x1024.jpg','','Reduced by 29.2% (13.0 KB)',32121,45391,'',10,0,1,'2021-01-24 04:34:59',NULL),(1500,1144,'media','2048x2048','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2021/01/kelly-sikkema-E8H76nY1v6Q-unsplash2-2048x1365.jpg','','Reduced by 31.5% (23.7 KB)',52864,77124,'',10,0,1,'2021-01-24 04:34:59',NULL),(1501,1144,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2021/01/kelly-sikkema-E8H76nY1v6Q-unsplash2-170x110.jpg','','Reduced by 22.1% (446 B)',1573,2019,'',10,0,1,'2021-01-24 04:34:59',NULL),(1502,1144,'media','bfastmag_small_thumb_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2021/01/kelly-sikkema-E8H76nY1v6Q-unsplash2-86x70.jpg','','Reduced by 30.1% (392 B)',910,1302,'',10,0,1,'2021-01-24 04:34:59',NULL),(1503,1144,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2021/01/kelly-sikkema-E8H76nY1v6Q-unsplash2-165x110.jpg','','Reduced by 22.8% (446 B)',1509,1955,'',10,0,1,'2021-01-24 04:34:59',NULL),(1504,1144,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2021/01/kelly-sikkema-E8H76nY1v6Q-unsplash2-370x250.jpg','','Reduced by 17.7% (904 B)',4199,5103,'',10,0,1,'2021-01-24 04:35:00',NULL),(1505,1144,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2021/01/kelly-sikkema-E8H76nY1v6Q-unsplash2-370x247.jpg','','Reduced by 18.3% (912 B)',4080,4992,'',10,0,1,'2021-01-24 04:35:00',NULL),(1506,1144,'media','bfastmag_related_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2021/01/kelly-sikkema-E8H76nY1v6Q-unsplash2-288x160.jpg','','Reduced by 16.5% (565 B)',2857,3422,'',10,0,1,'2021-01-24 04:35:00',NULL),(1507,1144,'media','bfastmag_blog_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2021/01/kelly-sikkema-E8H76nY1v6Q-unsplash2-780x544.jpg','','Reduced by 23.1% (3.4 KB)',11640,15142,'',10,0,1,'2021-01-24 04:35:00',NULL),(1508,1144,'media','bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2021/01/kelly-sikkema-E8H76nY1v6Q-unsplash2-780x520.jpg','','Reduced by 22.3% (3.2 KB)',11484,14783,'',10,0,1,'2021-01-24 04:35:00',NULL),(1509,1158,'media','full','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2021/01/marwin-gherald-villanueva-CeptyC1bHaI-unsplash.jpg','','Reduced by 10.2% (40.1 KB)',361246,402342,'',10,0,1,'2021-01-26 20:48:07',NULL),(1510,1158,'media','medium','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2021/01/marwin-gherald-villanueva-CeptyC1bHaI-unsplash-300x169.jpg','','Reduced by 7.1% (534 B)',6987,7521,'',10,0,1,'2021-01-26 20:48:07',NULL),(1511,1158,'media','large','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2021/01/marwin-gherald-villanueva-CeptyC1bHaI-unsplash-1024x576.jpg','','Reduced by 4.5% (2.5 KB)',54933,57536,'',10,0,1,'2021-01-26 20:48:07',NULL),(1512,1158,'media','thumbnail','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2021/01/marwin-gherald-villanueva-CeptyC1bHaI-unsplash-150x150.jpg','','Reduced by 11.6% (423 B)',3220,3643,'',10,0,1,'2021-01-26 20:48:07',NULL),(1513,1158,'media','medium_large','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2021/01/marwin-gherald-villanueva-CeptyC1bHaI-unsplash-768x432.jpg','','Reduced by 4.5% (1.6 KB)',33559,35154,'',10,0,1,'2021-01-26 20:48:07',NULL),(1514,1158,'media','1536x1536','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2021/01/marwin-gherald-villanueva-CeptyC1bHaI-unsplash-1536x865.jpg','','Reduced by 5.1% (5.7 KB)',109050,114891,'',10,0,1,'2021-01-26 20:48:07',NULL),(1515,1158,'media','2048x2048','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2021/01/marwin-gherald-villanueva-CeptyC1bHaI-unsplash-2048x1153.jpg','','Reduced by 5.8% (10.6 KB)',177488,188376,'',10,0,1,'2021-01-26 20:48:07',NULL),(1516,1158,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2021/01/marwin-gherald-villanueva-CeptyC1bHaI-unsplash-170x110.jpg','','Reduced by 12.1% (420 B)',3044,3464,'',10,0,1,'2021-01-26 20:48:07',NULL),(1517,1158,'media','bfastmag_small_thumb_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2021/01/marwin-gherald-villanueva-CeptyC1bHaI-unsplash-86x70.jpg','','Reduced by 21.5% (372 B)',1361,1733,'',10,0,1,'2021-01-26 20:48:08',NULL),(1518,1158,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2021/01/marwin-gherald-villanueva-CeptyC1bHaI-unsplash-170x96.jpg','','Reduced by 12.6% (399 B)',2777,3176,'',10,0,1,'2021-01-26 20:48:08',NULL),(1519,1158,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2021/01/marwin-gherald-villanueva-CeptyC1bHaI-unsplash-370x250.jpg','','Reduced by 4.6% (555 B)',11508,12063,'',10,0,1,'2021-01-26 20:48:08',NULL),(1520,1158,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2021/01/marwin-gherald-villanueva-CeptyC1bHaI-unsplash-370x208.jpg','','Reduced by 4.0% (415 B)',9892,10307,'',10,0,1,'2021-01-26 20:48:08',NULL),(1521,1158,'media','bfastmag_related_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2021/01/marwin-gherald-villanueva-CeptyC1bHaI-unsplash-288x160.jpg','','Reduced by 7.1% (472 B)',6202,6674,'',10,0,1,'2021-01-26 20:48:08',NULL),(1522,1158,'media','bfastmag_blog_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2021/01/marwin-gherald-villanueva-CeptyC1bHaI-unsplash-780x544.jpg','','Reduced by 4.5% (1.8 KB)',39372,41228,'',10,0,1,'2021-01-26 20:48:08',NULL),(1523,1158,'media','bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2021/01/marwin-gherald-villanueva-CeptyC1bHaI-unsplash-780x439.jpg','','Reduced by 4.6% (1.6 KB)',34762,36435,'',10,0,1,'2021-01-26 20:48:08',NULL),(1524,1165,'media','full','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2021/01/kevin-maillefer-6pNcx5Mh9cI-unsplash-scaled.jpg','','Reduced by 12.1% (32.9 KB)',244549,278188,'',10,0,1,'2021-01-26 20:52:04',NULL),(1525,1165,'media','medium','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2021/01/kevin-maillefer-6pNcx5Mh9cI-unsplash-225x300.jpg','','Reduced by 8.8% (584 B)',6035,6619,'',10,0,1,'2021-01-26 20:52:04',NULL),(1526,1165,'media','large','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2021/01/kevin-maillefer-6pNcx5Mh9cI-unsplash-769x1024.jpg','','Reduced by 10.5% (5.6 KB)',49054,54831,'',10,0,1,'2021-01-26 20:52:04',NULL),(1527,1165,'media','thumbnail','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2021/01/kevin-maillefer-6pNcx5Mh9cI-unsplash-150x150.jpg','','Reduced by 11.9% (401 B)',2962,3363,'',10,0,1,'2021-01-26 20:52:04',NULL),(1528,1165,'media','medium_large','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2021/01/kevin-maillefer-6pNcx5Mh9cI-unsplash-768x1023.jpg','','Reduced by 10.1% (5.4 KB)',49413,54957,'',10,0,1,'2021-01-26 20:52:05',NULL),(1529,1165,'media','1536x1536','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2021/01/kevin-maillefer-6pNcx5Mh9cI-unsplash-1153x1536.jpg','','Reduced by 11.2% (12.4 KB)',100750,113414,'',10,0,1,'2021-01-26 20:52:05',NULL),(1530,1165,'media','2048x2048','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2021/01/kevin-maillefer-6pNcx5Mh9cI-unsplash-1538x2048.jpg','','Reduced by 11.8% (21.6 KB)',166230,188376,'',10,0,1,'2021-01-26 20:52:05',NULL),(1531,1165,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2021/01/kevin-maillefer-6pNcx5Mh9cI-unsplash-170x110.jpg','','Reduced by 9.9% (364 B)',3310,3674,'',10,0,1,'2021-01-26 20:52:05',NULL),(1532,1165,'media','bfastmag_small_thumb_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2021/01/kevin-maillefer-6pNcx5Mh9cI-unsplash-86x70.jpg','','Reduced by 21.7% (369 B)',1331,1700,'',10,0,1,'2021-01-26 20:52:05',NULL),(1533,1165,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2021/01/kevin-maillefer-6pNcx5Mh9cI-unsplash-83x110.jpg','','Reduced by 22.0% (386 B)',1368,1754,'',10,0,1,'2021-01-26 20:52:05',NULL),(1534,1165,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2021/01/kevin-maillefer-6pNcx5Mh9cI-unsplash-370x250.jpg','','Reduced by 5.1% (666 B)',12361,13027,'',10,0,1,'2021-01-26 20:52:05',NULL),(1535,1165,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2021/01/kevin-maillefer-6pNcx5Mh9cI-unsplash-188x250.jpg','','Reduced by 10.1% (493 B)',4386,4879,'',10,0,1,'2021-01-26 20:52:05',NULL),(1536,1165,'media','bfastmag_related_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2021/01/kevin-maillefer-6pNcx5Mh9cI-unsplash-288x160.jpg','','Reduced by 5.1% (399 B)',7391,7790,'',10,0,1,'2021-01-26 20:52:05',NULL),(1537,1165,'media','bfastmag_blog_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2021/01/kevin-maillefer-6pNcx5Mh9cI-unsplash-780x544.jpg','','Reduced by 5.3% (2.5 KB)',46001,48555,'',10,0,1,'2021-01-26 20:52:05',NULL),(1538,1165,'media','bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2021/01/kevin-maillefer-6pNcx5Mh9cI-unsplash-408x544.jpg','','Reduced by 8.7% (1.5 KB)',16411,17976,'',10,0,1,'2021-01-26 20:52:05',NULL),(1539,1166,'media','full','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2021/01/michael-buillerey-tKiaYOzmszQ-unsplash-scaled.jpg','','Reduced by 4.7% (16.7 KB)',348701,365849,'',10,0,1,'2021-01-26 20:53:07',NULL),(1540,1166,'media','medium','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2021/01/michael-buillerey-tKiaYOzmszQ-unsplash-300x169.jpg','','Reduced by 5.7% (565 B)',9344,9909,'',10,0,1,'2021-01-26 20:53:08',NULL),(1541,1166,'media','large','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2021/01/michael-buillerey-tKiaYOzmszQ-unsplash-1024x576.jpg','','Reduced by 4.9% (3.8 KB)',76382,80301,'',10,0,1,'2021-01-26 20:53:08',NULL),(1542,1166,'media','thumbnail','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2021/01/michael-buillerey-tKiaYOzmszQ-unsplash-150x150.jpg','','Reduced by 9.3% (420 B)',4103,4523,'',10,0,1,'2021-01-26 20:53:08',NULL),(1543,1166,'media','medium_large','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2021/01/michael-buillerey-tKiaYOzmszQ-unsplash-768x432.jpg','','Reduced by 4.9% (2.3 KB)',46561,48936,'',10,0,1,'2021-01-26 20:53:08',NULL),(1544,1166,'media','1536x1536','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2021/01/michael-buillerey-tKiaYOzmszQ-unsplash-1536x864.jpg','','Reduced by 5.0% (7.7 KB)',150355,158191,'',10,0,1,'2021-01-26 20:53:08',NULL),(1545,1166,'media','2048x2048','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2021/01/michael-buillerey-tKiaYOzmszQ-unsplash-2048x1152.jpg','','Reduced by 4.7% (11.6 KB)',240937,252776,'',10,0,1,'2021-01-26 20:53:08',NULL),(1546,1166,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2021/01/michael-buillerey-tKiaYOzmszQ-unsplash-170x110.jpg','','Reduced by 9.8% (417 B)',3854,4271,'',10,0,1,'2021-01-26 20:53:08',NULL),(1547,1166,'media','bfastmag_small_thumb_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2021/01/michael-buillerey-tKiaYOzmszQ-unsplash-86x70.jpg','','Reduced by 19.7% (383 B)',1557,1940,'',10,0,1,'2021-01-26 20:53:08',NULL),(1548,1166,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2021/01/michael-buillerey-tKiaYOzmszQ-unsplash-170x96.jpg','','Reduced by 10.8% (416 B)',3443,3859,'',10,0,1,'2021-01-26 20:53:08',NULL),(1549,1166,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2021/01/michael-buillerey-tKiaYOzmszQ-unsplash-370x250.jpg','','Reduced by 4.0% (635 B)',15103,15738,'',10,0,1,'2021-01-26 20:53:08',NULL),(1550,1166,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2021/01/michael-buillerey-tKiaYOzmszQ-unsplash-370x208.jpg','','Reduced by 4.1% (573 B)',13301,13874,'',10,0,1,'2021-01-26 20:53:08',NULL),(1551,1166,'media','bfastmag_related_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2021/01/michael-buillerey-tKiaYOzmszQ-unsplash-288x160.jpg','','Reduced by 5.4% (472 B)',8272,8744,'',10,0,1,'2021-01-26 20:53:08',NULL),(1552,1166,'media','bfastmag_blog_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2021/01/michael-buillerey-tKiaYOzmszQ-unsplash-780x544.jpg','','Reduced by 5.1% (2.8 KB)',53328,56215,'',10,0,1,'2021-01-26 20:53:09',NULL),(1553,1166,'media','bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2021/01/michael-buillerey-tKiaYOzmszQ-unsplash-780x439.jpg','','Reduced by 4.6% (2.3 KB)',48621,50961,'',10,0,1,'2021-01-26 20:53:09',NULL),(1568,1171,'media','full','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2021/02/cropped-ULR-Seal-with-Name.png','','Reduced by 11.9% (38.7 KB)',293735,333393,'',10,0,1,'2021-02-02 00:21:22',NULL),(1569,1171,'media','medium','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2021/02/cropped-ULR-Seal-with-Name-300x124.png','','Reduced by 15.8% (4.5 KB)',24682,29306,'',10,0,1,'2021-02-02 00:21:23',NULL),(1570,1171,'media','large','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2021/02/cropped-ULR-Seal-with-Name-1024x423.png','','Reduced by 7.6% (13.5 KB)',168499,182358,'',10,0,1,'2021-02-02 00:21:26',NULL),(1571,1171,'media','thumbnail','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2021/02/cropped-ULR-Seal-with-Name-150x150.png','','Reduced by 20.7% (3.3 KB)',12744,16077,'',10,0,1,'2021-02-02 00:21:27',NULL),(1572,1171,'media','medium_large','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2021/02/cropped-ULR-Seal-with-Name-768x317.png','','Reduced by 10.5% (11.3 KB)',99231,110811,'',10,0,1,'2021-02-02 00:21:28',NULL),(1573,1171,'media','1536x1536','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2021/02/cropped-ULR-Seal-with-Name-1536x634.png','','Reduced by 3.0% (9.7 KB)',324404,334335,'',10,0,1,'2021-02-02 00:21:36',NULL),(1574,1171,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2021/02/cropped-ULR-Seal-with-Name-170x110.png','','Reduced by 15.4% (2.4 KB)',13752,16247,'',10,0,1,'2021-02-02 00:21:36',NULL),(1575,1171,'media','bfastmag_small_thumb_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2021/02/cropped-ULR-Seal-with-Name-86x70.png','','Reduced by 16.9% (1.1 KB)',5379,6471,'',10,0,1,'2021-02-02 00:21:36',NULL),(1576,1171,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2021/02/cropped-ULR-Seal-with-Name-170x70.png','','Reduced by 16.1% (2.1 KB)',11136,13280,'',10,0,1,'2021-02-02 00:21:36',NULL),(1577,1171,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2021/02/cropped-ULR-Seal-with-Name-370x250.png','','Reduced by 17.3% (9.5 KB)',46708,56469,'',10,0,1,'2021-02-02 00:21:38',NULL),(1578,1171,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2021/02/cropped-ULR-Seal-with-Name-370x153.png','','Reduced by 16.2% (6.9 KB)',36745,43854,'',10,0,1,'2021-02-02 00:21:39',NULL),(1579,1171,'media','bfastmag_related_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2021/02/cropped-ULR-Seal-with-Name-288x160.png','','Reduced by 17.5% (6.0 KB)',28977,35117,'',10,0,1,'2021-02-02 00:21:40',NULL),(1580,1171,'media','bfastmag_blog_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2021/02/cropped-ULR-Seal-with-Name-780x544.png','','Reduced by 18.9% (42.9 KB)',188381,232356,'',10,0,1,'2021-02-02 00:21:48',NULL),(1581,1171,'media','bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2021/02/cropped-ULR-Seal-with-Name-780x322.png','','Reduced by 10.5% (13.7 KB)',118846,132848,'',10,0,1,'2021-02-02 00:21:51',NULL),(1582,1174,'media','full','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2021/02/ULR-Seal-with-Name.png','','Reduced by 17.6% (52.6 KB)',252284,306133,'',10,0,1,'2021-02-02 00:27:31',NULL),(1583,1174,'media','medium','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2021/02/ULR-Seal-with-Name-300x111.png','','Reduced by 16.0% (4.1 KB)',22233,26476,'',10,0,1,'2021-02-02 00:27:32',NULL),(1584,1174,'media','large','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2021/02/ULR-Seal-with-Name-1024x378.png','','Reduced by 8.5% (13.1 KB)',144678,158061,'',10,0,1,'2021-02-02 00:27:34',NULL),(1585,1174,'media','thumbnail','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2021/02/ULR-Seal-with-Name-150x150.png','','Reduced by 25.5% (3.7 KB)',10980,14730,'',10,0,1,'2021-02-02 00:27:35',NULL),(1586,1174,'media','medium_large','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2021/02/ULR-Seal-with-Name-768x284.png','','Reduced by 10.9% (10.3 KB)',85517,96030,'',10,0,1,'2021-02-02 00:27:37',NULL),(1587,1174,'media','1536x1536','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2021/02/ULR-Seal-with-Name-1536x567.png','','Reduced by 5.0% (14.1 KB)',272858,287282,'',10,0,1,'2021-02-02 00:27:42',NULL),(1588,1174,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2021/02/ULR-Seal-with-Name-170x110.png','','Reduced by 18.4% (2.8 KB)',12631,15478,'',10,0,1,'2021-02-02 00:27:43',NULL),(1589,1174,'media','bfastmag_small_thumb_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2021/02/ULR-Seal-with-Name-86x70.png','','Reduced by 17.3% (997 B)',4779,5776,'',10,0,1,'2021-02-02 00:27:43',NULL),(1590,1174,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2021/02/ULR-Seal-with-Name-170x63.png','','Reduced by 15.5% (1.8 KB)',9934,11754,'',10,0,1,'2021-02-02 00:27:43',NULL),(1591,1174,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2021/02/ULR-Seal-with-Name-370x250.png','','Reduced by 19.9% (11.2 KB)',46280,57746,'',10,0,1,'2021-02-02 00:27:45',NULL),(1592,1174,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2021/02/ULR-Seal-with-Name-370x137.png','','Reduced by 17.2% (6.6 KB)',32486,39243,'',10,0,1,'2021-02-02 00:27:46',NULL),(1593,1174,'media','bfastmag_related_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2021/02/ULR-Seal-with-Name-288x160.png','','Reduced by 18.8% (6.3 KB)',27840,34267,'',10,0,1,'2021-02-02 00:27:47',NULL),(1594,1174,'media','bfastmag_blog_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2021/02/ULR-Seal-with-Name-780x544.png','','Reduced by 18.8% (36.6 KB)',162220,199673,'',10,0,1,'2021-02-02 00:27:53',NULL),(1595,1174,'media','bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2021/02/ULR-Seal-with-Name-780x288.png','','Reduced by 11.4% (13.0 KB)',103466,116773,'',10,0,1,'2021-02-02 00:27:56',NULL),(1596,1175,'media','full','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2021/02/cropped-ULR-Seal-with-Name-1.png','','Reduced by 12.3% (34.2 KB)',248622,283636,'',10,0,1,'2021-02-02 00:29:14',NULL),(1597,1175,'media','medium','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2021/02/cropped-ULR-Seal-with-Name-1-300x100.png','','Reduced by 17.4% (4.4 KB)',21298,25795,'',10,0,1,'2021-02-02 00:29:14',NULL),(1598,1175,'media','large','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2021/02/cropped-ULR-Seal-with-Name-1-1024x341.png','','Reduced by 8.7% (13.7 KB)',147395,161470,'',10,0,1,'2021-02-02 00:29:17',NULL),(1599,1175,'media','thumbnail','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2021/02/cropped-ULR-Seal-with-Name-1-150x150.png','','Reduced by 27.7% (3.8 KB)',10081,13940,'',10,0,1,'2021-02-02 00:29:17',NULL),(1600,1175,'media','medium_large','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2021/02/cropped-ULR-Seal-with-Name-1-768x256.png','','Reduced by 11.8% (9.8 KB)',74973,85049,'',10,0,1,'2021-02-02 00:29:19',NULL),(1601,1175,'media','1536x1536','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2021/02/cropped-ULR-Seal-with-Name-1-1536x512.png','','Reduced by 4.8% (10.9 KB)',224104,235291,'',10,0,1,'2021-02-02 00:29:24',NULL),(1602,1175,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2021/02/cropped-ULR-Seal-with-Name-1-170x110.png','','Reduced by 20.6% (3.2 KB)',12584,15851,'',10,0,1,'2021-02-02 00:29:24',NULL),(1603,1175,'media','bfastmag_small_thumb_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2021/02/cropped-ULR-Seal-with-Name-1-86x70.png','','Reduced by 20.8% (1.2 KB)',4664,5892,'',10,0,1,'2021-02-02 00:29:25',NULL),(1604,1175,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2021/02/cropped-ULR-Seal-with-Name-1-170x57.png','','Reduced by 17.0% (2.0 KB)',9975,12019,'',10,0,1,'2021-02-02 00:29:25',NULL),(1605,1175,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2021/02/cropped-ULR-Seal-with-Name-1-370x250.png','','Reduced by 21.9% (12.5 KB)',45879,58721,'',10,0,1,'2021-02-02 00:29:27',NULL),(1606,1175,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2021/02/cropped-ULR-Seal-with-Name-1-370x123.png','','Reduced by 17.0% (6.4 KB)',31885,38401,'',10,0,1,'2021-02-02 00:29:27',NULL),(1607,1175,'media','bfastmag_related_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2021/02/cropped-ULR-Seal-with-Name-1-288x160.png','','Reduced by 14.9% (3.4 KB)',19754,23200,'',10,0,1,'2021-02-02 00:29:28',NULL),(1608,1175,'media','bfastmag_blog_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2021/02/cropped-ULR-Seal-with-Name-1-780x544.png','','Reduced by 19.7% (37.7 KB)',157042,195633,'',10,0,1,'2021-02-02 00:29:35',NULL),(1609,1175,'media','bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2021/02/cropped-ULR-Seal-with-Name-1-780x260.png','','Reduced by 11.3% (12.7 KB)',101321,114280,'',10,0,1,'2021-02-02 00:29:37',NULL),(1610,NULL,NULL,NULL,'ABSPATHwp-content/ewww/lazy/placeholder-1920x709.png','','No savings',297,297,'',10,0,3,'2021-02-02 08:40:53',NULL),(1611,1178,'media','full','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2021/02/Website-top-page-Logo.png','','Reduced by 12.2% (3.9 KB)',28550,32518,'',10,0,1,'2021-02-02 00:40:58',NULL),(1612,1178,'media','thumbnail','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2021/02/Website-top-page-Logo-150x100.png','','Reduced by 9.3% (1,012 B)',9812,10824,'',10,0,1,'2021-02-02 00:40:58',NULL),(1613,1178,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2021/02/Website-top-page-Logo-170x100.png','','Reduced by 7.6% (956 B)',11706,12662,'',10,0,1,'2021-02-02 00:40:58',NULL),(1614,1178,'media','bfastmag_small_thumb_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2021/02/Website-top-page-Logo-86x70.png','','Reduced by 14.5% (1.1 KB)',6489,7586,'',10,0,1,'2021-02-02 00:40:58',NULL),(1615,1178,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2021/02/Website-top-page-Logo-170x63.png','','Reduced by 9.6% (1.4 KB)',13513,14953,'',10,0,1,'2021-02-02 00:40:59',NULL),(1616,NULL,NULL,NULL,'ABSPATHwp-content/ewww/lazy/placeholder-272x100.png','','Reduced by 17.8% (24 B)',111,135,'',10,0,1,'2021-02-02 00:48:26',NULL),(1617,1184,'media','full','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2021/02/Standard-Banner.jpg','','Reduced by 24.1% (18.3 KB)',59084,77823,'',10,0,1,'2021-02-04 10:37:30',NULL),(1618,1184,'media','medium','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2021/02/Standard-Banner-300x188.jpg','','Reduced by 4.8% (440 B)',8649,9089,'',10,0,1,'2021-02-04 10:37:30',NULL),(1619,1184,'media','large','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2021/02/Standard-Banner-1024x640.jpg','','Reduced by 3.3% (2.0 KB)',58065,60068,'',10,0,1,'2021-02-04 10:37:30',NULL),(1620,1184,'media','thumbnail','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2021/02/Standard-Banner-150x150.jpg','','Reduced by 8.3% (384 B)',4237,4621,'',10,0,1,'2021-02-04 10:37:30',NULL),(1621,1184,'media','medium_large','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2021/02/Standard-Banner-768x480.jpg','','Reduced by 3.4% (1.3 KB)',38253,39606,'',10,0,1,'2021-02-04 10:37:30',NULL),(1622,1184,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2021/02/Standard-Banner-170x110.jpg','','Reduced by 9.8% (393 B)',3610,4003,'',10,0,1,'2021-02-04 10:37:30',NULL),(1623,1184,'media','bfastmag_small_thumb_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2021/02/Standard-Banner-86x70.jpg','','Reduced by 18.9% (370 B)',1586,1956,'',10,0,1,'2021-02-04 10:37:30',NULL),(1624,1184,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2021/02/Standard-Banner-170x106.jpg','','Reduced by 10.1% (398 B)',3557,3955,'',10,0,1,'2021-02-04 10:37:30',NULL),(1625,1184,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2021/02/Standard-Banner-370x250.jpg','','Reduced by 3.9% (549 B)',13425,13974,'',10,0,1,'2021-02-04 10:37:30',NULL),(1626,1184,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2021/02/Standard-Banner-370x231.jpg','','Reduced by 3.8% (492 B)',12493,12985,'',10,0,1,'2021-02-04 10:37:30',NULL),(1627,1184,'media','bfastmag_related_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2021/02/Standard-Banner-288x160.jpg','','Reduced by 5.3% (423 B)',7601,8024,'',10,0,1,'2021-02-04 10:37:30',NULL),(1628,1184,'media','bfastmag_blog_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2021/02/Standard-Banner-780x544.jpg','','Reduced by 3.5% (1.5 KB)',42647,44180,'',10,0,1,'2021-02-04 10:37:30',NULL),(1629,1184,'media','bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2021/02/Standard-Banner-780x488.jpg','','Reduced by 3.7% (1.5 KB)',39323,40825,'',10,0,1,'2021-02-04 10:37:30',NULL),(1630,1187,'media','full','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2021/02/Standard-Banner-1.jpg','','Reduced by 24.1% (18.3 KB)',59084,77823,'',10,0,1,'2021-02-04 10:38:24',NULL),(1631,1187,'media','medium','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2021/02/Standard-Banner-1-300x188.jpg','','Reduced by 4.8% (440 B)',8649,9089,'',10,0,1,'2021-02-04 10:38:24',NULL),(1632,1187,'media','large','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2021/02/Standard-Banner-1-1024x640.jpg','','Reduced by 3.3% (2.0 KB)',58065,60068,'',10,0,1,'2021-02-04 10:38:24',NULL),(1633,1187,'media','thumbnail','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2021/02/Standard-Banner-1-150x150.jpg','','Reduced by 8.3% (384 B)',4237,4621,'',10,0,1,'2021-02-04 10:38:24',NULL),(1634,1187,'media','medium_large','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2021/02/Standard-Banner-1-768x480.jpg','','Reduced by 3.4% (1.3 KB)',38253,39606,'',10,0,1,'2021-02-04 10:38:25',NULL),(1635,1187,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2021/02/Standard-Banner-1-170x110.jpg','','Reduced by 9.8% (393 B)',3610,4003,'',10,0,1,'2021-02-04 10:38:25',NULL),(1636,1187,'media','bfastmag_small_thumb_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2021/02/Standard-Banner-1-86x70.jpg','','Reduced by 18.9% (370 B)',1586,1956,'',10,0,1,'2021-02-04 10:38:25',NULL),(1637,1187,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2021/02/Standard-Banner-1-170x106.jpg','','Reduced by 10.1% (398 B)',3557,3955,'',10,0,1,'2021-02-04 10:38:25',NULL),(1638,1187,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2021/02/Standard-Banner-1-370x250.jpg','','Reduced by 3.9% (549 B)',13425,13974,'',10,0,1,'2021-02-04 10:38:25',NULL),(1639,1187,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2021/02/Standard-Banner-1-370x231.jpg','','Reduced by 3.8% (492 B)',12493,12985,'',10,0,1,'2021-02-04 10:38:25',NULL),(1640,1187,'media','bfastmag_related_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2021/02/Standard-Banner-1-288x160.jpg','','Reduced by 5.3% (423 B)',7601,8024,'',10,0,1,'2021-02-04 10:38:25',NULL),(1641,1187,'media','bfastmag_blog_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2021/02/Standard-Banner-1-780x544.jpg','','Reduced by 3.5% (1.5 KB)',42647,44180,'',10,0,1,'2021-02-04 10:38:25',NULL),(1642,1187,'media','bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2021/02/Standard-Banner-1-780x488.jpg','','Reduced by 3.7% (1.5 KB)',39323,40825,'',10,0,1,'2021-02-04 10:38:25',NULL),(1658,1217,'media','full','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2021/02/visuals-qMrdgxnTfx4-unsplash-Custom.jpg','','Reduced by 6.3% (4.5 KB)',68922,73562,'',10,0,1,'2021-02-28 05:57:42',NULL),(1659,1217,'media','medium','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2021/02/visuals-qMrdgxnTfx4-unsplash-Custom-300x188.jpg','','Reduced by 4.8% (428 B)',8441,8869,'',10,0,1,'2021-02-28 05:57:42',NULL),(1660,1217,'media','thumbnail','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2021/02/visuals-qMrdgxnTfx4-unsplash-Custom-150x150.jpg','','Reduced by 7.4% (402 B)',5052,5454,'',10,0,1,'2021-02-28 05:57:42',NULL),(1661,1217,'media','medium_large','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2021/02/visuals-qMrdgxnTfx4-unsplash-Custom-768x480.jpg','','Reduced by 4.8% (1.6 KB)',31999,33596,'',10,0,1,'2021-02-28 05:57:42',NULL),(1662,1217,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2021/02/visuals-qMrdgxnTfx4-unsplash-Custom-170x110.jpg','','Reduced by 8.8% (378 B)',3932,4310,'',10,0,1,'2021-02-28 05:57:42',NULL),(1663,1217,'media','bfastmag_small_thumb_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2021/02/visuals-qMrdgxnTfx4-unsplash-Custom-86x70.jpg','','Reduced by 15.5% (375 B)',2046,2421,'',10,0,1,'2021-02-28 05:57:43',NULL),(1664,1217,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2021/02/visuals-qMrdgxnTfx4-unsplash-Custom-170x106.jpg','','Reduced by 9.1% (382 B)',3822,4204,'',10,0,1,'2021-02-28 05:57:43',NULL),(1665,1217,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2021/02/visuals-qMrdgxnTfx4-unsplash-Custom-370x250.jpg','','Reduced by 3.9% (505 B)',12583,13088,'',10,0,1,'2021-02-28 05:57:43',NULL),(1666,1217,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2021/02/visuals-qMrdgxnTfx4-unsplash-Custom-370x231.jpg','','Reduced by 3.9% (466 B)',11376,11842,'',10,0,1,'2021-02-28 05:57:43',NULL),(1667,1217,'media','bfastmag_related_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2021/02/visuals-qMrdgxnTfx4-unsplash-Custom-288x160.jpg','','Reduced by 5.2% (389 B)',7137,7526,'',10,0,1,'2021-02-28 05:57:43',NULL),(1668,1217,'media','bfastmag_blog_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2021/02/visuals-qMrdgxnTfx4-unsplash-Custom-780x544.jpg','','Reduced by 4.6% (1.8 KB)',37796,39604,'',10,0,1,'2021-02-28 05:57:43',NULL),(1669,1217,'media','bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2021/02/visuals-qMrdgxnTfx4-unsplash-Custom-780x488.jpg','','Reduced by 5.2% (1.7 KB)',32657,34442,'',10,0,1,'2021-02-28 05:57:43',NULL),(1670,1228,'media','full','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2021/02/Adobe_Post_20210301_0524070.812015005297104.jpg','','Reduced by 18.2% (34.0 KB)',156795,191655,'',10,0,1,'2021-02-28 13:25:16',NULL),(1671,1228,'media','medium','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2021/02/Adobe_Post_20210301_0524070.812015005297104-300x169.jpg','','Reduced by 6.5% (548 B)',7926,8474,'',10,0,1,'2021-02-28 13:25:16',NULL),(1672,1228,'media','large','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2021/02/Adobe_Post_20210301_0524070.812015005297104-1024x576.jpg','','Reduced by 13.4% (6.7 KB)',44337,51173,'',10,0,1,'2021-02-28 13:25:16',NULL),(1673,1228,'media','thumbnail','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2021/02/Adobe_Post_20210301_0524070.812015005297104-150x150.jpg','','Reduced by 8.5% (469 B)',5076,5545,'',10,0,1,'2021-02-28 13:25:16',NULL),(1674,1228,'media','medium_large','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2021/02/Adobe_Post_20210301_0524070.812015005297104-768x432.jpg','','Reduced by 12.4% (4.1 KB)',29536,33711,'',10,0,1,'2021-02-28 13:25:16',NULL),(1675,1228,'media','1536x1536','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2021/02/Adobe_Post_20210301_0524070.812015005297104-1536x864.jpg','','Reduced by 15.8% (14.0 KB)',76475,90827,'',10,0,1,'2021-02-28 13:25:16',NULL),(1676,1228,'media','2048x2048','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2021/02/Adobe_Post_20210301_0524070.812015005297104-2048x1152.jpg','','Reduced by 16.9% (21.9 KB)',110543,132954,'',10,0,1,'2021-02-28 13:25:17',NULL),(1677,1228,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2021/02/Adobe_Post_20210301_0524070.812015005297104-170x110.jpg','','Reduced by 9.9% (418 B)',3817,4235,'',10,0,1,'2021-02-28 13:25:17',NULL),(1678,1228,'media','bfastmag_small_thumb_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2021/02/Adobe_Post_20210301_0524070.812015005297104-86x70.jpg','','Reduced by 16.6% (387 B)',1945,2332,'',10,0,1,'2021-02-28 13:25:17',NULL),(1679,1228,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2021/02/Adobe_Post_20210301_0524070.812015005297104-170x96.jpg','','Reduced by 10.3% (378 B)',3297,3675,'',10,0,1,'2021-02-28 13:25:17',NULL),(1680,1228,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2021/02/Adobe_Post_20210301_0524070.812015005297104-370x250.jpg','','Reduced by 10.7% (1.5 KB)',12980,14536,'',10,0,1,'2021-02-28 13:25:17',NULL),(1681,1228,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2021/02/Adobe_Post_20210301_0524070.812015005297104-370x208.jpg','','Reduced by 10.0% (1.1 KB)',10466,11625,'',10,0,1,'2021-02-28 13:25:17',NULL),(1682,1228,'media','bfastmag_related_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2021/02/Adobe_Post_20210301_0524070.812015005297104-288x160.jpg','','Reduced by 6.6% (526 B)',7387,7913,'',10,0,1,'2021-02-28 13:25:17',NULL),(1683,1228,'media','bfastmag_blog_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2021/02/Adobe_Post_20210301_0524070.812015005297104-780x544.jpg','','Reduced by 12.5% (5.4 KB)',38622,44162,'',10,0,1,'2021-02-28 13:25:17',NULL),(1684,1228,'media','bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2021/02/Adobe_Post_20210301_0524070.812015005297104-780x439.jpg','','Reduced by 12.5% (4.3 KB)',30613,34971,'',10,0,1,'2021-02-28 13:25:17',NULL),(1685,1262,'media','full','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2021/05/obi-onyeador-PMnbMcJeftk-unsplash-scaled.jpg','','Reduced by 6.2% (23.5 KB)',366535,390627,'',10,0,1,'2021-05-12 21:01:55',NULL),(1686,1262,'media','medium','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2021/05/obi-onyeador-PMnbMcJeftk-unsplash-300x194.jpg','','Reduced by 6.1% (827 B)',12639,13466,'',10,0,1,'2021-05-12 21:01:55',NULL),(1687,1262,'media','large','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2021/05/obi-onyeador-PMnbMcJeftk-unsplash-1024x662.jpg','','Reduced by 4.5% (4.0 KB)',85804,89853,'',10,0,1,'2021-05-12 21:01:55',NULL),(1688,1262,'media','thumbnail','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2021/05/obi-onyeador-PMnbMcJeftk-unsplash-150x150.jpg','','Reduced by 7.8% (505 B)',5962,6467,'',10,0,1,'2021-05-12 21:01:55',NULL),(1689,1262,'media','medium_large','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2021/05/obi-onyeador-PMnbMcJeftk-unsplash-768x497.jpg','','Reduced by 4.8% (2.7 KB)',54789,57550,'',10,0,1,'2021-05-12 21:01:55',NULL),(1690,1262,'media','1536x1536','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2021/05/obi-onyeador-PMnbMcJeftk-unsplash-1536x993.jpg','','Reduced by 4.9% (8.3 KB)',163930,172448,'',10,0,1,'2021-05-12 21:01:55',NULL),(1691,1262,'media','2048x2048','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2021/05/obi-onyeador-PMnbMcJeftk-unsplash-2048x1325.jpg','','Reduced by 5.6% (15.0 KB)',258476,273793,'',10,0,1,'2021-05-12 21:01:56',NULL),(1692,1262,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2021/05/obi-onyeador-PMnbMcJeftk-unsplash-170x110.jpg','','Reduced by 8.0% (471 B)',5422,5893,'',10,0,1,'2021-05-12 21:01:56',NULL),(1693,1262,'media','bfastmag_small_thumb_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2021/05/obi-onyeador-PMnbMcJeftk-unsplash-86x70.jpg','','Reduced by 14.9% (429 B)',2448,2877,'',10,0,1,'2021-05-12 21:01:56',NULL),(1694,1262,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2021/05/obi-onyeador-PMnbMcJeftk-unsplash-370x250.jpg','','Reduced by 5.7% (1.1 KB)',18144,19239,'',10,0,1,'2021-05-12 21:01:56',NULL),(1695,1262,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2021/05/obi-onyeador-PMnbMcJeftk-unsplash-370x239.jpg','','Reduced by 5.9% (1.1 KB)',17296,18372,'',10,0,1,'2021-05-12 21:01:56',NULL),(1696,1262,'media','bfastmag_related_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2021/05/obi-onyeador-PMnbMcJeftk-unsplash-288x160.jpg','','Reduced by 6.7% (733 B)',10224,10957,'',10,0,1,'2021-05-12 21:01:56',NULL),(1697,1262,'media','bfastmag_blog_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2021/05/obi-onyeador-PMnbMcJeftk-unsplash-780x544.jpg','','Reduced by 4.5% (2.7 KB)',58627,61389,'',10,0,1,'2021-05-12 21:01:56',NULL),(1698,1262,'media','bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2021/05/obi-onyeador-PMnbMcJeftk-unsplash-780x505.jpg','','Reduced by 4.5% (2.6 KB)',56033,58704,'',10,0,1,'2021-05-12 21:01:56',NULL),(1713,1313,'media','full','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2021/05/Untitled-design2.jpg','','Reduced by 3.6% (4.2 KB)',117298,121617,'',10,0,1,'2021-05-25 05:01:50',NULL),(1714,1313,'media','medium','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2021/05/Untitled-design2-300x200.jpg','','Reduced by 5.2% (833 B)',15128,15961,'',10,0,1,'2021-05-25 05:01:50',NULL),(1715,1313,'media','large','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2021/05/Untitled-design2-1024x683.jpg','','Reduced by 3.3% (3.3 KB)',98860,102205,'',10,0,1,'2021-05-25 05:01:50',NULL),(1716,1313,'media','thumbnail','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2021/05/Untitled-design2-150x150.jpg','','Reduced by 5.8% (403 B)',6551,6954,'',10,0,1,'2021-05-25 05:01:50',NULL),(1717,1313,'media','medium_large','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2021/05/Untitled-design2-768x512.jpg','','Reduced by 3.4% (2.2 KB)',63770,66039,'',10,0,1,'2021-05-25 05:01:50',NULL),(1718,1313,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2021/05/Untitled-design2-170x110.jpg','','Reduced by 6.3% (427 B)',6298,6725,'',10,0,1,'2021-05-25 05:01:50',NULL),(1719,1313,'media','bfastmag_small_thumb_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2021/05/Untitled-design2-86x70.jpg','','Reduced by 12.9% (380 B)',2571,2951,'',10,0,1,'2021-05-25 05:01:50',NULL),(1720,1313,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2021/05/Untitled-design2-165x110.jpg','','Reduced by 6.4% (421 B)',6163,6584,'',10,0,1,'2021-05-25 05:01:51',NULL),(1721,1313,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2021/05/Untitled-design2-370x250.jpg','','Reduced by 4.6% (1.0 KB)',21510,22549,'',10,0,1,'2021-05-25 05:01:51',NULL),(1722,1313,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2021/05/Untitled-design2-370x247.jpg','','Reduced by 4.6% (1,012 B)',21099,22111,'',10,0,1,'2021-05-25 05:01:51',NULL),(1723,1313,'media','bfastmag_related_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2021/05/Untitled-design2-288x160.jpg','','Reduced by 5.6% (705 B)',11970,12675,'',10,0,1,'2021-05-25 05:01:51',NULL),(1724,1313,'media','bfastmag_blog_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2021/05/Untitled-design2-780x544.jpg','','Reduced by 3.4% (2.3 KB)',67359,69755,'',10,0,1,'2021-05-25 05:01:51',NULL),(1725,1313,'media','bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2021/05/Untitled-design2-780x520.jpg','','Reduced by 3.6% (2.4 KB)',65572,68018,'',10,0,1,'2021-05-25 05:01:51',NULL),(1726,NULL,NULL,NULL,'ABSPATHwp-content/ewww/lazy/placeholder-170x110.png','','Reduced by 17.9% (24 B)',110,134,'',10,0,1,'2021-05-25 05:07:29',NULL),(1727,NULL,NULL,NULL,'ABSPATHwp-content/ewww/lazy/placeholder-1024x678.png','','Reduced by 11.6% (25 B)',191,216,'',10,0,1,'2021-05-25 12:28:49',NULL),(1728,NULL,NULL,NULL,'ABSPATHwp-content/ewww/lazy/placeholder-1024x731.png','','Reduced by 10.8% (24 B)',199,223,'',10,0,1,'2021-05-25 12:28:50',NULL),(1729,NULL,NULL,NULL,'ABSPATHwp-content/ewww/lazy/placeholder-1024x422.png','','Reduced by 13.6% (25 B)',159,184,'',10,0,1,'2021-05-25 14:51:16',NULL),(1730,NULL,NULL,NULL,'ABSPATHwp-content/ewww/lazy/placeholder-154x107.png','','Reduced by 18.7% (25 B)',109,134,'',10,0,1,'2021-05-25 21:09:06',NULL),(1731,NULL,NULL,NULL,'ABSPATHwp-content/ewww/lazy/placeholder-820x1024.png','','Reduced by 10.6% (25 B)',210,235,'',10,0,1,'2021-05-26 06:37:29',NULL),(1732,NULL,NULL,NULL,'ABSPATHwp-content/ewww/lazy/placeholder-1024x768.png','','Reduced by 10.6% (24 B)',203,227,'',10,0,1,'2021-05-27 02:51:23',NULL),(1733,1315,'media','full','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2021/07/Untitled-design3.jpg','','Reduced by 91.2% (2.4 MB)',246207,2798643,'',10,0,1,'2021-07-02 09:46:33',NULL),(1734,1315,'media','medium','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2021/07/Untitled-design3-300x169.jpg','','Reduced by 5.3% (671 B)',12041,12712,'',10,0,1,'2021-07-02 01:46:33',NULL),(1735,1315,'media','large','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2021/07/Untitled-design3-1024x576.jpg','','Reduced by 4.1% (3.6 KB)',84935,88591,'',10,0,1,'2021-07-02 01:46:33',NULL),(1736,1315,'media','thumbnail','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2021/07/Untitled-design3-150x150.jpg','','Reduced by 5.6% (380 B)',6353,6733,'',10,0,1,'2021-07-02 01:46:33',NULL),(1737,1315,'media','medium_large','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2021/07/Untitled-design3-768x432.jpg','','Reduced by 4.6% (2.5 KB)',53290,55858,'',10,0,1,'2021-07-02 01:46:33',NULL),(1738,1315,'media','1536x1536','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2021/07/Untitled-design3-1536x864.jpg','','Reduced by 1.9% (3.0 KB)',164644,167765,'',10,0,1,'2021-07-02 01:46:33',NULL),(1739,1315,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2021/07/Untitled-design3-170x110.jpg','','Reduced by 6.9% (398 B)',5408,5806,'',10,0,1,'2021-07-02 01:46:33',NULL),(1740,1315,'media','bfastmag_small_thumb_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2021/07/Untitled-design3-86x70.jpg','','Reduced by 13.9% (373 B)',2306,2679,'',10,0,1,'2021-07-02 01:46:33',NULL),(1741,1315,'media','bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2021/07/Untitled-design3-170x96.jpg','','Reduced by 7.6% (388 B)',4749,5137,'',10,0,1,'2021-07-02 01:46:33',NULL),(1742,1315,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2021/07/Untitled-design3-370x250.jpg','','Reduced by 4.4% (901 B)',19652,20553,'',10,0,1,'2021-07-02 01:46:33',NULL),(1743,1315,'media','bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2021/07/Untitled-design3-370x208.jpg','','Reduced by 4.7% (823 B)',16638,17461,'',10,0,1,'2021-07-02 01:46:33',NULL),(1744,1315,'media','bfastmag_related_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2021/07/Untitled-design3-288x160.jpg','','Reduced by 4.8% (550 B)',10858,11408,'',10,0,1,'2021-07-02 01:46:33',NULL),(1745,1315,'media','bfastmag_blog_post','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2021/07/Untitled-design3-780x544.jpg','','Reduced by 4.7% (3.2 KB)',66907,70173,'',10,0,1,'2021-07-02 01:46:33',NULL),(1746,1315,'media','bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop','ABSPATHwp-content/uploads/2021/07/Untitled-design3-780x439.jpg','','Reduced by 4.3% (2.4 KB)',55170,57624,'',10,0,1,'2021-07-02 01:46:33',NULL);
/*!40000 ALTER TABLE `wp_ewwwio_images` ENABLE KEYS */;
UNLOCK TABLES;
--
-- Table structure for table `wp_ewwwio_queue`
--
DROP TABLE IF EXISTS `wp_ewwwio_queue`;
/*!40101 SET @saved_cs_client = @@character_set_client */;
/*!40101 SET character_set_client = utf8 */;
CREATE TABLE `wp_ewwwio_queue` (
`attachment_id` bigint(20) unsigned DEFAULT NULL,
`gallery` varchar(20) DEFAULT NULL,
`scanned` tinyint(4) NOT NULL DEFAULT '0',
`new` tinyint(4) NOT NULL DEFAULT '0',
`id` int(10) unsigned NOT NULL AUTO_INCREMENT,
PRIMARY KEY (`id`),
KEY `attachment_info` (`gallery`(3),`attachment_id`)
) ENGINE=InnoDB DEFAULT CHARSET=utf8;
/*!40101 SET character_set_client = @saved_cs_client */;
--
-- Dumping data for table `wp_ewwwio_queue`
--
LOCK TABLES `wp_ewwwio_queue` WRITE;
/*!40000 ALTER TABLE `wp_ewwwio_queue` DISABLE KEYS */;
/*!40000 ALTER TABLE `wp_ewwwio_queue` ENABLE KEYS */;
UNLOCK TABLES;
--
-- Table structure for table `wp_links`
--
DROP TABLE IF EXISTS `wp_links`;
/*!40101 SET @saved_cs_client = @@character_set_client */;
/*!40101 SET character_set_client = utf8 */;
CREATE TABLE `wp_links` (
`link_id` bigint(20) unsigned NOT NULL AUTO_INCREMENT,
`link_url` varchar(255) COLLATE utf8mb4_unicode_ci NOT NULL DEFAULT '',
`link_name` varchar(255) COLLATE utf8mb4_unicode_ci NOT NULL DEFAULT '',
`link_image` varchar(255) COLLATE utf8mb4_unicode_ci NOT NULL DEFAULT '',
`link_target` varchar(25) COLLATE utf8mb4_unicode_ci NOT NULL DEFAULT '',
`link_description` varchar(255) COLLATE utf8mb4_unicode_ci NOT NULL DEFAULT '',
`link_visible` varchar(20) COLLATE utf8mb4_unicode_ci NOT NULL DEFAULT 'Y',
`link_owner` bigint(20) unsigned NOT NULL DEFAULT '1',
`link_rating` int(11) NOT NULL DEFAULT '0',
`link_updated` datetime NOT NULL DEFAULT '0000-00-00 00:00:00',
`link_rel` varchar(255) COLLATE utf8mb4_unicode_ci NOT NULL DEFAULT '',
`link_notes` mediumtext COLLATE utf8mb4_unicode_ci NOT NULL,
`link_rss` varchar(255) COLLATE utf8mb4_unicode_ci NOT NULL DEFAULT '',
PRIMARY KEY (`link_id`),
KEY `link_visible` (`link_visible`)
) ENGINE=InnoDB DEFAULT CHARSET=utf8mb4 COLLATE=utf8mb4_unicode_ci;
/*!40101 SET character_set_client = @saved_cs_client */;
--
-- Dumping data for table `wp_links`
--
LOCK TABLES `wp_links` WRITE;
/*!40000 ALTER TABLE `wp_links` DISABLE KEYS */;
/*!40000 ALTER TABLE `wp_links` ENABLE KEYS */;
UNLOCK TABLES;
--
-- Table structure for table `wp_mgmlp_folders`
--
DROP TABLE IF EXISTS `wp_mgmlp_folders`;
/*!40101 SET @saved_cs_client = @@character_set_client */;
/*!40101 SET character_set_client = utf8 */;
CREATE TABLE `wp_mgmlp_folders` (
`post_id` bigint(20) NOT NULL,
`folder_id` bigint(20) NOT NULL,
PRIMARY KEY (`post_id`)
) ENGINE=MyISAM DEFAULT CHARSET=utf8;
/*!40101 SET character_set_client = @saved_cs_client */;
--
-- Dumping data for table `wp_mgmlp_folders`
--
LOCK TABLES `wp_mgmlp_folders` WRITE;
/*!40000 ALTER TABLE `wp_mgmlp_folders` DISABLE KEYS */;
INSERT INTO `wp_mgmlp_folders` VALUES (47,0),(48,47),(49,48),(13,49),(14,49),(15,49),(16,49),(18,49),(21,49),(193,143),(231,98),(95,47),(96,95),(97,96),(98,97),(99,97),(100,97),(101,97),(102,97),(103,97),(104,97),(105,97),(106,96),(107,106),(108,106),(109,106),(110,106),(111,106),(112,106),(113,106),(114,106),(115,96),(116,115),(117,115),(118,115),(119,115),(120,115),(121,115),(122,115),(123,115),(124,96),(125,124),(126,124),(127,124),(128,124),(129,124),(130,124),(131,124),(132,124),(133,96),(134,96),(135,95),(136,135),(137,135),(138,135),(143,48),(236,143),(237,143),(238,143),(239,143),(240,143),(241,143),(242,143),(243,143),(244,143),(249,143),(252,143),(253,143),(254,143),(255,143),(256,143),(257,143),(258,143),(259,143),(260,143),(286,49),(288,143),(289,143),(290,143),(291,143),(292,143),(297,143),(1289,1287),(299,143),(300,143),(301,143),(320,143),(321,143),(322,143),(323,143),(324,143),(325,143),(326,143),(327,143),(328,143),(329,143),(330,143),(331,143),(332,143),(333,143),(334,143),(335,143),(336,143),(337,143),(338,143),(339,143),(340,143),(341,143),(342,143),(343,143),(344,143),(345,143),(346,143),(347,143),(348,143),(349,143),(350,143),(351,143),(352,143),(353,143),(354,143),(355,143),(356,143),(361,143),(374,143),(375,143),(376,143),(377,143),(378,143),(381,143),(383,143),(392,47),(393,392),(394,392),(396,394),(399,394),(401,143),(402,394),(403,394),(404,394),(405,394),(406,394),(408,394),(409,394),(410,394),(411,394),(412,49),(416,394),(417,394),(1302,1287),(421,394),(422,394),(423,394),(424,394),(425,394),(426,394),(428,394),(430,394),(433,394),(434,394),(435,394),(436,394),(437,394),(441,394),(442,394),(443,394),(446,394),(447,394),(448,394),(449,394),(450,394),(451,394),(452,394),(453,394),(454,394),(455,394),(456,394),(457,394),(464,394),(465,394),(466,394),(469,394),(470,394),(471,394),(472,394),(484,394),(485,394),(486,394),(487,394),(570,394),(571,394),(584,394),(600,394),(601,394),(602,394),(603,394),(604,394),(605,394),(606,394),(608,49),(689,392),(690,392),(695,690),(680,689),(678,689),(674,689),(673,689),(672,689),(645,689),(644,689),(643,689),(641,689),(639,689),(636,689),(630,689),(629,689),(628,689),(627,689),(626,689),(625,689),(624,689),(623,689),(622,689),(621,689),(620,689),(619,689),(618,689),(615,689),(614,689),(904,392),(905,392),(912,905),(1412,1282),(1413,1282),(1415,1413),(1462,1413),(957,905),(1313,1287),(966,905),(967,905),(975,905),(983,905),(987,905),(852,905),(833,905),(793,904),(809,904),(802,904),(1279,392),(1280,392),(1281,392),(1282,47),(1283,1282),(1284,1282),(1285,1282),(1286,1282),(1287,1282),(1463,1413),(1464,1413),(1476,1413),(1617,1413),(1487,1413),(1488,1413),(1489,1413),(1606,1413),(1491,1413),(1492,1413),(1493,1413),(1494,1413),(1504,1413),(1505,1413),(1508,1413),(1509,1413),(1618,1413),(1511,1413),(1512,1413),(1513,1413),(1514,1413),(1515,1413),(1562,1413),(1599,1413),(1600,1413),(1601,1413),(1604,1413),(1611,1413),(1612,1413),(1649,1413),(1650,1413),(1651,1413),(1655,1413),(1658,1413),(1662,1413),(1819,1413),(1724,1413),(1749,1413),(1910,1282),(1911,1282);
/*!40000 ALTER TABLE `wp_mgmlp_folders` ENABLE KEYS */;
UNLOCK TABLES;
--
-- Table structure for table `wp_options`
--
DROP TABLE IF EXISTS `wp_options`;
/*!40101 SET @saved_cs_client = @@character_set_client */;
/*!40101 SET character_set_client = utf8 */;
CREATE TABLE `wp_options` (
`option_id` bigint(20) unsigned NOT NULL AUTO_INCREMENT,
`option_name` varchar(191) COLLATE utf8mb4_unicode_ci NOT NULL DEFAULT '',
`option_value` longtext COLLATE utf8mb4_unicode_ci NOT NULL,
`autoload` varchar(20) COLLATE utf8mb4_unicode_ci NOT NULL DEFAULT 'yes',
PRIMARY KEY (`option_id`),
UNIQUE KEY `option_name` (`option_name`),
KEY `autoload` (`autoload`)
) ENGINE=InnoDB AUTO_INCREMENT=8484 DEFAULT CHARSET=utf8mb4 COLLATE=utf8mb4_unicode_ci;
/*!40101 SET character_set_client = @saved_cs_client */;
--
-- Dumping data for table `wp_options`
--
LOCK TABLES `wp_options` WRITE;
/*!40000 ALTER TABLE `wp_options` DISABLE KEYS */;
INSERT INTO `wp_options` VALUES (1,'siteurl','http://lawreview.ust.edu.ph','yes'),(2,'home','http://lawreview.ust.edu.ph','yes'),(3,'blogname','UST Law Review','yes'),(4,'blogdescription','Leave an Indelible Imprint','yes'),(5,'users_can_register','0','yes'),(6,'admin_email','ustlawreviewofficial@gmail.com','yes'),(7,'start_of_week','1','yes'),(8,'use_balanceTags','0','yes'),(9,'use_smilies','1','yes'),(10,'require_name_email','1','yes'),(11,'comments_notify','1','yes'),(12,'posts_per_rss','10','yes'),(13,'rss_use_excerpt','0','yes'),(14,'mailserver_url','mail.example.com','yes'),(15,'mailserver_login','login@example.com','yes'),(16,'mailserver_pass','password','yes'),(17,'mailserver_port','110','yes'),(18,'default_category','1','yes'),(19,'default_comment_status','open','yes'),(20,'default_ping_status','open','yes'),(21,'default_pingback_flag','1','yes'),(22,'posts_per_page','10','yes'),(23,'date_format','F j, Y','yes'),(24,'time_format','g:i a','yes'),(25,'links_updated_date_format','F j, Y g:i a','yes'),(26,'comment_moderation','1','yes'),(27,'moderation_notify','1','yes'),(28,'permalink_structure','/%postname%/','yes'),(30,'hack_file','0','yes'),(31,'blog_charset','UTF-8','yes'),(32,'moderation_keys','','no'),(33,'active_plugins','a:30:{i:0;s:47:\"advanced-sidebar-menu/advanced-sidebar-menu.php\";i:1;s:49:\"ajax-thumbnail-rebuild/ajax-thumbnail-rebuild.php\";i:2;s:47:\"better-search-replace/better-search-replace.php\";i:3;s:47:\"change-wp-admin-login/change-wp-admin-login.php\";i:4;s:26:\"conditional-menus/init.php\";i:5;s:23:\"elementor/elementor.php\";i:6;s:35:\"google-site-kit/google-site-kit.php\";i:7;s:29:\"health-check/health-check.php\";i:8;s:21:\"imsanity/imsanity.php\";i:9;s:47:\"latest-post-shortcode/latest-post-shortcode.php\";i:10;s:48:\"media-library-plus/maxgalleria-media-library.php\";i:11;s:39:\"my-wp-health-check/mlw_health_check.php\";i:12;s:45:\"olympus-google-fonts/olympus-google-fonts.php\";i:13;s:47:\"overwrite-author-name/overwrite-author-name.php\";i:14;s:31:\"page-links-to/page-links-to.php\";i:15;s:29:\"pdf-embedder/pdf_embedder.php\";i:16;s:39:\"pdfjs-viewer-shortcode/pdfjs-viewer.php\";i:17;s:47:\"really-simple-ssl/rlrsssl-really-simple-ssl.php\";i:18;s:51:\"restore-classic-widgets/restore_classic_widgets.php\";i:19;s:33:\"slide-anything/slide-anything.php\";i:20;s:25:\"socialsnap/socialsnap.php\";i:21;s:41:\"sp-news-and-widget/sp-news-and-widget.php\";i:22;s:37:\"tinymce-advanced/tinymce-advanced.php\";i:23;s:31:\"title-remover/title-remover.php\";i:24;s:27:\"updraftplus/updraftplus.php\";i:25;s:33:\"widget-context/widget-context.php\";i:26;s:24:\"wordpress-seo/wp-seo.php\";i:27;s:45:\"wp-content-copy-protector/preventer-index.php\";i:28;s:58:\"wp-responsive-recent-post-slider/wp-recent-post-slider.php\";i:29;s:39:\"zeno-font-resizer/zeno-font-resizer.php\";}','yes'),(34,'category_base','','yes'),(35,'ping_sites','http://rpc.pingomatic.com/','yes'),(36,'comment_max_links','2','yes'),(37,'gmt_offset','','yes'),(38,'default_email_category','1','yes'),(39,'recently_edited','a:5:{i:0;s:64:\"/home/lawreview/public_html/wp-content/themes/bfastmag/style.css\";i:2;s:68:\"/home/lawreview/public_html/wp-content/themes/bfastmag/functions.php\";i:3;s:64:\"/home/lawreview/public_html/wp-content/themes/bfastmag/index.php\";i:4;s:86:\"/home/lawreview/public_html/wp-content/themes/bfastmag/template-parts/slider-posts.php\";i:5;s:86:\"/home/lawreview/public_html/wp-content/themes/bfastmag/template-parts/featured-big.php\";}','no'),(40,'template','bfastmag','yes'),(41,'stylesheet','bfastmag','yes'),(44,'comment_registration','','yes'),(45,'html_type','text/html','yes'),(46,'use_trackback','0','yes'),(47,'default_role','subscriber','yes'),(48,'db_version','49752','yes'),(49,'uploads_use_yearmonth_folders','1','yes'),(50,'upload_path','','yes'),(51,'blog_public','1','yes'),(52,'default_link_category','2','yes'),(53,'show_on_front','page','yes'),(54,'tag_base','','yes'),(55,'show_avatars','1','yes'),(56,'avatar_rating','G','yes'),(57,'upload_url_path','','yes'),(58,'thumbnail_size_w','150','yes'),(59,'thumbnail_size_h','150','yes'),(60,'thumbnail_crop','1','yes'),(61,'medium_size_w','300','yes'),(62,'medium_size_h','300','yes'),(63,'avatar_default','mystery','yes'),(64,'large_size_w','1024','yes'),(65,'large_size_h','1024','yes'),(66,'image_default_link_type','none','yes'),(67,'image_default_size','','yes'),(68,'image_default_align','','yes'),(69,'close_comments_for_old_posts','','yes'),(70,'close_comments_days_old','14','yes'),(71,'thread_comments','1','yes'),(72,'thread_comments_depth','5','yes'),(73,'page_comments','','yes'),(74,'comments_per_page','50','yes'),(75,'default_comments_page','newest','yes'),(76,'comment_order','asc','yes'),(77,'sticky_posts','a:0:{}','yes'),(78,'widget_categories','a:2:{s:12:\"_multiwidget\";i:1;i:3;a:4:{s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"count\";i:0;s:12:\"hierarchical\";i:0;s:8:\"dropdown\";i:0;}}','yes'),(79,'widget_text','a:7:{i:1;a:0:{}s:12:\"_multiwidget\";i:1;i:3;a:4:{s:5:\"title\";s:13:\"Latest Volume\";s:4:\"text\";s:1016:\"<p style=\"font-size: 20px;\"><a href=\"http://lawreview.ust.edu.ph/journal-volume-64/\">Volume 64 | March 2020</a></p>\r\n\r\n<ul>\r\n <li><a href=\"http://lawreview.ust.edu.ph/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Unwanted-Sexual-Advances-and-Sex-Discrimination_Sexual-Harassment-in-light-of-the-Safe-Spaces-Act-of-2019_R.A.-11313_Alyssa-Gomez.pdf\">Unwanted Sexual Advances and Sex Discrimination: Sexual Harassment in light of the Safe Spaces Act of 2019</a></li>\r\n <li><a href=\"https://drive.google.com/file/d/1rVTCBx0aIS1kI4Qk4jNSbnFX2hK-VFir/view?usp=sharing\">Regulating War: A Systemic Approach on the Different Measures and Instruments to Implement the International Humanitarian Law</a></li>\r\n <li><a href=\"https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-WScrAt_Fti5qO6qrcz4h9wxk4UddlRG/view?usp=sharing\">Job Contracting Deconstructed: An Analysis of the Labor\'s Right to Security of tenure and the Global Trend of Job Outsourcing</a></li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<a href=\"http://lawreview.ust.edu.ph/journal-volume-64/\"><strong> More Articles</strong></a>\";s:6:\"filter\";b:1;s:6:\"visual\";b:1;}i:5;a:4:{s:5:\"title\";s:18:\"Vision and Mission\";s:4:\"text\";s:518:\"<p class=\"has-text-color\"><strong>Vision</strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"has-text-color\">ULR envisions to be a law journal nationally respected and internationally acclaimed.</p>\r\n<p class=\"has-text-color\"><strong>Mission</strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"has-text-color\">UST Law Review (ULR) is a student-edited academic law journal committed to the development of law and transformation of society through legal scholarship.</p>\r\n<em><strong><a href=\"http://lawreview.ust.edu.ph/an-imprint/mission-vision/\">Read more</a></strong></em>\";s:6:\"filter\";b:1;s:6:\"visual\";b:1;}i:7;a:4:{s:5:\"title\";s:12:\"Past Volumes\";s:4:\"text\";s:641:\"<ul>\r\n <li><a href=\"http://lawreview.ust.edu.ph/volume-1/\">Volume 1</a></li>\r\n <li><a href=\"http://lawreview.ust.edu.ph/archives/journal-volumes/journal-archive-1-10/volume-2/\">Volume 2</a></li>\r\n <li><a href=\"http://lawreview.ust.edu.ph/archives/journal-volumes/volume-61-63/volume-61/\">Volume 61</a></li>\r\n <li><a href=\"http://lawreview.ust.edu.ph/archives/journal-volumes/volume-61-63/journal-volume-63/\">Volume 63</a></li>\r\n <li><a href=\"http://lawreview.ust.edu.ph/journal-volume-64/\">Volume 64</a></li>\r\n <li><a href=\"http://lawreview.ust.edu.ph/archives/journal-volumes/volume-61-63/journal-volume-65/\">Volume 65</a></li>\r\n</ul>\";s:6:\"filter\";b:1;s:6:\"visual\";b:1;}i:9;a:4:{s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:4:\"text\";s:2113:\"<ul class=\"article-tools simple-share\" data-swiftype-index=\"false\">\r\n <li class=\"tool-item twitter\"><a class=\"tool-link icon-twitter\" data-service=\"twitter\" data-title=\"Debunking the Notion of a Living Constitution\" data-url=\"https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=Private%3A+Debunking+the++Notion+of+A+Living+Constitution&url=http%3A%2F%2Flawreview.ust.edu.ph%2Fdebunking-the-notion-of-a-living-constitution%2F%3Fcustomize_changeset_uuid%3D354b9de1-4dc1-45a0-a363-501c263d2e9a%26customize_theme%3Dbfastmag%26customize_messenger_channel%3Dpreview-15%26customize_autosaved%3Don\"><img class=\"wp-image-1600 alignleft\" src=\"http://lawreview.ust.edu.ph/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Twitter-social-icons-circle-blue-300x300.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"23\" height=\"23\" />\r\n</a></li>\r\n <li class=\"tool-item facebook\"><a class=\"tool-link icon-facebook-2\" href=\"https://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?t=Private%3A Debunking the%20 Notion of A Living Constitution&u=http%3A%2F%2Flawreview.ust.edu.ph%2Fdebunking-the-notion-of-a-living-constitution%2F%3Fcustomize_changeset_uuid%3Dc0e2abdd-9371-480a-a122-b92d5d025ac0%26customize_theme%3Dbfastmag%26customize_messenger_channel%3Dpreview-21%26customize_autosaved%3Don\" data-service=\"facebook\"><img class=\"wp-image-1601 alignleft\" src=\"http://lawreview.ust.edu.ph/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/f_logo_RGB-Blue_58.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" />\r\n</a></strong></em></li>\r\n <li class=\"tool-item print\"><a class=\"icon-print tool-link\"><img class=\"wp-image-1599 alignleft\" src=\"http://lawreview.ust.edu.ph/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/print-300x300.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"21\" height=\"21\" /> \r\n</a></strong></em></li>\r\n <li class=\"link-item download-pdf\"><a href=\"http://lawreview.ust.edu.ph/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Debunking-the-Notion-of-a-Living-Constitution-by-Yurii-Ramos.pdf\"><img class=\"wp-image-1604 alignleft\" src=\"http://lawreview.ust.edu.ph/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/pdf-300x300.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"19\" height=\"19\" /></a><a href=\"http://lawreview.ust.edu.ph/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Debunking-the-Notion-of-a-Living-Constitution-by-Yurii-Ramos.pdf\">PDF</a></li>\r\n</ul>\r\n\r\n\";s:6:\"filter\";b:1;s:6:\"visual\";b:1;}i:11;a:4:{s:5:\"title\";s:13:\"Latest Volume\";s:4:\"text\";s:1099:\"<p style=\"font-size: 20px;\"><a href=\"http://lawreview.ust.edu.ph/archives/journal-volumes/volume-61-63/journal-volume-65/\">Volume 65 | July 2021</a></p>\r\n\r\n<ul>\r\n <li><a href=\"http://lawreview.ust.edu.ph/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Debunking-the-Notion-of-a-Living-Constitution-by-Yurii-Ramos.pdf\">Debunking the Notion of a Living Constitution by <em>Yurii Ramos</em></a></li>\r\n <li><a href=\"http://lawreview.ust.edu.ph/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/The-Stepping-Stones-to-Solve-Jail-Overcrowding_-Limitations-in-Legislation-and-Litigation-by-Gabriel-Adora.pdf\">The Stepping Stones to Solve Jail Overcrowding: Limitations in Legislation and Litigation\r\n<em>by Gabriel D.R. Adora</em></a></li>\r\n <li><a href=\"http://lawreview.ust.edu.ph/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Trapped-in-a-Brokern-Bail-System-by-Rochelle-Curiba.pdf\">Trapped in a Broken Bail System: Re-thinking pre-trial detention practices in the Philippines <em>\r\nby Rochelle Nieva D. Curiba</em></a></li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<a href=\"http://lawreview.ust.edu.ph/archives/journal-volumes/volume-61-63/journal-volume-65/\"><strong> More Articles</strong></a>\";s:6:\"filter\";b:1;s:6:\"visual\";b:1;}}','yes'),(80,'widget_rss','a:2:{i:1;a:0:{}s:12:\"_multiwidget\";i:1;}','yes'),(81,'uninstall_plugins','a:5:{s:62:\"change-wp-admin-login/includes/class-change-wp-admin-login.php\";a:2:{i:0;s:21:\"Change_WP_Admin_Login\";i:1;s:9:\"uninstall\";}s:59:\"ultimate-social-media-icons/ultimate_social_media_icons.php\";s:20:\"sfsi_Unistall_plugin\";s:89:\"custom-share-buttons-with-floating-sidebar/custom-share-buttons-with-floating-sidebar.php\";a:2:{i:0;s:12:\"Csbwfs_Class\";i:1;s:16:\"csbwfs_uninstall\";}s:23:\"elementor/elementor.php\";a:2:{i:0;s:21:\"Elementor\\Maintenance\";i:1;s:9:\"uninstall\";}s:39:\"zeno-font-resizer/zeno-font-resizer.php\";s:29:\"zeno_font_resizer_uninstaller\";}','no'),(82,'timezone_string','Asia/Manila','yes'),(83,'page_for_posts','0','yes'),(84,'page_on_front','595','yes'),(85,'default_post_format','0','yes'),(86,'link_manager_enabled','0','yes'),(87,'finished_splitting_shared_terms','1','yes'),(88,'site_icon','1177','yes'),(89,'medium_large_size_w','768','yes'),(90,'medium_large_size_h','0','yes'),(91,'wp_page_for_privacy_policy','3','yes'),(92,'show_comments_cookies_opt_in','1','yes'),(93,'admin_email_lifespan','1642741890','yes'),(94,'initial_db_version','45805','yes'),(95,'wp_user_roles','a:7:{s:13:\"administrator\";a:2:{s:4:\"name\";s:13:\"Administrator\";s:12:\"capabilities\";a:62:{s:13:\"switch_themes\";b:1;s:11:\"edit_themes\";b:1;s:16:\"activate_plugins\";b:1;s:12:\"edit_plugins\";b:1;s:10:\"edit_users\";b:1;s:10:\"edit_files\";b:1;s:14:\"manage_options\";b:1;s:17:\"moderate_comments\";b:1;s:17:\"manage_categories\";b:1;s:12:\"manage_links\";b:1;s:12:\"upload_files\";b:1;s:6:\"import\";b:1;s:15:\"unfiltered_html\";b:1;s:10:\"edit_posts\";b:1;s:17:\"edit_others_posts\";b:1;s:20:\"edit_published_posts\";b:1;s:13:\"publish_posts\";b:1;s:10:\"edit_pages\";b:1;s:4:\"read\";b:1;s:8:\"level_10\";b:1;s:7:\"level_9\";b:1;s:7:\"level_8\";b:1;s:7:\"level_7\";b:1;s:7:\"level_6\";b:1;s:7:\"level_5\";b:1;s:7:\"level_4\";b:1;s:7:\"level_3\";b:1;s:7:\"level_2\";b:1;s:7:\"level_1\";b:1;s:7:\"level_0\";b:1;s:17:\"edit_others_pages\";b:1;s:20:\"edit_published_pages\";b:1;s:13:\"publish_pages\";b:1;s:12:\"delete_pages\";b:1;s:19:\"delete_others_pages\";b:1;s:22:\"delete_published_pages\";b:1;s:12:\"delete_posts\";b:1;s:19:\"delete_others_posts\";b:1;s:22:\"delete_published_posts\";b:1;s:20:\"delete_private_posts\";b:1;s:18:\"edit_private_posts\";b:1;s:18:\"read_private_posts\";b:1;s:20:\"delete_private_pages\";b:1;s:18:\"edit_private_pages\";b:1;s:18:\"read_private_pages\";b:1;s:12:\"delete_users\";b:1;s:12:\"create_users\";b:1;s:17:\"unfiltered_upload\";b:1;s:14:\"edit_dashboard\";b:1;s:14:\"update_plugins\";b:1;s:14:\"delete_plugins\";b:1;s:15:\"install_plugins\";b:1;s:13:\"update_themes\";b:1;s:14:\"install_themes\";b:1;s:11:\"update_core\";b:1;s:10:\"list_users\";b:1;s:12:\"remove_users\";b:1;s:13:\"promote_users\";b:1;s:18:\"edit_theme_options\";b:1;s:13:\"delete_themes\";b:1;s:6:\"export\";b:1;s:20:\"wpseo_manage_options\";b:1;}}s:6:\"editor\";a:2:{s:4:\"name\";s:6:\"Editor\";s:12:\"capabilities\";a:35:{s:17:\"moderate_comments\";b:1;s:17:\"manage_categories\";b:1;s:12:\"manage_links\";b:1;s:12:\"upload_files\";b:1;s:15:\"unfiltered_html\";b:1;s:10:\"edit_posts\";b:1;s:17:\"edit_others_posts\";b:1;s:20:\"edit_published_posts\";b:1;s:13:\"publish_posts\";b:1;s:10:\"edit_pages\";b:1;s:4:\"read\";b:1;s:7:\"level_7\";b:1;s:7:\"level_6\";b:1;s:7:\"level_5\";b:1;s:7:\"level_4\";b:1;s:7:\"level_3\";b:1;s:7:\"level_2\";b:1;s:7:\"level_1\";b:1;s:7:\"level_0\";b:1;s:17:\"edit_others_pages\";b:1;s:20:\"edit_published_pages\";b:1;s:13:\"publish_pages\";b:1;s:12:\"delete_pages\";b:1;s:19:\"delete_others_pages\";b:1;s:22:\"delete_published_pages\";b:1;s:12:\"delete_posts\";b:1;s:19:\"delete_others_posts\";b:1;s:22:\"delete_published_posts\";b:1;s:20:\"delete_private_posts\";b:1;s:18:\"edit_private_posts\";b:1;s:18:\"read_private_posts\";b:1;s:20:\"delete_private_pages\";b:1;s:18:\"edit_private_pages\";b:1;s:18:\"read_private_pages\";b:1;s:15:\"wpseo_bulk_edit\";b:1;}}s:6:\"author\";a:2:{s:4:\"name\";s:6:\"Author\";s:12:\"capabilities\";a:10:{s:12:\"upload_files\";b:1;s:10:\"edit_posts\";b:1;s:20:\"edit_published_posts\";b:1;s:13:\"publish_posts\";b:1;s:4:\"read\";b:1;s:7:\"level_2\";b:1;s:7:\"level_1\";b:1;s:7:\"level_0\";b:1;s:12:\"delete_posts\";b:1;s:22:\"delete_published_posts\";b:1;}}s:11:\"contributor\";a:2:{s:4:\"name\";s:11:\"Contributor\";s:12:\"capabilities\";a:5:{s:10:\"edit_posts\";b:1;s:4:\"read\";b:1;s:7:\"level_1\";b:1;s:7:\"level_0\";b:1;s:12:\"delete_posts\";b:1;}}s:10:\"subscriber\";a:2:{s:4:\"name\";s:10:\"Subscriber\";s:12:\"capabilities\";a:2:{s:4:\"read\";b:1;s:7:\"level_0\";b:1;}}s:13:\"wpseo_manager\";a:2:{s:4:\"name\";s:11:\"SEO Manager\";s:12:\"capabilities\";a:38:{s:17:\"moderate_comments\";b:1;s:17:\"manage_categories\";b:1;s:12:\"manage_links\";b:1;s:12:\"upload_files\";b:1;s:15:\"unfiltered_html\";b:1;s:10:\"edit_posts\";b:1;s:17:\"edit_others_posts\";b:1;s:20:\"edit_published_posts\";b:1;s:13:\"publish_posts\";b:1;s:10:\"edit_pages\";b:1;s:4:\"read\";b:1;s:7:\"level_7\";b:1;s:7:\"level_6\";b:1;s:7:\"level_5\";b:1;s:7:\"level_4\";b:1;s:7:\"level_3\";b:1;s:7:\"level_2\";b:1;s:7:\"level_1\";b:1;s:7:\"level_0\";b:1;s:17:\"edit_others_pages\";b:1;s:20:\"edit_published_pages\";b:1;s:13:\"publish_pages\";b:1;s:12:\"delete_pages\";b:1;s:19:\"delete_others_pages\";b:1;s:22:\"delete_published_pages\";b:1;s:12:\"delete_posts\";b:1;s:19:\"delete_others_posts\";b:1;s:22:\"delete_published_posts\";b:1;s:20:\"delete_private_posts\";b:1;s:18:\"edit_private_posts\";b:1;s:18:\"read_private_posts\";b:1;s:20:\"delete_private_pages\";b:1;s:18:\"edit_private_pages\";b:1;s:18:\"read_private_pages\";b:1;s:15:\"wpseo_bulk_edit\";b:1;s:28:\"wpseo_edit_advanced_metadata\";b:1;s:20:\"wpseo_manage_options\";b:1;s:23:\"view_site_health_checks\";b:1;}}s:12:\"wpseo_editor\";a:2:{s:4:\"name\";s:10:\"SEO Editor\";s:12:\"capabilities\";a:36:{s:17:\"moderate_comments\";b:1;s:17:\"manage_categories\";b:1;s:12:\"manage_links\";b:1;s:12:\"upload_files\";b:1;s:15:\"unfiltered_html\";b:1;s:10:\"edit_posts\";b:1;s:17:\"edit_others_posts\";b:1;s:20:\"edit_published_posts\";b:1;s:13:\"publish_posts\";b:1;s:10:\"edit_pages\";b:1;s:4:\"read\";b:1;s:7:\"level_7\";b:1;s:7:\"level_6\";b:1;s:7:\"level_5\";b:1;s:7:\"level_4\";b:1;s:7:\"level_3\";b:1;s:7:\"level_2\";b:1;s:7:\"level_1\";b:1;s:7:\"level_0\";b:1;s:17:\"edit_others_pages\";b:1;s:20:\"edit_published_pages\";b:1;s:13:\"publish_pages\";b:1;s:12:\"delete_pages\";b:1;s:19:\"delete_others_pages\";b:1;s:22:\"delete_published_pages\";b:1;s:12:\"delete_posts\";b:1;s:19:\"delete_others_posts\";b:1;s:22:\"delete_published_posts\";b:1;s:20:\"delete_private_posts\";b:1;s:18:\"edit_private_posts\";b:1;s:18:\"read_private_posts\";b:1;s:20:\"delete_private_pages\";b:1;s:18:\"edit_private_pages\";b:1;s:18:\"read_private_pages\";b:1;s:15:\"wpseo_bulk_edit\";b:1;s:28:\"wpseo_edit_advanced_metadata\";b:1;}}}','yes'),(96,'fresh_site','0','yes'),(97,'widget_search','a:3:{s:12:\"_multiwidget\";i:1;i:3;a:0:{}i:4;a:1:{s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";}}','yes'),(98,'widget_recent-posts','a:2:{i:4;a:3:{s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"number\";i:5;s:9:\"show_date\";b:0;}s:12:\"_multiwidget\";i:1;}','yes'),(99,'widget_recent-comments','a:2:{i:2;a:2:{s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"number\";i:5;}s:12:\"_multiwidget\";i:1;}','yes'),(100,'widget_archives','a:2:{s:12:\"_multiwidget\";i:1;i:3;a:0:{}}','yes'),(101,'widget_meta','a:1:{s:12:\"_multiwidget\";i:1;}','yes'),(102,'sidebars_widgets','a:7:{s:19:\"wp_inactive_widgets\";a:5:{i:0;s:14:\"recent-posts-4\";i:1;s:10:\"archives-3\";i:2;s:17:\"recent-comments-2\";i:3;s:24:\"tpcrn-cat-posts-widget-3\";i:4;s:13:\"custom_html-6\";}s:16:\"bfastmag-sidebar\";a:6:{i:0;s:23:\"advanced_sidebar_menu-3\";i:1;s:8:\"search-4\";i:2;s:7:\"text-11\";i:3;s:12:\"categories-3\";i:4;s:6:\"text-5\";i:5;s:6:\"text-7\";}s:18:\"bfastmag-header-ad\";a:1:{i:0;s:13:\"media_image-2\";}s:22:\"bfastmag-footer-block1\";a:1:{i:0;s:13:\"custom_html-3\";}s:22:\"bfastmag-footer-block2\";a:1:{i:0;s:13:\"custom_html-4\";}s:22:\"bfastmag-footer-block3\";a:1:{i:0;s:13:\"custom_html-2\";}s:13:\"array_version\";i:3;}','yes'),(103,'cron','a:24:{i:1582806982;a:1:{s:34:\"wp_privacy_delete_old_export_files\";a:1:{s:32:\"40cd750bba9870f18aada2478b24840a\";a:3:{s:8:\"schedule\";s:6:\"hourly\";s:4:\"args\";a:0:{}s:8:\"interval\";i:3600;}}}i:1582832182;a:3:{s:16:\"wp_version_check\";a:1:{s:32:\"40cd750bba9870f18aada2478b24840a\";a:3:{s:8:\"schedule\";s:10:\"twicedaily\";s:4:\"args\";a:0:{}s:8:\"interval\";i:43200;}}s:17:\"wp_update_plugins\";a:1:{s:32:\"40cd750bba9870f18aada2478b24840a\";a:3:{s:8:\"schedule\";s:10:\"twicedaily\";s:4:\"args\";a:0:{}s:8:\"interval\";i:43200;}}s:16:\"wp_update_themes\";a:1:{s:32:\"40cd750bba9870f18aada2478b24840a\";a:3:{s:8:\"schedule\";s:10:\"twicedaily\";s:4:\"args\";a:0:{}s:8:\"interval\";i:43200;}}}i:1582875381;a:1:{s:32:\"recovery_mode_clean_expired_keys\";a:1:{s:32:\"40cd750bba9870f18aada2478b24840a\";a:3:{s:8:\"schedule\";s:5:\"daily\";s:4:\"args\";a:0:{}s:8:\"interval\";i:86400;}}}i:1582875429;a:2:{s:19:\"wp_scheduled_delete\";a:1:{s:32:\"40cd750bba9870f18aada2478b24840a\";a:3:{s:8:\"schedule\";s:5:\"daily\";s:4:\"args\";a:0:{}s:8:\"interval\";i:86400;}}s:25:\"delete_expired_transients\";a:1:{s:32:\"40cd750bba9870f18aada2478b24840a\";a:3:{s:8:\"schedule\";s:5:\"daily\";s:4:\"args\";a:0:{}s:8:\"interval\";i:86400;}}}i:1582875431;a:1:{s:30:\"wp_scheduled_auto_draft_delete\";a:1:{s:32:\"40cd750bba9870f18aada2478b24840a\";a:3:{s:8:\"schedule\";s:5:\"daily\";s:4:\"args\";a:0:{}s:8:\"interval\";i:86400;}}}i:1582887221;a:1:{s:16:\"new_folder_check\";a:1:{s:32:\"40cd750bba9870f18aada2478b24840a\";a:3:{s:8:\"schedule\";s:5:\"daily\";s:4:\"args\";a:0:{}s:8:\"interval\";i:86400;}}}i:1583307787;a:1:{s:40:\"health-check-scheduled-site-status-check\";a:1:{s:32:\"40cd750bba9870f18aada2478b24840a\";a:3:{s:8:\"schedule\";s:6:\"weekly\";s:4:\"args\";a:0:{}s:8:\"interval\";i:604800;}}}i:1583408614;a:1:{s:8:\"do_pings\";a:1:{s:32:\"40cd750bba9870f18aada2478b24840a\";a:2:{s:8:\"schedule\";b:0;s:4:\"args\";a:0:{}}}}i:1594447221;a:1:{s:14:\"updraft_backup\";a:1:{s:32:\"40cd750bba9870f18aada2478b24840a\";a:3:{s:8:\"schedule\";s:6:\"weekly\";s:4:\"args\";a:0:{}s:8:\"interval\";i:604800;}}}i:1594482634;a:1:{s:16:\"wpseo_ryte_fetch\";a:1:{s:32:\"40cd750bba9870f18aada2478b24840a\";a:3:{s:8:\"schedule\";s:6:\"weekly\";s:4:\"args\";a:0:{}s:8:\"interval\";i:604800;}}}i:1594482636;a:1:{s:19:\"wpseo-reindex-links\";a:1:{s:32:\"40cd750bba9870f18aada2478b24840a\";a:3:{s:8:\"schedule\";s:5:\"daily\";s:4:\"args\";a:0:{}s:8:\"interval\";i:86400;}}}i:1594532418;a:1:{s:30:\"wp_site_health_scheduled_check\";a:1:{s:32:\"40cd750bba9870f18aada2478b24840a\";a:3:{s:8:\"schedule\";s:6:\"weekly\";s:4:\"args\";a:0:{}s:8:\"interval\";i:604800;}}}i:1594623089;a:1:{s:25:\"wpseo_ping_search_engines\";a:1:{s:32:\"40cd750bba9870f18aada2478b24840a\";a:2:{s:8:\"schedule\";b:0;s:4:\"args\";a:0:{}}}}i:1594899662;a:1:{s:28:\"elementor/tracker/send_event\";a:1:{s:32:\"40cd750bba9870f18aada2478b24840a\";a:3:{s:8:\"schedule\";s:5:\"daily\";s:4:\"args\";a:0:{}s:8:\"interval\";i:86400;}}}i:1596353471;a:1:{s:39:\"ewww_image_optimizer_relative_migration\";a:1:{s:32:\"40cd750bba9870f18aada2478b24840a\";a:3:{s:8:\"schedule\";s:34:\"ewwwio_relative_migration_interval\";s:4:\"args\";a:0:{}s:8:\"interval\";i:300;}}}i:1597858307;a:1:{s:28:\"wp_update_comment_type_batch\";a:1:{s:32:\"40cd750bba9870f18aada2478b24840a\";a:2:{s:8:\"schedule\";b:0;s:4:\"args\";a:0:{}}}}i:1597879724;a:1:{s:42:\"wpseo_send_tracking_data_after_core_update\";a:1:{s:32:\"431014e4a761ea216e9a35f20aaec61c\";a:2:{s:8:\"schedule\";b:0;s:4:\"args\";b:1;}}}i:1600923153;a:1:{s:27:\"wphc_daily_scheduled_action\";a:1:{s:32:\"40cd750bba9870f18aada2478b24840a\";a:3:{s:8:\"schedule\";s:5:\"daily\";s:4:\"args\";a:0:{}s:8:\"interval\";i:86400;}}}i:1605274002;a:1:{s:31:\"wpseo_permalink_structure_check\";a:1:{s:32:\"40cd750bba9870f18aada2478b24840a\";a:3:{s:8:\"schedule\";s:5:\"daily\";s:4:\"args\";a:0:{}s:8:\"interval\";i:86400;}}}i:1605274014;a:1:{s:13:\"wpseo-reindex\";a:1:{s:32:\"40cd750bba9870f18aada2478b24840a\";a:3:{s:8:\"schedule\";s:5:\"daily\";s:4:\"args\";a:0:{}s:8:\"interval\";i:86400;}}}i:1621947878;a:1:{s:18:\"wp_https_detection\";a:1:{s:32:\"40cd750bba9870f18aada2478b24840a\";a:3:{s:8:\"schedule\";s:10:\"twicedaily\";s:4:\"args\";a:0:{}s:8:\"interval\";i:43200;}}}i:1621977122;a:1:{s:23:\"updraft_backup_database\";a:1:{s:32:\"40cd750bba9870f18aada2478b24840a\";a:3:{s:8:\"schedule\";s:7:\"monthly\";s:4:\"args\";a:0:{}s:8:\"interval\";i:2592000;}}}i:1632035735;a:1:{s:26:\"upgrader_scheduled_cleanup\";a:1:{s:32:\"4b3053669ea46528e19e8b7106142a16\";a:2:{s:8:\"schedule\";b:0;s:4:\"args\";a:1:{i:0;i:1842;}}}}s:7:\"version\";i:2;}','yes'),(104,'widget_pages','a:2:{s:12:\"_multiwidget\";i:1;i:3;a:0:{}}','yes'),(105,'widget_calendar','a:1:{s:12:\"_multiwidget\";i:1;}','yes'),(106,'widget_media_audio','a:1:{s:12:\"_multiwidget\";i:1;}','yes'),(107,'widget_media_image','a:2:{i:2;a:15:{s:4:\"size\";s:4:\"full\";s:5:\"width\";i:869;s:6:\"height\";i:115;s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:3:\"alt\";s:0:\"\";s:9:\"link_type\";s:6:\"custom\";s:8:\"link_url\";s:0:\"\";s:13:\"image_classes\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"link_classes\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"link_rel\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"link_target_blank\";b:0;s:11:\"image_title\";s:0:\"\";s:13:\"attachment_id\";i:615;s:3:\"url\";s:67:\"http://lawreview.ust.edu.ph/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/banner-2.jpg\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";}s:12:\"_multiwidget\";i:1;}','yes'),(108,'widget_media_gallery','a:1:{s:12:\"_multiwidget\";i:1;}','yes'),(109,'widget_media_video','a:1:{s:12:\"_multiwidget\";i:1;}','yes'),(110,'widget_tag_cloud','a:1:{s:12:\"_multiwidget\";i:1;}','yes'),(111,'widget_nav_menu','a:3:{s:12:\"_multiwidget\";i:1;i:3;a:0:{}i:5;a:2:{s:5:\"title\";s:11:\"Past Volume\";s:8:\"nav_menu\";i:18;}}','yes'),(112,'widget_custom_html','a:5:{i:2;a:2:{s:5:\"title\";s:7:\"Address\";s:7:\"content\";s:97:\"<p>\r\nMezzanine Floor, Main Building, España Blvd, Sampaloc, Manila, 1008 Metro Manila \r\n</p>\r\n\r\n\";}i:3;a:2:{s:5:\"title\";s:10:\"Contact Us\";s:7:\"content\";s:735:\"<html>\r\n<head>\r\n<meta name=\"viewport\" content=\"width=device-width, initial-scale=1\">\r\n<link rel=\"stylesheet\" href=\"https://cdnjs.cloudflare.com/ajax/libs/font-awesome/4.7.0/css/font-awesome.min.css\">\r\n<style>\r\n.fa {\r\n \r\n font-size: 18px;\r\n width: 20px;\r\n text-align: center;\r\n text-decoration: none;\r\n margin: 5px 5px;\r\n}\r\n\r\n.fa:hover {opacity: 0.7;}\r\n\r\n.fa-facebook {background: #3B5998;\r\n color: white;}\r\n\r\n.fa-google {background: #dd4b39;\r\n color: white;}\r\n\r\n</style>\r\n</head>\r\n<body>\r\n\r\n<p>\r\n<a href=\"https://www.facebook.com/ustlawrev/\" class=\"fa fa-facebook\"> </a> UST Law Review\r\n</p>\r\n<p>\r\n<a href=\"mailto:ustlawreviewoffical@gmail.com\" class=\"fa fa-google\"></a> ustlawreviewoffical@gmail.com\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</body>\r\n</html> \r\n\";}i:4;a:2:{s:5:\"title\";s:11:\"Quick Links\";s:7:\"content\";s:153:\"<p>\r\n <a href=\"http://www.ust.edu.ph/\">University of Santo Tomas</a>\r\n</p>\r\n<p>\r\n <a href=\"http://www.ustcivillaw.com/\"> Faculty of Civil Law</a>\r\n</p>\r\n\";}s:12:\"_multiwidget\";i:1;i:6;a:2:{s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:7:\"content\";s:0:\"\";}}','yes'),(114,'recovery_keys','a:0:{}','yes'),(116,'theme_mods_twentytwenty','a:2:{s:18:\"custom_css_post_id\";i:-1;s:16:\"sidebars_widgets\";a:2:{s:4:\"time\";i:1574840451;s:4:\"data\";a:3:{s:19:\"wp_inactive_widgets\";a:0:{}s:9:\"sidebar-1\";a:3:{i:0;s:8:\"search-2\";i:1;s:14:\"recent-posts-2\";i:2;s:17:\"recent-comments-2\";}s:9:\"sidebar-2\";a:3:{i:0;s:10:\"archives-2\";i:1;s:12:\"categories-2\";i:2;s:6:\"meta-2\";}}}}','yes'),(141,'widget_tpcrn-cat-posts-widget','a:2:{s:12:\"_multiwidget\";i:1;i:3;a:3:{s:5:\"title\";s:13:\"Category Name\";s:10:\"get_catego\";s:1:\"1\";s:10:\"getnumpost\";s:1:\"5\";}}','yes'),(142,'widget_bfastmag-social-widget','a:2:{s:12:\"_multiwidget\";i:1;i:3;a:8:{s:5:\"title\";s:6:\"Social\";s:3:\"rss\";s:0:\"\";s:2:\"fb\";s:34:\"https://www.facebook.com/ustlawrev\";s:2:\"gp\";s:0:\"\";s:2:\"tw\";s:0:\"\";s:2:\"in\";s:0:\"\";s:2:\"yt\";s:0:\"\";s:2:\"fr\";s:0:\"\";}}','yes'),(145,'theme_mods_bfastmag','a:147:{s:18:\"custom_css_post_id\";i:201;s:24:\"bfastmag_set_original_fp\";s:1:\"1\";s:11:\"custom_logo\";i:1178;s:18:\"nav_menu_locations\";a:4:{s:12:\"bfastmag-top\";i:0;s:16:\"bfastmag-primary\";i:2;s:15:\"bfastmag-footer\";i:18;s:6:\"social\";i:0;}s:23:\"bfastmag_block1_disable\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"bfastmag_block2_disable\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"bfastmag_block3_disable\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"bfastmag_block4_disable\";s:1:\"1\";s:21:\"bfastmag_block1_title\";s:10:\"Commentary\";s:24:\"bfastmag_block1_category\";s:12:\"commentaries\";s:16:\"background_image\";s:77:\"http://lawreview.ust.edu.ph/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/UST_Main_Building2.jpg\";s:21:\"background_position_y\";s:6:\"center\";s:20:\"bfastmag_sticky_menu\";s:0:\"\";s:25:\"themify_conditional_menus\";a:0:{}s:35:\"bfastmag_disable_single_hide_author\";s:1:\"1\";s:13:\"ogf_body_font\";s:10:\"sf-georgia\";s:17:\"ogf_headings_font\";s:10:\"sf-georgia\";s:15:\"ogf_inputs_font\";s:10:\"sf-georgia\";s:19:\"ogf_site_title_font\";s:10:\"sf-georgia\";s:25:\"ogf_site_description_font\";s:10:\"sf-georgia\";s:24:\"ogf_site_navigation_font\";N;s:26:\"ogf_post_page_content_font\";s:10:\"sf-georgia\";s:21:\"ogf_post_page_h1_font\";s:10:\"sf-georgia\";s:21:\"ogf_post_page_h2_font\";s:10:\"sf-georgia\";s:21:\"ogf_post_page_h3_font\";s:10:\"sf-georgia\";s:21:\"ogf_post_page_h4_font\";s:10:\"sf-georgia\";s:21:\"ogf_post_page_h5_font\";s:10:\"sf-georgia\";s:21:\"ogf_post_page_h6_font\";s:10:\"sf-georgia\";s:25:\"ogf_sidebar_headings_font\";s:10:\"sf-georgia\";s:24:\"ogf_sidebar_content_font\";s:10:\"sf-georgia\";s:24:\"ogf_footer_headings_font\";s:10:\"sf-georgia\";s:23:\"ogf_footer_content_font\";s:10:\"sf-georgia\";s:16:\"ogf_force_styles\";b:1;s:33:\"bfastmag_featured_slider_category\";s:21:\"jurisprudence-updates\";s:30:\"bfastmag_featured_slider_title\";s:14:\"Latest Updates\";s:32:\"bfastmag_featured_slider_disable\";s:1:\"1\";s:24:\"bfastmag_block2_category\";s:21:\"jurisprudence-updates\";s:21:\"bfastmag_block2_title\";s:23:\"Trends in Jurisprudence\";s:21:\"bfastmag_block3_title\";s:18:\"Recent Legislation\";s:24:\"bfastmag_block3_category\";s:19:\"recent-legislations\";s:29:\"bfastmag_featured_big_disable\";s:0:\"\";s:25:\"bfastmag_block2_max_posts\";i:100;s:25:\"bfastmag_block3_max_posts\";i:100;s:20:\"ogf_body_font_weight\";N;s:19:\"ogf_body_font_style\";N;s:18:\"ogf_body_font_size\";N;s:19:\"ogf_body_font_color\";N;s:20:\"ogf_body_line_height\";N;s:24:\"ogf_headings_font_weight\";N;s:23:\"ogf_headings_font_style\";N;s:22:\"ogf_headings_font_size\";N;s:23:\"ogf_headings_font_color\";N;s:24:\"ogf_headings_line_height\";N;s:22:\"ogf_inputs_font_weight\";N;s:21:\"ogf_inputs_font_style\";N;s:20:\"ogf_inputs_font_size\";N;s:21:\"ogf_inputs_font_color\";N;s:22:\"ogf_inputs_line_height\";N;s:26:\"ogf_site_title_font_weight\";N;s:25:\"ogf_site_title_font_style\";N;s:24:\"ogf_site_title_font_size\";N;s:25:\"ogf_site_title_font_color\";N;s:26:\"ogf_site_title_line_height\";N;s:32:\"ogf_site_description_font_weight\";N;s:31:\"ogf_site_description_font_style\";N;s:30:\"ogf_site_description_font_size\";N;s:31:\"ogf_site_description_font_color\";N;s:32:\"ogf_site_description_line_height\";N;s:31:\"ogf_site_navigation_font_weight\";N;s:30:\"ogf_site_navigation_font_style\";N;s:29:\"ogf_site_navigation_font_size\";N;s:30:\"ogf_site_navigation_font_color\";N;s:31:\"ogf_site_navigation_line_height\";N;s:33:\"ogf_post_page_content_font_weight\";N;s:32:\"ogf_post_page_content_font_style\";N;s:31:\"ogf_post_page_content_font_size\";N;s:32:\"ogf_post_page_content_font_color\";N;s:33:\"ogf_post_page_content_line_height\";N;s:28:\"ogf_post_page_h1_font_weight\";N;s:27:\"ogf_post_page_h1_font_style\";N;s:26:\"ogf_post_page_h1_font_size\";N;s:27:\"ogf_post_page_h1_font_color\";N;s:28:\"ogf_post_page_h1_line_height\";N;s:28:\"ogf_post_page_h2_font_weight\";N;s:27:\"ogf_post_page_h2_font_style\";N;s:26:\"ogf_post_page_h2_font_size\";N;s:27:\"ogf_post_page_h2_font_color\";N;s:28:\"ogf_post_page_h2_line_height\";N;s:28:\"ogf_post_page_h3_font_weight\";N;s:27:\"ogf_post_page_h3_font_style\";N;s:26:\"ogf_post_page_h3_font_size\";N;s:27:\"ogf_post_page_h3_font_color\";N;s:28:\"ogf_post_page_h3_line_height\";N;s:28:\"ogf_post_page_h4_font_weight\";N;s:27:\"ogf_post_page_h4_font_style\";N;s:26:\"ogf_post_page_h4_font_size\";N;s:27:\"ogf_post_page_h4_font_color\";N;s:28:\"ogf_post_page_h4_line_height\";N;s:28:\"ogf_post_page_h5_font_weight\";N;s:27:\"ogf_post_page_h5_font_style\";N;s:26:\"ogf_post_page_h5_font_size\";N;s:27:\"ogf_post_page_h5_font_color\";N;s:28:\"ogf_post_page_h5_line_height\";N;s:28:\"ogf_post_page_h6_font_weight\";N;s:27:\"ogf_post_page_h6_font_style\";N;s:26:\"ogf_post_page_h6_font_size\";N;s:27:\"ogf_post_page_h6_font_color\";N;s:28:\"ogf_post_page_h6_line_height\";N;s:32:\"ogf_sidebar_headings_font_weight\";N;s:31:\"ogf_sidebar_headings_font_style\";N;s:30:\"ogf_sidebar_headings_font_size\";N;s:31:\"ogf_sidebar_headings_font_color\";N;s:32:\"ogf_sidebar_headings_line_height\";N;s:31:\"ogf_sidebar_content_font_weight\";N;s:30:\"ogf_sidebar_content_font_style\";N;s:29:\"ogf_sidebar_content_font_size\";N;s:30:\"ogf_sidebar_content_font_color\";N;s:31:\"ogf_sidebar_content_line_height\";N;s:31:\"ogf_footer_headings_font_weight\";N;s:30:\"ogf_footer_headings_font_style\";N;s:29:\"ogf_footer_headings_font_size\";N;s:30:\"ogf_footer_headings_font_color\";N;s:31:\"ogf_footer_headings_line_height\";N;s:30:\"ogf_footer_content_font_weight\";N;s:29:\"ogf_footer_content_font_style\";N;s:28:\"ogf_footer_content_font_size\";N;s:29:\"ogf_footer_content_font_color\";N;s:30:\"ogf_footer_content_line_height\";N;s:21:\"bfastmag_block4_title\";s:10:\"Commentary\";s:24:\"bfastmag_block4_category\";s:12:\"commentaries\";s:40:\"bfastmag_disable_singlePost_featured_img\";s:1:\"1\";s:39:\"bfastmag_single_post_hide_related_posts\";s:0:\"\";s:30:\"bfastmag_block1_posts_per_page\";i:4;s:25:\"bfastmag_block1_max_posts\";i:100;s:17:\"background_preset\";s:4:\"fill\";s:21:\"background_position_x\";s:6:\"center\";s:15:\"background_size\";s:5:\"cover\";s:17:\"background_repeat\";s:9:\"no-repeat\";s:21:\"background_attachment\";s:5:\"fixed\";s:36:\"bfastmag_top_slider_post_title_color\";s:7:\"#ffffff\";s:20:\"ogf_blockquotes_font\";s:10:\"sf-georgia\";s:27:\"ogf_blockquotes_font_weight\";N;s:26:\"ogf_blockquotes_font_style\";N;s:25:\"ogf_blockquotes_font_size\";N;s:26:\"ogf_blockquotes_font_color\";N;s:27:\"ogf_blockquotes_line_height\";N;s:30:\"bfastmag_featured_big_category\";s:3:\"all\";}','yes'),(149,'current_theme','BfastMag','yes'),(150,'theme_switched','','yes'),(153,'theme_mods_twentynineteen','a:4:{i:0;b:0;s:18:\"nav_menu_locations\";a:0:{}s:18:\"custom_css_post_id\";i:-1;s:16:\"sidebars_widgets\";a:2:{s:4:\"time\";i:1574841239;s:4:\"data\";a:2:{s:19:\"wp_inactive_widgets\";a:3:{i:0;s:10:\"archives-2\";i:1;s:12:\"categories-2\";i:2;s:6:\"meta-2\";}s:9:\"sidebar-1\";a:3:{i:0;s:8:\"search-2\";i:1;s:14:\"recent-posts-2\";i:2;s:17:\"recent-comments-2\";}}}}','yes'),(160,'nav_menu_options','a:2:{i:0;b:0;s:8:\"auto_add\";a:0:{}}','yes'),(190,'recently_activated','a:0:{}','yes'),(195,'mgmlp_sort_order','0','yes'),(196,'mgmlp_move_or_copy','on','yes'),(197,'maxgalleria_media_library_version','5.1.1','yes'),(198,'mgmlp_upload_folder_name','uploads','yes'),(199,'mgmlp_upload_folder_id','47','yes'),(200,'mgmlp_src_fix','1','yes'),(202,'mlf-folder-check','2021-09-19 08:00:31','yes'),(207,'wpos_anylc_redirect','','yes'),(208,'wpos_anylc_site_uid','be2618f821afd99c592c8a2ea9a8ab38','yes'),(209,'wpos_anylc_pdt_18','a:1:{s:6:\"status\";i:1;}','yes'),(269,'widget_advanced_sidebar_menu','a:2:{i:3;a:5:{s:5:\"title\";s:8:\"Sub Menu\";s:24:\"include_childless_parent\";s:7:\"checked\";s:6:\"levels\";s:1:\"3\";s:8:\"order_by\";s:10:\"menu_order\";s:7:\"exclude\";s:0:\"\";}s:12:\"_multiwidget\";i:1;}','yes'),(270,'widget_advanced_sidebar_menu_category','a:2:{s:12:\"_multiwidget\";i:1;i:3;a:0:{}}','yes'),(303,'widget_logic_options','a:11:{s:23:\"advanced_sidebar_menu-3\";a:7:{s:6:\"incexc\";a:1:{s:9:\"condition\";s:4:\"show\";}s:28:\"custom_post_types_taxonomies\";a:4:{s:29:\"is_singular-elementor_library\";s:1:\"0\";s:16:\"is_singular-news\";s:1:\"0\";s:15:\"is_archive-news\";s:1:\"0\";s:20:\"is_tax-news-category\";s:1:\"0\";}s:8:\"location\";a:16:{s:13:\"is_front_page\";s:1:\"0\";s:7:\"is_home\";s:1:\"0\";s:11:\"is_singular\";s:1:\"0\";s:9:\"is_single\";s:1:\"0\";s:7:\"is_page\";s:1:\"0\";s:13:\"is_attachment\";s:1:\"0\";s:9:\"is_search\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_404\";s:1:\"0\";s:10:\"is_archive\";s:1:\"0\";s:7:\"is_date\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_day\";s:1:\"0\";s:8:\"is_month\";s:1:\"0\";s:7:\"is_year\";s:1:\"0\";s:11:\"is_category\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_tag\";s:1:\"0\";s:9:\"is_author\";s:1:\"0\";}s:10:\"word_count\";a:3:{s:15:\"check_wordcount\";s:1:\"0\";s:20:\"check_wordcount_type\";s:4:\"less\";s:10:\"word_count\";s:0:\"\";}s:3:\"url\";a:1:{s:4:\"urls\";s:0:\"\";}s:11:\"urls_invert\";a:1:{s:11:\"urls_invert\";s:0:\"\";}s:11:\"admin_notes\";a:1:{s:5:\"notes\";s:0:\"\";}}s:13:\"custom_html-2\";a:5:{s:6:\"incexc\";a:1:{s:9:\"condition\";s:4:\"show\";}s:8:\"location\";a:16:{s:13:\"is_front_page\";s:1:\"0\";s:7:\"is_home\";s:1:\"0\";s:11:\"is_singular\";s:1:\"0\";s:9:\"is_single\";s:1:\"0\";s:7:\"is_page\";s:1:\"0\";s:13:\"is_attachment\";s:1:\"0\";s:9:\"is_search\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_404\";s:1:\"0\";s:10:\"is_archive\";s:1:\"0\";s:7:\"is_date\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_day\";s:1:\"0\";s:8:\"is_month\";s:1:\"0\";s:7:\"is_year\";s:1:\"0\";s:11:\"is_category\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_tag\";s:1:\"0\";s:9:\"is_author\";s:1:\"0\";}s:10:\"word_count\";a:3:{s:15:\"check_wordcount\";s:1:\"0\";s:20:\"check_wordcount_type\";s:4:\"less\";s:10:\"word_count\";s:0:\"\";}s:3:\"url\";a:1:{s:4:\"urls\";s:0:\"\";}s:11:\"admin_notes\";a:1:{s:5:\"notes\";s:0:\"\";}}s:13:\"custom_html-3\";a:5:{s:6:\"incexc\";a:1:{s:9:\"condition\";s:4:\"show\";}s:8:\"location\";a:16:{s:13:\"is_front_page\";s:1:\"0\";s:7:\"is_home\";s:1:\"0\";s:11:\"is_singular\";s:1:\"0\";s:9:\"is_single\";s:1:\"0\";s:7:\"is_page\";s:1:\"0\";s:13:\"is_attachment\";s:1:\"0\";s:9:\"is_search\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_404\";s:1:\"0\";s:10:\"is_archive\";s:1:\"0\";s:7:\"is_date\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_day\";s:1:\"0\";s:8:\"is_month\";s:1:\"0\";s:7:\"is_year\";s:1:\"0\";s:11:\"is_category\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_tag\";s:1:\"0\";s:9:\"is_author\";s:1:\"0\";}s:10:\"word_count\";a:3:{s:15:\"check_wordcount\";s:1:\"0\";s:20:\"check_wordcount_type\";s:4:\"less\";s:10:\"word_count\";s:0:\"\";}s:3:\"url\";a:1:{s:4:\"urls\";s:0:\"\";}s:11:\"admin_notes\";a:1:{s:5:\"notes\";s:0:\"\";}}s:13:\"custom_html-4\";a:5:{s:6:\"incexc\";a:1:{s:9:\"condition\";s:4:\"show\";}s:8:\"location\";a:16:{s:13:\"is_front_page\";s:1:\"0\";s:7:\"is_home\";s:1:\"0\";s:11:\"is_singular\";s:1:\"0\";s:9:\"is_single\";s:1:\"0\";s:7:\"is_page\";s:1:\"0\";s:13:\"is_attachment\";s:1:\"0\";s:9:\"is_search\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_404\";s:1:\"0\";s:10:\"is_archive\";s:1:\"0\";s:7:\"is_date\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_day\";s:1:\"0\";s:8:\"is_month\";s:1:\"0\";s:7:\"is_year\";s:1:\"0\";s:11:\"is_category\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_tag\";s:1:\"0\";s:9:\"is_author\";s:1:\"0\";}s:10:\"word_count\";a:3:{s:15:\"check_wordcount\";s:1:\"0\";s:20:\"check_wordcount_type\";s:4:\"less\";s:10:\"word_count\";s:0:\"\";}s:3:\"url\";a:1:{s:4:\"urls\";s:0:\"\";}s:11:\"admin_notes\";a:1:{s:5:\"notes\";s:0:\"\";}}s:13:\"media_image-2\";a:5:{s:6:\"incexc\";a:1:{s:9:\"condition\";s:4:\"show\";}s:8:\"location\";a:16:{s:13:\"is_front_page\";s:1:\"0\";s:7:\"is_home\";s:1:\"0\";s:11:\"is_singular\";s:1:\"0\";s:9:\"is_single\";s:1:\"0\";s:7:\"is_page\";s:1:\"0\";s:13:\"is_attachment\";s:1:\"0\";s:9:\"is_search\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_404\";s:1:\"0\";s:10:\"is_archive\";s:1:\"0\";s:7:\"is_date\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_day\";s:1:\"0\";s:8:\"is_month\";s:1:\"0\";s:7:\"is_year\";s:1:\"0\";s:11:\"is_category\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_tag\";s:1:\"0\";s:9:\"is_author\";s:1:\"0\";}s:10:\"word_count\";a:3:{s:15:\"check_wordcount\";s:1:\"0\";s:20:\"check_wordcount_type\";s:4:\"less\";s:10:\"word_count\";s:0:\"\";}s:3:\"url\";a:1:{s:4:\"urls\";s:0:\"\";}s:11:\"admin_notes\";a:1:{s:5:\"notes\";s:0:\"\";}}s:12:\"categories-3\";a:7:{s:6:\"incexc\";a:1:{s:9:\"condition\";s:8:\"selected\";}s:28:\"custom_post_types_taxonomies\";a:4:{s:29:\"is_singular-elementor_library\";s:1:\"0\";s:16:\"is_singular-news\";s:1:\"0\";s:15:\"is_archive-news\";s:1:\"0\";s:20:\"is_tax-news-category\";s:1:\"0\";}s:8:\"location\";a:16:{s:13:\"is_front_page\";s:1:\"1\";s:7:\"is_home\";s:1:\"0\";s:11:\"is_singular\";s:1:\"0\";s:9:\"is_single\";s:1:\"0\";s:7:\"is_page\";s:1:\"0\";s:13:\"is_attachment\";s:1:\"0\";s:9:\"is_search\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_404\";s:1:\"0\";s:10:\"is_archive\";s:1:\"0\";s:7:\"is_date\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_day\";s:1:\"0\";s:8:\"is_month\";s:1:\"0\";s:7:\"is_year\";s:1:\"0\";s:11:\"is_category\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_tag\";s:1:\"0\";s:9:\"is_author\";s:1:\"0\";}s:10:\"word_count\";a:3:{s:15:\"check_wordcount\";s:1:\"0\";s:20:\"check_wordcount_type\";s:4:\"less\";s:10:\"word_count\";s:0:\"\";}s:3:\"url\";a:1:{s:4:\"urls\";s:0:\"\";}s:11:\"urls_invert\";a:1:{s:11:\"urls_invert\";s:0:\"\";}s:11:\"admin_notes\";a:1:{s:5:\"notes\";s:0:\"\";}}s:8:\"search-4\";a:7:{s:6:\"incexc\";a:1:{s:9:\"condition\";s:8:\"selected\";}s:28:\"custom_post_types_taxonomies\";a:4:{s:29:\"is_singular-elementor_library\";s:1:\"0\";s:16:\"is_singular-news\";s:1:\"0\";s:15:\"is_archive-news\";s:1:\"0\";s:20:\"is_tax-news-category\";s:1:\"0\";}s:8:\"location\";a:16:{s:13:\"is_front_page\";s:1:\"1\";s:7:\"is_home\";s:1:\"0\";s:11:\"is_singular\";s:1:\"0\";s:9:\"is_single\";s:1:\"0\";s:7:\"is_page\";s:1:\"0\";s:13:\"is_attachment\";s:1:\"0\";s:9:\"is_search\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_404\";s:1:\"0\";s:10:\"is_archive\";s:1:\"0\";s:7:\"is_date\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_day\";s:1:\"0\";s:8:\"is_month\";s:1:\"0\";s:7:\"is_year\";s:1:\"0\";s:11:\"is_category\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_tag\";s:1:\"0\";s:9:\"is_author\";s:1:\"0\";}s:10:\"word_count\";a:3:{s:15:\"check_wordcount\";s:1:\"0\";s:20:\"check_wordcount_type\";s:4:\"less\";s:10:\"word_count\";s:0:\"\";}s:3:\"url\";a:1:{s:4:\"urls\";s:0:\"\";}s:11:\"urls_invert\";a:1:{s:11:\"urls_invert\";s:0:\"\";}s:11:\"admin_notes\";a:1:{s:5:\"notes\";s:0:\"\";}}s:6:\"text-5\";a:7:{s:6:\"incexc\";a:1:{s:9:\"condition\";s:8:\"selected\";}s:28:\"custom_post_types_taxonomies\";a:4:{s:29:\"is_singular-elementor_library\";s:1:\"0\";s:16:\"is_singular-news\";s:1:\"0\";s:15:\"is_archive-news\";s:1:\"0\";s:20:\"is_tax-news-category\";s:1:\"0\";}s:8:\"location\";a:16:{s:13:\"is_front_page\";s:1:\"1\";s:7:\"is_home\";s:1:\"0\";s:11:\"is_singular\";s:1:\"0\";s:9:\"is_single\";s:1:\"0\";s:7:\"is_page\";s:1:\"0\";s:13:\"is_attachment\";s:1:\"0\";s:9:\"is_search\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_404\";s:1:\"0\";s:10:\"is_archive\";s:1:\"0\";s:7:\"is_date\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_day\";s:1:\"0\";s:8:\"is_month\";s:1:\"0\";s:7:\"is_year\";s:1:\"0\";s:11:\"is_category\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_tag\";s:1:\"0\";s:9:\"is_author\";s:1:\"0\";}s:10:\"word_count\";a:3:{s:15:\"check_wordcount\";s:1:\"0\";s:20:\"check_wordcount_type\";s:4:\"less\";s:10:\"word_count\";s:0:\"\";}s:3:\"url\";a:1:{s:4:\"urls\";s:0:\"\";}s:11:\"urls_invert\";a:1:{s:11:\"urls_invert\";s:0:\"\";}s:11:\"admin_notes\";a:1:{s:5:\"notes\";s:0:\"\";}}s:6:\"text-7\";a:7:{s:6:\"incexc\";a:1:{s:9:\"condition\";s:8:\"selected\";}s:28:\"custom_post_types_taxonomies\";a:4:{s:29:\"is_singular-elementor_library\";s:1:\"0\";s:16:\"is_singular-news\";s:1:\"0\";s:15:\"is_archive-news\";s:1:\"0\";s:20:\"is_tax-news-category\";s:1:\"0\";}s:8:\"location\";a:16:{s:13:\"is_front_page\";s:1:\"0\";s:7:\"is_home\";s:1:\"0\";s:11:\"is_singular\";s:1:\"0\";s:9:\"is_single\";s:1:\"0\";s:7:\"is_page\";s:1:\"0\";s:13:\"is_attachment\";s:1:\"0\";s:9:\"is_search\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_404\";s:1:\"0\";s:10:\"is_archive\";s:1:\"0\";s:7:\"is_date\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_day\";s:1:\"0\";s:8:\"is_month\";s:1:\"0\";s:7:\"is_year\";s:1:\"0\";s:11:\"is_category\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_tag\";s:1:\"0\";s:9:\"is_author\";s:1:\"0\";}s:10:\"word_count\";a:3:{s:15:\"check_wordcount\";s:1:\"0\";s:20:\"check_wordcount_type\";s:4:\"less\";s:10:\"word_count\";s:0:\"\";}s:3:\"url\";a:1:{s:4:\"urls\";s:46:\"http://lawreview.ust.edu.ph/journal-volume-64/\";}s:11:\"urls_invert\";a:1:{s:11:\"urls_invert\";s:0:\"\";}s:11:\"admin_notes\";a:1:{s:5:\"notes\";s:0:\"\";}}s:13:\"custom_html-6\";a:7:{s:6:\"incexc\";a:1:{s:9:\"condition\";s:8:\"selected\";}s:28:\"custom_post_types_taxonomies\";a:4:{s:29:\"is_singular-elementor_library\";s:1:\"0\";s:16:\"is_singular-news\";s:1:\"0\";s:15:\"is_archive-news\";s:1:\"0\";s:20:\"is_tax-news-category\";s:1:\"0\";}s:8:\"location\";a:16:{s:13:\"is_front_page\";s:1:\"0\";s:7:\"is_home\";s:1:\"0\";s:11:\"is_singular\";s:1:\"0\";s:9:\"is_single\";s:1:\"0\";s:7:\"is_page\";s:1:\"0\";s:13:\"is_attachment\";s:1:\"0\";s:9:\"is_search\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_404\";s:1:\"0\";s:10:\"is_archive\";s:1:\"0\";s:7:\"is_date\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_day\";s:1:\"0\";s:8:\"is_month\";s:1:\"0\";s:7:\"is_year\";s:1:\"0\";s:11:\"is_category\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_tag\";s:1:\"0\";s:9:\"is_author\";s:1:\"0\";}s:10:\"word_count\";a:3:{s:15:\"check_wordcount\";s:1:\"0\";s:20:\"check_wordcount_type\";s:4:\"less\";s:10:\"word_count\";s:0:\"\";}s:3:\"url\";a:1:{s:4:\"urls\";s:74:\"http://lawreview.ust.edu.ph/debunking-the-notion-of-a-living-constitution/\";}s:11:\"urls_invert\";a:1:{s:11:\"urls_invert\";s:0:\"\";}s:11:\"admin_notes\";a:1:{s:5:\"notes\";s:0:\"\";}}s:7:\"text-11\";a:7:{s:6:\"incexc\";a:1:{s:9:\"condition\";s:8:\"selected\";}s:28:\"custom_post_types_taxonomies\";a:4:{s:29:\"is_singular-elementor_library\";s:1:\"0\";s:16:\"is_singular-news\";s:1:\"0\";s:15:\"is_archive-news\";s:1:\"0\";s:20:\"is_tax-news-category\";s:1:\"0\";}s:8:\"location\";a:16:{s:13:\"is_front_page\";s:1:\"1\";s:7:\"is_home\";s:1:\"0\";s:11:\"is_singular\";s:1:\"0\";s:9:\"is_single\";s:1:\"0\";s:7:\"is_page\";s:1:\"0\";s:13:\"is_attachment\";s:1:\"0\";s:9:\"is_search\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_404\";s:1:\"0\";s:10:\"is_archive\";s:1:\"0\";s:7:\"is_date\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_day\";s:1:\"0\";s:8:\"is_month\";s:1:\"0\";s:7:\"is_year\";s:1:\"0\";s:11:\"is_category\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_tag\";s:1:\"0\";s:9:\"is_author\";s:1:\"0\";}s:10:\"word_count\";a:3:{s:15:\"check_wordcount\";s:1:\"0\";s:20:\"check_wordcount_type\";s:4:\"less\";s:10:\"word_count\";s:0:\"\";}s:3:\"url\";a:1:{s:4:\"urls\";s:0:\"\";}s:11:\"urls_invert\";a:1:{s:11:\"urls_invert\";s:0:\"\";}s:11:\"admin_notes\";a:1:{s:5:\"notes\";s:0:\"\";}}}','yes'),(354,'recovery_mode_email_last_sent','1575678535','yes'),(498,'auto_core_update_notified','a:4:{s:4:\"type\";s:7:\"success\";s:5:\"email\";s:19:\"admin@ustlawrev.com\";s:7:\"version\";s:5:\"5.3.2\";s:9:\"timestamp\";i:1576747242;}','no'),(630,'_transient_health-check-site-status-result','{\"0\":\"NaN\",\"good\":\"12\",\"recommended\":\"6\",\"critical\":\"4\"}','yes'),(677,'rwl_page','indelibleimprint','yes'),(785,'theme_mods_twentysixteen','a:1:{s:18:\"custom_css_post_id\";i:-1;}','yes'),(787,'_transient_twentysixteen_categories','2','yes'),(788,'theme_mods_twentyseventeen','a:1:{s:18:\"custom_css_post_id\";i:-1;}','yes'),(790,'widget_wishful_blog_author_widget','a:1:{s:12:\"_multiwidget\";i:1;}','yes'),(791,'widget_wishful_blog_homepage_post_widget','a:1:{s:12:\"_multiwidget\";i:1;}','yes'),(792,'widget_wishful_blog_post_widget_layout_one','a:1:{s:12:\"_multiwidget\";i:1;}','yes'),(793,'widget_wishful_blog_post_widget_layout_two','a:1:{s:12:\"_multiwidget\";i:1;}','yes'),(794,'widget_wishful_blog_social_widget','a:1:{s:12:\"_multiwidget\";i:1;}','yes'),(795,'widget_wishful_blog_eclg_newsletter_widget','a:1:{s:12:\"_multiwidget\";i:1;}','yes'),(796,'theme_mods_wishful-blog','a:1:{s:18:\"custom_css_post_id\";i:-1;}','yes'),(805,'health-check-disable-plugin-hash','b8292c6b61419b777f37d3c0ce61d2a4837ec5754f503cfaaee0929fd48974e7','yes'),(817,'widget_sp_news_widget','a:1:{s:12:\"_multiwidget\";i:1;}','yes'),(818,'widget_sp_news_s_widget','a:1:{s:12:\"_multiwidget\";i:1;}','yes'),(819,'widget_sp_news_sthumb_widget','a:2:{s:12:\"_multiwidget\";i:1;i:3;a:5:{s:5:\"title\";s:22:\"Latest News with Thumb\";s:9:\"num_items\";i:5;s:8:\"category\";i:0;s:4:\"date\";i:1;s:13:\"show_category\";i:1;}}','yes'),(820,'wpos_anylc_pdt_20','a:1:{s:6:\"status\";i:2;}','yes'),(885,'_transient_doing_cron','1632097263.5590879917144775390625','yes'),(908,'bsr_data','a:8:{s:13:\"select_tables\";a:13:{i:0;s:14:\"wp_commentmeta\";i:1;s:11:\"wp_comments\";i:2;s:8:\"wp_links\";i:3;s:16:\"wp_mgmlp_folders\";i:4;s:10:\"wp_options\";i:5;s:11:\"wp_postmeta\";i:6;s:8:\"wp_posts\";i:7;s:21:\"wp_term_relationships\";i:8;s:16:\"wp_term_taxonomy\";i:9;s:11:\"wp_termmeta\";i:10;s:8:\"wp_terms\";i:11;s:11:\"wp_usermeta\";i:12;s:8:\"wp_users\";}s:16:\"case_insensitive\";s:2:\"on\";s:13:\"replace_guids\";s:3:\"off\";s:7:\"dry_run\";s:3:\"off\";s:10:\"search_for\";s:13:\"localhost/ust\";s:12:\"replace_with\";s:20:\"lawreview.ust.edu.ph\";s:15:\"completed_pages\";i:13;s:11:\"total_pages\";i:13;}','yes'),(939,'ftp_credentials','a:3:{s:8:\"hostname\";s:11:\"172.24.0.46\";s:8:\"username\";s:12:\"lawreviewFtp\";s:15:\"connection_type\";s:3:\"ftp\";}','yes'),(951,'WPLANG','','yes'),(1067,'db_upgraded','','yes'),(1079,'new_admin_email','ustlawreviewofficial@gmail.com','yes'),(1113,'updraftplus_version','1.16.56','yes'),(1114,'updraft_updraftvault','a:2:{s:7:\"version\";i:1;s:8:\"settings\";a:1:{s:34:\"s-80f4ceeeeed915387596896342dbcefc\";a:3:{s:5:\"token\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"email\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"quota\";i:-1;}}}','yes'),(1115,'updraft_dropbox','a:2:{s:7:\"version\";i:1;s:8:\"settings\";a:1:{s:34:\"s-657f3aadf9517a43ee22f99cfe9ac408\";a:4:{s:6:\"appkey\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"secret\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"folder\";s:0:\"\";s:15:\"tk_access_token\";s:0:\"\";}}}','yes'),(1116,'updraft_s3','a:2:{s:7:\"version\";s:1:\"1\";s:8:\"settings\";a:1:{s:34:\"s-e30245c6df802f5804eb2b3f36dc2f54\";a:3:{s:9:\"accesskey\";s:0:\"\";s:9:\"secretkey\";s:0:\"\";s:4:\"path\";s:0:\"\";}}}','yes'),(1117,'updraft_cloudfiles','a:2:{s:7:\"version\";s:1:\"1\";s:8:\"settings\";a:1:{s:34:\"s-0b5fffb7dff585079910cf29d23a4e21\";a:5:{s:7:\"authurl\";s:35:\"https://auth.api.rackspacecloud.com\";s:6:\"region\";s:3:\"DFW\";s:4:\"user\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"apikey\";s:0:\"\";s:4:\"path\";s:0:\"\";}}}','yes'),(1118,'updraft_googledrive','a:2:{s:7:\"version\";i:1;s:8:\"settings\";a:1:{s:34:\"s-2283d6886015948a00a8abad8a806287\";a:9:{s:8:\"clientid\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"secret\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"token\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"folder\";s:11:\"UpdraftPlus\";s:7:\"user_id\";s:64:\"ff740332e7accbdb9762109b3f2687e8faf97057348df4caf09e68311c344e9d\";s:16:\"tmp_access_token\";a:4:{s:12:\"access_token\";s:166:\"ya29.a0ARrdaM-6JF9w_Q-dDi2zp9e3XhActJPuYeBeojeP7cQ3IqMhAZN-QtenHkAkhZhU64_t2FNOdPFit9DCoXT1-TbQLfD_AK9IySKJqORQFWa7aX0tfg7T75yE0K3EiLNOn-oQDqEQ-eh6b7bUR9xJvhQ79B3XGYM\";s:7:\"created\";i:1632038506;s:10:\"expires_in\";i:3599;s:13:\"refresh_token\";s:0:\"\";}s:9:\"ownername\";s:14:\"UST Law Review\";s:10:\"expires_in\";i:1632042075;s:16:\"instance_enabled\";i:1;}}}','yes'),(1119,'updraft_onedrive','a:1:{s:7:\"version\";s:1:\"1\";}','yes'),(1120,'updraft_ftp','a:2:{s:7:\"version\";s:1:\"1\";s:8:\"settings\";a:1:{s:34:\"s-cf7393cf289d595c70d4335bc1b9e792\";a:5:{s:4:\"host\";s:0:\"\";s:4:\"user\";s:0:\"\";s:4:\"pass\";s:0:\"\";s:4:\"path\";s:0:\"\";s:7:\"passive\";s:1:\"1\";}}}','yes'),(1121,'updraft_azure','a:1:{s:7:\"version\";s:1:\"1\";}','yes'),(1122,'updraft_sftp','a:1:{s:7:\"version\";s:1:\"1\";}','yes'),(1123,'updraft_googlecloud','a:1:{s:7:\"version\";s:1:\"1\";}','yes'),(1124,'updraft_backblaze','a:1:{s:7:\"version\";s:1:\"1\";}','yes'),(1125,'updraft_webdav','a:1:{s:7:\"version\";s:1:\"1\";}','yes'),(1126,'updraft_s3generic','a:2:{s:7:\"version\";s:1:\"1\";s:8:\"settings\";a:1:{s:34:\"s-ce303a9955a35aa5a01b60a5d8cbb96c\";a:5:{s:9:\"accesskey\";s:0:\"\";s:9:\"secretkey\";s:0:\"\";s:4:\"path\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"endpoint\";s:0:\"\";s:19:\"bucket_access_style\";s:10:\"path_style\";}}}','yes'),(1127,'updraft_openstack','a:2:{s:7:\"version\";s:1:\"1\";s:8:\"settings\";a:1:{s:34:\"s-9833cc13a03914930b3085e8eedafac6\";a:6:{s:7:\"authurl\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"tenant\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"region\";s:0:\"\";s:4:\"user\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"password\";s:0:\"\";s:4:\"path\";s:0:\"\";}}}','yes'),(1128,'updraft_dreamobjects','a:2:{s:7:\"version\";s:1:\"1\";s:8:\"settings\";a:1:{s:34:\"s-b2ce1de37f93aa390f7caf31a112c918\";a:4:{s:9:\"accesskey\";s:0:\"\";s:9:\"secretkey\";s:0:\"\";s:4:\"path\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"endpoint\";s:26:\"objects-us-east-1.dream.io\";}}}','yes'),(1129,'updraftplus-addons_siteid','21229b9905a1d9f71d0d3b7f9757969b','no'),(1130,'updraft_lastmessage','The backup apparently succeeded and is now complete (Sep 19 16:03:59)','yes'),(1131,'updraftplus_unlocked_fd','1','no'),(1132,'updraftplus_last_lock_time_fd','2021-09-19 08:01:15','no'),(1133,'updraftplus_semaphore_fd','0','no'),(1134,'updraft_last_scheduled_fd','1632038475','yes'),(1136,'updraft_backup_history','a:3:{i:1632038475;a:20:{s:7:\"plugins\";a:1:{i:0;s:62:\"backup_2021-09-19-1601_UST_Law_Review_55355ff934c4-plugins.zip\";}s:12:\"plugins-size\";i:46323434;s:6:\"themes\";a:1:{i:0;s:61:\"backup_2021-09-19-1601_UST_Law_Review_55355ff934c4-themes.zip\";}s:11:\"themes-size\";i:8620023;s:7:\"uploads\";a:2:{i:0;s:62:\"backup_2021-09-19-1601_UST_Law_Review_55355ff934c4-uploads.zip\";i:1;s:63:\"backup_2021-09-19-1601_UST_Law_Review_55355ff934c4-uploads2.zip\";}s:12:\"uploads-size\";i:404839770;s:13:\"uploads1-size\";i:188157784;s:6:\"others\";a:1:{i:0;s:61:\"backup_2021-09-19-1601_UST_Law_Review_55355ff934c4-others.zip\";}s:11:\"others-size\";i:8760;s:2:\"db\";s:56:\"backup_2021-09-19-1601_UST_Law_Review_55355ff934c4-db.gz\";s:7:\"db-size\";i:1968356;s:9:\"checksums\";a:2:{s:4:\"sha1\";a:6:{s:8:\"plugins0\";s:40:\"1e7d710b15937d23d366886c8e2d87796af0ac72\";s:7:\"themes0\";s:40:\"ba6f57feb7addcefb6bf990af88d454f718edb13\";s:8:\"uploads0\";s:40:\"c6c53d2a5bb39133be0ed1426fcc6c575d3d5e0c\";s:8:\"uploads1\";s:40:\"0fce2b297e50a8566ac16f9b3d1e64ef7eab6484\";s:7:\"others0\";s:40:\"b045e1c90f3a1b95f060a83b494cf39e0cc29250\";s:3:\"db0\";s:40:\"216430b8615637d77b4c871d6097ac9deb10eac1\";}s:6:\"sha256\";a:6:{s:8:\"plugins0\";s:64:\"832e186a495e563c7a58831fd0904e1d12d5054652971b30690358f5be206341\";s:7:\"themes0\";s:64:\"a37416badc761bd3797fadc656dde0e1e1498aa7524377f184b9bac8278cb863\";s:8:\"uploads0\";s:64:\"15dc61dc58f8d329e70d8a06336445800e33d776d0ceb6124b6386da3c7b9b04\";s:8:\"uploads1\";s:64:\"2ff86a54ab3a0861490c3418543b8152e1b52f4c3f7938cb7e5ad099842a7e8b\";s:7:\"others0\";s:64:\"80492abb90150936b727020830d532efa677c05c69283ed80b63f0d3b5685cc0\";s:3:\"db0\";s:64:\"a433bffb90201c95bfdcfd19571728cba96d01bfd725c7974c25f2590c51fd69\";}}s:5:\"nonce\";s:12:\"55355ff934c4\";s:7:\"service\";a:1:{i:0;s:11:\"googledrive\";}s:20:\"service_instance_ids\";a:1:{s:11:\"googledrive\";a:1:{i:0;s:34:\"s-2283d6886015948a00a8abad8a806287\";}}s:11:\"always_keep\";b:0;s:19:\"files_enumerated_at\";a:4:{s:7:\"plugins\";i:1632038475;s:6:\"themes\";i:1632038483;s:7:\"uploads\";i:1632038484;s:6:\"others\";i:1632038502;}s:18:\"created_by_version\";s:7:\"1.16.56\";s:21:\"last_saved_by_version\";s:7:\"1.16.56\";s:12:\"is_multisite\";b:0;}i:1621948215;a:20:{s:7:\"plugins\";a:1:{i:0;s:62:\"backup_2021-05-25-2110_UST_Law_Review_425227b44d37-plugins.zip\";}s:12:\"plugins-size\";i:43982178;s:6:\"themes\";a:1:{i:0;s:61:\"backup_2021-05-25-2110_UST_Law_Review_425227b44d37-themes.zip\";}s:11:\"themes-size\";i:8620170;s:7:\"uploads\";a:2:{i:0;s:62:\"backup_2021-05-25-2110_UST_Law_Review_425227b44d37-uploads.zip\";i:1;s:63:\"backup_2021-05-25-2110_UST_Law_Review_425227b44d37-uploads2.zip\";}s:12:\"uploads-size\";i:408806476;s:13:\"uploads1-size\";i:97052010;s:6:\"others\";a:1:{i:0;s:61:\"backup_2021-05-25-2110_UST_Law_Review_425227b44d37-others.zip\";}s:11:\"others-size\";i:1220835;s:2:\"db\";s:56:\"backup_2021-05-25-2110_UST_Law_Review_425227b44d37-db.gz\";s:7:\"db-size\";i:1346501;s:9:\"checksums\";a:2:{s:4:\"sha1\";a:6:{s:8:\"plugins0\";s:40:\"ea2c3f980393966d72c0cd6020c91ecb26c94a18\";s:7:\"themes0\";s:40:\"6c65072e8714778ae90ef5271599826d4b1f5148\";s:8:\"uploads0\";s:40:\"651d9e0a218d4f626f6db3049e3830ab961a4700\";s:8:\"uploads1\";s:40:\"18c5acec253d6070a355d97a6d84fb45994e95b3\";s:7:\"others0\";s:40:\"e91887c283f9128881b16299b481875198f23cf4\";s:3:\"db0\";s:40:\"7ad6657e05fd878ebc364b6a02b14e1944b6ad39\";}s:6:\"sha256\";a:6:{s:8:\"plugins0\";s:64:\"7813d51fb29c912d46b5b653625af933aeee24037949d24d0e1c6dffbedd2405\";s:7:\"themes0\";s:64:\"7745309757879b4d2d463cdd0811aafd1f54392260abd63ca8d396e9dcbc06b1\";s:8:\"uploads0\";s:64:\"66ceaa58b0f3374c89508a8eec5ae9604364ae508df41709b22ee9da364fd954\";s:8:\"uploads1\";s:64:\"a9ca33bc6ff129f902be9241b6a31740bc9e096e2b145bb1bee630a2a0a5a984\";s:7:\"others0\";s:64:\"36b9c54a3717aebec81060250ddfa9efa09220528ecf2984252188745dc56ce9\";s:3:\"db0\";s:64:\"104031f27418efe9a30cc89119eb529198487dfc59d9a1bb96a06278f1a6cbe9\";}}s:5:\"nonce\";s:12:\"425227b44d37\";s:7:\"service\";a:0:{}s:20:\"service_instance_ids\";a:0:{}s:11:\"always_keep\";b:0;s:19:\"files_enumerated_at\";a:4:{s:7:\"plugins\";i:1621948216;s:6:\"themes\";i:1621948223;s:7:\"uploads\";i:1621948223;s:6:\"others\";i:1621948240;}s:18:\"created_by_version\";s:7:\"1.16.56\";s:21:\"last_saved_by_version\";s:7:\"1.16.56\";s:12:\"is_multisite\";b:0;}i:1597857957;a:20:{s:7:\"plugins\";a:1:{i:0;s:62:\"backup_2020-08-20-0125_UST_Law_Review_132c6ceb3c13-plugins.zip\";}s:12:\"plugins-size\";i:33712667;s:6:\"themes\";a:1:{i:0;s:61:\"backup_2020-08-20-0125_UST_Law_Review_132c6ceb3c13-themes.zip\";}s:11:\"themes-size\";i:2320874;s:7:\"uploads\";a:2:{i:0;s:62:\"backup_2020-08-20-0125_UST_Law_Review_132c6ceb3c13-uploads.zip\";i:1;s:63:\"backup_2020-08-20-0125_UST_Law_Review_132c6ceb3c13-uploads2.zip\";}s:12:\"uploads-size\";i:409313957;s:13:\"uploads1-size\";i:44264980;s:6:\"others\";a:1:{i:0;s:61:\"backup_2020-08-20-0125_UST_Law_Review_132c6ceb3c13-others.zip\";}s:11:\"others-size\";i:1215983;s:2:\"db\";s:56:\"backup_2020-08-20-0125_UST_Law_Review_132c6ceb3c13-db.gz\";s:7:\"db-size\";i:507365;s:9:\"checksums\";a:2:{s:4:\"sha1\";a:6:{s:8:\"plugins0\";s:40:\"9b574c337083ac27b65830ce8fec21ab56d987ec\";s:7:\"themes0\";s:40:\"8ec1bb801fc8291ff7bf4ebf8cb93a41ef07db4a\";s:8:\"uploads0\";s:40:\"38b35d704d182d21663123f11f8137aac1a280c3\";s:8:\"uploads1\";s:40:\"45eece6d0454152285f34335a4221e243c1a475b\";s:7:\"others0\";s:40:\"638da6511fa4e8eda1c68753874140ae46f143b9\";s:3:\"db0\";s:40:\"5675180c10ffec52935b97960a39c046cda18903\";}s:6:\"sha256\";a:6:{s:8:\"plugins0\";s:64:\"e42dd449657a3d77fa26c4eca056654562a5f2e9311274b77a1ab6cd01c92f97\";s:7:\"themes0\";s:64:\"e0b5b2704e6a86d90b49e7664c805aa29ce608f61c2af8df0a9501167592c750\";s:8:\"uploads0\";s:64:\"db9e6e0130e04a4ef97a2c48c366eb5d5223e2dc4072b9dd8945ae95dd83a4ec\";s:8:\"uploads1\";s:64:\"238e4b334d8de2eb09a400da83371726c979ab9454dd54d5547023fb3d4c16ba\";s:7:\"others0\";s:64:\"035027c256652d602e520ecd122f86abacb0bb7410da9bef6c54177c62567021\";s:3:\"db0\";s:64:\"91fd1754722235e610d588bac125cc3b6da536eeed7227b1df4571c9ada66c02\";}}s:5:\"nonce\";s:12:\"132c6ceb3c13\";s:7:\"service\";a:1:{i:0;s:4:\"none\";}s:20:\"service_instance_ids\";a:0:{}s:11:\"always_keep\";b:0;s:19:\"files_enumerated_at\";a:4:{s:7:\"plugins\";i:1597857957;s:6:\"themes\";i:1597857962;s:7:\"uploads\";i:1597857962;s:6:\"others\";i:1597857977;}s:18:\"created_by_version\";s:7:\"1.16.26\";s:21:\"last_saved_by_version\";s:7:\"1.16.26\";s:12:\"is_multisite\";b:0;}}','no'),(1137,'updraft_last_backup','a:6:{s:11:\"backup_time\";i:1632038475;s:12:\"backup_array\";a:12:{s:7:\"plugins\";a:1:{i:0;s:62:\"backup_2021-09-19-1601_UST_Law_Review_55355ff934c4-plugins.zip\";}s:12:\"plugins-size\";i:46323434;s:6:\"themes\";a:1:{i:0;s:61:\"backup_2021-09-19-1601_UST_Law_Review_55355ff934c4-themes.zip\";}s:11:\"themes-size\";i:8620023;s:7:\"uploads\";a:2:{i:0;s:62:\"backup_2021-09-19-1601_UST_Law_Review_55355ff934c4-uploads.zip\";i:1;s:63:\"backup_2021-09-19-1601_UST_Law_Review_55355ff934c4-uploads2.zip\";}s:12:\"uploads-size\";i:404839770;s:13:\"uploads1-size\";i:188157784;s:6:\"others\";a:1:{i:0;s:61:\"backup_2021-09-19-1601_UST_Law_Review_55355ff934c4-others.zip\";}s:11:\"others-size\";i:8760;s:2:\"db\";s:56:\"backup_2021-09-19-1601_UST_Law_Review_55355ff934c4-db.gz\";s:7:\"db-size\";i:1968356;s:9:\"checksums\";a:2:{s:4:\"sha1\";a:6:{s:8:\"plugins0\";s:40:\"1e7d710b15937d23d366886c8e2d87796af0ac72\";s:7:\"themes0\";s:40:\"ba6f57feb7addcefb6bf990af88d454f718edb13\";s:8:\"uploads0\";s:40:\"c6c53d2a5bb39133be0ed1426fcc6c575d3d5e0c\";s:8:\"uploads1\";s:40:\"0fce2b297e50a8566ac16f9b3d1e64ef7eab6484\";s:7:\"others0\";s:40:\"b045e1c90f3a1b95f060a83b494cf39e0cc29250\";s:3:\"db0\";s:40:\"216430b8615637d77b4c871d6097ac9deb10eac1\";}s:6:\"sha256\";a:6:{s:8:\"plugins0\";s:64:\"832e186a495e563c7a58831fd0904e1d12d5054652971b30690358f5be206341\";s:7:\"themes0\";s:64:\"a37416badc761bd3797fadc656dde0e1e1498aa7524377f184b9bac8278cb863\";s:8:\"uploads0\";s:64:\"15dc61dc58f8d329e70d8a06336445800e33d776d0ceb6124b6386da3c7b9b04\";s:8:\"uploads1\";s:64:\"2ff86a54ab3a0861490c3418543b8152e1b52f4c3f7938cb7e5ad099842a7e8b\";s:7:\"others0\";s:64:\"80492abb90150936b727020830d532efa677c05c69283ed80b63f0d3b5685cc0\";s:3:\"db0\";s:64:\"a433bffb90201c95bfdcfd19571728cba96d01bfd725c7974c25f2590c51fd69\";}}}s:7:\"success\";i:1;s:6:\"errors\";a:0:{}s:12:\"backup_nonce\";s:12:\"55355ff934c4\";s:26:\"nonincremental_backup_time\";i:1632038475;}','yes'),(1138,'updraftplus_tour_cancelled_on','premium','yes'),(1139,'updraft_retain_extrarules','a:0:{}','yes'),(1140,'updraft_email','ustlawreviewofficial@gmail.com','yes'),(1141,'updraft_report_warningsonly','a:0:{}','yes'),(1142,'updraft_report_wholebackup','a:0:{}','yes'),(1143,'updraft_extradbs','a:0:{}','yes'),(1144,'updraft_include_more_path','a:0:{}','yes'),(1145,'updraft_interval','weekly','yes'),(1146,'updraft_retain','3','yes'),(1149,'updraft_interval_database','monthly','yes'),(1150,'updraft_retain_db','3','yes'),(1151,'updraft_include_plugins','1','yes'),(1152,'updraft_include_themes','1','yes'),(1153,'updraft_include_uploads','1','yes'),(1154,'updraft_include_uploads_exclude','backup*,*backups,backwpup*,wp-clone,snapshots','yes'),(1155,'updraft_include_others','1','yes'),(1156,'updraft_include_others_exclude','upgrade,cache,updraft,backup*,*backups,mysql.sql,debug.log','yes'),(1157,'updraft_split_every','400','yes'),(1158,'updraft_delete_local','1','yes'),(1159,'updraft_dir','updraft','yes'),(1160,'updraft_service','googledrive','yes'),(1161,'updraft_debug_mode','0','yes'),(1162,'updraft_ssl_useservercerts','0','yes'),(1163,'updraft_ssl_disableverify','0','yes'),(1164,'updraft_ssl_nossl','0','yes'),(1168,'wphc_review_message_trigger','-1','yes'),(1169,'wphc_original_version','1.8.11','yes'),(1170,'wphc_current_version','1.9.3','yes'),(1181,'wphc-settings','a:2:{i:0;b:0;s:16:\"tracking_allowed\";s:1:\"0\";}','yes'),(1182,'wphc-tracking-notice','1','yes'),(1231,'wccp_free_active_time','1594480723','no'),(1259,'wpseo','a:44:{s:8:\"tracking\";b:0;s:22:\"license_server_version\";s:1:\"2\";s:15:\"ms_defaults_set\";b:0;s:40:\"ignore_search_engines_discouraged_notice\";b:0;s:19:\"indexing_first_time\";b:1;s:16:\"indexing_started\";b:0;s:15:\"indexing_reason\";s:0:\"\";s:29:\"indexables_indexing_completed\";b:0;s:7:\"version\";s:6:\"16.6.1\";s:16:\"previous_version\";s:4:\"16.4\";s:20:\"disableadvanced_meta\";b:1;s:30:\"enable_headless_rest_endpoints\";b:1;s:17:\"ryte_indexability\";b:1;s:11:\"baiduverify\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"googleverify\";s:43:\"HfP_nKcoRawRSakiJPZXvyBeAQvo1TBOJpF98ljG1oI\";s:8:\"msverify\";s:32:\"eaed02ce713b4a7f82c15d62428781f6\";s:12:\"yandexverify\";s:0:\"\";s:9:\"site_type\";s:0:\"\";s:20:\"has_multiple_authors\";b:0;s:16:\"environment_type\";s:10:\"production\";s:23:\"content_analysis_active\";b:1;s:23:\"keyword_analysis_active\";b:1;s:21:\"enable_admin_bar_menu\";b:1;s:26:\"enable_cornerstone_content\";b:1;s:18:\"enable_xml_sitemap\";b:1;s:24:\"enable_text_link_counter\";b:1;s:22:\"show_onboarding_notice\";b:0;s:18:\"first_activated_on\";i:1595143729;s:13:\"myyoast-oauth\";b:0;s:26:\"semrush_integration_active\";b:1;s:14:\"semrush_tokens\";a:0:{}s:20:\"semrush_country_code\";s:2:\"us\";s:19:\"permalink_structure\";s:12:\"/%postname%/\";s:8:\"home_url\";s:27:\"http://lawreview.ust.edu.ph\";s:18:\"dynamic_permalinks\";b:0;s:17:\"category_base_url\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"tag_base_url\";s:0:\"\";s:21:\"custom_taxonomy_slugs\";a:4:{s:16:\"ogf_custom_fonts\";s:16:\"ogf_custom_fonts\";s:22:\"elementor_library_type\";s:22:\"elementor_library_type\";s:26:\"elementor_library_category\";s:26:\"elementor_library_category\";s:13:\"news-category\";s:13:\"news-category\";}s:29:\"enable_enhanced_slack_sharing\";b:1;s:25:\"zapier_integration_active\";b:1;s:19:\"zapier_subscription\";a:0:{}s:14:\"zapier_api_key\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"enable_metabox_insights\";b:1;s:23:\"enable_link_suggestions\";b:1;}','yes'),(1260,'wpseo_titles','a:153:{s:17:\"forcerewritetitle\";b:0;s:9:\"separator\";s:7:\"sc-pipe\";s:16:\"title-home-wpseo\";s:42:\"%%sitename%% %%page%% %%sep%% %%sitedesc%%\";s:18:\"title-author-wpseo\";s:41:\"%%name%%, Author at %%sitename%% %%page%%\";s:19:\"title-archive-wpseo\";s:38:\"%%date%% %%page%% %%sep%% %%sitename%%\";s:18:\"title-search-wpseo\";s:63:\"You searched for %%searchphrase%% %%page%% %%sep%% %%sitename%%\";s:15:\"title-404-wpseo\";s:35:\"Page not found %%sep%% %%sitename%%\";s:25:\"social-title-author-wpseo\";s:8:\"%%name%%\";s:26:\"social-title-archive-wpseo\";s:8:\"%%date%%\";s:31:\"social-description-author-wpseo\";s:0:\"\";s:32:\"social-description-archive-wpseo\";s:0:\"\";s:29:\"social-image-url-author-wpseo\";s:0:\"\";s:30:\"social-image-url-archive-wpseo\";s:0:\"\";s:28:\"social-image-id-author-wpseo\";i:0;s:29:\"social-image-id-archive-wpseo\";i:0;s:19:\"metadesc-home-wpseo\";s:0:\"\";s:21:\"metadesc-author-wpseo\";s:0:\"\";s:22:\"metadesc-archive-wpseo\";s:0:\"\";s:9:\"rssbefore\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"rssafter\";s:53:\"The post %%POSTLINK%% appeared first on %%BLOGLINK%%.\";s:20:\"noindex-author-wpseo\";b:0;s:28:\"noindex-author-noposts-wpseo\";b:1;s:21:\"noindex-archive-wpseo\";b:1;s:14:\"disable-author\";b:1;s:12:\"disable-date\";b:0;s:19:\"disable-post_format\";b:0;s:18:\"disable-attachment\";b:1;s:23:\"is-media-purge-relevant\";b:0;s:20:\"breadcrumbs-404crumb\";s:25:\"Error 404: Page not found\";s:29:\"breadcrumbs-display-blog-page\";b:0;s:20:\"breadcrumbs-boldlast\";b:0;s:25:\"breadcrumbs-archiveprefix\";s:12:\"Archives for\";s:18:\"breadcrumbs-enable\";b:0;s:16:\"breadcrumbs-home\";s:4:\"Home\";s:18:\"breadcrumbs-prefix\";s:0:\"\";s:24:\"breadcrumbs-searchprefix\";s:16:\"You searched for\";s:15:\"breadcrumbs-sep\";s:2:\"»\";s:12:\"website_name\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"person_name\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"person_logo\";s:0:\"\";s:22:\"alternate_website_name\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"company_logo\";s:63:\"http://lawreview.ust.edu.ph/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/logo.png\";s:12:\"company_name\";s:14:\"UST Law Review\";s:17:\"company_or_person\";s:7:\"company\";s:25:\"company_or_person_user_id\";b:0;s:17:\"stripcategorybase\";b:0;s:26:\"open_graph_frontpage_title\";s:12:\"%%sitename%%\";s:25:\"open_graph_frontpage_desc\";s:0:\"\";s:26:\"open_graph_frontpage_image\";s:0:\"\";s:10:\"title-post\";s:39:\"%%title%% %%page%% %%sep%% %%sitename%%\";s:13:\"metadesc-post\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"noindex-post\";b:0;s:23:\"display-metabox-pt-post\";b:1;s:23:\"post_types-post-maintax\";i:0;s:21:\"schema-page-type-post\";s:7:\"WebPage\";s:24:\"schema-article-type-post\";s:7:\"Article\";s:17:\"social-title-post\";s:9:\"%%title%%\";s:23:\"social-description-post\";s:0:\"\";s:21:\"social-image-url-post\";s:0:\"\";s:20:\"social-image-id-post\";i:0;s:10:\"title-page\";s:39:\"%%title%% %%page%% %%sep%% %%sitename%%\";s:13:\"metadesc-page\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"noindex-page\";b:0;s:23:\"display-metabox-pt-page\";b:1;s:23:\"post_types-page-maintax\";i:0;s:21:\"schema-page-type-page\";s:7:\"WebPage\";s:24:\"schema-article-type-page\";s:4:\"None\";s:17:\"social-title-page\";s:9:\"%%title%%\";s:23:\"social-description-page\";s:0:\"\";s:21:\"social-image-url-page\";s:0:\"\";s:20:\"social-image-id-page\";i:0;s:16:\"title-attachment\";s:39:\"%%title%% %%page%% %%sep%% %%sitename%%\";s:19:\"metadesc-attachment\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"noindex-attachment\";b:0;s:29:\"display-metabox-pt-attachment\";b:1;s:29:\"post_types-attachment-maintax\";i:0;s:27:\"schema-page-type-attachment\";s:7:\"WebPage\";s:30:\"schema-article-type-attachment\";s:4:\"None\";s:18:\"title-tax-category\";s:53:\"%%term_title%% Archives %%page%% %%sep%% %%sitename%%\";s:21:\"metadesc-tax-category\";s:0:\"\";s:28:\"display-metabox-tax-category\";b:1;s:20:\"noindex-tax-category\";b:0;s:25:\"social-title-tax-category\";s:23:\"%%term_title%% Archives\";s:31:\"social-description-tax-category\";s:0:\"\";s:29:\"social-image-url-tax-category\";s:0:\"\";s:28:\"social-image-id-tax-category\";i:0;s:18:\"title-tax-post_tag\";s:53:\"%%term_title%% Archives %%page%% %%sep%% %%sitename%%\";s:21:\"metadesc-tax-post_tag\";s:0:\"\";s:28:\"display-metabox-tax-post_tag\";b:1;s:20:\"noindex-tax-post_tag\";b:0;s:25:\"social-title-tax-post_tag\";s:23:\"%%term_title%% Archives\";s:31:\"social-description-tax-post_tag\";s:0:\"\";s:29:\"social-image-url-tax-post_tag\";s:0:\"\";s:28:\"social-image-id-tax-post_tag\";i:0;s:21:\"title-tax-post_format\";s:53:\"%%term_title%% Archives %%page%% %%sep%% %%sitename%%\";s:24:\"metadesc-tax-post_format\";s:0:\"\";s:31:\"display-metabox-tax-post_format\";b:0;s:23:\"noindex-tax-post_format\";b:1;s:28:\"social-title-tax-post_format\";s:23:\"%%term_title%% Archives\";s:34:\"social-description-tax-post_format\";s:0:\"\";s:32:\"social-image-url-tax-post_format\";s:0:\"\";s:31:\"social-image-id-tax-post_format\";i:0;s:23:\"title-elementor_library\";s:39:\"%%title%% %%page%% %%sep%% %%sitename%%\";s:26:\"metadesc-elementor_library\";s:0:\"\";s:25:\"noindex-elementor_library\";b:0;s:36:\"display-metabox-pt-elementor_library\";b:1;s:36:\"post_types-elementor_library-maintax\";i:0;s:34:\"schema-page-type-elementor_library\";s:7:\"WebPage\";s:37:\"schema-article-type-elementor_library\";s:4:\"None\";s:30:\"social-title-elementor_library\";s:9:\"%%title%%\";s:36:\"social-description-elementor_library\";s:0:\"\";s:34:\"social-image-url-elementor_library\";s:0:\"\";s:33:\"social-image-id-elementor_library\";i:0;s:10:\"title-news\";s:39:\"%%title%% %%page%% %%sep%% %%sitename%%\";s:13:\"metadesc-news\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"noindex-news\";b:0;s:23:\"display-metabox-pt-news\";b:1;s:23:\"post_types-news-maintax\";i:0;s:21:\"schema-page-type-news\";s:7:\"WebPage\";s:24:\"schema-article-type-news\";s:4:\"None\";s:17:\"social-title-news\";s:9:\"%%title%%\";s:23:\"social-description-news\";s:0:\"\";s:21:\"social-image-url-news\";s:0:\"\";s:20:\"social-image-id-news\";i:0;s:20:\"title-ptarchive-news\";s:51:\"%%pt_plural%% Archive %%page%% %%sep%% %%sitename%%\";s:23:\"metadesc-ptarchive-news\";s:0:\"\";s:22:\"bctitle-ptarchive-news\";s:0:\"\";s:22:\"noindex-ptarchive-news\";b:0;s:27:\"social-title-ptarchive-news\";s:21:\"%%pt_plural%% Archive\";s:33:\"social-description-ptarchive-news\";s:0:\"\";s:31:\"social-image-url-ptarchive-news\";s:0:\"\";s:30:\"social-image-id-ptarchive-news\";i:0;s:23:\"title-tax-news-category\";s:53:\"%%term_title%% Archives %%page%% %%sep%% %%sitename%%\";s:26:\"metadesc-tax-news-category\";s:0:\"\";s:33:\"display-metabox-tax-news-category\";b:1;s:25:\"noindex-tax-news-category\";b:0;s:30:\"social-title-tax-news-category\";s:23:\"%%term_title%% Archives\";s:36:\"social-description-tax-news-category\";s:0:\"\";s:34:\"social-image-url-tax-news-category\";s:0:\"\";s:33:\"social-image-id-tax-news-category\";i:0;s:31:\"taxonomy-news-category-ptparent\";i:0;s:14:\"person_logo_id\";i:0;s:15:\"company_logo_id\";i:15;s:17:\"company_logo_meta\";a:9:{s:5:\"width\";i:347;s:6:\"height\";i:129;s:3:\"url\";s:63:\"http://lawreview.ust.edu.ph/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/logo.png\";s:4:\"path\";s:63:\"/home/lawreview/public_html/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/logo.png\";s:4:\"size\";s:4:\"full\";s:2:\"id\";i:15;s:3:\"alt\";s:19:\"UST Law Review Logo\";s:6:\"pixels\";i:44763;s:4:\"type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:16:\"person_logo_meta\";b:0;s:29:\"open_graph_frontpage_image_id\";i:0;s:23:\"social-title-attachment\";s:9:\"%%title%%\";s:29:\"social-description-attachment\";s:0:\"\";s:27:\"social-image-url-attachment\";s:0:\"\";s:26:\"social-image-id-attachment\";i:0;s:26:\"taxonomy-category-ptparent\";s:1:\"0\";s:26:\"taxonomy-post_tag-ptparent\";s:1:\"0\";s:29:\"taxonomy-post_format-ptparent\";s:1:\"0\";}','yes'),(1261,'wpseo_social','a:18:{s:13:\"facebook_site\";s:35:\"https://www.facebook.com/ustlawrev/\";s:13:\"instagram_url\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"linkedin_url\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"myspace_url\";s:0:\"\";s:16:\"og_default_image\";s:0:\"\";s:19:\"og_default_image_id\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"og_frontpage_title\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"og_frontpage_desc\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"og_frontpage_image\";s:0:\"\";s:21:\"og_frontpage_image_id\";s:0:\"\";s:9:\"opengraph\";b:1;s:13:\"pinterest_url\";s:0:\"\";s:15:\"pinterestverify\";s:0:\"\";s:7:\"twitter\";b:1;s:12:\"twitter_site\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"twitter_card_type\";s:19:\"summary_large_image\";s:11:\"youtube_url\";s:0:\"\";s:13:\"wikipedia_url\";s:0:\"\";}','yes'),(1262,'wpseo_flush_rewrite','1','yes'),(1263,'yoast_migrations_free','a:1:{s:7:\"version\";s:6:\"16.6.1\";}','yes'),(1264,'_transient_timeout_wpseo_link_table_inaccessible','1626018636','no'),(1265,'_transient_wpseo_link_table_inaccessible','0','no'),(1266,'_transient_timeout_wpseo_meta_table_inaccessible','1626018636','no'),(1267,'_transient_wpseo_meta_table_inaccessible','0','no'),(1268,'ogf_activation_date','1594482636','no'),(1285,'dismissed-ogf-welcome','1','yes'),(1372,'wpseo_ryte','a:2:{s:6:\"status\";i:-1;s:10:\"last_fetch\";i:1621948515;}','yes'),(1636,'analyst_cache','s:78:\"a:1:{s:43:\"account_email_confirmation_ao6grd4ed38kyeqz\";s:13:\"5f0f139eb734b\";}\";','yes'),(1640,'sfsi_custom_icons','no','yes'),(1676,'widget_sfsi-widget','a:1:{s:12:\"_multiwidget\";i:1;}','yes'),(1682,'sfsi_pplus_error_reporting_notice_dismissed','1','yes'),(1685,'analyst_notices','s:65:\"O:29:\"Analyst\\Notices\\NoticeFactory\":1:{s:10:\"\0*\0notices\";a:0:{}}\";','yes'),(1686,'analyst_accounts_data','s:432:\"O:26:\"Account\\AccountDataFactory\":1:{s:11:\"\0*\0accounts\";a:1:{i:0;O:19:\"Account\\AccountData\":7:{s:5:\"\0*\0id\";s:16:\"ao6grd4ed38kyeqz\";s:9:\"\0*\0secret\";s:40:\"ae93c43c738bdf50f10ef9d4c6d811006b468c74\";s:7:\"\0*\0path\";s:106:\"/home/lawreview/public_html/wp-content/plugins/ultimate-social-media-icons/ultimate_social_media_icons.php\";s:14:\"\0*\0isInstalled\";b:0;s:12:\"\0*\0isOptedIn\";b:1;s:11:\"\0*\0isSigned\";b:1;s:20:\"\0*\0isInstallResolved\";b:1;}}}\";','yes'),(1708,'csbwfs_re_bg','','yes'),(1709,'csbwfs_st_bg','','yes'),(1711,'csbwfs_page_fb_bg','','yes'),(1712,'csbwfs_page_tw_bg','','yes'),(1713,'csbwfs_page_li_bg','','yes'),(1714,'csbwfs_page_mail_bg','','yes'),(1715,'csbwfs_page_pin_bg','','yes'),(1716,'csbwfs_page_re_bg','','yes'),(1717,'csbwfs_page_st_bg','','yes'),(1718,'csbwfs_page_yt_bg','','yes'),(1723,'csbwfs_skpublishBtn','','yes'),(1724,'csbwfs_skPath','','yes'),(1732,'csbwfs_delayTimeBtn','0','yes'),(1733,'csbwfs_btn_display','above','yes'),(1742,'csbwfs_page_fb_title','','yes'),(1743,'csbwfs_page_tw_title','','yes'),(1744,'csbwfs_page_li_title','','yes'),(1745,'csbwfs_page_pin_title','','yes'),(1746,'csbwfs_page_mail_title','','yes'),(1747,'csbwfs_page_yt_title','','yes'),(1748,'csbwfs_page_re_title','','yes'),(1749,'csbwfs_page_st_title','','yes'),(1750,'csbwfs_auto_hide','yes','yes'),(1751,'csbwfs_buttons_active','1','yes'),(1755,'csbwfs_page_hide_archive','yes','yes'),(1756,'csbwfs_hide_home','yes','yes'),(1765,'csbwfs_show_btn','','yes'),(1766,'csbwfs_hide_btn','','yes'),(1767,'csbwfs_share_msg','','yes'),(1797,'socialsnap_version','1.1.8.3','yes'),(1798,'socialsnap_activated','a:1:{s:4:\"lite\";i:1594825220;}','yes'),(1801,'widget_socialsnap-social-followers-widget','a:1:{s:12:\"_multiwidget\";i:1;}','yes'),(1802,'widget_socialsnap-ctt-widget','a:1:{s:12:\"_multiwidget\";i:1;}','yes'),(1803,'socialsnap_settings','a:59:{s:24:\"ss_social_share_networks\";a:4:{s:8:\"facebook\";a:3:{s:4:\"text\";s:8:\"Facebook\";s:18:\"desktop_visibility\";s:2:\"on\";s:17:\"mobile_visibility\";s:2:\"on\";}s:7:\"twitter\";a:3:{s:4:\"text\";s:7:\"Twitter\";s:18:\"desktop_visibility\";s:2:\"on\";s:17:\"mobile_visibility\";s:2:\"on\";}s:4:\"copy\";a:3:{s:4:\"text\";s:9:\"Copy Link\";s:18:\"desktop_visibility\";s:2:\"on\";s:17:\"mobile_visibility\";s:2:\"on\";}s:5:\"order\";s:21:\"facebook;twitter;copy\";}s:29:\"ss_ss_facebook_count_provider\";s:9:\"authorize\";s:31:\"ss_ss_facebook_shared_count_api\";s:0:\"\";s:27:\"ss_ss_facebook_access_token\";s:0:\"\";s:21:\"ss_ss_sidebar_enabled\";s:2:\"on\";s:22:\"ss_ss_sidebar_position\";s:4:\"left\";s:26:\"ss_ss_sidebar_button_shape\";s:7:\"rounded\";s:25:\"ss_ss_sidebar_button_size\";s:7:\"regular\";s:24:\"ss_ss_sidebar_post_types\";a:10:{s:4:\"home\";s:2:\"on\";s:4:\"blog\";s:2:\"on\";s:4:\"post\";s:2:\"on\";s:4:\"page\";s:2:\"on\";s:4:\"news\";s:2:\"on\";s:17:\"elementor_library\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"post_tag\";s:0:\"\";s:13:\"news-category\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"archive_news\";s:0:\"\";}s:26:\"ss_ss_sidebar_all_networks\";s:2:\"on\";s:27:\"ss_ss_sidebar_label_tooltip\";s:2:\"on\";s:28:\"ss_ss_sidebar_hide_on_mobile\";s:2:\"on\";s:28:\"ss_ss_inline_content_enabled\";s:2:\"on\";s:29:\"ss_ss_inline_content_location\";s:5:\"below\";s:29:\"ss_ss_inline_content_position\";s:5:\"right\";s:32:\"ss_ss_inline_content_share_label\";s:10:\"Share via:\";s:33:\"ss_ss_inline_content_button_shape\";s:7:\"slanted\";s:32:\"ss_ss_inline_content_button_size\";s:5:\"small\";s:33:\"ss_ss_inline_content_button_label\";s:4:\"none\";s:31:\"ss_ss_inline_content_post_types\";a:10:{s:4:\"blog\";s:2:\"on\";s:4:\"post\";s:2:\"on\";s:4:\"page\";s:2:\"on\";s:4:\"news\";s:2:\"on\";s:4:\"home\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"elementor_library\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"post_tag\";s:0:\"\";s:13:\"news-category\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"archive_news\";s:0:\"\";}s:35:\"ss_ss_inline_content_button_spacing\";s:2:\"on\";s:33:\"ss_ss_inline_content_all_networks\";s:2:\"on\";s:39:\"ss_ss_inline_content_all_networks_label\";s:4:\"More\";s:19:\"ss_ss_on_media_type\";s:6:\"pin_it\";s:27:\"ss_ss_on_media_button_shape\";s:6:\"circle\";s:26:\"ss_ss_on_media_button_size\";s:7:\"regular\";s:20:\"ss_ss_on_media_hover\";s:6:\"always\";s:23:\"ss_ss_on_media_position\";s:8:\"top-left\";s:23:\"ss_ss_on_media_minwidth\";s:3:\"250\";s:24:\"ss_ss_on_media_minheight\";s:3:\"250\";s:25:\"ss_ss_on_media_post_types\";a:10:{s:4:\"post\";s:2:\"on\";s:4:\"page\";s:2:\"on\";s:4:\"home\";s:0:\"\";s:4:\"blog\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"elementor_library\";s:0:\"\";s:4:\"news\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"post_tag\";s:0:\"\";s:13:\"news-category\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"archive_news\";s:0:\"\";}s:29:\"ss_ss_on_media_button_spacing\";s:2:\"on\";s:33:\"ss_social_follow_connect_networks\";a:7:{s:5:\"order\";s:47:\"facebook;twitter;pinterest;instagram;tumblr;mix\";s:8:\"facebook\";a:3:{s:7:\"profile\";a:2:{s:8:\"username\";s:14:\"Ust Law Review\";s:3:\"url\";s:35:\"https://www.facebook.com/ustlawrev/\";}s:5:\"label\";s:21:\"Follow us on Facebook\";s:16:\"manual_followers\";s:4:\"5857\";}s:7:\"twitter\";a:3:{s:7:\"profile\";a:2:{s:8:\"username\";s:0:\"\";s:3:\"url\";s:0:\"\";}s:5:\"label\";s:20:\"Follow us on Twitter\";s:16:\"manual_followers\";s:0:\"\";}s:9:\"pinterest\";a:2:{s:7:\"profile\";a:2:{s:8:\"username\";s:0:\"\";s:3:\"url\";s:0:\"\";}s:5:\"label\";s:22:\"Follow us on Pinterest\";}s:9:\"instagram\";a:3:{s:7:\"profile\";a:2:{s:8:\"username\";s:0:\"\";s:3:\"url\";s:0:\"\";}s:5:\"label\";s:22:\"Follow us on Instagram\";s:16:\"manual_followers\";s:0:\"\";}s:6:\"tumblr\";a:3:{s:7:\"profile\";a:2:{s:8:\"username\";s:0:\"\";s:3:\"url\";s:0:\"\";}s:5:\"label\";s:19:\"Follow us on Tumblr\";s:16:\"manual_followers\";s:0:\"\";}s:3:\"mix\";a:3:{s:7:\"profile\";a:2:{s:8:\"username\";s:0:\"\";s:3:\"url\";s:0:\"\";}s:5:\"label\";s:16:\"Follow us on Mix\";s:16:\"manual_followers\";s:0:\"\";}}s:17:\"ss_sf_button_size\";s:5:\"small\";s:20:\"ss_sf_button_columns\";s:1:\"1\";s:22:\"ss_sf_button_followers\";s:2:\"on\";s:19:\"ss_sf_button_labels\";s:2:\"on\";s:19:\"ss_sf_button_scheme\";s:7:\"default\";s:18:\"ss_ctt_include_via\";s:2:\"on\";s:19:\"ss_ctt_include_link\";s:2:\"on\";s:14:\"ss_ctt_related\";a:2:{i:0;a:2:{s:8:\"username\";s:0:\"\";s:4:\"desc\";s:0:\"\";}i:1;a:2:{s:8:\"username\";s:0:\"\";s:4:\"desc\";s:0:\"\";}}s:20:\"ss_ctt_preview_style\";s:1:\"1\";s:19:\"ss_twitter_username\";s:0:\"\";s:28:\"ss_ss_sidebar_button_spacing\";s:0:\"\";s:25:\"ss_ss_sidebar_total_count\";s:0:\"\";s:25:\"ss_ss_sidebar_share_count\";s:0:\"\";s:33:\"ss_ss_inline_content_full_content\";s:0:\"\";s:35:\"ss_ss_inline_content_hide_on_mobile\";s:0:\"\";s:32:\"ss_ss_inline_content_total_count\";s:0:\"\";s:22:\"ss_ss_on_media_enabled\";s:0:\"\";s:29:\"ss_ss_on_media_hide_on_mobile\";s:0:\"\";s:20:\"ss_sf_button_spacing\";s:0:\"\";s:21:\"ss_sf_button_vertical\";s:0:\"\";s:21:\"ss_sf_total_followers\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"ss_ctt_hide_mobile\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"ss_remove_notices\";s:0:\"\";s:19:\"ss_uninstall_delete\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"ss_remove_cookies\";s:0:\"\";s:19:\"ss_remove_user_data\";s:0:\"\";}','yes'),(1889,'widget_akismet_widget','a:1:{s:12:\"_multiwidget\";i:1;}','yes'),(1900,'elementor_version','3.3.1','yes'),(1902,'_elementor_installed_time','1594899929','yes'),(1903,'elementor_remote_info_library','a:3:{s:10:\"types_data\";a:3:{s:5:\"block\";a:1:{s:10:\"categories\";a:22:{i:0;s:8:\"404 page\";i:1;s:5:\"about\";i:2;s:7:\"archive\";i:3;s:14:\"call to action\";i:4;s:7:\"clients\";i:5;s:7:\"contact\";i:6;s:3:\"faq\";i:7;s:8:\"features\";i:8;s:6:\"footer\";i:9;s:6:\"header\";i:10;s:4:\"hero\";i:11;s:9:\"portfolio\";i:12;s:7:\"pricing\";i:13;s:15:\"product archive\";i:14;s:8:\"services\";i:15;s:11:\"single page\";i:16;s:11:\"single post\";i:17;s:14:\"single product\";i:18;s:5:\"stats\";i:19;s:9:\"subscribe\";i:20;s:4:\"team\";i:21;s:12:\"testimonials\";}}s:5:\"popup\";a:1:{s:10:\"categories\";a:6:{i:0;s:10:\"bottom bar\";i:1;s:7:\"classic\";i:2;s:6:\"fly-in\";i:3;s:11:\"full screen\";i:4;s:9:\"hello bar\";i:5;s:8:\"slide-in\";}}s:2:\"lp\";a:1:{s:10:\"categories\";a:14:{i:0;s:8:\"Business\";i:1;s:16:\"Coming Soon Page\";i:2;s:5:\"Ebook\";i:3;s:9:\"eCommerce\";i:4;s:9:\"Education\";i:5;s:6:\"Events\";i:6;s:18:\"Health and Fitness\";i:7;s:14:\"Online Service\";i:8;s:7:\"Product\";i:9;s:11:\"Real Estate\";i:10;s:18:\"Social Involvement\";i:11;s:14:\"Thank You Page\";i:12;s:6:\"Travel\";i:13;s:18:\"Under Construction\";}}}s:10:\"categories\";a:22:{i:0;s:8:\"404 page\";i:1;s:5:\"about\";i:2;s:7:\"archive\";i:3;s:14:\"call to action\";i:4;s:7:\"clients\";i:5;s:7:\"contact\";i:6;s:3:\"faq\";i:7;s:8:\"features\";i:8;s:6:\"footer\";i:9;s:6:\"header\";i:10;s:4:\"hero\";i:11;s:9:\"portfolio\";i:12;s:7:\"pricing\";i:13;s:15:\"product archive\";i:14;s:8:\"services\";i:15;s:11:\"single page\";i:16;s:11:\"single post\";i:17;s:14:\"single product\";i:18;s:5:\"stats\";i:19;s:9:\"subscribe\";i:20;s:4:\"team\";i:21;s:12:\"testimonials\";}s:9:\"templates\";a:881:{i:0;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:10107;s:5:\"title\";s:34:\"Classic | Promotion | Announcement\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:72:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/balls_small.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1547851373;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:127:\"https://library.elementor.com/popups/classic-promotion-announcement/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"popup\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:7:\"classic\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:0;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:206;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:207;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:1;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:14827;s:5:\"title\";s:39:\"Slide-In | Contact | Luxury Real Estate\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:66:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/PopUp.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1595323523;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:132:\"https://library.elementor.com/popups/slide-in-contact-luxury-real-estate/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"popup\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:8:\"slide-in\";s:4:\"tags\";s:28:\"[\"real estate\",\"realestate\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:0;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:559;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:284;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:2;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:10158;s:5:\"title\";s:17:\"Classic | Contact\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:71:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/coco_small.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1547852227;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:112:\"https://library.elementor.com/popups/classic-contact/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"popup\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:7:\"classic\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:0;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:255;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:295;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:3;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:10190;s:5:\"title\";s:30:\"Classic | Register | Subscribe\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:73:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/engage_small.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1547885703;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:125:\"https://library.elementor.com/popups/classic-register-subscribe-5/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"popup\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:7:\"classic\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:0;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:214;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:151;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:4;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:15075;s:5:\"title\";s:34:\"Slide-In | Menu | Flooring Company\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:68:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/PopUp-1.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1597739605;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:127:\"https://library.elementor.com/popups/slide-in-menu-flooring-company/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"popup\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:8:\"slide-in\";s:4:\"tags\";s:39:\"[\"Flooring company\",\"Flooring website\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:0;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:383;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:162;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:5;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:15062;s:5:\"title\";s:35:\"Fly-In | Sign up | Flooring Company\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:66:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/PopUp.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1597739629;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:128:\"https://library.elementor.com/popups/fly-in-sign-up-flooring-company/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"popup\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:6:\"fly-in\";s:4:\"tags\";s:39:\"[\"Flooring company\",\"Flooring website\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:0;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:625;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:309;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:6;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:10256;s:5:\"title\";s:20:\"Classic | Sale | Pop\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:72:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/fruit_small.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1547888909;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:111:\"https://library.elementor.com/popups/classic-sale-3/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"popup\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:7:\"classic\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:0;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:458;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:597;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:7;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:10267;s:5:\"title\";s:29:\"Classic | Contact | Christmas\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:76:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/christmas_small.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1547889047;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:122:\"https://library.elementor.com/popups/classic-contact-christmas/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"popup\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:7:\"classic\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:0;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:281;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:233;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:8;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:10307;s:5:\"title\";s:43:\"Fly In | Promotion | Christmas | Teddy Bear\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:72:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/teddy_small.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1547893266;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:123:\"https://library.elementor.com/popups/fly-in-promotion-christmas/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"popup\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:6:\"fly-in\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:0;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:641;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:689;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:9;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:10318;s:5:\"title\";s:27:\"Classic | Contact | Bicycle\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:69:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/by_small.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1547893367;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:114:\"https://library.elementor.com/popups/classic-contact-2/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"popup\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:7:\"classic\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:0;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:327;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:326;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:10;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:10339;s:5:\"title\";s:22:\"Fly In | Contact | Spa\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:70:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/spa_small.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1547893603;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:115:\"https://library.elementor.com/popups/fly-in-contact-spa/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"popup\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:6:\"fly-in\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:0;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:390;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:393;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:11;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:10352;s:5:\"title\";s:23:\"Fly In | Contact | Wine\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:75:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/fly_wine_small.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1547915335;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:111:\"https://library.elementor.com/popups/fly-in-contact/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"popup\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:6:\"fly-in\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:0;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:445;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:525;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:12;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:10372;s:5:\"title\";s:29:\"Fly In | Register | Subscribe\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:72:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/phone_small.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1547915554;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:124:\"https://library.elementor.com/popups/fly-in-register-subscribe-2/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"popup\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:6:\"fly-in\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:0;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:638;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:636;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:13;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:10382;s:5:\"title\";s:35:\"Bottom Bar | Announcement | Cookies\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:78:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/bottom_pink_small.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1547916616;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:120:\"https://library.elementor.com/popups/bottom-bar-announcement/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"popup\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:10:\"bottom bar\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:0;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:242;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:258;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:14;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:15259;s:5:\"title\";s:31:\"Hello Bar | Menu | Psychologist\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:71:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Menu-PopUp.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1600170209;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:124:\"https://library.elementor.com/popups/hello-bar-menu-psychologist/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"popup\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:9:\"hello bar\";s:4:\"tags\";s:34:\"[\"Psychologist\",\"Psychotherapist\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:0;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:739;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:583;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:15;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:15272;s:5:\"title\";s:32:\"Classic | Contact | Psychologist\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:66:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/PopUp.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1600170487;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:125:\"https://library.elementor.com/popups/classic-contact-psychologist/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"popup\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:7:\"classic\";s:4:\"tags\";s:34:\"[\"Psychologist\",\"Psychotherapist\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:0;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:578;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:312;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:16;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:15414;s:5:\"title\";s:32:\"Classic | Contact | Dance Studio\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:66:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/PopUp.jpg\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1603180596;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:125:\"https://library.elementor.com/popups/classic-contact-dance-studio/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"popup\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:7:\"classic\";s:4:\"tags\";s:16:\"[\"dance studio\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:0;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:762;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:650;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:17;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:10434;s:5:\"title\";s:27:\"Classic | Sale | Headphones\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:71:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/head_small.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1547961950;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:111:\"https://library.elementor.com/popups/classic-sale-6/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"popup\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:7:\"classic\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:0;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:359;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:353;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:18;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:10444;s:5:\"title\";s:17:\"Classic | Contact\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:72:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/plant_small.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1547962029;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:114:\"https://library.elementor.com/popups/classic-contact-3/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"popup\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:7:\"classic\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:0;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:385;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:298;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:19;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:10467;s:5:\"title\";s:27:\"Bottom Bar | Contact | Lego\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:70:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/tro_small.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1547962277;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:115:\"https://library.elementor.com/popups/bottom-bar-contact/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"popup\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:10:\"bottom bar\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:0;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:722;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:0;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:20;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:10487;s:5:\"title\";s:18:\"Slide In | Contact\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:70:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/acc_small.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1547964527;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:115:\"https://library.elementor.com/popups/slide-in-contact-2/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"popup\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:8:\"slide-in\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:0;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:554;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:618;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:21;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:10498;s:5:\"title\";s:14:\"Classic | Sale\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:73:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/pink_small-1.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1547964616;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:111:\"https://library.elementor.com/popups/classic-sale-7/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"popup\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:7:\"classic\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:0;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:421;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:382;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:22;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:10519;s:5:\"title\";s:27:\"Hello Bar | Promotion | App\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:72:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/app_small-1.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1547964801;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:122:\"https://library.elementor.com/popups/hello-bar-promotion-app-2/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"popup\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:9:\"hello bar\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:0;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:585;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:629;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:23;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:15580;s:5:\"title\";s:31:\"Fullscreen | Menu | Travel Blog\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:71:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/PopUp-Menu.jpg\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1606215358;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:124:\"https://library.elementor.com/popups/fullscreen-menu-travel-blog/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"popup\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:11:\"full screen\";s:4:\"tags\";s:17:\"[\"Blog\",\"Travel\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:0;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:673;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:348;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:24;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:15570;s:5:\"title\";s:33:\"Classic | Subscribe | Travel Blog\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:66:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/PopUp.jpg\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1606215555;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:126:\"https://library.elementor.com/popups/classic-subscribe-travel-blog/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"popup\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:7:\"classic\";s:4:\"tags\";s:17:\"[\"Blog\",\"Travel\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:0;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:709;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:459;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:25;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:10569;s:5:\"title\";s:15:\"Slide In | Sale\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:70:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/off_small.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1547967812;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:110:\"https://library.elementor.com/popups/slide-in-sale/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"popup\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:8:\"slide-in\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:0;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:529;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:485;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:26;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:10590;s:5:\"title\";s:19:\"Full Screen | Login\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:72:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/pass1_small.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1547967978;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:112:\"https://library.elementor.com/popups/classic-login-6/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"popup\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:11:\"full screen\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:0;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:466;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:356;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:27;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:10600;s:5:\"title\";s:18:\"Slide In | Contact\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:73:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/orange_small.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1547968080;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:115:\"https://library.elementor.com/popups/slide-in-contact-3/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"popup\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:8:\"slide-in\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:0;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:483;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:494;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:28;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:10622;s:5:\"title\";s:34:\"Full Screen | Contact | Headphones\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:76:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/full_hear_small.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1547969678;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:118:\"https://library.elementor.com/popups/full-screen-contact-2/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"popup\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:11:\"full screen\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:0;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:543;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:456;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:29;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:10633;s:5:\"title\";s:23:\"Slide In | Login | Lego\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:72:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/tro_small-1.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1547969858;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:111:\"https://library.elementor.com/popups/slide-in-login/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"popup\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:8:\"slide-in\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:0;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:675;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:722;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:30;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:10644;s:5:\"title\";s:26:\"Fly In | Contact | Webinar\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:73:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/blue_small-1.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1547970814;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:113:\"https://library.elementor.com/popups/fly-in-contact-2/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"popup\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:6:\"fly-in\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:0;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:484;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:440;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:31;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:10654;s:5:\"title\";s:31:\"Full Screen | Login | Christmas\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:77:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/full_login_small.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1547970917;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:124:\"https://library.elementor.com/popups/full-screen-login-christmas/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"popup\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:11:\"full screen\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:0;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:658;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:676;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:32;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:10664;s:5:\"title\";s:34:\"Slide In | Contact | Gym | Fitness\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:76:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/slide_gym_small.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1547973928;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:115:\"https://library.elementor.com/popups/slide-in-contact-4/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"popup\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:8:\"slide-in\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:0;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:552;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:384;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:33;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:10675;s:5:\"title\";s:35:\"Full Screen | Login | Gym | Fitness\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:75:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/gym_full_small.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1547974110;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:116:\"https://library.elementor.com/popups/full-screen-login-4/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"popup\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:11:\"full screen\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:0;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:519;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:477;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:34;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:9719;s:5:\"title\";s:30:\"Classic | Subscribe | Register\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:75:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/register_small.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1547976107;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:123:\"https://library.elementor.com/popups/classic-subscribe-register/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"popup\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:7:\"classic\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:0;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:398;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:282;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:35;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:10137;s:5:\"title\";s:34:\"Full Screen | Contact | Restaurant\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:71:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/rest_small.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1547976342;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:116:\"https://library.elementor.com/popups/full-screen-contact/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"popup\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:11:\"full screen\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:0;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:570;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:589;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:36;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:10244;s:5:\"title\";s:17:\"Bottom Bar | Sale\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:70:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/wow_small.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1547976402;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:112:\"https://library.elementor.com/popups/bottom-bar-sale/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"popup\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:10:\"bottom bar\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:0;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:623;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:660;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:37;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:10127;s:5:\"title\";s:35:\"Fly In | Announcement | Maintenance\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:72:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/pizza_small.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1547984061;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:118:\"https://library.elementor.com/popups/fly-in-announcement-2/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"popup\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:6:\"fly-in\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:0;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:700;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:738;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:38;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:10776;s:5:\"title\";s:33:\"Fly In | Contact | Social | Share\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:74:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/social1_small.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1548047055;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:124:\"https://library.elementor.com/popups/fly-in-contact-social-share/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"popup\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:6:\"fly-in\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:0;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:694;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:694;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:39;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:10785;s:5:\"title\";s:33:\"Fly In | Contact | Social | Share\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:74:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/social2_small.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1548047593;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:126:\"https://library.elementor.com/popups/fly-in-contact-social-share-2/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"popup\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:6:\"fly-in\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:0;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:468;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:442;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:40;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:10794;s:5:\"title\";s:34:\"Classic | Contact | Social | Share\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:68:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/s_small.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1548067619;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:125:\"https://library.elementor.com/popups/classic-contact-social-share/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"popup\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:7:\"classic\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:0;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:430;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:475;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:41;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:10871;s:5:\"title\";s:20:\"Bottom Bar | Contact\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:68:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/m_small.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1548074396;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:117:\"https://library.elementor.com/popups/bottom-bar-contact-2/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"popup\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:10:\"bottom bar\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:0;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:706;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:0;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:42;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:10936;s:5:\"title\";s:25:\"Full Screen | Toggle Menu\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:71:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/menu_small.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1548874587;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:120:\"https://library.elementor.com/popups/full-screen-toggle-menu/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"popup\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:11:\"full screen\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:0;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:478;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:572;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:43;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:10964;s:5:\"title\";s:59:\"Classic | Promotion | Coupon | Love | Valentine’s Day\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:71:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/love_small.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1550039106;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:121:\"https://library.elementor.com/popups/classic-promotion-coupon/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"popup\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:7:\"classic\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:0;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:598;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:664;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:44;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:10992;s:5:\"title\";s:59:\"Classic | Promotion | Coupon | Love | Valentine’s Day\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:68:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/h_small.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1550072007;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:141:\"https://library.elementor.com/popups/classic-promotion-coupon-love-valentines-day/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"popup\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:7:\"classic\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:0;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:668;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:668;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:45;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:11005;s:5:\"title\";s:50:\"Classic | Promotion | Love | Valentine’s Day\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:71:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/bear_small.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1550073303;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:134:\"https://library.elementor.com/popups/classic-promotion-love-valentines-day/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"popup\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:7:\"classic\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:0;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:680;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:615;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:46;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:16553;s:5:\"title\";s:31:\"Fly-In | Contact | Beauty Salon\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:66:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/PopUp.jpg\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1608622602;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:124:\"https://library.elementor.com/popups/fly-in-contact-beauty-salon/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"popup\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:6:\"fly-in\";s:4:\"tags\";s:23:\"[\"Beauty salon\",\"hair\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:0;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:691;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:428;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:47;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:11468;s:5:\"title\";s:20:\"Classic | Sale | Gym\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:72:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/PopUp_Small.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1567393182;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:113:\"https://library.elementor.com/popups/classic-sale-gym/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"popup\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:7:\"classic\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:0;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:696;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:740;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:48;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:11822;s:5:\"title\";s:30:\"Full Screen | Menu | Portfolio\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:72:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/PopUp_small.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1569429896;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:123:\"https://library.elementor.com/popups/full-screen-menu-portfolio/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"popup\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:11:\"full screen\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:0;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:654;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:626;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:49;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:11839;s:5:\"title\";s:9:\"Portfolio\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:73:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Header_small.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1569430015;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:108:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/portfolio-9/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:6:\"header\";s:4:\"tags\";s:43:\"[\"creative portfolio\",\"header\",\"portfolio\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:0;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:189;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:20;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:50;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:12229;s:5:\"title\";s:33:\"Slide In | Law Firm | Information\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:66:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/popup.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1572847842;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:126:\"https://library.elementor.com/popups/slide-in-law-firm-information/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"popup\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:8:\"slide-in\";s:4:\"tags\";s:18:\"[\"Law\",\"Law Firm\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:0;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:547;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:413;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:51;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:12550;s:5:\"title\";s:32:\"Fly-in | Sale | Travel and Tours\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:68:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/PopUp_s.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1575960263;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:124:\"https://library.elementor.com/popups/flyin-sale-travel-and-tours/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"popup\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:6:\"fly-in\";s:4:\"tags\";s:18:\"[\"Tours\",\"Travel\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:0;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:754;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:791;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:52;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:12540;s:5:\"title\";s:33:\"Classic | Menu | Travel and tours\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:73:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/PopUp_Menu_s.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1575960267;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:126:\"https://library.elementor.com/popups/classic-menu-travel-and-tours/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"popup\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:7:\"classic\";s:4:\"tags\";s:18:\"[\"Tours\",\"Travel\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:0;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:690;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:714;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:53;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:18839;s:5:\"title\";s:27:\"Hello Bar | CTA | eCommerce\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:68:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/350x250.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1621870603;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:120:\"https://library.elementor.com/popups/hello-bar-cta-ecommerce/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"popup\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:9:\"hello bar\";s:4:\"tags\";s:41:\"[\"Ecommerce\",\"online shop\",\"Sale\",\"Shop\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:0;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:-1;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:-1;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:54;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:12736;s:5:\"title\";s:41:\"Slide In | Contact Us | Magazine and Blog\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:76:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/PopUp_contact_s.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1579060978;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:116:\"https://library.elementor.com/popups/slide-in-contact-us/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"popup\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:8:\"slide-in\";s:4:\"tags\";s:19:\"[\"Blog\",\"Magazine\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:0;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:734;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:686;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:55;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:12726;s:5:\"title\";s:52:\"Classic | Newsletter | Subscribe | Magazine and Blog\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:79:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/PopUp_Newsletter_s.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1579061019;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:143:\"https://library.elementor.com/popups/classic-newsletter-subscribe-magazine-and-blog/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"popup\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:7:\"classic\";s:4:\"tags\";s:19:\"[\"Blog\",\"Magazine\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:0;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:357;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:281;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:56;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:13129;s:5:\"title\";s:28:\"Classic | Menu | Photography\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:68:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/PopUp_s.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1582092645;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:121:\"https://library.elementor.com/popups/classic-menu-photography/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"popup\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:7:\"classic\";s:4:\"tags\";s:27:\"[\"Photography\",\"portfolio\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:0;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:646;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:521;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:57;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:9611;s:5:\"title\";s:16:\"Hello Bar | Sale\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:82:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Top-Bar_Sale_small_01.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1546965350;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:114:\"https://library.elementor.com/popups/hello-bar-sale-01/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"popup\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:9:\"hello bar\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:0;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:605;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:603;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:58;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:9622;s:5:\"title\";s:19:\"Classic | Promotion\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:87:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/classic_promotion_small_02.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1546965896;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:117:\"https://library.elementor.com/popups/classic-promotion-02/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"popup\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:7:\"classic\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:0;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:607;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:460;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:59;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:9631;s:5:\"title\";s:38:\"Slide-in | Sale | Register | Subscribe\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:83:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Slide-in_Sale_small_01.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1546968270;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:113:\"https://library.elementor.com/popups/slide-in-sale-01/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"popup\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:8:\"slide-in\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:0;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:661;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:705;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:60;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:9662;s:5:\"title\";s:33:\"Bottom Bar | Register | Subscribe\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:89:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Bottom-Bar_Register_small_01.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1547009087;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:119:\"https://library.elementor.com/popups/bottom-bar-register-01/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"popup\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:10:\"bottom bar\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:0;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:684;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:658;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:61;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:13281;s:5:\"title\";s:37:\"Hello Bar | Contact | Interior Design\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:66:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/PopUp.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1586148801;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:130:\"https://library.elementor.com/popups/hello-bar-contact-interior-design/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"popup\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:9:\"hello bar\";s:4:\"tags\";s:19:\"[\"interior design\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:0;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:763;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:679;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:62;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:9690;s:5:\"title\";s:17:\"Classic | Contact\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:85:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Classic_Contact_small_01.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1547011716;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:115:\"https://library.elementor.com/popups/classic-contact-01/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"popup\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:7:\"classic\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:0;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:393;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:571;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:63;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:9699;s:5:\"title\";s:33:\"Classic | Contact | Gym | Fitness\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:85:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Classic_Contact_small_02.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1547015827;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:115:\"https://library.elementor.com/popups/classic-contact-02/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"popup\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:7:\"classic\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:0;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:475;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:527;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:64;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:9571;s:5:\"title\";s:14:\"Fly In | Login\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:81:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/FlyIn_Login_01_small.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1547726151;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:112:\"https://library.elementor.com/popups/fly-in-login-01/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"popup\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:6:\"fly-in\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:0;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:622;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:538;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:65;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:9740;s:5:\"title\";s:25:\"Classic | Promotion | App\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:70:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/app_small.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1547822836;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:118:\"https://library.elementor.com/popups/classic-promotion-app/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"popup\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:7:\"classic\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:0;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:624;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:691;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:66;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:9762;s:5:\"title\";s:36:\"Classic | Register | Subscribe | Spa\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:78:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/spa_small_classic.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1547824145;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:127:\"https://library.elementor.com/popups/classic-register-subscribe-spa/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"popup\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:7:\"classic\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:0;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:463;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:436;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:67;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:13413;s:5:\"title\";s:33:\"Classic | Contact | Online Course\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:71:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/PopUp-Help.jpg\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1587474761;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:126:\"https://library.elementor.com/popups/classic-contact-online-course/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"popup\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:7:\"classic\";s:4:\"tags\";s:29:\"[\"Course Online\",\"Education\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:0;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:530;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:369;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:68;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:9772;s:5:\"title\";s:27:\"Hello bar | Promotion | App\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:76:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/app_hello_small.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1547824279;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:120:\"https://library.elementor.com/popups/hello-bar-promotion-app/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"popup\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:9:\"hello bar\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:0;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:760;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:781;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:69;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:13402;s:5:\"title\";s:29:\"Classic | CTA | Online Course\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:83:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Popup-Course-Completed.jpg\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1587474772;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:122:\"https://library.elementor.com/popups/classic-cta-online-course/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"popup\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:7:\"classic\";s:4:\"tags\";s:29:\"[\"Course Online\",\"Education\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:0;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:619;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:582;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:70;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:13422;s:5:\"title\";s:30:\"Classic | Menu | Online Course\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:71:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/PopUp-Menu.jpg\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1587474782;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:123:\"https://library.elementor.com/popups/classic-menu-online-course/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"popup\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:7:\"classic\";s:4:\"tags\";s:29:\"[\"Course Online\",\"Education\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:0;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:516;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:432;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:71;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:9793;s:5:\"title\";s:13:\"Fly In | Sale\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:78:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/flyin_black_small.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1547831151;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:108:\"https://library.elementor.com/popups/fly-in-sale/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"popup\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:6:\"fly-in\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:0;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:670;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:742;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:72;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:9836;s:5:\"title\";s:21:\"Classic | Login | Pop\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:74:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/login_b_small.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1547835635;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:110:\"https://library.elementor.com/popups/classic-login/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"popup\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:7:\"classic\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:0;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:634;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:669;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:73;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:9847;s:5:\"title\";s:25:\"Fly In | Promotion | Lego\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:81:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/fly_in_promotion_tro.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1547836956;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:113:\"https://library.elementor.com/popups/fly-in-promotion/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"popup\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:6:\"fly-in\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:0;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:751;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:838;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:74;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:9858;s:5:\"title\";s:27:\"Slide In | Promotion | Wine\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:90:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/slide-in_promotion_wine_small.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1547837100;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:115:\"https://library.elementor.com/popups/slide-in-promotion/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"popup\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:8:\"slide-in\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:0;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:769;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:684;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:75;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:13538;s:5:\"title\";s:32:\"Fly-In | Newsletter | Barbershop\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:78:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Pop-Up-Page-Small.jpg\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1589893364;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:125:\"https://library.elementor.com/popups/fly-in-newsletter-barbershop/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"popup\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:6:\"fly-in\";s:4:\"tags\";s:28:\"[\"Barber Shop\",\"Barbershop\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:0;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:710;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:667;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:76;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:9944;s:5:\"title\";s:33:\"Slide In | Promotion | Headphones\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:79:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/slidein_head_small.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1547841939;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:117:\"https://library.elementor.com/popups/slide-in-promotion-2/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"popup\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:8:\"slide-in\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:0;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:757;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:700;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:77;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:9955;s:5:\"title\";s:14:\"Fly In | Login\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:83:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/flyin_login_lock_small.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1547842065;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:109:\"https://library.elementor.com/popups/fly-in-login/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"popup\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:6:\"fly-in\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:0;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:551;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:627;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:78;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:9965;s:5:\"title\";s:30:\"Classic | Register | Subscribe\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:79:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/classic_moon_small.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1547842174;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:125:\"https://library.elementor.com/popups/classic-register-subscribe-2/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"popup\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:7:\"classic\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:0;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:588;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:591;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:79;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:9995;s:5:\"title\";s:27:\"Slide In | Sale | Christmas\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:84:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/slidein_christmas_small.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1547844802;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:120:\"https://library.elementor.com/popups/slide-in-sale-christmas/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"popup\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:8:\"slide-in\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:0;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:772;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:817;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:80;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:10016;s:5:\"title\";s:16:\"Hello Bar | Sale\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:90:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Hello-Bar_Promotion_bag_small.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1547845062;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:111:\"https://library.elementor.com/popups/hello-bar-sale/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"popup\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:9:\"hello bar\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:0;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:792;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:0;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:81;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:14067;s:5:\"title\";s:37:\"Slide In | Japanese restaurant | Menu\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:78:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Menu-Pop-Up-Small.jpg\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1592290352;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:130:\"https://library.elementor.com/popups/slide-in-japanese-restaurant-menu/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"popup\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:8:\"slide-in\";s:4:\"tags\";s:32:\"[\"Food\",\"Japanese\",\"Restaurant\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:0;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:650;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:565;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:82;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:10026;s:5:\"title\";s:46:\"Classic | Register | Subscribe | Gym | Fitness\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:83:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/classic_register_small.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1547845205;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:125:\"https://library.elementor.com/popups/classic-register-subscribe-3/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"popup\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:7:\"classic\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:0;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:616;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:587;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:83;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:10036;s:5:\"title\";s:43:\"Full Screen | Sale | Promotion | Headphones\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:81:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/full_sale_head_small.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1547845409;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:123:\"https://library.elementor.com/popups/full-screen-sale-promotion/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"popup\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:11:\"full screen\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:0;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:614;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:717;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:84;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:14111;s:5:\"title\";s:36:\"Classic | Japanese restaurant | Sale\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:78:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Pop-Up-Page-Small.jpg\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1592300400;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:129:\"https://library.elementor.com/popups/classic-japanese-restaurant-sale/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"popup\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:7:\"classic\";s:4:\"tags\";s:32:\"[\"Food\",\"Japanese\",\"Restaurant\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:0;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:717;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:697;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:85;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:10057;s:5:\"title\";s:48:\"Hello Bar | Register | Subscribe | Gym | Fitness\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:91:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/hello-bar_register_sport_small.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1547847938;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:125:\"https://library.elementor.com/popups/hello-bar-register-subscribe/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"popup\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:9:\"hello bar\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:0;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:764;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:0;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:86;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:10087;s:5:\"title\";s:25:\"Full Screen | Login | Spa\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:88:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/full-screen_login_spa_small.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1547848301;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:118:\"https://library.elementor.com/popups/full-screen-login-spa/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"popup\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:11:\"full screen\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:0;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:644;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:632;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:87;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:10097;s:5:\"title\";s:37:\"Classic | Register | Subscribe | Lego\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:79:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/classic_lego_small.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1547848411;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:125:\"https://library.elementor.com/popups/classic-register-subscribe-4/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"popup\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:7:\"classic\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:0;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:689;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:758;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:88;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:1190;s:5:\"title\";s:26:\"Landing Page – Hotel\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:66:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/lp2-l.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1490707391;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:108:\"https://library.elementor.com/landing-page-hotel/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:17:\"[\"Landing Pages\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:1;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:2;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:1;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:89;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:9816;s:5:\"title\";s:30:\"Classic | Sale | Gym | Fitness\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:85:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/classic_sale_sport_small.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1547991876;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:111:\"https://library.elementor.com/popups/classic-sale-2/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"popup\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:7:\"classic\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:1;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:720;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:823;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:90;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:16645;s:5:\"title\";s:28:\"Headphones – eCommerce\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:74:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/lp_headphones.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1609944115;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:112:\"https://library.elementor.com/lp/commerce-headphones/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:2:\"lp\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:9:\"eCommerce\";s:4:\"tags\";s:39:\"[\"Ecommerce\",\"Landing Pages\",\"Product\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:1;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:633;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:87;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:91;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:8505;s:5:\"title\";s:11:\"404 page 01\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:64:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/001.jpg\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1526415501;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:108:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/404-page-01/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:8:\"404 page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:1;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:533;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:222;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:92;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:9602;s:5:\"title\";s:35:\"Bottom Bar | Announcement | Cookies\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:92:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Bottombar_Announcement_small_01.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1546964559;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:123:\"https://library.elementor.com/popups/bottom-bar-announcement-01/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"popup\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:10:\"bottom bar\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:1;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:600;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:604;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:93;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:225;s:5:\"title\";s:27:\"Homepage – Restaurant\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:65:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/0016.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1470829872;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:109:\"https://library.elementor.com/homepage-restaurant/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:32:\"[\"Food\",\"Homepage\",\"Restaurant\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:2;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:1;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:2;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:94;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:16762;s:5:\"title\";s:25:\"Conference – Events\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:71:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Conference.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1610455119;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:110:\"https://library.elementor.com/lp/conference-events/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:2:\"lp\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:6:\"Events\";s:4:\"tags\";s:60:\"[\"Conference\",\"Convention\",\"Event\",\"Events\",\"Landing Pages\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:2;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:705;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:216;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:95;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:8511;s:5:\"title\";s:11:\"404 page 02\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:64:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/002.jpg\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1526415528;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:108:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/404-page-02/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:8:\"404 page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:2;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:347;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:155;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:96;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:463;s:5:\"title\";s:22:\"Homepage – Study\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:65:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/0022.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1477388340;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:104:\"https://library.elementor.com/homepage-study/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:32:\"[\"Education\",\"Homepage\",\"Study\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:3;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:4;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:3;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:97;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:10277;s:5:\"title\";s:36:\"Bottom Bar | Promotion | Sale | Book\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:71:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/book_small.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1548055999;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:122:\"https://library.elementor.com/popups/bottom-bar-promotion-book/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"popup\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:10:\"bottom bar\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:3;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:729;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:802;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:98;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:11241;s:5:\"title\";s:36:\"Classic | Digital Agency | Marketing\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:72:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/PopUp_small.jpg\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1564643043;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:129:\"https://library.elementor.com/popups/classic-digital-agency-marketing/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"popup\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:7:\"classic\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:3;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:362;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:315;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:99;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:8512;s:5:\"title\";s:11:\"404 page 03\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:64:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/003.jpg\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1526415449;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:108:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/404-page-03/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:8:\"404 page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:3;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:450;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:375;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:100;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:18701;s:5:\"title\";s:32:\"Digital Course – eCommerce\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:68:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/250x280.jpg\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1618995134;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:117:\"https://library.elementor.com/lp/digital-course-ecommerce/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:2:\"lp\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:9:\"eCommerce\";s:4:\"tags\";s:57:\"[\"Course Online\",\"Ecommerce\",\"Landing Pages\",\"Marketing\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:3;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:-1;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:-1;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:101;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:181;s:5:\"title\";s:23:\"Homepage – Agency\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:65:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/0019.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1470826567;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:105:\"https://library.elementor.com/homepage-agency/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:32:\"[\"Agency\",\"Creative\",\"Homepage\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:4;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:3;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:4;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:102;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:8513;s:5:\"title\";s:11:\"404 page 04\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:64:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/004.jpg\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1526415417;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:108:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/404-page-04/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:8:\"404 page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:4;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:420;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:176;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:103;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:18612;s:5:\"title\";s:34:\"Bag Product Sale – eCommerce\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:85:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Library-Pic-Bag-Product.jpeg\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1618395406;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:119:\"https://library.elementor.com/lp/bag-product-sale-ecommerce/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:2:\"lp\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:9:\"eCommerce\";s:4:\"tags\";s:61:\"[\"Bag\",\"Ecommerce\",\"Landing Pages\",\"Product\",\"Sale\",\"Travel\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:4;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:875;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:605;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:104;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:9903;s:5:\"title\";s:34:\"Bottom Bar | Promotion | Olive Oil\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:93:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/bottom-bar_promotion_olive_small.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1547838896;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:117:\"https://library.elementor.com/popups/bottom-bar-promotion/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"popup\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:10:\"bottom bar\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:4;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:765;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:840;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:105;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:150;s:5:\"title\";s:19:\"Product – App\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:65:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/0003.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1470829879;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:101:\"https://library.elementor.com/product-app/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:5;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:6;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:5;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:106;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:8514;s:5:\"title\";s:11:\"404 Page 05\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:64:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/005.jpg\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1526415558;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:108:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/404-page-05/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:8:\"404 page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:5;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:419;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:220;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:107;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:18644;s:5:\"title\";s:37:\"Camera Product Sale – eCommerce\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:85:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/camera_sale_featured-img.jpg\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1618396388;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:122:\"https://library.elementor.com/lp/camera-product-sale-ecommerce/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:2:\"lp\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:9:\"eCommerce\";s:4:\"tags\";s:59:\"[\"Camera\",\"Ecommerce\",\"Landing Pages\",\"Photography\",\"Sale\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:5;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:873;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:535;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:108;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:10549;s:5:\"title\";s:33:\"Bottom Bar | Register | Subscribe\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:70:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/com_small.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1547967595;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:126:\"https://library.elementor.com/popups/bottom-bar-register-subscribe/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"popup\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:10:\"bottom bar\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:6;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:713;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:666;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:109;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:8523;s:5:\"title\";s:11:\"404 page 06\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:64:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/006.jpg\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1526415291;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:108:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/404-page-06/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:8:\"404 page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:6;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:298;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:268;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:110;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:18815;s:5:\"title\";s:25:\"Car Wash – Business\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:81:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Library-Pic-Car-Wash.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1621336431;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:110:\"https://library.elementor.com/lp/car-wash-business/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:2:\"lp\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:8:\"Business\";s:4:\"tags\";s:45:\"[\"Business\",\"car\",\"Discount\",\"Landing Pages\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:6;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:-1;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:-1;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:111;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:19144;s:5:\"title\";s:25:\"Birthday Party Invitation\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:68:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/250x280.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1623848691;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:115:\"https://library.elementor.com/birthday-party-invitation/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:67:\"[\"Birthday\",\"Event\",\"Landing Pages\",\"Party\",\"RSVD\",\"Save the Date\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:6;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:-1;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:-1;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:112;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:16473;s:5:\"title\";s:26:\"Beauty Salon – About\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:68:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/about-1.jpg\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1608622373;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:108:\"https://library.elementor.com/beauty-salon-about/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:23:\"[\"Beauty salon\",\"hair\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:7;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:615;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:184;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:113;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:8524;s:5:\"title\";s:11:\"404 page 07\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:64:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/007.jpg\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1526415337;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:108:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/404-page-07/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:8:\"404 page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:7;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:303;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:171;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:114;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:18824;s:5:\"title\";s:33:\"Design School – Coming Soon\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:70:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/250x280-1.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1621336756;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:118:\"https://library.elementor.com/lp/design-school-coming-soon/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:2:\"lp\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:16:\"Coming Soon Page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:49:\"[\"Coming Soon\",\"Design\",\"Landing Pages\",\"School\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:7;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:-1;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:-1;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:115;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:16488;s:5:\"title\";s:28:\"Beauty Salon – Contact\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:68:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/contact.jpg\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1608622374;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:110:\"https://library.elementor.com/beauty-salon-contact/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:23:\"[\"Beauty salon\",\"hair\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:8;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:548;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:101;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:116;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:8526;s:5:\"title\";s:11:\"404 page 09\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:64:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/009.jpg\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1526415474;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:108:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/404-page-09/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:8:\"404 page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:8;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:477;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:285;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:117;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:18819;s:5:\"title\";s:27:\"Dog Walker – Business\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:83:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Library-Pic-Dog-Walker.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1621336601;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:112:\"https://library.elementor.com/lp/dog-walker-business/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:2:\"lp\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:8:\"Business\";s:4:\"tags\";s:41:\"[\"Business\",\"Dog\",\"Landing Pages\",\"Pets\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:8;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:-1;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:-1;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:118;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:10529;s:5:\"title\";s:36:\"Classic | Announcement | Maintenance\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:71:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/icon_small.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1548046309;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:117:\"https://library.elementor.com/popups/classic-announcement/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"popup\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:7:\"classic\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:9;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:474;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:398;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:119;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:16496;s:5:\"title\";s:28:\"Beauty Salon – Gallery\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:70:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/gallery-1.jpg\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1608622379;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:110:\"https://library.elementor.com/beauty-salon-gallery/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:23:\"[\"Beauty salon\",\"hair\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:9;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:491;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:90;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:120;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:8525;s:5:\"title\";s:11:\"404 page 08\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:64:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/008.jpg\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1526415374;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:108:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/404-page-08/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:8:\"404 page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:9;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:510;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:575;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:121;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:18761;s:5:\"title\";s:33:\"Fashion Store – Coming Soon\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:86:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Library-Pic-Fashion-Store.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1621336146;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:118:\"https://library.elementor.com/lp/fashion-store-coming-soon/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:2:\"lp\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:16:\"Coming Soon Page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:56:\"[\"Coming Soon\",\"Fashion\",\"Landing Pages\",\"Shop\",\"store\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:9;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:-1;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:-1;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:122;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:16457;s:5:\"title\";s:25:\"Beauty Salon – Home\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:67:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/home-1.jpg\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1608622383;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:107:\"https://library.elementor.com/beauty-salon-home/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:23:\"[\"Beauty salon\",\"hair\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:10;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:408;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:56;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:123;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:5438;s:5:\"title\";s:7:\"About 1\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:74:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/about_black_4.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520443512;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:104:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/about-1/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:5:\"about\";s:4:\"tags\";s:9:\"[\"About\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:10;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:147;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:9;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:124;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:6135;s:5:\"title\";s:8:\"About 10\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:74:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/about_black_2.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520443663;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:105:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/about-10/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:5:\"about\";s:4:\"tags\";s:9:\"[\"About\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:11;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:77;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:47;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:125;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:16518;s:5:\"title\";s:29:\"Beauty Salon – Services\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:71:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/services-1.jpg\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1608622386;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:111:\"https://library.elementor.com/beauty-salon-services/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:23:\"[\"Beauty salon\",\"hair\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:11;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:664;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:261;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:126;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:17060;s:5:\"title\";s:36:\"Private Tutor – Online Service\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:75:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Online-Tutor-2.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1610631042;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:121:\"https://library.elementor.com/lp/private-tutor-online-service/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:2:\"lp\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:14:\"Online Service\";s:4:\"tags\";s:64:\"[\"Education\",\"Landing Pages\",\"Online Service\",\"Teacher\",\"Tutor\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:11;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:780;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:628;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:127;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:15486;s:5:\"title\";s:25:\"Travel Blog – About\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:66:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/About.jpg\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1606215720;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:107:\"https://library.elementor.com/travel-blog-about/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:17:\"[\"Blog\",\"Travel\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:12;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:608;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:343;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:128;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:17232;s:5:\"title\";s:33:\"Life Coach – Online Service\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:71:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Life-Coach.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1610902793;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:118:\"https://library.elementor.com/lp/life-coach-online-service/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:2:\"lp\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:14:\"Online Service\";s:4:\"tags\";s:38:\"[\"Coach\",\"Landing Pages\",\"Life Coach\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:12;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:787;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:751;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:129;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:5397;s:5:\"title\";s:8:\"About 11\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:74:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/about_white_1.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520443503;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:105:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/about-11/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:5:\"about\";s:4:\"tags\";s:9:\"[\"About\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:12;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:148;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:43;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:130;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:15478;s:5:\"title\";s:27:\"Travel Blog – Contact\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:71:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Contact-Us.jpg\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1606215735;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:109:\"https://library.elementor.com/travel-blog-contact/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:17:\"[\"Blog\",\"Travel\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:13;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:687;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:564;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:131;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:16932;s:5:\"title\";s:35:\"Finance Consulting – Business\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:79:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Finance-Consulting.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1610532170;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:120:\"https://library.elementor.com/lp/finance-consulting-business/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:2:\"lp\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:8:\"Business\";s:4:\"tags\";s:80:\"[\"Advisor\",\"Business\",\"Consulting\",\"Finance\",\"Investment\",\"Landing Pages\",\"Tax\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:13;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:790;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:630;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:132;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:5405;s:5:\"title\";s:8:\"About 12\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:74:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/about_black_1.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520443505;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:105:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/about-12/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:5:\"about\";s:4:\"tags\";s:9:\"[\"About\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:13;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:216;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:50;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:133;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:15467;s:5:\"title\";s:24:\"Travel Blog – Home\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:65:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Home.jpg\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1606215756;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:106:\"https://library.elementor.com/travel-blog-home/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:17:\"[\"Blog\",\"Travel\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:14;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:567;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:224;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:134;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:16721;s:5:\"title\";s:35:\"Dental – Health & Fitness\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:67:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Dental.jpg\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1610448567;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:114:\"https://library.elementor.com/lp/dental-health-fitness/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:2:\"lp\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:18:\"Health and Fitness\";s:4:\"tags\";s:44:\"[\"Dental\",\"Doctor\",\"Health\",\"Landing Pages\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:14;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:801;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:655;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:135;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:5421;s:5:\"title\";s:8:\"About 13\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:74:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/about_white_3.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520443509;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:105:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/about-13/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:5:\"about\";s:4:\"tags\";s:9:\"[\"About\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:14;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:215;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:77;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:136;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:5533;s:5:\"title\";s:8:\"About 15\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:75:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/about_black_10.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520443534;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:105:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/about-15/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:5:\"about\";s:4:\"tags\";s:9:\"[\"About\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:15;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:21;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:57;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:137;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:15317;s:5:\"title\";s:25:\"Dance Studio – Home\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:65:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Home.jpg\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1603181291;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:107:\"https://library.elementor.com/dance-studio-home/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:16:\"[\"dance studio\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:15;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:596;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:301;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:138;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:17269;s:5:\"title\";s:34:\"Electronics Sale – eCommerce\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:80:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Electronic-Products.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1610903298;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:119:\"https://library.elementor.com/lp/electronics-sale-ecommerce/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:2:\"lp\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:9:\"eCommerce\";s:4:\"tags\";s:29:\"[\"Ecommerce\",\"Landing Pages\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:15;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:800;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:556;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:139;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:5525;s:5:\"title\";s:8:\"About 14\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:75:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/about_white_10.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520443532;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:105:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/about-14/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:5:\"about\";s:4:\"tags\";s:9:\"[\"About\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:16;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:9;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:29;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:140;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:15334;s:5:\"title\";s:26:\"Dance Studio – About\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:66:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/About.jpg\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1603181364;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:108:\"https://library.elementor.com/dance-studio-about/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:16:\"[\"dance studio\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:16;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:626;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:373;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:141;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:17032;s:5:\"title\";s:42:\"Donate Computer – Social Involvement\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:71:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Donation-2.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1610630585;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:127:\"https://library.elementor.com/lp/donate-computer-social-involvement/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:2:\"lp\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:18:\"Social Involvement\";s:4:\"tags\";s:67:\"[\"Computer\",\"Donate\",\"Donation\",\"Kids\",\"Landing Pages\",\"Nonprofit\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:16;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:718;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:278;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:142;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:10413;s:5:\"title\";s:28:\"Classic | Content Lock | Pop\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:70:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/hot_small.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1547961774;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:117:\"https://library.elementor.com/popups/classic-content-lock/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"popup\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:7:\"classic\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:17;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:752;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:813;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:143;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:15349;s:5:\"title\";s:28:\"Dance Studio – Classes\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:68:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Classes.jpg\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1603181425;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:110:\"https://library.elementor.com/dance-studio-classes/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:16:\"[\"dance studio\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:17;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:629;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:458;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:144;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:16684;s:5:\"title\";s:34:\"SaaS HR Management – Product\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:66:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/lp_hr.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1609945486;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:119:\"https://library.elementor.com/lp/saas-hr-management-product/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:2:\"lp\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:7:\"Product\";s:4:\"tags\";s:39:\"[\"HR\",\"Landing Pages\",\"Product\",\"SaaS\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:17;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:708;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:292;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:145;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:5429;s:5:\"title\";s:8:\"About 16\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:74:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/about_white_4.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520443510;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:105:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/about-16/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:5:\"about\";s:4:\"tags\";s:9:\"[\"About\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:17;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:59;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:8;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:146;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:15366;s:5:\"title\";s:29:\"Dance Studio – Schedule\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:77:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Classes-Schedule.jpg\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1603181056;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:111:\"https://library.elementor.com/dance-studio-schedule/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:16:\"[\"dance studio\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:18;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:698;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:602;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:147;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:16660;s:5:\"title\";s:37:\"Medical center – Online service\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:95:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Online-medical-cosultation-250_280.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1609945122;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:122:\"https://library.elementor.com/lp/medical-center-online-service/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:2:\"lp\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:14:\"Online Service\";s:4:\"tags\";s:44:\"[\"Landing Pages\",\"medical\",\"Online Service\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:18;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:750;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:332;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:148;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:5464;s:5:\"title\";s:8:\"About 17\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:74:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/about_black_6.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520443518;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:105:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/about-17/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:5:\"about\";s:4:\"tags\";s:9:\"[\"About\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:18;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:220;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:142;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:149;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:10223;s:5:\"title\";s:15:\"Classic | Login\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:74:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/welcome_small.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1547887343;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:112:\"https://library.elementor.com/popups/classic-login-4/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"popup\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:7:\"classic\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:19;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:497;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:503;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:150;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:15373;s:5:\"title\";s:28:\"Dance Studio – Pricing\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:68:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Pricing.jpg\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1603181678;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:110:\"https://library.elementor.com/dance-studio-pricing/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:16:\"[\"dance studio\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:19;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:731;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:661;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:151;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:10559;s:5:\"title\";s:33:\"Bottom Bar | Register | Subscribe\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:70:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/fly_small.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1547967711;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:128:\"https://library.elementor.com/popups/bottom-bar-register-subscribe-2/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"popup\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:10:\"bottom bar\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:19;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:714;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:729;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:152;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:17001;s:5:\"title\";s:36:\"Parental Counseling – Business\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:78:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Parenting-Coach-2.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1610534999;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:121:\"https://library.elementor.com/lp/parental-counseling-business/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:2:\"lp\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:8:\"Business\";s:4:\"tags\";s:99:\"[\"Advisor\",\"Business\",\"Coach\",\"Counseling\",\"Landing Pages\",\"Online Service\",\"Parental\",\"Parenting\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:19;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:817;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:0;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:153;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:5504;s:5:\"title\";s:8:\"About 18\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:74:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/about_white_9.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520443528;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:105:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/about-18/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:5:\"about\";s:4:\"tags\";s:9:\"[\"About\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:19;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:104;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:46;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:154;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:15384;s:5:\"title\";s:28:\"Dance Studio – Contact\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:71:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Contact-Us.jpg\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1603181738;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:110:\"https://library.elementor.com/dance-studio-contact/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:16:\"[\"dance studio\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:20;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:741;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:721;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:155;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:10403;s:5:\"title\";s:15:\"Classic | Login\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:72:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/hello_small.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1548056371;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:112:\"https://library.elementor.com/popups/classic-login-5/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"popup\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:7:\"classic\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:20;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:627;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:659;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:156;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:16742;s:5:\"title\";s:31:\"Online Course – Education\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:74:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Online-Course.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1610454122;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:116:\"https://library.elementor.com/lp/online-course-education/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:2:\"lp\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:9:\"Education\";s:4:\"tags\";s:55:\"[\"Academy\",\"Course Online\",\"Education\",\"Landing Pages\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:20;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:777;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:776;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:157;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:5515;s:5:\"title\";s:8:\"About 19\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:74:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/about_black_9.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520443530;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:105:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/about-19/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:5:\"about\";s:4:\"tags\";s:9:\"[\"About\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:20;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:268;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:161;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:158;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:15158;s:5:\"title\";s:26:\"Psychologist – About\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:66:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/About.jpg\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1600157561;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:108:\"https://library.elementor.com/psychologist-about/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:34:\"[\"Psychologist\",\"Psychotherapist\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:21;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:618;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:426;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:159;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:17284;s:5:\"title\";s:38:\"Dietitian – Health & Fitness\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:70:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Dietitian.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1610903484;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:117:\"https://library.elementor.com/lp/dietitian-health-fitness/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:2:\"lp\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:18:\"Health and Fitness\";s:4:\"tags\";s:39:\"[\"Fitness\",\"Health\",\"landscape design\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:21;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:814;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:800;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:160;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:9913;s:5:\"title\";s:27:\"Classic | Login | Christmas\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:70:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/log_small.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1547841430;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:112:\"https://library.elementor.com/popups/classic-login-2/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"popup\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:7:\"classic\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:21;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:542;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:417;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:161;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:5472;s:5:\"title\";s:7:\"About 2\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:74:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/about_white_7.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520443520;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:104:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/about-2/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:5:\"about\";s:4:\"tags\";s:9:\"[\"About\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:21;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:210;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:116;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:162;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:15197;s:5:\"title\";s:28:\"Psychologist – Contact\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:71:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Contact-Us.jpg\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1600160499;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:110:\"https://library.elementor.com/psychologist-contact/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:34:\"[\"Psychologist\",\"Psychotherapist\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:22;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:666;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:558;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:163;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:16897;s:5:\"title\";s:30:\"Personal Chef – Business\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:74:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Personal-Chef.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1610466247;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:115:\"https://library.elementor.com/lp/personal-chef-business/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:2:\"lp\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:8:\"Business\";s:4:\"tags\";s:53:\"[\"Business\",\"Chef\",\"Food\",\"Landing Pages\",\"Services\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:22;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:795;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:617;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:164;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:5455;s:5:\"title\";s:8:\"About 20\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:74:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/about_white_6.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520443516;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:105:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/about-20/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:5:\"about\";s:4:\"tags\";s:9:\"[\"About\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:22;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:134;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:70;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:165;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:15142;s:5:\"title\";s:25:\"Psychologist – Home\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:65:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Home.jpg\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1600156308;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:107:\"https://library.elementor.com/psychologist-home/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:34:\"[\"Psychologist\",\"Psychotherapist\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:23;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:464;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:297;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:166;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:16946;s:5:\"title\";s:52:\"Online Full-Stack Developer Course – Education\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:95:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Online-Full-Stack-Developer-Course.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1610532778;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:137:\"https://library.elementor.com/lp/online-full-stack-developer-course-education/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:2:\"lp\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:9:\"Education\";s:4:\"tags\";s:76:\"[\"Academy\",\"Coding\",\"Course Online\",\"Developer\",\"Education\",\"Landing Pages\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:23;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:805;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:0;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:167;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:5413;s:5:\"title\";s:8:\"About 21\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:74:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/about_white_2.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520443507;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:105:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/about-21/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:5:\"about\";s:4:\"tags\";s:9:\"[\"About\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:23;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:83;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:52;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:168;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:15188;s:5:\"title\";s:28:\"Psychologist – Pricing\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:68:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Pricing.jpg\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1600159731;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:110:\"https://library.elementor.com/psychologist-pricing/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:34:\"[\"Psychologist\",\"Psychotherapist\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:24;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:732;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:537;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:169;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:16868;s:5:\"title\";s:40:\"Virtual Assistant – Online Service\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:88:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Virtual-Assistant-250x280-1.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1610465656;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:125:\"https://library.elementor.com/lp/virtual-assistant-online-service/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:2:\"lp\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:14:\"Online Service\";s:4:\"tags\";s:46:\"[\"Assistant\",\"Landing Pages\",\"Online Service\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:24;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:793;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:757;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:170;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:5447;s:5:\"title\";s:7:\"About 3\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:74:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/about_white_5.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520443514;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:106:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/about-3-2/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:5:\"about\";s:4:\"tags\";s:9:\"[\"About\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:24;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:48;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:12;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:171;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:15167;s:5:\"title\";s:29:\"Psychologist – Services\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:69:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Services.jpg\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1600158206;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:111:\"https://library.elementor.com/psychologist-services/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:34:\"[\"Psychologist\",\"Psychotherapist\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:25;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:606;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:379;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:172;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:16812;s:5:\"title\";s:40:\"Construction Project – Real Estate\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:81:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Construction-Project.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1610463582;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:125:\"https://library.elementor.com/lp/construction-project-real-estate/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:2:\"lp\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:11:\"Real Estate\";s:4:\"tags\";s:59:\"[\"Construction\",\"Landing Pages\",\"Real estate\",\"Realestate\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:25;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:796;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:724;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:173;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:5480;s:5:\"title\";s:7:\"About 4\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:76:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/about_black_7-1.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520443522;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:106:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/about-4-2/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:5:\"about\";s:4:\"tags\";s:9:\"[\"About\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:25;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:428;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:303;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:174;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:14932;s:5:\"title\";s:30:\"Flooring Company – About\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:66:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/About.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1597740110;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:112:\"https://library.elementor.com/flooring-company-about/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:39:\"[\"Flooring company\",\"Flooring website\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:26;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:488;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:319;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:175;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:6027;s:5:\"title\";s:7:\"About 5\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:76:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/about_white_1-1.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520443639;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:106:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/about-5-3/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:5:\"about\";s:4:\"tags\";s:9:\"[\"About\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:26;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:40;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:40;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:176;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:16960;s:5:\"title\";s:44:\"Dog & Cat Food Delivery – Business\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:69:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Dog-Food.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1610533581;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:123:\"https://library.elementor.com/lp/dog-cat-food-delivery-business/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:2:\"lp\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:8:\"Business\";s:4:\"tags\";s:71:\"[\"Business\",\"Cat\",\"Delivery\",\"Dog\",\"Food\",\"Landing Pages\",\"Pet\",\"Pets\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:26;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:782;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:510;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:177;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:9592;s:5:\"title\";s:26:\"Classic | Promotion | Sale\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:87:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Classic_Promotion_small_01.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1546963720;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:117:\"https://library.elementor.com/popups/classic-promotion-01/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"popup\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:7:\"classic\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:26;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:663;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:807;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:178;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:10210;s:5:\"title\";s:29:\"Classic | Promotion | Webinar\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:72:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/web_small-1.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1547886103;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:122:\"https://library.elementor.com/popups/classic-promotion-webinar/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"popup\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:7:\"classic\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:27;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:784;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:0;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:179;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:14998;s:5:\"title\";s:32:\"Flooring Company – Contact\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:71:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Contact-Us.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1597740222;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:114:\"https://library.elementor.com/flooring-company-contact/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:39:\"[\"Flooring company\",\"Flooring website\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:27;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:553;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:380;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:180;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:6036;s:5:\"title\";s:7:\"About 6\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:76:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/about_black_1-1.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520443641;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:106:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/about-6-3/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:5:\"about\";s:4:\"tags\";s:9:\"[\"About\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:27;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:90;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:123;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:181;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:17095;s:5:\"title\";s:36:\"Mobile Pet Grooming – Business\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:80:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Mobile-Pet-Grooming.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1610632115;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:121:\"https://library.elementor.com/lp/mobile-pet-grooming-business/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:2:\"lp\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:8:\"Business\";s:4:\"tags\";s:38:\"[\"Dog\",\"Groom\",\"Landing Pages\",\"Pets\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:27;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:786;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:731;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:182;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:14965;s:5:\"title\";s:32:\"Flooring Company – Gallery\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:68:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Gallery.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1597740353;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:114:\"https://library.elementor.com/flooring-company-gallery/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:39:\"[\"Flooring company\",\"Flooring website\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:28;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:371;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:291;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:183;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:17245;s:5:\"title\";s:34:\"Marketing Course – Education\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:64:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/PPC.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1610902958;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:119:\"https://library.elementor.com/lp/marketing-course-education/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:2:\"lp\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:9:\"Education\";s:4:\"tags\";s:45:\"[\"Course Online\",\"Landing Pages\",\"Marketing\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:28;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:770;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:430;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:184;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:5488;s:5:\"title\";s:7:\"About 7\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:74:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/about_white_8.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520443524;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:104:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/about-7/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:5:\"about\";s:4:\"tags\";s:9:\"[\"About\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:28;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:307;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:169;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:185;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:14947;s:5:\"title\";s:33:\"Flooring company – Services\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:69:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Services.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1597740551;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:115:\"https://library.elementor.com/flooring-company-services/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:39:\"[\"Flooring company\",\"Flooring website\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:29;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:538;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:392;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:186;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:6122;s:5:\"title\";s:7:\"About 8\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:76:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/about_white_2-1.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520443661;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:104:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/about-8/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:5:\"about\";s:4:\"tags\";s:9:\"[\"About\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:29;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:38;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:26;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:187;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:16983;s:5:\"title\";s:41:\"Pilates Instructor – Online Service\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:79:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Pilates-Instructor.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1610534138;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:126:\"https://library.elementor.com/lp/pilates-instructor-online-service/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:2:\"lp\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:14:\"Online Service\";s:4:\"tags\";s:70:\"[\"Free Trial\",\"Instructor\",\"Landing Pages\",\"Online Service\",\"Pilates\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:29;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:778;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:412;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:188;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:14901;s:5:\"title\";s:29:\"Flooring Company – Home\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:65:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Home.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1597740474;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:111:\"https://library.elementor.com/flooring-company-home/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:39:\"[\"Flooring company\",\"Flooring website\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:30;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:387;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:185;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:189;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:18568;s:5:\"title\";s:32:\"Flower Delivery – Business\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:76:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Flower-Delivery.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1617546716;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:117:\"https://library.elementor.com/lp/flower-delivery-business/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:2:\"lp\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:8:\"Business\";s:4:\"tags\";s:37:\"[\"Delivery\",\"Flower\",\"Landing Pages\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:30;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:874;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:763;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:190;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:10047;s:5:\"title\";s:15:\"Classic | Login\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:73:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/yellow_small.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1547847757;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:112:\"https://library.elementor.com/popups/classic-login-3/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"popup\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:7:\"classic\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:30;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:522;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:513;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:191;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:5496;s:5:\"title\";s:7:\"About 9\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:76:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/about_black_8-1.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520443526;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:104:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/about-9/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:5:\"about\";s:4:\"tags\";s:9:\"[\"About\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:30;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:523;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:453;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:192;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:16917;s:5:\"title\";s:22:\"Webinar – Events\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:80:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Webinar-Library-Pic.jpg\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1610466822;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:107:\"https://library.elementor.com/lp/webinar-events/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:2:\"lp\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:6:\"Events\";s:4:\"tags\";s:36:\"[\"Events\",\"Landing Pages\",\"Webinar\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:31;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:821;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:0;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:193;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:8961;s:5:\"title\";s:9:\"archive 1\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:74:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Archive_350.1.jpg\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1528639909;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:106:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/archive-1/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:7:\"archive\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:31;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:79;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:15;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:194;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:9879;s:5:\"title\";s:38:\"Classic | Register | Subscribe | Leads\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:70:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/dog_small.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1547838416;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:123:\"https://library.elementor.com/popups/classic-register-subscribe/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"popup\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:7:\"classic\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:31;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:676;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:761;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:195;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:14737;s:5:\"title\";s:32:\"Luxury Real Estate – About\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:66:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/About.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1595313527;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:119:\"https://library.elementor.com/luxury-real-estate-about-page/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:28:\"[\"real estate\",\"realestate\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:31;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:150;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:447;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:196;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:17079;s:5:\"title\";s:42:\"Calls Volunteer – Social Involvement\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:76:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Calls-Volunteer.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1610631774;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:127:\"https://library.elementor.com/lp/calls-volunteer-social-involvement/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:2:\"lp\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:18:\"Social Involvement\";s:4:\"tags\";s:68:\"[\"Care\",\"Covid-19\",\"Help\",\"Involvement\",\"Landing Pages\",\"Volunteer\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:32;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:854;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:0;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:197;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:8969;s:5:\"title\";s:9:\"archive 2\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:74:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Archive_350.2.jpg\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1528700014;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:106:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/archive-2/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:7:\"archive\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:32;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:250;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:124;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:198;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:14756;s:5:\"title\";s:34:\"Luxury Real Estate – Contact\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:71:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Contact-Us.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1595313519;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:124:\"https://library.elementor.com/luxury-real-estate-contact-us-page/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:28:\"[\"real estate\",\"realestate\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:32;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:610;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:569;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:199;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:16836;s:5:\"title\";s:33:\"Marketing Agency – Business\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:89:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Marketing-Agency-Library-Pic.jpg\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1610464490;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:118:\"https://library.elementor.com/lp/marketing-agency-business/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:2:\"lp\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:8:\"Business\";s:4:\"tags\";s:74:\"[\"Agency\",\"Business\",\"Landing Pages\",\"Marketing\",\"Marketing Landing Page\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:33;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:816;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:787;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:200;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:8973;s:5:\"title\";s:9:\"archive 3\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:74:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Archive_350.3.jpg\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1528700205;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:106:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/archive-3/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:7:\"archive\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:33;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:176;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:54;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:201;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:14716;s:5:\"title\";s:31:\"Luxury Real Estate – Home\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:65:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Home.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1595313512;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:118:\"https://library.elementor.com/luxury-real-estate-home-page/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:28:\"[\"real estate\",\"realestate\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:33;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:394;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:165;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:202;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:16785;s:5:\"title\";s:42:\"Gym Promotion – Health & Fitness\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:67:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Gym-LP.jpg\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1610455496;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:121:\"https://library.elementor.com/lp/gym-promotion-health-fitness/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:2:\"lp\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:18:\"Health and Fitness\";s:4:\"tags\";s:42:\"[\"Fitness\",\"Gym\",\"Health\",\"Landing Pages\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:34;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:820;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:0;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:203;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:8977;s:5:\"title\";s:9:\"archive 4\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:74:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Archive_350.4.jpg\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1528700326;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:106:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/archive-4/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:7:\"archive\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:34;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:354;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:396;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:204;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:14763;s:5:\"title\";s:31:\"Luxury Real Estate – News\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:73:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/news-Archive.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1595313273;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:118:\"https://library.elementor.com/luxury-real-estate-news-page/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:28:\"[\"real estate\",\"realestate\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:34;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:404;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:167;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:205;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:10297;s:5:\"title\";s:14:\"Classic | Sale\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:75:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/s_yellow_small.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1548056099;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:111:\"https://library.elementor.com/popups/classic-sale-4/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"popup\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:7:\"classic\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:35;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:590;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:607;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:206;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:18492;s:5:\"title\";s:34:\"Bicycle Pre-Sale – eCommerce\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:90:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Library-Pic-Bike-Landing-Page.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1617535552;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:119:\"https://library.elementor.com/lp/bicycle-pre-sale-ecommerce/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:2:\"lp\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:9:\"eCommerce\";s:4:\"tags\";s:34:\"[\"Bicycle\",\"Landing Pages\",\"Sale\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:35;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:871;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:826;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:207;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:8981;s:5:\"title\";s:9:\"archive 5\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:74:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Archive_350.5.jpg\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1528700484;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:106:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/archive-5/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:7:\"archive\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:35;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:333;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:195;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:208;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:13960;s:5:\"title\";s:32:\"Japanese restaurant – Home\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:70:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Home-Page.jpg\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1592289775;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:119:\"https://library.elementor.com/japanese-restaurant-home-page/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:32:\"[\"Food\",\"Japanese\",\"Restaurant\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:35;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:537;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:287;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:209;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:10393;s:5:\"title\";s:14:\"Classic | Sale\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:71:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/blue_small.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1548056682;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:111:\"https://library.elementor.com/popups/classic-sale-5/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"popup\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:7:\"classic\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:36;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:678;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:837;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:210;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:18349;s:5:\"title\";s:39:\"Virtual try-on glasses – Business\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:70:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/250x280-8.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1614772569;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:124:\"https://library.elementor.com/lp/virtual-try-on-glasses-business/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:2:\"lp\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:8:\"Business\";s:4:\"tags\";s:64:\"[\"Fashion\",\"Glasses\",\"Landing Pages\",\"Online Service\",\"Virtual\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:36;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:848;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:803;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:211;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:8985;s:5:\"title\";s:9:\"archive 6\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:74:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Archive_350.6.jpg\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1528700612;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:106:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/archive-6/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:7:\"archive\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:36;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:204;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:95;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:212;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:13993;s:5:\"title\";s:45:\"Japanese restaurant – Chef’s Menu\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:77:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Chef_s-Menu-Page.jpg\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1592289691;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:120:\"https://library.elementor.com/japanese-restaurant-chefs-menu/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:32:\"[\"Food\",\"Japanese\",\"Restaurant\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:36;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:651;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:675;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:213;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:17458;s:5:\"title\";s:31:\"Moving Company – Business\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:87:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Library-Pic-Moving-Company.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1612727025;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:116:\"https://library.elementor.com/lp/moving-company-business/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:2:\"lp\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:8:\"Business\";s:4:\"tags\";s:46:\"[\"Business\",\"Landing Pages\",\"Movers\",\"moving\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:37;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:826;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:767;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:214;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:8989;s:5:\"title\";s:9:\"archive 7\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:74:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Archive_350.7.jpg\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1528701063;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:106:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/archive-7/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:7:\"archive\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:37;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:208;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:111;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:215;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:14012;s:5:\"title\";s:36:\"Japanese restaurant – Bar Menu\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:74:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Bar-Menu-Page.jpg\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1592289665;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:118:\"https://library.elementor.com/japanese-restaurant-bar-menu/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:32:\"[\"Food\",\"Japanese\",\"Restaurant\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:37;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:735;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:829;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:216;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:10579;s:5:\"title\";s:14:\"Classic | Sale\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:72:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/sale1_small.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1547967887;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:111:\"https://library.elementor.com/popups/classic-sale-8/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"popup\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:7:\"classic\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:38;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:712;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:782;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:217;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:18517;s:5:\"title\";s:29:\"Food Blog – Coming Soon\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:82:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Library-Pic-Food-Blog.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1617539897;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:114:\"https://library.elementor.com/lp/food-blog-coming-soon/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:2:\"lp\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:16:\"Coming Soon Page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:45:\"[\"Blog\",\"Coming Soon\",\"Food\",\"Landing Pages\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:38;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:844;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:672;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:218;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:8996;s:5:\"title\";s:9:\"archive 8\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:74:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Archive_350.8.jpg\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1528701290;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:106:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/archive-8/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:7:\"archive\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:38;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:227;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:153;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:219;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:13917;s:5:\"title\";s:33:\"Japanese restaurant – About\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:71:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/About-Page.jpg\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1592289629;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:115:\"https://library.elementor.com/japanese-restaurant-about/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:32:\"[\"Food\",\"Japanese\",\"Restaurant\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:38;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:640;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:389;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:220;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:17379;s:5:\"title\";s:33:\"IT Service – Online Service\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:83:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Library-Pic-IT-Service.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1612713022;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:118:\"https://library.elementor.com/lp/it-service-online-service/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:2:\"lp\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:14:\"Online Service\";s:4:\"tags\";s:41:\"[\"IT\",\"Landing Pages\",\"Remote\",\"Support\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:39;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:806;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:634;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:221;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:9001;s:5:\"title\";s:9:\"archive 9\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:74:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Archive_350.9.jpg\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1528701433;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:106:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/archive-9/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:7:\"archive\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:39;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:265;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:208;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:222;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:13937;s:5:\"title\";s:35:\"Japanese restaurant – Gallery\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:73:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Gallery-Page.jpg\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1592289748;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:117:\"https://library.elementor.com/japanese-restaurant-gallery/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:32:\"[\"Food\",\"Japanese\",\"Restaurant\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:39;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:648;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:551;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:223;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:18560;s:5:\"title\";s:52:\"Finance Learning Platform – Under Construction\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:89:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Library-Pic-Finance-Platform.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1617542761;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:137:\"https://library.elementor.com/lp/finance-learning-platform-under-construction/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:2:\"lp\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:18:\"Under Construction\";s:4:\"tags\";s:27:\"[\"Finance\",\"Landing Pages\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:40;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:843;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:561;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:224;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:13528;s:5:\"title\";s:22:\"Barbershop – 404\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:69:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/404-Page.jpg\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1589893152;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:111:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/barbershop-404/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:8:\"404 page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:34:\"[\"404\",\"Barber Shop\",\"Barbershop\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:40;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:768;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:681;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:225;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:14030;s:5:\"title\";s:34:\"Japanese restaurant – Events\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:72:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Events-Page.jpg\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1592289713;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:116:\"https://library.elementor.com/japanese-restaurant-events/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:32:\"[\"Food\",\"Japanese\",\"Restaurant\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:40;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:723;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:711;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:226;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:18528;s:5:\"title\";s:36:\"Home Decor Store – Coming Soon\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:84:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Library-Pic-Home-Decore.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1617541784;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:121:\"https://library.elementor.com/lp/home-decor-store-coming-soon/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:2:\"lp\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:16:\"Coming Soon Page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:57:\"[\"Coming Soon\",\"Decor\",\"interior design\",\"Landing Pages\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:41;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:872;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:819;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:227;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:13518;s:5:\"title\";s:26:\"Barbershop – Archive\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:70:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Blog-Page.jpg\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1589893157;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:115:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/barbershop-archive/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:7:\"archive\";s:4:\"tags\";s:28:\"[\"Barber Shop\",\"Barbershop\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:41;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:737;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:523;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:228;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:13984;s:5:\"title\";s:40:\"Japanese restaurant – Reservations\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:73:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/reservations.jpg\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1592294757;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:122:\"https://library.elementor.com/japanese-restaurant-reservations/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:32:\"[\"Food\",\"Japanese\",\"Restaurant\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:41;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:715;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:727;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:229;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:17504;s:5:\"title\";s:29:\"Hair Stylist – Business\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:70:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/250x280-3.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1612883014;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:114:\"https://library.elementor.com/lp/hair-stylist-business/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:2:\"lp\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:8:\"Business\";s:4:\"tags\";s:59:\"[\"Business\",\"Hair\",\"hairdresser\",\"Landing Pages\",\"stylist\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:42;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:840;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:806;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:230;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:13604;s:5:\"title\";s:25:\"Barbershop – Footer\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:73:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Footer-Small.jpg\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1589893147;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:114:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/barbershop-footer/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:6:\"footer\";s:4:\"tags\";s:37:\"[\"Barber Shop\",\"Barbershop\",\"footer\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:42;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:555;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:267;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:231;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:13479;s:5:\"title\";s:23:\"Barbershop – Home\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:70:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Home-Page.jpg\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1589893275;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:105:\"https://library.elementor.com/barbershop-home/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:28:\"[\"Barber Shop\",\"Barbershop\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:42;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:683;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:832;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:232;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:10180;s:5:\"title\";s:21:\"Fly In | Announcement\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:72:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/glass_small.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1548045309;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:118:\"https://library.elementor.com/popups/fly-in-announcement-3/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"popup\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:6:\"fly-in\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:43;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:686;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:788;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:233;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:18449;s:5:\"title\";s:46:\"Aesthetic Clinic – Health & Fitness\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:77:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Aesthetic-Clinic.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1616682181;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:124:\"https://library.elementor.com/lp/aesthetic-clinic-health-fitness/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:2:\"lp\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:18:\"Health and Fitness\";s:4:\"tags\";s:57:\"[\"Aesthetic\",\"Beauty\",\"Fitness\",\"Health\",\"Landing Pages\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:43;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:859;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:0;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:234;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:13612;s:5:\"title\";s:25:\"Barbershop – Header\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:79:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/barber-shop-header.jpg\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1589893142;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:114:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/barbershop-header/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:6:\"header\";s:4:\"tags\";s:37:\"[\"Barber Shop\",\"Barbershop\",\"header\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:43;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:343;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:137;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:235;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:13503;s:5:\"title\";s:24:\"Barbershop – About\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:71:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/About-Page.jpg\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1589893289;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:106:\"https://library.elementor.com/barbershop-about/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:28:\"[\"Barber Shop\",\"Barbershop\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:43;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:744;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:739;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:236;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:17353;s:5:\"title\";s:44:\"Online Cooking Course – Online Service\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:70:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/250x280-2.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1612705144;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:129:\"https://library.elementor.com/lp/online-cooking-course-online-service/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:2:\"lp\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:14:\"Online Service\";s:4:\"tags\";s:50:\"[\"Cooking\",\"Course Online\",\"Food\",\"Landing Pages\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:44;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:845;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:0;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:237;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:13621;s:5:\"title\";s:30:\"Barbershop – Single Post\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:72:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Single-Page.jpg\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1589893137;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:119:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/barbershop-single-post/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:11:\"single post\";s:4:\"tags\";s:28:\"[\"Barber Shop\",\"Barbershop\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:44;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:736;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:580;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:238;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:13548;s:5:\"title\";s:27:\"Barbershop – Services\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:74:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Services-Page.jpg\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1589893298;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:109:\"https://library.elementor.com/barbershop-services/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:28:\"[\"Barber Shop\",\"Barbershop\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:44;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:761;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:0;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:239;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:16527;s:5:\"title\";s:24:\"Beauty Salon – 404\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:64:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/404.jpg\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1608622517;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:113:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/beauty-salon-404/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:8:\"404 page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:29:\"[\"404\",\"Beauty salon\",\"hair\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:45;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:742;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:563;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:240;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:18550;s:5:\"title\";s:39:\"Online Store – Under Construction\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:85:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Library-Pic-Online-Store.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1617542506;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:124:\"https://library.elementor.com/lp/online-store-under-construction/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:2:\"lp\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:18:\"Under Construction\";s:4:\"tags\";s:59:\"[\"Landing Pages\",\"online shop\",\"Shop\",\"Under Construction\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:45;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:832;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:600;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:241;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:13560;s:5:\"title\";s:26:\"Barbershop – Gallery\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:73:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Gallery-Page.jpg\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1589893307;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:108:\"https://library.elementor.com/barbershop-gallery/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:28:\"[\"Barber Shop\",\"Barbershop\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:45;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:756;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:822;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:242;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:9731;s:5:\"title\";s:26:\"Classic | Sale | Promotion\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:75:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/icecream_small.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1547976166;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:109:\"https://library.elementor.com/popups/classic-sale/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"popup\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:7:\"classic\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:46;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:635;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:648;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:243;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:16535;s:5:\"title\";s:27:\"Beauty Salon – Footer\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:67:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Footer.jpg\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1608622498;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:116:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/beauty-salon-footer/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:6:\"footer\";s:4:\"tags\";s:32:\"[\"Beauty salon\",\"Footer\",\"hair\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:46;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:524;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:126;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:244;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:18539;s:5:\"title\";s:40:\"Travel Agency – Under Construction\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:88:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Library-Pic-Travel-Agency-1.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1617610273;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:125:\"https://library.elementor.com/lp/travel-agency-under-construction/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:2:\"lp\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:18:\"Under Construction\";s:4:\"tags\";s:56:\"[\"Agency\",\"Landing Pages\",\"Travel\",\"Under Construction\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:46;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:876;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:652;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:245;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:13587;s:5:\"title\";s:26:\"Barbershop – Contact\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:76:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Contact-Us-Page.jpg\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1589893315;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:108:\"https://library.elementor.com/barbershop-contact/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:28:\"[\"Barber Shop\",\"Barbershop\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:46;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:753;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:0;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:246;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:16545;s:5:\"title\";s:27:\"Beauty Salon – Header\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:67:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Header.jpg\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1608622495;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:116:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/beauty-salon-header/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:6:\"header\";s:4:\"tags\";s:32:\"[\"Beauty salon\",\"hair\",\"Header\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:47;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:356;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:49;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:247;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:18270;s:5:\"title\";s:24:\"Open week – Events\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:68:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/250x280.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1614767186;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:109:\"https://library.elementor.com/lp/open-week-events/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:2:\"lp\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:6:\"Events\";s:4:\"tags\";s:59:\"[\"Education\",\"Event\",\"Events\",\"Landing Pages\",\"University\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:47;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:831;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:673;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:248;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:13307;s:5:\"title\";s:26:\"Online Course – Home\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:65:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Home.jpg\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1587474541;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:108:\"https://library.elementor.com/online-course-home/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:29:\"[\"Course Online\",\"Education\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:47;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:230;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:125;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:249;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:7686;s:5:\"title\";s:12:\"Blog Posts 1\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:71:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/blog_posts.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1521558047;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:109:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/blog-posts-1/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:26:\"[\"archive\",\"Blog\",\"posts\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:48;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:131;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:152;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:250;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:18300;s:5:\"title\";s:30:\"Makeup Artist – Business\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:70:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/250x280-2.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1614768608;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:115:\"https://library.elementor.com/lp/makeup-artist-business/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:2:\"lp\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:8:\"Business\";s:4:\"tags\";s:79:\"[\"Beauty\",\"Business\",\"Course Online\",\"Landing Pages\",\"Makeup\",\"Online Service\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:48;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:861;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:783;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:251;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:13328;s:5:\"title\";s:27:\"Online Course – About\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:66:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/About.jpg\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1587474558;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:109:\"https://library.elementor.com/online-course-about/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:29:\"[\"Course Online\",\"Education\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:48;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:508;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:429;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:252;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:18329;s:5:\"title\";s:63:\"Online Real Estate Investment Conference – Online Service\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:70:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/250x280-5.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1614770404;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:148:\"https://library.elementor.com/lp/online-real-estate-investment-conference-online-service/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:2:\"lp\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:14:\"Online Service\";s:4:\"tags\";s:76:\"[\"Conference\",\"Event\",\"Events\",\"Landing Pages\",\"Online Event\",\"Real estate\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:49;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:866;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:779;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:253;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:13338;s:5:\"title\";s:33:\"Online Course – Course Page\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:72:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Course-Page.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1587474574;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:115:\"https://library.elementor.com/online-course-course-page/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:29:\"[\"Course Online\",\"Education\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:49;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:337;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:310;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:254;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:5283;s:5:\"title\";s:9:\"Clients 1\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:76:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/clients_white_2.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520443478;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:108:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/clients-1-2/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:7:\"clients\";s:4:\"tags\";s:11:\"[\"clients\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:49;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:294;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:202;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:255;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:18391;s:5:\"title\";s:45:\"Children’s Optometrist – Business\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:94:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Library-Pic-Childrens-Optometrist.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1614773564;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:123:\"https://library.elementor.com/lp/childrens-optometrist-business/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:2:\"lp\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:8:\"Business\";s:4:\"tags\";s:85:\"[\"Business\",\"Children\",\"Eye\",\"Glasses\",\"Health\",\"Kids\",\"Landing Pages\",\"Optometrist\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:50;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:877;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:0;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:256;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:13352;s:5:\"title\";s:29:\"Online Course – Contact\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:71:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Contact-Us.jpg\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1587474591;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:111:\"https://library.elementor.com/online-course-contact/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:29:\"[\"Course Online\",\"Education\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:50;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:565;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:533;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:257;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:5306;s:5:\"title\";s:10:\"Clients 10\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:76:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/clients_black_3.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520443484;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:107:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/clients-10/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:7:\"clients\";s:4:\"tags\";s:11:\"[\"clients\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:50;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:657;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:581;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:258;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:18366;s:5:\"title\";s:30:\"Car Insurance – Business\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:86:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Library-Pic-Car-Insurance.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1614773263;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:115:\"https://library.elementor.com/lp/car-insurance-business/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:2:\"lp\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:8:\"Business\";s:4:\"tags\";s:46:\"[\"Business\",\"car\",\"Insurance\",\"Landing Pages\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:51;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:869;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:797;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:259;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:13187;s:5:\"title\";s:33:\"Interior Design – Home Page\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:65:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Home.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1586148661;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:115:\"https://library.elementor.com/interior-design-home-page/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:30:\"[\"business\",\"interior design\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:51;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:331;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:264;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:260;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:5341;s:5:\"title\";s:10:\"Clients 11\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:76:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/clients_black_4.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520443491;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:107:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/clients-11/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:7:\"clients\";s:4:\"tags\";s:11:\"[\"clients\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:51;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:603;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:633;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:261;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:18291;s:5:\"title\";s:47:\"Grill Restaurant Food Delivery – Business\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:89:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Library-Pic-Food-Delivery-LP.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1614767830;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:132:\"https://library.elementor.com/lp/grill-restaurant-food-delivery-business/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:2:\"lp\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:8:\"Business\";s:4:\"tags\";s:79:\"[\"Delivery\",\"Delivery Service\",\"Fast Food\",\"Food\",\"Landing Pages\",\"Restaurant\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:52;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:819;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:685;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:262;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:13199;s:5:\"title\";s:29:\"Interior Design – About\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:66:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/About.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1586148666;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:111:\"https://library.elementor.com/interior-design-about/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:30:\"[\"business\",\"interior design\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:52;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:316;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:334;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:263;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:5315;s:5:\"title\";s:10:\"Clients 12\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:75:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/form_white_4-1.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520443486;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:107:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/clients-12/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:7:\"clients\";s:4:\"tags\";s:11:\"[\"clients\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:52;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:485;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:263;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:264;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:18340;s:5:\"title\";s:30:\"Restaurant – Coming Soon\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:98:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Library-Pic-Restuarant-Coming-Soon-LP.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1614772183;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:115:\"https://library.elementor.com/lp/restaurant-coming-soon/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:2:\"lp\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:16:\"Coming Soon Page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:51:\"[\"Coming Soon\",\"Food\",\"Landing Pages\",\"Restaurant\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:53;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:810;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:809;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:265;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:13214;s:5:\"title\";s:32:\"Interior Design – Projects\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:72:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/portfolio_s.jpg\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1586148672;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:114:\"https://library.elementor.com/interior-design-projects/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:30:\"[\"business\",\"interior design\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:53;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:367;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:323;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:266;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:5333;s:5:\"title\";s:10:\"Clients 13\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:73:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/form_white_6.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520443489;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:107:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/clients-13/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:7:\"clients\";s:4:\"tags\";s:11:\"[\"clients\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:53;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:234;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:128;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:267;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:17480;s:5:\"title\";s:42:\"At-home Massage Therapist – Business\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:86:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/At-Home-Massage-Therapist.jpg\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1612879264;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:127:\"https://library.elementor.com/lp/at-home-massage-therapist-business/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:2:\"lp\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:8:\"Business\";s:4:\"tags\";s:60:\"[\"Business\",\"Health\",\"Landing Pages\",\"Services\",\"Therapist\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:54;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:856;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:0;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:268;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:13229;s:5:\"title\";s:31:\"Interior Design – Contact\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:71:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Contact-Us.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1586148677;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:113:\"https://library.elementor.com/interior-design-contact/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:30:\"[\"business\",\"interior design\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:54;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:395;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:337;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:269;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:5389;s:5:\"title\";s:10:\"Clients 14\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:73:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/form_black_9.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520443501;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:107:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/clients-14/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:7:\"clients\";s:4:\"tags\";s:11:\"[\"clients\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:54;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:407;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:307;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:270;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:10005;s:5:\"title\";s:38:\"Fly In | Promotion | Spa | Body Lotion\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:79:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Flyin_lotion_small.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1547844909;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:115:\"https://library.elementor.com/popups/fly-in-promotion-2/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"popup\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:6:\"fly-in\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:54;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:755;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:760;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:271;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:10424;s:5:\"title\";s:21:\"Fly In | Announcement\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:73:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/flower_small.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1547961866;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:118:\"https://library.elementor.com/popups/fly-in-announcement-4/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"popup\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:6:\"fly-in\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:55;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:677;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:753;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:272;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:18317;s:5:\"title\";s:26:\"Insurance – Business\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:87:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Library-Pic-Life-Insirance.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1614769488;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:111:\"https://library.elementor.com/lp/insurance-business/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:2:\"lp\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:8:\"Business\";s:4:\"tags\";s:61:\"[\"Business\",\"Family\",\"Financial\",\"Insurance\",\"Landing Pages\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:55;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:870;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:0;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:273;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:12948;s:5:\"title\";s:29:\"Photography – Home Page\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:67:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Home_s.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1582093442;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:111:\"https://library.elementor.com/photography-home-page/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:27:\"[\"Photography\",\"portfolio\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:55;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:241;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:201;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:274;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:5298;s:5:\"title\";s:10:\"Clients 15\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:76:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/clients_white_3.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520443482;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:107:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/clients-15/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:7:\"clients\";s:4:\"tags\";s:11:\"[\"clients\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:55;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:465;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:520;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:275;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:9975;s:5:\"title\";s:24:\"Fly In | Promotion | App\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:84:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/flyin_webinar_app_small.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1547842284;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:121:\"https://library.elementor.com/popups/fly-in-promotion-webinar/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"popup\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:6:\"fly-in\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:55;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:774;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:0;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:276;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:17401;s:5:\"title\";s:40:\"Conference Thank You Page – Events\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:68:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/250x280.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1612724753;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:125:\"https://library.elementor.com/lp/conference-thank-you-page-events/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:2:\"lp\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:14:\"Thank You Page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:59:\"[\"Conference\",\"Event\",\"Events\",\"Landing Pages\",\"Thank You\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:56;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:799;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:540;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:277;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:12798;s:5:\"title\";s:25:\"Photography – About\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:68:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/About_s.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1582093446;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:107:\"https://library.elementor.com/photography-about/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:27:\"[\"Photography\",\"portfolio\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:56;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:499;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:374;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:278;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:5381;s:5:\"title\";s:10:\"Clients 16\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:73:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/form_white_9.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520443499;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:107:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/clients-16/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:7:\"clients\";s:4:\"tags\";s:11:\"[\"clients\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:56;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:198;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:168;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:279;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:10067;s:5:\"title\";s:31:\"Fly In | Announcement | Cookies\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:87:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/fly-in_cookie_yellow_small.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1547848075;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:116:\"https://library.elementor.com/popups/fly-in-announcement/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"popup\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:6:\"fly-in\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:56;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:582;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:619;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:280;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:17368;s:5:\"title\";s:38:\"Real Estate Agency – Real-Estate\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:84:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Library-Pic-Real-Estate.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1612711814;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:123:\"https://library.elementor.com/lp/real-estate-agency-real-estate/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:2:\"lp\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:11:\"Real Estate\";s:4:\"tags\";s:73:\"[\"Landing Pages\",\"listing\",\"Real estate\",\"Realestate\",\"realtor\",\"realty\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:57;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:858;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:777;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:281;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:12868;s:5:\"title\";s:27:\"Photography – Contact\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:70:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Contact_s.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1582093450;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:109:\"https://library.elementor.com/photography-contact/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:27:\"[\"Photography\",\"portfolio\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:57;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:531;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:350;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:282;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:5357;s:5:\"title\";s:9:\"Clients 2\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:76:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/clients_black_7.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520443495;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:108:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/clients-2-2/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:7:\"clients\";s:4:\"tags\";s:11:\"[\"clients\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:57;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:341;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:232;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:283;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:17423;s:5:\"title\";s:57:\"Volunteer Calls Thank You Page – Social Involvement\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:80:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Volunteer-Calls-TYP.jpg\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1612726058;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:142:\"https://library.elementor.com/lp/volunteer-calls-thank-you-page-social-involvement/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:2:\"lp\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:14:\"Thank You Page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:62:\"[\"Care\",\"Involvement\",\"Landing Pages\",\"Thank You\",\"Volunteer\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:58;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:857;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:818;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:284;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:13056;s:5:\"title\";s:28:\"Photography – Wildlife\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:71:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Wildlife_s.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1582093454;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:110:\"https://library.elementor.com/photography-wildlife/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:27:\"[\"Photography\",\"portfolio\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:58;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:579;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:656;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:285;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:5290;s:5:\"title\";s:9:\"Clients 3\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:76:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/clients_black_2.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520443480;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:108:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/clients-3-2/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:7:\"clients\";s:4:\"tags\";s:11:\"[\"clients\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:58;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:545;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:502;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:286;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:10329;s:5:\"title\";s:25:\"Fly In | Sale | Promotion\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:74:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/organic_small.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1547893478;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:118:\"https://library.elementor.com/popups/fly-in-sale-promotion/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"popup\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:6:\"fly-in\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:59;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:781;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:0;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:287;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:17409;s:5:\"title\";s:37:\"Webinar Thank You Page – Events\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:84:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Library-Pic-Webinar-TYP.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1612725644;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:122:\"https://library.elementor.com/lp/webinar-thank-you-page-events/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:2:\"lp\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:14:\"Thank You Page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:56:\"[\"Event\",\"Events\",\"Landing Pages\",\"Thank You\",\"Webinar\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:59;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:868;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:0;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:288;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:12922;s:5:\"title\";s:37:\"Photography – Glowing Jellyfish\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:72:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Jellyfish_S.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1582093457;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:119:\"https://library.elementor.com/photography-glowing-jellyfish/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:27:\"[\"Photography\",\"portfolio\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:59;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:628;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:532;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:289;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:5266;s:5:\"title\";s:9:\"Clients 4\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:76:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/clients_white_1.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520443474;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:106:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/clients-4/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:7:\"clients\";s:4:\"tags\";s:11:\"[\"clients\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:59;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:95;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:134;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:290;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:17258;s:5:\"title\";s:32:\"Beauty Product – eCommerce\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:75:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Beauty-Product.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1610903153;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:117:\"https://library.elementor.com/lp/beauty-product-ecommerce/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:2:\"lp\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:9:\"eCommerce\";s:4:\"tags\";s:38:\"[\"beauty\",\"Ecommerce\",\"Landing Pages\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:60;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:797;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:703;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:291;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:12875;s:5:\"title\";s:36:\"Photography – Fluttering Birds\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:68:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Birds_s.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1582093461;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:118:\"https://library.elementor.com/photography-fluttering-birds/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:27:\"[\"Photography\",\"portfolio\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:60;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:693;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:766;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:292;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:9650;s:5:\"title\";s:36:\"Fly In | Register | Subscribe | Sale\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:86:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Fly-In_Register_small_01a.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1547007598;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:119:\"https://library.elementor.com/popups/fly-in-register_big-01/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"popup\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:6:\"fly-in\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:60;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:771;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:0;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:293;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:5275;s:5:\"title\";s:9:\"Clients 5\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:76:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/clients_black_1.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520443476;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:106:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/clients-5/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:7:\"clients\";s:4:\"tags\";s:11:\"[\"clients\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:60;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:334;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:321;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:294;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:17435;s:5:\"title\";s:39:\"Gym – App Service – Product\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:70:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/250x280-4.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1612726462;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:116:\"https://library.elementor.com/lp/gym-app-service-product/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:2:\"lp\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:7:\"Product\";s:4:\"tags\";s:58:\"[\"App\",\"Fitness\",\"Gym\",\"Health\",\"Landing Pages\",\"Product\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:61;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:767;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:577;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:295;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:12962;s:5:\"title\";s:26:\"Photography – Nature\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:69:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Nature_s.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1582093465;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:108:\"https://library.elementor.com/photography-nature/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:27:\"[\"Photography\",\"portfolio\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:61;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:592;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:778;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:296;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:5349;s:5:\"title\";s:9:\"Clients 7\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:73:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/form_white_7.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520443493;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:106:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/clients-7/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:7:\"clients\";s:4:\"tags\";s:11:\"[\"clients\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:61;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:233;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:92;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:297;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:17111;s:5:\"title\";s:33:\"Sunglasses Sale – eCommerce\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:86:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Sunglasses-LP-Library-Pic.jpg\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1610632408;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:118:\"https://library.elementor.com/lp/sunglasses-sale-ecommerce/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:2:\"lp\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:9:\"eCommerce\";s:4:\"tags\";s:59:\"[\"Ecommerce\",\"Fashion\",\"Landing Pages\",\"Sale\",\"Sunglasses\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:62;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:812;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:732;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:298;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:12833;s:5:\"title\";s:38:\"Photography – Blossoming Flowers\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:70:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Flowers_s.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1582093469;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:120:\"https://library.elementor.com/photography-blossoming-flowers/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:27:\"[\"Photography\",\"portfolio\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:62;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:597;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:750;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:299;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:5324;s:5:\"title\";s:9:\"Clients 8\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:75:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/form_white_5-1.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520443488;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:106:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/clients-8/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:7:\"clients\";s:4:\"tags\";s:11:\"[\"clients\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:62;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:526;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:381;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:300;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:10200;s:5:\"title\";s:33:\"Full Screen | Content Lock | Wine\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:76:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/lock_wine_small.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1548055635;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:121:\"https://library.elementor.com/popups/full-screen-content-lock/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"popup\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:11:\"full screen\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:63;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:719;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:0;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:301;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:17223;s:5:\"title\";s:25:\"Fashion – eCommerce\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:77:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Commerce-Fashion.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1610902553;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:110:\"https://library.elementor.com/lp/fashion-ecommerce/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:2:\"lp\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:9:\"eCommerce\";s:4:\"tags\";s:29:\"[\"Ecommerce\",\"Landing Pages\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:63;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:808;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:745;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:302;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:12898;s:5:\"title\";s:36:\"Photography – Forest Mushrooms\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:72:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Mushrooms_s.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1582093473;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:118:\"https://library.elementor.com/photography-forest-mushrooms/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:27:\"[\"Photography\",\"portfolio\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:63;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:667;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:649;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:303;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:5368;s:5:\"title\";s:9:\"Clients 9\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:73:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/form_white_8.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520443497;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:106:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/clients-9/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:7:\"clients\";s:4:\"tags\";s:11:\"[\"clients\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:63;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:253;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:273;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:304;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:10287;s:5:\"title\";s:34:\"Full Screen | Register | Subscribe\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:77:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/glass_pink_small.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1547994301;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:116:\"https://library.elementor.com/popups/full-screen-login-2/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"popup\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:11:\"full screen\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:64;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:602;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:439;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:305;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:17017;s:5:\"title\";s:28:\"Shoes Sale – eCommerce\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:81:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Shoes-LP-Library-Pic.jpg\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1610535361;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:113:\"https://library.elementor.com/lp/shoes-sale-ecommerce/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:2:\"lp\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:9:\"eCommerce\";s:4:\"tags\";s:55:\"[\"Discount\",\"Ecommerce\",\"Landing Pages\",\"Sale\",\"Shoes\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:64;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:803;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:642;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:306;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:4436;s:5:\"title\";s:11:\"Contact 16\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:72:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/map_black_2.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520443293;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:107:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/contact-16/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:7:\"contact\";s:4:\"tags\";s:11:\"[\"contact\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:64;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:161;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:68;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:307;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:12994;s:5:\"title\";s:24:\"Photography – Pets\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:67:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Pets_s.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1582093477;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:106:\"https://library.elementor.com/photography-pets/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:27:\"[\"Photography\",\"portfolio\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:64;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:612;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:508;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:308;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:17301;s:5:\"title\";s:53:\"Personal Chef – Thank You Page – Business\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:78:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/TYP-Personal-Chef.jpg\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1610903622;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:130:\"https://library.elementor.com/lp/personal-chef-thank-you-page-business/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:2:\"lp\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:14:\"Thank You Page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:43:\"[\"Chef\",\"Food\",\"Landing Pages\",\"Thank You\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:65;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:823;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:754;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:309;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:4420;s:5:\"title\";s:9:\"Contact 1\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:72:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/map_black_1.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520443289;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:108:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/contact-1-2/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:7:\"contact\";s:4:\"tags\";s:11:\"[\"contact\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:65;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:196;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:127;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:310;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:12805;s:5:\"title\";s:38:\"Photography – B&W Portraits\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:68:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Black_s.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1582093481;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:114:\"https://library.elementor.com/photography-bw-portraits/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:27:\"[\"Photography\",\"portfolio\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:65;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:695;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:735;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:311;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:5836;s:5:\"title\";s:10:\"Contact 10\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:76:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/contact_white_2.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520443597;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:107:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/contact-10/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:7:\"contact\";s:4:\"tags\";s:11:\"[\"contact\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:66;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:114;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:76;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:312;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:17313;s:5:\"title\";s:60:\"Development Course – Thank You Page – Education\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:76:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Dev-Course-TYP-.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1610903776;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:136:\"https://library.elementor.com/lp/development-course-thank-you-page-education/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:2:\"lp\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:14:\"Thank You Page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:57:\"[\"Course Online\",\"Education\",\"Landing Pages\",\"Thank You\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:66;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:834;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:0;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:313;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:13031;s:5:\"title\";s:33:\"Photography – Vivid Parrots\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:70:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Parrots_s.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1582093484;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:115:\"https://library.elementor.com/photography-vivid-parrots/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:27:\"[\"Photography\",\"portfolio\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:66;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:660;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:643;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:314;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:9889;s:5:\"title\";s:28:\"Full Screen | Login | Cactus\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:70:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/cac_small.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1547838722;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:114:\"https://library.elementor.com/popups/full-screen-login/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"popup\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:11:\"full screen\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:66;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:743;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:713;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:315;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:5844;s:5:\"title\";s:10:\"Contact 11\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:76:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/contact_black_2.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520443599;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:107:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/contact-11/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:7:\"contact\";s:4:\"tags\";s:11:\"[\"contact\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:67;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:289;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:313;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:316;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:16192;s:5:\"title\";s:30:\"Management App – Product\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:78:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/app.-landing-page.jpg\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1607866881;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:115:\"https://library.elementor.com/lp/management-app-product/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:2:\"lp\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:7:\"Product\";s:4:\"tags\";s:33:\"[\"App\",\"Landing Pages\",\"Product\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:67;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:827;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:765;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:317;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:12621;s:5:\"title\";s:26:\"Magazine – Home Page\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:67:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Home_s.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1579060604;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:108:\"https://library.elementor.com/magazine-home-page/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:19:\"[\"Blog\",\"Magazine\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:67;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:167;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:121;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:318;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:10077;s:5:\"title\";s:29:\"Fly In | Register | Subscribe\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:86:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/flyin_register_blue_small.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1547848197;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:122:\"https://library.elementor.com/popups/fly-in-register-subscribe/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"popup\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:6:\"fly-in\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:67;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:540;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:574;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:319;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:15839;s:5:\"title\";s:29:\"Chiropractor – Business\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:86:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Landing-Page-Chiropractor.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1607855449;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:114:\"https://library.elementor.com/lp/chiropractor-business/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:2:\"lp\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:8:\"Business\";s:4:\"tags\";s:37:\"[\"Business\",\"Health\",\"Landing Pages\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:68;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:828;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:709;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:320;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:12352;s:5:\"title\";s:24:\"Travel – Home Page\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:67:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Home_s.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1575960464;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:106:\"https://library.elementor.com/travel-home-page/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:18:\"[\"Tours\",\"Travel\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:68;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:291;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:194;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:321;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:4476;s:5:\"title\";s:10:\"Contact 15\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:76:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/contact_white_4.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520443303;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:107:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/contact-15/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:7:\"contact\";s:4:\"tags\";s:18:\"[\"contact\",\"form\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:68;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:229;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:187;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:322;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:15827;s:5:\"title\";s:32:\"Creative Agency – Business\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:76:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Get_Started_250.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1607855280;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:117:\"https://library.elementor.com/lp/creative-agency-business/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:2:\"lp\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:8:\"Business\";s:4:\"tags\";s:168:\"[\"Agency\",\"bootstrap\",\"Business\",\"corporate\",\"Landing Pages\",\"Marketing Campaign\",\"Marketing Landing Page\",\"Product launch\",\"software\",\"Startup\",\"startup landing page\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:69;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:748;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:363;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:323;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:10362;s:5:\"title\";s:32:\"Full Screen | Login | Restaurant\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:70:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/vip_small.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1548056253;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:116:\"https://library.elementor.com/popups/full-screen-login-3/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"popup\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:11:\"full screen\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:69;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:587;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:560;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:324;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:12400;s:5:\"title\";s:20:\"Travel – About\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:66:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/About.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1575960441;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:102:\"https://library.elementor.com/travel-about/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:18:\"[\"Tours\",\"Travel\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:69;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:444;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:445;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:325;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:5214;s:5:\"title\";s:10:\"Contact 16\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:73:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/form_white_2.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520443462;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:109:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/contact-16-2/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:7:\"contact\";s:4:\"tags\";s:18:\"[\"contact\",\"form\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:69;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:194;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:106;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:326;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:16120;s:5:\"title\";s:37:\"Life coach Tom – Online Service\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:80:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/Landin-Page-Coacher.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1607865812;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:122:\"https://library.elementor.com/lp/life-coach-tom-online-service/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:2:\"lp\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:8:\"Business\";s:4:\"tags\";s:30:\"[\"Consulting\",\"Landing Pages\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:70;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:818;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:796;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:327;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:12479;s:5:\"title\";s:20:\"Travel – Tours\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:68:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Tours_s.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1575960474;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:102:\"https://library.elementor.com/travel-tours/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:18:\"[\"Tours\",\"Travel\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:70;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:539;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:726;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:328;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:5230;s:5:\"title\";s:10:\"Contact 17\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:73:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/form_white_3.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520443466;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:107:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/contact-17/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:7:\"contact\";s:4:\"tags\";s:18:\"[\"contact\",\"form\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:70;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:339;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:335;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:329;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:16059;s:5:\"title\";s:34:\"Melbourne Conference – Event\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:84:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/convention-landing-page.jpg\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1607864236;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:119:\"https://library.elementor.com/lp/melbourne-conference-event/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:2:\"lp\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:6:\"Events\";s:4:\"tags\";s:25:\"[\"Event\",\"Landing Pages\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:71;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:841;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:0;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:330;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:10454;s:5:\"title\";s:29:\"Full Screen | Promotion | App\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:71:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/appy_small.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1548056896;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:122:\"https://library.elementor.com/popups/full-screen-promotion-app/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"popup\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:11:\"full screen\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:71;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:776;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:804;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:331;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:12466;s:5:\"title\";s:27:\"Travel – Testimonials\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:73:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Testimonials.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1575960469;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:109:\"https://library.elementor.com/travel-testimonials/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:18:\"[\"Tours\",\"Travel\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:71;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:527;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:481;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:332;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:5257;s:5:\"title\";s:10:\"Contact 18\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:73:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/form_white_5.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520443472;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:107:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/contact-18/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:7:\"contact\";s:4:\"tags\";s:8:\"[\"form\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:71;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:438;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:490;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:333;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:5820;s:5:\"title\";s:9:\"Contact 2\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:76:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/contact_white_1.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520443593;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:106:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/contact-2/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:7:\"contact\";s:4:\"tags\";s:11:\"[\"contact\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:72;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:183;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:357;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:334;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:16073;s:5:\"title\";s:56:\"International Women’s Day Conference – Event\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:109:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Landing-Page-International-Womens-Day-Conference.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1607864979;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:134:\"https://library.elementor.com/lp/international-womens-day-conference-event/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:2:\"lp\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:6:\"Events\";s:4:\"tags\";s:25:\"[\"Event\",\"Landing Pages\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:72;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:865;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:789;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:335;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:12443;s:5:\"title\";s:22:\"Travel – Gallery\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:68:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Gallery.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1575960459;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:104:\"https://library.elementor.com/travel-gallery/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:18:\"[\"Tours\",\"Travel\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:72;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:467;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:501;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:336;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:9803;s:5:\"title\";s:41:\"Full Screen | Register | Contact | Meetup\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:80:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/designme_full_small.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1547831298;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:125:\"https://library.elementor.com/popups/full-screen-register-contact/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"popup\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:11:\"full screen\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:72;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:701;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:808;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:337;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:10611;s:5:\"title\";s:18:\"Full Screen | Sale\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:70:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/fla_small.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1547968868;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:113:\"https://library.elementor.com/popups/full-screen-sale/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"popup\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:11:\"full screen\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:73;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:779;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:792;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:338;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:16085;s:5:\"title\";s:29:\"Tech Conference – Event\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:89:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Landing-Page-Tech-Conference.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1607865227;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:114:\"https://library.elementor.com/lp/tech-conference-event/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:2:\"lp\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:6:\"Events\";s:4:\"tags\";s:25:\"[\"Event\",\"Landing Pages\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:73;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:851;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:747;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:339;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:4411;s:5:\"title\";s:9:\"Contact 3\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:72:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/map_white_1.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520443287;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:108:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/contact-3-2/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:7:\"contact\";s:4:\"tags\";s:11:\"[\"contact\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:73;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:113;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:217;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:340;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:12431;s:5:\"title\";s:18:\"Travel – FAQ\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:64:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/FAQ.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1575960453;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:100:\"https://library.elementor.com/travel-faq/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:18:\"[\"Tours\",\"Travel\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:73;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:501;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:387;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:341;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:5828;s:5:\"title\";s:9:\"Contact 3\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:76:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/contact_black_1.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520443595;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:106:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/contact-3/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:7:\"contact\";s:4:\"tags\";s:11:\"[\"contact\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:74;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:312;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:495;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:342;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:16102;s:5:\"title\";s:38:\"Environmental Conference – Event\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:99:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Landing-Page-Sustainability-Conference.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1607865473;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:123:\"https://library.elementor.com/lp/environmental-conference-event/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:2:\"lp\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:6:\"Events\";s:4:\"tags\";s:25:\"[\"Event\",\"Landing Pages\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:74;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:833;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:772;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:343;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:12421;s:5:\"title\";s:27:\"Travel – Contact Page\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:71:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Contsct-Us.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1575960445;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:109:\"https://library.elementor.com/travel-contact-page/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:18:\"[\"Tours\",\"Travel\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:74;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:571;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:536;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:344;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:10508;s:5:\"title\";s:25:\"Full Screen | Welcome Mat\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:73:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/hand_small-1.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1547964711;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:122:\"https://library.elementor.com/popups/full-screen-welcome-mat-2/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"popup\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:11:\"full screen\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:75;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:711;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:793;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:345;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:15931;s:5:\"title\";s:37:\"Tokyo Design Conference – Event\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:75:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/conference-250.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1607861271;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:122:\"https://library.elementor.com/lp/tokyo-design-conference-event/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:2:\"lp\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:6:\"Events\";s:4:\"tags\";s:17:\"[\"Landing Pages\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:75;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:815;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:644;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:346;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:11763;s:5:\"title\";s:27:\"Portfolio – Home Page\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:75:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Homepage_small.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1569428959;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:109:\"https://library.elementor.com/portfolio-home-page/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:34:\"[\"creative portfolio\",\"portfolio\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:75;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:280;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:241;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:347;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:4428;s:5:\"title\";s:9:\"Contact 4\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:72:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/map_white_2.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520443291;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:106:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/contact-4/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:7:\"contact\";s:4:\"tags\";s:11:\"[\"contact\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:75;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:118;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:131;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:348;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:16412;s:5:\"title\";s:36:\"Photography Coupon – eCommerce\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:70:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Coupon-02.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1607869919;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:121:\"https://library.elementor.com/lp/photography-coupon-ecommerce/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:2:\"lp\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:9:\"eCommerce\";s:4:\"tags\";s:52:\"[\"Coupon\",\"Ecommerce\",\"Landing Pages\",\"Photography\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:76;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:862;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:749;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:349;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:11781;s:5:\"title\";s:23:\"Portfolio – About\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:72:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/About_small.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1569428955;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:105:\"https://library.elementor.com/portfolio-about/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:34:\"[\"creative portfolio\",\"portfolio\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:76;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:349;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:290;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:350;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:4444;s:5:\"title\";s:9:\"Contact 5\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:76:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/contact_white_1.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520443295;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:106:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/contact-5/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:7:\"contact\";s:4:\"tags\";s:11:\"[\"contact\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:76;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:84;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:93;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:351;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:9934;s:5:\"title\";s:38:\"Full Screen | Welcome Mat | Teddy Bear\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:81:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/full_mat_teddy_small.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1547841787;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:120:\"https://library.elementor.com/popups/full-screen-welcome-mat/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"popup\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:11:\"full screen\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:76;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:681;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:752;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:352;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:16183;s:5:\"title\";s:32:\"Luxury Homes – Real Estate\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:67:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Agency.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1607866726;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:112:\"https://library.elementor.com/lp/landing-page-agency/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:2:\"lp\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:11:\"Real Estate\";s:4:\"tags\";s:31:\"[\"Landing Pages\",\"Real estate\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:77;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:835;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:768;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:353;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:11793;s:5:\"title\";s:26:\"Portfolio – Projects\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:75:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Projects_small.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1569428951;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:108:\"https://library.elementor.com/portfolio-projects/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:34:\"[\"creative portfolio\",\"portfolio\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:77;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:448;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:467;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:354;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:4492;s:5:\"title\";s:9:\"Contact 5\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:72:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/map_white_3.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520443307;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:108:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/contact-5-2/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:7:\"contact\";s:4:\"tags\";s:11:\"[\"contact\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:77;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:37;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:31;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:355;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:16420;s:5:\"title\";s:36:\"Spring Sale Coupon – eCommerce\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:70:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Coupon-03.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1607899243;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:121:\"https://library.elementor.com/lp/spring-sale-coupon-ecommerce/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:2:\"lp\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:9:\"eCommerce\";s:4:\"tags\";s:55:\"[\"Coupon\",\"Ecommerce\",\"Fashion\",\"Landing Pages\",\"Sale\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:78;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:852;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:756;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:356;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:11800;s:5:\"title\";s:25:\"Portfolio – Contact\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:74:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Contact_small.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1569428946;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:107:\"https://library.elementor.com/portfolio-contact/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:34:\"[\"creative portfolio\",\"portfolio\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:78;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:494;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:449;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:357;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:4452;s:5:\"title\";s:9:\"Contact 6\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:76:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/contact_black_1.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520443296;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:106:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/contact-6/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:7:\"contact\";s:4:\"tags\";s:11:\"[\"contact\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:78;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:139;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:150;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:358;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:9709;s:5:\"title\";s:25:\"Full Screen | Welcome Mat\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:95:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Full-Screen_Welcome-Mat_01_small-1.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1547023834;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:123:\"https://library.elementor.com/popups/full-screen-welcome-mat-01/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"popup\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:11:\"full screen\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:78;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:728;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:728;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:359;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:16427;s:5:\"title\";s:34:\"Dream Car Coupon – eCommerce\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:70:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Coupon-01.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1607934325;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:119:\"https://library.elementor.com/lp/dream-car-coupon-ecommerce/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:2:\"lp\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:9:\"eCommerce\";s:4:\"tags\";s:53:\"[\"Coupon\",\"Ecommerce\",\"Landing Pages\",\"Offer\",\"Sale\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:79;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:863;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:0;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:360;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:11163;s:5:\"title\";s:32:\"Digital Agency – Home Page\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:71:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Home_small.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1564641877;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:114:\"https://library.elementor.com/digital-agency-home-page/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:30:\"[\"Digital Agency\",\"marketing\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:79;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:57;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:32;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:361;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:4468;s:5:\"title\";s:9:\"Contact 7\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:76:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/contact_white_3.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520443301;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:106:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/contact-7/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:7:\"contact\";s:4:\"tags\";s:18:\"[\"contact\",\"form\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:79;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:127;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:72;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:362;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:9671;s:5:\"title\";s:34:\"Hello Bar | Announcement | Cookies\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:90:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Top-Bar_Announcement_small_01.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1547010259;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:122:\"https://library.elementor.com/popups/hello-bar-announcement-01/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"popup\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:9:\"hello bar\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:79;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:639;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:598;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:363;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:10234;s:5:\"title\";s:38:\"Hello Bar | Announcement | Maintenance\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:71:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/pink_small.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1548055049;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:119:\"https://library.elementor.com/popups/hello-bar-announcement/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"popup\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:9:\"hello bar\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:80;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:746;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:0;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:364;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:16433;s:5:\"title\";s:42:\"Leshnik Mega Sale Coupon – eCommerce\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:70:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Coupon-04.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1607934474;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:127:\"https://library.elementor.com/lp/leshnik-mega-sale-coupon-ecommerce/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:2:\"lp\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:9:\"eCommerce\";s:4:\"tags\";s:45:\"[\"Coupon\",\"Ecommerce\",\"Landing Pages\",\"Sale\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:80;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:867;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:0;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:365;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:4484;s:5:\"title\";s:9:\"Contact 8\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:76:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/contact_black_3.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520443305;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:106:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/contact-8/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:7:\"contact\";s:4:\"tags\";s:18:\"[\"contact\",\"form\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:80;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:328;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:260;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:366;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:9139;s:5:\"title\";s:25:\"Homepage – Business\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:76:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Get_Started_250.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1532949924;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:107:\"https://library.elementor.com/homepage-business/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:167:\"[\"Agency\",\"bootstrap\",\"business\",\"corporate\",\"Landing Page\",\"marketing campaign\",\"marketing landing page\",\"product launch\",\"software\",\"Startup\",\"startup landing page\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:80;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:7;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:7;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:367;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:15986;s:5:\"title\";s:40:\"From Freelance to Business – Ebook\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:81:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Landing-Page-Ebook-1.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1607862915;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:125:\"https://library.elementor.com/lp/from-freelance-to-business-ebook/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:2:\"lp\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:5:\"Ebook\";s:4:\"tags\";s:143:\"[\"App\",\"author\",\"book\",\"brochure\",\"download\",\"e-book\",\"ebook\",\"Landing Pages\",\"Marketing\",\"Product\",\"publisher\",\"sell online\",\"seo\",\"showcase\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:81;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:837;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:0;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:368;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:1634;s:5:\"title\";s:33:\"Landing Page – Chiropractor\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:86:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Landing-Page-Chiropractor.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1494352119;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:115:\"https://library.elementor.com/landing-page-chiropractor/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:81;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:223;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:360;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:369;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:4460;s:5:\"title\";s:9:\"Contact 9\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:76:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/contact_white_2.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520443298;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:106:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/contact-9/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:7:\"contact\";s:4:\"tags\";s:11:\"[\"contact\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:81;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:99;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:80;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:370;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:16002;s:5:\"title\";s:30:\"Architect Manual – Ebook\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:81:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Landing-Page-Ebook-2.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1607863075;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:115:\"https://library.elementor.com/lp/architect-manual-ebook/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:2:\"lp\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:5:\"Ebook\";s:4:\"tags\";s:25:\"[\"Ebook\",\"Landing Pages\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:82;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:836;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:827;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:371;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:5558;s:5:\"title\";s:5:\"CTA 1\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:72:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/cta_white_2.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520520684;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:102:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/cta-1/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:14:\"call to action\";s:4:\"tags\";s:7:\"[\"cta\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:82;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:129;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:69;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:372;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:12143;s:5:\"title\";s:22:\"Law Firm – About\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:66:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/about.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1572847069;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:104:\"https://library.elementor.com/law-firm-about/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:18:\"[\"Law\",\"Law Firm\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:82;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:350;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:344;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:373;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:16014;s:5:\"title\";s:23:\"Good Life – Ebook\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:81:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Landing-Page-Ebook-3.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1607863305;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:108:\"https://library.elementor.com/lp/good-life-ebook/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:2:\"lp\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:5:\"Ebook\";s:4:\"tags\";s:25:\"[\"Ebook\",\"Landing Pages\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:83;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:807;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:646;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:374;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:5939;s:5:\"title\";s:6:\"CTA 10\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:75:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/cta_black_13-1.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520520760;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:103:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/cta-10/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:14:\"call to action\";s:4:\"tags\";s:7:\"[\"cta\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:83;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:190;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:118;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:375;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:12091;s:5:\"title\";s:21:\"Law Firm – Team\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:65:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/team.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1572847113;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:103:\"https://library.elementor.com/law-firm-team/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:18:\"[\"Law\",\"Law Firm\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:83;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:318;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:314;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:376;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:9869;s:5:\"title\";s:28:\"Hello Bar | Promotion | Sale\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:69:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/ru_small.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1547837269;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:116:\"https://library.elementor.com/popups/hello-bar-promotion/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"popup\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:9:\"hello bar\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:83;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:766;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:820;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:377;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:10539;s:5:\"title\";s:19:\"Hello Bar | Contact\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:77:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/hello_pink_small.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1548056994;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:127:\"https://library.elementor.com/popups/hello-bar-register-subscribe-2/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"popup\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:9:\"hello bar\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:84;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:726;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:810;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:378;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:16242;s:5:\"title\";s:37:\"Fashion Season Sale – eCommerce\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:81:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/fashion-landing-page.jpg\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1607867761;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:122:\"https://library.elementor.com/lp/fashion-season-sale-ecommerce/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:2:\"lp\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:9:\"eCommerce\";s:4:\"tags\";s:34:\"[\"Fashion\",\"Landing Pages\",\"Sale\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:84;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:813;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:746;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:379;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:11129;s:5:\"title\";s:28:\"Digital Agency – About\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:72:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/About_small.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1564641889;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:110:\"https://library.elementor.com/digital-agency-about/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:30:\"[\"Digital Agency\",\"marketing\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:84;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:182;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:166;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:380;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:5930;s:5:\"title\";s:6:\"CTA 11\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:73:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/cta_white_15.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520520758;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:103:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/cta-11/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:14:\"call to action\";s:4:\"tags\";s:7:\"[\"cta\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:84;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:76;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:84;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:381;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:16202;s:5:\"title\";s:39:\"Starlight Nation Festival – Event\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:69:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/festival.jpg\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1607867113;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:124:\"https://library.elementor.com/lp/starlight-nation-festival-event/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:2:\"lp\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:6:\"Events\";s:4:\"tags\";s:25:\"[\"Event\",\"Landing Pages\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:85;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:842;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:770;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:382;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:11572;s:5:\"title\";s:19:\"Gym – Trainer\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:74:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Trainer_Small.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1567392934;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:101:\"https://library.elementor.com/gym-trainer/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:7:\"[\"Gym\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:85;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:521;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:590;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:383;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:5921;s:5:\"title\";s:6:\"CTA 12\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:73:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/cta_white_14.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520520757;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:103:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/cta-12/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:14:\"call to action\";s:4:\"tags\";s:7:\"[\"cta\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:85;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:278;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:234;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:384;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:16139;s:5:\"title\";s:37:\"Financial Consultant – Business\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:94:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/Landing-Page-Financial-consultant.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1607866334;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:122:\"https://library.elementor.com/lp/financial-consultant-business/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:2:\"lp\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:8:\"Business\";s:4:\"tags\";s:40:\"[\"Consulting\",\"Finance\",\"Landing Pages\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:86;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:824;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:798;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:385;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:1504;s:5:\"title\";s:33:\"Landing Page – Mobile App 3\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:78:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Landing-Page-app2.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1494352112;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:115:\"https://library.elementor.com/landing-page-mobile-app-3/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:86;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:174;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:367;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:386;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:5607;s:5:\"title\";s:6:\"CTA 13\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:72:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/cta_black_5.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520520695;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:103:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/cta-13/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:14:\"call to action\";s:4:\"tags\";s:7:\"[\"cta\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:86;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:42;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:11;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:387;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:15822;s:5:\"title\";s:30:\"Family Vacation – Travel\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:66:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/lp2-l.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1607855143;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:115:\"https://library.elementor.com/lp/family-vacation-travel/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:2:\"lp\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:6:\"Travel\";s:4:\"tags\";s:37:\"[\"Landing Pages\",\"Travel\",\"Vacation\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:87;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:773;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:593;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:388;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:6017;s:5:\"title\";s:6:\"CTA 14\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:73:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/cta_black_14.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520520331;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:103:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/cta-14/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:14:\"call to action\";s:4:\"tags\";s:7:\"[\"cta\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:87;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:152;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:122;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:389;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:12133;s:5:\"title\";s:24:\"Law Firm – Careers\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:68:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/careers.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1572847078;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:106:\"https://library.elementor.com/law-firm-careers/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:18:\"[\"Law\",\"Law Firm\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:87;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:583;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:640;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:390;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:15964;s:5:\"title\";s:31:\"Law Convention – Business\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:92:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Law-Convention-–-Landing-Page.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1607862731;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:116:\"https://library.elementor.com/lp/law-convention-business/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:2:\"lp\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:8:\"Business\";s:4:\"tags\";s:36:\"[\"Convention\",\"Landing Pages\",\"Law\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:88;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:860;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:794;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:391;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:5885;s:5:\"title\";s:6:\"CTA 15\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:73:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/cta_white_11.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520520751;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:103:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/cta-15/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:14:\"call to action\";s:4:\"tags\";s:7:\"[\"cta\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:88;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:274;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:256;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:392;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:12155;s:5:\"title\";s:26:\"Law Firm – Home Page\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:65:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/home.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1572847054;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:108:\"https://library.elementor.com/law-firm-home-page/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:18:\"[\"Law\",\"Law Firm\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:88;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:193;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:110;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:393;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:15910;s:5:\"title\";s:38:\"Litigation Law Office – Business\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:84:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/Landing-Page-Law-Office.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1607860827;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:123:\"https://library.elementor.com/lp/litigation-law-office-business/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:2:\"lp\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:8:\"Business\";s:4:\"tags\";s:32:\"[\"Landing Pages\",\"Law\",\"Office\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:89;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:825;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:719;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:394;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:10147;s:5:\"title\";s:34:\"Hello Bar | Sale | Promotion | Pop\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:72:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/donut_small.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1548055522;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:121:\"https://library.elementor.com/popups/hello-bar-sale-promotion/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"popup\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:9:\"hello bar\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:89;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:775;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:824;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:395;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:5877;s:5:\"title\";s:6:\"CTA 16\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:73:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/cta_black_10.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520520749;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:103:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/cta-16/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:14:\"call to action\";s:4:\"tags\";s:7:\"[\"cta\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:89;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:564;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:677;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:396;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:12080;s:5:\"title\";s:24:\"Law Firm – Partner\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:70:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/partner-1.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1572847120;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:106:\"https://library.elementor.com/law-firm-partner/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:18:\"[\"Law\",\"Law Firm\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:89;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:556;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:471;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:397;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:16025;s:5:\"title\";s:33:\"Conoco Mobile App – Product\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:64:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/app.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1607863511;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:118:\"https://library.elementor.com/lp/conoco-mobile-app-product/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:2:\"lp\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:7:\"Product\";s:4:\"tags\";s:27:\"[\"Landing Pages\",\"Product\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:90;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:789;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:698;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:398;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:11074;s:5:\"title\";s:31:\"Digital Agency – Services\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:75:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Services_small.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1564641872;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:113:\"https://library.elementor.com/digital-agency-services/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:30:\"[\"Digital Agency\",\"marketing\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:90;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:163;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:170;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:399;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:5860;s:5:\"title\";s:6:\"CTA 17\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:72:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/cta_white_9.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520520746;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:103:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/cta-17/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:14:\"call to action\";s:4:\"tags\";s:7:\"[\"cta\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:90;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:120;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:63;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:400;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:9923;s:5:\"title\";s:23:\"Slide In | Announcement\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:87:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/slide-in_ann_italian_small.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1547841537;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:118:\"https://library.elementor.com/popups/slide-in-announcement/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"popup\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:8:\"slide-in\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:90;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:699;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:0;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:401;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:15853;s:5:\"title\";s:29:\"Me Mobile App – Product\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:78:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Landing-Page-app1.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1607857451;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:114:\"https://library.elementor.com/lp/me-mobile-app-product/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:2:\"lp\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:7:\"Product\";s:4:\"tags\";s:27:\"[\"Landing Pages\",\"Product\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:91;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:811;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:704;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:402;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:10117;s:5:\"title\";s:23:\"Slide In | Announcement\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:72:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/white_small.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1548066998;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:120:\"https://library.elementor.com/popups/slide-in-announcement-2/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"popup\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:8:\"slide-in\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:91;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:727;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:662;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:403;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:11506;s:5:\"title\";s:19:\"Gym – Classes\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:74:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Classes_Small.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1567392930;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:101:\"https://library.elementor.com/gym-classes/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:7:\"[\"Gym\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:91;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:514;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:554;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:404;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:5869;s:5:\"title\";s:6:\"CTA 18\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:73:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/cta_white_10.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520520747;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:103:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/cta-18/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:14:\"call to action\";s:4:\"tags\";s:7:\"[\"cta\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:91;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:345;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:486;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:405;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:15844;s:5:\"title\";s:32:\"Torel Mobile App – Product\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:78:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Landing-Page-app2.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1607856863;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:117:\"https://library.elementor.com/lp/torel-mobile-app-product/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:2:\"lp\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:7:\"Product\";s:4:\"tags\";s:27:\"[\"Landing Pages\",\"Product\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:92;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:822;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:812;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:406;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:1503;s:5:\"title\";s:33:\"Landing Page – Mobile App 2\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:78:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Landing-Page-app1.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1494352113;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:115:\"https://library.elementor.com/landing-page-mobile-app-2/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:92;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:165;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:191;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:407;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:5542;s:5:\"title\";s:6:\"CTA 19\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:72:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/cta_white_1.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520520681;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:103:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/cta-19/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:14:\"call to action\";s:4:\"tags\";s:7:\"[\"cta\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:92;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:169;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:270;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:408;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:9826;s:5:\"title\";s:33:\"Slide In | Announcement | webinar\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:72:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/web_small-2.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1547835513;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:126:\"https://library.elementor.com/popups/slide-in-announcement-webinar/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"popup\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:8:\"slide-in\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:92;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:745;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:831;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:409;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:16041;s:5:\"title\";s:31:\"Nano Mobile App – Product\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:78:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Landing-Page-app3.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1607863992;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:118:\"https://library.elementor.com/lp/landing-page-mobile-app-4/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:2:\"lp\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:7:\"Product\";s:4:\"tags\";s:27:\"[\"Landing Pages\",\"Product\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:93;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:847;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:723;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:410;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:10478;s:5:\"title\";s:18:\"Slide In | Contact\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:76:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/slide_wow_small.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1548056829;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:113:\"https://library.elementor.com/popups/slide-in-contact/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"popup\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:8:\"slide-in\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:93;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:595;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:559;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:411;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:5567;s:5:\"title\";s:5:\"CTA 2\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:72:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/cta_black_2.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520520685;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:102:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/cta-2/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:14:\"call to action\";s:4:\"tags\";s:7:\"[\"cta\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:93;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:143;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:225;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:412;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:12044;s:5:\"title\";s:24:\"Law Firm – Contact\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:71:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/contsct_us.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1572847130;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:106:\"https://library.elementor.com/law-firm-contact/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:18:\"[\"Law\",\"Law Firm\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:93;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:437;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:304;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:413;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:15890;s:5:\"title\";s:39:\"Personal Trainer – Online Service\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:90:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/Landing-Page-Personal-Trainer.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1607860512;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:124:\"https://library.elementor.com/lp/personal-trainer-online-service/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:2:\"lp\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:14:\"Online Service\";s:4:\"tags\";s:35:\"[\"Fitness\",\"Landing Pages\",\"Sport\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:94;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:838;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:0;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:414;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:5893;s:5:\"title\";s:6:\"CTA 21\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:73:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/cta_black_12.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520520752;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:103:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/cta-21/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:14:\"call to action\";s:4:\"tags\";s:7:\"[\"cta\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:94;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:259;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:457;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:415;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:12124;s:5:\"title\";s:25:\"Law Firm – Services\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:69:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/services.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1572847096;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:107:\"https://library.elementor.com/law-firm-services/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:18:\"[\"Law\",\"Law Firm\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:94;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:433;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:296;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:416;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:16233;s:5:\"title\";s:36:\"Journey Photography – Business\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:66:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/lp1-l.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1607867416;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:121:\"https://library.elementor.com/lp/journey-photography-business/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:2:\"lp\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:8:\"Business\";s:4:\"tags\";s:42:\"[\"Business\",\"Landing Pages\",\"Photography\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:95;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:788;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:594;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:417;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:11056;s:5:\"title\";s:35:\"Digital Agency – Social Media\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:79:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Social-Media_small.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1564641867;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:117:\"https://library.elementor.com/digital-agency-social-media/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:30:\"[\"Digital Agency\",\"marketing\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:95;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:297;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:361;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:418;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:5634;s:5:\"title\";s:6:\"CTA 24\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:72:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/cta_white_6.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520520699;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:103:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/cta-24/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:14:\"call to action\";s:4:\"tags\";s:7:\"[\"cta\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:95;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:188;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:255;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:419;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:10685;s:5:\"title\";s:32:\"Hello Bar | Register | Subscribe\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:70:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/env_small.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1547974729;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:127:\"https://library.elementor.com/popups/hello-bar-register-subscribe-3/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"popup\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:9:\"hello bar\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:96;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:721;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:814;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:420;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:16162;s:5:\"title\";s:29:\"Private Chef – Business\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:86:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/Landing-Page-Private-Chef.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1607866578;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:114:\"https://library.elementor.com/lp/private-chef-business/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:2:\"lp\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:8:\"Business\";s:4:\"tags\";s:24:\"[\"Food\",\"Landing Pages\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:96;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:855;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:0;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:421;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:5642;s:5:\"title\";s:6:\"CTA 25\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:72:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/cta_black_6.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520520701;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:103:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/cta-25/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:14:\"call to action\";s:4:\"tags\";s:7:\"[\"cta\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:96;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:226;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:262;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:422;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:11536;s:5:\"title\";s:19:\"Gym – Fitness\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:74:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Fitness_Small.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1567392927;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:101:\"https://library.elementor.com/gym-fitness/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:7:\"[\"Gym\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:96;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:621;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:674;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:423;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:16325;s:5:\"title\";s:28:\"Quality Lens – Product\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:65:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/0006.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1607868782;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:113:\"https://library.elementor.com/lp/quality-lens-product/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:2:\"lp\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:7:\"Product\";s:4:\"tags\";s:27:\"[\"Landing Pages\",\"Product\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:97;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:804;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:621;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:424;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:5583;s:5:\"title\";s:6:\"CTA 26\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:72:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/cta_black_3.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520520689;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:103:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/cta-26/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:14:\"call to action\";s:4:\"tags\";s:7:\"[\"cta\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:97;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:117;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:117;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:425;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:11545;s:5:\"title\";s:21:\"Gym – Home Page\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:71:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Home_Small.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1567392943;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:103:\"https://library.elementor.com/gym-home-page/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:7:\"[\"Gym\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:97;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:310;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:229;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:426;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:16332;s:5:\"title\";s:31:\"Luxury Flat – Real Estate\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:65:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/0007.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1607868929;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:116:\"https://library.elementor.com/lp/luxury-flat-real-estate/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:2:\"lp\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:11:\"Real Estate\";s:4:\"tags\";s:38:\"[\"flat\",\"Landing Pages\",\"Real estate\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:98;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:809;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:707;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:427;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:16392;s:5:\"title\";s:30:\"Open House – Real Estate\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:87:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Landing-Page-Real-Estate-3.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1607869551;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:119:\"https://library.elementor.com/lp/landing-page-real-estate-5/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:2:\"lp\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:11:\"Real Estate\";s:4:\"tags\";s:150:\"[\"Agent\",\"Business\",\"clean\",\"corporate\",\"flat\",\"google maps\",\"homes\",\"Landing Pages\",\"listing\",\"modern\",\"Real estate\",\"Realestate\",\"realtor\",\"realty\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:98;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:839;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:0;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:428;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:5904;s:5:\"title\";s:6:\"CTA 27\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:73:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/cta_white_13.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520520754;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:103:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/cta-27/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:14:\"call to action\";s:4:\"tags\";s:7:\"[\"cta\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:98;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:528;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:517;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:429;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:12116;s:5:\"title\";s:24:\"Law Firm – Service\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:71:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/family_law.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1572847105;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:106:\"https://library.elementor.com/law-firm-service/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:18:\"[\"Law\",\"Law Firm\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:98;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:489;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:339;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:430;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:9985;s:5:\"title\";s:20:\"Slide In | Promotion\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:87:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/slidein_promotion_av_small.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1547844661;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:117:\"https://library.elementor.com/popups/slide-in-promotion-3/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"popup\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:8:\"slide-in\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:98;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:758;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:815;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:431;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:15950;s:5:\"title\";s:30:\"Stylist – Online Service\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:81:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Landing-Page-Stylist.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1607862286;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:115:\"https://library.elementor.com/lp/stylist-online-service/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:2:\"lp\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:14:\"Online Service\";s:4:\"tags\";s:162:\"[\"cosmetics\",\"Fashion\",\"girly\",\"hairdresser\",\"Landing Pages\",\"lifestyle\",\"makeup\",\"manicure\",\"pedicure\",\"Products\",\"salon\",\"Shop\",\"skincare\",\"stylist\",\"wellness\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:99;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:853;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:805;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:432;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:16346;s:5:\"title\";s:33:\"Your New Home – Real Estate\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:66:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/lp3-l.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1607869068;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:118:\"https://library.elementor.com/lp/your-new-home-real-estate/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:2:\"lp\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:11:\"Real Estate\";s:4:\"tags\";s:31:\"[\"Landing Pages\",\"Real estate\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:99;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:791;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:696;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:433;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:11094;s:5:\"title\";s:30:\"Digital Agency – Clients\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:74:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Clients_small.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1564641885;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:112:\"https://library.elementor.com/digital-agency-clients/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:30:\"[\"Digital Agency\",\"marketing\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:99;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:424;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:424;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:434;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:5912;s:5:\"title\";s:6:\"CTA 28\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:73:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/cta_black_11.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520520755;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:103:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/cta-28/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:14:\"call to action\";s:4:\"tags\";s:7:\"[\"cta\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:99;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:665;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:702;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:435;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:16253;s:5:\"title\";s:33:\"Bicycle Adventures – Travel\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:65:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/0005.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1607867944;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:118:\"https://library.elementor.com/lp/bicycle-adventures-travel/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:2:\"lp\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:6:\"Travel\";s:4:\"tags\";s:36:\"[\"Bicycle\",\"Landing Pages\",\"Travel\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:100;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:785;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:524;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:436;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:16358;s:5:\"title\";s:41:\"Sunset Valley Project – Real Estate\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:87:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Landing-Page-Real-Estate-1.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1607869234;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:126:\"https://library.elementor.com/lp/sunset-valley-project-real-estate/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:2:\"lp\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:11:\"Real Estate\";s:4:\"tags\";s:31:\"[\"Landing Pages\",\"Real estate\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:100;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:846;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:743;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:437;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:11478;s:5:\"title\";s:17:\"Gym – About\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:72:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/About_Small.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1567392939;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:99:\"https://library.elementor.com/gym-about/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:7:\"[\"Gym\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:100;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:481;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:579;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:438;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:5189;s:5:\"title\";s:6:\"CTA 29\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:73:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/form_white_1.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520443456;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:103:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/cta-29/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:14:\"call to action\";s:4:\"tags\";s:8:\"[\"form\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:100;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:472;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:631;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:439;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:16271;s:5:\"title\";s:42:\"Luxury Travel Destinations – Travel\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:82:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Landing-Page-Truism-1.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1607868120;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:126:\"https://library.elementor.com/lp/luxury-travel-destinations-travel/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:2:\"lp\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:6:\"Travel\";s:4:\"tags\";s:37:\"[\"Landing Pages\",\"Travel\",\"Vacation\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:101;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:830;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:833;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:440;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:16379;s:5:\"title\";s:33:\"Property Page – Real Estate\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:87:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Landing-Page-Real-Estate-2.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1607869379;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:118:\"https://library.elementor.com/lp/property-page-real-estate/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:2:\"lp\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:11:\"Real Estate\";s:4:\"tags\";s:42:\"[\"Landing Pages\",\"Property\",\"Real estate\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:101;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:864;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:0;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:441;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:11563;s:5:\"title\";s:19:\"Gym – Pricing\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:74:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Pricing_Small.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1567392923;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:101:\"https://library.elementor.com/gym-pricing/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:7:\"[\"Gym\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:101;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:577;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:736;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:442;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:5667;s:5:\"title\";s:5:\"CTA 3\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:72:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/cta_white_8.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520520705;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:102:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/cta-3/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:14:\"call to action\";s:4:\"tags\";s:7:\"[\"cta\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:101;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:171;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:250;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:443;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:16283;s:5:\"title\";s:29:\"Vacation Deals – Travel\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:82:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Landing-Page-Truism-2.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1607868279;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:114:\"https://library.elementor.com/lp/vacation-deals-travel/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:2:\"lp\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:6:\"Travel\";s:4:\"tags\";s:37:\"[\"Landing Pages\",\"Travel\",\"Vacation\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:102;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:850;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:799;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:444;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:11034;s:5:\"title\";s:30:\"Digital Agency – Contact\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:77:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Contsct-Us_small.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1564641881;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:112:\"https://library.elementor.com/contact-digital-agency/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:30:\"[\"Digital Agency\",\"marketing\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:102;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:191;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:156;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:445;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:5198;s:5:\"title\";s:6:\"CTA 30\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:73:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/form_black_1.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520443458;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:103:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/cta-30/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:14:\"call to action\";s:4:\"tags\";s:8:\"[\"form\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:102;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:572;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:511;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:446;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:16299;s:5:\"title\";s:29:\"New Adventures – Travel\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:82:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Landing-Page-Truism-3.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1607868454;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:114:\"https://library.elementor.com/lp/new-adventures-travel/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:2:\"lp\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:6:\"Travel\";s:4:\"tags\";s:50:\"[\"Adventures\",\"Landing Pages\",\"Travel\",\"Vacation\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:103;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:849;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:830;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:447;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:11528;s:5:\"title\";s:19:\"Gym – Contact\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:74:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Contact_Small.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1567392917;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:101:\"https://library.elementor.com/gym-contact/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:7:\"[\"Gym\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:103;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:505;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:624;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:448;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:5206;s:5:\"title\";s:6:\"CTA 31\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:73:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/form_black_2.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520443459;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:103:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/cta-31/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:14:\"call to action\";s:4:\"tags\";s:8:\"[\"form\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:103;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:593;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:611;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:449;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:519;s:5:\"title\";s:24:\"Homepage – Fitness\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:65:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/0023.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1477388808;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:106:\"https://library.elementor.com/homepage-fitness/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:45:\"[\"Fitness\",\"Gym\",\"Health\",\"Homepage\",\"Sport\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:104;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:10;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:62;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:450;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:16312;s:5:\"title\";s:26:\"Summer Time – Travel\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:86:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Vacation-–-Landing-Page.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1607868625;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:111:\"https://library.elementor.com/lp/summer-time-travel/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:2:\"lp\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:6:\"Travel\";s:4:\"tags\";s:37:\"[\"Landing Pages\",\"Travel\",\"Vacation\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:104;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:829;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:0;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:451;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:5249;s:5:\"title\";s:6:\"CTA 32\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:73:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/form_black_4.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520443470;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:103:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/cta-32/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:14:\"call to action\";s:4:\"tags\";s:8:\"[\"form\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:104;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:512;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:409;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:452;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:487;s:5:\"title\";s:29:\"Landing Page – Vacation\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:65:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/0021.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1477388357;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:111:\"https://library.elementor.com/landing-page-vacation/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:105;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:32;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:136;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:453;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:15870;s:5:\"title\";s:32:\"Tel Aviv Vacation – Travel\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:65:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/0021.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1607860195;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:117:\"https://library.elementor.com/lp/tel-aviv-vacation-travel/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:2:\"lp\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:6:\"Travel\";s:4:\"tags\";s:17:\"[\"Landing Pages\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:105;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:802;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:688;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:454;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:5550;s:5:\"title\";s:6:\"CTA 33\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:72:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/cta_black_1.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520520682;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:103:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/cta-33/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:14:\"call to action\";s:4:\"tags\";s:7:\"[\"cta\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:105;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:260;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:562;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:455;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:9559;s:5:\"title\";s:16:\"Slide In | Login\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:83:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/slidein_login_01_small.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1546946547;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:114:\"https://library.elementor.com/popups/slide-in-login-01/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"popup\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:8:\"slide-in\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:105;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:617;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:839;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:456;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:5852;s:5:\"title\";s:6:\"CTA 34\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:67:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/form_1.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520443600;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:103:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/cta-34/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:8:\"[\"form\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:106;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:563;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:828;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:457;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:855;s:5:\"title\";s:37:\"Landing Page – Personal Trainer\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:90:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/Landing-Page-Personal-Trainer.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1494352061;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:119:\"https://library.elementor.com/landing-page-personal-trainer/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:106;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:290;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:394;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:458;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:16440;s:5:\"title\";s:31:\"Marketing Webinar – Event\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:65:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/0015.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1607934662;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:116:\"https://library.elementor.com/lp/marketing-webinar-event/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:2:\"lp\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:6:\"Events\";s:4:\"tags\";s:37:\"[\"Event\",\"Landing Pages\",\"Marketing\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:106;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:794;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:762;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:459;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:955;s:5:\"title\";s:31:\"Landing Page – Law Office\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:84:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/Landing-Page-Law-Office.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1494352069;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:113:\"https://library.elementor.com/landing-page-law-office/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:31:\"[\"Landing Page\",\"Law\",\"Office\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:107;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:202;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:271;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:460;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:16212;s:5:\"title\";s:33:\"Wedding Celebration – Event\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:65:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/0025.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1607867299;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:118:\"https://library.elementor.com/lp/wedding-celebration-event/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:2:\"lp\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:6:\"Events\";s:4:\"tags\";s:35:\"[\"Event\",\"Landing Pages\",\"Wedding\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:107;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:798;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:730;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:461;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:5675;s:5:\"title\";s:5:\"CTA 4\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:72:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/cta_black_8.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520520707;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:102:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/cta-4/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:14:\"call to action\";s:4:\"tags\";s:7:\"[\"cta\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:107;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:391;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:484;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:462;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:9752;s:5:\"title\";s:27:\"Slide In | Sale | Promotion\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:71:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/rush_small.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1547823982;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:120:\"https://library.elementor.com/popups/slide-in-sale-promotion/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"popup\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:6:\"fly-in\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:107;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:740;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:801;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:463;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:5591;s:5:\"title\";s:5:\"CTA 5\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:72:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/cta_white_4.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520520691;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:102:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/cta-5/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:14:\"call to action\";s:4:\"tags\";s:7:\"[\"cta\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:108;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:133;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:130;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:464;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:9373;s:5:\"title\";s:33:\"Landing Page – Conference 5\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:75:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/conference-250.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1542811219;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:115:\"https://library.elementor.com/landing-page-conference-5/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:108;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:283;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:325;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:465;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:974;s:5:\"title\";s:28:\"Landing Page – Stylist\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:81:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Landing-Page-Stylist.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1494352071;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:110:\"https://library.elementor.com/landing-page-stylist/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:146:\"[\"cosmetics\",\"fashion\",\"girly\",\"hairdresser\",\"lifestyle\",\"makeup\",\"manicure\",\"pedicure\",\"products\",\"salon\",\"Shop\",\"skincare\",\"stylist\",\"wellness\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:109;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:329;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:512;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:466;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:5599;s:5:\"title\";s:5:\"CTA 6\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:72:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/cta_black_4.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520520693;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:102:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/cta-6/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:14:\"call to action\";s:4:\"tags\";s:7:\"[\"cta\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:109;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:252;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:362;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:467;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:5575;s:5:\"title\";s:5:\"CTA 7\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:72:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/cta_white_3.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520443543;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:102:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/cta-7/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:110;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:13;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:586;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:468;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:11948;s:5:\"title\";s:18:\"Maintenance Mode 3\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:64:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/mm3.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1572153978;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:108:\"https://library.elementor.com/maintenance-mode-3/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:20:\"[\"Maintenance mode\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:110;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:195;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:259;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:469;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:754;s:5:\"title\";s:25:\"Services – Interior\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:78:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Interior-Services.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1485269691;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:107:\"https://library.elementor.com/services-interior/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:111;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:251;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:400;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:470;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:5658;s:5:\"title\";s:5:\"CTA 8\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:72:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/cta_black_7.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520520704;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:102:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/cta-8/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:14:\"call to action\";s:4:\"tags\";s:7:\"[\"cta\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:111;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:187;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:235;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:471;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:10169;s:5:\"title\";s:37:\"Slide In | Register | Subscribe | App\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:77:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/slideinapp_small.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1547852334;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:126:\"https://library.elementor.com/popups/slide-in-register-subscribe-2/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"popup\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:8:\"slide-in\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:112;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:546;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:701;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:472;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:752;s:5:\"title\";s:24:\"Contact – Interior\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:77:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/interior-contact.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1485269737;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:106:\"https://library.elementor.com/contact-interior/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:112;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:344;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:425;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:473;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:5650;s:5:\"title\";s:5:\"CTA 9\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:72:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/cta_white_7.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520520702;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:102:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/cta-9/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:14:\"call to action\";s:4:\"tags\";s:7:\"[\"cta\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:112;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:94;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:148;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:474;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:15407;s:5:\"title\";s:24:\"Dance Studio – 404\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:64:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/404.jpg\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1603181958;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:113:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/dance-studio-404/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:8:\"404 page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:22:\"[\"404\",\"dance studio\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:113;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:783;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:710;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:475;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:753;s:5:\"title\";s:22:\"About – Interior\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:75:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Interior-About.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1485269710;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:104:\"https://library.elementor.com/about-interior/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:113;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:309;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:435;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:476;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:15400;s:5:\"title\";s:27:\"Dance Studio – Footer\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:67:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Footer.jpg\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1603181989;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:116:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/dance-studio-footer/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:6:\"footer\";s:4:\"tags\";s:25:\"[\"dance studio\",\"footer\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:114;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:586;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:243;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:477;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:751;s:5:\"title\";s:25:\"Homepage – Interior\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:74:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/interior-home.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1485269743;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:107:\"https://library.elementor.com/homepage-interior/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:114;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:258;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:200;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:478;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:15391;s:5:\"title\";s:27:\"Dance Studio – Header\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:67:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Header.jpg\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1603182011;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:116:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/dance-studio-header/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:6:\"header\";s:4:\"tags\";s:25:\"[\"dance studio\",\"header\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:115;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:352;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:67;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:479;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:2402;s:5:\"title\";s:32:\"Homepage – Interior Design\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:69:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Interior.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1506441447;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:114:\"https://library.elementor.com/homepage-interior-design/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:193:\"[\"Architecture\",\"building\",\"business\",\"Creative\",\"exterior design\",\"furniture design\",\"Gallery\",\"garden design\",\"house\",\"interior design\",\"landscape design\",\"multipurpose\",\"portfolio\",\"studio\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:115;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:126;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:257;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:480;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:9680;s:5:\"title\";s:23:\"Slide In | Content Lock\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:91:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Slide-in_Content-lock_small_01.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1547010967;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:121:\"https://library.elementor.com/popups/slide-in-content-lock-01/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"popup\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:8:\"slide-in\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:115;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:725;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:725;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:481;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:11192;s:5:\"title\";s:14:\"Digital Agency\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:73:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Footer_small.jpg\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1564642399;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:113:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/digital-agency-5/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:6:\"footer\";s:4:\"tags\";s:39:\"[\"Digital Agency\",\"footer\",\"marketing\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:116;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:172;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:105;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:482;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:3626;s:5:\"title\";s:30:\"Snowboard Site – Contact\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:62:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/3.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1513513193;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:112:\"https://library.elementor.com/snowboard-site-contact/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:116;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:293;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:637;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:483;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:11198;s:5:\"title\";s:14:\"Digital Agency\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:92:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Header-digital-marketing-agency.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1564642395;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:113:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/digital-agency-4/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:6:\"header\";s:4:\"tags\";s:39:\"[\"Digital Agency\",\"header\",\"marketing\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:117;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:34;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:10;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:484;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:11966;s:5:\"title\";s:18:\"Maintenance mode 4\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:64:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/mm4.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1572154274;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:108:\"https://library.elementor.com/maintenance-mode-4/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:20:\"[\"Maintenance mode\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:117;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:490;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:595;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:485;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:9783;s:5:\"title\";s:31:\"Slide In | Register | Subscribe\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:81:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/slidein_yellow_small.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1547831059;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:124:\"https://library.elementor.com/popups/slide-in-register-subscribe/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"popup\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:8:\"slide-in\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:117;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:534;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:415;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:486;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:11204;s:5:\"title\";s:14:\"Digital Agency\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:70:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/404_small.jpg\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1564642389;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:113:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/digital-agency-3/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:8:\"404 page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:36:\"[\"404\",\"Digital Agency\",\"marketing\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:118;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:301;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:239;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:487;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:3632;s:5:\"title\";s:31:\"Snowboard Site – Services\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:62:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/2.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1513513171;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:113:\"https://library.elementor.com/snowboard-site-services/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:118;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:222;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:342;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:488;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:11220;s:5:\"title\";s:14:\"Digital Agency\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:75:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Archive_small1.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1564642385;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:113:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/digital-agency-2/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:7:\"archive\";s:4:\"tags\";s:30:\"[\"Digital Agency\",\"marketing\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:119;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:116;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:73;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:489;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:3619;s:5:\"title\";s:31:\"Snowboard Site – Homepage\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:65:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/home.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1513513137;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:113:\"https://library.elementor.com/snowboard-site-homepage/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:119;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:232;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:219;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:490;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:11231;s:5:\"title\";s:14:\"Digital Agency\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:72:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Post_small1.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1564642380;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:111:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/digital-agency/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:11:\"single post\";s:4:\"tags\";s:30:\"[\"Digital Agency\",\"marketing\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:120;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:145;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:71;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:491;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:9425;s:5:\"title\";s:38:\"Black Friday – 80’s style\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:73:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/unnamed-file.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1542901234;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:112:\"https://library.elementor.com/black-friday-80s-style/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:120;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:360;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:472;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:492;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:5711;s:5:\"title\";s:5:\"FAQ 1\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:72:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/faq_black_2.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520443571;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:102:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/faq-1/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:3:\"faq\";s:4:\"tags\";s:7:\"[\"faq\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:121;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:200;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:231;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:493;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:11973;s:5:\"title\";s:18:\"Maintenance mode 5\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:64:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/mm5.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1572154523;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:108:\"https://library.elementor.com/maintenance-mode-5/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:20:\"[\"Maintenance mode\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:121;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:418;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:476;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:494;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:5737;s:5:\"title\";s:6:\"FAQ 10\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:72:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/faq_white_4.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520443576;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:103:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/faq-10/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:3:\"faq\";s:4:\"tags\";s:7:\"[\"faq\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:122;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:155;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:112;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:495;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:11981;s:5:\"title\";s:18:\"Maintenance mode 6\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:64:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/mm6.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1572155125;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:108:\"https://library.elementor.com/maintenance-mode-6/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:20:\"[\"Maintenance mode\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:122;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:410;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:390;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:496;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:5746;s:5:\"title\";s:6:\"FAQ 11\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:72:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/faq_black_4.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520443578;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:103:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/faq-11/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:3:\"faq\";s:4:\"tags\";s:7:\"[\"faq\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:123;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:212;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:305;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:497;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:5703;s:5:\"title\";s:6:\"FAQ 13\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:72:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/faq_white_2.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520443569;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:103:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/faq-13/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:3:\"faq\";s:4:\"tags\";s:7:\"[\"faq\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:124;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:29;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:38;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:498;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:147;s:5:\"title\";s:20:\"Homepage – App\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:65:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/0004.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1470829868;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:102:\"https://library.elementor.com/homepage-app/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:18:\"[\"App\",\"Homepage\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:124;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:5;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:16;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:499;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:5719;s:5:\"title\";s:5:\"FAQ 4\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:72:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/faq_white_3.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520443573;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:102:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/faq-4/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:3:\"faq\";s:4:\"tags\";s:7:\"[\"faq\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:125;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:125;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:251;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:500;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:777;s:5:\"title\";s:28:\"Homepage – Coffee Shop\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:70:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/rest-home.jpg\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1485273092;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:110:\"https://library.elementor.com/homepage-coffee-shop/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:41:\"[\"Coffee\",\"Homepage\",\"Restaurant\",\"Shop\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:125;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:175;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:414;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:501;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:5729;s:5:\"title\";s:5:\"FAQ 5\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:72:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/faq_black_3.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520443575;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:102:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/faq-5/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:3:\"faq\";s:4:\"tags\";s:7:\"[\"faq\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:126;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:319;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:327;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:502;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:2404;s:5:\"title\";s:24:\"Homepage – Product\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:68:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/product.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1506441452;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:106:\"https://library.elementor.com/homepage-product/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:103:\"[\"business\",\"colorful\",\"ecommerce\",\"flat\",\"mobile\",\"modern\",\"responsive\",\"retina\",\"Shop\",\"woocommerce\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:126;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:164;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:286;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:503;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:5755;s:5:\"title\";s:5:\"FAQ 6\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:72:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/faq_white_5.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520443580;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:102:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/faq-6/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:3:\"faq\";s:4:\"tags\";s:7:\"[\"faq\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:127;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:112;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:180;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:504;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:492;s:5:\"title\";s:25:\"Homepage – Law firm\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:65:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/0024.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1477388365;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:107:\"https://library.elementor.com/homepage-law-firm/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:25:\"[\"Firm\",\"Homepage\",\"Law\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:127;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:14;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:79;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:505;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:5764;s:5:\"title\";s:5:\"FAQ 7\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:72:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/faq_black_5.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520443582;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:102:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/faq-7/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:3:\"faq\";s:4:\"tags\";s:7:\"[\"faq\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:128;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:338;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:474;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:506;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:3451;s:5:\"title\";s:39:\"Homepage – Goodness meal services\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:84:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/goodness-featured-image.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1512054116;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:121:\"https://library.elementor.com/homepage-goodness-meal-services/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:128;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:266;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:407;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:507;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:5684;s:5:\"title\";s:5:\"FAQ 8\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:72:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/faq_white_1.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520443565;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:102:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/faq-8/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:3:\"faq\";s:4:\"tags\";s:7:\"[\"faq\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:129;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:74;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:193;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:508;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:2152;s:5:\"title\";s:26:\"Homepage – Cake Shop\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:70:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/cake-home.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1499774132;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:108:\"https://library.elementor.com/homepage-cake-shop/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:39:\"[\"Cake\",\"Homepage\",\"Restaurant\",\"Shop\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:129;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:382;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:530;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:509;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:5693;s:5:\"title\";s:5:\"FAQ 9\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:72:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/faq_black_1.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520443567;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:102:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/faq-9/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:3:\"faq\";s:4:\"tags\";s:7:\"[\"faq\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:130;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:224;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:515;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:510;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:1068;s:5:\"title\";s:27:\"Homepage – Copywriter\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:71:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/copywriter.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1488805928;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:109:\"https://library.elementor.com/homepage-copywriter/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:25:\"[\"Copywriter\",\"Homepage\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:130;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:249;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:437;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:511;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:6053;s:5:\"title\";s:10:\"Features 1\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:77:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/features_black_5.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520443645;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:107:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/features-1/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:8:\"features\";s:4:\"tags\";s:12:\"[\"features\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:131;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:179;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:463;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:512;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:2813;s:5:\"title\";s:32:\"Homepage – Creative Agency\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:90:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Creative-Agency-–-Home-Page.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1509615049;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:114:\"https://library.elementor.com/homepage-creative-agency/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:32:\"[\"Agency\",\"Creative\",\"Homepage\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:131;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:130;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:215;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:513;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:5991;s:5:\"title\";s:11:\"Features 10\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:77:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/features_white_4.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520443632;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:108:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/features-10/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:8:\"features\";s:4:\"tags\";s:12:\"[\"features\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:132;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:135;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:265;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:514;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:728;s:5:\"title\";s:33:\"Homepage – Delivery Company\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:87:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/delivery-company-home-page.jpg\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1485269993;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:115:\"https://library.elementor.com/homepage-delivery-company/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:23:\"[\"Delivery\",\"Homepage\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:132;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:324;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:790;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:515;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:6044;s:5:\"title\";s:11:\"Features 11\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:77:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/features_white_5.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520443643;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:108:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/features-11/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:8:\"features\";s:4:\"tags\";s:12:\"[\"features\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:133;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:70;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:163;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:516;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:2403;s:5:\"title\";s:29:\"Homepage – Luxury Hotel\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:66:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Hotel.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1506441428;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:111:\"https://library.elementor.com/homepage-luxury-hotel/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:133;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:314;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:499;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:517;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:6212;s:5:\"title\";s:11:\"Features 12\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:77:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/features_white_7.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520443684;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:108:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/features-12/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:8:\"features\";s:4:\"tags\";s:12:\"[\"features\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:134;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:81;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:98;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:518;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:1903;s:5:\"title\";s:20:\"One Page – Spa\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:64:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/spa.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1496822325;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:102:\"https://library.elementor.com/one-page-spa/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:132:\"[\"beauty\",\"care\",\"girly\",\"hair\",\"Health\",\"hospitality\",\"massage\",\"medical\",\"parlor\",\"physiotherapy\",\"salon\",\"spa\",\"wellness\",\"yoga\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:134;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:211;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:320;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:519;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:6220;s:5:\"title\";s:10:\"Features 2\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:77:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/features_white_8.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520443685;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:107:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/features-2/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:8:\"features\";s:4:\"tags\";s:12:\"[\"features\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:135;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:88;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:189;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:520;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:2123;s:5:\"title\";s:33:\"One Page – Architect Office\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:70:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/architect.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1499772989;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:115:\"https://library.elementor.com/one-page-architect-office/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:135;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:11;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:19;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:521;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:5983;s:5:\"title\";s:10:\"Features 3\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:77:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/features_black_3.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520443630;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:107:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/features-3/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:8:\"features\";s:4:\"tags\";s:11:\"[\"featues\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:136;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:231;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:351;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:522;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:1888;s:5:\"title\";s:32:\"One Page – Creative Meetup\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:76:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/creative-meetup.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1496822319;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:114:\"https://library.elementor.com/one-page-creative-meetup/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:136;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:315;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:771;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:523;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:5974;s:5:\"title\";s:10:\"Features 4\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:77:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/features_white_3.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520443629;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:107:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/features-4/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:8:\"features\";s:4:\"tags\";s:12:\"[\"features\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:137;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:69;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:181;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:524;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:1891;s:5:\"title\";s:35:\"One Page – Textile Convention\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:75:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/textile-meetup.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1496822323;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:117:\"https://library.elementor.com/one-page-textile-convention/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:137;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:503;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:835;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:525;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:5624;s:5:\"title\";s:10:\"Features 5\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:77:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/features_black_1.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520443553;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:107:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/features-5/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:8:\"features\";s:4:\"tags\";s:12:\"[\"features\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:138;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:93;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:352;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:526;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:1880;s:5:\"title\";s:24:\"One Page – Wedding\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:68:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/wedding.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1496822317;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:106:\"https://library.elementor.com/one-page-wedding/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:82:\"[\"bride\",\"ceremony\",\"cute\",\"event\",\"fancy\",\"girly\",\"groom\",\"guestbook\",\"marriage\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:138;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:535;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:576;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:527;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:5615;s:5:\"title\";s:10:\"Features 6\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:72:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/cta_white_5.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520443551;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:107:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/features-6/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:8:\"features\";s:4:\"tags\";s:12:\"[\"features\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:139;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:41;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:119;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:528;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:1885;s:5:\"title\";s:29:\"One Page – Yacht Rental\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:71:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/yacht-home.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1496822321;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:111:\"https://library.elementor.com/one-page-yacht-rental/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:139;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:235;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:610;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:529;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:5963;s:5:\"title\";s:10:\"Features 7\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:77:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/features_white_2.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520443626;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:107:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/features-7/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:8:\"features\";s:4:\"tags\";s:12:\"[\"features\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:140;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:67;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:133;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:530;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:2723;s:5:\"title\";s:34:\"Portfolio – Graphic Designer\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:91:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Graphic-Designer-–-Portfolio.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1509633883;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:116:\"https://library.elementor.com/portfolio-graphic-designer/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:140;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:218;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:300;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:531;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:6204;s:5:\"title\";s:10:\"Features 8\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:77:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/progress_black_6.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520443681;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:107:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/features-8/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:8:\"features\";s:4:\"tags\";s:12:\"[\"features\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:141;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:217;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:223;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:532;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:2145;s:5:\"title\";s:30:\"About – Delivery Company\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:75:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/delivery-about.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1499774125;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:112:\"https://library.elementor.com/about-delivery-company/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:10:\"[\"moving\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:141;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:403;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:699;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:533;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:6196;s:5:\"title\";s:10:\"Features 9\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:77:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/features_white_6.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520443680;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:107:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/features-9/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:8:\"features\";s:4:\"tags\";s:12:\"[\"features\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:142;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:106;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:113;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:534;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:2155;s:5:\"title\";s:23:\"About – Cake Shop\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:71:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/cake-about.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1499774130;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:105:\"https://library.elementor.com/about-cake-shop/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:8:\"[\"Food\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:142;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:471;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:461;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:535;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:15033;s:5:\"title\";s:28:\"Flooring Company – 404\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:64:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/404.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1597739459;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:117:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/flooring-company-404/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:8:\"404 page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:45:\"[\"404\",\"Flooring company\",\"Flooring website\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:143;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:655;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:671;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:536;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:1085;s:5:\"title\";s:21:\"About – Startup\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:68:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Startup.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1488810874;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:103:\"https://library.elementor.com/about-startup/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:19:\"[\"About\",\"Startup\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:143;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:8;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:36;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:537;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:15042;s:5:\"title\";s:32:\"Flooring Company – Archive\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:65:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Blog.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1597739084;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:121:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/flooring-company-archive/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:7:\"archive\";s:4:\"tags\";s:39:\"[\"Flooring company\",\"Flooring website\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:144;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:320;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:275;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:538;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:15017;s:5:\"title\";s:31:\"Flooring Company – Footer\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:67:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Footer.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1597738933;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:120:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/flooring-company-footer/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:6:\"footer\";s:4:\"tags\";s:48:\"[\"Flooring company\",\"Flooring website\",\"footer\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:145;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:323;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:192;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:539;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:101;s:5:\"title\";s:16:\"About – CV\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:65:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/0018.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1470829785;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:98:\"https://library.elementor.com/about-cv/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:77:\"[\"creative portfolio\",\"Personal\",\"portfolio\",\"professional\",\"resume\",\"vcard\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:145;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:54;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:182;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:540;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:15007;s:5:\"title\";s:31:\"Flooring Company – Header\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:67:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Header.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1597738896;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:120:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/flooring-company-header/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:6:\"header\";s:4:\"tags\";s:48:\"[\"Flooring company\",\"Flooring website\",\"header\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:146;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:459;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:333;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:541;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:15052;s:5:\"title\";s:36:\"Flooring Company – Single post\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:67:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Single.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1597738858;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:125:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/flooring-company-single-post/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:11:\"single post\";s:4:\"tags\";s:39:\"[\"Flooring company\",\"Flooring website\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:147;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:392;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:226;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:542;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:213;s:5:\"title\";s:26:\"About – Architecture\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:65:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/0008.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1470829766;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:108:\"https://library.elementor.com/about-architecture/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:24:\"[\"About\",\"Architecture\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:147;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:20;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:65;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:543;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:2802;s:5:\"title\";s:38:\"Portfolio – Fashion Photographer\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:95:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Fashion-photographer-–-Portfolio.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1509615440;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:120:\"https://library.elementor.com/portfolio-fashion-photographer/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:148;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:263;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:504;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:544;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:7837;s:5:\"title\";s:9:\"footer 01\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:73:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/footer350.14.jpg\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1524582852;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:106:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/footer-01/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:148;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:495;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:539;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:545;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:2828;s:5:\"title\";s:35:\"Landing Page – Law Convention\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:92:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Law-Convention-–-Landing-Page.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1509631636;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:117:\"https://library.elementor.com/landing-page-law-convention/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:35:\"[\"Convention\",\"Landing Page\",\"Law\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:149;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:423;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:625;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:546;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:7937;s:5:\"title\";s:10:\"footer 010\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:72:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/footer350.5.jpg\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1524582665;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:107:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/footer-010/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:6:\"footer\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:149;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:185;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:115;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:547;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:1461;s:5:\"title\";s:28:\"Landing Page – Ebook 1\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:81:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Landing-Page-Ebook-1.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1494352121;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:110:\"https://library.elementor.com/landing-page-ebook-1/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:127:\"[\"App\",\"author\",\"book\",\"brochure\",\"download\",\"e-book\",\"ebook\",\"marketing\",\"product\",\"publisher\",\"sell online\",\"seo\",\"showcase\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:150;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:374;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:516;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:548;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:7950;s:5:\"title\";s:10:\"footer 011\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:72:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/footer350.4.jpg\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1524582631;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:107:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/footer-011/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:6:\"footer\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:150;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:244;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:203;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:549;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:1460;s:5:\"title\";s:28:\"Landing Page – Ebook 2\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:81:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Landing-Page-Ebook-2.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1494352124;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:110:\"https://library.elementor.com/landing-page-ebook-2/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:151;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:426;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:466;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:550;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:7959;s:5:\"title\";s:10:\"footer 012\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:72:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/footer350.3.jpg\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1524582605;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:107:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/footer-012/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:6:\"footer\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:151;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:177;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:140;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:551;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:1459;s:5:\"title\";s:28:\"Landing Page – Ebook 3\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:81:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Landing-Page-Ebook-3.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1494352125;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:110:\"https://library.elementor.com/landing-page-ebook-3/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:152;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:254;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:422;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:552;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:7982;s:5:\"title\";s:10:\"footer 013\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:72:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/footer350.2.jpg\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1524582468;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:107:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/footer-013/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:6:\"footer\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:152;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:209;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:212;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:553;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:1052;s:5:\"title\";s:33:\"Landing Page – Mobile App 1\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:64:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/app.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1488810873;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:113:\"https://library.elementor.com/landing-page-mobile-app/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:153;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:47;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:158;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:554;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:7997;s:5:\"title\";s:10:\"footer 014\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:72:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/footer350.1.jpg\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1524582343;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:107:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/footer-014/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:6:\"footer\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:153;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:64;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:41;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:555;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:1505;s:5:\"title\";s:33:\"Landing Page – Mobile App 4\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:78:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Landing-Page-app3.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1494352110;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:115:\"https://library.elementor.com/landing-page-mobile-app-4/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:154;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:454;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:547;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:556;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:9119;s:5:\"title\";s:10:\"footer 015\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:82:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Footer_GetStarted_350.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1532428138;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:101:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/demo/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:6:\"footer\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:154;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:240;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:154;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:557;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:726;s:5:\"title\";s:33:\"Landing Page – Conference 1\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:84:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/convention-landing-page.jpg\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1485270062;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:113:\"https://library.elementor.com/landing-page-conference/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:155;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:498;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:651;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:558;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:7852;s:5:\"title\";s:9:\"footer 02\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:73:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/footer350.13.jpg\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1524582875;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:106:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/footer-02/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:6:\"footer\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:155;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:199;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:96;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:559;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:1613;s:5:\"title\";s:33:\"Landing Page – Conference 2\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:109:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Landing-Page-International-Womens-Day-Conference.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1494352129;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:115:\"https://library.elementor.com/landing-page-conference-2/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:156;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:504;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:464;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:560;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:7862;s:5:\"title\";s:9:\"footer 03\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:73:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/footer350.12.jpg\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1524582903;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:106:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/footer-03/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:6:\"footer\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:156;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:137;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:91;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:561;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:1612;s:5:\"title\";s:33:\"Landing Page – Conference 3\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:89:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Landing-Page-Tech-Conference.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1494352127;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:115:\"https://library.elementor.com/landing-page-conference-3/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:157;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:549;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:693;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:562;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:7871;s:5:\"title\";s:9:\"footer 04\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:73:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/footer350.11.jpg\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1524582927;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:106:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/footer-04/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:6:\"footer\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:157;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:97;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:55;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:563;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:1614;s:5:\"title\";s:33:\"Landing Page – Conference 4\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:99:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Landing-Page-Sustainability-Conference.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1494352131;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:115:\"https://library.elementor.com/landing-page-conference-4/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:158;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:447;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:657;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:564;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:7884;s:5:\"title\";s:9:\"footer 05\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:73:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/footer350.10.jpg\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1524582944;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:106:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/footer-05/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:6:\"footer\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:158;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:92;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:109;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:565;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:906;s:5:\"title\";s:29:\"Landing Page – Coacher\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:80:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/Landin-Page-Coacher.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1494352066;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:110:\"https://library.elementor.com/landing-page-coacher/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:159;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:302;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:397;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:566;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:7892;s:5:\"title\";s:9:\"footer 06\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:72:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/footer350.9.jpg\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1524583015;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:106:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/footer-06/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:6:\"footer\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:159;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:132;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:146;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:567;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:879;s:5:\"title\";s:41:\"Landing Page – Financial Consultant\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:94:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/Landing-Page-Financial-consultant.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1494352064;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:123:\"https://library.elementor.com/landing-page-financial-consultant/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:160;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:305;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:406;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:568;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:7904;s:5:\"title\";s:9:\"footer 07\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:72:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/footer350.8.jpg\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1524582814;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:106:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/footer-07/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:6:\"footer\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:160;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:203;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:186;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:569;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:926;s:5:\"title\";s:33:\"Landing Page – Private Chef\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:86:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/Landing-Page-Private-Chef.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1494352068;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:115:\"https://library.elementor.com/landing-page-private-chef/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:161;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:461;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:549;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:570;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:7917;s:5:\"title\";s:9:\"footer 08\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:72:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/footer350.7.jpg\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1524582788;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:106:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/footer-08/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:6:\"footer\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:161;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:89;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:144;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:571;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:1032;s:5:\"title\";s:27:\"Landing Page – Agency\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:67:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Agency.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1488810866;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:109:\"https://library.elementor.com/landing-page-agency/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:162;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:462;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:715;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:572;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:7927;s:5:\"title\";s:9:\"footer 09\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:72:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/footer350.6.jpg\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1524582691;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:106:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/footer-09/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:6:\"footer\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:162;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:178;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:100;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:573;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:730;s:5:\"title\";s:24:\"Landing Page – App\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:78:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/app.-landing-page.jpg\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1485273430;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:106:\"https://library.elementor.com/landing-page-app/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:17:\"[\"Landing Pages\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:163;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:386;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:614;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:574;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:643;s:5:\"title\";s:29:\"Landing Page – Festival\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:69:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/festival.jpg\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1481549290;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:111:\"https://library.elementor.com/landing-page-festival/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:164;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:518;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:748;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:575;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:542;s:5:\"title\";s:28:\"Landing Page – Wedding\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:65:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/0025.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1477388484;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:110:\"https://library.elementor.com/landing-page-wedding/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:165;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:128;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:355;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:576;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:1187;s:5:\"title\";s:32:\"Landing Page – Photography\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:66:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/lp1-l.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1490707385;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:114:\"https://library.elementor.com/landing-page-photography/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:166;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:53;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:196;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:577;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:641;s:5:\"title\";s:28:\"Landing Page – Fashion\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:81:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/fashion-landing-page.jpg\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1481549264;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:110:\"https://library.elementor.com/landing-page-fashion/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:167;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:355;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:480;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:578;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:189;s:5:\"title\";s:30:\"Landing Page – Tourism 1\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:65:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/0005.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1470820715;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:110:\"https://library.elementor.com/landing-page-tourism/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:168;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:17;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:107;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:579;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:1547;s:5:\"title\";s:30:\"Landing Page – Tourism 2\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:82:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Landing-Page-Truism-1.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1494352115;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:112:\"https://library.elementor.com/landing-page-tourism-2/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:169;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:377;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:491;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:580;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:4676;s:5:\"title\";s:8:\"Footer 7\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:69:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/footer_7.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1522014215;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:105:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/footer_7/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:6:\"footer\";s:4:\"tags\";s:10:\"[\"footer\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:169;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:237;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:346;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:581;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:1546;s:5:\"title\";s:30:\"Landing Page – Tourism 3\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:82:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Landing-Page-Truism-2.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1494352116;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:112:\"https://library.elementor.com/landing-page-tourism-3/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:170;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:550;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:690;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:582;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:7627;s:5:\"title\";s:8:\"Footer 8\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:74:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/footer_hero_1.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1521547332;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:105:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/footer-8/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:6:\"footer\";s:4:\"tags\";s:10:\"[\"footer\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:170;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:100;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:83;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:583;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:1545;s:5:\"title\";s:30:\"Landing Page – Tourism 4\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:82:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Landing-Page-Truism-3.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1494352118;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:112:\"https://library.elementor.com/landing-page-tourism-4/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:171;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:425;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:404;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:584;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:7638;s:5:\"title\";s:8:\"Footer 9\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:74:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/footer_hero_2.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1521547502;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:105:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/footer-9/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:6:\"footer\";s:4:\"tags\";s:10:\"[\"footer\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:171;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:124;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:147;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:585;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:11424;s:5:\"title\";s:3:\"GYM\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:70:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/404_Small.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1567393309;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:102:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/gym-5/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:8:\"404 page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:13:\"[\"404\",\"Gym\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:172;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:679;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:769;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:586;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:2714;s:5:\"title\";s:30:\"Landing Page – Tourism 5\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:86:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Vacation-–-Landing-Page.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1509631782;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:112:\"https://library.elementor.com/landing-page-tourism-5/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:172;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:415;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:584;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:587;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:195;s:5:\"title\";s:28:\"Landing Page – Product\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:65:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/0006.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1470820765;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:110:\"https://library.elementor.com/landing-page-product/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:173;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:72;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:242;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:588;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:11435;s:5:\"title\";s:3:\"GYM\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:73:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Archiv_Small.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1567393296;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:102:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/gym-4/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:7:\"archive\";s:4:\"tags\";s:7:\"[\"Gym\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:173;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:441;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:507;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:589;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:197;s:5:\"title\";s:34:\"Landing Page – Real Estate 1\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:65:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/0007.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1470825711;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:114:\"https://library.elementor.com/landing-page-real-estate/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:174;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:162;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:366;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:590;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:11445;s:5:\"title\";s:3:\"GYM\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:71:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Post_Small.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1567393229;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:102:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/gym-3/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:11:\"single post\";s:4:\"tags\";s:7:\"[\"Gym\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:174;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:452;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:479;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:591;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:1193;s:5:\"title\";s:34:\"Landing Page – Real Estate 2\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:66:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/lp3-l.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1490707422;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:116:\"https://library.elementor.com/landing-page-real-estate-2/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:175;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:86;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:245;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:592;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:11453;s:5:\"title\";s:3:\"GYM\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:73:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Footer_Small.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1567393224;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:102:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/gym-2/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:6:\"footer\";s:4:\"tags\";s:16:\"[\"footer\",\"Gym\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:175;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:270;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:331;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:593;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:1415;s:5:\"title\";s:34:\"Landing Page – Real Estate 3\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:87:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Landing-Page-Real-Estate-1.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1494352106;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:116:\"https://library.elementor.com/landing-page-real-estate-3/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:176;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:381;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:462;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:594;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:11461;s:5:\"title\";s:3:\"GYM\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:83:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Header-gym-and-fitness.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1567393219;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:100:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/gym/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:6:\"header\";s:4:\"tags\";s:16:\"[\"Gym\",\"header\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:176;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:201;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:135;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:595;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:1414;s:5:\"title\";s:34:\"Landing Page – Real Estate 4\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:87:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Landing-Page-Real-Estate-2.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1494352107;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:116:\"https://library.elementor.com/landing-page-real-estate-4/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:177;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:573;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:670;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:596;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:7596;s:5:\"title\";s:8:\"Header 1\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:73:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/header350.12.jpg\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1521546999;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:105:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/header-1/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:6:\"header\";s:4:\"tags\";s:10:\"[\"header\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:177;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:33;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:17;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:597;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:1413;s:5:\"title\";s:34:\"Landing Page – Real Estate 5\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:87:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Landing-Page-Real-Estate-3.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1494352109;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:116:\"https://library.elementor.com/landing-page-real-estate-5/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:134:\"[\"Agent\",\"business\",\"clean\",\"corporate\",\"flat\",\"google maps\",\"homes\",\"listing\",\"modern\",\"real estate\",\"realestate\",\"realtor\",\"realty\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:178;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:486;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:444;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:598;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:7801;s:5:\"title\";s:9:\"header 10\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:72:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/header350.9.jpg\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1524583659;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:106:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/header-10/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:6:\"header\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:178;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:51;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:14;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:599;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:1573;s:5:\"title\";s:29:\"Landing Page – Coupon 1\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:70:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Coupon-02.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1494352133;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:111:\"https://library.elementor.com/landing-page-coupon-1/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:17:\"[\"Landing Pages\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:179;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:594;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:687;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:600;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:7812;s:5:\"title\";s:9:\"header 11\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:73:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/header350.10.jpg\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1524583298;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:106:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/header-11/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:6:\"header\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:179;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:96;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:103;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:601;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:1572;s:5:\"title\";s:29:\"Landing Page – Coupon 2\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:70:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Coupon-03.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1494352134;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:111:\"https://library.elementor.com/landing-page-coupon-2/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:17:\"[\"Landing Pages\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:180;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:632;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:774;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:602;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:7825;s:5:\"title\";s:9:\"header 12\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:73:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/header350.11.jpg\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1524583273;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:106:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/header-12/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:6:\"header\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:180;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:63;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:75;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:603;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:1570;s:5:\"title\";s:29:\"Landing Page – Coupon 3\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:70:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Coupon-01.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1494352136;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:111:\"https://library.elementor.com/landing-page-coupon-3/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:181;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:674;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:785;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:604;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:9127;s:5:\"title\";s:9:\"header 13\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:86:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Header_get_started_1200V3.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1532428699;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:106:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/header-13/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:6:\"header\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:181;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:61;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:58;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:605;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:1571;s:5:\"title\";s:29:\"Landing Page – Coupon 4\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:70:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Coupon-04.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1494352138;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:111:\"https://library.elementor.com/landing-page-coupon-4/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:182;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:647;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:737;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:606;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:7615;s:5:\"title\";s:8:\"Header 2\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:72:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/header350.1.jpg\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1521547237;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:105:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/header-2/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:6:\"header\";s:4:\"tags\";s:10:\"[\"header\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:182;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:30;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:33;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:607;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:192;s:5:\"title\";s:28:\"Landing Page – Webinar\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:65:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/0015.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1470820734;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:110:\"https://library.elementor.com/landing-page-webinar/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:17:\"[\"Landing Pages\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:183;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:141;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:388;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:608;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:7713;s:5:\"title\";s:8:\"header 3\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:72:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/header350.2.jpg\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1524584780;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:105:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/header-3/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:6:\"header\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:183;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:43;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:28;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:609;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:2141;s:5:\"title\";s:32:\"Contact – Delivery Company\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:77:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/delivery-contact.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1499774122;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:114:\"https://library.elementor.com/contact-delivery-company/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:184;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:363;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:678;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:610;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:7724;s:5:\"title\";s:8:\"header 4\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:72:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/header350.3.jpg\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1524583367;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:105:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/header-4/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:6:\"header\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:184;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:24;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:13;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:611;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:137;s:5:\"title\";s:22:\"Contact – Modern\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:65:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/0013.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1470829828;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:104:\"https://library.elementor.com/contact-modern/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:185;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:55;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:210;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:612;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:7734;s:5:\"title\";s:8:\"header 5\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:72:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/header350.4.jpg\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1524583436;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:105:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/header-5/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:6:\"header\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:185;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:36;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:18;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:613;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:256;s:5:\"title\";s:26:\"Contact – Restaurant\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:65:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/0011.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1470829796;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:108:\"https://library.elementor.com/contact-restaurant/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:186;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:154;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:370;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:614;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:7744;s:5:\"title\";s:8:\"Header 6\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:72:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/header350.5.jpg\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1524584784;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:105:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/header-6/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:6:\"header\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:186;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:65;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:94;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:615;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:2150;s:5:\"title\";s:25:\"Contact – Cake Shop\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:73:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/cake-contact.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1499774127;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:107:\"https://library.elementor.com/contact-cake-shop/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:187;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:85;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:247;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:616;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:7754;s:5:\"title\";s:8:\"header 7\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:72:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/header350.6.jpg\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1524583712;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:105:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/header-7/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:6:\"header\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:187;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:111;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:143;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:617;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:223;s:5:\"title\";s:21:\"Contact – Hotel\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:65:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/0002.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1470820471;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:103:\"https://library.elementor.com/contact-hotel/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:188;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:157;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:354;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:618;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:7771;s:5:\"title\";s:8:\"header 8\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:72:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/header350.7.jpg\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1524583540;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:105:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/header-8/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:6:\"header\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:188;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:91;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:60;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:619;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:7787;s:5:\"title\";s:8:\"header 9\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:72:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/header350.8.jpg\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1524583598;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:105:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/header-9/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:6:\"header\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:189;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:102;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:78;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:620;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:184;s:5:\"title\";s:23:\"Services – Moving\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:65:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/0017.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1470829889;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:105:\"https://library.elementor.com/services-moving/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:190;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:26;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:89;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:621;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:6266;s:5:\"title\";s:6:\"Hero 1\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:74:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/heroo_black_4.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520443695;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:103:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/hero-1/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"hero\";s:4:\"tags\";s:8:\"[\"hero\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:190;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:52;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:35;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:622;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:5783;s:5:\"title\";s:7:\"Hero 10\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:69:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/header_2.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520443586;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:104:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/hero-10/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"hero\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:191;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:365;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:567;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:623;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:625;s:5:\"title\";s:31:\"Services – Cake Shop Menu\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:75:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/cake-shop-menu.jpg\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1481549196;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:113:\"https://library.elementor.com/services-cake-shop-menu/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:191;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:642;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:733;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:624;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:5773;s:5:\"title\";s:7:\"Hero 11\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:69:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/header_1.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520443584;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:104:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/hero-11/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"hero\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:192;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:39;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:179;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:625;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:187;s:5:\"title\";s:20:\"Services – Fun\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:65:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/0001.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1470829892;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:102:\"https://library.elementor.com/services-fun/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:192;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:109;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:338;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:626;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:238;s:5:\"title\";s:27:\"Services – Consulting\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:65:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/0014.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1470829865;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:109:\"https://library.elementor.com/services-consulting/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:193;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:25;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:51;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:627;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:5238;s:5:\"title\";s:7:\"Hero 12\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:73:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/form_white_4.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520443468;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:104:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/hero-12/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"hero\";s:4:\"tags\";s:8:\"[\"hero\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:193;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:611;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:555;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:628;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:647;s:5:\"title\";s:33:\"Services – Coffee Shop Menu\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:76:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/restaurant-menu.jpg\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1481549320;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:115:\"https://library.elementor.com/services-coffee-shop-menu/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:194;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:517;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:529;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:629;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:6274;s:5:\"title\";s:6:\"Hero 2\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:74:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/heroo_black_5.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520443698;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:103:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/hero-2/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"hero\";s:4:\"tags\";s:8:\"[\"hero\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:194;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:87;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:88;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:630;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:6239;s:5:\"title\";s:6:\"Hero 3\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:74:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/heroo_black_1.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520443689;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:103:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/hero-3/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"hero\";s:4:\"tags\";s:8:\"[\"hero\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:195;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:23;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:34;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:631;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:2138;s:5:\"title\";s:33:\"Services – Delivery Company\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:78:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/delivery-services.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1499774119;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:115:\"https://library.elementor.com/services-delivery-company/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:195;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:456;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:545;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:632;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:823;s:5:\"title\";s:19:\"Pricing – App\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:72:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/pricing-app.jpg\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1485272966;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:103:\"https://library.elementor.com/pricing-app-2/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:196;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:384;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:416;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:633;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:6258;s:5:\"title\";s:6:\"Hero 4\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:74:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/heroo_black_3.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520443693;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:103:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/hero-4/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"hero\";s:4:\"tags\";s:8:\"[\"hero\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:196;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:479;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:470;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:634;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:824;s:5:\"title\";s:24:\"Pricing – Software\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:77:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/pricing-software.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1485272900;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:108:\"https://library.elementor.com/pricing-software-2/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:197;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:409;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:534;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:635;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:6249;s:5:\"title\";s:6:\"Hero 5\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:74:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/heroo_black_2.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520443691;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:103:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/hero-5/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"hero\";s:4:\"tags\";s:8:\"[\"hero\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:197;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:56;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:85;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:636;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:825;s:5:\"title\";s:24:\"Product – Speakers\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:73:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/product-page.jpg\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1485272513;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:106:\"https://library.elementor.com/product-speakers/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:198;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:439;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:418;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:637;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:6230;s:5:\"title\";s:6:\"Hero 6\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:74:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/heroo_white_1.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520443687;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:103:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/hero-6/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"hero\";s:4:\"tags\";s:8:\"[\"hero\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:198;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:406;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:542;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:638;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:5801;s:5:\"title\";s:6:\"Hero 7\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:69:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/header_4.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520443589;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:103:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/hero-7/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"hero\";s:4:\"tags\";s:8:\"[\"hero\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:199;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:15;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:37;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:639;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:245;s:5:\"title\";s:21:\"Product – Clean\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:65:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/0020.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1470829876;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:103:\"https://library.elementor.com/product-clean/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:48:\"[\"Fast\",\"minimal\",\"minimalistic\",\"seo\",\"simple\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:199;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:107;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:276;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:640;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:5811;s:5:\"title\";s:6:\"Hero 8\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:69:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/header_5.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520443591;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:103:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/hero-8/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"hero\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:200;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:105;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:86;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:641;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:1075;s:5:\"title\";s:19:\"Shop – Sweets\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:67:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Sweets.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1488810871;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:101:\"https://library.elementor.com/shop-sweets/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:154:\"[\"bakery\",\"beverage\",\"business\",\"cafe\",\"candy bar\",\"catering\",\"delivery service\",\"Food\",\"online shop\",\"pastry\",\"Restaurant\",\"store\",\"sweet shop\",\"sweets\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:200;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:68;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:174;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:642;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:5792;s:5:\"title\";s:6:\"Hero 9\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:69:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/header_3.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520443588;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:103:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/hero-9/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"hero\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:201;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:225;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:244;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:643;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:1051;s:5:\"title\";s:24:\"Blog Post – Launch\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:71:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/post-cloud.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1488810869;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:106:\"https://library.elementor.com/blog-post-launch/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:210:\"[\"Agency\",\"bootstrap\",\"business\",\"corporate\",\"Landing Page\",\"launch\",\"marketing campaign\",\"marketing landing page\",\"marketing template landing page\",\"product launch\",\"software\",\"Startup\",\"startup landing page\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:201;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:16;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:27;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:644;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:1245;s:5:\"title\";s:13:\"Coming Soon 1\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:74:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Coming-Soon-1.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1491207184;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:103:\"https://library.elementor.com/coming-soon-1/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:202;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:257;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:252;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:645;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:13251;s:5:\"title\";s:27:\"Interior Design – 404\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:64:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/404.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1586148737;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:116:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/interior-design-404/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:8:\"404 page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:30:\"[\"business\",\"interior design\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:202;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:730;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:795;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:646;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:1247;s:5:\"title\";s:13:\"Coming Soon 2\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:74:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Coming-Soon-2.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1491207138;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:103:\"https://library.elementor.com/coming-soon-2/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:203;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:35;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:48;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:647;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:13244;s:5:\"title\";s:30:\"Interior Design – Footer\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:67:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Footer.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1586148742;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:119:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/interior-design-footer/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:6:\"footer\";s:4:\"tags\";s:39:\"[\"business\",\"footer\",\"interior design\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:203;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:322;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:178;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:648;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:1248;s:5:\"title\";s:13:\"Coming Soon 3\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:74:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Coming-Soon-3.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1491207050;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:103:\"https://library.elementor.com/coming-soon-3/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:204;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:427;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:601;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:649;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:13236;s:5:\"title\";s:30:\"Interior Design – Header\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:83:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Header-interior-design.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1586148746;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:119:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/interior-design-header/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:6:\"header\";s:4:\"tags\";s:39:\"[\"business\",\"header\",\"interior design\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:204;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:146;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:64;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:650;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:1249;s:5:\"title\";s:13:\"Coming Soon 4\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:74:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Coming-Soon-4.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1491207380;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:103:\"https://library.elementor.com/coming-soon-4/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:205;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:469;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:638;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:651;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:13259;s:5:\"title\";s:36:\"Interior Design – News Archive\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:72:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Archiv-Blog.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1586148733;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:125:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/interior-design-news-archive/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:7:\"archive\";s:4:\"tags\";s:30:\"[\"business\",\"interior design\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:205;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:436;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:132;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:652;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:1250;s:5:\"title\";s:13:\"Coming Soon 5\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:74:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Coming-Soon-5.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1491207450;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:103:\"https://library.elementor.com/coming-soon-5/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:206;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:82;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:104;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:653;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:13267;s:5:\"title\";s:35:\"Interior Design – Single News\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:65:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Post.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1586148728;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:124:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/interior-design-single-news/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:11:\"single post\";s:4:\"tags\";s:30:\"[\"business\",\"interior design\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:206;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:402;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:108;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:654;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:1260;s:5:\"title\";s:18:\"Maintenance Mode 1\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:74:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Coming-Soon-6.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1491207507;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:108:\"https://library.elementor.com/maintenance-mode-1/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:20:\"[\"Maintenance mode\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:207;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:506;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:623;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:655;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:13274;s:5:\"title\";s:38:\"Interior Design – Single Project\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:76:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Single-Project-.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1586148723;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:127:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/interior-design-single-project/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:11:\"single post\";s:4:\"tags\";s:30:\"[\"business\",\"interior design\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:207;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:601;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:324;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:656;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:1261;s:5:\"title\";s:18:\"Maintenance Mode 2\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:74:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/Coming-Soon-7.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1491207584;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:108:\"https://library.elementor.com/maintenance-mode-2/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:20:\"[\"Maintenance mode\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:208;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:98;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:164;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:657;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:14058;s:5:\"title\";s:36:\"Japanese restaurant – 404 page\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:69:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/404-Page.jpg\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1592290211;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:125:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/japanese-restaurant-404-page/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:8:\"404 page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:38:\"[\"404\",\"Food\",\"Japanese\",\"Restaurant\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:208;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:724;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:647;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:658;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:1272;s:5:\"title\";s:13:\"Coming Soon 8\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:74:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Coming-Soon-8.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1491207674;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:103:\"https://library.elementor.com/coming-soon-8/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:209;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:296;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:317;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:659;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:14050;s:5:\"title\";s:34:\"Japanese restaurant – Footer\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:73:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Footer-Small.jpg\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1592290247;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:123:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/japanese-restaurant-footer/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:6:\"footer\";s:4:\"tags\";s:41:\"[\"Food\",\"footer\",\"Japanese\",\"Restaurant\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:209;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:317;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:238;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:660;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:1279;s:5:\"title\";s:13:\"Coming Soon 9\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:74:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Coming-Soon-9.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1491207756;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:103:\"https://library.elementor.com/coming-soon-9/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:210;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:160;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:403;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:661;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:14042;s:5:\"title\";s:34:\"Japanese restaurant – Header\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:87:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/japanese-restaurant-header.jpg\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1592290277;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:123:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/japanese-restaurant-header/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:6:\"header\";s:4:\"tags\";s:41:\"[\"Food\",\"header\",\"Japanese\",\"Restaurant\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:210;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:411;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:274;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:662;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:1745;s:5:\"title\";s:14:\"Coming Soon 10\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:70:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/login-002.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1494849745;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:104:\"https://library.elementor.com/coming-soon-10/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:211;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:292;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:371;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:663;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:12164;s:5:\"title\";s:20:\"Law Firm – 404\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:64:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/404.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1572846979;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:109:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/law-firm-404/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:8:\"404 page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:24:\"[\"404\",\"Law\",\"Law Firm\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:211;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:704;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:716;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:664;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:1742;s:5:\"title\";s:12:\"Login Page 1\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:70:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/login-003.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1494849744;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:100:\"https://library.elementor.com/login-page/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:212;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:470;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:616;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:665;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:12170;s:5:\"title\";s:23:\"Law Firm – Archiv\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:67:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/archiv.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1572846967;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:112:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/law-firm-archiv/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:7:\"archive\";s:4:\"tags\";s:18:\"[\"Law\",\"Law Firm\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:212;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:431;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:294;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:666;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:1748;s:5:\"title\";s:12:\"Login Page 2\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:70:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/login-001.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1494849742;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:102:\"https://library.elementor.com/login-page-2/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:213;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:313;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:306;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:667;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:12179;s:5:\"title\";s:23:\"Law Firm – Footer\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:67:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/footer.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1572846958;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:112:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/law-firm-footer/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:6:\"footer\";s:4:\"tags\";s:27:\"[\"footer\",\"Law\",\"Law Firm\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:213;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:388;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:240;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:668;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:3963;s:5:\"title\";s:32:\"Restaurant Site – Homepage\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:76:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/R.HomepageThumb.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1516284821;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:114:\"https://library.elementor.com/restaurant-site-homepage/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:109:\"[\"bar\",\"cafe\",\"cooking\",\"drink\",\"events\",\"fast food\",\"Food\",\"menu\",\"modern\",\"reservation\",\"Shop\",\"snack bar\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:214;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:238;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:61;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:669;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:12194;s:5:\"title\";s:23:\"Law Firm – Header\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:76:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Header-law-firm.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1572846935;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:112:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/law-firm-header/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:6:\"header\";s:4:\"tags\";s:27:\"[\"header\",\"Law\",\"Law Firm\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:214;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:80;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:39;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:670;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:12203;s:5:\"title\";s:30:\"Law Firm – Search Archiv\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:74:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/search_result.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1572846925;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:119:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/law-firm-search-archiv/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:7:\"archive\";s:4:\"tags\";s:18:\"[\"Law\",\"Law Firm\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:215;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:493;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:433;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:671;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:3969;s:5:\"title\";s:28:\"Restaurant Site – Menu\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:72:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/R.MenuThumb.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1516284829;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:110:\"https://library.elementor.com/restaurant-site-menu/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:109:\"[\"bar\",\"cafe\",\"cooking\",\"drink\",\"events\",\"fast food\",\"Food\",\"menu\",\"modern\",\"reservation\",\"Shop\",\"snack bar\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:215;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:440;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:543;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:672;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:12212;s:5:\"title\";s:28:\"Law Firm – Single Post\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:67:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/single.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1572846914;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:117:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/law-firm-single-post/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:11:\"single post\";s:4:\"tags\";s:18:\"[\"Law\",\"Law Firm\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:216;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:326;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:214;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:673;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:3966;s:5:\"title\";s:29:\"Restaurant Site – About\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:77:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/R.AboutThumb.png.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1516284839;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:111:\"https://library.elementor.com/restaurant-site-about/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:109:\"[\"bar\",\"cafe\",\"cooking\",\"drink\",\"events\",\"fast food\",\"Food\",\"menu\",\"modern\",\"reservation\",\"Shop\",\"snack bar\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:216;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:275;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:528;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:674;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:3972;s:5:\"title\";s:31:\"Restaurant Site – Contact\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:75:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/R.ContactThumb.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1516284847;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:113:\"https://library.elementor.com/restaurant-site-contact/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:109:\"[\"bar\",\"cafe\",\"cooking\",\"drink\",\"events\",\"fast food\",\"Food\",\"menu\",\"modern\",\"reservation\",\"Shop\",\"snack bar\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:217;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:405;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:588;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:675;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:14772;s:5:\"title\";s:35:\"Luxury Real Estate – 404 page\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:64:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/404.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1595315728;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:124:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/luxury-real-estate-404-page/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:8:\"404 page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:34:\"[\"404\",\"Real estate\",\"Realestate\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:217;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:759;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:720;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:676;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:2080;s:5:\"title\";s:27:\"Ski Resort – Homepage\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:81:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Ski-Resort-Home-Page.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1508161124;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:109:\"https://library.elementor.com/ski-resort-homepage/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:218;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:358;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:612;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:677;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:14779;s:5:\"title\";s:33:\"Luxury Real Estate – Footer\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:67:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Footer.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1595315743;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:122:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/luxury-real-estate-footer/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:6:\"footer\";s:4:\"tags\";s:37:\"[\"footer\",\"real estate\",\"realestate\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:218;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:536;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:505;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:678;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:14790;s:5:\"title\";s:33:\"Luxury Real Estate – Header\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:67:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Header.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1595315760;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:122:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/luxury-real-estate-header/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:6:\"header\";s:4:\"tags\";s:37:\"[\"header\",\"real estate\",\"realestate\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:219;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:101;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:157;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:679;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:2088;s:5:\"title\";s:24:\"Ski Resort – About\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:77:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Ski-Resort-About.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1508161129;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:106:\"https://library.elementor.com/ski-resort-about/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:219;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:487;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:683;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:680;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:14809;s:5:\"title\";s:45:\"Luxury Real Estate – Properties Archive\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:71:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Properties.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1595315826;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:134:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/luxury-real-estate-properties-archive/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:7:\"archive\";s:4:\"tags\";s:28:\"[\"real estate\",\"realestate\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:220;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:414;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:420;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:681;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:2085;s:5:\"title\";s:27:\"Ski Resort – Services\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:80:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Ski-Resort-Services.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1508161134;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:109:\"https://library.elementor.com/ski-resort-services/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:220;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:620;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:0;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:682;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:14816;s:5:\"title\";s:47:\"Luxury Real Estate – Property single post\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:77:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Single-Property-.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1595315847;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:136:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/luxury-real-estate-property-single-post/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:11:\"single post\";s:4:\"tags\";s:28:\"[\"real estate\",\"realestate\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:221;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:541;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:665;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:683;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:2462;s:5:\"title\";s:23:\"Architect – About\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:80:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/architect-–-about.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1508243317;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:105:\"https://library.elementor.com/architect-about/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:221;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:364;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:383;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:684;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:14799;s:5:\"title\";s:38:\"Luxury Real Estate – single post\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:65:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Post.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1595315792;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:127:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/luxury-real-estate-single-post/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:11:\"single post\";s:4:\"tags\";s:28:\"[\"real estate\",\"realestate\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:222;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:369;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:441;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:685;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:2362;s:5:\"title\";s:26:\"Architect – Projects\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:79:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Architect-Projects.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1508243335;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:108:\"https://library.elementor.com/architect-projects/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:222;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:460;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:443;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:686;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:614;s:5:\"title\";s:25:\"Architect – Contact\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:78:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/architect-contact.jpg\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1481549169;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:107:\"https://library.elementor.com/architect-contact/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:223;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:335;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:446;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:687;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:12635;s:5:\"title\";s:20:\"Magazine – 404\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:66:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/404_s.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1579060746;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:109:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/magazine-404/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:8:\"404 page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:25:\"[\"404\",\"Blog\",\"Magazine\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:223;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:645;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:734;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:688;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:2126;s:5:\"title\";s:37:\"Construction Company – Homepage\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:91:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Construction-Company-Home-Page.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1508325849;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:119:\"https://library.elementor.com/construction-company-homepage/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:224;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:271;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:311;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:689;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:12643;s:5:\"title\";s:24:\"Magazine – Archiv1\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:70:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Archiv1_s.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1579060737;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:113:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/magazine-archiv1/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:7:\"archive\";s:4:\"tags\";s:19:\"[\"Blog\",\"Magazine\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:224;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:346;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:272;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:690;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:2129;s:5:\"title\";s:34:\"Construction Company – About\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:87:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Construction-Company-About.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1508325881;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:116:\"https://library.elementor.com/construction-company-about/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:225;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:321;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:448;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:691;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:12669;s:5:\"title\";s:23:\"Magazine – Footer\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:69:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Footer_s.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1579060715;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:112:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/magazine-footer/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:6:\"footer\";s:4:\"tags\";s:28:\"[\"Blog\",\"footer\",\"Magazine\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:225;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:442;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:349;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:692;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:2135;s:5:\"title\";s:36:\"Construction Company – Contact\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:89:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Construction-Company-Contact.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1508325922;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:118:\"https://library.elementor.com/construction-company-contact/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:226;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:370;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:473;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:693;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:12678;s:5:\"title\";s:23:\"Magazine – Header\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:76:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Header-magazine.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1579060701;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:112:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/magazine-header/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:6:\"header\";s:4:\"tags\";s:28:\"[\"Blog\",\"header\",\"Magazine\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:226;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:295;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:197;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:694;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:2094;s:5:\"title\";s:28:\"Plants Shop – Homepage\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:77:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Plants-Shop-Home.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1509621053;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:110:\"https://library.elementor.com/plants-shop-homepage/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:227;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:269;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:254;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:695;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:12661;s:5:\"title\";s:23:\"Magazine – Search\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:69:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Search_s.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1579060722;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:112:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/magazine-search/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:7:\"archive\";s:4:\"tags\";s:19:\"[\"Blog\",\"Magazine\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:227;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:396;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:509;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:696;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:2120;s:5:\"title\";s:25:\"Plants Shop – About\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:78:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Plants-Shop-About.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1509631820;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:107:\"https://library.elementor.com/plants-shop-about/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:228;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:376;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:573;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:697;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:12688;s:5:\"title\";s:30:\"Magazine – Single Post 1\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:68:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Post2_s.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1579060692;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:119:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/magazine-single-post-1/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:11:\"single post\";s:4:\"tags\";s:19:\"[\"Blog\",\"Magazine\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:228;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:342;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:175;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:698;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:3153;s:5:\"title\";s:14:\"Halloween Pack\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:70:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/halloween.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1508950132;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:104:\"https://library.elementor.com/halloween-pack/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:229;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:685;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:775;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:699;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:12699;s:5:\"title\";s:30:\"Magazine – Single Post 2\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:68:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Post3_s.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1579060680;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:119:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/magazine-single-post-2/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:11:\"single post\";s:4:\"tags\";s:19:\"[\"Blog\",\"Magazine\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:229;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:348;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:129;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:700;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:3338;s:5:\"title\";s:31:\"Black Friday – Nature Set\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:75:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/black-friday-1.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1511203351;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:113:\"https://library.elementor.com/black-friday-nature-set/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:230;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:604;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:786;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:701;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:12707;s:5:\"title\";s:30:\"Magazine – Single Post 3\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:68:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Post1_s.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1579060669;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:119:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/magazine-single-post-3/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:11:\"single post\";s:4:\"tags\";s:19:\"[\"Blog\",\"Magazine\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:230;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:476;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:246;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:702;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:3339;s:5:\"title\";s:35:\"Black Friday – Pop-Styled Set\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:75:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/black-friday-2.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1511203636;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:117:\"https://library.elementor.com/black-friday-pop-styled-set/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:231;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:561;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:836;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:703;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:12716;s:5:\"title\";s:30:\"Magazine – Single Post 3\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:68:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Post4_s.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1579060659;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:121:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/magazine-single-post-3-2/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:11:\"single post\";s:4:\"tags\";s:19:\"[\"Blog\",\"Magazine\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:231;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:513;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:489;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:704;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:3335;s:5:\"title\";s:31:\"Black Friday – Retail Set\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:75:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/black-friday-4.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1511203246;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:113:\"https://library.elementor.com/black-friday-retail-set/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:232;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:560;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:680;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:705;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:12652;s:5:\"title\";s:17:\"Magazine- Archiv2\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:70:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Archiv2_s.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1579060730;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:113:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/magazine-archiv2/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:7:\"archive\";s:4:\"tags\";s:19:\"[\"Blog\",\"Magazine\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:232;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:525;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:585;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:706;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:3340;s:5:\"title\";s:41:\"Black Friday – Software Product Set\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:75:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/black-friday-3.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1511203713;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:123:\"https://library.elementor.com/black-friday-software-product-set/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:233;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:502;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:592;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:707;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:13361;s:5:\"title\";s:25:\"Online Course – 404\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:64:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/404.jpg\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1587474710;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:114:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/online-course-404/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:8:\"404 page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:35:\"[\"404\",\"Course Online\",\"Education\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:233;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:682;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:498;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:708;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:3517;s:5:\"title\";s:27:\"Christmas – Gift Shop\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:70:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/XmasThumb.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1513877937;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:109:\"https://library.elementor.com/christmas-gift-shop/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:234;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:580;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:834;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:709;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:13387;s:5:\"title\";s:32:\"Online Course – End Lesson\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:72:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Lesson-End-.jpg\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1587474682;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:121:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/online-course-end-lesson/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:11:\"single post\";s:4:\"tags\";s:29:\"[\"Course Online\",\"Education\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:234;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:653;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:408;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:710;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:3734;s:5:\"title\";s:28:\"Christmas – Car Agency\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:73:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/cover-lib-v3.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1514197794;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:110:\"https://library.elementor.com/christmas-car-agency/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:235;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:575;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:622;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:711;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:13369;s:5:\"title\";s:28:\"Online Course – Footer\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:67:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Footer.jpg\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1587474701;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:117:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/online-course-footer/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:6:\"footer\";s:4:\"tags\";s:38:\"[\"Course Online\",\"Education\",\"footer\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:235;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:389;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:308;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:712;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:3764;s:5:\"title\";s:33:\"Christmas – Interior Design\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:73:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/cover-lib-v6.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1514198234;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:115:\"https://library.elementor.com/christmas-interior-design/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:236;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:566;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:708;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:713;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:13378;s:5:\"title\";s:28:\"Online Course – Header\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:92:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Header-education-online-courses.jpg\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1587474693;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:117:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/online-course-header/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:6:\"header\";s:4:\"tags\";s:38:\"[\"Course Online\",\"Education\",\"header\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:236;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:492;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:519;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:714;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:3565;s:5:\"title\";s:27:\"Christmas – Tree Shop\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:74:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/XmasTreeThumb.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1514204382;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:109:\"https://library.elementor.com/christmas-tree-shop/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:237;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:455;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:469;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:715;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:13395;s:5:\"title\";s:34:\"Online Course – Start Lesson\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:73:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Lesson-Start.jpg\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1587474673;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:123:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/online-course-start-lesson/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:11:\"single post\";s:4:\"tags\";s:29:\"[\"Course Online\",\"Education\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:237;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:672;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:578;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:716;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:3862;s:5:\"title\";s:35:\"Christmas – Design Conference\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:63:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/q1.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1514206745;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:117:\"https://library.elementor.com/christmas-design-conference/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:238;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:473;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:518;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:717;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:13089;s:5:\"title\";s:23:\"Photography – 404\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:66:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/404_s.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1582091623;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:112:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/photography-404/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:8:\"404 page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:33:\"[\"404\",\"Photography\",\"portfolio\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:238;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:702;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:706;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:718;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:3777;s:5:\"title\";s:39:\"Christmas – Snowboard Competition\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:73:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/cover-lib-v7.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1514205420;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:121:\"https://library.elementor.com/christmas-snowboard-competition/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:239;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:509;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:682;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:719;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:13096;s:5:\"title\";s:32:\"Photography – Archiv Media\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:69:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Archiv_s.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1582091742;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:121:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/photography-archiv-media/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:7:\"archive\";s:4:\"tags\";s:27:\"[\"Photography\",\"portfolio\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:239;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:631;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:405;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:720;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:420;s:5:\"title\";s:11:\"Hero UI Kit\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:81:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/library-ui-kit-cover.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1475067229;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:101:\"https://library.elementor.com/hero-ui-kit/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"page\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:240;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:22;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:160;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:721;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:13103;s:5:\"title\";s:26:\"Photography – Footer\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:69:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Footer_s.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1582091903;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:115:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/photography-footer/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:6:\"footer\";s:4:\"tags\";s:36:\"[\"footer\",\"Photography\",\"portfolio\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:240;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:422;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:230;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:722;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:13112;s:5:\"title\";s:26:\"Photography – Header\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:89:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Header-photography-portfolio.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1582092483;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:115:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/photography-header/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:6:\"header\";s:4:\"tags\";s:36:\"[\"header\",\"Photography\",\"portfolio\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:241;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:325;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:205;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:723;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:13120;s:5:\"title\";s:31:\"Photography – Single Post\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:67:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Post_s.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1582092351;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:120:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/photography-single-post/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:11:\"single post\";s:4:\"tags\";s:27:\"[\"Photography\",\"portfolio\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:242;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:671;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:645;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:724;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:11807;s:5:\"title\";s:9:\"Portfolio\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:70:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/404_small.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1569430070;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:109:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/portfolio-20/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:8:\"404 page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:40:\"[\"404\",\"creative portfolio\",\"portfolio\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:243;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:480;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:497;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:725;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:11832;s:5:\"title\";s:9:\"Portfolio\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:73:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Footer_small.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1569430019;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:109:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/portfolio-19/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:6:\"footer\";s:4:\"tags\";s:43:\"[\"creative portfolio\",\"footer\",\"portfolio\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:244;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:246;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:102;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:726;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:11847;s:5:\"title\";s:9:\"Portfolio\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:73:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Archiv_small.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1569430010;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:108:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/portfolio-8/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:7:\"archive\";s:4:\"tags\";s:34:\"[\"creative portfolio\",\"portfolio\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:245;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:336;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:455;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:727;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:11854;s:5:\"title\";s:9:\"Portfolio\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:71:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Post_small.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1569429983;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:106:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/portfolio/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:11:\"single post\";s:4:\"tags\";s:34:\"[\"creative portfolio\",\"portfolio\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:246;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:482;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:609;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:728;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:11890;s:5:\"title\";s:9:\"Portfolio\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:84:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Header-design-portfolio.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1571907344;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:108:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/portfolio-9/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:6:\"header\";s:4:\"tags\";s:43:\"[\"creative portfolio\",\"header\",\"portfolio\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:247;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:306;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:364;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:729;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:11861;s:5:\"title\";s:27:\"Portfolio – Project 1\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:75:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Project1_small.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1569429975;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:116:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/portfolio-project-1/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:11:\"single post\";s:4:\"tags\";s:34:\"[\"creative portfolio\",\"portfolio\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:248;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:643;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:764;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:730;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:11870;s:5:\"title\";s:27:\"Portfolio – Project 2\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:75:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Project2_small.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1569429964;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:116:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/portfolio-project-2/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:11:\"single post\";s:4:\"tags\";s:34:\"[\"creative portfolio\",\"portfolio\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:249;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:662;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:816;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:731;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:11897;s:5:\"title\";s:27:\"Portfolio – Project 2\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:75:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Project2_small.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1569494236;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:118:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/portfolio-project-2-2/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:11:\"single post\";s:4:\"tags\";s:34:\"[\"creative portfolio\",\"portfolio\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:250;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:733;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:744;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:732;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:11877;s:5:\"title\";s:27:\"Portfolio – Project 3\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:75:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Project3_small.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1569429954;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:116:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/portfolio-project-3/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:11:\"single post\";s:4:\"tags\";s:34:\"[\"creative portfolio\",\"portfolio\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:251;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:692;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:0;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:733;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:5019;s:5:\"title\";s:11:\"Portfolio 1\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:78:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/portfolio_black_1.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520520580;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:108:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/portfolio-1/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:9:\"portfolio\";s:4:\"tags\";s:13:\"[\"portfolio\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:252;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:170;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:236;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:734;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:5141;s:5:\"title\";s:12:\"Portfolio 10\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:79:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/portfolio_white_10.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520520601;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:109:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/portfolio-10/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:9:\"portfolio\";s:4:\"tags\";s:13:\"[\"portfolio\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:253;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:416;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:478;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:735;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:5027;s:5:\"title\";s:12:\"Portfolio 11\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:78:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/portfolio_white_2.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520520581;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:109:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/portfolio-11/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:9:\"portfolio\";s:4:\"tags\";s:13:\"[\"portfolio\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:254;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:304;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:421;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:736;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:5037;s:5:\"title\";s:12:\"Portfolio 12\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:78:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/portfolio_white_3.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520520583;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:109:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/portfolio-12/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:9:\"portfolio\";s:4:\"tags\";s:13:\"[\"portfolio\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:255;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:279;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:399;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:737;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:5057;s:5:\"title\";s:12:\"Portfolio 13\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:78:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/portfolio_white_4.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520520586;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:109:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/portfolio-13/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:9:\"portfolio\";s:4:\"tags\";s:13:\"[\"portfolio\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:256;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:239;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:288;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:738;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:5071;s:5:\"title\";s:12:\"Portfolio 14\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:78:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/portfolio_white_5.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520520588;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:109:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/portfolio-14/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:9:\"portfolio\";s:4:\"tags\";s:13:\"[\"portfolio\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:257;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:276;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:329;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:739;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:5090;s:5:\"title\";s:12:\"Portfolio 15\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:78:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/portfolio_white_6.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520520591;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:109:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/portfolio-15/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:9:\"portfolio\";s:4:\"tags\";s:13:\"[\"portfolio\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:258;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:186;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:283;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:740;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:5098;s:5:\"title\";s:12:\"Portfolio 16\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:78:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/portfolio_white_7.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520520593;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:109:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/portfolio-16/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:9:\"portfolio\";s:4:\"tags\";s:13:\"[\"portfolio\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:259;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:156;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:211;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:741;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:5115;s:5:\"title\";s:12:\"Portfolio 17\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:78:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/portfolio_white_8.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520520596;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:109:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/portfolio-17/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:9:\"portfolio\";s:4:\"tags\";s:13:\"[\"portfolio\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:260;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:19;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:22;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:742;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:5133;s:5:\"title\";s:12:\"Portfolio 18\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:78:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/portfolio_white_9.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520520599;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:109:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/portfolio-18/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:9:\"portfolio\";s:4:\"tags\";s:13:\"[\"portfolio\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:261;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:180;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:280;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:743;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:5149;s:5:\"title\";s:11:\"Portfolio 2\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:79:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/portfolio_black_10.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520520602;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:108:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/portfolio-2/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:9:\"portfolio\";s:4:\"tags\";s:13:\"[\"portfolio\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:262;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:413;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:635;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:744;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:5045;s:5:\"title\";s:11:\"Portfolio 3\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:78:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/portfolio_black_2.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520443423;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:108:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/portfolio-3/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:9:\"portfolio\";s:4:\"tags\";s:13:\"[\"portfolio\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:263;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:636;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:608;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:745;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:5082;s:5:\"title\";s:11:\"Portfolio 4\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:78:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/portfolio_black_4.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520520589;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:108:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/portfolio-4/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:9:\"portfolio\";s:4:\"tags\";s:13:\"[\"portfolio\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:264;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:558;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:654;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:746;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:5107;s:5:\"title\";s:11:\"Portfolio 5\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:78:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/portfolio_black_7.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520520594;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:108:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/portfolio-5/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:9:\"portfolio\";s:4:\"tags\";s:13:\"[\"portfolio\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:265;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:380;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:347;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:747;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:5125;s:5:\"title\";s:11:\"Portfolio 6\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:78:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/portfolio_black_8.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520520597;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:108:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/portfolio-6/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:9:\"portfolio\";s:4:\"tags\";s:13:\"[\"portfolio\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:266;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:236;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:386;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:748;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:5007;s:5:\"title\";s:11:\"Portfolio 7\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:78:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/portfolio_white_1.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520520578;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:108:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/portfolio-7/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:9:\"portfolio\";s:4:\"tags\";s:13:\"[\"portfolio\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:267;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:44;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:183;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:749;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:4509;s:5:\"title\";s:9:\"Pricing 1\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:74:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/price_black_1.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520443310;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:106:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/pricing-1/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:7:\"pricing\";s:4:\"tags\";s:11:\"[\"pricing\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:268;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:703;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:641;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:750;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:4553;s:5:\"title\";s:10:\"Pricing 10\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:74:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/price_white_4.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520443319;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:107:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/pricing-10/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:7:\"pricing\";s:4:\"tags\";s:11:\"[\"pricing\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:269;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:511;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:506;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:751;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:4572;s:5:\"title\";s:10:\"Pricing 11\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:74:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/price_white_5.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520443324;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:107:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/pricing-11/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:7:\"pricing\";s:4:\"tags\";s:11:\"[\"pricing\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:270;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:308;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:248;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:752;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:4580;s:5:\"title\";s:10:\"Pricing 12\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:74:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/price_white_6.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520443326;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:107:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/pricing-12/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:7:\"pricing\";s:4:\"tags\";s:11:\"[\"pricing\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:271;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:576;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:526;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:753;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:4597;s:5:\"title\";s:10:\"Pricing 13\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:74:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/price_white_7.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520443330;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:107:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/pricing-13/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:7:\"pricing\";s:4:\"tags\";s:11:\"[\"pricing\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:272;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:613;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:450;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:754;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:4613;s:5:\"title\";s:10:\"Pricing 14\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:74:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/price_white_8.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520443334;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:107:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/pricing-14/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:7:\"pricing\";s:4:\"tags\";s:11:\"[\"pricing\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:273;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:581;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:568;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:755;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:4529;s:5:\"title\";s:9:\"Pricing 2\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:74:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/price_black_2.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520443314;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:106:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/pricing-2/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:7:\"pricing\";s:4:\"tags\";s:11:\"[\"pricing\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:274;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:609;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:613;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:756;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:4545;s:5:\"title\";s:9:\"Pricing 3\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:74:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/price_black_3.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520443317;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:106:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/pricing-3/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:7:\"pricing\";s:4:\"tags\";s:11:\"[\"pricing\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:275;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:707;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:825;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:757;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:4562;s:5:\"title\";s:9:\"Pricing 4\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:74:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/price_black_4.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520443322;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:106:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/pricing-4/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:7:\"pricing\";s:4:\"tags\";s:11:\"[\"pricing\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:276;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:697;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:821;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:758;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:4589;s:5:\"title\";s:9:\"Pricing 5\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:74:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/price_black_6.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520443327;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:106:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/pricing-5/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:7:\"pricing\";s:4:\"tags\";s:11:\"[\"pricing\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:277;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:716;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:639;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:759;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:4605;s:5:\"title\";s:9:\"Pricing 6\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:74:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/price_black_7.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520443332;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:106:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/pricing-6/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:7:\"pricing\";s:4:\"tags\";s:11:\"[\"pricing\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:278;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:738;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:773;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:760;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:4500;s:5:\"title\";s:9:\"Pricing 7\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:74:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/price_white_1.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520443308;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:106:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/pricing-7/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:7:\"pricing\";s:4:\"tags\";s:11:\"[\"pricing\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:279;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:500;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:451;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:761;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:4521;s:5:\"title\";s:9:\"Pricing 8\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:74:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/price_white_2.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520443312;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:106:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/pricing-8/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:7:\"pricing\";s:4:\"tags\";s:11:\"[\"pricing\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:280;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:311;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:372;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:762;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:4537;s:5:\"title\";s:9:\"Pricing 9\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:74:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/price_white_3.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520443315;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:106:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/pricing-9/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:7:\"pricing\";s:4:\"tags\";s:11:\"[\"pricing\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:281;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:589;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:841;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:763;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:9239;s:5:\"title\";s:17:\"product archive 1\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:82:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/product-archive-350-1.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1532953482;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:114:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/product-archive-1/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:15:\"product archive\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:282;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:60;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:25;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:764;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:9247;s:5:\"title\";s:17:\"product archive 2\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:82:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/product-archive-350-2.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1532953793;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:114:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/product-archive-2/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:15:\"product archive\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:283;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:71;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:30;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:765;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:9254;s:5:\"title\";s:17:\"product archive 3\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:82:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/product-archive-350-3.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1532954032;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:114:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/product-archive-3/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:15:\"product archive\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:284;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:73;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:44;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:766;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:15204;s:5:\"title\";s:24:\"Psychologist – 404\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:64:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/404.jpg\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1600161419;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:113:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/psychologist-404/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:8:\"404 page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:40:\"[\"404\",\"Psychologist\",\"Psychotherapist\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:285;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:574;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:493;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:767;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:15212;s:5:\"title\";s:28:\"Psychologist – Archive\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:65:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Blog.jpg\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1600162340;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:117:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/psychologist-archive/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:7:\"archive\";s:4:\"tags\";s:34:\"[\"Psychologist\",\"Psychotherapist\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:286;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:379;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:358;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:768;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:15219;s:5:\"title\";s:27:\"Psychologist – Footer\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:67:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Footer.jpg\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1600163069;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:116:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/psychologist-footer/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:6:\"footer\";s:4:\"tags\";s:43:\"[\"footer\",\"Psychologist\",\"Psychotherapist\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:287;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:599;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:500;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:769;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:15230;s:5:\"title\";s:27:\"Psychologist – Header\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:67:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Header.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1600163444;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:116:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/psychologist-header/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:6:\"header\";s:4:\"tags\";s:43:\"[\"header\",\"Psychologist\",\"Psychotherapist\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:288;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:429;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:423;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:770;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:15240;s:5:\"title\";s:34:\"Psychologist – single post 1\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:72:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Single-Post.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1600164087;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:123:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/psychologist-single-post-1/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:11:\"single post\";s:4:\"tags\";s:34:\"[\"Psychologist\",\"Psychotherapist\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:289;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:562;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:570;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:771;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:15251;s:5:\"title\";s:34:\"Psychologist – single post 2\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:80:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Single-Service-Page.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1600165179;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:123:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/psychologist-single-post-2/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:11:\"single post\";s:4:\"tags\";s:34:\"[\"Psychologist\",\"Psychotherapist\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:290;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:507;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:368;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:772;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:4313;s:5:\"title\";s:11:\"Services 13\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:76:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Service_white_8.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520443268;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:108:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/services-13/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:8:\"services\";s:4:\"tags\";s:12:\"[\"services\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:291;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:115;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:53;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:773;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:4324;s:5:\"title\";s:11:\"Services 14\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:76:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Service_white_9.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520443270;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:108:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/services-14/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:8:\"services\";s:4:\"tags\";s:12:\"[\"services\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:292;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:277;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:138;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:774;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:4368;s:5:\"title\";s:11:\"Services 16\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:77:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Service_white_13.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520443279;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:108:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/services-16/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:8:\"services\";s:4:\"tags\";s:12:\"[\"services\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:293;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:62;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:59;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:775;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:4391;s:5:\"title\";s:11:\"Services 17\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:77:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Service_white_14.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520443283;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:108:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/services-17/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:8:\"services\";s:4:\"tags\";s:12:\"[\"services\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:294;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:153;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:120;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:776;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:4235;s:5:\"title\";s:11:\"Services 18\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:76:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Service_white_2.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520443251;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:108:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/services-18/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:8:\"services\";s:4:\"tags\";s:12:\"[\"services\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:295;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:273;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:172;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:777;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:4357;s:5:\"title\";s:11:\"Services 20\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:77:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Service_white_12.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520443277;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:108:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/services-20/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:8:\"services\";s:4:\"tags\";s:12:\"[\"services\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:296;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:45;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:45;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:778;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:4341;s:5:\"title\";s:11:\"Services 21\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:77:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Service_white_11.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520443274;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:108:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/services-21/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:8:\"services\";s:4:\"tags\";s:12:\"[\"services\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:297;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:142;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:114;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:779;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:4332;s:5:\"title\";s:11:\"Services 22\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:77:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Service_white_10.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520443272;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:108:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/services-22/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:8:\"services\";s:4:\"tags\";s:12:\"[\"services\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:298;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:138;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:149;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:780;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:4212;s:5:\"title\";s:11:\"Services 23\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:76:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Service_white_1.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520443248;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:108:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/services-23/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:8:\"services\";s:4:\"tags\";s:12:\"[\"services\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:299;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:136;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:302;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:781;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:4276;s:5:\"title\";s:11:\"Services 24\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:76:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Service_black_4.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520443261;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:108:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/services-24/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:8:\"services\";s:4:\"tags\";s:12:\"[\"services\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:300;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:353;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:514;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:782;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:4260;s:5:\"title\";s:11:\"Services 25\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:76:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Service_black_3.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520443257;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:108:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/services-25/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:8:\"services\";s:4:\"tags\";s:12:\"[\"services\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:301;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:184;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:209;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:783;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:4244;s:5:\"title\";s:11:\"Services 26\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:76:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Service_black_2.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520443253;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:108:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/services-26/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:8:\"services\";s:4:\"tags\";s:12:\"[\"services\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:302;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:544;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:596;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:784;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:4400;s:5:\"title\";s:11:\"Services 27\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:77:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Service_black_13.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520443285;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:108:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/services-27/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:8:\"services\";s:4:\"tags\";s:12:\"[\"services\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:303;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:286;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:438;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:785;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:4376;s:5:\"title\";s:11:\"Services 28\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:77:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Service_black_12.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520443281;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:108:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/services-28/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:8:\"services\";s:4:\"tags\";s:12:\"[\"services\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:304;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:151;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:249;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:786;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:4349;s:5:\"title\";s:11:\"Services 29\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:77:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Service_black_11.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520443275;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:108:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/services-29/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:8:\"services\";s:4:\"tags\";s:12:\"[\"services\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:305;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:330;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:483;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:787;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:4227;s:5:\"title\";s:11:\"Services 30\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:76:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Service_black_1.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520443250;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:108:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/services-30/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:8:\"services\";s:4:\"tags\";s:12:\"[\"services\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:306;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:351;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:553;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:788;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:6162;s:5:\"title\";s:11:\"Services 31\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:77:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/progress_white_1.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520443668;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:108:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/services-31/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:5:\"stats\";s:4:\"tags\";s:9:\"[\"Stats\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:307;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:372;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:550;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:789;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:4302;s:5:\"title\";s:10:\"Services 5\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:76:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Service_white_7.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520443266;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:107:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/services-5/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:8:\"services\";s:4:\"tags\";s:12:\"[\"services\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:308;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:58;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:97;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:790;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:4293;s:5:\"title\";s:10:\"Services 6\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:76:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Service_white_6.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520443265;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:107:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/services-6/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:8:\"services\";s:4:\"tags\";s:12:\"[\"services\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:309;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:288;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:269;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:791;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:4284;s:5:\"title\";s:10:\"Services 7\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:76:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Service_white_5.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520443263;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:107:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/services-7/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:8:\"services\";s:4:\"tags\";s:12:\"[\"services\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:310;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:27;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:21;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:792;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:4268;s:5:\"title\";s:10:\"Services 8\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:76:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Service_white_4.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520443259;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:107:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/services-8/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:8:\"services\";s:4:\"tags\";s:12:\"[\"services\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:311;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:173;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:213;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:793;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:4252;s:5:\"title\";s:10:\"Services 9\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:76:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Service_white_3.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520443255;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:107:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/services-9/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:8:\"services\";s:4:\"tags\";s:12:\"[\"services\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:312;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:46;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:99;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:794;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:8676;s:5:\"title\";s:13:\"single page 1\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:69:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/S_P350.6.jpg\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1527682423;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:110:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/single-page-1/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:11:\"single page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:313;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:285;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:145;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:795;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:8678;s:5:\"title\";s:13:\"single page 2\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:69:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/S_P350.2.jpg\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1527682780;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:110:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/single-page-2/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:11:\"single page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:314;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:140;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:82;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:796;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:8679;s:5:\"title\";s:13:\"single page 3\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:69:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/S_P350.3.jpg\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1527682847;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:110:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/single-page-3/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:11:\"single page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:315;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:122;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:23;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:797;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:8680;s:5:\"title\";s:13:\"single page 4\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:69:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/S_P350.1.jpg\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1527682896;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:110:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/single-page-4/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:11:\"single page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:316;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:373;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:190;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:798;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:8681;s:5:\"title\";s:13:\"single page 5\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:69:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/S_P350.5.jpg\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1527682969;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:110:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/single-page-5/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:11:\"single page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:317;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:287;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:218;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:799;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:8682;s:5:\"title\";s:13:\"single page 6\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:69:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/S_P350.4.jpg\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1527683026;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:110:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/single-page-6/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:11:\"single page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:318;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:412;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:227;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:800;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:8703;s:5:\"title\";s:13:\"single page 7\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:69:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/S_P350.7.jpg\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1527683072;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:110:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/single-page-7/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:11:\"single page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:319;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:401;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:316;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:801;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:7650;s:5:\"title\";s:13:\"Single Post 1\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:77:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/single_post_1_v2.jpg\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1521557736;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:110:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/single-post-1/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:11:\"single post\";s:4:\"tags\";s:24:\"[\"Blog\",\"Post\",\"Single\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:320;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:119;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:266;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:802;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:7663;s:5:\"title\";s:13:\"Single Post 2\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:77:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/single_post_2_v2.jpg\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1521547761;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:110:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/single-post-2/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:11:\"single post\";s:4:\"tags\";s:24:\"[\"Blog\",\"Post\",\"Single\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:321;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:50;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:139;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:803;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:9296;s:5:\"title\";s:13:\"Single Post 3\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:65:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/3002.jpg\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1537440673;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:110:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/single-post-3/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:11:\"single post\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:322;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:213;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:204;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:804;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:9301;s:5:\"title\";s:13:\"Single Post 4\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:65:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/3003.jpg\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1537440661;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:110:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/single-post-4/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:11:\"single post\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:323;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:248;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:336;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:805;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:9313;s:5:\"title\";s:13:\"Single Post 5\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:65:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/3001.jpg\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1537440798;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:110:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/single-post-5/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:11:\"single post\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:324;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:197;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:177;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:806;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:9343;s:5:\"title\";s:13:\"Single Post 6\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:65:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/3004.jpg\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1537443531;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:110:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/single-post-6/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:11:\"single post\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:325;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:228;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:279;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:807;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:9349;s:5:\"title\";s:13:\"Single Post 7\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:65:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/3005.jpg\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1537443903;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:110:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/single-post-7/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:11:\"single post\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:326;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:158;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:253;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:808;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:9174;s:5:\"title\";s:17:\"single product 01\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:81:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/single_product01_350.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1532950125;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:114:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/single-product-01/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:14:\"single product\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:327;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:31;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:6;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:809;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:9178;s:5:\"title\";s:17:\"single product 02\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:84:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/single_product02_350new.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1532951997;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:114:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/single-product-02/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:14:\"single product\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:328;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:66;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:42;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:810;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:9180;s:5:\"title\";s:17:\"single product 03\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:81:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/single_product03_350.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1532952302;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:114:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/single-product-03/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:14:\"single product\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:329;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:108;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:66;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:811;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:9182;s:5:\"title\";s:17:\"single product 04\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:82:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/single_product040_350.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1532952606;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:114:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/single-product-04/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:14:\"single product\";s:4:\"tags\";s:2:\"[]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:330;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:123;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:81;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:812;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:6114;s:5:\"title\";s:7:\"Stats 1\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:76:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/numbers_black_6.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520443659;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:104:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/stats-1/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:5:\"stats\";s:4:\"tags\";s:11:\"[\"numbers\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:331;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:434;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:692;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:813;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:6178;s:5:\"title\";s:8:\"Stats 10\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:77:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/progress_white_2.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520443676;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:105:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/stats-10/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:5:\"stats\";s:4:\"tags\";s:9:\"[\"Stats\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:332;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:435;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:755;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:814;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:6170;s:5:\"title\";s:8:\"Stats 11\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:77:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/progress_black_2.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520443670;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:105:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/stats-11/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:5:\"stats\";s:4:\"tags\";s:9:\"[\"Stats\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:333;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:366;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:552;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:815;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:6186;s:5:\"title\";s:8:\"Stats 12\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:77:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/progress_white_3.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520443678;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:105:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/stats-12/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:5:\"stats\";s:4:\"tags\";s:9:\"[\"Stats\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:334;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:569;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:811;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:816;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:6071;s:5:\"title\";s:8:\"Stats 13\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:76:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/numbers_white_3.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520443649;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:105:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/stats-13/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:5:\"stats\";s:4:\"tags\";s:11:\"[\"numbers\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:335;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:168;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:328;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:817;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:6106;s:5:\"title\";s:7:\"Stats 2\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:76:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/numbers_white_6.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520443657;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:104:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/stats-2/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:5:\"stats\";s:4:\"tags\";s:11:\"[\"numbers\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:336;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:361;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:784;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:818;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:6079;s:5:\"title\";s:7:\"Stats 3\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:76:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/numbers_white_4.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520443651;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:104:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/stats-3/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:5:\"stats\";s:4:\"tags\";s:11:\"[\"numbers\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:337;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:284;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:385;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:819;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:6089;s:5:\"title\";s:7:\"Stats 4\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:76:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/numbers_white_5.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520443653;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:104:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/stats-4/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:5:\"stats\";s:4:\"tags\";s:9:\"[\"Stats\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:338;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:205;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:452;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:820;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:6063;s:5:\"title\";s:7:\"Stats 5\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:76:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/numbers_white_2.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520443647;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:104:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/stats-5/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:5:\"stats\";s:4:\"tags\";s:11:\"[\"numbers\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:339;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:181;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:419;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:821;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:6097;s:5:\"title\";s:7:\"Stats 6\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:76:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/numbers_black_2.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520443655;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:104:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/stats-6/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:5:\"stats\";s:4:\"tags\";s:11:\"[\"numbers\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:340;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:264;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:492;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:822;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:5956;s:5:\"title\";s:7:\"Stats 7\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:76:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/numbers_black_1.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520443623;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:104:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/stats-7/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:5:\"stats\";s:4:\"tags\";s:9:\"[\"Stats\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:341;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:532;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:541;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:823;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:5947;s:5:\"title\";s:7:\"Stats 8\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:76:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/numbers_white_1.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520443621;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:104:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/stats-8/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:5:\"stats\";s:4:\"tags\";s:9:\"[\"Stats\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:342;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:368;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:531;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:824;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:6152;s:5:\"title\";s:7:\"Stats 9\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:77:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/progress_black_1.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520443666;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:104:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/stats-9/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:5:\"stats\";s:4:\"tags\";s:9:\"[\"Stats\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:343;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:272;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:557;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:825;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:5157;s:5:\"title\";s:11:\"Subscribe 1\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:78:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/subscribe_white_1.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520443448;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:108:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/subscribe-1/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:9:\"subscribe\";s:4:\"tags\";s:20:\"[\"form\",\"subscribe\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:344;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:340;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:293;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:826;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:5181;s:5:\"title\";s:11:\"Subscribe 2\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:78:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/subscribe_black_2.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520443454;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:110:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/subscribe-2-2/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:9:\"subscribe\";s:4:\"tags\";s:20:\"[\"form\",\"subscribe\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:345;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:451;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:340;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:827;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:5165;s:5:\"title\";s:11:\"Subscribe 3\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:78:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/subscribe_black_1.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520443450;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:108:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/subscribe-3/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:9:\"subscribe\";s:4:\"tags\";s:20:\"[\"form\",\"subscribe\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:346;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:520;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:620;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:828;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:5222;s:5:\"title\";s:11:\"Subscribe 4\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:78:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/subscribe_black_3.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520443464;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:108:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/subscribe-4/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:9:\"subscribe\";s:4:\"tags\";s:20:\"[\"form\",\"subscribe\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:347;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:397;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:427;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:829;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:5173;s:5:\"title\";s:11:\"Subscribe 5\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:78:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/subscribe_white_2.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520443452;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:108:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/subscribe-5/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:9:\"subscribe\";s:4:\"tags\";s:20:\"[\"form\",\"subscribe\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:348;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:261;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:237;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:830;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:4801;s:5:\"title\";s:7:\"Team 11\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:73:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/team_black_8.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520443369;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:104:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/team-11/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"team\";s:4:\"tags\";s:8:\"[\"team\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:349;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:332;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:188;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:831;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:4770;s:5:\"title\";s:7:\"Team 12\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:73:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/team_white_6.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520443364;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:106:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/team-12-2/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"team\";s:4:\"tags\";s:8:\"[\"team\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:350;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:432;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:488;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:832;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:4727;s:5:\"title\";s:7:\"Team 13\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:73:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/team_black_2.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520443356;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:104:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/team-13/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"team\";s:4:\"tags\";s:8:\"[\"team\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:351;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:375;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:345;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:833;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:5999;s:5:\"title\";s:7:\"Team 14\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:74:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/team_black_10.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520443634;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:104:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/team-14/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"team\";s:4:\"tags\";s:8:\"[\"team\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:352;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:110;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:318;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:834;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:4698;s:5:\"title\";s:7:\"Team 15\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:73:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/team_black_1.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520443350;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:104:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/team-15/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"team\";s:4:\"tags\";s:8:\"[\"team\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:353;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:449;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:410;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:835;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:4781;s:5:\"title\";s:7:\"Team 16\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:73:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/team_white_7.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520443365;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:104:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/team-16/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"team\";s:4:\"tags\";s:8:\"[\"team\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:354;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:267;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:330;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:836;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:6144;s:5:\"title\";s:7:\"Team 17\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:74:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/team_white_11.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520443664;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:104:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/team-17/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"team\";s:4:\"tags\";s:8:\"[\"team\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:355;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:166;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:365;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:837;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:4793;s:5:\"title\";s:7:\"Team 18\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:73:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/team_white_8.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520443367;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:104:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/team-18/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"team\";s:4:\"tags\";s:8:\"[\"team\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:356;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:207;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:173;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:838;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:4809;s:5:\"title\";s:7:\"Team 19\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:73:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/team_white_9.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520443371;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:104:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/team-19/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"team\";s:4:\"tags\";s:8:\"[\"team\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:357;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:300;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:465;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:839;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:4736;s:5:\"title\";s:7:\"Team 20\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:73:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/team_white_4.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520443358;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:104:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/team-20/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"team\";s:4:\"tags\";s:8:\"[\"team\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:358;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:144;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:159;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:840;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:4818;s:5:\"title\";s:7:\"Team 21\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:73:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/team_black_9.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520443373;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:104:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/team-21/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"team\";s:4:\"tags\";s:8:\"[\"team\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:359;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:515;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:606;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:841;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:4759;s:5:\"title\";s:7:\"Team 22\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:73:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/team_white_5.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520443362;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:104:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/team-22/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"team\";s:4:\"tags\";s:8:\"[\"team\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:360;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:299;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:376;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:842;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:4746;s:5:\"title\";s:7:\"Team 23\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:73:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/team_black_4.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520443360;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:104:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/team-23/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"team\";s:4:\"tags\";s:8:\"[\"team\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:361;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:282;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:378;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:843;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:4718;s:5:\"title\";s:6:\"Team 4\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:73:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/team_white_3.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520443354;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:103:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/team-4/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"team\";s:4:\"tags\";s:8:\"[\"team\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:362;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:192;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:359;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:844;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:4706;s:5:\"title\";s:6:\"Team 5\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:73:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/team_white_2.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520443352;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:103:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/team-5/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"team\";s:4:\"tags\";s:8:\"[\"team\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:363;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:149;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:299;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:845;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:6008;s:5:\"title\";s:6:\"Team 6\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:74:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/team_white_10.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520443636;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:103:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/team-6/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"team\";s:4:\"tags\";s:8:\"[\"team\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:364;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:75;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:277;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:846;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:4690;s:5:\"title\";s:6:\"Team 7\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:73:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/team_white_1.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520443348;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:103:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/team-7/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:4:\"team\";s:4:\"tags\";s:8:\"[\"team\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:365;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:243;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:402;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:847;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:4921;s:5:\"title\";s:14:\"Testimonial 10\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:81:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/testimonials_black_5.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520520562;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:111:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/testimonial-10/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:12:\"testimonials\";s:4:\"tags\";s:15:\"[\"Testimonial\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:366;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:219;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:198;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:848;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:4889;s:5:\"title\";s:14:\"Testimonial 11\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:72:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/customers-2.jpg\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520520556;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:111:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/testimonial-11/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:12:\"testimonials\";s:4:\"tags\";s:15:\"[\"Testimonial\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:367;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:557;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:522;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:849;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:4871;s:5:\"title\";s:14:\"Testimonial 12\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:81:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/testimonials_black_3.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520520552;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:111:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/testimonial-12/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:12:\"testimonials\";s:4:\"tags\";s:15:\"[\"Testimonial\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:368;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:262;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:391;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:850;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:4854;s:5:\"title\";s:14:\"Testimonial 13\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:81:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/testimonials_black_2.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520520549;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:111:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/testimonial-13/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:12:\"testimonials\";s:4:\"tags\";s:15:\"[\"Testimonial\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:369;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:637;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:741;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:851;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:4995;s:5:\"title\";s:14:\"Testimonial 14\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:82:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/testimonials_black_12.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520520577;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:111:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/testimonial-14/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:12:\"testimonials\";s:4:\"tags\";s:15:\"[\"Testimonial\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:370;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:400;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:411;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:852;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:4979;s:5:\"title\";s:14:\"Testimonial 15\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:82:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/testimonials_black_10.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520520573;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:111:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/testimonial-15/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:12:\"testimonials\";s:4:\"tags\";s:15:\"[\"Testimonial\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:371;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:568;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:544;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:853;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:4835;s:5:\"title\";s:14:\"Testimonial 16\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:81:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/testimonials_black_1.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520520546;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:111:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/testimonial-16/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:12:\"testimonials\";s:4:\"tags\";s:15:\"[\"Testimonial\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:372;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:399;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:401;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:854;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:4987;s:5:\"title\";s:14:\"Testimonial 17\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:84:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/testimonials_white_12-1.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520520575;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:111:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/testimonial-17/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:12:\"testimonials\";s:4:\"tags\";s:15:\"[\"Testimonial\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:373;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:159;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:199;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:855;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:4843;s:5:\"title\";s:14:\"Testimonial 18\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:81:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/testimonials_white_2.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520520548;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:111:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/testimonial-18/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:12:\"testimonials\";s:4:\"tags\";s:15:\"[\"Testimonial\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:374;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:457;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:780;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:856;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:4863;s:5:\"title\";s:14:\"Testimonial 19\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:81:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/testimonials_white_3.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520520551;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:111:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/testimonial-19/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:12:\"testimonials\";s:4:\"tags\";s:15:\"[\"Testimonial\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:375;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:245;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:599;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:857;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:4880;s:5:\"title\";s:14:\"Testimonial 20\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:72:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/customers-1.jpg\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520520554;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:111:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/testimonial-20/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:12:\"testimonials\";s:4:\"tags\";s:15:\"[\"Testimonial\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:376;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:446;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:653;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:858;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:4897;s:5:\"title\";s:14:\"Testimonial 21\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:81:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/testimonials_white_5.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520520557;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:111:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/testimonial-21/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:12:\"testimonials\";s:4:\"tags\";s:15:\"[\"Testimonial\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:377;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:78;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:289;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:859;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:4905;s:5:\"title\";s:14:\"Testimonial 22\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:81:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/testimonials_white_6.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520520559;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:111:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/testimonial-22/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:12:\"testimonials\";s:4:\"tags\";s:15:\"[\"Testimonial\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:378;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:121;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:221;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:860;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:4913;s:5:\"title\";s:14:\"Testimonial 23\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:81:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/testimonials_white_7.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520520561;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:111:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/testimonial-23/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:12:\"testimonials\";s:4:\"tags\";s:15:\"[\"Testimonial\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:379;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:247;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:566;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:861;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:4826;s:5:\"title\";s:14:\"Testimonial 24\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:81:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/testimonials_white_1.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520520544;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:113:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/testimonial-24-2/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:12:\"testimonials\";s:4:\"tags\";s:15:\"[\"Testimonial\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:380;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:256;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:395;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:862;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:4929;s:5:\"title\";s:14:\"Testimonial 24\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:81:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/testimonials_white_8.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520520564;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:111:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/testimonial-24/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:12:\"testimonials\";s:4:\"tags\";s:15:\"[\"Testimonial\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:381;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:49;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:206;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:863;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:4963;s:5:\"title\";s:14:\"Testimonial 25\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:82:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/testimonials_white_10.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520520570;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:113:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/testimonial-25-2/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:12:\"testimonials\";s:4:\"tags\";s:15:\"[\"Testimonial\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:382;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:417;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:546;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:864;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:4971;s:5:\"title\";s:14:\"Testimonial 26\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:82:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/testimonials_white_11.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520520572;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:111:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/testimonial-26/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:12:\"testimonials\";s:4:\"tags\";s:15:\"[\"Testimonial\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:383;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:649;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:718;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:865;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:4947;s:5:\"title\";s:14:\"Testimonial 27\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:81:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/testimonials_white_9.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520520567;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:111:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/testimonial-27/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:12:\"testimonials\";s:4:\"tags\";s:15:\"[\"Testimonial\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:384;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:221;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:496;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:866;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:4955;s:5:\"title\";s:14:\"Testimonial 29\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:81:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/testimonials_black_9.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520520569;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:111:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/testimonial-29/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:12:\"testimonials\";s:4:\"tags\";s:15:\"[\"Testimonial\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:385;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:378;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:695;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:867;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:4939;s:5:\"title\";s:13:\"Testimonial 9\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:81:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/testimonials_black_8.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1520520565;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:110:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/testimonial-9/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:12:\"testimonials\";s:4:\"tags\";s:15:\"[\"Testimonial\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:386;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:103;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:341;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"0\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:0;}i:868;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:12509;s:5:\"title\";s:18:\"Travel – 404\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:64:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/404.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1575960378;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:107:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/travel-404/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:8:\"404 page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:24:\"[\"404\",\"Tours\",\"Travel\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:387;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:747;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:712;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:869;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:12516;s:5:\"title\";s:27:\"Travel – Archive Blog\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:69:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Archiv_s.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1575960387;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:116:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/travel-archive-blog/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:7:\"archive\";s:4:\"tags\";s:18:\"[\"Tours\",\"Travel\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:388;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:496;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:487;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:870;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:12500;s:5:\"title\";s:21:\"Travel – Header\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:84:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Header-travel-and-tours.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1575960371;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:110:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/travel-header/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:6:\"header\";s:4:\"tags\";s:27:\"[\"header\",\"Tours\",\"Travel\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:389;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:443;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:434;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:871;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:12524;s:5:\"title\";s:26:\"Travel – Single Post\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:74:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Single_Post_s.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1575960397;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:115:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/travel-single-post/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:11:\"single post\";s:4:\"tags\";s:18:\"[\"Tours\",\"Travel\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:390;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:591;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:663;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:872;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:12531;s:5:\"title\";s:31:\"Travel – Single Post Tour\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:74:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Single_Tour_s.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1575960404;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:120:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/travel-single-post-tour/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:11:\"single post\";s:4:\"tags\";s:18:\"[\"Tours\",\"Travel\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:391;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:630;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:548;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:873;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:12492;s:5:\"title\";s:14:\"Travel -Footer\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:69:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Footer_s.png\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1575960358;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:110:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/travel-footer/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:6:\"footer\";s:4:\"tags\";s:27:\"[\"footer\",\"Tours\",\"Travel\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:392;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:453;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:322;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:874;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:15498;s:5:\"title\";s:23:\"Travel Blog – 404\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:64:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/404.jpg\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1606215636;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:112:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/travel-blog-404/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:8:\"404 page\";s:4:\"tags\";s:23:\"[\"404\",\"Blog\",\"Travel\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:393;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:749;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:759;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:875;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:15508;s:5:\"title\";s:29:\"Travel Blog – Archive 1\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:74:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Archive-1-350.jpg\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1606215649;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:118:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/travel-blog-archive-1/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:7:\"archive\";s:4:\"tags\";s:17:\"[\"Blog\",\"Travel\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:394;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:659;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:468;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:876;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:15518;s:5:\"title\";s:29:\"Travel Blog – Archive 2\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:79:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Archive-2-350-Copy.jpg\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1606215663;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:118:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/travel-blog-archive-2/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:7:\"archive\";s:4:\"tags\";s:17:\"[\"Blog\",\"Travel\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:395;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:688;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:431;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:877;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:15528;s:5:\"title\";s:26:\"Travel Blog – Footer\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:67:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Footer.jpg\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1606215673;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:115:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/travel-blog-footer/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:6:\"footer\";s:4:\"tags\";s:26:\"[\"Blog\",\"Footer\",\"Travel\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:396;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:656;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:377;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:878;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:15536;s:5:\"title\";s:26:\"Travel Blog – Header\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:67:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Header.jpg\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1606215625;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:115:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/travel-blog-header/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:6:\"header\";s:4:\"tags\";s:26:\"[\"Blog\",\"Header\",\"Travel\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:397;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:584;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:228;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:879;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:15545;s:5:\"title\";s:33:\"Travel Blog – Single Post 1\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:73:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Single-1-350.jpg\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1606215684;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:122:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/travel-blog-single-post-1/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:11:\"single post\";s:4:\"tags\";s:17:\"[\"Blog\",\"Travel\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:398;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:669;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:482;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}i:880;a:15:{s:2:\"id\";i:15556;s:5:\"title\";s:33:\"Travel Blog – Single Post 2\";s:9:\"thumbnail\";s:73:\"https://library.elementor.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Single-2-350.jpg\";s:12:\"tmpl_created\";i:1606215613;s:6:\"author\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:3:\"url\";s:122:\"https://library.elementor.com/blocks/travel-blog-single-post-2/?utm_source=library&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=preview\";s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"block\";s:7:\"subtype\";s:11:\"single post\";s:4:\"tags\";s:17:\"[\"Blog\",\"Travel\"]\";s:10:\"menu_order\";i:399;s:16:\"popularity_index\";i:652;s:11:\"trend_index\";i:454;s:17:\"has_page_settings\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"is_pro\";s:1:\"1\";s:12:\"access_level\";i:1;}}}','no'),(1904,'elementor_remote_info_feed_data','a:5:{i:0;a:5:{s:5:\"title\";s:55:\"What Is Material Design? Definition, Uses, and Examples\";s:7:\"excerpt\";s:147:\"Material Design is the standard for designing and creating websites and apps. Discover why and learn how to use it to make a user-friendly website.\";s:7:\"created\";i:1612263675;s:5:\"badge\";s:0:\"\";s:3:\"url\";s:123:\"https://elementor.com/blog/what-is-material-design/?utm_source=wp-overview-widget&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=news-feed\";}i:1;a:5:{s:5:\"title\";s:53:\"Elementor SEO: How To Optimize Your Elementor Website\";s:7:\"excerpt\";s:154:\"SEO is crucial to the success of any website, but to many users, it still remains a mystery. Discover what SEO is and how to use it to optimize your site.\";s:7:\"created\";i:1611838485;s:5:\"badge\";s:0:\"\";s:3:\"url\";s:113:\"https://elementor.com/blog/elementor-seo/?utm_source=wp-overview-widget&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=news-feed\";}i:2;a:5:{s:5:\"title\";s:97:\"Introducing Elementor 3.1: Experiments, Performance Enhancements, And a New Landing Page Workflow\";s:7:\"excerpt\";s:162:\"The new Elementor version 3.1 features performance improvements, a new Landing Page area and workflow to manage your marketing pages, and exploratory experiments.\";s:7:\"created\";i:1611665700;s:5:\"badge\";s:11:\"New Feature\";s:3:\"url\";s:125:\"https://elementor.com/blog/introducing-elementor-3-1/?utm_source=wp-overview-widget&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=news-feed\";}i:3;a:5:{s:5:\"title\";s:33:\"How To Redirect URLs in WordPress\";s:7:\"excerpt\";s:152:\"Redirecting visitors from one page to another is an important part of website maintenance. Explore all the reasons for redirects and how to create them.\";s:7:\"created\";i:1611143960;s:5:\"badge\";s:0:\"\";s:3:\"url\";s:122:\"https://elementor.com/blog/redirect-url-wordpress/?utm_source=wp-overview-widget&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=news-feed\";}i:4;a:5:{s:5:\"title\";s:33:\"How to Create the Perfect Favicon\";s:7:\"excerpt\";s:140:\"Favicons are an integral part of building up your brand and a recognizable website. Understand what they are, and how to use them correctly.\";s:7:\"created\";i:1610975844;s:5:\"badge\";s:0:\"\";s:3:\"url\";s:122:\"https://elementor.com/blog/favicon-complete-guide/?utm_source=wp-overview-widget&utm_medium=wp-dash&utm_campaign=news-feed\";}}','no'),(1915,'elementor_scheme_color','a:4:{i:1;s:7:\"#6ec1e4\";i:2;s:7:\"#54595f\";i:3;s:7:\"#7a7a7a\";i:4;s:7:\"#61ce70\";}','yes'),(1916,'elementor_scheme_typography','a:4:{i:1;a:2:{s:11:\"font_family\";s:6:\"Roboto\";s:11:\"font_weight\";s:3:\"600\";}i:2;a:2:{s:11:\"font_family\";s:11:\"Roboto Slab\";s:11:\"font_weight\";s:3:\"400\";}i:3;a:2:{s:11:\"font_family\";s:6:\"Roboto\";s:11:\"font_weight\";s:3:\"400\";}i:4;a:2:{s:11:\"font_family\";s:6:\"Roboto\";s:11:\"font_weight\";s:3:\"500\";}}','yes'),(1917,'elementor_scheme_color-picker','a:8:{i:1;s:7:\"#6ec1e4\";i:2;s:7:\"#54595f\";i:3;s:7:\"#7a7a7a\";i:4;s:7:\"#61ce70\";i:5;s:7:\"#4054b2\";i:6;s:7:\"#23a455\";i:7;s:4:\"#000\";i:8;s:4:\"#fff\";}','yes'),(1918,'elementor_active_kit','767','yes'),(1927,'_elementor_general_settings','a:2:{s:21:\"default_generic_fonts\";s:10:\"Sans-serif\";s:21:\"global_image_lightbox\";s:3:\"yes\";}','yes'),(1928,'_elementor_settings_update_time','1594901128','yes'),(1929,'elementor_cpt_support','a:3:{i:0;s:4:\"post\";i:1;s:4:\"page\";i:2;s:4:\"news\";}','yes'),(1930,'elementor_disable_color_schemes','yes','yes'),(1931,'elementor_disable_typography_schemes','yes','yes'),(1932,'elementor_allow_tracking','no','yes'),(1933,'elementor_default_generic_fonts','Sans-serif','yes'),(1934,'elementor_container_width','','yes'),(1935,'elementor_space_between_widgets','','yes'),(1936,'elementor_stretched_section_container','','yes'),(1937,'elementor_page_title_selector','','yes'),(1938,'elementor_viewport_lg','','yes'),(1940,'elementor_viewport_md','','yes'),(1941,'elementor_global_image_lightbox','yes','yes'),(1942,'elementor_css_print_method','external','yes'),(1943,'elementor_editor_break_lines','','yes'),(1944,'elementor_unfiltered_files_upload','','yes'),(1945,'elementor_load_fa4_shim','','yes'),(1984,'googlesitekit_db_version','1.8.1','yes'),(1987,'_transient_googlesitekit_verification_meta_tags','a:0:{}','yes'),(1988,'googlesitekit_credentials','ol3cv9FlfHIaLThzwNBCEzlxa3JjYUhnckFpRHFWdmE3aUhrYVVHUCswS1dDOWdpUzk3VEpoM0plTWtyTFpNZXBvNXE0bHhQNDZ3cVpoWHJRdU9DcnVvbjg1bVdMVytVNEo4d0RIVkhibmlOVzNvT2kvazUxUWRqVmRMVEZhUW9OZWo1YktaM25ZOVhNenBLMFUxUWQ2U2V5bmZlUHNMSE1ZUHpCVDNSZUZGdU9lOGFQMkYvVzQ0bnpuUFB4NDFVNUF0emxCdXFzMVRFL2JzY21LV0hNME5aNGtld2RBOGFnUmEvamx3RFRUU2U2QTNnRFVTS1l6dG15NnRJTGhkdWZrUjRWNEpnNkRDbUlXRC9QdFBlaTdRR1o4dFR1aGcyYndPKzRrdldZRHVidFB0QWlGUjdVK04xQU1yWURaWXhvbU9yQnZxVDFRPT0=','yes'),(1989,'googlesitekit_search-console_settings','a:1:{s:10:\"propertyID\";s:28:\"http://lawreview.ust.edu.ph/\";}','yes'),(1996,'googlesitekit_first_admin','1','yes'),(1997,'googlesitekit_new_site_posts','-1','yes'),(2016,'googlesitekit_active_modules','a:2:{i:0;s:9:\"analytics\";i:1;s:18:\"pagespeed-insights\";}','yes'),(2020,'googlesitekit_analytics_settings','a:8:{s:9:\"accountID\";s:9:\"172914231\";s:13:\"adsenseLinked\";b:0;s:11:\"anonymizeIP\";b:1;s:21:\"internalWebPropertyID\";s:9:\"240157749\";s:9:\"profileID\";s:9:\"224232459\";s:10:\"propertyID\";s:14:\"UA-172914231-1\";s:16:\"trackingDisabled\";a:1:{i:0;s:13:\"loggedinUsers\";}s:10:\"useSnippet\";b:1;}','yes'),(2103,'wccp_free_review_dismiss','yes','no'),(2104,'ogf_no_bug','1','no'),(2126,'elementor_log','a:34:{s:32:\"645a59d6e1b546a647061a0fcaaa0847\";O:32:\"Elementor\\Core\\Logger\\Items\\Base\":7:{s:7:\"\0*\0date\";s:19:\"2020-08-02 15:28:49\";s:7:\"\0*\0type\";s:4:\"info\";s:10:\"\0*\0message\";s:50:\"Elementor data updater process has been completed.\";s:7:\"\0*\0meta\";a:3:{s:6:\"plugin\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:4:\"from\";s:6:\"2.9.13\";s:2:\"to\";s:6:\"2.9.14\";}s:8:\"\0*\0times\";i:1;s:14:\"\0*\0times_dates\";a:1:{i:0;s:19:\"2020-08-02 15:28:49\";}s:7:\"\0*\0args\";a:3:{s:4:\"meta\";a:3:{s:6:\"plugin\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:4:\"from\";s:6:\"2.9.13\";s:2:\"to\";s:6:\"2.9.14\";}s:7:\"message\";s:50:\"Elementor data updater process has been completed.\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"info\";}}s:32:\"3061353d6617152626f98314f16c182b\";O:32:\"Elementor\\Core\\Logger\\Items\\Base\":7:{s:7:\"\0*\0date\";s:19:\"2020-08-27 17:19:12\";s:7:\"\0*\0type\";s:4:\"info\";s:10:\"\0*\0message\";s:47:\"Elementor data updater process has been queued.\";s:7:\"\0*\0meta\";a:3:{s:6:\"plugin\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:4:\"from\";s:6:\"2.9.14\";s:2:\"to\";s:5:\"3.0.2\";}s:8:\"\0*\0times\";i:1;s:14:\"\0*\0times_dates\";a:1:{i:0;s:19:\"2020-08-27 17:19:12\";}s:7:\"\0*\0args\";a:3:{s:4:\"meta\";a:3:{s:6:\"plugin\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:4:\"from\";s:6:\"2.9.14\";s:2:\"to\";s:5:\"3.0.2\";}s:7:\"message\";s:47:\"Elementor data updater process has been queued.\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"info\";}}s:32:\"9e51c8d6a1048dcff94d96f2c5d8fff3\";O:32:\"Elementor\\Core\\Logger\\Items\\Base\":7:{s:7:\"\0*\0date\";s:19:\"2020-09-09 11:29:03\";s:7:\"\0*\0type\";s:4:\"info\";s:10:\"\0*\0message\";s:36:\"elementor::elementor_updater Started\";s:7:\"\0*\0meta\";a:0:{}s:8:\"\0*\0times\";i:1;s:14:\"\0*\0times_dates\";a:1:{i:0;s:19:\"2020-09-09 11:29:03\";}s:7:\"\0*\0args\";a:2:{s:7:\"message\";s:36:\"elementor::elementor_updater Started\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"info\";}}s:32:\"d01765e78a781ca5f93a375b2b17e273\";O:32:\"Elementor\\Core\\Logger\\Items\\Base\":7:{s:7:\"\0*\0date\";s:19:\"2020-09-09 11:29:03\";s:7:\"\0*\0type\";s:4:\"info\";s:10:\"\0*\0message\";s:65:\"Elementor/Upgrades - _v_3_0_0_move_general_settings_to_kit Start \";s:7:\"\0*\0meta\";a:0:{}s:8:\"\0*\0times\";i:1;s:14:\"\0*\0times_dates\";a:1:{i:0;s:19:\"2020-09-09 11:29:03\";}s:7:\"\0*\0args\";a:2:{s:7:\"message\";s:65:\"Elementor/Upgrades - _v_3_0_0_move_general_settings_to_kit Start \";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"info\";}}s:32:\"f75c6f43da45c3198f8eafad69eed580\";O:32:\"Elementor\\Core\\Logger\\Items\\Base\":7:{s:7:\"\0*\0date\";s:19:\"2020-09-09 11:29:03\";s:7:\"\0*\0type\";s:4:\"info\";s:10:\"\0*\0message\";s:67:\"Elementor/Upgrades - _v_3_0_0_move_general_settings_to_kit Finished\";s:7:\"\0*\0meta\";a:0:{}s:8:\"\0*\0times\";i:1;s:14:\"\0*\0times_dates\";a:1:{i:0;s:19:\"2020-09-09 11:29:03\";}s:7:\"\0*\0args\";a:2:{s:7:\"message\";s:67:\"Elementor/Upgrades - _v_3_0_0_move_general_settings_to_kit Finished\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"info\";}}s:32:\"815f92b5c30e4ea40d822f0658555608\";O:32:\"Elementor\\Core\\Logger\\Items\\Base\":7:{s:7:\"\0*\0date\";s:19:\"2020-09-09 11:29:03\";s:7:\"\0*\0type\";s:4:\"info\";s:10:\"\0*\0message\";s:63:\"Elementor/Upgrades - _v_3_0_0_move_default_colors_to_kit Start \";s:7:\"\0*\0meta\";a:0:{}s:8:\"\0*\0times\";i:1;s:14:\"\0*\0times_dates\";a:1:{i:0;s:19:\"2020-09-09 11:29:03\";}s:7:\"\0*\0args\";a:2:{s:7:\"message\";s:63:\"Elementor/Upgrades - _v_3_0_0_move_default_colors_to_kit Start \";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"info\";}}s:32:\"878efd62e4f9d695657ad3f359e3b92e\";O:32:\"Elementor\\Core\\Logger\\Items\\Base\":7:{s:7:\"\0*\0date\";s:19:\"2020-09-09 11:29:03\";s:7:\"\0*\0type\";s:6:\"notice\";s:10:\"\0*\0message\";s:42:\"System colors are disabled. nothing to do.\";s:7:\"\0*\0meta\";a:0:{}s:8:\"\0*\0times\";i:1;s:14:\"\0*\0times_dates\";a:1:{i:0;s:19:\"2020-09-09 11:29:03\";}s:7:\"\0*\0args\";a:2:{s:7:\"message\";s:42:\"System colors are disabled. nothing to do.\";s:4:\"type\";s:6:\"notice\";}}s:32:\"39121f4fb0d600e64c7a7e538bdf806b\";O:32:\"Elementor\\Core\\Logger\\Items\\Base\":7:{s:7:\"\0*\0date\";s:19:\"2020-09-09 11:29:03\";s:7:\"\0*\0type\";s:4:\"info\";s:10:\"\0*\0message\";s:65:\"Elementor/Upgrades - _v_3_0_0_move_default_colors_to_kit Finished\";s:7:\"\0*\0meta\";a:0:{}s:8:\"\0*\0times\";i:1;s:14:\"\0*\0times_dates\";a:1:{i:0;s:19:\"2020-09-09 11:29:03\";}s:7:\"\0*\0args\";a:2:{s:7:\"message\";s:65:\"Elementor/Upgrades - _v_3_0_0_move_default_colors_to_kit Finished\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"info\";}}s:32:\"05ccfd742d2bb970a190fe1e81550b5a\";O:32:\"Elementor\\Core\\Logger\\Items\\Base\":7:{s:7:\"\0*\0date\";s:19:\"2020-09-09 11:29:03\";s:7:\"\0*\0type\";s:4:\"info\";s:10:\"\0*\0message\";s:61:\"Elementor/Upgrades - _v_3_0_0_move_saved_colors_to_kit Start \";s:7:\"\0*\0meta\";a:0:{}s:8:\"\0*\0times\";i:1;s:14:\"\0*\0times_dates\";a:1:{i:0;s:19:\"2020-09-09 11:29:03\";}s:7:\"\0*\0args\";a:2:{s:7:\"message\";s:61:\"Elementor/Upgrades - _v_3_0_0_move_saved_colors_to_kit Start \";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"info\";}}s:32:\"242f8ddd55299358ddc0439d120d3883\";O:32:\"Elementor\\Core\\Logger\\Items\\Base\":7:{s:7:\"\0*\0date\";s:19:\"2020-09-09 11:29:04\";s:7:\"\0*\0type\";s:4:\"info\";s:10:\"\0*\0message\";s:63:\"Elementor/Upgrades - _v_3_0_0_move_saved_colors_to_kit Finished\";s:7:\"\0*\0meta\";a:0:{}s:8:\"\0*\0times\";i:1;s:14:\"\0*\0times_dates\";a:1:{i:0;s:19:\"2020-09-09 11:29:04\";}s:7:\"\0*\0args\";a:2:{s:7:\"message\";s:63:\"Elementor/Upgrades - _v_3_0_0_move_saved_colors_to_kit Finished\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"info\";}}s:32:\"29804d074c8697e024a3a9a2f9126430\";O:32:\"Elementor\\Core\\Logger\\Items\\Base\":7:{s:7:\"\0*\0date\";s:19:\"2020-09-09 11:29:04\";s:7:\"\0*\0type\";s:4:\"info\";s:10:\"\0*\0message\";s:67:\"Elementor/Upgrades - _v_3_0_0_move_default_typography_to_kit Start \";s:7:\"\0*\0meta\";a:0:{}s:8:\"\0*\0times\";i:1;s:14:\"\0*\0times_dates\";a:1:{i:0;s:19:\"2020-09-09 11:29:04\";}s:7:\"\0*\0args\";a:2:{s:7:\"message\";s:67:\"Elementor/Upgrades - _v_3_0_0_move_default_typography_to_kit Start \";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"info\";}}s:32:\"d81d4a0051aa1a5ccd87afb16fba4134\";O:32:\"Elementor\\Core\\Logger\\Items\\Base\":7:{s:7:\"\0*\0date\";s:19:\"2020-09-09 11:29:04\";s:7:\"\0*\0type\";s:6:\"notice\";s:10:\"\0*\0message\";s:45:\"System typography is disabled. nothing to do.\";s:7:\"\0*\0meta\";a:0:{}s:8:\"\0*\0times\";i:1;s:14:\"\0*\0times_dates\";a:1:{i:0;s:19:\"2020-09-09 11:29:04\";}s:7:\"\0*\0args\";a:2:{s:7:\"message\";s:45:\"System typography is disabled. nothing to do.\";s:4:\"type\";s:6:\"notice\";}}s:32:\"5c5936138c319147060c11e01d96ba63\";O:32:\"Elementor\\Core\\Logger\\Items\\Base\":7:{s:7:\"\0*\0date\";s:19:\"2020-09-09 11:29:04\";s:7:\"\0*\0type\";s:4:\"info\";s:10:\"\0*\0message\";s:69:\"Elementor/Upgrades - _v_3_0_0_move_default_typography_to_kit Finished\";s:7:\"\0*\0meta\";a:0:{}s:8:\"\0*\0times\";i:1;s:14:\"\0*\0times_dates\";a:1:{i:0;s:19:\"2020-09-09 11:29:04\";}s:7:\"\0*\0args\";a:2:{s:7:\"message\";s:69:\"Elementor/Upgrades - _v_3_0_0_move_default_typography_to_kit Finished\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"info\";}}s:32:\"11b6eeddc0b488beb2a533be3d9ab07c\";O:32:\"Elementor\\Core\\Logger\\Items\\Base\":7:{s:7:\"\0*\0date\";s:19:\"2020-09-09 11:29:04\";s:7:\"\0*\0type\";s:4:\"info\";s:10:\"\0*\0message\";s:50:\"Elementor data updater process has been completed.\";s:7:\"\0*\0meta\";a:3:{s:6:\"plugin\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:4:\"from\";s:6:\"2.9.14\";s:2:\"to\";s:5:\"3.0.2\";}s:8:\"\0*\0times\";i:1;s:14:\"\0*\0times_dates\";a:1:{i:0;s:19:\"2020-09-09 11:29:04\";}s:7:\"\0*\0args\";a:3:{s:4:\"meta\";a:3:{s:6:\"plugin\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:4:\"from\";s:6:\"2.9.14\";s:2:\"to\";s:5:\"3.0.2\";}s:7:\"message\";s:50:\"Elementor data updater process has been completed.\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"info\";}}s:32:\"f3c0599aa2b08f2ba4bc28b1128ebc88\";O:32:\"Elementor\\Core\\Logger\\Items\\Base\":7:{s:7:\"\0*\0date\";s:19:\"2020-09-24 11:50:32\";s:7:\"\0*\0type\";s:4:\"info\";s:10:\"\0*\0message\";s:50:\"Elementor data updater process has been completed.\";s:7:\"\0*\0meta\";a:3:{s:6:\"plugin\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:4:\"from\";s:5:\"3.0.2\";s:2:\"to\";s:6:\"3.0.10\";}s:8:\"\0*\0times\";i:1;s:14:\"\0*\0times_dates\";a:1:{i:0;s:19:\"2020-09-24 11:50:32\";}s:7:\"\0*\0args\";a:3:{s:4:\"meta\";a:3:{s:6:\"plugin\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:4:\"from\";s:5:\"3.0.2\";s:2:\"to\";s:6:\"3.0.10\";}s:7:\"message\";s:50:\"Elementor data updater process has been completed.\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"info\";}}s:32:\"2df458b084a2a20691c6fd47ad249aaf\";O:32:\"Elementor\\Core\\Logger\\Items\\Base\":7:{s:7:\"\0*\0date\";s:19:\"2020-10-01 16:48:34\";s:7:\"\0*\0type\";s:4:\"info\";s:10:\"\0*\0message\";s:50:\"Elementor data updater process has been completed.\";s:7:\"\0*\0meta\";a:3:{s:6:\"plugin\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:4:\"from\";s:6:\"3.0.10\";s:2:\"to\";s:6:\"3.0.11\";}s:8:\"\0*\0times\";i:1;s:14:\"\0*\0times_dates\";a:1:{i:0;s:19:\"2020-10-01 16:48:34\";}s:7:\"\0*\0args\";a:3:{s:4:\"meta\";a:3:{s:6:\"plugin\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:4:\"from\";s:6:\"3.0.10\";s:2:\"to\";s:6:\"3.0.11\";}s:7:\"message\";s:50:\"Elementor data updater process has been completed.\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"info\";}}s:32:\"7fead9ac232c577ada7c69ac071a3b8f\";O:32:\"Elementor\\Core\\Logger\\Items\\Base\":7:{s:7:\"\0*\0date\";s:19:\"2020-11-13 21:23:31\";s:7:\"\0*\0type\";s:4:\"info\";s:10:\"\0*\0message\";s:50:\"Elementor data updater process has been completed.\";s:7:\"\0*\0meta\";a:3:{s:6:\"plugin\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:4:\"from\";s:6:\"3.0.11\";s:2:\"to\";s:6:\"3.0.13\";}s:8:\"\0*\0times\";i:1;s:14:\"\0*\0times_dates\";a:1:{i:0;s:19:\"2020-11-13 21:23:31\";}s:7:\"\0*\0args\";a:3:{s:4:\"meta\";a:3:{s:6:\"plugin\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:4:\"from\";s:6:\"3.0.11\";s:2:\"to\";s:6:\"3.0.13\";}s:7:\"message\";s:50:\"Elementor data updater process has been completed.\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"info\";}}s:32:\"af8589ec2a726e224f067d715dad8325\";O:30:\"Elementor\\Core\\Logger\\Items\\JS\":10:{s:9:\"\0*\0column\";s:6:\"475082\";s:7:\"\0*\0file\";s:91:\"http://lawreview.ust.edu.ph/wp-content/plugins/elementor/assets/js/editor.min.js?ver=3.0.13\";s:7:\"\0*\0line\";s:1:\"2\";s:7:\"\0*\0date\";s:19:\"2020-11-23 04:52:56\";s:7:\"\0*\0type\";s:5:\"error\";s:10:\"\0*\0message\";s:40:\"elementor.documents.getCurrent() is null\";s:7:\"\0*\0meta\";a:0:{}s:8:\"\0*\0times\";i:1;s:14:\"\0*\0times_dates\";a:1:{i:0;s:19:\"2020-11-23 04:52:56\";}s:7:\"\0*\0args\";a:6:{s:4:\"type\";s:5:\"error\";s:9:\"timestamp\";s:10:\"1606107176\";s:7:\"message\";s:40:\"elementor.documents.getCurrent() is null\";s:3:\"url\";s:91:\"http://lawreview.ust.edu.ph/wp-content/plugins/elementor/assets/js/editor.min.js?ver=3.0.13\";s:4:\"line\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"column\";s:6:\"475082\";}}s:32:\"26665f5e48152bf4bf8eaacfd0e4c13c\";O:32:\"Elementor\\Core\\Logger\\Items\\Base\":7:{s:7:\"\0*\0date\";s:19:\"2020-11-30 13:33:30\";s:7:\"\0*\0type\";s:4:\"info\";s:10:\"\0*\0message\";s:50:\"Elementor data updater process has been completed.\";s:7:\"\0*\0meta\";a:3:{s:6:\"plugin\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:4:\"from\";s:6:\"3.0.13\";s:2:\"to\";s:6:\"3.0.14\";}s:8:\"\0*\0times\";i:1;s:14:\"\0*\0times_dates\";a:1:{i:0;s:19:\"2020-11-30 13:33:30\";}s:7:\"\0*\0args\";a:3:{s:4:\"meta\";a:3:{s:6:\"plugin\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:4:\"from\";s:6:\"3.0.13\";s:2:\"to\";s:6:\"3.0.14\";}s:7:\"message\";s:50:\"Elementor data updater process has been completed.\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"info\";}}s:32:\"d6df235fa76d508473a4a99c8f1f0ed1\";O:32:\"Elementor\\Core\\Logger\\Items\\Base\":7:{s:7:\"\0*\0date\";s:19:\"2021-01-24 19:51:58\";s:7:\"\0*\0type\";s:4:\"info\";s:10:\"\0*\0message\";s:50:\"Elementor data updater process has been completed.\";s:7:\"\0*\0meta\";a:3:{s:6:\"plugin\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:4:\"from\";s:6:\"3.0.14\";s:2:\"to\";s:6:\"3.0.16\";}s:8:\"\0*\0times\";i:1;s:14:\"\0*\0times_dates\";a:1:{i:0;s:19:\"2021-01-24 19:51:58\";}s:7:\"\0*\0args\";a:3:{s:4:\"meta\";a:3:{s:6:\"plugin\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:4:\"from\";s:6:\"3.0.14\";s:2:\"to\";s:6:\"3.0.16\";}s:7:\"message\";s:50:\"Elementor data updater process has been completed.\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"info\";}}s:32:\"d422094b92235d4f148c86254a5012aa\";O:32:\"Elementor\\Core\\Logger\\Items\\Base\":7:{s:7:\"\0*\0date\";s:19:\"2021-02-02 16:19:34\";s:7:\"\0*\0type\";s:4:\"info\";s:10:\"\0*\0message\";s:50:\"Elementor data updater process has been completed.\";s:7:\"\0*\0meta\";a:3:{s:6:\"plugin\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:4:\"from\";s:6:\"3.0.16\";s:2:\"to\";s:5:\"3.1.1\";}s:8:\"\0*\0times\";i:1;s:14:\"\0*\0times_dates\";a:1:{i:0;s:19:\"2021-02-02 16:19:34\";}s:7:\"\0*\0args\";a:3:{s:4:\"meta\";a:3:{s:6:\"plugin\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:4:\"from\";s:6:\"3.0.16\";s:2:\"to\";s:5:\"3.1.1\";}s:7:\"message\";s:50:\"Elementor data updater process has been completed.\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"info\";}}s:32:\"e665f81d4bf8e88b83b4ba8450bd4c18\";O:32:\"Elementor\\Core\\Logger\\Items\\Base\":7:{s:7:\"\0*\0date\";s:19:\"2021-05-25 21:05:28\";s:7:\"\0*\0type\";s:4:\"info\";s:10:\"\0*\0message\";s:47:\"Elementor data updater process has been queued.\";s:7:\"\0*\0meta\";a:3:{s:6:\"plugin\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:4:\"from\";s:5:\"3.1.1\";s:2:\"to\";s:5:\"3.2.3\";}s:8:\"\0*\0times\";i:1;s:14:\"\0*\0times_dates\";a:1:{i:0;s:19:\"2021-05-25 21:05:28\";}s:7:\"\0*\0args\";a:3:{s:4:\"meta\";a:3:{s:6:\"plugin\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:4:\"from\";s:5:\"3.1.1\";s:2:\"to\";s:5:\"3.2.3\";}s:7:\"message\";s:47:\"Elementor data updater process has been queued.\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"info\";}}s:32:\"899d60cec81570a928a334b0fb70bf1d\";O:32:\"Elementor\\Core\\Logger\\Items\\Base\":7:{s:7:\"\0*\0date\";s:19:\"2021-05-25 21:14:50\";s:7:\"\0*\0type\";s:4:\"info\";s:10:\"\0*\0message\";s:36:\"elementor::elementor_updater Started\";s:7:\"\0*\0meta\";a:0:{}s:8:\"\0*\0times\";i:1;s:14:\"\0*\0times_dates\";a:1:{i:0;s:19:\"2021-05-25 21:14:50\";}s:7:\"\0*\0args\";a:2:{s:7:\"message\";s:36:\"elementor::elementor_updater Started\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"info\";}}s:32:\"23e40330be0dc9e8a27cd69be0adb90d\";O:32:\"Elementor\\Core\\Logger\\Items\\Base\":7:{s:7:\"\0*\0date\";s:19:\"2021-05-25 21:14:50\";s:7:\"\0*\0type\";s:4:\"info\";s:10:\"\0*\0message\";s:70:\"Elementor/Upgrades - _v_3_2_0_migrate_breakpoints_to_new_system Start \";s:7:\"\0*\0meta\";a:0:{}s:8:\"\0*\0times\";i:1;s:14:\"\0*\0times_dates\";a:1:{i:0;s:19:\"2021-05-25 21:14:50\";}s:7:\"\0*\0args\";a:2:{s:7:\"message\";s:70:\"Elementor/Upgrades - _v_3_2_0_migrate_breakpoints_to_new_system Start \";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"info\";}}s:32:\"6830a862cdada56cf9a995c77222e8c2\";O:32:\"Elementor\\Core\\Logger\\Items\\Base\":7:{s:7:\"\0*\0date\";s:19:\"2021-05-25 21:14:50\";s:7:\"\0*\0type\";s:4:\"info\";s:10:\"\0*\0message\";s:72:\"Elementor/Upgrades - _v_3_2_0_migrate_breakpoints_to_new_system Finished\";s:7:\"\0*\0meta\";a:0:{}s:8:\"\0*\0times\";i:1;s:14:\"\0*\0times_dates\";a:1:{i:0;s:19:\"2021-05-25 21:14:50\";}s:7:\"\0*\0args\";a:2:{s:7:\"message\";s:72:\"Elementor/Upgrades - _v_3_2_0_migrate_breakpoints_to_new_system Finished\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"info\";}}s:32:\"5e01d5585d08f42ea0340963a97d188c\";O:32:\"Elementor\\Core\\Logger\\Items\\Base\":7:{s:7:\"\0*\0date\";s:19:\"2021-05-25 21:14:50\";s:7:\"\0*\0type\";s:4:\"info\";s:10:\"\0*\0message\";s:50:\"Elementor data updater process has been completed.\";s:7:\"\0*\0meta\";a:3:{s:6:\"plugin\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:4:\"from\";s:5:\"3.1.1\";s:2:\"to\";s:5:\"3.2.3\";}s:8:\"\0*\0times\";i:1;s:14:\"\0*\0times_dates\";a:1:{i:0;s:19:\"2021-05-25 21:14:50\";}s:7:\"\0*\0args\";a:3:{s:4:\"meta\";a:3:{s:6:\"plugin\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:4:\"from\";s:5:\"3.1.1\";s:2:\"to\";s:5:\"3.2.3\";}s:7:\"message\";s:50:\"Elementor data updater process has been completed.\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"info\";}}s:32:\"bdfd5a58718dbce99e02a6316b02033a\";O:32:\"Elementor\\Core\\Logger\\Items\\Base\":7:{s:7:\"\0*\0date\";s:19:\"2021-06-07 20:40:10\";s:7:\"\0*\0type\";s:4:\"info\";s:10:\"\0*\0message\";s:50:\"Elementor data updater process has been completed.\";s:7:\"\0*\0meta\";a:3:{s:6:\"plugin\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:4:\"from\";s:5:\"3.2.3\";s:2:\"to\";s:5:\"3.2.4\";}s:8:\"\0*\0times\";i:1;s:14:\"\0*\0times_dates\";a:1:{i:0;s:19:\"2021-06-07 20:40:10\";}s:7:\"\0*\0args\";a:3:{s:4:\"meta\";a:3:{s:6:\"plugin\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:4:\"from\";s:5:\"3.2.3\";s:2:\"to\";s:5:\"3.2.4\";}s:7:\"message\";s:50:\"Elementor data updater process has been completed.\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"info\";}}s:32:\"f638b7c798e743dbccdf3aa7ef19ac8e\";O:32:\"Elementor\\Core\\Logger\\Items\\Base\":7:{s:7:\"\0*\0date\";s:19:\"2021-07-02 18:57:14\";s:7:\"\0*\0type\";s:4:\"info\";s:10:\"\0*\0message\";s:50:\"Elementor data updater process has been completed.\";s:7:\"\0*\0meta\";a:3:{s:6:\"plugin\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:4:\"from\";s:5:\"3.2.4\";s:2:\"to\";s:5:\"3.2.5\";}s:8:\"\0*\0times\";i:1;s:14:\"\0*\0times_dates\";a:1:{i:0;s:19:\"2021-07-02 18:57:14\";}s:7:\"\0*\0args\";a:3:{s:4:\"meta\";a:3:{s:6:\"plugin\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:4:\"from\";s:5:\"3.2.4\";s:2:\"to\";s:5:\"3.2.5\";}s:7:\"message\";s:50:\"Elementor data updater process has been completed.\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"info\";}}s:32:\"239b26ca6a69769fcde76ced42dab281\";O:32:\"Elementor\\Core\\Logger\\Items\\Base\":7:{s:7:\"\0*\0date\";s:19:\"2021-07-26 22:25:54\";s:7:\"\0*\0type\";s:4:\"info\";s:10:\"\0*\0message\";s:47:\"Elementor data updater process has been queued.\";s:7:\"\0*\0meta\";a:3:{s:6:\"plugin\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:4:\"from\";s:5:\"3.2.5\";s:2:\"to\";s:5:\"3.3.1\";}s:8:\"\0*\0times\";i:1;s:14:\"\0*\0times_dates\";a:1:{i:0;s:19:\"2021-07-26 22:25:54\";}s:7:\"\0*\0args\";a:3:{s:4:\"meta\";a:3:{s:6:\"plugin\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:4:\"from\";s:5:\"3.2.5\";s:2:\"to\";s:5:\"3.3.1\";}s:7:\"message\";s:47:\"Elementor data updater process has been queued.\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"info\";}}s:32:\"56ecb1ff691a17868195f5d42fe831cf\";O:32:\"Elementor\\Core\\Logger\\Items\\Base\":7:{s:7:\"\0*\0date\";s:19:\"2021-07-26 22:26:12\";s:7:\"\0*\0type\";s:4:\"info\";s:10:\"\0*\0message\";s:36:\"elementor::elementor_updater Started\";s:7:\"\0*\0meta\";a:0:{}s:8:\"\0*\0times\";i:1;s:14:\"\0*\0times_dates\";a:1:{i:0;s:19:\"2021-07-26 22:26:12\";}s:7:\"\0*\0args\";a:2:{s:7:\"message\";s:36:\"elementor::elementor_updater Started\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"info\";}}s:32:\"1eb53c6a711f449a279f8187553d58b6\";O:32:\"Elementor\\Core\\Logger\\Items\\Base\":7:{s:7:\"\0*\0date\";s:19:\"2021-07-26 22:26:12\";s:7:\"\0*\0type\";s:4:\"info\";s:10:\"\0*\0message\";s:44:\"Elementor/Upgrades - _on_each_version Start \";s:7:\"\0*\0meta\";a:0:{}s:8:\"\0*\0times\";i:1;s:14:\"\0*\0times_dates\";a:1:{i:0;s:19:\"2021-07-26 22:26:12\";}s:7:\"\0*\0args\";a:2:{s:7:\"message\";s:44:\"Elementor/Upgrades - _on_each_version Start \";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"info\";}}s:32:\"06dbaa0bb1dd87572fee4c75228e007f\";O:32:\"Elementor\\Core\\Logger\\Items\\Base\":7:{s:7:\"\0*\0date\";s:19:\"2021-07-26 22:26:12\";s:7:\"\0*\0type\";s:4:\"info\";s:10:\"\0*\0message\";s:46:\"Elementor/Upgrades - _on_each_version Finished\";s:7:\"\0*\0meta\";a:0:{}s:8:\"\0*\0times\";i:1;s:14:\"\0*\0times_dates\";a:1:{i:0;s:19:\"2021-07-26 22:26:12\";}s:7:\"\0*\0args\";a:2:{s:7:\"message\";s:46:\"Elementor/Upgrades - _on_each_version Finished\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"info\";}}s:32:\"fafcf707f64ed3a50ae291c8ea040253\";O:32:\"Elementor\\Core\\Logger\\Items\\Base\":7:{s:7:\"\0*\0date\";s:19:\"2021-07-26 22:26:12\";s:7:\"\0*\0type\";s:4:\"info\";s:10:\"\0*\0message\";s:50:\"Elementor data updater process has been completed.\";s:7:\"\0*\0meta\";a:3:{s:6:\"plugin\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:4:\"from\";s:5:\"3.2.5\";s:2:\"to\";s:5:\"3.3.1\";}s:8:\"\0*\0times\";i:1;s:14:\"\0*\0times_dates\";a:1:{i:0;s:19:\"2021-07-26 22:26:12\";}s:7:\"\0*\0args\";a:3:{s:4:\"meta\";a:3:{s:6:\"plugin\";s:9:\"Elementor\";s:4:\"from\";s:5:\"3.2.5\";s:2:\"to\";s:5:\"3.3.1\";}s:7:\"message\";s:50:\"Elementor data updater process has been completed.\";s:4:\"type\";s:4:\"info\";}}s:32:\"98a559df27a7a8b9d15c07626bedb5ff\";O:31:\"Elementor\\Core\\Logger\\Items\\PHP\":9:{s:7:\"\0*\0file\";s:73:\"/home/lawreview/public_html/wp-content/plugins/elementor/includes/api.php\";s:7:\"\0*\0line\";i:160;s:7:\"\0*\0date\";s:19:\"2021-08-13 17:13:36\";s:7:\"\0*\0type\";s:6:\"notice\";s:10:\"\0*\0message\";s:28:\"Undefined index: pro_widgets\";s:7:\"\0*\0meta\";a:1:{s:5:\"trace\";a:1:{i:0;a:3:{s:8:\"function\";s:8:\"shutdown\";s:5:\"class\";s:29:\"Elementor\\Core\\Logger\\Manager\";s:4:\"type\";s:2:\"->\";}}}s:8:\"\0*\0times\";i:2;s:14:\"\0*\0times_dates\";a:2:{i:0;s:19:\"2021-08-13 17:13:36\";i:1;s:19:\"2021-08-18 23:07:53\";}s:7:\"\0*\0args\";a:5:{s:4:\"type\";s:6:\"notice\";s:7:\"message\";s:28:\"Undefined index: pro_widgets\";s:4:\"file\";s:73:\"/home/lawreview/public_html/wp-content/plugins/elementor/includes/api.php\";s:4:\"line\";i:160;s:5:\"trace\";b:1;}}}','no'),(2137,'ewww_image_optimizer_relative_migration_status','started','yes'),(2138,'ewww_image_optimizer_noauto','','yes'),(2139,'ewww_image_optimizer_disable_editor','','yes'),(2140,'ewww_image_optimizer_debug','','yes'),(2141,'ewww_image_optimizer_metadata_remove','1','yes'),(2142,'ewww_image_optimizer_jpg_level','10','yes'),(2143,'ewww_image_optimizer_png_level','10','yes'),(2144,'ewww_image_optimizer_gif_level','10','yes'),(2145,'ewww_image_optimizer_pdf_level','0','yes'),(2148,'exactdn_all_the_things','1','yes'),(2149,'exactdn_lossy','1','yes'),(2150,'exactdn_exclude','','yes'),(2151,'ewww_image_optimizer_lazy_load','1','yes'),(2152,'ewww_image_optimizer_ll_exclude','','yes'),(2153,'ewww_image_optimizer_disable_pngout','1','yes'),(2154,'ewww_image_optimizer_optipng_level','2','yes'),(2155,'ewww_image_optimizer_pngout_level','2','yes'),(2156,'ewww_image_optimizer_webp_for_cdn','','yes'),(2157,'ewww_image_optimizer_force_gif2webp','1','yes'),(2158,'ewww_image_optimizer_picture_webp','','yes'),(2159,'ewww_image_optimizer_webp_rewrite_exclude','','yes'),(2160,'exactdn_never_been_active','1','no'),(2161,'ewww_image_optimizer_bulk_resume','','yes'),(2162,'ewww_image_optimizer_aux_resume','','yes'),(2166,'ewww_image_optimizer_review_time','1596958273','no'),(2167,'ewww_image_optimizer_version','619.0','yes'),(2176,'ewww_image_optimizer_flag_attachments','','no'),(2177,'ewww_image_optimizer_ngg_attachments','','no'),(2179,'ewww_image_optimizer_tracking_site_id','aa5617eb07dbc030193a920bc58a2c73','yes'),(2180,'ewww_image_optimizer_tracking_last_send','1596353509','yes'),(2181,'ewww_image_optimizer_tracking_notice','1','yes'),(2182,'ewww_image_optimizer_allow_tracking','1','yes'),(2183,'ewww_image_optimizer_cloud_key','','yes'),(2184,'ewww_image_optimizer_jpg_quality','','yes'),(2185,'ewww_image_optimizer_aux_paths','','yes'),(2186,'ewww_image_optimizer_exclude_paths','','yes'),(2187,'ewww_image_optimizer_resize_detection','1','yes'),(2188,'ewww_image_optimizer_maxmediawidth','0','yes'),(2189,'ewww_image_optimizer_maxmediaheight','0','yes'),(2190,'ewww_image_optimizer_resize_existing','1','yes'),(2191,'ewww_image_optimizer_resize_other_existing','1','yes'),(2192,'ewww_image_optimizer_disable_resizes','','yes'),(2193,'ewww_image_optimizer_disable_resizes_opt','','yes'),(2194,'ewww_image_optimizer_jpg_background','','yes'),(2195,'ewww_image_optimizer_webp_paths','','yes'),(2198,'ewww_image_optimizer_enable_help','1','yes'),(2199,'ewww_image_optimizer_enable_help_notice','1','yes'),(2207,'ewww_image_optimizer_aux_folders_completed','a:0:{}','no'),(2209,'ewww_image_optimizer_backup_files','','no'),(2503,'disallowed_keys','','no'),(2504,'comment_previously_approved','1','yes'),(2505,'auto_plugin_theme_update_emails','a:0:{}','no'),(2506,'finished_updating_comment_type','0','yes'),(2519,'googlesitekit_has_connected_admins','1','yes'),(2520,'ewww_image_optimizer_exactdn','','yes'),(2521,'ewww_image_optimizer_exactdn_plan_id','0','yes'),(2524,'ewww_image_optimizer_dismiss_review_notice','1','no'),(2632,'wpseo_taxonomy_meta','a:1:{s:8:\"category\";a:2:{i:9;a:4:{s:10:\"wpseo_desc\";s:139:\"These are articles made by the Jurisprudence Committee of the UST Law Review showcasing the latest in jurisprudential doctrines and trends.\";s:13:\"wpseo_focuskw\";s:23:\"Trends in Jurisprudence\";s:13:\"wpseo_linkdex\";s:2:\"36\";s:19:\"wpseo_content_score\";s:2:\"30\";}i:29;a:2:{s:13:\"wpseo_linkdex\";s:2:\"29\";s:19:\"wpseo_content_score\";s:2:\"60\";}}}','yes'),(2635,'_elementor_editor_upgrade_notice_dismissed','1628846015','yes'),(2747,'elementor_tracker_notice','1','yes'),(2931,'elementor_install_history','a:11:{s:5:\"3.0.2\";i:1599622144;s:6:\"3.0.10\";i:1600919432;s:6:\"3.0.11\";i:1601542114;s:6:\"3.0.13\";i:1605273811;s:6:\"3.0.14\";i:1606714410;s:6:\"3.0.16\";i:1611489118;s:5:\"3.1.1\";i:1612253974;s:5:\"3.2.3\";i:1621948490;s:5:\"3.2.4\";i:1623069610;s:5:\"3.2.5\";i:1625223434;s:5:\"3.3.1\";i:1627309572;}','yes'),(2970,'wccp_settings','a:27:{s:23:\"single_posts_protection\";s:7:\"Enabled\";s:20:\"home_page_protection\";s:8:\"Disabled\";s:15:\"page_protection\";s:8:\"Disabled\";s:16:\"top_bar_icon_btn\";s:7:\"Visible\";s:28:\"right_click_protection_posts\";s:7:\"checked\";s:31:\"right_click_protection_homepage\";s:7:\"checked\";s:28:\"right_click_protection_pages\";s:7:\"checked\";s:19:\"home_css_protection\";s:7:\"Enabled\";s:20:\"posts_css_protection\";s:7:\"Enabled\";s:20:\"pages_css_protection\";s:2:\"No\";s:29:\"exclude_admin_from_protection\";s:2:\"No\";s:3:\"img\";s:0:\"\";s:1:\"a\";s:0:\"\";s:2:\"pb\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"input\";s:0:\"\";s:1:\"h\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"textarea\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"emptyspaces\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"smessage\";s:0:\"\";s:13:\"alert_msg_img\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"alert_msg_a\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"alert_msg_pb\";s:0:\"\";s:15:\"alert_msg_input\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"alert_msg_h\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"alert_msg_textarea\";s:0:\"\";s:21:\"alert_msg_emptyspaces\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"prnt_scr_msg\";s:0:\"\";}','yes'),(3071,'wphc_install_timestamp','1600919553','yes'),(3110,'oan_author_id','0','yes'),(3111,'oan_post_types','a:1:{i:0;s:4:\"post\";}','yes'),(3745,'googlesitekit_connected_proxy_url','http://lawreview.ust.edu.ph/','yes'),(4032,'wphc_dismissed_three_week_upsell','1','yes'),(4054,'ewww_image_optimizer_svg_level','0','yes'),(4055,'ewww_image_optimizer_webp_quality','','yes'),(4056,'ewww_image_optimizer_disable_svgcleaner','1','yes'),(4208,'theme_mods_componentz','a:1:{s:18:\"custom_css_post_id\";i:-1;}','yes'),(4209,'componentz_home_recent_post_id','1093','yes'),(4211,'theme_mods_unschool','a:1:{s:18:\"custom_css_post_id\";i:-1;}','yes'),(4345,'auto_update_themes','a:1:{i:0;s:8:\"bfastmag\";}','no'),(4641,'auto_update_plugins','a:0:{}','no'),(4667,'_site_transient_timeout_browser_57c2b4c157dca444b0d506e0ab9928a2','1607903781','no'),(4668,'_site_transient_browser_57c2b4c157dca444b0d506e0ab9928a2','a:10:{s:4:\"name\";s:7:\"Firefox\";s:7:\"version\";s:4:\"83.0\";s:8:\"platform\";s:7:\"Windows\";s:10:\"update_url\";s:32:\"https://www.mozilla.org/firefox/\";s:7:\"img_src\";s:44:\"http://s.w.org/images/browsers/firefox.png?1\";s:11:\"img_src_ssl\";s:45:\"https://s.w.org/images/browsers/firefox.png?1\";s:15:\"current_version\";s:2:\"56\";s:7:\"upgrade\";b:0;s:8:\"insecure\";b:0;s:6:\"mobile\";b:0;}','no'),(4984,'_site_transient_timeout_community-events-653b0649ac66d1aa1bf3f21769d6601a','1607868758','no'),(4985,'_site_transient_community-events-653b0649ac66d1aa1bf3f21769d6601a','a:4:{s:9:\"sandboxed\";b:0;s:5:\"error\";N;s:8:\"location\";a:1:{s:2:\"ip\";s:13:\"112.205.216.0\";}s:6:\"events\";a:2:{i:0;a:10:{s:4:\"type\";s:6:\"meetup\";s:5:\"title\";s:31:\"How To Find Help With WordPress\";s:3:\"url\";s:68:\"https://www.meetup.com/learn-wordpress-discussions/events/274959939/\";s:6:\"meetup\";s:27:\"Learn WordPress Discussions\";s:10:\"meetup_url\";s:51:\"https://www.meetup.com/learn-wordpress-discussions/\";s:4:\"date\";s:19:\"2020-12-13 21:00:00\";s:8:\"end_date\";s:19:\"2020-12-13 22:00:00\";s:20:\"start_unix_timestamp\";i:1607922000;s:18:\"end_unix_timestamp\";i:1607925600;s:8:\"location\";a:4:{s:8:\"location\";s:6:\"Online\";s:7:\"country\";s:2:\"US\";s:8:\"latitude\";d:37.779998779297;s:9:\"longitude\";d:-122.41999816895;}}i:1;a:10:{s:4:\"type\";s:6:\"meetup\";s:5:\"title\";s:43:\"Getting Ready for 2021 - a WordPress Meetup\";s:3:\"url\";s:64:\"https://www.meetup.com/Manila-WordPress-Meetup/events/275002887/\";s:6:\"meetup\";s:23:\"Manila WordPress Meetup\";s:10:\"meetup_url\";s:47:\"https://www.meetup.com/Manila-WordPress-Meetup/\";s:4:\"date\";s:19:\"2020-12-12 12:30:00\";s:8:\"end_date\";s:19:\"2020-12-12 16:00:00\";s:20:\"start_unix_timestamp\";i:1607747400;s:18:\"end_unix_timestamp\";i:1607760000;s:8:\"location\";a:4:{s:8:\"location\";s:6:\"Online\";s:7:\"country\";s:2:\"PH\";s:8:\"latitude\";d:14.619999885559;s:9:\"longitude\";d:120.9700012207;}}}}','no'),(5006,'_transient_timeout_googlesitekit_sc_data_b900bbc45498e927497c050bc75be8da','1607912002','no'),(5007,'_transient_googlesitekit_sc_data_b900bbc45498e927497c050bc75be8da','1','no'),(5011,'auto_update_core_dev','enabled','yes'),(5012,'auto_update_core_minor','enabled','yes'),(5013,'auto_update_core_major','unset','yes'),(5015,'can_compress_scripts','1','no'),(5066,'_site_transient_timeout_community-events-30c65d2d690270ace8ad99de94505c80','1608155021','no'),(5067,'_site_transient_community-events-30c65d2d690270ace8ad99de94505c80','a:4:{s:9:\"sandboxed\";b:0;s:5:\"error\";N;s:8:\"location\";a:1:{s:2:\"ip\";s:13:\"112.205.254.0\";}s:6:\"events\";a:2:{i:0;a:10:{s:4:\"type\";s:6:\"meetup\";s:5:\"title\";s:45:\"Discussion Group: Introduction to Open-Source\";s:3:\"url\";s:68:\"https://www.meetup.com/learn-wordpress-discussions/events/274841881/\";s:6:\"meetup\";s:27:\"Learn WordPress Discussions\";s:10:\"meetup_url\";s:51:\"https://www.meetup.com/learn-wordpress-discussions/\";s:4:\"date\";s:19:\"2020-12-16 08:00:00\";s:8:\"end_date\";s:19:\"2020-12-16 09:00:00\";s:20:\"start_unix_timestamp\";i:1608134400;s:18:\"end_unix_timestamp\";i:1608138000;s:8:\"location\";a:4:{s:8:\"location\";s:6:\"Online\";s:7:\"country\";s:2:\"US\";s:8:\"latitude\";d:37.779998779297;s:9:\"longitude\";d:-122.41999816895;}}i:1;a:10:{s:4:\"type\";s:8:\"wordcamp\";s:5:\"title\";s:32:\"WordCamp Sevilla, Spain (online)\";s:3:\"url\";s:34:\"https://sevilla.wordcamp.org/2020/\";s:6:\"meetup\";N;s:10:\"meetup_url\";N;s:4:\"date\";s:19:\"2020-12-26 17:00:00\";s:8:\"end_date\";s:19:\"2020-12-29 00:00:00\";s:20:\"start_unix_timestamp\";i:1608998400;s:18:\"end_unix_timestamp\";i:1609196400;s:8:\"location\";a:4:{s:8:\"location\";s:6:\"Online\";s:7:\"country\";s:2:\"ES\";s:8:\"latitude\";d:37.3896172;s:9:\"longitude\";d:-5.9978005;}}}}','no'),(5085,'theme_mods_nucleare','a:1:{s:18:\"custom_css_post_id\";i:-1;}','yes'),(5092,'theme_mods_penscratch','a:1:{s:18:\"custom_css_post_id\";i:-1;}','yes'),(5103,'_transient_timeout_googlesitekit_sc_data_cc7cb6f4752ff4bee9983d302b4f3cbd','1608117080','no'),(5104,'_transient_googlesitekit_sc_data_cc7cb6f4752ff4bee9983d302b4f3cbd','0','no'),(5105,'_transient_timeout_googlesitekit_analytics_has_data_cc7cb6f4752ff4bee9983d302b4f3cbd','1608117082','no'),(5106,'_transient_googlesitekit_analytics_has_data_cc7cb6f4752ff4bee9983d302b4f3cbd','0','no'),(5112,'_transient_timeout_googlesitekit_sc_data_5d78c28cc179fd170202b7d883a40838','1608200062','no'),(5113,'_transient_googlesitekit_sc_data_5d78c28cc179fd170202b7d883a40838','1','no'),(5121,'lps_asset_version','20201216.1022','yes'),(5122,'lps_plugin_notice_db_ver','9.65','yes'),(5197,'_site_transient_timeout_browser_2c129f86f872c5672a380bd7ea7a2cad','1612018026','no'),(5198,'_site_transient_browser_2c129f86f872c5672a380bd7ea7a2cad','a:10:{s:4:\"name\";s:7:\"Firefox\";s:7:\"version\";s:4:\"84.0\";s:8:\"platform\";s:7:\"Windows\";s:10:\"update_url\";s:32:\"https://www.mozilla.org/firefox/\";s:7:\"img_src\";s:44:\"http://s.w.org/images/browsers/firefox.png?1\";s:11:\"img_src_ssl\";s:45:\"https://s.w.org/images/browsers/firefox.png?1\";s:15:\"current_version\";s:2:\"56\";s:7:\"upgrade\";b:0;s:8:\"insecure\";b:0;s:6:\"mobile\";b:0;}','no'),(5221,'_transient_timeout_elementor_remote_info_api_data_3.0.14','1611532167','no'),(5222,'_transient_elementor_remote_info_api_data_3.0.14','a:4:{s:9:\"timestamp\";s:10:\"1611486340\";s:14:\"upgrade_notice\";a:3:{s:7:\"version\";s:5:\"2.0.0\";s:7:\"message\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"update_link\";s:0:\"\";}s:11:\"pro_widgets\";a:59:{i:0;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:5:\"posts\";s:5:\"title\";s:5:\"Posts\";s:4:\"icon\";s:15:\"eicon-post-list\";s:10:\"categories\";s:16:\"[\"pro-elements\"]\";}i:1;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:9:\"portfolio\";s:5:\"title\";s:9:\"Portfolio\";s:4:\"icon\";s:18:\"eicon-gallery-grid\";s:10:\"categories\";s:16:\"[\"pro-elements\"]\";}i:2;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:7:\"gallery\";s:5:\"title\";s:7:\"Gallery\";s:4:\"icon\";s:23:\"eicon-gallery-justified\";s:10:\"categories\";s:16:\"[\"pro-elements\"]\";}i:3;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:4:\"form\";s:5:\"title\";s:4:\"Form\";s:4:\"icon\";s:21:\"eicon-form-horizontal\";s:10:\"categories\";s:16:\"[\"pro-elements\"]\";}i:4;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:5:\"login\";s:5:\"title\";s:5:\"Login\";s:4:\"icon\";s:15:\"eicon-lock-user\";s:10:\"categories\";s:16:\"[\"pro-elements\"]\";}i:5;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:6:\"slides\";s:5:\"title\";s:6:\"Slides\";s:4:\"icon\";s:12:\"eicon-slides\";s:10:\"categories\";s:16:\"[\"pro-elements\"]\";}i:6;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:8:\"nav-menu\";s:5:\"title\";s:8:\"Nav Menu\";s:4:\"icon\";s:14:\"eicon-nav-menu\";s:10:\"categories\";s:33:\"[\"pro-elements\",\"theme-elements\"]\";}i:7;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:17:\"animated-headline\";s:5:\"title\";s:17:\"Animated Headline\";s:4:\"icon\";s:23:\"eicon-animated-headline\";s:10:\"categories\";s:16:\"[\"pro-elements\"]\";}i:8;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:10:\"price-list\";s:5:\"title\";s:10:\"Price List\";s:4:\"icon\";s:16:\"eicon-price-list\";s:10:\"categories\";s:16:\"[\"pro-elements\"]\";}i:9;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:11:\"price-table\";s:5:\"title\";s:11:\"Price Table\";s:4:\"icon\";s:17:\"eicon-price-table\";s:10:\"categories\";s:16:\"[\"pro-elements\"]\";}i:10;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:8:\"flip-box\";s:5:\"title\";s:8:\"Flip Box\";s:4:\"icon\";s:14:\"eicon-flip-box\";s:10:\"categories\";s:16:\"[\"pro-elements\"]\";}i:11;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:14:\"call-to-action\";s:5:\"title\";s:14:\"Call to Action\";s:4:\"icon\";s:20:\"eicon-image-rollover\";s:10:\"categories\";s:16:\"[\"pro-elements\"]\";}i:12;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:14:\"media-carousel\";s:5:\"title\";s:14:\"Media Carousel\";s:4:\"icon\";s:20:\"eicon-media-carousel\";s:10:\"categories\";s:16:\"[\"pro-elements\"]\";}i:13;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:20:\"testimonial-carousel\";s:5:\"title\";s:20:\"Testimonial Carousel\";s:4:\"icon\";s:26:\"eicon-testimonial-carousel\";s:10:\"categories\";s:16:\"[\"pro-elements\"]\";}i:14;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:7:\"reviews\";s:5:\"title\";s:7:\"Reviews\";s:4:\"icon\";s:12:\"eicon-review\";s:10:\"categories\";s:16:\"[\"pro-elements\"]\";}i:15;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:17:\"table-of-contents\";s:5:\"title\";s:17:\"Table of Contents\";s:4:\"icon\";s:23:\"eicon-table-of-contents\";s:10:\"categories\";s:33:\"[\"pro-elements\",\"theme-elements\"]\";}i:16;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:9:\"countdown\";s:5:\"title\";s:9:\"Countdown\";s:4:\"icon\";s:15:\"eicon-countdown\";s:10:\"categories\";s:16:\"[\"pro-elements\"]\";}i:17;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:13:\"share-buttons\";s:5:\"title\";s:13:\"Share Buttons\";s:4:\"icon\";s:11:\"eicon-share\";s:10:\"categories\";s:16:\"[\"pro-elements\"]\";}i:18;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:11:\"search-form\";s:5:\"title\";s:11:\"Search Form\";s:4:\"icon\";s:17:\"eicon-site-search\";s:10:\"categories\";s:18:\"[\"theme-elements\"]\";}i:19;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:10:\"author-box\";s:5:\"title\";s:10:\"Author Box\";s:4:\"icon\";s:12:\"eicon-person\";s:10:\"categories\";s:18:\"[\"theme-elements\"]\";}i:20;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:13:\"post-comments\";s:5:\"title\";s:13:\"Post Comments\";s:4:\"icon\";s:14:\"eicon-comments\";s:10:\"categories\";s:18:\"[\"theme-elements\"]\";}i:21;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:15:\"post-navigation\";s:5:\"title\";s:15:\"Post Navigation\";s:4:\"icon\";s:21:\"eicon-post-navigation\";s:10:\"categories\";s:18:\"[\"theme-elements\"]\";}i:22;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:9:\"post-info\";s:5:\"title\";s:9:\"Post Info\";s:4:\"icon\";s:15:\"eicon-post-info\";s:10:\"categories\";s:18:\"[\"theme-elements\"]\";}i:23;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:7:\"sitemap\";s:5:\"title\";s:7:\"Sitemap\";s:4:\"icon\";s:13:\"eicon-sitemap\";s:10:\"categories\";s:18:\"[\"theme-elements\"]\";}i:24;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:11:\"breadcrumbs\";s:5:\"title\";s:11:\"Breadcrumbs\";s:4:\"icon\";s:11:\"eicon-yoast\";s:10:\"categories\";s:18:\"[\"theme-elements\"]\";}i:25;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:10:\"blockquote\";s:5:\"title\";s:10:\"Blockquote\";s:4:\"icon\";s:16:\"eicon-blockquote\";s:10:\"categories\";s:16:\"[\"pro-elements\"]\";}i:26;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:19:\"wc-archive-products\";s:5:\"title\";s:16:\"Archive Products\";s:4:\"icon\";s:14:\"eicon-products\";s:10:\"categories\";s:24:\"[\"woocommerce-elements\"]\";}i:27;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:31:\"woocommerce-archive-description\";s:5:\"title\";s:19:\"Archive Description\";s:4:\"icon\";s:25:\"eicon-product-description\";s:10:\"categories\";s:24:\"[\"woocommerce-elements\"]\";}i:28;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:20:\"woocommerce-products\";s:5:\"title\";s:8:\"Products\";s:4:\"icon\";s:14:\"eicon-products\";s:10:\"categories\";s:24:\"[\"woocommerce-elements\"]\";}i:29;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:22:\"woocommerce-breadcrumb\";s:5:\"title\";s:23:\"WooCommerce Breadcrumbs\";s:4:\"icon\";s:25:\"eicon-product-breadcrumbs\";s:10:\"categories\";s:24:\"[\"woocommerce-elements\"]\";}i:30;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:14:\"wc-add-to-cart\";s:5:\"title\";s:18:\"Custom Add To Cart\";s:4:\"icon\";s:17:\"eicon-woocommerce\";s:10:\"categories\";s:24:\"[\"woocommerce-elements\"]\";}i:31;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:11:\"wc-elements\";s:5:\"title\";s:17:\"WooCommerce Pages\";s:4:\"icon\";s:19:\"eicon-product-pages\";s:10:\"categories\";s:24:\"[\"woocommerce-elements\"]\";}i:32;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:13:\"wc-categories\";s:5:\"title\";s:18:\"Product Categories\";s:4:\"icon\";s:24:\"eicon-product-categories\";s:10:\"categories\";s:24:\"[\"woocommerce-elements\"]\";}i:33;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:21:\"woocommerce-menu-cart\";s:5:\"title\";s:9:\"Menu Cart\";s:4:\"icon\";s:10:\"eicon-cart\";s:10:\"categories\";s:41:\"[\"theme-elements\",\"woocommerce-elements\"]\";}i:34;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:25:\"woocommerce-product-title\";s:5:\"title\";s:13:\"Product Title\";s:4:\"icon\";s:19:\"eicon-product-title\";s:10:\"categories\";s:24:\"[\"woocommerce-elements\"]\";}i:35;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:26:\"woocommerce-product-images\";s:5:\"title\";s:14:\"Product Images\";s:4:\"icon\";s:20:\"eicon-product-images\";s:10:\"categories\";s:24:\"[\"woocommerce-elements\"]\";}i:36;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:25:\"woocommerce-product-price\";s:5:\"title\";s:13:\"Product Price\";s:4:\"icon\";s:19:\"eicon-product-price\";s:10:\"categories\";s:24:\"[\"woocommerce-elements\"]\";}i:37;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:31:\"woocommerce-product-add-to-cart\";s:5:\"title\";s:11:\"Add To Cart\";s:4:\"icon\";s:25:\"eicon-product-add-to-cart\";s:10:\"categories\";s:24:\"[\"woocommerce-elements\"]\";}i:38;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:26:\"woocommerce-product-rating\";s:5:\"title\";s:14:\"Product Rating\";s:4:\"icon\";s:20:\"eicon-product-rating\";s:10:\"categories\";s:24:\"[\"woocommerce-elements\"]\";}i:39;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:25:\"woocommerce-product-stock\";s:5:\"title\";s:13:\"Product Stock\";s:4:\"icon\";s:19:\"eicon-product-stock\";s:10:\"categories\";s:24:\"[\"woocommerce-elements\"]\";}i:40;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:24:\"woocommerce-product-meta\";s:5:\"title\";s:12:\"Product Meta\";s:4:\"icon\";s:18:\"eicon-product-meta\";s:10:\"categories\";s:24:\"[\"woocommerce-elements\"]\";}i:41;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:37:\"woocommerce-product-short-description\";s:5:\"title\";s:17:\"Short Description\";s:4:\"icon\";s:25:\"eicon-product-description\";s:10:\"categories\";s:24:\"[\"woocommerce-elements\"]\";}i:42;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:29:\"woocommerce-product-data-tabs\";s:5:\"title\";s:17:\"Product Data Tabs\";s:4:\"icon\";s:18:\"eicon-product-tabs\";s:10:\"categories\";s:24:\"[\"woocommerce-elements\"]\";}i:43;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:42:\"woocommerce-product-additional-information\";s:5:\"title\";s:22:\"Additional Information\";s:4:\"icon\";s:19:\" eicon-product-info\";s:10:\"categories\";s:24:\"[\"woocommerce-elements\"]\";}i:44;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:27:\"woocommerce-product-related\";s:5:\"title\";s:15:\"Product Related\";s:4:\"icon\";s:21:\"eicon-product-related\";s:10:\"categories\";s:24:\"[\"woocommerce-elements\"]\";}i:45;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:26:\"woocommerce-product-upsell\";s:5:\"title\";s:7:\"Upsells\";s:4:\"icon\";s:20:\"eicon-product-upsell\";s:10:\"categories\";s:24:\"[\"woocommerce-elements\"]\";}i:46;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:15:\"facebook-button\";s:5:\"title\";s:15:\"Facebook Button\";s:4:\"icon\";s:23:\"eicon-facebook-like-box\";s:10:\"categories\";s:16:\"[\"pro-elements\"]\";}i:47;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:17:\"facebook-comments\";s:5:\"title\";s:17:\"Facebook Comments\";s:4:\"icon\";s:23:\"eicon-facebook-comments\";s:10:\"categories\";s:16:\"[\"pro-elements\"]\";}i:48;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:14:\"facebook-embed\";s:5:\"title\";s:14:\"Facebook Embed\";s:4:\"icon\";s:14:\"eicon-fb-embed\";s:10:\"categories\";s:16:\"[\"pro-elements\"]\";}i:49;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:13:\"facebook-page\";s:5:\"title\";s:13:\"Facebook Page\";s:4:\"icon\";s:13:\"eicon-fb-feed\";s:10:\"categories\";s:16:\"[\"pro-elements\"]\";}i:50;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:8:\"template\";s:5:\"title\";s:8:\"Template\";s:4:\"icon\";s:19:\"eicon-document-file\";s:10:\"categories\";s:16:\"[\"pro-elements\"]\";}i:51;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:15:\"theme-site-logo\";s:5:\"title\";s:9:\"Site Logo\";s:4:\"icon\";s:15:\"eicon-site-logo\";s:10:\"categories\";s:18:\"[\"theme-elements\"]\";}i:52;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:16:\"theme-site-title\";s:5:\"title\";s:10:\"Site Title\";s:4:\"icon\";s:16:\"eicon-site-title\";s:10:\"categories\";s:18:\"[\"theme-elements\"]\";}i:53;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:16:\"theme-page-title\";s:5:\"title\";s:10:\"Page Title\";s:4:\"icon\";s:19:\"eicon-archive-title\";s:10:\"categories\";s:18:\"[\"theme-elements\"]\";}i:54;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:16:\"theme-post-title\";s:5:\"title\";s:10:\"Post Title\";s:4:\"icon\";s:16:\"eicon-post-title\";s:10:\"categories\";s:18:\"[\"theme-elements\"]\";}i:55;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:18:\"theme-post-excerpt\";s:5:\"title\";s:12:\"Post Excerpt\";s:4:\"icon\";s:18:\"eicon-post-excerpt\";s:10:\"categories\";s:18:\"[\"theme-elements\"]\";}i:56;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:25:\"theme-post-featured-image\";s:5:\"title\";s:14:\"Featured Image\";s:4:\"icon\";s:20:\"eicon-featured-image\";s:10:\"categories\";s:18:\"[\"theme-elements\"]\";}i:57;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:19:\"theme-archive-title\";s:5:\"title\";s:13:\"Archive Title\";s:4:\"icon\";s:19:\"eicon-archive-title\";s:10:\"categories\";s:18:\"[\"theme-elements\"]\";}i:58;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:13:\"archive-posts\";s:5:\"title\";s:13:\"Archive Posts\";s:4:\"icon\";s:19:\"eicon-archive-posts\";s:10:\"categories\";s:18:\"[\"theme-elements\"]\";}}s:17:\"canary_deployment\";a:2:{s:11:\"plugin_info\";a:11:{s:2:\"id\";s:23:\"w.org/plugins/elementor\";s:4:\"slug\";s:9:\"elementor\";s:6:\"plugin\";s:23:\"elementor/elementor.php\";s:11:\"new_version\";s:5:\"3.0.0\";s:7:\"package\";s:58:\"https://downloads.wordpress.org/plugin/elementor.3.0.0.zip\";s:3:\"url\";s:40:\"https://wordpress.org/plugins/elementor/\";s:5:\"icons\";a:3:{s:2:\"2x\";s:62:\"https://ps.w.org/elementor/assets/icon-256x256.png?rev=1427768\";s:2:\"1x\";s:54:\"https://ps.w.org/elementor/assets/icon.svg?rev=1426809\";s:3:\"svg\";s:54:\"https://ps.w.org/elementor/assets/icon.svg?rev=1426809\";}s:7:\"banners\";a:2:{s:2:\"2x\";s:65:\"https://ps.w.org/elementor/assets/banner-1544x500.png?rev=1475479\";s:2:\"1x\";s:64:\"https://ps.w.org/elementor/assets/banner-772x250.png?rev=1475479\";}s:11:\"banners_rtl\";a:0:{}s:6:\"tested\";s:3:\"5.4\";s:12:\"requires_php\";s:3:\"5.6\";}s:10:\"conditions\";a:1:{i:0;a:1:{i:0;a:3:{s:4:\"type\";s:8:\"language\";s:9:\"languages\";a:26:{i:0;s:5:\"he_IL\";i:1;s:5:\"en_GB\";i:2;s:5:\"en_NZ\";i:3;s:5:\"en_ZA\";i:4;s:5:\"en_AU\";i:5;s:5:\"en_CA\";i:6;s:5:\"sv_SE\";i:7;s:5:\"da_DK\";i:8;s:5:\"fr_FR\";i:9;s:5:\"nl_NL\";i:10;s:5:\"nb_NO\";i:11;s:5:\"de_AT\";i:12;s:2:\"fi\";i:13;s:5:\"it_IT\";i:14;s:5:\"nn_NO\";i:15;s:5:\"de_CH\";i:16;s:5:\"en_GB\";i:17;s:5:\"is_IS\";i:18;s:2:\"ga\";i:19;s:5:\"fr_BE\";i:20;s:5:\"nl_BE\";i:21;s:3:\"ast\";i:22;s:5:\"lb_LU\";i:23;s:5:\"es_ES\";i:24;s:5:\"pt_PT\";i:25;s:3:\"mlt\";}s:8:\"operator\";s:2:\"in\";}}}}}','no'),(5242,'ewww_image_optimizer_wizard_complete','1','no'),(5250,'_transient_timeout_googlesitekit_sc_data_bebf4cb7316dbaaba6fb0b4c9d571c06','1611576133','no'),(5251,'_transient_googlesitekit_sc_data_bebf4cb7316dbaaba6fb0b4c9d571c06','1','no'),(5252,'_transient_timeout_googlesitekit_sc_data_895c94abf5e5ae93ad503987e8e09858','1611576144','no'),(5253,'_transient_googlesitekit_sc_data_895c94abf5e5ae93ad503987e8e09858','1','no'),(5259,'_transient_timeout_googlesitekit_sc_data_950f3d88762fba1718ea1a09182d2d0d','1611495496','no'),(5260,'_transient_googlesitekit_sc_data_950f3d88762fba1718ea1a09182d2d0d','0','no'),(5261,'_transient_timeout_googlesitekit_analytics_has_data_950f3d88762fba1718ea1a09182d2d0d','1611495497','no'),(5262,'_transient_googlesitekit_analytics_has_data_950f3d88762fba1718ea1a09182d2d0d','0','no'),(5321,'_transient_timeout_googlesitekit_sc_data_a4f9821cb9870d7a4c347c068a2db392','1611726855','no'),(5322,'_transient_googlesitekit_sc_data_a4f9821cb9870d7a4c347c068a2db392','0','no'),(5323,'_transient_timeout_googlesitekit_analytics_has_data_a4f9821cb9870d7a4c347c068a2db392','1611726856','no'),(5324,'_transient_googlesitekit_analytics_has_data_a4f9821cb9870d7a4c347c068a2db392','0','no'),(5325,'_transient_timeout_elementor_remote_info_api_data_3.0.16','1612296774','no'),(5326,'_transient_elementor_remote_info_api_data_3.0.16','a:4:{s:9:\"timestamp\";s:10:\"1612250459\";s:14:\"upgrade_notice\";a:3:{s:7:\"version\";s:5:\"2.0.0\";s:7:\"message\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"update_link\";s:0:\"\";}s:11:\"pro_widgets\";a:60:{i:0;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:5:\"posts\";s:5:\"title\";s:5:\"Posts\";s:4:\"icon\";s:15:\"eicon-post-list\";s:10:\"categories\";s:16:\"[\"pro-elements\"]\";}i:1;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:9:\"portfolio\";s:5:\"title\";s:9:\"Portfolio\";s:4:\"icon\";s:18:\"eicon-gallery-grid\";s:10:\"categories\";s:16:\"[\"pro-elements\"]\";}i:2;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:7:\"gallery\";s:5:\"title\";s:7:\"Gallery\";s:4:\"icon\";s:23:\"eicon-gallery-justified\";s:10:\"categories\";s:16:\"[\"pro-elements\"]\";}i:3;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:4:\"form\";s:5:\"title\";s:4:\"Form\";s:4:\"icon\";s:21:\"eicon-form-horizontal\";s:10:\"categories\";s:16:\"[\"pro-elements\"]\";}i:4;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:5:\"login\";s:5:\"title\";s:5:\"Login\";s:4:\"icon\";s:15:\"eicon-lock-user\";s:10:\"categories\";s:16:\"[\"pro-elements\"]\";}i:5;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:6:\"slides\";s:5:\"title\";s:6:\"Slides\";s:4:\"icon\";s:12:\"eicon-slides\";s:10:\"categories\";s:16:\"[\"pro-elements\"]\";}i:6;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:8:\"nav-menu\";s:5:\"title\";s:8:\"Nav Menu\";s:4:\"icon\";s:14:\"eicon-nav-menu\";s:10:\"categories\";s:33:\"[\"pro-elements\",\"theme-elements\"]\";}i:7;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:17:\"animated-headline\";s:5:\"title\";s:17:\"Animated Headline\";s:4:\"icon\";s:23:\"eicon-animated-headline\";s:10:\"categories\";s:16:\"[\"pro-elements\"]\";}i:8;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:10:\"price-list\";s:5:\"title\";s:10:\"Price List\";s:4:\"icon\";s:16:\"eicon-price-list\";s:10:\"categories\";s:16:\"[\"pro-elements\"]\";}i:9;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:11:\"price-table\";s:5:\"title\";s:11:\"Price Table\";s:4:\"icon\";s:17:\"eicon-price-table\";s:10:\"categories\";s:16:\"[\"pro-elements\"]\";}i:10;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:8:\"flip-box\";s:5:\"title\";s:8:\"Flip Box\";s:4:\"icon\";s:14:\"eicon-flip-box\";s:10:\"categories\";s:16:\"[\"pro-elements\"]\";}i:11;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:14:\"call-to-action\";s:5:\"title\";s:14:\"Call to Action\";s:4:\"icon\";s:20:\"eicon-image-rollover\";s:10:\"categories\";s:16:\"[\"pro-elements\"]\";}i:12;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:14:\"media-carousel\";s:5:\"title\";s:14:\"Media Carousel\";s:4:\"icon\";s:20:\"eicon-media-carousel\";s:10:\"categories\";s:16:\"[\"pro-elements\"]\";}i:13;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:20:\"testimonial-carousel\";s:5:\"title\";s:20:\"Testimonial Carousel\";s:4:\"icon\";s:26:\"eicon-testimonial-carousel\";s:10:\"categories\";s:16:\"[\"pro-elements\"]\";}i:14;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:7:\"reviews\";s:5:\"title\";s:7:\"Reviews\";s:4:\"icon\";s:12:\"eicon-review\";s:10:\"categories\";s:16:\"[\"pro-elements\"]\";}i:15;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:17:\"table-of-contents\";s:5:\"title\";s:17:\"Table of Contents\";s:4:\"icon\";s:23:\"eicon-table-of-contents\";s:10:\"categories\";s:33:\"[\"pro-elements\",\"theme-elements\"]\";}i:16;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:9:\"countdown\";s:5:\"title\";s:9:\"Countdown\";s:4:\"icon\";s:15:\"eicon-countdown\";s:10:\"categories\";s:16:\"[\"pro-elements\"]\";}i:17;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:13:\"share-buttons\";s:5:\"title\";s:13:\"Share Buttons\";s:4:\"icon\";s:11:\"eicon-share\";s:10:\"categories\";s:16:\"[\"pro-elements\"]\";}i:18;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:11:\"search-form\";s:5:\"title\";s:11:\"Search Form\";s:4:\"icon\";s:17:\"eicon-site-search\";s:10:\"categories\";s:18:\"[\"theme-elements\"]\";}i:19;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:10:\"author-box\";s:5:\"title\";s:10:\"Author Box\";s:4:\"icon\";s:12:\"eicon-person\";s:10:\"categories\";s:18:\"[\"theme-elements\"]\";}i:20;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:13:\"post-comments\";s:5:\"title\";s:13:\"Post Comments\";s:4:\"icon\";s:14:\"eicon-comments\";s:10:\"categories\";s:18:\"[\"theme-elements\"]\";}i:21;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:15:\"post-navigation\";s:5:\"title\";s:15:\"Post Navigation\";s:4:\"icon\";s:21:\"eicon-post-navigation\";s:10:\"categories\";s:18:\"[\"theme-elements\"]\";}i:22;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:9:\"post-info\";s:5:\"title\";s:9:\"Post Info\";s:4:\"icon\";s:15:\"eicon-post-info\";s:10:\"categories\";s:18:\"[\"theme-elements\"]\";}i:23;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:7:\"sitemap\";s:5:\"title\";s:7:\"Sitemap\";s:4:\"icon\";s:13:\"eicon-sitemap\";s:10:\"categories\";s:18:\"[\"theme-elements\"]\";}i:24;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:11:\"breadcrumbs\";s:5:\"title\";s:11:\"Breadcrumbs\";s:4:\"icon\";s:11:\"eicon-yoast\";s:10:\"categories\";s:18:\"[\"theme-elements\"]\";}i:25;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:10:\"blockquote\";s:5:\"title\";s:10:\"Blockquote\";s:4:\"icon\";s:16:\"eicon-blockquote\";s:10:\"categories\";s:16:\"[\"pro-elements\"]\";}i:26;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:19:\"wc-archive-products\";s:5:\"title\";s:16:\"Archive Products\";s:4:\"icon\";s:14:\"eicon-products\";s:10:\"categories\";s:24:\"[\"woocommerce-elements\"]\";}i:27;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:31:\"woocommerce-archive-description\";s:5:\"title\";s:19:\"Archive Description\";s:4:\"icon\";s:25:\"eicon-product-description\";s:10:\"categories\";s:24:\"[\"woocommerce-elements\"]\";}i:28;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:20:\"woocommerce-products\";s:5:\"title\";s:8:\"Products\";s:4:\"icon\";s:14:\"eicon-products\";s:10:\"categories\";s:24:\"[\"woocommerce-elements\"]\";}i:29;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:22:\"woocommerce-breadcrumb\";s:5:\"title\";s:23:\"WooCommerce Breadcrumbs\";s:4:\"icon\";s:25:\"eicon-product-breadcrumbs\";s:10:\"categories\";s:24:\"[\"woocommerce-elements\"]\";}i:30;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:14:\"wc-add-to-cart\";s:5:\"title\";s:18:\"Custom Add To Cart\";s:4:\"icon\";s:17:\"eicon-woocommerce\";s:10:\"categories\";s:24:\"[\"woocommerce-elements\"]\";}i:31;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:11:\"wc-elements\";s:5:\"title\";s:17:\"WooCommerce Pages\";s:4:\"icon\";s:19:\"eicon-product-pages\";s:10:\"categories\";s:24:\"[\"woocommerce-elements\"]\";}i:32;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:13:\"wc-categories\";s:5:\"title\";s:18:\"Product Categories\";s:4:\"icon\";s:24:\"eicon-product-categories\";s:10:\"categories\";s:24:\"[\"woocommerce-elements\"]\";}i:33;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:21:\"woocommerce-menu-cart\";s:5:\"title\";s:9:\"Menu Cart\";s:4:\"icon\";s:10:\"eicon-cart\";s:10:\"categories\";s:41:\"[\"theme-elements\",\"woocommerce-elements\"]\";}i:34;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:25:\"woocommerce-product-title\";s:5:\"title\";s:13:\"Product Title\";s:4:\"icon\";s:19:\"eicon-product-title\";s:10:\"categories\";s:24:\"[\"woocommerce-elements\"]\";}i:35;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:26:\"woocommerce-product-images\";s:5:\"title\";s:14:\"Product Images\";s:4:\"icon\";s:20:\"eicon-product-images\";s:10:\"categories\";s:24:\"[\"woocommerce-elements\"]\";}i:36;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:25:\"woocommerce-product-price\";s:5:\"title\";s:13:\"Product Price\";s:4:\"icon\";s:19:\"eicon-product-price\";s:10:\"categories\";s:24:\"[\"woocommerce-elements\"]\";}i:37;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:31:\"woocommerce-product-add-to-cart\";s:5:\"title\";s:11:\"Add To Cart\";s:4:\"icon\";s:25:\"eicon-product-add-to-cart\";s:10:\"categories\";s:24:\"[\"woocommerce-elements\"]\";}i:38;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:26:\"woocommerce-product-rating\";s:5:\"title\";s:14:\"Product Rating\";s:4:\"icon\";s:20:\"eicon-product-rating\";s:10:\"categories\";s:24:\"[\"woocommerce-elements\"]\";}i:39;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:25:\"woocommerce-product-stock\";s:5:\"title\";s:13:\"Product Stock\";s:4:\"icon\";s:19:\"eicon-product-stock\";s:10:\"categories\";s:24:\"[\"woocommerce-elements\"]\";}i:40;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:24:\"woocommerce-product-meta\";s:5:\"title\";s:12:\"Product Meta\";s:4:\"icon\";s:18:\"eicon-product-meta\";s:10:\"categories\";s:24:\"[\"woocommerce-elements\"]\";}i:41;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:37:\"woocommerce-product-short-description\";s:5:\"title\";s:17:\"Short Description\";s:4:\"icon\";s:25:\"eicon-product-description\";s:10:\"categories\";s:24:\"[\"woocommerce-elements\"]\";}i:42;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:29:\"woocommerce-product-data-tabs\";s:5:\"title\";s:17:\"Product Data Tabs\";s:4:\"icon\";s:18:\"eicon-product-tabs\";s:10:\"categories\";s:24:\"[\"woocommerce-elements\"]\";}i:43;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:42:\"woocommerce-product-additional-information\";s:5:\"title\";s:22:\"Additional Information\";s:4:\"icon\";s:19:\" eicon-product-info\";s:10:\"categories\";s:24:\"[\"woocommerce-elements\"]\";}i:44;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:27:\"woocommerce-product-related\";s:5:\"title\";s:15:\"Product Related\";s:4:\"icon\";s:21:\"eicon-product-related\";s:10:\"categories\";s:24:\"[\"woocommerce-elements\"]\";}i:45;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:26:\"woocommerce-product-upsell\";s:5:\"title\";s:7:\"Upsells\";s:4:\"icon\";s:20:\"eicon-product-upsell\";s:10:\"categories\";s:24:\"[\"woocommerce-elements\"]\";}i:46;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:6:\"lottie\";s:5:\"title\";s:6:\"Lottie\";s:4:\"icon\";s:12:\"eicon-lottie\";s:10:\"categories\";s:16:\"[\"pro-elements\"]\";}i:47;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:15:\"facebook-button\";s:5:\"title\";s:15:\"Facebook Button\";s:4:\"icon\";s:23:\"eicon-facebook-like-box\";s:10:\"categories\";s:16:\"[\"pro-elements\"]\";}i:48;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:17:\"facebook-comments\";s:5:\"title\";s:17:\"Facebook Comments\";s:4:\"icon\";s:23:\"eicon-facebook-comments\";s:10:\"categories\";s:16:\"[\"pro-elements\"]\";}i:49;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:14:\"facebook-embed\";s:5:\"title\";s:14:\"Facebook Embed\";s:4:\"icon\";s:14:\"eicon-fb-embed\";s:10:\"categories\";s:16:\"[\"pro-elements\"]\";}i:50;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:13:\"facebook-page\";s:5:\"title\";s:13:\"Facebook Page\";s:4:\"icon\";s:13:\"eicon-fb-feed\";s:10:\"categories\";s:16:\"[\"pro-elements\"]\";}i:51;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:8:\"template\";s:5:\"title\";s:8:\"Template\";s:4:\"icon\";s:19:\"eicon-document-file\";s:10:\"categories\";s:16:\"[\"pro-elements\"]\";}i:52;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:15:\"theme-site-logo\";s:5:\"title\";s:9:\"Site Logo\";s:4:\"icon\";s:15:\"eicon-site-logo\";s:10:\"categories\";s:18:\"[\"theme-elements\"]\";}i:53;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:16:\"theme-site-title\";s:5:\"title\";s:10:\"Site Title\";s:4:\"icon\";s:16:\"eicon-site-title\";s:10:\"categories\";s:18:\"[\"theme-elements\"]\";}i:54;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:16:\"theme-page-title\";s:5:\"title\";s:10:\"Page Title\";s:4:\"icon\";s:19:\"eicon-archive-title\";s:10:\"categories\";s:18:\"[\"theme-elements\"]\";}i:55;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:16:\"theme-post-title\";s:5:\"title\";s:10:\"Post Title\";s:4:\"icon\";s:16:\"eicon-post-title\";s:10:\"categories\";s:18:\"[\"theme-elements\"]\";}i:56;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:18:\"theme-post-excerpt\";s:5:\"title\";s:12:\"Post Excerpt\";s:4:\"icon\";s:18:\"eicon-post-excerpt\";s:10:\"categories\";s:18:\"[\"theme-elements\"]\";}i:57;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:25:\"theme-post-featured-image\";s:5:\"title\";s:14:\"Featured Image\";s:4:\"icon\";s:20:\"eicon-featured-image\";s:10:\"categories\";s:18:\"[\"theme-elements\"]\";}i:58;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:19:\"theme-archive-title\";s:5:\"title\";s:13:\"Archive Title\";s:4:\"icon\";s:19:\"eicon-archive-title\";s:10:\"categories\";s:18:\"[\"theme-elements\"]\";}i:59;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:13:\"archive-posts\";s:5:\"title\";s:13:\"Archive Posts\";s:4:\"icon\";s:19:\"eicon-archive-posts\";s:10:\"categories\";s:18:\"[\"theme-elements\"]\";}}s:17:\"canary_deployment\";a:2:{s:11:\"plugin_info\";a:11:{s:2:\"id\";s:23:\"w.org/plugins/elementor\";s:4:\"slug\";s:9:\"elementor\";s:6:\"plugin\";s:23:\"elementor/elementor.php\";s:11:\"new_version\";s:5:\"3.1.0\";s:7:\"package\";s:58:\"https://downloads.wordpress.org/plugin/elementor.3.1.0.zip\";s:3:\"url\";s:40:\"https://wordpress.org/plugins/elementor/\";s:5:\"icons\";a:3:{s:2:\"2x\";s:62:\"https://ps.w.org/elementor/assets/icon-256x256.png?rev=1427768\";s:2:\"1x\";s:54:\"https://ps.w.org/elementor/assets/icon.svg?rev=1426809\";s:3:\"svg\";s:54:\"https://ps.w.org/elementor/assets/icon.svg?rev=1426809\";}s:7:\"banners\";a:2:{s:2:\"2x\";s:65:\"https://ps.w.org/elementor/assets/banner-1544x500.png?rev=1475479\";s:2:\"1x\";s:64:\"https://ps.w.org/elementor/assets/banner-772x250.png?rev=1475479\";}s:11:\"banners_rtl\";a:0:{}s:6:\"tested\";s:3:\"5.6\";s:12:\"requires_php\";s:3:\"5.6\";}s:10:\"conditions\";a:1:{i:0;a:1:{i:0;a:3:{s:4:\"type\";s:8:\"language\";s:9:\"languages\";a:27:{i:0;s:5:\"he_IL\";i:1;s:5:\"nl_NL\";i:2;s:5:\"en_GB\";i:3;s:5:\"en_NZ\";i:4;s:5:\"en_ZA\";i:5;s:5:\"en_AU\";i:6;s:5:\"en_CA\";i:7;s:5:\"sv_SE\";i:8;s:5:\"da_DK\";i:9;s:5:\"fr_FR\";i:10;s:5:\"nl_NL\";i:11;s:5:\"nb_NO\";i:12;s:5:\"de_AT\";i:13;s:2:\"fi\";i:14;s:5:\"it_IT\";i:15;s:5:\"nn_NO\";i:16;s:5:\"de_CH\";i:17;s:5:\"en_GB\";i:18;s:5:\"is_IS\";i:19;s:2:\"ga\";i:20;s:5:\"fr_BE\";i:21;s:5:\"nl_BE\";i:22;s:3:\"ast\";i:23;s:5:\"lb_LU\";i:24;s:5:\"es_ES\";i:25;s:5:\"pt_PT\";i:26;s:3:\"mlt\";}s:8:\"operator\";s:2:\"in\";}}}}}','no'),(5339,'_site_transient_timeout_browser_e5e6d7ef86531dee89692fb40da10591','1612858378','no'),(5340,'_site_transient_browser_e5e6d7ef86531dee89692fb40da10591','a:10:{s:4:\"name\";s:7:\"Firefox\";s:7:\"version\";s:4:\"85.0\";s:8:\"platform\";s:7:\"Windows\";s:10:\"update_url\";s:32:\"https://www.mozilla.org/firefox/\";s:7:\"img_src\";s:44:\"http://s.w.org/images/browsers/firefox.png?1\";s:11:\"img_src_ssl\";s:45:\"https://s.w.org/images/browsers/firefox.png?1\";s:15:\"current_version\";s:2:\"56\";s:7:\"upgrade\";b:0;s:8:\"insecure\";b:0;s:6:\"mobile\";b:0;}','no'),(5460,'_transient_timeout_googlesitekit_sc_data_e73eac69df5c3bbf4f7d34b8ea41919d','1612546156','no'),(5461,'_transient_googlesitekit_sc_data_e73eac69df5c3bbf4f7d34b8ea41919d','1','no'),(5462,'_transient_timeout_googlesitekit_sc_data_5b73cc395f3c234ae7ef9d085845f324','1612546168','no'),(5463,'_transient_googlesitekit_sc_data_5b73cc395f3c234ae7ef9d085845f324','1','no'),(5466,'_transient_timeout_googlesitekit_sc_data_889fd761608cdce3a5b4af9691a17990','1612546181','no'),(5467,'_transient_googlesitekit_sc_data_889fd761608cdce3a5b4af9691a17990','1','no'),(5520,'pdfjs_download_button','on','yes'),(5521,'pdfjs_print_button','on','yes'),(5522,'pdfjs_search_button','on','yes'),(5523,'pdfjs_fullscreen_link','on','yes'),(5524,'pdfjs_fullscreen_link_text','View Fullscreen','yes'),(5525,'pdfjs_fullscreen_link_target','','yes'),(5526,'pdfjs_embed_height','800','yes'),(5527,'pdfjs_embed_width','0','yes'),(5528,'pdfjs_viewer_scale','auto','yes'),(5529,'pdfjs_viewer_pagemode','thumbs','yes'),(5540,'poweredby','off','no'),(5583,'_transient_timeout_googlesitekit_sc_data_e7abe9cdef723c4d0eccbd52cd7de393','1612524573','no'),(5584,'_transient_googlesitekit_sc_data_e7abe9cdef723c4d0eccbd52cd7de393','0','no'),(5585,'_transient_timeout_googlesitekit_analytics_has_data_e7abe9cdef723c4d0eccbd52cd7de393','1612524575','no'),(5586,'_transient_googlesitekit_analytics_has_data_e7abe9cdef723c4d0eccbd52cd7de393','0','no'),(5602,'_site_transient_timeout_browser_5207a86dff55cfd6920cb92e1b49f6df','1615124605','no'),(5603,'_site_transient_browser_5207a86dff55cfd6920cb92e1b49f6df','a:10:{s:4:\"name\";s:7:\"Firefox\";s:7:\"version\";s:4:\"86.0\";s:8:\"platform\";s:7:\"Windows\";s:10:\"update_url\";s:32:\"https://www.mozilla.org/firefox/\";s:7:\"img_src\";s:44:\"http://s.w.org/images/browsers/firefox.png?1\";s:11:\"img_src_ssl\";s:45:\"https://s.w.org/images/browsers/firefox.png?1\";s:15:\"current_version\";s:2:\"56\";s:7:\"upgrade\";b:0;s:8:\"insecure\";b:0;s:6:\"mobile\";b:0;}','no'),(5628,'_site_transient_timeout_community-events-cde2eab02a0e19e59c4d843b8b4276bc','1614563017','no'),(5629,'_site_transient_community-events-cde2eab02a0e19e59c4d843b8b4276bc','a:4:{s:9:\"sandboxed\";b:0;s:5:\"error\";N;s:8:\"location\";a:1:{s:2:\"ip\";s:12:\"112.205.97.0\";}s:6:\"events\";a:1:{i:0;a:10:{s:4:\"type\";s:6:\"meetup\";s:5:\"title\";s:45:\"Discussion Group: Introduction to Open-Source\";s:3:\"url\";s:68:\"https://www.meetup.com/learn-wordpress-discussions/events/276536997/\";s:6:\"meetup\";s:27:\"Learn WordPress Discussions\";s:10:\"meetup_url\";s:51:\"https://www.meetup.com/learn-wordpress-discussions/\";s:4:\"date\";s:19:\"2021-03-02 02:00:00\";s:8:\"end_date\";s:19:\"2021-03-02 03:00:00\";s:20:\"start_unix_timestamp\";i:1614679200;s:18:\"end_unix_timestamp\";i:1614682800;s:8:\"location\";a:4:{s:8:\"location\";s:6:\"Online\";s:7:\"country\";s:2:\"US\";s:8:\"latitude\";d:37.779998779297;s:9:\"longitude\";d:-122.41999816895;}}}}','no'),(5672,'_transient_timeout_googlesitekit_sc_data_2875db723fe407a6dafa7a93a4bd8633','1614550476','no'),(5673,'_transient_googlesitekit_sc_data_2875db723fe407a6dafa7a93a4bd8633','0','no'),(5674,'_transient_timeout_googlesitekit_analytics_has_data_2875db723fe407a6dafa7a93a4bd8633','1614550477','no'),(5675,'_transient_googlesitekit_analytics_has_data_2875db723fe407a6dafa7a93a4bd8633','0','no'),(5677,'_site_transient_timeout_browser_6aa04a466047baa73ee67f0bf07b24eb','1615152210','no'),(5678,'_site_transient_browser_6aa04a466047baa73ee67f0bf07b24eb','a:10:{s:4:\"name\";s:7:\"Firefox\";s:7:\"version\";s:4:\"86.0\";s:8:\"platform\";s:7:\"Android\";s:10:\"update_url\";s:0:\"\";s:7:\"img_src\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"img_src_ssl\";s:0:\"\";s:15:\"current_version\";s:0:\"\";s:7:\"upgrade\";b:0;s:8:\"insecure\";b:0;s:6:\"mobile\";b:1;}','no'),(5695,'_site_transient_timeout_browser_66ec6a80fa7013fddb1e67d9da0622a8','1618404243','no'),(5696,'_site_transient_browser_66ec6a80fa7013fddb1e67d9da0622a8','a:10:{s:4:\"name\";s:7:\"Firefox\";s:7:\"version\";s:4:\"87.0\";s:8:\"platform\";s:7:\"Windows\";s:10:\"update_url\";s:32:\"https://www.mozilla.org/firefox/\";s:7:\"img_src\";s:44:\"http://s.w.org/images/browsers/firefox.png?1\";s:11:\"img_src_ssl\";s:45:\"https://s.w.org/images/browsers/firefox.png?1\";s:15:\"current_version\";s:2:\"56\";s:7:\"upgrade\";b:0;s:8:\"insecure\";b:0;s:6:\"mobile\";b:0;}','no'),(5719,'_site_transient_timeout_community-events-ba472f3b2221a8576f518110fe930a43','1617842652','no'),(5720,'_site_transient_community-events-ba472f3b2221a8576f518110fe930a43','a:4:{s:9:\"sandboxed\";b:0;s:5:\"error\";N;s:8:\"location\";a:1:{s:2:\"ip\";s:13:\"112.201.186.0\";}s:6:\"events\";a:2:{i:0;a:10:{s:4:\"type\";s:6:\"meetup\";s:5:\"title\";s:48:\"Demo + Discussion group: Intro to Block Patterns\";s:3:\"url\";s:68:\"https://www.meetup.com/learn-wordpress-discussions/events/276945764/\";s:6:\"meetup\";s:27:\"Learn WordPress Discussions\";s:10:\"meetup_url\";s:51:\"https://www.meetup.com/learn-wordpress-discussions/\";s:4:\"date\";s:19:\"2021-04-07 07:00:00\";s:8:\"end_date\";s:19:\"2021-04-07 08:00:00\";s:20:\"start_unix_timestamp\";i:1617804000;s:18:\"end_unix_timestamp\";i:1617807600;s:8:\"location\";a:4:{s:8:\"location\";s:6:\"Online\";s:7:\"country\";s:2:\"US\";s:8:\"latitude\";d:37.779998779297;s:9:\"longitude\";d:-122.41999816895;}}i:1;a:10:{s:4:\"type\";s:8:\"wordcamp\";s:5:\"title\";s:23:\"WordCamp Centroamérica\";s:3:\"url\";s:40:\"https://centroamerica.wordcamp.org/2021/\";s:6:\"meetup\";N;s:10:\"meetup_url\";N;s:4:\"date\";s:19:\"2021-04-15 08:00:00\";s:8:\"end_date\";s:19:\"2021-04-17 00:00:00\";s:20:\"start_unix_timestamp\";i:1618495200;s:18:\"end_unix_timestamp\";i:1618639200;s:8:\"location\";a:4:{s:8:\"location\";s:6:\"Online\";s:7:\"country\";s:2:\"NI\";s:8:\"latitude\";d:12.1149926;s:9:\"longitude\";d:-86.2361744;}}}}','no'),(5741,'_transient_timeout_googlesitekit_sc_data_b4ec15549369a6efd9fe689f95bf0676','1617805296','no'),(5742,'_transient_googlesitekit_sc_data_b4ec15549369a6efd9fe689f95bf0676','0','no'),(5743,'_transient_timeout_googlesitekit_analytics_has_data_b4ec15549369a6efd9fe689f95bf0676','1617805297','no'),(5744,'_transient_googlesitekit_analytics_has_data_b4ec15549369a6efd9fe689f95bf0676','0','no'),(5836,'_transient_timeout_googlesitekit_sc_data_cff9601a5ab7ce6d8d040984c89daeac','1620886298','no'),(5837,'_transient_googlesitekit_sc_data_cff9601a5ab7ce6d8d040984c89daeac','0','no'),(5838,'_transient_timeout_googlesitekit_analytics_has_data_cff9601a5ab7ce6d8d040984c89daeac','1620886299','no'),(5839,'_transient_googlesitekit_analytics_has_data_cff9601a5ab7ce6d8d040984c89daeac','0','no'),(5845,'_transient_timeout_googlesitekit_sc_data_c740d12cebf7fc2e06a331a74458016a','1620969206','no'),(5846,'_transient_googlesitekit_sc_data_c740d12cebf7fc2e06a331a74458016a','1','no'),(5847,'_transient_timeout_googlesitekit_sc_data_4388d58bf9195f531466d1992f6867d5','1620969222','no'),(5848,'_transient_googlesitekit_sc_data_4388d58bf9195f531466d1992f6867d5','1','no'),(5864,'_transient_timeout_googlesitekit_sc_data_b3c29fe965d261e30053d777e1780610','1620994226','no'),(5865,'_transient_googlesitekit_sc_data_b3c29fe965d261e30053d777e1780610','1','no'),(5867,'_transient_timeout_googlesitekit_sc_data_09fd219ce6a2a2c702180a37c1be2b60','1620911616','no'),(5868,'_transient_googlesitekit_sc_data_09fd219ce6a2a2c702180a37c1be2b60','0','no'),(5869,'_transient_timeout_googlesitekit_analytics_has_data_09fd219ce6a2a2c702180a37c1be2b60','1620911617','no'),(5870,'_transient_googlesitekit_analytics_has_data_09fd219ce6a2a2c702180a37c1be2b60','0','no'),(5871,'_transient_timeout_googlesitekit_sc_data_8d0363fc146ecf00b98f52cd44269bc6','1620994541','no'),(5872,'_transient_googlesitekit_sc_data_8d0363fc146ecf00b98f52cd44269bc6','1','no'),(5873,'_transient_timeout_googlesitekit_sc_data_63c2b4af72285ef53c1aeeeab3dd50e4','1620911809','no'),(5874,'_transient_googlesitekit_sc_data_63c2b4af72285ef53c1aeeeab3dd50e4','0','no'),(5875,'_transient_timeout_googlesitekit_analytics_has_data_63c2b4af72285ef53c1aeeeab3dd50e4','1620911811','no'),(5876,'_transient_googlesitekit_analytics_has_data_63c2b4af72285ef53c1aeeeab3dd50e4','0','no'),(5877,'_transient_timeout_googlesitekit_sc_data_a5504c026c8eb004e3598cc375426ce3','1620911824','no'),(5878,'_transient_googlesitekit_sc_data_a5504c026c8eb004e3598cc375426ce3','0','no'),(5879,'_transient_timeout_googlesitekit_analytics_has_data_a5504c026c8eb004e3598cc375426ce3','1620911825','no'),(5880,'_transient_googlesitekit_analytics_has_data_a5504c026c8eb004e3598cc375426ce3','0','no'),(5881,'_transient_timeout_googlesitekit_sc_data_b051598c0aeb1b6b810ccd46f85cd298','1620911829','no'),(5882,'_transient_googlesitekit_sc_data_b051598c0aeb1b6b810ccd46f85cd298','0','no'),(5883,'_transient_timeout_googlesitekit_analytics_has_data_b051598c0aeb1b6b810ccd46f85cd298','1620911830','no'),(5884,'_transient_googlesitekit_analytics_has_data_b051598c0aeb1b6b810ccd46f85cd298','0','no'),(5892,'ewww_image_optimizer_dismiss_media_notice','1','no'),(5896,'_transient_timeout_elementor_remote_info_api_data_3.1.1','1621987596','no'),(5897,'_transient_elementor_remote_info_api_data_3.1.1','a:4:{s:9:\"timestamp\";s:10:\"1621942136\";s:14:\"upgrade_notice\";a:3:{s:7:\"version\";s:5:\"2.0.0\";s:7:\"message\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"update_link\";s:0:\"\";}s:11:\"pro_widgets\";a:60:{i:0;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:5:\"posts\";s:5:\"title\";s:5:\"Posts\";s:4:\"icon\";s:15:\"eicon-post-list\";s:10:\"categories\";s:16:\"[\"pro-elements\"]\";}i:1;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:9:\"portfolio\";s:5:\"title\";s:9:\"Portfolio\";s:4:\"icon\";s:18:\"eicon-gallery-grid\";s:10:\"categories\";s:16:\"[\"pro-elements\"]\";}i:2;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:7:\"gallery\";s:5:\"title\";s:7:\"Gallery\";s:4:\"icon\";s:23:\"eicon-gallery-justified\";s:10:\"categories\";s:16:\"[\"pro-elements\"]\";}i:3;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:4:\"form\";s:5:\"title\";s:4:\"Form\";s:4:\"icon\";s:21:\"eicon-form-horizontal\";s:10:\"categories\";s:16:\"[\"pro-elements\"]\";}i:4;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:5:\"login\";s:5:\"title\";s:5:\"Login\";s:4:\"icon\";s:15:\"eicon-lock-user\";s:10:\"categories\";s:16:\"[\"pro-elements\"]\";}i:5;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:6:\"slides\";s:5:\"title\";s:6:\"Slides\";s:4:\"icon\";s:12:\"eicon-slides\";s:10:\"categories\";s:16:\"[\"pro-elements\"]\";}i:6;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:8:\"nav-menu\";s:5:\"title\";s:8:\"Nav Menu\";s:4:\"icon\";s:14:\"eicon-nav-menu\";s:10:\"categories\";s:33:\"[\"pro-elements\",\"theme-elements\"]\";}i:7;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:17:\"animated-headline\";s:5:\"title\";s:17:\"Animated Headline\";s:4:\"icon\";s:23:\"eicon-animated-headline\";s:10:\"categories\";s:16:\"[\"pro-elements\"]\";}i:8;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:10:\"price-list\";s:5:\"title\";s:10:\"Price List\";s:4:\"icon\";s:16:\"eicon-price-list\";s:10:\"categories\";s:16:\"[\"pro-elements\"]\";}i:9;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:11:\"price-table\";s:5:\"title\";s:11:\"Price Table\";s:4:\"icon\";s:17:\"eicon-price-table\";s:10:\"categories\";s:16:\"[\"pro-elements\"]\";}i:10;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:8:\"flip-box\";s:5:\"title\";s:8:\"Flip Box\";s:4:\"icon\";s:14:\"eicon-flip-box\";s:10:\"categories\";s:16:\"[\"pro-elements\"]\";}i:11;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:14:\"call-to-action\";s:5:\"title\";s:14:\"Call to Action\";s:4:\"icon\";s:20:\"eicon-image-rollover\";s:10:\"categories\";s:16:\"[\"pro-elements\"]\";}i:12;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:14:\"media-carousel\";s:5:\"title\";s:14:\"Media Carousel\";s:4:\"icon\";s:20:\"eicon-media-carousel\";s:10:\"categories\";s:16:\"[\"pro-elements\"]\";}i:13;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:20:\"testimonial-carousel\";s:5:\"title\";s:20:\"Testimonial Carousel\";s:4:\"icon\";s:26:\"eicon-testimonial-carousel\";s:10:\"categories\";s:16:\"[\"pro-elements\"]\";}i:14;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:7:\"reviews\";s:5:\"title\";s:7:\"Reviews\";s:4:\"icon\";s:12:\"eicon-review\";s:10:\"categories\";s:16:\"[\"pro-elements\"]\";}i:15;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:17:\"table-of-contents\";s:5:\"title\";s:17:\"Table of Contents\";s:4:\"icon\";s:23:\"eicon-table-of-contents\";s:10:\"categories\";s:33:\"[\"pro-elements\",\"theme-elements\"]\";}i:16;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:9:\"countdown\";s:5:\"title\";s:9:\"Countdown\";s:4:\"icon\";s:15:\"eicon-countdown\";s:10:\"categories\";s:16:\"[\"pro-elements\"]\";}i:17;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:13:\"share-buttons\";s:5:\"title\";s:13:\"Share Buttons\";s:4:\"icon\";s:11:\"eicon-share\";s:10:\"categories\";s:16:\"[\"pro-elements\"]\";}i:18;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:11:\"search-form\";s:5:\"title\";s:11:\"Search Form\";s:4:\"icon\";s:17:\"eicon-site-search\";s:10:\"categories\";s:18:\"[\"theme-elements\"]\";}i:19;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:10:\"author-box\";s:5:\"title\";s:10:\"Author Box\";s:4:\"icon\";s:12:\"eicon-person\";s:10:\"categories\";s:18:\"[\"theme-elements\"]\";}i:20;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:13:\"post-comments\";s:5:\"title\";s:13:\"Post Comments\";s:4:\"icon\";s:14:\"eicon-comments\";s:10:\"categories\";s:18:\"[\"theme-elements\"]\";}i:21;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:15:\"post-navigation\";s:5:\"title\";s:15:\"Post Navigation\";s:4:\"icon\";s:21:\"eicon-post-navigation\";s:10:\"categories\";s:18:\"[\"theme-elements\"]\";}i:22;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:9:\"post-info\";s:5:\"title\";s:9:\"Post Info\";s:4:\"icon\";s:15:\"eicon-post-info\";s:10:\"categories\";s:18:\"[\"theme-elements\"]\";}i:23;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:7:\"sitemap\";s:5:\"title\";s:7:\"Sitemap\";s:4:\"icon\";s:13:\"eicon-sitemap\";s:10:\"categories\";s:18:\"[\"theme-elements\"]\";}i:24;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:11:\"breadcrumbs\";s:5:\"title\";s:11:\"Breadcrumbs\";s:4:\"icon\";s:11:\"eicon-yoast\";s:10:\"categories\";s:18:\"[\"theme-elements\"]\";}i:25;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:10:\"blockquote\";s:5:\"title\";s:10:\"Blockquote\";s:4:\"icon\";s:16:\"eicon-blockquote\";s:10:\"categories\";s:16:\"[\"pro-elements\"]\";}i:26;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:19:\"wc-archive-products\";s:5:\"title\";s:16:\"Archive Products\";s:4:\"icon\";s:14:\"eicon-products\";s:10:\"categories\";s:24:\"[\"woocommerce-elements\"]\";}i:27;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:31:\"woocommerce-archive-description\";s:5:\"title\";s:19:\"Archive Description\";s:4:\"icon\";s:25:\"eicon-product-description\";s:10:\"categories\";s:24:\"[\"woocommerce-elements\"]\";}i:28;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:20:\"woocommerce-products\";s:5:\"title\";s:8:\"Products\";s:4:\"icon\";s:14:\"eicon-products\";s:10:\"categories\";s:24:\"[\"woocommerce-elements\"]\";}i:29;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:22:\"woocommerce-breadcrumb\";s:5:\"title\";s:23:\"WooCommerce Breadcrumbs\";s:4:\"icon\";s:25:\"eicon-product-breadcrumbs\";s:10:\"categories\";s:24:\"[\"woocommerce-elements\"]\";}i:30;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:14:\"wc-add-to-cart\";s:5:\"title\";s:18:\"Custom Add To Cart\";s:4:\"icon\";s:17:\"eicon-woocommerce\";s:10:\"categories\";s:24:\"[\"woocommerce-elements\"]\";}i:31;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:11:\"wc-elements\";s:5:\"title\";s:17:\"WooCommerce Pages\";s:4:\"icon\";s:19:\"eicon-product-pages\";s:10:\"categories\";s:24:\"[\"woocommerce-elements\"]\";}i:32;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:13:\"wc-categories\";s:5:\"title\";s:18:\"Product Categories\";s:4:\"icon\";s:24:\"eicon-product-categories\";s:10:\"categories\";s:24:\"[\"woocommerce-elements\"]\";}i:33;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:21:\"woocommerce-menu-cart\";s:5:\"title\";s:9:\"Menu Cart\";s:4:\"icon\";s:10:\"eicon-cart\";s:10:\"categories\";s:41:\"[\"theme-elements\",\"woocommerce-elements\"]\";}i:34;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:25:\"woocommerce-product-title\";s:5:\"title\";s:13:\"Product Title\";s:4:\"icon\";s:19:\"eicon-product-title\";s:10:\"categories\";s:24:\"[\"woocommerce-elements\"]\";}i:35;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:26:\"woocommerce-product-images\";s:5:\"title\";s:14:\"Product Images\";s:4:\"icon\";s:20:\"eicon-product-images\";s:10:\"categories\";s:24:\"[\"woocommerce-elements\"]\";}i:36;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:25:\"woocommerce-product-price\";s:5:\"title\";s:13:\"Product Price\";s:4:\"icon\";s:19:\"eicon-product-price\";s:10:\"categories\";s:24:\"[\"woocommerce-elements\"]\";}i:37;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:31:\"woocommerce-product-add-to-cart\";s:5:\"title\";s:11:\"Add To Cart\";s:4:\"icon\";s:25:\"eicon-product-add-to-cart\";s:10:\"categories\";s:24:\"[\"woocommerce-elements\"]\";}i:38;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:26:\"woocommerce-product-rating\";s:5:\"title\";s:14:\"Product Rating\";s:4:\"icon\";s:20:\"eicon-product-rating\";s:10:\"categories\";s:24:\"[\"woocommerce-elements\"]\";}i:39;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:25:\"woocommerce-product-stock\";s:5:\"title\";s:13:\"Product Stock\";s:4:\"icon\";s:19:\"eicon-product-stock\";s:10:\"categories\";s:24:\"[\"woocommerce-elements\"]\";}i:40;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:24:\"woocommerce-product-meta\";s:5:\"title\";s:12:\"Product Meta\";s:4:\"icon\";s:18:\"eicon-product-meta\";s:10:\"categories\";s:24:\"[\"woocommerce-elements\"]\";}i:41;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:37:\"woocommerce-product-short-description\";s:5:\"title\";s:17:\"Short Description\";s:4:\"icon\";s:25:\"eicon-product-description\";s:10:\"categories\";s:24:\"[\"woocommerce-elements\"]\";}i:42;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:29:\"woocommerce-product-data-tabs\";s:5:\"title\";s:17:\"Product Data Tabs\";s:4:\"icon\";s:18:\"eicon-product-tabs\";s:10:\"categories\";s:24:\"[\"woocommerce-elements\"]\";}i:43;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:42:\"woocommerce-product-additional-information\";s:5:\"title\";s:22:\"Additional Information\";s:4:\"icon\";s:19:\" eicon-product-info\";s:10:\"categories\";s:24:\"[\"woocommerce-elements\"]\";}i:44;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:27:\"woocommerce-product-related\";s:5:\"title\";s:15:\"Product Related\";s:4:\"icon\";s:21:\"eicon-product-related\";s:10:\"categories\";s:24:\"[\"woocommerce-elements\"]\";}i:45;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:26:\"woocommerce-product-upsell\";s:5:\"title\";s:7:\"Upsells\";s:4:\"icon\";s:20:\"eicon-product-upsell\";s:10:\"categories\";s:24:\"[\"woocommerce-elements\"]\";}i:46;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:6:\"lottie\";s:5:\"title\";s:6:\"Lottie\";s:4:\"icon\";s:12:\"eicon-lottie\";s:10:\"categories\";s:16:\"[\"pro-elements\"]\";}i:47;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:15:\"facebook-button\";s:5:\"title\";s:15:\"Facebook Button\";s:4:\"icon\";s:23:\"eicon-facebook-like-box\";s:10:\"categories\";s:16:\"[\"pro-elements\"]\";}i:48;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:17:\"facebook-comments\";s:5:\"title\";s:17:\"Facebook Comments\";s:4:\"icon\";s:23:\"eicon-facebook-comments\";s:10:\"categories\";s:16:\"[\"pro-elements\"]\";}i:49;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:14:\"facebook-embed\";s:5:\"title\";s:14:\"Facebook Embed\";s:4:\"icon\";s:14:\"eicon-fb-embed\";s:10:\"categories\";s:16:\"[\"pro-elements\"]\";}i:50;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:13:\"facebook-page\";s:5:\"title\";s:13:\"Facebook Page\";s:4:\"icon\";s:13:\"eicon-fb-feed\";s:10:\"categories\";s:16:\"[\"pro-elements\"]\";}i:51;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:8:\"template\";s:5:\"title\";s:8:\"Template\";s:4:\"icon\";s:19:\"eicon-document-file\";s:10:\"categories\";s:16:\"[\"pro-elements\"]\";}i:52;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:15:\"theme-site-logo\";s:5:\"title\";s:9:\"Site Logo\";s:4:\"icon\";s:15:\"eicon-site-logo\";s:10:\"categories\";s:18:\"[\"theme-elements\"]\";}i:53;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:16:\"theme-site-title\";s:5:\"title\";s:10:\"Site Title\";s:4:\"icon\";s:16:\"eicon-site-title\";s:10:\"categories\";s:18:\"[\"theme-elements\"]\";}i:54;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:16:\"theme-page-title\";s:5:\"title\";s:10:\"Page Title\";s:4:\"icon\";s:19:\"eicon-archive-title\";s:10:\"categories\";s:18:\"[\"theme-elements\"]\";}i:55;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:16:\"theme-post-title\";s:5:\"title\";s:10:\"Post Title\";s:4:\"icon\";s:16:\"eicon-post-title\";s:10:\"categories\";s:18:\"[\"theme-elements\"]\";}i:56;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:18:\"theme-post-excerpt\";s:5:\"title\";s:12:\"Post Excerpt\";s:4:\"icon\";s:18:\"eicon-post-excerpt\";s:10:\"categories\";s:18:\"[\"theme-elements\"]\";}i:57;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:25:\"theme-post-featured-image\";s:5:\"title\";s:14:\"Featured Image\";s:4:\"icon\";s:20:\"eicon-featured-image\";s:10:\"categories\";s:18:\"[\"theme-elements\"]\";}i:58;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:19:\"theme-archive-title\";s:5:\"title\";s:13:\"Archive Title\";s:4:\"icon\";s:19:\"eicon-archive-title\";s:10:\"categories\";s:18:\"[\"theme-elements\"]\";}i:59;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:13:\"archive-posts\";s:5:\"title\";s:13:\"Archive Posts\";s:4:\"icon\";s:19:\"eicon-archive-posts\";s:10:\"categories\";s:18:\"[\"theme-elements\"]\";}}s:17:\"canary_deployment\";a:2:{s:11:\"plugin_info\";a:11:{s:2:\"id\";s:23:\"w.org/plugins/elementor\";s:4:\"slug\";s:9:\"elementor\";s:6:\"plugin\";s:23:\"elementor/elementor.php\";s:11:\"new_version\";s:5:\"3.2.1\";s:7:\"package\";s:58:\"https://downloads.wordpress.org/plugin/elementor.3.2.1.zip\";s:3:\"url\";s:40:\"https://wordpress.org/plugins/elementor/\";s:5:\"icons\";a:3:{s:2:\"2x\";s:62:\"https://ps.w.org/elementor/assets/icon-256x256.png?rev=1427768\";s:2:\"1x\";s:54:\"https://ps.w.org/elementor/assets/icon.svg?rev=1426809\";s:3:\"svg\";s:54:\"https://ps.w.org/elementor/assets/icon.svg?rev=1426809\";}s:7:\"banners\";a:2:{s:2:\"2x\";s:65:\"https://ps.w.org/elementor/assets/banner-1544x500.png?rev=1475479\";s:2:\"1x\";s:64:\"https://ps.w.org/elementor/assets/banner-772x250.png?rev=1475479\";}s:11:\"banners_rtl\";a:0:{}s:6:\"tested\";s:5:\"5.7.2\";s:12:\"requires_php\";s:3:\"5.6\";}s:10:\"conditions\";a:1:{i:0;a:1:{i:0;a:3:{s:4:\"type\";s:8:\"language\";s:9:\"languages\";a:27:{i:0;s:5:\"he_IL\";i:1;s:5:\"nl_NL\";i:2;s:5:\"en_GB\";i:3;s:5:\"en_NZ\";i:4;s:5:\"en_ZA\";i:5;s:5:\"en_AU\";i:6;s:5:\"en_CA\";i:7;s:5:\"sv_SE\";i:8;s:5:\"da_DK\";i:9;s:5:\"fr_FR\";i:10;s:5:\"nl_NL\";i:11;s:5:\"nb_NO\";i:12;s:5:\"de_AT\";i:13;s:2:\"fi\";i:14;s:5:\"it_IT\";i:15;s:5:\"nn_NO\";i:16;s:5:\"de_CH\";i:17;s:5:\"en_GB\";i:18;s:5:\"is_IS\";i:19;s:2:\"ga\";i:20;s:5:\"fr_BE\";i:21;s:5:\"nl_BE\";i:22;s:3:\"ast\";i:23;s:5:\"lb_LU\";i:24;s:5:\"es_ES\";i:25;s:5:\"pt_PT\";i:26;s:3:\"mlt\";}s:8:\"operator\";s:2:\"in\";}}}}}','no'),(5910,'_site_transient_timeout_browser_1509ab70d6a2d319ec457fb7f46a8933','1622549200','no'),(5911,'_site_transient_browser_1509ab70d6a2d319ec457fb7f46a8933','a:10:{s:4:\"name\";s:7:\"Firefox\";s:7:\"version\";s:4:\"88.0\";s:8:\"platform\";s:7:\"Windows\";s:10:\"update_url\";s:32:\"https://www.mozilla.org/firefox/\";s:7:\"img_src\";s:44:\"http://s.w.org/images/browsers/firefox.png?1\";s:11:\"img_src_ssl\";s:45:\"https://s.w.org/images/browsers/firefox.png?1\";s:15:\"current_version\";s:2:\"56\";s:7:\"upgrade\";b:0;s:8:\"insecure\";b:0;s:6:\"mobile\";b:0;}','no'),(5934,'_site_transient_timeout_community-events-f92776bafd415eb377f477a879652a87','1621987609','no'),(5935,'_site_transient_community-events-f92776bafd415eb377f477a879652a87','a:4:{s:9:\"sandboxed\";b:0;s:5:\"error\";N;s:8:\"location\";a:1:{s:2:\"ip\";s:13:\"112.205.126.0\";}s:6:\"events\";a:2:{i:0;a:10:{s:4:\"type\";s:6:\"meetup\";s:5:\"title\";s:71:\"Watch Party + Discussion group: Creating and Registering Block Patterns\";s:3:\"url\";s:68:\"https://www.meetup.com/learn-wordpress-discussions/events/278186692/\";s:6:\"meetup\";s:27:\"Learn WordPress Discussions\";s:10:\"meetup_url\";s:51:\"https://www.meetup.com/learn-wordpress-discussions/\";s:4:\"date\";s:19:\"2021-05-25 19:00:00\";s:8:\"end_date\";s:19:\"2021-05-25 20:00:00\";s:20:\"start_unix_timestamp\";i:1621994400;s:18:\"end_unix_timestamp\";i:1621998000;s:8:\"location\";a:4:{s:8:\"location\";s:6:\"Online\";s:7:\"country\";s:2:\"US\";s:8:\"latitude\";d:37.779998779297;s:9:\"longitude\";d:-122.41999816895;}}i:1;a:10:{s:4:\"type\";s:8:\"wordcamp\";s:5:\"title\";s:15:\"WordCamp Europe\";s:3:\"url\";s:33:\"https://europe.wordcamp.org/2021/\";s:6:\"meetup\";N;s:10:\"meetup_url\";N;s:4:\"date\";s:19:\"2021-06-07 00:00:00\";s:8:\"end_date\";s:19:\"2021-06-10 00:00:00\";s:20:\"start_unix_timestamp\";i:1623020400;s:18:\"end_unix_timestamp\";i:1623279600;s:8:\"location\";a:4:{s:8:\"location\";s:6:\"Online\";s:7:\"country\";s:2:\"PT\";s:8:\"latitude\";d:41.1579438;s:9:\"longitude\";d:-8.6291053;}}}}','no'),(5960,'_transient_timeout_googlesitekit_sc_data_5e6ccea1d290a689917c737ee5ae9015','1622033923','no'),(5961,'_transient_googlesitekit_sc_data_5e6ccea1d290a689917c737ee5ae9015','1','no'),(5963,'_transient_timeout_googlesitekit_sc_data_82d6ae420e306583b9495faf4158b623','1621951131','no'),(5964,'_transient_googlesitekit_sc_data_82d6ae420e306583b9495faf4158b623','0','no'),(5965,'_transient_timeout_googlesitekit_analytics_has_data_82d6ae420e306583b9495faf4158b623','1621951133','no'),(5966,'_transient_googlesitekit_analytics_has_data_82d6ae420e306583b9495faf4158b623','0','no'),(5997,'ewww_image_optimizer_ll_autoscale','1','yes'),(5998,'ewww_image_optimizer_ll_all_things','','yes'),(6020,'_site_transient_update_themes','O:8:\"stdClass\":5:{s:12:\"last_checked\";i:1632037852;s:7:\"checked\";a:6:{s:8:\"bfastmag\";s:3:\"2.1\";s:10:\"componentz\";s:5:\"1.2.8\";s:8:\"nucleare\";s:5:\"1.9.5\";s:10:\"penscratch\";s:5:\"1.0.4\";s:15:\"twentytwentyone\";s:3:\"1.3\";s:8:\"unschool\";s:3:\"0.6\";}s:8:\"response\";a:2:{s:8:\"nucleare\";a:6:{s:5:\"theme\";s:8:\"nucleare\";s:11:\"new_version\";s:5:\"1.9.7\";s:3:\"url\";s:38:\"https://wordpress.org/themes/nucleare/\";s:7:\"package\";s:56:\"https://downloads.wordpress.org/theme/nucleare.1.9.7.zip\";s:8:\"requires\";b:0;s:12:\"requires_php\";s:3:\"5.6\";}s:15:\"twentytwentyone\";a:6:{s:5:\"theme\";s:15:\"twentytwentyone\";s:11:\"new_version\";s:3:\"1.4\";s:3:\"url\";s:45:\"https://wordpress.org/themes/twentytwentyone/\";s:7:\"package\";s:61:\"https://downloads.wordpress.org/theme/twentytwentyone.1.4.zip\";s:8:\"requires\";s:3:\"5.3\";s:12:\"requires_php\";s:3:\"5.6\";}}s:9:\"no_update\";a:4:{s:8:\"bfastmag\";a:6:{s:5:\"theme\";s:8:\"bfastmag\";s:11:\"new_version\";s:3:\"2.1\";s:3:\"url\";s:38:\"https://wordpress.org/themes/bfastmag/\";s:7:\"package\";s:54:\"https://downloads.wordpress.org/theme/bfastmag.2.1.zip\";s:8:\"requires\";s:3:\"4.0\";s:12:\"requires_php\";b:0;}s:10:\"componentz\";a:6:{s:5:\"theme\";s:10:\"componentz\";s:11:\"new_version\";s:5:\"1.2.8\";s:3:\"url\";s:40:\"https://wordpress.org/themes/componentz/\";s:7:\"package\";s:58:\"https://downloads.wordpress.org/theme/componentz.1.2.8.zip\";s:8:\"requires\";b:0;s:12:\"requires_php\";s:3:\"5.6\";}s:10:\"penscratch\";a:6:{s:5:\"theme\";s:10:\"penscratch\";s:11:\"new_version\";s:5:\"1.0.4\";s:3:\"url\";s:40:\"https://wordpress.org/themes/penscratch/\";s:7:\"package\";s:58:\"https://downloads.wordpress.org/theme/penscratch.1.0.4.zip\";s:8:\"requires\";b:0;s:12:\"requires_php\";b:0;}s:8:\"unschool\";a:6:{s:5:\"theme\";s:8:\"unschool\";s:11:\"new_version\";s:3:\"0.6\";s:3:\"url\";s:38:\"https://wordpress.org/themes/unschool/\";s:7:\"package\";s:54:\"https://downloads.wordpress.org/theme/unschool.0.6.zip\";s:8:\"requires\";s:3:\"4.0\";s:12:\"requires_php\";s:3:\"5.2\";}}s:12:\"translations\";a:0:{}}','no'),(6025,'rlrsssl_options','a:15:{s:12:\"site_has_ssl\";b:0;s:4:\"hsts\";b:0;s:22:\"htaccess_warning_shown\";b:0;s:19:\"review_notice_shown\";b:0;s:25:\"ssl_success_message_shown\";b:0;s:26:\"autoreplace_insecure_links\";b:1;s:17:\"plugin_db_version\";s:6:\"4.0.15\";s:20:\"do_not_edit_htaccess\";b:0;s:17:\"htaccess_redirect\";b:0;s:11:\"ssl_enabled\";b:0;s:19:\"javascript_redirect\";b:0;s:11:\"wp_redirect\";b:0;s:31:\"switch_mixed_content_fixer_hook\";b:0;s:19:\"dismiss_all_notices\";b:0;s:21:\"dismiss_review_notice\";b:0;}','yes'),(6026,'rsssl_remaining_tasks','1','yes'),(6035,'rsssl_current_version','4.0.15','yes'),(6041,'rsssl_all_tasks','','yes'),(6074,'_transient_timeout_elementor_remote_info_api_data_3.2.3','1623109872','no'),(6075,'_transient_elementor_remote_info_api_data_3.2.3','a:4:{s:9:\"timestamp\";s:10:\"1623065519\";s:14:\"upgrade_notice\";a:3:{s:7:\"version\";s:5:\"2.0.0\";s:7:\"message\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"update_link\";s:0:\"\";}s:11:\"pro_widgets\";a:60:{i:0;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:5:\"posts\";s:5:\"title\";s:5:\"Posts\";s:4:\"icon\";s:15:\"eicon-post-list\";s:10:\"categories\";s:16:\"[\"pro-elements\"]\";}i:1;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:9:\"portfolio\";s:5:\"title\";s:9:\"Portfolio\";s:4:\"icon\";s:18:\"eicon-gallery-grid\";s:10:\"categories\";s:16:\"[\"pro-elements\"]\";}i:2;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:7:\"gallery\";s:5:\"title\";s:7:\"Gallery\";s:4:\"icon\";s:23:\"eicon-gallery-justified\";s:10:\"categories\";s:16:\"[\"pro-elements\"]\";}i:3;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:4:\"form\";s:5:\"title\";s:4:\"Form\";s:4:\"icon\";s:21:\"eicon-form-horizontal\";s:10:\"categories\";s:16:\"[\"pro-elements\"]\";}i:4;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:5:\"login\";s:5:\"title\";s:5:\"Login\";s:4:\"icon\";s:15:\"eicon-lock-user\";s:10:\"categories\";s:16:\"[\"pro-elements\"]\";}i:5;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:6:\"slides\";s:5:\"title\";s:6:\"Slides\";s:4:\"icon\";s:12:\"eicon-slides\";s:10:\"categories\";s:16:\"[\"pro-elements\"]\";}i:6;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:8:\"nav-menu\";s:5:\"title\";s:8:\"Nav Menu\";s:4:\"icon\";s:14:\"eicon-nav-menu\";s:10:\"categories\";s:33:\"[\"pro-elements\",\"theme-elements\"]\";}i:7;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:17:\"animated-headline\";s:5:\"title\";s:17:\"Animated Headline\";s:4:\"icon\";s:23:\"eicon-animated-headline\";s:10:\"categories\";s:16:\"[\"pro-elements\"]\";}i:8;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:10:\"price-list\";s:5:\"title\";s:10:\"Price List\";s:4:\"icon\";s:16:\"eicon-price-list\";s:10:\"categories\";s:16:\"[\"pro-elements\"]\";}i:9;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:11:\"price-table\";s:5:\"title\";s:11:\"Price Table\";s:4:\"icon\";s:17:\"eicon-price-table\";s:10:\"categories\";s:16:\"[\"pro-elements\"]\";}i:10;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:8:\"flip-box\";s:5:\"title\";s:8:\"Flip Box\";s:4:\"icon\";s:14:\"eicon-flip-box\";s:10:\"categories\";s:16:\"[\"pro-elements\"]\";}i:11;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:14:\"call-to-action\";s:5:\"title\";s:14:\"Call to Action\";s:4:\"icon\";s:20:\"eicon-image-rollover\";s:10:\"categories\";s:16:\"[\"pro-elements\"]\";}i:12;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:14:\"media-carousel\";s:5:\"title\";s:14:\"Media Carousel\";s:4:\"icon\";s:20:\"eicon-media-carousel\";s:10:\"categories\";s:16:\"[\"pro-elements\"]\";}i:13;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:20:\"testimonial-carousel\";s:5:\"title\";s:20:\"Testimonial Carousel\";s:4:\"icon\";s:26:\"eicon-testimonial-carousel\";s:10:\"categories\";s:16:\"[\"pro-elements\"]\";}i:14;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:7:\"reviews\";s:5:\"title\";s:7:\"Reviews\";s:4:\"icon\";s:12:\"eicon-review\";s:10:\"categories\";s:16:\"[\"pro-elements\"]\";}i:15;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:17:\"table-of-contents\";s:5:\"title\";s:17:\"Table of Contents\";s:4:\"icon\";s:23:\"eicon-table-of-contents\";s:10:\"categories\";s:33:\"[\"pro-elements\",\"theme-elements\"]\";}i:16;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:9:\"countdown\";s:5:\"title\";s:9:\"Countdown\";s:4:\"icon\";s:15:\"eicon-countdown\";s:10:\"categories\";s:16:\"[\"pro-elements\"]\";}i:17;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:13:\"share-buttons\";s:5:\"title\";s:13:\"Share Buttons\";s:4:\"icon\";s:11:\"eicon-share\";s:10:\"categories\";s:16:\"[\"pro-elements\"]\";}i:18;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:11:\"search-form\";s:5:\"title\";s:11:\"Search Form\";s:4:\"icon\";s:17:\"eicon-site-search\";s:10:\"categories\";s:18:\"[\"theme-elements\"]\";}i:19;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:10:\"author-box\";s:5:\"title\";s:10:\"Author Box\";s:4:\"icon\";s:12:\"eicon-person\";s:10:\"categories\";s:18:\"[\"theme-elements\"]\";}i:20;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:13:\"post-comments\";s:5:\"title\";s:13:\"Post Comments\";s:4:\"icon\";s:14:\"eicon-comments\";s:10:\"categories\";s:18:\"[\"theme-elements\"]\";}i:21;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:15:\"post-navigation\";s:5:\"title\";s:15:\"Post Navigation\";s:4:\"icon\";s:21:\"eicon-post-navigation\";s:10:\"categories\";s:18:\"[\"theme-elements\"]\";}i:22;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:9:\"post-info\";s:5:\"title\";s:9:\"Post Info\";s:4:\"icon\";s:15:\"eicon-post-info\";s:10:\"categories\";s:18:\"[\"theme-elements\"]\";}i:23;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:7:\"sitemap\";s:5:\"title\";s:7:\"Sitemap\";s:4:\"icon\";s:13:\"eicon-sitemap\";s:10:\"categories\";s:18:\"[\"theme-elements\"]\";}i:24;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:11:\"breadcrumbs\";s:5:\"title\";s:11:\"Breadcrumbs\";s:4:\"icon\";s:11:\"eicon-yoast\";s:10:\"categories\";s:18:\"[\"theme-elements\"]\";}i:25;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:10:\"blockquote\";s:5:\"title\";s:10:\"Blockquote\";s:4:\"icon\";s:16:\"eicon-blockquote\";s:10:\"categories\";s:16:\"[\"pro-elements\"]\";}i:26;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:19:\"wc-archive-products\";s:5:\"title\";s:16:\"Archive Products\";s:4:\"icon\";s:14:\"eicon-products\";s:10:\"categories\";s:24:\"[\"woocommerce-elements\"]\";}i:27;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:31:\"woocommerce-archive-description\";s:5:\"title\";s:19:\"Archive Description\";s:4:\"icon\";s:25:\"eicon-product-description\";s:10:\"categories\";s:24:\"[\"woocommerce-elements\"]\";}i:28;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:20:\"woocommerce-products\";s:5:\"title\";s:8:\"Products\";s:4:\"icon\";s:14:\"eicon-products\";s:10:\"categories\";s:24:\"[\"woocommerce-elements\"]\";}i:29;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:22:\"woocommerce-breadcrumb\";s:5:\"title\";s:23:\"WooCommerce Breadcrumbs\";s:4:\"icon\";s:25:\"eicon-product-breadcrumbs\";s:10:\"categories\";s:24:\"[\"woocommerce-elements\"]\";}i:30;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:14:\"wc-add-to-cart\";s:5:\"title\";s:18:\"Custom Add To Cart\";s:4:\"icon\";s:17:\"eicon-woocommerce\";s:10:\"categories\";s:24:\"[\"woocommerce-elements\"]\";}i:31;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:11:\"wc-elements\";s:5:\"title\";s:17:\"WooCommerce Pages\";s:4:\"icon\";s:19:\"eicon-product-pages\";s:10:\"categories\";s:24:\"[\"woocommerce-elements\"]\";}i:32;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:13:\"wc-categories\";s:5:\"title\";s:18:\"Product Categories\";s:4:\"icon\";s:24:\"eicon-product-categories\";s:10:\"categories\";s:24:\"[\"woocommerce-elements\"]\";}i:33;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:21:\"woocommerce-menu-cart\";s:5:\"title\";s:9:\"Menu Cart\";s:4:\"icon\";s:10:\"eicon-cart\";s:10:\"categories\";s:41:\"[\"theme-elements\",\"woocommerce-elements\"]\";}i:34;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:25:\"woocommerce-product-title\";s:5:\"title\";s:13:\"Product Title\";s:4:\"icon\";s:19:\"eicon-product-title\";s:10:\"categories\";s:24:\"[\"woocommerce-elements\"]\";}i:35;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:26:\"woocommerce-product-images\";s:5:\"title\";s:14:\"Product Images\";s:4:\"icon\";s:20:\"eicon-product-images\";s:10:\"categories\";s:24:\"[\"woocommerce-elements\"]\";}i:36;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:25:\"woocommerce-product-price\";s:5:\"title\";s:13:\"Product Price\";s:4:\"icon\";s:19:\"eicon-product-price\";s:10:\"categories\";s:24:\"[\"woocommerce-elements\"]\";}i:37;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:31:\"woocommerce-product-add-to-cart\";s:5:\"title\";s:11:\"Add To Cart\";s:4:\"icon\";s:25:\"eicon-product-add-to-cart\";s:10:\"categories\";s:24:\"[\"woocommerce-elements\"]\";}i:38;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:26:\"woocommerce-product-rating\";s:5:\"title\";s:14:\"Product Rating\";s:4:\"icon\";s:20:\"eicon-product-rating\";s:10:\"categories\";s:24:\"[\"woocommerce-elements\"]\";}i:39;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:25:\"woocommerce-product-stock\";s:5:\"title\";s:13:\"Product Stock\";s:4:\"icon\";s:19:\"eicon-product-stock\";s:10:\"categories\";s:24:\"[\"woocommerce-elements\"]\";}i:40;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:24:\"woocommerce-product-meta\";s:5:\"title\";s:12:\"Product Meta\";s:4:\"icon\";s:18:\"eicon-product-meta\";s:10:\"categories\";s:24:\"[\"woocommerce-elements\"]\";}i:41;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:37:\"woocommerce-product-short-description\";s:5:\"title\";s:17:\"Short Description\";s:4:\"icon\";s:25:\"eicon-product-description\";s:10:\"categories\";s:24:\"[\"woocommerce-elements\"]\";}i:42;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:29:\"woocommerce-product-data-tabs\";s:5:\"title\";s:17:\"Product Data Tabs\";s:4:\"icon\";s:18:\"eicon-product-tabs\";s:10:\"categories\";s:24:\"[\"woocommerce-elements\"]\";}i:43;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:42:\"woocommerce-product-additional-information\";s:5:\"title\";s:22:\"Additional Information\";s:4:\"icon\";s:19:\" eicon-product-info\";s:10:\"categories\";s:24:\"[\"woocommerce-elements\"]\";}i:44;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:27:\"woocommerce-product-related\";s:5:\"title\";s:15:\"Product Related\";s:4:\"icon\";s:21:\"eicon-product-related\";s:10:\"categories\";s:24:\"[\"woocommerce-elements\"]\";}i:45;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:26:\"woocommerce-product-upsell\";s:5:\"title\";s:7:\"Upsells\";s:4:\"icon\";s:20:\"eicon-product-upsell\";s:10:\"categories\";s:24:\"[\"woocommerce-elements\"]\";}i:46;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:6:\"lottie\";s:5:\"title\";s:6:\"Lottie\";s:4:\"icon\";s:12:\"eicon-lottie\";s:10:\"categories\";s:16:\"[\"pro-elements\"]\";}i:47;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:15:\"facebook-button\";s:5:\"title\";s:15:\"Facebook Button\";s:4:\"icon\";s:23:\"eicon-facebook-like-box\";s:10:\"categories\";s:16:\"[\"pro-elements\"]\";}i:48;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:17:\"facebook-comments\";s:5:\"title\";s:17:\"Facebook Comments\";s:4:\"icon\";s:23:\"eicon-facebook-comments\";s:10:\"categories\";s:16:\"[\"pro-elements\"]\";}i:49;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:14:\"facebook-embed\";s:5:\"title\";s:14:\"Facebook Embed\";s:4:\"icon\";s:14:\"eicon-fb-embed\";s:10:\"categories\";s:16:\"[\"pro-elements\"]\";}i:50;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:13:\"facebook-page\";s:5:\"title\";s:13:\"Facebook Page\";s:4:\"icon\";s:13:\"eicon-fb-feed\";s:10:\"categories\";s:16:\"[\"pro-elements\"]\";}i:51;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:8:\"template\";s:5:\"title\";s:8:\"Template\";s:4:\"icon\";s:19:\"eicon-document-file\";s:10:\"categories\";s:16:\"[\"pro-elements\"]\";}i:52;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:15:\"theme-site-logo\";s:5:\"title\";s:9:\"Site Logo\";s:4:\"icon\";s:15:\"eicon-site-logo\";s:10:\"categories\";s:18:\"[\"theme-elements\"]\";}i:53;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:16:\"theme-site-title\";s:5:\"title\";s:10:\"Site Title\";s:4:\"icon\";s:16:\"eicon-site-title\";s:10:\"categories\";s:18:\"[\"theme-elements\"]\";}i:54;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:16:\"theme-page-title\";s:5:\"title\";s:10:\"Page Title\";s:4:\"icon\";s:19:\"eicon-archive-title\";s:10:\"categories\";s:18:\"[\"theme-elements\"]\";}i:55;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:16:\"theme-post-title\";s:5:\"title\";s:10:\"Post Title\";s:4:\"icon\";s:16:\"eicon-post-title\";s:10:\"categories\";s:18:\"[\"theme-elements\"]\";}i:56;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:18:\"theme-post-excerpt\";s:5:\"title\";s:12:\"Post Excerpt\";s:4:\"icon\";s:18:\"eicon-post-excerpt\";s:10:\"categories\";s:18:\"[\"theme-elements\"]\";}i:57;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:25:\"theme-post-featured-image\";s:5:\"title\";s:14:\"Featured Image\";s:4:\"icon\";s:20:\"eicon-featured-image\";s:10:\"categories\";s:18:\"[\"theme-elements\"]\";}i:58;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:19:\"theme-archive-title\";s:5:\"title\";s:13:\"Archive Title\";s:4:\"icon\";s:19:\"eicon-archive-title\";s:10:\"categories\";s:18:\"[\"theme-elements\"]\";}i:59;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:13:\"archive-posts\";s:5:\"title\";s:13:\"Archive Posts\";s:4:\"icon\";s:19:\"eicon-archive-posts\";s:10:\"categories\";s:18:\"[\"theme-elements\"]\";}}s:17:\"canary_deployment\";a:2:{s:11:\"plugin_info\";a:11:{s:2:\"id\";s:23:\"w.org/plugins/elementor\";s:4:\"slug\";s:9:\"elementor\";s:6:\"plugin\";s:23:\"elementor/elementor.php\";s:11:\"new_version\";s:5:\"3.2.4\";s:7:\"package\";s:58:\"https://downloads.wordpress.org/plugin/elementor.3.2.4.zip\";s:3:\"url\";s:40:\"https://wordpress.org/plugins/elementor/\";s:5:\"icons\";a:3:{s:2:\"2x\";s:62:\"https://ps.w.org/elementor/assets/icon-256x256.png?rev=1427768\";s:2:\"1x\";s:54:\"https://ps.w.org/elementor/assets/icon.svg?rev=1426809\";s:3:\"svg\";s:54:\"https://ps.w.org/elementor/assets/icon.svg?rev=1426809\";}s:7:\"banners\";a:2:{s:2:\"2x\";s:65:\"https://ps.w.org/elementor/assets/banner-1544x500.png?rev=1475479\";s:2:\"1x\";s:64:\"https://ps.w.org/elementor/assets/banner-772x250.png?rev=1475479\";}s:11:\"banners_rtl\";a:0:{}s:6:\"tested\";s:5:\"5.7.2\";s:12:\"requires_php\";s:3:\"5.6\";}s:10:\"conditions\";a:1:{i:0;a:1:{i:0;a:4:{s:4:\"type\";s:6:\"plugin\";s:6:\"plugin\";s:23:\"elementor/elementor.php\";s:7:\"version\";s:5:\"1.0.0\";s:8:\"operator\";s:2:\">=\";}}}}}','no'),(6116,'_site_transient_timeout_community-events-0c6de4691f9592f5acca5f2ed27d8c07','1623110480','no'),(6117,'_site_transient_community-events-0c6de4691f9592f5acca5f2ed27d8c07','a:4:{s:9:\"sandboxed\";b:0;s:5:\"error\";N;s:8:\"location\";a:1:{s:2:\"ip\";s:13:\"112.201.176.0\";}s:6:\"events\";a:1:{i:0;a:10:{s:4:\"type\";s:8:\"wordcamp\";s:5:\"title\";s:15:\"WordCamp Europe\";s:3:\"url\";s:33:\"https://europe.wordcamp.org/2021/\";s:6:\"meetup\";N;s:10:\"meetup_url\";N;s:4:\"date\";s:19:\"2021-06-07 14:00:00\";s:8:\"end_date\";s:19:\"2021-06-09 00:00:00\";s:20:\"start_unix_timestamp\";i:1623070800;s:18:\"end_unix_timestamp\";i:1623193200;s:8:\"location\";a:4:{s:8:\"location\";s:6:\"Online\";s:7:\"country\";s:2:\"PT\";s:8:\"latitude\";d:41.1579438;s:9:\"longitude\";d:-8.6291053;}}}}','no'),(6195,'_transient_timeout_elementor_remote_info_api_data_3.2.4','1625261210','no'),(6196,'_transient_elementor_remote_info_api_data_3.2.4','a:4:{s:9:\"timestamp\";s:10:\"1625214915\";s:14:\"upgrade_notice\";a:3:{s:7:\"version\";s:5:\"2.0.0\";s:7:\"message\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"update_link\";s:0:\"\";}s:11:\"pro_widgets\";a:64:{i:0;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:5:\"posts\";s:5:\"title\";s:5:\"Posts\";s:4:\"icon\";s:15:\"eicon-post-list\";s:10:\"categories\";s:16:\"[\"pro-elements\"]\";}i:1;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:9:\"portfolio\";s:5:\"title\";s:9:\"Portfolio\";s:4:\"icon\";s:18:\"eicon-gallery-grid\";s:10:\"categories\";s:16:\"[\"pro-elements\"]\";}i:2;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:7:\"gallery\";s:5:\"title\";s:7:\"Gallery\";s:4:\"icon\";s:23:\"eicon-gallery-justified\";s:10:\"categories\";s:16:\"[\"pro-elements\"]\";}i:3;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:4:\"form\";s:5:\"title\";s:4:\"Form\";s:4:\"icon\";s:21:\"eicon-form-horizontal\";s:10:\"categories\";s:16:\"[\"pro-elements\"]\";}i:4;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:5:\"login\";s:5:\"title\";s:5:\"Login\";s:4:\"icon\";s:15:\"eicon-lock-user\";s:10:\"categories\";s:16:\"[\"pro-elements\"]\";}i:5;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:6:\"slides\";s:5:\"title\";s:6:\"Slides\";s:4:\"icon\";s:12:\"eicon-slides\";s:10:\"categories\";s:16:\"[\"pro-elements\"]\";}i:6;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:8:\"nav-menu\";s:5:\"title\";s:8:\"Nav Menu\";s:4:\"icon\";s:14:\"eicon-nav-menu\";s:10:\"categories\";s:33:\"[\"pro-elements\",\"theme-elements\"]\";}i:7;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:17:\"animated-headline\";s:5:\"title\";s:17:\"Animated Headline\";s:4:\"icon\";s:23:\"eicon-animated-headline\";s:10:\"categories\";s:16:\"[\"pro-elements\"]\";}i:8;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:10:\"price-list\";s:5:\"title\";s:10:\"Price List\";s:4:\"icon\";s:16:\"eicon-price-list\";s:10:\"categories\";s:16:\"[\"pro-elements\"]\";}i:9;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:11:\"price-table\";s:5:\"title\";s:11:\"Price Table\";s:4:\"icon\";s:17:\"eicon-price-table\";s:10:\"categories\";s:16:\"[\"pro-elements\"]\";}i:10;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:8:\"flip-box\";s:5:\"title\";s:8:\"Flip Box\";s:4:\"icon\";s:14:\"eicon-flip-box\";s:10:\"categories\";s:16:\"[\"pro-elements\"]\";}i:11;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:14:\"call-to-action\";s:5:\"title\";s:14:\"Call to Action\";s:4:\"icon\";s:20:\"eicon-image-rollover\";s:10:\"categories\";s:16:\"[\"pro-elements\"]\";}i:12;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:14:\"media-carousel\";s:5:\"title\";s:14:\"Media Carousel\";s:4:\"icon\";s:20:\"eicon-media-carousel\";s:10:\"categories\";s:16:\"[\"pro-elements\"]\";}i:13;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:20:\"testimonial-carousel\";s:5:\"title\";s:20:\"Testimonial Carousel\";s:4:\"icon\";s:26:\"eicon-testimonial-carousel\";s:10:\"categories\";s:16:\"[\"pro-elements\"]\";}i:14;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:7:\"reviews\";s:5:\"title\";s:7:\"Reviews\";s:4:\"icon\";s:12:\"eicon-review\";s:10:\"categories\";s:16:\"[\"pro-elements\"]\";}i:15;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:17:\"table-of-contents\";s:5:\"title\";s:17:\"Table of Contents\";s:4:\"icon\";s:23:\"eicon-table-of-contents\";s:10:\"categories\";s:33:\"[\"pro-elements\",\"theme-elements\"]\";}i:16;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:9:\"countdown\";s:5:\"title\";s:9:\"Countdown\";s:4:\"icon\";s:15:\"eicon-countdown\";s:10:\"categories\";s:16:\"[\"pro-elements\"]\";}i:17;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:13:\"share-buttons\";s:5:\"title\";s:13:\"Share Buttons\";s:4:\"icon\";s:11:\"eicon-share\";s:10:\"categories\";s:16:\"[\"pro-elements\"]\";}i:18;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:11:\"search-form\";s:5:\"title\";s:11:\"Search Form\";s:4:\"icon\";s:17:\"eicon-site-search\";s:10:\"categories\";s:18:\"[\"theme-elements\"]\";}i:19;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:10:\"author-box\";s:5:\"title\";s:10:\"Author Box\";s:4:\"icon\";s:12:\"eicon-person\";s:10:\"categories\";s:18:\"[\"theme-elements\"]\";}i:20;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:13:\"post-comments\";s:5:\"title\";s:13:\"Post Comments\";s:4:\"icon\";s:14:\"eicon-comments\";s:10:\"categories\";s:18:\"[\"theme-elements\"]\";}i:21;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:15:\"post-navigation\";s:5:\"title\";s:15:\"Post Navigation\";s:4:\"icon\";s:21:\"eicon-post-navigation\";s:10:\"categories\";s:18:\"[\"theme-elements\"]\";}i:22;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:9:\"post-info\";s:5:\"title\";s:9:\"Post Info\";s:4:\"icon\";s:15:\"eicon-post-info\";s:10:\"categories\";s:18:\"[\"theme-elements\"]\";}i:23;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:7:\"sitemap\";s:5:\"title\";s:7:\"Sitemap\";s:4:\"icon\";s:13:\"eicon-sitemap\";s:10:\"categories\";s:18:\"[\"theme-elements\"]\";}i:24;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:11:\"breadcrumbs\";s:5:\"title\";s:11:\"Breadcrumbs\";s:4:\"icon\";s:11:\"eicon-yoast\";s:10:\"categories\";s:18:\"[\"theme-elements\"]\";}i:25;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:10:\"blockquote\";s:5:\"title\";s:10:\"Blockquote\";s:4:\"icon\";s:16:\"eicon-blockquote\";s:10:\"categories\";s:16:\"[\"pro-elements\"]\";}i:26;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:19:\"wc-archive-products\";s:5:\"title\";s:16:\"Archive Products\";s:4:\"icon\";s:14:\"eicon-products\";s:10:\"categories\";s:24:\"[\"woocommerce-elements\"]\";}i:27;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:31:\"woocommerce-archive-description\";s:5:\"title\";s:19:\"Archive Description\";s:4:\"icon\";s:25:\"eicon-product-description\";s:10:\"categories\";s:24:\"[\"woocommerce-elements\"]\";}i:28;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:20:\"woocommerce-products\";s:5:\"title\";s:8:\"Products\";s:4:\"icon\";s:14:\"eicon-products\";s:10:\"categories\";s:24:\"[\"woocommerce-elements\"]\";}i:29;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:22:\"woocommerce-breadcrumb\";s:5:\"title\";s:23:\"WooCommerce Breadcrumbs\";s:4:\"icon\";s:25:\"eicon-product-breadcrumbs\";s:10:\"categories\";s:24:\"[\"woocommerce-elements\"]\";}i:30;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:14:\"wc-add-to-cart\";s:5:\"title\";s:18:\"Custom Add To Cart\";s:4:\"icon\";s:17:\"eicon-woocommerce\";s:10:\"categories\";s:24:\"[\"woocommerce-elements\"]\";}i:31;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:11:\"wc-elements\";s:5:\"title\";s:17:\"WooCommerce Pages\";s:4:\"icon\";s:19:\"eicon-product-pages\";s:10:\"categories\";s:24:\"[\"woocommerce-elements\"]\";}i:32;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:13:\"wc-categories\";s:5:\"title\";s:18:\"Product Categories\";s:4:\"icon\";s:24:\"eicon-product-categories\";s:10:\"categories\";s:24:\"[\"woocommerce-elements\"]\";}i:33;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:21:\"woocommerce-menu-cart\";s:5:\"title\";s:9:\"Menu Cart\";s:4:\"icon\";s:10:\"eicon-cart\";s:10:\"categories\";s:41:\"[\"theme-elements\",\"woocommerce-elements\"]\";}i:34;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:25:\"woocommerce-product-title\";s:5:\"title\";s:13:\"Product Title\";s:4:\"icon\";s:19:\"eicon-product-title\";s:10:\"categories\";s:24:\"[\"woocommerce-elements\"]\";}i:35;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:26:\"woocommerce-product-images\";s:5:\"title\";s:14:\"Product Images\";s:4:\"icon\";s:20:\"eicon-product-images\";s:10:\"categories\";s:24:\"[\"woocommerce-elements\"]\";}i:36;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:25:\"woocommerce-product-price\";s:5:\"title\";s:13:\"Product Price\";s:4:\"icon\";s:19:\"eicon-product-price\";s:10:\"categories\";s:24:\"[\"woocommerce-elements\"]\";}i:37;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:31:\"woocommerce-product-add-to-cart\";s:5:\"title\";s:11:\"Add To Cart\";s:4:\"icon\";s:25:\"eicon-product-add-to-cart\";s:10:\"categories\";s:24:\"[\"woocommerce-elements\"]\";}i:38;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:26:\"woocommerce-product-rating\";s:5:\"title\";s:14:\"Product Rating\";s:4:\"icon\";s:20:\"eicon-product-rating\";s:10:\"categories\";s:24:\"[\"woocommerce-elements\"]\";}i:39;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:25:\"woocommerce-product-stock\";s:5:\"title\";s:13:\"Product Stock\";s:4:\"icon\";s:19:\"eicon-product-stock\";s:10:\"categories\";s:24:\"[\"woocommerce-elements\"]\";}i:40;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:24:\"woocommerce-product-meta\";s:5:\"title\";s:12:\"Product Meta\";s:4:\"icon\";s:18:\"eicon-product-meta\";s:10:\"categories\";s:24:\"[\"woocommerce-elements\"]\";}i:41;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:37:\"woocommerce-product-short-description\";s:5:\"title\";s:17:\"Short Description\";s:4:\"icon\";s:25:\"eicon-product-description\";s:10:\"categories\";s:24:\"[\"woocommerce-elements\"]\";}i:42;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:29:\"woocommerce-product-data-tabs\";s:5:\"title\";s:17:\"Product Data Tabs\";s:4:\"icon\";s:18:\"eicon-product-tabs\";s:10:\"categories\";s:24:\"[\"woocommerce-elements\"]\";}i:43;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:42:\"woocommerce-product-additional-information\";s:5:\"title\";s:22:\"Additional Information\";s:4:\"icon\";s:19:\" eicon-product-info\";s:10:\"categories\";s:24:\"[\"woocommerce-elements\"]\";}i:44;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:27:\"woocommerce-product-related\";s:5:\"title\";s:15:\"Product Related\";s:4:\"icon\";s:21:\"eicon-product-related\";s:10:\"categories\";s:24:\"[\"woocommerce-elements\"]\";}i:45;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:26:\"woocommerce-product-upsell\";s:5:\"title\";s:7:\"Upsells\";s:4:\"icon\";s:20:\"eicon-product-upsell\";s:10:\"categories\";s:24:\"[\"woocommerce-elements\"]\";}i:46;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:6:\"lottie\";s:5:\"title\";s:6:\"Lottie\";s:4:\"icon\";s:12:\"eicon-lottie\";s:10:\"categories\";s:16:\"[\"pro-elements\"]\";}i:47;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:15:\"facebook-button\";s:5:\"title\";s:15:\"Facebook Button\";s:4:\"icon\";s:23:\"eicon-facebook-like-box\";s:10:\"categories\";s:16:\"[\"pro-elements\"]\";}i:48;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:17:\"facebook-comments\";s:5:\"title\";s:17:\"Facebook Comments\";s:4:\"icon\";s:23:\"eicon-facebook-comments\";s:10:\"categories\";s:16:\"[\"pro-elements\"]\";}i:49;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:14:\"facebook-embed\";s:5:\"title\";s:14:\"Facebook Embed\";s:4:\"icon\";s:14:\"eicon-fb-embed\";s:10:\"categories\";s:16:\"[\"pro-elements\"]\";}i:50;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:13:\"facebook-page\";s:5:\"title\";s:13:\"Facebook Page\";s:4:\"icon\";s:13:\"eicon-fb-feed\";s:10:\"categories\";s:16:\"[\"pro-elements\"]\";}i:51;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:7:\"hotspot\";s:5:\"title\";s:7:\"Hotspot\";s:4:\"icon\";s:19:\"eicon-image-hotspot\";s:10:\"categories\";s:16:\"[\"pro-elements\"]\";}i:52;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:13:\"paypal-button\";s:5:\"title\";s:13:\"PayPal Button\";s:4:\"icon\";s:19:\"eicon-paypal-button\";s:10:\"categories\";s:16:\"[\"pro-elements\"]\";}i:53;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:14:\"code-highlight\";s:5:\"title\";s:14:\"Code Highlight\";s:4:\"icon\";s:20:\"eicon-code-highlight\";s:10:\"categories\";s:16:\"[\"pro-elements\"]\";}i:54;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:14:\"video-playlist\";s:5:\"title\";s:14:\"Video Playlist\";s:4:\"icon\";s:20:\"eicon-video-playlist\";s:10:\"categories\";s:16:\"[\"pro-elements\"]\";}i:55;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:8:\"template\";s:5:\"title\";s:8:\"Template\";s:4:\"icon\";s:19:\"eicon-document-file\";s:10:\"categories\";s:16:\"[\"pro-elements\"]\";}i:56;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:15:\"theme-site-logo\";s:5:\"title\";s:9:\"Site Logo\";s:4:\"icon\";s:15:\"eicon-site-logo\";s:10:\"categories\";s:18:\"[\"theme-elements\"]\";}i:57;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:16:\"theme-site-title\";s:5:\"title\";s:10:\"Site Title\";s:4:\"icon\";s:16:\"eicon-site-title\";s:10:\"categories\";s:18:\"[\"theme-elements\"]\";}i:58;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:16:\"theme-page-title\";s:5:\"title\";s:10:\"Page Title\";s:4:\"icon\";s:19:\"eicon-archive-title\";s:10:\"categories\";s:18:\"[\"theme-elements\"]\";}i:59;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:16:\"theme-post-title\";s:5:\"title\";s:10:\"Post Title\";s:4:\"icon\";s:16:\"eicon-post-title\";s:10:\"categories\";s:18:\"[\"theme-elements\"]\";}i:60;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:18:\"theme-post-excerpt\";s:5:\"title\";s:12:\"Post Excerpt\";s:4:\"icon\";s:18:\"eicon-post-excerpt\";s:10:\"categories\";s:18:\"[\"theme-elements\"]\";}i:61;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:25:\"theme-post-featured-image\";s:5:\"title\";s:14:\"Featured Image\";s:4:\"icon\";s:20:\"eicon-featured-image\";s:10:\"categories\";s:18:\"[\"theme-elements\"]\";}i:62;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:19:\"theme-archive-title\";s:5:\"title\";s:13:\"Archive Title\";s:4:\"icon\";s:19:\"eicon-archive-title\";s:10:\"categories\";s:18:\"[\"theme-elements\"]\";}i:63;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:13:\"archive-posts\";s:5:\"title\";s:13:\"Archive Posts\";s:4:\"icon\";s:19:\"eicon-archive-posts\";s:10:\"categories\";s:18:\"[\"theme-elements\"]\";}}s:17:\"canary_deployment\";a:2:{s:11:\"plugin_info\";a:11:{s:2:\"id\";s:23:\"w.org/plugins/elementor\";s:4:\"slug\";s:9:\"elementor\";s:6:\"plugin\";s:23:\"elementor/elementor.php\";s:11:\"new_version\";s:5:\"3.2.4\";s:7:\"package\";s:58:\"https://downloads.wordpress.org/plugin/elementor.3.2.4.zip\";s:3:\"url\";s:40:\"https://wordpress.org/plugins/elementor/\";s:5:\"icons\";a:3:{s:2:\"2x\";s:62:\"https://ps.w.org/elementor/assets/icon-256x256.png?rev=1427768\";s:2:\"1x\";s:54:\"https://ps.w.org/elementor/assets/icon.svg?rev=1426809\";s:3:\"svg\";s:54:\"https://ps.w.org/elementor/assets/icon.svg?rev=1426809\";}s:7:\"banners\";a:2:{s:2:\"2x\";s:65:\"https://ps.w.org/elementor/assets/banner-1544x500.png?rev=1475479\";s:2:\"1x\";s:64:\"https://ps.w.org/elementor/assets/banner-772x250.png?rev=1475479\";}s:11:\"banners_rtl\";a:0:{}s:6:\"tested\";s:5:\"5.7.2\";s:12:\"requires_php\";s:3:\"5.6\";}s:10:\"conditions\";a:1:{i:0;a:1:{i:0;a:4:{s:4:\"type\";s:6:\"plugin\";s:6:\"plugin\";s:23:\"elementor/elementor.php\";s:7:\"version\";s:5:\"1.0.0\";s:8:\"operator\";s:2:\">=\";}}}}}','no'),(6227,'_transient_timeout_ewww_image_optimizer_images_reoptimized','1625261219','no'),(6228,'_transient_ewww_image_optimizer_images_reoptimized','zero','no'),(6305,'rewrite_rules','a:170:{s:19:\"sitemap_index\\.xml$\";s:19:\"index.php?sitemap=1\";s:31:\"([^/]+?)-sitemap([0-9]+)?\\.xml$\";s:51:\"index.php?sitemap=$matches[1]&sitemap_n=$matches[2]\";s:24:\"([a-z]+)?-?sitemap\\.xsl$\";s:39:\"index.php?yoast-sitemap-xsl=$matches[1]\";s:11:\"^wp-json/?$\";s:22:\"index.php?rest_route=/\";s:14:\"^wp-json/(.*)?\";s:33:\"index.php?rest_route=/$matches[1]\";s:21:\"^index.php/wp-json/?$\";s:22:\"index.php?rest_route=/\";s:24:\"^index.php/wp-json/(.*)?\";s:33:\"index.php?rest_route=/$matches[1]\";s:17:\"^wp-sitemap\\.xml$\";s:23:\"index.php?sitemap=index\";s:17:\"^wp-sitemap\\.xsl$\";s:36:\"index.php?sitemap-stylesheet=sitemap\";s:23:\"^wp-sitemap-index\\.xsl$\";s:34:\"index.php?sitemap-stylesheet=index\";s:48:\"^wp-sitemap-([a-z]+?)-([a-z\\d_-]+?)-(\\d+?)\\.xml$\";s:75:\"index.php?sitemap=$matches[1]&sitemap-subtype=$matches[2]&paged=$matches[3]\";s:34:\"^wp-sitemap-([a-z]+?)-(\\d+?)\\.xml$\";s:47:\"index.php?sitemap=$matches[1]&paged=$matches[2]\";s:7:\"news/?$\";s:24:\"index.php?post_type=news\";s:37:\"news/feed/(feed|rdf|rss|rss2|atom)/?$\";s:41:\"index.php?post_type=news&feed=$matches[1]\";s:32:\"news/(feed|rdf|rss|rss2|atom)/?$\";s:41:\"index.php?post_type=news&feed=$matches[1]\";s:24:\"news/page/([0-9]{1,})/?$\";s:42:\"index.php?post_type=news&paged=$matches[1]\";s:47:\"category/(.+?)/feed/(feed|rdf|rss|rss2|atom)/?$\";s:52:\"index.php?category_name=$matches[1]&feed=$matches[2]\";s:42:\"category/(.+?)/(feed|rdf|rss|rss2|atom)/?$\";s:52:\"index.php?category_name=$matches[1]&feed=$matches[2]\";s:23:\"category/(.+?)/embed/?$\";s:46:\"index.php?category_name=$matches[1]&embed=true\";s:35:\"category/(.+?)/page/?([0-9]{1,})/?$\";s:53:\"index.php?category_name=$matches[1]&paged=$matches[2]\";s:17:\"category/(.+?)/?$\";s:35:\"index.php?category_name=$matches[1]\";s:44:\"tag/([^/]+)/feed/(feed|rdf|rss|rss2|atom)/?$\";s:42:\"index.php?tag=$matches[1]&feed=$matches[2]\";s:39:\"tag/([^/]+)/(feed|rdf|rss|rss2|atom)/?$\";s:42:\"index.php?tag=$matches[1]&feed=$matches[2]\";s:20:\"tag/([^/]+)/embed/?$\";s:36:\"index.php?tag=$matches[1]&embed=true\";s:32:\"tag/([^/]+)/page/?([0-9]{1,})/?$\";s:43:\"index.php?tag=$matches[1]&paged=$matches[2]\";s:14:\"tag/([^/]+)/?$\";s:25:\"index.php?tag=$matches[1]\";s:45:\"type/([^/]+)/feed/(feed|rdf|rss|rss2|atom)/?$\";s:50:\"index.php?post_format=$matches[1]&feed=$matches[2]\";s:40:\"type/([^/]+)/(feed|rdf|rss|rss2|atom)/?$\";s:50:\"index.php?post_format=$matches[1]&feed=$matches[2]\";s:21:\"type/([^/]+)/embed/?$\";s:44:\"index.php?post_format=$matches[1]&embed=true\";s:33:\"type/([^/]+)/page/?([0-9]{1,})/?$\";s:51:\"index.php?post_format=$matches[1]&paged=$matches[2]\";s:15:\"type/([^/]+)/?$\";s:33:\"index.php?post_format=$matches[1]\";s:42:\"e-landing-page/[^/]+/attachment/([^/]+)/?$\";s:32:\"index.php?attachment=$matches[1]\";s:52:\"e-landing-page/[^/]+/attachment/([^/]+)/trackback/?$\";s:37:\"index.php?attachment=$matches[1]&tb=1\";s:72:\"e-landing-page/[^/]+/attachment/([^/]+)/feed/(feed|rdf|rss|rss2|atom)/?$\";s:49:\"index.php?attachment=$matches[1]&feed=$matches[2]\";s:67:\"e-landing-page/[^/]+/attachment/([^/]+)/(feed|rdf|rss|rss2|atom)/?$\";s:49:\"index.php?attachment=$matches[1]&feed=$matches[2]\";s:67:\"e-landing-page/[^/]+/attachment/([^/]+)/comment-page-([0-9]{1,})/?$\";s:50:\"index.php?attachment=$matches[1]&cpage=$matches[2]\";s:48:\"e-landing-page/[^/]+/attachment/([^/]+)/embed/?$\";s:43:\"index.php?attachment=$matches[1]&embed=true\";s:31:\"e-landing-page/([^/]+)/embed/?$\";s:47:\"index.php?e-landing-page=$matches[1]&embed=true\";s:35:\"e-landing-page/([^/]+)/trackback/?$\";s:41:\"index.php?e-landing-page=$matches[1]&tb=1\";s:43:\"e-landing-page/([^/]+)/page/?([0-9]{1,})/?$\";s:54:\"index.php?e-landing-page=$matches[1]&paged=$matches[2]\";s:50:\"e-landing-page/([^/]+)/comment-page-([0-9]{1,})/?$\";s:54:\"index.php?e-landing-page=$matches[1]&cpage=$matches[2]\";s:39:\"e-landing-page/([^/]+)(?:/([0-9]+))?/?$\";s:53:\"index.php?e-landing-page=$matches[1]&page=$matches[2]\";s:31:\"e-landing-page/[^/]+/([^/]+)/?$\";s:32:\"index.php?attachment=$matches[1]\";s:41:\"e-landing-page/[^/]+/([^/]+)/trackback/?$\";s:37:\"index.php?attachment=$matches[1]&tb=1\";s:61:\"e-landing-page/[^/]+/([^/]+)/feed/(feed|rdf|rss|rss2|atom)/?$\";s:49:\"index.php?attachment=$matches[1]&feed=$matches[2]\";s:56:\"e-landing-page/[^/]+/([^/]+)/(feed|rdf|rss|rss2|atom)/?$\";s:49:\"index.php?attachment=$matches[1]&feed=$matches[2]\";s:56:\"e-landing-page/[^/]+/([^/]+)/comment-page-([0-9]{1,})/?$\";s:50:\"index.php?attachment=$matches[1]&cpage=$matches[2]\";s:37:\"e-landing-page/[^/]+/([^/]+)/embed/?$\";s:43:\"index.php?attachment=$matches[1]&embed=true\";s:44:\"mgmlp_media_folder/.+?/attachment/([^/]+)/?$\";s:32:\"index.php?attachment=$matches[1]\";s:54:\"mgmlp_media_folder/.+?/attachment/([^/]+)/trackback/?$\";s:37:\"index.php?attachment=$matches[1]&tb=1\";s:74:\"mgmlp_media_folder/.+?/attachment/([^/]+)/feed/(feed|rdf|rss|rss2|atom)/?$\";s:49:\"index.php?attachment=$matches[1]&feed=$matches[2]\";s:69:\"mgmlp_media_folder/.+?/attachment/([^/]+)/(feed|rdf|rss|rss2|atom)/?$\";s:49:\"index.php?attachment=$matches[1]&feed=$matches[2]\";s:69:\"mgmlp_media_folder/.+?/attachment/([^/]+)/comment-page-([0-9]{1,})/?$\";s:50:\"index.php?attachment=$matches[1]&cpage=$matches[2]\";s:50:\"mgmlp_media_folder/.+?/attachment/([^/]+)/embed/?$\";s:43:\"index.php?attachment=$matches[1]&embed=true\";s:33:\"mgmlp_media_folder/(.+?)/embed/?$\";s:51:\"index.php?mgmlp_media_folder=$matches[1]&embed=true\";s:37:\"mgmlp_media_folder/(.+?)/trackback/?$\";s:45:\"index.php?mgmlp_media_folder=$matches[1]&tb=1\";s:45:\"mgmlp_media_folder/(.+?)/page/?([0-9]{1,})/?$\";s:58:\"index.php?mgmlp_media_folder=$matches[1]&paged=$matches[2]\";s:52:\"mgmlp_media_folder/(.+?)/comment-page-([0-9]{1,})/?$\";s:58:\"index.php?mgmlp_media_folder=$matches[1]&cpage=$matches[2]\";s:41:\"mgmlp_media_folder/(.+?)(?:/([0-9]+))?/?$\";s:57:\"index.php?mgmlp_media_folder=$matches[1]&page=$matches[2]\";s:37:\"sa_slider/[^/]+/attachment/([^/]+)/?$\";s:32:\"index.php?attachment=$matches[1]\";s:47:\"sa_slider/[^/]+/attachment/([^/]+)/trackback/?$\";s:37:\"index.php?attachment=$matches[1]&tb=1\";s:67:\"sa_slider/[^/]+/attachment/([^/]+)/feed/(feed|rdf|rss|rss2|atom)/?$\";s:49:\"index.php?attachment=$matches[1]&feed=$matches[2]\";s:62:\"sa_slider/[^/]+/attachment/([^/]+)/(feed|rdf|rss|rss2|atom)/?$\";s:49:\"index.php?attachment=$matches[1]&feed=$matches[2]\";s:62:\"sa_slider/[^/]+/attachment/([^/]+)/comment-page-([0-9]{1,})/?$\";s:50:\"index.php?attachment=$matches[1]&cpage=$matches[2]\";s:43:\"sa_slider/[^/]+/attachment/([^/]+)/embed/?$\";s:43:\"index.php?attachment=$matches[1]&embed=true\";s:26:\"sa_slider/([^/]+)/embed/?$\";s:57:\"index.php?post_type=sa_slider&name=$matches[1]&embed=true\";s:30:\"sa_slider/([^/]+)/trackback/?$\";s:51:\"index.php?post_type=sa_slider&name=$matches[1]&tb=1\";s:38:\"sa_slider/([^/]+)/page/?([0-9]{1,})/?$\";s:64:\"index.php?post_type=sa_slider&name=$matches[1]&paged=$matches[2]\";s:45:\"sa_slider/([^/]+)/comment-page-([0-9]{1,})/?$\";s:64:\"index.php?post_type=sa_slider&name=$matches[1]&cpage=$matches[2]\";s:34:\"sa_slider/([^/]+)(?:/([0-9]+))?/?$\";s:63:\"index.php?post_type=sa_slider&name=$matches[1]&page=$matches[2]\";s:26:\"sa_slider/[^/]+/([^/]+)/?$\";s:32:\"index.php?attachment=$matches[1]\";s:36:\"sa_slider/[^/]+/([^/]+)/trackback/?$\";s:37:\"index.php?attachment=$matches[1]&tb=1\";s:56:\"sa_slider/[^/]+/([^/]+)/feed/(feed|rdf|rss|rss2|atom)/?$\";s:49:\"index.php?attachment=$matches[1]&feed=$matches[2]\";s:51:\"sa_slider/[^/]+/([^/]+)/(feed|rdf|rss|rss2|atom)/?$\";s:49:\"index.php?attachment=$matches[1]&feed=$matches[2]\";s:51:\"sa_slider/[^/]+/([^/]+)/comment-page-([0-9]{1,})/?$\";s:50:\"index.php?attachment=$matches[1]&cpage=$matches[2]\";s:32:\"sa_slider/[^/]+/([^/]+)/embed/?$\";s:43:\"index.php?attachment=$matches[1]&embed=true\";s:32:\"news/[^/]+/attachment/([^/]+)/?$\";s:32:\"index.php?attachment=$matches[1]\";s:42:\"news/[^/]+/attachment/([^/]+)/trackback/?$\";s:37:\"index.php?attachment=$matches[1]&tb=1\";s:62:\"news/[^/]+/attachment/([^/]+)/feed/(feed|rdf|rss|rss2|atom)/?$\";s:49:\"index.php?attachment=$matches[1]&feed=$matches[2]\";s:57:\"news/[^/]+/attachment/([^/]+)/(feed|rdf|rss|rss2|atom)/?$\";s:49:\"index.php?attachment=$matches[1]&feed=$matches[2]\";s:57:\"news/[^/]+/attachment/([^/]+)/comment-page-([0-9]{1,})/?$\";s:50:\"index.php?attachment=$matches[1]&cpage=$matches[2]\";s:38:\"news/[^/]+/attachment/([^/]+)/embed/?$\";s:43:\"index.php?attachment=$matches[1]&embed=true\";s:21:\"news/([^/]+)/embed/?$\";s:37:\"index.php?news=$matches[1]&embed=true\";s:25:\"news/([^/]+)/trackback/?$\";s:31:\"index.php?news=$matches[1]&tb=1\";s:45:\"news/([^/]+)/feed/(feed|rdf|rss|rss2|atom)/?$\";s:43:\"index.php?news=$matches[1]&feed=$matches[2]\";s:40:\"news/([^/]+)/(feed|rdf|rss|rss2|atom)/?$\";s:43:\"index.php?news=$matches[1]&feed=$matches[2]\";s:33:\"news/([^/]+)/page/?([0-9]{1,})/?$\";s:44:\"index.php?news=$matches[1]&paged=$matches[2]\";s:40:\"news/([^/]+)/comment-page-([0-9]{1,})/?$\";s:44:\"index.php?news=$matches[1]&cpage=$matches[2]\";s:29:\"news/([^/]+)(?:/([0-9]+))?/?$\";s:43:\"index.php?news=$matches[1]&page=$matches[2]\";s:21:\"news/[^/]+/([^/]+)/?$\";s:32:\"index.php?attachment=$matches[1]\";s:31:\"news/[^/]+/([^/]+)/trackback/?$\";s:37:\"index.php?attachment=$matches[1]&tb=1\";s:51:\"news/[^/]+/([^/]+)/feed/(feed|rdf|rss|rss2|atom)/?$\";s:49:\"index.php?attachment=$matches[1]&feed=$matches[2]\";s:46:\"news/[^/]+/([^/]+)/(feed|rdf|rss|rss2|atom)/?$\";s:49:\"index.php?attachment=$matches[1]&feed=$matches[2]\";s:46:\"news/[^/]+/([^/]+)/comment-page-([0-9]{1,})/?$\";s:50:\"index.php?attachment=$matches[1]&cpage=$matches[2]\";s:27:\"news/[^/]+/([^/]+)/embed/?$\";s:43:\"index.php?attachment=$matches[1]&embed=true\";s:54:\"news-category/([^/]+)/feed/(feed|rdf|rss|rss2|atom)/?$\";s:52:\"index.php?news-category=$matches[1]&feed=$matches[2]\";s:49:\"news-category/([^/]+)/(feed|rdf|rss|rss2|atom)/?$\";s:52:\"index.php?news-category=$matches[1]&feed=$matches[2]\";s:30:\"news-category/([^/]+)/embed/?$\";s:46:\"index.php?news-category=$matches[1]&embed=true\";s:42:\"news-category/([^/]+)/page/?([0-9]{1,})/?$\";s:53:\"index.php?news-category=$matches[1]&paged=$matches[2]\";s:24:\"news-category/([^/]+)/?$\";s:35:\"index.php?news-category=$matches[1]\";s:12:\"robots\\.txt$\";s:18:\"index.php?robots=1\";s:13:\"favicon\\.ico$\";s:19:\"index.php?favicon=1\";s:48:\".*wp-(atom|rdf|rss|rss2|feed|commentsrss2)\\.php$\";s:18:\"index.php?feed=old\";s:20:\".*wp-app\\.php(/.*)?$\";s:19:\"index.php?error=403\";s:18:\".*wp-register.php$\";s:23:\"index.php?register=true\";s:32:\"feed/(feed|rdf|rss|rss2|atom)/?$\";s:27:\"index.php?&feed=$matches[1]\";s:27:\"(feed|rdf|rss|rss2|atom)/?$\";s:27:\"index.php?&feed=$matches[1]\";s:8:\"embed/?$\";s:21:\"index.php?&embed=true\";s:20:\"page/?([0-9]{1,})/?$\";s:28:\"index.php?&paged=$matches[1]\";s:27:\"comment-page-([0-9]{1,})/?$\";s:40:\"index.php?&page_id=595&cpage=$matches[1]\";s:41:\"comments/feed/(feed|rdf|rss|rss2|atom)/?$\";s:42:\"index.php?&feed=$matches[1]&withcomments=1\";s:36:\"comments/(feed|rdf|rss|rss2|atom)/?$\";s:42:\"index.php?&feed=$matches[1]&withcomments=1\";s:17:\"comments/embed/?$\";s:21:\"index.php?&embed=true\";s:44:\"search/(.+)/feed/(feed|rdf|rss|rss2|atom)/?$\";s:40:\"index.php?s=$matches[1]&feed=$matches[2]\";s:39:\"search/(.+)/(feed|rdf|rss|rss2|atom)/?$\";s:40:\"index.php?s=$matches[1]&feed=$matches[2]\";s:20:\"search/(.+)/embed/?$\";s:34:\"index.php?s=$matches[1]&embed=true\";s:32:\"search/(.+)/page/?([0-9]{1,})/?$\";s:41:\"index.php?s=$matches[1]&paged=$matches[2]\";s:14:\"search/(.+)/?$\";s:23:\"index.php?s=$matches[1]\";s:47:\"author/([^/]+)/feed/(feed|rdf|rss|rss2|atom)/?$\";s:50:\"index.php?author_name=$matches[1]&feed=$matches[2]\";s:42:\"author/([^/]+)/(feed|rdf|rss|rss2|atom)/?$\";s:50:\"index.php?author_name=$matches[1]&feed=$matches[2]\";s:23:\"author/([^/]+)/embed/?$\";s:44:\"index.php?author_name=$matches[1]&embed=true\";s:35:\"author/([^/]+)/page/?([0-9]{1,})/?$\";s:51:\"index.php?author_name=$matches[1]&paged=$matches[2]\";s:17:\"author/([^/]+)/?$\";s:33:\"index.php?author_name=$matches[1]\";s:69:\"([0-9]{4})/([0-9]{1,2})/([0-9]{1,2})/feed/(feed|rdf|rss|rss2|atom)/?$\";s:80:\"index.php?year=$matches[1]&monthnum=$matches[2]&day=$matches[3]&feed=$matches[4]\";s:64:\"([0-9]{4})/([0-9]{1,2})/([0-9]{1,2})/(feed|rdf|rss|rss2|atom)/?$\";s:80:\"index.php?year=$matches[1]&monthnum=$matches[2]&day=$matches[3]&feed=$matches[4]\";s:45:\"([0-9]{4})/([0-9]{1,2})/([0-9]{1,2})/embed/?$\";s:74:\"index.php?year=$matches[1]&monthnum=$matches[2]&day=$matches[3]&embed=true\";s:57:\"([0-9]{4})/([0-9]{1,2})/([0-9]{1,2})/page/?([0-9]{1,})/?$\";s:81:\"index.php?year=$matches[1]&monthnum=$matches[2]&day=$matches[3]&paged=$matches[4]\";s:39:\"([0-9]{4})/([0-9]{1,2})/([0-9]{1,2})/?$\";s:63:\"index.php?year=$matches[1]&monthnum=$matches[2]&day=$matches[3]\";s:56:\"([0-9]{4})/([0-9]{1,2})/feed/(feed|rdf|rss|rss2|atom)/?$\";s:64:\"index.php?year=$matches[1]&monthnum=$matches[2]&feed=$matches[3]\";s:51:\"([0-9]{4})/([0-9]{1,2})/(feed|rdf|rss|rss2|atom)/?$\";s:64:\"index.php?year=$matches[1]&monthnum=$matches[2]&feed=$matches[3]\";s:32:\"([0-9]{4})/([0-9]{1,2})/embed/?$\";s:58:\"index.php?year=$matches[1]&monthnum=$matches[2]&embed=true\";s:44:\"([0-9]{4})/([0-9]{1,2})/page/?([0-9]{1,})/?$\";s:65:\"index.php?year=$matches[1]&monthnum=$matches[2]&paged=$matches[3]\";s:26:\"([0-9]{4})/([0-9]{1,2})/?$\";s:47:\"index.php?year=$matches[1]&monthnum=$matches[2]\";s:43:\"([0-9]{4})/feed/(feed|rdf|rss|rss2|atom)/?$\";s:43:\"index.php?year=$matches[1]&feed=$matches[2]\";s:38:\"([0-9]{4})/(feed|rdf|rss|rss2|atom)/?$\";s:43:\"index.php?year=$matches[1]&feed=$matches[2]\";s:19:\"([0-9]{4})/embed/?$\";s:37:\"index.php?year=$matches[1]&embed=true\";s:31:\"([0-9]{4})/page/?([0-9]{1,})/?$\";s:44:\"index.php?year=$matches[1]&paged=$matches[2]\";s:13:\"([0-9]{4})/?$\";s:26:\"index.php?year=$matches[1]\";s:27:\".?.+?/attachment/([^/]+)/?$\";s:32:\"index.php?attachment=$matches[1]\";s:37:\".?.+?/attachment/([^/]+)/trackback/?$\";s:37:\"index.php?attachment=$matches[1]&tb=1\";s:57:\".?.+?/attachment/([^/]+)/feed/(feed|rdf|rss|rss2|atom)/?$\";s:49:\"index.php?attachment=$matches[1]&feed=$matches[2]\";s:52:\".?.+?/attachment/([^/]+)/(feed|rdf|rss|rss2|atom)/?$\";s:49:\"index.php?attachment=$matches[1]&feed=$matches[2]\";s:52:\".?.+?/attachment/([^/]+)/comment-page-([0-9]{1,})/?$\";s:50:\"index.php?attachment=$matches[1]&cpage=$matches[2]\";s:33:\".?.+?/attachment/([^/]+)/embed/?$\";s:43:\"index.php?attachment=$matches[1]&embed=true\";s:16:\"(.?.+?)/embed/?$\";s:41:\"index.php?pagename=$matches[1]&embed=true\";s:20:\"(.?.+?)/trackback/?$\";s:35:\"index.php?pagename=$matches[1]&tb=1\";s:40:\"(.?.+?)/feed/(feed|rdf|rss|rss2|atom)/?$\";s:47:\"index.php?pagename=$matches[1]&feed=$matches[2]\";s:35:\"(.?.+?)/(feed|rdf|rss|rss2|atom)/?$\";s:47:\"index.php?pagename=$matches[1]&feed=$matches[2]\";s:28:\"(.?.+?)/page/?([0-9]{1,})/?$\";s:48:\"index.php?pagename=$matches[1]&paged=$matches[2]\";s:35:\"(.?.+?)/comment-page-([0-9]{1,})/?$\";s:48:\"index.php?pagename=$matches[1]&cpage=$matches[2]\";s:24:\"(.?.+?)(?:/([0-9]+))?/?$\";s:47:\"index.php?pagename=$matches[1]&page=$matches[2]\";s:27:\"[^/]+/attachment/([^/]+)/?$\";s:32:\"index.php?attachment=$matches[1]\";s:37:\"[^/]+/attachment/([^/]+)/trackback/?$\";s:37:\"index.php?attachment=$matches[1]&tb=1\";s:57:\"[^/]+/attachment/([^/]+)/feed/(feed|rdf|rss|rss2|atom)/?$\";s:49:\"index.php?attachment=$matches[1]&feed=$matches[2]\";s:52:\"[^/]+/attachment/([^/]+)/(feed|rdf|rss|rss2|atom)/?$\";s:49:\"index.php?attachment=$matches[1]&feed=$matches[2]\";s:52:\"[^/]+/attachment/([^/]+)/comment-page-([0-9]{1,})/?$\";s:50:\"index.php?attachment=$matches[1]&cpage=$matches[2]\";s:33:\"[^/]+/attachment/([^/]+)/embed/?$\";s:43:\"index.php?attachment=$matches[1]&embed=true\";s:16:\"([^/]+)/embed/?$\";s:37:\"index.php?name=$matches[1]&embed=true\";s:20:\"([^/]+)/trackback/?$\";s:31:\"index.php?name=$matches[1]&tb=1\";s:40:\"([^/]+)/feed/(feed|rdf|rss|rss2|atom)/?$\";s:43:\"index.php?name=$matches[1]&feed=$matches[2]\";s:35:\"([^/]+)/(feed|rdf|rss|rss2|atom)/?$\";s:43:\"index.php?name=$matches[1]&feed=$matches[2]\";s:28:\"([^/]+)/page/?([0-9]{1,})/?$\";s:44:\"index.php?name=$matches[1]&paged=$matches[2]\";s:35:\"([^/]+)/comment-page-([0-9]{1,})/?$\";s:44:\"index.php?name=$matches[1]&cpage=$matches[2]\";s:24:\"([^/]+)(?:/([0-9]+))?/?$\";s:43:\"index.php?name=$matches[1]&page=$matches[2]\";s:16:\"[^/]+/([^/]+)/?$\";s:32:\"index.php?attachment=$matches[1]\";s:26:\"[^/]+/([^/]+)/trackback/?$\";s:37:\"index.php?attachment=$matches[1]&tb=1\";s:46:\"[^/]+/([^/]+)/feed/(feed|rdf|rss|rss2|atom)/?$\";s:49:\"index.php?attachment=$matches[1]&feed=$matches[2]\";s:41:\"[^/]+/([^/]+)/(feed|rdf|rss|rss2|atom)/?$\";s:49:\"index.php?attachment=$matches[1]&feed=$matches[2]\";s:41:\"[^/]+/([^/]+)/comment-page-([0-9]{1,})/?$\";s:50:\"index.php?attachment=$matches[1]&cpage=$matches[2]\";s:22:\"[^/]+/([^/]+)/embed/?$\";s:43:\"index.php?attachment=$matches[1]&embed=true\";}','yes'),(6308,'imsanity_max_width','1920','no'),(6309,'imsanity_max_height','1920','no'),(6310,'imsanity_max_width_library','1920','no'),(6311,'imsanity_max_height_library','1920','no'),(6312,'imsanity_max_width_other','1920','no'),(6313,'imsanity_max_height_other','1920','no'),(6314,'imsanity_bmp_to_jpg','1','no'),(6315,'imsanity_png_to_jpg','','no'),(6316,'imsanity_quality','82','no'),(6317,'imsanity_delete_originals','','no'),(6318,'imsanity_version','2.7.2','yes'),(6321,'imsanity_resume_id','0','no'),(6654,'_site_transient_timeout_browser_547158c67756c1fd48ab7ea9bd3a65be','1627363952','no'),(6655,'_site_transient_browser_547158c67756c1fd48ab7ea9bd3a65be','a:10:{s:4:\"name\";s:7:\"Firefox\";s:7:\"version\";s:4:\"89.0\";s:8:\"platform\";s:7:\"Windows\";s:10:\"update_url\";s:32:\"https://www.mozilla.org/firefox/\";s:7:\"img_src\";s:44:\"http://s.w.org/images/browsers/firefox.png?1\";s:11:\"img_src_ssl\";s:45:\"https://s.w.org/images/browsers/firefox.png?1\";s:15:\"current_version\";s:2:\"56\";s:7:\"upgrade\";b:0;s:8:\"insecure\";b:0;s:6:\"mobile\";b:0;}','no'),(6740,'category_children','a:0:{}','yes'),(6915,'_transient_timeout_wphc_supported_check_latest-post-shortcode','1627312574','no'),(6916,'_transient_wphc_supported_check_latest-post-shortcode','2020-08-25 5:18pm GMT','no'),(6917,'_transient_timeout_wphc_supported_check_media-library-plus','1627312574','no'),(6918,'_transient_wphc_supported_check_media-library-plus','2021-07-19 12:03pm GMT','no'),(6919,'_transient_timeout_wphc_supported_check_open-in-new-window-plugin','1627312575','no'),(6920,'_transient_wphc_supported_check_open-in-new-window-plugin','2021-04-25 3:23pm GMT','no'),(6975,'_transient_timeout_wphc_supported_check_overwrite-author-name','1627361758','no'),(6976,'_transient_wphc_supported_check_overwrite-author-name','2021-07-23 7:02am GMT','no'),(6977,'_transient_timeout_wphc_supported_check_pdf-embedder','1627361758','no'),(6978,'_transient_wphc_supported_check_pdf-embedder','2021-07-14 4:35pm GMT','no'),(6979,'_transient_timeout_wphc_supported_check_pdfjs-viewer-shortcode','1627361759','no'),(6980,'_transient_wphc_supported_check_pdfjs-viewer-shortcode','2021-03-08 3:38am GMT','no'),(7007,'_site_transient_update_core','O:8:\"stdClass\":4:{s:7:\"updates\";a:2:{i:0;O:8:\"stdClass\":10:{s:8:\"response\";s:7:\"upgrade\";s:8:\"download\";s:59:\"https://downloads.wordpress.org/release/wordpress-5.8.1.zip\";s:6:\"locale\";s:5:\"en_US\";s:8:\"packages\";O:8:\"stdClass\":5:{s:4:\"full\";s:59:\"https://downloads.wordpress.org/release/wordpress-5.8.1.zip\";s:10:\"no_content\";s:70:\"https://downloads.wordpress.org/release/wordpress-5.8.1-no-content.zip\";s:11:\"new_bundled\";s:71:\"https://downloads.wordpress.org/release/wordpress-5.8.1-new-bundled.zip\";s:7:\"partial\";s:69:\"https://downloads.wordpress.org/release/wordpress-5.8.1-partial-0.zip\";s:8:\"rollback\";s:0:\"\";}s:7:\"current\";s:5:\"5.8.1\";s:7:\"version\";s:5:\"5.8.1\";s:11:\"php_version\";s:6:\"5.6.20\";s:13:\"mysql_version\";s:3:\"5.0\";s:11:\"new_bundled\";s:3:\"5.6\";s:15:\"partial_version\";s:3:\"5.8\";}i:1;O:8:\"stdClass\":11:{s:8:\"response\";s:10:\"autoupdate\";s:8:\"download\";s:59:\"https://downloads.wordpress.org/release/wordpress-5.8.1.zip\";s:6:\"locale\";s:5:\"en_US\";s:8:\"packages\";O:8:\"stdClass\":5:{s:4:\"full\";s:59:\"https://downloads.wordpress.org/release/wordpress-5.8.1.zip\";s:10:\"no_content\";s:70:\"https://downloads.wordpress.org/release/wordpress-5.8.1-no-content.zip\";s:11:\"new_bundled\";s:71:\"https://downloads.wordpress.org/release/wordpress-5.8.1-new-bundled.zip\";s:7:\"partial\";s:69:\"https://downloads.wordpress.org/release/wordpress-5.8.1-partial-0.zip\";s:8:\"rollback\";s:70:\"https://downloads.wordpress.org/release/wordpress-5.8.1-rollback-0.zip\";}s:7:\"current\";s:5:\"5.8.1\";s:7:\"version\";s:5:\"5.8.1\";s:11:\"php_version\";s:6:\"5.6.20\";s:13:\"mysql_version\";s:3:\"5.0\";s:11:\"new_bundled\";s:3:\"5.6\";s:15:\"partial_version\";s:3:\"5.8\";s:9:\"new_files\";s:0:\"\";}}s:12:\"last_checked\";i:1632037869;s:15:\"version_checked\";s:3:\"5.8\";s:12:\"translations\";a:0:{}}','no'),(7008,'widget_block','a:11:{s:12:\"_multiwidget\";i:1;i:5;a:1:{s:7:\"content\";s:136:\"<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>http://lawreview.ust.edu.ph/archives/journal-volumes/volume-61-63/journal-volume-65/</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\";}i:4;a:1:{s:7:\"content\";s:52:\"<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\";}i:6;a:1:{s:7:\"content\";s:65:\"<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>LATEST VOLUME</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\";}i:8;a:1:{s:7:\"content\";s:73:\"<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Volume 65 | July 2021</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\";}i:10;a:1:{s:7:\"content\";s:333:\"<!-- wp:list -->\n<ul><li><strong><a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"http://lawreview.ust.edu.ph/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Debunking-the-Notion-of-a-Living-Constitution-by-Yurii-Ramos.pdf\" target=\"_blank\">Debunking the Notion of A Living Constitution</a></strong></li><li><em>Yurii C. Ramos</em></li><li></li></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\";}i:11;a:1:{s:7:\"content\";s:1014:\"<!-- wp:list -->\n<ul><li><strong><a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"http://lawreview.ust.edu.ph/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Debunking-the-Notion-of-a-Living-Constitution-by-Yurii-Ramos.pdf\" target=\"_blank\">Debunking the Notion of A Living Constitution</a></strong><br><em>Yurii C. Ramos</em></li><li><strong><a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"http://lawreview.ust.edu.ph/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/The-Stepping-Stones-to-Solve-Jail-Overcrowding_-Limitations-in-Legislation-and-Litigation-by-Gabriel-Adora.pdf\" target=\"_blank\">The Stepping Stones to Solve Jail Overcrowding: Limitations in Legislation and Litigation</a></strong><br><em>Gabriel D.R. Adora</em></li><li><strong><a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"http://lawreview.ust.edu.ph/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Trapped-in-a-Brokern-Bail-System-by-Rochelle-Curiba.pdf\" target=\"_blank\">Trapped in a Broken Bail System: Re-thinking pre-trial detention practices in the Philippines</a></strong><br><em>Rochelle Nieva D. Curiba</em></li></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\";}i:12;a:1:{s:7:\"content\";s:52:\"<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\";}i:13;a:1:{s:7:\"content\";s:1062:\"<p style=\"font-size: 20px;\"><a href=\"http://lawreview.ust.edu.ph/archives/journal-volumes/volume-61-63/journal-volume-65/\">Volume 65 | July 2021</a></p>\n\n<ul>\n <li><a href=\"http://lawreview.ust.edu.ph/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Debunking-the-Notion-of-a-Living-Constitution-by-Yurii-Ramos.pdf\">Debunking the Notion of a Living Constitution by Yurii Ramos</a></li>\n <li><a href=\"http://lawreview.ust.edu.ph/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/The-Stepping-Stones-to-Solve-Jail-Overcrowding_-Limitations-in-Legislation-and-Litigation-by-Gabriel-Adora.pdf\">The Stepping Stones to Solve Jail Overcrowding: Limitations in Legislation and Litigation by Gabriel D.R. Adora</a></li>\n <li><a href=\"http://lawreview.ust.edu.ph/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Trapped-in-a-Brokern-Bail-System-by-Rochelle-Curiba.pdf\">Trapped in a Broken Bail System: Re-thinking pre-trial detention practices in the Philippines by Rochelle Nieva D. Curiba</a></li>\n</ul>\n<a href=\"http://lawreview.ust.edu.ph/archives/journal-volumes/volume-61-63/journal-volume-65/\"><strong> More Articles</strong></a>\";}i:14;a:1:{s:7:\"content\";s:63:\"<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2>Latest Volume</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\";}i:15;a:1:{s:7:\"content\";s:1385:\"<!-- wp:group -->\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2>Latest Volume</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:separator {\"align\":\"center\",\"className\":\"is-style-wide\"} -->\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator aligncenter is-style-wide\"/>\n<!-- /wp:separator -->\n\n<!-- wp:html -->\n<p style=\"font-size: 20px;\"><a href=\"http://lawreview.ust.edu.ph/archives/journal-volumes/volume-61-63/journal-volume-65/\">Volume 65 | July 2021</a></p>\n\n<ul>\n <li><a href=\"http://lawreview.ust.edu.ph/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Debunking-the-Notion-of-a-Living-Constitution-by-Yurii-Ramos.pdf\">Debunking the Notion of a Living Constitution by Yurii Ramos</a></li>\n <li><a href=\"http://lawreview.ust.edu.ph/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/The-Stepping-Stones-to-Solve-Jail-Overcrowding_-Limitations-in-Legislation-and-Litigation-by-Gabriel-Adora.pdf\">The Stepping Stones to Solve Jail Overcrowding: Limitations in Legislation and Litigation by Gabriel D.R. Adora</a></li>\n <li><a href=\"http://lawreview.ust.edu.ph/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Trapped-in-a-Brokern-Bail-System-by-Rochelle-Curiba.pdf\">Trapped in a Broken Bail System: Re-thinking pre-trial detention practices in the Philippines by Rochelle Nieva D. Curiba</a></li>\n</ul>\n<a href=\"http://lawreview.ust.edu.ph/archives/journal-volumes/volume-61-63/journal-volume-65/\"><strong> More Articles</strong></a>\n<!-- /wp:html --></div>\n<!-- /wp:group -->\";}}','yes'),(7009,'wp_force_deactivated_plugins','a:0:{}','yes'),(7026,'_transient_timeout_feed_71a7765c3d553e44aaa308159b5a2ba6','1627320799','no'),(7027,'_transient_feed_71a7765c3d553e44aaa308159b5a2ba6','a:3:{s:3:\"url\";s:22:\"https://wordpress.org/\";s:8:\"feed_url\";s:31:\"http://wordpress.org/news/feed/\";s:5:\"build\";s:14:\"20201213021516\";}','no'),(7028,'_transient_timeout_feed_mod_71a7765c3d553e44aaa308159b5a2ba6','1627320799','no'),(7029,'_transient_feed_mod_71a7765c3d553e44aaa308159b5a2ba6','1627277599','no'),(7030,'_transient_timeout_feed_ac0b00fe65abe10e0c5b588f3ed8c7ca','1627320799','no');
INSERT INTO `wp_options` VALUES (7031,'_transient_feed_ac0b00fe65abe10e0c5b588f3ed8c7ca','a:4:{s:5:\"child\";a:1:{s:0:\"\";a:1:{s:3:\"rss\";a:1:{i:0;a:6:{s:4:\"data\";s:3:\"\n\n\n\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:1:{s:0:\"\";a:1:{s:7:\"version\";s:3:\"2.0\";}}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"child\";a:1:{s:0:\"\";a:1:{s:7:\"channel\";a:1:{i:0;a:6:{s:4:\"data\";s:79:\"\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"child\";a:4:{s:0:\"\";a:7:{s:5:\"title\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:27:\"News – – WordPress.org\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"link\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:26:\"https://wordpress.org/news\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:11:\"description\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:14:\"WordPress News\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:13:\"lastBuildDate\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:31:\"Tue, 20 Jul 2021 22:18:35 +0000\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:8:\"language\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:5:\"en-US\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:9:\"generator\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:40:\"https://wordpress.org/?v=5.9-alpha-51486\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"item\";a:20:{i:0;a:6:{s:4:\"data\";s:60:\"\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"child\";a:4:{s:0:\"\";a:6:{s:5:\"title\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:19:\"WordPress 5.8 Tatum\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"link\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:41:\"https://wordpress.org/news/2021/07/tatum/\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:7:\"pubDate\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:31:\"Tue, 20 Jul 2021 17:43:25 +0000\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:8:\"category\";a:2:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:8:\"Releases\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:1;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:3:\"5.8\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"guid\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:35:\"https://wordpress.org/news/?p=10976\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:1:{s:0:\"\";a:1:{s:11:\"isPermaLink\";s:5:\"false\";}}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:11:\"description\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:277:\"Introducing 5.8 “Tatum”, our latest and greatest release, named in honor of the legendary jazz pianist Art Tatum. This release includes an all new widget editor powered by blocks, major technical tools for building block themes, as well as newly streamlined workflow tools.\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:32:\"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/\";a:1:{s:7:\"creator\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:14:\"Matt Mullenweg\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:40:\"http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/\";a:1:{s:7:\"encoded\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:54011:\"\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"></div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"632\" height=\"422\" src=\"https://i0.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/07/5x8-Album-1.jpg?resize=632%2C422&ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-11042\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" /></figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Introducing 5.8 “Tatum”, our latest and greatest release now available for <a href=\"https://wordpress.org/download/\">download</a> or update in your dashboard. Named in honor of Art Tatum, the legendary Jazz pianist. His formidable technique and willingness to push boundaries inspired musicians and changed what people thought could be done. </p>\n\n\n\n<p>So fire up your music service of choice and enjoy Tatum’s famous recordings of ‘Tea for Two’, ‘Tiger Rag’, ‘Begin the Beguine’, and ‘Night and Day’ as you read about what the latest WordPress version brings to you.</p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator is-style-wide\" />\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"has-text-align-center\">Three Essential Powerhouses</h2>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:16px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"></div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery columns-2 is-cropped\"><ul class=\"blocks-gallery-grid\"><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"632\" height=\"474\" src=\"https://i1.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/07/about-widgets-blocks.png?resize=632%2C474&ssl=1\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"10985\" data-full-url=\"https://wordpress.org/news/files/2021/07/about-widgets-blocks.png\" data-link=\"https://wordpress.org/news/?attachment_id=10985\" class=\"wp-image-10985\" srcset=\"https://i1.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/07/about-widgets-blocks.png?resize=1024%2C768&ssl=1 1024w, https://i1.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/07/about-widgets-blocks.png?resize=300%2C225&ssl=1 300w, https://i1.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/07/about-widgets-blocks.png?resize=768%2C576&ssl=1 768w, https://i1.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/07/about-widgets-blocks.png?w=1280&ssl=1 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 632px) 100vw, 632px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" /></figure></li><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"632\" height=\"501\" src=\"https://i2.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/07/about-query-loop.png?resize=632%2C501&ssl=1\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"10986\" data-full-url=\"https://wordpress.org/news/files/2021/07/about-query-loop.png\" data-link=\"https://wordpress.org/news/?attachment_id=10986\" class=\"wp-image-10986\" srcset=\"https://i2.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/07/about-query-loop.png?resize=1024%2C811&ssl=1 1024w, https://i2.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/07/about-query-loop.png?resize=300%2C238&ssl=1 300w, https://i2.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/07/about-query-loop.png?resize=768%2C608&ssl=1 768w, https://i2.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/07/about-query-loop.png?w=1280&ssl=1 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 632px) 100vw, 632px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" /></figure></li><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"632\" height=\"411\" src=\"https://i2.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/07/about-template.png?resize=632%2C411&ssl=1\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"10987\" data-full-url=\"https://wordpress.org/news/files/2021/07/about-template.png\" data-link=\"https://wordpress.org/news/?attachment_id=10987\" class=\"wp-image-10987\" srcset=\"https://i2.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/07/about-template.png?resize=1024%2C666&ssl=1 1024w, https://i2.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/07/about-template.png?resize=300%2C195&ssl=1 300w, https://i2.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/07/about-template.png?resize=768%2C499&ssl=1 768w, https://i2.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/07/about-template.png?w=1280&ssl=1 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 632px) 100vw, 632px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" /></figure></li></ul></figure>\n\n\n\n<h3>Manage Widgets with Blocks</h3>\n\n\n\n<p>After months of hard work, the power of blocks has come to both the Block Widgets Editor and the Customizer. Now you can add blocks both in widget areas across your site and with live preview through the Customizer. This opens up new possibilities to create content: from no-code mini layouts to the vast library of core and third-party blocks. For our developers, you can find more details in the <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/core/2021/06/29/block-based-widgets-editor-in-wordpress-5-8/\">Widgets dev note</a>.</p>\n\n\n\n<h3>Display Posts with New Blocks and Patterns</h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The Query Loop Block makes it possible to display posts based on specified parameters; like a PHP loop without the code. Easily display posts from a specific category, to do things like create a portfolio or a page full of your favorite recipes. Think of it as a more complex and powerful Latest Posts Block! Plus, pattern suggestions make it easier than ever to create a list of posts with the design you want.</p>\n\n\n\n<h3>Edit the Templates Around Posts</h3>\n\n\n\n<p>You can use the familiar block editor to edit templates that hold your content—simply activate a block theme or a theme that has opted in for this feature. Switch from editing your posts to editing your pages and back again, all while using a familiar block editor. There are more than 20 new blocks available within compatible themes. Read more about this feature and how to experiment with it in the release notes.</p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:32px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"></div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"has-text-align-center\">Three Workflow Helpers</h2>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:16px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"></div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery columns-2 is-cropped\"><ul class=\"blocks-gallery-grid\"><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"632\" height=\"496\" src=\"https://i1.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/07/about-list-view.png?resize=632%2C496&ssl=1\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"10988\" data-full-url=\"https://wordpress.org/news/files/2021/07/about-list-view.png\" data-link=\"https://wordpress.org/news/?attachment_id=10988\" class=\"wp-image-10988\" srcset=\"https://i1.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/07/about-list-view.png?resize=1024%2C803&ssl=1 1024w, https://i1.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/07/about-list-view.png?resize=300%2C235&ssl=1 300w, https://i1.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/07/about-list-view.png?resize=768%2C602&ssl=1 768w, https://i1.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/07/about-list-view.png?w=1280&ssl=1 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 632px) 100vw, 632px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" /></figure></li><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"632\" height=\"343\" src=\"https://i2.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/07/about-pattern-suggestions.png?resize=632%2C343&ssl=1\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"10989\" data-full-url=\"https://wordpress.org/news/files/2021/07/about-pattern-suggestions.png\" data-link=\"https://wordpress.org/news/?attachment_id=10989\" class=\"wp-image-10989\" srcset=\"https://i2.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/07/about-pattern-suggestions.png?resize=1024%2C555&ssl=1 1024w, https://i2.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/07/about-pattern-suggestions.png?resize=300%2C163&ssl=1 300w, https://i2.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/07/about-pattern-suggestions.png?resize=768%2C416&ssl=1 768w, https://i2.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/07/about-pattern-suggestions.png?w=1280&ssl=1 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 632px) 100vw, 632px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" /></figure></li><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"632\" height=\"517\" src=\"https://i0.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/07/about-duotone.png?resize=632%2C517&ssl=1\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"10990\" data-full-url=\"https://wordpress.org/news/files/2021/07/about-duotone.png\" data-link=\"https://wordpress.org/news/?attachment_id=10990\" class=\"wp-image-10990\" srcset=\"https://i0.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/07/about-duotone.png?resize=1024%2C837&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/07/about-duotone.png?resize=300%2C245&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/07/about-duotone.png?resize=768%2C628&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/07/about-duotone.png?w=1280&ssl=1 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 632px) 100vw, 632px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" /></figure></li></ul></figure>\n\n\n\n<h3>Overview of the Page Structure</h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Sometimes you need a simple landing page, but sometimes you need something a little more robust. As blocks increase, patterns emerge, and content creation gets easier, new solutions are needed to make complex content easy to navigate. List View is the best way to jump between layers of content and nested blocks. Since the List View gives you an overview of all the blocks in your content, you can now navigate quickly to the precise block you need. Ready to focus completely on your content? Toggle it on or off to suit your workflow.</p>\n\n\n\n<h3>Suggested Patterns for Blocks</h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Starting in this release the Pattern Transformations tool will suggest block patterns based on the block you are using. Right now, you can give it a try in the Query Block and Social Icon Block. As more patterns are added, you will be able to get inspiration for how to style your site without ever leaving the editor!</p>\n\n\n\n<h3>Style and Colorize Images</h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Colorize your image and cover blocks with duotone filters! Duotone can add a pop of color to your designs and style your images (or videos in the cover block) to integrate well with your themes. You can think of the duotone effect as a black and white filter, but instead of the shadows being black and the highlights being white, you pick your own colors for the shadows and highlights. There’s more to learn about how it works in the documentation.</p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:32px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"></div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"has-text-align-center\">For Developers to Explore</h2>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:16px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"></div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"632\" height=\"378\" src=\"https://i1.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/07/about-theme-json-2x.png?resize=632%2C378&ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-10992\" srcset=\"https://i1.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/07/about-theme-json-2x.png?resize=1024%2C613&ssl=1 1024w, https://i1.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/07/about-theme-json-2x.png?resize=300%2C179&ssl=1 300w, https://i1.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/07/about-theme-json-2x.png?resize=768%2C459&ssl=1 768w, https://i1.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/07/about-theme-json-2x.png?resize=1536%2C919&ssl=1 1536w, https://i1.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/07/about-theme-json-2x.png?resize=2048%2C1225&ssl=1 2048w, https://i1.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/07/about-theme-json-2x.png?w=1264&ssl=1 1264w, https://i1.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/07/about-theme-json-2x.png?w=1896&ssl=1 1896w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 632px) 100vw, 632px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" /></figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:16px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"></div>\n\n\n\n<h3>Theme.json</h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Introducing the Global Styles and Global Settings APIs: control the editor settings, available customization tools, and style blocks using a theme.json file in the active theme. This configuration file enables or disables features and sets default styles for both a website and blocks. If you build themes, you can experiment with this early iteration of a useful new feature. For more about what is currently available and how it works, <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/core/2021/06/25/introducing-theme-json-in-wordpress-5-8/\">check out this dev note</a>.</p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:16px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"></div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column\">\n<h3>Dropping support for IE11</h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Support for Internet Explorer 11 has been dropped as of this release. This means you may have issues managing your site that will not be fixed in the future. If you are currently using IE11, it is strongly recommended that you <a href=\"https://browsehappy.com/\">switch to a more modern browser</a>.</p>\n</div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column\">\n<h3>Adding support for WebP</h3>\n\n\n\n<p>WebP is a modern image format that provides improved lossless and lossy compression for images on the web. WebP images are around 30% smaller on average than their JPEG or PNG equivalents, resulting in sites that are faster and use less bandwidth.</p>\n</div>\n</div>\n\n\n\n<h3>Adding Additional Block Supports</h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Expanding on previously implemented block supports in WordPress <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/core/2020/11/18/block-supports-in-wordpress-5-6/\">5.6</a> and <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/core/2021/02/24/changes-to-block-editor-components-and-blocks/\">5.7</a>, WordPress 5.8 introduces several new block support flags and new options to customize your registered blocks. More information is available in the <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/core/2021/06/25/block-supports-api-updates-for-wordpress-5-8/\">block supports dev note</a>.</p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:16px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"></div>\n\n\n\n<h3>Check the Field Guide for more!</h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Check out the latest version of the WordPress Field Guide. It highlights developer notes for each change you may want to be aware of: <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/core/2021/07/03/wordpress-5-8-field-guide/\">WordPress 5.8 Field Guide.</a></p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator is-style-wide\" />\n\n\n\n<h2>The Squad</h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The WordPress 5.8 release was led by <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/matt/\">Matt Mullenweg</a>, and supported by this highly enthusiastic release squad:</p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li><strong>Release Co-Coordinator:</strong> Jeffrey Paul (<a href=\'https://profiles.wordpress.org/jeffpaul/\' class=\'mention\'><span class=\'mentions-prefix\'>@</span>jeffpaul</a>)</li><li><strong>Release Co-Coordinator:</strong> Jonathan Desrosiers (<a href=\'https://profiles.wordpress.org/desrosj/\' class=\'mention\'><span class=\'mentions-prefix\'>@</span>desrosj</a>)</li><li><strong>Editor Tech Lead:</strong> Riad Benguella (<a href=\'https://profiles.wordpress.org/youknowriad/\' class=\'mention\'><span class=\'mentions-prefix\'>@</span>youknowriad</a>)</li><li><strong>Marketing and Communications Lead:</strong> Josepha Haden Chomphosy (<a href=\'https://profiles.wordpress.org/chanthaboune/\' class=\'mention\'><span class=\'mentions-prefix\'>@</span>chanthaboune</a>)</li><li><strong>Documentation Lead:</strong> Milana Cap (<a href=\'https://profiles.wordpress.org/milana_cap/\' class=\'mention\'><span class=\'mentions-prefix\'>@</span>milana_cap</a>)</li><li><strong>Test Lead:</strong> Piotrek Boniu (<a href=\'https://profiles.wordpress.org/boniu91/\' class=\'mention\'><span class=\'mentions-prefix\'>@</span>boniu91</a>)</li><li><strong>Support Lead: </strong>Mary Job (<a href=\'https://profiles.wordpress.org/mariaojob/\' class=\'mention\'><span class=\'mentions-prefix\'>@</span>mariaojob</a>)</li></ul>\n\n\n\n<p>This release is the reflection of the hard work of 530 generous volunteer contributors. Collaboration occurred on over <a href=\"https://core.trac.wordpress.org/query?milestone=5.8&group=component&col=id&col=summary&col=milestone&col=owner&col=type&col=status&col=priority&order=priority\">320 tickets on Trac</a> and over <a href=\"https://github.com/wordpress/gutenberg/compare/v10.0.0...v10.7.0\">1,500 pull requests on GitHub</a>.</p>\n\n\n\n<a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/5ubliminal/\">5ubliminal</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/ninetyninew/\">99w</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/9primus/\">9primus</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/jorbin/\">Aaron Jorbin</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/aaronrobertshaw/\">aaronrobertshaw</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/abderrahman/\">abderrahman</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/webcommsat/\">Abha Thakor</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/abhijitrakas/\">Abhijit Rakas</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/achbed/\">achbed</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/adamsilverstein/\">Adam Silverstein</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/zieladam/\">Adam Zielinski</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/addiestavlo/\">Addie</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/aduth/\">aduth</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/chaion07/\">Ahmed Chaion</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/engahmeds3ed/\">Ahmed Saeed</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/ajitbohra/\">Ajit Bohra</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/schlessera/\">Alain Schlesser</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/alanjacobmathew/\">Alan Jacob Mathew</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/aljullu/\">Albert Juhé Lluveras</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/aleperez92/\">Alejandro Perez</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/xknown/\">Alex Concha</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/akirk/\">Alex Kirk</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/ajlende/\">Alex Lende</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/alexstine/\">alexstine</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/firewatch/\">allilevine</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/amandariu/\">Amanda Riu</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/amarinediary/\">amarinediary</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/gadgetroid/\">Amogh Harish</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/afercia/\">Andrea Fercia</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/andraganescu/\">Andrei Draganescu</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/azaozz/\">Andrew Ozz</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/andrewserong/\">Andrew Serong</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/rarst/\">Andrey \"Rarst\" Savchenko</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/nosolosw/\">André Maneiro</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/afragen/\">Andy Fragen</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/apeatling/\">Andy Peatling</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/andy/\">Andy Skelton</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/wpgurudev/\">Ankit Gade</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/annalamprou/\">annalamprou</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/annezazu/\">Anne McCarthy</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/anotherdave/\">anotherdave</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/anotia/\">anotia</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/antpb/\">Anthony Burchell</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/antonlukin/\">Anton Lukin</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/vanyukov/\">Anton Vanyukov</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/antonisme/\">Antonis Lilis</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/apedog/\">apedog</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/apokalyptik/\">apokalyptik</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/arena/\">arena</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/lephleg/\">Argyris Margaritis</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/aristath/\">Ari Stathopoulos</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/ariskataoka/\">ariskataoka</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/arkrs/\">arkrs</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/aruphi/\">Armand</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/arnaudban/\">ArnaudBan</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/arthur791004/\">Arthur Chu</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/arunsathiya/\">Arun a11n</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/aspexi/\">Aspexi</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/atjn/\">atjn</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/aurooba/\">Aurooba Ahmed</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/filosofo/\">Austin Matzko</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/ayeshrajans/\">Ayesh Karunaratne</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/barry/\">Barry</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/bartkalisz/\">bartkalisz</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/beafialho/\">Beatriz Fialho</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/pixolin/\">Bego Mario Garde</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/utz119/\">Benachi</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/benoitchantre/\">Benoit Chantre</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/bernhard-reiter/\">Bernhard Reiter</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/bernhard reiter/\">Bernhard Reiter</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/birgire/\">Birgir Erlendsson (birgire)</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/bph/\">Birgit Pauli-Haack</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/blobfolio/\">Blobfolio</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/bmcculley/\">bmcculley</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/boblinthorst/\">Bob Linthorst</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/bobbingwide/\">bobbingwide</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/bogdanpreda/\">Bogdan Preda</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/gitlost/\">bonger</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/boonebgorges/\">Boone Gorges</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/bradt/\">Brad Touesnard</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/kraftbj/\">Brandon Kraft</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/brechtvds/\">Brecht</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/brentswisher/\">Brent Swisher</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/brettshumaker/\">Brett Shumaker</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/ribaricplusplus/\">Bruno Ribaric</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/burhandodhy/\">Burhan Nasir</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/cameronjonesweb/\">Cameron Jones</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/cvoell/\">Cameron Voell</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/carike/\">Carike</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/carlalexander/\">Carl Alexander</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/carlomanf/\">carlomanf</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/carlosgprim/\">carlosgprim</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/poena/\">Carolina Nymark</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/caseymilne/\">Casey Milne</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/cenay/\">Cenay Nailor</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/ceyhun0/\">Ceyhun Ozugur</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/nhuja/\">Chandra M</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/chetan200891/\">Chetan Prajapati</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/chintan1896/\">Chintan hingrajiya</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/chipsnyder/\">Chip Snyder</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/cbringmann/\">Chloé Bringmann</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/chouby/\">Chouby</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/chrisvanpatten/\">Chris Van Patten</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/chriscct7/\">chriscct7</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/vimes1984/\">Christopher Churchill</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/ryno267/\">Chuck Reynolds</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/claytoncollie/\">Clayton Collie</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/codeamp/\">Code Amp</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/design_dolphin/\">CodePoet</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/costdev/\">Colin Stewart</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/collizo4sky/\">Collins Agbonghama</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/copons/\">Copons</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/coreymckrill/\">Corey McKrill</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/cr0ybot/\">Cory Hughart</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/courane01/\">Courtney Engle Robertson</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/crazycoders/\">crazycoders</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/critterverse/\">critterverse</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/czapla/\">czapla</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/davidszabo/\">Dávid Szabó</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/daisyo/\">Daisy Olsen</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/damonganto/\">damonganto</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/danfarrow/\">Dan Farrow</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/diddledan/\">Daniel Llewellyn</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/talldanwp/\">Daniel Richards</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/danieldudzic/\">danieldudzic</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/mte90/\">Daniele Scasciafratte</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/vetyst/\">Danny</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/davilera/\">David Aguilera</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/davidanderson/\">David Anderson</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/dartiss/\">David Artiss</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/davidbaumwald/\">David Baumwald</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/davidbinda/\">David Biňovec</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/dpcalhoun/\">David Calhoun</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/dlh/\">David Herrera</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/davidkryzaniak/\">David Kryzaniak</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/get_dave/\">David Smith</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/dekervit/\">dekervit</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/devle/\">devfle</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/devrekli/\">devrekli</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/dhruvkb/\">dhruvkb</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/dianeco/\">Diane Co</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/dingdang/\">dingdang</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/dd32/\">Dion Hulse</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/djbu/\">djbu</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/ocean90/\">Dominik Schilling</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/donmhico/\">donmhico</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/donnapep/\">Donna Peplinskie</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/dougwollison/\">Doug Wollison</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/dpik/\">dpik</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/dragongate/\">dragongate</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/drebbitsweb/\">Dreb Bits</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/drewapicture/\">Drew Jaynes</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/eatsleepcode/\">eatsleepcode</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/metalandcoffee/\">Ebonie Butler</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/ediamin/\">Edi Amin</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/itsjusteileen/\">Eileen Violini</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/ellatrix/\">Ella van Durpe</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/aliveic/\">Emil E</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/emarticor/\">Emilio Martinez</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/manooweb/\">Emmanuel Hesry</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/empatogen/\">empatogen</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/enej/\">Enej Bajgorić</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/nrqsnchz/\">Enrique Sánchez</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/epiqueras/\">epiqueras</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/kebbet/\">Erik</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/etoledom/\">etoledom</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/fabiankaegy/\">Fabian Kägy</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/fabianpimminger/\">Fabian Pimminger</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/gaambo/\">Fabian Todt</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/felipeelia/\">Felipe Elia</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/flixos90/\">Felix Arntz</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/felixbaumgaertner/\">felixbaumgaertner</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/femkreations/\">Femy Praseeth</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/fijisunshine/\">fijisunshine</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/florianbrinkmann/\">Florian Brinkmann</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/mista-flo/\">Florian TIAR</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/francina/\">Francesca Marano</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/bueltge/\">Frank Bueltge</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/frosso1/\">frosso1 (a11n)</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/fullofcaffeine/\">fullofcaffeine</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/gab81/\">gab81</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/galbaras/\">Gal Baras</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/kafleg/\">Ganga Kafle</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/garrett-eclipse/\">Garrett Hyder</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/garyj/\">Gary Jones</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/pento/\">Gary Pendergast</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/geekpress/\">GeekPress</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/soulseekah/\">Gennady Kovshenin</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/geoffrey1963/\">Geoffrey</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/revgeorge/\">George Hotelling</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/mamaduka/\">George Mamadashvili</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/georgestephanis/\">George Stephanis</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/geriux/\">geriux</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/glendaviesnz/\">glendaviesnz</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/grantmkin/\">Grant M. Kinney</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/gziolo/\">Greg Ziółkowski</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/gregorlove/\">gRegor Morrill</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/priethor/\">Héctor Prieto</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/hannahmalcolm/\">Hannah Malcolm</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/happiryu/\">happiryu</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/hareesh-pillai/\">Hareesh</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/hazdiego/\">Haz</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/hedgefield/\">hedgefield</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/helen/\">Helen Hou-Sandí</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/hermpheus/\">Herm Martini</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/herregroen/\">Herre Groen</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/herrvigg/\">herrvigg</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/htmgarcia/\">htmgarcia</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/iandunn/\">Ian Dunn</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/ianmjones/\">ianmjones</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/icopydoc/\">icopydoc</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/ipstenu/\">Ipstenu (Mika Epstein)</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/isabel_brison/\">Isabel Brison</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/dragunoff/\">Ivaylo Draganov</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/wphound/\">Ivete Tecedor</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/jdgrimes/\">J.D. Grimes</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/jacklenox/\">Jack Lenox</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/whyisjake/\">Jake Spurlock</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/jamesbonham/\">James Bonham</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/jameskoster/\">James Koster</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/jnylen0/\">James Nylen</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/pondermatic/\">James Richards</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/jamesros161/\">James Rosado</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/jamil95/\">jamil95</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/janak007/\">janak Kaneriya</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/janwoostendorp/\">janw.oostendorp</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/jsnjohnston/\">Jason Johnston</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/javiarce/\">Javier Arce</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/jaymanpandya/\">Jayman Pandya</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/audrasjb/\">Jean-Baptiste Audras</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/jffng/\">Jeff Ong</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/jeffpaul/\">Jeff Paul</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/jeffikus/\">Jeffrey Pearce</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/jdy68/\">Jenny Dupuy</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/jeremyfelt/\">Jeremy Felt</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/jeherve/\">Jeremy Herve</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/jeremyyip/\">Jeremy Yip</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/jeremy80/\">jeremy80</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/jeroenreumkens/\">JeroenReumkens</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/jeryj/\">jeryj</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/jillebehm/\">jillebehm</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/jipmoors/\">Jip Moors</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/sephsekla/\">Joe Bailey-Roberts</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/joedolson/\">Joe Dolson</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/joemcgill/\">Joe McGill</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/joen/\">Joen Asmussen</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/jonkastonka/\">Johan Jonk Stenström</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/goaroundagain/\">Johannes Kinast</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/johnbillion/\">John Blackbourn</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/johnny5/\">John Godley</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/johnjamesjacoby/\">John James Jacoby</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/bhwebworks/\">John Sundberg</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/jb510/\">Jon Brown</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/jonsurrell/\">Jon Surrell</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/desrosj/\">Jonathan Desrosiers</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/spacedmonkey/\">Jonny Harris</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/jonoaldersonwp/\">Jono Alderson</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/joostdevalk/\">Joost de Valk</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/koke/\">Jorge Bernal</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/jorgefilipecosta/\">Jorge Costa</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/joseeyoast/\">Josee Wouters</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/chanthaboune/\">Josepha Haden</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/dkampdesign/\">JoshuaDoshua</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/joyously/\">Joy</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/jsnajdr/\">jsnajdr</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/juanfra/\">Juan Aldasoro</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/jrf/\">Juliette Reinders Folmer</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/juliobox/\">Julio Potier</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/justinahinon/\">Justin Ahinon</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/k3nsai/\">k3nsai</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/kaavyaiyer/\">kaavyaiyer</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/kevin940726/\">Kai Hao</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/akabarikalpesh/\">Kalpesh Akabari</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/kapilpaul/\">Kapil Paul</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/vyskoczilova/\">Karolina Vyskocilova</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/ryelle/\">Kelly Choyce-Dwan</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/kellychoffman/\">Kelly Hoffman</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/gwwar/\">Kerry Liu</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/kishanjasani/\">Kishan Jasani</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/ixkaito/\">Kite</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/kittmedia/\">KittMedia</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/kjellr/\">Kjell Reigstad</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/klevyke/\">klevyke</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/knutsp/\">Knut Sparhell</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/vdwijngaert/\">Koen Van den Wijngaert</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/obenland/\">Konstantin Obenland</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/xkon/\">Konstantinos Xenos</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/devnel/\">Kyle Nel</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/lakrisgubben/\">lakrisgubben</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/notlaura/\">Lara Schenck</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/lmurillom/\">Larissa Murillo</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/laxman-prajapati/\">Laxman Prajapati</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/lewiscowles/\">LewisCowles</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/lifeforceinst/\">lifeforceinst</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/linux4me2/\">linux4me2</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/lovor/\">Lovro Hrust</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/displaynone/\">Luis Sacristán</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/infolu/\">Luiz Araújo</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/lukecarbis/\">Luke Carbis</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/m0ze/\">m0ze</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/maedahbatool/\">Maedah Batool</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/onemaggie/\">Maggie Cabrera</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/travel_girl/\">Maja Benke</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/mciampini/\">Marco Ciampini</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/mkaz/\">Marcus Kazmierczak</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/marekhrabe/\">Marek Hrabe</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/tyxla/\">Marin Atanasov</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/clorith/\">Marius L. J.</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/markjaquith/\">Mark Jaquith</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/markparnell/\">Mark Parnell</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/markoheijnen/\">Marko Heijnen</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/m-e-h/\">Marty Helmick</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/marybaum/\">Mary Baum</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/mariaojob/\">Mary Job</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/marylauc/\">marylauc</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/imath/\">Mathieu Viet</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/matveb/\">Matias Ventura</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/mattchowning/\">Matt Chowning</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/matt/\">Matt Mullenweg</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/maxpertici/\">Maxime Pertici</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/mblach/\">mblach</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/immeet94/\">Meet Makadia</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/meher/\">Meher Bala</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/melchoyce/\">Mel Choyce-Dwan</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/meloniq/\">meloniq</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/mensmaximus/\">mensmaximus</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/mbabker/\">Michael Babker</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/tw2113/\">Michael Beckwith</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/mcsf/\">Miguel Fonseca</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/simison/\">Mikael Korpela</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/mikehansenme/\">Mike Hansen</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/mikejolley/\">Mike Jolley</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/mike_cowobo/\">Mike Martel</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/mikeschroder/\">Mike Schroder</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/mihdan/\">Mikhail Kobzarev</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/dimadin/\">Milan Dinić</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/milana_cap/\">Milana Cap</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/mkdgs/\">mkdgs</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/mmuyskens/\">mmuyskens</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/mmxxi/\">mmxxi</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/daddou/\">Mohamed El Amine DADDOU</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/mohamedfaragallah/\">Mohammed Faragallah</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/monikarao/\">Monika Rao</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/mor10/\">Morten Rand-Hendriksen</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/mrjoeldean/\">mrjoeldean</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/mukesh27/\">Mukesh Panchal</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/munyagu/\">munyagu</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/m_uysl/\">Mustafa Uysal</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/mweichert/\">mweichert</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/assassinateur/\">Nadir Seghir</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/nalininonstopnewsuk/\">Nalini Thakor</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/naoki0h/\">Naoki Ohashi</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/nao/\">Naoko Takano</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/nayanchamp7/\">Nazrul Islam Nayan</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/dway/\">nderambure</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/krstarica/\">net</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/nicegamer7/\">nicegamer7</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/eidolonnight/\">Nicholas Garofalo</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/celloexpressions/\">Nick Halsey</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/ntsekouras/\">Nik Tsekouras</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/ninanmnm/\">ninanmnm</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/pianist787/\">Noah Allen</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/nvartolomei/\">nvartolomei</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/oguzkocer/\">oguzkocer</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/olafklejnstrupjensen/\">olafklejnstrupjensen</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/olgabulat/\">Olga Bulat</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/oglekler/\">Olga Gleckler</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/otshelnik-fm/\">Otshelnik-Fm</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/oxyrealm/\">oxyrealm</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/ozh/\">Ozh</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/paaljoachim/\">Paal Joachim Romdahl</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/palmiak/\">palmiak</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/paaggeli/\">Panagiotis Angelidis</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/paragoninitiativeenterprises/\">Paragon Initiative Enterprises</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/swissspidy/\">Pascal Birchler</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/fantasy1125/\">Pascal Knecht</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/patkemper/\">Pat</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/patricklindsay/\">patricklindsay</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/pbiron/\">Paul Biron</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/pabline/\">Paul Bunkham</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/paulschreiber/\">Paul Schreiber</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/paulstonier/\">Paul Stonier</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/pschrottky/\">Paul Von Schrottky</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/psrpinto/\">Paulo Pinto</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/pavelvisualcomposer/\">Pavel I</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/mrpauloen/\">Paweł</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/peterwilsoncc/\">Peter Wilson</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/walbo/\">Petter Walbø Johnsgård</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/phena109/\">phena109</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/philipmjackson/\">Philip Jackson</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/strategio/\">Pierre SYLVESTRE</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/wppinar/\">Pinar</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/boniu91/\">Piotrek Boniu</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/mordauk/\">Pippin Williamson</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/ptahdunbar/\">Pirate Dunbar</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/promz/\">Pramod Jodhani</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/presskopp/\">Presskopp</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/presstoke/\">presstoke</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/pwallner/\">pwallner</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/pyronaur/\">pyronaur</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/itsjonq/\">Q</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/rachelbaker/\">Rachel Baker</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/rafhun/\">rafhun</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/rkradadiya/\">Rajesh Radadiya</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/ramiy/\">Rami Yushuvaev</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/rahmohn/\">Ramon Ahnert</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/ramonopoly/\">ramonopoly</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/jontyravi/\">Ravi Vaghela</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/ravipatel/\">ravipatel</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/rellect/\">Refael Iliaguyev</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/renehermi/\">Rene Hermenau</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/retrofox/\">retrofox</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/reynhartono/\">reynhartono</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/youknowriad/\">Riad Benguella</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/rianrietveld/\">Rian Rietveld</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/rima1889/\">Rima Prajapati</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/rinatkhaziev/\">Rinat</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/rnaby/\">Rnaby</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/robdxw/\">robdxw</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/noisysocks/\">Robert Anderson</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/miqrogroove/\">Robert Chapin</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/rogertheriault/\">Roger Theriault</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/rogerlos/\">rogerlos</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/roo2/\">roo2</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/lev0/\">Roy</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/geekstreetwp/\">Russell Aaron</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/rmccue/\">Ryan McCue</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/welcher/\">Ryan Welcher</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/sergiomdgomes/\">Sérgio Gomes</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/soean/\">Sören Wrede</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/stodorovic/\">Saša</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/sabrinazeidan/\">Sabrina Zeidan</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/sahilmepani/\">Sahil Mepani</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/solarissmoke/\">Samir Shah</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/otto42/\">Samuel Wood (Otto)</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/sandipmondal/\">Sandip Mondal</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/sannevndrmeulen/\">Sanne van der Meulen</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/sarahricker/\">sarahricker</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/sarayourfriend/\">sarayourfriend</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/sasagar/\">SASAPIYO</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/satrancali/\">satrancali</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/savicmarko1985/\">savicmarko1985</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/gmagicscott/\">Scott Lesovic</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/coffee2code/\">Scott Reilly</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/scottconnerly/\">scottconnerly</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/scruffian/\">scruffian</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/sean212/\">Sean Fisher</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/seanchayes/\">Sean Hayes</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/sebbb/\">sebbb</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/sergeybiryukov/\">Sergey Biryukov</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/yakimun/\">Sergey Yakimov</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/sergioestevao/\">SergioEstevao</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/shaunandrews/\">shaunandrews</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/shital-patel/\">Shital Marakana</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/silb3r/\">silb3r</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/siobhyb/\">Siobhan</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/sirstuey/\">SirStuey</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/snapfractalpop/\">snapfractalpop</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/spikeuk1/\">spikeuk1</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/spytzo/\">spytzo</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/stacimc/\">stacimc</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/khromov/\">Stanislav Khromov</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/deustron/\">Stefan Hüsges</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/stefanjoebstl/\">stefanjoebstl</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/ryokuhi/\">Stefano Minoia</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/hypest/\">Stefanos Togoulidis</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/sabernhardt/\">Stephen Bernhardt</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/netweb/\">Stephen Edgar</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/dufresnesteven/\">Steve Dufresne</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/stevegrunwell/\">Steve Grunwell</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/stevehenty/\">Steve Henty</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/stevenkword/\">Steven Word</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/subrataemfluence/\">Subrata Sarkar</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/sumaiyasiddika/\">Sumaiya Siddika</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/sumanm/\">Suman</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/sumitsingh/\">Sumit Singh</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/5um17/\">Sumit Singh</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/quadthemes/\">Sunny</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/sushmak/\">sushmak</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/cybr/\">Sybre Waaijer</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/synchro/\">Synchro</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/szaqal21/\">szaqal21</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/tamlyn/\">tamlyn</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/karmatosed/\">Tammie Lister</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/tellyworth/\">Tellyworth</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/terriann/\">Terri Ann</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/wildworks/\">Tetsuaki Hamano</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/themes-1/\">them.es</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/kraftner/\">Thomas Kräftner</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/thomasplevy/\">Thomas Patrick Levy</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/thomas-vitale/\">Thomas Vitale</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/tigertech/\">tigertech</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/timothyblynjacobs/\">Timothy Jacobs</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/timotijhof/\">TimoTijhof</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/tkama/\">Tkama</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/tmatsuur/\">tmatsuur</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/tmdk/\">tmdk</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/tz-media/\">Tobias Zimpel</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/tobiasbg/\">TobiasBg</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/tobifjellner/\">tobifjellner (Tor-Bjorn Fjellner)</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/tjnowell/\">Tom J Nowell</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/skithund/\">Toni Viemerö</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/hellofromtonya/\">Tonya Mork</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/toro_unit/\">Toro_Unit (Hiroshi Urabe)</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/torres126/\">torres126</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/zodiac1978/\">Torsten Landsiedel</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/toru/\">Toru Miki</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/travisnorthcutt/\">Travis Northcutt</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/trejder/\">trejder</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/desaiuditd/\">Udit Desai</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/grapplerulrich/\">Ulrich</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/utsav72640/\">Utsav tilava</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/vcanales/\">Vicente Canales</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/vipulc2/\">Vipul Chandel</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/vladytimy/\">Vlad T</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/wangql/\">wangql</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/webdragon/\">WebDragon</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/wendyjchen/\">Wendy Chen</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/westonruter/\">Weston Ruter</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/earnjam/\">William Earnhardt</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/williampatton/\">williampatton</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/xavivars/\">Xavi Ivars</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/tikifez/\">Xristopher Anderton</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/y_kolev/\">Y_Kolev</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/yansern/\">Yan Sern</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/fierevere/\">Yui</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/yuliyan/\">Yuliyan Slavchev</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/yvettesonneveld/\">Yvette Sonneveld</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/zackkrida/\">Zack Krida</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/zebulan/\">Zebulan Stanphill</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/zkancs/\">zkancs</a>, and <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/sunxiyuan/\">孙锡源</a>.\n\n\n\n<p></p>\n\n\n\n<p>In addition to these contributors, many thanks to all of the community volunteers who contribute in the <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https://wordpress.org/support/\">support forums</a>. They answer questions from people across the world, whether they are using WordPress for the first time, or they’ve been around since the first release all the way back in 2003. These releases are as successful as they are because of their efforts!</p>\n\n\n\n<p>Finally, thanks to all the community translators who help make WordPress available in over 200 languages for every release. 80 languages have translated 80% or more WordPress 5.8 and our community translators are hard at work ensuring more languages are on their way. If contributing to WordPress appeals to you, it’s easy to learn more. Check out <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/\">Make WordPress</a> or the <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/core/\">core development blog</a>.</p>\n\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:30:\"com-wordpress:feed-additions:1\";a:1:{s:7:\"post-id\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:5:\"10976\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}}}i:1;a:6:{s:4:\"data\";s:58:\"\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"child\";a:4:{s:0:\"\";a:7:{s:5:\"title\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:55:\"WP Briefing: Episode 13: Cherishing WordPress Diversity\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"link\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:77:\"https://wordpress.org/news/2021/07/episode-13-cherishing-wordpress-diversity/\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:7:\"pubDate\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:31:\"Mon, 19 Jul 2021 12:00:00 +0000\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:11:\"wp-briefing\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"guid\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:53:\"https://wordpress.org/news/?post_type=podcast&p=10949\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:1:{s:0:\"\";a:1:{s:11:\"isPermaLink\";s:5:\"false\";}}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:11:\"description\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:357:\"In this episode, Josepha Haden Chomphosy discusses the importance of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion to the fabric of the WordPress project and how we can move from a place of welcoming it to cherishing it. Have a question you’d like answered? You can submit them to wpbriefing@wordpress.org, either written or as a voice recording. Credits […]\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:9:\"enclosure\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:0:\"\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:1:{s:0:\"\";a:3:{s:3:\"url\";s:60:\"https://wordpress.org/news/files/2021/07/WP-Briefing-013.mp3\";s:6:\"length\";s:1:\"0\";s:4:\"type\";s:0:\"\";}}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:32:\"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/\";a:1:{s:7:\"creator\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:15:\"Chloe Bringmann\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:40:\"http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/\";a:1:{s:7:\"encoded\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:14890:\"\n<p>In this episode, Josepha Haden Chomphosy discusses the importance of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion to the fabric of the WordPress project and how we can move from a place of welcoming it to cherishing it.</p>\n\n\n\n<p><em><strong>Have a question you’d like answered? You can submit them to <a href=\"mailto:wpbriefing@wordpress.org\">wpbriefing@wordpress.org</a>, either written or as a voice recording.</strong></em></p>\n\n\n\n<h2>Credits</h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Editor: <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/dustinhartzler/\">Dustin Hartzler</a></p>\n\n\n\n<p>Logo: <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/beafialho/\">Beatriz Fialho</a></p>\n\n\n\n<p>Production: <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/cbringmann/\">Chloé Bringmann</a></p>\n\n\n\n<p>Song: Fearless First by Kevin MacLeod</p>\n\n\n\n<h2>References</h2>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/community/handbook/meetup-organizer/event-formats/diversity-speaker-training-workshop/\">Diverse Speaker Training Workshop</a></p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https://josepha.blog/2020/12/23/a-wordpress-dinner-party/\">A WordPress Dinner Party</a></p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https://josepha.blog/2018/11/06/the-burden-of-proof/\">The Burden of Proof</a></p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https://josepha.blog/2021/03/05/leading-at-any-level/\">Leadership At Any Level</a></p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https://josepha.blog/2019/03/02/building-a-culture-of-safety/\">Building a Culture of Safety</a></p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https://josepha.blog/2020/03/27/leadership-basics-ethics-in-communication/\">Leadership Basics: Ethics in Communication</a></p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https://wordpress.org/support/wordpress-version/version-5-6/\">WordPress 5.6</a></p>\n\n\n\n<p>Bonus resource: <a href=\"https://allienimmons.com/how-to-be-a-wordpress-ally/\">How to Be a WordPress Ally</a></p>\n\n\n\n<h2>Transcript</h2>\n\n\n\n<span id=\"more-10949\"></span>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Josepha Haden Chomphosy </strong>00:10</p>\n\n\n\n<p>Hello, everyone, and welcome to the WordPress Briefing, the podcast where you can catch quick explanations of the ideas behind the WordPress open source project, some insight into the community that supports it, and get a small list of big things coming up in the next two weeks. I’m your host, Josepha Haden Chomphosy. And before we get started, I have to be honest with you all, this episode and the next one have made me feel really anxious. This one is about Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in open source, and especially in WordPress. And the next one is about accessibility in WordPress. And I feel like there’s just so much to do, and we don’t do enough, but we do what we can. And still, we will never be done with that work. And if you don’t know what I mean by Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, you can kind of think of it this way. Diversity is bringing in people with different viewpoints and lived experiences. Equity is making sure everyone has what they need to get a fair chance of success, which is different from equality. And Inclusion is making sure that the environment is built to not only tolerate diverse groups but to celebrate them as well. So remember this as you listen to what I have to say here. We are never where we want to be in either of those spaces. But that shouldn’t stop us from looking at the things we have done to get us in the right direction. All right. Here we go.</p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Josepha Haden Chomphosy </strong>01:54</p>\n\n\n\n<p>I say a lot that we are a project that serves a majority collection of minority voices. WordPress is global in reach and open source in nature. And you would assume that what allows the software to be used by anyone would also enable it to be built by anyone. After all, your location doesn’t matter, and who employs you also doesn’t matter. And your relative social standing certainly shouldn’t matter. As long as you can communicate with the others contributing to the project, there should be no obstacle to your participation. The mission of the WordPress project is to democratize publishing, right? It’s to get the ability to have a website tap into passive income on your web presence. I mean, the job is to level the playing field for everyone. However, it’s my experience that bringing in new voices takes a lot of proactive work on behalf of leaders and contributors. It’s not enough to say, “Hey, I’m having a party,” you also have to say, “I’m having a party, and I’d like you to be there.” It’s not enough to think people will make their own space at this table. You have to make sure that you have table settings for everyone. And even beyond the basics of directing people to you. </p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Josepha Haden Chomphosy </strong>03:12</p>\n\n\n\n<p>And on toward the next steps, you have to be honest about the fact that open source contribution requires a fair amount of privilege. By privilege, I mean the luxury of extra time or extra funding or just an understanding employer. WordPress supports 41% of the web. I think it’s 42% of the web right now. But less than 1% of people who use WordPress show up to help maintain it. And that 1% that does show up skews toward people who already have a pretty high level of representation and technology. And so, when you look at who is building it versus who is using it, it doesn’t always match. And since what we build so frequently reflects who we are, sometimes what we build doesn’t match the needs of the people who are using what we have.</p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Josepha Haden Chomphosy </strong>04:10</p>\n\n\n\n<p>So what has WordPress done to be proactive on the question of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion? There are quite a few unseen things that have gone into this over the years and a few pretty visible things. This is a very long list. And it has a whole lot of just reference material. And so the show notes today will come in handy for people, and there will be just a laundry list of linked resources for everyone. </p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Josepha Haden Chomphosy </strong>04:39</p>\n\n\n\n<p>But the first thing that WordPress has done is that we have accepted the burden of proof. I’m going to share a post about this in the show notes. That means we accept that it’s not the job of underrepresented folks to figure out if they are welcome. It’s up to us to make it clear that they are. So, there are three big little things that the community has done over the years. One is that many teams open their text-based meetings with an explanation of what is done in the meeting, who comes to the meetings, where to find help if you’re lost in the meeting, and for teams that have a specific type of requests that comes into those channels that aren’t handled in those channels. They also will share where people can go to get those requests taken care of. Many teams have also updated their team handbooks to have good beginner docs, limited use of inside jokes or jargon, and good first bugs. And also, there is a code of conduct in the community declaring that everyone is welcome and clarifies what to do if you see folks being unwelcoming. </p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Josepha Haden Chomphosy </strong>05:51</p>\n\n\n\n<p>A second big thing that folks in the WordPress community have done is written down what was unwritten. Having things clearly documented unlocks institutional knowledge that you’d otherwise have to know someone to get. Clarity and process and the structure help anyone engage with your organization, not just the people who have extra time to figure things out. What that looks like in the WordPress project is that many teams have documented their workflows and their working spaces and just their general team norms. Many teams have also started defining what it means to be a team rep and holding open processes to choose those team reps. Many other community leaders and I have written down countless unspoken rules, guidelines, and philosophical underpinnings so that people don’t have to guess what we’re doing or why we’re doing things, or where we want to do them.</p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Josepha Haden Chomphosy </strong>06:46</p>\n\n\n\n<p>And the more visible thing that the WordPress project has been doing is that we found ways to invite people in, and they’re not failsafe; they’re not foolproof, but it is certainly a step in the right direction. The first one is an ongoing, diverse speaker training initiative. And I’ll include a link to that in the show notes as well. It is run by Jill Binder and a fantastic group of contributors that collaborate with her. And I really have loved watching that particular program grow and flourish and help WordPress make a difference where we absolutely can. </p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Josepha Haden Chomphosy </strong>07:27</p>\n\n\n\n<p>The second thing that was pretty visible about how we invited people in was at the end of 2020, and we had an all-women and nonbinary release squad for our biggest release of the year; WordPress 5.6. I had a group of probably 70 women and nonbinary identifying folx who joined in the process and joined in learning more about the process. Some of them have continued in the project. Others have stepped away for various reasons. But all of them are welcome to return. And I encourage everyone to return to contribution when time and resources make that possible for you. </p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Josepha Haden Chomphosy </strong>08:09</p>\n\n\n\n<p>And then the third thing that we’ve done, which I have talked about a lot, is the revival of the testing and triage practices. That has been work that’s been ongoing for a number of years. And it happens across multiple teams. It is not always immediately clear to people why the testing work. And the triage work is identifiable for me as a way to invite people into this process. And so I’ll be briefly clear about it right now. So testing as a practice brings in the users that otherwise don’t have a lot of spare time and that extra privilege to like, figure out what’s going on with WordPress, and contribute their own fixes to problems. They can give back to this project by being co-developers with us, co-creators with our entire process of making WordPress real and usable for the largest number of people that we can because we now support 42% of the web. And then, the triage practice invites in a diverse voice of people. Because you don’t necessarily always need to know everything about a project to help with triage. And when you’re helping with triage, you get active learning through participating in the process. But you also get passive learning from the people who already know huge amounts about the project and the process and everything that goes into it. And so it’s a low key low stress way to get your feet wet and start building that knowledge that sometimes is hard to come by unless you are actively working in it. So the testing practices, the triage practices, I really to the core of my being believe that those are active and ongoing ways for us to invite people who otherwise wouldn’t have a chance to get their voices heard in an open source project. And y’all, as I said at the start, y’all, there’s nothing about this list that I just shared, which makes me feel like our work on this is done. Just like any muscle, you don’t fight to peak fitness, and then hit the big stop button on time and say, “Now, I never have to work out again.” If we did, the world would be a very different place probably. But it does then lead us to the next steps for fostering a community culture that’s as broad as the people who use this software. If you believe in leadership at any level, as I do, there are a ton of things that you can do right now. But I’ll boil them down into three big chunks of things.</p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Josepha Haden Chomphosy </strong>10:54</p>\n\n\n\n<p>First, check your community area, or whatever community you want to apply this to, for things that need a little more proactive work. I will share a post called<em> Building A Culture of Safety</em> that will take you through a list of good first steps. And it is not as hard as it looks. When you say build a culture of safety, there are many really clear-cut minor changes that you can ask people to make and, in like, four or five different areas that can help your community be more welcoming and more open. </p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Josepha Haden Chomphosy </strong>11:30</p>\n\n\n\n<p>The second thing that you can do is know that small changes add up over time and commit to making those changes where you can. If you are elite at any level, you know that supporting people and processes is the responsibility of everyone in the group. And if you can make your own autonomous decisions and commit to making small changes that make a big difference over time, you will be part of that solution. And that is not specific to any one group that we have in our communities. You can be an ally for anyone, whether they look like you, whether they have your same experiences, or not. And sometimes, it’s as easy as just holding space for the people who haven’t had a chance to talk yet. And on the subject of holding space and the way that we communicate. </p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Josepha Haden Chomphosy </strong>12:22</p>\n\n\n\n<p>The third thing that I think is incredibly important is that you can take on as a foundational personal practice the concept of ethical communication. I’ll share a post about that as well in the show notes, but the core of it is that you have to know that what you say and don’t say what you do and don’t do has an impact on others and embrace that responsibility. All right, so you made it all the way through, and I am so proud of you. I’m sure you have questions about this. And I encourage you to share those. You can email them to me at wp briefing@wordpress.org.</p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Josepha Haden Chomphosy </strong>13:10</p>\n\n\n\n<p>This brings us to our small list of big things. I’ve got two things for you today. First and foremost, WordPress 5.8 gets released tomorrow. It’s a big release, and lots of people have been working on it. So get your update processes ready and keep an eye on wordpress.org/news for the announcement post. Second, and still pretty important, team reps have been working on their quarterly check-ins so that all other teams can get an idea of what’s happening around the WordPress office. Keep an eye out for that post on make.wordpress.org/updates. And that is your smallest of big things. Thank you for tuning in today for the WordPress Briefing. I’m your host Joseph Hayden Chomphosy, and I’ll see you again in a couple of weeks.</p>\n\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:30:\"com-wordpress:feed-additions:1\";a:1:{s:7:\"post-id\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:5:\"10949\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}}}i:2;a:6:{s:4:\"data\";s:63:\"\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"child\";a:4:{s:0:\"\";a:6:{s:5:\"title\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:33:\"WordPress 5.8 Release Candidate 3\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"link\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:69:\"https://wordpress.org/news/2021/07/wordpress-5-8-release-candidate-3/\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:7:\"pubDate\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:31:\"Wed, 14 Jul 2021 01:09:26 +0000\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:8:\"category\";a:3:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:11:\"Development\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:1;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:8:\"Releases\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:2;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:3:\"5.8\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"guid\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:35:\"https://wordpress.org/news/?p=10933\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:1:{s:0:\"\";a:1:{s:11:\"isPermaLink\";s:5:\"false\";}}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:11:\"description\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:303:\"The third release candidate for WordPress 5.8 is now available! WordPress 5.8 is slated for release on July 20, 2021, and we need your help to get there—if you have not tried 5.8 yet, now is the time! You can test the WordPress 5.8 release candidate 3 in any of these three ways: Install and […]\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:32:\"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/\";a:1:{s:7:\"creator\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:12:\"Jeffrey Paul\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:40:\"http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/\";a:1:{s:7:\"encoded\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:3233:\"\n<p>The third release candidate for <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/core/5-8/\">WordPress 5.8</a> is now available! </p>\n\n\n\n<p>WordPress 5.8 is slated for release on <strong>July 20, 2021</strong>, and we need <em>your</em> help to get there—if you have not tried 5.8 yet, now is the time!</p>\n\n\n\n<p>You can test the WordPress 5.8 release candidate 3 in any of these three ways:</p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Install and activate the <a href=\"https://wordpress.org/plugins/wordpress-beta-tester/\">WordPress Beta Tester plugin</a> (select the <code>Bleeding edge</code> channel and then <code>Beta/RC Only</code> stream)</li><li>Directly download the release candidate version <a href=\"https://wordpress.org/wordpress-5.8-RC3.zip\">(zip)</a></li><li>Use WP-CLI to test: <code>wp core update --version=5.8-RC3</code></li></ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Thank you to all of the contributors who tested the Beta/RC releases and gave feedback. Testing for bugs is a critical part of polishing every release and a great way to contribute to WordPress.</p>\n\n\n\n<h2>Plugin and Theme Developers</h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Please test your plugins and themes against WordPress 5.8 and update the <em>Tested up to</em> version in the <code>readme</code> file to 5.8. If you find compatibility problems, please be sure to post to the <a href=\"https://wordpress.org/support/forum/alphabeta/\">support forums</a> so we can work to solve them in time for the final release.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>For a more detailed breakdown of the changes included in WordPress 5.8, check out the <a href=\"https://wordpress.org/news/2021/06/wordpress-5-8-beta-1/\">WordPress 5.8 beta 1 post</a>. The <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/core/2021/07/03/wordpress-5-8-field-guide/\">WordPress 5.8 Field Guide</a>, which is particularly useful for developers, has all the info and further links to help you get comfortable with the major changes.</p>\n\n\n\n<h2>How to Help</h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Can you speak and write in a language other than English? <a href=\"https://translate.wordpress.org/projects/wp/dev\">Help us translate WordPress into more than 100 languages!</a></p>\n\n\n\n<p><em><strong>If you think you have found a bug</strong>, you can post to the <a href=\"https://wordpress.org/support/forum/alphabeta\">Alpha/Beta area</a> in the support forums. We would love to hear from you! If you are comfortable writing a reproducible bug report, <a href=\"https://core.trac.wordpress.org/newticket\">file one on WordPress Trac</a>, where you can also find <a href=\"https://core.trac.wordpress.org/tickets/major\">a list of known bugs</a>.</em></p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-right\"><strong><em>Props to <a href=\'https://profiles.wordpress.org/cbringmann/\' class=\'mention\'><span class=\'mentions-prefix\'>@</span>cbringmann</a>, <a href=\'https://profiles.wordpress.org/chanthaboune/\' class=\'mention\'><span class=\'mentions-prefix\'>@</span>chanthaboune</a>, and <a href=\'https://profiles.wordpress.org/marybaum/\' class=\'mention\'><span class=\'mentions-prefix\'>@</span>marybaum</a> for peer-reviewing!</em></strong></p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator\" />\n\n\n\n<p><em>Code is poetry<br>Jazz is improvisation<br>Both are forms of art<br><br></em></p>\n\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:30:\"com-wordpress:feed-additions:1\";a:1:{s:7:\"post-id\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:5:\"10933\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}}}i:3;a:6:{s:4:\"data\";s:63:\"\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"child\";a:4:{s:0:\"\";a:6:{s:5:\"title\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:33:\"WordPress 5.8 Release Candidate 2\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"link\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:69:\"https://wordpress.org/news/2021/07/wordpress-5-8-release-candidate-2/\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:7:\"pubDate\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:31:\"Wed, 07 Jul 2021 01:12:57 +0000\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:8:\"category\";a:3:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:11:\"Development\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:1;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:8:\"Releases\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:2;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:3:\"5.8\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"guid\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:35:\"https://wordpress.org/news/?p=10912\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:1:{s:0:\"\";a:1:{s:11:\"isPermaLink\";s:5:\"false\";}}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:11:\"description\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:305:\"The second release candidate for WordPress 5.8 is now available! ? WordPress 5.8 is slated for release on July 20, 2021, and we need your help to get there—if you have not tried 5.8 yet, now is the time! You can test the WordPress 5.8 release candidate 2 in any of these three ways: Install […]\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:32:\"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/\";a:1:{s:7:\"creator\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:12:\"Jeffrey Paul\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:40:\"http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/\";a:1:{s:7:\"encoded\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:3376:\"\n<p>The second release candidate for <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/core/5-8/\">WordPress 5.8</a> is now available! <img src=\"https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/13.1.0/72x72/1f389.png\" alt=\"?\" class=\"wp-smiley\" style=\"height: 1em; max-height: 1em;\" /></p>\n\n\n\n<p>WordPress 5.8 is slated for release on <strong>July 20, 2021</strong>, and we need <em>your</em> help to get there—if you have not tried 5.8 yet, now is the time!</p>\n\n\n\n<p>You can test the WordPress 5.8 release candidate 2 in any of these three ways:</p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Install and activate the <a href=\"https://wordpress.org/plugins/wordpress-beta-tester/\">WordPress Beta Tester plugin</a> (select the <code>Bleeding edge</code> channel and then <code>Beta/RC Only</code> stream)</li><li>Directly download the release candidate version <a href=\"https://wordpress.org/wordpress-5.8-RC2.zip\">(zip)</a></li><li>Use WP-CLI to test: <code>wp core update --version=5.8-RC2</code></li></ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Thank you to all of the contributors who tested the Beta/RC releases and gave feedback. Testing for bugs is a critical part of polishing every release and a great way to contribute to WordPress.</p>\n\n\n\n<h2>Plugin and Theme Developers</h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Please test your plugins and themes against WordPress 5.8 and update the <em>Tested up to</em> version in the <code>readme</code> file to 5.8. If you find compatibility problems, please be sure to post to the <a href=\"https://wordpress.org/support/forum/alphabeta/\">support forums</a>, so they can get ready for the final release.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>For a more detailed breakdown of the changes included in WordPress 5.8, check out the <a href=\"https://wordpress.org/news/2021/06/wordpress-5-8-beta-1/\">WordPress 5.8 beta 1 post</a>. The <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/core/2021/07/03/wordpress-5-8-field-guide/\">WordPress 5.8 Field Guide</a>, which is particularly useful for developers, has all the info and further links to help you get comfortable with the major changes.</p>\n\n\n\n<h2>How to Help</h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Can you speak and write in a language other than English? <a href=\"https://translate.wordpress.org/projects/wp/dev\">Help us translate WordPress into more than 100 languages!</a></p>\n\n\n\n<p><em><strong>If you think you have found a bug</strong>, you can post to the <a href=\"https://wordpress.org/support/forum/alphabeta\">Alpha/Beta area</a> in the support forums. We would love to hear from you! If you are comfortable writing a reproducible bug report, <a href=\"https://core.trac.wordpress.org/newticket\">file one on WordPress Trac</a>, where you can also find <a href=\"https://core.trac.wordpress.org/tickets/major\">a list of known bugs</a>.</em></p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-right\"><strong><em>Props to <a href=\'https://profiles.wordpress.org/lukecarbis/\' class=\'mention\'><span class=\'mentions-prefix\'>@</span>lukecarbis</a> for the haiku, <a href=\'https://profiles.wordpress.org/webcommsat/\' class=\'mention\'><span class=\'mentions-prefix\'>@</span>webcommsat</a> and <a href=\'https://profiles.wordpress.org/marybaum/\' class=\'mention\'><span class=\'mentions-prefix\'>@</span>marybaum</a> for peer reviewing!</em></strong></p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator\" />\n\n\n\n<p><em>Five-eight in two weeks<br>So test your plugins and themes<br>Update your readme</em></p>\n\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:30:\"com-wordpress:feed-additions:1\";a:1:{s:7:\"post-id\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:5:\"10912\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}}}i:4;a:6:{s:4:\"data\";s:58:\"\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"child\";a:4:{s:0:\"\";a:7:{s:5:\"title\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:49:\"WP Briefing: Episode 12: WordPress – In Person!\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"link\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:66:\"https://wordpress.org/news/2021/07/episode-12-wordpress-in-person/\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:7:\"pubDate\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:31:\"Mon, 05 Jul 2021 12:00:00 +0000\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:11:\"wp-briefing\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"guid\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:53:\"https://wordpress.org/news/?post_type=podcast&p=10889\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:1:{s:0:\"\";a:1:{s:11:\"isPermaLink\";s:5:\"false\";}}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:11:\"description\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:384:\"In this episode, Josepha Haden Chomphosy talks about WordPress – In Person! The WordPress events that provide the dark matter of connection that helps sustain the open source project. Have a question you’d like answered? You can submit them to wpbriefing@wordpress.org, either written or as a voice recording. Credits Editor: Dustin Hartzler Logo: Beatriz Fialho […]\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:9:\"enclosure\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:0:\"\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:1:{s:0:\"\";a:3:{s:3:\"url\";s:60:\"https://wordpress.org/news/files/2021/07/WP-Briefing-012.mp3\";s:6:\"length\";s:1:\"0\";s:4:\"type\";s:0:\"\";}}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:32:\"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/\";a:1:{s:7:\"creator\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:15:\"Chloe Bringmann\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:40:\"http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/\";a:1:{s:7:\"encoded\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:13118:\"\n<p>In this episode, Josepha Haden Chomphosy talks about WordPress – In Person! The WordPress events that provide the dark matter of connection that helps sustain the open source project.</p>\n\n\n\n<p><em><strong>Have a question you’d like answered? You can submit them to <a href=\"mailto:wpbriefing@wordpress.org\">wpbriefing@wordpress.org</a>, either written or as a voice recording.</strong></em></p>\n\n\n\n<h2>Credits</h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Editor:<a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/dustinhartzler/\"> Dustin Hartzler</a></p>\n\n\n\n<p>Logo:<a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/beafialho/\"> Beatriz Fialho</a></p>\n\n\n\n<p>Production:<a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/mkaz/\"> </a><a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/cbringmann/\">Chloé Bringmann</a></p>\n\n\n\n<p>Song: Fearless First by Kevin MacLeod</p>\n\n\n\n<h2>References</h2>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tragedy_of_the_commons\">The tragedy of the commons</a></p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https://wordpress.org/news/2021/06/wordpress-5-8-release-candidate/\">WordPress 5.8 Release Candidate announcement </a></p>\n\n\n\n<h2>Transcript </h2>\n\n\n\n<span id=\"more-10889\"></span>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Josepha Haden Chomphosy </strong>00:11</p>\n\n\n\n<p>Hello, everyone, and welcome to the WordPress Briefing, the podcast where you can catch quick explanations of the ideas behind the WordPress open source project, some insight into the community that supports it, and get a small list of big things coming up in the next two weeks. I’m your host, Josepha Haden Chomphosy. Here we go!</p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Josepha Haden Chomphosy </strong>00:39</p>\n\n\n\n<p>Today we’re talking about one of my favorite parts of the project – WordPress events. The in-person component of the project is the dark matter that helps us build resilience and thrive as a group. A lot of what I’m going to share applies to every WordPress event, whether it’s a meetup or workshop, a contributor day, any other sort of format. But I’ll be focused on WordCamps. It’s been a while since we had any in-person WordCamps. Our last two were WordCamp Malaga in Spain and WordCamp Greenville in the US. But that hasn’t stopped anyone from gathering people together online. Which honestly makes a lot of sense for WordPress. Because there are many reasons we gather, the main three reasons are connecting, inspiring, and contributing. It’s true. It says so right in our documentation, “paper rustling.” All WordPress events should connect WordPress users, inspire people to do more with WordPress, and contribute to the WordPress project. As an aside, I’ll tell you that some groups also get to collaborate and educate in there, but connect, inspire, contribute. Those are the big three. And that’s what I’m talking about today. And if you subscribe to this podcast for the back office deep cuts, I’ll also have a few of those for you. </p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Josepha Haden Chomphosy </strong>01:57</p>\n\n\n\n<p>Alright, so first up, connect. WordCamps are generally annual-ish gatherings organized by local WordPress meetup groups. They’re not meant to be big or fancy. The definition of the minimum viable product for WordCamp is 50 people gathered all day to talk about WordPress. They are intentionally affordable to allow people from all walks of life to attend, meet, share and learn. This is made possible by donations and sponsorships from local businesses and larger businesses in the WordPress ecosystem. And this helps us get people connected to those in their community that works with or are sustained by WordPress. That connection feeds into the overall health of the global WordPress project. </p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Josepha Haden Chomphosy </strong>02:45</p>\n\n\n\n<p>Next up is inspire. WordCamps do not discriminate. They are open to any WordPress users, developers, designers, or other enthusiasts, regardless of their level of experience. And because of this, sessions generally span a variety of formats. So presentations or live demos to workshops or panels, any other format you can think of. But that also means that there are a variety of skill levels represented. There’s always content about how to use WordPress. That’s a given. But you can also count on content that inspires people to do more with their own dreams and aspirations. When I was still organizing WordCamps, my favorite thing was seeing people who came back year after year, putting into practice something that they learned the year before. It is that <em>Choose Your Own Adventure</em> aspect to WordCamps that lets people see the edge of their ideas and then expand that just a little bit further. </p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Josepha Haden Chomphosy </strong>03:42</p>\n\n\n\n<p>And finally, contribute. WordCamps often have a contribution component to them. Sometimes it’s just a talk telling you how you can get more involved in the WordPress project. But sometimes, it’s a whole contributor day. And those range in size from single focus, like everyone, will show up and learn how to review a theme or a focus from every team that we have, like at the big flagship events where we gather hundreds of people into a room just to contribute to WordPress and all of the teams that go with it. Getting started with contributing can be daunting, but it is also essential to avoid something called the Tragedy of the Commons, an economic concept. So I’ll share a link to that in the show notes below. But the most important thing, the most important thing to remember, is that WordPress is open source. And we asked people to help us keep this great tool running by giving back a little bit of their time if they have gotten any benefit from the WordPress project or CMS over the course of their careers. </p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Josepha Haden Chomphosy </strong>04:40</p>\n\n\n\n<p>So that’s it. The three big things you can get from a WordCamp. I know that I can’t wait to get back to them myself because while a lot of these things can still happen online and do, it’s really hard to replace the dark matter of in-person connections for open source projects. And since we’re talking dark matter anyway, let’s dig into it a little.</p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Josepha Haden Chomphosy </strong>05:01</p>\n\n\n\n<p>At the start of the section, I mentioned that WordCamps are local, locally organized, and people are encouraged to attend locally. But I am part of a group that ends up traveling to a lot of WordCamps. If you don’t know about the unseen work of WordPress, this raises eyebrows. So here is some clarification around the back office work that some of these traveling WordCampers often do. When I listed these out, there were about 20 different tasks, 20 different jobs, which was, frankly, a bit overwhelming when I listed them that way. So I’ve grouped them into kind of two genres, each with a group of current versus future types of work. So my two big buckets, big picture stuff, and then community stewardship. </p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Josepha Haden Chomphosy </strong>05:50</p>\n\n\n\n<p>The big picture stuff, our first big genre here, when you’re looking at current topics, current issues kind of information, when we’re working on big picture stuff, you get the clarification of the mission or vision of WordPress, the sharing of open source methods or processes that we use in the WordPress project, and also sometimes those goal-setting conversations that you have to have both because we have a bunch of teams and team reps, that have a lot of really great ideas about what can be done in their teams to help WordPress succeed. But then also, because when you are working, when you’re contributing to a single team in the project, it can sometimes be hard to know how your work relates to the overall goals and visions of WordPress. And so that’s part of the work that gets done that I do there. </p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Josepha Haden Chomphosy </strong>06:43</p>\n\n\n\n<p>And when you’re looking at future topics, future issues, the second part of this genre, that stuff like starting conversations or discussions around what the future holds for WordPress, and that’s the project as well as the technology or hearing from people about big things coming up for them. And any content that can support it, anything that I can provide to support those big things. It’s also a good time for me and others to identify trends based on what I see in presentations or what I hear from people at social functions. Really, it’s just a huge opportunity for information gathering to make sure that I know what everyone else in the project is trying to do and if they understand what the project is trying to do. </p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Josepha Haden Chomphosy </strong>07:32</p>\n\n\n\n<p>And then the second big genre of things that happen in that dark matter kind of work at WordCamps is what I call community stewardship—so taking care of the community itself for the project itself. And a lot of that work is actually incident response kind of work. So conflict resolution, mediation often happens at in-person events, but also uncovering the shared foundations, the shared understanding for upcoming changes. So a lot of really, in the weeds kind of change management work. And for me, it’s certainly doing my best as a cultural liaison when I do see that there has been some miscommunication or gathering context for the latest disagreement that people are having with me so that I can clarify anything that was misunderstood from what I said. And also a little bit of policy clarification, just explaining why we do things and the way we do them. So for community stewardship, that’s kind of the current stuff that we look at. And that I do when I’m traveling for WordCamps. </p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Josepha Haden Chomphosy </strong>08:36</p>\n\n\n\n<p>And then for the future tasks that we do with community stewardship in the project, that stuff like training, and that’s training team reps, community deputies, or new contributors like it’s, it’s not really one type of training, necessarily. But then also, all of the checking in with our organizers, team reps, volunteers, sponsors, everyone like that, to make sure that what we have in the project and what’s happening in the project, the tools that we have, the experience that contributors have while they are working here, and WordPress is good, and is what they need. We’ve got a lot of tools to get things done in WordPress, and we can always make them better. And so checking in with people to kind of see how those processes are, how the tools are making sure that I have an idea of where our holes are and what needs to be patched, and how we can patch them in the long run. So that’s all of the future planning kind of work and topic stuff, just you know, making sure that WordPress has what it needs to survive long into the future and long after I’m doing anything with it, and long after you’re doing anything with it either. </p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Josepha Haden Chomphosy </strong>09:56</p>\n\n\n\n<p>So, lots and lots of unseen work being done at our in-person events. But folks who keep a keen eye on the online global work of WordPress will probably recognize that a lot of that work is also done routinely on make.wordpress.org and within the making WordPress Slack. There’s just, I don’t know, there’s just something different about receiving information from a human being with a face rather than an avatar with a photo. So I guess at the end of the day, that means the dark matter that keeps open source together is really an issue of communication. And you’ll get no arguments for me there.</p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Josepha Haden Chomphosy </strong>10:44</p>\n\n\n\n<p>That brings us now to our small list of big things. And there’s really just one big thing. And that’s WordPress 5.8. We are about two weeks away from this big release; the community has been working tirelessly on it. And it’s shaping up to be one of the most tested releases that we’ve had in a long time. Myself, I’m grateful to see so much activity before the release. Since 5.8 and 5.9 releases represent such monumental shifts in our software, I’m incredibly grateful to see so much activity prior to the release, especially in the beta period. We’ve been testing everything for it feels like six or eight months, and we’re really starting to see the positive benefits of that. And I think that we, the WordPress community, should be really proud of everything that we’re going to ship in 2021. Okay, so that was less of a small list of big things and really like one big thing with a generous garnish of encouragement, but you deserve it. So thank you for tuning in today for the WordPress briefing. I’m your host, Josepha Haden Chomphosy, and I’ll see you again in a couple of weeks.</p>\n\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:30:\"com-wordpress:feed-additions:1\";a:1:{s:7:\"post-id\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:5:\"10889\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}}}i:5;a:6:{s:4:\"data\";s:57:\"\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"child\";a:4:{s:0:\"\";a:6:{s:5:\"title\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:33:\"The Month in WordPress: June 2021\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"link\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:68:\"https://wordpress.org/news/2021/07/the-month-in-wordpress-june-2021/\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:7:\"pubDate\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:31:\"Fri, 02 Jul 2021 15:11:24 +0000\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:18:\"Month in WordPress\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"guid\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:35:\"https://wordpress.org/news/?p=10896\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:1:{s:0:\"\";a:1:{s:11:\"isPermaLink\";s:5:\"false\";}}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:11:\"description\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:334:\"Once you step into contribution time, your main concern is the users of WordPress, or new contributors, or the health of the WordPress ecosystem as a whole or the WordPress project. So you get all this subject matter expertise from competitive forces, collaborating in a very “us versus the problem” way. And when you do […]\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:32:\"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/\";a:1:{s:7:\"creator\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:14:\"Hari Shanker R\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:40:\"http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/\";a:1:{s:7:\"encoded\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:11608:\"\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote\"><p>Once you step into contribution time, your main concern is the users of WordPress, or new contributors, or the health of the WordPress ecosystem as a whole or the WordPress project. So you get all this subject matter expertise from competitive forces, collaborating in a very “us versus the problem” way. And when you do that, you’re always going to find a great solution.</p></blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>In the “<a href=\"https://wordpress.org/news/2021/06/episode-11-wordcamp-europe-2021-in-review/#more-10837\">WordCamp Europe 2021 in Review</a>” episode of the WP Briefing podcast, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/chanthaboune/\">Josepha Haden</a> talks about the importance of collaboration, which is vital in building WordPress. This edition of The Month in WordPress covers exciting updates that exemplify this philosophy. </p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator\" />\n\n\n\n<h2>Updates on WordPress 5.8</h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Get excited, folks! The beta versions and the first release candidate of WordPress 5.8 are out. <a href=\"https://wordpress.org/news/2021/06/wordpress-5-8-beta-1/\">Beta 1</a> came out on June 9, followed by <a href=\"https://wordpress.org/news/2021/06/wordpress-5-8-beta-2/\">Beta 2</a> on June 15, <a href=\"https://wordpress.org/news/2021/06/wordpress-5-8-beta-3/\">Beta 3</a> on June 23, and <a href=\"https://wordpress.org/news/2021/06/wordpress-5-8-beta-4/\">Beta 4</a> on June 25. The <a href=\"https://wordpress.org/news/2021/06/wordpress-5-8-release-candidate/\">first release candidate</a> of WordPress 5.8 was published on June 30. You can test the beta versions and the release candidates by <a href=\"https://wordpress.org/download/releases/#betas\">downloading them from WordPress.org</a> or by using the <a href=\"https://wordpress.org/plugins/wordpress-beta-tester/\">WordPress Beta Tester</a> plugin. WordPress 5.8 <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/core/5-8/\">will be out by July 20, 2021</a>, and is also <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/polyglots/2021/06/28/wordpress-5-8-ready-to-be-translated/\">ready to be translated</a>.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>Want to contribute to WordPress core? Check out the <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/core/handbook/\">Core Contributor Handbook</a>. Don’t forget to join the WordPress <a href=\"https://wordpress.slack.com/archives/C02RQBWTW\">#core</a> channel in the <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/chat/\">Make WordPress Slack</a> and follow the <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/core/\">Core Team blog</a>. The Core Team hosts weekly chats on Wednesdays at <a href=\"https://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/fixedtime.html?hour=5&min=00&sec=0\">5 AM</a> and <a href=\"https://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/fixedtime.html?hour=20&min=00&sec=0\">8 PM</a> UTC. Help us promote WordPress 5.8 by <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/community/2021/06/18/meetup-group-resources-talking-points-for-wordpress-5-8/\">organizing meetups about the release</a>, <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/marketing/2021/06/30/help-produce-social-media-materials-for-5-8-release/\">producing social media marketing materials for 5.8</a>, or <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/test/2021/06/30/help-test-wordpress-5-8s-fse-features/\">testing the release</a>.</p>\n\n\n\n<h2>Gutenberg versions 10.8 and 10.9 are out</h2>\n\n\n\n<p>We said hello to Gutenberg <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/core/2021/06/10/whats-new-in-gutenberg-10-8-9-june/\">version 10.8</a> and <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/core/2021/06/24/whats-new-in-gutenberg-10-9-23-june/\">version 10.9</a> this month. <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/core/2021/06/10/whats-new-in-gutenberg-10-8-9-june/\">Version 10.8</a> adds rich URL previews, enhancements to the list view, and an updated block manager. <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/core/2021/06/24/whats-new-in-gutenberg-10-9-23-june/\">Version 10.9</a> offers several performance enhancements, along with more block design tools and template editor enhancements.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>Want to get involved in building Gutenberg? Follow <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/core/\">the Core Team blog</a>, contribute to <a href=\"https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/\">Gutenberg on GitHub</a>, and join the <a href=\"https://wordpress.slack.com/archives/C02QB2JS7\">#core-editor</a> channel in the <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/chat/\">Make WordPress Slack</a>. The “<a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/core/2021/06/04/whats-next-in-gutenberg-june-2021/\">What’s next in Gutenberg</a>” post offers more details on the latest updates. </p>\n\n\n\n<h2>WordCamp Europe 2021 concludes</h2>\n\n\n\n<p>One of the biggest and most exciting WordPress events, <a href=\"https://europe.wordcamp.org/2021/\">WordCamp Europe 2021</a>, was held from June 7-9, 2021. A team of 40 members organized the event, which had 3200+ registrations, 42 speakers, and 43 sponsors. What a success! You will find more details <a href=\"https://europe.wordcamp.org/2021/a-recap-on-wceu-2021/\">in the event recap</a>. One highlight was a <a href=\"https://wordpress.org/news/2021/06/gutenberg-highlights/\">Gutenberg demo</a> hosted by <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/matveb/\">Matías Ventura</a> and <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/matt/\">Matt Mullenweg</a>. You can <a href=\"https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaYQGYDpXpU4A17kxN-AgJQ/featured\">watch the event recording on the WordCamp Europe YouTube channel</a>, and videos <a href=\"https://wordpress.tv/event/wordcamp-europe-2021/\">are now available on WordPress.tv</a> as well. The team has announced <a href=\"https://europe.wordcamp.org/2022/\">WordCamp Europe 2022</a>, which is being planned as an in-person event in Porto, Portugal. Want to be a part of the 2022 WCEU organizing team? Their <a href=\"https://europe.wordcamp.org/2022/call-for-organisers/\">call for organizers is now open</a>. Apply now!</p>\n\n\n\n<h2>Full Site Editing updates</h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Don’t miss the <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/test/2021/06/24/call-for-testing-thrive-with-theme-json/\">latest Full Site Editing (FSE) Outreach program testing call: “Thrive with theme.json”</a>, which is aimed at a developer-centric audience. The deadline is July 14. Also don’t miss a <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/test/2021/06/24/call-for-testing-thrive-with-theme-json/\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https://make.wordpress.org/test/2021/06/24/call-for-testing-thrive-with-theme-json/\">hallway hangout on testing theme.json on July 7 at 5 PM UTC</a>. The team has published a <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/test/2021/06/24/fse-program-polished-portfolios-summary/\">recap of the Published Portfolios testing call</a>, which shares some interesting results. </p>\n\n\n\n<h2>BuddyPress 8.0 is out!</h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The first major BuddyPress release of 2021, <a href=\"https://buddypress.org/2021/06/buddypress-8-0-0-alfano/\">version 8.0</a> “Alfano,” came out on June 6. The short-cycle release offers features such as the ability to recruit new members, an improved registration experience, and profile field types. Download it from the <a href=\"https://wordpress.org/plugins/buddypress/\">WordPress.org plugin directory</a> or check it out from its <a href=\"https://buddypress.trac.wordpress.org/browser/branches/8.0\">Subversion repository.</a></p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator\" />\n\n\n\n<h2>Further reading</h2>\n\n\n\n<ul><li><a href=\"https://japan.wordcamp.org/2021/\">WordCamp Japan 2021</a> was held from June 20- 26. The weeklong event, which had two session days followed by five contributor days, sold 1300+ tickets, with 45 speakers and 23 sponsors. Catch the <a href=\"https://www.youtube.com/c/wordcampjapan\">event recording on YouTube</a>!</li><li>Josepha Haden <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/updates/2021/06/03/announcing-make-wordpress-org-project/\">announced</a> a new Make site — <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/project\">make.wordpress.org/project</a> — for project-wide announcements, which will no longer be posted to Make/Updates. Check out the latest post on that site on <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/project/2021/06/17/the-metrics-of-contributions/\">the metrics of contributions</a>.</li><li>The Community Team announced that <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/community/2021/07/01/in-person-meetup-events-for-vaccinated-community-members/\">in-person meetups can be organized for fully vaccinated people</a>, in places where vaccines are freely available.</li><li>The Core Team added<a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/core/2021/06/21/bundled-themes-changes-in-wordpress-5-8/\"> block patterns and improvements</a> to all legacy default themes. The team also shared a <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/core/2021/06/22/extending-the-site-health-interface-in-wordpress-5-8/\">feature request</a> that will allow developers to modify and extend the Site Health feature in Core.</li><li>The Design Team shared an update on the <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/design/2021/06/23/update-initial-patterns-for-the-patterns-directory/\">block pattern directory</a>; the team is continuing to review suggestions and has offered some guidelines in this post.</li><li>The Design Team is also <a href=\"https://wordpress.org/news/2021/06/a-new-design-is-coming-to-wordpress-news/\">working on redesigning this blog</a> (wordpress.org/news). Catch a sneak peek of the blog’s new look <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/design/2021/06/03/redesign-of-wordpress-org-news/\">in this Make/Design blog post</a>.</li><li>The Accessibility Team shared the <a href=\"https://developer.wordpress.org/coding-standards/wordpress-coding-standards/accessibility/\">updated WordPress Accessibility coding standards</a>.</li><li>The Polyglots Team proposed a <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/polyglots/2021/06/03/proposal-month-long-translation-day-2021-celebration/\">monthlong translation day celebration in September</a>.</li><li><span style=\"color: initial;, sans-serif\">The Support Team </span><a style=\", sans-serif\" href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/support/2021/06/new-irc-server-for-support/\">moved their IRC chat server from Freenode to Libera</a><span style=\"color: initial;, sans-serif\">.</span></li><li>The Documentation Team is<a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/docs/2021/06/06/writing-documentation-for-wordpress-release/\"> working hard on updating our docs</a> for WordPress 5.8. </li><li>The Themes Team has decided to <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/docs/2021/06/06/writing-documentation-for-wordpress-release/\">automatically set theme updates live for old themes</a> instead of routing them through the review queue.</li><li>The <a href=\"https://github.com/WordPress/Requests\">WordPress Requests library</a> has a new release: <a href=\"https://github.com/WordPress/Requests/releases/tag/v1.8.1\">version 1.8.1</a>. </li><li><a href=\"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ujwal_Thapa\">Ujwal Thapa</a> – co-founder of the Nepal WordPress community <a href=\"https://wptavern.com/ujwal-thapa-co-founder-of-the-wordpress-nepal-community-passes-away\">passed away due to COVID-19</a>. Our community deeply mourns his loss and is thankful for his contributions.</li><li>The latest edition of “<a href=\"https://wordpress.org/news/category/heropress/\">People of WordPress</a>” features <a href=\"https://wordpress.org/news/2021/06/people-of-wordpress-tijana-andrejic/\">Tijana Andrejic from Serbia.</a></li></ul>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Have a story that we should include in the next “Month in WordPress” post? Please </em><a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/community/month-in-wordpress-submissions/\"><em>submit it using this form</em></a><em>. </em></p>\n\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:30:\"com-wordpress:feed-additions:1\";a:1:{s:7:\"post-id\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:5:\"10896\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}}}i:6;a:6:{s:4:\"data\";s:63:\"\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"child\";a:4:{s:0:\"\";a:6:{s:5:\"title\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:31:\"WordPress 5.8 Release Candidate\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"link\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:67:\"https://wordpress.org/news/2021/06/wordpress-5-8-release-candidate/\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:7:\"pubDate\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:31:\"Wed, 30 Jun 2021 03:47:48 +0000\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:8:\"category\";a:3:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:11:\"Development\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:1;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:8:\"Releases\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:2;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:3:\"5.8\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"guid\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:35:\"https://wordpress.org/news/?p=10873\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:1:{s:0:\"\";a:1:{s:11:\"isPermaLink\";s:5:\"false\";}}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:11:\"description\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:364:\"The first release candidate for WordPress 5.8 is now available! ? Please join us in celebrating this very important milestone in the community’s progress towards the final release of WordPress 5.8! “Release Candidate” means the new version is ready for release, but with thousands of plugins and themes and differences in how the millions of […]\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:32:\"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/\";a:1:{s:7:\"creator\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:12:\"Jeffrey Paul\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:40:\"http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/\";a:1:{s:7:\"encoded\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:4776:\"\n<p>The first release candidate for <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/core/5-8/\">WordPress 5.8</a> is now available! <img src=\"https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/13.1.0/72x72/1f389.png\" alt=\"?\" class=\"wp-smiley\" style=\"height: 1em; max-height: 1em;\" /></p>\n\n\n\n<p>Please join us in celebrating this very important milestone in the community’s progress towards the final release of WordPress 5.8!</p>\n\n\n\n<p>“Release Candidate” means the new version is ready for release, but with thousands of plugins and themes and differences in how the millions of people use WordPress, it is possible something was missed. WordPress 5.8 is slated for release on <strong>July 20, 2021</strong>, but <em>your</em> help is needed to get there—if you have not tried 5.8 yet, <strong>now is the time</strong>!</p>\n\n\n\n<p>You can test the WordPress 5.8 release candidate in three ways:</p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Install and activate the <a href=\"https://wordpress.org/plugins/wordpress-beta-tester/\">WordPress Beta Tester plugin</a> (select the <code>Bleeding edge</code> channel and then <code>Beta/RC Only</code> stream)</li><li>Directly download the release candidate version <a href=\"https://wordpress.org/wordpress-5.8-RC1.zip\">(zip)</a></li><li>Using WP-CLI to test: <code>wp core update --version=5.8-RC1</code></li></ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Thank you to all of the contributors who tested the Beta releases and gave feedback. Testing for bugs is a critical part of polishing every release and a great way to contribute to WordPress.</p>\n\n\n\n<h2>What is in WordPress 5.8?</h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The second release of 2021 continues to progress on the block editor towards the promised future of full site editing with these updates:</p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Manage Widgets with Blocks</li><li>Display Posts with New Blocks and Patterns</li><li>Edit Post Templates</li><li>Overview of the Page Structure</li><li>Suggested Patterns for Blocks</li><li>Style and Colorize Images</li><li><code>theme.json</code></li><li>Dropping support for IE11</li><li>Adding support for WebP</li><li>Adding Additional Block Supports</li><li><a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/core/2021/05/27/whats-new-in-gutenberg-10-7-26-may/\">Version 10.7</a> of the Gutenberg plugin</li></ul>\n\n\n\n<p>WordPress 5.8 also has lots of refinements to enhance the developer experience. To learn more, subscribe to the <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/core/\">Make WordPress Core blog</a> and pay special attention to the <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/core/tag/5-8+dev-notes/\">developer notes tag</a> for updates on those and other changes that could affect your products.</p>\n\n\n\n<h2>Plugin and Theme Developers</h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Please test your plugins and themes against WordPress 5.8 and update the <em>Tested up to</em> version in the <code>readme</code> file to 5.8. If you find compatibility problems, please be sure to post to the <a href=\"https://wordpress.org/support/forum/alphabeta/\">support forums</a>, so those can be figured out before the final release.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>The WordPress 5.8 Field Guide, due to be published very shortly, will give you a deeper dive into the major changes.</p>\n\n\n\n<h2>How to Help</h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Do you speak a language other than English? <a href=\"https://translate.wordpress.org/projects/wp/dev\">Help us translate WordPress into more than 100 languages!</a> This release also marks the <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/polyglots/handbook/glossary/#hard-freeze\">hard string freeze</a> point of the 5.8 release schedule.</p>\n\n\n\n<p><em><strong>If you think you have found a bug</strong>, you can post to the <a href=\"https://wordpress.org/support/forum/alphabeta\">Alpha/Beta area</a> in the support forums. We would love to hear from you! If you are comfortable writing a reproducible bug report, <a href=\"https://core.trac.wordpress.org/newticket\">file one on WordPress Trac</a>, where you can also find <a href=\"https://core.trac.wordpress.org/tickets/major\">a list of known bugs</a>.</em></p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-right\"><strong><em>Props to <a href=\'https://profiles.wordpress.org/audrasjb/\' class=\'mention\'><span class=\'mentions-prefix\'>@</span>audrasjb</a>, <a href=\'https://profiles.wordpress.org/cbringmann/\' class=\'mention\'><span class=\'mentions-prefix\'>@</span>cbringmann</a>, <a href=\'https://profiles.wordpress.org/webcommsat/\' class=\'mention\'><span class=\'mentions-prefix\'>@</span>webcommsat</a>, and <a href=\'https://profiles.wordpress.org/pbiron/\' class=\'mention\'><span class=\'mentions-prefix\'>@</span>pbiron</a> for copy suggestions and final review.</em></strong></p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator\" />\n\n\n\n<p><em>We are almost there,<br>WordPress 5.8 comes next month.<br>We need your help: test!</em></p>\n\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:30:\"com-wordpress:feed-additions:1\";a:1:{s:7:\"post-id\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:5:\"10873\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}}}i:7;a:6:{s:4:\"data\";s:63:\"\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"child\";a:4:{s:0:\"\";a:6:{s:5:\"title\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:20:\"WordPress 5.8 Beta 4\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"link\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:56:\"https://wordpress.org/news/2021/06/wordpress-5-8-beta-4/\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:7:\"pubDate\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:31:\"Fri, 25 Jun 2021 17:14:06 +0000\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:8:\"category\";a:3:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:11:\"Development\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:1;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:8:\"Releases\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:2;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:3:\"5.8\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"guid\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:35:\"https://wordpress.org/news/?p=10855\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:1:{s:0:\"\";a:1:{s:11:\"isPermaLink\";s:5:\"false\";}}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:11:\"description\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:331:\"WordPress 5.8 Beta 4 is now available for testing! This software is still in development, so it is not recommended to run this version on a production site. Consider setting up a test site to play with it. You can test the WordPress 5.8 Beta 4 in three ways: Install/activate the WordPress Beta Tester plugin (select […]\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:32:\"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/\";a:1:{s:7:\"creator\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:12:\"Jeffrey Paul\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:40:\"http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/\";a:1:{s:7:\"encoded\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:4104:\"\n<p>WordPress 5.8 Beta 4 is now available for testing!</p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>This software is still in development,</strong> so it is not recommended to run this version on a production site. Consider setting up a test site to play with it.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>You can test the WordPress 5.8 Beta 4 in three ways:</p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Install/activate the <a href=\"https://wordpress.org/plugins/wordpress-beta-tester/\">WordPress Beta Tester</a> plugin (select the <code>Bleeding edge</code> channel and the <code>Beta/RC Only</code> stream).</li><li>Direct download the beta version here (<a href=\"https://wordpress.org/wordpress-5.8-beta4.zip\">zip</a>).</li><li>Using WP-CLI to test: <code>wp core update --version=5.8-beta4</code></li></ul>\n\n\n\n<p>The current target for the final release is July 20, 2021. That’s less than <strong>four weeks away</strong>, so we need your help to make sure the final release is as good as it can be.</p>\n\n\n\n<h2><strong>Some Highlights</strong></h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Since <a href=\"https://wordpress.org/news/2021/06/wordpress-5-8-beta-3/\" data-type=\"post\">Beta 3</a>, <a href=\"https://core.trac.wordpress.org/query?status=closed&changetime=06%2F24%2F2021..06%2F26%2F2021&milestone=5.8&group=component&max=500&col=id&col=summary&col=owner&col=type&col=priority&col=component&col=version&order=priority\">18</a> bugs have been fixed. Most tickets focused on polishing existing default themes, fixing bugs in the new block Widget screen, and squashing Editor bugs collected during beta.</p>\n\n\n\n<h2><strong>How You Can Help</strong></h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Watch the <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/core/\">Make WordPress Core blog</a> for <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/core/tag/5-8+dev-notes/\">5.8-related developer notes</a> in the coming weeks, which will break down these and other changes in greater detail.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>So far, contributors have fixed <a href=\"https://core.trac.wordpress.org/query?status=closed&changetime=..06%2F25%2F2021&milestone=5.8&group=component&max=500&col=id&col=summary&col=owner&col=type&col=priority&col=component&col=version&order=priority\">254 tickets in WordPress 5.8</a>, including <a href=\"https://core.trac.wordpress.org/query?status=closed&status=reopened&changetime=..06%2F25%2F2021&type=enhancement&type=feature+request&milestone=5.8&group=component&col=id&col=summary&col=type&col=status&col=milestone&col=changetime&col=owner&col=priority&col=keywords&order=changetime\">91 new features and enhancements</a>, and more bug fixes are on the way.</p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Do some testing!</strong></p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/core/handbook/testing/beta-testing/\">Testing for bugs</a> is a vital part of polishing the release during the beta stage and a great way to contribute. <img src=\"https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/13.1.0/72x72/2728.png\" alt=\"✨\" class=\"wp-smiley\" style=\"height: 1em; max-height: 1em;\" /></p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you think you’ve found a bug, please post to the <a href=\"https://wordpress.org/support/forum/alphabeta/\">Alpha/Beta</a> area in the support forums. We would love to hear from you! If you’re comfortable writing a reproducible <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/core/reports/\">bug report</a>, file one on <a href=\"https://core.trac.wordpress.org/newticket\">WordPress Trac</a>. That’s also where you can find a list of <a href=\"https://core.trac.wordpress.org/tickets/major\">known bugs</a>.</p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Props to <a href=\'https://profiles.wordpress.org/desrosj/\' class=\'mention\'><span class=\'mentions-prefix\'>@</span>desrosj</a> <a href=\'https://profiles.wordpress.org/clorith/\' class=\'mention\'><span class=\'mentions-prefix\'>@</span>clorith</a> for reviews and <a href=\'https://profiles.wordpress.org/chanthaboune/\' class=\'mention\'><span class=\'mentions-prefix\'>@</span>chanthaboune</a> for final edits!</em></p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator\" />\n\n\n\n<p><em>Releasing software<br>Is complex when open source<br>Yet WordPressers do</em></p>\n\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:30:\"com-wordpress:feed-additions:1\";a:1:{s:7:\"post-id\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:5:\"10855\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}}}i:8;a:6:{s:4:\"data\";s:60:\"\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"child\";a:4:{s:0:\"\";a:6:{s:5:\"title\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:20:\"WordPress 5.8 Beta 3\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"link\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:56:\"https://wordpress.org/news/2021/06/wordpress-5-8-beta-3/\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:7:\"pubDate\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:31:\"Wed, 23 Jun 2021 02:36:26 +0000\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:8:\"category\";a:2:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:11:\"Development\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:1;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:8:\"Releases\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"guid\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:35:\"https://wordpress.org/news/?p=10843\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:1:{s:0:\"\";a:1:{s:11:\"isPermaLink\";s:5:\"false\";}}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:11:\"description\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:331:\"WordPress 5.8 Beta 3 is now available for testing! This software is still in development, so it is not recommended to run this version on a production site. Consider setting up a test site to play with it. You can test the WordPress 5.8 Beta 3 in three ways: Install/activate the WordPress Beta Tester plugin (select […]\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:32:\"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/\";a:1:{s:7:\"creator\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:7:\"Josepha\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:40:\"http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/\";a:1:{s:7:\"encoded\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:5777:\"\n<p>WordPress 5.8 Beta 3 is now available for testing!</p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>This software is still in development,</strong> so it is not recommended to run this version on a production site. Consider setting up a test site to play with it.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>You can test the WordPress 5.8 Beta 3 in three ways:</p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Install/activate the <a href=\"https://wordpress.org/plugins/wordpress-beta-tester/\">WordPress Beta Tester</a> plugin (select the <code>Bleeding edge</code> channel and the <code>Beta/RC Only</code> stream).</li><li>Direct download the beta version here (<a href=\"https://wordpress.org/wordpress-5.8-beta3.zip\">zip</a>).</li><li>Using WP-CLI to test: <code>wp core update --version=5.8-beta3</code></li></ul>\n\n\n\n<p>The current target for the final release is July 20, 2021. That’s just <strong>four weeks away</strong>, so we need your help to make the final release is as good as it can be.</p>\n\n\n\n<h2><strong>Some Highlights</strong></h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Since <a href=\"https://wordpress.org/news/2021/06/wordpress-5-8-beta-2/\" data-type=\"post\">Beta 2</a>, <a href=\"https://core.trac.wordpress.org/query?status=closed&changetime=06%2F16%2F2021..06%2F23%2F2021&milestone=5.8&group=component&max=500&col=id&col=summary&col=owner&col=type&col=priority&col=component&col=version&order=priority\">38</a> bugs have been fixed. Here is a summary of some of the included changes:</p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Block Editor: Move caching to endpoint for unique responses. (<a href=\"https://core.trac.wordpress.org/ticket/53435\">#53435</a>)</li><li>Bundled Themes: Improve display of blocks in widget areas. (<a href=\"https://core.trac.wordpress.org/ticket/53422\">#53422</a>)</li><li>Coding Standards: Bring some consistency to HTML formatting in <code>wp-admin/comment.php</code>. (<a href=\"https://core.trac.wordpress.org/ticket/52627\">#52627</a>)</li><li>Editor: Include Cover block in the list of block types registered using metadata files. (<a href=\"https://core.trac.wordpress.org/ticket/53440\">#53440</a>)</li><li>Editor: Include Cover block in the list of block types registered using metadata files. (<a href=\"https://core.trac.wordpress.org/ticket/53440\">#53440</a>)</li><li>Media: Add new functions to return the previous/next attachment links. (<a href=\"https://core.trac.wordpress.org/ticket/45708\">#45708</a>)</li><li>Media: Improve upload page media item layout on smaller screens. (<a href=\"https://core.trac.wordpress.org/ticket/51754\">#51754</a>)</li><li>Media: Update total attachment count when media added or removed. (<a href=\"https://core.trac.wordpress.org/ticket/53171\">#53171</a>)</li><li>REST API: Decode single and double quote entities in widget names and descriptions. (<a href=\"https://core.trac.wordpress.org/ticket/53407\">#53407</a>)</li><li>Twenty Nineteen: Update margins on full- and wide-aligned blocks in the editor. (<a href=\"https://core.trac.wordpress.org/ticket/53428\">#53428</a>)</li><li>Widgets: Add editor styles to the widgets block editor. (<a href=\"https://core.trac.wordpress.org/ticket/53344\">#53344</a>)</li></ul>\n\n\n\n<h2><strong>How You Can Help</strong></h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Watch the <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/core/\">Make WordPress Core blog</a> for <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/core/tag/5-8+dev-notes/\">5.8-related developer notes</a> in the coming weeks, which will break down these and other changes in greater detail.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>So far, contributors have fixed <a href=\"https://core.trac.wordpress.org/query?status=closed&changetime=..06%2F23%2F2021&milestone=5.8&group=component&max=500&col=id&col=summary&col=owner&col=type&col=priority&col=component&col=version&order=priority\">254 tickets in WordPress 5.8</a>, including <a href=\"https://core.trac.wordpress.org/query?status=closed&status=reopened&changetime=..06%2F23%2F2021&type=enhancement&type=feature+request&milestone=5.8&group=component&col=id&col=summary&col=type&col=status&col=milestone&col=changetime&col=owner&col=priority&col=keywords&order=changetime\">91 new features and enhancements</a>, and more bug fixes are on the way.</p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Do some testing!</strong></p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/core/handbook/testing/beta-testing/\">Testing for bugs</a> is a vital part of polishing the release during the beta stage and a great way to contribute. <img src=\"https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/13.1.0/72x72/2728.png\" alt=\"✨\" class=\"wp-smiley\" style=\"height: 1em; max-height: 1em;\" /></p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you think you’ve found a bug, please post to the <a href=\"https://wordpress.org/support/forum/alphabeta/\">Alpha/Beta</a> area in the support forums. We would love to hear from you! If you’re comfortable writing a reproducible <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/core/reports/\">bug report</a>, file one on <a href=\"https://core.trac.wordpress.org/newticket\">WordPress Trac</a>. That’s also where you can find a list of <a href=\"https://core.trac.wordpress.org/tickets/major\">known bugs</a>.</p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Props to <a href=\'https://profiles.wordpress.org/jeffpaul/\' class=\'mention\'><span class=\'mentions-prefix\'>@</span>jeffpaul</a> <a href=\'https://profiles.wordpress.org/desrosj/\' class=\'mention\'><span class=\'mentions-prefix\'>@</span>desrosj</a> <a href=\'https://profiles.wordpress.org/hellofromtonya/\' class=\'mention\'><span class=\'mentions-prefix\'>@</span>hellofromtonya</a> <a href=\'https://profiles.wordpress.org/pbiron/\' class=\'mention\'><span class=\'mentions-prefix\'>@</span>pbiron</a> for reviews and final edits!</em></p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator\" />\n\n\n\n<p><em>Esperanza first.<br>Want to know the next jazzer?<br>Then please test beta.</em></p>\n\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:30:\"com-wordpress:feed-additions:1\";a:1:{s:7:\"post-id\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:5:\"10843\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}}}i:9;a:6:{s:4:\"data\";s:58:\"\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"child\";a:4:{s:0:\"\";a:7:{s:5:\"title\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:55:\"WP Briefing: Episode 11: WordCamp Europe 2021 in Review\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"link\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:77:\"https://wordpress.org/news/2021/06/episode-11-wordcamp-europe-2021-in-review/\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:7:\"pubDate\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:31:\"Mon, 21 Jun 2021 12:33:22 +0000\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:11:\"wp-briefing\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"guid\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:53:\"https://wordpress.org/news/?post_type=podcast&p=10837\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:1:{s:0:\"\";a:1:{s:11:\"isPermaLink\";s:5:\"false\";}}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:11:\"description\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:364:\"In this episode, Josepha Haden Chomphosy does a mini deep dive into WordCamp Europe 2021, specifically the conversation between the project’s co-founder, Matt Mullenweg, and Brian Krogsgard formerly of PostStatus. Tune in to hear her take and for this episode’s small list of big things. Have a question you’d like answered? You can submit them […]\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:9:\"enclosure\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:0:\"\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:1:{s:0:\"\";a:3:{s:3:\"url\";s:60:\"https://wordpress.org/news/files/2021/06/WP-Briefing-011.mp3\";s:6:\"length\";s:1:\"0\";s:4:\"type\";s:0:\"\";}}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:32:\"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/\";a:1:{s:7:\"creator\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:15:\"Chloe Bringmann\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:40:\"http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/\";a:1:{s:7:\"encoded\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:10500:\"\n<p>In this episode, Josepha Haden Chomphosy does a mini deep dive into WordCamp Europe 2021, specifically the conversation between the project’s co-founder, Matt Mullenweg, and Brian Krogsgard formerly of PostStatus. Tune in to hear her take and for this episode’s small list of big things.</p>\n\n\n\n<p><em><strong>Have a question you’d like answered? You can submit them to <a href=\"mailto:wpbriefing@wordpress.org\">wpbriefing@wordpress.org</a>, either written or as a voice recording.</strong></em></p>\n\n\n\n<h2>Credits</h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Editor:<a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/dustinhartzler/\"> Dustin Hartzler</a></p>\n\n\n\n<p>Logo:<a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/beafialho/\"> Beatriz Fialho</a></p>\n\n\n\n<p>Production:<a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/mkaz/\"> </a><a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/cbringmann/\">Chloé Bringmann</a></p>\n\n\n\n<p>Song: Fearless First by Kevin MacLeod</p>\n\n\n\n<h2>References </h2>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https://wordpress.org/news/2021/06/gutenberg-highlights/\">Gutenberg Highlights </a></p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o-IvKy3322k&t=12428s\">Matt Mullenweg in conversation with Brian Krogsgard </a></p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/core/5-8/\">5.8 Development Cycle</a></p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https://japan.wordcamp.org/2021/\">WordCamp Japan</a></p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https://europe.wordcamp.org/2021/a-recap-on-wceu-2021/\">A recap on WCEU 2021</a></p>\n\n\n\n<h2>Transcript</h2>\n\n\n\n<span id=\"more-10837\"></span>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Josepha Haden Chomphosy 00:10</strong></p>\n\n\n\n<p>Hello, everyone, and welcome to the WordPress Briefing, the podcast where you can catch quick explanations of the ideas behind the WordPress open source project, some insights into the community that supports it, and get a small list of big things coming up in the next two weeks. I’m your host, Josepha Haden Chomphosy. Here we go!</p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Josepha Haden Chomphosy 00:40</strong></p>\n\n\n\n<p>A couple of weeks ago, we hosted WordCamp Europe and had the double pleasure of a demo that showed us a bit about the future of WordPress and an interview that looked back while also looking a bit forward. If you haven’t seen the demo, it was beautiful. And I’ve included a link to it in the show notes. And if you haven’t heard the interview, there were a few specific moments that I’d like to take the time to delve into a little more. Brian Krogsgard, in his conversation with Matt Mullenweg, brought up three really interesting points. I mean, he brought up a lot of interesting points, but there were three that I would particularly like to look into today. The first was about balance. The second was about cohesion. And the third was about those we leave behind. </p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Josepha Haden Chomphosy 01:24</strong></p>\n\n\n\n<p>So first is this question of balance. Brian brought this up in the context of the overall economic health of the WordPress ecosystem. And in that particular moment, he talked about companies that are coming together, companies that are merging. And in Matt’s answer, the part that I found the most interesting was when he said, “the point at which there is the most commercial opportunity is also the point at which there is the most opportunity for short-termism. He went on to talk about the importance of long-term thinking and collective thinking about what makes us, and us here means probably the WordPress project, more vibrant and vital in 10 or 20 or 30 years. One of the things that he specifically called out in that answer was the responsibility of larger companies in the ecosystem. For instance, like Automattic, to commit fully to giving back, there are many ways now that companies can give back to WordPress so that we all replenish the Commons. They can pay for volunteer contributors’ time; they can create and sponsor entire teams through the Five for the Future program. They can contribute time through our outreach program. And they can even contribute to WordPress’s ability to own our own voice by engaging their audience’s awareness of what’s next in WordPress, or whatever. And I know this balance, this particular balance of paid contributors or sponsored contributors, compared to our volunteer contributors or self-sponsored contributors; I know that this balance is one that people keep an eagle eye on. I am consistently on a tight rope to appropriately balanced those voices. But as with so many things where balance is key, keeping an eye on the middle or the long-distance can really help us get it right. </p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Josepha Haden Chomphosy 03:23</strong></p>\n\n\n\n<p>The second question was one of cohesion and specifically cohesion over the competition. Brian asked how, if people feel disadvantaged, you can foster a feeling of cohesion rather than competition? And Matt’s first answer was that competition is great. Specifically, he said that competition is great as long as you consider where your collaboration fits into the mission. And he also spent some time exploring how competitors in the ecosystem can still work from a community-first mindset. I personally cannot agree enough about some of the benefits of collaboration alongside your competitors. I remind sponsored contributors from time to time, and I think it’s true for any contributor that you are an employee of your company first and a contributor to WordPress second. However, once you step into contribution time, your main concern is the users of WordPress, or new contributors, or the health of the WordPress ecosystem as a whole or the WordPress project. So you get all this subject matter expertise from competitive forces, collaborating in a very us versus the problem way. And when you do that, you’re always going to find a great solution. It may not be as fast as you want it to build things out in the open in public. And so sometimes we get it wrong and have to come back and fix it but still, given time, we’re going to come out with the best solution because we have so many skilled people working on this. </p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Josepha Haden Chomphosy 05:01</strong></p>\n\n\n\n<p>And then the third question that I wanted to really touch on is the question of those we leave behind. Brian asked Matt if he thought mid-sized agencies and mid-sized consultants were being squeezed out with the block editor. Matt’s high-level answer was no, and I tend to agree with him. It’s not all mid-sized anything any more than it’s all small-sized anything. His answer continued to look at what stands to change for users with the block editor and who really can stand to benefit. It made me think back to my WordPress 5.0 listening tour. We launched WordPress 5.0, which was, in case anyone forgets, the first release with the block editor in it. I took a six-month-long tour to anywhere that WordPressers were so I could hear their main worries, what Brian is saying in there, and what Matt is saying to really came up all the time in those conversations. And basically, it was that this update takes all the power away from people who are building websites. And in these conversations, and Matt and Brian’s conversation, it was really focused on our freelancers and consultants. But at the same time, all of them heard that this update gives power back to all of the people who could build websites. </p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Josepha Haden Chomphosy 06:28</strong></p>\n\n\n\n<p>I could not shake the feeling at the time. And honestly, I can’t shake it now that no high-end consultants, or freelancers, or any other developer or site creator sit around just longing for maintenance work. After six months of talking to people, I didn’t hear anyone say, “you know, I just love making the same author card over and over and over.” Or, “updated the footer every week, this month. And that’s why I got into this business.” And more than the feeling that there just wasn’t anyone who just loved maintenance, I got a feeling that there were real problems that needed to be solved for these clients and that they wanted to solve them. And that they also would gladly trade updating footers for the much more interesting work of creating modern and stylish business hubs based on WordPress for the clients who trust them so much. All of that, I guess, is to say that, yes, the block editor does give power back to our clients again, but not at the expense of those who have to build the sites in the first place. I think it stands to restore everyone’s sense of agency more than we truly realize. So that’s my deep dive on WordCamp Europe; I included links to the demo and the talk below, just in case you haven’t seen them yet. And you want to get a little bit of insight into the full context of the conversations that I just did a bit of a deep dive into. </p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Josepha Haden Chomphosy 08:15</strong></p>\n\n\n\n<p>And now it’s time for our smallest of big things. All right, I have three things for you today. Number one, tomorrow, we package WordPress 5.8 beta three. If you’ve never had a chance to stop by the core channel in slack for the past packaging process, I really encourage you to stop by; we call them release parties. It’s a bunch of people who stand around and help get it done. So you can also see how it gets done. And if you’re feeling brave, you can even try your hand at testing out one of the packages as soon as it’s ready. The second thing is that a week from tomorrow, we reach our first release candidate milestone. So if you have meant to submit any bugs or patches or if you’ve been procrastinating on documentation, or dev notes, right now is the time so that we can have a chance to get everything into the release by the time we reach the release candidate milestone on the 29th. And the third thing is that we are currently right in the middle of WordCamp Japan. That is a great opportunity to meet some contributors and maybe even get started with contributions yourself. So stop by if you haven’t had a chance to check it out already. I will leave a link in the show notes. And that, my friends, is your small list of big things. </p>\n\n\n\n<p>Thank you for tuning in today for the WordPress Briefing. I’m your host, Josepha Haden Chomphosy, and I’ll see you again in a couple of weeks.</p>\n\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:30:\"com-wordpress:feed-additions:1\";a:1:{s:7:\"post-id\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:5:\"10837\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}}}i:10;a:6:{s:4:\"data\";s:60:\"\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"child\";a:4:{s:0:\"\";a:6:{s:5:\"title\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:20:\"WordPress 5.8 Beta 2\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"link\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:56:\"https://wordpress.org/news/2021/06/wordpress-5-8-beta-2/\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:7:\"pubDate\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:31:\"Tue, 15 Jun 2021 18:34:31 +0000\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:8:\"category\";a:2:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:11:\"Development\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:1;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:8:\"Releases\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"guid\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:35:\"https://wordpress.org/news/?p=10808\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:1:{s:0:\"\";a:1:{s:11:\"isPermaLink\";s:5:\"false\";}}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:11:\"description\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:344:\"WordPress 5.8 Beta 2 is now available for testing! This software is still in development, so it’s not recommended to run this version on a production site. Consider setting up a test site to play with it. You can test the WordPress 5.8 Beta 2 in two ways: Install/activate the WordPress Beta Tester plugin (select the Bleeding […]\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:32:\"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/\";a:1:{s:7:\"creator\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:19:\"Jonathan Desrosiers\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:40:\"http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/\";a:1:{s:7:\"encoded\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:6174:\"\n<p>WordPress 5.8 Beta 2 is now available for testing!</p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>This software is still in development,</strong> so it’s not recommended to run this version on a production site. Consider setting up a test site to play with it.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>You can test the WordPress 5.8 Beta 2 in two ways:</p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Install/activate the <a href=\"https://wordpress.org/plugins/wordpress-beta-tester/\">WordPress Beta Tester</a> plugin (select the <code>Bleeding edge</code> channel and the <code>Beta/RC Only</code> stream)</li><li>Direct download the beta version here (<a href=\"https://wordpress.org/wordpress-5.8-beta2.zip\">zip</a>).</li></ul>\n\n\n\n<p>The current target for the final release is July 20, 2021. That’s just <strong>five weeks away</strong>, so your help is vital to ensure that the final release is as good as it can be.</p>\n\n\n\n<h2><strong>Some Highlights</strong></h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Since <a href=\"https://wordpress.org/news/2021/06/wordpress-5-8-beta-1/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"10733\">Beta 1</a>, <a href=\"https://core.trac.wordpress.org/query?status=closed&changetime=06%2F09%2F2021..06%2F15%2F2021&milestone=5.8&group=component&max=500&col=id&col=summary&col=owner&col=type&col=priority&col=component&col=version&order=priority\">26</a> bugs have been fixed. Here is a summary of some of the included changes:</p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Block Editor: Remove bundled block patterns and support the patterns directory. (<a href=\"https://core.trac.wordpress.org/ticket/53246\">#53246</a>)</li><li>Block Editor: Add a type property to allow Core to identify the source of the editor styles. (<a href=\"https://core.trac.wordpress.org/ticket/53175\">#53175</a>)</li><li>Build/Test Tools: Adds some tests for Quick Draft section in Dashboard. (<a href=\"https://core.trac.wordpress.org/ticket/52905\">#52905</a>)</li><li>Build/Test Tools: Replaced <code>@babel/polyfill</code> with <code>core-js/stable</code>. (<a href=\"https://core.trac.wordpress.org/ticket/52941\">#52941</a>)</li><li>Coding Standards: Further update the code for bulk menu items deletion to better follow WordPress coding standards. (<a href=\"https://core.trac.wordpress.org/ticket/21603\">#21603</a>)</li><li>External Libraries: Update Underscore to version 1.13.1. (<a href=\"https://core.trac.wordpress.org/ticket/45785\">#45785</a>)</li><li>General: A number of block editor, template mode and widget screen related fixes. (<a href=\"https://core.trac.wordpress.org/changeset/51149\">#51149</a>)</li><li>Login and Registration: Improve the unknown username error message. (<a href=\"https://core.trac.wordpress.org/ticket/52915\">#52915</a>)</li><li>Media: Restore AJAX response data shape in media library. (<a href=\"https://core.trac.wordpress.org/ticket/50105\">#50105</a>)</li><li>Site Health: Display a list of file formats supported by the GD library. (<a href=\"https://core.trac.wordpress.org/ticket/53022\">#53022</a>)</li><li><span style=\"color: initial;, sans-serif\">Twemoji: It’s the new one! (</span><a href=\"https://core.trac.wordpress.org/ticket/52852\">#52852</a>)</li></ul>\n\n\n\n<h2><strong>How You Can Help</strong></h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Watch the <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/core/\">Make WordPress Core blog</a> for <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/core/tag/5-8+dev-notes/\">5.8-related developer notes</a> in the coming weeks, which will break down these and other changes in greater detail.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>So far, contributors have fixed <a href=\"https://core.trac.wordpress.org/query?status=closed&changetime=..06%2F15%2F2021&milestone=5.8&group=component&max=500&col=id&col=summary&col=owner&col=type&col=priority&col=component&col=version&order=priority\">214 tickets in WordPress 5.8</a>, including <a href=\"https://core.trac.wordpress.org/query?status=closed&status=reopened&changetime=..06%2F15%2F2021&type=enhancement&type=feature+request&milestone=5.8&group=component&col=id&col=summary&col=type&col=status&col=milestone&col=changetime&col=owner&col=priority&col=keywords&order=changetime\">87 new features and enhancements</a>, and more bug fixes are on the way.</p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Do some testing!</strong></p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/core/handbook/testing/beta-testing/\">Testing for bugs</a> is a vital part of polishing the release during the beta stage and a great way to contribute. <img src=\"https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/13.1.0/72x72/2728.png\" alt=\"✨\" class=\"wp-smiley\" style=\"height: 1em; max-height: 1em;\" /></p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you think you’ve found a bug, please post to the <a href=\"https://wordpress.org/support/forum/alphabeta/\">Alpha/Beta</a> area in the support forums. We would love to hear from you! If you’re comfortable writing a reproducible <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/core/reports/\">bug report</a>, file one on <a href=\"https://core.trac.wordpress.org/newticket\">WordPress Trac</a>. That’s also where you can find a list of <a href=\"https://core.trac.wordpress.org/tickets/major\">known bugs</a>.</p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Props to <a href=\'https://profiles.wordpress.org/chanthaboune/\' class=\'mention\'><span class=\'mentions-prefix\'>@</span>chanthaboune</a> for revision, <a href=\'https://profiles.wordpress.org/webcommsat/\' class=\'mention\'><span class=\'mentions-prefix\'>@</span>webcommsat</a>, <a href=\'https://profiles.wordpress.org/youknowriad/\' class=\'mention\'><span class=\'mentions-prefix\'>@</span>youknowriad</a>, <a href=\'https://profiles.wordpress.org/jorbin/\' class=\'mention\'><span class=\'mentions-prefix\'>@</span>jorbin</a>, <a href=\'https://profiles.wordpress.org/felipeelia/\' class=\'mention\'><span class=\'mentions-prefix\'>@</span>felipeelia</a> , and <a href=\'https://profiles.wordpress.org/jeffpaul/\' class=\'mention\'><span class=\'mentions-prefix\'>@</span>jeffpaul</a> for proofreading, and <a href=\'https://profiles.wordpress.org/cbringmann/\' class=\'mention\'><span class=\'mentions-prefix\'>@</span>cbringmann</a> for final edits!</em></p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator\" />\n\n\n\n<p><em>Install won’t you please<br>WordPress 5-8 Beta 2?<br>We need your help: test!</em></p>\n\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:30:\"com-wordpress:feed-additions:1\";a:1:{s:7:\"post-id\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:5:\"10808\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}}}i:11;a:6:{s:4:\"data\";s:60:\"\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"child\";a:4:{s:0:\"\";a:6:{s:5:\"title\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:20:\"Gutenberg Highlights\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"link\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:56:\"https://wordpress.org/news/2021/06/gutenberg-highlights/\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:7:\"pubDate\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:31:\"Fri, 11 Jun 2021 11:03:04 +0000\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:8:\"category\";a:2:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:8:\"Features\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:1;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:8:\"WordCamp\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"guid\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:35:\"https://wordpress.org/news/?p=10779\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:1:{s:0:\"\";a:1:{s:11:\"isPermaLink\";s:5:\"false\";}}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:11:\"description\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:346:\"During WordCamp Europe this past Wednesday Matt and I gathered to discuss the latest developments of Gutenberg and to share a video with some of the current and upcoming highlights. The video is wonderfully narrated by @beafialho and it was a great opportunity to celebrate all the incredible work that contributors are doing around the […]\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:32:\"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/\";a:1:{s:7:\"creator\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:14:\"Matias Ventura\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:40:\"http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/\";a:1:{s:7:\"encoded\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:1401:\"\n<p>During <a href=\"https://europe.wordcamp.org/2021/\">WordCamp Europe</a> this past Wednesday Matt and I gathered to discuss the latest developments of Gutenberg and to share a video with some of the current and upcoming highlights. The video is wonderfully narrated by <a href=\'https://profiles.wordpress.org/beafialho/\' class=\'mention\'><span class=\'mentions-prefix\'>@</span>beafialho</a> and it was a great opportunity to celebrate all the incredible work that contributors are doing around the globe to improve the editing and customization experience of WordPress. For those that weren’t able to attend live it’s now available for watching online.</p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-4-3 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"632\" height=\"356\" src=\"https://www.youtube.com/embed/a1Sf7PxfmLQ?version=3&rel=1&showsearch=0&showinfo=1&iv_load_policy=1&fs=1&hl=en-US&autohide=2&wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation\"></iframe>\n</div></figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Matt also opened a thread for questions <a href=\"https://ma.tt/2021/06/wceu-open-thread/\">on his blog</a>, so be sure to chime in there if you have any!</p>\n\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:30:\"com-wordpress:feed-additions:1\";a:1:{s:7:\"post-id\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:5:\"10779\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}}}i:12;a:6:{s:4:\"data\";s:63:\"\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"child\";a:4:{s:0:\"\";a:6:{s:5:\"title\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:20:\"WordPress 5.8 Beta 1\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"link\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:56:\"https://wordpress.org/news/2021/06/wordpress-5-8-beta-1/\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:7:\"pubDate\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:31:\"Wed, 09 Jun 2021 02:47:48 +0000\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:8:\"category\";a:3:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:11:\"Development\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:1;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:8:\"Releases\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:2;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:3:\"5.8\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"guid\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:35:\"https://wordpress.org/news/?p=10733\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:1:{s:0:\"\";a:1:{s:11:\"isPermaLink\";s:5:\"false\";}}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:11:\"description\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:50:\"WordPress 5.8 Beta 1 is now available for testing!\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:32:\"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/\";a:1:{s:7:\"creator\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:12:\"Jeffrey Paul\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:40:\"http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/\";a:1:{s:7:\"encoded\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:10110:\"\n<p>WordPress 5.8 Beta 1 is now available for testing!</p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>This software is still in development,</strong> so it is not recommended to run this version on a production site. Instead, we recommend that you run this on a test site to play with the new version.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>You can test the WordPress 5.8 Beta 1 in two ways:</p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Install and activate the <a href=\"https://wordpress.org/plugins/wordpress-beta-tester/\">WordPress Beta Tester</a> plugin (select the “Bleeding edge” channel and “Beta/RC Only” stream).</li><li>Direct download the <a href=\"https://wordpress.org/wordpress-5.8-beta1.zip\">beta version here (zip)</a>.</li></ul>\n\n\n\n<p>The current target for the final release is July 20, 2021. This is just <strong>six weeks away</strong>, so your help is vital to ensure this release is tested properly and as good as it can be.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>Keep your eyes on the <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/core/\">Make WordPress Core blog</a> for <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/core/tag/5-8+dev-notes/\">5.8-related developer notes</a> in the coming weeks, breaking down these and other changes in greater detail.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>So what’s new in this 5.8? Let’s start with some highlights.</p>\n\n\n\n<h2>Highlights</h2>\n\n\n\n<h3>Powerful Blocks</h3>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Discover several new blocks and expressive tools, including blocks for <em>Page Lists</em>, <em>Site Title</em>, <em>Logo</em>, and <em>Tagline</em>. A powerful <em>Query Loop</em> block offers multiple ways for displaying lists of posts and comes with new block patterns that take advantage of its flexibility and creative possibilities.</li><li>Interacting with nested blocks has been made easier with a permanent toolbar button for selecting a parent. Block outlines are shown when hovering or focusing on the different block type buttons. Block handles are now also present for drag and drop when in “select” mode.</li><li>Introduces the <strong>List View</strong>, a panel that can be toggled and helps navigate complex blocks and patterns.</li><li>Reusable blocks have an improved creation flow and support for history revisions. </li><li>A cool new duotone block adds images effects which can be used in media blocks or supported in third-party blocks. Color presets can also be customized by the theme.</li></ul>\n\n\n\n<h3>Handpicked Patterns</h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Patterns can now also be recommended and selected during block setup, offering powerful new flows. Pattern transformations are also possible and allow converting a block or a collection of blocks into different patterns.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>New collection of Patterns and an initial integration with the upcoming Pattern Directory on WordPress.org.</p>\n\n\n\n<h3>Better Tools</h3>\n\n\n\n<ul><li><span style=\"color: initial;, sans-serif\">New template editor that allows creating new custom templates for a page using blocks.</span></li><li>Themes can now control and configure styling with a theme.json file, including layout configuration, block supports, color palettes, and more.</li><li>New design tools and enhancements to existing blocks, including more color, typography, and spacing options, drag and drop for Cover backgrounds, additions to block transformation options, ability to embed PDFs within the File block, and more.</li><li>Includes improvements to how the editor is rendered to more accurately resemble the frontend.</li></ul>\n\n\n\n<h3>Internet Explorer 11</h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Support for Internet Explorer 11 is ending in WordPress this year. In this release, most of those changes are being merged so use the Beta and RC periods to test!</p>\n\n\n\n<h3>Blocks in Widgets Area</h3>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>You can now use any block in your theme’s widget areas using the all new Widgets screen and updated Customizer.</li><li>Existing third party widgets continue to work via the <a href=\"https://developer.wordpress.org/block-editor/how-to-guides/widgets/legacy-widget-block/\">Legacy Widget block</a>.</li><li>Not quite ready for a full switch? To ease the transition, users can use the <a href=\"https://wordpress.org/plugins/classic-widgets/\">Classic Widgets plugin</a> and themes can call <a href=\"https://developer.wordpress.org/block-editor/how-to-guides/widgets/opting-out/\">remove_theme_support( ‘widgets-block-editor’ )</a>.</li></ul>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Looking for a change and can’t find it? There are more improvements listed after the break.</em></p>\n\n\n\n<h2><strong>How You Can Help</strong></h2>\n\n\n\n<h3>Do some testing!</h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Testing for bugs is an important part of polishing the release during the beta stage and a great way to contribute.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you think you’ve found a bug, please post to the <a href=\"https://wordpress.org/support/forum/alphabeta/\">Alpha/Beta area</a> in the support forums. We would love to hear from you! If you’re comfortable writing a reproducible bug report, <a href=\"https://core.trac.wordpress.org/newticket\">file one on WordPress Trac</a>. That’s also where you can find a list of <a href=\"https://core.trac.wordpress.org/tickets/major\">known bugs</a>.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>Thanks for joining us, and happy testing!</p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left\"><em><span><i>Props to </i></span><a href=\'https://profiles.wordpress.org/audrasjb/\' class=\'mention\'><span class=\'mentions-prefix\'>@</span>audrasjb</a>, <a href=\'https://profiles.wordpress.org/cbringmann/\' class=\'mention\'><span class=\'mentions-prefix\'>@</span>cbringmann</a>, <a href=\'https://profiles.wordpress.org/youknowriad/\' class=\'mention\'><span class=\'mentions-prefix\'>@</span>youknowriad</a>, <a href=\'https://profiles.wordpress.org/annezazu/\' class=\'mention\'><span class=\'mentions-prefix\'>@</span>annezazu</a>, <a href=\'https://profiles.wordpress.org/matveb/\' class=\'mention\'><span class=\'mentions-prefix\'>@</span>matveb</a>, and <a href=\'https://profiles.wordpress.org/desrosj/\' class=\'mention\'><span class=\'mentions-prefix\'>@</span>desrosj</a><span><i> for </i>editing/proof reading</span> this post, and <a href=\'https://profiles.wordpress.org/chanthaboune/\' class=\'mention\'><span class=\'mentions-prefix\'>@</span>chanthaboune</a> for final review.</em></p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator is-style-default\" />\n\n\n\n<p><em>Full Site Editing<br>Coming at the end of year<br>But first, Beta 1</em></p>\n\n\n\n<span id=\"more-10733\"></span>\n\n\n\n<h2><strong>Improvements in this Release</strong></h2>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Improvements to Reusable blocks, Cover block, Table block, List View, Rich text placeholder, Template Editing Mode, Block Inserter, and Top Toolbar</li><li>Query loop block that uses a query/filter to create a flexible post list based on templates. Best used with patterns.</li><li>Parity refinement between editor and frontend, Standardization to block toolbars organization</li><li>Block widgets in the Customizer</li><li>Introducing the Global Styles and Global Settings APIs: control the editor settings and available customization tools and style blocks using a theme.json file.Template editor opens inside an iframe to more accurately resemble the front end.</li><li>Ability to transform Media and Text into Columns</li><li>Embedded PDFs within File block</li><li>Spacing options for Social Links and Buttons, Spacer block width adjustments</li><li>Twemoji has been updated to version 13.1, bringing you many new Emoji.</li><li>Editor performance improvements</li><li>Hide writing prompt from subsequent empty paragraphs</li><li>More descriptive publishing UI</li><li>Added capability to set the default format for image sub-sizes as well as WebP support</li><li>Added widgets block editor to widgets.php and customize.php</li><li>Added block patterns to default themes</li><li>Added ability to mark a plugin as unmanaged</li><li>Enable revisions for the reusable block custom post type</li><li>Enqueue script and style assets only for blocks present on the page</li><li>Abstracted block editor configuration by deprecating existing filters and introducing replacements that are context-aware</li><li>New sidebars, widget, and widget-types REST API endpoints</li><li>Added support for modifying the term relation when querying posts in the REST API</li><li>Site Health now supports custom sub-menus and pages</li><li>Themes now display the number of available theme updates in the admin menu</li><li>Speed up cached <code>get_pages()</code> calls</li><li>Underscore updates from 1.8.3 to 1.9.1</li></ul>\n\n\n\n<p>To see all of the features for Gutenberg release in detail check out these posts: <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/core/2021/02/17/whats-new-in-gutenberg-10-0-february/\">10.0</a>, <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/core/2021/03/02/whats-new-in-gutenberg-10-1-3-march/\">10.1</a>, <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/core/2021/03/17/whats-new-in-gutenberg-10-2-17-march/\">10.2</a>, <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/core/2021/04/02/whats-new-in-gutenberg-10-3-31-march/\">10.3</a>, <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/core/2021/04/14/whats-new-in-gutenberg-10-4-14-april/\">10.4</a>, <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/core/2021/04/30/whats-new-in-gutenberg-10-5-28-april/\">10.5</a>, <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/core/2021/05/14/whats-new-in-gutenberg-10-6-12-may/\">10.6</a>, and <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/core/2021/05/27/whats-new-in-gutenberg-10-7-26-may/\">10.7</a>. In addition to those changes, contributors have fixed <a href=\"https://core.trac.wordpress.org/query?status=closed&milestone=5.8&group=component&max=500&col=id&col=summary&col=owner&col=type&col=priority&col=component&col=version&order=priority\">215 tickets in WordPress 5.8</a>, including <a href=\"https://core.trac.wordpress.org/query?status=closed&status=reopened&type=enhancement&type=feature+request&milestone=5.8&col=id&col=summary&col=type&col=status&col=milestone&col=owner&col=priority&col=changetime&col=keywords&order=changetime\">88 new features and enhancements</a>, with more bug fixes on the way.</p>\n\n\n\n<p></p>\n\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:30:\"com-wordpress:feed-additions:1\";a:1:{s:7:\"post-id\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:5:\"10733\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}}}i:13;a:6:{s:4:\"data\";s:58:\"\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"child\";a:4:{s:0:\"\";a:7:{s:5:\"title\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:57:\"WP Briefing: Episode 10: Finding the Good In Disagreement\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"link\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:79:\"https://wordpress.org/news/2021/06/episode-10-finding-the-good-in-disagreement/\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:7:\"pubDate\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:31:\"Mon, 07 Jun 2021 12:22:06 +0000\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:11:\"wp-briefing\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"guid\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:53:\"https://wordpress.org/news/?post_type=podcast&p=10424\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:1:{s:0:\"\";a:1:{s:11:\"isPermaLink\";s:5:\"false\";}}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:11:\"description\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:408:\"To Agree, disagree, and everything in-between. In this episode, Josepha talks about forming opinions and decision-making in the WordPress project. Have a question you’d like answered? You can submit them to wpbriefing@wordpress.org, either written or as a voice recording. Credits Editor: Dustin Hartzler Logo: Beatriz Fialho Production: Chloé Bringmann Song: Fearless First by Kevin MacLeod […]\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:9:\"enclosure\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:0:\"\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:1:{s:0:\"\";a:3:{s:3:\"url\";s:60:\"https://wordpress.org/news/files/2021/06/WP-Briefing-010.mp3\";s:6:\"length\";s:1:\"0\";s:4:\"type\";s:0:\"\";}}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:32:\"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/\";a:1:{s:7:\"creator\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:15:\"Chloe Bringmann\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:40:\"http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/\";a:1:{s:7:\"encoded\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:12068:\"\n<p>To Agree, disagree, and everything in-between. In this episode, Josepha talks about forming opinions and decision-making in the WordPress project.</p>\n\n\n\n<p><em><strong>Have a question you’d like answered? You can submit them to <a href=\"mailto:wpbriefing@wordpress.org\">wpbriefing@wordpress.org</a>, either written or as a voice recording.</strong></em></p>\n\n\n\n<h2>Credits</h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Editor:<a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/dustinhartzler/\"> Dustin Hartzler</a></p>\n\n\n\n<p>Logo:<a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/beafialho/\"> Beatriz Fialho</a></p>\n\n\n\n<p>Production:<a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/mkaz/\"> </a><a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/cbringmann/\">Chloé Bringmann</a></p>\n\n\n\n<p>Song: Fearless First by Kevin MacLeod</p>\n\n\n\n<h2>References</h2>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https://www.oprah.com/spirit/suzy-welchs-rule-of-10-10-10-decision-making-guide/all\">10/10/10 Rule</a></p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Time_management#The_Eisenhower_Method\">The Eisenhower Matrix </a></p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minimax\">The Maximin Strategy </a></p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https://europe.wordcamp.org/2021/\">WordCamp Europe</a></p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https://japan.wordcamp.org/2021/\">WordCamp Japan</a></p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/core/5-8/\">WordPress 5.8 Development Cycle</a></p>\n\n\n\n<h2>Transcript</h2>\n\n\n\n<span id=\"more-10424\"></span>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Josepha Haden Chomphosy </strong>00:10</p>\n\n\n\n<p>Hello, everyone, and welcome to the WordPress Briefing, the podcast where you can catch quick explanations of some of the ideas behind the WordPress open source project and the community around it, as well as get a small list of big things coming up in the next two weeks. I’m your host, Joseph Haden Chomphosy. Here we go!</p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Josepha Haden Chomphosy </strong>00:40</p>\n\n\n\n<p>For anyone who has ever organized something, whether it’s a social event, a school project, or an annual family gathering, you know that there are many different opinions. The more opinions you have, the more likely people don’t see eye to eye. And before you know it, you’ve got some disagreements. Some things make disagreements worse, like imbalance of information, lack of showing your work, and sometimes just “too many cooks in the kitchen,” to use a regional phrase. Frankly, sometimes it seems like the second you have more than one cook in your kitchen, you’re going to get some disagreements. But I think that’s a healthy thing. WordPress is huge. And there are huge numbers of people contributing to WordPress or any other open source project you want to name. So there’s a lot of stuff available to disagree about. If we never saw anyone pointing out an area that wasn’t quite right, there would probably be something wrong. If you, like me, think that a healthy tension of collaborative disagreement can be useful when approached thoughtfully, then this quick start guide is for you. </p>\n\n\n\n<p>Step one, prepare to host a discussion. This is, by the way, just the hardest step out there. You have to take a little time to figure out what problem you’re solving with the solution you’re suggesting, any goals that it relates to, and then figure out what the bare minimum best outcome would be and what the wildest dreams magic wand waving outcome would be. And you have to be honest with yourself. </p>\n\n\n\n<p>Step two, host the discussion. The venue will be different for different discussions, but you see a lot of these on team blogs or within the actual tickets where work is being done. Wherever you’re hosting it, state the problem, state your idea for the solution and ask for what you missed. If you’re hosting a discussion in person, like in a town hall format, this can be hard. And generally, hosting discussions in an in-person or voice call or zoom call kind of way is hard. So if you have an opportunity to start doing this in text first and level your way up to in person, that’s my recommendation. </p>\n\n\n\n<p>Step three is to summarize the discussion and post a decision if possible. So organizing a big discussion into main points is a really good practice for the people you’re summarizing it for and yourself. It helps you to confirm your understanding, and it also gives you the chance to pair other solutions with the problem and goals you outlined in step one. If a different solution solves the same problem but with less time or effort, it’s worth taking a second look with less time or effort. There’s something that I say to WordPress contributors frequently, and that is there are a lot of yeses. There are a lot of right ways to do things and only a few clear wrong ways to do things. So be open-minded about whether or not someone else’s right way to do things could still achieve the goals you’re trying to accomplish with your solution. A note on step three where I said, “and post the decision if possible.” Sometimes you’re the person to make that decision, but sometimes you are not the person who can give something the green light, and so you’re preparing a recommendation. Whether you’re making a decision or a recommendation, sometimes you may experience a little decision-making paralysis. I know I do. So here are a few of the tools that I use.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you’re avoiding the decision, use the 10/10/10 rule; it can help you figure out if you’re stuck on a short-term problem. If there are too many good choices, use the Eisenhower Matrix that can help you to prioritize objectively. If there are too many bad choices, use the Maximin strategy. It can help you to identify how to minimize any potential negative impacts. </p>\n\n\n\n<p>Okay, so you’ve considered your position. You’ve discussed everything. You summarized the big points. Maybe you also worked your way through to a recommendation or a decision. What about everyone who disagreed with the decision? Or have you made a recommendation, and it wasn’t accepted? How do you deal with that? That’s where “disagree and commit” shows up. This phrase was made popular by the folks over at Amazon, I think. But it first showed up, I believe at Sun Microsystems as this phrase, “agreeing, commit, disagree and commit or get out of the way.”</p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Josepha Haden Chomphosy </strong>05:34</p>\n\n\n\n<p>Disagree and commit as a concept works pretty well when everyone agrees on the vision and the goals, but not necessarily how to get to those goals. We’ve had moments in recent history where folks we’re not able to agree, we’re not able to commit, and so then left the project. I hate when that happens. I want people to thrive in this community for the entire length of their careers. But I also understand that situation shows up in the top five learnings of open source when you no longer have interest in the project and handed it off to a competent successor. So there it is – disagreements in open source in WordPress. </p>\n\n\n\n<p>As with so many of the things I discuss on this podcast, this is incredibly complex and nuanced in practice. Taking an argument, distilling facts from feelings, and adjusting frames of reference until the solution is well informed and risk-balanced. That is a skill set unto itself. But one that increases the health of any organization. I’ll share that list of references and general materials in the show notes, including a link explaining each of those decision-making tools that I shared. I’m also going to include the contributor training module on decision-making in the WordPress project. It’s got excellent information. It’s part of a series of modules that I asked team reps to take and sponsored contributors. I don’t require it from anyone, but I do hope that it is useful for you. Also, speaking of useful for you, if you are just here for leadership insights, I included some hot takes after the outro music for you. It’s like an Easter egg, but I just told you about it.</p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Josepha Haden Chomphosy </strong>07:33</p>\n\n\n\n<p>And that brings us to our small list of big things! First off, WordCamp Europe is happening this we; I hope that everybody has an opportunity to attend. If you still haven’t gotten your tickets, they are free, and I think there are still a few left. I will include a link in the show notes as well. There’s going to be a little demo with Matt Mullenweg and Matias Ventura on the WordPress 5.8 release that’s coming up. And then kind of a retrospective discussion between Matt and Brian Krogsgard. I encourage you to join; I think it’s going to be very interesting. </p>\n\n\n\n<p>There’s also WordCamp, Japan coming up June 20 through 26th. I mentioned it last time – it has a big section of contributing and contribution time. So if you’re looking to get started, some projects are laid out, and I encourage you to take a look at that as well. </p>\n\n\n\n<p>The new thing on this list, and I don’t know how new It is, in general, I hope it’s not too new to you, is that WordPress 5.8 release is reaching its beta one milestone on June 8th, so right in the middle of WordCamp Europe. I encourage every single theme developer, plugin developer that we have, agency owners that we have to really take a look at this release and dig into testing it. It’s a gigantic release. And I have so many questions about what will work and will not work once we get it into a broader testing area. We’ve been doing a lot of testing in the outreach program. But it’s always helpful to get people who are using WordPress daily in their jobs to really give a good solid test to the beta product to the beta package. And put it all through its paces for us. </p>\n\n\n\n<p>So, that my friends, is your small list of big things. Thank you for tuning in today for the WordPress Briefing. I’m your host Josepha Haden Chomphosy, and I’ll see you again in a couple of weeks.</p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Josepha Haden Chomphosy </strong>10:09</p>\n\n\n\n<p>Hey there, you must be here because I told you about this totally not hidden easter egg about my hot takes on organizational health; I have three for you. And if you’ve ever worked with me, none of this will surprise you. But if you haven’t worked with me, hopefully, it kind of gives you some idea about how I approach all of this a bit differently. So, number one, critical feedback is the sign of a healthy organization. And I will never be dissuaded from that opinion. A complete lack of dissent doesn’t look like “alignment.” To me, that looks like fear. And it goes against the open source idea that many eyes make all bugs shallow. </p>\n\n\n\n<p>Tip number two, a bit of tension is good, a bit of disagreement is good. The same thing that I say about women in tech, we’re not all the same. And if we were, then we wouldn’t need to collaborate anyway. But diversity, whether that’s the diversity of thought or of a person or of experience, just doesn’t happen without some misunderstandings. It’s how we choose to grow through those misunderstandings that make all the difference for the type of organization we are. </p>\n\n\n\n<p>And hot take number three, changing your mind isn’t flip-flopping or hypocritical. I think that’s a sign of growth and willingness to hear others. I like to think of my embarrassment at past bad decisions – as the sore muscles of a learning brain. And I, again, probably won’t be dissuaded from that opinion. Although, you know, if I’m sticking true to changing your mind some flip-flopping or hypocritical, maybe I will, but you can always try to, to give me the counter-argument for that, and we’ll see how it goes. Thank you for joining me for my little public easter egg.</p>\n\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:30:\"com-wordpress:feed-additions:1\";a:1:{s:7:\"post-id\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:5:\"10424\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}}}i:14;a:6:{s:4:\"data\";s:66:\"\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"child\";a:4:{s:0:\"\";a:6:{s:5:\"title\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:36:\"People of WordPress: Tijana Andrejic\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"link\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:71:\"https://wordpress.org/news/2021/06/people-of-wordpress-tijana-andrejic/\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:7:\"pubDate\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:31:\"Mon, 07 Jun 2021 12:01:00 +0000\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:8:\"category\";a:4:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:9:\"heropress\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:1;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:10:\"Interviews\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:2;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:16:\"ContributorStory\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:3;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:9:\"HeroPress\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"guid\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:35:\"https://wordpress.org/news/?p=10427\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:1:{s:0:\"\";a:1:{s:11:\"isPermaLink\";s:5:\"false\";}}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:11:\"description\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:178:\"This month to coincide with WordCamp Europe, we feature Tijana Andrejic from Belgrade, Serbia, about her journey from fitness trainer to the opportunities in the WordPress world.\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:32:\"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/\";a:1:{s:7:\"creator\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:28:\"webcommsat AbhaNonStopNewsUK\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:40:\"http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/\";a:1:{s:7:\"encoded\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:14291:\"\n<p><strong>WordPress is open source software, maintained by a global network of contributors. There are many examples of how WordPress has changed people’s lives for the better. In this monthly series, we share some of the amazing stories.</strong></p>\n\n\n\n<p>This month to coincide with WordCamp Europe, we feature Tijana Andrejic from Belgrade, Serbia, about her journey from fitness trainer to the WordPress world, with the freelance and corporate opportunities it introduced. </p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"632\" height=\"387\" src=\"https://i0.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/06/2021-07-Tijana-Andrejic_Featured-Img_1.jpg?resize=632%2C387&ssl=1\" alt=\"Tijana - portrait picture\" class=\"wp-image-10713\" srcset=\"https://i0.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/06/2021-07-Tijana-Andrejic_Featured-Img_1.jpg?w=1024&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/06/2021-07-Tijana-Andrejic_Featured-Img_1.jpg?resize=300%2C184&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/06/2021-07-Tijana-Andrejic_Featured-Img_1.jpg?resize=768%2C470&ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 632px) 100vw, 632px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" /></figure>\n\n\n\n<p>As a professional manager with a college degree in Organizational Science and a certified fitness instructor, Tijana is nothing if not driven and goal-oriented. </p>\n\n\n\n<p>Following her time as a fitness trainer, Tijana moved to work in IT around 2016. She first explored content creation and design before focusing on SEO and becoming an independent specialist. </p>\n\n\n\n<p>Tijana was hired as a Customer Happiness Engineer for a hosting company, where she discovered the benefits of having a team. She realized that having close working relationships with colleagues is helpful for business success and accelerates personal growth.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>Tijana hopes that by sharing her story, she can help others who are either starting their career or are moving roles. She describes the opportunities she discovered in the WordPress community as ‘a huge epiphany’, especially in the world of freelancing.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>She highlights <strong>5 things that helped her to start a new freelancing career</strong>. Let’s dive into them.</p>\n\n\n\n<h2>What motivates me?</h2>\n\n\n\n<p>“Why am I doing this?” is the first question that Tijana asks herself before starting anything new. This self-review and honesty, she feels, allows her to determine her priorities. She also benchmarks options around her motivations of wanting a flexible schedule and to grow professionally. </p>\n\n\n\n<p>She lists the reasons to make a particular choice, like being a freelancer, to help her choose the right job, pathway, or identify alternatives. </p>\n\n\n\n<p>She recommends that others can take a similar approach. If freelancing is still the best solution after examining all their goals and motivations, Tijana believes a good next step would be to learn WordPress-related skills.</p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img src=\"https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/cdHeIL-H_mE6QFCUxUT-gfKS2GzizRHtn4iCENoaWOimC82BfModRJh44QbhvHPW0GNVP5eUPhgxQteDRbA_9EUzpssTXMGWje1hUuKyrfXUgGhCnvXQdraaUQiaGBjFr73dNYxr\" alt=\"WordCamp Europe 2019 group picture\" /></figure>\n\n\n\n<h2>Develop WordPress related skills</h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The next question you may ask: “Why WordPress?”</p>\n\n\n\n<p>WordPress is used by more than 40% of websites in some form and offers various roles, many of which are not developer-specific. Tijana highlights a few: </p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>web developer (coding websites, themes, and plugins)</li><li>web implementor (creating websites from existing themes without coding)</li><li>web designer (designing website mock-ups, editing images, or creating online infographics)</li><li>client support professional (helping people with their websites)</li><li>website maintenance (WordPress, themes, and plugins are maintained and backed up regularly)</li><li>WordPress trainer (helping clients with how to use the platform or teaching other web professionals)</li><li>content writer</li><li>accessibility specialist (making sure standards are met and suggesting solutions for accessibility barriers)</li><li>SEO consultant (improving search outcomes and understanding)</li><li>statistics consultant, especially for web shops</li><li>WordPress assistant (adding new content and editing existing posts)</li><li>website migration specialist (moving websites from one server to another)</li><li>web security specialist</li></ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img src=\"https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/16XExYT_P4R4PX3orOaWbueDfkBIA6PFQ-CuYEXdeN9AvUIuIF33aIjT1DpdnFCqhrijWv1f68OR2Qh14xGT9REHGJ-MqK-OxJ9XcrhZ3IkcW8DBI7nVAtvFcCnCHL0woka_FV6t\" alt=\"WCBGD group picture\" /></figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Tijana emphasized: “Another reason why WordPress is great for freelancers is the strong community that exists around this content management system (CMS).” WordCamps and Meetups are a way to get useful information and meet people from a large and very diverse community and get answers to many questions straight away. </p>\n\n\n\n<p>In the past year, these events have been primarily online. However, the contributors who run them continue to make an effort to provide an experience as close to in-person events as possible. The biggest advantage to online events is that we can attend events from across the world, even if sometimes during these difficult times, it is difficult to get enough time to deeply into this new experience. Since Tijana’s first Meetup, she has attended many WordPress community events and volunteered as a speaker.</p>\n\n\n\n<h2>Plan in advance</h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Becoming a freelancer takes time. For Tijana, success came with proper planning and following her plan to ‘acquire or improve relevant skills that will make you stand out in the freelance market.’ She strongly believes that learning and growing as a professional opens more business opportunities. </p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you are considering a freelance career, she advises improving relevant skills or developing new skills related to your hobbies as ‘there is nothing better than doing what you love.’ In cases where no previous experience and knowledge can be used, she suggests choosing ‘a job that has a shorter learning curve and builds your knowledge around that.’</p>\n\n\n\n<p>Tijana started as a content creator and learned to become an SEO expert. However, she highlights many alternative paths, including starting as a web implementer and moving to train as a developer. </p>\n\n\n\n<p>She suggests to others: “It would be a good idea to analyze the market before you jump into the learning process.” She also recommends people check the latest trends and consider the future of the skills they are developing.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>Visit the new <a href=\"https://learn.wordpress.org/\">Learn WordPress.org</a> to see what topics are of interest to you. In this newly established resource, the WordPress community aggregates workshops to support those who want to start and improve their skills, provides lesson plans for professional WordPress trainers and helps you create personal learning to develop key skills. There is also material on helping you be part of and organize events for your local community.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>Tijana highlights that there are many places for freelancers to find clients. For example, the WordPress Community has a place where companies and individual site owners publish their job advertisements – <a href=\"https://jobs.wordpress.net/\">Jobs.WordPress.net</a>.</p>\n\n\n\n<h2>Hurray, it’s time to get a first freelancing job</h2>\n\n\n\n<p>As a pragmatic person, Tijana recommends: “Save money before quitting your job to become a full-time freelancer. Alternatively, try freelancing for a few hours per week to see if you like it. Although some people do benefit when taking a risk, think twice before you take any irreversible actions.” </p>\n\n\n\n<p>She shared some possible next steps: </p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>use a freelancing platform</li><li>triple-check your resume</li><li>professionally present yourself</li><li>fill up your portfolio with examples</li><li>use video material</li></ul>\n\n\n\n<p>“By using video material, your clients will not see you like a list of skills and previous experiences, but as a real person that has these skills and experiences and that provides a certain service for them.”</p>\n\n\n\n<p>She adds: “Have a detailed strategy when choosing your first employer. Choose your first employer wisely, very wisely. I can’t emphasize enough how important this is”.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>When Tijana took her first freelancing job, she considered the following:</p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>how was the employer rated by other freelancers who worked for him previously</li><li>how does the employer rate other freelancers</li><li>how much money had they already spent on the platform</li><li>the number of open positions for a specific job and the number of freelancers that have already applied </li></ul>\n\n\n\n<p>“The first job is not all about the money. Don’t get greedy on your first job. If you get good recommendations, your second job can pay two to three times more. And your third job can go up to five times more. That was my experience.”</p>\n\n\n\n<h2>Take responsibility as a freelancer</h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Tijana reminds us: “Freedom often comes with responsibility; individual responsibility is key when it comes to freelancing.”</p>\n\n\n\n<p>She advises others not to take a job if you can not make a deadline and have someone reliable who can help you. </p>\n\n\n\n<p>Missing deadlines will cost your client money and affect the review the client will be willing to leave about your job, and this can have a big impact on your future opportunities or freelance jobs.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>She adds: “This can start a downward spiral for your career. However, we are all humans, and unpredictable things can happen. If for some reason you are not able to complete your work in a timely manner, let your client know immediately so they can have enough time to hire someone else”.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>Tijana emphasizes the importance of making expectations clear before accepting a job, both what the client is expecting and what you can expect from the client. </p>\n\n\n\n<p>Lastly, she points out that if you are working from home, your friends and family should treat you the way they would if you were in an office. She advises: “Let them know about your working schedule.”</p>\n\n\n\n<p>She hopes that these basic guidelines will be useful in launching freelance careers, as they did her, even though there is no universal recipe for all.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>Tijana highlights: “It’s just important to stay focused on your goals and to be open to new opportunities.” Freelancing wasn’t the only way she could have fulfilled her goals, but it was an important part of her path, and it helped her be confident in her abilities to make the next big step in her life.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>As a freelancer, she was missing close relationships with colleagues and teamwork, which she has now found in her current firm. Her colleagues describe her as a: “walking-talking bundle of superpowers: sports medicine and fitness professional, SEO expert, blogger, designer and a kitty foster mum”.</p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img src=\"https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/PIGT9R6FmtEHsNBvWzyViW5htRAm156asTOsohOGOUwfsWjW1TuDhUI9yuZnjIe-1eFHfFUWPULPtw82P3YYXHa0bsY_jA5keelmDHfSkTdd3xUsVZTmG9KvdE8XTojvU3LxYCsi\" alt=\"Conference reception\" /></figure>\n\n\n\n<p>If you are considering starting your career as a freelancer, take the courses offered at <a href=\"https://learn.wordpress.org/\">learn.wordpress.org,</a> reach out to companies that you would be interested in working with, and remember that there are a whole host of opportunities in the WordPress project.</p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/\">The WordPress.org Teams</a> – what they do, when and where they meet</p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https://learn.wordpress.org/\">Learn WordPress resource</a> – free to use to expand your knowledge and skills of using the platform and learning about the community around it.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>The 3-day <a href=\"https://europe.wordcamp.org/2021/\">WordCamp Europe 2021</a> online event begins on 7 June 2021. You can discover more about being a contributor in its live sessions and <a href=\"https://europe.wordcamp.org/2021/contribute-to-wordpress/\">section on ways to contribute to WordPress</a>.</p>\n\n\n\n<h2>Contributors</h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Thanks to Olga Gleckler (<a href=\'https://profiles.wordpress.org/oglekler/\' class=\'mention\'><span class=\'mentions-prefix\'>@</span>oglekler</a>), Abha Thakor (<a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/webcommsat/\">@webcommsat</a>), Chloé Bringmann (<a href=\'https://profiles.wordpress.org/cbringmann/\' class=\'mention\'><span class=\'mentions-prefix\'>@</span>cbringmann</a>), Surendra Thakor (<a href=\'https://profiles.wordpress.org/sthakor/\' class=\'mention\'><span class=\'mentions-prefix\'>@</span>sthakor</a>), and Meher Bala (<a href=\'https://profiles.wordpress.org/meher/\' class=\'mention\'><span class=\'mentions-prefix\'>@</span>meher</a>) for working on this story. Josepha Haden (<a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/chanthaboune/\">@chanthaboune</a>) and also to Topher DeRosia (<a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/topher1kenobe/\">@topher1kenobe</a>) who created HeroPress. Thank you to Tijana Andrejic (<a href=\'https://profiles.wordpress.org/andtijana/\' class=\'mention\'><span class=\'mentions-prefix\'>@</span>andtijana</a>) for sharing her #ContributorStory</p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img src=\"https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/FEZ2FQJ0vQ311YoPfh6ny15NXh8saTLH_RjyDO4pUOuEGBTa-Czk63PGoWL04FawKviRfNx0QXePx-goK04X12ry1BR_WXh-kVPIfsEeItPAX6reN5fHS96q6-8dUI506ZO38Z0G\" alt=\"HeroPress logo\" /></figure>\n\n\n\n<p><em>This post is based on an article originally published on HeroPress.com. It highlights people in the WordPress community who have overcome barriers and whose stories would otherwise go unheard.</em></p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Meet more WordPress community members in our <a href=\"https://wordpress.org/news/category/heropress/\">People of WordPress series</a>.</em></p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>#ContributorStory #HeroPress</em></p>\n\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:30:\"com-wordpress:feed-additions:1\";a:1:{s:7:\"post-id\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:5:\"10427\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}}}i:15;a:6:{s:4:\"data\";s:60:\"\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"child\";a:4:{s:0:\"\";a:6:{s:5:\"title\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:40:\"A New Design is Coming to WordPress News\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"link\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:76:\"https://wordpress.org/news/2021/06/a-new-design-is-coming-to-wordpress-news/\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:7:\"pubDate\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:31:\"Thu, 03 Jun 2021 20:47:56 +0000\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:8:\"category\";a:2:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:7:\"General\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:1;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:7:\"Updates\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"guid\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:35:\"https://wordpress.org/news/?p=10418\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:1:{s:0:\"\";a:1:{s:11:\"isPermaLink\";s:5:\"false\";}}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:11:\"description\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:324:\"After many years of a tidy, white-space filled design on WordPress.org/news it’s time to bring new life to the way we present our content. So much has changed since this site was first created: the people who read it, the type and variety of what is published, even the way WordPress works has changed. Which […]\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:32:\"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/\";a:1:{s:7:\"creator\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:7:\"Josepha\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:40:\"http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/\";a:1:{s:7:\"encoded\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:1591:\"\n<p>After many years of a tidy, white-space filled design on WordPress.org/news it’s time to bring new life to the way we present our content. So much has changed since this site was first created: the people who read it, the type and variety of what is published, even the way WordPress works has changed.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>Which means it makes sense to change our theme. </p>\n\n\n\n<p>Earlier this year, Matt requested a new design from Beatriz Fialho (who also created the State of the Word slides for 2020). The design keeps a clean, white-space friendly format while incorporating a more jazzy, playful feeling with a refreshed color palette. </p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"632\" height=\"449\" src=\"https://i0.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/06/25-1024x728-1.png?resize=632%2C449&ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-10420\" srcset=\"https://i0.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/06/25-1024x728-1.png?w=1024&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/06/25-1024x728-1.png?resize=300%2C213&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/06/25-1024x728-1.png?resize=768%2C546&ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 632px) 100vw, 632px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" /></figure>\n\n\n\n<p>More detail on this modern exploration have been posted on <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/design/2021/06/03/redesign-of-wordpress-org-news/\">make.wordpress.org/design</a>. I encourage you to stop by and read more about the thoughts behind the coming updates; and keep an eye out for the new look here and across WordPress.org!</p>\n\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:30:\"com-wordpress:feed-additions:1\";a:1:{s:7:\"post-id\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:5:\"10418\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}}}i:16;a:6:{s:4:\"data\";s:57:\"\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"child\";a:4:{s:0:\"\";a:6:{s:5:\"title\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:32:\"The Month in WordPress: May 2021\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"link\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:67:\"https://wordpress.org/news/2021/06/the-month-in-wordpress-may-2021/\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:7:\"pubDate\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:31:\"Wed, 02 Jun 2021 18:23:11 +0000\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:18:\"Month in WordPress\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"guid\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:35:\"https://wordpress.org/news/?p=10393\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:1:{s:0:\"\";a:1:{s:11:\"isPermaLink\";s:5:\"false\";}}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:11:\"description\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:366:\"It’s really fun to contribute to something larger than yourself. Matt Mullenweg’s words in “The Commons of Images” episode of the WP Briefing podcast exemplify the core philosophy of the WordPress project,  especially as we inch closer to the next major release (version 5.8). This post covers exciting updates from the month of May. WordPress […]\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:32:\"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/\";a:1:{s:7:\"creator\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:14:\"Hari Shanker R\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:40:\"http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/\";a:1:{s:7:\"encoded\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:11073:\"\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote\"><p>It’s really fun to contribute to something larger than yourself.</p></blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/matt\">Matt Mullenweg</a>’s words in “<a href=\"https://wordpress.org/news/2021/05/the-commons-of-images/\">The Commons of Images</a>” episode of the <a href=\"https://wordpress.org/news/podcast/\">WP Briefing podcast</a> exemplify the core philosophy of the WordPress project, especially as we inch closer to the next major release (version 5.8). This post covers exciting updates from the month of May.</p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator\" />\n\n\n\n<h2>WordPress turns 18</h2>\n\n\n\n<p>WordPress <a href=\"https://wordpress.org/news/2021/05/wordpress-at-18/\">celebrated the 18th anniversary</a> of its <a href=\"https://wordpress.org/development/2003/05/wordpress-now-available/\">launch</a> on May 27, 2021. To celebrate 40+ releases and WordPress’ support of 40% of the web, the team <a href=\"https://wordpress.org/news/2021/05/wordpress-at-18/\">released 40 milestones</a> to celebrate the anniversary of the software. Here’s to the next 18 and beyond! </p>\n\n\n\n<h2>CC Search joins WordPress and is renamed to Openverse</h2>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https://wordpress.org/news/2021/05/welcome-to-openverse/\">Creative Commons Search has officially joined the WordPress project</a>. Creative Commons Search (CC Search) is a <a href=\"https://creativecommons.org/share-your-work/public-domain/cc0/\">CC0</a> image search engine with over 500 million openly licensed images. The search product, which is being renamed to Openverse, will eventually live on the URL: https://wordpress.org/openverse. Contributors working on CC Search will continue their work as part of a <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/meta/2021/04/27/new-wordpress-make-team/\">new dedicated Make team</a>: <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/openverse\">https://make.wordpress.org/openverse</a>. Check out “<a href=\"https://wordpress.org/news/2021/05/the-commons-of-images/\">The Commons of Images</a>” podcast episode for more information.</p>\n\n\n\n<h2>WordPress 5.7.2 released</h2>\n\n\n\n<p>WordPress <a href=\"https://wordpress.org/news/2021/05/wordpress-5-7-2-security-release/\">version 5.7.2</a>, a short-cycle security release, came out on May 13. Get the latest version directly from your WordPress dashboard or by <a href=\"https://wordpress.org/download/\">downloading</a> it from WordPress.org.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>Want to contribute to WordPress core? Check out the <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/core/handbook/\">Core Contributor Handbook</a>. Don’t forget to join the WordPress <a href=\"https://wordpress.slack.com/archives/C02RQBWTW\">#core</a> channel in the <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/chat/\">Make WordPress Slack</a> and follow the <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/core/\">Core Team blog</a>. The Core Team hosts weekly chats on Wednesdays at <a href=\"https://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/fixedtime.html?hour=5&min=00&sec=0\">5 AM</a> and <a href=\"https://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/fixedtime.html?hour=20&min=00&sec=0\">8 PM</a> UTC. </p>\n\n\n\n<h2>Gutenberg versions 10.6 and 10.7 are out</h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Gutenberg <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/core/2021/05/14/whats-new-in-gutenberg-10-6-12-may/\">version 10.6</a> and <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/core/2021/05/27/whats-new-in-gutenberg-10-7-26-may/\">version 10.7</a> were launched this month. <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/core/2021/05/14/whats-new-in-gutenberg-10-6-12-may/\">Version 10.6</a> features <a href=\"https://wordpress.org/news/2021/05/coloring-your-images-with-duotone-filters/\">experimental Duotone filters (which are shipping with WordPress 5.8)</a>, block pattern suggestions in placeholders, and enhancements to the table block. <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/core/2021/05/27/whats-new-in-gutenberg-10-7-26-may/\">Version 10.7</a> adds a responsive navigation block, block design tools, and the ability to load block patterns from the directory.<br></p>\n\n\n\n<p>Want to get involved in building Gutenberg? Follow <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/core/\">the Core Team blog</a>, contribute to <a href=\"https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/\">Gutenberg on GitHub</a>, and join the <a href=\"https://wordpress.slack.com/archives/C02QB2JS7\">#core-editor</a> channel in the <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/chat/\">Make WordPress Slack</a>. The latest “<a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/core/2021/03/08/whats-next-in-gutenberg-march-2021/\" target=\"_blank\">What’s next in Gutenberg</a>” post offers more details on the latest updates. If you are unfamiliar with the Gutenberg plugin, <a href=\"https://wordpress.org/news/2021/04/become-an-early-adopter-with-the-gutenberg-plugin/\">learn more in this post</a>.</p>\n\n\n\n<h2>Full Site Editing updates</h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Don’t miss the <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/test/2021/05/26/fse-program-testing-call-7-polished-portfolios/\">latest Full Site Editing (FSE) Outreach program testing call on building portfolio pages</a> using the Template Editing feature shipping with WordPress 5.8! The deadline is June 9. The team has published a recap of the <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/test/2021/05/06/fse-program-query-quest-summary/\">Query Quest FSE Testing call</a>, which shares some interesting results. The answers to <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/test/2021/05/13/fse-program-answers-from-round-two-of-questions/\">round two of FSE questions</a> are also out.</p>\n\n\n\n<h2>Countdown starts for WordCamp Europe 2021</h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The countdown to one of the most anticipated WordPress events, <a href=\"https://europe.wordcamp.org/2021/\">WordCamp Europe 2021 (Online)</a>, has started! The <a href=\"https://europe.wordcamp.org/2021/schedule/\">full schedule of the event</a> is now available, and the team has exciting plans! Don’t miss this event: <a href=\"https://europe.wordcamp.org/2021/registration/\">get your tickets now</a> before they run out!</p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator\" />\n\n\n\n<h2>Further reading</h2>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>The Core Team published its <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/core/2021/05/17/introducing-the-wordpress-css-audit-tool/\">first-ever WordPress CSS Audit tool</a>. The team has also <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/core/2021/05/03/feature-project-updates-on-updating-the-updaters/\">kicked off a project to improve all the updaters in WordPress core</a>.</li><li>The Community Team proposed <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/community/2021/05/12/proposal-adding-vaccination-status-to-the-in-person-meetup-safety-checklist/\">adding vaccination status to the in-person meetup checklist</a> as a criterion to organize in-person WordPress meetups. The team also published results of the <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/community/2021/05/28/2020-meetup-organizer-survey-results/\">2020 Meetup Organizer survey</a> and <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/community/2021/05/21/2020-meetup-survey-results/\">Meetup Member survey</a>. </li><li><a href=\"https://venezuela.wordcamp.org/2021/\">WordCamp Venezuela</a> and <a href=\"https://neo.wordcamp.org/2021/\">WordCamp North East Ohio </a>were held successfully in May. Don’t forget to grab your free tickets for <a href=\"https://japan.wordcamp.org/2021/\">WordCamp Japan 2021</a> and <a href=\"https://japan.wordcamp.org/2021/\">WordCamp Cochabamba 2021</a>, both happening in June.</li><li>The Design Team floated a <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/design/2021/05/27/proposal-to-tweak-existing-icons-and-add-new-ones/\">proposal to tweak existing core icons and add new ones</a>.</li><li><a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/chanthaboune\">Josepha Haden</a> published <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/updates/2021/05/25/experiment-a-public-channel-for-all-team-reps/\">an experiment to create a public channel for team reps</a>. </li><li>The Support Team is considering adding <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/support/2021/05/support-team-deputies/\">two or more deputies to the team</a>. </li><li>The Themes Team requests theme authors to <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/themes/2021/05/25/themes-team-meeting-notes-may-25-2021/\">check their themes’ compatibility with WordPress 5.8</a> in view of the upcoming major release. </li><li>The Training Team <a href=\"https://href.li/?https://make.wordpress.org/training/2021/05/27/proposal-adding-custom-user-roles-to-learn-wordpress/\">shared a proposal</a> on adding custom user roles for <a href=\"https://href.li/?https://learn.wordpress.org\">learn.wordpress.org</a> to match the structure and functionality of the site. The team also <a href=\"https://href.li/?https://make.wordpress.org/training/2021/05/28/proposal-an-audit-tool-for-learn/\">proposed an audit tool</a> to improve content auditing for Learn.</li><li>The CLI Team released <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/cli/2021/05/19/wp-cli-v2-5-0-release-notes/\">version 2.5.0</a> of WP-CLI.</li><li>The Tide Team <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/tide/2021/05/25/tide-chat-summary-may-25th/\">seeks contributors</a> to help with documentation reviews, cleaning up Tide locally, and making the documentation clearer. </li><li>The Hosting Team <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/hosting/2021/05/20/why-hosters-should-install-the-php-intl-extension/\">recommends all web hosts to install the Internationalization PHP extension</a>. The team also launched<a href=\"https://www.meetup.com/wphosting/\"> its official meetup chapter</a>.</li><li>The latest edition of “<a href=\"https://wordpress.org/news/category/heropress/\">People of WordPress</a>” features <a href=\"https://wordpress.org/news/2021/05/people-of-wordpress-fike-komala/\">Fike Komala from Indonesia</a>.</li><li>The BuddyPress Team <a href=\"https://buddypress.org/2021/05/buddypress-8-0-0-release-candidate/\">released the BuddyPress 8.0 Release Candidate</a>. </li><li>Read about the brand new <a href=\"https://wordpress.org/news/2021/05/coloring-your-images-with-duotone-filters/\">Duotone filter for blocks</a> feature, that is shipping with WordPress 5.8! </li><li>Catch the latest episode of the <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https://wordpress.org/news/podcast/\" target=\"_blank\">WP Briefing Podcast</a> where <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/chanthaboune/\" target=\"_blank\">Josepha</a> talks about <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https://wordpress.org/news/2021/05/episode-9-the-cartography-of-wordpress/\" target=\"_blank\">the cartography of WordPress</a>.</li></ul>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Have a story that we should include in the next “Month in WordPress” post? Please </em><a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/community/month-in-wordpress-submissions/\"><em>submit it using this form</em></a><em>. </em></p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>The following folks contributed to May’s Month in WordPress: <a href=\'https://profiles.wordpress.org/meher/\' class=\'mention\'><span class=\'mentions-prefix\'>@</span>meher</a> and <a href=\'https://profiles.wordpress.org/chaion07/\' class=\'mention\'><span class=\'mentions-prefix\'>@</span>chaion07</a></em></p>\n\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:30:\"com-wordpress:feed-additions:1\";a:1:{s:7:\"post-id\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:5:\"10393\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}}}i:17;a:6:{s:4:\"data\";s:57:\"\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"child\";a:4:{s:0:\"\";a:6:{s:5:\"title\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:15:\"WordPress at 18\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"link\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:51:\"https://wordpress.org/news/2021/05/wordpress-at-18/\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:7:\"pubDate\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:31:\"Thu, 27 May 2021 06:00:00 +0000\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:4:\"Meta\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"guid\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:35:\"https://wordpress.org/news/?p=10380\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:1:{s:0:\"\";a:1:{s:11:\"isPermaLink\";s:5:\"false\";}}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:11:\"description\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:338:\"Today marks the 18th anniversary of WordPress’ launch, a day that I fondly refer to as WordPress’ birthday, which means WordPress is 6,575 days old. To celebrate another turn around the sun, the community has had parties, we have shared data, and we have told our story. Since our last birthday we developed our 40th […]\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:32:\"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/\";a:1:{s:7:\"creator\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:7:\"Josepha\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:40:\"http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/\";a:1:{s:7:\"encoded\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:1526:\"\n<p>Today marks the 18th anniversary of WordPress’ launch, a day that I fondly refer to as WordPress’ birthday, which means WordPress is 6,575 days old. To celebrate another turn around the sun, the <a href=\"https://wordpress.org/news/2008/05/birthday-party/\">community</a> has had <a href=\"https://wp15.wordpress.net/\">parties</a>, we have <a href=\"https://wordpress.org/news/2010/05/lucky-seven/\">shared data</a>, and we have <a href=\"https://wordpress.org/news/2013/05/ten-good-years/\">told our story</a>.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>Since our last birthday we developed our 40th release and now also support over 40% of the web. So it seems fitting that this year’s celebration should be a list of 40 milestones that have helped us get there.</p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-wp-embed is-provider-wordpress-org wp-block-embed-wordpress-org\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"wp-embedded-content\" data-secret=\"jfhsKLBL8n\"><a href=\"https://wordpress.org/40-percent-of-web/\">WordPress and the Journey to 40% of the Web</a></blockquote><iframe class=\"wp-embedded-content\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts\" security=\"restricted\" title=\"“WordPress and the Journey to 40% of the Web” — WordPress.org\" src=\"https://wordpress.org/40-percent-of-web/embed/#?secret=jfhsKLBL8n\" data-secret=\"jfhsKLBL8n\" width=\"600\" height=\"338\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"></iframe>\n</div></figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Grab a slice of cake or festive beverage and give it a scroll!</p>\n\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:30:\"com-wordpress:feed-additions:1\";a:1:{s:7:\"post-id\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:5:\"10380\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}}}i:18;a:6:{s:4:\"data\";s:68:\"\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n\n\n \";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"child\";a:4:{s:0:\"\";a:7:{s:5:\"title\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:41:\"Coloring Your Images With Duotone Filters\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"link\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:77:\"https://wordpress.org/news/2021/05/coloring-your-images-with-duotone-filters/\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:7:\"pubDate\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:31:\"Wed, 26 May 2021 12:17:41 +0000\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:8:\"category\";a:4:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:8:\"Features\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:1;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:13:\"Uncategorized\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:2;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:9:\"Gutenberg\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:3;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:9:\"tutorials\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"guid\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:35:\"https://wordpress.org/news/?p=10349\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:1:{s:0:\"\";a:1:{s:11:\"isPermaLink\";s:5:\"false\";}}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:11:\"description\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:336:\"Created by Alex Lende Beginning with WordPress 5.8, you can colorize your image and cover blocks with duotone filters! Duotone can add a pop of color to your designs and style your images to integrate well with your themes. Filters? Like on Instagram? Duotone doesn’t work in quite the same way as Instagram filters. Whereas […]\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:9:\"enclosure\";a:2:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:0:\"\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:1:{s:0:\"\";a:3:{s:3:\"url\";s:58:\"https://wordpress.org/news/files/2021/05/duotone_howto.mov\";s:6:\"length\";s:8:\"10231737\";s:4:\"type\";s:15:\"video/quicktime\";}}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:1;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:0:\"\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:1:{s:0:\"\";a:3:{s:3:\"url\";s:64:\"https://wordpress.org/news/files/2021/06/waves-a60072-67ff66.mp4\";s:6:\"length\";s:8:\"31718375\";s:4:\"type\";s:9:\"video/mp4\";}}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:32:\"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/\";a:1:{s:7:\"creator\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:15:\"Chloe Bringmann\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:40:\"http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/\";a:1:{s:7:\"encoded\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:6630:\"\n<p><em>Created by <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/ajlende/\">Alex Lende</a></em></p>\n\n\n\n<p>Beginning with WordPress 5.8, you can colorize your image and cover blocks with duotone filters! Duotone can add a pop of color to your designs and style your images to integrate well with your themes.</p>\n\n\n\n<h2>Filters? Like on Instagram?</h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Duotone doesn’t work in quite the same way as Instagram filters. Whereas Instagram filters do color adjustments (color levels/curves and sometimes a vignette for the photo editors among us), the new duotone filters entirely replace the colors of your images.</p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-jetpack-image-compare\"><div class=\"juxtapose\" data-mode=\"horizontal\"><img loading=\"lazy\" id=\"10350\" src=\"https://i1.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/05/image7.png?resize=632%2C622&ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"632\" height=\"622\" class=\"image-compare__image-before\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" /><img loading=\"lazy\" id=\"10351\" src=\"https://i0.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/05/image4.png?resize=632%2C621&ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"632\" height=\"621\" class=\"image-compare__image-after\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" /></div><figcaption>Photo by <a href=\"https://www.pexels.com/photo/grey-cat-close-up-photography-2524164/\">Charles Pragnell</a>.<br></figcaption></figure>\n\n\n\n<p>You can think of the duotone effect as a black and white filter, but instead of the shadows being black and the highlights being white, you pick your own colors for the shadows and highlights.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>For example, a grayscale filter can be created by selecting black and white as shadow/highlight colors, and a sepia filter by choosing brown and tan.</p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"632\" height=\"622\" src=\"https://i2.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/05/image6.png?resize=632%2C622&ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-10352\" srcset=\"https://i2.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/05/image6.png?resize=1024%2C1008&ssl=1 1024w, https://i2.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/05/image6.png?resize=300%2C295&ssl=1 300w, https://i2.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/05/image6.png?resize=768%2C756&ssl=1 768w, https://i2.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/05/image6.png?w=1368&ssl=1 1368w, https://i2.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/05/image6.png?w=1264&ssl=1 1264w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 632px) 100vw, 632px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" /></figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Analogous colors can add a subtle effect and work well for cover backgrounds where the overlaid text still needs to stand out.</p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"632\" height=\"622\" src=\"https://i1.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/05/image1.png?resize=632%2C622&ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-10353\" srcset=\"https://i1.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/05/image1.png?resize=1024%2C1008&ssl=1 1024w, https://i1.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/05/image1.png?resize=300%2C295&ssl=1 300w, https://i1.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/05/image1.png?resize=768%2C756&ssl=1 768w, https://i1.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/05/image1.png?w=1368&ssl=1 1368w, https://i1.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/05/image1.png?w=1264&ssl=1 1264w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 632px) 100vw, 632px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" /></figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Much more vibrant and interesting effects can be made with complementary colors.</p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"632\" height=\"622\" src=\"https://i2.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/05/image2.png?resize=632%2C622&ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-10354\" srcset=\"https://i2.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/05/image2.png?resize=1024%2C1008&ssl=1 1024w, https://i2.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/05/image2.png?resize=300%2C295&ssl=1 300w, https://i2.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/05/image2.png?resize=768%2C756&ssl=1 768w, https://i2.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/05/image2.png?w=1368&ssl=1 1368w, https://i2.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/05/image2.png?w=1264&ssl=1 1264w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 632px) 100vw, 632px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" /></figure>\n\n\n\n<h2>How Do I Add Duotone Filter?</h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The duotone effect works best on high-contrast images, so start with an image with a lot of large dark and light areas. From the block toolbar, use the filter button and choose a preset:</p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-video\"><video controls src=\"https://wordpress.org/news/files/2021/05/duotone_howto.mov\"></video></figure>\n\n\n\n<p>You can also choose colors from your theme’s palette, or a custom color of your choice.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>In addition to the image block, duotone can be applied to both images and video in the cover block.</p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-video\"><video controls src=\"https://wordpress.org/news/files/2021/06/waves-a60072-67ff66.mp4\"></video></figure>\n\n\n\n<h2>Will This Overwrite Images in My Media Library?</h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Images and videos in your media library will remain unchanged. The duotone effect works using <a href=\"https://www.w3.org/TR/SVG11/filters.html\">SVG filters</a> and the <a href=\"https://www.w3.org/TR/filter-effects-1/\">CSS filter property</a>, so the image or video is never modified in your library. On the one hand, this means that you can apply a filter to an image that you link to that doesn’t exist in your media library. On the other hand, this means that the filter won’t show up in RSS feeds or places that use the image URL directly.</p>\n\n\n\n<h2>Can I Add Duotone Colors to Blocks or Themes That I Develop?</h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The API for adding duotone colors to blocks is experimental in Gutenberg v10.6. Still, the documentation for using it in your own blocks can be found and will be updated under <a href=\"https://developer.wordpress.org/block-editor/reference-guides/block-api/block-supports/#color\">Supports Color</a> in the Block Editor Handbook. Themes can add duotone presets with theme.json. More information can be found under <a href=\"https://developer.wordpress.org/block-editor/how-to-guides/themes/theme-json/#presets\">Global Settings & Styles Presets</a> in the Block Editor Handbook.</p>\n\n\n\n<h2>Try it Out Now Using the Gutenberg plugin</h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The duotone feature was released in version 10.6 of the Gutenberg plugin, so you can try it out now prior to the WordPress 5.8 release in July.</p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator\" />\n\n\n\n<p><em>Thanks to <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/joen/\">@joen</a> and <em><em><a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/mkaz/\">@mkaz</a></em></em></em> <em>for assistance writing and reviewing this post.</em></p>\n\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:30:\"com-wordpress:feed-additions:1\";a:1:{s:7:\"post-id\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:5:\"10349\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}}}i:19;a:6:{s:4:\"data\";s:58:\"\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"child\";a:4:{s:0:\"\";a:7:{s:5:\"title\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:52:\"WP Briefing: Episode 9: The Cartography of WordPress\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"link\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:74:\"https://wordpress.org/news/2021/05/episode-9-the-cartography-of-wordpress/\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:7:\"pubDate\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:31:\"Mon, 24 May 2021 11:55:14 +0000\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:11:\"wp-briefing\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"guid\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:53:\"https://wordpress.org/news/?post_type=podcast&p=10373\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:1:{s:0:\"\";a:1:{s:11:\"isPermaLink\";s:5:\"false\";}}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:11:\"description\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:159:\"In this episode, Josepha Haden Chomphosy provides a map of how to navigate WordPress teams and communication channels, along with her small list of big things.\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:9:\"enclosure\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:0:\"\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:1:{s:0:\"\";a:3:{s:3:\"url\";s:62:\"https://wordpress.org/news/files/2021/05/WP-Briefining-009.mp3\";s:6:\"length\";s:1:\"0\";s:4:\"type\";s:0:\"\";}}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:32:\"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/\";a:1:{s:7:\"creator\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:15:\"Chloe Bringmann\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:40:\"http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/\";a:1:{s:7:\"encoded\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:12611:\"\n<p>In this episode, Josepha Haden Chomphosy provides a map of how to navigate WordPress teams and communication channels, along with her small list of big things.</p>\n\n\n\n<p><em><strong>Have a question you’d like answered? You can submit them to <a href=\"mailto:wpbriefing@wordpress.org\">wpbriefing@wordpress.org</a>, either written or as a voice recording.</strong></em></p>\n\n\n\n<h2>Credits</h2>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Editor:<a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/dustinhartzler/\"> Dustin Hartzler</a></li><li>Logo:<a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/beafialho/\"> Beatriz Fialho</a></li><li>Production:<a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/mkaz/\"> </a><a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/cbringmann/\">Chloé Bringmann</a></li><li>Song: Fearless First by Kevin MacLeod</li></ul>\n\n\n\n<h2>References</h2>\n\n\n\n<ul><li><a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https://www.meetup.com/pro/wordpress/\">https://www.meetup.com/pro/wordpress/</a></li><li><a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/\" target=\"_blank\">https://make.wordpress.org/</a></li><li><a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/chat/\" target=\"_blank\">https://chat.wordpress.org/</a></li><li><a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/\">Make WordPress</a> Slack</li><li><a href=\"https://europe.wordcamp.org/2021/\">WordCamp Europe</a>, June 7-9</li><li><a href=\"https://japan.wordcamp.org/2021/\">WordCamp Japan</a>, June 20-26</li><li>The Sixth<a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/test/2021/05/12/fse-program-testing-call-6-stick-the-landing-pages/\"> call for testing</a> on Template Editing </li><li>The <a href=\"https://wordpress.org/news/2021/05/dropping-support-for-internet-explorer-11/\">upcoming drop of Internet Explorer 11 support</a></li></ul>\n\n\n\n<h2>Transcript</h2>\n\n\n\n<span id=\"more-10373\"></span>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Josepha Haden Chomphosy </strong>00:10</p>\n\n\n\n<p>Hello, everyone, and welcome to the WordPress briefing, the podcast where you can catch quick explanations of some of the ideas behind the WordPress open source project and the community around it, as well as get a small list of big things coming up in the next two weeks. I’m your host, Joseph Haden Chomphosy. Here we go!</p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Josepha Haden Chomphosy </strong>00:40</p>\n\n\n\n<p>Almost every episode of this podcast, you can hear me invite you to join in the WordPress project, to contribute back, to get involved. And I’m sure that every time I say that there’s at least one of you who’s like “Yes. Challenge accepted!” And you wade in sight unseen, to immerse yourselves in the cheerful cacophony of open source at scale that is WordPress. You see before you all 158 ways you can start contributing and you are exhilarated by this lostness. This you think, is the lostness of infinite possibility. And for you, I’m really thankful. My work here today would not be possible if it weren’t for the brave souls who leap into something with hope as their primary plan and tactic. You are heroes, and I thank you very much for your service. For everyone else, I’m going to give you a quick tour of where WordPress collaborates and a little bit of how they collaborate. We’ll cover the Make network, the Making WordPress Slack, events for WordPress, and a rundown of the teams. </p>\n\n\n\n<p>First, the Make network. The Make network of sites can be found at make.wordpress.org. That page includes information on most of our teams. Teams like Core and Design and Community. All of those teams require some technical skills since we’re a project built around a piece of software. However, some require a little more than others. You can think of this set of sites as the desk of each team in the WordPress project. It’s where they update each other, where they host discussions, where they refine proposals, and where they coordinate admin tasks. Contributors can write posts on most sites in the network as long as they follow the guidelines and best practices. And anyone with a wordpress.org profile can join in discussions in the comments. Most work on the Make network is asynchronous, and discussions stay open for a long enough time to allow anyone in the world to weigh in when they have the time. It’s how we try to remember that we are a globally-minded project. </p>\n\n\n\n<p>The second area is the Making WordPress Slack instance. The Making WordPress Slack instance can be found at wordpress.slack.com, and it requires an account that is associated with your wordpress.org profile. Each team in the project has a channel, although not all channels in that Slack instance, represent a standalone team. You can think of this Slack instance as a set of conference rooms. It’s where contributors connect, gain a more nuanced understanding of problems that we’re trying to solve. They host synchronous meetings and also coordinate working groups.</p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Josepha Haden Chomphosy </strong>03:31</p>\n\n\n\n<p>Contributors can post in most channels, although there are a few that are restricted. We don’t have any social channels in this Slack instance, but most WordPress-ers do tend to find friends that they connect with. The work done here is synchronous, and most meetings last about an hour. There are about 35+ meetings a week, so you can basically always find someone around. </p>\n\n\n\n<p>The last area we work is actually at WordPress events. Word Camps and WordPress meetups happen all over the world. Unless there’s a global pandemic, then they’re kind of all over the computer and at all times of day and night. You can keep track of those on wordcamp.org or on WordPress’s meetup page, which I’ve linked in the notes below. These events bring together all sorts of facets of the WordPress project. And they are an event where local WordPress communities aim to connect, inspire and educate each other. There’s always someone at these events, who knows a little bit more about WordPress than you do. If you’re headed to want to learn more about contribution, look out for any that have a contributor day or are hosting a contribution drive. These are clearly synchronous events. And when we do get back to doing them in person, they’re also tied to physical locations. When we get back to them, I encourage you to find one that’s close to you. They are incredibly valuable. </p>\n\n\n\n<p>Okay, so that’s the map of the area. Those are the three big places where we get this stuff done. Let’s do a quick map of the teams themselves. If you’re a developer and you’re looking to work inside the technology space, work with code a bit, then your best chances for teams are Core and all of its related components. They’re like 50 components, including core editor and various other things. There’s also the Mobile team WP CLI, the Tide team, Security, our brand new team, Openverse, and Meta. Those all take a fairly high amount of code knowledge to contribute there. </p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you’re more into design and product work, then we have a few teams for that as well. There’s of course, the Design team, but we also have Accessibility, Test, Triage, Polyglots kind of falls in there for me. But if you are a programs person, and we’re talking like programs, getting people together programs, not programs, as in programming or code. So if you’re a programs person, you’re looking more at the Community team, at the Themes team, the Plugin team, Polyglots, again, Training support, probably a number of others that have like program components in it as well.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you are really interested in learning more about contributor experience, which is how we build tools, and again, programs for all of the contributors who are showing up, then the teams for you will be teams like Meta and Documentation, Hosting, the Community team, the Training team, arguably any team that has a program as part of it is considered contributor experience because that’s how we help our contributors know what to do, what not to do, how to help them get onboarded, find their way, stuff like that. </p>\n\n\n\n<p>And if you’re more in the communications area of things, we have quite a few teams there as well. We do have Marketing, of course, but also I think that Support ends up in our communications area, WordPress TV, obviously ends up in communications. But I think Training, Meta, Documentation, and arguably, maybe also Testing ends up in that space as well. </p>\n\n\n\n<p>I realize that there are a handful of teams that I mentioned multiple times, especially Polyglots, Support, Test, Triage, Meta, Community. The reason they end up in a number of different places is that all of those teams also have a fair amount of admin and infrastructure stuff that goes into the WordPress project and community as a whole. So it touches a lot of other teams, and so they get a lot of mentions. All right. So WordPress adventurers, you now have a beginner’s map. I hope it helps, and I hope we see you around the community.</p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Josepha Haden Chomphosy </strong>07:54</p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you’re still with me, that brings us today to my small list of big things. I’ve got four things for you, and I’m excited about all of them. The first two are events actually. WordCamp Europe is coming up from June seventh through the ninth. It will include a presentation from the WordPress project co-founder, Matt Mullenweg, so I encourage you to hop over, grab a ticket to check out the rest of the sessions that are happening while you’re there. The next one is WordCamp, Japan, which is happening June 20th through the 26th. And you heard that right that is seven whole days of WordCamp. It’s a little bit of a different format than we normally take, but it’s five days actually of contribution on ten specific projects. Then that’s bookended on either side of those contribution days, with full days of sessions. There’s some in English, but it’s primarily in Japanese. But either way, I think it’s going to be a really excellent event, and I encourage everyone to check it out. </p>\n\n\n\n<p>The rest of my list is not events. We have opened our sixth call for testing, it’s specifically looking at the template editing mode for Full Site Editing. It is an iteration on one of our earliest tests for the Full Site Editing outreach program. And so it has incorporated a lot of the feedback that we got in that test the first time around. So if you look at that test, which by the way, are all guided, if you’ve never tested anything before, don’t let this scare you. It’s really well written, it’s got a good guide on it and, and also allows for a little bit of exploration. But if you participated in the landing page test that we did early on, this is the follow-up to that. It incorporates a lot of the feedback that we got, so this is closing that feedback loop and I encourage you to stop by and participate in that test. It will be linked in the show notes and also I tweet about it a bit so you can run over there and find it also.</p>\n\n\n\n<p> WordPress is dropping support for Internet Explorer 11. That’s happening over the summer, so around the middle of July is when that’s going to happen. If you’ve been using WordPress for a while you’ve been getting notifications. If you happen to get to WordPress with IE11, letting you know that that this particular browser is reaching the end of its life for support in general on the web, but now WordPress also is making the choice to drop support for that. And so there’s a post out on wordpress.org/news, which I will also link to in the show notes in case you have not heard about this yet. It shouldn’t have any immediate and noticeable effects on anyone who’s visiting a site that’s built using WordPress. There might be a few things in the dashboard that don’t work if you are administering a WordPress site from IE11. So there’s a lot of good information in that post. Give it a read and if you have questions, always feel free to stop by the Core chat and ask those as we go. </p>\n\n\n\n<p>And that my friends is your smallest of big things. Thank you for tuning in today for the WordPress Briefing. I’m your host, Josepha Haden Chomphosy, and I’ll see you again in a couple of weeks!</p>\n\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:30:\"com-wordpress:feed-additions:1\";a:1:{s:7:\"post-id\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:5:\"10373\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}}}}}s:27:\"http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom\";a:1:{s:4:\"link\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:0:\"\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:1:{s:0:\"\";a:3:{s:4:\"href\";s:32:\"https://wordpress.org/news/feed/\";s:3:\"rel\";s:4:\"self\";s:4:\"type\";s:19:\"application/rss+xml\";}}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:44:\"http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/syndication/\";a:2:{s:12:\"updatePeriod\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:9:\"\n hourly \";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:15:\"updateFrequency\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:4:\"\n 1 \";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:30:\"com-wordpress:feed-additions:1\";a:1:{s:4:\"site\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:8:\"14607090\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}}}}}}}}}}s:4:\"type\";i:128;s:7:\"headers\";O:42:\"Requests_Utility_CaseInsensitiveDictionary\":1:{s:7:\"\0*\0data\";a:9:{s:6:\"server\";s:5:\"nginx\";s:4:\"date\";s:29:\"Mon, 26 Jul 2021 05:36:15 GMT\";s:12:\"content-type\";s:34:\"application/rss+xml; charset=UTF-8\";s:25:\"strict-transport-security\";s:11:\"max-age=360\";s:6:\"x-olaf\";s:3:\"⛄\";s:13:\"last-modified\";s:29:\"Tue, 20 Jul 2021 22:18:35 GMT\";s:4:\"link\";s:63:\"<https://wordpress.org/news/wp-json/>; rel=\"https://api.w.org/\"\";s:15:\"x-frame-options\";s:10:\"SAMEORIGIN\";s:4:\"x-nc\";s:9:\"HIT ord 1\";}}s:5:\"build\";s:14:\"20201213021516\";}','no'),(7032,'_transient_timeout_feed_mod_ac0b00fe65abe10e0c5b588f3ed8c7ca','1627320800','no'),(7033,'_transient_feed_mod_ac0b00fe65abe10e0c5b588f3ed8c7ca','1627277600','no'),(7084,'txfx_plt_schema_version','3','yes'),(7120,'_transient_timeout_elementor_remote_info_api_data_3.2.5','1627325863','no'),(7121,'_transient_elementor_remote_info_api_data_3.2.5','a:4:{s:9:\"timestamp\";s:10:\"1627279300\";s:14:\"upgrade_notice\";a:3:{s:7:\"version\";s:5:\"2.0.0\";s:7:\"message\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"update_link\";s:0:\"\";}s:11:\"pro_widgets\";a:64:{i:0;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:5:\"posts\";s:5:\"title\";s:5:\"Posts\";s:4:\"icon\";s:15:\"eicon-post-list\";s:10:\"categories\";s:16:\"[\"pro-elements\"]\";}i:1;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:9:\"portfolio\";s:5:\"title\";s:9:\"Portfolio\";s:4:\"icon\";s:18:\"eicon-gallery-grid\";s:10:\"categories\";s:16:\"[\"pro-elements\"]\";}i:2;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:7:\"gallery\";s:5:\"title\";s:7:\"Gallery\";s:4:\"icon\";s:23:\"eicon-gallery-justified\";s:10:\"categories\";s:16:\"[\"pro-elements\"]\";}i:3;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:4:\"form\";s:5:\"title\";s:4:\"Form\";s:4:\"icon\";s:21:\"eicon-form-horizontal\";s:10:\"categories\";s:16:\"[\"pro-elements\"]\";}i:4;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:5:\"login\";s:5:\"title\";s:5:\"Login\";s:4:\"icon\";s:15:\"eicon-lock-user\";s:10:\"categories\";s:16:\"[\"pro-elements\"]\";}i:5;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:6:\"slides\";s:5:\"title\";s:6:\"Slides\";s:4:\"icon\";s:12:\"eicon-slides\";s:10:\"categories\";s:16:\"[\"pro-elements\"]\";}i:6;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:8:\"nav-menu\";s:5:\"title\";s:8:\"Nav Menu\";s:4:\"icon\";s:14:\"eicon-nav-menu\";s:10:\"categories\";s:33:\"[\"pro-elements\",\"theme-elements\"]\";}i:7;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:17:\"animated-headline\";s:5:\"title\";s:17:\"Animated Headline\";s:4:\"icon\";s:23:\"eicon-animated-headline\";s:10:\"categories\";s:16:\"[\"pro-elements\"]\";}i:8;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:10:\"price-list\";s:5:\"title\";s:10:\"Price List\";s:4:\"icon\";s:16:\"eicon-price-list\";s:10:\"categories\";s:16:\"[\"pro-elements\"]\";}i:9;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:11:\"price-table\";s:5:\"title\";s:11:\"Price Table\";s:4:\"icon\";s:17:\"eicon-price-table\";s:10:\"categories\";s:16:\"[\"pro-elements\"]\";}i:10;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:8:\"flip-box\";s:5:\"title\";s:8:\"Flip Box\";s:4:\"icon\";s:14:\"eicon-flip-box\";s:10:\"categories\";s:16:\"[\"pro-elements\"]\";}i:11;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:14:\"call-to-action\";s:5:\"title\";s:14:\"Call to Action\";s:4:\"icon\";s:20:\"eicon-image-rollover\";s:10:\"categories\";s:16:\"[\"pro-elements\"]\";}i:12;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:14:\"media-carousel\";s:5:\"title\";s:14:\"Media Carousel\";s:4:\"icon\";s:20:\"eicon-media-carousel\";s:10:\"categories\";s:16:\"[\"pro-elements\"]\";}i:13;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:20:\"testimonial-carousel\";s:5:\"title\";s:20:\"Testimonial Carousel\";s:4:\"icon\";s:26:\"eicon-testimonial-carousel\";s:10:\"categories\";s:16:\"[\"pro-elements\"]\";}i:14;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:7:\"reviews\";s:5:\"title\";s:7:\"Reviews\";s:4:\"icon\";s:12:\"eicon-review\";s:10:\"categories\";s:16:\"[\"pro-elements\"]\";}i:15;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:17:\"table-of-contents\";s:5:\"title\";s:17:\"Table of Contents\";s:4:\"icon\";s:23:\"eicon-table-of-contents\";s:10:\"categories\";s:33:\"[\"pro-elements\",\"theme-elements\"]\";}i:16;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:9:\"countdown\";s:5:\"title\";s:9:\"Countdown\";s:4:\"icon\";s:15:\"eicon-countdown\";s:10:\"categories\";s:16:\"[\"pro-elements\"]\";}i:17;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:13:\"share-buttons\";s:5:\"title\";s:13:\"Share Buttons\";s:4:\"icon\";s:11:\"eicon-share\";s:10:\"categories\";s:16:\"[\"pro-elements\"]\";}i:18;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:11:\"search-form\";s:5:\"title\";s:11:\"Search Form\";s:4:\"icon\";s:17:\"eicon-site-search\";s:10:\"categories\";s:18:\"[\"theme-elements\"]\";}i:19;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:10:\"author-box\";s:5:\"title\";s:10:\"Author Box\";s:4:\"icon\";s:12:\"eicon-person\";s:10:\"categories\";s:18:\"[\"theme-elements\"]\";}i:20;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:13:\"post-comments\";s:5:\"title\";s:13:\"Post Comments\";s:4:\"icon\";s:14:\"eicon-comments\";s:10:\"categories\";s:18:\"[\"theme-elements\"]\";}i:21;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:15:\"post-navigation\";s:5:\"title\";s:15:\"Post Navigation\";s:4:\"icon\";s:21:\"eicon-post-navigation\";s:10:\"categories\";s:18:\"[\"theme-elements\"]\";}i:22;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:9:\"post-info\";s:5:\"title\";s:9:\"Post Info\";s:4:\"icon\";s:15:\"eicon-post-info\";s:10:\"categories\";s:18:\"[\"theme-elements\"]\";}i:23;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:7:\"sitemap\";s:5:\"title\";s:7:\"Sitemap\";s:4:\"icon\";s:13:\"eicon-sitemap\";s:10:\"categories\";s:18:\"[\"theme-elements\"]\";}i:24;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:11:\"breadcrumbs\";s:5:\"title\";s:11:\"Breadcrumbs\";s:4:\"icon\";s:11:\"eicon-yoast\";s:10:\"categories\";s:18:\"[\"theme-elements\"]\";}i:25;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:10:\"blockquote\";s:5:\"title\";s:10:\"Blockquote\";s:4:\"icon\";s:16:\"eicon-blockquote\";s:10:\"categories\";s:16:\"[\"pro-elements\"]\";}i:26;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:19:\"wc-archive-products\";s:5:\"title\";s:16:\"Archive Products\";s:4:\"icon\";s:14:\"eicon-products\";s:10:\"categories\";s:24:\"[\"woocommerce-elements\"]\";}i:27;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:31:\"woocommerce-archive-description\";s:5:\"title\";s:19:\"Archive Description\";s:4:\"icon\";s:25:\"eicon-product-description\";s:10:\"categories\";s:24:\"[\"woocommerce-elements\"]\";}i:28;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:20:\"woocommerce-products\";s:5:\"title\";s:8:\"Products\";s:4:\"icon\";s:14:\"eicon-products\";s:10:\"categories\";s:24:\"[\"woocommerce-elements\"]\";}i:29;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:22:\"woocommerce-breadcrumb\";s:5:\"title\";s:23:\"WooCommerce Breadcrumbs\";s:4:\"icon\";s:25:\"eicon-product-breadcrumbs\";s:10:\"categories\";s:24:\"[\"woocommerce-elements\"]\";}i:30;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:14:\"wc-add-to-cart\";s:5:\"title\";s:18:\"Custom Add To Cart\";s:4:\"icon\";s:17:\"eicon-woocommerce\";s:10:\"categories\";s:24:\"[\"woocommerce-elements\"]\";}i:31;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:11:\"wc-elements\";s:5:\"title\";s:17:\"WooCommerce Pages\";s:4:\"icon\";s:19:\"eicon-product-pages\";s:10:\"categories\";s:24:\"[\"woocommerce-elements\"]\";}i:32;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:13:\"wc-categories\";s:5:\"title\";s:18:\"Product Categories\";s:4:\"icon\";s:24:\"eicon-product-categories\";s:10:\"categories\";s:24:\"[\"woocommerce-elements\"]\";}i:33;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:21:\"woocommerce-menu-cart\";s:5:\"title\";s:9:\"Menu Cart\";s:4:\"icon\";s:10:\"eicon-cart\";s:10:\"categories\";s:41:\"[\"theme-elements\",\"woocommerce-elements\"]\";}i:34;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:25:\"woocommerce-product-title\";s:5:\"title\";s:13:\"Product Title\";s:4:\"icon\";s:19:\"eicon-product-title\";s:10:\"categories\";s:24:\"[\"woocommerce-elements\"]\";}i:35;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:26:\"woocommerce-product-images\";s:5:\"title\";s:14:\"Product Images\";s:4:\"icon\";s:20:\"eicon-product-images\";s:10:\"categories\";s:24:\"[\"woocommerce-elements\"]\";}i:36;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:25:\"woocommerce-product-price\";s:5:\"title\";s:13:\"Product Price\";s:4:\"icon\";s:19:\"eicon-product-price\";s:10:\"categories\";s:24:\"[\"woocommerce-elements\"]\";}i:37;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:31:\"woocommerce-product-add-to-cart\";s:5:\"title\";s:11:\"Add To Cart\";s:4:\"icon\";s:25:\"eicon-product-add-to-cart\";s:10:\"categories\";s:24:\"[\"woocommerce-elements\"]\";}i:38;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:26:\"woocommerce-product-rating\";s:5:\"title\";s:14:\"Product Rating\";s:4:\"icon\";s:20:\"eicon-product-rating\";s:10:\"categories\";s:24:\"[\"woocommerce-elements\"]\";}i:39;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:25:\"woocommerce-product-stock\";s:5:\"title\";s:13:\"Product Stock\";s:4:\"icon\";s:19:\"eicon-product-stock\";s:10:\"categories\";s:24:\"[\"woocommerce-elements\"]\";}i:40;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:24:\"woocommerce-product-meta\";s:5:\"title\";s:12:\"Product Meta\";s:4:\"icon\";s:18:\"eicon-product-meta\";s:10:\"categories\";s:24:\"[\"woocommerce-elements\"]\";}i:41;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:37:\"woocommerce-product-short-description\";s:5:\"title\";s:17:\"Short Description\";s:4:\"icon\";s:25:\"eicon-product-description\";s:10:\"categories\";s:24:\"[\"woocommerce-elements\"]\";}i:42;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:29:\"woocommerce-product-data-tabs\";s:5:\"title\";s:17:\"Product Data Tabs\";s:4:\"icon\";s:18:\"eicon-product-tabs\";s:10:\"categories\";s:24:\"[\"woocommerce-elements\"]\";}i:43;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:42:\"woocommerce-product-additional-information\";s:5:\"title\";s:22:\"Additional Information\";s:4:\"icon\";s:19:\" eicon-product-info\";s:10:\"categories\";s:24:\"[\"woocommerce-elements\"]\";}i:44;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:27:\"woocommerce-product-related\";s:5:\"title\";s:15:\"Product Related\";s:4:\"icon\";s:21:\"eicon-product-related\";s:10:\"categories\";s:24:\"[\"woocommerce-elements\"]\";}i:45;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:26:\"woocommerce-product-upsell\";s:5:\"title\";s:7:\"Upsells\";s:4:\"icon\";s:20:\"eicon-product-upsell\";s:10:\"categories\";s:24:\"[\"woocommerce-elements\"]\";}i:46;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:6:\"lottie\";s:5:\"title\";s:6:\"Lottie\";s:4:\"icon\";s:12:\"eicon-lottie\";s:10:\"categories\";s:16:\"[\"pro-elements\"]\";}i:47;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:15:\"facebook-button\";s:5:\"title\";s:15:\"Facebook Button\";s:4:\"icon\";s:23:\"eicon-facebook-like-box\";s:10:\"categories\";s:16:\"[\"pro-elements\"]\";}i:48;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:17:\"facebook-comments\";s:5:\"title\";s:17:\"Facebook Comments\";s:4:\"icon\";s:23:\"eicon-facebook-comments\";s:10:\"categories\";s:16:\"[\"pro-elements\"]\";}i:49;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:14:\"facebook-embed\";s:5:\"title\";s:14:\"Facebook Embed\";s:4:\"icon\";s:14:\"eicon-fb-embed\";s:10:\"categories\";s:16:\"[\"pro-elements\"]\";}i:50;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:13:\"facebook-page\";s:5:\"title\";s:13:\"Facebook Page\";s:4:\"icon\";s:13:\"eicon-fb-feed\";s:10:\"categories\";s:16:\"[\"pro-elements\"]\";}i:51;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:7:\"hotspot\";s:5:\"title\";s:7:\"Hotspot\";s:4:\"icon\";s:19:\"eicon-image-hotspot\";s:10:\"categories\";s:16:\"[\"pro-elements\"]\";}i:52;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:13:\"paypal-button\";s:5:\"title\";s:13:\"PayPal Button\";s:4:\"icon\";s:19:\"eicon-paypal-button\";s:10:\"categories\";s:16:\"[\"pro-elements\"]\";}i:53;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:14:\"code-highlight\";s:5:\"title\";s:14:\"Code Highlight\";s:4:\"icon\";s:20:\"eicon-code-highlight\";s:10:\"categories\";s:16:\"[\"pro-elements\"]\";}i:54;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:14:\"video-playlist\";s:5:\"title\";s:14:\"Video Playlist\";s:4:\"icon\";s:20:\"eicon-video-playlist\";s:10:\"categories\";s:16:\"[\"pro-elements\"]\";}i:55;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:8:\"template\";s:5:\"title\";s:8:\"Template\";s:4:\"icon\";s:19:\"eicon-document-file\";s:10:\"categories\";s:16:\"[\"pro-elements\"]\";}i:56;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:15:\"theme-site-logo\";s:5:\"title\";s:9:\"Site Logo\";s:4:\"icon\";s:15:\"eicon-site-logo\";s:10:\"categories\";s:18:\"[\"theme-elements\"]\";}i:57;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:16:\"theme-site-title\";s:5:\"title\";s:10:\"Site Title\";s:4:\"icon\";s:16:\"eicon-site-title\";s:10:\"categories\";s:18:\"[\"theme-elements\"]\";}i:58;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:16:\"theme-page-title\";s:5:\"title\";s:10:\"Page Title\";s:4:\"icon\";s:19:\"eicon-archive-title\";s:10:\"categories\";s:18:\"[\"theme-elements\"]\";}i:59;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:16:\"theme-post-title\";s:5:\"title\";s:10:\"Post Title\";s:4:\"icon\";s:16:\"eicon-post-title\";s:10:\"categories\";s:18:\"[\"theme-elements\"]\";}i:60;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:18:\"theme-post-excerpt\";s:5:\"title\";s:12:\"Post Excerpt\";s:4:\"icon\";s:18:\"eicon-post-excerpt\";s:10:\"categories\";s:18:\"[\"theme-elements\"]\";}i:61;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:25:\"theme-post-featured-image\";s:5:\"title\";s:14:\"Featured Image\";s:4:\"icon\";s:20:\"eicon-featured-image\";s:10:\"categories\";s:18:\"[\"theme-elements\"]\";}i:62;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:19:\"theme-archive-title\";s:5:\"title\";s:13:\"Archive Title\";s:4:\"icon\";s:19:\"eicon-archive-title\";s:10:\"categories\";s:18:\"[\"theme-elements\"]\";}i:63;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:13:\"archive-posts\";s:5:\"title\";s:13:\"Archive Posts\";s:4:\"icon\";s:19:\"eicon-archive-posts\";s:10:\"categories\";s:18:\"[\"theme-elements\"]\";}}s:17:\"canary_deployment\";a:2:{s:11:\"plugin_info\";a:11:{s:2:\"id\";s:23:\"w.org/plugins/elementor\";s:4:\"slug\";s:9:\"elementor\";s:6:\"plugin\";s:23:\"elementor/elementor.php\";s:11:\"new_version\";s:5:\"3.3.0\";s:7:\"package\";s:58:\"https://downloads.wordpress.org/plugin/elementor.3.3.0.zip\";s:3:\"url\";s:40:\"https://wordpress.org/plugins/elementor/\";s:5:\"icons\";a:3:{s:2:\"2x\";s:62:\"https://ps.w.org/elementor/assets/icon-256x256.png?rev=1427768\";s:2:\"1x\";s:54:\"https://ps.w.org/elementor/assets/icon.svg?rev=1426809\";s:3:\"svg\";s:54:\"https://ps.w.org/elementor/assets/icon.svg?rev=1426809\";}s:7:\"banners\";a:2:{s:2:\"2x\";s:65:\"https://ps.w.org/elementor/assets/banner-1544x500.png?rev=1475479\";s:2:\"1x\";s:64:\"https://ps.w.org/elementor/assets/banner-772x250.png?rev=1475479\";}s:11:\"banners_rtl\";a:0:{}s:6:\"tested\";s:3:\"5.8\";s:12:\"requires_php\";s:3:\"5.6\";}s:10:\"conditions\";a:1:{i:0;a:1:{i:0;a:3:{s:4:\"type\";s:8:\"language\";s:9:\"languages\";a:26:{i:0;s:5:\"he_IL\";i:1;s:5:\"en_GB\";i:2;s:5:\"en_NZ\";i:3;s:5:\"en_ZA\";i:4;s:5:\"en_AU\";i:5;s:5:\"en_CA\";i:6;s:5:\"sv_SE\";i:7;s:5:\"da_DK\";i:8;s:5:\"fr_FR\";i:9;s:5:\"nl_NL\";i:10;s:5:\"nb_NO\";i:11;s:5:\"de_AT\";i:12;s:2:\"fi\";i:13;s:5:\"it_IT\";i:14;s:5:\"nn_NO\";i:15;s:5:\"de_CH\";i:16;s:5:\"en_GB\";i:17;s:5:\"is_IS\";i:18;s:2:\"ga\";i:19;s:5:\"fr_BE\";i:20;s:5:\"nl_BE\";i:21;s:3:\"ast\";i:22;s:5:\"lb_LU\";i:23;s:5:\"es_ES\";i:24;s:5:\"pt_PT\";i:25;s:3:\"mlt\";}s:8:\"operator\";s:2:\"in\";}}}}}','no'),(7132,'_transient_timeout_wphc_supported_check_page-links-to','1627375081','no'),(7133,'_transient_wphc_supported_check_page-links-to','2020-12-23 5:24am GMT','no'),(7134,'_transient_timeout_wphc_supported_check_post-grid-and-filter-ultimate','1627375091','no'),(7135,'_transient_wphc_supported_check_post-grid-and-filter-ultimate','2021-07-26','no'),(7222,'_transient_timeout_wphc_supported_check_imsanity','1627394701','no'),(7223,'_transient_wphc_supported_check_imsanity','2021-06-03 6:42pm GMT','no'),(7247,'zeno_font_resizer','html','yes'),(7248,'zeno_font_resizer_ownid','','yes'),(7249,'zeno_font_resizer_ownelement','','yes'),(7250,'zeno_font_resizer_resizeMax','24','yes'),(7251,'zeno_font_resizer_resizeMin','10','yes'),(7252,'zeno_font_resizer_resizeSteps','1.6','yes'),(7253,'zeno_font_resizer_letter','A','yes'),(7254,'zeno_font_resizer_cookieTime','31','yes'),(7257,'elementor_controls_usage','a:2:{s:7:\"wp-post\";a:4:{s:11:\"text-editor\";a:2:{s:5:\"count\";i:31;s:8:\"controls\";a:3:{s:7:\"content\";a:1:{s:14:\"section_editor\";a:3:{s:6:\"editor\";i:31;s:12:\"text_columns\";i:1;s:10:\"column_gap\";i:2;}}s:5:\"style\";a:1:{s:13:\"section_style\";a:8:{s:21:\"typography_typography\";i:28;s:22:\"typography_line_height\";i:27;s:23:\"text_shadow_text_shadow\";i:4;s:5:\"align\";i:3;s:28:\"text_shadow_text_shadow_type\";i:2;s:20:\"typography_font_size\";i:1;s:22:\"typography_font_family\";i:3;s:26:\"typography_text_decoration\";i:1;}}s:8:\"advanced\";a:1:{s:14:\"_section_style\";a:3:{s:7:\"_margin\";i:3;s:8:\"_z_index\";i:1;s:8:\"_padding\";i:1;}}}}s:6:\"column\";a:2:{s:5:\"count\";i:30;s:8:\"controls\";a:1:{s:6:\"layout\";a:1:{s:6:\"layout\";a:2:{s:21:\"space_between_widgets\";i:1;s:12:\"_inline_size\";i:1;}}}}s:7:\"section\";a:2:{s:5:\"count\";i:30;s:8:\"controls\";a:1:{s:6:\"layout\";a:1:{s:14:\"section_layout\";a:1:{s:13:\"content_width\";i:1;}}}}s:7:\"heading\";a:2:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:8:\"controls\";a:1:{s:7:\"content\";a:1:{s:13:\"section_title\";a:2:{s:5:\"title\";i:1;s:11:\"header_size\";i:1;}}}}}s:7:\"wp-page\";a:3:{s:11:\"text-editor\";a:2:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:8:\"controls\";a:2:{s:7:\"content\";a:1:{s:14:\"section_editor\";a:1:{s:6:\"editor\";i:1;}}s:5:\"style\";a:1:{s:13:\"section_style\";a:3:{s:21:\"typography_typography\";i:1;s:22:\"typography_line_height\";i:1;s:20:\"typography_font_size\";i:1;}}}}s:6:\"column\";a:2:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:8:\"controls\";a:0:{}}s:7:\"section\";a:2:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:8:\"controls\";a:0:{}}}}','no'),(7261,'_site_transient_update_plugins','O:8:\"stdClass\":5:{s:12:\"last_checked\";i:1632037861;s:8:\"response\";a:17:{s:47:\"advanced-sidebar-menu/advanced-sidebar-menu.php\";O:8:\"stdClass\":12:{s:2:\"id\";s:35:\"w.org/plugins/advanced-sidebar-menu\";s:4:\"slug\";s:21:\"advanced-sidebar-menu\";s:6:\"plugin\";s:47:\"advanced-sidebar-menu/advanced-sidebar-menu.php\";s:11:\"new_version\";s:5:\"8.6.2\";s:3:\"url\";s:52:\"https://wordpress.org/plugins/advanced-sidebar-menu/\";s:7:\"package\";s:70:\"https://downloads.wordpress.org/plugin/advanced-sidebar-menu.8.6.2.zip\";s:5:\"icons\";a:2:{s:2:\"2x\";s:74:\"https://ps.w.org/advanced-sidebar-menu/assets/icon-256x256.png?rev=1810540\";s:2:\"1x\";s:74:\"https://ps.w.org/advanced-sidebar-menu/assets/icon-128x128.png?rev=1810540\";}s:7:\"banners\";a:2:{s:2:\"2x\";s:77:\"https://ps.w.org/advanced-sidebar-menu/assets/banner-1544x500.png?rev=1810540\";s:2:\"1x\";s:76:\"https://ps.w.org/advanced-sidebar-menu/assets/banner-772x250.png?rev=1810540\";}s:11:\"banners_rtl\";a:0:{}s:8:\"requires\";s:3:\"5.2\";s:6:\"tested\";s:5:\"5.8.1\";s:12:\"requires_php\";s:5:\"5.6.0\";}s:19:\"akismet/akismet.php\";O:8:\"stdClass\":12:{s:2:\"id\";s:21:\"w.org/plugins/akismet\";s:4:\"slug\";s:7:\"akismet\";s:6:\"plugin\";s:19:\"akismet/akismet.php\";s:11:\"new_version\";s:6:\"4.1.12\";s:3:\"url\";s:38:\"https://wordpress.org/plugins/akismet/\";s:7:\"package\";s:57:\"https://downloads.wordpress.org/plugin/akismet.4.1.12.zip\";s:5:\"icons\";a:2:{s:2:\"2x\";s:59:\"https://ps.w.org/akismet/assets/icon-256x256.png?rev=969272\";s:2:\"1x\";s:59:\"https://ps.w.org/akismet/assets/icon-128x128.png?rev=969272\";}s:7:\"banners\";a:1:{s:2:\"1x\";s:61:\"https://ps.w.org/akismet/assets/banner-772x250.jpg?rev=479904\";}s:11:\"banners_rtl\";a:0:{}s:8:\"requires\";s:3:\"4.6\";s:6:\"tested\";s:5:\"5.8.1\";s:12:\"requires_php\";b:0;}s:23:\"elementor/elementor.php\";O:8:\"stdClass\":12:{s:2:\"id\";s:23:\"w.org/plugins/elementor\";s:4:\"slug\";s:9:\"elementor\";s:6:\"plugin\";s:23:\"elementor/elementor.php\";s:11:\"new_version\";s:5:\"3.4.4\";s:3:\"url\";s:40:\"https://wordpress.org/plugins/elementor/\";s:7:\"package\";s:58:\"https://downloads.wordpress.org/plugin/elementor.3.4.4.zip\";s:5:\"icons\";a:3:{s:2:\"2x\";s:62:\"https://ps.w.org/elementor/assets/icon-256x256.png?rev=2597493\";s:2:\"1x\";s:54:\"https://ps.w.org/elementor/assets/icon.svg?rev=2597493\";s:3:\"svg\";s:54:\"https://ps.w.org/elementor/assets/icon.svg?rev=2597493\";}s:7:\"banners\";a:2:{s:2:\"2x\";s:65:\"https://ps.w.org/elementor/assets/banner-1544x500.png?rev=2597493\";s:2:\"1x\";s:64:\"https://ps.w.org/elementor/assets/banner-772x250.png?rev=2597493\";}s:11:\"banners_rtl\";a:0:{}s:8:\"requires\";s:3:\"5.0\";s:6:\"tested\";s:5:\"5.8.1\";s:12:\"requires_php\";s:3:\"5.6\";}s:45:\"ewww-image-optimizer/ewww-image-optimizer.php\";O:8:\"stdClass\":12:{s:2:\"id\";s:34:\"w.org/plugins/ewww-image-optimizer\";s:4:\"slug\";s:20:\"ewww-image-optimizer\";s:6:\"plugin\";s:45:\"ewww-image-optimizer/ewww-image-optimizer.php\";s:11:\"new_version\";s:5:\"6.2.5\";s:3:\"url\";s:51:\"https://wordpress.org/plugins/ewww-image-optimizer/\";s:7:\"package\";s:69:\"https://downloads.wordpress.org/plugin/ewww-image-optimizer.6.2.5.zip\";s:5:\"icons\";a:2:{s:2:\"2x\";s:73:\"https://ps.w.org/ewww-image-optimizer/assets/icon-256x256.png?rev=1582276\";s:2:\"1x\";s:73:\"https://ps.w.org/ewww-image-optimizer/assets/icon-128x128.png?rev=1582276\";}s:7:\"banners\";a:2:{s:2:\"2x\";s:76:\"https://ps.w.org/ewww-image-optimizer/assets/banner-1544x500.jpg?rev=1582276\";s:2:\"1x\";s:75:\"https://ps.w.org/ewww-image-optimizer/assets/banner-772x250.jpg?rev=1582276\";}s:11:\"banners_rtl\";a:0:{}s:8:\"requires\";s:3:\"5.5\";s:6:\"tested\";s:5:\"5.8.1\";s:12:\"requires_php\";s:3:\"7.1\";}s:45:\"olympus-google-fonts/olympus-google-fonts.php\";O:8:\"stdClass\":12:{s:2:\"id\";s:34:\"w.org/plugins/olympus-google-fonts\";s:4:\"slug\";s:20:\"olympus-google-fonts\";s:6:\"plugin\";s:45:\"olympus-google-fonts/olympus-google-fonts.php\";s:11:\"new_version\";s:5:\"3.0.4\";s:3:\"url\";s:51:\"https://wordpress.org/plugins/olympus-google-fonts/\";s:7:\"package\";s:69:\"https://downloads.wordpress.org/plugin/olympus-google-fonts.3.0.4.zip\";s:5:\"icons\";a:2:{s:2:\"2x\";s:73:\"https://ps.w.org/olympus-google-fonts/assets/icon-256x256.jpg?rev=2044528\";s:2:\"1x\";s:73:\"https://ps.w.org/olympus-google-fonts/assets/icon-128x128.jpg?rev=2044528\";}s:7:\"banners\";a:2:{s:2:\"2x\";s:76:\"https://ps.w.org/olympus-google-fonts/assets/banner-1544x500.jpg?rev=2064934\";s:2:\"1x\";s:75:\"https://ps.w.org/olympus-google-fonts/assets/banner-772x250.jpg?rev=2064934\";}s:11:\"banners_rtl\";a:0:{}s:8:\"requires\";s:3:\"4.0\";s:6:\"tested\";s:5:\"5.8.1\";s:12:\"requires_php\";b:0;}s:48:\"media-library-plus/maxgalleria-media-library.php\";O:8:\"stdClass\":12:{s:2:\"id\";s:32:\"w.org/plugins/media-library-plus\";s:4:\"slug\";s:18:\"media-library-plus\";s:6:\"plugin\";s:48:\"media-library-plus/maxgalleria-media-library.php\";s:11:\"new_version\";s:5:\"7.0.3\";s:3:\"url\";s:49:\"https://wordpress.org/plugins/media-library-plus/\";s:7:\"package\";s:67:\"https://downloads.wordpress.org/plugin/media-library-plus.7.0.3.zip\";s:5:\"icons\";a:1:{s:2:\"1x\";s:71:\"https://ps.w.org/media-library-plus/assets/icon-128x128.jpg?rev=1814048\";}s:7:\"banners\";a:1:{s:2:\"1x\";s:73:\"https://ps.w.org/media-library-plus/assets/banner-772x250.png?rev=1814048\";}s:11:\"banners_rtl\";a:0:{}s:8:\"requires\";s:3:\"4.0\";s:6:\"tested\";s:5:\"5.8.1\";s:12:\"requires_php\";b:0;}s:32:\"media-library-plus/mlp-reset.php\";O:8:\"stdClass\":12:{s:2:\"id\";s:32:\"w.org/plugins/media-library-plus\";s:4:\"slug\";s:18:\"media-library-plus\";s:6:\"plugin\";s:32:\"media-library-plus/mlp-reset.php\";s:11:\"new_version\";s:5:\"7.0.3\";s:3:\"url\";s:49:\"https://wordpress.org/plugins/media-library-plus/\";s:7:\"package\";s:67:\"https://downloads.wordpress.org/plugin/media-library-plus.7.0.3.zip\";s:5:\"icons\";a:1:{s:2:\"1x\";s:71:\"https://ps.w.org/media-library-plus/assets/icon-128x128.jpg?rev=1814048\";}s:7:\"banners\";a:1:{s:2:\"1x\";s:73:\"https://ps.w.org/media-library-plus/assets/banner-772x250.png?rev=1814048\";}s:11:\"banners_rtl\";a:0:{}s:8:\"requires\";s:3:\"4.0\";s:6:\"tested\";s:5:\"5.8.1\";s:12:\"requires_php\";b:0;}s:63:\"post-grid-and-filter-ultimate/post-grid-and-filter-ultimate.php\";O:8:\"stdClass\":12:{s:2:\"id\";s:43:\"w.org/plugins/post-grid-and-filter-ultimate\";s:4:\"slug\";s:29:\"post-grid-and-filter-ultimate\";s:6:\"plugin\";s:63:\"post-grid-and-filter-ultimate/post-grid-and-filter-ultimate.php\";s:11:\"new_version\";s:5:\"1.4.2\";s:3:\"url\";s:60:\"https://wordpress.org/plugins/post-grid-and-filter-ultimate/\";s:7:\"package\";s:72:\"https://downloads.wordpress.org/plugin/post-grid-and-filter-ultimate.zip\";s:5:\"icons\";a:1:{s:2:\"1x\";s:82:\"https://ps.w.org/post-grid-and-filter-ultimate/assets/icon-128x128.png?rev=1688607\";}s:7:\"banners\";a:1:{s:2:\"1x\";s:84:\"https://ps.w.org/post-grid-and-filter-ultimate/assets/banner-772x250.png?rev=2586019\";}s:11:\"banners_rtl\";a:0:{}s:8:\"requires\";s:3:\"4.0\";s:6:\"tested\";s:5:\"5.8.1\";s:12:\"requires_php\";b:0;}s:47:\"really-simple-ssl/rlrsssl-really-simple-ssl.php\";O:8:\"stdClass\":12:{s:2:\"id\";s:31:\"w.org/plugins/really-simple-ssl\";s:4:\"slug\";s:17:\"really-simple-ssl\";s:6:\"plugin\";s:47:\"really-simple-ssl/rlrsssl-really-simple-ssl.php\";s:11:\"new_version\";s:5:\"5.1.0\";s:3:\"url\";s:48:\"https://wordpress.org/plugins/really-simple-ssl/\";s:7:\"package\";s:66:\"https://downloads.wordpress.org/plugin/really-simple-ssl.5.1.0.zip\";s:5:\"icons\";a:1:{s:2:\"1x\";s:70:\"https://ps.w.org/really-simple-ssl/assets/icon-128x128.png?rev=1782452\";}s:7:\"banners\";a:2:{s:2:\"2x\";s:73:\"https://ps.w.org/really-simple-ssl/assets/banner-1544x500.png?rev=2594863\";s:2:\"1x\";s:72:\"https://ps.w.org/really-simple-ssl/assets/banner-772x250.png?rev=2594863\";}s:11:\"banners_rtl\";a:0:{}s:8:\"requires\";s:3:\"4.9\";s:6:\"tested\";s:5:\"5.8.1\";s:12:\"requires_php\";s:3:\"5.6\";}s:51:\"restore-classic-widgets/restore_classic_widgets.php\";O:8:\"stdClass\":12:{s:2:\"id\";s:37:\"w.org/plugins/restore-classic-widgets\";s:4:\"slug\";s:23:\"restore-classic-widgets\";s:6:\"plugin\";s:51:\"restore-classic-widgets/restore_classic_widgets.php\";s:11:\"new_version\";s:3:\"1.2\";s:3:\"url\";s:54:\"https://wordpress.org/plugins/restore-classic-widgets/\";s:7:\"package\";s:70:\"https://downloads.wordpress.org/plugin/restore-classic-widgets.1.2.zip\";s:5:\"icons\";a:2:{s:2:\"2x\";s:76:\"https://ps.w.org/restore-classic-widgets/assets/icon-256x256.gif?rev=2566202\";s:2:\"1x\";s:76:\"https://ps.w.org/restore-classic-widgets/assets/icon-128x128.gif?rev=2566202\";}s:7:\"banners\";a:0:{}s:11:\"banners_rtl\";a:0:{}s:8:\"requires\";s:3:\"5.4\";s:6:\"tested\";s:5:\"5.8.1\";s:12:\"requires_php\";s:6:\"5.6.20\";}s:35:\"google-site-kit/google-site-kit.php\";O:8:\"stdClass\":12:{s:2:\"id\";s:29:\"w.org/plugins/google-site-kit\";s:4:\"slug\";s:15:\"google-site-kit\";s:6:\"plugin\";s:35:\"google-site-kit/google-site-kit.php\";s:11:\"new_version\";s:6:\"1.41.0\";s:3:\"url\";s:46:\"https://wordpress.org/plugins/google-site-kit/\";s:7:\"package\";s:65:\"https://downloads.wordpress.org/plugin/google-site-kit.1.41.0.zip\";s:5:\"icons\";a:2:{s:2:\"2x\";s:68:\"https://ps.w.org/google-site-kit/assets/icon-256x256.png?rev=2181376\";s:2:\"1x\";s:68:\"https://ps.w.org/google-site-kit/assets/icon-128x128.png?rev=2181376\";}s:7:\"banners\";a:2:{s:2:\"2x\";s:71:\"https://ps.w.org/google-site-kit/assets/banner-1544x500.png?rev=2513620\";s:2:\"1x\";s:70:\"https://ps.w.org/google-site-kit/assets/banner-772x250.png?rev=2513620\";}s:11:\"banners_rtl\";a:0:{}s:8:\"requires\";s:3:\"4.7\";s:6:\"tested\";s:5:\"5.8.1\";s:12:\"requires_php\";s:3:\"5.6\";}s:33:\"slide-anything/slide-anything.php\";O:8:\"stdClass\":13:{s:2:\"id\";s:28:\"w.org/plugins/slide-anything\";s:4:\"slug\";s:14:\"slide-anything\";s:6:\"plugin\";s:33:\"slide-anything/slide-anything.php\";s:11:\"new_version\";s:6:\"2.3.38\";s:3:\"url\";s:45:\"https://wordpress.org/plugins/slide-anything/\";s:7:\"package\";s:57:\"https://downloads.wordpress.org/plugin/slide-anything.zip\";s:5:\"icons\";a:2:{s:2:\"2x\";s:67:\"https://ps.w.org/slide-anything/assets/icon-256x256.png?rev=1322628\";s:2:\"1x\";s:67:\"https://ps.w.org/slide-anything/assets/icon-128x128.png?rev=1322628\";}s:7:\"banners\";a:2:{s:2:\"2x\";s:70:\"https://ps.w.org/slide-anything/assets/banner-1544x500.png?rev=1322628\";s:2:\"1x\";s:69:\"https://ps.w.org/slide-anything/assets/banner-772x250.png?rev=1322628\";}s:11:\"banners_rtl\";a:0:{}s:8:\"requires\";s:3:\"4.0\";s:6:\"tested\";s:5:\"5.8.1\";s:12:\"requires_php\";b:0;s:14:\"upgrade_notice\";s:122:\"<ul>\n<li>Added 'aria-label' and 'title' attributes to slide links to improve accessibility.</li>\n</ul>\";}s:25:\"socialsnap/socialsnap.php\";O:8:\"stdClass\":12:{s:2:\"id\";s:24:\"w.org/plugins/socialsnap\";s:4:\"slug\";s:10:\"socialsnap\";s:6:\"plugin\";s:25:\"socialsnap/socialsnap.php\";s:11:\"new_version\";s:6:\"1.1.16\";s:3:\"url\";s:41:\"https://wordpress.org/plugins/socialsnap/\";s:7:\"package\";s:53:\"https://downloads.wordpress.org/plugin/socialsnap.zip\";s:5:\"icons\";a:3:{s:2:\"2x\";s:63:\"https://ps.w.org/socialsnap/assets/icon-256x256.png?rev=1869219\";s:2:\"1x\";s:55:\"https://ps.w.org/socialsnap/assets/icon.svg?rev=1869219\";s:3:\"svg\";s:55:\"https://ps.w.org/socialsnap/assets/icon.svg?rev=1869219\";}s:7:\"banners\";a:2:{s:2:\"2x\";s:66:\"https://ps.w.org/socialsnap/assets/banner-1544x500.png?rev=2472652\";s:2:\"1x\";s:65:\"https://ps.w.org/socialsnap/assets/banner-772x250.png?rev=2472652\";}s:11:\"banners_rtl\";a:0:{}s:8:\"requires\";s:3:\"4.6\";s:6:\"tested\";s:5:\"5.8.1\";s:12:\"requires_php\";s:5:\"5.2.4\";}s:27:\"updraftplus/updraftplus.php\";O:8:\"stdClass\":12:{s:2:\"id\";s:25:\"w.org/plugins/updraftplus\";s:4:\"slug\";s:11:\"updraftplus\";s:6:\"plugin\";s:27:\"updraftplus/updraftplus.php\";s:11:\"new_version\";s:7:\"1.16.61\";s:3:\"url\";s:42:\"https://wordpress.org/plugins/updraftplus/\";s:7:\"package\";s:62:\"https://downloads.wordpress.org/plugin/updraftplus.1.16.61.zip\";s:5:\"icons\";a:2:{s:2:\"2x\";s:64:\"https://ps.w.org/updraftplus/assets/icon-256x256.jpg?rev=1686200\";s:2:\"1x\";s:64:\"https://ps.w.org/updraftplus/assets/icon-128x128.jpg?rev=1686200\";}s:7:\"banners\";a:2:{s:2:\"2x\";s:67:\"https://ps.w.org/updraftplus/assets/banner-1544x500.png?rev=1686200\";s:2:\"1x\";s:66:\"https://ps.w.org/updraftplus/assets/banner-772x250.png?rev=1686200\";}s:11:\"banners_rtl\";a:0:{}s:8:\"requires\";s:3:\"3.2\";s:6:\"tested\";s:5:\"5.8.1\";s:12:\"requires_php\";b:0;}s:41:\"sp-news-and-widget/sp-news-and-widget.php\";O:8:\"stdClass\":12:{s:2:\"id\";s:32:\"w.org/plugins/sp-news-and-widget\";s:4:\"slug\";s:18:\"sp-news-and-widget\";s:6:\"plugin\";s:41:\"sp-news-and-widget/sp-news-and-widget.php\";s:11:\"new_version\";s:5:\"4.5.2\";s:3:\"url\";s:49:\"https://wordpress.org/plugins/sp-news-and-widget/\";s:7:\"package\";s:61:\"https://downloads.wordpress.org/plugin/sp-news-and-widget.zip\";s:5:\"icons\";a:1:{s:2:\"1x\";s:71:\"https://ps.w.org/sp-news-and-widget/assets/icon-128x128.png?rev=1402776\";}s:7:\"banners\";a:2:{s:2:\"2x\";s:74:\"https://ps.w.org/sp-news-and-widget/assets/banner-1544x500.png?rev=2584187\";s:2:\"1x\";s:73:\"https://ps.w.org/sp-news-and-widget/assets/banner-772x250.png?rev=2584187\";}s:11:\"banners_rtl\";a:0:{}s:8:\"requires\";s:3:\"4.0\";s:6:\"tested\";s:5:\"5.8.1\";s:12:\"requires_php\";b:0;}s:58:\"wp-responsive-recent-post-slider/wp-recent-post-slider.php\";O:8:\"stdClass\":12:{s:2:\"id\";s:46:\"w.org/plugins/wp-responsive-recent-post-slider\";s:4:\"slug\";s:32:\"wp-responsive-recent-post-slider\";s:6:\"plugin\";s:58:\"wp-responsive-recent-post-slider/wp-recent-post-slider.php\";s:11:\"new_version\";s:7:\"3.0.2.1\";s:3:\"url\";s:63:\"https://wordpress.org/plugins/wp-responsive-recent-post-slider/\";s:7:\"package\";s:75:\"https://downloads.wordpress.org/plugin/wp-responsive-recent-post-slider.zip\";s:5:\"icons\";a:1:{s:2:\"1x\";s:85:\"https://ps.w.org/wp-responsive-recent-post-slider/assets/icon-128x128.png?rev=1402785\";}s:7:\"banners\";a:1:{s:2:\"1x\";s:87:\"https://ps.w.org/wp-responsive-recent-post-slider/assets/banner-772x250.png?rev=2583954\";}s:11:\"banners_rtl\";a:0:{}s:8:\"requires\";s:3:\"4.0\";s:6:\"tested\";s:5:\"5.8.1\";s:12:\"requires_php\";b:0;}s:24:\"wordpress-seo/wp-seo.php\";O:8:\"stdClass\":12:{s:2:\"id\";s:27:\"w.org/plugins/wordpress-seo\";s:4:\"slug\";s:13:\"wordpress-seo\";s:6:\"plugin\";s:24:\"wordpress-seo/wp-seo.php\";s:11:\"new_version\";s:4:\"17.1\";s:3:\"url\";s:44:\"https://wordpress.org/plugins/wordpress-seo/\";s:7:\"package\";s:61:\"https://downloads.wordpress.org/plugin/wordpress-seo.17.1.zip\";s:5:\"icons\";a:3:{s:2:\"2x\";s:66:\"https://ps.w.org/wordpress-seo/assets/icon-256x256.png?rev=2363699\";s:2:\"1x\";s:58:\"https://ps.w.org/wordpress-seo/assets/icon.svg?rev=2363699\";s:3:\"svg\";s:58:\"https://ps.w.org/wordpress-seo/assets/icon.svg?rev=2363699\";}s:7:\"banners\";a:2:{s:2:\"2x\";s:69:\"https://ps.w.org/wordpress-seo/assets/banner-1544x500.png?rev=1843435\";s:2:\"1x\";s:68:\"https://ps.w.org/wordpress-seo/assets/banner-772x250.png?rev=1843435\";}s:11:\"banners_rtl\";a:2:{s:2:\"2x\";s:73:\"https://ps.w.org/wordpress-seo/assets/banner-1544x500-rtl.png?rev=1843435\";s:2:\"1x\";s:72:\"https://ps.w.org/wordpress-seo/assets/banner-772x250-rtl.png?rev=1843435\";}s:8:\"requires\";s:3:\"5.6\";s:6:\"tested\";s:5:\"5.8.1\";s:12:\"requires_php\";s:6:\"5.6.20\";}}s:12:\"translations\";a:0:{}s:9:\"no_update\";a:20:{s:37:\"tinymce-advanced/tinymce-advanced.php\";O:8:\"stdClass\":10:{s:2:\"id\";s:30:\"w.org/plugins/tinymce-advanced\";s:4:\"slug\";s:16:\"tinymce-advanced\";s:6:\"plugin\";s:37:\"tinymce-advanced/tinymce-advanced.php\";s:11:\"new_version\";s:5:\"5.6.0\";s:3:\"url\";s:47:\"https://wordpress.org/plugins/tinymce-advanced/\";s:7:\"package\";s:65:\"https://downloads.wordpress.org/plugin/tinymce-advanced.5.6.0.zip\";s:5:\"icons\";a:2:{s:2:\"2x\";s:68:\"https://ps.w.org/tinymce-advanced/assets/icon-256x256.png?rev=971511\";s:2:\"1x\";s:68:\"https://ps.w.org/tinymce-advanced/assets/icon-128x128.png?rev=971511\";}s:7:\"banners\";a:2:{s:2:\"2x\";s:72:\"https://ps.w.org/tinymce-advanced/assets/banner-1544x500.png?rev=2390186\";s:2:\"1x\";s:71:\"https://ps.w.org/tinymce-advanced/assets/banner-772x250.png?rev=2390186\";}s:11:\"banners_rtl\";a:0:{}s:8:\"requires\";s:3:\"5.6\";}s:49:\"ajax-thumbnail-rebuild/ajax-thumbnail-rebuild.php\";O:8:\"stdClass\":10:{s:2:\"id\";s:36:\"w.org/plugins/ajax-thumbnail-rebuild\";s:4:\"slug\";s:22:\"ajax-thumbnail-rebuild\";s:6:\"plugin\";s:49:\"ajax-thumbnail-rebuild/ajax-thumbnail-rebuild.php\";s:11:\"new_version\";s:4:\"1.13\";s:3:\"url\";s:53:\"https://wordpress.org/plugins/ajax-thumbnail-rebuild/\";s:7:\"package\";s:70:\"https://downloads.wordpress.org/plugin/ajax-thumbnail-rebuild.1.13.zip\";s:5:\"icons\";a:1:{s:7:\"default\";s:66:\"https://s.w.org/plugins/geopattern-icon/ajax-thumbnail-rebuild.svg\";}s:7:\"banners\";a:0:{}s:11:\"banners_rtl\";a:0:{}s:8:\"requires\";s:3:\"2.8\";}s:47:\"better-search-replace/better-search-replace.php\";O:8:\"stdClass\":10:{s:2:\"id\";s:35:\"w.org/plugins/better-search-replace\";s:4:\"slug\";s:21:\"better-search-replace\";s:6:\"plugin\";s:47:\"better-search-replace/better-search-replace.php\";s:11:\"new_version\";s:5:\"1.3.4\";s:3:\"url\";s:52:\"https://wordpress.org/plugins/better-search-replace/\";s:7:\"package\";s:64:\"https://downloads.wordpress.org/plugin/better-search-replace.zip\";s:5:\"icons\";a:2:{s:2:\"2x\";s:74:\"https://ps.w.org/better-search-replace/assets/icon-256x256.png?rev=1238934\";s:2:\"1x\";s:74:\"https://ps.w.org/better-search-replace/assets/icon-128x128.png?rev=1238934\";}s:7:\"banners\";a:2:{s:2:\"2x\";s:77:\"https://ps.w.org/better-search-replace/assets/banner-1544x500.png?rev=1238934\";s:2:\"1x\";s:76:\"https://ps.w.org/better-search-replace/assets/banner-772x250.png?rev=1238934\";}s:11:\"banners_rtl\";a:0:{}s:8:\"requires\";s:5:\"3.0.1\";}s:47:\"change-wp-admin-login/change-wp-admin-login.php\";O:8:\"stdClass\":10:{s:2:\"id\";s:35:\"w.org/plugins/change-wp-admin-login\";s:4:\"slug\";s:21:\"change-wp-admin-login\";s:6:\"plugin\";s:47:\"change-wp-admin-login/change-wp-admin-login.php\";s:11:\"new_version\";s:5:\"1.0.6\";s:3:\"url\";s:52:\"https://wordpress.org/plugins/change-wp-admin-login/\";s:7:\"package\";s:70:\"https://downloads.wordpress.org/plugin/change-wp-admin-login.1.0.6.zip\";s:5:\"icons\";a:2:{s:2:\"2x\";s:74:\"https://ps.w.org/change-wp-admin-login/assets/icon-256x256.png?rev=2040699\";s:2:\"1x\";s:74:\"https://ps.w.org/change-wp-admin-login/assets/icon-128x128.png?rev=2040699\";}s:7:\"banners\";a:2:{s:2:\"2x\";s:77:\"https://ps.w.org/change-wp-admin-login/assets/banner-1544x500.png?rev=2446481\";s:2:\"1x\";s:76:\"https://ps.w.org/change-wp-admin-login/assets/banner-772x250.png?rev=2446481\";}s:11:\"banners_rtl\";a:0:{}s:8:\"requires\";s:3:\"4.4\";}s:26:\"conditional-menus/init.php\";O:8:\"stdClass\":10:{s:2:\"id\";s:31:\"w.org/plugins/conditional-menus\";s:4:\"slug\";s:17:\"conditional-menus\";s:6:\"plugin\";s:26:\"conditional-menus/init.php\";s:11:\"new_version\";s:5:\"1.1.9\";s:3:\"url\";s:48:\"https://wordpress.org/plugins/conditional-menus/\";s:7:\"package\";s:60:\"https://downloads.wordpress.org/plugin/conditional-menus.zip\";s:5:\"icons\";a:1:{s:7:\"default\";s:61:\"https://s.w.org/plugins/geopattern-icon/conditional-menus.svg\";}s:7:\"banners\";a:0:{}s:11:\"banners_rtl\";a:0:{}s:8:\"requires\";s:3:\"4.0\";}s:29:\"health-check/health-check.php\";O:8:\"stdClass\":10:{s:2:\"id\";s:26:\"w.org/plugins/health-check\";s:4:\"slug\";s:12:\"health-check\";s:6:\"plugin\";s:29:\"health-check/health-check.php\";s:11:\"new_version\";s:5:\"1.4.5\";s:3:\"url\";s:43:\"https://wordpress.org/plugins/health-check/\";s:7:\"package\";s:61:\"https://downloads.wordpress.org/plugin/health-check.1.4.5.zip\";s:5:\"icons\";a:3:{s:2:\"2x\";s:65:\"https://ps.w.org/health-check/assets/icon-256x256.png?rev=1823210\";s:2:\"1x\";s:57:\"https://ps.w.org/health-check/assets/icon.svg?rev=1828244\";s:3:\"svg\";s:57:\"https://ps.w.org/health-check/assets/icon.svg?rev=1828244\";}s:7:\"banners\";a:2:{s:2:\"2x\";s:68:\"https://ps.w.org/health-check/assets/banner-1544x500.png?rev=1823210\";s:2:\"1x\";s:67:\"https://ps.w.org/health-check/assets/banner-772x250.png?rev=1823210\";}s:11:\"banners_rtl\";a:0:{}s:8:\"requires\";s:3:\"4.0\";}s:21:\"imsanity/imsanity.php\";O:8:\"stdClass\":10:{s:2:\"id\";s:22:\"w.org/plugins/imsanity\";s:4:\"slug\";s:8:\"imsanity\";s:6:\"plugin\";s:21:\"imsanity/imsanity.php\";s:11:\"new_version\";s:5:\"2.7.2\";s:3:\"url\";s:39:\"https://wordpress.org/plugins/imsanity/\";s:7:\"package\";s:57:\"https://downloads.wordpress.org/plugin/imsanity.2.7.2.zip\";s:5:\"icons\";a:3:{s:2:\"2x\";s:61:\"https://ps.w.org/imsanity/assets/icon-256x256.png?rev=2420360\";s:2:\"1x\";s:53:\"https://ps.w.org/imsanity/assets/icon.svg?rev=2420360\";s:3:\"svg\";s:53:\"https://ps.w.org/imsanity/assets/icon.svg?rev=2420360\";}s:7:\"banners\";a:2:{s:2:\"2x\";s:64:\"https://ps.w.org/imsanity/assets/banner-1544x500.png?rev=2420360\";s:2:\"1x\";s:63:\"https://ps.w.org/imsanity/assets/banner-772x250.png?rev=2420360\";}s:11:\"banners_rtl\";a:0:{}s:8:\"requires\";s:3:\"5.1\";}s:47:\"latest-post-shortcode/latest-post-shortcode.php\";O:8:\"stdClass\":10:{s:2:\"id\";s:35:\"w.org/plugins/latest-post-shortcode\";s:4:\"slug\";s:21:\"latest-post-shortcode\";s:6:\"plugin\";s:47:\"latest-post-shortcode/latest-post-shortcode.php\";s:11:\"new_version\";s:5:\"9.6.5\";s:3:\"url\";s:52:\"https://wordpress.org/plugins/latest-post-shortcode/\";s:7:\"package\";s:70:\"https://downloads.wordpress.org/plugin/latest-post-shortcode.9.6.5.zip\";s:5:\"icons\";a:1:{s:2:\"1x\";s:74:\"https://ps.w.org/latest-post-shortcode/assets/icon-128x128.gif?rev=2355649\";}s:7:\"banners\";a:1:{s:2:\"1x\";s:76:\"https://ps.w.org/latest-post-shortcode/assets/banner-772x250.png?rev=1897299\";}s:11:\"banners_rtl\";a:0:{}s:8:\"requires\";b:0;}s:48:\"open-in-new-window-plugin/open_in_new_window.php\";O:8:\"stdClass\":10:{s:2:\"id\";s:39:\"w.org/plugins/open-in-new-window-plugin\";s:4:\"slug\";s:25:\"open-in-new-window-plugin\";s:6:\"plugin\";s:48:\"open-in-new-window-plugin/open_in_new_window.php\";s:11:\"new_version\";s:3:\"2.8\";s:3:\"url\";s:56:\"https://wordpress.org/plugins/open-in-new-window-plugin/\";s:7:\"package\";s:72:\"https://downloads.wordpress.org/plugin/open-in-new-window-plugin.2.8.zip\";s:5:\"icons\";a:1:{s:7:\"default\";s:76:\"https://s.w.org/plugins/geopattern-icon/open-in-new-window-plugin_81927c.svg\";}s:7:\"banners\";a:1:{s:2:\"1x\";s:79:\"https://ps.w.org/open-in-new-window-plugin/assets/banner-772x250.jpg?rev=654296\";}s:11:\"banners_rtl\";a:0:{}s:8:\"requires\";s:3:\"3.0\";}s:47:\"overwrite-author-name/overwrite-author-name.php\";O:8:\"stdClass\":10:{s:2:\"id\";s:35:\"w.org/plugins/overwrite-author-name\";s:4:\"slug\";s:21:\"overwrite-author-name\";s:6:\"plugin\";s:47:\"overwrite-author-name/overwrite-author-name.php\";s:11:\"new_version\";s:3:\"2.1\";s:3:\"url\";s:52:\"https://wordpress.org/plugins/overwrite-author-name/\";s:7:\"package\";s:68:\"https://downloads.wordpress.org/plugin/overwrite-author-name.2.1.zip\";s:5:\"icons\";a:1:{s:7:\"default\";s:72:\"https://s.w.org/plugins/geopattern-icon/overwrite-author-name_9a9187.svg\";}s:7:\"banners\";a:2:{s:2:\"2x\";s:77:\"https://ps.w.org/overwrite-author-name/assets/banner-1544x500.png?rev=1015951\";s:2:\"1x\";s:76:\"https://ps.w.org/overwrite-author-name/assets/banner-772x250.png?rev=1015951\";}s:11:\"banners_rtl\";a:0:{}s:8:\"requires\";s:3:\"3.5\";}s:31:\"page-links-to/page-links-to.php\";O:8:\"stdClass\":10:{s:2:\"id\";s:27:\"w.org/plugins/page-links-to\";s:4:\"slug\";s:13:\"page-links-to\";s:6:\"plugin\";s:31:\"page-links-to/page-links-to.php\";s:11:\"new_version\";s:5:\"3.3.5\";s:3:\"url\";s:44:\"https://wordpress.org/plugins/page-links-to/\";s:7:\"package\";s:62:\"https://downloads.wordpress.org/plugin/page-links-to.3.3.5.zip\";s:5:\"icons\";a:1:{s:7:\"default\";s:64:\"https://s.w.org/plugins/geopattern-icon/page-links-to_fafafa.svg\";}s:7:\"banners\";a:2:{s:2:\"2x\";s:69:\"https://ps.w.org/page-links-to/assets/banner-1544x500.png?rev=1889711\";s:2:\"1x\";s:68:\"https://ps.w.org/page-links-to/assets/banner-772x250.png?rev=1889711\";}s:11:\"banners_rtl\";a:0:{}s:8:\"requires\";s:3:\"4.8\";}s:29:\"pdf-embedder/pdf_embedder.php\";O:8:\"stdClass\":10:{s:2:\"id\";s:26:\"w.org/plugins/pdf-embedder\";s:4:\"slug\";s:12:\"pdf-embedder\";s:6:\"plugin\";s:29:\"pdf-embedder/pdf_embedder.php\";s:11:\"new_version\";s:5:\"4.6.2\";s:3:\"url\";s:43:\"https://wordpress.org/plugins/pdf-embedder/\";s:7:\"package\";s:61:\"https://downloads.wordpress.org/plugin/pdf-embedder.4.6.2.zip\";s:5:\"icons\";a:2:{s:2:\"2x\";s:65:\"https://ps.w.org/pdf-embedder/assets/icon-256x256.png?rev=2292517\";s:2:\"1x\";s:65:\"https://ps.w.org/pdf-embedder/assets/icon-128x128.png?rev=2292517\";}s:7:\"banners\";a:2:{s:2:\"2x\";s:68:\"https://ps.w.org/pdf-embedder/assets/banner-1544x500.png?rev=2292517\";s:2:\"1x\";s:67:\"https://ps.w.org/pdf-embedder/assets/banner-772x250.png?rev=2292517\";}s:11:\"banners_rtl\";a:0:{}s:8:\"requires\";s:3:\"3.5\";}s:39:\"pdfjs-viewer-shortcode/pdfjs-viewer.php\";O:8:\"stdClass\":10:{s:2:\"id\";s:36:\"w.org/plugins/pdfjs-viewer-shortcode\";s:4:\"slug\";s:22:\"pdfjs-viewer-shortcode\";s:6:\"plugin\";s:39:\"pdfjs-viewer-shortcode/pdfjs-viewer.php\";s:11:\"new_version\";s:5:\"2.0.0\";s:3:\"url\";s:53:\"https://wordpress.org/plugins/pdfjs-viewer-shortcode/\";s:7:\"package\";s:71:\"https://downloads.wordpress.org/plugin/pdfjs-viewer-shortcode.2.0.0.zip\";s:5:\"icons\";a:2:{s:2:\"2x\";s:75:\"https://ps.w.org/pdfjs-viewer-shortcode/assets/icon-256x256.png?rev=2301161\";s:2:\"1x\";s:75:\"https://ps.w.org/pdfjs-viewer-shortcode/assets/icon-128x128.png?rev=2301161\";}s:7:\"banners\";a:1:{s:2:\"1x\";s:77:\"https://ps.w.org/pdfjs-viewer-shortcode/assets/banner-772x250.png?rev=2301161\";}s:11:\"banners_rtl\";a:0:{}s:8:\"requires\";s:3:\"4.9\";}s:47:\"regenerate-thumbnails/regenerate-thumbnails.php\";O:8:\"stdClass\":10:{s:2:\"id\";s:35:\"w.org/plugins/regenerate-thumbnails\";s:4:\"slug\";s:21:\"regenerate-thumbnails\";s:6:\"plugin\";s:47:\"regenerate-thumbnails/regenerate-thumbnails.php\";s:11:\"new_version\";s:5:\"3.1.5\";s:3:\"url\";s:52:\"https://wordpress.org/plugins/regenerate-thumbnails/\";s:7:\"package\";s:70:\"https://downloads.wordpress.org/plugin/regenerate-thumbnails.3.1.5.zip\";s:5:\"icons\";a:1:{s:2:\"1x\";s:74:\"https://ps.w.org/regenerate-thumbnails/assets/icon-128x128.png?rev=1753390\";}s:7:\"banners\";a:2:{s:2:\"2x\";s:77:\"https://ps.w.org/regenerate-thumbnails/assets/banner-1544x500.jpg?rev=1753390\";s:2:\"1x\";s:76:\"https://ps.w.org/regenerate-thumbnails/assets/banner-772x250.jpg?rev=1753390\";}s:11:\"banners_rtl\";a:0:{}s:8:\"requires\";s:3:\"4.7\";}s:45:\"search-and-replace/inpsyde-search-replace.php\";O:8:\"stdClass\":10:{s:2:\"id\";s:32:\"w.org/plugins/search-and-replace\";s:4:\"slug\";s:18:\"search-and-replace\";s:6:\"plugin\";s:45:\"search-and-replace/inpsyde-search-replace.php\";s:11:\"new_version\";s:5:\"3.2.1\";s:3:\"url\";s:49:\"https://wordpress.org/plugins/search-and-replace/\";s:7:\"package\";s:67:\"https://downloads.wordpress.org/plugin/search-and-replace.3.2.1.zip\";s:5:\"icons\";a:2:{s:2:\"2x\";s:71:\"https://ps.w.org/search-and-replace/assets/icon-256x256.png?rev=1776844\";s:2:\"1x\";s:71:\"https://ps.w.org/search-and-replace/assets/icon-128x128.png?rev=1776844\";}s:7:\"banners\";a:2:{s:2:\"2x\";s:74:\"https://ps.w.org/search-and-replace/assets/banner-1544x500.png?rev=1776844\";s:2:\"1x\";s:73:\"https://ps.w.org/search-and-replace/assets/banner-772x250.png?rev=1776844\";}s:11:\"banners_rtl\";a:0:{}s:8:\"requires\";s:3:\"4.0\";}s:39:\"my-wp-health-check/mlw_health_check.php\";O:8:\"stdClass\":10:{s:2:\"id\";s:32:\"w.org/plugins/my-wp-health-check\";s:4:\"slug\";s:18:\"my-wp-health-check\";s:6:\"plugin\";s:39:\"my-wp-health-check/mlw_health_check.php\";s:11:\"new_version\";s:5:\"1.9.3\";s:3:\"url\";s:49:\"https://wordpress.org/plugins/my-wp-health-check/\";s:7:\"package\";s:67:\"https://downloads.wordpress.org/plugin/my-wp-health-check.1.9.3.zip\";s:5:\"icons\";a:2:{s:2:\"2x\";s:71:\"https://ps.w.org/my-wp-health-check/assets/icon-256x256.png?rev=2554483\";s:2:\"1x\";s:71:\"https://ps.w.org/my-wp-health-check/assets/icon-256x256.png?rev=2554483\";}s:7:\"banners\";a:0:{}s:11:\"banners_rtl\";a:0:{}s:8:\"requires\";s:3:\"5.4\";}s:31:\"title-remover/title-remover.php\";O:8:\"stdClass\":10:{s:2:\"id\";s:27:\"w.org/plugins/title-remover\";s:4:\"slug\";s:13:\"title-remover\";s:6:\"plugin\";s:31:\"title-remover/title-remover.php\";s:11:\"new_version\";s:5:\"1.2.1\";s:3:\"url\";s:44:\"https://wordpress.org/plugins/title-remover/\";s:7:\"package\";s:62:\"https://downloads.wordpress.org/plugin/title-remover.1.2.1.zip\";s:5:\"icons\";a:2:{s:2:\"2x\";s:66:\"https://ps.w.org/title-remover/assets/icon-256x256.png?rev=1774737\";s:2:\"1x\";s:66:\"https://ps.w.org/title-remover/assets/icon-128x128.png?rev=1774737\";}s:7:\"banners\";a:2:{s:2:\"2x\";s:69:\"https://ps.w.org/title-remover/assets/banner-1544x500.png?rev=1774737\";s:2:\"1x\";s:68:\"https://ps.w.org/title-remover/assets/banner-772x250.png?rev=1774737\";}s:11:\"banners_rtl\";a:0:{}s:8:\"requires\";s:3:\"2.5\";}s:33:\"widget-context/widget-context.php\";O:8:\"stdClass\":10:{s:2:\"id\";s:28:\"w.org/plugins/widget-context\";s:4:\"slug\";s:14:\"widget-context\";s:6:\"plugin\";s:33:\"widget-context/widget-context.php\";s:11:\"new_version\";s:5:\"1.3.2\";s:3:\"url\";s:45:\"https://wordpress.org/plugins/widget-context/\";s:7:\"package\";s:63:\"https://downloads.wordpress.org/plugin/widget-context.1.3.2.zip\";s:5:\"icons\";a:2:{s:2:\"2x\";s:67:\"https://ps.w.org/widget-context/assets/icon-256x256.png?rev=1919865\";s:2:\"1x\";s:67:\"https://ps.w.org/widget-context/assets/icon-128x128.png?rev=1919865\";}s:7:\"banners\";a:2:{s:2:\"2x\";s:70:\"https://ps.w.org/widget-context/assets/banner-1544x500.png?rev=1919865\";s:2:\"1x\";s:69:\"https://ps.w.org/widget-context/assets/banner-772x250.png?rev=1919865\";}s:11:\"banners_rtl\";a:0:{}s:8:\"requires\";s:3:\"3.0\";}s:45:\"wp-content-copy-protector/preventer-index.php\";O:8:\"stdClass\":10:{s:2:\"id\";s:39:\"w.org/plugins/wp-content-copy-protector\";s:4:\"slug\";s:25:\"wp-content-copy-protector\";s:6:\"plugin\";s:45:\"wp-content-copy-protector/preventer-index.php\";s:11:\"new_version\";s:5:\"3.4.1\";s:3:\"url\";s:56:\"https://wordpress.org/plugins/wp-content-copy-protector/\";s:7:\"package\";s:74:\"https://downloads.wordpress.org/plugin/wp-content-copy-protector.3.4.1.zip\";s:5:\"icons\";a:2:{s:2:\"2x\";s:77:\"https://ps.w.org/wp-content-copy-protector/assets/icon-256x256.png?rev=976781\";s:2:\"1x\";s:77:\"https://ps.w.org/wp-content-copy-protector/assets/icon-128x128.png?rev=976781\";}s:7:\"banners\";a:1:{s:2:\"1x\";s:80:\"https://ps.w.org/wp-content-copy-protector/assets/banner-772x250.png?rev=1310094\";}s:11:\"banners_rtl\";a:0:{}s:8:\"requires\";s:3:\"3.5\";}s:39:\"zeno-font-resizer/zeno-font-resizer.php\";O:8:\"stdClass\":10:{s:2:\"id\";s:31:\"w.org/plugins/zeno-font-resizer\";s:4:\"slug\";s:17:\"zeno-font-resizer\";s:6:\"plugin\";s:39:\"zeno-font-resizer/zeno-font-resizer.php\";s:11:\"new_version\";s:5:\"1.7.7\";s:3:\"url\";s:48:\"https://wordpress.org/plugins/zeno-font-resizer/\";s:7:\"package\";s:66:\"https://downloads.wordpress.org/plugin/zeno-font-resizer.1.7.7.zip\";s:5:\"icons\";a:2:{s:2:\"2x\";s:70:\"https://ps.w.org/zeno-font-resizer/assets/icon-256x256.png?rev=1166007\";s:2:\"1x\";s:70:\"https://ps.w.org/zeno-font-resizer/assets/icon-128x128.png?rev=1166007\";}s:7:\"banners\";a:1:{s:2:\"1x\";s:72:\"https://ps.w.org/zeno-font-resizer/assets/banner-772x250.png?rev=1166011\";}s:11:\"banners_rtl\";a:1:{s:2:\"1x\";s:76:\"https://ps.w.org/zeno-font-resizer/assets/banner-772x250-rtl.png?rev=1284964\";}s:8:\"requires\";s:3:\"3.7\";}}s:7:\"checked\";a:37:{s:37:\"tinymce-advanced/tinymce-advanced.php\";s:5:\"5.6.0\";s:47:\"advanced-sidebar-menu/advanced-sidebar-menu.php\";s:5:\"8.5.0\";s:49:\"ajax-thumbnail-rebuild/ajax-thumbnail-rebuild.php\";s:4:\"1.13\";s:19:\"akismet/akismet.php\";s:5:\"4.1.9\";s:47:\"better-search-replace/better-search-replace.php\";s:5:\"1.3.4\";s:47:\"change-wp-admin-login/change-wp-admin-login.php\";s:5:\"1.0.6\";s:26:\"conditional-menus/init.php\";s:5:\"1.1.9\";s:23:\"elementor/elementor.php\";s:5:\"3.3.1\";s:45:\"ewww-image-optimizer/ewww-image-optimizer.php\";s:5:\"6.1.9\";s:45:\"olympus-google-fonts/olympus-google-fonts.php\";s:5:\"2.5.9\";s:29:\"health-check/health-check.php\";s:5:\"1.4.5\";s:21:\"imsanity/imsanity.php\";s:5:\"2.7.2\";s:47:\"latest-post-shortcode/latest-post-shortcode.php\";s:5:\"9.6.5\";s:48:\"media-library-plus/maxgalleria-media-library.php\";s:5:\"7.0.0\";s:32:\"media-library-plus/mlp-reset.php\";s:5:\"7.0.0\";s:48:\"open-in-new-window-plugin/open_in_new_window.php\";s:3:\"2.8\";s:47:\"overwrite-author-name/overwrite-author-name.php\";s:3:\"2.1\";s:31:\"page-links-to/page-links-to.php\";s:5:\"3.3.5\";s:29:\"pdf-embedder/pdf_embedder.php\";s:5:\"4.6.2\";s:39:\"pdfjs-viewer-shortcode/pdfjs-viewer.php\";s:5:\"2.0.0\";s:63:\"post-grid-and-filter-ultimate/post-grid-and-filter-ultimate.php\";s:5:\"1.4.1\";s:47:\"really-simple-ssl/rlrsssl-really-simple-ssl.php\";s:6:\"4.0.15\";s:47:\"regenerate-thumbnails/regenerate-thumbnails.php\";s:5:\"3.1.5\";s:51:\"restore-classic-widgets/restore_classic_widgets.php\";s:3:\"1.1\";s:45:\"search-and-replace/inpsyde-search-replace.php\";s:5:\"3.2.1\";s:39:\"my-wp-health-check/mlw_health_check.php\";s:5:\"1.9.3\";s:35:\"google-site-kit/google-site-kit.php\";s:6:\"1.35.0\";s:33:\"slide-anything/slide-anything.php\";s:6:\"2.3.37\";s:25:\"socialsnap/socialsnap.php\";s:6:\"1.1.15\";s:31:\"title-remover/title-remover.php\";s:5:\"1.2.1\";s:27:\"updraftplus/updraftplus.php\";s:7:\"1.16.56\";s:33:\"widget-context/widget-context.php\";s:5:\"1.3.2\";s:45:\"wp-content-copy-protector/preventer-index.php\";s:5:\"3.4.1\";s:41:\"sp-news-and-widget/sp-news-and-widget.php\";s:5:\"4.4.5\";s:58:\"wp-responsive-recent-post-slider/wp-recent-post-slider.php\";s:5:\"2.7.1\";s:24:\"wordpress-seo/wp-seo.php\";s:6:\"16.6.1\";s:39:\"zeno-font-resizer/zeno-font-resizer.php\";s:5:\"1.7.7\";}}','no'),(7262,'tadv_settings','a:10:{s:7:\"options\";s:44:\"menubar,advlist,menubar_block,merge_toolbars\";s:7:\"plugins\";s:104:\"anchor,code,insertdatetime,nonbreaking,print,searchreplace,table,visualblocks,visualchars,advlist,wptadv\";s:9:\"toolbar_1\";s:106:\"formatselect,bold,italic,blockquote,bullist,numlist,alignleft,aligncenter,alignright,link,unlink,undo,redo\";s:9:\"toolbar_2\";s:103:\"fontselect,fontsizeselect,outdent,indent,pastetext,removeformat,charmap,wp_more,forecolor,table,wp_help\";s:9:\"toolbar_3\";s:0:\"\";s:9:\"toolbar_4\";s:0:\"\";s:21:\"toolbar_classic_block\";s:123:\"formatselect,bold,italic,blockquote,bullist,numlist,alignleft,aligncenter,alignright,link,forecolor,backcolor,table,wp_help\";s:13:\"toolbar_block\";s:67:\"core/code,core/image,core/strikethrough,tadv/mark,tadv/removeformat\";s:18:\"toolbar_block_side\";s:46:\"core/superscript,core/subscript,core/underline\";s:12:\"panels_block\";s:44:\"tadv/color-panel,tadv/background-color-panel\";}','yes'),(7263,'tadv_admin_settings','a:1:{s:7:\"options\";s:86:\"classic_paragraph_block,table_resize_bars,table_grid,table_tab_navigation,table_advtab\";}','yes'),(7264,'tadv_version','5600','yes'),(7268,'_elementor_global_css','a:7:{s:4:\"time\";i:1627310300;s:5:\"fonts\";a:0:{}s:5:\"icons\";a:0:{}s:20:\"dynamic_elements_ids\";a:0:{}s:6:\"status\";s:5:\"empty\";i:0;b:0;s:3:\"css\";s:0:\"\";}','yes'),(7617,'_site_transient_timeout_browser_5dd84b6147bbb17b430079be84dacdc3','1629248743','no'),(7618,'_site_transient_browser_5dd84b6147bbb17b430079be84dacdc3','a:10:{s:4:\"name\";s:7:\"Firefox\";s:7:\"version\";s:4:\"90.0\";s:8:\"platform\";s:7:\"Windows\";s:10:\"update_url\";s:32:\"https://www.mozilla.org/firefox/\";s:7:\"img_src\";s:44:\"http://s.w.org/images/browsers/firefox.png?1\";s:11:\"img_src_ssl\";s:45:\"https://s.w.org/images/browsers/firefox.png?1\";s:15:\"current_version\";s:2:\"56\";s:7:\"upgrade\";b:0;s:8:\"insecure\";b:0;s:6:\"mobile\";b:0;}','no'),(7933,'_transient_timeout_wphc_supported_check_conditional-menus','1629428941','no'),(7934,'_transient_wphc_supported_check_conditional-menus','2020-12-11 10:09pm GMT','no'),(7935,'_transient_timeout_wphc_supported_check_elementor','1629428942','no'),(7936,'_transient_wphc_supported_check_elementor','2021-08-18 2:40pm GMT','no'),(7948,'_transient_timeout_wphc_supported_check_ewww-image-optimizer','1629432793','no'),(7949,'_transient_wphc_supported_check_ewww-image-optimizer','2021-08-13 12:52am GMT','no'),(7950,'_transient_timeout_wphc_supported_check_olympus-google-fonts','1629432793','no'),(7951,'_transient_wphc_supported_check_olympus-google-fonts','2021-08-18 10:53am GMT','no'),(7952,'_transient_timeout_wphc_supported_check_health-check','1629432794','no'),(7953,'_transient_wphc_supported_check_health-check','2021-07-18 1:59pm GMT','no'),(7960,'_site_transient_timeout_community-events-e53b18217f7d1a67984b12e5741b2e3c','1629389596','no'),(7961,'_site_transient_community-events-e53b18217f7d1a67984b12e5741b2e3c','a:4:{s:9:\"sandboxed\";b:0;s:5:\"error\";N;s:8:\"location\";a:1:{s:2:\"ip\";s:13:\"112.201.163.0\";}s:6:\"events\";a:1:{i:0;a:10:{s:4:\"type\";s:6:\"meetup\";s:5:\"title\";s:45:\"Discussion Group: Introduction to Open-Source\";s:3:\"url\";s:68:\"https://www.meetup.com/learn-wordpress-discussions/events/279751716/\";s:6:\"meetup\";s:27:\"Learn WordPress Discussions\";s:10:\"meetup_url\";s:51:\"https://www.meetup.com/learn-wordpress-discussions/\";s:4:\"date\";s:19:\"2021-08-19 02:00:00\";s:8:\"end_date\";s:19:\"2021-08-19 03:00:00\";s:20:\"start_unix_timestamp\";i:1629363600;s:18:\"end_unix_timestamp\";i:1629367200;s:8:\"location\";a:4:{s:8:\"location\";s:6:\"Online\";s:7:\"country\";s:2:\"US\";s:8:\"latitude\";d:37.779998779297;s:9:\"longitude\";d:-122.41999816895;}}}}','no'),(8056,'_site_transient_timeout_browser_65aa2869029c08b5f6f0c1621b8000aa','1630313426','no'),(8057,'_site_transient_browser_65aa2869029c08b5f6f0c1621b8000aa','a:10:{s:4:\"name\";s:7:\"Firefox\";s:7:\"version\";s:4:\"91.0\";s:8:\"platform\";s:7:\"Windows\";s:10:\"update_url\";s:32:\"https://www.mozilla.org/firefox/\";s:7:\"img_src\";s:44:\"http://s.w.org/images/browsers/firefox.png?1\";s:11:\"img_src_ssl\";s:45:\"https://s.w.org/images/browsers/firefox.png?1\";s:15:\"current_version\";s:2:\"56\";s:7:\"upgrade\";b:0;s:8:\"insecure\";b:0;s:6:\"mobile\";b:0;}','no'),(8076,'_site_transient_timeout_community-events-6a55cebd258c0198572f91db1ae01135','1629751838','no'),(8077,'_site_transient_community-events-6a55cebd258c0198572f91db1ae01135','a:4:{s:9:\"sandboxed\";b:0;s:5:\"error\";N;s:8:\"location\";a:1:{s:2:\"ip\";s:13:\"112.201.162.0\";}s:6:\"events\";a:1:{i:0;a:10:{s:4:\"type\";s:6:\"meetup\";s:5:\"title\";s:59:\"Watch Party + Discussion Group: Improving site performance\";s:3:\"url\";s:68:\"https://www.meetup.com/learn-wordpress-discussions/events/279751757/\";s:6:\"meetup\";s:27:\"Learn WordPress Discussions\";s:10:\"meetup_url\";s:51:\"https://www.meetup.com/learn-wordpress-discussions/\";s:4:\"date\";s:19:\"2021-08-25 09:00:00\";s:8:\"end_date\";s:19:\"2021-08-25 10:00:00\";s:20:\"start_unix_timestamp\";i:1629907200;s:18:\"end_unix_timestamp\";i:1629910800;s:8:\"location\";a:4:{s:8:\"location\";s:6:\"Online\";s:7:\"country\";s:2:\"US\";s:8:\"latitude\";d:37.779998779297;s:9:\"longitude\";d:-122.41999816895;}}}}','no'),(8241,'_site_transient_timeout_community-events-021b5415221a9e4d8355e2d8ab4ae861','1631124397','no'),(8242,'_site_transient_community-events-021b5415221a9e4d8355e2d8ab4ae861','a:4:{s:9:\"sandboxed\";b:0;s:5:\"error\";N;s:8:\"location\";a:1:{s:2:\"ip\";s:13:\"112.201.168.0\";}s:6:\"events\";a:1:{i:0;a:10:{s:4:\"type\";s:6:\"meetup\";s:5:\"title\";s:55:\"Group Activity: Finding a Topic for your WordPress Talk\";s:3:\"url\";s:68:\"https://www.meetup.com/learn-wordpress-discussions/events/280048810/\";s:6:\"meetup\";s:27:\"Learn WordPress Discussions\";s:10:\"meetup_url\";s:51:\"https://www.meetup.com/learn-wordpress-discussions/\";s:4:\"date\";s:19:\"2021-09-09 03:00:00\";s:8:\"end_date\";s:19:\"2021-09-09 04:00:00\";s:20:\"start_unix_timestamp\";i:1631181600;s:18:\"end_unix_timestamp\";i:1631185200;s:8:\"location\";a:4:{s:8:\"location\";s:6:\"Online\";s:7:\"country\";s:2:\"US\";s:8:\"latitude\";d:37.779998779297;s:9:\"longitude\";d:-122.41999816895;}}}}','no'),(8293,'_transient_timeout_googlesitekit_remote_features','1632114480','no'),(8294,'_transient_googlesitekit_remote_features','a:6:{s:8:\"ga4setup\";a:1:{s:7:\"enabled\";b:0;}s:14:\"helpVisibility\";a:1:{s:7:\"enabled\";b:1;}s:13:\"ideaHubModule\";a:1:{s:7:\"enabled\";b:0;}s:12:\"userFeedback\";a:1:{s:7:\"enabled\";b:0;}s:17:\"widgets.dashboard\";a:1:{s:7:\"enabled\";b:1;}s:21:\"widgets.pageDashboard\";a:1:{s:7:\"enabled\";b:1;}}','no'),(8295,'_transient_timeout_rsssl_certinfo','1632114515','no'),(8296,'_transient_rsssl_certinfo','no-response','no'),(8301,'_transient_timeout_rsssl_plusone_count','1632643918','no'),(8302,'_transient_rsssl_plusone_count','0','no'),(8303,'_transient_timeout_elementor_remote_info_api_data_3.3.1','1632081067','no'),(8304,'_transient_elementor_remote_info_api_data_3.3.1','a:4:{s:9:\"timestamp\";s:10:\"1632037370\";s:14:\"upgrade_notice\";a:3:{s:7:\"version\";s:5:\"2.0.0\";s:7:\"message\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"update_link\";s:0:\"\";}s:11:\"pro_widgets\";a:64:{i:0;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:5:\"posts\";s:5:\"title\";s:5:\"Posts\";s:4:\"icon\";s:15:\"eicon-post-list\";s:10:\"categories\";s:16:\"[\"pro-elements\"]\";}i:1;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:9:\"portfolio\";s:5:\"title\";s:9:\"Portfolio\";s:4:\"icon\";s:18:\"eicon-gallery-grid\";s:10:\"categories\";s:16:\"[\"pro-elements\"]\";}i:2;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:7:\"gallery\";s:5:\"title\";s:7:\"Gallery\";s:4:\"icon\";s:23:\"eicon-gallery-justified\";s:10:\"categories\";s:16:\"[\"pro-elements\"]\";}i:3;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:4:\"form\";s:5:\"title\";s:4:\"Form\";s:4:\"icon\";s:21:\"eicon-form-horizontal\";s:10:\"categories\";s:16:\"[\"pro-elements\"]\";}i:4;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:5:\"login\";s:5:\"title\";s:5:\"Login\";s:4:\"icon\";s:15:\"eicon-lock-user\";s:10:\"categories\";s:16:\"[\"pro-elements\"]\";}i:5;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:6:\"slides\";s:5:\"title\";s:6:\"Slides\";s:4:\"icon\";s:12:\"eicon-slides\";s:10:\"categories\";s:16:\"[\"pro-elements\"]\";}i:6;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:8:\"nav-menu\";s:5:\"title\";s:8:\"Nav Menu\";s:4:\"icon\";s:14:\"eicon-nav-menu\";s:10:\"categories\";s:33:\"[\"pro-elements\",\"theme-elements\"]\";}i:7;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:17:\"animated-headline\";s:5:\"title\";s:17:\"Animated Headline\";s:4:\"icon\";s:23:\"eicon-animated-headline\";s:10:\"categories\";s:16:\"[\"pro-elements\"]\";}i:8;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:10:\"price-list\";s:5:\"title\";s:10:\"Price List\";s:4:\"icon\";s:16:\"eicon-price-list\";s:10:\"categories\";s:16:\"[\"pro-elements\"]\";}i:9;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:11:\"price-table\";s:5:\"title\";s:11:\"Price Table\";s:4:\"icon\";s:17:\"eicon-price-table\";s:10:\"categories\";s:16:\"[\"pro-elements\"]\";}i:10;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:8:\"flip-box\";s:5:\"title\";s:8:\"Flip Box\";s:4:\"icon\";s:14:\"eicon-flip-box\";s:10:\"categories\";s:16:\"[\"pro-elements\"]\";}i:11;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:14:\"call-to-action\";s:5:\"title\";s:14:\"Call to Action\";s:4:\"icon\";s:20:\"eicon-image-rollover\";s:10:\"categories\";s:16:\"[\"pro-elements\"]\";}i:12;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:14:\"media-carousel\";s:5:\"title\";s:14:\"Media Carousel\";s:4:\"icon\";s:20:\"eicon-media-carousel\";s:10:\"categories\";s:16:\"[\"pro-elements\"]\";}i:13;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:20:\"testimonial-carousel\";s:5:\"title\";s:20:\"Testimonial Carousel\";s:4:\"icon\";s:26:\"eicon-testimonial-carousel\";s:10:\"categories\";s:16:\"[\"pro-elements\"]\";}i:14;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:7:\"reviews\";s:5:\"title\";s:7:\"Reviews\";s:4:\"icon\";s:12:\"eicon-review\";s:10:\"categories\";s:16:\"[\"pro-elements\"]\";}i:15;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:17:\"table-of-contents\";s:5:\"title\";s:17:\"Table of Contents\";s:4:\"icon\";s:23:\"eicon-table-of-contents\";s:10:\"categories\";s:33:\"[\"pro-elements\",\"theme-elements\"]\";}i:16;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:9:\"countdown\";s:5:\"title\";s:9:\"Countdown\";s:4:\"icon\";s:15:\"eicon-countdown\";s:10:\"categories\";s:16:\"[\"pro-elements\"]\";}i:17;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:13:\"share-buttons\";s:5:\"title\";s:13:\"Share Buttons\";s:4:\"icon\";s:11:\"eicon-share\";s:10:\"categories\";s:16:\"[\"pro-elements\"]\";}i:18;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:11:\"search-form\";s:5:\"title\";s:11:\"Search Form\";s:4:\"icon\";s:17:\"eicon-site-search\";s:10:\"categories\";s:18:\"[\"theme-elements\"]\";}i:19;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:10:\"author-box\";s:5:\"title\";s:10:\"Author Box\";s:4:\"icon\";s:12:\"eicon-person\";s:10:\"categories\";s:18:\"[\"theme-elements\"]\";}i:20;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:13:\"post-comments\";s:5:\"title\";s:13:\"Post Comments\";s:4:\"icon\";s:14:\"eicon-comments\";s:10:\"categories\";s:18:\"[\"theme-elements\"]\";}i:21;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:15:\"post-navigation\";s:5:\"title\";s:15:\"Post Navigation\";s:4:\"icon\";s:21:\"eicon-post-navigation\";s:10:\"categories\";s:18:\"[\"theme-elements\"]\";}i:22;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:9:\"post-info\";s:5:\"title\";s:9:\"Post Info\";s:4:\"icon\";s:15:\"eicon-post-info\";s:10:\"categories\";s:18:\"[\"theme-elements\"]\";}i:23;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:7:\"sitemap\";s:5:\"title\";s:7:\"Sitemap\";s:4:\"icon\";s:13:\"eicon-sitemap\";s:10:\"categories\";s:18:\"[\"theme-elements\"]\";}i:24;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:11:\"breadcrumbs\";s:5:\"title\";s:11:\"Breadcrumbs\";s:4:\"icon\";s:11:\"eicon-yoast\";s:10:\"categories\";s:18:\"[\"theme-elements\"]\";}i:25;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:10:\"blockquote\";s:5:\"title\";s:10:\"Blockquote\";s:4:\"icon\";s:16:\"eicon-blockquote\";s:10:\"categories\";s:16:\"[\"pro-elements\"]\";}i:26;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:19:\"wc-archive-products\";s:5:\"title\";s:16:\"Archive Products\";s:4:\"icon\";s:14:\"eicon-products\";s:10:\"categories\";s:24:\"[\"woocommerce-elements\"]\";}i:27;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:31:\"woocommerce-archive-description\";s:5:\"title\";s:19:\"Archive Description\";s:4:\"icon\";s:25:\"eicon-product-description\";s:10:\"categories\";s:24:\"[\"woocommerce-elements\"]\";}i:28;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:20:\"woocommerce-products\";s:5:\"title\";s:8:\"Products\";s:4:\"icon\";s:14:\"eicon-products\";s:10:\"categories\";s:24:\"[\"woocommerce-elements\"]\";}i:29;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:22:\"woocommerce-breadcrumb\";s:5:\"title\";s:23:\"WooCommerce Breadcrumbs\";s:4:\"icon\";s:25:\"eicon-product-breadcrumbs\";s:10:\"categories\";s:24:\"[\"woocommerce-elements\"]\";}i:30;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:14:\"wc-add-to-cart\";s:5:\"title\";s:18:\"Custom Add To Cart\";s:4:\"icon\";s:17:\"eicon-woocommerce\";s:10:\"categories\";s:24:\"[\"woocommerce-elements\"]\";}i:31;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:11:\"wc-elements\";s:5:\"title\";s:17:\"WooCommerce Pages\";s:4:\"icon\";s:19:\"eicon-product-pages\";s:10:\"categories\";s:24:\"[\"woocommerce-elements\"]\";}i:32;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:13:\"wc-categories\";s:5:\"title\";s:18:\"Product Categories\";s:4:\"icon\";s:24:\"eicon-product-categories\";s:10:\"categories\";s:24:\"[\"woocommerce-elements\"]\";}i:33;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:21:\"woocommerce-menu-cart\";s:5:\"title\";s:9:\"Menu Cart\";s:4:\"icon\";s:10:\"eicon-cart\";s:10:\"categories\";s:41:\"[\"theme-elements\",\"woocommerce-elements\"]\";}i:34;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:25:\"woocommerce-product-title\";s:5:\"title\";s:13:\"Product Title\";s:4:\"icon\";s:19:\"eicon-product-title\";s:10:\"categories\";s:24:\"[\"woocommerce-elements\"]\";}i:35;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:26:\"woocommerce-product-images\";s:5:\"title\";s:14:\"Product Images\";s:4:\"icon\";s:20:\"eicon-product-images\";s:10:\"categories\";s:24:\"[\"woocommerce-elements\"]\";}i:36;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:25:\"woocommerce-product-price\";s:5:\"title\";s:13:\"Product Price\";s:4:\"icon\";s:19:\"eicon-product-price\";s:10:\"categories\";s:24:\"[\"woocommerce-elements\"]\";}i:37;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:31:\"woocommerce-product-add-to-cart\";s:5:\"title\";s:11:\"Add To Cart\";s:4:\"icon\";s:25:\"eicon-product-add-to-cart\";s:10:\"categories\";s:24:\"[\"woocommerce-elements\"]\";}i:38;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:26:\"woocommerce-product-rating\";s:5:\"title\";s:14:\"Product Rating\";s:4:\"icon\";s:20:\"eicon-product-rating\";s:10:\"categories\";s:24:\"[\"woocommerce-elements\"]\";}i:39;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:25:\"woocommerce-product-stock\";s:5:\"title\";s:13:\"Product Stock\";s:4:\"icon\";s:19:\"eicon-product-stock\";s:10:\"categories\";s:24:\"[\"woocommerce-elements\"]\";}i:40;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:24:\"woocommerce-product-meta\";s:5:\"title\";s:12:\"Product Meta\";s:4:\"icon\";s:18:\"eicon-product-meta\";s:10:\"categories\";s:24:\"[\"woocommerce-elements\"]\";}i:41;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:37:\"woocommerce-product-short-description\";s:5:\"title\";s:17:\"Short Description\";s:4:\"icon\";s:25:\"eicon-product-description\";s:10:\"categories\";s:24:\"[\"woocommerce-elements\"]\";}i:42;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:29:\"woocommerce-product-data-tabs\";s:5:\"title\";s:17:\"Product Data Tabs\";s:4:\"icon\";s:18:\"eicon-product-tabs\";s:10:\"categories\";s:24:\"[\"woocommerce-elements\"]\";}i:43;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:42:\"woocommerce-product-additional-information\";s:5:\"title\";s:22:\"Additional Information\";s:4:\"icon\";s:19:\" eicon-product-info\";s:10:\"categories\";s:24:\"[\"woocommerce-elements\"]\";}i:44;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:27:\"woocommerce-product-related\";s:5:\"title\";s:15:\"Product Related\";s:4:\"icon\";s:21:\"eicon-product-related\";s:10:\"categories\";s:24:\"[\"woocommerce-elements\"]\";}i:45;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:26:\"woocommerce-product-upsell\";s:5:\"title\";s:7:\"Upsells\";s:4:\"icon\";s:20:\"eicon-product-upsell\";s:10:\"categories\";s:24:\"[\"woocommerce-elements\"]\";}i:46;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:6:\"lottie\";s:5:\"title\";s:6:\"Lottie\";s:4:\"icon\";s:12:\"eicon-lottie\";s:10:\"categories\";s:16:\"[\"pro-elements\"]\";}i:47;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:15:\"facebook-button\";s:5:\"title\";s:15:\"Facebook Button\";s:4:\"icon\";s:23:\"eicon-facebook-like-box\";s:10:\"categories\";s:16:\"[\"pro-elements\"]\";}i:48;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:17:\"facebook-comments\";s:5:\"title\";s:17:\"Facebook Comments\";s:4:\"icon\";s:23:\"eicon-facebook-comments\";s:10:\"categories\";s:16:\"[\"pro-elements\"]\";}i:49;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:14:\"facebook-embed\";s:5:\"title\";s:14:\"Facebook Embed\";s:4:\"icon\";s:14:\"eicon-fb-embed\";s:10:\"categories\";s:16:\"[\"pro-elements\"]\";}i:50;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:13:\"facebook-page\";s:5:\"title\";s:13:\"Facebook Page\";s:4:\"icon\";s:13:\"eicon-fb-feed\";s:10:\"categories\";s:16:\"[\"pro-elements\"]\";}i:51;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:7:\"hotspot\";s:5:\"title\";s:7:\"Hotspot\";s:4:\"icon\";s:19:\"eicon-image-hotspot\";s:10:\"categories\";s:16:\"[\"pro-elements\"]\";}i:52;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:13:\"paypal-button\";s:5:\"title\";s:13:\"PayPal Button\";s:4:\"icon\";s:19:\"eicon-paypal-button\";s:10:\"categories\";s:16:\"[\"pro-elements\"]\";}i:53;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:14:\"code-highlight\";s:5:\"title\";s:14:\"Code Highlight\";s:4:\"icon\";s:20:\"eicon-code-highlight\";s:10:\"categories\";s:16:\"[\"pro-elements\"]\";}i:54;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:14:\"video-playlist\";s:5:\"title\";s:14:\"Video Playlist\";s:4:\"icon\";s:20:\"eicon-video-playlist\";s:10:\"categories\";s:16:\"[\"pro-elements\"]\";}i:55;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:8:\"template\";s:5:\"title\";s:8:\"Template\";s:4:\"icon\";s:19:\"eicon-document-file\";s:10:\"categories\";s:16:\"[\"pro-elements\"]\";}i:56;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:15:\"theme-site-logo\";s:5:\"title\";s:9:\"Site Logo\";s:4:\"icon\";s:15:\"eicon-site-logo\";s:10:\"categories\";s:18:\"[\"theme-elements\"]\";}i:57;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:16:\"theme-site-title\";s:5:\"title\";s:10:\"Site Title\";s:4:\"icon\";s:16:\"eicon-site-title\";s:10:\"categories\";s:18:\"[\"theme-elements\"]\";}i:58;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:16:\"theme-page-title\";s:5:\"title\";s:10:\"Page Title\";s:4:\"icon\";s:19:\"eicon-archive-title\";s:10:\"categories\";s:18:\"[\"theme-elements\"]\";}i:59;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:16:\"theme-post-title\";s:5:\"title\";s:10:\"Post Title\";s:4:\"icon\";s:16:\"eicon-post-title\";s:10:\"categories\";s:18:\"[\"theme-elements\"]\";}i:60;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:18:\"theme-post-excerpt\";s:5:\"title\";s:12:\"Post Excerpt\";s:4:\"icon\";s:18:\"eicon-post-excerpt\";s:10:\"categories\";s:18:\"[\"theme-elements\"]\";}i:61;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:25:\"theme-post-featured-image\";s:5:\"title\";s:14:\"Featured Image\";s:4:\"icon\";s:20:\"eicon-featured-image\";s:10:\"categories\";s:18:\"[\"theme-elements\"]\";}i:62;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:19:\"theme-archive-title\";s:5:\"title\";s:13:\"Archive Title\";s:4:\"icon\";s:19:\"eicon-archive-title\";s:10:\"categories\";s:18:\"[\"theme-elements\"]\";}i:63;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:13:\"archive-posts\";s:5:\"title\";s:13:\"Archive Posts\";s:4:\"icon\";s:19:\"eicon-archive-posts\";s:10:\"categories\";s:18:\"[\"theme-elements\"]\";}}s:17:\"canary_deployment\";a:2:{s:11:\"plugin_info\";a:11:{s:2:\"id\";s:23:\"w.org/plugins/elementor\";s:4:\"slug\";s:9:\"elementor\";s:6:\"plugin\";s:23:\"elementor/elementor.php\";s:11:\"new_version\";s:5:\"3.4.0\";s:7:\"package\";s:58:\"https://downloads.wordpress.org/plugin/elementor.3.4.0.zip\";s:3:\"url\";s:40:\"https://wordpress.org/plugins/elementor/\";s:5:\"icons\";a:3:{s:2:\"2x\";s:62:\"https://ps.w.org/elementor/assets/icon-256x256.png?rev=1427768\";s:2:\"1x\";s:54:\"https://ps.w.org/elementor/assets/icon.svg?rev=1426809\";s:3:\"svg\";s:54:\"https://ps.w.org/elementor/assets/icon.svg?rev=1426809\";}s:7:\"banners\";a:2:{s:2:\"2x\";s:65:\"https://ps.w.org/elementor/assets/banner-1544x500.png?rev=1475479\";s:2:\"1x\";s:64:\"https://ps.w.org/elementor/assets/banner-772x250.png?rev=1475479\";}s:11:\"banners_rtl\";a:0:{}s:6:\"tested\";s:5:\"5.8.1\";s:12:\"requires_php\";s:3:\"5.6\";}s:10:\"conditions\";a:1:{i:0;a:1:{i:0;a:3:{s:4:\"type\";s:8:\"language\";s:9:\"languages\";a:26:{i:0;s:5:\"he_IL\";i:1;s:5:\"en_GB\";i:2;s:5:\"en_NZ\";i:3;s:5:\"en_ZA\";i:4;s:5:\"en_AU\";i:5;s:5:\"en_CA\";i:6;s:5:\"sv_SE\";i:7;s:5:\"da_DK\";i:8;s:5:\"fr_FR\";i:9;s:5:\"nl_NL\";i:10;s:5:\"nb_NO\";i:11;s:5:\"de_AT\";i:12;s:2:\"fi\";i:13;s:5:\"it_IT\";i:14;s:5:\"nn_NO\";i:15;s:5:\"de_CH\";i:16;s:5:\"en_GB\";i:17;s:5:\"is_IS\";i:18;s:2:\"ga\";i:19;s:5:\"fr_BE\";i:20;s:5:\"nl_BE\";i:21;s:3:\"ast\";i:22;s:5:\"lb_LU\";i:23;s:5:\"es_ES\";i:24;s:5:\"pt_PT\";i:25;s:3:\"mlt\";}s:8:\"operator\";s:2:\"in\";}}}}}','no'),(8307,'_transient_timeout_wpseo_total_unindexed_posts','1632114528','no'),(8308,'_transient_wpseo_total_unindexed_posts','6','no'),(8309,'_transient_timeout_wpseo_total_unindexed_terms','1632114528','no'),(8310,'_transient_wpseo_total_unindexed_terms','0','no'),(8311,'_transient_timeout_wpseo_total_unindexed_post_type_archives','1632114528','no'),(8312,'_transient_wpseo_total_unindexed_post_type_archives','0','no'),(8313,'_transient_timeout_wpseo_unindexed_post_link_count','1632114528','no'),(8314,'_transient_wpseo_unindexed_post_link_count','34','no'),(8315,'_transient_timeout_wpseo_unindexed_term_link_count','1632114528','no'),(8316,'_transient_wpseo_unindexed_term_link_count','33','no'),(8317,'_site_transient_timeout_browser_9ce43793f053f44813c639a27a5b3a48','1632632929','no'),(8318,'_site_transient_browser_9ce43793f053f44813c639a27a5b3a48','a:10:{s:4:\"name\";s:7:\"Firefox\";s:7:\"version\";s:4:\"92.0\";s:8:\"platform\";s:7:\"Windows\";s:10:\"update_url\";s:32:\"https://www.mozilla.org/firefox/\";s:7:\"img_src\";s:44:\"http://s.w.org/images/browsers/firefox.png?1\";s:11:\"img_src_ssl\";s:45:\"https://s.w.org/images/browsers/firefox.png?1\";s:15:\"current_version\";s:2:\"56\";s:7:\"upgrade\";b:0;s:8:\"insecure\";b:0;s:6:\"mobile\";b:0;}','no'),(8319,'_site_transient_timeout_php_check_84762f83841bd7717ae6e078c4ccdd1d','1632632930','no'),(8320,'_site_transient_php_check_84762f83841bd7717ae6e078c4ccdd1d','a:5:{s:19:\"recommended_version\";s:3:\"7.4\";s:15:\"minimum_version\";s:6:\"5.6.20\";s:12:\"is_supported\";b:0;s:9:\"is_secure\";b:0;s:13:\"is_acceptable\";b:0;}','no'),(8321,'_transient_timeout_wphc_supported_check_tinymce-advanced','1632114531','no'),(8322,'_transient_wphc_supported_check_tinymce-advanced','2021-04-03 10:53pm GMT','no'),(8323,'_transient_timeout_wphc_supported_check_advanced-sidebar-menu','1632114532','no'),(8324,'_transient_wphc_supported_check_advanced-sidebar-menu','2021-09-09 8:44pm GMT','no'),(8331,'_transient_timeout_feed_a74bcc2ffd79a1ab0b4f517838aff93d','1632071333','no'),(8332,'_transient_feed_a74bcc2ffd79a1ab0b4f517838aff93d','a:4:{s:5:\"child\";a:1:{s:0:\"\";a:1:{s:3:\"rss\";a:1:{i:0;a:6:{s:4:\"data\";s:3:\"\n\n\n\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:1:{s:0:\"\";a:1:{s:7:\"version\";s:3:\"2.0\";}}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"child\";a:1:{s:0:\"\";a:1:{s:7:\"channel\";a:1:{i:0;a:6:{s:4:\"data\";s:52:\"\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"child\";a:3:{s:0:\"\";a:7:{s:5:\"title\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:12:\"Fonts Plugin\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"link\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:23:\"https://fontsplugin.com\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:11:\"description\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:26:\"Google Fonts for WordPress\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:13:\"lastBuildDate\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:31:\"Fri, 04 Dec 2020 16:22:56 +0000\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:8:\"language\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:5:\"en-US\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:5:\"image\";a:1:{i:0;a:6:{s:4:\"data\";s:11:\"\n \n \n \n \n \n\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"child\";a:1:{s:0:\"\";a:5:{s:3:\"url\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:62:\"https://fontsplugin.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/favicon.png\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:5:\"title\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:12:\"Fonts Plugin\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"link\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:23:\"https://fontsplugin.com\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:5:\"width\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:2:\"32\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:6:\"height\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:2:\"32\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}}}}s:4:\"item\";a:10:{i:0;a:6:{s:4:\"data\";s:59:\"\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"child\";a:4:{s:0:\"\";a:7:{s:5:\"title\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:49:\"How To Speed Up WordPress (A Non-Technical Guide)\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"link\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:43:\"https://fontsplugin.com/speed-up-wordpress/\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:8:\"comments\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:51:\"https://fontsplugin.com/speed-up-wordpress/#respond\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:7:\"pubDate\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:31:\"Mon, 16 Nov 2020 12:43:00 +0000\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:13:\"Uncategorized\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"guid\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:31:\"https://fontsplugin.com/?p=9586\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:1:{s:0:\"\";a:1:{s:11:\"isPermaLink\";s:5:\"false\";}}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:11:\"description\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:576:\"You hate slow websites, your visitors do too. Studies have shown that 47% of users expect pages to load in two seconds or less. Also, they found that 40% of users will abandon a website completely if it’s taking 3 seconds or more. It’s not just users, Google also uses page speed as a ranking… <a href=\"https://fontsplugin.com/speed-up-wordpress/\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading<span class=\"screen-reader-text\"> \"How To Speed Up WordPress (A Non-Technical Guide)\"</span></a> →\n<p><a href=\"https://fontsplugin.com/speed-up-wordpress/\">Source</a></p>\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:32:\"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/\";a:1:{s:7:\"creator\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:5:\"admin\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:36:\"http://wellformedweb.org/CommentAPI/\";a:1:{s:10:\"commentRss\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:48:\"https://fontsplugin.com/speed-up-wordpress/feed/\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:38:\"http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/slash/\";a:1:{s:8:\"comments\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:1:\"0\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}}}i:1;a:6:{s:4:\"data\";s:59:\"\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"child\";a:4:{s:0:\"\";a:7:{s:5:\"title\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:40:\"How to Disable Google Fonts in WordPress\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"link\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:45:\"https://fontsplugin.com/disable-google-fonts/\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:8:\"comments\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:53:\"https://fontsplugin.com/disable-google-fonts/#respond\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:7:\"pubDate\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:31:\"Sat, 10 Aug 2019 12:10:33 +0000\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:13:\"Uncategorized\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"guid\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:31:\"https://fontsplugin.com/?p=3640\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:1:{s:0:\"\";a:1:{s:11:\"isPermaLink\";s:5:\"false\";}}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:11:\"description\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:606:\"Google Fonts can be a great addition to your website that considerably improves your typography. However, they do add an external dependancy to your website and can increase page load times. In many cases, WordPress themes and plugins may have built-in code that automatically loads Google Fonts, even if you don’t want or need them.… <a href=\"https://fontsplugin.com/disable-google-fonts/\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading<span class=\"screen-reader-text\"> \"How to Disable Google Fonts in WordPress\"</span></a> →\n<p><a href=\"https://fontsplugin.com/disable-google-fonts/\">Source</a></p>\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:32:\"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/\";a:1:{s:7:\"creator\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:5:\"admin\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:36:\"http://wellformedweb.org/CommentAPI/\";a:1:{s:10:\"commentRss\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:50:\"https://fontsplugin.com/disable-google-fonts/feed/\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:38:\"http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/slash/\";a:1:{s:8:\"comments\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:1:\"0\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}}}i:2;a:6:{s:4:\"data\";s:59:\"\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"child\";a:4:{s:0:\"\";a:7:{s:5:\"title\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:28:\"How To Download Google Fonts\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"link\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:53:\"https://fontsplugin.com/how-to-download-google-fonts/\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:8:\"comments\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:61:\"https://fontsplugin.com/how-to-download-google-fonts/#respond\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:7:\"pubDate\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:31:\"Wed, 29 May 2019 18:02:40 +0000\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:13:\"Uncategorized\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"guid\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:30:\"https://fontsplugin.com/?p=376\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:1:{s:0:\"\";a:1:{s:11:\"isPermaLink\";s:5:\"false\";}}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:11:\"description\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:574:\"Google Fonts are free for both personal and commercial use. That means you can download and use them in your projects without having to ask permission or pay license fees. Downloading the fonts is simple, you can either download them one at a time or all at once. Downloading a Single Font To download a… <a href=\"https://fontsplugin.com/how-to-download-google-fonts/\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading<span class=\"screen-reader-text\"> \"How To Download Google Fonts\"</span></a> →\n<p><a href=\"https://fontsplugin.com/how-to-download-google-fonts/\">Source</a></p>\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:32:\"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/\";a:1:{s:7:\"creator\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:5:\"admin\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:36:\"http://wellformedweb.org/CommentAPI/\";a:1:{s:10:\"commentRss\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:58:\"https://fontsplugin.com/how-to-download-google-fonts/feed/\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:38:\"http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/slash/\";a:1:{s:8:\"comments\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:1:\"0\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}}}i:3;a:6:{s:4:\"data\";s:59:\"\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"child\";a:4:{s:0:\"\";a:7:{s:5:\"title\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:31:\"Google Fonts Similar to Univers\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"link\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:45:\"https://fontsplugin.com/google-fonts-univers/\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:8:\"comments\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:53:\"https://fontsplugin.com/google-fonts-univers/#respond\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:7:\"pubDate\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:31:\"Wed, 29 May 2019 12:54:17 +0000\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:13:\"Uncategorized\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"guid\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:31:\"https://fontsplugin.com/?p=2506\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:1:{s:0:\"\";a:1:{s:11:\"isPermaLink\";s:5:\"false\";}}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:11:\"description\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:566:\"Released in 1957, Univers is a sans-serif font designed by Adrian Frutiger and released by his employer Deberny & Peignot. One of the most recognisable uses of Univers is the eBay logo. To use Univers on your website you will need a Webfont license. At $299 per 250,000 page views, it’s one of the more… <a href=\"https://fontsplugin.com/google-fonts-univers/\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading<span class=\"screen-reader-text\"> \"Google Fonts Similar to Univers\"</span></a> →\n<p><a href=\"https://fontsplugin.com/google-fonts-univers/\">Source</a></p>\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:32:\"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/\";a:1:{s:7:\"creator\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:5:\"admin\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:36:\"http://wellformedweb.org/CommentAPI/\";a:1:{s:10:\"commentRss\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:50:\"https://fontsplugin.com/google-fonts-univers/feed/\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:38:\"http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/slash/\";a:1:{s:8:\"comments\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:1:\"0\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}}}i:4;a:6:{s:4:\"data\";s:59:\"\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"child\";a:4:{s:0:\"\";a:7:{s:5:\"title\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:41:\"Are Google Fonts Free for Commercial Use?\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"link\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:52:\"https://fontsplugin.com/google-fonts-commercial-use/\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:8:\"comments\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:60:\"https://fontsplugin.com/google-fonts-commercial-use/#respond\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:7:\"pubDate\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:31:\"Wed, 29 May 2019 09:40:11 +0000\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:13:\"Uncategorized\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"guid\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:30:\"https://fontsplugin.com/?p=380\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:1:{s:0:\"\";a:1:{s:11:\"isPermaLink\";s:5:\"false\";}}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:11:\"description\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:599:\"The simple answer is yes, all the fonts included in the Google Fonts library are released under licenses that allow you to use them for free, in both commercial and personal applications. The open source fonts in the Google Fonts catalog are published under licenses that allow you to use them on any website, whether… <a href=\"https://fontsplugin.com/google-fonts-commercial-use/\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading<span class=\"screen-reader-text\"> \"Are Google Fonts Free for Commercial Use?\"</span></a> →\n<p><a href=\"https://fontsplugin.com/google-fonts-commercial-use/\">Source</a></p>\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:32:\"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/\";a:1:{s:7:\"creator\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:5:\"admin\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:36:\"http://wellformedweb.org/CommentAPI/\";a:1:{s:10:\"commentRss\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:57:\"https://fontsplugin.com/google-fonts-commercial-use/feed/\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:38:\"http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/slash/\";a:1:{s:8:\"comments\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:1:\"0\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}}}i:5;a:6:{s:4:\"data\";s:59:\"\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"child\";a:4:{s:0:\"\";a:7:{s:5:\"title\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:16:\"Baskerville Font\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"link\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:41:\"https://fontsplugin.com/baskerville-font/\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:8:\"comments\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:49:\"https://fontsplugin.com/baskerville-font/#respond\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:7:\"pubDate\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:31:\"Tue, 28 May 2019 12:38:55 +0000\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:13:\"Uncategorized\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"guid\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:31:\"https://fontsplugin.com/?p=2503\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:1:{s:0:\"\";a:1:{s:11:\"isPermaLink\";s:5:\"false\";}}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:11:\"description\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:567:\"Baskerville is one of the oldest fonts we have covered, it was designed in the 1750s by John Baskerville. Variants of the font are still included in both Windows and macOS operating systems to this day and it’s considered to be a web-safe font. Microsoft Windows The variant included in Windows is named ‘Baskerville Old… <a href=\"https://fontsplugin.com/baskerville-font/\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading<span class=\"screen-reader-text\"> \"Baskerville Font\"</span></a> →\n<p><a href=\"https://fontsplugin.com/baskerville-font/\">Source</a></p>\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:32:\"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/\";a:1:{s:7:\"creator\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:5:\"admin\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:36:\"http://wellformedweb.org/CommentAPI/\";a:1:{s:10:\"commentRss\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:46:\"https://fontsplugin.com/baskerville-font/feed/\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:38:\"http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/slash/\";a:1:{s:8:\"comments\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:1:\"0\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}}}i:6;a:6:{s:4:\"data\";s:59:\"\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"child\";a:4:{s:0:\"\";a:7:{s:5:\"title\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:34:\"Google Fonts Similar to Bebas Neue\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"link\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:48:\"https://fontsplugin.com/google-fonts-bebas-neue/\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:8:\"comments\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:56:\"https://fontsplugin.com/google-fonts-bebas-neue/#respond\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:7:\"pubDate\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:31:\"Tue, 28 May 2019 11:14:45 +0000\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:13:\"Uncategorized\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"guid\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:31:\"https://fontsplugin.com/?p=2715\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:1:{s:0:\"\";a:1:{s:11:\"isPermaLink\";s:5:\"false\";}}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:11:\"description\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:606:\"Bebas Neue is an open-source font designed by Ryoichi Tsunekawa and released under his company Dharma Type. It features a single weight (regular) and is an all-caps font. Prior to Bebas Neue, Ryoichi released a font named ‘Bebas’. In 2010 Bebas was re-designed and released as Bebas Neue. Both the original and the Neue version… <a href=\"https://fontsplugin.com/google-fonts-bebas-neue/\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading<span class=\"screen-reader-text\"> \"Google Fonts Similar to Bebas Neue\"</span></a> →\n<p><a href=\"https://fontsplugin.com/google-fonts-bebas-neue/\">Source</a></p>\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:32:\"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/\";a:1:{s:7:\"creator\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:5:\"admin\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:36:\"http://wellformedweb.org/CommentAPI/\";a:1:{s:10:\"commentRss\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:53:\"https://fontsplugin.com/google-fonts-bebas-neue/feed/\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:38:\"http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/slash/\";a:1:{s:8:\"comments\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:1:\"0\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}}}i:7;a:6:{s:4:\"data\";s:59:\"\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"child\";a:4:{s:0:\"\";a:7:{s:5:\"title\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:37:\"Top 10 Fun Fonts (Free & Premium)\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"link\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:39:\"https://fontsplugin.com/free-fun-fonts/\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:8:\"comments\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:47:\"https://fontsplugin.com/free-fun-fonts/#respond\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:7:\"pubDate\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:31:\"Mon, 27 May 2019 12:42:19 +0000\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:13:\"Uncategorized\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"guid\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:31:\"https://fontsplugin.com/?p=2667\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:1:{s:0:\"\";a:1:{s:11:\"isPermaLink\";s:5:\"false\";}}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:11:\"description\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:573:\"Free Fun Fonts When using freely available fonts it’s important to check the licensing terms. Almost every font is free to use for personal and non-profit use. However, only some are free for commercial use too. 1) Mister Vampire 2) Zhang QA 3) Chocolate Bar Font 4) A little sunshine 5) Cookie Monster Premium Fun… <a href=\"https://fontsplugin.com/free-fun-fonts/\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading<span class=\"screen-reader-text\"> \"Top 10 Fun Fonts (Free & Premium)\"</span></a> →\n<p><a href=\"https://fontsplugin.com/free-fun-fonts/\">Source</a></p>\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:32:\"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/\";a:1:{s:7:\"creator\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:5:\"admin\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:36:\"http://wellformedweb.org/CommentAPI/\";a:1:{s:10:\"commentRss\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:44:\"https://fontsplugin.com/free-fun-fonts/feed/\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:38:\"http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/slash/\";a:1:{s:8:\"comments\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:1:\"0\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}}}i:8;a:6:{s:4:\"data\";s:59:\"\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"child\";a:4:{s:0:\"\";a:7:{s:5:\"title\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:17:\"Supreme Logo Font\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"link\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:42:\"https://fontsplugin.com/supreme-logo-font/\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:8:\"comments\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:50:\"https://fontsplugin.com/supreme-logo-font/#respond\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:7:\"pubDate\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:31:\"Sun, 26 May 2019 11:41:42 +0000\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:13:\"Uncategorized\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"guid\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:31:\"https://fontsplugin.com/?p=2662\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:1:{s:0:\"\";a:1:{s:11:\"isPermaLink\";s:5:\"false\";}}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:11:\"description\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:551:\"The Supreme Logo features a distinctive bright red box with white italic text in the center. The white text is set in the Futura Std Heavy Oblique typeface. The design of the logo itself is very heavily inspired by Barbara Krugers work from 1987 in which takes a shot at consumerism. The similarities with between… <a href=\"https://fontsplugin.com/supreme-logo-font/\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading<span class=\"screen-reader-text\"> \"Supreme Logo Font\"</span></a> →\n<p><a href=\"https://fontsplugin.com/supreme-logo-font/\">Source</a></p>\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:32:\"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/\";a:1:{s:7:\"creator\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:5:\"admin\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:36:\"http://wellformedweb.org/CommentAPI/\";a:1:{s:10:\"commentRss\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:47:\"https://fontsplugin.com/supreme-logo-font/feed/\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:38:\"http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/slash/\";a:1:{s:8:\"comments\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:1:\"0\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}}}i:9;a:6:{s:4:\"data\";s:59:\"\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"child\";a:4:{s:0:\"\";a:7:{s:5:\"title\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:56:\"Copy and Paste Fonts for Twitter, Facebook and Instagram\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"link\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:45:\"https://fontsplugin.com/copy-and-paste-fonts/\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:8:\"comments\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:53:\"https://fontsplugin.com/copy-and-paste-fonts/#respond\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:7:\"pubDate\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:31:\"Sun, 19 May 2019 10:55:22 +0000\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:13:\"Uncategorized\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"guid\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:31:\"https://fontsplugin.com/?p=2560\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:1:{s:0:\"\";a:1:{s:11:\"isPermaLink\";s:5:\"false\";}}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:11:\"description\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:604:\"This fun tool allows you to create unique text which can be copy and paste onto your social media profiles and posts. Small Caps Monospace Spaced Square with Border Square Filled Circle with Border Circle Filled Old English Medieval Cursive Double Struck How Does it Work? Simply type your message into the input area and… <a href=\"https://fontsplugin.com/copy-and-paste-fonts/\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading<span class=\"screen-reader-text\"> \"Copy and Paste Fonts for Twitter, Facebook and Instagram\"</span></a> →\n<p><a href=\"https://fontsplugin.com/copy-and-paste-fonts/\">Source</a></p>\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:32:\"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/\";a:1:{s:7:\"creator\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:5:\"admin\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:36:\"http://wellformedweb.org/CommentAPI/\";a:1:{s:10:\"commentRss\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:50:\"https://fontsplugin.com/copy-and-paste-fonts/feed/\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:38:\"http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/slash/\";a:1:{s:8:\"comments\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:1:\"0\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}}}}}s:27:\"http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom\";a:1:{s:4:\"link\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:0:\"\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:1:{s:0:\"\";a:3:{s:4:\"href\";s:29:\"https://fontsplugin.com/feed/\";s:3:\"rel\";s:4:\"self\";s:4:\"type\";s:19:\"application/rss+xml\";}}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:44:\"http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/syndication/\";a:2:{s:12:\"updatePeriod\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:9:\"\n hourly \";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:15:\"updateFrequency\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:4:\"\n 1 \";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}}}}}}}}}}s:4:\"type\";i:128;s:7:\"headers\";O:42:\"Requests_Utility_CaseInsensitiveDictionary\":1:{s:7:\"\0*\0data\";a:16:{s:4:\"date\";s:29:\"Sun, 19 Sep 2021 05:09:45 GMT\";s:12:\"content-type\";s:34:\"application/rss+xml; charset=UTF-8\";s:6:\"cf-ray\";s:20:\"69104db869af22c0-HKG\";s:16:\"content-encoding\";s:4:\"gzip\";s:4:\"etag\";s:36:\"W/\"df2e86c509d90f5e98b0bc63d98fa3ad\"\";s:13:\"last-modified\";s:29:\"Wed, 08 Sep 2021 12:28:39 GMT\";s:4:\"vary\";s:15:\"Accept-Encoding\";s:15:\"cf-cache-status\";s:7:\"DYNAMIC\";s:9:\"expect-ct\";s:87:\"max-age=604800, report-uri=\"https://report-uri.cloudflare.com/cdn-cgi/beacon/expect-ct\"\";s:7:\"ki-edge\";s:6:\"v=16.3\";s:22:\"x-content-type-options\";s:7:\"nosniff\";s:19:\"x-edge-location-klb\";s:1:\"1\";s:14:\"x-kinsta-cache\";s:3:\"HIT\";s:12:\"x-robots-tag\";s:15:\"noindex, follow\";s:6:\"server\";s:10:\"cloudflare\";s:7:\"alt-svc\";s:91:\"h3=\":443\"; ma=86400, h3-29=\":443\"; ma=86400, h3-28=\":443\"; ma=86400, h3-27=\":443\"; ma=86400\";}}s:5:\"build\";s:14:\"20201213021516\";}','no'),(8333,'_transient_timeout_feed_mod_a74bcc2ffd79a1ab0b4f517838aff93d','1632071333','no'),(8334,'_transient_feed_mod_a74bcc2ffd79a1ab0b4f517838aff93d','1632028133','no'),(8335,'_transient_timeout_ogf_feed','1632632933','no'),(8336,'_transient_ogf_feed','a:4:{i:0;a:4:{s:3:\"url\";s:43:\"https://fontsplugin.com/speed-up-wordpress/\";s:5:\"title\";s:49:\"How To Speed Up WordPress (A Non-Technical Guide)\";s:4:\"date\";s:13:\"Nov 16th 2020\";s:7:\"content\";s:131:\"You hate slow websites, your visitors do too. Studies have shown that 47% of users expect pages to load in two seconds or less. ...\";}i:1;a:4:{s:3:\"url\";s:45:\"https://fontsplugin.com/disable-google-fonts/\";s:5:\"title\";s:40:\"How to Disable Google Fonts in WordPress\";s:4:\"date\";s:13:\"Aug 10th 2019\";s:7:\"content\";s:131:\"Google Fonts can be a great addition to your website that considerably improves your typography. However, they do add an externa...\";}i:2;a:4:{s:3:\"url\";s:53:\"https://fontsplugin.com/how-to-download-google-fonts/\";s:5:\"title\";s:28:\"How To Download Google Fonts\";s:4:\"date\";s:13:\"May 29th 2019\";s:7:\"content\";s:131:\"Google Fonts are free for both personal and commercial use. That means you can download and use them in your projects without ha...\";}i:3;a:4:{s:3:\"url\";s:45:\"https://fontsplugin.com/google-fonts-univers/\";s:5:\"title\";s:31:\"Google Fonts Similar to Univers\";s:4:\"date\";s:13:\"May 29th 2019\";s:7:\"content\";s:131:\"Released in 1957, Univers is a sans-serif font designed by Adrian Frutiger and released by his employer Deberny & Peignot. ...\";}}','no'),(8339,'_site_transient_timeout_community-events-205ede30f9bd913e0e4c9cddf2170963','1632071336','no'),(8340,'_site_transient_community-events-205ede30f9bd913e0e4c9cddf2170963','a:4:{s:9:\"sandboxed\";b:0;s:5:\"error\";N;s:8:\"location\";a:1:{s:2:\"ip\";s:13:\"112.201.172.0\";}s:6:\"events\";a:2:{i:0;a:10:{s:4:\"type\";s:6:\"meetup\";s:5:\"title\";s:68:\"Polyglots Training Discussion: Team Building + Giving Good Feedback \";s:3:\"url\";s:68:\"https://www.meetup.com/learn-wordpress-discussions/events/280816022/\";s:6:\"meetup\";s:27:\"Learn WordPress Discussions\";s:10:\"meetup_url\";s:51:\"https://www.meetup.com/learn-wordpress-discussions/\";s:4:\"date\";s:19:\"2021-09-21 08:00:00\";s:8:\"end_date\";s:19:\"2021-09-21 09:00:00\";s:20:\"start_unix_timestamp\";i:1632236400;s:18:\"end_unix_timestamp\";i:1632240000;s:8:\"location\";a:4:{s:8:\"location\";s:6:\"Online\";s:7:\"country\";s:2:\"US\";s:8:\"latitude\";d:37.779998779297;s:9:\"longitude\";d:-122.41999816895;}}i:1;a:10:{s:4:\"type\";s:8:\"wordcamp\";s:5:\"title\";s:23:\"WordCamp Galicia, Spain\";s:3:\"url\";s:34:\"https://galicia.wordcamp.org/2021/\";s:6:\"meetup\";N;s:10:\"meetup_url\";N;s:4:\"date\";s:19:\"2021-09-30 17:00:00\";s:8:\"end_date\";s:19:\"2021-10-02 00:00:00\";s:20:\"start_unix_timestamp\";i:1633014000;s:18:\"end_unix_timestamp\";i:1633125600;s:8:\"location\";a:4:{s:8:\"location\";s:6:\"Online\";s:7:\"country\";s:2:\"ES\";s:8:\"latitude\";d:42.5750554;s:9:\"longitude\";d:-8.1338558;}}}}','no'),(8341,'_transient_timeout_feed_9bbd59226dc36b9b26cd43f15694c5c3','1632071338','no'),(8342,'_transient_feed_9bbd59226dc36b9b26cd43f15694c5c3','a:4:{s:5:\"child\";a:1:{s:0:\"\";a:1:{s:3:\"rss\";a:1:{i:0;a:6:{s:4:\"data\";s:3:\"\n\n\n\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:1:{s:0:\"\";a:1:{s:7:\"version\";s:3:\"2.0\";}}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"child\";a:1:{s:0:\"\";a:1:{s:7:\"channel\";a:1:{i:0;a:6:{s:4:\"data\";s:79:\"\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"child\";a:4:{s:0:\"\";a:7:{s:5:\"title\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:27:\"News – – WordPress.org\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"link\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:26:\"https://wordpress.org/news\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:11:\"description\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:14:\"WordPress News\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:13:\"lastBuildDate\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:31:\"Fri, 17 Sep 2021 07:36:03 +0000\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:8:\"language\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:5:\"en-US\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:9:\"generator\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:40:\"https://wordpress.org/?v=5.9-alpha-51821\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"item\";a:20:{i:0;a:6:{s:4:\"data\";s:69:\"\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"child\";a:4:{s:0:\"\";a:6:{s:5:\"title\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:69:\"Join us for WordPress Translation Day Global Events in September 2021\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"link\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:105:\"https://wordpress.org/news/2021/09/join-us-for-wordpress-translation-day-global-events-in-september-2021/\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:7:\"pubDate\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:31:\"Thu, 16 Sep 2021 21:51:33 +0000\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:8:\"category\";a:5:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:6:\"Events\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:1;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:7:\"Updates\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:2;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:9:\"polyglots\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:3;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:11:\"translation\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:4;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:16:\"wptranslationday\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"guid\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:35:\"https://wordpress.org/news/?p=11215\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:1:{s:0:\"\";a:1:{s:11:\"isPermaLink\";s:5:\"false\";}}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:11:\"description\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:126:\"WordPress contributors around the world are celebrating the sixth Global WordPress Translation Day throughout September 2021! \";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:32:\"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/\";a:1:{s:7:\"creator\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:28:\"webcommsat AbhaNonStopNewsUK\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:40:\"http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/\";a:1:{s:7:\"encoded\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:8444:\"\n<p>WordPress contributors around the world are <a href=\"https://wptranslationday.org/\">celebrating the sixth Global WordPress Translation Day</a> throughout the entire month of September! That’s 30 days dedicated to help and encourage the volunteers that translate the software and its related resources. One of the highlights will be a <a href=\"https://wptranslationday.org/wptd-2021/global-events/\">series of exciting global events</a>, starting on September 17 2021 and finishing on the United Nations’ International Translation Day itself on September 30, 2021.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>Everyone is welcome to watch these events live on <a href=\"https://www.youtube.com/c/WordPressMarketingTeam\">YouTube</a> and to share their translation stories which will be featured during the celebrations and beyond. The global events will be in English and include presentations on how and why to you should join the thousands of translators in the project, tips and tools, interviews, and much more. </p>\n\n\n\n<p>There are now 205 locales translating in what is a remarkable open source effort, bringing the opportunities of the software and its community to people in their own native languages. </p>\n\n\n\n<h2>Inaugural session: Introduction and latest news on WordPress Translation</h2>\n\n\n\n<h3><strong>Friday, September 17, 2021 at </strong><a href=\"https://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/fixedtime.html?iso=20210917T1000\"><strong>10:00 UTC</strong></a></h3>\n\n\n\n<p>We will start the <a href=\"https://wptranslationday.org/wptd-2021/global-events/\">global events</a> with a panel featuring the latest update on what is happening in the world of WordPress polyglots. Panellists will include translators and polyglot supporters <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/petya/\">Petya Raykovska</a> and <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/evarlese/\">Erica Varlese</a>. There will be a video demonstration on how to translate WordPress, a short presentation on translation statistics, a run down of upcoming events, and more. <br><br>Watch the <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3HSBB5F_ag0\" target=\"_blank\">event live on YouTube</a> (or click on the play button below) – sign-up for notifications in the video stream right now so you don’t miss it when it goes live! </p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"632\" height=\"356\" src=\"https://www.youtube.com/embed/3HSBB5F_ag0?version=3&rel=1&showsearch=0&showinfo=1&iv_load_policy=1&fs=1&hl=en-US&autohide=2&wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation\"></iframe>\n</div></figure>\n\n\n\n<h3><strong>Friday, September 17, 2021 at 11:00 UTC</strong> </h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Right after the livestream, there will be a ‘drop-in’ translation sprint on Zoom video-conferencing, open to all. You can join and hang out virtually with your Polyglots friends from all around the world and translate WordPress in your own language! <a href=\"https://www.meetup.com/Portsmouth-WordPress-Meetup/events/280823032/\">RSVP for the session now and get joining links!</a> </p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img src=\"https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/r2rVEDkb39h02LiBg2GdayDk1LpZi6kxZnv1MRzT9h6pgSQE9FMBmyx_kJUA-Pjyy1KD__YlzLYvd1P53o1UIxTEfb0fmQnHm40UU23Wb1slXm-ajdGNP5qOyzHyTI07NBCM-mwY=s0\" alt=\"\" /></figure>\n\n\n\n<h2>Check out the other exciting global events</h2>\n\n\n\n<h3><strong>Sunday, September 19, 2021 <a href=\"https://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/fixedtime.html?iso=20210919T1200\">12:00 UTC</a></strong></h3>\n\n\n\n<p><a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M7UtEKIp2FY\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Panel on Polyglots Tools</strong></a><a href=\"https://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/fixedtime.html?iso=20210919T1200\"> <br></a>Join <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/amieiro/\">Jesús Amieiro</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/psmits1567/\">Peter Smits</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/vladytimy/\">Vlad Timotei</a>, and <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/vibgyj/\">Vibgy Joseph</a> to talk about the tools they’ve contributed to or developed to help translators and translation editors.</p>\n\n\n\n<h3><strong>Tuesday, September 21, 2021 <a href=\"https://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/fixedtime.html?iso=20210921T1100\">11:00 UTC</a></strong></h3>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Ps8byYIwLs\"><strong>Panel on Open Source Translation Communities</strong></a> (YouTube link – opens in a new tab)<a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/fixedtime.html?iso=20210921T1100\" target=\"_blank\"><br></a>Join <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/vanillalounge/\">Zé Fontainhas</a> (WordPress), <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/tokyobiyori/\">Ali Darwich</a> (WordPress), <a href=\"https://www.linkedin.com/in/mstanke?originalSubdomain=cz\">Michal Stanke</a> (Mozilla), and <a href=\"https://www.linkedin.com/in/satomi-tsujita/?originalSubdomain=jp\">Satomi Tsujita</a> (Hyperledger Fabric) to learn about nurturing translation communities.</p>\n\n\n\n<h3><strong>Thursday, September 30, 2021 <a href=\"https://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/fixedtime.html?iso=20210930T1600\">16:00 UTC</a></strong></h3>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qyQUaiK19js\"><strong>Closing Party – Why do you translate?</strong></a> <a href=\"https://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/fixedtime.html?iso=20210930T1600\"><br></a>Our finale event for 2021 with emcee <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/webcommsat/\">Abha Thakor</a> and a panel from the WordPress Translation Day Team. It will feature highlights from some of the local and global events during the month and a selection of results. Some of the nominees for this year’s polyglots appreciation will join the livestream to share their stories.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>The livestream will be followed by an after party celebration for anyone who has taken part in the event or is a WordPress polyglot. <a href=\"https://www.meetup.com/Portsmouth-WordPress-Meetup/events/280823393/\">Book now</a> for the session on Zoom.</p>\n\n\n\n<h2>Ideas on how to get involved this September</h2>\n\n\n\n<p>There’s lots of ways to take part – discover this <a href=\"https://wptranslationday.org/blog/ways-to-participate/\">list of ideas</a>.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>You can also nominate <a href=\"https://wptranslationday.org/blog/call-for-nominations-polyglots-appreciation/\">translation contributors</a> to be featured in this year’s celebrations.</p>\n\n\n\n<h2>Help us spread the word about #WPTranslationDay</h2>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Share what you are translating using the #WPTranslationDay hashtag on: <a href=\"https://www.facebook.com/WPTranslationDay/\">Facebook</a>,<a href=\"https://twitter.com/TranslateWP\"> Twitter</a>, <a href=\"https://www.instagram.com/wptranslationday/\">Instagram</a>, and <a href=\"https://www.linkedin.com/company/wptranslationday/\">LinkedIn</a>! </li><li>You can also find images and translator badges in our <a href=\"https://wptranslationday.org/wptd-2021/media-kit/\">Media Kit</a> to share during September.</li></ul>\n\n\n\n<p>For more information on the 2021 WordPress Translation Day celebrations, visit <a href=\"https://wptranslationday.org/\">the WordPress Translation Day website</a>.</p>\n\n\n\n<p></p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Props to <a href=\'https://profiles.wordpress.org/webcommsat/\' class=\'mention\'><span class=\'mentions-prefix\'>@</span>webcommsat</a>, <a href=\'https://profiles.wordpress.org/harishanker/\' class=\'mention\'><span class=\'mentions-prefix\'>@</span>harishanker</a>, <a href=\'https://profiles.wordpress.org/lmurillom/\' class=\'mention\'><span class=\'mentions-prefix\'>@</span>lmurillom</a>, <a href=\'https://profiles.wordpress.org/oglekler/\' class=\'mention\'><span class=\'mentions-prefix\'>@</span>oglekler</a>, <a href=\'https://profiles.wordpress.org/meher/\' class=\'mention\'><span class=\'mentions-prefix\'>@</span>meher</a>, <a href=\'https://profiles.wordpress.org/nalininonstopnewsuk/\' class=\'mention\'><span class=\'mentions-prefix\'>@</span>nalininonstopnewsuk</a>, <a href=\'https://profiles.wordpress.org/evarlese/\' class=\'mention\'><span class=\'mentions-prefix\'>@</span>evarlese</a></em> for contributing to this story.</p>\n\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:30:\"com-wordpress:feed-additions:1\";a:1:{s:7:\"post-id\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:5:\"11215\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}}}i:1;a:6:{s:4:\"data\";s:60:\"\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"child\";a:4:{s:0:\"\";a:6:{s:5:\"title\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:48:\"WordPress 5.8.1 Security and Maintenance Release\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"link\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:84:\"https://wordpress.org/news/2021/09/wordpress-5-8-1-security-and-maintenance-release/\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:7:\"pubDate\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:31:\"Thu, 09 Sep 2021 03:11:37 +0000\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:8:\"category\";a:2:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:8:\"Releases\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:1;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:8:\"Security\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"guid\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:35:\"https://wordpress.org/news/?p=11190\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:1:{s:0:\"\";a:1:{s:11:\"isPermaLink\";s:5:\"false\";}}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:11:\"description\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:363:\"WordPress 5.8.1 is now available! This security and maintenance release features 60 bug fixes in addition to 3 security fixes. Because this is a security release, it is recommended that you update your sites immediately. All versions since WordPress 5.4 have also been updated. WordPress 5.8.1 is a short-cycle security and maintenance release. The next […]\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:32:\"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/\";a:1:{s:7:\"creator\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:19:\"Jonathan Desrosiers\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:40:\"http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/\";a:1:{s:7:\"encoded\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:8900:\"\n<p>WordPress 5.8.1 is now available!</p>\n\n\n\n<p>This security and maintenance release features <a href=\"https://core.trac.wordpress.org/query?milestone=5.8.1&group=component&col=id&col=summary&col=milestone&col=owner&col=type&col=status&col=priority&order=priority\">60 bug</a> <a href=\"https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/34393\">fixes</a> in addition to 3 security fixes. Because this is a <strong>security release</strong>, it is recommended that you update your sites immediately. All versions since WordPress 5.4 have also been updated.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>WordPress 5.8.1 is a short-cycle security and maintenance release. The next major release will be version <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/core/5-9/\">5.9</a>.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>You can download WordPress 5.8.1 by downloading from WordPress.org, or visit your Dashboard → Updates and click Update Now.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you have sites that support automatic background updates, they’ve already started the update process.</p>\n\n\n\n<h3><strong>Security Updates</strong></h3>\n\n\n\n<p>3 security issues affect WordPress versions between 5.4 and 5.8. If you haven’t yet updated to 5.8, all WordPress versions since 5.4 have also been updated to fix the following security issues:</p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Props <a href=\'https://profiles.wordpress.org/mdawaffe/\' class=\'mention\'><span class=\'mentions-prefix\'>@</span>mdawaffe</a>, member of the WordPress Security Team for their work fixing a data exposure vulnerability within the REST API.</li><li>Props to Michał Bentkowski of Securitum for reporting a XSS vulnerability in the block editor.</li><li>The Lodash library has been updated to version 4.17.21 in each branch to incorporate upstream security fixes.</li></ul>\n\n\n\n<p>In addition to these issues, the security team would like to thank the following people for reporting vulnerabilities during the WordPress 5.8 beta testing period, allowing them to be fixed prior to release:</p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Props <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https://evanricafort.com/\">Evan Ricafort</a> for reporting a XSS vulnerability in the block editor discovered during the 5.8 release’s beta period.</li><li>Props <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/stevehenty/\">Steve Henty</a> for reporting a privilege escalation issue in the block editor.</li></ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Thank you to all of the reporters for <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/core/handbook/testing/reporting-security-vulnerabilities/\">privately disclosing the vulnerabilities</a>. This gave the WordPress security team time to fix the vulnerabilities before WordPress sites could be attacked.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>For more information, browse the <a href=\"https://core.trac.wordpress.org/query?milestone=5.8.1&group=component&col=id&col=summary&col=milestone&col=owner&col=type&col=status&col=priority&order=priority\">full list of changes</a> on Trac, or check out the <a href=\"https://wordpress.org/support/wordpress-version/version-5-8-1/\">version 5.8.1 HelpHub documentation page</a>.</p>\n\n\n\n<h2>Thanks and props!</h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The 5.8.1 release was led by <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/desrosj/\">Jonathan Desrosiers</a> and <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/circlecube/\">Evan Mullins</a>.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>In addition to the security researchers and release squad members mentioned above, thank you to everyone who helped make WordPress 5.8.1 happen:</p>\n\n\n\n<a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/2linctools/\">2linctools</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/zieladam/\">Adam Zielinski</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/schlessera/\">Alain Schlesser</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/ajlende/\">Alex Lende</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/alexstine/\">alexstine</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/algala/\">AlGala</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/oandregal/\">André</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/andraganescu/\">Andrei Draganescu</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/azaozz/\">Andrew Ozz</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/ankitmaru/\">Ankit Panchal</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/antpb/\">Anthony Burchell</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/antonvlasenko/\">Anton Vlasenko</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/aristath/\">Ari Stathopoulos</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/ribaricplusplus/\">Bruno Ribaric</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/poena/\">Carolina Nymark</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/daisyo/\">Daisy Olsen</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/talldanwp/\">Daniel Richards</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/dariak/\">Daria</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/davidanderson/\">David Anderson</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/davidbinda/\">David Biňovec</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/dlh/\">David Herrera</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/ocean90/\">Dominik Schilling</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/ellatrix/\">Ella van Durpe</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/enchiridion/\">Enchiridion</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/circlecube/\">Evan Mullins</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/garyj/\">Gary Jones</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/mamaduka/\">George Mamadashvili</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/gziolo/\">Greg Ziółkowski</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/priethor/\">Héctor Prieto</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/ianmjones/\">ianmjones</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/audrasjb/\">Jb Audras</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/jblz/\">Jeff Bowen</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/joedolson/\">Joe Dolson</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/joen/\">Joen A.</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/johnbillion/\">John Blackbourn</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/desrosj/\">Jonathan Desrosiers</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/juanmaguitar/\">JuanMa Garrido</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/jrf/\">Juliette Reinders Folmer</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/kevin940726/\">Kai Hao</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/kapilpaul/\">Kapil Paul</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/gwwar/\">Kerry Liu</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/kevinfodness/\">Kevin Fodness</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/mkaz/\">Marcus Kazmierczak</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/mark-k/\">Mark-k</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/mhuntdesign/\">Matt</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/mdawaffe/\">Michael Adams (mdawaffe)</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/mikeschroder/\">Mike Schroder</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/moch11/\">moch11</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/mukesh27/\">Mukesh Panchal</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/ntsekouras/\">Nik Tsekouras</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/paaljoachim/\">Paal Joachim Romdahl</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/swissspidy/\">Pascal Birchler</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/pbearne/\">Paul Bearne</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/pbiron/\">Paul Biron</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/peterwilsoncc/\">Peter Wilson</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/walbo/\">Petter Walbø Johnsgård</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/radixweb/\">Radixweb</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/rtm909/\">Rahul Mehta</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/ramonopoly/\">ramonopoly</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/ravipatel/\">ravipatel</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/youknowriad/\">Riad Benguella</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/noisysocks/\">Robert Anderson</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/kreppar/\">Rodrigo Arias</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/sanketchodavadiya/\">Sanket Chodavadiya</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/sergeybiryukov/\">Sergey Biryukov</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/sabernhardt/\">Stephen Bernhardt</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/netweb/\">Stephen Edgar</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/stevehenty/\">Steve Henty</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/terraling/\">terraling</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/timothyblynjacobs/\">Timothy Jacobs</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/tmatsuur/\">tmatsuur</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/tobiasbg/\">TobiasBg</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/hellofromTonya/\">Tonya Mork</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/toro_unit/\">Toro_Unit (Hiroshi Urabe)</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/vladytimy/\">Vlad T</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/wb1234/\">wb1234</a>, and <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/wfmattr/\">WFMattR</a>.\n\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:30:\"com-wordpress:feed-additions:1\";a:1:{s:7:\"post-id\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:5:\"11190\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}}}i:2;a:6:{s:4:\"data\";s:63:\"\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"child\";a:4:{s:0:\"\";a:6:{s:5:\"title\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:35:\"The Month in WordPress: August 2021\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"link\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:70:\"https://wordpress.org/news/2021/09/the-month-in-wordpress-august-2021/\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:7:\"pubDate\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:31:\"Fri, 03 Sep 2021 14:00:13 +0000\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:8:\"category\";a:3:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:18:\"Month in WordPress\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:1;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:18:\"month in wordpress\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:2;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:7:\"updates\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"guid\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:35:\"https://wordpress.org/news/?p=11176\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:1:{s:0:\"\";a:1:{s:11:\"isPermaLink\";s:5:\"false\";}}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:11:\"description\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:338:\"I really believe in WordPress’ mission to democratize publishing. And I, for one, will never stop learning about what gives people more access to the software, and what makes the software more usable, and especially how we can combine usability with accessibility in a way that puts form and function on a level playing field. […]\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:32:\"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/\";a:1:{s:7:\"creator\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:14:\"Hari Shanker R\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:40:\"http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/\";a:1:{s:7:\"encoded\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:16142:\"\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote\"><p>I really believe in WordPress’ mission to democratize publishing. And I, for one, will never stop learning about what gives people more access to the software, and what makes the software more usable, and especially how we can combine usability with accessibility in a way that puts form and function on a level playing field.<br></p></blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>That was <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/chanthaboune/\">Josepha Haden</a> on the “<a href=\"https://wordpress.org/news/2021/08/episode-14-the-art-and-science-of-accessibility/\">The Art and Science of Accessibility</a>” episode of the <a href=\"https://wordpress.org/news/podcast/\">WP Briefing Podcast</a>, talking about accessibility and exploring how it applies to the WordPress open source software. You will find that many of our updates from August 2021 tie in closely with the core principles of access, accessibility, and usability. Read on to find out more!</p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator\" />\n\n\n\n<h2>Join the 2021 WordPress Translation Day Celebrations in September</h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https://wptranslationday.org/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"632\" height=\"395\" src=\"https://i0.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/09/image.jpeg?resize=632%2C395&ssl=1\" alt=\"WordPress Translation Day 2021 September 1 - 30, 2021\" class=\"wp-image-11177\" srcset=\"https://i0.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/09/image.jpeg?resize=1024%2C640&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/09/image.jpeg?resize=300%2C188&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/09/image.jpeg?resize=768%2C480&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/09/image.jpeg?w=1440&ssl=1 1440w, https://i0.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/09/image.jpeg?w=1264&ssl=1 1264w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 632px) 100vw, 632px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" /></a></figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Join WordPress contributors around the world on <a href=\"https://wptranslationday.org/\">WordPress Translation Day celebrations</a> for the entire month of September! The sixth edition of #WPTranslationDay – which is a cross-team effort led by the Polyglots and Marketing Teams, has a host of fun programs aimed at helping WordPress speak all languages of the world. Want to join the fun? Here’s how.</p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li><a href=\"https://wptranslationday.org/wptd-2021/local-events/\">Join your local translation event</a> and collaborate on efforts to translate WordPress! Can’t find a <a href=\"https://wptranslationday.org/wptd-2021/local-events/\">local event in your area</a>? Why don’t you <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/polyglots/2021/08/11/call-for-local-event-organizers-wordpress-translation-day-2021/\">organize one on your own</a>?</li><li>Join <a href=\"https://wptranslationday.org/wptd-2021/global-events/\">one of our global events</a> from September 17-30!<em> </em>We have exciting sessions on <a href=\"https://wptranslationday.org/wptd-2021/global-events/\">polyglots tools and open source translation communities</a>, to name a few.</li><li>You can help<a href=\"https://translate.wordpress.org/\"> translate WordPress to your own language</a>, in your own time, this month! <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/polyglots/handbook/translating/first-steps/\">Here’s how!</a></li><li>Share what you are translating using the #WPTranslationDay hashtag on social media, to build excitement around the event! Don’t forget to amplify posts about the event on <a href=\"https://www.facebook.com/WPTranslationDay/\">Facebook</a>, <a href=\"https://twitter.com/TranslateWP\">Twitter</a>, <a href=\"https://www.instagram.com/wptranslationday/\">Instagram</a>, and <a href=\"https://www.linkedin.com/company/wptranslationday/\">LinkedIn</a>!</li></ul>\n\n\n\n<p> For more information, check out <a href=\"https://wptranslationday.org/\">the translation day website</a> and the <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/polylgots/tag/wptranslationday/\">Polyglots blog</a>.</p>\n\n\n\n<h2>WordPress Release Updates</h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The Core Team <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/core/2021/08/13/preliminary-road-to-5-9/\">commenced work</a> on the next major release – WordPress 5.9. The team aims to ship some cool features such as intrinsic web design to blocks, improved block patterns, navigation menus, better design tools, edit flows for block themes, and a new interface for theme.json. Check out the <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/core/5-9/\">WordPress 5.9 development cycle</a> to know more. This release is set to go out in December 2021. The team is also <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/core/2021/08/24/wordpress-5-8-x-release-team-and-5-8-1-schedule/\">working on shipping a minor release WordPress 5.8.1</a> –– its <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/core/2021/09/01/wordpress-5-8-1-rc-1/\">release candidate</a> is already out and the final release will launch on September 8.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>Want to contribute to WordPress core? Join the <a href=\"https://wordpress.slack.com/archives/C02RQBWTW\">#core</a> channel, follow the <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/core/\">Core Team blog</a>, and check out the <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/core/handbook/\">team handbook</a>. Don’t miss the Core Team chats on Wednesdays at <a href=\"https://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/fixedtime.html?hour=5&min=00&sec=0\">5 AM</a> and <a href=\"https://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/fixedtime.html?hour=20&min=00&sec=0\">8 PM</a> UTC. You can also help <a href=\"https://translate.wordpress.org/\">translate WordPress</a> to your local language – and what better time to do it, than in September, <a href=\"https://wptranslationday.org/\">during the translation month celebrations</a>? Another fun way to contribute would be to <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/marketing/2021/08/11/share-about-wordpress-5-8-on-social-media/\">share about WordPress 5.8 on social media</a>!</p>\n\n\n\n<h2>Say Hello to Gutenberg Versions 11.2 and 11.3</h2>\n\n\n\n<p>We launched Gutenberg <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/core/2021/08/05/whats-new-in-gutenberg-11-2-0-4-august/\">version 11.2</a> and <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/core/2021/08/18/whats-new-in-gutenberg-11-3-18-august/\">version 11.3</a> this month. <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/core/2021/08/05/whats-new-in-gutenberg-11-2-0-4-august/\">Version 11.2</a> adds customizing/color options to the search block, a flex layout for the group block, and a new button for creating posts as part of the publishing flow. <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/core/2021/08/18/whats-new-in-gutenberg-11-3-18-august/\">Version 11.3</a> offers a new dimensions panel (replacing the spacing panel) with more styling options, dimensions control for the feature image block, and significant performance improvements for block inserters.<br></p>\n\n\n\n<p>Want to get involved in building Gutenberg? Follow <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/core/\">the Core Team blog</a>, contribute to <a href=\"https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/\">Gutenberg on GitHub</a>, and join the <a href=\"https://wordpress.slack.com/archives/C02QB2JS7\">#core-editor</a> channel in the <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/chat/\">Make WordPress Slack</a>. The “<a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/core/2021/07/21/whats-next-in-gutenberg-site-editing-status-check-late-july-august-2021/\">What’s next in Gutenberg</a>” post offers more details on the latest updates. </p>\n\n\n\n<h2>Get Excited about WordCamp US 2021</h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The biggest WordCamp in North America – <a href=\"https://us.wordcamp.org/2021/\">WordCamp US 2021-</a> is barely a month away. <a href=\"https://us.wordcamp.org/2021/tickets/\">Get your (free) tickets</a>, if you haven’t already! The organizing team has opened up calls for <a href=\"https://us.wordcamp.org/2021/calling-all-musicians/\">musicians</a>, <a href=\"https://us.wordcamp.org/2021/call-for-contributor-stories/\">contributor stories</a>, and <a href=\"https://us.wordcamp.org/2021/call-for-media-partners/\">media partners</a>. Check out <a href=\"https://us.wordcamp.org/2021/\">the event website</a> and follow the event on <a href=\"https://twitter.com/wordcampus\">Twitter</a>, <a href=\"https://www.instagram.com/wordcampus/\">Instagram</a>, and <a href=\"https://www.facebook.com/WordCampUSA\">Facebook</a> to stay updated on all that #WCUS news.</p>\n\n\n\n<h2>Important Announcements/Updates</h2>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Support for the Classic Editor plugin <a href=\"https://wordpress.org/news/2021/08/an-update-on-the-classic-editor-plugin/\">will be extended for a full year until 2022</a>!</li><li>The Themes Team published a <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/themes/2021/08/06/summary-of-the-request-for-feedback-on-requirement-changes/\">feedback summary</a> on the <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/themes/2021/07/20/discussion-request-for-feedback-on-requirement-changes/\">proposed requirement changes for WordPress theme review</a>, and will soon be updating the handbook and review tools. You will find more context in their <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/themes/2021/08/10/meeting-notes-themes-team-and-theme-authors-regarding-requirements-change/\">meeting notes</a>.</li><li>The Plugins Team <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/plugins/2021/08/27/inaccurate-stats-have-been-corrected/\">corrected inaccurate plugin statistics</a> in the plugin directory.</li><li>Check out the <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/test/2021/08/17/fse-program-theme-design-survey-results/\">results of the FSE Theme Design (theme.json) survey</a>!</li></ul>\n\n\n\n<h2>Feedback/Testing Requests from Contributor Teams</h2>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>The Testing Team is requesting testing help for a <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/test/2021/08/30/week-in-test-30-aug-2021/\">few tickets and patches in WordPress</a>. The team is also looking for volunteers to <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/test/2021/08/20/call-for-volunteeers-audit-and-update-testing-instructions-across-the-make-sites/\">audit and update Core testing instructions </a>across different Make sites.</li><li>The Community Team shared a <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/community/2021/09/01/proposal-centralized-global-do_action-charity-hackathons/\">proposal on planning online-only recurring global do_action charity hackathons</a>. Share your feedback by September 24.</li><li>The Training Team is also exploring the possibility of adding <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/training/2021/08/10/proposal-learner-achievements-on-profiles/\">learner achievements (on learn.wordpress.org) on WP Profiles</a> and is requesting feedback from the community.</li><li>Help the Marketing Team’s outreach research by filling out <a href=\"https://forms.gle/4QFhX8fcNxKAfK8y5\">this 2 question survey</a> on how you search for WordPress release information. If you have any favorite features from the latest release (WordPress 5.8) let the team know by completing this <a href=\"https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd_2llymf79-h5sgTiprz7Kw4Gr4cbDHh-AAdAQfiArXlHksg/viewform\">short form</a>.</li><li>Version 18.1 of WordPress for <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/mobile/2021/08/23/call-for-testing-wordpress-for-ios-18-1/\">iOS</a> and <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/mobile/2021/08/23/call-for-testing-wordpress-for-android-18-1/\">Android</a> are now available for testing!</li></ul>\n\n\n\n<h2>WordPress Event Updates</h2>\n\n\n\n<ul><li><a href=\"https://floripa.wordcamp.org/2021/\">WordCamp Florianopolis 2021</a> was held on August 11-12, 2021. The event, which sold 390 tickets, had 11 speakers and 4 sponsors. Catch the <a href=\"https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCh1CeGfuDRH-o13xh7kpgUQ\">event recap on YouTube</a>!</li><li><a href=\"https://galicia.wordcamp.org/2021/\">WordCamp Galicia 2021</a> is being held from September 30 – October 2, 2021! </li><li><a href=\"https://doaction.org/event/karnataka-2021/\">do_action Karnataka 2021</a> was held from August 7-15, 2021. Check out <a href=\"https://wordpressfoundation.org/2021/do_action-karnataka-2021-a-report/\">the recap</a>!</li><li>The Core Team organized a <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/core/2021/08/25/hallway-hangout-summary-compare-and-contrast-the-navigation-screens/\">hallway hangout</a> to compare the ‘experimental’ Gutenberg navigation feature with the built-in core feature. The team decided to wait until feature parity with core nav menus, to move the feature from experiments to the main plugin.</li><li>The Diverse Speakers Training group (<a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/community/tag/wpdiversity/\">#WPDiversity</a>) of the Community Team held their first “<a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/community/2021/09/02/report-diverse-speaker-workshops-august-2021/\">Allyship for WordPress Event Organizers</a>” workshop on August 19, 2021. The event had 13 attendees from six countries who reported a 52% increase in preparedness to help create inclusive WordPress events. <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/community/tag/wpdiversityworkshops/\">Stay tuned</a> for their next workshop in November!</li></ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator\" />\n\n\n\n<h2>Further Reading</h2>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Don’t miss this blog post on <a href=\"https://wordpress.org/news/2021/08/widgets-in-wordpress-5-8-and-beyond/\">Widgets in WordPress 5.8 and beyond</a>!</li><li>The Full Site Editing (FSE) Outreach program wrapped up its ninth challenge –– <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/test/2021/08/11/fse-program-testing-call-9-handling-highered-headers/\">Handling HigherEd Headers</a>, on September 1. Keep an eye out for <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/test/tag/fse-outreach-program/\">test results and future testing call announcements</a>!</li><li>The Test Team is <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/test/2021/08/19/test-team-chat-summary-17-august-2021/\">attempting to modernize PHPUnit tests</a> for WordPress.</li><li>The Accessibility Team is testing the <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/accessibility/2021/08/20/accessibility-team-meeting-notes-august-20-2021/\">navigation block</a> for accessibility feedback.</li><li>The Docs Team <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/docs/2021/08/31/summary-of-docs-team-meeting-aug-24-2021/\">launched a new repository</a> for tracking issues with WordPress documentation: <a href=\"https://github.com/WordPress/Documentation-Issue-Tracker\">https://github.com/WordPress/Documentation-Issue-Tracker</a></li><li>The Training Team <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/training/2021/08/17/proposal-brand-guidelines-for-learn-wordpress-content/#comment-3130\">finalized</a> brand <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/training/2021/08/17/proposal-brand-guidelines-for-learn-wordpress-content/\">guidelines</a> for <a href=\"https://learn.wordpress.org\">learn.wordpress.org</a>. The team is also working on setting up <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/training/2021/08/12/wordpress-101-microcourses-proposal/\">Micro courses for Learn</a>.</li><li>The Openverse Team is <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/openverse/2021/08/16/multi-stage-docker-builds-in-the-openverse-api/\">exploring Multistage docker builds</a> as a solution to better set up waveforms for audio search results in the Openverse tool. </li></ul>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Have a story that we should include in the next “Month in WordPress” post? Please </em><a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/community/month-in-wordpress-submissions/\"><em>submit it using this form</em></a><em>. </em></p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>The following folks contributed to August’s Month in WordPress: <a href=\'https://profiles.wordpress.org/evarlese/\' class=\'mention\'><span class=\'mentions-prefix\'>@</span>evarlese</a> <a href=\'https://profiles.wordpress.org/meher/\' class=\'mention\'><span class=\'mentions-prefix\'>@</span>meher</a> <em><a href=\'https://profiles.wordpress.org/nao/\' class=\'mention\'><span class=\'mentions-prefix\'>@</span>nao</a></em> <a href=\'https://profiles.wordpress.org/jillbinder/\' class=\'mention\'><span class=\'mentions-prefix\'>@</span>jillbinder</a></em> <em><a href=\'https://profiles.wordpress.org/webcommsat/\' class=\'mention\'><span class=\'mentions-prefix\'>@</span>webcommsat</a></em></p>\n\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:30:\"com-wordpress:feed-additions:1\";a:1:{s:7:\"post-id\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:5:\"11176\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}}}i:3;a:6:{s:4:\"data\";s:60:\"\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"child\";a:4:{s:0:\"\";a:6:{s:5:\"title\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:38:\"An Update on the Classic Editor Plugin\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"link\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:74:\"https://wordpress.org/news/2021/08/an-update-on-the-classic-editor-plugin/\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:7:\"pubDate\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:31:\"Wed, 25 Aug 2021 16:51:41 +0000\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:8:\"category\";a:2:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:7:\"General\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:1;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:7:\"Updates\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"guid\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:35:\"https://wordpress.org/news/?p=11149\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:1:{s:0:\"\";a:1:{s:11:\"isPermaLink\";s:5:\"false\";}}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:11:\"description\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:333:\"Before the release of WordPress 5.0 in 2018, the Classic Editor plugin was published to help ease the transition to the new block editor. At the time, we promised to support the plugin through 2021 and adjust if needed as the deadline got closer. After discussing this with Matt, it’s clear that continuing to support […]\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:32:\"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/\";a:1:{s:7:\"creator\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:7:\"Josepha\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:40:\"http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/\";a:1:{s:7:\"encoded\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:1583:\"\n<p>Before the release of WordPress 5.0 in 2018, the <a href=\"https://wordpress.org/plugins/classic-editor/\">Classic Editor plugin</a> was published to help ease the transition to the new block editor. At the time, we promised to support the plugin through 2021 and adjust if needed as the deadline got closer. After discussing this with Matt, it’s clear that continuing to support the plugin through 2022 is the right call for the project as well as the community.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>Still, if you’ve been putting off using the block editor, this is an excellent time to give it another shot. Since it first appeared in 2018, hundreds of WordPress contributors have made a lot of updates based on user feedback. You will be pleasantly surprised at how far it’s come!</p>\n\n\n\n<p>Big thanks to everyone who has been working on WordPress, Gutenberg, and the Classic Editor plugin. And thank you to every WordPress user and tester who has provided the feedback we need to make the software even better.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>~ Josepha</p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Returning to the block editor for the first time in a long time? You can give feedback early in the process by <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/test/handbook/full-site-editing-outreach-experiment/\">joining the outreach program</a>! Looking at it for the first time ever? <a href=\"https://learn.wordpress.org/workshops/?series=24&topic=&language=&captions=\">Get your bearings with some workshops</a> or <a href=\"https://wordpress.org/support/article/wordpress-editor/#how-does-the-block-editor-work\">check out this demo</a>!</em></p>\n\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:30:\"com-wordpress:feed-additions:1\";a:1:{s:7:\"post-id\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:5:\"11149\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}}}i:4;a:6:{s:4:\"data\";s:58:\"\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"child\";a:4:{s:0:\"\";a:7:{s:5:\"title\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:49:\"WP Briefing: Episode 15: A Very WordPress Blooper\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"link\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:71:\"https://wordpress.org/news/2021/08/episode-15-a-very-wordpress-blooper/\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:7:\"pubDate\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:31:\"Mon, 23 Aug 2021 22:14:41 +0000\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:11:\"wp-briefing\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"guid\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:53:\"https://wordpress.org/news/?post_type=podcast&p=11146\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:1:{s:0:\"\";a:1:{s:11:\"isPermaLink\";s:5:\"false\";}}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:11:\"description\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:130:\"Ever wonder what it\'s like behind the scenes of WP Briefing? Listen in on this episode for a little levity and Josepha\'s bloopers.\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:9:\"enclosure\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:0:\"\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:1:{s:0:\"\";a:3:{s:3:\"url\";s:65:\"https://wordpress.org/news/files/2021/08/WP-Briefing-Bloopers.mp3\";s:6:\"length\";s:1:\"0\";s:4:\"type\";s:0:\"\";}}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:32:\"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/\";a:1:{s:7:\"creator\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:15:\"Chloe Bringmann\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:40:\"http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/\";a:1:{s:7:\"encoded\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:8885:\"\n<p>Ever wonder what it’s like behind the scenes of WP Briefing? Listen in on this episode for a little levity and Josepha’s bloopers.</p>\n\n\n\n<p><em><strong>Have a question you’d like answered? You can submit them to <a href=\"mailto:wpbriefing@wordpress.org\">wpbriefing@wordpress.org</a>, either written or as a voice recording.</strong></em></p>\n\n\n\n<h2>Credits</h2>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Editor: <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/dustinhartzler/\">Dustin Hartzler</a></li><li>Logo: <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/beafialho/\">Beatriz Fialho</a></li><li>Production: <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/cbringmann/\">Chloé Bringmann</a></li><li>Song: Fearless First by Kevin MacLeod</li></ul>\n\n\n\n<h2>Transcript</h2>\n\n\n\n<span id=\"more-11146\"></span>\n\n\n\n<p>[contemporary intro music]</p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Josepha Haden Chomphosy </strong>00:10</p>\n\n\n\n<p>Hello, everyone, and welcome to a bonus briefing. Normally I talk to you about WordPress and stuff, but I figured that we all need a little levity in our lives right now. So today’s episode is actually just a series of bloopers and mistakes that I’ve made while recording. When I was preparing for this podcast, no one mentioned the deep weirdness of standing alone in your closet talking to yourself, nor did they realize just how lost I can get in the surpassingly, lovely lyricism of a lilting line, and then just have no idea what I’m supposed to be reading in the script that I wrote for myself. So, my dear friends, I hope these bring you a little laugh. And if we’ve got any luck at all, you may also hear me singing to myself, my computer, or about how terrible my talking just was. Here we go!</p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Josepha Haden Chomphosy </strong>01:12</p>\n\n\n\n<p>Hello, everyone, and welcome to a bonus briefing. I know I wasn’t going to sit boop, boop. </p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Josepha Haden Chomphosy </strong>01:21</p>\n\n\n\n<p>I messed up the thing where I’m talking about how I mess up, of course. I’m going to do it one more time, and you can choose whatever is a reasonable thing there. </p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Josepha Haden Chomphosy </strong>01:33</p>\n\n\n\n<p>Because we had such a lengthy WP Briefing, WordPress, I’m going to just start that over again. Sorry, everyone.</p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Josepha Haden Chomphosy </strong>01:42</p>\n\n\n\n<p>My friends. Oh, no. I don’t know how I end my own show. How do I end my own show? There we go. Sorry. </p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Josepha Haden Chomphosy </strong>01:52</p>\n\n\n\n<p>That was a weird way to say that. I’m going to start over again from the transition. And then we’re just going to go straight through to the end. Maybe.</p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Josepha Haden Chomphosy </strong>02:03</p>\n\n\n\n<p>The names that… I sound weird. I sound like I don’t know what my words are. And I said I wrote the words. I said I was all going to go in one go, and I’m a liar today. Okay, here we go. For realsies!</p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Josepha Haden Chomphosy </strong>02:16</p>\n\n\n\n<p>Final first last take. Here we go. Sorry, I made myself laugh. </p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Josepha Haden Chomphosy </strong>02:22</p>\n\n\n\n<p>Matt Mullenweg. And, and I, I’m also in that group. I don’t know why I said that like it was a surprise. I have me too. I’m also in there. </p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Josepha Haden Chomphosy </strong>02:33</p>\n\n\n\n<p>Ugh, I ran out of air. For reasons, it was a short sentence. I don’t know why I ran out of air. </p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Josepha Haden Chomphosy </strong>02:43</p>\n\n\n\n<p>Coming out on April 14. That’s not true. It’s April 13. Right?</p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Josepha Haden Chomphosy </strong>02:50</p>\n\n\n\n<p>On the form below to share the. Pfft – what are the things! </p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Josepha Haden Chomphosy </strong>02:58</p>\n\n\n\n<p>This is WP Briefing episode seven, no title because I don’t know what to call it because I gave it a title already. I gave it two titles, and then couldn’t remember why I gave it those titles. So I’ll come up with a title before we publish it. But I also have no idea what it is. I’m going to ask for help. </p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Josepha Haden Chomphosy </strong>03:17</p>\n\n\n\n<p>Testing project since I have too many commas, and I really believed in my comma when I said it. </p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Josepha Haden Chomphosy </strong>03:24</p>\n\n\n\n<p>Prior to Gutenberg… pfft. Open source software like WordPress. I was going to smash that sentence into half a sentence. I was going to say when you know what you’re workussing on you have a solution which is not my friends of thing. So, I am just going to say the sentence again. </p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Josepha Haden Chomphosy </strong>03:47</p>\n\n\n\n<p>I was sitting over here wringing my hands for some reason during that entire list. And so if you can hear me wringing my hands, which would be a whole new height of anxiety for anyone, you let me know, and I will rerecord that also.</p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Josepha Haden Chomphosy </strong>04:00</p>\n\n\n\n<p>Get a concept of. Nope, this is a lie. Get a concept of where to get your tickets is the silliest thing. I’m starting over from the small list of big things. Also, because I got too excited about how big my list is. I am going to get that excited again. But I will try not to shout about it. </p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Josepha Haden Chomphosy </strong>04:17</p>\n\n\n\n<p>“Humming intro song” Dun dun dun dun dun. </p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Josepha Haden Chomphosy </strong>04:23</p>\n\n\n\n<p>Sorry, I had to scroll up, and I try not to scroll up when I’m talking in case maybe my whole computer turns into a microphone. Sorry, I’m just going to keep going because this has been a fine take so far. </p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Josepha Haden Chomphosy </strong>04:34</p>\n\n\n\n<p>Mercy! I have words that I can say with my mouth. They aren’t these words today. It seems.</p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Josepha Haden Chomphosy </strong>04:45</p>\n\n\n\n<p>Build up to… Oh my goodness. My stomach grumbled, and this microphone, I know, picked it up. And so I’m going to redo bullet two so that we don’t just have a small monster under the bed in the middle of the podcast. </p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Josepha Haden Chomphosy </strong>05:03</p>\n\n\n\n<p>Also, like DEI, I feel s—Eh – maybe I should say, DEI, somewhere in there, so it’s clear for people cause I’m talking to people and not actually a screen. </p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Josepha Haden Chomphosy </strong>05:17</p>\n\n\n\n<p>Before I joined the WordPress project, the majority of my work with accessibility was in the context of the digital divide. Now, when talking about the digital divide, there are three concepts around quote-unquote, getting things to people. And those concepts are… I guess I could say the thing, hold on one second, I can do it. I feel like I’m chopping up my words like I’m not really breathing very well. So I apologize. But here we go again.</p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Josepha Haden Chomphosy </strong>05:58</p>\n\n\n\n<p>Don’t include that one. Sorry, I’m so nervous about this episode that, like, my mouth is getting dry, and I worry that you can hear it, and it drives me nuts every time I hear podcasters with a dry mouth, and you can just like hear it clicking and always stresses me out. I’m like, someone should give that poor thing a drink of water. And I just know I’m going to feel that way about myself later. And so I’m trying to stay hydrated, but it also means that I have to stop every two paragraphs and take a drink of water. I apologize for that interlude. I am about to start again, at my next section, which is like, halfway through.</p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Josepha Haden Chomphosy </strong>06:39</p>\n\n\n\n<p>Also, I learned that you can hear me swallowing my water with this microphone because it is a spectacular microphone. And so, I apologize for that as well. All right. Here I go. I’m going to do it all in one take. Watch me. </p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Josepha Haden Chomphosy </strong>06:56</p>\n\n\n\n<p>But I also have questions, especially about how to move everything forward. Mm-hmm. Whoops. I put especially in the wrong spot. But I also thought…</p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Josepha Haden Chomphosy </strong>07:10</p>\n\n\n\n<p> Ta da, we did it. Gosh, that’s a short one. </p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Josepha Haden Chomphosy </strong>07:16</p>\n\n\n\n<p>I did it. Where’s my where’s my turning offing button. </p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Josepha Haden Chomphosy </strong>07:22</p>\n\n\n\n<p>Tada! And scene and done.</p>\n\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:30:\"com-wordpress:feed-additions:1\";a:1:{s:7:\"post-id\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:5:\"11146\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}}}i:5;a:6:{s:4:\"data\";s:63:\"\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n\n\n\n \";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"child\";a:4:{s:0:\"\";a:7:{s:5:\"title\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:35:\"Widgets in WordPress 5.8 and Beyond\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"link\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:71:\"https://wordpress.org/news/2021/08/widgets-in-wordpress-5-8-and-beyond/\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:7:\"pubDate\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:31:\"Mon, 09 Aug 2021 12:00:00 +0000\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:8:\"category\";a:2:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:8:\"Features\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:1;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:9:\"Gutenberg\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"guid\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:35:\"https://wordpress.org/news/?p=11115\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:1:{s:0:\"\";a:1:{s:11:\"isPermaLink\";s:5:\"false\";}}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:11:\"description\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:367:\"Copy and Design by @critterverse WordPress 5.8 brings the power of Gutenberg blocks to widget areas — which means the highly customizable layout and styling options bring you closer to a WYSIWYG editing experience. I made a test site based on the oldie-but-goodie Twenty Sixteen theme, with three separate widget areas. In this post, I’ll highlight […]\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:9:\"enclosure\";a:3:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:0:\"\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:1:{s:0:\"\";a:3:{s:3:\"url\";s:60:\"https://wordpress.org/news/files/2021/08/classic-widgets.mov\";s:6:\"length\";s:7:\"6475399\";s:4:\"type\";s:15:\"video/quicktime\";}}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:1;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:0:\"\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:1:{s:0:\"\";a:3:{s:3:\"url\";s:60:\"https://wordpress.org/news/files/2021/08/block-widgets-1.mov\";s:6:\"length\";s:8:\"23931847\";s:4:\"type\";s:15:\"video/quicktime\";}}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:2;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:0:\"\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:1:{s:0:\"\";a:3:{s:3:\"url\";s:58:\"https://wordpress.org/news/files/2021/08/custom-html-1.mov\";s:6:\"length\";s:8:\"13767042\";s:4:\"type\";s:15:\"video/quicktime\";}}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:32:\"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/\";a:1:{s:7:\"creator\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:15:\"Chloe Bringmann\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:40:\"http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/\";a:1:{s:7:\"encoded\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:7682:\"\n<p><strong><em>Copy and Design by <a href=\'https://profiles.wordpress.org/critterverse/\' class=\'mention\'><span class=\'mentions-prefix\'>@</span>critterverse</a> </em></strong></p>\n\n\n\n<p>WordPress 5.8 brings the power of Gutenberg blocks to widget areas — which means the highly customizable layout and styling options bring you closer to a WYSIWYG editing experience. I made a test site based on the oldie-but-goodie <a href=\"https://wordpress.org/themes/twentysixteen/\">Twenty Sixteen theme</a>, with three separate widget areas. In this post, I’ll highlight a few cool things that are now possible to do with your widgets and where things may be heading next.</p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https://i0.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/08/site-long-1x.png?ssl=1\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"632\" height=\"1130\" src=\"https://i0.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/08/site-long-1x.png?resize=632%2C1130&ssl=1\" alt=\"A zoomed-out view of a single post with one sidebar widget area and two footer widget areas. The site content is about Marine Park Salt Marsh. A List View of blocks floating next to each widget area shows how the design is constructed.\" class=\"wp-image-11116\" srcset=\"https://i0.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/08/site-long-1x.png?w=2183&ssl=1 2183w, https://i0.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/08/site-long-1x.png?resize=168%2C300&ssl=1 168w, https://i0.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/08/site-long-1x.png?resize=573%2C1024&ssl=1 573w, https://i0.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/08/site-long-1x.png?resize=768%2C1373&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/08/site-long-1x.png?resize=859%2C1536&ssl=1 859w, https://i0.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/08/site-long-1x.png?resize=1145%2C2048&ssl=1 1145w, https://i0.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/08/site-long-1x.png?w=1264&ssl=1 1264w, https://i0.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/08/site-long-1x.png?w=1896&ssl=1 1896w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 632px) 100vw, 632px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" /></a><figcaption><br><br><br><br></figcaption></figure></div>\n\n\n\n<h2>Create Interesting Visual Effects With Overlapping Layouts and Duotone Images</h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Appearance-wise, users have a lot more control over widget areas than ever before — especially through the use of blocks with customization options like the Cover and Image block. Here’s what I can create in the classic widgets editor (above) versus what I can create in the new block-based widget editor (below).</p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-video aligncenter\"><video controls src=\"https://wordpress.org/news/files/2021/08/classic-widgets.mov\"></video></figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-video aligncenter\"><video controls src=\"https://wordpress.org/news/files/2021/08/block-widgets-1.mov\"></video></figure>\n\n\n\n<h2>Intersperse Widgets and Custom Code Throughout Your Visual Designs</h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Container blocks like Cover and Columns make it easy to weave dynamic or interactive elements into your designs. While this is a given for many widgets, the block versions of widgets can be easily wrapped and layered within container blocks to integrate them into your layout more fully.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>In the example below, I tried placing a Search block in front of a Cover block, which creates a nice layered effect. I also inserted Custom HTML blocks within a Columns block to display different messaging depending on the time of day. (<a href=\"https://stackoverflow.com/questions/31242051/show-content-based-on-time-of-day-timing-changes-on-different-days-of-the-week\">jQuery script</a>)</p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-video aligncenter\"><video controls src=\"https://wordpress.org/news/files/2021/08/custom-html-1.mov\"></video></figure>\n\n\n\n<h2>Use Traditional Widget Layouts (Or Not) With Lots of Flexibility Over Title and Structure</h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Classic widgets have always had a lockup that includes a widget title. One cool thing about having blocks in widget areas is that you have complete flexibility over how titles appear. For example, you might choose to have a title over every widget, you might only want one title at the top of each widget area, or your design might not need titles at all.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>Note: Some themes, like <a href=\"https://wordpress.org/themes/twentytwentyone/\">Twenty Twenty-One</a>, are designed to flow content horizontally within widget areas. If you’re having trouble with a theme splitting your layout into columns, you could try keeping the lockup together by containing it within a Group block.</p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https://i1.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/08/grouped.jpg?ssl=1\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"632\" height=\"381\" src=\"https://i1.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/08/grouped.jpg?resize=632%2C381&ssl=1\" alt=\"Side-by-side comparison of List View of a Sidebar widget area with and without grouped/nested lockups.\" class=\"wp-image-11122\" srcset=\"https://i1.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/08/grouped.jpg?w=1760&ssl=1 1760w, https://i1.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/08/grouped.jpg?resize=300%2C181&ssl=1 300w, https://i1.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/08/grouped.jpg?resize=1024%2C618&ssl=1 1024w, https://i1.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/08/grouped.jpg?resize=768%2C463&ssl=1 768w, https://i1.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/08/grouped.jpg?resize=1536%2C927&ssl=1 1536w, https://i1.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/08/grouped.jpg?w=1264&ssl=1 1264w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 632px) 100vw, 632px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" /></a></figure></div>\n\n\n\n<h2>Copy & Paste Existing Layouts From the WordPress Pattern Directory</h2>\n\n\n\n<p>While patterns haven’t been fully integrated into the widget editors yet, one thing you <em>can</em> do is copy and paste patterns from the game-changing new <a href=\"https://wordpress.org/patterns/\">WordPress Pattern Directory</a> into your site’s widget areas. I used this <a href=\"https://wordpress.org/patterns/pattern/horizontal-call-to-action/\">horizontal call to action</a> pattern from the directory almost exactly as is, with minor color and copy adjustments:</p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https://i1.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/08/footer.jpg?ssl=1\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"632\" height=\"389\" src=\"https://i1.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/08/footer.jpg?resize=632%2C389&ssl=1\" alt=\"Footer widget area with a black box that reads, “Become a monthly patron” with paragraph text and a “Join now” button in a separate column. A painted image of waves hitting rocks is directly below with no space between them.\n\" class=\"wp-image-11123\" srcset=\"https://i1.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/08/footer.jpg?w=1656&ssl=1 1656w, https://i1.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/08/footer.jpg?resize=300%2C185&ssl=1 300w, https://i1.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/08/footer.jpg?resize=1024%2C630&ssl=1 1024w, https://i1.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/08/footer.jpg?resize=768%2C473&ssl=1 768w, https://i1.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/08/footer.jpg?resize=1536%2C945&ssl=1 1536w, https://i1.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/08/footer.jpg?w=1264&ssl=1 1264w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 632px) 100vw, 632px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" /></a><figcaption><br></figcaption></figure></div>\n\n\n\n<p>FYI: Patterns have not been curated for or integrated into widget areas yet, so you may run into some unexpected behavior — consider this feature to be a preview of what’s coming next for widget editing!</p>\n\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:30:\"com-wordpress:feed-additions:1\";a:1:{s:7:\"post-id\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:5:\"11115\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}}}i:6;a:6:{s:4:\"data\";s:57:\"\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"child\";a:4:{s:0:\"\";a:6:{s:5:\"title\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:33:\"The Month in WordPress: July 2021\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"link\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:68:\"https://wordpress.org/news/2021/08/the-month-in-wordpress-july-2021/\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:7:\"pubDate\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:31:\"Tue, 03 Aug 2021 13:53:13 +0000\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:18:\"Month in WordPress\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"guid\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:35:\"https://wordpress.org/news/?p=11107\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:1:{s:0:\"\";a:1:{s:11:\"isPermaLink\";s:5:\"false\";}}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:11:\"description\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:334:\"WordPress is global in reach and open source in nature. And you would assume that what allows the software to be used by anyone would also enable it to be built by anyone. After all, your location doesn’t matter, and who employs you also doesn’t matter. And your relative social standing certainly shouldn’t matter. As […]\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:32:\"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/\";a:1:{s:7:\"creator\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:14:\"Hari Shanker R\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:40:\"http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/\";a:1:{s:7:\"encoded\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:15215:\"\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote\"><p>WordPress is global in reach and open source in nature. And you would assume that what allows the software to be used by anyone would also enable it to be built by anyone. After all, your location doesn’t matter, and who employs you also doesn’t matter. And your relative social standing certainly shouldn’t matter. As long as you can communicate with the others contributing to the project, there should be no obstacle to your participation.</p></blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-drop-cap\">That was <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/chanthaboune/\">Josepha Haden</a> on the “<a href=\"https://wordpress.org/news/2021/07/episode-13-cherishing-wordpress-diversity/\">Cherishing WordPress Diversity</a>” episode of the <a href=\"https://wordpress.org/news/podcast/\">WP Briefing Podcast</a>, speaking about the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion within the fabric of the WordPress project. Her statement captures the spirit of the WordPress open source project, and we hope it resonates with you. Now, let’s dive in!</p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator\" />\n\n\n\n<h2>Say hello to WordPress 5.8</h2>\n\n\n\n<p>WordPress <a href=\"https://wordpress.org/news/2020/12/simone/\">version 5.8</a>, “Tatum,” came out on July 20. Version 5.8 is a major release that offers features like block-based widgets, a host of new blocks and patterns, a template editor, a duotone feature to stylize images, theme.json, and support for webP images, to name a few. Read more in the <a href=\"https://wordpress.org/news/2021/07/tatum/\">release post</a>, the <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/core/2021/07/03/wordpress-5-8-field-guide/\">field guide</a>, and the <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/community/2021/06/18/meetup-group-resources-talking-points-for-wordpress-5-8/\">talking points post for meetup groups</a>. </p>\n\n\n\n<p>Want to contribute to WordPress core? </p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Join the <a href=\"https://wordpress.slack.com/archives/C02RQBWTW\">#core</a> channel, follow the <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/core/\">Core Team blog</a>, and check out the <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/core/handbook/\">team handbook</a>. Don’t miss the Core Team chats on Wednesdays at <a href=\"https://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/fixedtime.html?hour=5&min=00&sec=0\">5 AM</a> and <a href=\"https://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/fixedtime.html?hour=20&min=00&sec=0\">8 PM</a> UTC.</li><li><a href=\"https://translate.wordpress.org/\">Translate WordPress</a> to your local language – here’s the <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/polyglots/2021/07/09/wordpress-5-8-translation-status-july-9-2020/\">latest translation status</a>.</li><li>Contact the Marketing Team in the <a href=\"https://wordpress.slack.com/archives/C0GKJ7TFA\">#marketing</a> slack channel, if you wish to support <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/marketing/2021/07/21/social-media-pack-for-5-8-ongoing-collaborations/\">social media engagement around WordPress 5.8</a>.</li></ul>\n\n\n\n<h2>Gutenberg Version 11.0 is released</h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Contributor teams released the <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/core/2021/07/09/whats-new-in-gutenberg-11-0-0-9-july/\">11th version</a> of Gutenberg on July 9. <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/core/2021/07/09/whats-new-in-gutenberg-11-0-0-9-july/\">Version 11.0</a>, which focuses heavily on backports and bug fixes, showcases some cool features such as an editing overlay for template parts and reusable blocks, and support for CSS shorthand properties in theme.json and block attributes. <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/core/2021/07/21/whats-new-in-gutenberg-11-1-0-21-july/\">Version 11.1</a> was also shipped this month, on July 21. The release adds custom block borders as block supports and adds “drag and drop” to the list view. </p>\n\n\n\n<p>Want to get involved in building Gutenberg? Follow <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/core/\">the Core Team blog</a>, contribute to <a href=\"https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/\">Gutenberg on GitHub</a>, and join the <a href=\"https://wordpress.slack.com/archives/C02QB2JS7\">#core-editor</a> channel in the <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/chat/\">Make WordPress Slack</a>. The “<a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/core/2021/07/21/whats-next-in-gutenberg-site-editing-status-check-late-july-august-2021/\">What’s next in Gutenberg</a>” post offers more details on the latest updates. </p>\n\n\n\n<h2>Returning to in-person WordPress events</h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The Community Team kicked off work to bring back in-person WordPress events. The team <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/community/2021/07/01/in-person-meetup-events-for-vaccinated-community-members/#comment-29654\">recently announced</a> that in-person WordPress meetups can be organized in a region if the local public health authority allows in-person events and if the region passes the in-person<a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/community/handbook/meetup-organizer/2021-returning-to-in-person-meetups/in-person-meetup-decision-checklist/\"> safety checklist</a>. If the region does not meet guidelines on page one of the <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/community/handbook/meetup-organizer/2021-returning-to-in-person-meetups/in-person-meetup-decision-checklist/\">safety checklist</a>, organizers can plan events for fully vaccinated, recently tested (negative), or recently recovered community members. Subsequently, the team also <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/community/2021/07/27/proposal-how-to-return-to-safe-in-person-wordcamps/\">shared a proposal for the return to in-person WordCamps</a> in places that meet the <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/community/handbook/meetup-organizer/2021-returning-to-in-person-meetups/in-person-meetup-decision-checklist/\">safety guidelines and the vaccination/testing requirements</a>. Please share your feedback on the post if you have any thoughts. For more context, check out the “<a href=\"https://wordpress.org/news/2021/07/episode-12-wordpress-in-person/\">In Person!</a>” episode of the <a href=\"https://wordpress.org/news/podcast/\">WP Briefing Podcast</a>. </p>\n\n\n\n<p>Want to contribute to the Community Team? Follow the <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/community/\">Community Team</a> blog, or join them in the <a href=\"https://wordpress.slack.com/archives/C037W5S7X\">#community</a> channel in the Make WordPress Slack. </p>\n\n\n\n<h2>BuddyPress 9.0 is out</h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The BuddyPress team is busy! Within barely a month of their last major release (<a href=\"https://buddypress.org/2021/06/buddypress-8-0-0-alfano/\">version 8.0)</a>, the team shipped <a href=\"https://buddypress.org/2021/07/buddypress-9-0-0-mico/\">version 9.0</a> on July 19. Key features of the release include widget blocks and updates to the BP REST API. Download it from the <a href=\"https://wordpress.org/plugins/buddypress/\">WordPress.org plugin directory</a> or check it out from its <a href=\"https://buddypress.trac.wordpress.org/browser/branches/9.0\">subversion repository.</a> Want to help build BuddyPress? Follow their <a href=\"https://bpdevel.wordpress.com/\">developer relations blog</a>, check out their <a href=\"https://codex.buddypress.org/participate-and-contribute/contribute-with-code/\">handbook page</a>, or join them in the <a href=\"https://wordpress.slack.com/archives/C02RQBYUG\">#buddypress</a> channel in the Make WordPress Slack.</p>\n\n\n\n<h2>WordPress Event updates</h2>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>WordCamp US is coming back on October 1, 2021, <a href=\"https://us.wordcamp.org/2021/wordcamp-us-is-back/\">as a daylong online event</a>!</li><li>Free tickets for <a href=\"https://floripa.wordcamp.org/2021/inscricoes/\">WordCamp Florianopolis</a> (August 11-12) are now available.</li><li>The <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/community/tag/wpdiversity/\">Diverse Speaker Training group</a> of the Community Team announced <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/community/2021/07/26/announcement-and-call-for-volunteers-expanding-wpdiversity-to-three-programs/\">three new programs</a> for Meetup and WordCamp organizers. Sign up for the <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/community/2021/07/30/workshop-august-19-2021-allyship-for-wordpress-event-organizers-amer-emea/\">inaugural allyship program for event organizers</a> on August 19, 2021, at <a href=\"https://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/fixedtime.html?iso=20210819T1700\">5:00</a> – <a href=\"https://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/fixedtime.html?iso=20210819T1900\">7:00 pm</a> UTC!</li><li>The Polyglots Team is planning a <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/polyglots/tag/wptranslationday/\">month-long translation day celebration in September 2021</a>, with two weeks of “core events” from September 17 to 30. The team will announce more details on the event shortly, and you <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/polyglots/tag/wptranslationday/\">can follow all the latest updates on their P2</a>. </li><li>Stay updated on <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/community/events/online/\">online WordPress meetups</a> around the world by following the Marketing Team’s <a href=\"https://www.linkedin.com/company/make-wordpress-marketing-team/\">WordPress Meetup roundup</a> every Monday. </li><li><a href=\"https://santaclarita.wordcamp.org/2021/\">WordCamp Santa Clarita 2021</a> was held online on July 17-18, 2021. The highlight of the event, which had 41 speakers, 19 sponsors, and 672 attendees, was a <a href=\"https://santaclarita.wordcamp.org/2021/schedule/\">dedicated track for WordPress accessibility</a>. Videos of the event will soon be posted on WordPress.tv.</li><li>The Hosting Team organized <a href=\"https://www.meetup.com/wphosting/events/278295555\">their first meetup</a> in June. Check out the <a href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V4UCc1Bze5E&t=702s\">event recording</a>.</li></ul>\n\n\n\n<h2>Feedback requests from WordPress contributor teams</h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Please help these WordPress contributor teams by answering their research requests:</p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>The Core Team has published a <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/core/2021/07/28/wordpress-5-8-tatum-retrospective/\">WordPress 5.8 release retrospective</a>. Share your release feedback as <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/core/2021/07/28/wordpress-5-8-tatum-retrospective/#respond\">comments on the post</a> or by <a href=\"https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSei8fSLjV0um4hk_1JKwgu-8E6mpNwwxF3j43mInW7lnVOTDw/viewform?usp=sf_link\">filling out this form</a> before August 15. The team is also <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/core/2021/07/21/request-for-feedback-updater-proof-of-concept/\">requesting feedback</a> on a “proof of concept” for the new WordPress updater. </li><li>The Training Team wishes to <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/training/2021/07/30/learn-wordpress-user-survey-focus-groups/\">find what learners and potential learners would like to see</a> in the <a href=\"https://learn.wordpress.org\">learn.wordpress.org</a> platform. To contribute, please <a href=\"https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/LearnWordPress\">fill out an anonymous survey</a> (by August 13) OR <a href=\"https://forms.gle/jdk2qkkvGyszx1SG6\">join a short video call</a> to share feedback (on the week of August 2-6).</li><li>The Polyglots Team <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/polyglots/2021/07/19/polyglots-training-ready-for-testing/\">announced</a> that “Polyglots Training” (a course to help WordPress translators and communities) is now available for testing. <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/polyglots/2021/07/19/polyglots-training-ready-for-testing/\">Sign up now</a>!</li><li>The Test Team wants to<a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/test/2021/07/30/help-shape-the-future-of-theme-design/\"> hear from theme authors</a> on how they use theme.json in order to shape its future. Help them by <a href=\"https://wordpressdotorg.survey.fm/block-theme-author-feedback\">filling out this survey</a> on or before August 13.</li><li>The Marketing Team is doing research on building engagement around WordPress releases. Please help the team by filling out <a href=\"https://forms.gle/4QFhX8fcNxKAfK8y5\">this quick, two-question survey</a> on how you search for release information. If you have any favorite features from the latest release (WordPress 5.8) let the team know by completing this <a href=\"https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd_2llymf79-h5sgTiprz7Kw4Gr4cbDHh-AAdAQfiArXlHksg/viewform\">short form</a>.</li></ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator\" />\n\n\n\n<h2>Further reading</h2>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>The Meta Team launched the new <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/meta/2021/07/20/the-wordpress-pattern-directory-is-live/\">WordPress Pattern Directory</a> alongside the 5.8 release. The Design Team also contributed to this project, working with contributors on <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/design/2021/07/29/initial-patterns-for-the-patterns-directory-launched/\">launching around 85 block patterns in the directory</a>.</li><li>Check out the following blog posts from the Design Team: <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/design/2021/07/13/a-walk-around-the-search-block/\">A Walk Around: The Search Block</a> and <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/design/2021/07/27/widgets-in-wordpress-5-8-and-beyond/\">Widgets on 5.8 and beyond</a>. Join their <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/design/?s=show+and+tell\">Show and Tell meetings</a> on the last Wednesday of each month to learn about updates on their latest projects and new ideas.</li><li>Check out <a href=\"https://wordpress.org/news/2021/07/configuring-theme-design-with-theme-json/\">this blog post</a> to learn how to configure theme design with theme.json. </li><li>The Test Team has put out a <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/test/2021/07/20/test-team-reps-call-for-nominations/\">call for team-rep nominations</a>.</li><li>The Themes Team is in the process of discussing <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/themes/2021/07/20/discussion-request-for-feedback-on-requirement-changes/\">updated theme directory guidelines</a>.</li><li>Version 17.9 of WordPress for <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/mobile/2021/07/27/call-for-testing-wordpress-for-android-17-9/\">Android</a> and <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/mobile/2021/07/28/call-for-testing-wordpress-for-ios-17-9/\">iOS</a> are now available for testing.</li></ul>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Have a story that we should include in the next “Month in WordPress” post? Please </em><a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/community/month-in-wordpress-submissions/\"><em>submit it using this form</em></a><em>. </em></p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>The following folks contributed to July’s Month in WordPress: <a href=\'https://profiles.wordpress.org/webcommsat/\' class=\'mention\'><span class=\'mentions-prefix\'>@</span>webcommsat</a> <a href=\'https://profiles.wordpress.org/chaion07/\' class=\'mention\'><span class=\'mentions-prefix\'>@</span>chaion07</a> <a href=\'https://profiles.wordpress.org/jillbinder/\' class=\'mention\'><span class=\'mentions-prefix\'>@</span>jillbinder</a> <a href=\'https://profiles.wordpress.org/lmurillom/\' class=\'mention\'><span class=\'mentions-prefix\'>@</span>lmurillom</a> <a href=\'https://profiles.wordpress.org/meher/\' class=\'mention\'><span class=\'mentions-prefix\'>@</span>meher</a></em></p>\n\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:30:\"com-wordpress:feed-additions:1\";a:1:{s:7:\"post-id\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:5:\"11107\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}}}i:7;a:6:{s:4:\"data\";s:58:\"\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"child\";a:4:{s:0:\"\";a:7:{s:5:\"title\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:61:\"WP Briefing: Episode 14: The Art and Science of Accessibility\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"link\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:83:\"https://wordpress.org/news/2021/08/episode-14-the-art-and-science-of-accessibility/\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:7:\"pubDate\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:31:\"Mon, 02 Aug 2021 12:00:00 +0000\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:11:\"wp-briefing\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"guid\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:53:\"https://wordpress.org/news/?post_type=podcast&p=11096\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:1:{s:0:\"\";a:1:{s:11:\"isPermaLink\";s:5:\"false\";}}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:11:\"description\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:463:\"In this episode, Josepha Haden Chomphosy discusses the nuances of building accessible software, the differences between access, usability, and accessibility, and how this all applies to the WordPress project. Have a question you’d like answered? You can submit them to wpbriefing@wordpress.org, either written or as a voice recording. Credits Editor: Dustin Hartzler Logo: Beatriz Fialho Production: Chloé Bringmann Transcription: […]\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:9:\"enclosure\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:0:\"\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:1:{s:0:\"\";a:3:{s:3:\"url\";s:60:\"https://wordpress.org/news/files/2021/07/WP-Briefing-014.mp3\";s:6:\"length\";s:1:\"0\";s:4:\"type\";s:0:\"\";}}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:32:\"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/\";a:1:{s:7:\"creator\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:17:\"Nicholas Garofalo\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:40:\"http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/\";a:1:{s:7:\"encoded\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:9393:\"\n<p>In this episode, Josepha Haden Chomphosy discusses the nuances of building accessible software, the differences between access, usability, and accessibility, and how this all applies to the WordPress project.</p>\n\n\n\n<p><em><strong>Have a question you’d like answered? You can submit them to <a href=\"mailto:wpbriefing@wordpress.org\">wpbriefing@wordpress.org</a>, either written or as a voice recording.</strong></em></p>\n\n\n\n<h2>Credits</h2>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Editor: <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/dustinhartzler/\">Dustin Hartzler</a></li><li>Logo: <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/beafialho/\">Beatriz Fialho</a></li><li>Production: <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/cbringmann/\">Chloé Bringmann</a></li><li>Transcription: <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/eidolonnight/\">Nicholas Garofalo</a></li><li>Song: Fearless First by Kevin MacLeod</li></ul>\n\n\n\n<h2>References</h2>\n\n\n\n<ul><li><a href=\"https://wordpress.org/about/accessibility/\">About WordPress Accessibility</a></li><li><a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/accessibility/\">Make WordPress Accessibility Team</a></li><li><a href=\"https://twitter.com/wpaccessibility\">WordPress Accessibility Team Twitter</a></li><li><a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/accessibility/handbook/best-practices/\">WordPress Accessibility Handbook</a></li><li><a href=\"https://developer.wordpress.org/coding-standards/wordpress-coding-standards/accessibility/\">Accessibility Coding Standards</a></li><li><a href=\"https://www.w3.org/WAI/intro/wcag\">Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG)</a></li><li><a href=\"https://www.a11yproject.com/checklist/\">A11y Checklist</a></li><li><a href=\"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_divide\">The Digital Divide</a></li></ul>\n\n\n\n<h2>Transcript</h2>\n\n\n\n<span id=\"more-11096\"></span>\n\n\n\n<p>[contemporary intro music]</p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Josepha Haden Chomphosy</strong> 0:10</p>\n\n\n\n<p>Hello, everyone, and welcome to the WordPress Briefing, the podcast where you can catch quick explanations of the ideas behind the WordPress open source project, some insight into the community that supports it, and get a small list of big things coming up in the next two weeks. I’m your host, Josepha Haden Chomphosy. Here we go.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>[musical interlude]</p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Josepha Haden Chomphosy</strong> 0:28</p>\n\n\n\n<p>This is the second of my big scary topics for this month. I’ll be talking about accessibility, which much like Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, or DEI in the last episode, is one of those areas where the work is never finished. Also, like DEI in last episode, I feel strongly about accessibility and the need for accessible experiences in the world, but I’m aware that this is an area where I’m still learning.</p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Josepha Haden Chomphosy</strong> 1:04</p>\n\n\n\n<p>WordPress has both an accessibility statement and team, which makes a lot of sense given that the software supports so many different people, and industries, and cultures. But if you’re not quite bought into the idea that software should be accessible, or that accessible software can’t also be usable, then this is the episode for you.</p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Josepha Haden Chomphosy</strong> 1:25</p>\n\n\n\n<p>Before I joined the WordPress project, the majority of my work with accessibility was in the context of the digital divide. Now, when talking about the digital divide, there are three concepts around quote-unquote, “getting things to people,” and those are access, usability, and accessibility. Sometimes these words seem interchangeable, but ultimately they have nuanced differences that address different problems. And I like to think of them this way.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>Access is making sure that someone can obtain something.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>Usability is making sure that the user experience is understandable or coherent.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>And accessibility is making sure that it’s usable by the largest number of people.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>I have always considered each as a subset of the one that came before it. So having something everyone can access is good, but easy to access and easy to use is better. Easy to use is good, but easy to use and easily accessible is better.</p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Josepha Haden Chomphosy</strong> 2:27</p>\n\n\n\n<p>After joining WordPress, I discovered that accessibility in the context of software building is well, substantially more complicated. There’s no such thing as perfect accessibility, or a site that is 100% accessible, and many aspects are pretty open to interpretation. It turns out that accessibility, like so many things in WordPress, is a complicated intersection of art and science.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>As an example, there’s a rule that says, “Ensure that links are recognizable as links.” A fast shorthand to accomplish that, that we see all over the internet, is to underline all links or put that icon next to it that says, “This opens in a new tab.” You know that icon that’s a box with an arrow? That definitely has a name, that I definitely don’t know? That icon. [laughing] But those solutions don’t necessarily fit every context that you’ll find a link in, and that’s where we see that intersection between the art of communication and the science of necessity.</p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Josepha Haden Chomphosy</strong> 3:32</p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you came with me earlier on the idea that accessibility is a subset of usability, and it’s not a far leap to say that the choices around accessibility implementations should always include design and the overall user experience.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>I know that some of you are thinking, “But we have guidelines! Like, that’s why we have the guidelines, so that not everything has to be a gray area.” And on the one hand, yeah, that’s true. There are a lot of guidelines. There are guidelines for the code, and what the code produces, and the design elements. But I worry that when a solution is driven solely by rules, rather than reasons, we run the risk of throwing out the good along with the bad.</p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Josepha Haden Chomphosy</strong> 4:15</p>\n\n\n\n<p>Accessibility has been a consistent topic of debate in the project for as long as I can remember, and based on all of this, it’s really clear why. There are a few big picture questions that still deserve some sort of canonical answer for WordPress, and where possible I dig in and research the positions that everyone has taken in the past. But I also have questions about how to move everything forward, especially as the editing experience gets more and more standardized across the software, which reduces cognitive load, shortens the learning curve, etc.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>What is the future possibility for having a series of more niche admin interface options?</p>\n\n\n\n<p>What would it be like to be able to account for functional limitations in a way that lets site builders select what is needed for their clients or organization, or just individual situations they know their sites would be maintained under?</p>\n\n\n\n<p>What more could we do if part of the setup flow of WordPress was to select some bundle of potential add ons for neuro diversity, or colorblindness, or dyslexia, and more?</p>\n\n\n\n<p>It’s a really big question I have.</p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Josepha Haden Chomphosy</strong> 5:26</p>\n\n\n\n<p>And I have to be really transparent here and share that my foundational understanding of accessibility and usability is 10 plus years old, and I learned it in the context of people in education, not software. So a lot of my questions about the future of accessibility and WordPress is the result of old knowledge exploring new spaces, which means they are a little untested. And I’m so grateful for the contributors who point out what the current research and thinking is, in this incredibly complex field.</p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Josepha Haden Chomphosy</strong> 6:00</p>\n\n\n\n<p>I normally like to wrap up the briefing with a tidy takeaway, but this particular topic doesn’t really lend itself to that. So I’ll leave you with this. I really believe in WordPress’ mission to democratize publishing. And I, for one, will never stop learning about what gives people more access to the software, and what makes the software more usable, and especially how we can combine usability with accessibility in a way that puts form and function on a level playing field.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>[musical interlude]</p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Josepha Haden Chomphosy</strong> 6:40</p>\n\n\n\n<p>And now, that brings us to our small list of big things.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>Thing one, it’s that time of year where many of our community members take a short break to relax and refresh. I’ll be taking a bit of a break during the month of August, and so the WP Briefing will return again starting in September.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>And thing two, huge thanks to the production crew that helps me make this podcast every couple of weeks, but a special shout out to our editor Dustin Hartzler, who makes quick work of all of my rambling thoughts.</p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Josepha Haden Chomphosy</strong> 7:09</p>\n\n\n\n<p>And that is your small list of big things. Thank you for tuning in today for the WordPress Briefing. I’m your host, Josepha Haden Chomphosy, and I’ll see you again in September.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>[contemporary outro music]</p>\n\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:30:\"com-wordpress:feed-additions:1\";a:1:{s:7:\"post-id\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:5:\"11096\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}}}i:8;a:6:{s:4:\"data\";s:66:\"\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"child\";a:4:{s:0:\"\";a:6:{s:5:\"title\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:40:\"Configuring Theme Design with theme.json\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"link\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:76:\"https://wordpress.org/news/2021/07/configuring-theme-design-with-theme-json/\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:7:\"pubDate\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:31:\"Thu, 29 Jul 2021 22:26:13 +0000\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:8:\"category\";a:4:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:6:\"Themes\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:1;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:6:\"design\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:2;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:11:\"development\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:3;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:9:\"Gutenberg\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"guid\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:35:\"https://wordpress.org/news/?p=11060\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:1:{s:0:\"\";a:1:{s:11:\"isPermaLink\";s:5:\"false\";}}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:11:\"description\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:368:\"Starting in WordPress 5.8, a new tool — “theme.json” — is available to use in your theme. Maybe you’re hearing about it for the first time, or maybe you’re testing and developing themes with it already. Either way, I’m glad you’re here because it’s an exciting time for WordPress themes. This post provides a quick introduction […]\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:32:\"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/\";a:1:{s:7:\"creator\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:8:\"Jeff Ong\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:40:\"http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/\";a:1:{s:7:\"encoded\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:21957:\"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"632\" height=\"356\" src=\"https://i2.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/07/themejson-1.png?resize=632%2C356&ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-11082\" srcset=\"https://i2.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/07/themejson-1.png?resize=1024%2C576&ssl=1 1024w, https://i2.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/07/themejson-1.png?resize=300%2C169&ssl=1 300w, https://i2.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/07/themejson-1.png?resize=768%2C432&ssl=1 768w, https://i2.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/07/themejson-1.png?resize=1536%2C864&ssl=1 1536w, https://i2.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/07/themejson-1.png?resize=2048%2C1152&ssl=1 2048w, https://i2.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/07/themejson-1.png?w=1264&ssl=1 1264w, https://i2.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/07/themejson-1.png?w=1896&ssl=1 1896w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 632px) 100vw, 632px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" /></figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Starting in <a href=\"https://wordpress.org/news/2021/07/tatum/\">WordPress 5.8</a>, a new tool — “theme.json” — is available to use in your theme. Maybe you’re hearing about it for the first time, or maybe you’re testing and developing themes with it already. Either way, I’m glad you’re here because it’s an exciting time for WordPress themes.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>This post provides a quick introduction to this new framework, and describes what’s possible by sharing a few practical tips and examples.</p>\n\n\n\n<h2>What’s theme.json?</h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Technically, theme.json is just a file that lives at the top-level of a theme’s directory. </p>\n\n\n\n<p>Conceptually, it’s a major shift in how themes can be developed. Theme authors now have a centralized mechanism to tailor the WordPress experience for site authors and visitors. Theme.json provides theme authors fine-grained control over global styles, block styles, and the block editor settings.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>By providing these settings and controls in a single file, theme.json provides a powerful framework that brings together many aspects of theme design and development. And as the block editor matures and adds more features, theme.json will shine as the backbone for themes and the editor to work <em>together</em> <img src=\"https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/13.1.0/72x72/1f4aa.png\" alt=\"?\" class=\"wp-smiley\" style=\"height: 1em; max-height: 1em;\" />. </p>\n\n\n\n<h2>Why Use it?</h2>\n\n\n\n<p>It’s the future! But if you’re like me, you might need something more tangible to be convinced. Here are a few reasons why you might use theme.json today:</p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Control editor settings like color, typography, spacing, and layout, and consolidate where these settings are managed.</li><li>Guarantee that styles apply correctly to blocks and elements across your site.</li><li>Reduce the amount of boilerplate CSS a theme used to provide. Theme.json won’t replace your stylesheet completely — there will be instances where CSS is needed to give your theme that extra flare (transitions, animations, etc.). But it can greatly reduce the base CSS needed from the theme.</li></ul>\n\n\n\n<h2>How do I use it?</h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The rest of this post demonstrates a few theme.json configurations you can try out. The examples use the tt1-blocks<a href=\"https://github.com/WordPress/theme-experiments/blob/master/tt1-blocks/theme.json\"> theme.json</a> — <a href=\"https://wordpress.org/themes/tt1-blocks/\">the block-based version of this year’s default theme</a>. </p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you’re starting with an existing theme, you might try copying a theme.json from the <a href=\"https://github.com/WordPress/theme-experiments/\">WordPress/theme-experiments repository</a> (for example, <a href=\"https://github.com/WordPress/theme-experiments/blob/master/fse-tutorial/theme.json\">the fse-tutorial theme</a> by <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/poena/\">@poena</a>) and adding it to the root of your theme’s directory.</p>\n\n\n\n<h3><strong>Change the typography settings of your site globally</strong></h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-syntaxhighlighter-code \"><pre class=\"brush: jscript; title: ; notranslate\">\n"settings": {\n "typography": {\n "fontSize": "30px",\n ...\n</pre></div>\n\n\n<p>Making the change above in theme.json would result in the following updates to your theme’s body typography styles (before and after): </p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery columns-2 is-cropped\"><ul class=\"blocks-gallery-grid\"><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><a href=\"https://i1.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/07/Screen-Shot-2021-07-23-at-11.06.07-AM.png?ssl=1\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"632\" height=\"398\" src=\"https://i1.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/07/Screen-Shot-2021-07-23-at-11.06.07-AM.png?resize=632%2C398&ssl=1\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"11062\" data-full-url=\"https://wordpress.org/news/files/2021/07/Screen-Shot-2021-07-23-at-11.06.07-AM.png\" data-link=\"https://wordpress.org/news/?attachment_id=11062\" class=\"wp-image-11062\" srcset=\"https://i1.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/07/Screen-Shot-2021-07-23-at-11.06.07-AM.png?resize=1024%2C645&ssl=1 1024w, https://i1.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/07/Screen-Shot-2021-07-23-at-11.06.07-AM.png?resize=300%2C189&ssl=1 300w, https://i1.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/07/Screen-Shot-2021-07-23-at-11.06.07-AM.png?resize=768%2C484&ssl=1 768w, https://i1.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/07/Screen-Shot-2021-07-23-at-11.06.07-AM.png?resize=1536%2C968&ssl=1 1536w, https://i1.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/07/Screen-Shot-2021-07-23-at-11.06.07-AM.png?resize=2048%2C1291&ssl=1 2048w, https://i1.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/07/Screen-Shot-2021-07-23-at-11.06.07-AM.png?w=1264&ssl=1 1264w, https://i1.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/07/Screen-Shot-2021-07-23-at-11.06.07-AM.png?w=1896&ssl=1 1896w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 632px) 100vw, 632px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" /></a></figure></li><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><a href=\"https://i1.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/07/Screen-Shot-2021-07-23-at-11.05.40-AM.png?ssl=1\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"632\" height=\"398\" src=\"https://i1.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/07/Screen-Shot-2021-07-23-at-11.05.40-AM.png?resize=632%2C398&ssl=1\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"11061\" data-full-url=\"https://wordpress.org/news/files/2021/07/Screen-Shot-2021-07-23-at-11.05.40-AM.png\" data-link=\"https://wordpress.org/news/?attachment_id=11061\" class=\"wp-image-11061\" srcset=\"https://i1.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/07/Screen-Shot-2021-07-23-at-11.05.40-AM.png?resize=1024%2C645&ssl=1 1024w, https://i1.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/07/Screen-Shot-2021-07-23-at-11.05.40-AM.png?resize=300%2C189&ssl=1 300w, https://i1.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/07/Screen-Shot-2021-07-23-at-11.05.40-AM.png?resize=768%2C484&ssl=1 768w, https://i1.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/07/Screen-Shot-2021-07-23-at-11.05.40-AM.png?resize=1536%2C968&ssl=1 1536w, https://i1.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/07/Screen-Shot-2021-07-23-at-11.05.40-AM.png?resize=2048%2C1291&ssl=1 2048w, https://i1.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/07/Screen-Shot-2021-07-23-at-11.05.40-AM.png?w=1264&ssl=1 1264w, https://i1.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/07/Screen-Shot-2021-07-23-at-11.05.40-AM.png?w=1896&ssl=1 1896w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 632px) 100vw, 632px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" /></a></figure></li></ul></figure>\n\n\n\n<h3><strong>Changing the base color settings of your site globally</strong></h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-syntaxhighlighter-code \"><pre class=\"brush: jscript; title: ; notranslate\">\n"styles": {\n "color": {\n "background": "#ffc0cb",\n "text": "#6A1515"\n },\n ...\n}\n</pre></div>\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery columns-2 is-cropped\"><ul class=\"blocks-gallery-grid\"><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><a href=\"https://i2.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/07/Screen-Shot-2021-07-23-at-11.10.03-AM.png?ssl=1\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"632\" height=\"398\" src=\"https://i2.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/07/Screen-Shot-2021-07-23-at-11.10.03-AM.png?resize=632%2C398&ssl=1\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"11063\" data-full-url=\"https://wordpress.org/news/files/2021/07/Screen-Shot-2021-07-23-at-11.10.03-AM.png\" data-link=\"https://wordpress.org/news/?attachment_id=11063\" class=\"wp-image-11063\" srcset=\"https://i2.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/07/Screen-Shot-2021-07-23-at-11.10.03-AM.png?resize=1024%2C645&ssl=1 1024w, https://i2.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/07/Screen-Shot-2021-07-23-at-11.10.03-AM.png?resize=300%2C189&ssl=1 300w, https://i2.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/07/Screen-Shot-2021-07-23-at-11.10.03-AM.png?resize=768%2C484&ssl=1 768w, https://i2.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/07/Screen-Shot-2021-07-23-at-11.10.03-AM.png?resize=1536%2C968&ssl=1 1536w, https://i2.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/07/Screen-Shot-2021-07-23-at-11.10.03-AM.png?resize=2048%2C1291&ssl=1 2048w, https://i2.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/07/Screen-Shot-2021-07-23-at-11.10.03-AM.png?w=1264&ssl=1 1264w, https://i2.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/07/Screen-Shot-2021-07-23-at-11.10.03-AM.png?w=1896&ssl=1 1896w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 632px) 100vw, 632px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" /></a></figure></li><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><a href=\"https://i2.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/07/Screen-Shot-2021-07-23-at-11.08.54-AM.png?ssl=1\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"632\" height=\"398\" src=\"https://i2.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/07/Screen-Shot-2021-07-23-at-11.08.54-AM.png?resize=632%2C398&ssl=1\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"11064\" data-full-url=\"https://wordpress.org/news/files/2021/07/Screen-Shot-2021-07-23-at-11.08.54-AM.png\" data-link=\"https://wordpress.org/news/?attachment_id=11064\" class=\"wp-image-11064\" srcset=\"https://i2.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/07/Screen-Shot-2021-07-23-at-11.08.54-AM.png?resize=1024%2C645&ssl=1 1024w, https://i2.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/07/Screen-Shot-2021-07-23-at-11.08.54-AM.png?resize=300%2C189&ssl=1 300w, https://i2.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/07/Screen-Shot-2021-07-23-at-11.08.54-AM.png?resize=768%2C484&ssl=1 768w, https://i2.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/07/Screen-Shot-2021-07-23-at-11.08.54-AM.png?resize=1536%2C968&ssl=1 1536w, https://i2.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/07/Screen-Shot-2021-07-23-at-11.08.54-AM.png?resize=2048%2C1291&ssl=1 2048w, https://i2.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/07/Screen-Shot-2021-07-23-at-11.08.54-AM.png?w=1264&ssl=1 1264w, https://i2.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/07/Screen-Shot-2021-07-23-at-11.08.54-AM.png?w=1896&ssl=1 1896w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 632px) 100vw, 632px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" /></a></figure></li></ul></figure>\n\n\n\n<h3><strong><strong>Changing spacing / padding settings on specific blocks</strong></strong></h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-syntaxhighlighter-code \"><pre class=\"brush: jscript; title: ; notranslate\">\n"styles": {\n "blocks": {\n "core/code": {\n "spacing": {\n "padding": {\n "top": "3em",\n "bottom": "3em",\n "left": "3em",\n "right": "3em"\n }\n }\n }\n }\n}\n\n</pre></div>\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery columns-2 is-cropped\"><ul class=\"blocks-gallery-grid\"><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><a href=\"https://i2.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/07/code-padding-original.png?ssl=1\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"632\" height=\"356\" src=\"https://i2.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/07/code-padding-original.png?resize=632%2C356&ssl=1\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"11065\" data-full-url=\"https://wordpress.org/news/files/2021/07/code-padding-original.png\" data-link=\"https://wordpress.org/news/?attachment_id=11065\" class=\"wp-image-11065\" srcset=\"https://i2.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/07/code-padding-original.png?resize=1024%2C576&ssl=1 1024w, https://i2.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/07/code-padding-original.png?resize=300%2C169&ssl=1 300w, https://i2.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/07/code-padding-original.png?resize=768%2C432&ssl=1 768w, https://i2.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/07/code-padding-original.png?resize=1536%2C864&ssl=1 1536w, https://i2.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/07/code-padding-original.png?w=1600&ssl=1 1600w, https://i2.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/07/code-padding-original.png?w=1264&ssl=1 1264w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 632px) 100vw, 632px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" /></a></figure></li><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><a href=\"https://i1.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/07/code-padding-edited.png?ssl=1\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"632\" height=\"356\" src=\"https://i0.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/07/code-padding-edited-1024x576.png?resize=632%2C356&ssl=1\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"11066\" data-full-url=\"https://wordpress.org/news/files/2021/07/code-padding-edited.png\" data-link=\"https://wordpress.org/news/?attachment_id=11066\" class=\"wp-image-11066\" srcset=\"https://i1.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/07/code-padding-edited.png?resize=1024%2C576&ssl=1 1024w, https://i1.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/07/code-padding-edited.png?resize=300%2C169&ssl=1 300w, https://i1.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/07/code-padding-edited.png?resize=768%2C432&ssl=1 768w, https://i1.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/07/code-padding-edited.png?resize=1536%2C864&ssl=1 1536w, https://i1.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/07/code-padding-edited.png?w=1600&ssl=1 1600w, https://i1.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/07/code-padding-edited.png?w=1264&ssl=1 1264w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 632px) 100vw, 632px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" /></a></figure></li></ul></figure>\n\n\n\n<h3><strong><strong>Set a custom color palette in the editor for specific blocks like a button </strong></strong></h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-syntaxhighlighter-code \"><pre class=\"brush: jscript; title: ; notranslate\">\n"settings": {\n "blocks": {\n "core/button": {\n "color": {\n "palette": [ \n {\n "name": "Maroon",\n "color": "#6A1515",\n "slug": "maroon"\n },\n {\n "name": "Strawberry Ice Cream",\n "color": "#FFC0CB",\n "slug": "strawberry-ice-cream"\n }\n ]\n }\n }\n }\n}\n</pre></div>\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery columns-2 is-cropped\"><ul class=\"blocks-gallery-grid\"><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><a href=\"https://i0.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/07/button-all-colors.png?ssl=1\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"632\" height=\"444\" src=\"https://i0.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/07/button-all-colors.png?resize=632%2C444&ssl=1\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"11069\" data-full-url=\"https://wordpress.org/news/files/2021/07/button-all-colors.png\" data-link=\"https://wordpress.org/news/?attachment_id=11069\" class=\"wp-image-11069\" srcset=\"https://i0.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/07/button-all-colors.png?resize=1024%2C719&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/07/button-all-colors.png?resize=300%2C211&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/07/button-all-colors.png?resize=768%2C539&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/07/button-all-colors.png?resize=1536%2C1079&ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/07/button-all-colors.png?resize=2048%2C1438&ssl=1 2048w, https://i0.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/07/button-all-colors.png?w=1264&ssl=1 1264w, https://i0.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/07/button-all-colors.png?w=1896&ssl=1 1896w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 632px) 100vw, 632px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" /></a></figure></li><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><a href=\"https://i1.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/07/buttons-custom-palette.png?ssl=1\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"632\" height=\"444\" src=\"https://i1.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/07/buttons-custom-palette.png?resize=632%2C444&ssl=1\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"11070\" data-full-url=\"https://wordpress.org/news/files/2021/07/buttons-custom-palette.png\" data-link=\"https://wordpress.org/news/?attachment_id=11070\" class=\"wp-image-11070\" srcset=\"https://i1.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/07/buttons-custom-palette.png?resize=1024%2C719&ssl=1 1024w, https://i1.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/07/buttons-custom-palette.png?resize=300%2C211&ssl=1 300w, https://i1.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/07/buttons-custom-palette.png?resize=768%2C539&ssl=1 768w, https://i1.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/07/buttons-custom-palette.png?resize=1536%2C1079&ssl=1 1536w, https://i1.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/07/buttons-custom-palette.png?resize=2048%2C1438&ssl=1 2048w, https://i1.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/07/buttons-custom-palette.png?w=1264&ssl=1 1264w, https://i1.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/07/buttons-custom-palette.png?w=1896&ssl=1 1896w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 632px) 100vw, 632px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" /></a></figure></li></ul></figure>\n\n\n\n<h3><strong><strong>Enable and disable typography controls</strong></strong></h3>\n\n\n\n<p>In the following example, the ability to supply a custom font size and line height for all heading blocks is disabled:</p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-syntaxhighlighter-code \"><pre class=\"brush: jscript; title: ; notranslate\">\n "settings": {\n "blocks": {\n "core/heading": {\n "typography": {\n "customFontSize": false,\n "customLineHeight": false\n }\n }\n }\n }\n</pre></div>\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery columns-2 is-cropped\"><ul class=\"blocks-gallery-grid\"><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><a href=\"https://i1.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/07/heading-all-options.png?ssl=1\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"632\" height=\"444\" src=\"https://i1.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/07/heading-all-options.png?resize=632%2C444&ssl=1\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"11071\" data-full-url=\"https://wordpress.org/news/files/2021/07/heading-all-options.png\" data-link=\"https://wordpress.org/news/?attachment_id=11071\" class=\"wp-image-11071\" srcset=\"https://i1.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/07/heading-all-options.png?resize=1024%2C719&ssl=1 1024w, https://i1.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/07/heading-all-options.png?resize=300%2C211&ssl=1 300w, https://i1.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/07/heading-all-options.png?resize=768%2C539&ssl=1 768w, https://i1.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/07/heading-all-options.png?resize=1536%2C1079&ssl=1 1536w, https://i1.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/07/heading-all-options.png?resize=2048%2C1438&ssl=1 2048w, https://i1.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/07/heading-all-options.png?w=1264&ssl=1 1264w, https://i1.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/07/heading-all-options.png?w=1896&ssl=1 1896w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 632px) 100vw, 632px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" /></a></figure></li><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><a href=\"https://i2.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/07/heading-no-line-height-custom-size.png?ssl=1\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"632\" height=\"444\" src=\"https://i2.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/07/heading-no-line-height-custom-size.png?resize=632%2C444&ssl=1\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"11072\" data-full-url=\"https://wordpress.org/news/files/2021/07/heading-no-line-height-custom-size.png\" data-link=\"https://wordpress.org/news/?attachment_id=11072\" class=\"wp-image-11072\" srcset=\"https://i2.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/07/heading-no-line-height-custom-size.png?resize=1024%2C719&ssl=1 1024w, https://i2.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/07/heading-no-line-height-custom-size.png?resize=300%2C211&ssl=1 300w, https://i2.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/07/heading-no-line-height-custom-size.png?resize=768%2C539&ssl=1 768w, https://i2.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/07/heading-no-line-height-custom-size.png?resize=1536%2C1079&ssl=1 1536w, https://i2.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/07/heading-no-line-height-custom-size.png?resize=2048%2C1438&ssl=1 2048w, https://i2.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/07/heading-no-line-height-custom-size.png?w=1264&ssl=1 1264w, https://i2.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/07/heading-no-line-height-custom-size.png?w=1896&ssl=1 1896w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 632px) 100vw, 632px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" /></a></figure></li></ul></figure>\n\n\n\n<h2>What’s Next?</h2>\n\n\n\n<p>I hope this gives you a sense of what’s possible and where themes are going. The above examples just scratch the surface of what kinds of theme design configurations are possible, and I’m very excited to see what theme authors create.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you’re interested in learning more, <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/core/2021/06/25/introducing-theme-json-in-wordpress-5-8/\">here’s the developer note on theme.json</a>, and <a href=\"https://developer.wordpress.org/block-editor/how-to-guides/themes/theme-json/\">here’s the documentation for theme.json</a> in the handbook.</p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator is-style-wide\" />\n\n\n\n<p><em><strong>Thanks to <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/kjellr/\">@kjellr</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/chanthaboune/\">@</a></strong></em><strong><em><a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/chanthaboune/\">chanthaboune</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/priethor/\">@priethor</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/annezazu/\">@annezazu</a> for helping with and peer-reviewing this post.</em></strong></p>\n\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:30:\"com-wordpress:feed-additions:1\";a:1:{s:7:\"post-id\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:5:\"11060\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}}}i:9;a:6:{s:4:\"data\";s:60:\"\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"child\";a:4:{s:0:\"\";a:6:{s:5:\"title\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:19:\"WordPress 5.8 Tatum\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"link\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:41:\"https://wordpress.org/news/2021/07/tatum/\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:7:\"pubDate\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:31:\"Tue, 20 Jul 2021 17:43:25 +0000\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:8:\"category\";a:2:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:8:\"Releases\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:1;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:3:\"5.8\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"guid\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:35:\"https://wordpress.org/news/?p=10976\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:1:{s:0:\"\";a:1:{s:11:\"isPermaLink\";s:5:\"false\";}}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:11:\"description\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:277:\"Introducing 5.8 “Tatum”, our latest and greatest release, named in honor of the legendary jazz pianist Art Tatum. This release includes an all new widget editor powered by blocks, major technical tools for building block themes, as well as newly streamlined workflow tools.\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:32:\"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/\";a:1:{s:7:\"creator\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:14:\"Matt Mullenweg\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:40:\"http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/\";a:1:{s:7:\"encoded\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:55724:\"\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"></div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"632\" height=\"422\" src=\"https://i0.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/07/5x8-Album-1.jpg?resize=632%2C422&ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-11042\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" /></figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Introducing 5.8 “Tatum”, our latest and greatest release now available for <a href=\"https://wordpress.org/download/\">download</a> or update in your dashboard. Named in honor of Art Tatum, the legendary Jazz pianist. His formidable technique and willingness to push boundaries inspired musicians and changed what people thought could be done. </p>\n\n\n\n<p>So fire up your music service of choice and enjoy Tatum’s famous recordings of ‘Tea for Two’, ‘Tiger Rag’, ‘Begin the Beguine’, and ‘Night and Day’ as you read about what the latest WordPress version brings to you.</p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator is-style-wide\" />\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"has-text-align-center\">Three Essential Powerhouses</h2>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:16px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"></div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery columns-2 is-cropped\"><ul class=\"blocks-gallery-grid\"><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"632\" height=\"474\" src=\"https://i1.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/07/about-widgets-blocks.png?resize=632%2C474&ssl=1\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"10985\" data-full-url=\"https://wordpress.org/news/files/2021/07/about-widgets-blocks.png\" data-link=\"https://wordpress.org/news/?attachment_id=10985\" class=\"wp-image-10985\" srcset=\"https://i1.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/07/about-widgets-blocks.png?resize=1024%2C768&ssl=1 1024w, https://i1.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/07/about-widgets-blocks.png?resize=300%2C225&ssl=1 300w, https://i1.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/07/about-widgets-blocks.png?resize=768%2C576&ssl=1 768w, https://i1.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/07/about-widgets-blocks.png?w=1280&ssl=1 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 632px) 100vw, 632px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" /></figure></li><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"632\" height=\"501\" src=\"https://i2.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/07/about-query-loop.png?resize=632%2C501&ssl=1\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"10986\" data-full-url=\"https://wordpress.org/news/files/2021/07/about-query-loop.png\" data-link=\"https://wordpress.org/news/?attachment_id=10986\" class=\"wp-image-10986\" srcset=\"https://i2.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/07/about-query-loop.png?resize=1024%2C811&ssl=1 1024w, https://i2.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/07/about-query-loop.png?resize=300%2C238&ssl=1 300w, https://i2.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/07/about-query-loop.png?resize=768%2C608&ssl=1 768w, https://i2.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/07/about-query-loop.png?w=1280&ssl=1 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 632px) 100vw, 632px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" /></figure></li><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"632\" height=\"411\" src=\"https://i2.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/07/about-template.png?resize=632%2C411&ssl=1\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"10987\" data-full-url=\"https://wordpress.org/news/files/2021/07/about-template.png\" data-link=\"https://wordpress.org/news/?attachment_id=10987\" class=\"wp-image-10987\" srcset=\"https://i2.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/07/about-template.png?resize=1024%2C666&ssl=1 1024w, https://i2.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/07/about-template.png?resize=300%2C195&ssl=1 300w, https://i2.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/07/about-template.png?resize=768%2C499&ssl=1 768w, https://i2.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/07/about-template.png?w=1280&ssl=1 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 632px) 100vw, 632px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" /></figure></li></ul></figure>\n\n\n\n<h3>Manage Widgets with Blocks</h3>\n\n\n\n<p>After months of hard work, the power of blocks has come to both the Block Widgets Editor and the Customizer. Now you can add blocks both in widget areas across your site and with live preview through the Customizer. This opens up new possibilities to create content: from no-code mini layouts to the vast library of core and third-party blocks. For our developers, you can find more details in the <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/core/2021/06/29/block-based-widgets-editor-in-wordpress-5-8/\">Widgets dev note</a>.</p>\n\n\n\n<h3>Display Posts with New Blocks and Patterns</h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The Query Loop Block makes it possible to display posts based on specified parameters; like a PHP loop without the code. Easily display posts from a specific category, to do things like create a portfolio or a page full of your favorite recipes. Think of it as a more complex and powerful Latest Posts Block! Plus, pattern suggestions make it easier than ever to create a list of posts with the design you want.</p>\n\n\n\n<h3>Edit the Templates Around Posts</h3>\n\n\n\n<p>You can use the familiar block editor to edit templates that hold your content—simply activate a block theme or a theme that has opted in for this feature. Switch from editing your posts to editing your pages and back again, all while using a familiar block editor. There are more than 20 new blocks available within compatible themes. Read more about this feature and how to experiment with it in the release notes.</p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:32px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"></div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"has-text-align-center\">Three Workflow Helpers</h2>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:16px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"></div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery columns-2 is-cropped\"><ul class=\"blocks-gallery-grid\"><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"632\" height=\"496\" src=\"https://i1.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/07/about-list-view.png?resize=632%2C496&ssl=1\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"10988\" data-full-url=\"https://wordpress.org/news/files/2021/07/about-list-view.png\" data-link=\"https://wordpress.org/news/?attachment_id=10988\" class=\"wp-image-10988\" srcset=\"https://i1.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/07/about-list-view.png?resize=1024%2C803&ssl=1 1024w, https://i1.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/07/about-list-view.png?resize=300%2C235&ssl=1 300w, https://i1.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/07/about-list-view.png?resize=768%2C602&ssl=1 768w, https://i1.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/07/about-list-view.png?w=1280&ssl=1 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 632px) 100vw, 632px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" /></figure></li><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"632\" height=\"343\" src=\"https://i2.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/07/about-pattern-suggestions.png?resize=632%2C343&ssl=1\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"10989\" data-full-url=\"https://wordpress.org/news/files/2021/07/about-pattern-suggestions.png\" data-link=\"https://wordpress.org/news/?attachment_id=10989\" class=\"wp-image-10989\" srcset=\"https://i2.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/07/about-pattern-suggestions.png?resize=1024%2C555&ssl=1 1024w, https://i2.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/07/about-pattern-suggestions.png?resize=300%2C163&ssl=1 300w, https://i2.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/07/about-pattern-suggestions.png?resize=768%2C416&ssl=1 768w, https://i2.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/07/about-pattern-suggestions.png?w=1280&ssl=1 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 632px) 100vw, 632px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" /></figure></li><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"632\" height=\"517\" src=\"https://i0.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/07/about-duotone.png?resize=632%2C517&ssl=1\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"10990\" data-full-url=\"https://wordpress.org/news/files/2021/07/about-duotone.png\" data-link=\"https://wordpress.org/news/?attachment_id=10990\" class=\"wp-image-10990\" srcset=\"https://i0.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/07/about-duotone.png?resize=1024%2C837&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/07/about-duotone.png?resize=300%2C245&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/07/about-duotone.png?resize=768%2C628&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/07/about-duotone.png?w=1280&ssl=1 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 632px) 100vw, 632px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" /></figure></li></ul></figure>\n\n\n\n<h3>Overview of the Page Structure</h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Sometimes you need a simple landing page, but sometimes you need something a little more robust. As blocks increase, patterns emerge, and content creation gets easier, new solutions are needed to make complex content easy to navigate. List View is the best way to jump between layers of content and nested blocks. Since the List View gives you an overview of all the blocks in your content, you can now navigate quickly to the precise block you need. Ready to focus completely on your content? Toggle it on or off to suit your workflow.</p>\n\n\n\n<h3>Suggested Patterns for Blocks</h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Starting in this release the Pattern Transformations tool will suggest block patterns based on the block you are using. Right now, you can give it a try in the Query Block and Social Icon Block. As more patterns are added, you will be able to get inspiration for how to style your site without ever leaving the editor!</p>\n\n\n\n<h3>Style and Colorize Images</h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Colorize your image and cover blocks with duotone filters! Duotone can add a pop of color to your designs and style your images (or videos in the cover block) to integrate well with your themes. You can think of the duotone effect as a black and white filter, but instead of the shadows being black and the highlights being white, you pick your own colors for the shadows and highlights. There’s more to learn about how it works in the documentation.</p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:32px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"></div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"has-text-align-center\">For Developers to Explore</h2>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:16px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"></div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"632\" height=\"378\" src=\"https://i1.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/07/about-theme-json-2x.png?resize=632%2C378&ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-10992\" srcset=\"https://i1.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/07/about-theme-json-2x.png?resize=1024%2C613&ssl=1 1024w, https://i1.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/07/about-theme-json-2x.png?resize=300%2C179&ssl=1 300w, https://i1.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/07/about-theme-json-2x.png?resize=768%2C459&ssl=1 768w, https://i1.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/07/about-theme-json-2x.png?resize=1536%2C919&ssl=1 1536w, https://i1.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/07/about-theme-json-2x.png?resize=2048%2C1225&ssl=1 2048w, https://i1.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/07/about-theme-json-2x.png?w=1264&ssl=1 1264w, https://i1.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/07/about-theme-json-2x.png?w=1896&ssl=1 1896w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 632px) 100vw, 632px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" /></figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:16px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"></div>\n\n\n\n<h3>Theme.json</h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Introducing the Global Styles and Global Settings APIs: control the editor settings, available customization tools, and style blocks using a theme.json file in the active theme. This configuration file enables or disables features and sets default styles for both a website and blocks. If you build themes, you can experiment with this early iteration of a useful new feature. For more about what is currently available and how it works, <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/core/2021/06/25/introducing-theme-json-in-wordpress-5-8/\">check out this dev note</a>.</p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:16px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"></div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column\">\n<h3>Dropping support for IE11</h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Support for Internet Explorer 11 has been dropped as of this release. This means you may have issues managing your site that will not be fixed in the future. If you are currently using IE11, it is strongly recommended that you <a href=\"https://browsehappy.com/\">switch to a more modern browser</a>.</p>\n</div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column\">\n<h3>Adding support for WebP</h3>\n\n\n\n<p>WebP is a modern image format that provides improved lossless and lossy compression for images on the web. WebP images are around 30% smaller on average than their JPEG or PNG equivalents, resulting in sites that are faster and use less bandwidth.</p>\n</div>\n</div>\n\n\n\n<h3>Adding Additional Block Supports</h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Expanding on previously implemented block supports in WordPress <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/core/2020/11/18/block-supports-in-wordpress-5-6/\">5.6</a> and <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/core/2021/02/24/changes-to-block-editor-components-and-blocks/\">5.7</a>, WordPress 5.8 introduces several new block support flags and new options to customize your registered blocks. More information is available in the <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/core/2021/06/25/block-supports-api-updates-for-wordpress-5-8/\">block supports dev note</a>.</p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:16px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"></div>\n\n\n\n<h3>Check the Field Guide for more!</h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Check out the latest version of the WordPress Field Guide. It highlights developer notes for each change you may want to be aware of: <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/core/2021/07/03/wordpress-5-8-field-guide/\">WordPress 5.8 Field Guide.</a></p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator is-style-wide\" />\n\n\n\n<h2>The Squad</h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The WordPress 5.8 release was led by <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/matt/\">Matt Mullenweg</a>, and supported by this highly enthusiastic release squad:</p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li><strong>Release Co-Coordinator:</strong> Jeffrey Paul (<a href=\'https://profiles.wordpress.org/jeffpaul/\' class=\'mention\'><span class=\'mentions-prefix\'>@</span>jeffpaul</a>)</li><li><strong>Release Co-Coordinator:</strong> Jonathan Desrosiers (<a href=\'https://profiles.wordpress.org/desrosj/\' class=\'mention\'><span class=\'mentions-prefix\'>@</span>desrosj</a>)</li><li><strong>Editor Tech Lead:</strong> Riad Benguella (<a href=\'https://profiles.wordpress.org/youknowriad/\' class=\'mention\'><span class=\'mentions-prefix\'>@</span>youknowriad</a>)</li><li><strong>Marketing and Communications Lead:</strong> Josepha Haden Chomphosy (<a href=\'https://profiles.wordpress.org/chanthaboune/\' class=\'mention\'><span class=\'mentions-prefix\'>@</span>chanthaboune</a>)</li><li><strong>Documentation Lead:</strong> Milana Cap (<a href=\'https://profiles.wordpress.org/milana_cap/\' class=\'mention\'><span class=\'mentions-prefix\'>@</span>milana_cap</a>)</li><li><strong>Test Lead:</strong> Piotrek Boniu (<a href=\'https://profiles.wordpress.org/boniu91/\' class=\'mention\'><span class=\'mentions-prefix\'>@</span>boniu91</a>)</li><li><strong>Support Lead: </strong>Mary Job (<a href=\'https://profiles.wordpress.org/mariaojob/\' class=\'mention\'><span class=\'mentions-prefix\'>@</span>mariaojob</a>)</li></ul>\n\n\n\n<p>This release is the reflection of the hard work of 530 generous volunteer contributors. Collaboration occurred on over <a href=\"https://core.trac.wordpress.org/query?milestone=5.8&group=component&col=id&col=summary&col=milestone&col=owner&col=type&col=status&col=priority&order=priority\">320 tickets on Trac</a> and over <a href=\"https://github.com/wordpress/gutenberg/compare/v10.0.0...v10.7.0\">1,500 pull requests on GitHub</a>.</p>\n\n\n\n<a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/2linctools/\">2linctools</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/5ubliminal/\">5ubliminal</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/ninetyninew/\">99w</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/9primus/\">9primus</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/jorbin/\">Aaron Jorbin</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/aaronrobertshaw/\">Aaron Robertshaw</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/abderrahman/\">abderrahman</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/webcommsat/\">Abha Thakor</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/abhijitrakas/\">Abhijit Rakas</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/achbed/\">achbed</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/adamsilverstein/\">Adam Silverstein</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/zieladam/\">Adam Zielinski</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/addiestavlo/\">Addie</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/aduth/\">aduth</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/chaion07/\">Ahmed Chaion</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/engahmeds3ed/\">Ahmed Saeed</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/ajitbohra/\">Ajit Bohra</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/schlessera/\">Alain Schlesser</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/alanjacobmathew/\">Alan Jacob Mathew</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/aljullu/\">Albert Juhé Lluveras</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/aleperez92/\">Alejandro Perez</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/xknown/\">Alex Concha</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/akirk/\">Alex Kirk</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/ajlende/\">Alex Lende</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/alexstine/\">alexstine</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/algala/\">AlGala</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/firewatch/\">allilevine</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/amandariu/\">Amanda Riu</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/amarinediary/\">amarinediary</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/gadgetroid/\">Amogh Harish</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/oandregal/\">André</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/afercia/\">Andrea Fercia</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/andraganescu/\">Andrei Draganescu</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/azaozz/\">Andrew Ozz</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/andrewserong/\">Andrew Serong</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/rarst/\">Andrey \"Rarst\" Savchenko</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/nosolosw/\">André Maneiro</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/afragen/\">Andy Fragen</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/apeatling/\">Andy Peatling</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/andy/\">Andy Skelton</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/wpgurudev/\">Ankit Gade</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/ankitmaru/\">Ankit Panchal</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/annalamprou/\">annalamprou</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/annezazu/\">Anne McCarthy</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/anotherdave/\">anotherdave</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/anotia/\">anotia</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/antpb/\">Anthony Burchell</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/antonlukin/\">Anton Lukin</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/vanyukov/\">Anton Vanyukov</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/antonvlasenko/\">Anton Vlasenko</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/antonisme/\">Antonis Lilis</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/apedog/\">apedog</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/apokalyptik/\">apokalyptik</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/arena/\">arena</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/lephleg/\">Argyris Margaritis</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/aristath/\">Ari Stathopoulos</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/ariskataoka/\">ariskataoka</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/arkrs/\">arkrs</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/aruphi/\">Armand</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/arnaudban/\">ArnaudBan</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/arthur791004/\">Arthur Chu</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/arunsathiya/\">Arun a11n</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/aspexi/\">Aspexi</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/atjn/\">atjn</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/aurooba/\">Aurooba Ahmed</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/filosofo/\">Austin Matzko</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/ayeshrajans/\">Ayesh Karunaratne</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/barry/\">Barry</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/bartkalisz/\">bartkalisz</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/beafialho/\">Beatriz Fialho</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/pixolin/\">Bego Mario Garde</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/utz119/\">Benachi</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/benoitchantre/\">Benoit Chantre</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/bernhard-reiter/\">Bernhard Reiter</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/bernhard reiter/\">Bernhard Reiter</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/birgire/\">Birgir Erlendsson (birgire)</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/bph/\">Birgit Pauli-Haack</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/blobfolio/\">Blobfolio</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/bmcculley/\">bmcculley</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/boblinthorst/\">Bob Linthorst</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/bobbingwide/\">bobbingwide</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/bogdanpreda/\">Bogdan Preda</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/gitlost/\">bonger</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/boonebgorges/\">Boone Gorges</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/bradt/\">Brad Touesnard</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/kraftbj/\">Brandon Kraft</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/brechtvds/\">Brecht</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/brentswisher/\">Brent Swisher</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/brettshumaker/\">Brett Shumaker</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/ribaricplusplus/\">Bruno Ribaric</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/burhandodhy/\">Burhan Nasir</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/cameronjonesweb/\">Cameron Jones</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/cvoell/\">Cameron Voell</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/carike/\">Carike</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/carlalexander/\">Carl Alexander</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/carlomanf/\">carlomanf</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/carlosgprim/\">Carlos Garcia Prim</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/poena/\">Carolina Nymark</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/caseymilne/\">Casey Milne</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/cenay/\">Cenay Nailor</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/ceyhun0/\">Ceyhun Ozugur</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/nhuja/\">Chandra M</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/chetan200891/\">Chetan Prajapati</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/chintan1896/\">Chintan hingrajiya</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/chipsnyder/\">Chip Snyder</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/cbringmann/\">Chloé Bringmann</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/chouby/\">Chouby</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/chrisvanpatten/\">Chris Van Patten</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/chriscct7/\">chriscct7</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/vimes1984/\">Christopher Churchill</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/ryno267/\">Chuck Reynolds</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/claytoncollie/\">Clayton Collie</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/codeamp/\">Code Amp</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/design_dolphin/\">CodePoet</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/costdev/\">Colin Stewart</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/collizo4sky/\">Collins Agbonghama</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/copons/\">Copons</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/coreymckrill/\">Corey McKrill</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/cr0ybot/\">Cory Hughart</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/courane01/\">Courtney Engle Robertson</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/crazycoders/\">crazycoders</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/critterverse/\">critterverse</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/czapla/\">czapla</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/davidszabo/\">Dávid Szabó</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/daisyo/\">Daisy Olsen</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/damonganto/\">damonganto</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/danfarrow/\">Dan Farrow</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/diddledan/\">Dani Llewellyn</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/talldanwp/\">Daniel Richards</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/danieldudzic/\">danieldudzic</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/mte90/\">Daniele Scasciafratte</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/vetyst/\">Danny</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/dariak/\">Daria</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/davilera/\">David Aguilera</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/davidanderson/\">David Anderson</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/dartiss/\">David Artiss</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/davidbaumwald/\">David Baumwald</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/davidbinda/\">David Biňovec</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/dpcalhoun/\">David Calhoun</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/dlh/\">David Herrera</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/davidkryzaniak/\">David Kryzaniak</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/get_dave/\">David Smith</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/dekervit/\">dekervit</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/devle/\">devfle</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/devrekli/\">devrekli</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/dhruvkb/\">dhruvkb</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/dianeco/\">Diane Co</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/dingdang/\">dingdang</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/dd32/\">Dion Hulse</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/djbu/\">djbu</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/ocean90/\">Dominik Schilling</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/donmhico/\">donmhico</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/donnapep/\">Donna Peplinskie</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/dougwollison/\">Doug Wollison</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/dpik/\">dpik</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/dragongate/\">dragongate</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/drebbitsweb/\">Dreb Bits</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/drewapicture/\">Drew Jaynes</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/eatsleepcode/\">eatsleepcode</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/metalandcoffee/\">Ebonie Butler</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/ediamin/\">Edi Amin</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/itsjusteileen/\">Eileen Violini</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/ellatrix/\">Ella van Durpe</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/aliveic/\">Emil E</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/emarticor/\">Emilio Martinez</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/manooweb/\">Emmanuel Hesry</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/empatogen/\">empatogen</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/enchiridion/\">Enchiridion</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/enej/\">Enej Bajgorić</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/nrqsnchz/\">Enrique Sánchez</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/epiqueras/\">epiqueras</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/kebbet/\">Erik</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/etoledom/\">etoledom</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/circlecube/\">Evan Mullins</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/fabiankaegy/\">Fabian Kägy</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/fabianpimminger/\">Fabian Pimminger</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/gaambo/\">Fabian Todt</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/felipeelia/\">Felipe Elia</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/flixos90/\">Felix Arntz</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/felixbaumgaertner/\">felixbaumgaertner</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/femkreations/\">Femy Praseeth</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/fijisunshine/\">fijisunshine</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/florianbrinkmann/\">Florian Brinkmann</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/mista-flo/\">Florian TIAR</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/francina/\">Francesca Marano</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/bueltge/\">Frank Bueltge</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/frosso1/\">frosso1 (a11n)</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/fullofcaffeine/\">fullofcaffeine</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/gab81/\">gab81</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/galbaras/\">Gal Baras</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/kafleg/\">Ganga Kafle</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/garrett-eclipse/\">Garrett Hyder</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/garyj/\">Gary Jones</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/pento/\">Gary Pendergast</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/geekpress/\">GeekPress</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/soulseekah/\">Gennady Kovshenin</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/geoffrey1963/\">Geoffrey</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/revgeorge/\">George Hotelling</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/mamaduka/\">George Mamadashvili</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/georgestephanis/\">George Stephanis</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/geriux/\">geriux</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/glendaviesnz/\">glendaviesnz</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/grantmkin/\">Grant M. Kinney</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/gziolo/\">Greg Ziółkowski</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/gregorlove/\">gRegor Morrill</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/priethor/\">Héctor Prieto</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/hannahmalcolm/\">Hannah Malcolm</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/happiryu/\">happiryu</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/hareesh-pillai/\">Hareesh</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/hazdiego/\">Haz</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/hedgefield/\">hedgefield</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/helen/\">Helen Hou-Sandí</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/hermpheus/\">Herm Martini</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/herregroen/\">Herre Groen</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/herrvigg/\">herrvigg</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/htmgarcia/\">htmgarcia</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/iandunn/\">Ian Dunn</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/ianmjones/\">ianmjones</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/icopydoc/\">icopydoc</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/ipstenu/\">Ipstenu (Mika Epstein)</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/isabel_brison/\">Isabel Brison</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/dragunoff/\">Ivaylo Draganov</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/wphound/\">Ivete Tecedor</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/jdgrimes/\">J.D. Grimes</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/jacklenox/\">Jack Lenox</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/whyisjake/\">Jake Spurlock</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/jamesbonham/\">James Bonham</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/jameskoster/\">James Koster</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/jnylen0/\">James Nylen</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/pondermatic/\">James Richards</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/jamesros161/\">James Rosado</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/jamil95/\">jamil95</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/janak007/\">janak Kaneriya</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/janwoostendorp/\">janw.oostendorp</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/jsnjohnston/\">Jason Johnston</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/javiarce/\">Javier Arce</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/jaymanpandya/\">Jayman Pandya</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/audrasjb/\">Jean-Baptiste Audras</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/jblz/\">Jeff Bowen</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/jffng/\">Jeff Ong</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/jeffpaul/\">Jeff Paul</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/jeffikus/\">Jeffrey Pearce</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/jdy68/\">Jenny Dupuy</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/jeremyfelt/\">Jeremy Felt</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/jeherve/\">Jeremy Herve</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/jeremyyip/\">Jeremy Yip</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/jeremy80/\">jeremy80</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/jeroenreumkens/\">JeroenReumkens</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/jeryj/\">jeryj</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/jillebehm/\">jillebehm</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/jipmoors/\">Jip Moors</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/sephsekla/\">Joe Bailey-Roberts</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/joedolson/\">Joe Dolson</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/joemcgill/\">Joe McGill</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/joen/\">Joen Asmussen</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/jonkastonka/\">Johan Jonk Stenström</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/goaroundagain/\">Johannes Kinast</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/johnbillion/\">John Blackbourn</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/johnny5/\">John Godley</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/johnjamesjacoby/\">John James Jacoby</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/bhwebworks/\">John Sundberg</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/jb510/\">Jon Brown</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/jonsurrell/\">Jon Surrell</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/desrosj/\">Jonathan Desrosiers</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/spacedmonkey/\">Jonny Harris</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/jonoaldersonwp/\">Jono Alderson</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/joostdevalk/\">Joost de Valk</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/koke/\">Jorge Bernal</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/jorgefilipecosta/\">Jorge Costa</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/joseeyoast/\">Josee Wouters</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/chanthaboune/\">Josepha Haden</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/dkampdesign/\">JoshuaDoshua</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/joyously/\">Joy</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/jsnajdr/\">jsnajdr</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/juanfra/\">Juan Aldasoro</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/juanmaguitar/\">JuanMa Garrido</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/jrf/\">Juliette Reinders Folmer</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/juliobox/\">Julio Potier</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/justinahinon/\">Justin Ahinon</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/k3nsai/\">k3nsai</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/kaavyaiyer/\">kaavyaiyer</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/kevin940726/\">Kai Hao</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/akabarikalpesh/\">Kalpesh Akabari</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/kapilpaul/\">Kapil Paul</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/vyskoczilova/\">Karolina Vyskocilova</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/ryelle/\">Kelly Choyce-Dwan</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/kellychoffman/\">Kelly Hoffman</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/gwwar/\">Kerry Liu</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/kevinfodness/\">Kevin Fodness</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/kishanjasani/\">Kishan Jasani</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/ixkaito/\">Kite</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/kittmedia/\">KittMedia</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/kjellr/\">Kjell Reigstad</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/klevyke/\">klevyke</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/knutsp/\">Knut Sparhell</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/vdwijngaert/\">Koen Van den Wijngaert</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/obenland/\">Konstantin Obenland</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/xkon/\">Konstantinos Xenos</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/devnel/\">Kyle Nel</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/lakrisgubben/\">lakrisgubben</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/notlaura/\">Lara Schenck</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/lmurillom/\">Larissa Murillo</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/laxman-prajapati/\">Laxman Prajapati</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/lewiscowles/\">LewisCowles</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/lifeforceinst/\">lifeforceinst</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/linux4me2/\">linux4me2</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/lovor/\">Lovro Hrust</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/displaynone/\">Luis Sacristán</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/infolu/\">Luiz Araújo</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/lukecarbis/\">Luke Carbis</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/m0ze/\">m0ze</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/maedahbatool/\">Maedah Batool</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/onemaggie/\">Maggie Cabrera</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/travel_girl/\">Maja Benke</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/mciampini/\">Marco Ciampini</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/mkaz/\">Marcus Kazmierczak</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/marekhrabe/\">Marek Hrabe</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/tyxla/\">Marin Atanasov</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/clorith/\">Marius L. J.</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/markjaquith/\">Mark Jaquith</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/markparnell/\">Mark Parnell</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/mark-k/\">Mark-k</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/markoheijnen/\">Marko Heijnen</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/m-e-h/\">Marty Helmick</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/marybaum/\">Mary Baum</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/mariaojob/\">Mary Job</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/marylauc/\">marylauc</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/imath/\">Mathieu Viet</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/matveb/\">Matias Ventura</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/mhuntdesign/\">Matt</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/mattchowning/\">Matt Chowning</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/matt/\">Matt Mullenweg</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/maxpertici/\">Maxime Pertici</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/mblach/\">mblach</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/immeet94/\">Meet Makadia</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/meher/\">Meher Bala</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/melchoyce/\">Mel Choyce-Dwan</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/meloniq/\">meloniq</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/mensmaximus/\">mensmaximus</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/mdawaffe/\">Michael Adams (mdawaffe)</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/mbabker/\">Michael Babker</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/tw2113/\">Michael Beckwith</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/mcsf/\">Miguel Fonseca</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/simison/\">Mikael Korpela</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/mikehansenme/\">Mike Hansen</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/mikejolley/\">Mike Jolley</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/mike_cowobo/\">Mike Martel</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/mikeschroder/\">Mike Schroder</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/mihdan/\">Mikhail Kobzarev</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/dimadin/\">Milan Dinić</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/milana_cap/\">Milana Cap</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/mkdgs/\">mkdgs</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/mmuyskens/\">mmuyskens</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/mmxxi/\">mmxxi</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/moch11/\">moch11</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/daddou/\">Mohamed El Amine DADDOU</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/mohamedfaragallah/\">Mohammed Faragallah</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/monikarao/\">Monika Rao</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/mor10/\">Morten Rand-Hendriksen</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/mrjoeldean/\">mrjoeldean</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/mukesh27/\">Mukesh Panchal</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/munyagu/\">munyagu</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/m_uysl/\">Mustafa Uysal</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/mweichert/\">mweichert</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/assassinateur/\">Nadir Seghir</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/nalininonstopnewsuk/\">Nalini Thakor</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/naoki0h/\">Naoki Ohashi</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/nao/\">Naoko Takano</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/nayanchamp7/\">Nazrul Islam Nayan</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/dway/\">nderambure</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/krstarica/\">net</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/nicegamer7/\">nicegamer7</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/eidolonnight/\">Nicholas Garofalo</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/celloexpressions/\">Nick Halsey</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/ntsekouras/\">Nik Tsekouras</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/ninanmnm/\">ninanmnm</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/pianist787/\">Noah Allen</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/nvartolomei/\">nvartolomei</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/oguzkocer/\">oguzkocer</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/olafklejnstrupjensen/\">olafklejnstrupjensen</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/olgabulat/\">Olga Bulat</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/oglekler/\">Olga Gleckler</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/otshelnik-fm/\">Otshelnik-Fm</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/oxyrealm/\">oxyrealm</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/ozh/\">Ozh</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/paaljoachim/\">Paal Joachim Romdahl</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/palmiak/\">palmiak</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/paaggeli/\">Panagiotis Angelidis</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/paragoninitiativeenterprises/\">Paragon Initiative Enterprises</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/swissspidy/\">Pascal Birchler</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/fantasy1125/\">Pascal Knecht</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/patkemper/\">Pat</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/patricklindsay/\">patricklindsay</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/pbearne/\">Paul Bearne</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/pbiron/\">Paul Biron</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/pabline/\">Paul Bunkham</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/paulschreiber/\">Paul Schreiber</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/paulstonier/\">Paul Stonier</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/pschrottky/\">Paul Von Schrottky</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/psrpinto/\">Paulo Pinto</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/pavelvisualcomposer/\">Pavel I</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/mrpauloen/\">Paweł</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/peterwilsoncc/\">Peter Wilson</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/walbo/\">Petter Walbø Johnsgård</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/phena109/\">phena109</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/philipmjackson/\">Philip Jackson</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/strategio/\">Pierre SYLVESTRE</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/wppinar/\">Pinar</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/boniu91/\">Piotrek Boniu</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/mordauk/\">Pippin Williamson</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/ptahdunbar/\">Pirate Dunbar</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/promz/\">Pramod Jodhani</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/presskopp/\">Presskopp</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/presstoke/\">presstoke</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/psealock/\">psealock</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/pwallner/\">pwallner</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/pyronaur/\">pyronaur</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/itsjonq/\">Q</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/rachelbaker/\">Rachel Baker</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/radixweb/\">Radixweb</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/rafaelgalani/\">Rafael Galani</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/rafhun/\">rafhun</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/rtm909/\">Rahul Mehta</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/rkradadiya/\">Rajesh Radadiya</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/ramiy/\">Rami Yushuvaev</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/rahmohn/\">Ramon Ahnert</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/ramonopoly/\">ramonopoly</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/jontyravi/\">Ravi Vaghela</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/ravipatel/\">ravipatel</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/rellect/\">Refael Iliaguyev</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/renehermi/\">Rene Hermenau</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/retrofox/\">retrofox</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/reynhartono/\">reynhartono</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/youknowriad/\">Riad Benguella</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/rianrietveld/\">Rian Rietveld</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/rima1889/\">Rima Prajapati</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/rinatkhaziev/\">Rinat</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/rnaby/\">Rnaby</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/robdxw/\">robdxw</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/noisysocks/\">Robert Anderson</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/miqrogroove/\">Robert Chapin</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/kreppar/\">Rodrigo Arias</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/rogertheriault/\">Roger Theriault</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/rogerlos/\">rogerlos</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/roo2/\">roo2</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/lev0/\">Roy</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/geekstreetwp/\">Russell Aaron</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/rmccue/\">Ryan McCue</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/welcher/\">Ryan Welcher</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/sergiomdgomes/\">Sérgio Gomes</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/soean/\">Sören Wrede</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/stodorovic/\">Saša</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/sabrinazeidan/\">Sabrina Zeidan</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/sahilmepani/\">Sahil Mepani</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/solarissmoke/\">Samir Shah</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/otto42/\">Samuel Wood (Otto)</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/sandipmondal/\">Sandip Mondal</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/sanketchodavadiya/\">Sanket Chodavadiya</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/sannevndrmeulen/\">Sanne van der Meulen</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/sarahricker/\">sarahricker</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/sarayourfriend/\">sarayourfriend</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/sasagar/\">SASAPIYO</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/satrancali/\">satrancali</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/savicmarko1985/\">savicmarko1985</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/gmagicscott/\">Scott Lesovic</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/coffee2code/\">Scott Reilly</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/scottconnerly/\">scottconnerly</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/scruffian/\">scruffian</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/sean212/\">Sean Fisher</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/seanchayes/\">Sean Hayes</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/sebbb/\">sebbb</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/sergeybiryukov/\">Sergey Biryukov</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/yakimun/\">Sergey Yakimov</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/sergioestevao/\">SergioEstevao</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/shaunandrews/\">shaunandrews</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/shital-patel/\">Shital Marakana</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/silb3r/\">silb3r</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/siobhyb/\">Siobhan</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/sirstuey/\">SirStuey</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/snapfractalpop/\">snapfractalpop</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/spikeuk1/\">spikeuk1</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/spytzo/\">spytzo</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/stacimc/\">stacimc</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/khromov/\">Stanislav Khromov</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/deustron/\">Stefan Hüsges</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/stefanjoebstl/\">stefanjoebstl</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/ryokuhi/\">Stefano Minoia</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/hypest/\">Stefanos Togoulidis</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/sabernhardt/\">Stephen Bernhardt</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/netweb/\">Stephen Edgar</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/dufresnesteven/\">Steve Dufresne</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/stevegrunwell/\">Steve Grunwell</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/stevehenty/\">Steve Henty</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/stevenkword/\">Steven Word</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/subrataemfluence/\">Subrata Sarkar</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/sumaiyasiddika/\">Sumaiya Siddika</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/sumanm/\">Suman</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/sumitsingh/\">Sumit Singh</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/5um17/\">Sumit Singh</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/quadthemes/\">Sunny</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/sushmak/\">sushmak</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/cybr/\">Sybre Waaijer</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/synchro/\">Synchro</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/szaqal21/\">szaqal21</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/tamlyn/\">tamlyn</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/karmatosed/\">Tammie Lister</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/tellyworth/\">Tellyworth</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/terraling/\">terraling</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/terriann/\">Terri Ann</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/wildworks/\">Tetsuaki Hamano</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/themes-1/\">them.es</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/kraftner/\">Thomas Kräftner</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/thomasplevy/\">Thomas Patrick Levy</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/thomas-vitale/\">Thomas Vitale</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/tigertech/\">tigertech</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/timothyblynjacobs/\">Timothy Jacobs</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/timotijhof/\">TimoTijhof</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/tkama/\">Tkama</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/tmatsuur/\">tmatsuur</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/tmdk/\">tmdk</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/tz-media/\">Tobias Zimpel</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/tobiasbg/\">TobiasBg</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/tobifjellner/\">tobifjellner (Tor-Bjorn Fjellner)</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/tjnowell/\">Tom J Nowell</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/skithund/\">Toni Viemerö</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/hellofromtonya/\">Tonya Mork</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/toro_unit/\">Toro_Unit (Hiroshi Urabe)</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/torres126/\">torres126</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/zodiac1978/\">Torsten Landsiedel</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/toru/\">Toru Miki</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/travisnorthcutt/\">Travis Northcutt</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/trejder/\">trejder</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/desaiuditd/\">Udit Desai</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/grapplerulrich/\">Ulrich</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/utsav72640/\">Utsav tilava</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/vcanales/\">Vicente Canales</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/vipulc2/\">Vipul Chandel</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/vladytimy/\">Vlad T</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/wangql/\">wangql</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/wb1234/\">wb1234</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/webdragon/\">WebDragon</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/wendyjchen/\">Wendy Chen</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/westonruter/\">Weston Ruter</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/wfmattr/\">WFMattR</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/earnjam/\">William Earnhardt</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/williampatton/\">williampatton</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/xavivars/\">Xavi Ivars</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/tikifez/\">Xristopher Anderton</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/y_kolev/\">Y_Kolev</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/yansern/\">Yan Sern</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/fierevere/\">Yui</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/yuliyan/\">Yuliyan Slavchev</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/yvettesonneveld/\">Yvette Sonneveld</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/zackkrida/\">Zack Krida</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/zebulan/\">Zebulan Stanphill</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/zkancs/\">zkancs</a>, and <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/sunxiyuan/\">孙锡源</a>.\n\n\n\n<p></p>\n\n\n\n<p>In addition to these contributors, many thanks to all of the community volunteers who contribute in the <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https://wordpress.org/support/\">support forums</a>. They answer questions from people across the world, whether they are using WordPress for the first time, or they’ve been around since the first release all the way back in 2003. These releases are as successful as they are because of their efforts!</p>\n\n\n\n<p>Finally, thanks to all the community translators who help make WordPress available in over 200 languages for every release. 80 languages have translated 80% or more WordPress 5.8 and our community translators are hard at work ensuring more languages are on their way. If contributing to WordPress appeals to you, it’s easy to learn more. Check out <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/\">Make WordPress</a> or the <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/core/\">core development blog</a>.</p>\n\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:30:\"com-wordpress:feed-additions:1\";a:1:{s:7:\"post-id\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:5:\"10976\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}}}i:10;a:6:{s:4:\"data\";s:58:\"\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"child\";a:4:{s:0:\"\";a:7:{s:5:\"title\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:55:\"WP Briefing: Episode 13: Cherishing WordPress Diversity\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"link\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:77:\"https://wordpress.org/news/2021/07/episode-13-cherishing-wordpress-diversity/\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:7:\"pubDate\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:31:\"Mon, 19 Jul 2021 12:00:00 +0000\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:11:\"wp-briefing\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"guid\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:53:\"https://wordpress.org/news/?post_type=podcast&p=10949\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:1:{s:0:\"\";a:1:{s:11:\"isPermaLink\";s:5:\"false\";}}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:11:\"description\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:357:\"In this episode, Josepha Haden Chomphosy discusses the importance of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion to the fabric of the WordPress project and how we can move from a place of welcoming it to cherishing it. Have a question you’d like answered? You can submit them to wpbriefing@wordpress.org, either written or as a voice recording. Credits […]\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:9:\"enclosure\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:0:\"\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:1:{s:0:\"\";a:3:{s:3:\"url\";s:60:\"https://wordpress.org/news/files/2021/07/WP-Briefing-013.mp3\";s:6:\"length\";s:1:\"0\";s:4:\"type\";s:0:\"\";}}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:32:\"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/\";a:1:{s:7:\"creator\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:15:\"Chloe Bringmann\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:40:\"http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/\";a:1:{s:7:\"encoded\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:14890:\"\n<p>In this episode, Josepha Haden Chomphosy discusses the importance of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion to the fabric of the WordPress project and how we can move from a place of welcoming it to cherishing it.</p>\n\n\n\n<p><em><strong>Have a question you’d like answered? You can submit them to <a href=\"mailto:wpbriefing@wordpress.org\">wpbriefing@wordpress.org</a>, either written or as a voice recording.</strong></em></p>\n\n\n\n<h2>Credits</h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Editor: <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/dustinhartzler/\">Dustin Hartzler</a></p>\n\n\n\n<p>Logo: <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/beafialho/\">Beatriz Fialho</a></p>\n\n\n\n<p>Production: <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/cbringmann/\">Chloé Bringmann</a></p>\n\n\n\n<p>Song: Fearless First by Kevin MacLeod</p>\n\n\n\n<h2>References</h2>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/community/handbook/meetup-organizer/event-formats/diversity-speaker-training-workshop/\">Diverse Speaker Training Workshop</a></p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https://josepha.blog/2020/12/23/a-wordpress-dinner-party/\">A WordPress Dinner Party</a></p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https://josepha.blog/2018/11/06/the-burden-of-proof/\">The Burden of Proof</a></p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https://josepha.blog/2021/03/05/leading-at-any-level/\">Leadership At Any Level</a></p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https://josepha.blog/2019/03/02/building-a-culture-of-safety/\">Building a Culture of Safety</a></p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https://josepha.blog/2020/03/27/leadership-basics-ethics-in-communication/\">Leadership Basics: Ethics in Communication</a></p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https://wordpress.org/support/wordpress-version/version-5-6/\">WordPress 5.6</a></p>\n\n\n\n<p>Bonus resource: <a href=\"https://allienimmons.com/how-to-be-a-wordpress-ally/\">How to Be a WordPress Ally</a></p>\n\n\n\n<h2>Transcript</h2>\n\n\n\n<span id=\"more-10949\"></span>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Josepha Haden Chomphosy </strong>00:10</p>\n\n\n\n<p>Hello, everyone, and welcome to the WordPress Briefing, the podcast where you can catch quick explanations of the ideas behind the WordPress open source project, some insight into the community that supports it, and get a small list of big things coming up in the next two weeks. I’m your host, Josepha Haden Chomphosy. And before we get started, I have to be honest with you all, this episode and the next one have made me feel really anxious. This one is about Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in open source, and especially in WordPress. And the next one is about accessibility in WordPress. And I feel like there’s just so much to do, and we don’t do enough, but we do what we can. And still, we will never be done with that work. And if you don’t know what I mean by Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, you can kind of think of it this way. Diversity is bringing in people with different viewpoints and lived experiences. Equity is making sure everyone has what they need to get a fair chance of success, which is different from equality. And Inclusion is making sure that the environment is built to not only tolerate diverse groups but to celebrate them as well. So remember this as you listen to what I have to say here. We are never where we want to be in either of those spaces. But that shouldn’t stop us from looking at the things we have done to get us in the right direction. All right. Here we go.</p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Josepha Haden Chomphosy </strong>01:54</p>\n\n\n\n<p>I say a lot that we are a project that serves a majority collection of minority voices. WordPress is global in reach and open source in nature. And you would assume that what allows the software to be used by anyone would also enable it to be built by anyone. After all, your location doesn’t matter, and who employs you also doesn’t matter. And your relative social standing certainly shouldn’t matter. As long as you can communicate with the others contributing to the project, there should be no obstacle to your participation. The mission of the WordPress project is to democratize publishing, right? It’s to get the ability to have a website tap into passive income on your web presence. I mean, the job is to level the playing field for everyone. However, it’s my experience that bringing in new voices takes a lot of proactive work on behalf of leaders and contributors. It’s not enough to say, “Hey, I’m having a party,” you also have to say, “I’m having a party, and I’d like you to be there.” It’s not enough to think people will make their own space at this table. You have to make sure that you have table settings for everyone. And even beyond the basics of directing people to you. </p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Josepha Haden Chomphosy </strong>03:12</p>\n\n\n\n<p>And on toward the next steps, you have to be honest about the fact that open source contribution requires a fair amount of privilege. By privilege, I mean the luxury of extra time or extra funding or just an understanding employer. WordPress supports 41% of the web. I think it’s 42% of the web right now. But less than 1% of people who use WordPress show up to help maintain it. And that 1% that does show up skews toward people who already have a pretty high level of representation and technology. And so, when you look at who is building it versus who is using it, it doesn’t always match. And since what we build so frequently reflects who we are, sometimes what we build doesn’t match the needs of the people who are using what we have.</p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Josepha Haden Chomphosy </strong>04:10</p>\n\n\n\n<p>So what has WordPress done to be proactive on the question of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion? There are quite a few unseen things that have gone into this over the years and a few pretty visible things. This is a very long list. And it has a whole lot of just reference material. And so the show notes today will come in handy for people, and there will be just a laundry list of linked resources for everyone. </p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Josepha Haden Chomphosy </strong>04:39</p>\n\n\n\n<p>But the first thing that WordPress has done is that we have accepted the burden of proof. I’m going to share a post about this in the show notes. That means we accept that it’s not the job of underrepresented folks to figure out if they are welcome. It’s up to us to make it clear that they are. So, there are three big little things that the community has done over the years. One is that many teams open their text-based meetings with an explanation of what is done in the meeting, who comes to the meetings, where to find help if you’re lost in the meeting, and for teams that have a specific type of requests that comes into those channels that aren’t handled in those channels. They also will share where people can go to get those requests taken care of. Many teams have also updated their team handbooks to have good beginner docs, limited use of inside jokes or jargon, and good first bugs. And also, there is a code of conduct in the community declaring that everyone is welcome and clarifies what to do if you see folks being unwelcoming. </p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Josepha Haden Chomphosy </strong>05:51</p>\n\n\n\n<p>A second big thing that folks in the WordPress community have done is written down what was unwritten. Having things clearly documented unlocks institutional knowledge that you’d otherwise have to know someone to get. Clarity and process and the structure help anyone engage with your organization, not just the people who have extra time to figure things out. What that looks like in the WordPress project is that many teams have documented their workflows and their working spaces and just their general team norms. Many teams have also started defining what it means to be a team rep and holding open processes to choose those team reps. Many other community leaders and I have written down countless unspoken rules, guidelines, and philosophical underpinnings so that people don’t have to guess what we’re doing or why we’re doing things, or where we want to do them.</p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Josepha Haden Chomphosy </strong>06:46</p>\n\n\n\n<p>And the more visible thing that the WordPress project has been doing is that we found ways to invite people in, and they’re not failsafe; they’re not foolproof, but it is certainly a step in the right direction. The first one is an ongoing, diverse speaker training initiative. And I’ll include a link to that in the show notes as well. It is run by Jill Binder and a fantastic group of contributors that collaborate with her. And I really have loved watching that particular program grow and flourish and help WordPress make a difference where we absolutely can. </p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Josepha Haden Chomphosy </strong>07:27</p>\n\n\n\n<p>The second thing that was pretty visible about how we invited people in was at the end of 2020, and we had an all-women and nonbinary release squad for our biggest release of the year; WordPress 5.6. I had a group of probably 70 women and nonbinary identifying folx who joined in the process and joined in learning more about the process. Some of them have continued in the project. Others have stepped away for various reasons. But all of them are welcome to return. And I encourage everyone to return to contribution when time and resources make that possible for you. </p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Josepha Haden Chomphosy </strong>08:09</p>\n\n\n\n<p>And then the third thing that we’ve done, which I have talked about a lot, is the revival of the testing and triage practices. That has been work that’s been ongoing for a number of years. And it happens across multiple teams. It is not always immediately clear to people why the testing work. And the triage work is identifiable for me as a way to invite people into this process. And so I’ll be briefly clear about it right now. So testing as a practice brings in the users that otherwise don’t have a lot of spare time and that extra privilege to like, figure out what’s going on with WordPress, and contribute their own fixes to problems. They can give back to this project by being co-developers with us, co-creators with our entire process of making WordPress real and usable for the largest number of people that we can because we now support 42% of the web. And then, the triage practice invites in a diverse voice of people. Because you don’t necessarily always need to know everything about a project to help with triage. And when you’re helping with triage, you get active learning through participating in the process. But you also get passive learning from the people who already know huge amounts about the project and the process and everything that goes into it. And so it’s a low key low stress way to get your feet wet and start building that knowledge that sometimes is hard to come by unless you are actively working in it. So the testing practices, the triage practices, I really to the core of my being believe that those are active and ongoing ways for us to invite people who otherwise wouldn’t have a chance to get their voices heard in an open source project. And y’all, as I said at the start, y’all, there’s nothing about this list that I just shared, which makes me feel like our work on this is done. Just like any muscle, you don’t fight to peak fitness, and then hit the big stop button on time and say, “Now, I never have to work out again.” If we did, the world would be a very different place probably. But it does then lead us to the next steps for fostering a community culture that’s as broad as the people who use this software. If you believe in leadership at any level, as I do, there are a ton of things that you can do right now. But I’ll boil them down into three big chunks of things.</p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Josepha Haden Chomphosy </strong>10:54</p>\n\n\n\n<p>First, check your community area, or whatever community you want to apply this to, for things that need a little more proactive work. I will share a post called<em> Building A Culture of Safety</em> that will take you through a list of good first steps. And it is not as hard as it looks. When you say build a culture of safety, there are many really clear-cut minor changes that you can ask people to make and, in like, four or five different areas that can help your community be more welcoming and more open. </p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Josepha Haden Chomphosy </strong>11:30</p>\n\n\n\n<p>The second thing that you can do is know that small changes add up over time and commit to making those changes where you can. If you are elite at any level, you know that supporting people and processes is the responsibility of everyone in the group. And if you can make your own autonomous decisions and commit to making small changes that make a big difference over time, you will be part of that solution. And that is not specific to any one group that we have in our communities. You can be an ally for anyone, whether they look like you, whether they have your same experiences, or not. And sometimes, it’s as easy as just holding space for the people who haven’t had a chance to talk yet. And on the subject of holding space and the way that we communicate. </p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Josepha Haden Chomphosy </strong>12:22</p>\n\n\n\n<p>The third thing that I think is incredibly important is that you can take on as a foundational personal practice the concept of ethical communication. I’ll share a post about that as well in the show notes, but the core of it is that you have to know that what you say and don’t say what you do and don’t do has an impact on others and embrace that responsibility. All right, so you made it all the way through, and I am so proud of you. I’m sure you have questions about this. And I encourage you to share those. You can email them to me at wp briefing@wordpress.org.</p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Josepha Haden Chomphosy </strong>13:10</p>\n\n\n\n<p>This brings us to our small list of big things. I’ve got two things for you today. First and foremost, WordPress 5.8 gets released tomorrow. It’s a big release, and lots of people have been working on it. So get your update processes ready and keep an eye on wordpress.org/news for the announcement post. Second, and still pretty important, team reps have been working on their quarterly check-ins so that all other teams can get an idea of what’s happening around the WordPress office. Keep an eye out for that post on make.wordpress.org/updates. And that is your smallest of big things. Thank you for tuning in today for the WordPress Briefing. I’m your host Joseph Hayden Chomphosy, and I’ll see you again in a couple of weeks.</p>\n\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:30:\"com-wordpress:feed-additions:1\";a:1:{s:7:\"post-id\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:5:\"10949\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}}}i:11;a:6:{s:4:\"data\";s:63:\"\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"child\";a:4:{s:0:\"\";a:6:{s:5:\"title\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:33:\"WordPress 5.8 Release Candidate 3\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"link\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:69:\"https://wordpress.org/news/2021/07/wordpress-5-8-release-candidate-3/\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:7:\"pubDate\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:31:\"Wed, 14 Jul 2021 01:09:26 +0000\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:8:\"category\";a:3:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:11:\"Development\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:1;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:8:\"Releases\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:2;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:3:\"5.8\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"guid\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:35:\"https://wordpress.org/news/?p=10933\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:1:{s:0:\"\";a:1:{s:11:\"isPermaLink\";s:5:\"false\";}}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:11:\"description\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:303:\"The third release candidate for WordPress 5.8 is now available! WordPress 5.8 is slated for release on July 20, 2021, and we need your help to get there—if you have not tried 5.8 yet, now is the time! You can test the WordPress 5.8 release candidate 3 in any of these three ways: Install and […]\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:32:\"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/\";a:1:{s:7:\"creator\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:12:\"Jeffrey Paul\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:40:\"http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/\";a:1:{s:7:\"encoded\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:3233:\"\n<p>The third release candidate for <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/core/5-8/\">WordPress 5.8</a> is now available! </p>\n\n\n\n<p>WordPress 5.8 is slated for release on <strong>July 20, 2021</strong>, and we need <em>your</em> help to get there—if you have not tried 5.8 yet, now is the time!</p>\n\n\n\n<p>You can test the WordPress 5.8 release candidate 3 in any of these three ways:</p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Install and activate the <a href=\"https://wordpress.org/plugins/wordpress-beta-tester/\">WordPress Beta Tester plugin</a> (select the <code>Bleeding edge</code> channel and then <code>Beta/RC Only</code> stream)</li><li>Directly download the release candidate version <a href=\"https://wordpress.org/wordpress-5.8-RC3.zip\">(zip)</a></li><li>Use WP-CLI to test: <code>wp core update --version=5.8-RC3</code></li></ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Thank you to all of the contributors who tested the Beta/RC releases and gave feedback. Testing for bugs is a critical part of polishing every release and a great way to contribute to WordPress.</p>\n\n\n\n<h2>Plugin and Theme Developers</h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Please test your plugins and themes against WordPress 5.8 and update the <em>Tested up to</em> version in the <code>readme</code> file to 5.8. If you find compatibility problems, please be sure to post to the <a href=\"https://wordpress.org/support/forum/alphabeta/\">support forums</a> so we can work to solve them in time for the final release.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>For a more detailed breakdown of the changes included in WordPress 5.8, check out the <a href=\"https://wordpress.org/news/2021/06/wordpress-5-8-beta-1/\">WordPress 5.8 beta 1 post</a>. The <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/core/2021/07/03/wordpress-5-8-field-guide/\">WordPress 5.8 Field Guide</a>, which is particularly useful for developers, has all the info and further links to help you get comfortable with the major changes.</p>\n\n\n\n<h2>How to Help</h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Can you speak and write in a language other than English? <a href=\"https://translate.wordpress.org/projects/wp/dev\">Help us translate WordPress into more than 100 languages!</a></p>\n\n\n\n<p><em><strong>If you think you have found a bug</strong>, you can post to the <a href=\"https://wordpress.org/support/forum/alphabeta\">Alpha/Beta area</a> in the support forums. We would love to hear from you! If you are comfortable writing a reproducible bug report, <a href=\"https://core.trac.wordpress.org/newticket\">file one on WordPress Trac</a>, where you can also find <a href=\"https://core.trac.wordpress.org/tickets/major\">a list of known bugs</a>.</em></p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-right\"><strong><em>Props to <a href=\'https://profiles.wordpress.org/cbringmann/\' class=\'mention\'><span class=\'mentions-prefix\'>@</span>cbringmann</a>, <a href=\'https://profiles.wordpress.org/chanthaboune/\' class=\'mention\'><span class=\'mentions-prefix\'>@</span>chanthaboune</a>, and <a href=\'https://profiles.wordpress.org/marybaum/\' class=\'mention\'><span class=\'mentions-prefix\'>@</span>marybaum</a> for peer-reviewing!</em></strong></p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator\" />\n\n\n\n<p><em>Code is poetry<br>Jazz is improvisation<br>Both are forms of art<br><br></em></p>\n\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:30:\"com-wordpress:feed-additions:1\";a:1:{s:7:\"post-id\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:5:\"10933\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}}}i:12;a:6:{s:4:\"data\";s:63:\"\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"child\";a:4:{s:0:\"\";a:6:{s:5:\"title\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:33:\"WordPress 5.8 Release Candidate 2\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"link\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:69:\"https://wordpress.org/news/2021/07/wordpress-5-8-release-candidate-2/\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:7:\"pubDate\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:31:\"Wed, 07 Jul 2021 01:12:57 +0000\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:8:\"category\";a:3:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:11:\"Development\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:1;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:8:\"Releases\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:2;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:3:\"5.8\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"guid\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:35:\"https://wordpress.org/news/?p=10912\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:1:{s:0:\"\";a:1:{s:11:\"isPermaLink\";s:5:\"false\";}}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:11:\"description\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:305:\"The second release candidate for WordPress 5.8 is now available! ? WordPress 5.8 is slated for release on July 20, 2021, and we need your help to get there—if you have not tried 5.8 yet, now is the time! You can test the WordPress 5.8 release candidate 2 in any of these three ways: Install […]\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:32:\"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/\";a:1:{s:7:\"creator\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:12:\"Jeffrey Paul\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:40:\"http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/\";a:1:{s:7:\"encoded\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:3376:\"\n<p>The second release candidate for <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/core/5-8/\">WordPress 5.8</a> is now available! <img src=\"https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/13.1.0/72x72/1f389.png\" alt=\"?\" class=\"wp-smiley\" style=\"height: 1em; max-height: 1em;\" /></p>\n\n\n\n<p>WordPress 5.8 is slated for release on <strong>July 20, 2021</strong>, and we need <em>your</em> help to get there—if you have not tried 5.8 yet, now is the time!</p>\n\n\n\n<p>You can test the WordPress 5.8 release candidate 2 in any of these three ways:</p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Install and activate the <a href=\"https://wordpress.org/plugins/wordpress-beta-tester/\">WordPress Beta Tester plugin</a> (select the <code>Bleeding edge</code> channel and then <code>Beta/RC Only</code> stream)</li><li>Directly download the release candidate version <a href=\"https://wordpress.org/wordpress-5.8-RC2.zip\">(zip)</a></li><li>Use WP-CLI to test: <code>wp core update --version=5.8-RC2</code></li></ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Thank you to all of the contributors who tested the Beta/RC releases and gave feedback. Testing for bugs is a critical part of polishing every release and a great way to contribute to WordPress.</p>\n\n\n\n<h2>Plugin and Theme Developers</h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Please test your plugins and themes against WordPress 5.8 and update the <em>Tested up to</em> version in the <code>readme</code> file to 5.8. If you find compatibility problems, please be sure to post to the <a href=\"https://wordpress.org/support/forum/alphabeta/\">support forums</a>, so they can get ready for the final release.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>For a more detailed breakdown of the changes included in WordPress 5.8, check out the <a href=\"https://wordpress.org/news/2021/06/wordpress-5-8-beta-1/\">WordPress 5.8 beta 1 post</a>. The <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/core/2021/07/03/wordpress-5-8-field-guide/\">WordPress 5.8 Field Guide</a>, which is particularly useful for developers, has all the info and further links to help you get comfortable with the major changes.</p>\n\n\n\n<h2>How to Help</h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Can you speak and write in a language other than English? <a href=\"https://translate.wordpress.org/projects/wp/dev\">Help us translate WordPress into more than 100 languages!</a></p>\n\n\n\n<p><em><strong>If you think you have found a bug</strong>, you can post to the <a href=\"https://wordpress.org/support/forum/alphabeta\">Alpha/Beta area</a> in the support forums. We would love to hear from you! If you are comfortable writing a reproducible bug report, <a href=\"https://core.trac.wordpress.org/newticket\">file one on WordPress Trac</a>, where you can also find <a href=\"https://core.trac.wordpress.org/tickets/major\">a list of known bugs</a>.</em></p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-right\"><strong><em>Props to <a href=\'https://profiles.wordpress.org/lukecarbis/\' class=\'mention\'><span class=\'mentions-prefix\'>@</span>lukecarbis</a> for the haiku, <a href=\'https://profiles.wordpress.org/webcommsat/\' class=\'mention\'><span class=\'mentions-prefix\'>@</span>webcommsat</a> and <a href=\'https://profiles.wordpress.org/marybaum/\' class=\'mention\'><span class=\'mentions-prefix\'>@</span>marybaum</a> for peer reviewing!</em></strong></p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator\" />\n\n\n\n<p><em>Five-eight in two weeks<br>So test your plugins and themes<br>Update your readme</em></p>\n\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:30:\"com-wordpress:feed-additions:1\";a:1:{s:7:\"post-id\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:5:\"10912\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}}}i:13;a:6:{s:4:\"data\";s:58:\"\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"child\";a:4:{s:0:\"\";a:7:{s:5:\"title\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:49:\"WP Briefing: Episode 12: WordPress – In Person!\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"link\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:66:\"https://wordpress.org/news/2021/07/episode-12-wordpress-in-person/\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:7:\"pubDate\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:31:\"Mon, 05 Jul 2021 12:00:00 +0000\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:11:\"wp-briefing\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"guid\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:53:\"https://wordpress.org/news/?post_type=podcast&p=10889\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:1:{s:0:\"\";a:1:{s:11:\"isPermaLink\";s:5:\"false\";}}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:11:\"description\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:384:\"In this episode, Josepha Haden Chomphosy talks about WordPress – In Person! The WordPress events that provide the dark matter of connection that helps sustain the open source project. Have a question you’d like answered? You can submit them to wpbriefing@wordpress.org, either written or as a voice recording. Credits Editor: Dustin Hartzler Logo: Beatriz Fialho […]\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:9:\"enclosure\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:0:\"\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:1:{s:0:\"\";a:3:{s:3:\"url\";s:60:\"https://wordpress.org/news/files/2021/07/WP-Briefing-012.mp3\";s:6:\"length\";s:1:\"0\";s:4:\"type\";s:0:\"\";}}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:32:\"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/\";a:1:{s:7:\"creator\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:15:\"Chloe Bringmann\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:40:\"http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/\";a:1:{s:7:\"encoded\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:13118:\"\n<p>In this episode, Josepha Haden Chomphosy talks about WordPress – In Person! The WordPress events that provide the dark matter of connection that helps sustain the open source project.</p>\n\n\n\n<p><em><strong>Have a question you’d like answered? You can submit them to <a href=\"mailto:wpbriefing@wordpress.org\">wpbriefing@wordpress.org</a>, either written or as a voice recording.</strong></em></p>\n\n\n\n<h2>Credits</h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Editor:<a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/dustinhartzler/\"> Dustin Hartzler</a></p>\n\n\n\n<p>Logo:<a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/beafialho/\"> Beatriz Fialho</a></p>\n\n\n\n<p>Production:<a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/mkaz/\"> </a><a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/cbringmann/\">Chloé Bringmann</a></p>\n\n\n\n<p>Song: Fearless First by Kevin MacLeod</p>\n\n\n\n<h2>References</h2>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tragedy_of_the_commons\">The tragedy of the commons</a></p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https://wordpress.org/news/2021/06/wordpress-5-8-release-candidate/\">WordPress 5.8 Release Candidate announcement </a></p>\n\n\n\n<h2>Transcript </h2>\n\n\n\n<span id=\"more-10889\"></span>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Josepha Haden Chomphosy </strong>00:11</p>\n\n\n\n<p>Hello, everyone, and welcome to the WordPress Briefing, the podcast where you can catch quick explanations of the ideas behind the WordPress open source project, some insight into the community that supports it, and get a small list of big things coming up in the next two weeks. I’m your host, Josepha Haden Chomphosy. Here we go!</p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Josepha Haden Chomphosy </strong>00:39</p>\n\n\n\n<p>Today we’re talking about one of my favorite parts of the project – WordPress events. The in-person component of the project is the dark matter that helps us build resilience and thrive as a group. A lot of what I’m going to share applies to every WordPress event, whether it’s a meetup or workshop, a contributor day, any other sort of format. But I’ll be focused on WordCamps. It’s been a while since we had any in-person WordCamps. Our last two were WordCamp Malaga in Spain and WordCamp Greenville in the US. But that hasn’t stopped anyone from gathering people together online. Which honestly makes a lot of sense for WordPress. Because there are many reasons we gather, the main three reasons are connecting, inspiring, and contributing. It’s true. It says so right in our documentation, “paper rustling.” All WordPress events should connect WordPress users, inspire people to do more with WordPress, and contribute to the WordPress project. As an aside, I’ll tell you that some groups also get to collaborate and educate in there, but connect, inspire, contribute. Those are the big three. And that’s what I’m talking about today. And if you subscribe to this podcast for the back office deep cuts, I’ll also have a few of those for you. </p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Josepha Haden Chomphosy </strong>01:57</p>\n\n\n\n<p>Alright, so first up, connect. WordCamps are generally annual-ish gatherings organized by local WordPress meetup groups. They’re not meant to be big or fancy. The definition of the minimum viable product for WordCamp is 50 people gathered all day to talk about WordPress. They are intentionally affordable to allow people from all walks of life to attend, meet, share and learn. This is made possible by donations and sponsorships from local businesses and larger businesses in the WordPress ecosystem. And this helps us get people connected to those in their community that works with or are sustained by WordPress. That connection feeds into the overall health of the global WordPress project. </p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Josepha Haden Chomphosy </strong>02:45</p>\n\n\n\n<p>Next up is inspire. WordCamps do not discriminate. They are open to any WordPress users, developers, designers, or other enthusiasts, regardless of their level of experience. And because of this, sessions generally span a variety of formats. So presentations or live demos to workshops or panels, any other format you can think of. But that also means that there are a variety of skill levels represented. There’s always content about how to use WordPress. That’s a given. But you can also count on content that inspires people to do more with their own dreams and aspirations. When I was still organizing WordCamps, my favorite thing was seeing people who came back year after year, putting into practice something that they learned the year before. It is that <em>Choose Your Own Adventure</em> aspect to WordCamps that lets people see the edge of their ideas and then expand that just a little bit further. </p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Josepha Haden Chomphosy </strong>03:42</p>\n\n\n\n<p>And finally, contribute. WordCamps often have a contribution component to them. Sometimes it’s just a talk telling you how you can get more involved in the WordPress project. But sometimes, it’s a whole contributor day. And those range in size from single focus, like everyone, will show up and learn how to review a theme or a focus from every team that we have, like at the big flagship events where we gather hundreds of people into a room just to contribute to WordPress and all of the teams that go with it. Getting started with contributing can be daunting, but it is also essential to avoid something called the Tragedy of the Commons, an economic concept. So I’ll share a link to that in the show notes below. But the most important thing, the most important thing to remember, is that WordPress is open source. And we asked people to help us keep this great tool running by giving back a little bit of their time if they have gotten any benefit from the WordPress project or CMS over the course of their careers. </p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Josepha Haden Chomphosy </strong>04:40</p>\n\n\n\n<p>So that’s it. The three big things you can get from a WordCamp. I know that I can’t wait to get back to them myself because while a lot of these things can still happen online and do, it’s really hard to replace the dark matter of in-person connections for open source projects. And since we’re talking dark matter anyway, let’s dig into it a little.</p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Josepha Haden Chomphosy </strong>05:01</p>\n\n\n\n<p>At the start of the section, I mentioned that WordCamps are local, locally organized, and people are encouraged to attend locally. But I am part of a group that ends up traveling to a lot of WordCamps. If you don’t know about the unseen work of WordPress, this raises eyebrows. So here is some clarification around the back office work that some of these traveling WordCampers often do. When I listed these out, there were about 20 different tasks, 20 different jobs, which was, frankly, a bit overwhelming when I listed them that way. So I’ve grouped them into kind of two genres, each with a group of current versus future types of work. So my two big buckets, big picture stuff, and then community stewardship. </p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Josepha Haden Chomphosy </strong>05:50</p>\n\n\n\n<p>The big picture stuff, our first big genre here, when you’re looking at current topics, current issues kind of information, when we’re working on big picture stuff, you get the clarification of the mission or vision of WordPress, the sharing of open source methods or processes that we use in the WordPress project, and also sometimes those goal-setting conversations that you have to have both because we have a bunch of teams and team reps, that have a lot of really great ideas about what can be done in their teams to help WordPress succeed. But then also, because when you are working, when you’re contributing to a single team in the project, it can sometimes be hard to know how your work relates to the overall goals and visions of WordPress. And so that’s part of the work that gets done that I do there. </p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Josepha Haden Chomphosy </strong>06:43</p>\n\n\n\n<p>And when you’re looking at future topics, future issues, the second part of this genre, that stuff like starting conversations or discussions around what the future holds for WordPress, and that’s the project as well as the technology or hearing from people about big things coming up for them. And any content that can support it, anything that I can provide to support those big things. It’s also a good time for me and others to identify trends based on what I see in presentations or what I hear from people at social functions. Really, it’s just a huge opportunity for information gathering to make sure that I know what everyone else in the project is trying to do and if they understand what the project is trying to do. </p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Josepha Haden Chomphosy </strong>07:32</p>\n\n\n\n<p>And then the second big genre of things that happen in that dark matter kind of work at WordCamps is what I call community stewardship—so taking care of the community itself for the project itself. And a lot of that work is actually incident response kind of work. So conflict resolution, mediation often happens at in-person events, but also uncovering the shared foundations, the shared understanding for upcoming changes. So a lot of really, in the weeds kind of change management work. And for me, it’s certainly doing my best as a cultural liaison when I do see that there has been some miscommunication or gathering context for the latest disagreement that people are having with me so that I can clarify anything that was misunderstood from what I said. And also a little bit of policy clarification, just explaining why we do things and the way we do them. So for community stewardship, that’s kind of the current stuff that we look at. And that I do when I’m traveling for WordCamps. </p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Josepha Haden Chomphosy </strong>08:36</p>\n\n\n\n<p>And then for the future tasks that we do with community stewardship in the project, that stuff like training, and that’s training team reps, community deputies, or new contributors like it’s, it’s not really one type of training, necessarily. But then also, all of the checking in with our organizers, team reps, volunteers, sponsors, everyone like that, to make sure that what we have in the project and what’s happening in the project, the tools that we have, the experience that contributors have while they are working here, and WordPress is good, and is what they need. We’ve got a lot of tools to get things done in WordPress, and we can always make them better. And so checking in with people to kind of see how those processes are, how the tools are making sure that I have an idea of where our holes are and what needs to be patched, and how we can patch them in the long run. So that’s all of the future planning kind of work and topic stuff, just you know, making sure that WordPress has what it needs to survive long into the future and long after I’m doing anything with it, and long after you’re doing anything with it either. </p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Josepha Haden Chomphosy </strong>09:56</p>\n\n\n\n<p>So, lots and lots of unseen work being done at our in-person events. But folks who keep a keen eye on the online global work of WordPress will probably recognize that a lot of that work is also done routinely on make.wordpress.org and within the making WordPress Slack. There’s just, I don’t know, there’s just something different about receiving information from a human being with a face rather than an avatar with a photo. So I guess at the end of the day, that means the dark matter that keeps open source together is really an issue of communication. And you’ll get no arguments for me there.</p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Josepha Haden Chomphosy </strong>10:44</p>\n\n\n\n<p>That brings us now to our small list of big things. And there’s really just one big thing. And that’s WordPress 5.8. We are about two weeks away from this big release; the community has been working tirelessly on it. And it’s shaping up to be one of the most tested releases that we’ve had in a long time. Myself, I’m grateful to see so much activity before the release. Since 5.8 and 5.9 releases represent such monumental shifts in our software, I’m incredibly grateful to see so much activity prior to the release, especially in the beta period. We’ve been testing everything for it feels like six or eight months, and we’re really starting to see the positive benefits of that. And I think that we, the WordPress community, should be really proud of everything that we’re going to ship in 2021. Okay, so that was less of a small list of big things and really like one big thing with a generous garnish of encouragement, but you deserve it. So thank you for tuning in today for the WordPress briefing. I’m your host, Josepha Haden Chomphosy, and I’ll see you again in a couple of weeks.</p>\n\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:30:\"com-wordpress:feed-additions:1\";a:1:{s:7:\"post-id\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:5:\"10889\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}}}i:14;a:6:{s:4:\"data\";s:57:\"\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"child\";a:4:{s:0:\"\";a:6:{s:5:\"title\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:33:\"The Month in WordPress: June 2021\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"link\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:68:\"https://wordpress.org/news/2021/07/the-month-in-wordpress-june-2021/\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:7:\"pubDate\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:31:\"Fri, 02 Jul 2021 15:11:24 +0000\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:18:\"Month in WordPress\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"guid\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:35:\"https://wordpress.org/news/?p=10896\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:1:{s:0:\"\";a:1:{s:11:\"isPermaLink\";s:5:\"false\";}}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:11:\"description\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:334:\"Once you step into contribution time, your main concern is the users of WordPress, or new contributors, or the health of the WordPress ecosystem as a whole or the WordPress project. So you get all this subject matter expertise from competitive forces, collaborating in a very “us versus the problem” way. And when you do […]\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:32:\"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/\";a:1:{s:7:\"creator\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:14:\"Hari Shanker R\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:40:\"http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/\";a:1:{s:7:\"encoded\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:11608:\"\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote\"><p>Once you step into contribution time, your main concern is the users of WordPress, or new contributors, or the health of the WordPress ecosystem as a whole or the WordPress project. So you get all this subject matter expertise from competitive forces, collaborating in a very “us versus the problem” way. And when you do that, you’re always going to find a great solution.</p></blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>In the “<a href=\"https://wordpress.org/news/2021/06/episode-11-wordcamp-europe-2021-in-review/#more-10837\">WordCamp Europe 2021 in Review</a>” episode of the WP Briefing podcast, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/chanthaboune/\">Josepha Haden</a> talks about the importance of collaboration, which is vital in building WordPress. This edition of The Month in WordPress covers exciting updates that exemplify this philosophy. </p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator\" />\n\n\n\n<h2>Updates on WordPress 5.8</h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Get excited, folks! The beta versions and the first release candidate of WordPress 5.8 are out. <a href=\"https://wordpress.org/news/2021/06/wordpress-5-8-beta-1/\">Beta 1</a> came out on June 9, followed by <a href=\"https://wordpress.org/news/2021/06/wordpress-5-8-beta-2/\">Beta 2</a> on June 15, <a href=\"https://wordpress.org/news/2021/06/wordpress-5-8-beta-3/\">Beta 3</a> on June 23, and <a href=\"https://wordpress.org/news/2021/06/wordpress-5-8-beta-4/\">Beta 4</a> on June 25. The <a href=\"https://wordpress.org/news/2021/06/wordpress-5-8-release-candidate/\">first release candidate</a> of WordPress 5.8 was published on June 30. You can test the beta versions and the release candidates by <a href=\"https://wordpress.org/download/releases/#betas\">downloading them from WordPress.org</a> or by using the <a href=\"https://wordpress.org/plugins/wordpress-beta-tester/\">WordPress Beta Tester</a> plugin. WordPress 5.8 <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/core/5-8/\">will be out by July 20, 2021</a>, and is also <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/polyglots/2021/06/28/wordpress-5-8-ready-to-be-translated/\">ready to be translated</a>.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>Want to contribute to WordPress core? Check out the <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/core/handbook/\">Core Contributor Handbook</a>. Don’t forget to join the WordPress <a href=\"https://wordpress.slack.com/archives/C02RQBWTW\">#core</a> channel in the <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/chat/\">Make WordPress Slack</a> and follow the <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/core/\">Core Team blog</a>. The Core Team hosts weekly chats on Wednesdays at <a href=\"https://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/fixedtime.html?hour=5&min=00&sec=0\">5 AM</a> and <a href=\"https://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/fixedtime.html?hour=20&min=00&sec=0\">8 PM</a> UTC. Help us promote WordPress 5.8 by <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/community/2021/06/18/meetup-group-resources-talking-points-for-wordpress-5-8/\">organizing meetups about the release</a>, <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/marketing/2021/06/30/help-produce-social-media-materials-for-5-8-release/\">producing social media marketing materials for 5.8</a>, or <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/test/2021/06/30/help-test-wordpress-5-8s-fse-features/\">testing the release</a>.</p>\n\n\n\n<h2>Gutenberg versions 10.8 and 10.9 are out</h2>\n\n\n\n<p>We said hello to Gutenberg <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/core/2021/06/10/whats-new-in-gutenberg-10-8-9-june/\">version 10.8</a> and <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/core/2021/06/24/whats-new-in-gutenberg-10-9-23-june/\">version 10.9</a> this month. <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/core/2021/06/10/whats-new-in-gutenberg-10-8-9-june/\">Version 10.8</a> adds rich URL previews, enhancements to the list view, and an updated block manager. <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/core/2021/06/24/whats-new-in-gutenberg-10-9-23-june/\">Version 10.9</a> offers several performance enhancements, along with more block design tools and template editor enhancements.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>Want to get involved in building Gutenberg? Follow <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/core/\">the Core Team blog</a>, contribute to <a href=\"https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/\">Gutenberg on GitHub</a>, and join the <a href=\"https://wordpress.slack.com/archives/C02QB2JS7\">#core-editor</a> channel in the <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/chat/\">Make WordPress Slack</a>. The “<a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/core/2021/06/04/whats-next-in-gutenberg-june-2021/\">What’s next in Gutenberg</a>” post offers more details on the latest updates. </p>\n\n\n\n<h2>WordCamp Europe 2021 concludes</h2>\n\n\n\n<p>One of the biggest and most exciting WordPress events, <a href=\"https://europe.wordcamp.org/2021/\">WordCamp Europe 2021</a>, was held from June 7-9, 2021. A team of 40 members organized the event, which had 3200+ registrations, 42 speakers, and 43 sponsors. What a success! You will find more details <a href=\"https://europe.wordcamp.org/2021/a-recap-on-wceu-2021/\">in the event recap</a>. One highlight was a <a href=\"https://wordpress.org/news/2021/06/gutenberg-highlights/\">Gutenberg demo</a> hosted by <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/matveb/\">Matías Ventura</a> and <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/matt/\">Matt Mullenweg</a>. You can <a href=\"https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaYQGYDpXpU4A17kxN-AgJQ/featured\">watch the event recording on the WordCamp Europe YouTube channel</a>, and videos <a href=\"https://wordpress.tv/event/wordcamp-europe-2021/\">are now available on WordPress.tv</a> as well. The team has announced <a href=\"https://europe.wordcamp.org/2022/\">WordCamp Europe 2022</a>, which is being planned as an in-person event in Porto, Portugal. Want to be a part of the 2022 WCEU organizing team? Their <a href=\"https://europe.wordcamp.org/2022/call-for-organisers/\">call for organizers is now open</a>. Apply now!</p>\n\n\n\n<h2>Full Site Editing updates</h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Don’t miss the <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/test/2021/06/24/call-for-testing-thrive-with-theme-json/\">latest Full Site Editing (FSE) Outreach program testing call: “Thrive with theme.json”</a>, which is aimed at a developer-centric audience. The deadline is July 14. Also don’t miss a <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/test/2021/06/24/call-for-testing-thrive-with-theme-json/\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https://make.wordpress.org/test/2021/06/24/call-for-testing-thrive-with-theme-json/\">hallway hangout on testing theme.json on July 7 at 5 PM UTC</a>. The team has published a <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/test/2021/06/24/fse-program-polished-portfolios-summary/\">recap of the Published Portfolios testing call</a>, which shares some interesting results. </p>\n\n\n\n<h2>BuddyPress 8.0 is out!</h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The first major BuddyPress release of 2021, <a href=\"https://buddypress.org/2021/06/buddypress-8-0-0-alfano/\">version 8.0</a> “Alfano,” came out on June 6. The short-cycle release offers features such as the ability to recruit new members, an improved registration experience, and profile field types. Download it from the <a href=\"https://wordpress.org/plugins/buddypress/\">WordPress.org plugin directory</a> or check it out from its <a href=\"https://buddypress.trac.wordpress.org/browser/branches/8.0\">Subversion repository.</a></p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator\" />\n\n\n\n<h2>Further reading</h2>\n\n\n\n<ul><li><a href=\"https://japan.wordcamp.org/2021/\">WordCamp Japan 2021</a> was held from June 20- 26. The weeklong event, which had two session days followed by five contributor days, sold 1300+ tickets, with 45 speakers and 23 sponsors. Catch the <a href=\"https://www.youtube.com/c/wordcampjapan\">event recording on YouTube</a>!</li><li>Josepha Haden <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/updates/2021/06/03/announcing-make-wordpress-org-project/\">announced</a> a new Make site — <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/project\">make.wordpress.org/project</a> — for project-wide announcements, which will no longer be posted to Make/Updates. Check out the latest post on that site on <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/project/2021/06/17/the-metrics-of-contributions/\">the metrics of contributions</a>.</li><li>The Community Team announced that <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/community/2021/07/01/in-person-meetup-events-for-vaccinated-community-members/\">in-person meetups can be organized for fully vaccinated people</a>, in places where vaccines are freely available.</li><li>The Core Team added<a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/core/2021/06/21/bundled-themes-changes-in-wordpress-5-8/\"> block patterns and improvements</a> to all legacy default themes. The team also shared a <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/core/2021/06/22/extending-the-site-health-interface-in-wordpress-5-8/\">feature request</a> that will allow developers to modify and extend the Site Health feature in Core.</li><li>The Design Team shared an update on the <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/design/2021/06/23/update-initial-patterns-for-the-patterns-directory/\">block pattern directory</a>; the team is continuing to review suggestions and has offered some guidelines in this post.</li><li>The Design Team is also <a href=\"https://wordpress.org/news/2021/06/a-new-design-is-coming-to-wordpress-news/\">working on redesigning this blog</a> (wordpress.org/news). Catch a sneak peek of the blog’s new look <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/design/2021/06/03/redesign-of-wordpress-org-news/\">in this Make/Design blog post</a>.</li><li>The Accessibility Team shared the <a href=\"https://developer.wordpress.org/coding-standards/wordpress-coding-standards/accessibility/\">updated WordPress Accessibility coding standards</a>.</li><li>The Polyglots Team proposed a <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/polyglots/2021/06/03/proposal-month-long-translation-day-2021-celebration/\">monthlong translation day celebration in September</a>.</li><li><span style=\"color: initial;, sans-serif\">The Support Team </span><a style=\", sans-serif\" href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/support/2021/06/new-irc-server-for-support/\">moved their IRC chat server from Freenode to Libera</a><span style=\"color: initial;, sans-serif\">.</span></li><li>The Documentation Team is<a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/docs/2021/06/06/writing-documentation-for-wordpress-release/\"> working hard on updating our docs</a> for WordPress 5.8. </li><li>The Themes Team has decided to <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/docs/2021/06/06/writing-documentation-for-wordpress-release/\">automatically set theme updates live for old themes</a> instead of routing them through the review queue.</li><li>The <a href=\"https://github.com/WordPress/Requests\">WordPress Requests library</a> has a new release: <a href=\"https://github.com/WordPress/Requests/releases/tag/v1.8.1\">version 1.8.1</a>. </li><li><a href=\"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ujwal_Thapa\">Ujwal Thapa</a> – co-founder of the Nepal WordPress community <a href=\"https://wptavern.com/ujwal-thapa-co-founder-of-the-wordpress-nepal-community-passes-away\">passed away due to COVID-19</a>. Our community deeply mourns his loss and is thankful for his contributions.</li><li>The latest edition of “<a href=\"https://wordpress.org/news/category/heropress/\">People of WordPress</a>” features <a href=\"https://wordpress.org/news/2021/06/people-of-wordpress-tijana-andrejic/\">Tijana Andrejic from Serbia.</a></li></ul>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Have a story that we should include in the next “Month in WordPress” post? Please </em><a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/community/month-in-wordpress-submissions/\"><em>submit it using this form</em></a><em>. </em></p>\n\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:30:\"com-wordpress:feed-additions:1\";a:1:{s:7:\"post-id\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:5:\"10896\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}}}i:15;a:6:{s:4:\"data\";s:63:\"\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"child\";a:4:{s:0:\"\";a:6:{s:5:\"title\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:31:\"WordPress 5.8 Release Candidate\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"link\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:67:\"https://wordpress.org/news/2021/06/wordpress-5-8-release-candidate/\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:7:\"pubDate\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:31:\"Wed, 30 Jun 2021 03:47:48 +0000\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:8:\"category\";a:3:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:11:\"Development\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:1;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:8:\"Releases\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:2;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:3:\"5.8\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"guid\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:35:\"https://wordpress.org/news/?p=10873\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:1:{s:0:\"\";a:1:{s:11:\"isPermaLink\";s:5:\"false\";}}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:11:\"description\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:364:\"The first release candidate for WordPress 5.8 is now available! ? Please join us in celebrating this very important milestone in the community’s progress towards the final release of WordPress 5.8! “Release Candidate” means the new version is ready for release, but with thousands of plugins and themes and differences in how the millions of […]\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:32:\"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/\";a:1:{s:7:\"creator\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:12:\"Jeffrey Paul\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:40:\"http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/\";a:1:{s:7:\"encoded\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:4776:\"\n<p>The first release candidate for <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/core/5-8/\">WordPress 5.8</a> is now available! <img src=\"https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/13.1.0/72x72/1f389.png\" alt=\"?\" class=\"wp-smiley\" style=\"height: 1em; max-height: 1em;\" /></p>\n\n\n\n<p>Please join us in celebrating this very important milestone in the community’s progress towards the final release of WordPress 5.8!</p>\n\n\n\n<p>“Release Candidate” means the new version is ready for release, but with thousands of plugins and themes and differences in how the millions of people use WordPress, it is possible something was missed. WordPress 5.8 is slated for release on <strong>July 20, 2021</strong>, but <em>your</em> help is needed to get there—if you have not tried 5.8 yet, <strong>now is the time</strong>!</p>\n\n\n\n<p>You can test the WordPress 5.8 release candidate in three ways:</p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Install and activate the <a href=\"https://wordpress.org/plugins/wordpress-beta-tester/\">WordPress Beta Tester plugin</a> (select the <code>Bleeding edge</code> channel and then <code>Beta/RC Only</code> stream)</li><li>Directly download the release candidate version <a href=\"https://wordpress.org/wordpress-5.8-RC1.zip\">(zip)</a></li><li>Using WP-CLI to test: <code>wp core update --version=5.8-RC1</code></li></ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Thank you to all of the contributors who tested the Beta releases and gave feedback. Testing for bugs is a critical part of polishing every release and a great way to contribute to WordPress.</p>\n\n\n\n<h2>What is in WordPress 5.8?</h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The second release of 2021 continues to progress on the block editor towards the promised future of full site editing with these updates:</p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Manage Widgets with Blocks</li><li>Display Posts with New Blocks and Patterns</li><li>Edit Post Templates</li><li>Overview of the Page Structure</li><li>Suggested Patterns for Blocks</li><li>Style and Colorize Images</li><li><code>theme.json</code></li><li>Dropping support for IE11</li><li>Adding support for WebP</li><li>Adding Additional Block Supports</li><li><a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/core/2021/05/27/whats-new-in-gutenberg-10-7-26-may/\">Version 10.7</a> of the Gutenberg plugin</li></ul>\n\n\n\n<p>WordPress 5.8 also has lots of refinements to enhance the developer experience. To learn more, subscribe to the <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/core/\">Make WordPress Core blog</a> and pay special attention to the <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/core/tag/5-8+dev-notes/\">developer notes tag</a> for updates on those and other changes that could affect your products.</p>\n\n\n\n<h2>Plugin and Theme Developers</h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Please test your plugins and themes against WordPress 5.8 and update the <em>Tested up to</em> version in the <code>readme</code> file to 5.8. If you find compatibility problems, please be sure to post to the <a href=\"https://wordpress.org/support/forum/alphabeta/\">support forums</a>, so those can be figured out before the final release.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>The WordPress 5.8 Field Guide, due to be published very shortly, will give you a deeper dive into the major changes.</p>\n\n\n\n<h2>How to Help</h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Do you speak a language other than English? <a href=\"https://translate.wordpress.org/projects/wp/dev\">Help us translate WordPress into more than 100 languages!</a> This release also marks the <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/polyglots/handbook/glossary/#hard-freeze\">hard string freeze</a> point of the 5.8 release schedule.</p>\n\n\n\n<p><em><strong>If you think you have found a bug</strong>, you can post to the <a href=\"https://wordpress.org/support/forum/alphabeta\">Alpha/Beta area</a> in the support forums. We would love to hear from you! If you are comfortable writing a reproducible bug report, <a href=\"https://core.trac.wordpress.org/newticket\">file one on WordPress Trac</a>, where you can also find <a href=\"https://core.trac.wordpress.org/tickets/major\">a list of known bugs</a>.</em></p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-right\"><strong><em>Props to <a href=\'https://profiles.wordpress.org/audrasjb/\' class=\'mention\'><span class=\'mentions-prefix\'>@</span>audrasjb</a>, <a href=\'https://profiles.wordpress.org/cbringmann/\' class=\'mention\'><span class=\'mentions-prefix\'>@</span>cbringmann</a>, <a href=\'https://profiles.wordpress.org/webcommsat/\' class=\'mention\'><span class=\'mentions-prefix\'>@</span>webcommsat</a>, and <a href=\'https://profiles.wordpress.org/pbiron/\' class=\'mention\'><span class=\'mentions-prefix\'>@</span>pbiron</a> for copy suggestions and final review.</em></strong></p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator\" />\n\n\n\n<p><em>We are almost there,<br>WordPress 5.8 comes next month.<br>We need your help: test!</em></p>\n\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:30:\"com-wordpress:feed-additions:1\";a:1:{s:7:\"post-id\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:5:\"10873\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}}}i:16;a:6:{s:4:\"data\";s:63:\"\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"child\";a:4:{s:0:\"\";a:6:{s:5:\"title\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:20:\"WordPress 5.8 Beta 4\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"link\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:56:\"https://wordpress.org/news/2021/06/wordpress-5-8-beta-4/\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:7:\"pubDate\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:31:\"Fri, 25 Jun 2021 17:14:06 +0000\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:8:\"category\";a:3:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:11:\"Development\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:1;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:8:\"Releases\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:2;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:3:\"5.8\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"guid\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:35:\"https://wordpress.org/news/?p=10855\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:1:{s:0:\"\";a:1:{s:11:\"isPermaLink\";s:5:\"false\";}}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:11:\"description\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:331:\"WordPress 5.8 Beta 4 is now available for testing! This software is still in development, so it is not recommended to run this version on a production site. Consider setting up a test site to play with it. You can test the WordPress 5.8 Beta 4 in three ways: Install/activate the WordPress Beta Tester plugin (select […]\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:32:\"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/\";a:1:{s:7:\"creator\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:12:\"Jeffrey Paul\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:40:\"http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/\";a:1:{s:7:\"encoded\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:4104:\"\n<p>WordPress 5.8 Beta 4 is now available for testing!</p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>This software is still in development,</strong> so it is not recommended to run this version on a production site. Consider setting up a test site to play with it.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>You can test the WordPress 5.8 Beta 4 in three ways:</p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Install/activate the <a href=\"https://wordpress.org/plugins/wordpress-beta-tester/\">WordPress Beta Tester</a> plugin (select the <code>Bleeding edge</code> channel and the <code>Beta/RC Only</code> stream).</li><li>Direct download the beta version here (<a href=\"https://wordpress.org/wordpress-5.8-beta4.zip\">zip</a>).</li><li>Using WP-CLI to test: <code>wp core update --version=5.8-beta4</code></li></ul>\n\n\n\n<p>The current target for the final release is July 20, 2021. That’s less than <strong>four weeks away</strong>, so we need your help to make sure the final release is as good as it can be.</p>\n\n\n\n<h2><strong>Some Highlights</strong></h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Since <a href=\"https://wordpress.org/news/2021/06/wordpress-5-8-beta-3/\" data-type=\"post\">Beta 3</a>, <a href=\"https://core.trac.wordpress.org/query?status=closed&changetime=06%2F24%2F2021..06%2F26%2F2021&milestone=5.8&group=component&max=500&col=id&col=summary&col=owner&col=type&col=priority&col=component&col=version&order=priority\">18</a> bugs have been fixed. Most tickets focused on polishing existing default themes, fixing bugs in the new block Widget screen, and squashing Editor bugs collected during beta.</p>\n\n\n\n<h2><strong>How You Can Help</strong></h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Watch the <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/core/\">Make WordPress Core blog</a> for <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/core/tag/5-8+dev-notes/\">5.8-related developer notes</a> in the coming weeks, which will break down these and other changes in greater detail.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>So far, contributors have fixed <a href=\"https://core.trac.wordpress.org/query?status=closed&changetime=..06%2F25%2F2021&milestone=5.8&group=component&max=500&col=id&col=summary&col=owner&col=type&col=priority&col=component&col=version&order=priority\">254 tickets in WordPress 5.8</a>, including <a href=\"https://core.trac.wordpress.org/query?status=closed&status=reopened&changetime=..06%2F25%2F2021&type=enhancement&type=feature+request&milestone=5.8&group=component&col=id&col=summary&col=type&col=status&col=milestone&col=changetime&col=owner&col=priority&col=keywords&order=changetime\">91 new features and enhancements</a>, and more bug fixes are on the way.</p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Do some testing!</strong></p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/core/handbook/testing/beta-testing/\">Testing for bugs</a> is a vital part of polishing the release during the beta stage and a great way to contribute. <img src=\"https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/13.1.0/72x72/2728.png\" alt=\"✨\" class=\"wp-smiley\" style=\"height: 1em; max-height: 1em;\" /></p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you think you’ve found a bug, please post to the <a href=\"https://wordpress.org/support/forum/alphabeta/\">Alpha/Beta</a> area in the support forums. We would love to hear from you! If you’re comfortable writing a reproducible <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/core/reports/\">bug report</a>, file one on <a href=\"https://core.trac.wordpress.org/newticket\">WordPress Trac</a>. That’s also where you can find a list of <a href=\"https://core.trac.wordpress.org/tickets/major\">known bugs</a>.</p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Props to <a href=\'https://profiles.wordpress.org/desrosj/\' class=\'mention\'><span class=\'mentions-prefix\'>@</span>desrosj</a> <a href=\'https://profiles.wordpress.org/clorith/\' class=\'mention\'><span class=\'mentions-prefix\'>@</span>clorith</a> for reviews and <a href=\'https://profiles.wordpress.org/chanthaboune/\' class=\'mention\'><span class=\'mentions-prefix\'>@</span>chanthaboune</a> for final edits!</em></p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator\" />\n\n\n\n<p><em>Releasing software<br>Is complex when open source<br>Yet WordPressers do</em></p>\n\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:30:\"com-wordpress:feed-additions:1\";a:1:{s:7:\"post-id\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:5:\"10855\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}}}i:17;a:6:{s:4:\"data\";s:60:\"\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"child\";a:4:{s:0:\"\";a:6:{s:5:\"title\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:20:\"WordPress 5.8 Beta 3\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"link\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:56:\"https://wordpress.org/news/2021/06/wordpress-5-8-beta-3/\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:7:\"pubDate\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:31:\"Wed, 23 Jun 2021 02:36:26 +0000\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:8:\"category\";a:2:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:11:\"Development\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:1;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:8:\"Releases\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"guid\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:35:\"https://wordpress.org/news/?p=10843\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:1:{s:0:\"\";a:1:{s:11:\"isPermaLink\";s:5:\"false\";}}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:11:\"description\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:331:\"WordPress 5.8 Beta 3 is now available for testing! This software is still in development, so it is not recommended to run this version on a production site. Consider setting up a test site to play with it. You can test the WordPress 5.8 Beta 3 in three ways: Install/activate the WordPress Beta Tester plugin (select […]\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:32:\"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/\";a:1:{s:7:\"creator\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:7:\"Josepha\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:40:\"http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/\";a:1:{s:7:\"encoded\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:5777:\"\n<p>WordPress 5.8 Beta 3 is now available for testing!</p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>This software is still in development,</strong> so it is not recommended to run this version on a production site. Consider setting up a test site to play with it.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>You can test the WordPress 5.8 Beta 3 in three ways:</p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Install/activate the <a href=\"https://wordpress.org/plugins/wordpress-beta-tester/\">WordPress Beta Tester</a> plugin (select the <code>Bleeding edge</code> channel and the <code>Beta/RC Only</code> stream).</li><li>Direct download the beta version here (<a href=\"https://wordpress.org/wordpress-5.8-beta3.zip\">zip</a>).</li><li>Using WP-CLI to test: <code>wp core update --version=5.8-beta3</code></li></ul>\n\n\n\n<p>The current target for the final release is July 20, 2021. That’s just <strong>four weeks away</strong>, so we need your help to make the final release is as good as it can be.</p>\n\n\n\n<h2><strong>Some Highlights</strong></h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Since <a href=\"https://wordpress.org/news/2021/06/wordpress-5-8-beta-2/\" data-type=\"post\">Beta 2</a>, <a href=\"https://core.trac.wordpress.org/query?status=closed&changetime=06%2F16%2F2021..06%2F23%2F2021&milestone=5.8&group=component&max=500&col=id&col=summary&col=owner&col=type&col=priority&col=component&col=version&order=priority\">38</a> bugs have been fixed. Here is a summary of some of the included changes:</p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Block Editor: Move caching to endpoint for unique responses. (<a href=\"https://core.trac.wordpress.org/ticket/53435\">#53435</a>)</li><li>Bundled Themes: Improve display of blocks in widget areas. (<a href=\"https://core.trac.wordpress.org/ticket/53422\">#53422</a>)</li><li>Coding Standards: Bring some consistency to HTML formatting in <code>wp-admin/comment.php</code>. (<a href=\"https://core.trac.wordpress.org/ticket/52627\">#52627</a>)</li><li>Editor: Include Cover block in the list of block types registered using metadata files. (<a href=\"https://core.trac.wordpress.org/ticket/53440\">#53440</a>)</li><li>Editor: Include Cover block in the list of block types registered using metadata files. (<a href=\"https://core.trac.wordpress.org/ticket/53440\">#53440</a>)</li><li>Media: Add new functions to return the previous/next attachment links. (<a href=\"https://core.trac.wordpress.org/ticket/45708\">#45708</a>)</li><li>Media: Improve upload page media item layout on smaller screens. (<a href=\"https://core.trac.wordpress.org/ticket/51754\">#51754</a>)</li><li>Media: Update total attachment count when media added or removed. (<a href=\"https://core.trac.wordpress.org/ticket/53171\">#53171</a>)</li><li>REST API: Decode single and double quote entities in widget names and descriptions. (<a href=\"https://core.trac.wordpress.org/ticket/53407\">#53407</a>)</li><li>Twenty Nineteen: Update margins on full- and wide-aligned blocks in the editor. (<a href=\"https://core.trac.wordpress.org/ticket/53428\">#53428</a>)</li><li>Widgets: Add editor styles to the widgets block editor. (<a href=\"https://core.trac.wordpress.org/ticket/53344\">#53344</a>)</li></ul>\n\n\n\n<h2><strong>How You Can Help</strong></h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Watch the <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/core/\">Make WordPress Core blog</a> for <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/core/tag/5-8+dev-notes/\">5.8-related developer notes</a> in the coming weeks, which will break down these and other changes in greater detail.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>So far, contributors have fixed <a href=\"https://core.trac.wordpress.org/query?status=closed&changetime=..06%2F23%2F2021&milestone=5.8&group=component&max=500&col=id&col=summary&col=owner&col=type&col=priority&col=component&col=version&order=priority\">254 tickets in WordPress 5.8</a>, including <a href=\"https://core.trac.wordpress.org/query?status=closed&status=reopened&changetime=..06%2F23%2F2021&type=enhancement&type=feature+request&milestone=5.8&group=component&col=id&col=summary&col=type&col=status&col=milestone&col=changetime&col=owner&col=priority&col=keywords&order=changetime\">91 new features and enhancements</a>, and more bug fixes are on the way.</p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Do some testing!</strong></p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/core/handbook/testing/beta-testing/\">Testing for bugs</a> is a vital part of polishing the release during the beta stage and a great way to contribute. <img src=\"https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/13.1.0/72x72/2728.png\" alt=\"✨\" class=\"wp-smiley\" style=\"height: 1em; max-height: 1em;\" /></p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you think you’ve found a bug, please post to the <a href=\"https://wordpress.org/support/forum/alphabeta/\">Alpha/Beta</a> area in the support forums. We would love to hear from you! If you’re comfortable writing a reproducible <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/core/reports/\">bug report</a>, file one on <a href=\"https://core.trac.wordpress.org/newticket\">WordPress Trac</a>. That’s also where you can find a list of <a href=\"https://core.trac.wordpress.org/tickets/major\">known bugs</a>.</p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Props to <a href=\'https://profiles.wordpress.org/jeffpaul/\' class=\'mention\'><span class=\'mentions-prefix\'>@</span>jeffpaul</a> <a href=\'https://profiles.wordpress.org/desrosj/\' class=\'mention\'><span class=\'mentions-prefix\'>@</span>desrosj</a> <a href=\'https://profiles.wordpress.org/hellofromtonya/\' class=\'mention\'><span class=\'mentions-prefix\'>@</span>hellofromtonya</a> <a href=\'https://profiles.wordpress.org/pbiron/\' class=\'mention\'><span class=\'mentions-prefix\'>@</span>pbiron</a> for reviews and final edits!</em></p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator\" />\n\n\n\n<p><em>Esperanza first.<br>Want to know the next jazzer?<br>Then please test beta.</em></p>\n\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:30:\"com-wordpress:feed-additions:1\";a:1:{s:7:\"post-id\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:5:\"10843\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}}}i:18;a:6:{s:4:\"data\";s:58:\"\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"child\";a:4:{s:0:\"\";a:7:{s:5:\"title\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:55:\"WP Briefing: Episode 11: WordCamp Europe 2021 in Review\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"link\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:77:\"https://wordpress.org/news/2021/06/episode-11-wordcamp-europe-2021-in-review/\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:7:\"pubDate\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:31:\"Mon, 21 Jun 2021 12:33:22 +0000\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:11:\"wp-briefing\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"guid\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:53:\"https://wordpress.org/news/?post_type=podcast&p=10837\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:1:{s:0:\"\";a:1:{s:11:\"isPermaLink\";s:5:\"false\";}}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:11:\"description\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:364:\"In this episode, Josepha Haden Chomphosy does a mini deep dive into WordCamp Europe 2021, specifically the conversation between the project’s co-founder, Matt Mullenweg, and Brian Krogsgard formerly of PostStatus. Tune in to hear her take and for this episode’s small list of big things. Have a question you’d like answered? You can submit them […]\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:9:\"enclosure\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:0:\"\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:1:{s:0:\"\";a:3:{s:3:\"url\";s:60:\"https://wordpress.org/news/files/2021/06/WP-Briefing-011.mp3\";s:6:\"length\";s:1:\"0\";s:4:\"type\";s:0:\"\";}}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:32:\"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/\";a:1:{s:7:\"creator\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:15:\"Chloe Bringmann\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:40:\"http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/\";a:1:{s:7:\"encoded\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:10500:\"\n<p>In this episode, Josepha Haden Chomphosy does a mini deep dive into WordCamp Europe 2021, specifically the conversation between the project’s co-founder, Matt Mullenweg, and Brian Krogsgard formerly of PostStatus. Tune in to hear her take and for this episode’s small list of big things.</p>\n\n\n\n<p><em><strong>Have a question you’d like answered? You can submit them to <a href=\"mailto:wpbriefing@wordpress.org\">wpbriefing@wordpress.org</a>, either written or as a voice recording.</strong></em></p>\n\n\n\n<h2>Credits</h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Editor:<a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/dustinhartzler/\"> Dustin Hartzler</a></p>\n\n\n\n<p>Logo:<a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/beafialho/\"> Beatriz Fialho</a></p>\n\n\n\n<p>Production:<a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/mkaz/\"> </a><a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/cbringmann/\">Chloé Bringmann</a></p>\n\n\n\n<p>Song: Fearless First by Kevin MacLeod</p>\n\n\n\n<h2>References </h2>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https://wordpress.org/news/2021/06/gutenberg-highlights/\">Gutenberg Highlights </a></p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o-IvKy3322k&t=12428s\">Matt Mullenweg in conversation with Brian Krogsgard </a></p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/core/5-8/\">5.8 Development Cycle</a></p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https://japan.wordcamp.org/2021/\">WordCamp Japan</a></p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https://europe.wordcamp.org/2021/a-recap-on-wceu-2021/\">A recap on WCEU 2021</a></p>\n\n\n\n<h2>Transcript</h2>\n\n\n\n<span id=\"more-10837\"></span>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Josepha Haden Chomphosy 00:10</strong></p>\n\n\n\n<p>Hello, everyone, and welcome to the WordPress Briefing, the podcast where you can catch quick explanations of the ideas behind the WordPress open source project, some insights into the community that supports it, and get a small list of big things coming up in the next two weeks. I’m your host, Josepha Haden Chomphosy. Here we go!</p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Josepha Haden Chomphosy 00:40</strong></p>\n\n\n\n<p>A couple of weeks ago, we hosted WordCamp Europe and had the double pleasure of a demo that showed us a bit about the future of WordPress and an interview that looked back while also looking a bit forward. If you haven’t seen the demo, it was beautiful. And I’ve included a link to it in the show notes. And if you haven’t heard the interview, there were a few specific moments that I’d like to take the time to delve into a little more. Brian Krogsgard, in his conversation with Matt Mullenweg, brought up three really interesting points. I mean, he brought up a lot of interesting points, but there were three that I would particularly like to look into today. The first was about balance. The second was about cohesion. And the third was about those we leave behind. </p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Josepha Haden Chomphosy 01:24</strong></p>\n\n\n\n<p>So first is this question of balance. Brian brought this up in the context of the overall economic health of the WordPress ecosystem. And in that particular moment, he talked about companies that are coming together, companies that are merging. And in Matt’s answer, the part that I found the most interesting was when he said, “the point at which there is the most commercial opportunity is also the point at which there is the most opportunity for short-termism. He went on to talk about the importance of long-term thinking and collective thinking about what makes us, and us here means probably the WordPress project, more vibrant and vital in 10 or 20 or 30 years. One of the things that he specifically called out in that answer was the responsibility of larger companies in the ecosystem. For instance, like Automattic, to commit fully to giving back, there are many ways now that companies can give back to WordPress so that we all replenish the Commons. They can pay for volunteer contributors’ time; they can create and sponsor entire teams through the Five for the Future program. They can contribute time through our outreach program. And they can even contribute to WordPress’s ability to own our own voice by engaging their audience’s awareness of what’s next in WordPress, or whatever. And I know this balance, this particular balance of paid contributors or sponsored contributors, compared to our volunteer contributors or self-sponsored contributors; I know that this balance is one that people keep an eagle eye on. I am consistently on a tight rope to appropriately balanced those voices. But as with so many things where balance is key, keeping an eye on the middle or the long-distance can really help us get it right. </p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Josepha Haden Chomphosy 03:23</strong></p>\n\n\n\n<p>The second question was one of cohesion and specifically cohesion over the competition. Brian asked how, if people feel disadvantaged, you can foster a feeling of cohesion rather than competition? And Matt’s first answer was that competition is great. Specifically, he said that competition is great as long as you consider where your collaboration fits into the mission. And he also spent some time exploring how competitors in the ecosystem can still work from a community-first mindset. I personally cannot agree enough about some of the benefits of collaboration alongside your competitors. I remind sponsored contributors from time to time, and I think it’s true for any contributor that you are an employee of your company first and a contributor to WordPress second. However, once you step into contribution time, your main concern is the users of WordPress, or new contributors, or the health of the WordPress ecosystem as a whole or the WordPress project. So you get all this subject matter expertise from competitive forces, collaborating in a very us versus the problem way. And when you do that, you’re always going to find a great solution. It may not be as fast as you want it to build things out in the open in public. And so sometimes we get it wrong and have to come back and fix it but still, given time, we’re going to come out with the best solution because we have so many skilled people working on this. </p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Josepha Haden Chomphosy 05:01</strong></p>\n\n\n\n<p>And then the third question that I wanted to really touch on is the question of those we leave behind. Brian asked Matt if he thought mid-sized agencies and mid-sized consultants were being squeezed out with the block editor. Matt’s high-level answer was no, and I tend to agree with him. It’s not all mid-sized anything any more than it’s all small-sized anything. His answer continued to look at what stands to change for users with the block editor and who really can stand to benefit. It made me think back to my WordPress 5.0 listening tour. We launched WordPress 5.0, which was, in case anyone forgets, the first release with the block editor in it. I took a six-month-long tour to anywhere that WordPressers were so I could hear their main worries, what Brian is saying in there, and what Matt is saying to really came up all the time in those conversations. And basically, it was that this update takes all the power away from people who are building websites. And in these conversations, and Matt and Brian’s conversation, it was really focused on our freelancers and consultants. But at the same time, all of them heard that this update gives power back to all of the people who could build websites. </p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Josepha Haden Chomphosy 06:28</strong></p>\n\n\n\n<p>I could not shake the feeling at the time. And honestly, I can’t shake it now that no high-end consultants, or freelancers, or any other developer or site creator sit around just longing for maintenance work. After six months of talking to people, I didn’t hear anyone say, “you know, I just love making the same author card over and over and over.” Or, “updated the footer every week, this month. And that’s why I got into this business.” And more than the feeling that there just wasn’t anyone who just loved maintenance, I got a feeling that there were real problems that needed to be solved for these clients and that they wanted to solve them. And that they also would gladly trade updating footers for the much more interesting work of creating modern and stylish business hubs based on WordPress for the clients who trust them so much. All of that, I guess, is to say that, yes, the block editor does give power back to our clients again, but not at the expense of those who have to build the sites in the first place. I think it stands to restore everyone’s sense of agency more than we truly realize. So that’s my deep dive on WordCamp Europe; I included links to the demo and the talk below, just in case you haven’t seen them yet. And you want to get a little bit of insight into the full context of the conversations that I just did a bit of a deep dive into. </p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Josepha Haden Chomphosy 08:15</strong></p>\n\n\n\n<p>And now it’s time for our smallest of big things. All right, I have three things for you today. Number one, tomorrow, we package WordPress 5.8 beta three. If you’ve never had a chance to stop by the core channel in slack for the past packaging process, I really encourage you to stop by; we call them release parties. It’s a bunch of people who stand around and help get it done. So you can also see how it gets done. And if you’re feeling brave, you can even try your hand at testing out one of the packages as soon as it’s ready. The second thing is that a week from tomorrow, we reach our first release candidate milestone. So if you have meant to submit any bugs or patches or if you’ve been procrastinating on documentation, or dev notes, right now is the time so that we can have a chance to get everything into the release by the time we reach the release candidate milestone on the 29th. And the third thing is that we are currently right in the middle of WordCamp Japan. That is a great opportunity to meet some contributors and maybe even get started with contributions yourself. So stop by if you haven’t had a chance to check it out already. I will leave a link in the show notes. And that, my friends, is your small list of big things. </p>\n\n\n\n<p>Thank you for tuning in today for the WordPress Briefing. I’m your host, Josepha Haden Chomphosy, and I’ll see you again in a couple of weeks.</p>\n\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:30:\"com-wordpress:feed-additions:1\";a:1:{s:7:\"post-id\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:5:\"10837\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}}}i:19;a:6:{s:4:\"data\";s:60:\"\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"child\";a:4:{s:0:\"\";a:6:{s:5:\"title\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:20:\"WordPress 5.8 Beta 2\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"link\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:56:\"https://wordpress.org/news/2021/06/wordpress-5-8-beta-2/\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:7:\"pubDate\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:31:\"Tue, 15 Jun 2021 18:34:31 +0000\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:8:\"category\";a:2:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:11:\"Development\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:1;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:8:\"Releases\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"guid\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:35:\"https://wordpress.org/news/?p=10808\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:1:{s:0:\"\";a:1:{s:11:\"isPermaLink\";s:5:\"false\";}}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:11:\"description\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:344:\"WordPress 5.8 Beta 2 is now available for testing! This software is still in development, so it’s not recommended to run this version on a production site. Consider setting up a test site to play with it. You can test the WordPress 5.8 Beta 2 in two ways: Install/activate the WordPress Beta Tester plugin (select the Bleeding […]\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:32:\"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/\";a:1:{s:7:\"creator\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:19:\"Jonathan Desrosiers\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:40:\"http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/\";a:1:{s:7:\"encoded\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:6174:\"\n<p>WordPress 5.8 Beta 2 is now available for testing!</p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>This software is still in development,</strong> so it’s not recommended to run this version on a production site. Consider setting up a test site to play with it.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>You can test the WordPress 5.8 Beta 2 in two ways:</p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Install/activate the <a href=\"https://wordpress.org/plugins/wordpress-beta-tester/\">WordPress Beta Tester</a> plugin (select the <code>Bleeding edge</code> channel and the <code>Beta/RC Only</code> stream)</li><li>Direct download the beta version here (<a href=\"https://wordpress.org/wordpress-5.8-beta2.zip\">zip</a>).</li></ul>\n\n\n\n<p>The current target for the final release is July 20, 2021. That’s just <strong>five weeks away</strong>, so your help is vital to ensure that the final release is as good as it can be.</p>\n\n\n\n<h2><strong>Some Highlights</strong></h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Since <a href=\"https://wordpress.org/news/2021/06/wordpress-5-8-beta-1/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"10733\">Beta 1</a>, <a href=\"https://core.trac.wordpress.org/query?status=closed&changetime=06%2F09%2F2021..06%2F15%2F2021&milestone=5.8&group=component&max=500&col=id&col=summary&col=owner&col=type&col=priority&col=component&col=version&order=priority\">26</a> bugs have been fixed. Here is a summary of some of the included changes:</p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Block Editor: Remove bundled block patterns and support the patterns directory. (<a href=\"https://core.trac.wordpress.org/ticket/53246\">#53246</a>)</li><li>Block Editor: Add a type property to allow Core to identify the source of the editor styles. (<a href=\"https://core.trac.wordpress.org/ticket/53175\">#53175</a>)</li><li>Build/Test Tools: Adds some tests for Quick Draft section in Dashboard. (<a href=\"https://core.trac.wordpress.org/ticket/52905\">#52905</a>)</li><li>Build/Test Tools: Replaced <code>@babel/polyfill</code> with <code>core-js/stable</code>. (<a href=\"https://core.trac.wordpress.org/ticket/52941\">#52941</a>)</li><li>Coding Standards: Further update the code for bulk menu items deletion to better follow WordPress coding standards. (<a href=\"https://core.trac.wordpress.org/ticket/21603\">#21603</a>)</li><li>External Libraries: Update Underscore to version 1.13.1. (<a href=\"https://core.trac.wordpress.org/ticket/45785\">#45785</a>)</li><li>General: A number of block editor, template mode and widget screen related fixes. (<a href=\"https://core.trac.wordpress.org/changeset/51149\">#51149</a>)</li><li>Login and Registration: Improve the unknown username error message. (<a href=\"https://core.trac.wordpress.org/ticket/52915\">#52915</a>)</li><li>Media: Restore AJAX response data shape in media library. (<a href=\"https://core.trac.wordpress.org/ticket/50105\">#50105</a>)</li><li>Site Health: Display a list of file formats supported by the GD library. (<a href=\"https://core.trac.wordpress.org/ticket/53022\">#53022</a>)</li><li><span style=\"color: initial;, sans-serif\">Twemoji: It’s the new one! (</span><a href=\"https://core.trac.wordpress.org/ticket/52852\">#52852</a>)</li></ul>\n\n\n\n<h2><strong>How You Can Help</strong></h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Watch the <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/core/\">Make WordPress Core blog</a> for <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/core/tag/5-8+dev-notes/\">5.8-related developer notes</a> in the coming weeks, which will break down these and other changes in greater detail.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>So far, contributors have fixed <a href=\"https://core.trac.wordpress.org/query?status=closed&changetime=..06%2F15%2F2021&milestone=5.8&group=component&max=500&col=id&col=summary&col=owner&col=type&col=priority&col=component&col=version&order=priority\">214 tickets in WordPress 5.8</a>, including <a href=\"https://core.trac.wordpress.org/query?status=closed&status=reopened&changetime=..06%2F15%2F2021&type=enhancement&type=feature+request&milestone=5.8&group=component&col=id&col=summary&col=type&col=status&col=milestone&col=changetime&col=owner&col=priority&col=keywords&order=changetime\">87 new features and enhancements</a>, and more bug fixes are on the way.</p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Do some testing!</strong></p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/core/handbook/testing/beta-testing/\">Testing for bugs</a> is a vital part of polishing the release during the beta stage and a great way to contribute. <img src=\"https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/13.1.0/72x72/2728.png\" alt=\"✨\" class=\"wp-smiley\" style=\"height: 1em; max-height: 1em;\" /></p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you think you’ve found a bug, please post to the <a href=\"https://wordpress.org/support/forum/alphabeta/\">Alpha/Beta</a> area in the support forums. We would love to hear from you! If you’re comfortable writing a reproducible <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/core/reports/\">bug report</a>, file one on <a href=\"https://core.trac.wordpress.org/newticket\">WordPress Trac</a>. That’s also where you can find a list of <a href=\"https://core.trac.wordpress.org/tickets/major\">known bugs</a>.</p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Props to <a href=\'https://profiles.wordpress.org/chanthaboune/\' class=\'mention\'><span class=\'mentions-prefix\'>@</span>chanthaboune</a> for revision, <a href=\'https://profiles.wordpress.org/webcommsat/\' class=\'mention\'><span class=\'mentions-prefix\'>@</span>webcommsat</a>, <a href=\'https://profiles.wordpress.org/youknowriad/\' class=\'mention\'><span class=\'mentions-prefix\'>@</span>youknowriad</a>, <a href=\'https://profiles.wordpress.org/jorbin/\' class=\'mention\'><span class=\'mentions-prefix\'>@</span>jorbin</a>, <a href=\'https://profiles.wordpress.org/felipeelia/\' class=\'mention\'><span class=\'mentions-prefix\'>@</span>felipeelia</a> , and <a href=\'https://profiles.wordpress.org/jeffpaul/\' class=\'mention\'><span class=\'mentions-prefix\'>@</span>jeffpaul</a> for proofreading, and <a href=\'https://profiles.wordpress.org/cbringmann/\' class=\'mention\'><span class=\'mentions-prefix\'>@</span>cbringmann</a> for final edits!</em></p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator\" />\n\n\n\n<p><em>Install won’t you please<br>WordPress 5-8 Beta 2?<br>We need your help: test!</em></p>\n\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:30:\"com-wordpress:feed-additions:1\";a:1:{s:7:\"post-id\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:5:\"10808\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}}}}}s:27:\"http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom\";a:1:{s:4:\"link\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:0:\"\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:1:{s:0:\"\";a:3:{s:4:\"href\";s:32:\"https://wordpress.org/news/feed/\";s:3:\"rel\";s:4:\"self\";s:4:\"type\";s:19:\"application/rss+xml\";}}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:44:\"http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/syndication/\";a:2:{s:12:\"updatePeriod\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:9:\"\n hourly \";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:15:\"updateFrequency\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:4:\"\n 1 \";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:30:\"com-wordpress:feed-additions:1\";a:1:{s:4:\"site\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:8:\"14607090\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}}}}}}}}}}s:4:\"type\";i:128;s:7:\"headers\";O:42:\"Requests_Utility_CaseInsensitiveDictionary\":1:{s:7:\"\0*\0data\";a:9:{s:6:\"server\";s:5:\"nginx\";s:4:\"date\";s:29:\"Sun, 19 Sep 2021 05:09:49 GMT\";s:12:\"content-type\";s:34:\"application/rss+xml; charset=UTF-8\";s:25:\"strict-transport-security\";s:11:\"max-age=360\";s:6:\"x-olaf\";s:3:\"⛄\";s:13:\"last-modified\";s:29:\"Fri, 17 Sep 2021 07:36:03 GMT\";s:4:\"link\";s:63:\"<https://wordpress.org/news/wp-json/>; rel=\"https://api.w.org/\"\";s:15:\"x-frame-options\";s:10:\"SAMEORIGIN\";s:4:\"x-nc\";s:9:\"HIT ord 2\";}}s:5:\"build\";s:14:\"20201213021516\";}','no'),(8343,'_transient_timeout_feed_mod_9bbd59226dc36b9b26cd43f15694c5c3','1632071338','no'),(8344,'_transient_feed_mod_9bbd59226dc36b9b26cd43f15694c5c3','1632028138','no'),(8345,'_transient_timeout_feed_d117b5738fbd35bd8c0391cda1f2b5d9','1632071340','no');
INSERT INTO `wp_options` VALUES (8346,'_transient_feed_d117b5738fbd35bd8c0391cda1f2b5d9','a:4:{s:5:\"child\";a:1:{s:0:\"\";a:1:{s:3:\"rss\";a:1:{i:0;a:6:{s:4:\"data\";s:3:\"\n\n\n\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:1:{s:0:\"\";a:1:{s:7:\"version\";s:3:\"2.0\";}}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"child\";a:1:{s:0:\"\";a:1:{s:7:\"channel\";a:1:{i:0;a:6:{s:4:\"data\";s:61:\"\n \n \n \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"child\";a:1:{s:0:\"\";a:5:{s:5:\"title\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:16:\"WordPress Planet\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"link\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:28:\"http://planet.wordpress.org/\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:8:\"language\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:2:\"en\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:11:\"description\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:47:\"WordPress Planet - http://planet.wordpress.org/\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"item\";a:50:{i:0;a:6:{s:4:\"data\";s:13:\"\n \n \n \n \n \n \n\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"child\";a:2:{s:0:\"\";a:5:{s:5:\"title\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:102:\"Gutenberg Times: Insights into theme building for FSE, Headless and Gutenberg — Weekend Edition #185\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"guid\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:35:\"https://gutenbergtimes.com/?p=19023\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"link\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:70:\"https://gutenbergtimes.com/theme-building-for-fse-weekend-edition-185/\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:11:\"description\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:15900:\"<p>Howdy,</p>\n\n\n\n\n\n<p>Now, you might have heard or read, <a href=\"https://twitter.com/andmiddleton\"><strong>Andrea Middleton</strong></a> has left Automattic after 10 years shaping and growing the WordPress Community, and new leaders for open-source. Whenever I spent time with Andrea, I came out a better person. </p>\n\n\n\n<p>I have a hard time, accepting this big change. I can’t imagine the WordPress community without Andrea Middleton. As you see, I am still in denial. ?</p>\n\n\n\n<p>Even from the distance, she makes sure we are ok. She published a blog series: <a href=\"https://andreamiddleton.blog/2021/09/07/letters-to-an-open-source-contributor/\">“Letters to an open-source contributor”</a> – That might be you, too! She shared her wisdom on <a href=\"https://andreamiddleton.blog/2021/09/07/letters-to-an-open-source-contributor-communication/\">Communication</a>, <a href=\"https://andreamiddleton.blog/2021/09/08/letters-to-an-open-source-contributor-collaboration/\">Collaboration</a>, <a href=\"https://andreamiddleton.blog/2021/09/09/criticizing-for-change/\">Criticizing for Change</a> and on <a href=\"https://andreamiddleton.blog/2021/09/10/letters-to-an-open-source-contributor-leadership/\">Leadership</a> . Andrea has a way to make us listen and hear the truth about ourselves and our community. <a href=\"https://andreamiddleton.blog/letters-to-an-open-source-contributor/\">And she promised more.</a> ?</p>\n\n\n\n<p>Well, I still keep forgetting her advice on communication:</p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote><p>„Be kind; be brief.”</p><cite>Andrea Middleton</cite></blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p><em>To clarify, I have trouble with the brief part, not the kind part.</em></p>\n\n\n\n<p>Now it’s Gutenberg time. Many people are exploring block-based Themes. How about you? We have quite a few awesome resources for you, about that and so much more. Enjoy!</p>\n\n\n\n<p>Yours, ?<br />Birgit</p>\n\n\n\n\n<a href=\"https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/8816229019893/WN_TShtABQnRYKrHN6ffMFpaA\"><img /></a>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-spacer\"></div>\n\n\n\n\n<p>We scheduled a <a href=\"https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/4216223029678/WN_TShtABQnRYKrHN6ffMFpaA\">Live Q & A on building Themes going from classic to block-based themes</a>. I am thrilled to discuss with Ellen Bauer, Anders Noren, and Carolina Nymark, three brilliant WordPress Themes, the challenges, and opportunities of building block-based themes, using theme.json, Block Patterns and getting ready for Full-site editing. <br /><a href=\"https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/4216223029678/WN_TShtABQnRYKrHN6ffMFpaA\"><strong>Join us on October 7th, at 16:00 UTC / 11:00 EDT and register now.</strong></a></p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator is-style-wide\" />\n\n\n\n<h2>Gutenberg Development</h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Gutenberg 11.5 was released and had quite a few enhancements, as you can read in <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/core/2021/09/17/whats-new-in-gutenberg-11-5-16-september/\"><strong>What’s new in Gutenberg 11.5?</strong></a> by <strong><a href=\"https://twitter.com/GetSource\">Mike Schroder</a></strong>. </p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Justin Tadlock</strong> has more details: <strong><a href=\"https://wptavern.com/gutenberg-11-5-adds-widget-grouping-iterates-on-the-block-gap-feature-and-updates-nav-menus#comments\">Gutenberg 11.5 Adds Widget Grouping, Iterates on the Block Gap Feature, and Updates Nav Menus</a>. </strong></p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Grzegorz Ziolkowski</strong> and I recorded Episode 52 of the Gutenberg Changelog podcast, and it will arrive at your favorite podcast app over the weekend.</p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Hector Prieto</strong> describes the next focus areas for the Gutenberg development and WordPress 5.9 in his post: <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/core/2021/09/17/whats-next-in-gutenberg-mid-september-2021/\"><strong>What’s next in Gutenberg? (Mid-September 2021)</strong></a></p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Jason Crist</strong> from the WordPress Theme team curated again <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/themes/2021/09/17/gutenberg-themes-week-of-september-13-2021/\"><strong>an extensive list of issues and PRs, related to full-site editing</strong></a>. <strong>Join the discussion</strong> on adding Child Themes support for FSE, duo-tone in theme.json or how to the experiments on controlling Navigation block and screen via theme.json. </p>\n\n\n\n<h2><strong>Building Themes: Full-site Editing, Theme.json and Global Styles</strong></h2>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https://twitter.com/3LPU4S\"><strong>Alfredo Navas</strong></a> dove deep into the documentation and wrote a tutorial on <a href=\"https://webdevstudios.com/2021/09/14/wordpress-fse-and-block-based-themes/\"><strong>How to use the Full-Site Editor to create a block-based theme</strong></a>. Start with blank files and the right folder structure. After activating the theme, Navas walks you through the process of creating a fully functional theme using the Site Editor and the new theme blocks available. No code required. You can then export it as a zip file and upload to other sites, too. </p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator is-style-wide\" />\n\n\n\n<p>During this week’s <a href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iRWHDo-RTGo\"><strong>Hallway Hangout,</strong></a> facilitated by <strong>Anne McCarthy</strong>, <strong>Marcus Kazmierczak </strong>and <strong>Dave Smith</strong>, attendees discuss various pathways for adopting full-site editing. There is also a <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/test/2021/09/17/hallway-hangout-discussion-on-adoption-pathways-for-full-site-editing-16-september/\">Recap post</a> with the recording, a summary of topics and links to all the resources mentioned. </p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator is-style-wide\" />\n\n\n\n<p>Take a deep dive into handling color choices via theme.json with <strong>Carolina Nymark</strong>‘s Lesson on <strong><a href=\"https://fullsiteediting.com/lessons/theme-json-color-options/\">Theme.json color options</a></strong>. Nymark no only covers the usage of all color options, she also shows you how to disable the color picker, gradients, duotone etc. The disabling methods are inconsistent for all the choices. It’s important to consider context. </p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator is-style-wide\" />\n\n\n\n<p><strong><a href=\"https://twitter.com/fabiankaegy\">Fabian Kägy</a></strong> shared his i<a href=\"https://fabian-kaegy.com/i-rebuild-my-site-as-a-block-based-theme-here-is-what-i-learned/\"><strong>nsights when he rebuilt his site as a block-based theme</strong></a>. He walked us through the various aspects of theme development and the challenges he faced. “I outline a few of the things that really impressed me and also a few areas that I have been struggling with a bit / have open questions about.” Kägy wrote. He added quite a few code examples to illustrate his thinking. Well worth following this rabbit hole! </p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator is-style-wide\" />\n\n\n\n<p>You still have time to send in your feedback for the <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/test/2021/09/08/fse-program-exploration-help-with-the-future-of-block-theme-switching/\"><strong>Theme Switching Exploration</strong></a> taking place in the <strong>FSE Outreach Program</strong>. The focus of this exploration is looking at Theme switching from a longer-term perspective. It guides you through a very basic theme switching process and then asks you to creatively think about what you’d like to see happen. Doesn’t this sound like great fun? You can influence the next phase of full-site editing and the future of WordPress themes standards. </p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator is-style-wide\" />\n\n\n\n<p>Speaking of Exploration: <strong><a href=\"https://twitter.com/javier\">Javier Arce</a></strong> presents in his post <strong><a href=\"https://javierarce.blog/2021/09/14/interaction-of-color/\">Interaction with Colors</a></strong> an exploration of the Color panel and Color picker and a proposal for their improvement. In their current implementation they for instance don’t seem to scale well, take a lot of screen real estate. Arce is part of WordPress design team and works on the Inspector Controls for the Global Styles sponsored by Automattic. </p>\n\n\n\n<h2>Gutenberg for content creators and site implementers</h2>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https://twitter.com/HughRoberts05\"><strong>Hugh W. Roberts</strong> </a>used a great example for his post on how reusable block can help you with your content creation and save some time in the process. In his post <a href=\"https://hughsviewsandnews.com/2021/09/13/how-to-create-and-use-a-reusable-block-for-your-book-on-wordpress/comment-page-1/#comment-123800\"><strong>“How to Create And Use A Reusable Block For Your Book On WordPress” </strong></a>– step by step – you learn how to create, Reusable blocks, place them into your post and amended them over all instances, when things change. </p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator is-style-wide\" />\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Andres Noren</strong> has been working on a new theme for full-site editing. <strong>Justin Tadlock </strong>spotted it in the Theme Review queue and tested it for the WPTavern: <a href=\"https://wptavern.com/tove-a-block-based-wordpress-theme-by-anders-noren\"><strong>Tove: A Block-Based WordPress Theme</strong></a></p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator is-style-wide\" />\n\n\n\n<h2>Block editor for developers</h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><a href=\"https://twitter.com/polevaultweb\">Iain Paulson</a></strong> wrote the Ultimate Overview of the <a href=\"https://deliciousbrains.com/wordpress-gutenberg/\"><strong>WordPress Block Editor for Developers</strong></a> in 2021 for Delicious Brains. </p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Delicious Brains</em> recently acquired plugin <a href=\"https://www.advancedcustomfields.com/\">Advanced Custom Fields</a> has passed the 2-Million active installations’ threshold! Congratulations! Through the grapevine, I learned that Delicious Brains is also taking over also <a href=\"https://wordpress.org/plugins/acf-blocks/\">ACF Blocks plugin</a> from Extendify. <strong>Munir Kamal</strong> is the original author of the plugin and then <a href=\"https://wptavern.com/extendify-acquires-editor-plus-introduces-commercial-templates-in-its-plan-to-improve-block-editing\">joined Extendify back in March.</a></p>\n\n\n\n\n<p><strong><a href=\"https://gutenbergtimes.com/need-a-zip-from-master/\">Need a plugin .zip from Gutenberg’s main (trunk) branch?</a></strong><br />Gutenberg Times provides daily build for testing and review. <br />Have you been using it? Hit reply and let me know.</p>\n\n\n\n<p><img alt=\"GitHub all releases\" src=\"https://img.shields.io/github/downloads/bph/gutenberg/total\" /></p>\n\n\n\n\n<p>The team at <a href=\"https://webdevstudios.com/\">WebDevStudios</a> also build some <a href=\"https://github.com/WebDevStudios/wds-acf-blocks\"><strong>Blocks for ACF. </strong></a> Among other blocks, that could also be Block Patterns, the plugin provides an Accordion block and a Carousel Block for which the data is managed through Advanced Custom Fields. Have a look at <a href=\"https://github.com/WebDevStudios/wds-acf-blocks/wiki/WDS-ACF-Blocks\">the Wiki for documentation</a>.</p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator is-style-wide\" />\n\n\n\n<p>If you are interested in Headless WordPress and Gutenberg, <strong><a href=\"https://wptavern.com/wp-engine-launches-faust-js-a-new-headless-wordpress-framework\">WP Engine Launches Faust.js, a New Headless WordPress Framework</a></strong> for a NodeJS hosting environment. While Frontity builds on top of the mainly client-side ReactJS framework, Faust is built in top of NextJS, server-side ReactJS. <strong>Sarah Gooding </strong>provides us with the details. </p>\n\n\n\n<p>You don’t have to host with WPEngine to use this framework. It’s open-source and <a href=\"https://github.com/wpengine/faustjs\">available via GitHub</a>. The repository has gathered at the time of this post over 400 stars and 43 forks. Faust.js is in the early stages of development. </p>\n\n\n\n<p>From the <a href=\"https://github.com/wpengine/faustjs/projects/1\">project board for the roadmap</a>, we learn that the Data Fetching process is considered done, and Authentication handling is being worked on. The team still discusses a Gutenberg Bridge and Gatsby support, yet another front-end framework build on top of ReactJS </p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><a href=\"https://twitter.com/KellenMace\">Kellen Mace</a></strong>, developer advocate at WPEngine, published some additional details on how Gutenberg and WPGraphQL can fit together: </p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li><a href=\"https://developers.wpengine.com/blog/gutenberg-in-headless-wordpress-render-blocks-as-html\"><strong>Gutenberg in Headless WordPress: Render Blocks as HTML</strong></a></li><li><a href=\"https://developers.wpengine.com/blog/gutenberg-in-headless-wordpress-wpgraphql-gutenberg\"><strong>Gutenberg in Headless WordPress: WPGraphQL Gutenberg</strong></a></li></ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator is-style-wide\" />\n\n\n\n<h2>WordPress Events</h2>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https://2021.wpcampus.org/schedule\"><strong>WPCampus</strong></a>, a two-day virtual conference in the Higher Ed space, starts Tuesday, September 21. <a href=\"https://2021.wpcampus.org/schedule\">Here is the schedule.</a> There are quite a few Gutenberg related presentation, so it’s worth getting your free ticket. </p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li><a href=\"https://2021.wpcampus.org/schedule/making-gutenberg-viable-with-real-world-strategies\">Making Gutenberg viable with real world strategies</a> with <a href=\"https://twitter.com/JanoWebdev\">Jesse Janowiak</a></li><li><a href=\"https://2021.wpcampus.org/schedule/dynamic-blocks-ftw-customize-gutenberg-without-living-in-fear-of-validation-errors\">Dynamic blocks FTW!: Customize Gutenberg without living in fear of validation errors</a> with <a href=\"https://twitter.com/jonihalabi\">Joni Halabi</a></li><li>Panel Discussion: <a href=\"https://2021.wpcampus.org/schedule/what-ive-learned-from-using-gutenberg\">What I’ve learned from using Gutenberg</a> </li><li><a href=\"https://2021.wpcampus.org/schedule/overview-of-full-site-editing\">Overview of Full Site Editing</a> with Anne McCarthy</li></ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator is-style-wide\" />\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https://woosesh.com/\"><strong>WooSesh 2021</strong> </a>is scheduled for <strong>October 12-15, 2021</strong>. It’s a live, virtual conference for WooCommerce store builders organized by Brian Richards. </p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator is-style-wide\" />\n\n\n\n<p><strong><a href=\"https://pagebuildersummit.com/\">Page Builder Summit</a></strong> is coming back and will be happening <strong>October 18 – 22, 2021. </strong>Nathan Wrigley and Anchen Le Roux are at it again! Sign-up for the VIP list and learn first about the details of the event. </p>\n\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator is-style-wide\" />\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><strong>Don’t want to miss the next Weekend Edition? </strong></p>\n\n\n\n<form class=\"wp-block-newsletterglue-form ngl-form ngl-portrait\" action=\"https://gutenbergtimes.com/feed/\" method=\"post\"><div class=\"ngl-form-container\"><div class=\"ngl-form-field\"><label class=\"ngl-form-label\" for=\"ngl_email\">Type in your Email address to subscribe.</label><div class=\"ngl-form-input\"><input type=\"email\" class=\"ngl-form-input-text\" name=\"ngl_email\" id=\"ngl_email\" /></div></div><button class=\"ngl-form-button\">Subscribe</button><p class=\"ngl-form-text\">We hate spam, too and won’t give your email address to anyone except Mailchimp to send out our Weekend Edition</p></div><div class=\"ngl-message-overlay\"><div class=\"ngl-message-svg-wrap\"></div><div class=\"ngl-message-overlay-text\">Thanks for subscribing.</div></div><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"ngl_list_id\" id=\"ngl_list_id\" value=\"26f81bd8ae\" /><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"ngl_double_optin\" id=\"ngl_double_optin\" value=\"yes\" /></form>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator is-style-wide\" />\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:7:\"pubDate\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:31:\"Sat, 18 Sep 2021 09:45:07 +0000\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:32:\"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/\";a:1:{s:7:\"creator\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:18:\"Birgit Pauli-Haack\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}}}i:1;a:6:{s:4:\"data\";s:13:\"\n \n \n \n \n \n \n\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"child\";a:2:{s:0:\"\";a:5:{s:5:\"title\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:94:\"WPTavern: WordPress Contributor Teams Seek to Curb Spam Pledges in Five for the Future Program\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"guid\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:30:\"https://wptavern.com/?p=122800\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"link\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:233:\"https://wptavern.com/wordpress-contributor-teams-seek-to-curb-spam-pledges-in-five-for-the-future-program?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=wordpress-contributor-teams-seek-to-curb-spam-pledges-in-five-for-the-future-program\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:11:\"description\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:3919:\"<p>The <a href=\"https://wordpress.org/five-for-the-future/\">Five for the Future</a> program, an initiative Matt Mullenweg proposed in 2014, may soon be addressing the problem of spam and outdated pledges that appear on the program’s dedicated website. The idea behind the program is that organizations and individuals will contribute five percent of their resources back to WordPress development, ensuring the future of the project.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>Five for the Future launched a website in 2019 to display pledges and has always relied on the honor system of self-reporting tools for individual and organizational pledges. In a discussion <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/project/2021/09/10/suggested-iterations-for-the-five-for-the-future-program-and-tool/#comment-24\">post</a> suggesting iterations on the project, Andrea Middleton identified two major issues with the program’s current implementation that she said “have kept it from reaching its full potential:”</p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Spam or dormant pledges</li><li>Disconnect between contributor teams and pledged contributors</li></ul>\n\n\n\n<p>“Two years later, there have certainly been more ‘spam’ pledges than anyone would want, and surprisingly (to me) few reports of fake or spam pledges,” Middleton said. “What that tells me = either people don’t go surfing around in the pledge lists, checking for accuracy, the Report feature is too hard to find (unlikely), or people don’t really care whether pledges are accurate or not.”</p>\n\n\n\n<p>Middleton said the existence of spam pledges diminishes the value of active pledges, which necessitates disclaimers on the site if it is to continue without a regular spam cleanup. She suggests starting bi-annual or annual spam checks mediated by contributor team leaders, who would report if they have ever worked with or seen participation from a specific list of pledged individuals. WordPress.org could send absent contributors an email prompting them to re-confirm their pledges are not spam.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>Ian Dunn, a full-time contributor to WordPress, suggested automating the effort to combat spam and dormant pledges.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>“I think it’d be best to tackle this first, because it won’t matter how good our recruiting docs are if team reps have to dig through hundreds of inaccurate pledges in order to find the 5% of them that will contribute,” Dunn said.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>“I worry that a manual approach would add too much work for team reps, and wouldn’t be done consistently, especially after the first 6-12 months.”</p>\n\n\n\n<p>He suggests sending all people who are pledged regular emails for re-confirming their commitment, automating props wherever possible, and removing pledges after 6 months of no activity. Contribution tracking isn’t as straightforward for things like Community team efforts but there may be some innovative solutions for these types of contributions.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>“As a team rep, I’d love a way to call in contributors that have pledged to the team,” Courtney Engle Robertson said. Robertson contributes 20 hours per week to the Documentation, Marketing, Test, and Training teams. “I’d like them filtered a bit based upon team roles matched with what folks say they are interested in helping with. They could opt out if they need to change their commitments.” This suggestion would help address Middleton’s concern about the disconnect between contributor teams and pledged contributors.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>The discussion has been active for a week and is still in the the idea sharing stage. If you have any feedback on the ideas proposed or new ones to contribute, jump in on the comments of the <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/project/2021/09/10/suggested-iterations-for-the-five-for-the-future-program-and-tool/#comment-24\">post</a>. </p>\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:7:\"pubDate\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:31:\"Sat, 18 Sep 2021 02:11:26 +0000\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:32:\"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/\";a:1:{s:7:\"creator\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:13:\"Sarah Gooding\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}}}i:2;a:6:{s:4:\"data\";s:13:\"\n \n \n \n \n \n \n\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"child\";a:2:{s:0:\"\";a:5:{s:5:\"title\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:62:\"WPTavern: Tove: A Block-Based WordPress Theme by Anders Norén\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"guid\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:30:\"https://wptavern.com/?p=122962\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"link\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:165:\"https://wptavern.com/tove-a-block-based-wordpress-theme-by-anders-noren?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=tove-a-block-based-wordpress-theme-by-anders-noren\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:11:\"description\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:4527:\"<p class=\"has-drop-cap\">I have been secretly keeping tabs on Anders Norén over the past couple of weeks, awaiting the moment he pushed his first block theme to the WordPress directory. I first noticed it when he <a href=\"https://twitter.com/andersnoren/status/1433779833176268806\">tweeted a screenshot</a> two weeks ago. And, today was the day it happened. <a href=\"https://andersnoren.se/teman/tove-wordpress-theme/\">Tove</a> landed in the review portal several hours ago, and I have been tinkering with it ever since.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>While it is not downloadable from the directory yet, the review system moves much faster than in times past. It should be available soon. In the meantime, anyone who wants to give it a spin can grab the ZIP file <a href=\"https://themes.trac.wordpress.org/ticket/105802\">from its ticket</a>.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>I called his last WordPress theme, <a href=\"https://wptavern.com/compatibility-is-not-enough-the-eksell-wordpress-theme-creates-art-with-blocks\">Eksell</a>, “the standard by which we should be judging all other” themes, and Norén has a history of releasing solid designs. Could he do for blocks what he has done for classic in years past?</p>\n\n\n\n<p>The truth is that going 100% blocks has limitations. Designers can experiment and test out some new things, but the underlying system is not up to par with what is possible with traditional theming. However, some feats are much easier to accomplish. Much of it depends on the creator’s goals and how well they work with the system instead of fighting it.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>At first glance, Tove was not any more impressive than most block themes I have installed and activated. It seemed pretty bare-bones, but I imagine this is what theming will look like far into the future. Many will be a wide-open canvas that allows users to build whatever type of site they want. Themes will primarily add personality.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>One area where they can and will shine is with custom block patterns. And Tove has over 40 of them.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>The theme is flexible enough for use with various sites, but its focus is on cafes and restaurants. Many of the patterns lean into this, such as custom menus, call-to-action-buttons, and more.</p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><img /></li><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><img /></li><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><img /></li><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><img /></li></ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Patterns are these pre-built pieces of a design that users can mix and match to lay pages out how they want. This also opens up things for theme authors by not having to make any hardline choices on how something like the front page, for example, should look. The theme is offering some suggestions and the tools to put it together. But, ultimately, the end-user gets to decide how it all comes out.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>With Tove, I had my homepage built in just minutes, as shown in the following screenshot. All I would need to do is fill it in with custom content.</p>\n\n\n\n<img />\n\n\n\n<p>It felt empowering to simply mash up just a handful of the theme’s 40+ patterns and create a layout that I was comfortable with. This is what theming should really be all about: handing the keys over to users and letting them take the wheel. The theme’s job is just letting them drive in style.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>There are other things to love about Tove too. It has several custom user-selectable styles, such as horizontal separators for the Columns block. However, my favorite is the shaded style for adding a blue drop-shadow to several blocks.</p>\n\n\n\n<img />Shaded block style.\n\n\n\n<p>The theme is not for everybody. The color palette is a bit on the flashier side and will not fit all sites. Few designers could pull off Tove’s scheme, which is why I think I love it so much. As Norén <a href=\"https://twitter.com/andersnoren/status/1438479224952836100\">said in another tweet</a>, it’s “like a plateful of macarons.” Some can work with pretty much anything. The rest of us are just fans.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>I would not call Tove revolutionary, but it has no need to be. It is built on top of an experimental system that still has many kinks to work out. However, it is nice to see what one of the WordPress community’s best designers can do with a limited toolset. Norén has definitely pushed the boundaries, which should elevate the block theme development space.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>I cannot wait until all the pieces of full site editing are in place, and we can open this thing up.</p>\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:7:\"pubDate\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:31:\"Sat, 18 Sep 2021 01:19:08 +0000\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:32:\"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/\";a:1:{s:7:\"creator\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:14:\"Justin Tadlock\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}}}i:3;a:6:{s:4:\"data\";s:13:\"\n \n \n \n \n \n \n\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"child\";a:2:{s:0:\"\";a:5:{s:5:\"title\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:103:\"WPTavern: Gutenberg 11.5 Adds Widget Grouping, Iterates on the Block Gap Feature, and Updates Nav Menus\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"guid\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:30:\"https://wptavern.com/?p=122881\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"link\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:247:\"https://wptavern.com/gutenberg-11-5-adds-widget-grouping-iterates-on-the-block-gap-feature-and-updates-nav-menus?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=gutenberg-11-5-adds-widget-grouping-iterates-on-the-block-gap-feature-and-updates-nav-menus\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:11:\"description\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:9498:\"<p class=\"has-drop-cap\">Gutenberg 11.5 <a href=\"https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/releases/tag/v11.5.0\">landed earlier today</a>. It is a hefty release that includes extensive changes to the Navigation block, a new way for grouping widgets, and more block gap feature integration.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>I have had mixed reactions to the features that made it into the latest release. At some points, I thought to myself, <em>finally, this made it in</em>. At other moments, I rendered my best version of Jean-Luc Picard’s famous facepalm. But, the wheel keeps turning, and the developers who put their time and effort into the project continue to improve it.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>One quick note is that everyone not running a theme that supports the block editor should check that their backend styles are not out of place. Gutenberg automatically <a href=\"https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/34439\">outputs some default editor styles</a> if the user’s active theme does not register its own or have a <code>theme.json</code> file present. This should be bundled in point release such as WordPress 5.8.2 so that users are not waiting for it until 5.9.</p>\n\n\n\n<h2>Navigation Block Changes</h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-drop-cap\">With nav menus still being a pain point in site editing, Gutenberg has added new levels of complexity. The Site Title and Site Logo blocks are <a href=\"https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/33316\">allowed inside of the Navigation container</a>.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>As Joen Asmussen <a href=\"https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/issues/33278\">shared in the original ticket</a>, some complex layouts would benefit from allowing more inner elements within the Navigation block:</p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><img /></li><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><img /></li><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><img /></li><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><img /></li><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><img /></li></ul>Navigation block patterns.\n\n\n\n<p>This could open a world of layout possibilities for theme authors through custom patterns.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>I have no issue with Gutenberg tackling the foundation for these more advanced layouts. However, we have yet to smooth out the basics of navigation. The experience of searching for and inserting in-site links is lackluster at best, requiring multiple mouse clicks. There is an open ticket for a <a href=\"https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/issues/34041\">lighter navigation experience</a>, and that should be the focus.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>Theme authors should also note that the Navigation block now <a href=\"https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/32367\">relies on the CSS <code>gap</code> property</a> for spacing instead of <code>margin</code>. I almost missed this since I customized this for my own projects months ago — <em>welcome to 2021, where we no longer need to rely on hacky margin solutions for simple spacing</em>. This change could impact existing theme designs.</p>\n\n\n\n<h2>FSE Admin Notice Limited to Themes Screen</h2>\n\n\n\n<img />The lone FSE theme admin notice.\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-drop-cap\">There are plenty of gripes to be had with the Gutenberg plugin as its features are constantly in flux. However, the most annoying thing about running the plugin has been its persistent, non-dismissible admin notice when a user is running a block theme.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>In previous versions of the plugin, this notice has appeared on every screen in the backend. Now, it <a href=\"https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/34353\">only appears on the Themes/Appearance page</a>.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>Over the past few months, I have kept the <a href=\"https://wptavern.com/toolbelt-tidies-wordpress-plugin-and-theme-admin-notifications\">Toolbelt plugin</a> by Ben Gillbanks active for the sole purpose of hiding this notice.</p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Good riddance. Farewell.</em></p>\n\n\n\n<h2>Widget Group Block</h2>\n\n\n\n<img />Editing a Widget Group block title.\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-drop-cap\">While I generally believe the Gutenberg plugin developers and core WordPress make good use of feedback, the block-based widgets system has been one area where the project has dropped the ball. As I have been repeating <a href=\"https://wptavern.com/addressing-the-theme-design-problem-with-gutenbergs-new-block-based-widgets-system\">since September 2020</a>, the feature was fundamentally broken. The goal was to allow end-users to add blocks in more places, but it was never compatible with classic theme markup and styles.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>I proposed using patterns, but the team went with a <a href=\"https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/34484\">Widget Group block</a>. The end result is similar but not exactly the same. The good news is that it fixes what should have been a blocker for the feature landing in core.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>The better news is that this is <a href=\"https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/34484#issuecomment-912228911\">likely to land in WordPress 5.8.2</a> instead of the 5.9 release later this year.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>I would not go as far as calling it a perfect solution. The experience does not make it immediately clear how to add a widget title. Users must first add a block. Once a block is added, they can then click on the heading/title placeholder that appears. Then, the UI switches to a field for typing the title.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>The following video shows how the Widget Group block works:</p>\n\n\n\n<div>\n<div class=\"wp-video\"><!--[if lt IE 9]><script>document.createElement(\'video\');</script><![endif]-->\n<a href=\"https://user-images.githubusercontent.com/612155/131783930-4d97b085-e91e-4d6a-b426-5537568dd7c0.mp4\">https://user-images.githubusercontent.com/612155/131783930-4d97b085-e91e-4d6a-b426-5537568dd7c0.mp4</a></div>\n</div>\n\n\n\n<p>I would rather have a bit of a janky experience than no solution at all. At least users now do not have to manually create widget wrappers. Some could even deactivate the <a href=\"https://wptavern.com/classic-widgets-plugin-disables-wordpress-5-8s-upcoming-block-based-widgets-system\">Classic Widgets</a> plugin if this issue was a holdup.</p>\n\n\n\n<h2>“Row” Group Variation and Flex Layouts</h2>\n\n\n\n<img />Adding a post meta (byline) section with the Row block variation.\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-drop-cap\">To begin testing the new flex layout system introduced in <a href=\"https://wptavern.com/gutenberg-11-2-expands-color-support-for-search-and-pullquote-blocks-introduces-experimental-flex-layout-for-group-block\">Gutenberg 11.2</a>, the development team has added a <a href=\"https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/34535\">variation on the Group block named Row</a>. This allows users to align inner blocks side by side instead of on top of each other in the default “flow” layout.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>There are tons of use cases for the feature. One of the primary scenarios for theme authors will be aligning post and comment metadata bocks next to each other. Previously, this required use of the Columns block or custom styles, neither of which are ideal.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>The experience is rough around the edges. I often found it hard to click in the right spot to edit a block, and the appender button did not always appear for adding new ones.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Social Icons block also <a href=\"https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/34493\">uses the new flex layout</a>. However, there is currently no way to switch it to flow mode for vertical social links.</p>\n\n\n\n<h2>More Block Gap Integration</h2>\n\n\n\n<img />Gap between each Column block.\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-drop-cap\">The Columns block now <a href=\"https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/34456\">uses the gap feature</a> introduced in <a href=\"https://wptavern.com/gutenberg-11-4-overhauls-galleries-adds-axial-padding-for-buttons-and-lays-groundwork-for-global-spacing\">Gutenberg 11.4</a> for handling the spacing between individual Column blocks. There is no UI for end-users to control this yet, but it is likely to land in a future release as the feature evolves.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>Gutenberg 11.5 has now added a <a href=\"https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/34570\">bottom margin to the post title</a> in the editor. For whatever reason, the development team has made a leap and assumed its current handling of the block gap feature needed this. It is a complex problem to solve. In the meantime, some users might see more whitespace than they are accustomed to between their title and content in the editor.</p>\n\n\n\n<img />Lots of extra spacing there.\n\n\n\n<p>Of course, this depends on the active theme, its support of the block gap feature, and its current styles.</p>\n\n\n\n<h2>Post Author Duotone Support</h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-drop-cap\">For something that was supposed to be destined for the scrap heap, the Post Author block now has some new life in the form of <a href=\"https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/34408\">duotone filter support</a> for its avatar. It works the same as it does for other blocks, such as Image and Cover.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>The problem is that Post Author was punted from the last WordPress release because it was not ready yet. The block is a Frankenstein-<em>esque</em> mashup of the author’s name, avatar, and description. These <a href=\"https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/issues/24952\">should be multiple blocks</a> that theme authors and users can arrange in unique layouts.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>While duotone support simply adds one extra line of code, it does not make sense to continue working on the block in its current form. I would love to see it as part of a separate Post Author Avatar block.</p>\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:7:\"pubDate\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:31:\"Fri, 17 Sep 2021 01:10:33 +0000\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:32:\"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/\";a:1:{s:7:\"creator\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:14:\"Justin Tadlock\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}}}i:4;a:6:{s:4:\"data\";s:13:\"\n \n \n \n \n \n \n\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"child\";a:2:{s:0:\"\";a:5:{s:5:\"title\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:108:\"Post Status: Post Status Excerpt (No. 25) — Doing “The Right Thing” and MailChimp Acquisition Thoughts\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"guid\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:31:\"https://poststatus.com/?p=86526\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"link\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:34:\"https://poststatus.com/excerpt/25/\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:11:\"description\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:4259:\"<h2>“When it comes to the entrepreneurial journey – the highest highs and the lowest lows are always people.”</h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-drop-cap\">In this episode of Post Status Excerpt, David and Cory first discuss how hard it is to do “the right thing” and potentially dealing with tough and negative feedback as a result. How does an entrepreneur prepare for “roller coaster” times — especially if the ride is heading down? What should you keep in mind? Cory shares an <strong>iThemes</strong> experience in response.</p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Also covered in this episode: </strong>Cory and David talk about the $12 billion acquisition of <strong>MailChimp</strong> by <strong>Intuit</strong>, and how that could potentially reshape the business landscape for WordPress users and entrepreneurs.</p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Note:</strong> David misspoke and said “Stripe” instead of “Square.” Forgive him.</p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-background\">Every week <strong><a href=\"https://poststatus.com/podcast/the-excerpt/\">Post Status Excerpt</a></strong> will brief you on important WordPress news — in about 15 minutes or less! Learn what\'s new in WordPress in a flash. <img src=\"https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/13.0.1/72x72/26a1.png\" alt=\"⚡\" class=\"wp-smiley\" /><br /><br />You can listen to <a href=\"https://poststatus.com/podcast/the-excerpt/\">past episodes</a> of <strong>The Excerpt</strong>, <a href=\"https://poststatus.com/category/post-status-podcasts/\">browse all our podcasts</a>, and don’t forget to subscribe on <a href=\"https://open.spotify.com/show/1m3xwXbe0MG5BzFVPtB0A7\">Spotify</a>, Amazon Music, <a href=\"https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5zaW1wbGVjYXN0LmNvbS8ySkU5c2M4UA\">Google Podcasts</a>, <a href=\"https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/post-status-draft-wordpress/id976403008\">iTunes</a>, <a href=\"https://castro.fm/podcast/c53552c6-1ee0-4fc4-9de4-08ed6bf1ee4d\">Castro</a>, <a href=\"https://www.youtube.com/c/PostStatus\">YouTube</a>, <a href=\"http://www.stitcher.com/podcast/krogsgard/post-status-draft-wordpress-podcast\">Stitcher</a>, <a href=\"https://player.fm/series/wordpress-post-status-podcasts\">Player.fm</a>, <a href=\"https://pca.st/05rR\">Pocket Casts</a>, <a href=\"https://wordpress-post-status-draft-podcast.simplecast.com/\">Simplecast</a>, or by <a href=\"https://feeds.simplecast.com/2JE9sc8P\">RSS</a>. <img src=\"https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/13.0.1/72x72/1f3a7.png\" alt=\"?\" class=\"wp-smiley\" /></p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-mentioned-in-the-show\"><img src=\"https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/13.0.1/72x72/1f517.png\" alt=\"?\" class=\"wp-smiley\" /> Mentioned in the show:</h3>\n\n\n\n<ul><li><a href=\"https://www.amazon.com/Learned-Optimism-Change-Your-Mind-ebook/dp/B005DB6S7K?dchild=1&keywords=learned+optimism&qid=1631819326&sr=8-1&linkCode=sl1&tag=corymiller00-20&linkId=5a52bad780e8b090e3e6e7e2d78c77fd&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl\">Learned Optimism: How to Change Your Mind and Your Life</a></li><li><a href=\"https://techcrunch.com/2021/09/13/intuit-confirms-12b-deal-to-buy-mailchimp/\">Intuit confirms $12B deal to buy Mailchimp</a></li><li><a href=\"https://twitter.com/syedbalkhi/status/1438173024361005058\">Syed Balkhi on Twitter</a>: Accept payments in WordPress using <strong>Square</strong> and <strong>WPForms</strong>.</li><li><a href=\"https://twitter.com/dimensionmedia\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">David Bisset (Twitter)</a></li><li><a href=\"https://twitter.com/corymiller303\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Cory Miller (Twitter)</a></li><li><a href=\"https://twitter.com/post_status\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Post Status (Twitter)</a></li></ul>\n\n\n\n<h3><img src=\"https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/13.0.1/72x72/1f64f.png\" alt=\"?\" class=\"wp-smiley\" /> Sponsor: <a href=\"https://poststat.us/sandhills\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow\">GoDaddy Pro</a></h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Manage your clients, websites, and tasks from a single dashboard with GoDaddy Pro. Perform security scans, backups, and remote updates to many sites on any host. Check up on site performance, monitor uptime and analytics, and then send reports to your clients. GoDaddy Pro is free — and designed to make your life better.</p>\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:7:\"pubDate\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:31:\"Thu, 16 Sep 2021 22:30:11 +0000\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:32:\"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/\";a:1:{s:7:\"creator\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:12:\"David Bisset\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}}}i:5;a:6:{s:4:\"data\";s:13:\"\n \n \n \n \n \n \n\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"child\";a:2:{s:0:\"\";a:5:{s:5:\"title\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:89:\"WordPress.org blog: Join us for WordPress Translation Day Global Events in September 2021\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"guid\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:35:\"https://wordpress.org/news/?p=11215\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"link\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:105:\"https://wordpress.org/news/2021/09/join-us-for-wordpress-translation-day-global-events-in-september-2021/\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:11:\"description\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:7891:\"<p>WordPress contributors around the world are <a href=\"https://wptranslationday.org/\">celebrating the sixth Global WordPress Translation Day</a> throughout the entire month of September! That’s 30 days dedicated to help and encourage the volunteers that translate the software and its related resources. One of the highlights will be a <a href=\"https://wptranslationday.org/wptd-2021/global-events/\">series of exciting global events</a>, starting on September 17 2021 and finishing on the United Nations’ International Translation Day itself on September 30, 2021.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>Everyone is welcome to watch these events live on <a href=\"https://www.youtube.com/c/WordPressMarketingTeam\">YouTube</a> and to share their translation stories which will be featured during the celebrations and beyond. The global events will be in English and include presentations on how and why to you should join the thousands of translators in the project, tips and tools, interviews, and much more. </p>\n\n\n\n<p>There are now 205 locales translating in what is a remarkable open source effort, bringing the opportunities of the software and its community to people in their own native languages. </p>\n\n\n\n<h2>Inaugural session: Introduction and latest news on WordPress Translation</h2>\n\n\n\n<h3><strong>Friday, September 17, 2021 at </strong><a href=\"https://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/fixedtime.html?iso=20210917T1000\"><strong>10:00 UTC</strong></a></h3>\n\n\n\n<p>We will start the <a href=\"https://wptranslationday.org/wptd-2021/global-events/\">global events</a> with a panel featuring the latest update on what is happening in the world of WordPress polyglots. Panellists will include translators and polyglot supporters <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/petya/\">Petya Raykovska</a> and <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/evarlese/\">Erica Varlese</a>. There will be a video demonstration on how to translate WordPress, a short presentation on translation statistics, a run down of upcoming events, and more. <br /><br />Watch the <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3HSBB5F_ag0\" target=\"_blank\">event live on YouTube</a> (or click on the play button below) – sign-up for notifications in the video stream right now so you don’t miss it when it goes live! </p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n\n</div>\n\n\n\n<h3><strong>Friday, September 17, 2021 at 11:00 UTC</strong> </h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Right after the livestream, there will be a ‘drop-in’ translation sprint on Zoom video-conferencing, open to all. You can join and hang out virtually with your Polyglots friends from all around the world and translate WordPress in your own language! <a href=\"https://www.meetup.com/Portsmouth-WordPress-Meetup/events/280823032/\">RSVP for the session now and get joining links!</a> </p>\n\n\n\n<img src=\"https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/r2rVEDkb39h02LiBg2GdayDk1LpZi6kxZnv1MRzT9h6pgSQE9FMBmyx_kJUA-Pjyy1KD__YlzLYvd1P53o1UIxTEfb0fmQnHm40UU23Wb1slXm-ajdGNP5qOyzHyTI07NBCM-mwY=s0\" alt=\"\" />\n\n\n\n<h2>Check out the other exciting global events</h2>\n\n\n\n<h3><strong>Sunday, September 19, 2021 <a href=\"https://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/fixedtime.html?iso=20210919T1200\">12:00 UTC</a></strong></h3>\n\n\n\n<p><a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M7UtEKIp2FY\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Panel on Polyglots Tools</strong></a><a href=\"https://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/fixedtime.html?iso=20210919T1200\"> <br /></a>Join <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/amieiro/\">Jesús Amieiro</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/psmits1567/\">Peter Smits</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/vladytimy/\">Vlad Timotei</a>, and <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/vibgyj/\">Vibgy Joseph</a> to talk about the tools they’ve contributed to or developed to help translators and translation editors.</p>\n\n\n\n<h3><strong>Tuesday, September 21, 2021 <a href=\"https://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/fixedtime.html?iso=20210921T1100\">11:00 UTC</a></strong></h3>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Ps8byYIwLs\"><strong>Panel on Open Source Translation Communities</strong></a> (YouTube link – opens in a new tab)<a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/fixedtime.html?iso=20210921T1100\" target=\"_blank\"><br /></a>Join <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/vanillalounge/\">Zé Fontainhas</a> (WordPress), <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/tokyobiyori/\">Ali Darwich</a> (WordPress), <a href=\"https://www.linkedin.com/in/mstanke?originalSubdomain=cz\">Michal Stanke</a> (Mozilla), and <a href=\"https://www.linkedin.com/in/satomi-tsujita/?originalSubdomain=jp\">Satomi Tsujita</a> (Hyperledger Fabric) to learn about nurturing translation communities.</p>\n\n\n\n<h3><strong>Thursday, September 30, 2021 <a href=\"https://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/fixedtime.html?iso=20210930T1600\">16:00 UTC</a></strong></h3>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qyQUaiK19js\"><strong>Closing Party – Why do you translate?</strong></a> <a href=\"https://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/fixedtime.html?iso=20210930T1600\"><br /></a>Our finale event for 2021 with emcee <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/webcommsat/\">Abha Thakor</a> and a panel from the WordPress Translation Day Team. It will feature highlights from some of the local and global events during the month and a selection of results. Some of the nominees for this year’s polyglots appreciation will join the livestream to share their stories.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>The livestream will be followed by an after party celebration for anyone who has taken part in the event or is a WordPress polyglot. <a href=\"https://www.meetup.com/Portsmouth-WordPress-Meetup/events/280823393/\">Book now</a> for the session on Zoom.</p>\n\n\n\n<h2>Ideas on how to get involved this September</h2>\n\n\n\n<p>There’s lots of ways to take part – discover this <a href=\"https://wptranslationday.org/blog/ways-to-participate/\">list of ideas</a>.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>You can also nominate <a href=\"https://wptranslationday.org/blog/call-for-nominations-polyglots-appreciation/\">translation contributors</a> to be featured in this year’s celebrations.</p>\n\n\n\n<h2>Help us spread the word about #WPTranslationDay</h2>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Share what you are translating using the #WPTranslationDay hashtag on: <a href=\"https://www.facebook.com/WPTranslationDay/\">Facebook</a>,<a href=\"https://twitter.com/TranslateWP\"> Twitter</a>, <a href=\"https://www.instagram.com/wptranslationday/\">Instagram</a>, and <a href=\"https://www.linkedin.com/company/wptranslationday/\">LinkedIn</a>! </li><li>You can also find images and translator badges in our <a href=\"https://wptranslationday.org/wptd-2021/media-kit/\">Media Kit</a> to share during September.</li></ul>\n\n\n\n<p>For more information on the 2021 WordPress Translation Day celebrations, visit <a href=\"https://wptranslationday.org/\">the WordPress Translation Day website</a>.</p>\n\n\n\n<p></p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Props to <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/webcommsat/\" class=\"mention\"><span class=\"mentions-prefix\">@</span>webcommsat</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/harishanker/\" class=\"mention\"><span class=\"mentions-prefix\">@</span>harishanker</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/lmurillom/\" class=\"mention\"><span class=\"mentions-prefix\">@</span>lmurillom</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/oglekler/\" class=\"mention\"><span class=\"mentions-prefix\">@</span>oglekler</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/meher/\" class=\"mention\"><span class=\"mentions-prefix\">@</span>meher</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/nalininonstopnewsuk/\" class=\"mention\"><span class=\"mentions-prefix\">@</span>nalininonstopnewsuk</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/evarlese/\" class=\"mention\"><span class=\"mentions-prefix\">@</span>evarlese</a></em> for contributing to this story.</p>\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:7:\"pubDate\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:31:\"Thu, 16 Sep 2021 21:51:33 +0000\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:32:\"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/\";a:1:{s:7:\"creator\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:28:\"webcommsat AbhaNonStopNewsUK\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}}}i:6;a:6:{s:4:\"data\";s:13:\"\n \n \n \n \n \n \n\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"child\";a:2:{s:0:\"\";a:5:{s:5:\"title\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:66:\"WPTavern: Gravity Forms Launches INPUT YouTube Channel and Podcast\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"guid\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:30:\"https://wptavern.com/?p=122576\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"link\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:177:\"https://wptavern.com/gravity-forms-launches-input-youtube-channel-and-podcast?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=gravity-forms-launches-input-youtube-channel-and-podcast\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:11:\"description\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:3086:\"<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><img /></div>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https://www.gravityforms.com/\">Gravity Forms</a> has launched a new YouTube channel and podcast called <a href=\"https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwuBpuj2CXg5qIOfHgyzlXw\">INPUT</a>, which will focus on sharing the stories and experiences of people inside and outside the WordPress ecosystem. James Giroux, a Rocketgenius employee who joined the company in 2020, is the host of the show and will be interviewing guests from various industries and disciplines.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>The first episode is a deep dive into the history of Gravity Forms, one of the most successful WordPress plugin companies that has been operating for 14 years. Its founders share a nostalgic look back at the early days of Rocketgenius, including the story of their first sale and first hire. </p>\n\n\n\n<p>They also discussed how the Gutenberg era marks a major shift in WordPress that has impacted the future of the Gravity Forms. The average WordPress user is decidedly no longer a developer who knows how to tinker with PHP, but is now more often a content creator or power user. As the barrier to WordPress development is getting higher, the Gravity Forms team is focusing on making the product easier to use for non-developers but still powerful for those capable of extending it.</p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n\n</div>\n\n\n\n<p>The episode is part of what Giroux calls a 3T sub-series (team, tools, and techniques) that will feature discussions about the company’s product, marketing, operations, culture, and ecosystem. The next sub-series is called Agency101 and will feature topics related to agency life for both small and large companies. Brad Miller from 10up will be the first guest of that series.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>“The third is a bit of a departure, but we’re interviewing people outside of the WordPress ecosystem in a sub-series called ‘The Story Of…,\'” Giroux said. “The episode after Brad’s is with the lead singer of Anberlin, who have sold over 1M albums and have charted multiple times on the Billboard Rock charts. The idea behind this series is to introduce WordPress problem-solvers (developers, agencies, freelancers, etc.) to new industries and perhaps create some opportunities for new ideas and products to spring up in support of them.”</p>\n\n\n\n<p>Giroux also plans to chat with TV show creators/hosts, radio broadcasters, inventors, and others to create a well-rounded mix of shows that appeal to everyday WordPress users as well as those who are deeply involved in contributing.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>“To me, the WordPress lifestyle is that feeling you get when you show up to a WordCamp or meetup and see other WordPressers,” Giroux said. “It’s about rocking the t-shirt, celebrating unique and diverse voices, promoting a WWW that is accessible to all, inspiring and being inspired by creativity and how WordPress powers us to do great things. There’s a little Wapuu in all of us and Input, I hope, will be a space where we can celebrate that.”</p>\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:7:\"pubDate\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:31:\"Thu, 16 Sep 2021 21:00:58 +0000\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:32:\"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/\";a:1:{s:7:\"creator\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:13:\"Sarah Gooding\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}}}i:7;a:6:{s:4:\"data\";s:13:\"\n \n \n \n \n \n \n\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"child\";a:2:{s:0:\"\";a:5:{s:5:\"title\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:73:\"WPTavern: WP Engine Launches Faust.js, a New Headless WordPress Framework\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"guid\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:30:\"https://wptavern.com/?p=122797\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"link\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:189:\"https://wptavern.com/wp-engine-launches-faust-js-a-new-headless-wordpress-framework?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=wp-engine-launches-faust-js-a-new-headless-wordpress-framework\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:11:\"description\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:4407:\"<p>WP Engine has <a href=\"https://wpengine.com/blog/faust-js-the-framework-for-headless-wordpress/\">launched</a> Faust.js, a new headless framework that is open source and designed to work in any Node hosting environment. The framework is built on <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https://nextjs.org/\" target=\"_blank\">Next.js</a>, which can handle both static site generation and server side rendering. It uses GraphQL for data fetching and is the only framework that allows developers to query the WPGraphQL API without having to know GraphQL queries ahead of time.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>Faust.js was in its earlier stages when WP Engine <a href=\"https://wptavern.com/wp-engine-invests-in-headless-wordpress-hires-wpgraphql-maintainer\">hired WPGraphQL creator and maintainer Jason Bahl</a>. The company has been heavily investing in headless infrastructure development, hiring more engineers for projects aimed at reducing the friction of using WordPress as a headless CMS. This is the main thrust of the new framework – to allow developers to build scalable, better performing sites with modern frontend tools while preserving WordPress’ rich publishing experience. Faust.js includes content previews, support for custom post types, and built-in authentication to support paywalls, e-commerce, membership sites, and other functionality that has traditionally been difficult for headless sites.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>How does Faust.js differ from existing headless solutions like the React-based Frontity framework? Developers building headless sites are curious after <a href=\"https://wptavern.com/automattic-acquires-frontity-founders-to-work-full-time-on-gutenberg\">Automattic acquired Frontity</a> and the framework’s maintainers exited to work full-time on Gutenberg. Using a community-supported headless framework can be a risky bet for enterprise clients when its creators and maintainers are no longer able to contribute.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>“Frontity and Faust are similar, the main difference is that Frontity focuses on providing a framework on-top of React where Faust is primarily built with Next.js support in-mind,” Faust.js creator William Johnston said. “This small distinction is meaningful and means when you are using Faust you can take advantage of all the amazing benefits of Next. It also lets Faust focus specifically on how to make Headless WordPress a better experience, without having to come up with a comprehensive solution for front-end, node-base, static/server-side applications.<a href=\"https://twitter.com/wjohnsto\"></a>“</p>\n\n\n\n<p>When asked how Faust stacks up to Frontity in a <a href=\"https://www.reddit.com/r/ProWordPress/comments/pnorkm/wp_engines_new_headless_wordpress_framework/hcz2nul/?utm_source=reddit&utm_medium=web2x&context=3\">comment</a> on Reddit, WP Engine developer relations engineer Kellen Mace highlighted a few other major differences between the frameworks. Frontity only works with the WP REST API and Faust uses WPGraphQL “for more efficient queries.” </p>\n\n\n\n<p>“Technically, Faust is built in ‘layers,’ so even if you choose to build your frontend app using SvelteKit, Nuxt, etc. you can still leverage several of the tools Faust provides,” Mace said. “We’ll have more documentation coming out on using it with other JS frameworks in the near future. Using it with Next.js gives you the most ‘bang for your buck,’ however.”</p>\n\n\n\n<p>Johnston confirmed that certain elements of Faust (the core/React pieces), are already working with the React-based GatsbyJS framework. Faust is less opinionated about the frontend and is more centered around making the WordPress publishing experience better.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>A demo of Faust in action is available at <a href=\"https://developers.wpengine.com/\">developers.wpengine.com</a>. The framework, which includes NPM packages and a WordPress plugin, can be found <a href=\"https://github.com/wpengine/faustjs\">on GitHub</a>, but its maintainers caution that there will be breaking changes in the future. Developers who are interested in learning more about Faust.js can check out the <a href=\"https://faustjs.org/\">documentation</a> or listen to the most recent <a href=\"https://developers.wpengine.com/podcast/9072674\">episode of the DE{CODE} podcast</a> where Johnston discusses headless WordPress and introduces the framework.</p>\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:7:\"pubDate\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:31:\"Thu, 16 Sep 2021 04:36:22 +0000\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:32:\"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/\";a:1:{s:7:\"creator\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:13:\"Sarah Gooding\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}}}i:8;a:6:{s:4:\"data\";s:13:\"\n \n \n \n \n \n \n\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"child\";a:2:{s:0:\"\";a:5:{s:5:\"title\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:76:\"WPTavern: Newsletter Glue Pro, My First Foray Into Journalism, and New Ideas\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"guid\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:30:\"https://wptavern.com/?p=122547\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"link\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:193:\"https://wptavern.com/newsletter-glue-pro-my-first-foray-into-journalism-and-new-ideas?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=newsletter-glue-pro-my-first-foray-into-journalism-and-new-ideas\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:11:\"description\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:5200:\"<p class=\"has-drop-cap\">As a teen, I would visit my Uncle David’s house every other week or so. He was the only family member with a computer. It was an old, bulky monstrosity that ran whatever the latest version of Windows that existed at the time. It was one of my first introductions to dial-up, but my primary interest was not the internet. It was newsletters and home-printed magazines.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>Like all members of my family, we are artists in one way or another. What little extra money many have is spent on creative pursuits. Uncle David’s latest passions at the time were in designing T-shirt logos and printing a family newsletter. <em>Does anyone remember when those were still a thing?</em> I was a kid in a whole new world. Of course, I followed suit and issued a few pamphlets covering the latest goings-on with my family to a circulation of maybe a dozen people.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>This kick-started my foray into journalism and design during my adolescence. A family newsletter sounds far more interesting to me now, as an adult, than it did in those days. Somehow, I know I have reached the point where I can officially call myself old by saying that. But, I was coming of age at the turn of the millennium. My interests mostly revolved around video games. I wanted to create something that rivaled <em>Nintendo Power</em> from the comfort of my own home. I had access to a computer and printer; the dream was mine for the taking.</p>\n\n\n\n<img />\n\n\n\n<p>Unfortunately, I could not find any of my printed family newsletters to share. My gaming mag was a short-lived, two-issue venture. I am sure the staff, consisting of my younger sister and best friend, unionized and staged a revolt.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>Throughout my life, I have always had it in the back of my mind that I would attempt another periodical at some point, but I have never gotten around to it. However, when <a href=\"https://wordpress.org/plugins/newsletter-glue/\">Newsletter Glue</a> co-founder Lesley Sim asked me to look at the pro version of her team’s plugin, all those old ideas started swirling around in my head again.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>After spending the last few days tinkering with <a href=\"https://newsletterglue.com/\">Newsletter Glue Pro</a>, I kind of want to restart the family newsletter again. Maybe digital is the way to go. Perhaps I can even get my uncle to join me.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>Admittedly, I have had a lot more fun with this plugin than with others recently. It is the sort of extension that can take a potential newsletter from idea to execution.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>All you need is to be familiar with the WordPress editor to kick-start a new project. The plugin has a few settings you might want to tinker with, but the onboarding process walks you through the steps of getting everything off the ground and connecting to your preferred email software. I was worried that there would be a massive learning curve, but I was in the editor in short order.</p>\n\n\n\n<img />Writing a newsletter from the WordPress editor.\n\n\n\n<p>Users can publish blog posts as newsletters. However, the team <a href=\"https://newsletterglue.com/blog/product-updates/newsletter-editor/\">introduced a dedicated newsletter post type</a> earlier this year, providing more flexibility in creating content.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>What I enjoyed the most about Newsletter Glue was its integration with the block patterns API. The plugin bundles several header and footer patterns, but end-users can build and store their own for reuse.</p>\n\n\n\n<img />Duplicating and customizing a footer pattern.\n\n\n\n<p>The plugin did have its share of issues. The most prominent was its automatic switching to the fullscreen editor, which is a feature that I turn off on every WordPress site I use. For some reason, this either did not save or was being overwritten each time I loaded the page.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>I am also not a fan of the meta box at the bottom of the screen. It is giving me flashbacks of the pre-5.0 WordPress editor that I would like to forget. The team should create a dedicated sidebar panel for the newsletter screen.</p>\n\n\n\n<img />Newsletter meta box.\n\n\n\n<p>With its reliance on the modern editor, this holdover from an older time just feels out of place. Plus, from a UI perspective, there seems to be nothing requiring the old meta box system.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>I would also like to see the built-in Newsletter theme designer integrate with the active theme’s JSON presets. This is a relatively new WordPress feature, so maybe it will land on the features list.</p>\n\n\n\n<img />Newsletter theme designer.\n\n\n\n<p>Because this is a standardized format, there is no reason that plugins should not start pulling data from it. As a user, I should at least be able to pick and choose text, background, and link colors from those made available through the theme instead of hunting down hex codes or eyeballing it from a color picker.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>Overall, I like what the Newsletter Glue team has built thus far. It is no small feat to put together such a well-rounded project of this size in just over a year. I look forward to seeing it evolve over time. For now, I am laying out ideas for the return of my family newsletter thanks to the Newsletter Glue team.</p>\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:7:\"pubDate\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:31:\"Thu, 16 Sep 2021 00:54:11 +0000\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:32:\"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/\";a:1:{s:7:\"creator\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:14:\"Justin Tadlock\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}}}i:9;a:6:{s:4:\"data\";s:13:\"\n \n \n \n \n \n \n\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"child\";a:2:{s:0:\"\";a:5:{s:5:\"title\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:141:\"HeroPress: WordPress and Me: Am I Going Against All Odds? – WordPress dan Saya: Apakah saya dapat melewati semua rintangan yang menghadang?\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"guid\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:56:\"https://heropress.com/?post_type=heropress-essays&p=4108\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"link\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:162:\"https://heropress.com/essays/wordpress-and-me-am-i-going-against-all-odds/#utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=wordpress-and-me-am-i-going-against-all-odds\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:11:\"description\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:24537:\"<img width=\"1024\" height=\"512\" src=\"https://heropress.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/091421-min.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-post-image\" alt=\"Pull quote: In my late 30’s, I threw myself into a new world.\" /><p><a href=\"https://heropress.com/feed/#indonesian\">Esai ini juga tersedia dalam bahasa Indonesia.</a></p>\n<p>It is not that hard to fall for WordPress if you have a chance to experience WordPress. For me, it took a WordCamp.</p>\n<p>To make it fancy, in 2016, I was volunteering impromptu at WordCamp Denpasar in Bali, the island of Gods. To note, Bali is a tiny island in a country called Indonesia. Yes, it’s where I’m from. So, if you read this, you know how powerful WordCamp is. It may bring people who will give back to the community, even if they don’t get anything from WordCamp. (Well, perhaps a t-shirt, a lanyard and free hotel meals)</p>\n<p>My journey with WordPress started from one WordCamp to the next. It gets fancier. The next one was WordCamp Ubud, still in Bali. This time, I was organizing. Ubud is one of the hottest hotspots for digital nomads in Asia. A beautiful place, especially if you are also into nature, yoga and some enlightenment. I’m not kidding. If WordPress does not enlighten you enough, go to Ubud. You will feel some kind of strong energy to connect to everything. Bali is magical, so is everything in it. It is a perfect environment to meet with new people who share the same interests, especially at a WordPress event such as WordCamp or Meetup.</p>\n<a href=\"https://heropress.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/wc_denpasar_-_rocio_v-min.jpeg\"><img /></a>Volunteering at WordCamp Denpasar 2016 with Kharis Sulistiyono (volunteer) and Niels Lange (organizer). Photo Credit: Rocio Valdivia\n<p>Then, I started attending WordPress Meetups in Ubud and Jakarta. I also organized more WordCamps. WordCamp Jakarta in 2017 and 2019. But only later, I made a new commitment as a Meetup organizer in Jakarta and Ubud. Before Covid happened, I was travelling back and forth between Jakarta and Ubud. Whenever I went to Ubud, organizing Meetup was the first thing on my list. I was also taking part in organizing WordCamp Asia 2020. Hopefully, it will eventually take place after everything in the world with Covid gets safer for us to travel and meet in person.</p>\n<p>At WordCamps and Meetups, you heard stories about how WordPress powers the web. How it changes the lives of so many people. How it helps dreams come true. I was thinking. If WordPress was that powerful, why are there not many people in Indonesia using websites, and why don’t they use WordPress. Why are there not many people who use WordPress in Indonesia contributing to WordPress? Why are there not many talented Indonesian WordPress users, developers, designers, business owners taking part in WordPress.org projects. Why? My guess is one of the many reasons, a language issue.</p>\n<p>I believe, the more content translated into Indonesian, the more Indonesian WordPress users see WordPress as more than just a blogging platform or a CMS. Instead, it’s a huge open source community that work together to make the web a better place. The more plugins and themes translated the easier the work of the developer and designer will be with WordPress. The more people see how WordPress can benefit their life, the better the business ecosystem for business owners becomes.</p>\n<a href=\"https://heropress.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/wc_ubud_-_hubud-min.jpeg\"><img /></a>Organizing at WordCamp Ubud 2017 with Pramana Adi Putra dan Wahyu Taufiq. Photo Credit: Hubud\n<p>After several asking around and discussions about translating WordPress, suddenly I made a commitment to revive the polyglot project in Indonesia. I was lucky, there was a community member who came forward to help. Then, with a lot of promotion, the team got bigger. It’s good to know I am not alone. There are WordPress users interested in translating.</p>\n<p>I didn’t stop there. I noticed that there are not many women involved in the WordPress community in Indonesia. I did meet a few women at WordCamps or Meetups, but the number is too small. And most of the time, I was the only woman. Perhaps I overlooked the fact that Indonesia is still highly patriarchal despite the economic boom. The WordPress community in Indonesia feels almost like a male-dominated community.</p>\n<a href=\"https://heropress.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/wordcamp_jakarta_2019-min.jpg\"><img /></a>Organizing at WordCamp Jakarta 2019\n<p>Then after some discussions with a couple of community members, I initiated Perempuan WordPress. There are two words for women in Indonesian, ‘wanita’ and ‘perempuan’. I chose ‘perempuan’ as I like to think that it is not merely referring to women sexually but more importantly about the role that the female human can have. It feels more empowering to me. Don’t ask me about the formal translation of ‘perempuan’ in Indonesian though. It’s pretty sad.</p>\n<p>A community member also came forward to help. She wanted to organize an online meetup on Telegram. It is open for everyone to join but we prioritize women to speak, although our first speaker was a man. It was quite challenging to look for female speakers, even using Perempuan WordPress as a platform. I could not even convince my co-organizer to speak!</p>\n<a href=\"https://heropress.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/wcasia_2020_organizers_in_wceu_2019_-_wceu-min.jpeg\"><img /></a>WCAsia 2020 Organizers in WCEU 2019. Photo Credit: WCEU 2019\n<p>I once had a chat with someone who spoke at WordCamp Jakarta and was a successful business owner. I asked why she was not active in a WordPress forum on Facebook, perhaps answering a question, as she is listed as a member. Facebook and Telegram are the two platforms where most Indonesian WordPress users go to ask for support. She said that it was too scary to receive condescending replies from the male members. She was afraid the comments would bring her down. To date, I am still looking for Indonesian WordPress users who share the same interest in building Perempuan WordPress.</p>\n<p>But, what did I actually do with WordPress before I started contributing? If you mean whether I code? No, I don’t. I suck in math. I’m super slow in getting my head around code.</p>\n<p>Well, in 2014, I signed up for a free account on WordPress.com. I was commuting for work and when I was on public transport my mind wandered. I thought of keeping a note about whatever I see and let the public read it. I was not aware it was called blogging. I did subscribe but the blog never materialized.</p>\n<a href=\"https://heropress.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/meetup_ubud-min.jpeg\"><img /></a>WordPress Meetup Ubud before Covid-19\n<p>My background is environmental activism. I worked for international development organizations on environmental issues, from policymaking to campaigning. I worked with policymakers behind the desk and organized conferences and meetings. There was a lot of writing and translating involved. I also worked with people on the ground. The people who are impacted by the policies. My work on the ground usually involved researching, movement building and community empowerment.</p>\n<p>Perhaps, now you understand why I was easily involved in WordCamps or Meetups. The talent in organizing and working with people is almost like in my genes. They run in my blood veins. I enjoy working to make things happen and get things done. I am also very much comfortable working with people, especially speaking about something that I am passionate about and would make a positive impact on someone’s life.</p>\n<a href=\"https://heropress.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/meetup_jakarta-min.jpg\"><img /></a>WordPress Meetup Jakarta before Covid-19\n<p>Then, at some point, I was in between jobs. The person who convinced me into volunteering at WordCamp Denpasar created an online CV for me. I was pushed to learn to manage a WordPress site, navigate around wp-admin, and work on the content to appeal to potential employers. I don’t remember which one came first, but I eventually got a job as a campaigner to build a movement online and offline.</p>\n<p>The movement was initiated by a bunch of university friends in America who used digital campaigns to go global. The campaign used WordPress as the platform. I was working with a digital campaigner. Not only I had to take part in decision making about the content, the Call to Action, the user experience, I also had to log in to wp-admin and make some amendments. As it was a global movement, the resources were developed in English. So I also worked a lot with translators and reviewed their work.</p>\n<a href=\"https://heropress.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/wptd_2020-min.jpg\"><img /></a>First WordPress Translation Day for Indonesia Polyglot Team in 2020\n<p>And now, you probably understand even more why I am getting my hands dirty with polyglots and Perempuan WordPress. Everything comes from the heart. I do things that I feel so strongly about. Things that call me. And things that I am good at but still giving me room to learn and become better at.</p>\n<p>Some people might think, I can do what I do because I have time. That is true. I quit my job as a campaigner at the end of 2018. Since then, I’ve been freelancing. Not much, hence the free time I spend contributing. But I have another initiative that I started once I quit my job and have kept me going. Of course, it also involves WordPress. The initiative aims at helping street cats in Jakarta. So, I am busy trapping cats but also learning how to fundraise using a website. I’m learning to use online forms, set up a payment service provider, work on SEO, and do other new things I need to learn to grow my initiative. I do have the privilege to learn directly from a personal guru. Yes, the same person who convinced me to volunteer at WordCamp Denpasar, and my personal web developer. My husband.</p>\n<a href=\"https://heropress.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/perempuanwp-min.jpg\"><img /></a>Call for Speakers Poster for Perempuan WordPress. Photo Credit: Hani Khaerunnisa\n<p>Although, it’s not always rosy in my part of the world. When I just started learning to become a Deputy, and I was ready to support meetups in new cities across Indonesia and perhaps a WordCamp. Something related to WordPress had brought me down for more than half a year (thanks to Covid as well). I locked myself away from contributing to WordPress. It didn’t feel right though. It felt as if something was missing. But now, I have decided to not let it get in my way anymore. This not-so-rosy situation is perhaps what motivates me the most to keep contributing to WordPress. What does not kill me makes me stronger!</p>\n<p>And that’s what I like about WordPress, it is very welcoming and open to people like me, who don’t code at all. At the same time, it shows me a different way of looking at the world, if not the IT world. In my late 30’s, I threw myself into a new world. I pushed myself to learn new things. With WordPress, the chance to learn new things is always there for everyone. WordPress also allows me to contribute, to share what I have. By contributing, I hope to make a difference in someone’s life. Especially the talented Indonesian WordPress users. I hope they feel the benefit of using WordPress and want to give back to create a healthier WordPress community in Indonesia.</p>\n<h1 id=\"indonesian\">WordPress dan Saya: Apakah saya dapat melewati semua rintangan yang menghadang?</h1>\n<p>Tidak sulit untuk jatuh cinta pada WordPress jika Anda memiliki kesempatan untuk mengenalnya. Saya hanya membutuhkan sebuah WordCamp.</p>\n<p>Tidak hanya WordCamp di tempat biasa, pada tahun 2016, saya menjadi sukarelawan dadakan di WordCamp Denpasar di Bali, pulau Dewata. Bali adalah pulau kecil di dalam sebuah negara bernama Indonesia. Ya, saya dari Indonesia. Jadi, jika Anda membaca esai saya, Anda mungkin dapat memahami betapa hebatnya WordCamp. Sebuah kegiatan yang dapat memikat seseorang untuk berkontribusi untuk komunitas, bahkan jika mereka tidak mendapatkan apa pun dari WordCamp. (saya sebenarnya dapat kaos, lanyard, dan makanan hotel gratis)</p>\n<p>Perjalanan saya dengan WordPress dimulai dari satu WordCamp ke WordCamp berikutnya. Semakin luar biasa karena WordCamp berikutnya adalah WordCamp Ubud, masih di Bali. Kali ini saya menjadi salah satu penyelenggara (organizer). Ubud adalah salah satu lokasi yang paling diminati oleh digital nomad di Asia. Tempat yang indah, terutama jika Anda juga menyukai alam, yoga, dan ingin mendapatkan pencerahan. Saya tidak bercanda. Jika WordPress tidak cukup mencerahkan Anda, pergilah ke Ubud. Anda akan merasakan semacam energi yang kuat untuk terhubung ke semua hal. Pulau Bali sangat penuh keajaiban, begitu juga semua di dalamnya. Ubud adalah lingkungan yang sempurna untuk bertemu dengan orang baru yang memiliki minat yang sama, terutama di acara WordPress seperti WordCamp atau Meetup.</p>\n<a href=\"https://heropress.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/wc_denpasar-min.jpeg\"><img /></a>WordCamp Denpasar 2017\n<p>Kemudian, saya mulai menghadiri WordPress Meetup di Ubud dan Jakarta. Saya juga menyelengarakan lebih banyak WordCamp. WordCamp Jakarta di tahun 2017 dan 2019. Akan tetapi, baru setelah beberapa waktu saya berkomitmen sebagai organizer Meetup di Jakarta dan Ubud. Sebelum Covid terjadi, saya sering bepergian hilir mudik antara Jakarta dan Ubud. Setiap kali saya pergi ke Ubud, Meetup adalah hal pertama dalam daftar kegiatan saya selama di Ubud. Saya juga ikut ambil bagian dalam penyelenggaraan WordCamp Asia 2020. Mudah-mudahan WordCamp Asia akhirnya dapat diadakan setelah dunia semakin aman bagi kita untuk bepergian dan mengadakan pertemuan, walaupun Covid masih diperangi.</p>\n<p>Di WordCamp dan Meetup, Anda mendengar cerita tentang kekuatan WordPress yang menghidupi web. Tentang WordPress mengubah hidup banyak orang. Tentang WordPress membantu mewujudkan mimpi menjadi kenyataan. Saya berpikir. Jika WordPress sehebat itu, mengapa tidak banyak orang di Indonesia yang menggunakan situs web, dan mengapa mereka tidak menggunakan WordPress. Mengapa tidak banyak orang yang menggunakan WordPress di Indonesia berkontribusi pada WordPress. Mengapa tidak banyak pengguna, developer, desainer, pemilik bisnis WordPress Indonesia yang berbakat mengambil bagian dalam proyek WordPress.org. Mengapa? Dugaan saya, salah satu dari banyak alasan adalah masalah bahasa.</p>\n<p>Saya percaya, semakin banyak konten yang diterjemahkan ke dalam bahasa Indonesia, semakin banyak pengguna WordPress Indonesia yang melihat WordPress lebih dari sekadar platform blogging atau CMS. Sebaliknya, WordPress adalah komunitas open source yang sangat besar, tempat banyak kontributor bekerja sama untuk membuat web menjadi tempat yang lebih baik bagi semua. Semakin banyak plugin dan tema yang diterjemahkan, semakin mudah pekerjaan developer dan desainer dengan WordPress. Semakin banyak orang merasakan manfaat WordPress bagi kehidupan mereka, semakin baik ekosistem bisnis bagi pemilik bisnis.</p>\n<a href=\"https://heropress.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/wc_ubud_-_ivan_k_-min.jpeg\"><img /></a>WordCamp Ubud 201<b>7</b>\n<p>Setelah banyak bertanya dan berdiskusi dengan banyak orang tentang menerjemahkan WordPress, saya segera berkomitmen untuk menghidupkan kembali proyek poliglot di Indonesia. Saya beruntung, seseorang anggota komunitas datang membantu. Kemudian, dengan melakukan beberapa kali promosi, tim poliglot bertambah. Saya bersyukur, saya tidak sendirian. Banyak pengguna WordPess yang tertarik untuk berkontribusi dalam penerjemahan.</p>\n<p>Saya tidak berhenti di situ. Saya perhatikan, tidak banyak perempuan yang terlibat dalam komunitas WordPress di Indonesia. Saya bertemu dengan beberapa perempuan di WordCamp atau Meetup, tetapi jumlahnya tidak banyak. Dan biasanya, saya adalah satu-satunya perempuan. Mungkin saya mengabaikan fakta bahwa Indonesia masih sangat kuat perilaku patriarkinya meskipun ekonominya semakin kuat. Komunitas WordPress di Indonesia hampir seperti komunitas yang didominasi laki-laki.</p>\n<p>Setelah berdiskusi dengan beberapa anggota komunitas, saya memulai sebuah inisiatif yang disebut Perempuan WordPress. Ada dua kata dalam bahasa Indonesia, ‘wanita’ dan ‘perempuan’. Saya memilih ‘perempuan’ karena saya merasa bahwa perempuan tidak hanya mengacu pada perbedaan jenis kelamin tetapi lebih tentang peran yang dapat dimiliki oleh seorang perempuan. Saya merasa ‘perempuan” dapat lebih menguatkan saya. Tetapi jangan tanya saya tentang terjemahan formal ‘perempuan’ dalam bahasa Indonesia. Karena menurut saya terjemahannya sangat menyedihkan.</p>\n<p>Seorang kontributor perempuan bersedia membantu dan mengusulkan untuk mengadakan pertemuan rutin online di Telegram (Kulgram). Kulgram terbuka bagi siapa saja untuk bergabung tetapi wanita diutamakan untuk menjadi pemateri, meskipun pembicara pertama Kulgram adalah seorang laki-laki. Mencari pembicara perempuan bukan hal yang mudah, meskipun menggunakan platform Perempuan WordPress. Saya bahkan tidak dapat meyakinkan rekan kontributor penyelenggara Kulgram untuk berbicara!</p>\n<a href=\"https://heropress.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/wc_jakarta_2019-min-scaled.jpg\"><img /></a>WordCamp Jakarta 2019\n<p>Saya pernah berbicara dengan seorang perempuan pemateri di WordCamp Jakarta yang juga merupakan pemilik bisnis yang sukses. Saya bertanya alasannya tidak aktif di forum WordPress di Facebook, misalnya dengan menjawab pertanyaan sebagai anggota. Facebook dan Telegram adalah dua platform tempat sebagian besar pengguna WordPress Indonesia bertanya jawab teknis tentang WordPress. Dia mengatakan bahwa berkomentar di forum semacam Facebook terlalu menakutkan jika muncul balasan yang merendahkan dari anggota forum laki-laki. Dia tidak ingin komentar yang merendahkan akan membuatnya terpuruk. Sampai saat ini, saya masih mencari pengguna WordPress dari Indonesia yang memiliki minat yang sama untuk membangun Perempuan WordPress.</p>\n<p>Tapi, apa yang sebenarnya saya lakukan dengan WordPress sebelum saya mulai berkontribusi? Jika Anda bertanya apakah saya dapat menulis kode? Tidak. Saya payah dalam matematika. Saya sangat lambat dalam memahami kode. Pada tahun 2014, saya mendaftar untuk mendapatkan akun gratis di WordPress.com. Saya naik transportasi umum ke kantor setiap hari dan di tengah-tengah kemacetan kadang pikiran saya mengembara. Saya berpikir untuk menulis tentang semua yang saya lihat dan pikirkan lalu memublikasikannya. Saya tidak sadar hal ini disebut blogging. Saya masih berlangganan di WordPress.com tetapi blog yang aktif tidak pernah terwujud.</p>\n<p>Latar belakang saya adalah aktivis lingkungan. Saya bekerja untuk organisasi bantuan internasional tentang isu-isu lingkungan, mulai dari pembuatan kebijakan hingga kampanye. Saya bekerja dengan pembuat kebijakan di belakang meja dan mengadakan konferensi dan pertemuan. Saya banyak menulis laporan dan menerjemahkan. Saya juga bekerja dengan banyak orang di lapangan. Mereka yang terkena dampak kebijakan. Pekerjaan saya di lapangan biasanya melibatkan penelitian, membangun gerakan dan memberdayakan masyarakat.</p>\n<a href=\"https://heropress.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/online_meetup_jakarta-min.jpg\"><img /></a>WordPress Jakarta Meetup Online di StreamYard\n<p>Mungkin sekarang Anda mengerti mengapa saya mudah terlibat dalam WordCamp atau Meetup. Bakat dalam menyiapkan sebuah kegiatan dan bekerja dengan banyak orang mungkin seperti bakat alami saya yang mengalir di pembuluh darah saya. Saya senang bekerja untuk mewujudkan dan menyelesaikan sesuatu. Saya juga sangat nyaman bekerja dengan banyak orang, terutama berbicara tentang sesuatu yang saya minati dan dapat memberi dampak positif pada kehidupan seseorang.</p>\n<p>Kemudian, pada titik tertentu, saya harus mencari pekerjaan. Seseorang yang meyakinkan saya untuk menjadi sukarelawan di WordCamp Denpasar membuat CV online untuk saya. Saya didorong untuk belajar mengelola situs WordPress, menjelajahi wp-admin, dan mengerjakan konten untuk menarik calon pemberi kerja. Saya tidak ingat mana yang lebih dulu terwujudkan, tetapi akhirnya saya mendapat pekerjaan sebagai juru kampanye untuk membangun gerakan secara online dan offline.</p>\n<p>Gerakan tersebut diprakarsai oleh sekelompok anak muda di universitas di Amerika yang menggunakan kampanye digital agar tersebar ke seluruh dunia. Kampanye tersebut menggunakan WordPress sebagai platformnya. Saya bekerja dengan seorang juru kampanye digital. Tidak hanya saya harus mengambil bagian dalam pengambilan keputusan tentang konten, Call to Action, dan pengalaman pengguna, saya juga harus login ke wp-admin dan membuat beberapa perubahan. Karena gerakan tersebut adalah gerakan global, sumber daya yang disusun biasanya dalam bahasa Inggris. Jadi saya juga banyak bekerja dengan penerjemah dan meninjau pekerjaan mereka.</p>\n<p>Sekarang, Anda mungkin lebih mengerti mengapa saya bersusah payah mengembangkan proyek poliglot dan Perempuan WordPress. Semuanya datang dari hati. Saya melakukan hal-hal yang saya yakini. Hal-hal yang menarik minat saya. Dan hal-hal yang saya kuasai tetapi masih memberikan ruang untuk saya belajar dan menjadi lebih baik.</p>\n<a href=\"https://heropress.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/id_-_wptd_2020-min.jpg\"><img /></a>Organizers (Polyglots GTE) WPTD 2020 Indonesia. Photo Credit: Agus Muhammad\n<p>Beberapa orang mungkin berpikir, saya bisa melakukan apa yang saya lakukan sekarang karena saya punya waktu. Mungkin benar. Saya berhenti dari pekerjaan saya sebagai juru kampanye pada akhir tahun 2018. Sejak saat itu, saya menjadi pekerja lepas. Tidak banyak yang saya lakukan, maka saya punya waktu luang untuk berkontribusi. Tetapi saya memiliki inisiatif lain yang saya mulai setelah saya berhenti dari pekerjaan saya dan membuat saya terus berkegiatan. Tentu saja, inisiatif tersebut juga melibatkan WordPress. Inisiatif tersebut bertujuan untuk membantu kucing jalanan di Jakarta. Jadi, saya sibuk menangkap kucing-kucing jalanan tetapi juga belajar cara menggalang dana menggunakan situs web. Saya belajar menggunakan formulir online, menyiapkan penyedia layanan pembayaran, mengerjakan SEO, dan melakukan hal-hal baru lainnya yang perlu saya pelajari untuk mengembangkan inisiatif saya. Saya mungkin beruntung karena dapat belajar langsung dari seorang guru pribadi. Orang yang sama yang meyakinkan saya untuk menjadi sukarelawan di WordCamp Denpasar, dan developer web pribadi saya. Suami saya.</p>\n<p>Akan tetapi, semuanya tentu bukan tanpa tantangan. Ketika saya baru mulai belajar menjadi Deputi, dan saya siap untuk mendorong dimulainya Meetup di kota-kota baru di seluruh Indonesia dan mungkin WordCamp. Sesuatu yang berhubungan dengan WordPress telah membuat saya berhenti berkontribusi selama lebih dari setengah tahun (juga karena Covid). Saya sadar hal ini tidak benar. Saya merasa seperti ada sesuatu yang hilang. Tetapi sekarang, saya telah memutuskan untuk tidak membiarkannya menghalangi saya lagi. Situasi yang tidak terlalu menyenangkan tersebut mungkin yang paling memotivasi saya untuk terus berkontribusi di WordPress. Apa yang tidak membunuh kita hanya akan membuat diri kita lebih kuat!</p>\n<p>Semua hal di atas adalah yang saya sukai dari WordPress, sangat ramah dan terbuka untuk orang seperti saya, yang tidak bisa menulis kode sama sekali. Pada saat yang sama, WordPress menunjukkan kepada saya cara yang berbeda dalam memandang dunia, mungkin juga dunia TI. Di usia 30-an akhir, saya terjun ke dunia baru. Saya dorong diri saya untuk mempelajari hal-hal baru. Dengan WordPress, kesempatan untuk mempelajari hal baru selalu terbuka bagi siapa pun. Dan WordPress juga memungkinkan saya untuk berkontribusi dengan membagikan apa yang saya miliki. Dengan berkontribusi, saya berharap dapat membuat perbedaan dalam hidup seseorang. Terutama para pengguna WordPress berbakat dari Indonesia. Saya berharap mereka merasakan manfaat menggunakan WordPress dan ingin berkontribusi untuk menciptakan komunitas WordPress yang lebih sehat di Indonesia.</p>\n<p>The post <a rel=\"nofollow\" href=\"https://heropress.com/essays/wordpress-and-me-am-i-going-against-all-odds/\">WordPress and Me: Am I Going Against All Odds? – WordPress dan Saya: Apakah saya dapat melewati semua rintangan yang menghadang?</a> appeared first on <a rel=\"nofollow\" href=\"https://heropress.com\">HeroPress</a>.</p>\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:7:\"pubDate\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:31:\"Wed, 15 Sep 2021 01:00:22 +0000\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:32:\"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/\";a:1:{s:7:\"creator\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:13:\"Devin Maeztri\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}}}i:10;a:6:{s:4:\"data\";s:13:\"\n \n \n \n \n \n \n\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"child\";a:2:{s:0:\"\";a:5:{s:5:\"title\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:87:\"WPTavern: Konstantin Kovshenin Launches Sail, a CLI Tool for Deploying to Digital Ocean\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"guid\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:30:\"https://wptavern.com/?p=122774\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"link\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:217:\"https://wptavern.com/konstantin-kovshenin-launches-sail-a-cli-tool-for-deploying-to-digital-ocean?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=konstantin-kovshenin-launches-sail-a-cli-tool-for-deploying-to-digital-ocean\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:11:\"description\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:4729:\"<p class=\"has-drop-cap\">Last week, Konstantin Kovshenin launched <a href=\"https://sailed.io/\">Sail</a>, a CLI tool for deploying WordPress applications to the DigitalOcean cloud. The project is free to use and open source. However, he has plans for an upgraded premium experience down the road.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>Kovshenin cited speed and efficiency as the two primary reasons developers should give his new tool a try. “You don’t need to wander around web UIs to launch a new server and install WordPress. You just <code>sail init</code>. You don’t need to open your SFTP GUI client to upload changes to your application. You just <code>sail deploy</code>.”</p>\n\n\n\n<p>He also said that because it is a simple CLI, it will integrate well with existing developer tools and services like Gulp, webpack, GitHub Actions, and more.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>“I’m a DIY guy when it comes to WordPress hosting, so I like to get my hands dirty with servers, code, configuration, and everything else,” wrote Kovshenin in the <a href=\"https://konstantin.blog/2021/sail-deploy-wordpress-to-digitalocean/\">announcement post</a>. “I’ve been using virtual servers at DigitalOcean for small WordPress projects for a very long time, and it’s great, and also very affordable.”</p>\n\n\n\n<p>He had grown annoyed doing routine maintenance and configuring servers for new projects. This led him to write many scripts for handling each piece of this over the years. Over the past couple of months, he cleaned them up and packaged them as a single CLI tool called Sail. It works across Linux, macOS, and Windows.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>While he lists some advantages of using Sail over the competition in the announcement post, he thinks the benefits come from using Sail with other developer tools.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>“For example, if you already use Git and GitHub, Sail can automatically deploy your application whenever you push to your main branch,” he said. “If your project is built with Gulp and webpack, you can ask npm to deploy your application after a successful build.”</p>\n\n\n\n<p>The CLI tool does not make assumptions about the development environment. Developers are free to use whatever setup they are accustomed to, such as Vagrant/VirtualBox, XAMP/MAMP, Local, Docker, or a custom setup.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>“You can use it without a local development environment at all and just cowboy-code your way through, and Sail will help you deploy with confidence and roll back when you’re overly confident,” he said.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>The following is a short video demo:</p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n\n</div>\n\n\n\n<h2>The Future of Sail</h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-drop-cap\">For the short term, Sail only works with DigitalOcean. However, Kovshenin plans to support more providers down the road as he looks into “more complex architectures.” However, he said it is not a high priority at the moment.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>“DigitalOcean has the best documentation, hands down,” he said. “The simplicity of their APIs just blows you away. And that simplicity extends to their pricing as well, which made it quite an obvious choice.”</p>\n\n\n\n<p>While the tool is free, he will offer a Sail Premium service. There is currently no launch date for it. Kovshenin said he was gauging overall interest before diving in. However, he does have an Early Access signup form. Those who use it will gain free passes during the beta period and possibly a discount at launch.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>Right now, his focus is on building the core Sail features, which he says will always be free.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>“The biggest new feature I’m excited about right now is Blueprints,” said Kovshenin. “This is going to be a YAML manifest file, which will describe the desired application environment and state, including which WordPress plugins to install and activate, which themes and settings, as well as any additional server software and configuration, such as mail, firewall, etc. And to get all of this you’ll just need to specify the blueprint file to <code>sail init</code>.”</p>\n\n\n\n<p>The goal is to allow users to build, reuse, and even share their blueprints. Sail itself will even make common configurations available. A single blueprint could include WooCommerce, Stripe, Storefront, Jetpack, Redis object caching, mail relay via MailGun, and more.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>“Other features on the list include sub-projects, staging/cloning, automatic and remote backups, profiling, monitoring, and malware/vulnerability scanning,” said Kovshenin.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>He is hoping for more feedback on missing features that could make the project more useful for others.</p>\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:7:\"pubDate\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:31:\"Tue, 14 Sep 2021 22:21:55 +0000\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:32:\"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/\";a:1:{s:7:\"creator\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:14:\"Justin Tadlock\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}}}i:11;a:6:{s:4:\"data\";s:13:\"\n \n \n \n \n \n \n\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"child\";a:2:{s:0:\"\";a:5:{s:5:\"title\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:62:\"WPTavern: WordPress Opens Applications for In-Person WordCamps\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"guid\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:30:\"https://wptavern.com/?p=122537\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"link\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:169:\"https://wptavern.com/wordpress-opens-applications-for-in-person-wordcamps?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=wordpress-opens-applications-for-in-person-wordcamps\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:11:\"description\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:7096:\"<img /><p>photo credit: <a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/huasonic/3008912290/\">Huasonic</a> – <a href=\"http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.0/\">cc</a></p>\n\" data-medium-file=\"https://wptavern.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/3008912290_e223135aaf_k-1-300x199.jpg\" data-large-file=\"https://wptavern.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/3008912290_e223135aaf_k-1-500x332.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2047\" height=\"1361\" src=\"https://wptavern.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/3008912290_e223135aaf_k-1.jpg\" alt=\"WordCamp Swag\" class=\"wp-image-122755\" srcset=\"https://wptavern.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/3008912290_e223135aaf_k-1.jpg 2047w, https://wptavern.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/3008912290_e223135aaf_k-1-300x199.jpg 300w, https://wptavern.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/3008912290_e223135aaf_k-1-500x332.jpg 500w, https://wptavern.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/3008912290_e223135aaf_k-1-768x511.jpg 768w, https://wptavern.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/3008912290_e223135aaf_k-1-1536x1021.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2047px) 100vw, 2047px\" />photo credit: <a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/huasonic/3008912290/\">Huasonic</a> – <a href=\"http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.0/\">cc</a>\n\n\n\n<p>WordPress is <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/community/2021/09/13/announcement-updated-guidelines-for-in-person-wordcamps/\">restarting its in-person WordCamp program</a> after more than six weeks of discussion on a <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/community/2021/07/27/proposal-how-to-return-to-safe-in-person-wordcamps/\">proposal</a> for how the WordPress community can return to hosting events. Applications are now open for in-person WordCamps, provided they meet the Community Team’s updated guidelines for organizing WordCamps during the pandemic.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>Local communities that have hosted meetups prior to the pandemic are eligible to apply to host a WordCamp if public health authorities permit in-person gatherings in their region and the area passes the <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/community/handbook/meetup-organizer/2021-returning-to-in-person-meetups/in-person-meetup-decision-checklist/\">in-person safety checklist</a>. If the checklist requirements cannot be met, organizers may still host a WordCamp, provided that vaccines or COVID tests are readily available in the community. In the event the location doesn’t pass the in-person checklist and also has limited access to vaccines and testing, organizers would need to opt for an online WordCamp.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>The new guidelines have been simplified into a flowchart:</p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><img /></div>\n\n\n\n<p>The Community Team expects that attendees will be fully vaccinated, recently tested negative, or recovered from COVID within the last three months. Attendance will be based on the honor system, as organizers will not be asking for proof as a condition of participation. </p>\n\n\n\n<p>WordCamps are sorely missed by WordPress enthusiasts and professionals, and many are eager to return. This restart of the WordCamp program will need to attract more than just attendees – WordCamp organizers will need to get on board to be the first to test the waters. </p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Yep, the camps are where the community spirit is both sparked and inspired, and often times repaired. We need in real life Wordcamps</p>— Paul Lacey (@wp_paullacey) <a href=\"https://twitter.com/wp_paullacey/status/1437518452927905800?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">September 13, 2021</a></blockquote>\n</div>\n\n\n\n<p>The fact that vaccinated individuals can still transmit the virus throws a wrench into things in areas where vaccine hesitancy runs high, making the entire population more susceptible to breakthrough infections. This combined with the prevalence of the more highly contagious Delta variant makes for a scenario where attendees at approved in-person WordCamps could unwittingly participate in spreading the virus to others. </p>\n\n\n\n<p>When asked about requiring masks or other precautions, Community Team representative Angela Jin said organizers have a better opportunity to require more precautions beyond local guidelines if they work with a venue that has its own requirements.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>“The Community team is asking organizers and attendees to follow local guidelines,” Jin said. “If organizers would like to have more precautions, the deputies would advocate for booking at a venue that takes those precautions, for example, a venue that requires masks while indoors. In this way, the ask of ensuring additional safety measures is not just on organizers (event organizers already have enough to keep an eye on!), but on venue staff as well.”</p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Anybody else ready for IRL WordCamps? <a href=\"https://twitter.com/hashtag/WordPress?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#WordPress</a> <a href=\"https://twitter.com/hashtag/genesiswp?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#genesiswp</a> <a href=\"https://t.co/xg2JmSUa3X\">pic.twitter.com/xg2JmSUa3X</a></p>— David Vogelpohl (@wpdavidv) <a href=\"https://twitter.com/wpdavidv/status/1403110409247281152?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">June 10, 2021</a></blockquote>\n</div>\n\n\n\n<p>“I’ve been asked if I think there will be an in-person WordCamp Miami in 2022 once it’s allowed,” longtime WordCamp organizer David Bisset <a href=\"https://twitter.com/dimensionmedia/status/1437465815842967555\">said</a>. “No idea. But I doubt I’ll be involved unless the state of Florida changes dramatically. Plus, other reasons. As of now I’m not planning on attending any in-person WCs for quite some time. I have a ‘wait and see’ attitude.\'”</p>\n\n\n\n<p>One important consideration is that the Global Sponsorship Program does not currently include funding for WordCamps, so organizers will need to raise 100% of the expenses for their events. A group of Community Team deputies are working on a proposal for the <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/community/2021/09/10/2022-global-sponsorship-working-group/\">2022 Global Sponsorship Program</a>, aiming to finalize it by the end of October. In the meantime, organizers will need to find a way to foot the bill.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>As scientists consider the increasingly more likely possibility that SARS-CoV-2 becomes an endemic virus, WordCamps and other gatherings will need to find the right combination of precautions that will enable them to continue in this new era. The Community team has become skilled at hosting virtual events, but 18 months into this pandemic it is clear that the connections fostered at WordCamps are irreplaceable.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>“The deputies and I know that many places around the world are not in a position to organize in-person WordCamps at this time,” Jin said. “The team will continue to support online events, and do not expect organizers to host in-person events if they are not ready to.”</p>\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:7:\"pubDate\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:31:\"Tue, 14 Sep 2021 03:35:19 +0000\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:32:\"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/\";a:1:{s:7:\"creator\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:13:\"Sarah Gooding\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}}}i:12;a:6:{s:4:\"data\";s:13:\"\n \n \n \n \n \n \n\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"child\";a:2:{s:0:\"\";a:5:{s:5:\"title\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:96:\"WPTavern: Theme Author Survey Results: Uploading via ZIP Files Preferred, SVN Access Forthcoming\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"guid\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:30:\"https://wptavern.com/?p=122704\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"link\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:233:\"https://wptavern.com/theme-author-survey-results-uploading-via-zip-files-preferred-svn-access-forthcoming?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=theme-author-survey-results-uploading-via-zip-files-preferred-svn-access-forthcoming\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:11:\"description\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:3904:\"<p class=\"has-drop-cap\">Earlier today, Dion Hulse announced the <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/themes/2021/09/13/theme-upload-survey-results-next-steps/\">results of a six-week survey</a> on the WordPress.org theme upload process. The goal was to figure out if uploading a ZIP file was a “pain point” and see what other methods theme authors prefer. Then, move forward based on the feedback. In total, 256 people responded to the survey.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>Of the weighted results, uploading themes via a ZIP remained the most popular option. Committing via Git or integrating with GitHub came in second and third, respectively. Using SVN or a CLI tool also had support.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>The next steps should include allowing theme updates to be submitted via SVN. Trac tickets will also be removed for updates, which the Themes Team no longer reviews. For theme authors who prefer Git, the plan is to encourage the use of a GitHub Action for automatic deployment over SVN.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>There are no tickets for implementing the changes yet, but they are forthcoming. Hulse said he is awaiting any feedback on the announcement post or in the Themes Team September 14 meeting.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>Nothing was said about the initial theme submission. This will likely remain the same.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>The upcoming SVN access will have some limits in comparison to plugins. Updates will be stored via a strict <code>/theme-slug/version</code> scheme with a standardized version format. Theme authors will not be allowed to change any commits once an update is submitted. Like the ZIP upload system, they will need to bump the version number to send a new update. The goal is for the theme repository to merely be a deployment destination and not a place for development.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>This should be a welcome change for those who have longed for alternative theme upload methods. As far back as I can remember, theme authors have asked for SVN access to the WordPress.org theme directory. It is a capability that plugin developers have long had. This was before the proliferation of Git and the rising popularity of GitHub. Every so often, themers would begin the discussion anew, but it would always end the same. Uploading a ZIP file was the only way to submit a new theme or an update to an existing one.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>Eventually, those discussions included talk of Git. However, it seemed most of the passion for integrating with any version control system (VCS) had waned. Most just lived with the status quo.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>This has not necessarily been a bad thing. Uploading a ZIP has kept the process simple. Theme authors could use their preferred VCS (or none) and ship the final product to WordPress.org.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>As I viewed the survey and thought it over, I changed positions. Throughout my history as a theme author, I was clearly in the camp calling for VCS integration. I wanted SVN (eventually, GIT) access to my projects in the directory. However, I had long ago customized my development build process to incorporate a ZIP creation step. The extra 30 seconds or so that it took to upload that file via the theme upload form did not seem to matter so much anymore.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>Like the plurality of others who responded to the survey, I now prefer uploading a ZIP file. Maybe it is what I am accustomed to, but it would not have been my answer a few years ago. I have come to appreciate the simplicity of the existing system.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, opening the theme upload process up to other methods should improve things for more people. In particular, I could imagine theme shops incorporating something similar to <a href=\"https://wptavern.com/10up-releases-github-actions-for-simplifying-wordpress-plugin-deployment\">10up’s GitHub Action</a> for plugin deployment in their release process. Essentially, the Action automatically sends an update to WordPress.org’s SVN repository when tagging a release.</p>\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:7:\"pubDate\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:31:\"Mon, 13 Sep 2021 22:56:03 +0000\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:32:\"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/\";a:1:{s:7:\"creator\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:14:\"Justin Tadlock\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}}}i:13;a:6:{s:4:\"data\";s:13:\"\n \n \n \n \n \n \n\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"child\";a:2:{s:0:\"\";a:5:{s:5:\"title\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:101:\"Gutenberg Times: Theme Switching, Global Styles, Blocks in REST API and more – Weekend Edition #184\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"guid\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:35:\"https://gutenbergtimes.com/?p=18948\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"link\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:63:\"https://gutenbergtimes.com/theme-switching-weekend-edition-184/\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:11:\"description\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:13344:\"<p>Howdy, howdy! </p>\n\n\n\n<p>Today we have a great mixture of links to tutorials, news, general information, call to action and events. Now that the summer is over, it feels there is another wave of WordPressers are starting to adopt the block editor, block-based themes and to pay more attention to what’s happening in the Gutenberg world. Or is it just me diving into the topics full-time? </p>\n\n\n\n\n\n<p>Before you get distracted by the headlines below, let me ask you: Do you have your WordCamp US Tickets, already? <a href=\"https://us.wordcamp.org/2021/tickets/\"><strong>Now is the time! </strong></a></p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><a href=\"https://us.wordcamp.org/2021\">WordCamp US</a></strong> will take place as a one-day virtual event on October 1st, 2021. It’s free and takes place on a Friday, so it won’t cut into your screen-free weekend activities.</p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>The <a href=\"https://us.wordcamp.org/2021/wcus-speakers-first-group/\">first</a> and <a href=\"https://us.wordcamp.org/2021/wcus-speakers-second-group/\">second</a> set of brilliant speakers were announced this week.</li><li>There is still a <a href=\"https://us.wordcamp.org/2021/call-for-chat-directors/#more-2716\">Call for Directors</a> out and if you want to help with Live Chat moderation and capture audience questions you can apply until Sept. 16 for three shifts. <a href=\"https://us.wordcamp.org/2021/call-for-chat-directors/#more-2716\">More here.</a></li><li>Take the opportunity and meetup with a small group of local friends for a watch party. <strong>Don Soschin </strong>has some ideas and tips for you. <a href=\"https://us.wordcamp.org/2021/create-your-wcus21-attendee-pod/\">Create your WCUS 2021 Attendee Pod.</a></li></ul>\n\n\n\n<p>See y’all at WCUS! </p>\n\n\n\n<p>Yours, <br />Birgit ?</p>\n\n\n\n<h2>Full-Site Editing and Theme design</h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Speaking of events, next week <strong>Anne McCarthy, Marcus Kazmierczak and Dave Smith </strong>will gather for a <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/test/2021/09/09/hallway-hangout-on-adoption-pathways-for-full-site-editing/\"><strong>Hallway Hangout on September 16th at 11 am EDT / 16:00 UTC.</strong></a> They will discuss adoption pathways to full site editing, what’s working, what successes folks have had, what blockers people are running into, and what might help more folks participate. Beyond just the benefits of learning from each other, this information will ideally be used to help influence future resources and to give insights to the teams working on these items. Join the <a href=\"https://wordpress.slack.com/archives/C015GUFFC00\">#fse-outreach-program</a> WP Slack channel for updates.</p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator is-style-wide\" />\n\n\n\n<p>The next feedback round for participants in the FSE outreach program is a <strong><a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/test/2021/09/08/fse-program-exploration-help-with-the-future-of-block-theme-switching/\">Theme Switching Exploration</a>.</strong> Imagine a world where one could seamlessly take product review patterns from one theme, styling from another, and product display templates from an eCommerce focused theme to create a store. Or imagine being able to switch themes while retaining your favorite palette of colors and typography. </p>\n\n\n\n<p>The focus of this exploration is more on “wishful thinking”. In the instructions, <strong>Anne McCarthy</strong> guides you through a very basic theme switching process, and then asks you to creatively think about what you’d like to see happen. In other words, the focus is not so much on finding bugs, and more on gathering useful insights that will help design this experience. </p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you need some additional inspiration on how your want to approach your switching journey, read <strong>Justin Tadlock</strong>‘s Exploration Report on the WP Tavern: <a href=\"https://wptavern.com/fse-program-insights-into-switching-between-block-themes\"><strong>Insights Into Switching Between Block Themes</strong></a></p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator is-style-wide\" />\n\n\n\n\n<p><strong><a href=\"https://gutenbergtimes.com/need-a-zip-from-master/\">Need a plugin .zip from Gutenberg’s main (trunk) branch?</a></strong><br />Gutenberg Times provides daily build for testing and review. <br />Have you been using it? Hit reply and let me know.</p>\n\n\n\n<p><img alt=\"GitHub all releases\" src=\"https://img.shields.io/github/downloads/bph/gutenberg/total?style=for-the-badge\" /></p>\n\n\n\n\n<p><strong><a href=\"https://twitter.com/oandregal\">André Maneiro</a></strong> compares in his post <a href=\"https://oandre.gal/the-developer-experience-of-presets/\"><strong>The developer experience of WordPress presets</strong></a> how to handle presets for WordPress themes before and after the release of WordPress 5.8, when theme.json was merged into core. It’s a practical recap on the advantages for developers to migrate to theme.json even for classic themes. </p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator is-style-wide\" />\n\n\n\n<p>In <a href=\"https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/issues/34574\"><strong>The Global Styles Interface</strong></a> issue on GitHub, <strong>Matias Ventura</strong> covers the broad design aspects of global styles, the upcoming user interface for <code>theme.json</code>. Ventura discusses the iconography, small previews, the handling of color palettes, elements and filters, and color tools. Take a look and chime in on working on TNBT (The next Big Thing) </p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><a href=\"https://twitter.com/shaunandrews\">Shaun Andrews,</a></strong> on the design team, shared in <a href=\"https://shaunandrews.com/2021/09/the-wordpress-editor-document-status-and-visibility/\"><strong>The WordPress Editor: Document Status and Visibility</strong></a> the next-generation designs for the Gutenberg Publish section in the side bar. </p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator is-style-wide\" />\n\n\n\n<p>A group of theme developers met at this week’s <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/test/2021/09/10/hallway-hangout-discussion-on-full-site-editing-issues-prs-designs-10-september/\"><strong>Hallway Hangout to discuss current Full-site editing issues, pull requests and designs</strong>. </a> Anne McCarthy posted the recording and a summary on the Make Blog. </p>\n\n\n\n\n<p><strong><a href=\"https://gutenbergtimes.com/podcast/changelog-51-new-gallery-block-theme-json/\">Gutenberg Changelog #51</a></strong> is now available with transcript. </p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Subscribe to the <a href=\"https://gutenbergtimes.com/podcast/\">Gutenberg Changelog</a> podcast </strong><br />?️ <a href=\"https://open.spotify.com/show/620NwVKQJGdTupy36zYxvg?mc_cid=4b6c9f88fe\">Spotify</a> | <a href=\"https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9ndXRlbmJlcmd0aW1lcy5jb20vZmVlZC9wb2RjYXN0\">Google</a> | <a href=\"https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/gutenberg-changelog/id1469294475\">iTunes</a> | <a href=\"https://pca.st/podcast/f8445ec0-7508-0137-f267-1d245fc5f9cf\">PocketCasts</a> | <a href=\"https://www.stitcher.com/show/gutenberg-changelog\">Stitcher</a> |<br />?️ <a href=\"https://www.podbean.com/podcast-detail/chi7j-9904a/Gutenberg-Changelog-Podcast\">Pod Bean</a> | <a href=\"https://castbox.fm/channel/Gutenberg-Changelog-id2173375\">CastBox</a> | <a href=\"https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/gutenberg-changelog-878239/\">Podchaser</a> | <a href=\"https://gutenbergtimes.com/feed/podcast\">RSS Feed</a> </p>\n\n\n\n<img />\n\n\n\n\n<h2>Gutenberg for Site implementers and Content creators</h2>\n\n\n\n<p>In her post <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/core/2021/09/09/core-editor-improvement-cascading-impact-of-improvements-to-featured-images/\"><strong>Cascading impact of improvements to featured images</strong></a> <strong>Anne McCarty </strong>shows you how improvements to the Featured Image block lead to more possibilities for content creation with short videos. </p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator is-style-wide\" />\n\n\n\n<p>Not in and of itself block-editorial, but still a great story: <a href=\"https://wptavern.com/automattic-acquires-social-image-generator-plugin-plans-to-integrate-with-jetpack\"><strong>Automattic Acquires Social Image Generator Plugin, Plans to Integrate with Jetpack</strong></a>. <strong><a href=\"https://twitter.com/danielpost\">Daniel Post</a></strong>‘s plugin was a dream come true for social marketing people and save so much time. Post and the plugin have a sustainable home with Automattic now.</p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator is-style-wide\" />\n\n\n\n<p>The team working on the <a href=\"https://pods.io/2021/02/11/pods-2-8-beta-1-released-and-the-field-guide-to-pods-2-8/\"><strong>Pods Framework have published their Field Guide</strong></a> for the next version (2.8). Among many other new features and fixes, you’ll find the<strong> </strong>new Pods Blocks which allow you to </p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>List Items, </li><li>show a Single Item, </li><li>display a Single Item Field, </li><li>show a Public Form, or </li><li>embed a View (any file) from your theme / child theme. </li></ul>\n\n\n\n<p>They also included compatibility with the new WordPress 5.8 Query Loop blocks!</p>\n\n\n\n<p>For those creators out there looking to get ahead with some common custom block needs, our new Pods Blocks API allows you to register your blocks. Congrats to <strong><a href=\"https://twitter.com/scottkclark\">Scott Kingsley Clark</a></strong> and his team for the major effort to add Gutenberg capabilities to the framework!</p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator is-style-wide\" />\n\n\n\n<p>The MetaBox team published an <a href=\"https://metabox.io/gutenberg-vs-page-builders-comparison/\"><strong>in-depth comparison between Gutenberg vs. Page Builders – What is Better & Faster?</strong></a>. Of course, this is still premature, as Gutenberg isn’t a full-featured page builder yet, and is missing quite a few customization and layout feature most page builder provide. This post also runs websites built with Gutenberg and Oxygen in a speed test comparison. </p>\n\n\n\n\n<p><strong> <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/core/handbook/references/keeping-up-with-gutenberg-index/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">“Keeping up with Gutenberg – Index 2021”</a> </strong><br />A chronological list of the WordPress Make Blog posts from various teams involved in Gutenberg development: Design, Theme Review Team, Core Editor, Core JS, Core CSS, Test and Meta team from Jan. 2021 on. Updated by yours truly. </p>\n\n\n\n\n<h2>Block Building for developers</h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><a href=\"https://twitter.com/thespacedmonkey\">Jonny Harris</a></strong>, WordPress contributor, sponsored by XWP, created a plugin, <strong><a href=\"https://github.com/spacedmonkey/wp-rest-blocks\">REST API blocks </a></strong>that adds block data in json format into the REST API. Once installed, there will be two new fields added to the rest api, <code>has_blocks</code> and <code>blocks</code>. Sounds pretty nifty. Thanks to David Bisset for tweeting about it. </p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator is-style-wide\" />\n\n\n\n<p><strong><a href=\"https://twitter.com/richard_tabor\">Rich Tabor</a> </strong>created a tutorial on how to create a <a href=\"https://richtabor.com/gutenberg-publishing-checklist/\"><strong>Publish Checklist for the block editor</strong>.</a> If you work in a team of writers, ensuring that various content tasks are completed before an article is published. Tabor how to use a template to display the check list for the editor. </p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator is-style-wide\" />\n\n\n\n<p>Matias Ventura shared this fabulous post by <strong><a href=\"https://twitter.com/dmsnell23\">Dennis Snell,</a></strong> code wrangler at Automattic. In <strong><a href=\"https://fluffyandflakey.blog/2017/09/04/gutenberg-posts-arent-html/\">Gutenberg posts aren’t HTML…</a> </strong>Snell explains the idea to store block information in HTML comments in <code>post_content</code>. It was an eye-opener for me. </p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator is-style-wide\" />\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Create and Display Math Formulas</strong> is an interesting requirement and mostly used by scientists and Math teachers. The developers Dennis Snell and Adam Silverstein have a block for this group of writers. </p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li><a href=\"https://wordpress.org/plugins/mathml-block/\"><strong>MathML</strong></a> by <strong>Adam Silverstein</strong> is available in the plugin repository and the Block Directory</li><li>In <a href=\"https://fluffyandflakey.blog/2019/09/09/typesetting-math-in-gutenberg/\"><strong>Typesetting Math in Gutenberg</strong></a> by <strong>Dennis Snell</strong> walks you through the genesis of his block. With this example block, Snell explains, “I try to design my blocks so that all of the processing and loading costs stay in the editor while editing the post”. </li></ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator is-style-wide\" />\n\n\n\n<p>For the seventh episode of the Jukebox podcast, <strong>Nathan Wrigley</strong> interviewed Gutenberg contributor <a href=\"https://wptavern.com/podcast/7-ajit-bohra-on-gutenberg-full-site-editing-and-react\"><strong>Ajit Bohra on Gutenberg, Full Site Editing and React</strong></a>. The two covered quite a bit of ground. Grab your favorite beverage and listen. </p>\n\n\n\n<p> </p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator is-style-wide\" />\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:7:\"pubDate\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:31:\"Sat, 11 Sep 2021 08:29:00 +0000\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:32:\"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/\";a:1:{s:7:\"creator\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:18:\"Birgit Pauli-Haack\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}}}i:14;a:6:{s:4:\"data\";s:13:\"\n \n \n \n \n \n \n\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"child\";a:2:{s:0:\"\";a:5:{s:5:\"title\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:71:\"WPTavern: Theme Authors Should Be Able To Opt Out of Any Design Feature\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"guid\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:30:\"https://wptavern.com/?p=122619\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"link\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:187:\"https://wptavern.com/theme-authors-should-be-able-to-opt-out-of-any-design-feature?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=theme-authors-should-be-able-to-opt-out-of-any-design-feature\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:11:\"description\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:5451:\"<p class=\"has-drop-cap\">As I debugged issues with the new block gap feature added in <a href=\"https://wptavern.com/gutenberg-11-4-overhauls-galleries-adds-axial-padding-for-buttons-and-lays-groundwork-for-global-spacing\">Gutenberg 11.4</a> last week, I found the <a href=\"https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/33812\">ticket introducing it</a>. And, there was already a <a href=\"https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/issues/34441\">new ticket</a> for one problem I had hit. However, there was some discussion over whether themes should be allowed to opt-out, rolling their own solution. There was no way to do it at the time.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>It felt like a no-brainer, something I would not think twice about. I quickly <a href=\"https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/33812#issuecomment-910377833\">chimed in</a>:</p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote\"><p>Should theme authors be able to opt out? <em>If this is ever a question that comes up, the answer is always: Absolutely, 100%, yes!</em></p></blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>The front end of a site is the theme author’s domain. Ultimately, they define how things work there. At least, this is how it has always been. Before the advent of the block system, there were cases where WordPress added its own spin to front-end features, such as styles for the gallery shortcode and emoji JavaScript-image replacement. Themes have always had methods for disabling those.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>With the introduction of the Gutenberg project and its evolving feature set, WordPress continues stepping into front-end design. This carries the benefit of standardizing the relationship between the platform, themes, and users. It makes things like block patterns universal, and it will continue doing so as we get into more advanced layout tools. This is a future that I am eager to witness because it will make theming much easier.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, within the in-ticket discussion, I came across one of the fundamental rifts between some people working on Gutenberg and third-party developers:</p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote\"><p>I disagree with this take. This means that everything should be optional in WordPress and goes against the decisions not options. some things need to be options but not everything…I don’t think it should be a rule to have an opt-out for everything personally. For instance for structural styles, I’d rather have the themes rely on Core always instead of reinventing their own. Themes are here to bring personality and design but not to define what “horizontal alignment” means for instance.</p><cite><a href=\"https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/33812#issuecomment-910385740\">Riad Benguella</a></cite></blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>If such a stance becomes one of the cornerstones of block theme development, it will turn many traditional themers away.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>I agree with the principle that this should be the foundation, the default way that theming works in WordPress going forward. The more pieces that we can standardize, the better. But, as a rule of thumb, theme authors should be able to opt out of any design-related feature. Then, we make rare exceptions to that rule when the need arises.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>Regardless of what Gutenberg and, ultimately, WordPress does, theme authors will find a way around it. Let us pretend that “horizontal alignment” is defined by CSS flexbox in core. I guarantee that someone will come along and use CSS grid.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>In the case of the “block gap” feature introduced in Gutenberg 11.4, it is essentially a fancy name for a global top margin that gets applied to blocks (not to be confused with the actual CSS <code>gap</code> property). In essence, it is a system for defining part of the default vertical rhythm.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>This feature has long been on my wish list, but the idea of mandating it never crossed my mind. If you want to see a heated discussion, throw a handful of web designers in a room and have them discuss the myriad ways of handling vertical spacing between elements. <em>I am in the top margin camp.</em></p>\n\n\n\n<p>Fortunately, theme authors will be able to <a href=\"https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/34491\">enable or disable the block gap feature</a>. But, that is merely one battle.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>I had planned to reply in-ticket, but I did not want to get too far off-topic. I also wanted to give some consideration to <em>the other side</em>. However, I could think of few instances where WordPress should always be the deciding factor on front-end design.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>From that position, I envision little more than theme authors creating workarounds for what they will see as a broken system. There is nothing wrong with WordPress defining the defaults. However, it should always be from the mindset that developers will want to venture out. The best way to keep them happy is to not get in the way. Build a system that they <em>want</em> to use, not that they <em>must</em> use. And, for those who decide to go a different route, make it easy. Even if we think those rebel designers are creating a broken user experience, that is OK. It is their project to make or break.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>What makes WordPress so uniquely WordPress is that the platform has always catered to those who want to extend it in just about any imaginable way. If it starts creating stumbling blocks that need not be there, we have done a poor job as stewards of the software.</p>\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:7:\"pubDate\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:31:\"Sat, 11 Sep 2021 01:13:12 +0000\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:32:\"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/\";a:1:{s:7:\"creator\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:14:\"Justin Tadlock\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}}}i:15;a:6:{s:4:\"data\";s:13:\"\n \n \n \n \n \n \n\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"child\";a:2:{s:0:\"\";a:5:{s:5:\"title\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:86:\"WPTavern: Pipe Wrench Publication Releases New Native Land Search Plugin for WordPress\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"guid\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:30:\"https://wptavern.com/?p=122573\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"link\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:217:\"https://wptavern.com/pipe-wrench-publication-releases-new-native-land-search-plugin-for-wordpress?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=pipe-wrench-publication-releases-new-native-land-search-plugin-for-wordpress\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:11:\"description\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:2976:\"<p><a href=\"https://pipewrenchmag.com/\">Pipe Wrench</a>, an online publication that dissects different topics through longform stories, reactions, interpretations, and asides, has <a href=\"https://pipewrenchmag.com/2021/09/07/native-land-search-free-wordpress-plugin/\">released</a> a free WordPress plugin called <a href=\"https://wordpress.org/plugins/native-lands-search/\">Native Land Search</a>. The publication commissioned the plugin from <a href=\"https://alexjgustafson.blog/2021/08/18/native-land-search-for-pipe-wrench/\">Alex Gustafson</a>, a subscriber and contributor to the magazine.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>Native Land Search offers a search block or “Native Lands Aside” block pattern that users can add to the post content. Site visitors can search an address to discover if it is on indigenous lands.</p>\n\n\n\n<img />Pipe Wrench implementation of the Native Land Search block\n\n\n\n<p>On the Pipe Wrench publication, the content authors have added a Cover block with a background image and put the search block inside the Group block.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here is an example of the output for a Florida location: </p>\n\n\n\n<img />\n\n\n\n<p>The search results are powered by the <a href=\"https://native-land.ca/resources/api-docs/\">native-land.ca API</a> and <a href=\"https://developers.google.com/maps/documentation/geocoding/overview\">Google Geocoding API</a>. Native Land Digital, a non-profit organization, created the maps with the following mission: </p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote\"><p>We strive to map Indigenous lands in a way that changes, challenges, and improves the way people see the history of their countries and peoples. We hope to strengthen the spiritual bonds that people have with the land, its people, and its meaning.</p><p>We strive to map Indigenous territories, treaties, and languages across the world in a way that goes beyond colonial ways of thinking in order to better represent how Indigenous people want to see themselves.</p></blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>Native Land Digital notes that the maps do not represent or intend to represent official or legal boundaries of any indigenous nations.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>“All kinds of sites — magazine, newspaper, personal blog, academic hub, nonprofit — can use the block to add depth to all kinds of content involving Indigenous groups,” Pipe Wrench Editor Michelle Weber said. “LandBack, residential schools, climate change, general history — offering this search tool helps non-indigenous folks uncover and understand vital histories with ongoing ramifications.”</p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Native Land Search Plugin is available for <a href=\"https://wordpress.org/plugins/native-lands-search/\">download from WordPress.org</a> and contributions can be submitted on <a href=\"https://github.com/alexjgustafson/native-lands\">GitHub</a>. It may never have a million active installs but the plugin could be an important tool for sites involved in education or advocacy efforts.</p>\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:7:\"pubDate\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:31:\"Sat, 11 Sep 2021 00:58:55 +0000\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:32:\"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/\";a:1:{s:7:\"creator\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:13:\"Sarah Gooding\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}}}i:16;a:6:{s:4:\"data\";s:13:\"\n \n \n \n \n \n \n\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"child\";a:2:{s:0:\"\";a:5:{s:5:\"title\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:91:\"Post Status: Post Status Excerpt (No. 24) — Entrepreneurial Resilience: Relying On Others\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"guid\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:31:\"https://poststatus.com/?p=86195\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"link\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:34:\"https://poststatus.com/excerpt/24/\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:11:\"description\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:3524:\"<h2 id=\"h-a-crisis-can-either-build-you-or-break-you\">“A crisis can either build you or break you.”</h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-drop-cap\">In this episode of Post Status Excerpt, David and Cory reflect on a tough question: What can help WordPress professionals weather the storm of being an entrepreneur in challenging times? Cory shares four types of people who can offer support in their own unique ways: spouses, counselors, coaches, and colleagues. It\'s important that you find the right combination of people and connections that works best for you.</p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Also covered in this episode: </strong>Cory and David thank their spouses and will later share the timestamps of this podcast with them as evidence.</p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-background\">Every week Post Status Excerpt will brief you on important WordPress news — in about 15 minutes or less! Learn what\'s new in WordPress in a flash. <img src=\"https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/13.0.1/72x72/26a1.png\" alt=\"⚡\" class=\"wp-smiley\" /><br /><br /><a href=\"https://poststatus.com/category/post-status-podcasts/\">Browse our archives</a>, and don’t forget to subscribe to our podcasts on <a href=\"https://open.spotify.com/show/1m3xwXbe0MG5BzFVPtB0A7\">Spotify</a>, Amazon Music, <a href=\"https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5zaW1wbGVjYXN0LmNvbS8ySkU5c2M4UA\">Google Podcasts</a>, <a href=\"https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/post-status-draft-wordpress/id976403008\">iTunes</a>, <a href=\"https://castro.fm/podcast/c53552c6-1ee0-4fc4-9de4-08ed6bf1ee4d\">Castro</a>, <a href=\"https://www.youtube.com/c/PostStatus\">YouTube</a>, <a href=\"http://www.stitcher.com/podcast/krogsgard/post-status-draft-wordpress-podcast\">Stitcher</a>, <a href=\"https://player.fm/series/wordpress-post-status-podcasts\">Player.fm</a>, <a href=\"https://pca.st/05rR\">Pocket Casts</a>, <a href=\"https://wordpress-post-status-draft-podcast.simplecast.com/\">Simplecast</a>, or by <a href=\"https://feeds.simplecast.com/2JE9sc8P\">RSS</a>. <img src=\"https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/13.0.1/72x72/1f3a7.png\" alt=\"?\" class=\"wp-smiley\" /></p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-mentioned-in-the-show\"><img src=\"https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/13.0.1/72x72/1f517.png\" alt=\"?\" class=\"wp-smiley\" /> Mentioned in the show:</h3>\n\n\n\n<ul><li><a href=\"https://wordpress.tv/2018/12/22/cory-miller-entrepreneurial-resilience-handling-the-toughest-times-in-business-and-surviving/\"></a><a href=\"https://wordpress.tv/event/wordcamp-sacramento-2017/\">WordCamp Sacramento 2017</a> – Cory Miller On “Entrepreneurial Resilience”</li><li><a href=\"https://twitter.com/dimensionmedia\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">David Bisset (Twitter)</a></li><li><a href=\"https://twitter.com/corymiller303\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Cory Miller (Twitter)</a></li><li><a href=\"https://twitter.com/post_status\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Post Status (Twitter)</a></li></ul>\n\n\n\n<h3><img src=\"https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/13.0.1/72x72/1f64f.png\" alt=\"?\" class=\"wp-smiley\" /> Sponsor: <a href=\"https://poststat.us/sandhills\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow\">SpinupWP</a></h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Spin up your own extremely fast WordPress server in minutes with <strong>SpinupWP</strong>. Use any cloud hosting provider you want, and manage your servers remotely with a simple but powerful control panel. Get the security and performance of managed hosting without losing the independence of hosting your projects and your clients yourself.</p>\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:7:\"pubDate\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:31:\"Fri, 10 Sep 2021 03:27:07 +0000\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:32:\"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/\";a:1:{s:7:\"creator\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:12:\"David Bisset\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}}}i:17;a:6:{s:4:\"data\";s:13:\"\n \n \n \n \n \n \n\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"child\";a:2:{s:0:\"\";a:5:{s:5:\"title\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:72:\"WPTavern: Add a Little Pumpkin Spice to Your WordPress Admin This Autumn\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"guid\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:30:\"https://wptavern.com/?p=122545\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"link\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:189:\"https://wptavern.com/add-a-little-pumpkin-spice-to-your-wordpress-admin-this-autumn?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=add-a-little-pumpkin-spice-to-your-wordpress-admin-this-autumn\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:11:\"description\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:3473:\"<p class=\"has-drop-cap\">Autumn is my favorite time of the year. On some weekends, I like to drive through my old hometown with the windows rolled down. I crawl through the school zone at 25 mph and breathe in the football field’s freshly cut grass. All those memories of blood, guts, and glory under the Friday night lights flood back. Nervous homecoming dances. Hayrides next to the girl who actually agreed to accompany me for the evening. It is a time of festivals, candied apples, and the lingering heat of an Alabama summer that refuses to fade away.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>It was always a time of magic and memories, and now it is also the season for pumpkin spice lattes. With a couple of short weeks left before autumn hits, stores and shops are already gearing up for it.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>Love it or hate it, nearly everything has a pumpkin spice flavor now — even the WordPress admin interface.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>Ben Byrne, the co-founder of <a href=\"https://cornershopcreative.com/\">Cornershop Creative</a>, released <a href=\"https://wordpress.org/plugins/pumpkin-spice-admin/\">Pumpkin Spice Admin</a> in the past week. It is a WordPress plugin that brings the sights of the autumn season front and center.</p>\n\n\n\n<img />Dashboard screen when using Pumpkin Spice Admin.\n\n\n\n<p>Never let it be said that I am not a fan of the more whimsical WordPress plugins. One of the joys in my life is seeing these creative attempts at throwing a bit of fun into this thing we call the world wide web. Far too often, we focus so much on business deals and technical features that we sometimes forget to stop and enjoy something as beautiful as autumn leaves changing colors.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>Even if we are not simply running a personal blog, it never hurts to install a fun admin-side theme for our own amusement, unbeknownst to our visitors. Just a little something to brighten our day when we cannot be out and enjoying nature.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>The biggest downside to the plugin is that it does not rely on the standard WordPress <a href=\"https://developer.wordpress.org/reference/functions/wp_admin_css_color/\">admin color scheme system</a>, which allows each user to select their preferred style. For solo site owners, this is a non-issue. For multi-author websites, it could be problematic if everyone is not on board with the change. I would even consider using it here at WP Tavern, but it might come as a bit of a shock to the rest of the team when they log in.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>Technically, it is more than a color scheme. It adds a custom font and a falling leaves animation on each admin screen. However, it would be easy to tie those to user preferences.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>At first, I was somewhat off-put by the leaves falling down on the post-editing screen. It could be an annoyance for some users, but the few that appear, quickly pile at the bottom of the browser window. It is not a continuous animation.</p>\n\n\n\n<img />Falling leaves on the post-editing screen.\n\n\n\n<p>The plugin’s font also overrules the post title, but I can live with that. In some ways, I actually prefer it. It does not affect other fonts in the editor.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>Pumpkin Spice Admin will automatically stop working after the season is over. It sets itself to run only from September through November, so there are no worries if you forget to deactivate it.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>I only have the plugin running in my test environment, but I am enjoying it for now. All that is missing is a pumpkin-style cursor to complete the look.</p>\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:7:\"pubDate\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:31:\"Fri, 10 Sep 2021 01:05:21 +0000\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:32:\"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/\";a:1:{s:7:\"creator\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:14:\"Justin Tadlock\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}}}i:18;a:6:{s:4:\"data\";s:13:\"\n \n \n \n \n \n \n\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"child\";a:2:{s:0:\"\";a:5:{s:5:\"title\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:93:\"WPTavern: Automattic Acquires Social Image Generator Plugin, Plans to Integrate with Jetpack\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"guid\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:30:\"https://wptavern.com/?p=122474\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"link\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:227:\"https://wptavern.com/automattic-acquires-social-image-generator-plugin-plans-to-integrate-with-jetpack?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=automattic-acquires-social-image-generator-plugin-plans-to-integrate-with-jetpack\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:11:\"description\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:3861:\"<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><img /></div>\n\n\n\n<p>Automattic has <a href=\"https://jetpack.com/2021/09/08/jetpack-acquires-wordpress-plugin-social-image-generator/\">acquired the Social Image Generator plugin</a>, a commercial product that automatically creates social share images for WordPress content from a set of fully customizable templates. The plugin launched in February 2021, with a starting price of <a href=\"https://socialimagegenerator.com/#pricing\">$39/year</a> but is now closed to new sales. Daniel Post, the plugin’s creator, is joining Automattic to continue developing it as a new addition to Jetpack’s <a href=\"https://jetpack.com/features/growth/automatic-publishing/\">social media tools</a>. </p>\n\n\n\n<p>Automattic is always on the prowl for companies that are doing something interesting in the WordPress ecosystem. The <a href=\"https://socialimagegenerator.com/\">Social Image Generator plugin</a> expertly captured a new niche with an interface that feels like a natural part of WordPress and impressed our chief plugin critic, Justin Tadlock, in a recent <a href=\"https://wptavern.com/create-per-post-social-media-images-with-the-social-image-generator-wordpress-plugin\">review</a>.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>“Automattic approached me and let me know they were fans of my plugin,” Post said. “And then we started talking to see what it would be like to work together. We were actually introduced by Chris Coyier from CSS-Tricks, who uses both our products.”</p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Social Image Generator plugin has always been a commercial-only product, which tends to limit a plugin’s reach within a market that has been so heavily trained on the freemium model. Its acquisition will undoubtedly get it into the hands of more WordPress users.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>“I briefly considered building a freemium plugin but I decided to focus on paid licenses to make sure I could provide great support to all users and, frankly, to see how well it would be received compared to a freemium plugin,” Post said.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>Current customers will be able to continue using the plugin “without any changes in the near term,” according to the announcement on the Jetpack blog. Those who have strong opinions about the long-term future of the plugin are encouraged to schedule a session with <a href=\"https://jetpackresearch.blog/\">Jetpack Customer Research</a> to open a dialogue.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>“I look forward to the future functionality and user experience improvements that will come out of this acquisition,” Jetpack General Manager James Grierson said. “The goal of our social product is to help content creators expand their audience through increased distribution and engagement. Social Image Generator will be a key component of helping us deliver this to our customers.“</p>\n\n\n\n<p>I would not be surprised to see this plugin available on one of Jetpack’s paid tiers in the near future, alongside the Publicize module’s other paid features (scheduling social media posts, tracking and viewing sharing history, and re-sharing existing content). Social Image Generator makes WordPress content more engaging on social media, has built-in support for WooCommerce, and can be extended for use with other plugins. It’s a strategic acquisition where Automattic gains an engineer as well as a new way to make Jetpack subscriptions more compelling. </p>\n\n\n\n<p>“We are still figuring out our exact approach, but the initial plans are to integrate the Social Image Generator features with the existing Jetpack social tools like Publicize,” Post said. “The ability to see exactly what your social media post will look like before publishing it right from your WordPress site is incredible, and a big reason why I’m so excited about this acquisition.”</p>\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:7:\"pubDate\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:31:\"Thu, 09 Sep 2021 04:00:43 +0000\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:32:\"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/\";a:1:{s:7:\"creator\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:13:\"Sarah Gooding\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}}}i:19;a:6:{s:4:\"data\";s:13:\"\n \n \n \n \n \n \n\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"child\";a:2:{s:0:\"\";a:5:{s:5:\"title\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:68:\"WordPress.org blog: WordPress 5.8.1 Security and Maintenance Release\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"guid\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:35:\"https://wordpress.org/news/?p=11190\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"link\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:84:\"https://wordpress.org/news/2021/09/wordpress-5-8-1-security-and-maintenance-release/\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:11:\"description\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:8826:\"<p>WordPress 5.8.1 is now available!</p>\n\n\n\n<p>This security and maintenance release features <a href=\"https://core.trac.wordpress.org/query?milestone=5.8.1&group=component&col=id&col=summary&col=milestone&col=owner&col=type&col=status&col=priority&order=priority\">60 bug</a> <a href=\"https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/34393\">fixes</a> in addition to 3 security fixes. Because this is a <strong>security release</strong>, it is recommended that you update your sites immediately. All versions since WordPress 5.4 have also been updated.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>WordPress 5.8.1 is a short-cycle security and maintenance release. The next major release will be version <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/core/5-9/\">5.9</a>.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>You can download WordPress 5.8.1 by downloading from WordPress.org, or visit your Dashboard → Updates and click Update Now.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you have sites that support automatic background updates, they’ve already started the update process.</p>\n\n\n\n<h3><strong>Security Updates</strong></h3>\n\n\n\n<p>3 security issues affect WordPress versions between 5.4 and 5.8. If you haven’t yet updated to 5.8, all WordPress versions since 5.4 have also been updated to fix the following security issues:</p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Props <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/mdawaffe/\" class=\"mention\"><span class=\"mentions-prefix\">@</span>mdawaffe</a>, member of the WordPress Security Team for their work fixing a data exposure vulnerability within the REST API.</li><li>Props to Michał Bentkowski of Securitum for reporting a XSS vulnerability in the block editor.</li><li>The Lodash library has been updated to version 4.17.21 in each branch to incorporate upstream security fixes.</li></ul>\n\n\n\n<p>In addition to these issues, the security team would like to thank the following people for reporting vulnerabilities during the WordPress 5.8 beta testing period, allowing them to be fixed prior to release:</p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Props <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https://evanricafort.com/\">Evan Ricafort</a> for reporting a XSS vulnerability in the block editor discovered during the 5.8 release’s beta period.</li><li>Props <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/stevehenty/\">Steve Henty</a> for reporting a privilege escalation issue in the block editor.</li></ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Thank you to all of the reporters for <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/core/handbook/testing/reporting-security-vulnerabilities/\">privately disclosing the vulnerabilities</a>. This gave the WordPress security team time to fix the vulnerabilities before WordPress sites could be attacked.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>For more information, browse the <a href=\"https://core.trac.wordpress.org/query?milestone=5.8.1&group=component&col=id&col=summary&col=milestone&col=owner&col=type&col=status&col=priority&order=priority\">full list of changes</a> on Trac, or check out the <a href=\"https://wordpress.org/support/wordpress-version/version-5-8-1/\">version 5.8.1 HelpHub documentation page</a>.</p>\n\n\n\n<h2>Thanks and props!</h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The 5.8.1 release was led by <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/desrosj/\">Jonathan Desrosiers</a> and <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/circlecube/\">Evan Mullins</a>.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>In addition to the security researchers and release squad members mentioned above, thank you to everyone who helped make WordPress 5.8.1 happen:</p>\n\n\n\n<a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/2linctools/\">2linctools</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/zieladam/\">Adam Zielinski</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/schlessera/\">Alain Schlesser</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/ajlende/\">Alex Lende</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/alexstine/\">alexstine</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/algala/\">AlGala</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/oandregal/\">André</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/andraganescu/\">Andrei Draganescu</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/azaozz/\">Andrew Ozz</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/ankitmaru/\">Ankit Panchal</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/antpb/\">Anthony Burchell</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/antonvlasenko/\">Anton Vlasenko</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/aristath/\">Ari Stathopoulos</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/ribaricplusplus/\">Bruno Ribaric</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/poena/\">Carolina Nymark</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/daisyo/\">Daisy Olsen</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/talldanwp/\">Daniel Richards</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/dariak/\">Daria</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/davidanderson/\">David Anderson</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/davidbinda/\">David Biňovec</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/dlh/\">David Herrera</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/ocean90/\">Dominik Schilling</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/ellatrix/\">Ella van Durpe</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/enchiridion/\">Enchiridion</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/circlecube/\">Evan Mullins</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/garyj/\">Gary Jones</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/mamaduka/\">George Mamadashvili</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/gziolo/\">Greg Ziółkowski</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/priethor/\">Héctor Prieto</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/ianmjones/\">ianmjones</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/audrasjb/\">Jb Audras</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/jblz/\">Jeff Bowen</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/joedolson/\">Joe Dolson</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/joen/\">Joen A.</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/johnbillion/\">John Blackbourn</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/desrosj/\">Jonathan Desrosiers</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/juanmaguitar/\">JuanMa Garrido</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/jrf/\">Juliette Reinders Folmer</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/kevin940726/\">Kai Hao</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/kapilpaul/\">Kapil Paul</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/gwwar/\">Kerry Liu</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/kevinfodness/\">Kevin Fodness</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/mkaz/\">Marcus Kazmierczak</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/mark-k/\">Mark-k</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/mhuntdesign/\">Matt</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/mdawaffe/\">Michael Adams (mdawaffe)</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/mikeschroder/\">Mike Schroder</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/moch11/\">moch11</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/mukesh27/\">Mukesh Panchal</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/ntsekouras/\">Nik Tsekouras</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/paaljoachim/\">Paal Joachim Romdahl</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/swissspidy/\">Pascal Birchler</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/pbearne/\">Paul Bearne</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/pbiron/\">Paul Biron</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/peterwilsoncc/\">Peter Wilson</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/walbo/\">Petter Walbø Johnsgård</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/radixweb/\">Radixweb</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/rtm909/\">Rahul Mehta</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/ramonopoly/\">ramonopoly</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/ravipatel/\">ravipatel</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/youknowriad/\">Riad Benguella</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/noisysocks/\">Robert Anderson</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/kreppar/\">Rodrigo Arias</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/sanketchodavadiya/\">Sanket Chodavadiya</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/sergeybiryukov/\">Sergey Biryukov</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/sabernhardt/\">Stephen Bernhardt</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/netweb/\">Stephen Edgar</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/stevehenty/\">Steve Henty</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/terraling/\">terraling</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/timothyblynjacobs/\">Timothy Jacobs</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/tmatsuur/\">tmatsuur</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/tobiasbg/\">TobiasBg</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/hellofromTonya/\">Tonya Mork</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/toro_unit/\">Toro_Unit (Hiroshi Urabe)</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/vladytimy/\">Vlad T</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/wb1234/\">wb1234</a>, and <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/wfmattr/\">WFMattR</a>.\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:7:\"pubDate\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:31:\"Thu, 09 Sep 2021 03:11:37 +0000\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:32:\"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/\";a:1:{s:7:\"creator\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:19:\"Jonathan Desrosiers\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}}}i:20;a:6:{s:4:\"data\";s:13:\"\n \n \n \n \n \n \n\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"child\";a:2:{s:0:\"\";a:5:{s:5:\"title\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:67:\"WPTavern: FSE Program: Insights Into Switching Between Block Themes\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"guid\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:30:\"https://wptavern.com/?p=122476\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"link\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:177:\"https://wptavern.com/fse-program-insights-into-switching-between-block-themes?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=fse-program-insights-into-switching-between-block-themes\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:11:\"description\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:7296:\"<p class=\"has-drop-cap\">Unlike routine testing rounds for the FSE Outreach Program, Anne McCarthy threw a bit of a twist on the Make WordPress Test blog earlier today. The announcement asks users to think about what they would like to see when switching between block themes. The <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/test/2021/09/08/fse-program-exploration-help-with-the-future-of-block-theme-switching/\">test is open to anyone</a> who wants to participate through September 29.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>The steps are loose and not required. The goal is to get people thinking and discussing what the theme-switching flow will look like over time. McCarthy asked several questions, but they are merely a starting point for a more open-ended discussion.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>While I sometimes need structure, I tend to break the rules anyway. The format of this test suited me well today.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>I am not one for switching themes. Since I learned how to design for WordPress well over a decade ago, I have never moved from one theme to the next. At least not in the same way that the average user would. Instead, every time I have added a new coat of paint on my websites, I have simply switched over the foundation to whatever I had been working on at the given moment. WordPress themes, for me, were always just an iteration upon the last project.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>One of the cornerstones of programming is to reuse your code, and it is a principle that I have taken to heart. Even now, as I continue to explore block theme design, I am doing so from a gutted version of the last WordPress theme I built.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>When I think about switching themes, it is not an experience that I am accustomed to. Even when I started working for WP Tavern, the site already used one of my themes with some customizations. It feels like I have missed out. Throughout my entire journey with WordPress since version 1.5, in which the platform first introduced themes, I have never truly experienced the theme-switching process in the most fundamental way. <em>I will soon, but we will talk about that on another day.</em></p>\n\n\n\n<p>When I have “switched” themes, I have done so in test environments for writing about them or running tech support for end-users.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>The call for exploration mainly focused on global design-related features. However, in my experience, these tend to matter far less than what a user’s content will look like. The first thing I do when testing any theme is to load a demo post. Lately, this has been the “Welcome to the Gutenberg Editor” test post. The primary question: <em>Can I read the content comfortably?</em> If I do not get past this stage, I simply deactivate the theme.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>For this experiment, I chose three themes:</p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>My custom, unreleased project</li><li><a href=\"https://wordpress.org/themes/tt1-blocks/\">TT1 Blocks</a></li><li><a href=\"https://wordpress.org/themes/quadrat/\">Quadrat</a></li></ul>\n\n\n\n<p>I started with that foundation of testing how easy it was to read a simple blog post.</p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><img /></li><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><img /></li><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><img /></li></ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Overall, each theme performed admirably. However, Quadrat’s use of the featured image on a single post view felt out of place.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>One question that keeps me up at night is how cross-theme compatibility will work on the content level. Default block output should translate from one theme to the next with little or no issues. However, custom block styles, font sizes, colors, and the full range of presets are already a problem area.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>This is not a new conversation. There is an <a href=\"https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/issues/29568\">ongoing discussion</a> on standardizing some features. But the <em>cat is already out of the bag</em> and running loose through the house.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>Global styles and templates are features that themers have been dealing with for years in some form or another. The new systems are just different ways of doing the same thing.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, when design elements merge with content, switching themes becomes more complex without an underlying, standardized system. To illustrate this point, I checked all three of my test themes against a post that used custom block styles, gradient colors, and font sizes. I wanted to push the boundaries beyond a simple blog post.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>The content was built with my custom theme and an “open canvas” template. Quadrat had a similar template for hiding the post title, but TT1 Blocks did not.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>The result was, <em>ahem</em>, rough:</p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><img /></li><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><img /></li><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><img /></li></ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Of course, my custom theme looks as it should. This is not to say that TT1 Blocks and Quadrat are poorly designed. They are actually two of the best block themes available at the moment. The problem is that they do not share the same block styles and presets. WordPress and Gutenberg are also missing some fundamental layout tools that could make it easier to carry this design from one theme to the next.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>The most complex piece of the design is with the opening Cover block pattern:</p>\n\n\n\n<img />\n\n\n\n<p>Technically, this is a Cover block within another. The bottom layer has a background image with a duotone filter and sets the inner content to 90% width of its parent. The second layer has a theme-defined gradient background and sets its inside container to the left at 50% width. Plus, it has a sprinkling of custom font sizes.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>These layout controls are only possible through custom block styles or some hacky uses of the Columns block. I chose the former because it was easier, but it also means they are broken when used with any other theme.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>While I called this the most complex piece of the design, it is actually a simple thing to do with most page builders or with a few lines of CSS. Until WordPress has some type of grid container block, theme authors will rely on custom techniques to make such layouts possible. It can and will get even uglier than this the longer we wait.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>The open discussions on standardizing presets like <a href=\"https://richtabor.com/standardizing-theme-json-font-sizes/\">font sizes</a> and <a href=\"https://richtabor.com/standardizing-theme-json-colors/\">color names</a> may bear fruit that could help with the more trivial parts. However, I have not seen gradient names pop up in this discussion.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>I do have at least one ulterior motive for this test. I have long wanted to try more experimental post designs and layouts here at WP Tavern. However, I know that we will eventually switch themes. That voice in the back of my mind always reminds me that those custom-designed post layouts will likely break when that day comes. The tools are not advanced enough for me to take the plunge. Not yet anyway.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>At this point, I am sure that I am no longer following the intended direction of the call for exploration. However, I am just letting the journey take me where I am meant to go. My destination is an addition to my wish list: more robust layout tools that work from theme to theme.</p>\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:7:\"pubDate\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:31:\"Thu, 09 Sep 2021 02:35:56 +0000\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:32:\"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/\";a:1:{s:7:\"creator\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:14:\"Justin Tadlock\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}}}i:21;a:6:{s:4:\"data\";s:13:\"\n \n \n \n \n \n \n\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"child\";a:2:{s:0:\"\";a:5:{s:5:\"title\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:69:\"WPTavern: #7 – Ajit Bohra on Gutenberg, Full Site Editing and React\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"guid\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:48:\"https://wptavern.com/?post_type=podcast&p=122369\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"link\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:179:\"https://wptavern.com/podcast/7-ajit-bohra-on-gutenberg-full-site-editing-and-react?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=7-ajit-bohra-on-gutenberg-full-site-editing-and-react\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:11:\"description\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:65378:\"<h2>About this episode.</h2>\n\n\n\n<p>On the podcast today we have <a href=\"https://twitter.com/ajitbohra\">Ajit Bohra</a>.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>Ajit is a keen advocate of WordPress, having used it and committed to it, for many years. He’s a full stack developer working at <a href=\"https://lubus.in/\">Lubus</a> which is based in Mumbai, India. His team works with WordPress as well as offering solutions built with Laravel and React.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>He’s on the podcast today to offer up his opinions about the near future in WordPress and why he’s confident that the project is moving in the right direction.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>To make matters easier to digest we break up the podcast into three distinct sections.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>Starting off with Gutenberg we discuss where the Block Editor is at right now and what Ajit sees as the benefits of a Block based approach to content building. We go into some concrete examples of why Ajit thinks that the Block Editor is preferable to the Classic editor as well as discussing some of the projects that he’s been working on to enhance the editing experience for his team and the community. We also talk about the pace of development and whether or not it’s keeping up with the expectations of WordPress users.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>We then move onto a detailed conversation about Full Site Editing which is going to play a pivotal role in WordPress’ utility going forwards. The power that it will offer non-technical users to build out their entire site is an exciting prospect, but right now it’s still a work in progress. Ajit talks about why Full Site Editing is needed to compete in the CMS market as well as how Block Patterns will make site building much easier in the future.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>Finally we get into the subject of WordPress’ need to move towards a future in which React is playing a vital part in the software’s Core. Why does Ajit think that the project needed to move away from a PHP based platform; after all, it was easy to work with and people had become very familiar with how to build sites using their PHP skills. It’s a case of having to keep up, and as Ajit says, he thinks that you have to unlearn to learn. We briefly discuss the resources which Ajit used to up-skill, websites that he frequents and courses which he recommends should you wish to take the plunge.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>In parts the audio is a little choppy, in fact this is a second pass at recording this episode, but I felt that the message contained within was well worth publishing despite that, and I hope that you do too.</p>\n\n\n\n<h2>Useful links.</h2>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https://twitter.com/ajitbohra\">Ajit’s Twitter account</a></p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https://lubus.in/\">Lubus</a></p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https://blablablocks.com/\">BlaBlaBlocks</a></p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https://beginnerjavascript.com/\">Beginner Javascript</a></p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https://es6.io/\">ES6</a></p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https://javascript30.com/\">Javascript 30</a></p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https://reactforbeginners.com/\">React for Beginners</a></p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https://www.youtube.com/c/TheNetNinja\">The Net Ninja YouTube channel</a></p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https://egghead.io/courses/the-beginner-s-guide-to-react\">The Beginner’s Guide to React</a></p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https://epicreact.dev/\">Epic React</a></p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https://wptavern.com/is-wordpress-development-really-all-that-hard-to-get-into-today\">Is WordPress Development Really All That Hard To Get Into Today?</a></p>\n\n\nTranscript<div><div class=\"chat-transcript\"><div class=\"chat-stanza chat-row chat-speaker-1\"><div class=\"chat-author chat-author-nathanwrigley vcard\"><cite class=\"fn\">Nathan Wrigley</cite> [00:00:00]</div> <div class=\"chat-text\"><p>Welcome to the seventh edition of the Jukebox podcast from WP Tavern. My name is Nathan Wrigley. Jukebox is a podcast all about WordPress, the software, the events, and the community. Every month, we’re bringing you someone from that community to discuss a topic of current interest. If you like the podcast, please share it with your friends. You might also like to think about subscribing so that you can get all the episodes in your podcast player automatically. And you can do that by searching for WP Tavern in your podcast player, or by going to WP Tavern dot com forward slash feed forward slash podcast. You can also play the podcast episodes on the WP Tavern website, if you prefer doing it that way. If you have any thoughts about the podcast, perhaps the suggestion of a guest or an interesting subject, then head over to WP Tavern dot com forward slash contact forward slash jukebox. Use the contact form there and we’d certainly welcome your input.</p>\n</div></div><div class=\"chat-stanza chat-row chat-speaker-1\"> <div class=\"chat-text\"><p>Okay, so on the podcast today, we have Ajit Bohra. Adit is a keen advocate of WordPress having used it, and committed to it, for many years. He’s a full stack developer working at Lubus, which is based in Mumbai, India. His team works with WordPress as well as offering solutions built with Laravel and React. He’s on the podcast today to offer up his opinions about the near future in WordPress and why he’s confident that the project is moving in the right direction.</p>\n</div></div><div class=\"chat-stanza chat-row chat-speaker-1\"> <div class=\"chat-text\"><p>To make matters easier we break the podcast up into three distinct sections starting off with Gutenberg, we discuss where the block editor is at right now and what Ajit sees as the benefits of a block based approach to content building. We go into some concrete examples of why Ajit thinks that the block editor is preferable to the classic editor, as well as discussing some of the projects that he’s been working on to enhance the editing experience for his team and the community.</p>\n</div></div><div class=\"chat-stanza chat-row chat-speaker-1\"> <div class=\"chat-text\"><p>We also talk about the pace of development and whether or not it’s keeping up with the expectations of WordPress users. We then move on to a detailed conversation about full site editing, which is going to play a pivotal role in WordPress’ utility, going forwards. The power that it will often non-technical users to build out their entire site is an exciting prospect, but right now it’s still a work in progress. Ajit talks about why full site editing is needed to compete in the CMS market, as well as how block patterns will make site building much easier in the future.</p>\n</div></div><div class=\"chat-stanza chat-row chat-speaker-1\"> <div class=\"chat-text\"><p>Finally, we get into the subject of WordPress’ need to move towards a future in which React is playing a vital part in the software’s core. Why does Ajit think that the project needed to move away from a PHP based platform? After all, it was easy to work with and people have become very familiar with how to build sites using their PHP skills. It’s a case of having to keep up, and as Ajit says, he thinks that you have to unlearn to learn.</p>\n</div></div><div class=\"chat-stanza chat-row chat-speaker-1\"> <div class=\"chat-text\"><p>We briefly discuss the resources, which Ajit used to up-skill. Websites that he frequents and courses, which he recommends should you wish to take the plunge?</p>\n</div></div><div class=\"chat-stanza chat-row chat-speaker-1\"> <div class=\"chat-text\"><p>In parts, the audio is a little choppy. In fact, this is a second pass at recording this episode, but I felt that the message contained within it, it was well worth publishing despite that, and I hope that you do too. </p>\n</div></div><div class=\"chat-stanza chat-row chat-speaker-1\"> <div class=\"chat-text\"><p>If any of those, the points raised in this podcast resonate with you, be sure to head over and find the post at WP Tavern dot com forward slash podcast, and leave us a comment there.</p>\n</div></div><div class=\"chat-stanza chat-row chat-speaker-1\"> <div class=\"chat-text\"><p>And so without further delay, I bring you Ajit Bohra.</p>\n</div></div><div class=\"chat-stanza chat-row chat-speaker-1\"> <div class=\"chat-text\"><p>I am joined today by Ajit Bohra. Hello, Ajit, welcome to the podcast. </p>\n</div></div><div class=\"chat-stanza chat-row chat-speaker-2\"><div class=\"chat-author chat-author-ajitbohra vcard\"><cite class=\"fn\">Ajit Bohra</cite> [00:04:37]</div> <div class=\"chat-text\"><p>Yeah, hi Nathan. </p>\n</div></div><div class=\"chat-stanza chat-row chat-speaker-1\"><div class=\"chat-author chat-author-nathanwrigley vcard\"><cite class=\"fn\">Nathan Wrigley</cite> [00:04:38]</div> <div class=\"chat-text\"><p>It’s very nice to have you on, as we typically do at the beginning of the podcast, we’d like to allow our guests to introduce themselves and tell us a little bit about their journey and how they came to be involved in WordPress. So, it doesn’t matter how far you want to rewind your life, but if you could paint a little picture of how it is that you’re on the podcast today. When did you start using WordPress? What is it that you’re doing currently? </p>\n</div></div><div class=\"chat-stanza chat-row chat-speaker-2\"><div class=\"chat-author chat-author-ajitbohra vcard\"><cite class=\"fn\">Ajit Bohra</cite> [00:05:00]</div> <div class=\"chat-text\"><p>Yeah, so I am from Mumbai, India and on a professional front, I own an agency where we provide WordPress based solution to the clients. It has been quite an interesting journey for me because I have been someone who always hated computers and programming.</p>\n</div></div><div class=\"chat-stanza chat-row chat-speaker-2\"> <div class=\"chat-text\"><p>And it’s exciting that today it’s my passion for everything. I started working with WordPress when it was around version one x. We had that blue, white screen where we didn’t have the sidebars at an early stage of WordPress. It’s been around 10 to 12 years of experience working with WordPress. I’ve worked with a lot of technologies being Drupal, being Joomla, being DotNet.</p>\n</div></div><div class=\"chat-stanza chat-row chat-speaker-2\"> <div class=\"chat-text\"><p>And then eventually I fall in love with PHP. Probably I got into PHP because of WordPress. So I can say WordPress was the entry point for me to get into the PHP world. There was a time when I was just working with WordPress, I was not a community guy or something. Then I was hearing a lot about the meetups, WordCamps and everything, and then happened to be part of the local WordPress community.</p>\n</div></div><div class=\"chat-stanza chat-row chat-speaker-2\"> <div class=\"chat-text\"><p>And then started visiting the WordCamps and I think, and I was like, damn, I have been missing out on a lot of interesting stuff. Like this is something I have missed out. And then for three, four years, there was a lot of travelling around the country, visiting international WordCamps trying to speak at a couple of WordCamps and local meetups. It was quite an interesting journey. And then at one point, after visiting this WordCamp, I was like, damn, I’m not even contributing to the WordPress, and it’d been 10, 12 years. I’ve been in the industry and I’m being like a leech where I’m just taking things from WordPress. That was the point I was looking to contribute to WordPress. I was like, okay, now I want to learn something new, because there was a shift in WordPress. So Gutenberg become an entry point for me to learn new things and also contribute to the, contribute back to the WordPress community. So I started with one refactoring PR and from that things accelerated and start contributing more PR’s to looking at different aspects of development, helping people get into the Gutenberg bandwagon. And then I started writing the notes for the weekly editor meeting. So quite interesting thing happens. And then finally I’m into the WordPress community. </p>\n</div></div><div class=\"chat-stanza chat-row chat-speaker-1\"><div class=\"chat-author chat-author-nathanwrigley vcard\"><cite class=\"fn\">Nathan Wrigley</cite> [00:07:00]</div> <div class=\"chat-text\"><p>Thank you. That’s really interesting. So you go back really a long way. Community is obviously a part of this discussion, but we’re really going to focus on everything post Gutenberg.</p>\n</div></div><div class=\"chat-stanza chat-row chat-speaker-1\"> <div class=\"chat-text\"><p>When we started communicating about this podcast episode, we decided on three different sections and that’s how the episode is going to be chunked today. We’re going to talk initially, just about Gutenberg and have a conversation around what we think of it and where it is and how the community has been involved with that and so on. And we’re going to move on to a discussion of full site editing, and what we think about the state of play there. And then finally talking about the future of the way that WordPress will be built from the coding side. We’ll talk about React and how that’s impacting things. So we’ll kick off the conversation with Gutenberg.</p>\n</div></div><div class=\"chat-stanza chat-row chat-speaker-1\"> <div class=\"chat-text\"><p>Now, obviously you just mentioned that you got yourself involved in the community side of things around Gutenberg, and I’m curious because it does seem to be quite a divisive issue. On the one hand, we’ve got people who really enjoy using it and love it and find great pleasure in experiencing it. And then you’ve got other people who are finding it to be a difficult transition. They wish that perhaps that it hadn’t come along and things had continued with the old TinyMCE implementation. What is it about Gutenberg that you enjoy so much? Why do you feel that it’s a good thing that the community has done pushing Gutenberg into core in WordPress five. </p>\n</div></div><div class=\"chat-stanza chat-row chat-speaker-2\"><div class=\"chat-author chat-author-ajitbohra vcard\"><cite class=\"fn\">Ajit Bohra</cite> [00:08:22]</div> <div class=\"chat-text\"><p>Before I say I enjoyed Gutenberg, I have to admit that I was the guy who hated Gutenberg. When it was introduced, I put it that, right now I have to learn everything new and this is going to be difficult. So I have a love, hate relationship with Gutenberg. Eventually came to a point where I was like, oh damn, I’m enjoying it.</p>\n</div></div><div class=\"chat-stanza chat-row chat-speaker-2\"> <div class=\"chat-text\"><p>I can connect with a lot of people because I have never been a Javascript guy. I knew React, I knew other stuff around it, but I was more comfortable with PHP and I can see a lot of people are comfortable with PHP for them. So there is a resistance saying that, okay, now we have to learn new stuff. And also problem is it changes a lot of things. How we have been approaching things. You have to change the mindset. You have to have that bloggers mentality. So that’s the reason why people have a resistance because you have to unlearn, to learn new things and people are not ready to unlearn. That’s the biggest problem. When they look at Gutenberg, they are still with that process of PHP base with a system where you have this hierarchy of files and everything. Which has changed.</p>\n</div></div><div class=\"chat-stanza chat-row chat-speaker-2\"> <div class=\"chat-text\"><p>So Core is trying to provide a backward compatibility and also making things smoother for people. At the one end where developers are trying to move, push the envelope. There are people, they are still holding their old envelope and saying we want things this way. So that resistance is creating the problem, but when you take a step back and look at things, things look a lot more, good. If you look at it from a positive side, you end up learning something new. Like if it was not Gutenberg, WordPress community will have not ventured into JavaScript and React. That’s opening door for you. If you think from a developer perspective, it is adding a lot more feathers in your cap.</p>\n</div></div><div class=\"chat-stanza chat-row chat-speaker-2\"> <div class=\"chat-text\"><p>Okay. Previously, we are working with the PHP. Now you’re working with JavaScript. Now you’re working with React. Now you can create desktop apps because React and JavaScript helps you create desktop app, mobile app also. So Gutenberg just becomes a reason for you to enter into different dimension and a different nuance.</p>\n</div></div><div class=\"chat-stanza chat-row chat-speaker-2\"> <div class=\"chat-text\"><p>And that’s the reason why I love it because Gutenberg gave me that push to go an extra mile, which is a technically helping me on my personal professional front also. And if I look from a WordPress perspective, like previously, we were doing certain things and we were quite convenient and comfortable with all this stuff, but at a certain time, and I used to wish, if we can do this thing a different way, because let’s accept it now, even if whatever we were doing with PHP was comfortable, easy for us because we have been doing that for 10 years.</p>\n</div></div><div class=\"chat-stanza chat-row chat-speaker-2\"> <div class=\"chat-text\"><p>And after 10 years to tell someone, you have to do it that way, you are going to have resistance. But there are a lot of problems that we had since last 10 years, there was a lot of fragmentation of implementations. You have this custom meta boxes, a lot of other stuff, you just want your content and it look good, and user-friendly, you want to give your end users a UI UX in a way where they can control their content. And we ended up creating… it’s a lot mess, because somewhere someone using XYZ page builder, some are creating their own page builders. Technically everybody wants ‘what you see is what you get’ real editor because everybody’s struggling.</p>\n</div></div><div class=\"chat-stanza chat-row chat-speaker-2\"> <div class=\"chat-text\"><p>So down the line, we are admitting that whatever editor right now we have is problematic because we are trying to stuff in ten different plugins to make it work in a different way. Not do any extra work on your content editor to have that kind of experience. That means there is a problem with the implementation that we have in Core, and I guess Gutenberg just takes care of those problems. If you look at one problem is shortcodes. Like we have shortcode we have widgets, there are ten to twenty different implementation that you can have on your content editor, but when the block editor steps in, that is one implementation that rules out everything, you no longer have those clumsy shortcodes.</p>\n</div></div><div class=\"chat-stanza chat-row chat-speaker-2\"> <div class=\"chat-text\"><p>Even if you look at the shortcodes, people have these shortcode builders, and that is where block editors coming in with features, where you no longer have to do all those teams because you have a UI, you can configure that your end user can use. So from an user perspective, it is a very good product. Like I’ve been working with a lot of publications and brands. They love Gutenberg. They have been transitioning their old system, to the new system because their marketing team, their content team enjoys it. Even the small to mid-level clients, when they see Gutenberg, they are like, why we didn’t have this previously.</p>\n</div></div><div class=\"chat-stanza chat-row chat-speaker-2\"> <div class=\"chat-text\"><p>You look at the WordPress user base. We have different kinds of people we can categorize. One are the people who are very hardcore developers. And then there is a second category. I call them the people who do tinkering. They are not hardcore developer, but they happen to get into development accidentally by tinkering with WordPress. And then we have the third category of implementation. So if you ask me the people who do implementation jobs, their job is to take team, take a couple of plugins and make everything. They are the happiest person on the earth when it comes to Gutenberg. But if you talk about people who do a lot of tinkering, they find it very difficult because they have not been a hardcore developer. They have learned PHP the hard way. They have invested a lot of time figuring out tinkering and they are kind of a semi developer. So they find it very difficult for them venturing into JavaScript. It’s like, oh, damn, this is a different game. But if you look at hardcore developers, they know PHP and everything. And if you look at the ratio, we have a lot more people who are doing implementation jobs on WordPress based website. We have way more people who are a semi developer, they are not hardcore developer, but they tend to make things work for WordPress. And if you look at hardcore developer, that ratio is very low. And the resistance that you see from the people is from these other two categories. </p>\n</div></div><div class=\"chat-stanza chat-row chat-speaker-1\"><div class=\"chat-author chat-author-nathanwrigley vcard\"><cite class=\"fn\">Nathan Wrigley</cite> [00:13:30]</div> <div class=\"chat-text\"><p>I’m just wondering, just maybe to illustrate your excitement about it. If you can bring to our attention, some example, perhaps of a block, something in use inside Gutenberg that you feel encapsulates why it’s so good. It could even be something that you’ve built yourself or a third party thing. Just something that you think… this represents a really great to use of what Gutenberg is capable of. </p>\n</div></div><div class=\"chat-stanza chat-row chat-speaker-2\"><div class=\"chat-author chat-author-ajitbohra vcard\"><cite class=\"fn\">Ajit Bohra</cite> [00:13:54]</div> <div class=\"chat-text\"><p>So I will do that in two. Part one is if you look at previously how the Classic Editor works, we had all the content on one page, and I always hated when I have to move content. If I have four paragraphs, if I want to move the last paragraph to the top, the only thing that I have was copy and paste. But with the blocks, I can just move around the content. And that’s the beauty that I love about blocks. And second is, there are a lot of shortcodes and everything. That’s gone. That’s the Core thing. And if you look at building things, the only option that you have is, custom post types. If you want to segregate content and create different types of content, the separation is only at the level of content, but what if you want to give your content and pull together different templating and everything? That is not possible with the classic one, because you have to do a lot of meta boxes in them.</p>\n</div></div><div class=\"chat-stanza chat-row chat-speaker-2\"> <div class=\"chat-text\"><p>So I remember working on a couple of projects lately, where we have this campaign building tool where a theme needs a lot of banners on their website. So . Just by creating a custom post type and utilizing the power of Gutenberg, you are giving a marketing team, a tool where they can create their own banners. Like it can be a mashup of a cover block with headings, with image and buttons and boom, they have their own banner tool. Like you don’t have to do lot of extra stuff. All the building blocks are there. You have to just assemble them, give it to your users. They can just generate all the banners on the fly. So that’s the beauty. </p>\n</div></div><div class=\"chat-stanza chat-row chat-speaker-1\"><div class=\"chat-author chat-author-nathanwrigley vcard\"><cite class=\"fn\">Nathan Wrigley</cite> [00:15:14]</div> <div class=\"chat-text\"><p>Yeah. The ability to have everything inside the one UI, all of the settings for all of the different bits and pieces that you may be building your page with as opposed to having to go and tinker with settings in a different part of WordPress is quite compelling. It makes things significantly quicker.</p>\n</div></div><div class=\"chat-stanza chat-row chat-speaker-1\"> <div class=\"chat-text\"><p>When we began our conversation, talking about what we were going to discuss in this podcast. You mentioned that you’re involved personally, I don’t know whether this is something to do with the business, or if it’s just personal playing, you mentioned that you were involved in building some experiment, mental things in the block editor. Just curious if you could tell us what it is that you’ve been up to? </p>\n</div></div><div class=\"chat-stanza chat-row chat-speaker-2\"><div class=\"chat-author chat-author-ajitbohra vcard\"><cite class=\"fn\">Ajit Bohra</cite> [00:15:50]</div> <div class=\"chat-text\"><p>Yeah. So I have been planning on that lately, but I haven’t been getting time, but there are a lot of experiments that I have worked on. There’s a lot of blog blog blog, we have been talking around. So I have named the project, blah, blah, blocks. It’s a sarcastic name, yeah blah-blah-blah blocks. It is not something of a blog pack or anything. It is not intended to create a library. It is just experimental to let people know that this is something that you can do and build. So whatever random ideas that I get, or the random ideas I get from a team while working on different projects. So just write it down that this is something that we can build someday, or maybe we can, kind of experiment. So there are a couple of things that I have been experimenting with blocks. So blocks are not the only thing because a lot of people have been looking at Gutenberg from a block perspective and blockss have been the poster child of Gutenberg. But block is not the only capability that Gutenberg provide. Apart from blocks, if you look at it, we have patterns, we have variations. We have a rich text format, which have a lot more potential, even block extensions is another category where people can explore. Like we always look at block extensions. There are only a handful of developers that I have been following who are actually, kind of creating block extensions, where they are extending the capability of the core blocks and everything. So that’s an interesting area. So I’ve been working on a few of them. I remember creating a couple of blocks where, for example, if you add color code to your editor, so it just displays a hashcode. So that is a format that I have worked on, which create a color token out of it. Like how you look into your color editors. If you paste a color code into a vs code, it will actually display a small icon with the color of it, it will actually show the preview. So that kind of format that I have created, and I’ve created this format for a sound seed format, where you can attach an audio on top of text and display a play button. And lately I’ve been working on another experiment where you create a list or using a list block, and what if you want to convert that list into a to do list? Where it stores now, like you can literally click on it and it will strike off the item. For example, if I’m creating a conference checklist you know, this is a speaker application checklist, and these are the five items that you need to do. And I want to give user capability that they can just click on it and it was strike off and it was store into that local store saying that, okay, this item is completed. I’m working on that block extension also with kinds of convert the list block into a to-do list block. It’s like without creating a new block, we are just utilizing the list block and extending it. So these are the different experimentations that I’m working on. So just to give an idea, and food for thoughts to people out there that there’s a lot more that you can do with editor, you can just be creative.</p>\n</div></div><div class=\"chat-stanza chat-row chat-speaker-1\"><div class=\"chat-author chat-author-nathanwrigley vcard\"><cite class=\"fn\">Nathan Wrigley</cite> [00:18:22]</div> <div class=\"chat-text\"><p>I do love the idea of building on top of the core blocks and changing and adapting them in the way that you’ve just mentioned with your to-do list. Really interesting. You mentioned block patterns and I have to say that this is something I’ve made really good use of. I’m extremely confident that the block patterns are going to become something that many people will make use of. In my case, I repeat a similar format in content that I produce. It has a title, it’s often got an introductory paragraph and I find myself retyping the same thing over and over again. Or at least I did. And so I’ve been creating and saving away block patterns, which essentially create templates for my work. And I can see this being useful all over the place, having complicated layouts and saving things that you wish to use over and over again, and possibly even a marketplace that could spring up around block patterns were pre-configured things that many people would like to have, hero images and so on. And I can just see a few of those starting to come into the marketplace. There seem to be a few players trying to get their block pattern packs, If you like… noticed. I feel this is a really good area for growth in the future.</p>\n</div></div><div class=\"chat-stanza chat-row chat-speaker-2\"><div class=\"chat-author chat-author-ajitbohra vcard\"><cite class=\"fn\">Ajit Bohra</cite> [00:19:32]</div> <div class=\"chat-text\"><p>So I have seen Justin Tadlock has been doing great work, that block pattern he has been doing and putting it up, putting up on Twitter. So there’s a great lot of pattern he’s worked. I loved it. I remember working on a project recently where the team needs a lot of landing pages for black Friday sale. There is always a struggle between, the content team, the design team and everything. But patterns are the lifesaver. You just talk to the design team, create certain patterns, give to the content team and they are happy editing the content. There is a separation of concern also design team works on the patterns, content team gives them like, this is the content and this is going to be, and then finally give it to the content editing team. So I guess with patterns, we are enabling people to have certain kind of process and protocol, which was not possible with the classic editor, because everything was mashed up.</p>\n</div></div><div class=\"chat-stanza chat-row chat-speaker-1\"><div class=\"chat-author chat-author-nathanwrigley vcard\"><cite class=\"fn\">Nathan Wrigley</cite> [00:20:17]</div> <div class=\"chat-text\"><p>Moving on staying with Gutenberg and the whole block editor, but now talking, instead of talking about the functionality of it, just talking about the implementation of it and how it’s come about over time. There seems to be right at this point, we seem to be at some kind of inflection point where people are discussing whether or not it’s going in the right direction, whether there’s enough involvement. Whether people’s voices are being heard. Perhaps people are saying it’s going too slow, it’s not moving at the speed of commercial page builders. And I’m just curious what your thoughts are on that. Now it may be that you don’t have any thoughts on this, but I’m just interested to know whether you think the project is going in the way that the community wants it to go. Perhaps you’ve got some personal experience of that. But also whether you think it’s going only in the direction of a tiny subset of people who have the time, energy or capacity to actually tell what it is that they want to be built in the future. </p>\n</div></div><div class=\"chat-stanza chat-row chat-speaker-2\"><div class=\"chat-author chat-author-ajitbohra vcard\"><cite class=\"fn\">Ajit Bohra</cite> [00:21:14]</div> <div class=\"chat-text\"><p>So I’ve seen a lot of comparisons have been drawn Gutenberg with the commercial page builder, but there is a fundamental difference because I find this comparison a little floored. Because when we talk about commercial product and community projects, they work in a different way in a different fashion, and how decisions are being taken. In a commercial project, if we talk about any page builder they have you know, a limited set of decision makers. They will just put out the product at the pace they have decided they will have a clear guidelines. So everything is isolated in terms of development. So they’re now going to work on core features and being able to put across and all of these commercial products have taken like four to five years to stabilize themselves, roughly around four to five years for Gutenberg also. And Elementor has taken a lot more time where they are right now. Like it’s more elegant way before. And if we do the plus and minus, we can see, they have invested lot more years into the development. So obviously they are going to be way ahead of what Gutenberg is right now. </p>\n</div></div><div class=\"chat-stanza chat-row chat-speaker-2\"> <div class=\"chat-text\"><p>If you look at it, initially, all this page builder started working with the PHP and everything. And eventually later on, now they are going into the JavaScript, where Gutenberg itself started with the JavaScript itself because they knew they want to give an experience on the client side, and that JavaScript has to come into it. </p>\n</div></div><div class=\"chat-stanza chat-row chat-speaker-1\"><div class=\"chat-author chat-author-nathanwrigley vcard\"><cite class=\"fn\">Nathan Wrigley</cite> [00:22:28]</div> <div class=\"chat-text\"><p>It’s also curious as well, the way that these different commercial page builders are set up, I think allows them to iterate more quickly. Not only do they not have to worry about the backwards compatibility of core, they only need to worry about the backwards compatibility of their plugin and the ecosystem that they’ve developed. But also they have a smaller audience and so they can probably poll them and ask for their opinions and be a little bit more decisive about what it is that they need to build. Whereas I feel the core project, it does have to be backwards compatible, and also it has a giant audience of, let’s say 42% plus of the web. So they need to be very mindful. And it’s something that I keep saying over and over again, when the audience is that large, it must be very difficult not to have paralysis about what it is that you’re going to introduce and so on. So yes, I can. Understand that. </p>\n</div></div><div class=\"chat-stanza chat-row chat-speaker-1\"> <div class=\"chat-text\"><p>Let’s move on. Let’s change tack a little bit. And let’s talk about full site editing. Now full site editing, we’re in a really difficult moments because we know that it’s coming. We can sense that it’s coming. There are bits of it, which are now available to us, but it’s very limited. We can modify only certain bits and we’ve got a roadmap, and so we know what’s coming. I’m just curious as to what your thoughts are on full site editing. Do you think this is an important milestone for WordPress? </p>\n</div></div><div class=\"chat-stanza chat-row chat-speaker-2\"><div class=\"chat-author chat-author-ajitbohra vcard\"><cite class=\"fn\">Ajit Bohra</cite> [00:23:51]</div> <div class=\"chat-text\"><p>Yeah, this is definitely an important milestone because that is always a comparison between the page builders that we have in market. And most of them cater with the full site editing where if you can control the header, footer, global styles and everything. And that’s the reason where people feel Gutenberg is lagging. And once the FSE comes in, I guess it is going to, kind of also reduce the fragmentation that we have right now between the PHP. If you want to create a theme, okay, you can create blocks, but you don’t have complete control of your website in terms of block-ifying everything. But when FSE comes into picture, you are in complete control of the website. So right now it is mainstream where a lot of people are actually using it on the live site. There are also certain people, which are, they are experimenting with the FSE. But again, if you look at the FSE, the mindset of the people is still in the old implementation of themes. You know, they still think that hierarchy and everything, but FSE changes a lot of stuff. I have seen a lot of videos, a lot of people talking about how it is changing or creating a confusion on FSE, and confusion only happens when you see something new and you expect that new thing to be functional and similar to what you have seen past. It is new for a reason that there is going to be a different implementation. And if you honestly ask me, FSE is doing what actual themes were supposed to initially do, like the job of theme is to give you a foundational thing where you have a base layout, you have your design system place where you say that this are my fonts, these are my colors, and this is my master layout. And this is the building. Now you just craft your content and create all this stuff. So FSE actually enables you with that. If you look at classic themes, there is a lot of stuff that developers have to do. Like they have to look after not creating and handling the global styles. Looking after the topography, looking after all the designs and layout, like they have to do a lot of work on the code. But with FSE it is like, you don’t focus on this stuff. You just focus on the design elements. As a theme developer your job is to actually work on the look and feel, not on the small nitty gritty. They are giving you the building. So for me, Gutenberg is more of, laying down a lot of processes for the community, how they work, in terms of how you craft your content, how you write your content, how you design your themes. It is redefining the processes. So rather than looking at Gutenberg as just a way to edit your content, we should look at it in a way where we have a certain process and protocol in place, how we use our WordPress website or content editing experience. And we should look at Gutenberg as a way to redefine those processes. We can say, now we are getting a different set of processes, which are more refined and which are more optimized. We have to just unlearn the old process and get into the into the new process. And that is going to open up a lot. </p>\n</div></div><div class=\"chat-stanza chat-row chat-speaker-1\"><div class=\"chat-author chat-author-nathanwrigley vcard\"><cite class=\"fn\">Nathan Wrigley</cite> [00:26:33]</div> <div class=\"chat-text\"><p>Yeah, that’s a really interesting point. And I was trying to think about wordPress from the perspective, this was the other day. I was trying to think about what it would be like if I was fresh to WordPress and I’d never used it before. And also I had no experience with any kind of software. I’d never had a website. I have no expertise in anything to do with putting content on the web. And so I was trying to think to myself what, what is it that I would want. The full site editing what’s promised is exactly what I would want. I would want to be able to set things up, set some basic global styles, pick some fonts, pick some colors and so on, and then to be able to create my menu. And I would be wanting to do that in one place. In one part of the overall software, I wouldn’t want to be having to go over to this different section, modify things, save things, go back and check things. I would wish to do it all in one space. And I think you’re right. The idea of modifying the workflow, if you like modifying the workflow so that everything is easy for non-technical people out of the gate is the goal so that we can continue to democratize publishing, but we are in a transient period where the old things have to be adapted, perhaps replaced and the new things have to be accepted and it’s going to be a bumpy ride, which of course leads to the problems that we’ve got at the moment where there seems to be confusion, and in some cases, people are a little bit, perhaps even upset because of the way things are happening. But I guess change is going to be needed in order to make the content management system usable by people in the future. By having one interface for everything. </p>\n</div></div><div class=\"chat-stanza chat-row chat-speaker-2\"><div class=\"chat-author chat-author-ajitbohra vcard\"><cite class=\"fn\">Ajit Bohra</cite> [00:28:16]</div> <div class=\"chat-text\"><p>And a lot of people think that FSE is going to kill themes. Let me tell you it is not killing themes are not going anywhere. Technically FSE is helping team developers. If you look at any marketers, you can see if you pick five different themes, those five different themes are done in a different way. They have a different set of page builder. They are either tied up with a third party page builder, or they have their own custom page builders. They are using customizer. There’s a lot of work they are doing just to get the basics of theme setup done. But after FSE and it will make theme developers and theme shop jobs easy, because now they don’t have to maintain their own version of, maintaining design systems and everything because Gutenberg is I like, I know you need all this stuff. So let me give you all this in core and standardize this for you. So Gutenberg is going to extend the rise the overall process of themes, and rather than working on those core sectors, you just focus on theme. If you want to create a university theme, so you create the color palette, you create the theme, you create, you just define the font size into the theme json files and you ship the required patterns that are required for a university website. So you are now working on the content. So rather than building your car from the ground, you are saying, okay, I have my engines and bonnets and everything ready, I just need to work on the body color and the interior. That’s it. So you are getting semi build cars for your themes. So themes are there. They are not going to die.</p>\n</div></div><div class=\"chat-stanza chat-row chat-speaker-2\"> <div class=\"chat-text\"><p>And my phrase throughout the day when I started working on the Gutenberg is you need to unlearn to learn. And that is the important when there is something new out in the industry where you are working, you have to often unlearn, because you cannot sit there and say that we have been, using this for 10 years. It’s okay. 10 years things have to redefine. </p>\n</div></div><div class=\"chat-stanza chat-row chat-speaker-1\"><div class=\"chat-author chat-author-nathanwrigley vcard\"><cite class=\"fn\">Nathan Wrigley</cite> [00:29:55]</div> <div class=\"chat-text\"><p>Yeah, good point. One of the things which causes the disagreements in the community or the upset that we’ve got from time to time is simply that this can’t happen overnight. It can’t be just okay, finished in the background. Let’s just throw it into the next version of WordPress. It does need to iterate. And I liken it to imagine I’ve got a house and I wish to have an extension built onto the side of my house to increase its size and make my house more desirable. There isn’t some sort of Jack and the Beanstalk magic beam that you can throw in the ground and sprinkle water on it, and suddenly I’ve got an extension. I have to go through a process of watching the house being built and everything gets messy. There’s dust everywhere. Bits of my walls need to be knocked down to make it happen. And eventually after a period of time, when everything is finished and tidied up, the house is better, but there was a process that I had to go through, which was a little bit difficult in the meantime. I don’t know what you think about that analogy, but that’s the way I’m thinking about where we are right now. We’re in the process of building something, adding something new. It’s difficult, but it has to be difficult. </p>\n</div></div><div class=\"chat-stanza chat-row chat-speaker-2\"><div class=\"chat-author chat-author-ajitbohra vcard\"><cite class=\"fn\">Ajit Bohra</cite> [00:31:03]</div> <div class=\"chat-text\"><p>Yes, because if a lot of people have argument that it should have been plugin. It was a plugin for quite a good amount of time and which kind of, enabled the team to gather feedback. But eventually you someday you have to put it in the core and you cannot wait for five years and say that now we are going to put it into core and test. Because the moment you add things to the core, one is it increases the adoption and you get like a lot more clear feedback. It is very crucial for it to land in the core. And even if you look at it, it landed in the core with a small set of features where they only focused on the editing experience. Like they only replace the editor. I can say that, no, it is not perfect, but yeah, you have to do it someday. People say you should stabilize it because if you talk about stability and perfection, they are very subjective. If you take 10 people and ask a view about Gutenberg, I’m sure a lot of people will say, this that is perfect. A lot of people with that, this has just started. Perfection, stability are very subjective, a lot of, a lot more people, a lot more voices, and we can never say what is perfect. People complain about these things. I guess period is going to be slow. There are two reasons. One, there are a lot of people involved. There is some central decision making, but still it is a community project where a lot of people talk about it, they write issues and have people speak about it. It is shared on the Slack. So it kinds of creative friction and resistance. We have a set plan, but to move slow, it is a community project. We have to take care of good compatibility. So for example when working on the FSE, FSE is going slow. While working on a team realizes that there are a lot more changes that needs to be done into the core API’s. If you look at the blocks API, they are lot more flexible. Like we previously didn’t had option for design tools you know, defining padding and everything. So they realize, okay these options are required on the block to enable FSE. There is an argument that team will have thought about implementing this, but you cannot startup, adding ten different options in first place. Like a lot of commercial page builder, they work in a template fashion where they add all the option in one go. But in Gutenberg approach, if you see we are starting with a minimal set of features and flexibility, we are not giving all the options to user. They are slowly added and iterated in a way where things are flexible. Things are backward compatible and then they don’t even create a bloat also. So that is the reason why processes is a bit slow because we are looking for creating something, which is long-term sustainable. </p>\n</div></div><div class=\"chat-stanza chat-row chat-speaker-1\"><div class=\"chat-author chat-author-nathanwrigley vcard\"><cite class=\"fn\">Nathan Wrigley</cite> [00:33:23]</div> <div class=\"chat-text\"><p>Yes. Good point. I guess if you are after this being quick, then it’s likely to be poorly implemented if we rush it, but I can well understand the arguments of people who feel that the pace of change is not necessarily as, as quick as they would like, but I guess we just have to just hold on and see what the future holds.</p>\n</div></div><div class=\"chat-stanza chat-row chat-speaker-1\"> <div class=\"chat-text\"><p>There’s an interesting quote that I’ve written down from Justin Tatlock, who obviously is with WP Tavern. He wrote the following in a blog post, which I’ll link to, he wrote, &quot;If WordPress must become more complex for developers to provide end users with this much power&quot;, he was talking about full site editing, he says, &quot;I can live with that&quot;. And I think that’s my position as well. </p>\n</div></div><div class=\"chat-stanza chat-row chat-speaker-1\"> <div class=\"chat-text\"><p>Okay. Let’s move on to our third and final section. Now, obviously in the future, WordPress has decided to become more JavaScript focussed. In the past, very much since the beginning, it’s been all to do with PHP and template files and all of that stuff. Now we’re moving into an era where new languages, new capabilities, new ways of doing things are possible. And so we’ve entered this new era where React is taking over the heavy lifting for many of the things in WordPress. It does by definition, a little bit like we talked about just previously, it does mean that if in the future you wish to really get involved with WordPress and it’s core, you will need to have those skills, sounds to me like you have embraced that and you’ve decided to learn those things, but I’m just curious how you think the WordPress community is handling this and what you have done to upscale yourself and learn these new things.</p>\n</div></div><div class=\"chat-stanza chat-row chat-speaker-2\"><div class=\"chat-author chat-author-ajitbohra vcard\"><cite class=\"fn\">Ajit Bohra</cite> [00:34:59]</div> <div class=\"chat-text\"><p>So I still see a lot of people complain about it and they have resistance because they are thinking from the perspective of (?). And I have been a fan of Laravel also, I’ve been active into that Laravel community, which is more a PHP focused, but I have seen how they embrace different technologies and where, when you are into different communities, you learn a lot.</p>\n</div></div><div class=\"chat-stanza chat-row chat-speaker-2\"> <div class=\"chat-text\"><p>So it’s good for WordPress developer also to hang out in different communities, in different technologies, also different perspective, and also help you grow. So a lot of people who say that they don’t want to move to the JavaScript. Even if you have to admit we are not doing PHP also fairly good. We are using PHP in a limited scope because I see a lot of PHP developer, they are using PHP at a basic level. They are not moving up. And if you look at the core. The core has been slowly modernized in terms of PHP also. There was a time when there was a lot of functional programming, but we can see a lot of OOPs has been implemented. We have a lot of classes and even the way things are handled is way far better than what we had in the previous version of the WordPress.</p>\n</div></div><div class=\"chat-stanza chat-row chat-speaker-2\"> <div class=\"chat-text\"><p>If you look at the developers right now, even on the PHP front also, they need to redefine. You need to step up your game. You need to get into the modern PHP. You need to start embracing the OOPs. You need to start embracing the dependency management. So I’ve seen a lot of PHP developer also who have resistance, who don’t even want to go and use Composer also to maintain the dependency.</p>\n</div></div><div class=\"chat-stanza chat-row chat-speaker-2\"> <div class=\"chat-text\"><p>So these are the category of developers who eventually have resistance. Like they work on certain set of things and they are comfortable in there. The only problem is that comfort backfires you because that just stops your growth. And that’s exactly the reason I have been extensively working in the past year, improving myself on the PHP front also, but when JavaScript jumped in. So I remember Matt saying that learn JavaScript deeply. So at that time I was like, at some point I will learn JavaScript, and I’ve always been comfortable in the PHP area, but there are a lot of interesting stuff happening in the JavaScript arena. And I was like some days, some day, but eventually Gutenberg happened.</p>\n</div></div><div class=\"chat-stanza chat-row chat-speaker-2\"> <div class=\"chat-text\"><p>I started getting involved in it and I was like, let’s address the elephant in the room. So I started now, I took three months, a break from everything, isolated myself, and I started reading stuff about it. I was like, damn, this is interesting. Not bad. Once you start loving things and stop hating it. Now, you open a lot of doors and don’t look JavaScript from the perspective of WordPress. The biggest mistake that we can do is as a developer is if you are working with WordPress and saying, now WprdPress needs JavaScript, I need to learn. No, rather look at it from a distant, different perspective and say that, now there’s a lot of JavaScript that is in general being used outside. Which you can explore and embrace. So there might be case when you start working on React or JavaScript and WordPress being the reason, and you ended learning a new skill. And then you realize, oh, now you can work on a lot of stuff outside of WordPress also. So WordPress become the teacher who’s pushing you to learn something new, and that completely changed things for you. So right now I’m working extensively with React, NodeJS, working with clients and on the complex projects where I remember working on a completely different mobile app built on React, native Electron app, a PHP generation tool, complete written on NodeJS. All this was impossible previously. Gutenberg being an entry point for me to enter into this, it helped me.</p>\n</div></div><div class=\"chat-stanza chat-row chat-speaker-2\"> <div class=\"chat-text\"><p>I have seen a lot of developers who embrace the JavaScript and React because of WordPress. And now they are into a full-time React and JavaScript development. They are enjoying working with different kinds of projects. They are working on their pet projects. They are ended up getting paid better because of their increased skillset in React and JavaScript, because React and JavaScript have a good market share. There are a lot of jobs out there paying well for you. So there are a lot of reason for people to learn React and JavaScript, not just because WordPress is introducing it, but it is going to help you. </p>\n</div></div><div class=\"chat-stanza chat-row chat-speaker-1\"><div class=\"chat-author chat-author-nathanwrigley vcard\"><cite class=\"fn\">Nathan Wrigley</cite> [00:38:43]</div> <div class=\"chat-text\"><p>Staying on the WordPress side of JavaScript, I’m just wondering if you can perhaps explain some solid examples of where you feel WordPress will improve because it is using JavaScript instead of the way it’s been doing things with PHP in the past. It always strikes me that we’re always told, learn JavaScript deeply, it’s the future and so on. But very often that doesn’t come along with an argument as well, this is the reason, here’s a concrete example of why it’s going to be. </p>\n</div></div><div class=\"chat-stanza chat-row chat-speaker-2\"><div class=\"chat-author chat-author-ajitbohra vcard\"><cite class=\"fn\">Ajit Bohra</cite> [00:39:16]</div> <div class=\"chat-text\"><p>So the reason if you look at WordPress core itself, and if you look at the entire history slowly, slowly, there are a lot of components that are slowly been transitioned to the JavaScript. There’s a lot of JavaScript that is written into the core, core base. And so far people have never realized we are interacting with a lot of JavaScript code in core. But that’s all behind the door. It has never been the front facing into the developer arena. So we never realized that we are working with JavaScript. So even if you look at customizer, I don’t think a lot of people use customizer, but there is a lot of JavaScript involved when you’ve worked with customizer.</p>\n</div></div><div class=\"chat-stanza chat-row chat-speaker-2\"> <div class=\"chat-text\"><p>If you work with the media uploader, there is a lot of JavaScript involved. There is a backbone JS that is behind the scene, which you can use. So already there is a fragmented, JavaScript implemention in the core. So we have been slowly, already adopting JavaScript. Even if you use jQuery, I just put it in the category of JavaScript because you are just doing a library. So we are using JavaScript already, but rather than using a different mashup of them, like using backbone or different things, now we are standardizing and seeing that this is how our JavaScript is going to work. So for me, again, even if I look at, from a development perspective, in terms of JavaScript, you’re also putting a protocol and you’re getting a standardization, like rather than using this and 10 different things. We are giving you a set of components, a set of helper functions and everything which you can use and build your own stuff. So Gutenberg is a foundation for the front end experience and also for the backend development and processes also, like here they are giving you blocks and everything to craft your content. In terms of front-end usage. In terms of development usage, they are giving you as a theme builder, they are giving a themes for the right person. And if you go further, down a lower level, they are giving you this handcrafted components and everything with React to build things. </p>\n</div></div><div class=\"chat-stanza chat-row chat-speaker-2\"> <div class=\"chat-text\"><p>Eventually this is going to spread across the code base. I feel we are just started with the small section. We can see that it is going to span across the different area of admin area. WP admin is going to be invaded by the React and JavaScript. Because it is going to be re-used. So it’s better that, start embracing the JavaScript and React right now, rather than waiting for another two, three years down the line and then realizing, oh, now we have to like, you actually get into it. </p>\n</div></div><div class=\"chat-stanza chat-row chat-speaker-1\"><div class=\"chat-author chat-author-nathanwrigley vcard\"><cite class=\"fn\">Nathan Wrigley</cite> [00:41:25]</div> <div class=\"chat-text\"><p>With that in mind, what do you make of projects, ACF blocks is one that comes immediately to mind, where, people are trying to create a nice bridge, the opportunity for people to do things in the way that they’re accustomed to. So just to illustrate ACF blocks enables you to create your own blocks, but instead of getting involved in the whole, that the whole in inverted commas, normal way of making blocks, you can do it with reference to PHP and ways that you’re perhaps familiar with. Do you feel that these are a good stop gap? They bridged the gap in the period of time where people are learning these skills or do you think actually it would be better if everybody just learned the stuff and moved on. </p>\n</div></div><div class=\"chat-stanza chat-row chat-speaker-2\"><div class=\"chat-author chat-author-ajitbohra vcard\"><cite class=\"fn\">Ajit Bohra</cite> [00:42:02]</div> <div class=\"chat-text\"><p>So I guess they are good for people who are transitioning. You know, like they are good for now. It’s not a clear yes or no, if you talk about ACF blocks and because I have seen projects, and even there are projects where I recommend people like, go ahead and use the ACF blocks. You don’t have, that tailored requirement for creating something from scratch. It’s a fairly small requirement where you just want certain input fields and that works. So in those cases, ACF is good. Even if you’re transitioning, it’s good. But if you look from a long-term perspective or if you have very complex requirement, I have seen that ACF blocks don’t because there was one project where we have been working on where ACF blocks, but if you wanted to create a more controlled user experience, not using lots of other components. And eventually we have to deprecate the ACF implementation and that create everything from scratch and creating a handcrafted blocks using the core functionality.</p>\n</div></div><div class=\"chat-stanza chat-row chat-speaker-2\"> <div class=\"chat-text\"><p>So if you have to just evaluate when ACF blocks fitting and when you have to use core blocks, but eventually core blocks are going to fair well because they always have access to the newer API. You have more control over it. And if you look at how APIs are transitioning, like if you look at the initial version of block APIs, that was a lot of code that you had to write. But now you write less code to create those blocks. You have CLI tools. You have a boilerplate APIs, very light have to just couple of lines of code to get things done compared to writing almost 5,200 lines in past. So I guess the development path on which APIs are working is also. If you look at the sort API, if I want a background support or gradient support on that, I just do define the support. But previously have to implemented that entirely. I guess start learning how to build blocks from scratch. All the third party solutions are a patchwork on top of what we have. So like it, it might be controversial, but yes. For me, it feels like a patch. You’re like patching something. You’re just trying to run away from something saying I’m going to use. </p>\n</div></div><div class=\"chat-stanza chat-row chat-speaker-1\"><div class=\"chat-author chat-author-nathanwrigley vcard\"><cite class=\"fn\">Nathan Wrigley</cite> [00:43:57]</div> <div class=\"chat-text\"><p>My final question then it leads perfectly on from what you were saying, it feel that the need to learn React, for example, is essential going forward. I don’t know if you have any resources that you’d like to mention or places, perhaps websites, anything in fact, which you found to be useful, which we could add into the show notes, which might enable people to get to the good stuff quickly.</p>\n</div></div><div class=\"chat-stanza chat-row chat-speaker-2\"><div class=\"chat-author chat-author-ajitbohra vcard\"><cite class=\"fn\">Ajit Bohra</cite> [00:44:17]</div> <div class=\"chat-text\"><p>Even before people start working on the React, they need to get their basics clear in term of JavaScript. And there is a lot of arresting tutorial available out there, but I will, I like to recommend the one by the Wes Bos. Wes Bos have two JavaScript courses. One is JS for everyone, and JS for beginners. They are quite good material on the ES6 and everything on the build tools. Like it’s a one-stop shop for you. You know, just get those two courses and you will learn everything in depth. Apart from that, if you are looking for resources on YouYube, there’s is a good channel by Net Ninjas. This guy goes a lot of interesting stuff. Like you, you don’t have to pay those, those are free of course. So these are the two good resources where you can learn ES. For the React also that you can refer the official documentation. They are best. Just go through it. If you are a person who likes to refer videos again, Wes Bos have a lot of videos on it and other resources that can decode. It is on Egghead. This is a free course. It is available there. You can just visit the website and learn the React for Beginners. He has epic React course, which is a more elaborated and detailed course, which you can go through. These other resources that you can refer, which are very good in terms of investing your time.</p>\n</div></div><div class=\"chat-stanza chat-row chat-speaker-1\"><div class=\"chat-author chat-author-nathanwrigley vcard\"><cite class=\"fn\">Nathan Wrigley</cite> [00:45:26]</div> <div class=\"chat-text\"><p>Thank you. We’ll make sure to add some of those links into the show notes so that people can access them. But I’ve run out of questions that I would like to ask today. I’m just mindful that we would people, if they wish, if they’ve listened to this podcast and they would like to get in touch, I’d like to provide them with a way to do that if you’re willing. So if there’s any best way of getting in touch with you, it could be Twitter or an email address or whatever you feel comfortable sharing. Go for it. Let us know. </p>\n</div></div><div class=\"chat-stanza chat-row chat-speaker-2\"><div class=\"chat-author chat-author-ajitbohra vcard\"><cite class=\"fn\">Ajit Bohra</cite> [00:45:53]</div> <div class=\"chat-text\"><p>People can DM on Twitter, like a lot of people already ping me on DM for our doubts, queries and everything they have around Gutenberg. So it’s been a couple of years I have been already helping people on the Twitter with the right resources if they need, or they have any doubts on queries around Gutenberg. It’s @ajitbohra.</p>\n</div></div><div class=\"chat-stanza chat-row chat-speaker-1\"><div class=\"chat-author chat-author-nathanwrigley vcard\"><cite class=\"fn\">Nathan Wrigley</cite> [00:46:09]</div> <div class=\"chat-text\"><p>Ajit, thank you so much for coming on the podcast today. I really appreciate it.</p>\n</div></div></div></div>\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:7:\"pubDate\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:31:\"Wed, 08 Sep 2021 14:00:00 +0000\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:32:\"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/\";a:1:{s:7:\"creator\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:14:\"Nathan Wrigley\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}}}i:22;a:6:{s:4:\"data\";s:13:\"\n \n \n \n \n \n \n\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"child\";a:2:{s:0:\"\";a:5:{s:5:\"title\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:102:\"WPTavern: WordPress 5.9 Proposed Scope: Major Push Towards Full-Site Editing, Plus a New Default Theme\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"guid\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:30:\"https://wptavern.com/?p=122326\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"link\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:245:\"https://wptavern.com/wordpress-5-9-proposed-scope-major-push-towards-full-site-editing-plus-a-new-default-theme?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=wordpress-5-9-proposed-scope-major-push-towards-full-site-editing-plus-a-new-default-theme\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:11:\"description\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:3727:\"<p>WordPress 5.9 is starting to take shape as Josepha Haden Chomphosy published a <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/core/2021/09/03/wordpress-5-9-planning-roundup/\">planning roundup</a> at the end of last week with a tentative schedule and scope. This will be the last major release of the year, which Haden Chomphosy said will require “a slightly larger release squad,” considering the proposed scope. </p>\n\n\n\n<p>The squad leads have not yet been named with the exception of Matt Mullenweg as release lead, Haden Chomphosy as marketing lead, and Jonathan Bossenger who was invited to be a technical writer as part of a small experiment in the 5.9 release cycle. Bossenger said this new role was created “to get the technical details of new releases translated into accessible and actionable information for other contributor teams.” The rest of the team will be named as features are confirmed to land in the release.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>“The main goal for 2021 is getting full site editing to all WordPress users,” Haden Chomphosy said as a preface to the scope of work outlined for 5.9. These include the following <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/core/2021/08/13/preliminary-road-to-5-9/\">block and site editing features</a> that Matias Ventura previously identified as already underway in Gutenberg: </p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Blocks + intrinsic web design</li><li>Navigation menus</li><li>Interface for theme.json</li><li>Refining editing flows for block themes</li><li>New default theme</li><li>Additional design tools</li></ul>\n\n\n\n<p>A few other items are being considered for the roadmap but may not be ready in time. These include: </p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Pattern insertion + creation</li><li>Unzip/Rollback Failsafes</li><li>PHPUnit Tests</li><li>Improved compatibility with PHP 8.0 and 8.1</li></ul>\n\n\n\n<p>The proposed timeline puts the go/no go date for features at October 12, with Beta 1 arriving November 16, and the general release on December 14. </p>\n\n\n\n<p>While this timeline seems ambitious for the proposed features, work on many of these efforts has already been happening for months via the Gutenberg plugin. The continual work happening alongside core in the plugin has many advantages but also introduces some complexity into the release process. </p>\n\n\n\n<p>One common complaint logged on the <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/core/2021/07/28/wordpress-5-8-tatum-retrospective/\">5.8 retrospective</a> was that backporting PHP changes from the Gutenberg plugin to WordPress core was a significant pain point for contributors.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>“The current structure of the Gutenberg plugin makes it really hard to locate the changes necessary to bring to WordPress core together with related JavaScript logic,” Greg Ziółkowski said. “Before anything else, we should make it more transparent in the plugin what’s already in WordPress core, what’s ready to be backported, and what’s still an experiment.” Ziółkowski has opened a <a href=\"https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/issues/33810\">ticket</a> to discuss how contributors can make backporting a more semi-automated process.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>Meanwhile <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/core/2021/09/01/wordpress-5-8-1-rc-1/\">5.8.1 RC 1</a> is on deck with <a href=\"https://core.trac.wordpress.org/query?status=closed&milestone=5.8.1&group=status&col=id&col=summary&col=milestone&col=owner&col=type&col=status&col=priority&order=priority\">41 bug fixes</a> for core and <a href=\"https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/34393\">20 bug fixes</a> for the block editor. The minor release is expected to land this week.</p>\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:7:\"pubDate\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:31:\"Wed, 08 Sep 2021 05:11:18 +0000\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:32:\"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/\";a:1:{s:7:\"creator\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:13:\"Sarah Gooding\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}}}i:23;a:6:{s:4:\"data\";s:13:\"\n \n \n \n \n \n \n\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"child\";a:2:{s:0:\"\";a:5:{s:5:\"title\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:79:\"WPTavern: Termly Responds to Feedback, Updates Its Cookie Consent Banner Limits\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"guid\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:30:\"https://wptavern.com/?p=122063\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"link\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:201:\"https://wptavern.com/termly-responds-to-feedback-updates-its-cookie-consent-banner-limits?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=termly-responds-to-feedback-updates-its-cookie-consent-banner-limits\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:11:\"description\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:7424:\"<p class=\"has-drop-cap\">In July, Termly <a href=\"https://termly.io/wordpress-plugin/\">announced its acquisition</a> of the GDPR/CCPA Cookie Consent Banner plugin. The new direction was an <a href=\"https://wptavern.com/termly-acquires-gdpr-ccpa-cookie-consent-banner-turns-free-plugin-into-a-commercial-saas-product\">overhaul of the WordPress extension</a>, turning what was once a free offering into, essentially, a commercial SaaS product. Users could run the service for up to 100 visitors. After that, the cheapest tier would cost $180 per year.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>Despite multiple notices that changes were coming and making sure auto-updates were disable so that users would find no surprises, the move has not sat well with many people. Since the plugin update, users have taken to the WordPress.org review system. Across the board, they have left nothing but <a href=\"https://wordpress.org/support/plugin/uk-cookie-consent/reviews/\">one-star ratings</a> in the past month and a half.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>The free tier limit of 100 monthly visitors did not feel <em>free</em> at all to many. By the middle of August, the Termly team had <a href=\"https://termly.io/wordpress-plugin-update/\">responded after listening to this feedback</a> and making some changes.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>The company bumped the limit to 10,000 unique visitors, making it a free solution for far more users. Termly is also dedicating more team members to responding to questions on the WordPress forums.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>“Termly has offered a consent management solution for years, and our pricing structure has been this way for 1,000s of existing customers,” said Raffaele Riconosciuto, Director of Marketing at Termly, when asked whether the 100-visitor limit came up in discussions before launch. “In all honesty, we simply did not consider it since our new customers view our pricing structure favorably. In hindsight, the structure is less favorable for people who are currently getting something for free, and thus why we made the changes as quickly as we could.”</p>\n\n\n\n<p>A 10,000 visitor limit on the free tier is likely to be a much more reasonable limit for the average website. Beyond that, site owners will need to account for a monthly or yearly fee.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>Some users may still have issues with the plugin being rolled into a SaaS offering, needing to sign up for a third-party service. However, Riconosciuto said Termly needed to go in this direction.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>“The SaaS structure we’ve adopted is ubiquitous for most consent management platforms (CMPs) today,” he said. “Given that data privacy laws are constantly evolving, as are mechanisms for tracking users on the web, CMPs require a high degree of maintenance and upkeep just to keep their users meeting base legal requirements. We are also continuing to develop new functionality to make the process more painless and robust. Hence why we charge a recurring subscription cost to our more advanced users, who subsidize the always-free tier.”</p>\n\n\n\n<p>Termly already had a robust platform in place that serves customers inside and outside of the WordPress ecosystem. It did not make sense to rebuild the entire platform within the plugin and maintain them separately. It would have created duplicate development work without a need to do so.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>Users can still install the cookie consent banner without leaving the WordPress admin panel, but further customizations happen via the Termly dashboard. Riconosciuto said the team may extend the UI integration between the plugin and service in the future if that is where user feedback leads them, pulling more functionality into WordPress.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>The other side of this is that previous plugin versions were not compliant with several data privacy laws, including the GDPR and ePrivacy Directive.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>“The GDPR and ePrivacy Directive are the main EU legislation governing the use of cookies and similar tracking technologies,” said Riconosciuto. “In the context of cookie consent management and cookie banners, the most important takeaway is that a business must obtain consent from an end-user before they serve them non-essential cookies. Consent must be free, specific, informed, and unambiguous. The old banner does not block cookies or contain the information required to ensure when an individual interacts with the banner, they have provided consent to the satisfaction of these legal requirements.”</p>\n\n\n\n<p>Of the legal mazes businesses must navigate, Riconosciuto said that each EU member state had “transposed the ePrivacy Directive into local cookie laws.” Termly looks at the guidance issued from each of these member state regulators when determining how to implement the cookie banner.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>“Why does following the law and related guidance matter?” asked Riconosciuto. “Recently, we have seen regulators in these regions taking enforcement action against entities that fail to comply with the guidance they have provided for how to comply with the cookie laws. Unlike the GDPR, ePrivacy directive, and France’s cookie law, guidance, and recommendations from an EU regulator is considered ‘soft law’ and not binding. However, the guidance typically explains how a regulator will determine if a business is violating a local cookie law (i.e., how they will enforce the cookie law). That means if your business’s cookie practices fail to satisfy the requirements laid out in regulator guidance, you are likely violating cookie law and may be subject to enforcement action. Even more, organizations in the EU like <a href=\"https://noyb.eu/en\">NYOB</a> are relying on these laws and soft guidance to determine whether they will file draft complaints with regulators against businesses in violation of these laws.”</p>\n\n\n\n<p>Riconosciuto mentioned several areas where the older versions of the plugin did not comply with the laws. However, the updated plugin and service take care of these issues. The following is a non-exhaustive list:</p>\n\n\n\n<ol><li>The solution must actually block cookies and tracking. Cookie consent banners must honor user choices.</li><li>The language must adequately notify users of what they are agreeing to before consenting.</li><li>Consent banners must allow the granular selection of cookies by category (e.g., performance and functionality, advertising, analytics, social networking, etc.).</li><li>Provide clean and easily accessible information and options for accepting or rejecting at the first level without being deceptive (e.g., all buttons should be the same size and format).</li><li>The banner must generate and save an audit log of consent interactions. These may need to be presented to regulators.</li></ol>\n\n\n\n<p>While users may continue using an older version of the plugin, Termly does not recommend it because it is non-compliant. The company has no plans to restore any parts from the previous version.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>“We are committed to making sure businesses are educated and compliant the right way,” said Riconosciuto. “Termly is built on quality, trust, and collaboration, and we can promise that we will continue to listen to feedback and adjust our platform to accommodate all of our customers — including the WordPress community — without sacrificing compliance to all laws and regulations.”</p>\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:7:\"pubDate\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:31:\"Tue, 07 Sep 2021 21:34:15 +0000\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:32:\"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/\";a:1:{s:7:\"creator\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:14:\"Justin Tadlock\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}}}i:24;a:6:{s:4:\"data\";s:13:\"\n \n \n \n \n \n \n\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"child\";a:2:{s:0:\"\";a:5:{s:5:\"title\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:112:\"Gutenberg Times: Standardization for theme.json, Blocks without Build process, Patterns – Weekend Edition #183\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"guid\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:35:\"https://gutenbergtimes.com/?p=18886\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"link\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:116:\"https://gutenbergtimes.com/standardization-for-theme-json-blocks-without-build-process-patterns-weekend-edition-183/\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:11:\"description\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:15064:\"<p class=\"has-text-align-right has-small-font-size\"><em>Featured Image: Photo by <a href=\"https://unsplash.com/@nicknice?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText\">Nick Nice</a> on <a href=\"https://unsplash.com/?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText\">Unsplash</a></em></p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<p>Howdy, </p>\n\n\n\n<p>And suddenly, the summer is mostly over. Among other things, one notices the increased activity in the WordPress space and the growing length of all the newsletters. </p>\n\n\n\n<p>This week, the core team managed two releases: <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/core/2021/09/01/wordpress-5-8-1-rc-1/\">WordPress 5.8.1 RC</a> with a few bug fixes, and <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/core/2021/09/01/whats-new-in-gutenberg-11-4-1-september/\">Gutenberg plugin 11.4</a>. Grzegorz and I discussed details and more in our <a href=\"https://gutenbergtimes.com/podcast/changelog-51-new-gallery-block-theme-json/\">51st episode of the Gutenberg Changelog podcast.</a></p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Gutenberg developer team received reinforcements with the <a href=\"https://frontity.org/blog/frontity-is-joining-automattic/\">Frontity team, who joined Automattic’s Dotorg Division.</a> WordPress Tavern’s Sarah Gooding has more details on this story: <a href=\"https://wptavern.com/automattic-acquires-frontity-founders-to-work-full-time-on-gutenberg\">Automattic Acquires Frontity, Founders to Work Full-Time on Gutenberg</a>. </p>\n\n\n\n<p>With all the excitement around new beginnings, we also need to say <a href=\"https://andreamiddleton.blog/2021/08/30/thanks-for-a-great-10-years-wordpress/\">Farewell to Andrea Middleton</a>. Soon, she will leave the WordPress space to enrich the communities on Reddit with her leadership brilliance. I wouldn’t be where I am without Andrea’s encouragement, support, and guidance. I will be eternally grateful for all her work in the WordPress community, her big heart and for her friendship. It’s hard to imagine WordPress without her. </p>\n\n\n\n<p>I have been blown away by all the kind words from so many of you on Twitter, Slack, and email. Thank you all so much! You really made me feel the love. There will be group hugs at in-person events! </p>\n\n\n\n<p>With that, I leave you to the brilliant minds writing and experimenting with Gutenberg and sharing their lessons learned. </p>\n\n\n\n<p>Yours, ?<br />Birgit</p>\n\n\n\n\n<p> <strong>Subscribe to the <a href=\"https://gutenbergtimes.com/podcast/\">Gutenberg Changelog</a> podcast </strong><br />?️ <a href=\"https://open.spotify.com/show/620NwVKQJGdTupy36zYxvg?mc_cid=4b6c9f88fe\">Spotify</a> | <a href=\"https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9ndXRlbmJlcmd0aW1lcy5jb20vZmVlZC9wb2RjYXN0\">Google</a> | <a href=\"https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/gutenberg-changelog/id1469294475\">iTunes</a> | <a href=\"https://pca.st/podcast/f8445ec0-7508-0137-f267-1d245fc5f9cf\">PocketCasts</a> | <a href=\"https://www.stitcher.com/show/gutenberg-changelog\">Stitcher</a> |<br />?️ <a href=\"https://www.podbean.com/podcast-detail/chi7j-9904a/Gutenberg-Changelog-Podcast\">Pod Bean</a> | <a href=\"https://castbox.fm/channel/Gutenberg-Changelog-id2173375\">CastBox</a> | <a href=\"https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/gutenberg-changelog-878239/\">Podchaser</a> | <a href=\"https://gutenbergtimes.com/feed/podcast\">RSS Feed</a> </p>\n\n\n\n<img />\n\n\n\n\n<h2>WordPress 5.9 </h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Josepha Haden Chomphosy</strong> publish the <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/core/2021/09/03/wordpress-5-9-planning-roundup/\">WordPress 5.9 Planning Roundup</a> outlining the schedule and scope of the last WordPress release for 2021. </p>\n\n\n\n<p>Go/NoGo Decision will be made on or around October 12, 2012, followed by the Feature Freeze / Bug Fixes deadline of November 9th. A week later, on November 16, Beta 1 would be released. Between Beta 1 and the final release date are roughly four weeks. The final release is set for December 14th, 2021</p>\n\n\n\n<p>The scope matches pretty much what <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/core/2021/08/13/preliminary-road-to-5-9/\">Matias Ventura onlined in his “Road to 5.9</a>” plus a new default theme.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>Chomphosy also mentioned some roadmap hopefuls, mostly PHP related; among them the Pattern insertion and creation for submission to the directory. </p>\n\n\n\n<p>She ended the post with a call for volunteer for Triage Lead and Release Coordinators, positions that need to be covered to get a release started. If you are interest, comment on the post on the Make Core blog. </p>\n\n\n\n\n<p><strong> <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/core/handbook/references/keeping-up-with-gutenberg-index/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">“Keeping up with Gutenberg – Index 2021”</a> </strong><br />A chronological list of the WordPress Make Blog posts from various teams involved in Gutenberg development: Design, Theme Review Team, Core Editor, Core JS, Core CSS, Test and Meta team from Jan. 2021 on. Updated by yours truly. </p>\n\n\n\n\n<h2>Block Patterns</h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Anne McCarthy</strong> published a <a href=\"https://youtu.be/mnymixFx1iw\"><strong>Video On Block Patterns</strong></a> and took “a look at the power of patterns, where you can currently find them, how you can start creating your own, and what’s to come in future releases”. </p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator is-style-wide\" />\n\n\n\n<p>The meta team is working on a new component called the <strong>“Pattern Creator”</strong> to empower designers and site builders to submit Block Patterns to the directory, too. <a href=\"https://github.com/WordPress/pattern-directory/issues?q=is%3Aopen+is%3Aissue+milestone%3A%22Pattern+Creation%22+label%3A%22%5BComponent%5D+Pattern+Creator%22\">You can follow along and contribute via the GitHub repository</a> </p>\n\n\n\n<h2>Navigation Screen</h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Sarah Gooding</strong> wrote about the Hallway Hangout where Gutenberg developers discussed what issues needed to be solved for the Navigation screen to make it out of the experimental state within Gutenberg plugin. <a href=\"https://wptavern.com/gutenberg-contributors-get-organized-to-move-block-based-navigation-forward\"><strong>Gutenberg Contributors Get Organized to Move Block-Based Navigation Forward</strong></a></p>\n\n\n\n<h2>Full-Site Editing and Theme.json for Theme Builders</h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Ellen Bauer</strong> of Elmastudio, wrote about her <a href=\"https://www.elmastudio.de/en/lessons-learned-building-our-first-block-theme-for-full-site-editing/\"><strong>Lessons learned building our first block theme for Full Site Editing</strong></a>. As early adopter, she wrote: “Converting <a href=\"https://wpaino.com/\">Aino </a>to a block theme was our first big step towards this new WordPress theme era. We feel this was important so we and our theme users can now explore block themes more deeply. From here we can learn and add new features step by step.” Justin Tadlock recently posted <a href=\"https://wptavern.com/a-second-look-at-elmastudios-aino-theme-and-companion-block-plugin\">a review of the Aino theme and plugin</a>. </p>\n\n\n\n<p>Bauer also published a tutorial on <a href=\"https://wpaino.com/blog/customize-full-site-editing-block-theme-footers/\"><strong>How to Customize the Footer in Full Site Editing Block Themes</strong></a></p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator is-style-wide\" />\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Marcus Kazmierczak</strong> created a tutorial on <a href=\"https://mkaz.blog/wordpress/using-theme-json-in-a-classic-theme/\">how to use the theme.json feature with a Classic Theme.</a> After describing the various settings for colors, typography, layout and more, Marcus also explains in detail what happens in the background. </p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator is-style-wide\" />\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Rich Tabor</strong> published a series on <a href=\"https://richtabor.com/standardizing-theme-json-colors/\"><strong>Standardizing Theme.json</strong></a> and covered</p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li><a href=\"https://richtabor.com/standardizing-theme-json-spacing/\">Site Spacing</a></li><li><a href=\"https://richtabor.com/standardizing-theme-json-font-sizes/\">Font Sizes</a>, and </li><li><a href=\"https://richtabor.com/standardizing-theme-json-colors/\">Color Slugs</a></li></ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Tabor wrote: <em>“By standardizing just a few key high-level entries within a WordPress theme’s theme.json file, we can finally create a class of themes that truly are interchangeable. Interchangeable in function, while remaining distinct in style.” </em></p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Brian Gardner</strong> followed along and shared how he implemented <a href=\"https://frostwp.com/theme-json-font-sizes/\"><strong>Theme.json and Standardizing Font Sizes</strong></a> for the Frost Theme</p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator is-style-wide\" />\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Tammie Lister</strong> also makes the case for <a href=\"https://ephemeralthemes.com/2021/08/31/the-need-for-standardisation/\"><strong>The need for standardization</strong></a>, by writing about the human aspect, mostly cognitive load and the spark of creativity that comes from limits. Another aspect Lister touches upon is translation, and the many languages, WordPress is translated into. She has a great way explaining the unlimited possibilities, starting with three main colors. </p>\n\n\n\n<p>The biggest argument for basic standardization Lister makes almost as a side note, is the interchangeability of Themes. What happens to all the user choices for color, typography etc., when the site owner switches the Theme? </p>\n\n\n\n<p>This is quite timely as a question. Anne McCarthy is working on a guided exploration of Theme switching as the next round of testing for the FSE outreach program. If you’d like to participate, join the channel <a href=\"https://wordpress.slack.com/archives/C015GUFFC00\"><strong>#FSE-outreach-experiment</strong></a> of WordPress Slack, that recently celebrated the 400th member. </p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator is-style-wide\" />\n\n\n\n<p>Speaking of which, Anne McCarth posted the summary of the 9th call for testing on the Make Test blog: <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/test/2021/09/03/fse-program-handling-highered-headers-summary/\"><strong>FSE Program Handling HigherEd Headers Summary</strong></a></p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator is-style-wide\" />\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Jason Crist</strong> compiled the 63rd <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/themes/2021/09/03/gutenberg-themes-week-of-august-30-2021/\"><strong>Gutenberg + Themes Roundup</strong></a>. While many issues discussed are about the theme.json file and feature handling, I also found the exploration around a <a href=\"https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/33770\"><em>Mosaic View for the Template views of the Site Editor. </em></a></p>\n\n\n\n\n<p><strong><a href=\"https://gutenbergtimes.com/need-a-zip-from-master/\">Need a plugin .zip from Gutenberg’s main (trunk) branch?</a></strong><br />Gutenberg Times provides daily build for testing and review. <br />Have you been using it? Hit reply and let me know.</p>\n\n\n\n<p><img alt=\"GitHub all releases\" src=\"https://img.shields.io/github/downloads/bph/gutenberg/total?style=for-the-badge\" /></p>\n\n\n\n\n<h2>Building Custom Blocks </h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Iain Poulson</strong> announce the <a href=\"https://www.advancedcustomfields.com/blog/acf-5-10-release-html-escaping-blocks-api-v2-block-preloading-and-more/\"><strong>5.10 Release of Advanced Custom Fields</strong></a></p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Block API v2 support</li><li>Block preloading</li><li>Full height button</li></ul>\n\n\n\n<p>It’s the first big release of ACF for the <a href=\"https://twitter.com/dliciousbrains\">Delicious Brains team</a> </p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator is-style-wide\" />\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Marcus Kazmierczak</strong> wrote on how to <strong><a href=\"https://mkaz.blog/wordpress/make-your-own-create-block-templates/\">Make your own create-block templates</a>.</strong> First, he explains how the official block building scaffolding tool <code>create-block</code> works. Then, Marcus provides instructions and background on how to customize the template to your block-building needs. You might also enjoy Fabian Kägy and Grzegorz, recorded live session on <a href=\"https://gutenbergtimes.com/tooling-using-create-block-scaffolding-and-3rd-party-templates/\">“Tooling: Using Create-Block Scaffolding and 3rd Party Templates”</a> via YouTube. </p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator is-style-wide\" />\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Helen Hou-Sandi </strong>explained an agency’s approach to streamline Custom Block development in here post: <a href=\"https://helen.blog/2021/08/exploring-custom-blocks-from-a-php-centric-developer-ux-point-of-view/\"><strong>Exploring custom blocks from a PHP-centric developer UX point of view</strong></a>. </p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Riad Benguella</strong> had a similar idea and approached it from a runtime-agnostic point of view. He shared <a href=\"https://github.com/youknowriad/blocky\"><strong>Blocky via GitHub</strong></a>, and wrote: ‘The fast way to create WordPress blocks. No more hard JavaScript files, or weird PHP registration.’</p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator is-style-wide\" />\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Justin Tadlock</strong> recalled a discussion that started on Twitter with <a href=\"https://twitter.com/markjaquith/status/1432461667187765251\">Mark Jaquith tweet:</a> “What if building custom blocks for the Block Editor was as easy as supplying attributes and a block of HTML? What if this produced React editing code and PHP rendering code without a build step?”. <a href=\"https://wptavern.com/a-world-where-some-block-development-is-merely-a-templating-system-with-no-build-process\"><strong>A World Where (Some) Block Development Is Merely a Templating System With No Build Process?</strong></a></p>\n\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator is-style-wide\" />\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><strong>Don’t want to miss the next Weekend Edition? </strong></p>\n\n\n\n<form class=\"wp-block-newsletterglue-form ngl-form ngl-portrait\" action=\"https://gutenbergtimes.com/feed/\" method=\"post\"><div class=\"ngl-form-container\"><div class=\"ngl-form-field\"><label class=\"ngl-form-label\" for=\"ngl_email\">Type in your Email address to subscribe.</label><div class=\"ngl-form-input\"><input type=\"email\" class=\"ngl-form-input-text\" name=\"ngl_email\" id=\"ngl_email\" /></div></div><button class=\"ngl-form-button\">Subscribe</button><p class=\"ngl-form-text\">We hate spam, too and won’t give your email address to anyone except Mailchimp to send out our Weekend Edition</p></div><div class=\"ngl-message-overlay\"><div class=\"ngl-message-svg-wrap\"></div><div class=\"ngl-message-overlay-text\">Thanks for subscribing.</div></div><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"ngl_list_id\" id=\"ngl_list_id\" value=\"26f81bd8ae\" /><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"ngl_double_optin\" id=\"ngl_double_optin\" value=\"yes\" /></form>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator is-style-wide\" />\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:7:\"pubDate\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:31:\"Sat, 04 Sep 2021 18:00:36 +0000\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:32:\"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/\";a:1:{s:7:\"creator\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:18:\"Birgit Pauli-Haack\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}}}i:25;a:6:{s:4:\"data\";s:13:\"\n \n \n \n \n \n \n\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"child\";a:2:{s:0:\"\";a:5:{s:5:\"title\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:67:\"WPTavern: Worldwide WordPress Virtual 5K Set for October 1-30, 2021\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"guid\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:30:\"https://wptavern.com/?p=122127\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"link\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:177:\"https://wptavern.com/worldwide-wordpress-virtual-5k-set-for-october-1-30-2021?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=worldwide-wordpress-virtual-5k-set-for-october-1-30-2021\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:11:\"description\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:2192:\"<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><img /></div>\n\n\n\n<p>Automattic is organizing its 2nd annual <a href=\"https://wwwp5k.run/\">Worldwide WordPress 5K</a> during the month of October this year. Registration for the race is free and participants will have the opportunity to donate to a charity of their choice, with Automattic matching donations up to $50,000.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>Just like <a href=\"https://wordpress.com/blog/2015/10/23/wwwp5k-2015/\">the first Worldwide WP 5K</a> that was held in 2015, the race will be virtual. Anyone is welcome to run, walk, bike, or swim the 5K any time between October 1-31. The requirements are fairly loose in that you can use any exercise app to track your run if you want. Participants are also encouraged to share a selfie, a screenshot of your route, and write a blog post that includes the #wwwp5k tag. Automattic will use the hashtag to include pictures on the official race site.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>Throughout the pandemic, much of the social running industry has gone online and virtual races have become more common. Although they don’t carry the same energy as in-person races, virtual races help friends keep setting fitness goals and encourage each other through online challenges. Joining in the <a href=\"https://wwwp5k.run/\">Worldwide WordPress 5K</a> is a great way to connect with friends around the world for an offline challenge that benefits your health.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>There is plenty of time to start training to reach a goal ahead of October and lots of resources available for <a href=\"https://www.womenshealthmag.com/fitness/a19995645/5k-training-plan/\">running your first 5K</a>. If all other motivations fail, maybe Wapuu can get you off the couch. The lack of in-person WordCamps has left some people hankering for new WordPress swag, and the 5K wapuu is ready to deliver. Participants can choose from a wide array of official gear, including hoodies, t-shirts, water bottles, tank tops, pins, socks, and more. Those who prefer not to run but still want to take part in the charitable event can give directly through the <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https://www.globalgiving.org/automattic/\" target=\"_blank\">donation page</a>.</p>\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:7:\"pubDate\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:31:\"Sat, 04 Sep 2021 02:04:59 +0000\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:32:\"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/\";a:1:{s:7:\"creator\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:13:\"Sarah Gooding\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}}}i:26;a:6:{s:4:\"data\";s:13:\"\n \n \n \n \n \n \n\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"child\";a:2:{s:0:\"\";a:5:{s:5:\"title\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:95:\"Post Status: Post Status Excerpt (No. 23) — Farewell To Andrea — but not the Classic Editor\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"guid\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:31:\"https://poststatus.com/?p=85894\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"link\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:34:\"https://poststatus.com/excerpt/23/\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:11:\"description\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:3896:\"<h2 id=\"h-new-hires-to-post-status-and-an-acquihire-for-automattic\">New hires to Post Status and an acquihire for Automattic.</h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-drop-cap\">In this episode, David and Cory talk about recent news from all corners of the WordPress community. First, they share how they will miss <strong>Andrea Middleton</strong> — who is taking a great new opportunity at <strong>Reddit</strong> after 10 years of full-time work on the WordPress open source project. Next, they talk about why keeping the <strong>Classic Editor</strong> plugin officially supported makes sense, and how the <strong>Frontity</strong> acquisition by <strong>Automattic</strong> can be viewed as an acquihire to advance <strong>Gutenberg</strong>‘s development.</p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Also covered in this episode: </strong>Cory and David welcome <strong>Jonathan Wold</strong> to the Post Status team.</p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-background\">Every week Post Status Excerpt will brief you on important WordPress news — in about 15 minutes or less! Learn what\'s new in WordPress in a flash. <img src=\"https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/13.0.1/72x72/26a1.png\" alt=\"⚡\" class=\"wp-smiley\" /><br /><br /><a href=\"https://poststatus.com/category/post-status-podcasts/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Browse our archives</a>, and don’t forget to subscribe via <a href=\"https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/post-status-draft-wordpress/id976403008\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">iTunes</a>, <a href=\"https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5zaW1wbGVjYXN0LmNvbS8ySkU5c2M4UA\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Google Podcasts</a>, <a href=\"https://www.youtube.com/c/PostStatus\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">YouTube</a>, <a href=\"http://www.stitcher.com/podcast/krogsgard/post-status-draft-wordpress-podcast\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Stitcher</a>, <a href=\"https://wordpress-post-status-draft-podcast.simplecast.com/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Simplecast</a>, or <a href=\"https://feeds.simplecast.com/2JE9sc8P\">RSS</a>. <img src=\"https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/13.0.1/72x72/1f3a7.png\" alt=\"?\" class=\"wp-smiley\" /></p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-mentioned-in-the-show\"><img src=\"https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/13.0.1/72x72/1f517.png\" alt=\"?\" class=\"wp-smiley\" /> Mentioned in the show:</h3>\n\n\n\n<ul><li><a href=\"http://kolbe.com\"></a><a href=\"https://andreamiddleton.blog/2021/08/30/thanks-for-a-great-10-years-wordpress/\">Thanks for a great 10 years, WordPress!</a></li><li><a href=\"https://twitter.com/sirjonathan\">Jonathan Wold (Twitter)</a></li><li><a href=\"https://wordpress.org/news/2021/08/an-update-on-the-classic-editor-plugin/\">An Update on the Classic Editor Plugin</a></li><li><a href=\"https://ma.tt/2021/08/frontity-to-join-automattic/\">Frontity to Join Automattic</a></li><li><a href=\"https://frontity.org/blog/frontity-is-joining-automattic/\">Frontity is joining Automattic</a></li><li><a href=\"https://twitter.com/dimensionmedia\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">David Bisset (Twitter)</a></li><li><a href=\"https://twitter.com/corymiller303\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Cory Miller (Twitter)</a></li><li><a href=\"https://twitter.com/post_status\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Post Status (Twitter)</a></li></ul>\n\n\n\n<h3><img src=\"https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/13.0.1/72x72/1f64f.png\" alt=\"?\" class=\"wp-smiley\" /> Sponsor: <a href=\"https://poststat.us/sandhills\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow\">Gravity Forms</a></h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Gravity Forms</strong> is the easiest and most trusted advanced forms solution for your WordPress website. Packed with time-saving tools and features, <strong>Gravity Forms</strong> is the only WordPress form management plugin you will ever need. Stop losing valuable leads and grow your business with Gravity.</p>\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:7:\"pubDate\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:31:\"Fri, 03 Sep 2021 17:45:11 +0000\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:32:\"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/\";a:1:{s:7:\"creator\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:12:\"David Bisset\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}}}i:27;a:6:{s:4:\"data\";s:13:\"\n \n \n \n \n \n \n\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"child\";a:2:{s:0:\"\";a:5:{s:5:\"title\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:72:\"Akismet: Version 4.1.12 of the Akismet WordPress Plugin is Now Available\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"guid\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:31:\"http://blog.akismet.com/?p=2123\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"link\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:100:\"https://blog.akismet.com/2021/09/03/version-4-1-12-of-the-akismet-wordpress-plugin-is-now-available/\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:11:\"description\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:637:\"<p>Version 4.1.12 of <a href=\"http://wordpress.org/plugins/akismet/\">the Akismet plugin for WordPress</a> is now available. It contains the following changes:</p>\n<ul>\n<li>Fixed a bug that was causing “Use of undefined constant” PHP notices.</li>\n<li>Improved styling of alert notices to better match the current WordPress look and feel.</li>\n</ul>\n<p>To upgrade, visit the Updates page of your WordPress dashboard and follow the instructions. If you need to download the plugin zip file directly, links to all versions are available in <a href=\"http://wordpress.org/plugins/akismet/\">the WordPress plugins directory</a>.</p>\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:7:\"pubDate\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:31:\"Fri, 03 Sep 2021 16:57:08 +0000\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:32:\"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/\";a:1:{s:7:\"creator\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:17:\"Christopher Finke\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}}}i:28;a:6:{s:4:\"data\";s:13:\"\n \n \n \n \n \n \n\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"child\";a:2:{s:0:\"\";a:5:{s:5:\"title\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:55:\"WordPress.org blog: The Month in WordPress: August 2021\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"guid\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:35:\"https://wordpress.org/news/?p=11176\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"link\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:70:\"https://wordpress.org/news/2021/09/the-month-in-wordpress-august-2021/\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:11:\"description\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:15529:\"<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote\"><p>I really believe in WordPress’ mission to democratize publishing. And I, for one, will never stop learning about what gives people more access to the software, and what makes the software more usable, and especially how we can combine usability with accessibility in a way that puts form and function on a level playing field.<br /></p></blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>That was <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/chanthaboune/\">Josepha Haden</a> on the “<a href=\"https://wordpress.org/news/2021/08/episode-14-the-art-and-science-of-accessibility/\">The Art and Science of Accessibility</a>” episode of the <a href=\"https://wordpress.org/news/podcast/\">WP Briefing Podcast</a>, talking about accessibility and exploring how it applies to the WordPress open source software. You will find that many of our updates from August 2021 tie in closely with the core principles of access, accessibility, and usability. Read on to find out more!</p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator\" />\n\n\n\n<h2>Join the 2021 WordPress Translation Day Celebrations in September</h2>\n\n\n\n<a href=\"https://wptranslationday.org/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img width=\"632\" height=\"395\" src=\"https://i0.wp.com/wordpress.org/news/files/2021/09/image.jpeg?resize=632%2C395&ssl=1\" alt=\"WordPress Translation Day 2021 September 1 - 30, 2021\" class=\"wp-image-11177\" /></a>\n\n\n\n<p>Join WordPress contributors around the world on <a href=\"https://wptranslationday.org/\">WordPress Translation Day celebrations</a> for the entire month of September! The sixth edition of #WPTranslationDay – which is a cross-team effort led by the Polyglots and Marketing Teams, has a host of fun programs aimed at helping WordPress speak all languages of the world. Want to join the fun? Here’s how.</p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li><a href=\"https://wptranslationday.org/wptd-2021/local-events/\">Join your local translation event</a> and collaborate on efforts to translate WordPress! Can’t find a <a href=\"https://wptranslationday.org/wptd-2021/local-events/\">local event in your area</a>? Why don’t you <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/polyglots/2021/08/11/call-for-local-event-organizers-wordpress-translation-day-2021/\">organize one on your own</a>?</li><li>Join <a href=\"https://wptranslationday.org/wptd-2021/global-events/\">one of our global events</a> from September 17-30!<em> </em>We have exciting sessions on <a href=\"https://wptranslationday.org/wptd-2021/global-events/\">polyglots tools and open source translation communities</a>, to name a few.</li><li>You can help<a href=\"https://translate.wordpress.org/\"> translate WordPress to your own language</a>, in your own time, this month! <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/polyglots/handbook/translating/first-steps/\">Here’s how!</a></li><li>Share what you are translating using the #WPTranslationDay hashtag on social media, to build excitement around the event! Don’t forget to amplify posts about the event on <a href=\"https://www.facebook.com/WPTranslationDay/\">Facebook</a>, <a href=\"https://twitter.com/TranslateWP\">Twitter</a>, <a href=\"https://www.instagram.com/wptranslationday/\">Instagram</a>, and <a href=\"https://www.linkedin.com/company/wptranslationday/\">LinkedIn</a>!</li></ul>\n\n\n\n<p> For more information, check out <a href=\"https://wptranslationday.org/\">the translation day website</a> and the <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/polylgots/tag/wptranslationday/\">Polyglots blog</a>.</p>\n\n\n\n<h2>WordPress Release Updates</h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The Core Team <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/core/2021/08/13/preliminary-road-to-5-9/\">commenced work</a> on the next major release – WordPress 5.9. The team aims to ship some cool features such as intrinsic web design to blocks, improved block patterns, navigation menus, better design tools, edit flows for block themes, and a new interface for theme.json. Check out the <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/core/5-9/\">WordPress 5.9 development cycle</a> to know more. This release is set to go out in December 2021. The team is also <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/core/2021/08/24/wordpress-5-8-x-release-team-and-5-8-1-schedule/\">working on shipping a minor release WordPress 5.8.1</a> –– its <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/core/2021/09/01/wordpress-5-8-1-rc-1/\">release candidate</a> is already out and the final release will launch on September 8.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>Want to contribute to WordPress core? Join the <a href=\"https://wordpress.slack.com/archives/C02RQBWTW\">#core</a> channel, follow the <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/core/\">Core Team blog</a>, and check out the <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/core/handbook/\">team handbook</a>. Don’t miss the Core Team chats on Wednesdays at <a href=\"https://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/fixedtime.html?hour=5&min=00&sec=0\">5 AM</a> and <a href=\"https://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/fixedtime.html?hour=20&min=00&sec=0\">8 PM</a> UTC. You can also help <a href=\"https://translate.wordpress.org/\">translate WordPress</a> to your local language – and what better time to do it, than in September, <a href=\"https://wptranslationday.org/\">during the translation month celebrations</a>? Another fun way to contribute would be to <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/marketing/2021/08/11/share-about-wordpress-5-8-on-social-media/\">share about WordPress 5.8 on social media</a>!</p>\n\n\n\n<h2>Say Hello to Gutenberg Versions 11.2 and 11.3</h2>\n\n\n\n<p>We launched Gutenberg <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/core/2021/08/05/whats-new-in-gutenberg-11-2-0-4-august/\">version 11.2</a> and <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/core/2021/08/18/whats-new-in-gutenberg-11-3-18-august/\">version 11.3</a> this month. <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/core/2021/08/05/whats-new-in-gutenberg-11-2-0-4-august/\">Version 11.2</a> adds customizing/color options to the search block, a flex layout for the group block, and a new button for creating posts as part of the publishing flow. <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/core/2021/08/18/whats-new-in-gutenberg-11-3-18-august/\">Version 11.3</a> offers a new dimensions panel (replacing the spacing panel) with more styling options, dimensions control for the feature image block, and significant performance improvements for block inserters.<br /></p>\n\n\n\n<p>Want to get involved in building Gutenberg? Follow <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/core/\">the Core Team blog</a>, contribute to <a href=\"https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/\">Gutenberg on GitHub</a>, and join the <a href=\"https://wordpress.slack.com/archives/C02QB2JS7\">#core-editor</a> channel in the <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/chat/\">Make WordPress Slack</a>. The “<a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/core/2021/07/21/whats-next-in-gutenberg-site-editing-status-check-late-july-august-2021/\">What’s next in Gutenberg</a>” post offers more details on the latest updates. </p>\n\n\n\n<h2>Get Excited about WordCamp US 2021</h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The biggest WordCamp in North America – <a href=\"https://us.wordcamp.org/2021/\">WordCamp US 2021-</a> is barely a month away. <a href=\"https://us.wordcamp.org/2021/tickets/\">Get your (free) tickets</a>, if you haven’t already! The organizing team has opened up calls for <a href=\"https://us.wordcamp.org/2021/calling-all-musicians/\">musicians</a>, <a href=\"https://us.wordcamp.org/2021/call-for-contributor-stories/\">contributor stories</a>, and <a href=\"https://us.wordcamp.org/2021/call-for-media-partners/\">media partners</a>. Check out <a href=\"https://us.wordcamp.org/2021/\">the event website</a> and follow the event on <a href=\"https://twitter.com/wordcampus\">Twitter</a>, <a href=\"https://www.instagram.com/wordcampus/\">Instagram</a>, and <a href=\"https://www.facebook.com/WordCampUSA\">Facebook</a> to stay updated on all that #WCUS news.</p>\n\n\n\n<h2>Important Announcements/Updates</h2>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Support for the Classic Editor plugin <a href=\"https://wordpress.org/news/2021/08/an-update-on-the-classic-editor-plugin/\">will be extended for a full year until 2022</a>!</li><li>The Themes Team published a <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/themes/2021/08/06/summary-of-the-request-for-feedback-on-requirement-changes/\">feedback summary</a> on the <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/themes/2021/07/20/discussion-request-for-feedback-on-requirement-changes/\">proposed requirement changes for WordPress theme review</a>, and will soon be updating the handbook and review tools. You will find more context in their <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/themes/2021/08/10/meeting-notes-themes-team-and-theme-authors-regarding-requirements-change/\">meeting notes</a>.</li><li>The Plugins Team <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/plugins/2021/08/27/inaccurate-stats-have-been-corrected/\">corrected inaccurate plugin statistics</a> in the plugin directory.</li><li>Check out the <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/test/2021/08/17/fse-program-theme-design-survey-results/\">results of the FSE Theme Design (theme.json) survey</a>!</li></ul>\n\n\n\n<h2>Feedback/Testing Requests from Contributor Teams</h2>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>The Testing Team is requesting testing help for a <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/test/2021/08/30/week-in-test-30-aug-2021/\">few tickets and patches in WordPress</a>. The team is also looking for volunteers to <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/test/2021/08/20/call-for-volunteeers-audit-and-update-testing-instructions-across-the-make-sites/\">audit and update Core testing instructions </a>across different Make sites.</li><li>The Community Team shared a <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/community/2021/09/01/proposal-centralized-global-do_action-charity-hackathons/\">proposal on planning online-only recurring global do_action charity hackathons</a>. Share your feedback by September 24.</li><li>The Training Team is also exploring the possibility of adding <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/training/2021/08/10/proposal-learner-achievements-on-profiles/\">learner achievements (on learn.wordpress.org) on WP Profiles</a> and is requesting feedback from the community.</li><li>Help the Marketing Team’s outreach research by filling out <a href=\"https://forms.gle/4QFhX8fcNxKAfK8y5\">this 2 question survey</a> on how you search for WordPress release information. If you have any favorite features from the latest release (WordPress 5.8) let the team know by completing this <a href=\"https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd_2llymf79-h5sgTiprz7Kw4Gr4cbDHh-AAdAQfiArXlHksg/viewform\">short form</a>.</li><li>Version 18.1 of WordPress for <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/mobile/2021/08/23/call-for-testing-wordpress-for-ios-18-1/\">iOS</a> and <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/mobile/2021/08/23/call-for-testing-wordpress-for-android-18-1/\">Android</a> are now available for testing!</li></ul>\n\n\n\n<h2>WordPress Event Updates</h2>\n\n\n\n<ul><li><a href=\"https://floripa.wordcamp.org/2021/\">WordCamp Florianopolis 2021</a> was held on August 11-12, 2021. The event, which sold 390 tickets, had 11 speakers and 4 sponsors. Catch the <a href=\"https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCh1CeGfuDRH-o13xh7kpgUQ\">event recap on YouTube</a>!</li><li><a href=\"https://galicia.wordcamp.org/2021/\">WordCamp Galicia 2021</a> is being held from September 30 – October 2, 2021! </li><li><a href=\"https://doaction.org/event/karnataka-2021/\">do_action Karnataka 2021</a> was held from August 7-15, 2021. Check out <a href=\"https://wordpressfoundation.org/2021/do_action-karnataka-2021-a-report/\">the recap</a>!</li><li>The Core Team organized a <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/core/2021/08/25/hallway-hangout-summary-compare-and-contrast-the-navigation-screens/\">hallway hangout</a> to compare the ‘experimental’ Gutenberg navigation feature with the built-in core feature. The team decided to wait until feature parity with core nav menus, to move the feature from experiments to the main plugin.</li><li>The Diverse Speakers Training group (<a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/community/tag/wpdiversity/\">#WPDiversity</a>) of the Community Team held their first “<a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/community/2021/09/02/report-diverse-speaker-workshops-august-2021/\">Allyship for WordPress Event Organizers</a>” workshop on August 19, 2021. The event had 13 attendees from six countries who reported a 52% increase in preparedness to help create inclusive WordPress events. <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/community/tag/wpdiversityworkshops/\">Stay tuned</a> for their next workshop in November!</li></ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator\" />\n\n\n\n<h2>Further Reading</h2>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Don’t miss this blog post on <a href=\"https://wordpress.org/news/2021/08/widgets-in-wordpress-5-8-and-beyond/\">Widgets in WordPress 5.8 and beyond</a>!</li><li>The Full Site Editing (FSE) Outreach program wrapped up its ninth challenge –– <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/test/2021/08/11/fse-program-testing-call-9-handling-highered-headers/\">Handling HigherEd Headers</a>, on September 1. Keep an eye out for <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/test/tag/fse-outreach-program/\">test results and future testing call announcements</a>!</li><li>The Test Team is <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/test/2021/08/19/test-team-chat-summary-17-august-2021/\">attempting to modernize PHPUnit tests</a> for WordPress.</li><li>The Accessibility Team is testing the <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/accessibility/2021/08/20/accessibility-team-meeting-notes-august-20-2021/\">navigation block</a> for accessibility feedback.</li><li>The Docs Team <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/docs/2021/08/31/summary-of-docs-team-meeting-aug-24-2021/\">launched a new repository</a> for tracking issues with WordPress documentation: <a href=\"https://github.com/WordPress/Documentation-Issue-Tracker\">https://github.com/WordPress/Documentation-Issue-Tracker</a></li><li>The Training Team <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/training/2021/08/17/proposal-brand-guidelines-for-learn-wordpress-content/#comment-3130\">finalized</a> brand <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/training/2021/08/17/proposal-brand-guidelines-for-learn-wordpress-content/\">guidelines</a> for <a href=\"https://learn.wordpress.org\">learn.wordpress.org</a>. The team is also working on setting up <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/training/2021/08/12/wordpress-101-microcourses-proposal/\">Micro courses for Learn</a>.</li><li>The Openverse Team is <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/openverse/2021/08/16/multi-stage-docker-builds-in-the-openverse-api/\">exploring Multistage docker builds</a> as a solution to better set up waveforms for audio search results in the Openverse tool. </li></ul>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Have a story that we should include in the next “Month in WordPress” post? Please </em><a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/community/month-in-wordpress-submissions/\"><em>submit it using this form</em></a><em>. </em></p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>The following folks contributed to August’s Month in WordPress: <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/evarlese/\" class=\"mention\"><span class=\"mentions-prefix\">@</span>evarlese</a> <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/meher/\" class=\"mention\"><span class=\"mentions-prefix\">@</span>meher</a> <em><a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/nao/\" class=\"mention\"><span class=\"mentions-prefix\">@</span>nao</a></em> <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/jillbinder/\" class=\"mention\"><span class=\"mentions-prefix\">@</span>jillbinder</a></em> <em><a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/webcommsat/\" class=\"mention\"><span class=\"mentions-prefix\">@</span>webcommsat</a></em></p>\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:7:\"pubDate\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:31:\"Fri, 03 Sep 2021 14:00:13 +0000\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:32:\"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/\";a:1:{s:7:\"creator\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:14:\"Hari Shanker R\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}}}i:29;a:6:{s:4:\"data\";s:13:\"\n \n \n \n \n \n \n\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"child\";a:2:{s:0:\"\";a:5:{s:5:\"title\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:73:\"WPTavern: Extendify Patches Vulnerabilities in the Redux Framework Plugin\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"guid\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:30:\"https://wptavern.com/?p=122200\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"link\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:191:\"https://wptavern.com/extendify-patches-vulnerabilities-in-the-redux-framework-plugin?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=extendify-patches-vulnerabilities-in-the-redux-framework-plugin\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:11:\"description\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:2456:\"<p>Wordfence has <a href=\"https://www.wordfence.com/blog/2021/09/over-1-million-sites-affected-by-redux-framework-vulnerabilities/\">published</a> two vulnerabilities that affect users of the Redux Framework plugin, which has more recently come to be know as the “<a href=\"https://wordpress.org/plugins/redux-framework/\">Gutenberg Template Library & Redux Framework</a>” on WordPress.org. Extendify purchased the plugin from its creator, Dōvy Paukstys, in November 2020, in a deal that was not highly publicized. It is currently active on more than 1 million WordPress sites.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>Throughout most of its history, Redux has been known as a popular options framework for themes and plugins. In 2020, Paukstys <a href=\"https://wptavern.com/redux-framework-relaunches-focuses-efforts-on-gutenberg-templates\">relaunched the framework</a> with a focus on Gutenberg templates. Users can now browse more than 1,000 templates from inside the block editor.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>It is this new template-browsing feature that was found to be vulnerable in Wordfence’s recent security report, due to a lax permissions check on the WP REST API endpoints the plugin uses to process requests in its template library. On August 3, 2021, Wordfence disclosed one high-severity vulnerability described as an <em>“Incorrect Authorization Leading to Arbitrary Plugin Installation and Post Deletion”</em> and a lower-severity <em>“Unauthenticated Sensitive Information Disclosure</em>” vulnerability to the plugin’s owners. The report published this week describes the nature of the threat:</p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote\"><p>One vulnerability allowed users with lower permissions, such as contributors, to install and activate arbitrary plugins and delete any post or page via the REST API. A second vulnerability allowed unauthenticated attackers to access potentially sensitive information about a site’s configuration.</p></blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>Extendify responded immediately and shipped a patched version (4.2.13) of the Redux Framework on August 11, 2021. At the time of publishing, more than 71% of sites using the Redux Framework plugin are running on older versions that remain vulnerable. Users are advised to update to the latest version in order to get the security patch, especially now that Wordfence has published an article showing how attackers could potentially exploit these vulnerabilities. </p>\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:7:\"pubDate\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:31:\"Fri, 03 Sep 2021 03:50:21 +0000\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:32:\"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/\";a:1:{s:7:\"creator\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:13:\"Sarah Gooding\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}}}i:30;a:6:{s:4:\"data\";s:13:\"\n \n \n \n \n \n \n\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"child\";a:2:{s:0:\"\";a:5:{s:5:\"title\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:101:\"WPTavern: A World Where (Some) Block Development Is Merely a Templating System With No Build Process?\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"guid\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:30:\"https://wptavern.com/?p=122154\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"link\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:241:\"https://wptavern.com/a-world-where-some-block-development-is-merely-a-templating-system-with-no-build-process?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=a-world-where-some-block-development-is-merely-a-templating-system-with-no-build-process\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:11:\"description\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:6447:\"<p class=\"has-drop-cap\">What if WordPress developers lived in a world where we could create PHP-based templates that would output data on the front end and handle editable fields via the block editor? Or, we had a system where we could create blocks without a build step?</p>\n\n\n\n<p>While there are many reasons the modern WordPress editor is not the best fit for everyone just yet, one stumbling block has been building custom interface components. The ecosystem has a deep history of creating bespoke solutions for clients using PHP. These have been custom meta boxes and form fields in the classic editor screen for the most part. When WordPress 5.0 launched with its block editor, it turned the world upside down, often leaving agencies and freelancers with no way to move forward without dedicating massive resources to learning React to build blocks or interact with the new editing screen.</p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>The solution?</em> Stick with what you know. It was cheaper and already seemed to do the job well.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>As we talk about the <a href=\"https://wptavern.com/wordpress-classic-editor-support-extended-for-at-least-another-year\">support window for the Classic Editor</a> plugin, the WordPress project needs people to provide tools for this segment of the ecosystem if it ever plans on bringing them along for the ride. Solutions such as ACF Pro and Genesis Custom Blocks have bridged some of the technical gaps. However, the user experience can be sub-par when using server-side rendering in the block editor. That method works well for some types of blocks but not all. We need to take this one step more.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>Mark Jaquith, a lead WordPress developer, shared a few questions from Helen Hou-Sandí, another lead developer, around this idea and a basic concept about <a href=\"https://twitter.com/markjaquith/status/1432461667187765251\">what this might look like</a>:</p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Weekend exploration, egged on and sparked by <a href=\"https://twitter.com/helenhousandi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@helenhousandi</a>:<br /><br />“What if building custom blocks for the Block Editor was as easy as supplying attributes and a block of HTML? What if this produced React editing code and PHP rendering code without a build step?” <a href=\"https://t.co/r86Phu88SX\">pic.twitter.com/r86Phu88SX</a></p>— Mark Jaquith (@markjaquith) <a href=\"https://twitter.com/markjaquith/status/1432461667187765251?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">August 30, 2021</a></blockquote>\n</div>\n\n\n\n<p>Hou-Sandí followed this with a <a href=\"https://helen.blog/2021/08/exploring-custom-blocks-from-a-php-centric-developer-ux-point-of-view/\">detailed post on the concept</a>, but she pointed out that this is merely an exploratory phase. </p>\n\n\n\n<p>“The React-based WordPress block editor (sometimes referred to as Gutenberg) is a powerful tool for WYSIWYG editing that continues to prove to be somewhere between a speed bump and a roadblock for long-time WordPress developers who historically have been more PHP-centric,” she wrote in the post.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you are a WordPress developer, there is a not-so-small chance that you are thinking, <em>Yep, I have hit a few of those speed bumps and crashed into that roadblock a few times.</em> This is unlikely news to you. What might start winning hearts and minds is acknowledging and understanding where much of the problem lies for custom development.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>“By leveraging the familiar parts of PHP-based templating and creating a bridge that demonstrates the power of React when combined with the markup and styling already being done for the front-end, we can de-duplicate code, help demystify the critical role of JavaScript in modernizing WordPress, and serve as an on-ramp for PHP-centric developers to create compelling and delightful 1:1 live preview editing experiences,” wrote Hou-Sandí.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>This all boils down to the process of, essentially, writing some template code that works on both the front-end and editor without all the complexities of currently setting up and building blocks. That is an exciting prospect, evidenced by the numerous likes, retweets, and replies to Jaquith’s tweet.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>Hou-Sandí pointed out that the current thought process is primarily about easing the transition for custom client block solutions and not necessarily for WordPress itself. However, that does not mean that this or a similar solution might not be a part of the core platform’s future.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>Gutenberg project lead Matías Ventura <a href=\"https://twitter.com/matias_ventura/status/1432648540501729281\">replied to Ben Gillbanks</a> in the same Twitter thread that it was definitely something they were considering. “From a core perspective we had to ensure the primitives and interactivity is not compromised, but there’s no reason why that should imply a full JS toolchain for simpler blocks. Lowering barrier of entry is important.”</p>\n\n\n\n<p>Like several others, Gillbanks thought that such a system would have made an easier transition for PHP-centric developers <a href=\"https://twitter.com/BinaryMoon/status/1432623688503922690\">from the start</a>. However, the project was not ready for that at the time, <a href=\"https://twitter.com/matias_ventura/status/1432638250422833153\">according to Ventura</a>.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>“It’s tricky to do something like this from the start until the compile target APIs are robust enough,” he tweeted. “We are getting to a point where many of the interactive properties are clustered into primitives and components, which makes a templating approach more appealing.”</p>\n\n\n\n<p>Automattic developer Riad Benguella shared a similar solution in the past week, launching the <a href=\"https://github.com/youknowriad/blocky\">Blocky project</a> on GitHub. With his approach, developers utilize the <code>block.json</code> file to create the template or view component and run it through a simple build step to generate the block’s code.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>While it is not too early to hope and dream, it may just be a bit premature to begin seriously considering whether such tools will land in core WordPress. However, seeing some of the lead WordPress and Gutenberg developers at least openly talking about solutions is something worth paying attention to.</p>\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:7:\"pubDate\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:31:\"Fri, 03 Sep 2021 01:37:59 +0000\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:32:\"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/\";a:1:{s:7:\"creator\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:14:\"Justin Tadlock\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}}}i:31;a:6:{s:4:\"data\";s:13:\"\n \n \n \n \n \n \n\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"child\";a:2:{s:0:\"\";a:5:{s:5:\"title\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:116:\"WPTavern: Gutenberg 11.4 Overhauls Galleries, Adds Axial Padding for Buttons, and Lays Groundwork for Global Spacing\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"guid\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:30:\"https://wptavern.com/?p=122156\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"link\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:273:\"https://wptavern.com/gutenberg-11-4-overhauls-galleries-adds-axial-padding-for-buttons-and-lays-groundwork-for-global-spacing?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=gutenberg-11-4-overhauls-galleries-adds-axial-padding-for-buttons-and-lays-groundwork-for-global-spacing\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:11:\"description\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:6285:\"<p class=\"has-drop-cap\">Another two weeks have flown by, and another <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/core/2021/09/01/whats-new-in-gutenberg-11-4-1-september/\">Gutenberg plugin update</a> is in the books. I always look forward to the latest release, awaiting what goodies our contributor community has produced. Sometimes I jump the gun and install a development version of the plugin to understand an upcoming feature, such as the new “block gap” style setting. Other times, I like to be surprised with enhancements like the new vertical/horizontal padding controls for the Button block.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>Of course, there is always a good chance that a plugin update will throw off our theme’s editor styles in a new and exciting way. It feels like it has been a while since Gutenberg caught me off guard. At least it is <em>only</em> the post title this go-round. The WP Tavern theme is aging a bit anyway. It is due for an update (<em>hint, hint</em>).</p>\n\n\n\n<p>Aside from block gap and axial padding, Gutenberg 11.4 turns the Gallery block into a container for nested Image blocks and adds duotone filter support to featured images. Other notable enhancements include an option for adding alt text to the Cover block and font-weight support to the Post Date, Post Terms, and Site Tagline blocks.</p>\n\n\n\n<h2>Axial Padding for Button Block</h2>\n\n\n\n<img />Adjusting vertical and horizontal Button padding.\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-drop-cap\">The Button block now supports changing the <a href=\"https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/33859\">spacing along the X or Y axis</a> when unlinking the padding. Previously, users could define the padding for all sides, but this could be tedious work. In most designs, top and bottom (vertical) padding should match, and left and right (horizontal) should get the same treatment.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>This change should speed up padding customization in nearly all cases. However, it does introduce a regression. The consensus in the ticket was that the tradeoff for a less cumbersome experience was worth less flexibility for edge cases.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>Overall, this should be a win for most. I am already a happier user.</p>\n\n\n\n<h2>Gallery Block Uses Nested Images</h2>\n\n\n\n<img />Adding a link to an Image block within a Gallery.\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-drop-cap\">The Gallery block in Gutenberg 11.4 supports <a href=\"https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/25940\">nesting individual Image blocks</a>. It is currently hidden behind an experimental support flag and must be enabled via the Gutenberg > Experiments settings screen.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>Effectively, the Gallery block is now a container. Inserting media still works the same way. The difference is that end-users have access to customize each Image block within a Gallery separately.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>One use case for this feature is to allow users to add custom links around images. However, they now have access to more of the Image block’s options, such as custom theme styles.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>Last week, I <a href=\"https://wptavern.com/gallery-block-refactor-expected-to-land-in-wordpress-5-9\">covered this feature in-depth</a> because it is expected to land in WordPress 5.9, and theme authors should be ready for the transition. This is a breaking change in terms of HTML. Any themer with custom Gallery block styles should test the front-end and editor output before WordPress merges the changes.</p>\n\n\n\n<h2>Featured Image Duotone Support</h2>\n\n\n\n<img />Applying a duotone filter to the Post Featured Image block.\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-drop-cap\">While we are still missing an <a href=\"https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/issues/33789\">image size control</a>, I will take any Post Featured Image block improvements I can get at this point. The block felt like a second-class citizen for so long that I am giddy about any enhancements.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>Duotone filters, which landed in WordPress 5.8, allow end-users to add a CSS filter over images to control shadow and highlight colors. Themes can register custom ones, or users can modify them. The latest Gutenberg plugin update <a href=\"https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/34113\">brings this feature</a> to the Post Featured Image block.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>This change allows theme authors to explore adding some visual flair since the Post Featured Image block is meant for templating or site editing. It still has a long way to go before it is ready for more advanced theme design, but the tools are getting us closer.</p>\n\n\n\n<h2>Global Block “Gap” for Themes</h2>\n\n\n\n<img />Highlighting a Paragraph block and its preceding “gap” (top margin).\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-drop-cap\">One custom feature that has become commonplace with themes that support the block editor is a “global spacing” style rule, which controls the whitespace between elements. Gutenberg contributors have noticed this trend and are now <a href=\"https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/33812\">shipping a standard solution</a> for it. Themes that use a <code>theme.json</code> file will automatically opt into support.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>The gap feature adds a top margin to all adjacent sibling elements within block containers. This creates the space between each block using a standard method. Theme authors can control this via the <code>styles.spacing.blockGap</code> key in their <code>theme.json</code> files.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you are a theme developer, this is one of the most crucial components of block theming from a pure design viewpoint. It is not something to avoid until it lands in WordPress. The time to test and provide feedback is now.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>It is also merely a first step. There are pieces left to implement and problems to solve. There is currently an <a href=\"https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/33991\">open pull request</a> to bring this to editor block controls. There is also <a href=\"https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/issues/34441\">another ticket</a> for zeroing out the margins for the first and last blocks, which would typically not need any. There are still some open questions on how to best deal with exceptions to the default block gap in the original ticket.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>Regardless of its unfinished nature, it is an exciting development if you care anything at all about vertical rhythm in design systems.</p>\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:7:\"pubDate\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:31:\"Thu, 02 Sep 2021 00:29:14 +0000\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:32:\"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/\";a:1:{s:7:\"creator\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:14:\"Justin Tadlock\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}}}i:32;a:6:{s:4:\"data\";s:13:\"\n \n \n \n \n \n \n\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"child\";a:2:{s:0:\"\";a:5:{s:5:\"title\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:92:\"WPTavern: WordPress Translation Day 2021 Kicks Off September 1, Expanded to Month-Long Event\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"guid\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:30:\"https://wptavern.com/?p=122052\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"link\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:227:\"https://wptavern.com/wordpress-translation-day-2021-kicks-off-september-1-expanded-to-month-long-event?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=wordpress-translation-day-2021-kicks-off-september-1-expanded-to-month-long-event\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:11:\"description\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:3580:\"<img />WordPress Translation Day 2021\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https://wptranslationday.org/\">WordPress Translation Day</a> kicked off today, and the event has been expanded to run from September 1-30 this year. WordPress Polyglots contributors from all over the world will be hosting mini-events throughout the month where they will be translating <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/polyglots/handbook/translating/projects-to-translate/\">themes, plugins, apps, meta, docs, and other important projects.</a> Events will also focus on recruitment, virtual training for new PTEs/GTEs, and general process improvements.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>In the past, the event has been a boon for the Polyglots contributor base. In 2020, the teams hosted more than 20 local events, resulting in more than 175,000 strings translated. French, Spanish, and Japanese-language locales logged the most translated strings during the first week last year. </p>\n\n\n\n<p>There are currently seven mini-events <a href=\"https://wptranslationday.org/wptd-2021/local-events/\">scheduled</a> for 2021 in different locales throughout the month of September. From Portugal to Tehran to Jakarta, contributors are planning sprints to translate popular plugins and WordPress core. In Bengaluru, one of the largest IT hubs in India, organizers will be onboarding new translators, including high school students who are interested in contributing to WordPress.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>WordPress Translation Day will also include some <a href=\"https://wptranslationday.org/wptd-2021/global-events/\">global events</a> during the second half of the month. These events will be hosted in English and contributors of all experience levels are welcome to attend: </p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li><strong>Friday, September 17th (time to be announced): </strong>Introduction to WordPress Translation Day</li><li><strong>Sunday, September 19th at 12:00 UTC:</strong> Panel on Polyglots Tools</li><li><strong>Tuesday, September 21st at 11:00 UTC: </strong>Panel on Open Source Translation Communities</li><li><strong>Thursday, September 30th (time to be announced):</strong> Closing Party – Why do you translate?</li></ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Attendees will be able to participate live as the events are broadcasted on YouTube. The final session will recap the month’s events, highlight success stories, and will also include some activities and games. </p>\n\n\n\n<p>This year translators are extending their volunteer efforts to some newer projects, including working with the Training Team to translate video workshops hosted on learn.wordpress.org, <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/community/2021/07/07/tuesday-trainings-how-to-translate-community-team-resources/\">translating Community team resources</a>, translating the <a href=\"https://translate.wordpress.org/projects/patterns/core/\">Block Patterns project</a>, and <a href=\"https://translate.wordpress.org/projects/meta/pattern-directory/\">translating</a> the <a href=\"https://wordpress.org/patterns/\">Pattern Directory</a> itself. </p>\n\n\n\n<p>The global events combined with the local mini-events are essentially like a virtual Polyglots WordCamp held over the span of a month. Attendees will have opportunities to connect with other translators and team leaders and share their experiences contributing to WordPress. If you are new and thinking of joining the Polyglots team, check out the new <a href=\"https://learn.wordpress.org/course/polyglots-contributor-training/\">Polyglots Training course</a> on Learn WordPress.org to find out more about contributing.</p>\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:7:\"pubDate\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:31:\"Wed, 01 Sep 2021 17:21:16 +0000\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:32:\"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/\";a:1:{s:7:\"creator\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:13:\"Sarah Gooding\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}}}i:33;a:6:{s:4:\"data\";s:13:\"\n \n \n \n \n \n \n\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"child\";a:2:{s:0:\"\";a:5:{s:5:\"title\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:71:\"HeroPress: Being a freelancer can be the most stable thing in Taco land\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"guid\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:56:\"https://heropress.com/?post_type=heropress-essays&p=4088\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"link\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:194:\"https://heropress.com/essays/being-a-freelancer-can-be-the-most-stable-thing-in-taco-land/#utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=being-a-freelancer-can-be-the-most-stable-thing-in-taco-land\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:11:\"description\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:8822:\"<img width=\"1024\" height=\"512\" src=\"https://heropress.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/083121-min.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-post-image\" alt=\"Pull Quote: With WordPress magical things can happen.\" /><p><a href=\"https://heropress.com/feed/#espanol\">Este ensayo también está disponible en español.</a></p>\n<p>I am a very lucky person. I studied software engineering at a private university, I’m white, straight, handsome, and I live in Taco land.</p>\n<p>I could have easily joined a multinational but there was always something that stopped me. It was probably that I felt I didn’t fit into the office world.</p>\n<p>My friends became engineers looking to create video games. Someone succeeded there, but then the company where he worked was closed. All I knew was that I wanted to do something with computers and graphics. You study the closest thing to what you have in your head but the reality is always different.</p>\n<p>I like programming but I am not passionate about it. I’m in love with visuals, so creating web pages with a platform as friendly as WordPress fit perfectly with my profile. Since I like to write and join puzzles, plugins and now Gutenberg blocks have made literally everything fit in my work.</p>\n<p>Working for projects instead of for a single company has given me the opportunity to see many worlds.</p>\n<h3>The word WordPress has given me a lot in life</h3>\n<p>Like when a client found me on Google searching for a specialist WordPress developer to ensure that a film festival website was always online.</p>\n<blockquote><p>With WordPress magical things can happen, such as getting to know Brazil thanks to this project and since I had continuity, they looked for me again for the next edition to go back in person.</p></blockquote>\n<p>But then you learn some business.</p>\n<p>I put the condition that they also pay the plane ticket to my then girlfriend. I threw in such a condition thinking that they would not do it, but it was accepted.</p>\n<p>And you think: budgets must be exercised and the peace of mind of having someone in person is worth more than you think.</p>\n<h3>With WordPress, every time you give it comes back to you</h3>\n<p>Like when in 2013 I opened the help group on Facebook: WordPress Guadalajara and by sharing bits of my daily knowledge, people began to position me as the person they should turn to.</p>\n<p>It is not that you share knowledge for the benefit, but somehow it always multiplies. In the community you meet people who inspire you and who make you reflect on where you stand and thanks to whom.</p>\n<p>I want to talk now about my wife, she is also white and privileged. She did not finish university because she has always been rather self-taught, she dropped out when she realized that the level was not what she was looking for, so she found great teachers outside. She sells her drawings and for a long time she made more money than me.</p>\n<p>Besides life, money is something we share. I sold her website to her ten years ago and she is the most talented artist I know, <a href=\"https://instagram.com/dianamartinart\">you should meet her.</a></p>\n<p>One day an acquaintance dared to ask me what it felt like for her to pay the bills. When you are young it makes you want to argue with everyone. What makes me laugh is that at some point my wife is going to make a lot more money than me again. In the meantime it’s nice to move forward together in Taco Land.</p>\n<blockquote><p>As time goes by, you realize that it is a good idea to choose your battles. And that there are things that you can achieve little by little if you have enough continuity.</p></blockquote>\n<p>For many years they asked me if I continued making web pages, or if that making pages was still profitable…</p>\n<p>Making web pages is a fundamental part of my life. Along with the tacos, my dogs and my wife.</p>\n<p>It seems that if you offer a good service, making web pages turns out to be more stable than working for any multinational. So it has been for me.</p>\n<p>Even in the pandemic I have had more clients than ever, of course, helped by a great team such as my partner and star web designer, Nina, who taught me how specialists who work independently for the common good can join together.</p>\n<h1 id=\"espanol\">Ser freelancer puede ser lo más estable en el país de los tacos</h1>\n<p>Soy una persona con mucha suerte. Estudié una ingeniería de software en una universidad privada, soy blanco, heterosexual, guapo y vivo en el país de los tacos.</p>\n<p>Fácilmente pude unirme a una multinacional pero siempre hubo algo que me lo impidió. Probablemente fue que sentía que no encajaba en el mundo de las oficinas.</p>\n<p>Mis amigos se hicieron ingenieros buscando crear videojuegos. Por ahí uno lo logró pero luego cerraron la empresa donde trabajaba. Yo lo único que sabía era que quería hacer algo gráfico con computadoras. Uno estudia lo más parecido a lo que tiene en su cabeza pero la realidad siempre es otra.</p>\n<p>Me gusta la programación pero no me apasiona. A mí me enamoras con lo visual y la creación de páginas web con una plataforma tan amigable como WordPress encajó perfecto con mi perfil. Como me gusta redactar y unir rompecabezas, los plugins y ahora los bloques de Gutenberg han hecho que literalmente todo encaje en mi trabajo.</p>\n<p>Trabajar por proyectos en vez de para una sola empresa me ha brindado la oportunidad de conocer muchos mundos.</p>\n<h3>La palabra WordPress me ha dado mucho en la vida</h3>\n<p>Como cuando una clienta me encontró en Google buscando a un desarrollador especialista en WordPress para garantizar que el sitio web de un festival de cine estuviera siempre en línea.</p>\n<blockquote><p>Con WordPress pueden pasar cosas mágicas, como conocer Brasil gracias a este proyecto y si tienes continuidad, que te vuelvan a buscar para la siguiente edición y volver a ir presencialmente.</p></blockquote>\n<p>Pero entonces aprendes de negocios.</p>\n<p>Puse la condición de que también le pagaran el boleto de avión a mi en ese entonces novia. Yo solté esa condición pensando que no lo harían, pero sí se logró.</p>\n<p>Y piensas: los presupuestos se deben de ejercer y la tranquilidad de tener a alguien presencial vale más de lo que uno cree.</p>\n<h3>Con WordPress cada vez que das se te regresa</h3>\n<p>Como cuando en 2013 abrí el grupo de ayuda en Facebook WordPress Guadalajara y al compartir pedacitos de mis conocimientos diarios la gente me fue ubicando como la persona a la que debían de acudir.</p>\n<p>No es que compartas por el beneficio, pero de alguna manera este se va multiplicando. En la comunidad conoces gente que te inspira y que te hace reflexionar sobre dónde estás parado y gracias a quien.</p>\n<p>Quiero hablar ahora de mi esposa, ella también es blanca y privilegiada. No terminó la universidad porque siempre ha sido más bien autodidacta, se salió cuando se dio cuenta de que el nivel no era lo que buscaba, pero tuvo grandes maestros por fuera. Vende sus dibujos y por mucho tiempo hacía más dinero que yo.</p>\n<p>Además de la vida, el dinero es algo que compartimos. A ella le vendí su sitio web hace diez años y es la artista más talentosa que conozco, <a href=\"https://instagram.com/dianamartinart\">deberías de conocerla.</a></p>\n<p>Una vez un conocido se atrevió a decirme que qué se sentía que ella me mantuviera. Cuando eres joven te dan ganas de discutir con todo mundo. Lo que me da risa es que es muy probable que en algún momento mi esposa vaya a hacer mucho más dinero que yo de nuevo. Pero es bonito avanzar juntos en el país de los tacos.</p>\n<blockquote><p>Conforme pasa el tiempo te das cuenta de que es buena idea elegir tus batallas. Y que hay cosas que puedes lograr poco a poco si tienes la continuidad suficiente.</p></blockquote>\n<p>Por muchos años me preguntaban si seguía haciendo páginas web, o que si eso de hacer páginas era todavía algo que dejara dinero…</p>\n<p>Hacer páginas web es una parte fundamental de mi vida. Junto con los tacos, mis perritas y mi mujer.</p>\n<p>Pareciera que si ofreces un buen servicio, hacer páginas web resulta ser más estable que trabajar para cualquier multinacional. Así lo ha sido para mí.</p>\n<p>Incluso en la pandemia he tenido más clientes que nunca, claro, ayudado de un gran equipo de trabajo como lo es mi socia y diseñadora web estrella, Nina, quien me enseñó sobre cómo pueden unirse especialistas que trabajen de forma independiente por un bien común.</p>\n<p>The post <a rel=\"nofollow\" href=\"https://heropress.com/essays/being-a-freelancer-can-be-the-most-stable-thing-in-taco-land/\">Being a freelancer can be the most stable thing in Taco land</a> appeared first on <a rel=\"nofollow\" href=\"https://heropress.com\">HeroPress</a>.</p>\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:7:\"pubDate\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:31:\"Wed, 01 Sep 2021 13:01:04 +0000\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:32:\"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/\";a:1:{s:7:\"creator\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:11:\"Jos Velasco\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}}}i:34;a:6:{s:4:\"data\";s:13:\"\n \n \n \n \n \n \n\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"child\";a:2:{s:0:\"\";a:5:{s:5:\"title\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:85:\"WPTavern: Gutenberg Contributors Get Organized to Move Block-Based Navigation Forward\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"guid\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:30:\"https://wptavern.com/?p=122056\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"link\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:215:\"https://wptavern.com/gutenberg-contributors-get-organized-to-move-block-based-navigation-forward?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=gutenberg-contributors-get-organized-to-move-block-based-navigation-forward\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:11:\"description\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:4489:\"<p>The block-based Navigation editor screen got a status check last week as part of a Hallway Hangout <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/core/2021/08/25/hallway-hangout-summary-compare-and-contrast-the-navigation-screens/?mc_cid=c38e4d6475&mc_eid=68ffa9a210\">meeting</a> aimed at identifying what needs to happen to bring the screen out from behind the “experimental” flag. Once the Navigation screen is available by default in the Gutenberg plugin, the team working on the feature will be able to gather more feedback. </p>\n\n\n\n<p>“The navigation block and navigation screen projects have been underway for quite some time and are a main target for 5.9,” Gutenberg lead developer Matias Ventura said in a <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/core/2021/08/13/preliminary-road-to-5-9/\">post</a> outlining the main focus items planned for the block editor in WordPress 5.9.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>“A large part of the remaining work is to improve the user experience, reduce complexity, and test as much as possible on themes.”</p>\n\n\n\n<p>Contributors participating in the meeting agreed that in order to move the Navigation screen out of the experimental stage, it will need to have UI/UX feature parity with what will soon be the classic Navigation screen (<strong><code>nav-menus.php</code></strong>). Participants came prepared with notes comparing features from the existing Navigation screen to the new block-based one. These are <a href=\"https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1UB6fMaPmQPGr-xf_R0-P3Mjef_Fhe7UJOBc0dir1GjA/edit#gid=0\">listed in a Google doc</a> with a rough priority assignment.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>Trudging through the many discrepancies between the two Navigation editing experiences allowed the team to update the project’s <a href=\"https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/issues/29102\">tracking issue</a> on GitHub. It is being reorganized to focus on the tasks required to move the block-based Navigation screen out of “experimental” status. Nearly two dozen issues have been designated as high priority and 32 are marked as normal.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>Work on the Navigation screen has stalled considerably since it was <a href=\"https://wptavern.com/new-block-based-navigation-and-widgets-screens-sidelined-for-wordpress-5-5\">sidelined from consideration for WordPress 5.5</a> in July 2020. The <a href=\"https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/issues/22931\">previous tracking issue</a> for the project became obsolete in February, forcing the creation of <a href=\"https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/issues/29102\">a new one</a> that now aggregates all of the priority items for moving block-based Navigation forward. The recorded Hallway Hangout was a transparent discussion about what the UI is lacking and where it needs to go. It was a necessary, albeit tedious, accounting of issues that will get the project back on track.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>The UI is still in a very rough state. Nesting is rudimentary. It’s not possible to assign menu locations. Adding menu items between existing items is very difficult, among a number of other critical issues. At this point, it would require an extraordinary effort to extract the block-based Navigation screen from its quagmiry state in order to have it ready for prime time in WordPress 5.9. The release is expected in December 2021 – just three months away.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>David Smith, who facilitated the meeting, tempered expectations for the block-based Navigation screen with a few clarifications for what it will mean to take the feature out from under the “experimental” flag:</p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>We wouldn’t commit to feature parity of <em>developer</em> focused APIs at this stage.</li><li>Removing “experimental” in the Gutenberg <em>plugin</em>, would not automatically make the feature ready for merging into Core (that won’t happen until WordPress 5.9 <em>at the earliest</em>).</li></ul>\n\n\n\n<p>While the block-based Navigation screen landing in 5.9 doesn’t seem likely, contributors’ recent organizational efforts put them well on their way towards getting the project out from under the “experimental” flag. Check out the <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/core/2021/08/25/hallway-hangout-summary-compare-and-contrast-the-navigation-screens/?mc_cid=c38e4d6475&mc_eid=68ffa9a210\">recorded meeting</a> for a deep dive into the Navigation screen UI and a glimpse of where it’s headed.</p>\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:7:\"pubDate\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:31:\"Wed, 01 Sep 2021 04:14:11 +0000\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:32:\"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/\";a:1:{s:7:\"creator\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:13:\"Sarah Gooding\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}}}i:35;a:6:{s:4:\"data\";s:13:\"\n \n \n \n \n \n \n\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"child\";a:2:{s:0:\"\";a:5:{s:5:\"title\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:58:\"WPTavern: Ask the Bartender: How To Find Project Partners?\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"guid\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:30:\"https://wptavern.com/?p=122065\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"link\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:157:\"https://wptavern.com/ask-the-bartender-how-to-find-project-partners?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=ask-the-bartender-how-to-find-project-partners\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:11:\"description\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:5490:\"<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote\"><p>I was wondering, where should I go if I want to find a developer to work with on an idea? I have an idea for a product. I know the market well, I’m part of the target audience, and I just need someone else that would be passionate and interested in the idea just as much as myself to have to agree to work on an open-source project. Tinder for project partners?</p><cite>Derin</cite></blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-drop-cap\">If I am being honest, your question reminds me of my cousin. He is what I call an “ideas” guy. Every few weeks or so, he calls me up with several new rough concepts of things that could make some money. Most of these conversations end with him asking if I could build him a website or an app. “We can split the profits 50/50,” he would say. I then tell him that I would rather be paid upfront and show him my rates. He can reap 100% of the profits down the line. He moves on to the next thing.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>As I said, he has loads of ideas. His problem is with the follow-through. Anyone can dream up the perfect product or service. The stumbling blocks tend to be all the steps between concept and production.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>It will be hard to sell any legitimate developer on a dream alone. Feeding, sheltering, and clothing one’s family comes first. You must have a way to pay for those things in almost all scenarios.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>I have built projects on nothing but faith with others. Some have worked out. Most have not. Having cash on hand to pay for those months in development will provide a smidgeon of security for the programmer putting in the time to turn a dream into reality.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>One of those projects I completed for my cousin in my younger and less-financially-intelligent days was a hunting and fishing “magazine” website. It actually saw some early success. The accompanying Facebook group grew to about 1,500 members in the first year or so. The audience was there, but there was no business plan. There were no products or services. No advertising deals. No payday coming for Justin.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>I know 100s of developers who have been in the same boat at one point or another. Most of them wise up after the first project or two that goes nowhere.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>Most dream projects that folks build will be personal itches that they are scratching. If there is no guarantee of a paycheck, it is something they are already passionate about. It sounds like that is the sort of person you want to work with, so you will need to find someone likely already motivated about the same market as you. Without knowing your particular market, it is hard to say where your starting point might be.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>Let us assume your idea is the Next Big Thing. If you need someone on the development end, you should be prepared to take on the other roles to make the project successful. Do you have a business plan? What is your marketing approach? Do you have research that shows there is a market for the idea? Mockups of a potential UI? If you want to pitch someone on coming along for your journey, make sure you have done everything possible to show that it is something worthwhile.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>Where to find that elusive partner, though? It tends to be easier to find open doors when you are involved in the WordPress development community. It is about making connections. That can be through blogging or joining a business-friendly community like <a href=\"https://poststatus.com/\">Post Status</a>. The more involved you are, the more people you can meet who may share your passions or be able to point you to others who do.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>My usual advice would be to visit your local WordCamp to meet others in person. Of course, during this Covid-era, such conferences are virtual. There are tons of online-only <a href=\"https://wptavern.com/category/wordcamps-meetups\">events</a> that can help you connect with people in the community.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>Those human-to-human connections are your foundation, even if they are just over the web.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>I do like the notion of a “Tinder” for WordPress project partners, or at least some type of networking place for folks. That could be a unique site and service you could build without a developer — just a domain, hosting plan, and a business model. It could even be the launchpad for finding the partner for your dream project.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>If all else fails, there is always the DIY route — I am guessing you are not a developer. Many plugin authors have been born from a dream and not a lick of coding knowledge. I started in this industry primarily because I needed my website to have specific functionality. With no money to pay for it, I just started learning. I even enjoyed the art of programming and built a semi-successful business that I ran for over a decade. It is not some magical skill that only a certain few possess. Anyone can pick up the trade with time and effort.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you do not have a developer in your corner, that may just need to be one of the hats you must wear as you kick-start your project. Once you start turning a profit, you can hire out that position.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>I have probably not adequately answered your question. The truth is that anything I have ever done with success has started by connecting with others in the WordPress community. So, I am going to kick this can down to our readers. How would you approach finding the right development partner for a great idea?</p>\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:7:\"pubDate\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:31:\"Tue, 31 Aug 2021 23:10:46 +0000\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:32:\"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/\";a:1:{s:7:\"creator\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:14:\"Justin Tadlock\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}}}i:36;a:6:{s:4:\"data\";s:13:\"\n \n \n \n \n \n \n\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"child\";a:2:{s:0:\"\";a:5:{s:5:\"title\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:79:\"WPTavern: Automattic Acquires Frontity, Founders to Work Full-Time on Gutenberg\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"guid\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:30:\"https://wptavern.com/?p=121918\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"link\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:201:\"https://wptavern.com/automattic-acquires-frontity-founders-to-work-full-time-on-gutenberg?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=automattic-acquires-frontity-founders-to-work-full-time-on-gutenberg\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:11:\"description\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:4928:\"<img />Frontity co-founders Pablo Postigo and Luis<br />Herranz\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https://automattic.com/\">Automattic</a> has <a href=\"https://frontity.org/blog/frontity-is-joining-automattic/\">acquired Frontity</a>, the company behind an open source framework for building WordPress themes with React. The acquisition comes more than a year after the company <a href=\"https://wptavern.com/frontity-raises-e1m-with-automattic-and-k-fund\">raised €1M in funding</a> in a round led by <a href=\"https://kfund.co/\">K Fund</a>, with Automattic covering 22%. Frontity co-founders Pablo Postigo and Luis Herranz and their team will no longer be developing and maintaining the framework. Their new focus will be on contributing to the WordPress open source project and improving the full site editing developer experience.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>“After a series of conversations, Automattic offered to sponsor our team to work directly on the WordPress open source project,” Frontity’s founders said in the announcement. “In particular, to contribute our expertise in developer experience, frontend tooling, performance, and UX to the WordPress core itself, instead of doing so only for an external tool.”</p>\n\n\n\n<p>In a separate <a href=\"https://frontity.org/frontity-automattic-qa/\">FAQ document</a>, Frontity clarified that this acquisition does not mean the framework will be merged into WordPress, nor does it mean the team plans to bring React into the WordPress PHP or full site editing themes. The founders intend to apply their expertise to the Gutenberg project full time: </p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote\"><p>Even though Frontity is a React framework, it doesn’t mean that we are going to push React to the WordPress frontend. We will look at the Gutenberg and full site editing space to identify those areas in which our work could have the most significant impact, and work closely with the WordPress community to help improve its developer experience.</p><p>WordPress is already the best content platform on the web. We want to help it become the best development platform on the web.</p></blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>In addition to putting the Frontity team on improving developer experience, Automattic is also investing in other ways that expand its support of the Gutenberg project. The company has recently <a href=\"https://twitter.com/sparklingrobots/status/1422299507388125203\">hired a new head of developer relations</a> who is building out a team tasked with improving the developer experience with Gutenberg and full-site editing. Birgit Pauli-Haack is a new member of that team and Automattic is also <a href=\"https://twitter.com/bph/status/1432272585404915713\">sponsoring</a> her curation of the <a href=\"https://twitter.com/gutenbergtimes\">Gutenberg Times</a> publication and the <a href=\"https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/gutenberg-changelog/id1469294475\">Changelog Podcast</a>. </p>\n\n\n\n<h2>Frontity Framework Will Transition to a Community-Led Project</h2>\n\n\n\n<p>As the result of the acquisition and the team’s reassignment to working on Gutenberg, Frontity’s founders are transitioning the framework to be a community-led project. The team has prepared to leave the project in “a stable, bug-free position,” with documentation regarding what features they were working on. The framework is used by many companies and agencies, including high profile sites like the <a href=\"https://www.tiktok.com/creators/creator-portal/\">TikTok Creator Portal</a>, popular Catholic news site <a href=\"https://aleteia.org/\">Aleteia</a>, and <a href=\"https://www.diariomotor.com/\">Diariomotor</a>, a popular Spanish automotive publication. </p>\n\n\n\n<p>“As far as we know, Automattic is not using Frontity Framework in any of its products,” Frontity CEO and co-founder Pablo Postigo said. “But we know there are a lot of Automatticians who have been following our progress closely. </p>\n\n\n\n<p>“We are aware that WordPress VIP does recommend Frontity for decoupled solutions, too. We are sure our experience and knowledge might be of help for this team as well.”</p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center text-center\">The departure of Frontity’s founders and team introduces some uncertainty into the future of the framework. When asked if it can survive as a community-led project, Postigo was optimistic but not certain.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>“We still think that Frontity Framework is the best way to run a decoupled WordPress site with React and that this will be the case for a long time,” Postigo said. </p>\n\n\n\n<p>“It is still too early to know what will happen. Frontity has a great community behind it, there are a lot of great projects which are using the framework in production, and there’s also a nice group of really active contributors. We feel really positive about the future of the framework.”</p>\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:7:\"pubDate\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:31:\"Tue, 31 Aug 2021 00:47:41 +0000\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:32:\"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/\";a:1:{s:7:\"creator\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:13:\"Sarah Gooding\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}}}i:37;a:6:{s:4:\"data\";s:13:\"\n \n \n \n \n \n \n\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"child\";a:2:{s:0:\"\";a:5:{s:5:\"title\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:70:\"WPTavern: Announce Your Plugin to the World, Shout It From the Rooftop\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"guid\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:30:\"https://wptavern.com/?p=114661\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"link\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:183:\"https://wptavern.com/announce-your-plugin-to-the-world-shout-it-from-the-rooftop?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=announce-your-plugin-to-the-world-shout-it-from-the-rooftop\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:11:\"description\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:6075:\"<p class=\"has-drop-cap\">The easiest way to kill your WordPress plugin is to fail to let the world know about it. If you cannot manage a tweet, blog post, or quick note on Facebook, you may as well sign the death certificate then and there.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>I get it. I have been there. Not everyone is a marketing guru, so putting out the right messaging might seem like speaking in a foreign language. But no messaging at all? That will not bode well for your young project.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>Part of my job is finding plugins and sharing them with the community. Every week, I am on the lookout for that next great idea. Or, at least, a sort-of-good idea. I scour Twitter, regular blogs that I read, and official WordPress directories for plugins and themes. What I like most about writing about our beloved platform is not big business deals or the latest drama. While those pieces can be fun, I am most interested in what people create on top of the software. Whether a large company or an individual builds a new plugin, I am always excited when Monday rolls around. I can begin my search anew.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>Often, I will find a new plugin that looks promising, so I dive into it. I install and activate it. At times, I find something so interesting that I have no choice but to share it. However, most of the time, I need a little push. To understand “the why” behind it. I do a quick check to see if they have written a blog post, tweeted about it, or shared it in some way. More often than not, nothing exists about it other than its listing in the plugin directory. And, reaching out to devs via email is often a hit-or-miss affair.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>When you do not announce your new project to the world, it feels like you are not passionate about it.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>I understand that some people simply hash out an idea and decide to drop it in the plugin directory. They are not in it for glory or even recognition. For them, it is just a piece of code they thought might come in hand for others. But, usage is the lifeblood of software. If no one else downloads, installs, and activates your plugin, can we really call it software?</p>\n\n\n\n<p>Like the proverbial tree falling in the forest, whether it makes a sound is irrelevant if no one is around to hear it.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>I have been mulling over whether to finishing writing this post for months, unsure if I was ever going to hit the publish button. I initially scratched down some notes in early April, attempting to understand why so few go through the <em>trouble</em> of doing any marketing of their plugins. I reached out to Bridget Willard to get insight from someone with a rich history in the marketing world. She had just published <em><a href=\"https://bridgetwillard.com/how-to-market-your-plugin/\">How To Market Your Plugin</a></em> the month before, so the timing made sense.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, I still felt too frustrated with the status quo in the WordPress community. A message from a reader wishing that we would mention alternative choices for plugin-related posts prompted me to revisit this. The truth is simple. So many projects fly under the radar because their authors begin and end their marketing by submitting to WordPress.org.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>“Marketing is communication,” said Willard. “At the basic level, you must ‘tell people’ you have a product. The basic minimum is a blog post with social posts on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn. It’s scary to market while you build, but that’s what the automobile industry does (along with others). You have to create the desire for the product — more than fixing a problem.”</p>\n\n\n\n<p>While she tends to focus on products and services, I asked her what developers should be doing regardless of whether their plugins are commercial or free.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>“I advocate with all of my being having a landing page on your main site (not a new site) promoting your plugin — while you’re building it,” paraphrasing from a chapter in her book. “Take signups for beta testers, start email marketing. The blog post is anti-climatic in many ways, and one or two tweets aren’t enough. Even better is to customize the sign-up ‘thank you page’ with something special — a video talking about your goals, for example. It’s not the time to have a tutorial or demo. This is about communicating your vision.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>“The sad thing is that many plugin developers don’t see the need to spend money on a ‘free’ plugin. The axiom is true, ‘it takes money to make money.’ If you want sales, you need marketing. The sale for a free plugin is a download, and those are just as important.”</p>\n\n\n\n<p>Part of me missed the old <a href=\"https://weblogtoolscollection.com/\">Weblog Tools Collection</a> era. Every few days, the site would share a post with the latest plugins (themes too) with short descriptions of each. It was an easy win if you had no marketing skills. Developers could submit their new projects, and the team would share them with the community. When I was a young and upcoming developer, it was one of the only ways I knew how to reach folks in the WordPress community aside from pushing stuff from my own blog.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>Today, we have far more avenues for sharing our work via social networking. Of course, the downside is that you have to cut through the noise.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>In the long run, I would like to see an overhaul of the WordPress.org directory, focusing on the discoverability of plugins by feature instead of <em>only</em> popularity. Not all developers are known for their marketing skills. Having a little help from the directory they feed into could make it easier for budding developers to jump from hobby to business.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>Until then, let the world know about your plugin. Even if it seems like you are shouting into the abyss, you may just hear an answer from someone who noticed your passion. If nothing else, <a href=\"https://wptavern.com/contact\">let us know about it</a> here at WP Tavern.</p>\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:7:\"pubDate\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:31:\"Mon, 30 Aug 2021 23:10:14 +0000\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:32:\"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/\";a:1:{s:7:\"creator\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:14:\"Justin Tadlock\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}}}i:38;a:6:{s:4:\"data\";s:13:\"\n \n \n \n \n \n \n\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"child\";a:2:{s:0:\"\";a:5:{s:5:\"title\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:33:\"Matt: Frontity to Join Automattic\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"guid\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:22:\"https://ma.tt/?p=54707\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"link\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:50:\"https://ma.tt/2021/08/frontity-to-join-automattic/\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:11:\"description\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:1135:\"<p>Since Frontity <a href=\"https://docs.frontity.org/getting-started/quick-start-guide\">launched their open source framework</a>, they have been making the integration between React and WordPress easier. Their proven drive and experience with clean technological solutions will benefit our efforts as we continue to make the block and theme APIs a joy to use and WordPress the best development platform on the web.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>The next step in the growth of this relationship is for <a href=\"https://frontity.org/learn/\">Frontity</a> and its team to join <a href=\"https://automattic.com/\">Automattic</a> and contribute to core WordPress.org as part of our commitment to <a href=\"https://wordpress.org/five-for-the-future/pledge/automattic/\">Five for the Future</a>.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>I believe there’s still a lot that we can learn from decoupled systems and we can incorporate those learnings into WordPress itself as we emphasize performance, flexibility, and ease of development. I look forward to Frontity joining WordPress and channeling their efforts into the WordPress APIs, documentation, and Gutenberg’s full-site editing tools.</p>\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:7:\"pubDate\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:31:\"Mon, 30 Aug 2021 22:09:50 +0000\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:32:\"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/\";a:1:{s:7:\"creator\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:4:\"Matt\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}}}i:39;a:6:{s:4:\"data\";s:13:\"\n \n \n \n \n \n \n\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"child\";a:2:{s:0:\"\";a:5:{s:5:\"title\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:125:\"Gutenberg Times: Theme.json Horizon, Classic Editor plugin extended, Gallery Block Refactor and more – Weekend Edition #182\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"guid\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:35:\"https://gutenbergtimes.com/?p=18792\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"link\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:69:\"https://gutenbergtimes.com/classic-editor-plugin-weekend-edition-182/\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:11:\"description\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:12859:\"<p>Howdy! </p>\n\n\n\n<p>Greetings from Germany, where the weather is moody and federal election campaigns heat up. As the American rule to avoid politics and religion at dinner table discussions doesn’t apply, we have lots to talk about with family and friends we haven’t seen for over two years. You can view my photos, mostly landscapes, on<a href=\"https://www.instagram.com/idx/\"> Instagram.</a></p>\n\n\n\n<p>As mentioned in the last edition, I have fabulous news. </p>\n\n\n\n<p>I am thrilled to announce that on Monday, August 30th, I will start as developer advocate at Automattic. Automattic will also sponsor the Gutenberg Times and the Changelog Podcast. </p>\n\n\n\n<p>To be part of the WordPress developer relations team feels to me like coming home, and I am deeply grateful to Automattic for offering me the position. The best is yet to come for Gutenberg and publishing with blocks. I am elated, to be part of an astonishing team to take the world-wide WordPress community on the next journey.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>Via previous surveys, you shared a considerable amount of great ideas on how to improve the Gutenberg Times, Live Q & As or Changelog Podcast. Now I will have the resources (= time) to implement some of them. We can hold more Live Q & As covering the topics suggested in the surveys, or invite guests to the podcast. </p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<p>Share your ideas or comments via email <a href=\"mailto:pauli@gutenbergtimes.com\">pauli@gutenbergtimes.com</a> or leave a comment below. I want to read them all! </p>\n\n\n\n\n<p>Now without further ado: There is a heap of links to share with you, after I skipped a week. </p>\n\n\n\n<p>Yours, ?<br />Birgit </p>\n\n\n\n<h2>Classic Editor plugin extended for one Year</h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The WordPress core committers <a href=\"https://wordpress.org/news/2021/08/an-update-on-the-classic-editor-plugin/\"><strong>officially extended the support for the Classic Editor plugin all through 2022.</strong></a> This gives everyone another year to migrate to blocks. </p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Josepha Haden Chomphosy</strong> also wrote: “Still, if you’ve been putting off using the block editor, this is an excellent time to give it another shot. Since it first appeared in 2018, hundreds of WordPress contributors have made a lot of updates based on user feedback. You will be pleasantly surprised at how far it’s come!”</p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https://wptavern.com/wordpress-classic-editor-support-extended-for-at-least-another-year\">On the WordPress Tavern</a>, <strong>Justin Tadlock</strong> interviewed, core committer, Jonathan Derosiers and has more details on the core team’s approach toward maintaining the plugin beyond 2022.</p>\n\n\n\n\n<p><strong> <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/core/handbook/references/keeping-up-with-gutenberg-index/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">“Keeping up with Gutenberg – Index 2021”</a> </strong><br />A chronological list of the WordPress Make Blog posts from various teams involved in Gutenberg development: Design, Theme Review Team, Core Editor, Core JS, Core CSS, Test and Meta team from Jan. 2021 on. Updated by yours truly. <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/core/handbook/references/keeping-up-with-gutenberg-index/keeping-up-with-gutenberg-index-2020/\"><em>The index 2020 is here</em></a></p>\n\n\n\n\n<h2>Gallery Block Refactor landed and needs testing</h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The Gallery block hasn’t had any significant update since the release in WordPress 5.0. It was clear that a different approach would be needed for the next iteration. <strong>Glen Davies</strong> spearheaded the Refactor of the Gallery block. The main change was to use the <code>InnerBlock</code> feature to create Galleries as collection of single image blocks. </p>\n\n\n\n\n\n<p>This empowers content creators to assign different styles and links to individual images of the Gallery. Although the refactor progressed well, it didn’t make it into WordPress 5.8 as backwards compatibility with the earlier version and migration for existing gallery blocks needed more attention. </p>\n\n\n\n<p>The code changes made it into the Gutenberg plugin and are available via the Experiments section. You can use the <a href=\"https://gutenbergtimes.com/need-a-zip-from-master/\">Gutenberg Nightly version</a>, or the <a href=\"https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/releases/tag/v11.4.0-rc.1\">11.4 Release Candidate</a>, or wait until Wednesday (Sept 1) for the stable 11.4 release. </p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li><strong>Glen Davies</strong> posted the <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/core/2021/08/20/gallery-block-refactor-dev-note/\">Gallery Block Refactor Dev Note</a>. </li><li><strong>Justin Tadlock</strong> shares his experience: <a href=\"https://wptavern.com/gallery-block-refactor-expected-to-land-in-wordpress-5-9\">Gallery Block Refactor Expected To Land in WordPress 5.9</a></li></ul>\n\n\n\n\n<p><strong><a href=\"https://gutenbergtimes.com/need-a-zip-from-master/\">Need a plugin .zip from Gutenberg’s main (trunk) branch?</a></strong><br />Gutenberg Times provides daily build for testing and review. <br />Have you been using it? Hit reply and let me know.</p>\n\n\n\n<p><img alt=\"GitHub all releases\" src=\"https://img.shields.io/github/downloads/bph/gutenberg/total?style=for-the-badge\" /></p>\n\n\n\n\n<h2>Gutenberg 11.3 released</h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Vicente Canales</strong> from Chile, wrangled the release of Gutenberg 11.3 and you can read <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/core/2021/08/18/whats-new-in-gutenberg-11-3-18-august/\">What’s new in Gutenberg 11.3? (18 August)</a> in his release post. </p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Justin Tadlock</strong> tested the new Gutenberg plugin version and has the details: <a href=\"https://wptavern.com/gutenberg-11-3-introduces-dimensions-panel-adds-button-padding-support-and-speeds-up-the-inserter\">Gutenberg 11.3 Introduces Dimensions Panel, Adds Button Padding Support, and Speeds Up the Inserter</a></p>\n\n\n\n<p>In the new Episode of the <strong><a href=\"https://gutenbergtimes.com/podcast/changelog-50-preliminary-roadmap-to-wordpress-5-9/\">Gutenberg Changelog #50</a>, Grzegorz (Greg) Ziolkowski </strong>and I discuss the preliminary roadmap to WordPress 5.9, Gutenberg 11.3 release and Navigation Screen and Block. </p>\n\n\n\n<p>As mentioned, <strong>Gutenberg 11.4</strong> is already in the works. For testing purposes, the <a href=\"https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/releases/tag/v11.4.0-rc.1\">release candidate 11.4 RC</a> is available for download. Final release is schedule for Wednesday, September 1st. </p>\n\n\n\n\n<p> <strong>Subscribe to the <a href=\"https://gutenbergtimes.com/podcast/\">Gutenberg Changelog</a> podcast </strong><br />?️ <a href=\"https://open.spotify.com/show/620NwVKQJGdTupy36zYxvg?mc_cid=4b6c9f88fe\">Spotify</a> | <a href=\"https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9ndXRlbmJlcmd0aW1lcy5jb20vZmVlZC9wb2RjYXN0\">Google</a> | <a href=\"https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/gutenberg-changelog/id1469294475\">iTunes</a> | <a href=\"https://pca.st/podcast/f8445ec0-7508-0137-f267-1d245fc5f9cf\">PocketCasts</a> | <a href=\"https://www.stitcher.com/show/gutenberg-changelog\">Stitcher</a> |<br />?️ <a href=\"https://www.podbean.com/podcast-detail/chi7j-9904a/Gutenberg-Changelog-Podcast\">Pod Bean</a> | <a href=\"https://castbox.fm/channel/Gutenberg-Changelog-id2173375\">CastBox</a> | <a href=\"https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/gutenberg-changelog-878239/\">Podchaser</a> | <a href=\"https://gutenbergtimes.com/feed/podcast\">RSS Feed</a> </p>\n\n\n\n<img />\n\n\n\n\n<h2>Navigation Blocks and Screen updates</h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The Gutenberg developers working on the <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/core/2021/08/25/hallway-hangout-summary-compare-and-contrast-the-navigation-screens/\"><strong>Navigation Blocks and Screen met for a Hallway Hangout</strong> </a>to discuss the current issues. (Github Tracking Issue). The goal of the discussion was to identify those that need to be resolved to take the block-based Navigation feature out of the experimental state and get it ready for the merge into WordPress Core, possibly for 5.9 in December. <strong>Dave Smith</strong> posted links to the recording and relevant issue on the <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/core/2021/08/25/hallway-hangout-summary-compare-and-contrast-the-navigation-screens/\">Make/Core blog.</a> </p>\n\n\n\n<h2>Building Blocks</h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Rich Tabor</strong> updated his tutorial <strong><a href=\"https://richtabor.com/block-styles/\">How to add and remove Gutenberg block styles with Javascript</a>.</strong> “And while it is relatively simple to add block styles using PHP, removing them is <strong>not</strong> quite as easy — especially block styles added by WordPress core (or any added client-side). Enter JavaScript… and I promise, it’s not as daunting as you might think.”</p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator is-style-wide\" />\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Ryan Welcher </strong>explains <a href=\"https://ryanwelcher.com/2021/08/requesting-data-in-gutenberg-with-getentityrecords/\"><strong>how to request data with the <code>getEntityRecord</code> selector</strong></a> and expands on some details and use cases. Welcher provides a series of query examples and then walks you through the method on how to create a loading state and update the queries. </p>\n\n\n\n<h2>Block Editor for site implementors and content creators</h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Justin Tadlock</strong> explored the new plugin <a href=\"https://wordpress.org/plugins/attributes-for-blocks/\">Block Attributes</a>, that empowers users to add attributes to blocks via the advanced section in the sidebar. This is handy when you need to add a click event or aria-labels to blocks. Tadlocks tutorial explain the how:<a href=\"https://wptavern.com/adding-custom-html-attributes-with-the-block-attributes-plugin\"> <strong>Adding Custom HTML Attributes With the Block Attributes Plugin</strong></a></p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator is-style-wide\" />\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Jamie Marsland</strong> of PootlePress (WooCommerce Blocks) wrote a tutorial on <strong><a href=\"https://www.pootlepress.com/2021/08/how-to-create-an-industry-news-page-with-the-gutenberg-block-editor/\">How to create an Industry News Page with the Gutenberg Block Editor</a>.</strong> Marsland walks you through the usage and display options of the RSS block. </p>\n\n\n\n<h2>Theme development for Gutenberg</h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Matias Ventura</strong>, the ‘spark of Gutenberg’ gave in his post <a href=\"https://matiasventura.com/post/the-theme-json-horizon/\"><strong>The Theme.json horizon </strong></a>a bird’s-eye view on the broader impact and opportunities the Theme.json file provides for the WordPress ecosystem. </p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator is-style-wide\" />\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Tammie Lister</strong> shared her <strong><a href=\"https://ephemeralthemes.com/2021/08/09/fun-with-group-block-borders/\">fun with group block borders</a></strong>, with instructions on how to control borders via theme.json. </p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator is-style-wide\" />\n\n\n\n<p><strong><a href=\"https://twitter.com/fwazeter\">Frank Wazeter</a> </strong>explored a <a href=\"https://medium.com/@wazeter/wordpress-theme-development-how-to-make-5-8-mimic-gutenberg-plugin-block-theme-architecture-f2ad5a454231\"><strong>way to use the new theme features of WordPress 5.8 without depending on the Gutenberg plugin</strong></a> to be present. Wazeter wrote: “This code shows how a WordPress theme can support and mimic Gutenberg Plugin’s templating system for the block editor/template editor, while not having a dependency on the Gutenberg Plugin itself. “.</p>\n\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator is-style-wide\" />\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><strong>Don’t want to miss the next Weekend Edition? </strong></p>\n\n\n\n<form class=\"wp-block-newsletterglue-form ngl-form ngl-portrait\" action=\"https://gutenbergtimes.com/feed/\" method=\"post\"><div class=\"ngl-form-container\"><div class=\"ngl-form-field\"><label class=\"ngl-form-label\" for=\"ngl_email\">Type in your Email address to subscribe.</label><div class=\"ngl-form-input\"><input type=\"email\" class=\"ngl-form-input-text\" name=\"ngl_email\" id=\"ngl_email\" /></div></div><button class=\"ngl-form-button\">Subscribe</button><p class=\"ngl-form-text\">We hate spam, too and won’t give your email address to anyone except Mailchimp to send out our Weekend Edition</p></div><div class=\"ngl-message-overlay\"><div class=\"ngl-message-svg-wrap\"></div><div class=\"ngl-message-overlay-text\">Thanks for subscribing.</div></div><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"ngl_list_id\" id=\"ngl_list_id\" value=\"26f81bd8ae\" /><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"ngl_double_optin\" id=\"ngl_double_optin\" value=\"yes\" /></form>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator is-style-wide\" />\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:7:\"pubDate\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:31:\"Sat, 28 Aug 2021 11:59:11 +0000\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:32:\"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/\";a:1:{s:7:\"creator\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:18:\"Birgit Pauli-Haack\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}}}i:40;a:6:{s:4:\"data\";s:13:\"\n \n \n \n \n \n \n\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"child\";a:2:{s:0:\"\";a:5:{s:5:\"title\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:95:\"WPTavern: Proposal for Adding Badges and Other ‘Learner Achievements’ to WordPress Profiles\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"guid\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:30:\"https://wptavern.com/?p=121902\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"link\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:223:\"https://wptavern.com/proposal-for-adding-badges-and-other-learner-achievements-to-wordpress-profiles?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=proposal-for-adding-badges-and-other-learner-achievements-to-wordpress-profiles\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:11:\"description\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:5711:\"<p class=\"has-drop-cap\">In December 2020, WordPress <a href=\"https://wptavern.com/learn-wordpress-platform-launches-with-free-courses-workshops-and-lesson-plans\">launched its new “Learn” platform</a> with free courses, workshops, and lesson plans. Since then, the Training Team has continued adding more material. The <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/training/2021/08/10/proposal-learner-achievements-on-profiles/\">latest proposal </a>is an open discussion for the community on adding participatory badges for completing coursework.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>“I’d like to nail down what kind of thing we would like to see regarding recognising learner achievements on profiles,” wrote WordPress community manager Hugh Lashbrooke in the announcement earlier this month.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>The proposal, which now has a <a href=\"https://github.com/WordPress/learn/issues/228\">GitHub ticket</a>, includes showing the following on a user’s WordPress.org profile page:</p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>A course’s completion in the activity stream.</li><li>The user’s average grade from Learn WordPress.</li><li>A new “Learning” tab for displaying completed courses with dates and the possibility of individual completed lessons, relevant grades, and other learning data.</li><li>A new “Learner” badge for anyone who has completed one course.</li></ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Currently, there are only two <a href=\"https://learn.wordpress.org/courses/\">courses available</a>. “That is changing as we develop new content,” wrote Lashbrooke in the post. “So my hope is that we will have these rewards in place now, and as content is created, the rewards will flow naturally.”</p>\n\n\n\n<p>One downside to the proposal may be publicly showing a user’s grades. “I’d be against showing the learner’s average grade publicly because it could lead to anxiety, stress, etc., and maybe even stop some people from participating in the courses,” wrote Stephen Cronin in the comments. “Eg: ‘What if I only get a C, will anyone take me seriously? Will it harm my chances of getting a job in the WP space?’ etc. Some people will thrive on that sort of competition, some people … not so much. And I feel like we should be as inclusive as possible.”</p>\n\n\n\n<p>Lashbrooke responded that showing grades could be an opt-in feature. However, I would question why it would be necessary to show grades at all. <em>Bragging rights?</em> Maybe. If we could somehow make it shareable via social media, it might be a fun way to get more people to participate.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>Several people in the comments were encouraged by the idea of social sharing. Adam Warner even proposed adding the Learn badges to the oEmbed WordPress block, making it easy for users to share their accomplishments on their sites.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, the first step should be to provide badges for completing a course. It is an easy win and could be automated.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>Most user profile badges are for direct contributions to the project, such as writing code or working on a team. However, at least some user-based participatory badges are available already. For example, there is a “Test Contributor” badge for providing feedback on calls for testing.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>One side advantage of a Learn achievement system could be for employers who are looking through an applicant’s history. It may help potential employees show off their competency in specific areas of the WordPress platform.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>Courtney Engle Robertson, Web Design and Developer Advocate at GoDaddy, questioned Matt Mullenweg during 2020’s State of the Word Q&A session on the role of the Learn platform as it pertains to the job market.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>Mullenweg said the first step is organizing the platform and making high-quality educational material available. However, he seemed open to the idea of having a self or administered certification down the line. It would allow people to show that they have completed or tested out of a course.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>“It wouldn’t be a perfect system, but it could be a nice way for people to learn more about WordPress,” he said. “And, hopefully, as they go through, since WordPress is open-source, improve the materials as we go through it, both from the point of view of making it more intuitive or easier to understand and also translating, as well. Because there is a huge demand for WordPress really all over the world now.”</p>\n\n\n\n<p>View the clip below from the <a href=\"https://wordpress.tv/2020/12/17/matt-mullenweg-2020-state-of-the-word-qa/\">State of the Word Q&A</a>:</p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n\n</div>\n\n\n\n<p>“As someone who hires WordPress professionals, I would love to have a request in the job application to link up their WP profile so we can see competency through that learning platform,” commented Chris Badgett, the founder and CEO of LifterLMS, on the proposal.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>He also agreed with Mullenweg that people should be able to test out of a course. It would not make sense for those who have already acquired specific skills or knowledge to go through the motions of completing coursework they are already proficient in.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>“Creating quizzes or ‘post tests’ in the LMS with a standard minimum passing requirement to earn the achievement badge would help fulfill this,” he said.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>For now, some simple gamification via profile badges could boost participation and, perhaps, get more people involved in contributing to the Learn platform. This could also be the first step toward a WordPress certification system.</p>\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:7:\"pubDate\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:31:\"Sat, 28 Aug 2021 00:39:44 +0000\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:32:\"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/\";a:1:{s:7:\"creator\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:14:\"Justin Tadlock\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}}}i:41;a:6:{s:4:\"data\";s:13:\"\n \n \n \n \n \n \n\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"child\";a:2:{s:0:\"\";a:5:{s:5:\"title\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:91:\"Post Status: Post Status Excerpt (No. 22) — Dealing With Developer Overload: Organization\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"guid\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:31:\"https://poststatus.com/?p=85744\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"link\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:34:\"https://poststatus.com/excerpt/22/\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:11:\"description\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:3678:\"<h2 id=\"h-we-can-be-organized-in-how-we-multitask\">We Can Be Organized In How We Multitask.</h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-drop-cap\">In this episode, David and Cory have a conversation about another way to prevent Developer Overload: organization. Cory shares how he benefited from a mentor, while David feels that documentation, commenting code, and following some best practices can help reduce anxiety overall — if you can convince yourself to adopt new habits. This show is worth a listen just for Cory\'s “going on a hike” metaphor.</p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Also covered in this episode: </strong>Cory encourages David to take <a href=\"https://secure.kolbe.com/k2/show_takeIndex/indexType_A\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">the Kolbe A Index</a> test.</p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-background\">Every week Post Status Excerpt will brief you on important WordPress news — in about 15 minutes or less! Learn what\'s new in WordPress in a flash. <img src=\"https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/13.0.1/72x72/26a1.png\" alt=\"⚡\" class=\"wp-smiley\" /><br /><br /><a href=\"https://poststatus.com/category/post-status-podcasts/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Browse our archives</a>, and don’t forget to subscribe via <a href=\"https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/post-status-draft-wordpress/id976403008\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">iTunes</a>, <a href=\"https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5zaW1wbGVjYXN0LmNvbS8ySkU5c2M4UA\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Google Podcasts</a>, <a href=\"https://www.youtube.com/c/PostStatus\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">YouTube</a>, <a href=\"http://www.stitcher.com/podcast/krogsgard/post-status-draft-wordpress-podcast\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Stitcher</a>, <a href=\"https://wordpress-post-status-draft-podcast.simplecast.com/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Simplecast</a>, or <a href=\"https://feeds.simplecast.com/2JE9sc8P\">RSS</a>. <img src=\"https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/13.0.1/72x72/1f3a7.png\" alt=\"?\" class=\"wp-smiley\" /></p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-mentioned-in-the-show\"><img src=\"https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/13.0.1/72x72/1f517.png\" alt=\"?\" class=\"wp-smiley\" /> Mentioned in the show:</h3>\n\n\n\n<ul><li><a href=\"https://twitter.com/dimensionmedia\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">David Bisset (Twitter)</a></li><li><a href=\"https://twitter.com/corymiller303\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Cory Miller (Twitter)</a></li><li><a href=\"https://twitter.com/post_status\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Post Status (Twitter)</a></li><li><a href=\"http://kolbe.com\"></a><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"http://kolbe.com/\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">kolbe.com</a></li><li><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"http://strengthsfinder.com/\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">strengthsfinder.com</a></li><li><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https://poststatus.com/get-hired/\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Get Hired</a></li></ul>\n\n\n\n<h3><img src=\"https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/13.0.1/72x72/1f64f.png\" alt=\"?\" class=\"wp-smiley\" /> Sponsor: <a href=\"https://poststat.us/sandhills\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow\">Sandhills Development</a></h3>\n\n\n\n<p>No matter what you\'re working on with your WordPress website, <strong>Sandhills Development</strong> has a tool that can help you. Sell digital products with <strong>Easy Digital Downloads</strong>. Use <strong>AffiliateWP</strong> as your affiliate marketing solution. <strong>Sugar Calendar</strong> is event management made easy. And <strong>WP Simple Pay</strong> is a lightweight Stripe payments plugin. Craft superior experiences with the ingenuity of Sandhills’ plugins.</p>\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:7:\"pubDate\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:31:\"Fri, 27 Aug 2021 22:13:00 +0000\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:32:\"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/\";a:1:{s:7:\"creator\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:12:\"David Bisset\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}}}i:42;a:6:{s:4:\"data\";s:13:\"\n \n \n \n \n \n \n\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"child\";a:2:{s:0:\"\";a:5:{s:5:\"title\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:95:\"WPTavern: ACF 5.10 Introduces Block API v2 Support, Block Preloading, and Security Improvements\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"guid\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:30:\"https://wptavern.com/?p=121854\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"link\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:231:\"https://wptavern.com/acf-5-10-introduces-block-api-v2-support-block-preloading-and-security-improvements?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=acf-5-10-introduces-block-api-v2-support-block-preloading-and-security-improvements\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:11:\"description\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:4176:\"<p>Advanced Custom Fields (ACF) has released <a href=\"https://www.advancedcustomfields.com/blog/acf-5-10-release-html-escaping-blocks-api-v2-block-preloading-and-more/\">version 5.10</a>, the first major release since the plugin was <a href=\"https://wptavern.com/delicious-brains-acquires-advanced-custom-fields-plugin\">acquired by Delicious Brains</a>. It introduces several new features that were previously experimental, closing out tickets that were started by previous owner Elliot Condon.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>The release enables HTML escaping by default, which helps prevent Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) attacks. It runs content rendered by ACF through the WordPress <code>wp_kses()</code> function. There was a little confusion about how this works and the release post has been <a href=\"https://twitter.com/wp_acf/status/1430906074593304589\">updated</a> to clarify:</p>\n\n\n\n<p>“It’s important to note that this only affects content rendered by ACF in your WordPress dashboard or any front-end forms rendered through <code>acf_form()</code>,” Iain Poulson said. “This will not affect field values loaded through API functions such as <code>get_field()</code> and <code>the_field()</code>. We don’t make any assumptions about where you are using your field values within your theme and do not escape to them as a result.”</p>\n\n\n\n<p>Version 5.10 also introduces support for the WordPress Blocks API v2 for ACF blocks. <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/core/2020/11/18/block-api-version-2/\">WordPress 5.6</a> came with a new Block API that makes it easier for theme and plugin developers to style the block content with more consistent results matching the front end. The ACF team has created a <a href=\"https://www.advancedcustomfields.com/resources/block-api-v2/\">Block API v2 help doc</a> with examples that help developers update their blocks and make use of the new block filters included in the update.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>Other features introduced in this release include block preloading turned on by default, a new full-height setting for blocks, opacity support for the color-picker, and many bug fixes. Next up on the roadmap for the plugin is adding WordPress REST API support to ACF field groups.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>“As API-powered JavaScript front-ends become more and more popular in the WordPress space, it’s clear that many of our customers want this functionality included in ACF core,” Poulson said.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>“We also plan to improve the performance of the plugin and work on other quality of life features. Now that our development team has a solid handle on the codebase and the release process, we can start working on these more complicated but long-requested features.”</p>\n\n\n\n<p>Shortly after the acquisition, Delicious Brains representatives published a pinned <a href=\"https://wordpress.org/support/topic/free-support-expectations-and-response-times-7/\">thread</a> in the forum, clarifying expectations for free support and response times. The official support forum for both free and PRO users can be found at <a href=\"https://support.advancedcustomfields.com/\">support.advancedcustomfields.com</a>, which is more active than the WordPress.org forums. Since the plugin is more developer-focused, the team is taking a looser approach to support by giving the community a place to help each other:</p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote\"><p>We rarely provide support in either forum. The exception is after a major release, when we keep an eye on both forums to spot any problems caused by the release.</p><p>The primary purpose of both forums is for people in the WordPress community who are having trouble with Advanced Custom Fields to help each other. Response times can range from a few days to a few weeks and will likely be from a non-developer. We jump in now and then when the description sounds suspiciously like a bug. </p></blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>The release of version 5.10 is a good sign that ACF will continue to make progress under its new ownership and a reassuring milestone for the small minority of users who were unsure about the plugin’s future. </p>\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:7:\"pubDate\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:31:\"Fri, 27 Aug 2021 16:54:58 +0000\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:32:\"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/\";a:1:{s:7:\"creator\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:13:\"Sarah Gooding\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}}}i:43;a:6:{s:4:\"data\";s:13:\"\n \n \n \n \n \n \n\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"child\";a:2:{s:0:\"\";a:5:{s:5:\"title\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:56:\"WordPress Foundation: do_action Karnataka 2021: A report\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"guid\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:41:\"https://wordpressfoundation.org/?p=194408\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"link\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:71:\"https://wordpressfoundation.org/2021/do_action-karnataka-2021-a-report/\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:11:\"description\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:7725:\"<p class=\"has-drop-cap\">WordPress Community members in the state of Karnataka, India organized a do_action charity hackathon from 07 to 15 August 2021. The event, which was supported by 12 volunteers, helped create websites for 3 non-profits. do_action Karnataka was held completely online due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and it concluded symbolically on August 15th 2021 — the 75th Independence Day of India. This is the second do_action Hackathon in Karnataka — the first one being <a href=\"https://doaction.org/event/bengaluru-2019/\">do_action Bengaluru</a>, which was held in 2019.</p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"wp-embedded-content\"><a href=\"https://doaction.org/event/karnataka-2021/\">Karnataka 2021</a></blockquote>\n</div>\n\n\n\n<p>Efforts behind <a href=\"https://doaction.org/event/karnataka-2021/\">do_action Karnataka</a> kicked off three months prior, in April 2021. <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/nsuresha/\">N Suresha</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/freewebmentor/\">Prem Tiwari</a>, <a href=\"https://www.linkedin.com/in/ucriyaz/?originalSubdomain=in\">UC Riyaz</a>, <a href=\"https://twitter.com/sagarvora786?lang=en\">Sagar Vora</a>, <a href=\"https://www.linkedin.com/in/venkatesh-kumar-s-r-945b8821/\">SR Venkatesh</a>, and <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/yoga1103/\">Yogesh Londhe</a> (myself) from the WordPress Community of Karnataka, joined hands to support local non-profits by helping them build websites. The following non-profits signed up for our hackathon: </p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li><strong>Luv Kush Foster Home:</strong> A foster home that aims to care for animals in need</li><li><strong>Vridhi Foundation:</strong> which aims to support the education of underprivileged children</li><li><strong>Peacespark Foundation:</strong> Welfare of women and children</li></ul>\n\n\n\n<p>12 volunteers immediately signed up to build websites for these non-profits. Not everyone could participate due to personal challenges related to COVID-19, but the teams worked hard to complete the work within the stipulated time. As a result of all that hard work, two non-profit sites were launched, and one is in the pipeline!</p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Peacespark Foundation:</strong> <a href=\"https://www.peacespark.org/\">https://www.peacespark.org/</a></p>\n\n\n\n<a href=\"https://i2.wp.com/wordpressfoundation.org/content/uploads/2021/08/image.png?ssl=1\"><img /></a>A screenshot of the Peacespark Foundation website created by the do_action Karnataka 2021 team.\n\n\n\n<p>The website of Peacespark Foundation was built by <a href=\"https://www.linkedin.com/in/venkatesh-kumar-s-r-945b8821/\">SR Venkatesh</a> (project manager) and <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/harishanker\">Hari Shanker</a> (content writer). Venkatesh collected all the content and the photos from the non-profit, and he was also in constant communication with the team. He also single-handedly designed and developed the website for the team! Since the content manager volunteer could not join on time, Hari stepped in to prepare the content for the site. As a result, the site was ready well within the deadline, and the non-profit was happy and grateful!</p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Vridhi Foundation: </strong><a href=\"https://vridhifoundation.org/\">https://vridhifoundation.org/</a>: </p>\n\n\n\n<a href=\"https://i0.wp.com/wordpressfoundation.org/content/uploads/2021/08/image-1.png?ssl=1\"><img /></a>A screenshot of the Vridhi Foundation website created by the do_action Karnataka 2021 team.\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/nsuresha/\">N Suresha</a> (project manager), along with Hussna Hussain (content writer) and <a href=\"https://www.linkedin.com/in/ucriyaz/?originalSubdomain=in\">UC Riyaz</a> (designer) built the website for Vridhi Foundation. <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/mkrndmane/\">Makarand Mane</a> helped with the multilingual translation plugin, the theme, and the required templates. <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/freewebmentor/\">Prem Tiwari</a> set up the site and provided technical support during the development, as well. Together, the team worked in synergy to burn the midnight oil and deliver the site for the non-profit, which formally launched the same in a function at their premises, on August 15th! </p>\n\n\n\n<a href=\"https://i1.wp.com/wordpressfoundation.org/content/uploads/2021/08/image.jpeg?ssl=1\"><img /></a>Representatives of the Vridhi Foundation at their website launch event on August 15, 2021\n\n\n\n<p>Since representatives of Luv Kush foster home were out of the country during the hackathon, they couldn’t collaborate to give the content and the photos for the website. Most of the technical groundwork for their website is done, and it will formally be launched once the non-profit provides content for the teams. </p>\n\n\n\n<p>The hackathon would not be possible without the support of our kind sponsors who provided hosting, domain names, WordPress plugins/themes, and post hackathon support guarantees for all the non-profits. A big thanks to all of them! Our sponsors include:</p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li><a href=\"https://givewp.com/\">Give WP</a> – Who kindly sponsored a premium license for their flagship donation plugin</li><li><a href=\"https://yoast.com/\">Yoast</a> – Who kindly sponsored a premium license for their SEO plugin</li><li><a href=\"https://themeisle.com/\">Themeisle</a> – Who provided premium licenses for their theme</li><li><a href=\"https://wpjobopenings.com/\">WP Job Openings</a> – Who provided a license for their job board plugin</li><li><a href=\"https://wpgenius.in/\">WPGenius</a> – Who provided a translation plugin, templates, and themes</li><li><a href=\"https://www.premtiwari.in/\">Prem Tiwari</a> – Who has offered post-hackathon tech support for non-profits</li><li><a href=\"https://bluehost.in/\">Bluehost India</a> – Who provided hosting and domain names for all three non-profits</li></ul>\n\n\n\n<p>In addition to our sponsors, I wish to thank all stakeholders who helped make our event a grand success — especially our team of passionate volunteers and organizers who battled several personal challenges and a global pandemic to build an ever-lasting online presence for non-profits. Special thanks to the WordPress Foundation for supporting these do_action charity hackathons which empower non-profits across the globe, especially in these tough times.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>As we were wrapping up the event on the final day of the hackathon, I asked our team of organizers and volunteers one question: “Despite all the challenges, would you do this again?” They all answered in one resounding voice: “YES!” <img src=\"https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/13.1.0/72x72/1f642.png\" alt=\"?\" class=\"wp-smiley\" /> </p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>On behalf of the do_action Karnataka 2021 Organizing team,<br /><a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/yoga1103\">Yogesh Londhe</a></em></p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator\" />\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote\"><p>Feeling inspired, already? You can use WordPress for social good, by organing a <a href=\"https://doaction.org/\">do_action charity hackathon</a> in your own city! Check out <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/community/handbook/meetup-organizer/event-formats/do_action-charity-hackathon/\">our handbook</a> for more information. It just takes five minutes to <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/community/handbook/meetup-organizer/event-formats/do_action-charity-hackathon/do_action-event-application/\">fill out the application form</a>. So why wait? <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/community/handbook/meetup-organizer/event-formats/do_action-charity-hackathon/do_action-event-application/\">Apply now</a>!</p></blockquote>\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:7:\"pubDate\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:31:\"Fri, 27 Aug 2021 05:45:43 +0000\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:32:\"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/\";a:1:{s:7:\"creator\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:13:\"Yogesh Londhe\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}}}i:44;a:6:{s:4:\"data\";s:13:\"\n \n \n \n \n \n \n\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"child\";a:2:{s:0:\"\";a:5:{s:5:\"title\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:72:\"WPTavern: Adding Custom HTML Attributes With the Block Attributes Plugin\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"guid\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:30:\"https://wptavern.com/?p=121857\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"link\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:189:\"https://wptavern.com/adding-custom-html-attributes-with-the-block-attributes-plugin?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=adding-custom-html-attributes-with-the-block-attributes-plugin\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:11:\"description\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:3791:\"<p class=\"has-drop-cap\">Earlier this week, websevendev released its fourth WordPress plugin to the official directory named <a href=\"https://wordpress.org/plugins/attributes-for-blocks/\">Block Attributes</a>. The extension allows end-users to add any HTML attribute to nearly any block.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>One of the problems with the WordPress editor is that it can be a bit fussy about customizing HTML. Blocks are built on a set of standards, and the markup is supposed to meet those expectations. If something does not fit, users see an invalid markup warning.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, there are times when users need to drop in a custom HTML attribute for various reasons. For example, I sometimes need to add a custom <code>data-</code> attribute for working with a bit of JavaScript. Since I know my way around code well enough, I typically write out the HTML in those situations via the Custom HTML block. But, that does not make sense when minor attribute additions are called for.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>WordPress currently allows users to add classes and IDs (called an “HTML anchor” in the admin) to almost every block. It does not allow for direct input of the dozens of other possible attributes that HTML supports. The use cases for the average user are few and far between.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>For those scenarios where some users could use the extra feature, the Block Attributes plugin is handy.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>The plugin is straightforward to use. It adds a new field named “Additional attributes” under the Advanced tab of every block. Users can add the attribute name and click the “Add” button. From there, it creates a new field for adding the attribute value.</p>\n\n\n\n<img />Adding an <code>onclick</code> attribute to a Button block.\n\n\n\n<p>The plugin also supports multiple attributes. Once you add one, you simply use the same input field to create more.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>For my first test drive, I added a simple <code>onclick</code> attribute with a value of <code>myFunction()</code>. Then, I hopped over to my theme and created that function via JavaScript to output a simple message in the console. Everything looked good under the hood, and it worked.</p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><img /></li><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><img /></li></ul>HTML view and console with custom JS for a Button block.\n\n\n\n<p>Most of the use cases I have in mind are for integrating with JavaScript, and this was a simple example of what is possible. There are far more complex things a developer could do with such a feature. That is reason enough to keep this plugin in the toolbox — sometimes you need a wrench instead of a hammer.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>I could also see Block Attributes being used for adding ARIA attributes in other situations where it might aid accessibility.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>Users could add custom styles to a specific block via a <code>style</code> attribute with the plugin. However, unless this is a simple one-off, I would recommend against it. For more advanced use cases, <a href=\"https://wordpress.org/plugins/blocks-css/\">Blocks CSS</a> is a far more suitable plugin. It has a built-in syntax highlighter. Plus, a textarea is friendlier than a one-line text input box.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>The only downside to Block Attributes I have seen is upon deactivation. You will see the dreaded “this block contains unexpected or invalid content” message in the editor if you have added any custom attributes. The editor has managed to resolve any issues I have run into with the core blocks.</p>\n\n\n\n<img />Resolving block warning after deactivating plugin.\n\n\n\n<p>Deactivating the plugin should not affect the front-end output. Because the custom attributes are a part of the HTML markup, they will still be there. The error message should only show in the editor.</p>\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:7:\"pubDate\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:31:\"Thu, 26 Aug 2021 23:27:06 +0000\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:32:\"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/\";a:1:{s:7:\"creator\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:14:\"Justin Tadlock\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}}}i:45;a:6:{s:4:\"data\";s:13:\"\n \n \n \n \n \n \n\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"child\";a:2:{s:0:\"\";a:5:{s:5:\"title\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:77:\"WPTavern: WordPress Classic Editor Support Extended for at Least Another Year\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"guid\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:30:\"https://wptavern.com/?p=121553\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"link\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:199:\"https://wptavern.com/wordpress-classic-editor-support-extended-for-at-least-another-year?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=wordpress-classic-editor-support-extended-for-at-least-another-year\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:11:\"description\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:7276:\"<p class=\"has-drop-cap\">Last week, I reached out to several members of the core WordPress committers to see if we could get an official word on whether <a href=\"https://wordpress.org/plugins/classic-editor/\">Classic Editor</a> support would continue beyond the mere months it seemingly had left to live. I received a semi-official answer but was asked to hold off on publishing for a more detailed and nuanced response.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>Earlier today, WordPress executive director Josepha Haden Chomposy <a href=\"https://wordpress.org/news/2021/08/an-update-on-the-classic-editor-plugin/\">announced the official decision</a>. It was just as expected. The WordPress project would continue supporting the Classic Editor plugin for a while longer.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>“At the time, we promised to support the plugin through 2021 and adjust if needed as the deadline got closer,” she wrote. “After discussing this with Matt [Mullenweg], it’s clear that continuing to support the plugin through 2022 is the right call for the project as well as the community.”</p>\n\n\n\n<p>As of now, classic users have a one-year extension.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, the plugin will not suddenly stop working on December 31, 2022. That is merely the current deadline for the “full support” phase. It should continue working well beyond whatever date is set for that support window to close.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>Designer Mark Root-Wiley reached out to WP Tavern <a href=\"https://twitter.com/MRWweb/status/1427422379047743495\">via Twitter</a> last week, but others had been asking the same question for a while. For some, they needed to know if they could continue supporting specific client needs. For others, it was a bludgeon to use in conversations for all editor-related things. Whatever the reason, before today, the last word had been from a <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/core/2018/11/07/classic-editor-plugin-support-window/\">Make Core post in November 2018</a>.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>“The Classic Editor plugin will be officially supported until December 31, 2021,” wrote core contributor Gary Pendergast in that three-year-old announcement. It was a shock for many at the time, uncertain whether the new block system would meet their needs.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>While three years may have seemed like plenty of time to ditch the classic in favor of the modern WordPress editor, the current stats show that the project still has a few miles yet to go.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>Currently, there are over 5 million active installations of the Classic Editor plugin. I am still waiting for a more specific tally, but no one has provided an answer yet. At best, we think the counter turns over at 10+ million, so we can speculate on the floor and ceiling for possible usage.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>Active installs are not the entire picture either. For example, we have the plugin installed here at the Tavern for legacy reasons but do not use it in our day-to-day work. We can likely disable it altogether. <a href=\"https://wptavern.com/wordpress-telemetry-proposal-addresses-long-standing-privacy-concerns-as-gdpr-compliance-deadline-looms\">WordPress has no telemetry system</a> for tracking the usage of such features. While the install total will not always make the picture clear, the current number supports the push for continued maintenance.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>“I think it’s important to note that the plugin is not going anywhere,” said core committer Jonathan Desrosiers. “It will continue to be listed on the .ORG repository for the foreseeable future.”</p>\n\n\n\n<p>He pointed out that understanding the next phase of the Classic Editor plugin meant looking into the level of effort required to support it since 2018. The overwhelming majority of the changes in that nearly three-year timeframe have come down to keeping up with:</p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Text changes.</li><li>Adjustments to prevent warnings/errors and promote consistency across supported PHP versions.</li><li>Changes to deprecated action/filter hook calls.</li></ul>\n\n\n\n<p>“It’s been almost three whole years, and the plugin has largely required very little maintenance to continue functioning, and the bulk of maintenance has been to limit warnings and notices in debug logs,” he said.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>The goal of the Classic Editor plugin was to help ease the transition to the block editor. Thus far, there have been eight major WordPress releases since the switch in version 5.0.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>“There’s a theory called the diffusion of innovations that looks to explain how, why, and at what rate new technology spreads,” said Desrosiers. “It separates adopters into several groups based on when they are willing to take the jump: innovators, early adopters, early majority, late majority, and laggards. I truly think that we have seen a good portion of the late majority beginning to move towards using the block editor. This can also be confirmed by the plugin’s install growth, which has been slowing and plateauing this year.”</p>\n\n\n\n<p>He had expected the previous deadline to mark the next stage of the Classic Editor plugin, called the “sunset” phase. It would be a time when the WordPress project moved from full support to encouraging late adopters to transition to the current editor to get the plugin’s numbers down.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>“The context I gave previously shows that, until now, that the level of effort needed to keep the plugin working on newer versions of WP has been pretty minimal,” said Desrosiers of the potential sunset phase. “I expect that pattern to continue thanks to backward compatibility. If any security issues or major problems are encountered, they’ll, of course, be fixed. Any incompatibilities with the plugin and newer versions of WP will be considered on a case by case basis, but little to no time will be put towards bug fixes.”</p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, this sunset phase will have to wait. We will not see it until at least the current support window closes on December 31, 2022. WordPress project leaders will need to reevaluate the plugin’s lifespan at that point.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>The other looming question would be whether core WordPress would move specific pieces of its system to the Classic Editor plugin, such as allowing custom post types to support the old editor or the meta box API.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>“There are no plans at this time to move any of the underlying ‘classic’ parts from core to the plugin,” said Desrosiers. “I’m sure that removing these parts will be evaluated at some point in the future, but when that will be is not clear.”</p>\n\n\n\n<p>Even when official Classic Editor support reaches a hard deadline, it does not mean such a traditional editing experience will cease to exist. Plugins like <a href=\"https://wordpress.org/plugins/disable-gutenberg/\">Disable Gutenberg</a> have promised longer lifespans than the initial support window, and other editor projects will undoubtedly arise if there is wide enough demand.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>“The block editor has come a long way, and I encourage everyone that has not yet given it a second chance (late adopters) to do so,” said Desrosiers. “You may be pleasantly surprised.”</p>\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:7:\"pubDate\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:31:\"Wed, 25 Aug 2021 19:56:15 +0000\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:32:\"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/\";a:1:{s:7:\"creator\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:14:\"Justin Tadlock\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}}}i:46;a:6:{s:4:\"data\";s:13:\"\n \n \n \n \n \n \n\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"child\";a:2:{s:0:\"\";a:5:{s:5:\"title\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:58:\"WordPress.org blog: An Update on the Classic Editor Plugin\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"guid\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:35:\"https://wordpress.org/news/?p=11149\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"link\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:74:\"https://wordpress.org/news/2021/08/an-update-on-the-classic-editor-plugin/\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:11:\"description\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:1569:\"<p>Before the release of WordPress 5.0 in 2018, the <a href=\"https://wordpress.org/plugins/classic-editor/\">Classic Editor plugin</a> was published to help ease the transition to the new block editor. At the time, we promised to support the plugin through 2021 and adjust if needed as the deadline got closer. After discussing this with Matt, it’s clear that continuing to support the plugin through 2022 is the right call for the project as well as the community.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>Still, if you’ve been putting off using the block editor, this is an excellent time to give it another shot. Since it first appeared in 2018, hundreds of WordPress contributors have made a lot of updates based on user feedback. You will be pleasantly surprised at how far it’s come!</p>\n\n\n\n<p>Big thanks to everyone who has been working on WordPress, Gutenberg, and the Classic Editor plugin. And thank you to every WordPress user and tester who has provided the feedback we need to make the software even better.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>~ Josepha</p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Returning to the block editor for the first time in a long time? You can give feedback early in the process by <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/test/handbook/full-site-editing-outreach-experiment/\">joining the outreach program</a>! Looking at it for the first time ever? <a href=\"https://learn.wordpress.org/workshops/?series=24&topic=&language=&captions=\">Get your bearings with some workshops</a> or <a href=\"https://wordpress.org/support/article/wordpress-editor/#how-does-the-block-editor-work\">check out this demo</a>!</em></p>\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:7:\"pubDate\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:31:\"Wed, 25 Aug 2021 16:51:41 +0000\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:32:\"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/\";a:1:{s:7:\"creator\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:7:\"Josepha\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}}}i:47;a:6:{s:4:\"data\";s:13:\"\n \n \n \n \n \n \n\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"child\";a:2:{s:0:\"\";a:5:{s:5:\"title\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:78:\"HeroPress: Never give up on your dreams – Moet nooit jou drome laat vaar nie\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"guid\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:56:\"https://heropress.com/?post_type=heropress-essays&p=4049\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"link\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:130:\"https://heropress.com/essays/never-give-up-on-your-dreams/#utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=never-give-up-on-your-dreams\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:11:\"description\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:6608:\"<img width=\"1024\" height=\"512\" src=\"https://heropress.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/082421-min.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-post-image\" alt=\"Pull Quote: You are never too old to make your dreams come true.\" /><p><a href=\"https://heropress.com/feed/#afrikaans\"><span class=\"css-901oao css-16my406 r-poiln3 r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0\">Die opstel is ook beskikbaar in Afrikaans.</span></a></p>\n<p>For years and years, I always wanted to do websites. I dabbled in coding with HTML and CSS had one website go live within 3 months, but everybody who has done coding, also know, that it is very time consuming, something as a mom, I don’t have much of. I made the decision to not pursue my dream of website designing. But I never gave up on that dream.</p>\n<p>Right now, I am a 41 mom of two teenagers, ages 17 and 12, I was pretty set in my ways in terms of my career for a very long time. But when getting closer to my 40’s, I knew I wanted more. I knew I had the capabilities for WordPress, but never had to opportunity or given the chance to dabble in it.</p>\n<h3>How It All Began</h3>\n<p>My journey in Graphic Design started way back in 2003 with Photoshop Version 6 and Coreldraw X3. I loved it right from the start, but knew there was more to graphic design, then just that. Websites was a pretty new thing to me, but always felt intrigued by it.</p>\n<p>Fast-forward to the beginning of 2020, 17 years later with loads of experience in Graphic Design, it was time for a change. There was always this gap, that just couldn’t get filled in terms of my career. Yet, I still remembered my dream. On 3 February 2020, I started a new job, but still in graphics and just before Covid hit our shores. Needless to say, that job turned into a freelance work from home job.</p>\n<blockquote><p>It was a really rocky period financially, as in freelancing, you get paid for what you do, and it just wasn’t happening.</p></blockquote>\n<p>In August of the same year, I received a text from someone, wanting to know if I am still available for work, knowing that I don’t know anything about Website/WordPress design. I had a background in HTML and CSS, but not enough. I still got the job, it’s not a high paying salary, but I get to work from home.</p>\n<h3>Everything After</h3>\n<p>WordPress changed my life in a big way, I don’t know other WordPress designers as I am self-taught. Fortunately, with Google and Youtube, as well as some connections made with the new job, my journey in WordPress started.</p>\n<p>I have designed 4 websites that I maintain, with another one that is under construction as well as one or two more in the pipeline.</p>\n<blockquote><p>I asked a lot of questions when all this happened, like why did this happen?</p></blockquote>\n<p>Why did it have to be me? A year later, I know the answer. I had to go through some struggles to really learn the value of what we have, it’s not how much you have, but what you have. At the moment, I work from home and absolutely love what I do.</p>\n<p>If there is one lesson to be learnt from my story, don’t give up on your dreams, you are never too old to achieve that dream and be really good at it.</p>\n<h1 id=\"afrikaans\">Moet nooit jou drome laat vaar nie</h1>\n<p>Vir jare en jare wou ek altyd webwerwe doen. Ek het begin om met HTML en CSS te kodeer, het een webwerf binne 3 maande gehad, maar almal wat kodering doen weet dat dit baie tydrowend is, iets wat ek as ‘n ma, nie veel van het nie. Ek het die besluit geneem om nie my droom van webwerf-ontwerp na te streef nie. Maar ek het nooit die droom opgegee nie.</p>\n<p>Huidiglik, is ek is ‘n 41 jarige ma van twee tieners, hulle is 17 en 12 jaar oud. Ek was baie lank gevestig in my loopbaan. Maar hoe nader ek aan my veertigerjare gekom het, het ek geweet, ek wou ek meer hê. Ek het geweet dat ek die vermoëns vir WordPress gehad het, maar ek het nooit die geleentheid gehad of was nooit geoffer om dit te gebruik nie.</p>\n<h3><span class=\"css-901oao css-16my406 r-poiln3 r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0\">Hoe dit alles begin het</span></h3>\n<p>My reis in grafiese ontwerp het al in 2003 begin met Photoshop weergawe 6 en Coreldraw X3. Ek was van die begin af mal daaroor, maar ek het geweet dat daar meer aan grafiese ontwerp was, dan net dit. Webwerwe was vir my ‘n redelike nuwe ding, maar ek was altyd daarin gefassineer.</p>\n<p>Spoed vorentoe na die begin van 2020, 17 jaar later en met baie ervaring in grafiese ontwerp, dit tyd vir ‘n verandering. Daar was altyd hierdie leemte wat in my loopbaan net nie gevul kon word nie. Tog onthou ek nog my droom. Op 3 Februarie 2020 het ek ‘n nuwe werk begin, maar nog steeds in grafies en net voor covid ons oewers getref het. Nodeloos om te sê, die werk het verander na ‘n vryskutwerk wat van die huis af gedoen was.</p>\n<blockquote><p>Dit was finansieel ‘n baie rotsagtige periode, met vryskut werk, word jy betaal vir wat jy doen, ek het gesien, dit gaan nie werk nie.</p></blockquote>\n<p>In Augustus van dieselfde jaar het ek ‘n whatsapp van iemand ontvang wat wil weet of ek nog beskikbaar is vir werk. In die wete dat ek niks weet van webwerf of WordPress – ontwerp nie. Ek het ‘n agtergrond in html en css gehad, maar dit was nie genoeg nie. Ek het nog steeds die pos gekry, dit is nie ‘n hoë salaris nie, maar ek werk van die huis af.</p>\n<h3><span class=\"css-901oao css-16my406 r-poiln3 r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0\">Alles Daarna</span></h3>\n<p>WordPress het my lewe grootliks verander, ek ken nie ander WordPress ontwerpers nie, aangesien ek myself geleer het. Gelukkig, met Google en Youtube, asook ‘n paar verbintenisse met die nuwe werk, het my reis in WordPress begin.</p>\n<p>Ek het vier webwerwe ontwerp wat ek onderhou, met nog een wat gebou word, asook nog een of twee wat in die pyplyn is.</p>\n<blockquote><p>Ek het baie vrae gevra toe dit alles gebeur het, soos hoekom het dit gebeur?</p></blockquote>\n<p>Waarom moes dit ek wees? ‘n Jaar later weet ek die antwoord. Ek moes bietjie sukkel om werklik die waarde van wat ons het te leer, dit is nie hoeveel jy het nie, maar wat jy het. Op die oomblik werk ek tuis en hou absoluut van wat ek doen.</p>\n<p>As daar een les uit my verhaal is om te leer is, moenie moed opgee om jou drome te volg nie; jy is nooit te oud om die droom te verwesenlik nie.</p>\n<p>The post <a rel=\"nofollow\" href=\"https://heropress.com/essays/never-give-up-on-your-dreams/\">Never give up on your dreams – Moet nooit jou drome laat vaar nie</a> appeared first on <a rel=\"nofollow\" href=\"https://heropress.com\">HeroPress</a>.</p>\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:7:\"pubDate\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:31:\"Wed, 25 Aug 2021 06:01:00 +0000\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:32:\"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/\";a:1:{s:7:\"creator\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:9:\"Pam Woest\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}}}i:48;a:6:{s:4:\"data\";s:13:\"\n \n \n \n \n \n \n\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"child\";a:2:{s:0:\"\";a:5:{s:5:\"title\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:61:\"WPTavern: Google Search Completes Rollout of Link Spam Update\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"guid\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:30:\"https://wptavern.com/?p=121791\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"link\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:167:\"https://wptavern.com/google-search-completes-rollout-of-link-spam-update?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=google-search-completes-rollout-of-link-spam-update\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:11:\"description\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:3293:\"<p>Google announced today that it has completed its rollout of the link spam update, which was started a month ago. In an effort to combat sites using spammy links to manipulate rankings, the search engine has developed more effective ways to identify and nullify link spam across multiple languages. The update took a couple weeks longer than anticipated but the algorithmic changes that re-assess the ranking of improperly qualified links has now been fully rolled out.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>Commercial linking can be differentiated from link spam by <a href=\"https://developers.google.com/search/docs/advanced/guidelines/qualify-outbound-links\">specifying the appropriate <code>rel</code> attribute</a>. For example, affiliate links must be identified to the search engine by <a href=\"https://developers.google.com/search/docs/advanced/guidelines/qualify-outbound-links\"> rel=”sponsored”</a> in order to not trigger any negative effects from the most recent update. Website owners and content creators should be aware of the search engine’s requirements when publishing affiliate links or sponsored/guest posts. While it is appropriate and ethical to disclose commercial links in the content of the post, this is no longer sufficient for Google.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>A <a href=\"https://developers.google.com/search/blog/2021/07/link-tagging-and-link-spam-update\">post</a> on the Google Search Central blog warns that this update carries a more strict response for sites that do not properly qualify commercial links: </p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote\"><p>When we detect sites engaging in either publishing or acquiring links with excessive sponsored and guest posting without proper link tags, algorithmic and manual actions may be applied, similar to affiliate links.</p></blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>WordPress users who rely on plugins to manage sponsored and affiliate links will want to check to ensure they support the proper tagging for commercial links. <a href=\"https://wordpress.org/plugins/pretty-link/\">Pretty Links</a>, a link management and tracking plugin used by more than 300,000 WordPress sites, added support for the sponsored rel tag in <a href=\"https://wordpress.org/plugins/pretty-link/#developers\">version 3.1.0</a>, along with sponsored toggle support in the block and TinyMCE editors. <a href=\"https://wordpress.org/plugins/thirstyaffiliates/\">ThirstyAffiliates</a>, another popular plugin active on more than 40,00 installs, has a <a href=\"https://wordpress.org/support/topic/requirement-to-use-sponsored-tag-for-affiliate-links/\">global setting for adding rel attribute tags</a> to links, which can also be adjusted on a per-link basis.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>The are many other affiliate link management, tracking, and cloaking plugins out there that may not have been updated with settings for easily designating <a href=\"https://developers.google.com/search/docs/advanced/guidelines/qualify-outbound-links\"><code>rel</code></a>attributes in links. Those who do not want to have negative effects from the link spam update may need the ability to bulk update their links to comply. If you rely on a link management plugin, it’s a good idea to check the plugin’s settings, and alternatively the plugin’s changelog, to see what features are supported. </p>\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:7:\"pubDate\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:31:\"Wed, 25 Aug 2021 04:00:26 +0000\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:32:\"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/\";a:1:{s:7:\"creator\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:13:\"Sarah Gooding\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}}}i:49;a:6:{s:4:\"data\";s:13:\"\n \n \n \n \n \n \n\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"child\";a:2:{s:0:\"\";a:5:{s:5:\"title\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:44:\"WPTavern: Why Did You Start Using WordPress?\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"guid\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:30:\"https://wptavern.com/?p=121794\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"link\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:131:\"https://wptavern.com/why-did-you-start-using-wordpress?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=why-did-you-start-using-wordpress\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:11:\"description\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:5067:\"<img />\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-drop-cap\">If there was a question that ever made me start feeling old, it might be this one. Last week, Marcel Bootsman <a href=\"https://twitter.com/mbootsman/status/1428407620273049605\">asked via Twitter</a>, “Why did you start to use WordPress?”</p>\n\n\n\n<p>WordPress community members chimed in with all sorts of reasons for hopping aboard, and Jeff Chandler of WP Mainline <a href=\"https://wpmainline.com/2021/08/19/the-one-feature-that-got-me-to-start-using-wordpress/\">shared his journey</a> on his site. These are the sort of discussions of nostalgia that I live for. What follows is my story.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>I began blogging in 2003. A friend had introduced me to a <a href=\"https://www.reddit.com/r/nostalgia/comments/2pwkgu/does_anyone_remember_expagecom/\">now-defunct service called Expage</a>. We mostly used it similarly to the early Myspace craze, adding things such as shout-outs to friends, random GIFs, scrolling marquee text, and midi files that blared as soon as a visitor landed on the page. But, I soon began learning how to link together multiple “Expages” (you only got one page), eventually building something of a journal.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>After realizing the limitations of creating multiple accounts and passwords for different pages, I found Yahoo! GeoCities. After a short-lived stint with the service and being stifled by its roadblocks, I soon upgraded to a web hosting plan offered by Yahoo! with full PHP support. That meant I could do dynamic things like having multiple text files to store my blog post entries.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>Thus, began my journey into building my own blogging system. Over the next couple of years, I kept my online journal open to the world with what felt like duct tape and old-fashioned grit. I tried WordPress at some point along the way and took a dive into PHP-Nuke and a couple of others. I then jumped back to my own system. I knew just enough PHP to be a flashing beacon for hacker-bots to push those little blue pills if they had ever bothered looking in my direction. Of course, my blog was so obscure that its glaring security holes did not register on any radar.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>It was a week after I turned 21. On May 8, 2005, I had decided to get serious — yet again — about fixing my digital playground of a website. I would ditch any efforts of moving everything over to WordPress or another CMS. I was a lone wolf and was going to trek into the world <em>wild</em> web with nothing but my existing knowledge and instincts.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>It was a fun era on the web for me. I was also a college student with an ever-changing list of interests, often varying by the day. Building a custom blogging system has never been an easy feat, and managing it all through plain text files had become a burden.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>A mere five days later, I caved on my dream of managing a custom platform, but I needed to do so for my own sanity.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>I simply began using WordPress because it made it easy to manage blog posts.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>There were no special features like the editor, custom post types, or anything else that has brought so many others to the project. It was simply having a nicely organized posts management screen and the output of those posts on the front end. Relative to other systems at the time, it was also easy to install.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>At the time, I probably did not think much of it. It was just another project in a line of others that I had tested, but I am happy I took the leap. WordPress has given me a career and, often, a purpose in life. It allowed me to grow as a developer, designer, and writer.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>It may be blasphemy to say such things in WordPress circles, but my personal blog no longer runs on our beloved platform. After all these years, I have come full circle. My original goal was to build a flat-file blogging system, even though I did not know there was a name for such a thing back in the early-to-mid 2000s. I also did not have the requisite knowledge to build it at the time. However, in 2018, I coded my own system from scratch, and I loved every minute of that initial build. In part, I had a new project to tinker with, but it also carried a bit of the nostalgic factor of re-pioneering my early foray into the web.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>While a custom blogging platform works for my own purposes, it makes me appreciate WordPress even more. It is hard to understand how much work goes into something as seemingly simple as the front-end architecture until you build it from the ground up. And, let us just skip over any talk of creating a secure and accessible admin interface that is user-friendly.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>For any serious endeavor, WordPress is still my go-to solution — <em>my personal site is a playground where I can afford to break things, after all</em>. After our 16-year relationship, I do not see that changing at any point soon. As always, something exciting is around the corner. The platform keeps me on my toes, and I cannot imagine a world without it.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>How or why did you begin using WordPress?</p>\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:7:\"pubDate\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:31:\"Tue, 24 Aug 2021 23:40:01 +0000\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:32:\"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/\";a:1:{s:7:\"creator\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:14:\"Justin Tadlock\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}s:4:\"type\";i:128;s:7:\"headers\";O:42:\"Requests_Utility_CaseInsensitiveDictionary\":1:{s:7:\"\0*\0data\";a:8:{s:6:\"server\";s:5:\"nginx\";s:4:\"date\";s:29:\"Sun, 19 Sep 2021 05:09:51 GMT\";s:12:\"content-type\";s:8:\"text/xml\";s:4:\"vary\";s:15:\"Accept-Encoding\";s:13:\"last-modified\";s:29:\"Sun, 19 Sep 2021 04:45:11 GMT\";s:15:\"x-frame-options\";s:10:\"SAMEORIGIN\";s:4:\"x-nc\";s:9:\"HIT ord 1\";s:16:\"content-encoding\";s:4:\"gzip\";}}s:5:\"build\";s:14:\"20201213021516\";}','no'),(8347,'_transient_timeout_feed_mod_d117b5738fbd35bd8c0391cda1f2b5d9','1632071340','no'),(8348,'_transient_feed_mod_d117b5738fbd35bd8c0391cda1f2b5d9','1632028140','no'),(8349,'_transient_timeout_feed_e0061ca2fa5b884e483872aa34d3e7eb','1632071341','no'),(8350,'_transient_feed_e0061ca2fa5b884e483872aa34d3e7eb','a:4:{s:5:\"child\";a:1:{s:0:\"\";a:1:{s:3:\"rss\";a:1:{i:0;a:6:{s:4:\"data\";s:3:\"\n\n\n\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:1:{s:0:\"\";a:1:{s:7:\"version\";s:3:\"2.0\";}}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"child\";a:1:{s:0:\"\";a:1:{s:7:\"channel\";a:1:{i:0;a:6:{s:4:\"data\";s:49:\"\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"child\";a:4:{s:0:\"\";a:7:{s:5:\"title\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:11:\"UpdraftPlus\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"link\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:23:\"https://updraftplus.com\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:11:\"description\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:77:\"WordPress\'s leading backup plugin - backup, restore and clone WordPress sites\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:13:\"lastBuildDate\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:31:\"Tue, 14 Sep 2021 15:47:08 +0000\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:8:\"language\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:5:\"en-US\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:9:\"generator\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:30:\"https://wordpress.org/?v=5.7.3\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"item\";a:10:{i:0;a:6:{s:4:\"data\";s:103:\"\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"child\";a:6:{s:0:\"\";a:7:{s:5:\"title\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:77:\"How to protect customer data and prevent GDPR breaches on your WordPress site\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"link\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:58:\"http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/UpdraftPlus/~3/IYqI44wz3a8/\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:8:\"comments\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:110:\"https://updraftplus.com/how-to-protect-customer-data-and-prevent-gdpr-breaches-on-your-wordpress-site/#respond\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:7:\"pubDate\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:31:\"Fri, 10 Sep 2021 13:29:52 +0000\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:8:\"category\";a:11:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:8:\"Security\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:1;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:19:\"all in one security\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:2;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:6:\"breach\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:3;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:20:\"Easy Updates Manager\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:4;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:4:\"gdpr\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:5;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:5:\"guide\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:6;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:7:\"prevent\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:7;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:8:\"security\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:8;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:4:\"stop\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:9;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:4:\"tips\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:10;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:9:\"wordpress\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"guid\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:34:\"https://updraftplus.com/?p=1223203\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:1:{s:0:\"\";a:1:{s:11:\"isPermaLink\";s:5:\"false\";}}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:11:\"description\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:834:\"<p>For UpdraftPlus’ own privacy policy and how we deal with GDPR, please go to the privacy centre. Up until the advent of the internet, the most a company would know about their customers was their names, address, maybe their purchase … <a href=\"https://updraftplus.com/how-to-protect-customer-data-and-prevent-gdpr-breaches-on-your-wordpress-site/\">Continue reading <span class=\"meta-nav\">→</span></a></p>\n<p>The post <a rel=\"nofollow\" href=\"https://updraftplus.com/how-to-protect-customer-data-and-prevent-gdpr-breaches-on-your-wordpress-site/\">How to protect customer data and prevent GDPR breaches on your WordPress site</a> appeared first on <a rel=\"nofollow\" href=\"https://updraftplus.com\">UpdraftPlus</a>. <a href=\"http://updraftplus.com\">UpdraftPlus - Backup, restore and migration plugin for WordPress.</a></p>\n\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:32:\"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/\";a:1:{s:7:\"creator\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:13:\"Melvin Braide\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:40:\"http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/\";a:1:{s:7:\"encoded\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:19010:\"<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"How to protect customer data and prevent GDPR breaches on your WordPress site\" width=\"1080\" height=\"608\" src=\"https://www.youtube.com/embed/bEFyE9mDO6g?feature=oembed\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen></iframe></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For UpdraftPlus’ own privacy policy and how we deal with GDPR, please go to the </span><a href=\"https://updraftplus.com/data-protection-and-privacy-centre/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">privacy centre</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Up until the advent of the internet, the most a company would know about their customers was their names, address, maybe their purchase history and little more. Fast forward to 2021, and businesses have access to all aspects of a customer’s (or potential customer) interests, bank details, email addresses, hobbies, desires, passions and goals – as well as some very personal information that the potential customer might not even be aware they are sharing. While this information has allowed companies to better serve and market towards customers, if this treasure trove of personal data gets into the wrong hands, it can cause a major problem for all involved. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In this blog, we will discuss how to protect customer data and prevent GDPR breaches. But first it is important to define what a data breach is and what GDPR means. </span></p>\n<h4><b>What is a data breach? </b></h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A data breach is an incident that allows outsiders or unauthorized personnel to access or obtain confidential information from a system, without the permission of the owner. </span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While cybercriminals represent the most common threat to data protection, they aren’t the only culprits. Employees and coworkers can either </span><a href=\"https://www.kaspersky.com/resource-center/definitions/data-breach\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">accidentally or maliciously share data with unauthorized persons</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, which can also result in a data breach. </span></p>\n<h4><b>What is GDPR? </b></h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">GDPR stands for general data protection regulation, and as the name implies, it is a regulation that addresses data protection and privacy. While GDPR applies to countries and companies operating with the EU, </span><a href=\"https://insights.comforte.com/13-countries-with-gdpr-like-data-privacy-laws\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">countries all over the world</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> have similar GDPR-like policies in place.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In May 2018, </span><a href=\"https://www.superoffice.com/blog/gdpr/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">the EU implemented the GDPR</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to ensure that citizens of the EU and EEA region have greater control over what personal information they allow access to, how that information is used and what assurances they have regarding the protection of that information by the companies involved. </span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The GDPR directive stipulates that personal data includes name, IP address, banking details, email address, photo, location, or medical information. This regulation applies to every company with customers that are EU and EEA citizens. </span></p>\n<h2><b>10 ways to keep your customer subscription data safe and prevent GDPR breaches</b></h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If a company finds itself victim of a data breach, it can find itself facing an expensive bill. Under GDPR guidelines, a company can face fines of up to </span><a href=\"https://www.gdpr.associates/data-breach-prevention/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">€</span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">20 million or 4% of their annual turnover</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> due to a breach. However, the following practices can drastically reduce your chances of experiencing a security breach. </span></p>\n<h4><b>1. Only collect essential data </b></h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your company’s database should consist of only information that is crucial to your marketing efforts. The more personal the information that is obtained from customers, the more valuable they will be to hackers and cybercriminals. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A crucial part of </span><a href=\"https://www.zendesk.com/blog/8-ways-effectively-manage-customer-data/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">customer data management</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is deciding which data you should collect and what you don’t need. Between </span><a href=\"https://go.forrester.com/blogs/hadoop-is-datas-darling-for-a-reason/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">60% and 73%</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> of data collected by companies is unused for analytics, which shows that organisations probably don’t need as much information as they think they do to conduct business. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What comprises essential data for your company depends on your marketing goals and your ability to analyze the data to gain insights. Since marketing goals evolve, regularly evaluating the type of data you collect can save you trouble and aid your compliance with data protection regulations. </span></p>\n<h4><b>2. Perform routine vulnerability and risk assessments</b></h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">According to the </span><a href=\"https://www.cisecurity.org/controls/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Center for Internet Security (CIS)</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, vulnerability management is the third most important action you can take to protect your organization from data breaches. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The processes involved in vulnerability management include identifying possible security breaches and classifying them according to their threat level. Regular risk and vulnerability assessments help you identify holes in your defences and take measures to plug them. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When carrying out these assessments, you should leave no stone unturned. Inspect and evaluate your data storage, software and data security policies – like the use of personal devices and remote ‘work from home’ access for employees. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">WordPress itself is a very secure platform. However, it helps to add some extra security and firewall to your site by using a security plugin that enforces a lot of good security practices.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You can also install the </span><a href=\"https://wordpress.org/plugins/all-in-one-wp-security-and-firewall/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">All In One WordPress Security plugin</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> on your WordPress site. This plugin can help improve your website security. It works by analyzing your site and reduces security risk by checking for vulnerabilities. By implementing and enforcing the latest recommended WordPress security practices and techniques, you can help patch any potential weaknesses, before they become an issue. </span></p>\n<h4><b>3. Involve every member of your team </b></h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It is imperative that every employee play their role to prevent a breach. Your defences are only as strong as your weakest link and without proper security awareness and education, employees can unknowingly become that weak link to hackers and cyber criminals. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Employees should also be trained on how to identify security threats – what comprises “sensitive information” and how to immediately report data leakages and breaches. Employees should also be aware of the latest phishing and hacking techniques employed by cybercriminals (such as legitimate looking fake emails), and how to prevent them. </span></p>\n<h4><b>4. Adhere to data protection regulations </b></h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Data protection laws and guidelines are more stringent today than they were just a few years ago. This is in part because the amount of personal data collected by organizations has increased dramatically with the advent of smart phones. Additionally, the rise in the sophistication and potency of cybercriminals and their operations has seen ‘hacking’ and the theft of personal data become an almost acceptable career in some countries. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In this day and age, abiding by data protection regulations such as GDPR helps you to prevent leakages and avoid potential fines. It can also save your company’s reputation and increase customer trust. </span></p>\n<h4><b>5. Restrict data access </b></h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Just like secrets, the fewer people that have access to data, the lower the chance that it will be leaked. It is worth remembering that not all employees need the same level of access to sensitive customer information. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A good code of practice to follow is to segment customer data, and then grant levels of access to staff for each segment depending on the staff member’s need to access that information. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While this may be a time consuming and painstaking process, compared to potential lawsuits, hefty fines, reputation damage and potentially millions of dollars in lost revenue; it is more than worth it. </span></p>\n<h4><b>6. Data encryption </b></h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Data encryption is the practice of encoding data (such as messages and files) to make them unreadable to unauthorized persons. By following the process of converting sensitive information from the plain, readable format to ciphertext; you can achieve data that is in an encoded format. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A crucial aspect of your data security plan should include provisions for encryption of sensitive data. Personal data across all devices used for company functions should be encrypted including messages, calls, and emails. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With </span><a href=\"https://www.druva.com/glossary/what-is-data-encryption-definition-and-related-faqs/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">data encryption</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, you can securely save sensitive data on the cloud or on connected servers. </span></p>\n<h4><b>7. Two-Factor authentication (2FA)</b></h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Two-factor authentication is a data security measure that requires two different forms of identification to gain access to an online account. 2FA combines a password with another credential – such as a one time password, security badges or biometric data (such as a fingerprint). This adds an additional layer of security and by requiring 2FA across all company devices and systems – this would improve your data security hugely. </span></p>\n<h4><b>8. Regular security updates </b></h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You may have suspected it, but the main reason giant companies like Apple provide regular updates for their software (iOS & Mac OS) is to patch up weak spots and loopholes that hackers could potentially exploit. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">By regularly updating your security software, you can reduce its weaknesses and increase its efficiency. </span></p>\n<h4><b>9. Online and offline data backup </b></h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While this is not particularly intended to prevent a breach, it can save you a lot of time, money, and trouble in the event of data theft or loss. Having a secure backup means that your customer subscription data, as well as other sensitive information, is safe. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The longer your site is suffering from downtime as you try to recover the missing data, the more money you lose. A recent </span><a href=\"https://twitter.com/growwithco\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">report</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> suggests companies can lose as much as $300,000 per hour due to the downtime in the event of a hack, bug or server issue. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">By backing up your site using </span><a href=\"https://updraftplus.com/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">UpdraftPlus</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, you can be sure that you will always have a secure backup of your original website, should you ever need to restore it. </span></p>\n<h4><b>10. Have a data breach response plan </b></h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If all else fails and your preventative measures are still breached, then what? Having a Plan B, such as an </span><a href=\"https://securityscorecard.com/blog/the-ultimate-data-breach-response-plan\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">organizational data breach response plan</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, can mitigate the potential damage of a data breach. </span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Under GDPR guidelines, your customers have the right to know that their data and personal information could be compromised within the first 72 hours of a breach. As such, your plan should always include how to inform your customers. </span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">According to the </span><a href=\"https://www.uschamber.com/co/run/technology/data-backup-facts\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">US Chamber of commerce</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, 68% of small businesses lack a disaster recovery plan. Putting together a plan for your organization puts you a step ahead of the curve. </span></p>\n<h2><b>Data breaches that companies can experience</b></h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Data breaches can occur through various means, but here are the most common. </span></p>\n<p><b>Phishing<br />\n</b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Phishing is when cyber criminals try to gain access to sensitive data, such as your banking details and passwords. They achieve this by posing as a reputable company or individual you may already have dealings with and often informing you of a problem that requires you to click on a link that downloads malicious software on your computer. Training employees on how to spot phishing attempts in emails, messages and adverts can help prevent these types of attacks. </span></p>\n<p><b>Brute force cyber attack<br />\n</b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This is a more direct type of attack GDPRwhere hackers use software tools to try to guess your password. With the rapid speed of modern computers, it takes far less time to guess passwords correctly than it used to. </span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your best chance against this type of cyber attack is to have longer and more secure passwords. A good practice would be the use of password phrases; as they are easier to remember, and harder to guess. </span></p>\n<p><b>Malware<br />\n</b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Intruders can install malware or spyware on your devices to allow them access confidential files without your notice. Malware is typically a piece of malicious software, and it’s activities and presence can go unnoticed for a long enough period of time to cause significant damage. </span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Malware can be installed on your computer physically or virtually through sources such as an email link. Learning how to spot these attacks and restricting access to your computer can help avoid this type of attack. </span></p>\n<p><b>Human error, accidents and theft<br />\n</b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In a way, human error will play a role in almost all the types of cyber attacks. Granted, malicious software will take advantage of already existing weaknesses in your system’s defences, but you still have to be careless with your computer or click on a malicious link for it to work. </span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">On the other hand, a stolen computer or a laptop left at a bus stop can potentially give the thief access to sensitive data. </span></p>\n<h2><b>What to do in the event of a data breach? </b></h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Bad press, lawsuits, financial losses and distrust are some of the effects of a data breach. In the event of a breach, the focus shifts to how you can manage your organisations reputation and build back trust in employees and customers alike. Here is how you can do that: </span></p>\n<p><b>Good PR<br />\n</b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">An excellent PR team will work to ensure your customers understand you are on their side. It helps if you have a PR team on standby with a pre-planned sequence of actions that can be implemented within hours in the event of a data breach. </span></p>\n<p><b>Transparency<br />\n</b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What’s worse than a breach and leak of sensitive customer data is a cloud of dishonesty and deceit in its aftermath. The pushback and consequent cost of the breach can be mitigated with a level of transparency and cooperation with the affected customers. </span></p>\n<p><b>Kick-start your data breach response plan<br />\n</b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Regardless of how much you try to prevent it, with advancing technology and cybercrime sophistication, there’s still a chance of a data breach, no matter how small. Actions in your response plan should include a public address and some sort of compensation plan for the affected customers. </span></p>\n<h2><b>Conclusion </b></h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">$4.24 million is the average cost of a data breach in 2021 according to </span><a href=\"https://www.ibm.com/security/data-breach\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">IBM</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. That’s a significant enough amount of damage for it to be taken seriously. </span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Whether or not your business operations are digital, if your customer data is stored on any technological device, you should pay attention to the steps above. </span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Learning how to protect customer data and prevent GDPR breaches imply that you are prioritizing your customers’ privacy. That practice boosts your reputation and encourages brand loyalty. </span></p>\n<p>The post <a rel=\"nofollow\" href=\"https://updraftplus.com/how-to-protect-customer-data-and-prevent-gdpr-breaches-on-your-wordpress-site/\">How to protect customer data and prevent GDPR breaches on your WordPress site</a> appeared first on <a rel=\"nofollow\" href=\"https://updraftplus.com\">UpdraftPlus</a>. <a href=\"http://updraftplus.com\">UpdraftPlus - Backup, restore and migration plugin for WordPress.</a></p>\n\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:36:\"http://wellformedweb.org/CommentAPI/\";a:1:{s:10:\"commentRss\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:107:\"https://updraftplus.com/how-to-protect-customer-data-and-prevent-gdpr-breaches-on-your-wordpress-site/feed/\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:38:\"http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/slash/\";a:1:{s:8:\"comments\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:1:\"0\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:42:\"http://rssnamespace.org/feedburner/ext/1.0\";a:1:{s:8:\"origLink\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:102:\"https://updraftplus.com/how-to-protect-customer-data-and-prevent-gdpr-breaches-on-your-wordpress-site/\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}}}i:1;a:6:{s:4:\"data\";s:94:\"\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"child\";a:6:{s:0:\"\";a:7:{s:5:\"title\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:53:\"Speed up your WordPress site using image optimization\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"link\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:58:\"http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/UpdraftPlus/~3/WXNMF6A23Lg/\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:8:\"comments\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:86:\"https://updraftplus.com/speed-up-your-wordpress-site-using-image-optimization/#respond\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:7:\"pubDate\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:31:\"Fri, 03 Sep 2021 14:55:53 +0000\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:8:\"category\";a:8:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:13:\"Uncategorized\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:1;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:14:\"Google ranking\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:2;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:17:\"image compression\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:3;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:14:\"image optimize\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:4;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:13:\"image optimse\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:5;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:3:\"SEO\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:6;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:11:\"WP-Optimise\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:7;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:11:\"WP-Optimize\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"guid\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:34:\"https://updraftplus.com/?p=1217583\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:1:{s:0:\"\";a:1:{s:11:\"isPermaLink\";s:5:\"false\";}}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:11:\"description\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:762:\"<p>When evaluating the speed and performance of your website, there are over 200 factors that search engines like Google use to rank content and web pages. Some of these factors are known, such as site update frequency, while the weight … <a href=\"https://updraftplus.com/speed-up-your-wordpress-site-using-image-optimization/\">Continue reading <span class=\"meta-nav\">→</span></a></p>\n<p>The post <a rel=\"nofollow\" href=\"https://updraftplus.com/speed-up-your-wordpress-site-using-image-optimization/\">Speed up your WordPress site using image optimization</a> appeared first on <a rel=\"nofollow\" href=\"https://updraftplus.com\">UpdraftPlus</a>. <a href=\"http://updraftplus.com\">UpdraftPlus - Backup, restore and migration plugin for WordPress.</a></p>\n\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:32:\"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/\";a:1:{s:7:\"creator\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:13:\"Wayne Mullins\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:40:\"http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/\";a:1:{s:7:\"encoded\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:14137:\"<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Speed up your WordPress site using image optimization\" width=\"1080\" height=\"608\" src=\"https://www.youtube.com/embed/SOaqwJIrhfk?feature=oembed\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen></iframe></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When evaluating the speed and performance of your website, there are over </span><a href=\"https://www.webfx.com/blog/internet/seo-ranking-factors/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">200 factors</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that search engines like Google use to rank content and web pages. Some of these factors are known, such as site update frequency, while the weight of other factors – such as meta-tag spamming, are not known to the extent they impact the ranking score and how they affect a site.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Possibly the most important factor when deciding your site’s Google ranking is it’s loading speed and how long the site takes to completely load on both mobile and desktop.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">An important part of the loading speed process, your site’s overall SEO score and speed ranking is image size and image optimization. In this blog we will be looking at why this is important and why you should always have optimized images on your site.</span></p>\n<h4><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Why is image optimization important?</span></h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Since Google considers site loading speed to be one of the </span><a href=\"https://cognitiveseo.com/blog/22865/page-speed-seo/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">main ranking factors</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> when evaluating a site’s SEO score, Google focuses on the overall user experience as a metric for website quality. The speed of a site not only has an impact on SEO score, but has also shown to have a large role in the bounce rate of users, as they typically tend to leave a site if it takes more than 3 seconds to load.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Slow site speed can be responsible for abandoned carts, drops-in conversion rates and other problems that might cause the user experience to be negatively rated. If an e-commerce site is making $100,000 per day, a 1 second page delay could potentially cost you $2.5 million in </span><a href=\"https://neilpatel.com/blog/loading-time/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">lost sales every year</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. A large portion of a website’s weight and loading speed factors can be attributed to the size of your image. Compressing your images will reduce the time it takes to load them in a user’s browser, improving the overall loading speed of the website.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It should also be noted that a high speed internet connection is not going to solve the problem of a slow loading website, as the loading speed is largely dictated by the host that is hosting your files, and can only upload them at a certain bandwidth.</span></p>\n<h4><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How can you check your site speed?</span></h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It is possible to check your site speed using simple online tools. Some of the most commonly used web tools are listed below;</span></p>\n<h4>Google Insights</h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This is a developer’s tool that was introduced by Google for the single purpose of identifying site speed on a user’s desktop or mobile. This site should typically be your first port of call when evaluating site speed, as it belongs to the same organization that is responsible for ranking your website. As such, this adds a further level of legitimacy and behind the scenes knowledge when evaluating your site speed.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Insights not only measures the speed for both desktop and mobile, but also provides a breakdown of all the reasons why and where any issue to the site speed lies. </span><a href=\"https://developers.google.com/speed/pagespeed/insights/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Google Insights</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> also delves deep into the images and checks for the potential reduction in file size. This platform also allocates a score to your website, allowing you to gauge any short term improvements and errors that you may have made, which you might not have realized otherwise. </span></p>\n<p><a href=\"https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/New-Project-2021-09-03T143518.758.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-1217612\" src=\"https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/New-Project-2021-09-03T143518.758.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"623\" height=\"530\" srcset=\"https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/New-Project-2021-09-03T143518.758.jpg 623w, https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/New-Project-2021-09-03T143518.758-480x408.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) 623px, 100vw\" /></a></p>\n<h4>GT Metrix</h4>\n<p><a href=\"https://gtmetrix.com/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">GT Metrix</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is broadly similar to Google Insights, in that It more or less provides the same information and allocates a ranking score for your website. </span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">GT Metrix not only identifies any problems with your site, but also provides potential solutions to any detected speed issues that may be slowing you down. If you are looking for something outside the Google ecosystem, this is a site that you should consider getting familiar with. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you have checked your site speed and image size has been flagged up as an issue, where do you go from there?</span></p>\n<p><a href=\"https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/New-Project-2021-09-03T143538.301.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-1217611\" src=\"https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/New-Project-2021-09-03T143538.301.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"624\" height=\"361\" srcset=\"https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/New-Project-2021-09-03T143538.301.jpg 624w, https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/New-Project-2021-09-03T143538.301-480x278.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) 624px, 100vw\" /></a></p>\n<h4><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">WP-Optimize – the WordPress plugin that makes image optimization simple</span></h4>\n<p><a href=\"https://getwpo.com/buy/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">WP-Optimize</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is one of the leading WordPress optimization plugins that is trusted by over a million users all over the world, with a 4.8 out of 5 ranking on WP.org. Wp-Optimize focuses on the 3 main components when optimizing your site:</span></p>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cleaning your database.</span></li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Compressing your Images.</span></li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Website caching.</span></li>\n</ol>\n<p><a href=\"https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/New-Project-2021-09-03T143551.247.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-1217610\" src=\"https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/New-Project-2021-09-03T143551.247.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"624\" height=\"422\" srcset=\"https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/New-Project-2021-09-03T143551.247.jpg 624w, https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/New-Project-2021-09-03T143551.247-480x325.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) 624px, 100vw\" /></a></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While there are several overall different methods WP-Optimize can help with your site SEO, we will be focusing on the image compression aspect of the plugin for this blog. As mentioned above, image compression has long been an issue when it comes to site speed and just making these changes can have a big impact on loading times..</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">WP-Optimize uses a cutting edge ‘lossy technique’ to compress large image files ( high load times) to smaller compressed versions ( low load times). All of the compressed images are then directly saved to the site’s image library, where they are accessible and reversible to their original size (should you wish to change them back). </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With WP-Optimize, you can compress different image file formats including; JPG, PNG, GIF, BMP and TIFF. When deciding which images you should compress, it is recommended that Images up to the size of 5 MB should be optimized for faster loading speeds. You should also always remember to take a back-up of your site using </span><a href=\"https://updraftplus.com/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">UpdraftPlus </span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">before compressing any images or making any kind of change to your site, as potential issues may arise.</span></p>\n<p><a href=\"https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/New-Project-2021-09-03T143606.751.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-1217609\" src=\"https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/New-Project-2021-09-03T143606.751.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"624\" height=\"430\" srcset=\"https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/New-Project-2021-09-03T143606.751.jpg 624w, https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/New-Project-2021-09-03T143606.751-480x331.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) 624px, 100vw\" /></a></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Additional features of WP-Optimize image optimization include:</span></p>\n<h4><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Bulk compression</span></h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Allows you to select and compress all your images together. This can potentially save you a lot of time, as some sites can have hundreds, if not thousands of images that need compressing.</span></p>\n<h4><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Intelligent, multi-pass lossy compression algorithm</span></h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The algorithm is created in such a way that it gives users twice the compression with a lot less loss of image quality.</span></p>\n<h4><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Restore to the original image</span></h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While ‘Ctrl+Z’ can come in very handy in lots of online applications, it isn’t something that is usually found with an image optimization plugin. With WP-Optimize, you can revert back to the original images at any time. </span></p>\n<h4><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Auto compress </span></h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Auto compress allows for all of your future images that will be uploaded to your website to be compressed automatically. This means you will not have to manually compress your images every time you upload a new one. Just select your compression settings and WP-Optimize will compress all of your images in real time as they are being uploaded onto the website.</span></p>\n<p><a href=\"https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/New-Project-2021-09-03T143624.454.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-1217608\" src=\"https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/New-Project-2021-09-03T143624.454.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"624\" height=\"431\" srcset=\"https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/New-Project-2021-09-03T143624.454.jpg 624w, https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/New-Project-2021-09-03T143624.454-480x332.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) 624px, 100vw\" /></a></p>\n<h4><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Keep your EXIF data</span></h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If your website is related to high end photography (for example, a wedding photography site), the photographic data of your images can be incredibly important. With most image compression plugins, this data would be lost post compression. But with WP-Optimize, you can select to keep the original photographic EXIF data, even if you decide to compress a 2GB image to 500k. </span></p>\n<h4><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Conclusion</span></h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">WP-Optimize is a great option that includes many different optimization factors in one convenient plugin. As an overall WordPress optimization plugin, WP-Optimize is as good as, if not better, than some of the ‘top’ paid plugins. The following chart shows how WP-Optimize compares to leading SEO plugins like WP-Rocket, W3 and WP Fastest Cache.</span></p>\n<p><a href=\"https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/New-Project-2021-09-03T143637.521.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-1217607\" src=\"https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/New-Project-2021-09-03T143637.521.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"624\" height=\"250\" srcset=\"https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/New-Project-2021-09-03T143637.521.jpg 624w, https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/New-Project-2021-09-03T143637.521-480x192.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) 624px, 100vw\" /></a></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you are looking to improve the loading speed of your site, compressing your images is a great way to start. Download WP-Optimize today and see the difference a good optimization plugin can make to your WordPress site.</span></p>\n<p>The post <a rel=\"nofollow\" href=\"https://updraftplus.com/speed-up-your-wordpress-site-using-image-optimization/\">Speed up your WordPress site using image optimization</a> appeared first on <a rel=\"nofollow\" href=\"https://updraftplus.com\">UpdraftPlus</a>. <a href=\"http://updraftplus.com\">UpdraftPlus - Backup, restore and migration plugin for WordPress.</a></p>\n\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:36:\"http://wellformedweb.org/CommentAPI/\";a:1:{s:10:\"commentRss\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:83:\"https://updraftplus.com/speed-up-your-wordpress-site-using-image-optimization/feed/\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:38:\"http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/slash/\";a:1:{s:8:\"comments\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:1:\"0\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:42:\"http://rssnamespace.org/feedburner/ext/1.0\";a:1:{s:8:\"origLink\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:78:\"https://updraftplus.com/speed-up-your-wordpress-site-using-image-optimization/\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}}}i:2;a:6:{s:4:\"data\";s:88:\"\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"child\";a:6:{s:0:\"\";a:7:{s:5:\"title\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:83:\"Why should you add two-factor authentications (2FA) to your WordPress site in 2021?\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"link\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:58:\"http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/UpdraftPlus/~3/SGjl_ZI9MXE/\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:8:\"comments\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:112:\"https://updraftplus.com/why-should-you-add-two-factor-authentication-2fa-to-your-wordpress-site-in-2021/#respond\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:7:\"pubDate\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:31:\"Fri, 27 Aug 2021 14:19:46 +0000\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:8:\"category\";a:6:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:15:\"Tips and tricks\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:1;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:3:\"2fa\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:2;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:14:\"authentication\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:3;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:8:\"password\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:4;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:8:\"security\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:5;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:9:\"wordpress\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"guid\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:34:\"https://updraftplus.com/?p=1211861\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:1:{s:0:\"\";a:1:{s:11:\"isPermaLink\";s:5:\"false\";}}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:11:\"description\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:843:\"<p>Once you have created your WordPress site, there are several factors you need to consider to keep your new site safe, whether it’s making sure your site is secure, you have regular backups scheduled or that your plugins are up … <a href=\"https://updraftplus.com/why-should-you-add-two-factor-authentication-2fa-to-your-wordpress-site-in-2021/\">Continue reading <span class=\"meta-nav\">→</span></a></p>\n<p>The post <a rel=\"nofollow\" href=\"https://updraftplus.com/why-should-you-add-two-factor-authentication-2fa-to-your-wordpress-site-in-2021/\">Why should you add two-factor authentications (2FA) to your WordPress site in 2021?</a> appeared first on <a rel=\"nofollow\" href=\"https://updraftplus.com\">UpdraftPlus</a>. <a href=\"http://updraftplus.com\">UpdraftPlus - Backup, restore and migration plugin for WordPress.</a></p>\n\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:32:\"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/\";a:1:{s:7:\"creator\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:13:\"Wayne Mullins\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:40:\"http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/\";a:1:{s:7:\"encoded\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:13346:\"<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Why should you add two-factor authentications (2FA) to your WordPress site in 2021?\" width=\"1080\" height=\"608\" src=\"https://www.youtube.com/embed/-Mej0VbpHBs?feature=oembed\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen></iframe></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Once you have created your WordPress site, there are several factors you need to consider to keep your new site safe, whether it’s making sure your site is secure, you have regular backups scheduled or that your plugins are up to date. </span></p>\n<p><a href=\"https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/unnamed-6.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-image-1211909 aligncenter\" src=\"https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/unnamed-6.png\" alt=\"two factor authentication\" width=\"676\" height=\"380\" srcset=\"https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/unnamed-6.png 676w, https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/unnamed-6-480x270.png 480w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) 676px, 100vw\" /></a></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you are establishing your business and brand in the online world, it is important to ensure that your site is not vulnerable to hackers and cyber attacks. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">According to </span><a href=\"https://cobalt.io/blog/cybersecurity-statistics-2021\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Security Magazine</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: “Every day, there are over 2,200 cyberattacks – which is nearly one every 39 seconds.”</span></p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">43% of small businesses have no cybersecurity defense plan in place. </span></li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">60% of small business owners do not think their business is a target for cybercriminals.</span></li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">74% of small business attacks were executed by external actors, as opposed to internal employees</span></li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">84% of small business attacks focused on the monetary gain with 8% focused on espionage and the remainder focused on hacking for fun or grudges</span></li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">22% of small businesses transitioned to remote work without a cybersecurity plan in place.</span></li>\n</ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To minimize and limit your site’s vulnerability and risk of cyber-attacks, WordPress provides you with the ability to install and use two-factor authentication</span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">on your website.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In 2021</span><b>, </b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">it was reported that only </span><a href=\"https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/57-percent-of-businesses-use-multi-factor-auth-mfa-says-lastpass/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">57% of businesses</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> around the world will use some form of online Multi-Factor Auth (MFA) as a method of authentication, designed to add an extra layer of protection on top of users’ login credentials. Of those employees</span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> using MFA, 95% reported using a software-based 2 factor authentication tool (such a mobile phone app), while 4% have a hardware-based 2 factor authentication solution, with roughly 1% using biometrics.</span></p>\n<p><b>What is Two-Factor Authentication and how does it work? </b></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2FA refers to the process by which the person has to complete an extra level of login security verification to show that they have the necessary permissions required to access the site, documents, applications, sales information etc.</span></p>\n<h3><b>What are authentication factors?</b></h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While all sites will have at least one login process to access your account, there are several ways in which a user can be authenticated using an additional authentication method. Most authentication methods typically rely on the user’s knowledge factors, which includes login information such as traditional passwords. By adding an additional 2 factor authentication method, this forces the user to give extra information, which is either a possession factor or an inherence factor.</span></p>\n<p><b>Knowledge Factor – </b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This refers to the typical username/passwords and pin codes through which you can access a website account. No matter what type of password you select; including numbers, words, symbols, uppercase, and lowercase, it will still be considered ‘basic security’. </span></p>\n<p><b>Personal/Possession Factor – </b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This level of security</span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">factor refers to something that the user has in their possession. Examples of this can include your ID card, a previously answered security question, a one time password sent to your smart device, smartphone app verification etc. </span></p>\n<p><b>Biometric Factor – </b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This can also be known as an inherence factor and is a security factor inherent in the user’s physical self. Typically, these are identified as unique personal physical characteristics such as fingerprint, facial, voice recognition or behavioral biometrics, including keystroke dynamics, gait or speech patterns.</span></p>\n<p><a href=\"https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/unnamed-7.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-1211910\" src=\"https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/unnamed-7.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"627\" height=\"353\" srcset=\"https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/unnamed-7.png 467w, https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/unnamed-7-300x169.png 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 627px) 100vw, 627px\" /></a></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While most two-factor authentication methods will only rely on the first three methods of authentication, there are systems that require further and more detailed security and will require further multifactor authentication (MFA), which requires two or more independent credentials for more secure login/authentication.</span></p>\n<p><b>Location and Timing Factor – </b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Some sites containing sensitive and personal information that you may try to log into, such as Facebook and Google, are designed to notify the owner if they register a user attempting to log into your account from a suspicious location or at an unusual time. If this occurs, the sites send an email to the owners to notify them of the login discrepancies.This method can be enforced by limiting authentication attempts to known user specific devices (such a model of their mobile phone), or by tracking the geographic source of an authentication attempt based on the source Internet Protocol address or some other geolocation information, such as Global Positioning System (GPS) data, derived from the user’s mobile phone or other device.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">By using these 2FA methods, multiple layers of protection can protect your website from phishing attacks by hackers and other cyber-security problems.</span></p>\n<p><b>Is 2FA foolproof and can it be hacked? </b></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2FA can go a very long way in making your site secure. But no matter how thorough and safe your security login process is, nothing can make it 100% safe. Even recently, the popular crypto currency trading exchange Coinbase </span><a href=\"https://www.techradar.com/uk/news/coinbase-customers-up-in-arms-after-hackers-drain-crypto-wallets\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">was hacked</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> by actors who were able to bypass the user’s two factor authentication by cloning their mobile phones and gaining access to generated 2FA text message passcodes. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2FA security is only as secure as its weakest component. </span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The National Institute of Standards and Technology (</span><a href=\"https://searchsoftwarequality.techtarget.com/definition/NIST\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">NIST</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">) has now discouraged the use of text messages in 2FA services, recommending instead that randomly generated time-limited tokens, owing to the risk of mobile phone cloning or malware that can intercept or redirect text messages.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Many large organizations, such as Google, Facebook, Uber, etc. have fallen victim to data hacks and have found their user information for sale on the dark web. Hackers’ tools and methods of attacks are becoming more sophisticated and harder to detect – incorporating phishing, password spraying, ransomware and malware attacks. While security teams are constantly working to improve online security, they have yet to put an end to the possibility. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">According to</span><a href=\"https://www.privacyaffairs.com/dark-web-price-index-2020/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Dark Web Price Index 2020</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: </span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br />\n</span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br />\n</span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“Data samples of millions of people sold on the Dark Web range from $25USD to $6000USD for premium accounts.”</span><b><i> </i></b></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Typically, If the user has up-to-date security protocols, hackers will usually move on to a user that is more vulnerable and has failed to properly set up their additional security. </span></p>\n<p><b>Tips for minimizing the risk of cyberattacks:</b></p>\n<p><b>Always have a backup of your site</b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: By using </span><a href=\"https://updraftplus.com/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">UpdraftPlus</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, you can ensure that you will have a secure and safe backup of your WordPress website. Should the worst happen and your site is the victim of a hack, you can revert to the older version of your site and make changes to your login process to make your site more secure.</span></p>\n<p><b>Ensure your site has a robust security system</b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: While you can’t remove all of the risk of being hacked, you can minimize it. Ensure that you have a reputable two factor authentication login system for all users with back-end website access. Do not give unnecessary privileges to users if they do not require them, as they can be used to take control of the website. </span></p>\n<p><b>Update your plugins/themes/WordPress version</b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: When hacking a WordPress site, this is the most common route of attack. Outdated plugins can be particularly vulnerable to hackers in giving them a route into your site.</span></p>\n<p><b>Make sure users are aware of the risks</b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: It is vital that everyone with a higher level of access to your site be smart and aware of potential security issues. This means being aware of potential hacking attempts via email phishing scams, that may appear genuine, but are attempts to retrieve user names/passwords and install malware onto your computer.</span></p>\n<p><b>Strong passwords: </b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While this may seem like the most obvious, it is also often the most overlooked. Having a strong and unpredictable password is often the first and best level of protection against most hacks. Passwords that are changed often and have a string of letters and special characters are very difficult to hack via forced password attacks. </span></p>\n<p><b>Ending Notes: </b></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The more you know, the better your chances are of preventing any kind of cyber attack before it has even begun. A mixture of 2FA, updated software and secure passwords and help prevent the vast majority of attempted hacks. But should the worst happen, always remember that you should have a recent backup copy of your site with </span><a href=\"https://updraftplus.com/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">UpdraftPlus</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, which should be stored in a secure remote storage location. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you have any suggestions or queries, feel free to comment below. We are interested in hearing from you.</span></p>\n<p>The post <a rel=\"nofollow\" href=\"https://updraftplus.com/why-should-you-add-two-factor-authentication-2fa-to-your-wordpress-site-in-2021/\">Why should you add two-factor authentications (2FA) to your WordPress site in 2021?</a> appeared first on <a rel=\"nofollow\" href=\"https://updraftplus.com\">UpdraftPlus</a>. <a href=\"http://updraftplus.com\">UpdraftPlus - Backup, restore and migration plugin for WordPress.</a></p>\n\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:36:\"http://wellformedweb.org/CommentAPI/\";a:1:{s:10:\"commentRss\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:109:\"https://updraftplus.com/why-should-you-add-two-factor-authentication-2fa-to-your-wordpress-site-in-2021/feed/\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:38:\"http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/slash/\";a:1:{s:8:\"comments\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:1:\"0\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:42:\"http://rssnamespace.org/feedburner/ext/1.0\";a:1:{s:8:\"origLink\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:104:\"https://updraftplus.com/why-should-you-add-two-factor-authentication-2fa-to-your-wordpress-site-in-2021/\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}}}i:3;a:6:{s:4:\"data\";s:85:\"\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"child\";a:6:{s:0:\"\";a:7:{s:5:\"title\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:63:\"WordPress Caching guide: How does it improve your site speed? \";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"link\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:58:\"http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/UpdraftPlus/~3/Fu-sEvzeHb0/\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:8:\"comments\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:92:\"https://updraftplus.com/wordpress-caching-guide-how-does-it-improve-your-site-speed/#respond\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:7:\"pubDate\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:31:\"Fri, 20 Aug 2021 18:05:52 +0000\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:8:\"category\";a:5:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:20:\"Other WordPress news\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:1;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:7:\"Caching\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:2;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:3:\"how\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:3;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:5:\"speed\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:4;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:9:\"wordpress\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"guid\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:34:\"https://updraftplus.com/?p=1206432\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:1:{s:0:\"\";a:1:{s:11:\"isPermaLink\";s:5:\"false\";}}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:11:\"description\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:806:\"<p>In this blog, we will discuss WordPress caching; what it does – and how it improves the performance and speed of your website. What is Caching? To understand WordPress caching, you first have to understand the concept of caching. Caching refers … <a href=\"https://updraftplus.com/wordpress-caching-guide-how-does-it-improve-your-site-speed/\">Continue reading <span class=\"meta-nav\">→</span></a></p>\n<p>The post <a rel=\"nofollow\" href=\"https://updraftplus.com/wordpress-caching-guide-how-does-it-improve-your-site-speed/\">WordPress Caching guide: How does it improve your site speed? </a> appeared first on <a rel=\"nofollow\" href=\"https://updraftplus.com\">UpdraftPlus</a>. <a href=\"http://updraftplus.com\">UpdraftPlus - Backup, restore and migration plugin for WordPress.</a></p>\n\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:32:\"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/\";a:1:{s:7:\"creator\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:13:\"Melvin Braide\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:40:\"http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/\";a:1:{s:7:\"encoded\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:12890:\"<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"WordPress Caching guide: How does it improve your site speed?\" width=\"1080\" height=\"608\" src=\"https://www.youtube.com/embed/a-7wED0YwXY?feature=oembed\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen></iframe></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In this blog, we will discuss WordPress caching; what it does – and how it improves the performance and speed of your website. </span></p>\n<h2><b>What is Caching? </b></h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To understand WordPress caching, you first have to understand the concept of caching. </span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Caching refers to the process of storing data in temporary folders where they are easily accessible. It’s primary aim is to reduce processing time and make information available as quickly as possible. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This is especially important in WordPress websites. WordPress websites are dynamic by default, which means that each time a user visits your site, WordPress goes through a series of steps to generate information from your database to show to the visitor. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The benefit of this process is that the user gets a somewhat customized experience, since the pages are generated specifically for them. This benefit has the drawbacks that occur as a result of the long processing time, which can make the website slower.</span></p>\n<p>When it comes to caching specifically in WordPress, it works by following the process of temporarily storing the dynamically generated files of frequently visited pages on your website as static files for easy recollection and use. Caching reduces the demand on your web server to continuously generate dynamic content. <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This means that when a user visits a page, the page shown to the user is stored exactly how it appeared the last time they visited, so the next time that page is requested, there’s no need for WordPress to generate a new page. It just presents the previously generated page, at a rate that is 3-5 times faster. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are two types of content available on web pages:</span></p>\n<ul>\n<li>Static files: As the name implies, static files refer to the types of content that do not change. These types of files include images, javascript files, css stylesheets, and HTML pages. Static content remains the same regardless of the user and is created long before they are needed.</li>\n<li>Dynamic files: Dynamic content is created at the point of request, specifically for the user. This type of content is created based on the user’s location, device and time of request.</li>\n</ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">WordPress caching is the process of storing these dynamic files as static files, thereby increasing the speed and performance of your website. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are two basic types of caching – Client-side and server-side. </span></p>\n<h4><b>Client-side Caching </b></h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Client-side caching occurs when the temporary caching files are stored on the end user’s device. Modern browsers have the benefit of having smart coding that aims to reduce redundancies by saving static files for future use. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As a result, when users open a web-page, the browser starts downloading static files such as images, HTML pages and other multimedia content. Their browser saves all these files so it doesn’t have to re-download them every time you visit the site in the future. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While this helps with the speed of your browsing, it is recommended that you clean up your cache data once in a while so the files don’t become too bulky and reduce the performance of your browser.</span></p>\n<h4><b>Server-side Caching </b></h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Server side caching refers to the caching protocol employed by your WordPress server to save temporary files. There are four possible protocols for WordPress Caching; </span></p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Page caching </span></li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">OPcode caching </span></li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Object caching </span></li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">CDN Caching<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> </span></li>\n</ul>\n<h4><b>Page Caching </b></h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Page caching occurs when your caching plugin – like WP-Optimise – saves the dynamically generated HTML files on your server’s hard disk (RAM) after the first time it is loaded. Whenever there is another request for that page, your server produces the previously generated data.</span></p>\n<h4><b>OPcode Caching </b></h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When a PHP file is loaded on the website, OPcode caching saves the compiled PHP code. For a PHP code to execute, it must be generated and compiled by the PHP compiler. OPcode caching saves the initially generated code on the server’s RAM, to save time upon subsequent requests. </span></p>\n<h4><b>Object Caching </b></h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Object based caching saves database queries after the first time they are requested. This way, it reduces PHP execution time and load time when the query is requested again. </span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Since WordPress is a content management system that is reliant on databases, object caching seeks to reduce the load on the database and reproduce previously loaded content faster. </span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This is crucial for high traffic websites. So crucial that WordPress has its own internal caching system that can be enhanced with a third party tool.</span></p>\n<h4><b>CDN Caching </b></h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">CDN (content delivery network) caching refers to the process of storing web content in proxy servers that are much closer to the end user. By using proxy servers, CDN caching helps your website to deliver content much faster. </span></p>\n<h4><b>How does WordPress Caching improve your WordPress site speed and performance?</b></h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">WordPress caching increases the speed of your website in three primary ways</span></p>\n<h4><b>Moves files to “recent memory”</b></h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You may be aware that computers and computer systems are built to mimic the brain. Caching is a prime example of that. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When you try to remember an event from your childhood, it takes a while before you fully recollect the details. However, if you try to remember that same event days later, you remember the details almost at once. This is because your brain moved the event to a recent memory. It may surprise you to learn that you are not remembering the event, but you are in fact remembering the last time you remembered the event. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Caching adopts this same principle by storing previously loaded web elements in a “recent folder.” As a result, your web pages load faster when they are requested. </span></p>\n<h4><b>Saves files closer to the end user</b></h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Another way caching increases the speed of your website is by delivering content that is closer to the user; either from a server close by or from the user’s hard disk. This is a combination of client-side and server-side caching. </span></p>\n<h4><b>Compress images </b></h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Caching plugins like </span><a href=\"https://getwpo.com/buy/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">WP-Optimize</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> give you the option of compressing your images. Bulky images take more time to load which can slow down the overall speed of your website. With cache plugins, you can manually or automatically compress images to reduce load time. </span></p>\n<h4><b>How Caching boosts performance of your WordPress website </b></h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Caching plugins don’t only increase your load speed, but they reduce the workload on your server. The following are the ways by which caching improves your website’s performance</span></p>\n<h4><b>Improves user experience </b></h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Consumer attention span reduced from </span><a href=\"https://www.thehindu.com/education/does-the-decrease-of-average-human-attention-span-have-an-impact-on-education/article34116513.ece\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">12 seconds to 8 seconds</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in just 16 years from 2000 to 2016. There’s an explanation for this; technological advancements, intense competition and over stimulation of the mind from smart devices are the most significant culprits. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This now means that you have only a few seconds to make an impression or lose the user to a potential competitor. Research suggests that slow websites are a huge turnoff to modern day internet users. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There is also a </span><a href=\"https://www.section.io/blog/page-load-time-bounce-rate/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">correlation between higher bounce rates and slower pages</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, which means the longer it takes your page to load, the higher your bounce rate. </span><a href=\"https://www.bluecorona.com/blog/how-fast-should-website-be/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The ideal page load time is under 2 seconds</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. A load time beyond 3 seconds can increase page abandonment rate by up to 87%. </span></p>\n<h4><b>Improves ranking </b></h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Website speed is a performance and ranking factor for search engines. In recent times, search engines like Google have begun to penalize slow websites. Websites with longer page load times are eventually pushed farther down the pecking order and replaced by faster websites. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Google prioritizes user experience as a ranking factor and site speed is a crucial aspect of the UX. When users get disappointing experiences from the websites search engines direct them to, it reflects poorly on the search engine. Users are then less likely to trust the search engine results if that trend continues. </span></p>\n<h4><b>Boosts content availability </b></h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Several factors affect whether or not your website will load for a user. Frequent network interruptions or network congestion for example, are two of those factors. Since WordPress dynamically generates content for the user, this could greatly affect the performance of your website for that user. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Caching solves this problem by providing an already generated page for the end user. This way, you won’t lose a potential or active customer to a poor network connection.</span></p>\n<h4><b>Cleans your database </b></h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Caching plugins like </span><a href=\"https://getwpo.com/buy/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">WP-Optimize</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> work to clean your database by de-fragmenting MySQL tables and clearing data like trashed comments, expired transient options, pingbacks, etc. This process is important because without it, your website’s performance and speed reduces overtime. </span></p>\n<h4><b>Conclusion</b></h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Chances are that you may never get to notice how your website interacts with every end user. You can’t tell what happens when people try to access your website from halfway across the world. But what you can do is ensure that your WordPress site’s performance and speed are optimal at all times. With WordPress caching, you don’t have to lose sleep worrying about all that. Install a reputable plugin like </span><a href=\"https://getwpo.com/buy/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">WP-Optimize</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and buy yourself some time to focus on other aspects of your business. </span></p>\n<p>The post <a rel=\"nofollow\" href=\"https://updraftplus.com/wordpress-caching-guide-how-does-it-improve-your-site-speed/\">WordPress Caching guide: How does it improve your site speed? </a> appeared first on <a rel=\"nofollow\" href=\"https://updraftplus.com\">UpdraftPlus</a>. <a href=\"http://updraftplus.com\">UpdraftPlus - Backup, restore and migration plugin for WordPress.</a></p>\n\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:36:\"http://wellformedweb.org/CommentAPI/\";a:1:{s:10:\"commentRss\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:89:\"https://updraftplus.com/wordpress-caching-guide-how-does-it-improve-your-site-speed/feed/\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:38:\"http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/slash/\";a:1:{s:8:\"comments\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:1:\"0\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:42:\"http://rssnamespace.org/feedburner/ext/1.0\";a:1:{s:8:\"origLink\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:84:\"https://updraftplus.com/wordpress-caching-guide-how-does-it-improve-your-site-speed/\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}}}i:4;a:6:{s:4:\"data\";s:88:\"\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"child\";a:6:{s:0:\"\";a:7:{s:5:\"title\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:58:\"How to update your site to the latest version of WordPress\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"link\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:58:\"http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/UpdraftPlus/~3/bBuHhkoiWnM/\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:8:\"comments\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:91:\"https://updraftplus.com/how-to-update-your-site-to-the-latest-version-of-wordpress/#respond\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:7:\"pubDate\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:31:\"Fri, 13 Aug 2021 13:59:46 +0000\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:8:\"category\";a:6:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:15:\"Tips and tricks\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:1;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:5:\"guide\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:2;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:6:\"How to\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:3;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:14:\"latest version\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:4;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:6:\"update\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:5;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:9:\"wordpress\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"guid\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:34:\"https://updraftplus.com/?p=1200580\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:1:{s:0:\"\";a:1:{s:11:\"isPermaLink\";s:5:\"false\";}}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:11:\"description\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:769:\"<p>If you have a WordPress website, you will know that it should always be run on the latest version of WordPress as the updated version of the software provides better performance and security. In this blog, we will discuss all … <a href=\"https://updraftplus.com/how-to-update-your-site-to-the-latest-version-of-wordpress/\">Continue reading <span class=\"meta-nav\">→</span></a></p>\n<p>The post <a rel=\"nofollow\" href=\"https://updraftplus.com/how-to-update-your-site-to-the-latest-version-of-wordpress/\">How to update your site to the latest version of WordPress</a> appeared first on <a rel=\"nofollow\" href=\"https://updraftplus.com\">UpdraftPlus</a>. <a href=\"http://updraftplus.com\">UpdraftPlus - Backup, restore and migration plugin for WordPress.</a></p>\n\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:32:\"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/\";a:1:{s:7:\"creator\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:12:\"Sajid Sayyad\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:40:\"http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/\";a:1:{s:7:\"encoded\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:16644:\"<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"How to update your site to the latest version of WordPress\" width=\"1080\" height=\"608\" src=\"https://www.youtube.com/embed/dbyzxgLzUbo?feature=oembed\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen></iframe></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you have a WordPress website, you will know that it should always be run on the latest version of WordPress as the updated version of the software provides better performance and security.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In this blog, we will discuss all the ways you can update your website to the latest version of WordPress. We will go through the process on how to download the latest WordPress version and update it manually and also show you how to automate your WordPress updates – which can be highly beneficial, as it can save you a lot of time and effort.</span></p>\n<p><b>Why you should always use the latest version of WordPress</b></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">WordPress is an extremely popular and open source software platform. This means everyone can study the code, as it is available publicly as open source. This allows developers to analyze, improve and contribute to the WordPress codebase. Whenever a developer finds any bugs or security issues, it is reported to the WordPress software team, who then fix the issue and release a new WordPress update, with all the issues hopefully fixed. This approach to problem analysis/solving has largely been the reason why WordPress has managed to grow so rapidly.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">However, the web is not populated only by people with good intentions. There are entire cottage industries in operation that exist to employ hackers to actively look for vulnerabilities and loopholes in the source code. As it powers over a third of all the websites in the world, WordPress is a hugely popular target and often top of the list for hackers. If a vulnerability is found in an older version of WordPress, hackers will attack these sites and steal all valuable data (such as emails, billing information etc).</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Apart from security fixes, users of WordPress will also get access to new features and better performances when they download the latest version of WordPress. For example, the latest WordPress 5.8 version has introduced a few new features that you can read in the </span><a href=\"https://wordpress.org/news/2021/07/tatum\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">release documentation</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Now you are aware and understand the need to upgrade WordPress, let’s take a detailed look at how to perform the upgrade. </span></p>\n<p><b>Things to do before upgrading WordPress</b></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Whenever you plan to update the software, remember to always take a backup of the current site with </span><a href=\"https://updraftplus.com/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">UpdraftPlus</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. By doing this, you will be able to restore the site immediately if the new updates result in unexpected issues and break your website. It is recommended that you store your backup in a remote storage location (such as Google Drive), so you will always have access to it; even if an upgrade causes an issue with your server.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For extra safety and security, you can also use <a href=\"https://updraftplus.com/updraftclone/\">UpdraftClone</a> to create an identical copy of your site and test out any update on, further removing any potential risks as UpdraftClone allows you to create a cloned test site of your live site instantly and directly from UpdraftPlus. Once you have created a clone of your site, you can carry out updates and tests, safe in the knowledge that your live site is completely safe from any potential issues. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When it comes to WordPress backup, UpdraftPlus is the number one choice of users. At the time of writing this article, it is being used on over 3 million websites. Follow our guide: </span><a href=\"https://updraftplus.com/how-to-backup-a-wordpress-site-step-by-step-guide\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How to Backup a WordPress Site: Step by Step Guide</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for instruction on how to backup your site before updating WordPress.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Once you have your website backed-up, remember to choose the right time to schedule your upgrade. Updating WordPress usually only takes a minute or two, but in certain situations it may take longer than expected. During this process, it is important to remember that customers/visitors to your site should not face any unexpected behavior or access issues. To avoid this, it is best to pick a time when you typically have less users active on the site.</span></p>\n<p><b>Manually upgrading WordPress to the latest version</b></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">WordPress regularly releases updates with both major and minor releases. Minor releases are typically reserved for security and bug fixes. Since WordPress 3.7 or above, automatic updates are turned on for minor releases. This means you do not need to upgrade it manually as WordPress handles these minor updates on it’s own.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When it comes to major releases, there are 2 options available to upgrade to the latest version – automatic (via a press of button) or manual. </span></p>\n<p><b>Upgrading WordPress from the Dashboard</b></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This is a straightforward and easy to follow process. All you need to do is press on the “Update now” button and the upgrade will start automatically. It can be done in a few moments.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To access this option, go to </span><b>Dashboard->Updates</b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> page in your WordPress site. You will see the ‘Update now’ button as shown below.</span></p>\n<p><a href=\"https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/unnamed-4.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-1200607\" src=\"https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/unnamed-4.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"581\" height=\"135\" srcset=\"https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/unnamed-4.png 581w, https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/unnamed-4-480x112.png 480w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) 581px, 100vw\" /></a></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In the screenshot, you will see that it states that your site will be in maintenance mode until the updates are complete. As previously mentioned, this is the reason for picking the “low visitor” hours when carrying out your upgrade.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Press the ‘Update now’ button and WordPress initiates the upgrading process for you. It may take a couple of minutes.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Once WordPress has installed the updates, you should be redirected to a page where you can see a list of new features available in the latest update.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There may be some cases where this process is not possible. If this is the case, you can follow the below update process instead.</span></p>\n<p><b>Upgrade WordPress using FTP Client</b></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In order to update WordPress manually to the latest version, you will need to perform the following steps.</span></p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Download the </span><a href=\"https://wordpress.org/download\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">latest WordPress</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> zip.</span></li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Extract the zip.</span></li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Connect your site with an FTP client (</span><a href=\"https://filezilla-project.org\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">FileZilla</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is a popular FTP Client).</span></li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Upload </span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">wp-admin</span></i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, </span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">wp-includes</span></i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> directories (from the extracted zip) on your site, replacing older versions.</span></li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Upload all core files from the root directory of extracted zip. Remember not to change the </span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">wp-config.php</span></i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> file.</span></li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Upload </span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">wp-content/index.php. </span></i></li>\n</ul>\n<p><a href=\"https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/unnamed-1.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-1200610\" src=\"https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/unnamed-1.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"674\" height=\"225\" srcset=\"https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/unnamed-1.png 674w, https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/unnamed-1-480x160.png 480w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) 674px, 100vw\" /></a></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">WordPress writes the code for core functionalities and new features in the </span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">wp-admin</span></i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and </span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">wp-includes</span></i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> folders. The files in the root directory also contain the code for new updates. While updating WordPress, we need to only replace these files and folders. When developing your WordPress websites, remember not to touch these files – at any cost, as it can break the system. These files are part of the core development and must remain untouched.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Once you are done with the manual process, go to the admin area of your site. Sometimes you need to update your database for the new version. You may see the below notice asking to update your WordPress database.</span></p>\n<p><a href=\"https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/New-Project-2021-08-13T143207.396.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-1200616\" src=\"https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/New-Project-2021-08-13T143207.396.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"607\" height=\"306\" srcset=\"https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/New-Project-2021-08-13T143207.396.jpg 607w, https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/New-Project-2021-08-13T143207.396-480x242.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) 607px, 100vw\" /></a></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you come across this notice, just press the ‘Update WordPress Database’ button.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">After this, login to your admin area – you should now see you have successfully updated to the latest version of WordPress.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It is important to carry out due diligence on your site after an update. Browse your site and make sure everything is in the right place and is working correctly. Most of the time, WordPress updates will not cause any issues if you are using the system correctly and carried out the update in the proper manner. However, if you are experiencing unpredictable behaviour, you can quickly restore your site to the older working version using your UpdraftPlus backup.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You can also save further time by automating the WordPress updates process using the </span><a href=\"https://easyupdatesmanager.com\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Easy Update Manager</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> plugin.</span></p>\n<p><b>Manage automatic WordPress updates</b></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The </span><a href=\"https://easyupdatesmanager.com/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Easy Update Manager</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> plugin is built by the same team that brings you UpdraftPlus. At the time of writing, Easy Updates Manager has 300K+ active installations. By using this plugin, you can automate WordPress, plugin and theme updates. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Users can also use a </span><a href=\"https://wordpress.org/plugins/stops-core-theme-and-plugin-updates\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">free version</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> of the plugin with a limited set of features. However, it is suggested that you install the Premium version, as it contains many handy features that can make updating easier and quicker. These include:</span></p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Safe Update – Block automatic updates if the update states a minimum PHP or WP version requirement that is not met by the site/server.</span></li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Schedule Updates. Customize your update schedule to minimize any downtime.</span></li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Auto-update protection. If something goes wrong during an auto-update, the plugin will alert you via email and then try to fix it automatically.</span></li>\n</ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Upon installation, you can find the settings under the </span><b>Dashboard->Updates options</b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. On this page, you will see the different options to manage WordPress, plugin and theme updates. Under the ‘WordPress core updates’, press the ‘Auto update all releases’ button. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Add your email address under ‘Core notification emails’. You will now receive an email at this address when your site updates.</span></p>\n<p><a href=\"https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/unnamed-2-1.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-1200617\" src=\"https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/unnamed-2-1.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"651\" height=\"150\" srcset=\"https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/unnamed-2-1.png 651w, https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/unnamed-2-1-480x111.png 480w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) 651px, 100vw\" /></a></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When using the premium version of the plugin, you can set your updates to suit your schedule. As previously discussed, if you wanted to update WordPress and pick a time when your site had less visitors, go to the ‘Advanced’ tab and set your preferred schedule time under ‘Automatic update scheduling’.</span></p>\n<p><a href=\"https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/unnamed-3.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-1200608\" src=\"https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/unnamed-3.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"670\" height=\"229\" srcset=\"https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/unnamed-3.png 670w, https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/unnamed-3-480x164.png 480w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) 670px, 100vw\" /></a></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These are the basic settings required to automate your WordPress updates. Now you can just sit back and relax and let the plugin handle all the upgrading stuff for you.</span></p>\n<p><b>Conclusion</b></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We have run through both the automatic and manual processes for upgrading to the latest version of WordPress. The user can use either process in order to help keep your site safe from hackers. Remember to always take a backup before updating using UpdraftPlus!</span></p>\n<p>The post <a rel=\"nofollow\" href=\"https://updraftplus.com/how-to-update-your-site-to-the-latest-version-of-wordpress/\">How to update your site to the latest version of WordPress</a> appeared first on <a rel=\"nofollow\" href=\"https://updraftplus.com\">UpdraftPlus</a>. <a href=\"http://updraftplus.com\">UpdraftPlus - Backup, restore and migration plugin for WordPress.</a></p>\n\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:36:\"http://wellformedweb.org/CommentAPI/\";a:1:{s:10:\"commentRss\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:88:\"https://updraftplus.com/how-to-update-your-site-to-the-latest-version-of-wordpress/feed/\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:38:\"http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/slash/\";a:1:{s:8:\"comments\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:1:\"0\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:42:\"http://rssnamespace.org/feedburner/ext/1.0\";a:1:{s:8:\"origLink\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:83:\"https://updraftplus.com/how-to-update-your-site-to-the-latest-version-of-wordpress/\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}}}i:5;a:6:{s:4:\"data\";s:88:\"\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"child\";a:6:{s:0:\"\";a:7:{s:5:\"title\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:38:\"How to create a WordPress custom theme\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"link\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:58:\"http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/UpdraftPlus/~3/VoA1IAJMujo/\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:8:\"comments\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:71:\"https://updraftplus.com/how-to-create-a-wordpress-custom-theme/#respond\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:7:\"pubDate\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:31:\"Fri, 06 Aug 2021 12:57:44 +0000\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:8:\"category\";a:6:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:20:\"Other WordPress news\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:1;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:15:\"Tips and tricks\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:2;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:6:\"Create\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:3;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:12:\"custom theme\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:4;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:6:\"How to\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:5;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:9:\"wordpress\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"guid\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:34:\"https://updraftplus.com/?p=1194438\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:1:{s:0:\"\";a:1:{s:11:\"isPermaLink\";s:5:\"false\";}}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:11:\"description\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:722:\"<p>WordPress occupies a huge percentage of the world’s websites, making up 37% of all sites currently online. While there are many reasons and factors for this success, one of the main reasons is the popularity of features available to all … <a href=\"https://updraftplus.com/how-to-create-a-wordpress-custom-theme/\">Continue reading <span class=\"meta-nav\">→</span></a></p>\n<p>The post <a rel=\"nofollow\" href=\"https://updraftplus.com/how-to-create-a-wordpress-custom-theme/\">How to create a WordPress custom theme</a> appeared first on <a rel=\"nofollow\" href=\"https://updraftplus.com\">UpdraftPlus</a>. <a href=\"http://updraftplus.com\">UpdraftPlus - Backup, restore and migration plugin for WordPress.</a></p>\n\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:32:\"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/\";a:1:{s:7:\"creator\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:12:\"Sajid Sayyad\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:40:\"http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/\";a:1:{s:7:\"encoded\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:23273:\"<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"How to Create a WordPress Custom Theme\" width=\"1080\" height=\"608\" src=\"https://www.youtube.com/embed/U_ZJHFwvKtY?feature=oembed\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen></iframe></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">WordPress occupies a huge percentage of the world’s websites, making up </span><a href=\"https://www.envisagedigital.co.uk/wordpress-market-share/#:~:text=WordPress%20powers%2037%25%20of%20all%20websites%20and%2062%25%20of%20CMS,top%20100%E2%80%94websites%20in%202021.\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">37% of all sites</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> currently online. While there are many reasons and factors for this success, one of the main reasons is the popularity of features available to all users. Plugins, themes, posts, pages, categories, taxonomies, user roles and media handling just to name a few. To get the most out of WordPress, it is recommended users study and learn how to use all of these features. In this blog, we will focus on and discuss WordPress Themes and will walk you through the basics required on how to create a WordPress custom theme.</span></p>\n<h4><b>What is a custom theme?</b></h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Everything on the frontend of your site is being run from and controlled using something called a ‘theme’. A website’s theme is responsible for the specific design and functionality of the website. You can check out the </span><a href=\"https://wordpress.org/themes\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">WordPress theme repository</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> or </span><a href=\"https://themeforest.net/category/wordpress\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Themeforest</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for theme examples; here you will find thousands of themes listed for you to explore and download.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While established WordPress themes are great, if you have the ability and need, you may also want to build your own custom theme for a client, for yourself, or to submit to the marketplaces with the intention of selling it. When creating a commercial theme, you will need to follow the marketplaces guidelines for coding standards, structure of files and folders, etc. You can find more details regarding these guidelines on the </span><a href=\"https://www.templatemonster.com/blog/sell-wordpress-themes/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">marketplaces websites</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In this blog, we will run through a tutorial to show you a basic overview on how to create your very own WordPress theme by covering all the basics and steps associated with the process. </span></p>\n<p><b>Create a WordPress custom theme</b></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">WordPress themes are built with template files, scripts, styles, images, etc. To proceed, you should have working knowledge of PHP, HTML and CSS, which are required to build a custom theme. Understanding JavaScript can also be an additional advantage.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To get started, we will first name the theme ‘Updraft’. Create a folder called ‘Updraft’ inside </span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">wp-content/themes</span></i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Within this ‘Updraft’ folder, you will write your theme related code, store files, images, fonts, etc. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The main files of the custom WordPress theme are:</span></p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">style.css</span></li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">index.php</span></li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">functions.php</span></li>\n</ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The </span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">style.css </span></i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">will be the main stylesheet file and you can add all of your CSS in this file. Remember that you must include an information header about the theme. The header should look similar to the below format and be on the top of </span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">style.css.</span></i></p>\n<pre style=\"background: #efefef;\"><code>/* \nTheme Name: Updraft \nTheme URI: https://updraftplus.com \nAuthor: UpdraftPlus \nAuthor URI: https://updraftplus.com \nDescription: The custom theme built for the website. \nVersion: 1.0 \nLicense: GNU General Public License v2 or later \nLicense URI: http://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-2.0.html \nText Domain: updraft \n*/ \n</code></pre>\n<pre></pre>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Next, go to the </span><b>Appearance >>Themes, </b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">where you will see your theme listed. Activate it. When you check the frontend of your site, it will show a blank screen – as we have not added anything to the theme yet..</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Remember to store your images, scripts and styles into your theme directory. The theme directory refers to the ‘wp-content/themes/Updraft’ folder. Be sure to keep them organized by using a good folder structure, creating specific folders for images, scripts and styles; Copy the files into the respective directory.</span></p>\n<h4><b>Functions File</b></h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The </span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">functions.php </span></i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">is the file where you can add code for different purposes. This file is automatically loaded during WordPress initialization, with the code written in it executed automatically.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The following operations in the </span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">functions.php</span></i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> file are usually carried out in this order:</span></p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Enqueue theme stylesheets and scripts (add the JS and CSS files to the website).</span></li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Enable Sidebars, Navigation Menus, Post Thumbnails, etc.</span></li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Define functions used throughout the application.</span></li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Etc.</span></li>\n</ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The user can add their styles and scripts from </span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">functions.php</span></i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> file as follows. Please see the following link for more </span><a href=\"https://developer.wordpress.org/themes/basics/including-css-javascript\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">documentation</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.</span></p>\n<pre style=\"background: #efefef;\"><code>function include_js_css() {\nwp_register_style( “bootstrap”, get_stylesheet_directory_uri() .\n“/styles/bootstrap.min.css”, array(), false, “all” );\nwp_enqueue_style( “bootstrap” );\nwp_register_script(‘bootstrap’, get_stylesheet_directory_uri() .\n‘/scripts/bootstrap.min.js’, array(), false, true);\nwp_enqueue_script(‘bootstrap’);\n}\nadd_action(‘wp_enqueue_scripts’, ‘include_js_css’);\n</code></pre>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The </span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">get_stylesheet_directory_uri() </span></i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">function gives a relative path of the active theme directory. The rest of the code can be seen to be the path of the assets.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Similarly, for adding Navigation Menus, Post Thumbnails:</span></p>\n<pre style=\"background: #efefef;\"><code>function updraft_theme_setup() \n{ add_theme_support( \'post-thumbnails\' ); \nregister_nav_menus( \narray( \'primary\' => __( \'Primary Menu\' ), \n\'footer1=\' => __( \'Footer Menu\' ), \n\'shop\' => __( \'Shop Page Menu\' ), \n) \n); \n} add_action( \'after_setup_theme\', \'updraft_theme_setup\' ); \n</code></pre>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Next, go to the WordPress dashboard and add a post or page. You should see the ‘Featured Image’ section. Additionally, under the </span><b>Appearance >> Menus, </b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">you will find the Primary Menu and Footer Menu under </span><b>Manage Locations</b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These are just a few of the basic features you can cover while using the ‘Function’ file. There are a lot more you can add in this file if you so wished.</span></p>\n<h4><b>Template files</b></h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When building your theme, template files can be used to affect the layout and design of different parts of your website. For example, you would use the header.php template to create a header, or the comments.php template to include comments on your site. Template files have a </span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.php</span></i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> extension. As they are PHP files, all pages output as HTML.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Using templates, developers can distribute code among multiple files. Listed below are some of the files in question.</span></p>\n<ul>\n<li><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">index.php </span></i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: The main template. This file should be responsible for post listing. When you set the Posts page from </span><b>Settings >> Readings</b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, this template gets executed.</span></li>\n<li><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">page.php </span></i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: This template is responsible for rendering your pages. This setting can be overridden by assigning a custom page template to individual pages.</span></li>\n<li><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">single.php</span></i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> : Used when a single post is queried.</span></li>\n<li><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">header.php</span></i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> : Add your header part in this template.</span></li>\n<li><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">footer.php</span></i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> : Add your footer part in this template.</span></li>\n<li><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">sidebar.php</span></i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> : Add widgets in this template.</span></li>\n</ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Get a list of all template files available </span><a href=\"https://codex.wordpress.org/Theme_Development#Template_Files\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">here</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.</span></p>\n<h4><b>Custom page templates</b></h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">By default, all your pages are rendered through the </span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">page.php </span></i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">template. But in practice, you sometimes have to display separate flows on different pages. In this scenario, it is recommended that you use the power of custom page templates.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For example, if you have a ‘Career’ page and you want to add your code to this page; to achieve this you would need to create a </span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">career.php </span></i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">file into the theme directory and place the comment below at the top of the file.</span></p>\n<pre style=\"background: #efefef;\"><code><?php \n/* \nTemplate Name: Career \n*/ \n</code></pre>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Next, go to the page edit section and assign this ‘Career’ template from under the </span><b>Page Attributes</b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> box.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Now when you visit the Career page – code from the </span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">career.php </span></i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">will be executed.</span><code><br />\n</code></p>\n<h4><b>Header file</b></h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your website will have a common header on all pages. You can place this common header into the </span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">header.php</span></i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. The header code will be something like this:</span></p>\n<pre style=\"background: #efefef;\"><code><!DOCTYPE html>\n<html <?php language_attributes(); ?>>\n<head>\n<meta charset=\"<?php bloginfo(\'charset\'); ?>\">\n<meta name=\"viewport\" content=\"width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0\" />\n<?php wp_head(); ?>\n</head>\n<body <?php body_class(); ?>>\n<?php wp_body_open(); ?>\n<!-- your menu --></code></pre>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In the above code, you will notice that we used some functions available in WordPress.</span></p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https://developer.wordpress.org/reference/functions/wp_head\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">wp_head()</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> : This method inserts crucial elements into your document – e.g., scripts, styles and meta tags.</span></li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https://developer.wordpress.org/reference/functions/body_class\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">body_class()</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> : This will add different classes to the body element.</span></li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https://developer.wordpress.org/reference/functions/wp_body_open\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">wp_body_open()</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> : Used to insert code immediately after opening the body tag. An example of this would be the- Google Analytics script.</span></li>\n</ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Menus can be added dynamically through the </span><a href=\"https://developer.wordpress.org/reference/functions/wp_nav_menu\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">wp_nav_menu()</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> function. Assuming you have first already created a menu under </span><b>Appearance >> Menus</b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and assigned ‘primary’ location to it. The code below generates the menu elements dynamically.</span></p>\n<pre style=\"background: #efefef;\"><code><?php\nwp_nav_menu(\narray(\n\'theme_location\' => \'primary\',\n\'container_class\' => \'menus\',\n)\n);\n?>\n</code></pre>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Once your header file is set, use the </span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">get_header()</span></i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> function to include this file into your other templates.</span></p>\n<h4><b>Footer file</b></h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Similar to the header file, your common code for the footer will go inside the </span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">footer.php</span></i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> template.</span></p>\n<pre style=\"background: #efefef;\"><code><!-- footer elements -->\n<?php wp_footer(); ?>\n</body>\n</html>\n</code></pre>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here, use the </span><a href=\"https://developer.wordpress.org/reference/functions/wp_footer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">wp_footer()</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that inserts elements, specifically scripts, at this location. Using </span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">get_footer() </span></i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">will include the contents of this file in other places.</span></p>\n<h4><b>Sidebar file</b></h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The sidebar is a vertical column used to display information on your site that is not shown within the main content. It may include popular articles, advertisement banners, a newsletter submission form, etc. Sidebars contain widgets that an administrator can customize. The </span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">sidebar.php </span></i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">template will include your site widgets.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In this example, we will create a basic sidebar by adding the below code to the </span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">functions.php</span></i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> file.</span></p>\n<pre style=\"background: #efefef;\"><code>function updraft_widgets_init() {\nregister_sidebar(\narray(\n\'name\' => esc_html__( Home Sidebar\' ),\n\'id\' => \'sidebar-1\',\n\'description\' => esc_html__( \'Add widgets here to appear in your sidebar.\' ),\n\'before_widget\' => \'<section id=\"widget\" class=\"widget\">\',\n\'after_widget\' => \'</section>\',\n\'before_title\' => \'<h2 class=\"widget-title\">\',\n\'after_title\' => \'</h2>\',\n)\n);\n}\nadd_action( \'widgets_init\', \'updraft_widgets_init\' );\n</code></pre>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Next, go to the </span><b>Appearance >> Widgets</b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Here you will find the above sidebar. In this example, we are going to add some widgets to this sidebar. To add this sidebar to the frontend, add the following code in </span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">sidebar.php.</span></i></p>\n<pre style=\"background: #efefef;\"><code><div class=\"sidebar\">\n<?php\nif ( is_active_sidebar( \'sidebar-1\' ) ) {\ndynamic_sidebar( \'sidebar-1\' );\n}\n?>\n</div>\n</code></pre>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Finally, remember to name the method ‘</span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">get_sidebar()’ </span></i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">so you can easily include the sidebar wherever on any other pages as and when needed.</span></p>\n<p><b>Rendering pages and posts</b></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As already mentioned, all WordPress pages are rendered and executed using the code you have written in the </span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">page.php </span></i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">file, except pages with custom page template. The below code is an example that will show a <em><strong>page featuring the page title, description and featured image.</strong></em></span></p>\n<pre style=\"background: #efefef;\"><code><?php\nget_header();\n?>\n<div id=\"primary\" class=\"content-area\">\n<main id=\"main\" class=\"site-main\">\n<?php\nwhile ( have_posts() ) :\nthe_post();\n?>\n<?php\nif ( has_post_thumbnail() ) :\nthe_post_thumbnail();\nendif;\n?>\n<header class=\"entry-header\">\n<?php the_title(); ?>\n</header>\n<div class=\"entry-content\">\n<?php the_content(); ?>\n</div>\n<?php\nendwhile;\n?>\n</main>\n</div>\n<?php\nget_footer();\n</code></pre>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Similar code will go inside the </span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">single.php </span></i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">file to display the post information. To render the post listing properly (your </span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">index.php</span></i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">), in addition to the above methods – you may also want to use the following:</span></p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">the_catgeory() : Displays category list for a post.</span></li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">the_permalink() : Displays the permalink for the current post.</span></li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">the_excerpt() : Display the post excerpt.</span></li>\n</ul>\n<h4><b>I18n for WordPress custom themes</b></h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While building a custom theme, try to remember that it should be developed in a way to support internationalization. By doing this, it makes it possible for your theme to easily be translated into other languages.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To add I18n support, remember to use a text domain which you can parse source files and extract the translatable strings from. In this example, we are using the text domain ‘Updraft’, but you can choose any unique identifier. We can define the text domain as follows. </span></p>\n<pre style=\"background: #efefef;\"><code>function i18n_setup() {\nload_theme_textdomain( \'updraft\', get_stylesheet_directory() . \'/languages\' );\n}\nadd_action( \'after_setup_theme\', \'i18n_setup\' );\n</code></pre>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Now whenever you use static strings in your theme files, wrap them inside </span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">__()</span></i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> or </span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">_e()</span></i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> functions.</span></p>\n<pre style=\"background: #efefef;\"><code><h2><?php _e(\'First Name\', \'updraft); ?></h2>\n<?php echo __(\'User Email\', \'updraft\'); ?>\n</code></pre>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are special tools available like POEDIT that help to generate translated language files. Please refer to </span><a href=\"https://updraftplus.com/how-to-localize-and-translate-a-wordpress-plugin-an-in-depth-guide-for-plugin-developers\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">this blog</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for more information.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This blog has covered the basics on creating WordPress custom themes. However, it is a vast topic that requires a lot of time and patience. Below are some helpful resources you should get acquainted with that will help you start to create your WordPress themes..</span></p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https://codex.wordpress.org/The_Loop_in_Action\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The WordPress Loop</span></a></li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https://codex.wordpress.org/Template_Tags\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Template Tags</span></a></li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https://codex.wordpress.org/Category_Templates\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Category Pages</span></a></li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https://codex.wordpress.org/Function_Reference\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Function_Reference</span></a></li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https://codex.wordpress.org/Conditional_Tags\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Conditional Tag</span></a></li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/core/handbook/best-practices/coding-standards\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">WordPress Coding Standards</span></a></li>\n</ul>\n<p>When create a new theme for your WordPress site, remember that you will need to back it up after every change or risk losing all your work. Use <a href=\"http://updraftplus.com\">UpdraftPlus</a> – The world’s leading and most trusted WordPress backup, restore and clone plugin.</p>\n<p>The post <a rel=\"nofollow\" href=\"https://updraftplus.com/how-to-create-a-wordpress-custom-theme/\">How to create a WordPress custom theme</a> appeared first on <a rel=\"nofollow\" href=\"https://updraftplus.com\">UpdraftPlus</a>. <a href=\"http://updraftplus.com\">UpdraftPlus - Backup, restore and migration plugin for WordPress.</a></p>\n\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:36:\"http://wellformedweb.org/CommentAPI/\";a:1:{s:10:\"commentRss\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:68:\"https://updraftplus.com/how-to-create-a-wordpress-custom-theme/feed/\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:38:\"http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/slash/\";a:1:{s:8:\"comments\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:1:\"0\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:42:\"http://rssnamespace.org/feedburner/ext/1.0\";a:1:{s:8:\"origLink\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:63:\"https://updraftplus.com/how-to-create-a-wordpress-custom-theme/\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}}}i:6;a:6:{s:4:\"data\";s:81:\"\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"child\";a:4:{s:0:\"\";a:6:{s:5:\"title\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:61:\"UpdraftPlus Vs BackupBuddy: WordPress backup plugins compared\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"link\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:58:\"http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/UpdraftPlus/~3/3043WdYoZ4A/\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:7:\"pubDate\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:31:\"Fri, 23 Jul 2021 14:48:17 +0000\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:8:\"category\";a:9:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:20:\"Other WordPress news\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:1;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:6:\"Backup\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:2;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:11:\"backupbuddy\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:3;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:6:\"better\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:4;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:10:\"comparison\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:5;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:6:\"plugin\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:6;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:7:\"updraft\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:7;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:11:\"UpdraftPlus\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:8;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:9:\"wordpress\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"guid\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:34:\"https://updraftplus.com/?p=1184117\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:1:{s:0:\"\";a:1:{s:11:\"isPermaLink\";s:5:\"false\";}}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:11:\"description\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:356:\"<p>The post <a rel=\"nofollow\" href=\"https://updraftplus.com/udpvsbup-wordpress-backup-comparison/\">UpdraftPlus Vs BackupBuddy: WordPress backup plugins compared</a> appeared first on <a rel=\"nofollow\" href=\"https://updraftplus.com\">UpdraftPlus</a>. <a href=\"http://updraftplus.com\">UpdraftPlus - Backup, restore and migration plugin for WordPress.</a></p>\n\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:32:\"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/\";a:1:{s:7:\"creator\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:13:\"Wayne Mullins\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:40:\"http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/\";a:1:{s:7:\"encoded\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:14399:\"<div class=\"et_pb_section et_pb_section_0 et_section_regular\" >\n \n \n \n \n <div class=\"et_pb_row et_pb_row_0\">\n <div class=\"et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_0 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child\">\n \n \n <div class=\"et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_0 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light\">\n \n \n <div class=\"et_pb_text_inner\"><p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"UpdraftPlus vs BackupBuddy. Which is the best WordPress backup plugin?\" width=\"1080\" height=\"608\" src=\"https://www.youtube.com/embed/AgSgtTsZPd8?feature=oembed\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen></iframe></p>\n<p><b>BackupBuddy Vs UpdraftPlus – Which Is Better?</b></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">One of the biggest risks you face when setting up your own WordPress website is when your site inevitably encounters a problem such as hacks, plugin issues, a bad update, malware or compatibility problems. After all the time and money you spent building and launching your site, it’s possible that you could lose everything in a blink of an eye. </span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It’s all too easy not to even think of these problems, until it actually happens. This is why having a WordPress backup plugin is so important. With the right backup plugin, you can restore your website to it’s working state with a click of a button. </span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In a crowded marketplace with so many options, it can sometimes be difficult to evaluate which plugin is the best for you. In this blog and video we will look at and review two of the most popular backup plugins – <a href=\"http://updraftplus.com\">UpdraftPlus</a> and <a href=\"https://ithemes.com/backupbuddy/?irgwc=1&irpid=56411&gclid=Cj0KCQjw0emHBhC1ARIsAL1QGNfQ09dHqkgVfJuD8Sd11rwV6Vb2o31WOwYB0uErI8lDgvW6v3b8HSoaAkKLEALw_wcB\">BackupBuddy</a> – evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of both, and assess the benefits of Premium versions.</span></p>\n<p><b>Free plugin versions</b></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <a href=\"https://wordpress.org/plugins/updraftplus/\">free version</a> of the UpdraftPlus plugin is used on over 3 million WordPress sites all over the world and is the highest rated backup plugin on WP.org. The free version can quickly backup and restore your site and comes with enough features and tools to satisfy most users. This plugin can also easily be downloaded directly in your WordPress site plugin settings, allowing you to start backing up straight away.</span></p>\n<p><a href=\"https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/New-Project-2021-07-23T151948.350.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-1184165\" src=\"https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/New-Project-2021-07-23T151948.350.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"910\" height=\"512\" /></a></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">BackUpBuddy does not currently offer a free version of it’s backup plugin. As such, it is not possible to compare the free versions of both plugins at this time.</span></p>\n<p><b>What to look for in a backup plugin</b></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When deciding which backup plugin is best to backup your WordPress site, there are several criteria you should look at, including options that will allow you to backup all your files, database, plugins, themes, uploads and any other directories found, as well as most importantly allowing you to easily restore your site should the worst happen. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When backing up your site, it is important to choose the right remote storage location. With UpdraftPlus Premium, you have 10 well known remote storage options such as Amazon S3, Google Cloud and Dropbox, as well as 6 additional </span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">backup location options including email and FTP.</span></p>\n<p><a href=\"https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/New-Project-2021-07-23T152118.395.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-1184166\" src=\"https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/New-Project-2021-07-23T152118.395.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"898\" height=\"358\" srcset=\"https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/New-Project-2021-07-23T152118.395.jpg 898w, https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/New-Project-2021-07-23T152118.395-480x191.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) 898px, 100vw\" /></a></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">BackupBuddy’s options are limited to 5 of the well known remote storage options, with 3 additional backup locations. </span></p>\n<p><b>Tutorial guides</b></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The plugin itself isn’t the only factor you should consider when making your decision. Setting up and using all the different features in these plugins can sometimes be tricky and confusing, especially for those who may not be IT experts. UpdraftPlus has dozens of up to date video guides on <a href=\"https://www.youtube.com/c/Updraftplus/videos\">YouTube</a> that can show you everything from how to update from the free version, to the Premium version, to how to connect your UpdraftPlus account to the remote storage provider of your choice.</span></p>\n<p><a href=\"https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/New-Project-2021-07-23T152540.468.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-1184174\" src=\"https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/New-Project-2021-07-23T152540.468.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"872\" height=\"646\" srcset=\"https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/New-Project-2021-07-23T152540.468.jpg 872w, https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/New-Project-2021-07-23T152540.468-480x356.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) 872px, 100vw\" /></a></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">BackupBuddy’s list of video guides is somewhat limited in comparison, with minimal instructions and only a few (if any) guides on how to connect BackupBuddy to a remote storage location.</span></p>\n<p><a href=\"https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/New-Project-2021-07-23T152332.937.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-1184169\" src=\"https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/New-Project-2021-07-23T152332.937.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"866\" height=\"548\" /></a></p>\n<p><b>Scheduling</b></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Making regular scheduled backups of your WordPress site is essential, as you always want to have the latest version on your site on hand should the worst happen. Both plugins offer scheduling backup options ranging from automatically backing up every hour or so, to every year. With UpdraftPlus however, you can select how many copies of your backup you want to keep within the same page on your site. </span></p>\n<p><a href=\"https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/New-Project-2021-07-23T152803.789.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-1184176\" src=\"https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/New-Project-2021-07-23T152803.789.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"868\" height=\"233\" /></a></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While this option is also available in BackupBuddy, it is hidden away in a sub-menu – making it difficult to find.</span></p>\n<p><b>UpdraftPlus or BackupBuddy?</b></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">So which backup plugin should you choose? <a href=\"http://updraftplus.com\">UpdraftPlus</a> is the world’s most trusted and popular plugin that is trusted by over 3 million users worldwide. With this level of trust, support and development, as well as the ability to backup and restore your site quickly and easily, UpdraftPlus gives you everything you need to backup and restore your site with just a press of a button. </span></p>\n<p> </p></div>\n </div> <!-- .et_pb_text --><div id=\"tablecomparison\" class=\"et_pb_module et_pb_code et_pb_code_0 tablecomparison\">\n \n \n <div class=\"et_pb_code_inner\"><table id=\"comparison-table\">\n<thead><tr><th bgcolor:\"#f4f4f4\";></th><th><h3>UpdraftPlus Premium</h3></th><th><h3>BackWPup</h3></th><th><h3>BackupWordPress</h3></th><th><h3>VaultPress</h3></th><th><h3>WP-DB-Backup</h3></th><th><h3>BackUp Buddy</h3></th></tr>\n</thead>\n<tbody>\n <tr><td style=\"text-align:left;\"><h4>Rating</h3></td><td style=\"color:green;\">98%</td><td>78%</td><td>94%</td><td>94%</td><td>92%</td><td>N/A</td></tr><tr><td style=\"text-align:left;\"><h4>Downloads</h4></td> <td style=\"color:green;\">58.50M</td><td >11.48M</td><td >4.42M</td><td >1.46M</td><td >1.48M</td> <td>N/A</td></tr><tr><td style=\"text-align:left;\"><h4>Update Rating</h4></td><td style=\"color:green;\">100%</td><td style=\"color:green;\">100%</td><td style=\"color:green;\">100%</td><td>97%</td><td>83.26%</td><td>N/A</td></tr><tr><td style=\"text-align:left;\"><h4>Active Installs</h4></td> <td style=\"color:green;\">3.00M</td><td >700K</td><td >200K</td><td >50,000</td><td >60,000</td> <td>N/A</td></tr><tr><td style=\"text-align:left;\"><h4>Automatic restore</h4></td><td style=\"color:green;\"><b>✓</b></td><td style=\"color:red;\">✘</td><td style=\"color:red;\">✘</td><td style=\"color:green;\"><b>✓</b></td><td style=\"color:red;\">✘</td><td style=\"color:red;\"><b>✘</b></td></tr><tr><td style=\"text-align:left;\"><h4>Migration clone ability</h4></td><td style=\"color:green;\"><b>✓</b></td><td style=\"color:red;\">✘</td><td style=\"color:red;\">✘</td><td style=\"color:green;\"><b>✓</b></td><td style=\"color:red;\">✘</td><td style=\"color:green;\"><b>✓</b></td></tr><tr><td style=\"text-align:left;\"><h4>Direct site-to-site migration or cloning</h4></td><td style=\"color:green;\"><b>✓</b></td><td style=\"color:red;\">✘</td><td style=\"color:red;\">✘</td><td style=\"color:red;\">✘</td><td style=\"color:red;\">✘</td><td style=\"color:red;\">✓</td></tr><tr><td style=\"text-align:left;\"><h4>Automatic backups before updating site</h4></td><td style=\"color:green;\"><b>✓</b></td><td style=\"color:red;\">✘</td><td style=\"color:red;\">✘</td><td style=\"color:red;\">✘</td><td style=\"color:red;\">✘</td><td style=\"color:red;\">✘</td></tr><tr><td style=\"text-align:left;\"><h4>Ability to backup encrypted databases</h4></td><td style=\"color:green;\"><b>✓</b></td><td style=\"color:red;\">✘</td><td style=\"color:red;\">✘</td><td style=\"color:red;\">✘</td><td style=\"color:red;\">✘</td><td style=\"color:red;\">✘</td></tr><tr><td style=\"text-align:left;\"><h4>Network/Multisite supported</h4></td><td style=\"color:green;\"><b>✓</b></td><td style=\"color:green;\"><b>✓</b></td><td style=\"color:red;\">✘</td><td style=\"color:green;\"><b>✓</b></td><td style=\"color:red;\">✘</td><td style=\"color:red;\">✘</td></tr><tr><td style=\"text-align:left;\"><h4>SFTP and FTP backups</h4></td><td style=\"color:green;\"><b>✓</b></td><td style=\"color:green;\"><b>✓</b></td><td style=\"color:green;\"><b>✓</b></td><td style=\"color:red;\">✘</td><td style=\"color:red;\">✘</td><td style=\"color:green;\"><b>✓</b></td></tr><tr><td style=\"text-align:left;\"><h4>Backup directly to proprietory cloud service</h4></td><td style=\"color:green;\"><b>✓</b></td><td style=\"color:red;\">✘</td><td style=\"color:red;\">✘</td><td style=\"color:green;\"><b>✓</b></td><td style=\"color:red;\">✘</td><td style=\"color:green;\"><b>✓</b></td></tr><tr><td style=\"text-align:left;\"><h4>Backup to Dropbox</h4></td><td style=\"color:green;\"><b>✓</b></td><td style=\"color:green;\"><b>✓</b></td><td style=\"color:green;\"><b>✓</b></td><td style=\"color:red;\">✘</td><td style=\"color:red;\">✘</td><td style=\"color:green;\"><b>✓</b></td></tr><tr><td style=\"text-align:left;\"><h4>Backup to Googledrive</h4></td><td style=\"color:green;\"><b>✓</b></td><td style=\"color:green;\"><b>✓</b></td><td style=\"color:green;\"><b>✓</b></td><td style=\"color:red;\">✘</td><td style=\"color:red;\">✘</td><td style=\"color:green;\"><b>✓</b></td></tr><tr><td style=\"text-align:left;\"><h4>Backup to OneDrive</h4></td><td style=\"color:green;\"><b>✓</b></td><td style=\"color:red;\">✘</td><td style=\"color:red;\">✘</td><td style=\"color:red;\">✘</td><td style=\"color:red;\">✘</td><td style=\"color:red;\">✘</td></tr><tr><td style=\"text-align:left;\"><h4>Backup to S3</h4></td><td style=\"color:green;\"><b>✓</b></td><td style=\"color:green;\"><b>✓</b></td><td style=\"color:green;\"><b>✓</b></td><td style=\"color:red;\">✘</td><td style=\"color:red;\">✘</td><td style=\"color:green;\"><b>✓</b></td></tr><tr><td style=\"text-align:left;\"><h4>Backup to Microsoft Azure</h4></td><td style=\"color:green;\"><b>✓</b></td><td style=\"color:green;\"><b>✓</b></td><td style=\"color:green;\"><b>✓</b></td><td style=\"color:red;\">✘</td><td style=\"color:red;\">✘</td><td style=\"color:red;\">✘</td></tr><tr><td style=\"text-align:left;\"><h4>Backup to Google Cloud</h4></td><td style=\"color:green;\"><b>✓</b></td><td style=\"color:red;\">✘</td><td style=\"color:red;\">✘</td><td style=\"color:red;\">✘</td><td style=\"color:red;\">✘</td><td style=\"color:red;\">✘</td></tr><tr><td style=\"text-align:left;\"><h4>Backup to BackBlaze</h4></td><td style=\"color:green;\"><b>✓</b></td><td style=\"color:red;\">✘</td><td style=\"color:red;\">✘</td><td style=\"color:red;\">✘</td><td style=\"color:red;\">✘</td><td style=\"color:red;\">✘</td></tr><tr><td style=\"text-align:left;\"><h4>Run From WP-CL</h4></td><td style=\"color:green;\"><b>✓</b></td><td style=\"color:red;\">✘</td><td style=\"color:red;\">✘</td><td style=\"color:red;\">✘</td><td style=\"color:red;\">✘</td><td style=\"color:red;\">✘</td></tr><tr><td style=\"text-align:left;\"><h4>Restore a backup from other plugins</h4></td><td style=\"color:green;\"><b>✓</b></td><td style=\"color:red;\">✘</td><td style=\"color:red;\">✘</td><td style=\"color:red;\">✘</td><td style=\"color:red;\">✘</td><td style=\"color:red;\">✘</td></tr>\n</tbody>\n</table></div>\n </div> <!-- .et_pb_code -->\n </div> <!-- .et_pb_column -->\n \n \n </div> <!-- .et_pb_row -->\n \n \n </div> <!-- .et_pb_section -->\n<p>The post <a rel=\"nofollow\" href=\"https://updraftplus.com/udpvsbup-wordpress-backup-comparison/\">UpdraftPlus Vs BackupBuddy: WordPress backup plugins compared</a> appeared first on <a rel=\"nofollow\" href=\"https://updraftplus.com\">UpdraftPlus</a>. <a href=\"http://updraftplus.com\">UpdraftPlus - Backup, restore and migration plugin for WordPress.</a></p>\n\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:42:\"http://rssnamespace.org/feedburner/ext/1.0\";a:1:{s:8:\"origLink\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:61:\"https://updraftplus.com/udpvsbup-wordpress-backup-comparison/\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}}}i:7;a:6:{s:4:\"data\";s:72:\"\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"child\";a:4:{s:0:\"\";a:6:{s:5:\"title\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:68:\"How to set up additional retention rules for your UpdraftPlus backup\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"link\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:58:\"http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/UpdraftPlus/~3/3NFhjGJbaYA/\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:7:\"pubDate\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:31:\"Fri, 09 Jul 2021 15:24:54 +0000\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:8:\"category\";a:6:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:15:\"Tips and tricks\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:1;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:15:\"additional rule\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:2;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:6:\"Backup\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:3;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:9:\"retention\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:4;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:14:\"retention rule\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:5;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:11:\"UpdraftPlus\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"guid\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:34:\"https://updraftplus.com/?p=1172077\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:1:{s:0:\"\";a:1:{s:11:\"isPermaLink\";s:5:\"false\";}}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:11:\"description\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:753:\"<p>In this blog, we will show you how to add additional retention rules when backing up your WordPress sites with UpdraftPlus. By adding additional retention rules, all backups that are older than a certain date will be grouped together and … <a href=\"https://updraftplus.com/additional-updraftplus-retention-rules/\">Continue reading <span class=\"meta-nav\">→</span></a></p>\n<p>The post <a rel=\"nofollow\" href=\"https://updraftplus.com/additional-updraftplus-retention-rules/\">How to set up additional retention rules for your UpdraftPlus backup</a> appeared first on <a rel=\"nofollow\" href=\"https://updraftplus.com\">UpdraftPlus</a>. <a href=\"http://updraftplus.com\">UpdraftPlus - Backup, restore and migration plugin for WordPress.</a></p>\n\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:32:\"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/\";a:1:{s:7:\"creator\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:13:\"Wayne Mullins\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:40:\"http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/\";a:1:{s:7:\"encoded\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:4824:\"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In this blog, we will show you how to add additional retention rules when backing up your WordPress sites with UpdraftPlus. </span></p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"How to set up additional retention rules for your UpdraftPlus backup\" width=\"1080\" height=\"608\" src=\"https://www.youtube.com/embed/Z5vaHBCfCvw?feature=oembed\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen></iframe></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">By adding additional retention rules, all backups that are older than a certain date will be grouped together and pruned until there is only one backup for each time period. The additional retention rules run after the normal backup pruning, and are run in the order they were created. Additional retention rules also include automatic </span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">backups when evaluating which backups to prune.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">First, you will need to<a href=\"https://updraftplus.com/upgrade-from-free-to-updraftplus-premium/\"> install and activate</a> UpdraftPlus Premium or the ‘<a href=\"https://updraftplus.com/shop/fix-time/\">Backup time and scheduling</a>‘ add-on, via the Premium/Extensions tab. Full instructions on how to do so can be found in our<a href=\"https://updraftplus.com/support/installing-updraftplus-premium-your-add-on/\"> installation guide</a>.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To set it up, first go to: WP Admin->Settings->UpdraftPlus Backups->Settings tab</span></p>\n<p><a href=\"https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/New-Project-2021-07-09T141921.901.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-1172080\" src=\"https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/New-Project-2021-07-09T141921.901.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"992\" height=\"677\" srcset=\"https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/New-Project-2021-07-09T141921.901.jpg 992w, https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/New-Project-2021-07-09T141921.901-980x669.jpg 980w, https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/New-Project-2021-07-09T141921.901-480x328.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) and (max-width: 980px) 980px, (min-width: 981px) 992px, 100vw\" /></a></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Under the Files/Database backup schedule settings, find the ‘Add an additional retention rule’ link</span></p>\n<p><a href=\"https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/New-Project-2021-07-09T141813.780.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-1172081\" src=\"https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/New-Project-2021-07-09T141813.780.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"992\" height=\"677\" srcset=\"https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/New-Project-2021-07-09T141813.780.jpg 992w, https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/New-Project-2021-07-09T141813.780-980x669.jpg 980w, https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/New-Project-2021-07-09T141813.780-480x328.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) and (max-width: 980px) 980px, (min-width: 981px) 992px, 100vw\" /></a></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Set your additional retention rule/s and press the ‘Save Changes’ button at the bottom of the page.</span></p>\n<p><a href=\"https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/New-Project-2021-07-09T142042.766.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-1172079\" src=\"https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/New-Project-2021-07-09T142042.766.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"992\" height=\"677\" srcset=\"https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/New-Project-2021-07-09T142042.766.jpg 992w, https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/New-Project-2021-07-09T142042.766-980x669.jpg 980w, https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/New-Project-2021-07-09T142042.766-480x328.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) and (max-width: 980px) 980px, (min-width: 981px) 992px, 100vw\" /></a></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Set how old the backups to be considered should be and how many backups to keep. Once this is setup, all backups older than your selected time period will be grouped together and pruned, until there is only one backup for each time period.</span></p>\n<p> </p>\n<p>The post <a rel=\"nofollow\" href=\"https://updraftplus.com/additional-updraftplus-retention-rules/\">How to set up additional retention rules for your UpdraftPlus backup</a> appeared first on <a rel=\"nofollow\" href=\"https://updraftplus.com\">UpdraftPlus</a>. <a href=\"http://updraftplus.com\">UpdraftPlus - Backup, restore and migration plugin for WordPress.</a></p>\n\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:42:\"http://rssnamespace.org/feedburner/ext/1.0\";a:1:{s:8:\"origLink\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:63:\"https://updraftplus.com/additional-updraftplus-retention-rules/\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}}}i:8;a:6:{s:4:\"data\";s:75:\"\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"child\";a:4:{s:0:\"\";a:6:{s:5:\"title\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:48:\"The risks and pitfalls of WordPress auto-updates\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"link\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:58:\"http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/UpdraftPlus/~3/mzuE7ur8Svk/\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:7:\"pubDate\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:31:\"Fri, 25 Jun 2021 14:17:15 +0000\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:8:\"category\";a:7:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:20:\"Easy Updates Manager\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:1;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:20:\"Other WordPress news\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:2;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:28:\"easy updates manager premium\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:3;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:6:\"update\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:4;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:11:\"UpdraftPlus\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:5;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:18:\"updraftplus update\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:6;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:9:\"wordpress\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"guid\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:34:\"https://updraftplus.com/?p=1161126\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:1:{s:0:\"\";a:1:{s:11:\"isPermaLink\";s:5:\"false\";}}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:11:\"description\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:774:\"<p>When a new version of WordPress launched in August of 2020, something else came with it: a brand-spanking-new updates feature, along with the risks and pitfalls of WordPress auto-updates. This marked a step-up from previous WordPress releases, in which plugins … <a href=\"https://updraftplus.com/the-risks-and-pitfalls-of-wordpress-auto-updates/\">Continue reading <span class=\"meta-nav\">→</span></a></p>\n<p>The post <a rel=\"nofollow\" href=\"https://updraftplus.com/the-risks-and-pitfalls-of-wordpress-auto-updates/\">The risks and pitfalls of WordPress auto-updates</a> appeared first on <a rel=\"nofollow\" href=\"https://updraftplus.com\">UpdraftPlus</a>. <a href=\"http://updraftplus.com\">UpdraftPlus - Backup, restore and migration plugin for WordPress.</a></p>\n\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:32:\"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/\";a:1:{s:7:\"creator\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:14:\"Marjorie Hajim\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:40:\"http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/\";a:1:{s:7:\"encoded\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:11339:\"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When a new version of WordPress launched in August of 2020, something else came with it: a brand-spanking-new updates feature, along with the risks and pitfalls of WordPress auto-updates. </span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This marked a step-up from previous WordPress releases, in which plugins and themes could only be manually updated. When version 5.5 was released, WordPress users were able to enable auto-updates for any plugin or theme on their site. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sounds great, right? In many ways it was. But here’s the catch. Auto-updates aren’t always the best thing since sliced bread and are in fact known to cause a whole load of problems ranging from mildly inconvenient formatting issues, to the downright catastrophic total site failures. </span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you’ve been thinking about enabling auto-updates for your website, you’ve come to the right place. In this blog, we’ll be running you through some common risks and pitfalls and how to avoid them.</span></p>\n<p><a href=\"https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Untitled.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-1161134\" src=\"https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Untitled.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1006\" height=\"629\" srcset=\"https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Untitled-980x613.png 980w, https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Untitled-480x300.png 480w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) and (max-width: 980px) 980px, (min-width: 981px) 1006px, 100vw\" /></a></p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What is an auto-update?</span></h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Auto-updates are updates to plugins and themes that take place automatically without the site owner having to do anything manually via WordPress. Unlike manual updates, there’s no need to initiate the process or download new versions of your existing plugins and themes. In WordPress 5.5, site owners can choose whether or not to use the auto-update feature. For example, if your WordPress site is integrated with one of the many <a href=\"https://www.ringcentral.co.uk/gb/en/blog/definitions/cloud-management-platform/\">cloud management platforms</a> available, it will be automatically updated without you having to lift a finger. Each plugin and theme has its own ON/OFF option specifically for auto-updates.</span></p>\n<p> </p>\n<p><a href=\"https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Untitled-1.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-1161135\" src=\"https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Untitled-1.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"990\" height=\"661\" srcset=\"https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Untitled-1.png 990w, https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Untitled-1-980x654.png 980w, https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Untitled-1-480x320.png 480w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) and (max-width: 980px) 980px, (min-width: 981px) 990px, 100vw\" /></a></p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What are the risks?</span></h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Whatever kind of business you’re running – be it a small eCommerce store or a </span><a href=\"https://accelerateagency.ai/saas-marketing-agency\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">SaaS digital marketing</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> agency, before enabling auto-updates on your WordPress site, it’s important to be aware of all the ‘side-effects’ – both good and bad. Auto-updates are convenient, but there can be some big drawbacks. </span></p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Updates can cause technical issues</span></h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Updates have been known to sometimes cause problems on your website. This is more likely if you opt for comprehensive auto-updates across all plugins and themes. Updates will run in the background and you won’t even be aware of it most of the time. But sometimes updates cause technical issues or even ‘breaks’. Auto-updates can fail, especially when concurrent updates are happening simultaneously – with site functionality (e.g. </span><a href=\"https://vwo.com/blog/mobile-optimization-importance/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">mobile optimization</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">) more likely to go askew. </span></p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Updates can be hard to keep track of</span></h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If an update does mess up your site, you will need to know what caused it. Determining exactly what happened and when can be tricky. Especially if multiple updates all took place simultaneously. With selected automatic and manual updates, it can be easier to isolate the root issue and fix it. </span></p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Some major releases may be incompatible</span></h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sometimes auto-updates might include a major release. If a particular plugin (e.g. a plugin used to </span><a href=\"https://www.codemotion.com/magazine/dev-hub/cloud-manager/how-to-monitor-cloud-metrics-for-scaling/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">monitor cloud metrics</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">) releases an update with a larger than normal installation base, it could cause problems. If you have auto-update enabled, you won’t have any control over whether or not you wish to deploy those changes. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">WordPress does not use a ‘Canary update’ testing process. Canary updates roll out code to test sites before official release. Without this, there’s no telling what a new update will do. Likewise with smaller plugins, top-notch quality assurance is not guaranteed. By enabling auto-updates you’re essentially handing over control to unknown quality assurance teams. </span></p>\n<p><a href=\"https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Untitled-2.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-1161136\" src=\"https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Untitled-2.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"360\" srcset=\"https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Untitled-2.png 800w, https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Untitled-2-480x216.png 480w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) 800px, 100vw\" /></a></p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The best way to run WordPress updates</span></h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are safer ways to enjoy the benefits that automatic updates bring. Just proceed with caution. Now that you’re aware of some of those common issues, you can enjoy auto-updates without worrying too much about the consequences. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With all the potential issues your site can be faced when updating your plugins and theme, it is vitally important to have a secure and recent backup of your site. There are tons of <a href=\"https://www.ringcentral.co.uk/gb/en/blog/definitions/anything-as-a-service-xaas/\">XaaS</a> tools available today and having a backup with </span><a href=\"http://updraftplus.com\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">UpdraftPlus</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> can help save you. Even if you take all the necessary precautions, it is still possible to fall victim to a bad update and have your site die on you. </span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Backing up your site with UpdraftPlus can be done in just a few minutes. Just download UpdraftPlus, follow these </span><a href=\"https://updraftplus.com/how-to-backup-a-wordpress-site-step-by-step-guide/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">simple instructions</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and you won’t have to worry about an update permanently taking down your site again. There are still risks however – e</span>ven if you take all the precautions necessary, a bad update can sometimes stop you from even logging into your site. In this scenario, restoring it to it’s former working version will be a complicated and difficult process. UpdraftPlus allows you to test your updates on a clone of your site using <a href=\"https://updraftplus.com/updraftclone/\">UpdraftClone</a>. UpdraftClone allows you to clone your site instantly and directly from UpdraftPlus, which can further reduce any danger to your main site by allowing you to test updates in a secure and risk-free environment.</p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">UpdraftPlus Premium also has an auto-backup feature that creates a backup for you, before any updates to plugins and themes are performed. While the latest update of WordPress can update your plugins automatically, we recommend that you turn off auto-updates for all/selected plugins and use </span><a href=\"https://easyupdatesmanager.com/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Easy Updates Manager</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> instead. Easy Updates Manager currently helps more than 300,000 WordPress users automatically keep their sites up to date and bug-free. It’s also highly customizable to give you real control over what updates to run.</span></p>\n<div id=\"attachment_1161137\" style=\"width: 977px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/New-Project-2021-06-25T135451.001.jpg\"><img aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1161137\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-image-1161137\" src=\"https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/New-Project-2021-06-25T135451.001.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"967\" height=\"624\" /></a><p id=\"caption-attachment-1161137\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Easy Updates Manager in action</p></div>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Choose from manually update, disable update, enable auto updates, disable auto updates and choose per plugin/theme, so you always have full control over your site and what aspects are updated. </span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This offers a greater degree of control and limits unnecessary risk or disruption – disruption that could potentially derail a business in its infancy. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The potential business impact of an auto-update-related disruption could be catastrophic. If an automatic update interferes with your customer payment portal for example, the losses could be substantial for a well-established brand with high volume sales. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Use </span><a href=\"http://updaftplus.com\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">UpdraftPlus </span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">and </span><a href=\"https://easyupdatesmanager.com/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Easy Updates Manager</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> today for the best backup and auto update options. </span></p>\n<p><a href=\"https://www.ringcentral.co.uk/office/features/multi-level-auto-attendant/overview.html\"><b>Marjorie Hajim</b></a></p>\n<p>The post <a rel=\"nofollow\" href=\"https://updraftplus.com/the-risks-and-pitfalls-of-wordpress-auto-updates/\">The risks and pitfalls of WordPress auto-updates</a> appeared first on <a rel=\"nofollow\" href=\"https://updraftplus.com\">UpdraftPlus</a>. <a href=\"http://updraftplus.com\">UpdraftPlus - Backup, restore and migration plugin for WordPress.</a></p>\n\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:42:\"http://rssnamespace.org/feedburner/ext/1.0\";a:1:{s:8:\"origLink\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:73:\"https://updraftplus.com/the-risks-and-pitfalls-of-wordpress-auto-updates/\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}}}i:9;a:6:{s:4:\"data\";s:90:\"\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"child\";a:4:{s:0:\"\";a:6:{s:5:\"title\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:60:\"7 critical measures for protecting your WordPress admin area\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"link\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:58:\"http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/UpdraftPlus/~3/QYNvBAmmBSw/\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:7:\"pubDate\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:31:\"Fri, 04 Jun 2021 14:10:18 +0000\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:8:\"category\";a:12:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:8:\"Security\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:1;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:6:\"attack\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:2;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:6:\"Backup\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:3;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:4:\"hack\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:4;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:6:\"How to\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:5;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:7:\"protect\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:6;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:10:\"protecting\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:7;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:8:\"security\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:8;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:6:\"update\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:9;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:11:\"UpdraftPlus\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:10;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:7:\"website\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:11;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:9:\"wordpress\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"guid\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:34:\"https://updraftplus.com/?p=1144209\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:1:{s:0:\"\";a:1:{s:11:\"isPermaLink\";s:5:\"false\";}}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:11:\"description\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:777:\"<p>Content management system platforms like WordPress have successfully democratized website building in the current digital era, with what used to be a potentially expensive and tedious and difficult process, now becoming easier and more accessible for both inexperienced and experienced … <a href=\"https://updraftplus.com/protecting-wordpress-admin-area/\">Continue reading <span class=\"meta-nav\">→</span></a></p>\n<p>The post <a rel=\"nofollow\" href=\"https://updraftplus.com/protecting-wordpress-admin-area/\">7 critical measures for protecting your WordPress admin area</a> appeared first on <a rel=\"nofollow\" href=\"https://updraftplus.com\">UpdraftPlus</a>. <a href=\"http://updraftplus.com\">UpdraftPlus - Backup, restore and migration plugin for WordPress.</a></p>\n\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:32:\"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/\";a:1:{s:7:\"creator\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:10:\"John Allen\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:40:\"http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/\";a:1:{s:7:\"encoded\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:16390:\"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Content management system platforms like WordPress have successfully democratized website building in the current digital era, with what used to be a potentially expensive and tedious and difficult process, now becoming easier and more accessible for both inexperienced and experienced site owners. But how do you go about protecting your WordPress admin area?</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">However, the issues of security have remained challenging for many WordPress site owners. According to a report by WordPress security plugin</span><a href=\"https://wpmanageninja.com/wordpress-security-statistics/#:~:text=According%20to%20WordFence%2C%20there%20are,11%25%20are%20from%20WordPress%20Themes\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">WordFence</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, almost 90,000 security issues were reported every 60 seconds on WordPress websites in 2020.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This data is even more troubling when we take into account login-based WordPress sites like eCommerce platforms, where sensitive information such as banking and debit card details are shared daily.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you’re trying to</span><a href=\"https://www.bigcommerce.com/blog/build-an-ecommerce-website/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">build a website</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, using WordPress is a great idea, but you may be worried about the security of your WordPress admin area, especially given the sheer volume of cyber threats in the previous year. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you wish to reinforce your log-in mechanics, consider these seven simple measures to secure your admin area.</span></p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">1. Change your passwords often</span></h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Let’s start with the basics of WordPress admin and login security. It may seem like the simplest solution when it comes to your site’s security, but changing passwords is often overlooked as an effective security measure.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This cybersecurity approach is essential to any login-based online service and should be implemented across all types of sites, from streaming platforms like Netflix, to social media sites like Instagram, to </span><a href=\"https://www.ringcentral.com/group-meeting-apps.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">online group meeting</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> apps like RingCentral. When it comes to preventing admin-related issues, changing a password regularly is a popular cybersecurity tactic. </span></p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2. Keep your plugins updated</span></h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Let’s go back to that WordFence data we mentioned earlier. In one</span><a href=\"https://wpmanageninja.com/wordpress-security-statistics/#:~:text=According%20to%20WordFence%2C%20there%20are,11%25%20are%20from%20WordPress%20Themes\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">study</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> conducted by WordFence researchers, it was found that over half of WordPress cybersecurity issues (52%) were caused by plugins. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As such, he first step toward securing your WordPress site is investing in WordPress security plugins. Many of these track and record login attempts to analyze any possible admin area threats.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Additionally, it’s important to</span><a href=\"https://updraftplus.com/why-defunct-wordpress-plugins-pose-a-threat-how-to-secure-your-site/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">get rid of outdated WordPress plugins</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. These pose a threat to your site’s security since they stop updating, meaning their security measures end up being lacking. The safest course of action is to uninstall them, as disabling doesn’t get rid of the additional (and weak) code. Use </span><a href=\"https://updraftplus.com/updraftcentral/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">UpdraftCentral</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to efficiently manage, update and backup multiple website plugins, themes and backups from one place for sites on which UpdraftPlus is installed.</span></p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">3. Implement SSL login pages</span></h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">SSL stands for “</span><a href=\"https://updraftplus.com/how-to-increase-security-while-developing-a-wordpress-site/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">secure sockets layer</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">”. This security protocol is generally used on websites that store sensitive data, especially those that require authentication to log in. In essence, SSL measures activate a digital lock – technically, an HTTPS protocol – that guarantees a secure connection from the server to the browser.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Usually your run-of-the-mill hosting provider will include these measures in your subscription. If they do not, consider purchasing an SSL certificate and installing it on your WordPress server. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This is especially useful for eCommerce WordPress sites, which ask their clients to log in with a profile to automate the checkout process when paying via credit or debit card.</span></p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">4. Limit login attempts</span></h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Restricting the number of possible login attempts is one reliable</span><a href=\"https://www.cleverfiles.com/howto/cybersecurity-tips-to-protect-data.html\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">cybersecurity tip to protect data</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, especially if you’re looking to prevent potential brute force attacks. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These cybersecurity breaches are achieved by bombarding an admin platform with every conceivable combination of characters to form passwords, using a simple but effective cracking method of trial and error. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">By limiting login attempts, you can protect your users and your page from attacks of this nature.</span></p>\n<p><a href=\"https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/pasted-image-0.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-1144217 size-full\" src=\"https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/pasted-image-0.png\" alt=\"Limit login attempts WordPress security image\" width=\"1051\" height=\"701\" srcset=\"https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/pasted-image-0.png 1051w, https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/pasted-image-0-980x654.png 980w, https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/pasted-image-0-480x320.png 480w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) and (max-width: 980px) 980px, (min-width: 981px) 1051px, 100vw\" /></a></p>\n<p><a href=\"https://unsplash.com/photos/6pflEeSzGUo\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Image Source</span></a></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">However, when it comes to WordPress admin security issues, it’s important to note that not every hazardous log-in attempt comes from criminals looking to steal data. Sometimes, admin platforms are subjected to non-malicious intrusions performed by users. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you’re running a WordPress site that provides user registration, there’s a chance that your users – or yourself – will get locked out of their account by accident. Forgetting your password has happened to everyone at some point after all.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The best way to separate malware attacks and non-malicious intrusions is to implement a network intrusion detection system that can track, record, and analyze potential login or admin issues, without interfering with the traffic it monitors. This way, you can ensure you’re not punishing forgetful users, but are keeping them protected nonetheless.</span></p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">5. Use two-factor authentication</span></h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Two-factor authentication is a security protocol that enforces an additional check on users looking to gain access to WordPress sites. This protection method adds an extra layer of security to passwords by asking for a unique one-use-only code that’s sent to your smartphone.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These apps and plugins are installed on your smart device and will send the codes so you can access your WordPress login screen. This approach is seen as a more secure way of changing your passwords regularly and is particularly recommended for eCommerce sites.</span></p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">6. Implement IAM solutions</span></h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Identity and access management (IAM) software solutions are used to limit the number of remote users accessing online platforms via admin areas and login accounts. In the digital era, the IAM market has grown rapidly and the current list of</span><a href=\"https://www.esecurityplanet.com/products/best-iam-software/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">IAM solutions</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> available can overwhelm newcomers and inexperienced WordPress site owners alike.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There’s a basic list of points to follow to make the most of your IAM service, regardless of which IAM option you choose. Here’s a shortlist of what to do before you commit to a particular provider:</span></p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Access the IT architecture.</span></li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Look for any possible incompatibilities between the OS, third-party application or plugins, and the IAM tool.</span></li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Verify that your IAM system is compliant with guidelines and laws in your industry, market, and country.</span></li>\n</ul>\n<p><a href=\"https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/pasted-image-0-1.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-1144218 size-full\" src=\"https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/pasted-image-0-1.png\" alt=\"Security WordPress image\" width=\"960\" height=\"640\" srcset=\"https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/pasted-image-0-1.png 960w, https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/pasted-image-0-1-480x320.png 480w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) 960px, 100vw\" /></a></p>\n<p><a href=\"https://pixabay.com/es/photos/seguridad-protecci%C3%B3n-antivirus-265130/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Image Source</span></a></p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">7. Have a backup</span></h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The sad truth is, some things are unavoidable. It may be difficult to read, but there’s a chance that even if you do everything right, hackers will still be able to gain access to and attack your admin area. If that happens, it’s important to have a plan of action ready.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Imagine the worst-case scenario: your site has been attacked and hacked. There are no more prevention measures to implement. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">First things first, remember not to panic. Work to identify the problem and react accordingly. The best way to know if you’ve fallen victim to a cybersecurity breach is to look for possible signs of a hacking attack: </span></p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You’re unable to log in.</span></li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your site is redirecting elsewhere.</span></li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your content has disappeared or there is new strange content and links.</span></li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your site is running slower than usual.</span></li>\n</ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Once you’ve identified the problem, the fastest way to fix any possible issues is to</span><a href=\"https://updraftplus.com/how-restoring-a-wordpress-website-can-be-more-difficult-than-you-think/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">restore your WordPress website</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> using UpdraftPlus. This will allow you to undo any hazardous changes and get back to normal as quickly as possible. To do so, you must have an older version of your site as a backup somewhere secure – such as a cloud storage platform.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As you may be aware, having your data backed up is one of the most essential things to do in terms of cybersecurity. If you want to keep a record of past versions of your site separate from your site,</span><a href=\"https://updraftplus.com/shop/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> cloud-storage solutions</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> offer safe and secure backups that can help you relaunch your site in just minutes after an attack.</span></p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Summary</span></h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Now you have read seven effective security tips for your WordPress admin area, let’s reiterate what we’ve learned so far:</span></p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Change your passwords often.</span></li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Install login security plugins (and uninstall old or obsolete plugins).</span></li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Implement SSL encryption-based protocols.</span></li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Combat brute force attacks by limiting login attempts.</span></li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Use additional one-use-only passwords and codes by adding 2FA.</span></li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Limit your log-in possibilities with IAM software solutions.</span></li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Have a contingency plan to fight security breaches, malware, and ransomware viruses.</span></li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Keep a backup version of your site and use it during cybersecurity emergencies.</span></li>\n</ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you follow these measures, your WordPress site should be protected from any attacks and ready to combat and react to any issues, should the worst happen. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What are you waiting for? Go out there and turn your WordPress page into an online fortress using </span><a href=\"https://updraftplus.com/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">UpdraftPlus</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and </span><a href=\"https://updraftplus.com/updraftcentral/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">UpdraftCentral</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> today!</span></p>\n<p><a href=\"https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnlallen/\">John Allen</a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> has written for websites such as </span><a href=\"https://slack-redir.net/link?url=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.hubspot.com%2Fservice%2Fsms-customer-support\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hubspot</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and </span><a href=\"https://slack-redir.net/link?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcollaboration.toolbox.com%2Fguest-article%2Fwhy-sdn-unified-communications-is-a-perfect-match-for-workplace-digitalization\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Toolbox</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.</span></p>\n<p>The post <a rel=\"nofollow\" href=\"https://updraftplus.com/protecting-wordpress-admin-area/\">7 critical measures for protecting your WordPress admin area</a> appeared first on <a rel=\"nofollow\" href=\"https://updraftplus.com\">UpdraftPlus</a>. <a href=\"http://updraftplus.com\">UpdraftPlus - Backup, restore and migration plugin for WordPress.</a></p>\n\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:42:\"http://rssnamespace.org/feedburner/ext/1.0\";a:1:{s:8:\"origLink\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:56:\"https://updraftplus.com/protecting-wordpress-admin-area/\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}}}}}s:44:\"http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/syndication/\";a:2:{s:12:\"updatePeriod\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:9:\"\n hourly \";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:15:\"updateFrequency\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:4:\"\n 1 \";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:27:\"http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom\";a:1:{s:4:\"link\";a:2:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:0:\"\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:1:{s:0:\"\";a:3:{s:3:\"rel\";s:4:\"self\";s:4:\"type\";s:19:\"application/rss+xml\";s:4:\"href\";s:39:\"http://feeds.feedburner.com/UpdraftPlus\";}}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:1;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:0:\"\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:1:{s:0:\"\";a:2:{s:3:\"rel\";s:3:\"hub\";s:4:\"href\";s:32:\"http://pubsubhubbub.appspot.com/\";}}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:42:\"http://rssnamespace.org/feedburner/ext/1.0\";a:1:{s:4:\"info\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:0:\"\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:1:{s:0:\"\";a:1:{s:3:\"uri\";s:11:\"updraftplus\";}}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}}}}}}}}}}s:4:\"type\";i:128;s:7:\"headers\";O:42:\"Requests_Utility_CaseInsensitiveDictionary\":1:{s:7:\"\0*\0data\";a:11:{s:12:\"content-type\";s:23:\"text/xml; charset=UTF-8\";s:4:\"etag\";s:27:\"4tm7dZleqJ/MXiH+MPRfnwQZDPA\";s:13:\"last-modified\";s:29:\"Sun, 19 Sep 2021 04:19:16 GMT\";s:16:\"content-encoding\";s:4:\"gzip\";s:4:\"date\";s:29:\"Sun, 19 Sep 2021 05:09:52 GMT\";s:7:\"expires\";s:29:\"Sun, 19 Sep 2021 05:09:52 GMT\";s:13:\"cache-control\";s:18:\"private, max-age=0\";s:22:\"x-content-type-options\";s:7:\"nosniff\";s:16:\"x-xss-protection\";s:13:\"1; mode=block\";s:6:\"server\";s:3:\"GSE\";s:7:\"alt-svc\";s:189:\"h3=\":443\"; ma=2592000,h3-29=\":443\"; ma=2592000,h3-T051=\":443\"; ma=2592000,h3-Q050=\":443\"; ma=2592000,h3-Q046=\":443\"; ma=2592000,h3-Q043=\":443\"; ma=2592000,quic=\":443\"; ma=2592000; v=\"46,43\"\";}}s:5:\"build\";s:14:\"20201213021516\";}','no'),(8351,'_transient_timeout_feed_mod_e0061ca2fa5b884e483872aa34d3e7eb','1632071341','no'),(8352,'_transient_feed_mod_e0061ca2fa5b884e483872aa34d3e7eb','1632028141','no'),(8353,'_transient_timeout_updraftplus_dashboard_news','1632071341','no'),(8354,'_transient_updraftplus_dashboard_news','<div class=\"rss-widget\"><ul><li class=\"updraftplus_dashboard_news_item\"><a href=\"http://lawreview.ust.edu.ph/wp-admin/\" class=\"dashicons dashicons-no-alt\" title=\"Dismiss all UpdraftPlus news\" onClick=\"updraftplus_dismiss_dashboard_news(); return false;\" style=\"float: right; box-shadow: none; margin-left: 5px;\"></a><a class=\'rsswidget\' href=\'http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/UpdraftPlus/~3/IYqI44wz3a8/\'>UpdraftPlus: How to protect customer data and prevent GDPR breaches on your WordPress site</a></li><li class=\"updraftplus_dashboard_news_item\"><a href=\"http://lawreview.ust.edu.ph/wp-admin/\" class=\"dashicons dashicons-no-alt\" title=\"Dismiss all UpdraftPlus news\" onClick=\"updraftplus_dismiss_dashboard_news(); return false;\" style=\"float: right; box-shadow: none; margin-left: 5px;\"></a><a class=\'rsswidget\' href=\'http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/UpdraftPlus/~3/WXNMF6A23Lg/\'>UpdraftPlus: Speed up your WordPress site using image optimization</a></li></ul></div>','no'),(8355,'_transient_timeout_dash_v2_88ae138922fe95674369b1cb3d215a2b','1632071341','no'),(8356,'_transient_dash_v2_88ae138922fe95674369b1cb3d215a2b','<div class=\"rss-widget\"><ul><li><a class=\'rsswidget\' href=\'https://wordpress.org/news/2021/09/join-us-for-wordpress-translation-day-global-events-in-september-2021/\'>Join us for WordPress Translation Day Global Events in September 2021</a></li><li><a class=\'rsswidget\' href=\'https://wordpress.org/news/2021/09/wordpress-5-8-1-security-and-maintenance-release/\'>WordPress 5.8.1 Security and Maintenance Release</a></li></ul></div><div class=\"rss-widget\"><ul><li><a class=\'rsswidget\' href=\'https://gutenbergtimes.com/theme-building-for-fse-weekend-edition-185/\'>Gutenberg Times: Insights into theme building for FSE, Headless and Gutenberg — Weekend Edition #185</a></li><li><a class=\'rsswidget\' href=\'https://wptavern.com/wordpress-contributor-teams-seek-to-curb-spam-pledges-in-five-for-the-future-program?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=wordpress-contributor-teams-seek-to-curb-spam-pledges-in-five-for-the-future-program\'>WPTavern: WordPress Contributor Teams Seek to Curb Spam Pledges in Five for the Future Program</a></li><li><a class=\'rsswidget\' href=\'https://wptavern.com/tove-a-block-based-wordpress-theme-by-anders-noren?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=tove-a-block-based-wordpress-theme-by-anders-noren\'>WPTavern: Tove: A Block-Based WordPress Theme by Anders Norén</a></li></ul></div>','no'),(8357,'_site_transient_timeout_poptags_40cd750bba9870f18aada2478b24840a','1632039098','no'),(8358,'_site_transient_poptags_40cd750bba9870f18aada2478b24840a','O:8:\"stdClass\":100:{s:11:\"woocommerce\";a:3:{s:4:\"name\";s:11:\"woocommerce\";s:4:\"slug\";s:11:\"woocommerce\";s:5:\"count\";i:5136;}s:6:\"widget\";a:3:{s:4:\"name\";s:6:\"widget\";s:4:\"slug\";s:6:\"widget\";s:5:\"count\";i:4768;}s:4:\"post\";a:3:{s:4:\"name\";s:4:\"post\";s:4:\"slug\";s:4:\"post\";s:5:\"count\";i:2730;}s:5:\"admin\";a:3:{s:4:\"name\";s:5:\"admin\";s:4:\"slug\";s:5:\"admin\";s:5:\"count\";i:2604;}s:5:\"posts\";a:3:{s:4:\"name\";s:5:\"posts\";s:4:\"slug\";s:5:\"posts\";s:5:\"count\";i:2014;}s:9:\"shortcode\";a:3:{s:4:\"name\";s:9:\"shortcode\";s:4:\"slug\";s:9:\"shortcode\";s:5:\"count\";i:1867;}s:8:\"comments\";a:3:{s:4:\"name\";s:8:\"comments\";s:4:\"slug\";s:8:\"comments\";s:5:\"count\";i:1854;}s:6:\"images\";a:3:{s:4:\"name\";s:6:\"images\";s:4:\"slug\";s:6:\"images\";s:5:\"count\";i:1526;}s:3:\"seo\";a:3:{s:4:\"name\";s:3:\"seo\";s:4:\"slug\";s:3:\"seo\";s:5:\"count\";i:1515;}s:6:\"google\";a:3:{s:4:\"name\";s:6:\"google\";s:4:\"slug\";s:6:\"google\";s:5:\"count\";i:1505;}s:5:\"image\";a:3:{s:4:\"name\";s:5:\"image\";s:4:\"slug\";s:5:\"image\";s:5:\"count\";i:1502;}s:7:\"twitter\";a:3:{s:4:\"name\";s:7:\"twitter\";s:4:\"slug\";s:7:\"twitter\";s:5:\"count\";i:1501;}s:8:\"facebook\";a:3:{s:4:\"name\";s:8:\"facebook\";s:4:\"slug\";s:8:\"facebook\";s:5:\"count\";i:1474;}s:7:\"sidebar\";a:3:{s:4:\"name\";s:7:\"sidebar\";s:4:\"slug\";s:7:\"sidebar\";s:5:\"count\";i:1312;}s:5:\"email\";a:3:{s:4:\"name\";s:5:\"email\";s:4:\"slug\";s:5:\"email\";s:5:\"count\";i:1283;}s:9:\"ecommerce\";a:3:{s:4:\"name\";s:9:\"ecommerce\";s:4:\"slug\";s:9:\"ecommerce\";s:5:\"count\";i:1278;}s:7:\"gallery\";a:3:{s:4:\"name\";s:7:\"gallery\";s:4:\"slug\";s:7:\"gallery\";s:5:\"count\";i:1239;}s:4:\"page\";a:3:{s:4:\"name\";s:4:\"page\";s:4:\"slug\";s:4:\"page\";s:5:\"count\";i:1161;}s:6:\"social\";a:3:{s:4:\"name\";s:6:\"social\";s:4:\"slug\";s:6:\"social\";s:5:\"count\";i:1130;}s:5:\"login\";a:3:{s:4:\"name\";s:5:\"login\";s:4:\"slug\";s:5:\"login\";s:5:\"count\";i:1067;}s:8:\"security\";a:3:{s:4:\"name\";s:8:\"security\";s:4:\"slug\";s:8:\"security\";s:5:\"count\";i:973;}s:5:\"video\";a:3:{s:4:\"name\";s:5:\"video\";s:4:\"slug\";s:5:\"video\";s:5:\"count\";i:939;}s:7:\"widgets\";a:3:{s:4:\"name\";s:7:\"widgets\";s:4:\"slug\";s:7:\"widgets\";s:5:\"count\";i:916;}s:10:\"e-commerce\";a:3:{s:4:\"name\";s:10:\"e-commerce\";s:4:\"slug\";s:10:\"e-commerce\";s:5:\"count\";i:900;}s:5:\"links\";a:3:{s:4:\"name\";s:5:\"links\";s:4:\"slug\";s:5:\"links\";s:5:\"count\";i:887;}s:4:\"spam\";a:3:{s:4:\"name\";s:4:\"spam\";s:4:\"slug\";s:4:\"spam\";s:5:\"count\";i:840;}s:7:\"content\";a:3:{s:4:\"name\";s:7:\"content\";s:4:\"slug\";s:7:\"content\";s:5:\"count\";i:824;}s:6:\"slider\";a:3:{s:4:\"name\";s:6:\"slider\";s:4:\"slug\";s:6:\"slider\";s:5:\"count\";i:819;}s:9:\"analytics\";a:3:{s:4:\"name\";s:9:\"analytics\";s:4:\"slug\";s:9:\"analytics\";s:5:\"count\";i:815;}s:4:\"form\";a:3:{s:4:\"name\";s:4:\"form\";s:4:\"slug\";s:4:\"form\";s:5:\"count\";i:799;}s:10:\"buddypress\";a:3:{s:4:\"name\";s:10:\"buddypress\";s:4:\"slug\";s:10:\"buddypress\";s:5:\"count\";i:762;}s:5:\"media\";a:3:{s:4:\"name\";s:5:\"media\";s:4:\"slug\";s:5:\"media\";s:5:\"count\";i:753;}s:6:\"search\";a:3:{s:4:\"name\";s:6:\"search\";s:4:\"slug\";s:6:\"search\";s:5:\"count\";i:734;}s:6:\"editor\";a:3:{s:4:\"name\";s:6:\"editor\";s:4:\"slug\";s:6:\"editor\";s:5:\"count\";i:731;}s:3:\"rss\";a:3:{s:4:\"name\";s:3:\"rss\";s:4:\"slug\";s:3:\"rss\";s:5:\"count\";i:730;}s:5:\"pages\";a:3:{s:4:\"name\";s:5:\"pages\";s:4:\"slug\";s:5:\"pages\";s:5:\"count\";i:717;}s:7:\"payment\";a:3:{s:4:\"name\";s:7:\"payment\";s:4:\"slug\";s:7:\"payment\";s:5:\"count\";i:714;}s:4:\"menu\";a:3:{s:4:\"name\";s:4:\"menu\";s:4:\"slug\";s:4:\"menu\";s:5:\"count\";i:688;}s:12:\"contact-form\";a:3:{s:4:\"name\";s:12:\"contact form\";s:4:\"slug\";s:12:\"contact-form\";s:5:\"count\";i:670;}s:9:\"gutenberg\";a:3:{s:4:\"name\";s:9:\"gutenberg\";s:4:\"slug\";s:9:\"gutenberg\";s:5:\"count\";i:670;}s:4:\"feed\";a:3:{s:4:\"name\";s:4:\"feed\";s:4:\"slug\";s:4:\"feed\";s:5:\"count\";i:668;}s:8:\"category\";a:3:{s:4:\"name\";s:8:\"category\";s:4:\"slug\";s:8:\"category\";s:5:\"count\";i:665;}s:6:\"jquery\";a:3:{s:4:\"name\";s:6:\"jquery\";s:4:\"slug\";s:6:\"jquery\";s:5:\"count\";i:665;}s:5:\"embed\";a:3:{s:4:\"name\";s:5:\"embed\";s:4:\"slug\";s:5:\"embed\";s:5:\"count\";i:662;}s:4:\"ajax\";a:3:{s:4:\"name\";s:4:\"ajax\";s:4:\"slug\";s:4:\"ajax\";s:5:\"count\";i:653;}s:15:\"payment-gateway\";a:3:{s:4:\"name\";s:15:\"payment gateway\";s:4:\"slug\";s:15:\"payment-gateway\";s:5:\"count\";i:644;}s:7:\"youtube\";a:3:{s:4:\"name\";s:7:\"youtube\";s:4:\"slug\";s:7:\"youtube\";s:5:\"count\";i:602;}s:3:\"css\";a:3:{s:4:\"name\";s:3:\"css\";s:4:\"slug\";s:3:\"css\";s:5:\"count\";i:601;}s:4:\"link\";a:3:{s:4:\"name\";s:4:\"link\";s:4:\"slug\";s:4:\"link\";s:5:\"count\";i:593;}s:10:\"javascript\";a:3:{s:4:\"name\";s:10:\"javascript\";s:4:\"slug\";s:10:\"javascript\";s:5:\"count\";i:592;}s:9:\"affiliate\";a:3:{s:4:\"name\";s:9:\"affiliate\";s:4:\"slug\";s:9:\"affiliate\";s:5:\"count\";i:578;}s:5:\"share\";a:3:{s:4:\"name\";s:5:\"share\";s:4:\"slug\";s:5:\"share\";s:5:\"count\";i:575;}s:9:\"dashboard\";a:3:{s:4:\"name\";s:9:\"dashboard\";s:4:\"slug\";s:9:\"dashboard\";s:5:\"count\";i:568;}s:10:\"responsive\";a:3:{s:4:\"name\";s:10:\"responsive\";s:4:\"slug\";s:10:\"responsive\";s:5:\"count\";i:567;}s:5:\"theme\";a:3:{s:4:\"name\";s:5:\"theme\";s:4:\"slug\";s:5:\"theme\";s:5:\"count\";i:565;}s:3:\"api\";a:3:{s:4:\"name\";s:3:\"api\";s:4:\"slug\";s:3:\"api\";s:5:\"count\";i:559;}s:7:\"comment\";a:3:{s:4:\"name\";s:7:\"comment\";s:4:\"slug\";s:7:\"comment\";s:5:\"count\";i:556;}s:7:\"contact\";a:3:{s:4:\"name\";s:7:\"contact\";s:4:\"slug\";s:7:\"contact\";s:5:\"count\";i:554;}s:3:\"ads\";a:3:{s:4:\"name\";s:3:\"ads\";s:4:\"slug\";s:3:\"ads\";s:5:\"count\";i:551;}s:9:\"elementor\";a:3:{s:4:\"name\";s:9:\"elementor\";s:4:\"slug\";s:9:\"elementor\";s:5:\"count\";i:546;}s:5:\"block\";a:3:{s:4:\"name\";s:5:\"block\";s:4:\"slug\";s:5:\"block\";s:5:\"count\";i:541;}s:6:\"custom\";a:3:{s:4:\"name\";s:6:\"custom\";s:4:\"slug\";s:6:\"custom\";s:5:\"count\";i:538;}s:10:\"categories\";a:3:{s:4:\"name\";s:10:\"categories\";s:4:\"slug\";s:10:\"categories\";s:5:\"count\";i:533;}s:4:\"user\";a:3:{s:4:\"name\";s:4:\"user\";s:4:\"slug\";s:4:\"user\";s:5:\"count\";i:523;}s:6:\"button\";a:3:{s:4:\"name\";s:6:\"button\";s:4:\"slug\";s:6:\"button\";s:5:\"count\";i:514;}s:6:\"events\";a:3:{s:4:\"name\";s:6:\"events\";s:4:\"slug\";s:6:\"events\";s:5:\"count\";i:511;}s:9:\"marketing\";a:3:{s:4:\"name\";s:9:\"marketing\";s:4:\"slug\";s:9:\"marketing\";s:5:\"count\";i:501;}s:6:\"mobile\";a:3:{s:4:\"name\";s:6:\"mobile\";s:4:\"slug\";s:6:\"mobile\";s:5:\"count\";i:499;}s:4:\"tags\";a:3:{s:4:\"name\";s:4:\"tags\";s:4:\"slug\";s:4:\"tags\";s:5:\"count\";i:499;}s:4:\"chat\";a:3:{s:4:\"name\";s:4:\"chat\";s:4:\"slug\";s:4:\"chat\";s:5:\"count\";i:486;}s:5:\"users\";a:3:{s:4:\"name\";s:5:\"users\";s:4:\"slug\";s:5:\"users\";s:5:\"count\";i:486;}s:5:\"popup\";a:3:{s:4:\"name\";s:5:\"popup\";s:4:\"slug\";s:5:\"popup\";s:5:\"count\";i:474;}s:8:\"calendar\";a:3:{s:4:\"name\";s:8:\"calendar\";s:4:\"slug\";s:8:\"calendar\";s:5:\"count\";i:469;}s:8:\"shipping\";a:3:{s:4:\"name\";s:8:\"shipping\";s:4:\"slug\";s:8:\"shipping\";s:5:\"count\";i:469;}s:14:\"contact-form-7\";a:3:{s:4:\"name\";s:14:\"contact form 7\";s:4:\"slug\";s:14:\"contact-form-7\";s:5:\"count\";i:467;}s:5:\"forms\";a:3:{s:4:\"name\";s:5:\"forms\";s:4:\"slug\";s:5:\"forms\";s:5:\"count\";i:465;}s:10:\"newsletter\";a:3:{s:4:\"name\";s:10:\"newsletter\";s:4:\"slug\";s:10:\"newsletter\";s:5:\"count\";i:454;}s:10:\"navigation\";a:3:{s:4:\"name\";s:10:\"navigation\";s:4:\"slug\";s:10:\"navigation\";s:5:\"count\";i:449;}s:5:\"photo\";a:3:{s:4:\"name\";s:5:\"photo\";s:4:\"slug\";s:5:\"photo\";s:5:\"count\";i:446;}s:9:\"slideshow\";a:3:{s:4:\"name\";s:9:\"slideshow\";s:4:\"slug\";s:9:\"slideshow\";s:5:\"count\";i:444;}s:5:\"stats\";a:3:{s:4:\"name\";s:5:\"stats\";s:4:\"slug\";s:5:\"stats\";s:5:\"count\";i:434;}s:6:\"photos\";a:3:{s:4:\"name\";s:6:\"photos\";s:4:\"slug\";s:6:\"photos\";s:5:\"count\";i:427;}s:10:\"statistics\";a:3:{s:4:\"name\";s:10:\"statistics\";s:4:\"slug\";s:10:\"statistics\";s:5:\"count\";i:423;}s:11:\"performance\";a:3:{s:4:\"name\";s:11:\"performance\";s:4:\"slug\";s:11:\"performance\";s:5:\"count\";i:419;}s:12:\"social-media\";a:3:{s:4:\"name\";s:12:\"social media\";s:4:\"slug\";s:12:\"social-media\";s:5:\"count\";i:411;}s:8:\"redirect\";a:3:{s:4:\"name\";s:8:\"redirect\";s:4:\"slug\";s:8:\"redirect\";s:5:\"count\";i:411;}s:4:\"news\";a:3:{s:4:\"name\";s:4:\"news\";s:4:\"slug\";s:4:\"news\";s:5:\"count\";i:406;}s:10:\"shortcodes\";a:3:{s:4:\"name\";s:10:\"shortcodes\";s:4:\"slug\";s:10:\"shortcodes\";s:5:\"count\";i:402;}s:12:\"notification\";a:3:{s:4:\"name\";s:12:\"notification\";s:4:\"slug\";s:12:\"notification\";s:5:\"count\";i:399;}s:4:\"code\";a:3:{s:4:\"name\";s:4:\"code\";s:4:\"slug\";s:4:\"code\";s:5:\"count\";i:391;}s:7:\"plugins\";a:3:{s:4:\"name\";s:7:\"plugins\";s:4:\"slug\";s:7:\"plugins\";s:5:\"count\";i:390;}s:9:\"multisite\";a:3:{s:4:\"name\";s:9:\"multisite\";s:4:\"slug\";s:9:\"multisite\";s:5:\"count\";i:385;}s:8:\"tracking\";a:3:{s:4:\"name\";s:8:\"tracking\";s:4:\"slug\";s:8:\"tracking\";s:5:\"count\";i:384;}s:3:\"url\";a:3:{s:4:\"name\";s:3:\"url\";s:4:\"slug\";s:3:\"url\";s:5:\"count\";i:380;}s:6:\"import\";a:3:{s:4:\"name\";s:6:\"import\";s:4:\"slug\";s:6:\"import\";s:5:\"count\";i:380;}s:4:\"meta\";a:3:{s:4:\"name\";s:4:\"meta\";s:4:\"slug\";s:4:\"meta\";s:5:\"count\";i:373;}s:4:\"list\";a:3:{s:4:\"name\";s:4:\"list\";s:4:\"slug\";s:4:\"list\";s:5:\"count\";i:372;}s:6:\"blocks\";a:3:{s:4:\"name\";s:6:\"blocks\";s:4:\"slug\";s:6:\"blocks\";s:5:\"count\";i:369;}s:16:\"google-analytics\";a:3:{s:4:\"name\";s:16:\"google analytics\";s:4:\"slug\";s:16:\"google-analytics\";s:5:\"count\";i:361;}s:5:\"cache\";a:3:{s:4:\"name\";s:5:\"cache\";s:4:\"slug\";s:5:\"cache\";s:5:\"count\";i:357;}}','no'),(8370,'widget_zeno_fr_widget','a:2:{i:1;a:0:{}s:12:\"_multiwidget\";i:1;}','yes'),(8404,'_transient_timeout_wphc_supported_check_ajax-thumbnail-rebuild','1632121069','no'),(8405,'_transient_wphc_supported_check_ajax-thumbnail-rebuild','2018-09-04 10:10am GMT','no'),(8406,'_transient_timeout_wphc_supported_check_akismet','1632121070','no'),(8407,'_transient_wphc_supported_check_akismet','2021-09-03 4:53pm GMT','no'),(8408,'_transient_timeout_wphc_supported_check_better-search-replace','1632121070','no'),(8409,'_transient_wphc_supported_check_better-search-replace','2021-04-14 4:39pm GMT','no'),(8410,'_transient_timeout_wphc_supported_check_change-wp-admin-login','1632121071','no'),(8411,'_transient_wphc_supported_check_change-wp-admin-login','2021-07-20 3:28pm GMT','no'),(8427,'_site_transient_timeout_wp_remote_block_patterns_77eda09a6b697cf3b9a062612122d2a4','1632039864','no'),(8428,'_site_transient_wp_remote_block_patterns_77eda09a6b697cf3b9a062612122d2a4','a:13:{i:0;O:8:\"stdClass\":7:{s:2:\"id\";i:184;s:5:\"title\";O:8:\"stdClass\":1:{s:8:\"rendered\";s:7:\"Heading\";}s:7:\"content\";O:8:\"stdClass\":2:{s:8:\"rendered\";s:290:\"\n<h2 class=\"alignwide\" style=\"font-size:48px;line-height:1.1\">We’re a studio in Berlin with an international practice in architecture, urban planning and interior design. We believe in sharing knowledge and promoting dialogue to increase the creative potential of collaboration.</h2>\n\";s:9:\"protected\";b:0;}s:4:\"meta\";O:8:\"stdClass\":5:{s:10:\"spay_email\";s:0:\"\";s:16:\"wpop_description\";s:12:\"Heading text\";s:19:\"wpop_viewport_width\";i:1200;s:16:\"wpop_block_types\";a:1:{i:0;s:12:\"core/heading\";}s:11:\"wpop_locale\";s:5:\"en_US\";}s:14:\"category_slugs\";a:1:{i:0;s:4:\"text\";}s:13:\"keyword_slugs\";a:1:{i:0;s:4:\"core\";}s:15:\"pattern_content\";s:402:\"<!-- wp:heading {\"align\":\"wide\",\"style\":{\"typography\":{\"fontSize\":\"48px\",\"lineHeight\":\"1.1\"}}} -->\n<h2 class=\"alignwide\" style=\"font-size:48px;line-height:1.1\">We\'re a studio in Berlin with an international practice in architecture, urban planning and interior design. We believe in sharing knowledge and promoting dialogue to increase the creative potential of collaboration.</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\";}i:1;O:8:\"stdClass\":7:{s:2:\"id\";i:185;s:5:\"title\";O:8:\"stdClass\":1:{s:8:\"rendered\";s:35:\"Large header with left-aligned text\";}s:7:\"content\";O:8:\"stdClass\":2:{s:8:\"rendered\";s:1019:\"\n<div class=\"wp-block-cover alignfull has-background-dim-60 has-background-dim\" style=\"min-height:800px\"><img class=\"wp-block-cover__image-background\" alt=\"\" src=\"https://s.w.org/images/core/5.8/forest.jpg\" data-object-fit=\"cover\" /><div class=\"wp-block-cover__inner-container\">\n<h2 class=\"alignwide has-text-color\" style=\"color:#ffe074;font-size:64px\">Forest.</h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns alignwide\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column\" style=\"flex-basis:55%\">\n<div style=\"height:330px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"></div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-color\" style=\"color:#ffe074;font-size:12px;line-height:1.3\"><em>Even a child knows how valuable the forest is. The fresh, breathtaking smell of trees. Echoing birds flying above that dense magnitude. A stable climate, a sustainable diverse life and a source of culture. Yet, forests and other ecosystems hang in the balance, threatened to become croplands, pasture, and plantations.</em></p>\n</div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column\"></div>\n</div>\n</div></div>\n\";s:9:\"protected\";b:0;}s:4:\"meta\";O:8:\"stdClass\":5:{s:10:\"spay_email\";s:0:\"\";s:16:\"wpop_description\";s:29:\"Cover image with quote on top\";s:19:\"wpop_viewport_width\";i:1200;s:16:\"wpop_block_types\";a:0:{}s:11:\"wpop_locale\";s:5:\"en_US\";}s:14:\"category_slugs\";a:1:{i:0;s:6:\"header\";}s:13:\"keyword_slugs\";a:1:{i:0;s:4:\"core\";}s:15:\"pattern_content\";s:1610:\"<!-- wp:cover {\"url\":\"https://s.w.org/images/core/5.8/forest.jpg\",\"dimRatio\":60,\"minHeight\":800,\"align\":\"full\"} -->\n<div class=\"wp-block-cover alignfull has-background-dim-60 has-background-dim\" style=\"min-height:800px\"><img class=\"wp-block-cover__image-background\" alt=\"\" src=\"https://s.w.org/images/core/5.8/forest.jpg\" data-object-fit=\"cover\" /><div class=\"wp-block-cover__inner-container\"><!-- wp:heading {\"align\":\"wide\",\"style\":{\"color\":{\"text\":\"#ffe074\"},\"typography\":{\"fontSize\":\"64px\"}}} -->\n<h2 class=\"alignwide has-text-color\" style=\"color:#ffe074;font-size:64px\">Forest.</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:columns {\"align\":\"wide\"} -->\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns alignwide\"><!-- wp:column {\"width\":\"55%\"} -->\n<div class=\"wp-block-column\" style=\"flex-basis:55%\"><!-- wp:spacer {\"height\":330} -->\n<div style=\"height:330px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"></div>\n<!-- /wp:spacer -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"style\":{\"color\":{\"text\":\"#ffe074\"},\"typography\":{\"lineHeight\":\"1.3\",\"fontSize\":\"12px\"}}} -->\n<p class=\"has-text-color\" style=\"color:#ffe074;font-size:12px;line-height:1.3\"><em>Even a child knows how valuable the forest is. The fresh, breathtaking smell of trees. Echoing birds flying above that dense magnitude. A stable climate, a sustainable diverse life and a source of culture. Yet, forests and other ecosystems hang in the balance, threatened to become croplands, pasture, and plantations.</em></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph --></div>\n<!-- /wp:column -->\n\n<!-- wp:column -->\n<div class=\"wp-block-column\"></div>\n<!-- /wp:column --></div>\n<!-- /wp:columns --></div></div>\n<!-- /wp:cover -->\";}i:2;O:8:\"stdClass\":7:{s:2:\"id\";i:186;s:5:\"title\";O:8:\"stdClass\":1:{s:8:\"rendered\";s:35:\"Large header with text and a button\";}s:7:\"content\";O:8:\"stdClass\":2:{s:8:\"rendered\";s:1055:\"\n<div class=\"wp-block-cover alignfull has-background-dim-40 has-background-dim has-parallax\" style=\"background-image:url(https://s.w.org/images/core/5.8/art-01.jpg);background-color:#000000;min-height:100vh\"><div class=\"wp-block-cover__inner-container\">\n<h2 class=\"alignwide has-white-color has-text-color\" style=\"font-size:48px;line-height:1.2\"><strong><em>Overseas:</em></strong><br><strong><em>1500 — 1960</em></strong></h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns alignwide\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column\" style=\"flex-basis:60%\">\n<p class=\"has-text-color\" style=\"color:#ffffff\">An exhibition about the different representations of the ocean throughout time, between the sixteenth and the twentieth century. Taking place in our Open Room in <em>Floor 2</em>.</p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button is-style-outline\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-text-color has-background no-border-radius\" style=\"background-color:#000000;color:#ffffff\">Visit</a></div>\n</div>\n</div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column\"></div>\n</div>\n</div></div>\n\";s:9:\"protected\";b:0;}s:4:\"meta\";O:8:\"stdClass\":5:{s:10:\"spay_email\";s:0:\"\";s:16:\"wpop_description\";s:62:\"Large header with background image and text and button on top.\";s:19:\"wpop_viewport_width\";i:1200;s:16:\"wpop_block_types\";a:0:{}s:11:\"wpop_locale\";s:5:\"en_US\";}s:14:\"category_slugs\";a:1:{i:0;s:6:\"header\";}s:13:\"keyword_slugs\";a:1:{i:0;s:4:\"core\";}s:15:\"pattern_content\";s:1865:\"<!-- wp:cover {\"url\":\"https://s.w.org/images/core/5.8/art-01.jpg\",\"hasParallax\":true,\"dimRatio\":40,\"customOverlayColor\":\"#000000\",\"minHeight\":100,\"minHeightUnit\":\"vh\",\"contentPosition\":\"center center\",\"align\":\"full\"} -->\n<div class=\"wp-block-cover alignfull has-background-dim-40 has-background-dim has-parallax\" style=\"background-image:url(https://s.w.org/images/core/5.8/art-01.jpg);background-color:#000000;min-height:100vh\"><div class=\"wp-block-cover__inner-container\"><!-- wp:heading {\"style\":{\"typography\":{\"fontSize\":\"48px\",\"lineHeight\":\"1.2\"}},\"className\":\"alignwide has-white-color has-text-color\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"alignwide has-white-color has-text-color\" style=\"font-size:48px;line-height:1.2\"><strong><em>Overseas:</em></strong><br><strong><em>1500 — 1960</em></strong></h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:columns {\"align\":\"wide\"} -->\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns alignwide\"><!-- wp:column {\"width\":\"60%\"} -->\n<div class=\"wp-block-column\" style=\"flex-basis:60%\"><!-- wp:paragraph {\"style\":{\"color\":{\"text\":\"#ffffff\"}}} -->\n<p class=\"has-text-color\" style=\"color:#ffffff\">An exhibition about the different representations of the ocean throughout time, between the sixteenth and the twentieth century. Taking place in our Open Room in <em>Floor 2</em>.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:buttons -->\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons\"><!-- wp:button {\"borderRadius\":0,\"style\":{\"color\":{\"text\":\"#ffffff\",\"background\":\"#000000\"}},\"className\":\"is-style-outline\"} -->\n<div class=\"wp-block-button is-style-outline\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-text-color has-background no-border-radius\" style=\"background-color:#000000;color:#ffffff\">Visit</a></div>\n<!-- /wp:button --></div>\n<!-- /wp:buttons --></div>\n<!-- /wp:column -->\n\n<!-- wp:column -->\n<div class=\"wp-block-column\"></div>\n<!-- /wp:column --></div>\n<!-- /wp:columns --></div></div>\n<!-- /wp:cover -->\";}i:3;O:8:\"stdClass\":7:{s:2:\"id\";i:196;s:5:\"title\";O:8:\"stdClass\":1:{s:8:\"rendered\";s:41:\"Media and text in a full height container\";}s:7:\"content\";O:8:\"stdClass\":2:{s:8:\"rendered\";s:1194:\"\n<div class=\"wp-block-cover alignfull has-background-dim\" style=\"background-color:#ffffff;min-height:100vh\"><div class=\"wp-block-cover__inner-container\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text alignwide is-stacked-on-mobile is-vertically-aligned-center is-image-fill\" style=\"grid-template-columns:56% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\" style=\"background-image:url(https://s.w.org/images/core/5.8/soil.jpg);background-position:50% 50%\"><img src=\"https://s.w.org/images/core/5.8/soil.jpg\" alt=\"Close-up of dried, cracked earth.\" /></figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<h2 class=\"has-text-color\" style=\"color:#000000;font-size:32px\"><strong>What’s the problem?</strong></h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-color\" style=\"color:#000000;font-size:17px\">Trees are more important today than ever before. More than 10,000 products are reportedly made from trees. Through chemistry, the humble woodpile is yielding chemicals, plastics and fabrics that were beyond comprehension when an axe first felled a Texas tree.</p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button is-style-fill\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link\">Learn more</a></div>\n</div>\n</div></div>\n</div></div>\n\";s:9:\"protected\";b:0;}s:4:\"meta\";O:8:\"stdClass\":5:{s:10:\"spay_email\";s:0:\"\";s:16:\"wpop_description\";s:77:\"Media and text block with image to the left and text and button to the right.\";s:19:\"wpop_viewport_width\";i:1200;s:16:\"wpop_block_types\";a:0:{}s:11:\"wpop_locale\";s:5:\"en_US\";}s:14:\"category_slugs\";a:1:{i:0;s:6:\"header\";}s:13:\"keyword_slugs\";a:1:{i:0;s:4:\"core\";}s:15:\"pattern_content\";s:1858:\"<!-- wp:cover {\"customOverlayColor\":\"#ffffff\",\"minHeight\":100,\"minHeightUnit\":\"vh\",\"contentPosition\":\"center center\",\"align\":\"full\"} -->\n<div class=\"wp-block-cover alignfull has-background-dim\" style=\"background-color:#ffffff;min-height:100vh\"><div class=\"wp-block-cover__inner-container\"><!-- wp:media-text {\"mediaLink\":\"https://s.w.org/images/core/5.8/soil.jpg\",\"mediaType\":\"image\",\"mediaWidth\":56,\"verticalAlignment\":\"center\",\"imageFill\":true} -->\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text alignwide is-stacked-on-mobile is-vertically-aligned-center is-image-fill\" style=\"grid-template-columns:56% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\" style=\"background-image:url(https://s.w.org/images/core/5.8/soil.jpg);background-position:50% 50%\"><img src=\"https://s.w.org/images/core/5.8/soil.jpg\" alt=\"Close-up of dried, cracked earth.\" /></figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\"><!-- wp:heading {\"style\":{\"typography\":{\"fontSize\":\"32px\"},\"color\":{\"text\":\"#000000\"}}} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-text-color\" style=\"color:#000000;font-size:32px\"><strong>What\'s the problem?</strong></h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"style\":{\"typography\":{\"fontSize\":\"17px\"},\"color\":{\"text\":\"#000000\"}}} -->\n<p class=\"has-text-color\" style=\"color:#000000;font-size:17px\">Trees are more important today than ever before. More than 10,000 products are reportedly made from trees. Through chemistry, the humble woodpile is yielding chemicals, plastics and fabrics that were beyond comprehension when an axe first felled a Texas tree.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:buttons -->\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons\"><!-- wp:button {\"className\":\"is-style-fill\"} -->\n<div class=\"wp-block-button is-style-fill\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link\">Learn more</a></div>\n<!-- /wp:button --></div>\n<!-- /wp:buttons --></div></div>\n<!-- /wp:media-text --></div></div>\n<!-- /wp:cover -->\";}i:4;O:8:\"stdClass\":7:{s:2:\"id\";i:192;s:5:\"title\";O:8:\"stdClass\":1:{s:8:\"rendered\";s:37:\"Media and text with image on the left\";}s:7:\"content\";O:8:\"stdClass\":2:{s:8:\"rendered\";s:520:\"\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text alignfull is-stacked-on-mobile is-vertically-aligned-center\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img src=\"https://s.w.org/images/core/5.8/architecture-04.jpg\" alt=\"Close-up, abstract view of architecture.\" /></figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<h3 class=\"has-text-align-center has-text-color\" style=\"color:#000000\"><strong>Open Spaces</strong></h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-extra-small-font-size\"><a href=\"#\">See case study ↗</a></p>\n</div></div>\n\";s:9:\"protected\";b:0;}s:4:\"meta\";O:8:\"stdClass\":5:{s:10:\"spay_email\";s:0:\"\";s:16:\"wpop_description\";s:66:\"Media and text block with image to the left and text to the right.\";s:19:\"wpop_viewport_width\";i:1200;s:16:\"wpop_block_types\";a:0:{}s:11:\"wpop_locale\";s:5:\"en_US\";}s:14:\"category_slugs\";a:1:{i:0;s:6:\"header\";}s:13:\"keyword_slugs\";a:1:{i:0;s:4:\"core\";}s:15:\"pattern_content\";s:827:\"<!-- wp:media-text {\"align\":\"full\",\"mediaType\":\"image\",\"verticalAlignment\":\"center\"} -->\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text alignfull is-stacked-on-mobile is-vertically-aligned-center\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img src=\"https://s.w.org/images/core/5.8/architecture-04.jpg\" alt=\"Close-up, abstract view of architecture.\" /></figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\"><!-- wp:heading {\"textAlign\":\"center\",\"level\":3,\"style\":{\"color\":{\"text\":\"#000000\"}}} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-text-align-center has-text-color\" style=\"color:#000000\"><strong>Open Spaces</strong></h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"align\":\"center\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-small\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-extra-small-font-size\"><a href=\"#\">See case study ↗</a></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph --></div></div>\n<!-- /wp:media-text -->\";}i:5;O:8:\"stdClass\":7:{s:2:\"id\";i:195;s:5:\"title\";O:8:\"stdClass\":1:{s:8:\"rendered\";s:38:\"Media and text with image on the right\";}s:7:\"content\";O:8:\"stdClass\":2:{s:8:\"rendered\";s:685:\"\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text alignfull has-media-on-the-right is-stacked-on-mobile is-vertically-aligned-center is-style-default\" style=\"grid-template-columns:auto 56%\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img src=\"https://s.w.org/images/core/5.8/art-02.jpg\" alt=\"A green and brown rural landscape leading into a bright blue ocean and slightly cloudy sky, done in oil paints.\" /></figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<h2 class=\"has-text-color\" style=\"color:#000000\"><strong>Shore with Blue Sea</strong></h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-color\" style=\"color:#636363;font-size:17px;line-height:1.1\">Eleanor Harris (American, 1901-1942)</p>\n</div></div>\n\n\n\n<p></p>\n\";s:9:\"protected\";b:0;}s:4:\"meta\";O:8:\"stdClass\":5:{s:10:\"spay_email\";s:0:\"\";s:16:\"wpop_description\";s:66:\"Media and text block with image to the right and text to the left.\";s:19:\"wpop_viewport_width\";i:1200;s:16:\"wpop_block_types\";a:0:{}s:11:\"wpop_locale\";s:5:\"en_US\";}s:14:\"category_slugs\";a:1:{i:0;s:6:\"header\";}s:13:\"keyword_slugs\";a:1:{i:0;s:4:\"core\";}s:15:\"pattern_content\";s:1138:\"<!-- wp:media-text {\"align\":\"full\",\"mediaPosition\":\"right\",\"mediaLink\":\"#\",\"mediaType\":\"image\",\"mediaWidth\":56,\"verticalAlignment\":\"center\",\"className\":\"is-style-default\"} -->\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text alignfull has-media-on-the-right is-stacked-on-mobile is-vertically-aligned-center is-style-default\" style=\"grid-template-columns:auto 56%\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img src=\"https://s.w.org/images/core/5.8/art-02.jpg\" alt=\"A green and brown rural landscape leading into a bright blue ocean and slightly cloudy sky, done in oil paints.\" /></figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\"><!-- wp:heading {\"style\":{\"color\":{\"text\":\"#000000\"}}} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-text-color\" style=\"color:#000000\"><strong>Shore with Blue Sea</strong></h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"style\":{\"typography\":{\"lineHeight\":\"1.1\",\"fontSize\":\"17px\"},\"color\":{\"text\":\"#636363\"}}} -->\n<p class=\"has-text-color\" style=\"color:#636363;font-size:17px;line-height:1.1\">Eleanor Harris (American, 1901-1942)</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph --></div></div>\n<!-- /wp:media-text -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\";}i:6;O:8:\"stdClass\":7:{s:2:\"id\";i:27;s:5:\"title\";O:8:\"stdClass\":1:{s:8:\"rendered\";s:5:\"Quote\";}s:7:\"content\";O:8:\"stdClass\":2:{s:8:\"rendered\";s:656:\"\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator is-style-default\" />\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image is-style-rounded\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https://s.w.org/images/core/5.8/portrait.jpg\" alt=\"A side profile of a woman in a russet-colored turtleneck and white bag. She looks up with her eyes closed.\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" /></figure></div>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote has-text-align-center is-style-large\"><p>“Contributing makes me feel like I’m being useful to the planet.”</p><cite>— Anna Wong, <em>Volunteer</em></cite></blockquote>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator is-style-default\" />\n\";s:9:\"protected\";b:0;}s:4:\"meta\";O:8:\"stdClass\":5:{s:10:\"spay_email\";s:0:\"\";s:16:\"wpop_description\";s:0:\"\";s:19:\"wpop_viewport_width\";i:800;s:16:\"wpop_block_types\";a:1:{i:0;s:10:\"core/quote\";}s:11:\"wpop_locale\";s:5:\"en_US\";}s:14:\"category_slugs\";a:1:{i:0;s:4:\"text\";}s:13:\"keyword_slugs\";a:1:{i:0;s:4:\"core\";}s:15:\"pattern_content\";s:1012:\"<!-- wp:separator {\"className\":\"is-style-default\"} -->\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator is-style-default\" />\n<!-- /wp:separator -->\n\n<!-- wp:image {\"align\":\"center\",\"width\":150,\"height\":150,\"sizeSlug\":\"large\",\"linkDestination\":\"none\",\"className\":\"is-style-rounded\"} -->\n<div class=\"wp-block-image is-style-rounded\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img src=\"https://s.w.org/images/core/5.8/portrait.jpg\" alt=\"A side profile of a woman in a russet-colored turtleneck and white bag. She looks up with her eyes closed.\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" /></figure></div>\n<!-- /wp:image -->\n\n<!-- wp:quote {\"align\":\"center\",\"className\":\"is-style-large\"} -->\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote has-text-align-center is-style-large\"><p>\"Contributing makes me feel like I\'m being useful to the planet.\"</p><cite>— Anna Wong, <em>Volunteer</em></cite></blockquote>\n<!-- /wp:quote -->\n\n<!-- wp:separator {\"className\":\"is-style-default\"} -->\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator is-style-default\" />\n<!-- /wp:separator -->\";}i:7;O:8:\"stdClass\":7:{s:2:\"id\";i:200;s:5:\"title\";O:8:\"stdClass\":1:{s:8:\"rendered\";s:21:\"Three columns of text\";}s:7:\"content\";O:8:\"stdClass\":2:{s:8:\"rendered\";s:801:\"\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns alignfull has-text-color has-background\" style=\"background-color:#ffffff;color:#000000\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column\">\n<h3 style=\"font-size:24px;line-height:1.3\"><strong><a href=\"http://wordpress.org\">Virtual Tour ↗</a></strong></h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Get a virtual tour of the museum. Ideal for schools and events.</p>\n</div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column\">\n<h3 style=\"font-size:24px;line-height:1.3\"><strong><a href=\"https://wordpress.org\">Current Shows ↗</a></strong></h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Stay updated and see our current exhibitions here.</p>\n</div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column\">\n<h3 style=\"font-size:24px;line-height:1.3\"><strong><a href=\"https://wordpress.org\">Useful Info ↗</a></strong></h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Get to know our opening times, ticket prices and discounts.</p>\n</div>\n</div>\n\";s:9:\"protected\";b:0;}s:4:\"meta\";O:8:\"stdClass\":5:{s:10:\"spay_email\";s:0:\"\";s:16:\"wpop_description\";s:22:\"Three columns of text.\";s:19:\"wpop_viewport_width\";i:1200;s:16:\"wpop_block_types\";a:0:{}s:11:\"wpop_locale\";s:5:\"en_US\";}s:14:\"category_slugs\";a:2:{i:0;s:7:\"columns\";i:1;s:4:\"text\";}s:13:\"keyword_slugs\";a:1:{i:0;s:4:\"core\";}s:15:\"pattern_content\";s:1496:\"<!-- wp:columns {\"align\":\"full\",\"style\":{\"color\":{\"text\":\"#000000\",\"background\":\"#ffffff\"}}} -->\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns alignfull has-text-color has-background\" style=\"background-color:#ffffff;color:#000000\"><!-- wp:column -->\n<div class=\"wp-block-column\"><!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"style\":{\"typography\":{\"fontSize\":\"24px\",\"lineHeight\":\"1.3\"}}} -->\n<h3 style=\"font-size:24px;line-height:1.3\"><strong><a href=\"http://wordpress.org\">Virtual Tour ↗</a></strong></h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Get a virtual tour of the museum. Ideal for schools and events.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph --></div>\n<!-- /wp:column -->\n\n<!-- wp:column -->\n<div class=\"wp-block-column\"><!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"style\":{\"typography\":{\"fontSize\":\"24px\",\"lineHeight\":\"1.3\"}}} -->\n<h3 style=\"font-size:24px;line-height:1.3\"><strong><a href=\"https://wordpress.org\">Current Shows ↗</a></strong></h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Stay updated and see our current exhibitions here.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph --></div>\n<!-- /wp:column -->\n\n<!-- wp:column -->\n<div class=\"wp-block-column\"><!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"style\":{\"typography\":{\"fontSize\":\"24px\",\"lineHeight\":\"1.3\"}}} -->\n<h3 style=\"font-size:24px;line-height:1.3\"><strong><a href=\"https://wordpress.org\">Useful Info ↗</a></strong></h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Get to know our opening times, ticket prices and discounts.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph --></div>\n<!-- /wp:column --></div>\n<!-- /wp:columns -->\";}i:8;O:8:\"stdClass\":7:{s:2:\"id\";i:199;s:5:\"title\";O:8:\"stdClass\":1:{s:8:\"rendered\";s:34:\"Three columns with images and text\";}s:7:\"content\";O:8:\"stdClass\":2:{s:8:\"rendered\";s:2646:\"\n<div class=\"wp-container-6146e5cac47ca wp-block-group alignfull has-background\" style=\"background-color:#f8f4e4\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns alignwide\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column\">\n<div style=\"height:100px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"></div>\n\n\n\n<h6 class=\"has-text-color\" style=\"color:#000000\">ECOSYSTEM</h6>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-color\" style=\"color:#000000;font-size:5vw;line-height:1.1\"><strong>Positive growth.</strong></p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:5px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"></div>\n</div>\n</div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns alignwide\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column\" style=\"flex-basis:33.38%\">\n<p class=\"has-text-color has-extra-small-font-size\" style=\"color:#000000\"><em>Nature</em>, in the common sense, refers to essences unchanged by man; space, the air, the river, the leaf. <em>Art</em> is applied to the mixture of his will with the same things, as in a house, a canal, a statue, a picture. But his operations taken together are so insignificant, a little chipping, baking, patching, and washing, that in an impression so grand as that of the world on the human mind, they do not vary the result.</p>\n</div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column\" style=\"flex-basis:33%\">\n<div style=\"height:100px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"></div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img src=\"https://s.w.org/images/core/5.8/outside-01.jpg\" alt=\"The sun setting through a dense forest of trees.\" /></figure>\n</div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column\" style=\"flex-basis:33.62%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img src=\"https://s.w.org/images/core/5.8/outside-02.jpg\" alt=\"Wind turbines standing on a grassy plain, against a blue sky.\" /></figure>\n</div>\n</div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns alignwide\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column\" style=\"flex-basis:67%\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"alignright size-large\"><img src=\"https://s.w.org/images/core/5.8/outside-03.jpg\" alt=\"The sun shining over a ridge leading down into the shore. In the distance, a car drives down a road.\" /></figure></div>\n</div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center\" style=\"flex-basis:33%\">\n<p class=\"has-text-color has-extra-small-font-size\" style=\"color:#000000\">Undoubtedly we have no questions to ask which are unanswerable. We must trust the perfection of the creation so far, as to believe that whatever curiosity the order of things has awakened in our minds, the order of things can satisfy. Every man’s condition is a solution in hieroglyphic to those inquiries he would put.</p>\n</div>\n</div>\n</div></div>\n\";s:9:\"protected\";b:0;}s:4:\"meta\";O:8:\"stdClass\":5:{s:10:\"spay_email\";s:0:\"\";s:16:\"wpop_description\";s:77:\"Three columns with images and text, with vertical spacing for an offset look.\";s:19:\"wpop_viewport_width\";i:1200;s:16:\"wpop_block_types\";a:0:{}s:11:\"wpop_locale\";s:5:\"en_US\";}s:14:\"category_slugs\";a:1:{i:0;s:7:\"columns\";}s:13:\"keyword_slugs\";a:1:{i:0;s:4:\"core\";}s:15:\"pattern_content\";s:3980:\"<!-- wp:group {\"align\":\"full\",\"style\":{\"color\":{\"background\":\"#f8f4e4\"}}} -->\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull has-background\" style=\"background-color:#f8f4e4\"><!-- wp:columns {\"align\":\"wide\"} -->\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns alignwide\"><!-- wp:column -->\n<div class=\"wp-block-column\"><!-- wp:spacer -->\n<div style=\"height:100px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"></div>\n<!-- /wp:spacer -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":6,\"style\":{\"color\":{\"text\":\"#000000\"}}} -->\n<h6 class=\"has-text-color\" style=\"color:#000000\">ECOSYSTEM</h6>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"style\":{\"typography\":{\"lineHeight\":\"1.1\",\"fontSize\":\"5vw\"},\"color\":{\"text\":\"#000000\"}}} -->\n<p class=\"has-text-color\" style=\"color:#000000;font-size:5vw;line-height:1.1\"><strong>Positive growth.</strong></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:spacer {\"height\":5} -->\n<div style=\"height:5px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"></div>\n<!-- /wp:spacer --></div>\n<!-- /wp:column --></div>\n<!-- /wp:columns -->\n\n<!-- wp:columns {\"align\":\"wide\"} -->\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns alignwide\"><!-- wp:column {\"width\":\"33.38%\"} -->\n<div class=\"wp-block-column\" style=\"flex-basis:33.38%\"><!-- wp:paragraph {\"style\":{\"color\":{\"text\":\"#000000\"}},\"fontSize\":\"extra-small\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-text-color has-extra-small-font-size\" style=\"color:#000000\"><em>Nature</em>, in the common sense, refers to essences unchanged by man; space, the air, the river, the leaf. <em>Art</em> is applied to the mixture of his will with the same things, as in a house, a canal, a statue, a picture. But his operations taken together are so insignificant, a little chipping, baking, patching, and washing, that in an impression so grand as that of the world on the human mind, they do not vary the result.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph --></div>\n<!-- /wp:column -->\n\n<!-- wp:column {\"width\":\"33%\"} -->\n<div class=\"wp-block-column\" style=\"flex-basis:33%\"><!-- wp:spacer -->\n<div style=\"height:100px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"></div>\n<!-- /wp:spacer -->\n\n<!-- wp:image {\"sizeSlug\":\"large\",\"linkDestination\":\"none\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img src=\"https://s.w.org/images/core/5.8/outside-01.jpg\" alt=\"The sun setting through a dense forest of trees.\" /></figure>\n<!-- /wp:image --></div>\n<!-- /wp:column -->\n\n<!-- wp:column {\"width\":\"33.62%\"} -->\n<div class=\"wp-block-column\" style=\"flex-basis:33.62%\"><!-- wp:image {\"sizeSlug\":\"large\",\"linkDestination\":\"none\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img src=\"https://s.w.org/images/core/5.8/outside-02.jpg\" alt=\"Wind turbines standing on a grassy plain, against a blue sky.\" /></figure>\n<!-- /wp:image --></div>\n<!-- /wp:column --></div>\n<!-- /wp:columns -->\n\n<!-- wp:columns {\"align\":\"wide\"} -->\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns alignwide\"><!-- wp:column {\"width\":\"67%\"} -->\n<div class=\"wp-block-column\" style=\"flex-basis:67%\"><!-- wp:image {\"align\":\"right\",\"sizeSlug\":\"large\",\"linkDestination\":\"none\"} -->\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"alignright size-large\"><img src=\"https://s.w.org/images/core/5.8/outside-03.jpg\" alt=\"The sun shining over a ridge leading down into the shore. In the distance, a car drives down a road.\" /></figure></div>\n<!-- /wp:image --></div>\n<!-- /wp:column -->\n\n<!-- wp:column {\"verticalAlignment\":\"center\",\"width\":\"33%\"} -->\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center\" style=\"flex-basis:33%\"><!-- wp:paragraph {\"style\":{\"color\":{\"text\":\"#000000\"}},\"fontSize\":\"extra-small\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-text-color has-extra-small-font-size\" style=\"color:#000000\">Undoubtedly we have no questions to ask which are unanswerable. We must trust the perfection of the creation so far, as to believe that whatever curiosity the order of things has awakened in our minds, the order of things can satisfy. Every man\'s condition is a solution in hieroglyphic to those inquiries he would put.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph --></div>\n<!-- /wp:column --></div>\n<!-- /wp:columns --></div>\n<!-- /wp:group -->\";}i:9;O:8:\"stdClass\":7:{s:2:\"id\";i:201;s:5:\"title\";O:8:\"stdClass\":1:{s:8:\"rendered\";s:32:\"Three columns with offset images\";}s:7:\"content\";O:8:\"stdClass\":2:{s:8:\"rendered\";s:1077:\"\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns alignwide\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column\" style=\"flex-basis:25%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-style-default\"><img src=\"https://s.w.org/images/core/5.8/architecture-01.jpg\" alt=\"Close-up, abstract view of geometric architecture.\" /></figure>\n</div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column\" style=\"flex-basis:25%\">\n<div style=\"height:500px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"></div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:150px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"></div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img src=\"https://s.w.org/images/core/5.8/architecture-02.jpg\" alt=\"Close-up, angled view of a window on a white building.\" /></figure>\n</div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column\" style=\"flex-basis:45%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-style-default\"><img src=\"https://s.w.org/images/core/5.8/architecture-03.jpg\" alt=\"Close-up of the corner of a white, geometric building with both sharp points and round corners.\" /></figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:285px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"></div>\n</div>\n</div>\n\";s:9:\"protected\";b:0;}s:4:\"meta\";O:8:\"stdClass\":5:{s:10:\"spay_email\";s:0:\"\";s:16:\"wpop_description\";s:33:\"Three columns with offset images.\";s:19:\"wpop_viewport_width\";i:1200;s:16:\"wpop_block_types\";a:0:{}s:11:\"wpop_locale\";s:5:\"en_US\";}s:14:\"category_slugs\";a:2:{i:0;s:7:\"gallery\";i:1;s:6:\"images\";}s:13:\"keyword_slugs\";a:1:{i:0;s:4:\"core\";}s:15:\"pattern_content\";s:1753:\"<!-- wp:columns {\"align\":\"wide\"} -->\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns alignwide\"><!-- wp:column {\"width\":\"25%\"} -->\n<div class=\"wp-block-column\" style=\"flex-basis:25%\"><!-- wp:image {\"sizeSlug\":\"large\",\"linkDestination\":\"none\",\"className\":\"is-style-default\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-style-default\"><img src=\"https://s.w.org/images/core/5.8/architecture-01.jpg\" alt=\"Close-up, abstract view of geometric architecture.\" /></figure>\n<!-- /wp:image --></div>\n<!-- /wp:column -->\n\n<!-- wp:column {\"width\":\"25%\"} -->\n<div class=\"wp-block-column\" style=\"flex-basis:25%\"><!-- wp:spacer {\"height\":500} -->\n<div style=\"height:500px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"></div>\n<!-- /wp:spacer -->\n\n<!-- wp:spacer {\"height\":150} -->\n<div style=\"height:150px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"></div>\n<!-- /wp:spacer -->\n\n<!-- wp:image {\"sizeSlug\":\"large\",\"linkDestination\":\"none\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img src=\"https://s.w.org/images/core/5.8/architecture-02.jpg\" alt=\"Close-up, angled view of a window on a white building.\" /></figure>\n<!-- /wp:image --></div>\n<!-- /wp:column -->\n\n<!-- wp:column {\"width\":\"45%\"} -->\n<div class=\"wp-block-column\" style=\"flex-basis:45%\"><!-- wp:image {\"sizeSlug\":\"large\",\"linkDestination\":\"none\",\"className\":\"is-style-default\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-style-default\"><img src=\"https://s.w.org/images/core/5.8/architecture-03.jpg\" alt=\"Close-up of the corner of a white, geometric building with both sharp points and round corners.\" /></figure>\n<!-- /wp:image -->\n\n<!-- wp:spacer {\"height\":285} -->\n<div style=\"height:285px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"></div>\n<!-- /wp:spacer --></div>\n<!-- /wp:column --></div>\n<!-- /wp:columns -->\";}i:10;O:8:\"stdClass\":7:{s:2:\"id\";i:29;s:5:\"title\";O:8:\"stdClass\":1:{s:8:\"rendered\";s:29:\"Two columns of text and title\";}s:7:\"content\";O:8:\"stdClass\":2:{s:8:\"rendered\";s:1337:\"\n<h2 style=\"font-size:38px;line-height:1.4\"><strong>The voyage had begun, and had begun happily with a soft blue sky, and a calm sea.</strong></h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column\">\n<p style=\"font-size:18px\">They followed her on to the deck. All the smoke and the houses had disappeared, and the ship was out in a wide space of sea very fresh and clear though pale in the early light. They had left London sitting on its mud. A very thin line of shadow tapered on the horizon, scarcely thick enough to stand the burden of Paris, which nevertheless rested upon it. They were free of roads, free of mankind, and the same exhilaration at their freedom ran through them all.</p>\n</div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column\">\n<p style=\"font-size:18px\">The ship was making her way steadily through small waves which slapped her and then fizzled like effervescing water, leaving a little border of bubbles and foam on either side. The colourless October sky above was thinly clouded as if by the trail of wood-fire smoke, and the air was wonderfully salt and brisk. Indeed it was too cold to stand still. Mrs. Ambrose drew her arm within her husband’s, and as they moved off it could be seen from the way in which her sloping cheek turned up to his that she had something private to communicate.</p>\n</div>\n</div>\n\";s:9:\"protected\";b:0;}s:4:\"meta\";O:8:\"stdClass\":5:{s:10:\"spay_email\";s:0:\"\";s:16:\"wpop_description\";s:47:\"Two columns of text preceded by a long heading.\";s:19:\"wpop_viewport_width\";i:1200;s:16:\"wpop_block_types\";a:0:{}s:11:\"wpop_locale\";s:5:\"en_US\";}s:14:\"category_slugs\";a:2:{i:0;s:7:\"columns\";i:1;s:4:\"text\";}s:13:\"keyword_slugs\";a:1:{i:0;s:4:\"core\";}s:15:\"pattern_content\";s:1711:\"<!-- wp:heading {\"style\":{\"typography\":{\"fontSize\":38,\"lineHeight\":\"1.4\"}}} -->\n<h2 style=\"font-size:38px;line-height:1.4\"><strong>The voyage had begun, and had begun happily with a soft blue sky, and a calm sea.</strong></h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:columns -->\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns\"><!-- wp:column -->\n<div class=\"wp-block-column\"><!-- wp:paragraph {\"style\":{\"typography\":{\"fontSize\":18}}} -->\n<p style=\"font-size:18px\">They followed her on to the deck. All the smoke and the houses had disappeared, and the ship was out in a wide space of sea very fresh and clear though pale in the early light. They had left London sitting on its mud. A very thin line of shadow tapered on the horizon, scarcely thick enough to stand the burden of Paris, which nevertheless rested upon it. They were free of roads, free of mankind, and the same exhilaration at their freedom ran through them all.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph --></div>\n<!-- /wp:column -->\n\n<!-- wp:column -->\n<div class=\"wp-block-column\"><!-- wp:paragraph {\"style\":{\"typography\":{\"fontSize\":18}}} -->\n<p style=\"font-size:18px\">The ship was making her way steadily through small waves which slapped her and then fizzled like effervescing water, leaving a little border of bubbles and foam on either side. The colourless October sky above was thinly clouded as if by the trail of wood-fire smoke, and the air was wonderfully salt and brisk. Indeed it was too cold to stand still. Mrs. Ambrose drew her arm within her husband\'s, and as they moved off it could be seen from the way in which her sloping cheek turned up to his that she had something private to communicate.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph --></div>\n<!-- /wp:column --></div>\n<!-- /wp:columns -->\";}i:11;O:8:\"stdClass\":7:{s:2:\"id\";i:197;s:5:\"title\";O:8:\"stdClass\":1:{s:8:\"rendered\";s:39:\"Two columns of text with offset heading\";}s:7:\"content\";O:8:\"stdClass\":2:{s:8:\"rendered\";s:1915:\"\n<div class=\"wp-container-6146e5cac6f10 wp-block-group alignfull has-background\" style=\"background-color:#f2f0e9\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container\">\n<div style=\"height:70px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"></div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns alignwide are-vertically-aligned-center\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column\" style=\"flex-basis:50%\">\n<p class=\"has-text-color\" style=\"color:#000000;font-size:30px;line-height:1.1\"><strong>Oceanic Inspiration</strong></p>\n</div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column\" style=\"flex-basis:50%\">\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-text-color has-background is-style-wide\" style=\"background-color:#000000;color:#000000\" />\n</div>\n</div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns alignwide\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column\"></div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column\">\n<p class=\"has-text-color has-extra-small-font-size\" style=\"color:#000000\">Winding veils round their heads, the women walked on deck. They were now moving steadily down the river, passing the dark shapes of ships at anchor, and London was a swarm of lights with a pale yellow canopy drooping above it. There were the lights of the great theatres, the lights of the long streets, lights that indicated huge squares of domestic comfort, lights that hung high in air.</p>\n</div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column\">\n<p class=\"has-text-color has-extra-small-font-size\" style=\"color:#000000\">No darkness would ever settle upon those lamps, as no darkness had settled upon them for hundreds of years. It seemed dreadful that the town should blaze for ever in the same spot; dreadful at least to people going away to adventure upon the sea, and beholding it as a circumscribed mound, eternally burnt, eternally scarred. From the deck of the ship the great city appeared a crouched and cowardly figure, a sedentary miser.</p>\n</div>\n</div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:40px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"></div>\n</div></div>\n\";s:9:\"protected\";b:0;}s:4:\"meta\";O:8:\"stdClass\":5:{s:10:\"spay_email\";s:0:\"\";s:16:\"wpop_description\";s:43:\"Two columns of text with an offset heading.\";s:19:\"wpop_viewport_width\";i:1200;s:16:\"wpop_block_types\";a:0:{}s:11:\"wpop_locale\";s:5:\"en_US\";}s:14:\"category_slugs\";a:2:{i:0;s:7:\"columns\";i:1;s:4:\"text\";}s:13:\"keyword_slugs\";a:1:{i:0;s:4:\"core\";}s:15:\"pattern_content\";s:2837:\"<!-- wp:group {\"align\":\"full\",\"style\":{\"color\":{\"background\":\"#f2f0e9\"}}} -->\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull has-background\" style=\"background-color:#f2f0e9\"><!-- wp:spacer {\"height\":70} -->\n<div style=\"height:70px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"></div>\n<!-- /wp:spacer -->\n\n<!-- wp:columns {\"verticalAlignment\":\"center\",\"align\":\"wide\"} -->\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns alignwide are-vertically-aligned-center\"><!-- wp:column {\"width\":\"50%\"} -->\n<div class=\"wp-block-column\" style=\"flex-basis:50%\"><!-- wp:paragraph {\"style\":{\"typography\":{\"lineHeight\":\"1.1\",\"fontSize\":\"30px\"},\"color\":{\"text\":\"#000000\"}}} -->\n<p class=\"has-text-color\" style=\"color:#000000;font-size:30px;line-height:1.1\"><strong>Oceanic Inspiration</strong></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph --></div>\n<!-- /wp:column -->\n\n<!-- wp:column {\"width\":\"50%\"} -->\n<div class=\"wp-block-column\" style=\"flex-basis:50%\"><!-- wp:separator {\"customColor\":\"#000000\",\"className\":\"is-style-wide\"} -->\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-text-color has-background is-style-wide\" style=\"background-color:#000000;color:#000000\" />\n<!-- /wp:separator --></div>\n<!-- /wp:column --></div>\n<!-- /wp:columns -->\n\n<!-- wp:columns {\"align\":\"wide\"} -->\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns alignwide\"><!-- wp:column -->\n<div class=\"wp-block-column\"></div>\n<!-- /wp:column -->\n\n<!-- wp:column -->\n<div class=\"wp-block-column\"><!-- wp:paragraph {\"style\":{\"color\":{\"text\":\"#000000\"}},\"fontSize\":\"extra-small\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-text-color has-extra-small-font-size\" style=\"color:#000000\">Winding veils round their heads, the women walked on deck. They were now moving steadily down the river, passing the dark shapes of ships at anchor, and London was a swarm of lights with a pale yellow canopy drooping above it. There were the lights of the great theatres, the lights of the long streets, lights that indicated huge squares of domestic comfort, lights that hung high in air.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph --></div>\n<!-- /wp:column -->\n\n<!-- wp:column -->\n<div class=\"wp-block-column\"><!-- wp:paragraph {\"style\":{\"color\":{\"text\":\"#000000\"}},\"fontSize\":\"extra-small\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-text-color has-extra-small-font-size\" style=\"color:#000000\">No darkness would ever settle upon those lamps, as no darkness had settled upon them for hundreds of years. It seemed dreadful that the town should blaze for ever in the same spot; dreadful at least to people going away to adventure upon the sea, and beholding it as a circumscribed mound, eternally burnt, eternally scarred. From the deck of the ship the great city appeared a crouched and cowardly figure, a sedentary miser.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph --></div>\n<!-- /wp:column --></div>\n<!-- /wp:columns -->\n\n<!-- wp:spacer {\"height\":40} -->\n<div style=\"height:40px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"></div>\n<!-- /wp:spacer --></div>\n<!-- /wp:group -->\";}i:12;O:8:\"stdClass\":7:{s:2:\"id\";i:19;s:5:\"title\";O:8:\"stdClass\":1:{s:8:\"rendered\";s:23:\"Two images side by side\";}s:7:\"content\";O:8:\"stdClass\":2:{s:8:\"rendered\";s:647:\"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery alignwide columns-2 is-cropped\"><ul class=\"blocks-gallery-grid\"><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><img src=\"https://s.w.org/images/core/5.8/nature-above-01.jpg\" alt=\"An aerial view of waves crashing against a shore.\" data-full-url=\"https://s.w.org/images/core/5.8/nature-above-01.jpg\" data-link=\"#\" /></figure></li><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><img src=\"https://s.w.org/images/core/5.8/nature-above-02.jpg\" alt=\"An aerial view of a field. A road runs through the upper right corner.\" data-full-url=\"https://s.w.org/images/core/5.8/nature-above-02.jpg\" data-link=\"#\" /></figure></li></ul></figure>\n\";s:9:\"protected\";b:0;}s:4:\"meta\";O:8:\"stdClass\":5:{s:10:\"spay_email\";s:0:\"\";s:16:\"wpop_description\";s:41:\"An image gallery with two example images.\";s:19:\"wpop_viewport_width\";i:800;s:16:\"wpop_block_types\";a:0:{}s:11:\"wpop_locale\";s:5:\"en_US\";}s:14:\"category_slugs\";a:1:{i:0;s:7:\"gallery\";}s:13:\"keyword_slugs\";a:1:{i:0;s:4:\"core\";}s:15:\"pattern_content\";s:737:\"<!-- wp:gallery {\"ids\":[null,null],\"linkTo\":\"none\",\"align\":\"wide\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery alignwide columns-2 is-cropped\"><ul class=\"blocks-gallery-grid\"><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><img src=\"https://s.w.org/images/core/5.8/nature-above-01.jpg\" alt=\"An aerial view of waves crashing against a shore.\" data-full-url=\"https://s.w.org/images/core/5.8/nature-above-01.jpg\" data-link=\"#\" /></figure></li><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><img src=\"https://s.w.org/images/core/5.8/nature-above-02.jpg\" alt=\"An aerial view of a field. A road runs through the upper right corner.\" data-full-url=\"https://s.w.org/images/core/5.8/nature-above-02.jpg\" data-link=\"#\" /></figure></li></ul></figure>\n<!-- /wp:gallery -->\";}}','no'),(8432,'_transient_is_multi_author','0','yes'),(8433,'_transient_timeout_wphc_total_checks','1632040344','no'),(8434,'_transient_wphc_total_checks','8','no'),(8435,'_transient_timeout_wpseo-statistics-totals','1632124045','no'),(8436,'_transient_wpseo-statistics-totals','a:1:{i:1;a:2:{s:6:\"scores\";a:3:{i:0;a:4:{s:8:\"seo_rank\";s:3:\"bad\";s:5:\"label\";s:60:\"Posts with the SEO score: <strong>Needs improvement</strong>\";s:5:\"count\";i:4;s:4:\"link\";s:105:\"http://lawreview.ust.edu.ph/wp-admin/edit.php?post_status=publish&post_type=post&seo_filter=bad\";}i:1;a:4:{s:8:\"seo_rank\";s:2:\"ok\";s:5:\"label\";s:45:\"Posts with the SEO score: <strong>OK</strong>\";s:5:\"count\";i:17;s:4:\"link\";s:104:\"http://lawreview.ust.edu.ph/wp-admin/edit.php?post_status=publish&post_type=post&seo_filter=ok\";}i:2;a:4:{s:8:\"seo_rank\";s:2:\"na\";s:5:\"label\";s:48:\"Posts <strong>without</strong> a focus keyphrase\";s:5:\"count\";i:19;s:4:\"link\";s:104:\"http://lawreview.ust.edu.ph/wp-admin/edit.php?post_status=publish&post_type=post&seo_filter=na\";}}s:8:\"division\";a:5:{s:3:\"bad\";d:0.1;s:2:\"ok\";d:0.425;s:4:\"good\";i:0;s:2:\"na\";d:0.475;s:7:\"noindex\";i:0;}}}','no'),(8437,'_site_transient_timeout_theme_roots','1632039651','no'),(8438,'_site_transient_theme_roots','a:6:{s:8:\"bfastmag\";s:7:\"/themes\";s:10:\"componentz\";s:7:\"/themes\";s:8:\"nucleare\";s:7:\"/themes\";s:10:\"penscratch\";s:7:\"/themes\";s:15:\"twentytwentyone\";s:7:\"/themes\";s:8:\"unschool\";s:7:\"/themes\";}','no'),(8440,'_transient_timeout_feed_3a39ef5d0240c40133252ada9b3c6e81','1632081838','no'),(8441,'_transient_feed_3a39ef5d0240c40133252ada9b3c6e81','a:4:{s:5:\"child\";a:1:{s:0:\"\";a:1:{s:3:\"rss\";a:1:{i:0;a:6:{s:4:\"data\";s:3:\"\n\n\n\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:1:{s:0:\"\";a:1:{s:7:\"version\";s:3:\"2.0\";}}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"child\";a:1:{s:0:\"\";a:1:{s:7:\"channel\";a:1:{i:0;a:6:{s:4:\"data\";s:49:\"\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"child\";a:4:{s:0:\"\";a:7:{s:5:\"title\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:11:\"UpdraftPlus\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"link\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:23:\"https://updraftplus.com\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:11:\"description\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:77:\"WordPress\'s leading backup plugin - backup, restore and clone WordPress sites\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:13:\"lastBuildDate\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:31:\"Tue, 14 Sep 2021 15:47:08 +0000\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:8:\"language\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:5:\"en-US\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:9:\"generator\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:30:\"https://wordpress.org/?v=5.7.3\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"item\";a:10:{i:0;a:6:{s:4:\"data\";s:103:\"\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"child\";a:6:{s:0:\"\";a:7:{s:5:\"title\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:77:\"How to protect customer data and prevent GDPR breaches on your WordPress site\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"link\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:58:\"http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/UpdraftPlus/~3/IYqI44wz3a8/\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:8:\"comments\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:110:\"https://updraftplus.com/how-to-protect-customer-data-and-prevent-gdpr-breaches-on-your-wordpress-site/#respond\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:7:\"pubDate\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:31:\"Fri, 10 Sep 2021 13:29:52 +0000\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:8:\"category\";a:11:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:8:\"Security\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:1;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:19:\"all in one security\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:2;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:6:\"breach\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:3;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:20:\"Easy Updates Manager\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:4;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:4:\"gdpr\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:5;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:5:\"guide\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:6;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:7:\"prevent\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:7;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:8:\"security\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:8;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:4:\"stop\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:9;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:4:\"tips\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:10;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:9:\"wordpress\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"guid\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:34:\"https://updraftplus.com/?p=1223203\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:1:{s:0:\"\";a:1:{s:11:\"isPermaLink\";s:5:\"false\";}}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:11:\"description\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:834:\"<p>For UpdraftPlus’ own privacy policy and how we deal with GDPR, please go to the privacy centre. Up until the advent of the internet, the most a company would know about their customers was their names, address, maybe their purchase … <a href=\"https://updraftplus.com/how-to-protect-customer-data-and-prevent-gdpr-breaches-on-your-wordpress-site/\">Continue reading <span class=\"meta-nav\">→</span></a></p>\n<p>The post <a rel=\"nofollow\" href=\"https://updraftplus.com/how-to-protect-customer-data-and-prevent-gdpr-breaches-on-your-wordpress-site/\">How to protect customer data and prevent GDPR breaches on your WordPress site</a> appeared first on <a rel=\"nofollow\" href=\"https://updraftplus.com\">UpdraftPlus</a>. <a href=\"http://updraftplus.com\">UpdraftPlus - Backup, restore and migration plugin for WordPress.</a></p>\n\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:32:\"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/\";a:1:{s:7:\"creator\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:13:\"Melvin Braide\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:40:\"http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/\";a:1:{s:7:\"encoded\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:19010:\"<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"How to protect customer data and prevent GDPR breaches on your WordPress site\" width=\"1080\" height=\"608\" src=\"https://www.youtube.com/embed/bEFyE9mDO6g?feature=oembed\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen></iframe></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For UpdraftPlus’ own privacy policy and how we deal with GDPR, please go to the </span><a href=\"https://updraftplus.com/data-protection-and-privacy-centre/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">privacy centre</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Up until the advent of the internet, the most a company would know about their customers was their names, address, maybe their purchase history and little more. Fast forward to 2021, and businesses have access to all aspects of a customer’s (or potential customer) interests, bank details, email addresses, hobbies, desires, passions and goals – as well as some very personal information that the potential customer might not even be aware they are sharing. While this information has allowed companies to better serve and market towards customers, if this treasure trove of personal data gets into the wrong hands, it can cause a major problem for all involved. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In this blog, we will discuss how to protect customer data and prevent GDPR breaches. But first it is important to define what a data breach is and what GDPR means. </span></p>\n<h4><b>What is a data breach? </b></h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A data breach is an incident that allows outsiders or unauthorized personnel to access or obtain confidential information from a system, without the permission of the owner. </span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While cybercriminals represent the most common threat to data protection, they aren’t the only culprits. Employees and coworkers can either </span><a href=\"https://www.kaspersky.com/resource-center/definitions/data-breach\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">accidentally or maliciously share data with unauthorized persons</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, which can also result in a data breach. </span></p>\n<h4><b>What is GDPR? </b></h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">GDPR stands for general data protection regulation, and as the name implies, it is a regulation that addresses data protection and privacy. While GDPR applies to countries and companies operating with the EU, </span><a href=\"https://insights.comforte.com/13-countries-with-gdpr-like-data-privacy-laws\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">countries all over the world</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> have similar GDPR-like policies in place.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In May 2018, </span><a href=\"https://www.superoffice.com/blog/gdpr/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">the EU implemented the GDPR</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to ensure that citizens of the EU and EEA region have greater control over what personal information they allow access to, how that information is used and what assurances they have regarding the protection of that information by the companies involved. </span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The GDPR directive stipulates that personal data includes name, IP address, banking details, email address, photo, location, or medical information. This regulation applies to every company with customers that are EU and EEA citizens. </span></p>\n<h2><b>10 ways to keep your customer subscription data safe and prevent GDPR breaches</b></h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If a company finds itself victim of a data breach, it can find itself facing an expensive bill. Under GDPR guidelines, a company can face fines of up to </span><a href=\"https://www.gdpr.associates/data-breach-prevention/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">€</span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">20 million or 4% of their annual turnover</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> due to a breach. However, the following practices can drastically reduce your chances of experiencing a security breach. </span></p>\n<h4><b>1. Only collect essential data </b></h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your company’s database should consist of only information that is crucial to your marketing efforts. The more personal the information that is obtained from customers, the more valuable they will be to hackers and cybercriminals. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A crucial part of </span><a href=\"https://www.zendesk.com/blog/8-ways-effectively-manage-customer-data/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">customer data management</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is deciding which data you should collect and what you don’t need. Between </span><a href=\"https://go.forrester.com/blogs/hadoop-is-datas-darling-for-a-reason/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">60% and 73%</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> of data collected by companies is unused for analytics, which shows that organisations probably don’t need as much information as they think they do to conduct business. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What comprises essential data for your company depends on your marketing goals and your ability to analyze the data to gain insights. Since marketing goals evolve, regularly evaluating the type of data you collect can save you trouble and aid your compliance with data protection regulations. </span></p>\n<h4><b>2. Perform routine vulnerability and risk assessments</b></h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">According to the </span><a href=\"https://www.cisecurity.org/controls/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Center for Internet Security (CIS)</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, vulnerability management is the third most important action you can take to protect your organization from data breaches. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The processes involved in vulnerability management include identifying possible security breaches and classifying them according to their threat level. Regular risk and vulnerability assessments help you identify holes in your defences and take measures to plug them. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When carrying out these assessments, you should leave no stone unturned. Inspect and evaluate your data storage, software and data security policies – like the use of personal devices and remote ‘work from home’ access for employees. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">WordPress itself is a very secure platform. However, it helps to add some extra security and firewall to your site by using a security plugin that enforces a lot of good security practices.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You can also install the </span><a href=\"https://wordpress.org/plugins/all-in-one-wp-security-and-firewall/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">All In One WordPress Security plugin</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> on your WordPress site. This plugin can help improve your website security. It works by analyzing your site and reduces security risk by checking for vulnerabilities. By implementing and enforcing the latest recommended WordPress security practices and techniques, you can help patch any potential weaknesses, before they become an issue. </span></p>\n<h4><b>3. Involve every member of your team </b></h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It is imperative that every employee play their role to prevent a breach. Your defences are only as strong as your weakest link and without proper security awareness and education, employees can unknowingly become that weak link to hackers and cyber criminals. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Employees should also be trained on how to identify security threats – what comprises “sensitive information” and how to immediately report data leakages and breaches. Employees should also be aware of the latest phishing and hacking techniques employed by cybercriminals (such as legitimate looking fake emails), and how to prevent them. </span></p>\n<h4><b>4. Adhere to data protection regulations </b></h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Data protection laws and guidelines are more stringent today than they were just a few years ago. This is in part because the amount of personal data collected by organizations has increased dramatically with the advent of smart phones. Additionally, the rise in the sophistication and potency of cybercriminals and their operations has seen ‘hacking’ and the theft of personal data become an almost acceptable career in some countries. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In this day and age, abiding by data protection regulations such as GDPR helps you to prevent leakages and avoid potential fines. It can also save your company’s reputation and increase customer trust. </span></p>\n<h4><b>5. Restrict data access </b></h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Just like secrets, the fewer people that have access to data, the lower the chance that it will be leaked. It is worth remembering that not all employees need the same level of access to sensitive customer information. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A good code of practice to follow is to segment customer data, and then grant levels of access to staff for each segment depending on the staff member’s need to access that information. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While this may be a time consuming and painstaking process, compared to potential lawsuits, hefty fines, reputation damage and potentially millions of dollars in lost revenue; it is more than worth it. </span></p>\n<h4><b>6. Data encryption </b></h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Data encryption is the practice of encoding data (such as messages and files) to make them unreadable to unauthorized persons. By following the process of converting sensitive information from the plain, readable format to ciphertext; you can achieve data that is in an encoded format. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A crucial aspect of your data security plan should include provisions for encryption of sensitive data. Personal data across all devices used for company functions should be encrypted including messages, calls, and emails. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With </span><a href=\"https://www.druva.com/glossary/what-is-data-encryption-definition-and-related-faqs/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">data encryption</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, you can securely save sensitive data on the cloud or on connected servers. </span></p>\n<h4><b>7. Two-Factor authentication (2FA)</b></h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Two-factor authentication is a data security measure that requires two different forms of identification to gain access to an online account. 2FA combines a password with another credential – such as a one time password, security badges or biometric data (such as a fingerprint). This adds an additional layer of security and by requiring 2FA across all company devices and systems – this would improve your data security hugely. </span></p>\n<h4><b>8. Regular security updates </b></h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You may have suspected it, but the main reason giant companies like Apple provide regular updates for their software (iOS & Mac OS) is to patch up weak spots and loopholes that hackers could potentially exploit. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">By regularly updating your security software, you can reduce its weaknesses and increase its efficiency. </span></p>\n<h4><b>9. Online and offline data backup </b></h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While this is not particularly intended to prevent a breach, it can save you a lot of time, money, and trouble in the event of data theft or loss. Having a secure backup means that your customer subscription data, as well as other sensitive information, is safe. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The longer your site is suffering from downtime as you try to recover the missing data, the more money you lose. A recent </span><a href=\"https://twitter.com/growwithco\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">report</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> suggests companies can lose as much as $300,000 per hour due to the downtime in the event of a hack, bug or server issue. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">By backing up your site using </span><a href=\"https://updraftplus.com/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">UpdraftPlus</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, you can be sure that you will always have a secure backup of your original website, should you ever need to restore it. </span></p>\n<h4><b>10. Have a data breach response plan </b></h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If all else fails and your preventative measures are still breached, then what? Having a Plan B, such as an </span><a href=\"https://securityscorecard.com/blog/the-ultimate-data-breach-response-plan\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">organizational data breach response plan</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, can mitigate the potential damage of a data breach. </span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Under GDPR guidelines, your customers have the right to know that their data and personal information could be compromised within the first 72 hours of a breach. As such, your plan should always include how to inform your customers. </span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">According to the </span><a href=\"https://www.uschamber.com/co/run/technology/data-backup-facts\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">US Chamber of commerce</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, 68% of small businesses lack a disaster recovery plan. Putting together a plan for your organization puts you a step ahead of the curve. </span></p>\n<h2><b>Data breaches that companies can experience</b></h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Data breaches can occur through various means, but here are the most common. </span></p>\n<p><b>Phishing<br />\n</b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Phishing is when cyber criminals try to gain access to sensitive data, such as your banking details and passwords. They achieve this by posing as a reputable company or individual you may already have dealings with and often informing you of a problem that requires you to click on a link that downloads malicious software on your computer. Training employees on how to spot phishing attempts in emails, messages and adverts can help prevent these types of attacks. </span></p>\n<p><b>Brute force cyber attack<br />\n</b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This is a more direct type of attack GDPRwhere hackers use software tools to try to guess your password. With the rapid speed of modern computers, it takes far less time to guess passwords correctly than it used to. </span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your best chance against this type of cyber attack is to have longer and more secure passwords. A good practice would be the use of password phrases; as they are easier to remember, and harder to guess. </span></p>\n<p><b>Malware<br />\n</b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Intruders can install malware or spyware on your devices to allow them access confidential files without your notice. Malware is typically a piece of malicious software, and it’s activities and presence can go unnoticed for a long enough period of time to cause significant damage. </span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Malware can be installed on your computer physically or virtually through sources such as an email link. Learning how to spot these attacks and restricting access to your computer can help avoid this type of attack. </span></p>\n<p><b>Human error, accidents and theft<br />\n</b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In a way, human error will play a role in almost all the types of cyber attacks. Granted, malicious software will take advantage of already existing weaknesses in your system’s defences, but you still have to be careless with your computer or click on a malicious link for it to work. </span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">On the other hand, a stolen computer or a laptop left at a bus stop can potentially give the thief access to sensitive data. </span></p>\n<h2><b>What to do in the event of a data breach? </b></h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Bad press, lawsuits, financial losses and distrust are some of the effects of a data breach. In the event of a breach, the focus shifts to how you can manage your organisations reputation and build back trust in employees and customers alike. Here is how you can do that: </span></p>\n<p><b>Good PR<br />\n</b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">An excellent PR team will work to ensure your customers understand you are on their side. It helps if you have a PR team on standby with a pre-planned sequence of actions that can be implemented within hours in the event of a data breach. </span></p>\n<p><b>Transparency<br />\n</b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What’s worse than a breach and leak of sensitive customer data is a cloud of dishonesty and deceit in its aftermath. The pushback and consequent cost of the breach can be mitigated with a level of transparency and cooperation with the affected customers. </span></p>\n<p><b>Kick-start your data breach response plan<br />\n</b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Regardless of how much you try to prevent it, with advancing technology and cybercrime sophistication, there’s still a chance of a data breach, no matter how small. Actions in your response plan should include a public address and some sort of compensation plan for the affected customers. </span></p>\n<h2><b>Conclusion </b></h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">$4.24 million is the average cost of a data breach in 2021 according to </span><a href=\"https://www.ibm.com/security/data-breach\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">IBM</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. That’s a significant enough amount of damage for it to be taken seriously. </span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Whether or not your business operations are digital, if your customer data is stored on any technological device, you should pay attention to the steps above. </span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Learning how to protect customer data and prevent GDPR breaches imply that you are prioritizing your customers’ privacy. That practice boosts your reputation and encourages brand loyalty. </span></p>\n<p>The post <a rel=\"nofollow\" href=\"https://updraftplus.com/how-to-protect-customer-data-and-prevent-gdpr-breaches-on-your-wordpress-site/\">How to protect customer data and prevent GDPR breaches on your WordPress site</a> appeared first on <a rel=\"nofollow\" href=\"https://updraftplus.com\">UpdraftPlus</a>. <a href=\"http://updraftplus.com\">UpdraftPlus - Backup, restore and migration plugin for WordPress.</a></p>\n\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:36:\"http://wellformedweb.org/CommentAPI/\";a:1:{s:10:\"commentRss\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:107:\"https://updraftplus.com/how-to-protect-customer-data-and-prevent-gdpr-breaches-on-your-wordpress-site/feed/\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:38:\"http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/slash/\";a:1:{s:8:\"comments\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:1:\"0\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:42:\"http://rssnamespace.org/feedburner/ext/1.0\";a:1:{s:8:\"origLink\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:102:\"https://updraftplus.com/how-to-protect-customer-data-and-prevent-gdpr-breaches-on-your-wordpress-site/\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}}}i:1;a:6:{s:4:\"data\";s:94:\"\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"child\";a:6:{s:0:\"\";a:7:{s:5:\"title\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:53:\"Speed up your WordPress site using image optimization\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"link\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:58:\"http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/UpdraftPlus/~3/WXNMF6A23Lg/\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:8:\"comments\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:86:\"https://updraftplus.com/speed-up-your-wordpress-site-using-image-optimization/#respond\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:7:\"pubDate\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:31:\"Fri, 03 Sep 2021 14:55:53 +0000\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:8:\"category\";a:8:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:13:\"Uncategorized\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:1;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:14:\"Google ranking\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:2;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:17:\"image compression\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:3;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:14:\"image optimize\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:4;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:13:\"image optimse\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:5;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:3:\"SEO\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:6;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:11:\"WP-Optimise\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:7;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:11:\"WP-Optimize\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"guid\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:34:\"https://updraftplus.com/?p=1217583\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:1:{s:0:\"\";a:1:{s:11:\"isPermaLink\";s:5:\"false\";}}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:11:\"description\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:762:\"<p>When evaluating the speed and performance of your website, there are over 200 factors that search engines like Google use to rank content and web pages. Some of these factors are known, such as site update frequency, while the weight … <a href=\"https://updraftplus.com/speed-up-your-wordpress-site-using-image-optimization/\">Continue reading <span class=\"meta-nav\">→</span></a></p>\n<p>The post <a rel=\"nofollow\" href=\"https://updraftplus.com/speed-up-your-wordpress-site-using-image-optimization/\">Speed up your WordPress site using image optimization</a> appeared first on <a rel=\"nofollow\" href=\"https://updraftplus.com\">UpdraftPlus</a>. <a href=\"http://updraftplus.com\">UpdraftPlus - Backup, restore and migration plugin for WordPress.</a></p>\n\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:32:\"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/\";a:1:{s:7:\"creator\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:13:\"Wayne Mullins\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:40:\"http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/\";a:1:{s:7:\"encoded\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:14137:\"<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Speed up your WordPress site using image optimization\" width=\"1080\" height=\"608\" src=\"https://www.youtube.com/embed/SOaqwJIrhfk?feature=oembed\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen></iframe></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When evaluating the speed and performance of your website, there are over </span><a href=\"https://www.webfx.com/blog/internet/seo-ranking-factors/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">200 factors</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that search engines like Google use to rank content and web pages. Some of these factors are known, such as site update frequency, while the weight of other factors – such as meta-tag spamming, are not known to the extent they impact the ranking score and how they affect a site.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Possibly the most important factor when deciding your site’s Google ranking is it’s loading speed and how long the site takes to completely load on both mobile and desktop.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">An important part of the loading speed process, your site’s overall SEO score and speed ranking is image size and image optimization. In this blog we will be looking at why this is important and why you should always have optimized images on your site.</span></p>\n<h4><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Why is image optimization important?</span></h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Since Google considers site loading speed to be one of the </span><a href=\"https://cognitiveseo.com/blog/22865/page-speed-seo/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">main ranking factors</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> when evaluating a site’s SEO score, Google focuses on the overall user experience as a metric for website quality. The speed of a site not only has an impact on SEO score, but has also shown to have a large role in the bounce rate of users, as they typically tend to leave a site if it takes more than 3 seconds to load.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Slow site speed can be responsible for abandoned carts, drops-in conversion rates and other problems that might cause the user experience to be negatively rated. If an e-commerce site is making $100,000 per day, a 1 second page delay could potentially cost you $2.5 million in </span><a href=\"https://neilpatel.com/blog/loading-time/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">lost sales every year</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. A large portion of a website’s weight and loading speed factors can be attributed to the size of your image. Compressing your images will reduce the time it takes to load them in a user’s browser, improving the overall loading speed of the website.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It should also be noted that a high speed internet connection is not going to solve the problem of a slow loading website, as the loading speed is largely dictated by the host that is hosting your files, and can only upload them at a certain bandwidth.</span></p>\n<h4><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How can you check your site speed?</span></h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It is possible to check your site speed using simple online tools. Some of the most commonly used web tools are listed below;</span></p>\n<h4>Google Insights</h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This is a developer’s tool that was introduced by Google for the single purpose of identifying site speed on a user’s desktop or mobile. This site should typically be your first port of call when evaluating site speed, as it belongs to the same organization that is responsible for ranking your website. As such, this adds a further level of legitimacy and behind the scenes knowledge when evaluating your site speed.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Insights not only measures the speed for both desktop and mobile, but also provides a breakdown of all the reasons why and where any issue to the site speed lies. </span><a href=\"https://developers.google.com/speed/pagespeed/insights/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Google Insights</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> also delves deep into the images and checks for the potential reduction in file size. This platform also allocates a score to your website, allowing you to gauge any short term improvements and errors that you may have made, which you might not have realized otherwise. </span></p>\n<p><a href=\"https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/New-Project-2021-09-03T143518.758.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-1217612\" src=\"https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/New-Project-2021-09-03T143518.758.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"623\" height=\"530\" srcset=\"https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/New-Project-2021-09-03T143518.758.jpg 623w, https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/New-Project-2021-09-03T143518.758-480x408.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) 623px, 100vw\" /></a></p>\n<h4>GT Metrix</h4>\n<p><a href=\"https://gtmetrix.com/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">GT Metrix</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is broadly similar to Google Insights, in that It more or less provides the same information and allocates a ranking score for your website. </span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">GT Metrix not only identifies any problems with your site, but also provides potential solutions to any detected speed issues that may be slowing you down. If you are looking for something outside the Google ecosystem, this is a site that you should consider getting familiar with. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you have checked your site speed and image size has been flagged up as an issue, where do you go from there?</span></p>\n<p><a href=\"https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/New-Project-2021-09-03T143538.301.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-1217611\" src=\"https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/New-Project-2021-09-03T143538.301.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"624\" height=\"361\" srcset=\"https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/New-Project-2021-09-03T143538.301.jpg 624w, https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/New-Project-2021-09-03T143538.301-480x278.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) 624px, 100vw\" /></a></p>\n<h4><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">WP-Optimize – the WordPress plugin that makes image optimization simple</span></h4>\n<p><a href=\"https://getwpo.com/buy/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">WP-Optimize</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is one of the leading WordPress optimization plugins that is trusted by over a million users all over the world, with a 4.8 out of 5 ranking on WP.org. Wp-Optimize focuses on the 3 main components when optimizing your site:</span></p>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cleaning your database.</span></li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Compressing your Images.</span></li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Website caching.</span></li>\n</ol>\n<p><a href=\"https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/New-Project-2021-09-03T143551.247.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-1217610\" src=\"https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/New-Project-2021-09-03T143551.247.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"624\" height=\"422\" srcset=\"https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/New-Project-2021-09-03T143551.247.jpg 624w, https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/New-Project-2021-09-03T143551.247-480x325.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) 624px, 100vw\" /></a></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While there are several overall different methods WP-Optimize can help with your site SEO, we will be focusing on the image compression aspect of the plugin for this blog. As mentioned above, image compression has long been an issue when it comes to site speed and just making these changes can have a big impact on loading times..</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">WP-Optimize uses a cutting edge ‘lossy technique’ to compress large image files ( high load times) to smaller compressed versions ( low load times). All of the compressed images are then directly saved to the site’s image library, where they are accessible and reversible to their original size (should you wish to change them back). </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With WP-Optimize, you can compress different image file formats including; JPG, PNG, GIF, BMP and TIFF. When deciding which images you should compress, it is recommended that Images up to the size of 5 MB should be optimized for faster loading speeds. You should also always remember to take a back-up of your site using </span><a href=\"https://updraftplus.com/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">UpdraftPlus </span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">before compressing any images or making any kind of change to your site, as potential issues may arise.</span></p>\n<p><a href=\"https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/New-Project-2021-09-03T143606.751.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-1217609\" src=\"https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/New-Project-2021-09-03T143606.751.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"624\" height=\"430\" srcset=\"https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/New-Project-2021-09-03T143606.751.jpg 624w, https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/New-Project-2021-09-03T143606.751-480x331.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) 624px, 100vw\" /></a></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Additional features of WP-Optimize image optimization include:</span></p>\n<h4><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Bulk compression</span></h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Allows you to select and compress all your images together. This can potentially save you a lot of time, as some sites can have hundreds, if not thousands of images that need compressing.</span></p>\n<h4><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Intelligent, multi-pass lossy compression algorithm</span></h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The algorithm is created in such a way that it gives users twice the compression with a lot less loss of image quality.</span></p>\n<h4><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Restore to the original image</span></h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While ‘Ctrl+Z’ can come in very handy in lots of online applications, it isn’t something that is usually found with an image optimization plugin. With WP-Optimize, you can revert back to the original images at any time. </span></p>\n<h4><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Auto compress </span></h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Auto compress allows for all of your future images that will be uploaded to your website to be compressed automatically. This means you will not have to manually compress your images every time you upload a new one. Just select your compression settings and WP-Optimize will compress all of your images in real time as they are being uploaded onto the website.</span></p>\n<p><a href=\"https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/New-Project-2021-09-03T143624.454.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-1217608\" src=\"https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/New-Project-2021-09-03T143624.454.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"624\" height=\"431\" srcset=\"https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/New-Project-2021-09-03T143624.454.jpg 624w, https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/New-Project-2021-09-03T143624.454-480x332.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) 624px, 100vw\" /></a></p>\n<h4><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Keep your EXIF data</span></h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If your website is related to high end photography (for example, a wedding photography site), the photographic data of your images can be incredibly important. With most image compression plugins, this data would be lost post compression. But with WP-Optimize, you can select to keep the original photographic EXIF data, even if you decide to compress a 2GB image to 500k. </span></p>\n<h4><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Conclusion</span></h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">WP-Optimize is a great option that includes many different optimization factors in one convenient plugin. As an overall WordPress optimization plugin, WP-Optimize is as good as, if not better, than some of the ‘top’ paid plugins. The following chart shows how WP-Optimize compares to leading SEO plugins like WP-Rocket, W3 and WP Fastest Cache.</span></p>\n<p><a href=\"https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/New-Project-2021-09-03T143637.521.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-1217607\" src=\"https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/New-Project-2021-09-03T143637.521.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"624\" height=\"250\" srcset=\"https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/New-Project-2021-09-03T143637.521.jpg 624w, https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/New-Project-2021-09-03T143637.521-480x192.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) 624px, 100vw\" /></a></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you are looking to improve the loading speed of your site, compressing your images is a great way to start. Download WP-Optimize today and see the difference a good optimization plugin can make to your WordPress site.</span></p>\n<p>The post <a rel=\"nofollow\" href=\"https://updraftplus.com/speed-up-your-wordpress-site-using-image-optimization/\">Speed up your WordPress site using image optimization</a> appeared first on <a rel=\"nofollow\" href=\"https://updraftplus.com\">UpdraftPlus</a>. <a href=\"http://updraftplus.com\">UpdraftPlus - Backup, restore and migration plugin for WordPress.</a></p>\n\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:36:\"http://wellformedweb.org/CommentAPI/\";a:1:{s:10:\"commentRss\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:83:\"https://updraftplus.com/speed-up-your-wordpress-site-using-image-optimization/feed/\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:38:\"http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/slash/\";a:1:{s:8:\"comments\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:1:\"0\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:42:\"http://rssnamespace.org/feedburner/ext/1.0\";a:1:{s:8:\"origLink\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:78:\"https://updraftplus.com/speed-up-your-wordpress-site-using-image-optimization/\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}}}i:2;a:6:{s:4:\"data\";s:88:\"\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"child\";a:6:{s:0:\"\";a:7:{s:5:\"title\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:83:\"Why should you add two-factor authentications (2FA) to your WordPress site in 2021?\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"link\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:58:\"http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/UpdraftPlus/~3/SGjl_ZI9MXE/\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:8:\"comments\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:112:\"https://updraftplus.com/why-should-you-add-two-factor-authentication-2fa-to-your-wordpress-site-in-2021/#respond\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:7:\"pubDate\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:31:\"Fri, 27 Aug 2021 14:19:46 +0000\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:8:\"category\";a:6:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:15:\"Tips and tricks\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:1;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:3:\"2fa\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:2;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:14:\"authentication\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:3;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:8:\"password\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:4;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:8:\"security\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:5;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:9:\"wordpress\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"guid\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:34:\"https://updraftplus.com/?p=1211861\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:1:{s:0:\"\";a:1:{s:11:\"isPermaLink\";s:5:\"false\";}}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:11:\"description\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:843:\"<p>Once you have created your WordPress site, there are several factors you need to consider to keep your new site safe, whether it’s making sure your site is secure, you have regular backups scheduled or that your plugins are up … <a href=\"https://updraftplus.com/why-should-you-add-two-factor-authentication-2fa-to-your-wordpress-site-in-2021/\">Continue reading <span class=\"meta-nav\">→</span></a></p>\n<p>The post <a rel=\"nofollow\" href=\"https://updraftplus.com/why-should-you-add-two-factor-authentication-2fa-to-your-wordpress-site-in-2021/\">Why should you add two-factor authentications (2FA) to your WordPress site in 2021?</a> appeared first on <a rel=\"nofollow\" href=\"https://updraftplus.com\">UpdraftPlus</a>. <a href=\"http://updraftplus.com\">UpdraftPlus - Backup, restore and migration plugin for WordPress.</a></p>\n\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:32:\"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/\";a:1:{s:7:\"creator\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:13:\"Wayne Mullins\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:40:\"http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/\";a:1:{s:7:\"encoded\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:13346:\"<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Why should you add two-factor authentications (2FA) to your WordPress site in 2021?\" width=\"1080\" height=\"608\" src=\"https://www.youtube.com/embed/-Mej0VbpHBs?feature=oembed\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen></iframe></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Once you have created your WordPress site, there are several factors you need to consider to keep your new site safe, whether it’s making sure your site is secure, you have regular backups scheduled or that your plugins are up to date. </span></p>\n<p><a href=\"https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/unnamed-6.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-image-1211909 aligncenter\" src=\"https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/unnamed-6.png\" alt=\"two factor authentication\" width=\"676\" height=\"380\" srcset=\"https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/unnamed-6.png 676w, https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/unnamed-6-480x270.png 480w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) 676px, 100vw\" /></a></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you are establishing your business and brand in the online world, it is important to ensure that your site is not vulnerable to hackers and cyber attacks. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">According to </span><a href=\"https://cobalt.io/blog/cybersecurity-statistics-2021\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Security Magazine</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: “Every day, there are over 2,200 cyberattacks – which is nearly one every 39 seconds.”</span></p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">43% of small businesses have no cybersecurity defense plan in place. </span></li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">60% of small business owners do not think their business is a target for cybercriminals.</span></li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">74% of small business attacks were executed by external actors, as opposed to internal employees</span></li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">84% of small business attacks focused on the monetary gain with 8% focused on espionage and the remainder focused on hacking for fun or grudges</span></li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">22% of small businesses transitioned to remote work without a cybersecurity plan in place.</span></li>\n</ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To minimize and limit your site’s vulnerability and risk of cyber-attacks, WordPress provides you with the ability to install and use two-factor authentication</span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">on your website.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In 2021</span><b>, </b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">it was reported that only </span><a href=\"https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/57-percent-of-businesses-use-multi-factor-auth-mfa-says-lastpass/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">57% of businesses</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> around the world will use some form of online Multi-Factor Auth (MFA) as a method of authentication, designed to add an extra layer of protection on top of users’ login credentials. Of those employees</span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> using MFA, 95% reported using a software-based 2 factor authentication tool (such a mobile phone app), while 4% have a hardware-based 2 factor authentication solution, with roughly 1% using biometrics.</span></p>\n<p><b>What is Two-Factor Authentication and how does it work? </b></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2FA refers to the process by which the person has to complete an extra level of login security verification to show that they have the necessary permissions required to access the site, documents, applications, sales information etc.</span></p>\n<h3><b>What are authentication factors?</b></h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While all sites will have at least one login process to access your account, there are several ways in which a user can be authenticated using an additional authentication method. Most authentication methods typically rely on the user’s knowledge factors, which includes login information such as traditional passwords. By adding an additional 2 factor authentication method, this forces the user to give extra information, which is either a possession factor or an inherence factor.</span></p>\n<p><b>Knowledge Factor – </b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This refers to the typical username/passwords and pin codes through which you can access a website account. No matter what type of password you select; including numbers, words, symbols, uppercase, and lowercase, it will still be considered ‘basic security’. </span></p>\n<p><b>Personal/Possession Factor – </b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This level of security</span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">factor refers to something that the user has in their possession. Examples of this can include your ID card, a previously answered security question, a one time password sent to your smart device, smartphone app verification etc. </span></p>\n<p><b>Biometric Factor – </b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This can also be known as an inherence factor and is a security factor inherent in the user’s physical self. Typically, these are identified as unique personal physical characteristics such as fingerprint, facial, voice recognition or behavioral biometrics, including keystroke dynamics, gait or speech patterns.</span></p>\n<p><a href=\"https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/unnamed-7.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-1211910\" src=\"https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/unnamed-7.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"627\" height=\"353\" srcset=\"https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/unnamed-7.png 467w, https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/unnamed-7-300x169.png 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 627px) 100vw, 627px\" /></a></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While most two-factor authentication methods will only rely on the first three methods of authentication, there are systems that require further and more detailed security and will require further multifactor authentication (MFA), which requires two or more independent credentials for more secure login/authentication.</span></p>\n<p><b>Location and Timing Factor – </b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Some sites containing sensitive and personal information that you may try to log into, such as Facebook and Google, are designed to notify the owner if they register a user attempting to log into your account from a suspicious location or at an unusual time. If this occurs, the sites send an email to the owners to notify them of the login discrepancies.This method can be enforced by limiting authentication attempts to known user specific devices (such a model of their mobile phone), or by tracking the geographic source of an authentication attempt based on the source Internet Protocol address or some other geolocation information, such as Global Positioning System (GPS) data, derived from the user’s mobile phone or other device.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">By using these 2FA methods, multiple layers of protection can protect your website from phishing attacks by hackers and other cyber-security problems.</span></p>\n<p><b>Is 2FA foolproof and can it be hacked? </b></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2FA can go a very long way in making your site secure. But no matter how thorough and safe your security login process is, nothing can make it 100% safe. Even recently, the popular crypto currency trading exchange Coinbase </span><a href=\"https://www.techradar.com/uk/news/coinbase-customers-up-in-arms-after-hackers-drain-crypto-wallets\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">was hacked</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> by actors who were able to bypass the user’s two factor authentication by cloning their mobile phones and gaining access to generated 2FA text message passcodes. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2FA security is only as secure as its weakest component. </span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The National Institute of Standards and Technology (</span><a href=\"https://searchsoftwarequality.techtarget.com/definition/NIST\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">NIST</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">) has now discouraged the use of text messages in 2FA services, recommending instead that randomly generated time-limited tokens, owing to the risk of mobile phone cloning or malware that can intercept or redirect text messages.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Many large organizations, such as Google, Facebook, Uber, etc. have fallen victim to data hacks and have found their user information for sale on the dark web. Hackers’ tools and methods of attacks are becoming more sophisticated and harder to detect – incorporating phishing, password spraying, ransomware and malware attacks. While security teams are constantly working to improve online security, they have yet to put an end to the possibility. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">According to</span><a href=\"https://www.privacyaffairs.com/dark-web-price-index-2020/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Dark Web Price Index 2020</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: </span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br />\n</span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br />\n</span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“Data samples of millions of people sold on the Dark Web range from $25USD to $6000USD for premium accounts.”</span><b><i> </i></b></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Typically, If the user has up-to-date security protocols, hackers will usually move on to a user that is more vulnerable and has failed to properly set up their additional security. </span></p>\n<p><b>Tips for minimizing the risk of cyberattacks:</b></p>\n<p><b>Always have a backup of your site</b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: By using </span><a href=\"https://updraftplus.com/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">UpdraftPlus</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, you can ensure that you will have a secure and safe backup of your WordPress website. Should the worst happen and your site is the victim of a hack, you can revert to the older version of your site and make changes to your login process to make your site more secure.</span></p>\n<p><b>Ensure your site has a robust security system</b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: While you can’t remove all of the risk of being hacked, you can minimize it. Ensure that you have a reputable two factor authentication login system for all users with back-end website access. Do not give unnecessary privileges to users if they do not require them, as they can be used to take control of the website. </span></p>\n<p><b>Update your plugins/themes/WordPress version</b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: When hacking a WordPress site, this is the most common route of attack. Outdated plugins can be particularly vulnerable to hackers in giving them a route into your site.</span></p>\n<p><b>Make sure users are aware of the risks</b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: It is vital that everyone with a higher level of access to your site be smart and aware of potential security issues. This means being aware of potential hacking attempts via email phishing scams, that may appear genuine, but are attempts to retrieve user names/passwords and install malware onto your computer.</span></p>\n<p><b>Strong passwords: </b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While this may seem like the most obvious, it is also often the most overlooked. Having a strong and unpredictable password is often the first and best level of protection against most hacks. Passwords that are changed often and have a string of letters and special characters are very difficult to hack via forced password attacks. </span></p>\n<p><b>Ending Notes: </b></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The more you know, the better your chances are of preventing any kind of cyber attack before it has even begun. A mixture of 2FA, updated software and secure passwords and help prevent the vast majority of attempted hacks. But should the worst happen, always remember that you should have a recent backup copy of your site with </span><a href=\"https://updraftplus.com/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">UpdraftPlus</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, which should be stored in a secure remote storage location. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you have any suggestions or queries, feel free to comment below. We are interested in hearing from you.</span></p>\n<p>The post <a rel=\"nofollow\" href=\"https://updraftplus.com/why-should-you-add-two-factor-authentication-2fa-to-your-wordpress-site-in-2021/\">Why should you add two-factor authentications (2FA) to your WordPress site in 2021?</a> appeared first on <a rel=\"nofollow\" href=\"https://updraftplus.com\">UpdraftPlus</a>. <a href=\"http://updraftplus.com\">UpdraftPlus - Backup, restore and migration plugin for WordPress.</a></p>\n\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:36:\"http://wellformedweb.org/CommentAPI/\";a:1:{s:10:\"commentRss\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:109:\"https://updraftplus.com/why-should-you-add-two-factor-authentication-2fa-to-your-wordpress-site-in-2021/feed/\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:38:\"http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/slash/\";a:1:{s:8:\"comments\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:1:\"0\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:42:\"http://rssnamespace.org/feedburner/ext/1.0\";a:1:{s:8:\"origLink\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:104:\"https://updraftplus.com/why-should-you-add-two-factor-authentication-2fa-to-your-wordpress-site-in-2021/\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}}}i:3;a:6:{s:4:\"data\";s:85:\"\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"child\";a:6:{s:0:\"\";a:7:{s:5:\"title\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:63:\"WordPress Caching guide: How does it improve your site speed? \";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"link\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:58:\"http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/UpdraftPlus/~3/Fu-sEvzeHb0/\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:8:\"comments\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:92:\"https://updraftplus.com/wordpress-caching-guide-how-does-it-improve-your-site-speed/#respond\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:7:\"pubDate\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:31:\"Fri, 20 Aug 2021 18:05:52 +0000\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:8:\"category\";a:5:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:20:\"Other WordPress news\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:1;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:7:\"Caching\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:2;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:3:\"how\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:3;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:5:\"speed\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:4;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:9:\"wordpress\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"guid\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:34:\"https://updraftplus.com/?p=1206432\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:1:{s:0:\"\";a:1:{s:11:\"isPermaLink\";s:5:\"false\";}}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:11:\"description\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:806:\"<p>In this blog, we will discuss WordPress caching; what it does – and how it improves the performance and speed of your website. What is Caching? To understand WordPress caching, you first have to understand the concept of caching. Caching refers … <a href=\"https://updraftplus.com/wordpress-caching-guide-how-does-it-improve-your-site-speed/\">Continue reading <span class=\"meta-nav\">→</span></a></p>\n<p>The post <a rel=\"nofollow\" href=\"https://updraftplus.com/wordpress-caching-guide-how-does-it-improve-your-site-speed/\">WordPress Caching guide: How does it improve your site speed? </a> appeared first on <a rel=\"nofollow\" href=\"https://updraftplus.com\">UpdraftPlus</a>. <a href=\"http://updraftplus.com\">UpdraftPlus - Backup, restore and migration plugin for WordPress.</a></p>\n\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:32:\"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/\";a:1:{s:7:\"creator\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:13:\"Melvin Braide\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:40:\"http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/\";a:1:{s:7:\"encoded\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:12890:\"<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"WordPress Caching guide: How does it improve your site speed?\" width=\"1080\" height=\"608\" src=\"https://www.youtube.com/embed/a-7wED0YwXY?feature=oembed\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen></iframe></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In this blog, we will discuss WordPress caching; what it does – and how it improves the performance and speed of your website. </span></p>\n<h2><b>What is Caching? </b></h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To understand WordPress caching, you first have to understand the concept of caching. </span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Caching refers to the process of storing data in temporary folders where they are easily accessible. It’s primary aim is to reduce processing time and make information available as quickly as possible. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This is especially important in WordPress websites. WordPress websites are dynamic by default, which means that each time a user visits your site, WordPress goes through a series of steps to generate information from your database to show to the visitor. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The benefit of this process is that the user gets a somewhat customized experience, since the pages are generated specifically for them. This benefit has the drawbacks that occur as a result of the long processing time, which can make the website slower.</span></p>\n<p>When it comes to caching specifically in WordPress, it works by following the process of temporarily storing the dynamically generated files of frequently visited pages on your website as static files for easy recollection and use. Caching reduces the demand on your web server to continuously generate dynamic content. <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This means that when a user visits a page, the page shown to the user is stored exactly how it appeared the last time they visited, so the next time that page is requested, there’s no need for WordPress to generate a new page. It just presents the previously generated page, at a rate that is 3-5 times faster. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are two types of content available on web pages:</span></p>\n<ul>\n<li>Static files: As the name implies, static files refer to the types of content that do not change. These types of files include images, javascript files, css stylesheets, and HTML pages. Static content remains the same regardless of the user and is created long before they are needed.</li>\n<li>Dynamic files: Dynamic content is created at the point of request, specifically for the user. This type of content is created based on the user’s location, device and time of request.</li>\n</ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">WordPress caching is the process of storing these dynamic files as static files, thereby increasing the speed and performance of your website. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are two basic types of caching – Client-side and server-side. </span></p>\n<h4><b>Client-side Caching </b></h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Client-side caching occurs when the temporary caching files are stored on the end user’s device. Modern browsers have the benefit of having smart coding that aims to reduce redundancies by saving static files for future use. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As a result, when users open a web-page, the browser starts downloading static files such as images, HTML pages and other multimedia content. Their browser saves all these files so it doesn’t have to re-download them every time you visit the site in the future. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While this helps with the speed of your browsing, it is recommended that you clean up your cache data once in a while so the files don’t become too bulky and reduce the performance of your browser.</span></p>\n<h4><b>Server-side Caching </b></h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Server side caching refers to the caching protocol employed by your WordPress server to save temporary files. There are four possible protocols for WordPress Caching; </span></p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Page caching </span></li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">OPcode caching </span></li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Object caching </span></li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">CDN Caching<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> </span></li>\n</ul>\n<h4><b>Page Caching </b></h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Page caching occurs when your caching plugin – like WP-Optimise – saves the dynamically generated HTML files on your server’s hard disk (RAM) after the first time it is loaded. Whenever there is another request for that page, your server produces the previously generated data.</span></p>\n<h4><b>OPcode Caching </b></h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When a PHP file is loaded on the website, OPcode caching saves the compiled PHP code. For a PHP code to execute, it must be generated and compiled by the PHP compiler. OPcode caching saves the initially generated code on the server’s RAM, to save time upon subsequent requests. </span></p>\n<h4><b>Object Caching </b></h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Object based caching saves database queries after the first time they are requested. This way, it reduces PHP execution time and load time when the query is requested again. </span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Since WordPress is a content management system that is reliant on databases, object caching seeks to reduce the load on the database and reproduce previously loaded content faster. </span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This is crucial for high traffic websites. So crucial that WordPress has its own internal caching system that can be enhanced with a third party tool.</span></p>\n<h4><b>CDN Caching </b></h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">CDN (content delivery network) caching refers to the process of storing web content in proxy servers that are much closer to the end user. By using proxy servers, CDN caching helps your website to deliver content much faster. </span></p>\n<h4><b>How does WordPress Caching improve your WordPress site speed and performance?</b></h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">WordPress caching increases the speed of your website in three primary ways</span></p>\n<h4><b>Moves files to “recent memory”</b></h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You may be aware that computers and computer systems are built to mimic the brain. Caching is a prime example of that. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When you try to remember an event from your childhood, it takes a while before you fully recollect the details. However, if you try to remember that same event days later, you remember the details almost at once. This is because your brain moved the event to a recent memory. It may surprise you to learn that you are not remembering the event, but you are in fact remembering the last time you remembered the event. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Caching adopts this same principle by storing previously loaded web elements in a “recent folder.” As a result, your web pages load faster when they are requested. </span></p>\n<h4><b>Saves files closer to the end user</b></h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Another way caching increases the speed of your website is by delivering content that is closer to the user; either from a server close by or from the user’s hard disk. This is a combination of client-side and server-side caching. </span></p>\n<h4><b>Compress images </b></h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Caching plugins like </span><a href=\"https://getwpo.com/buy/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">WP-Optimize</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> give you the option of compressing your images. Bulky images take more time to load which can slow down the overall speed of your website. With cache plugins, you can manually or automatically compress images to reduce load time. </span></p>\n<h4><b>How Caching boosts performance of your WordPress website </b></h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Caching plugins don’t only increase your load speed, but they reduce the workload on your server. The following are the ways by which caching improves your website’s performance</span></p>\n<h4><b>Improves user experience </b></h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Consumer attention span reduced from </span><a href=\"https://www.thehindu.com/education/does-the-decrease-of-average-human-attention-span-have-an-impact-on-education/article34116513.ece\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">12 seconds to 8 seconds</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in just 16 years from 2000 to 2016. There’s an explanation for this; technological advancements, intense competition and over stimulation of the mind from smart devices are the most significant culprits. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This now means that you have only a few seconds to make an impression or lose the user to a potential competitor. Research suggests that slow websites are a huge turnoff to modern day internet users. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There is also a </span><a href=\"https://www.section.io/blog/page-load-time-bounce-rate/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">correlation between higher bounce rates and slower pages</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, which means the longer it takes your page to load, the higher your bounce rate. </span><a href=\"https://www.bluecorona.com/blog/how-fast-should-website-be/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The ideal page load time is under 2 seconds</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. A load time beyond 3 seconds can increase page abandonment rate by up to 87%. </span></p>\n<h4><b>Improves ranking </b></h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Website speed is a performance and ranking factor for search engines. In recent times, search engines like Google have begun to penalize slow websites. Websites with longer page load times are eventually pushed farther down the pecking order and replaced by faster websites. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Google prioritizes user experience as a ranking factor and site speed is a crucial aspect of the UX. When users get disappointing experiences from the websites search engines direct them to, it reflects poorly on the search engine. Users are then less likely to trust the search engine results if that trend continues. </span></p>\n<h4><b>Boosts content availability </b></h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Several factors affect whether or not your website will load for a user. Frequent network interruptions or network congestion for example, are two of those factors. Since WordPress dynamically generates content for the user, this could greatly affect the performance of your website for that user. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Caching solves this problem by providing an already generated page for the end user. This way, you won’t lose a potential or active customer to a poor network connection.</span></p>\n<h4><b>Cleans your database </b></h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Caching plugins like </span><a href=\"https://getwpo.com/buy/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">WP-Optimize</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> work to clean your database by de-fragmenting MySQL tables and clearing data like trashed comments, expired transient options, pingbacks, etc. This process is important because without it, your website’s performance and speed reduces overtime. </span></p>\n<h4><b>Conclusion</b></h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Chances are that you may never get to notice how your website interacts with every end user. You can’t tell what happens when people try to access your website from halfway across the world. But what you can do is ensure that your WordPress site’s performance and speed are optimal at all times. With WordPress caching, you don’t have to lose sleep worrying about all that. Install a reputable plugin like </span><a href=\"https://getwpo.com/buy/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">WP-Optimize</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and buy yourself some time to focus on other aspects of your business. </span></p>\n<p>The post <a rel=\"nofollow\" href=\"https://updraftplus.com/wordpress-caching-guide-how-does-it-improve-your-site-speed/\">WordPress Caching guide: How does it improve your site speed? </a> appeared first on <a rel=\"nofollow\" href=\"https://updraftplus.com\">UpdraftPlus</a>. <a href=\"http://updraftplus.com\">UpdraftPlus - Backup, restore and migration plugin for WordPress.</a></p>\n\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:36:\"http://wellformedweb.org/CommentAPI/\";a:1:{s:10:\"commentRss\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:89:\"https://updraftplus.com/wordpress-caching-guide-how-does-it-improve-your-site-speed/feed/\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:38:\"http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/slash/\";a:1:{s:8:\"comments\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:1:\"0\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:42:\"http://rssnamespace.org/feedburner/ext/1.0\";a:1:{s:8:\"origLink\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:84:\"https://updraftplus.com/wordpress-caching-guide-how-does-it-improve-your-site-speed/\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}}}i:4;a:6:{s:4:\"data\";s:88:\"\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"child\";a:6:{s:0:\"\";a:7:{s:5:\"title\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:58:\"How to update your site to the latest version of WordPress\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"link\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:58:\"http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/UpdraftPlus/~3/bBuHhkoiWnM/\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:8:\"comments\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:91:\"https://updraftplus.com/how-to-update-your-site-to-the-latest-version-of-wordpress/#respond\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:7:\"pubDate\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:31:\"Fri, 13 Aug 2021 13:59:46 +0000\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:8:\"category\";a:6:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:15:\"Tips and tricks\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:1;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:5:\"guide\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:2;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:6:\"How to\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:3;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:14:\"latest version\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:4;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:6:\"update\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:5;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:9:\"wordpress\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"guid\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:34:\"https://updraftplus.com/?p=1200580\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:1:{s:0:\"\";a:1:{s:11:\"isPermaLink\";s:5:\"false\";}}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:11:\"description\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:769:\"<p>If you have a WordPress website, you will know that it should always be run on the latest version of WordPress as the updated version of the software provides better performance and security. In this blog, we will discuss all … <a href=\"https://updraftplus.com/how-to-update-your-site-to-the-latest-version-of-wordpress/\">Continue reading <span class=\"meta-nav\">→</span></a></p>\n<p>The post <a rel=\"nofollow\" href=\"https://updraftplus.com/how-to-update-your-site-to-the-latest-version-of-wordpress/\">How to update your site to the latest version of WordPress</a> appeared first on <a rel=\"nofollow\" href=\"https://updraftplus.com\">UpdraftPlus</a>. <a href=\"http://updraftplus.com\">UpdraftPlus - Backup, restore and migration plugin for WordPress.</a></p>\n\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:32:\"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/\";a:1:{s:7:\"creator\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:12:\"Sajid Sayyad\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:40:\"http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/\";a:1:{s:7:\"encoded\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:16644:\"<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"How to update your site to the latest version of WordPress\" width=\"1080\" height=\"608\" src=\"https://www.youtube.com/embed/dbyzxgLzUbo?feature=oembed\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen></iframe></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you have a WordPress website, you will know that it should always be run on the latest version of WordPress as the updated version of the software provides better performance and security.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In this blog, we will discuss all the ways you can update your website to the latest version of WordPress. We will go through the process on how to download the latest WordPress version and update it manually and also show you how to automate your WordPress updates – which can be highly beneficial, as it can save you a lot of time and effort.</span></p>\n<p><b>Why you should always use the latest version of WordPress</b></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">WordPress is an extremely popular and open source software platform. This means everyone can study the code, as it is available publicly as open source. This allows developers to analyze, improve and contribute to the WordPress codebase. Whenever a developer finds any bugs or security issues, it is reported to the WordPress software team, who then fix the issue and release a new WordPress update, with all the issues hopefully fixed. This approach to problem analysis/solving has largely been the reason why WordPress has managed to grow so rapidly.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">However, the web is not populated only by people with good intentions. There are entire cottage industries in operation that exist to employ hackers to actively look for vulnerabilities and loopholes in the source code. As it powers over a third of all the websites in the world, WordPress is a hugely popular target and often top of the list for hackers. If a vulnerability is found in an older version of WordPress, hackers will attack these sites and steal all valuable data (such as emails, billing information etc).</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Apart from security fixes, users of WordPress will also get access to new features and better performances when they download the latest version of WordPress. For example, the latest WordPress 5.8 version has introduced a few new features that you can read in the </span><a href=\"https://wordpress.org/news/2021/07/tatum\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">release documentation</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Now you are aware and understand the need to upgrade WordPress, let’s take a detailed look at how to perform the upgrade. </span></p>\n<p><b>Things to do before upgrading WordPress</b></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Whenever you plan to update the software, remember to always take a backup of the current site with </span><a href=\"https://updraftplus.com/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">UpdraftPlus</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. By doing this, you will be able to restore the site immediately if the new updates result in unexpected issues and break your website. It is recommended that you store your backup in a remote storage location (such as Google Drive), so you will always have access to it; even if an upgrade causes an issue with your server.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For extra safety and security, you can also use <a href=\"https://updraftplus.com/updraftclone/\">UpdraftClone</a> to create an identical copy of your site and test out any update on, further removing any potential risks as UpdraftClone allows you to create a cloned test site of your live site instantly and directly from UpdraftPlus. Once you have created a clone of your site, you can carry out updates and tests, safe in the knowledge that your live site is completely safe from any potential issues. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When it comes to WordPress backup, UpdraftPlus is the number one choice of users. At the time of writing this article, it is being used on over 3 million websites. Follow our guide: </span><a href=\"https://updraftplus.com/how-to-backup-a-wordpress-site-step-by-step-guide\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How to Backup a WordPress Site: Step by Step Guide</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for instruction on how to backup your site before updating WordPress.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Once you have your website backed-up, remember to choose the right time to schedule your upgrade. Updating WordPress usually only takes a minute or two, but in certain situations it may take longer than expected. During this process, it is important to remember that customers/visitors to your site should not face any unexpected behavior or access issues. To avoid this, it is best to pick a time when you typically have less users active on the site.</span></p>\n<p><b>Manually upgrading WordPress to the latest version</b></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">WordPress regularly releases updates with both major and minor releases. Minor releases are typically reserved for security and bug fixes. Since WordPress 3.7 or above, automatic updates are turned on for minor releases. This means you do not need to upgrade it manually as WordPress handles these minor updates on it’s own.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When it comes to major releases, there are 2 options available to upgrade to the latest version – automatic (via a press of button) or manual. </span></p>\n<p><b>Upgrading WordPress from the Dashboard</b></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This is a straightforward and easy to follow process. All you need to do is press on the “Update now” button and the upgrade will start automatically. It can be done in a few moments.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To access this option, go to </span><b>Dashboard->Updates</b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> page in your WordPress site. You will see the ‘Update now’ button as shown below.</span></p>\n<p><a href=\"https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/unnamed-4.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-1200607\" src=\"https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/unnamed-4.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"581\" height=\"135\" srcset=\"https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/unnamed-4.png 581w, https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/unnamed-4-480x112.png 480w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) 581px, 100vw\" /></a></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In the screenshot, you will see that it states that your site will be in maintenance mode until the updates are complete. As previously mentioned, this is the reason for picking the “low visitor” hours when carrying out your upgrade.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Press the ‘Update now’ button and WordPress initiates the upgrading process for you. It may take a couple of minutes.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Once WordPress has installed the updates, you should be redirected to a page where you can see a list of new features available in the latest update.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There may be some cases where this process is not possible. If this is the case, you can follow the below update process instead.</span></p>\n<p><b>Upgrade WordPress using FTP Client</b></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In order to update WordPress manually to the latest version, you will need to perform the following steps.</span></p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Download the </span><a href=\"https://wordpress.org/download\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">latest WordPress</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> zip.</span></li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Extract the zip.</span></li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Connect your site with an FTP client (</span><a href=\"https://filezilla-project.org\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">FileZilla</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is a popular FTP Client).</span></li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Upload </span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">wp-admin</span></i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, </span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">wp-includes</span></i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> directories (from the extracted zip) on your site, replacing older versions.</span></li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Upload all core files from the root directory of extracted zip. Remember not to change the </span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">wp-config.php</span></i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> file.</span></li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Upload </span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">wp-content/index.php. </span></i></li>\n</ul>\n<p><a href=\"https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/unnamed-1.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-1200610\" src=\"https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/unnamed-1.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"674\" height=\"225\" srcset=\"https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/unnamed-1.png 674w, https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/unnamed-1-480x160.png 480w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) 674px, 100vw\" /></a></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">WordPress writes the code for core functionalities and new features in the </span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">wp-admin</span></i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and </span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">wp-includes</span></i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> folders. The files in the root directory also contain the code for new updates. While updating WordPress, we need to only replace these files and folders. When developing your WordPress websites, remember not to touch these files – at any cost, as it can break the system. These files are part of the core development and must remain untouched.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Once you are done with the manual process, go to the admin area of your site. Sometimes you need to update your database for the new version. You may see the below notice asking to update your WordPress database.</span></p>\n<p><a href=\"https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/New-Project-2021-08-13T143207.396.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-1200616\" src=\"https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/New-Project-2021-08-13T143207.396.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"607\" height=\"306\" srcset=\"https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/New-Project-2021-08-13T143207.396.jpg 607w, https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/New-Project-2021-08-13T143207.396-480x242.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) 607px, 100vw\" /></a></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you come across this notice, just press the ‘Update WordPress Database’ button.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">After this, login to your admin area – you should now see you have successfully updated to the latest version of WordPress.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It is important to carry out due diligence on your site after an update. Browse your site and make sure everything is in the right place and is working correctly. Most of the time, WordPress updates will not cause any issues if you are using the system correctly and carried out the update in the proper manner. However, if you are experiencing unpredictable behaviour, you can quickly restore your site to the older working version using your UpdraftPlus backup.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You can also save further time by automating the WordPress updates process using the </span><a href=\"https://easyupdatesmanager.com\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Easy Update Manager</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> plugin.</span></p>\n<p><b>Manage automatic WordPress updates</b></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The </span><a href=\"https://easyupdatesmanager.com/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Easy Update Manager</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> plugin is built by the same team that brings you UpdraftPlus. At the time of writing, Easy Updates Manager has 300K+ active installations. By using this plugin, you can automate WordPress, plugin and theme updates. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Users can also use a </span><a href=\"https://wordpress.org/plugins/stops-core-theme-and-plugin-updates\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">free version</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> of the plugin with a limited set of features. However, it is suggested that you install the Premium version, as it contains many handy features that can make updating easier and quicker. These include:</span></p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Safe Update – Block automatic updates if the update states a minimum PHP or WP version requirement that is not met by the site/server.</span></li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Schedule Updates. Customize your update schedule to minimize any downtime.</span></li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Auto-update protection. If something goes wrong during an auto-update, the plugin will alert you via email and then try to fix it automatically.</span></li>\n</ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Upon installation, you can find the settings under the </span><b>Dashboard->Updates options</b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. On this page, you will see the different options to manage WordPress, plugin and theme updates. Under the ‘WordPress core updates’, press the ‘Auto update all releases’ button. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Add your email address under ‘Core notification emails’. You will now receive an email at this address when your site updates.</span></p>\n<p><a href=\"https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/unnamed-2-1.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-1200617\" src=\"https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/unnamed-2-1.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"651\" height=\"150\" srcset=\"https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/unnamed-2-1.png 651w, https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/unnamed-2-1-480x111.png 480w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) 651px, 100vw\" /></a></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When using the premium version of the plugin, you can set your updates to suit your schedule. As previously discussed, if you wanted to update WordPress and pick a time when your site had less visitors, go to the ‘Advanced’ tab and set your preferred schedule time under ‘Automatic update scheduling’.</span></p>\n<p><a href=\"https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/unnamed-3.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-1200608\" src=\"https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/unnamed-3.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"670\" height=\"229\" srcset=\"https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/unnamed-3.png 670w, https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/unnamed-3-480x164.png 480w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) 670px, 100vw\" /></a></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These are the basic settings required to automate your WordPress updates. Now you can just sit back and relax and let the plugin handle all the upgrading stuff for you.</span></p>\n<p><b>Conclusion</b></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We have run through both the automatic and manual processes for upgrading to the latest version of WordPress. The user can use either process in order to help keep your site safe from hackers. Remember to always take a backup before updating using UpdraftPlus!</span></p>\n<p>The post <a rel=\"nofollow\" href=\"https://updraftplus.com/how-to-update-your-site-to-the-latest-version-of-wordpress/\">How to update your site to the latest version of WordPress</a> appeared first on <a rel=\"nofollow\" href=\"https://updraftplus.com\">UpdraftPlus</a>. <a href=\"http://updraftplus.com\">UpdraftPlus - Backup, restore and migration plugin for WordPress.</a></p>\n\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:36:\"http://wellformedweb.org/CommentAPI/\";a:1:{s:10:\"commentRss\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:88:\"https://updraftplus.com/how-to-update-your-site-to-the-latest-version-of-wordpress/feed/\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:38:\"http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/slash/\";a:1:{s:8:\"comments\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:1:\"0\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:42:\"http://rssnamespace.org/feedburner/ext/1.0\";a:1:{s:8:\"origLink\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:83:\"https://updraftplus.com/how-to-update-your-site-to-the-latest-version-of-wordpress/\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}}}i:5;a:6:{s:4:\"data\";s:88:\"\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"child\";a:6:{s:0:\"\";a:7:{s:5:\"title\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:38:\"How to create a WordPress custom theme\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"link\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:58:\"http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/UpdraftPlus/~3/VoA1IAJMujo/\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:8:\"comments\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:71:\"https://updraftplus.com/how-to-create-a-wordpress-custom-theme/#respond\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:7:\"pubDate\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:31:\"Fri, 06 Aug 2021 12:57:44 +0000\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:8:\"category\";a:6:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:20:\"Other WordPress news\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:1;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:15:\"Tips and tricks\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:2;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:6:\"Create\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:3;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:12:\"custom theme\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:4;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:6:\"How to\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:5;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:9:\"wordpress\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"guid\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:34:\"https://updraftplus.com/?p=1194438\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:1:{s:0:\"\";a:1:{s:11:\"isPermaLink\";s:5:\"false\";}}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:11:\"description\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:722:\"<p>WordPress occupies a huge percentage of the world’s websites, making up 37% of all sites currently online. While there are many reasons and factors for this success, one of the main reasons is the popularity of features available to all … <a href=\"https://updraftplus.com/how-to-create-a-wordpress-custom-theme/\">Continue reading <span class=\"meta-nav\">→</span></a></p>\n<p>The post <a rel=\"nofollow\" href=\"https://updraftplus.com/how-to-create-a-wordpress-custom-theme/\">How to create a WordPress custom theme</a> appeared first on <a rel=\"nofollow\" href=\"https://updraftplus.com\">UpdraftPlus</a>. <a href=\"http://updraftplus.com\">UpdraftPlus - Backup, restore and migration plugin for WordPress.</a></p>\n\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:32:\"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/\";a:1:{s:7:\"creator\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:12:\"Sajid Sayyad\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:40:\"http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/\";a:1:{s:7:\"encoded\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:23273:\"<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"How to Create a WordPress Custom Theme\" width=\"1080\" height=\"608\" src=\"https://www.youtube.com/embed/U_ZJHFwvKtY?feature=oembed\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen></iframe></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">WordPress occupies a huge percentage of the world’s websites, making up </span><a href=\"https://www.envisagedigital.co.uk/wordpress-market-share/#:~:text=WordPress%20powers%2037%25%20of%20all%20websites%20and%2062%25%20of%20CMS,top%20100%E2%80%94websites%20in%202021.\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">37% of all sites</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> currently online. While there are many reasons and factors for this success, one of the main reasons is the popularity of features available to all users. Plugins, themes, posts, pages, categories, taxonomies, user roles and media handling just to name a few. To get the most out of WordPress, it is recommended users study and learn how to use all of these features. In this blog, we will focus on and discuss WordPress Themes and will walk you through the basics required on how to create a WordPress custom theme.</span></p>\n<h4><b>What is a custom theme?</b></h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Everything on the frontend of your site is being run from and controlled using something called a ‘theme’. A website’s theme is responsible for the specific design and functionality of the website. You can check out the </span><a href=\"https://wordpress.org/themes\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">WordPress theme repository</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> or </span><a href=\"https://themeforest.net/category/wordpress\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Themeforest</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for theme examples; here you will find thousands of themes listed for you to explore and download.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While established WordPress themes are great, if you have the ability and need, you may also want to build your own custom theme for a client, for yourself, or to submit to the marketplaces with the intention of selling it. When creating a commercial theme, you will need to follow the marketplaces guidelines for coding standards, structure of files and folders, etc. You can find more details regarding these guidelines on the </span><a href=\"https://www.templatemonster.com/blog/sell-wordpress-themes/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">marketplaces websites</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In this blog, we will run through a tutorial to show you a basic overview on how to create your very own WordPress theme by covering all the basics and steps associated with the process. </span></p>\n<p><b>Create a WordPress custom theme</b></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">WordPress themes are built with template files, scripts, styles, images, etc. To proceed, you should have working knowledge of PHP, HTML and CSS, which are required to build a custom theme. Understanding JavaScript can also be an additional advantage.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To get started, we will first name the theme ‘Updraft’. Create a folder called ‘Updraft’ inside </span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">wp-content/themes</span></i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Within this ‘Updraft’ folder, you will write your theme related code, store files, images, fonts, etc. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The main files of the custom WordPress theme are:</span></p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">style.css</span></li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">index.php</span></li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">functions.php</span></li>\n</ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The </span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">style.css </span></i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">will be the main stylesheet file and you can add all of your CSS in this file. Remember that you must include an information header about the theme. The header should look similar to the below format and be on the top of </span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">style.css.</span></i></p>\n<pre style=\"background: #efefef;\"><code>/* \nTheme Name: Updraft \nTheme URI: https://updraftplus.com \nAuthor: UpdraftPlus \nAuthor URI: https://updraftplus.com \nDescription: The custom theme built for the website. \nVersion: 1.0 \nLicense: GNU General Public License v2 or later \nLicense URI: http://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-2.0.html \nText Domain: updraft \n*/ \n</code></pre>\n<pre></pre>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Next, go to the </span><b>Appearance >>Themes, </b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">where you will see your theme listed. Activate it. When you check the frontend of your site, it will show a blank screen – as we have not added anything to the theme yet..</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Remember to store your images, scripts and styles into your theme directory. The theme directory refers to the ‘wp-content/themes/Updraft’ folder. Be sure to keep them organized by using a good folder structure, creating specific folders for images, scripts and styles; Copy the files into the respective directory.</span></p>\n<h4><b>Functions File</b></h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The </span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">functions.php </span></i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">is the file where you can add code for different purposes. This file is automatically loaded during WordPress initialization, with the code written in it executed automatically.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The following operations in the </span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">functions.php</span></i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> file are usually carried out in this order:</span></p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Enqueue theme stylesheets and scripts (add the JS and CSS files to the website).</span></li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Enable Sidebars, Navigation Menus, Post Thumbnails, etc.</span></li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Define functions used throughout the application.</span></li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Etc.</span></li>\n</ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The user can add their styles and scripts from </span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">functions.php</span></i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> file as follows. Please see the following link for more </span><a href=\"https://developer.wordpress.org/themes/basics/including-css-javascript\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">documentation</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.</span></p>\n<pre style=\"background: #efefef;\"><code>function include_js_css() {\nwp_register_style( “bootstrap”, get_stylesheet_directory_uri() .\n“/styles/bootstrap.min.css”, array(), false, “all” );\nwp_enqueue_style( “bootstrap” );\nwp_register_script(‘bootstrap’, get_stylesheet_directory_uri() .\n‘/scripts/bootstrap.min.js’, array(), false, true);\nwp_enqueue_script(‘bootstrap’);\n}\nadd_action(‘wp_enqueue_scripts’, ‘include_js_css’);\n</code></pre>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The </span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">get_stylesheet_directory_uri() </span></i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">function gives a relative path of the active theme directory. The rest of the code can be seen to be the path of the assets.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Similarly, for adding Navigation Menus, Post Thumbnails:</span></p>\n<pre style=\"background: #efefef;\"><code>function updraft_theme_setup() \n{ add_theme_support( \'post-thumbnails\' ); \nregister_nav_menus( \narray( \'primary\' => __( \'Primary Menu\' ), \n\'footer1=\' => __( \'Footer Menu\' ), \n\'shop\' => __( \'Shop Page Menu\' ), \n) \n); \n} add_action( \'after_setup_theme\', \'updraft_theme_setup\' ); \n</code></pre>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Next, go to the WordPress dashboard and add a post or page. You should see the ‘Featured Image’ section. Additionally, under the </span><b>Appearance >> Menus, </b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">you will find the Primary Menu and Footer Menu under </span><b>Manage Locations</b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These are just a few of the basic features you can cover while using the ‘Function’ file. There are a lot more you can add in this file if you so wished.</span></p>\n<h4><b>Template files</b></h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When building your theme, template files can be used to affect the layout and design of different parts of your website. For example, you would use the header.php template to create a header, or the comments.php template to include comments on your site. Template files have a </span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.php</span></i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> extension. As they are PHP files, all pages output as HTML.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Using templates, developers can distribute code among multiple files. Listed below are some of the files in question.</span></p>\n<ul>\n<li><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">index.php </span></i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: The main template. This file should be responsible for post listing. When you set the Posts page from </span><b>Settings >> Readings</b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, this template gets executed.</span></li>\n<li><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">page.php </span></i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: This template is responsible for rendering your pages. This setting can be overridden by assigning a custom page template to individual pages.</span></li>\n<li><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">single.php</span></i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> : Used when a single post is queried.</span></li>\n<li><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">header.php</span></i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> : Add your header part in this template.</span></li>\n<li><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">footer.php</span></i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> : Add your footer part in this template.</span></li>\n<li><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">sidebar.php</span></i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> : Add widgets in this template.</span></li>\n</ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Get a list of all template files available </span><a href=\"https://codex.wordpress.org/Theme_Development#Template_Files\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">here</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.</span></p>\n<h4><b>Custom page templates</b></h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">By default, all your pages are rendered through the </span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">page.php </span></i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">template. But in practice, you sometimes have to display separate flows on different pages. In this scenario, it is recommended that you use the power of custom page templates.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For example, if you have a ‘Career’ page and you want to add your code to this page; to achieve this you would need to create a </span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">career.php </span></i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">file into the theme directory and place the comment below at the top of the file.</span></p>\n<pre style=\"background: #efefef;\"><code><?php \n/* \nTemplate Name: Career \n*/ \n</code></pre>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Next, go to the page edit section and assign this ‘Career’ template from under the </span><b>Page Attributes</b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> box.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Now when you visit the Career page – code from the </span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">career.php </span></i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">will be executed.</span><code><br />\n</code></p>\n<h4><b>Header file</b></h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your website will have a common header on all pages. You can place this common header into the </span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">header.php</span></i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. The header code will be something like this:</span></p>\n<pre style=\"background: #efefef;\"><code><!DOCTYPE html>\n<html <?php language_attributes(); ?>>\n<head>\n<meta charset=\"<?php bloginfo(\'charset\'); ?>\">\n<meta name=\"viewport\" content=\"width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0\" />\n<?php wp_head(); ?>\n</head>\n<body <?php body_class(); ?>>\n<?php wp_body_open(); ?>\n<!-- your menu --></code></pre>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In the above code, you will notice that we used some functions available in WordPress.</span></p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https://developer.wordpress.org/reference/functions/wp_head\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">wp_head()</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> : This method inserts crucial elements into your document – e.g., scripts, styles and meta tags.</span></li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https://developer.wordpress.org/reference/functions/body_class\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">body_class()</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> : This will add different classes to the body element.</span></li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https://developer.wordpress.org/reference/functions/wp_body_open\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">wp_body_open()</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> : Used to insert code immediately after opening the body tag. An example of this would be the- Google Analytics script.</span></li>\n</ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Menus can be added dynamically through the </span><a href=\"https://developer.wordpress.org/reference/functions/wp_nav_menu\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">wp_nav_menu()</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> function. Assuming you have first already created a menu under </span><b>Appearance >> Menus</b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and assigned ‘primary’ location to it. The code below generates the menu elements dynamically.</span></p>\n<pre style=\"background: #efefef;\"><code><?php\nwp_nav_menu(\narray(\n\'theme_location\' => \'primary\',\n\'container_class\' => \'menus\',\n)\n);\n?>\n</code></pre>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Once your header file is set, use the </span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">get_header()</span></i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> function to include this file into your other templates.</span></p>\n<h4><b>Footer file</b></h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Similar to the header file, your common code for the footer will go inside the </span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">footer.php</span></i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> template.</span></p>\n<pre style=\"background: #efefef;\"><code><!-- footer elements -->\n<?php wp_footer(); ?>\n</body>\n</html>\n</code></pre>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here, use the </span><a href=\"https://developer.wordpress.org/reference/functions/wp_footer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">wp_footer()</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that inserts elements, specifically scripts, at this location. Using </span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">get_footer() </span></i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">will include the contents of this file in other places.</span></p>\n<h4><b>Sidebar file</b></h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The sidebar is a vertical column used to display information on your site that is not shown within the main content. It may include popular articles, advertisement banners, a newsletter submission form, etc. Sidebars contain widgets that an administrator can customize. The </span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">sidebar.php </span></i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">template will include your site widgets.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In this example, we will create a basic sidebar by adding the below code to the </span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">functions.php</span></i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> file.</span></p>\n<pre style=\"background: #efefef;\"><code>function updraft_widgets_init() {\nregister_sidebar(\narray(\n\'name\' => esc_html__( Home Sidebar\' ),\n\'id\' => \'sidebar-1\',\n\'description\' => esc_html__( \'Add widgets here to appear in your sidebar.\' ),\n\'before_widget\' => \'<section id=\"widget\" class=\"widget\">\',\n\'after_widget\' => \'</section>\',\n\'before_title\' => \'<h2 class=\"widget-title\">\',\n\'after_title\' => \'</h2>\',\n)\n);\n}\nadd_action( \'widgets_init\', \'updraft_widgets_init\' );\n</code></pre>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Next, go to the </span><b>Appearance >> Widgets</b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Here you will find the above sidebar. In this example, we are going to add some widgets to this sidebar. To add this sidebar to the frontend, add the following code in </span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">sidebar.php.</span></i></p>\n<pre style=\"background: #efefef;\"><code><div class=\"sidebar\">\n<?php\nif ( is_active_sidebar( \'sidebar-1\' ) ) {\ndynamic_sidebar( \'sidebar-1\' );\n}\n?>\n</div>\n</code></pre>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Finally, remember to name the method ‘</span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">get_sidebar()’ </span></i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">so you can easily include the sidebar wherever on any other pages as and when needed.</span></p>\n<p><b>Rendering pages and posts</b></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As already mentioned, all WordPress pages are rendered and executed using the code you have written in the </span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">page.php </span></i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">file, except pages with custom page template. The below code is an example that will show a <em><strong>page featuring the page title, description and featured image.</strong></em></span></p>\n<pre style=\"background: #efefef;\"><code><?php\nget_header();\n?>\n<div id=\"primary\" class=\"content-area\">\n<main id=\"main\" class=\"site-main\">\n<?php\nwhile ( have_posts() ) :\nthe_post();\n?>\n<?php\nif ( has_post_thumbnail() ) :\nthe_post_thumbnail();\nendif;\n?>\n<header class=\"entry-header\">\n<?php the_title(); ?>\n</header>\n<div class=\"entry-content\">\n<?php the_content(); ?>\n</div>\n<?php\nendwhile;\n?>\n</main>\n</div>\n<?php\nget_footer();\n</code></pre>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Similar code will go inside the </span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">single.php </span></i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">file to display the post information. To render the post listing properly (your </span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">index.php</span></i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">), in addition to the above methods – you may also want to use the following:</span></p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">the_catgeory() : Displays category list for a post.</span></li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">the_permalink() : Displays the permalink for the current post.</span></li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">the_excerpt() : Display the post excerpt.</span></li>\n</ul>\n<h4><b>I18n for WordPress custom themes</b></h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While building a custom theme, try to remember that it should be developed in a way to support internationalization. By doing this, it makes it possible for your theme to easily be translated into other languages.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To add I18n support, remember to use a text domain which you can parse source files and extract the translatable strings from. In this example, we are using the text domain ‘Updraft’, but you can choose any unique identifier. We can define the text domain as follows. </span></p>\n<pre style=\"background: #efefef;\"><code>function i18n_setup() {\nload_theme_textdomain( \'updraft\', get_stylesheet_directory() . \'/languages\' );\n}\nadd_action( \'after_setup_theme\', \'i18n_setup\' );\n</code></pre>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Now whenever you use static strings in your theme files, wrap them inside </span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">__()</span></i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> or </span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">_e()</span></i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> functions.</span></p>\n<pre style=\"background: #efefef;\"><code><h2><?php _e(\'First Name\', \'updraft); ?></h2>\n<?php echo __(\'User Email\', \'updraft\'); ?>\n</code></pre>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are special tools available like POEDIT that help to generate translated language files. Please refer to </span><a href=\"https://updraftplus.com/how-to-localize-and-translate-a-wordpress-plugin-an-in-depth-guide-for-plugin-developers\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">this blog</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for more information.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This blog has covered the basics on creating WordPress custom themes. However, it is a vast topic that requires a lot of time and patience. Below are some helpful resources you should get acquainted with that will help you start to create your WordPress themes..</span></p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https://codex.wordpress.org/The_Loop_in_Action\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The WordPress Loop</span></a></li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https://codex.wordpress.org/Template_Tags\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Template Tags</span></a></li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https://codex.wordpress.org/Category_Templates\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Category Pages</span></a></li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https://codex.wordpress.org/Function_Reference\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Function_Reference</span></a></li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https://codex.wordpress.org/Conditional_Tags\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Conditional Tag</span></a></li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/core/handbook/best-practices/coding-standards\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">WordPress Coding Standards</span></a></li>\n</ul>\n<p>When create a new theme for your WordPress site, remember that you will need to back it up after every change or risk losing all your work. Use <a href=\"http://updraftplus.com\">UpdraftPlus</a> – The world’s leading and most trusted WordPress backup, restore and clone plugin.</p>\n<p>The post <a rel=\"nofollow\" href=\"https://updraftplus.com/how-to-create-a-wordpress-custom-theme/\">How to create a WordPress custom theme</a> appeared first on <a rel=\"nofollow\" href=\"https://updraftplus.com\">UpdraftPlus</a>. <a href=\"http://updraftplus.com\">UpdraftPlus - Backup, restore and migration plugin for WordPress.</a></p>\n\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:36:\"http://wellformedweb.org/CommentAPI/\";a:1:{s:10:\"commentRss\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:68:\"https://updraftplus.com/how-to-create-a-wordpress-custom-theme/feed/\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:38:\"http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/slash/\";a:1:{s:8:\"comments\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:1:\"0\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:42:\"http://rssnamespace.org/feedburner/ext/1.0\";a:1:{s:8:\"origLink\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:63:\"https://updraftplus.com/how-to-create-a-wordpress-custom-theme/\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}}}i:6;a:6:{s:4:\"data\";s:81:\"\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"child\";a:4:{s:0:\"\";a:6:{s:5:\"title\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:61:\"UpdraftPlus Vs BackupBuddy: WordPress backup plugins compared\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"link\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:58:\"http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/UpdraftPlus/~3/3043WdYoZ4A/\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:7:\"pubDate\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:31:\"Fri, 23 Jul 2021 14:48:17 +0000\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:8:\"category\";a:9:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:20:\"Other WordPress news\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:1;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:6:\"Backup\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:2;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:11:\"backupbuddy\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:3;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:6:\"better\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:4;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:10:\"comparison\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:5;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:6:\"plugin\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:6;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:7:\"updraft\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:7;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:11:\"UpdraftPlus\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:8;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:9:\"wordpress\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"guid\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:34:\"https://updraftplus.com/?p=1184117\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:1:{s:0:\"\";a:1:{s:11:\"isPermaLink\";s:5:\"false\";}}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:11:\"description\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:356:\"<p>The post <a rel=\"nofollow\" href=\"https://updraftplus.com/udpvsbup-wordpress-backup-comparison/\">UpdraftPlus Vs BackupBuddy: WordPress backup plugins compared</a> appeared first on <a rel=\"nofollow\" href=\"https://updraftplus.com\">UpdraftPlus</a>. <a href=\"http://updraftplus.com\">UpdraftPlus - Backup, restore and migration plugin for WordPress.</a></p>\n\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:32:\"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/\";a:1:{s:7:\"creator\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:13:\"Wayne Mullins\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:40:\"http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/\";a:1:{s:7:\"encoded\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:14399:\"<div class=\"et_pb_section et_pb_section_0 et_section_regular\" >\n \n \n \n \n <div class=\"et_pb_row et_pb_row_0\">\n <div class=\"et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_0 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child\">\n \n \n <div class=\"et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_0 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light\">\n \n \n <div class=\"et_pb_text_inner\"><p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"UpdraftPlus vs BackupBuddy. Which is the best WordPress backup plugin?\" width=\"1080\" height=\"608\" src=\"https://www.youtube.com/embed/AgSgtTsZPd8?feature=oembed\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen></iframe></p>\n<p><b>BackupBuddy Vs UpdraftPlus – Which Is Better?</b></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">One of the biggest risks you face when setting up your own WordPress website is when your site inevitably encounters a problem such as hacks, plugin issues, a bad update, malware or compatibility problems. After all the time and money you spent building and launching your site, it’s possible that you could lose everything in a blink of an eye. </span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It’s all too easy not to even think of these problems, until it actually happens. This is why having a WordPress backup plugin is so important. With the right backup plugin, you can restore your website to it’s working state with a click of a button. </span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In a crowded marketplace with so many options, it can sometimes be difficult to evaluate which plugin is the best for you. In this blog and video we will look at and review two of the most popular backup plugins – <a href=\"http://updraftplus.com\">UpdraftPlus</a> and <a href=\"https://ithemes.com/backupbuddy/?irgwc=1&irpid=56411&gclid=Cj0KCQjw0emHBhC1ARIsAL1QGNfQ09dHqkgVfJuD8Sd11rwV6Vb2o31WOwYB0uErI8lDgvW6v3b8HSoaAkKLEALw_wcB\">BackupBuddy</a> – evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of both, and assess the benefits of Premium versions.</span></p>\n<p><b>Free plugin versions</b></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <a href=\"https://wordpress.org/plugins/updraftplus/\">free version</a> of the UpdraftPlus plugin is used on over 3 million WordPress sites all over the world and is the highest rated backup plugin on WP.org. The free version can quickly backup and restore your site and comes with enough features and tools to satisfy most users. This plugin can also easily be downloaded directly in your WordPress site plugin settings, allowing you to start backing up straight away.</span></p>\n<p><a href=\"https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/New-Project-2021-07-23T151948.350.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-1184165\" src=\"https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/New-Project-2021-07-23T151948.350.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"910\" height=\"512\" /></a></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">BackUpBuddy does not currently offer a free version of it’s backup plugin. As such, it is not possible to compare the free versions of both plugins at this time.</span></p>\n<p><b>What to look for in a backup plugin</b></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When deciding which backup plugin is best to backup your WordPress site, there are several criteria you should look at, including options that will allow you to backup all your files, database, plugins, themes, uploads and any other directories found, as well as most importantly allowing you to easily restore your site should the worst happen. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When backing up your site, it is important to choose the right remote storage location. With UpdraftPlus Premium, you have 10 well known remote storage options such as Amazon S3, Google Cloud and Dropbox, as well as 6 additional </span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">backup location options including email and FTP.</span></p>\n<p><a href=\"https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/New-Project-2021-07-23T152118.395.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-1184166\" src=\"https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/New-Project-2021-07-23T152118.395.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"898\" height=\"358\" srcset=\"https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/New-Project-2021-07-23T152118.395.jpg 898w, https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/New-Project-2021-07-23T152118.395-480x191.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) 898px, 100vw\" /></a></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">BackupBuddy’s options are limited to 5 of the well known remote storage options, with 3 additional backup locations. </span></p>\n<p><b>Tutorial guides</b></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The plugin itself isn’t the only factor you should consider when making your decision. Setting up and using all the different features in these plugins can sometimes be tricky and confusing, especially for those who may not be IT experts. UpdraftPlus has dozens of up to date video guides on <a href=\"https://www.youtube.com/c/Updraftplus/videos\">YouTube</a> that can show you everything from how to update from the free version, to the Premium version, to how to connect your UpdraftPlus account to the remote storage provider of your choice.</span></p>\n<p><a href=\"https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/New-Project-2021-07-23T152540.468.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-1184174\" src=\"https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/New-Project-2021-07-23T152540.468.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"872\" height=\"646\" srcset=\"https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/New-Project-2021-07-23T152540.468.jpg 872w, https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/New-Project-2021-07-23T152540.468-480x356.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) 872px, 100vw\" /></a></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">BackupBuddy’s list of video guides is somewhat limited in comparison, with minimal instructions and only a few (if any) guides on how to connect BackupBuddy to a remote storage location.</span></p>\n<p><a href=\"https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/New-Project-2021-07-23T152332.937.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-1184169\" src=\"https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/New-Project-2021-07-23T152332.937.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"866\" height=\"548\" /></a></p>\n<p><b>Scheduling</b></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Making regular scheduled backups of your WordPress site is essential, as you always want to have the latest version on your site on hand should the worst happen. Both plugins offer scheduling backup options ranging from automatically backing up every hour or so, to every year. With UpdraftPlus however, you can select how many copies of your backup you want to keep within the same page on your site. </span></p>\n<p><a href=\"https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/New-Project-2021-07-23T152803.789.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-1184176\" src=\"https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/New-Project-2021-07-23T152803.789.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"868\" height=\"233\" /></a></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While this option is also available in BackupBuddy, it is hidden away in a sub-menu – making it difficult to find.</span></p>\n<p><b>UpdraftPlus or BackupBuddy?</b></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">So which backup plugin should you choose? <a href=\"http://updraftplus.com\">UpdraftPlus</a> is the world’s most trusted and popular plugin that is trusted by over 3 million users worldwide. With this level of trust, support and development, as well as the ability to backup and restore your site quickly and easily, UpdraftPlus gives you everything you need to backup and restore your site with just a press of a button. </span></p>\n<p> </p></div>\n </div> <!-- .et_pb_text --><div id=\"tablecomparison\" class=\"et_pb_module et_pb_code et_pb_code_0 tablecomparison\">\n \n \n <div class=\"et_pb_code_inner\"><table id=\"comparison-table\">\n<thead><tr><th bgcolor:\"#f4f4f4\";></th><th><h3>UpdraftPlus Premium</h3></th><th><h3>BackWPup</h3></th><th><h3>BackupWordPress</h3></th><th><h3>VaultPress</h3></th><th><h3>WP-DB-Backup</h3></th><th><h3>BackUp Buddy</h3></th></tr>\n</thead>\n<tbody>\n <tr><td style=\"text-align:left;\"><h4>Rating</h3></td><td style=\"color:green;\">98%</td><td>78%</td><td>94%</td><td>94%</td><td>92%</td><td>N/A</td></tr><tr><td style=\"text-align:left;\"><h4>Downloads</h4></td> <td style=\"color:green;\">58.50M</td><td >11.48M</td><td >4.42M</td><td >1.46M</td><td >1.48M</td> <td>N/A</td></tr><tr><td style=\"text-align:left;\"><h4>Update Rating</h4></td><td style=\"color:green;\">100%</td><td style=\"color:green;\">100%</td><td style=\"color:green;\">100%</td><td>97%</td><td>83.26%</td><td>N/A</td></tr><tr><td style=\"text-align:left;\"><h4>Active Installs</h4></td> <td style=\"color:green;\">3.00M</td><td >700K</td><td >200K</td><td >50,000</td><td >60,000</td> <td>N/A</td></tr><tr><td style=\"text-align:left;\"><h4>Automatic restore</h4></td><td style=\"color:green;\"><b>✓</b></td><td style=\"color:red;\">✘</td><td style=\"color:red;\">✘</td><td style=\"color:green;\"><b>✓</b></td><td style=\"color:red;\">✘</td><td style=\"color:red;\"><b>✘</b></td></tr><tr><td style=\"text-align:left;\"><h4>Migration clone ability</h4></td><td style=\"color:green;\"><b>✓</b></td><td style=\"color:red;\">✘</td><td style=\"color:red;\">✘</td><td style=\"color:green;\"><b>✓</b></td><td style=\"color:red;\">✘</td><td style=\"color:green;\"><b>✓</b></td></tr><tr><td style=\"text-align:left;\"><h4>Direct site-to-site migration or cloning</h4></td><td style=\"color:green;\"><b>✓</b></td><td style=\"color:red;\">✘</td><td style=\"color:red;\">✘</td><td style=\"color:red;\">✘</td><td style=\"color:red;\">✘</td><td style=\"color:red;\">✓</td></tr><tr><td style=\"text-align:left;\"><h4>Automatic backups before updating site</h4></td><td style=\"color:green;\"><b>✓</b></td><td style=\"color:red;\">✘</td><td style=\"color:red;\">✘</td><td style=\"color:red;\">✘</td><td style=\"color:red;\">✘</td><td style=\"color:red;\">✘</td></tr><tr><td style=\"text-align:left;\"><h4>Ability to backup encrypted databases</h4></td><td style=\"color:green;\"><b>✓</b></td><td style=\"color:red;\">✘</td><td style=\"color:red;\">✘</td><td style=\"color:red;\">✘</td><td style=\"color:red;\">✘</td><td style=\"color:red;\">✘</td></tr><tr><td style=\"text-align:left;\"><h4>Network/Multisite supported</h4></td><td style=\"color:green;\"><b>✓</b></td><td style=\"color:green;\"><b>✓</b></td><td style=\"color:red;\">✘</td><td style=\"color:green;\"><b>✓</b></td><td style=\"color:red;\">✘</td><td style=\"color:red;\">✘</td></tr><tr><td style=\"text-align:left;\"><h4>SFTP and FTP backups</h4></td><td style=\"color:green;\"><b>✓</b></td><td style=\"color:green;\"><b>✓</b></td><td style=\"color:green;\"><b>✓</b></td><td style=\"color:red;\">✘</td><td style=\"color:red;\">✘</td><td style=\"color:green;\"><b>✓</b></td></tr><tr><td style=\"text-align:left;\"><h4>Backup directly to proprietory cloud service</h4></td><td style=\"color:green;\"><b>✓</b></td><td style=\"color:red;\">✘</td><td style=\"color:red;\">✘</td><td style=\"color:green;\"><b>✓</b></td><td style=\"color:red;\">✘</td><td style=\"color:green;\"><b>✓</b></td></tr><tr><td style=\"text-align:left;\"><h4>Backup to Dropbox</h4></td><td style=\"color:green;\"><b>✓</b></td><td style=\"color:green;\"><b>✓</b></td><td style=\"color:green;\"><b>✓</b></td><td style=\"color:red;\">✘</td><td style=\"color:red;\">✘</td><td style=\"color:green;\"><b>✓</b></td></tr><tr><td style=\"text-align:left;\"><h4>Backup to Googledrive</h4></td><td style=\"color:green;\"><b>✓</b></td><td style=\"color:green;\"><b>✓</b></td><td style=\"color:green;\"><b>✓</b></td><td style=\"color:red;\">✘</td><td style=\"color:red;\">✘</td><td style=\"color:green;\"><b>✓</b></td></tr><tr><td style=\"text-align:left;\"><h4>Backup to OneDrive</h4></td><td style=\"color:green;\"><b>✓</b></td><td style=\"color:red;\">✘</td><td style=\"color:red;\">✘</td><td style=\"color:red;\">✘</td><td style=\"color:red;\">✘</td><td style=\"color:red;\">✘</td></tr><tr><td style=\"text-align:left;\"><h4>Backup to S3</h4></td><td style=\"color:green;\"><b>✓</b></td><td style=\"color:green;\"><b>✓</b></td><td style=\"color:green;\"><b>✓</b></td><td style=\"color:red;\">✘</td><td style=\"color:red;\">✘</td><td style=\"color:green;\"><b>✓</b></td></tr><tr><td style=\"text-align:left;\"><h4>Backup to Microsoft Azure</h4></td><td style=\"color:green;\"><b>✓</b></td><td style=\"color:green;\"><b>✓</b></td><td style=\"color:green;\"><b>✓</b></td><td style=\"color:red;\">✘</td><td style=\"color:red;\">✘</td><td style=\"color:red;\">✘</td></tr><tr><td style=\"text-align:left;\"><h4>Backup to Google Cloud</h4></td><td style=\"color:green;\"><b>✓</b></td><td style=\"color:red;\">✘</td><td style=\"color:red;\">✘</td><td style=\"color:red;\">✘</td><td style=\"color:red;\">✘</td><td style=\"color:red;\">✘</td></tr><tr><td style=\"text-align:left;\"><h4>Backup to BackBlaze</h4></td><td style=\"color:green;\"><b>✓</b></td><td style=\"color:red;\">✘</td><td style=\"color:red;\">✘</td><td style=\"color:red;\">✘</td><td style=\"color:red;\">✘</td><td style=\"color:red;\">✘</td></tr><tr><td style=\"text-align:left;\"><h4>Run From WP-CL</h4></td><td style=\"color:green;\"><b>✓</b></td><td style=\"color:red;\">✘</td><td style=\"color:red;\">✘</td><td style=\"color:red;\">✘</td><td style=\"color:red;\">✘</td><td style=\"color:red;\">✘</td></tr><tr><td style=\"text-align:left;\"><h4>Restore a backup from other plugins</h4></td><td style=\"color:green;\"><b>✓</b></td><td style=\"color:red;\">✘</td><td style=\"color:red;\">✘</td><td style=\"color:red;\">✘</td><td style=\"color:red;\">✘</td><td style=\"color:red;\">✘</td></tr>\n</tbody>\n</table></div>\n </div> <!-- .et_pb_code -->\n </div> <!-- .et_pb_column -->\n \n \n </div> <!-- .et_pb_row -->\n \n \n </div> <!-- .et_pb_section -->\n<p>The post <a rel=\"nofollow\" href=\"https://updraftplus.com/udpvsbup-wordpress-backup-comparison/\">UpdraftPlus Vs BackupBuddy: WordPress backup plugins compared</a> appeared first on <a rel=\"nofollow\" href=\"https://updraftplus.com\">UpdraftPlus</a>. <a href=\"http://updraftplus.com\">UpdraftPlus - Backup, restore and migration plugin for WordPress.</a></p>\n\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:42:\"http://rssnamespace.org/feedburner/ext/1.0\";a:1:{s:8:\"origLink\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:61:\"https://updraftplus.com/udpvsbup-wordpress-backup-comparison/\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}}}i:7;a:6:{s:4:\"data\";s:72:\"\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"child\";a:4:{s:0:\"\";a:6:{s:5:\"title\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:68:\"How to set up additional retention rules for your UpdraftPlus backup\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"link\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:58:\"http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/UpdraftPlus/~3/3NFhjGJbaYA/\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:7:\"pubDate\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:31:\"Fri, 09 Jul 2021 15:24:54 +0000\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:8:\"category\";a:6:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:15:\"Tips and tricks\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:1;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:15:\"additional rule\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:2;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:6:\"Backup\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:3;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:9:\"retention\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:4;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:14:\"retention rule\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:5;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:11:\"UpdraftPlus\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"guid\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:34:\"https://updraftplus.com/?p=1172077\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:1:{s:0:\"\";a:1:{s:11:\"isPermaLink\";s:5:\"false\";}}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:11:\"description\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:753:\"<p>In this blog, we will show you how to add additional retention rules when backing up your WordPress sites with UpdraftPlus. By adding additional retention rules, all backups that are older than a certain date will be grouped together and … <a href=\"https://updraftplus.com/additional-updraftplus-retention-rules/\">Continue reading <span class=\"meta-nav\">→</span></a></p>\n<p>The post <a rel=\"nofollow\" href=\"https://updraftplus.com/additional-updraftplus-retention-rules/\">How to set up additional retention rules for your UpdraftPlus backup</a> appeared first on <a rel=\"nofollow\" href=\"https://updraftplus.com\">UpdraftPlus</a>. <a href=\"http://updraftplus.com\">UpdraftPlus - Backup, restore and migration plugin for WordPress.</a></p>\n\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:32:\"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/\";a:1:{s:7:\"creator\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:13:\"Wayne Mullins\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:40:\"http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/\";a:1:{s:7:\"encoded\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:4824:\"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In this blog, we will show you how to add additional retention rules when backing up your WordPress sites with UpdraftPlus. </span></p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"How to set up additional retention rules for your UpdraftPlus backup\" width=\"1080\" height=\"608\" src=\"https://www.youtube.com/embed/Z5vaHBCfCvw?feature=oembed\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen></iframe></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">By adding additional retention rules, all backups that are older than a certain date will be grouped together and pruned until there is only one backup for each time period. The additional retention rules run after the normal backup pruning, and are run in the order they were created. Additional retention rules also include automatic </span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">backups when evaluating which backups to prune.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">First, you will need to<a href=\"https://updraftplus.com/upgrade-from-free-to-updraftplus-premium/\"> install and activate</a> UpdraftPlus Premium or the ‘<a href=\"https://updraftplus.com/shop/fix-time/\">Backup time and scheduling</a>‘ add-on, via the Premium/Extensions tab. Full instructions on how to do so can be found in our<a href=\"https://updraftplus.com/support/installing-updraftplus-premium-your-add-on/\"> installation guide</a>.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To set it up, first go to: WP Admin->Settings->UpdraftPlus Backups->Settings tab</span></p>\n<p><a href=\"https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/New-Project-2021-07-09T141921.901.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-1172080\" src=\"https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/New-Project-2021-07-09T141921.901.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"992\" height=\"677\" srcset=\"https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/New-Project-2021-07-09T141921.901.jpg 992w, https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/New-Project-2021-07-09T141921.901-980x669.jpg 980w, https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/New-Project-2021-07-09T141921.901-480x328.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) and (max-width: 980px) 980px, (min-width: 981px) 992px, 100vw\" /></a></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Under the Files/Database backup schedule settings, find the ‘Add an additional retention rule’ link</span></p>\n<p><a href=\"https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/New-Project-2021-07-09T141813.780.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-1172081\" src=\"https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/New-Project-2021-07-09T141813.780.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"992\" height=\"677\" srcset=\"https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/New-Project-2021-07-09T141813.780.jpg 992w, https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/New-Project-2021-07-09T141813.780-980x669.jpg 980w, https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/New-Project-2021-07-09T141813.780-480x328.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) and (max-width: 980px) 980px, (min-width: 981px) 992px, 100vw\" /></a></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Set your additional retention rule/s and press the ‘Save Changes’ button at the bottom of the page.</span></p>\n<p><a href=\"https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/New-Project-2021-07-09T142042.766.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-1172079\" src=\"https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/New-Project-2021-07-09T142042.766.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"992\" height=\"677\" srcset=\"https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/New-Project-2021-07-09T142042.766.jpg 992w, https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/New-Project-2021-07-09T142042.766-980x669.jpg 980w, https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/New-Project-2021-07-09T142042.766-480x328.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) and (max-width: 980px) 980px, (min-width: 981px) 992px, 100vw\" /></a></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Set how old the backups to be considered should be and how many backups to keep. Once this is setup, all backups older than your selected time period will be grouped together and pruned, until there is only one backup for each time period.</span></p>\n<p> </p>\n<p>The post <a rel=\"nofollow\" href=\"https://updraftplus.com/additional-updraftplus-retention-rules/\">How to set up additional retention rules for your UpdraftPlus backup</a> appeared first on <a rel=\"nofollow\" href=\"https://updraftplus.com\">UpdraftPlus</a>. <a href=\"http://updraftplus.com\">UpdraftPlus - Backup, restore and migration plugin for WordPress.</a></p>\n\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:42:\"http://rssnamespace.org/feedburner/ext/1.0\";a:1:{s:8:\"origLink\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:63:\"https://updraftplus.com/additional-updraftplus-retention-rules/\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}}}i:8;a:6:{s:4:\"data\";s:75:\"\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"child\";a:4:{s:0:\"\";a:6:{s:5:\"title\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:48:\"The risks and pitfalls of WordPress auto-updates\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"link\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:58:\"http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/UpdraftPlus/~3/mzuE7ur8Svk/\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:7:\"pubDate\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:31:\"Fri, 25 Jun 2021 14:17:15 +0000\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:8:\"category\";a:7:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:20:\"Easy Updates Manager\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:1;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:20:\"Other WordPress news\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:2;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:28:\"easy updates manager premium\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:3;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:6:\"update\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:4;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:11:\"UpdraftPlus\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:5;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:18:\"updraftplus update\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:6;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:9:\"wordpress\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"guid\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:34:\"https://updraftplus.com/?p=1161126\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:1:{s:0:\"\";a:1:{s:11:\"isPermaLink\";s:5:\"false\";}}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:11:\"description\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:774:\"<p>When a new version of WordPress launched in August of 2020, something else came with it: a brand-spanking-new updates feature, along with the risks and pitfalls of WordPress auto-updates. This marked a step-up from previous WordPress releases, in which plugins … <a href=\"https://updraftplus.com/the-risks-and-pitfalls-of-wordpress-auto-updates/\">Continue reading <span class=\"meta-nav\">→</span></a></p>\n<p>The post <a rel=\"nofollow\" href=\"https://updraftplus.com/the-risks-and-pitfalls-of-wordpress-auto-updates/\">The risks and pitfalls of WordPress auto-updates</a> appeared first on <a rel=\"nofollow\" href=\"https://updraftplus.com\">UpdraftPlus</a>. <a href=\"http://updraftplus.com\">UpdraftPlus - Backup, restore and migration plugin for WordPress.</a></p>\n\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:32:\"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/\";a:1:{s:7:\"creator\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:14:\"Marjorie Hajim\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:40:\"http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/\";a:1:{s:7:\"encoded\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:11339:\"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When a new version of WordPress launched in August of 2020, something else came with it: a brand-spanking-new updates feature, along with the risks and pitfalls of WordPress auto-updates. </span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This marked a step-up from previous WordPress releases, in which plugins and themes could only be manually updated. When version 5.5 was released, WordPress users were able to enable auto-updates for any plugin or theme on their site. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sounds great, right? In many ways it was. But here’s the catch. Auto-updates aren’t always the best thing since sliced bread and are in fact known to cause a whole load of problems ranging from mildly inconvenient formatting issues, to the downright catastrophic total site failures. </span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you’ve been thinking about enabling auto-updates for your website, you’ve come to the right place. In this blog, we’ll be running you through some common risks and pitfalls and how to avoid them.</span></p>\n<p><a href=\"https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Untitled.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-1161134\" src=\"https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Untitled.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1006\" height=\"629\" srcset=\"https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Untitled-980x613.png 980w, https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Untitled-480x300.png 480w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) and (max-width: 980px) 980px, (min-width: 981px) 1006px, 100vw\" /></a></p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What is an auto-update?</span></h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Auto-updates are updates to plugins and themes that take place automatically without the site owner having to do anything manually via WordPress. Unlike manual updates, there’s no need to initiate the process or download new versions of your existing plugins and themes. In WordPress 5.5, site owners can choose whether or not to use the auto-update feature. For example, if your WordPress site is integrated with one of the many <a href=\"https://www.ringcentral.co.uk/gb/en/blog/definitions/cloud-management-platform/\">cloud management platforms</a> available, it will be automatically updated without you having to lift a finger. Each plugin and theme has its own ON/OFF option specifically for auto-updates.</span></p>\n<p> </p>\n<p><a href=\"https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Untitled-1.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-1161135\" src=\"https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Untitled-1.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"990\" height=\"661\" srcset=\"https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Untitled-1.png 990w, https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Untitled-1-980x654.png 980w, https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Untitled-1-480x320.png 480w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) and (max-width: 980px) 980px, (min-width: 981px) 990px, 100vw\" /></a></p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What are the risks?</span></h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Whatever kind of business you’re running – be it a small eCommerce store or a </span><a href=\"https://accelerateagency.ai/saas-marketing-agency\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">SaaS digital marketing</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> agency, before enabling auto-updates on your WordPress site, it’s important to be aware of all the ‘side-effects’ – both good and bad. Auto-updates are convenient, but there can be some big drawbacks. </span></p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Updates can cause technical issues</span></h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Updates have been known to sometimes cause problems on your website. This is more likely if you opt for comprehensive auto-updates across all plugins and themes. Updates will run in the background and you won’t even be aware of it most of the time. But sometimes updates cause technical issues or even ‘breaks’. Auto-updates can fail, especially when concurrent updates are happening simultaneously – with site functionality (e.g. </span><a href=\"https://vwo.com/blog/mobile-optimization-importance/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">mobile optimization</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">) more likely to go askew. </span></p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Updates can be hard to keep track of</span></h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If an update does mess up your site, you will need to know what caused it. Determining exactly what happened and when can be tricky. Especially if multiple updates all took place simultaneously. With selected automatic and manual updates, it can be easier to isolate the root issue and fix it. </span></p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Some major releases may be incompatible</span></h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sometimes auto-updates might include a major release. If a particular plugin (e.g. a plugin used to </span><a href=\"https://www.codemotion.com/magazine/dev-hub/cloud-manager/how-to-monitor-cloud-metrics-for-scaling/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">monitor cloud metrics</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">) releases an update with a larger than normal installation base, it could cause problems. If you have auto-update enabled, you won’t have any control over whether or not you wish to deploy those changes. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">WordPress does not use a ‘Canary update’ testing process. Canary updates roll out code to test sites before official release. Without this, there’s no telling what a new update will do. Likewise with smaller plugins, top-notch quality assurance is not guaranteed. By enabling auto-updates you’re essentially handing over control to unknown quality assurance teams. </span></p>\n<p><a href=\"https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Untitled-2.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-1161136\" src=\"https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Untitled-2.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"360\" srcset=\"https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Untitled-2.png 800w, https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Untitled-2-480x216.png 480w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) 800px, 100vw\" /></a></p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The best way to run WordPress updates</span></h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are safer ways to enjoy the benefits that automatic updates bring. Just proceed with caution. Now that you’re aware of some of those common issues, you can enjoy auto-updates without worrying too much about the consequences. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With all the potential issues your site can be faced when updating your plugins and theme, it is vitally important to have a secure and recent backup of your site. There are tons of <a href=\"https://www.ringcentral.co.uk/gb/en/blog/definitions/anything-as-a-service-xaas/\">XaaS</a> tools available today and having a backup with </span><a href=\"http://updraftplus.com\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">UpdraftPlus</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> can help save you. Even if you take all the necessary precautions, it is still possible to fall victim to a bad update and have your site die on you. </span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Backing up your site with UpdraftPlus can be done in just a few minutes. Just download UpdraftPlus, follow these </span><a href=\"https://updraftplus.com/how-to-backup-a-wordpress-site-step-by-step-guide/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">simple instructions</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and you won’t have to worry about an update permanently taking down your site again. There are still risks however – e</span>ven if you take all the precautions necessary, a bad update can sometimes stop you from even logging into your site. In this scenario, restoring it to it’s former working version will be a complicated and difficult process. UpdraftPlus allows you to test your updates on a clone of your site using <a href=\"https://updraftplus.com/updraftclone/\">UpdraftClone</a>. UpdraftClone allows you to clone your site instantly and directly from UpdraftPlus, which can further reduce any danger to your main site by allowing you to test updates in a secure and risk-free environment.</p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">UpdraftPlus Premium also has an auto-backup feature that creates a backup for you, before any updates to plugins and themes are performed. While the latest update of WordPress can update your plugins automatically, we recommend that you turn off auto-updates for all/selected plugins and use </span><a href=\"https://easyupdatesmanager.com/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Easy Updates Manager</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> instead. Easy Updates Manager currently helps more than 300,000 WordPress users automatically keep their sites up to date and bug-free. It’s also highly customizable to give you real control over what updates to run.</span></p>\n<div id=\"attachment_1161137\" style=\"width: 977px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/New-Project-2021-06-25T135451.001.jpg\"><img aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1161137\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-image-1161137\" src=\"https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/New-Project-2021-06-25T135451.001.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"967\" height=\"624\" /></a><p id=\"caption-attachment-1161137\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Easy Updates Manager in action</p></div>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Choose from manually update, disable update, enable auto updates, disable auto updates and choose per plugin/theme, so you always have full control over your site and what aspects are updated. </span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This offers a greater degree of control and limits unnecessary risk or disruption – disruption that could potentially derail a business in its infancy. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The potential business impact of an auto-update-related disruption could be catastrophic. If an automatic update interferes with your customer payment portal for example, the losses could be substantial for a well-established brand with high volume sales. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Use </span><a href=\"http://updaftplus.com\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">UpdraftPlus </span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">and </span><a href=\"https://easyupdatesmanager.com/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Easy Updates Manager</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> today for the best backup and auto update options. </span></p>\n<p><a href=\"https://www.ringcentral.co.uk/office/features/multi-level-auto-attendant/overview.html\"><b>Marjorie Hajim</b></a></p>\n<p>The post <a rel=\"nofollow\" href=\"https://updraftplus.com/the-risks-and-pitfalls-of-wordpress-auto-updates/\">The risks and pitfalls of WordPress auto-updates</a> appeared first on <a rel=\"nofollow\" href=\"https://updraftplus.com\">UpdraftPlus</a>. <a href=\"http://updraftplus.com\">UpdraftPlus - Backup, restore and migration plugin for WordPress.</a></p>\n\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:42:\"http://rssnamespace.org/feedburner/ext/1.0\";a:1:{s:8:\"origLink\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:73:\"https://updraftplus.com/the-risks-and-pitfalls-of-wordpress-auto-updates/\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}}}i:9;a:6:{s:4:\"data\";s:90:\"\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"child\";a:4:{s:0:\"\";a:6:{s:5:\"title\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:60:\"7 critical measures for protecting your WordPress admin area\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"link\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:58:\"http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/UpdraftPlus/~3/QYNvBAmmBSw/\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:7:\"pubDate\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:31:\"Fri, 04 Jun 2021 14:10:18 +0000\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:8:\"category\";a:12:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:8:\"Security\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:1;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:6:\"attack\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:2;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:6:\"Backup\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:3;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:4:\"hack\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:4;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:6:\"How to\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:5;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:7:\"protect\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:6;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:10:\"protecting\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:7;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:8:\"security\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:8;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:6:\"update\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:9;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:11:\"UpdraftPlus\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:10;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:7:\"website\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:11;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:9:\"wordpress\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"guid\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:34:\"https://updraftplus.com/?p=1144209\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:1:{s:0:\"\";a:1:{s:11:\"isPermaLink\";s:5:\"false\";}}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:11:\"description\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:777:\"<p>Content management system platforms like WordPress have successfully democratized website building in the current digital era, with what used to be a potentially expensive and tedious and difficult process, now becoming easier and more accessible for both inexperienced and experienced … <a href=\"https://updraftplus.com/protecting-wordpress-admin-area/\">Continue reading <span class=\"meta-nav\">→</span></a></p>\n<p>The post <a rel=\"nofollow\" href=\"https://updraftplus.com/protecting-wordpress-admin-area/\">7 critical measures for protecting your WordPress admin area</a> appeared first on <a rel=\"nofollow\" href=\"https://updraftplus.com\">UpdraftPlus</a>. <a href=\"http://updraftplus.com\">UpdraftPlus - Backup, restore and migration plugin for WordPress.</a></p>\n\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:32:\"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/\";a:1:{s:7:\"creator\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:10:\"John Allen\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:40:\"http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/\";a:1:{s:7:\"encoded\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:16390:\"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Content management system platforms like WordPress have successfully democratized website building in the current digital era, with what used to be a potentially expensive and tedious and difficult process, now becoming easier and more accessible for both inexperienced and experienced site owners. But how do you go about protecting your WordPress admin area?</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">However, the issues of security have remained challenging for many WordPress site owners. According to a report by WordPress security plugin</span><a href=\"https://wpmanageninja.com/wordpress-security-statistics/#:~:text=According%20to%20WordFence%2C%20there%20are,11%25%20are%20from%20WordPress%20Themes\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">WordFence</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, almost 90,000 security issues were reported every 60 seconds on WordPress websites in 2020.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This data is even more troubling when we take into account login-based WordPress sites like eCommerce platforms, where sensitive information such as banking and debit card details are shared daily.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you’re trying to</span><a href=\"https://www.bigcommerce.com/blog/build-an-ecommerce-website/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">build a website</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, using WordPress is a great idea, but you may be worried about the security of your WordPress admin area, especially given the sheer volume of cyber threats in the previous year. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you wish to reinforce your log-in mechanics, consider these seven simple measures to secure your admin area.</span></p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">1. Change your passwords often</span></h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Let’s start with the basics of WordPress admin and login security. It may seem like the simplest solution when it comes to your site’s security, but changing passwords is often overlooked as an effective security measure.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This cybersecurity approach is essential to any login-based online service and should be implemented across all types of sites, from streaming platforms like Netflix, to social media sites like Instagram, to </span><a href=\"https://www.ringcentral.com/group-meeting-apps.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">online group meeting</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> apps like RingCentral. When it comes to preventing admin-related issues, changing a password regularly is a popular cybersecurity tactic. </span></p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2. Keep your plugins updated</span></h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Let’s go back to that WordFence data we mentioned earlier. In one</span><a href=\"https://wpmanageninja.com/wordpress-security-statistics/#:~:text=According%20to%20WordFence%2C%20there%20are,11%25%20are%20from%20WordPress%20Themes\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">study</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> conducted by WordFence researchers, it was found that over half of WordPress cybersecurity issues (52%) were caused by plugins. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As such, he first step toward securing your WordPress site is investing in WordPress security plugins. Many of these track and record login attempts to analyze any possible admin area threats.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Additionally, it’s important to</span><a href=\"https://updraftplus.com/why-defunct-wordpress-plugins-pose-a-threat-how-to-secure-your-site/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">get rid of outdated WordPress plugins</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. These pose a threat to your site’s security since they stop updating, meaning their security measures end up being lacking. The safest course of action is to uninstall them, as disabling doesn’t get rid of the additional (and weak) code. Use </span><a href=\"https://updraftplus.com/updraftcentral/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">UpdraftCentral</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to efficiently manage, update and backup multiple website plugins, themes and backups from one place for sites on which UpdraftPlus is installed.</span></p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">3. Implement SSL login pages</span></h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">SSL stands for “</span><a href=\"https://updraftplus.com/how-to-increase-security-while-developing-a-wordpress-site/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">secure sockets layer</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">”. This security protocol is generally used on websites that store sensitive data, especially those that require authentication to log in. In essence, SSL measures activate a digital lock – technically, an HTTPS protocol – that guarantees a secure connection from the server to the browser.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Usually your run-of-the-mill hosting provider will include these measures in your subscription. If they do not, consider purchasing an SSL certificate and installing it on your WordPress server. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This is especially useful for eCommerce WordPress sites, which ask their clients to log in with a profile to automate the checkout process when paying via credit or debit card.</span></p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">4. Limit login attempts</span></h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Restricting the number of possible login attempts is one reliable</span><a href=\"https://www.cleverfiles.com/howto/cybersecurity-tips-to-protect-data.html\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">cybersecurity tip to protect data</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, especially if you’re looking to prevent potential brute force attacks. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These cybersecurity breaches are achieved by bombarding an admin platform with every conceivable combination of characters to form passwords, using a simple but effective cracking method of trial and error. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">By limiting login attempts, you can protect your users and your page from attacks of this nature.</span></p>\n<p><a href=\"https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/pasted-image-0.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-1144217 size-full\" src=\"https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/pasted-image-0.png\" alt=\"Limit login attempts WordPress security image\" width=\"1051\" height=\"701\" srcset=\"https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/pasted-image-0.png 1051w, https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/pasted-image-0-980x654.png 980w, https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/pasted-image-0-480x320.png 480w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) and (max-width: 980px) 980px, (min-width: 981px) 1051px, 100vw\" /></a></p>\n<p><a href=\"https://unsplash.com/photos/6pflEeSzGUo\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Image Source</span></a></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">However, when it comes to WordPress admin security issues, it’s important to note that not every hazardous log-in attempt comes from criminals looking to steal data. Sometimes, admin platforms are subjected to non-malicious intrusions performed by users. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you’re running a WordPress site that provides user registration, there’s a chance that your users – or yourself – will get locked out of their account by accident. Forgetting your password has happened to everyone at some point after all.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The best way to separate malware attacks and non-malicious intrusions is to implement a network intrusion detection system that can track, record, and analyze potential login or admin issues, without interfering with the traffic it monitors. This way, you can ensure you’re not punishing forgetful users, but are keeping them protected nonetheless.</span></p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">5. Use two-factor authentication</span></h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Two-factor authentication is a security protocol that enforces an additional check on users looking to gain access to WordPress sites. This protection method adds an extra layer of security to passwords by asking for a unique one-use-only code that’s sent to your smartphone.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These apps and plugins are installed on your smart device and will send the codes so you can access your WordPress login screen. This approach is seen as a more secure way of changing your passwords regularly and is particularly recommended for eCommerce sites.</span></p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">6. Implement IAM solutions</span></h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Identity and access management (IAM) software solutions are used to limit the number of remote users accessing online platforms via admin areas and login accounts. In the digital era, the IAM market has grown rapidly and the current list of</span><a href=\"https://www.esecurityplanet.com/products/best-iam-software/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">IAM solutions</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> available can overwhelm newcomers and inexperienced WordPress site owners alike.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There’s a basic list of points to follow to make the most of your IAM service, regardless of which IAM option you choose. Here’s a shortlist of what to do before you commit to a particular provider:</span></p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Access the IT architecture.</span></li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Look for any possible incompatibilities between the OS, third-party application or plugins, and the IAM tool.</span></li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Verify that your IAM system is compliant with guidelines and laws in your industry, market, and country.</span></li>\n</ul>\n<p><a href=\"https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/pasted-image-0-1.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-1144218 size-full\" src=\"https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/pasted-image-0-1.png\" alt=\"Security WordPress image\" width=\"960\" height=\"640\" srcset=\"https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/pasted-image-0-1.png 960w, https://updraftplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/pasted-image-0-1-480x320.png 480w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) 960px, 100vw\" /></a></p>\n<p><a href=\"https://pixabay.com/es/photos/seguridad-protecci%C3%B3n-antivirus-265130/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Image Source</span></a></p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">7. Have a backup</span></h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The sad truth is, some things are unavoidable. It may be difficult to read, but there’s a chance that even if you do everything right, hackers will still be able to gain access to and attack your admin area. If that happens, it’s important to have a plan of action ready.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Imagine the worst-case scenario: your site has been attacked and hacked. There are no more prevention measures to implement. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">First things first, remember not to panic. Work to identify the problem and react accordingly. The best way to know if you’ve fallen victim to a cybersecurity breach is to look for possible signs of a hacking attack: </span></p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You’re unable to log in.</span></li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your site is redirecting elsewhere.</span></li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your content has disappeared or there is new strange content and links.</span></li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your site is running slower than usual.</span></li>\n</ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Once you’ve identified the problem, the fastest way to fix any possible issues is to</span><a href=\"https://updraftplus.com/how-restoring-a-wordpress-website-can-be-more-difficult-than-you-think/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">restore your WordPress website</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> using UpdraftPlus. This will allow you to undo any hazardous changes and get back to normal as quickly as possible. To do so, you must have an older version of your site as a backup somewhere secure – such as a cloud storage platform.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As you may be aware, having your data backed up is one of the most essential things to do in terms of cybersecurity. If you want to keep a record of past versions of your site separate from your site,</span><a href=\"https://updraftplus.com/shop/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> cloud-storage solutions</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> offer safe and secure backups that can help you relaunch your site in just minutes after an attack.</span></p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Summary</span></h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Now you have read seven effective security tips for your WordPress admin area, let’s reiterate what we’ve learned so far:</span></p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Change your passwords often.</span></li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Install login security plugins (and uninstall old or obsolete plugins).</span></li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Implement SSL encryption-based protocols.</span></li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Combat brute force attacks by limiting login attempts.</span></li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Use additional one-use-only passwords and codes by adding 2FA.</span></li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Limit your log-in possibilities with IAM software solutions.</span></li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Have a contingency plan to fight security breaches, malware, and ransomware viruses.</span></li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Keep a backup version of your site and use it during cybersecurity emergencies.</span></li>\n</ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you follow these measures, your WordPress site should be protected from any attacks and ready to combat and react to any issues, should the worst happen. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What are you waiting for? Go out there and turn your WordPress page into an online fortress using </span><a href=\"https://updraftplus.com/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">UpdraftPlus</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and </span><a href=\"https://updraftplus.com/updraftcentral/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">UpdraftCentral</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> today!</span></p>\n<p><a href=\"https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnlallen/\">John Allen</a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> has written for websites such as </span><a href=\"https://slack-redir.net/link?url=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.hubspot.com%2Fservice%2Fsms-customer-support\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hubspot</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and </span><a href=\"https://slack-redir.net/link?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcollaboration.toolbox.com%2Fguest-article%2Fwhy-sdn-unified-communications-is-a-perfect-match-for-workplace-digitalization\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Toolbox</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.</span></p>\n<p>The post <a rel=\"nofollow\" href=\"https://updraftplus.com/protecting-wordpress-admin-area/\">7 critical measures for protecting your WordPress admin area</a> appeared first on <a rel=\"nofollow\" href=\"https://updraftplus.com\">UpdraftPlus</a>. <a href=\"http://updraftplus.com\">UpdraftPlus - Backup, restore and migration plugin for WordPress.</a></p>\n\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:42:\"http://rssnamespace.org/feedburner/ext/1.0\";a:1:{s:8:\"origLink\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:56:\"https://updraftplus.com/protecting-wordpress-admin-area/\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}}}}}s:44:\"http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/syndication/\";a:2:{s:12:\"updatePeriod\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:9:\"\n hourly \";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:15:\"updateFrequency\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:4:\"\n 1 \";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:27:\"http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom\";a:1:{s:4:\"link\";a:2:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:0:\"\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:1:{s:0:\"\";a:3:{s:3:\"rel\";s:4:\"self\";s:4:\"type\";s:19:\"application/rss+xml\";s:4:\"href\";s:39:\"http://feeds.feedburner.com/UpdraftPlus\";}}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:1;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:0:\"\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:1:{s:0:\"\";a:2:{s:3:\"rel\";s:3:\"hub\";s:4:\"href\";s:32:\"http://pubsubhubbub.appspot.com/\";}}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:42:\"http://rssnamespace.org/feedburner/ext/1.0\";a:1:{s:4:\"info\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:0:\"\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:1:{s:0:\"\";a:1:{s:3:\"uri\";s:11:\"updraftplus\";}}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}}}}}}}}}}s:4:\"type\";i:128;s:7:\"headers\";O:42:\"Requests_Utility_CaseInsensitiveDictionary\":1:{s:7:\"\0*\0data\";a:10:{s:12:\"content-type\";s:23:\"text/xml; charset=UTF-8\";s:4:\"etag\";s:27:\"4tm7dZleqJ/MXiH+MPRfnwQZDPA\";s:13:\"last-modified\";s:29:\"Sun, 19 Sep 2021 06:19:21 GMT\";s:16:\"content-encoding\";s:4:\"gzip\";s:4:\"date\";s:29:\"Sun, 19 Sep 2021 08:04:50 GMT\";s:7:\"expires\";s:29:\"Sun, 19 Sep 2021 08:04:50 GMT\";s:13:\"cache-control\";s:18:\"private, max-age=0\";s:22:\"x-content-type-options\";s:7:\"nosniff\";s:16:\"x-xss-protection\";s:13:\"1; mode=block\";s:6:\"server\";s:3:\"GSE\";}}s:5:\"build\";s:14:\"20201213021516\";}','no'),(8442,'_transient_timeout_feed_mod_3a39ef5d0240c40133252ada9b3c6e81','1632081839','no'),(8443,'_transient_feed_mod_3a39ef5d0240c40133252ada9b3c6e81','1632038639','no'),(8444,'updraft_jobdata_6146ee4b0d77','a:5:{s:8:\"job_type\";s:8:\"download\";s:11:\"job_time_ms\";d:1632038737.996641;s:25:\"dlmessage_1632038475_db_0\";s:50:\"Remote fetch was successful (file size: 1922.2 KB)\";s:7:\"service\";a:1:{i:0;s:11:\"googledrive\";}s:22:\"dlfile_1632038475_db_0\";s:122:\"downloaded:1968356:/home/lawreview/public_html/wp-content/updraft/backup_2021-09-19-1601_UST_Law_Review_55355ff934c4-db.gz\";}','no'),(8445,'updraft_jobdata_6146ee4b063d','a:5:{s:8:\"job_type\";s:8:\"download\";s:11:\"job_time_ms\";d:1632038741.018521;s:30:\"dlmessage_1632038475_plugins_0\";s:51:\"Remote fetch was successful (file size: 45237.7 KB)\";s:7:\"service\";a:1:{i:0;s:11:\"googledrive\";}s:27:\"dlfile_1632038475_plugins_0\";s:129:\"downloaded:46323434:/home/lawreview/public_html/wp-content/updraft/backup_2021-09-19-1601_UST_Law_Review_55355ff934c4-plugins.zip\";}','no'),(8446,'_site_transient_timeout_available_translations','1632049743','no'),(8447,'_site_transient_available_translations','a:126:{s:2:\"af\";a:8:{s:8:\"language\";s:2:\"af\";s:7:\"version\";s:8:\"5.8-beta\";s:7:\"updated\";s:19:\"2021-05-13 15:59:22\";s:12:\"english_name\";s:9:\"Afrikaans\";s:11:\"native_name\";s:9:\"Afrikaans\";s:7:\"package\";s:64:\"https://downloads.wordpress.org/translation/core/5.8-beta/af.zip\";s:3:\"iso\";a:2:{i:1;s:2:\"af\";i:2;s:3:\"afr\";}s:7:\"strings\";a:1:{s:8:\"continue\";s:10:\"Gaan voort\";}}s:2:\"ar\";a:8:{s:8:\"language\";s:2:\"ar\";s:7:\"version\";s:3:\"5.8\";s:7:\"updated\";s:19:\"2021-09-05 07:54:44\";s:12:\"english_name\";s:6:\"Arabic\";s:11:\"native_name\";s:14:\"العربية\";s:7:\"package\";s:59:\"https://downloads.wordpress.org/translation/core/5.8/ar.zip\";s:3:\"iso\";a:2:{i:1;s:2:\"ar\";i:2;s:3:\"ara\";}s:7:\"strings\";a:1:{s:8:\"continue\";s:16:\"المتابعة\";}}s:3:\"ary\";a:8:{s:8:\"language\";s:3:\"ary\";s:7:\"version\";s:6:\"4.8.17\";s:7:\"updated\";s:19:\"2017-01-26 15:42:35\";s:12:\"english_name\";s:15:\"Moroccan Arabic\";s:11:\"native_name\";s:31:\"العربية المغربية\";s:7:\"package\";s:63:\"https://downloads.wordpress.org/translation/core/4.8.17/ary.zip\";s:3:\"iso\";a:2:{i:1;s:2:\"ar\";i:3;s:3:\"ary\";}s:7:\"strings\";a:1:{s:8:\"continue\";s:16:\"المتابعة\";}}s:2:\"as\";a:8:{s:8:\"language\";s:2:\"as\";s:7:\"version\";s:3:\"5.8\";s:7:\"updated\";s:19:\"2021-09-08 17:57:56\";s:12:\"english_name\";s:8:\"Assamese\";s:11:\"native_name\";s:21:\"অসমীয়া\";s:7:\"package\";s:59:\"https://downloads.wordpress.org/translation/core/5.8/as.zip\";s:3:\"iso\";a:3:{i:1;s:2:\"as\";i:2;s:3:\"asm\";i:3;s:3:\"asm\";}s:7:\"strings\";a:1:{s:8:\"continue\";s:8:\"Continue\";}}s:2:\"az\";a:8:{s:8:\"language\";s:2:\"az\";s:7:\"version\";s:5:\"4.7.2\";s:7:\"updated\";s:19:\"2016-11-06 00:09:27\";s:12:\"english_name\";s:11:\"Azerbaijani\";s:11:\"native_name\";s:16:\"Azərbaycan dili\";s:7:\"package\";s:61:\"https://downloads.wordpress.org/translation/core/4.7.2/az.zip\";s:3:\"iso\";a:2:{i:1;s:2:\"az\";i:2;s:3:\"aze\";}s:7:\"strings\";a:1:{s:8:\"continue\";s:5:\"Davam\";}}s:3:\"azb\";a:8:{s:8:\"language\";s:3:\"azb\";s:7:\"version\";s:5:\"4.7.2\";s:7:\"updated\";s:19:\"2016-09-12 20:34:31\";s:12:\"english_name\";s:17:\"South Azerbaijani\";s:11:\"native_name\";s:29:\"گؤنئی آذربایجان\";s:7:\"package\";s:62:\"https://downloads.wordpress.org/translation/core/4.7.2/azb.zip\";s:3:\"iso\";a:2:{i:1;s:2:\"az\";i:3;s:3:\"azb\";}s:7:\"strings\";a:1:{s:8:\"continue\";s:8:\"Continue\";}}s:3:\"bel\";a:8:{s:8:\"language\";s:3:\"bel\";s:7:\"version\";s:6:\"4.9.18\";s:7:\"updated\";s:19:\"2019-10-29 07:54:22\";s:12:\"english_name\";s:10:\"Belarusian\";s:11:\"native_name\";s:29:\"Беларуская мова\";s:7:\"package\";s:63:\"https://downloads.wordpress.org/translation/core/4.9.18/bel.zip\";s:3:\"iso\";a:2:{i:1;s:2:\"be\";i:2;s:3:\"bel\";}s:7:\"strings\";a:1:{s:8:\"continue\";s:20:\"Працягнуць\";}}s:5:\"bg_BG\";a:8:{s:8:\"language\";s:5:\"bg_BG\";s:7:\"version\";s:3:\"5.8\";s:7:\"updated\";s:19:\"2021-08-12 18:39:12\";s:12:\"english_name\";s:9:\"Bulgarian\";s:11:\"native_name\";s:18:\"Български\";s:7:\"package\";s:62:\"https://downloads.wordpress.org/translation/core/5.8/bg_BG.zip\";s:3:\"iso\";a:2:{i:1;s:2:\"bg\";i:2;s:3:\"bul\";}s:7:\"strings\";a:1:{s:8:\"continue\";s:22:\"Продължение\";}}s:5:\"bn_BD\";a:8:{s:8:\"language\";s:5:\"bn_BD\";s:7:\"version\";s:5:\"5.4.7\";s:7:\"updated\";s:19:\"2020-10-31 08:48:37\";s:12:\"english_name\";s:20:\"Bengali (Bangladesh)\";s:11:\"native_name\";s:15:\"বাংলা\";s:7:\"package\";s:64:\"https://downloads.wordpress.org/translation/core/5.4.7/bn_BD.zip\";s:3:\"iso\";a:1:{i:1;s:2:\"bn\";}s:7:\"strings\";a:1:{s:8:\"continue\";s:23:\"এগিয়ে চল.\";}}s:2:\"bo\";a:8:{s:8:\"language\";s:2:\"bo\";s:7:\"version\";s:8:\"5.8-beta\";s:7:\"updated\";s:19:\"2020-10-30 03:24:38\";s:12:\"english_name\";s:7:\"Tibetan\";s:11:\"native_name\";s:21:\"བོད་ཡིག\";s:7:\"package\";s:64:\"https://downloads.wordpress.org/translation/core/5.8-beta/bo.zip\";s:3:\"iso\";a:2:{i:1;s:2:\"bo\";i:2;s:3:\"tib\";}s:7:\"strings\";a:1:{s:8:\"continue\";s:24:\"མུ་མཐུད།\";}}s:5:\"bs_BA\";a:8:{s:8:\"language\";s:5:\"bs_BA\";s:7:\"version\";s:8:\"5.8-beta\";s:7:\"updated\";s:19:\"2021-04-25 07:27:37\";s:12:\"english_name\";s:7:\"Bosnian\";s:11:\"native_name\";s:8:\"Bosanski\";s:7:\"package\";s:67:\"https://downloads.wordpress.org/translation/core/5.8-beta/bs_BA.zip\";s:3:\"iso\";a:2:{i:1;s:2:\"bs\";i:2;s:3:\"bos\";}s:7:\"strings\";a:1:{s:8:\"continue\";s:7:\"Nastavi\";}}s:2:\"ca\";a:8:{s:8:\"language\";s:2:\"ca\";s:7:\"version\";s:3:\"5.8\";s:7:\"updated\";s:19:\"2021-09-01 05:24:50\";s:12:\"english_name\";s:7:\"Catalan\";s:11:\"native_name\";s:7:\"Català\";s:7:\"package\";s:59:\"https://downloads.wordpress.org/translation/core/5.8/ca.zip\";s:3:\"iso\";a:2:{i:1;s:2:\"ca\";i:2;s:3:\"cat\";}s:7:\"strings\";a:1:{s:8:\"continue\";s:8:\"Continua\";}}s:3:\"ceb\";a:8:{s:8:\"language\";s:3:\"ceb\";s:7:\"version\";s:5:\"4.7.2\";s:7:\"updated\";s:19:\"2016-03-02 17:25:51\";s:12:\"english_name\";s:7:\"Cebuano\";s:11:\"native_name\";s:7:\"Cebuano\";s:7:\"package\";s:62:\"https://downloads.wordpress.org/translation/core/4.7.2/ceb.zip\";s:3:\"iso\";a:2:{i:2;s:3:\"ceb\";i:3;s:3:\"ceb\";}s:7:\"strings\";a:1:{s:8:\"continue\";s:7:\"Padayun\";}}s:5:\"cs_CZ\";a:8:{s:8:\"language\";s:5:\"cs_CZ\";s:7:\"version\";s:3:\"5.8\";s:7:\"updated\";s:19:\"2021-08-29 19:09:14\";s:12:\"english_name\";s:5:\"Czech\";s:11:\"native_name\";s:9:\"Čeština\";s:7:\"package\";s:62:\"https://downloads.wordpress.org/translation/core/5.8/cs_CZ.zip\";s:3:\"iso\";a:2:{i:1;s:2:\"cs\";i:2;s:3:\"ces\";}s:7:\"strings\";a:1:{s:8:\"continue\";s:11:\"Pokračovat\";}}s:2:\"cy\";a:8:{s:8:\"language\";s:2:\"cy\";s:7:\"version\";s:3:\"5.8\";s:7:\"updated\";s:19:\"2021-09-06 13:31:37\";s:12:\"english_name\";s:5:\"Welsh\";s:11:\"native_name\";s:7:\"Cymraeg\";s:7:\"package\";s:59:\"https://downloads.wordpress.org/translation/core/5.8/cy.zip\";s:3:\"iso\";a:2:{i:1;s:2:\"cy\";i:2;s:3:\"cym\";}s:7:\"strings\";a:1:{s:8:\"continue\";s:6:\"Parhau\";}}s:5:\"da_DK\";a:8:{s:8:\"language\";s:5:\"da_DK\";s:7:\"version\";s:3:\"5.8\";s:7:\"updated\";s:19:\"2021-08-19 22:07:46\";s:12:\"english_name\";s:6:\"Danish\";s:11:\"native_name\";s:5:\"Dansk\";s:7:\"package\";s:62:\"https://downloads.wordpress.org/translation/core/5.8/da_DK.zip\";s:3:\"iso\";a:2:{i:1;s:2:\"da\";i:2;s:3:\"dan\";}s:7:\"strings\";a:1:{s:8:\"continue\";s:12:\"Fortsæt\";}}s:14:\"de_CH_informal\";a:8:{s:8:\"language\";s:14:\"de_CH_informal\";s:7:\"version\";s:3:\"5.8\";s:7:\"updated\";s:19:\"2021-07-22 10:24:47\";s:12:\"english_name\";s:30:\"German (Switzerland, Informal)\";s:11:\"native_name\";s:21:\"Deutsch (Schweiz, Du)\";s:7:\"package\";s:71:\"https://downloads.wordpress.org/translation/core/5.8/de_CH_informal.zip\";s:3:\"iso\";a:1:{i:1;s:2:\"de\";}s:7:\"strings\";a:1:{s:8:\"continue\";s:6:\"Weiter\";}}s:5:\"de_CH\";a:8:{s:8:\"language\";s:5:\"de_CH\";s:7:\"version\";s:3:\"5.8\";s:7:\"updated\";s:19:\"2021-07-22 10:24:20\";s:12:\"english_name\";s:20:\"German (Switzerland)\";s:11:\"native_name\";s:17:\"Deutsch (Schweiz)\";s:7:\"package\";s:62:\"https://downloads.wordpress.org/translation/core/5.8/de_CH.zip\";s:3:\"iso\";a:1:{i:1;s:2:\"de\";}s:7:\"strings\";a:1:{s:8:\"continue\";s:10:\"Fortfahren\";}}s:5:\"de_DE\";a:8:{s:8:\"language\";s:5:\"de_DE\";s:7:\"version\";s:3:\"5.8\";s:7:\"updated\";s:19:\"2021-09-01 22:19:30\";s:12:\"english_name\";s:6:\"German\";s:11:\"native_name\";s:7:\"Deutsch\";s:7:\"package\";s:62:\"https://downloads.wordpress.org/translation/core/5.8/de_DE.zip\";s:3:\"iso\";a:1:{i:1;s:2:\"de\";}s:7:\"strings\";a:1:{s:8:\"continue\";s:10:\"Fortfahren\";}}s:5:\"de_AT\";a:8:{s:8:\"language\";s:5:\"de_AT\";s:7:\"version\";s:3:\"5.8\";s:7:\"updated\";s:19:\"2021-07-10 12:19:50\";s:12:\"english_name\";s:16:\"German (Austria)\";s:11:\"native_name\";s:21:\"Deutsch (Österreich)\";s:7:\"package\";s:62:\"https://downloads.wordpress.org/translation/core/5.8/de_AT.zip\";s:3:\"iso\";a:1:{i:1;s:2:\"de\";}s:7:\"strings\";a:1:{s:8:\"continue\";s:6:\"Weiter\";}}s:12:\"de_DE_formal\";a:8:{s:8:\"language\";s:12:\"de_DE_formal\";s:7:\"version\";s:3:\"5.8\";s:7:\"updated\";s:19:\"2021-09-01 22:20:04\";s:12:\"english_name\";s:15:\"German (Formal)\";s:11:\"native_name\";s:13:\"Deutsch (Sie)\";s:7:\"package\";s:69:\"https://downloads.wordpress.org/translation/core/5.8/de_DE_formal.zip\";s:3:\"iso\";a:1:{i:1;s:2:\"de\";}s:7:\"strings\";a:1:{s:8:\"continue\";s:10:\"Fortfahren\";}}s:3:\"dsb\";a:8:{s:8:\"language\";s:3:\"dsb\";s:7:\"version\";s:3:\"5.8\";s:7:\"updated\";s:19:\"2021-09-02 11:17:46\";s:12:\"english_name\";s:13:\"Lower Sorbian\";s:11:\"native_name\";s:16:\"Dolnoserbšćina\";s:7:\"package\";s:60:\"https://downloads.wordpress.org/translation/core/5.8/dsb.zip\";s:3:\"iso\";a:2:{i:2;s:3:\"dsb\";i:3;s:3:\"dsb\";}s:7:\"strings\";a:1:{s:8:\"continue\";s:5:\"Dalej\";}}s:3:\"dzo\";a:8:{s:8:\"language\";s:3:\"dzo\";s:7:\"version\";s:5:\"4.7.2\";s:7:\"updated\";s:19:\"2016-06-29 08:59:03\";s:12:\"english_name\";s:8:\"Dzongkha\";s:11:\"native_name\";s:18:\"རྫོང་ཁ\";s:7:\"package\";s:62:\"https://downloads.wordpress.org/translation/core/4.7.2/dzo.zip\";s:3:\"iso\";a:2:{i:1;s:2:\"dz\";i:2;s:3:\"dzo\";}s:7:\"strings\";a:1:{s:8:\"continue\";s:8:\"Continue\";}}s:2:\"el\";a:8:{s:8:\"language\";s:2:\"el\";s:7:\"version\";s:3:\"5.8\";s:7:\"updated\";s:19:\"2021-09-02 04:36:23\";s:12:\"english_name\";s:5:\"Greek\";s:11:\"native_name\";s:16:\"Ελληνικά\";s:7:\"package\";s:59:\"https://downloads.wordpress.org/translation/core/5.8/el.zip\";s:3:\"iso\";a:2:{i:1;s:2:\"el\";i:2;s:3:\"ell\";}s:7:\"strings\";a:1:{s:8:\"continue\";s:16:\"Συνέχεια\";}}s:5:\"en_CA\";a:8:{s:8:\"language\";s:5:\"en_CA\";s:7:\"version\";s:3:\"5.8\";s:7:\"updated\";s:19:\"2021-08-03 20:56:24\";s:12:\"english_name\";s:16:\"English (Canada)\";s:11:\"native_name\";s:16:\"English (Canada)\";s:7:\"package\";s:62:\"https://downloads.wordpress.org/translation/core/5.8/en_CA.zip\";s:3:\"iso\";a:3:{i:1;s:2:\"en\";i:2;s:3:\"eng\";i:3;s:3:\"eng\";}s:7:\"strings\";a:1:{s:8:\"continue\";s:8:\"Continue\";}}s:5:\"en_ZA\";a:8:{s:8:\"language\";s:5:\"en_ZA\";s:7:\"version\";s:3:\"5.8\";s:7:\"updated\";s:19:\"2021-09-03 10:52:30\";s:12:\"english_name\";s:22:\"English (South Africa)\";s:11:\"native_name\";s:22:\"English (South Africa)\";s:7:\"package\";s:62:\"https://downloads.wordpress.org/translation/core/5.8/en_ZA.zip\";s:3:\"iso\";a:3:{i:1;s:2:\"en\";i:2;s:3:\"eng\";i:3;s:3:\"eng\";}s:7:\"strings\";a:1:{s:8:\"continue\";s:8:\"Continue\";}}s:5:\"en_NZ\";a:8:{s:8:\"language\";s:5:\"en_NZ\";s:7:\"version\";s:8:\"5.8-beta\";s:7:\"updated\";s:19:\"2021-04-15 04:12:28\";s:12:\"english_name\";s:21:\"English (New Zealand)\";s:11:\"native_name\";s:21:\"English (New Zealand)\";s:7:\"package\";s:67:\"https://downloads.wordpress.org/translation/core/5.8-beta/en_NZ.zip\";s:3:\"iso\";a:3:{i:1;s:2:\"en\";i:2;s:3:\"eng\";i:3;s:3:\"eng\";}s:7:\"strings\";a:1:{s:8:\"continue\";s:8:\"Continue\";}}s:5:\"en_AU\";a:8:{s:8:\"language\";s:5:\"en_AU\";s:7:\"version\";s:3:\"5.8\";s:7:\"updated\";s:19:\"2021-07-20 07:45:43\";s:12:\"english_name\";s:19:\"English (Australia)\";s:11:\"native_name\";s:19:\"English (Australia)\";s:7:\"package\";s:62:\"https://downloads.wordpress.org/translation/core/5.8/en_AU.zip\";s:3:\"iso\";a:3:{i:1;s:2:\"en\";i:2;s:3:\"eng\";i:3;s:3:\"eng\";}s:7:\"strings\";a:1:{s:8:\"continue\";s:8:\"Continue\";}}s:5:\"en_GB\";a:8:{s:8:\"language\";s:5:\"en_GB\";s:7:\"version\";s:3:\"5.8\";s:7:\"updated\";s:19:\"2021-09-01 21:02:00\";s:12:\"english_name\";s:12:\"English (UK)\";s:11:\"native_name\";s:12:\"English (UK)\";s:7:\"package\";s:62:\"https://downloads.wordpress.org/translation/core/5.8/en_GB.zip\";s:3:\"iso\";a:3:{i:1;s:2:\"en\";i:2;s:3:\"eng\";i:3;s:3:\"eng\";}s:7:\"strings\";a:1:{s:8:\"continue\";s:8:\"Continue\";}}s:2:\"eo\";a:8:{s:8:\"language\";s:2:\"eo\";s:7:\"version\";s:8:\"5.8-beta\";s:7:\"updated\";s:19:\"2021-04-18 09:35:35\";s:12:\"english_name\";s:9:\"Esperanto\";s:11:\"native_name\";s:9:\"Esperanto\";s:7:\"package\";s:64:\"https://downloads.wordpress.org/translation/core/5.8-beta/eo.zip\";s:3:\"iso\";a:2:{i:1;s:2:\"eo\";i:2;s:3:\"epo\";}s:7:\"strings\";a:1:{s:8:\"continue\";s:8:\"Daŭrigi\";}}s:5:\"es_CR\";a:8:{s:8:\"language\";s:5:\"es_CR\";s:7:\"version\";s:3:\"5.8\";s:7:\"updated\";s:19:\"2021-07-30 00:35:05\";s:12:\"english_name\";s:20:\"Spanish (Costa Rica)\";s:11:\"native_name\";s:22:\"Español de Costa Rica\";s:7:\"package\";s:62:\"https://downloads.wordpress.org/translation/core/5.8/es_CR.zip\";s:3:\"iso\";a:3:{i:1;s:2:\"es\";i:2;s:3:\"spa\";i:3;s:3:\"spa\";}s:7:\"strings\";a:1:{s:8:\"continue\";s:9:\"Continuar\";}}s:5:\"es_EC\";a:8:{s:8:\"language\";s:5:\"es_EC\";s:7:\"version\";s:3:\"5.8\";s:7:\"updated\";s:19:\"2021-09-02 02:19:31\";s:12:\"english_name\";s:17:\"Spanish (Ecuador)\";s:11:\"native_name\";s:19:\"Español de Ecuador\";s:7:\"package\";s:62:\"https://downloads.wordpress.org/translation/core/5.8/es_EC.zip\";s:3:\"iso\";a:3:{i:1;s:2:\"es\";i:2;s:3:\"spa\";i:3;s:3:\"spa\";}s:7:\"strings\";a:1:{s:8:\"continue\";s:9:\"Continuar\";}}s:5:\"es_VE\";a:8:{s:8:\"language\";s:5:\"es_VE\";s:7:\"version\";s:3:\"5.8\";s:7:\"updated\";s:19:\"2021-09-02 02:19:00\";s:12:\"english_name\";s:19:\"Spanish (Venezuela)\";s:11:\"native_name\";s:21:\"Español de Venezuela\";s:7:\"package\";s:62:\"https://downloads.wordpress.org/translation/core/5.8/es_VE.zip\";s:3:\"iso\";a:3:{i:1;s:2:\"es\";i:2;s:3:\"spa\";i:3;s:3:\"spa\";}s:7:\"strings\";a:1:{s:8:\"continue\";s:9:\"Continuar\";}}s:5:\"es_ES\";a:8:{s:8:\"language\";s:5:\"es_ES\";s:7:\"version\";s:3:\"5.8\";s:7:\"updated\";s:19:\"2021-09-02 02:18:40\";s:12:\"english_name\";s:15:\"Spanish (Spain)\";s:11:\"native_name\";s:8:\"Español\";s:7:\"package\";s:62:\"https://downloads.wordpress.org/translation/core/5.8/es_ES.zip\";s:3:\"iso\";a:3:{i:1;s:2:\"es\";i:2;s:3:\"spa\";i:3;s:3:\"spa\";}s:7:\"strings\";a:1:{s:8:\"continue\";s:9:\"Continuar\";}}s:5:\"es_MX\";a:8:{s:8:\"language\";s:5:\"es_MX\";s:7:\"version\";s:3:\"5.8\";s:7:\"updated\";s:19:\"2021-09-02 13:13:00\";s:12:\"english_name\";s:16:\"Spanish (Mexico)\";s:11:\"native_name\";s:19:\"Español de México\";s:7:\"package\";s:62:\"https://downloads.wordpress.org/translation/core/5.8/es_MX.zip\";s:3:\"iso\";a:3:{i:1;s:2:\"es\";i:2;s:3:\"spa\";i:3;s:3:\"spa\";}s:7:\"strings\";a:1:{s:8:\"continue\";s:9:\"Continuar\";}}s:5:\"es_AR\";a:8:{s:8:\"language\";s:5:\"es_AR\";s:7:\"version\";s:3:\"5.8\";s:7:\"updated\";s:19:\"2021-09-02 20:42:17\";s:12:\"english_name\";s:19:\"Spanish (Argentina)\";s:11:\"native_name\";s:21:\"Español de Argentina\";s:7:\"package\";s:62:\"https://downloads.wordpress.org/translation/core/5.8/es_AR.zip\";s:3:\"iso\";a:3:{i:1;s:2:\"es\";i:2;s:3:\"spa\";i:3;s:3:\"spa\";}s:7:\"strings\";a:1:{s:8:\"continue\";s:9:\"Continuar\";}}s:5:\"es_CO\";a:8:{s:8:\"language\";s:5:\"es_CO\";s:7:\"version\";s:3:\"5.8\";s:7:\"updated\";s:19:\"2021-09-03 00:38:40\";s:12:\"english_name\";s:18:\"Spanish (Colombia)\";s:11:\"native_name\";s:20:\"Español de Colombia\";s:7:\"package\";s:62:\"https://downloads.wordpress.org/translation/core/5.8/es_CO.zip\";s:3:\"iso\";a:3:{i:1;s:2:\"es\";i:2;s:3:\"spa\";i:3;s:3:\"spa\";}s:7:\"strings\";a:1:{s:8:\"continue\";s:9:\"Continuar\";}}s:5:\"es_UY\";a:8:{s:8:\"language\";s:5:\"es_UY\";s:7:\"version\";s:8:\"5.8-beta\";s:7:\"updated\";s:19:\"2021-03-31 18:33:26\";s:12:\"english_name\";s:17:\"Spanish (Uruguay)\";s:11:\"native_name\";s:19:\"Español de Uruguay\";s:7:\"package\";s:67:\"https://downloads.wordpress.org/translation/core/5.8-beta/es_UY.zip\";s:3:\"iso\";a:3:{i:1;s:2:\"es\";i:2;s:3:\"spa\";i:3;s:3:\"spa\";}s:7:\"strings\";a:1:{s:8:\"continue\";s:9:\"Continuar\";}}s:5:\"es_CL\";a:8:{s:8:\"language\";s:5:\"es_CL\";s:7:\"version\";s:8:\"5.8-beta\";s:7:\"updated\";s:19:\"2021-06-14 16:02:22\";s:12:\"english_name\";s:15:\"Spanish (Chile)\";s:11:\"native_name\";s:17:\"Español de Chile\";s:7:\"package\";s:67:\"https://downloads.wordpress.org/translation/core/5.8-beta/es_CL.zip\";s:3:\"iso\";a:3:{i:1;s:2:\"es\";i:2;s:3:\"spa\";i:3;s:3:\"spa\";}s:7:\"strings\";a:1:{s:8:\"continue\";s:9:\"Continuar\";}}s:5:\"es_PR\";a:8:{s:8:\"language\";s:5:\"es_PR\";s:7:\"version\";s:5:\"5.4.7\";s:7:\"updated\";s:19:\"2020-04-29 15:36:59\";s:12:\"english_name\";s:21:\"Spanish (Puerto Rico)\";s:11:\"native_name\";s:23:\"Español de Puerto Rico\";s:7:\"package\";s:64:\"https://downloads.wordpress.org/translation/core/5.4.7/es_PR.zip\";s:3:\"iso\";a:3:{i:1;s:2:\"es\";i:2;s:3:\"spa\";i:3;s:3:\"spa\";}s:7:\"strings\";a:1:{s:8:\"continue\";s:9:\"Continuar\";}}s:5:\"es_GT\";a:8:{s:8:\"language\";s:5:\"es_GT\";s:7:\"version\";s:6:\"5.2.12\";s:7:\"updated\";s:19:\"2019-03-02 06:35:01\";s:12:\"english_name\";s:19:\"Spanish (Guatemala)\";s:11:\"native_name\";s:21:\"Español de Guatemala\";s:7:\"package\";s:65:\"https://downloads.wordpress.org/translation/core/5.2.12/es_GT.zip\";s:3:\"iso\";a:3:{i:1;s:2:\"es\";i:2;s:3:\"spa\";i:3;s:3:\"spa\";}s:7:\"strings\";a:1:{s:8:\"continue\";s:9:\"Continuar\";}}s:5:\"es_PE\";a:8:{s:8:\"language\";s:5:\"es_PE\";s:7:\"version\";s:3:\"5.8\";s:7:\"updated\";s:19:\"2021-07-20 17:20:36\";s:12:\"english_name\";s:14:\"Spanish (Peru)\";s:11:\"native_name\";s:17:\"Español de Perú\";s:7:\"package\";s:62:\"https://downloads.wordpress.org/translation/core/5.8/es_PE.zip\";s:3:\"iso\";a:3:{i:1;s:2:\"es\";i:2;s:3:\"spa\";i:3;s:3:\"spa\";}s:7:\"strings\";a:1:{s:8:\"continue\";s:9:\"Continuar\";}}s:2:\"et\";a:8:{s:8:\"language\";s:2:\"et\";s:7:\"version\";s:8:\"5.8-beta\";s:7:\"updated\";s:19:\"2020-08-12 08:38:59\";s:12:\"english_name\";s:8:\"Estonian\";s:11:\"native_name\";s:5:\"Eesti\";s:7:\"package\";s:64:\"https://downloads.wordpress.org/translation/core/5.8-beta/et.zip\";s:3:\"iso\";a:2:{i:1;s:2:\"et\";i:2;s:3:\"est\";}s:7:\"strings\";a:1:{s:8:\"continue\";s:6:\"Jätka\";}}s:2:\"eu\";a:8:{s:8:\"language\";s:2:\"eu\";s:7:\"version\";s:3:\"5.8\";s:7:\"updated\";s:19:\"2021-09-03 14:26:50\";s:12:\"english_name\";s:6:\"Basque\";s:11:\"native_name\";s:7:\"Euskara\";s:7:\"package\";s:59:\"https://downloads.wordpress.org/translation/core/5.8/eu.zip\";s:3:\"iso\";a:2:{i:1;s:2:\"eu\";i:2;s:3:\"eus\";}s:7:\"strings\";a:1:{s:8:\"continue\";s:8:\"Jarraitu\";}}s:5:\"fa_IR\";a:8:{s:8:\"language\";s:5:\"fa_IR\";s:7:\"version\";s:3:\"5.8\";s:7:\"updated\";s:19:\"2021-07-31 06:18:44\";s:12:\"english_name\";s:7:\"Persian\";s:11:\"native_name\";s:10:\"فارسی\";s:7:\"package\";s:62:\"https://downloads.wordpress.org/translation/core/5.8/fa_IR.zip\";s:3:\"iso\";a:2:{i:1;s:2:\"fa\";i:2;s:3:\"fas\";}s:7:\"strings\";a:1:{s:8:\"continue\";s:10:\"ادامه\";}}s:5:\"fa_AF\";a:8:{s:8:\"language\";s:5:\"fa_AF\";s:7:\"version\";s:8:\"5.8-beta\";s:7:\"updated\";s:19:\"2021-06-14 12:40:09\";s:12:\"english_name\";s:21:\"Persian (Afghanistan)\";s:11:\"native_name\";s:31:\"(فارسی (افغانستان\";s:7:\"package\";s:67:\"https://downloads.wordpress.org/translation/core/5.8-beta/fa_AF.zip\";s:3:\"iso\";a:2:{i:1;s:2:\"fa\";i:2;s:3:\"fas\";}s:7:\"strings\";a:1:{s:8:\"continue\";s:10:\"ادامه\";}}s:2:\"fi\";a:8:{s:8:\"language\";s:2:\"fi\";s:7:\"version\";s:3:\"5.8\";s:7:\"updated\";s:19:\"2021-08-02 07:17:54\";s:12:\"english_name\";s:7:\"Finnish\";s:11:\"native_name\";s:5:\"Suomi\";s:7:\"package\";s:59:\"https://downloads.wordpress.org/translation/core/5.8/fi.zip\";s:3:\"iso\";a:2:{i:1;s:2:\"fi\";i:2;s:3:\"fin\";}s:7:\"strings\";a:1:{s:8:\"continue\";s:5:\"Jatka\";}}s:5:\"fr_CA\";a:8:{s:8:\"language\";s:5:\"fr_CA\";s:7:\"version\";s:3:\"5.8\";s:7:\"updated\";s:19:\"2021-07-19 13:07:55\";s:12:\"english_name\";s:15:\"French (Canada)\";s:11:\"native_name\";s:19:\"Français du Canada\";s:7:\"package\";s:62:\"https://downloads.wordpress.org/translation/core/5.8/fr_CA.zip\";s:3:\"iso\";a:2:{i:1;s:2:\"fr\";i:2;s:3:\"fra\";}s:7:\"strings\";a:1:{s:8:\"continue\";s:9:\"Continuer\";}}s:5:\"fr_FR\";a:8:{s:8:\"language\";s:5:\"fr_FR\";s:7:\"version\";s:3:\"5.8\";s:7:\"updated\";s:19:\"2021-09-02 07:27:38\";s:12:\"english_name\";s:15:\"French (France)\";s:11:\"native_name\";s:9:\"Français\";s:7:\"package\";s:62:\"https://downloads.wordpress.org/translation/core/5.8/fr_FR.zip\";s:3:\"iso\";a:1:{i:1;s:2:\"fr\";}s:7:\"strings\";a:1:{s:8:\"continue\";s:9:\"Continuer\";}}s:5:\"fr_BE\";a:8:{s:8:\"language\";s:5:\"fr_BE\";s:7:\"version\";s:8:\"5.8-beta\";s:7:\"updated\";s:19:\"2021-02-22 13:54:46\";s:12:\"english_name\";s:16:\"French (Belgium)\";s:11:\"native_name\";s:21:\"Français de Belgique\";s:7:\"package\";s:67:\"https://downloads.wordpress.org/translation/core/5.8-beta/fr_BE.zip\";s:3:\"iso\";a:2:{i:1;s:2:\"fr\";i:2;s:3:\"fra\";}s:7:\"strings\";a:1:{s:8:\"continue\";s:9:\"Continuer\";}}s:3:\"fur\";a:8:{s:8:\"language\";s:3:\"fur\";s:7:\"version\";s:6:\"4.8.17\";s:7:\"updated\";s:19:\"2018-01-29 17:32:35\";s:12:\"english_name\";s:8:\"Friulian\";s:11:\"native_name\";s:8:\"Friulian\";s:7:\"package\";s:63:\"https://downloads.wordpress.org/translation/core/4.8.17/fur.zip\";s:3:\"iso\";a:2:{i:2;s:3:\"fur\";i:3;s:3:\"fur\";}s:7:\"strings\";a:1:{s:8:\"continue\";s:8:\"Continue\";}}s:2:\"gd\";a:8:{s:8:\"language\";s:2:\"gd\";s:7:\"version\";s:5:\"4.7.2\";s:7:\"updated\";s:19:\"2016-08-23 17:41:37\";s:12:\"english_name\";s:15:\"Scottish Gaelic\";s:11:\"native_name\";s:9:\"Gàidhlig\";s:7:\"package\";s:61:\"https://downloads.wordpress.org/translation/core/4.7.2/gd.zip\";s:3:\"iso\";a:3:{i:1;s:2:\"gd\";i:2;s:3:\"gla\";i:3;s:3:\"gla\";}s:7:\"strings\";a:1:{s:8:\"continue\";s:15:\"Lean air adhart\";}}s:5:\"gl_ES\";a:8:{s:8:\"language\";s:5:\"gl_ES\";s:7:\"version\";s:3:\"5.8\";s:7:\"updated\";s:19:\"2021-09-05 22:22:24\";s:12:\"english_name\";s:8:\"Galician\";s:11:\"native_name\";s:6:\"Galego\";s:7:\"package\";s:62:\"https://downloads.wordpress.org/translation/core/5.8/gl_ES.zip\";s:3:\"iso\";a:2:{i:1;s:2:\"gl\";i:2;s:3:\"glg\";}s:7:\"strings\";a:1:{s:8:\"continue\";s:9:\"Continuar\";}}s:2:\"gu\";a:8:{s:8:\"language\";s:2:\"gu\";s:7:\"version\";s:6:\"4.9.18\";s:7:\"updated\";s:19:\"2018-09-14 12:33:48\";s:12:\"english_name\";s:8:\"Gujarati\";s:11:\"native_name\";s:21:\"ગુજરાતી\";s:7:\"package\";s:62:\"https://downloads.wordpress.org/translation/core/4.9.18/gu.zip\";s:3:\"iso\";a:2:{i:1;s:2:\"gu\";i:2;s:3:\"guj\";}s:7:\"strings\";a:1:{s:8:\"continue\";s:31:\"ચાલુ રાખવું\";}}s:3:\"haz\";a:8:{s:8:\"language\";s:3:\"haz\";s:7:\"version\";s:6:\"4.4.25\";s:7:\"updated\";s:19:\"2015-12-05 00:59:09\";s:12:\"english_name\";s:8:\"Hazaragi\";s:11:\"native_name\";s:15:\"هزاره گی\";s:7:\"package\";s:63:\"https://downloads.wordpress.org/translation/core/4.4.25/haz.zip\";s:3:\"iso\";a:1:{i:3;s:3:\"haz\";}s:7:\"strings\";a:1:{s:8:\"continue\";s:10:\"ادامه\";}}s:5:\"he_IL\";a:8:{s:8:\"language\";s:5:\"he_IL\";s:7:\"version\";s:6:\"5.8-rc\";s:7:\"updated\";s:19:\"2021-05-28 16:42:59\";s:12:\"english_name\";s:6:\"Hebrew\";s:11:\"native_name\";s:16:\"עִבְרִית\";s:7:\"package\";s:65:\"https://downloads.wordpress.org/translation/core/5.8-rc/he_IL.zip\";s:3:\"iso\";a:1:{i:1;s:2:\"he\";}s:7:\"strings\";a:1:{s:8:\"continue\";s:12:\"להמשיך\";}}s:5:\"hi_IN\";a:8:{s:8:\"language\";s:5:\"hi_IN\";s:7:\"version\";s:5:\"5.4.7\";s:7:\"updated\";s:19:\"2020-11-06 12:34:38\";s:12:\"english_name\";s:5:\"Hindi\";s:11:\"native_name\";s:18:\"हिन्दी\";s:7:\"package\";s:64:\"https://downloads.wordpress.org/translation/core/5.4.7/hi_IN.zip\";s:3:\"iso\";a:2:{i:1;s:2:\"hi\";i:2;s:3:\"hin\";}s:7:\"strings\";a:1:{s:8:\"continue\";s:12:\"जारी\";}}s:2:\"hr\";a:8:{s:8:\"language\";s:2:\"hr\";s:7:\"version\";s:3:\"5.8\";s:7:\"updated\";s:19:\"2021-08-03 09:22:19\";s:12:\"english_name\";s:8:\"Croatian\";s:11:\"native_name\";s:8:\"Hrvatski\";s:7:\"package\";s:59:\"https://downloads.wordpress.org/translation/core/5.8/hr.zip\";s:3:\"iso\";a:2:{i:1;s:2:\"hr\";i:2;s:3:\"hrv\";}s:7:\"strings\";a:1:{s:8:\"continue\";s:7:\"Nastavi\";}}s:3:\"hsb\";a:8:{s:8:\"language\";s:3:\"hsb\";s:7:\"version\";s:3:\"5.8\";s:7:\"updated\";s:19:\"2021-09-02 11:18:08\";s:12:\"english_name\";s:13:\"Upper Sorbian\";s:11:\"native_name\";s:17:\"Hornjoserbšćina\";s:7:\"package\";s:60:\"https://downloads.wordpress.org/translation/core/5.8/hsb.zip\";s:3:\"iso\";a:2:{i:2;s:3:\"hsb\";i:3;s:3:\"hsb\";}s:7:\"strings\";a:1:{s:8:\"continue\";s:4:\"Dale\";}}s:5:\"hu_HU\";a:8:{s:8:\"language\";s:5:\"hu_HU\";s:7:\"version\";s:3:\"5.8\";s:7:\"updated\";s:19:\"2021-08-12 12:56:29\";s:12:\"english_name\";s:9:\"Hungarian\";s:11:\"native_name\";s:6:\"Magyar\";s:7:\"package\";s:62:\"https://downloads.wordpress.org/translation/core/5.8/hu_HU.zip\";s:3:\"iso\";a:2:{i:1;s:2:\"hu\";i:2;s:3:\"hun\";}s:7:\"strings\";a:1:{s:8:\"continue\";s:7:\"Tovább\";}}s:2:\"hy\";a:8:{s:8:\"language\";s:2:\"hy\";s:7:\"version\";s:5:\"4.7.2\";s:7:\"updated\";s:19:\"2016-12-03 16:21:10\";s:12:\"english_name\";s:8:\"Armenian\";s:11:\"native_name\";s:14:\"Հայերեն\";s:7:\"package\";s:61:\"https://downloads.wordpress.org/translation/core/4.7.2/hy.zip\";s:3:\"iso\";a:2:{i:1;s:2:\"hy\";i:2;s:3:\"hye\";}s:7:\"strings\";a:1:{s:8:\"continue\";s:20:\"Շարունակել\";}}s:5:\"id_ID\";a:8:{s:8:\"language\";s:5:\"id_ID\";s:7:\"version\";s:3:\"5.8\";s:7:\"updated\";s:19:\"2021-09-04 18:12:54\";s:12:\"english_name\";s:10:\"Indonesian\";s:11:\"native_name\";s:16:\"Bahasa Indonesia\";s:7:\"package\";s:62:\"https://downloads.wordpress.org/translation/core/5.8/id_ID.zip\";s:3:\"iso\";a:2:{i:1;s:2:\"id\";i:2;s:3:\"ind\";}s:7:\"strings\";a:1:{s:8:\"continue\";s:9:\"Lanjutkan\";}}s:5:\"is_IS\";a:8:{s:8:\"language\";s:5:\"is_IS\";s:7:\"version\";s:6:\"4.9.18\";s:7:\"updated\";s:19:\"2018-12-11 10:40:02\";s:12:\"english_name\";s:9:\"Icelandic\";s:11:\"native_name\";s:9:\"Íslenska\";s:7:\"package\";s:65:\"https://downloads.wordpress.org/translation/core/4.9.18/is_IS.zip\";s:3:\"iso\";a:2:{i:1;s:2:\"is\";i:2;s:3:\"isl\";}s:7:\"strings\";a:1:{s:8:\"continue\";s:6:\"Áfram\";}}s:5:\"it_IT\";a:8:{s:8:\"language\";s:5:\"it_IT\";s:7:\"version\";s:3:\"5.8\";s:7:\"updated\";s:19:\"2021-08-14 11:54:07\";s:12:\"english_name\";s:7:\"Italian\";s:11:\"native_name\";s:8:\"Italiano\";s:7:\"package\";s:62:\"https://downloads.wordpress.org/translation/core/5.8/it_IT.zip\";s:3:\"iso\";a:2:{i:1;s:2:\"it\";i:2;s:3:\"ita\";}s:7:\"strings\";a:1:{s:8:\"continue\";s:8:\"Continua\";}}s:2:\"ja\";a:8:{s:8:\"language\";s:2:\"ja\";s:7:\"version\";s:3:\"5.8\";s:7:\"updated\";s:19:\"2021-09-04 07:19:09\";s:12:\"english_name\";s:8:\"Japanese\";s:11:\"native_name\";s:9:\"日本語\";s:7:\"package\";s:59:\"https://downloads.wordpress.org/translation/core/5.8/ja.zip\";s:3:\"iso\";a:1:{i:1;s:2:\"ja\";}s:7:\"strings\";a:1:{s:8:\"continue\";s:9:\"続ける\";}}s:5:\"jv_ID\";a:8:{s:8:\"language\";s:5:\"jv_ID\";s:7:\"version\";s:6:\"4.9.18\";s:7:\"updated\";s:19:\"2019-02-16 23:58:56\";s:12:\"english_name\";s:8:\"Javanese\";s:11:\"native_name\";s:9:\"Basa Jawa\";s:7:\"package\";s:65:\"https://downloads.wordpress.org/translation/core/4.9.18/jv_ID.zip\";s:3:\"iso\";a:2:{i:1;s:2:\"jv\";i:2;s:3:\"jav\";}s:7:\"strings\";a:1:{s:8:\"continue\";s:7:\"Nutugne\";}}s:5:\"ka_GE\";a:8:{s:8:\"language\";s:5:\"ka_GE\";s:7:\"version\";s:3:\"5.8\";s:7:\"updated\";s:19:\"2021-07-21 07:24:54\";s:12:\"english_name\";s:8:\"Georgian\";s:11:\"native_name\";s:21:\"ქართული\";s:7:\"package\";s:62:\"https://downloads.wordpress.org/translation/core/5.8/ka_GE.zip\";s:3:\"iso\";a:2:{i:1;s:2:\"ka\";i:2;s:3:\"kat\";}s:7:\"strings\";a:1:{s:8:\"continue\";s:30:\"გაგრძელება\";}}s:3:\"kab\";a:8:{s:8:\"language\";s:3:\"kab\";s:7:\"version\";s:3:\"5.8\";s:7:\"updated\";s:19:\"2021-09-02 18:03:03\";s:12:\"english_name\";s:6:\"Kabyle\";s:11:\"native_name\";s:9:\"Taqbaylit\";s:7:\"package\";s:60:\"https://downloads.wordpress.org/translation/core/5.8/kab.zip\";s:3:\"iso\";a:2:{i:2;s:3:\"kab\";i:3;s:3:\"kab\";}s:7:\"strings\";a:1:{s:8:\"continue\";s:9:\"Continuer\";}}s:2:\"kk\";a:8:{s:8:\"language\";s:2:\"kk\";s:7:\"version\";s:6:\"4.9.18\";s:7:\"updated\";s:19:\"2018-07-10 11:35:44\";s:12:\"english_name\";s:6:\"Kazakh\";s:11:\"native_name\";s:19:\"Қазақ тілі\";s:7:\"package\";s:62:\"https://downloads.wordpress.org/translation/core/4.9.18/kk.zip\";s:3:\"iso\";a:2:{i:1;s:2:\"kk\";i:2;s:3:\"kaz\";}s:7:\"strings\";a:1:{s:8:\"continue\";s:20:\"Жалғастыру\";}}s:2:\"km\";a:8:{s:8:\"language\";s:2:\"km\";s:7:\"version\";s:6:\"5.2.12\";s:7:\"updated\";s:19:\"2019-06-10 16:18:28\";s:12:\"english_name\";s:5:\"Khmer\";s:11:\"native_name\";s:27:\"ភាសាខ្មែរ\";s:7:\"package\";s:62:\"https://downloads.wordpress.org/translation/core/5.2.12/km.zip\";s:3:\"iso\";a:2:{i:1;s:2:\"km\";i:2;s:3:\"khm\";}s:7:\"strings\";a:1:{s:8:\"continue\";s:12:\"បន្ត\";}}s:2:\"kn\";a:8:{s:8:\"language\";s:2:\"kn\";s:7:\"version\";s:6:\"4.9.18\";s:7:\"updated\";s:19:\"2020-09-30 14:08:59\";s:12:\"english_name\";s:7:\"Kannada\";s:11:\"native_name\";s:15:\"ಕನ್ನಡ\";s:7:\"package\";s:62:\"https://downloads.wordpress.org/translation/core/4.9.18/kn.zip\";s:3:\"iso\";a:2:{i:1;s:2:\"kn\";i:2;s:3:\"kan\";}s:7:\"strings\";a:1:{s:8:\"continue\";s:30:\"ಮುಂದುವರೆಸಿ\";}}s:5:\"ko_KR\";a:8:{s:8:\"language\";s:5:\"ko_KR\";s:7:\"version\";s:3:\"5.8\";s:7:\"updated\";s:19:\"2021-09-02 05:27:21\";s:12:\"english_name\";s:6:\"Korean\";s:11:\"native_name\";s:9:\"한국어\";s:7:\"package\";s:62:\"https://downloads.wordpress.org/translation/core/5.8/ko_KR.zip\";s:3:\"iso\";a:2:{i:1;s:2:\"ko\";i:2;s:3:\"kor\";}s:7:\"strings\";a:1:{s:8:\"continue\";s:6:\"계속\";}}s:3:\"ckb\";a:8:{s:8:\"language\";s:3:\"ckb\";s:7:\"version\";s:3:\"5.8\";s:7:\"updated\";s:19:\"2021-08-11 19:53:28\";s:12:\"english_name\";s:16:\"Kurdish (Sorani)\";s:11:\"native_name\";s:13:\"كوردی\";s:7:\"package\";s:60:\"https://downloads.wordpress.org/translation/core/5.8/ckb.zip\";s:3:\"iso\";a:2:{i:1;s:2:\"ku\";i:3;s:3:\"ckb\";}s:7:\"strings\";a:1:{s:8:\"continue\";s:30:\"بهردهوام به\";}}s:2:\"lo\";a:8:{s:8:\"language\";s:2:\"lo\";s:7:\"version\";s:5:\"4.7.2\";s:7:\"updated\";s:19:\"2016-11-12 09:59:23\";s:12:\"english_name\";s:3:\"Lao\";s:11:\"native_name\";s:21:\"ພາສາລາວ\";s:7:\"package\";s:61:\"https://downloads.wordpress.org/translation/core/4.7.2/lo.zip\";s:3:\"iso\";a:2:{i:1;s:2:\"lo\";i:2;s:3:\"lao\";}s:7:\"strings\";a:1:{s:8:\"continue\";s:9:\"ຕໍ່\";}}s:5:\"lt_LT\";a:8:{s:8:\"language\";s:5:\"lt_LT\";s:7:\"version\";s:8:\"5.8-beta\";s:7:\"updated\";s:19:\"2021-03-23 12:35:40\";s:12:\"english_name\";s:10:\"Lithuanian\";s:11:\"native_name\";s:15:\"Lietuvių kalba\";s:7:\"package\";s:67:\"https://downloads.wordpress.org/translation/core/5.8-beta/lt_LT.zip\";s:3:\"iso\";a:2:{i:1;s:2:\"lt\";i:2;s:3:\"lit\";}s:7:\"strings\";a:1:{s:8:\"continue\";s:6:\"Tęsti\";}}s:2:\"lv\";a:8:{s:8:\"language\";s:2:\"lv\";s:7:\"version\";s:3:\"5.8\";s:7:\"updated\";s:19:\"2021-07-31 07:25:25\";s:12:\"english_name\";s:7:\"Latvian\";s:11:\"native_name\";s:16:\"Latviešu valoda\";s:7:\"package\";s:59:\"https://downloads.wordpress.org/translation/core/5.8/lv.zip\";s:3:\"iso\";a:2:{i:1;s:2:\"lv\";i:2;s:3:\"lav\";}s:7:\"strings\";a:1:{s:8:\"continue\";s:9:\"Turpināt\";}}s:5:\"mk_MK\";a:8:{s:8:\"language\";s:5:\"mk_MK\";s:7:\"version\";s:5:\"5.4.7\";s:7:\"updated\";s:19:\"2020-07-01 09:16:57\";s:12:\"english_name\";s:10:\"Macedonian\";s:11:\"native_name\";s:31:\"Македонски јазик\";s:7:\"package\";s:64:\"https://downloads.wordpress.org/translation/core/5.4.7/mk_MK.zip\";s:3:\"iso\";a:2:{i:1;s:2:\"mk\";i:2;s:3:\"mkd\";}s:7:\"strings\";a:1:{s:8:\"continue\";s:16:\"Продолжи\";}}s:5:\"ml_IN\";a:8:{s:8:\"language\";s:5:\"ml_IN\";s:7:\"version\";s:5:\"4.7.2\";s:7:\"updated\";s:19:\"2017-01-27 03:43:32\";s:12:\"english_name\";s:9:\"Malayalam\";s:11:\"native_name\";s:18:\"മലയാളം\";s:7:\"package\";s:64:\"https://downloads.wordpress.org/translation/core/4.7.2/ml_IN.zip\";s:3:\"iso\";a:2:{i:1;s:2:\"ml\";i:2;s:3:\"mal\";}s:7:\"strings\";a:1:{s:8:\"continue\";s:18:\"തുടരുക\";}}s:2:\"mn\";a:8:{s:8:\"language\";s:2:\"mn\";s:7:\"version\";s:5:\"4.7.2\";s:7:\"updated\";s:19:\"2017-01-12 07:29:35\";s:12:\"english_name\";s:9:\"Mongolian\";s:11:\"native_name\";s:12:\"Монгол\";s:7:\"package\";s:61:\"https://downloads.wordpress.org/translation/core/4.7.2/mn.zip\";s:3:\"iso\";a:2:{i:1;s:2:\"mn\";i:2;s:3:\"mon\";}s:7:\"strings\";a:1:{s:8:\"continue\";s:24:\"Үргэлжлүүлэх\";}}s:2:\"mr\";a:8:{s:8:\"language\";s:2:\"mr\";s:7:\"version\";s:6:\"4.9.18\";s:7:\"updated\";s:19:\"2019-11-22 15:32:08\";s:12:\"english_name\";s:7:\"Marathi\";s:11:\"native_name\";s:15:\"मराठी\";s:7:\"package\";s:62:\"https://downloads.wordpress.org/translation/core/4.9.18/mr.zip\";s:3:\"iso\";a:2:{i:1;s:2:\"mr\";i:2;s:3:\"mar\";}s:7:\"strings\";a:1:{s:8:\"continue\";s:25:\"सुरु ठेवा\";}}s:5:\"ms_MY\";a:8:{s:8:\"language\";s:5:\"ms_MY\";s:7:\"version\";s:6:\"4.9.18\";s:7:\"updated\";s:19:\"2018-08-31 11:57:07\";s:12:\"english_name\";s:5:\"Malay\";s:11:\"native_name\";s:13:\"Bahasa Melayu\";s:7:\"package\";s:65:\"https://downloads.wordpress.org/translation/core/4.9.18/ms_MY.zip\";s:3:\"iso\";a:2:{i:1;s:2:\"ms\";i:2;s:3:\"msa\";}s:7:\"strings\";a:1:{s:8:\"continue\";s:8:\"Teruskan\";}}s:5:\"my_MM\";a:8:{s:8:\"language\";s:5:\"my_MM\";s:7:\"version\";s:6:\"4.2.30\";s:7:\"updated\";s:19:\"2017-12-26 11:57:10\";s:12:\"english_name\";s:17:\"Myanmar (Burmese)\";s:11:\"native_name\";s:15:\"ဗမာစာ\";s:7:\"package\";s:65:\"https://downloads.wordpress.org/translation/core/4.2.30/my_MM.zip\";s:3:\"iso\";a:2:{i:1;s:2:\"my\";i:2;s:3:\"mya\";}s:7:\"strings\";a:1:{s:8:\"continue\";s:54:\"ဆက်လက်လုပ်ေဆာင်ပါ။\";}}s:5:\"nb_NO\";a:8:{s:8:\"language\";s:5:\"nb_NO\";s:7:\"version\";s:3:\"5.8\";s:7:\"updated\";s:19:\"2021-09-09 00:05:57\";s:12:\"english_name\";s:19:\"Norwegian (Bokmål)\";s:11:\"native_name\";s:13:\"Norsk bokmål\";s:7:\"package\";s:62:\"https://downloads.wordpress.org/translation/core/5.8/nb_NO.zip\";s:3:\"iso\";a:2:{i:1;s:2:\"nb\";i:2;s:3:\"nob\";}s:7:\"strings\";a:1:{s:8:\"continue\";s:8:\"Fortsett\";}}s:5:\"ne_NP\";a:8:{s:8:\"language\";s:5:\"ne_NP\";s:7:\"version\";s:6:\"5.2.12\";s:7:\"updated\";s:19:\"2020-05-31 16:07:59\";s:12:\"english_name\";s:6:\"Nepali\";s:11:\"native_name\";s:18:\"नेपाली\";s:7:\"package\";s:65:\"https://downloads.wordpress.org/translation/core/5.2.12/ne_NP.zip\";s:3:\"iso\";a:2:{i:1;s:2:\"ne\";i:2;s:3:\"nep\";}s:7:\"strings\";a:1:{s:8:\"continue\";s:31:\"जारीराख्नु \";}}s:5:\"nl_BE\";a:8:{s:8:\"language\";s:5:\"nl_BE\";s:7:\"version\";s:3:\"5.8\";s:7:\"updated\";s:19:\"2021-09-06 17:18:24\";s:12:\"english_name\";s:15:\"Dutch (Belgium)\";s:11:\"native_name\";s:20:\"Nederlands (België)\";s:7:\"package\";s:62:\"https://downloads.wordpress.org/translation/core/5.8/nl_BE.zip\";s:3:\"iso\";a:2:{i:1;s:2:\"nl\";i:2;s:3:\"nld\";}s:7:\"strings\";a:1:{s:8:\"continue\";s:8:\"Doorgaan\";}}s:12:\"nl_NL_formal\";a:8:{s:8:\"language\";s:12:\"nl_NL_formal\";s:7:\"version\";s:3:\"5.8\";s:7:\"updated\";s:19:\"2021-09-08 11:07:33\";s:12:\"english_name\";s:14:\"Dutch (Formal)\";s:11:\"native_name\";s:20:\"Nederlands (Formeel)\";s:7:\"package\";s:69:\"https://downloads.wordpress.org/translation/core/5.8/nl_NL_formal.zip\";s:3:\"iso\";a:2:{i:1;s:2:\"nl\";i:2;s:3:\"nld\";}s:7:\"strings\";a:1:{s:8:\"continue\";s:8:\"Doorgaan\";}}s:5:\"nl_NL\";a:8:{s:8:\"language\";s:5:\"nl_NL\";s:7:\"version\";s:3:\"5.8\";s:7:\"updated\";s:19:\"2021-09-08 19:09:21\";s:12:\"english_name\";s:5:\"Dutch\";s:11:\"native_name\";s:10:\"Nederlands\";s:7:\"package\";s:62:\"https://downloads.wordpress.org/translation/core/5.8/nl_NL.zip\";s:3:\"iso\";a:2:{i:1;s:2:\"nl\";i:2;s:3:\"nld\";}s:7:\"strings\";a:1:{s:8:\"continue\";s:8:\"Doorgaan\";}}s:5:\"nn_NO\";a:8:{s:8:\"language\";s:5:\"nn_NO\";s:7:\"version\";s:8:\"5.8-beta\";s:7:\"updated\";s:19:\"2021-03-18 10:59:16\";s:12:\"english_name\";s:19:\"Norwegian (Nynorsk)\";s:11:\"native_name\";s:13:\"Norsk nynorsk\";s:7:\"package\";s:67:\"https://downloads.wordpress.org/translation/core/5.8-beta/nn_NO.zip\";s:3:\"iso\";a:2:{i:1;s:2:\"nn\";i:2;s:3:\"nno\";}s:7:\"strings\";a:1:{s:8:\"continue\";s:9:\"Hald fram\";}}s:3:\"oci\";a:8:{s:8:\"language\";s:3:\"oci\";s:7:\"version\";s:6:\"4.8.17\";s:7:\"updated\";s:19:\"2017-08-25 10:03:08\";s:12:\"english_name\";s:7:\"Occitan\";s:11:\"native_name\";s:7:\"Occitan\";s:7:\"package\";s:63:\"https://downloads.wordpress.org/translation/core/4.8.17/oci.zip\";s:3:\"iso\";a:2:{i:1;s:2:\"oc\";i:2;s:3:\"oci\";}s:7:\"strings\";a:1:{s:8:\"continue\";s:9:\"Contunhar\";}}s:5:\"pa_IN\";a:8:{s:8:\"language\";s:5:\"pa_IN\";s:7:\"version\";s:5:\"4.7.2\";s:7:\"updated\";s:19:\"2017-01-16 05:19:43\";s:12:\"english_name\";s:7:\"Punjabi\";s:11:\"native_name\";s:18:\"ਪੰਜਾਬੀ\";s:7:\"package\";s:64:\"https://downloads.wordpress.org/translation/core/4.7.2/pa_IN.zip\";s:3:\"iso\";a:2:{i:1;s:2:\"pa\";i:2;s:3:\"pan\";}s:7:\"strings\";a:1:{s:8:\"continue\";s:25:\"ਜਾਰੀ ਰੱਖੋ\";}}s:5:\"pl_PL\";a:8:{s:8:\"language\";s:5:\"pl_PL\";s:7:\"version\";s:3:\"5.8\";s:7:\"updated\";s:19:\"2021-09-08 12:05:19\";s:12:\"english_name\";s:6:\"Polish\";s:11:\"native_name\";s:6:\"Polski\";s:7:\"package\";s:62:\"https://downloads.wordpress.org/translation/core/5.8/pl_PL.zip\";s:3:\"iso\";a:2:{i:1;s:2:\"pl\";i:2;s:3:\"pol\";}s:7:\"strings\";a:1:{s:8:\"continue\";s:9:\"Kontynuuj\";}}s:2:\"ps\";a:8:{s:8:\"language\";s:2:\"ps\";s:7:\"version\";s:6:\"4.3.26\";s:7:\"updated\";s:19:\"2015-12-02 21:41:29\";s:12:\"english_name\";s:6:\"Pashto\";s:11:\"native_name\";s:8:\"پښتو\";s:7:\"package\";s:62:\"https://downloads.wordpress.org/translation/core/4.3.26/ps.zip\";s:3:\"iso\";a:2:{i:1;s:2:\"ps\";i:2;s:3:\"pus\";}s:7:\"strings\";a:1:{s:8:\"continue\";s:8:\"دوام\";}}s:5:\"pt_BR\";a:8:{s:8:\"language\";s:5:\"pt_BR\";s:7:\"version\";s:3:\"5.8\";s:7:\"updated\";s:19:\"2021-09-08 19:39:30\";s:12:\"english_name\";s:19:\"Portuguese (Brazil)\";s:11:\"native_name\";s:20:\"Português do Brasil\";s:7:\"package\";s:62:\"https://downloads.wordpress.org/translation/core/5.8/pt_BR.zip\";s:3:\"iso\";a:2:{i:1;s:2:\"pt\";i:2;s:3:\"por\";}s:7:\"strings\";a:1:{s:8:\"continue\";s:9:\"Continuar\";}}s:10:\"pt_PT_ao90\";a:8:{s:8:\"language\";s:10:\"pt_PT_ao90\";s:7:\"version\";s:3:\"5.8\";s:7:\"updated\";s:19:\"2021-09-03 10:37:04\";s:12:\"english_name\";s:27:\"Portuguese (Portugal, AO90)\";s:11:\"native_name\";s:17:\"Português (AO90)\";s:7:\"package\";s:67:\"https://downloads.wordpress.org/translation/core/5.8/pt_PT_ao90.zip\";s:3:\"iso\";a:1:{i:1;s:2:\"pt\";}s:7:\"strings\";a:1:{s:8:\"continue\";s:9:\"Continuar\";}}s:5:\"pt_AO\";a:8:{s:8:\"language\";s:5:\"pt_AO\";s:7:\"version\";s:8:\"5.8-beta\";s:7:\"updated\";s:19:\"2021-05-30 09:51:29\";s:12:\"english_name\";s:19:\"Portuguese (Angola)\";s:11:\"native_name\";s:20:\"Português de Angola\";s:7:\"package\";s:67:\"https://downloads.wordpress.org/translation/core/5.8-beta/pt_AO.zip\";s:3:\"iso\";a:1:{i:1;s:2:\"pt\";}s:7:\"strings\";a:1:{s:8:\"continue\";s:9:\"Continuar\";}}s:5:\"pt_PT\";a:8:{s:8:\"language\";s:5:\"pt_PT\";s:7:\"version\";s:3:\"5.8\";s:7:\"updated\";s:19:\"2021-09-03 10:36:55\";s:12:\"english_name\";s:21:\"Portuguese (Portugal)\";s:11:\"native_name\";s:10:\"Português\";s:7:\"package\";s:62:\"https://downloads.wordpress.org/translation/core/5.8/pt_PT.zip\";s:3:\"iso\";a:1:{i:1;s:2:\"pt\";}s:7:\"strings\";a:1:{s:8:\"continue\";s:9:\"Continuar\";}}s:3:\"rhg\";a:8:{s:8:\"language\";s:3:\"rhg\";s:7:\"version\";s:5:\"4.7.2\";s:7:\"updated\";s:19:\"2016-03-16 13:03:18\";s:12:\"english_name\";s:8:\"Rohingya\";s:11:\"native_name\";s:8:\"Ruáinga\";s:7:\"package\";s:62:\"https://downloads.wordpress.org/translation/core/4.7.2/rhg.zip\";s:3:\"iso\";a:1:{i:3;s:3:\"rhg\";}s:7:\"strings\";a:1:{s:8:\"continue\";s:8:\"Continue\";}}s:5:\"ro_RO\";a:8:{s:8:\"language\";s:5:\"ro_RO\";s:7:\"version\";s:3:\"5.8\";s:7:\"updated\";s:19:\"2021-09-08 21:20:56\";s:12:\"english_name\";s:8:\"Romanian\";s:11:\"native_name\";s:8:\"Română\";s:7:\"package\";s:62:\"https://downloads.wordpress.org/translation/core/5.8/ro_RO.zip\";s:3:\"iso\";a:2:{i:1;s:2:\"ro\";i:2;s:3:\"ron\";}s:7:\"strings\";a:1:{s:8:\"continue\";s:9:\"Continuă\";}}s:5:\"ru_RU\";a:8:{s:8:\"language\";s:5:\"ru_RU\";s:7:\"version\";s:3:\"5.8\";s:7:\"updated\";s:19:\"2021-09-01 21:02:01\";s:12:\"english_name\";s:7:\"Russian\";s:11:\"native_name\";s:14:\"Русский\";s:7:\"package\";s:62:\"https://downloads.wordpress.org/translation/core/5.8/ru_RU.zip\";s:3:\"iso\";a:2:{i:1;s:2:\"ru\";i:2;s:3:\"rus\";}s:7:\"strings\";a:1:{s:8:\"continue\";s:20:\"Продолжить\";}}s:3:\"sah\";a:8:{s:8:\"language\";s:3:\"sah\";s:7:\"version\";s:5:\"4.7.2\";s:7:\"updated\";s:19:\"2017-01-21 02:06:41\";s:12:\"english_name\";s:5:\"Sakha\";s:11:\"native_name\";s:14:\"Сахалыы\";s:7:\"package\";s:62:\"https://downloads.wordpress.org/translation/core/4.7.2/sah.zip\";s:3:\"iso\";a:2:{i:2;s:3:\"sah\";i:3;s:3:\"sah\";}s:7:\"strings\";a:1:{s:8:\"continue\";s:12:\"Салҕаа\";}}s:3:\"snd\";a:8:{s:8:\"language\";s:3:\"snd\";s:7:\"version\";s:5:\"5.4.7\";s:7:\"updated\";s:19:\"2020-07-07 01:53:37\";s:12:\"english_name\";s:6:\"Sindhi\";s:11:\"native_name\";s:8:\"سنڌي\";s:7:\"package\";s:62:\"https://downloads.wordpress.org/translation/core/5.4.7/snd.zip\";s:3:\"iso\";a:3:{i:1;s:2:\"sd\";i:2;s:3:\"snd\";i:3;s:3:\"snd\";}s:7:\"strings\";a:1:{s:8:\"continue\";s:15:\"اڳتي هلو\";}}s:5:\"si_LK\";a:8:{s:8:\"language\";s:5:\"si_LK\";s:7:\"version\";s:5:\"4.7.2\";s:7:\"updated\";s:19:\"2016-11-12 06:00:52\";s:12:\"english_name\";s:7:\"Sinhala\";s:11:\"native_name\";s:15:\"සිංහල\";s:7:\"package\";s:64:\"https://downloads.wordpress.org/translation/core/4.7.2/si_LK.zip\";s:3:\"iso\";a:2:{i:1;s:2:\"si\";i:2;s:3:\"sin\";}s:7:\"strings\";a:1:{s:8:\"continue\";s:44:\"දිගටම කරගෙන යන්න\";}}s:5:\"sk_SK\";a:8:{s:8:\"language\";s:5:\"sk_SK\";s:7:\"version\";s:3:\"5.8\";s:7:\"updated\";s:19:\"2021-07-21 06:06:38\";s:12:\"english_name\";s:6:\"Slovak\";s:11:\"native_name\";s:11:\"Slovenčina\";s:7:\"package\";s:62:\"https://downloads.wordpress.org/translation/core/5.8/sk_SK.zip\";s:3:\"iso\";a:2:{i:1;s:2:\"sk\";i:2;s:3:\"slk\";}s:7:\"strings\";a:1:{s:8:\"continue\";s:12:\"Pokračovať\";}}s:3:\"skr\";a:8:{s:8:\"language\";s:3:\"skr\";s:7:\"version\";s:3:\"5.8\";s:7:\"updated\";s:19:\"2021-09-08 16:06:06\";s:12:\"english_name\";s:7:\"Saraiki\";s:11:\"native_name\";s:14:\"سرائیکی\";s:7:\"package\";s:60:\"https://downloads.wordpress.org/translation/core/5.8/skr.zip\";s:3:\"iso\";a:1:{i:3;s:3:\"skr\";}s:7:\"strings\";a:1:{s:8:\"continue\";s:17:\"جاری رکھو\";}}s:5:\"sl_SI\";a:8:{s:8:\"language\";s:5:\"sl_SI\";s:7:\"version\";s:3:\"5.8\";s:7:\"updated\";s:19:\"2021-08-31 06:12:58\";s:12:\"english_name\";s:9:\"Slovenian\";s:11:\"native_name\";s:13:\"Slovenščina\";s:7:\"package\";s:62:\"https://downloads.wordpress.org/translation/core/5.8/sl_SI.zip\";s:3:\"iso\";a:2:{i:1;s:2:\"sl\";i:2;s:3:\"slv\";}s:7:\"strings\";a:1:{s:8:\"continue\";s:10:\"Nadaljujte\";}}s:2:\"sq\";a:8:{s:8:\"language\";s:2:\"sq\";s:7:\"version\";s:3:\"5.8\";s:7:\"updated\";s:19:\"2021-09-03 10:59:56\";s:12:\"english_name\";s:8:\"Albanian\";s:11:\"native_name\";s:5:\"Shqip\";s:7:\"package\";s:59:\"https://downloads.wordpress.org/translation/core/5.8/sq.zip\";s:3:\"iso\";a:2:{i:1;s:2:\"sq\";i:2;s:3:\"sqi\";}s:7:\"strings\";a:1:{s:8:\"continue\";s:6:\"Vazhdo\";}}s:5:\"sr_RS\";a:8:{s:8:\"language\";s:5:\"sr_RS\";s:7:\"version\";s:3:\"5.8\";s:7:\"updated\";s:19:\"2021-08-01 21:21:06\";s:12:\"english_name\";s:7:\"Serbian\";s:11:\"native_name\";s:23:\"Српски језик\";s:7:\"package\";s:62:\"https://downloads.wordpress.org/translation/core/5.8/sr_RS.zip\";s:3:\"iso\";a:2:{i:1;s:2:\"sr\";i:2;s:3:\"srp\";}s:7:\"strings\";a:1:{s:8:\"continue\";s:14:\"Настави\";}}s:5:\"sv_SE\";a:8:{s:8:\"language\";s:5:\"sv_SE\";s:7:\"version\";s:3:\"5.8\";s:7:\"updated\";s:19:\"2021-09-01 21:06:48\";s:12:\"english_name\";s:7:\"Swedish\";s:11:\"native_name\";s:7:\"Svenska\";s:7:\"package\";s:62:\"https://downloads.wordpress.org/translation/core/5.8/sv_SE.zip\";s:3:\"iso\";a:2:{i:1;s:2:\"sv\";i:2;s:3:\"swe\";}s:7:\"strings\";a:1:{s:8:\"continue\";s:9:\"Fortsätt\";}}s:2:\"sw\";a:8:{s:8:\"language\";s:2:\"sw\";s:7:\"version\";s:5:\"5.3.9\";s:7:\"updated\";s:19:\"2019-10-13 15:35:35\";s:12:\"english_name\";s:7:\"Swahili\";s:11:\"native_name\";s:9:\"Kiswahili\";s:7:\"package\";s:61:\"https://downloads.wordpress.org/translation/core/5.3.9/sw.zip\";s:3:\"iso\";a:2:{i:1;s:2:\"sw\";i:2;s:3:\"swa\";}s:7:\"strings\";a:1:{s:8:\"continue\";s:7:\"Endelea\";}}s:3:\"szl\";a:8:{s:8:\"language\";s:3:\"szl\";s:7:\"version\";s:5:\"4.7.2\";s:7:\"updated\";s:19:\"2016-09-24 19:58:14\";s:12:\"english_name\";s:8:\"Silesian\";s:11:\"native_name\";s:17:\"Ślōnskŏ gŏdka\";s:7:\"package\";s:62:\"https://downloads.wordpress.org/translation/core/4.7.2/szl.zip\";s:3:\"iso\";a:1:{i:3;s:3:\"szl\";}s:7:\"strings\";a:1:{s:8:\"continue\";s:13:\"Kōntynuować\";}}s:5:\"ta_IN\";a:8:{s:8:\"language\";s:5:\"ta_IN\";s:7:\"version\";s:5:\"4.7.2\";s:7:\"updated\";s:19:\"2017-01-27 03:22:47\";s:12:\"english_name\";s:5:\"Tamil\";s:11:\"native_name\";s:15:\"தமிழ்\";s:7:\"package\";s:64:\"https://downloads.wordpress.org/translation/core/4.7.2/ta_IN.zip\";s:3:\"iso\";a:2:{i:1;s:2:\"ta\";i:2;s:3:\"tam\";}s:7:\"strings\";a:1:{s:8:\"continue\";s:24:\"தொடரவும்\";}}s:5:\"ta_LK\";a:8:{s:8:\"language\";s:5:\"ta_LK\";s:7:\"version\";s:6:\"4.2.30\";s:7:\"updated\";s:19:\"2015-12-03 01:07:44\";s:12:\"english_name\";s:17:\"Tamil (Sri Lanka)\";s:11:\"native_name\";s:15:\"தமிழ்\";s:7:\"package\";s:65:\"https://downloads.wordpress.org/translation/core/4.2.30/ta_LK.zip\";s:3:\"iso\";a:2:{i:1;s:2:\"ta\";i:2;s:3:\"tam\";}s:7:\"strings\";a:1:{s:8:\"continue\";s:18:\"தொடர்க\";}}s:2:\"te\";a:8:{s:8:\"language\";s:2:\"te\";s:7:\"version\";s:5:\"4.7.2\";s:7:\"updated\";s:19:\"2017-01-26 15:47:39\";s:12:\"english_name\";s:6:\"Telugu\";s:11:\"native_name\";s:18:\"తెలుగు\";s:7:\"package\";s:61:\"https://downloads.wordpress.org/translation/core/4.7.2/te.zip\";s:3:\"iso\";a:2:{i:1;s:2:\"te\";i:2;s:3:\"tel\";}s:7:\"strings\";a:1:{s:8:\"continue\";s:30:\"కొనసాగించు\";}}s:2:\"th\";a:8:{s:8:\"language\";s:2:\"th\";s:7:\"version\";s:5:\"5.5.6\";s:7:\"updated\";s:19:\"2021-07-13 19:33:34\";s:12:\"english_name\";s:4:\"Thai\";s:11:\"native_name\";s:9:\"ไทย\";s:7:\"package\";s:61:\"https://downloads.wordpress.org/translation/core/5.5.6/th.zip\";s:3:\"iso\";a:2:{i:1;s:2:\"th\";i:2;s:3:\"tha\";}s:7:\"strings\";a:1:{s:8:\"continue\";s:15:\"ต่อไป\";}}s:2:\"tl\";a:8:{s:8:\"language\";s:2:\"tl\";s:7:\"version\";s:6:\"4.8.17\";s:7:\"updated\";s:19:\"2017-09-30 09:04:29\";s:12:\"english_name\";s:7:\"Tagalog\";s:11:\"native_name\";s:7:\"Tagalog\";s:7:\"package\";s:62:\"https://downloads.wordpress.org/translation/core/4.8.17/tl.zip\";s:3:\"iso\";a:2:{i:1;s:2:\"tl\";i:2;s:3:\"tgl\";}s:7:\"strings\";a:1:{s:8:\"continue\";s:10:\"Magpatuloy\";}}s:5:\"tr_TR\";a:8:{s:8:\"language\";s:5:\"tr_TR\";s:7:\"version\";s:3:\"5.8\";s:7:\"updated\";s:19:\"2021-08-09 09:04:54\";s:12:\"english_name\";s:7:\"Turkish\";s:11:\"native_name\";s:8:\"Türkçe\";s:7:\"package\";s:62:\"https://downloads.wordpress.org/translation/core/5.8/tr_TR.zip\";s:3:\"iso\";a:2:{i:1;s:2:\"tr\";i:2;s:3:\"tur\";}s:7:\"strings\";a:1:{s:8:\"continue\";s:5:\"Devam\";}}s:5:\"tt_RU\";a:8:{s:8:\"language\";s:5:\"tt_RU\";s:7:\"version\";s:5:\"4.7.2\";s:7:\"updated\";s:19:\"2016-11-20 20:20:50\";s:12:\"english_name\";s:5:\"Tatar\";s:11:\"native_name\";s:19:\"Татар теле\";s:7:\"package\";s:64:\"https://downloads.wordpress.org/translation/core/4.7.2/tt_RU.zip\";s:3:\"iso\";a:2:{i:1;s:2:\"tt\";i:2;s:3:\"tat\";}s:7:\"strings\";a:1:{s:8:\"continue\";s:17:\"дәвам итү\";}}s:3:\"tah\";a:8:{s:8:\"language\";s:3:\"tah\";s:7:\"version\";s:5:\"4.7.2\";s:7:\"updated\";s:19:\"2016-03-06 18:39:39\";s:12:\"english_name\";s:8:\"Tahitian\";s:11:\"native_name\";s:10:\"Reo Tahiti\";s:7:\"package\";s:62:\"https://downloads.wordpress.org/translation/core/4.7.2/tah.zip\";s:3:\"iso\";a:3:{i:1;s:2:\"ty\";i:2;s:3:\"tah\";i:3;s:3:\"tah\";}s:7:\"strings\";a:1:{s:8:\"continue\";s:8:\"Continue\";}}s:5:\"ug_CN\";a:8:{s:8:\"language\";s:5:\"ug_CN\";s:7:\"version\";s:6:\"4.9.18\";s:7:\"updated\";s:19:\"2021-07-03 18:41:33\";s:12:\"english_name\";s:6:\"Uighur\";s:11:\"native_name\";s:16:\"ئۇيغۇرچە\";s:7:\"package\";s:65:\"https://downloads.wordpress.org/translation/core/4.9.18/ug_CN.zip\";s:3:\"iso\";a:2:{i:1;s:2:\"ug\";i:2;s:3:\"uig\";}s:7:\"strings\";a:1:{s:8:\"continue\";s:26:\"داۋاملاشتۇرۇش\";}}s:2:\"uk\";a:8:{s:8:\"language\";s:2:\"uk\";s:7:\"version\";s:3:\"5.8\";s:7:\"updated\";s:19:\"2021-08-27 18:02:55\";s:12:\"english_name\";s:9:\"Ukrainian\";s:11:\"native_name\";s:20:\"Українська\";s:7:\"package\";s:59:\"https://downloads.wordpress.org/translation/core/5.8/uk.zip\";s:3:\"iso\";a:2:{i:1;s:2:\"uk\";i:2;s:3:\"ukr\";}s:7:\"strings\";a:1:{s:8:\"continue\";s:20:\"Продовжити\";}}s:2:\"ur\";a:8:{s:8:\"language\";s:2:\"ur\";s:7:\"version\";s:5:\"5.4.7\";s:7:\"updated\";s:19:\"2020-04-09 11:17:33\";s:12:\"english_name\";s:4:\"Urdu\";s:11:\"native_name\";s:8:\"اردو\";s:7:\"package\";s:61:\"https://downloads.wordpress.org/translation/core/5.4.7/ur.zip\";s:3:\"iso\";a:2:{i:1;s:2:\"ur\";i:2;s:3:\"urd\";}s:7:\"strings\";a:1:{s:8:\"continue\";s:19:\"جاری رکھیں\";}}s:5:\"uz_UZ\";a:8:{s:8:\"language\";s:5:\"uz_UZ\";s:7:\"version\";s:8:\"5.8-beta\";s:7:\"updated\";s:19:\"2021-02-28 12:02:22\";s:12:\"english_name\";s:5:\"Uzbek\";s:11:\"native_name\";s:11:\"O‘zbekcha\";s:7:\"package\";s:67:\"https://downloads.wordpress.org/translation/core/5.8-beta/uz_UZ.zip\";s:3:\"iso\";a:2:{i:1;s:2:\"uz\";i:2;s:3:\"uzb\";}s:7:\"strings\";a:1:{s:8:\"continue\";s:20:\"Продолжить\";}}s:2:\"vi\";a:8:{s:8:\"language\";s:2:\"vi\";s:7:\"version\";s:3:\"5.8\";s:7:\"updated\";s:19:\"2021-08-02 03:13:39\";s:12:\"english_name\";s:10:\"Vietnamese\";s:11:\"native_name\";s:14:\"Tiếng Việt\";s:7:\"package\";s:59:\"https://downloads.wordpress.org/translation/core/5.8/vi.zip\";s:3:\"iso\";a:2:{i:1;s:2:\"vi\";i:2;s:3:\"vie\";}s:7:\"strings\";a:1:{s:8:\"continue\";s:12:\"Tiếp tục\";}}s:5:\"zh_TW\";a:8:{s:8:\"language\";s:5:\"zh_TW\";s:7:\"version\";s:3:\"5.8\";s:7:\"updated\";s:19:\"2021-09-02 05:46:40\";s:12:\"english_name\";s:16:\"Chinese (Taiwan)\";s:11:\"native_name\";s:12:\"繁體中文\";s:7:\"package\";s:62:\"https://downloads.wordpress.org/translation/core/5.8/zh_TW.zip\";s:3:\"iso\";a:2:{i:1;s:2:\"zh\";i:2;s:3:\"zho\";}s:7:\"strings\";a:1:{s:8:\"continue\";s:6:\"繼續\";}}s:5:\"zh_CN\";a:8:{s:8:\"language\";s:5:\"zh_CN\";s:7:\"version\";s:3:\"5.8\";s:7:\"updated\";s:19:\"2021-09-03 09:00:32\";s:12:\"english_name\";s:15:\"Chinese (China)\";s:11:\"native_name\";s:12:\"简体中文\";s:7:\"package\";s:62:\"https://downloads.wordpress.org/translation/core/5.8/zh_CN.zip\";s:3:\"iso\";a:2:{i:1;s:2:\"zh\";i:2;s:3:\"zho\";}s:7:\"strings\";a:1:{s:8:\"continue\";s:6:\"继续\";}}s:5:\"zh_HK\";a:8:{s:8:\"language\";s:5:\"zh_HK\";s:7:\"version\";s:8:\"5.8-beta\";s:7:\"updated\";s:19:\"2021-06-27 10:46:14\";s:12:\"english_name\";s:19:\"Chinese (Hong Kong)\";s:11:\"native_name\";s:16:\"香港中文版 \";s:7:\"package\";s:67:\"https://downloads.wordpress.org/translation/core/5.8-beta/zh_HK.zip\";s:3:\"iso\";a:2:{i:1;s:2:\"zh\";i:2;s:3:\"zho\";}s:7:\"strings\";a:1:{s:8:\"continue\";s:6:\"繼續\";}}}','no'),(8448,'_transient_timeout_rsssl_curl_error','1632039719','no'),(8449,'_transient_rsssl_curl_error','cURL error 28: Connection timed out after 5001 milliseconds','no'),(8450,'_transient_timeout_rsssl_mixed_content_fixer_detected','1632039679','no'),(8451,'_transient_rsssl_mixed_content_fixer_detected','curl-error','no'),(8466,'_transient_timeout_rsssl_remaining_task_count','1632125519','no'),(8467,'_transient_rsssl_remaining_task_count','4','no'),(8482,'_transient_timeout_rsssl_admin_notices','1632125533','no'),(8483,'_transient_rsssl_admin_notices','a:1:{s:12:\"ssl_detected\";a:4:{s:9:\"condition\";a:0:{}s:8:\"callback\";s:18:\"rsssl_ssl_detected\";s:5:\"score\";i:30;s:6:\"output\";a:5:{s:5:\"title\";s:15:\"No SSL detected\";s:3:\"msg\";s:416:\"No SSL detected. See our guide on how to <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https://really-simple-ssl.com/knowledge-base/how-to-install-a-free-ssl-certificate-on-your-wordpress-cpanel-hosting/\">get a free SSL certificate</a>. If you do have an SSL certificate, try to reload this page over https by clicking this link: <a href=\"https://lawreview.ust.edu.ph/wp-admin/options-media.php?ssl_reload_https=1\">Reload over https.</a>\";s:4:\"icon\";s:7:\"warning\";s:12:\"admin_notice\";b:1;s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";}}}','no');
/*!40000 ALTER TABLE `wp_options` ENABLE KEYS */;
UNLOCK TABLES;
--
-- Table structure for table `wp_postmeta`
--
DROP TABLE IF EXISTS `wp_postmeta`;
/*!40101 SET @saved_cs_client = @@character_set_client */;
/*!40101 SET character_set_client = utf8 */;
CREATE TABLE `wp_postmeta` (
`meta_id` bigint(20) unsigned NOT NULL AUTO_INCREMENT,
`post_id` bigint(20) unsigned NOT NULL DEFAULT '0',
`meta_key` varchar(255) COLLATE utf8mb4_unicode_ci DEFAULT NULL,
`meta_value` longtext COLLATE utf8mb4_unicode_ci,
PRIMARY KEY (`meta_id`),
KEY `post_id` (`post_id`),
KEY `meta_key` (`meta_key`(191))
) ENGINE=InnoDB AUTO_INCREMENT=6193 DEFAULT CHARSET=utf8mb4 COLLATE=utf8mb4_unicode_ci;
/*!40101 SET character_set_client = @saved_cs_client */;
--
-- Dumping data for table `wp_postmeta`
--
LOCK TABLES `wp_postmeta` WRITE;
/*!40000 ALTER TABLE `wp_postmeta` DISABLE KEYS */;
INSERT INTO `wp_postmeta` VALUES (1,2,'_wp_page_template','default'),(2,3,'_wp_page_template','default'),(20,13,'_wp_attached_file','2019/11/Badge-ULR.png'),(21,13,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:5:{s:5:\"width\";i:154;s:6:\"height\";i:107;s:4:\"file\";s:21:\"2019/11/Badge-ULR.png\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:2:{s:9:\"thumbnail\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:21:\"Badge-ULR-150x107.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:107;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:25:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:19:\"Badge-ULR-86x70.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:0:\"\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:1:\"0\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:1:\"0\";s:3:\"iso\";s:1:\"0\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:1:\"0\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";s:1:\"0\";s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}}'),(22,13,'_wp_attachment_image_alt','ULR Badge'),(23,14,'_wp_attached_file','2019/11/cropped-Badge-ULR.png'),(24,14,'_wp_attachment_context','site-icon'),(25,14,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:5:{s:5:\"width\";i:512;s:6:\"height\";i:512;s:4:\"file\";s:29:\"2019/11/cropped-Badge-ULR.png\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:8:{s:6:\"medium\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:29:\"cropped-Badge-ULR-300x300.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:300;s:6:\"height\";i:300;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:9:\"thumbnail\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:29:\"cropped-Badge-ULR-150x150.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:24:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:29:\"cropped-Badge-ULR-170x110.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:25:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:27:\"cropped-Badge-ULR-86x70.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:29:\"cropped-Badge-ULR-110x110.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:110;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:22:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:29:\"cropped-Badge-ULR-370x250.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:30:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:29:\"cropped-Badge-ULR-250x250.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:250;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:21:\"bfastmag_related_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:29:\"cropped-Badge-ULR-288x160.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:288;s:6:\"height\";i:160;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:0:\"\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:1:\"0\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:1:\"0\";s:3:\"iso\";s:1:\"0\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:1:\"0\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";s:1:\"0\";s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}}'),(27,15,'_wp_attached_file','2019/11/logo.png'),(28,15,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:5:{s:5:\"width\";i:347;s:6:\"height\";i:129;s:4:\"file\";s:16:\"2019/11/logo.png\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:6:{s:6:\"medium\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:16:\"logo-300x112.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:300;s:6:\"height\";i:112;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:9:\"thumbnail\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:16:\"logo-150x129.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:129;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:24:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:16:\"logo-170x110.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:25:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:14:\"logo-86x70.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:15:\"logo-170x63.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:63;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:21:\"bfastmag_related_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:16:\"logo-288x129.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:288;s:6:\"height\";i:129;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:0:\"\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:1:\"0\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:1:\"0\";s:3:\"iso\";s:1:\"0\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:1:\"0\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";s:1:\"0\";s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}}'),(29,15,'_wp_attachment_image_alt','UST Law Review Logo'),(30,16,'_wp_attached_file','2019/11/cropped-logo.png'),(31,16,'_wp_attachment_context','custom-logo'),(32,16,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:5:{s:5:\"width\";i:347;s:6:\"height\";i:114;s:4:\"file\";s:24:\"2019/11/cropped-logo.png\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:6:{s:6:\"medium\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:23:\"cropped-logo-300x99.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:300;s:6:\"height\";i:99;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:9:\"thumbnail\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:24:\"cropped-logo-150x114.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:114;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:24:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:24:\"cropped-logo-170x110.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:25:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:22:\"cropped-logo-86x70.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:23:\"cropped-logo-170x56.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:56;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:21:\"bfastmag_related_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:24:\"cropped-logo-288x114.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:288;s:6:\"height\";i:114;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:0:\"\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:1:\"0\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:1:\"0\";s:3:\"iso\";s:1:\"0\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:1:\"0\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";s:1:\"0\";s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}}'),(34,18,'_wp_attached_file','2019/11/cropped-logo-1.png'),(35,18,'_wp_attachment_context','custom-logo'),(36,18,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:5:{s:5:\"width\";i:306;s:6:\"height\";i:93;s:4:\"file\";s:26:\"2019/11/cropped-logo-1.png\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:6:{s:6:\"medium\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:25:\"cropped-logo-1-300x91.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:300;s:6:\"height\";i:91;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:9:\"thumbnail\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:25:\"cropped-logo-1-150x93.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:93;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:24:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:25:\"cropped-logo-1-170x93.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:93;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:25:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:24:\"cropped-logo-1-86x70.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:25:\"cropped-logo-1-170x52.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:52;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:21:\"bfastmag_related_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:25:\"cropped-logo-1-288x93.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:288;s:6:\"height\";i:93;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:0:\"\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:1:\"0\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:1:\"0\";s:3:\"iso\";s:1:\"0\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:1:\"0\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";s:1:\"0\";s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}}'),(43,21,'_wp_attached_file','2019/11/UST_Main_Building2.jpg'),(44,21,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:5:{s:5:\"width\";i:1280;s:6:\"height\";i:819;s:4:\"file\";s:30:\"2019/11/UST_Main_Building2.jpg\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:12:{s:6:\"medium\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:30:\"UST_Main_Building2-300x192.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:300;s:6:\"height\";i:192;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:5:\"large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:31:\"UST_Main_Building2-1024x655.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1024;s:6:\"height\";i:655;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"thumbnail\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:30:\"UST_Main_Building2-150x150.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:12:\"medium_large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:30:\"UST_Main_Building2-768x491.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:768;s:6:\"height\";i:491;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:24:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:30:\"UST_Main_Building2-170x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:25:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:28:\"UST_Main_Building2-86x70.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:30:\"UST_Main_Building2-170x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:22:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:30:\"UST_Main_Building2-370x250.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:30:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:30:\"UST_Main_Building2-370x237.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:237;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:21:\"bfastmag_related_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:30:\"UST_Main_Building2-288x160.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:288;s:6:\"height\";i:160;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:18:\"bfastmag_blog_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:30:\"UST_Main_Building2-780x544.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:26:\"bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:30:\"UST_Main_Building2-780x499.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:499;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:0:\"\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:1:\"0\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:1:\"0\";s:3:\"iso\";s:1:\"0\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:1:\"0\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";s:1:\"1\";s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}}'),(45,21,'_wp_attachment_is_custom_background','bfastmag'),(69,2,'_edit_lock','1594970478:1'),(70,2,'_edit_last','1'),(71,3,'_edit_lock','1594624728:1'),(72,3,'_edit_last','1'),(73,30,'_edit_lock','1620907987:1'),(74,30,'_edit_last','1'),(75,30,'_wp_page_template','default'),(76,35,'_edit_lock','1627278948:1'),(77,37,'_edit_lock','1582791022:1'),(78,39,'_edit_lock','1582791023:1'),(79,41,'_menu_item_type','post_type'),(80,41,'_menu_item_menu_item_parent','0'),(81,41,'_menu_item_object_id','39'),(82,41,'_menu_item_object','page'),(83,41,'_menu_item_target',''),(84,41,'_menu_item_classes','a:1:{i:0;s:0:\"\";}'),(85,41,'_menu_item_xfn',''),(86,41,'_menu_item_url',''),(88,42,'_menu_item_type','post_type'),(89,42,'_menu_item_menu_item_parent','0'),(90,42,'_menu_item_object_id','37'),(91,42,'_menu_item_object','page'),(92,42,'_menu_item_target',''),(93,42,'_menu_item_classes','a:1:{i:0;s:0:\"\";}'),(94,42,'_menu_item_xfn',''),(95,42,'_menu_item_url',''),(97,43,'_menu_item_type','post_type'),(98,43,'_menu_item_menu_item_parent','0'),(99,43,'_menu_item_object_id','35'),(100,43,'_menu_item_object','page'),(101,43,'_menu_item_target',''),(102,43,'_menu_item_classes','a:1:{i:0;s:0:\"\";}'),(103,43,'_menu_item_xfn',''),(104,43,'_menu_item_url',''),(116,47,'_wp_attached_file',''),(117,48,'_wp_attached_file','2019'),(118,49,'_wp_attached_file','2019/11'),(165,95,'_wp_attached_file','archives'),(166,96,'_wp_attached_file','archives/case-digests'),(167,97,'_wp_attached_file','archives/case-digests/2012'),(168,98,'_wp_attached_file','archives/case-digests/2012/Civil'),(169,99,'_wp_attached_file','archives/case-digests/2012/Criminal'),(170,100,'_wp_attached_file','archives/case-digests/2012/Ethics'),(171,101,'_wp_attached_file','archives/case-digests/2012/Labor'),(172,102,'_wp_attached_file','archives/case-digests/2012/Mercantile'),(173,103,'_wp_attached_file','archives/case-digests/2012/Political'),(174,104,'_wp_attached_file','archives/case-digests/2012/Remedial'),(175,105,'_wp_attached_file','archives/case-digests/2012/Tax'),(176,106,'_wp_attached_file','archives/case-digests/2013'),(177,107,'_wp_attached_file','archives/case-digests/2013/Civil'),(178,108,'_wp_attached_file','archives/case-digests/2013/Criminal'),(179,109,'_wp_attached_file','archives/case-digests/2013/Ethics'),(180,110,'_wp_attached_file','archives/case-digests/2013/Labor'),(181,111,'_wp_attached_file','archives/case-digests/2013/Mercantile'),(182,112,'_wp_attached_file','archives/case-digests/2013/Political'),(183,113,'_wp_attached_file','archives/case-digests/2013/Remedial'),(184,114,'_wp_attached_file','archives/case-digests/2013/Tax'),(185,115,'_wp_attached_file','archives/case-digests/2014'),(186,116,'_wp_attached_file','archives/case-digests/2014/Civil'),(187,117,'_wp_attached_file','archives/case-digests/2014/Criminal'),(188,118,'_wp_attached_file','archives/case-digests/2014/Ethics'),(189,119,'_wp_attached_file','archives/case-digests/2014/Labor'),(190,120,'_wp_attached_file','archives/case-digests/2014/Mercantile'),(191,121,'_wp_attached_file','archives/case-digests/2014/Political'),(192,122,'_wp_attached_file','archives/case-digests/2014/Remedial'),(193,123,'_wp_attached_file','archives/case-digests/2014/Tax'),(194,124,'_wp_attached_file','archives/case-digests/2015'),(195,125,'_wp_attached_file','archives/case-digests/2015/Civil'),(196,126,'_wp_attached_file','archives/case-digests/2015/Criminal'),(197,127,'_wp_attached_file','archives/case-digests/2015/Ethics'),(198,128,'_wp_attached_file','archives/case-digests/2015/Labor'),(199,129,'_wp_attached_file','archives/case-digests/2015/Mercantile'),(200,130,'_wp_attached_file','archives/case-digests/2015/Political'),(201,131,'_wp_attached_file','archives/case-digests/2015/Remedial'),(202,132,'_wp_attached_file','archives/case-digests/2015/Tax'),(203,133,'_wp_attached_file','archives/case-digests/2016'),(204,134,'_wp_attached_file','archives/case-digests/2017'),(205,135,'_wp_attached_file','archives/journal-volume'),(206,136,'_wp_attached_file','archives/journal-volume/volume-01'),(207,137,'_wp_attached_file','archives/journal-volume/volume-02'),(208,138,'_wp_attached_file','archives/journal-volume/volume-61'),(216,1,'_edit_last','1'),(219,1,'_edit_lock','1582801424:1'),(220,143,'_wp_attached_file','2019/12'),(221,144,'_edit_lock','1632036842:1'),(253,144,'_edit_last','1'),(254,144,'_wp_page_template','default'),(255,153,'_edit_lock','1599626373:1'),(256,156,'_edit_lock','1581593586:1'),(257,153,'_edit_last','1'),(258,153,'_wp_page_template','default'),(268,159,'_edit_lock','1582791023:1'),(269,161,'_edit_lock','1632036872:1'),(270,161,'_edit_last','1'),(271,161,'_wp_page_template','default'),(282,156,'_edit_last','1'),(283,156,'wptr_hide_title','1'),(284,30,'wptr_hide_title','1'),(285,181,'_edit_lock','1600956981:1'),(286,181,'_edit_last','1'),(287,181,'wptr_hide_title','0'),(288,183,'_edit_lock','1632036939:1'),(289,183,'_edit_last','1'),(290,183,'wptr_hide_title','0'),(291,185,'_edit_lock','1601776846:1'),(292,185,'_edit_last','1'),(293,185,'wptr_hide_title','0'),(294,187,'_edit_lock','1627214576:1'),(295,187,'_edit_last','1'),(296,187,'wptr_hide_title','0'),(297,189,'_edit_lock','1632035706:1'),(298,189,'_edit_last','1'),(299,189,'wptr_hide_title','0'),(300,37,'_edit_last','1'),(301,37,'wptr_hide_title','0'),(302,39,'_edit_last','1'),(303,39,'wptr_hide_title','1'),(304,193,'_wp_attached_file','2019/12/ULR-Style-Guide.pdf'),(305,193,'_edit_lock','1575458702:1'),(307,196,'_edit_lock','1575678868:1'),(308,196,'_edit_last','1'),(309,196,'wptr_hide_title','0'),(310,198,'_edit_lock','1581588016:1'),(311,198,'_edit_last','1'),(312,198,'wptr_hide_title','0'),(317,37,'_wp_page_template','template-fullwidth.php'),(318,39,'_wp_page_template','template-fullwidth.php'),(319,223,'_edit_lock','1575701867:1'),(320,223,'_oembed_79ac0ece8f39a5ef8e8639481c53cd23','<div id=\"fb-root\"></div><script async=\"1\" defer=\"1\" crossorigin=\"anonymous\" src=\"https://connect.facebook.net/tl_PH/sdk.js#xfbml=1&version=v5.0\"></script><div class=\"fb-video\" data-href=\"https://www.facebook.com/ustlawrev/videos/2497633850250304/\" data-width=\"840\"><blockquote cite=\"https://www.facebook.com/ustlawrev/videos/2497633850250304/\" class=\"fb-xfbml-parse-ignore\"><a href=\"https://www.facebook.com/ustlawrev/videos/2497633850250304/\"></a><p>The UST Law Review hosts the 5th Chief Justice Andres Narvasa Lecture, featuring Associate Justice Angelina Sandoval-Gutierrez (ret.) on Multi-Jurisdictional Practice and Disputes.#USTLawReview #ULRxTOMCAT</p>Nai-post ni <a href=\"https://www.facebook.com/ustlawrev/\">UST Law Review</a> noong Sabado, Pebrero 9, 2019</blockquote></div>'),(321,223,'_oembed_time_79ac0ece8f39a5ef8e8639481c53cd23','1575683427'),(322,223,'_edit_last','1'),(323,223,'wptr_hide_title','0'),(324,229,'_edit_lock','1612459671:1'),(325,229,'_edit_last','1'),(326,229,'wptr_hide_title','0'),(327,231,'_wp_attached_file','archives/case-digests/2012/Civil/sps.-oliva-de-mesa-vs.-sps.-acero.pdf'),(328,231,'_edit_lock','1575686020:1'),(329,231,'_edit_last','1'),(330,233,'_edit_lock','1581587715:1'),(331,159,'_edit_last','1'),(332,159,'wptr_hide_title','0'),(333,236,'_wp_attached_file','2019/12/4thnarvasa_banner.jpg'),(334,236,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:5:{s:5:\"width\";i:721;s:6:\"height\";i:392;s:4:\"file\";s:29:\"2019/12/4thnarvasa_banner.jpg\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:8:{s:6:\"medium\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:29:\"4thnarvasa_banner-300x163.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:300;s:6:\"height\";i:163;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"thumbnail\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:29:\"4thnarvasa_banner-150x150.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:24:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:29:\"4thnarvasa_banner-170x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:25:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:27:\"4thnarvasa_banner-86x70.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:28:\"4thnarvasa_banner-170x92.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:92;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:22:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:29:\"4thnarvasa_banner-370x250.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:30:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:29:\"4thnarvasa_banner-370x201.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:201;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:21:\"bfastmag_related_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:29:\"4thnarvasa_banner-288x160.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:288;s:6:\"height\";i:160;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:0:\"\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:1:\"0\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:1:\"0\";s:3:\"iso\";s:1:\"0\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:1:\"0\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";s:1:\"0\";s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}}'),(335,237,'_wp_attached_file','2019/12/554084_10151505444402938_121776839_n-e1582788058670.jpg'),(336,237,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:5:{s:5:\"width\";i:960;s:6:\"height\";i:487;s:4:\"file\";s:63:\"2019/12/554084_10151505444402938_121776839_n-e1582788058670.jpg\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:11:{s:6:\"medium\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:63:\"554084_10151505444402938_121776839_n-e1582788058670-300x152.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:300;s:6:\"height\";i:152;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"thumbnail\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:63:\"554084_10151505444402938_121776839_n-e1582788058670-150x150.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:12:\"medium_large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:63:\"554084_10151505444402938_121776839_n-e1582788058670-768x390.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:768;s:6:\"height\";i:390;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:24:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:63:\"554084_10151505444402938_121776839_n-e1582788058670-170x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:25:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:61:\"554084_10151505444402938_121776839_n-e1582788058670-86x70.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:62:\"554084_10151505444402938_121776839_n-e1582788058670-170x86.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:86;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:22:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:63:\"554084_10151505444402938_121776839_n-e1582788058670-370x250.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:30:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:63:\"554084_10151505444402938_121776839_n-e1582788058670-370x188.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:188;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:21:\"bfastmag_related_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:63:\"554084_10151505444402938_121776839_n-e1582788058670-288x160.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:288;s:6:\"height\";i:160;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:18:\"bfastmag_blog_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:63:\"554084_10151505444402938_121776839_n-e1582788058670-780x487.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:487;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:26:\"bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:63:\"554084_10151505444402938_121776839_n-e1582788058670-780x396.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:396;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:0:\"\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:1:\"0\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:1:\"0\";s:3:\"iso\";s:1:\"0\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:1:\"0\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";s:1:\"0\";s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}}'),(337,238,'_wp_attached_file','2019/12/events-and-activities.jpg'),(338,238,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:5:{s:5:\"width\";i:680;s:6:\"height\";i:190;s:4:\"file\";s:33:\"2019/12/events-and-activities.jpg\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:8:{s:6:\"medium\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:32:\"events-and-activities-300x84.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:300;s:6:\"height\";i:84;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"thumbnail\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:33:\"events-and-activities-150x150.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:24:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:33:\"events-and-activities-170x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:25:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:31:\"events-and-activities-86x70.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:32:\"events-and-activities-170x48.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:48;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:22:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:33:\"events-and-activities-370x190.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:190;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:30:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:33:\"events-and-activities-370x103.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:103;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:21:\"bfastmag_related_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:33:\"events-and-activities-288x160.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:288;s:6:\"height\";i:160;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:0:\"\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:1:\"0\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:1:\"0\";s:3:\"iso\";s:1:\"0\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:1:\"0\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";s:1:\"0\";s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}}'),(339,239,'_wp_attached_file','2019/12/history.jpg'),(340,239,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:5:{s:5:\"width\";i:680;s:6:\"height\";i:190;s:4:\"file\";s:19:\"2019/12/history.jpg\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:8:{s:6:\"medium\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:18:\"history-300x84.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:300;s:6:\"height\";i:84;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"thumbnail\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:19:\"history-150x150.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:24:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:19:\"history-170x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:25:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:17:\"history-86x70.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:18:\"history-170x48.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:48;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:22:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:19:\"history-370x190.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:190;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:30:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:19:\"history-370x103.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:103;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:21:\"bfastmag_related_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:19:\"history-288x160.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:288;s:6:\"height\";i:160;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:0:\"\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:1:\"0\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:1:\"0\";s:3:\"iso\";s:1:\"0\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:1:\"0\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";s:1:\"0\";s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}}'),(341,240,'_wp_attached_file','2019/12/membership.jpg'),(342,240,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:5:{s:5:\"width\";i:680;s:6:\"height\";i:190;s:4:\"file\";s:22:\"2019/12/membership.jpg\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:8:{s:6:\"medium\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:21:\"membership-300x84.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:300;s:6:\"height\";i:84;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"thumbnail\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:22:\"membership-150x150.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:24:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:22:\"membership-170x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:25:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"membership-86x70.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:21:\"membership-170x48.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:48;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:22:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:22:\"membership-370x190.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:190;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:30:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:22:\"membership-370x103.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:103;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:21:\"bfastmag_related_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:22:\"membership-288x160.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:288;s:6:\"height\";i:160;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:0:\"\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:1:\"0\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:1:\"0\";s:3:\"iso\";s:1:\"0\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:1:\"0\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";s:1:\"0\";s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}}'),(343,241,'_wp_attached_file','2019/12/profile.jpg'),(344,241,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:5:{s:5:\"width\";i:680;s:6:\"height\";i:190;s:4:\"file\";s:19:\"2019/12/profile.jpg\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:8:{s:6:\"medium\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:18:\"profile-300x84.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:300;s:6:\"height\";i:84;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"thumbnail\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:19:\"profile-150x150.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:24:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:19:\"profile-170x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:25:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:17:\"profile-86x70.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:18:\"profile-170x48.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:48;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:22:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:19:\"profile-370x190.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:190;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:30:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:19:\"profile-370x103.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:103;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:21:\"bfastmag_related_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:19:\"profile-288x160.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:288;s:6:\"height\";i:160;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:0:\"\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:1:\"0\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:1:\"0\";s:3:\"iso\";s:1:\"0\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:1:\"0\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";s:1:\"0\";s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}}'),(345,242,'_wp_attached_file','2019/12/ulr1617-scaled.jpg'),(346,242,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:5:{s:5:\"width\";i:1920;s:6:\"height\";i:791;s:4:\"file\";s:26:\"2019/12/ulr1617-scaled.jpg\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:14:{s:6:\"medium\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:26:\"ulr1617-scaled-300x124.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:300;s:6:\"height\";i:124;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:5:\"large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:27:\"ulr1617-scaled-1024x422.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1024;s:6:\"height\";i:422;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"thumbnail\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:26:\"ulr1617-scaled-150x150.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:12:\"medium_large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:26:\"ulr1617-scaled-768x316.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:768;s:6:\"height\";i:316;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"1536x1536\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:27:\"ulr1617-scaled-1536x632.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1536;s:6:\"height\";i:632;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"2048x2048\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:27:\"ulr1617-scaled-2048x843.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:2048;s:6:\"height\";i:843;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:24:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:26:\"ulr1617-scaled-170x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:25:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:24:\"ulr1617-scaled-86x70.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:25:\"ulr1617-scaled-170x70.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:22:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:26:\"ulr1617-scaled-370x250.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:30:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:26:\"ulr1617-scaled-370x152.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:152;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:21:\"bfastmag_related_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:26:\"ulr1617-scaled-288x160.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:288;s:6:\"height\";i:160;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:18:\"bfastmag_blog_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:26:\"ulr1617-scaled-780x544.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:26:\"bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:26:\"ulr1617-scaled-780x321.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:321;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:0:\"\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:1:\"0\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:1:\"0\";s:3:\"iso\";s:1:\"0\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:1:\"0\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";s:1:\"0\";s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}}'),(347,243,'_wp_attached_file','2019/12/understudy-program.jpg'),(348,243,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:5:{s:5:\"width\";i:680;s:6:\"height\";i:190;s:4:\"file\";s:30:\"2019/12/understudy-program.jpg\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:8:{s:6:\"medium\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:29:\"understudy-program-300x84.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:300;s:6:\"height\";i:84;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"thumbnail\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:30:\"understudy-program-150x150.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:24:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:30:\"understudy-program-170x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:25:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:28:\"understudy-program-86x70.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:29:\"understudy-program-170x48.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:48;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:22:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:30:\"understudy-program-370x190.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:190;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:30:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:30:\"understudy-program-370x103.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:103;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:21:\"bfastmag_related_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:30:\"understudy-program-288x160.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:288;s:6:\"height\";i:160;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:0:\"\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:1:\"0\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:1:\"0\";s:3:\"iso\";s:1:\"0\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:1:\"0\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";s:1:\"0\";s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}}'),(349,244,'_wp_attached_file','2019/12/ustmain.jpg'),(350,244,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:5:{s:5:\"width\";i:720;s:6:\"height\";i:392;s:4:\"file\";s:19:\"2019/12/ustmain.jpg\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:8:{s:6:\"medium\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:19:\"ustmain-300x163.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:300;s:6:\"height\";i:163;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"thumbnail\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:19:\"ustmain-150x150.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:24:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:19:\"ustmain-170x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:25:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:17:\"ustmain-86x70.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:18:\"ustmain-170x93.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:93;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:22:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:19:\"ustmain-370x250.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:30:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:19:\"ustmain-370x201.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:201;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:21:\"bfastmag_related_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:19:\"ustmain-288x160.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:288;s:6:\"height\";i:160;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:0:\"\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:1:\"0\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:1:\"0\";s:3:\"iso\";s:1:\"0\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:1:\"0\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";s:1:\"0\";s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}}'),(351,249,'_wp_attached_file','2019/12/Current-Editorial-Board-scaled.jpg'),(352,249,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:6:{s:5:\"width\";i:2560;s:6:\"height\";i:1193;s:4:\"file\";s:42:\"2019/12/Current-Editorial-Board-scaled.jpg\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:14:{s:6:\"medium\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:35:\"Current-Editorial-Board-300x140.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:300;s:6:\"height\";i:140;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:5:\"large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:36:\"Current-Editorial-Board-1024x477.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1024;s:6:\"height\";i:477;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"thumbnail\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:35:\"Current-Editorial-Board-150x150.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:12:\"medium_large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:35:\"Current-Editorial-Board-768x358.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:768;s:6:\"height\";i:358;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"1536x1536\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:36:\"Current-Editorial-Board-1536x716.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1536;s:6:\"height\";i:716;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"2048x2048\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:36:\"Current-Editorial-Board-2048x954.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:2048;s:6:\"height\";i:954;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:24:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:35:\"Current-Editorial-Board-170x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:25:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:33:\"Current-Editorial-Board-86x70.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:34:\"Current-Editorial-Board-170x79.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:79;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:22:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:35:\"Current-Editorial-Board-370x250.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:30:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:35:\"Current-Editorial-Board-370x172.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:172;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:21:\"bfastmag_related_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:35:\"Current-Editorial-Board-288x160.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:288;s:6:\"height\";i:160;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:18:\"bfastmag_blog_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:35:\"Current-Editorial-Board-780x544.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:26:\"bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:35:\"Current-Editorial-Board-780x364.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:364;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:1:\"4\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:7:\"SLT-A37\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:10:\"1325418516\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:2:\"18\";s:3:\"iso\";s:4:\"2500\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:7:\"0.00625\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";s:1:\"1\";s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}s:14:\"original_image\";s:27:\"Current-Editorial-Board.jpg\";}'),(353,252,'_wp_attached_file','2019/12/LAND-REFORM-EXPLAINED.pdf'),(354,253,'_wp_attached_file','2019/12/THE-FAMILY-HOME-ITS-CONCEPT-PHILOSOPHY-AND-REGISTRATION.pdf'),(355,254,'_wp_attached_file','2019/12/THE-MORAL-ASPECT-OF-FREEDOM-OF-THE-PRESS.pdf'),(356,255,'_wp_attached_file','2019/12/A_Right_Dream_and_a_Vision.pdf'),(357,256,'_wp_attached_file','2019/12/A_Survey_of_the_Developments_on_the_Power_of_Inquiry.pdf'),(358,257,'_wp_attached_file','2019/12/Alternative_Dispute_Resolution_in_the_Philippines.pdf'),(359,258,'_wp_attached_file','2019/12/Power_and_Paradox.pdf'),(360,259,'_wp_attached_file','2019/12/Songs_Singers_and_Shadows.pdf'),(361,260,'_wp_attached_file','2019/12/Star-Crossed_Lovers_Treading_a_Road_Less_Traveled.pdf'),(362,263,'_edit_lock','1582787694:1'),(363,263,'_edit_last','1'),(364,263,'wptr_hide_title','0'),(365,265,'_edit_lock','1582787655:1'),(366,265,'_edit_last','1'),(367,265,'wptr_hide_title','0'),(368,267,'_edit_lock','1594624207:1'),(369,267,'_edit_last','1'),(370,267,'wptr_hide_title','0'),(371,1,'_oembed_311fefe51ee930bdfb454cec004f21d6','{{unknown}}'),(374,1,'_oembed_05edc0159b3f02fa7408484c314d263e','<iframe title=\"UST Law Review\" width=\"840\" height=\"473\" src=\"https://www.youtube.com/embed/p7h1fvoT9fA?start=3&feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen></iframe>'),(375,1,'_oembed_time_05edc0159b3f02fa7408484c314d263e','1575697581'),(379,1,'wptr_hide_title','0'),(383,1,'_oembed_6a8e7ede57f79a97e26b8e7e67f71705','<iframe title=\"UST Law Review\" width=\"840\" height=\"473\" src=\"https://www.youtube.com/embed/p7h1fvoT9fA?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen></iframe>'),(384,1,'_oembed_time_6a8e7ede57f79a97e26b8e7e67f71705','1575697808'),(386,286,'_wp_attached_file','2019/11/THUMBNAIL.jpg'),(387,286,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:5:{s:5:\"width\";i:1280;s:6:\"height\";i:720;s:4:\"file\";s:21:\"2019/11/THUMBNAIL.jpg\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:12:{s:6:\"medium\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:21:\"THUMBNAIL-300x169.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:300;s:6:\"height\";i:169;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:5:\"large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:22:\"THUMBNAIL-1024x576.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1024;s:6:\"height\";i:576;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"thumbnail\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:21:\"THUMBNAIL-150x150.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:12:\"medium_large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:21:\"THUMBNAIL-768x432.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:768;s:6:\"height\";i:432;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:24:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:21:\"THUMBNAIL-170x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:25:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:19:\"THUMBNAIL-86x70.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"THUMBNAIL-170x96.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:96;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:22:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:21:\"THUMBNAIL-370x250.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:30:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:21:\"THUMBNAIL-370x208.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:208;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:21:\"bfastmag_related_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:21:\"THUMBNAIL-288x160.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:288;s:6:\"height\";i:160;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:18:\"bfastmag_blog_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:21:\"THUMBNAIL-780x544.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:26:\"bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:21:\"THUMBNAIL-780x439.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:439;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:0:\"\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:1:\"0\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:1:\"0\";s:3:\"iso\";s:1:\"0\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:1:\"0\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";s:1:\"1\";s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}}'),(389,1,'_thumbnail_id','412'),(391,287,'_edit_lock','1582802603:1'),(392,288,'_wp_attached_file','2019/12/IMG_20191127_114218-scaled.jpg'),(393,288,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:6:{s:5:\"width\";i:2560;s:6:\"height\";i:1920;s:4:\"file\";s:38:\"2019/12/IMG_20191127_114218-scaled.jpg\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:14:{s:6:\"medium\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:31:\"IMG_20191127_114218-300x225.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:300;s:6:\"height\";i:225;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:5:\"large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:32:\"IMG_20191127_114218-1024x768.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1024;s:6:\"height\";i:768;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"thumbnail\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:31:\"IMG_20191127_114218-150x150.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:12:\"medium_large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:31:\"IMG_20191127_114218-768x576.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:768;s:6:\"height\";i:576;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"1536x1536\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:33:\"IMG_20191127_114218-1536x1152.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1536;s:6:\"height\";i:1152;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"2048x2048\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:33:\"IMG_20191127_114218-2048x1536.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:2048;s:6:\"height\";i:1536;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:24:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:31:\"IMG_20191127_114218-170x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:25:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:29:\"IMG_20191127_114218-86x70.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:31:\"IMG_20191127_114218-147x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:147;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:22:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:31:\"IMG_20191127_114218-370x250.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:30:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:31:\"IMG_20191127_114218-333x250.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:333;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:21:\"bfastmag_related_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:31:\"IMG_20191127_114218-288x160.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:288;s:6:\"height\";i:160;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:18:\"bfastmag_blog_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:31:\"IMG_20191127_114218-780x544.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:26:\"bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:31:\"IMG_20191127_114218-725x544.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:725;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:3:\"1.6\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:7:\"ALP-L29\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:10:\"1574854940\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:4:\"3.95\";s:3:\"iso\";s:3:\"160\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:8:\"0.024999\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";s:1:\"0\";s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}s:14:\"original_image\";s:23:\"IMG_20191127_114218.jpg\";}'),(394,289,'_wp_attached_file','2019/12/IMG_20191127_114224-scaled.jpg'),(395,289,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:6:{s:5:\"width\";i:2560;s:6:\"height\";i:1920;s:4:\"file\";s:38:\"2019/12/IMG_20191127_114224-scaled.jpg\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:14:{s:6:\"medium\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:31:\"IMG_20191127_114224-300x225.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:300;s:6:\"height\";i:225;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:5:\"large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:32:\"IMG_20191127_114224-1024x768.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1024;s:6:\"height\";i:768;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"thumbnail\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:31:\"IMG_20191127_114224-150x150.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:12:\"medium_large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:31:\"IMG_20191127_114224-768x576.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:768;s:6:\"height\";i:576;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"1536x1536\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:33:\"IMG_20191127_114224-1536x1152.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1536;s:6:\"height\";i:1152;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"2048x2048\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:33:\"IMG_20191127_114224-2048x1536.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:2048;s:6:\"height\";i:1536;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:24:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:31:\"IMG_20191127_114224-170x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:25:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:29:\"IMG_20191127_114224-86x70.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:31:\"IMG_20191127_114224-147x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:147;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:22:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:31:\"IMG_20191127_114224-370x250.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:30:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:31:\"IMG_20191127_114224-333x250.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:333;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:21:\"bfastmag_related_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:31:\"IMG_20191127_114224-288x160.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:288;s:6:\"height\";i:160;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:18:\"bfastmag_blog_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:31:\"IMG_20191127_114224-780x544.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:26:\"bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:31:\"IMG_20191127_114224-725x544.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:725;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:3:\"1.6\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:7:\"ALP-L29\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:10:\"1574854945\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:4:\"3.95\";s:3:\"iso\";s:3:\"200\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:5:\"0.025\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";s:1:\"0\";s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}s:14:\"original_image\";s:23:\"IMG_20191127_114224.jpg\";}'),(396,290,'_wp_attached_file','2019/12/IMG_20191127_114356-scaled.jpg'),(397,290,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:6:{s:5:\"width\";i:2560;s:6:\"height\";i:1920;s:4:\"file\";s:38:\"2019/12/IMG_20191127_114356-scaled.jpg\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:14:{s:6:\"medium\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:31:\"IMG_20191127_114356-300x225.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:300;s:6:\"height\";i:225;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:5:\"large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:32:\"IMG_20191127_114356-1024x768.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1024;s:6:\"height\";i:768;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"thumbnail\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:31:\"IMG_20191127_114356-150x150.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:12:\"medium_large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:31:\"IMG_20191127_114356-768x576.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:768;s:6:\"height\";i:576;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"1536x1536\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:33:\"IMG_20191127_114356-1536x1152.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1536;s:6:\"height\";i:1152;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"2048x2048\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:33:\"IMG_20191127_114356-2048x1536.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:2048;s:6:\"height\";i:1536;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:24:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:31:\"IMG_20191127_114356-170x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:25:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:29:\"IMG_20191127_114356-86x70.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:31:\"IMG_20191127_114356-147x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:147;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:22:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:31:\"IMG_20191127_114356-370x250.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:30:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:31:\"IMG_20191127_114356-333x250.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:333;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:21:\"bfastmag_related_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:31:\"IMG_20191127_114356-288x160.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:288;s:6:\"height\";i:160;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:18:\"bfastmag_blog_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:31:\"IMG_20191127_114356-780x544.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:26:\"bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:31:\"IMG_20191127_114356-725x544.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:725;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:3:\"1.6\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:7:\"ALP-L29\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:10:\"1574855037\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:4:\"3.95\";s:3:\"iso\";s:3:\"160\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:5:\"0.025\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";s:1:\"0\";s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}s:14:\"original_image\";s:23:\"IMG_20191127_114356.jpg\";}'),(398,291,'_wp_attached_file','2019/12/IMG_20191127_114837-scaled.jpg'),(399,291,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:6:{s:5:\"width\";i:2560;s:6:\"height\";i:1920;s:4:\"file\";s:38:\"2019/12/IMG_20191127_114837-scaled.jpg\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:14:{s:6:\"medium\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:31:\"IMG_20191127_114837-300x225.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:300;s:6:\"height\";i:225;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:5:\"large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:32:\"IMG_20191127_114837-1024x768.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1024;s:6:\"height\";i:768;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"thumbnail\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:31:\"IMG_20191127_114837-150x150.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:12:\"medium_large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:31:\"IMG_20191127_114837-768x576.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:768;s:6:\"height\";i:576;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"1536x1536\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:33:\"IMG_20191127_114837-1536x1152.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1536;s:6:\"height\";i:1152;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"2048x2048\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:33:\"IMG_20191127_114837-2048x1536.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:2048;s:6:\"height\";i:1536;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:24:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:31:\"IMG_20191127_114837-170x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:25:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:29:\"IMG_20191127_114837-86x70.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:31:\"IMG_20191127_114837-147x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:147;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:22:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:31:\"IMG_20191127_114837-370x250.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:30:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:31:\"IMG_20191127_114837-333x250.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:333;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:21:\"bfastmag_related_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:31:\"IMG_20191127_114837-288x160.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:288;s:6:\"height\";i:160;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:18:\"bfastmag_blog_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:31:\"IMG_20191127_114837-780x544.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:26:\"bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:31:\"IMG_20191127_114837-725x544.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:725;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:3:\"1.6\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:7:\"ALP-L29\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:10:\"1574855317\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:4:\"3.95\";s:3:\"iso\";s:3:\"200\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:8:\"0.016667\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";s:1:\"0\";s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}s:14:\"original_image\";s:23:\"IMG_20191127_114837.jpg\";}'),(400,292,'_wp_attached_file','2019/12/IMG_20191127_114955-scaled.jpg'),(401,292,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:6:{s:5:\"width\";i:2560;s:6:\"height\";i:1920;s:4:\"file\";s:38:\"2019/12/IMG_20191127_114955-scaled.jpg\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:14:{s:6:\"medium\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:31:\"IMG_20191127_114955-300x225.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:300;s:6:\"height\";i:225;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:5:\"large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:32:\"IMG_20191127_114955-1024x768.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1024;s:6:\"height\";i:768;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"thumbnail\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:31:\"IMG_20191127_114955-150x150.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:12:\"medium_large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:31:\"IMG_20191127_114955-768x576.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:768;s:6:\"height\";i:576;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"1536x1536\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:33:\"IMG_20191127_114955-1536x1152.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1536;s:6:\"height\";i:1152;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"2048x2048\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:33:\"IMG_20191127_114955-2048x1536.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:2048;s:6:\"height\";i:1536;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:24:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:31:\"IMG_20191127_114955-170x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:25:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:29:\"IMG_20191127_114955-86x70.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:31:\"IMG_20191127_114955-147x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:147;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:22:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:31:\"IMG_20191127_114955-370x250.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:30:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:31:\"IMG_20191127_114955-333x250.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:333;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:21:\"bfastmag_related_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:31:\"IMG_20191127_114955-288x160.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:288;s:6:\"height\";i:160;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:18:\"bfastmag_blog_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:31:\"IMG_20191127_114955-780x544.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:26:\"bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:31:\"IMG_20191127_114955-725x544.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:725;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:3:\"1.6\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:7:\"ALP-L29\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:10:\"1574855396\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:4:\"3.95\";s:3:\"iso\";s:3:\"160\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:5:\"0.025\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";s:1:\"0\";s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}s:14:\"original_image\";s:23:\"IMG_20191127_114955.jpg\";}'),(404,287,'_edit_last','1'),(406,287,'wptr_hide_title','0'),(412,296,'_edit_lock','1620908521:1'),(415,297,'_wp_attached_file','2019/12/silver-and-gold-coins-128867-scaled.jpg'),(416,297,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:6:{s:5:\"width\";i:2560;s:6:\"height\";i:1707;s:4:\"file\";s:47:\"2019/12/silver-and-gold-coins-128867-scaled.jpg\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:14:{s:6:\"medium\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:40:\"silver-and-gold-coins-128867-300x200.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:300;s:6:\"height\";i:200;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:5:\"large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:41:\"silver-and-gold-coins-128867-1024x683.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1024;s:6:\"height\";i:683;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"thumbnail\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:40:\"silver-and-gold-coins-128867-150x150.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:12:\"medium_large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:40:\"silver-and-gold-coins-128867-768x512.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:768;s:6:\"height\";i:512;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"1536x1536\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:42:\"silver-and-gold-coins-128867-1536x1024.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1536;s:6:\"height\";i:1024;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"2048x2048\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:42:\"silver-and-gold-coins-128867-2048x1365.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:2048;s:6:\"height\";i:1365;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:24:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:40:\"silver-and-gold-coins-128867-170x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:25:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:38:\"silver-and-gold-coins-128867-86x70.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:40:\"silver-and-gold-coins-128867-165x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:165;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:22:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:40:\"silver-and-gold-coins-128867-370x250.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:30:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:40:\"silver-and-gold-coins-128867-370x247.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:247;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:21:\"bfastmag_related_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:40:\"silver-and-gold-coins-128867-288x160.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:288;s:6:\"height\";i:160;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:18:\"bfastmag_blog_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:40:\"silver-and-gold-coins-128867-780x544.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:26:\"bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:40:\"silver-and-gold-coins-128867-780x520.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:520;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:0:\"\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:1:\"0\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:1:\"0\";s:3:\"iso\";s:1:\"0\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:1:\"0\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";s:1:\"0\";s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}s:14:\"original_image\";s:32:\"silver-and-gold-coins-128867.jpg\";}'),(418,299,'_wp_attached_file','2019/12/ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-001.jpg'),(419,299,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:5:{s:5:\"width\";i:1650;s:6:\"height\";i:1275;s:4:\"file\";s:53:\"2019/12/ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-001.jpg\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:13:{s:6:\"medium\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:53:\"ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-001-300x232.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:300;s:6:\"height\";i:232;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:5:\"large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:54:\"ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-001-1024x791.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1024;s:6:\"height\";i:791;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"thumbnail\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:53:\"ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-001-150x150.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:12:\"medium_large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:53:\"ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-001-768x593.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:768;s:6:\"height\";i:593;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"1536x1536\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:55:\"ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-001-1536x1187.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1536;s:6:\"height\";i:1187;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:24:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:53:\"ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-001-170x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:25:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:51:\"ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-001-86x70.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:53:\"ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-001-142x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:142;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:22:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:53:\"ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-001-370x250.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:30:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:53:\"ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-001-324x250.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:324;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:21:\"bfastmag_related_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:53:\"ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-001-288x160.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:288;s:6:\"height\";i:160;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:18:\"bfastmag_blog_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:53:\"ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-001-780x544.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:26:\"bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:53:\"ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-001-704x544.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:704;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:0:\"\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:1:\"0\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:1:\"0\";s:3:\"iso\";s:1:\"0\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:1:\"0\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";s:1:\"0\";s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}}'),(420,300,'_wp_attached_file','2019/12/ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-002.jpg'),(421,300,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:5:{s:5:\"width\";i:1650;s:6:\"height\";i:1275;s:4:\"file\";s:53:\"2019/12/ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-002.jpg\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:13:{s:6:\"medium\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:53:\"ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-002-300x232.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:300;s:6:\"height\";i:232;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:5:\"large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:54:\"ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-002-1024x791.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1024;s:6:\"height\";i:791;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"thumbnail\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:53:\"ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-002-150x150.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:12:\"medium_large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:53:\"ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-002-768x593.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:768;s:6:\"height\";i:593;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"1536x1536\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:55:\"ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-002-1536x1187.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1536;s:6:\"height\";i:1187;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:24:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:53:\"ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-002-170x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:25:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:51:\"ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-002-86x70.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:53:\"ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-002-142x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:142;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:22:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:53:\"ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-002-370x250.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:30:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:53:\"ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-002-324x250.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:324;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:21:\"bfastmag_related_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:53:\"ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-002-288x160.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:288;s:6:\"height\";i:160;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:18:\"bfastmag_blog_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:53:\"ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-002-780x544.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:26:\"bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:53:\"ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-002-704x544.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:704;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:0:\"\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:1:\"0\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:1:\"0\";s:3:\"iso\";s:1:\"0\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:1:\"0\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";s:1:\"0\";s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}}'),(422,301,'_wp_attached_file','2019/12/ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-003.jpg'),(423,301,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:5:{s:5:\"width\";i:1650;s:6:\"height\";i:1275;s:4:\"file\";s:53:\"2019/12/ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-003.jpg\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:13:{s:6:\"medium\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:53:\"ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-003-300x232.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:300;s:6:\"height\";i:232;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:5:\"large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:54:\"ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-003-1024x791.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1024;s:6:\"height\";i:791;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"thumbnail\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:53:\"ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-003-150x150.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:12:\"medium_large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:53:\"ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-003-768x593.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:768;s:6:\"height\";i:593;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"1536x1536\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:55:\"ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-003-1536x1187.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1536;s:6:\"height\";i:1187;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:24:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:53:\"ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-003-170x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:25:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:51:\"ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-003-86x70.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:53:\"ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-003-142x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:142;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:22:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:53:\"ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-003-370x250.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:30:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:53:\"ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-003-324x250.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:324;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:21:\"bfastmag_related_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:53:\"ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-003-288x160.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:288;s:6:\"height\";i:160;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:18:\"bfastmag_blog_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:53:\"ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-003-780x544.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:26:\"bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:53:\"ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-003-704x544.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:704;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:0:\"\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:1:\"0\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:1:\"0\";s:3:\"iso\";s:1:\"0\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:1:\"0\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";s:1:\"0\";s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}}'),(426,296,'_thumbnail_id','401'),(427,296,'_edit_last','1'),(430,296,'wptr_hide_title','0'),(431,319,'_edit_lock','1575704801:1'),(432,320,'_wp_attached_file','2019/12/IMG_4621-scaled.jpg'),(433,320,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:6:{s:5:\"width\";i:2560;s:6:\"height\";i:1707;s:4:\"file\";s:27:\"2019/12/IMG_4621-scaled.jpg\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:14:{s:6:\"medium\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4621-300x200.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:300;s:6:\"height\";i:200;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:5:\"large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:21:\"IMG_4621-1024x683.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1024;s:6:\"height\";i:683;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"thumbnail\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4621-150x150.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:12:\"medium_large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4621-768x512.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:768;s:6:\"height\";i:512;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"1536x1536\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:22:\"IMG_4621-1536x1024.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1536;s:6:\"height\";i:1024;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"2048x2048\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:22:\"IMG_4621-2048x1365.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:2048;s:6:\"height\";i:1365;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:24:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4621-170x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:25:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:18:\"IMG_4621-86x70.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4621-165x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:165;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:22:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4621-370x250.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:30:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4621-370x247.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:247;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:21:\"bfastmag_related_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4621-288x160.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:288;s:6:\"height\";i:160;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:18:\"bfastmag_blog_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4621-780x544.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:26:\"bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4621-780x520.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:520;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:3:\"6.3\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:13:\"Canon EOS 70D\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:10:\"1549741656\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:2:\"50\";s:3:\"iso\";s:4:\"5000\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:5:\"0.008\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";s:1:\"1\";s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}s:14:\"original_image\";s:12:\"IMG_4621.jpg\";}'),(434,321,'_wp_attached_file','2019/12/IMG_4262-scaled.jpg'),(435,321,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:6:{s:5:\"width\";i:2560;s:6:\"height\";i:1707;s:4:\"file\";s:27:\"2019/12/IMG_4262-scaled.jpg\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:14:{s:6:\"medium\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4262-300x200.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:300;s:6:\"height\";i:200;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:5:\"large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:21:\"IMG_4262-1024x683.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1024;s:6:\"height\";i:683;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"thumbnail\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4262-150x150.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:12:\"medium_large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4262-768x512.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:768;s:6:\"height\";i:512;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"1536x1536\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:22:\"IMG_4262-1536x1024.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1536;s:6:\"height\";i:1024;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"2048x2048\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:22:\"IMG_4262-2048x1365.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:2048;s:6:\"height\";i:1365;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:24:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4262-170x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:25:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:18:\"IMG_4262-86x70.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4262-165x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:165;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:22:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4262-370x250.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:30:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4262-370x247.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:247;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:21:\"bfastmag_related_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4262-288x160.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:288;s:6:\"height\";i:160;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:18:\"bfastmag_blog_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4262-780x544.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:26:\"bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4262-780x520.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:520;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:3:\"5.6\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:13:\"Canon EOS 70D\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:10:\"1549734627\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:2:\"59\";s:3:\"iso\";s:4:\"4000\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:5:\"0.008\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";s:1:\"1\";s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}s:14:\"original_image\";s:12:\"IMG_4262.jpg\";}'),(436,322,'_wp_attached_file','2019/12/IMG_4270-scaled.jpg'),(437,322,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:6:{s:5:\"width\";i:2560;s:6:\"height\";i:1707;s:4:\"file\";s:27:\"2019/12/IMG_4270-scaled.jpg\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:14:{s:6:\"medium\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4270-300x200.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:300;s:6:\"height\";i:200;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:5:\"large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:21:\"IMG_4270-1024x683.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1024;s:6:\"height\";i:683;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"thumbnail\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4270-150x150.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:12:\"medium_large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4270-768x512.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:768;s:6:\"height\";i:512;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"1536x1536\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:22:\"IMG_4270-1536x1024.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1536;s:6:\"height\";i:1024;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"2048x2048\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:22:\"IMG_4270-2048x1365.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:2048;s:6:\"height\";i:1365;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:24:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4270-170x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:25:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:18:\"IMG_4270-86x70.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4270-165x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:165;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:22:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4270-370x250.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:30:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4270-370x247.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:247;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:21:\"bfastmag_related_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4270-288x160.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:288;s:6:\"height\";i:160;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:18:\"bfastmag_blog_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4270-780x544.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:26:\"bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4270-780x520.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:520;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:3:\"5.6\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:13:\"Canon EOS 70D\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:10:\"1549734660\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:2:\"74\";s:3:\"iso\";s:4:\"4000\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:5:\"0.008\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";s:1:\"1\";s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}s:14:\"original_image\";s:12:\"IMG_4270.jpg\";}'),(438,323,'_wp_attached_file','2019/12/IMG_4282-scaled.jpg'),(439,323,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:6:{s:5:\"width\";i:1707;s:6:\"height\";i:2560;s:4:\"file\";s:27:\"2019/12/IMG_4282-scaled.jpg\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:14:{s:6:\"medium\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4282-200x300.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:200;s:6:\"height\";i:300;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:5:\"large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:21:\"IMG_4282-683x1024.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:683;s:6:\"height\";i:1024;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"thumbnail\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4282-150x150.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:12:\"medium_large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:21:\"IMG_4282-768x1152.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:768;s:6:\"height\";i:1152;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"1536x1536\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:22:\"IMG_4282-1024x1536.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1024;s:6:\"height\";i:1536;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"2048x2048\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:22:\"IMG_4282-1365x2048.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1365;s:6:\"height\";i:2048;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:24:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4282-170x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:25:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:18:\"IMG_4282-86x70.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:19:\"IMG_4282-73x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:73;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:22:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4282-370x250.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:30:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4282-167x250.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:167;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:21:\"bfastmag_related_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4282-288x160.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:288;s:6:\"height\";i:160;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:18:\"bfastmag_blog_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4282-780x544.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:26:\"bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4282-363x544.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:363;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:3:\"5.6\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:13:\"Canon EOS 70D\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:10:\"1549734713\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:2:\"72\";s:3:\"iso\";s:4:\"4000\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:5:\"0.008\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";i:1;s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}s:14:\"original_image\";s:12:\"IMG_4282.jpg\";}'),(440,324,'_wp_attached_file','2019/12/IMG_4310-scaled.jpg'),(441,324,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:6:{s:5:\"width\";i:2560;s:6:\"height\";i:1707;s:4:\"file\";s:27:\"2019/12/IMG_4310-scaled.jpg\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:14:{s:6:\"medium\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4310-300x200.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:300;s:6:\"height\";i:200;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:5:\"large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:21:\"IMG_4310-1024x683.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1024;s:6:\"height\";i:683;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"thumbnail\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4310-150x150.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:12:\"medium_large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4310-768x512.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:768;s:6:\"height\";i:512;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"1536x1536\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:22:\"IMG_4310-1536x1024.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1536;s:6:\"height\";i:1024;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"2048x2048\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:22:\"IMG_4310-2048x1365.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:2048;s:6:\"height\";i:1365;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:24:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4310-170x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:25:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:18:\"IMG_4310-86x70.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4310-165x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:165;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:22:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4310-370x250.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:30:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4310-370x247.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:247;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:21:\"bfastmag_related_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4310-288x160.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:288;s:6:\"height\";i:160;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:18:\"bfastmag_blog_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4310-780x544.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:26:\"bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4310-780x520.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:520;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:3:\"5.6\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:13:\"Canon EOS 70D\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:10:\"1549735158\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:3:\"135\";s:3:\"iso\";s:4:\"4000\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:5:\"0.008\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";s:1:\"1\";s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}s:14:\"original_image\";s:12:\"IMG_4310.jpg\";}'),(442,325,'_wp_attached_file','2019/12/IMG_4317-scaled.jpg'),(443,325,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:6:{s:5:\"width\";i:1707;s:6:\"height\";i:2560;s:4:\"file\";s:27:\"2019/12/IMG_4317-scaled.jpg\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:14:{s:6:\"medium\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4317-200x300.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:200;s:6:\"height\";i:300;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:5:\"large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:21:\"IMG_4317-683x1024.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:683;s:6:\"height\";i:1024;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"thumbnail\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4317-150x150.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:12:\"medium_large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:21:\"IMG_4317-768x1152.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:768;s:6:\"height\";i:1152;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"1536x1536\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:22:\"IMG_4317-1024x1536.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1024;s:6:\"height\";i:1536;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"2048x2048\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:22:\"IMG_4317-1365x2048.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1365;s:6:\"height\";i:2048;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:24:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4317-170x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:25:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:18:\"IMG_4317-86x70.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:19:\"IMG_4317-73x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:73;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:22:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4317-370x250.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:30:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4317-167x250.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:167;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:21:\"bfastmag_related_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4317-288x160.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:288;s:6:\"height\";i:160;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:18:\"bfastmag_blog_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4317-780x544.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:26:\"bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4317-363x544.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:363;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:3:\"5.6\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:13:\"Canon EOS 70D\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:10:\"1549735325\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:3:\"113\";s:3:\"iso\";s:4:\"4000\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:4:\"0.01\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";i:1;s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}s:14:\"original_image\";s:12:\"IMG_4317.jpg\";}'),(444,326,'_wp_attached_file','2019/12/IMG_4341-scaled.jpg'),(445,326,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:6:{s:5:\"width\";i:2560;s:6:\"height\";i:1707;s:4:\"file\";s:27:\"2019/12/IMG_4341-scaled.jpg\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:14:{s:6:\"medium\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4341-300x200.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:300;s:6:\"height\";i:200;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:5:\"large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:21:\"IMG_4341-1024x683.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1024;s:6:\"height\";i:683;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"thumbnail\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4341-150x150.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:12:\"medium_large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4341-768x512.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:768;s:6:\"height\";i:512;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"1536x1536\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:22:\"IMG_4341-1536x1024.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1536;s:6:\"height\";i:1024;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"2048x2048\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:22:\"IMG_4341-2048x1365.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:2048;s:6:\"height\";i:1365;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:24:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4341-170x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:25:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:18:\"IMG_4341-86x70.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4341-165x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:165;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:22:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4341-370x250.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:30:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4341-370x247.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:247;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:21:\"bfastmag_related_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4341-288x160.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:288;s:6:\"height\";i:160;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:18:\"bfastmag_blog_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4341-780x544.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:26:\"bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4341-780x520.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:520;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:3:\"5.6\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:13:\"Canon EOS 70D\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:10:\"1549735589\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:3:\"135\";s:3:\"iso\";s:4:\"4000\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:4:\"0.01\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";s:1:\"1\";s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}s:14:\"original_image\";s:12:\"IMG_4341.jpg\";}'),(446,327,'_wp_attached_file','2019/12/IMG_4343-scaled.jpg'),(447,327,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:6:{s:5:\"width\";i:2560;s:6:\"height\";i:1707;s:4:\"file\";s:27:\"2019/12/IMG_4343-scaled.jpg\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:14:{s:6:\"medium\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4343-300x200.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:300;s:6:\"height\";i:200;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:5:\"large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:21:\"IMG_4343-1024x683.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1024;s:6:\"height\";i:683;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"thumbnail\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4343-150x150.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:12:\"medium_large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4343-768x512.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:768;s:6:\"height\";i:512;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"1536x1536\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:22:\"IMG_4343-1536x1024.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1536;s:6:\"height\";i:1024;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"2048x2048\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:22:\"IMG_4343-2048x1365.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:2048;s:6:\"height\";i:1365;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:24:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4343-170x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:25:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:18:\"IMG_4343-86x70.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4343-165x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:165;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:22:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4343-370x250.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:30:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4343-370x247.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:247;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:21:\"bfastmag_related_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4343-288x160.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:288;s:6:\"height\";i:160;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:18:\"bfastmag_blog_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4343-780x544.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:26:\"bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4343-780x520.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:520;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:3:\"5.6\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:13:\"Canon EOS 70D\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:10:\"1549735615\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:2:\"89\";s:3:\"iso\";s:4:\"4000\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:4:\"0.01\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";s:1:\"1\";s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}s:14:\"original_image\";s:12:\"IMG_4343.jpg\";}'),(448,328,'_wp_attached_file','2019/12/IMG_4350-scaled.jpg'),(449,328,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:6:{s:5:\"width\";i:2560;s:6:\"height\";i:1707;s:4:\"file\";s:27:\"2019/12/IMG_4350-scaled.jpg\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:14:{s:6:\"medium\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4350-300x200.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:300;s:6:\"height\";i:200;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:5:\"large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:21:\"IMG_4350-1024x683.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1024;s:6:\"height\";i:683;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"thumbnail\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4350-150x150.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:12:\"medium_large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4350-768x512.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:768;s:6:\"height\";i:512;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"1536x1536\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:22:\"IMG_4350-1536x1024.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1536;s:6:\"height\";i:1024;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"2048x2048\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:22:\"IMG_4350-2048x1365.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:2048;s:6:\"height\";i:1365;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:24:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4350-170x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:25:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:18:\"IMG_4350-86x70.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4350-165x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:165;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:22:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4350-370x250.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:30:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4350-370x247.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:247;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:21:\"bfastmag_related_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4350-288x160.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:288;s:6:\"height\";i:160;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:18:\"bfastmag_blog_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4350-780x544.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:26:\"bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4350-780x520.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:520;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:3:\"5.6\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:13:\"Canon EOS 70D\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:10:\"1549735693\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:3:\"101\";s:3:\"iso\";s:4:\"4000\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:4:\"0.01\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";s:1:\"1\";s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}s:14:\"original_image\";s:12:\"IMG_4350.jpg\";}'),(450,329,'_wp_attached_file','2019/12/IMG_4363-scaled.jpg'),(451,329,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:6:{s:5:\"width\";i:2560;s:6:\"height\";i:1707;s:4:\"file\";s:27:\"2019/12/IMG_4363-scaled.jpg\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:14:{s:6:\"medium\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4363-300x200.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:300;s:6:\"height\";i:200;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:5:\"large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:21:\"IMG_4363-1024x683.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1024;s:6:\"height\";i:683;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"thumbnail\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4363-150x150.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:12:\"medium_large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4363-768x512.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:768;s:6:\"height\";i:512;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"1536x1536\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:22:\"IMG_4363-1536x1024.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1536;s:6:\"height\";i:1024;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"2048x2048\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:22:\"IMG_4363-2048x1365.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:2048;s:6:\"height\";i:1365;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:24:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4363-170x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:25:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:18:\"IMG_4363-86x70.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4363-165x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:165;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:22:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4363-370x250.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:30:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4363-370x247.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:247;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:21:\"bfastmag_related_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4363-288x160.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:288;s:6:\"height\";i:160;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:18:\"bfastmag_blog_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4363-780x544.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:26:\"bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4363-780x520.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:520;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:3:\"5.6\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:13:\"Canon EOS 70D\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:10:\"1549736066\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:2:\"29\";s:3:\"iso\";s:4:\"4000\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:4:\"0.01\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";s:1:\"1\";s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}s:14:\"original_image\";s:12:\"IMG_4363.jpg\";}'),(452,330,'_wp_attached_file','2019/12/IMG_4365-scaled.jpg'),(453,330,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:6:{s:5:\"width\";i:2560;s:6:\"height\";i:1707;s:4:\"file\";s:27:\"2019/12/IMG_4365-scaled.jpg\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:14:{s:6:\"medium\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4365-300x200.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:300;s:6:\"height\";i:200;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:5:\"large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:21:\"IMG_4365-1024x683.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1024;s:6:\"height\";i:683;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"thumbnail\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4365-150x150.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:12:\"medium_large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4365-768x512.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:768;s:6:\"height\";i:512;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"1536x1536\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:22:\"IMG_4365-1536x1024.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1536;s:6:\"height\";i:1024;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"2048x2048\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:22:\"IMG_4365-2048x1365.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:2048;s:6:\"height\";i:1365;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:24:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4365-170x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:25:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:18:\"IMG_4365-86x70.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4365-165x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:165;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:22:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4365-370x250.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:30:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4365-370x247.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:247;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:21:\"bfastmag_related_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4365-288x160.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:288;s:6:\"height\";i:160;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:18:\"bfastmag_blog_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4365-780x544.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:26:\"bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4365-780x520.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:520;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:3:\"5.6\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:13:\"Canon EOS 70D\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:10:\"1549736265\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:3:\"135\";s:3:\"iso\";s:4:\"4000\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:4:\"0.01\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";s:1:\"1\";s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}s:14:\"original_image\";s:12:\"IMG_4365.jpg\";}'),(454,331,'_wp_attached_file','2019/12/IMG_4380-scaled.jpg'),(455,331,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:6:{s:5:\"width\";i:2560;s:6:\"height\";i:1707;s:4:\"file\";s:27:\"2019/12/IMG_4380-scaled.jpg\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:14:{s:6:\"medium\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4380-300x200.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:300;s:6:\"height\";i:200;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:5:\"large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:21:\"IMG_4380-1024x683.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1024;s:6:\"height\";i:683;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"thumbnail\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4380-150x150.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:12:\"medium_large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4380-768x512.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:768;s:6:\"height\";i:512;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"1536x1536\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:22:\"IMG_4380-1536x1024.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1536;s:6:\"height\";i:1024;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"2048x2048\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:22:\"IMG_4380-2048x1365.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:2048;s:6:\"height\";i:1365;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:24:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4380-170x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:25:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:18:\"IMG_4380-86x70.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4380-165x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:165;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:22:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4380-370x250.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:30:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4380-370x247.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:247;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:21:\"bfastmag_related_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4380-288x160.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:288;s:6:\"height\";i:160;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:18:\"bfastmag_blog_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4380-780x544.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:26:\"bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4380-780x520.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:520;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:3:\"5.6\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:13:\"Canon EOS 70D\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:10:\"1549736938\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:3:\"124\";s:3:\"iso\";s:4:\"5000\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:4:\"0.01\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";s:1:\"1\";s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}s:14:\"original_image\";s:12:\"IMG_4380.jpg\";}'),(456,332,'_wp_attached_file','2019/12/IMG_4389-scaled.jpg'),(457,332,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:6:{s:5:\"width\";i:2560;s:6:\"height\";i:1707;s:4:\"file\";s:27:\"2019/12/IMG_4389-scaled.jpg\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:14:{s:6:\"medium\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4389-300x200.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:300;s:6:\"height\";i:200;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:5:\"large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:21:\"IMG_4389-1024x683.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1024;s:6:\"height\";i:683;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"thumbnail\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4389-150x150.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:12:\"medium_large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4389-768x512.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:768;s:6:\"height\";i:512;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"1536x1536\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:22:\"IMG_4389-1536x1024.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1536;s:6:\"height\";i:1024;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"2048x2048\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:22:\"IMG_4389-2048x1365.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:2048;s:6:\"height\";i:1365;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:24:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4389-170x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:25:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:18:\"IMG_4389-86x70.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4389-165x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:165;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:22:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4389-370x250.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:30:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4389-370x247.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:247;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:21:\"bfastmag_related_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4389-288x160.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:288;s:6:\"height\";i:160;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:18:\"bfastmag_blog_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4389-780x544.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:26:\"bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4389-780x520.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:520;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:3:\"5.6\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:13:\"Canon EOS 70D\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:10:\"1549736946\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:2:\"85\";s:3:\"iso\";s:4:\"5000\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:4:\"0.01\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";s:1:\"1\";s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}s:14:\"original_image\";s:12:\"IMG_4389.jpg\";}'),(458,333,'_wp_attached_file','2019/12/IMG_4392-scaled.jpg'),(459,333,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:6:{s:5:\"width\";i:2560;s:6:\"height\";i:1707;s:4:\"file\";s:27:\"2019/12/IMG_4392-scaled.jpg\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:14:{s:6:\"medium\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4392-300x200.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:300;s:6:\"height\";i:200;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:5:\"large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:21:\"IMG_4392-1024x683.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1024;s:6:\"height\";i:683;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"thumbnail\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4392-150x150.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:12:\"medium_large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4392-768x512.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:768;s:6:\"height\";i:512;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"1536x1536\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:22:\"IMG_4392-1536x1024.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1536;s:6:\"height\";i:1024;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"2048x2048\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:22:\"IMG_4392-2048x1365.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:2048;s:6:\"height\";i:1365;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:24:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4392-170x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:25:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:18:\"IMG_4392-86x70.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4392-165x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:165;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:22:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4392-370x250.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:30:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4392-370x247.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:247;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:21:\"bfastmag_related_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4392-288x160.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:288;s:6:\"height\";i:160;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:18:\"bfastmag_blog_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4392-780x544.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:26:\"bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4392-780x520.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:520;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:3:\"5.6\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:13:\"Canon EOS 70D\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:10:\"1549737017\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:3:\"102\";s:3:\"iso\";s:4:\"5000\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:7:\"0.00625\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";s:1:\"1\";s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}s:14:\"original_image\";s:12:\"IMG_4392.jpg\";}'),(460,334,'_wp_attached_file','2019/12/IMG_4462-scaled.jpg'),(461,334,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:6:{s:5:\"width\";i:2560;s:6:\"height\";i:1707;s:4:\"file\";s:27:\"2019/12/IMG_4462-scaled.jpg\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:14:{s:6:\"medium\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4462-300x200.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:300;s:6:\"height\";i:200;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:5:\"large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:21:\"IMG_4462-1024x683.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1024;s:6:\"height\";i:683;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"thumbnail\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4462-150x150.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:12:\"medium_large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4462-768x512.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:768;s:6:\"height\";i:512;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"1536x1536\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:22:\"IMG_4462-1536x1024.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1536;s:6:\"height\";i:1024;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"2048x2048\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:22:\"IMG_4462-2048x1365.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:2048;s:6:\"height\";i:1365;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:24:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4462-170x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:25:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:18:\"IMG_4462-86x70.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4462-165x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:165;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:22:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4462-370x250.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:30:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4462-370x247.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:247;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:21:\"bfastmag_related_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4462-288x160.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:288;s:6:\"height\";i:160;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:18:\"bfastmag_blog_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4462-780x544.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:26:\"bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4462-780x520.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:520;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:3:\"5.6\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:13:\"Canon EOS 70D\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:10:\"1549740351\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:3:\"135\";s:3:\"iso\";s:4:\"4000\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:4:\"0.01\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";s:1:\"1\";s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}s:14:\"original_image\";s:12:\"IMG_4462.jpg\";}'),(462,335,'_wp_attached_file','2019/12/IMG_4472-scaled.jpg'),(463,335,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:6:{s:5:\"width\";i:2560;s:6:\"height\";i:1707;s:4:\"file\";s:27:\"2019/12/IMG_4472-scaled.jpg\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:14:{s:6:\"medium\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4472-300x200.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:300;s:6:\"height\";i:200;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:5:\"large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:21:\"IMG_4472-1024x683.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1024;s:6:\"height\";i:683;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"thumbnail\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4472-150x150.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:12:\"medium_large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4472-768x512.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:768;s:6:\"height\";i:512;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"1536x1536\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:22:\"IMG_4472-1536x1024.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1536;s:6:\"height\";i:1024;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"2048x2048\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:22:\"IMG_4472-2048x1365.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:2048;s:6:\"height\";i:1365;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:24:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4472-170x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:25:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:18:\"IMG_4472-86x70.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4472-165x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:165;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:22:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4472-370x250.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:30:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4472-370x247.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:247;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:21:\"bfastmag_related_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4472-288x160.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:288;s:6:\"height\";i:160;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:18:\"bfastmag_blog_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4472-780x544.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:26:\"bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4472-780x520.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:520;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:3:\"5.6\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:13:\"Canon EOS 70D\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:10:\"1549740440\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:3:\"124\";s:3:\"iso\";s:4:\"4000\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:4:\"0.01\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";s:1:\"1\";s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}s:14:\"original_image\";s:12:\"IMG_4472.jpg\";}'),(464,336,'_wp_attached_file','2019/12/IMG_4473-scaled.jpg'),(465,336,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:6:{s:5:\"width\";i:2560;s:6:\"height\";i:1707;s:4:\"file\";s:27:\"2019/12/IMG_4473-scaled.jpg\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:14:{s:6:\"medium\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4473-300x200.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:300;s:6:\"height\";i:200;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:5:\"large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:21:\"IMG_4473-1024x683.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1024;s:6:\"height\";i:683;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"thumbnail\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4473-150x150.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:12:\"medium_large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4473-768x512.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:768;s:6:\"height\";i:512;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"1536x1536\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:22:\"IMG_4473-1536x1024.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1536;s:6:\"height\";i:1024;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"2048x2048\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:22:\"IMG_4473-2048x1365.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:2048;s:6:\"height\";i:1365;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:24:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4473-170x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:25:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:18:\"IMG_4473-86x70.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4473-165x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:165;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:22:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4473-370x250.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:30:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4473-370x247.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:247;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:21:\"bfastmag_related_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4473-288x160.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:288;s:6:\"height\";i:160;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:18:\"bfastmag_blog_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4473-780x544.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:26:\"bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4473-780x520.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:520;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:3:\"5.6\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:13:\"Canon EOS 70D\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:10:\"1549740457\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:3:\"112\";s:3:\"iso\";s:4:\"4000\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:4:\"0.01\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";s:1:\"1\";s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}s:14:\"original_image\";s:12:\"IMG_4473.jpg\";}'),(466,337,'_wp_attached_file','2019/12/IMG_4474-scaled.jpg'),(467,337,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:6:{s:5:\"width\";i:2560;s:6:\"height\";i:1707;s:4:\"file\";s:27:\"2019/12/IMG_4474-scaled.jpg\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:14:{s:6:\"medium\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4474-300x200.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:300;s:6:\"height\";i:200;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:5:\"large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:21:\"IMG_4474-1024x683.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1024;s:6:\"height\";i:683;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"thumbnail\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4474-150x150.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:12:\"medium_large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4474-768x512.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:768;s:6:\"height\";i:512;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"1536x1536\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:22:\"IMG_4474-1536x1024.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1536;s:6:\"height\";i:1024;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"2048x2048\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:22:\"IMG_4474-2048x1365.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:2048;s:6:\"height\";i:1365;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:24:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4474-170x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:25:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:18:\"IMG_4474-86x70.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4474-165x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:165;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:22:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4474-370x250.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:30:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4474-370x247.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:247;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:21:\"bfastmag_related_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4474-288x160.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:288;s:6:\"height\";i:160;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:18:\"bfastmag_blog_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4474-780x544.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:26:\"bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4474-780x520.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:520;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:3:\"5.6\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:13:\"Canon EOS 70D\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:10:\"1549740463\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:2:\"74\";s:3:\"iso\";s:4:\"4000\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:4:\"0.01\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";s:1:\"1\";s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}s:14:\"original_image\";s:12:\"IMG_4474.jpg\";}'),(468,338,'_wp_attached_file','2019/12/IMG_4519-scaled.jpg'),(469,338,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:6:{s:5:\"width\";i:2560;s:6:\"height\";i:1707;s:4:\"file\";s:27:\"2019/12/IMG_4519-scaled.jpg\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:14:{s:6:\"medium\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4519-300x200.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:300;s:6:\"height\";i:200;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:5:\"large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:21:\"IMG_4519-1024x683.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1024;s:6:\"height\";i:683;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"thumbnail\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4519-150x150.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:12:\"medium_large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4519-768x512.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:768;s:6:\"height\";i:512;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"1536x1536\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:22:\"IMG_4519-1536x1024.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1536;s:6:\"height\";i:1024;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"2048x2048\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:22:\"IMG_4519-2048x1365.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:2048;s:6:\"height\";i:1365;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:24:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4519-170x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:25:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:18:\"IMG_4519-86x70.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4519-165x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:165;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:22:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4519-370x250.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:30:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4519-370x247.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:247;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:21:\"bfastmag_related_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4519-288x160.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:288;s:6:\"height\";i:160;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:18:\"bfastmag_blog_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4519-780x544.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:26:\"bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4519-780x520.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:520;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:3:\"5.6\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:13:\"Canon EOS 70D\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:10:\"1549740865\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:2:\"95\";s:3:\"iso\";s:4:\"4000\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:4:\"0.01\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";s:1:\"1\";s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}s:14:\"original_image\";s:12:\"IMG_4519.jpg\";}'),(470,339,'_wp_attached_file','2019/12/IMG_4521-scaled.jpg'),(471,339,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:6:{s:5:\"width\";i:2560;s:6:\"height\";i:1707;s:4:\"file\";s:27:\"2019/12/IMG_4521-scaled.jpg\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:14:{s:6:\"medium\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4521-300x200.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:300;s:6:\"height\";i:200;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:5:\"large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:21:\"IMG_4521-1024x683.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1024;s:6:\"height\";i:683;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"thumbnail\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4521-150x150.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:12:\"medium_large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4521-768x512.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:768;s:6:\"height\";i:512;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"1536x1536\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:22:\"IMG_4521-1536x1024.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1536;s:6:\"height\";i:1024;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"2048x2048\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:22:\"IMG_4521-2048x1365.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:2048;s:6:\"height\";i:1365;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:24:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4521-170x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:25:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:18:\"IMG_4521-86x70.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4521-165x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:165;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:22:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4521-370x250.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:30:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4521-370x247.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:247;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:21:\"bfastmag_related_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4521-288x160.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:288;s:6:\"height\";i:160;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:18:\"bfastmag_blog_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4521-780x544.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:26:\"bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4521-780x520.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:520;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:3:\"5.6\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:13:\"Canon EOS 70D\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:10:\"1549740879\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:2:\"69\";s:3:\"iso\";s:4:\"4000\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:4:\"0.01\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";s:1:\"1\";s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}s:14:\"original_image\";s:12:\"IMG_4521.jpg\";}'),(472,340,'_wp_attached_file','2019/12/IMG_4522-scaled.jpg'),(473,340,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:6:{s:5:\"width\";i:2560;s:6:\"height\";i:1707;s:4:\"file\";s:27:\"2019/12/IMG_4522-scaled.jpg\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:14:{s:6:\"medium\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4522-300x200.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:300;s:6:\"height\";i:200;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:5:\"large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:21:\"IMG_4522-1024x683.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1024;s:6:\"height\";i:683;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"thumbnail\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4522-150x150.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:12:\"medium_large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4522-768x512.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:768;s:6:\"height\";i:512;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"1536x1536\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:22:\"IMG_4522-1536x1024.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1536;s:6:\"height\";i:1024;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"2048x2048\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:22:\"IMG_4522-2048x1365.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:2048;s:6:\"height\";i:1365;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:24:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4522-170x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:25:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:18:\"IMG_4522-86x70.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4522-165x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:165;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:22:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4522-370x250.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:30:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4522-370x247.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:247;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:21:\"bfastmag_related_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4522-288x160.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:288;s:6:\"height\";i:160;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:18:\"bfastmag_blog_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4522-780x544.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:26:\"bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4522-780x520.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:520;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:3:\"5.6\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:13:\"Canon EOS 70D\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:10:\"1549740900\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:2:\"20\";s:3:\"iso\";s:4:\"4000\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:4:\"0.01\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";s:1:\"1\";s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}s:14:\"original_image\";s:12:\"IMG_4522.jpg\";}'),(474,341,'_wp_attached_file','2019/12/IMG_4535-scaled.jpg'),(475,341,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:6:{s:5:\"width\";i:2560;s:6:\"height\";i:1707;s:4:\"file\";s:27:\"2019/12/IMG_4535-scaled.jpg\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:14:{s:6:\"medium\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4535-300x200.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:300;s:6:\"height\";i:200;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:5:\"large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:21:\"IMG_4535-1024x683.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1024;s:6:\"height\";i:683;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"thumbnail\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4535-150x150.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:12:\"medium_large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4535-768x512.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:768;s:6:\"height\";i:512;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"1536x1536\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:22:\"IMG_4535-1536x1024.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1536;s:6:\"height\";i:1024;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"2048x2048\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:22:\"IMG_4535-2048x1365.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:2048;s:6:\"height\";i:1365;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:24:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4535-170x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:25:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:18:\"IMG_4535-86x70.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4535-165x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:165;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:22:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4535-370x250.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:30:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4535-370x247.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:247;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:21:\"bfastmag_related_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4535-288x160.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:288;s:6:\"height\";i:160;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:18:\"bfastmag_blog_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4535-780x544.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:26:\"bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4535-780x520.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:520;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:3:\"5.6\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:13:\"Canon EOS 70D\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:10:\"1549740930\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:2:\"50\";s:3:\"iso\";s:4:\"3200\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:4:\"0.01\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";s:1:\"1\";s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}s:14:\"original_image\";s:12:\"IMG_4535.jpg\";}'),(476,342,'_wp_attached_file','2019/12/IMG_4548-scaled.jpg'),(477,342,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:6:{s:5:\"width\";i:2560;s:6:\"height\";i:1707;s:4:\"file\";s:27:\"2019/12/IMG_4548-scaled.jpg\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:14:{s:6:\"medium\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4548-300x200.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:300;s:6:\"height\";i:200;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:5:\"large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:21:\"IMG_4548-1024x683.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1024;s:6:\"height\";i:683;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"thumbnail\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4548-150x150.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:12:\"medium_large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4548-768x512.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:768;s:6:\"height\";i:512;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"1536x1536\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:22:\"IMG_4548-1536x1024.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1536;s:6:\"height\";i:1024;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"2048x2048\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:22:\"IMG_4548-2048x1365.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:2048;s:6:\"height\";i:1365;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:24:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4548-170x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:25:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:18:\"IMG_4548-86x70.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4548-165x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:165;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:22:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4548-370x250.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:30:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4548-370x247.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:247;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:21:\"bfastmag_related_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4548-288x160.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:288;s:6:\"height\";i:160;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:18:\"bfastmag_blog_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4548-780x544.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:26:\"bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4548-780x520.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:520;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:3:\"5.6\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:13:\"Canon EOS 70D\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:10:\"1549741020\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:3:\"135\";s:3:\"iso\";s:4:\"3200\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:4:\"0.01\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";s:1:\"1\";s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}s:14:\"original_image\";s:12:\"IMG_4548.jpg\";}'),(478,343,'_wp_attached_file','2019/12/IMG_4586-scaled.jpg'),(479,343,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:6:{s:5:\"width\";i:2560;s:6:\"height\";i:1707;s:4:\"file\";s:27:\"2019/12/IMG_4586-scaled.jpg\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:14:{s:6:\"medium\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4586-300x200.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:300;s:6:\"height\";i:200;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:5:\"large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:21:\"IMG_4586-1024x683.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1024;s:6:\"height\";i:683;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"thumbnail\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4586-150x150.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:12:\"medium_large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4586-768x512.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:768;s:6:\"height\";i:512;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"1536x1536\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:22:\"IMG_4586-1536x1024.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1536;s:6:\"height\";i:1024;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"2048x2048\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:22:\"IMG_4586-2048x1365.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:2048;s:6:\"height\";i:1365;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:24:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4586-170x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:25:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:18:\"IMG_4586-86x70.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4586-165x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:165;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:22:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4586-370x250.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:30:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4586-370x247.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:247;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:21:\"bfastmag_related_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4586-288x160.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:288;s:6:\"height\";i:160;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:18:\"bfastmag_blog_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4586-780x544.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:26:\"bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4586-780x520.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:520;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:3:\"5.6\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:13:\"Canon EOS 70D\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:10:\"1549741310\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:3:\"135\";s:3:\"iso\";s:4:\"5000\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:5:\"0.008\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";s:1:\"1\";s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}s:14:\"original_image\";s:12:\"IMG_4586.jpg\";}'),(480,344,'_wp_attached_file','2019/12/IMG_4593-scaled.jpg'),(481,344,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:6:{s:5:\"width\";i:1707;s:6:\"height\";i:2560;s:4:\"file\";s:27:\"2019/12/IMG_4593-scaled.jpg\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:14:{s:6:\"medium\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4593-200x300.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:200;s:6:\"height\";i:300;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:5:\"large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:21:\"IMG_4593-683x1024.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:683;s:6:\"height\";i:1024;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"thumbnail\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4593-150x150.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:12:\"medium_large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:21:\"IMG_4593-768x1152.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:768;s:6:\"height\";i:1152;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"1536x1536\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:22:\"IMG_4593-1024x1536.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1024;s:6:\"height\";i:1536;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"2048x2048\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:22:\"IMG_4593-1365x2048.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1365;s:6:\"height\";i:2048;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:24:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4593-170x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:25:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:18:\"IMG_4593-86x70.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:19:\"IMG_4593-73x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:73;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:22:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4593-370x250.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:30:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4593-167x250.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:167;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:21:\"bfastmag_related_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4593-288x160.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:288;s:6:\"height\";i:160;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:18:\"bfastmag_blog_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4593-780x544.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:26:\"bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4593-363x544.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:363;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:3:\"5.6\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:13:\"Canon EOS 70D\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:10:\"1549741378\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:3:\"104\";s:3:\"iso\";s:4:\"5000\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:5:\"0.008\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";i:1;s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}s:14:\"original_image\";s:12:\"IMG_4593.jpg\";}'),(482,345,'_wp_attached_file','2019/12/IMG_4640-scaled.jpg'),(483,345,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:6:{s:5:\"width\";i:2560;s:6:\"height\";i:1707;s:4:\"file\";s:27:\"2019/12/IMG_4640-scaled.jpg\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:14:{s:6:\"medium\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4640-300x200.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:300;s:6:\"height\";i:200;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:5:\"large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:21:\"IMG_4640-1024x683.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1024;s:6:\"height\";i:683;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"thumbnail\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4640-150x150.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:12:\"medium_large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4640-768x512.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:768;s:6:\"height\";i:512;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"1536x1536\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:22:\"IMG_4640-1536x1024.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1536;s:6:\"height\";i:1024;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"2048x2048\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:22:\"IMG_4640-2048x1365.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:2048;s:6:\"height\";i:1365;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:24:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4640-170x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:25:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:18:\"IMG_4640-86x70.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4640-165x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:165;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:22:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4640-370x250.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:30:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4640-370x247.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:247;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:21:\"bfastmag_related_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4640-288x160.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:288;s:6:\"height\";i:160;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:18:\"bfastmag_blog_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4640-780x544.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:26:\"bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4640-780x520.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:520;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:3:\"5.6\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:13:\"Canon EOS 70D\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:10:\"1549742000\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:2:\"92\";s:3:\"iso\";s:4:\"5000\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:5:\"0.008\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";s:1:\"1\";s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}s:14:\"original_image\";s:12:\"IMG_4640.jpg\";}'),(484,346,'_wp_attached_file','2019/12/IMG_4669-scaled.jpg'),(485,346,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:6:{s:5:\"width\";i:2560;s:6:\"height\";i:1707;s:4:\"file\";s:27:\"2019/12/IMG_4669-scaled.jpg\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:14:{s:6:\"medium\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4669-300x200.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:300;s:6:\"height\";i:200;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:5:\"large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:21:\"IMG_4669-1024x683.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1024;s:6:\"height\";i:683;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"thumbnail\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4669-150x150.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:12:\"medium_large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4669-768x512.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:768;s:6:\"height\";i:512;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"1536x1536\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:22:\"IMG_4669-1536x1024.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1536;s:6:\"height\";i:1024;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"2048x2048\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:22:\"IMG_4669-2048x1365.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:2048;s:6:\"height\";i:1365;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:24:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4669-170x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:25:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:18:\"IMG_4669-86x70.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4669-165x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:165;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:22:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4669-370x250.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:30:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4669-370x247.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:247;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:21:\"bfastmag_related_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4669-288x160.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:288;s:6:\"height\";i:160;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:18:\"bfastmag_blog_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4669-780x544.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:26:\"bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4669-780x520.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:520;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:3:\"5.6\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:13:\"Canon EOS 70D\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:10:\"1549742770\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:3:\"135\";s:3:\"iso\";s:4:\"4000\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:5:\"0.008\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";s:1:\"1\";s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}s:14:\"original_image\";s:12:\"IMG_4669.jpg\";}'),(486,347,'_wp_attached_file','2019/12/IMG_4689-scaled.jpg'),(487,347,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:6:{s:5:\"width\";i:2560;s:6:\"height\";i:1707;s:4:\"file\";s:27:\"2019/12/IMG_4689-scaled.jpg\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:14:{s:6:\"medium\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4689-300x200.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:300;s:6:\"height\";i:200;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:5:\"large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:21:\"IMG_4689-1024x683.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1024;s:6:\"height\";i:683;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"thumbnail\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4689-150x150.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:12:\"medium_large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4689-768x512.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:768;s:6:\"height\";i:512;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"1536x1536\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:22:\"IMG_4689-1536x1024.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1536;s:6:\"height\";i:1024;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"2048x2048\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:22:\"IMG_4689-2048x1365.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:2048;s:6:\"height\";i:1365;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:24:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4689-170x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:25:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:18:\"IMG_4689-86x70.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4689-165x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:165;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:22:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4689-370x250.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:30:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4689-370x247.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:247;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:21:\"bfastmag_related_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4689-288x160.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:288;s:6:\"height\";i:160;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:18:\"bfastmag_blog_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4689-780x544.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:26:\"bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4689-780x520.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:520;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:3:\"5.6\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:13:\"Canon EOS 70D\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:10:\"1549743136\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:3:\"135\";s:3:\"iso\";s:4:\"3200\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:5:\"0.008\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";s:1:\"1\";s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}s:14:\"original_image\";s:12:\"IMG_4689.jpg\";}'),(488,348,'_wp_attached_file','2019/12/IMG_4705-scaled.jpg'),(489,348,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:6:{s:5:\"width\";i:2560;s:6:\"height\";i:1707;s:4:\"file\";s:27:\"2019/12/IMG_4705-scaled.jpg\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:14:{s:6:\"medium\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4705-300x200.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:300;s:6:\"height\";i:200;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:5:\"large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:21:\"IMG_4705-1024x683.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1024;s:6:\"height\";i:683;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"thumbnail\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4705-150x150.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:12:\"medium_large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4705-768x512.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:768;s:6:\"height\";i:512;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"1536x1536\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:22:\"IMG_4705-1536x1024.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1536;s:6:\"height\";i:1024;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"2048x2048\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:22:\"IMG_4705-2048x1365.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:2048;s:6:\"height\";i:1365;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:24:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4705-170x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:25:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:18:\"IMG_4705-86x70.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4705-165x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:165;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:22:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4705-370x250.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:30:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4705-370x247.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:247;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:21:\"bfastmag_related_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4705-288x160.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:288;s:6:\"height\";i:160;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:18:\"bfastmag_blog_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4705-780x544.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:26:\"bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4705-780x520.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:520;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:3:\"4.5\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:13:\"Canon EOS 70D\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:10:\"1549744011\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:2:\"18\";s:3:\"iso\";s:4:\"3200\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:5:\"0.008\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";s:1:\"1\";s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}s:14:\"original_image\";s:12:\"IMG_4705.jpg\";}'),(490,349,'_wp_attached_file','2019/12/IMG_4707-scaled.jpg'),(491,349,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:6:{s:5:\"width\";i:2560;s:6:\"height\";i:1707;s:4:\"file\";s:27:\"2019/12/IMG_4707-scaled.jpg\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:14:{s:6:\"medium\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4707-300x200.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:300;s:6:\"height\";i:200;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:5:\"large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:21:\"IMG_4707-1024x683.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1024;s:6:\"height\";i:683;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"thumbnail\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4707-150x150.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:12:\"medium_large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4707-768x512.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:768;s:6:\"height\";i:512;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"1536x1536\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:22:\"IMG_4707-1536x1024.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1536;s:6:\"height\";i:1024;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"2048x2048\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:22:\"IMG_4707-2048x1365.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:2048;s:6:\"height\";i:1365;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:24:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4707-170x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:25:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:18:\"IMG_4707-86x70.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4707-165x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:165;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:22:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4707-370x250.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:30:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4707-370x247.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:247;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:21:\"bfastmag_related_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4707-288x160.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:288;s:6:\"height\";i:160;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:18:\"bfastmag_blog_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4707-780x544.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:26:\"bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4707-780x520.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:520;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:3:\"4.5\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:13:\"Canon EOS 70D\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:10:\"1549744164\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:2:\"18\";s:3:\"iso\";s:4:\"3200\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:5:\"0.008\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";s:1:\"1\";s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}s:14:\"original_image\";s:12:\"IMG_4707.jpg\";}'),(492,350,'_wp_attached_file','2019/12/IMG_4716-scaled.jpg'),(493,350,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:6:{s:5:\"width\";i:2560;s:6:\"height\";i:1707;s:4:\"file\";s:27:\"2019/12/IMG_4716-scaled.jpg\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:14:{s:6:\"medium\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4716-300x200.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:300;s:6:\"height\";i:200;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:5:\"large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:21:\"IMG_4716-1024x683.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1024;s:6:\"height\";i:683;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"thumbnail\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4716-150x150.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:12:\"medium_large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4716-768x512.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:768;s:6:\"height\";i:512;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"1536x1536\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:22:\"IMG_4716-1536x1024.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1536;s:6:\"height\";i:1024;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"2048x2048\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:22:\"IMG_4716-2048x1365.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:2048;s:6:\"height\";i:1365;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:24:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4716-170x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:25:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:18:\"IMG_4716-86x70.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4716-165x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:165;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:22:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4716-370x250.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:30:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4716-370x247.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:247;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:21:\"bfastmag_related_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4716-288x160.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:288;s:6:\"height\";i:160;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:18:\"bfastmag_blog_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4716-780x544.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:26:\"bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4716-780x520.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:520;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:3:\"4.5\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:13:\"Canon EOS 70D\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:10:\"1549744289\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:2:\"24\";s:3:\"iso\";s:4:\"3200\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:5:\"0.008\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";s:1:\"1\";s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}s:14:\"original_image\";s:12:\"IMG_4716.jpg\";}'),(494,351,'_wp_attached_file','2019/12/IMG_4728-scaled.jpg'),(495,351,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:6:{s:5:\"width\";i:2560;s:6:\"height\";i:1707;s:4:\"file\";s:27:\"2019/12/IMG_4728-scaled.jpg\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:14:{s:6:\"medium\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4728-300x200.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:300;s:6:\"height\";i:200;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:5:\"large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:21:\"IMG_4728-1024x683.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1024;s:6:\"height\";i:683;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"thumbnail\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4728-150x150.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:12:\"medium_large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4728-768x512.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:768;s:6:\"height\";i:512;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"1536x1536\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:22:\"IMG_4728-1536x1024.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1536;s:6:\"height\";i:1024;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"2048x2048\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:22:\"IMG_4728-2048x1365.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:2048;s:6:\"height\";i:1365;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:24:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4728-170x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:25:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:18:\"IMG_4728-86x70.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4728-165x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:165;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:22:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4728-370x250.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:30:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4728-370x247.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:247;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:21:\"bfastmag_related_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4728-288x160.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:288;s:6:\"height\";i:160;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:18:\"bfastmag_blog_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4728-780x544.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:26:\"bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4728-780x520.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:520;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:3:\"4.5\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:13:\"Canon EOS 70D\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:10:\"1549744403\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:2:\"24\";s:3:\"iso\";s:4:\"4000\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:5:\"0.008\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";s:1:\"1\";s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}s:14:\"original_image\";s:12:\"IMG_4728.jpg\";}'),(496,352,'_wp_attached_file','2019/12/IMG_4736-scaled.jpg'),(497,352,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:6:{s:5:\"width\";i:2560;s:6:\"height\";i:1707;s:4:\"file\";s:27:\"2019/12/IMG_4736-scaled.jpg\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:14:{s:6:\"medium\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4736-300x200.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:300;s:6:\"height\";i:200;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:5:\"large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:21:\"IMG_4736-1024x683.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1024;s:6:\"height\";i:683;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"thumbnail\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4736-150x150.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:12:\"medium_large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4736-768x512.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:768;s:6:\"height\";i:512;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"1536x1536\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:22:\"IMG_4736-1536x1024.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1536;s:6:\"height\";i:1024;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"2048x2048\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:22:\"IMG_4736-2048x1365.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:2048;s:6:\"height\";i:1365;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:24:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4736-170x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:25:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:18:\"IMG_4736-86x70.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4736-165x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:165;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:22:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4736-370x250.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:30:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4736-370x247.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:247;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:21:\"bfastmag_related_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4736-288x160.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:288;s:6:\"height\";i:160;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:18:\"bfastmag_blog_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4736-780x544.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:26:\"bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4736-780x520.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:520;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:3:\"4.5\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:13:\"Canon EOS 70D\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:10:\"1549744438\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:2:\"18\";s:3:\"iso\";s:4:\"4000\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:5:\"0.008\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";s:1:\"1\";s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}s:14:\"original_image\";s:12:\"IMG_4736.jpg\";}'),(498,353,'_wp_attached_file','2019/12/IMG_4748-scaled.jpg'),(499,353,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:6:{s:5:\"width\";i:2560;s:6:\"height\";i:1707;s:4:\"file\";s:27:\"2019/12/IMG_4748-scaled.jpg\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:14:{s:6:\"medium\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4748-300x200.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:300;s:6:\"height\";i:200;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:5:\"large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:21:\"IMG_4748-1024x683.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1024;s:6:\"height\";i:683;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"thumbnail\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4748-150x150.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:12:\"medium_large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4748-768x512.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:768;s:6:\"height\";i:512;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"1536x1536\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:22:\"IMG_4748-1536x1024.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1536;s:6:\"height\";i:1024;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"2048x2048\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:22:\"IMG_4748-2048x1365.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:2048;s:6:\"height\";i:1365;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:24:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4748-170x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:25:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:18:\"IMG_4748-86x70.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4748-165x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:165;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:22:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4748-370x250.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:30:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4748-370x247.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:247;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:21:\"bfastmag_related_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4748-288x160.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:288;s:6:\"height\";i:160;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:18:\"bfastmag_blog_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4748-780x544.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:26:\"bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4748-780x520.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:520;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:1:\"5\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:13:\"Canon EOS 70D\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:10:\"1549744723\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:2:\"18\";s:3:\"iso\";s:4:\"2500\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:5:\"0.008\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";s:1:\"1\";s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}s:14:\"original_image\";s:12:\"IMG_4748.jpg\";}'),(500,354,'_wp_attached_file','2019/12/IMG_4752-scaled.jpg'),(501,354,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:6:{s:5:\"width\";i:2560;s:6:\"height\";i:1707;s:4:\"file\";s:27:\"2019/12/IMG_4752-scaled.jpg\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:14:{s:6:\"medium\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4752-300x200.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:300;s:6:\"height\";i:200;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:5:\"large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:21:\"IMG_4752-1024x683.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1024;s:6:\"height\";i:683;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"thumbnail\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4752-150x150.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:12:\"medium_large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4752-768x512.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:768;s:6:\"height\";i:512;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"1536x1536\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:22:\"IMG_4752-1536x1024.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1536;s:6:\"height\";i:1024;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"2048x2048\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:22:\"IMG_4752-2048x1365.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:2048;s:6:\"height\";i:1365;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:24:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4752-170x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:25:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:18:\"IMG_4752-86x70.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4752-165x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:165;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:22:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4752-370x250.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:30:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4752-370x247.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:247;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:21:\"bfastmag_related_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4752-288x160.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:288;s:6:\"height\";i:160;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:18:\"bfastmag_blog_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4752-780x544.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:26:\"bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4752-780x520.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:520;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:1:\"5\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:13:\"Canon EOS 70D\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:10:\"1549744789\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:2:\"24\";s:3:\"iso\";s:4:\"2500\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:5:\"0.008\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";s:1:\"1\";s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}s:14:\"original_image\";s:12:\"IMG_4752.jpg\";}'),(502,355,'_wp_attached_file','2019/12/IMG_4759-scaled.jpg'),(503,355,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:6:{s:5:\"width\";i:2560;s:6:\"height\";i:1707;s:4:\"file\";s:27:\"2019/12/IMG_4759-scaled.jpg\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:14:{s:6:\"medium\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4759-300x200.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:300;s:6:\"height\";i:200;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:5:\"large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:21:\"IMG_4759-1024x683.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1024;s:6:\"height\";i:683;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"thumbnail\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4759-150x150.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:12:\"medium_large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4759-768x512.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:768;s:6:\"height\";i:512;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"1536x1536\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:22:\"IMG_4759-1536x1024.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1536;s:6:\"height\";i:1024;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"2048x2048\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:22:\"IMG_4759-2048x1365.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:2048;s:6:\"height\";i:1365;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:24:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4759-170x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:25:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:18:\"IMG_4759-86x70.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4759-165x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:165;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:22:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4759-370x250.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:30:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4759-370x247.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:247;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:21:\"bfastmag_related_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4759-288x160.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:288;s:6:\"height\";i:160;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:18:\"bfastmag_blog_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4759-780x544.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:26:\"bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4759-780x520.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:520;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:1:\"5\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:13:\"Canon EOS 70D\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:10:\"1549744903\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:2:\"22\";s:3:\"iso\";s:4:\"2500\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:5:\"0.008\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";s:1:\"1\";s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}s:14:\"original_image\";s:12:\"IMG_4759.jpg\";}'),(504,356,'_wp_attached_file','2019/12/IMG_4765-scaled.jpg'),(505,356,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:6:{s:5:\"width\";i:2560;s:6:\"height\";i:1707;s:4:\"file\";s:27:\"2019/12/IMG_4765-scaled.jpg\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:14:{s:6:\"medium\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4765-300x200.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:300;s:6:\"height\";i:200;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:5:\"large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:21:\"IMG_4765-1024x683.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1024;s:6:\"height\";i:683;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"thumbnail\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4765-150x150.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:12:\"medium_large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4765-768x512.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:768;s:6:\"height\";i:512;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"1536x1536\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:22:\"IMG_4765-1536x1024.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1536;s:6:\"height\";i:1024;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"2048x2048\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:22:\"IMG_4765-2048x1365.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:2048;s:6:\"height\";i:1365;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:24:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4765-170x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:25:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:18:\"IMG_4765-86x70.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4765-165x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:165;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:22:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4765-370x250.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:30:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4765-370x247.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:247;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:21:\"bfastmag_related_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4765-288x160.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:288;s:6:\"height\";i:160;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:18:\"bfastmag_blog_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4765-780x544.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:26:\"bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4765-780x520.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:520;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:1:\"5\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:13:\"Canon EOS 70D\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:10:\"1549744962\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:2:\"22\";s:3:\"iso\";s:4:\"2000\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:5:\"0.008\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";s:1:\"1\";s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}s:14:\"original_image\";s:12:\"IMG_4765.jpg\";}'),(506,319,'_thumbnail_id','320'),(507,319,'_edit_last','1'),(508,319,'wptr_hide_title','0'),(509,361,'_wp_attached_file','2019/12/IMG_4711-scaled.jpg'),(510,361,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:6:{s:5:\"width\";i:2560;s:6:\"height\";i:1707;s:4:\"file\";s:27:\"2019/12/IMG_4711-scaled.jpg\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:14:{s:6:\"medium\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4711-300x200.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:300;s:6:\"height\";i:200;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:5:\"large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:21:\"IMG_4711-1024x683.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1024;s:6:\"height\";i:683;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"thumbnail\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4711-150x150.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:12:\"medium_large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4711-768x512.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:768;s:6:\"height\";i:512;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"1536x1536\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:22:\"IMG_4711-1536x1024.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1536;s:6:\"height\";i:1024;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"2048x2048\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:22:\"IMG_4711-2048x1365.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:2048;s:6:\"height\";i:1365;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:24:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4711-170x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:25:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:18:\"IMG_4711-86x70.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4711-165x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:165;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:22:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4711-370x250.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:30:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4711-370x247.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:247;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:21:\"bfastmag_related_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4711-288x160.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:288;s:6:\"height\";i:160;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:18:\"bfastmag_blog_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4711-780x544.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:26:\"bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4711-780x520.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:520;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:3:\"4.5\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:13:\"Canon EOS 70D\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:10:\"1549744165\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:2:\"18\";s:3:\"iso\";s:4:\"3200\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:5:\"0.008\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";s:1:\"1\";s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}s:14:\"original_image\";s:12:\"IMG_4711.jpg\";}'),(511,374,'_wp_attached_file','2019/12/dr-nilo-divina.jpg'),(512,374,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:5:{s:5:\"width\";i:177;s:6:\"height\";i:215;s:4:\"file\";s:26:\"2019/12/dr-nilo-divina.jpg\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:5:{s:9:\"thumbnail\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:26:\"dr-nilo-divina-150x150.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:24:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:26:\"dr-nilo-divina-170x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:25:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:24:\"dr-nilo-divina-86x70.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:25:\"dr-nilo-divina-91x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:91;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:21:\"bfastmag_related_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:26:\"dr-nilo-divina-177x160.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:177;s:6:\"height\";i:160;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:0:\"\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:1:\"0\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:1:\"0\";s:3:\"iso\";s:1:\"0\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:1:\"0\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";s:1:\"0\";s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}}'),(513,375,'_wp_attached_file','2019/12/cj-andres-narvasa.jpg'),(514,375,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:5:{s:5:\"width\";i:177;s:6:\"height\";i:215;s:4:\"file\";s:29:\"2019/12/cj-andres-narvasa.jpg\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:5:{s:9:\"thumbnail\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:29:\"cj-andres-narvasa-150x150.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:24:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:29:\"cj-andres-narvasa-170x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:25:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:27:\"cj-andres-narvasa-86x70.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:28:\"cj-andres-narvasa-91x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:91;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:21:\"bfastmag_related_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:29:\"cj-andres-narvasa-177x160.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:177;s:6:\"height\";i:160;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:0:\"\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:1:\"0\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:1:\"0\";s:3:\"iso\";s:1:\"0\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:1:\"0\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";s:1:\"0\";s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}}'),(515,376,'_wp_attached_file','2019/12/dean-ernesto-pineda.jpg'),(516,376,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:5:{s:5:\"width\";i:177;s:6:\"height\";i:215;s:4:\"file\";s:31:\"2019/12/dean-ernesto-pineda.jpg\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:5:{s:9:\"thumbnail\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:31:\"dean-ernesto-pineda-150x150.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:24:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:31:\"dean-ernesto-pineda-170x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:25:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:29:\"dean-ernesto-pineda-86x70.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:30:\"dean-ernesto-pineda-91x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:91;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:21:\"bfastmag_related_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:31:\"dean-ernesto-pineda-177x160.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:177;s:6:\"height\";i:160;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:0:\"\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:1:\"0\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:1:\"0\";s:3:\"iso\";s:1:\"0\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:1:\"0\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";s:1:\"0\";s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}}'),(517,377,'_wp_attached_file','2019/12/dr-maria-liza-lopez-rosario.jpg'),(518,377,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:5:{s:5:\"width\";i:177;s:6:\"height\";i:215;s:4:\"file\";s:39:\"2019/12/dr-maria-liza-lopez-rosario.jpg\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:5:{s:9:\"thumbnail\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:39:\"dr-maria-liza-lopez-rosario-150x150.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:24:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:39:\"dr-maria-liza-lopez-rosario-170x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:25:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:37:\"dr-maria-liza-lopez-rosario-86x70.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:38:\"dr-maria-liza-lopez-rosario-91x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:91;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:21:\"bfastmag_related_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:39:\"dr-maria-liza-lopez-rosario-177x160.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:177;s:6:\"height\";i:160;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:0:\"\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:1:\"0\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:1:\"0\";s:3:\"iso\";s:1:\"0\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:1:\"0\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";s:1:\"0\";s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}}'),(519,378,'_wp_attached_file','2019/12/dr-nilo-divina-1.jpg'),(520,378,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:5:{s:5:\"width\";i:177;s:6:\"height\";i:215;s:4:\"file\";s:28:\"2019/12/dr-nilo-divina-1.jpg\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:5:{s:9:\"thumbnail\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:28:\"dr-nilo-divina-1-150x150.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:24:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:28:\"dr-nilo-divina-1-170x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:25:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:26:\"dr-nilo-divina-1-86x70.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:27:\"dr-nilo-divina-1-91x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:91;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:21:\"bfastmag_related_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:28:\"dr-nilo-divina-1-177x160.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:177;s:6:\"height\";i:160;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:0:\"\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:1:\"0\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:1:\"0\";s:3:\"iso\";s:1:\"0\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:1:\"0\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";s:1:\"0\";s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}}'),(521,153,'wptr_hide_title','0'),(522,380,'_edit_lock','1582787909:1'),(523,381,'_wp_attached_file','2019/12/cj-andres-narvasa-1.jpg'),(524,381,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:5:{s:5:\"width\";i:177;s:6:\"height\";i:215;s:4:\"file\";s:31:\"2019/12/cj-andres-narvasa-1.jpg\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:5:{s:9:\"thumbnail\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:31:\"cj-andres-narvasa-1-150x150.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:24:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:31:\"cj-andres-narvasa-1-170x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:25:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:29:\"cj-andres-narvasa-1-86x70.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:30:\"cj-andres-narvasa-1-91x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:91;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:21:\"bfastmag_related_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:31:\"cj-andres-narvasa-1-177x160.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:177;s:6:\"height\";i:160;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:0:\"\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:1:\"0\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:1:\"0\";s:3:\"iso\";s:1:\"0\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:1:\"0\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";s:1:\"0\";s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}}'),(525,380,'_thumbnail_id','381'),(526,380,'_edit_last','1'),(527,380,'wptr_hide_title','0'),(528,383,'_wp_attached_file','2019/12/cj-andres-narvasa-2.jpg'),(529,383,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:5:{s:5:\"width\";i:177;s:6:\"height\";i:215;s:4:\"file\";s:31:\"2019/12/cj-andres-narvasa-2.jpg\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:5:{s:9:\"thumbnail\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:31:\"cj-andres-narvasa-2-150x150.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:24:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:31:\"cj-andres-narvasa-2-170x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:25:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:29:\"cj-andres-narvasa-2-86x70.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:30:\"cj-andres-narvasa-2-91x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:91;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:21:\"bfastmag_related_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:31:\"cj-andres-narvasa-2-177x160.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:177;s:6:\"height\";i:160;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:0:\"\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:1:\"0\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:1:\"0\";s:3:\"iso\";s:1:\"0\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:1:\"0\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";s:1:\"0\";s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}}'),(530,385,'_edit_lock','1581585873:1'),(531,385,'_edit_last','1'),(532,385,'wptr_hide_title','0'),(533,388,'_edit_lock','1581585862:1'),(534,388,'_edit_last','1'),(535,388,'wptr_hide_title','0'),(537,392,'_wp_attached_file','2020'),(538,393,'_wp_attached_file','2020/01'),(539,394,'_wp_attached_file','2020/02'),(540,396,'_wp_attached_file','2020/02/dr-nilo-divina.jpg'),(541,396,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:6:{s:5:\"width\";i:177;s:6:\"height\";i:215;s:14:\"hwstring_small\";s:22:\"height=\'96\' width=\'79\'\";s:4:\"file\";s:26:\"2020/02/dr-nilo-divina.jpg\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:5:{s:9:\"thumbnail\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:26:\"dr-nilo-divina-150x150.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:24:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:26:\"dr-nilo-divina-170x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:25:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:24:\"dr-nilo-divina-86x70.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:25:\"dr-nilo-divina-91x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:91;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:21:\"bfastmag_related_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:26:\"dr-nilo-divina-177x160.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:177;s:6:\"height\";i:160;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:0:\"\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:1:\"0\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:1:\"0\";s:3:\"iso\";s:1:\"0\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:1:\"0\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";s:1:\"0\";s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}}'),(542,399,'_wp_attached_file','2020/02/dean-ernesto-pineda.jpg'),(543,399,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:6:{s:5:\"width\";i:177;s:6:\"height\";i:215;s:14:\"hwstring_small\";s:22:\"height=\'96\' width=\'79\'\";s:4:\"file\";s:31:\"2020/02/dean-ernesto-pineda.jpg\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:5:{s:9:\"thumbnail\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:31:\"dean-ernesto-pineda-150x150.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:24:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:31:\"dean-ernesto-pineda-170x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:25:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:29:\"dean-ernesto-pineda-86x70.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:30:\"dean-ernesto-pineda-91x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:91;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:21:\"bfastmag_related_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:31:\"dean-ernesto-pineda-177x160.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:177;s:6:\"height\";i:160;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:0:\"\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:1:\"0\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:1:\"0\";s:3:\"iso\";s:1:\"0\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:1:\"0\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";s:1:\"0\";s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}}'),(544,388,'_thumbnail_id','399'),(545,385,'_thumbnail_id','396'),(546,401,'_wp_attached_file','2019/12/silver-and-gold-coins-128867-1-scaled.jpg'),(547,401,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:6:{s:5:\"width\";i:1920;s:6:\"height\";i:1280;s:14:\"hwstring_small\";s:23:\"height=\'85\' width=\'128\'\";s:4:\"file\";s:49:\"2019/12/silver-and-gold-coins-128867-1-scaled.jpg\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:14:{s:9:\"thumbnail\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:49:\"silver-and-gold-coins-128867-1-scaled-150x150.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:6:\"medium\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:49:\"silver-and-gold-coins-128867-1-scaled-300x200.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:300;s:6:\"height\";i:200;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:12:\"medium_large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:49:\"silver-and-gold-coins-128867-1-scaled-768x512.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:768;s:6:\"height\";i:512;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:5:\"large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:50:\"silver-and-gold-coins-128867-1-scaled-1024x683.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1024;s:6:\"height\";i:683;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"1536x1536\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:51:\"silver-and-gold-coins-128867-1-scaled-1536x1024.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1536;s:6:\"height\";i:1024;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"2048x2048\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:51:\"silver-and-gold-coins-128867-1-scaled-2048x1366.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:2048;s:6:\"height\";i:1366;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:24:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:49:\"silver-and-gold-coins-128867-1-scaled-170x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:25:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:47:\"silver-and-gold-coins-128867-1-scaled-86x70.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:49:\"silver-and-gold-coins-128867-1-scaled-165x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:165;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:22:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:49:\"silver-and-gold-coins-128867-1-scaled-370x250.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:30:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:49:\"silver-and-gold-coins-128867-1-scaled-370x247.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:247;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:21:\"bfastmag_related_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:49:\"silver-and-gold-coins-128867-1-scaled-288x160.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:288;s:6:\"height\";i:160;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:18:\"bfastmag_blog_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:49:\"silver-and-gold-coins-128867-1-scaled-780x544.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:26:\"bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:49:\"silver-and-gold-coins-128867-1-scaled-780x520.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:520;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:0:\"\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:1:\"0\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:1:\"0\";s:3:\"iso\";s:1:\"0\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:1:\"0\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";s:1:\"0\";s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}}'),(548,402,'_wp_attached_file','2020/02/IMG_20191127_114218-scaled-e1582802521926.jpg'),(549,402,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:6:{s:5:\"width\";i:1920;s:6:\"height\";i:989;s:14:\"hwstring_small\";s:23:\"height=\'66\' width=\'128\'\";s:4:\"file\";s:53:\"2020/02/IMG_20191127_114218-scaled-e1582802521926.jpg\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:14:{s:9:\"thumbnail\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:53:\"IMG_20191127_114218-scaled-e1582802521926-150x150.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:6:\"medium\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:53:\"IMG_20191127_114218-scaled-e1582802521926-300x154.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:300;s:6:\"height\";i:154;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:12:\"medium_large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:53:\"IMG_20191127_114218-scaled-e1582802521926-768x396.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:768;s:6:\"height\";i:396;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:5:\"large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:54:\"IMG_20191127_114218-scaled-e1582802521926-1024x527.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1024;s:6:\"height\";i:527;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"1536x1536\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:54:\"IMG_20191127_114218-scaled-e1582802521926-1536x791.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1536;s:6:\"height\";i:791;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"2048x2048\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:55:\"IMG_20191127_114218-scaled-e1582802521926-2048x1055.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:2048;s:6:\"height\";i:1055;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:24:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:53:\"IMG_20191127_114218-scaled-e1582802521926-170x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:25:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:51:\"IMG_20191127_114218-scaled-e1582802521926-86x70.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:52:\"IMG_20191127_114218-scaled-e1582802521926-170x88.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:88;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:22:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:53:\"IMG_20191127_114218-scaled-e1582802521926-370x250.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:30:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:53:\"IMG_20191127_114218-scaled-e1582802521926-370x191.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:191;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:21:\"bfastmag_related_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:53:\"IMG_20191127_114218-scaled-e1582802521926-288x160.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:288;s:6:\"height\";i:160;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:18:\"bfastmag_blog_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:53:\"IMG_20191127_114218-scaled-e1582802521926-780x544.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:26:\"bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:53:\"IMG_20191127_114218-scaled-e1582802521926-780x402.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:402;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:0:\"\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:1:\"0\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:1:\"0\";s:3:\"iso\";s:1:\"0\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:1:\"0\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";s:1:\"0\";s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}}'),(550,401,'_edit_lock','1581585968:1'),(551,403,'_wp_attached_file','2020/02/IMG_20191127_114224-scaled.jpg'),(552,403,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:5:{s:5:\"width\";i:1920;s:6:\"height\";i:1440;s:4:\"file\";s:38:\"2020/02/IMG_20191127_114224-scaled.jpg\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:14:{s:6:\"medium\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:38:\"IMG_20191127_114224-scaled-300x225.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:300;s:6:\"height\";i:225;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:5:\"large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:39:\"IMG_20191127_114224-scaled-1024x768.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1024;s:6:\"height\";i:768;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"thumbnail\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:38:\"IMG_20191127_114224-scaled-150x150.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:12:\"medium_large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:38:\"IMG_20191127_114224-scaled-768x576.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:768;s:6:\"height\";i:576;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"1536x1536\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:40:\"IMG_20191127_114224-scaled-1536x1152.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1536;s:6:\"height\";i:1152;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"2048x2048\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:40:\"IMG_20191127_114224-scaled-2048x1536.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:2048;s:6:\"height\";i:1536;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:24:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:38:\"IMG_20191127_114224-scaled-170x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:25:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:36:\"IMG_20191127_114224-scaled-86x70.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:38:\"IMG_20191127_114224-scaled-147x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:147;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:22:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:38:\"IMG_20191127_114224-scaled-370x250.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:30:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:38:\"IMG_20191127_114224-scaled-333x250.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:333;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:21:\"bfastmag_related_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:38:\"IMG_20191127_114224-scaled-288x160.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:288;s:6:\"height\";i:160;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:18:\"bfastmag_blog_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:38:\"IMG_20191127_114224-scaled-780x544.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:26:\"bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:38:\"IMG_20191127_114224-scaled-725x544.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:725;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:0:\"\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:1:\"0\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:1:\"0\";s:3:\"iso\";s:1:\"0\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:1:\"0\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";s:1:\"0\";s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}}'),(553,404,'_wp_attached_file','2020/02/IMG_20191127_114227-scaled.jpg'),(554,404,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:5:{s:5:\"width\";i:1920;s:6:\"height\";i:1440;s:4:\"file\";s:38:\"2020/02/IMG_20191127_114227-scaled.jpg\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:14:{s:6:\"medium\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:38:\"IMG_20191127_114227-scaled-300x225.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:300;s:6:\"height\";i:225;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:5:\"large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:39:\"IMG_20191127_114227-scaled-1024x768.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1024;s:6:\"height\";i:768;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"thumbnail\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:38:\"IMG_20191127_114227-scaled-150x150.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:12:\"medium_large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:38:\"IMG_20191127_114227-scaled-768x576.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:768;s:6:\"height\";i:576;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"1536x1536\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:40:\"IMG_20191127_114227-scaled-1536x1152.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1536;s:6:\"height\";i:1152;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"2048x2048\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:40:\"IMG_20191127_114227-scaled-2048x1536.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:2048;s:6:\"height\";i:1536;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:24:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:38:\"IMG_20191127_114227-scaled-170x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:25:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:36:\"IMG_20191127_114227-scaled-86x70.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:38:\"IMG_20191127_114227-scaled-147x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:147;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:22:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:38:\"IMG_20191127_114227-scaled-370x250.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:30:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:38:\"IMG_20191127_114227-scaled-333x250.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:333;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:21:\"bfastmag_related_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:38:\"IMG_20191127_114227-scaled-288x160.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:288;s:6:\"height\";i:160;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:18:\"bfastmag_blog_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:38:\"IMG_20191127_114227-scaled-780x544.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:26:\"bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:38:\"IMG_20191127_114227-scaled-725x544.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:725;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:0:\"\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:1:\"0\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:1:\"0\";s:3:\"iso\";s:1:\"0\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:1:\"0\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";s:1:\"0\";s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}}'),(555,401,'_edit_last','1'),(556,405,'_wp_attached_file','2020/02/IMG_20191127_114227_1-scaled.jpg'),(557,405,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:5:{s:5:\"width\";i:1920;s:6:\"height\";i:1440;s:4:\"file\";s:40:\"2020/02/IMG_20191127_114227_1-scaled.jpg\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:14:{s:6:\"medium\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:40:\"IMG_20191127_114227_1-scaled-300x225.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:300;s:6:\"height\";i:225;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:5:\"large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:41:\"IMG_20191127_114227_1-scaled-1024x768.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1024;s:6:\"height\";i:768;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"thumbnail\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:40:\"IMG_20191127_114227_1-scaled-150x150.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:12:\"medium_large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:40:\"IMG_20191127_114227_1-scaled-768x576.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:768;s:6:\"height\";i:576;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"1536x1536\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:42:\"IMG_20191127_114227_1-scaled-1536x1152.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1536;s:6:\"height\";i:1152;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"2048x2048\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:42:\"IMG_20191127_114227_1-scaled-2048x1536.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:2048;s:6:\"height\";i:1536;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:24:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:40:\"IMG_20191127_114227_1-scaled-170x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:25:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:38:\"IMG_20191127_114227_1-scaled-86x70.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:40:\"IMG_20191127_114227_1-scaled-147x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:147;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:22:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:40:\"IMG_20191127_114227_1-scaled-370x250.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:30:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:40:\"IMG_20191127_114227_1-scaled-333x250.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:333;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:21:\"bfastmag_related_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:40:\"IMG_20191127_114227_1-scaled-288x160.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:288;s:6:\"height\";i:160;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:18:\"bfastmag_blog_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:40:\"IMG_20191127_114227_1-scaled-780x544.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:26:\"bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:40:\"IMG_20191127_114227_1-scaled-725x544.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:725;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:0:\"\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:1:\"0\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:1:\"0\";s:3:\"iso\";s:1:\"0\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:1:\"0\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";s:1:\"0\";s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}}'),(560,287,'_thumbnail_id','402'),(561,406,'_wp_attached_file','2020/02/IMG_20191127_114354-scaled.jpg'),(562,406,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:5:{s:5:\"width\";i:1920;s:6:\"height\";i:1440;s:4:\"file\";s:38:\"2020/02/IMG_20191127_114354-scaled.jpg\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:14:{s:6:\"medium\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:38:\"IMG_20191127_114354-scaled-300x225.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:300;s:6:\"height\";i:225;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:5:\"large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:39:\"IMG_20191127_114354-scaled-1024x768.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1024;s:6:\"height\";i:768;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"thumbnail\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:38:\"IMG_20191127_114354-scaled-150x150.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:12:\"medium_large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:38:\"IMG_20191127_114354-scaled-768x576.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:768;s:6:\"height\";i:576;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"1536x1536\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:40:\"IMG_20191127_114354-scaled-1536x1152.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1536;s:6:\"height\";i:1152;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"2048x2048\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:40:\"IMG_20191127_114354-scaled-2048x1536.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:2048;s:6:\"height\";i:1536;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:24:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:38:\"IMG_20191127_114354-scaled-170x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:25:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:36:\"IMG_20191127_114354-scaled-86x70.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:38:\"IMG_20191127_114354-scaled-147x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:147;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:22:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:38:\"IMG_20191127_114354-scaled-370x250.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:30:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:38:\"IMG_20191127_114354-scaled-333x250.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:333;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:21:\"bfastmag_related_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:38:\"IMG_20191127_114354-scaled-288x160.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:288;s:6:\"height\";i:160;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:18:\"bfastmag_blog_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:38:\"IMG_20191127_114354-scaled-780x544.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:26:\"bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:38:\"IMG_20191127_114354-scaled-725x544.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:725;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:0:\"\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:1:\"0\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:1:\"0\";s:3:\"iso\";s:1:\"0\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:1:\"0\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";s:1:\"0\";s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}}'),(565,408,'_wp_attached_file','2020/02/IMG_20191127_114356-scaled.jpg'),(566,408,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:5:{s:5:\"width\";i:1920;s:6:\"height\";i:1440;s:4:\"file\";s:38:\"2020/02/IMG_20191127_114356-scaled.jpg\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:14:{s:6:\"medium\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:38:\"IMG_20191127_114356-scaled-300x225.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:300;s:6:\"height\";i:225;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:5:\"large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:39:\"IMG_20191127_114356-scaled-1024x768.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1024;s:6:\"height\";i:768;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"thumbnail\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:38:\"IMG_20191127_114356-scaled-150x150.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:12:\"medium_large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:38:\"IMG_20191127_114356-scaled-768x576.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:768;s:6:\"height\";i:576;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"1536x1536\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:40:\"IMG_20191127_114356-scaled-1536x1152.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1536;s:6:\"height\";i:1152;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"2048x2048\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:40:\"IMG_20191127_114356-scaled-2048x1536.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:2048;s:6:\"height\";i:1536;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:24:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:38:\"IMG_20191127_114356-scaled-170x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:25:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:36:\"IMG_20191127_114356-scaled-86x70.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:38:\"IMG_20191127_114356-scaled-147x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:147;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:22:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:38:\"IMG_20191127_114356-scaled-370x250.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:30:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:38:\"IMG_20191127_114356-scaled-333x250.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:333;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:21:\"bfastmag_related_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:38:\"IMG_20191127_114356-scaled-288x160.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:288;s:6:\"height\";i:160;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:18:\"bfastmag_blog_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:38:\"IMG_20191127_114356-scaled-780x544.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:26:\"bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:38:\"IMG_20191127_114356-scaled-725x544.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:725;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:0:\"\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:1:\"0\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:1:\"0\";s:3:\"iso\";s:1:\"0\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:1:\"0\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";s:1:\"0\";s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}}'),(571,409,'_wp_attached_file','2020/02/IMG_20191127_114446-scaled.jpg'),(572,409,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:5:{s:5:\"width\";i:1920;s:6:\"height\";i:1440;s:4:\"file\";s:38:\"2020/02/IMG_20191127_114446-scaled.jpg\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:14:{s:6:\"medium\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:38:\"IMG_20191127_114446-scaled-300x225.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:300;s:6:\"height\";i:225;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:5:\"large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:39:\"IMG_20191127_114446-scaled-1024x768.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1024;s:6:\"height\";i:768;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"thumbnail\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:38:\"IMG_20191127_114446-scaled-150x150.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:12:\"medium_large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:38:\"IMG_20191127_114446-scaled-768x576.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:768;s:6:\"height\";i:576;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"1536x1536\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:40:\"IMG_20191127_114446-scaled-1536x1152.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1536;s:6:\"height\";i:1152;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"2048x2048\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:40:\"IMG_20191127_114446-scaled-2048x1536.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:2048;s:6:\"height\";i:1536;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:24:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:38:\"IMG_20191127_114446-scaled-170x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:25:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:36:\"IMG_20191127_114446-scaled-86x70.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:38:\"IMG_20191127_114446-scaled-147x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:147;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:22:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:38:\"IMG_20191127_114446-scaled-370x250.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:30:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:38:\"IMG_20191127_114446-scaled-333x250.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:333;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:21:\"bfastmag_related_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:38:\"IMG_20191127_114446-scaled-288x160.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:288;s:6:\"height\";i:160;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:18:\"bfastmag_blog_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:38:\"IMG_20191127_114446-scaled-780x544.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:26:\"bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:38:\"IMG_20191127_114446-scaled-725x544.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:725;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:0:\"\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:1:\"0\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:1:\"0\";s:3:\"iso\";s:1:\"0\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:1:\"0\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";s:1:\"0\";s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}}'),(573,410,'_wp_attached_file','2020/02/IMG_20191127_114837-scaled.jpg'),(574,410,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:5:{s:5:\"width\";i:1920;s:6:\"height\";i:1440;s:4:\"file\";s:38:\"2020/02/IMG_20191127_114837-scaled.jpg\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:14:{s:6:\"medium\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:38:\"IMG_20191127_114837-scaled-300x225.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:300;s:6:\"height\";i:225;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:5:\"large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:39:\"IMG_20191127_114837-scaled-1024x768.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1024;s:6:\"height\";i:768;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"thumbnail\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:38:\"IMG_20191127_114837-scaled-150x150.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:12:\"medium_large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:38:\"IMG_20191127_114837-scaled-768x576.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:768;s:6:\"height\";i:576;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"1536x1536\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:40:\"IMG_20191127_114837-scaled-1536x1152.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1536;s:6:\"height\";i:1152;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"2048x2048\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:40:\"IMG_20191127_114837-scaled-2048x1536.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:2048;s:6:\"height\";i:1536;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:24:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:38:\"IMG_20191127_114837-scaled-170x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:25:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:36:\"IMG_20191127_114837-scaled-86x70.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:38:\"IMG_20191127_114837-scaled-147x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:147;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:22:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:38:\"IMG_20191127_114837-scaled-370x250.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:30:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:38:\"IMG_20191127_114837-scaled-333x250.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:333;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:21:\"bfastmag_related_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:38:\"IMG_20191127_114837-scaled-288x160.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:288;s:6:\"height\";i:160;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:18:\"bfastmag_blog_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:38:\"IMG_20191127_114837-scaled-780x544.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:26:\"bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:38:\"IMG_20191127_114837-scaled-725x544.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:725;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:0:\"\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:1:\"0\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:1:\"0\";s:3:\"iso\";s:1:\"0\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:1:\"0\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";s:1:\"0\";s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}}'),(575,411,'_wp_attached_file','2020/02/IMG_20191127_114955-scaled.jpg'),(576,411,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:5:{s:5:\"width\";i:1920;s:6:\"height\";i:1440;s:4:\"file\";s:38:\"2020/02/IMG_20191127_114955-scaled.jpg\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:14:{s:6:\"medium\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:38:\"IMG_20191127_114955-scaled-300x225.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:300;s:6:\"height\";i:225;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:5:\"large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:39:\"IMG_20191127_114955-scaled-1024x768.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1024;s:6:\"height\";i:768;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"thumbnail\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:38:\"IMG_20191127_114955-scaled-150x150.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:12:\"medium_large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:38:\"IMG_20191127_114955-scaled-768x576.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:768;s:6:\"height\";i:576;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"1536x1536\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:40:\"IMG_20191127_114955-scaled-1536x1152.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1536;s:6:\"height\";i:1152;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"2048x2048\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:40:\"IMG_20191127_114955-scaled-2048x1536.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:2048;s:6:\"height\";i:1536;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:24:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:38:\"IMG_20191127_114955-scaled-170x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:25:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:36:\"IMG_20191127_114955-scaled-86x70.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:38:\"IMG_20191127_114955-scaled-147x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:147;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:22:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:38:\"IMG_20191127_114955-scaled-370x250.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:30:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:38:\"IMG_20191127_114955-scaled-333x250.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:333;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:21:\"bfastmag_related_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:38:\"IMG_20191127_114955-scaled-288x160.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:288;s:6:\"height\";i:160;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:18:\"bfastmag_blog_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:38:\"IMG_20191127_114955-scaled-780x544.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:26:\"bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:38:\"IMG_20191127_114955-scaled-725x544.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:725;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:0:\"\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:1:\"0\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:1:\"0\";s:3:\"iso\";s:1:\"0\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:1:\"0\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";s:1:\"0\";s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}}'),(577,412,'_wp_attached_file','2019/11/ustmain-1.jpg'),(578,412,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:6:{s:5:\"width\";i:720;s:6:\"height\";i:392;s:14:\"hwstring_small\";s:23:\"height=\'70\' width=\'128\'\";s:4:\"file\";s:21:\"2019/11/ustmain-1.jpg\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:8:{s:9:\"thumbnail\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:21:\"ustmain-1-150x150.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:6:\"medium\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:21:\"ustmain-1-300x163.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:300;s:6:\"height\";i:163;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:24:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:21:\"ustmain-1-170x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:25:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:19:\"ustmain-1-86x70.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"ustmain-1-170x93.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:93;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:22:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:21:\"ustmain-1-370x250.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:30:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:21:\"ustmain-1-370x201.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:201;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:21:\"bfastmag_related_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:21:\"ustmain-1-288x160.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:288;s:6:\"height\";i:160;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:0:\"\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:1:\"0\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:1:\"0\";s:3:\"iso\";s:1:\"0\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:1:\"0\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";s:1:\"0\";s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}}'),(588,416,'_wp_attached_file','2020/02/silver-and-gold-coins-128867-1-scaled.jpg'),(589,416,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:5:{s:5:\"width\";i:1920;s:6:\"height\";i:1280;s:4:\"file\";s:49:\"2020/02/silver-and-gold-coins-128867-1-scaled.jpg\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:14:{s:6:\"medium\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:49:\"silver-and-gold-coins-128867-1-scaled-300x200.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:300;s:6:\"height\";i:200;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:5:\"large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:50:\"silver-and-gold-coins-128867-1-scaled-1024x683.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1024;s:6:\"height\";i:683;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"thumbnail\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:49:\"silver-and-gold-coins-128867-1-scaled-150x150.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:12:\"medium_large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:49:\"silver-and-gold-coins-128867-1-scaled-768x512.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:768;s:6:\"height\";i:512;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"1536x1536\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:51:\"silver-and-gold-coins-128867-1-scaled-1536x1024.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1536;s:6:\"height\";i:1024;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"2048x2048\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:51:\"silver-and-gold-coins-128867-1-scaled-2048x1366.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:2048;s:6:\"height\";i:1366;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:24:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:49:\"silver-and-gold-coins-128867-1-scaled-170x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:25:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:47:\"silver-and-gold-coins-128867-1-scaled-86x70.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:49:\"silver-and-gold-coins-128867-1-scaled-165x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:165;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:22:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:49:\"silver-and-gold-coins-128867-1-scaled-370x250.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:30:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:49:\"silver-and-gold-coins-128867-1-scaled-370x247.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:247;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:21:\"bfastmag_related_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:49:\"silver-and-gold-coins-128867-1-scaled-288x160.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:288;s:6:\"height\";i:160;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:18:\"bfastmag_blog_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:49:\"silver-and-gold-coins-128867-1-scaled-780x544.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:26:\"bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:49:\"silver-and-gold-coins-128867-1-scaled-780x520.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:520;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:0:\"\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:1:\"0\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:1:\"0\";s:3:\"iso\";s:1:\"0\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:1:\"0\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";s:1:\"0\";s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}}'),(590,417,'_wp_attached_file','2020/02/silver-and-gold-coins-128867-1-1-scaled.jpg'),(591,417,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:5:{s:5:\"width\";i:1920;s:6:\"height\";i:1280;s:4:\"file\";s:51:\"2020/02/silver-and-gold-coins-128867-1-1-scaled.jpg\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:14:{s:6:\"medium\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:51:\"silver-and-gold-coins-128867-1-1-scaled-300x200.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:300;s:6:\"height\";i:200;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:5:\"large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:52:\"silver-and-gold-coins-128867-1-1-scaled-1024x683.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1024;s:6:\"height\";i:683;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"thumbnail\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:51:\"silver-and-gold-coins-128867-1-1-scaled-150x150.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:12:\"medium_large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:51:\"silver-and-gold-coins-128867-1-1-scaled-768x512.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:768;s:6:\"height\";i:512;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"1536x1536\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:53:\"silver-and-gold-coins-128867-1-1-scaled-1536x1024.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1536;s:6:\"height\";i:1024;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"2048x2048\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:53:\"silver-and-gold-coins-128867-1-1-scaled-2048x1366.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:2048;s:6:\"height\";i:1366;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:24:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:51:\"silver-and-gold-coins-128867-1-1-scaled-170x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:25:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:49:\"silver-and-gold-coins-128867-1-1-scaled-86x70.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:51:\"silver-and-gold-coins-128867-1-1-scaled-165x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:165;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:22:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:51:\"silver-and-gold-coins-128867-1-1-scaled-370x250.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:30:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:51:\"silver-and-gold-coins-128867-1-1-scaled-370x247.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:247;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:21:\"bfastmag_related_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:51:\"silver-and-gold-coins-128867-1-1-scaled-288x160.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:288;s:6:\"height\";i:160;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:18:\"bfastmag_blog_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:51:\"silver-and-gold-coins-128867-1-1-scaled-780x544.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:26:\"bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:51:\"silver-and-gold-coins-128867-1-1-scaled-780x520.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:520;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:0:\"\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:1:\"0\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:1:\"0\";s:3:\"iso\";s:1:\"0\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:1:\"0\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";s:1:\"0\";s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}}'),(593,421,'_wp_attached_file','2020/02/ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-002.jpg'),(594,421,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:5:{s:5:\"width\";i:1650;s:6:\"height\";i:1275;s:4:\"file\";s:53:\"2020/02/ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-002.jpg\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:13:{s:6:\"medium\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:53:\"ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-002-300x232.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:300;s:6:\"height\";i:232;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:5:\"large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:54:\"ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-002-1024x791.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1024;s:6:\"height\";i:791;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"thumbnail\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:53:\"ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-002-150x150.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:12:\"medium_large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:53:\"ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-002-768x593.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:768;s:6:\"height\";i:593;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"1536x1536\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:55:\"ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-002-1536x1187.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1536;s:6:\"height\";i:1187;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:24:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:53:\"ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-002-170x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:25:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:51:\"ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-002-86x70.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:53:\"ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-002-142x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:142;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:22:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:53:\"ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-002-370x250.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:30:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:53:\"ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-002-324x250.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:324;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:21:\"bfastmag_related_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:53:\"ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-002-288x160.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:288;s:6:\"height\";i:160;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:18:\"bfastmag_blog_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:53:\"ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-002-780x544.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:26:\"bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:53:\"ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-002-704x544.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:704;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:0:\"\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:1:\"0\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:1:\"0\";s:3:\"iso\";s:1:\"0\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:1:\"0\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";s:1:\"0\";s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}}'),(595,422,'_wp_attached_file','2020/02/ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-003.jpg'),(596,422,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:5:{s:5:\"width\";i:1650;s:6:\"height\";i:1275;s:4:\"file\";s:53:\"2020/02/ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-003.jpg\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:13:{s:6:\"medium\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:53:\"ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-003-300x232.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:300;s:6:\"height\";i:232;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:5:\"large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:54:\"ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-003-1024x791.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1024;s:6:\"height\";i:791;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"thumbnail\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:53:\"ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-003-150x150.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:12:\"medium_large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:53:\"ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-003-768x593.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:768;s:6:\"height\";i:593;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"1536x1536\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:55:\"ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-003-1536x1187.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1536;s:6:\"height\";i:1187;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:24:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:53:\"ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-003-170x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:25:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:51:\"ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-003-86x70.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:53:\"ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-003-142x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:142;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:22:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:53:\"ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-003-370x250.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:30:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:53:\"ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-003-324x250.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:324;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:21:\"bfastmag_related_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:53:\"ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-003-288x160.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:288;s:6:\"height\";i:160;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:18:\"bfastmag_blog_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:53:\"ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-003-780x544.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:26:\"bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:53:\"ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-003-704x544.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:704;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:0:\"\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:1:\"0\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:1:\"0\";s:3:\"iso\";s:1:\"0\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:1:\"0\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";s:1:\"0\";s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}}'),(597,423,'_wp_attached_file','2020/02/ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-001.jpg'),(598,423,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:5:{s:5:\"width\";i:1650;s:6:\"height\";i:1275;s:4:\"file\";s:53:\"2020/02/ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-001.jpg\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:13:{s:6:\"medium\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:53:\"ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-001-300x232.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:300;s:6:\"height\";i:232;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:5:\"large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:54:\"ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-001-1024x791.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1024;s:6:\"height\";i:791;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"thumbnail\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:53:\"ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-001-150x150.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:12:\"medium_large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:53:\"ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-001-768x593.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:768;s:6:\"height\";i:593;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"1536x1536\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:55:\"ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-001-1536x1187.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1536;s:6:\"height\";i:1187;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:24:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:53:\"ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-001-170x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:25:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:51:\"ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-001-86x70.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:53:\"ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-001-142x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:142;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:22:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:53:\"ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-001-370x250.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:30:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:53:\"ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-001-324x250.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:324;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:21:\"bfastmag_related_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:53:\"ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-001-288x160.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:288;s:6:\"height\";i:160;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:18:\"bfastmag_blog_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:53:\"ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-001-780x544.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:26:\"bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:53:\"ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-001-704x544.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:704;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:0:\"\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:1:\"0\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:1:\"0\";s:3:\"iso\";s:1:\"0\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:1:\"0\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";s:1:\"0\";s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}}'),(599,424,'_wp_attached_file','2020/02/ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-001-1.jpg'),(600,424,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:5:{s:5:\"width\";i:1650;s:6:\"height\";i:1275;s:4:\"file\";s:55:\"2020/02/ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-001-1.jpg\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:13:{s:6:\"medium\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:55:\"ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-001-1-300x232.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:300;s:6:\"height\";i:232;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:5:\"large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:56:\"ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-001-1-1024x791.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1024;s:6:\"height\";i:791;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"thumbnail\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:55:\"ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-001-1-150x150.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:12:\"medium_large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:55:\"ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-001-1-768x593.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:768;s:6:\"height\";i:593;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"1536x1536\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:57:\"ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-001-1-1536x1187.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1536;s:6:\"height\";i:1187;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:24:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:55:\"ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-001-1-170x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:25:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:53:\"ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-001-1-86x70.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:55:\"ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-001-1-142x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:142;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:22:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:55:\"ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-001-1-370x250.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:30:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:55:\"ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-001-1-324x250.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:324;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:21:\"bfastmag_related_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:55:\"ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-001-1-288x160.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:288;s:6:\"height\";i:160;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:18:\"bfastmag_blog_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:55:\"ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-001-1-780x544.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:26:\"bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:55:\"ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-001-1-704x544.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:704;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:0:\"\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:1:\"0\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:1:\"0\";s:3:\"iso\";s:1:\"0\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:1:\"0\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";s:1:\"0\";s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}}'),(601,425,'_wp_attached_file','2020/02/ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-002-1.jpg'),(602,425,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:5:{s:5:\"width\";i:1650;s:6:\"height\";i:1275;s:4:\"file\";s:55:\"2020/02/ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-002-1.jpg\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:13:{s:6:\"medium\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:55:\"ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-002-1-300x232.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:300;s:6:\"height\";i:232;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:5:\"large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:56:\"ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-002-1-1024x791.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1024;s:6:\"height\";i:791;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"thumbnail\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:55:\"ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-002-1-150x150.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:12:\"medium_large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:55:\"ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-002-1-768x593.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:768;s:6:\"height\";i:593;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"1536x1536\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:57:\"ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-002-1-1536x1187.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1536;s:6:\"height\";i:1187;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:24:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:55:\"ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-002-1-170x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:25:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:53:\"ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-002-1-86x70.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:55:\"ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-002-1-142x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:142;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:22:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:55:\"ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-002-1-370x250.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:30:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:55:\"ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-002-1-324x250.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:324;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:21:\"bfastmag_related_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:55:\"ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-002-1-288x160.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:288;s:6:\"height\";i:160;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:18:\"bfastmag_blog_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:55:\"ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-002-1-780x544.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:26:\"bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:55:\"ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-002-1-704x544.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:704;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:0:\"\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:1:\"0\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:1:\"0\";s:3:\"iso\";s:1:\"0\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:1:\"0\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";s:1:\"0\";s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}}'),(603,426,'_wp_attached_file','2020/02/ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-003-1.jpg'),(604,426,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:5:{s:5:\"width\";i:1650;s:6:\"height\";i:1275;s:4:\"file\";s:55:\"2020/02/ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-003-1.jpg\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:13:{s:6:\"medium\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:55:\"ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-003-1-300x232.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:300;s:6:\"height\";i:232;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:5:\"large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:56:\"ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-003-1-1024x791.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1024;s:6:\"height\";i:791;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"thumbnail\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:55:\"ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-003-1-150x150.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:12:\"medium_large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:55:\"ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-003-1-768x593.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:768;s:6:\"height\";i:593;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"1536x1536\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:57:\"ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-003-1-1536x1187.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1536;s:6:\"height\";i:1187;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:24:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:55:\"ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-003-1-170x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:25:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:53:\"ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-003-1-86x70.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:55:\"ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-003-1-142x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:142;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:22:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:55:\"ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-003-1-370x250.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:30:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:55:\"ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-003-1-324x250.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:324;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:21:\"bfastmag_related_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:55:\"ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-003-1-288x160.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:288;s:6:\"height\";i:160;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:18:\"bfastmag_blog_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:55:\"ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-003-1-780x544.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:26:\"bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:55:\"ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-003-1-704x544.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:704;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:0:\"\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:1:\"0\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:1:\"0\";s:3:\"iso\";s:1:\"0\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:1:\"0\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";s:1:\"0\";s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}}'),(609,428,'_wp_attached_file','2020/02/cj-andres-narvasa.jpg'),(610,428,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:5:{s:5:\"width\";i:177;s:6:\"height\";i:215;s:4:\"file\";s:29:\"2020/02/cj-andres-narvasa.jpg\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:5:{s:9:\"thumbnail\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:29:\"cj-andres-narvasa-150x150.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:24:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:29:\"cj-andres-narvasa-170x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:25:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:27:\"cj-andres-narvasa-86x70.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:28:\"cj-andres-narvasa-91x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:91;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:21:\"bfastmag_related_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:29:\"cj-andres-narvasa-177x160.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:177;s:6:\"height\";i:160;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:0:\"\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:1:\"0\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:1:\"0\";s:3:\"iso\";s:1:\"0\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:1:\"0\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";s:1:\"0\";s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}}'),(611,430,'_wp_attached_file','2020/02/Current-Editorial-Board-scaled.jpg'),(612,430,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:6:{s:5:\"width\";i:1920;s:6:\"height\";i:1079;s:14:\"hwstring_small\";s:23:\"height=\'72\' width=\'128\'\";s:4:\"file\";s:42:\"2020/02/Current-Editorial-Board-scaled.jpg\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:14:{s:9:\"thumbnail\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:42:\"Current-Editorial-Board-scaled-150x150.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:6:\"medium\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:42:\"Current-Editorial-Board-scaled-300x169.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:300;s:6:\"height\";i:169;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:12:\"medium_large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:42:\"Current-Editorial-Board-scaled-768x431.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:768;s:6:\"height\";i:431;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:5:\"large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:43:\"Current-Editorial-Board-scaled-1024x575.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1024;s:6:\"height\";i:575;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"1536x1536\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:43:\"Current-Editorial-Board-scaled-1536x863.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1536;s:6:\"height\";i:863;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"2048x2048\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:44:\"Current-Editorial-Board-scaled-2048x1150.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:2048;s:6:\"height\";i:1150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:24:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:42:\"Current-Editorial-Board-scaled-170x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:25:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:40:\"Current-Editorial-Board-scaled-86x70.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:41:\"Current-Editorial-Board-scaled-170x95.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:95;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:22:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:42:\"Current-Editorial-Board-scaled-370x250.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:30:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:42:\"Current-Editorial-Board-scaled-370x208.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:208;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:21:\"bfastmag_related_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:42:\"Current-Editorial-Board-scaled-288x160.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:288;s:6:\"height\";i:160;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:18:\"bfastmag_blog_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:42:\"Current-Editorial-Board-scaled-780x544.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:26:\"bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:42:\"Current-Editorial-Board-scaled-780x438.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:438;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:0:\"\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:1:\"0\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:1:\"0\";s:3:\"iso\";s:1:\"0\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:1:\"0\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";s:1:\"0\";s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}}'),(613,3,'wptr_hide_title','0'),(614,433,'_wp_attached_file','2020/02/Professional-Honor-in-Lawyers.pdf'),(615,434,'_wp_attached_file','2020/02/The-Legal-Profession.pdf'),(616,435,'_wp_attached_file','2020/02/Morals-in-Judicial-Processes.pdf'),(617,436,'_wp_attached_file','2020/02/Morals-in-Judicial-Processes-1.pdf'),(618,437,'_wp_attached_file','2020/02/The-Legal-Profession-1.pdf'),(619,441,'_wp_attached_file','2020/02/THE-FAMILY-HOME-ITS-CONCEPT-PHILOSOPHY-AND-REGISTRATION.pdf'),(620,442,'_wp_attached_file','2020/02/THE-MORAL-ASPECT-OF-FREEDOM-OF-THE-PRESS.pdf'),(621,443,'_wp_attached_file','2020/02/LAND-REFORM-EXPLAINED.pdf'),(622,445,'_edit_lock','1600957614:1'),(623,446,'_wp_attached_file','2020/02/bangsamoro-armed-conflict-nafeedah-muslim.pdf'),(624,447,'_wp_attached_file','2020/02/lecture-on-the-permanent-court-of-arbitrations-ruling-on-the-west-philippine-sea-dispute-justice-carpio.pdf'),(625,448,'_wp_attached_file','2020/02/millenial-job-hopping-and-lack-of-interest-in-unions-by-maria-theresa-lampa.pdf'),(626,449,'_wp_attached_file','2020/02/the-four-fold-brennan-tests-dexter-suyat-and-camille-gonzales.pdf'),(627,450,'_wp_attached_file','2020/02/the-other-side-of-equity-jhuneil-antipala.pdf'),(628,451,'_wp_attached_file','2020/02/the-price-of-freedom-erika-pineda-and-aileen-san-jose.pdf'),(629,452,'_wp_attached_file','2020/02/aerial-photo-of-islands-on-sea-2583852-scaled.jpg'),(630,452,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:5:{s:5:\"width\";i:1454;s:6:\"height\";i:1920;s:4:\"file\";s:57:\"2020/02/aerial-photo-of-islands-on-sea-2583852-scaled.jpg\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:14:{s:6:\"medium\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:57:\"aerial-photo-of-islands-on-sea-2583852-scaled-227x300.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:227;s:6:\"height\";i:300;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:5:\"large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:58:\"aerial-photo-of-islands-on-sea-2583852-scaled-776x1024.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:776;s:6:\"height\";i:1024;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"thumbnail\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:57:\"aerial-photo-of-islands-on-sea-2583852-scaled-150x150.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:12:\"medium_large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:58:\"aerial-photo-of-islands-on-sea-2583852-scaled-768x1014.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:768;s:6:\"height\";i:1014;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"1536x1536\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:59:\"aerial-photo-of-islands-on-sea-2583852-scaled-1163x1536.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1163;s:6:\"height\";i:1536;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"2048x2048\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:59:\"aerial-photo-of-islands-on-sea-2583852-scaled-1551x2048.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1551;s:6:\"height\";i:2048;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:24:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:57:\"aerial-photo-of-islands-on-sea-2583852-scaled-170x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:25:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:55:\"aerial-photo-of-islands-on-sea-2583852-scaled-86x70.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:56:\"aerial-photo-of-islands-on-sea-2583852-scaled-83x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:83;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:22:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:57:\"aerial-photo-of-islands-on-sea-2583852-scaled-370x250.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:30:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:57:\"aerial-photo-of-islands-on-sea-2583852-scaled-189x250.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:189;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:21:\"bfastmag_related_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:57:\"aerial-photo-of-islands-on-sea-2583852-scaled-288x160.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:288;s:6:\"height\";i:160;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:18:\"bfastmag_blog_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:57:\"aerial-photo-of-islands-on-sea-2583852-scaled-780x544.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:26:\"bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:57:\"aerial-photo-of-islands-on-sea-2583852-scaled-412x544.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:412;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:0:\"\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:1:\"0\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:1:\"0\";s:3:\"iso\";s:1:\"0\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:1:\"0\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";s:1:\"0\";s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}}'),(631,453,'_wp_attached_file','2020/02/bangsamoro-armed-conflict-nafeedah-muslim-1.pdf'),(632,454,'_wp_attached_file','2020/02/millenial-job-hopping-and-lack-of-interest-in-unions-by-maria-theresa-lampa-1.pdf'),(633,455,'_wp_attached_file','2020/02/the-four-fold-brennan-tests-dexter-suyat-and-camille-gonzales-1.pdf'),(634,456,'_wp_attached_file','2020/02/the-other-side-of-equity-jhuneil-antipala-1.pdf'),(635,457,'_wp_attached_file','2020/02/the-price-of-freedom-erika-pineda-and-aileen-san-jose-1.pdf'),(636,445,'_edit_last','1'),(637,445,'wptr_hide_title','0'),(638,459,'_edit_lock','1627279122:1'),(639,459,'_edit_last','1'),(640,459,'wptr_hide_title','0'),(641,30,'_thumbnail_id','430'),(642,464,'_wp_attached_file','2020/02/woman-typing-writing-programming-7112-scaled.jpg'),(643,464,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:5:{s:5:\"width\";i:1920;s:6:\"height\";i:1280;s:4:\"file\";s:56:\"2020/02/woman-typing-writing-programming-7112-scaled.jpg\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:14:{s:6:\"medium\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:56:\"woman-typing-writing-programming-7112-scaled-300x200.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:300;s:6:\"height\";i:200;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:5:\"large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:57:\"woman-typing-writing-programming-7112-scaled-1024x683.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1024;s:6:\"height\";i:683;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"thumbnail\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:56:\"woman-typing-writing-programming-7112-scaled-150x150.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:12:\"medium_large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:56:\"woman-typing-writing-programming-7112-scaled-768x512.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:768;s:6:\"height\";i:512;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"1536x1536\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:58:\"woman-typing-writing-programming-7112-scaled-1536x1024.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1536;s:6:\"height\";i:1024;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"2048x2048\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:58:\"woman-typing-writing-programming-7112-scaled-2048x1366.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:2048;s:6:\"height\";i:1366;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:24:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:56:\"woman-typing-writing-programming-7112-scaled-170x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:25:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:54:\"woman-typing-writing-programming-7112-scaled-86x70.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:56:\"woman-typing-writing-programming-7112-scaled-165x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:165;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:22:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:56:\"woman-typing-writing-programming-7112-scaled-370x250.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:30:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:56:\"woman-typing-writing-programming-7112-scaled-370x247.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:247;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:21:\"bfastmag_related_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:56:\"woman-typing-writing-programming-7112-scaled-288x160.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:288;s:6:\"height\";i:160;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:18:\"bfastmag_blog_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:56:\"woman-typing-writing-programming-7112-scaled-780x544.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:26:\"bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:56:\"woman-typing-writing-programming-7112-scaled-780x520.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:520;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:0:\"\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:1:\"0\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:1:\"0\";s:3:\"iso\";s:1:\"0\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:1:\"0\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";s:1:\"0\";s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}}'),(644,465,'_wp_attached_file','2020/02/person-reading-magazine-2333332-scaled.jpg'),(645,465,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:5:{s:5:\"width\";i:1920;s:6:\"height\";i:1272;s:4:\"file\";s:50:\"2020/02/person-reading-magazine-2333332-scaled.jpg\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:14:{s:6:\"medium\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:50:\"person-reading-magazine-2333332-scaled-300x199.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:300;s:6:\"height\";i:199;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:5:\"large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:51:\"person-reading-magazine-2333332-scaled-1024x678.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1024;s:6:\"height\";i:678;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"thumbnail\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:50:\"person-reading-magazine-2333332-scaled-150x150.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:12:\"medium_large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:50:\"person-reading-magazine-2333332-scaled-768x509.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:768;s:6:\"height\";i:509;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"1536x1536\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:52:\"person-reading-magazine-2333332-scaled-1536x1018.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1536;s:6:\"height\";i:1018;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"2048x2048\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:52:\"person-reading-magazine-2333332-scaled-2048x1357.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:2048;s:6:\"height\";i:1357;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:24:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:50:\"person-reading-magazine-2333332-scaled-170x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:25:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:48:\"person-reading-magazine-2333332-scaled-86x70.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:50:\"person-reading-magazine-2333332-scaled-166x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:166;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:22:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:50:\"person-reading-magazine-2333332-scaled-370x250.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:30:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:50:\"person-reading-magazine-2333332-scaled-370x245.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:245;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:21:\"bfastmag_related_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:50:\"person-reading-magazine-2333332-scaled-288x160.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:288;s:6:\"height\";i:160;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:18:\"bfastmag_blog_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:50:\"person-reading-magazine-2333332-scaled-780x544.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:26:\"bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:50:\"person-reading-magazine-2333332-scaled-780x517.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:517;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:0:\"\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:1:\"0\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:1:\"0\";s:3:\"iso\";s:1:\"0\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:1:\"0\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";s:1:\"0\";s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}}'),(646,466,'_wp_attached_file','2020/02/advertisements-batch-blur-business-518543-scaled.jpg'),(647,466,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:5:{s:5:\"width\";i:1920;s:6:\"height\";i:1280;s:4:\"file\";s:60:\"2020/02/advertisements-batch-blur-business-518543-scaled.jpg\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:14:{s:6:\"medium\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:60:\"advertisements-batch-blur-business-518543-scaled-300x200.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:300;s:6:\"height\";i:200;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:5:\"large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:61:\"advertisements-batch-blur-business-518543-scaled-1024x683.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1024;s:6:\"height\";i:683;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"thumbnail\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:60:\"advertisements-batch-blur-business-518543-scaled-150x150.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:12:\"medium_large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:60:\"advertisements-batch-blur-business-518543-scaled-768x512.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:768;s:6:\"height\";i:512;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"1536x1536\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:62:\"advertisements-batch-blur-business-518543-scaled-1536x1024.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1536;s:6:\"height\";i:1024;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"2048x2048\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:62:\"advertisements-batch-blur-business-518543-scaled-2048x1366.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:2048;s:6:\"height\";i:1366;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:24:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:60:\"advertisements-batch-blur-business-518543-scaled-170x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:25:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:58:\"advertisements-batch-blur-business-518543-scaled-86x70.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:60:\"advertisements-batch-blur-business-518543-scaled-165x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:165;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:22:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:60:\"advertisements-batch-blur-business-518543-scaled-370x250.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:30:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:60:\"advertisements-batch-blur-business-518543-scaled-370x247.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:247;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:21:\"bfastmag_related_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:60:\"advertisements-batch-blur-business-518543-scaled-288x160.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:288;s:6:\"height\";i:160;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:18:\"bfastmag_blog_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:60:\"advertisements-batch-blur-business-518543-scaled-780x544.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:26:\"bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:60:\"advertisements-batch-blur-business-518543-scaled-780x520.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:520;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:0:\"\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:1:\"0\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:1:\"0\";s:3:\"iso\";s:1:\"0\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:1:\"0\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";s:1:\"0\";s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}}'),(648,35,'_edit_last','1'),(649,35,'wptr_hide_title','0'),(650,469,'_wp_attached_file','2020/02/auditorium-benches-chairs-class-207691-scaled.jpg'),(651,469,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:5:{s:5:\"width\";i:1920;s:6:\"height\";i:1371;s:4:\"file\";s:57:\"2020/02/auditorium-benches-chairs-class-207691-scaled.jpg\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:14:{s:6:\"medium\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:57:\"auditorium-benches-chairs-class-207691-scaled-300x214.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:300;s:6:\"height\";i:214;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:5:\"large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:58:\"auditorium-benches-chairs-class-207691-scaled-1024x731.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1024;s:6:\"height\";i:731;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"thumbnail\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:57:\"auditorium-benches-chairs-class-207691-scaled-150x150.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:12:\"medium_large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:57:\"auditorium-benches-chairs-class-207691-scaled-768x548.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:768;s:6:\"height\";i:548;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"1536x1536\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:59:\"auditorium-benches-chairs-class-207691-scaled-1536x1097.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1536;s:6:\"height\";i:1097;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"2048x2048\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:59:\"auditorium-benches-chairs-class-207691-scaled-2048x1462.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:2048;s:6:\"height\";i:1462;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:24:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:57:\"auditorium-benches-chairs-class-207691-scaled-170x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:25:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:55:\"auditorium-benches-chairs-class-207691-scaled-86x70.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:57:\"auditorium-benches-chairs-class-207691-scaled-154x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:154;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:22:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:57:\"auditorium-benches-chairs-class-207691-scaled-370x250.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:30:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:57:\"auditorium-benches-chairs-class-207691-scaled-350x250.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:350;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:21:\"bfastmag_related_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:57:\"auditorium-benches-chairs-class-207691-scaled-288x160.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:288;s:6:\"height\";i:160;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:18:\"bfastmag_blog_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:57:\"auditorium-benches-chairs-class-207691-scaled-780x544.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:26:\"bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:57:\"auditorium-benches-chairs-class-207691-scaled-762x544.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:762;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:0:\"\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:1:\"0\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:1:\"0\";s:3:\"iso\";s:1:\"0\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:1:\"0\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";s:1:\"0\";s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}}'),(652,470,'_wp_attached_file','2020/02/history.jpg'),(653,470,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:5:{s:5:\"width\";i:680;s:6:\"height\";i:190;s:4:\"file\";s:19:\"2020/02/history.jpg\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:8:{s:6:\"medium\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:18:\"history-300x84.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:300;s:6:\"height\";i:84;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"thumbnail\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:19:\"history-150x150.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:24:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:19:\"history-170x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:25:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:17:\"history-86x70.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:18:\"history-170x48.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:48;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:22:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:19:\"history-370x190.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:190;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:30:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:19:\"history-370x103.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:103;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:21:\"bfastmag_related_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:19:\"history-288x160.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:288;s:6:\"height\";i:160;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:0:\"\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:1:\"0\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:1:\"0\";s:3:\"iso\";s:1:\"0\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:1:\"0\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";s:1:\"0\";s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}}'),(654,470,'_wp_attachment_backup_sizes','a:1:{s:14:\"thumbnail-orig\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:19:\"history-150x150.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}}'),(655,471,'_wp_attached_file','2020/02/woman-typing-writing-programming-7112-1-scaled-e1583307075737.jpg'),(656,471,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:5:{s:5:\"width\";i:1920;s:6:\"height\";i:1354;s:4:\"file\";s:73:\"2020/02/woman-typing-writing-programming-7112-1-scaled-e1583307075737.jpg\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:13:{s:6:\"medium\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:73:\"woman-typing-writing-programming-7112-1-scaled-e1583307075737-300x212.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:300;s:6:\"height\";i:212;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:5:\"large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:74:\"woman-typing-writing-programming-7112-1-scaled-e1583307075737-1024x722.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1024;s:6:\"height\";i:722;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"thumbnail\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:73:\"woman-typing-writing-programming-7112-1-scaled-e1583307075737-150x150.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:12:\"medium_large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:73:\"woman-typing-writing-programming-7112-1-scaled-e1583307075737-768x542.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:768;s:6:\"height\";i:542;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"1536x1536\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:75:\"woman-typing-writing-programming-7112-1-scaled-e1583307075737-1536x1084.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1536;s:6:\"height\";i:1084;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:24:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:73:\"woman-typing-writing-programming-7112-1-scaled-e1583307075737-170x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:25:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:71:\"woman-typing-writing-programming-7112-1-scaled-e1583307075737-86x70.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:73:\"woman-typing-writing-programming-7112-1-scaled-e1583307075737-156x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:156;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:22:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:73:\"woman-typing-writing-programming-7112-1-scaled-e1583307075737-370x250.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:30:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:73:\"woman-typing-writing-programming-7112-1-scaled-e1583307075737-354x250.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:354;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:21:\"bfastmag_related_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:73:\"woman-typing-writing-programming-7112-1-scaled-e1583307075737-288x160.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:288;s:6:\"height\";i:160;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:18:\"bfastmag_blog_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:73:\"woman-typing-writing-programming-7112-1-scaled-e1583307075737-780x544.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:26:\"bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:73:\"woman-typing-writing-programming-7112-1-scaled-e1583307075737-771x544.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:771;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:0:\"\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:1:\"0\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:1:\"0\";s:3:\"iso\";s:1:\"0\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:1:\"0\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";s:1:\"0\";s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}}'),(657,472,'_wp_attached_file','2020/02/black-vintage-typewriter-163084-scaled-e1582787342854.jpg'),(658,472,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:5:{s:5:\"width\";i:1708;s:6:\"height\";i:1132;s:4:\"file\";s:65:\"2020/02/black-vintage-typewriter-163084-scaled-e1582787342854.jpg\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:13:{s:6:\"medium\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:65:\"black-vintage-typewriter-163084-scaled-e1582787342854-300x199.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:300;s:6:\"height\";i:199;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:5:\"large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:66:\"black-vintage-typewriter-163084-scaled-e1582787342854-1024x679.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1024;s:6:\"height\";i:679;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"thumbnail\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:65:\"black-vintage-typewriter-163084-scaled-e1582787342854-150x150.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:12:\"medium_large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:65:\"black-vintage-typewriter-163084-scaled-e1582787342854-768x509.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:768;s:6:\"height\";i:509;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"1536x1536\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:67:\"black-vintage-typewriter-163084-scaled-e1582787342854-1536x1018.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1536;s:6:\"height\";i:1018;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:24:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:65:\"black-vintage-typewriter-163084-scaled-e1582787342854-170x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:25:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:63:\"black-vintage-typewriter-163084-scaled-e1582787342854-86x70.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:65:\"black-vintage-typewriter-163084-scaled-e1582787342854-166x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:166;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:22:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:65:\"black-vintage-typewriter-163084-scaled-e1582787342854-370x250.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:30:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:65:\"black-vintage-typewriter-163084-scaled-e1582787342854-370x245.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:245;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:21:\"bfastmag_related_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:65:\"black-vintage-typewriter-163084-scaled-e1582787342854-288x160.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:288;s:6:\"height\";i:160;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:18:\"bfastmag_blog_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:65:\"black-vintage-typewriter-163084-scaled-e1582787342854-780x544.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:26:\"bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:65:\"black-vintage-typewriter-163084-scaled-e1582787342854-780x517.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:517;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:0:\"\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:1:\"0\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:1:\"0\";s:3:\"iso\";s:1:\"0\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:1:\"0\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";s:1:\"0\";s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}}'),(659,2,'wptr_hide_title','1'),(660,475,'_wp_trash_meta_status','publish'),(661,475,'_wp_trash_meta_time','1581593253'),(663,476,'_customize_changeset_uuid','f2846e55-13b6-4835-a1ff-aebda4a88855'),(664,479,'_menu_item_type','post_type'),(665,479,'_menu_item_menu_item_parent','0'),(666,479,'_menu_item_object_id','2'),(667,479,'_menu_item_object','page'),(668,479,'_menu_item_target',''),(669,479,'_menu_item_classes','a:1:{i:0;s:0:\"\";}'),(670,479,'_menu_item_xfn',''),(671,479,'_menu_item_url',''),(672,477,'_wp_trash_meta_status','publish'),(673,477,'_wp_trash_meta_time','1581593288'),(675,476,'_wp_trash_meta_status','publish'),(676,476,'_wp_trash_meta_time','1581593556'),(677,476,'_wp_desired_post_slug','an-imprint-2'),(678,484,'_wp_attached_file','2020/02/history-1.jpg'),(679,484,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:5:{s:5:\"width\";i:680;s:6:\"height\";i:190;s:4:\"file\";s:21:\"2020/02/history-1.jpg\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:8:{s:6:\"medium\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"history-1-300x84.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:300;s:6:\"height\";i:84;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"thumbnail\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:21:\"history-1-150x150.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:24:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:21:\"history-1-170x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:25:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:19:\"history-1-86x70.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"history-1-170x48.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:48;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:22:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:21:\"history-1-370x190.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:190;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:30:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:21:\"history-1-370x103.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:103;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:21:\"bfastmag_related_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:21:\"history-1-288x160.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:288;s:6:\"height\";i:160;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:0:\"\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:1:\"0\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:1:\"0\";s:3:\"iso\";s:1:\"0\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:1:\"0\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";s:1:\"0\";s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}}'),(680,485,'_wp_attached_file','2020/02/ulr1617-scaled.jpg'),(681,485,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:5:{s:5:\"width\";i:1920;s:6:\"height\";i:791;s:4:\"file\";s:26:\"2020/02/ulr1617-scaled.jpg\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:14:{s:6:\"medium\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:26:\"ulr1617-scaled-300x124.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:300;s:6:\"height\";i:124;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:5:\"large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:27:\"ulr1617-scaled-1024x422.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1024;s:6:\"height\";i:422;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"thumbnail\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:26:\"ulr1617-scaled-150x150.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:12:\"medium_large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:26:\"ulr1617-scaled-768x316.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:768;s:6:\"height\";i:316;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"1536x1536\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:27:\"ulr1617-scaled-1536x632.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1536;s:6:\"height\";i:632;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"2048x2048\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:27:\"ulr1617-scaled-2048x843.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:2048;s:6:\"height\";i:843;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:24:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:26:\"ulr1617-scaled-170x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:25:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:24:\"ulr1617-scaled-86x70.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:25:\"ulr1617-scaled-170x70.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:22:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:26:\"ulr1617-scaled-370x250.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:30:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:26:\"ulr1617-scaled-370x152.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:152;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:21:\"bfastmag_related_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:26:\"ulr1617-scaled-288x160.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:288;s:6:\"height\";i:160;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:18:\"bfastmag_blog_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:26:\"ulr1617-scaled-780x544.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:26:\"bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:26:\"ulr1617-scaled-780x321.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:321;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:0:\"\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:1:\"0\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:1:\"0\";s:3:\"iso\";s:1:\"0\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:1:\"0\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";s:1:\"0\";s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}}'),(682,486,'_wp_attached_file','2020/02/understudy-program.jpg'),(683,486,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:5:{s:5:\"width\";i:680;s:6:\"height\";i:190;s:4:\"file\";s:30:\"2020/02/understudy-program.jpg\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:8:{s:6:\"medium\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:29:\"understudy-program-300x84.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:300;s:6:\"height\";i:84;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"thumbnail\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:30:\"understudy-program-150x150.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:24:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:30:\"understudy-program-170x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:25:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:28:\"understudy-program-86x70.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:29:\"understudy-program-170x48.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:48;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:22:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:30:\"understudy-program-370x190.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:190;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:30:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:30:\"understudy-program-370x103.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:103;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:21:\"bfastmag_related_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:30:\"understudy-program-288x160.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:288;s:6:\"height\";i:160;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:0:\"\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:1:\"0\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:1:\"0\";s:3:\"iso\";s:1:\"0\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:1:\"0\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";s:1:\"0\";s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}}'),(684,487,'_wp_attached_file','2020/02/554084_10151505444402938_121776839_n-e1582788096574.jpg'),(685,487,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:5:{s:5:\"width\";i:955;s:6:\"height\";i:388;s:4:\"file\";s:63:\"2020/02/554084_10151505444402938_121776839_n-e1582788096574.jpg\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:11:{s:6:\"medium\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:63:\"554084_10151505444402938_121776839_n-e1582788096574-300x122.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:300;s:6:\"height\";i:122;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"thumbnail\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:63:\"554084_10151505444402938_121776839_n-e1582788096574-150x150.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:12:\"medium_large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:63:\"554084_10151505444402938_121776839_n-e1582788096574-768x312.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:768;s:6:\"height\";i:312;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:24:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:63:\"554084_10151505444402938_121776839_n-e1582788096574-170x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:25:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:61:\"554084_10151505444402938_121776839_n-e1582788096574-86x70.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:62:\"554084_10151505444402938_121776839_n-e1582788096574-170x69.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:69;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:22:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:63:\"554084_10151505444402938_121776839_n-e1582788096574-370x250.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:30:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:63:\"554084_10151505444402938_121776839_n-e1582788096574-370x150.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:21:\"bfastmag_related_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:63:\"554084_10151505444402938_121776839_n-e1582788096574-288x160.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:288;s:6:\"height\";i:160;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:18:\"bfastmag_blog_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:63:\"554084_10151505444402938_121776839_n-e1582788096574-780x388.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:388;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:26:\"bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:63:\"554084_10151505444402938_121776839_n-e1582788096574-780x317.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:317;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:0:\"\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:1:\"0\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:1:\"0\";s:3:\"iso\";s:1:\"0\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:1:\"0\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";s:1:\"0\";s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}}'),(686,161,'wptr_hide_title','0'),(687,493,'_edit_lock','1582786418:1'),(688,493,'_edit_last','1'),(689,493,'wptr_hide_title','0'),(690,144,'wptr_hide_title','0'),(691,493,'_wp_trash_meta_status','publish'),(692,493,'_wp_trash_meta_time','1582786578'),(693,493,'_wp_desired_post_slug','past-editorial-board'),(694,196,'_wp_trash_meta_status','publish'),(695,196,'_wp_trash_meta_time','1582786625'),(696,196,'_wp_desired_post_slug','volume-1-10'),(697,198,'_wp_trash_meta_status','publish'),(698,198,'_wp_trash_meta_time','1582786629'),(699,198,'_wp_desired_post_slug','volume-11-20'),(700,472,'_wp_attachment_backup_sizes','a:15:{s:9:\"full-orig\";a:3:{s:5:\"width\";i:1706;s:6:\"height\";i:2560;s:4:\"file\";s:42:\"black-vintage-typewriter-163084-scaled.jpg\";}s:14:\"thumbnail-orig\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:43:\"black-vintage-typewriter-163084-150x150.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:11:\"medium-orig\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:43:\"black-vintage-typewriter-163084-200x300.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:200;s:6:\"height\";i:300;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:17:\"medium_large-orig\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:44:\"black-vintage-typewriter-163084-768x1152.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:768;s:6:\"height\";i:1152;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:10:\"large-orig\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:44:\"black-vintage-typewriter-163084-683x1024.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:683;s:6:\"height\";i:1024;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:14:\"1536x1536-orig\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:45:\"black-vintage-typewriter-163084-1024x1536.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1024;s:6:\"height\";i:1536;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:14:\"2048x2048-orig\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:45:\"black-vintage-typewriter-163084-1365x2048.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1365;s:6:\"height\";i:2048;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:29:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb-orig\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:43:\"black-vintage-typewriter-163084-170x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:30:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop-orig\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:41:\"black-vintage-typewriter-163084-86x70.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:37:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop-orig\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:42:\"black-vintage-typewriter-163084-73x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:73;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:27:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb-orig\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:43:\"black-vintage-typewriter-163084-370x250.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:35:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop-orig\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:43:\"black-vintage-typewriter-163084-167x250.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:167;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:26:\"bfastmag_related_post-orig\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:43:\"black-vintage-typewriter-163084-288x160.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:288;s:6:\"height\";i:160;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:23:\"bfastmag_blog_post-orig\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:43:\"black-vintage-typewriter-163084-780x544.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:31:\"bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop-orig\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:43:\"black-vintage-typewriter-163084-363x544.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:363;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}}'),(701,237,'_wp_attachment_backup_sizes','a:12:{s:9:\"full-orig\";a:3:{s:5:\"width\";i:960;s:6:\"height\";i:640;s:4:\"file\";s:40:\"554084_10151505444402938_121776839_n.jpg\";}s:14:\"thumbnail-orig\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:48:\"554084_10151505444402938_121776839_n-150x150.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:11:\"medium-orig\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:48:\"554084_10151505444402938_121776839_n-300x200.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:300;s:6:\"height\";i:200;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:17:\"medium_large-orig\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:48:\"554084_10151505444402938_121776839_n-768x512.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:768;s:6:\"height\";i:512;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:29:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb-orig\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:48:\"554084_10151505444402938_121776839_n-170x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:30:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop-orig\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:46:\"554084_10151505444402938_121776839_n-86x70.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:37:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop-orig\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:48:\"554084_10151505444402938_121776839_n-165x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:165;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:27:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb-orig\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:48:\"554084_10151505444402938_121776839_n-370x250.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:35:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop-orig\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:48:\"554084_10151505444402938_121776839_n-370x247.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:247;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:26:\"bfastmag_related_post-orig\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:48:\"554084_10151505444402938_121776839_n-288x160.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:288;s:6:\"height\";i:160;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:23:\"bfastmag_blog_post-orig\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:48:\"554084_10151505444402938_121776839_n-780x544.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:31:\"bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop-orig\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:48:\"554084_10151505444402938_121776839_n-780x520.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:520;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}}'),(702,487,'_wp_attachment_backup_sizes','a:24:{s:9:\"full-orig\";a:3:{s:5:\"width\";i:960;s:6:\"height\";i:640;s:4:\"file\";s:40:\"554084_10151505444402938_121776839_n.jpg\";}s:14:\"thumbnail-orig\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:48:\"554084_10151505444402938_121776839_n-150x150.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:11:\"medium-orig\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:48:\"554084_10151505444402938_121776839_n-300x200.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:300;s:6:\"height\";i:200;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:17:\"medium_large-orig\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:48:\"554084_10151505444402938_121776839_n-768x512.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:768;s:6:\"height\";i:512;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:29:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb-orig\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:48:\"554084_10151505444402938_121776839_n-170x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:30:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop-orig\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:46:\"554084_10151505444402938_121776839_n-86x70.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:37:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop-orig\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:48:\"554084_10151505444402938_121776839_n-165x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:165;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:27:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb-orig\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:48:\"554084_10151505444402938_121776839_n-370x250.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:35:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop-orig\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:48:\"554084_10151505444402938_121776839_n-370x247.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:247;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:26:\"bfastmag_related_post-orig\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:48:\"554084_10151505444402938_121776839_n-288x160.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:288;s:6:\"height\";i:160;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:23:\"bfastmag_blog_post-orig\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:48:\"554084_10151505444402938_121776839_n-780x544.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:31:\"bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop-orig\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:48:\"554084_10151505444402938_121776839_n-780x520.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:520;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:18:\"full-1582788096574\";a:3:{s:5:\"width\";i:960;s:6:\"height\";i:513;s:4:\"file\";s:55:\"554084_10151505444402938_121776839_n-e1582788079980.jpg\";}s:23:\"thumbnail-1582788096574\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:63:\"554084_10151505444402938_121776839_n-e1582788079980-150x150.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:20:\"medium-1582788096574\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:63:\"554084_10151505444402938_121776839_n-e1582788079980-300x160.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:300;s:6:\"height\";i:160;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:26:\"medium_large-1582788096574\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:63:\"554084_10151505444402938_121776839_n-e1582788079980-768x410.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:768;s:6:\"height\";i:410;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:38:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb-1582788096574\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:63:\"554084_10151505444402938_121776839_n-e1582788079980-170x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:39:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop-1582788096574\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:61:\"554084_10151505444402938_121776839_n-e1582788079980-86x70.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:46:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop-1582788096574\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:62:\"554084_10151505444402938_121776839_n-e1582788079980-170x91.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:91;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:36:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb-1582788096574\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:63:\"554084_10151505444402938_121776839_n-e1582788079980-370x250.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:44:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop-1582788096574\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:63:\"554084_10151505444402938_121776839_n-e1582788079980-370x198.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:198;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:35:\"bfastmag_related_post-1582788096574\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:63:\"554084_10151505444402938_121776839_n-e1582788079980-288x160.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:288;s:6:\"height\";i:160;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blog_post-1582788096574\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:63:\"554084_10151505444402938_121776839_n-e1582788079980-780x513.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:513;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:40:\"bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop-1582788096574\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:63:\"554084_10151505444402938_121776839_n-e1582788079980-780x417.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:417;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}}'),(703,528,'_wp_trash_meta_status','publish'),(704,528,'_wp_trash_meta_time','1582789795'),(705,529,'_edit_lock','1582790531:1'),(706,529,'_wp_trash_meta_status','publish'),(707,529,'_wp_trash_meta_time','1582790540'),(708,530,'_wp_trash_meta_status','publish'),(709,530,'_wp_trash_meta_time','1582790578'),(710,531,'_wp_trash_meta_status','publish'),(711,531,'_wp_trash_meta_time','1582790590'),(713,532,'_customize_restore_dismissed','1'),(714,533,'_wp_trash_meta_status','publish'),(715,533,'_wp_trash_meta_time','1582790965'),(716,534,'_wp_trash_meta_status','publish'),(717,534,'_wp_trash_meta_time','1582791112'),(718,535,'_wp_trash_meta_status','publish'),(719,535,'_wp_trash_meta_time','1582791118'),(720,536,'_wp_trash_meta_status','publish'),(721,536,'_wp_trash_meta_time','1582791156'),(722,537,'_wp_trash_meta_status','publish'),(723,537,'_wp_trash_meta_time','1582791206'),(724,538,'_wp_trash_meta_status','publish'),(725,538,'_wp_trash_meta_time','1582791209'),(726,1,'_oembed_a85c901f6d5aafd45b8e4465f0044762','<iframe title=\"UST Law Review\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https://www.youtube.com/embed/p7h1fvoT9fA?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen></iframe>'),(727,1,'_oembed_time_a85c901f6d5aafd45b8e4465f0044762','1582791257'),(729,1,'_oembed_84cf8bee6702deeadc6f5019d727b2f3','<iframe title=\"UST Law Review\" width=\"580\" height=\"326\" src=\"https://www.youtube.com/embed/p7h1fvoT9fA?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen></iframe>'),(730,1,'_oembed_time_84cf8bee6702deeadc6f5019d727b2f3','1582791287'),(731,1,'_oembed_27b05b72a67e9c8466fd84c0eda0dc0e','<iframe title=\"UST Law Review\" width=\"525\" height=\"295\" src=\"https://www.youtube.com/embed/p7h1fvoT9fA?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen></iframe>'),(732,1,'_oembed_time_27b05b72a67e9c8466fd84c0eda0dc0e','1582791308'),(733,539,'_customize_restore_dismissed','1'),(734,540,'_edit_lock','1582792141:1'),(735,541,'_edit_lock','1582792144:1'),(736,542,'_edit_lock','1594624898:1'),(737,542,'_edit_last','1'),(738,542,'wptr_hide_title','0'),(739,545,'_edit_lock','1594624905:1'),(740,545,'_edit_last','1'),(741,545,'wptr_hide_title','0'),(742,549,'_edit_lock','1594624910:1'),(743,549,'_edit_last','1'),(744,549,'wptr_hide_title','0'),(745,552,'_edit_lock','1594624915:1'),(746,552,'_edit_last','1'),(747,552,'wptr_hide_title','0'),(748,554,'_edit_lock','1594624919:1'),(749,554,'_edit_last','1'),(750,554,'wptr_hide_title','0'),(751,556,'_edit_lock','1594624930:1'),(752,556,'_edit_last','1'),(753,556,'wptr_hide_title','0'),(754,560,'_edit_lock','1594624979:1'),(755,560,'_edit_last','1'),(756,560,'wptr_hide_title','0'),(757,563,'_edit_lock','1594624988:1'),(758,563,'_edit_last','1'),(759,563,'wptr_hide_title','0'),(760,566,'_edit_lock','1582796909:1'),(761,566,'_wp_trash_meta_status','publish'),(762,566,'_wp_trash_meta_time','1582796924'),(763,567,'_wp_trash_meta_status','publish'),(764,567,'_wp_trash_meta_time','1582797654'),(765,568,'_edit_lock','1582799134:1'),(766,569,'_edit_lock','1626759304:1'),(767,570,'_wp_attached_file','2020/02/Inviting-Investors-and-Importing-Workforce_A-Situationer-on-the-Philippines’-Employment-Condition.pdf'),(768,571,'_wp_attached_file','2020/02/john-salvino-QXgPXa6ydzg-unsplash-scaled-e1582798230673.jpg'),(769,571,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:6:{s:5:\"width\";i:1920;s:6:\"height\";i:1227;s:14:\"hwstring_small\";s:23:\"height=\'82\' width=\'128\'\";s:4:\"file\";s:67:\"2020/02/john-salvino-QXgPXa6ydzg-unsplash-scaled-e1582798230673.jpg\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:14:{s:9:\"thumbnail\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:67:\"john-salvino-QXgPXa6ydzg-unsplash-scaled-e1582798230673-150x150.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:6:\"medium\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:67:\"john-salvino-QXgPXa6ydzg-unsplash-scaled-e1582798230673-300x192.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:300;s:6:\"height\";i:192;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:12:\"medium_large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:67:\"john-salvino-QXgPXa6ydzg-unsplash-scaled-e1582798230673-768x491.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:768;s:6:\"height\";i:491;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:5:\"large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:68:\"john-salvino-QXgPXa6ydzg-unsplash-scaled-e1582798230673-1024x654.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1024;s:6:\"height\";i:654;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"1536x1536\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:68:\"john-salvino-QXgPXa6ydzg-unsplash-scaled-e1582798230673-1536x981.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1536;s:6:\"height\";i:981;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"2048x2048\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:69:\"john-salvino-QXgPXa6ydzg-unsplash-scaled-e1582798230673-2048x1309.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:2048;s:6:\"height\";i:1309;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:24:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:67:\"john-salvino-QXgPXa6ydzg-unsplash-scaled-e1582798230673-170x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:25:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:65:\"john-salvino-QXgPXa6ydzg-unsplash-scaled-e1582798230673-86x70.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:67:\"john-salvino-QXgPXa6ydzg-unsplash-scaled-e1582798230673-170x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:22:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:67:\"john-salvino-QXgPXa6ydzg-unsplash-scaled-e1582798230673-370x250.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:30:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:67:\"john-salvino-QXgPXa6ydzg-unsplash-scaled-e1582798230673-370x236.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:236;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:21:\"bfastmag_related_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:67:\"john-salvino-QXgPXa6ydzg-unsplash-scaled-e1582798230673-288x160.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:288;s:6:\"height\";i:160;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:18:\"bfastmag_blog_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:67:\"john-salvino-QXgPXa6ydzg-unsplash-scaled-e1582798230673-780x544.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:26:\"bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:67:\"john-salvino-QXgPXa6ydzg-unsplash-scaled-e1582798230673-780x498.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:498;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:0:\"\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:1:\"0\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:1:\"0\";s:3:\"iso\";s:1:\"0\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:1:\"0\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";s:1:\"0\";s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}}'),(770,571,'_edit_lock','1582798991:1'),(771,571,'_wp_attachment_backup_sizes','a:15:{s:9:\"full-orig\";a:3:{s:5:\"width\";i:2396;s:6:\"height\";i:2560;s:4:\"file\";s:44:\"john-salvino-QXgPXa6ydzg-unsplash-scaled.jpg\";}s:14:\"thumbnail-orig\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:45:\"john-salvino-QXgPXa6ydzg-unsplash-150x150.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:11:\"medium-orig\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:45:\"john-salvino-QXgPXa6ydzg-unsplash-281x300.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:281;s:6:\"height\";i:300;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:17:\"medium_large-orig\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:45:\"john-salvino-QXgPXa6ydzg-unsplash-768x821.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:768;s:6:\"height\";i:821;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:10:\"large-orig\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:46:\"john-salvino-QXgPXa6ydzg-unsplash-958x1024.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:958;s:6:\"height\";i:1024;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:14:\"1536x1536-orig\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:47:\"john-salvino-QXgPXa6ydzg-unsplash-1437x1536.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1437;s:6:\"height\";i:1536;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:14:\"2048x2048-orig\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:47:\"john-salvino-QXgPXa6ydzg-unsplash-1916x2048.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1916;s:6:\"height\";i:2048;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:29:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb-orig\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:45:\"john-salvino-QXgPXa6ydzg-unsplash-170x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:30:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop-orig\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:43:\"john-salvino-QXgPXa6ydzg-unsplash-86x70.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:37:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop-orig\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:45:\"john-salvino-QXgPXa6ydzg-unsplash-103x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:103;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:27:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb-orig\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:45:\"john-salvino-QXgPXa6ydzg-unsplash-370x250.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:35:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop-orig\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:45:\"john-salvino-QXgPXa6ydzg-unsplash-234x250.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:234;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:26:\"bfastmag_related_post-orig\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:45:\"john-salvino-QXgPXa6ydzg-unsplash-288x160.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:288;s:6:\"height\";i:160;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:23:\"bfastmag_blog_post-orig\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:45:\"john-salvino-QXgPXa6ydzg-unsplash-780x544.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:31:\"bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop-orig\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:45:\"john-salvino-QXgPXa6ydzg-unsplash-509x544.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:509;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}}'),(774,569,'_thumbnail_id','571'),(775,569,'_edit_last','1'),(778,569,'wptr_hide_title','0'),(786,569,'_pingme','1'),(787,578,'_edit_lock','1582799165:1'),(788,579,'_edit_lock','1582799167:1'),(795,568,'_customize_restore_dismissed','1'),(796,583,'_edit_lock','1596352393:1'),(797,584,'_wp_attached_file','2020/02/IMG_4690-scaled.jpg'),(798,584,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:6:{s:5:\"width\";i:1920;s:6:\"height\";i:1280;s:14:\"hwstring_small\";s:23:\"height=\'85\' width=\'128\'\";s:4:\"file\";s:27:\"2020/02/IMG_4690-scaled.jpg\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:14:{s:9:\"thumbnail\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:27:\"IMG_4690-scaled-150x150.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:6:\"medium\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:27:\"IMG_4690-scaled-300x200.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:300;s:6:\"height\";i:200;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:12:\"medium_large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:27:\"IMG_4690-scaled-768x512.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:768;s:6:\"height\";i:512;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:5:\"large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:28:\"IMG_4690-scaled-1024x683.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1024;s:6:\"height\";i:683;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"1536x1536\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:29:\"IMG_4690-scaled-1536x1024.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1536;s:6:\"height\";i:1024;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"2048x2048\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:29:\"IMG_4690-scaled-2048x1366.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:2048;s:6:\"height\";i:1366;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:24:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:27:\"IMG_4690-scaled-170x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:25:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:25:\"IMG_4690-scaled-86x70.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:27:\"IMG_4690-scaled-165x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:165;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:22:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:27:\"IMG_4690-scaled-370x250.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:30:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:27:\"IMG_4690-scaled-370x247.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:247;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:21:\"bfastmag_related_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:27:\"IMG_4690-scaled-288x160.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:288;s:6:\"height\";i:160;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:18:\"bfastmag_blog_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:27:\"IMG_4690-scaled-780x544.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:26:\"bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:27:\"IMG_4690-scaled-780x520.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:520;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:0:\"\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:1:\"0\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:1:\"0\";s:3:\"iso\";s:1:\"0\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:1:\"0\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";s:1:\"0\";s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}}'),(801,583,'_thumbnail_id','584'),(802,583,'_edit_last','1'),(804,583,'wptr_hide_title','0'),(813,591,'_edit_lock','1582801638:1'),(814,591,'_wp_trash_meta_status','publish'),(815,591,'_wp_trash_meta_time','1582801680'),(827,595,'_edit_lock','1629299328:1'),(828,595,'_edit_last','1'),(829,595,'wptr_hide_title','1'),(830,594,'_customize_restore_dismissed','1'),(831,597,'_wp_trash_meta_status','publish'),(832,597,'_wp_trash_meta_time','1582802349'),(833,402,'_edit_lock','1582802385:1'),(834,402,'_wp_attachment_backup_sizes','a:15:{s:9:\"full-orig\";a:3:{s:5:\"width\";i:2560;s:6:\"height\";i:1920;s:4:\"file\";s:30:\"IMG_20191127_114218-scaled.jpg\";}s:14:\"thumbnail-orig\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:38:\"IMG_20191127_114218-scaled-150x150.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:11:\"medium-orig\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:38:\"IMG_20191127_114218-scaled-300x225.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:300;s:6:\"height\";i:225;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:17:\"medium_large-orig\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:38:\"IMG_20191127_114218-scaled-768x576.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:768;s:6:\"height\";i:576;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:10:\"large-orig\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:39:\"IMG_20191127_114218-scaled-1024x768.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1024;s:6:\"height\";i:768;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:14:\"1536x1536-orig\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:40:\"IMG_20191127_114218-scaled-1536x1152.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1536;s:6:\"height\";i:1152;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:14:\"2048x2048-orig\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:40:\"IMG_20191127_114218-scaled-2048x1536.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:2048;s:6:\"height\";i:1536;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:29:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb-orig\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:38:\"IMG_20191127_114218-scaled-170x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:30:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop-orig\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:36:\"IMG_20191127_114218-scaled-86x70.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:37:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop-orig\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:38:\"IMG_20191127_114218-scaled-147x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:147;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:27:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb-orig\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:38:\"IMG_20191127_114218-scaled-370x250.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:35:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop-orig\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:38:\"IMG_20191127_114218-scaled-333x250.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:333;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:26:\"bfastmag_related_post-orig\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:38:\"IMG_20191127_114218-scaled-288x160.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:288;s:6:\"height\";i:160;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:23:\"bfastmag_blog_post-orig\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:38:\"IMG_20191127_114218-scaled-780x544.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:31:\"bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop-orig\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:38:\"IMG_20191127_114218-scaled-725x544.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:725;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}}'),(835,402,'_edit_last','1'),(844,287,'_pingme','1'),(845,287,'_encloseme','1'),(846,600,'_wp_attached_file','2020/02/IMG_4363-scaled-e1582802745790.jpg'),(847,600,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:5:{s:5:\"width\";i:1920;s:6:\"height\";i:312;s:4:\"file\";s:42:\"2020/02/IMG_4363-scaled-e1582802745790.jpg\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:14:{s:6:\"medium\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:41:\"IMG_4363-scaled-e1582802745790-300x49.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:300;s:6:\"height\";i:49;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:5:\"large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:43:\"IMG_4363-scaled-e1582802745790-1024x166.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1024;s:6:\"height\";i:166;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"thumbnail\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:42:\"IMG_4363-scaled-e1582802745790-150x150.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:12:\"medium_large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:42:\"IMG_4363-scaled-e1582802745790-768x125.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:768;s:6:\"height\";i:125;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"1536x1536\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:43:\"IMG_4363-scaled-e1582802745790-1536x250.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1536;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"2048x2048\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:43:\"IMG_4363-scaled-e1582802745790-2048x333.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:2048;s:6:\"height\";i:333;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:24:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:42:\"IMG_4363-scaled-e1582802745790-170x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:25:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:40:\"IMG_4363-scaled-e1582802745790-86x70.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:41:\"IMG_4363-scaled-e1582802745790-170x28.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:28;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:22:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:42:\"IMG_4363-scaled-e1582802745790-370x250.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:30:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:41:\"IMG_4363-scaled-e1582802745790-370x60.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:60;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:21:\"bfastmag_related_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:42:\"IMG_4363-scaled-e1582802745790-288x160.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:288;s:6:\"height\";i:160;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:18:\"bfastmag_blog_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:42:\"IMG_4363-scaled-e1582802745790-780x416.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:416;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:26:\"bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:42:\"IMG_4363-scaled-e1582802745790-780x127.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:127;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:0:\"\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:1:\"0\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:1:\"0\";s:3:\"iso\";s:1:\"0\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:1:\"0\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";s:1:\"0\";s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}}'),(848,600,'_wp_attachment_backup_sizes','a:15:{s:9:\"full-orig\";a:3:{s:5:\"width\";i:2560;s:6:\"height\";i:1707;s:4:\"file\";s:19:\"IMG_4363-scaled.jpg\";}s:14:\"thumbnail-orig\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4363-150x150.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:11:\"medium-orig\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4363-300x200.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:300;s:6:\"height\";i:200;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:17:\"medium_large-orig\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4363-768x512.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:768;s:6:\"height\";i:512;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:10:\"large-orig\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:21:\"IMG_4363-1024x683.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1024;s:6:\"height\";i:683;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:14:\"1536x1536-orig\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:22:\"IMG_4363-1536x1024.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1536;s:6:\"height\";i:1024;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:14:\"2048x2048-orig\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:22:\"IMG_4363-2048x1365.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:2048;s:6:\"height\";i:1365;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:29:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb-orig\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4363-170x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:30:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop-orig\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:18:\"IMG_4363-86x70.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:37:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop-orig\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4363-165x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:165;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:27:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb-orig\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4363-370x250.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:35:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop-orig\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4363-370x247.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:247;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:26:\"bfastmag_related_post-orig\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4363-288x160.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:288;s:6:\"height\";i:160;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:23:\"bfastmag_blog_post-orig\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4363-780x544.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:31:\"bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop-orig\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"IMG_4363-780x520.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:520;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}}'),(849,601,'_wp_attached_file','2020/02/IMG_4346-scaled.jpg'),(850,601,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:5:{s:5:\"width\";i:1920;s:6:\"height\";i:1280;s:4:\"file\";s:27:\"2020/02/IMG_4346-scaled.jpg\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:14:{s:6:\"medium\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:27:\"IMG_4346-scaled-300x200.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:300;s:6:\"height\";i:200;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:5:\"large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:28:\"IMG_4346-scaled-1024x683.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1024;s:6:\"height\";i:683;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"thumbnail\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:27:\"IMG_4346-scaled-150x150.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:12:\"medium_large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:27:\"IMG_4346-scaled-768x512.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:768;s:6:\"height\";i:512;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"1536x1536\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:29:\"IMG_4346-scaled-1536x1024.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1536;s:6:\"height\";i:1024;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"2048x2048\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:29:\"IMG_4346-scaled-2048x1366.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:2048;s:6:\"height\";i:1366;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:24:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:27:\"IMG_4346-scaled-170x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:25:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:25:\"IMG_4346-scaled-86x70.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:27:\"IMG_4346-scaled-165x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:165;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:22:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:27:\"IMG_4346-scaled-370x250.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:30:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:27:\"IMG_4346-scaled-370x247.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:247;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:21:\"bfastmag_related_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:27:\"IMG_4346-scaled-288x160.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:288;s:6:\"height\";i:160;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:18:\"bfastmag_blog_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:27:\"IMG_4346-scaled-780x544.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:26:\"bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:27:\"IMG_4346-scaled-780x520.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:520;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:0:\"\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:1:\"0\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:1:\"0\";s:3:\"iso\";s:1:\"0\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:1:\"0\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";s:1:\"0\";s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}}'),(851,602,'_wp_attached_file','2020/02/banner-scaled.jpg'),(852,602,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:5:{s:5:\"width\";i:1920;s:6:\"height\";i:444;s:4:\"file\";s:25:\"2020/02/banner-scaled.jpg\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:14:{s:6:\"medium\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:24:\"banner-scaled-300x69.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:300;s:6:\"height\";i:69;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:5:\"large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:26:\"banner-scaled-1024x237.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1024;s:6:\"height\";i:237;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"thumbnail\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:25:\"banner-scaled-150x150.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:12:\"medium_large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:25:\"banner-scaled-768x178.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:768;s:6:\"height\";i:178;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"1536x1536\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:26:\"banner-scaled-1536x355.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1536;s:6:\"height\";i:355;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"2048x2048\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:26:\"banner-scaled-2048x474.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:2048;s:6:\"height\";i:474;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:24:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:25:\"banner-scaled-170x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:25:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:23:\"banner-scaled-86x70.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:24:\"banner-scaled-170x39.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:39;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:22:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:25:\"banner-scaled-370x250.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:30:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:24:\"banner-scaled-370x86.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:86;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:21:\"bfastmag_related_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:25:\"banner-scaled-288x160.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:288;s:6:\"height\";i:160;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:18:\"bfastmag_blog_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:25:\"banner-scaled-780x544.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:26:\"bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:25:\"banner-scaled-780x180.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:180;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:0:\"\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:1:\"0\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:1:\"0\";s:3:\"iso\";s:1:\"0\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:1:\"0\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";s:1:\"0\";s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}}'),(853,603,'_wp_attached_file','2020/02/banner-1-scaled.jpg'),(854,603,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:5:{s:5:\"width\";i:1920;s:6:\"height\";i:444;s:4:\"file\";s:27:\"2020/02/banner-1-scaled.jpg\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:14:{s:6:\"medium\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:26:\"banner-1-scaled-300x69.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:300;s:6:\"height\";i:69;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:5:\"large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:28:\"banner-1-scaled-1024x237.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1024;s:6:\"height\";i:237;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"thumbnail\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:27:\"banner-1-scaled-150x150.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:12:\"medium_large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:27:\"banner-1-scaled-768x178.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:768;s:6:\"height\";i:178;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"1536x1536\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:28:\"banner-1-scaled-1536x355.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1536;s:6:\"height\";i:355;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"2048x2048\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:28:\"banner-1-scaled-2048x474.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:2048;s:6:\"height\";i:474;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:24:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:27:\"banner-1-scaled-170x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:25:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:25:\"banner-1-scaled-86x70.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:26:\"banner-1-scaled-170x39.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:39;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:22:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:27:\"banner-1-scaled-370x250.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:30:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:26:\"banner-1-scaled-370x86.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:86;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:21:\"bfastmag_related_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:27:\"banner-1-scaled-288x160.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:288;s:6:\"height\";i:160;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:18:\"bfastmag_blog_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:27:\"banner-1-scaled-780x544.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:26:\"bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:27:\"banner-1-scaled-780x180.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:180;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:0:\"\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:1:\"0\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:1:\"0\";s:3:\"iso\";s:1:\"0\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:1:\"0\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";s:1:\"0\";s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}}'),(855,604,'_wp_attached_file','2020/02/banner-2.jpg'),(856,604,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:5:{s:5:\"width\";i:798;s:6:\"height\";i:119;s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"2020/02/banner-2.jpg\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:11:{s:6:\"medium\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:19:\"banner-2-300x45.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:300;s:6:\"height\";i:45;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"thumbnail\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"banner-2-150x119.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:119;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:12:\"medium_large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"banner-2-768x115.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:768;s:6:\"height\";i:115;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:24:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"banner-2-170x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:25:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:18:\"banner-2-86x70.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:19:\"banner-2-170x25.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:25;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:22:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"banner-2-370x119.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:119;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:30:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:19:\"banner-2-370x55.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:55;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:21:\"bfastmag_related_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"banner-2-288x119.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:288;s:6:\"height\";i:119;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:18:\"bfastmag_blog_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"banner-2-780x119.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:119;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:26:\"bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"banner-2-780x116.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:116;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:0:\"\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:1:\"0\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:1:\"0\";s:3:\"iso\";s:1:\"0\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:1:\"0\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";s:1:\"1\";s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}}'),(857,605,'_wp_attached_file','2020/02/banner-2-1.jpg'),(858,605,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:5:{s:5:\"width\";i:847;s:6:\"height\";i:125;s:4:\"file\";s:22:\"2020/02/banner-2-1.jpg\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:11:{s:6:\"medium\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:21:\"banner-2-1-300x44.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:300;s:6:\"height\";i:44;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"thumbnail\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:22:\"banner-2-1-150x125.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:125;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:12:\"medium_large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:22:\"banner-2-1-768x113.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:768;s:6:\"height\";i:113;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:24:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:22:\"banner-2-1-170x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:25:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"banner-2-1-86x70.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:21:\"banner-2-1-170x25.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:25;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:22:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:22:\"banner-2-1-370x125.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:125;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:30:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:21:\"banner-2-1-370x55.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:55;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:21:\"bfastmag_related_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:22:\"banner-2-1-288x125.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:288;s:6:\"height\";i:125;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:18:\"bfastmag_blog_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:22:\"banner-2-1-780x125.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:125;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:26:\"bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:22:\"banner-2-1-780x115.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:115;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:0:\"\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:1:\"0\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:1:\"0\";s:3:\"iso\";s:1:\"0\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:1:\"0\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";s:1:\"1\";s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}}'),(859,606,'_wp_attached_file','2020/02/banner-2-2.jpg'),(860,606,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:5:{s:5:\"width\";i:869;s:6:\"height\";i:115;s:4:\"file\";s:22:\"2020/02/banner-2-2.jpg\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:11:{s:6:\"medium\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:21:\"banner-2-2-300x40.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:300;s:6:\"height\";i:40;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"thumbnail\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:22:\"banner-2-2-150x115.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:115;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:12:\"medium_large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:22:\"banner-2-2-768x102.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:768;s:6:\"height\";i:102;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:24:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:22:\"banner-2-2-170x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:25:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"banner-2-2-86x70.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:21:\"banner-2-2-170x22.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:22;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:22:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:22:\"banner-2-2-370x115.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:115;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:30:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:21:\"banner-2-2-370x49.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:49;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:21:\"bfastmag_related_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:22:\"banner-2-2-288x115.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:288;s:6:\"height\";i:115;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:18:\"bfastmag_blog_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:22:\"banner-2-2-780x115.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:115;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:26:\"bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:22:\"banner-2-2-780x103.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:103;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:0:\"\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:1:\"0\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:1:\"0\";s:3:\"iso\";s:1:\"0\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:1:\"0\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";s:1:\"1\";s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}}'),(861,607,'_wp_trash_meta_status','publish'),(862,607,'_wp_trash_meta_time','1583133960'),(863,608,'_wp_attached_file','2019/11/cropped-logo-2.png'),(864,608,'_wp_attachment_context','custom-logo'),(865,608,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:5:{s:5:\"width\";i:347;s:6:\"height\";i:115;s:4:\"file\";s:26:\"2019/11/cropped-logo-2.png\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:6:{s:6:\"medium\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:25:\"cropped-logo-2-300x99.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:300;s:6:\"height\";i:99;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:9:\"thumbnail\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:26:\"cropped-logo-2-150x115.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:115;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:24:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:26:\"cropped-logo-2-170x110.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:25:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:24:\"cropped-logo-2-86x70.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:25:\"cropped-logo-2-170x56.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:56;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:21:\"bfastmag_related_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:26:\"cropped-logo-2-288x115.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:288;s:6:\"height\";i:115;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:0:\"\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:1:\"0\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:1:\"0\";s:3:\"iso\";s:1:\"0\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:1:\"0\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";s:1:\"0\";s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}}'),(866,609,'_edit_lock','1583134011:1'),(867,609,'_wp_trash_meta_status','publish'),(868,609,'_wp_trash_meta_time','1583134027'),(869,610,'_wp_trash_meta_status','publish'),(870,610,'_wp_trash_meta_time','1583134131'),(871,611,'_wp_trash_meta_status','publish'),(872,611,'_wp_trash_meta_time','1583134184'),(873,612,'_wp_trash_meta_status','publish'),(874,612,'_wp_trash_meta_time','1583134200'),(875,613,'_wp_trash_meta_status','publish'),(876,613,'_wp_trash_meta_time','1583134395'),(877,614,'_wp_attached_file','2020/03/banner-2-2-780x103-1.jpg'),(878,614,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:5:{s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:103;s:4:\"file\";s:32:\"2020/03/banner-2-2-780x103-1.jpg\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:9:{s:6:\"medium\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:31:\"banner-2-2-780x103-1-300x40.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:300;s:6:\"height\";i:40;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"thumbnail\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:32:\"banner-2-2-780x103-1-150x103.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:103;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:12:\"medium_large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:32:\"banner-2-2-780x103-1-768x101.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:768;s:6:\"height\";i:101;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:24:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:32:\"banner-2-2-780x103-1-170x103.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:103;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:25:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:30:\"banner-2-2-780x103-1-86x70.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:31:\"banner-2-2-780x103-1-170x22.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:22;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:22:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:32:\"banner-2-2-780x103-1-370x103.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:103;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:30:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:31:\"banner-2-2-780x103-1-370x49.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:49;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:21:\"bfastmag_related_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:32:\"banner-2-2-780x103-1-288x103.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:288;s:6:\"height\";i:103;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:0:\"\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:1:\"0\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:1:\"0\";s:3:\"iso\";s:1:\"0\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:1:\"0\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";s:1:\"0\";s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}}'),(879,615,'_wp_attached_file','2020/03/banner-2.jpg'),(880,615,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:5:{s:5:\"width\";i:869;s:6:\"height\";i:115;s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"2020/03/banner-2.jpg\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:11:{s:6:\"medium\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:19:\"banner-2-300x40.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:300;s:6:\"height\";i:40;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"thumbnail\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"banner-2-150x115.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:115;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:12:\"medium_large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"banner-2-768x102.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:768;s:6:\"height\";i:102;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:24:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"banner-2-170x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:25:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:18:\"banner-2-86x70.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:19:\"banner-2-170x22.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:22;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:22:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"banner-2-370x115.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:115;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:30:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:19:\"banner-2-370x49.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:49;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:21:\"bfastmag_related_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"banner-2-288x115.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:288;s:6:\"height\";i:115;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:18:\"bfastmag_blog_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"banner-2-780x115.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:115;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:26:\"bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"banner-2-780x103.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:103;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:0:\"\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:1:\"0\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:1:\"0\";s:3:\"iso\";s:1:\"0\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:1:\"0\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";s:1:\"1\";s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}}'),(881,616,'_wp_trash_meta_status','publish'),(882,616,'_wp_trash_meta_time','1583135783'),(883,618,'_wp_attached_file','2020/03/Alyssa.jpeg'),(884,618,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:5:{s:5:\"width\";i:1536;s:6:\"height\";i:1920;s:4:\"file\";s:19:\"2020/03/Alyssa.jpeg\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:14:{s:6:\"medium\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:19:\"Alyssa-240x300.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:240;s:6:\"height\";i:300;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:5:\"large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"Alyssa-819x1024.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:819;s:6:\"height\";i:1024;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"thumbnail\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:19:\"Alyssa-150x150.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:12:\"medium_large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:19:\"Alyssa-768x960.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:768;s:6:\"height\";i:960;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"1536x1536\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:21:\"Alyssa-1229x1536.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1229;s:6:\"height\";i:1536;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"2048x2048\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:21:\"Alyssa-1638x2048.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1638;s:6:\"height\";i:2048;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:24:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:19:\"Alyssa-170x110.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:25:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:17:\"Alyssa-86x70.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:18:\"Alyssa-88x110.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:88;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:22:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:19:\"Alyssa-370x250.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:30:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:19:\"Alyssa-200x250.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:200;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:21:\"bfastmag_related_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:19:\"Alyssa-288x160.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:288;s:6:\"height\";i:160;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:18:\"bfastmag_blog_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:19:\"Alyssa-780x544.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:26:\"bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:19:\"Alyssa-435x544.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:435;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:3:\"3.5\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:15:\"Canon EOS 1200D\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:9:\"946688172\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:2:\"20\";s:3:\"iso\";s:3:\"100\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:6:\"0.0025\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";s:1:\"0\";s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}}'),(885,619,'_wp_attached_file','2020/03/Yurii-scaled.jpeg'),(886,619,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:5:{s:5:\"width\";i:1536;s:6:\"height\";i:1920;s:4:\"file\";s:25:\"2020/03/Yurii-scaled.jpeg\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:14:{s:6:\"medium\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:25:\"Yurii-scaled-240x300.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:240;s:6:\"height\";i:300;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:5:\"large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:26:\"Yurii-scaled-819x1024.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:819;s:6:\"height\";i:1024;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"thumbnail\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:25:\"Yurii-scaled-150x150.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:12:\"medium_large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:25:\"Yurii-scaled-768x960.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:768;s:6:\"height\";i:960;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"1536x1536\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:27:\"Yurii-scaled-1229x1536.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1229;s:6:\"height\";i:1536;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"2048x2048\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:27:\"Yurii-scaled-1638x2048.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1638;s:6:\"height\";i:2048;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:24:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:25:\"Yurii-scaled-170x110.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:25:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:23:\"Yurii-scaled-86x70.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:24:\"Yurii-scaled-88x110.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:88;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:22:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:25:\"Yurii-scaled-370x250.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:30:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:25:\"Yurii-scaled-200x250.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:200;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:21:\"bfastmag_related_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:25:\"Yurii-scaled-288x160.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:288;s:6:\"height\";i:160;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:18:\"bfastmag_blog_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:25:\"Yurii-scaled-780x544.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:26:\"bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:25:\"Yurii-scaled-435x544.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:435;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:0:\"\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:1:\"0\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:1:\"0\";s:3:\"iso\";s:1:\"0\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:1:\"0\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";s:1:\"0\";s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}}'),(887,620,'_wp_attached_file','2020/03/IMG_1342-scaled.jpg'),(888,620,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:5:{s:5:\"width\";i:1280;s:6:\"height\";i:1920;s:4:\"file\";s:27:\"2020/03/IMG_1342-scaled.jpg\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:14:{s:6:\"medium\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:27:\"IMG_1342-scaled-200x300.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:200;s:6:\"height\";i:300;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:5:\"large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:28:\"IMG_1342-scaled-683x1024.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:683;s:6:\"height\";i:1024;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"thumbnail\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:27:\"IMG_1342-scaled-150x150.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:12:\"medium_large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:28:\"IMG_1342-scaled-768x1152.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:768;s:6:\"height\";i:1152;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"1536x1536\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:29:\"IMG_1342-scaled-1024x1536.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1024;s:6:\"height\";i:1536;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"2048x2048\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:29:\"IMG_1342-scaled-1366x2048.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1366;s:6:\"height\";i:2048;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:24:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:27:\"IMG_1342-scaled-170x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:25:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:25:\"IMG_1342-scaled-86x70.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:26:\"IMG_1342-scaled-73x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:73;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:22:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:27:\"IMG_1342-scaled-370x250.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:30:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:27:\"IMG_1342-scaled-167x250.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:167;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:21:\"bfastmag_related_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:27:\"IMG_1342-scaled-288x160.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:288;s:6:\"height\";i:160;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:18:\"bfastmag_blog_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:27:\"IMG_1342-scaled-780x544.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:26:\"bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:27:\"IMG_1342-scaled-363x544.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:363;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:0:\"\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:1:\"0\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:1:\"0\";s:3:\"iso\";s:1:\"0\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:1:\"0\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";s:1:\"0\";s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}}'),(889,621,'_wp_attached_file','2020/03/Kimmy-scaled.jpeg'),(890,621,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:5:{s:5:\"width\";i:1536;s:6:\"height\";i:1920;s:4:\"file\";s:25:\"2020/03/Kimmy-scaled.jpeg\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:14:{s:6:\"medium\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:25:\"Kimmy-scaled-240x300.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:240;s:6:\"height\";i:300;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:5:\"large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:26:\"Kimmy-scaled-819x1024.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:819;s:6:\"height\";i:1024;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"thumbnail\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:25:\"Kimmy-scaled-150x150.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:12:\"medium_large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:25:\"Kimmy-scaled-768x960.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:768;s:6:\"height\";i:960;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"1536x1536\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:27:\"Kimmy-scaled-1229x1536.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1229;s:6:\"height\";i:1536;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"2048x2048\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:27:\"Kimmy-scaled-1638x2048.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1638;s:6:\"height\";i:2048;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:24:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:25:\"Kimmy-scaled-170x110.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:25:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:23:\"Kimmy-scaled-86x70.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:24:\"Kimmy-scaled-88x110.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:88;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:22:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:25:\"Kimmy-scaled-370x250.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:30:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:25:\"Kimmy-scaled-200x250.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:200;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:21:\"bfastmag_related_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:25:\"Kimmy-scaled-288x160.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:288;s:6:\"height\";i:160;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:18:\"bfastmag_blog_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:25:\"Kimmy-scaled-780x544.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:26:\"bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:25:\"Kimmy-scaled-435x544.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:435;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:0:\"\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:1:\"0\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:1:\"0\";s:3:\"iso\";s:1:\"0\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:1:\"0\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";s:1:\"0\";s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}}'),(891,622,'_wp_attached_file','2020/03/Gab.jpeg'),(892,622,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:5:{s:5:\"width\";i:1536;s:6:\"height\";i:1920;s:4:\"file\";s:16:\"2020/03/Gab.jpeg\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:14:{s:6:\"medium\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:16:\"Gab-240x300.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:240;s:6:\"height\";i:300;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:5:\"large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:17:\"Gab-819x1024.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:819;s:6:\"height\";i:1024;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"thumbnail\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:16:\"Gab-150x150.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:12:\"medium_large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:16:\"Gab-768x960.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:768;s:6:\"height\";i:960;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"1536x1536\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:18:\"Gab-1229x1536.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1229;s:6:\"height\";i:1536;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"2048x2048\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:18:\"Gab-1638x2048.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1638;s:6:\"height\";i:2048;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:24:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:16:\"Gab-170x110.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:25:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:14:\"Gab-86x70.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:15:\"Gab-88x110.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:88;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:22:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:16:\"Gab-370x250.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:30:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:16:\"Gab-200x250.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:200;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:21:\"bfastmag_related_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:16:\"Gab-288x160.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:288;s:6:\"height\";i:160;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:18:\"bfastmag_blog_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:16:\"Gab-780x544.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:26:\"bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:16:\"Gab-435x544.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:435;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:3:\"3.5\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:15:\"Canon EOS 1200D\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:9:\"946687994\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:2:\"18\";s:3:\"iso\";s:3:\"100\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:5:\"0.002\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";s:1:\"0\";s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}}'),(893,623,'_wp_attached_file','2020/03/Kimmy-1-scaled.jpeg'),(894,623,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:5:{s:5:\"width\";i:1536;s:6:\"height\";i:1920;s:4:\"file\";s:27:\"2020/03/Kimmy-1-scaled.jpeg\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:14:{s:6:\"medium\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:27:\"Kimmy-1-scaled-240x300.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:240;s:6:\"height\";i:300;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:5:\"large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:28:\"Kimmy-1-scaled-819x1024.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:819;s:6:\"height\";i:1024;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"thumbnail\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:27:\"Kimmy-1-scaled-150x150.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:12:\"medium_large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:27:\"Kimmy-1-scaled-768x960.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:768;s:6:\"height\";i:960;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"1536x1536\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:29:\"Kimmy-1-scaled-1229x1536.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1229;s:6:\"height\";i:1536;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"2048x2048\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:29:\"Kimmy-1-scaled-1638x2048.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1638;s:6:\"height\";i:2048;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:24:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:27:\"Kimmy-1-scaled-170x110.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:25:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:25:\"Kimmy-1-scaled-86x70.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:26:\"Kimmy-1-scaled-88x110.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:88;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:22:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:27:\"Kimmy-1-scaled-370x250.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:30:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:27:\"Kimmy-1-scaled-200x250.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:200;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:21:\"bfastmag_related_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:27:\"Kimmy-1-scaled-288x160.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:288;s:6:\"height\";i:160;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:18:\"bfastmag_blog_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:27:\"Kimmy-1-scaled-780x544.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:26:\"bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:27:\"Kimmy-1-scaled-435x544.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:435;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:0:\"\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:1:\"0\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:1:\"0\";s:3:\"iso\";s:1:\"0\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:1:\"0\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";s:1:\"0\";s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}}'),(895,624,'_wp_attached_file','2020/03/Portia-scaled.jpeg'),(896,624,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:5:{s:5:\"width\";i:1536;s:6:\"height\";i:1920;s:4:\"file\";s:26:\"2020/03/Portia-scaled.jpeg\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:14:{s:6:\"medium\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:26:\"Portia-scaled-240x300.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:240;s:6:\"height\";i:300;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:5:\"large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:27:\"Portia-scaled-819x1024.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:819;s:6:\"height\";i:1024;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"thumbnail\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:26:\"Portia-scaled-150x150.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:12:\"medium_large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:26:\"Portia-scaled-768x960.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:768;s:6:\"height\";i:960;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"1536x1536\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:28:\"Portia-scaled-1229x1536.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1229;s:6:\"height\";i:1536;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"2048x2048\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:28:\"Portia-scaled-1638x2048.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1638;s:6:\"height\";i:2048;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:24:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:26:\"Portia-scaled-170x110.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:25:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:24:\"Portia-scaled-86x70.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:25:\"Portia-scaled-88x110.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:88;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:22:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:26:\"Portia-scaled-370x250.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:30:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:26:\"Portia-scaled-200x250.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:200;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:21:\"bfastmag_related_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:26:\"Portia-scaled-288x160.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:288;s:6:\"height\";i:160;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:18:\"bfastmag_blog_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:26:\"Portia-scaled-780x544.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:26:\"bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:26:\"Portia-scaled-435x544.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:435;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:0:\"\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:1:\"0\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:1:\"0\";s:3:\"iso\";s:1:\"0\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:1:\"0\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";s:1:\"0\";s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}}'),(897,625,'_wp_attached_file','2020/03/Alarice-scaled.jpeg'),(898,625,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:5:{s:5:\"width\";i:1536;s:6:\"height\";i:1920;s:4:\"file\";s:27:\"2020/03/Alarice-scaled.jpeg\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:14:{s:6:\"medium\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:27:\"Alarice-scaled-240x300.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:240;s:6:\"height\";i:300;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:5:\"large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:28:\"Alarice-scaled-819x1024.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:819;s:6:\"height\";i:1024;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"thumbnail\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:27:\"Alarice-scaled-150x150.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:12:\"medium_large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:27:\"Alarice-scaled-768x960.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:768;s:6:\"height\";i:960;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"1536x1536\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:29:\"Alarice-scaled-1229x1536.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1229;s:6:\"height\";i:1536;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"2048x2048\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:29:\"Alarice-scaled-1638x2048.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1638;s:6:\"height\";i:2048;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:24:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:27:\"Alarice-scaled-170x110.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:25:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:25:\"Alarice-scaled-86x70.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:26:\"Alarice-scaled-88x110.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:88;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:22:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:27:\"Alarice-scaled-370x250.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:30:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:27:\"Alarice-scaled-200x250.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:200;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:21:\"bfastmag_related_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:27:\"Alarice-scaled-288x160.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:288;s:6:\"height\";i:160;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:18:\"bfastmag_blog_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:27:\"Alarice-scaled-780x544.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:26:\"bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:27:\"Alarice-scaled-435x544.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:435;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:0:\"\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:1:\"0\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:1:\"0\";s:3:\"iso\";s:1:\"0\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:1:\"0\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";s:1:\"0\";s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}}'),(899,626,'_wp_attached_file','2020/03/Arella-scaled.jpeg'),(900,626,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:5:{s:5:\"width\";i:1536;s:6:\"height\";i:1920;s:4:\"file\";s:26:\"2020/03/Arella-scaled.jpeg\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:14:{s:6:\"medium\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:26:\"Arella-scaled-240x300.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:240;s:6:\"height\";i:300;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:5:\"large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:27:\"Arella-scaled-819x1024.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:819;s:6:\"height\";i:1024;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"thumbnail\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:26:\"Arella-scaled-150x150.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:12:\"medium_large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:26:\"Arella-scaled-768x960.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:768;s:6:\"height\";i:960;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"1536x1536\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:28:\"Arella-scaled-1229x1536.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1229;s:6:\"height\";i:1536;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"2048x2048\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:28:\"Arella-scaled-1638x2048.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1638;s:6:\"height\";i:2048;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:24:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:26:\"Arella-scaled-170x110.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:25:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:24:\"Arella-scaled-86x70.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:25:\"Arella-scaled-88x110.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:88;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:22:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:26:\"Arella-scaled-370x250.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:30:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:26:\"Arella-scaled-200x250.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:200;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:21:\"bfastmag_related_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:26:\"Arella-scaled-288x160.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:288;s:6:\"height\";i:160;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:18:\"bfastmag_blog_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:26:\"Arella-scaled-780x544.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:26:\"bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:26:\"Arella-scaled-435x544.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:435;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:0:\"\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:1:\"0\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:1:\"0\";s:3:\"iso\";s:1:\"0\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:1:\"0\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";s:1:\"0\";s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}}'),(901,627,'_wp_attached_file','2020/03/Lovely-scaled.jpeg'),(902,627,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:5:{s:5:\"width\";i:1537;s:6:\"height\";i:1920;s:4:\"file\";s:26:\"2020/03/Lovely-scaled.jpeg\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:14:{s:6:\"medium\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:26:\"Lovely-scaled-240x300.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:240;s:6:\"height\";i:300;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:5:\"large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:27:\"Lovely-scaled-820x1024.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:820;s:6:\"height\";i:1024;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"thumbnail\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:26:\"Lovely-scaled-150x150.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:12:\"medium_large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:26:\"Lovely-scaled-768x960.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:768;s:6:\"height\";i:960;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"1536x1536\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:28:\"Lovely-scaled-1229x1536.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1229;s:6:\"height\";i:1536;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"2048x2048\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:28:\"Lovely-scaled-1639x2048.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1639;s:6:\"height\";i:2048;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:24:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:26:\"Lovely-scaled-170x110.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:25:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:24:\"Lovely-scaled-86x70.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:25:\"Lovely-scaled-88x110.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:88;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:22:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:26:\"Lovely-scaled-370x250.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:30:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:26:\"Lovely-scaled-200x250.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:200;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:21:\"bfastmag_related_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:26:\"Lovely-scaled-288x160.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:288;s:6:\"height\";i:160;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:18:\"bfastmag_blog_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:26:\"Lovely-scaled-780x544.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:26:\"bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:26:\"Lovely-scaled-435x544.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:435;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:0:\"\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:1:\"0\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:1:\"0\";s:3:\"iso\";s:1:\"0\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:1:\"0\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";s:1:\"0\";s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}}'),(903,628,'_wp_attached_file','2020/03/Rani.jpeg'),(904,628,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:5:{s:5:\"width\";i:1536;s:6:\"height\";i:1920;s:4:\"file\";s:17:\"2020/03/Rani.jpeg\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:14:{s:6:\"medium\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:17:\"Rani-240x300.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:240;s:6:\"height\";i:300;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:5:\"large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:18:\"Rani-819x1024.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:819;s:6:\"height\";i:1024;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"thumbnail\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:17:\"Rani-150x150.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:12:\"medium_large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:17:\"Rani-768x960.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:768;s:6:\"height\";i:960;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"1536x1536\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:19:\"Rani-1229x1536.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1229;s:6:\"height\";i:1536;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"2048x2048\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:19:\"Rani-1638x2048.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1638;s:6:\"height\";i:2048;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:24:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:17:\"Rani-170x110.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:25:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:15:\"Rani-86x70.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:16:\"Rani-88x110.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:88;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:22:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:17:\"Rani-370x250.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:30:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:17:\"Rani-200x250.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:200;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:21:\"bfastmag_related_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:17:\"Rani-288x160.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:288;s:6:\"height\";i:160;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:18:\"bfastmag_blog_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:17:\"Rani-780x544.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:26:\"bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:17:\"Rani-435x544.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:435;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:3:\"3.5\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:15:\"Canon EOS 1200D\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:9:\"946688341\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:2:\"21\";s:3:\"iso\";s:3:\"100\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:6:\"0.0025\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";s:1:\"0\";s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}}'),(905,629,'_wp_attached_file','2020/03/Rochelle-scaled.jpeg'),(906,629,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:5:{s:5:\"width\";i:1536;s:6:\"height\";i:1920;s:4:\"file\";s:28:\"2020/03/Rochelle-scaled.jpeg\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:14:{s:6:\"medium\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:28:\"Rochelle-scaled-240x300.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:240;s:6:\"height\";i:300;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:5:\"large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:29:\"Rochelle-scaled-819x1024.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:819;s:6:\"height\";i:1024;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"thumbnail\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:28:\"Rochelle-scaled-150x150.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:12:\"medium_large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:28:\"Rochelle-scaled-768x960.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:768;s:6:\"height\";i:960;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"1536x1536\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:30:\"Rochelle-scaled-1229x1536.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1229;s:6:\"height\";i:1536;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"2048x2048\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:30:\"Rochelle-scaled-1638x2048.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1638;s:6:\"height\";i:2048;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:24:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:28:\"Rochelle-scaled-170x110.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:25:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:26:\"Rochelle-scaled-86x70.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:27:\"Rochelle-scaled-88x110.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:88;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:22:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:28:\"Rochelle-scaled-370x250.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:30:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:28:\"Rochelle-scaled-200x250.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:200;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:21:\"bfastmag_related_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:28:\"Rochelle-scaled-288x160.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:288;s:6:\"height\";i:160;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:18:\"bfastmag_blog_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:28:\"Rochelle-scaled-780x544.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:26:\"bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:28:\"Rochelle-scaled-435x544.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:435;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:0:\"\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:1:\"0\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:1:\"0\";s:3:\"iso\";s:1:\"0\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:1:\"0\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";s:1:\"0\";s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}}'),(907,630,'_wp_attached_file','2020/03/Edz-scaled.jpeg'),(908,630,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:5:{s:5:\"width\";i:1536;s:6:\"height\";i:1920;s:4:\"file\";s:23:\"2020/03/Edz-scaled.jpeg\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:14:{s:6:\"medium\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:23:\"Edz-scaled-240x300.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:240;s:6:\"height\";i:300;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:5:\"large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:24:\"Edz-scaled-819x1024.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:819;s:6:\"height\";i:1024;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"thumbnail\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:23:\"Edz-scaled-150x150.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:12:\"medium_large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:23:\"Edz-scaled-768x960.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:768;s:6:\"height\";i:960;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"1536x1536\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:25:\"Edz-scaled-1229x1536.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1229;s:6:\"height\";i:1536;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"2048x2048\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:25:\"Edz-scaled-1638x2048.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1638;s:6:\"height\";i:2048;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:24:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:23:\"Edz-scaled-170x110.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:25:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:21:\"Edz-scaled-86x70.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:22:\"Edz-scaled-88x110.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:88;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:22:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:23:\"Edz-scaled-370x250.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:30:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:23:\"Edz-scaled-200x250.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:200;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:21:\"bfastmag_related_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:23:\"Edz-scaled-288x160.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:288;s:6:\"height\";i:160;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:18:\"bfastmag_blog_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:23:\"Edz-scaled-780x544.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:26:\"bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:23:\"Edz-scaled-435x544.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:435;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:0:\"\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:1:\"0\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:1:\"0\";s:3:\"iso\";s:1:\"0\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:1:\"0\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";s:1:\"0\";s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}}'),(909,636,'_wp_attached_file','2020/03/Grp_Shot_1_75_1_70_1_80.jpeg'),(910,636,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:5:{s:5:\"width\";i:1920;s:6:\"height\";i:1279;s:4:\"file\";s:36:\"2020/03/Grp_Shot_1_75_1_70_1_80.jpeg\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:14:{s:6:\"medium\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:36:\"Grp_Shot_1_75_1_70_1_80-300x200.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:300;s:6:\"height\";i:200;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:5:\"large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:37:\"Grp_Shot_1_75_1_70_1_80-1024x682.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1024;s:6:\"height\";i:682;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"thumbnail\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:36:\"Grp_Shot_1_75_1_70_1_80-150x150.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:12:\"medium_large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:36:\"Grp_Shot_1_75_1_70_1_80-768x512.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:768;s:6:\"height\";i:512;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"1536x1536\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:38:\"Grp_Shot_1_75_1_70_1_80-1536x1023.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1536;s:6:\"height\";i:1023;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"2048x2048\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:38:\"Grp_Shot_1_75_1_70_1_80-2048x1364.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:2048;s:6:\"height\";i:1364;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:24:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:36:\"Grp_Shot_1_75_1_70_1_80-170x110.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:25:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:34:\"Grp_Shot_1_75_1_70_1_80-86x70.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:36:\"Grp_Shot_1_75_1_70_1_80-165x110.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:165;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:22:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:36:\"Grp_Shot_1_75_1_70_1_80-370x250.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:30:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:36:\"Grp_Shot_1_75_1_70_1_80-370x246.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:246;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:21:\"bfastmag_related_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:36:\"Grp_Shot_1_75_1_70_1_80-288x160.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:288;s:6:\"height\";i:160;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:18:\"bfastmag_blog_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:36:\"Grp_Shot_1_75_1_70_1_80-780x544.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:26:\"bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:36:\"Grp_Shot_1_75_1_70_1_80-780x520.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:520;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:3:\"3.5\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:15:\"Canon EOS 1200D\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:10:\"1583385401\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:2:\"18\";s:3:\"iso\";s:3:\"100\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:5:\"0.002\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";s:1:\"0\";s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}}'),(911,639,'_wp_attached_file','2020/03/Caloy-scaled.jpeg'),(912,639,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:5:{s:5:\"width\";i:1536;s:6:\"height\";i:1920;s:4:\"file\";s:25:\"2020/03/Caloy-scaled.jpeg\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:14:{s:6:\"medium\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:25:\"Caloy-scaled-240x300.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:240;s:6:\"height\";i:300;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:5:\"large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:26:\"Caloy-scaled-819x1024.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:819;s:6:\"height\";i:1024;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"thumbnail\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:25:\"Caloy-scaled-150x150.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:12:\"medium_large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:25:\"Caloy-scaled-768x960.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:768;s:6:\"height\";i:960;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"1536x1536\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:27:\"Caloy-scaled-1229x1536.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1229;s:6:\"height\";i:1536;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"2048x2048\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:27:\"Caloy-scaled-1638x2048.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1638;s:6:\"height\";i:2048;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:24:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:25:\"Caloy-scaled-170x110.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:25:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:23:\"Caloy-scaled-86x70.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:24:\"Caloy-scaled-88x110.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:88;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:22:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:25:\"Caloy-scaled-370x250.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:30:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:25:\"Caloy-scaled-200x250.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:200;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:21:\"bfastmag_related_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:25:\"Caloy-scaled-288x160.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:288;s:6:\"height\";i:160;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:18:\"bfastmag_blog_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:25:\"Caloy-scaled-780x544.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:26:\"bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:25:\"Caloy-scaled-435x544.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:435;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:0:\"\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:1:\"0\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:1:\"0\";s:3:\"iso\";s:1:\"0\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:1:\"0\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";s:1:\"0\";s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}}'),(913,641,'_wp_attached_file','2020/03/Jenla.jpeg'),(914,641,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:5:{s:5:\"width\";i:1536;s:6:\"height\";i:1920;s:4:\"file\";s:18:\"2020/03/Jenla.jpeg\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:14:{s:6:\"medium\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:18:\"Jenla-240x300.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:240;s:6:\"height\";i:300;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:5:\"large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:19:\"Jenla-819x1024.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:819;s:6:\"height\";i:1024;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"thumbnail\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:18:\"Jenla-150x150.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:12:\"medium_large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:18:\"Jenla-768x960.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:768;s:6:\"height\";i:960;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"1536x1536\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"Jenla-1229x1536.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1229;s:6:\"height\";i:1536;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"2048x2048\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"Jenla-1638x2048.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1638;s:6:\"height\";i:2048;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:24:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:18:\"Jenla-170x110.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:25:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:16:\"Jenla-86x70.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:17:\"Jenla-88x110.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:88;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:22:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:18:\"Jenla-370x250.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:30:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:18:\"Jenla-200x250.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:200;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:21:\"bfastmag_related_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:18:\"Jenla-288x160.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:288;s:6:\"height\";i:160;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:18:\"bfastmag_blog_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:18:\"Jenla-780x544.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:26:\"bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:18:\"Jenla-435x544.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:435;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:3:\"4.5\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:15:\"Canon EOS 1200D\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:9:\"946685390\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:2:\"30\";s:3:\"iso\";s:3:\"100\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:4:\"0.01\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";s:1:\"0\";s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}}'),(915,643,'_wp_attached_file','2020/03/Marianne-scaled.jpeg'),(916,643,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:5:{s:5:\"width\";i:1536;s:6:\"height\";i:1920;s:4:\"file\";s:28:\"2020/03/Marianne-scaled.jpeg\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:14:{s:6:\"medium\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:28:\"Marianne-scaled-240x300.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:240;s:6:\"height\";i:300;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:5:\"large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:29:\"Marianne-scaled-819x1024.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:819;s:6:\"height\";i:1024;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"thumbnail\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:28:\"Marianne-scaled-150x150.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:12:\"medium_large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:28:\"Marianne-scaled-768x960.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:768;s:6:\"height\";i:960;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"1536x1536\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:30:\"Marianne-scaled-1229x1536.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1229;s:6:\"height\";i:1536;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"2048x2048\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:30:\"Marianne-scaled-1638x2048.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1638;s:6:\"height\";i:2048;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:24:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:28:\"Marianne-scaled-170x110.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:25:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:26:\"Marianne-scaled-86x70.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:27:\"Marianne-scaled-88x110.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:88;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:22:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:28:\"Marianne-scaled-370x250.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:30:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:28:\"Marianne-scaled-200x250.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:200;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:21:\"bfastmag_related_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:28:\"Marianne-scaled-288x160.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:288;s:6:\"height\";i:160;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:18:\"bfastmag_blog_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:28:\"Marianne-scaled-780x544.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:26:\"bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:28:\"Marianne-scaled-435x544.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:435;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:0:\"\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:1:\"0\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:1:\"0\";s:3:\"iso\";s:1:\"0\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:1:\"0\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";s:1:\"0\";s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}}'),(917,644,'_wp_attached_file','2020/03/Jyrus-scaled.jpeg'),(918,644,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:5:{s:5:\"width\";i:1536;s:6:\"height\";i:1920;s:4:\"file\";s:25:\"2020/03/Jyrus-scaled.jpeg\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:14:{s:6:\"medium\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:25:\"Jyrus-scaled-240x300.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:240;s:6:\"height\";i:300;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:5:\"large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:26:\"Jyrus-scaled-819x1024.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:819;s:6:\"height\";i:1024;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"thumbnail\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:25:\"Jyrus-scaled-150x150.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:12:\"medium_large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:25:\"Jyrus-scaled-768x960.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:768;s:6:\"height\";i:960;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"1536x1536\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:27:\"Jyrus-scaled-1229x1536.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1229;s:6:\"height\";i:1536;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"2048x2048\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:27:\"Jyrus-scaled-1638x2048.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1638;s:6:\"height\";i:2048;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:24:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:25:\"Jyrus-scaled-170x110.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:25:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:23:\"Jyrus-scaled-86x70.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:24:\"Jyrus-scaled-88x110.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:88;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:22:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:25:\"Jyrus-scaled-370x250.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:30:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:25:\"Jyrus-scaled-200x250.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:200;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:21:\"bfastmag_related_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:25:\"Jyrus-scaled-288x160.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:288;s:6:\"height\";i:160;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:18:\"bfastmag_blog_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:25:\"Jyrus-scaled-780x544.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:26:\"bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:25:\"Jyrus-scaled-435x544.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:435;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:0:\"\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:1:\"0\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:1:\"0\";s:3:\"iso\";s:1:\"0\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:1:\"0\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";s:1:\"0\";s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}}'),(919,645,'_wp_attached_file','2020/03/Jyrus-1-scaled.jpeg'),(920,645,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:5:{s:5:\"width\";i:1536;s:6:\"height\";i:1920;s:4:\"file\";s:27:\"2020/03/Jyrus-1-scaled.jpeg\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:14:{s:6:\"medium\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:27:\"Jyrus-1-scaled-240x300.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:240;s:6:\"height\";i:300;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:5:\"large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:28:\"Jyrus-1-scaled-819x1024.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:819;s:6:\"height\";i:1024;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"thumbnail\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:27:\"Jyrus-1-scaled-150x150.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:12:\"medium_large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:27:\"Jyrus-1-scaled-768x960.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:768;s:6:\"height\";i:960;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"1536x1536\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:29:\"Jyrus-1-scaled-1229x1536.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1229;s:6:\"height\";i:1536;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"2048x2048\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:29:\"Jyrus-1-scaled-1638x2048.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1638;s:6:\"height\";i:2048;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:24:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:27:\"Jyrus-1-scaled-170x110.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:25:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:25:\"Jyrus-1-scaled-86x70.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:26:\"Jyrus-1-scaled-88x110.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:88;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:22:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:27:\"Jyrus-1-scaled-370x250.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:30:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:27:\"Jyrus-1-scaled-200x250.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:200;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:21:\"bfastmag_related_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:27:\"Jyrus-1-scaled-288x160.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:288;s:6:\"height\";i:160;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:18:\"bfastmag_blog_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:27:\"Jyrus-1-scaled-780x544.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:26:\"bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:27:\"Jyrus-1-scaled-435x544.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:435;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:0:\"\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:1:\"0\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:1:\"0\";s:3:\"iso\";s:1:\"0\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:1:\"0\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";s:1:\"0\";s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}}'),(921,471,'_wp_attachment_backup_sizes','a:30:{s:9:\"full-orig\";a:3:{s:5:\"width\";i:2560;s:6:\"height\";i:1707;s:4:\"file\";s:50:\"woman-typing-writing-programming-7112-1-scaled.jpg\";}s:14:\"thumbnail-orig\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:58:\"woman-typing-writing-programming-7112-1-scaled-150x150.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:11:\"medium-orig\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:58:\"woman-typing-writing-programming-7112-1-scaled-300x200.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:300;s:6:\"height\";i:200;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:17:\"medium_large-orig\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:58:\"woman-typing-writing-programming-7112-1-scaled-768x512.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:768;s:6:\"height\";i:512;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:10:\"large-orig\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:59:\"woman-typing-writing-programming-7112-1-scaled-1024x683.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1024;s:6:\"height\";i:683;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:14:\"1536x1536-orig\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:60:\"woman-typing-writing-programming-7112-1-scaled-1536x1024.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1536;s:6:\"height\";i:1024;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:14:\"2048x2048-orig\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:60:\"woman-typing-writing-programming-7112-1-scaled-2048x1366.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:2048;s:6:\"height\";i:1366;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:29:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb-orig\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:58:\"woman-typing-writing-programming-7112-1-scaled-170x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:30:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop-orig\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:56:\"woman-typing-writing-programming-7112-1-scaled-86x70.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:37:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop-orig\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:58:\"woman-typing-writing-programming-7112-1-scaled-165x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:165;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:27:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb-orig\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:58:\"woman-typing-writing-programming-7112-1-scaled-370x250.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:35:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop-orig\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:58:\"woman-typing-writing-programming-7112-1-scaled-370x247.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:247;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:26:\"bfastmag_related_post-orig\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:58:\"woman-typing-writing-programming-7112-1-scaled-288x160.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:288;s:6:\"height\";i:160;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:23:\"bfastmag_blog_post-orig\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:58:\"woman-typing-writing-programming-7112-1-scaled-780x544.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:31:\"bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop-orig\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:58:\"woman-typing-writing-programming-7112-1-scaled-780x520.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:520;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:18:\"full-1583307075737\";a:3:{s:5:\"width\";i:2201;s:6:\"height\";i:1708;s:4:\"file\";s:65:\"woman-typing-writing-programming-7112-1-scaled-e1583307027686.jpg\";}s:23:\"thumbnail-1583307075737\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:73:\"woman-typing-writing-programming-7112-1-scaled-e1583307027686-150x150.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:20:\"medium-1583307075737\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:73:\"woman-typing-writing-programming-7112-1-scaled-e1583307027686-300x233.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:300;s:6:\"height\";i:233;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:26:\"medium_large-1583307075737\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:73:\"woman-typing-writing-programming-7112-1-scaled-e1583307027686-768x596.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:768;s:6:\"height\";i:596;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:19:\"large-1583307075737\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:74:\"woman-typing-writing-programming-7112-1-scaled-e1583307027686-1024x795.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1024;s:6:\"height\";i:795;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:23:\"1536x1536-1583307075737\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:75:\"woman-typing-writing-programming-7112-1-scaled-e1583307027686-1536x1192.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1536;s:6:\"height\";i:1192;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:23:\"2048x2048-1583307075737\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:75:\"woman-typing-writing-programming-7112-1-scaled-e1583307027686-2048x1589.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:2048;s:6:\"height\";i:1589;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:38:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb-1583307075737\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:73:\"woman-typing-writing-programming-7112-1-scaled-e1583307027686-170x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:39:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop-1583307075737\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:71:\"woman-typing-writing-programming-7112-1-scaled-e1583307027686-86x70.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:46:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop-1583307075737\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:73:\"woman-typing-writing-programming-7112-1-scaled-e1583307027686-142x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:142;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:36:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb-1583307075737\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:73:\"woman-typing-writing-programming-7112-1-scaled-e1583307027686-370x250.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:44:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop-1583307075737\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:73:\"woman-typing-writing-programming-7112-1-scaled-e1583307027686-322x250.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:322;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:35:\"bfastmag_related_post-1583307075737\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:73:\"woman-typing-writing-programming-7112-1-scaled-e1583307027686-288x160.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:288;s:6:\"height\";i:160;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blog_post-1583307075737\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:73:\"woman-typing-writing-programming-7112-1-scaled-e1583307027686-780x544.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:40:\"bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop-1583307075737\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:73:\"woman-typing-writing-programming-7112-1-scaled-e1583307027686-701x544.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:701;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}}'),(922,668,'_edit_lock','1583307414:1'),(923,670,'_wp_trash_meta_status','publish'),(924,670,'_wp_trash_meta_time','1583325260'),(925,671,'_edit_lock','1596351886:1'),(926,672,'_wp_attached_file','2020/03/2.jpg'),(927,672,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:5:{s:5:\"width\";i:1200;s:6:\"height\";i:1500;s:4:\"file\";s:13:\"2020/03/2.jpg\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:12:{s:6:\"medium\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:13:\"2-240x300.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:240;s:6:\"height\";i:300;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:5:\"large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:14:\"2-819x1024.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:819;s:6:\"height\";i:1024;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"thumbnail\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:13:\"2-150x150.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:12:\"medium_large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:13:\"2-768x960.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:768;s:6:\"height\";i:960;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:24:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:13:\"2-170x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:25:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:11:\"2-86x70.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:12:\"2-88x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:88;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:22:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:13:\"2-370x250.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:30:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:13:\"2-200x250.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:200;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:21:\"bfastmag_related_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:13:\"2-288x160.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:288;s:6:\"height\";i:160;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:18:\"bfastmag_blog_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:13:\"2-780x544.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:26:\"bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:13:\"2-435x544.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:435;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:0:\"\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:1:\"0\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:1:\"0\";s:3:\"iso\";s:1:\"0\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:1:\"0\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";s:1:\"1\";s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}}'),(928,673,'_wp_attached_file','2020/03/1.jpg'),(929,673,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:5:{s:5:\"width\";i:1200;s:6:\"height\";i:1500;s:4:\"file\";s:13:\"2020/03/1.jpg\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:12:{s:6:\"medium\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:13:\"1-240x300.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:240;s:6:\"height\";i:300;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:5:\"large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:14:\"1-819x1024.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:819;s:6:\"height\";i:1024;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"thumbnail\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:13:\"1-150x150.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:12:\"medium_large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:13:\"1-768x960.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:768;s:6:\"height\";i:960;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:24:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:13:\"1-170x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:25:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:11:\"1-86x70.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:12:\"1-88x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:88;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:22:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:13:\"1-370x250.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:30:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:13:\"1-200x250.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:200;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:21:\"bfastmag_related_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:13:\"1-288x160.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:288;s:6:\"height\";i:160;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:18:\"bfastmag_blog_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:13:\"1-780x544.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:26:\"bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:13:\"1-435x544.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:435;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:0:\"\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:1:\"0\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:1:\"0\";s:3:\"iso\";s:1:\"0\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:1:\"0\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";s:1:\"1\";s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}}'),(930,674,'_wp_attached_file','2020/03/2.jpeg'),(931,674,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:6:{s:5:\"width\";i:1200;s:6:\"height\";i:813;s:14:\"hwstring_small\";s:23:\"height=\'87\' width=\'128\'\";s:4:\"file\";s:14:\"2020/03/2.jpeg\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:12:{s:9:\"thumbnail\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:14:\"2-150x150.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:6:\"medium\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:14:\"2-300x203.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:300;s:6:\"height\";i:203;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:12:\"medium_large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:14:\"2-768x520.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:768;s:6:\"height\";i:520;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:5:\"large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:15:\"2-1024x694.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1024;s:6:\"height\";i:694;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:24:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:14:\"2-170x110.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:25:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:12:\"2-86x70.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:14:\"2-162x110.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:162;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:22:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:14:\"2-370x250.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:30:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:14:\"2-370x250.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:21:\"bfastmag_related_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:14:\"2-288x160.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:288;s:6:\"height\";i:160;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:18:\"bfastmag_blog_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:14:\"2-780x544.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:26:\"bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:14:\"2-780x528.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:528;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:0:\"\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:1:\"0\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:1:\"0\";s:3:\"iso\";s:1:\"0\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:1:\"0\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";s:1:\"0\";s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}}'),(932,671,'_thumbnail_id','674'),(933,671,'_edit_last','1'),(934,671,'wptr_hide_title','0'),(935,678,'_wp_attached_file','2020/03/2-1.jpeg'),(936,678,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:5:{s:5:\"width\";i:1200;s:6:\"height\";i:884;s:4:\"file\";s:16:\"2020/03/2-1.jpeg\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:12:{s:6:\"medium\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:16:\"2-1-300x221.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:300;s:6:\"height\";i:221;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:5:\"large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:17:\"2-1-1024x754.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1024;s:6:\"height\";i:754;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"thumbnail\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:16:\"2-1-150x150.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:12:\"medium_large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:16:\"2-1-768x566.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:768;s:6:\"height\";i:566;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:24:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:16:\"2-1-170x110.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:25:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:14:\"2-1-86x70.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:16:\"2-1-149x110.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:149;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:22:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:16:\"2-1-370x250.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:30:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:16:\"2-1-339x250.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:339;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:21:\"bfastmag_related_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:16:\"2-1-288x160.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:288;s:6:\"height\";i:160;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:18:\"bfastmag_blog_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:16:\"2-1-780x544.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:26:\"bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:16:\"2-1-738x544.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:738;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:0:\"\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:10:\"1583407402\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:1:\"0\";s:3:\"iso\";s:1:\"0\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:1:\"0\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";s:1:\"0\";s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}}'),(937,671,'_pingme','1'),(938,671,'_encloseme','1'),(939,680,'_wp_attached_file','2020/03/1.png'),(940,680,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:5:{s:5:\"width\";i:1200;s:6:\"height\";i:1500;s:4:\"file\";s:13:\"2020/03/1.png\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:12:{s:6:\"medium\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:13:\"1-240x300.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:240;s:6:\"height\";i:300;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:5:\"large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:14:\"1-819x1024.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:819;s:6:\"height\";i:1024;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:9:\"thumbnail\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:13:\"1-150x150.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:12:\"medium_large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:13:\"1-768x960.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:768;s:6:\"height\";i:960;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:24:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:13:\"1-170x110.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:25:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:11:\"1-86x70.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:12:\"1-88x110.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:88;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:22:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:13:\"1-370x250.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:30:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:13:\"1-200x250.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:200;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:21:\"bfastmag_related_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:13:\"1-288x160.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:288;s:6:\"height\";i:160;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:18:\"bfastmag_blog_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:13:\"1-780x544.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:26:\"bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:13:\"1-435x544.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:435;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:0:\"\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:1:\"0\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:1:\"0\";s:3:\"iso\";s:1:\"0\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:1:\"0\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";s:1:\"0\";s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}}'),(942,689,'_wp_attached_file','2020/03'),(943,690,'_wp_attached_file','2020/07'),(944,691,'_edit_lock','1594483021:1'),(945,692,'_edit_lock','1626765564:1'),(946,692,'_edit_last','1'),(947,692,'wptr_hide_title','0'),(948,692,'_yoast_wpseo_content_score','30'),(949,695,'_wp_attached_file','2020/07/NO-Image-scaled.jpg'),(950,695,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:5:{s:5:\"width\";i:1536;s:6:\"height\";i:1920;s:4:\"file\";s:27:\"2020/07/NO-Image-scaled.jpg\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:14:{s:6:\"medium\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:27:\"NO-Image-scaled-240x300.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:240;s:6:\"height\";i:300;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:5:\"large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:28:\"NO-Image-scaled-819x1024.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:819;s:6:\"height\";i:1024;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"thumbnail\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:27:\"NO-Image-scaled-150x150.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:12:\"medium_large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:27:\"NO-Image-scaled-768x960.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:768;s:6:\"height\";i:960;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"1536x1536\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:29:\"NO-Image-scaled-1229x1536.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1229;s:6:\"height\";i:1536;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"2048x2048\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:29:\"NO-Image-scaled-1638x2048.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1638;s:6:\"height\";i:2048;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:24:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:27:\"NO-Image-scaled-170x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:25:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:25:\"NO-Image-scaled-86x70.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:26:\"NO-Image-scaled-88x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:88;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:22:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:27:\"NO-Image-scaled-370x250.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:30:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:27:\"NO-Image-scaled-200x250.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:200;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:21:\"bfastmag_related_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:27:\"NO-Image-scaled-288x160.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:288;s:6:\"height\";i:160;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:18:\"bfastmag_blog_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:27:\"NO-Image-scaled-780x544.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:26:\"bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:27:\"NO-Image-scaled-435x544.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:435;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:0:\"\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:1:\"0\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:1:\"0\";s:3:\"iso\";s:1:\"0\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:1:\"0\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";s:1:\"0\";s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}}'),(951,692,'_yoast_wpseo_metadesc','Editorial Board of the UST Law Review Volume 65. Editor-in-Chief | Yurii Ramos. Managing Officer| Rochelle Curiba. Executive Editor| Gabriel Adora.'),(952,683,'_customize_restore_dismissed','1'),(953,701,'_edit_lock','1594622947:1'),(962,701,'_wp_trash_meta_status','publish'),(963,701,'_wp_trash_meta_time','1594622957'),(964,704,'_menu_item_type','custom'),(965,704,'_menu_item_menu_item_parent','0'),(966,704,'_menu_item_object_id','704'),(967,704,'_menu_item_object','custom'),(968,704,'_menu_item_target',''),(969,704,'_menu_item_classes','a:1:{i:0;s:0:\"\";}'),(970,704,'_menu_item_xfn',''),(971,704,'_menu_item_url','http://lawreview.ust.edu.ph/editorial/'),(972,703,'_wp_trash_meta_status','publish'),(973,703,'_wp_trash_meta_time','1594623089'),(974,161,'_yoast_wpseo_content_score','30'),(975,153,'_yoast_wpseo_content_score','30'),(976,144,'_yoast_wpseo_content_score','30'),(977,692,'_wp_page_template','default'),(978,542,'_yoast_wpseo_content_score','60'),(979,542,'_wp_page_template','default'),(980,545,'_wp_page_template','default'),(981,549,'_wp_page_template','default'),(982,552,'_wp_page_template','default'),(983,554,'_wp_page_template','default'),(984,556,'_wp_page_template','default'),(985,560,'_wp_page_template','default'),(986,563,'_wp_page_template','default'),(987,445,'_wp_page_template','default'),(988,459,'_wp_page_template','default'),(989,267,'_wp_page_template','default'),(990,721,'_edit_lock','1594624387:1'),(991,721,'_wp_trash_meta_status','publish'),(992,721,'_wp_trash_meta_time','1594624395'),(993,722,'_wp_trash_meta_status','publish'),(994,722,'_wp_trash_meta_time','1594624424'),(995,723,'_wp_trash_meta_status','publish'),(996,723,'_wp_trash_meta_time','1594624463'),(997,3,'_yoast_wpseo_content_score','30'),(998,735,'_wp_trash_meta_status','publish'),(999,735,'_wp_trash_meta_time','1594625011'),(1000,30,'_yoast_wpseo_content_score','60'),(1001,745,'_edit_lock','1594654244:1'),(1002,746,'_menu_item_type','post_type'),(1003,746,'_menu_item_menu_item_parent','0'),(1004,746,'_menu_item_object_id','2'),(1005,746,'_menu_item_object','page'),(1006,746,'_menu_item_target',''),(1007,746,'_menu_item_classes','a:1:{i:0;s:0:\"\";}'),(1008,746,'_menu_item_xfn',''),(1009,746,'_menu_item_url',''),(1010,747,'_menu_item_type','post_type'),(1011,747,'_menu_item_menu_item_parent','0'),(1012,747,'_menu_item_object_id','161'),(1013,747,'_menu_item_object','page'),(1014,747,'_menu_item_target',''),(1015,747,'_menu_item_classes','a:1:{i:0;s:0:\"\";}'),(1016,747,'_menu_item_xfn',''),(1017,747,'_menu_item_url',''),(1018,748,'_menu_item_type','post_type'),(1019,748,'_menu_item_menu_item_parent','0'),(1020,748,'_menu_item_object_id','35'),(1021,748,'_menu_item_object','page'),(1022,748,'_menu_item_target',''),(1023,748,'_menu_item_classes','a:1:{i:0;s:0:\"\";}'),(1024,748,'_menu_item_xfn',''),(1025,748,'_menu_item_url',''),(1026,749,'_menu_item_type','post_type'),(1027,749,'_menu_item_menu_item_parent','0'),(1028,749,'_menu_item_object_id','37'),(1029,749,'_menu_item_object','page'),(1030,749,'_menu_item_target',''),(1031,749,'_menu_item_classes','a:1:{i:0;s:0:\"\";}'),(1032,749,'_menu_item_xfn',''),(1033,749,'_menu_item_url',''),(1042,751,'_menu_item_type','post_type'),(1043,751,'_menu_item_menu_item_parent','0'),(1044,751,'_menu_item_object_id','39'),(1045,751,'_menu_item_object','page'),(1046,751,'_menu_item_target',''),(1047,751,'_menu_item_classes','a:1:{i:0;s:0:\"\";}'),(1048,751,'_menu_item_xfn',''),(1049,751,'_menu_item_url',''),(1050,745,'_wp_trash_meta_status','publish'),(1051,745,'_wp_trash_meta_time','1594654248'),(1052,752,'_edit_lock','1594654481:1'),(1077,752,'_wp_trash_meta_status','publish'),(1078,752,'_wp_trash_meta_time','1594654500'),(1079,756,'_edit_lock','1594654807:1'),(1080,756,'_wp_trash_meta_status','publish'),(1081,756,'_wp_trash_meta_time','1594654819'),(1082,757,'_wp_trash_meta_status','publish'),(1083,757,'_wp_trash_meta_time','1594824585'),(1084,296,'ss_ss_click_share_count_facebook','3'),(1085,296,'ss_total_share_count','0'),(1086,671,'ss_ss_click_share_count_facebook','3'),(1087,671,'ss_total_share_count','0'),(1088,758,'_wp_trash_meta_status','publish'),(1089,758,'_wp_trash_meta_time','1594826435'),(1090,692,'ss_social_share_disable','on'),(1091,161,'ss_social_share_disable','on'),(1092,35,'ss_social_share_disable','on'),(1093,35,'_yoast_wpseo_content_score','30'),(1094,296,'_pingme','1'),(1095,296,'_encloseme','1'),(1096,296,'ss_social_share_disable','0'),(1097,296,'_yoast_wpseo_content_score','60'),(1098,296,'_yoast_wpseo_primary_category','9'),(1099,765,'ss_social_share_disable','0'),(1100,765,'_edit_lock','1594827597:1'),(1101,766,'ss_social_share_disable','0'),(1102,766,'_edit_lock','1594899425:1'),(1103,296,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(1104,296,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(1105,296,'_elementor_version','3.1.1'),(1106,767,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(1107,767,'_elementor_template_type','kit'),(1108,767,'ss_social_share_disable','0'),(1109,767,'_elementor_version','2.9.13'),(1111,296,'_wp_page_template','default'),(1112,296,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"571c1ce2\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"4edf2e0e\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"108a00b9\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><!-- wp:paragraph --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>Here is the first of the series of updates or trends in Jurisprudence. In the recent case of <span style=\\\"text-decoration: underline;\\\">**<em>*Lara\'s Gifts & Decors v. Midtown<\\/em> ***<\\/span>(28 August 2019), the Supreme Court modified the guidelines on the imposition of interest as provided in the renowned cases of <span style=\\\"text-decoration: underline;\\\"><em>Eastern Shipping Lines v. CA<\\/em>(1994)<\\/span> and <span style=\\\"text-decoration: underline;\\\"><em>Nacar v. Gallery Frames<\\/em> (2013)<\\/span>.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>The Juris Team is yet to create a full article about this. In the meantime, a comparative table was prepared for everyone\'s edification.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:file {\\\"id\\\":298,\\\"href\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2019\\/12\\/ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED.pdf\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-file\\\"><a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/05\\/ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED.pdf\\\">U<\\/a><a>LR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED<\\/a><a class=\\\"wp-block-file__button\\\" href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/05\\/ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED.pdf\\\" download=\\\"\\\">Download<\\/a><\\/div>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:file --><!-- wp:gallery {\\\"ids\\\":[424,425,426]} --><\\/p>\\n<figure class=\\\"wp-block-gallery columns-3 is-cropped\\\">\\n<ul class=\\\"blocks-gallery-grid\\\">\\n<li class=\\\"blocks-gallery-item\\\">\\n<figure><img class=\\\"wp-image-424\\\" src=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/02\\/ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-001-1-1024x791.jpg\\\" alt=\\\"\\\" data-id=\\\"424\\\" data-full-url=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/02\\/ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-001-1.jpg\\\" data-link=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/modified-guidelines-on-imposition-of-interest\\/ulr-juris_eastern-nacar-modified-page-001-1\\/\\\" \\/><\\/figure>\\n<\\/li>\\n<li class=\\\"blocks-gallery-item\\\">\\n<figure><img class=\\\"wp-image-425\\\" src=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/02\\/ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-002-1-1024x791.jpg\\\" alt=\\\"\\\" data-id=\\\"425\\\" data-full-url=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/02\\/ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-002-1.jpg\\\" data-link=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/modified-guidelines-on-imposition-of-interest\\/ulr-juris_eastern-nacar-modified-page-002-1\\/\\\" \\/><\\/figure>\\n<\\/li>\\n<li class=\\\"blocks-gallery-item\\\">\\n<figure><img class=\\\"wp-image-426\\\" src=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/02\\/ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-003-1-1024x791.jpg\\\" alt=\\\"\\\" data-id=\\\"426\\\" data-full-url=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/02\\/ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-003-1.jpg\\\" data-link=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/modified-guidelines-on-imposition-of-interest\\/ulr-juris_eastern-nacar-modified-page-003-1\\/\\\" \\/><\\/figure>\\n<\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<\\/figure>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:gallery --><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"_margin\":{\"unit\":\"px\",\"top\":\"-17\",\"right\":\"-17\",\"bottom\":\"-17\",\"left\":\"-17\",\"isLinked\":true}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(1113,768,'_thumbnail_id','401'),(1114,768,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(1115,768,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(1116,768,'_elementor_version','2.9.13'),(1117,768,'_wp_page_template','default'),(1118,768,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"571c1ce2\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"4edf2e0e\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"108a00b9\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<!-- wp:paragraph --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Here is the first of the series of updates or trends in Jurisprudence. In the recent case of <span style=\\\"text-decoration: underline;\\\">**<em>*Lara\'s Gifts & Decors v. Midtown<\\/em> ***<\\/span>(28 August 2019), the Supreme Court modified the guidelines on the imposition of interest as provided in the renowned cases of <span style=\\\"text-decoration: underline;\\\"><em>Eastern Shipping Lines v. CA<\\/em>(1994)<\\/span> and <span style=\\\"text-decoration: underline;\\\"><em>Nacar v. Gallery Frames<\\/em> (2013)<\\/span>.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>The Juris Team is yet to create a full article about this. In the meantime, a comparative table was prepared for everyone\'s edification.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:file {\\\"id\\\":298,\\\"href\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2019\\/12\\/ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED.pdf\\\"} -->\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-file\\\"><a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2019\\/12\\/ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED.pdf\\\">ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED<\\/a><a class=\\\"wp-block-file__button\\\" href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2019\\/12\\/ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED.pdf\\\" download=\\\"\\\">Download<\\/a><\\/div>\\n<!-- \\/wp:file --><!-- wp:gallery {\\\"ids\\\":[424,425,426]} -->\\n<figure class=\\\"wp-block-gallery columns-3 is-cropped\\\">\\n<ul class=\\\"blocks-gallery-grid\\\">\\n<li class=\\\"blocks-gallery-item\\\">\\n<figure><img class=\\\"wp-image-424\\\" src=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/02\\/ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-001-1-1024x791.jpg\\\" alt=\\\"\\\" data-id=\\\"424\\\" data-full-url=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/02\\/ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-001-1.jpg\\\" data-link=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/modified-guidelines-on-imposition-of-interest\\/ulr-juris_eastern-nacar-modified-page-001-1\\/\\\" \\/><\\/figure>\\n<\\/li>\\n<li class=\\\"blocks-gallery-item\\\">\\n<figure><img class=\\\"wp-image-425\\\" src=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/02\\/ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-002-1-1024x791.jpg\\\" alt=\\\"\\\" data-id=\\\"425\\\" data-full-url=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/02\\/ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-002-1.jpg\\\" data-link=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/modified-guidelines-on-imposition-of-interest\\/ulr-juris_eastern-nacar-modified-page-002-1\\/\\\" \\/><\\/figure>\\n<\\/li>\\n<li class=\\\"blocks-gallery-item\\\">\\n<figure><img class=\\\"wp-image-426\\\" src=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/02\\/ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-003-1-1024x791.jpg\\\" alt=\\\"\\\" data-id=\\\"426\\\" data-full-url=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/02\\/ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-003-1.jpg\\\" data-link=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/modified-guidelines-on-imposition-of-interest\\/ulr-juris_eastern-nacar-modified-page-003-1\\/\\\" \\/><\\/figure>\\n<\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<\\/figure>\\n<!-- \\/wp:gallery -->\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"_margin\":{\"unit\":\"px\",\"top\":\"-17\",\"right\":\"-17\",\"bottom\":\"-17\",\"left\":\"-17\",\"isLinked\":true}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(1131,770,'_wp_trash_meta_status','publish'),(1132,770,'_wp_trash_meta_time','1594901345'),(1133,771,'_wp_trash_meta_status','publish'),(1134,771,'_wp_trash_meta_time','1594901391'),(1135,772,'_wp_trash_meta_status','publish'),(1136,772,'_wp_trash_meta_time','1594901402'),(1137,773,'_wp_trash_meta_status','publish'),(1138,773,'_wp_trash_meta_time','1594901427'),(1139,774,'_wp_trash_meta_status','publish'),(1140,774,'_wp_trash_meta_time','1594901438'),(1141,775,'_wp_trash_meta_status','publish'),(1142,775,'_wp_trash_meta_time','1594901447'),(1143,776,'_wp_trash_meta_status','publish'),(1144,776,'_wp_trash_meta_time','1594901515'),(1145,595,'ss_ss_click_share_count_twitter','1'),(1146,595,'ss_total_share_count','0'),(1147,595,'ss_ss_click_share_count_copy','2'),(1148,595,'ss_social_share_disable',''),(1149,595,'_yoast_wpseo_content_score','30'),(1150,595,'_yoast_wpseo_metadesc','This is the official website of the UST Law Review, the official publication of the UST Faculty of Civil Law. %%sitedesc%%'),(1151,595,'_yoast_wpseo_title','%%title%%'),(1152,296,'ss_ss_click_share_count_copy','4'),(1153,671,'ss_social_share_disable','0'),(1154,671,'_yoast_wpseo_metadesc','We would like to congratulate our esteemed alumna, Judge Katlyn Anne Aguilar for being the newly appointed judge of the Metropolitan Trial Court of Valenzuela City.'),(1155,671,'_yoast_wpseo_content_score','30'),(1156,779,'_wp_trash_meta_status','publish'),(1157,779,'_wp_trash_meta_time','1596352332'),(1158,780,'_wp_trash_meta_status','publish'),(1159,780,'_wp_trash_meta_time','1596352353'),(1160,781,'_edit_lock','1596352554:1'),(1161,781,'_customize_restore_dismissed','1'),(1162,782,'_edit_lock','1596354086:1'),(1163,782,'_wp_trash_meta_status','publish'),(1164,782,'_wp_trash_meta_time','1596354086'),(1165,783,'_wp_trash_meta_status','publish'),(1166,783,'_wp_trash_meta_time','1596354109'),(1169,296,'ss_ss_click_share_count_print','2'),(1171,785,'ss_social_share_disable','0'),(1172,785,'_edit_lock','1598168057:1'),(1173,786,'ss_social_share_disable',''),(1174,786,'_edit_lock','1601115947:1'),(1175,786,'_edit_last','1'),(1176,786,'wptr_hide_title','0'),(1177,786,'_yoast_wpseo_content_score','30'),(1178,786,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(1179,786,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(1180,786,'_elementor_version','3.0.2'),(1181,786,'_wp_page_template','default'),(1182,786,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"3723f250\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"644161f0\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"eb942cd\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"title\":\"By: Geraldine Princess A. Lintag\",\"header_size\":\"h6\"},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"heading\"},{\"id\":\"48fa6c24\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"\"},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false},{\"id\":\"700fe31\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"512d501\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100,\"_inline_size\":null},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"34d5a78\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><em>\\u201cThe right to express one\\u2019s preference for a candidate or the right to influence others to vote or otherwise not vote for a particular candidate\\u2026 maintains the balance between stability and change.\\u201d<\\/em><\\/p>\",\"column_gap\":{\"unit\":\"px\",\"size\":0,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"},{\"id\":\"4a7faca\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p>\\u00a0 \\u00a0 \\u00a0 The cornerstone of any functioning democratic country is the freedom of speech, a fundamental facet of which is the right to participate in electoral processes. This includes not only the right to vote, but also the right to express one\\u2019s preference for a candidate.<\\/p><p>\\u00a0 \\u00a0 \\u00a0 This push and pull process of expressing thoughts, opinions, and observations on the candidates assists in maintaining the integrity of the electoral process. In this process, however, constitutionally-guaranteed rights would often clash with State action.<\\/p><p>\\u00a0 \\u00a0 \\u00a0 This clash is the core issue in <em>Nicolas-Lewis v. Commission on Elections<a href=\\\"applewebdata:\\/\\/C8A8555C-2E47-4ED0-9D8A-4498FADF1CFE#_ftn1\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref1\\\"><strong>[1]<\\/strong><\\/a>.<\\/em> Petitioner Loida Nicolas-Lewis, a former immigration lawyer who helped found the Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund<a href=\\\"applewebdata:\\/\\/C8A8555C-2E47-4ED0-9D8A-4498FADF1CFE#_ftn2\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a>, challenges the constitutionality of Section 37 of Overseas Voting Act of 2013 or R.A. No. 10590. This provision amended the Overseas Voting Act of 2003 or R.A No. 9189. Both statutes aim to ensure equal opportunity to all qualified Filipino citizens abroad to exercise the fundamental right of suffrage pursuant to Section 2, Article V of the 1987 Constitution. As the provision now stands, any person is prohibited from engaging in partisan political activity abroad during the 30-day overseas voting period.<\\/p><p>\\u00a0 \\u00a0 \\u00a0 In this case<em>, <\\/em>Nicolas-Lewis alleges that pursuant to the provision, she, \\\"together with thousands of Filipinos all over the world,\\\" were prohibited by different Philippine consulates from conducting <strong>information campaigns, rallies, and outreach programs<\\/strong> in support of their respective candidates. Petitioner explains that the prohibited partisan political activities as defined under the law are necessary for the voters to formulate an educated decision on who to vote for. As such, it is petitioner\'s position that the prohibition on partisan political activities by <strong>any person abroad <\\/strong>is a clear curtailment of the right to free speech, expression, and assembly, as well as the right to suffrage.<\\/p><p>\\u00a0 \\u00a0 \\u00a0 The Supreme Court ruled that Section 37 of R.A. No. 10590 is an impermissible content-neutral regulation for being overbroad, violating, thus, the free speech clause under Section 4, Article III of the 1987 Constitution. Content-neutral regulation is a form of restraint which is merely concerned with the incidents of the speech, or one that merely controls the time, place or manner, and under well-defined standards<a href=\\\"applewebdata:\\/\\/C8A8555C-2E47-4ED0-9D8A-4498FADF1CFE#_ftn3\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a>.<\\/p><p>\\u00a0 \\u00a0 \\u00a0 In order to be permissible, content-neutral regulation should pass the intermediate test, viz.:<\\/p><p>\\u00a0 \\u00a0 \\u00a0 \\u00a0 \\u00a0 (1) the regulation is within the constitutional power of the government;<\\/p><p>\\u00a0 \\u00a0 \\u00a0 \\u00a0 \\u00a0 (2) it furthers an important or substantial governmental interest;<\\/p><p>\\u00a0 \\u00a0 \\u00a0 \\u00a0 \\u00a0 (3) such governmental interest is unrelated to the suppression of the free expression; and<\\/p><p>\\u00a0 \\u00a0 \\u00a0 \\u00a0 \\u00a0 (4) <strong>the incidental restriction on the alleged freedom of expression is no greater than what is essential to the furtherance of the governmental interest. <\\/strong><\\/p><p>\\u00a0 \\u00a0 \\u00a0 The failure to meet the fourth criterion is fatal to the regulation\'s validity. In this case, the challenged provision\'s sweeping and absolute prohibition against all forms of expression considered as partisan political activities <em>without any qualification<\\/em> is more than what is essential to the furtherance of the contemplated governmental interest.<\\/p><p>\\u00a0 \\u00a0 \\u00a0 On its face, the challenged provision provides for an absolute and substantial suppression of speech as it leaves no ample alternative means for one to freely exercise his or her fundamental right to participate in partisan political activities.<\\/p><p>\\u00a0 \\u00a0 \\u00a0 Specifically, the use of the unqualified term \\\"<strong>abroad<\\/strong>\\\" would bring any intelligible reader to the conclusion that the prohibition was intended to also be extraterritorial in application.\\u00a0In addition, the use of the general term,\\u00a0<em>i.e.<\\/em>, \\\"<strong>any person<\\/strong>\\\" as distinguished from \\u201ccandidates\\u201d who are prohibited to engage in any partisan political activity within the voting period is overbroad.<\\/p><p>In sum, there are two concepts that are to be emphasized in this case, and their possible implications in future policy-making and subsequent court rulings.<\\/p><p>\\u00a0 \\u00a0 \\u00a0 First, it is to be noted that generally, statutes enjoy the presumption of constitutionality. This means that every law is presumed to be valid unless there is a showing of clear and unequivocal breach of the Constitution. In this case, the Court held that the issue involved warrants deviation from such principle. It stated that a law or a statute which purports to restrain the right to free speech and expression is \\u201can outright departure from the express mandate of the Constitution against the enactment of laws abridging free speech and expression, warranting, thus, the presumption against its validity.\\u201d<\\/p><p>\\u00a0 \\u00a0 \\u00a0 Second, freedom of expression is a preferred right that \\u201cstands on a higher-level than substantive economic freedom or other liberties\\u201d. Despite the legislative regulation having a valid rationale, it cannot be upheld if it threatens to violate the constitutional right to free speech, unless it passes the required judicial scrutiny.<\\/p><p><a href=\\\"applewebdata:\\/\\/C8A8555C-2E47-4ED0-9D8A-4498FADF1CFE#_ftnref1\\\" name=\\\"_ftn1\\\">[1]<\\/a> G.R. No. 223705, August 14, 2019.<\\/p><p><a href=\\\"applewebdata:\\/\\/C8A8555C-2E47-4ED0-9D8A-4498FADF1CFE#_ftnref2\\\" name=\\\"_ftn2\\\">[2]<\\/a> Ligaya Mishan, <u>Loida Nicolas Lewis and Her Love of Lobster<\\/u>, THE NEW YORK TIMES, (December 7, 2015), <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.nytimes.com\\/2015\\/12\\/09\\/dining\\/loida-nicolas-lewis-lobster-cracker-bib.html\\\">https:\\/\\/www.nytimes.com\\/2015\\/12\\/09\\/dining\\/loida-nicolas-lewis-lobster-cracker-bib.html<\\/a><\\/p><p><a href=\\\"applewebdata:\\/\\/C8A8555C-2E47-4ED0-9D8A-4498FADF1CFE#_ftnref3\\\" name=\\\"_ftn3\\\">[3]<\\/a> <em>Francisco Chavez v. Raul M. Gonzales, <\\/em>G.R. No. 168338, February 15, 2008<\\/p>\"},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(1184,788,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(1185,788,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(1186,788,'_elementor_version','3.0.2'),(1187,788,'_wp_page_template','default'),(1188,788,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"3723f250\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"644161f0\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"eb942cd\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"title\":\"MAINTAINING THE BALANCE BETWEEN FREEDOM OF SPEECH AND STATE REGULATION\"},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"heading\"},{\"id\":\"48fa6c24\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"\"},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false},{\"id\":\"700fe31\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"512d501\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100,\"_inline_size\":null},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"34d5a78\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><em>\\u201cThe right to express one\\u2019s preference for a candidate or the right to influence others to vote or otherwise not vote for a particular candidate\\u2026 maintains the balance between stability and change.\\u201d<\\/em><\\/p>\",\"column_gap\":{\"unit\":\"px\",\"size\":0,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"},{\"id\":\"4a7faca\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p>The cornerstone of any functioning democratic country is the freedom of speech, a fundamental facet of which is the right to participate in electoral processes. This includes not only the right to vote, but also the right to express one\\u2019s preference for a candidate.<\\/p>\\n<p>This push and pull process of expressing thoughts, opinions, and observations on the candidates assists in maintaining the integrity of the electoral process. In this process, however, constitutionally-guaranteed rights would often clash with State action.<\\/p>\\n<p>This clash is the core issue in <em>Nicolas-Lewis v. Commission on Elections<a href=\\\"applewebdata:\\/\\/C8A8555C-2E47-4ED0-9D8A-4498FADF1CFE#_ftn1\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref1\\\"><strong>[1]<\\/strong><\\/a>.<\\/em> Petitioner Loida Nicolas-Lewis, a former immigration lawyer who helped found the Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund<a href=\\\"applewebdata:\\/\\/C8A8555C-2E47-4ED0-9D8A-4498FADF1CFE#_ftn2\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a>, challenges the constitutionality of Section 37 of Overseas Voting Act of 2013 or R.A. No. 10590. This provision amended the Overseas Voting Act of 2003 or R.A No. 9189. Both statutes aim to ensure equal opportunity to all qualified Filipino citizens abroad to exercise the fundamental right of suffrage pursuant to Section 2, Article V3 of the 1987 Constitution. As the provision now stands, any person is prohibited from engaging in partisan political activity abroad during the 30-day overseas voting period.<\\/p>\\n<p>In this case<em>, <\\/em>Nicolas-Lewis alleges that pursuant to the provision, she, \\\"together with thousands of Filipinos all over the world,\\\" were prohibited by different Philippine consulates from conducting <strong>information campaigns, rallies, and outreach programs<\\/strong> in support of their respective candidates. Petitioner explains that the prohibited partisan political activities as defined under the law are necessary for the voters to formulate an educated decision on who to vote for. As such, it is petitioner\'s position that the prohibition on partisan political activities by <strong>any person abroad <\\/strong>is a clear curtailment of the right to free speech, expression, and assembly, as well as the right to suffrage.<\\/p>\\n<p>The Supreme Court ruled that Section 37 of R.A. No. 10590 is an impermissible content-neutral regulation for being overbroad, violating, thus, the free speech clause under Section 4, Article III of the 1987 Constitution. Content-neutral regulation is a form of restraint which is merely concerned with the incidents of the speech, or one that merely controls the time, place or manner, and under well-defined standards<a href=\\\"applewebdata:\\/\\/C8A8555C-2E47-4ED0-9D8A-4498FADF1CFE#_ftn3\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a>.<\\/p>\\n<p>In order to be permissible, content-neutral regulation should pass the intermediate test, viz.:<\\/p>\\n<p>(1) the regulation is within the constitutional power of the government;<\\/p>\\n<p>(2) it furthers an important or substantial governmental interest;<\\/p>\\n<p>(3) such governmental interest is unrelated to the suppression of the free expression; and<\\/p>\\n<p>(4) <strong>the incidental restriction on the alleged freedom of expression is no greater than what is essential to the furtherance of the governmental interest. <\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p>The failure to meet the fourth criterion is fatal to the regulation\'s validity. In this case, the challenged provision\'s sweeping and absolute prohibition against all forms of expression considered as partisan political activities <em>without any qualification<\\/em> is more than what is essential to the furtherance of the contemplated governmental interest.<\\/p>\\n<p>On its face, the challenged provision provides for an absolute and substantial suppression of speech as it leaves no ample alternative means for one to freely exercise his or her fundamental right to participate in partisan political activities.<\\/p>\\n<p>Specifically, the use of the unqualified term \\\"<strong>abroad<\\/strong>\\\" would bring any intelligible reader to the conclusion that the prohibition was intended to also be extraterritorial in application.\\u00a0In addition, the use of the general term,\\u00a0<em>i.e.<\\/em>, \\\"<strong>any person<\\/strong>\\\" as distinguished from \\u201ccandidates\\u201d who are prohibited to engage in any partisan political activity within the voting period is overbroad.<\\/p>\\n<p>In sum, there are two concepts that are to be emphasized in this case, and their possible implications in future policy-making and subsequent court rulings.<\\/p>\\n<p>First, it is to be noted that generally, statutes enjoy the presumption of constitutionality. This means that every law is presumed to be valid unless there is a showing of clear and unequivocal breach of the Constitution. In this case, the Court held that the issue involved warrants deviation from such principle. It stated that a law or a statute which purports to restrain the right to free speech and expression is \\u201can outright departure from the express mandate of the Constitution against the enactment of laws abridging free speech and expression, warranting, thus, the presumption against its validity.\\u201d<\\/p>\\n<p>Second, freedom of expression is a preferred right that \\u201cstands on a higher-level than substantive economic freedom or other liberties\\u201d. Despite the legislative regulation having a valid rationale, it cannot be upheld if it threatens to violate the constitutional right to free speech, unless it passes the required judicial scrutiny.<\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"applewebdata:\\/\\/C8A8555C-2E47-4ED0-9D8A-4498FADF1CFE#_ftnref1\\\" name=\\\"_ftn1\\\">[1]<\\/a> G.R. No. 223705, August 14, 2019.<\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"applewebdata:\\/\\/C8A8555C-2E47-4ED0-9D8A-4498FADF1CFE#_ftnref2\\\" name=\\\"_ftn2\\\">[2]<\\/a> Ligaya Mishan, <u>Loida Nicolas Lewis and Her Love of Lobster<\\/u>, THE NEW YORK TIMES, (December 7, 2015), <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.nytimes.com\\/2015\\/12\\/09\\/dining\\/loida-nicolas-lewis-lobster-cracker-bib.html\\\">https:\\/\\/www.nytimes.com\\/2015\\/12\\/09\\/dining\\/loida-nicolas-lewis-lobster-cracker-bib.html<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"applewebdata:\\/\\/C8A8555C-2E47-4ED0-9D8A-4498FADF1CFE#_ftnref3\\\" name=\\\"_ftn3\\\">[3]<\\/a> <em>Francisco Chavez v. Raul M. Gonzales, <\\/em>G.R. No. 168338, February 15, 2008<\\/p>\"},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(1190,789,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(1191,789,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(1192,789,'_elementor_version','3.0.2'),(1193,789,'_wp_page_template','default'),(1194,789,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"3723f250\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"644161f0\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"eb942cd\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"title\":\"MAINTAINING THE BALANCE BETWEEN FREEDOM OF SPEECH AND STATE REGULATION\"},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"heading\"},{\"id\":\"48fa6c24\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"\"},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false},{\"id\":\"700fe31\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"512d501\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100,\"_inline_size\":null},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"34d5a78\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><em>\\u201cThe right to express one\\u2019s preference for a candidate or the right to influence others to vote or otherwise not vote for a particular candidate\\u2026 maintains the balance between stability and change.\\u201d<\\/em><\\/p>\",\"column_gap\":{\"unit\":\"px\",\"size\":0,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"},{\"id\":\"4a7faca\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p>The cornerstone of any functioning democratic country is the freedom of speech, a fundamental facet of which is the right to participate in electoral processes. This includes not only the right to vote, but also the right to express one\\u2019s preference for a candidate.<\\/p>\\n<p>This push and pull process of expressing thoughts, opinions, and observations on the candidates assists in maintaining the integrity of the electoral process. In this process, however, constitutionally-guaranteed rights would often clash with State action.<\\/p>\\n<p>This clash is the core issue in <em>Nicolas-Lewis v. Commission on Elections<a href=\\\"applewebdata:\\/\\/C8A8555C-2E47-4ED0-9D8A-4498FADF1CFE#_ftn1\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref1\\\"><strong>[1]<\\/strong><\\/a>.<\\/em> Petitioner Loida Nicolas-Lewis, a former immigration lawyer who helped found the Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund<a href=\\\"applewebdata:\\/\\/C8A8555C-2E47-4ED0-9D8A-4498FADF1CFE#_ftn2\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a>, challenges the constitutionality of Section 37 of Overseas Voting Act of 2013 or R.A. No. 10590. This provision amended the Overseas Voting Act of 2003 or R.A No. 9189. Both statutes aim to ensure equal opportunity to all qualified Filipino citizens abroad to exercise the fundamental right of suffrage pursuant to Section 2, Article V3 of the 1987 Constitution. As the provision now stands, any person is prohibited from engaging in partisan political activity abroad during the 30-day overseas voting period.<\\/p>\\n<p>In this case<em>, <\\/em>Nicolas-Lewis alleges that pursuant to the provision, she, \\\"together with thousands of Filipinos all over the world,\\\" were prohibited by different Philippine consulates from conducting <strong>information campaigns, rallies, and outreach programs<\\/strong> in support of their respective candidates. Petitioner explains that the prohibited partisan political activities as defined under the law are necessary for the voters to formulate an educated decision on who to vote for. As such, it is petitioner\'s position that the prohibition on partisan political activities by <strong>any person abroad <\\/strong>is a clear curtailment of the right to free speech, expression, and assembly, as well as the right to suffrage.<\\/p>\\n<p>The Supreme Court ruled that Section 37 of R.A. No. 10590 is an impermissible content-neutral regulation for being overbroad, violating, thus, the free speech clause under Section 4, Article III of the 1987 Constitution. Content-neutral regulation is a form of restraint which is merely concerned with the incidents of the speech, or one that merely controls the time, place or manner, and under well-defined standards<a href=\\\"applewebdata:\\/\\/C8A8555C-2E47-4ED0-9D8A-4498FADF1CFE#_ftn3\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a>.<\\/p>\\n<p>In order to be permissible, content-neutral regulation should pass the intermediate test, viz.:<\\/p>\\n<p>(1) the regulation is within the constitutional power of the government;<\\/p>\\n<p>(2) it furthers an important or substantial governmental interest;<\\/p>\\n<p>(3) such governmental interest is unrelated to the suppression of the free expression; and<\\/p>\\n<p>(4) <strong>the incidental restriction on the alleged freedom of expression is no greater than what is essential to the furtherance of the governmental interest. <\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p>The failure to meet the fourth criterion is fatal to the regulation\'s validity. In this case, the challenged provision\'s sweeping and absolute prohibition against all forms of expression considered as partisan political activities <em>without any qualification<\\/em> is more than what is essential to the furtherance of the contemplated governmental interest.<\\/p>\\n<p>On its face, the challenged provision provides for an absolute and substantial suppression of speech as it leaves no ample alternative means for one to freely exercise his or her fundamental right to participate in partisan political activities.<\\/p>\\n<p>Specifically, the use of the unqualified term \\\"<strong>abroad<\\/strong>\\\" would bring any intelligible reader to the conclusion that the prohibition was intended to also be extraterritorial in application.\\u00a0In addition, the use of the general term,\\u00a0<em>i.e.<\\/em>, \\\"<strong>any person<\\/strong>\\\" as distinguished from \\u201ccandidates\\u201d who are prohibited to engage in any partisan political activity within the voting period is overbroad.<\\/p>\\n<p>In sum, there are two concepts that are to be emphasized in this case, and their possible implications in future policy-making and subsequent court rulings.<\\/p>\\n<p>First, it is to be noted that generally, statutes enjoy the presumption of constitutionality. This means that every law is presumed to be valid unless there is a showing of clear and unequivocal breach of the Constitution. In this case, the Court held that the issue involved warrants deviation from such principle. It stated that a law or a statute which purports to restrain the right to free speech and expression is \\u201can outright departure from the express mandate of the Constitution against the enactment of laws abridging free speech and expression, warranting, thus, the presumption against its validity.\\u201d<\\/p>\\n<p>Second, freedom of expression is a preferred right that \\u201cstands on a higher-level than substantive economic freedom or other liberties\\u201d. Despite the legislative regulation having a valid rationale, it cannot be upheld if it threatens to violate the constitutional right to free speech, unless it passes the required judicial scrutiny.<\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"applewebdata:\\/\\/C8A8555C-2E47-4ED0-9D8A-4498FADF1CFE#_ftnref1\\\" name=\\\"_ftn1\\\">[1]<\\/a> G.R. No. 223705, August 14, 2019.<\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"applewebdata:\\/\\/C8A8555C-2E47-4ED0-9D8A-4498FADF1CFE#_ftnref2\\\" name=\\\"_ftn2\\\">[2]<\\/a> Ligaya Mishan, <u>Loida Nicolas Lewis and Her Love of Lobster<\\/u>, THE NEW YORK TIMES, (December 7, 2015), <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.nytimes.com\\/2015\\/12\\/09\\/dining\\/loida-nicolas-lewis-lobster-cracker-bib.html\\\">https:\\/\\/www.nytimes.com\\/2015\\/12\\/09\\/dining\\/loida-nicolas-lewis-lobster-cracker-bib.html<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"applewebdata:\\/\\/C8A8555C-2E47-4ED0-9D8A-4498FADF1CFE#_ftnref3\\\" name=\\\"_ftn3\\\">[3]<\\/a> <em>Francisco Chavez v. Raul M. Gonzales, <\\/em>G.R. No. 168338, February 15, 2008<\\/p>\"},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(1196,790,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(1197,790,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(1198,790,'_elementor_version','3.0.2'),(1199,790,'_wp_page_template','default'),(1200,790,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"3723f250\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"644161f0\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"eb942cd\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"title\":\"By: Geraldine Princess A. Lintag\",\"header_size\":\"h6\"},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"heading\"},{\"id\":\"48fa6c24\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"\"},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false},{\"id\":\"700fe31\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"512d501\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100,\"_inline_size\":null},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"34d5a78\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><em>\\u201cThe right to express one\\u2019s preference for a candidate or the right to influence others to vote or otherwise not vote for a particular candidate\\u2026 maintains the balance between stability and change.\\u201d<\\/em><\\/p>\",\"column_gap\":{\"unit\":\"px\",\"size\":0,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"},{\"id\":\"4a7faca\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p>The cornerstone of any functioning democratic country is the freedom of speech, a fundamental facet of which is the right to participate in electoral processes. This includes not only the right to vote, but also the right to express one\\u2019s preference for a candidate.<\\/p>\\n<p>This push and pull process of expressing thoughts, opinions, and observations on the candidates assists in maintaining the integrity of the electoral process. In this process, however, constitutionally-guaranteed rights would often clash with State action.<\\/p>\\n<p>This clash is the core issue in <em>Nicolas-Lewis v. Commission on Elections<a href=\\\"applewebdata:\\/\\/C8A8555C-2E47-4ED0-9D8A-4498FADF1CFE#_ftn1\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref1\\\"><strong>[1]<\\/strong><\\/a>.<\\/em> Petitioner Loida Nicolas-Lewis, a former immigration lawyer who helped found the Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund<a href=\\\"applewebdata:\\/\\/C8A8555C-2E47-4ED0-9D8A-4498FADF1CFE#_ftn2\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a>, challenges the constitutionality of Section 37 of Overseas Voting Act of 2013 or R.A. No. 10590. This provision amended the Overseas Voting Act of 2003 or R.A No. 9189. Both statutes aim to ensure equal opportunity to all qualified Filipino citizens abroad to exercise the fundamental right of suffrage pursuant to Section 2, Article V3 of the 1987 Constitution. As the provision now stands, any person is prohibited from engaging in partisan political activity abroad during the 30-day overseas voting period.<\\/p>\\n<p>In this case<em>, <\\/em>Nicolas-Lewis alleges that pursuant to the provision, she, \\\"together with thousands of Filipinos all over the world,\\\" were prohibited by different Philippine consulates from conducting <strong>information campaigns, rallies, and outreach programs<\\/strong> in support of their respective candidates. Petitioner explains that the prohibited partisan political activities as defined under the law are necessary for the voters to formulate an educated decision on who to vote for. As such, it is petitioner\'s position that the prohibition on partisan political activities by <strong>any person abroad <\\/strong>is a clear curtailment of the right to free speech, expression, and assembly, as well as the right to suffrage.<\\/p>\\n<p>The Supreme Court ruled that Section 37 of R.A. No. 10590 is an impermissible content-neutral regulation for being overbroad, violating, thus, the free speech clause under Section 4, Article III of the 1987 Constitution. Content-neutral regulation is a form of restraint which is merely concerned with the incidents of the speech, or one that merely controls the time, place or manner, and under well-defined standards<a href=\\\"applewebdata:\\/\\/C8A8555C-2E47-4ED0-9D8A-4498FADF1CFE#_ftn3\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a>.<\\/p>\\n<p>In order to be permissible, content-neutral regulation should pass the intermediate test, viz.:<\\/p>\\n<p>(1) the regulation is within the constitutional power of the government;<\\/p>\\n<p>(2) it furthers an important or substantial governmental interest;<\\/p>\\n<p>(3) such governmental interest is unrelated to the suppression of the free expression; and<\\/p>\\n<p>(4) <strong>the incidental restriction on the alleged freedom of expression is no greater than what is essential to the furtherance of the governmental interest. <\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p>The failure to meet the fourth criterion is fatal to the regulation\'s validity. In this case, the challenged provision\'s sweeping and absolute prohibition against all forms of expression considered as partisan political activities <em>without any qualification<\\/em> is more than what is essential to the furtherance of the contemplated governmental interest.<\\/p>\\n<p>On its face, the challenged provision provides for an absolute and substantial suppression of speech as it leaves no ample alternative means for one to freely exercise his or her fundamental right to participate in partisan political activities.<\\/p>\\n<p>Specifically, the use of the unqualified term \\\"<strong>abroad<\\/strong>\\\" would bring any intelligible reader to the conclusion that the prohibition was intended to also be extraterritorial in application.\\u00a0In addition, the use of the general term,\\u00a0<em>i.e.<\\/em>, \\\"<strong>any person<\\/strong>\\\" as distinguished from \\u201ccandidates\\u201d who are prohibited to engage in any partisan political activity within the voting period is overbroad.<\\/p>\\n<p>In sum, there are two concepts that are to be emphasized in this case, and their possible implications in future policy-making and subsequent court rulings.<\\/p>\\n<p>First, it is to be noted that generally, statutes enjoy the presumption of constitutionality. This means that every law is presumed to be valid unless there is a showing of clear and unequivocal breach of the Constitution. In this case, the Court held that the issue involved warrants deviation from such principle. It stated that a law or a statute which purports to restrain the right to free speech and expression is \\u201can outright departure from the express mandate of the Constitution against the enactment of laws abridging free speech and expression, warranting, thus, the presumption against its validity.\\u201d<\\/p>\\n<p>Second, freedom of expression is a preferred right that \\u201cstands on a higher-level than substantive economic freedom or other liberties\\u201d. Despite the legislative regulation having a valid rationale, it cannot be upheld if it threatens to violate the constitutional right to free speech, unless it passes the required judicial scrutiny.<\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"applewebdata:\\/\\/C8A8555C-2E47-4ED0-9D8A-4498FADF1CFE#_ftnref1\\\" name=\\\"_ftn1\\\">[1]<\\/a> G.R. No. 223705, August 14, 2019.<\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"applewebdata:\\/\\/C8A8555C-2E47-4ED0-9D8A-4498FADF1CFE#_ftnref2\\\" name=\\\"_ftn2\\\">[2]<\\/a> Ligaya Mishan, <u>Loida Nicolas Lewis and Her Love of Lobster<\\/u>, THE NEW YORK TIMES, (December 7, 2015), <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.nytimes.com\\/2015\\/12\\/09\\/dining\\/loida-nicolas-lewis-lobster-cracker-bib.html\\\">https:\\/\\/www.nytimes.com\\/2015\\/12\\/09\\/dining\\/loida-nicolas-lewis-lobster-cracker-bib.html<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"applewebdata:\\/\\/C8A8555C-2E47-4ED0-9D8A-4498FADF1CFE#_ftnref3\\\" name=\\\"_ftn3\\\">[3]<\\/a> <em>Francisco Chavez v. Raul M. Gonzales, <\\/em>G.R. No. 168338, February 15, 2008<\\/p>\"},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(1203,791,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(1204,791,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(1205,791,'_elementor_version','3.0.2'),(1206,791,'_wp_page_template','default'),(1207,791,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"3723f250\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"644161f0\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"eb942cd\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"title\":\"By: Geraldine Princess A. Lintag\",\"header_size\":\"h6\"},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"heading\"},{\"id\":\"48fa6c24\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"\"},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false},{\"id\":\"700fe31\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"512d501\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100,\"_inline_size\":null},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"34d5a78\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><em>\\u201cThe right to express one\\u2019s preference for a candidate or the right to influence others to vote or otherwise not vote for a particular candidate\\u2026 maintains the balance between stability and change.\\u201d<\\/em><\\/p>\",\"column_gap\":{\"unit\":\"px\",\"size\":0,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"},{\"id\":\"4a7faca\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p>The cornerstone of any functioning democratic country is the freedom of speech, a fundamental facet of which is the right to participate in electoral processes. This includes not only the right to vote, but also the right to express one\\u2019s preference for a candidate.<\\/p>\\n<p>This push and pull process of expressing thoughts, opinions, and observations on the candidates assists in maintaining the integrity of the electoral process. In this process, however, constitutionally-guaranteed rights would often clash with State action.<\\/p>\\n<p>This clash is the core issue in <em>Nicolas-Lewis v. Commission on Elections<a href=\\\"applewebdata:\\/\\/C8A8555C-2E47-4ED0-9D8A-4498FADF1CFE#_ftn1\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref1\\\"><strong>[1]<\\/strong><\\/a>.<\\/em> Petitioner Loida Nicolas-Lewis, a former immigration lawyer who helped found the Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund<a href=\\\"applewebdata:\\/\\/C8A8555C-2E47-4ED0-9D8A-4498FADF1CFE#_ftn2\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a>, challenges the constitutionality of Section 37 of Overseas Voting Act of 2013 or R.A. No. 10590. This provision amended the Overseas Voting Act of 2003 or R.A No. 9189. Both statutes aim to ensure equal opportunity to all qualified Filipino citizens abroad to exercise the fundamental right of suffrage pursuant to Section 2, Article V3 of the 1987 Constitution. As the provision now stands, any person is prohibited from engaging in partisan political activity abroad during the 30-day overseas voting period.<\\/p>\\n<p>In this case<em>, <\\/em>Nicolas-Lewis alleges that pursuant to the provision, she, \\\"together with thousands of Filipinos all over the world,\\\" were prohibited by different Philippine consulates from conducting <strong>information campaigns, rallies, and outreach programs<\\/strong> in support of their respective candidates. Petitioner explains that the prohibited partisan political activities as defined under the law are necessary for the voters to formulate an educated decision on who to vote for. As such, it is petitioner\'s position that the prohibition on partisan political activities by <strong>any person abroad <\\/strong>is a clear curtailment of the right to free speech, expression, and assembly, as well as the right to suffrage.<\\/p>\\n<p>The Supreme Court ruled that Section 37 of R.A. No. 10590 is an impermissible content-neutral regulation for being overbroad, violating, thus, the free speech clause under Section 4, Article III of the 1987 Constitution. Content-neutral regulation is a form of restraint which is merely concerned with the incidents of the speech, or one that merely controls the time, place or manner, and under well-defined standards<a href=\\\"applewebdata:\\/\\/C8A8555C-2E47-4ED0-9D8A-4498FADF1CFE#_ftn3\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a>.<\\/p>\\n<p>In order to be permissible, content-neutral regulation should pass the intermediate test, viz.:<\\/p>\\n<p>(1) the regulation is within the constitutional power of the government;<\\/p>\\n<p>(2) it furthers an important or substantial governmental interest;<\\/p>\\n<p>(3) such governmental interest is unrelated to the suppression of the free expression; and<\\/p>\\n<p>(4) <strong>the incidental restriction on the alleged freedom of expression is no greater than what is essential to the furtherance of the governmental interest. <\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p>The failure to meet the fourth criterion is fatal to the regulation\'s validity. In this case, the challenged provision\'s sweeping and absolute prohibition against all forms of expression considered as partisan political activities <em>without any qualification<\\/em> is more than what is essential to the furtherance of the contemplated governmental interest.<\\/p>\\n<p>On its face, the challenged provision provides for an absolute and substantial suppression of speech as it leaves no ample alternative means for one to freely exercise his or her fundamental right to participate in partisan political activities.<\\/p>\\n<p>Specifically, the use of the unqualified term \\\"<strong>abroad<\\/strong>\\\" would bring any intelligible reader to the conclusion that the prohibition was intended to also be extraterritorial in application.\\u00a0In addition, the use of the general term,\\u00a0<em>i.e.<\\/em>, \\\"<strong>any person<\\/strong>\\\" as distinguished from \\u201ccandidates\\u201d who are prohibited to engage in any partisan political activity within the voting period is overbroad.<\\/p>\\n<p>In sum, there are two concepts that are to be emphasized in this case, and their possible implications in future policy-making and subsequent court rulings.<\\/p>\\n<p>First, it is to be noted that generally, statutes enjoy the presumption of constitutionality. This means that every law is presumed to be valid unless there is a showing of clear and unequivocal breach of the Constitution. In this case, the Court held that the issue involved warrants deviation from such principle. It stated that a law or a statute which purports to restrain the right to free speech and expression is \\u201can outright departure from the express mandate of the Constitution against the enactment of laws abridging free speech and expression, warranting, thus, the presumption against its validity.\\u201d<\\/p>\\n<p>Second, freedom of expression is a preferred right that \\u201cstands on a higher-level than substantive economic freedom or other liberties\\u201d. Despite the legislative regulation having a valid rationale, it cannot be upheld if it threatens to violate the constitutional right to free speech, unless it passes the required judicial scrutiny.<\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"applewebdata:\\/\\/C8A8555C-2E47-4ED0-9D8A-4498FADF1CFE#_ftnref1\\\" name=\\\"_ftn1\\\">[1]<\\/a> G.R. No. 223705, August 14, 2019.<\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"applewebdata:\\/\\/C8A8555C-2E47-4ED0-9D8A-4498FADF1CFE#_ftnref2\\\" name=\\\"_ftn2\\\">[2]<\\/a> Ligaya Mishan, <u>Loida Nicolas Lewis and Her Love of Lobster<\\/u>, THE NEW YORK TIMES, (December 7, 2015), <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.nytimes.com\\/2015\\/12\\/09\\/dining\\/loida-nicolas-lewis-lobster-cracker-bib.html\\\">https:\\/\\/www.nytimes.com\\/2015\\/12\\/09\\/dining\\/loida-nicolas-lewis-lobster-cracker-bib.html<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"applewebdata:\\/\\/C8A8555C-2E47-4ED0-9D8A-4498FADF1CFE#_ftnref3\\\" name=\\\"_ftn3\\\">[3]<\\/a> <em>Francisco Chavez v. Raul M. Gonzales, <\\/em>G.R. No. 168338, February 15, 2008<\\/p>\"},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(1209,786,'_yoast_wpseo_primary_category','9'),(1216,793,'_wp_attached_file','2020/08/Image-8-27-20-at-6.13-PM.jpeg'),(1217,793,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:6:{s:5:\"width\";i:889;s:6:\"height\";i:500;s:14:\"hwstring_small\";s:23:\"height=\'72\' width=\'128\'\";s:4:\"file\";s:37:\"2020/08/Image-8-27-20-at-6.13-PM.jpeg\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:11:{s:9:\"thumbnail\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:37:\"Image-8-27-20-at-6.13-PM-150x150.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:6:\"medium\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:37:\"Image-8-27-20-at-6.13-PM-300x169.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:300;s:6:\"height\";i:169;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:12:\"medium_large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:37:\"Image-8-27-20-at-6.13-PM-768x432.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:768;s:6:\"height\";i:432;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:24:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:37:\"Image-8-27-20-at-6.13-PM-170x110.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:25:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:35:\"Image-8-27-20-at-6.13-PM-86x70.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:36:\"Image-8-27-20-at-6.13-PM-170x96.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:96;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:22:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:37:\"Image-8-27-20-at-6.13-PM-370x250.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:30:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:37:\"Image-8-27-20-at-6.13-PM-370x208.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:208;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:21:\"bfastmag_related_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:37:\"Image-8-27-20-at-6.13-PM-288x160.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:288;s:6:\"height\";i:160;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:18:\"bfastmag_blog_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:37:\"Image-8-27-20-at-6.13-PM-780x500.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:500;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:26:\"bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:37:\"Image-8-27-20-at-6.13-PM-780x439.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:439;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:0:\"\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:1:\"0\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:1:\"0\";s:3:\"iso\";s:1:\"0\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:1:\"0\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";s:1:\"0\";s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}}'),(1218,793,'_wp_attachment_image_alt','Oversea Filipino Voters in Riyadh'),(1225,786,'_pingme','1'),(1226,786,'_encloseme','1'),(1227,795,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(1228,795,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(1229,795,'_elementor_version','3.0.2'),(1230,795,'_wp_page_template','default'),(1231,795,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"3723f250\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"644161f0\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"eb942cd\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"title\":\"By: Geraldine Princess A. Lintag\",\"header_size\":\"h6\"},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"heading\"},{\"id\":\"48fa6c24\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"\"},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false},{\"id\":\"700fe31\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"512d501\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100,\"_inline_size\":null},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"34d5a78\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><em>\\u201cThe right to express one\\u2019s preference for a candidate or the right to influence others to vote or otherwise not vote for a particular candidate\\u2026 maintains the balance between stability and change.\\u201d<\\/em><\\/p>\",\"column_gap\":{\"unit\":\"px\",\"size\":0,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"},{\"id\":\"4a7faca\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p>\\u00a0 \\u00a0 \\u00a0 The cornerstone of any functioning democratic country is the freedom of speech, a fundamental facet of which is the right to participate in electoral processes. This includes not only the right to vote, but also the right to express one\\u2019s preference for a candidate.<\\/p><p>\\u00a0 \\u00a0 \\u00a0 This push and pull process of expressing thoughts, opinions, and observations on the candidates assists in maintaining the integrity of the electoral process. In this process, however, constitutionally-guaranteed rights would often clash with State action.<\\/p><p>\\u00a0 \\u00a0 \\u00a0 This clash is the core issue in <em>Nicolas-Lewis v. Commission on Elections<a href=\\\"applewebdata:\\/\\/C8A8555C-2E47-4ED0-9D8A-4498FADF1CFE#_ftn1\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref1\\\"><strong>[1]<\\/strong><\\/a>.<\\/em> Petitioner Loida Nicolas-Lewis, a former immigration lawyer who helped found the Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund<a href=\\\"applewebdata:\\/\\/C8A8555C-2E47-4ED0-9D8A-4498FADF1CFE#_ftn2\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a>, challenges the constitutionality of Section 37 of Overseas Voting Act of 2013 or R.A. No. 10590. This provision amended the Overseas Voting Act of 2003 or R.A No. 9189. Both statutes aim to ensure equal opportunity to all qualified Filipino citizens abroad to exercise the fundamental right of suffrage pursuant to Section 2, Article V3 of the 1987 Constitution. As the provision now stands, any person is prohibited from engaging in partisan political activity abroad during the 30-day overseas voting period.<\\/p><p>\\u00a0 \\u00a0 \\u00a0 In this case<em>, <\\/em>Nicolas-Lewis alleges that pursuant to the provision, she, \\\"together with thousands of Filipinos all over the world,\\\" were prohibited by different Philippine consulates from conducting <strong>information campaigns, rallies, and outreach programs<\\/strong> in support of their respective candidates. Petitioner explains that the prohibited partisan political activities as defined under the law are necessary for the voters to formulate an educated decision on who to vote for. As such, it is petitioner\'s position that the prohibition on partisan political activities by <strong>any person abroad <\\/strong>is a clear curtailment of the right to free speech, expression, and assembly, as well as the right to suffrage.<\\/p><p>\\u00a0 \\u00a0 \\u00a0 The Supreme Court ruled that Section 37 of R.A. No. 10590 is an impermissible content-neutral regulation for being overbroad, violating, thus, the free speech clause under Section 4, Article III of the 1987 Constitution. Content-neutral regulation is a form of restraint which is merely concerned with the incidents of the speech, or one that merely controls the time, place or manner, and under well-defined standards<a href=\\\"applewebdata:\\/\\/C8A8555C-2E47-4ED0-9D8A-4498FADF1CFE#_ftn3\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a>.<\\/p><p>\\u00a0 \\u00a0 \\u00a0 In order to be permissible, content-neutral regulation should pass the intermediate test, viz.:<\\/p><p>\\u00a0 \\u00a0 \\u00a0 \\u00a0 \\u00a0 (1) the regulation is within the constitutional power of the government;<\\/p><p>\\u00a0 \\u00a0 \\u00a0 \\u00a0 \\u00a0 (2) it furthers an important or substantial governmental interest;<\\/p><p>\\u00a0 \\u00a0 \\u00a0 \\u00a0 \\u00a0 (3) such governmental interest is unrelated to the suppression of the free expression; and<\\/p><p>\\u00a0 \\u00a0 \\u00a0 \\u00a0 \\u00a0 (4) <strong>the incidental restriction on the alleged freedom of expression is no greater than what is essential to the furtherance of the governmental interest. <\\/strong><\\/p><p>\\u00a0 \\u00a0 \\u00a0 The failure to meet the fourth criterion is fatal to the regulation\'s validity. In this case, the challenged provision\'s sweeping and absolute prohibition against all forms of expression considered as partisan political activities <em>without any qualification<\\/em> is more than what is essential to the furtherance of the contemplated governmental interest.<\\/p><p>\\u00a0 \\u00a0 \\u00a0 On its face, the challenged provision provides for an absolute and substantial suppression of speech as it leaves no ample alternative means for one to freely exercise his or her fundamental right to participate in partisan political activities.<\\/p><p>\\u00a0 \\u00a0 \\u00a0 Specifically, the use of the unqualified term \\\"<strong>abroad<\\/strong>\\\" would bring any intelligible reader to the conclusion that the prohibition was intended to also be extraterritorial in application.\\u00a0In addition, the use of the general term,\\u00a0<em>i.e.<\\/em>, \\\"<strong>any person<\\/strong>\\\" as distinguished from \\u201ccandidates\\u201d who are prohibited to engage in any partisan political activity within the voting period is overbroad.<\\/p><p>In sum, there are two concepts that are to be emphasized in this case, and their possible implications in future policy-making and subsequent court rulings.<\\/p><p>\\u00a0 \\u00a0 \\u00a0 First, it is to be noted that generally, statutes enjoy the presumption of constitutionality. This means that every law is presumed to be valid unless there is a showing of clear and unequivocal breach of the Constitution. In this case, the Court held that the issue involved warrants deviation from such principle. It stated that a law or a statute which purports to restrain the right to free speech and expression is \\u201can outright departure from the express mandate of the Constitution against the enactment of laws abridging free speech and expression, warranting, thus, the presumption against its validity.\\u201d<\\/p><p>\\u00a0 \\u00a0 \\u00a0 Second, freedom of expression is a preferred right that \\u201cstands on a higher-level than substantive economic freedom or other liberties\\u201d. Despite the legislative regulation having a valid rationale, it cannot be upheld if it threatens to violate the constitutional right to free speech, unless it passes the required judicial scrutiny.<\\/p><p><a href=\\\"applewebdata:\\/\\/C8A8555C-2E47-4ED0-9D8A-4498FADF1CFE#_ftnref1\\\" name=\\\"_ftn1\\\">[1]<\\/a> G.R. No. 223705, August 14, 2019.<\\/p><p><a href=\\\"applewebdata:\\/\\/C8A8555C-2E47-4ED0-9D8A-4498FADF1CFE#_ftnref2\\\" name=\\\"_ftn2\\\">[2]<\\/a> Ligaya Mishan, <u>Loida Nicolas Lewis and Her Love of Lobster<\\/u>, THE NEW YORK TIMES, (December 7, 2015), <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.nytimes.com\\/2015\\/12\\/09\\/dining\\/loida-nicolas-lewis-lobster-cracker-bib.html\\\">https:\\/\\/www.nytimes.com\\/2015\\/12\\/09\\/dining\\/loida-nicolas-lewis-lobster-cracker-bib.html<\\/a><\\/p><p><a href=\\\"applewebdata:\\/\\/C8A8555C-2E47-4ED0-9D8A-4498FADF1CFE#_ftnref3\\\" name=\\\"_ftn3\\\">[3]<\\/a> <em>Francisco Chavez v. Raul M. Gonzales, <\\/em>G.R. No. 168338, February 15, 2008<\\/p>\"},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(1236,183,'ss_social_share_disable',''),(1237,183,'_yoast_wpseo_content_score','30'),(1238,183,'_elementor_template_type','wp-page'),(1239,183,'_elementor_version','3.0.2'),(1240,797,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(1241,797,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(1242,797,'_elementor_version','3.0.2'),(1243,797,'_wp_page_template','default'),(1244,797,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"3723f250\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"644161f0\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"eb942cd\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"title\":\"By: Geraldine Princess A. Lintag\",\"header_size\":\"h6\"},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"heading\"},{\"id\":\"48fa6c24\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"\"},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false},{\"id\":\"700fe31\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"512d501\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100,\"_inline_size\":null},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"34d5a78\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><em>\\u201cThe right to express one\\u2019s preference for a candidate or the right to influence others to vote or otherwise not vote for a particular candidate\\u2026 maintains the balance between stability and change.\\u201d<\\/em><\\/p>\",\"column_gap\":{\"unit\":\"px\",\"size\":0,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"},{\"id\":\"4a7faca\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p>\\u00a0 \\u00a0 \\u00a0 The cornerstone of any functioning democratic country is the freedom of speech, a fundamental facet of which is the right to participate in electoral processes. This includes not only the right to vote, but also the right to express one\\u2019s preference for a candidate.<\\/p><p>\\u00a0 \\u00a0 \\u00a0 This push and pull process of expressing thoughts, opinions, and observations on the candidates assists in maintaining the integrity of the electoral process. In this process, however, constitutionally-guaranteed rights would often clash with State action.<\\/p><p>\\u00a0 \\u00a0 \\u00a0 This clash is the core issue in <em>Nicolas-Lewis v. Commission on Elections<a href=\\\"applewebdata:\\/\\/C8A8555C-2E47-4ED0-9D8A-4498FADF1CFE#_ftn1\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref1\\\"><strong>[1]<\\/strong><\\/a>.<\\/em> Petitioner Loida Nicolas-Lewis, a former immigration lawyer who helped found the Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund<a href=\\\"applewebdata:\\/\\/C8A8555C-2E47-4ED0-9D8A-4498FADF1CFE#_ftn2\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a>, challenges the constitutionality of Section 37 of Overseas Voting Act of 2013 or R.A. No. 10590. This provision amended the Overseas Voting Act of 2003 or R.A No. 9189. Both statutes aim to ensure equal opportunity to all qualified Filipino citizens abroad to exercise the fundamental right of suffrage pursuant to Section 2, Article V3 of the 1987 Constitution. As the provision now stands, any person is prohibited from engaging in partisan political activity abroad during the 30-day overseas voting period.<\\/p><p>\\u00a0 \\u00a0 \\u00a0 In this case<em>, <\\/em>Nicolas-Lewis alleges that pursuant to the provision, she, \\\"together with thousands of Filipinos all over the world,\\\" were prohibited by different Philippine consulates from conducting <strong>information campaigns, rallies, and outreach programs<\\/strong> in support of their respective candidates. Petitioner explains that the prohibited partisan political activities as defined under the law are necessary for the voters to formulate an educated decision on who to vote for. As such, it is petitioner\'s position that the prohibition on partisan political activities by <strong>any person abroad <\\/strong>is a clear curtailment of the right to free speech, expression, and assembly, as well as the right to suffrage.<\\/p><p>\\u00a0 \\u00a0 \\u00a0 The Supreme Court ruled that Section 37 of R.A. No. 10590 is an impermissible content-neutral regulation for being overbroad, violating, thus, the free speech clause under Section 4, Article III of the 1987 Constitution. Content-neutral regulation is a form of restraint which is merely concerned with the incidents of the speech, or one that merely controls the time, place or manner, and under well-defined standards<a href=\\\"applewebdata:\\/\\/C8A8555C-2E47-4ED0-9D8A-4498FADF1CFE#_ftn3\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a>.<\\/p><p>\\u00a0 \\u00a0 \\u00a0 In order to be permissible, content-neutral regulation should pass the intermediate test, viz.:<\\/p><p>\\u00a0 \\u00a0 \\u00a0 \\u00a0 \\u00a0 (1) the regulation is within the constitutional power of the government;<\\/p><p>\\u00a0 \\u00a0 \\u00a0 \\u00a0 \\u00a0 (2) it furthers an important or substantial governmental interest;<\\/p><p>\\u00a0 \\u00a0 \\u00a0 \\u00a0 \\u00a0 (3) such governmental interest is unrelated to the suppression of the free expression; and<\\/p><p>\\u00a0 \\u00a0 \\u00a0 \\u00a0 \\u00a0 (4) <strong>the incidental restriction on the alleged freedom of expression is no greater than what is essential to the furtherance of the governmental interest. <\\/strong><\\/p><p>\\u00a0 \\u00a0 \\u00a0 The failure to meet the fourth criterion is fatal to the regulation\'s validity. In this case, the challenged provision\'s sweeping and absolute prohibition against all forms of expression considered as partisan political activities <em>without any qualification<\\/em> is more than what is essential to the furtherance of the contemplated governmental interest.<\\/p><p>\\u00a0 \\u00a0 \\u00a0 On its face, the challenged provision provides for an absolute and substantial suppression of speech as it leaves no ample alternative means for one to freely exercise his or her fundamental right to participate in partisan political activities.<\\/p><p>\\u00a0 \\u00a0 \\u00a0 Specifically, the use of the unqualified term \\\"<strong>abroad<\\/strong>\\\" would bring any intelligible reader to the conclusion that the prohibition was intended to also be extraterritorial in application.\\u00a0In addition, the use of the general term,\\u00a0<em>i.e.<\\/em>, \\\"<strong>any person<\\/strong>\\\" as distinguished from \\u201ccandidates\\u201d who are prohibited to engage in any partisan political activity within the voting period is overbroad.<\\/p><p>In sum, there are two concepts that are to be emphasized in this case, and their possible implications in future policy-making and subsequent court rulings.<\\/p><p>\\u00a0 \\u00a0 \\u00a0 First, it is to be noted that generally, statutes enjoy the presumption of constitutionality. This means that every law is presumed to be valid unless there is a showing of clear and unequivocal breach of the Constitution. In this case, the Court held that the issue involved warrants deviation from such principle. It stated that a law or a statute which purports to restrain the right to free speech and expression is \\u201can outright departure from the express mandate of the Constitution against the enactment of laws abridging free speech and expression, warranting, thus, the presumption against its validity.\\u201d<\\/p><p>\\u00a0 \\u00a0 \\u00a0 Second, freedom of expression is a preferred right that \\u201cstands on a higher-level than substantive economic freedom or other liberties\\u201d. Despite the legislative regulation having a valid rationale, it cannot be upheld if it threatens to violate the constitutional right to free speech, unless it passes the required judicial scrutiny.<\\/p><p><a href=\\\"applewebdata:\\/\\/C8A8555C-2E47-4ED0-9D8A-4498FADF1CFE#_ftnref1\\\" name=\\\"_ftn1\\\">[1]<\\/a> G.R. No. 223705, August 14, 2019.<\\/p><p><a href=\\\"applewebdata:\\/\\/C8A8555C-2E47-4ED0-9D8A-4498FADF1CFE#_ftnref2\\\" name=\\\"_ftn2\\\">[2]<\\/a> Ligaya Mishan, <u>Loida Nicolas Lewis and Her Love of Lobster<\\/u>, THE NEW YORK TIMES, (December 7, 2015), <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.nytimes.com\\/2015\\/12\\/09\\/dining\\/loida-nicolas-lewis-lobster-cracker-bib.html\\\">https:\\/\\/www.nytimes.com\\/2015\\/12\\/09\\/dining\\/loida-nicolas-lewis-lobster-cracker-bib.html<\\/a><\\/p><p><a href=\\\"applewebdata:\\/\\/C8A8555C-2E47-4ED0-9D8A-4498FADF1CFE#_ftnref3\\\" name=\\\"_ftn3\\\">[3]<\\/a> <em>Francisco Chavez v. Raul M. Gonzales, <\\/em>G.R. No. 168338, February 15, 2008<\\/p>\"},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(1245,797,'_elementor_controls_usage','a:4:{s:7:\"heading\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:1;s:8:\"controls\";a:1:{s:7:\"content\";a:1:{s:13:\"section_title\";a:2:{s:5:\"title\";i:1;s:11:\"header_size\";i:1;}}}}s:11:\"text-editor\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:3;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:0;s:8:\"controls\";a:1:{s:7:\"content\";a:1:{s:14:\"section_editor\";a:2:{s:6:\"editor\";i:3;s:10:\"column_gap\";i:1;}}}}s:6:\"column\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:2;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:0;s:8:\"controls\";a:1:{s:6:\"layout\";a:1:{s:6:\"layout\";a:1:{s:12:\"_inline_size\";i:1;}}}}s:7:\"section\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:2;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:0;s:8:\"controls\";a:0:{}}}'),(1247,786,'_thumbnail_id','793'),(1248,786,'_yoast_wpseo_focuskw','Nicolas-Lewis v. COMELEC'),(1249,786,'_yoast_wpseo_metadesc','This push and pull process of expressing thoughts, opinions, and observations on the candidates assists in maintaining the integrity of the electoral process. In this process, however, constitutionally-guaranteed rights would often clash with State action. This clash is the core issue in Nicolas-Lewis v. Commission on Elections .'),(1250,786,'_yoast_wpseo_linkdex','57'),(1251,786,'ss_ss_click_share_count_facebook','4'),(1252,786,'ss_total_share_count','0'),(1253,786,'ss_ss_click_share_count_copy','6'),(1254,798,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(1255,798,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(1256,798,'_elementor_version','3.0.2'),(1257,798,'_wp_page_template','default'),(1258,798,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"3723f250\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"644161f0\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"eb942cd\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"title\":\"By: Geraldine Princess A. Lintag\",\"header_size\":\"h6\"},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"heading\"},{\"id\":\"48fa6c24\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"\"},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false},{\"id\":\"700fe31\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"512d501\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100,\"_inline_size\":null},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"34d5a78\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><em>\\u201cThe right to express one\\u2019s preference for a candidate or the right to influence others to vote or otherwise not vote for a particular candidate\\u2026 maintains the balance between stability and change.\\u201d<\\/em><\\/p>\",\"column_gap\":{\"unit\":\"px\",\"size\":0,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"},{\"id\":\"4a7faca\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p>\\u00a0 \\u00a0 \\u00a0 The cornerstone of any functioning democratic country is the freedom of speech, a fundamental facet of which is the right to participate in electoral processes. This includes not only the right to vote, but also the right to express one\\u2019s preference for a candidate.<\\/p><p>\\u00a0 \\u00a0 \\u00a0 This push and pull process of expressing thoughts, opinions, and observations on the candidates assists in maintaining the integrity of the electoral process. In this process, however, constitutionally-guaranteed rights would often clash with State action.<\\/p><p>\\u00a0 \\u00a0 \\u00a0 This clash is the core issue in <em>Nicolas-Lewis v. Commission on Elections<a href=\\\"applewebdata:\\/\\/C8A8555C-2E47-4ED0-9D8A-4498FADF1CFE#_ftn1\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref1\\\"><strong>[1]<\\/strong><\\/a>.<\\/em> Petitioner Loida Nicolas-Lewis, a former immigration lawyer who helped found the Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund<a href=\\\"applewebdata:\\/\\/C8A8555C-2E47-4ED0-9D8A-4498FADF1CFE#_ftn2\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a>, challenges the constitutionality of Section 37 of Overseas Voting Act of 2013 or R.A. No. 10590. This provision amended the Overseas Voting Act of 2003 or R.A No. 9189. Both statutes aim to ensure equal opportunity to all qualified Filipino citizens abroad to exercise the fundamental right of suffrage pursuant to Section 2, Article V of the 1987 Constitution. As the provision now stands, any person is prohibited from engaging in partisan political activity abroad during the 30-day overseas voting period.<\\/p><p>\\u00a0 \\u00a0 \\u00a0 In this case<em>, <\\/em>Nicolas-Lewis alleges that pursuant to the provision, she, \\\"together with thousands of Filipinos all over the world,\\\" were prohibited by different Philippine consulates from conducting <strong>information campaigns, rallies, and outreach programs<\\/strong> in support of their respective candidates. Petitioner explains that the prohibited partisan political activities as defined under the law are necessary for the voters to formulate an educated decision on who to vote for. As such, it is petitioner\'s position that the prohibition on partisan political activities by <strong>any person abroad <\\/strong>is a clear curtailment of the right to free speech, expression, and assembly, as well as the right to suffrage.<\\/p><p>\\u00a0 \\u00a0 \\u00a0 The Supreme Court ruled that Section 37 of R.A. No. 10590 is an impermissible content-neutral regulation for being overbroad, violating, thus, the free speech clause under Section 4, Article III of the 1987 Constitution. Content-neutral regulation is a form of restraint which is merely concerned with the incidents of the speech, or one that merely controls the time, place or manner, and under well-defined standards<a href=\\\"applewebdata:\\/\\/C8A8555C-2E47-4ED0-9D8A-4498FADF1CFE#_ftn3\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a>.<\\/p><p>\\u00a0 \\u00a0 \\u00a0 In order to be permissible, content-neutral regulation should pass the intermediate test, viz.:<\\/p><p>\\u00a0 \\u00a0 \\u00a0 \\u00a0 \\u00a0 (1) the regulation is within the constitutional power of the government;<\\/p><p>\\u00a0 \\u00a0 \\u00a0 \\u00a0 \\u00a0 (2) it furthers an important or substantial governmental interest;<\\/p><p>\\u00a0 \\u00a0 \\u00a0 \\u00a0 \\u00a0 (3) such governmental interest is unrelated to the suppression of the free expression; and<\\/p><p>\\u00a0 \\u00a0 \\u00a0 \\u00a0 \\u00a0 (4) <strong>the incidental restriction on the alleged freedom of expression is no greater than what is essential to the furtherance of the governmental interest. <\\/strong><\\/p><p>\\u00a0 \\u00a0 \\u00a0 The failure to meet the fourth criterion is fatal to the regulation\'s validity. In this case, the challenged provision\'s sweeping and absolute prohibition against all forms of expression considered as partisan political activities <em>without any qualification<\\/em> is more than what is essential to the furtherance of the contemplated governmental interest.<\\/p><p>\\u00a0 \\u00a0 \\u00a0 On its face, the challenged provision provides for an absolute and substantial suppression of speech as it leaves no ample alternative means for one to freely exercise his or her fundamental right to participate in partisan political activities.<\\/p><p>\\u00a0 \\u00a0 \\u00a0 Specifically, the use of the unqualified term \\\"<strong>abroad<\\/strong>\\\" would bring any intelligible reader to the conclusion that the prohibition was intended to also be extraterritorial in application.\\u00a0In addition, the use of the general term,\\u00a0<em>i.e.<\\/em>, \\\"<strong>any person<\\/strong>\\\" as distinguished from \\u201ccandidates\\u201d who are prohibited to engage in any partisan political activity within the voting period is overbroad.<\\/p><p>In sum, there are two concepts that are to be emphasized in this case, and their possible implications in future policy-making and subsequent court rulings.<\\/p><p>\\u00a0 \\u00a0 \\u00a0 First, it is to be noted that generally, statutes enjoy the presumption of constitutionality. This means that every law is presumed to be valid unless there is a showing of clear and unequivocal breach of the Constitution. In this case, the Court held that the issue involved warrants deviation from such principle. It stated that a law or a statute which purports to restrain the right to free speech and expression is \\u201can outright departure from the express mandate of the Constitution against the enactment of laws abridging free speech and expression, warranting, thus, the presumption against its validity.\\u201d<\\/p><p>\\u00a0 \\u00a0 \\u00a0 Second, freedom of expression is a preferred right that \\u201cstands on a higher-level than substantive economic freedom or other liberties\\u201d. Despite the legislative regulation having a valid rationale, it cannot be upheld if it threatens to violate the constitutional right to free speech, unless it passes the required judicial scrutiny.<\\/p><p><a href=\\\"applewebdata:\\/\\/C8A8555C-2E47-4ED0-9D8A-4498FADF1CFE#_ftnref1\\\" name=\\\"_ftn1\\\">[1]<\\/a> G.R. No. 223705, August 14, 2019.<\\/p><p><a href=\\\"applewebdata:\\/\\/C8A8555C-2E47-4ED0-9D8A-4498FADF1CFE#_ftnref2\\\" name=\\\"_ftn2\\\">[2]<\\/a> Ligaya Mishan, <u>Loida Nicolas Lewis and Her Love of Lobster<\\/u>, THE NEW YORK TIMES, (December 7, 2015), <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.nytimes.com\\/2015\\/12\\/09\\/dining\\/loida-nicolas-lewis-lobster-cracker-bib.html\\\">https:\\/\\/www.nytimes.com\\/2015\\/12\\/09\\/dining\\/loida-nicolas-lewis-lobster-cracker-bib.html<\\/a><\\/p><p><a href=\\\"applewebdata:\\/\\/C8A8555C-2E47-4ED0-9D8A-4498FADF1CFE#_ftnref3\\\" name=\\\"_ftn3\\\">[3]<\\/a> <em>Francisco Chavez v. Raul M. Gonzales, <\\/em>G.R. No. 168338, February 15, 2008<\\/p>\"},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(1260,798,'_thumbnail_id','793'),(1261,786,'_elementor_controls_usage','a:4:{s:7:\"heading\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:1;s:8:\"controls\";a:1:{s:7:\"content\";a:1:{s:13:\"section_title\";a:2:{s:5:\"title\";i:1;s:11:\"header_size\";i:1;}}}}s:11:\"text-editor\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:3;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:0;s:8:\"controls\";a:1:{s:7:\"content\";a:1:{s:14:\"section_editor\";a:2:{s:6:\"editor\";i:3;s:10:\"column_gap\";i:1;}}}}s:6:\"column\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:2;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:0;s:8:\"controls\";a:1:{s:6:\"layout\";a:1:{s:6:\"layout\";a:1:{s:12:\"_inline_size\";i:1;}}}}s:7:\"section\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:2;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:0;s:8:\"controls\";a:0:{}}}'),(1263,799,'ss_social_share_disable','0'),(1264,799,'_edit_lock','1598690613:1'),(1265,800,'_wp_attached_file','2020/08/130-2020.pdf'),(1266,799,'_edit_last','1'),(1267,799,'_yoast_wpseo_primary_category','29'),(1268,799,'wptr_hide_title','0'),(1269,799,'_yoast_wpseo_content_score','60'),(1270,802,'_wp_attached_file','2020/08/OCA-130.jpeg'),(1271,802,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:6:{s:5:\"width\";i:640;s:6:\"height\";i:360;s:14:\"hwstring_small\";s:23:\"height=\'72\' width=\'128\'\";s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"2020/08/OCA-130.jpeg\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:8:{s:9:\"thumbnail\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"OCA-130-150x150.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:6:\"medium\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"OCA-130-300x169.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:300;s:6:\"height\";i:169;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:24:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"OCA-130-170x110.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:25:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:18:\"OCA-130-86x70.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:19:\"OCA-130-170x96.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:96;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:22:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"OCA-130-370x250.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:30:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"OCA-130-370x208.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:208;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:21:\"bfastmag_related_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"OCA-130-288x160.jpeg\";s:5:\"width\";i:288;s:6:\"height\";i:160;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:0:\"\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:1:\"0\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:1:\"0\";s:3:\"iso\";s:1:\"0\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:1:\"0\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";s:1:\"0\";s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}}'),(1272,799,'_pingme','1'),(1273,799,'_encloseme','1'),(1274,799,'_thumbnail_id','802'),(1275,799,'_yoast_wpseo_metadesc','The delay in resolving pending cases before the courts brought about by the COVID-19 outbreak urged the Supreme Court to authorize more single-sala courts to conduct videoconferencing hearings. This is supported by the successful pilot-testing of videoconferencing hearings of all courts in the National Capital Judicial Region and in the key cities in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao pursuant to A.C. No. 37-2020.'),(1276,807,'ss_social_share_disable','0'),(1277,807,'_edit_lock','1598752239:1'),(1278,808,'_wp_attached_file','2020/08/118-2020.pdf'),(1279,809,'_wp_attached_file','2020/08/accomplishments_05-1.jpg'),(1280,809,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:6:{s:5:\"width\";i:871;s:6:\"height\";i:452;s:14:\"hwstring_small\";s:23:\"height=\'66\' width=\'128\'\";s:4:\"file\";s:32:\"2020/08/accomplishments_05-1.jpg\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:11:{s:9:\"thumbnail\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:32:\"accomplishments_05-1-150x150.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:6:\"medium\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:32:\"accomplishments_05-1-300x156.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:300;s:6:\"height\";i:156;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:12:\"medium_large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:32:\"accomplishments_05-1-768x399.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:768;s:6:\"height\";i:399;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:24:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:32:\"accomplishments_05-1-170x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:25:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:30:\"accomplishments_05-1-86x70.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:31:\"accomplishments_05-1-170x88.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:88;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:22:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:32:\"accomplishments_05-1-370x250.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:30:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:32:\"accomplishments_05-1-370x192.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:192;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:21:\"bfastmag_related_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:32:\"accomplishments_05-1-288x160.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:288;s:6:\"height\";i:160;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:18:\"bfastmag_blog_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:32:\"accomplishments_05-1-780x452.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:452;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:26:\"bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:32:\"accomplishments_05-1-780x405.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:405;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:0:\"\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:1:\"0\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:1:\"0\";s:3:\"iso\";s:1:\"0\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:1:\"0\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";s:1:\"0\";s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}}'),(1281,807,'_pingme','1'),(1282,807,'_encloseme','1'),(1283,807,'_thumbnail_id','809'),(1284,807,'_edit_last','1'),(1285,807,'_yoast_wpseo_primary_category','29'),(1286,807,'wptr_hide_title','0'),(1287,807,'_yoast_wpseo_focuskw','OCA 118-2020'),(1288,807,'_yoast_wpseo_metadesc','The order was issued after Police General Archie Francisco F. Gamboa, Chief, Philippine National Police (PNP), informed the Office of Court Administrator, Jose Midas P. Marquez, that dangerous drugs confiscated and seized from various anti-drug operations remain in the custody of law enforcement agents due to the delayed issuance of court orders for their destruction.'),(1289,807,'_yoast_wpseo_linkdex','52'),(1290,807,'_yoast_wpseo_content_score','30'),(1291,784,'_customize_restore_dismissed','1'),(1292,811,'_edit_lock','1598689925:1'),(1293,811,'_wp_trash_meta_status','publish'),(1294,811,'_wp_trash_meta_time','1598689960'),(1296,812,'_customize_restore_dismissed','1'),(1297,813,'_wp_trash_meta_status','publish'),(1298,813,'_wp_trash_meta_time','1598690297'),(1299,814,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(1300,814,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(1301,814,'_elementor_version','3.0.2'),(1302,814,'_wp_page_template','default'),(1303,814,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"3723f250\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"644161f0\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"eb942cd\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"title\":\"By: Geraldine Princess A. Lintag\",\"header_size\":\"h6\"},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"heading\"},{\"id\":\"48fa6c24\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"\"},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false},{\"id\":\"700fe31\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"512d501\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100,\"_inline_size\":null},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"34d5a78\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><em>\\u201cThe right to express one\\u2019s preference for a candidate or the right to influence others to vote or otherwise not vote for a particular candidate\\u2026 maintains the balance between stability and change.\\u201d<\\/em><\\/p>\",\"column_gap\":{\"unit\":\"px\",\"size\":0,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"},{\"id\":\"4a7faca\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p>\\u00a0 \\u00a0 \\u00a0 The cornerstone of any functioning democratic country is the freedom of speech, a fundamental facet of which is the right to participate in electoral processes. This includes not only the right to vote, but also the right to express one\\u2019s preference for a candidate.<\\/p><p>\\u00a0 \\u00a0 \\u00a0 This push and pull process of expressing thoughts, opinions, and observations on the candidates assists in maintaining the integrity of the electoral process. In this process, however, constitutionally-guaranteed rights would often clash with State action.<\\/p><p>\\u00a0 \\u00a0 \\u00a0 This clash is the core issue in <em>Nicolas-Lewis v. Commission on Elections<a href=\\\"applewebdata:\\/\\/C8A8555C-2E47-4ED0-9D8A-4498FADF1CFE#_ftn1\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref1\\\"><strong>[1]<\\/strong><\\/a>.<\\/em> Petitioner Loida Nicolas-Lewis, a former immigration lawyer who helped found the Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund<a href=\\\"applewebdata:\\/\\/C8A8555C-2E47-4ED0-9D8A-4498FADF1CFE#_ftn2\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a>, challenges the constitutionality of Section 37 of Overseas Voting Act of 2013 or R.A. No. 10590. This provision amended the Overseas Voting Act of 2003 or R.A No. 9189. Both statutes aim to ensure equal opportunity to all qualified Filipino citizens abroad to exercise the fundamental right of suffrage pursuant to Section 2, Article V of the 1987 Constitution. As the provision now stands, any person is prohibited from engaging in partisan political activity abroad during the 30-day overseas voting period.<\\/p><p>\\u00a0 \\u00a0 \\u00a0 In this case<em>, <\\/em>Nicolas-Lewis alleges that pursuant to the provision, she, \\\"together with thousands of Filipinos all over the world,\\\" were prohibited by different Philippine consulates from conducting <strong>information campaigns, rallies, and outreach programs<\\/strong> in support of their respective candidates. Petitioner explains that the prohibited partisan political activities as defined under the law are necessary for the voters to formulate an educated decision on who to vote for. As such, it is petitioner\'s position that the prohibition on partisan political activities by <strong>any person abroad <\\/strong>is a clear curtailment of the right to free speech, expression, and assembly, as well as the right to suffrage.<\\/p><p>\\u00a0 \\u00a0 \\u00a0 The Supreme Court ruled that Section 37 of R.A. No. 10590 is an impermissible content-neutral regulation for being overbroad, violating, thus, the free speech clause under Section 4, Article III of the 1987 Constitution. Content-neutral regulation is a form of restraint which is merely concerned with the incidents of the speech, or one that merely controls the time, place or manner, and under well-defined standards<a href=\\\"applewebdata:\\/\\/C8A8555C-2E47-4ED0-9D8A-4498FADF1CFE#_ftn3\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a>.<\\/p><p>\\u00a0 \\u00a0 \\u00a0 In order to be permissible, content-neutral regulation should pass the intermediate test, viz.:<\\/p><p>\\u00a0 \\u00a0 \\u00a0 \\u00a0 \\u00a0 (1) the regulation is within the constitutional power of the government;<\\/p><p>\\u00a0 \\u00a0 \\u00a0 \\u00a0 \\u00a0 (2) it furthers an important or substantial governmental interest;<\\/p><p>\\u00a0 \\u00a0 \\u00a0 \\u00a0 \\u00a0 (3) such governmental interest is unrelated to the suppression of the free expression; and<\\/p><p>\\u00a0 \\u00a0 \\u00a0 \\u00a0 \\u00a0 (4) <strong>the incidental restriction on the alleged freedom of expression is no greater than what is essential to the furtherance of the governmental interest. <\\/strong><\\/p><p>\\u00a0 \\u00a0 \\u00a0 The failure to meet the fourth criterion is fatal to the regulation\'s validity. In this case, the challenged provision\'s sweeping and absolute prohibition against all forms of expression considered as partisan political activities <em>without any qualification<\\/em> is more than what is essential to the furtherance of the contemplated governmental interest.<\\/p><p>\\u00a0 \\u00a0 \\u00a0 On its face, the challenged provision provides for an absolute and substantial suppression of speech as it leaves no ample alternative means for one to freely exercise his or her fundamental right to participate in partisan political activities.<\\/p><p>\\u00a0 \\u00a0 \\u00a0 Specifically, the use of the unqualified term \\\"<strong>abroad<\\/strong>\\\" would bring any intelligible reader to the conclusion that the prohibition was intended to also be extraterritorial in application.\\u00a0In addition, the use of the general term,\\u00a0<em>i.e.<\\/em>, \\\"<strong>any person<\\/strong>\\\" as distinguished from \\u201ccandidates\\u201d who are prohibited to engage in any partisan political activity within the voting period is overbroad.<\\/p><p>In sum, there are two concepts that are to be emphasized in this case, and their possible implications in future policy-making and subsequent court rulings.<\\/p><p>\\u00a0 \\u00a0 \\u00a0 First, it is to be noted that generally, statutes enjoy the presumption of constitutionality. This means that every law is presumed to be valid unless there is a showing of clear and unequivocal breach of the Constitution. In this case, the Court held that the issue involved warrants deviation from such principle. It stated that a law or a statute which purports to restrain the right to free speech and expression is \\u201can outright departure from the express mandate of the Constitution against the enactment of laws abridging free speech and expression, warranting, thus, the presumption against its validity.\\u201d<\\/p><p>\\u00a0 \\u00a0 \\u00a0 Second, freedom of expression is a preferred right that \\u201cstands on a higher-level than substantive economic freedom or other liberties\\u201d. Despite the legislative regulation having a valid rationale, it cannot be upheld if it threatens to violate the constitutional right to free speech, unless it passes the required judicial scrutiny.<\\/p><p><a href=\\\"applewebdata:\\/\\/C8A8555C-2E47-4ED0-9D8A-4498FADF1CFE#_ftnref1\\\" name=\\\"_ftn1\\\">[1]<\\/a> G.R. No. 223705, August 14, 2019.<\\/p><p><a href=\\\"applewebdata:\\/\\/C8A8555C-2E47-4ED0-9D8A-4498FADF1CFE#_ftnref2\\\" name=\\\"_ftn2\\\">[2]<\\/a> Ligaya Mishan, <u>Loida Nicolas Lewis and Her Love of Lobster<\\/u>, THE NEW YORK TIMES, (December 7, 2015), <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.nytimes.com\\/2015\\/12\\/09\\/dining\\/loida-nicolas-lewis-lobster-cracker-bib.html\\\">https:\\/\\/www.nytimes.com\\/2015\\/12\\/09\\/dining\\/loida-nicolas-lewis-lobster-cracker-bib.html<\\/a><\\/p><p><a href=\\\"applewebdata:\\/\\/C8A8555C-2E47-4ED0-9D8A-4498FADF1CFE#_ftnref3\\\" name=\\\"_ftn3\\\">[3]<\\/a> <em>Francisco Chavez v. Raul M. Gonzales, <\\/em>G.R. No. 168338, February 15, 2008<\\/p>\"},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(1304,814,'_thumbnail_id','793'),(1305,814,'_elementor_controls_usage','a:4:{s:7:\"heading\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:1;s:8:\"controls\";a:1:{s:7:\"content\";a:1:{s:13:\"section_title\";a:2:{s:5:\"title\";i:1;s:11:\"header_size\";i:1;}}}}s:11:\"text-editor\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:3;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:0;s:8:\"controls\";a:1:{s:7:\"content\";a:1:{s:14:\"section_editor\";a:2:{s:6:\"editor\";i:3;s:10:\"column_gap\";i:1;}}}}s:6:\"column\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:2;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:0;s:8:\"controls\";a:1:{s:6:\"layout\";a:1:{s:6:\"layout\";a:1:{s:12:\"_inline_size\";i:1;}}}}s:7:\"section\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:2;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:0;s:8:\"controls\";a:0:{}}}'),(1307,818,'_wp_attached_file','2020/09/atty-rene-grorospe.jpg'),(1308,818,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:5:{s:5:\"width\";i:177;s:6:\"height\";i:215;s:4:\"file\";s:30:\"2020/09/atty-rene-grorospe.jpg\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:5:{s:9:\"thumbnail\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:30:\"atty-rene-grorospe-150x150.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:24:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:30:\"atty-rene-grorospe-170x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:25:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:28:\"atty-rene-grorospe-86x70.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:29:\"atty-rene-grorospe-91x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:91;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:21:\"bfastmag_related_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:30:\"atty-rene-grorospe-177x160.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:177;s:6:\"height\";i:160;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:0:\"\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:1:\"0\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:1:\"0\";s:3:\"iso\";s:1:\"0\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:1:\"0\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";s:1:\"0\";s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}}'),(1309,819,'ss_social_share_disable','0'),(1310,819,'_edit_lock','1599626518:1'),(1311,821,'_wp_attached_file','2020/09/atty-rene-grorospe-1.jpg'),(1312,821,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:5:{s:5:\"width\";i:177;s:6:\"height\";i:215;s:4:\"file\";s:32:\"2020/09/atty-rene-grorospe-1.jpg\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:5:{s:9:\"thumbnail\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:32:\"atty-rene-grorospe-1-150x150.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:24:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:32:\"atty-rene-grorospe-1-170x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:25:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:30:\"atty-rene-grorospe-1-86x70.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:31:\"atty-rene-grorospe-1-91x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:91;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:21:\"bfastmag_related_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:32:\"atty-rene-grorospe-1-177x160.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:177;s:6:\"height\";i:160;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:0:\"\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:1:\"0\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:1:\"0\";s:3:\"iso\";s:1:\"0\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:1:\"0\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";s:1:\"0\";s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}}'),(1313,819,'_edit_last','1'),(1314,819,'wptr_hide_title','0'),(1315,819,'_yoast_wpseo_content_score','30'),(1316,823,'ss_social_share_disable','0'),(1317,823,'_edit_lock','1599621982:1'),(1318,824,'_wp_attached_file','2020/09/dr-maria-liza-lopez-rosario.jpg'),(1319,824,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:5:{s:5:\"width\";i:177;s:6:\"height\";i:215;s:4:\"file\";s:39:\"2020/09/dr-maria-liza-lopez-rosario.jpg\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:5:{s:9:\"thumbnail\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:39:\"dr-maria-liza-lopez-rosario-150x150.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:24:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:39:\"dr-maria-liza-lopez-rosario-170x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:25:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:37:\"dr-maria-liza-lopez-rosario-86x70.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:38:\"dr-maria-liza-lopez-rosario-91x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:91;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:21:\"bfastmag_related_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:39:\"dr-maria-liza-lopez-rosario-177x160.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:177;s:6:\"height\";i:160;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:0:\"\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:1:\"0\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:1:\"0\";s:3:\"iso\";s:1:\"0\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:1:\"0\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";s:1:\"0\";s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}}'),(1320,767,'_elementor_page_settings','a:7:{s:21:\"default_generic_fonts\";s:10:\"Sans-serif\";s:21:\"global_image_lightbox\";s:3:\"yes\";s:11:\"viewport_md\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"viewport_lg\";s:0:\"\";s:13:\"custom_colors\";a:4:{i:0;a:3:{s:3:\"_id\";s:8:\"55eb2dfb\";s:5:\"title\";s:14:\"Saved Color #5\";s:5:\"color\";s:7:\"#4054B2\";}i:1;a:3:{s:3:\"_id\";s:8:\"3803f423\";s:5:\"title\";s:14:\"Saved Color #6\";s:5:\"color\";s:7:\"#23A455\";}i:2;a:3:{s:3:\"_id\";s:8:\"1913882c\";s:5:\"title\";s:14:\"Saved Color #7\";s:5:\"color\";s:4:\"#000\";}i:3;a:3:{s:3:\"_id\";s:8:\"5d3dc1e3\";s:5:\"title\";s:14:\"Saved Color #8\";s:5:\"color\";s:4:\"#FFF\";}}s:15:\"viewport_mobile\";s:0:\"\";s:15:\"viewport_tablet\";s:0:\"\";}'),(1322,825,'ss_social_share_disable','0'),(1323,825,'_edit_lock','1599626518:1'),(1324,825,'_edit_last','1'),(1325,825,'wptr_hide_title','0'),(1326,825,'_yoast_wpseo_content_score','60'),(1327,153,'ss_social_share_disable','0'),(1331,832,'ss_social_share_disable',''),(1332,832,'_edit_lock','1601115849:1'),(1333,833,'_wp_attached_file','2020/09/QC-San-Mateo-boundary.jpg'),(1334,833,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:6:{s:5:\"width\";i:1200;s:6:\"height\";i:800;s:14:\"hwstring_small\";s:23:\"height=\'85\' width=\'128\'\";s:4:\"file\";s:33:\"2020/09/QC-San-Mateo-boundary.jpg\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:12:{s:9:\"thumbnail\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:33:\"QC-San-Mateo-boundary-150x150.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:6:\"medium\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:33:\"QC-San-Mateo-boundary-300x200.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:300;s:6:\"height\";i:200;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:12:\"medium_large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:33:\"QC-San-Mateo-boundary-768x512.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:768;s:6:\"height\";i:512;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:5:\"large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:34:\"QC-San-Mateo-boundary-1024x683.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1024;s:6:\"height\";i:683;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:24:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:33:\"QC-San-Mateo-boundary-170x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:25:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:31:\"QC-San-Mateo-boundary-86x70.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:33:\"QC-San-Mateo-boundary-165x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:165;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:22:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:33:\"QC-San-Mateo-boundary-370x250.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:30:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:33:\"QC-San-Mateo-boundary-370x247.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:247;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:21:\"bfastmag_related_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:33:\"QC-San-Mateo-boundary-288x160.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:288;s:6:\"height\";i:160;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:18:\"bfastmag_blog_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:33:\"QC-San-Mateo-boundary-780x544.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:26:\"bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:33:\"QC-San-Mateo-boundary-780x520.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:520;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:0:\"\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:1:\"0\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:1:\"0\";s:3:\"iso\";s:1:\"0\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:1:\"0\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";s:1:\"0\";s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}}'),(1335,832,'_pingme','1'),(1336,832,'_encloseme','1'),(1337,832,'_thumbnail_id','833'),(1338,832,'_edit_last','1'),(1339,832,'_yoast_wpseo_primary_category','10'),(1340,832,'wptr_hide_title','0'),(1341,832,'_yoast_wpseo_focuskw','quarantine'),(1342,832,'_yoast_wpseo_metadesc','What is the legal basis of the issuances by the President imposing quarantine restrictions throughout the country?'),(1343,832,'_yoast_wpseo_linkdex','63'),(1344,832,'_yoast_wpseo_content_score','30'),(1345,832,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(1346,832,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(1347,832,'_elementor_version','3.0.10'),(1348,832,'_wp_page_template','default'),(1349,832,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"339a246a\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"5044ea1d\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100,\"space_between_widgets\":0},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"55a7f60b\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong>By: John Kristoffer P. Pereda<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">In light of the threats of the COVID-19 pandemic, government action is imperative to prevent the further spread of the disease, to cushion the effects of the pandemic, and to spearhead society as it charters the waters of the new normal. Although the exigencies of the pandemic require massive government action, such government action must be founded on law. A democratic society such as ours does not forsake the rule of law even in times of dire situations. Thus, we are pressed with the following question: \\u2018What is the legal basis of the issuances by the President imposing quarantine restrictions throughout the country?\\u2019<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"align\\\":\\\"left\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-text-align-left\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong>Institutionalizing government response<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 On March 8, 2020, President Duterte issued Proclamation No. 922 which placed the entire country under a state of Public Health Emergency. Few days later, on March 16, 2020, he issued Proclamation No. 929, declaring a State of Calamity throughout the Philippines. In the same proclamation, he also placed entire Luzon under strict lockdown.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">Realizing that the powers of the President under the Constitution and existing laws were insufficient to effectively address the crisis brought about by the pandemic, Congress deemed it necessary to grant President Duterte emergency powers pursuant to Article VI, Sec. 23 (2) of the Constitution. Thus, on March 24, 2020, Congress enacted R.A. No. 11469, also known as the <em>Bayanihan to Heal as One Act <\\/em>(<em>Bayanihan<\\/em> Law). It granted the President temporary emergency powers which include, among others, the power to (a) the adopt and implement measures, following World Health Organization guidelines and best practices, to prevent or suppress further transmission and spread of COVID-19 through education, detection, protection and treatment<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\">[1]<\\/a>; (b) ensure that all Local Government Units (LGUs) are acting within the letter and spirit of all the rules, regulations and directives issued by the National Government and are implementing standards of Community Quarantine consistent with what the National Government has laid down for the subject area<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\">[2]<\\/a>; and (c) regulate the operation of all sectors of transportation through land, sea or air, whether private or public<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\">[3]<\\/a>.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The <em>Bayanihan<\\/em> Law, being an emergency powers measure contemplated under Article IV, Sec. 23 (2), was effective for only a limited period. Although there were doubts as to the actual expiration of said law (the administration maintained that said emergency powers ceased on June 25<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\">[4]<\\/a>, citing the sunset clause<a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\">[5]<\\/a> in the <em>Bayanihan<\\/em> Law, as opposed to the constitutional provision<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\">[6]<\\/a> that emergency powers shall cease upon adjournment of Congress, which took place on June 5), the emergency powers had, at some point, definitely ceased. Nonetheless, even after the lapse of the <em>Bayanihan<\\/em> Law, quarantine restrictions have remained in place.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"align\\\":\\\"left\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-text-align-left\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong>Legal foundations: the clear and the anomalous<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">In placing the country under a state of Public Health Emergency as specified in Proclamation No. 922, President Duterte derived his authority from R.A. No. 11332<a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\">[7]<\\/a>, which authorized the President to declare epidemics and mobilize governmental and nongovernmental agencies to respond to the threat. Conversely, President Duterte\\u2019s declaration of State of Calamity as stated in Proclamation No. 929 was grounded on R.A. No. 10121<a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\">[8]<\\/a>, which empowers the President to declare a State of Calamity. Thus, these two proclamations were aptly made by President Duterte in the exercise of his statute-based powers.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">Curiously, it was also in Proclamation No. 929 in which President Duterte imposed quarantine restrictions. To stress, while the authority of the President to declare State of Calamity has statutory basis in R.A. No. 10121, the same law does not expressly provide that the President is authorized to impose lockdowns. Hence, when President Duterte imposed quarantine restrictions in Proclamation No. 929, the legal foundation in doing the same was unclear. It was only upon the effectivity of the <em>Bayanihan<\\/em> Law when there had been clear statutory basis for such act, particularly in Sec. 4(a),(g) and (f) of said law. However, with the expiration of the <em>Bayanihan<\\/em> Law, the quarantine restrictions remained in place, while the clear legal basis for imposing the same had ceased.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"align\\\":\\\"left\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-text-align-left\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong>Filling the void<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><em>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 <\\/em>Article III, Section 6 of the Constitution provides that \\u201cthe right to travel [shall not] be impaired except in the interest of national security, public safety, or public health, as may be provided by law.\\u201d Hence, the unauthorized imposition of quarantine restrictions would not only signify a case of presidential overreach, but also a clear impairment of the constitutionally protected right to travel. As worded, Article III, Section 6 provides a limitation to the right to travel \\u2013 it may be impaired only in the interest of national security, public safety or public health, <em>as may be provided by law<\\/em>. Therefore, it is only Congress which may curtail the right to travel when exigencies of times call for it.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Considering that Congress, in enacting the <em>Bayanihan<\\/em> Law, granted President Duterte the powers stated in Sec. 4(a),(g) and (f), its power to regulate the right to travel implied in Article III, Section 6 must be considered as a component of the emergency powers granted to the President. Thus, the President\\u2019s imposition of restrictions pursuant to the <em>Bayanihan<\\/em> Law does not violate the right to travel since it was made pursuant to a validly delegated legislative power. In contrast, the validity of quarantine restrictions made outside the authority of the <em>Bayanihan<\\/em> Law is, at the very least, questionable.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 This in no way suggests that the President\\u2019s actions in response to the pandemic beyond the scope of the emergency powers measure is altogether without legal basis. Even without an emergency powers measure, the President has the power to ensure that the laws be faithfully executed<a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\">[9]<\\/a> (known as the \\u201ctake-care\\u201d power), including existing local ordinances<a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\">[10]<\\/a> that impose quarantine restrictions. In the exercise of this function, the President may employ all the powers attached to his office, most especially the power to control all executive department, bureaus, and offices.<a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\">[11]<\\/a> Thus, the President may employ all the existing powers of executive agencies that regulate aspects of public life (e.g. work suspensions, public transport regulations).<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">This does not discount the existence of certain gray areas such as in certain LGUs which did not issue any ordinance from which the President may derive power to impose quarantine restrictions. In this case, there is no authority for the President to impose measures in such LGU that would have the effect of curtailing the right to travel. Hence the need for another congressional grant of emergency powers authorizing the President to impose quarantine restrictions. Without such grant, the President could combat the pandemic by exercising the gamut of powers within the executive branch , <em>but cannot curtail the right to travel.<\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The country is no stranger to national emergencies. Yet the emergency brought by the COVID-19 pandemic is unprecedented. And when the most critical measure to address this crisis rubs against a constitutionally protected right, the observance of constitutionally sanctioned mechanisms is indispensable. The observance of such constitutionally sanctioned mechanisms in the imposition of quarantine restrictions is thus illustrated as follows: the legal foundations for the imposition of quarantine restrictions during the lifetime of the <em>Bayanihan<\\/em> Law is direct i.e., upon the authority of an emergency powers measure, while outside of it, the authority is indirect i.e., in the exercise of \\u201ctake-care\\u201d power enforcing local ordinances.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">As pointed out, in the absence of an emergency powers measure, the authority of the President to impose quarantine regulations is sourced from only local ordinances of the LGUs across the country. However, when tested against the postulate that government powers must be centralized in times of emergencies so as to enable prompt government action, the prudence of having a decentralized legal foundation in the form of local ordinances is put into question. If the President had to source authority from local ordinances which might possibly differ from one another in terms of the extent and gravity of regulation, the net result \\u00a0is the divergence of \\u00a0quarantine restrictions across the country. The most prudent action to address this is definitely to enact another emergency powers measure so as (1) to address the inconvenience on the part of the President, who has to source authority from local ordinances, and (2) to allow uniform quarantine regulations, so as to rule out the possibility of confusion on the part of the public.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">While the source of authority of the President to impose quarantine restrictions is put into inquiry here, how he exercises such authority is entirely a different matter. It should be put into inquiry by the people themselves, who must always be vigilant so as to prevent any government action that exceeds what the present situation calls for.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">[1]<\\/a> R.A. 11469, sec. 4(a)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a> R.A. 11469, sec. 4(g)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a> R.A. 11469, sec. 4(r)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[4]<\\/a> Aika Rey, Malaca\\u00f1ang says Bayanihan Act to expire June 25, but Constitution says no, Rappler, June 6, 2020, https:\\/\\/rappler.com \\/nation\\/malacanang-bayanihan-act-expire-june-25-2020<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[5]<\\/a> R.A. 11469, sec. 9<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[6]<\\/a> CONST., art. VI, sec. 23(2)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\">[7]<\\/a> also known as known as the <em>Mandatory Reporting of Notifiable Diseases and Health Events of Public Health Concern Act<\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\">[8]<\\/a> also known as the <em>Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010<\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\">[9]<\\/a> CONST., art. VII, sec. 17<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\">[10]<\\/a> Isagani Cruz & Carlo Cruz, Philippine Political Law, 419 (2014 ed.)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\">[11]<\\/a> CONST., art. VII, sec. 17<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><em>Featured Photo by: Walter Bollozos of The Philippine STAR<\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_font_family\":\"Georgia\",\"align\":\"left\",\"text_columns\":\"1\",\"column_gap\":{\"unit\":\"px\",\"size\":0,\"sizes\":[]},\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]},\"_margin\":{\"unit\":\"px\",\"top\":\"0\",\"right\":\"0\",\"bottom\":\"0\",\"left\":\"0\",\"isLinked\":false},\"_z_index\":0},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(1350,836,'_thumbnail_id','833'),(1351,836,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(1352,836,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(1353,836,'_elementor_version','3.0.2'),(1354,836,'_wp_page_template','default'),(1355,836,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"339a246a\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"5044ea1d\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"55a7f60b\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><strong>By: John Kristoffer P. Pereda<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} -->\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\">In light of the threats of the COVID-19 pandemic, government action is imperative to prevent the further spread of the disease, to cushion the effects of the pandemic, and to spearhead society as it charters the waters of the new normal. Although the exigencies of the pandemic require massive government action, such government action must be founded on law. A democratic society such as ours does not forsake the rule of law even in times of dire situations. Thus, we are pressed with the following question: \\u2018What is the legal basis of the issuances by the President imposing quarantine restrictions throughout the country?\\u2019<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"align\\\":\\\"left\\\"} -->\\n<p class=\\\"has-text-align-left\\\"><strong>Institutionalizing government response<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} -->\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"> On March 8, 2020, President Duterte issued Proclamation No. 922 which placed the entire country under a state of Public Health Emergency. Few days later, on March 16, 2020, he issued Proclamation No. 929, declaring a State of Calamity throughout the Philippines. In the same proclamation, he also placed entire Luzon under strict lockdown.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} -->\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\">Realizing that the powers of the President under the Constitution and existing laws were insufficient to effectively address the crisis brought about by the pandemic, Congress deemed it necessary to grant President Duterte emergency powers pursuant to Article VI, Sec. 23 (2) of the Constitution. Thus, on March 24, 2020, Congress enacted R.A. No. 11469, also known as the <em>Bayanihan to Heal as One Act <\\/em>(<em>Bayanihan<\\/em> Law). It granted the President temporary emergency powers which include, among others, the power to (a) the adopt and implement measures, following World Health Organization guidelines and best practices, to prevent or suppress further transmission and spread of COVID-19 through education, detection, protection and treatment<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\">[1]<\\/a>; (b) ensure that all Local Government Units (LGUs) are acting within the letter and spirit of all the rules, regulations and directives issued by the National Government and are implementing standards of Community Quarantine consistent with what the National Government has laid down for the subject area<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\">[2]<\\/a>; and (c) regulate the operation of all sectors of transportation through land, sea or air, whether private or public<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\">[3]<\\/a>.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} -->\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"> The <em>Bayanihan<\\/em> Law, being an emergency powers measure contemplated under Article IV, Sec. 23 (2), was effective for only a limited period. Although there were doubts as to the actual expiration of said law (the administration maintained that said emergency powers ceased on June 25<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\">[4]<\\/a>, citing the sunset clause<a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\">[5]<\\/a> in the <em>Bayanihan<\\/em> Law, as opposed to the constitutional provision<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\">[6]<\\/a> that emergency powers shall cease upon adjournment of Congress, which took place on June 5), the emergency powers had, at some point, definitely ceased. Nonetheless, even after the lapse of the <em>Bayanihan<\\/em> Law, quarantine restrictions have remained in place.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"align\\\":\\\"left\\\"} -->\\n<p class=\\\"has-text-align-left\\\"><strong>Legal foundations: the clear and the anomalous<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} -->\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\">In placing the country under a state of Public Health Emergency as specified in Proclamation No. 922, President Duterte derived his authority from R.A. No. 11332<a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\">[7]<\\/a>, which authorized the President to declare epidemics and mobilize governmental and nongovernmental agencies to respond to the threat. Conversely, President Duterte\\u2019s declaration of State of Calamity as stated in Proclamation No. 929 was grounded on R.A. No. 10121<a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\">[8]<\\/a>, which empowers the President to declare a State of Calamity. Thus, these two proclamations were aptly made by President Duterte in the exercise of his statute-based powers.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} -->\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\">Curiously, it was also in Proclamation No. 929 in which President Duterte imposed quarantine restrictions. To stress, while the authority of the President to declare State of Calamity has statutory basis in R.A. No. 10121, the same law does not expressly provide that the President is authorized to impose lockdowns. Hence, when President Duterte imposed quarantine restrictions in Proclamation No. 929, the legal foundation in doing the same was unclear. It was only upon the effectivity of the <em>Bayanihan<\\/em> Law when there had been clear statutory basis for such act, particularly in Sec. 4(a),(g) and (f) of said law. However, with the expiration of the <em>Bayanihan<\\/em> Law, the quarantine restrictions remained in place, while the clear legal basis for imposing the same had ceased.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"align\\\":\\\"left\\\"} -->\\n<p class=\\\"has-text-align-left\\\"><strong>Filling the void<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} -->\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><em> <\\/em>Article III, Section 5 of the Constitution provides that \\u201cthe right to travel [shall not] be impaired except in the interest of national security, public safety, or public health, as may be provided by law.\\u201d Hence, the unauthorized imposition of quarantine restrictions would not only signify a case of presidential overreach, but also a clear impairment of the constitutionally protected right to travel. As worded, Article III, Section 5 provides a limitation to the right to travel \\u2013 it may be impaired only in the interest of national security, public safety or public health, <em>as may be provided by law<\\/em>. Therefore, it is only Congress which may curtail the right to travel when exigencies of times call for it.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} -->\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"> Considering that Congress, in enacting the <em>Bayanihan<\\/em> Law, granted President Duterte the powers stated in Sec. 4(a),(g) and (f), its power to regulate the right to travel implied in Article III, Section 5 must be considered as a component of the emergency powers granted to the President. Thus, the President\\u2019s imposition of restrictions pursuant to the <em>Bayanihan<\\/em> Law does not violate the right to travel since it was made pursuant to a validly delegated legislative power. In contrast, the validity of quarantine restrictions made outside the authority of the <em>Bayanihan<\\/em> Law is, at the very least, questionable.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} -->\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"> This in no way suggests that the President\\u2019s actions in response to the pandemic beyond the scope of the emergency powers measure is altogether without legal basis. Even without an emergency powers measure, the President has the power to ensure that the laws be faithfully executed<a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\">[9]<\\/a> (known as the \\u201ctake-care\\u201d power), including existing local ordinances<a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\">[10]<\\/a> that impose quarantine restrictions. In the exercise of this function, the President may employ all the powers attached to his office, most especially the power to control all executive department, bureaus, and offices.<a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\">[11]<\\/a> Thus, the President may employ all the existing powers of executive agencies that regulate aspects of public life (e.g. work suspensions, public transport regulations).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} -->\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\">This does not discount the existence of certain gray areas such as in certain LGUs which did not issue any ordinance from which the President may derive power to impose quarantine restrictions. In this case, there is no authority for the President to impose measures in such LGU that would have the effect of curtailing the right to travel. Hence the need for another congressional grant of emergency powers authorizing the President to impose quarantine restrictions. Without such grant, the President could combat the pandemic by exercising the gamut of powers within the executive branch , <em>but cannot curtail the right to travel.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} -->\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"> The country is no stranger to national emergencies. Yet the emergency brought by the COVID-19 pandemic is unprecedented. And when the most critical measure to address this crisis rubs against a constitutionally protected right, the observance of constitutionally sanctioned mechanisms is indispensable. The observance of such constitutionally sanctioned mechanisms in the imposition of quarantine restrictions is thus illustrated as follows: the legal foundations for the imposition of quarantine restrictions during the lifetime of the <em>Bayanihan<\\/em> Law is direct i.e., upon the authority of an emergency powers measure, while outside of it, the authority is indirect i.e., in the exercise of \\u201ctake-care\\u201d power enforcing local ordinances.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} -->\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\">As pointed out, in the absence of an emergency powers measure, the authority of the President to impose quarantine regulations is sourced from only local ordinances of the LGUs across the country. However, when tested against the postulate that government powers must be centralized in times of emergencies so as to enable prompt government action, the prudence of having a decentralized legal foundation in the form of local ordinances is put into question. If the President had to source authority from local ordinances which might possibly differ from one another in terms of the extent and gravity of regulation, the net result is the divergence of quarantine restrictions across the country. The most prudent action to address this is definitely to enact another emergency powers measure so as (1) to address the inconvenience on the part of the President, who has to source authority from local ordinances, and (2) to allow uniform quarantine regulations, so as to rule out the possibility of confusion on the part of the public.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} -->\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\">While the source of authority of the President to impose quarantine restrictions is put into inquiry here, how he exercises such authority is entirely a different matter. It should be put into inquiry by the people themselves, who must always be vigilant so as to prevent any government action that exceeds what the present situation calls for.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:separator -->\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\"\\/>\\n<!-- \\/wp:separator -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} -->\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">[1]<\\/a> R.A. 11469, sec. 4(a)<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} -->\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a> R.A. 11469, sec. 4(g)<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} -->\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a> R.A. 11469, sec. 4(r)<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} -->\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[4]<\\/a> Aika Rey, Malaca\\u00f1ang says Bayanihan Act to expire June 25, but Constitution says no, Rappler, June 6, 2020, https:\\/\\/rappler.com \\/nation\\/malacanang-bayanihan-act-expire-june-25-2020<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} -->\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[5]<\\/a> R.A. 11469, sec. 9<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} -->\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[6]<\\/a> CONST., art. VI, sec. 23(2)<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} -->\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\">[7]<\\/a> also known as known as the <em>Mandatory Reporting of Notifiable Diseases and Health Events of Public Health Concern Act<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} -->\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\">[8]<\\/a> also known as the <em>Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} -->\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\">[9]<\\/a> CONST., art. VII, sec. 17<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} -->\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\">[10]<\\/a> Isagani Cruz & Carlo Cruz, Philippine Political Law, 419 (2014 ed.)<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} -->\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\">[11]<\\/a> CONST., art. VII, sec. 17<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} -->\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><em>Featured Photo by: Walter Bollozos of The Philippine STAR<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_font_family\":\"EB Garamond\"},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(1359,837,'_thumbnail_id','833'),(1360,837,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(1361,837,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(1362,837,'_elementor_version','3.0.2'),(1363,837,'_wp_page_template','default'),(1364,837,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"339a246a\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"5044ea1d\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"55a7f60b\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><strong>By: John Kristoffer P. Pereda<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} -->\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\">In light of the threats of the COVID-19 pandemic, government action is imperative to prevent the further spread of the disease, to cushion the effects of the pandemic, and to spearhead society as it charters the waters of the new normal. Although the exigencies of the pandemic require massive government action, such government action must be founded on law. A democratic society such as ours does not forsake the rule of law even in times of dire situations. Thus, we are pressed with the following question: \\u2018What is the legal basis of the issuances by the President imposing quarantine restrictions throughout the country?\\u2019<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"align\\\":\\\"left\\\"} -->\\n<p class=\\\"has-text-align-left\\\"><strong>Institutionalizing government response<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} -->\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 On March 8, 2020, President Duterte issued Proclamation No. 922 which placed the entire country under a state of Public Health Emergency. Few days later, on March 16, 2020, he issued Proclamation No. 929, declaring a State of Calamity throughout the Philippines. In the same proclamation, he also placed entire Luzon under strict lockdown.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} -->\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\">Realizing that the powers of the President under the Constitution and existing laws were insufficient to effectively address the crisis brought about by the pandemic, Congress deemed it necessary to grant President Duterte emergency powers pursuant to Article VI, Sec. 23 (2) of the Constitution. Thus, on March 24, 2020, Congress enacted R.A. No. 11469, also known as the <em>Bayanihan to Heal as One Act <\\/em>(<em>Bayanihan<\\/em> Law). It granted the President temporary emergency powers which include, among others, the power to (a) the adopt and implement measures, following World Health Organization guidelines and best practices, to prevent or suppress further transmission and spread of COVID-19 through education, detection, protection and treatment<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\">[1]<\\/a>; (b) ensure that all Local Government Units (LGUs) are acting within the letter and spirit of all the rules, regulations and directives issued by the National Government and are implementing standards of Community Quarantine consistent with what the National Government has laid down for the subject area<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\">[2]<\\/a>; and (c) regulate the operation of all sectors of transportation through land, sea or air, whether private or public<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\">[3]<\\/a>.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} -->\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The <em>Bayanihan<\\/em> Law, being an emergency powers measure contemplated under Article IV, Sec. 23 (2), was effective for only a limited period. Although there were doubts as to the actual expiration of said law (the administration maintained that said emergency powers ceased on June 25<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\">[4]<\\/a>, citing the sunset clause<a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\">[5]<\\/a> in the <em>Bayanihan<\\/em> Law, as opposed to the constitutional provision<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\">[6]<\\/a> that emergency powers shall cease upon adjournment of Congress, which took place on June 5), the emergency powers had, at some point, definitely ceased. Nonetheless, even after the lapse of the <em>Bayanihan<\\/em> Law, quarantine restrictions have remained in place.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"align\\\":\\\"left\\\"} -->\\n<p class=\\\"has-text-align-left\\\"><strong>Legal foundations: the clear and the anomalous<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} -->\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\">In placing the country under a state of Public Health Emergency as specified in Proclamation No. 922, President Duterte derived his authority from R.A. No. 11332<a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\">[7]<\\/a>, which authorized the President to declare epidemics and mobilize governmental and nongovernmental agencies to respond to the threat. Conversely, President Duterte\\u2019s declaration of State of Calamity as stated in Proclamation No. 929 was grounded on R.A. No. 10121<a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\">[8]<\\/a>, which empowers the President to declare a State of Calamity. Thus, these two proclamations were aptly made by President Duterte in the exercise of his statute-based powers.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} -->\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\">Curiously, it was also in Proclamation No. 929 in which President Duterte imposed quarantine restrictions. To stress, while the authority of the President to declare State of Calamity has statutory basis in R.A. No. 10121, the same law does not expressly provide that the President is authorized to impose lockdowns. Hence, when President Duterte imposed quarantine restrictions in Proclamation No. 929, the legal foundation in doing the same was unclear. It was only upon the effectivity of the <em>Bayanihan<\\/em> Law when there had been clear statutory basis for such act, particularly in Sec. 4(a),(g) and (f) of said law. However, with the expiration of the <em>Bayanihan<\\/em> Law, the quarantine restrictions remained in place, while the clear legal basis for imposing the same had ceased.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"align\\\":\\\"left\\\"} -->\\n<p class=\\\"has-text-align-left\\\"><strong>Filling the void<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} -->\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><em>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 <\\/em>Article III, Section 5 of the Constitution provides that \\u201cthe right to travel [shall not] be impaired except in the interest of national security, public safety, or public health, as may be provided by law.\\u201d Hence, the unauthorized imposition of quarantine restrictions would not only signify a case of presidential overreach, but also a clear impairment of the constitutionally protected right to travel. As worded, Article III, Section 5 provides a limitation to the right to travel \\u2013 it may be impaired only in the interest of national security, public safety or public health, <em>as may be provided by law<\\/em>. Therefore, it is only Congress which may curtail the right to travel when exigencies of times call for it.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} -->\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Considering that Congress, in enacting the <em>Bayanihan<\\/em> Law, granted President Duterte the powers stated in Sec. 4(a),(g) and (f), its power to regulate the right to travel implied in Article III, Section 5 must be considered as a component of the emergency powers granted to the President. Thus, the President\\u2019s imposition of restrictions pursuant to the <em>Bayanihan<\\/em> Law does not violate the right to travel since it was made pursuant to a validly delegated legislative power. In contrast, the validity of quarantine restrictions made outside the authority of the <em>Bayanihan<\\/em> Law is, at the very least, questionable.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} -->\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 This in no way suggests that the President\\u2019s actions in response to the pandemic beyond the scope of the emergency powers measure is altogether without legal basis. Even without an emergency powers measure, the President has the power to ensure that the laws be faithfully executed<a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\">[9]<\\/a> (known as the \\u201ctake-care\\u201d power), including existing local ordinances<a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\">[10]<\\/a> that impose quarantine restrictions. In the exercise of this function, the President may employ all the powers attached to his office, most especially the power to control all executive department, bureaus, and offices.<a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\">[11]<\\/a> Thus, the President may employ all the existing powers of executive agencies that regulate aspects of public life (e.g. work suspensions, public transport regulations).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} -->\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\">This does not discount the existence of certain gray areas such as in certain LGUs which did not issue any ordinance from which the President may derive power to impose quarantine restrictions. In this case, there is no authority for the President to impose measures in such LGU that would have the effect of curtailing the right to travel. Hence the need for another congressional grant of emergency powers authorizing the President to impose quarantine restrictions. Without such grant, the President could combat the pandemic by exercising the gamut of powers within the executive branch , <em>but cannot curtail the right to travel.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} -->\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The country is no stranger to national emergencies. Yet the emergency brought by the COVID-19 pandemic is unprecedented. And when the most critical measure to address this crisis rubs against a constitutionally protected right, the observance of constitutionally sanctioned mechanisms is indispensable. The observance of such constitutionally sanctioned mechanisms in the imposition of quarantine restrictions is thus illustrated as follows: the legal foundations for the imposition of quarantine restrictions during the lifetime of the <em>Bayanihan<\\/em> Law is direct i.e., upon the authority of an emergency powers measure, while outside of it, the authority is indirect i.e., in the exercise of \\u201ctake-care\\u201d power enforcing local ordinances.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} -->\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\">As pointed out, in the absence of an emergency powers measure, the authority of the President to impose quarantine regulations is sourced from only local ordinances of the LGUs across the country. However, when tested against the postulate that government powers must be centralized in times of emergencies so as to enable prompt government action, the prudence of having a decentralized legal foundation in the form of local ordinances is put into question. If the President had to source authority from local ordinances which might possibly differ from one another in terms of the extent and gravity of regulation, the net result \\u00a0is the divergence of \\u00a0quarantine restrictions across the country. The most prudent action to address this is definitely to enact another emergency powers measure so as (1) to address the inconvenience on the part of the President, who has to source authority from local ordinances, and (2) to allow uniform quarantine regulations, so as to rule out the possibility of confusion on the part of the public.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} -->\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\">While the source of authority of the President to impose quarantine restrictions is put into inquiry here, how he exercises such authority is entirely a different matter. It should be put into inquiry by the people themselves, who must always be vigilant so as to prevent any government action that exceeds what the present situation calls for.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} -->\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">[1]<\\/a> R.A. 11469, sec. 4(a)<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} -->\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a> R.A. 11469, sec. 4(g)<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} -->\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a> R.A. 11469, sec. 4(r)<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} -->\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[4]<\\/a> Aika Rey, Malaca\\u00f1ang says Bayanihan Act to expire June 25, but Constitution says no, Rappler, June 6, 2020, https:\\/\\/rappler.com \\/nation\\/malacanang-bayanihan-act-expire-june-25-2020<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} -->\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[5]<\\/a> R.A. 11469, sec. 9<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} -->\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[6]<\\/a> CONST., art. VI, sec. 23(2)<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} -->\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\">[7]<\\/a> also known as known as the <em>Mandatory Reporting of Notifiable Diseases and Health Events of Public Health Concern Act<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} -->\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\">[8]<\\/a> also known as the <em>Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} -->\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\">[9]<\\/a> CONST., art. VII, sec. 17<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} -->\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\">[10]<\\/a> Isagani Cruz & Carlo Cruz, Philippine Political Law, 419 (2014 ed.)<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} -->\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\">[11]<\\/a> CONST., art. VII, sec. 17<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} -->\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><em>Featured Photo by: Walter Bollozos of The Philippine STAR<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_font_family\":\"EB Garamond\",\"align\":\"justify\"},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(1368,838,'_edit_lock','1599642006:1'),(1369,838,'_wp_trash_meta_status','publish'),(1370,838,'_wp_trash_meta_time','1599642029'),(1371,839,'_thumbnail_id','833'),(1372,839,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(1373,839,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(1374,839,'_elementor_version','3.0.2'),(1375,839,'_wp_page_template','default'),(1376,839,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"339a246a\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"5044ea1d\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"55a7f60b\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><strong>By: John Kristoffer P. Pereda<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} -->\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\">In light of the threats of the COVID-19 pandemic, government action is imperative to prevent the further spread of the disease, to cushion the effects of the pandemic, and to spearhead society as it charters the waters of the new normal. Although the exigencies of the pandemic require massive government action, such government action must be founded on law. A democratic society such as ours does not forsake the rule of law even in times of dire situations. Thus, we are pressed with the following question: \\u2018What is the legal basis of the issuances by the President imposing quarantine restrictions throughout the country?\\u2019<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"align\\\":\\\"left\\\"} -->\\n<p class=\\\"has-text-align-left\\\"><strong>Institutionalizing government response<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} -->\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 On March 8, 2020, President Duterte issued Proclamation No. 922 which placed the entire country under a state of Public Health Emergency. Few days later, on March 16, 2020, he issued Proclamation No. 929, declaring a State of Calamity throughout the Philippines. In the same proclamation, he also placed entire Luzon under strict lockdown.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} -->\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\">Realizing that the powers of the President under the Constitution and existing laws were insufficient to effectively address the crisis brought about by the pandemic, Congress deemed it necessary to grant President Duterte emergency powers pursuant to Article VI, Sec. 23 (2) of the Constitution. Thus, on March 24, 2020, Congress enacted R.A. No. 11469, also known as the <em>Bayanihan to Heal as One Act <\\/em>(<em>Bayanihan<\\/em> Law). It granted the President temporary emergency powers which include, among others, the power to (a) the adopt and implement measures, following World Health Organization guidelines and best practices, to prevent or suppress further transmission and spread of COVID-19 through education, detection, protection and treatment<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\">[1]<\\/a>; (b) ensure that all Local Government Units (LGUs) are acting within the letter and spirit of all the rules, regulations and directives issued by the National Government and are implementing standards of Community Quarantine consistent with what the National Government has laid down for the subject area<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\">[2]<\\/a>; and (c) regulate the operation of all sectors of transportation through land, sea or air, whether private or public<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\">[3]<\\/a>.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} -->\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The <em>Bayanihan<\\/em> Law, being an emergency powers measure contemplated under Article IV, Sec. 23 (2), was effective for only a limited period. Although there were doubts as to the actual expiration of said law (the administration maintained that said emergency powers ceased on June 25<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\">[4]<\\/a>, citing the sunset clause<a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\">[5]<\\/a> in the <em>Bayanihan<\\/em> Law, as opposed to the constitutional provision<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\">[6]<\\/a> that emergency powers shall cease upon adjournment of Congress, which took place on June 5), the emergency powers had, at some point, definitely ceased. Nonetheless, even after the lapse of the <em>Bayanihan<\\/em> Law, quarantine restrictions have remained in place.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"align\\\":\\\"left\\\"} -->\\n<p class=\\\"has-text-align-left\\\"><strong>Legal foundations: the clear and the anomalous<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} -->\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\">In placing the country under a state of Public Health Emergency as specified in Proclamation No. 922, President Duterte derived his authority from R.A. No. 11332<a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\">[7]<\\/a>, which authorized the President to declare epidemics and mobilize governmental and nongovernmental agencies to respond to the threat. Conversely, President Duterte\\u2019s declaration of State of Calamity as stated in Proclamation No. 929 was grounded on R.A. No. 10121<a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\">[8]<\\/a>, which empowers the President to declare a State of Calamity. Thus, these two proclamations were aptly made by President Duterte in the exercise of his statute-based powers.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} -->\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\">Curiously, it was also in Proclamation No. 929 in which President Duterte imposed quarantine restrictions. To stress, while the authority of the President to declare State of Calamity has statutory basis in R.A. No. 10121, the same law does not expressly provide that the President is authorized to impose lockdowns. Hence, when President Duterte imposed quarantine restrictions in Proclamation No. 929, the legal foundation in doing the same was unclear. It was only upon the effectivity of the <em>Bayanihan<\\/em> Law when there had been clear statutory basis for such act, particularly in Sec. 4(a),(g) and (f) of said law. However, with the expiration of the <em>Bayanihan<\\/em> Law, the quarantine restrictions remained in place, while the clear legal basis for imposing the same had ceased.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"align\\\":\\\"left\\\"} -->\\n<p class=\\\"has-text-align-left\\\"><strong>Filling the void<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} -->\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><em>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 <\\/em>Article III, Section 5 of the Constitution provides that \\u201cthe right to travel [shall not] be impaired except in the interest of national security, public safety, or public health, as may be provided by law.\\u201d Hence, the unauthorized imposition of quarantine restrictions would not only signify a case of presidential overreach, but also a clear impairment of the constitutionally protected right to travel. As worded, Article III, Section 5 provides a limitation to the right to travel \\u2013 it may be impaired only in the interest of national security, public safety or public health, <em>as may be provided by law<\\/em>. Therefore, it is only Congress which may curtail the right to travel when exigencies of times call for it.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} -->\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Considering that Congress, in enacting the <em>Bayanihan<\\/em> Law, granted President Duterte the powers stated in Sec. 4(a),(g) and (f), its power to regulate the right to travel implied in Article III, Section 5 must be considered as a component of the emergency powers granted to the President. Thus, the President\\u2019s imposition of restrictions pursuant to the <em>Bayanihan<\\/em> Law does not violate the right to travel since it was made pursuant to a validly delegated legislative power. In contrast, the validity of quarantine restrictions made outside the authority of the <em>Bayanihan<\\/em> Law is, at the very least, questionable.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} -->\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 This in no way suggests that the President\\u2019s actions in response to the pandemic beyond the scope of the emergency powers measure is altogether without legal basis. Even without an emergency powers measure, the President has the power to ensure that the laws be faithfully executed<a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\">[9]<\\/a> (known as the \\u201ctake-care\\u201d power), including existing local ordinances<a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\">[10]<\\/a> that impose quarantine restrictions. In the exercise of this function, the President may employ all the powers attached to his office, most especially the power to control all executive department, bureaus, and offices.<a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\">[11]<\\/a> Thus, the President may employ all the existing powers of executive agencies that regulate aspects of public life (e.g. work suspensions, public transport regulations).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} -->\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\">This does not discount the existence of certain gray areas such as in certain LGUs which did not issue any ordinance from which the President may derive power to impose quarantine restrictions. In this case, there is no authority for the President to impose measures in such LGU that would have the effect of curtailing the right to travel. Hence the need for another congressional grant of emergency powers authorizing the President to impose quarantine restrictions. Without such grant, the President could combat the pandemic by exercising the gamut of powers within the executive branch , <em>but cannot curtail the right to travel.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} -->\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The country is no stranger to national emergencies. Yet the emergency brought by the COVID-19 pandemic is unprecedented. And when the most critical measure to address this crisis rubs against a constitutionally protected right, the observance of constitutionally sanctioned mechanisms is indispensable. The observance of such constitutionally sanctioned mechanisms in the imposition of quarantine restrictions is thus illustrated as follows: the legal foundations for the imposition of quarantine restrictions during the lifetime of the <em>Bayanihan<\\/em> Law is direct i.e., upon the authority of an emergency powers measure, while outside of it, the authority is indirect i.e., in the exercise of \\u201ctake-care\\u201d power enforcing local ordinances.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} -->\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\">As pointed out, in the absence of an emergency powers measure, the authority of the President to impose quarantine regulations is sourced from only local ordinances of the LGUs across the country. However, when tested against the postulate that government powers must be centralized in times of emergencies so as to enable prompt government action, the prudence of having a decentralized legal foundation in the form of local ordinances is put into question. If the President had to source authority from local ordinances which might possibly differ from one another in terms of the extent and gravity of regulation, the net result \\u00a0is the divergence of \\u00a0quarantine restrictions across the country. The most prudent action to address this is definitely to enact another emergency powers measure so as (1) to address the inconvenience on the part of the President, who has to source authority from local ordinances, and (2) to allow uniform quarantine regulations, so as to rule out the possibility of confusion on the part of the public.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} -->\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\">While the source of authority of the President to impose quarantine restrictions is put into inquiry here, how he exercises such authority is entirely a different matter. It should be put into inquiry by the people themselves, who must always be vigilant so as to prevent any government action that exceeds what the present situation calls for.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} -->\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">[1]<\\/a> R.A. 11469, sec. 4(a)<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} -->\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a> R.A. 11469, sec. 4(g)<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} -->\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a> R.A. 11469, sec. 4(r)<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} -->\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[4]<\\/a> Aika Rey, Malaca\\u00f1ang says Bayanihan Act to expire June 25, but Constitution says no, Rappler, June 6, 2020, https:\\/\\/rappler.com \\/nation\\/malacanang-bayanihan-act-expire-june-25-2020<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} -->\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[5]<\\/a> R.A. 11469, sec. 9<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} -->\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[6]<\\/a> CONST., art. VI, sec. 23(2)<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} -->\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\">[7]<\\/a> also known as known as the <em>Mandatory Reporting of Notifiable Diseases and Health Events of Public Health Concern Act<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} -->\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\">[8]<\\/a> also known as the <em>Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} -->\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\">[9]<\\/a> CONST., art. VII, sec. 17<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} -->\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\">[10]<\\/a> Isagani Cruz & Carlo Cruz, Philippine Political Law, 419 (2014 ed.)<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} -->\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\">[11]<\\/a> CONST., art. VII, sec. 17<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} -->\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><em>Featured Photo by: Walter Bollozos of The Philippine STAR<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_font_family\":\"EB Garamond\",\"align\":\"justify\"},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(1377,839,'_elementor_controls_usage','a:3:{s:11:\"text-editor\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:2;s:8:\"controls\";a:2:{s:7:\"content\";a:1:{s:14:\"section_editor\";a:1:{s:6:\"editor\";i:1;}}s:5:\"style\";a:1:{s:13:\"section_style\";a:3:{s:21:\"typography_typography\";i:1;s:22:\"typography_font_family\";i:1;s:5:\"align\";i:1;}}}}s:6:\"column\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:0;s:8:\"controls\";a:0:{}}s:7:\"section\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:0;s:8:\"controls\";a:0:{}}}'),(1389,832,'_elementor_page_settings','a:2:{s:21:\"background_background\";s:7:\"classic\";s:7:\"padding\";a:6:{s:4:\"unit\";s:2:\"px\";s:3:\"top\";s:1:\"0\";s:5:\"right\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"bottom\";s:1:\"0\";s:4:\"left\";s:1:\"0\";s:8:\"isLinked\";b:1;}}'),(1390,841,'_thumbnail_id','833'),(1391,841,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(1392,841,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(1393,841,'_elementor_version','3.0.2'),(1394,841,'_wp_page_template','default'),(1395,841,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"339a246a\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"5044ea1d\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"55a7f60b\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong>By: John Kristoffer P. Pereda<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">In light of the threats of the COVID-19 pandemic, government action is imperative to prevent the further spread of the disease, to cushion the effects of the pandemic, and to spearhead society as it charters the waters of the new normal. Although the exigencies of the pandemic require massive government action, such government action must be founded on law. A democratic society such as ours does not forsake the rule of law even in times of dire situations. Thus, we are pressed with the following question: \\u2018What is the legal basis of the issuances by the President imposing quarantine restrictions throughout the country?\\u2019<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"align\\\":\\\"left\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-text-align-left\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong>Institutionalizing government response<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 On March 8, 2020, President Duterte issued Proclamation No. 922 which placed the entire country under a state of Public Health Emergency. Few days later, on March 16, 2020, he issued Proclamation No. 929, declaring a State of Calamity throughout the Philippines. In the same proclamation, he also placed entire Luzon under strict lockdown.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">Realizing that the powers of the President under the Constitution and existing laws were insufficient to effectively address the crisis brought about by the pandemic, Congress deemed it necessary to grant President Duterte emergency powers pursuant to Article VI, Sec. 23 (2) of the Constitution. Thus, on March 24, 2020, Congress enacted R.A. No. 11469, also known as the <em>Bayanihan to Heal as One Act <\\/em>(<em>Bayanihan<\\/em> Law). It granted the President temporary emergency powers which include, among others, the power to (a) the adopt and implement measures, following World Health Organization guidelines and best practices, to prevent or suppress further transmission and spread of COVID-19 through education, detection, protection and treatment<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\">[1]<\\/a>; (b) ensure that all Local Government Units (LGUs) are acting within the letter and spirit of all the rules, regulations and directives issued by the National Government and are implementing standards of Community Quarantine consistent with what the National Government has laid down for the subject area<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\">[2]<\\/a>; and (c) regulate the operation of all sectors of transportation through land, sea or air, whether private or public<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\">[3]<\\/a>.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The <em>Bayanihan<\\/em> Law, being an emergency powers measure contemplated under Article IV, Sec. 23 (2), was effective for only a limited period. Although there were doubts as to the actual expiration of said law (the administration maintained that said emergency powers ceased on June 25<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\">[4]<\\/a>, citing the sunset clause<a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\">[5]<\\/a> in the <em>Bayanihan<\\/em> Law, as opposed to the constitutional provision<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\">[6]<\\/a> that emergency powers shall cease upon adjournment of Congress, which took place on June 5), the emergency powers had, at some point, definitely ceased. Nonetheless, even after the lapse of the <em>Bayanihan<\\/em> Law, quarantine restrictions have remained in place.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"align\\\":\\\"left\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-text-align-left\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong>Legal foundations: the clear and the anomalous<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">In placing the country under a state of Public Health Emergency as specified in Proclamation No. 922, President Duterte derived his authority from R.A. No. 11332<a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\">[7]<\\/a>, which authorized the President to declare epidemics and mobilize governmental and nongovernmental agencies to respond to the threat. Conversely, President Duterte\\u2019s declaration of State of Calamity as stated in Proclamation No. 929 was grounded on R.A. No. 10121<a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\">[8]<\\/a>, which empowers the President to declare a State of Calamity. Thus, these two proclamations were aptly made by President Duterte in the exercise of his statute-based powers.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">Curiously, it was also in Proclamation No. 929 in which President Duterte imposed quarantine restrictions. To stress, while the authority of the President to declare State of Calamity has statutory basis in R.A. No. 10121, the same law does not expressly provide that the President is authorized to impose lockdowns. Hence, when President Duterte imposed quarantine restrictions in Proclamation No. 929, the legal foundation in doing the same was unclear. It was only upon the effectivity of the <em>Bayanihan<\\/em> Law when there had been clear statutory basis for such act, particularly in Sec. 4(a),(g) and (f) of said law. However, with the expiration of the <em>Bayanihan<\\/em> Law, the quarantine restrictions remained in place, while the clear legal basis for imposing the same had ceased.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"align\\\":\\\"left\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-text-align-left\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong>Filling the void<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><em>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 <\\/em>Article III, Section 5 of the Constitution provides that \\u201cthe right to travel [shall not] be impaired except in the interest of national security, public safety, or public health, as may be provided by law.\\u201d Hence, the unauthorized imposition of quarantine restrictions would not only signify a case of presidential overreach, but also a clear impairment of the constitutionally protected right to travel. As worded, Article III, Section 5 provides a limitation to the right to travel \\u2013 it may be impaired only in the interest of national security, public safety or public health, <em>as may be provided by law<\\/em>. Therefore, it is only Congress which may curtail the right to travel when exigencies of times call for it.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Considering that Congress, in enacting the <em>Bayanihan<\\/em> Law, granted President Duterte the powers stated in Sec. 4(a),(g) and (f), its power to regulate the right to travel implied in Article III, Section 5 must be considered as a component of the emergency powers granted to the President. Thus, the President\\u2019s imposition of restrictions pursuant to the <em>Bayanihan<\\/em> Law does not violate the right to travel since it was made pursuant to a validly delegated legislative power. In contrast, the validity of quarantine restrictions made outside the authority of the <em>Bayanihan<\\/em> Law is, at the very least, questionable.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 This in no way suggests that the President\\u2019s actions in response to the pandemic beyond the scope of the emergency powers measure is altogether without legal basis. Even without an emergency powers measure, the President has the power to ensure that the laws be faithfully executed<a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\">[9]<\\/a> (known as the \\u201ctake-care\\u201d power), including existing local ordinances<a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\">[10]<\\/a> that impose quarantine restrictions. In the exercise of this function, the President may employ all the powers attached to his office, most especially the power to control all executive department, bureaus, and offices.<a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\">[11]<\\/a> Thus, the President may employ all the existing powers of executive agencies that regulate aspects of public life (e.g. work suspensions, public transport regulations).<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">This does not discount the existence of certain gray areas such as in certain LGUs which did not issue any ordinance from which the President may derive power to impose quarantine restrictions. In this case, there is no authority for the President to impose measures in such LGU that would have the effect of curtailing the right to travel. Hence the need for another congressional grant of emergency powers authorizing the President to impose quarantine restrictions. Without such grant, the President could combat the pandemic by exercising the gamut of powers within the executive branch , <em>but cannot curtail the right to travel.<\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The country is no stranger to national emergencies. Yet the emergency brought by the COVID-19 pandemic is unprecedented. And when the most critical measure to address this crisis rubs against a constitutionally protected right, the observance of constitutionally sanctioned mechanisms is indispensable. The observance of such constitutionally sanctioned mechanisms in the imposition of quarantine restrictions is thus illustrated as follows: the legal foundations for the imposition of quarantine restrictions during the lifetime of the <em>Bayanihan<\\/em> Law is direct i.e., upon the authority of an emergency powers measure, while outside of it, the authority is indirect i.e., in the exercise of \\u201ctake-care\\u201d power enforcing local ordinances.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">As pointed out, in the absence of an emergency powers measure, the authority of the President to impose quarantine regulations is sourced from only local ordinances of the LGUs across the country. However, when tested against the postulate that government powers must be centralized in times of emergencies so as to enable prompt government action, the prudence of having a decentralized legal foundation in the form of local ordinances is put into question. If the President had to source authority from local ordinances which might possibly differ from one another in terms of the extent and gravity of regulation, the net result \\u00a0is the divergence of \\u00a0quarantine restrictions across the country. The most prudent action to address this is definitely to enact another emergency powers measure so as (1) to address the inconvenience on the part of the President, who has to source authority from local ordinances, and (2) to allow uniform quarantine regulations, so as to rule out the possibility of confusion on the part of the public.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">While the source of authority of the President to impose quarantine restrictions is put into inquiry here, how he exercises such authority is entirely a different matter. It should be put into inquiry by the people themselves, who must always be vigilant so as to prevent any government action that exceeds what the present situation calls for.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">[1]<\\/a> R.A. 11469, sec. 4(a)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a> R.A. 11469, sec. 4(g)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a> R.A. 11469, sec. 4(r)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[4]<\\/a> Aika Rey, Malaca\\u00f1ang says Bayanihan Act to expire June 25, but Constitution says no, Rappler, June 6, 2020, https:\\/\\/rappler.com \\/nation\\/malacanang-bayanihan-act-expire-june-25-2020<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[5]<\\/a> R.A. 11469, sec. 9<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[6]<\\/a> CONST., art. VI, sec. 23(2)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\">[7]<\\/a> also known as known as the <em>Mandatory Reporting of Notifiable Diseases and Health Events of Public Health Concern Act<\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\">[8]<\\/a> also known as the <em>Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010<\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\">[9]<\\/a> CONST., art. VII, sec. 17<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\">[10]<\\/a> Isagani Cruz & Carlo Cruz, Philippine Political Law, 419 (2014 ed.)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\">[11]<\\/a> CONST., art. VII, sec. 17<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><em>Featured Photo by: Walter Bollozos of The Philippine STAR<\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_font_family\":\"EB Garamond\",\"align\":\"justify\"},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(1397,841,'_elementor_page_settings','a:2:{s:21:\"background_background\";s:7:\"classic\";s:7:\"padding\";a:6:{s:4:\"unit\";s:2:\"px\";s:3:\"top\";s:1:\"0\";s:5:\"right\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"bottom\";s:1:\"0\";s:4:\"left\";s:1:\"0\";s:8:\"isLinked\";b:1;}}'),(1400,842,'_thumbnail_id','833'),(1401,842,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(1402,842,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(1403,842,'_elementor_version','3.0.2'),(1404,842,'_wp_page_template','default'),(1405,842,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"339a246a\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"5044ea1d\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"55a7f60b\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong>By: John Kristoffer P. Pereda<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">In light of the threats of the COVID-19 pandemic, government action is imperative to prevent the further spread of the disease, to cushion the effects of the pandemic, and to spearhead society as it charters the waters of the new normal. Although the exigencies of the pandemic require massive government action, such government action must be founded on law. A democratic society such as ours does not forsake the rule of law even in times of dire situations. Thus, we are pressed with the following question: \\u2018What is the legal basis of the issuances by the President imposing quarantine restrictions throughout the country?\\u2019<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"align\\\":\\\"left\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-text-align-left\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong>Institutionalizing government response<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 On March 8, 2020, President Duterte issued Proclamation No. 922 which placed the entire country under a state of Public Health Emergency. Few days later, on March 16, 2020, he issued Proclamation No. 929, declaring a State of Calamity throughout the Philippines. In the same proclamation, he also placed entire Luzon under strict lockdown.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">Realizing that the powers of the President under the Constitution and existing laws were insufficient to effectively address the crisis brought about by the pandemic, Congress deemed it necessary to grant President Duterte emergency powers pursuant to Article VI, Sec. 23 (2) of the Constitution. Thus, on March 24, 2020, Congress enacted R.A. No. 11469, also known as the <em>Bayanihan to Heal as One Act <\\/em>(<em>Bayanihan<\\/em> Law). It granted the President temporary emergency powers which include, among others, the power to (a) the adopt and implement measures, following World Health Organization guidelines and best practices, to prevent or suppress further transmission and spread of COVID-19 through education, detection, protection and treatment<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\">[1]<\\/a>; (b) ensure that all Local Government Units (LGUs) are acting within the letter and spirit of all the rules, regulations and directives issued by the National Government and are implementing standards of Community Quarantine consistent with what the National Government has laid down for the subject area<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\">[2]<\\/a>; and (c) regulate the operation of all sectors of transportation through land, sea or air, whether private or public<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\">[3]<\\/a>.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The <em>Bayanihan<\\/em> Law, being an emergency powers measure contemplated under Article IV, Sec. 23 (2), was effective for only a limited period. Although there were doubts as to the actual expiration of said law (the administration maintained that said emergency powers ceased on June 25<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\">[4]<\\/a>, citing the sunset clause<a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\">[5]<\\/a> in the <em>Bayanihan<\\/em> Law, as opposed to the constitutional provision<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\">[6]<\\/a> that emergency powers shall cease upon adjournment of Congress, which took place on June 5), the emergency powers had, at some point, definitely ceased. Nonetheless, even after the lapse of the <em>Bayanihan<\\/em> Law, quarantine restrictions have remained in place.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"align\\\":\\\"left\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-text-align-left\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong>Legal foundations: the clear and the anomalous<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">In placing the country under a state of Public Health Emergency as specified in Proclamation No. 922, President Duterte derived his authority from R.A. No. 11332<a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\">[7]<\\/a>, which authorized the President to declare epidemics and mobilize governmental and nongovernmental agencies to respond to the threat. Conversely, President Duterte\\u2019s declaration of State of Calamity as stated in Proclamation No. 929 was grounded on R.A. No. 10121<a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\">[8]<\\/a>, which empowers the President to declare a State of Calamity. Thus, these two proclamations were aptly made by President Duterte in the exercise of his statute-based powers.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">Curiously, it was also in Proclamation No. 929 in which President Duterte imposed quarantine restrictions. To stress, while the authority of the President to declare State of Calamity has statutory basis in R.A. No. 10121, the same law does not expressly provide that the President is authorized to impose lockdowns. Hence, when President Duterte imposed quarantine restrictions in Proclamation No. 929, the legal foundation in doing the same was unclear. It was only upon the effectivity of the <em>Bayanihan<\\/em> Law when there had been clear statutory basis for such act, particularly in Sec. 4(a),(g) and (f) of said law. However, with the expiration of the <em>Bayanihan<\\/em> Law, the quarantine restrictions remained in place, while the clear legal basis for imposing the same had ceased.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"align\\\":\\\"left\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-text-align-left\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong>Filling the void<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><em>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 <\\/em>Article III, Section 5 of the Constitution provides that \\u201cthe right to travel [shall not] be impaired except in the interest of national security, public safety, or public health, as may be provided by law.\\u201d Hence, the unauthorized imposition of quarantine restrictions would not only signify a case of presidential overreach, but also a clear impairment of the constitutionally protected right to travel. As worded, Article III, Section 5 provides a limitation to the right to travel \\u2013 it may be impaired only in the interest of national security, public safety or public health, <em>as may be provided by law<\\/em>. Therefore, it is only Congress which may curtail the right to travel when exigencies of times call for it.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Considering that Congress, in enacting the <em>Bayanihan<\\/em> Law, granted President Duterte the powers stated in Sec. 4(a),(g) and (f), its power to regulate the right to travel implied in Article III, Section 5 must be considered as a component of the emergency powers granted to the President. Thus, the President\\u2019s imposition of restrictions pursuant to the <em>Bayanihan<\\/em> Law does not violate the right to travel since it was made pursuant to a validly delegated legislative power. In contrast, the validity of quarantine restrictions made outside the authority of the <em>Bayanihan<\\/em> Law is, at the very least, questionable.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 This in no way suggests that the President\\u2019s actions in response to the pandemic beyond the scope of the emergency powers measure is altogether without legal basis. Even without an emergency powers measure, the President has the power to ensure that the laws be faithfully executed<a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\">[9]<\\/a> (known as the \\u201ctake-care\\u201d power), including existing local ordinances<a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\">[10]<\\/a> that impose quarantine restrictions. In the exercise of this function, the President may employ all the powers attached to his office, most especially the power to control all executive department, bureaus, and offices.<a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\">[11]<\\/a> Thus, the President may employ all the existing powers of executive agencies that regulate aspects of public life (e.g. work suspensions, public transport regulations).<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">This does not discount the existence of certain gray areas such as in certain LGUs which did not issue any ordinance from which the President may derive power to impose quarantine restrictions. In this case, there is no authority for the President to impose measures in such LGU that would have the effect of curtailing the right to travel. Hence the need for another congressional grant of emergency powers authorizing the President to impose quarantine restrictions. Without such grant, the President could combat the pandemic by exercising the gamut of powers within the executive branch , <em>but cannot curtail the right to travel.<\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The country is no stranger to national emergencies. Yet the emergency brought by the COVID-19 pandemic is unprecedented. And when the most critical measure to address this crisis rubs against a constitutionally protected right, the observance of constitutionally sanctioned mechanisms is indispensable. The observance of such constitutionally sanctioned mechanisms in the imposition of quarantine restrictions is thus illustrated as follows: the legal foundations for the imposition of quarantine restrictions during the lifetime of the <em>Bayanihan<\\/em> Law is direct i.e., upon the authority of an emergency powers measure, while outside of it, the authority is indirect i.e., in the exercise of \\u201ctake-care\\u201d power enforcing local ordinances.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">As pointed out, in the absence of an emergency powers measure, the authority of the President to impose quarantine regulations is sourced from only local ordinances of the LGUs across the country. However, when tested against the postulate that government powers must be centralized in times of emergencies so as to enable prompt government action, the prudence of having a decentralized legal foundation in the form of local ordinances is put into question. If the President had to source authority from local ordinances which might possibly differ from one another in terms of the extent and gravity of regulation, the net result \\u00a0is the divergence of \\u00a0quarantine restrictions across the country. The most prudent action to address this is definitely to enact another emergency powers measure so as (1) to address the inconvenience on the part of the President, who has to source authority from local ordinances, and (2) to allow uniform quarantine regulations, so as to rule out the possibility of confusion on the part of the public.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">While the source of authority of the President to impose quarantine restrictions is put into inquiry here, how he exercises such authority is entirely a different matter. It should be put into inquiry by the people themselves, who must always be vigilant so as to prevent any government action that exceeds what the present situation calls for.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">[1]<\\/a> R.A. 11469, sec. 4(a)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a> R.A. 11469, sec. 4(g)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a> R.A. 11469, sec. 4(r)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[4]<\\/a> Aika Rey, Malaca\\u00f1ang says Bayanihan Act to expire June 25, but Constitution says no, Rappler, June 6, 2020, https:\\/\\/rappler.com \\/nation\\/malacanang-bayanihan-act-expire-june-25-2020<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[5]<\\/a> R.A. 11469, sec. 9<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[6]<\\/a> CONST., art. VI, sec. 23(2)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\">[7]<\\/a> also known as known as the <em>Mandatory Reporting of Notifiable Diseases and Health Events of Public Health Concern Act<\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\">[8]<\\/a> also known as the <em>Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010<\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\">[9]<\\/a> CONST., art. VII, sec. 17<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\">[10]<\\/a> Isagani Cruz & Carlo Cruz, Philippine Political Law, 419 (2014 ed.)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\">[11]<\\/a> CONST., art. VII, sec. 17<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><em>Featured Photo by: Walter Bollozos of The Philippine STAR<\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_font_family\":\"EB Garamond\",\"align\":\"justify\"},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(1406,842,'_elementor_page_settings','a:2:{s:21:\"background_background\";s:7:\"classic\";s:7:\"padding\";a:6:{s:4:\"unit\";s:2:\"px\";s:3:\"top\";s:1:\"0\";s:5:\"right\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"bottom\";s:1:\"0\";s:4:\"left\";s:1:\"0\";s:8:\"isLinked\";b:1;}}'),(1407,842,'_elementor_controls_usage','a:3:{s:11:\"text-editor\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:2;s:8:\"controls\";a:2:{s:7:\"content\";a:1:{s:14:\"section_editor\";a:1:{s:6:\"editor\";i:1;}}s:5:\"style\";a:1:{s:13:\"section_style\";a:3:{s:21:\"typography_typography\";i:1;s:22:\"typography_font_family\";i:1;s:5:\"align\";i:1;}}}}s:6:\"column\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:0;s:8:\"controls\";a:0:{}}s:7:\"section\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:0;s:8:\"controls\";a:0:{}}}'),(1419,844,'_thumbnail_id','833'),(1420,844,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(1421,844,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(1422,844,'_elementor_version','3.0.2'),(1423,844,'_wp_page_template','default'),(1424,844,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"339a246a\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"5044ea1d\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100,\"space_between_widgets\":0},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"55a7f60b\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong>By: John Kristoffer P. Pereda<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">In light of the threats of the COVID-19 pandemic, government action is imperative to prevent the further spread of the disease, to cushion the effects of the pandemic, and to spearhead society as it charters the waters of the new normal. Although the exigencies of the pandemic require massive government action, such government action must be founded on law. A democratic society such as ours does not forsake the rule of law even in times of dire situations. Thus, we are pressed with the following question: \\u2018What is the legal basis of the issuances by the President imposing quarantine restrictions throughout the country?\\u2019<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"align\\\":\\\"left\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-text-align-left\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong>Institutionalizing government response<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 On March 8, 2020, President Duterte issued Proclamation No. 922 which placed the entire country under a state of Public Health Emergency. Few days later, on March 16, 2020, he issued Proclamation No. 929, declaring a State of Calamity throughout the Philippines. In the same proclamation, he also placed entire Luzon under strict lockdown.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">Realizing that the powers of the President under the Constitution and existing laws were insufficient to effectively address the crisis brought about by the pandemic, Congress deemed it necessary to grant President Duterte emergency powers pursuant to Article VI, Sec. 23 (2) of the Constitution. Thus, on March 24, 2020, Congress enacted R.A. No. 11469, also known as the <em>Bayanihan to Heal as One Act <\\/em>(<em>Bayanihan<\\/em> Law). It granted the President temporary emergency powers which include, among others, the power to (a) the adopt and implement measures, following World Health Organization guidelines and best practices, to prevent or suppress further transmission and spread of COVID-19 through education, detection, protection and treatment<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\">[1]<\\/a>; (b) ensure that all Local Government Units (LGUs) are acting within the letter and spirit of all the rules, regulations and directives issued by the National Government and are implementing standards of Community Quarantine consistent with what the National Government has laid down for the subject area<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\">[2]<\\/a>; and (c) regulate the operation of all sectors of transportation through land, sea or air, whether private or public<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\">[3]<\\/a>.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The <em>Bayanihan<\\/em> Law, being an emergency powers measure contemplated under Article IV, Sec. 23 (2), was effective for only a limited period. Although there were doubts as to the actual expiration of said law (the administration maintained that said emergency powers ceased on June 25<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\">[4]<\\/a>, citing the sunset clause<a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\">[5]<\\/a> in the <em>Bayanihan<\\/em> Law, as opposed to the constitutional provision<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\">[6]<\\/a> that emergency powers shall cease upon adjournment of Congress, which took place on June 5), the emergency powers had, at some point, definitely ceased. Nonetheless, even after the lapse of the <em>Bayanihan<\\/em> Law, quarantine restrictions have remained in place.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"align\\\":\\\"left\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-text-align-left\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong>Legal foundations: the clear and the anomalous<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">In placing the country under a state of Public Health Emergency as specified in Proclamation No. 922, President Duterte derived his authority from R.A. No. 11332<a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\">[7]<\\/a>, which authorized the President to declare epidemics and mobilize governmental and nongovernmental agencies to respond to the threat. Conversely, President Duterte\\u2019s declaration of State of Calamity as stated in Proclamation No. 929 was grounded on R.A. No. 10121<a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\">[8]<\\/a>, which empowers the President to declare a State of Calamity. Thus, these two proclamations were aptly made by President Duterte in the exercise of his statute-based powers.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">Curiously, it was also in Proclamation No. 929 in which President Duterte imposed quarantine restrictions. To stress, while the authority of the President to declare State of Calamity has statutory basis in R.A. No. 10121, the same law does not expressly provide that the President is authorized to impose lockdowns. Hence, when President Duterte imposed quarantine restrictions in Proclamation No. 929, the legal foundation in doing the same was unclear. It was only upon the effectivity of the <em>Bayanihan<\\/em> Law when there had been clear statutory basis for such act, particularly in Sec. 4(a),(g) and (f) of said law. However, with the expiration of the <em>Bayanihan<\\/em> Law, the quarantine restrictions remained in place, while the clear legal basis for imposing the same had ceased.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"align\\\":\\\"left\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-text-align-left\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong>Filling the void<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><em>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 <\\/em>Article III, Section 5 of the Constitution provides that \\u201cthe right to travel [shall not] be impaired except in the interest of national security, public safety, or public health, as may be provided by law.\\u201d Hence, the unauthorized imposition of quarantine restrictions would not only signify a case of presidential overreach, but also a clear impairment of the constitutionally protected right to travel. As worded, Article III, Section 5 provides a limitation to the right to travel \\u2013 it may be impaired only in the interest of national security, public safety or public health, <em>as may be provided by law<\\/em>. Therefore, it is only Congress which may curtail the right to travel when exigencies of times call for it.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Considering that Congress, in enacting the <em>Bayanihan<\\/em> Law, granted President Duterte the powers stated in Sec. 4(a),(g) and (f), its power to regulate the right to travel implied in Article III, Section 5 must be considered as a component of the emergency powers granted to the President. Thus, the President\\u2019s imposition of restrictions pursuant to the <em>Bayanihan<\\/em> Law does not violate the right to travel since it was made pursuant to a validly delegated legislative power. In contrast, the validity of quarantine restrictions made outside the authority of the <em>Bayanihan<\\/em> Law is, at the very least, questionable.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 This in no way suggests that the President\\u2019s actions in response to the pandemic beyond the scope of the emergency powers measure is altogether without legal basis. Even without an emergency powers measure, the President has the power to ensure that the laws be faithfully executed<a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\">[9]<\\/a> (known as the \\u201ctake-care\\u201d power), including existing local ordinances<a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\">[10]<\\/a> that impose quarantine restrictions. In the exercise of this function, the President may employ all the powers attached to his office, most especially the power to control all executive department, bureaus, and offices.<a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\">[11]<\\/a> Thus, the President may employ all the existing powers of executive agencies that regulate aspects of public life (e.g. work suspensions, public transport regulations).<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">This does not discount the existence of certain gray areas such as in certain LGUs which did not issue any ordinance from which the President may derive power to impose quarantine restrictions. In this case, there is no authority for the President to impose measures in such LGU that would have the effect of curtailing the right to travel. Hence the need for another congressional grant of emergency powers authorizing the President to impose quarantine restrictions. Without such grant, the President could combat the pandemic by exercising the gamut of powers within the executive branch , <em>but cannot curtail the right to travel.<\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The country is no stranger to national emergencies. Yet the emergency brought by the COVID-19 pandemic is unprecedented. And when the most critical measure to address this crisis rubs against a constitutionally protected right, the observance of constitutionally sanctioned mechanisms is indispensable. The observance of such constitutionally sanctioned mechanisms in the imposition of quarantine restrictions is thus illustrated as follows: the legal foundations for the imposition of quarantine restrictions during the lifetime of the <em>Bayanihan<\\/em> Law is direct i.e., upon the authority of an emergency powers measure, while outside of it, the authority is indirect i.e., in the exercise of \\u201ctake-care\\u201d power enforcing local ordinances.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">As pointed out, in the absence of an emergency powers measure, the authority of the President to impose quarantine regulations is sourced from only local ordinances of the LGUs across the country. However, when tested against the postulate that government powers must be centralized in times of emergencies so as to enable prompt government action, the prudence of having a decentralized legal foundation in the form of local ordinances is put into question. If the President had to source authority from local ordinances which might possibly differ from one another in terms of the extent and gravity of regulation, the net result \\u00a0is the divergence of \\u00a0quarantine restrictions across the country. The most prudent action to address this is definitely to enact another emergency powers measure so as (1) to address the inconvenience on the part of the President, who has to source authority from local ordinances, and (2) to allow uniform quarantine regulations, so as to rule out the possibility of confusion on the part of the public.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">While the source of authority of the President to impose quarantine restrictions is put into inquiry here, how he exercises such authority is entirely a different matter. It should be put into inquiry by the people themselves, who must always be vigilant so as to prevent any government action that exceeds what the present situation calls for.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">[1]<\\/a> R.A. 11469, sec. 4(a)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a> R.A. 11469, sec. 4(g)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a> R.A. 11469, sec. 4(r)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[4]<\\/a> Aika Rey, Malaca\\u00f1ang says Bayanihan Act to expire June 25, but Constitution says no, Rappler, June 6, 2020, https:\\/\\/rappler.com \\/nation\\/malacanang-bayanihan-act-expire-june-25-2020<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[5]<\\/a> R.A. 11469, sec. 9<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[6]<\\/a> CONST., art. VI, sec. 23(2)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\">[7]<\\/a> also known as known as the <em>Mandatory Reporting of Notifiable Diseases and Health Events of Public Health Concern Act<\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\">[8]<\\/a> also known as the <em>Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010<\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\">[9]<\\/a> CONST., art. VII, sec. 17<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\">[10]<\\/a> Isagani Cruz & Carlo Cruz, Philippine Political Law, 419 (2014 ed.)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\">[11]<\\/a> CONST., art. VII, sec. 17<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><em>Featured Photo by: Walter Bollozos of The Philippine STAR<\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_font_family\":\"Georgia\",\"align\":\"justify\",\"text_columns\":\"1\",\"column_gap\":{\"unit\":\"px\",\"size\":0,\"sizes\":[]},\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1,\"sizes\":[]},\"_margin\":{\"unit\":\"px\",\"top\":\"0\",\"right\":\"0\",\"bottom\":\"0\",\"left\":\"0\",\"isLinked\":false},\"_z_index\":0},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(1425,844,'_elementor_page_settings','a:2:{s:21:\"background_background\";s:7:\"classic\";s:7:\"padding\";a:6:{s:4:\"unit\";s:2:\"px\";s:3:\"top\";s:1:\"0\";s:5:\"right\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"bottom\";s:1:\"0\";s:4:\"left\";s:1:\"0\";s:8:\"isLinked\";b:1;}}'),(1429,845,'_thumbnail_id','833'),(1430,845,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(1431,845,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(1432,845,'_elementor_version','3.0.2'),(1433,845,'_wp_page_template','default'),(1434,845,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"339a246a\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"5044ea1d\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100,\"space_between_widgets\":0},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"55a7f60b\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong>By: John Kristoffer P. Pereda<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">In light of the threats of the COVID-19 pandemic, government action is imperative to prevent the further spread of the disease, to cushion the effects of the pandemic, and to spearhead society as it charters the waters of the new normal. Although the exigencies of the pandemic require massive government action, such government action must be founded on law. A democratic society such as ours does not forsake the rule of law even in times of dire situations. Thus, we are pressed with the following question: \\u2018What is the legal basis of the issuances by the President imposing quarantine restrictions throughout the country?\\u2019<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"align\\\":\\\"left\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-text-align-left\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong>Institutionalizing government response<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 On March 8, 2020, President Duterte issued Proclamation No. 922 which placed the entire country under a state of Public Health Emergency. Few days later, on March 16, 2020, he issued Proclamation No. 929, declaring a State of Calamity throughout the Philippines. In the same proclamation, he also placed entire Luzon under strict lockdown.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">Realizing that the powers of the President under the Constitution and existing laws were insufficient to effectively address the crisis brought about by the pandemic, Congress deemed it necessary to grant President Duterte emergency powers pursuant to Article VI, Sec. 23 (2) of the Constitution. Thus, on March 24, 2020, Congress enacted R.A. No. 11469, also known as the <em>Bayanihan to Heal as One Act <\\/em>(<em>Bayanihan<\\/em> Law). It granted the President temporary emergency powers which include, among others, the power to (a) the adopt and implement measures, following World Health Organization guidelines and best practices, to prevent or suppress further transmission and spread of COVID-19 through education, detection, protection and treatment<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\">[1]<\\/a>; (b) ensure that all Local Government Units (LGUs) are acting within the letter and spirit of all the rules, regulations and directives issued by the National Government and are implementing standards of Community Quarantine consistent with what the National Government has laid down for the subject area<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\">[2]<\\/a>; and (c) regulate the operation of all sectors of transportation through land, sea or air, whether private or public<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\">[3]<\\/a>.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The <em>Bayanihan<\\/em> Law, being an emergency powers measure contemplated under Article IV, Sec. 23 (2), was effective for only a limited period. Although there were doubts as to the actual expiration of said law (the administration maintained that said emergency powers ceased on June 25<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\">[4]<\\/a>, citing the sunset clause<a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\">[5]<\\/a> in the <em>Bayanihan<\\/em> Law, as opposed to the constitutional provision<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\">[6]<\\/a> that emergency powers shall cease upon adjournment of Congress, which took place on June 5), the emergency powers had, at some point, definitely ceased. Nonetheless, even after the lapse of the <em>Bayanihan<\\/em> Law, quarantine restrictions have remained in place.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"align\\\":\\\"left\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-text-align-left\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong>Legal foundations: the clear and the anomalous<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">In placing the country under a state of Public Health Emergency as specified in Proclamation No. 922, President Duterte derived his authority from R.A. No. 11332<a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\">[7]<\\/a>, which authorized the President to declare epidemics and mobilize governmental and nongovernmental agencies to respond to the threat. Conversely, President Duterte\\u2019s declaration of State of Calamity as stated in Proclamation No. 929 was grounded on R.A. No. 10121<a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\">[8]<\\/a>, which empowers the President to declare a State of Calamity. Thus, these two proclamations were aptly made by President Duterte in the exercise of his statute-based powers.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">Curiously, it was also in Proclamation No. 929 in which President Duterte imposed quarantine restrictions. To stress, while the authority of the President to declare State of Calamity has statutory basis in R.A. No. 10121, the same law does not expressly provide that the President is authorized to impose lockdowns. Hence, when President Duterte imposed quarantine restrictions in Proclamation No. 929, the legal foundation in doing the same was unclear. It was only upon the effectivity of the <em>Bayanihan<\\/em> Law when there had been clear statutory basis for such act, particularly in Sec. 4(a),(g) and (f) of said law. However, with the expiration of the <em>Bayanihan<\\/em> Law, the quarantine restrictions remained in place, while the clear legal basis for imposing the same had ceased.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"align\\\":\\\"left\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-text-align-left\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong>Filling the void<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><em>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 <\\/em>Article III, Section 5 of the Constitution provides that \\u201cthe right to travel [shall not] be impaired except in the interest of national security, public safety, or public health, as may be provided by law.\\u201d Hence, the unauthorized imposition of quarantine restrictions would not only signify a case of presidential overreach, but also a clear impairment of the constitutionally protected right to travel. As worded, Article III, Section 5 provides a limitation to the right to travel \\u2013 it may be impaired only in the interest of national security, public safety or public health, <em>as may be provided by law<\\/em>. Therefore, it is only Congress which may curtail the right to travel when exigencies of times call for it.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Considering that Congress, in enacting the <em>Bayanihan<\\/em> Law, granted President Duterte the powers stated in Sec. 4(a),(g) and (f), its power to regulate the right to travel implied in Article III, Section 5 must be considered as a component of the emergency powers granted to the President. Thus, the President\\u2019s imposition of restrictions pursuant to the <em>Bayanihan<\\/em> Law does not violate the right to travel since it was made pursuant to a validly delegated legislative power. In contrast, the validity of quarantine restrictions made outside the authority of the <em>Bayanihan<\\/em> Law is, at the very least, questionable.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 This in no way suggests that the President\\u2019s actions in response to the pandemic beyond the scope of the emergency powers measure is altogether without legal basis. Even without an emergency powers measure, the President has the power to ensure that the laws be faithfully executed<a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\">[9]<\\/a> (known as the \\u201ctake-care\\u201d power), including existing local ordinances<a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\">[10]<\\/a> that impose quarantine restrictions. In the exercise of this function, the President may employ all the powers attached to his office, most especially the power to control all executive department, bureaus, and offices.<a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\">[11]<\\/a> Thus, the President may employ all the existing powers of executive agencies that regulate aspects of public life (e.g. work suspensions, public transport regulations).<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">This does not discount the existence of certain gray areas such as in certain LGUs which did not issue any ordinance from which the President may derive power to impose quarantine restrictions. In this case, there is no authority for the President to impose measures in such LGU that would have the effect of curtailing the right to travel. Hence the need for another congressional grant of emergency powers authorizing the President to impose quarantine restrictions. Without such grant, the President could combat the pandemic by exercising the gamut of powers within the executive branch , <em>but cannot curtail the right to travel.<\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The country is no stranger to national emergencies. Yet the emergency brought by the COVID-19 pandemic is unprecedented. And when the most critical measure to address this crisis rubs against a constitutionally protected right, the observance of constitutionally sanctioned mechanisms is indispensable. The observance of such constitutionally sanctioned mechanisms in the imposition of quarantine restrictions is thus illustrated as follows: the legal foundations for the imposition of quarantine restrictions during the lifetime of the <em>Bayanihan<\\/em> Law is direct i.e., upon the authority of an emergency powers measure, while outside of it, the authority is indirect i.e., in the exercise of \\u201ctake-care\\u201d power enforcing local ordinances.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">As pointed out, in the absence of an emergency powers measure, the authority of the President to impose quarantine regulations is sourced from only local ordinances of the LGUs across the country. However, when tested against the postulate that government powers must be centralized in times of emergencies so as to enable prompt government action, the prudence of having a decentralized legal foundation in the form of local ordinances is put into question. If the President had to source authority from local ordinances which might possibly differ from one another in terms of the extent and gravity of regulation, the net result \\u00a0is the divergence of \\u00a0quarantine restrictions across the country. The most prudent action to address this is definitely to enact another emergency powers measure so as (1) to address the inconvenience on the part of the President, who has to source authority from local ordinances, and (2) to allow uniform quarantine regulations, so as to rule out the possibility of confusion on the part of the public.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">While the source of authority of the President to impose quarantine restrictions is put into inquiry here, how he exercises such authority is entirely a different matter. It should be put into inquiry by the people themselves, who must always be vigilant so as to prevent any government action that exceeds what the present situation calls for.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">[1]<\\/a> R.A. 11469, sec. 4(a)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a> R.A. 11469, sec. 4(g)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a> R.A. 11469, sec. 4(r)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[4]<\\/a> Aika Rey, Malaca\\u00f1ang says Bayanihan Act to expire June 25, but Constitution says no, Rappler, June 6, 2020, https:\\/\\/rappler.com \\/nation\\/malacanang-bayanihan-act-expire-june-25-2020<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[5]<\\/a> R.A. 11469, sec. 9<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[6]<\\/a> CONST., art. VI, sec. 23(2)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\">[7]<\\/a> also known as known as the <em>Mandatory Reporting of Notifiable Diseases and Health Events of Public Health Concern Act<\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\">[8]<\\/a> also known as the <em>Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010<\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\">[9]<\\/a> CONST., art. VII, sec. 17<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\">[10]<\\/a> Isagani Cruz & Carlo Cruz, Philippine Political Law, 419 (2014 ed.)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\">[11]<\\/a> CONST., art. VII, sec. 17<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><em>Featured Photo by: Walter Bollozos of The Philippine STAR<\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_font_family\":\"Georgia\",\"align\":\"justify\",\"text_columns\":\"1\",\"column_gap\":{\"unit\":\"px\",\"size\":0,\"sizes\":[]},\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]},\"_margin\":{\"unit\":\"px\",\"top\":\"0\",\"right\":\"0\",\"bottom\":\"0\",\"left\":\"0\",\"isLinked\":false},\"_z_index\":0},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(1435,845,'_elementor_page_settings','a:2:{s:21:\"background_background\";s:7:\"classic\";s:7:\"padding\";a:6:{s:4:\"unit\";s:2:\"px\";s:3:\"top\";s:1:\"0\";s:5:\"right\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"bottom\";s:1:\"0\";s:4:\"left\";s:1:\"0\";s:8:\"isLinked\";b:1;}}'),(1439,846,'_thumbnail_id','833'),(1440,846,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(1441,846,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(1442,846,'_elementor_version','3.0.2'),(1443,846,'_wp_page_template','default'),(1444,846,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"339a246a\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"5044ea1d\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100,\"space_between_widgets\":0},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"55a7f60b\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong>By: John Kristoffer P. Pereda<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">In light of the threats of the COVID-19 pandemic, government action is imperative to prevent the further spread of the disease, to cushion the effects of the pandemic, and to spearhead society as it charters the waters of the new normal. Although the exigencies of the pandemic require massive government action, such government action must be founded on law. A democratic society such as ours does not forsake the rule of law even in times of dire situations. Thus, we are pressed with the following question: \\u2018What is the legal basis of the issuances by the President imposing quarantine restrictions throughout the country?\\u2019<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"align\\\":\\\"left\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-text-align-left\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong>Institutionalizing government response<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 On March 8, 2020, President Duterte issued Proclamation No. 922 which placed the entire country under a state of Public Health Emergency. Few days later, on March 16, 2020, he issued Proclamation No. 929, declaring a State of Calamity throughout the Philippines. In the same proclamation, he also placed entire Luzon under strict lockdown.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">Realizing that the powers of the President under the Constitution and existing laws were insufficient to effectively address the crisis brought about by the pandemic, Congress deemed it necessary to grant President Duterte emergency powers pursuant to Article VI, Sec. 23 (2) of the Constitution. Thus, on March 24, 2020, Congress enacted R.A. No. 11469, also known as the <em>Bayanihan to Heal as One Act <\\/em>(<em>Bayanihan<\\/em> Law). It granted the President temporary emergency powers which include, among others, the power to (a) the adopt and implement measures, following World Health Organization guidelines and best practices, to prevent or suppress further transmission and spread of COVID-19 through education, detection, protection and treatment<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\">[1]<\\/a>; (b) ensure that all Local Government Units (LGUs) are acting within the letter and spirit of all the rules, regulations and directives issued by the National Government and are implementing standards of Community Quarantine consistent with what the National Government has laid down for the subject area<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\">[2]<\\/a>; and (c) regulate the operation of all sectors of transportation through land, sea or air, whether private or public<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\">[3]<\\/a>.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The <em>Bayanihan<\\/em> Law, being an emergency powers measure contemplated under Article IV, Sec. 23 (2), was effective for only a limited period. Although there were doubts as to the actual expiration of said law (the administration maintained that said emergency powers ceased on June 25<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\">[4]<\\/a>, citing the sunset clause<a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\">[5]<\\/a> in the <em>Bayanihan<\\/em> Law, as opposed to the constitutional provision<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\">[6]<\\/a> that emergency powers shall cease upon adjournment of Congress, which took place on June 5), the emergency powers had, at some point, definitely ceased. Nonetheless, even after the lapse of the <em>Bayanihan<\\/em> Law, quarantine restrictions have remained in place.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"align\\\":\\\"left\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-text-align-left\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong>Legal foundations: the clear and the anomalous<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">In placing the country under a state of Public Health Emergency as specified in Proclamation No. 922, President Duterte derived his authority from R.A. No. 11332<a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\">[7]<\\/a>, which authorized the President to declare epidemics and mobilize governmental and nongovernmental agencies to respond to the threat. Conversely, President Duterte\\u2019s declaration of State of Calamity as stated in Proclamation No. 929 was grounded on R.A. No. 10121<a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\">[8]<\\/a>, which empowers the President to declare a State of Calamity. Thus, these two proclamations were aptly made by President Duterte in the exercise of his statute-based powers.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">Curiously, it was also in Proclamation No. 929 in which President Duterte imposed quarantine restrictions. To stress, while the authority of the President to declare State of Calamity has statutory basis in R.A. No. 10121, the same law does not expressly provide that the President is authorized to impose lockdowns. Hence, when President Duterte imposed quarantine restrictions in Proclamation No. 929, the legal foundation in doing the same was unclear. It was only upon the effectivity of the <em>Bayanihan<\\/em> Law when there had been clear statutory basis for such act, particularly in Sec. 4(a),(g) and (f) of said law. However, with the expiration of the <em>Bayanihan<\\/em> Law, the quarantine restrictions remained in place, while the clear legal basis for imposing the same had ceased.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"align\\\":\\\"left\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-text-align-left\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong>Filling the void<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><em>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 <\\/em>Article III, Section 5 of the Constitution provides that \\u201cthe right to travel [shall not] be impaired except in the interest of national security, public safety, or public health, as may be provided by law.\\u201d Hence, the unauthorized imposition of quarantine restrictions would not only signify a case of presidential overreach, but also a clear impairment of the constitutionally protected right to travel. As worded, Article III, Section 5 provides a limitation to the right to travel \\u2013 it may be impaired only in the interest of national security, public safety or public health, <em>as may be provided by law<\\/em>. Therefore, it is only Congress which may curtail the right to travel when exigencies of times call for it.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Considering that Congress, in enacting the <em>Bayanihan<\\/em> Law, granted President Duterte the powers stated in Sec. 4(a),(g) and (f), its power to regulate the right to travel implied in Article III, Section 5 must be considered as a component of the emergency powers granted to the President. Thus, the President\\u2019s imposition of restrictions pursuant to the <em>Bayanihan<\\/em> Law does not violate the right to travel since it was made pursuant to a validly delegated legislative power. In contrast, the validity of quarantine restrictions made outside the authority of the <em>Bayanihan<\\/em> Law is, at the very least, questionable.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 This in no way suggests that the President\\u2019s actions in response to the pandemic beyond the scope of the emergency powers measure is altogether without legal basis. Even without an emergency powers measure, the President has the power to ensure that the laws be faithfully executed<a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\">[9]<\\/a> (known as the \\u201ctake-care\\u201d power), including existing local ordinances<a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\">[10]<\\/a> that impose quarantine restrictions. In the exercise of this function, the President may employ all the powers attached to his office, most especially the power to control all executive department, bureaus, and offices.<a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\">[11]<\\/a> Thus, the President may employ all the existing powers of executive agencies that regulate aspects of public life (e.g. work suspensions, public transport regulations).<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">This does not discount the existence of certain gray areas such as in certain LGUs which did not issue any ordinance from which the President may derive power to impose quarantine restrictions. In this case, there is no authority for the President to impose measures in such LGU that would have the effect of curtailing the right to travel. Hence the need for another congressional grant of emergency powers authorizing the President to impose quarantine restrictions. Without such grant, the President could combat the pandemic by exercising the gamut of powers within the executive branch , <em>but cannot curtail the right to travel.<\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The country is no stranger to national emergencies. Yet the emergency brought by the COVID-19 pandemic is unprecedented. And when the most critical measure to address this crisis rubs against a constitutionally protected right, the observance of constitutionally sanctioned mechanisms is indispensable. The observance of such constitutionally sanctioned mechanisms in the imposition of quarantine restrictions is thus illustrated as follows: the legal foundations for the imposition of quarantine restrictions during the lifetime of the <em>Bayanihan<\\/em> Law is direct i.e., upon the authority of an emergency powers measure, while outside of it, the authority is indirect i.e., in the exercise of \\u201ctake-care\\u201d power enforcing local ordinances.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">As pointed out, in the absence of an emergency powers measure, the authority of the President to impose quarantine regulations is sourced from only local ordinances of the LGUs across the country. However, when tested against the postulate that government powers must be centralized in times of emergencies so as to enable prompt government action, the prudence of having a decentralized legal foundation in the form of local ordinances is put into question. If the President had to source authority from local ordinances which might possibly differ from one another in terms of the extent and gravity of regulation, the net result \\u00a0is the divergence of \\u00a0quarantine restrictions across the country. The most prudent action to address this is definitely to enact another emergency powers measure so as (1) to address the inconvenience on the part of the President, who has to source authority from local ordinances, and (2) to allow uniform quarantine regulations, so as to rule out the possibility of confusion on the part of the public.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">While the source of authority of the President to impose quarantine restrictions is put into inquiry here, how he exercises such authority is entirely a different matter. It should be put into inquiry by the people themselves, who must always be vigilant so as to prevent any government action that exceeds what the present situation calls for.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">[1]<\\/a> R.A. 11469, sec. 4(a)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a> R.A. 11469, sec. 4(g)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a> R.A. 11469, sec. 4(r)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[4]<\\/a> Aika Rey, Malaca\\u00f1ang says Bayanihan Act to expire June 25, but Constitution says no, Rappler, June 6, 2020, https:\\/\\/rappler.com \\/nation\\/malacanang-bayanihan-act-expire-june-25-2020<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[5]<\\/a> R.A. 11469, sec. 9<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[6]<\\/a> CONST., art. VI, sec. 23(2)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\">[7]<\\/a> also known as known as the <em>Mandatory Reporting of Notifiable Diseases and Health Events of Public Health Concern Act<\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\">[8]<\\/a> also known as the <em>Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010<\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\">[9]<\\/a> CONST., art. VII, sec. 17<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\">[10]<\\/a> Isagani Cruz & Carlo Cruz, Philippine Political Law, 419 (2014 ed.)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\">[11]<\\/a> CONST., art. VII, sec. 17<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><em>Featured Photo by: Walter Bollozos of The Philippine STAR<\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_font_family\":\"Georgia\",\"align\":\"left\",\"text_columns\":\"1\",\"column_gap\":{\"unit\":\"px\",\"size\":0,\"sizes\":[]},\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]},\"_margin\":{\"unit\":\"px\",\"top\":\"0\",\"right\":\"0\",\"bottom\":\"0\",\"left\":\"0\",\"isLinked\":false},\"_z_index\":0},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(1445,846,'_elementor_page_settings','a:2:{s:21:\"background_background\";s:7:\"classic\";s:7:\"padding\";a:6:{s:4:\"unit\";s:2:\"px\";s:3:\"top\";s:1:\"0\";s:5:\"right\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"bottom\";s:1:\"0\";s:4:\"left\";s:1:\"0\";s:8:\"isLinked\";b:1;}}'),(1449,832,'ss_ss_click_share_count_facebook','2'),(1450,832,'ss_total_share_count','0'),(1451,847,'_thumbnail_id','833'),(1452,847,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(1453,847,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(1454,847,'_elementor_version','3.0.2'),(1455,847,'_wp_page_template','default'),(1456,847,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"339a246a\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"5044ea1d\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100,\"space_between_widgets\":0},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"55a7f60b\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong>By: John Kristoffer P. Pereda<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">In light of the threats of the COVID-19 pandemic, government action is imperative to prevent the further spread of the disease, to cushion the effects of the pandemic, and to spearhead society as it charters the waters of the new normal. Although the exigencies of the pandemic require massive government action, such government action must be founded on law. A democratic society such as ours does not forsake the rule of law even in times of dire situations. Thus, we are pressed with the following question: \\u2018What is the legal basis of the issuances by the President imposing quarantine restrictions throughout the country?\\u2019<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"align\\\":\\\"left\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-text-align-left\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong>Institutionalizing government response<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 On March 8, 2020, President Duterte issued Proclamation No. 922 which placed the entire country under a state of Public Health Emergency. Few days later, on March 16, 2020, he issued Proclamation No. 929, declaring a State of Calamity throughout the Philippines. In the same proclamation, he also placed entire Luzon under strict lockdown.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">Realizing that the powers of the President under the Constitution and existing laws were insufficient to effectively address the crisis brought about by the pandemic, Congress deemed it necessary to grant President Duterte emergency powers pursuant to Article VI, Sec. 23 (2) of the Constitution. Thus, on March 24, 2020, Congress enacted R.A. No. 11469, also known as the <em>Bayanihan to Heal as One Act <\\/em>(<em>Bayanihan<\\/em> Law). It granted the President temporary emergency powers which include, among others, the power to (a) the adopt and implement measures, following World Health Organization guidelines and best practices, to prevent or suppress further transmission and spread of COVID-19 through education, detection, protection and treatment<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\">[1]<\\/a>; (b) ensure that all Local Government Units (LGUs) are acting within the letter and spirit of all the rules, regulations and directives issued by the National Government and are implementing standards of Community Quarantine consistent with what the National Government has laid down for the subject area<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\">[2]<\\/a>; and (c) regulate the operation of all sectors of transportation through land, sea or air, whether private or public<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\">[3]<\\/a>.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The <em>Bayanihan<\\/em> Law, being an emergency powers measure contemplated under Article IV, Sec. 23 (2), was effective for only a limited period. Although there were doubts as to the actual expiration of said law (the administration maintained that said emergency powers ceased on June 25<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\">[4]<\\/a>, citing the sunset clause<a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\">[5]<\\/a> in the <em>Bayanihan<\\/em> Law, as opposed to the constitutional provision<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\">[6]<\\/a> that emergency powers shall cease upon adjournment of Congress, which took place on June 5), the emergency powers had, at some point, definitely ceased. Nonetheless, even after the lapse of the <em>Bayanihan<\\/em> Law, quarantine restrictions have remained in place.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"align\\\":\\\"left\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-text-align-left\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong>Legal foundations: the clear and the anomalous<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">In placing the country under a state of Public Health Emergency as specified in Proclamation No. 922, President Duterte derived his authority from R.A. No. 11332<a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\">[7]<\\/a>, which authorized the President to declare epidemics and mobilize governmental and nongovernmental agencies to respond to the threat. Conversely, President Duterte\\u2019s declaration of State of Calamity as stated in Proclamation No. 929 was grounded on R.A. No. 10121<a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\">[8]<\\/a>, which empowers the President to declare a State of Calamity. Thus, these two proclamations were aptly made by President Duterte in the exercise of his statute-based powers.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">Curiously, it was also in Proclamation No. 929 in which President Duterte imposed quarantine restrictions. To stress, while the authority of the President to declare State of Calamity has statutory basis in R.A. No. 10121, the same law does not expressly provide that the President is authorized to impose lockdowns. Hence, when President Duterte imposed quarantine restrictions in Proclamation No. 929, the legal foundation in doing the same was unclear. It was only upon the effectivity of the <em>Bayanihan<\\/em> Law when there had been clear statutory basis for such act, particularly in Sec. 4(a),(g) and (f) of said law. However, with the expiration of the <em>Bayanihan<\\/em> Law, the quarantine restrictions remained in place, while the clear legal basis for imposing the same had ceased.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"align\\\":\\\"left\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-text-align-left\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong>Filling the void<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><em>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 <\\/em>Article III, Section 5 of the Constitution provides that \\u201cthe right to travel [shall not] be impaired except in the interest of national security, public safety, or public health, as may be provided by law.\\u201d Hence, the unauthorized imposition of quarantine restrictions would not only signify a case of presidential overreach, but also a clear impairment of the constitutionally protected right to travel. As worded, Article III, Section 5 provides a limitation to the right to travel \\u2013 it may be impaired only in the interest of national security, public safety or public health, <em>as may be provided by law<\\/em>. Therefore, it is only Congress which may curtail the right to travel when exigencies of times call for it.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Considering that Congress, in enacting the <em>Bayanihan<\\/em> Law, granted President Duterte the powers stated in Sec. 4(a),(g) and (f), its power to regulate the right to travel implied in Article III, Section 5 must be considered as a component of the emergency powers granted to the President. Thus, the President\\u2019s imposition of restrictions pursuant to the <em>Bayanihan<\\/em> Law does not violate the right to travel since it was made pursuant to a validly delegated legislative power. In contrast, the validity of quarantine restrictions made outside the authority of the <em>Bayanihan<\\/em> Law is, at the very least, questionable.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 This in no way suggests that the President\\u2019s actions in response to the pandemic beyond the scope of the emergency powers measure is altogether without legal basis. Even without an emergency powers measure, the President has the power to ensure that the laws be faithfully executed<a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\">[9]<\\/a> (known as the \\u201ctake-care\\u201d power), including existing local ordinances<a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\">[10]<\\/a> that impose quarantine restrictions. In the exercise of this function, the President may employ all the powers attached to his office, most especially the power to control all executive department, bureaus, and offices.<a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\">[11]<\\/a> Thus, the President may employ all the existing powers of executive agencies that regulate aspects of public life (e.g. work suspensions, public transport regulations).<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">This does not discount the existence of certain gray areas such as in certain LGUs which did not issue any ordinance from which the President may derive power to impose quarantine restrictions. In this case, there is no authority for the President to impose measures in such LGU that would have the effect of curtailing the right to travel. Hence the need for another congressional grant of emergency powers authorizing the President to impose quarantine restrictions. Without such grant, the President could combat the pandemic by exercising the gamut of powers within the executive branch , <em>but cannot curtail the right to travel.<\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The country is no stranger to national emergencies. Yet the emergency brought by the COVID-19 pandemic is unprecedented. And when the most critical measure to address this crisis rubs against a constitutionally protected right, the observance of constitutionally sanctioned mechanisms is indispensable. The observance of such constitutionally sanctioned mechanisms in the imposition of quarantine restrictions is thus illustrated as follows: the legal foundations for the imposition of quarantine restrictions during the lifetime of the <em>Bayanihan<\\/em> Law is direct i.e., upon the authority of an emergency powers measure, while outside of it, the authority is indirect i.e., in the exercise of \\u201ctake-care\\u201d power enforcing local ordinances.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">As pointed out, in the absence of an emergency powers measure, the authority of the President to impose quarantine regulations is sourced from only local ordinances of the LGUs across the country. However, when tested against the postulate that government powers must be centralized in times of emergencies so as to enable prompt government action, the prudence of having a decentralized legal foundation in the form of local ordinances is put into question. If the President had to source authority from local ordinances which might possibly differ from one another in terms of the extent and gravity of regulation, the net result \\u00a0is the divergence of \\u00a0quarantine restrictions across the country. The most prudent action to address this is definitely to enact another emergency powers measure so as (1) to address the inconvenience on the part of the President, who has to source authority from local ordinances, and (2) to allow uniform quarantine regulations, so as to rule out the possibility of confusion on the part of the public.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">While the source of authority of the President to impose quarantine restrictions is put into inquiry here, how he exercises such authority is entirely a different matter. It should be put into inquiry by the people themselves, who must always be vigilant so as to prevent any government action that exceeds what the present situation calls for.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">[1]<\\/a> R.A. 11469, sec. 4(a)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a> R.A. 11469, sec. 4(g)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a> R.A. 11469, sec. 4(r)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[4]<\\/a> Aika Rey, Malaca\\u00f1ang says Bayanihan Act to expire June 25, but Constitution says no, Rappler, June 6, 2020, https:\\/\\/rappler.com \\/nation\\/malacanang-bayanihan-act-expire-june-25-2020<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[5]<\\/a> R.A. 11469, sec. 9<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[6]<\\/a> CONST., art. VI, sec. 23(2)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\">[7]<\\/a> also known as known as the <em>Mandatory Reporting of Notifiable Diseases and Health Events of Public Health Concern Act<\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\">[8]<\\/a> also known as the <em>Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010<\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\">[9]<\\/a> CONST., art. VII, sec. 17<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\">[10]<\\/a> Isagani Cruz & Carlo Cruz, Philippine Political Law, 419 (2014 ed.)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\">[11]<\\/a> CONST., art. VII, sec. 17<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><em>Featured Photo by: Walter Bollozos of The Philippine STAR<\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_font_family\":\"Georgia\",\"align\":\"left\",\"text_columns\":\"1\",\"column_gap\":{\"unit\":\"px\",\"size\":0,\"sizes\":[]},\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]},\"_margin\":{\"unit\":\"px\",\"top\":\"0\",\"right\":\"0\",\"bottom\":\"0\",\"left\":\"0\",\"isLinked\":false},\"_z_index\":0},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(1457,847,'_elementor_page_settings','a:2:{s:21:\"background_background\";s:7:\"classic\";s:7:\"padding\";a:6:{s:4:\"unit\";s:2:\"px\";s:3:\"top\";s:1:\"0\";s:5:\"right\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"bottom\";s:1:\"0\";s:4:\"left\";s:1:\"0\";s:8:\"isLinked\";b:1;}}'),(1458,847,'_elementor_controls_usage','a:3:{s:11:\"text-editor\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:4;s:8:\"controls\";a:3:{s:7:\"content\";a:1:{s:14:\"section_editor\";a:3:{s:6:\"editor\";i:1;s:12:\"text_columns\";i:1;s:10:\"column_gap\";i:1;}}s:5:\"style\";a:1:{s:13:\"section_style\";a:4:{s:21:\"typography_typography\";i:1;s:22:\"typography_font_family\";i:1;s:5:\"align\";i:1;s:22:\"typography_line_height\";i:1;}}s:8:\"advanced\";a:1:{s:14:\"_section_style\";a:2:{s:7:\"_margin\";i:1;s:8:\"_z_index\";i:1;}}}}s:6:\"column\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:0;s:8:\"controls\";a:1:{s:6:\"layout\";a:1:{s:6:\"layout\";a:1:{s:21:\"space_between_widgets\";i:1;}}}}s:7:\"section\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:0;s:8:\"controls\";a:0:{}}}'),(1470,849,'_thumbnail_id','833'),(1471,849,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(1472,849,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(1473,849,'_elementor_version','3.0.2'),(1474,849,'_wp_page_template','default'),(1475,849,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"339a246a\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"5044ea1d\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100,\"space_between_widgets\":0},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"55a7f60b\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong>By: John Kristoffer P. Pereda<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">In light of the threats of the COVID-19 pandemic, government action is imperative to prevent the further spread of the disease, to cushion the effects of the pandemic, and to spearhead society as it charters the waters of the new normal. Although the exigencies of the pandemic require massive government action, such government action must be founded on law. A democratic society such as ours does not forsake the rule of law even in times of dire situations. Thus, we are pressed with the following question: \\u2018What is the legal basis of the issuances by the President imposing quarantine restrictions throughout the country?\\u2019<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"align\\\":\\\"left\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-text-align-left\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong>Institutionalizing government response<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 On March 8, 2020, President Duterte issued Proclamation No. 922 which placed the entire country under a state of Public Health Emergency. Few days later, on March 16, 2020, he issued Proclamation No. 929, declaring a State of Calamity throughout the Philippines. In the same proclamation, he also placed entire Luzon under strict lockdown.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">Realizing that the powers of the President under the Constitution and existing laws were insufficient to effectively address the crisis brought about by the pandemic, Congress deemed it necessary to grant President Duterte emergency powers pursuant to Article VI, Sec. 23 (2) of the Constitution. Thus, on March 24, 2020, Congress enacted R.A. No. 11469, also known as the <em>Bayanihan to Heal as One Act <\\/em>(<em>Bayanihan<\\/em> Law). It granted the President temporary emergency powers which include, among others, the power to (a) the adopt and implement measures, following World Health Organization guidelines and best practices, to prevent or suppress further transmission and spread of COVID-19 through education, detection, protection and treatment<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\">[1]<\\/a>; (b) ensure that all Local Government Units (LGUs) are acting within the letter and spirit of all the rules, regulations and directives issued by the National Government and are implementing standards of Community Quarantine consistent with what the National Government has laid down for the subject area<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\">[2]<\\/a>; and (c) regulate the operation of all sectors of transportation through land, sea or air, whether private or public<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\">[3]<\\/a>.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The <em>Bayanihan<\\/em> Law, being an emergency powers measure contemplated under Article IV, Sec. 23 (2), was effective for only a limited period. Although there were doubts as to the actual expiration of said law (the administration maintained that said emergency powers ceased on June 25<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\">[4]<\\/a>, citing the sunset clause<a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\">[5]<\\/a> in the <em>Bayanihan<\\/em> Law, as opposed to the constitutional provision<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\">[6]<\\/a> that emergency powers shall cease upon adjournment of Congress, which took place on June 5), the emergency powers had, at some point, definitely ceased. Nonetheless, even after the lapse of the <em>Bayanihan<\\/em> Law, quarantine restrictions have remained in place.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"align\\\":\\\"left\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-text-align-left\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong>Legal foundations: the clear and the anomalous<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">In placing the country under a state of Public Health Emergency as specified in Proclamation No. 922, President Duterte derived his authority from R.A. No. 11332<a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\">[7]<\\/a>, which authorized the President to declare epidemics and mobilize governmental and nongovernmental agencies to respond to the threat. Conversely, President Duterte\\u2019s declaration of State of Calamity as stated in Proclamation No. 929 was grounded on R.A. No. 10121<a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\">[8]<\\/a>, which empowers the President to declare a State of Calamity. Thus, these two proclamations were aptly made by President Duterte in the exercise of his statute-based powers.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">Curiously, it was also in Proclamation No. 929 in which President Duterte imposed quarantine restrictions. To stress, while the authority of the President to declare State of Calamity has statutory basis in R.A. No. 10121, the same law does not expressly provide that the President is authorized to impose lockdowns. Hence, when President Duterte imposed quarantine restrictions in Proclamation No. 929, the legal foundation in doing the same was unclear. It was only upon the effectivity of the <em>Bayanihan<\\/em> Law when there had been clear statutory basis for such act, particularly in Sec. 4(a),(g) and (f) of said law. However, with the expiration of the <em>Bayanihan<\\/em> Law, the quarantine restrictions remained in place, while the clear legal basis for imposing the same had ceased.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"align\\\":\\\"left\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-text-align-left\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong>Filling the void<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><em>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 <\\/em>Article III, Section 6 of the Constitution provides that \\u201cthe right to travel [shall not] be impaired except in the interest of national security, public safety, or public health, as may be provided by law.\\u201d Hence, the unauthorized imposition of quarantine restrictions would not only signify a case of presidential overreach, but also a clear impairment of the constitutionally protected right to travel. As worded, Article III, Section 6 provides a limitation to the right to travel \\u2013 it may be impaired only in the interest of national security, public safety or public health, <em>as may be provided by law<\\/em>. Therefore, it is only Congress which may curtail the right to travel when exigencies of times call for it.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Considering that Congress, in enacting the <em>Bayanihan<\\/em> Law, granted President Duterte the powers stated in Sec. 4(a),(g) and (f), its power to regulate the right to travel implied in Article III, Section 6 must be considered as a component of the emergency powers granted to the President. Thus, the President\\u2019s imposition of restrictions pursuant to the <em>Bayanihan<\\/em> Law does not violate the right to travel since it was made pursuant to a validly delegated legislative power. In contrast, the validity of quarantine restrictions made outside the authority of the <em>Bayanihan<\\/em> Law is, at the very least, questionable.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 This in no way suggests that the President\\u2019s actions in response to the pandemic beyond the scope of the emergency powers measure is altogether without legal basis. Even without an emergency powers measure, the President has the power to ensure that the laws be faithfully executed<a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\">[9]<\\/a> (known as the \\u201ctake-care\\u201d power), including existing local ordinances<a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\">[10]<\\/a> that impose quarantine restrictions. In the exercise of this function, the President may employ all the powers attached to his office, most especially the power to control all executive department, bureaus, and offices.<a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\">[11]<\\/a> Thus, the President may employ all the existing powers of executive agencies that regulate aspects of public life (e.g. work suspensions, public transport regulations).<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">This does not discount the existence of certain gray areas such as in certain LGUs which did not issue any ordinance from which the President may derive power to impose quarantine restrictions. In this case, there is no authority for the President to impose measures in such LGU that would have the effect of curtailing the right to travel. Hence the need for another congressional grant of emergency powers authorizing the President to impose quarantine restrictions. Without such grant, the President could combat the pandemic by exercising the gamut of powers within the executive branch , <em>but cannot curtail the right to travel.<\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The country is no stranger to national emergencies. Yet the emergency brought by the COVID-19 pandemic is unprecedented. And when the most critical measure to address this crisis rubs against a constitutionally protected right, the observance of constitutionally sanctioned mechanisms is indispensable. The observance of such constitutionally sanctioned mechanisms in the imposition of quarantine restrictions is thus illustrated as follows: the legal foundations for the imposition of quarantine restrictions during the lifetime of the <em>Bayanihan<\\/em> Law is direct i.e., upon the authority of an emergency powers measure, while outside of it, the authority is indirect i.e., in the exercise of \\u201ctake-care\\u201d power enforcing local ordinances.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">As pointed out, in the absence of an emergency powers measure, the authority of the President to impose quarantine regulations is sourced from only local ordinances of the LGUs across the country. However, when tested against the postulate that government powers must be centralized in times of emergencies so as to enable prompt government action, the prudence of having a decentralized legal foundation in the form of local ordinances is put into question. If the President had to source authority from local ordinances which might possibly differ from one another in terms of the extent and gravity of regulation, the net result \\u00a0is the divergence of \\u00a0quarantine restrictions across the country. The most prudent action to address this is definitely to enact another emergency powers measure so as (1) to address the inconvenience on the part of the President, who has to source authority from local ordinances, and (2) to allow uniform quarantine regulations, so as to rule out the possibility of confusion on the part of the public.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">While the source of authority of the President to impose quarantine restrictions is put into inquiry here, how he exercises such authority is entirely a different matter. It should be put into inquiry by the people themselves, who must always be vigilant so as to prevent any government action that exceeds what the present situation calls for.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">[1]<\\/a> R.A. 11469, sec. 4(a)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a> R.A. 11469, sec. 4(g)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a> R.A. 11469, sec. 4(r)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[4]<\\/a> Aika Rey, Malaca\\u00f1ang says Bayanihan Act to expire June 25, but Constitution says no, Rappler, June 6, 2020, https:\\/\\/rappler.com \\/nation\\/malacanang-bayanihan-act-expire-june-25-2020<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[5]<\\/a> R.A. 11469, sec. 9<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[6]<\\/a> CONST., art. VI, sec. 23(2)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\">[7]<\\/a> also known as known as the <em>Mandatory Reporting of Notifiable Diseases and Health Events of Public Health Concern Act<\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\">[8]<\\/a> also known as the <em>Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010<\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\">[9]<\\/a> CONST., art. VII, sec. 17<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\">[10]<\\/a> Isagani Cruz & Carlo Cruz, Philippine Political Law, 419 (2014 ed.)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\">[11]<\\/a> CONST., art. VII, sec. 17<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><em>Featured Photo by: Walter Bollozos of The Philippine STAR<\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_font_family\":\"Georgia\",\"align\":\"left\",\"text_columns\":\"1\",\"column_gap\":{\"unit\":\"px\",\"size\":0,\"sizes\":[]},\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]},\"_margin\":{\"unit\":\"px\",\"top\":\"0\",\"right\":\"0\",\"bottom\":\"0\",\"left\":\"0\",\"isLinked\":false},\"_z_index\":0},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(1476,849,'_elementor_page_settings','a:2:{s:21:\"background_background\";s:7:\"classic\";s:7:\"padding\";a:6:{s:4:\"unit\";s:2:\"px\";s:3:\"top\";s:1:\"0\";s:5:\"right\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"bottom\";s:1:\"0\";s:4:\"left\";s:1:\"0\";s:8:\"isLinked\";b:1;}}'),(1479,767,'_edit_lock','1630040914:1'),(1481,799,'ss_ss_click_share_count_copy','1'),(1482,799,'ss_total_share_count','0'),(1483,560,'ss_ss_click_share_count_facebook','1'),(1484,560,'ss_total_share_count','0'),(1485,850,'_edit_lock','1601115850:1'),(1490,850,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(1491,850,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(1492,850,'_elementor_version','3.0.10'),(1493,852,'_wp_attached_file','2020/09/Aetes-in-New-Clark-City.jpg'),(1494,852,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:6:{s:5:\"width\";i:600;s:6:\"height\";i:400;s:14:\"hwstring_small\";s:23:\"height=\'85\' width=\'128\'\";s:4:\"file\";s:35:\"2020/09/Aetes-in-New-Clark-City.jpg\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:8:{s:9:\"thumbnail\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:35:\"Aetes-in-New-Clark-City-150x150.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:6:\"medium\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:35:\"Aetes-in-New-Clark-City-300x200.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:300;s:6:\"height\";i:200;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:24:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:35:\"Aetes-in-New-Clark-City-170x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:25:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:33:\"Aetes-in-New-Clark-City-86x70.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:35:\"Aetes-in-New-Clark-City-165x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:165;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:22:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:35:\"Aetes-in-New-Clark-City-370x250.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:30:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:35:\"Aetes-in-New-Clark-City-370x247.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:247;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:21:\"bfastmag_related_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:35:\"Aetes-in-New-Clark-City-288x160.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:288;s:6:\"height\";i:160;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:0:\"\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:1:\"0\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:1:\"0\";s:3:\"iso\";s:1:\"0\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:1:\"0\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";s:1:\"0\";s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}}'),(1495,850,'_wp_page_template','default'),(1496,850,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"1b83c6d8\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"36bf1cf5\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"649b775b\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0<strong>By: Jonathan Vincent U. Yusi<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">On April 11, 2016, the Aquino administration, through the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA), held a\\u00a0groundbreaking<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\">[1]<\\/a>\\u00a0ceremony in Capas, Tarlac. This event marked the beginning of the road to establishing the country\\u2019s first clean, green, and sustainable city. At the helm of the project is the BCDA, a development corporation tasked with converting military reservations into economic zones.<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\">[2]<\\/a> The issues, however, began piling up soon after the city\\u2019s development began. Claims of Aeta displacement in Tarlac made their way to headlines. Reports soon unraveled the extent of the problem through the stories of those who have already been affected by the initial phases of the project.<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\">[3]<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">To be clear, it is undisputed that the New Clark City (NCC) will benefit a vast majority of Filipinos. Aside from being a viable solution to congestion and pollution in Luzon\'s major cities, it will also provide job opportunities as it entices both foreign and domestic investors. That said, it is imperative upon the government to take due notice of the possible effects the said project would have on those who are considered the minority. The administration should not merely dismiss the claims of displacement even if those affected number only in the hundreds to a few thousand. While constructing a \\u2018green city\\u2019 is a step in the right direction, the ends do not justify the means.\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong>Opposing Views<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">Throughout recent years, the BCDA has argued that Tarlac\'s disputed grounds are under its ownership, as these are within a military reservation and, consequently, form part of the Clark Special Economic Zone (CSEZ). The basis of this assertion is Proclamation No. 163 that provided for the creation of the CSEZ, comprising of the Clark Airbase Proper and portions of the Clark reverted baselands such as Camp O\\u2019Donnell in Capas, Tarlac. The said proclamation specified that the BCDA shall be the governing body of the CSEZ, in compliance with Section 15 of the Bases Conversion and Development Act of 1992.<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\">[4]<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">Furthermore, the BCDA has consistently asserted that no indigenous communities are displaced because no Certificate of Ancestral Domain Title (CADT) covers the\\u00a0areas contested. The purpose of the issuance of a CADT is to officially recognize the applied property as an ancestral land or domain. Therefore, the lack of such a title could only mean that no ancestral domain is within the terrain in question. With the abovementioned arguments, the BCDA admonished critics by stating that any reports of displacement are nothing but \\\"fake news\\u201d.<a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\">[5]<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">On the other hand, some Aetas in Capas, Tarlac claim to have been in continuous possession of the disputed lands for as far back as memory reaches. The head of\\u00a0<em>Asosyason ng Katutubong Mahawang<\\/em> told reporters that the indigenous community of Capas had occupied the ancestral domain years ahead of Spain\\u2019s colonization of the\\u00a0Philippines<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\">[6]<\\/a>. This declaration of continuous possession finds support in the landmark case of <em>Cari\\u00f1o v. Insular Government<\\/em>, where the Court ruled that domains and lands held under native title are presumed to have never been public lands<a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\">[7]<\\/a>. The Indigenous Peoples\\u2019 Rights Act of 1997 (IPRA), adopting the ruling in <em>Carino,<\\/em> defines native titles as those pre-conquest rights to lands or domains which, since time immemorial, have been held under a claim of private ownership by ICCs\\/IPs, have never been public lands and are thus indisputably presumed to have been held that way since before the Spanish Conquest<a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\">[8]<\\/a>.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">Moreover, as early as 1999, the Aetas have consistently applied for a CADT. However, their applications have gone unnoticed and unanswered despite numerous requests throughout the\\u00a0years.<a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\">[9]<\\/a> Jurisprudence lays out that the issuance of a CADT is merely a recognition of ownership already vested in them by their predecessors-in-interests\\u2019 possession of the property since time immemorial.<a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\">[10]<\\/a> The non-granting thereof, despite multiple follow-ups from the applicants, can only mean that the lack of a valid ancestral domain title is not due to lapses on the Aetas\\u2019 side. Instead, it could indicate a lack of willingness on the part of the government to grant what is due to the indigenous groups in Tarlac.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">At the very least, the conflicting reports throughout the years could only point to the project\'s divisive nature. On the one hand, the government hopes that the NCC will be the city that brings the country to greater heights as the first of its kind. On the other, the city\'s continued construction means the Aetas have to live in constant fear of having their lands eventually taken away from them.\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong>Bridging the Gap<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">The Indigenous Cultural Communities (ICCs) or Indigenous Peoples (IPs) are protected by no less the Philippine Constitution. Section 5, Article XII calls upon the State to protect the ICCs\\/IPs\' rights to their ancestral lands to ensure their economic, social, and cultural well-being. The IPRA further reinforces these rights by recognizing that they are a distinct sector of society whose lands do not form part of the public domain. These lands are private properties belonging to them because of their continuous occupation and utilization of the same under the claim of ownership since time immemorial.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">Additionally, social justice requires that those who have less in life should have more in law. While the Aetas are people rich in culture and tradition, they are highly dependent on the land they occupy. To deprive them of their ancestral lands and plunge them into a world of unfamiliarity would take away not only the property that has been with them for generations, but also their source of livelihood. The BCDA argues that any indigenous people affected by the project would be compensated and relocated within the NCC. However, ancestral lands, more often than not, hold more importance than just monetary value. They are home to, in essence, the history of our first people.\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">The NCC is known as a \\u2018green city\\u2019 because out of 9450 hectares, only about 3000 hectares would be for infrastructure. The rest, particularly the surrounding area, would be left as it is and used as green open spaces<a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\">[11]<\\/a>. Given that the majority of the site will not be for residential and commercial structures, then it may still be possible to leave the remaining ancestral lands untouched. \\u00a0Even if the current blueprint for the city requires that the disputed lands be taken and developed, there may be time to make changes that would stand to benefit those greatly affected.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">While the completion of the New Clark City is with the public\'s best interest in mind, it does not equate to the forfeiture of the rights of those involved. Although considerably small compared to those who stand to benefit from the project, the number of those affected should not justify the displacement of the concerned families, particularly the indigenous tribes. The Aetas of Tarlac are Filipinos as well; the laws and Constitution of the country protect them just as much as other citizens. If it is indeed the goal of the BCDA to create the most inclusive city, then the Aetas\\u2019 rights to their lands should be given equal consideration as its other goals.\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">[1]<\\/a> Office of Civil Defense, (n.d.), Pres. Aquino Leads Groundbreaking of Country\\u2019s First Smart, Green and Disaster-Resilient Metropolis, http:\\/\\/www.ocd.gov.ph\\/news\\/196-pres-aquino-leads-groundbreaking-of-country-s-first-smart-green-and-disaster-resilient-metropolis.html<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a> Rep. Act No. 7227: Bases Conversion and Development act of 1992<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a> Krixia Subingsubing & Mariejo Ramos, <em>P607-B CLARK \\u2018GREEN CITY\\u2019 TO DISPLACE AETA COMMUNITIES<\\/em>, INQUIRER, (July 08, 2019).<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[4]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[5]<\\/a> The BCDA Group, (August 22, 2018), https:\\/\\/www.facebook.com\\/TheBCDAGroup\\/posts\\/1685676088207590<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[6]<\\/a> Ratziel San Juan, <em>BCDA on Aeta eviction notice: No forcible demolition in New Clark City<\\/em>, PHILSTAR, (December 5, 2019), https:\\/\\/www.philstar.com\\/headlines\\/2019\\/12\\/05\\/1974513\\/bcda-aeta-eviction-notice-no-forcible-demolition-new-clark-city<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\">[7]<\\/a> Mateo Cari\\u00f1o v. The Insular Government, G.R. No. 2869, March 25, 1907.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\">[8]<\\/a> Sec. 3 (j), Rep. Act No. 8371: The Indigenous Peoples\\u2019 Rights Act of 1997<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\">[9]<\\/a> Tony La Vi\\u00f1a, <em>[ANALYSIS] Aetas and New Clark: Trampling on human rights of our first peoples<\\/em>, RAPPLER, (December 10, 2019), <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/rappler.com\\/voices\\/thought-leaders\\/analysis-aetas-new-clark-city-trampling-on-human-rights\\\">https:\\/\\/rappler.com\\/voices\\/thought-leaders\\/analysis-aetas-new-clark-city-trampling-on-human-rights<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\">[10]<\\/a> Lamsis v. Dong-e, G.R. No. 173021, October 20, 2010<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\">[11]<\\/a> Roy Canivel, <em>\\u2018Crazy\\u2019 New Clark City dream moves closer to reality<\\/em>, INQUIRER, (October 16, 2019), https:\\/\\/business.inquirer.net \\/281187\\/crazy-new-clark-city-dream-moves-closer-to-reality<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"style\\\":{\\\"typography\\\":{\\\"fontSize\\\":12}}} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"font-size: 12px;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><em>Featured Photo credit: Bernice Beltran, accessed from <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/thediplomat.com\\/2020\\/01\\/philippines-smart-city-threatens-tribal-displacement\\/\\\">The Diplomat<\\/a>.<\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_font_family\":\"Georgia\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(1499,850,'_thumbnail_id','852'),(1500,853,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(1501,853,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(1502,853,'_elementor_version','3.0.10'),(1503,853,'_wp_page_template','default'),(1504,853,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"1b83c6d8\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"36bf1cf5\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"649b775b\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p>\\u00a0<span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong>By: Jonathan Vincent U. Yusi<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\">On April 11, 2016, the Aquino administration, through the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA), held a\\u00a0groundbreaking<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\">[1]<\\/a>\\u00a0ceremony in Capas, Tarlac. This event marked the beginning of the road to establishing the country\\u2019s first clean, green, and sustainable city. At the helm of the project is the BCDA, a development corporation tasked with converting military reservations into economic zones.<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\">[2]<\\/a> The issues, however, began piling up soon after the city\\u2019s development began. Claims of Aeta displacement in Tarlac made their way to headlines. Reports soon unraveled the extent of the problem through the stories of those who have already been affected by the initial phases of the project.<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\">[3]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\">To be clear, it is undisputed that the New Clark City (NCC) will benefit a vast majority of Filipinos. Aside from being a viable solution to decongestion and pollution in Luzon\'s major cities, it will also provide job opportunities as it entices both foreign and domestic investors. That said, it is imperative upon the government to take due notice of the possible effects the said project would have on those who are considered the minority. The administration should not merely dismiss the claims of displacement even if those affected number only in the hundreds to a few thousand. While constructing a \\u2018green city\\u2019 is a step in the right direction, the ends do not justify the means.\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><strong>Opposing Views<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\">Throughout recent years, the BCDA has argued that Tarlac\'s disputed grounds are under its ownership, as these are within a military reservation and, consequently, form part of the Clark Special Economic Zone (CSEZ). The basis of this assertion is Proclamation No. 163 that provided for the creation of the CSEZ, comprising of the Clark Airbase Proper and portions of the Clark reverted baselands such as Camp O\\u2019Donnell in Capas, Tarlac. The said proclamation specified that the BCDA shall be the governing body of the CSEZ, in compliance with Section 15 of the Bases Conversion and Development Act of 1992.<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\">[4]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\">Furthermore, the BCDA has consistently asserted that no indigenous communities are displaced because no Certificate of Ancestral Domain Title (CADT) covers the\\u00a0areas contested. The purpose of the issuance of a CADT is to officially recognize the applied property as an ancestral land or domain. Therefore, the lack of such a title could only mean that no ancestral domain is within the terrain in question. With the abovementioned arguments, the BCDA admonished critics by stating that any reports of displacement are nothing but \\\"fake news\\u201d.<a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\">[5]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\">On the other hand, some Aetas in Capas, Tarlac claim to have been in continuous possession of the disputed lands for as far back as memory reaches. The head of\\u00a0<em>Asosyason ng Katutubong Mahawang<\\/em> told reporters that the indigenous community of Capas had occupied the ancestral domain years ahead of Spain\\u2019s colonization of the\\u00a0Philippines<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\">[6]<\\/a>. This declaration of continuous possession finds support in the landmark case of <em>Cari\\u00f1o v. Insular Government<\\/em>, where the Court ruled that domains and lands held under native title are presumed to have never been public lands<a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\">[7]<\\/a>. The Indigenous Peoples\\u2019 Rights Act of 1997 (IPRA), adopting the ruling in <em>Carino,<\\/em> defines native titles as those pre-conquest rights to lands or domains which, since time immemorial, have been held under a claim of private ownership by ICCs\\/IPs, have never been public lands and are thus indisputably presumed to have been held that way since before the Spanish Conquest<a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\">[8]<\\/a>.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\">Moreover, as early as 1999, the Aetas have consistently applied for a CADT. However, their applications have gone unnoticed and unanswered despite numerous requests throughout the\\u00a0years.<a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\">[9]<\\/a> Jurisprudence lays out that the issuance of a CADT is merely a recognition of ownership already vested in them by their predecessors-in-interests\\u2019 possession of the property since time immemorial.<a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\">[10]<\\/a> The non-granting thereof, despite multiple follow-ups from the applicants, can only mean that the lack of a valid ancestral domain title is not due to lapses on the Aetas\\u2019 side. Instead, it could indicate a lack of willingness on the part of the government to grant what is due to the indigenous groups in Tarlac.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\">At the very least, the conflicting reports throughout the years could only point to the project\'s divisive nature. On the one hand, the government hopes that the NCC will be the city that brings the country to greater heights as the first of its kind. On the other, the city\'s continued construction means the Aetas have to live in constant fear of having their lands eventually taken away from them.\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><strong>Bridging the Gap<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\">The Indigenous Cultural Communities (ICCs) or Indigenous Peoples (IPs) are protected by no less the Philippine Constitution. Section 5, Article XII calls upon the State to protect the ICCs\\/IPs\' rights to their ancestral lands to ensure their economic, social, and cultural well-being. The IPRA further reinforces these rights by recognizing that they are a distinct sector of society whose lands do not form part of the public domain. These lands are private properties belonging to them because of their continuous occupation and utilization of the same under the claim of ownership since time immemorial.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\">Additionally, social justice requires that those who have less in life should have more in law. While the Aetas are people rich in culture and tradition, they are highly dependent on the land they occupy. To deprive them of their ancestral lands and plunge them into a world of unfamiliarity would take away not only the property that has been with them for generations, but also their source of livelihood. The BCDA argues that any indigenous people affected by the project would be compensated and relocated within the NCC. However, ancestral lands, more often than not, hold more importance than just monetary value. They are home to, in essence, the history of our first people.\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\">The NCC is known as a \\u2018green city\\u2019 because out of 9450 hectares, only about 3000 hectares would be for infrastructure. The rest, particularly the surrounding area, would be left as it is and used as green open spaces<a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\">[11]<\\/a>. Given that the majority of the site will not be for residential and commercial structures, then it may still be possible to leave the remaining ancestral lands untouched. \\u00a0Even if the current blueprint for the city requires that the disputed lands be taken and developed, there may be time to make changes that would stand to benefit those greatly affected.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\">While the completion of the New Clark City is with the public\'s best interest in mind, it does not equate to the forfeiture of the rights of those involved. Although considerably small compared to those who stand to benefit from the project, the number of those affected should not justify the displacement of the concerned families, particularly the indigenous tribes. The Aetas of Tarlac are Filipinos as well; the laws and Constitution of the country protect them just as much as other citizens. If it is indeed the goal of the BCDA to create the most inclusive city, then the Aetas\\u2019 rights to their lands should be given equal consideration as its other goals.\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">[1]<\\/a> Office of Civil Defense, (n.d.), Pres. Aquino Leads Groundbreaking of Country\\u2019s First Smart, Green and Disaster-Resilient Metropolis, http:\\/\\/www.ocd.gov.ph\\/news\\/196-pres-aquino-leads-groundbreaking-of-country-s-first-smart-green-and-disaster-resilient-metropolis.html<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a> Rep. Act No. 7227: Bases Conversion and Development act of 1992<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a> Krixia Subingsubing & Mariejo Ramos, <em>P607-B CLARK \\u2018GREEN CITY\\u2019 TO DISPLACE AETA COMMUNITIES<\\/em>, INQUIRER, (July 08, 2019).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[4]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[5]<\\/a> The BCDA Group, (August 22, 2018), https:\\/\\/www.facebook.com\\/TheBCDAGroup\\/posts\\/1685676088207590<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[6]<\\/a> Ratziel San Juan, <em>BCDA on Aeta eviction notice: No forcible demolition in New Clark City<\\/em>, PHILSTAR, (December 5, 2019), https:\\/\\/www.philstar.com\\/headlines\\/2019\\/12\\/05\\/1974513\\/bcda-aeta-eviction-notice-no-forcible-demolition-new-clark-city<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\">[7]<\\/a> Mateo Cari\\u00f1o v. The Insular Government, G.R. No. 2869, March 25, 1907.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\">[8]<\\/a> Sec. 3 (j), Rep. Act No. 8371: The Indigenous Peoples\\u2019 Rights Act of 1997<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\">[9]<\\/a> Tony La Vi\\u00f1a, <em>[ANALYSIS] Aetas and New Clark: Trampling on human rights of our first peoples<\\/em>, RAPPLER, (December 10, 2019), <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/rappler.com\\/voices\\/thought-leaders\\/analysis-aetas-new-clark-city-trampling-on-human-rights\\\">https:\\/\\/rappler.com\\/voices\\/thought-leaders\\/analysis-aetas-new-clark-city-trampling-on-human-rights<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\">[10]<\\/a> Lamsis v. Dong-e, G.R. No. 173021, October 20, 2010<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\">[11]<\\/a> Roy Canivel, <em>\\u2018Crazy\\u2019 New Clark City dream moves closer to reality<\\/em>, INQUIRER, (October 16, 2019), https:\\/\\/business.inquirer.net \\/281187\\/crazy-new-clark-city-dream-moves-closer-to-reality<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"style\\\":{\\\"typography\\\":{\\\"fontSize\\\":12}}} --><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"font-size: 12px;\\\"><em>Featured Photo credit: Bernice Beltran, accessed from <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/thediplomat.com\\/2020\\/01\\/philippines-smart-city-threatens-tribal-displacement\\/\\\">The Diplomat<\\/a>.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_font_family\":\"Georgia\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(1505,853,'_thumbnail_id','852'),(1508,854,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(1509,854,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(1510,854,'_elementor_version','3.0.10'),(1511,854,'_wp_page_template','default'),(1512,854,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"1b83c6d8\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"36bf1cf5\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"649b775b\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p>\\u00a0<span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong>By: Jonathan Vincent U. Yusi<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\">On April 11, 2016, the Aquino administration, through the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA), held a\\u00a0groundbreaking<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\">[1]<\\/a>\\u00a0ceremony in Capas, Tarlac. This event marked the beginning of the road to establishing the country\\u2019s first clean, green, and sustainable city. At the helm of the project is the BCDA, a development corporation tasked with converting military reservations into economic zones.<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\">[2]<\\/a> The issues, however, began piling up soon after the city\\u2019s development began. Claims of Aeta displacement in Tarlac made their way to headlines. Reports soon unraveled the extent of the problem through the stories of those who have already been affected by the initial phases of the project.<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\">[3]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\">To be clear, it is undisputed that the New Clark City (NCC) will benefit a vast majority of Filipinos. Aside from being a viable solution to decongestion and pollution in Luzon\'s major cities, it will also provide job opportunities as it entices both foreign and domestic investors. That said, it is imperative upon the government to take due notice of the possible effects the said project would have on those who are considered the minority. The administration should not merely dismiss the claims of displacement even if those affected number only in the hundreds to a few thousand. While constructing a \\u2018green city\\u2019 is a step in the right direction, the ends do not justify the means.\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><strong>Opposing Views<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\">Throughout recent years, the BCDA has argued that Tarlac\'s disputed grounds are under its ownership, as these are within a military reservation and, consequently, form part of the Clark Special Economic Zone (CSEZ). The basis of this assertion is Proclamation No. 163 that provided for the creation of the CSEZ, comprising of the Clark Airbase Proper and portions of the Clark reverted baselands such as Camp O\\u2019Donnell in Capas, Tarlac. The said proclamation specified that the BCDA shall be the governing body of the CSEZ, in compliance with Section 15 of the Bases Conversion and Development Act of 1992.<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\">[4]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\">Furthermore, the BCDA has consistently asserted that no indigenous communities are displaced because no Certificate of Ancestral Domain Title (CADT) covers the\\u00a0areas contested. The purpose of the issuance of a CADT is to officially recognize the applied property as an ancestral land or domain. Therefore, the lack of such a title could only mean that no ancestral domain is within the terrain in question. With the abovementioned arguments, the BCDA admonished critics by stating that any reports of displacement are nothing but \\\"fake news\\u201d.<a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\">[5]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\">On the other hand, some Aetas in Capas, Tarlac claim to have been in continuous possession of the disputed lands for as far back as memory reaches. The head of\\u00a0<em>Asosyason ng Katutubong Mahawang<\\/em> told reporters that the indigenous community of Capas had occupied the ancestral domain years ahead of Spain\\u2019s colonization of the\\u00a0Philippines<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\">[6]<\\/a>. This declaration of continuous possession finds support in the landmark case of <em>Cari\\u00f1o v. Insular Government<\\/em>, where the Court ruled that domains and lands held under native title are presumed to have never been public lands<a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\">[7]<\\/a>. The Indigenous Peoples\\u2019 Rights Act of 1997 (IPRA), adopting the ruling in <em>Carino,<\\/em> defines native titles as those pre-conquest rights to lands or domains which, since time immemorial, have been held under a claim of private ownership by ICCs\\/IPs, have never been public lands and are thus indisputably presumed to have been held that way since before the Spanish Conquest<a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\">[8]<\\/a>.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\">Moreover, as early as 1999, the Aetas have consistently applied for a CADT. However, their applications have gone unnoticed and unanswered despite numerous requests throughout the\\u00a0years.<a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\">[9]<\\/a> Jurisprudence lays out that the issuance of a CADT is merely a recognition of ownership already vested in them by their predecessors-in-interests\\u2019 possession of the property since time immemorial.<a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\">[10]<\\/a> The non-granting thereof, despite multiple follow-ups from the applicants, can only mean that the lack of a valid ancestral domain title is not due to lapses on the Aetas\\u2019 side. Instead, it could indicate a lack of willingness on the part of the government to grant what is due to the indigenous groups in Tarlac.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\">At the very least, the conflicting reports throughout the years could only point to the project\'s divisive nature. On the one hand, the government hopes that the NCC will be the city that brings the country to greater heights as the first of its kind. On the other, the city\'s continued construction means the Aetas have to live in constant fear of having their lands eventually taken away from them.\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><strong>Bridging the Gap<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\">The Indigenous Cultural Communities (ICCs) or Indigenous Peoples (IPs) are protected by no less the Philippine Constitution. Section 5, Article XII calls upon the State to protect the ICCs\\/IPs\' rights to their ancestral lands to ensure their economic, social, and cultural well-being. The IPRA further reinforces these rights by recognizing that they are a distinct sector of society whose lands do not form part of the public domain. These lands are private properties belonging to them because of their continuous occupation and utilization of the same under the claim of ownership since time immemorial.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\">Additionally, social justice requires that those who have less in life should have more in law. While the Aetas are people rich in culture and tradition, they are highly dependent on the land they occupy. To deprive them of their ancestral lands and plunge them into a world of unfamiliarity would take away not only the property that has been with them for generations, but also their source of livelihood. The BCDA argues that any indigenous people affected by the project would be compensated and relocated within the NCC. However, ancestral lands, more often than not, hold more importance than just monetary value. They are home to, in essence, the history of our first people.\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\">The NCC is known as a \\u2018green city\\u2019 because out of 9450 hectares, only about 3000 hectares would be for infrastructure. The rest, particularly the surrounding area, would be left as it is and used as green open spaces<a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\">[11]<\\/a>. Given that the majority of the site will not be for residential and commercial structures, then it may still be possible to leave the remaining ancestral lands untouched. \\u00a0Even if the current blueprint for the city requires that the disputed lands be taken and developed, there may be time to make changes that would stand to benefit those greatly affected.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\">While the completion of the New Clark City is with the public\'s best interest in mind, it does not equate to the forfeiture of the rights of those involved. Although considerably small compared to those who stand to benefit from the project, the number of those affected should not justify the displacement of the concerned families, particularly the indigenous tribes. The Aetas of Tarlac are Filipinos as well; the laws and Constitution of the country protect them just as much as other citizens. If it is indeed the goal of the BCDA to create the most inclusive city, then the Aetas\\u2019 rights to their lands should be given equal consideration as its other goals.\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">[1]<\\/a> Office of Civil Defense, (n.d.), Pres. Aquino Leads Groundbreaking of Country\\u2019s First Smart, Green and Disaster-Resilient Metropolis, http:\\/\\/www.ocd.gov.ph\\/news\\/196-pres-aquino-leads-groundbreaking-of-country-s-first-smart-green-and-disaster-resilient-metropolis.html<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a> Rep. Act No. 7227: Bases Conversion and Development act of 1992<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a> Krixia Subingsubing & Mariejo Ramos, <em>P607-B CLARK \\u2018GREEN CITY\\u2019 TO DISPLACE AETA COMMUNITIES<\\/em>, INQUIRER, (July 08, 2019).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[4]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[5]<\\/a> The BCDA Group, (August 22, 2018), https:\\/\\/www.facebook.com\\/TheBCDAGroup\\/posts\\/1685676088207590<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[6]<\\/a> Ratziel San Juan, <em>BCDA on Aeta eviction notice: No forcible demolition in New Clark City<\\/em>, PHILSTAR, (December 5, 2019), https:\\/\\/www.philstar.com\\/headlines\\/2019\\/12\\/05\\/1974513\\/bcda-aeta-eviction-notice-no-forcible-demolition-new-clark-city<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\">[7]<\\/a> Mateo Cari\\u00f1o v. The Insular Government, G.R. No. 2869, March 25, 1907.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\">[8]<\\/a> Sec. 3 (j), Rep. Act No. 8371: The Indigenous Peoples\\u2019 Rights Act of 1997<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\">[9]<\\/a> Tony La Vi\\u00f1a, <em>[ANALYSIS] Aetas and New Clark: Trampling on human rights of our first peoples<\\/em>, RAPPLER, (December 10, 2019), <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/rappler.com\\/voices\\/thought-leaders\\/analysis-aetas-new-clark-city-trampling-on-human-rights\\\">https:\\/\\/rappler.com\\/voices\\/thought-leaders\\/analysis-aetas-new-clark-city-trampling-on-human-rights<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\">[10]<\\/a> Lamsis v. Dong-e, G.R. No. 173021, October 20, 2010<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\">[11]<\\/a> Roy Canivel, <em>\\u2018Crazy\\u2019 New Clark City dream moves closer to reality<\\/em>, INQUIRER, (October 16, 2019), https:\\/\\/business.inquirer.net \\/281187\\/crazy-new-clark-city-dream-moves-closer-to-reality<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"style\\\":{\\\"typography\\\":{\\\"fontSize\\\":12}}} --><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"font-size: 12px;\\\"><em>Featured Photo credit: Bernice Beltran, accessed from <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/thediplomat.com\\/2020\\/01\\/philippines-smart-city-threatens-tribal-displacement\\/\\\">The Diplomat<\\/a>.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_font_family\":\"Georgia\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(1513,854,'_thumbnail_id','852'),(1515,850,'_edit_last','1'),(1516,850,'_yoast_wpseo_primary_category','10'),(1517,850,'wptr_hide_title','0'),(1518,850,'ss_social_share_disable',''),(1519,850,'_yoast_wpseo_focuskw','IPRA'),(1520,850,'_yoast_wpseo_linkdex','50'),(1521,850,'_yoast_wpseo_content_score','30'),(1523,855,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(1524,855,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(1525,855,'_elementor_version','3.0.10'),(1526,855,'_wp_page_template','default'),(1527,855,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"1b83c6d8\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"36bf1cf5\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"649b775b\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p>\\u00a0<span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong>By: Jonathan Vincent U. Yusi<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\">On April 11, 2016, the Aquino administration, through the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA), held a\\u00a0groundbreaking<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\">[1]<\\/a>\\u00a0ceremony in Capas, Tarlac. This event marked the beginning of the road to establishing the country\\u2019s first clean, green, and sustainable city. At the helm of the project is the BCDA, a development corporation tasked with converting military reservations into economic zones.<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\">[2]<\\/a> The issues, however, began piling up soon after the city\\u2019s development began. Claims of Aeta displacement in Tarlac made their way to headlines. Reports soon unraveled the extent of the problem through the stories of those who have already been affected by the initial phases of the project.<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\">[3]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\">To be clear, it is undisputed that the New Clark City (NCC) will benefit a vast majority of Filipinos. Aside from being a viable solution to decongestion and pollution in Luzon\'s major cities, it will also provide job opportunities as it entices both foreign and domestic investors. That said, it is imperative upon the government to take due notice of the possible effects the said project would have on those who are considered the minority. The administration should not merely dismiss the claims of displacement even if those affected number only in the hundreds to a few thousand. While constructing a \\u2018green city\\u2019 is a step in the right direction, the ends do not justify the means.\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><strong>Opposing Views<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\">Throughout recent years, the BCDA has argued that Tarlac\'s disputed grounds are under its ownership, as these are within a military reservation and, consequently, form part of the Clark Special Economic Zone (CSEZ). The basis of this assertion is Proclamation No. 163 that provided for the creation of the CSEZ, comprising of the Clark Airbase Proper and portions of the Clark reverted baselands such as Camp O\\u2019Donnell in Capas, Tarlac. The said proclamation specified that the BCDA shall be the governing body of the CSEZ, in compliance with Section 15 of the Bases Conversion and Development Act of 1992.<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\">[4]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\">Furthermore, the BCDA has consistently asserted that no indigenous communities are displaced because no Certificate of Ancestral Domain Title (CADT) covers the\\u00a0areas contested. The purpose of the issuance of a CADT is to officially recognize the applied property as an ancestral land or domain. Therefore, the lack of such a title could only mean that no ancestral domain is within the terrain in question. With the abovementioned arguments, the BCDA admonished critics by stating that any reports of displacement are nothing but \\\"fake news\\u201d.<a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\">[5]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\">On the other hand, some Aetas in Capas, Tarlac claim to have been in continuous possession of the disputed lands for as far back as memory reaches. The head of\\u00a0<em>Asosyason ng Katutubong Mahawang<\\/em> told reporters that the indigenous community of Capas had occupied the ancestral domain years ahead of Spain\\u2019s colonization of the\\u00a0Philippines<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\">[6]<\\/a>. This declaration of continuous possession finds support in the landmark case of <em>Cari\\u00f1o v. Insular Government<\\/em>, where the Court ruled that domains and lands held under native title are presumed to have never been public lands<a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\">[7]<\\/a>. The Indigenous Peoples\\u2019 Rights Act of 1997 (IPRA), adopting the ruling in <em>Carino,<\\/em> defines native titles as those pre-conquest rights to lands or domains which, since time immemorial, have been held under a claim of private ownership by ICCs\\/IPs, have never been public lands and are thus indisputably presumed to have been held that way since before the Spanish Conquest<a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\">[8]<\\/a>.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\">Moreover, as early as 1999, the Aetas have consistently applied for a CADT. However, their applications have gone unnoticed and unanswered despite numerous requests throughout the\\u00a0years.<a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\">[9]<\\/a> Jurisprudence lays out that the issuance of a CADT is merely a recognition of ownership already vested in them by their predecessors-in-interests\\u2019 possession of the property since time immemorial.<a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\">[10]<\\/a> The non-granting thereof, despite multiple follow-ups from the applicants, can only mean that the lack of a valid ancestral domain title is not due to lapses on the Aetas\\u2019 side. Instead, it could indicate a lack of willingness on the part of the government to grant what is due to the indigenous groups in Tarlac.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\">At the very least, the conflicting reports throughout the years could only point to the project\'s divisive nature. On the one hand, the government hopes that the NCC will be the city that brings the country to greater heights as the first of its kind. On the other, the city\'s continued construction means the Aetas have to live in constant fear of having their lands eventually taken away from them.\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><strong>Bridging the Gap<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\">The Indigenous Cultural Communities (ICCs) or Indigenous Peoples (IPs) are protected by no less the Philippine Constitution. Section 5, Article XII calls upon the State to protect the ICCs\\/IPs\' rights to their ancestral lands to ensure their economic, social, and cultural well-being. The IPRA further reinforces these rights by recognizing that they are a distinct sector of society whose lands do not form part of the public domain. These lands are private properties belonging to them because of their continuous occupation and utilization of the same under the claim of ownership since time immemorial.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\">Additionally, social justice requires that those who have less in life should have more in law. While the Aetas are people rich in culture and tradition, they are highly dependent on the land they occupy. To deprive them of their ancestral lands and plunge them into a world of unfamiliarity would take away not only the property that has been with them for generations, but also their source of livelihood. The BCDA argues that any indigenous people affected by the project would be compensated and relocated within the NCC. However, ancestral lands, more often than not, hold more importance than just monetary value. They are home to, in essence, the history of our first people.\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\">The NCC is known as a \\u2018green city\\u2019 because out of 9450 hectares, only about 3000 hectares would be for infrastructure. The rest, particularly the surrounding area, would be left as it is and used as green open spaces<a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\">[11]<\\/a>. Given that the majority of the site will not be for residential and commercial structures, then it may still be possible to leave the remaining ancestral lands untouched. \\u00a0Even if the current blueprint for the city requires that the disputed lands be taken and developed, there may be time to make changes that would stand to benefit those greatly affected.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\">While the completion of the New Clark City is with the public\'s best interest in mind, it does not equate to the forfeiture of the rights of those involved. Although considerably small compared to those who stand to benefit from the project, the number of those affected should not justify the displacement of the concerned families, particularly the indigenous tribes. The Aetas of Tarlac are Filipinos as well; the laws and Constitution of the country protect them just as much as other citizens. If it is indeed the goal of the BCDA to create the most inclusive city, then the Aetas\\u2019 rights to their lands should be given equal consideration as its other goals.\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">[1]<\\/a> Office of Civil Defense, (n.d.), Pres. Aquino Leads Groundbreaking of Country\\u2019s First Smart, Green and Disaster-Resilient Metropolis, http:\\/\\/www.ocd.gov.ph\\/news\\/196-pres-aquino-leads-groundbreaking-of-country-s-first-smart-green-and-disaster-resilient-metropolis.html<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a> Rep. Act No. 7227: Bases Conversion and Development act of 1992<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a> Krixia Subingsubing & Mariejo Ramos, <em>P607-B CLARK \\u2018GREEN CITY\\u2019 TO DISPLACE AETA COMMUNITIES<\\/em>, INQUIRER, (July 08, 2019).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[4]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[5]<\\/a> The BCDA Group, (August 22, 2018), https:\\/\\/www.facebook.com\\/TheBCDAGroup\\/posts\\/1685676088207590<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[6]<\\/a> Ratziel San Juan, <em>BCDA on Aeta eviction notice: No forcible demolition in New Clark City<\\/em>, PHILSTAR, (December 5, 2019), https:\\/\\/www.philstar.com\\/headlines\\/2019\\/12\\/05\\/1974513\\/bcda-aeta-eviction-notice-no-forcible-demolition-new-clark-city<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\">[7]<\\/a> Mateo Cari\\u00f1o v. The Insular Government, G.R. No. 2869, March 25, 1907.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\">[8]<\\/a> Sec. 3 (j), Rep. Act No. 8371: The Indigenous Peoples\\u2019 Rights Act of 1997<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\">[9]<\\/a> Tony La Vi\\u00f1a, <em>[ANALYSIS] Aetas and New Clark: Trampling on human rights of our first peoples<\\/em>, RAPPLER, (December 10, 2019), <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/rappler.com\\/voices\\/thought-leaders\\/analysis-aetas-new-clark-city-trampling-on-human-rights\\\">https:\\/\\/rappler.com\\/voices\\/thought-leaders\\/analysis-aetas-new-clark-city-trampling-on-human-rights<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\">[10]<\\/a> Lamsis v. Dong-e, G.R. No. 173021, October 20, 2010<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\">[11]<\\/a> Roy Canivel, <em>\\u2018Crazy\\u2019 New Clark City dream moves closer to reality<\\/em>, INQUIRER, (October 16, 2019), https:\\/\\/business.inquirer.net \\/281187\\/crazy-new-clark-city-dream-moves-closer-to-reality<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"style\\\":{\\\"typography\\\":{\\\"fontSize\\\":12}}} --><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"font-size: 12px;\\\"><em>Featured Photo credit: Bernice Beltran, accessed from <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/thediplomat.com\\/2020\\/01\\/philippines-smart-city-threatens-tribal-displacement\\/\\\">The Diplomat<\\/a>.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_font_family\":\"Georgia\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(1528,855,'_thumbnail_id','852'),(1530,855,'_elementor_controls_usage','a:3:{s:11:\"text-editor\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:2;s:8:\"controls\";a:2:{s:7:\"content\";a:1:{s:14:\"section_editor\";a:1:{s:6:\"editor\";i:1;}}s:5:\"style\";a:1:{s:13:\"section_style\";a:3:{s:21:\"typography_typography\";i:1;s:22:\"typography_font_family\";i:1;s:22:\"typography_line_height\";i:1;}}}}s:6:\"column\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:0;s:8:\"controls\";a:0:{}}s:7:\"section\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:0;s:8:\"controls\";a:0:{}}}'),(1531,850,'_yoast_wpseo_metadesc','This declaration of continuous possession finds support in the landmark case of Cariño v. Insular Government, where the Court ruled that domains and lands held under native title are presumed to have never been public lands'),(1533,850,'_pingme','1'),(1534,850,'_encloseme','1'),(1535,856,'_edit_lock','1600924175:1'),(1536,857,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(1537,857,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(1538,857,'_elementor_version','3.0.10'),(1539,857,'_wp_page_template','default'),(1540,857,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"1b83c6d8\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"36bf1cf5\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"649b775b\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p>\\u00a0<span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong>By: Jonathan Vincent U. Yusi<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\">On April 11, 2016, the Aquino administration, through the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA), held a\\u00a0groundbreaking<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\">[1]<\\/a>\\u00a0ceremony in Capas, Tarlac. This event marked the beginning of the road to establishing the country\\u2019s first clean, green, and sustainable city. At the helm of the project is the BCDA, a development corporation tasked with converting military reservations into economic zones.<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\">[2]<\\/a> The issues, however, began piling up soon after the city\\u2019s development began. Claims of Aeta displacement in Tarlac made their way to headlines. Reports soon unraveled the extent of the problem through the stories of those who have already been affected by the initial phases of the project.<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\">[3]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\">To be clear, it is undisputed that the New Clark City (NCC) will benefit a vast majority of Filipinos. Aside from being a viable solution to decongestion and pollution in Luzon\'s major cities, it will also provide job opportunities as it entices both foreign and domestic investors. That said, it is imperative upon the government to take due notice of the possible effects the said project would have on those who are considered the minority. The administration should not merely dismiss the claims of displacement even if those affected number only in the hundreds to a few thousand. While constructing a \\u2018green city\\u2019 is a step in the right direction, the ends do not justify the means.\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><strong>Opposing Views<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\">Throughout recent years, the BCDA has argued that Tarlac\'s disputed grounds are under its ownership, as these are within a military reservation and, consequently, form part of the Clark Special Economic Zone (CSEZ). The basis of this assertion is Proclamation No. 163 that provided for the creation of the CSEZ, comprising of the Clark Airbase Proper and portions of the Clark reverted baselands such as Camp O\\u2019Donnell in Capas, Tarlac. The said proclamation specified that the BCDA shall be the governing body of the CSEZ, in compliance with Section 15 of the Bases Conversion and Development Act of 1992.<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\">[4]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\">Furthermore, the BCDA has consistently asserted that no indigenous communities are displaced because no Certificate of Ancestral Domain Title (CADT) covers the\\u00a0areas contested. The purpose of the issuance of a CADT is to officially recognize the applied property as an ancestral land or domain. Therefore, the lack of such a title could only mean that no ancestral domain is within the terrain in question. With the abovementioned arguments, the BCDA admonished critics by stating that any reports of displacement are nothing but \\\"fake news\\u201d.<a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\">[5]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\">On the other hand, some Aetas in Capas, Tarlac claim to have been in continuous possession of the disputed lands for as far back as memory reaches. The head of\\u00a0<em>Asosyason ng Katutubong Mahawang<\\/em> told reporters that the indigenous community of Capas had occupied the ancestral domain years ahead of Spain\\u2019s colonization of the\\u00a0Philippines<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\">[6]<\\/a>. This declaration of continuous possession finds support in the landmark case of <em>Cari\\u00f1o v. Insular Government<\\/em>, where the Court ruled that domains and lands held under native title are presumed to have never been public lands<a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\">[7]<\\/a>. The Indigenous Peoples\\u2019 Rights Act of 1997 (IPRA), adopting the ruling in <em>Carino,<\\/em> defines native titles as those pre-conquest rights to lands or domains which, since time immemorial, have been held under a claim of private ownership by ICCs\\/IPs, have never been public lands and are thus indisputably presumed to have been held that way since before the Spanish Conquest<a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\">[8]<\\/a>.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\">Moreover, as early as 1999, the Aetas have consistently applied for a CADT. However, their applications have gone unnoticed and unanswered despite numerous requests throughout the\\u00a0years.<a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\">[9]<\\/a> Jurisprudence lays out that the issuance of a CADT is merely a recognition of ownership already vested in them by their predecessors-in-interests\\u2019 possession of the property since time immemorial.<a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\">[10]<\\/a> The non-granting thereof, despite multiple follow-ups from the applicants, can only mean that the lack of a valid ancestral domain title is not due to lapses on the Aetas\\u2019 side. Instead, it could indicate a lack of willingness on the part of the government to grant what is due to the indigenous groups in Tarlac.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\">At the very least, the conflicting reports throughout the years could only point to the project\'s divisive nature. On the one hand, the government hopes that the NCC will be the city that brings the country to greater heights as the first of its kind. On the other, the city\'s continued construction means the Aetas have to live in constant fear of having their lands eventually taken away from them.\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><strong>Bridging the Gap<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\">The Indigenous Cultural Communities (ICCs) or Indigenous Peoples (IPs) are protected by no less the Philippine Constitution. Section 5, Article XII calls upon the State to protect the ICCs\\/IPs\' rights to their ancestral lands to ensure their economic, social, and cultural well-being. The IPRA further reinforces these rights by recognizing that they are a distinct sector of society whose lands do not form part of the public domain. These lands are private properties belonging to them because of their continuous occupation and utilization of the same under the claim of ownership since time immemorial.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\">Additionally, social justice requires that those who have less in life should have more in law. While the Aetas are people rich in culture and tradition, they are highly dependent on the land they occupy. To deprive them of their ancestral lands and plunge them into a world of unfamiliarity would take away not only the property that has been with them for generations, but also their source of livelihood. The BCDA argues that any indigenous people affected by the project would be compensated and relocated within the NCC. However, ancestral lands, more often than not, hold more importance than just monetary value. They are home to, in essence, the history of our first people.\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\">The NCC is known as a \\u2018green city\\u2019 because out of 9450 hectares, only about 3000 hectares would be for infrastructure. The rest, particularly the surrounding area, would be left as it is and used as green open spaces<a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\">[11]<\\/a>. Given that the majority of the site will not be for residential and commercial structures, then it may still be possible to leave the remaining ancestral lands untouched. \\u00a0Even if the current blueprint for the city requires that the disputed lands be taken and developed, there may be time to make changes that would stand to benefit those greatly affected.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\">While the completion of the New Clark City is with the public\'s best interest in mind, it does not equate to the forfeiture of the rights of those involved. Although considerably small compared to those who stand to benefit from the project, the number of those affected should not justify the displacement of the concerned families, particularly the indigenous tribes. The Aetas of Tarlac are Filipinos as well; the laws and Constitution of the country protect them just as much as other citizens. If it is indeed the goal of the BCDA to create the most inclusive city, then the Aetas\\u2019 rights to their lands should be given equal consideration as its other goals.\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">[1]<\\/a> Office of Civil Defense, (n.d.), Pres. Aquino Leads Groundbreaking of Country\\u2019s First Smart, Green and Disaster-Resilient Metropolis, http:\\/\\/www.ocd.gov.ph\\/news\\/196-pres-aquino-leads-groundbreaking-of-country-s-first-smart-green-and-disaster-resilient-metropolis.html<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a> Rep. Act No. 7227: Bases Conversion and Development act of 1992<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a> Krixia Subingsubing & Mariejo Ramos, <em>P607-B CLARK \\u2018GREEN CITY\\u2019 TO DISPLACE AETA COMMUNITIES<\\/em>, INQUIRER, (July 08, 2019).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[4]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[5]<\\/a> The BCDA Group, (August 22, 2018), https:\\/\\/www.facebook.com\\/TheBCDAGroup\\/posts\\/1685676088207590<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[6]<\\/a> Ratziel San Juan, <em>BCDA on Aeta eviction notice: No forcible demolition in New Clark City<\\/em>, PHILSTAR, (December 5, 2019), https:\\/\\/www.philstar.com\\/headlines\\/2019\\/12\\/05\\/1974513\\/bcda-aeta-eviction-notice-no-forcible-demolition-new-clark-city<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\">[7]<\\/a> Mateo Cari\\u00f1o v. The Insular Government, G.R. No. 2869, March 25, 1907.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\">[8]<\\/a> Sec. 3 (j), Rep. Act No. 8371: The Indigenous Peoples\\u2019 Rights Act of 1997<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\">[9]<\\/a> Tony La Vi\\u00f1a, <em>[ANALYSIS] Aetas and New Clark: Trampling on human rights of our first peoples<\\/em>, RAPPLER, (December 10, 2019), <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/rappler.com\\/voices\\/thought-leaders\\/analysis-aetas-new-clark-city-trampling-on-human-rights\\\">https:\\/\\/rappler.com\\/voices\\/thought-leaders\\/analysis-aetas-new-clark-city-trampling-on-human-rights<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\">[10]<\\/a> Lamsis v. Dong-e, G.R. No. 173021, October 20, 2010<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\">[11]<\\/a> Roy Canivel, <em>\\u2018Crazy\\u2019 New Clark City dream moves closer to reality<\\/em>, INQUIRER, (October 16, 2019), https:\\/\\/business.inquirer.net \\/281187\\/crazy-new-clark-city-dream-moves-closer-to-reality<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"style\\\":{\\\"typography\\\":{\\\"fontSize\\\":12}}} --><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"font-size: 12px;\\\"><em>Featured Photo credit: Bernice Beltran, accessed from <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/thediplomat.com\\/2020\\/01\\/philippines-smart-city-threatens-tribal-displacement\\/\\\">The Diplomat<\\/a>.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_font_family\":\"Georgia\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(1541,857,'_thumbnail_id','852'),(1543,857,'_elementor_controls_usage','a:3:{s:11:\"text-editor\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:2;s:8:\"controls\";a:2:{s:7:\"content\";a:1:{s:14:\"section_editor\";a:1:{s:6:\"editor\";i:1;}}s:5:\"style\";a:1:{s:13:\"section_style\";a:3:{s:21:\"typography_typography\";i:1;s:22:\"typography_font_family\";i:1;s:22:\"typography_line_height\";i:1;}}}}s:6:\"column\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:0;s:8:\"controls\";a:0:{}}s:7:\"section\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:0;s:8:\"controls\";a:0:{}}}'),(1544,856,'_wp_trash_meta_status','publish'),(1545,856,'_wp_trash_meta_time','1600924210'),(1546,859,'_wp_trash_meta_status','publish'),(1547,859,'_wp_trash_meta_time','1600924893'),(1548,850,'ss_ss_click_share_count_facebook','5'),(1549,850,'ss_total_share_count','0'),(1560,850,'_yoast_wpseo_title','%%title%% %%sep%% %%sitename%%'),(1561,850,'_yoast_wpseo_opengraph-title','%%primary_category%% %%sep%% %%title%%'),(1562,786,'_yoast_wpseo_title','%%title%% %%sep%% %%sitename%%'),(1563,861,'_thumbnail_id','833'),(1564,861,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(1565,861,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(1566,861,'_elementor_version','3.0.2'),(1567,861,'_wp_page_template','default'),(1568,861,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"339a246a\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"5044ea1d\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100,\"space_between_widgets\":0},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"55a7f60b\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong>By: John Kristoffer P. Pereda<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">In light of the threats of the COVID-19 pandemic, government action is imperative to prevent the further spread of the disease, to cushion the effects of the pandemic, and to spearhead society as it charters the waters of the new normal. Although the exigencies of the pandemic require massive government action, such government action must be founded on law. A democratic society such as ours does not forsake the rule of law even in times of dire situations. Thus, we are pressed with the following question: \\u2018What is the legal basis of the issuances by the President imposing quarantine restrictions throughout the country?\\u2019<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"align\\\":\\\"left\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-text-align-left\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong>Institutionalizing government response<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 On March 8, 2020, President Duterte issued Proclamation No. 922 which placed the entire country under a state of Public Health Emergency. Few days later, on March 16, 2020, he issued Proclamation No. 929, declaring a State of Calamity throughout the Philippines. In the same proclamation, he also placed entire Luzon under strict lockdown.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">Realizing that the powers of the President under the Constitution and existing laws were insufficient to effectively address the crisis brought about by the pandemic, Congress deemed it necessary to grant President Duterte emergency powers pursuant to Article VI, Sec. 23 (2) of the Constitution. Thus, on March 24, 2020, Congress enacted R.A. No. 11469, also known as the <em>Bayanihan to Heal as One Act <\\/em>(<em>Bayanihan<\\/em> Law). It granted the President temporary emergency powers which include, among others, the power to (a) the adopt and implement measures, following World Health Organization guidelines and best practices, to prevent or suppress further transmission and spread of COVID-19 through education, detection, protection and treatment<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\">[1]<\\/a>; (b) ensure that all Local Government Units (LGUs) are acting within the letter and spirit of all the rules, regulations and directives issued by the National Government and are implementing standards of Community Quarantine consistent with what the National Government has laid down for the subject area<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\">[2]<\\/a>; and (c) regulate the operation of all sectors of transportation through land, sea or air, whether private or public<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\">[3]<\\/a>.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The <em>Bayanihan<\\/em> Law, being an emergency powers measure contemplated under Article IV, Sec. 23 (2), was effective for only a limited period. Although there were doubts as to the actual expiration of said law (the administration maintained that said emergency powers ceased on June 25<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\">[4]<\\/a>, citing the sunset clause<a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\">[5]<\\/a> in the <em>Bayanihan<\\/em> Law, as opposed to the constitutional provision<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\">[6]<\\/a> that emergency powers shall cease upon adjournment of Congress, which took place on June 5), the emergency powers had, at some point, definitely ceased. Nonetheless, even after the lapse of the <em>Bayanihan<\\/em> Law, quarantine restrictions have remained in place.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"align\\\":\\\"left\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-text-align-left\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong>Legal foundations: the clear and the anomalous<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">In placing the country under a state of Public Health Emergency as specified in Proclamation No. 922, President Duterte derived his authority from R.A. No. 11332<a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\">[7]<\\/a>, which authorized the President to declare epidemics and mobilize governmental and nongovernmental agencies to respond to the threat. Conversely, President Duterte\\u2019s declaration of State of Calamity as stated in Proclamation No. 929 was grounded on R.A. No. 10121<a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\">[8]<\\/a>, which empowers the President to declare a State of Calamity. Thus, these two proclamations were aptly made by President Duterte in the exercise of his statute-based powers.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">Curiously, it was also in Proclamation No. 929 in which President Duterte imposed quarantine restrictions. To stress, while the authority of the President to declare State of Calamity has statutory basis in R.A. No. 10121, the same law does not expressly provide that the President is authorized to impose lockdowns. Hence, when President Duterte imposed quarantine restrictions in Proclamation No. 929, the legal foundation in doing the same was unclear. It was only upon the effectivity of the <em>Bayanihan<\\/em> Law when there had been clear statutory basis for such act, particularly in Sec. 4(a),(g) and (f) of said law. However, with the expiration of the <em>Bayanihan<\\/em> Law, the quarantine restrictions remained in place, while the clear legal basis for imposing the same had ceased.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"align\\\":\\\"left\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-text-align-left\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong>Filling the void<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><em>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 <\\/em>Article III, Section 6 of the Constitution provides that \\u201cthe right to travel [shall not] be impaired except in the interest of national security, public safety, or public health, as may be provided by law.\\u201d Hence, the unauthorized imposition of quarantine restrictions would not only signify a case of presidential overreach, but also a clear impairment of the constitutionally protected right to travel. As worded, Article III, Section 6 provides a limitation to the right to travel \\u2013 it may be impaired only in the interest of national security, public safety or public health, <em>as may be provided by law<\\/em>. Therefore, it is only Congress which may curtail the right to travel when exigencies of times call for it.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Considering that Congress, in enacting the <em>Bayanihan<\\/em> Law, granted President Duterte the powers stated in Sec. 4(a),(g) and (f), its power to regulate the right to travel implied in Article III, Section 6 must be considered as a component of the emergency powers granted to the President. Thus, the President\\u2019s imposition of restrictions pursuant to the <em>Bayanihan<\\/em> Law does not violate the right to travel since it was made pursuant to a validly delegated legislative power. In contrast, the validity of quarantine restrictions made outside the authority of the <em>Bayanihan<\\/em> Law is, at the very least, questionable.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 This in no way suggests that the President\\u2019s actions in response to the pandemic beyond the scope of the emergency powers measure is altogether without legal basis. Even without an emergency powers measure, the President has the power to ensure that the laws be faithfully executed<a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\">[9]<\\/a> (known as the \\u201ctake-care\\u201d power), including existing local ordinances<a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\">[10]<\\/a> that impose quarantine restrictions. In the exercise of this function, the President may employ all the powers attached to his office, most especially the power to control all executive department, bureaus, and offices.<a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\">[11]<\\/a> Thus, the President may employ all the existing powers of executive agencies that regulate aspects of public life (e.g. work suspensions, public transport regulations).<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">This does not discount the existence of certain gray areas such as in certain LGUs which did not issue any ordinance from which the President may derive power to impose quarantine restrictions. In this case, there is no authority for the President to impose measures in such LGU that would have the effect of curtailing the right to travel. Hence the need for another congressional grant of emergency powers authorizing the President to impose quarantine restrictions. Without such grant, the President could combat the pandemic by exercising the gamut of powers within the executive branch , <em>but cannot curtail the right to travel.<\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The country is no stranger to national emergencies. Yet the emergency brought by the COVID-19 pandemic is unprecedented. And when the most critical measure to address this crisis rubs against a constitutionally protected right, the observance of constitutionally sanctioned mechanisms is indispensable. The observance of such constitutionally sanctioned mechanisms in the imposition of quarantine restrictions is thus illustrated as follows: the legal foundations for the imposition of quarantine restrictions during the lifetime of the <em>Bayanihan<\\/em> Law is direct i.e., upon the authority of an emergency powers measure, while outside of it, the authority is indirect i.e., in the exercise of \\u201ctake-care\\u201d power enforcing local ordinances.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">As pointed out, in the absence of an emergency powers measure, the authority of the President to impose quarantine regulations is sourced from only local ordinances of the LGUs across the country. However, when tested against the postulate that government powers must be centralized in times of emergencies so as to enable prompt government action, the prudence of having a decentralized legal foundation in the form of local ordinances is put into question. If the President had to source authority from local ordinances which might possibly differ from one another in terms of the extent and gravity of regulation, the net result \\u00a0is the divergence of \\u00a0quarantine restrictions across the country. The most prudent action to address this is definitely to enact another emergency powers measure so as (1) to address the inconvenience on the part of the President, who has to source authority from local ordinances, and (2) to allow uniform quarantine regulations, so as to rule out the possibility of confusion on the part of the public.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">While the source of authority of the President to impose quarantine restrictions is put into inquiry here, how he exercises such authority is entirely a different matter. It should be put into inquiry by the people themselves, who must always be vigilant so as to prevent any government action that exceeds what the present situation calls for.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">[1]<\\/a> R.A. 11469, sec. 4(a)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a> R.A. 11469, sec. 4(g)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a> R.A. 11469, sec. 4(r)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[4]<\\/a> Aika Rey, Malaca\\u00f1ang says Bayanihan Act to expire June 25, but Constitution says no, Rappler, June 6, 2020, https:\\/\\/rappler.com \\/nation\\/malacanang-bayanihan-act-expire-june-25-2020<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[5]<\\/a> R.A. 11469, sec. 9<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[6]<\\/a> CONST., art. VI, sec. 23(2)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\">[7]<\\/a> also known as known as the <em>Mandatory Reporting of Notifiable Diseases and Health Events of Public Health Concern Act<\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\">[8]<\\/a> also known as the <em>Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010<\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\">[9]<\\/a> CONST., art. VII, sec. 17<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\">[10]<\\/a> Isagani Cruz & Carlo Cruz, Philippine Political Law, 419 (2014 ed.)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\">[11]<\\/a> CONST., art. VII, sec. 17<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><em>Featured Photo by: Walter Bollozos of The Philippine STAR<\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_font_family\":\"Georgia\",\"align\":\"left\",\"text_columns\":\"1\",\"column_gap\":{\"unit\":\"px\",\"size\":0,\"sizes\":[]},\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]},\"_margin\":{\"unit\":\"px\",\"top\":\"0\",\"right\":\"0\",\"bottom\":\"0\",\"left\":\"0\",\"isLinked\":false},\"_z_index\":0},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(1569,861,'_elementor_page_settings','a:2:{s:21:\"background_background\";s:7:\"classic\";s:7:\"padding\";a:6:{s:4:\"unit\";s:2:\"px\";s:3:\"top\";s:1:\"0\";s:5:\"right\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"bottom\";s:1:\"0\";s:4:\"left\";s:1:\"0\";s:8:\"isLinked\";b:1;}}'),(1570,861,'_elementor_controls_usage','a:3:{s:11:\"text-editor\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:4;s:8:\"controls\";a:3:{s:7:\"content\";a:1:{s:14:\"section_editor\";a:3:{s:6:\"editor\";i:1;s:12:\"text_columns\";i:1;s:10:\"column_gap\";i:1;}}s:5:\"style\";a:1:{s:13:\"section_style\";a:4:{s:21:\"typography_typography\";i:1;s:22:\"typography_font_family\";i:1;s:5:\"align\";i:1;s:22:\"typography_line_height\";i:1;}}s:8:\"advanced\";a:1:{s:14:\"_section_style\";a:2:{s:7:\"_margin\";i:1;s:8:\"_z_index\";i:1;}}}}s:6:\"column\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:0;s:8:\"controls\";a:1:{s:6:\"layout\";a:1:{s:6:\"layout\";a:1:{s:21:\"space_between_widgets\";i:1;}}}}s:7:\"section\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:0;s:8:\"controls\";a:0:{}}}'),(1572,862,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(1573,862,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(1574,862,'_elementor_version','3.0.10'),(1575,862,'_wp_page_template','default'),(1576,862,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"1b83c6d8\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"36bf1cf5\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"649b775b\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0<strong>By: Jonathan Vincent U. Yusi<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">On April 11, 2016, the Aquino administration, through the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA), held a\\u00a0groundbreaking<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\">[1]<\\/a>\\u00a0ceremony in Capas, Tarlac. This event marked the beginning of the road to establishing the country\\u2019s first clean, green, and sustainable city. At the helm of the project is the BCDA, a development corporation tasked with converting military reservations into economic zones.<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\">[2]<\\/a> The issues, however, began piling up soon after the city\\u2019s development began. Claims of Aeta displacement in Tarlac made their way to headlines. Reports soon unraveled the extent of the problem through the stories of those who have already been affected by the initial phases of the project.<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\">[3]<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">To be clear, it is undisputed that the New Clark City (NCC) will benefit a vast majority of Filipinos. Aside from being a viable solution to decongestion and pollution in Luzon\'s major cities, it will also provide job opportunities as it entices both foreign and domestic investors. That said, it is imperative upon the government to take due notice of the possible effects the said project would have on those who are considered the minority. The administration should not merely dismiss the claims of displacement even if those affected number only in the hundreds to a few thousand. While constructing a \\u2018green city\\u2019 is a step in the right direction, the ends do not justify the means.\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong>Opposing Views<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">Throughout recent years, the BCDA has argued that Tarlac\'s disputed grounds are under its ownership, as these are within a military reservation and, consequently, form part of the Clark Special Economic Zone (CSEZ). The basis of this assertion is Proclamation No. 163 that provided for the creation of the CSEZ, comprising of the Clark Airbase Proper and portions of the Clark reverted baselands such as Camp O\\u2019Donnell in Capas, Tarlac. The said proclamation specified that the BCDA shall be the governing body of the CSEZ, in compliance with Section 15 of the Bases Conversion and Development Act of 1992.<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\">[4]<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">Furthermore, the BCDA has consistently asserted that no indigenous communities are displaced because no Certificate of Ancestral Domain Title (CADT) covers the\\u00a0areas contested. The purpose of the issuance of a CADT is to officially recognize the applied property as an ancestral land or domain. Therefore, the lack of such a title could only mean that no ancestral domain is within the terrain in question. With the abovementioned arguments, the BCDA admonished critics by stating that any reports of displacement are nothing but \\\"fake news\\u201d.<a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\">[5]<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">On the other hand, some Aetas in Capas, Tarlac claim to have been in continuous possession of the disputed lands for as far back as memory reaches. The head of\\u00a0<em>Asosyason ng Katutubong Mahawang<\\/em> told reporters that the indigenous community of Capas had occupied the ancestral domain years ahead of Spain\\u2019s colonization of the\\u00a0Philippines<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\">[6]<\\/a>. This declaration of continuous possession finds support in the landmark case of <em>Cari\\u00f1o v. Insular Government<\\/em>, where the Court ruled that domains and lands held under native title are presumed to have never been public lands<a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\">[7]<\\/a>. The Indigenous Peoples\\u2019 Rights Act of 1997 (IPRA), adopting the ruling in <em>Carino,<\\/em> defines native titles as those pre-conquest rights to lands or domains which, since time immemorial, have been held under a claim of private ownership by ICCs\\/IPs, have never been public lands and are thus indisputably presumed to have been held that way since before the Spanish Conquest<a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\">[8]<\\/a>.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">Moreover, as early as 1999, the Aetas have consistently applied for a CADT. However, their applications have gone unnoticed and unanswered despite numerous requests throughout the\\u00a0years.<a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\">[9]<\\/a> Jurisprudence lays out that the issuance of a CADT is merely a recognition of ownership already vested in them by their predecessors-in-interests\\u2019 possession of the property since time immemorial.<a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\">[10]<\\/a> The non-granting thereof, despite multiple follow-ups from the applicants, can only mean that the lack of a valid ancestral domain title is not due to lapses on the Aetas\\u2019 side. Instead, it could indicate a lack of willingness on the part of the government to grant what is due to the indigenous groups in Tarlac.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">At the very least, the conflicting reports throughout the years could only point to the project\'s divisive nature. On the one hand, the government hopes that the NCC will be the city that brings the country to greater heights as the first of its kind. On the other, the city\'s continued construction means the Aetas have to live in constant fear of having their lands eventually taken away from them.\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong>Bridging the Gap<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">The Indigenous Cultural Communities (ICCs) or Indigenous Peoples (IPs) are protected by no less the Philippine Constitution. Section 5, Article XII calls upon the State to protect the ICCs\\/IPs\' rights to their ancestral lands to ensure their economic, social, and cultural well-being. The IPRA further reinforces these rights by recognizing that they are a distinct sector of society whose lands do not form part of the public domain. These lands are private properties belonging to them because of their continuous occupation and utilization of the same under the claim of ownership since time immemorial.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">Additionally, social justice requires that those who have less in life should have more in law. While the Aetas are people rich in culture and tradition, they are highly dependent on the land they occupy. To deprive them of their ancestral lands and plunge them into a world of unfamiliarity would take away not only the property that has been with them for generations, but also their source of livelihood. The BCDA argues that any indigenous people affected by the project would be compensated and relocated within the NCC. However, ancestral lands, more often than not, hold more importance than just monetary value. They are home to, in essence, the history of our first people.\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">The NCC is known as a \\u2018green city\\u2019 because out of 9450 hectares, only about 3000 hectares would be for infrastructure. The rest, particularly the surrounding area, would be left as it is and used as green open spaces<a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\">[11]<\\/a>. Given that the majority of the site will not be for residential and commercial structures, then it may still be possible to leave the remaining ancestral lands untouched. \\u00a0Even if the current blueprint for the city requires that the disputed lands be taken and developed, there may be time to make changes that would stand to benefit those greatly affected.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">While the completion of the New Clark City is with the public\'s best interest in mind, it does not equate to the forfeiture of the rights of those involved. Although considerably small compared to those who stand to benefit from the project, the number of those affected should not justify the displacement of the concerned families, particularly the indigenous tribes. The Aetas of Tarlac are Filipinos as well; the laws and Constitution of the country protect them just as much as other citizens. If it is indeed the goal of the BCDA to create the most inclusive city, then the Aetas\\u2019 rights to their lands should be given equal consideration as its other goals.\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">[1]<\\/a> Office of Civil Defense, (n.d.), Pres. Aquino Leads Groundbreaking of Country\\u2019s First Smart, Green and Disaster-Resilient Metropolis, http:\\/\\/www.ocd.gov.ph\\/news\\/196-pres-aquino-leads-groundbreaking-of-country-s-first-smart-green-and-disaster-resilient-metropolis.html<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a> Rep. Act No. 7227: Bases Conversion and Development act of 1992<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a> Krixia Subingsubing & Mariejo Ramos, <em>P607-B CLARK \\u2018GREEN CITY\\u2019 TO DISPLACE AETA COMMUNITIES<\\/em>, INQUIRER, (July 08, 2019).<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[4]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[5]<\\/a> The BCDA Group, (August 22, 2018), https:\\/\\/www.facebook.com\\/TheBCDAGroup\\/posts\\/1685676088207590<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[6]<\\/a> Ratziel San Juan, <em>BCDA on Aeta eviction notice: No forcible demolition in New Clark City<\\/em>, PHILSTAR, (December 5, 2019), https:\\/\\/www.philstar.com\\/headlines\\/2019\\/12\\/05\\/1974513\\/bcda-aeta-eviction-notice-no-forcible-demolition-new-clark-city<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\">[7]<\\/a> Mateo Cari\\u00f1o v. The Insular Government, G.R. No. 2869, March 25, 1907.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\">[8]<\\/a> Sec. 3 (j), Rep. Act No. 8371: The Indigenous Peoples\\u2019 Rights Act of 1997<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\">[9]<\\/a> Tony La Vi\\u00f1a, <em>[ANALYSIS] Aetas and New Clark: Trampling on human rights of our first peoples<\\/em>, RAPPLER, (December 10, 2019), <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/rappler.com\\/voices\\/thought-leaders\\/analysis-aetas-new-clark-city-trampling-on-human-rights\\\">https:\\/\\/rappler.com\\/voices\\/thought-leaders\\/analysis-aetas-new-clark-city-trampling-on-human-rights<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\">[10]<\\/a> Lamsis v. Dong-e, G.R. No. 173021, October 20, 2010<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\">[11]<\\/a> Roy Canivel, <em>\\u2018Crazy\\u2019 New Clark City dream moves closer to reality<\\/em>, INQUIRER, (October 16, 2019), https:\\/\\/business.inquirer.net \\/281187\\/crazy-new-clark-city-dream-moves-closer-to-reality<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"style\\\":{\\\"typography\\\":{\\\"fontSize\\\":12}}} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"font-size: 12px;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><em>Featured Photo credit: Bernice Beltran, accessed from <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/thediplomat.com\\/2020\\/01\\/philippines-smart-city-threatens-tribal-displacement\\/\\\">The Diplomat<\\/a>.<\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_font_family\":\"Georgia\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(1577,862,'_thumbnail_id','852'),(1580,863,'_thumbnail_id','833'),(1581,863,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(1582,863,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(1583,863,'_elementor_version','3.0.2'),(1584,863,'_wp_page_template','default'),(1585,863,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"339a246a\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"5044ea1d\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100,\"space_between_widgets\":0},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"55a7f60b\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong>By: John Kristoffer P. Pereda<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">In light of the threats of the COVID-19 pandemic, government action is imperative to prevent the further spread of the disease, to cushion the effects of the pandemic, and to spearhead society as it charters the waters of the new normal. Although the exigencies of the pandemic require massive government action, such government action must be founded on law. A democratic society such as ours does not forsake the rule of law even in times of dire situations. Thus, we are pressed with the following question: \\u2018What is the legal basis of the issuances by the President imposing quarantine restrictions throughout the country?\\u2019<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"align\\\":\\\"left\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-text-align-left\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong>Institutionalizing government response<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 On March 8, 2020, President Duterte issued Proclamation No. 922 which placed the entire country under a state of Public Health Emergency. Few days later, on March 16, 2020, he issued Proclamation No. 929, declaring a State of Calamity throughout the Philippines. In the same proclamation, he also placed entire Luzon under strict lockdown.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">Realizing that the powers of the President under the Constitution and existing laws were insufficient to effectively address the crisis brought about by the pandemic, Congress deemed it necessary to grant President Duterte emergency powers pursuant to Article VI, Sec. 23 (2) of the Constitution. Thus, on March 24, 2020, Congress enacted R.A. No. 11469, also known as the <em>Bayanihan to Heal as One Act <\\/em>(<em>Bayanihan<\\/em> Law). It granted the President temporary emergency powers which include, among others, the power to (a) the adopt and implement measures, following World Health Organization guidelines and best practices, to prevent or suppress further transmission and spread of COVID-19 through education, detection, protection and treatment<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\">[1]<\\/a>; (b) ensure that all Local Government Units (LGUs) are acting within the letter and spirit of all the rules, regulations and directives issued by the National Government and are implementing standards of Community Quarantine consistent with what the National Government has laid down for the subject area<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\">[2]<\\/a>; and (c) regulate the operation of all sectors of transportation through land, sea or air, whether private or public<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\">[3]<\\/a>.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The <em>Bayanihan<\\/em> Law, being an emergency powers measure contemplated under Article IV, Sec. 23 (2), was effective for only a limited period. Although there were doubts as to the actual expiration of said law (the administration maintained that said emergency powers ceased on June 25<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\">[4]<\\/a>, citing the sunset clause<a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\">[5]<\\/a> in the <em>Bayanihan<\\/em> Law, as opposed to the constitutional provision<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\">[6]<\\/a> that emergency powers shall cease upon adjournment of Congress, which took place on June 5), the emergency powers had, at some point, definitely ceased. Nonetheless, even after the lapse of the <em>Bayanihan<\\/em> Law, quarantine restrictions have remained in place.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"align\\\":\\\"left\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-text-align-left\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong>Legal foundations: the clear and the anomalous<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">In placing the country under a state of Public Health Emergency as specified in Proclamation No. 922, President Duterte derived his authority from R.A. No. 11332<a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\">[7]<\\/a>, which authorized the President to declare epidemics and mobilize governmental and nongovernmental agencies to respond to the threat. Conversely, President Duterte\\u2019s declaration of State of Calamity as stated in Proclamation No. 929 was grounded on R.A. No. 10121<a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\">[8]<\\/a>, which empowers the President to declare a State of Calamity. Thus, these two proclamations were aptly made by President Duterte in the exercise of his statute-based powers.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">Curiously, it was also in Proclamation No. 929 in which President Duterte imposed quarantine restrictions. To stress, while the authority of the President to declare State of Calamity has statutory basis in R.A. No. 10121, the same law does not expressly provide that the President is authorized to impose lockdowns. Hence, when President Duterte imposed quarantine restrictions in Proclamation No. 929, the legal foundation in doing the same was unclear. It was only upon the effectivity of the <em>Bayanihan<\\/em> Law when there had been clear statutory basis for such act, particularly in Sec. 4(a),(g) and (f) of said law. However, with the expiration of the <em>Bayanihan<\\/em> Law, the quarantine restrictions remained in place, while the clear legal basis for imposing the same had ceased.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"align\\\":\\\"left\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-text-align-left\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong>Filling the void<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><em>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 <\\/em>Article III, Section 6 of the Constitution provides that \\u201cthe right to travel [shall not] be impaired except in the interest of national security, public safety, or public health, as may be provided by law.\\u201d Hence, the unauthorized imposition of quarantine restrictions would not only signify a case of presidential overreach, but also a clear impairment of the constitutionally protected right to travel. As worded, Article III, Section 6 provides a limitation to the right to travel \\u2013 it may be impaired only in the interest of national security, public safety or public health, <em>as may be provided by law<\\/em>. Therefore, it is only Congress which may curtail the right to travel when exigencies of times call for it.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Considering that Congress, in enacting the <em>Bayanihan<\\/em> Law, granted President Duterte the powers stated in Sec. 4(a),(g) and (f), its power to regulate the right to travel implied in Article III, Section 6 must be considered as a component of the emergency powers granted to the President. Thus, the President\\u2019s imposition of restrictions pursuant to the <em>Bayanihan<\\/em> Law does not violate the right to travel since it was made pursuant to a validly delegated legislative power. In contrast, the validity of quarantine restrictions made outside the authority of the <em>Bayanihan<\\/em> Law is, at the very least, questionable.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 This in no way suggests that the President\\u2019s actions in response to the pandemic beyond the scope of the emergency powers measure is altogether without legal basis. Even without an emergency powers measure, the President has the power to ensure that the laws be faithfully executed<a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\">[9]<\\/a> (known as the \\u201ctake-care\\u201d power), including existing local ordinances<a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\">[10]<\\/a> that impose quarantine restrictions. In the exercise of this function, the President may employ all the powers attached to his office, most especially the power to control all executive department, bureaus, and offices.<a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\">[11]<\\/a> Thus, the President may employ all the existing powers of executive agencies that regulate aspects of public life (e.g. work suspensions, public transport regulations).<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">This does not discount the existence of certain gray areas such as in certain LGUs which did not issue any ordinance from which the President may derive power to impose quarantine restrictions. In this case, there is no authority for the President to impose measures in such LGU that would have the effect of curtailing the right to travel. Hence the need for another congressional grant of emergency powers authorizing the President to impose quarantine restrictions. Without such grant, the President could combat the pandemic by exercising the gamut of powers within the executive branch , <em>but cannot curtail the right to travel.<\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The country is no stranger to national emergencies. Yet the emergency brought by the COVID-19 pandemic is unprecedented. And when the most critical measure to address this crisis rubs against a constitutionally protected right, the observance of constitutionally sanctioned mechanisms is indispensable. The observance of such constitutionally sanctioned mechanisms in the imposition of quarantine restrictions is thus illustrated as follows: the legal foundations for the imposition of quarantine restrictions during the lifetime of the <em>Bayanihan<\\/em> Law is direct i.e., upon the authority of an emergency powers measure, while outside of it, the authority is indirect i.e., in the exercise of \\u201ctake-care\\u201d power enforcing local ordinances.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">As pointed out, in the absence of an emergency powers measure, the authority of the President to impose quarantine regulations is sourced from only local ordinances of the LGUs across the country. However, when tested against the postulate that government powers must be centralized in times of emergencies so as to enable prompt government action, the prudence of having a decentralized legal foundation in the form of local ordinances is put into question. If the President had to source authority from local ordinances which might possibly differ from one another in terms of the extent and gravity of regulation, the net result \\u00a0is the divergence of \\u00a0quarantine restrictions across the country. The most prudent action to address this is definitely to enact another emergency powers measure so as (1) to address the inconvenience on the part of the President, who has to source authority from local ordinances, and (2) to allow uniform quarantine regulations, so as to rule out the possibility of confusion on the part of the public.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">While the source of authority of the President to impose quarantine restrictions is put into inquiry here, how he exercises such authority is entirely a different matter. It should be put into inquiry by the people themselves, who must always be vigilant so as to prevent any government action that exceeds what the present situation calls for.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">[1]<\\/a> R.A. 11469, sec. 4(a)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a> R.A. 11469, sec. 4(g)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a> R.A. 11469, sec. 4(r)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[4]<\\/a> Aika Rey, Malaca\\u00f1ang says Bayanihan Act to expire June 25, but Constitution says no, Rappler, June 6, 2020, https:\\/\\/rappler.com \\/nation\\/malacanang-bayanihan-act-expire-june-25-2020<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[5]<\\/a> R.A. 11469, sec. 9<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[6]<\\/a> CONST., art. VI, sec. 23(2)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\">[7]<\\/a> also known as known as the <em>Mandatory Reporting of Notifiable Diseases and Health Events of Public Health Concern Act<\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\">[8]<\\/a> also known as the <em>Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010<\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\">[9]<\\/a> CONST., art. VII, sec. 17<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\">[10]<\\/a> Isagani Cruz & Carlo Cruz, Philippine Political Law, 419 (2014 ed.)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\">[11]<\\/a> CONST., art. VII, sec. 17<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><em>Featured Photo by: Walter Bollozos of The Philippine STAR<\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_font_family\":\"Georgia\",\"align\":\"left\",\"text_columns\":\"1\",\"column_gap\":{\"unit\":\"px\",\"size\":0,\"sizes\":[]},\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]},\"_margin\":{\"unit\":\"px\",\"top\":\"0\",\"right\":\"0\",\"bottom\":\"0\",\"left\":\"0\",\"isLinked\":false},\"_z_index\":0},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(1586,863,'_elementor_page_settings','a:2:{s:21:\"background_background\";s:7:\"classic\";s:7:\"padding\";a:6:{s:4:\"unit\";s:2:\"px\";s:3:\"top\";s:1:\"0\";s:5:\"right\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"bottom\";s:1:\"0\";s:4:\"left\";s:1:\"0\";s:8:\"isLinked\";b:1;}}'),(1588,832,'_elementor_controls_usage','a:3:{s:11:\"text-editor\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:3;s:8:\"controls\";a:3:{s:7:\"content\";a:1:{s:14:\"section_editor\";a:3:{s:6:\"editor\";i:1;s:12:\"text_columns\";i:1;s:10:\"column_gap\";i:1;}}s:5:\"style\";a:1:{s:13:\"section_style\";a:4:{s:21:\"typography_typography\";i:1;s:22:\"typography_font_family\";i:1;s:5:\"align\";i:1;s:22:\"typography_line_height\";i:1;}}s:8:\"advanced\";a:1:{s:14:\"_section_style\";a:2:{s:7:\"_margin\";i:1;s:8:\"_z_index\";i:1;}}}}s:6:\"column\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:0;s:8:\"controls\";a:1:{s:6:\"layout\";a:1:{s:6:\"layout\";a:1:{s:21:\"space_between_widgets\";i:1;}}}}s:7:\"section\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:0;s:8:\"controls\";a:0:{}}}'),(1591,864,'_thumbnail_id','833'),(1592,864,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(1593,864,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(1594,864,'_elementor_version','3.0.10'),(1595,864,'_wp_page_template','default'),(1596,864,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"339a246a\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"5044ea1d\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100,\"space_between_widgets\":0},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"55a7f60b\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong>By: John Kristoffer P. Pereda<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">In light of the threats of the COVID-19 pandemic, government action is imperative to prevent the further spread of the disease, to cushion the effects of the pandemic, and to spearhead society as it charters the waters of the new normal. Although the exigencies of the pandemic require massive government action, such government action must be founded on law. A democratic society such as ours does not forsake the rule of law even in times of dire situations. Thus, we are pressed with the following question: \\u2018What is the legal basis of the issuances by the President imposing quarantine restrictions throughout the country?\\u2019<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"align\\\":\\\"left\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-text-align-left\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong>Institutionalizing government response<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 On March 8, 2020, President Duterte issued Proclamation No. 922 which placed the entire country under a state of Public Health Emergency. Few days later, on March 16, 2020, he issued Proclamation No. 929, declaring a State of Calamity throughout the Philippines. In the same proclamation, he also placed entire Luzon under strict lockdown.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">Realizing that the powers of the President under the Constitution and existing laws were insufficient to effectively address the crisis brought about by the pandemic, Congress deemed it necessary to grant President Duterte emergency powers pursuant to Article VI, Sec. 23 (2) of the Constitution. Thus, on March 24, 2020, Congress enacted R.A. No. 11469, also known as the <em>Bayanihan to Heal as One Act <\\/em>(<em>Bayanihan<\\/em> Law). It granted the President temporary emergency powers which include, among others, the power to (a) the adopt and implement measures, following World Health Organization guidelines and best practices, to prevent or suppress further transmission and spread of COVID-19 through education, detection, protection and treatment<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\">[1]<\\/a>; (b) ensure that all Local Government Units (LGUs) are acting within the letter and spirit of all the rules, regulations and directives issued by the National Government and are implementing standards of Community Quarantine consistent with what the National Government has laid down for the subject area<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\">[2]<\\/a>; and (c) regulate the operation of all sectors of transportation through land, sea or air, whether private or public<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\">[3]<\\/a>.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The <em>Bayanihan<\\/em> Law, being an emergency powers measure contemplated under Article IV, Sec. 23 (2), was effective for only a limited period. Although there were doubts as to the actual expiration of said law (the administration maintained that said emergency powers ceased on June 25<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\">[4]<\\/a>, citing the sunset clause<a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\">[5]<\\/a> in the <em>Bayanihan<\\/em> Law, as opposed to the constitutional provision<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\">[6]<\\/a> that emergency powers shall cease upon adjournment of Congress, which took place on June 5), the emergency powers had, at some point, definitely ceased. Nonetheless, even after the lapse of the <em>Bayanihan<\\/em> Law, quarantine restrictions have remained in place.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"align\\\":\\\"left\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-text-align-left\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong>Legal foundations: the clear and the anomalous<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">In placing the country under a state of Public Health Emergency as specified in Proclamation No. 922, President Duterte derived his authority from R.A. No. 11332<a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\">[7]<\\/a>, which authorized the President to declare epidemics and mobilize governmental and nongovernmental agencies to respond to the threat. Conversely, President Duterte\\u2019s declaration of State of Calamity as stated in Proclamation No. 929 was grounded on R.A. No. 10121<a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\">[8]<\\/a>, which empowers the President to declare a State of Calamity. Thus, these two proclamations were aptly made by President Duterte in the exercise of his statute-based powers.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">Curiously, it was also in Proclamation No. 929 in which President Duterte imposed quarantine restrictions. To stress, while the authority of the President to declare State of Calamity has statutory basis in R.A. No. 10121, the same law does not expressly provide that the President is authorized to impose lockdowns. Hence, when President Duterte imposed quarantine restrictions in Proclamation No. 929, the legal foundation in doing the same was unclear. It was only upon the effectivity of the <em>Bayanihan<\\/em> Law when there had been clear statutory basis for such act, particularly in Sec. 4(a),(g) and (f) of said law. However, with the expiration of the <em>Bayanihan<\\/em> Law, the quarantine restrictions remained in place, while the clear legal basis for imposing the same had ceased.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"align\\\":\\\"left\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-text-align-left\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong>Filling the void<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><em>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 <\\/em>Article III, Section 6 of the Constitution provides that \\u201cthe right to travel [shall not] be impaired except in the interest of national security, public safety, or public health, as may be provided by law.\\u201d Hence, the unauthorized imposition of quarantine restrictions would not only signify a case of presidential overreach, but also a clear impairment of the constitutionally protected right to travel. As worded, Article III, Section 6 provides a limitation to the right to travel \\u2013 it may be impaired only in the interest of national security, public safety or public health, <em>as may be provided by law<\\/em>. Therefore, it is only Congress which may curtail the right to travel when exigencies of times call for it.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Considering that Congress, in enacting the <em>Bayanihan<\\/em> Law, granted President Duterte the powers stated in Sec. 4(a),(g) and (f), its power to regulate the right to travel implied in Article III, Section 6 must be considered as a component of the emergency powers granted to the President. Thus, the President\\u2019s imposition of restrictions pursuant to the <em>Bayanihan<\\/em> Law does not violate the right to travel since it was made pursuant to a validly delegated legislative power. In contrast, the validity of quarantine restrictions made outside the authority of the <em>Bayanihan<\\/em> Law is, at the very least, questionable.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 This in no way suggests that the President\\u2019s actions in response to the pandemic beyond the scope of the emergency powers measure is altogether without legal basis. Even without an emergency powers measure, the President has the power to ensure that the laws be faithfully executed<a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\">[9]<\\/a> (known as the \\u201ctake-care\\u201d power), including existing local ordinances<a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\">[10]<\\/a> that impose quarantine restrictions. In the exercise of this function, the President may employ all the powers attached to his office, most especially the power to control all executive department, bureaus, and offices.<a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\">[11]<\\/a> Thus, the President may employ all the existing powers of executive agencies that regulate aspects of public life (e.g. work suspensions, public transport regulations).<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">This does not discount the existence of certain gray areas such as in certain LGUs which did not issue any ordinance from which the President may derive power to impose quarantine restrictions. In this case, there is no authority for the President to impose measures in such LGU that would have the effect of curtailing the right to travel. Hence the need for another congressional grant of emergency powers authorizing the President to impose quarantine restrictions. Without such grant, the President could combat the pandemic by exercising the gamut of powers within the executive branch , <em>but cannot curtail the right to travel.<\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The country is no stranger to national emergencies. Yet the emergency brought by the COVID-19 pandemic is unprecedented. And when the most critical measure to address this crisis rubs against a constitutionally protected right, the observance of constitutionally sanctioned mechanisms is indispensable. The observance of such constitutionally sanctioned mechanisms in the imposition of quarantine restrictions is thus illustrated as follows: the legal foundations for the imposition of quarantine restrictions during the lifetime of the <em>Bayanihan<\\/em> Law is direct i.e., upon the authority of an emergency powers measure, while outside of it, the authority is indirect i.e., in the exercise of \\u201ctake-care\\u201d power enforcing local ordinances.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">As pointed out, in the absence of an emergency powers measure, the authority of the President to impose quarantine regulations is sourced from only local ordinances of the LGUs across the country. However, when tested against the postulate that government powers must be centralized in times of emergencies so as to enable prompt government action, the prudence of having a decentralized legal foundation in the form of local ordinances is put into question. If the President had to source authority from local ordinances which might possibly differ from one another in terms of the extent and gravity of regulation, the net result \\u00a0is the divergence of \\u00a0quarantine restrictions across the country. The most prudent action to address this is definitely to enact another emergency powers measure so as (1) to address the inconvenience on the part of the President, who has to source authority from local ordinances, and (2) to allow uniform quarantine regulations, so as to rule out the possibility of confusion on the part of the public.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">While the source of authority of the President to impose quarantine restrictions is put into inquiry here, how he exercises such authority is entirely a different matter. It should be put into inquiry by the people themselves, who must always be vigilant so as to prevent any government action that exceeds what the present situation calls for.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">[1]<\\/a> R.A. 11469, sec. 4(a)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a> R.A. 11469, sec. 4(g)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a> R.A. 11469, sec. 4(r)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[4]<\\/a> Aika Rey, Malaca\\u00f1ang says Bayanihan Act to expire June 25, but Constitution says no, Rappler, June 6, 2020, https:\\/\\/rappler.com \\/nation\\/malacanang-bayanihan-act-expire-june-25-2020<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[5]<\\/a> R.A. 11469, sec. 9<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[6]<\\/a> CONST., art. VI, sec. 23(2)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\">[7]<\\/a> also known as known as the <em>Mandatory Reporting of Notifiable Diseases and Health Events of Public Health Concern Act<\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\">[8]<\\/a> also known as the <em>Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010<\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\">[9]<\\/a> CONST., art. VII, sec. 17<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\">[10]<\\/a> Isagani Cruz & Carlo Cruz, Philippine Political Law, 419 (2014 ed.)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\">[11]<\\/a> CONST., art. VII, sec. 17<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><em>Featured Photo by: Walter Bollozos of The Philippine STAR<\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_font_family\":\"Georgia\",\"align\":\"left\",\"text_columns\":\"1\",\"column_gap\":{\"unit\":\"px\",\"size\":0,\"sizes\":[]},\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]},\"_margin\":{\"unit\":\"px\",\"top\":\"0\",\"right\":\"0\",\"bottom\":\"0\",\"left\":\"0\",\"isLinked\":false},\"_z_index\":0},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(1597,864,'_elementor_page_settings','a:2:{s:21:\"background_background\";s:7:\"classic\";s:7:\"padding\";a:6:{s:4:\"unit\";s:2:\"px\";s:3:\"top\";s:1:\"0\";s:5:\"right\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"bottom\";s:1:\"0\";s:4:\"left\";s:1:\"0\";s:8:\"isLinked\";b:1;}}'),(1598,864,'_elementor_controls_usage','a:3:{s:11:\"text-editor\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:4;s:8:\"controls\";a:3:{s:7:\"content\";a:1:{s:14:\"section_editor\";a:3:{s:6:\"editor\";i:1;s:12:\"text_columns\";i:1;s:10:\"column_gap\";i:1;}}s:5:\"style\";a:1:{s:13:\"section_style\";a:4:{s:21:\"typography_typography\";i:1;s:22:\"typography_font_family\";i:1;s:5:\"align\";i:1;s:22:\"typography_line_height\";i:1;}}s:8:\"advanced\";a:1:{s:14:\"_section_style\";a:2:{s:7:\"_margin\";i:1;s:8:\"_z_index\";i:1;}}}}s:6:\"column\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:0;s:8:\"controls\";a:1:{s:6:\"layout\";a:1:{s:6:\"layout\";a:1:{s:21:\"space_between_widgets\";i:1;}}}}s:7:\"section\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:0;s:8:\"controls\";a:0:{}}}'),(1600,832,'_yoast_wpseo_title','%%title%% %%sep%% %%sitename%%'),(1601,865,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(1602,865,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(1603,865,'_elementor_version','3.0.10'),(1604,865,'_wp_page_template','default'),(1605,865,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"1b83c6d8\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"36bf1cf5\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"649b775b\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0<strong>By: Jonathan Vincent U. Yusi<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">On April 11, 2016, the Aquino administration, through the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA), held a\\u00a0groundbreaking<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\">[1]<\\/a>\\u00a0ceremony in Capas, Tarlac. This event marked the beginning of the road to establishing the country\\u2019s first clean, green, and sustainable city. At the helm of the project is the BCDA, a development corporation tasked with converting military reservations into economic zones.<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\">[2]<\\/a> The issues, however, began piling up soon after the city\\u2019s development began. Claims of Aeta displacement in Tarlac made their way to headlines. Reports soon unraveled the extent of the problem through the stories of those who have already been affected by the initial phases of the project.<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\">[3]<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">To be clear, it is undisputed that the New Clark City (NCC) will benefit a vast majority of Filipinos. Aside from being a viable solution to decongestion and pollution in Luzon\'s major cities, it will also provide job opportunities as it entices both foreign and domestic investors. That said, it is imperative upon the government to take due notice of the possible effects the said project would have on those who are considered the minority. The administration should not merely dismiss the claims of displacement even if those affected number only in the hundreds to a few thousand. While constructing a \\u2018green city\\u2019 is a step in the right direction, the ends do not justify the means.\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong>Opposing Views<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">Throughout recent years, the BCDA has argued that Tarlac\'s disputed grounds are under its ownership, as these are within a military reservation and, consequently, form part of the Clark Special Economic Zone (CSEZ). The basis of this assertion is Proclamation No. 163 that provided for the creation of the CSEZ, comprising of the Clark Airbase Proper and portions of the Clark reverted baselands such as Camp O\\u2019Donnell in Capas, Tarlac. The said proclamation specified that the BCDA shall be the governing body of the CSEZ, in compliance with Section 15 of the Bases Conversion and Development Act of 1992.<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\">[4]<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">Furthermore, the BCDA has consistently asserted that no indigenous communities are displaced because no Certificate of Ancestral Domain Title (CADT) covers the\\u00a0areas contested. The purpose of the issuance of a CADT is to officially recognize the applied property as an ancestral land or domain. Therefore, the lack of such a title could only mean that no ancestral domain is within the terrain in question. With the abovementioned arguments, the BCDA admonished critics by stating that any reports of displacement are nothing but \\\"fake news\\u201d.<a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\">[5]<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">On the other hand, some Aetas in Capas, Tarlac claim to have been in continuous possession of the disputed lands for as far back as memory reaches. The head of\\u00a0<em>Asosyason ng Katutubong Mahawang<\\/em> told reporters that the indigenous community of Capas had occupied the ancestral domain years ahead of Spain\\u2019s colonization of the\\u00a0Philippines<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\">[6]<\\/a>. This declaration of continuous possession finds support in the landmark case of <em>Cari\\u00f1o v. Insular Government<\\/em>, where the Court ruled that domains and lands held under native title are presumed to have never been public lands<a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\">[7]<\\/a>. The Indigenous Peoples\\u2019 Rights Act of 1997 (IPRA), adopting the ruling in <em>Carino,<\\/em> defines native titles as those pre-conquest rights to lands or domains which, since time immemorial, have been held under a claim of private ownership by ICCs\\/IPs, have never been public lands and are thus indisputably presumed to have been held that way since before the Spanish Conquest<a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\">[8]<\\/a>.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">Moreover, as early as 1999, the Aetas have consistently applied for a CADT. However, their applications have gone unnoticed and unanswered despite numerous requests throughout the\\u00a0years.<a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\">[9]<\\/a> Jurisprudence lays out that the issuance of a CADT is merely a recognition of ownership already vested in them by their predecessors-in-interests\\u2019 possession of the property since time immemorial.<a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\">[10]<\\/a> The non-granting thereof, despite multiple follow-ups from the applicants, can only mean that the lack of a valid ancestral domain title is not due to lapses on the Aetas\\u2019 side. Instead, it could indicate a lack of willingness on the part of the government to grant what is due to the indigenous groups in Tarlac.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">At the very least, the conflicting reports throughout the years could only point to the project\'s divisive nature. On the one hand, the government hopes that the NCC will be the city that brings the country to greater heights as the first of its kind. On the other, the city\'s continued construction means the Aetas have to live in constant fear of having their lands eventually taken away from them.\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong>Bridging the Gap<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">The Indigenous Cultural Communities (ICCs) or Indigenous Peoples (IPs) are protected by no less the Philippine Constitution. Section 5, Article XII calls upon the State to protect the ICCs\\/IPs\' rights to their ancestral lands to ensure their economic, social, and cultural well-being. The IPRA further reinforces these rights by recognizing that they are a distinct sector of society whose lands do not form part of the public domain. These lands are private properties belonging to them because of their continuous occupation and utilization of the same under the claim of ownership since time immemorial.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">Additionally, social justice requires that those who have less in life should have more in law. While the Aetas are people rich in culture and tradition, they are highly dependent on the land they occupy. To deprive them of their ancestral lands and plunge them into a world of unfamiliarity would take away not only the property that has been with them for generations, but also their source of livelihood. The BCDA argues that any indigenous people affected by the project would be compensated and relocated within the NCC. However, ancestral lands, more often than not, hold more importance than just monetary value. They are home to, in essence, the history of our first people.\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">The NCC is known as a \\u2018green city\\u2019 because out of 9450 hectares, only about 3000 hectares would be for infrastructure. The rest, particularly the surrounding area, would be left as it is and used as green open spaces<a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\">[11]<\\/a>. Given that the majority of the site will not be for residential and commercial structures, then it may still be possible to leave the remaining ancestral lands untouched. \\u00a0Even if the current blueprint for the city requires that the disputed lands be taken and developed, there may be time to make changes that would stand to benefit those greatly affected.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">While the completion of the New Clark City is with the public\'s best interest in mind, it does not equate to the forfeiture of the rights of those involved. Although considerably small compared to those who stand to benefit from the project, the number of those affected should not justify the displacement of the concerned families, particularly the indigenous tribes. The Aetas of Tarlac are Filipinos as well; the laws and Constitution of the country protect them just as much as other citizens. If it is indeed the goal of the BCDA to create the most inclusive city, then the Aetas\\u2019 rights to their lands should be given equal consideration as its other goals.\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">[1]<\\/a> Office of Civil Defense, (n.d.), Pres. Aquino Leads Groundbreaking of Country\\u2019s First Smart, Green and Disaster-Resilient Metropolis, http:\\/\\/www.ocd.gov.ph\\/news\\/196-pres-aquino-leads-groundbreaking-of-country-s-first-smart-green-and-disaster-resilient-metropolis.html<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a> Rep. Act No. 7227: Bases Conversion and Development act of 1992<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a> Krixia Subingsubing & Mariejo Ramos, <em>P607-B CLARK \\u2018GREEN CITY\\u2019 TO DISPLACE AETA COMMUNITIES<\\/em>, INQUIRER, (July 08, 2019).<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[4]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[5]<\\/a> The BCDA Group, (August 22, 2018), https:\\/\\/www.facebook.com\\/TheBCDAGroup\\/posts\\/1685676088207590<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[6]<\\/a> Ratziel San Juan, <em>BCDA on Aeta eviction notice: No forcible demolition in New Clark City<\\/em>, PHILSTAR, (December 5, 2019), https:\\/\\/www.philstar.com\\/headlines\\/2019\\/12\\/05\\/1974513\\/bcda-aeta-eviction-notice-no-forcible-demolition-new-clark-city<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\">[7]<\\/a> Mateo Cari\\u00f1o v. The Insular Government, G.R. No. 2869, March 25, 1907.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\">[8]<\\/a> Sec. 3 (j), Rep. Act No. 8371: The Indigenous Peoples\\u2019 Rights Act of 1997<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\">[9]<\\/a> Tony La Vi\\u00f1a, <em>[ANALYSIS] Aetas and New Clark: Trampling on human rights of our first peoples<\\/em>, RAPPLER, (December 10, 2019), <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/rappler.com\\/voices\\/thought-leaders\\/analysis-aetas-new-clark-city-trampling-on-human-rights\\\">https:\\/\\/rappler.com\\/voices\\/thought-leaders\\/analysis-aetas-new-clark-city-trampling-on-human-rights<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\">[10]<\\/a> Lamsis v. Dong-e, G.R. No. 173021, October 20, 2010<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\">[11]<\\/a> Roy Canivel, <em>\\u2018Crazy\\u2019 New Clark City dream moves closer to reality<\\/em>, INQUIRER, (October 16, 2019), https:\\/\\/business.inquirer.net \\/281187\\/crazy-new-clark-city-dream-moves-closer-to-reality<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"style\\\":{\\\"typography\\\":{\\\"fontSize\\\":12}}} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"font-size: 12px;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><em>Featured Photo credit: Bernice Beltran, accessed from <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/thediplomat.com\\/2020\\/01\\/philippines-smart-city-threatens-tribal-displacement\\/\\\">The Diplomat<\\/a>.<\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_font_family\":\"Georgia\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(1606,865,'_thumbnail_id','852'),(1607,865,'_elementor_controls_usage','a:3:{s:11:\"text-editor\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:2;s:8:\"controls\";a:2:{s:7:\"content\";a:1:{s:14:\"section_editor\";a:1:{s:6:\"editor\";i:1;}}s:5:\"style\";a:1:{s:13:\"section_style\";a:3:{s:21:\"typography_typography\";i:1;s:22:\"typography_font_family\";i:1;s:22:\"typography_line_height\";i:1;}}}}s:6:\"column\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:0;s:8:\"controls\";a:0:{}}s:7:\"section\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:0;s:8:\"controls\";a:0:{}}}'),(1609,866,'_edit_lock','1626766891:1'),(1610,867,'_edit_lock','1600952444:1'),(1611,850,'ss_ss_click_share_count_copy','3'),(1612,867,'_customize_restore_dismissed','1'),(1614,181,'ss_social_share_disable',''),(1615,181,'_yoast_wpseo_content_score','30'),(1616,872,'_edit_lock','1600956444:1'),(1620,885,'_wp_attached_file','2020/09/Unwanted-Sexual-Advances-and-Sex-Discrimination_Sexual-Harassment-in-light-of-the-Safe-Spaces-Act-of-2019_R.A.-11313_Alyssa-Gomez.pdf'),(1621,886,'_wp_attached_file','2020/09/A-DEMOCRACY-BY-ANY-OTHER-NAME_RAPHAEL-LORENZO-A.-PANGALANGAN.pdf'),(1622,866,'_edit_last','1'),(1623,866,'wptr_hide_title','0'),(1624,866,'ss_social_share_disable',''),(1625,866,'_yoast_wpseo_content_score','60'),(1626,888,'_wp_attached_file','2020/09/New-Guidelines-on-Prescription-for-Insurers-as-Subrogees.pdf'),(1627,889,'_wp_attached_file','2020/09/WTOS-DISPUTE-RESOLUTION-IN-MULTILATERAL-TRADING-SYSTEM_INDISPENSABLE-OR-OPTIONAL_MARIELLA-MARASIGAN.pdf'),(1628,891,'_wp_attached_file','2020/09/ANTI-SUIT-INJUNCTION-IN-INTERNATIONAL-COMMERCIAL-ARBITRATION_A-Critical-Analysis_HON.-RONALD-B.-MORENO-LL.M.-DCL-compressed.pdf'),(1629,866,'_yoast_wpseo_metadesc','Volume 64 contains articles from Alyssa Gomez, Mariella Marasigan, Atty. Kenneth Hizon, Atty. King Hizon, features from Pangalangan and Hon. Ronald Moreno.'),(1630,459,'ss_social_share_disable',''),(1631,459,'_yoast_wpseo_content_score','30'),(1632,187,'ss_social_share_disable',''),(1633,187,'_yoast_wpseo_content_score','30'),(1634,900,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(1635,900,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(1636,900,'_elementor_version','3.0.10'),(1637,900,'_wp_page_template','default'),(1638,900,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"1b83c6d8\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"36bf1cf5\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"649b775b\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0<strong>By: Jonathan Vincent U. Yusi<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">On April 11, 2016, the Aquino administration, through the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA), held a\\u00a0groundbreaking<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\">[1]<\\/a>\\u00a0ceremony in Capas, Tarlac. This event marked the beginning of the road to establishing the country\\u2019s first clean, green, and sustainable city. At the helm of the project is the BCDA, a development corporation tasked with converting military reservations into economic zones.<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\">[2]<\\/a> The issues, however, began piling up soon after the city\\u2019s development began. Claims of Aeta displacement in Tarlac made their way to headlines. Reports soon unraveled the extent of the problem through the stories of those who have already been affected by the initial phases of the project.<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\">[3]<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">To be clear, it is undisputed that the New Clark City (NCC) will benefit a vast majority of Filipinos. Aside from being a viable solution to congestion and pollution in Luzon\'s major cities, it will also provide job opportunities as it entices both foreign and domestic investors. That said, it is imperative upon the government to take due notice of the possible effects the said project would have on those who are considered the minority. The administration should not merely dismiss the claims of displacement even if those affected number only in the hundreds to a few thousand. While constructing a \\u2018green city\\u2019 is a step in the right direction, the ends do not justify the means.\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong>Opposing Views<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">Throughout recent years, the BCDA has argued that Tarlac\'s disputed grounds are under its ownership, as these are within a military reservation and, consequently, form part of the Clark Special Economic Zone (CSEZ). The basis of this assertion is Proclamation No. 163 that provided for the creation of the CSEZ, comprising of the Clark Airbase Proper and portions of the Clark reverted baselands such as Camp O\\u2019Donnell in Capas, Tarlac. The said proclamation specified that the BCDA shall be the governing body of the CSEZ, in compliance with Section 15 of the Bases Conversion and Development Act of 1992.<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\">[4]<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">Furthermore, the BCDA has consistently asserted that no indigenous communities are displaced because no Certificate of Ancestral Domain Title (CADT) covers the\\u00a0areas contested. The purpose of the issuance of a CADT is to officially recognize the applied property as an ancestral land or domain. Therefore, the lack of such a title could only mean that no ancestral domain is within the terrain in question. With the abovementioned arguments, the BCDA admonished critics by stating that any reports of displacement are nothing but \\\"fake news\\u201d.<a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\">[5]<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">On the other hand, some Aetas in Capas, Tarlac claim to have been in continuous possession of the disputed lands for as far back as memory reaches. The head of\\u00a0<em>Asosyason ng Katutubong Mahawang<\\/em> told reporters that the indigenous community of Capas had occupied the ancestral domain years ahead of Spain\\u2019s colonization of the\\u00a0Philippines<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\">[6]<\\/a>. This declaration of continuous possession finds support in the landmark case of <em>Cari\\u00f1o v. Insular Government<\\/em>, where the Court ruled that domains and lands held under native title are presumed to have never been public lands<a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\">[7]<\\/a>. The Indigenous Peoples\\u2019 Rights Act of 1997 (IPRA), adopting the ruling in <em>Carino,<\\/em> defines native titles as those pre-conquest rights to lands or domains which, since time immemorial, have been held under a claim of private ownership by ICCs\\/IPs, have never been public lands and are thus indisputably presumed to have been held that way since before the Spanish Conquest<a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\">[8]<\\/a>.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">Moreover, as early as 1999, the Aetas have consistently applied for a CADT. However, their applications have gone unnoticed and unanswered despite numerous requests throughout the\\u00a0years.<a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\">[9]<\\/a> Jurisprudence lays out that the issuance of a CADT is merely a recognition of ownership already vested in them by their predecessors-in-interests\\u2019 possession of the property since time immemorial.<a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\">[10]<\\/a> The non-granting thereof, despite multiple follow-ups from the applicants, can only mean that the lack of a valid ancestral domain title is not due to lapses on the Aetas\\u2019 side. Instead, it could indicate a lack of willingness on the part of the government to grant what is due to the indigenous groups in Tarlac.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">At the very least, the conflicting reports throughout the years could only point to the project\'s divisive nature. On the one hand, the government hopes that the NCC will be the city that brings the country to greater heights as the first of its kind. On the other, the city\'s continued construction means the Aetas have to live in constant fear of having their lands eventually taken away from them.\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong>Bridging the Gap<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">The Indigenous Cultural Communities (ICCs) or Indigenous Peoples (IPs) are protected by no less the Philippine Constitution. Section 5, Article XII calls upon the State to protect the ICCs\\/IPs\' rights to their ancestral lands to ensure their economic, social, and cultural well-being. The IPRA further reinforces these rights by recognizing that they are a distinct sector of society whose lands do not form part of the public domain. These lands are private properties belonging to them because of their continuous occupation and utilization of the same under the claim of ownership since time immemorial.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">Additionally, social justice requires that those who have less in life should have more in law. While the Aetas are people rich in culture and tradition, they are highly dependent on the land they occupy. To deprive them of their ancestral lands and plunge them into a world of unfamiliarity would take away not only the property that has been with them for generations, but also their source of livelihood. The BCDA argues that any indigenous people affected by the project would be compensated and relocated within the NCC. However, ancestral lands, more often than not, hold more importance than just monetary value. They are home to, in essence, the history of our first people.\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">The NCC is known as a \\u2018green city\\u2019 because out of 9450 hectares, only about 3000 hectares would be for infrastructure. The rest, particularly the surrounding area, would be left as it is and used as green open spaces<a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\">[11]<\\/a>. Given that the majority of the site will not be for residential and commercial structures, then it may still be possible to leave the remaining ancestral lands untouched. \\u00a0Even if the current blueprint for the city requires that the disputed lands be taken and developed, there may be time to make changes that would stand to benefit those greatly affected.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">While the completion of the New Clark City is with the public\'s best interest in mind, it does not equate to the forfeiture of the rights of those involved. Although considerably small compared to those who stand to benefit from the project, the number of those affected should not justify the displacement of the concerned families, particularly the indigenous tribes. The Aetas of Tarlac are Filipinos as well; the laws and Constitution of the country protect them just as much as other citizens. If it is indeed the goal of the BCDA to create the most inclusive city, then the Aetas\\u2019 rights to their lands should be given equal consideration as its other goals.\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">[1]<\\/a> Office of Civil Defense, (n.d.), Pres. Aquino Leads Groundbreaking of Country\\u2019s First Smart, Green and Disaster-Resilient Metropolis, http:\\/\\/www.ocd.gov.ph\\/news\\/196-pres-aquino-leads-groundbreaking-of-country-s-first-smart-green-and-disaster-resilient-metropolis.html<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a> Rep. Act No. 7227: Bases Conversion and Development act of 1992<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a> Krixia Subingsubing & Mariejo Ramos, <em>P607-B CLARK \\u2018GREEN CITY\\u2019 TO DISPLACE AETA COMMUNITIES<\\/em>, INQUIRER, (July 08, 2019).<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[4]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[5]<\\/a> The BCDA Group, (August 22, 2018), https:\\/\\/www.facebook.com\\/TheBCDAGroup\\/posts\\/1685676088207590<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[6]<\\/a> Ratziel San Juan, <em>BCDA on Aeta eviction notice: No forcible demolition in New Clark City<\\/em>, PHILSTAR, (December 5, 2019), https:\\/\\/www.philstar.com\\/headlines\\/2019\\/12\\/05\\/1974513\\/bcda-aeta-eviction-notice-no-forcible-demolition-new-clark-city<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\">[7]<\\/a> Mateo Cari\\u00f1o v. The Insular Government, G.R. No. 2869, March 25, 1907.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\">[8]<\\/a> Sec. 3 (j), Rep. Act No. 8371: The Indigenous Peoples\\u2019 Rights Act of 1997<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\">[9]<\\/a> Tony La Vi\\u00f1a, <em>[ANALYSIS] Aetas and New Clark: Trampling on human rights of our first peoples<\\/em>, RAPPLER, (December 10, 2019), <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/rappler.com\\/voices\\/thought-leaders\\/analysis-aetas-new-clark-city-trampling-on-human-rights\\\">https:\\/\\/rappler.com\\/voices\\/thought-leaders\\/analysis-aetas-new-clark-city-trampling-on-human-rights<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\">[10]<\\/a> Lamsis v. Dong-e, G.R. No. 173021, October 20, 2010<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\">[11]<\\/a> Roy Canivel, <em>\\u2018Crazy\\u2019 New Clark City dream moves closer to reality<\\/em>, INQUIRER, (October 16, 2019), https:\\/\\/business.inquirer.net \\/281187\\/crazy-new-clark-city-dream-moves-closer-to-reality<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"style\\\":{\\\"typography\\\":{\\\"fontSize\\\":12}}} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"font-size: 12px;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><em>Featured Photo credit: Bernice Beltran, accessed from <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/thediplomat.com\\/2020\\/01\\/philippines-smart-city-threatens-tribal-displacement\\/\\\">The Diplomat<\\/a>.<\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_font_family\":\"Georgia\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(1639,900,'_thumbnail_id','852'),(1641,850,'_elementor_controls_usage','a:3:{s:11:\"text-editor\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:2;s:8:\"controls\";a:2:{s:7:\"content\";a:1:{s:14:\"section_editor\";a:1:{s:6:\"editor\";i:1;}}s:5:\"style\";a:1:{s:13:\"section_style\";a:3:{s:21:\"typography_typography\";i:1;s:22:\"typography_font_family\";i:1;s:22:\"typography_line_height\";i:1;}}}}s:6:\"column\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:0;s:8:\"controls\";a:0:{}}s:7:\"section\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:0;s:8:\"controls\";a:0:{}}}'),(1643,901,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(1644,901,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(1645,901,'_elementor_version','3.0.10'),(1646,901,'_wp_page_template','default'),(1647,901,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"1b83c6d8\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"36bf1cf5\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"649b775b\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0<strong>By: Jonathan Vincent U. Yusi<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">On April 11, 2016, the Aquino administration, through the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA), held a\\u00a0groundbreaking<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\">[1]<\\/a>\\u00a0ceremony in Capas, Tarlac. This event marked the beginning of the road to establishing the country\\u2019s first clean, green, and sustainable city. At the helm of the project is the BCDA, a development corporation tasked with converting military reservations into economic zones.<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\">[2]<\\/a> The issues, however, began piling up soon after the city\\u2019s development began. Claims of Aeta displacement in Tarlac made their way to headlines. Reports soon unraveled the extent of the problem through the stories of those who have already been affected by the initial phases of the project.<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\">[3]<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">To be clear, it is undisputed that the New Clark City (NCC) will benefit a vast majority of Filipinos. Aside from being a viable solution to congestion and pollution in Luzon\'s major cities, it will also provide job opportunities as it entices both foreign and domestic investors. That said, it is imperative upon the government to take due notice of the possible effects the said project would have on those who are considered the minority. The administration should not merely dismiss the claims of displacement even if those affected number only in the hundreds to a few thousand. While constructing a \\u2018green city\\u2019 is a step in the right direction, the ends do not justify the means.\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong>Opposing Views<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">Throughout recent years, the BCDA has argued that Tarlac\'s disputed grounds are under its ownership, as these are within a military reservation and, consequently, form part of the Clark Special Economic Zone (CSEZ). The basis of this assertion is Proclamation No. 163 that provided for the creation of the CSEZ, comprising of the Clark Airbase Proper and portions of the Clark reverted baselands such as Camp O\\u2019Donnell in Capas, Tarlac. The said proclamation specified that the BCDA shall be the governing body of the CSEZ, in compliance with Section 15 of the Bases Conversion and Development Act of 1992.<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\">[4]<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">Furthermore, the BCDA has consistently asserted that no indigenous communities are displaced because no Certificate of Ancestral Domain Title (CADT) covers the\\u00a0areas contested. The purpose of the issuance of a CADT is to officially recognize the applied property as an ancestral land or domain. Therefore, the lack of such a title could only mean that no ancestral domain is within the terrain in question. With the abovementioned arguments, the BCDA admonished critics by stating that any reports of displacement are nothing but \\\"fake news\\u201d.<a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\">[5]<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">On the other hand, some Aetas in Capas, Tarlac claim to have been in continuous possession of the disputed lands for as far back as memory reaches. The head of\\u00a0<em>Asosyason ng Katutubong Mahawang<\\/em> told reporters that the indigenous community of Capas had occupied the ancestral domain years ahead of Spain\\u2019s colonization of the\\u00a0Philippines<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\">[6]<\\/a>. This declaration of continuous possession finds support in the landmark case of <em>Cari\\u00f1o v. Insular Government<\\/em>, where the Court ruled that domains and lands held under native title are presumed to have never been public lands<a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\">[7]<\\/a>. The Indigenous Peoples\\u2019 Rights Act of 1997 (IPRA), adopting the ruling in <em>Carino,<\\/em> defines native titles as those pre-conquest rights to lands or domains which, since time immemorial, have been held under a claim of private ownership by ICCs\\/IPs, have never been public lands and are thus indisputably presumed to have been held that way since before the Spanish Conquest<a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\">[8]<\\/a>.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">Moreover, as early as 1999, the Aetas have consistently applied for a CADT. However, their applications have gone unnoticed and unanswered despite numerous requests throughout the\\u00a0years.<a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\">[9]<\\/a> Jurisprudence lays out that the issuance of a CADT is merely a recognition of ownership already vested in them by their predecessors-in-interests\\u2019 possession of the property since time immemorial.<a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\">[10]<\\/a> The non-granting thereof, despite multiple follow-ups from the applicants, can only mean that the lack of a valid ancestral domain title is not due to lapses on the Aetas\\u2019 side. Instead, it could indicate a lack of willingness on the part of the government to grant what is due to the indigenous groups in Tarlac.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">At the very least, the conflicting reports throughout the years could only point to the project\'s divisive nature. On the one hand, the government hopes that the NCC will be the city that brings the country to greater heights as the first of its kind. On the other, the city\'s continued construction means the Aetas have to live in constant fear of having their lands eventually taken away from them.\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong>Bridging the Gap<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">The Indigenous Cultural Communities (ICCs) or Indigenous Peoples (IPs) are protected by no less the Philippine Constitution. Section 5, Article XII calls upon the State to protect the ICCs\\/IPs\' rights to their ancestral lands to ensure their economic, social, and cultural well-being. The IPRA further reinforces these rights by recognizing that they are a distinct sector of society whose lands do not form part of the public domain. These lands are private properties belonging to them because of their continuous occupation and utilization of the same under the claim of ownership since time immemorial.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">Additionally, social justice requires that those who have less in life should have more in law. While the Aetas are people rich in culture and tradition, they are highly dependent on the land they occupy. To deprive them of their ancestral lands and plunge them into a world of unfamiliarity would take away not only the property that has been with them for generations, but also their source of livelihood. The BCDA argues that any indigenous people affected by the project would be compensated and relocated within the NCC. However, ancestral lands, more often than not, hold more importance than just monetary value. They are home to, in essence, the history of our first people.\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">The NCC is known as a \\u2018green city\\u2019 because out of 9450 hectares, only about 3000 hectares would be for infrastructure. The rest, particularly the surrounding area, would be left as it is and used as green open spaces<a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\">[11]<\\/a>. Given that the majority of the site will not be for residential and commercial structures, then it may still be possible to leave the remaining ancestral lands untouched. \\u00a0Even if the current blueprint for the city requires that the disputed lands be taken and developed, there may be time to make changes that would stand to benefit those greatly affected.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">While the completion of the New Clark City is with the public\'s best interest in mind, it does not equate to the forfeiture of the rights of those involved. Although considerably small compared to those who stand to benefit from the project, the number of those affected should not justify the displacement of the concerned families, particularly the indigenous tribes. The Aetas of Tarlac are Filipinos as well; the laws and Constitution of the country protect them just as much as other citizens. If it is indeed the goal of the BCDA to create the most inclusive city, then the Aetas\\u2019 rights to their lands should be given equal consideration as its other goals.\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">[1]<\\/a> Office of Civil Defense, (n.d.), Pres. Aquino Leads Groundbreaking of Country\\u2019s First Smart, Green and Disaster-Resilient Metropolis, http:\\/\\/www.ocd.gov.ph\\/news\\/196-pres-aquino-leads-groundbreaking-of-country-s-first-smart-green-and-disaster-resilient-metropolis.html<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a> Rep. Act No. 7227: Bases Conversion and Development act of 1992<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a> Krixia Subingsubing & Mariejo Ramos, <em>P607-B CLARK \\u2018GREEN CITY\\u2019 TO DISPLACE AETA COMMUNITIES<\\/em>, INQUIRER, (July 08, 2019).<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[4]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[5]<\\/a> The BCDA Group, (August 22, 2018), https:\\/\\/www.facebook.com\\/TheBCDAGroup\\/posts\\/1685676088207590<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[6]<\\/a> Ratziel San Juan, <em>BCDA on Aeta eviction notice: No forcible demolition in New Clark City<\\/em>, PHILSTAR, (December 5, 2019), https:\\/\\/www.philstar.com\\/headlines\\/2019\\/12\\/05\\/1974513\\/bcda-aeta-eviction-notice-no-forcible-demolition-new-clark-city<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\">[7]<\\/a> Mateo Cari\\u00f1o v. The Insular Government, G.R. No. 2869, March 25, 1907.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\">[8]<\\/a> Sec. 3 (j), Rep. Act No. 8371: The Indigenous Peoples\\u2019 Rights Act of 1997<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\">[9]<\\/a> Tony La Vi\\u00f1a, <em>[ANALYSIS] Aetas and New Clark: Trampling on human rights of our first peoples<\\/em>, RAPPLER, (December 10, 2019), <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/rappler.com\\/voices\\/thought-leaders\\/analysis-aetas-new-clark-city-trampling-on-human-rights\\\">https:\\/\\/rappler.com\\/voices\\/thought-leaders\\/analysis-aetas-new-clark-city-trampling-on-human-rights<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\">[10]<\\/a> Lamsis v. Dong-e, G.R. No. 173021, October 20, 2010<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"fontSize\\\":\\\"small\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-small-font-size\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\">[11]<\\/a> Roy Canivel, <em>\\u2018Crazy\\u2019 New Clark City dream moves closer to reality<\\/em>, INQUIRER, (October 16, 2019), https:\\/\\/business.inquirer.net \\/281187\\/crazy-new-clark-city-dream-moves-closer-to-reality<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"style\\\":{\\\"typography\\\":{\\\"fontSize\\\":12}}} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"font-size: 12px;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><em>Featured Photo credit: Bernice Beltran, accessed from <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/thediplomat.com\\/2020\\/01\\/philippines-smart-city-threatens-tribal-displacement\\/\\\">The Diplomat<\\/a>.<\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_font_family\":\"Georgia\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(1648,901,'_thumbnail_id','852'),(1649,901,'_elementor_controls_usage','a:3:{s:11:\"text-editor\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:2;s:8:\"controls\";a:2:{s:7:\"content\";a:1:{s:14:\"section_editor\";a:1:{s:6:\"editor\";i:1;}}s:5:\"style\";a:1:{s:13:\"section_style\";a:3:{s:21:\"typography_typography\";i:1;s:22:\"typography_font_family\";i:1;s:22:\"typography_line_height\";i:1;}}}}s:6:\"column\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:0;s:8:\"controls\";a:0:{}}s:7:\"section\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:0;s:8:\"controls\";a:0:{}}}'),(1651,868,'_customize_restore_dismissed','1'),(1652,902,'_wp_trash_meta_status','publish'),(1653,902,'_wp_trash_meta_time','1601116032'),(1654,903,'_edit_lock','1601117590:1'),(1655,903,'_customize_restore_dismissed','1'),(1656,904,'_wp_attached_file','2020/08'),(1657,905,'_wp_attached_file','2020/09'),(1658,903,'_wp_trash_meta_status','publish'),(1659,903,'_wp_trash_meta_time','1601117593'),(1660,906,'_edit_lock','1601118290:1'),(1661,906,'_wp_trash_meta_status','publish'),(1662,906,'_wp_trash_meta_time','1601118324'),(1663,907,'_edit_lock','1601118410:1'),(1664,907,'_wp_trash_meta_status','publish'),(1665,907,'_wp_trash_meta_time','1601118416'),(1667,908,'_customize_restore_dismissed','1'),(1668,909,'_edit_lock','1601119079:1'),(1669,909,'_wp_trash_meta_status','publish'),(1670,909,'_wp_trash_meta_time','1601119087'),(1671,910,'_edit_lock','1601119616:1'),(1672,910,'_wp_trash_meta_status','publish'),(1673,910,'_wp_trash_meta_time','1601119647'),(1674,911,'_edit_lock','1607480927:1'),(1675,912,'_wp_attached_file','2020/09/20200911a-KNG-17.jpg'),(1676,912,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:6:{s:5:\"width\";i:1350;s:6:\"height\";i:902;s:14:\"hwstring_small\";s:23:\"height=\'86\' width=\'128\'\";s:4:\"file\";s:28:\"2020/09/20200911a-KNG-17.jpg\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:12:{s:9:\"thumbnail\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:28:\"20200911a-KNG-17-150x150.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:6:\"medium\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:28:\"20200911a-KNG-17-300x200.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:300;s:6:\"height\";i:200;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:12:\"medium_large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:28:\"20200911a-KNG-17-768x513.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:768;s:6:\"height\";i:513;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:5:\"large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:29:\"20200911a-KNG-17-1024x684.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1024;s:6:\"height\";i:684;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:24:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:28:\"20200911a-KNG-17-170x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:25:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:26:\"20200911a-KNG-17-86x70.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:28:\"20200911a-KNG-17-165x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:165;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:22:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:28:\"20200911a-KNG-17-370x250.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:30:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:28:\"20200911a-KNG-17-370x247.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:247;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:21:\"bfastmag_related_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:28:\"20200911a-KNG-17-288x160.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:288;s:6:\"height\";i:160;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:18:\"bfastmag_blog_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:28:\"20200911a-KNG-17-780x544.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:26:\"bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:28:\"20200911a-KNG-17-780x521.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:521;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:0:\"\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:1:\"0\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:1:\"0\";s:3:\"iso\";s:1:\"0\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:1:\"0\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";s:1:\"0\";s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}}'),(1677,911,'_pingme','1'),(1678,911,'_encloseme','1'),(1679,911,'_thumbnail_id','912'),(1680,911,'_edit_last','1'),(1681,911,'_yoast_wpseo_primary_category','10'),(1682,911,'wptr_hide_title','0'),(1683,911,'ss_social_share_disable','0'),(1684,911,'_yoast_wpseo_focuskw','Constitutional Law'),(1685,911,'_yoast_wpseo_title','%%title%% %%sep%% %%sitename%%'),(1686,911,'_yoast_wpseo_metadesc','An emergency is the total opposite of the rule of law. While the rule of law blossoms and relies on a state of normalcy, emergency is a situation that exists outside it.'),(1687,911,'_yoast_wpseo_linkdex','50'),(1688,911,'_yoast_wpseo_content_score','30'),(1689,911,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(1690,911,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(1691,911,'_elementor_version','3.0.10'),(1692,911,'_wp_page_template','default'),(1693,911,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"7ee52cfe\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"326a02cd\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"2347b1d6\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><strong>By: Earl Anthony Reyes<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The end of Marcos\\u2019 dictatorial regime signaled the end of the Fourth Republic and the dawn of a new constitutional order. With the ratification of the 1987 Philippine Constitution, the Filipino people renewed its commitment to the ideals of republicanism and democracy, \\u201cpreventing the concentration of the sovereign powers of state in one body.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\">[1]<\\/a> However, this adherence to the principle of separation of powers that distinguish republics from the rest will always be tested by fire. For there will be moments when the lines separating the powers shall appear to blur and a one-man rule shall seem to dawn again. These moments are \\u201cemergencies.\\u201d<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 One such emergency is the ongoing COVID-19 Pandemic. Due to this pandemic that, on March 6, 2020, President Rodrigo Duterte declared a State of Public Health Emergency throughout the Philippines due to COVID-19 via Proclamation No. 922. This was followed by Proclamation No. 929 through which the President declared a State of Calamity throughout the same, placing the entire island of Luzon under \\u201cEnhanced Community Quarantine\\u201d or lockdown. As a response, the Congress enacted Bayanihan to Heal As One Act<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\">[2]<\\/a>, granting the President temporary emergency powers, among others.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The aim, then, of this article is to explore how the present constitution attempts to deal with emergency and mitigate the possible excesses of government response.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">Republics are neat, orderly systems. Under normal circumstances, a republic projects a seamless interplay between the organs of the government. The legislative organ enacts laws. The executive implements them. Meanwhile, in cases of actual legal controversies, the judiciary mediates between concerned parties. However, nothing shows its true fragility better than an incoming onslaught of emergency. Emergencies and the rule of law, which the republican system represents, are two things that hardly ever mix well.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">An emergency is the total opposite of the rule of law. While the rule of law blossoms and relies on a state of normalcy, emergency is a situation or condition that exists outside it. In the words of Carl Schmitt, \\u201cthere exists no norm that is applicable to chaos.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\">[3]<\\/a> Thus, \\u201cthe requirement that the government\\u2019s powers be defined and constrained by law tends to yield in times of emergency to calls for government to respond in ways that exceed its regular legal powers.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\">[4]<\\/a> But what exactly is an emergency?<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">There is no one way to define an emergency. Nevertheless, one may define an emergency as \\u201ca situation that produces a grave disturbance of the political system or order, threatening its survival.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\">[5]<\\/a> As such, emergencies are the bane of any given State or regime. In anticipation of these exceptional conditions, most constitutions have opted for mechanisms by which the delegation of certain powers to a president or to other constitutionally-designated authority is permitted. The reason for this delegation is quite simple: to resolve the threat to the system \\u201cin such a way that the legal\\/constitutional system is restored to its previous state.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\">[6]<\\/a> This is the concept of \\u201cemergency powers\\u201d that modern republics have inherited from the classical Roman Republic.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">Throughout the existence of the Roman republic, emergency powers were granted under the apparatus of Roman dictatorship. According to the humanists of the Renaissance, \\u201cdictatorship was a wise invention of the Roman Republic and the dictator was an extraordinary Roman magistrate, introduced after the expulsion of the kings, so that a strong <em>imperium <\\/em>[military power] may still be possible in times of insecurity.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\">[7]<\\/a> This apparatus became a necessity as the elaborate system of checks championed by the republican system became source of obstructing division of authority during times of crisis.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">This, then, is the Roman model of emergency powers: the Senate directs the consuls to appoint a dictator for a period of up to six months. The dictator is authorized to suspend rights and legal processes and to marshal military and other forces to deal with the threat against the Republic. When the threat has been resolved, the dictator is expected to step down and return to his farm, or wherever his former station may be. Meanwhile, the orders he may have issued are terminated and the status <em>quo ante<\\/em> is restored, including the rights and legal processes.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">This model is quite different from the modern model in practice today. While the Roman dictator was chosen from among virtuous men of great renown and ability, the modern model requires that the person who is to wield the emergency powers \\u201cenjoys a kind of popular or democratic mandate,\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\">[8]<\\/a> usually the president or the head of the executive branch. Another key difference between the two models is that advanced democracies prefer to deal with emergencies through ordinary legislation. Through this legislation, traditional emergency powers as well as those that are yet to be created by the legislature are delegated to the executive and may be enacted for temporary periods. As such, the legislature plays a fundamental role not only in recognizing the existence of an emergency but also in creating powers to be delegated to the executive branch. This is in stark contrast with the Roman practice of <em>heteroinvestiture<\\/em>, \\u201cwhere the party declaring an emergency is completely separated from the one that exercises that authority.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\">[9]<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">The present 1987 Philippine Constitution provides for three kinds of emergency powers that may be exercised during a state of emergency:<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">General emergency powers;<a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\">[10]<\\/a><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">Temporary take over or direct the operation of any privately owned public utility or business affected with public interest;<a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\">[11]<\\/a> and<\\/span><\\/li>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">Extraordinary military powers of the President<a href=\\\"#_ftn12\\\">[12]<\\/a><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">Of these three, only the third kind is fully lodged in President and within his discretion as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, subject only to the restraints provided by the Constitution. The other two are reposed in Congress as the Supreme Court declared in no uncertain terms in <em>David v. Arroyo<\\/em>.<a href=\\\"#_ftn13\\\">[13]<\\/a> However, given that during crisis, Congress may fail to function properly as it may not be practicable for it to meet and exercise its powers, the Constitution permits it to delegate these emergency powers and grant the same to the President, subject to the following conditions:<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">There must be a war or other emergency;<\\/span><\\/li>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">The delegation must be for a limited period only;<\\/span><\\/li>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">The delegation must be subject to such restrictions as the Congress may prescribe; and<\\/span><\\/li>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">The emergency powers must be exercised to carry out a national policy declared by Congress.<a href=\\\"#_ftn14\\\"><sup>[14]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">So, who declares the existence of the state of exception, that is, of war or other emergencies? For the declaration of war or its existence, the present Constitution is clear that Congress shall have the sole power to declare it, \\u201cby a vote of two-thirds of both Houses in joint session assembled.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn15\\\">[15]<\\/a> But what of the other instances of emergencies? It appears that it is still Congress who has the prerogative to declare it. However, as constitutionally provided, its prerogative to declare the existence of such may be delegated to the President. This is how the President was able to declare a State of Public Health Emergency and a State of Calamity throughout the Philippines because of COVID-19.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">Under the \\u201cMandatory Reporting of Notifiable Diseases and Health Events of Public Health Concern Act,\\u201d Congress empowers the President to declare a state of public health emergency and mobilize governmental and nongovernmental agencies to respond to the threat when the same threatens national security.<a href=\\\"#_ftn16\\\">[16]<\\/a> This was the legal basis of Proclamation No. 922. While Proclamation No. 929 finds its basis in the \\u201cPhilippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010.\\u201d This law authorizes the President to declare a State of Calamity following the recommendation of National Disaster Coordinating Council.<a href=\\\"#_ftn17\\\">[17]<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">From these attempts to anticipate and arrest emergencies before they disrupt the political order or system, that is, by legislating emergencies, one can surmise that the constitutional system attempts to bring into its ordinary competence what has hitherto been declared as an emergency \\u2013 its traditional antithesis, antithetical to the constitutional order itself. As such, the republic should fear not as \\u201cnew powers may be granted as often as emergencies contemplated in the Constitution arise.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn18\\\">[18]<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">As can be taken from the foregoing discussion, the constitutional order in force in the Philippines requires the interplay between the legislative and executive branches of the government, the so-called \\u201cpolitical\\u201d branches of the government. But what if a collusion exists between these two \\u201cpolitical\\u201d branches? For example, under the guise of an emergency, Congress delegates a number of emergency powers to the President in exchange for prolonged and extended possession of congressional power by the same individuals. Then when such emergency has passed, the President, with the plenipotent fiat of Congress, refuses to lift the declaration of emergency. This situation would undoubtedly create an unprecedented constitutional crisis. What would the course of action be to remedy the situation?<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">It is suggested that there are three possible remedies: two intra-constitutional and the one extra-constitutional. The first intra-constitutional remedy is to file a petition before the Supreme Court under its expanded judicial power \\u201cto determine whether or not there has been a grave abuse of discretion amounting to lack or excess of jurisdiction on the part of any branch or instrumentality of the Government.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn19\\\">[19]<\\/a> This expanded version of the judicial power has severely undermined what was the otherwise insurmountable \\u201cpolitical question\\u201d doctrine. The second intra-constitutional remedy is one coursed through <s>\\u201c<\\/s>The Initiative and Referendum Act.<a href=\\\"#_ftn20\\\">[20]\\\"<\\/a> (R.A. No. 6735) Through this law, the Filipino people can reject the law granting the emergency powers to the President in an election called for that purpose and, thereby, lift the declaration of state of emergency. Last but definitely the least is the extra-constitutional but proven remedy: People Power.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">In <em>Letter Of Associate Justice Reynato S. Puno,<\\/em> the Supreme Court said that \\u201cthe locus of positive law-making power lies with the people of the state and from there is derived the right of the people to abolish, to reform and to alter any existing form of government without regard to the existing constitution.\\u201dEven then, according to the esteemed constitutionalist, Fr. Joaquin G. Bernas, S.J., the People Power, as a display of the sovereign will of the Filipino people, is deemed written and institutionalized in the 1987 Philippine Constitution itself, especially when it described the Philippine state: \\u201cdemocratic.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn21\\\">[21]<\\/a> He further opined that \\u201cthe import of this addition, a monument to \\u2018people power\\u2019 which re-won democracy in EDSA, is that the Philippines under the new Constitution is not just a representative government but also shares some aspects of direct democracy.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn22\\\">[22]<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><strong>Conclusion<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">A state of emergency is not only cause of discomfort but also distress. It is a threat not only to the existence of the State but also to the people under its protection, to their rights and interests. But above all else, its mere existence betrays the latent reality that a republican system of government, like any other government, is a fragile creation. Sometimes, it can be helpless against the rise of dictators as the Philippines saw in the dictatorship of the President Ferdinand Marcos. Thus, one of the lasting legacies of the 1987 Philippine Constitution is to curb and suppress, when it can, an impending rise of a dictator at every turn and, most specially, in moments of crisis and emergency.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">However, the Constitution can only do so much. For, after all, it is only a creature of the sovereign people\\u2019s own making. It is only its instrument and servant, though most original and supreme as such, of its sovereign will. It is like the mythical household gods of Illium brought by Aeneas from Troy to Italy: it can only protect if it in turn be protected. Hence, constant vigilance!<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">[1]<\\/a> Salvador T. Carlota, <em>The Three Most Important Features of the Philippine Legal System that Others Should Understand<\\/em>, http:\\/\\/www.ialsnet.org\\/meetings\\/enriching\\/carlota.pdf (Last accessed 29 August 2020).<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a> An Act declaring the Existence of a National Emergency arising from the Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) situation and a National Policy in connection therewith, and authorizing the President of the Republic of the Philippines for a Limited Period and subject to Restrictions, to exercise Powers Necessary and Proper to carry out the Declared National Policy and for other Purposes, Republic Act No. 11469, (2020).<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a> Carl Schmitt, <em>Political Theology: Four Chapters on the Concept of Sovereignty,<\\/em> University of Chicago Press, 13 (2005).<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[4]<\\/a> Clement Fatovic, <em>Emergencies and the Rule of Law<\\/em>, <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/oxfordre.com\\/politics\\/view\\/10.1093\\/acrefore\\/9780190228637.001.0001\\/acrefore-9780190228637-e-93\\\">https:\\/\\/oxfordre.com\\/politics\\/view\\/10.1093\\/acrefore\\/9780190228637.001.0001\\/acrefore-9780190228637-e-93<\\/a> (Last accessed 29 August 2020)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[5]<\\/a> John Ferejohn & Pasquale Pasquino, <em>The Law of the Exception: A Typology of Emergency Powers<\\/em>, International Journal of Constitutional Law, 231 (2004).<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[6]<\\/a> <em>Id. <\\/em>at 210.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\">[7]<\\/a> Carl Schmitt, <em>Dictatorship: From the Beginning of the Modern Concept of Sovereignty to the Proletarian Class-Struggle<\\/em>, Cambridge: Polity Press, 1 (2014).<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\">[8]<\\/a> FEREJOHN, supra note 4, at 214.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\">[9]<\\/a> FEREJOHN, supra note 4, at 218.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\">[10]<\\/a> CONST., art. VI, sec. 23, par. 2.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\">[11]<\\/a> CONST., art. XII, sec. 17.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref12\\\">[12]<\\/a><s> <\\/s>CONST., art. VII, section 18.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref13\\\">[13]<\\/a> <em>David v. Arroyo<\\/em>, G.R. No. 171396, May 3, 2006.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref14\\\">[14]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref15\\\">[15]<\\/a> CONST., art. VI, sec. 23, par 1.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref16\\\">[16]<\\/a> An Act Providing Policies and Prescribing Procedures on Surveillance and Response to Notifiable Diseases, Epidemics, and Health Events of Public Health Concern, and Appropriating Funds Therefor, Repealing for the Purpose Act No. 3573, Otherwise Known as the \\\"Law on Reporting of Communicable Diseases, Republic Act No. 1132, sec. 7 (2019).<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref17\\\">[17]<\\/a> An Act Providing Policies and Prescribing Procedures on Surveillance and Response to Notifiable Diseases, Epidemics, and Health Events of Public Health Concern, and Appropriating Funds Therefor, Repealing for the Purpose Act No. 3573, Otherwise Known as the \\\"Law on Reporting of Communicable Diseases, Republic Act No. 10121, sec. 16 (2019).<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref18\\\">[18]<\\/a> <em>Rodriguez v. Gella<\\/em>, G.R. No. L-6266, February 2, 1953.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref19\\\">[19]<\\/a> CONST., art. VIII, sec. 1.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref20\\\">[20]<\\/a> An Act Providing for a System of Initiative and Referendum and Appropriating Funds Therefor, Republic Act No. 6735, (1989).<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref21\\\">[21]<\\/a> CONST., art. II, sec. 1; <em>See <\\/em>Joaquin G. Bernas, S.J., <em>From One-Man Rule to \\u201cPeople Power\\u201d<\\/em>, 46 ATENEO L.J. 44, 60 (2001).<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref22\\\">[22]<\\/a> BERNAS, <em>id.<\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><strong><em>Featured Image Credit to the <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/pcoo.gov.ph\\/\\\">Presidential communications Operations Office<\\/a>.<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(1694,915,'_thumbnail_id','912'),(1695,915,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(1696,915,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(1697,915,'_elementor_version','3.0.10'),(1698,915,'_wp_page_template','default'),(1699,915,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"7ee52cfe\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"326a02cd\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"2347b1d6\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><strong>By: Earl Anthony Reyes<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The end of Marcos\\u2019 dictatorial regime signaled the end of the Fourth Republic and the dawn of a new constitutional order. With the ratification of the 1987 Philippine Constitution, the Filipino people renewed its commitment to the ideals of republicanism and democracy, \\u201cpreventing the concentration of the sovereign powers of state in one body.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\">[1]<\\/a> However, this adherence to the principle of separation of powers that distinguish republics from the rest will always be tested by fire. For there will be moments when the lines separating the powers shall appear to blur and a one-man rule shall seem to dawn again. These moments are \\u201cemergencies.\\u201d<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 One such emergency is the ongoing COVID-19 Pandemic. Due to this pandemic that, on March 6, 2020, President Rodrigo Duterte declared a State of Public Health Emergency throughout the Philippines due to COVID-19 via Proclamation No. 922. This was followed by Proclamation No. 929 through which the President declared a State of Calamity throughout the same, placing the entire island of Luzon under \\u201cEnhanced Community Quarantine\\u201d or lockdown. As a response, the Congress enacted Bayanihan to Heal As One Act<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\">[2]<\\/a>, granting the President temporary emergency powers, among others.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The aim, then, of this article is to explore how the present constitution attempts to deal with emergency and mitigate the possible excesses of government response.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">Republics are neat, orderly systems. Under normal circumstances, a republic projects a seamless interplay between the organs of the government. The legislative organ enacts laws. The executive implements them. Meanwhile, in cases of actual legal controversies, the judiciary mediates between concerned parties. However, nothing shows its true fragility better than an incoming onslaught of emergency. Emergencies and the rule of law, which the republican system represents, are two things that hardly ever mix well.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">An emergency is the total opposite of the rule of law. While the rule of law blossoms and relies on a state of normalcy, emergency is a situation or condition that exists outside it. In the words of Carl Schmitt, \\u201cthere exists no norm that is applicable to chaos.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\">[3]<\\/a> Thus, \\u201cthe requirement that the government\\u2019s powers be defined and constrained by law tends to yield in times of emergency to calls for government to respond in ways that exceed its regular legal powers.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\">[4]<\\/a> But what exactly is an emergency?<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">There is no one way to define an emergency. Nevertheless, one may define an emergency as \\u201ca situation that produces a grave disturbance of the political system or order, threatening its survival.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\">[5]<\\/a> As such, emergencies are the bane of any given State or regime. In anticipation of these exceptional conditions, most constitutions have opted for mechanisms by which the delegation of certain powers to a president or to other constitutionally-designated authority is permitted. The reason for this delegation is quite simple: to resolve the threat to the system \\u201cin such a way that the legal\\/constitutional system is restored to its previous state.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\">[6]<\\/a> This is the concept of \\u201cemergency powers\\u201d that modern republics have inherited from the classical Roman Republic.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">Throughout the existence of the Roman republic, emergency powers were granted under the apparatus of Roman dictatorship. According to the humanists of the Renaissance, \\u201cdictatorship was a wise invention of the Roman Republic and the dictator was an extraordinary Roman magistrate, introduced after the expulsion of the kings, so that a strong <em>imperium <\\/em>[military power] may still be possible in times of insecurity.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\">[7]<\\/a> This apparatus became a necessity as the elaborate system of checks championed by the republican system became source of obstructing division of authority during times of crisis.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">This, then, is the Roman model of emergency powers: the Senate directs the consuls to appoint a dictator for a period of up to six months. The dictator is authorized to suspend rights and legal processes and to marshal military and other forces to deal with the threat against the Republic. When the threat has been resolved, the dictator is expected to step down and return to his farm, or wherever his former station may be. Meanwhile, the orders he may have issued are terminated and the status <em>quo ante<\\/em> is restored, including the rights and legal processes.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">This model is quite different from the modern model in practice today. While the Roman dictator was chosen from among virtuous men of great renown and ability, the modern model requires that the person who is to wield the emergency powers \\u201cenjoys a kind of popular or democratic mandate,\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\">[8]<\\/a> usually the president or the head of the executive branch. Another key difference between the two models is that advanced democracies prefer to deal with emergencies through ordinary legislation. Through this legislation, traditional emergency powers as well as those that are yet to be created by the legislature are delegated to the executive and may be enacted for temporary periods. As such, the legislature plays a fundamental role not only in recognizing the existence of an emergency but also in creating powers to be delegated to the executive branch. This is in stark contrast with the Roman practice of <em>heteroinvestiture<\\/em>, \\u201cwhere the party declaring an emergency is completely separated from the one that exercises that authority.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\">[9]<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">The present 1987 Philippine Constitution provides for three kinds of emergency powers that may be exercised during a state of emergency:<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">General emergency powers;<a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\">[10]<\\/a><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">Temporary take over or direct the operation of any privately owned public utility or business affected with public interest;<a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\">[11]<\\/a> and<\\/span><\\/li>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">Extraordinary military powers of the President<a href=\\\"#_ftn12\\\">[12]<\\/a><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">Of these three, only the third kind is fully lodged in President and within his discretion as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, subject only to the restraints provided by the Constitution. The other two are reposed in Congress as the Supreme Court declared in no uncertain terms in <em>David v. Arroyo<\\/em>.<a href=\\\"#_ftn13\\\">[13]<\\/a> However, given that during crisis, Congress may fail to function properly as it may not be practicable for it to meet and exercise its powers, the Constitution permits it to delegate these emergency powers and grant the same to the President, subject to the following conditions:<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">There must be a war or other emergency;<\\/span><\\/li>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">The delegation must be for a limited period only;<\\/span><\\/li>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">The delegation must be subject to such restrictions as the Congress may prescribe; and<\\/span><\\/li>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">The emergency powers must be exercised to carry out a national policy declared by Congress.<a href=\\\"#_ftn14\\\"><sup>[14]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">So, who declares the existence of the state of exception, that is, of war or other emergencies? For the declaration of war or its existence, the present Constitution is clear that Congress shall have the sole power to declare it, \\u201cby a vote of two-thirds of both Houses in joint session assembled.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn15\\\">[15]<\\/a> But what of the other instances of emergencies? It appears that it is still Congress who has the prerogative to declare it. However, as constitutionally provided, its prerogative to declare the existence of such may be delegated to the President. This is how the President was able to declare a State of Public Health Emergency and a State of Calamity throughout the Philippines because of COVID-19.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">Under the \\u201cMandatory Reporting of Notifiable Diseases and Health Events of Public Health Concern Act,\\u201d Congress empowers the President to declare a state of public health emergency and mobilize governmental and nongovernmental agencies to respond to the threat when the same threatens national security.<a href=\\\"#_ftn16\\\">[16]<\\/a> This was the legal basis of Proclamation No. 922. While Proclamation No. 929 finds its basis in the \\u201cPhilippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010.\\u201d This law authorizes the President to declare a State of Calamity following the recommendation of National Disaster Coordinating Council.<a href=\\\"#_ftn17\\\">[17]<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">From these attempts to anticipate and arrest emergencies before they disrupt the political order or system, that is, by legislating emergencies, one can surmise that the constitutional system attempts to bring into its ordinary competence what has hitherto been declared as an emergency \\u2013 its traditional antithesis, antithetical to the constitutional order itself. As such, the republic should fear not as \\u201cnew powers may be granted as often as emergencies contemplated in the Constitution arise.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn18\\\">[18]<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">As can be taken from the foregoing discussion, the constitutional order in force in the Philippines requires the interplay between the legislative and executive branches of the government, the so-called \\u201cpolitical\\u201d branches of the government. But what if a collusion exists between these two \\u201cpolitical\\u201d branches? For example, under the guise of an emergency, Congress delegates a number of emergency powers to the President in exchange for prolonged and extended possession of congressional power by the same individuals. Then when such emergency has passed, the President, with the plenipotent fiat of Congress, refuses to lift the declaration of emergency. This situation would undoubtedly create an unprecedented constitutional crisis. What would the course of action be to remedy the situation?<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">It is suggested that there are three possible remedies: two intra-constitutional and the one extra-constitutional. The first intra-constitutional remedy is to file a petition before the Supreme Court under its expanded judicial power \\u201cto determine whether or not there has been a grave abuse of discretion amounting to lack or excess of jurisdiction on the part of any branch or instrumentality of the Government.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn19\\\">[19]<\\/a> This expanded version of the judicial power has severely undermined what was the otherwise insurmountable \\u201cpolitical question\\u201d doctrine. The second intra-constitutional remedy is one coursed through <s>\\u201c<\\/s>The Initiative and Referendum Act.<a href=\\\"#_ftn20\\\">[20]<\\/a><s>\\u201d<\\/s> <s>(R.A. No. 6735). <\\/s>Through this law, the Filipino people can reject the law granting the emergency powers to the President in an election called for that purpose and, thereby, lift the declaration of state of emergency. Last but definitely the least is the extra-constitutional but proven remedy: People Power.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">In <em>Letter Of Associate Justice Reynato S. Puno,<\\/em> the Supreme Court said that \\u201cthe locus of positive law-making power lies with the people of the state and from there is derived the right of the people to abolish, to reform and to alter any existing form of government without regard to the existing constitution.\\u201dEven then, according to the esteemed constitutionalist, Fr. Joaquin G. Bernas, S.J., the People Power, as a display of the sovereign will of the Filipino people, is deemed written and institutionalized in the 1987 Philippine Constitution itself, especially when it described the Philippine state: \\u201cdemocratic.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn21\\\">[21]<\\/a> He further opined that \\u201cthe import of this addition, a monument to \\u2018people power\\u2019 which re-won democracy in EDSA, is that the Philippines under the new Constitution is not just a representative government but also shares some aspects of direct democracy.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn22\\\">[22]<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><strong>Conclusion<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">A state of emergency is not only cause of discomfort but also distress. It is a threat not only to the existence of the State but also to the people under its protection, to their rights and interests. But above all else, its mere existence betrays the latent reality that a republican system of government, like any other government, is a fragile creation. Sometimes, it can be helpless against the rise of dictators as the Philippines saw in the dictatorship of the President Ferdinand Marcos. Thus, one of the lasting legacies of the 1987 Philippine Constitution is to curb and suppress, when it can, an impending rise of a dictator at every turn and, most specially, in moments of crisis and emergency.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">However, the Constitution can only do so much. For, after all, it is only a creature of the sovereign people\\u2019s own making. It is only its instrument and servant, though most original and supreme as such, of its sovereign will. It is like the mythical household gods of Illium brought by Aeneas from Troy to Italy: it can only protect if it in turn be protected. Hence, constant vigilance!<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">[1]<\\/a> Salvador T. Carlota, <em>The Three Most Important Features of the Philippine Legal System that Others Should Understand<\\/em>, http:\\/\\/www.ialsnet.org\\/meetings\\/enriching\\/carlota.pdf (Last accessed 29 August 2020).<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a> An Act declaring the Existence of a National Emergency arising from the Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) situation and a National Policy in connection therewith, and authorizing the President of the Republic of the Philippines for a Limited Period and subject to Restrictions, to exercise Powers Necessary and Proper to carry out the Declared National Policy and for other Purposes, Republic Act No. 11469, (2020).<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a> Carl Schmitt, <em>Political Theology: Four Chapters on the Concept of Sovereignty,<\\/em> University of Chicago Press, 13 (2005).<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[4]<\\/a> Clement Fatovic, <em>Emergencies and the Rule of Law<\\/em>, <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/oxfordre.com\\/politics\\/view\\/10.1093\\/acrefore\\/9780190228637.001.0001\\/acrefore-9780190228637-e-93\\\">https:\\/\\/oxfordre.com\\/politics\\/view\\/10.1093\\/acrefore\\/9780190228637.001.0001\\/acrefore-9780190228637-e-93<\\/a> (Last accessed 29 August 2020)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[5]<\\/a> John Ferejohn & Pasquale Pasquino, <em>The Law of the Exception: A Typology of Emergency Powers<\\/em>, International Journal of Constitutional Law, 231 (2004).<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[6]<\\/a> <em>Id. <\\/em>at 210.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\">[7]<\\/a> Carl Schmitt, <em>Dictatorship: From the Beginning of the Modern Concept of Sovereignty to the Proletarian Class-Struggle<\\/em>, Cambridge: Polity Press, 1 (2014).<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\">[8]<\\/a> FEREJOHN, supra note 4, at 214.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\">[9]<\\/a> FEREJOHN, supra note 4, at 218.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\">[10]<\\/a> CONST., art. VI, sec. 23, par. 2.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\">[11]<\\/a> CONST., art. XII, sec. 17.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref12\\\">[12]<\\/a><s> <\\/s>CONST., art. VII, section 18.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref13\\\">[13]<\\/a> <em>David v. Arroyo<\\/em>, G.R. No. 171396, May 3, 2006.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref14\\\">[14]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref15\\\">[15]<\\/a> CONST., art. VI, sec. 23, par 1.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref16\\\">[16]<\\/a> An Act Providing Policies and Prescribing Procedures on Surveillance and Response to Notifiable Diseases, Epidemics, and Health Events of Public Health Concern, and Appropriating Funds Therefor, Repealing for the Purpose Act No. 3573, Otherwise Known as the \\\"Law on Reporting of Communicable Diseases, Republic Act No. 1132, sec. 7 (2019).<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref17\\\">[17]<\\/a> An Act Providing Policies and Prescribing Procedures on Surveillance and Response to Notifiable Diseases, Epidemics, and Health Events of Public Health Concern, and Appropriating Funds Therefor, Repealing for the Purpose Act No. 3573, Otherwise Known as the \\\"Law on Reporting of Communicable Diseases, Republic Act No. 10121, sec. 16 (2019).<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref18\\\">[18]<\\/a> <em>Rodriguez v. Gella<\\/em>, G.R. No. L-6266, February 2, 1953.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref19\\\">[19]<\\/a> CONST., art. VIII, sec. 1.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref20\\\">[20]<\\/a> An Act Providing for a System of Initiative and Referendum and Appropriating Funds Therefor, Republic Act No. 6735, (1989).<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref21\\\">[21]<\\/a> CONST., art. II, sec. 1; <em>See <\\/em>Joaquin G. Bernas, S.J., <em>From One-Man Rule to \\u201cPeople Power\\u201d<\\/em>, 46 ATENEO L.J. 44, 60 (2001).<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref22\\\">[22]<\\/a> BERNAS, <em>id.<\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><strong><em>Featured Image Credit to the <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/pcoo.gov.ph\\/\\\">Presidential communications Operations Office<\\/a>.<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(1703,916,'_thumbnail_id','912'),(1704,916,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(1705,916,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(1706,916,'_elementor_version','3.0.10'),(1707,916,'_wp_page_template','default'),(1708,916,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"7ee52cfe\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"326a02cd\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"2347b1d6\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><strong>By: Earl Anthony Reyes<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The end of Marcos\\u2019 dictatorial regime signaled the end of the Fourth Republic and the dawn of a new constitutional order. With the ratification of the 1987 Philippine Constitution, the Filipino people renewed its commitment to the ideals of republicanism and democracy, \\u201cpreventing the concentration of the sovereign powers of state in one body.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\">[1]<\\/a> However, this adherence to the principle of separation of powers that distinguish republics from the rest will always be tested by fire. For there will be moments when the lines separating the powers shall appear to blur and a one-man rule shall seem to dawn again. These moments are \\u201cemergencies.\\u201d<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 One such emergency is the ongoing COVID-19 Pandemic. Due to this pandemic that, on March 6, 2020, President Rodrigo Duterte declared a State of Public Health Emergency throughout the Philippines due to COVID-19 via Proclamation No. 922. This was followed by Proclamation No. 929 through which the President declared a State of Calamity throughout the same, placing the entire island of Luzon under \\u201cEnhanced Community Quarantine\\u201d or lockdown. As a response, the Congress enacted Bayanihan to Heal As One Act<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\">[2]<\\/a>, granting the President temporary emergency powers, among others.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The aim, then, of this article is to explore how the present constitution attempts to deal with emergency and mitigate the possible excesses of government response.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">Republics are neat, orderly systems. Under normal circumstances, a republic projects a seamless interplay between the organs of the government. The legislative organ enacts laws. The executive implements them. Meanwhile, in cases of actual legal controversies, the judiciary mediates between concerned parties. However, nothing shows its true fragility better than an incoming onslaught of emergency. Emergencies and the rule of law, which the republican system represents, are two things that hardly ever mix well.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">An emergency is the total opposite of the rule of law. While the rule of law blossoms and relies on a state of normalcy, emergency is a situation or condition that exists outside it. In the words of Carl Schmitt, \\u201cthere exists no norm that is applicable to chaos.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\">[3]<\\/a> Thus, \\u201cthe requirement that the government\\u2019s powers be defined and constrained by law tends to yield in times of emergency to calls for government to respond in ways that exceed its regular legal powers.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\">[4]<\\/a> But what exactly is an emergency?<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">There is no one way to define an emergency. Nevertheless, one may define an emergency as \\u201ca situation that produces a grave disturbance of the political system or order, threatening its survival.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\">[5]<\\/a> As such, emergencies are the bane of any given State or regime. In anticipation of these exceptional conditions, most constitutions have opted for mechanisms by which the delegation of certain powers to a president or to other constitutionally-designated authority is permitted. The reason for this delegation is quite simple: to resolve the threat to the system \\u201cin such a way that the legal\\/constitutional system is restored to its previous state.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\">[6]<\\/a> This is the concept of \\u201cemergency powers\\u201d that modern republics have inherited from the classical Roman Republic.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">Throughout the existence of the Roman republic, emergency powers were granted under the apparatus of Roman dictatorship. According to the humanists of the Renaissance, \\u201cdictatorship was a wise invention of the Roman Republic and the dictator was an extraordinary Roman magistrate, introduced after the expulsion of the kings, so that a strong <em>imperium <\\/em>[military power] may still be possible in times of insecurity.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\">[7]<\\/a> This apparatus became a necessity as the elaborate system of checks championed by the republican system became source of obstructing division of authority during times of crisis.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">This, then, is the Roman model of emergency powers: the Senate directs the consuls to appoint a dictator for a period of up to six months. The dictator is authorized to suspend rights and legal processes and to marshal military and other forces to deal with the threat against the Republic. When the threat has been resolved, the dictator is expected to step down and return to his farm, or wherever his former station may be. Meanwhile, the orders he may have issued are terminated and the status <em>quo ante<\\/em> is restored, including the rights and legal processes.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">This model is quite different from the modern model in practice today. While the Roman dictator was chosen from among virtuous men of great renown and ability, the modern model requires that the person who is to wield the emergency powers \\u201cenjoys a kind of popular or democratic mandate,\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\">[8]<\\/a> usually the president or the head of the executive branch. Another key difference between the two models is that advanced democracies prefer to deal with emergencies through ordinary legislation. Through this legislation, traditional emergency powers as well as those that are yet to be created by the legislature are delegated to the executive and may be enacted for temporary periods. As such, the legislature plays a fundamental role not only in recognizing the existence of an emergency but also in creating powers to be delegated to the executive branch. This is in stark contrast with the Roman practice of <em>heteroinvestiture<\\/em>, \\u201cwhere the party declaring an emergency is completely separated from the one that exercises that authority.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\">[9]<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">The present 1987 Philippine Constitution provides for three kinds of emergency powers that may be exercised during a state of emergency:<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">General emergency powers;<a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\">[10]<\\/a><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">Temporary take over or direct the operation of any privately owned public utility or business affected with public interest;<a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\">[11]<\\/a> and<\\/span><\\/li>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">Extraordinary military powers of the President<a href=\\\"#_ftn12\\\">[12]<\\/a><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">Of these three, only the third kind is fully lodged in President and within his discretion as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, subject only to the restraints provided by the Constitution. The other two are reposed in Congress as the Supreme Court declared in no uncertain terms in <em>David v. Arroyo<\\/em>.<a href=\\\"#_ftn13\\\">[13]<\\/a> However, given that during crisis, Congress may fail to function properly as it may not be practicable for it to meet and exercise its powers, the Constitution permits it to delegate these emergency powers and grant the same to the President, subject to the following conditions:<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">There must be a war or other emergency;<\\/span><\\/li>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">The delegation must be for a limited period only;<\\/span><\\/li>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">The delegation must be subject to such restrictions as the Congress may prescribe; and<\\/span><\\/li>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">The emergency powers must be exercised to carry out a national policy declared by Congress.<a href=\\\"#_ftn14\\\"><sup>[14]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">So, who declares the existence of the state of exception, that is, of war or other emergencies? For the declaration of war or its existence, the present Constitution is clear that Congress shall have the sole power to declare it, \\u201cby a vote of two-thirds of both Houses in joint session assembled.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn15\\\">[15]<\\/a> But what of the other instances of emergencies? It appears that it is still Congress who has the prerogative to declare it. However, as constitutionally provided, its prerogative to declare the existence of such may be delegated to the President. This is how the President was able to declare a State of Public Health Emergency and a State of Calamity throughout the Philippines because of COVID-19.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">Under the \\u201cMandatory Reporting of Notifiable Diseases and Health Events of Public Health Concern Act,\\u201d Congress empowers the President to declare a state of public health emergency and mobilize governmental and nongovernmental agencies to respond to the threat when the same threatens national security.<a href=\\\"#_ftn16\\\">[16]<\\/a> This was the legal basis of Proclamation No. 922. While Proclamation No. 929 finds its basis in the \\u201cPhilippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010.\\u201d This law authorizes the President to declare a State of Calamity following the recommendation of National Disaster Coordinating Council.<a href=\\\"#_ftn17\\\">[17]<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">From these attempts to anticipate and arrest emergencies before they disrupt the political order or system, that is, by legislating emergencies, one can surmise that the constitutional system attempts to bring into its ordinary competence what has hitherto been declared as an emergency \\u2013 its traditional antithesis, antithetical to the constitutional order itself. As such, the republic should fear not as \\u201cnew powers may be granted as often as emergencies contemplated in the Constitution arise.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn18\\\">[18]<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">As can be taken from the foregoing discussion, the constitutional order in force in the Philippines requires the interplay between the legislative and executive branches of the government, the so-called \\u201cpolitical\\u201d branches of the government. But what if a collusion exists between these two \\u201cpolitical\\u201d branches? For example, under the guise of an emergency, Congress delegates a number of emergency powers to the President in exchange for prolonged and extended possession of congressional power by the same individuals. Then when such emergency has passed, the President, with the plenipotent fiat of Congress, refuses to lift the declaration of emergency. This situation would undoubtedly create an unprecedented constitutional crisis. What would the course of action be to remedy the situation?<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">It is suggested that there are three possible remedies: two intra-constitutional and the one extra-constitutional. The first intra-constitutional remedy is to file a petition before the Supreme Court under its expanded judicial power \\u201cto determine whether or not there has been a grave abuse of discretion amounting to lack or excess of jurisdiction on the part of any branch or instrumentality of the Government.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn19\\\">[19]<\\/a> This expanded version of the judicial power has severely undermined what was the otherwise insurmountable \\u201cpolitical question\\u201d doctrine. The second intra-constitutional remedy is one coursed through <s>\\u201c<\\/s>The Initiative and Referendum Act.<a href=\\\"#_ftn20\\\">[20]<\\/a><s>\\u201d<\\/s> <s>(R.A. No. 6735). <\\/s>Through this law, the Filipino people can reject the law granting the emergency powers to the President in an election called for that purpose and, thereby, lift the declaration of state of emergency. Last but definitely the least is the extra-constitutional but proven remedy: People Power.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">In <em>Letter Of Associate Justice Reynato S. Puno,<\\/em> the Supreme Court said that \\u201cthe locus of positive law-making power lies with the people of the state and from there is derived the right of the people to abolish, to reform and to alter any existing form of government without regard to the existing constitution.\\u201dEven then, according to the esteemed constitutionalist, Fr. Joaquin G. Bernas, S.J., the People Power, as a display of the sovereign will of the Filipino people, is deemed written and institutionalized in the 1987 Philippine Constitution itself, especially when it described the Philippine state: \\u201cdemocratic.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn21\\\">[21]<\\/a> He further opined that \\u201cthe import of this addition, a monument to \\u2018people power\\u2019 which re-won democracy in EDSA, is that the Philippines under the new Constitution is not just a representative government but also shares some aspects of direct democracy.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn22\\\">[22]<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><strong>Conclusion<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">A state of emergency is not only cause of discomfort but also distress. It is a threat not only to the existence of the State but also to the people under its protection, to their rights and interests. But above all else, its mere existence betrays the latent reality that a republican system of government, like any other government, is a fragile creation. Sometimes, it can be helpless against the rise of dictators as the Philippines saw in the dictatorship of the President Ferdinand Marcos. Thus, one of the lasting legacies of the 1987 Philippine Constitution is to curb and suppress, when it can, an impending rise of a dictator at every turn and, most specially, in moments of crisis and emergency.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">However, the Constitution can only do so much. For, after all, it is only a creature of the sovereign people\\u2019s own making. It is only its instrument and servant, though most original and supreme as such, of its sovereign will. It is like the mythical household gods of Illium brought by Aeneas from Troy to Italy: it can only protect if it in turn be protected. Hence, constant vigilance!<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">[1]<\\/a> Salvador T. Carlota, <em>The Three Most Important Features of the Philippine Legal System that Others Should Understand<\\/em>, http:\\/\\/www.ialsnet.org\\/meetings\\/enriching\\/carlota.pdf (Last accessed 29 August 2020).<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a> An Act declaring the Existence of a National Emergency arising from the Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) situation and a National Policy in connection therewith, and authorizing the President of the Republic of the Philippines for a Limited Period and subject to Restrictions, to exercise Powers Necessary and Proper to carry out the Declared National Policy and for other Purposes, Republic Act No. 11469, (2020).<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a> Carl Schmitt, <em>Political Theology: Four Chapters on the Concept of Sovereignty,<\\/em> University of Chicago Press, 13 (2005).<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[4]<\\/a> Clement Fatovic, <em>Emergencies and the Rule of Law<\\/em>, <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/oxfordre.com\\/politics\\/view\\/10.1093\\/acrefore\\/9780190228637.001.0001\\/acrefore-9780190228637-e-93\\\">https:\\/\\/oxfordre.com\\/politics\\/view\\/10.1093\\/acrefore\\/9780190228637.001.0001\\/acrefore-9780190228637-e-93<\\/a> (Last accessed 29 August 2020)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[5]<\\/a> John Ferejohn & Pasquale Pasquino, <em>The Law of the Exception: A Typology of Emergency Powers<\\/em>, International Journal of Constitutional Law, 231 (2004).<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[6]<\\/a> <em>Id. <\\/em>at 210.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\">[7]<\\/a> Carl Schmitt, <em>Dictatorship: From the Beginning of the Modern Concept of Sovereignty to the Proletarian Class-Struggle<\\/em>, Cambridge: Polity Press, 1 (2014).<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\">[8]<\\/a> FEREJOHN, supra note 4, at 214.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\">[9]<\\/a> FEREJOHN, supra note 4, at 218.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\">[10]<\\/a> CONST., art. VI, sec. 23, par. 2.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\">[11]<\\/a> CONST., art. XII, sec. 17.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref12\\\">[12]<\\/a><s> <\\/s>CONST., art. VII, section 18.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref13\\\">[13]<\\/a> <em>David v. Arroyo<\\/em>, G.R. No. 171396, May 3, 2006.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref14\\\">[14]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref15\\\">[15]<\\/a> CONST., art. VI, sec. 23, par 1.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref16\\\">[16]<\\/a> An Act Providing Policies and Prescribing Procedures on Surveillance and Response to Notifiable Diseases, Epidemics, and Health Events of Public Health Concern, and Appropriating Funds Therefor, Repealing for the Purpose Act No. 3573, Otherwise Known as the \\\"Law on Reporting of Communicable Diseases, Republic Act No. 1132, sec. 7 (2019).<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref17\\\">[17]<\\/a> An Act Providing Policies and Prescribing Procedures on Surveillance and Response to Notifiable Diseases, Epidemics, and Health Events of Public Health Concern, and Appropriating Funds Therefor, Repealing for the Purpose Act No. 3573, Otherwise Known as the \\\"Law on Reporting of Communicable Diseases, Republic Act No. 10121, sec. 16 (2019).<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref18\\\">[18]<\\/a> <em>Rodriguez v. Gella<\\/em>, G.R. No. L-6266, February 2, 1953.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref19\\\">[19]<\\/a> CONST., art. VIII, sec. 1.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref20\\\">[20]<\\/a> An Act Providing for a System of Initiative and Referendum and Appropriating Funds Therefor, Republic Act No. 6735, (1989).<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref21\\\">[21]<\\/a> CONST., art. II, sec. 1; <em>See <\\/em>Joaquin G. Bernas, S.J., <em>From One-Man Rule to \\u201cPeople Power\\u201d<\\/em>, 46 ATENEO L.J. 44, 60 (2001).<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref22\\\">[22]<\\/a> BERNAS, <em>id.<\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><strong><em>Featured Image Credit to the <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/pcoo.gov.ph\\/\\\">Presidential communications Operations Office<\\/a>.<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(1712,917,'_thumbnail_id','912'),(1713,917,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(1714,917,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(1715,917,'_elementor_version','3.0.10'),(1716,917,'_wp_page_template','default');
INSERT INTO `wp_postmeta` VALUES (1717,917,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"7ee52cfe\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"326a02cd\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"2347b1d6\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><strong>By: Earl Anthony Reyes<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The end of Marcos\\u2019 dictatorial regime signaled the end of the Fourth Republic and the dawn of a new constitutional order. With the ratification of the 1987 Philippine Constitution, the Filipino people renewed its commitment to the ideals of republicanism and democracy, \\u201cpreventing the concentration of the sovereign powers of state in one body.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\">[1]<\\/a> However, this adherence to the principle of separation of powers that distinguish republics from the rest will always be tested by fire. For there will be moments when the lines separating the powers shall appear to blur and a one-man rule shall seem to dawn again. These moments are \\u201cemergencies.\\u201d<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 One such emergency is the ongoing COVID-19 Pandemic. Due to this pandemic that, on March 6, 2020, President Rodrigo Duterte declared a State of Public Health Emergency throughout the Philippines due to COVID-19 via Proclamation No. 922. This was followed by Proclamation No. 929 through which the President declared a State of Calamity throughout the same, placing the entire island of Luzon under \\u201cEnhanced Community Quarantine\\u201d or lockdown. As a response, the Congress enacted Bayanihan to Heal As One Act<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\">[2]<\\/a>, granting the President temporary emergency powers, among others.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The aim, then, of this article is to explore how the present constitution attempts to deal with emergency and mitigate the possible excesses of government response.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">Republics are neat, orderly systems. Under normal circumstances, a republic projects a seamless interplay between the organs of the government. The legislative organ enacts laws. The executive implements them. Meanwhile, in cases of actual legal controversies, the judiciary mediates between concerned parties. However, nothing shows its true fragility better than an incoming onslaught of emergency. Emergencies and the rule of law, which the republican system represents, are two things that hardly ever mix well.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">An emergency is the total opposite of the rule of law. While the rule of law blossoms and relies on a state of normalcy, emergency is a situation or condition that exists outside it. In the words of Carl Schmitt, \\u201cthere exists no norm that is applicable to chaos.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\">[3]<\\/a> Thus, \\u201cthe requirement that the government\\u2019s powers be defined and constrained by law tends to yield in times of emergency to calls for government to respond in ways that exceed its regular legal powers.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\">[4]<\\/a> But what exactly is an emergency?<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">There is no one way to define an emergency. Nevertheless, one may define an emergency as \\u201ca situation that produces a grave disturbance of the political system or order, threatening its survival.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\">[5]<\\/a> As such, emergencies are the bane of any given State or regime. In anticipation of these exceptional conditions, most constitutions have opted for mechanisms by which the delegation of certain powers to a president or to other constitutionally-designated authority is permitted. The reason for this delegation is quite simple: to resolve the threat to the system \\u201cin such a way that the legal\\/constitutional system is restored to its previous state.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\">[6]<\\/a> This is the concept of \\u201cemergency powers\\u201d that modern republics have inherited from the classical Roman Republic.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">Throughout the existence of the Roman republic, emergency powers were granted under the apparatus of Roman dictatorship. According to the humanists of the Renaissance, \\u201cdictatorship was a wise invention of the Roman Republic and the dictator was an extraordinary Roman magistrate, introduced after the expulsion of the kings, so that a strong <em>imperium <\\/em>[military power] may still be possible in times of insecurity.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\">[7]<\\/a> This apparatus became a necessity as the elaborate system of checks championed by the republican system became source of obstructing division of authority during times of crisis.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">This, then, is the Roman model of emergency powers: the Senate directs the consuls to appoint a dictator for a period of up to six months. The dictator is authorized to suspend rights and legal processes and to marshal military and other forces to deal with the threat against the Republic. When the threat has been resolved, the dictator is expected to step down and return to his farm, or wherever his former station may be. Meanwhile, the orders he may have issued are terminated and the status <em>quo ante<\\/em> is restored, including the rights and legal processes.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">This model is quite different from the modern model in practice today. While the Roman dictator was chosen from among virtuous men of great renown and ability, the modern model requires that the person who is to wield the emergency powers \\u201cenjoys a kind of popular or democratic mandate,\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\">[8]<\\/a> usually the president or the head of the executive branch. Another key difference between the two models is that advanced democracies prefer to deal with emergencies through ordinary legislation. Through this legislation, traditional emergency powers as well as those that are yet to be created by the legislature are delegated to the executive and may be enacted for temporary periods. As such, the legislature plays a fundamental role not only in recognizing the existence of an emergency but also in creating powers to be delegated to the executive branch. This is in stark contrast with the Roman practice of <em>heteroinvestiture<\\/em>, \\u201cwhere the party declaring an emergency is completely separated from the one that exercises that authority.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\">[9]<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">The present 1987 Philippine Constitution provides for three kinds of emergency powers that may be exercised during a state of emergency:<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">General emergency powers;<a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\">[10]<\\/a><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">Temporary take over or direct the operation of any privately owned public utility or business affected with public interest;<a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\">[11]<\\/a> and<\\/span><\\/li>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">Extraordinary military powers of the President<a href=\\\"#_ftn12\\\">[12]<\\/a><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">Of these three, only the third kind is fully lodged in President and within his discretion as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, subject only to the restraints provided by the Constitution. The other two are reposed in Congress as the Supreme Court declared in no uncertain terms in <em>David v. Arroyo<\\/em>.<a href=\\\"#_ftn13\\\">[13]<\\/a> However, given that during crisis, Congress may fail to function properly as it may not be practicable for it to meet and exercise its powers, the Constitution permits it to delegate these emergency powers and grant the same to the President, subject to the following conditions:<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">There must be a war or other emergency;<\\/span><\\/li>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">The delegation must be for a limited period only;<\\/span><\\/li>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">The delegation must be subject to such restrictions as the Congress may prescribe; and<\\/span><\\/li>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">The emergency powers must be exercised to carry out a national policy declared by Congress.<a href=\\\"#_ftn14\\\"><sup>[14]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">So, who declares the existence of the state of exception, that is, of war or other emergencies? For the declaration of war or its existence, the present Constitution is clear that Congress shall have the sole power to declare it, \\u201cby a vote of two-thirds of both Houses in joint session assembled.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn15\\\">[15]<\\/a> But what of the other instances of emergencies? It appears that it is still Congress who has the prerogative to declare it. However, as constitutionally provided, its prerogative to declare the existence of such may be delegated to the President. This is how the President was able to declare a State of Public Health Emergency and a State of Calamity throughout the Philippines because of COVID-19.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">Under the \\u201cMandatory Reporting of Notifiable Diseases and Health Events of Public Health Concern Act,\\u201d Congress empowers the President to declare a state of public health emergency and mobilize governmental and nongovernmental agencies to respond to the threat when the same threatens national security.<a href=\\\"#_ftn16\\\">[16]<\\/a> This was the legal basis of Proclamation No. 922. While Proclamation No. 929 finds its basis in the \\u201cPhilippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010.\\u201d This law authorizes the President to declare a State of Calamity following the recommendation of National Disaster Coordinating Council.<a href=\\\"#_ftn17\\\">[17]<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">From these attempts to anticipate and arrest emergencies before they disrupt the political order or system, that is, by legislating emergencies, one can surmise that the constitutional system attempts to bring into its ordinary competence what has hitherto been declared as an emergency \\u2013 its traditional antithesis, antithetical to the constitutional order itself. As such, the republic should fear not as \\u201cnew powers may be granted as often as emergencies contemplated in the Constitution arise.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn18\\\">[18]<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">As can be taken from the foregoing discussion, the constitutional order in force in the Philippines requires the interplay between the legislative and executive branches of the government, the so-called \\u201cpolitical\\u201d branches of the government. But what if a collusion exists between these two \\u201cpolitical\\u201d branches? For example, under the guise of an emergency, Congress delegates a number of emergency powers to the President in exchange for prolonged and extended possession of congressional power by the same individuals. Then when such emergency has passed, the President, with the plenipotent fiat of Congress, refuses to lift the declaration of emergency. This situation would undoubtedly create an unprecedented constitutional crisis. What would the course of action be to remedy the situation?<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">It is suggested that there are three possible remedies: two intra-constitutional and the one extra-constitutional. The first intra-constitutional remedy is to file a petition before the Supreme Court under its expanded judicial power \\u201cto determine whether or not there has been a grave abuse of discretion amounting to lack or excess of jurisdiction on the part of any branch or instrumentality of the Government.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn19\\\">[19]<\\/a> This expanded version of the judicial power has severely undermined what was the otherwise insurmountable \\u201cpolitical question\\u201d doctrine. The second intra-constitutional remedy is one coursed through <s>\\u201c<\\/s>The Initiative and Referendum Act.<a href=\\\"#_ftn20\\\">[20]\\\"<\\/a> (R.A. No. 6735) Through this law, the Filipino people can reject the law granting the emergency powers to the President in an election called for that purpose and, thereby, lift the declaration of state of emergency. Last but definitely the least is the extra-constitutional but proven remedy: People Power.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">In <em>Letter Of Associate Justice Reynato S. Puno,<\\/em> the Supreme Court said that \\u201cthe locus of positive law-making power lies with the people of the state and from there is derived the right of the people to abolish, to reform and to alter any existing form of government without regard to the existing constitution.\\u201dEven then, according to the esteemed constitutionalist, Fr. Joaquin G. Bernas, S.J., the People Power, as a display of the sovereign will of the Filipino people, is deemed written and institutionalized in the 1987 Philippine Constitution itself, especially when it described the Philippine state: \\u201cdemocratic.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn21\\\">[21]<\\/a> He further opined that \\u201cthe import of this addition, a monument to \\u2018people power\\u2019 which re-won democracy in EDSA, is that the Philippines under the new Constitution is not just a representative government but also shares some aspects of direct democracy.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn22\\\">[22]<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><strong>Conclusion<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">A state of emergency is not only cause of discomfort but also distress. It is a threat not only to the existence of the State but also to the people under its protection, to their rights and interests. But above all else, its mere existence betrays the latent reality that a republican system of government, like any other government, is a fragile creation. Sometimes, it can be helpless against the rise of dictators as the Philippines saw in the dictatorship of the President Ferdinand Marcos. Thus, one of the lasting legacies of the 1987 Philippine Constitution is to curb and suppress, when it can, an impending rise of a dictator at every turn and, most specially, in moments of crisis and emergency.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">However, the Constitution can only do so much. For, after all, it is only a creature of the sovereign people\\u2019s own making. It is only its instrument and servant, though most original and supreme as such, of its sovereign will. It is like the mythical household gods of Illium brought by Aeneas from Troy to Italy: it can only protect if it in turn be protected. Hence, constant vigilance!<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">[1]<\\/a> Salvador T. Carlota, <em>The Three Most Important Features of the Philippine Legal System that Others Should Understand<\\/em>, http:\\/\\/www.ialsnet.org\\/meetings\\/enriching\\/carlota.pdf (Last accessed 29 August 2020).<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a> An Act declaring the Existence of a National Emergency arising from the Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) situation and a National Policy in connection therewith, and authorizing the President of the Republic of the Philippines for a Limited Period and subject to Restrictions, to exercise Powers Necessary and Proper to carry out the Declared National Policy and for other Purposes, Republic Act No. 11469, (2020).<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a> Carl Schmitt, <em>Political Theology: Four Chapters on the Concept of Sovereignty,<\\/em> University of Chicago Press, 13 (2005).<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[4]<\\/a> Clement Fatovic, <em>Emergencies and the Rule of Law<\\/em>, <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/oxfordre.com\\/politics\\/view\\/10.1093\\/acrefore\\/9780190228637.001.0001\\/acrefore-9780190228637-e-93\\\">https:\\/\\/oxfordre.com\\/politics\\/view\\/10.1093\\/acrefore\\/9780190228637.001.0001\\/acrefore-9780190228637-e-93<\\/a> (Last accessed 29 August 2020)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[5]<\\/a> John Ferejohn & Pasquale Pasquino, <em>The Law of the Exception: A Typology of Emergency Powers<\\/em>, International Journal of Constitutional Law, 231 (2004).<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[6]<\\/a> <em>Id. <\\/em>at 210.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\">[7]<\\/a> Carl Schmitt, <em>Dictatorship: From the Beginning of the Modern Concept of Sovereignty to the Proletarian Class-Struggle<\\/em>, Cambridge: Polity Press, 1 (2014).<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\">[8]<\\/a> FEREJOHN, supra note 4, at 214.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\">[9]<\\/a> FEREJOHN, supra note 4, at 218.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\">[10]<\\/a> CONST., art. VI, sec. 23, par. 2.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\">[11]<\\/a> CONST., art. XII, sec. 17.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref12\\\">[12]<\\/a><s> <\\/s>CONST., art. VII, section 18.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref13\\\">[13]<\\/a> <em>David v. Arroyo<\\/em>, G.R. No. 171396, May 3, 2006.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref14\\\">[14]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref15\\\">[15]<\\/a> CONST., art. VI, sec. 23, par 1.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref16\\\">[16]<\\/a> An Act Providing Policies and Prescribing Procedures on Surveillance and Response to Notifiable Diseases, Epidemics, and Health Events of Public Health Concern, and Appropriating Funds Therefor, Repealing for the Purpose Act No. 3573, Otherwise Known as the \\\"Law on Reporting of Communicable Diseases, Republic Act No. 1132, sec. 7 (2019).<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref17\\\">[17]<\\/a> An Act Providing Policies and Prescribing Procedures on Surveillance and Response to Notifiable Diseases, Epidemics, and Health Events of Public Health Concern, and Appropriating Funds Therefor, Repealing for the Purpose Act No. 3573, Otherwise Known as the \\\"Law on Reporting of Communicable Diseases, Republic Act No. 10121, sec. 16 (2019).<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref18\\\">[18]<\\/a> <em>Rodriguez v. Gella<\\/em>, G.R. No. L-6266, February 2, 1953.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref19\\\">[19]<\\/a> CONST., art. VIII, sec. 1.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref20\\\">[20]<\\/a> An Act Providing for a System of Initiative and Referendum and Appropriating Funds Therefor, Republic Act No. 6735, (1989).<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref21\\\">[21]<\\/a> CONST., art. II, sec. 1; <em>See <\\/em>Joaquin G. Bernas, S.J., <em>From One-Man Rule to \\u201cPeople Power\\u201d<\\/em>, 46 ATENEO L.J. 44, 60 (2001).<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref22\\\">[22]<\\/a> BERNAS, <em>id.<\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><strong><em>Featured Image Credit to the <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/pcoo.gov.ph\\/\\\">Presidential communications Operations Office<\\/a>.<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(1719,911,'_elementor_controls_usage','a:3:{s:11:\"text-editor\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:1;s:8:\"controls\";a:2:{s:7:\"content\";a:1:{s:14:\"section_editor\";a:1:{s:6:\"editor\";i:1;}}s:5:\"style\";a:1:{s:13:\"section_style\";a:2:{s:21:\"typography_typography\";i:1;s:22:\"typography_line_height\";i:1;}}}}s:6:\"column\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:0;s:8:\"controls\";a:0:{}}s:7:\"section\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:0;s:8:\"controls\";a:0:{}}}'),(1721,918,'_wp_trash_meta_status','publish'),(1722,918,'_wp_trash_meta_time','1601121128'),(1724,866,'_elementor_template_type','wp-page'),(1725,866,'_elementor_version','3.2.5'),(1727,866,'_wp_page_template','default'),(1728,866,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"4de51cd9\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"76ec2c3\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"fdaff1a\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<div>\\n<pre><code>[pdfjs-viewer url=http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/Front-Matters-Editorial.pdf viewer_width=600px viewer_height=700px fullscreen=true download=true print=true]<\\/code><\\/pre>\\n<\\/div>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:heading {\\\"level\\\":3} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<h3><span style=\\\"font-size: 18pt; color: #000000;\\\">Articles<\\/span><\\/h3>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><a style=\\\"color: #000000;\\\" href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/Unwanted-Sexual-Advances-and-Sex-Discrimination_Sexual-Harassment-in-light-of-the-Safe-Spaces-Act-of-2019_R.A.-11313_Alyssa-Gomez.pdf\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\"><span style=\\\"text-decoration: underline;\\\"><span style=\\\"color: #000000; text-decoration: underline;\\\">Unwanted Sexual Advances and Sex Discrimination: Sexual Harassment in light of the Safe Spaces Act of 2019 (R.A. 11313)<\\/span><\\/span><\\/a><\\/span><br \\/><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><strong><em>By: Alyssa Gomez<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><span style=\\\"text-decoration: underline;\\\"><a style=\\\"color: #000000; text-decoration: underline;\\\" href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/journal-volume-64\\/\\\">R<\\/a><\\/span><a style=\\\"color: #000000;\\\" href=\\\"https:\\/\\/drive.google.com\\/file\\/d\\/1rVTCBx0aIS1kI4Qk4jNSbnFX2hK-VFir\\/view?usp=sharing\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\"><span style=\\\"text-decoration: underline;\\\">egulating War: A Systematic Approach on the Different Measures and Instruments to Implement the International Humanitarian Law<\\/span><\\/a><\\/span><br \\/><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><strong><em>By: Atty. Kenneth James Carlo C. Hizon<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><a style=\\\"color: #000000;\\\" href=\\\"https:\\/\\/drive.google.com\\/file\\/d\\/1-WScrAt_Fti5qO6qrcz4h9wxk4UddlRG\\/view?usp=sharing\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\"><span style=\\\"text-decoration: underline;\\\">Job Contracting Deconstructed: An Analysis of the Labor\\u2019s Right to Security of Tenure and the Global Trend of Job Outsourcing<\\/span><\\/a><\\/span><br \\/><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><strong><em>B<\\/em><\\/strong>y: <strong><em>Atty. King James Carlo C. Hizon<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:heading {\\\"level\\\":3} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<h3><span style=\\\"font-size: 18pt; color: #000000;\\\">Features<\\/span><\\/h3>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><a style=\\\"color: #000000;\\\" href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/A-DEMOCRACY-BY-ANY-OTHER-NAME_RAPHAEL-LORENZO-A.-PANGALANGAN.pdf\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\"><span style=\\\"text-decoration: underline;\\\">A Democracy by any Other Name<\\/span><\\/a><\\/span><br \\/><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><strong><em>By: Raphael Lorenzo A. Pangalangan<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><a style=\\\"color: #000000;\\\" href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/ANTI-SUIT-INJUNCTION-IN-INTERNATIONAL-COMMERCIAL-ARBITRATION_A-Critical-Analysis_HON.-RONALD-B.-MORENO-LL.M.-DCL-compressed.pdf\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\"><span style=\\\"text-decoration: underline;\\\">Anti-Suit Injunction in International Commercial Arbitration: A Critical Analysis<\\/span> <\\/a><\\/span><br \\/><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><strong><em>By: Hon. Ronald B. Moreno, LL.M., DCL Associate Justice, Sandiganbayan<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:heading {\\\"level\\\":3} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<h3><span style=\\\"font-size: 18pt; color: #000000;\\\">Comment<\\/span><\\/h3>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><a style=\\\"color: #000000;\\\" href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/WTOS-DISPUTE-RESOLUTION-IN-MULTILATERAL-TRADING-SYSTEM_INDISPENSABLE-OR-OPTIONAL_MARIELLA-MARASIGAN.pdf\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\"><span style=\\\"text-decoration: underline;\\\">WTO\\u2019s Dispute Resolution in Multilateral Trading System: Indispensable or Optional?<\\/span> <\\/a><\\/span><br \\/><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><strong><em>By: Mariella Marasigan<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:heading {\\\"level\\\":3} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<h3><span style=\\\"font-size: 18pt; color: #000000;\\\">Trends in Jurisprudence<\\/span><\\/h3>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><a style=\\\"color: #000000;\\\" href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/New-Guidelines-on-Prescription-for-Insurers-as-Subrogees.pdf\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\"><span style=\\\"text-decoration: underline;\\\">New Guidelines on Prescription for Insurers as Subrogees<\\/span><\\/a><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed {\\\"imageURL\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/Editorial.pdf\\\",\\\"imgID\\\":881,\\\"imgTitle\\\":\\\"Editorial\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<div>\\u00a0<\\/div>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed --><\\/span><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]},\"typography_font_size\":{\"unit\":\"px\",\"size\":12,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(1729,926,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(1730,926,'_elementor_template_type','wp-page'),(1731,926,'_elementor_version','3.0.10'),(1733,926,'_wp_page_template','default'),(1734,926,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"4de51cd9\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"76ec2c3\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"fdaff1a\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\">\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:heading {\\\"level\\\":3} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<h3><span style=\\\"font-size: 18pt;\\\">Articles<\\/span><\\/h3>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-spacer\\\" style=\\\"height: 20px;\\\" aria-hidden=\\\"true\\\"> <\\/div>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/Unwanted-Sexual-Advances-and-Sex-Discrimination_Sexual-Harassment-in-light-of-the-Safe-Spaces-Act-of-2019_R.A.-11313_Alyssa-Gomez.pdf\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">Unwanted Sexual Advances and Sex Discrimination: Sexual Harassment in light of the Safe Spaces Act of 2019 (R.A. 11313)<\\/a><\\/span><br><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong><em>By: Alyssa Gomez<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-spacer\\\" style=\\\"height: 20px;\\\" aria-hidden=\\\"true\\\"> <\\/div>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/journal-volume-64\\/\\\">R<\\/a><a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/drive.google.com\\/file\\/d\\/1rVTCBx0aIS1kI4Qk4jNSbnFX2hK-VFir\\/view?usp=sharing\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">egulating War: A Systematic Approach on the Different Measures and Instruments to Implement the International Humanitarian Law<\\/a><\\/span><br><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong><em>By: Atty. Kenneth James Carlo C. Hizon<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-spacer\\\" style=\\\"height: 20px;\\\" aria-hidden=\\\"true\\\"> <\\/div>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/drive.google.com\\/file\\/d\\/1-WScrAt_Fti5qO6qrcz4h9wxk4UddlRG\\/view?usp=sharing\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">Job Contracting Deconstructed: An Analysis of the Labor\\u2019s Right to Security of Tenure and the Global Trend of Job Outsourcing<\\/a><\\/span><br><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong><em>B<\\/em><\\/strong>y: <strong><em>Atty. King James Carlo C. Hizon<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-spacer\\\" style=\\\"height: 20px;\\\" aria-hidden=\\\"true\\\"> <\\/div>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\">\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:heading {\\\"level\\\":3} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<h3><span style=\\\"font-size: 18pt;\\\">Features<\\/span><\\/h3>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-spacer\\\" style=\\\"height: 20px;\\\" aria-hidden=\\\"true\\\"> <\\/div>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/A-DEMOCRACY-BY-ANY-OTHER-NAME_RAPHAEL-LORENZO-A.-PANGALANGAN.pdf\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">A Democracy by any Other Name<\\/a><\\/span><br><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong><em>By: Raphael Lorenzo A. Pangalangan<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-spacer\\\" style=\\\"height: 20px;\\\" aria-hidden=\\\"true\\\"> <\\/div>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/ANTI-SUIT-INJUNCTION-IN-INTERNATIONAL-COMMERCIAL-ARBITRATION_A-Critical-Analysis_HON.-RONALD-B.-MORENO-LL.M.-DCL-compressed.pdf\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">Anti-Suit Injunction in International Commercial Arbitration: A Critical Analysis <\\/a><\\/span><br><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong><em>By: Hon. Ronald B. Moreno, LL.M., DCL Associate Justice, Sandiganbayan<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-spacer\\\" style=\\\"height: 20px;\\\" aria-hidden=\\\"true\\\"> <\\/div>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\">\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:heading {\\\"level\\\":3} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<h3><span style=\\\"font-size: 18pt;\\\">Comment<\\/span><\\/h3>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-spacer\\\" style=\\\"height: 20px;\\\" aria-hidden=\\\"true\\\"> <\\/div>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/WTOS-DISPUTE-RESOLUTION-IN-MULTILATERAL-TRADING-SYSTEM_INDISPENSABLE-OR-OPTIONAL_MARIELLA-MARASIGAN.pdf\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">WTO\\u2019s Dispute Resolution in Multilateral Trading System: Indispensable or Optional? <\\/a><\\/span><br><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong><em>By: Mariella Marasigan<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-spacer\\\" style=\\\"height: 20px;\\\" aria-hidden=\\\"true\\\"> <\\/div>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\">\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:heading {\\\"level\\\":3} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<h3><span style=\\\"font-size: 18pt;\\\">Trends in Jurisprudence<\\/span><\\/h3><div><br><\\/div>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/New-Guidelines-on-Prescription-for-Insurers-as-Subrogees.pdf\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">New Guidelines on Prescription for Insurers as Subrogees<\\/a><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed {\\\"imageURL\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/Editorial.pdf\\\",\\\"imgID\\\":881,\\\"imgTitle\\\":\\\"Editorial\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-pdfjsblock-pdfjs-embed pdfjs-wrapper\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">[pdfjs-viewer viewer_width=0 viewer_height=800 url=http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/Editorial.pdf download=true print=true fullscreen=true fullscreen_target=false fullscreen_text=\\\"View%20Fullscreen\\\" zoom=auto ]<\\/span><\\/div>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed --><\\/span><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(1737,928,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(1738,928,'_elementor_template_type','wp-page'),(1739,928,'_elementor_version','3.0.10'),(1740,928,'_wp_page_template','default'),(1741,928,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"4de51cd9\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"76ec2c3\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"fdaff1a\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:heading {\\\"level\\\":3} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<h3><span style=\\\"font-size: 18pt;\\\">Articles<\\/span><\\/h3>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-spacer\\\" style=\\\"height: 20px;\\\" aria-hidden=\\\"true\\\">\\u00a0<\\/div>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/Unwanted-Sexual-Advances-and-Sex-Discrimination_Sexual-Harassment-in-light-of-the-Safe-Spaces-Act-of-2019_R.A.-11313_Alyssa-Gomez.pdf\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">Unwanted Sexual Advances and Sex Discrimination: Sexual Harassment in light of the Safe Spaces Act of 2019 (R.A. 11313)<\\/a><\\/span><br \\/><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong><em>By: Alyssa Gomez<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-spacer\\\" style=\\\"height: 20px;\\\" aria-hidden=\\\"true\\\">\\u00a0<\\/div>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/journal-volume-64\\/\\\">R<\\/a><a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/drive.google.com\\/file\\/d\\/1rVTCBx0aIS1kI4Qk4jNSbnFX2hK-VFir\\/view?usp=sharing\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">egulating War: A Systematic Approach on the Different Measures and Instruments to Implement the International Humanitarian Law<\\/a><\\/span><br \\/><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong><em>By: Atty. Kenneth James Carlo C. Hizon<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-spacer\\\" style=\\\"height: 20px;\\\" aria-hidden=\\\"true\\\">\\u00a0<\\/div>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/drive.google.com\\/file\\/d\\/1-WScrAt_Fti5qO6qrcz4h9wxk4UddlRG\\/view?usp=sharing\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">Job Contracting Deconstructed: An Analysis of the Labor\\u2019s Right to Security of Tenure and the Global Trend of Job Outsourcing<\\/a><\\/span><br \\/><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong><em>B<\\/em><\\/strong>y: <strong><em>Atty. King James Carlo C. Hizon<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-spacer\\\" style=\\\"height: 20px;\\\" aria-hidden=\\\"true\\\">\\u00a0<\\/div>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:heading {\\\"level\\\":3} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<h3><span style=\\\"font-size: 18pt;\\\">Features<\\/span><\\/h3>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-spacer\\\" style=\\\"height: 20px;\\\" aria-hidden=\\\"true\\\">\\u00a0<\\/div>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/A-DEMOCRACY-BY-ANY-OTHER-NAME_RAPHAEL-LORENZO-A.-PANGALANGAN.pdf\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">A Democracy by any Other Name<\\/a><\\/span><br \\/><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong><em>By: Raphael Lorenzo A. Pangalangan<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-spacer\\\" style=\\\"height: 20px;\\\" aria-hidden=\\\"true\\\">\\u00a0<\\/div>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/ANTI-SUIT-INJUNCTION-IN-INTERNATIONAL-COMMERCIAL-ARBITRATION_A-Critical-Analysis_HON.-RONALD-B.-MORENO-LL.M.-DCL-compressed.pdf\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">Anti-Suit Injunction in International Commercial Arbitration: A Critical Analysis <\\/a><\\/span><br \\/><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong><em>By: Hon. Ronald B. Moreno, LL.M., DCL Associate Justice, Sandiganbayan<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-spacer\\\" style=\\\"height: 20px;\\\" aria-hidden=\\\"true\\\">\\u00a0<\\/div>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:heading {\\\"level\\\":3} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<h3><span style=\\\"font-size: 18pt;\\\">Comment<\\/span><\\/h3>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-spacer\\\" style=\\\"height: 20px;\\\" aria-hidden=\\\"true\\\">\\u00a0<\\/div>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/WTOS-DISPUTE-RESOLUTION-IN-MULTILATERAL-TRADING-SYSTEM_INDISPENSABLE-OR-OPTIONAL_MARIELLA-MARASIGAN.pdf\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">WTO\\u2019s Dispute Resolution in Multilateral Trading System: Indispensable or Optional? <\\/a><\\/span><br \\/><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong><em>By: Mariella Marasigan<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-spacer\\\" style=\\\"height: 20px;\\\" aria-hidden=\\\"true\\\">\\u00a0<\\/div>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:heading {\\\"level\\\":3} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<h3><span style=\\\"font-size: 18pt;\\\">Trends in Jurisprudence<\\/span><\\/h3>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/New-Guidelines-on-Prescription-for-Insurers-as-Subrogees.pdf\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">New Guidelines on Prescription for Insurers as Subrogees<\\/a><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed {\\\"imageURL\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/Editorial.pdf\\\",\\\"imgID\\\":881,\\\"imgTitle\\\":\\\"Editorial\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<div>\\u00a0<\\/div>\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-pdfjsblock-pdfjs-embed pdfjs-wrapper\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">[pdfjs-viewer viewer_width=0 viewer_height=800 url=http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/Editorial.pdf download=true print=true fullscreen=true fullscreen_target=false fullscreen_text=\\\"View%20Fullscreen\\\" zoom=auto ]<\\/span><\\/div>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed --><\\/span><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(1745,929,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(1746,929,'_elementor_template_type','wp-page'),(1747,929,'_elementor_version','3.0.10'),(1748,929,'_wp_page_template','default'),(1749,929,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"4de51cd9\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"76ec2c3\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"fdaff1a\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:heading {\\\"level\\\":3} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<h3><span style=\\\"font-size: 18pt;\\\">Articles<\\/span><\\/h3>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/Unwanted-Sexual-Advances-and-Sex-Discrimination_Sexual-Harassment-in-light-of-the-Safe-Spaces-Act-of-2019_R.A.-11313_Alyssa-Gomez.pdf\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">Unwanted Sexual Advances and Sex Discrimination: Sexual Harassment in light of the Safe Spaces Act of 2019 (R.A. 11313)<\\/a><\\/span><br \\/><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong><em>By: Alyssa Gomez<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/journal-volume-64\\/\\\">R<\\/a><a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/drive.google.com\\/file\\/d\\/1rVTCBx0aIS1kI4Qk4jNSbnFX2hK-VFir\\/view?usp=sharing\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">egulating War: A Systematic Approach on the Different Measures and Instruments to Implement the International Humanitarian Law<\\/a><\\/span><br \\/><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong><em>By: Atty. Kenneth James Carlo C. Hizon<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/drive.google.com\\/file\\/d\\/1-WScrAt_Fti5qO6qrcz4h9wxk4UddlRG\\/view?usp=sharing\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">Job Contracting Deconstructed: An Analysis of the Labor\\u2019s Right to Security of Tenure and the Global Trend of Job Outsourcing<\\/a><\\/span><br \\/><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong><em>B<\\/em><\\/strong>y: <strong><em>Atty. King James Carlo C. Hizon<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:heading {\\\"level\\\":3} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<h3><span style=\\\"font-size: 18pt;\\\">Features<\\/span><\\/h3>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/A-DEMOCRACY-BY-ANY-OTHER-NAME_RAPHAEL-LORENZO-A.-PANGALANGAN.pdf\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">A Democracy by any Other Name<\\/a><\\/span><br \\/><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong><em>By: Raphael Lorenzo A. Pangalangan<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/ANTI-SUIT-INJUNCTION-IN-INTERNATIONAL-COMMERCIAL-ARBITRATION_A-Critical-Analysis_HON.-RONALD-B.-MORENO-LL.M.-DCL-compressed.pdf\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">Anti-Suit Injunction in International Commercial Arbitration: A Critical Analysis <\\/a><\\/span><br \\/><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong><em>By: Hon. Ronald B. Moreno, LL.M., DCL Associate Justice, Sandiganbayan<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-spacer\\\" style=\\\"height: 20px;\\\" aria-hidden=\\\"true\\\">\\u00a0<\\/div>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:heading {\\\"level\\\":3} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<h3><span style=\\\"font-size: 18pt;\\\">Comment<\\/span><\\/h3>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/WTOS-DISPUTE-RESOLUTION-IN-MULTILATERAL-TRADING-SYSTEM_INDISPENSABLE-OR-OPTIONAL_MARIELLA-MARASIGAN.pdf\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">WTO\\u2019s Dispute Resolution in Multilateral Trading System: Indispensable or Optional? <\\/a><\\/span><br \\/><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong><em>By: Mariella Marasigan<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:heading {\\\"level\\\":3} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<h3><span style=\\\"font-size: 18pt;\\\">Trends in Jurisprudence<\\/span><\\/h3>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/New-Guidelines-on-Prescription-for-Insurers-as-Subrogees.pdf\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">New Guidelines on Prescription for Insurers as Subrogees<\\/a><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed {\\\"imageURL\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/Editorial.pdf\\\",\\\"imgID\\\":881,\\\"imgTitle\\\":\\\"Editorial\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<div>\\u00a0<\\/div>\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-pdfjsblock-pdfjs-embed pdfjs-wrapper\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">[pdfjs-viewer viewer_width=0 viewer_height=800 url=http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/Editorial.pdf download=true print=true fullscreen=true fullscreen_target=false fullscreen_text=\\\"View%20Fullscreen\\\" zoom=auto ]<\\/span><\\/div>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed --><\\/span><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(1753,930,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(1754,930,'_elementor_template_type','wp-page'),(1755,930,'_elementor_version','3.0.10'),(1756,930,'_wp_page_template','default'),(1757,930,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"4de51cd9\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"76ec2c3\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"fdaff1a\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:heading {\\\"level\\\":3} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<h3><span style=\\\"font-size: 18pt;\\\">Articles<\\/span><\\/h3>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/Unwanted-Sexual-Advances-and-Sex-Discrimination_Sexual-Harassment-in-light-of-the-Safe-Spaces-Act-of-2019_R.A.-11313_Alyssa-Gomez.pdf\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">Unwanted Sexual Advances and Sex Discrimination: Sexual Harassment in light of the Safe Spaces Act of 2019 (R.A. 11313)<\\/a><\\/span><br \\/><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong><em>By: Alyssa Gomez<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/journal-volume-64\\/\\\">R<\\/a><a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/drive.google.com\\/file\\/d\\/1rVTCBx0aIS1kI4Qk4jNSbnFX2hK-VFir\\/view?usp=sharing\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">egulating War: A Systematic Approach on the Different Measures and Instruments to Implement the International Humanitarian Law<\\/a><\\/span><br \\/><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong><em>By: Atty. Kenneth James Carlo C. Hizon<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/drive.google.com\\/file\\/d\\/1-WScrAt_Fti5qO6qrcz4h9wxk4UddlRG\\/view?usp=sharing\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">Job Contracting Deconstructed: An Analysis of the Labor\\u2019s Right to Security of Tenure and the Global Trend of Job Outsourcing<\\/a><\\/span><br \\/><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong><em>B<\\/em><\\/strong>y: <strong><em>Atty. King James Carlo C. Hizon<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:heading {\\\"level\\\":3} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<h3><span style=\\\"font-size: 18pt;\\\">Features<\\/span><\\/h3>\\n<p>\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/A-DEMOCRACY-BY-ANY-OTHER-NAME_RAPHAEL-LORENZO-A.-PANGALANGAN.pdf\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">A Democracy by any Other Name<\\/a><\\/span><br \\/><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong><em>By: Raphael Lorenzo A. Pangalangan<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/ANTI-SUIT-INJUNCTION-IN-INTERNATIONAL-COMMERCIAL-ARBITRATION_A-Critical-Analysis_HON.-RONALD-B.-MORENO-LL.M.-DCL-compressed.pdf\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">Anti-Suit Injunction in International Commercial Arbitration: A Critical Analysis <\\/a><\\/span><br \\/><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong><em>By: Hon. Ronald B. Moreno, LL.M., DCL Associate Justice, Sandiganbayan<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><br \\/><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:heading {\\\"level\\\":3} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<h3><span style=\\\"font-size: 18pt;\\\">Comment<\\/span><\\/h3>\\n<p>\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/WTOS-DISPUTE-RESOLUTION-IN-MULTILATERAL-TRADING-SYSTEM_INDISPENSABLE-OR-OPTIONAL_MARIELLA-MARASIGAN.pdf\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">WTO\\u2019s Dispute Resolution in Multilateral Trading System: Indispensable or Optional? <\\/a><\\/span><br \\/><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong><em>By: Mariella Marasigan<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:heading {\\\"level\\\":3} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<h3><span style=\\\"font-size: 18pt;\\\">Trends in Jurisprudence<\\/span><\\/h3>\\n<p>\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/New-Guidelines-on-Prescription-for-Insurers-as-Subrogees.pdf\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">New Guidelines on Prescription for Insurers as Subrogees<\\/a><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed {\\\"imageURL\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/Editorial.pdf\\\",\\\"imgID\\\":881,\\\"imgTitle\\\":\\\"Editorial\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<div>\\u00a0<\\/div>\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-pdfjsblock-pdfjs-embed pdfjs-wrapper\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">[pdfjs-viewer viewer_width=0 viewer_height=800 url=http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/Editorial.pdf download=true print=true fullscreen=true fullscreen_target=false fullscreen_text=\\\"View%20Fullscreen\\\" zoom=auto ]<\\/span><\\/div>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed --><\\/span><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(1761,931,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(1762,931,'_elementor_template_type','wp-page'),(1763,931,'_elementor_version','3.0.10'),(1764,931,'_wp_page_template','default'),(1765,931,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"4de51cd9\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"76ec2c3\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"fdaff1a\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:heading {\\\"level\\\":3} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<h3><span style=\\\"font-size: 18pt;\\\">Articles<\\/span><\\/h3>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/Unwanted-Sexual-Advances-and-Sex-Discrimination_Sexual-Harassment-in-light-of-the-Safe-Spaces-Act-of-2019_R.A.-11313_Alyssa-Gomez.pdf\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">Unwanted Sexual Advances and Sex Discrimination: Sexual Harassment in light of the Safe Spaces Act of 2019 (R.A. 11313)<\\/a><\\/span><br \\/><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong><em>By: Alyssa Gomez<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/journal-volume-64\\/\\\">R<\\/a><a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/drive.google.com\\/file\\/d\\/1rVTCBx0aIS1kI4Qk4jNSbnFX2hK-VFir\\/view?usp=sharing\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">egulating War: A Systematic Approach on the Different Measures and Instruments to Implement the International Humanitarian Law<\\/a><\\/span><br \\/><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong><em>By: Atty. Kenneth James Carlo C. Hizon<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/drive.google.com\\/file\\/d\\/1-WScrAt_Fti5qO6qrcz4h9wxk4UddlRG\\/view?usp=sharing\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">Job Contracting Deconstructed: An Analysis of the Labor\\u2019s Right to Security of Tenure and the Global Trend of Job Outsourcing<\\/a><\\/span><br \\/><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong><em>B<\\/em><\\/strong>y: <strong><em>Atty. King James Carlo C. Hizon<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:heading {\\\"level\\\":3} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<h3><span style=\\\"font-size: 18pt;\\\">Features<\\/span><\\/h3>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/A-DEMOCRACY-BY-ANY-OTHER-NAME_RAPHAEL-LORENZO-A.-PANGALANGAN.pdf\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">A Democracy by any Other Name<\\/a><\\/span><br \\/><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong><em>By: Raphael Lorenzo A. Pangalangan<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/ANTI-SUIT-INJUNCTION-IN-INTERNATIONAL-COMMERCIAL-ARBITRATION_A-Critical-Analysis_HON.-RONALD-B.-MORENO-LL.M.-DCL-compressed.pdf\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">Anti-Suit Injunction in International Commercial Arbitration: A Critical Analysis <\\/a><\\/span><br \\/><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong><em>By: Hon. Ronald B. Moreno, LL.M., DCL Associate Justice, Sandiganbayan<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:heading {\\\"level\\\":3} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<h3><span style=\\\"font-size: 18pt;\\\">Comment<\\/span><\\/h3>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/WTOS-DISPUTE-RESOLUTION-IN-MULTILATERAL-TRADING-SYSTEM_INDISPENSABLE-OR-OPTIONAL_MARIELLA-MARASIGAN.pdf\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">WTO\\u2019s Dispute Resolution in Multilateral Trading System: Indispensable or Optional? <\\/a><\\/span><br \\/><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong><em>By: Mariella Marasigan<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:heading {\\\"level\\\":3} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<h3><span style=\\\"font-size: 18pt;\\\">Trends in Jurisprudence<\\/span><\\/h3>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/New-Guidelines-on-Prescription-for-Insurers-as-Subrogees.pdf\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">New Guidelines on Prescription for Insurers as Subrogees<\\/a><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed {\\\"imageURL\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/Editorial.pdf\\\",\\\"imgID\\\":881,\\\"imgTitle\\\":\\\"Editorial\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<div>\\u00a0<\\/div>\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-pdfjsblock-pdfjs-embed pdfjs-wrapper\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">[pdfjs-viewer viewer_width=0 viewer_height=800 url=http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/Editorial.pdf download=true print=true fullscreen=true fullscreen_target=false fullscreen_text=\\\"View%20Fullscreen\\\" zoom=auto ]<\\/span><\\/div>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed --><\\/span><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(1785,937,'_edit_lock','1601123201:1'),(1786,937,'_wp_trash_meta_status','publish'),(1787,937,'_wp_trash_meta_time','1601123211'),(1788,938,'_wp_trash_meta_status','publish'),(1789,938,'_wp_trash_meta_time','1601123267'),(1790,939,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(1791,939,'_elementor_template_type','wp-page'),(1792,939,'_elementor_version','3.0.10'),(1793,939,'_wp_page_template','default'),(1794,939,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"4de51cd9\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"76ec2c3\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"e24be06\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"wp_gallery\":[{\"id\":933,\"url\":\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/Editorial-page-001-scaled.jpg\"},{\"id\":934,\"url\":\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/Editorial-page-002-scaled.jpg\"},{\"id\":935,\"url\":\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/Editorial-page-003-scaled.jpg\"},{\"id\":936,\"url\":\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/Editorial-page-004-scaled.jpg\"}],\"thumbnail_size\":\"large\"},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"image-gallery\"},{\"id\":\"fdaff1a\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:heading {\\\"level\\\":3} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<h3><span style=\\\"font-size: 18pt;\\\">Articles<\\/span><\\/h3>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/Unwanted-Sexual-Advances-and-Sex-Discrimination_Sexual-Harassment-in-light-of-the-Safe-Spaces-Act-of-2019_R.A.-11313_Alyssa-Gomez.pdf\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">Unwanted Sexual Advances and Sex Discrimination: Sexual Harassment in light of the Safe Spaces Act of 2019 (R.A. 11313)<\\/a><\\/span><br \\/><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong><em>By: Alyssa Gomez<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/journal-volume-64\\/\\\">R<\\/a><a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/drive.google.com\\/file\\/d\\/1rVTCBx0aIS1kI4Qk4jNSbnFX2hK-VFir\\/view?usp=sharing\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">egulating War: A Systematic Approach on the Different Measures and Instruments to Implement the International Humanitarian Law<\\/a><\\/span><br \\/><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong><em>By: Atty. Kenneth James Carlo C. Hizon<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/drive.google.com\\/file\\/d\\/1-WScrAt_Fti5qO6qrcz4h9wxk4UddlRG\\/view?usp=sharing\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">Job Contracting Deconstructed: An Analysis of the Labor\\u2019s Right to Security of Tenure and the Global Trend of Job Outsourcing<\\/a><\\/span><br \\/><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong><em>B<\\/em><\\/strong>y: <strong><em>Atty. King James Carlo C. Hizon<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:heading {\\\"level\\\":3} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<h3><span style=\\\"font-size: 18pt;\\\">Features<\\/span><\\/h3>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/A-DEMOCRACY-BY-ANY-OTHER-NAME_RAPHAEL-LORENZO-A.-PANGALANGAN.pdf\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">A Democracy by any Other Name<\\/a><\\/span><br \\/><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong><em>By: Raphael Lorenzo A. Pangalangan<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/ANTI-SUIT-INJUNCTION-IN-INTERNATIONAL-COMMERCIAL-ARBITRATION_A-Critical-Analysis_HON.-RONALD-B.-MORENO-LL.M.-DCL-compressed.pdf\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">Anti-Suit Injunction in International Commercial Arbitration: A Critical Analysis <\\/a><\\/span><br \\/><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong><em>By: Hon. Ronald B. Moreno, LL.M., DCL Associate Justice, Sandiganbayan<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:heading {\\\"level\\\":3} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<h3><span style=\\\"font-size: 18pt;\\\">Comment<\\/span><\\/h3>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/WTOS-DISPUTE-RESOLUTION-IN-MULTILATERAL-TRADING-SYSTEM_INDISPENSABLE-OR-OPTIONAL_MARIELLA-MARASIGAN.pdf\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">WTO\\u2019s Dispute Resolution in Multilateral Trading System: Indispensable or Optional? <\\/a><\\/span><br \\/><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong><em>By: Mariella Marasigan<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:heading {\\\"level\\\":3} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<h3><span style=\\\"font-size: 18pt;\\\">Trends in Jurisprudence<\\/span><\\/h3>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/New-Guidelines-on-Prescription-for-Insurers-as-Subrogees.pdf\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">New Guidelines on Prescription for Insurers as Subrogees<\\/a><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed {\\\"imageURL\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/Editorial.pdf\\\",\\\"imgID\\\":881,\\\"imgTitle\\\":\\\"Editorial\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<div>\\u00a0<\\/div>\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-pdfjsblock-pdfjs-embed pdfjs-wrapper\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">[pdfjs-viewer viewer_width=0 viewer_height=800 url=http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/Editorial.pdf download=true print=true fullscreen=true fullscreen_target=false fullscreen_text=\\\"View%20Fullscreen\\\" zoom=auto ]<\\/span><\\/div>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed --><\\/span><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(1799,940,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(1800,940,'_elementor_template_type','wp-page'),(1801,940,'_elementor_version','3.0.10'),(1802,940,'_wp_page_template','default'),(1803,940,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"4de51cd9\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"76ec2c3\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"e24be06\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"wp_gallery\":[{\"id\":933,\"url\":\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/Editorial-page-001-scaled.jpg\"},{\"id\":934,\"url\":\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/Editorial-page-002-scaled.jpg\"},{\"id\":935,\"url\":\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/Editorial-page-003-scaled.jpg\"},{\"id\":936,\"url\":\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/Editorial-page-004-scaled.jpg\"}],\"thumbnail_size\":\"large\"},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"image-gallery\"},{\"id\":\"fdaff1a\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:heading {\\\"level\\\":3} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<h3><span style=\\\"font-size: 18pt;\\\">Articles<\\/span><\\/h3>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/Unwanted-Sexual-Advances-and-Sex-Discrimination_Sexual-Harassment-in-light-of-the-Safe-Spaces-Act-of-2019_R.A.-11313_Alyssa-Gomez.pdf\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">Unwanted Sexual Advances and Sex Discrimination: Sexual Harassment in light of the Safe Spaces Act of 2019 (R.A. 11313)<\\/a><\\/span><br \\/><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong><em>By: Alyssa Gomez<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/journal-volume-64\\/\\\">R<\\/a><a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/drive.google.com\\/file\\/d\\/1rVTCBx0aIS1kI4Qk4jNSbnFX2hK-VFir\\/view?usp=sharing\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">egulating War: A Systematic Approach on the Different Measures and Instruments to Implement the International Humanitarian Law<\\/a><\\/span><br \\/><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong><em>By: Atty. Kenneth James Carlo C. Hizon<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/drive.google.com\\/file\\/d\\/1-WScrAt_Fti5qO6qrcz4h9wxk4UddlRG\\/view?usp=sharing\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">Job Contracting Deconstructed: An Analysis of the Labor\\u2019s Right to Security of Tenure and the Global Trend of Job Outsourcing<\\/a><\\/span><br \\/><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong><em>B<\\/em><\\/strong>y: <strong><em>Atty. King James Carlo C. Hizon<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:heading {\\\"level\\\":3} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<h3><span style=\\\"font-size: 18pt;\\\">Features<\\/span><\\/h3>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/A-DEMOCRACY-BY-ANY-OTHER-NAME_RAPHAEL-LORENZO-A.-PANGALANGAN.pdf\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">A Democracy by any Other Name<\\/a><\\/span><br \\/><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong><em>By: Raphael Lorenzo A. Pangalangan<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/ANTI-SUIT-INJUNCTION-IN-INTERNATIONAL-COMMERCIAL-ARBITRATION_A-Critical-Analysis_HON.-RONALD-B.-MORENO-LL.M.-DCL-compressed.pdf\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">Anti-Suit Injunction in International Commercial Arbitration: A Critical Analysis <\\/a><\\/span><br \\/><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong><em>By: Hon. Ronald B. Moreno, LL.M., DCL Associate Justice, Sandiganbayan<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:heading {\\\"level\\\":3} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<h3><span style=\\\"font-size: 18pt;\\\">Comment<\\/span><\\/h3>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/WTOS-DISPUTE-RESOLUTION-IN-MULTILATERAL-TRADING-SYSTEM_INDISPENSABLE-OR-OPTIONAL_MARIELLA-MARASIGAN.pdf\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">WTO\\u2019s Dispute Resolution in Multilateral Trading System: Indispensable or Optional? <\\/a><\\/span><br \\/><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong><em>By: Mariella Marasigan<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:heading {\\\"level\\\":3} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<h3><span style=\\\"font-size: 18pt;\\\">Trends in Jurisprudence<\\/span><\\/h3>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/New-Guidelines-on-Prescription-for-Insurers-as-Subrogees.pdf\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">New Guidelines on Prescription for Insurers as Subrogees<\\/a><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed {\\\"imageURL\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/Editorial.pdf\\\",\\\"imgID\\\":881,\\\"imgTitle\\\":\\\"Editorial\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<div>\\u00a0<\\/div>\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-pdfjsblock-pdfjs-embed pdfjs-wrapper\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">[pdfjs-viewer viewer_width=0 viewer_height=800 url=http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/Editorial.pdf download=true print=true fullscreen=true fullscreen_target=false fullscreen_text=\\\"View%20Fullscreen\\\" zoom=auto ]<\\/span><\\/div>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed --><\\/span><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(1817,942,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(1818,942,'_elementor_template_type','wp-page'),(1819,942,'_elementor_version','3.0.10'),(1820,942,'_wp_page_template','default'),(1821,942,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"4de51cd9\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"76ec2c3\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"e24be06\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"thumbnail_size\":\"large\",\"gallery_link\":\"attachment\"},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"image-gallery\"},{\"id\":\"fdaff1a\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:heading {\\\"level\\\":3} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<h3><span style=\\\"font-size: 18pt;\\\">Articles<\\/span><\\/h3>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/Unwanted-Sexual-Advances-and-Sex-Discrimination_Sexual-Harassment-in-light-of-the-Safe-Spaces-Act-of-2019_R.A.-11313_Alyssa-Gomez.pdf\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">Unwanted Sexual Advances and Sex Discrimination: Sexual Harassment in light of the Safe Spaces Act of 2019 (R.A. 11313)<\\/a><\\/span><br \\/><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong><em>By: Alyssa Gomez<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/journal-volume-64\\/\\\">R<\\/a><a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/drive.google.com\\/file\\/d\\/1rVTCBx0aIS1kI4Qk4jNSbnFX2hK-VFir\\/view?usp=sharing\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">egulating War: A Systematic Approach on the Different Measures and Instruments to Implement the International Humanitarian Law<\\/a><\\/span><br \\/><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong><em>By: Atty. Kenneth James Carlo C. Hizon<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/drive.google.com\\/file\\/d\\/1-WScrAt_Fti5qO6qrcz4h9wxk4UddlRG\\/view?usp=sharing\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">Job Contracting Deconstructed: An Analysis of the Labor\\u2019s Right to Security of Tenure and the Global Trend of Job Outsourcing<\\/a><\\/span><br \\/><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong><em>B<\\/em><\\/strong>y: <strong><em>Atty. King James Carlo C. Hizon<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:heading {\\\"level\\\":3} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<h3><span style=\\\"font-size: 18pt;\\\">Features<\\/span><\\/h3>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/A-DEMOCRACY-BY-ANY-OTHER-NAME_RAPHAEL-LORENZO-A.-PANGALANGAN.pdf\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">A Democracy by any Other Name<\\/a><\\/span><br \\/><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong><em>By: Raphael Lorenzo A. Pangalangan<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/ANTI-SUIT-INJUNCTION-IN-INTERNATIONAL-COMMERCIAL-ARBITRATION_A-Critical-Analysis_HON.-RONALD-B.-MORENO-LL.M.-DCL-compressed.pdf\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">Anti-Suit Injunction in International Commercial Arbitration: A Critical Analysis <\\/a><\\/span><br \\/><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong><em>By: Hon. Ronald B. Moreno, LL.M., DCL Associate Justice, Sandiganbayan<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:heading {\\\"level\\\":3} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<h3><span style=\\\"font-size: 18pt;\\\">Comment<\\/span><\\/h3>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/WTOS-DISPUTE-RESOLUTION-IN-MULTILATERAL-TRADING-SYSTEM_INDISPENSABLE-OR-OPTIONAL_MARIELLA-MARASIGAN.pdf\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">WTO\\u2019s Dispute Resolution in Multilateral Trading System: Indispensable or Optional? <\\/a><\\/span><br \\/><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong><em>By: Mariella Marasigan<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:heading {\\\"level\\\":3} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<h3><span style=\\\"font-size: 18pt;\\\">Trends in Jurisprudence<\\/span><\\/h3>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/New-Guidelines-on-Prescription-for-Insurers-as-Subrogees.pdf\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">New Guidelines on Prescription for Insurers as Subrogees<\\/a><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed {\\\"imageURL\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/Editorial.pdf\\\",\\\"imgID\\\":881,\\\"imgTitle\\\":\\\"Editorial\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<div>\\u00a0<\\/div>\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-pdfjsblock-pdfjs-embed pdfjs-wrapper\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">[pdfjs-viewer viewer_width=0 viewer_height=800 url=http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/Editorial.pdf download=true print=true fullscreen=true fullscreen_target=false fullscreen_text=\\\"View%20Fullscreen\\\" zoom=auto ]<\\/span><\\/div>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed --><\\/span><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(1826,943,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(1827,943,'_elementor_template_type','wp-page'),(1828,943,'_elementor_version','3.0.10'),(1829,943,'_wp_page_template','default'),(1830,943,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"4de51cd9\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"76ec2c3\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"fdaff1a\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:heading {\\\"level\\\":3} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<h3><span style=\\\"font-size: 18pt;\\\">Articles<\\/span><\\/h3>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/Unwanted-Sexual-Advances-and-Sex-Discrimination_Sexual-Harassment-in-light-of-the-Safe-Spaces-Act-of-2019_R.A.-11313_Alyssa-Gomez.pdf\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">Unwanted Sexual Advances and Sex Discrimination: Sexual Harassment in light of the Safe Spaces Act of 2019 (R.A. 11313)<\\/a><\\/span><br \\/><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong><em>By: Alyssa Gomez<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/journal-volume-64\\/\\\">R<\\/a><a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/drive.google.com\\/file\\/d\\/1rVTCBx0aIS1kI4Qk4jNSbnFX2hK-VFir\\/view?usp=sharing\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">egulating War: A Systematic Approach on the Different Measures and Instruments to Implement the International Humanitarian Law<\\/a><\\/span><br \\/><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong><em>By: Atty. Kenneth James Carlo C. Hizon<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/drive.google.com\\/file\\/d\\/1-WScrAt_Fti5qO6qrcz4h9wxk4UddlRG\\/view?usp=sharing\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">Job Contracting Deconstructed: An Analysis of the Labor\\u2019s Right to Security of Tenure and the Global Trend of Job Outsourcing<\\/a><\\/span><br \\/><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong><em>B<\\/em><\\/strong>y: <strong><em>Atty. King James Carlo C. Hizon<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:heading {\\\"level\\\":3} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<h3><span style=\\\"font-size: 18pt;\\\">Features<\\/span><\\/h3>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/A-DEMOCRACY-BY-ANY-OTHER-NAME_RAPHAEL-LORENZO-A.-PANGALANGAN.pdf\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">A Democracy by any Other Name<\\/a><\\/span><br \\/><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong><em>By: Raphael Lorenzo A. Pangalangan<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/ANTI-SUIT-INJUNCTION-IN-INTERNATIONAL-COMMERCIAL-ARBITRATION_A-Critical-Analysis_HON.-RONALD-B.-MORENO-LL.M.-DCL-compressed.pdf\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">Anti-Suit Injunction in International Commercial Arbitration: A Critical Analysis <\\/a><\\/span><br \\/><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong><em>By: Hon. Ronald B. Moreno, LL.M., DCL Associate Justice, Sandiganbayan<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:heading {\\\"level\\\":3} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<h3><span style=\\\"font-size: 18pt;\\\">Comment<\\/span><\\/h3>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/WTOS-DISPUTE-RESOLUTION-IN-MULTILATERAL-TRADING-SYSTEM_INDISPENSABLE-OR-OPTIONAL_MARIELLA-MARASIGAN.pdf\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">WTO\\u2019s Dispute Resolution in Multilateral Trading System: Indispensable or Optional? <\\/a><\\/span><br \\/><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong><em>By: Mariella Marasigan<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:heading {\\\"level\\\":3} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<h3><span style=\\\"font-size: 18pt;\\\">Trends in Jurisprudence<\\/span><\\/h3>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/New-Guidelines-on-Prescription-for-Insurers-as-Subrogees.pdf\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">New Guidelines on Prescription for Insurers as Subrogees<\\/a><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed {\\\"imageURL\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/Editorial.pdf\\\",\\\"imgID\\\":881,\\\"imgTitle\\\":\\\"Editorial\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<div>\\u00a0<\\/div>\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-pdfjsblock-pdfjs-embed pdfjs-wrapper\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">[pdfjs-viewer viewer_width=0 viewer_height=800 url=http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/Editorial.pdf download=true print=true fullscreen=true fullscreen_target=false fullscreen_text=\\\"View%20Fullscreen\\\" zoom=auto ]<\\/span><\\/div>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed --><\\/span><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(1835,944,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(1836,944,'_elementor_template_type','wp-page'),(1837,944,'_elementor_version','3.0.10'),(1838,944,'_wp_page_template','default'),(1839,944,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"4de51cd9\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"76ec2c3\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"fdaff1a\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<div>\\u00a0<\\/div>\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-pdfjsblock-pdfjs-embed pdfjs-wrapper\\\">[pdfjs-viewer viewer_width=0 viewer_height=800 url=http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/Editorial.pdf download=true print=true fullscreen=true fullscreen_target=false fullscreen_text=\\\"View%20Fullscreen\\\" zoom=auto ]<\\/div>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:heading {\\\"level\\\":3} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<h3><span style=\\\"font-size: 18pt;\\\">Articles<\\/span><\\/h3>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/Unwanted-Sexual-Advances-and-Sex-Discrimination_Sexual-Harassment-in-light-of-the-Safe-Spaces-Act-of-2019_R.A.-11313_Alyssa-Gomez.pdf\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">Unwanted Sexual Advances and Sex Discrimination: Sexual Harassment in light of the Safe Spaces Act of 2019 (R.A. 11313)<\\/a><\\/span><br \\/><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong><em>By: Alyssa Gomez<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/journal-volume-64\\/\\\">R<\\/a><a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/drive.google.com\\/file\\/d\\/1rVTCBx0aIS1kI4Qk4jNSbnFX2hK-VFir\\/view?usp=sharing\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">egulating War: A Systematic Approach on the Different Measures and Instruments to Implement the International Humanitarian Law<\\/a><\\/span><br \\/><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong><em>By: Atty. Kenneth James Carlo C. Hizon<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/drive.google.com\\/file\\/d\\/1-WScrAt_Fti5qO6qrcz4h9wxk4UddlRG\\/view?usp=sharing\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">Job Contracting Deconstructed: An Analysis of the Labor\\u2019s Right to Security of Tenure and the Global Trend of Job Outsourcing<\\/a><\\/span><br \\/><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong><em>B<\\/em><\\/strong>y: <strong><em>Atty. King James Carlo C. Hizon<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:heading {\\\"level\\\":3} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<h3><span style=\\\"font-size: 18pt;\\\">Features<\\/span><\\/h3>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/A-DEMOCRACY-BY-ANY-OTHER-NAME_RAPHAEL-LORENZO-A.-PANGALANGAN.pdf\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">A Democracy by any Other Name<\\/a><\\/span><br \\/><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong><em>By: Raphael Lorenzo A. Pangalangan<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/ANTI-SUIT-INJUNCTION-IN-INTERNATIONAL-COMMERCIAL-ARBITRATION_A-Critical-Analysis_HON.-RONALD-B.-MORENO-LL.M.-DCL-compressed.pdf\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">Anti-Suit Injunction in International Commercial Arbitration: A Critical Analysis <\\/a><\\/span><br \\/><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong><em>By: Hon. Ronald B. Moreno, LL.M., DCL Associate Justice, Sandiganbayan<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:heading {\\\"level\\\":3} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<h3><span style=\\\"font-size: 18pt;\\\">Comment<\\/span><\\/h3>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/WTOS-DISPUTE-RESOLUTION-IN-MULTILATERAL-TRADING-SYSTEM_INDISPENSABLE-OR-OPTIONAL_MARIELLA-MARASIGAN.pdf\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">WTO\\u2019s Dispute Resolution in Multilateral Trading System: Indispensable or Optional? <\\/a><\\/span><br \\/><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong><em>By: Mariella Marasigan<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:heading {\\\"level\\\":3} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<h3><span style=\\\"font-size: 18pt;\\\">Trends in Jurisprudence<\\/span><\\/h3>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/New-Guidelines-on-Prescription-for-Insurers-as-Subrogees.pdf\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">New Guidelines on Prescription for Insurers as Subrogees<\\/a><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed {\\\"imageURL\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/Editorial.pdf\\\",\\\"imgID\\\":881,\\\"imgTitle\\\":\\\"Editorial\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-pdfjsblock-pdfjs-embed pdfjs-wrapper\\\">\\u00a0<\\/div>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed --><\\/span><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(1852,945,'_wp_trash_meta_status','publish'),(1853,945,'_wp_trash_meta_time','1601123862'),(1854,947,'_wp_trash_meta_status','publish'),(1855,947,'_wp_trash_meta_time','1601123981'),(1856,948,'_wp_trash_meta_status','publish'),(1857,948,'_wp_trash_meta_time','1601123994'),(1858,949,'_edit_lock','1601124023:1'),(1859,949,'_customize_restore_dismissed','1'),(1860,950,'_edit_lock','1601124125:1'),(1861,950,'_wp_trash_meta_status','publish'),(1862,950,'_wp_trash_meta_time','1601124144'),(1871,951,'_wp_trash_meta_status','publish'),(1872,951,'_wp_trash_meta_time','1601124398'),(1873,953,'_edit_lock','1601124700:1'),(1874,953,'_wp_trash_meta_status','publish'),(1875,953,'_wp_trash_meta_time','1601124703'),(1876,954,'_edit_lock','1601124714:1'),(1877,954,'_wp_trash_meta_status','publish'),(1878,954,'_wp_trash_meta_time','1601124740'),(1879,955,'_edit_lock','1601124894:1'),(1880,955,'_wp_trash_meta_status','publish'),(1881,955,'_wp_trash_meta_time','1601124907'),(1882,951,'_edit_lock','1601125085:1'),(1883,911,'ss_ss_click_share_count_facebook','1'),(1884,911,'ss_total_share_count','0'),(1885,956,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(1886,956,'_elementor_template_type','wp-page'),(1887,956,'_elementor_version','3.0.10'),(1888,956,'_wp_page_template','default'),(1889,956,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"4de51cd9\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"76ec2c3\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"fdaff1a\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<div>\\u00a0<\\/div>\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-pdfjsblock-pdfjs-embed pdfjs-wrapper\\\">[pdfjs-viewer viewer_width=0 viewer_height=800 url=http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/Editorial.pdf download=true print=true fullscreen=true fullscreen_target=false fullscreen_text=\\\"View%20Fullscreen\\\" zoom=auto ]<\\/div>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:heading {\\\"level\\\":3} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<h3><span style=\\\"font-size: 18pt;\\\">Articles<\\/span><\\/h3>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/Unwanted-Sexual-Advances-and-Sex-Discrimination_Sexual-Harassment-in-light-of-the-Safe-Spaces-Act-of-2019_R.A.-11313_Alyssa-Gomez.pdf\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">Unwanted Sexual Advances and Sex Discrimination: Sexual Harassment in light of the Safe Spaces Act of 2019 (R.A. 11313)<\\/a><\\/span><br \\/><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong><em>By: Alyssa Gomez<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/journal-volume-64\\/\\\">R<\\/a><a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/drive.google.com\\/file\\/d\\/1rVTCBx0aIS1kI4Qk4jNSbnFX2hK-VFir\\/view?usp=sharing\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">egulating War: A Systematic Approach on the Different Measures and Instruments to Implement the International Humanitarian Law<\\/a><\\/span><br \\/><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong><em>By: Atty. Kenneth James Carlo C. Hizon<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/drive.google.com\\/file\\/d\\/1-WScrAt_Fti5qO6qrcz4h9wxk4UddlRG\\/view?usp=sharing\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">Job Contracting Deconstructed: An Analysis of the Labor\\u2019s Right to Security of Tenure and the Global Trend of Job Outsourcing<\\/a><\\/span><br \\/><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong><em>B<\\/em><\\/strong>y: <strong><em>Atty. King James Carlo C. Hizon<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:heading {\\\"level\\\":3} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<h3><span style=\\\"font-size: 18pt;\\\">Features<\\/span><\\/h3>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/A-DEMOCRACY-BY-ANY-OTHER-NAME_RAPHAEL-LORENZO-A.-PANGALANGAN.pdf\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">A Democracy by any Other Name<\\/a><\\/span><br \\/><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong><em>By: Raphael Lorenzo A. Pangalangan<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/ANTI-SUIT-INJUNCTION-IN-INTERNATIONAL-COMMERCIAL-ARBITRATION_A-Critical-Analysis_HON.-RONALD-B.-MORENO-LL.M.-DCL-compressed.pdf\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">Anti-Suit Injunction in International Commercial Arbitration: A Critical Analysis <\\/a><\\/span><br \\/><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong><em>By: Hon. Ronald B. Moreno, LL.M., DCL Associate Justice, Sandiganbayan<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:heading {\\\"level\\\":3} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<h3><span style=\\\"font-size: 18pt;\\\">Comment<\\/span><\\/h3>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/WTOS-DISPUTE-RESOLUTION-IN-MULTILATERAL-TRADING-SYSTEM_INDISPENSABLE-OR-OPTIONAL_MARIELLA-MARASIGAN.pdf\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">WTO\\u2019s Dispute Resolution in Multilateral Trading System: Indispensable or Optional? <\\/a><\\/span><br \\/><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong><em>By: Mariella Marasigan<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:heading {\\\"level\\\":3} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<h3><span style=\\\"font-size: 18pt;\\\">Trends in Jurisprudence<\\/span><\\/h3>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/New-Guidelines-on-Prescription-for-Insurers-as-Subrogees.pdf\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">New Guidelines on Prescription for Insurers as Subrogees<\\/a><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed {\\\"imageURL\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/Editorial.pdf\\\",\\\"imgID\\\":881,\\\"imgTitle\\\":\\\"Editorial\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-pdfjsblock-pdfjs-embed pdfjs-wrapper\\\">\\u00a0<\\/div>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed --><\\/span><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(1891,956,'_elementor_controls_usage','a:3:{s:11:\"text-editor\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:1;s:8:\"controls\";a:2:{s:7:\"content\";a:1:{s:14:\"section_editor\";a:1:{s:6:\"editor\";i:1;}}s:5:\"style\";a:1:{s:13:\"section_style\";a:2:{s:21:\"typography_typography\";i:1;s:22:\"typography_line_height\";i:1;}}}}s:6:\"column\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:0;s:8:\"controls\";a:0:{}}s:7:\"section\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:0;s:8:\"controls\";a:0:{}}}'),(1893,957,'_wp_attached_file','2020/09/Front-Matters-Editorial.pdf'),(1894,958,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(1895,958,'_elementor_template_type','wp-page'),(1896,958,'_elementor_version','3.0.10'),(1897,958,'_wp_page_template','default'),(1898,958,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"4de51cd9\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"76ec2c3\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"fdaff1a\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<div>\\u00a0<\\/div>\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-pdfjsblock-pdfjs-embed pdfjs-wrapper\\\">[pdfjs-viewer viewer_width=0 viewer_height=800 url=http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/Front-Matters-Editorial.pdf download=true print=true fullscreen=true fullscreen_target=false fullscreen_text=\\\"View%20Fullscreen\\\" zoom=auto ]<\\/div>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:heading {\\\"level\\\":3} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<h3><span style=\\\"font-size: 18pt;\\\">Articles<\\/span><\\/h3>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/Unwanted-Sexual-Advances-and-Sex-Discrimination_Sexual-Harassment-in-light-of-the-Safe-Spaces-Act-of-2019_R.A.-11313_Alyssa-Gomez.pdf\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">Unwanted Sexual Advances and Sex Discrimination: Sexual Harassment in light of the Safe Spaces Act of 2019 (R.A. 11313)<\\/a><\\/span><br \\/><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong><em>By: Alyssa Gomez<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/journal-volume-64\\/\\\">R<\\/a><a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/drive.google.com\\/file\\/d\\/1rVTCBx0aIS1kI4Qk4jNSbnFX2hK-VFir\\/view?usp=sharing\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">egulating War: A Systematic Approach on the Different Measures and Instruments to Implement the International Humanitarian Law<\\/a><\\/span><br \\/><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong><em>By: Atty. Kenneth James Carlo C. Hizon<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/drive.google.com\\/file\\/d\\/1-WScrAt_Fti5qO6qrcz4h9wxk4UddlRG\\/view?usp=sharing\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">Job Contracting Deconstructed: An Analysis of the Labor\\u2019s Right to Security of Tenure and the Global Trend of Job Outsourcing<\\/a><\\/span><br \\/><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong><em>B<\\/em><\\/strong>y: <strong><em>Atty. King James Carlo C. Hizon<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:heading {\\\"level\\\":3} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<h3><span style=\\\"font-size: 18pt;\\\">Features<\\/span><\\/h3>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/A-DEMOCRACY-BY-ANY-OTHER-NAME_RAPHAEL-LORENZO-A.-PANGALANGAN.pdf\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">A Democracy by any Other Name<\\/a><\\/span><br \\/><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong><em>By: Raphael Lorenzo A. Pangalangan<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/ANTI-SUIT-INJUNCTION-IN-INTERNATIONAL-COMMERCIAL-ARBITRATION_A-Critical-Analysis_HON.-RONALD-B.-MORENO-LL.M.-DCL-compressed.pdf\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">Anti-Suit Injunction in International Commercial Arbitration: A Critical Analysis <\\/a><\\/span><br \\/><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong><em>By: Hon. Ronald B. Moreno, LL.M., DCL Associate Justice, Sandiganbayan<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:heading {\\\"level\\\":3} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<h3><span style=\\\"font-size: 18pt;\\\">Comment<\\/span><\\/h3>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/WTOS-DISPUTE-RESOLUTION-IN-MULTILATERAL-TRADING-SYSTEM_INDISPENSABLE-OR-OPTIONAL_MARIELLA-MARASIGAN.pdf\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">WTO\\u2019s Dispute Resolution in Multilateral Trading System: Indispensable or Optional? <\\/a><\\/span><br \\/><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong><em>By: Mariella Marasigan<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:heading {\\\"level\\\":3} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<h3><span style=\\\"font-size: 18pt;\\\">Trends in Jurisprudence<\\/span><\\/h3>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/New-Guidelines-on-Prescription-for-Insurers-as-Subrogees.pdf\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">New Guidelines on Prescription for Insurers as Subrogees<\\/a><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed {\\\"imageURL\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/Editorial.pdf\\\",\\\"imgID\\\":881,\\\"imgTitle\\\":\\\"Editorial\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-pdfjsblock-pdfjs-embed pdfjs-wrapper\\\">\\u00a0<\\/div>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed --><\\/span><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(1903,959,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(1904,959,'_elementor_template_type','wp-page'),(1905,959,'_elementor_version','3.0.10'),(1906,959,'_wp_page_template','default'),(1907,959,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"4de51cd9\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"76ec2c3\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"fdaff1a\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<div>\\u00a0<\\/div>\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-pdfjsblock-pdfjs-embed pdfjs-wrapper\\\">[pdfjs-viewer viewer_width=0 viewer_height=800 url=http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/Front-Matters-Editorial.pdf download=true print=true fullscreen=true fullscreen_target=false fullscreen_text=\\\"View%20Fullscreen\\\" zoom=auto ]<\\/div>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:heading {\\\"level\\\":3} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<h3><span style=\\\"font-size: 18pt;\\\">Articles<\\/span><\\/h3>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/Unwanted-Sexual-Advances-and-Sex-Discrimination_Sexual-Harassment-in-light-of-the-Safe-Spaces-Act-of-2019_R.A.-11313_Alyssa-Gomez.pdf\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">Unwanted Sexual Advances and Sex Discrimination: Sexual Harassment in light of the Safe Spaces Act of 2019 (R.A. 11313)<\\/a><\\/span><br \\/><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong><em>By: Alyssa Gomez<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/journal-volume-64\\/\\\">R<\\/a><a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/drive.google.com\\/file\\/d\\/1rVTCBx0aIS1kI4Qk4jNSbnFX2hK-VFir\\/view?usp=sharing\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">egulating War: A Systematic Approach on the Different Measures and Instruments to Implement the International Humanitarian Law<\\/a><\\/span><br \\/><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong><em>By: Atty. Kenneth James Carlo C. Hizon<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/drive.google.com\\/file\\/d\\/1-WScrAt_Fti5qO6qrcz4h9wxk4UddlRG\\/view?usp=sharing\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">Job Contracting Deconstructed: An Analysis of the Labor\\u2019s Right to Security of Tenure and the Global Trend of Job Outsourcing<\\/a><\\/span><br \\/><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong><em>B<\\/em><\\/strong>y: <strong><em>Atty. King James Carlo C. Hizon<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:heading {\\\"level\\\":3} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<h3><span style=\\\"font-size: 18pt;\\\">Features<\\/span><\\/h3>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/A-DEMOCRACY-BY-ANY-OTHER-NAME_RAPHAEL-LORENZO-A.-PANGALANGAN.pdf\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">A Democracy by any Other Name<\\/a><\\/span><br \\/><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong><em>By: Raphael Lorenzo A. Pangalangan<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/ANTI-SUIT-INJUNCTION-IN-INTERNATIONAL-COMMERCIAL-ARBITRATION_A-Critical-Analysis_HON.-RONALD-B.-MORENO-LL.M.-DCL-compressed.pdf\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">Anti-Suit Injunction in International Commercial Arbitration: A Critical Analysis <\\/a><\\/span><br \\/><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong><em>By: Hon. Ronald B. Moreno, LL.M., DCL Associate Justice, Sandiganbayan<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:heading {\\\"level\\\":3} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<h3><span style=\\\"font-size: 18pt;\\\">Comment<\\/span><\\/h3>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/WTOS-DISPUTE-RESOLUTION-IN-MULTILATERAL-TRADING-SYSTEM_INDISPENSABLE-OR-OPTIONAL_MARIELLA-MARASIGAN.pdf\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">WTO\\u2019s Dispute Resolution in Multilateral Trading System: Indispensable or Optional? <\\/a><\\/span><br \\/><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong><em>By: Mariella Marasigan<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:heading {\\\"level\\\":3} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<h3><span style=\\\"font-size: 18pt;\\\">Trends in Jurisprudence<\\/span><\\/h3>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/New-Guidelines-on-Prescription-for-Insurers-as-Subrogees.pdf\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">New Guidelines on Prescription for Insurers as Subrogees<\\/a><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed {\\\"imageURL\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/Editorial.pdf\\\",\\\"imgID\\\":881,\\\"imgTitle\\\":\\\"Editorial\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-pdfjsblock-pdfjs-embed pdfjs-wrapper\\\">\\u00a0<\\/div>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed --><\\/span><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(1909,959,'_elementor_controls_usage','a:3:{s:11:\"text-editor\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:1;s:8:\"controls\";a:2:{s:7:\"content\";a:1:{s:14:\"section_editor\";a:1:{s:6:\"editor\";i:1;}}s:5:\"style\";a:1:{s:13:\"section_style\";a:2:{s:21:\"typography_typography\";i:1;s:22:\"typography_line_height\";i:1;}}}}s:6:\"column\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:0;s:8:\"controls\";a:0:{}}s:7:\"section\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:0;s:8:\"controls\";a:0:{}}}'),(1912,961,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(1913,961,'_elementor_template_type','wp-page'),(1914,961,'_elementor_version','3.0.10'),(1915,961,'_wp_page_template','default'),(1916,961,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"4de51cd9\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"76ec2c3\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"fdaff1a\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<div>\\u00a0<\\/div>\\n<div>[pdfjs-viewer viewer_width=0 viewer_height=800 url=http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/Editorial.pdf download=true print=true fullscreen=true fullscreen_target=false fullscreen_text=\\\"View%20Fullscreen\\\" zoom=auto ]<\\/div>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:heading {\\\"level\\\":3} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<h3><span style=\\\"font-size: 18pt;\\\">Articles<\\/span><\\/h3>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/Unwanted-Sexual-Advances-and-Sex-Discrimination_Sexual-Harassment-in-light-of-the-Safe-Spaces-Act-of-2019_R.A.-11313_Alyssa-Gomez.pdf\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">Unwanted Sexual Advances and Sex Discrimination: Sexual Harassment in light of the Safe Spaces Act of 2019 (R.A. 11313)<\\/a><\\/span><br \\/><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong><em>By: Alyssa Gomez<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/journal-volume-64\\/\\\">R<\\/a><a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/drive.google.com\\/file\\/d\\/1rVTCBx0aIS1kI4Qk4jNSbnFX2hK-VFir\\/view?usp=sharing\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">egulating War: A Systematic Approach on the Different Measures and Instruments to Implement the International Humanitarian Law<\\/a><\\/span><br \\/><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong><em>By: Atty. Kenneth James Carlo C. Hizon<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/drive.google.com\\/file\\/d\\/1-WScrAt_Fti5qO6qrcz4h9wxk4UddlRG\\/view?usp=sharing\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">Job Contracting Deconstructed: An Analysis of the Labor\\u2019s Right to Security of Tenure and the Global Trend of Job Outsourcing<\\/a><\\/span><br \\/><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong><em>B<\\/em><\\/strong>y: <strong><em>Atty. King James Carlo C. Hizon<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:heading {\\\"level\\\":3} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<h3><span style=\\\"font-size: 18pt;\\\">Features<\\/span><\\/h3>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/A-DEMOCRACY-BY-ANY-OTHER-NAME_RAPHAEL-LORENZO-A.-PANGALANGAN.pdf\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">A Democracy by any Other Name<\\/a><\\/span><br \\/><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong><em>By: Raphael Lorenzo A. Pangalangan<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/ANTI-SUIT-INJUNCTION-IN-INTERNATIONAL-COMMERCIAL-ARBITRATION_A-Critical-Analysis_HON.-RONALD-B.-MORENO-LL.M.-DCL-compressed.pdf\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">Anti-Suit Injunction in International Commercial Arbitration: A Critical Analysis <\\/a><\\/span><br \\/><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong><em>By: Hon. Ronald B. Moreno, LL.M., DCL Associate Justice, Sandiganbayan<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:heading {\\\"level\\\":3} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<h3><span style=\\\"font-size: 18pt;\\\">Comment<\\/span><\\/h3>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/WTOS-DISPUTE-RESOLUTION-IN-MULTILATERAL-TRADING-SYSTEM_INDISPENSABLE-OR-OPTIONAL_MARIELLA-MARASIGAN.pdf\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">WTO\\u2019s Dispute Resolution in Multilateral Trading System: Indispensable or Optional? <\\/a><\\/span><br \\/><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong><em>By: Mariella Marasigan<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:heading {\\\"level\\\":3} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<h3><span style=\\\"font-size: 18pt;\\\">Trends in Jurisprudence<\\/span><\\/h3>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/New-Guidelines-on-Prescription-for-Insurers-as-Subrogees.pdf\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">New Guidelines on Prescription for Insurers as Subrogees<\\/a><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed {\\\"imageURL\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/Editorial.pdf\\\",\\\"imgID\\\":881,\\\"imgTitle\\\":\\\"Editorial\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<div>\\u00a0<\\/div>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed --><\\/span><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(1930,963,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(1931,963,'_elementor_template_type','wp-page'),(1932,963,'_elementor_version','3.0.10'),(1933,963,'_wp_page_template','default'),(1934,963,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"4de51cd9\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"76ec2c3\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"fdaff1a\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<div>\\u00a0<\\/div>\\n<div>[pdfjs-viewer viewer_width=0 viewer_height=800 url=http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/Editorial.pdf download=true print=true fullscreen=true fullscreen_target=false fullscreen_text=\\\"View%20Fullscreen\\\" zoom=auto ]<\\/div>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:heading {\\\"level\\\":3} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<h3><span style=\\\"font-size: 18pt;\\\">Articles<\\/span><\\/h3>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/Unwanted-Sexual-Advances-and-Sex-Discrimination_Sexual-Harassment-in-light-of-the-Safe-Spaces-Act-of-2019_R.A.-11313_Alyssa-Gomez.pdf\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">Unwanted Sexual Advances and Sex Discrimination: Sexual Harassment in light of the Safe Spaces Act of 2019 (R.A. 11313)<\\/a><\\/span><br \\/><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong><em>By: Alyssa Gomez<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/journal-volume-64\\/\\\">R<\\/a><a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/drive.google.com\\/file\\/d\\/1rVTCBx0aIS1kI4Qk4jNSbnFX2hK-VFir\\/view?usp=sharing\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">egulating War: A Systematic Approach on the Different Measures and Instruments to Implement the International Humanitarian Law<\\/a><\\/span><br \\/><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong><em>By: Atty. Kenneth James Carlo C. Hizon<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/drive.google.com\\/file\\/d\\/1-WScrAt_Fti5qO6qrcz4h9wxk4UddlRG\\/view?usp=sharing\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">Job Contracting Deconstructed: An Analysis of the Labor\\u2019s Right to Security of Tenure and the Global Trend of Job Outsourcing<\\/a><\\/span><br \\/><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong><em>B<\\/em><\\/strong>y: <strong><em>Atty. King James Carlo C. Hizon<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:heading {\\\"level\\\":3} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<h3><span style=\\\"font-size: 18pt;\\\">Features<\\/span><\\/h3>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/A-DEMOCRACY-BY-ANY-OTHER-NAME_RAPHAEL-LORENZO-A.-PANGALANGAN.pdf\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">A Democracy by any Other Name<\\/a><\\/span><br \\/><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong><em>By: Raphael Lorenzo A. Pangalangan<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/ANTI-SUIT-INJUNCTION-IN-INTERNATIONAL-COMMERCIAL-ARBITRATION_A-Critical-Analysis_HON.-RONALD-B.-MORENO-LL.M.-DCL-compressed.pdf\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">Anti-Suit Injunction in International Commercial Arbitration: A Critical Analysis <\\/a><\\/span><br \\/><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong><em>By: Hon. Ronald B. Moreno, LL.M., DCL Associate Justice, Sandiganbayan<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:heading {\\\"level\\\":3} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<h3><span style=\\\"font-size: 18pt;\\\">Comment<\\/span><\\/h3>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/WTOS-DISPUTE-RESOLUTION-IN-MULTILATERAL-TRADING-SYSTEM_INDISPENSABLE-OR-OPTIONAL_MARIELLA-MARASIGAN.pdf\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">WTO\\u2019s Dispute Resolution in Multilateral Trading System: Indispensable or Optional? <\\/a><\\/span><br \\/><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong><em>By: Mariella Marasigan<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:heading {\\\"level\\\":3} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<h3><span style=\\\"font-size: 18pt;\\\">Trends in Jurisprudence<\\/span><\\/h3>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/New-Guidelines-on-Prescription-for-Insurers-as-Subrogees.pdf\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">New Guidelines on Prescription for Insurers as Subrogees<\\/a><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed {\\\"imageURL\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/Editorial.pdf\\\",\\\"imgID\\\":881,\\\"imgTitle\\\":\\\"Editorial\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<div>\\u00a0<\\/div>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed --><\\/span><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(1936,963,'_elementor_controls_usage','a:3:{s:11:\"text-editor\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:1;s:8:\"controls\";a:2:{s:7:\"content\";a:1:{s:14:\"section_editor\";a:1:{s:6:\"editor\";i:1;}}s:5:\"style\";a:1:{s:13:\"section_style\";a:2:{s:21:\"typography_typography\";i:1;s:22:\"typography_line_height\";i:1;}}}}s:6:\"column\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:0;s:8:\"controls\";a:0:{}}s:7:\"section\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:0;s:8:\"controls\";a:0:{}}}'),(1938,964,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(1939,964,'_elementor_template_type','wp-page'),(1940,964,'_elementor_version','3.0.10'),(1941,964,'_wp_page_template','default'),(1942,964,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"4de51cd9\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"76ec2c3\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"fdaff1a\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<div> [pdfjs-viewer viewer_width=0 viewer_height=800 url=http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/Editorial.pdf download=true print=true fullscreen=true fullscreen_target=false fullscreen_text=\\\"View%20Fullscreen\\\" zoom=auto ]<\\/div>\\n<hr>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:heading {\\\"level\\\":3} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<h3><span style=\\\"font-size: 18pt;\\\">Articles<\\/span><\\/h3>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/Unwanted-Sexual-Advances-and-Sex-Discrimination_Sexual-Harassment-in-light-of-the-Safe-Spaces-Act-of-2019_R.A.-11313_Alyssa-Gomez.pdf\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">Unwanted Sexual Advances and Sex Discrimination: Sexual Harassment in light of the Safe Spaces Act of 2019 (R.A. 11313)<\\/a><\\/span><br><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong><em>By: Alyssa Gomez<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/journal-volume-64\\/\\\">R<\\/a><a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/drive.google.com\\/file\\/d\\/1rVTCBx0aIS1kI4Qk4jNSbnFX2hK-VFir\\/view?usp=sharing\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">egulating War: A Systematic Approach on the Different Measures and Instruments to Implement the International Humanitarian Law<\\/a><\\/span><br><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong><em>By: Atty. Kenneth James Carlo C. Hizon<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/drive.google.com\\/file\\/d\\/1-WScrAt_Fti5qO6qrcz4h9wxk4UddlRG\\/view?usp=sharing\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">Job Contracting Deconstructed: An Analysis of the Labor\\u2019s Right to Security of Tenure and the Global Trend of Job Outsourcing<\\/a><\\/span><br><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong><em>B<\\/em><\\/strong>y: <strong><em>Atty. King James Carlo C. Hizon<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:heading {\\\"level\\\":3} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<h3><span style=\\\"font-size: 18pt;\\\">Features<\\/span><\\/h3>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/A-DEMOCRACY-BY-ANY-OTHER-NAME_RAPHAEL-LORENZO-A.-PANGALANGAN.pdf\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">A Democracy by any Other Name<\\/a><\\/span><br><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong><em>By: Raphael Lorenzo A. Pangalangan<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/ANTI-SUIT-INJUNCTION-IN-INTERNATIONAL-COMMERCIAL-ARBITRATION_A-Critical-Analysis_HON.-RONALD-B.-MORENO-LL.M.-DCL-compressed.pdf\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">Anti-Suit Injunction in International Commercial Arbitration: A Critical Analysis <\\/a><\\/span><br><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong><em>By: Hon. Ronald B. Moreno, LL.M., DCL Associate Justice, Sandiganbayan<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:heading {\\\"level\\\":3} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<h3><span style=\\\"font-size: 18pt;\\\">Comment<\\/span><\\/h3>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/WTOS-DISPUTE-RESOLUTION-IN-MULTILATERAL-TRADING-SYSTEM_INDISPENSABLE-OR-OPTIONAL_MARIELLA-MARASIGAN.pdf\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">WTO\\u2019s Dispute Resolution in Multilateral Trading System: Indispensable or Optional? <\\/a><\\/span><br><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong><em>By: Mariella Marasigan<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:heading {\\\"level\\\":3} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<h3><span style=\\\"font-size: 18pt;\\\">Trends in Jurisprudence<\\/span><\\/h3>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/New-Guidelines-on-Prescription-for-Insurers-as-Subrogees.pdf\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">New Guidelines on Prescription for Insurers as Subrogees<\\/a><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed {\\\"imageURL\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/Editorial.pdf\\\",\\\"imgID\\\":881,\\\"imgTitle\\\":\\\"Editorial\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<div> <\\/div>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed --><\\/span><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(1947,965,'_edit_lock','1607825532:1'),(1948,966,'_wp_attached_file','2020/09/THE-SAFE-SPACES-ACT.pdf'),(1949,967,'_wp_attached_file','2020/09/jacob-creswick-ra3oAd6hrnM-unsplash.jpg'),(1950,967,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:6:{s:5:\"width\";i:1848;s:6:\"height\";i:892;s:14:\"hwstring_small\";s:23:\"height=\'62\' width=\'128\'\";s:4:\"file\";s:47:\"2020/09/jacob-creswick-ra3oAd6hrnM-unsplash.jpg\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:13:{s:9:\"thumbnail\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:47:\"jacob-creswick-ra3oAd6hrnM-unsplash-150x150.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:6:\"medium\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:47:\"jacob-creswick-ra3oAd6hrnM-unsplash-300x145.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:300;s:6:\"height\";i:145;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:12:\"medium_large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:47:\"jacob-creswick-ra3oAd6hrnM-unsplash-768x371.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:768;s:6:\"height\";i:371;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:5:\"large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:48:\"jacob-creswick-ra3oAd6hrnM-unsplash-1024x494.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1024;s:6:\"height\";i:494;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"1536x1536\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:48:\"jacob-creswick-ra3oAd6hrnM-unsplash-1536x741.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1536;s:6:\"height\";i:741;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:24:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:47:\"jacob-creswick-ra3oAd6hrnM-unsplash-170x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:25:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:45:\"jacob-creswick-ra3oAd6hrnM-unsplash-86x70.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:46:\"jacob-creswick-ra3oAd6hrnM-unsplash-170x82.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:82;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:22:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:47:\"jacob-creswick-ra3oAd6hrnM-unsplash-370x250.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:30:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:47:\"jacob-creswick-ra3oAd6hrnM-unsplash-370x179.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:179;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:21:\"bfastmag_related_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:47:\"jacob-creswick-ra3oAd6hrnM-unsplash-288x160.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:288;s:6:\"height\";i:160;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:18:\"bfastmag_blog_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:47:\"jacob-creswick-ra3oAd6hrnM-unsplash-780x544.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:26:\"bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:47:\"jacob-creswick-ra3oAd6hrnM-unsplash-780x376.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:376;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:0:\"\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:1:\"0\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:1:\"0\";s:3:\"iso\";s:1:\"0\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:1:\"0\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";s:1:\"0\";s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}}'),(1951,965,'_thumbnail_id','987'),(1952,965,'_edit_last','1'),(1953,965,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(1954,965,'_yoast_wpseo_primary_category','29'),(1955,965,'wptr_hide_title','0'),(1956,965,'ss_social_share_disable',''),(1957,965,'_yoast_wpseo_metadesc','On April 2019, the Safe Spaces or “Bawal Bastos” law was enacted which seeks to protect any person from gender-based sexual harassment in public spaces.'),(1958,965,'_yoast_wpseo_content_score','60'),(1959,965,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(1960,965,'_elementor_version','3.0.11'),(1961,965,'_pingme','1'),(1962,965,'_encloseme','1'),(1963,965,'_wp_page_template','default'),(1964,965,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"63b378c1\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"2393363e\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"4407d46f\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0 \\u00a0 \\u00a0 On April 2019, the Safe Spaces or \\u201c<em>Bawal Bastos<\\/em>\\u201d law was enacted which seeks to protect any person from gender-based sexual harassment in public spaces. The law <\\/span><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\">seeks to address the many gaps which is not covered by the sexual harassment under the previous legal framework and to promote gender equality wherein persons may be free from duress and any kind of external pressure from doing their ordinary lives. <br \\/><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Of particular importance is the widening of the scope of what constitutes <\\/span><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\">sexual harassment and where it can take place. In sum, the law also contemplates that sexual harassment may also emanate from a colleague and not just from someone in the workplace who is a superior or who has moral ascendancy. In this regard, any person may be an offender if s\\/he has made a transphobic, sexist comments.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 It also contemplates online spaces as part of the \\u201cpublic space\\u201d. Before <\\/span><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\">the enactment of this act, sexual harassment may only committed in the workplace, <\\/span><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\">educational or training environment.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0The Safe Spaces Act does not, in any way, supersede the Sexual Harassment <\\/span><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\">Act. If the offender qualifies for both offenses under the law, he shall be liable <\\/span><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\">therefor.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed {\\\"imageURL\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/THE-SAFE-SPACES-ACT.pdf\\\",\\\"imgID\\\":966,\\\"imgTitle\\\":\\\"THE SAFE SPACES ACT\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-pdfjsblock-pdfjs-embed pdfjs-wrapper\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\">[pdfjs-viewer viewer_width=0 viewer_height=800 url=http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/THE-SAFE-SPACES-ACT.pdf download=true print=true fullscreen=true fullscreen_target=false fullscreen_text=\\\"View%20Fullscreen\\\" zoom=auto ]<\\/span><\\/div>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><em><strong><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/strong><\\/em><\\/p>\\n<p><strong><em><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\">Featured Photo by <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/unsplash.com\\/@anniespratt?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText\\\">Annie Spratt<\\/a> on <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/unsplash.com\\/?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText\\\">Unsplash<\\/a><\\/span><\\/em><\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(1965,969,'_thumbnail_id','967'),(1966,969,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(1967,969,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(1968,969,'_elementor_version','3.0.10'),(1969,969,'_wp_page_template','default'),(1970,969,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"63b378c1\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"2393363e\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"4407d46f\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0On April 2019, the Safe Spaces or \\u201c<em>Bawal Bastos<\\/em>\\u201d law was enacted which seeks to protect any person from gender-based sexual harassment in public spaces. The law <\\/span><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\">seeks to address the many gaps which is not covered by the sexual harassment under the previous legal framework and to promote gender equality wherein persons may be free from duress and any kind of external pressure from doing their ordinary lives. <br \\/><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Of particular importance is the widening of the scope of what constitutes <\\/span><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\">sexual harassment and where it can take place. In sum, the law also contemplates that sexual harassment may also emanate from a colleague and not just from someone in the workplace who is a superior or who has moral ascendancy. In this regard, any person may be an offender if s\\/he has made a transphobic, sexist comments.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 It also contemplates online spaces as part of the \\u201cpublic space\\u201d. Before <\\/span><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\">the enactment of this act, sexual harassment may only committed in the workplace, <\\/span><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\">educational or training environment.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0The Safe Spaces Act does not, in any way, supersede the Sexual Harassment <\\/span><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\">Act. If the offender qualifies for both offenses under the law, he shall be liable <\\/span><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\">therefor.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed {\\\"imageURL\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/THE-SAFE-SPACES-ACT.pdf\\\",\\\"imgID\\\":966,\\\"imgTitle\\\":\\\"THE SAFE SPACES ACT\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-pdfjsblock-pdfjs-embed pdfjs-wrapper\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\">[pdfjs-viewer viewer_width=0 viewer_height=800 url=http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/THE-SAFE-SPACES-ACT.pdf download=true print=true fullscreen=true fullscreen_target=false fullscreen_text=\\\"View%20Fullscreen\\\" zoom=auto ]<\\/span><\\/div>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong><em>Featured Photo by <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/unsplash.com\\/@jacob1c?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText\\\">Jacob Creswick<\\/a> on <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/unsplash.com\\/s\\/photos\\/public-space?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText\\\">Unsplash<\\/a><\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(1974,970,'_thumbnail_id','967'),(1975,970,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(1976,970,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(1977,970,'_elementor_version','3.0.10'),(1978,970,'_wp_page_template','default'),(1979,970,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"63b378c1\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"2393363e\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"4407d46f\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0On April 2019, the Safe Spaces or \\u201c<em>Bawal Bastos<\\/em>\\u201d law was enacted which seeks to protect any person from gender-based sexual harassment in public spaces. The law <\\/span><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\">seeks to address the many gaps which is not covered by the sexual harassment under the previous legal framework and to promote gender equality wherein persons may be free from duress and any kind of external pressure from doing their ordinary lives. <br \\/><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Of particular importance is the widening of the scope of what constitutes <\\/span><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\">sexual harassment and where it can take place. In sum, the law also contemplates that sexual harassment may also emanate from a colleague and not just from someone in the workplace who is a superior or who has moral ascendancy. In this regard, any person may be an offender if s\\/he has made a transphobic, sexist comments.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 It also contemplates online spaces as part of the \\u201cpublic space\\u201d. Before <\\/span><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\">the enactment of this act, sexual harassment may only committed in the workplace, <\\/span><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\">educational or training environment.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0The Safe Spaces Act does not, in any way, supersede the Sexual Harassment <\\/span><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\">Act. If the offender qualifies for both offenses under the law, he shall be liable <\\/span><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\">therefor.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed {\\\"imageURL\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/THE-SAFE-SPACES-ACT.pdf\\\",\\\"imgID\\\":966,\\\"imgTitle\\\":\\\"THE SAFE SPACES ACT\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-pdfjsblock-pdfjs-embed pdfjs-wrapper\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\">[pdfjs-viewer viewer_width=0 viewer_height=800 url=http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/THE-SAFE-SPACES-ACT.pdf download=true print=true fullscreen=true fullscreen_target=false fullscreen_text=\\\"View%20Fullscreen\\\" zoom=auto ]<\\/span><\\/div>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong><em>Featured Photo by <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/unsplash.com\\/@jacob1c?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText\\\">Jacob Creswick<\\/a> on <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/unsplash.com\\/s\\/photos\\/public-space?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText\\\">Unsplash<\\/a><\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(1983,971,'_thumbnail_id','967'),(1984,971,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(1985,971,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(1986,971,'_elementor_version','3.0.10'),(1987,971,'_wp_page_template','default'),(1988,971,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"63b378c1\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"2393363e\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"4407d46f\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0On April 2019, the Safe Spaces or \\u201c<em>Bawal Bastos<\\/em>\\u201d law was enacted which seeks to protect any person from gender-based sexual harassment in public spaces. The law <\\/span><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\">seeks to address the many gaps which is not covered by the sexual harassment under the previous legal framework and to promote gender equality wherein persons may be free from duress and any kind of external pressure from doing their ordinary lives. <br \\/><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Of particular importance is the widening of the scope of what constitutes <\\/span><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\">sexual harassment and where it can take place. In sum, the law also contemplates that sexual harassment may also emanate from a colleague and not just from someone in the workplace who is a superior or who has moral ascendancy. In this regard, any person may be an offender if s\\/he has made a transphobic, sexist comments.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 It also contemplates online spaces as part of the \\u201cpublic space\\u201d. Before <\\/span><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\">the enactment of this act, sexual harassment may only committed in the workplace, <\\/span><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\">educational or training environment.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0The Safe Spaces Act does not, in any way, supersede the Sexual Harassment <\\/span><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\">Act. If the offender qualifies for both offenses under the law, he shall be liable <\\/span><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\">therefor.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed {\\\"imageURL\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/THE-SAFE-SPACES-ACT.pdf\\\",\\\"imgID\\\":966,\\\"imgTitle\\\":\\\"THE SAFE SPACES ACT\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-pdfjsblock-pdfjs-embed pdfjs-wrapper\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\">[pdfjs-viewer viewer_width=0 viewer_height=800 url=http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/THE-SAFE-SPACES-ACT.pdf download=true print=true fullscreen=true fullscreen_target=false fullscreen_text=\\\"View%20Fullscreen\\\" zoom=auto ]<\\/span><\\/div>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong><em>Featured Photo by <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/unsplash.com\\/@jacob1c?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText\\\">Jacob Creswick<\\/a> on <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/unsplash.com\\/s\\/photos\\/public-space?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText\\\">Unsplash<\\/a><\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(1992,972,'_thumbnail_id','967'),(1993,972,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(1994,972,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(1995,972,'_elementor_version','3.0.10'),(1996,972,'_wp_page_template','default'),(1997,972,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"63b378c1\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"2393363e\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"4407d46f\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0On April 2019, the Safe Spaces or \\u201c<em>Bawal Bastos<\\/em>\\u201d law was enacted which seeks to protect any person from gender-based sexual harassment in public spaces. The law <\\/span><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\">seeks to address the many gaps which is not covered by the sexual harassment under the previous legal framework and to promote gender equality wherein persons may be free from duress and any kind of external pressure from doing their ordinary lives. <br \\/><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Of particular importance is the widening of the scope of what constitutes <\\/span><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\">sexual harassment and where it can take place. In sum, the law also contemplates that sexual harassment may also emanate from a colleague and not just from someone in the workplace who is a superior or who has moral ascendancy. In this regard, any person may be an offender if s\\/he has made a transphobic, sexist comments.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 It also contemplates online spaces as part of the \\u201cpublic space\\u201d. Before <\\/span><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\">the enactment of this act, sexual harassment may only committed in the workplace, <\\/span><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\">educational or training environment.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0The Safe Spaces Act does not, in any way, supersede the Sexual Harassment <\\/span><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\">Act. If the offender qualifies for both offenses under the law, he shall be liable <\\/span><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\">therefor.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed {\\\"imageURL\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/THE-SAFE-SPACES-ACT.pdf\\\",\\\"imgID\\\":966,\\\"imgTitle\\\":\\\"THE SAFE SPACES ACT\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-pdfjsblock-pdfjs-embed pdfjs-wrapper\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\">[pdfjs-viewer viewer_width=0 viewer_height=800 url=http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/THE-SAFE-SPACES-ACT.pdf download=true print=true fullscreen=true fullscreen_target=false fullscreen_text=\\\"View%20Fullscreen\\\" zoom=auto ]<\\/span><\\/div>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong><em>Featured Photo by <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/unsplash.com\\/@jacob1c?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText\\\">Jacob Creswick<\\/a> on <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/unsplash.com\\/s\\/photos\\/public-space?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText\\\">Unsplash<\\/a><\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(1998,972,'_elementor_controls_usage','a:3:{s:11:\"text-editor\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:1;s:8:\"controls\";a:2:{s:7:\"content\";a:1:{s:14:\"section_editor\";a:1:{s:6:\"editor\";i:1;}}s:5:\"style\";a:1:{s:13:\"section_style\";a:2:{s:21:\"typography_typography\";i:1;s:22:\"typography_line_height\";i:1;}}}}s:6:\"column\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:0;s:8:\"controls\";a:0:{}}s:7:\"section\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:0;s:8:\"controls\";a:0:{}}}'),(2000,973,'_edit_lock','1601774671:1'),(2001,973,'_edit_last','1'),(2002,973,'_yoast_wpseo_primary_category','29'),(2003,973,'wptr_hide_title','0'),(2004,973,'ss_social_share_disable',''),(2005,973,'_yoast_wpseo_content_score','30'),(2014,975,'_wp_attached_file','2020/09/THE-PHILIPPINE-HIV-AND-AIDS-POLICY-ACT.pdf'),(2015,977,'_wp_attached_file','2020/10/pexels-anna-shvets-39004651-scaled.jpg'),(2016,977,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:6:{s:5:\"width\";i:1920;s:6:\"height\";i:1280;s:14:\"hwstring_small\";s:23:\"height=\'85\' width=\'128\'\";s:4:\"file\";s:46:\"2020/10/pexels-anna-shvets-39004651-scaled.jpg\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:14:{s:9:\"thumbnail\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:46:\"pexels-anna-shvets-39004651-scaled-150x150.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:6:\"medium\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:46:\"pexels-anna-shvets-39004651-scaled-300x200.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:300;s:6:\"height\";i:200;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:12:\"medium_large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:46:\"pexels-anna-shvets-39004651-scaled-768x512.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:768;s:6:\"height\";i:512;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:5:\"large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:47:\"pexels-anna-shvets-39004651-scaled-1024x683.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1024;s:6:\"height\";i:683;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"1536x1536\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:48:\"pexels-anna-shvets-39004651-scaled-1536x1024.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1536;s:6:\"height\";i:1024;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"2048x2048\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:48:\"pexels-anna-shvets-39004651-scaled-2048x1366.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:2048;s:6:\"height\";i:1366;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:24:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:46:\"pexels-anna-shvets-39004651-scaled-170x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:25:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:44:\"pexels-anna-shvets-39004651-scaled-86x70.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:46:\"pexels-anna-shvets-39004651-scaled-165x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:165;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:22:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:46:\"pexels-anna-shvets-39004651-scaled-370x250.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:30:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:46:\"pexels-anna-shvets-39004651-scaled-370x247.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:247;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:21:\"bfastmag_related_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:46:\"pexels-anna-shvets-39004651-scaled-288x160.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:288;s:6:\"height\";i:160;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:18:\"bfastmag_blog_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:46:\"pexels-anna-shvets-39004651-scaled-780x544.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:26:\"bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:46:\"pexels-anna-shvets-39004651-scaled-780x520.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:520;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:0:\"\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:1:\"0\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:1:\"0\";s:3:\"iso\";s:1:\"0\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:1:\"0\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";s:1:\"0\";s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}}'),(2017,973,'_pingme','1'),(2018,973,'_encloseme','1'),(2019,973,'_thumbnail_id','977'),(2020,983,'_wp_attached_file','2020/09/you-x-ventures-Oalh2MojUuk-unsplash-scaled.jpg'),(2021,983,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:6:{s:5:\"width\";i:1920;s:6:\"height\";i:1280;s:14:\"hwstring_small\";s:23:\"height=\'85\' width=\'128\'\";s:4:\"file\";s:54:\"2020/09/you-x-ventures-Oalh2MojUuk-unsplash-scaled.jpg\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:14:{s:9:\"thumbnail\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:54:\"you-x-ventures-Oalh2MojUuk-unsplash-scaled-150x150.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:6:\"medium\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:54:\"you-x-ventures-Oalh2MojUuk-unsplash-scaled-300x200.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:300;s:6:\"height\";i:200;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:12:\"medium_large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:54:\"you-x-ventures-Oalh2MojUuk-unsplash-scaled-768x512.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:768;s:6:\"height\";i:512;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:5:\"large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:55:\"you-x-ventures-Oalh2MojUuk-unsplash-scaled-1024x683.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1024;s:6:\"height\";i:683;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"1536x1536\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:56:\"you-x-ventures-Oalh2MojUuk-unsplash-scaled-1536x1024.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1536;s:6:\"height\";i:1024;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"2048x2048\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:56:\"you-x-ventures-Oalh2MojUuk-unsplash-scaled-2048x1366.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:2048;s:6:\"height\";i:1366;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:24:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:54:\"you-x-ventures-Oalh2MojUuk-unsplash-scaled-170x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:25:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:52:\"you-x-ventures-Oalh2MojUuk-unsplash-scaled-86x70.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:54:\"you-x-ventures-Oalh2MojUuk-unsplash-scaled-165x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:165;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:22:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:54:\"you-x-ventures-Oalh2MojUuk-unsplash-scaled-370x250.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:30:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:54:\"you-x-ventures-Oalh2MojUuk-unsplash-scaled-370x247.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:247;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:21:\"bfastmag_related_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:54:\"you-x-ventures-Oalh2MojUuk-unsplash-scaled-288x160.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:288;s:6:\"height\";i:160;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:18:\"bfastmag_blog_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:54:\"you-x-ventures-Oalh2MojUuk-unsplash-scaled-780x544.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:26:\"bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:54:\"you-x-ventures-Oalh2MojUuk-unsplash-scaled-780x520.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:520;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:0:\"\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:1:\"0\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:1:\"0\";s:3:\"iso\";s:1:\"0\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:1:\"0\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";s:1:\"0\";s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}}'),(2022,984,'_thumbnail_id','983'),(2023,984,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(2024,984,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(2025,984,'_elementor_version','3.0.10'),(2026,984,'_wp_page_template','default'),(2027,984,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"63b378c1\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"2393363e\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"4407d46f\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0 \\u00a0 \\u00a0 On April 2019, the Safe Spaces or \\u201c<em>Bawal Bastos<\\/em>\\u201d law was enacted which seeks to protect any person from gender-based sexual harassment in public spaces. The law <\\/span><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\">seeks to address the many gaps which is not covered by the sexual harassment under the previous legal framework and to promote gender equality wherein persons may be free from duress and any kind of external pressure from doing their ordinary lives. <br \\/><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Of particular importance is the widening of the scope of what constitutes <\\/span><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\">sexual harassment and where it can take place. In sum, the law also contemplates that sexual harassment may also emanate from a colleague and not just from someone in the workplace who is a superior or who has moral ascendancy. In this regard, any person may be an offender if s\\/he has made a transphobic, sexist comments.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 It also contemplates online spaces as part of the \\u201cpublic space\\u201d. Before <\\/span><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\">the enactment of this act, sexual harassment may only committed in the workplace, <\\/span><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\">educational or training environment.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0The Safe Spaces Act does not, in any way, supersede the Sexual Harassment <\\/span><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\">Act. If the offender qualifies for both offenses under the law, he shall be liable <\\/span><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\">therefor.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed {\\\"imageURL\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/THE-SAFE-SPACES-ACT.pdf\\\",\\\"imgID\\\":966,\\\"imgTitle\\\":\\\"THE SAFE SPACES ACT\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-pdfjsblock-pdfjs-embed pdfjs-wrapper\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\">[pdfjs-viewer viewer_width=0 viewer_height=800 url=http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/THE-SAFE-SPACES-ACT.pdf download=true print=true fullscreen=true fullscreen_target=false fullscreen_text=\\\"View%20Fullscreen\\\" zoom=auto ]<\\/span><\\/div>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><em><strong><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/strong><\\/em><\\/p>\\n<p><em><strong><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\">Photo by <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/unsplash.com\\/@youxventures?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText\\\">You X Ventures<\\/a> on <\\/span><\\/strong><\\/em><a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/unsplash.com\\/s\\/photos\\/workplace?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText\\\"><em><strong><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\">Unsplash<\\/span><\\/strong><\\/em><\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(2031,985,'_thumbnail_id','983'),(2032,985,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(2033,985,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(2034,985,'_elementor_version','3.0.11'),(2035,985,'_wp_page_template','default'),(2036,985,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"63b378c1\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"2393363e\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"4407d46f\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0 \\u00a0 \\u00a0 On April 2019, the Safe Spaces or \\u201c<em>Bawal Bastos<\\/em>\\u201d law was enacted which seeks to protect any person from gender-based sexual harassment in public spaces. The law <\\/span><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\">seeks to address the many gaps which is not covered by the sexual harassment under the previous legal framework and to promote gender equality wherein persons may be free from duress and any kind of external pressure from doing their ordinary lives. <br \\/><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Of particular importance is the widening of the scope of what constitutes <\\/span><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\">sexual harassment and where it can take place. In sum, the law also contemplates that sexual harassment may also emanate from a colleague and not just from someone in the workplace who is a superior or who has moral ascendancy. In this regard, any person may be an offender if s\\/he has made a transphobic, sexist comments.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 It also contemplates online spaces as part of the \\u201cpublic space\\u201d. Before <\\/span><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\">the enactment of this act, sexual harassment may only committed in the workplace, <\\/span><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\">educational or training environment.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0The Safe Spaces Act does not, in any way, supersede the Sexual Harassment <\\/span><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\">Act. If the offender qualifies for both offenses under the law, he shall be liable <\\/span><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\">therefor.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed {\\\"imageURL\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/THE-SAFE-SPACES-ACT.pdf\\\",\\\"imgID\\\":966,\\\"imgTitle\\\":\\\"THE SAFE SPACES ACT\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-pdfjsblock-pdfjs-embed pdfjs-wrapper\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\">[pdfjs-viewer viewer_width=0 viewer_height=800 url=http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/THE-SAFE-SPACES-ACT.pdf download=true print=true fullscreen=true fullscreen_target=false fullscreen_text=\\\"View%20Fullscreen\\\" zoom=auto ]<\\/span><\\/div>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><em><strong><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/strong><\\/em><\\/p>\\n<p><em><strong><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\">Featured Photo by <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/unsplash.com\\/@youxventures?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText\\\">You X Ventures<\\/a> on <\\/span><\\/strong><\\/em><a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/unsplash.com\\/s\\/photos\\/workplace?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText\\\"><em><strong><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\">Unsplash<\\/span><\\/strong><\\/em><\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(2040,185,'ss_social_share_disable',''),(2041,185,'_yoast_wpseo_content_score','30'),(2042,987,'_wp_attached_file','2020/09/annie-spratt-dWYU3i-mqEo-unsplash-Medium.jpg'),(2043,987,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:6:{s:5:\"width\";i:1151;s:6:\"height\";i:768;s:14:\"hwstring_small\";s:23:\"height=\'85\' width=\'128\'\";s:4:\"file\";s:52:\"2020/09/annie-spratt-dWYU3i-mqEo-unsplash-Medium.jpg\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:12:{s:9:\"thumbnail\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:52:\"annie-spratt-dWYU3i-mqEo-unsplash-Medium-150x150.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:6:\"medium\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:52:\"annie-spratt-dWYU3i-mqEo-unsplash-Medium-300x200.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:300;s:6:\"height\";i:200;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:12:\"medium_large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:52:\"annie-spratt-dWYU3i-mqEo-unsplash-Medium-768x512.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:768;s:6:\"height\";i:512;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:5:\"large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:53:\"annie-spratt-dWYU3i-mqEo-unsplash-Medium-1024x683.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1024;s:6:\"height\";i:683;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:24:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:52:\"annie-spratt-dWYU3i-mqEo-unsplash-Medium-170x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:25:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:50:\"annie-spratt-dWYU3i-mqEo-unsplash-Medium-86x70.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:52:\"annie-spratt-dWYU3i-mqEo-unsplash-Medium-165x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:165;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:22:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:52:\"annie-spratt-dWYU3i-mqEo-unsplash-Medium-370x250.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:30:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:52:\"annie-spratt-dWYU3i-mqEo-unsplash-Medium-370x247.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:247;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:21:\"bfastmag_related_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:52:\"annie-spratt-dWYU3i-mqEo-unsplash-Medium-288x160.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:288;s:6:\"height\";i:160;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:18:\"bfastmag_blog_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:52:\"annie-spratt-dWYU3i-mqEo-unsplash-Medium-780x544.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:26:\"bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:52:\"annie-spratt-dWYU3i-mqEo-unsplash-Medium-780x520.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:520;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:0:\"\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:1:\"0\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:1:\"0\";s:3:\"iso\";s:1:\"0\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:1:\"0\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";s:1:\"0\";s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}}'),(2044,988,'_thumbnail_id','983'),(2045,988,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(2046,988,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(2047,988,'_elementor_version','3.0.11'),(2048,988,'_wp_page_template','default'),(2049,988,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"63b378c1\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"2393363e\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"4407d46f\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0 \\u00a0 \\u00a0 On April 2019, the Safe Spaces or \\u201c<em>Bawal Bastos<\\/em>\\u201d law was enacted which seeks to protect any person from gender-based sexual harassment in public spaces. The law <\\/span><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\">seeks to address the many gaps which is not covered by the sexual harassment under the previous legal framework and to promote gender equality wherein persons may be free from duress and any kind of external pressure from doing their ordinary lives. <br \\/><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Of particular importance is the widening of the scope of what constitutes <\\/span><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\">sexual harassment and where it can take place. In sum, the law also contemplates that sexual harassment may also emanate from a colleague and not just from someone in the workplace who is a superior or who has moral ascendancy. In this regard, any person may be an offender if s\\/he has made a transphobic, sexist comments.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 It also contemplates online spaces as part of the \\u201cpublic space\\u201d. Before <\\/span><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\">the enactment of this act, sexual harassment may only committed in the workplace, <\\/span><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\">educational or training environment.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0The Safe Spaces Act does not, in any way, supersede the Sexual Harassment <\\/span><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\">Act. If the offender qualifies for both offenses under the law, he shall be liable <\\/span><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\">therefor.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed {\\\"imageURL\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/THE-SAFE-SPACES-ACT.pdf\\\",\\\"imgID\\\":966,\\\"imgTitle\\\":\\\"THE SAFE SPACES ACT\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-pdfjsblock-pdfjs-embed pdfjs-wrapper\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\">[pdfjs-viewer viewer_width=0 viewer_height=800 url=http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/THE-SAFE-SPACES-ACT.pdf download=true print=true fullscreen=true fullscreen_target=false fullscreen_text=\\\"View%20Fullscreen\\\" zoom=auto ]<\\/span><\\/div>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><em><strong><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/strong><\\/em><\\/p>\\n<p><em><strong><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\">Featured Photo by <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/unsplash.com\\/@youxventures?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText\\\">You X Ventures<\\/a> on <\\/span><\\/strong><\\/em><a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/unsplash.com\\/s\\/photos\\/workplace?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText\\\"><em><strong><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\">Unsplash<\\/span><\\/strong><\\/em><\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(2050,988,'_elementor_controls_usage','a:3:{s:11:\"text-editor\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:1;s:8:\"controls\";a:2:{s:7:\"content\";a:1:{s:14:\"section_editor\";a:1:{s:6:\"editor\";i:1;}}s:5:\"style\";a:1:{s:13:\"section_style\";a:2:{s:21:\"typography_typography\";i:1;s:22:\"typography_line_height\";i:1;}}}}s:6:\"column\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:0;s:8:\"controls\";a:0:{}}s:7:\"section\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:0;s:8:\"controls\";a:0:{}}}'),(2052,989,'_thumbnail_id','987'),(2053,989,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(2054,989,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(2055,989,'_elementor_version','3.0.11'),(2056,989,'_wp_page_template','default'),(2057,989,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"63b378c1\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"2393363e\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"4407d46f\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0 \\u00a0 \\u00a0 On April 2019, the Safe Spaces or \\u201c<em>Bawal Bastos<\\/em>\\u201d law was enacted which seeks to protect any person from gender-based sexual harassment in public spaces. The law <\\/span><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\">seeks to address the many gaps which is not covered by the sexual harassment under the previous legal framework and to promote gender equality wherein persons may be free from duress and any kind of external pressure from doing their ordinary lives. <br \\/><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Of particular importance is the widening of the scope of what constitutes <\\/span><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\">sexual harassment and where it can take place. In sum, the law also contemplates that sexual harassment may also emanate from a colleague and not just from someone in the workplace who is a superior or who has moral ascendancy. In this regard, any person may be an offender if s\\/he has made a transphobic, sexist comments.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 It also contemplates online spaces as part of the \\u201cpublic space\\u201d. Before <\\/span><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\">the enactment of this act, sexual harassment may only committed in the workplace, <\\/span><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\">educational or training environment.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0The Safe Spaces Act does not, in any way, supersede the Sexual Harassment <\\/span><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\">Act. If the offender qualifies for both offenses under the law, he shall be liable <\\/span><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\">therefor.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed {\\\"imageURL\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/THE-SAFE-SPACES-ACT.pdf\\\",\\\"imgID\\\":966,\\\"imgTitle\\\":\\\"THE SAFE SPACES ACT\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-pdfjsblock-pdfjs-embed pdfjs-wrapper\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\">[pdfjs-viewer viewer_width=0 viewer_height=800 url=http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/THE-SAFE-SPACES-ACT.pdf download=true print=true fullscreen=true fullscreen_target=false fullscreen_text=\\\"View%20Fullscreen\\\" zoom=auto ]<\\/span><\\/div>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><em><strong><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/strong><\\/em><\\/p>\\n<p><strong><em><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\">Featured Photo by <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/unsplash.com\\/@anniespratt?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText\\\">Annie Spratt<\\/a> on <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/unsplash.com\\/?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText\\\">Unsplash<\\/a><\\/span><\\/em><\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(2059,965,'_elementor_controls_usage','a:3:{s:11:\"text-editor\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:1;s:8:\"controls\";a:2:{s:7:\"content\";a:1:{s:14:\"section_editor\";a:1:{s:6:\"editor\";i:1;}}s:5:\"style\";a:1:{s:13:\"section_style\";a:2:{s:21:\"typography_typography\";i:1;s:22:\"typography_line_height\";i:1;}}}}s:6:\"column\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:0;s:8:\"controls\";a:0:{}}s:7:\"section\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:0;s:8:\"controls\";a:0:{}}}'),(2061,990,'_edit_lock','1602031843:1'),(2062,990,'_edit_last','1'),(2063,990,'_yoast_wpseo_primary_category','3'),(2064,990,'wptr_hide_title','1'),(2065,990,'ss_social_share_disable',''),(2066,990,'_yoast_wpseo_focuskw','70th Anniversary'),(2067,990,'_yoast_wpseo_metadesc','This 2020, the UST Law Review commemorates 70 years of legal scholarship. In this light, we cordially invite all our proud alumni to join us in this celebration. We welcome contributions of scholarly articles, comments, notes, and book review for publication in Volume 65, the 70th year anniversary edition of the Law Review.'),(2068,990,'_yoast_wpseo_linkdex','67'),(2069,990,'_yoast_wpseo_content_score','30'),(2070,990,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(2071,990,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(2072,990,'_elementor_version','3.0.11'),(2073,990,'_pingme','1'),(2074,990,'_encloseme','1'),(2075,990,'_wp_page_template','default'),(2076,990,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"4c1a90e\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"5bba18cd\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"53ef4f2d\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p>\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 18pt;\\\"><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 18pt;\\\"><strong>Editor\\u2019s Note on the 70<sup>th<\\/sup> Anniversary of the UST Law Review<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\">In 1950, the UST Law Review was founded with Civil Law student Andres Narvasa as its first Editor-in-Chief. Narvasa would later become Dean of the UST Faculty of Civil Law and Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\">Since then, the <em>Law Review <\\/em>has grown as an institution of legal scholarship in the country and as an academic community in the University of Santo Tomas where future lawyers train in legal research and writing. The yearly publication of <em>Law Review<\\/em> demonstrates its student editors\' hard work and the Faculty of Civil Law\\u2019s commitment to shaping legal thought through academic publication.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\">This 2020, we cordially invite all our alumni and friends to join us in celebrating 70 years of legal publication excellence. We welcome contributions of articles, comments, and notes for publication in Volume 65<em>, <\\/em>the 70<sup>th<\\/sup>-anniversary edition of the <em>Law Review<\\/em>.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\">In this academic year of 2020-2021, the <em>Law Review <\\/em>will release a revised Style Guide and a Digest Guide for its members, contributors, and students of the Faculty of Civil Law. The <em>Law Review<\\/em> is also in the works of preparing a Research Manual for its members.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\">Finally, with this Note, we officially launch the revitalized website of the <em>Law Review<\\/em> with Uniform Resource Locator at <a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/\\\">http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/<\\/a>.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\">The <em>Law Review<\\/em> is a student-run publication dedicated to promoting legal discourse through publishing works of legal scholarship.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\">The <em>Law Review<\\/em> publishes lead articles by law professors, scholars, judges and justices, and practicing lawyers. It also publishes articles, comments, digests, and notes by select students of the UST Faculty of Civil Law.<\\/span><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(2077,992,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(2078,992,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(2079,992,'_elementor_version','3.0.11'),(2080,992,'_wp_page_template','default'),(2081,992,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"4c1a90e\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"5bba18cd\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"53ef4f2d\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p>\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 18pt;\\\"><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 18pt;\\\"><strong>Editor\\u2019s Note on the 70<sup>th<\\/sup> Anniversary of the UST Law Review<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\">In 1950, the UST Law Review was founded with Andres Narvasa, a student of the UST Faculty of Civil Law student, as its first Editor-in-Chief. Andres Narvasa would later become Dean of the UST Faculty of Civil Law and Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\">The <em>Law Review<\\/em> is a student-run publication dedicated to promoting legal discourse through publishing works of legal scholarship. The <em>Law Review<\\/em> publishes lead articles by law professors, judges and justices, and practicing lawyers. It also publishes articles, comments, digests, and notes by select students of the Faculty of Civil Law.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\">Since its foundation in 1950, the <em>Law Review <\\/em>has grown as an institution of legal scholarship in the country and an academic community within the UST Faculty of Civil Law where future lawyers prepare are trained in legal research and legal writing.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\">The yearly publication of <em>Law Review<\\/em> demonstrates not only the hard work of its student editors but also the commitment of the Faculty of Civil Law in shaping legal thought through academic publication<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\">This 2020, the UST Law Review commemorates 70 years of legal scholarship. In this light, we cordially invite all our proud alumni to join us in this celebration. We welcome contributions of scholarly articles, comments, notes, and book review for publication in Volume 65<em>, <\\/em>the 70<sup>th<\\/sup> year anniversary edition of the <em>Law Review<\\/em>.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\">This academic year 2020-2021, the Editorial Board of the <em>Law Review <\\/em>will also release a revised Style Guide and Citation Manual, a Digest Guide, and a Research Manual.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\">Finally, with this note, we now officially launch the revitalized website of the <em>Law Review<\\/em> with Uniform Resource Locator at <a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/\\\">http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/<\\/a>.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(2084,993,'_wp_attached_file','2020/10/ULR@70_2.jpg'),(2085,993,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:6:{s:5:\"width\";i:900;s:6:\"height\";i:600;s:14:\"hwstring_small\";s:23:\"height=\'85\' width=\'128\'\";s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"2020/10/ULR@70_2.jpg\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:11:{s:9:\"thumbnail\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"ULR@70_2-150x150.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:6:\"medium\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"ULR@70_2-300x200.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:300;s:6:\"height\";i:200;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:12:\"medium_large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"ULR@70_2-768x512.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:768;s:6:\"height\";i:512;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:24:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"ULR@70_2-170x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:25:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:18:\"ULR@70_2-86x70.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"ULR@70_2-165x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:165;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:22:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"ULR@70_2-370x250.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:30:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"ULR@70_2-370x247.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:247;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:21:\"bfastmag_related_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"ULR@70_2-288x160.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:288;s:6:\"height\";i:160;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:18:\"bfastmag_blog_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"ULR@70_2-780x544.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:26:\"bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"ULR@70_2-780x520.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:520;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:0:\"\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:1:\"0\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:1:\"0\";s:3:\"iso\";s:1:\"0\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:1:\"0\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";s:1:\"0\";s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}}'),(2086,994,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(2087,994,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(2088,994,'_elementor_version','3.0.11'),(2089,994,'_wp_page_template','default'),(2090,994,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"4c1a90e\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"5bba18cd\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"53ef4f2d\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p>\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 18pt;\\\"><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 18pt;\\\"><strong>Editor\\u2019s Note on the 70<sup>th<\\/sup> Anniversary of the UST Law Review<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\">In 1950, the UST Law Review was founded with Andres Narvasa, a student of the UST Faculty of Civil Law student, as its first Editor-in-Chief. Andres Narvasa would later become Dean of the UST Faculty of Civil Law and Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\">The <em>Law Review<\\/em> is a student-run publication dedicated to promoting legal discourse through publishing works of legal scholarship. The <em>Law Review<\\/em> publishes lead articles by law professors, judges and justices, and practicing lawyers. It also publishes articles, comments, digests, and notes by select students of the Faculty of Civil Law.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\">Since its foundation in 1950, the <em>Law Review <\\/em>has grown as an institution of legal scholarship in the country and an academic community within the UST Faculty of Civil Law where future lawyers prepare are trained in legal research and legal writing.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\">The yearly publication of <em>Law Review<\\/em> demonstrates not only the hard work of its student editors but also the commitment of the Faculty of Civil Law in shaping legal thought through academic publication<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\">This 2020, the UST Law Review commemorates 70 years of legal scholarship. In this light, we cordially invite all our proud alumni to join us in this celebration. We welcome contributions of scholarly articles, comments, notes, and book review for publication in Volume 65<em>, <\\/em>the 70<sup>th<\\/sup> year anniversary edition of the <em>Law Review<\\/em>.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\">This academic year 2020-2021, the Editorial Board of the <em>Law Review <\\/em>will also release a revised Style Guide and Citation Manual, a Digest Guide, and a Research Manual.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\">Finally, with this note, we now officially launch the revitalized website of the <em>Law Review<\\/em> with Uniform Resource Locator at <a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/\\\">http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/<\\/a>.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(2091,994,'_elementor_controls_usage','a:3:{s:11:\"text-editor\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:1;s:8:\"controls\";a:2:{s:7:\"content\";a:1:{s:14:\"section_editor\";a:1:{s:6:\"editor\";i:1;}}s:5:\"style\";a:1:{s:13:\"section_style\";a:2:{s:21:\"typography_typography\";i:1;s:22:\"typography_line_height\";i:1;}}}}s:6:\"column\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:0;s:8:\"controls\";a:0:{}}s:7:\"section\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:0;s:8:\"controls\";a:0:{}}}'),(2093,990,'_thumbnail_id','993'),(2094,995,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(2095,995,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(2096,995,'_elementor_version','3.0.11'),(2097,995,'_wp_page_template','default'),(2098,995,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"4c1a90e\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"5bba18cd\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"53ef4f2d\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p>\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 18pt;\\\"><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 18pt;\\\"><strong>Editor\\u2019s Note on the 70<sup>th<\\/sup> Anniversary of the UST Law Review<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\">In 1950, the UST Law Review was founded with Andres Narvasa, a student of the UST Faculty of Civil Law student, as its first Editor-in-Chief. Andres Narvasa would later become Dean of the UST Faculty of Civil Law and Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\">The <em>Law Review<\\/em> is a student-run publication dedicated to promoting legal discourse through publishing works of legal scholarship. The <em>Law Review<\\/em> publishes lead articles by law professors, judges and justices, and practicing lawyers. It also publishes articles, comments, digests, and notes by select students of the Faculty of Civil Law.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\">Since its foundation in 1950, the <em>Law Review <\\/em>has grown as an institution of legal scholarship in the country and an academic community within the UST Faculty of Civil Law where future lawyers prepare are trained in legal research and legal writing.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\">The yearly publication of <em>Law Review<\\/em> demonstrates not only the hard work of its student editors but also the commitment of the Faculty of Civil Law in shaping legal thought through academic publication<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\">This 2020, the UST Law Review commemorates 70 years of legal scholarship. In this light, we cordially invite all our proud alumni to join us in this celebration. We welcome contributions of scholarly articles, comments, notes, and book review for publication in Volume 65<em>, <\\/em>the 70<sup>th<\\/sup> year anniversary edition of the <em>Law Review<\\/em>.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\">This academic year 2020-2021, the Editorial Board of the <em>Law Review <\\/em>will also release a revised Style Guide and Citation Manual, a Digest Guide, and a Research Manual.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\">Finally, with this note, we now officially launch the revitalized website of the <em>Law Review<\\/em> with Uniform Resource Locator at <a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/\\\">http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/<\\/a>.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(2100,995,'_thumbnail_id','993'),(2103,996,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(2104,996,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(2105,996,'_elementor_version','3.0.11'),(2106,996,'_wp_page_template','default'),(2107,996,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"4c1a90e\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"5bba18cd\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"53ef4f2d\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p>\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 18pt;\\\"><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 18pt;\\\"><strong>Editor\\u2019s Note on the 70<sup>th<\\/sup> Anniversary of the UST Law Review<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\">In 1950, the UST Law Review was founded with Andres Narvasa, a student of the UST Faculty of Civil Law student, as its first Editor-in-Chief. Andres Narvasa would later become Dean of the UST Faculty of Civil Law and Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\">The <em>Law Review<\\/em> is a student-run publication dedicated to promoting legal discourse through publishing works of legal scholarship. The <em>Law Review<\\/em> publishes lead articles by law professors, judges and justices, and practicing lawyers. It also publishes articles, comments, digests, and notes by select students of the Faculty of Civil Law.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\">Since its foundation in 1950, the <em>Law Review <\\/em>has grown as an institution of legal scholarship in the country and an academic community within the UST Faculty of Civil Law where future lawyers prepare are trained in legal research and legal writing.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\">The yearly publication of <em>Law Review<\\/em> demonstrates not only the hard work of its student editors but also the commitment of the Faculty of Civil Law in shaping legal thought through academic publication<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\">This 2020, the UST Law Review commemorates 70 years of legal scholarship. In this light, we cordially invite all our proud alumni to join us in this celebration. We welcome contributions of scholarly articles, comments, notes, and book review for publication in Volume 65<em>, <\\/em>the 70<sup>th<\\/sup> year anniversary edition of the <em>Law Review<\\/em>.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\">This academic year 2020-2021, the Editorial Board of the <em>Law Review <\\/em>will also release a revised Style Guide and Citation Manual, a Digest Guide, and a Research Manual.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\">Finally, with this note, we now officially launch the revitalized website of the <em>Law Review<\\/em> with Uniform Resource Locator at <a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/\\\">http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/<\\/a>.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(2108,996,'_thumbnail_id','993'),(2110,997,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(2111,997,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(2112,997,'_elementor_version','3.0.11'),(2113,997,'_wp_page_template','default'),(2114,997,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"4c1a90e\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"5bba18cd\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"53ef4f2d\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p>\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 18pt;\\\"><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 18pt;\\\"><strong>Editor\\u2019s Note on the 70<sup>th<\\/sup> Anniversary of the UST Law Review<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\">In 1950, the UST Law Review was founded with Andres Narvasa, a student of the UST Faculty of Civil Law student, as its first Editor-in-Chief. Andres Narvasa would later become Dean of the UST Faculty of Civil Law and Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\">The <em>Law Review<\\/em> is a student-run publication dedicated to promoting legal discourse through publishing works of legal scholarship. The <em>Law Review<\\/em> publishes lead articles by law professors, judges and justices, and practicing lawyers. It also publishes articles, comments, digests, and notes by select students of the Faculty of Civil Law.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\">Since its foundation in 1950, the <em>Law Review <\\/em>has grown as an institution of legal scholarship in the country and an academic community within the UST Faculty of Civil Law where future lawyers prepare are trained in legal research and legal writing.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\">The yearly publication of <em>Law Review<\\/em> demonstrates not only the hard work of its student editors but also the commitment of the Faculty of Civil Law in shaping legal thought through academic publication<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\">This 2020, the UST Law Review commemorates 70 years of legal scholarship. In this light, we cordially invite all our proud alumni to join us in this celebration. We welcome contributions of scholarly articles, comments, notes, and book review for publication in Volume 65<em>, <\\/em>the 70<sup>th<\\/sup> year anniversary edition of the <em>Law Review<\\/em>.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\">This academic year 2020-2021, the Editorial Board of the <em>Law Review <\\/em>will also release a revised Style Guide and Citation Manual, a Digest Guide, and a Research Manual.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\">Finally, with this note, we now officially launch the revitalized website of the <em>Law Review<\\/em> with Uniform Resource Locator at <a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/\\\">http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/<\\/a>.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(2115,997,'_thumbnail_id','993'),(2117,998,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(2118,998,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(2119,998,'_elementor_version','3.0.11'),(2120,998,'_wp_page_template','default'),(2121,998,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"4c1a90e\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"5bba18cd\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"53ef4f2d\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p>\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 18pt;\\\"><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 18pt;\\\"><strong>Editor\\u2019s Note on the 70<sup>th<\\/sup> Anniversary of the UST Law Review<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(2122,998,'_thumbnail_id','993'),(2124,999,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(2125,999,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(2126,999,'_elementor_version','3.0.11'),(2127,999,'_wp_page_template','default'),(2128,999,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"4c1a90e\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"5bba18cd\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"53ef4f2d\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p>\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 18pt;\\\"><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 18pt;\\\"><strong>Editor\\u2019s Note on the 70<sup>th<\\/sup> Anniversary of the UST Law Review<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\">In 1950, the UST Law Review was founded with Civil Law student Andres Narvasa as its first Editor-in-Chief. Narvasa would later become Dean of the UST Faculty of Civil Law and Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\">Since then, the <em>Law Review <\\/em>has grown as an institution of legal scholarship in the country and as an academic community in the University of Santo Tomas where future lawyers train in legal research and writing. The yearly publication of <em>Law Review<\\/em> demonstrates its student editors\' hard work and the Faculty of Civil Law\\u2019s commitment to shaping legal thought through academic publication.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\">This 2020, we cordially invite all our alumni and friends to join us in celebrating 70 years of legal publication excellence. We welcome contributions of articles, comments, and notes for publication in Volume 65<em>, <\\/em>the 70<sup>th<\\/sup>-anniversary edition of the <em>Law Review<\\/em>.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\">In this academic year of 2020-2021, the <em>Law Review <\\/em>will release a revised Style Guide and a Digest Guide for its members, contributors, and students of the Faculty of Civil Law. The <em>Law Review<\\/em> is also in the works of preparing a Research Manual for its members.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\">Finally, with this Note, we officially launch the revitalized website of the <em>Law Review<\\/em> with Uniform Resource Locator at <a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/\\\">http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/<\\/a>.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\">The <em>Law Review<\\/em> is a student-run publication dedicated to promoting legal discourse through publishing works of legal scholarship.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\">The <em>Law Review<\\/em> publishes lead articles by law professors, scholars, judges and justices, and practicing lawyers. It also publishes articles, comments, digests, and notes by select students of the UST Faculty of Civil Law.<\\/span><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(2129,999,'_thumbnail_id','993'),(2132,990,'_elementor_controls_usage','a:3:{s:11:\"text-editor\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:1;s:8:\"controls\";a:2:{s:7:\"content\";a:1:{s:14:\"section_editor\";a:1:{s:6:\"editor\";i:1;}}s:5:\"style\";a:1:{s:13:\"section_style\";a:2:{s:21:\"typography_typography\";i:1;s:22:\"typography_line_height\";i:1;}}}}s:6:\"column\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:0;s:8:\"controls\";a:0:{}}s:7:\"section\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:0;s:8:\"controls\";a:0:{}}}'),(2133,1000,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(2134,1000,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(2135,1000,'_elementor_version','3.0.11'),(2136,1000,'_wp_page_template','default'),(2137,1000,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"4c1a90e\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"5bba18cd\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"53ef4f2d\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p>\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 18pt;\\\"><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 18pt;\\\"><strong>Editor\\u2019s Note on the 70<sup>th<\\/sup> Anniversary of the UST Law Review<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\">In 1950, the UST Law Review was founded with Civil Law student Andres Narvasa as its first Editor-in-Chief. Narvasa would later become Dean of the UST Faculty of Civil Law and Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\">Since then, the <em>Law Review <\\/em>has grown as an institution of legal scholarship in the country and as an academic community in the University of Santo Tomas where future lawyers train in legal research and writing. The yearly publication of <em>Law Review<\\/em> demonstrates its student editors\' hard work and the Faculty of Civil Law\\u2019s commitment to shaping legal thought through academic publication.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\">This 2020, we cordially invite all our alumni and friends to join us in celebrating 70 years of legal publication excellence. We welcome contributions of articles, comments, and notes for publication in Volume 65<em>, <\\/em>the 70<sup>th<\\/sup>-anniversary edition of the <em>Law Review<\\/em>.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\">In this academic year of 2020-2021, the <em>Law Review <\\/em>will release a revised Style Guide and a Digest Guide for its members, contributors, and students of the Faculty of Civil Law. The <em>Law Review<\\/em> is also in the works of preparing a Research Manual for its members.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\">Finally, with this Note, we officially launch the revitalized website of the <em>Law Review<\\/em> with Uniform Resource Locator at <a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/\\\">http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/<\\/a>.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\">The <em>Law Review<\\/em> is a student-run publication dedicated to promoting legal discourse through publishing works of legal scholarship.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\">The <em>Law Review<\\/em> publishes lead articles by law professors, scholars, judges and justices, and practicing lawyers. It also publishes articles, comments, digests, and notes by select students of the UST Faculty of Civil Law.<\\/span><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(2138,1000,'_thumbnail_id','993'),(2140,1000,'_elementor_controls_usage','a:3:{s:11:\"text-editor\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:1;s:8:\"controls\";a:2:{s:7:\"content\";a:1:{s:14:\"section_editor\";a:1:{s:6:\"editor\";i:1;}}s:5:\"style\";a:1:{s:13:\"section_style\";a:2:{s:21:\"typography_typography\";i:1;s:22:\"typography_line_height\";i:1;}}}}s:6:\"column\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:0;s:8:\"controls\";a:0:{}}s:7:\"section\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:0;s:8:\"controls\";a:0:{}}}'),(2141,1001,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(2142,1001,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(2143,1001,'_elementor_version','3.0.11'),(2144,1001,'_wp_page_template','default'),(2145,1001,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"4c1a90e\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"5bba18cd\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"53ef4f2d\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p>\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 18pt;\\\"><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 18pt;\\\"><strong>Editor\\u2019s Note on the 70<sup>th<\\/sup> Anniversary of the UST Law Review<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\">In 1950, the UST Law Review was founded with Civil Law student Andres Narvasa as its first Editor-in-Chief. Narvasa would later become Dean of the UST Faculty of Civil Law and Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\">Since then, the <em>Law Review <\\/em>has grown as an institution of legal scholarship in the country and as an academic community in the University of Santo Tomas where future lawyers train in legal research and writing. The yearly publication of <em>Law Review<\\/em> demonstrates its student editors\' hard work and the Faculty of Civil Law\\u2019s commitment to shaping legal thought through academic publication.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\">This 2020, we cordially invite all our alumni and friends to join us in celebrating 70 years of legal publication excellence. We welcome contributions of articles, comments, and notes for publication in Volume 65<em>, <\\/em>the 70<sup>th<\\/sup>-anniversary edition of the <em>Law Review<\\/em>.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\">In this academic year of 2020-2021, the <em>Law Review <\\/em>will release a revised Style Guide and a Digest Guide for its members, contributors, and students of the Faculty of Civil Law. The <em>Law Review<\\/em> is also in the works of preparing a Research Manual for its members.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\">Finally, with this Note, we officially launch the revitalized website of the <em>Law Review<\\/em> with Uniform Resource Locator at <a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/\\\">http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/<\\/a>.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\">The <em>Law Review<\\/em> is a student-run publication dedicated to promoting legal discourse through publishing works of legal scholarship.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\">The <em>Law Review<\\/em> publishes lead articles by law professors, scholars, judges and justices, and practicing lawyers. It also publishes articles, comments, digests, and notes by select students of the UST Faculty of Civil Law.<\\/span><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(2146,1001,'_thumbnail_id','993'),(2148,1001,'_elementor_controls_usage','a:3:{s:11:\"text-editor\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:1;s:8:\"controls\";a:2:{s:7:\"content\";a:1:{s:14:\"section_editor\";a:1:{s:6:\"editor\";i:1;}}s:5:\"style\";a:1:{s:13:\"section_style\";a:2:{s:21:\"typography_typography\";i:1;s:22:\"typography_line_height\";i:1;}}}}s:6:\"column\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:0;s:8:\"controls\";a:0:{}}s:7:\"section\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:0;s:8:\"controls\";a:0:{}}}'),(2149,990,'_yoast_wpseo_title','%%title%% %%page%%'),(2150,990,'ss_ss_click_share_count_facebook','6'),(2151,990,'ss_total_share_count','0'),(2152,1002,'_edit_lock','1605272405:1'),(2153,1003,'_wp_attached_file','2020/11/cover-photo-satire.jpg'),(2154,1003,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:6:{s:5:\"width\";i:979;s:6:\"height\";i:681;s:14:\"hwstring_small\";s:23:\"height=\'89\' width=\'128\'\";s:4:\"file\";s:30:\"2020/11/cover-photo-satire.jpg\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:11:{s:9:\"thumbnail\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:30:\"cover-photo-satire-150x150.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:6:\"medium\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:30:\"cover-photo-satire-300x209.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:300;s:6:\"height\";i:209;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:12:\"medium_large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:30:\"cover-photo-satire-768x534.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:768;s:6:\"height\";i:534;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:24:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:30:\"cover-photo-satire-170x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:25:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:28:\"cover-photo-satire-86x70.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:30:\"cover-photo-satire-158x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:158;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:22:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:30:\"cover-photo-satire-370x250.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:30:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:30:\"cover-photo-satire-359x250.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:359;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:21:\"bfastmag_related_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:30:\"cover-photo-satire-288x160.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:288;s:6:\"height\";i:160;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:18:\"bfastmag_blog_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:30:\"cover-photo-satire-780x544.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:26:\"bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:30:\"cover-photo-satire-780x544.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:0:\"\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:1:\"0\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:1:\"0\";s:3:\"iso\";s:1:\"0\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:1:\"0\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";s:1:\"0\";s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}}'),(2155,1002,'_pingme','1'),(2156,1002,'_encloseme','1'),(2157,1002,'_thumbnail_id','1003'),(2158,1002,'_edit_last','1'),(2159,1002,'_yoast_wpseo_primary_category','10'),(2160,1002,'wptr_hide_title','0'),(2161,1002,'ss_social_share_disable',''),(2162,1002,'_yoast_wpseo_metadesc','Political satire as a form of commentary on governmental affairs is not novel. Its existence throughout political history does not indicate a constant ill-will'),(2163,1002,'_yoast_wpseo_content_score','30'),(2164,1002,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(2165,1002,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(2166,1002,'_elementor_version','3.0.11'),(2167,1002,'_wp_page_template','default'),(2168,1002,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"638adf94\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"551cfa12\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"769ed564\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">By: Gabrielle B.\\u00a0<\\/span><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; letter-spacing: 0.1px;\\\">Allabo<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0 \\u00a0 \\u00a0 On the 15<sup>th<\\/sup> of September 2020, The Municipal Trial Court, Branch 03, Cebu City dismissed the complaint against Cebu artist Bambi Beltran where she was accused of false information after posting a status on her Facebook account stating: \\u201c9,000+ new cases (all from Zapatera) of COVID-19 in Cebu City in one day. We are now the epicenter in the whole solar system.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\">[1]<\\/a> The Municipal Trial Court ruled that the post did not constitute fake news contemplated under the Republic Act No. 11469 or the 2020 Bayanihan Law but was instead considered satirical in nature as seen in the phrase \\u201cepicenter of the whole solar system.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\">[2]<\\/a> The trial court reiterated and emphasized that satirical post is protected speech under the 1987 Constitution.<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\">[3]<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0 \\u00a0 \\u00a0 The case of Beltran is an addition to the numerous instances where the clash between State power and the constitutional right to Freedom of Speech is made manifest. Just recently, Senator Christopher \\u201cBong\\u201d Go requested the National Bureau of Investigation to probe social media posts by a student against him back in July 2020.<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\">[4]<\\/a> In May 2020, Ronnel Mas, a teacher, was arrested and accused of inciting sedition after posting on social media a fifty-million peso reward to anyone willing to kill President Rodrigo Duterte.<a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\">[5]<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0 \\u00a0 \\u00a0 Although the 1987 Constitution and jurisprudence have established the metes and bounds of State Power and people\\u2019s right to Freedom of Expression, it seems like this legal task of defining limitations remain incessant, especially as the State evolves through time. The advancements in technology contributed to the various complexities in communication. Regarding Freedom of Expression, such advancements result to new ways of expressing thought and opinion particularly through new forms of political satires. There is thus a need to re-examine certain legal parameters concerning the relationship between State Power and the Right to Freedom of Expression.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0 \\u00a0 \\u00a0 One of the three inherent powers of the State is Police Power. It is the power to enact legislation regulating the use of liberty and property in order to promote public welfare.<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\">[6]<\\/a> Among the three inherent powers<s>,<\\/s> this power has been considered the most pervasive as it regulates practically everything that concerns the liberty and property of all inhabitants of the State.<a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\">[7]<\\/a> However, it is important to note that this extreme power of subordination from the State is not absolute. It is required that such power be exercised only if the activity or property sought to be regulated concerns the public welfare. \\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0 \\u00a0 \\u00a0 The Right to Freedom of expression is one of the guarantees provided by the 1987 Constitution to the Filipino people. Sec. 4, Art. III of the 1987 Constitution provides that no law shall be enacted abridging the freedom of speech, of expression, or of the press, or the right of the people peaceable to assemble and petition the Government for redress of grievances from laws tending to abridge these rights.<a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\">[8]<\\/a> The scope contemplated under this right reaches far and wide. Still, in a nutshell, this right essentially encourages the concept of marketplace of ideas where free exchange of competitive ideas are allowed in order for \\u201ctruth\\u201d to emerge.<a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\">[9]<\\/a> As stated in Justice Brandeis\\u2019 concurring decision in the United States case of <em>Whitney v. California<\\/em>, this concept allows the remedy of applying more speech and not enforced silence in case this free exchange produces bad ideas or falsehoods.<a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\">[10]<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0 \\u00a0 \\u00a0 One of the forms of protected speech under the abovementioned constitutional guaranty is Political Satire, a concept extensively explained in the case of <em>The Diocese of Bacolod v. COMELEC<\\/em>. According to this case, satire is a literary form of employing devices such as sarcasm, irony, and ridicule to pinpoint prevailing vices in society and is targeted to any group or individual, either from the private or government sphere.<a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\">[11]<\\/a> The Supreme Court emphasized that for a speech to be considered as satirical, the elements of exaggeration, analogy, and other rhetorical devices must be existent.<a href=\\\"#_ftn12\\\">[12]<\\/a> In particular, Canadian literary critic and theorist Northrop Frye claimed that there are two defining features in identifying satire: (1) the wit or humor founded on fantasy or a sense of the grotesque and absurd and (2) an object of attack.<a href=\\\"#_ftn13\\\">[13]<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0 \\u00a0 \\u00a0 The concept of political satire dates back to antiquity in the form of Greek satyr plays, Roman festivals, and formal verse of the Renaissance.<a href=\\\"#_ftn14\\\">[14]<\\/a> In the age of the internet and social media, digital satire through memes, satirical blogs, and satirical websites are the current manifestations of political satire.<a href=\\\"#_ftn15\\\">[15]<\\/a> In a recent study, it was found that digital satire through political memes are an effective source of political criticism as its satirical nature provides an entry point to the complex realm of politics which results to a more democratic, accessible, and inclusive discussion in society.<a href=\\\"#_ftn16\\\">[16]<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0 \\u00a0 \\u00a0 The use of political satire on social media is a familiar tool used in the Philippines to voice out opinions and criticisms towards various subjects including, but not limited to, government affairs. However, there are certain instances where members of the government would respond assertively against such criticisms. In the past, members of the government have threatened, if not initiated, Cyberlibel charges against certain satirical content.<a href=\\\"#_ftn17\\\">[17]<\\/a>In this regard, it is important to revisit what the law entails when it speaks of Cyberlibel.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0 \\u00a0 \\u00a0 The Revised Penal Code contemplates four particular elements for the crime of Libel to arise: (a) the existence of an imputation or allegation of a crime, or vice or defect, whether real or imaginary, or any act or omission, condition, status or circumstance which tend to dishonor or discredit a natural or juridical person; (b) publication of the said defamatory statement or article; (c) identity of the person defamed is established; and (4) the existence of malice.<a href=\\\"#_ftn18\\\">[18]<\\/a> In connection with libelous content online, the Cybercrime Law Act of 2012 provides a straightforward definition of Cyberlibel which is considered as the unlawful or prohibited acts of Libel as defined in Article 355 of the Revised Penal Code committed through a computer system or any other similar means which may be devised in the future.<a href=\\\"#_ftn19\\\">[19]<\\/a>\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0 \\u00a0 \\u00a0 It is important to note that the abovementioned response by the State against satirical content posted online is not absolutely groundless and arbitrary. In <em>Oliver et al. v. La Vanguardia, Inc<\\/em>., the Supreme Court held that the intent of the writer to treat the published content as humorous is of no moment if the language used has passed the bounds of playful jest and intensive criticism into the region of scurrilous calumniation and intemperate personalities.<a href=\\\"#_ftn20\\\">[20]<\\/a> Moreover in <em>US v. Sotto<\\/em>, the Court ruled that determining whether a content is libelous rests on the effect of the publication held upon the minds of the readers.<a href=\\\"#_ftn21\\\">[21]<\\/a> In other words, representatives of the State are not expected to sit and do nothing on statements published to impute and discredit their reputation and honor. In the exercise of their Police Power, the State is by law protected from defamatory imputations. However, it is crucial to remember that this protection under the law is not absolute and is subject to limitations.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0 \\u00a0 \\u00a0 Art 354 of the Revised Penal Code provides two privileged communications exempt from presumption of malice in law: (1) Absolute Privileged Communication and (2) Qualified or Conditional Privileged Communication.<a href=\\\"#_ftn22\\\">[22]<\\/a> The latter exception provides that communications, although containing defamatory imputations, would not be actionable unless made with malice or bad faith.<a href=\\\"#_ftn23\\\">[23]<\\/a> In other words, the defamatory remarks and comments published must pertain to the discharge of official duties and not to the private character of the public officer for said comments not to be considered as libelous.<a href=\\\"#_ftn24\\\">[24]<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0 \\u00a0 \\u00a0 This protection under Article 354 applies to political satire as a form of commentary. As explained by Leslie Kim Treiger in her article, Satire is technically false as it works through distortion.<a href=\\\"#_ftn25\\\">[25]<\\/a> While satire presents itself as a falsehood, it is not meant to be taken in its literal sense but rather understanding the critical message lying underneath it.<a href=\\\"#_ftn26\\\">[26]<\\/a> In connection with Article 354 of the Revised Penal Code, the test of determining whether a satirical content is libelous lies not on its face but the message found underneath its surface.\\u00a0 Thus, Satire is part of privileged communication contemplated under Qualified or Conditional Privileged Communication.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0 \\u00a0 \\u00a0 In the context of balancing State Power and the Right to Freedom of Expression, it is equally important to understand that Libel is not an all-around forcefield for the State to use in thwarting valid criticisms from the public. This is not the intention of the law. The fact that the Revised Penal Code provides protection in the form of Qualified Privileged Communication strengthens the notion that political satire is part of protected speech. On the other hand, it is also apparent from the wording of Article 354 of the Revised Penal Code and jurisprudence that the freedom to use political satire in expressing one\\u2019s opinions and comments is not definite as it may still become a ground for Libel if underneath its humorous fa\\u00e7ade lies an imputation that could not only defame a public officer but also affect the very credibility of the government it represents to the eye of the public.\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0 \\u00a0 \\u00a0 The concept of political satire as a form of commentary on governmental affairs is not novel. Its existence throughout political history does not indicate a constant ill-will on the part of constituents against public servants but instead provides a salient fact: the conduct of public officers concerning the discharge of their duties are matters of public interest. When an individual voluntarily enters into public service, he must assume the inevitable risk of being criticized.<a href=\\\"#_ftn27\\\">[27]<\\/a> It would be futile to argue that satirical content criticizing actions made by the government should be eradicated as there are already existing forms of regulation towards this type of content under the law. To say otherwise would be tantamount to an indirect act causing a chilling effect on freedom of expression. The recent case of Beltran is a reminder of how political satire is viewed as a form of imputation without considering the context and message behind its humorous surface.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0 \\u00a0 \\u00a0 The Bill of Rights of the 1987 Constitution guarantees Filipinos the right to freely express opinion and engage in discussions to encourage a free exchange of competitive ideas. Certainly, political satire is equally protected as it provides an accessible avenue for people to understand the complex realm of politics and governance.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0 \\u00a0 \\u00a0 To reiterate the words of Justice Brandeis\\u2019 concurring Decision in <em>Whitney v. California:<\\/em> \\u201cfreedom to think as you will and to speak as you think are means indispensable to the discovery and spread of political truth\\u201d and that \\u201cif there be time to expose through discussion the falsehood and fallacies, to avert the evil by the process of education, the remedy to be applied is more speech, not enforced silence.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn28\\\">[28]<\\/a>\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">[1]<\\/a> Ryan Macasero, \\u2018Satire is protected speech,\\u2019 says Cebu judge in dismissed case of Bambi Beltran, Rappler (September 24, 2020, 2:53 PM), https:\\/\\/www.rappler.com\\/newsbreak\\/iq\\/highlights-cebu-judge-decision-dismissing-charges-vs-bambi-beltran<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[4]<\\/a> Lian Buan, Bong Go asked NBI to probe social media posts against him, Rappler (July 16, 2020, 11:05 PM), https:\\/\\/www.rappler.com\\/nation\\/bong-go-asked-nbi-probe-social-media-posts-against-him?utm_campaign=Echobox&utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Facebook&fbclid=IwAR1TMB-rc15E5dDCCeevUyhcBAZ5CZ3KsO_gzD0acIgas-SB0jRz7fp0ArE#Echobox=1594950982<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[5]<\\/a> Tetch Torres-Typas, Court releases teacher who offered reward to kill Duterte after posting bail, Inquirer (May 19, 2020, 7:22 PM), https:\\/\\/newsinfo.inquirer.net\\/1277675\\/court-releases-teacher-who-offered-reward-to-kill-duterte-after-posting-bail<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[6]<\\/a> Cruz, Constitutional Law, (2015)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\">[7]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\">[8]<\\/a> Section 4, Art. III of the 1987 Constitution<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\">[9]<\\/a> Blocher, J. (2008). Institutions in the Marketplace of Ideas. Duke Law Journal. Retrieved from https:\\/\\/scholarship.law.duke.edu\\/cgi\\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1346&context=dlj<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\">[10]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\">[11]<\\/a> The Diocese of Bacolod v. Commission on Elections, G.R. No. 205728, 21 January 2015<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref12\\\">[12]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref13\\\">[13]<\\/a> <em>Id<\\/em>.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref14\\\">[14]<\\/a> Plevriti, V. (2014). Satirical User-Generated Memes as an Effective Source of Political Criticism, Extending Debate and Enhancing Civic Engagement. <em>The University of Warwick<\\/em>. Retrieved from https:\\/\\/warwick.ac.uk\\/fac\\/arts\\/scapvc\\/ccmps\\/research\\/publications\\/madiss\\/ccps_13-14_vasiliki_plevriti.pdf<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref15\\\">[15]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref16\\\">[16]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref17\\\">[17]<\\/a> Cabico, G., \\u2018Malicious use of my image\\u2019: Panelo cries foul over a meme, Philippine Star (May 10, 2019, 10:23 PM),https:\\/\\/www.philstar.com\\/headlines\\/2019\\/05\\/10\\/1916692\\/malicious-use-my-image-panelo-cries-foul-over-meme; Cf n.a., MMDA spokesperson not letting Facebook joke page pass, files Cyberlibel suit, Philippine Star (October 9, 2019, 3:14 PM), https:\\/\\/www.philstar.com\\/headlines\\/2019\\/10\\/09\\/1958793\\/mmda-spokesperson-not-letting-facebook-joke-page-pass-files-cyberlibel-suit; See also CDe Jesus, J., \\u2018Spreading foul election memes could lead to online libel raps\\u2019, Inquirer (January 08, 2016, 2:41 PM), https:\\/\\/technology.inquirer.net\\/46159\\/spreading-foul-election-memes-lead-online-libel-raps<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref18\\\">[18]<\\/a> Art. 353, Book II of the Revised Penal Code<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref19\\\">[19]<\\/a> Sec. 4 (c) (4), Chapter II of The Cybercrime Law Act of 2012.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref20\\\">[20]<\\/a> Oliver v. La Vanguardia, Inc., G.R. No. L-23063, 10 December 1925<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref21\\\">[21]<\\/a> US v. Sotto, 36 Phil 666<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref22\\\">[22]<\\/a> Reyes, The Revised Penal Code Book II, (2012).<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref23\\\">[23]<\\/a> Ornafel v. People, L-26877, 26 December 1969<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref24\\\">[24]<\\/a> People v. Del Fierro and Padilla, G.R. No. 3599-R, 27 July 1950<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref25\\\">[25]<\\/a> Treiger, L.K. (1989) Protecting Satire Against Libel Claims: A New Reading of the First Amendment\\u2019s Opinion Privilege. The Yale Law Journal. Retrieved from https:\\/\\/digitalcommons.law.yale.edu\\/ylj\\/vol98\\/iss6\\/7\\/<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref26\\\">[26]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref27\\\">[27]<\\/a> Gertz. V. Robert Welch, Inc. 418 US 323 (1974)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref28\\\">[28]<\\/a> Whitney v. California, 274 US 357 (1927)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><strong>Cover Photo:<\\/strong> The front page of the Lipang Kalabaw courtesy of <a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/unanglabas.blogspot.com\\/2012\\/07\\/lipang-kalabaw.html\\\">Unang Labas<\\/a>.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><em>Background on Cover Photo:<\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\">Lipang Kalabaw \\\"alleged\\\" is the first and only Philippine satirical journal in history. The first issue is entitled \\u201cProgresista Voters,\\u201d which depict how the Progresista Party (formerly Federalista Party that advocated for Philippine statehood under the U.S.) changed stance when rural voters (seen in the back row) tipped the vote for the party to support eventual Philippine independence.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"> Source: <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/the-martial-law-thingy.tumblr.com\\/post\\/159521080269\\/ang-pikon-talo-satire-as-impulse-to-freedom\\/amp\\\">Indohistorian.<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_font_family\":\"Georgia\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(2169,1005,'_thumbnail_id','1003'),(2170,1005,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(2171,1005,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(2172,1005,'_elementor_version','3.0.11'),(2173,1005,'_wp_page_template','default'),(2174,1005,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"638adf94\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"551cfa12\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"769ed564\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>By: Allabo, Gabrielle B.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>On the 15<sup>th<\\/sup> of September 2020, The Municipal Trial Court, Branch 03, Cebu City dismissed the complaint against Cebu artist Bambi Beltran where she was accused of false information after posting a status on her Facebook account stating: \\u201c9,000+ new cases (all from Zapatera) of COVID-19 in Cebu City in one day. We are now the epicenter in the whole solar system.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\">[1]<\\/a> The Municipal Trial Court ruled that the post did not constitute fake news contemplated under the Republic Act No. 11469 or the 2020 Bayanihan Law but was instead considered satirical in nature as seen in the phrase \\u201cepicenter of the whole solar system.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\">[2]<\\/a> The trial court reiterated and emphasized that satirical post is protected speech under the 1987 Constitution.<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\">[3]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>The case of Beltran is an addition to the numerous instances where the clash between State power and the constitutional right to Freedom of Speech is made manifest. Just recently, Senator Christopher \\u201cBong\\u201d Go requested the National Bureau of Investigation to probe social media posts by a student against him back in July 2020.<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\">[4]<\\/a> In May 2020, Ronnel Mas, a teacher, was arrested and accused of inciting sedition after posting on social media a fifty-million peso reward to anyone willing to kill President Rodrigo Duterte.<a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\">[5]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Although the 1987 Constitution and jurisprudence have established the metes and bounds of State Power and people\\u2019s right to Freedom of Expression, it seems like this legal task of defining limitations remain incessant, especially as the State evolves through time. The advancements in technology contributed to the various complexities in communication. Regarding Freedom of Expression, such advancements result to new ways of expressing thought and opinion particularly through new forms of political satires. There is thus a need to re-examine certain legal parameters concerning the relationship between State Power and the Right to Freedom of Expression.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>One of the three inherent powers of the State is Police Power. It is the power to enact legislation regulating the use of liberty and property in order to promote public welfare.<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\">[6]<\\/a> Among the three inherent powers<s>,<\\/s> this power has been considered the most pervasive as it regulates practically everything that concerns the liberty and property of all inhabitants of the State.<a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\">[7]<\\/a> However, it is important to note that this extreme power of subordination from the State is not absolute. It is required that such power be exercised only if the activity or property sought to be regulated concerns the public welfare. \\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>The Right to Freedom of expression is one of the guarantees provided by the 1987 Constitution to the Filipino people. Sec. 4, Art. III of the 1987 Constitution provides that no law shall be enacted abridging the freedom of speech, of expression, or of the press, or the right of the people peaceable to assemble and petition the Government for redress of grievances from laws tending to abridge these rights.<a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\">[8]<\\/a> The scope contemplated under this right reaches far and wide. Still, in a nutshell, this right essentially encourages the concept of marketplace of ideas where free exchange of competitive ideas are allowed in order for \\u201ctruth\\u201d to emerge.<a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\">[9]<\\/a> As stated in Justice Brandeis\\u2019 concurring decision in the United States case of <em>Whitney v. California<\\/em>, this concept allows the remedy of applying more speech and not enforced silence in case this free exchange produces bad ideas or falsehoods.<a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\">[10]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 One of the forms of protected speech under the abovementioned constitutional guaranty is Political Satire, a concept extensively explained in the case of <em>The Diocese of Bacolod v. COMELEC<\\/em>. According to this case, satire is a literary form of employing devices such as sarcasm, irony, and ridicule to pinpoint prevailing vices in society and is targeted to any group or individual, either from the private or government sphere.<a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\">[11]<\\/a> The Supreme Court emphasized that for a speech to be considered as satirical, the elements of exaggeration, analogy, and other rhetorical devices must be existent.<a href=\\\"#_ftn12\\\">[12]<\\/a> In particular, Canadian literary critic and theorist Northrop Frye claimed that there are two defining features in identifying satire: (1) the wit or humor founded on fantasy or a sense of the grotesque and absurd and (2) an object of attack.<a href=\\\"#_ftn13\\\">[13]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>The concept of political satire dates back to antiquity in the form of Greek satyr plays, Roman festivals, and formal verse of the Renaissance.<a href=\\\"#_ftn14\\\">[14]<\\/a> In the age of the internet and social media, digital satire through memes, satirical blogs, and satirical websites are the current manifestations of political satire.<a href=\\\"#_ftn15\\\">[15]<\\/a> In a recent study, it was found that digital satire through political memes are an effective source of political criticism as its satirical nature provides an entry point to the complex realm of politics which results to a more democratic, accessible, and inclusive discussion in society.<a href=\\\"#_ftn16\\\">[16]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The use of political satire on social media is a familiar tool used in the Philippines to voice out opinions and criticisms towards various subjects including, but not limited to, government affairs. However, there are certain instances where members of the government would respond assertively against such criticisms. In the past, members of the government have threatened, if not initiated, Cyberlibel charges against certain satirical content.<a href=\\\"#_ftn17\\\">[17]<\\/a>In this regard, it is important to revisit what the law entails when it speaks of Cyberlibel.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Revised Penal Code contemplates four particular elements for the crime of Libel to arise: (a) the existence of an imputation or allegation of a crime, or vice or defect, whether real or imaginary, or any act or omission, condition, status or circumstance which tend to dishonor or discredit a natural or juridical person; (b) publication of the said defamatory statement or article; (c) identity of the person defamed is established; and (4) the existence of malice.<a href=\\\"#_ftn18\\\">[18]<\\/a> In connection with libelous content online, the Cybercrime Law Act of 2012 provides a straightforward definition of Cyberlibel which is considered as the unlawful or prohibited acts of Libel as defined in Article 355 of the Revised Penal Code committed through a computer system or any other similar means which may be devised in the future.<a href=\\\"#_ftn19\\\">[19]<\\/a>\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 It is important to note that the abovementioned response by the State against satirical content posted online is not absolutely groundless and arbitrary. In <em>Oliver et al. v. La Vanguardia, Inc<\\/em>., the Supreme Court held that the intent of the writer to treat the published content as humorous is of no moment if the language used has passed the bounds of playful jest and intensive criticism into the region of scurrilous calumniation and intemperate personalities.<a href=\\\"#_ftn20\\\">[20]<\\/a> Moreover in <em>US v. Sotto<\\/em>, the Court ruled that determining whether a content is libelous rests on the effect of the publication held upon the minds of the readers.<a href=\\\"#_ftn21\\\">[21]<\\/a> In other words, representatives of the State are not expected to sit and do nothing on statements published to impute and discredit their reputation and honor. In the exercise of their Police Power, the State is by law protected from defamatory imputations. However, it is crucial to remember that this protection under the law is not absolute and is subject to limitations.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Art 354 of the Revised Penal Code provides two privileged communications exempt from presumption of malice in law: (1) Absolute Privileged Communication and (2) Qualified or Conditional Privileged Communication.<a href=\\\"#_ftn22\\\">[22]<\\/a> The latter exception provides that communications, although containing defamatory imputations, would not be actionable unless made with malice or bad faith.<a href=\\\"#_ftn23\\\">[23]<\\/a> In other words, the defamatory remarks and comments published must pertain to the discharge of official duties and not to the private character of the public officer for said comments not to be considered as libelous.<a href=\\\"#_ftn24\\\">[24]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>This protection under Article 354 applies to political satire as a form of commentary. As explained by Leslie Kim Treiger in her article, Satire is technically false as it works through distortion.<a href=\\\"#_ftn25\\\">[25]<\\/a> While satire presents itself as a falsehood, it is not meant to be taken in its literal sense but rather understanding the critical message lying underneath it.<a href=\\\"#_ftn26\\\">[26]<\\/a> In connection with Article 354 of the Revised Penal Code, the test of determining whether a satirical content is libelous lies not on its face but the message found underneath its surface.\\u00a0 Thus, Satire is part of privileged communication contemplated under Qualified or Conditional Privileged Communication.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>In the context of balancing State Power and the Right to Freedom of Expression, it is equally important to understand that Libel is not an all-around forcefield for the State to use in thwarting valid criticisms from the public. This is not the intention of the law. The fact that the Revised Penal Code provides protection in the form of Qualified Privileged Communication strengthens the notion that political satire is part of protected speech. On the other hand, it is also apparent from the wording of Article 354 of the Revised Penal Code and jurisprudence that the freedom to use political satire in expressing one\\u2019s opinions and comments is not definite as it may still become a ground for Libel if underneath its humorous fa\\u00e7ade lies an imputation that could not only defame a public officer but also affect the very credibility of the government it represents to the eye of the public.\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The concept of political satire as a form of commentary on governmental affairs is not novel. Its existence throughout political history does not indicate a constant ill-will on the part of constituents against public servants but instead provides a salient fact: the conduct of public officers concerning the discharge of their duties are matters of public interest. When an individual voluntarily enters into public service, he must assume the inevitable risk of being criticized.<a href=\\\"#_ftn27\\\">[27]<\\/a> It would be futile to argue that satirical content criticizing actions made by the government should be eradicated as there are already existing forms of regulation towards this type of content under the law. To say otherwise would be tantamount to an indirect act causing a chilling effect on freedom of expression. The recent case of Beltran is a reminder of how political satire is viewed as a form of imputation without considering the context and message behind its humorous surface.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>The Bill of Rights of the 1987 Constitution guarantees Filipinos the right to freely express opinion and engage in discussions to encourage a free exchange of competitive ideas. Certainly, political satire is equally protected as it provides an accessible avenue for people to understand the complex realm of politics and governance.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>To reiterate the words of Justice Brandeis\\u2019 concurring Decision in <em>Whitney v. California:<\\/em> \\u201cfreedom to think as you will and to speak as you think are means indispensable to the discovery and spread of political truth\\u201d and that \\u201cif there be time to expose through discussion the falsehood and fallacies, to avert the evil by the process of education, the remedy to be applied is more speech, not enforced silence.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn28\\\">[28]<\\/a>\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">[1]<\\/a> Ryan Macasero, \\u2018Satire is protected speech,\\u2019 says Cebu judge in dismissed case of Bambi Beltran, Rappler (September 24, 2020, 2:53 PM), https:\\/\\/www.rappler.com\\/newsbreak\\/iq\\/highlights-cebu-judge-decision-dismissing-charges-vs-bambi-beltran<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[4]<\\/a> Lian Buan, Bong Go asked NBI to probe social media posts against him, Rappler (July 16, 2020, 11:05 PM), https:\\/\\/www.rappler.com\\/nation\\/bong-go-asked-nbi-probe-social-media-posts-against-him?utm_campaign=Echobox&utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Facebook&fbclid=IwAR1TMB-rc15E5dDCCeevUyhcBAZ5CZ3KsO_gzD0acIgas-SB0jRz7fp0ArE#Echobox=1594950982<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[5]<\\/a> Tetch Torres-Typas, Court releases teacher who offered reward to kill Duterte after posting bail, Inquirer (May 19, 2020, 7:22 PM), https:\\/\\/newsinfo.inquirer.net\\/1277675\\/court-releases-teacher-who-offered-reward-to-kill-duterte-after-posting-bail<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[6]<\\/a> Cruz, Constitutional Law, (2015)<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\">[7]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\">[8]<\\/a> Section 4, Art. III of the 1987 Constitution<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\">[9]<\\/a> Blocher, J. (2008). Institutions in the Marketplace of Ideas. Duke Law Journal. Retrieved from https:\\/\\/scholarship.law.duke.edu\\/cgi\\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1346&context=dlj<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\">[10]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\">[11]<\\/a> The Diocese of Bacolod v. Commission on Elections, G.R. No. 205728, 21 January 2015<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref12\\\">[12]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref13\\\">[13]<\\/a> <em>Id<\\/em>.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref14\\\">[14]<\\/a> Plevriti, V. (2014). Satirical User-Generated Memes as an Effective Source of Political Criticism, Extending Debate and Enhancing Civic Engagement. <em>The University of Warwick<\\/em>. Retrieved from https:\\/\\/warwick.ac.uk\\/fac\\/arts\\/scapvc\\/ccmps\\/research\\/publications\\/madiss\\/ccps_13-14_vasiliki_plevriti.pdf<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref15\\\">[15]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref16\\\">[16]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref17\\\">[17]<\\/a> Cabico, G., \\u2018Malicious use of my image\\u2019: Panelo cries foul over a meme, Philippine Star (May 10, 2019, 10:23 PM),https:\\/\\/www.philstar.com\\/headlines\\/2019\\/05\\/10\\/1916692\\/malicious-use-my-image-panelo-cries-foul-over-meme; Cf n.a., MMDA spokesperson not letting Facebook joke page pass, files Cyberlibel suit, Philippine Star (October 9, 2019, 3:14 PM), https:\\/\\/www.philstar.com\\/headlines\\/2019\\/10\\/09\\/1958793\\/mmda-spokesperson-not-letting-facebook-joke-page-pass-files-cyberlibel-suit; See also CDe Jesus, J., \\u2018Spreading foul election memes could lead to online libel raps\\u2019, Inquirer (January 08, 2016, 2:41 PM), https:\\/\\/technology.inquirer.net\\/46159\\/spreading-foul-election-memes-lead-online-libel-raps<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref18\\\">[18]<\\/a> Art. 353, Book II of the Revised Penal Code<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref19\\\">[19]<\\/a> Sec. 4 (c) (4), Chapter II of The Cybercrime Law Act of 2012.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref20\\\">[20]<\\/a> Oliver v. La Vanguardia, Inc., G.R. No. L-23063, 10 December 1925<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref21\\\">[21]<\\/a> US v. Sotto, 36 Phil 666<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref22\\\">[22]<\\/a> Reyes, The Revised Penal Code Book II, (2012).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref23\\\">[23]<\\/a> Ornafel v. People, L-26877, 26 December 1969<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref24\\\">[24]<\\/a> People v. Del Fierro and Padilla, G.R. No. 3599-R, 27 July 1950<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref25\\\">[25]<\\/a> Treiger, L.K. (1989) Protecting Satire Against Libel Claims: A New Reading of the First Amendment\\u2019s Opinion Privilege. The Yale Law Journal. Retrieved from https:\\/\\/digitalcommons.law.yale.edu\\/ylj\\/vol98\\/iss6\\/7\\/<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref26\\\">[26]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref27\\\">[27]<\\/a> Gertz. V. Robert Welch, Inc. 418 US 323 (1974)<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref28\\\">[28]<\\/a> Whitney v. California, 274 US 357 (1927)<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><strong>Cover Photo:<\\/strong> The front page of the Lipang Kalabaw courtesy of <a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/unanglabas.blogspot.com\\/2012\\/07\\/lipang-kalabaw.html\\\">Unang Labas<\\/a>.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><em>Background on Cover Photo:<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Lipang Kalabaw \\\"alleged\\\" is the first and only Philippine satirical journal in history. The first issue is entitled \\u201cProgresista Voters,\\u201d which depict how the Progresista Party (formerly Federalista Party that advocated for Philippine statehood under the U.S.) changed stance when rural voters (seen in the back row) tipped the vote for the party to support eventual Philippine independence. Source: <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/the-martial-law-thingy.tumblr.com\\/post\\/159521080269\\/ang-pikon-talo-satire-as-impulse-to-freedom\\/amp\\\">Indohistorian.<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_font_family\":\"Georgia\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(2178,1006,'_thumbnail_id','1003'),(2179,1006,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(2180,1006,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(2181,1006,'_elementor_version','3.0.11'),(2182,1006,'_wp_page_template','default'),(2183,1006,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"638adf94\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"551cfa12\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"769ed564\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">By: Allabo, Gabrielle B.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">On the 15<sup>th<\\/sup> of September 2020, The Municipal Trial Court, Branch 03, Cebu City dismissed the complaint against Cebu artist Bambi Beltran where she was accused of false information after posting a status on her Facebook account stating: \\u201c9,000+ new cases (all from Zapatera) of COVID-19 in Cebu City in one day. We are now the epicenter in the whole solar system.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\">[1]<\\/a> The Municipal Trial Court ruled that the post did not constitute fake news contemplated under the Republic Act No. 11469 or the 2020 Bayanihan Law but was instead considered satirical in nature as seen in the phrase \\u201cepicenter of the whole solar system.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\">[2]<\\/a> The trial court reiterated and emphasized that satirical post is protected speech under the 1987 Constitution.<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\">[3]<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">The case of Beltran is an addition to the numerous instances where the clash between State power and the constitutional right to Freedom of Speech is made manifest. Just recently, Senator Christopher \\u201cBong\\u201d Go requested the National Bureau of Investigation to probe social media posts by a student against him back in July 2020.<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\">[4]<\\/a> In May 2020, Ronnel Mas, a teacher, was arrested and accused of inciting sedition after posting on social media a fifty-million peso reward to anyone willing to kill President Rodrigo Duterte.<a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\">[5]<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">Although the 1987 Constitution and jurisprudence have established the metes and bounds of State Power and people\\u2019s right to Freedom of Expression, it seems like this legal task of defining limitations remain incessant, especially as the State evolves through time. The advancements in technology contributed to the various complexities in communication. Regarding Freedom of Expression, such advancements result to new ways of expressing thought and opinion particularly through new forms of political satires. There is thus a need to re-examine certain legal parameters concerning the relationship between State Power and the Right to Freedom of Expression.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">One of the three inherent powers of the State is Police Power. It is the power to enact legislation regulating the use of liberty and property in order to promote public welfare.<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\">[6]<\\/a> Among the three inherent powers<s>,<\\/s> this power has been considered the most pervasive as it regulates practically everything that concerns the liberty and property of all inhabitants of the State.<a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\">[7]<\\/a> However, it is important to note that this extreme power of subordination from the State is not absolute. It is required that such power be exercised only if the activity or property sought to be regulated concerns the public welfare. \\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">The Right to Freedom of expression is one of the guarantees provided by the 1987 Constitution to the Filipino people. Sec. 4, Art. III of the 1987 Constitution provides that no law shall be enacted abridging the freedom of speech, of expression, or of the press, or the right of the people peaceable to assemble and petition the Government for redress of grievances from laws tending to abridge these rights.<a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\">[8]<\\/a> The scope contemplated under this right reaches far and wide. Still, in a nutshell, this right essentially encourages the concept of marketplace of ideas where free exchange of competitive ideas are allowed in order for \\u201ctruth\\u201d to emerge.<a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\">[9]<\\/a> As stated in Justice Brandeis\\u2019 concurring decision in the United States case of <em>Whitney v. California<\\/em>, this concept allows the remedy of applying more speech and not enforced silence in case this free exchange produces bad ideas or falsehoods.<a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\">[10]<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 One of the forms of protected speech under the abovementioned constitutional guaranty is Political Satire, a concept extensively explained in the case of <em>The Diocese of Bacolod v. COMELEC<\\/em>. According to this case, satire is a literary form of employing devices such as sarcasm, irony, and ridicule to pinpoint prevailing vices in society and is targeted to any group or individual, either from the private or government sphere.<a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\">[11]<\\/a> The Supreme Court emphasized that for a speech to be considered as satirical, the elements of exaggeration, analogy, and other rhetorical devices must be existent.<a href=\\\"#_ftn12\\\">[12]<\\/a> In particular, Canadian literary critic and theorist Northrop Frye claimed that there are two defining features in identifying satire: (1) the wit or humor founded on fantasy or a sense of the grotesque and absurd and (2) an object of attack.<a href=\\\"#_ftn13\\\">[13]<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">The concept of political satire dates back to antiquity in the form of Greek satyr plays, Roman festivals, and formal verse of the Renaissance.<a href=\\\"#_ftn14\\\">[14]<\\/a> In the age of the internet and social media, digital satire through memes, satirical blogs, and satirical websites are the current manifestations of political satire.<a href=\\\"#_ftn15\\\">[15]<\\/a> In a recent study, it was found that digital satire through political memes are an effective source of political criticism as its satirical nature provides an entry point to the complex realm of politics which results to a more democratic, accessible, and inclusive discussion in society.<a href=\\\"#_ftn16\\\">[16]<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The use of political satire on social media is a familiar tool used in the Philippines to voice out opinions and criticisms towards various subjects including, but not limited to, government affairs. However, there are certain instances where members of the government would respond assertively against such criticisms. In the past, members of the government have threatened, if not initiated, Cyberlibel charges against certain satirical content.<a href=\\\"#_ftn17\\\">[17]<\\/a>In this regard, it is important to revisit what the law entails when it speaks of Cyberlibel.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Revised Penal Code contemplates four particular elements for the crime of Libel to arise: (a) the existence of an imputation or allegation of a crime, or vice or defect, whether real or imaginary, or any act or omission, condition, status or circumstance which tend to dishonor or discredit a natural or juridical person; (b) publication of the said defamatory statement or article; (c) identity of the person defamed is established; and (4) the existence of malice.<a href=\\\"#_ftn18\\\">[18]<\\/a> In connection with libelous content online, the Cybercrime Law Act of 2012 provides a straightforward definition of Cyberlibel which is considered as the unlawful or prohibited acts of Libel as defined in Article 355 of the Revised Penal Code committed through a computer system or any other similar means which may be devised in the future.<a href=\\\"#_ftn19\\\">[19]<\\/a>\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 It is important to note that the abovementioned response by the State against satirical content posted online is not absolutely groundless and arbitrary. In <em>Oliver et al. v. La Vanguardia, Inc<\\/em>., the Supreme Court held that the intent of the writer to treat the published content as humorous is of no moment if the language used has passed the bounds of playful jest and intensive criticism into the region of scurrilous calumniation and intemperate personalities.<a href=\\\"#_ftn20\\\">[20]<\\/a> Moreover in <em>US v. Sotto<\\/em>, the Court ruled that determining whether a content is libelous rests on the effect of the publication held upon the minds of the readers.<a href=\\\"#_ftn21\\\">[21]<\\/a> In other words, representatives of the State are not expected to sit and do nothing on statements published to impute and discredit their reputation and honor. In the exercise of their Police Power, the State is by law protected from defamatory imputations. However, it is crucial to remember that this protection under the law is not absolute and is subject to limitations.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Art 354 of the Revised Penal Code provides two privileged communications exempt from presumption of malice in law: (1) Absolute Privileged Communication and (2) Qualified or Conditional Privileged Communication.<a href=\\\"#_ftn22\\\">[22]<\\/a> The latter exception provides that communications, although containing defamatory imputations, would not be actionable unless made with malice or bad faith.<a href=\\\"#_ftn23\\\">[23]<\\/a> In other words, the defamatory remarks and comments published must pertain to the discharge of official duties and not to the private character of the public officer for said comments not to be considered as libelous.<a href=\\\"#_ftn24\\\">[24]<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">This protection under Article 354 applies to political satire as a form of commentary. As explained by Leslie Kim Treiger in her article, Satire is technically false as it works through distortion.<a href=\\\"#_ftn25\\\">[25]<\\/a> While satire presents itself as a falsehood, it is not meant to be taken in its literal sense but rather understanding the critical message lying underneath it.<a href=\\\"#_ftn26\\\">[26]<\\/a> In connection with Article 354 of the Revised Penal Code, the test of determining whether a satirical content is libelous lies not on its face but the message found underneath its surface.\\u00a0 Thus, Satire is part of privileged communication contemplated under Qualified or Conditional Privileged Communication.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">In the context of balancing State Power and the Right to Freedom of Expression, it is equally important to understand that Libel is not an all-around forcefield for the State to use in thwarting valid criticisms from the public. This is not the intention of the law. The fact that the Revised Penal Code provides protection in the form of Qualified Privileged Communication strengthens the notion that political satire is part of protected speech. On the other hand, it is also apparent from the wording of Article 354 of the Revised Penal Code and jurisprudence that the freedom to use political satire in expressing one\\u2019s opinions and comments is not definite as it may still become a ground for Libel if underneath its humorous fa\\u00e7ade lies an imputation that could not only defame a public officer but also affect the very credibility of the government it represents to the eye of the public.\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The concept of political satire as a form of commentary on governmental affairs is not novel. Its existence throughout political history does not indicate a constant ill-will on the part of constituents against public servants but instead provides a salient fact: the conduct of public officers concerning the discharge of their duties are matters of public interest. When an individual voluntarily enters into public service, he must assume the inevitable risk of being criticized.<a href=\\\"#_ftn27\\\">[27]<\\/a> It would be futile to argue that satirical content criticizing actions made by the government should be eradicated as there are already existing forms of regulation towards this type of content under the law. To say otherwise would be tantamount to an indirect act causing a chilling effect on freedom of expression. The recent case of Beltran is a reminder of how political satire is viewed as a form of imputation without considering the context and message behind its humorous surface.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">The Bill of Rights of the 1987 Constitution guarantees Filipinos the right to freely express opinion and engage in discussions to encourage a free exchange of competitive ideas. Certainly, political satire is equally protected as it provides an accessible avenue for people to understand the complex realm of politics and governance.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">To reiterate the words of Justice Brandeis\\u2019 concurring Decision in <em>Whitney v. California:<\\/em> \\u201cfreedom to think as you will and to speak as you think are means indispensable to the discovery and spread of political truth\\u201d and that \\u201cif there be time to expose through discussion the falsehood and fallacies, to avert the evil by the process of education, the remedy to be applied is more speech, not enforced silence.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn28\\\">[28]<\\/a>\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">[1]<\\/a> Ryan Macasero, \\u2018Satire is protected speech,\\u2019 says Cebu judge in dismissed case of Bambi Beltran, Rappler (September 24, 2020, 2:53 PM), https:\\/\\/www.rappler.com\\/newsbreak\\/iq\\/highlights-cebu-judge-decision-dismissing-charges-vs-bambi-beltran<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[4]<\\/a> Lian Buan, Bong Go asked NBI to probe social media posts against him, Rappler (July 16, 2020, 11:05 PM), https:\\/\\/www.rappler.com\\/nation\\/bong-go-asked-nbi-probe-social-media-posts-against-him?utm_campaign=Echobox&utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Facebook&fbclid=IwAR1TMB-rc15E5dDCCeevUyhcBAZ5CZ3KsO_gzD0acIgas-SB0jRz7fp0ArE#Echobox=1594950982<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[5]<\\/a> Tetch Torres-Typas, Court releases teacher who offered reward to kill Duterte after posting bail, Inquirer (May 19, 2020, 7:22 PM), https:\\/\\/newsinfo.inquirer.net\\/1277675\\/court-releases-teacher-who-offered-reward-to-kill-duterte-after-posting-bail<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[6]<\\/a> Cruz, Constitutional Law, (2015)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\">[7]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\">[8]<\\/a> Section 4, Art. III of the 1987 Constitution<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\">[9]<\\/a> Blocher, J. (2008). Institutions in the Marketplace of Ideas. Duke Law Journal. Retrieved from https:\\/\\/scholarship.law.duke.edu\\/cgi\\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1346&context=dlj<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\">[10]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\">[11]<\\/a> The Diocese of Bacolod v. Commission on Elections, G.R. No. 205728, 21 January 2015<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref12\\\">[12]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref13\\\">[13]<\\/a> <em>Id<\\/em>.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref14\\\">[14]<\\/a> Plevriti, V. (2014). Satirical User-Generated Memes as an Effective Source of Political Criticism, Extending Debate and Enhancing Civic Engagement. <em>The University of Warwick<\\/em>. Retrieved from https:\\/\\/warwick.ac.uk\\/fac\\/arts\\/scapvc\\/ccmps\\/research\\/publications\\/madiss\\/ccps_13-14_vasiliki_plevriti.pdf<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref15\\\">[15]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref16\\\">[16]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref17\\\">[17]<\\/a> Cabico, G., \\u2018Malicious use of my image\\u2019: Panelo cries foul over a meme, Philippine Star (May 10, 2019, 10:23 PM),https:\\/\\/www.philstar.com\\/headlines\\/2019\\/05\\/10\\/1916692\\/malicious-use-my-image-panelo-cries-foul-over-meme; Cf n.a., MMDA spokesperson not letting Facebook joke page pass, files Cyberlibel suit, Philippine Star (October 9, 2019, 3:14 PM), https:\\/\\/www.philstar.com\\/headlines\\/2019\\/10\\/09\\/1958793\\/mmda-spokesperson-not-letting-facebook-joke-page-pass-files-cyberlibel-suit; See also CDe Jesus, J., \\u2018Spreading foul election memes could lead to online libel raps\\u2019, Inquirer (January 08, 2016, 2:41 PM), https:\\/\\/technology.inquirer.net\\/46159\\/spreading-foul-election-memes-lead-online-libel-raps<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref18\\\">[18]<\\/a> Art. 353, Book II of the Revised Penal Code<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref19\\\">[19]<\\/a> Sec. 4 (c) (4), Chapter II of The Cybercrime Law Act of 2012.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref20\\\">[20]<\\/a> Oliver v. La Vanguardia, Inc., G.R. No. L-23063, 10 December 1925<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref21\\\">[21]<\\/a> US v. Sotto, 36 Phil 666<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref22\\\">[22]<\\/a> Reyes, The Revised Penal Code Book II, (2012).<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref23\\\">[23]<\\/a> Ornafel v. People, L-26877, 26 December 1969<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref24\\\">[24]<\\/a> People v. Del Fierro and Padilla, G.R. No. 3599-R, 27 July 1950<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref25\\\">[25]<\\/a> Treiger, L.K. (1989) Protecting Satire Against Libel Claims: A New Reading of the First Amendment\\u2019s Opinion Privilege. The Yale Law Journal. Retrieved from https:\\/\\/digitalcommons.law.yale.edu\\/ylj\\/vol98\\/iss6\\/7\\/<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref26\\\">[26]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref27\\\">[27]<\\/a> Gertz. V. Robert Welch, Inc. 418 US 323 (1974)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref28\\\">[28]<\\/a> Whitney v. California, 274 US 357 (1927)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><strong>Cover Photo:<\\/strong> The front page of the Lipang Kalabaw courtesy of <a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/unanglabas.blogspot.com\\/2012\\/07\\/lipang-kalabaw.html\\\">Unang Labas<\\/a>.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><em>Background on Cover Photo:<\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">Lipang Kalabaw \\\"alleged\\\" is the first and only Philippine satirical journal in history. The first issue is entitled \\u201cProgresista Voters,\\u201d which depict how the Progresista Party (formerly Federalista Party that advocated for Philippine statehood under the U.S.) changed stance when rural voters (seen in the back row) tipped the vote for the party to support eventual Philippine independence. Source: <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/the-martial-law-thingy.tumblr.com\\/post\\/159521080269\\/ang-pikon-talo-satire-as-impulse-to-freedom\\/amp\\\">Indohistorian.<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_font_family\":\"Georgia\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(2189,1007,'_thumbnail_id','1003'),(2190,1007,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(2191,1007,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(2192,1007,'_elementor_version','3.0.11'),(2193,1007,'_wp_page_template','default'),(2194,1007,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"638adf94\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"551cfa12\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"769ed564\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">By: Allabo, Gabrielle B.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">On the 15<sup>th<\\/sup> of September 2020, The Municipal Trial Court, Branch 03, Cebu City dismissed the complaint against Cebu artist Bambi Beltran where she was accused of false information after posting a status on her Facebook account stating: \\u201c9,000+ new cases (all from Zapatera) of COVID-19 in Cebu City in one day. We are now the epicenter in the whole solar system.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\">[1]<\\/a> The Municipal Trial Court ruled that the post did not constitute fake news contemplated under the Republic Act No. 11469 or the 2020 Bayanihan Law but was instead considered satirical in nature as seen in the phrase \\u201cepicenter of the whole solar system.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\">[2]<\\/a> The trial court reiterated and emphasized that satirical post is protected speech under the 1987 Constitution.<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\">[3]<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">The case of Beltran is an addition to the numerous instances where the clash between State power and the constitutional right to Freedom of Speech is made manifest. Just recently, Senator Christopher \\u201cBong\\u201d Go requested the National Bureau of Investigation to probe social media posts by a student against him back in July 2020.<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\">[4]<\\/a> In May 2020, Ronnel Mas, a teacher, was arrested and accused of inciting sedition after posting on social media a fifty-million peso reward to anyone willing to kill President Rodrigo Duterte.<a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\">[5]<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">Although the 1987 Constitution and jurisprudence have established the metes and bounds of State Power and people\\u2019s right to Freedom of Expression, it seems like this legal task of defining limitations remain incessant, especially as the State evolves through time. The advancements in technology contributed to the various complexities in communication. Regarding Freedom of Expression, such advancements result to new ways of expressing thought and opinion particularly through new forms of political satires. There is thus a need to re-examine certain legal parameters concerning the relationship between State Power and the Right to Freedom of Expression.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">One of the three inherent powers of the State is Police Power. It is the power to enact legislation regulating the use of liberty and property in order to promote public welfare.<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\">[6]<\\/a> Among the three inherent powers<s>,<\\/s> this power has been considered the most pervasive as it regulates practically everything that concerns the liberty and property of all inhabitants of the State.<a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\">[7]<\\/a> However, it is important to note that this extreme power of subordination from the State is not absolute. It is required that such power be exercised only if the activity or property sought to be regulated concerns the public welfare. \\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">The Right to Freedom of expression is one of the guarantees provided by the 1987 Constitution to the Filipino people. Sec. 4, Art. III of the 1987 Constitution provides that no law shall be enacted abridging the freedom of speech, of expression, or of the press, or the right of the people peaceable to assemble and petition the Government for redress of grievances from laws tending to abridge these rights.<a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\">[8]<\\/a> The scope contemplated under this right reaches far and wide. Still, in a nutshell, this right essentially encourages the concept of marketplace of ideas where free exchange of competitive ideas are allowed in order for \\u201ctruth\\u201d to emerge.<a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\">[9]<\\/a> As stated in Justice Brandeis\\u2019 concurring decision in the United States case of <em>Whitney v. California<\\/em>, this concept allows the remedy of applying more speech and not enforced silence in case this free exchange produces bad ideas or falsehoods.<a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\">[10]<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 One of the forms of protected speech under the abovementioned constitutional guaranty is Political Satire, a concept extensively explained in the case of <em>The Diocese of Bacolod v. COMELEC<\\/em>. According to this case, satire is a literary form of employing devices such as sarcasm, irony, and ridicule to pinpoint prevailing vices in society and is targeted to any group or individual, either from the private or government sphere.<a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\">[11]<\\/a> The Supreme Court emphasized that for a speech to be considered as satirical, the elements of exaggeration, analogy, and other rhetorical devices must be existent.<a href=\\\"#_ftn12\\\">[12]<\\/a> In particular, Canadian literary critic and theorist Northrop Frye claimed that there are two defining features in identifying satire: (1) the wit or humor founded on fantasy or a sense of the grotesque and absurd and (2) an object of attack.<a href=\\\"#_ftn13\\\">[13]<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">The concept of political satire dates back to antiquity in the form of Greek satyr plays, Roman festivals, and formal verse of the Renaissance.<a href=\\\"#_ftn14\\\">[14]<\\/a> In the age of the internet and social media, digital satire through memes, satirical blogs, and satirical websites are the current manifestations of political satire.<a href=\\\"#_ftn15\\\">[15]<\\/a> In a recent study, it was found that digital satire through political memes are an effective source of political criticism as its satirical nature provides an entry point to the complex realm of politics which results to a more democratic, accessible, and inclusive discussion in society.<a href=\\\"#_ftn16\\\">[16]<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The use of political satire on social media is a familiar tool used in the Philippines to voice out opinions and criticisms towards various subjects including, but not limited to, government affairs. However, there are certain instances where members of the government would respond assertively against such criticisms. In the past, members of the government have threatened, if not initiated, Cyberlibel charges against certain satirical content.<a href=\\\"#_ftn17\\\">[17]<\\/a>In this regard, it is important to revisit what the law entails when it speaks of Cyberlibel.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Revised Penal Code contemplates four particular elements for the crime of Libel to arise: (a) the existence of an imputation or allegation of a crime, or vice or defect, whether real or imaginary, or any act or omission, condition, status or circumstance which tend to dishonor or discredit a natural or juridical person; (b) publication of the said defamatory statement or article; (c) identity of the person defamed is established; and (4) the existence of malice.<a href=\\\"#_ftn18\\\">[18]<\\/a> In connection with libelous content online, the Cybercrime Law Act of 2012 provides a straightforward definition of Cyberlibel which is considered as the unlawful or prohibited acts of Libel as defined in Article 355 of the Revised Penal Code committed through a computer system or any other similar means which may be devised in the future.<a href=\\\"#_ftn19\\\">[19]<\\/a>\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 It is important to note that the abovementioned response by the State against satirical content posted online is not absolutely groundless and arbitrary. In <em>Oliver et al. v. La Vanguardia, Inc<\\/em>., the Supreme Court held that the intent of the writer to treat the published content as humorous is of no moment if the language used has passed the bounds of playful jest and intensive criticism into the region of scurrilous calumniation and intemperate personalities.<a href=\\\"#_ftn20\\\">[20]<\\/a> Moreover in <em>US v. Sotto<\\/em>, the Court ruled that determining whether a content is libelous rests on the effect of the publication held upon the minds of the readers.<a href=\\\"#_ftn21\\\">[21]<\\/a> In other words, representatives of the State are not expected to sit and do nothing on statements published to impute and discredit their reputation and honor. In the exercise of their Police Power, the State is by law protected from defamatory imputations. However, it is crucial to remember that this protection under the law is not absolute and is subject to limitations.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Art 354 of the Revised Penal Code provides two privileged communications exempt from presumption of malice in law: (1) Absolute Privileged Communication and (2) Qualified or Conditional Privileged Communication.<a href=\\\"#_ftn22\\\">[22]<\\/a> The latter exception provides that communications, although containing defamatory imputations, would not be actionable unless made with malice or bad faith.<a href=\\\"#_ftn23\\\">[23]<\\/a> In other words, the defamatory remarks and comments published must pertain to the discharge of official duties and not to the private character of the public officer for said comments not to be considered as libelous.<a href=\\\"#_ftn24\\\">[24]<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">This protection under Article 354 applies to political satire as a form of commentary. As explained by Leslie Kim Treiger in her article, Satire is technically false as it works through distortion.<a href=\\\"#_ftn25\\\">[25]<\\/a> While satire presents itself as a falsehood, it is not meant to be taken in its literal sense but rather understanding the critical message lying underneath it.<a href=\\\"#_ftn26\\\">[26]<\\/a> In connection with Article 354 of the Revised Penal Code, the test of determining whether a satirical content is libelous lies not on its face but the message found underneath its surface.\\u00a0 Thus, Satire is part of privileged communication contemplated under Qualified or Conditional Privileged Communication.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">In the context of balancing State Power and the Right to Freedom of Expression, it is equally important to understand that Libel is not an all-around forcefield for the State to use in thwarting valid criticisms from the public. This is not the intention of the law. The fact that the Revised Penal Code provides protection in the form of Qualified Privileged Communication strengthens the notion that political satire is part of protected speech. On the other hand, it is also apparent from the wording of Article 354 of the Revised Penal Code and jurisprudence that the freedom to use political satire in expressing one\\u2019s opinions and comments is not definite as it may still become a ground for Libel if underneath its humorous fa\\u00e7ade lies an imputation that could not only defame a public officer but also affect the very credibility of the government it represents to the eye of the public.\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The concept of political satire as a form of commentary on governmental affairs is not novel. Its existence throughout political history does not indicate a constant ill-will on the part of constituents against public servants but instead provides a salient fact: the conduct of public officers concerning the discharge of their duties are matters of public interest. When an individual voluntarily enters into public service, he must assume the inevitable risk of being criticized.<a href=\\\"#_ftn27\\\">[27]<\\/a> It would be futile to argue that satirical content criticizing actions made by the government should be eradicated as there are already existing forms of regulation towards this type of content under the law. To say otherwise would be tantamount to an indirect act causing a chilling effect on freedom of expression. The recent case of Beltran is a reminder of how political satire is viewed as a form of imputation without considering the context and message behind its humorous surface.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">The Bill of Rights of the 1987 Constitution guarantees Filipinos the right to freely express opinion and engage in discussions to encourage a free exchange of competitive ideas. Certainly, political satire is equally protected as it provides an accessible avenue for people to understand the complex realm of politics and governance.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">To reiterate the words of Justice Brandeis\\u2019 concurring Decision in <em>Whitney v. California:<\\/em> \\u201cfreedom to think as you will and to speak as you think are means indispensable to the discovery and spread of political truth\\u201d and that \\u201cif there be time to expose through discussion the falsehood and fallacies, to avert the evil by the process of education, the remedy to be applied is more speech, not enforced silence.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn28\\\">[28]<\\/a>\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">[1]<\\/a> Ryan Macasero, \\u2018Satire is protected speech,\\u2019 says Cebu judge in dismissed case of Bambi Beltran, Rappler (September 24, 2020, 2:53 PM), https:\\/\\/www.rappler.com\\/newsbreak\\/iq\\/highlights-cebu-judge-decision-dismissing-charges-vs-bambi-beltran<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[4]<\\/a> Lian Buan, Bong Go asked NBI to probe social media posts against him, Rappler (July 16, 2020, 11:05 PM), https:\\/\\/www.rappler.com\\/nation\\/bong-go-asked-nbi-probe-social-media-posts-against-him?utm_campaign=Echobox&utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Facebook&fbclid=IwAR1TMB-rc15E5dDCCeevUyhcBAZ5CZ3KsO_gzD0acIgas-SB0jRz7fp0ArE#Echobox=1594950982<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[5]<\\/a> Tetch Torres-Typas, Court releases teacher who offered reward to kill Duterte after posting bail, Inquirer (May 19, 2020, 7:22 PM), https:\\/\\/newsinfo.inquirer.net\\/1277675\\/court-releases-teacher-who-offered-reward-to-kill-duterte-after-posting-bail<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[6]<\\/a> Cruz, Constitutional Law, (2015)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\">[7]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\">[8]<\\/a> Section 4, Art. III of the 1987 Constitution<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\">[9]<\\/a> Blocher, J. (2008). Institutions in the Marketplace of Ideas. Duke Law Journal. Retrieved from https:\\/\\/scholarship.law.duke.edu\\/cgi\\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1346&context=dlj<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\">[10]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\">[11]<\\/a> The Diocese of Bacolod v. Commission on Elections, G.R. No. 205728, 21 January 2015<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref12\\\">[12]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref13\\\">[13]<\\/a> <em>Id<\\/em>.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref14\\\">[14]<\\/a> Plevriti, V. (2014). Satirical User-Generated Memes as an Effective Source of Political Criticism, Extending Debate and Enhancing Civic Engagement. <em>The University of Warwick<\\/em>. Retrieved from https:\\/\\/warwick.ac.uk\\/fac\\/arts\\/scapvc\\/ccmps\\/research\\/publications\\/madiss\\/ccps_13-14_vasiliki_plevriti.pdf<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref15\\\">[15]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref16\\\">[16]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref17\\\">[17]<\\/a> Cabico, G., \\u2018Malicious use of my image\\u2019: Panelo cries foul over a meme, Philippine Star (May 10, 2019, 10:23 PM),https:\\/\\/www.philstar.com\\/headlines\\/2019\\/05\\/10\\/1916692\\/malicious-use-my-image-panelo-cries-foul-over-meme; Cf n.a., MMDA spokesperson not letting Facebook joke page pass, files Cyberlibel suit, Philippine Star (October 9, 2019, 3:14 PM), https:\\/\\/www.philstar.com\\/headlines\\/2019\\/10\\/09\\/1958793\\/mmda-spokesperson-not-letting-facebook-joke-page-pass-files-cyberlibel-suit; See also CDe Jesus, J., \\u2018Spreading foul election memes could lead to online libel raps\\u2019, Inquirer (January 08, 2016, 2:41 PM), https:\\/\\/technology.inquirer.net\\/46159\\/spreading-foul-election-memes-lead-online-libel-raps<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref18\\\">[18]<\\/a> Art. 353, Book II of the Revised Penal Code<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref19\\\">[19]<\\/a> Sec. 4 (c) (4), Chapter II of The Cybercrime Law Act of 2012.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref20\\\">[20]<\\/a> Oliver v. La Vanguardia, Inc., G.R. No. L-23063, 10 December 1925<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref21\\\">[21]<\\/a> US v. Sotto, 36 Phil 666<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref22\\\">[22]<\\/a> Reyes, The Revised Penal Code Book II, (2012).<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref23\\\">[23]<\\/a> Ornafel v. People, L-26877, 26 December 1969<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref24\\\">[24]<\\/a> People v. Del Fierro and Padilla, G.R. No. 3599-R, 27 July 1950<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref25\\\">[25]<\\/a> Treiger, L.K. (1989) Protecting Satire Against Libel Claims: A New Reading of the First Amendment\\u2019s Opinion Privilege. The Yale Law Journal. Retrieved from https:\\/\\/digitalcommons.law.yale.edu\\/ylj\\/vol98\\/iss6\\/7\\/<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref26\\\">[26]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref27\\\">[27]<\\/a> Gertz. V. Robert Welch, Inc. 418 US 323 (1974)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref28\\\">[28]<\\/a> Whitney v. California, 274 US 357 (1927)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><strong>Cover Photo:<\\/strong> The front page of the Lipang Kalabaw courtesy of <a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/unanglabas.blogspot.com\\/2012\\/07\\/lipang-kalabaw.html\\\">Unang Labas<\\/a>.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><em>Background on Cover Photo:<\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\">Lipang Kalabaw \\\"alleged\\\" is the first and only Philippine satirical journal in history. The first issue is entitled \\u201cProgresista Voters,\\u201d which depict how the Progresista Party (formerly Federalista Party that advocated for Philippine statehood under the U.S.) changed stance when rural voters (seen in the back row) tipped the vote for the party to support eventual Philippine independence. Source: <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/the-martial-law-thingy.tumblr.com\\/post\\/159521080269\\/ang-pikon-talo-satire-as-impulse-to-freedom\\/amp\\\">Indohistorian.<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_font_family\":\"Georgia\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(2198,1008,'_thumbnail_id','1003'),(2199,1008,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(2200,1008,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(2201,1008,'_elementor_version','3.0.11'),(2202,1008,'_wp_page_template','default'),(2203,1008,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"638adf94\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"551cfa12\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"769ed564\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">By: Allabo, Gabrielle B.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">On the 15<sup>th<\\/sup> of September 2020, The Municipal Trial Court, Branch 03, Cebu City dismissed the complaint against Cebu artist Bambi Beltran where she was accused of false information after posting a status on her Facebook account stating: \\u201c9,000+ new cases (all from Zapatera) of COVID-19 in Cebu City in one day. We are now the epicenter in the whole solar system.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\">[1]<\\/a> The Municipal Trial Court ruled that the post did not constitute fake news contemplated under the Republic Act No. 11469 or the 2020 Bayanihan Law but was instead considered satirical in nature as seen in the phrase \\u201cepicenter of the whole solar system.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\">[2]<\\/a> The trial court reiterated and emphasized that satirical post is protected speech under the 1987 Constitution.<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\">[3]<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">The case of Beltran is an addition to the numerous instances where the clash between State power and the constitutional right to Freedom of Speech is made manifest. Just recently, Senator Christopher \\u201cBong\\u201d Go requested the National Bureau of Investigation to probe social media posts by a student against him back in July 2020.<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\">[4]<\\/a> In May 2020, Ronnel Mas, a teacher, was arrested and accused of inciting sedition after posting on social media a fifty-million peso reward to anyone willing to kill President Rodrigo Duterte.<a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\">[5]<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">Although the 1987 Constitution and jurisprudence have established the metes and bounds of State Power and people\\u2019s right to Freedom of Expression, it seems like this legal task of defining limitations remain incessant, especially as the State evolves through time. The advancements in technology contributed to the various complexities in communication. Regarding Freedom of Expression, such advancements result to new ways of expressing thought and opinion particularly through new forms of political satires. There is thus a need to re-examine certain legal parameters concerning the relationship between State Power and the Right to Freedom of Expression.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">One of the three inherent powers of the State is Police Power. It is the power to enact legislation regulating the use of liberty and property in order to promote public welfare.<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\">[6]<\\/a> Among the three inherent powers<s>,<\\/s> this power has been considered the most pervasive as it regulates practically everything that concerns the liberty and property of all inhabitants of the State.<a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\">[7]<\\/a> However, it is important to note that this extreme power of subordination from the State is not absolute. It is required that such power be exercised only if the activity or property sought to be regulated concerns the public welfare. <\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">The Right to Freedom of expression is one of the guarantees provided by the 1987 Constitution to the Filipino people. Sec. 4, Art. III of the 1987 Constitution provides that no law shall be enacted abridging the freedom of speech, of expression, or of the press, or the right of the people peaceable to assemble and petition the Government for redress of grievances from laws tending to abridge these rights.<a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\">[8]<\\/a> The scope contemplated under this right reaches far and wide. Still, in a nutshell, this right essentially encourages the concept of marketplace of ideas where free exchange of competitive ideas are allowed in order for \\u201ctruth\\u201d to emerge.<a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\">[9]<\\/a> As stated in Justice Brandeis\\u2019 concurring decision in the United States case of <em>Whitney v. California<\\/em>, this concept allows the remedy of applying more speech and not enforced silence in case this free exchange produces bad ideas or falsehoods.<a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\">[10]<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">One of the forms of protected speech under the abovementioned constitutional guaranty is Political Satire, a concept extensively explained in the case of <em>The Diocese of Bacolod v. COMELEC<\\/em>. According to this case, satire is a literary form of employing devices such as sarcasm, irony, and ridicule to pinpoint prevailing vices in society and is targeted to any group or individual, either from the private or government sphere.<a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\">[11]<\\/a> The Supreme Court emphasized that for a speech to be considered as satirical, the elements of exaggeration, analogy, and other rhetorical devices must be existent.<a href=\\\"#_ftn12\\\">[12]<\\/a> In particular, Canadian literary critic and theorist Northrop Frye claimed that there are two defining features in identifying satire: (1) the wit or humor founded on fantasy or a sense of the grotesque and absurd and (2) an object of attack.<a href=\\\"#_ftn13\\\">[13]<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">The concept of political satire dates back to antiquity in the form of Greek satyr plays, Roman festivals, and formal verse of the Renaissance.<a href=\\\"#_ftn14\\\">[14]<\\/a> In the age of the internet and social media, digital satire through memes, satirical blogs, and satirical websites are the current manifestations of political satire.<a href=\\\"#_ftn15\\\">[15]<\\/a> In a recent study, it was found that digital satire through political memes are an effective source of political criticism as its satirical nature provides an entry point to the complex realm of politics which results to a more democratic, accessible, and inclusive discussion in society.<a href=\\\"#_ftn16\\\">[16]<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">The use of political satire on social media is a familiar tool used in the Philippines to voice out opinions and criticisms towards various subjects including, but not limited to, government affairs. However, there are certain instances where members of the government would respond assertively against such criticisms. In the past, members of the government have threatened, if not initiated, Cyberlibel charges against certain satirical content.<a href=\\\"#_ftn17\\\">[17]<\\/a>In this regard, it is important to revisit what the law entails when it speaks of Cyberlibel.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">The Revised Penal Code contemplates four particular elements for the crime of Libel to arise: (a) the existence of an imputation or allegation of a crime, or vice or defect, whether real or imaginary, or any act or omission, condition, status or circumstance which tend to dishonor or discredit a natural or juridical person; (b) publication of the said defamatory statement or article; (c) identity of the person defamed is established; and (4) the existence of malice.<a href=\\\"#_ftn18\\\">[18]<\\/a> In connection with libelous content online, the Cybercrime Law Act of 2012 provides a straightforward definition of Cyberlibel which is considered as the unlawful or prohibited acts of Libel as defined in Article 355 of the Revised Penal Code committed through a computer system or any other similar means which may be devised in the future.<a href=\\\"#_ftn19\\\">[19]<\\/a> <\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"> It is important to note that the abovementioned response by the State against satirical content posted online is not absolutely groundless and arbitrary. In <em>Oliver et al. v. La Vanguardia, Inc<\\/em>., the Supreme Court held that the intent of the writer to treat the published content as humorous is of no moment if the language used has passed the bounds of playful jest and intensive criticism into the region of scurrilous calumniation and intemperate personalities.<a href=\\\"#_ftn20\\\">[20]<\\/a> Moreover in <em>US v. Sotto<\\/em>, the Court ruled that determining whether a content is libelous rests on the effect of the publication held upon the minds of the readers.<a href=\\\"#_ftn21\\\">[21]<\\/a> In other words, representatives of the State are not expected to sit and do nothing on statements published to impute and discredit their reputation and honor. In the exercise of their Police Power, the State is by law protected from defamatory imputations. However, it is crucial to remember that this protection under the law is not absolute and is subject to limitations.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">Art 354 of the Revised Penal Code provides two privileged communications exempt from presumption of malice in law: (1) Absolute Privileged Communication and (2) Qualified or Conditional Privileged Communication.<a href=\\\"#_ftn22\\\">[22]<\\/a> The latter exception provides that communications, although containing defamatory imputations, would not be actionable unless made with malice or bad faith.<a href=\\\"#_ftn23\\\">[23]<\\/a> In other words, the defamatory remarks and comments published must pertain to the discharge of official duties and not to the private character of the public officer for said comments not to be considered as libelous.<a href=\\\"#_ftn24\\\">[24]<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">This protection under Article 354 applies to political satire as a form of commentary. As explained by Leslie Kim Treiger in her article, Satire is technically false as it works through distortion.<a href=\\\"#_ftn25\\\">[25]<\\/a> While satire presents itself as a falsehood, it is not meant to be taken in its literal sense but rather understanding the critical message lying underneath it.<a href=\\\"#_ftn26\\\">[26]<\\/a> In connection with Article 354 of the Revised Penal Code, the test of determining whether a satirical content is libelous lies not on its face but the message found underneath its surface. Thus, Satire is part of privileged communication contemplated under Qualified or Conditional Privileged Communication.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">In the context of balancing State Power and the Right to Freedom of Expression, it is equally important to understand that Libel is not an all-around forcefield for the State to use in thwarting valid criticisms from the public. This is not the intention of the law. The fact that the Revised Penal Code provides protection in the form of Qualified Privileged Communication strengthens the notion that political satire is part of protected speech. On the other hand, it is also apparent from the wording of Article 354 of the Revised Penal Code and jurisprudence that the freedom to use political satire in expressing one\\u2019s opinions and comments is not definite as it may still become a ground for Libel if underneath its humorous fa\\u00e7ade lies an imputation that could not only defame a public officer but also affect the very credibility of the government it represents to the eye of the public. <\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">The concept of political satire as a form of commentary on governmental affairs is not novel. Its existence throughout political history does not indicate a constant ill-will on the part of constituents against public servants but instead provides a salient fact: the conduct of public officers concerning the discharge of their duties are matters of public interest. When an individual voluntarily enters into public service, he must assume the inevitable risk of being criticized.<a href=\\\"#_ftn27\\\">[27]<\\/a> It would be futile to argue that satirical content criticizing actions made by the government should be eradicated as there are already existing forms of regulation towards this type of content under the law. To say otherwise would be tantamount to an indirect act causing a chilling effect on freedom of expression. The recent case of Beltran is a reminder of how political satire is viewed as a form of imputation without considering the context and message behind its humorous surface.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">The Bill of Rights of the 1987 Constitution guarantees Filipinos the right to freely express opinion and engage in discussions to encourage a free exchange of competitive ideas. Certainly, political satire is equally protected as it provides an accessible avenue for people to understand the complex realm of politics and governance.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">To reiterate the words of Justice Brandeis\\u2019 concurring Decision in <em>Whitney v. California:<\\/em> \\u201cfreedom to think as you will and to speak as you think are means indispensable to the discovery and spread of political truth\\u201d and that \\u201cif there be time to expose through discussion the falsehood and fallacies, to avert the evil by the process of education, the remedy to be applied is more speech, not enforced silence.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn28\\\">[28]<\\/a> <\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\">\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">[1]<\\/a> Ryan Macasero, \\u2018Satire is protected speech,\\u2019 says Cebu judge in dismissed case of Bambi Beltran, Rappler (September 24, 2020, 2:53 PM), https:\\/\\/www.rappler.com\\/newsbreak\\/iq\\/highlights-cebu-judge-decision-dismissing-charges-vs-bambi-beltran<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[4]<\\/a> Lian Buan, Bong Go asked NBI to probe social media posts against him, Rappler (July 16, 2020, 11:05 PM), https:\\/\\/www.rappler.com\\/nation\\/bong-go-asked-nbi-probe-social-media-posts-against-him?utm_campaign=Echobox&utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Facebook&fbclid=IwAR1TMB-rc15E5dDCCeevUyhcBAZ5CZ3KsO_gzD0acIgas-SB0jRz7fp0ArE#Echobox=1594950982<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[5]<\\/a> Tetch Torres-Typas, Court releases teacher who offered reward to kill Duterte after posting bail, Inquirer (May 19, 2020, 7:22 PM), https:\\/\\/newsinfo.inquirer.net\\/1277675\\/court-releases-teacher-who-offered-reward-to-kill-duterte-after-posting-bail<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[6]<\\/a> Cruz, Constitutional Law, (2015)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\">[7]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\">[8]<\\/a> Section 4, Art. III of the 1987 Constitution<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\">[9]<\\/a> Blocher, J. (2008). Institutions in the Marketplace of Ideas. Duke Law Journal. Retrieved from https:\\/\\/scholarship.law.duke.edu\\/cgi\\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1346&context=dlj<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\">[10]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\">[11]<\\/a> The Diocese of Bacolod v. Commission on Elections, G.R. No. 205728, 21 January 2015<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref12\\\">[12]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref13\\\">[13]<\\/a> <em>Id<\\/em>.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref14\\\">[14]<\\/a> Plevriti, V. (2014). Satirical User-Generated Memes as an Effective Source of Political Criticism, Extending Debate and Enhancing Civic Engagement. <em>The University of Warwick<\\/em>. Retrieved from https:\\/\\/warwick.ac.uk\\/fac\\/arts\\/scapvc\\/ccmps\\/research\\/publications\\/madiss\\/ccps_13-14_vasiliki_plevriti.pdf<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref15\\\">[15]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref16\\\">[16]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref17\\\">[17]<\\/a> Cabico, G., \\u2018Malicious use of my image\\u2019: Panelo cries foul over a meme, Philippine Star (May 10, 2019, 10:23 PM),https:\\/\\/www.philstar.com\\/headlines\\/2019\\/05\\/10\\/1916692\\/malicious-use-my-image-panelo-cries-foul-over-meme; Cf n.a., MMDA spokesperson not letting Facebook joke page pass, files Cyberlibel suit, Philippine Star (October 9, 2019, 3:14 PM), https:\\/\\/www.philstar.com\\/headlines\\/2019\\/10\\/09\\/1958793\\/mmda-spokesperson-not-letting-facebook-joke-page-pass-files-cyberlibel-suit; See also CDe Jesus, J., \\u2018Spreading foul election memes could lead to online libel raps\\u2019, Inquirer (January 08, 2016, 2:41 PM), https:\\/\\/technology.inquirer.net\\/46159\\/spreading-foul-election-memes-lead-online-libel-raps<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref18\\\">[18]<\\/a> Art. 353, Book II of the Revised Penal Code<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref19\\\">[19]<\\/a> Sec. 4 (c) (4), Chapter II of The Cybercrime Law Act of 2012.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref20\\\">[20]<\\/a> Oliver v. La Vanguardia, Inc., G.R. No. L-23063, 10 December 1925<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref21\\\">[21]<\\/a> US v. Sotto, 36 Phil 666<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref22\\\">[22]<\\/a> Reyes, The Revised Penal Code Book II, (2012).<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref23\\\">[23]<\\/a> Ornafel v. People, L-26877, 26 December 1969<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref24\\\">[24]<\\/a> People v. Del Fierro and Padilla, G.R. No. 3599-R, 27 July 1950<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref25\\\">[25]<\\/a> Treiger, L.K. (1989) Protecting Satire Against Libel Claims: A New Reading of the First Amendment\\u2019s Opinion Privilege. The Yale Law Journal. Retrieved from https:\\/\\/digitalcommons.law.yale.edu\\/ylj\\/vol98\\/iss6\\/7\\/<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref26\\\">[26]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref27\\\">[27]<\\/a> Gertz. V. Robert Welch, Inc. 418 US 323 (1974)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref28\\\">[28]<\\/a> Whitney v. California, 274 US 357 (1927)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\">\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><strong>Cover Photo:<\\/strong> The front page of the Lipang Kalabaw courtesy of <a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/unanglabas.blogspot.com\\/2012\\/07\\/lipang-kalabaw.html\\\">Unang Labas<\\/a>.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><em>Background on Cover Photo:<\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\">Lipang Kalabaw \\\"alleged\\\" is the first and only Philippine satirical journal in history. The first issue is entitled \\u201cProgresista Voters,\\u201d which depict how the Progresista Party (formerly Federalista Party that advocated for Philippine statehood under the U.S.) changed stance when rural voters (seen in the back row) tipped the vote for the party to support eventual Philippine independence. Source: <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/the-martial-law-thingy.tumblr.com\\/post\\/159521080269\\/ang-pikon-talo-satire-as-impulse-to-freedom\\/amp\\\">Indohistorian.<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_font_family\":\"Georgia\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(2207,1009,'_thumbnail_id','1003'),(2208,1009,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(2209,1009,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(2210,1009,'_elementor_version','3.0.11'),(2211,1009,'_wp_page_template','default'),(2212,1009,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"638adf94\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"551cfa12\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"769ed564\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">By: Allabo, Gabrielle B.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">On the 15<sup>th<\\/sup> of September 2020, The Municipal Trial Court, Branch 03, Cebu City dismissed the complaint against Cebu artist Bambi Beltran where she was accused of false information after posting a status on her Facebook account stating: \\u201c9,000+ new cases (all from Zapatera) of COVID-19 in Cebu City in one day. We are now the epicenter in the whole solar system.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\">[1]<\\/a> The Municipal Trial Court ruled that the post did not constitute fake news contemplated under the Republic Act No. 11469 or the 2020 Bayanihan Law but was instead considered satirical in nature as seen in the phrase \\u201cepicenter of the whole solar system.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\">[2]<\\/a> The trial court reiterated and emphasized that satirical post is protected speech under the 1987 Constitution.<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\">[3]<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">The case of Beltran is an addition to the numerous instances where the clash between State power and the constitutional right to Freedom of Speech is made manifest. Just recently, Senator Christopher \\u201cBong\\u201d Go requested the National Bureau of Investigation to probe social media posts by a student against him back in July 2020.<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\">[4]<\\/a> In May 2020, Ronnel Mas, a teacher, was arrested and accused of inciting sedition after posting on social media a fifty-million peso reward to anyone willing to kill President Rodrigo Duterte.<a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\">[5]<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">Although the 1987 Constitution and jurisprudence have established the metes and bounds of State Power and people\\u2019s right to Freedom of Expression, it seems like this legal task of defining limitations remain incessant, especially as the State evolves through time. The advancements in technology contributed to the various complexities in communication. Regarding Freedom of Expression, such advancements result to new ways of expressing thought and opinion particularly through new forms of political satires. There is thus a need to re-examine certain legal parameters concerning the relationship between State Power and the Right to Freedom of Expression.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">One of the three inherent powers of the State is Police Power. It is the power to enact legislation regulating the use of liberty and property in order to promote public welfare.<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\">[6]<\\/a> Among the three inherent powers<s>,<\\/s> this power has been considered the most pervasive as it regulates practically everything that concerns the liberty and property of all inhabitants of the State.<a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\">[7]<\\/a> However, it is important to note that this extreme power of subordination from the State is not absolute. It is required that such power be exercised only if the activity or property sought to be regulated concerns the public welfare. \\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">The Right to Freedom of expression is one of the guarantees provided by the 1987 Constitution to the Filipino people. Sec. 4, Art. III of the 1987 Constitution provides that no law shall be enacted abridging the freedom of speech, of expression, or of the press, or the right of the people peaceable to assemble and petition the Government for redress of grievances from laws tending to abridge these rights.<a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\">[8]<\\/a> The scope contemplated under this right reaches far and wide. Still, in a nutshell, this right essentially encourages the concept of marketplace of ideas where free exchange of competitive ideas are allowed in order for \\u201ctruth\\u201d to emerge.<a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\">[9]<\\/a> As stated in Justice Brandeis\\u2019 concurring decision in the United States case of <em>Whitney v. California<\\/em>, this concept allows the remedy of applying more speech and not enforced silence in case this free exchange produces bad ideas or falsehoods.<a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\">[10]<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">One of the forms of protected speech under the abovementioned constitutional guaranty is Political Satire, a concept extensively explained in the case of <em>The Diocese of Bacolod v. COMELEC<\\/em>. According to this case, satire is a literary form of employing devices such as sarcasm, irony, and ridicule to pinpoint prevailing vices in society and is targeted to any group or individual, either from the private or government sphere.<a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\">[11]<\\/a> The Supreme Court emphasized that for a speech to be considered as satirical, the elements of exaggeration, analogy, and other rhetorical devices must be existent.<a href=\\\"#_ftn12\\\">[12]<\\/a> In particular, Canadian literary critic and theorist Northrop Frye claimed that there are two defining features in identifying satire: (1) the wit or humor founded on fantasy or a sense of the grotesque and absurd and (2) an object of attack.<a href=\\\"#_ftn13\\\">[13]<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">The concept of political satire dates back to antiquity in the form of Greek satyr plays, Roman festivals, and formal verse of the Renaissance.<a href=\\\"#_ftn14\\\">[14]<\\/a> In the age of the internet and social media, digital satire through memes, satirical blogs, and satirical websites are the current manifestations of political satire.<a href=\\\"#_ftn15\\\">[15]<\\/a> In a recent study, it was found that digital satire through political memes are an effective source of political criticism as its satirical nature provides an entry point to the complex realm of politics which results to a more democratic, accessible, and inclusive discussion in society.<a href=\\\"#_ftn16\\\">[16]<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">The use of political satire on social media is a familiar tool used in the Philippines to voice out opinions and criticisms towards various subjects including, but not limited to, government affairs. However, there are certain instances where members of the government would respond assertively against such criticisms. In the past, members of the government have threatened, if not initiated, Cyberlibel charges against certain satirical content.<a href=\\\"#_ftn17\\\">[17]<\\/a>In this regard, it is important to revisit what the law entails when it speaks of Cyberlibel.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">The Revised Penal Code contemplates four particular elements for the crime of Libel to arise: (a) the existence of an imputation or allegation of a crime, or vice or defect, whether real or imaginary, or any act or omission, condition, status or circumstance which tend to dishonor or discredit a natural or juridical person; (b) publication of the said defamatory statement or article; (c) identity of the person defamed is established; and (4) the existence of malice.<a href=\\\"#_ftn18\\\">[18]<\\/a> In connection with libelous content online, the Cybercrime Law Act of 2012 provides a straightforward definition of Cyberlibel which is considered as the unlawful or prohibited acts of Libel as defined in Article 355 of the Revised Penal Code committed through a computer system or any other similar means which may be devised in the future.<a href=\\\"#_ftn19\\\">[19]<\\/a>\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0It is important to note that the abovementioned response by the State against satirical content posted online is not absolutely groundless and arbitrary. In <em>Oliver et al. v. La Vanguardia, Inc<\\/em>., the Supreme Court held that the intent of the writer to treat the published content as humorous is of no moment if the language used has passed the bounds of playful jest and intensive criticism into the region of scurrilous calumniation and intemperate personalities.<a href=\\\"#_ftn20\\\">[20]<\\/a> Moreover in <em>US v. Sotto<\\/em>, the Court ruled that determining whether a content is libelous rests on the effect of the publication held upon the minds of the readers.<a href=\\\"#_ftn21\\\">[21]<\\/a> In other words, representatives of the State are not expected to sit and do nothing on statements published to impute and discredit their reputation and honor. In the exercise of their Police Power, the State is by law protected from defamatory imputations. However, it is crucial to remember that this protection under the law is not absolute and is subject to limitations.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">Art 354 of the Revised Penal Code provides two privileged communications exempt from presumption of malice in law: (1) Absolute Privileged Communication and (2) Qualified or Conditional Privileged Communication.<a href=\\\"#_ftn22\\\">[22]<\\/a> The latter exception provides that communications, although containing defamatory imputations, would not be actionable unless made with malice or bad faith.<a href=\\\"#_ftn23\\\">[23]<\\/a> In other words, the defamatory remarks and comments published must pertain to the discharge of official duties and not to the private character of the public officer for said comments not to be considered as libelous.<a href=\\\"#_ftn24\\\">[24]<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">This protection under Article 354 applies to political satire as a form of commentary. As explained by Leslie Kim Treiger in her article, Satire is technically false as it works through distortion.<a href=\\\"#_ftn25\\\">[25]<\\/a> While satire presents itself as a falsehood, it is not meant to be taken in its literal sense but rather understanding the critical message lying underneath it.<a href=\\\"#_ftn26\\\">[26]<\\/a> In connection with Article 354 of the Revised Penal Code, the test of determining whether a satirical content is libelous lies not on its face but the message found underneath its surface.\\u00a0 Thus, Satire is part of privileged communication contemplated under Qualified or Conditional Privileged Communication.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">In the context of balancing State Power and the Right to Freedom of Expression, it is equally important to understand that Libel is not an all-around forcefield for the State to use in thwarting valid criticisms from the public. This is not the intention of the law. The fact that the Revised Penal Code provides protection in the form of Qualified Privileged Communication strengthens the notion that political satire is part of protected speech. On the other hand, it is also apparent from the wording of Article 354 of the Revised Penal Code and jurisprudence that the freedom to use political satire in expressing one\\u2019s opinions and comments is not definite as it may still become a ground for Libel if underneath its humorous fa\\u00e7ade lies an imputation that could not only defame a public officer but also affect the very credibility of the government it represents to the eye of the public.\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">The concept of political satire as a form of commentary on governmental affairs is not novel. Its existence throughout political history does not indicate a constant ill-will on the part of constituents against public servants but instead provides a salient fact: the conduct of public officers concerning the discharge of their duties are matters of public interest. When an individual voluntarily enters into public service, he must assume the inevitable risk of being criticized.<a href=\\\"#_ftn27\\\">[27]<\\/a> It would be futile to argue that satirical content criticizing actions made by the government should be eradicated as there are already existing forms of regulation towards this type of content under the law. To say otherwise would be tantamount to an indirect act causing a chilling effect on freedom of expression. The recent case of Beltran is a reminder of how political satire is viewed as a form of imputation without considering the context and message behind its humorous surface.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">The Bill of Rights of the 1987 Constitution guarantees Filipinos the right to freely express opinion and engage in discussions to encourage a free exchange of competitive ideas. Certainly, political satire is equally protected as it provides an accessible avenue for people to understand the complex realm of politics and governance.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">To reiterate the words of Justice Brandeis\\u2019 concurring Decision in <em>Whitney v. California:<\\/em> \\u201cfreedom to think as you will and to speak as you think are means indispensable to the discovery and spread of political truth\\u201d and that \\u201cif there be time to expose through discussion the falsehood and fallacies, to avert the evil by the process of education, the remedy to be applied is more speech, not enforced silence.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn28\\\">[28]<\\/a>\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">[1]<\\/a> Ryan Macasero, \\u2018Satire is protected speech,\\u2019 says Cebu judge in dismissed case of Bambi Beltran, Rappler (September 24, 2020, 2:53 PM), https:\\/\\/www.rappler.com\\/newsbreak\\/iq\\/highlights-cebu-judge-decision-dismissing-charges-vs-bambi-beltran<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[4]<\\/a> Lian Buan, Bong Go asked NBI to probe social media posts against him, Rappler (July 16, 2020, 11:05 PM), https:\\/\\/www.rappler.com\\/nation\\/bong-go-asked-nbi-probe-social-media-posts-against-him?utm_campaign=Echobox&utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Facebook&fbclid=IwAR1TMB-rc15E5dDCCeevUyhcBAZ5CZ3KsO_gzD0acIgas-SB0jRz7fp0ArE#Echobox=1594950982<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[5]<\\/a> Tetch Torres-Typas, Court releases teacher who offered reward to kill Duterte after posting bail, Inquirer (May 19, 2020, 7:22 PM), https:\\/\\/newsinfo.inquirer.net\\/1277675\\/court-releases-teacher-who-offered-reward-to-kill-duterte-after-posting-bail<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[6]<\\/a> Cruz, Constitutional Law, (2015)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\">[7]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\">[8]<\\/a> Section 4, Art. III of the 1987 Constitution<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\">[9]<\\/a> Blocher, J. (2008). Institutions in the Marketplace of Ideas. Duke Law Journal. Retrieved from https:\\/\\/scholarship.law.duke.edu\\/cgi\\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1346&context=dlj<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\">[10]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\">[11]<\\/a> The Diocese of Bacolod v. Commission on Elections, G.R. No. 205728, 21 January 2015<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref12\\\">[12]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref13\\\">[13]<\\/a> <em>Id<\\/em>.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref14\\\">[14]<\\/a> Plevriti, V. (2014). Satirical User-Generated Memes as an Effective Source of Political Criticism, Extending Debate and Enhancing Civic Engagement. <em>The University of Warwick<\\/em>. Retrieved from https:\\/\\/warwick.ac.uk\\/fac\\/arts\\/scapvc\\/ccmps\\/research\\/publications\\/madiss\\/ccps_13-14_vasiliki_plevriti.pdf<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref15\\\">[15]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref16\\\">[16]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref17\\\">[17]<\\/a> Cabico, G., \\u2018Malicious use of my image\\u2019: Panelo cries foul over a meme, Philippine Star (May 10, 2019, 10:23 PM),https:\\/\\/www.philstar.com\\/headlines\\/2019\\/05\\/10\\/1916692\\/malicious-use-my-image-panelo-cries-foul-over-meme; Cf n.a., MMDA spokesperson not letting Facebook joke page pass, files Cyberlibel suit, Philippine Star (October 9, 2019, 3:14 PM), https:\\/\\/www.philstar.com\\/headlines\\/2019\\/10\\/09\\/1958793\\/mmda-spokesperson-not-letting-facebook-joke-page-pass-files-cyberlibel-suit; See also CDe Jesus, J., \\u2018Spreading foul election memes could lead to online libel raps\\u2019, Inquirer (January 08, 2016, 2:41 PM), https:\\/\\/technology.inquirer.net\\/46159\\/spreading-foul-election-memes-lead-online-libel-raps<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref18\\\">[18]<\\/a> Art. 353, Book II of the Revised Penal Code<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref19\\\">[19]<\\/a> Sec. 4 (c) (4), Chapter II of The Cybercrime Law Act of 2012.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref20\\\">[20]<\\/a> Oliver v. La Vanguardia, Inc., G.R. No. L-23063, 10 December 1925<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref21\\\">[21]<\\/a> US v. Sotto, 36 Phil 666<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref22\\\">[22]<\\/a> Reyes, The Revised Penal Code Book II, (2012).<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref23\\\">[23]<\\/a> Ornafel v. People, L-26877, 26 December 1969<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref24\\\">[24]<\\/a> People v. Del Fierro and Padilla, G.R. No. 3599-R, 27 July 1950<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref25\\\">[25]<\\/a> Treiger, L.K. (1989) Protecting Satire Against Libel Claims: A New Reading of the First Amendment\\u2019s Opinion Privilege. The Yale Law Journal. Retrieved from https:\\/\\/digitalcommons.law.yale.edu\\/ylj\\/vol98\\/iss6\\/7\\/<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref26\\\">[26]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref27\\\">[27]<\\/a> Gertz. V. Robert Welch, Inc. 418 US 323 (1974)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref28\\\">[28]<\\/a> Whitney v. California, 274 US 357 (1927)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><strong>Cover Photo:<\\/strong> The front page of the Lipang Kalabaw courtesy of <a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/unanglabas.blogspot.com\\/2012\\/07\\/lipang-kalabaw.html\\\">Unang Labas<\\/a>.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><em>Background on Cover Photo:<\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\">Lipang Kalabaw \\\"alleged\\\" is the first and only Philippine satirical journal in history. The first issue is entitled \\u201cProgresista Voters,\\u201d which depict how the Progresista Party (formerly Federalista Party that advocated for Philippine statehood under the U.S.) changed stance when rural voters (seen in the back row) tipped the vote for the party to support eventual Philippine independence.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"> Source: <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/the-martial-law-thingy.tumblr.com\\/post\\/159521080269\\/ang-pikon-talo-satire-as-impulse-to-freedom\\/amp\\\">Indohistorian.<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_font_family\":\"Georgia\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(2216,1010,'_wp_trash_meta_status','publish'),(2217,1010,'_wp_trash_meta_time','1605271810'),(2218,1011,'_thumbnail_id','1003'),(2219,1011,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(2220,1011,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(2221,1011,'_elementor_version','3.0.11'),(2222,1011,'_wp_page_template','default'),(2223,1011,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"638adf94\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"551cfa12\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"769ed564\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">By: Gabrielle B.\\u00a0<\\/span><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; letter-spacing: 0.1px;\\\">Allabo<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0 \\u00a0 \\u00a0 On the 15<sup>th<\\/sup> of September 2020, The Municipal Trial Court, Branch 03, Cebu City dismissed the complaint against Cebu artist Bambi Beltran where she was accused of false information after posting a status on her Facebook account stating: \\u201c9,000+ new cases (all from Zapatera) of COVID-19 in Cebu City in one day. We are now the epicenter in the whole solar system.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\">[1]<\\/a> The Municipal Trial Court ruled that the post did not constitute fake news contemplated under the Republic Act No. 11469 or the 2020 Bayanihan Law but was instead considered satirical in nature as seen in the phrase \\u201cepicenter of the whole solar system.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\">[2]<\\/a> The trial court reiterated and emphasized that satirical post is protected speech under the 1987 Constitution.<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\">[3]<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0 \\u00a0 \\u00a0 The case of Beltran is an addition to the numerous instances where the clash between State power and the constitutional right to Freedom of Speech is made manifest. Just recently, Senator Christopher \\u201cBong\\u201d Go requested the National Bureau of Investigation to probe social media posts by a student against him back in July 2020.<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\">[4]<\\/a> In May 2020, Ronnel Mas, a teacher, was arrested and accused of inciting sedition after posting on social media a fifty-million peso reward to anyone willing to kill President Rodrigo Duterte.<a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\">[5]<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0 \\u00a0 \\u00a0 Although the 1987 Constitution and jurisprudence have established the metes and bounds of State Power and people\\u2019s right to Freedom of Expression, it seems like this legal task of defining limitations remain incessant, especially as the State evolves through time. The advancements in technology contributed to the various complexities in communication. Regarding Freedom of Expression, such advancements result to new ways of expressing thought and opinion particularly through new forms of political satires. There is thus a need to re-examine certain legal parameters concerning the relationship between State Power and the Right to Freedom of Expression.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0 \\u00a0 \\u00a0 One of the three inherent powers of the State is Police Power. It is the power to enact legislation regulating the use of liberty and property in order to promote public welfare.<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\">[6]<\\/a> Among the three inherent powers<s>,<\\/s> this power has been considered the most pervasive as it regulates practically everything that concerns the liberty and property of all inhabitants of the State.<a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\">[7]<\\/a> However, it is important to note that this extreme power of subordination from the State is not absolute. It is required that such power be exercised only if the activity or property sought to be regulated concerns the public welfare. \\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0 \\u00a0 \\u00a0 The Right to Freedom of expression is one of the guarantees provided by the 1987 Constitution to the Filipino people. Sec. 4, Art. III of the 1987 Constitution provides that no law shall be enacted abridging the freedom of speech, of expression, or of the press, or the right of the people peaceable to assemble and petition the Government for redress of grievances from laws tending to abridge these rights.<a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\">[8]<\\/a> The scope contemplated under this right reaches far and wide. Still, in a nutshell, this right essentially encourages the concept of marketplace of ideas where free exchange of competitive ideas are allowed in order for \\u201ctruth\\u201d to emerge.<a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\">[9]<\\/a> As stated in Justice Brandeis\\u2019 concurring decision in the United States case of <em>Whitney v. California<\\/em>, this concept allows the remedy of applying more speech and not enforced silence in case this free exchange produces bad ideas or falsehoods.<a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\">[10]<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0 \\u00a0 \\u00a0 One of the forms of protected speech under the abovementioned constitutional guaranty is Political Satire, a concept extensively explained in the case of <em>The Diocese of Bacolod v. COMELEC<\\/em>. According to this case, satire is a literary form of employing devices such as sarcasm, irony, and ridicule to pinpoint prevailing vices in society and is targeted to any group or individual, either from the private or government sphere.<a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\">[11]<\\/a> The Supreme Court emphasized that for a speech to be considered as satirical, the elements of exaggeration, analogy, and other rhetorical devices must be existent.<a href=\\\"#_ftn12\\\">[12]<\\/a> In particular, Canadian literary critic and theorist Northrop Frye claimed that there are two defining features in identifying satire: (1) the wit or humor founded on fantasy or a sense of the grotesque and absurd and (2) an object of attack.<a href=\\\"#_ftn13\\\">[13]<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0 \\u00a0 \\u00a0 The concept of political satire dates back to antiquity in the form of Greek satyr plays, Roman festivals, and formal verse of the Renaissance.<a href=\\\"#_ftn14\\\">[14]<\\/a> In the age of the internet and social media, digital satire through memes, satirical blogs, and satirical websites are the current manifestations of political satire.<a href=\\\"#_ftn15\\\">[15]<\\/a> In a recent study, it was found that digital satire through political memes are an effective source of political criticism as its satirical nature provides an entry point to the complex realm of politics which results to a more democratic, accessible, and inclusive discussion in society.<a href=\\\"#_ftn16\\\">[16]<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0 \\u00a0 \\u00a0 The use of political satire on social media is a familiar tool used in the Philippines to voice out opinions and criticisms towards various subjects including, but not limited to, government affairs. However, there are certain instances where members of the government would respond assertively against such criticisms. In the past, members of the government have threatened, if not initiated, Cyberlibel charges against certain satirical content.<a href=\\\"#_ftn17\\\">[17]<\\/a>In this regard, it is important to revisit what the law entails when it speaks of Cyberlibel.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0 \\u00a0 \\u00a0 The Revised Penal Code contemplates four particular elements for the crime of Libel to arise: (a) the existence of an imputation or allegation of a crime, or vice or defect, whether real or imaginary, or any act or omission, condition, status or circumstance which tend to dishonor or discredit a natural or juridical person; (b) publication of the said defamatory statement or article; (c) identity of the person defamed is established; and (4) the existence of malice.<a href=\\\"#_ftn18\\\">[18]<\\/a> In connection with libelous content online, the Cybercrime Law Act of 2012 provides a straightforward definition of Cyberlibel which is considered as the unlawful or prohibited acts of Libel as defined in Article 355 of the Revised Penal Code committed through a computer system or any other similar means which may be devised in the future.<a href=\\\"#_ftn19\\\">[19]<\\/a>\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0 \\u00a0 \\u00a0 It is important to note that the abovementioned response by the State against satirical content posted online is not absolutely groundless and arbitrary. In <em>Oliver et al. v. La Vanguardia, Inc<\\/em>., the Supreme Court held that the intent of the writer to treat the published content as humorous is of no moment if the language used has passed the bounds of playful jest and intensive criticism into the region of scurrilous calumniation and intemperate personalities.<a href=\\\"#_ftn20\\\">[20]<\\/a> Moreover in <em>US v. Sotto<\\/em>, the Court ruled that determining whether a content is libelous rests on the effect of the publication held upon the minds of the readers.<a href=\\\"#_ftn21\\\">[21]<\\/a> In other words, representatives of the State are not expected to sit and do nothing on statements published to impute and discredit their reputation and honor. In the exercise of their Police Power, the State is by law protected from defamatory imputations. However, it is crucial to remember that this protection under the law is not absolute and is subject to limitations.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0 \\u00a0 \\u00a0 Art 354 of the Revised Penal Code provides two privileged communications exempt from presumption of malice in law: (1) Absolute Privileged Communication and (2) Qualified or Conditional Privileged Communication.<a href=\\\"#_ftn22\\\">[22]<\\/a> The latter exception provides that communications, although containing defamatory imputations, would not be actionable unless made with malice or bad faith.<a href=\\\"#_ftn23\\\">[23]<\\/a> In other words, the defamatory remarks and comments published must pertain to the discharge of official duties and not to the private character of the public officer for said comments not to be considered as libelous.<a href=\\\"#_ftn24\\\">[24]<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0 \\u00a0 \\u00a0 This protection under Article 354 applies to political satire as a form of commentary. As explained by Leslie Kim Treiger in her article, Satire is technically false as it works through distortion.<a href=\\\"#_ftn25\\\">[25]<\\/a> While satire presents itself as a falsehood, it is not meant to be taken in its literal sense but rather understanding the critical message lying underneath it.<a href=\\\"#_ftn26\\\">[26]<\\/a> In connection with Article 354 of the Revised Penal Code, the test of determining whether a satirical content is libelous lies not on its face but the message found underneath its surface.\\u00a0 Thus, Satire is part of privileged communication contemplated under Qualified or Conditional Privileged Communication.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0 \\u00a0 \\u00a0 In the context of balancing State Power and the Right to Freedom of Expression, it is equally important to understand that Libel is not an all-around forcefield for the State to use in thwarting valid criticisms from the public. This is not the intention of the law. The fact that the Revised Penal Code provides protection in the form of Qualified Privileged Communication strengthens the notion that political satire is part of protected speech. On the other hand, it is also apparent from the wording of Article 354 of the Revised Penal Code and jurisprudence that the freedom to use political satire in expressing one\\u2019s opinions and comments is not definite as it may still become a ground for Libel if underneath its humorous fa\\u00e7ade lies an imputation that could not only defame a public officer but also affect the very credibility of the government it represents to the eye of the public.\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0 \\u00a0 \\u00a0 The concept of political satire as a form of commentary on governmental affairs is not novel. Its existence throughout political history does not indicate a constant ill-will on the part of constituents against public servants but instead provides a salient fact: the conduct of public officers concerning the discharge of their duties are matters of public interest. When an individual voluntarily enters into public service, he must assume the inevitable risk of being criticized.<a href=\\\"#_ftn27\\\">[27]<\\/a> It would be futile to argue that satirical content criticizing actions made by the government should be eradicated as there are already existing forms of regulation towards this type of content under the law. To say otherwise would be tantamount to an indirect act causing a chilling effect on freedom of expression. The recent case of Beltran is a reminder of how political satire is viewed as a form of imputation without considering the context and message behind its humorous surface.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0 \\u00a0 \\u00a0 The Bill of Rights of the 1987 Constitution guarantees Filipinos the right to freely express opinion and engage in discussions to encourage a free exchange of competitive ideas. Certainly, political satire is equally protected as it provides an accessible avenue for people to understand the complex realm of politics and governance.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0 \\u00a0 \\u00a0 To reiterate the words of Justice Brandeis\\u2019 concurring Decision in <em>Whitney v. California:<\\/em> \\u201cfreedom to think as you will and to speak as you think are means indispensable to the discovery and spread of political truth\\u201d and that \\u201cif there be time to expose through discussion the falsehood and fallacies, to avert the evil by the process of education, the remedy to be applied is more speech, not enforced silence.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn28\\\">[28]<\\/a>\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">[1]<\\/a> Ryan Macasero, \\u2018Satire is protected speech,\\u2019 says Cebu judge in dismissed case of Bambi Beltran, Rappler (September 24, 2020, 2:53 PM), https:\\/\\/www.rappler.com\\/newsbreak\\/iq\\/highlights-cebu-judge-decision-dismissing-charges-vs-bambi-beltran<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[4]<\\/a> Lian Buan, Bong Go asked NBI to probe social media posts against him, Rappler (July 16, 2020, 11:05 PM), https:\\/\\/www.rappler.com\\/nation\\/bong-go-asked-nbi-probe-social-media-posts-against-him?utm_campaign=Echobox&utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Facebook&fbclid=IwAR1TMB-rc15E5dDCCeevUyhcBAZ5CZ3KsO_gzD0acIgas-SB0jRz7fp0ArE#Echobox=1594950982<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[5]<\\/a> Tetch Torres-Typas, Court releases teacher who offered reward to kill Duterte after posting bail, Inquirer (May 19, 2020, 7:22 PM), https:\\/\\/newsinfo.inquirer.net\\/1277675\\/court-releases-teacher-who-offered-reward-to-kill-duterte-after-posting-bail<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[6]<\\/a> Cruz, Constitutional Law, (2015)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\">[7]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\">[8]<\\/a> Section 4, Art. III of the 1987 Constitution<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\">[9]<\\/a> Blocher, J. (2008). Institutions in the Marketplace of Ideas. Duke Law Journal. Retrieved from https:\\/\\/scholarship.law.duke.edu\\/cgi\\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1346&context=dlj<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\">[10]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\">[11]<\\/a> The Diocese of Bacolod v. Commission on Elections, G.R. No. 205728, 21 January 2015<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref12\\\">[12]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref13\\\">[13]<\\/a> <em>Id<\\/em>.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref14\\\">[14]<\\/a> Plevriti, V. (2014). Satirical User-Generated Memes as an Effective Source of Political Criticism, Extending Debate and Enhancing Civic Engagement. <em>The University of Warwick<\\/em>. Retrieved from https:\\/\\/warwick.ac.uk\\/fac\\/arts\\/scapvc\\/ccmps\\/research\\/publications\\/madiss\\/ccps_13-14_vasiliki_plevriti.pdf<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref15\\\">[15]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref16\\\">[16]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref17\\\">[17]<\\/a> Cabico, G., \\u2018Malicious use of my image\\u2019: Panelo cries foul over a meme, Philippine Star (May 10, 2019, 10:23 PM),https:\\/\\/www.philstar.com\\/headlines\\/2019\\/05\\/10\\/1916692\\/malicious-use-my-image-panelo-cries-foul-over-meme; Cf n.a., MMDA spokesperson not letting Facebook joke page pass, files Cyberlibel suit, Philippine Star (October 9, 2019, 3:14 PM), https:\\/\\/www.philstar.com\\/headlines\\/2019\\/10\\/09\\/1958793\\/mmda-spokesperson-not-letting-facebook-joke-page-pass-files-cyberlibel-suit; See also CDe Jesus, J., \\u2018Spreading foul election memes could lead to online libel raps\\u2019, Inquirer (January 08, 2016, 2:41 PM), https:\\/\\/technology.inquirer.net\\/46159\\/spreading-foul-election-memes-lead-online-libel-raps<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref18\\\">[18]<\\/a> Art. 353, Book II of the Revised Penal Code<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref19\\\">[19]<\\/a> Sec. 4 (c) (4), Chapter II of The Cybercrime Law Act of 2012.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref20\\\">[20]<\\/a> Oliver v. La Vanguardia, Inc., G.R. No. L-23063, 10 December 1925<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref21\\\">[21]<\\/a> US v. Sotto, 36 Phil 666<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref22\\\">[22]<\\/a> Reyes, The Revised Penal Code Book II, (2012).<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref23\\\">[23]<\\/a> Ornafel v. People, L-26877, 26 December 1969<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref24\\\">[24]<\\/a> People v. Del Fierro and Padilla, G.R. No. 3599-R, 27 July 1950<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref25\\\">[25]<\\/a> Treiger, L.K. (1989) Protecting Satire Against Libel Claims: A New Reading of the First Amendment\\u2019s Opinion Privilege. The Yale Law Journal. Retrieved from https:\\/\\/digitalcommons.law.yale.edu\\/ylj\\/vol98\\/iss6\\/7\\/<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref26\\\">[26]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref27\\\">[27]<\\/a> Gertz. V. Robert Welch, Inc. 418 US 323 (1974)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref28\\\">[28]<\\/a> Whitney v. California, 274 US 357 (1927)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><strong>Cover Photo:<\\/strong> The front page of the Lipang Kalabaw courtesy of <a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/unanglabas.blogspot.com\\/2012\\/07\\/lipang-kalabaw.html\\\">Unang Labas<\\/a>.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><em>Background on Cover Photo:<\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\">Lipang Kalabaw \\\"alleged\\\" is the first and only Philippine satirical journal in history. The first issue is entitled \\u201cProgresista Voters,\\u201d which depict how the Progresista Party (formerly Federalista Party that advocated for Philippine statehood under the U.S.) changed stance when rural voters (seen in the back row) tipped the vote for the party to support eventual Philippine independence.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"> Source: <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/the-martial-law-thingy.tumblr.com\\/post\\/159521080269\\/ang-pikon-talo-satire-as-impulse-to-freedom\\/amp\\\">Indohistorian.<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_font_family\":\"Georgia\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(2225,1002,'_elementor_controls_usage','a:3:{s:11:\"text-editor\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:2;s:8:\"controls\";a:2:{s:7:\"content\";a:1:{s:14:\"section_editor\";a:1:{s:6:\"editor\";i:1;}}s:5:\"style\";a:1:{s:13:\"section_style\";a:3:{s:21:\"typography_typography\";i:1;s:22:\"typography_font_family\";i:1;s:22:\"typography_line_height\";i:1;}}}}s:6:\"column\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:0;s:8:\"controls\";a:0:{}}s:7:\"section\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:0;s:8:\"controls\";a:0:{}}}'),(2227,1002,'ss_ss_click_share_count_facebook','2'),(2228,1002,'ss_total_share_count','0'),(2238,1002,'ss_ss_click_share_count_print','2'),(2239,1012,'_wp_trash_meta_status','publish'),(2240,1012,'_wp_trash_meta_time','1605352480'),(2241,993,'_wp_attachment_is_custom_background','bfastmag'),(2243,1013,'_customize_restore_dismissed','1'),(2244,1014,'_edit_lock','1605357505:1'),(2246,1015,'_edit_lock','1605759363:1'),(2247,1015,'_edit_last','1'),(2248,1015,'wptr_hide_title','0'),(2249,1015,'ss_social_share_disable',''),(2250,1015,'_yoast_wpseo_metadesc','However, albeit noble in its purposes, the ban seems to tread upon the brink of unconstitutionality. Thus, the question arises: Is the deployment ban of health workers, specifically, of nurses constitutional?'),(2251,1015,'_yoast_wpseo_content_score','30'),(2252,1017,'_wp_attached_file','2020/11/Screenshot-2020-11-19-111008.jpg'),(2253,1017,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:6:{s:5:\"width\";i:800;s:6:\"height\";i:447;s:14:\"hwstring_small\";s:23:\"height=\'72\' width=\'128\'\";s:4:\"file\";s:40:\"2020/11/Screenshot-2020-11-19-111008.jpg\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:11:{s:9:\"thumbnail\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:40:\"Screenshot-2020-11-19-111008-150x150.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:6:\"medium\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:40:\"Screenshot-2020-11-19-111008-300x168.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:300;s:6:\"height\";i:168;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:12:\"medium_large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:40:\"Screenshot-2020-11-19-111008-768x429.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:768;s:6:\"height\";i:429;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:24:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:40:\"Screenshot-2020-11-19-111008-170x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:25:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:38:\"Screenshot-2020-11-19-111008-86x70.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:39:\"Screenshot-2020-11-19-111008-170x95.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:95;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:22:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:40:\"Screenshot-2020-11-19-111008-370x250.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:30:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:40:\"Screenshot-2020-11-19-111008-370x207.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:207;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:21:\"bfastmag_related_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:40:\"Screenshot-2020-11-19-111008-288x160.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:288;s:6:\"height\";i:160;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:18:\"bfastmag_blog_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:40:\"Screenshot-2020-11-19-111008-780x447.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:447;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:26:\"bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:40:\"Screenshot-2020-11-19-111008-780x436.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:436;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:0:\"\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:1:\"0\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:1:\"0\";s:3:\"iso\";s:1:\"0\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:1:\"0\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";s:1:\"0\";s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}}'),(2254,1015,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(2255,1015,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(2256,1015,'_elementor_version','3.0.13'),(2257,1014,'_customize_restore_dismissed','1'),(2258,1018,'_edit_lock','1605756232:1'),(2259,1015,'_wp_page_template','default'),(2260,1015,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"1f386fe6\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"33a65c39\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"59f8b1f\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">By: Cassandra Marie Mendoza<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The year 2020 has unexpectedly become a year of international health crisis.\\u00a0 Since January 2020, the whole world has been coping with the impact of the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.\\u00a0\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 COVID-19\\u2019s local transmission in the Philippines prompted President Duterte to sign proclamation No. 922<sup>1<\\/sup> declaring a state of public health emergency throughout the country.\\u00a0 Consequently, a sudden deployment ban of Filipino health workers was put into effect through the <a>Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) Governing Board Resolution No. 9 series of 2020<\\/a>.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The deployment ban included physicians, nurses, microbiologists, molecular biologists, medical technologists, clinical analysts, respiratory therapists, pharmacists, laboratory technicians, radiologic technicians, nursing aides, operators of medical equipment, supervisors of health services and personal care, and repairman of medical-hospital equipment.<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\">[2]<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The ban serves two purposes. First, it sought to address the shortage of health workers in the country.\\u00a0 The Human Resources for Health Network (HRHN), an inter-agency policy and program support network led by the Department of Health (DOH), reported that \\u201cthere was a shortage of about 290,000 health workers in the country, and that an average annual migration of 13,000 health care professionals aggravates the deficiency in the national supply\\u201d.<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\">[3]<\\/a> Second is to ensure the safety health workers.\\u00a0 Not allowing the health workers to go to countries where the pandemic is at its peak is said to be the government\\u2019s preventive measure to secure the safety of health workers.\\u00a0 The deployment ban has already affected around 700 nurses<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\">[4]<\\/a> throughout the country.\\u00a0 However, albeit noble in its purposes, the ban seems to tread upon the brink of unconstitutionality. Thus, the question arises: Is the deployment ban of health workers, specifically, of nurses constitutional?<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><strong>LEGAL AND CONSTITUTIONAL GAPS<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The International Convention on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights (ICESCR), acceded to by the Philippines, provides for the recognition of the people\\u2019s right to work.\\u00a0 This right includes the opportunity to gain his living by work which he freely chooses or accepts, and will take appropriate steps to safeguard this right.<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\">[5]<\\/a> It also includes the right to just and favorable conditions of work, including remunerations which provide all workers, as a minimum, with fair wages and equal remuneration for work of equal value without distinction of any kind, and safe and healthy working conditions<a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\">[6]<\\/a>.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 By virtue of the doctrine of incorporation in the Constitution, the Philippines adopted the abovementioned international policy.\\u00a0 The same is strengthened by Section 3, Article XIII of the 1987 Constitution which states that the workers \\u201c\\u2026 shall be entitled to security of tenure, humane conditions of work, and a living wage. They shall also participate in policy and decision-making processes affecting their rights and benefits as may be provided by law.<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\">[7]<\\/a>\\u201d<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Among the rights of labor protected under the Constitution are the right to choose one\\u2019s employment and the right to security of tenure. The latter provides for the right of the workers not to be terminated except for a just cause and with due process.\\u00a0 Filipino nurses and other labor advocates have appealed to lift the ban for being violative of the nurses\\u2019 constitutional rights to choose employment and to security of tenure.\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><strong><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">On the Nurses\\u2019 Right to Work<\\/span><\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0Even before the pandemic, the problem regarding the salary of the nurses was already present. In 2019, a petition has been filed before the Supreme Court (SC) seeking to increase the salary of the Filipino nurses and to declare unconstitutional the executive order issued by former president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo which downgraded the nurses\\u2019 salary from Salary Grade 11 to Salary Grade 10. However, such petition was objected to by the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) for lack of legal basis contending that \\u00a0granting the petition would result in inequity among the wages of government workers.<a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\">[8]<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0Towards the end of August 2020, an international information aggregator, i-Price, through Economic Research Institute-powered company, Salary Expert, published data indicating salaries of various front liners during the COVID-19 pandemic in six countries within Southeast Asia.\\u00a0 The study showed that the Filipino health care workers are the least paid workers in Southeast Asian countries next to Vietnam with only 40,000 pesos<a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\">[9]<\\/a>.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0More and more nurses, especially during this time of crisis, opted to work abroad to uplift the living conditions of the families they left behind in the country. However, with the deployment ban in place, these nurses had no choice but to stay in the country,\\u00a0 without assurance of any gainful employment from the government.\\u00a0 Worse, just to make ends meet, they may be forced to work on temporary employment offered by the government to health workers against the battle with COVID-19 pandemic.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Insofar as\\u00a0 the right of labor is concerned, it may be said that the deployment ban has deprived the nurses the right to choose to work abroad and to choose the work environment that they believe is the most suitable for them and which could give them better compensation.\\u00a0\\u00a0 However, it bears noting that this right is not absolute.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In <em>PASEI v. Drilon<\\/em><a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\">[10]<\\/a> (1988), the Supreme Court <em>En Banc <\\/em>upheld the validity of the temporary deployment ban of Filipino domestic and household workers ruling that the reliance of the petitioner on the constitutional right to work of labors is not well-taken because such right granted by Sec. 3, Article XIII of the Constitution must submit to the demands of State\\u2019s power of regulation. The Court further held that the term \\u201cprotection to labor\\u201d afforded by the constitution does not signify promotion of employment alone. Rather, it is more concerned with providing employment to labor that is decent, just, and humane.\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The applicability of the case of <em>PASEI<\\/em> to the temporary ban on health workers is, at the least, questionable. In <em>PASEI<a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\"><strong>[11]<\\/strong><\\/a>,<\\/em> the temporary deployment ban was justified due to the apparently unhappy plight of the Filipino domestic servants abroad brought about by the exploitative working conditions and cases of abuse against these laborers. Under the present ban however, there was no showing of any kind of abuse from abroad towards Filipino nurses due to the pandemic.\\u00a0 In fact, hospitals abroad offer more sustainable and just conditions of work than hospitals in our country.\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Philippine government cannot validly claim that this deployment ban ensures the nurses just and humane conditions of work while nurses in the Philippines are being overworked and underpaid.\\u00a0 The current condition of nurses is awful. While risking their lives to save Covid-19 patients, they are stigmatized \\u2013some are evicted from their apartments<a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\">[12]<\\/a>, others discriminated in public transportation, and still others get viciously attacked by bystanders.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 It bears stressing that the government is not confined to the choice of restricting the nurses\\u2019 right to work as a response towards COVID-19.\\u00a0 Instead of unduly compelling these laborers to work in the country, the government should afford better salaries to our nurses and allow them to choose whether to stay in the country or to work abroad. By doing so, the government is acting its mandate to uphold the nurses\\u2019 right to work.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><strong><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">On Nurses\\u2019 Right to Security of Tenure<\\/span><\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><strong>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 <\\/strong>The deployment ban has affected the nurses\\u2019 rights to freely choose their employment as it precluded them from working overseas where there is stable employment, better job offers, and a higher standard of living.\\u00a0 It also left nurses with no choice but to look for other sustainable work\\u2013given the lack of contingency plan from the government to address their temporary unemployment.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 With regard to the employment contract of nurses under this emergency hiring program, even the DOH\\u2019s Director of the Office for Policy and Health Systems, Dr. Kenneth Ronquillo, admitted that the primary reason they are having difficulty in getting applicants is that they only offer short-term job contracts that would end in December with a very little assurance that it will be renewed in the 2021, versus the more stable and better job offers abroad<a href=\\\"#_ftn12\\\">[13]<\\/a>.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In this instance, the right of the nurses to security of tenure is impaired by the government\\u2019s temporary employment scheme as the nurses are subjected to contractual employment,\\u00a0 without assurance of being regularized or having their three-month contracts under the Emergency Hiring Program extended.\\u00a0 This set-up denies the rights of the laborers to the benefits associated with regularization and thus, can be classified as an anti-tenurial security scheme frowned upon by the Labor Code.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Whether the deployment ban imposed by the government is constitutional is an issue that only the courts can determine, taking into consideration the provisions of the supreme law of the land.\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0Nevertheless, the government, in the exercise of its inherent police power, must recognize that while it is true that the right to health and safety may present a sufficient justification for the government\\u2019s imposition of the deployment ban against the Philippine nurses and other health workers, there is absolutely no need to stake their freedom to choose their work and their tenurial security rights. The government can do better than forcing them in the country. These rights, conferred by the Constitution, must be enjoyed by the people to the fullest extent possible without having to choose one over the other.\\u00a0 \\u00a0If the government is to be true to its mandate of protecting these workers, curtailing its rights should be the last resort. The government should first afford the statutory rights of labor such as humane living conditions and competitive benefits.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0Even if the deployment ban on nurses is upheld, the government should start seeing the irony of protecting workers\\u2019 rights not by actual grants but by curtailment of rights under the pretense of securing their health and safety.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><span style=\\\"color: #ff0000;\\\">[1]<\\/span> Proclamation 922 s. 2020. DECLARING A STATE OF PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY THROUGHOUT THE PHILIPPINES. https:\\/\\/www.officialgazette.gov.ph\\/downloads\\/2020\\/02feb\\/20200308-PROC-922-RRD-1.pdf<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><span style=\\\"color: #ff0000;\\\">[2]<\\/span> POEA Governing Board Resolution No. 9 Series of 2020.\\u00a0 http:\\/\\/poea.gov.ph\\/gbr\\/2020\\/GBR-09-2020.pdf<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><span style=\\\"color: #ff0000;\\\">[3]<\\/span> POEA Governing Board Resolution No. 9 Series of 2020. http:\\/\\/poea.gov.ph\\/gbr\\/2020\\/GBR-09-2020.pdf<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><span style=\\\"color: #ff0000;\\\">[4]<\\/span> Salud, Joel Pablo. \\u201cNursing Wounds: A Closer Look at the Nurses\\u2019 Deployment Ban\\u201d (Manila, Business Mirror: The broader look, June 4, 2020) <em>https:\\/\\/businessmirror.com.ph\\/2020\\/06\\/04\\/nursing-wounds-a-closer-look-at-the-nurses-deployment-ban\\/<\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[5]<\\/a> INTERNATIONAL COVENANT ON ECONOMICS, SOCIAL, AND CULTURAL RIGHTS, Article 6<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><span style=\\\"color: #ff0000;\\\">[6]<\\/span> INTERNATIONAL COVENANT ON ECONOMICS, SOCIAL, AND CULTURAL RIGHTS, Article 7<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[7]<\\/a> CONST., Sec 3, Article XIII.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\">[8]<\\/a> Tomacruz, Sofia. <em>\\u201cCalida Blocks Petition Seeking to Increase Nurses\\u2019 Salary\\u201d<\\/em> (Manila, February 26, 2019) <a>https:\\/\\/www.rappler.com\\/nation\\/calida-blocks-petit1ion-seeking-increase-nurses-salary.<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\">[9]<\\/a> iPrice. <em>\\u201cFilipino Frontliners Earn The Least Compared To Their Southeast Asian Peers, Data Shows\\u201d<\\/em> (Marketing in Asia, September 3, 2020) <em>https:\\/\\/marketinginasia.com\\/2020\\/09\\/03\\/filipino-frontliners-earn-the-least-compared-to-their-southeast-asian-peers-data-shows\\/<\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\">[10]<\\/a> G.R. No. 81958<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\">[11]<\\/a> Ibid<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\">[12]<\\/a> Santos, Ana. \\u201c<em>Attacked and Underpaid: Medics in Philippines battle stigma and virus.\\u201d<\\/em> (Manila, April 2, 2020) https:\\/\\/www.aljazeera.com\\/news\\/2020\\/04\\/02\\/attacked-underpaid-medics-in-philippines-battle-stigma-virus\\/.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref12\\\">[13]<\\/a> Terrazola, Vanne Alaine.\\u00a0 <em>\\u201cDOLE recommends lifting deployment ban for 600 nurses\\u201d<\\/em> (Manila, August 25, 2020) <em>https:\\/\\/mb.com.ph\\/2020\\/08\\/25\\/dole-recommends-lifting-deployment-ban-for-600-nurses\\/<\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">Cover Photo from <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.rappler.com\\/nation\\/filipino-nurses-bound-for-uk-barred-leaving-philippines\\\">Rappler<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(2262,1015,'_pingme','1'),(2263,1015,'_encloseme','1'),(2264,1019,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(2265,1019,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(2266,1019,'_elementor_version','3.0.13'),(2267,1019,'_wp_page_template','default'),(2268,1019,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"1f386fe6\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"33a65c39\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"59f8b1f\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">By: Cassandra Marie Mendoza<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The year 2020 has unexpectedly become a year of international health crisis.\\u00a0 Since January 2020, the whole world has been coping with the impact of the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.\\u00a0\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">COVID-19\\u2019s local transmission in the Philippines prompted President Duterte to sign proclamation No. 922<sup>1<\\/sup> declaring a state of public health emergency throughout the country.\\u00a0 Consequently, a sudden deployment ban of Filipino health workers was put into effect through the <a>Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) Governing Board Resolution No. 9 series of 2020<\\/a>.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">The deployment ban included physicians, nurses, microbiologists, molecular biologists, medical technologists, clinical analysts, respiratory therapists, pharmacists, laboratory technicians, radiologic technicians, nursing aides, operators of medical equipment, supervisors of health services and personal care, and repairman of medical-hospital equipment.<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\">[2]<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The ban serves two purposes. First, it sought to address the shortage of health workers in the country.\\u00a0 The Human Resources for Health Network (HRHN), an inter-agency policy and program support network led by the Department of Health (DOH), reported that \\u201cthere was a shortage of about 290,000 health workers in the country, and that an average annual migration of 13,000 health care professionals aggravates the deficiency in the national supply\\u201d.<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\">[3]<\\/a> Second is to ensure the safety health workers.\\u00a0 Not allowing the health workers to go to countries where the pandemic is at its peak is said to be the government\\u2019s preventive measure to secure the safety of health workers.\\u00a0 The deployment ban has already affected around 700 nurses<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\">[4]<\\/a> throughout the country.\\u00a0 However, albeit noble in its purposes, the ban seems to tread upon the brink of unconstitutionality. Thus, the question arises: Is the deployment ban of health workers, specifically, of nurses constitutional?<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><strong>LEGAL AND CONSTITUTIONAL GAPS<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The International Convention on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights (ICESCR), acceded to by the Philippines, provides for the recognition of the people\\u2019s right to work.\\u00a0 This right includes the opportunity to gain his living by work which he freely chooses or accepts, and will take appropriate steps to safeguard this right.<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\">[5]<\\/a> It also includes the right to just and favorable conditions of work, including remunerations which provide all workers, as a minimum, with fair wages and equal remuneration for work of equal value without distinction of any kind, and safe and healthy working conditions<a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\">[6]<\\/a>.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 By virtue of the doctrine of incorporation in the Constitution, the Philippines adopted the abovementioned international policy.\\u00a0 The same is strengthened by Section 3, Article XIII of the 1987 Constitution which states that the workers \\u201c\\u2026 shall be entitled to security of tenure, humane conditions of work, and a living wage. They shall also participate in policy and decision-making processes affecting their rights and benefits as may be provided by law.<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\">[7]<\\/a>\\u201d<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Among the rights of labor protected under the Constitution are the right to choose one\\u2019s employment and the right to security of tenure. The latter provides for the right of the workers not to be terminated except for a just cause and with due process.\\u00a0 Filipino nurses and other labor advocates have appealed to lift the ban for being violative of the nurses\\u2019 constitutional rights to choose employment and to security of tenure.\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><strong><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">On the Nurses\\u2019 Right to Work<\\/span><\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0Even before the pandemic, the problem regarding the salary of the nurses was already present. In 2019, a petition has been filed before the Supreme Court (SC) seeking to increase the salary of the Filipino nurses and to declare unconstitutional the executive order issued by former president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo which downgraded the nurses\\u2019 salary from Salary Grade 11 to Salary Grade 10. However, such petition was objected to by the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) for lack of legal basis contending that \\u00a0granting the petition would result in inequity among the wages of government workers.<a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\">[8]<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0Towards the end of August 2020, an international information aggregator, i-Price, through Economic Research Institute-powered company, Salary Expert, published data indicating salaries of various front liners during the COVID-19 pandemic in six countries within Southeast Asia.\\u00a0 The study showed that the Filipino health care workers are the least paid workers in Southeast Asian countries next to Vietnam with only 40,000 pesos<a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\">[9]<\\/a>.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0More and more nurses, especially during this time of crisis, opted to work abroad to uplift the living conditions of the families they left behind in the country. However, with the deployment ban in place, these nurses had no choice but to stay in the country,\\u00a0 without assurance of any gainful employment from the government.\\u00a0 Worse, just to make ends meet, they may be forced to work on temporary employment offered by the government to health workers against the battle with COVID-19 pandemic.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">Insofar as\\u00a0 the right of labor is concerned, it may be said that the deployment ban has deprived the nurses the right to choose to work abroad and to choose the work environment that they believe is the most suitable for them and which could give them better compensation.\\u00a0\\u00a0 However, it bears noting that this right is not absolute.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In <em>PASEI v. Drilon<\\/em><a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\">[10]<\\/a> (1988), the Supreme Court <em>En Banc <\\/em>upheld the validity of the temporary deployment ban of Filipino domestic and household workers ruling that the reliance of the petitioner on the constitutional right to work of labors is not well-taken because such right granted by Sec. 3, Article XIII of the Constitution must submit to the demands of State\\u2019s power of regulation. The Court further held that the term \\u201cprotection to labor\\u201d afforded by the constitution does not signify promotion of employment alone. Rather, it is more concerned with providing employment to labor that is decent, just, and humane.\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The applicability of the case of <em>PASEI<\\/em> to the temporary ban on health workers is, at the least, questionable. In <em>PASEI<a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\"><strong>[11]<\\/strong><\\/a>,<\\/em> the temporary deployment ban was justified due to the apparently unhappy plight of the Filipino domestic servants abroad brought about by the exploitative working conditions and cases of abuse against these laborers. Under the present ban however, there was no showing of any kind of abuse from abroad towards Filipino nurses due to the pandemic.\\u00a0 In fact, hospitals abroad offer more sustainable and just conditions of work than hospitals in our country.\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Philippine government cannot validly claim that this deployment ban ensures the nurses just and humane conditions of work while nurses in the Philippines are being overworked and underpaid.\\u00a0 The current condition of nurses is awful. While risking their lives to save Covid-19 patients, they are stigmatized \\u2013some are evicted from their apartments<a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\">[12]<\\/a>, others discriminated in public transportation, and still others get viciously attacked by bystanders.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">It bears stressing that the government is not confined to the choice of restricting the nurses\\u2019 right to work as a response towards COVID-19.\\u00a0 Instead of unduly compelling these laborers to work in the country, the government should afford better salaries to our nurses and allow them to choose whether to stay in the country or to work abroad. By doing so, the government is acting its mandate to uphold the nurses\\u2019 right to work.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><strong><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">On Nurses\\u2019 Right to Security of Tenure<\\/span><\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><strong>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 <\\/strong>The deployment ban has affected the nurses\\u2019 rights to freely choose their employment as it precluded them from working overseas where there is stable employment, better job offers, and a higher standard of living.\\u00a0 It also left nurses with no choice but to look for other sustainable work\\u2013given the lack of contingency plan from the government to address their temporary unemployment.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">With regard to the employment contract of nurses under this emergency hiring program, even the DOH\\u2019s Director of the Office for Policy and Health Systems, Dr. Kenneth Ronquillo, admitted that the primary reason they are having difficulty in getting applicants is that they only offer short-term job contracts that would end in December with a very little assurance that it will be renewed in the 2021, versus the more stable and better job offers abroad<a href=\\\"#_ftn12\\\">[13]<\\/a>.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">In this instance, the right of the nurses to security of tenure is impaired by the government\\u2019s temporary employment scheme as the nurses are subjected to contractual employment,\\u00a0 without assurance of being regularized or having their three-month contracts under the Emergency Hiring Program extended.\\u00a0 This set-up denies the rights of the laborers to the benefits associated with regularization and thus, can be classified as an anti-tenurial security scheme frowned upon by the Labor Code.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Whether the deployment ban imposed by the government is constitutional is an issue that only the courts can determine, taking into consideration the provisions of the supreme law of the land.\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0Nevertheless, the government, in the exercise of its inherent police power, must recognize that while it is true that the right to health and safety may present a sufficient justification for the government\\u2019s imposition of the deployment ban against the Philippine nurses and other health workers, there is absolutely no need to stake their freedom to choose their work and their tenurial security rights. The government can do better than forcing them in the country. These rights, conferred by the Constitution, must be enjoyed by the people to the fullest extent possible without having to choose one over the other.\\u00a0 \\u00a0If the government is to be true to its mandate of protecting these workers, curtailing its rights should be the last resort. The government should first afford the statutory rights of labor such as humane living conditions and competitive benefits.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0Even if the deployment ban on nurses is upheld, the government should start seeing the irony of protecting workers\\u2019 rights not by actual grants but by curtailment of rights under the pretense of securing their health and safety.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><sup>1<\\/sup>Proclamation 922 s. 2020. DECLARING A STATE OF PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY THROUGHOUT THE PHILIPPINES. https:\\/\\/www.officialgazette.gov.ph\\/downloads\\/2020\\/02feb\\/20200308-PROC-922-RRD-1.pdf<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">2 POEA Governing Board Resolution No. 9 Series of 2020.\\u00a0 http:\\/\\/poea.gov.ph\\/gbr\\/2020\\/GBR-09-2020.pdf<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">3 POEA Governing Board Resolution No. 9 Series of 2020. http:\\/\\/poea.gov.ph\\/gbr\\/2020\\/GBR-09-2020.pdf<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">4 Salud, Joel Pablo. \\u201cNursing Wounds: A Closer Look at the Nurses\\u2019 Deployment Ban\\u201d (Manila, Business Mirror: The broader look, June 4, 2020) <em>https:\\/\\/businessmirror.com.ph\\/2020\\/06\\/04\\/nursing-wounds-a-closer-look-at-the-nurses-deployment-ban\\/<\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[5]<\\/a> INTERNATIONAL COVENANT ON ECONOMICS, SOCIAL, AND CULTURAL RIGHTS, Article 6<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">[6] INTERNATIONAL COVENANT ON ECONOMICS, SOCIAL, AND CULTURAL RIGHTS, Article 7<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[7]<\\/a> CONST., Sec 3, Article XIII.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\">[8]<\\/a> Tomacruz, Sofia. <em>\\u201cCalida Blocks Petition Seeking to Increase Nurses\\u2019 Salary\\u201d<\\/em> (Manila, February 26, 2019) <a>https:\\/\\/www.rappler.com\\/nation\\/calida-blocks-petit1ion-seeking-increase-nurses-salary.<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\">[9]<\\/a> iPrice. <em>\\u201cFilipino Frontliners Earn The Least Compared To Their Southeast Asian Peers, Data Shows\\u201d<\\/em> (Marketing in Asia, September 3, 2020) <em>https:\\/\\/marketinginasia.com\\/2020\\/09\\/03\\/filipino-frontliners-earn-the-least-compared-to-their-southeast-asian-peers-data-shows\\/<\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\">[10]<\\/a> G.R. No. 81958<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\">[11]<\\/a> Ibid<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\">[12]<\\/a> Santos, Ana. \\u201c<em>Attacked and Underpaid: Medics in Philippines battle stigma and virus.\\u201d<\\/em> (Manila, April 2, 2020) https:\\/\\/www.aljazeera.com\\/news\\/2020\\/04\\/02\\/attacked-underpaid-medics-in-philippines-battle-stigma-virus\\/.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref12\\\">[13]<\\/a> Terrazola, Vanne Alaine.\\u00a0 <em>\\u201cDOLE recommends lifting deployment ban for 600 nurses\\u201d<\\/em> (Manila, August 25, 2020) <em>https:\\/\\/mb.com.ph\\/2020\\/08\\/25\\/dole-recommends-lifting-deployment-ban-for-600-nurses\\/<\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">Cover Photo from <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.rappler.com\\/nation\\/filipino-nurses-bound-for-uk-barred-leaving-philippines\\\">Rappler<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(2270,1020,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(2271,1020,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(2272,1020,'_elementor_version','3.0.13'),(2273,1020,'_wp_page_template','default'),(2274,1020,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"1f386fe6\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"33a65c39\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"59f8b1f\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">By: Cassandra Marie Mendoza<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The year 2020 has unexpectedly become a year of international health crisis.\\u00a0 Since January 2020, the whole world has been coping with the impact of the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.\\u00a0\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">COVID-19\\u2019s local transmission in the Philippines prompted President Duterte to sign proclamation No. 922<sup>1<\\/sup> declaring a state of public health emergency throughout the country.\\u00a0 Consequently, a sudden deployment ban of Filipino health workers was put into effect through the <a>Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) Governing Board Resolution No. 9 series of 2020<\\/a>.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">The deployment ban included physicians, nurses, microbiologists, molecular biologists, medical technologists, clinical analysts, respiratory therapists, pharmacists, laboratory technicians, radiologic technicians, nursing aides, operators of medical equipment, supervisors of health services and personal care, and repairman of medical-hospital equipment.<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\">[2]<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The ban serves two purposes. First, it sought to address the shortage of health workers in the country.\\u00a0 The Human Resources for Health Network (HRHN), an inter-agency policy and program support network led by the Department of Health (DOH), reported that \\u201cthere was a shortage of about 290,000 health workers in the country, and that an average annual migration of 13,000 health care professionals aggravates the deficiency in the national supply\\u201d.<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\">[3]<\\/a> Second is to ensure the safety health workers.\\u00a0 Not allowing the health workers to go to countries where the pandemic is at its peak is said to be the government\\u2019s preventive measure to secure the safety of health workers.\\u00a0 The deployment ban has already affected around 700 nurses<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\">[4]<\\/a> throughout the country.\\u00a0 However, albeit noble in its purposes, the ban seems to tread upon the brink of unconstitutionality. Thus, the question arises: Is the deployment ban of health workers, specifically, of nurses constitutional?<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><strong>LEGAL AND CONSTITUTIONAL GAPS<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The International Convention on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights (ICESCR), acceded to by the Philippines, provides for the recognition of the people\\u2019s right to work.\\u00a0 This right includes the opportunity to gain his living by work which he freely chooses or accepts, and will take appropriate steps to safeguard this right.<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\">[5]<\\/a> It also includes the right to just and favorable conditions of work, including remunerations which provide all workers, as a minimum, with fair wages and equal remuneration for work of equal value without distinction of any kind, and safe and healthy working conditions<a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\">[6]<\\/a>.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 By virtue of the doctrine of incorporation in the Constitution, the Philippines adopted the abovementioned international policy.\\u00a0 The same is strengthened by Section 3, Article XIII of the 1987 Constitution which states that the workers \\u201c\\u2026 shall be entitled to security of tenure, humane conditions of work, and a living wage. They shall also participate in policy and decision-making processes affecting their rights and benefits as may be provided by law.<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\">[7]<\\/a>\\u201d<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Among the rights of labor protected under the Constitution are the right to choose one\\u2019s employment and the right to security of tenure. The latter provides for the right of the workers not to be terminated except for a just cause and with due process.\\u00a0 Filipino nurses and other labor advocates have appealed to lift the ban for being violative of the nurses\\u2019 constitutional rights to choose employment and to security of tenure.\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><strong><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">On the Nurses\\u2019 Right to Work<\\/span><\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0Even before the pandemic, the problem regarding the salary of the nurses was already present. In 2019, a petition has been filed before the Supreme Court (SC) seeking to increase the salary of the Filipino nurses and to declare unconstitutional the executive order issued by former president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo which downgraded the nurses\\u2019 salary from Salary Grade 11 to Salary Grade 10. However, such petition was objected to by the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) for lack of legal basis contending that \\u00a0granting the petition would result in inequity among the wages of government workers.<a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\">[8]<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0Towards the end of August 2020, an international information aggregator, i-Price, through Economic Research Institute-powered company, Salary Expert, published data indicating salaries of various front liners during the COVID-19 pandemic in six countries within Southeast Asia.\\u00a0 The study showed that the Filipino health care workers are the least paid workers in Southeast Asian countries next to Vietnam with only 40,000 pesos<a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\">[9]<\\/a>.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0More and more nurses, especially during this time of crisis, opted to work abroad to uplift the living conditions of the families they left behind in the country. However, with the deployment ban in place, these nurses had no choice but to stay in the country,\\u00a0 without assurance of any gainful employment from the government.\\u00a0 Worse, just to make ends meet, they may be forced to work on temporary employment offered by the government to health workers against the battle with COVID-19 pandemic.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">Insofar as\\u00a0 the right of labor is concerned, it may be said that the deployment ban has deprived the nurses the right to choose to work abroad and to choose the work environment that they believe is the most suitable for them and which could give them better compensation.\\u00a0\\u00a0 However, it bears noting that this right is not absolute.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In <em>PASEI v. Drilon<\\/em><a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\">[10]<\\/a> (1988), the Supreme Court <em>En Banc <\\/em>upheld the validity of the temporary deployment ban of Filipino domestic and household workers ruling that the reliance of the petitioner on the constitutional right to work of labors is not well-taken because such right granted by Sec. 3, Article XIII of the Constitution must submit to the demands of State\\u2019s power of regulation. The Court further held that the term \\u201cprotection to labor\\u201d afforded by the constitution does not signify promotion of employment alone. Rather, it is more concerned with providing employment to labor that is decent, just, and humane.\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The applicability of the case of <em>PASEI<\\/em> to the temporary ban on health workers is, at the least, questionable. In <em>PASEI<a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\"><strong>[11]<\\/strong><\\/a>,<\\/em> the temporary deployment ban was justified due to the apparently unhappy plight of the Filipino domestic servants abroad brought about by the exploitative working conditions and cases of abuse against these laborers. Under the present ban however, there was no showing of any kind of abuse from abroad towards Filipino nurses due to the pandemic.\\u00a0 In fact, hospitals abroad offer more sustainable and just conditions of work than hospitals in our country.\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Philippine government cannot validly claim that this deployment ban ensures the nurses just and humane conditions of work while nurses in the Philippines are being overworked and underpaid.\\u00a0 The current condition of nurses is awful. While risking their lives to save Covid-19 patients, they are stigmatized \\u2013some are evicted from their apartments<a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\">[12]<\\/a>, others discriminated in public transportation, and still others get viciously attacked by bystanders.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">It bears stressing that the government is not confined to the choice of restricting the nurses\\u2019 right to work as a response towards COVID-19.\\u00a0 Instead of unduly compelling these laborers to work in the country, the government should afford better salaries to our nurses and allow them to choose whether to stay in the country or to work abroad. By doing so, the government is acting its mandate to uphold the nurses\\u2019 right to work.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><strong><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">On Nurses\\u2019 Right to Security of Tenure<\\/span><\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><strong>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 <\\/strong>The deployment ban has affected the nurses\\u2019 rights to freely choose their employment as it precluded them from working overseas where there is stable employment, better job offers, and a higher standard of living.\\u00a0 It also left nurses with no choice but to look for other sustainable work\\u2013given the lack of contingency plan from the government to address their temporary unemployment.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">With regard to the employment contract of nurses under this emergency hiring program, even the DOH\\u2019s Director of the Office for Policy and Health Systems, Dr. Kenneth Ronquillo, admitted that the primary reason they are having difficulty in getting applicants is that they only offer short-term job contracts that would end in December with a very little assurance that it will be renewed in the 2021, versus the more stable and better job offers abroad<a href=\\\"#_ftn12\\\">[13]<\\/a>.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">In this instance, the right of the nurses to security of tenure is impaired by the government\\u2019s temporary employment scheme as the nurses are subjected to contractual employment,\\u00a0 without assurance of being regularized or having their three-month contracts under the Emergency Hiring Program extended.\\u00a0 This set-up denies the rights of the laborers to the benefits associated with regularization and thus, can be classified as an anti-tenurial security scheme frowned upon by the Labor Code.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Whether the deployment ban imposed by the government is constitutional is an issue that only the courts can determine, taking into consideration the provisions of the supreme law of the land.\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0Nevertheless, the government, in the exercise of its inherent police power, must recognize that while it is true that the right to health and safety may present a sufficient justification for the government\\u2019s imposition of the deployment ban against the Philippine nurses and other health workers, there is absolutely no need to stake their freedom to choose their work and their tenurial security rights. The government can do better than forcing them in the country. These rights, conferred by the Constitution, must be enjoyed by the people to the fullest extent possible without having to choose one over the other.\\u00a0 \\u00a0If the government is to be true to its mandate of protecting these workers, curtailing its rights should be the last resort. The government should first afford the statutory rights of labor such as humane living conditions and competitive benefits.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0Even if the deployment ban on nurses is upheld, the government should start seeing the irony of protecting workers\\u2019 rights not by actual grants but by curtailment of rights under the pretense of securing their health and safety.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><sup>1<\\/sup>Proclamation 922 s. 2020. DECLARING A STATE OF PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY THROUGHOUT THE PHILIPPINES. https:\\/\\/www.officialgazette.gov.ph\\/downloads\\/2020\\/02feb\\/20200308-PROC-922-RRD-1.pdf<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">2 POEA Governing Board Resolution No. 9 Series of 2020.\\u00a0 http:\\/\\/poea.gov.ph\\/gbr\\/2020\\/GBR-09-2020.pdf<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">3 POEA Governing Board Resolution No. 9 Series of 2020. http:\\/\\/poea.gov.ph\\/gbr\\/2020\\/GBR-09-2020.pdf<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">4 Salud, Joel Pablo. \\u201cNursing Wounds: A Closer Look at the Nurses\\u2019 Deployment Ban\\u201d (Manila, Business Mirror: The broader look, June 4, 2020) <em>https:\\/\\/businessmirror.com.ph\\/2020\\/06\\/04\\/nursing-wounds-a-closer-look-at-the-nurses-deployment-ban\\/<\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[5]<\\/a> INTERNATIONAL COVENANT ON ECONOMICS, SOCIAL, AND CULTURAL RIGHTS, Article 6<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">[6] INTERNATIONAL COVENANT ON ECONOMICS, SOCIAL, AND CULTURAL RIGHTS, Article 7<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[7]<\\/a> CONST., Sec 3, Article XIII.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\">[8]<\\/a> Tomacruz, Sofia. <em>\\u201cCalida Blocks Petition Seeking to Increase Nurses\\u2019 Salary\\u201d<\\/em> (Manila, February 26, 2019) <a>https:\\/\\/www.rappler.com\\/nation\\/calida-blocks-petit1ion-seeking-increase-nurses-salary.<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\">[9]<\\/a> iPrice. <em>\\u201cFilipino Frontliners Earn The Least Compared To Their Southeast Asian Peers, Data Shows\\u201d<\\/em> (Marketing in Asia, September 3, 2020) <em>https:\\/\\/marketinginasia.com\\/2020\\/09\\/03\\/filipino-frontliners-earn-the-least-compared-to-their-southeast-asian-peers-data-shows\\/<\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\">[10]<\\/a> G.R. No. 81958<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\">[11]<\\/a> Ibid<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\">[12]<\\/a> Santos, Ana. \\u201c<em>Attacked and Underpaid: Medics in Philippines battle stigma and virus.\\u201d<\\/em> (Manila, April 2, 2020) https:\\/\\/www.aljazeera.com\\/news\\/2020\\/04\\/02\\/attacked-underpaid-medics-in-philippines-battle-stigma-virus\\/.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref12\\\">[13]<\\/a> Terrazola, Vanne Alaine.\\u00a0 <em>\\u201cDOLE recommends lifting deployment ban for 600 nurses\\u201d<\\/em> (Manila, August 25, 2020) <em>https:\\/\\/mb.com.ph\\/2020\\/08\\/25\\/dole-recommends-lifting-deployment-ban-for-600-nurses\\/<\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">Cover Photo from <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.rappler.com\\/nation\\/filipino-nurses-bound-for-uk-barred-leaving-philippines\\\">Rappler<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(2276,1021,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(2277,1021,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(2278,1021,'_elementor_version','3.0.13'),(2279,1021,'_wp_page_template','default'),(2280,1021,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"1f386fe6\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"33a65c39\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"59f8b1f\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">By: Cassandra Marie Mendoza<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The year 2020 has unexpectedly become a year of international health crisis.\\u00a0 Since January 2020, the whole world has been coping with the impact of the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.\\u00a0\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">COVID-19\\u2019s local transmission in the Philippines prompted President Duterte to sign proclamation No. 922<sup>1<\\/sup> declaring a state of public health emergency throughout the country.\\u00a0 Consequently, a sudden deployment ban of Filipino health workers was put into effect through the <a>Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) Governing Board Resolution No. 9 series of 2020<\\/a>.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">The deployment ban included physicians, nurses, microbiologists, molecular biologists, medical technologists, clinical analysts, respiratory therapists, pharmacists, laboratory technicians, radiologic technicians, nursing aides, operators of medical equipment, supervisors of health services and personal care, and repairman of medical-hospital equipment.<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\">[2]<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The ban serves two purposes. First, it sought to address the shortage of health workers in the country.\\u00a0 The Human Resources for Health Network (HRHN), an inter-agency policy and program support network led by the Department of Health (DOH), reported that \\u201cthere was a shortage of about 290,000 health workers in the country, and that an average annual migration of 13,000 health care professionals aggravates the deficiency in the national supply\\u201d.<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\">[3]<\\/a> Second is to ensure the safety health workers.\\u00a0 Not allowing the health workers to go to countries where the pandemic is at its peak is said to be the government\\u2019s preventive measure to secure the safety of health workers.\\u00a0 The deployment ban has already affected around 700 nurses<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\">[4]<\\/a> throughout the country.\\u00a0 However, albeit noble in its purposes, the ban seems to tread upon the brink of unconstitutionality. Thus, the question arises: Is the deployment ban of health workers, specifically, of nurses constitutional?<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><strong>LEGAL AND CONSTITUTIONAL GAPS<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The International Convention on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights (ICESCR), acceded to by the Philippines, provides for the recognition of the people\\u2019s right to work.\\u00a0 This right includes the opportunity to gain his living by work which he freely chooses or accepts, and will take appropriate steps to safeguard this right.<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\">[5]<\\/a> It also includes the right to just and favorable conditions of work, including remunerations which provide all workers, as a minimum, with fair wages and equal remuneration for work of equal value without distinction of any kind, and safe and healthy working conditions<a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\">[6]<\\/a>.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 By virtue of the doctrine of incorporation in the Constitution, the Philippines adopted the abovementioned international policy.\\u00a0 The same is strengthened by Section 3, Article XIII of the 1987 Constitution which states that the workers \\u201c\\u2026 shall be entitled to security of tenure, humane conditions of work, and a living wage. They shall also participate in policy and decision-making processes affecting their rights and benefits as may be provided by law.<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\">[7]<\\/a>\\u201d<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Among the rights of labor protected under the Constitution are the right to choose one\\u2019s employment and the right to security of tenure. The latter provides for the right of the workers not to be terminated except for a just cause and with due process.\\u00a0 Filipino nurses and other labor advocates have appealed to lift the ban for being violative of the nurses\\u2019 constitutional rights to choose employment and to security of tenure.\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><strong><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">On the Nurses\\u2019 Right to Work<\\/span><\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0Even before the pandemic, the problem regarding the salary of the nurses was already present. In 2019, a petition has been filed before the Supreme Court (SC) seeking to increase the salary of the Filipino nurses and to declare unconstitutional the executive order issued by former president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo which downgraded the nurses\\u2019 salary from Salary Grade 11 to Salary Grade 10. However, such petition was objected to by the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) for lack of legal basis contending that \\u00a0granting the petition would result in inequity among the wages of government workers.<a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\">[8]<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0Towards the end of August 2020, an international information aggregator, i-Price, through Economic Research Institute-powered company, Salary Expert, published data indicating salaries of various front liners during the COVID-19 pandemic in six countries within Southeast Asia.\\u00a0 The study showed that the Filipino health care workers are the least paid workers in Southeast Asian countries next to Vietnam with only 40,000 pesos<a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\">[9]<\\/a>.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0More and more nurses, especially during this time of crisis, opted to work abroad to uplift the living conditions of the families they left behind in the country. However, with the deployment ban in place, these nurses had no choice but to stay in the country,\\u00a0 without assurance of any gainful employment from the government.\\u00a0 Worse, just to make ends meet, they may be forced to work on temporary employment offered by the government to health workers against the battle with COVID-19 pandemic.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">Insofar as\\u00a0 the right of labor is concerned, it may be said that the deployment ban has deprived the nurses the right to choose to work abroad and to choose the work environment that they believe is the most suitable for them and which could give them better compensation.\\u00a0\\u00a0 However, it bears noting that this right is not absolute.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In <em>PASEI v. Drilon<\\/em><a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\">[10]<\\/a> (1988), the Supreme Court <em>En Banc <\\/em>upheld the validity of the temporary deployment ban of Filipino domestic and household workers ruling that the reliance of the petitioner on the constitutional right to work of labors is not well-taken because such right granted by Sec. 3, Article XIII of the Constitution must submit to the demands of State\\u2019s power of regulation. The Court further held that the term \\u201cprotection to labor\\u201d afforded by the constitution does not signify promotion of employment alone. Rather, it is more concerned with providing employment to labor that is decent, just, and humane.\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The applicability of the case of <em>PASEI<\\/em> to the temporary ban on health workers is, at the least, questionable. In <em>PASEI<a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\"><strong>[11]<\\/strong><\\/a>,<\\/em> the temporary deployment ban was justified due to the apparently unhappy plight of the Filipino domestic servants abroad brought about by the exploitative working conditions and cases of abuse against these laborers. Under the present ban however, there was no showing of any kind of abuse from abroad towards Filipino nurses due to the pandemic.\\u00a0 In fact, hospitals abroad offer more sustainable and just conditions of work than hospitals in our country.\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Philippine government cannot validly claim that this deployment ban ensures the nurses just and humane conditions of work while nurses in the Philippines are being overworked and underpaid.\\u00a0 The current condition of nurses is awful. While risking their lives to save Covid-19 patients, they are stigmatized \\u2013some are evicted from their apartments<a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\">[12]<\\/a>, others discriminated in public transportation, and still others get viciously attacked by bystanders.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">It bears stressing that the government is not confined to the choice of restricting the nurses\\u2019 right to work as a response towards COVID-19.\\u00a0 Instead of unduly compelling these laborers to work in the country, the government should afford better salaries to our nurses and allow them to choose whether to stay in the country or to work abroad. By doing so, the government is acting its mandate to uphold the nurses\\u2019 right to work.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><strong><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">On Nurses\\u2019 Right to Security of Tenure<\\/span><\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><strong>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 <\\/strong>The deployment ban has affected the nurses\\u2019 rights to freely choose their employment as it precluded them from working overseas where there is stable employment, better job offers, and a higher standard of living.\\u00a0 It also left nurses with no choice but to look for other sustainable work\\u2013given the lack of contingency plan from the government to address their temporary unemployment.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">With regard to the employment contract of nurses under this emergency hiring program, even the DOH\\u2019s Director of the Office for Policy and Health Systems, Dr. Kenneth Ronquillo, admitted that the primary reason they are having difficulty in getting applicants is that they only offer short-term job contracts that would end in December with a very little assurance that it will be renewed in the 2021, versus the more stable and better job offers abroad<a href=\\\"#_ftn12\\\">[13]<\\/a>.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">In this instance, the right of the nurses to security of tenure is impaired by the government\\u2019s temporary employment scheme as the nurses are subjected to contractual employment,\\u00a0 without assurance of being regularized or having their three-month contracts under the Emergency Hiring Program extended.\\u00a0 This set-up denies the rights of the laborers to the benefits associated with regularization and thus, can be classified as an anti-tenurial security scheme frowned upon by the Labor Code.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Whether the deployment ban imposed by the government is constitutional is an issue that only the courts can determine, taking into consideration the provisions of the supreme law of the land.\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0Nevertheless, the government, in the exercise of its inherent police power, must recognize that while it is true that the right to health and safety may present a sufficient justification for the government\\u2019s imposition of the deployment ban against the Philippine nurses and other health workers, there is absolutely no need to stake their freedom to choose their work and their tenurial security rights. The government can do better than forcing them in the country. These rights, conferred by the Constitution, must be enjoyed by the people to the fullest extent possible without having to choose one over the other.\\u00a0 \\u00a0If the government is to be true to its mandate of protecting these workers, curtailing its rights should be the last resort. The government should first afford the statutory rights of labor such as humane living conditions and competitive benefits.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0Even if the deployment ban on nurses is upheld, the government should start seeing the irony of protecting workers\\u2019 rights not by actual grants but by curtailment of rights under the pretense of securing their health and safety.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><span style=\\\"color: #ff0000;\\\">[1]<\\/span> Proclamation 922 s. 2020. DECLARING A STATE OF PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY THROUGHOUT THE PHILIPPINES. https:\\/\\/www.officialgazette.gov.ph\\/downloads\\/2020\\/02feb\\/20200308-PROC-922-RRD-1.pdf<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><span style=\\\"color: #ff0000;\\\">[2]<\\/span> POEA Governing Board Resolution No. 9 Series of 2020.\\u00a0 http:\\/\\/poea.gov.ph\\/gbr\\/2020\\/GBR-09-2020.pdf<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><span style=\\\"color: #ff0000;\\\">[3]<\\/span> POEA Governing Board Resolution No. 9 Series of 2020. http:\\/\\/poea.gov.ph\\/gbr\\/2020\\/GBR-09-2020.pdf<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><span style=\\\"color: #ff0000;\\\">[4]<\\/span> Salud, Joel Pablo. \\u201cNursing Wounds: A Closer Look at the Nurses\\u2019 Deployment Ban\\u201d (Manila, Business Mirror: The broader look, June 4, 2020) <em>https:\\/\\/businessmirror.com.ph\\/2020\\/06\\/04\\/nursing-wounds-a-closer-look-at-the-nurses-deployment-ban\\/<\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[5]<\\/a> INTERNATIONAL COVENANT ON ECONOMICS, SOCIAL, AND CULTURAL RIGHTS, Article 6<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><span style=\\\"color: #ff0000;\\\">[6]<\\/span> INTERNATIONAL COVENANT ON ECONOMICS, SOCIAL, AND CULTURAL RIGHTS, Article 7<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[7]<\\/a> CONST., Sec 3, Article XIII.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\">[8]<\\/a> Tomacruz, Sofia. <em>\\u201cCalida Blocks Petition Seeking to Increase Nurses\\u2019 Salary\\u201d<\\/em> (Manila, February 26, 2019) <a>https:\\/\\/www.rappler.com\\/nation\\/calida-blocks-petit1ion-seeking-increase-nurses-salary.<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\">[9]<\\/a> iPrice. <em>\\u201cFilipino Frontliners Earn The Least Compared To Their Southeast Asian Peers, Data Shows\\u201d<\\/em> (Marketing in Asia, September 3, 2020) <em>https:\\/\\/marketinginasia.com\\/2020\\/09\\/03\\/filipino-frontliners-earn-the-least-compared-to-their-southeast-asian-peers-data-shows\\/<\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\">[10]<\\/a> G.R. No. 81958<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\">[11]<\\/a> Ibid<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\">[12]<\\/a> Santos, Ana. \\u201c<em>Attacked and Underpaid: Medics in Philippines battle stigma and virus.\\u201d<\\/em> (Manila, April 2, 2020) https:\\/\\/www.aljazeera.com\\/news\\/2020\\/04\\/02\\/attacked-underpaid-medics-in-philippines-battle-stigma-virus\\/.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref12\\\">[13]<\\/a> Terrazola, Vanne Alaine.\\u00a0 <em>\\u201cDOLE recommends lifting deployment ban for 600 nurses\\u201d<\\/em> (Manila, August 25, 2020) <em>https:\\/\\/mb.com.ph\\/2020\\/08\\/25\\/dole-recommends-lifting-deployment-ban-for-600-nurses\\/<\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">Cover Photo from <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.rappler.com\\/nation\\/filipino-nurses-bound-for-uk-barred-leaving-philippines\\\">Rappler<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(2284,1022,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(2285,1022,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(2286,1022,'_elementor_version','3.0.13'),(2287,1022,'_wp_page_template','default'),(2288,1022,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"1f386fe6\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"33a65c39\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"59f8b1f\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">By: Cassandra Marie Mendoza<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The year 2020 has unexpectedly become a year of international health crisis.\\u00a0 Since January 2020, the whole world has been coping with the impact of the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.\\u00a0\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">COVID-19\\u2019s local transmission in the Philippines prompted President Duterte to sign proclamation No. 922<sup>1<\\/sup> declaring a state of public health emergency throughout the country.\\u00a0 Consequently, a sudden deployment ban of Filipino health workers was put into effect through the <a>Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) Governing Board Resolution No. 9 series of 2020<\\/a>.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">The deployment ban included physicians, nurses, microbiologists, molecular biologists, medical technologists, clinical analysts, respiratory therapists, pharmacists, laboratory technicians, radiologic technicians, nursing aides, operators of medical equipment, supervisors of health services and personal care, and repairman of medical-hospital equipment.<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\">[2]<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The ban serves two purposes. First, it sought to address the shortage of health workers in the country.\\u00a0 The Human Resources for Health Network (HRHN), an inter-agency policy and program support network led by the Department of Health (DOH), reported that \\u201cthere was a shortage of about 290,000 health workers in the country, and that an average annual migration of 13,000 health care professionals aggravates the deficiency in the national supply\\u201d.<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\">[3]<\\/a> Second is to ensure the safety health workers.\\u00a0 Not allowing the health workers to go to countries where the pandemic is at its peak is said to be the government\\u2019s preventive measure to secure the safety of health workers.\\u00a0 The deployment ban has already affected around 700 nurses<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\">[4]<\\/a> throughout the country.\\u00a0 However, albeit noble in its purposes, the ban seems to tread upon the brink of unconstitutionality. Thus, the question arises: Is the deployment ban of health workers, specifically, of nurses constitutional?<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><strong>LEGAL AND CONSTITUTIONAL GAPS<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The International Convention on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights (ICESCR), acceded to by the Philippines, provides for the recognition of the people\\u2019s right to work.\\u00a0 This right includes the opportunity to gain his living by work which he freely chooses or accepts, and will take appropriate steps to safeguard this right.<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\">[5]<\\/a> It also includes the right to just and favorable conditions of work, including remunerations which provide all workers, as a minimum, with fair wages and equal remuneration for work of equal value without distinction of any kind, and safe and healthy working conditions<a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\">[6]<\\/a>.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 By virtue of the doctrine of incorporation in the Constitution, the Philippines adopted the abovementioned international policy.\\u00a0 The same is strengthened by Section 3, Article XIII of the 1987 Constitution which states that the workers \\u201c\\u2026 shall be entitled to security of tenure, humane conditions of work, and a living wage. They shall also participate in policy and decision-making processes affecting their rights and benefits as may be provided by law.<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\">[7]<\\/a>\\u201d<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Among the rights of labor protected under the Constitution are the right to choose one\\u2019s employment and the right to security of tenure. The latter provides for the right of the workers not to be terminated except for a just cause and with due process.\\u00a0 Filipino nurses and other labor advocates have appealed to lift the ban for being violative of the nurses\\u2019 constitutional rights to choose employment and to security of tenure.\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><strong><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">On the Nurses\\u2019 Right to Work<\\/span><\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0Even before the pandemic, the problem regarding the salary of the nurses was already present. In 2019, a petition has been filed before the Supreme Court (SC) seeking to increase the salary of the Filipino nurses and to declare unconstitutional the executive order issued by former president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo which downgraded the nurses\\u2019 salary from Salary Grade 11 to Salary Grade 10. However, such petition was objected to by the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) for lack of legal basis contending that \\u00a0granting the petition would result in inequity among the wages of government workers.<a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\">[8]<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0Towards the end of August 2020, an international information aggregator, i-Price, through Economic Research Institute-powered company, Salary Expert, published data indicating salaries of various front liners during the COVID-19 pandemic in six countries within Southeast Asia.\\u00a0 The study showed that the Filipino health care workers are the least paid workers in Southeast Asian countries next to Vietnam with only 40,000 pesos<a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\">[9]<\\/a>.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0More and more nurses, especially during this time of crisis, opted to work abroad to uplift the living conditions of the families they left behind in the country. However, with the deployment ban in place, these nurses had no choice but to stay in the country,\\u00a0 without assurance of any gainful employment from the government.\\u00a0 Worse, just to make ends meet, they may be forced to work on temporary employment offered by the government to health workers against the battle with COVID-19 pandemic.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">Insofar as\\u00a0 the right of labor is concerned, it may be said that the deployment ban has deprived the nurses the right to choose to work abroad and to choose the work environment that they believe is the most suitable for them and which could give them better compensation.\\u00a0\\u00a0 However, it bears noting that this right is not absolute.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In <em>PASEI v. Drilon<\\/em><a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\">[10]<\\/a> (1988), the Supreme Court <em>En Banc <\\/em>upheld the validity of the temporary deployment ban of Filipino domestic and household workers ruling that the reliance of the petitioner on the constitutional right to work of labors is not well-taken because such right granted by Sec. 3, Article XIII of the Constitution must submit to the demands of State\\u2019s power of regulation. The Court further held that the term \\u201cprotection to labor\\u201d afforded by the constitution does not signify promotion of employment alone. Rather, it is more concerned with providing employment to labor that is decent, just, and humane.\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The applicability of the case of <em>PASEI<\\/em> to the temporary ban on health workers is, at the least, questionable. In <em>PASEI<a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\"><strong>[11]<\\/strong><\\/a>,<\\/em> the temporary deployment ban was justified due to the apparently unhappy plight of the Filipino domestic servants abroad brought about by the exploitative working conditions and cases of abuse against these laborers. Under the present ban however, there was no showing of any kind of abuse from abroad towards Filipino nurses due to the pandemic.\\u00a0 In fact, hospitals abroad offer more sustainable and just conditions of work than hospitals in our country.\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Philippine government cannot validly claim that this deployment ban ensures the nurses just and humane conditions of work while nurses in the Philippines are being overworked and underpaid.\\u00a0 The current condition of nurses is awful. While risking their lives to save Covid-19 patients, they are stigmatized \\u2013some are evicted from their apartments<a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\">[12]<\\/a>, others discriminated in public transportation, and still others get viciously attacked by bystanders.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">It bears stressing that the government is not confined to the choice of restricting the nurses\\u2019 right to work as a response towards COVID-19.\\u00a0 Instead of unduly compelling these laborers to work in the country, the government should afford better salaries to our nurses and allow them to choose whether to stay in the country or to work abroad. By doing so, the government is acting its mandate to uphold the nurses\\u2019 right to work.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><strong><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">On Nurses\\u2019 Right to Security of Tenure<\\/span><\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><strong>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 <\\/strong>The deployment ban has affected the nurses\\u2019 rights to freely choose their employment as it precluded them from working overseas where there is stable employment, better job offers, and a higher standard of living.\\u00a0 It also left nurses with no choice but to look for other sustainable work\\u2013given the lack of contingency plan from the government to address their temporary unemployment.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">With regard to the employment contract of nurses under this emergency hiring program, even the DOH\\u2019s Director of the Office for Policy and Health Systems, Dr. Kenneth Ronquillo, admitted that the primary reason they are having difficulty in getting applicants is that they only offer short-term job contracts that would end in December with a very little assurance that it will be renewed in the 2021, versus the more stable and better job offers abroad<a href=\\\"#_ftn12\\\">[13]<\\/a>.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">In this instance, the right of the nurses to security of tenure is impaired by the government\\u2019s temporary employment scheme as the nurses are subjected to contractual employment,\\u00a0 without assurance of being regularized or having their three-month contracts under the Emergency Hiring Program extended.\\u00a0 This set-up denies the rights of the laborers to the benefits associated with regularization and thus, can be classified as an anti-tenurial security scheme frowned upon by the Labor Code.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Whether the deployment ban imposed by the government is constitutional is an issue that only the courts can determine, taking into consideration the provisions of the supreme law of the land.\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0Nevertheless, the government, in the exercise of its inherent police power, must recognize that while it is true that the right to health and safety may present a sufficient justification for the government\\u2019s imposition of the deployment ban against the Philippine nurses and other health workers, there is absolutely no need to stake their freedom to choose their work and their tenurial security rights. The government can do better than forcing them in the country. These rights, conferred by the Constitution, must be enjoyed by the people to the fullest extent possible without having to choose one over the other.\\u00a0 \\u00a0If the government is to be true to its mandate of protecting these workers, curtailing its rights should be the last resort. The government should first afford the statutory rights of labor such as humane living conditions and competitive benefits.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0Even if the deployment ban on nurses is upheld, the government should start seeing the irony of protecting workers\\u2019 rights not by actual grants but by curtailment of rights under the pretense of securing their health and safety.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><span style=\\\"color: #ff0000;\\\">[1]<\\/span> Proclamation 922 s. 2020. DECLARING A STATE OF PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY THROUGHOUT THE PHILIPPINES. https:\\/\\/www.officialgazette.gov.ph\\/downloads\\/2020\\/02feb\\/20200308-PROC-922-RRD-1.pdf<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><span style=\\\"color: #ff0000;\\\">[2]<\\/span> POEA Governing Board Resolution No. 9 Series of 2020.\\u00a0 http:\\/\\/poea.gov.ph\\/gbr\\/2020\\/GBR-09-2020.pdf<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><span style=\\\"color: #ff0000;\\\">[3]<\\/span> POEA Governing Board Resolution No. 9 Series of 2020. http:\\/\\/poea.gov.ph\\/gbr\\/2020\\/GBR-09-2020.pdf<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><span style=\\\"color: #ff0000;\\\">[4]<\\/span> Salud, Joel Pablo. \\u201cNursing Wounds: A Closer Look at the Nurses\\u2019 Deployment Ban\\u201d (Manila, Business Mirror: The broader look, June 4, 2020) <em>https:\\/\\/businessmirror.com.ph\\/2020\\/06\\/04\\/nursing-wounds-a-closer-look-at-the-nurses-deployment-ban\\/<\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[5]<\\/a> INTERNATIONAL COVENANT ON ECONOMICS, SOCIAL, AND CULTURAL RIGHTS, Article 6<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><span style=\\\"color: #ff0000;\\\">[6]<\\/span> INTERNATIONAL COVENANT ON ECONOMICS, SOCIAL, AND CULTURAL RIGHTS, Article 7<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[7]<\\/a> CONST., Sec 3, Article XIII.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\">[8]<\\/a> Tomacruz, Sofia. <em>\\u201cCalida Blocks Petition Seeking to Increase Nurses\\u2019 Salary\\u201d<\\/em> (Manila, February 26, 2019) <a>https:\\/\\/www.rappler.com\\/nation\\/calida-blocks-petit1ion-seeking-increase-nurses-salary.<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\">[9]<\\/a> iPrice. <em>\\u201cFilipino Frontliners Earn The Least Compared To Their Southeast Asian Peers, Data Shows\\u201d<\\/em> (Marketing in Asia, September 3, 2020) <em>https:\\/\\/marketinginasia.com\\/2020\\/09\\/03\\/filipino-frontliners-earn-the-least-compared-to-their-southeast-asian-peers-data-shows\\/<\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\">[10]<\\/a> G.R. No. 81958<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\">[11]<\\/a> Ibid<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\">[12]<\\/a> Santos, Ana. \\u201c<em>Attacked and Underpaid: Medics in Philippines battle stigma and virus.\\u201d<\\/em> (Manila, April 2, 2020) https:\\/\\/www.aljazeera.com\\/news\\/2020\\/04\\/02\\/attacked-underpaid-medics-in-philippines-battle-stigma-virus\\/.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref12\\\">[13]<\\/a> Terrazola, Vanne Alaine.\\u00a0 <em>\\u201cDOLE recommends lifting deployment ban for 600 nurses\\u201d<\\/em> (Manila, August 25, 2020) <em>https:\\/\\/mb.com.ph\\/2020\\/08\\/25\\/dole-recommends-lifting-deployment-ban-for-600-nurses\\/<\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">Cover Photo from <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.rappler.com\\/nation\\/filipino-nurses-bound-for-uk-barred-leaving-philippines\\\">Rappler<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(2289,1022,'_elementor_controls_usage','a:3:{s:11:\"text-editor\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:1;s:8:\"controls\";a:2:{s:7:\"content\";a:1:{s:14:\"section_editor\";a:1:{s:6:\"editor\";i:1;}}s:5:\"style\";a:1:{s:13:\"section_style\";a:2:{s:21:\"typography_typography\";i:1;s:22:\"typography_line_height\";i:1;}}}}s:6:\"column\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:0;s:8:\"controls\";a:0:{}}s:7:\"section\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:0;s:8:\"controls\";a:0:{}}}'),(2291,1015,'_thumbnail_id','1017'),(2292,1015,'_yoast_wpseo_primary_category','10'),(2293,1023,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(2294,1023,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(2295,1023,'_elementor_version','3.0.13'),(2296,1023,'_wp_page_template','default'),(2297,1023,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"1f386fe6\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"33a65c39\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"59f8b1f\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">By: Cassandra Marie Mendoza<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The year 2020 has unexpectedly become a year of international health crisis.\\u00a0 Since January 2020, the whole world has been coping with the impact of the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.\\u00a0\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">COVID-19\\u2019s local transmission in the Philippines prompted President Duterte to sign proclamation No. 922<sup>1<\\/sup> declaring a state of public health emergency throughout the country.\\u00a0 Consequently, a sudden deployment ban of Filipino health workers was put into effect through the <a>Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) Governing Board Resolution No. 9 series of 2020<\\/a>.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">The deployment ban included physicians, nurses, microbiologists, molecular biologists, medical technologists, clinical analysts, respiratory therapists, pharmacists, laboratory technicians, radiologic technicians, nursing aides, operators of medical equipment, supervisors of health services and personal care, and repairman of medical-hospital equipment.<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\">[2]<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The ban serves two purposes. First, it sought to address the shortage of health workers in the country.\\u00a0 The Human Resources for Health Network (HRHN), an inter-agency policy and program support network led by the Department of Health (DOH), reported that \\u201cthere was a shortage of about 290,000 health workers in the country, and that an average annual migration of 13,000 health care professionals aggravates the deficiency in the national supply\\u201d.<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\">[3]<\\/a> Second is to ensure the safety health workers.\\u00a0 Not allowing the health workers to go to countries where the pandemic is at its peak is said to be the government\\u2019s preventive measure to secure the safety of health workers.\\u00a0 The deployment ban has already affected around 700 nurses<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\">[4]<\\/a> throughout the country.\\u00a0 However, albeit noble in its purposes, the ban seems to tread upon the brink of unconstitutionality. Thus, the question arises: Is the deployment ban of health workers, specifically, of nurses constitutional?<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><strong>LEGAL AND CONSTITUTIONAL GAPS<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The International Convention on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights (ICESCR), acceded to by the Philippines, provides for the recognition of the people\\u2019s right to work.\\u00a0 This right includes the opportunity to gain his living by work which he freely chooses or accepts, and will take appropriate steps to safeguard this right.<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\">[5]<\\/a> It also includes the right to just and favorable conditions of work, including remunerations which provide all workers, as a minimum, with fair wages and equal remuneration for work of equal value without distinction of any kind, and safe and healthy working conditions<a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\">[6]<\\/a>.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 By virtue of the doctrine of incorporation in the Constitution, the Philippines adopted the abovementioned international policy.\\u00a0 The same is strengthened by Section 3, Article XIII of the 1987 Constitution which states that the workers \\u201c\\u2026 shall be entitled to security of tenure, humane conditions of work, and a living wage. They shall also participate in policy and decision-making processes affecting their rights and benefits as may be provided by law.<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\">[7]<\\/a>\\u201d<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Among the rights of labor protected under the Constitution are the right to choose one\\u2019s employment and the right to security of tenure. The latter provides for the right of the workers not to be terminated except for a just cause and with due process.\\u00a0 Filipino nurses and other labor advocates have appealed to lift the ban for being violative of the nurses\\u2019 constitutional rights to choose employment and to security of tenure.\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><strong><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">On the Nurses\\u2019 Right to Work<\\/span><\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0Even before the pandemic, the problem regarding the salary of the nurses was already present. In 2019, a petition has been filed before the Supreme Court (SC) seeking to increase the salary of the Filipino nurses and to declare unconstitutional the executive order issued by former president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo which downgraded the nurses\\u2019 salary from Salary Grade 11 to Salary Grade 10. However, such petition was objected to by the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) for lack of legal basis contending that \\u00a0granting the petition would result in inequity among the wages of government workers.<a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\">[8]<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0Towards the end of August 2020, an international information aggregator, i-Price, through Economic Research Institute-powered company, Salary Expert, published data indicating salaries of various front liners during the COVID-19 pandemic in six countries within Southeast Asia.\\u00a0 The study showed that the Filipino health care workers are the least paid workers in Southeast Asian countries next to Vietnam with only 40,000 pesos<a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\">[9]<\\/a>.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0More and more nurses, especially during this time of crisis, opted to work abroad to uplift the living conditions of the families they left behind in the country. However, with the deployment ban in place, these nurses had no choice but to stay in the country,\\u00a0 without assurance of any gainful employment from the government.\\u00a0 Worse, just to make ends meet, they may be forced to work on temporary employment offered by the government to health workers against the battle with COVID-19 pandemic.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">Insofar as\\u00a0 the right of labor is concerned, it may be said that the deployment ban has deprived the nurses the right to choose to work abroad and to choose the work environment that they believe is the most suitable for them and which could give them better compensation.\\u00a0\\u00a0 However, it bears noting that this right is not absolute.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In <em>PASEI v. Drilon<\\/em><a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\">[10]<\\/a> (1988), the Supreme Court <em>En Banc <\\/em>upheld the validity of the temporary deployment ban of Filipino domestic and household workers ruling that the reliance of the petitioner on the constitutional right to work of labors is not well-taken because such right granted by Sec. 3, Article XIII of the Constitution must submit to the demands of State\\u2019s power of regulation. The Court further held that the term \\u201cprotection to labor\\u201d afforded by the constitution does not signify promotion of employment alone. Rather, it is more concerned with providing employment to labor that is decent, just, and humane.\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The applicability of the case of <em>PASEI<\\/em> to the temporary ban on health workers is, at the least, questionable. In <em>PASEI<a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\"><strong>[11]<\\/strong><\\/a>,<\\/em> the temporary deployment ban was justified due to the apparently unhappy plight of the Filipino domestic servants abroad brought about by the exploitative working conditions and cases of abuse against these laborers. Under the present ban however, there was no showing of any kind of abuse from abroad towards Filipino nurses due to the pandemic.\\u00a0 In fact, hospitals abroad offer more sustainable and just conditions of work than hospitals in our country.\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Philippine government cannot validly claim that this deployment ban ensures the nurses just and humane conditions of work while nurses in the Philippines are being overworked and underpaid.\\u00a0 The current condition of nurses is awful. While risking their lives to save Covid-19 patients, they are stigmatized \\u2013some are evicted from their apartments<a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\">[12]<\\/a>, others discriminated in public transportation, and still others get viciously attacked by bystanders.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">It bears stressing that the government is not confined to the choice of restricting the nurses\\u2019 right to work as a response towards COVID-19.\\u00a0 Instead of unduly compelling these laborers to work in the country, the government should afford better salaries to our nurses and allow them to choose whether to stay in the country or to work abroad. By doing so, the government is acting its mandate to uphold the nurses\\u2019 right to work.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><strong><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">On Nurses\\u2019 Right to Security of Tenure<\\/span><\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><strong>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 <\\/strong>The deployment ban has affected the nurses\\u2019 rights to freely choose their employment as it precluded them from working overseas where there is stable employment, better job offers, and a higher standard of living.\\u00a0 It also left nurses with no choice but to look for other sustainable work\\u2013given the lack of contingency plan from the government to address their temporary unemployment.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">With regard to the employment contract of nurses under this emergency hiring program, even the DOH\\u2019s Director of the Office for Policy and Health Systems, Dr. Kenneth Ronquillo, admitted that the primary reason they are having difficulty in getting applicants is that they only offer short-term job contracts that would end in December with a very little assurance that it will be renewed in the 2021, versus the more stable and better job offers abroad<a href=\\\"#_ftn12\\\">[13]<\\/a>.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">In this instance, the right of the nurses to security of tenure is impaired by the government\\u2019s temporary employment scheme as the nurses are subjected to contractual employment,\\u00a0 without assurance of being regularized or having their three-month contracts under the Emergency Hiring Program extended.\\u00a0 This set-up denies the rights of the laborers to the benefits associated with regularization and thus, can be classified as an anti-tenurial security scheme frowned upon by the Labor Code.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Whether the deployment ban imposed by the government is constitutional is an issue that only the courts can determine, taking into consideration the provisions of the supreme law of the land.\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0Nevertheless, the government, in the exercise of its inherent police power, must recognize that while it is true that the right to health and safety may present a sufficient justification for the government\\u2019s imposition of the deployment ban against the Philippine nurses and other health workers, there is absolutely no need to stake their freedom to choose their work and their tenurial security rights. The government can do better than forcing them in the country. These rights, conferred by the Constitution, must be enjoyed by the people to the fullest extent possible without having to choose one over the other.\\u00a0 \\u00a0If the government is to be true to its mandate of protecting these workers, curtailing its rights should be the last resort. The government should first afford the statutory rights of labor such as humane living conditions and competitive benefits.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0Even if the deployment ban on nurses is upheld, the government should start seeing the irony of protecting workers\\u2019 rights not by actual grants but by curtailment of rights under the pretense of securing their health and safety.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><span style=\\\"color: #ff0000;\\\">[1]<\\/span> Proclamation 922 s. 2020. DECLARING A STATE OF PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY THROUGHOUT THE PHILIPPINES. https:\\/\\/www.officialgazette.gov.ph\\/downloads\\/2020\\/02feb\\/20200308-PROC-922-RRD-1.pdf<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><span style=\\\"color: #ff0000;\\\">[2]<\\/span> POEA Governing Board Resolution No. 9 Series of 2020.\\u00a0 http:\\/\\/poea.gov.ph\\/gbr\\/2020\\/GBR-09-2020.pdf<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><span style=\\\"color: #ff0000;\\\">[3]<\\/span> POEA Governing Board Resolution No. 9 Series of 2020. http:\\/\\/poea.gov.ph\\/gbr\\/2020\\/GBR-09-2020.pdf<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><span style=\\\"color: #ff0000;\\\">[4]<\\/span> Salud, Joel Pablo. \\u201cNursing Wounds: A Closer Look at the Nurses\\u2019 Deployment Ban\\u201d (Manila, Business Mirror: The broader look, June 4, 2020) <em>https:\\/\\/businessmirror.com.ph\\/2020\\/06\\/04\\/nursing-wounds-a-closer-look-at-the-nurses-deployment-ban\\/<\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[5]<\\/a> INTERNATIONAL COVENANT ON ECONOMICS, SOCIAL, AND CULTURAL RIGHTS, Article 6<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><span style=\\\"color: #ff0000;\\\">[6]<\\/span> INTERNATIONAL COVENANT ON ECONOMICS, SOCIAL, AND CULTURAL RIGHTS, Article 7<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[7]<\\/a> CONST., Sec 3, Article XIII.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\">[8]<\\/a> Tomacruz, Sofia. <em>\\u201cCalida Blocks Petition Seeking to Increase Nurses\\u2019 Salary\\u201d<\\/em> (Manila, February 26, 2019) <a>https:\\/\\/www.rappler.com\\/nation\\/calida-blocks-petit1ion-seeking-increase-nurses-salary.<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\">[9]<\\/a> iPrice. <em>\\u201cFilipino Frontliners Earn The Least Compared To Their Southeast Asian Peers, Data Shows\\u201d<\\/em> (Marketing in Asia, September 3, 2020) <em>https:\\/\\/marketinginasia.com\\/2020\\/09\\/03\\/filipino-frontliners-earn-the-least-compared-to-their-southeast-asian-peers-data-shows\\/<\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\">[10]<\\/a> G.R. No. 81958<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\">[11]<\\/a> Ibid<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\">[12]<\\/a> Santos, Ana. \\u201c<em>Attacked and Underpaid: Medics in Philippines battle stigma and virus.\\u201d<\\/em> (Manila, April 2, 2020) https:\\/\\/www.aljazeera.com\\/news\\/2020\\/04\\/02\\/attacked-underpaid-medics-in-philippines-battle-stigma-virus\\/.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref12\\\">[13]<\\/a> Terrazola, Vanne Alaine.\\u00a0 <em>\\u201cDOLE recommends lifting deployment ban for 600 nurses\\u201d<\\/em> (Manila, August 25, 2020) <em>https:\\/\\/mb.com.ph\\/2020\\/08\\/25\\/dole-recommends-lifting-deployment-ban-for-600-nurses\\/<\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">Cover Photo from <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.rappler.com\\/nation\\/filipino-nurses-bound-for-uk-barred-leaving-philippines\\\">Rappler<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(2299,1023,'_thumbnail_id','1017'),(2300,1024,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(2301,1024,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(2302,1024,'_elementor_version','3.0.13'),(2303,1024,'_wp_page_template','default'),(2304,1024,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"1f386fe6\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"33a65c39\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"59f8b1f\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">By: Cassandra Marie Mendoza<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The year 2020 has unexpectedly become a year of international health crisis.\\u00a0 Since January 2020, the whole world has been coping with the impact of the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.\\u00a0\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">COVID-19\\u2019s local transmission in the Philippines prompted President Duterte to sign proclamation No. 922<sup>1<\\/sup> declaring a state of public health emergency throughout the country.\\u00a0 Consequently, a sudden deployment ban of Filipino health workers was put into effect through the <a>Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) Governing Board Resolution No. 9 series of 2020<\\/a>.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">The deployment ban included physicians, nurses, microbiologists, molecular biologists, medical technologists, clinical analysts, respiratory therapists, pharmacists, laboratory technicians, radiologic technicians, nursing aides, operators of medical equipment, supervisors of health services and personal care, and repairman of medical-hospital equipment.<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\">[2]<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The ban serves two purposes. First, it sought to address the shortage of health workers in the country.\\u00a0 The Human Resources for Health Network (HRHN), an inter-agency policy and program support network led by the Department of Health (DOH), reported that \\u201cthere was a shortage of about 290,000 health workers in the country, and that an average annual migration of 13,000 health care professionals aggravates the deficiency in the national supply\\u201d.<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\">[3]<\\/a> Second is to ensure the safety health workers.\\u00a0 Not allowing the health workers to go to countries where the pandemic is at its peak is said to be the government\\u2019s preventive measure to secure the safety of health workers.\\u00a0 The deployment ban has already affected around 700 nurses<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\">[4]<\\/a> throughout the country.\\u00a0 However, albeit noble in its purposes, the ban seems to tread upon the brink of unconstitutionality. Thus, the question arises: Is the deployment ban of health workers, specifically, of nurses constitutional?<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><strong>LEGAL AND CONSTITUTIONAL GAPS<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The International Convention on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights (ICESCR), acceded to by the Philippines, provides for the recognition of the people\\u2019s right to work.\\u00a0 This right includes the opportunity to gain his living by work which he freely chooses or accepts, and will take appropriate steps to safeguard this right.<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\">[5]<\\/a> It also includes the right to just and favorable conditions of work, including remunerations which provide all workers, as a minimum, with fair wages and equal remuneration for work of equal value without distinction of any kind, and safe and healthy working conditions<a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\">[6]<\\/a>.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 By virtue of the doctrine of incorporation in the Constitution, the Philippines adopted the abovementioned international policy.\\u00a0 The same is strengthened by Section 3, Article XIII of the 1987 Constitution which states that the workers \\u201c\\u2026 shall be entitled to security of tenure, humane conditions of work, and a living wage. They shall also participate in policy and decision-making processes affecting their rights and benefits as may be provided by law.<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\">[7]<\\/a>\\u201d<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Among the rights of labor protected under the Constitution are the right to choose one\\u2019s employment and the right to security of tenure. The latter provides for the right of the workers not to be terminated except for a just cause and with due process.\\u00a0 Filipino nurses and other labor advocates have appealed to lift the ban for being violative of the nurses\\u2019 constitutional rights to choose employment and to security of tenure.\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><strong><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">On the Nurses\\u2019 Right to Work<\\/span><\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0Even before the pandemic, the problem regarding the salary of the nurses was already present. In 2019, a petition has been filed before the Supreme Court (SC) seeking to increase the salary of the Filipino nurses and to declare unconstitutional the executive order issued by former president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo which downgraded the nurses\\u2019 salary from Salary Grade 11 to Salary Grade 10. However, such petition was objected to by the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) for lack of legal basis contending that \\u00a0granting the petition would result in inequity among the wages of government workers.<a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\">[8]<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0Towards the end of August 2020, an international information aggregator, i-Price, through Economic Research Institute-powered company, Salary Expert, published data indicating salaries of various front liners during the COVID-19 pandemic in six countries within Southeast Asia.\\u00a0 The study showed that the Filipino health care workers are the least paid workers in Southeast Asian countries next to Vietnam with only 40,000 pesos<a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\">[9]<\\/a>.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0More and more nurses, especially during this time of crisis, opted to work abroad to uplift the living conditions of the families they left behind in the country. However, with the deployment ban in place, these nurses had no choice but to stay in the country,\\u00a0 without assurance of any gainful employment from the government.\\u00a0 Worse, just to make ends meet, they may be forced to work on temporary employment offered by the government to health workers against the battle with COVID-19 pandemic.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">Insofar as\\u00a0 the right of labor is concerned, it may be said that the deployment ban has deprived the nurses the right to choose to work abroad and to choose the work environment that they believe is the most suitable for them and which could give them better compensation.\\u00a0\\u00a0 However, it bears noting that this right is not absolute.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In <em>PASEI v. Drilon<\\/em><a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\">[10]<\\/a> (1988), the Supreme Court <em>En Banc <\\/em>upheld the validity of the temporary deployment ban of Filipino domestic and household workers ruling that the reliance of the petitioner on the constitutional right to work of labors is not well-taken because such right granted by Sec. 3, Article XIII of the Constitution must submit to the demands of State\\u2019s power of regulation. The Court further held that the term \\u201cprotection to labor\\u201d afforded by the constitution does not signify promotion of employment alone. Rather, it is more concerned with providing employment to labor that is decent, just, and humane.\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The applicability of the case of <em>PASEI<\\/em> to the temporary ban on health workers is, at the least, questionable. In <em>PASEI<a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\"><strong>[11]<\\/strong><\\/a>,<\\/em> the temporary deployment ban was justified due to the apparently unhappy plight of the Filipino domestic servants abroad brought about by the exploitative working conditions and cases of abuse against these laborers. Under the present ban however, there was no showing of any kind of abuse from abroad towards Filipino nurses due to the pandemic.\\u00a0 In fact, hospitals abroad offer more sustainable and just conditions of work than hospitals in our country.\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Philippine government cannot validly claim that this deployment ban ensures the nurses just and humane conditions of work while nurses in the Philippines are being overworked and underpaid.\\u00a0 The current condition of nurses is awful. While risking their lives to save Covid-19 patients, they are stigmatized \\u2013some are evicted from their apartments<a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\">[12]<\\/a>, others discriminated in public transportation, and still others get viciously attacked by bystanders.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">It bears stressing that the government is not confined to the choice of restricting the nurses\\u2019 right to work as a response towards COVID-19.\\u00a0 Instead of unduly compelling these laborers to work in the country, the government should afford better salaries to our nurses and allow them to choose whether to stay in the country or to work abroad. By doing so, the government is acting its mandate to uphold the nurses\\u2019 right to work.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><strong><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">On Nurses\\u2019 Right to Security of Tenure<\\/span><\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><strong>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 <\\/strong>The deployment ban has affected the nurses\\u2019 rights to freely choose their employment as it precluded them from working overseas where there is stable employment, better job offers, and a higher standard of living.\\u00a0 It also left nurses with no choice but to look for other sustainable work\\u2013given the lack of contingency plan from the government to address their temporary unemployment.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">With regard to the employment contract of nurses under this emergency hiring program, even the DOH\\u2019s Director of the Office for Policy and Health Systems, Dr. Kenneth Ronquillo, admitted that the primary reason they are having difficulty in getting applicants is that they only offer short-term job contracts that would end in December with a very little assurance that it will be renewed in the 2021, versus the more stable and better job offers abroad<a href=\\\"#_ftn12\\\">[13]<\\/a>.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">In this instance, the right of the nurses to security of tenure is impaired by the government\\u2019s temporary employment scheme as the nurses are subjected to contractual employment,\\u00a0 without assurance of being regularized or having their three-month contracts under the Emergency Hiring Program extended.\\u00a0 This set-up denies the rights of the laborers to the benefits associated with regularization and thus, can be classified as an anti-tenurial security scheme frowned upon by the Labor Code.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Whether the deployment ban imposed by the government is constitutional is an issue that only the courts can determine, taking into consideration the provisions of the supreme law of the land.\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0Nevertheless, the government, in the exercise of its inherent police power, must recognize that while it is true that the right to health and safety may present a sufficient justification for the government\\u2019s imposition of the deployment ban against the Philippine nurses and other health workers, there is absolutely no need to stake their freedom to choose their work and their tenurial security rights. The government can do better than forcing them in the country. These rights, conferred by the Constitution, must be enjoyed by the people to the fullest extent possible without having to choose one over the other.\\u00a0 \\u00a0If the government is to be true to its mandate of protecting these workers, curtailing its rights should be the last resort. The government should first afford the statutory rights of labor such as humane living conditions and competitive benefits.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0Even if the deployment ban on nurses is upheld, the government should start seeing the irony of protecting workers\\u2019 rights not by actual grants but by curtailment of rights under the pretense of securing their health and safety.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><span style=\\\"color: #ff0000;\\\">[1]<\\/span> Proclamation 922 s. 2020. DECLARING A STATE OF PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY THROUGHOUT THE PHILIPPINES. https:\\/\\/www.officialgazette.gov.ph\\/downloads\\/2020\\/02feb\\/20200308-PROC-922-RRD-1.pdf<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><span style=\\\"color: #ff0000;\\\">[2]<\\/span> POEA Governing Board Resolution No. 9 Series of 2020.\\u00a0 http:\\/\\/poea.gov.ph\\/gbr\\/2020\\/GBR-09-2020.pdf<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><span style=\\\"color: #ff0000;\\\">[3]<\\/span> POEA Governing Board Resolution No. 9 Series of 2020. http:\\/\\/poea.gov.ph\\/gbr\\/2020\\/GBR-09-2020.pdf<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><span style=\\\"color: #ff0000;\\\">[4]<\\/span> Salud, Joel Pablo. \\u201cNursing Wounds: A Closer Look at the Nurses\\u2019 Deployment Ban\\u201d (Manila, Business Mirror: The broader look, June 4, 2020) <em>https:\\/\\/businessmirror.com.ph\\/2020\\/06\\/04\\/nursing-wounds-a-closer-look-at-the-nurses-deployment-ban\\/<\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[5]<\\/a> INTERNATIONAL COVENANT ON ECONOMICS, SOCIAL, AND CULTURAL RIGHTS, Article 6<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><span style=\\\"color: #ff0000;\\\">[6]<\\/span> INTERNATIONAL COVENANT ON ECONOMICS, SOCIAL, AND CULTURAL RIGHTS, Article 7<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[7]<\\/a> CONST., Sec 3, Article XIII.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\">[8]<\\/a> Tomacruz, Sofia. <em>\\u201cCalida Blocks Petition Seeking to Increase Nurses\\u2019 Salary\\u201d<\\/em> (Manila, February 26, 2019) <a>https:\\/\\/www.rappler.com\\/nation\\/calida-blocks-petit1ion-seeking-increase-nurses-salary.<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\">[9]<\\/a> iPrice. <em>\\u201cFilipino Frontliners Earn The Least Compared To Their Southeast Asian Peers, Data Shows\\u201d<\\/em> (Marketing in Asia, September 3, 2020) <em>https:\\/\\/marketinginasia.com\\/2020\\/09\\/03\\/filipino-frontliners-earn-the-least-compared-to-their-southeast-asian-peers-data-shows\\/<\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\">[10]<\\/a> G.R. No. 81958<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\">[11]<\\/a> Ibid<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\">[12]<\\/a> Santos, Ana. \\u201c<em>Attacked and Underpaid: Medics in Philippines battle stigma and virus.\\u201d<\\/em> (Manila, April 2, 2020) https:\\/\\/www.aljazeera.com\\/news\\/2020\\/04\\/02\\/attacked-underpaid-medics-in-philippines-battle-stigma-virus\\/.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref12\\\">[13]<\\/a> Terrazola, Vanne Alaine.\\u00a0 <em>\\u201cDOLE recommends lifting deployment ban for 600 nurses\\u201d<\\/em> (Manila, August 25, 2020) <em>https:\\/\\/mb.com.ph\\/2020\\/08\\/25\\/dole-recommends-lifting-deployment-ban-for-600-nurses\\/<\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">Cover Photo from <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.rappler.com\\/nation\\/filipino-nurses-bound-for-uk-barred-leaving-philippines\\\">Rappler<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(2306,1024,'_thumbnail_id','1017'),(2307,1025,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(2308,1025,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(2309,1025,'_elementor_version','3.0.13'),(2310,1025,'_wp_page_template','default'),(2311,1025,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"1f386fe6\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"33a65c39\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"59f8b1f\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">By: Cassandra Marie Mendoza<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The year 2020 has unexpectedly become a year of international health crisis.\\u00a0 Since January 2020, the whole world has been coping with the impact of the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.\\u00a0\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 COVID-19\\u2019s local transmission in the Philippines prompted President Duterte to sign proclamation No. 922<sup>1<\\/sup> declaring a state of public health emergency throughout the country.\\u00a0 Consequently, a sudden deployment ban of Filipino health workers was put into effect through the <a>Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) Governing Board Resolution No. 9 series of 2020<\\/a>.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The deployment ban included physicians, nurses, microbiologists, molecular biologists, medical technologists, clinical analysts, respiratory therapists, pharmacists, laboratory technicians, radiologic technicians, nursing aides, operators of medical equipment, supervisors of health services and personal care, and repairman of medical-hospital equipment.<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\">[2]<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The ban serves two purposes. First, it sought to address the shortage of health workers in the country.\\u00a0 The Human Resources for Health Network (HRHN), an inter-agency policy and program support network led by the Department of Health (DOH), reported that \\u201cthere was a shortage of about 290,000 health workers in the country, and that an average annual migration of 13,000 health care professionals aggravates the deficiency in the national supply\\u201d.<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\">[3]<\\/a> Second is to ensure the safety health workers.\\u00a0 Not allowing the health workers to go to countries where the pandemic is at its peak is said to be the government\\u2019s preventive measure to secure the safety of health workers.\\u00a0 The deployment ban has already affected around 700 nurses<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\">[4]<\\/a> throughout the country.\\u00a0 However, albeit noble in its purposes, the ban seems to tread upon the brink of unconstitutionality. Thus, the question arises: Is the deployment ban of health workers, specifically, of nurses constitutional?<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><strong>LEGAL AND CONSTITUTIONAL GAPS<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The International Convention on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights (ICESCR), acceded to by the Philippines, provides for the recognition of the people\\u2019s right to work.\\u00a0 This right includes the opportunity to gain his living by work which he freely chooses or accepts, and will take appropriate steps to safeguard this right.<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\">[5]<\\/a> It also includes the right to just and favorable conditions of work, including remunerations which provide all workers, as a minimum, with fair wages and equal remuneration for work of equal value without distinction of any kind, and safe and healthy working conditions<a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\">[6]<\\/a>.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 By virtue of the doctrine of incorporation in the Constitution, the Philippines adopted the abovementioned international policy.\\u00a0 The same is strengthened by Section 3, Article XIII of the 1987 Constitution which states that the workers \\u201c\\u2026 shall be entitled to security of tenure, humane conditions of work, and a living wage. They shall also participate in policy and decision-making processes affecting their rights and benefits as may be provided by law.<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\">[7]<\\/a>\\u201d<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Among the rights of labor protected under the Constitution are the right to choose one\\u2019s employment and the right to security of tenure. The latter provides for the right of the workers not to be terminated except for a just cause and with due process.\\u00a0 Filipino nurses and other labor advocates have appealed to lift the ban for being violative of the nurses\\u2019 constitutional rights to choose employment and to security of tenure.\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><strong><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">On the Nurses\\u2019 Right to Work<\\/span><\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0Even before the pandemic, the problem regarding the salary of the nurses was already present. In 2019, a petition has been filed before the Supreme Court (SC) seeking to increase the salary of the Filipino nurses and to declare unconstitutional the executive order issued by former president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo which downgraded the nurses\\u2019 salary from Salary Grade 11 to Salary Grade 10. However, such petition was objected to by the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) for lack of legal basis contending that \\u00a0granting the petition would result in inequity among the wages of government workers.<a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\">[8]<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0Towards the end of August 2020, an international information aggregator, i-Price, through Economic Research Institute-powered company, Salary Expert, published data indicating salaries of various front liners during the COVID-19 pandemic in six countries within Southeast Asia.\\u00a0 The study showed that the Filipino health care workers are the least paid workers in Southeast Asian countries next to Vietnam with only 40,000 pesos<a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\">[9]<\\/a>.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0More and more nurses, especially during this time of crisis, opted to work abroad to uplift the living conditions of the families they left behind in the country. However, with the deployment ban in place, these nurses had no choice but to stay in the country,\\u00a0 without assurance of any gainful employment from the government.\\u00a0 Worse, just to make ends meet, they may be forced to work on temporary employment offered by the government to health workers against the battle with COVID-19 pandemic.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">Insofar as\\u00a0 the right of labor is concerned, it may be said that the deployment ban has deprived the nurses the right to choose to work abroad and to choose the work environment that they believe is the most suitable for them and which could give them better compensation.\\u00a0\\u00a0 However, it bears noting that this right is not absolute.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In <em>PASEI v. Drilon<\\/em><a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\">[10]<\\/a> (1988), the Supreme Court <em>En Banc <\\/em>upheld the validity of the temporary deployment ban of Filipino domestic and household workers ruling that the reliance of the petitioner on the constitutional right to work of labors is not well-taken because such right granted by Sec. 3, Article XIII of the Constitution must submit to the demands of State\\u2019s power of regulation. The Court further held that the term \\u201cprotection to labor\\u201d afforded by the constitution does not signify promotion of employment alone. Rather, it is more concerned with providing employment to labor that is decent, just, and humane.\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The applicability of the case of <em>PASEI<\\/em> to the temporary ban on health workers is, at the least, questionable. In <em>PASEI<a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\"><strong>[11]<\\/strong><\\/a>,<\\/em> the temporary deployment ban was justified due to the apparently unhappy plight of the Filipino domestic servants abroad brought about by the exploitative working conditions and cases of abuse against these laborers. Under the present ban however, there was no showing of any kind of abuse from abroad towards Filipino nurses due to the pandemic.\\u00a0 In fact, hospitals abroad offer more sustainable and just conditions of work than hospitals in our country.\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Philippine government cannot validly claim that this deployment ban ensures the nurses just and humane conditions of work while nurses in the Philippines are being overworked and underpaid.\\u00a0 The current condition of nurses is awful. While risking their lives to save Covid-19 patients, they are stigmatized \\u2013some are evicted from their apartments<a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\">[12]<\\/a>, others discriminated in public transportation, and still others get viciously attacked by bystanders.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">It bears stressing that the government is not confined to the choice of restricting the nurses\\u2019 right to work as a response towards COVID-19.\\u00a0 Instead of unduly compelling these laborers to work in the country, the government should afford better salaries to our nurses and allow them to choose whether to stay in the country or to work abroad. By doing so, the government is acting its mandate to uphold the nurses\\u2019 right to work.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><strong><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">On Nurses\\u2019 Right to Security of Tenure<\\/span><\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><strong>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 <\\/strong>The deployment ban has affected the nurses\\u2019 rights to freely choose their employment as it precluded them from working overseas where there is stable employment, better job offers, and a higher standard of living.\\u00a0 It also left nurses with no choice but to look for other sustainable work\\u2013given the lack of contingency plan from the government to address their temporary unemployment.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">With regard to the employment contract of nurses under this emergency hiring program, even the DOH\\u2019s Director of the Office for Policy and Health Systems, Dr. Kenneth Ronquillo, admitted that the primary reason they are having difficulty in getting applicants is that they only offer short-term job contracts that would end in December with a very little assurance that it will be renewed in the 2021, versus the more stable and better job offers abroad<a href=\\\"#_ftn12\\\">[13]<\\/a>.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">In this instance, the right of the nurses to security of tenure is impaired by the government\\u2019s temporary employment scheme as the nurses are subjected to contractual employment,\\u00a0 without assurance of being regularized or having their three-month contracts under the Emergency Hiring Program extended.\\u00a0 This set-up denies the rights of the laborers to the benefits associated with regularization and thus, can be classified as an anti-tenurial security scheme frowned upon by the Labor Code.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Whether the deployment ban imposed by the government is constitutional is an issue that only the courts can determine, taking into consideration the provisions of the supreme law of the land.\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0Nevertheless, the government, in the exercise of its inherent police power, must recognize that while it is true that the right to health and safety may present a sufficient justification for the government\\u2019s imposition of the deployment ban against the Philippine nurses and other health workers, there is absolutely no need to stake their freedom to choose their work and their tenurial security rights. The government can do better than forcing them in the country. These rights, conferred by the Constitution, must be enjoyed by the people to the fullest extent possible without having to choose one over the other.\\u00a0 \\u00a0If the government is to be true to its mandate of protecting these workers, curtailing its rights should be the last resort. The government should first afford the statutory rights of labor such as humane living conditions and competitive benefits.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0Even if the deployment ban on nurses is upheld, the government should start seeing the irony of protecting workers\\u2019 rights not by actual grants but by curtailment of rights under the pretense of securing their health and safety.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><span style=\\\"color: #ff0000;\\\">[1]<\\/span> Proclamation 922 s. 2020. DECLARING A STATE OF PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY THROUGHOUT THE PHILIPPINES. https:\\/\\/www.officialgazette.gov.ph\\/downloads\\/2020\\/02feb\\/20200308-PROC-922-RRD-1.pdf<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><span style=\\\"color: #ff0000;\\\">[2]<\\/span> POEA Governing Board Resolution No. 9 Series of 2020.\\u00a0 http:\\/\\/poea.gov.ph\\/gbr\\/2020\\/GBR-09-2020.pdf<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><span style=\\\"color: #ff0000;\\\">[3]<\\/span> POEA Governing Board Resolution No. 9 Series of 2020. http:\\/\\/poea.gov.ph\\/gbr\\/2020\\/GBR-09-2020.pdf<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><span style=\\\"color: #ff0000;\\\">[4]<\\/span> Salud, Joel Pablo. \\u201cNursing Wounds: A Closer Look at the Nurses\\u2019 Deployment Ban\\u201d (Manila, Business Mirror: The broader look, June 4, 2020) <em>https:\\/\\/businessmirror.com.ph\\/2020\\/06\\/04\\/nursing-wounds-a-closer-look-at-the-nurses-deployment-ban\\/<\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[5]<\\/a> INTERNATIONAL COVENANT ON ECONOMICS, SOCIAL, AND CULTURAL RIGHTS, Article 6<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><span style=\\\"color: #ff0000;\\\">[6]<\\/span> INTERNATIONAL COVENANT ON ECONOMICS, SOCIAL, AND CULTURAL RIGHTS, Article 7<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[7]<\\/a> CONST., Sec 3, Article XIII.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\">[8]<\\/a> Tomacruz, Sofia. <em>\\u201cCalida Blocks Petition Seeking to Increase Nurses\\u2019 Salary\\u201d<\\/em> (Manila, February 26, 2019) <a>https:\\/\\/www.rappler.com\\/nation\\/calida-blocks-petit1ion-seeking-increase-nurses-salary.<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\">[9]<\\/a> iPrice. <em>\\u201cFilipino Frontliners Earn The Least Compared To Their Southeast Asian Peers, Data Shows\\u201d<\\/em> (Marketing in Asia, September 3, 2020) <em>https:\\/\\/marketinginasia.com\\/2020\\/09\\/03\\/filipino-frontliners-earn-the-least-compared-to-their-southeast-asian-peers-data-shows\\/<\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\">[10]<\\/a> G.R. No. 81958<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\">[11]<\\/a> Ibid<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\">[12]<\\/a> Santos, Ana. \\u201c<em>Attacked and Underpaid: Medics in Philippines battle stigma and virus.\\u201d<\\/em> (Manila, April 2, 2020) https:\\/\\/www.aljazeera.com\\/news\\/2020\\/04\\/02\\/attacked-underpaid-medics-in-philippines-battle-stigma-virus\\/.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref12\\\">[13]<\\/a> Terrazola, Vanne Alaine.\\u00a0 <em>\\u201cDOLE recommends lifting deployment ban for 600 nurses\\u201d<\\/em> (Manila, August 25, 2020) <em>https:\\/\\/mb.com.ph\\/2020\\/08\\/25\\/dole-recommends-lifting-deployment-ban-for-600-nurses\\/<\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">Cover Photo from <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.rappler.com\\/nation\\/filipino-nurses-bound-for-uk-barred-leaving-philippines\\\">Rappler<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(2313,1025,'_thumbnail_id','1017'),(2315,1026,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(2316,1026,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(2317,1026,'_elementor_version','3.0.13'),(2318,1026,'_wp_page_template','default'),(2319,1026,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"1f386fe6\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"33a65c39\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"59f8b1f\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">By: Cassandra Marie Mendoza<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The year 2020 has unexpectedly become a year of international health crisis.\\u00a0 Since January 2020, the whole world has been coping with the impact of the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.\\u00a0\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 COVID-19\\u2019s local transmission in the Philippines prompted President Duterte to sign proclamation No. 922<sup>1<\\/sup> declaring a state of public health emergency throughout the country.\\u00a0 Consequently, a sudden deployment ban of Filipino health workers was put into effect through the <a>Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) Governing Board Resolution No. 9 series of 2020<\\/a>.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The deployment ban included physicians, nurses, microbiologists, molecular biologists, medical technologists, clinical analysts, respiratory therapists, pharmacists, laboratory technicians, radiologic technicians, nursing aides, operators of medical equipment, supervisors of health services and personal care, and repairman of medical-hospital equipment.<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\">[2]<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The ban serves two purposes. First, it sought to address the shortage of health workers in the country.\\u00a0 The Human Resources for Health Network (HRHN), an inter-agency policy and program support network led by the Department of Health (DOH), reported that \\u201cthere was a shortage of about 290,000 health workers in the country, and that an average annual migration of 13,000 health care professionals aggravates the deficiency in the national supply\\u201d.<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\">[3]<\\/a> Second is to ensure the safety health workers.\\u00a0 Not allowing the health workers to go to countries where the pandemic is at its peak is said to be the government\\u2019s preventive measure to secure the safety of health workers.\\u00a0 The deployment ban has already affected around 700 nurses<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\">[4]<\\/a> throughout the country.\\u00a0 However, albeit noble in its purposes, the ban seems to tread upon the brink of unconstitutionality. Thus, the question arises: Is the deployment ban of health workers, specifically, of nurses constitutional?<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><strong>LEGAL AND CONSTITUTIONAL GAPS<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The International Convention on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights (ICESCR), acceded to by the Philippines, provides for the recognition of the people\\u2019s right to work.\\u00a0 This right includes the opportunity to gain his living by work which he freely chooses or accepts, and will take appropriate steps to safeguard this right.<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\">[5]<\\/a> It also includes the right to just and favorable conditions of work, including remunerations which provide all workers, as a minimum, with fair wages and equal remuneration for work of equal value without distinction of any kind, and safe and healthy working conditions<a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\">[6]<\\/a>.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 By virtue of the doctrine of incorporation in the Constitution, the Philippines adopted the abovementioned international policy.\\u00a0 The same is strengthened by Section 3, Article XIII of the 1987 Constitution which states that the workers \\u201c\\u2026 shall be entitled to security of tenure, humane conditions of work, and a living wage. They shall also participate in policy and decision-making processes affecting their rights and benefits as may be provided by law.<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\">[7]<\\/a>\\u201d<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Among the rights of labor protected under the Constitution are the right to choose one\\u2019s employment and the right to security of tenure. The latter provides for the right of the workers not to be terminated except for a just cause and with due process.\\u00a0 Filipino nurses and other labor advocates have appealed to lift the ban for being violative of the nurses\\u2019 constitutional rights to choose employment and to security of tenure.\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><strong><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">On the Nurses\\u2019 Right to Work<\\/span><\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0Even before the pandemic, the problem regarding the salary of the nurses was already present. In 2019, a petition has been filed before the Supreme Court (SC) seeking to increase the salary of the Filipino nurses and to declare unconstitutional the executive order issued by former president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo which downgraded the nurses\\u2019 salary from Salary Grade 11 to Salary Grade 10. However, such petition was objected to by the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) for lack of legal basis contending that \\u00a0granting the petition would result in inequity among the wages of government workers.<a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\">[8]<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0Towards the end of August 2020, an international information aggregator, i-Price, through Economic Research Institute-powered company, Salary Expert, published data indicating salaries of various front liners during the COVID-19 pandemic in six countries within Southeast Asia.\\u00a0 The study showed that the Filipino health care workers are the least paid workers in Southeast Asian countries next to Vietnam with only 40,000 pesos<a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\">[9]<\\/a>.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0More and more nurses, especially during this time of crisis, opted to work abroad to uplift the living conditions of the families they left behind in the country. However, with the deployment ban in place, these nurses had no choice but to stay in the country,\\u00a0 without assurance of any gainful employment from the government.\\u00a0 Worse, just to make ends meet, they may be forced to work on temporary employment offered by the government to health workers against the battle with COVID-19 pandemic.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">Insofar as\\u00a0 the right of labor is concerned, it may be said that the deployment ban has deprived the nurses the right to choose to work abroad and to choose the work environment that they believe is the most suitable for them and which could give them better compensation.\\u00a0\\u00a0 However, it bears noting that this right is not absolute.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In <em>PASEI v. Drilon<\\/em><a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\">[10]<\\/a> (1988), the Supreme Court <em>En Banc <\\/em>upheld the validity of the temporary deployment ban of Filipino domestic and household workers ruling that the reliance of the petitioner on the constitutional right to work of labors is not well-taken because such right granted by Sec. 3, Article XIII of the Constitution must submit to the demands of State\\u2019s power of regulation. The Court further held that the term \\u201cprotection to labor\\u201d afforded by the constitution does not signify promotion of employment alone. Rather, it is more concerned with providing employment to labor that is decent, just, and humane.\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The applicability of the case of <em>PASEI<\\/em> to the temporary ban on health workers is, at the least, questionable. In <em>PASEI<a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\"><strong>[11]<\\/strong><\\/a>,<\\/em> the temporary deployment ban was justified due to the apparently unhappy plight of the Filipino domestic servants abroad brought about by the exploitative working conditions and cases of abuse against these laborers. Under the present ban however, there was no showing of any kind of abuse from abroad towards Filipino nurses due to the pandemic.\\u00a0 In fact, hospitals abroad offer more sustainable and just conditions of work than hospitals in our country.\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Philippine government cannot validly claim that this deployment ban ensures the nurses just and humane conditions of work while nurses in the Philippines are being overworked and underpaid.\\u00a0 The current condition of nurses is awful. While risking their lives to save Covid-19 patients, they are stigmatized \\u2013some are evicted from their apartments<a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\">[12]<\\/a>, others discriminated in public transportation, and still others get viciously attacked by bystanders.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">It bears stressing that the government is not confined to the choice of restricting the nurses\\u2019 right to work as a response towards COVID-19.\\u00a0 Instead of unduly compelling these laborers to work in the country, the government should afford better salaries to our nurses and allow them to choose whether to stay in the country or to work abroad. By doing so, the government is acting its mandate to uphold the nurses\\u2019 right to work.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><strong><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">On Nurses\\u2019 Right to Security of Tenure<\\/span><\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><strong>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 <\\/strong>The deployment ban has affected the nurses\\u2019 rights to freely choose their employment as it precluded them from working overseas where there is stable employment, better job offers, and a higher standard of living.\\u00a0 It also left nurses with no choice but to look for other sustainable work\\u2013given the lack of contingency plan from the government to address their temporary unemployment.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">With regard to the employment contract of nurses under this emergency hiring program, even the DOH\\u2019s Director of the Office for Policy and Health Systems, Dr. Kenneth Ronquillo, admitted that the primary reason they are having difficulty in getting applicants is that they only offer short-term job contracts that would end in December with a very little assurance that it will be renewed in the 2021, versus the more stable and better job offers abroad<a href=\\\"#_ftn12\\\">[13]<\\/a>.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">In this instance, the right of the nurses to security of tenure is impaired by the government\\u2019s temporary employment scheme as the nurses are subjected to contractual employment,\\u00a0 without assurance of being regularized or having their three-month contracts under the Emergency Hiring Program extended.\\u00a0 This set-up denies the rights of the laborers to the benefits associated with regularization and thus, can be classified as an anti-tenurial security scheme frowned upon by the Labor Code.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Whether the deployment ban imposed by the government is constitutional is an issue that only the courts can determine, taking into consideration the provisions of the supreme law of the land.\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0Nevertheless, the government, in the exercise of its inherent police power, must recognize that while it is true that the right to health and safety may present a sufficient justification for the government\\u2019s imposition of the deployment ban against the Philippine nurses and other health workers, there is absolutely no need to stake their freedom to choose their work and their tenurial security rights. The government can do better than forcing them in the country. These rights, conferred by the Constitution, must be enjoyed by the people to the fullest extent possible without having to choose one over the other.\\u00a0 \\u00a0If the government is to be true to its mandate of protecting these workers, curtailing its rights should be the last resort. The government should first afford the statutory rights of labor such as humane living conditions and competitive benefits.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0Even if the deployment ban on nurses is upheld, the government should start seeing the irony of protecting workers\\u2019 rights not by actual grants but by curtailment of rights under the pretense of securing their health and safety.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><span style=\\\"color: #ff0000;\\\">[1]<\\/span> Proclamation 922 s. 2020. DECLARING A STATE OF PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY THROUGHOUT THE PHILIPPINES. https:\\/\\/www.officialgazette.gov.ph\\/downloads\\/2020\\/02feb\\/20200308-PROC-922-RRD-1.pdf<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><span style=\\\"color: #ff0000;\\\">[2]<\\/span> POEA Governing Board Resolution No. 9 Series of 2020.\\u00a0 http:\\/\\/poea.gov.ph\\/gbr\\/2020\\/GBR-09-2020.pdf<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><span style=\\\"color: #ff0000;\\\">[3]<\\/span> POEA Governing Board Resolution No. 9 Series of 2020. http:\\/\\/poea.gov.ph\\/gbr\\/2020\\/GBR-09-2020.pdf<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><span style=\\\"color: #ff0000;\\\">[4]<\\/span> Salud, Joel Pablo. \\u201cNursing Wounds: A Closer Look at the Nurses\\u2019 Deployment Ban\\u201d (Manila, Business Mirror: The broader look, June 4, 2020) <em>https:\\/\\/businessmirror.com.ph\\/2020\\/06\\/04\\/nursing-wounds-a-closer-look-at-the-nurses-deployment-ban\\/<\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[5]<\\/a> INTERNATIONAL COVENANT ON ECONOMICS, SOCIAL, AND CULTURAL RIGHTS, Article 6<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><span style=\\\"color: #ff0000;\\\">[6]<\\/span> INTERNATIONAL COVENANT ON ECONOMICS, SOCIAL, AND CULTURAL RIGHTS, Article 7<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[7]<\\/a> CONST., Sec 3, Article XIII.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\">[8]<\\/a> Tomacruz, Sofia. <em>\\u201cCalida Blocks Petition Seeking to Increase Nurses\\u2019 Salary\\u201d<\\/em> (Manila, February 26, 2019) <a>https:\\/\\/www.rappler.com\\/nation\\/calida-blocks-petit1ion-seeking-increase-nurses-salary.<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\">[9]<\\/a> iPrice. <em>\\u201cFilipino Frontliners Earn The Least Compared To Their Southeast Asian Peers, Data Shows\\u201d<\\/em> (Marketing in Asia, September 3, 2020) <em>https:\\/\\/marketinginasia.com\\/2020\\/09\\/03\\/filipino-frontliners-earn-the-least-compared-to-their-southeast-asian-peers-data-shows\\/<\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\">[10]<\\/a> G.R. No. 81958<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\">[11]<\\/a> Ibid<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\">[12]<\\/a> Santos, Ana. \\u201c<em>Attacked and Underpaid: Medics in Philippines battle stigma and virus.\\u201d<\\/em> (Manila, April 2, 2020) https:\\/\\/www.aljazeera.com\\/news\\/2020\\/04\\/02\\/attacked-underpaid-medics-in-philippines-battle-stigma-virus\\/.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref12\\\">[13]<\\/a> Terrazola, Vanne Alaine.\\u00a0 <em>\\u201cDOLE recommends lifting deployment ban for 600 nurses\\u201d<\\/em> (Manila, August 25, 2020) <em>https:\\/\\/mb.com.ph\\/2020\\/08\\/25\\/dole-recommends-lifting-deployment-ban-for-600-nurses\\/<\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">Cover Photo from <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.rappler.com\\/nation\\/filipino-nurses-bound-for-uk-barred-leaving-philippines\\\">Rappler<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(2320,1026,'_thumbnail_id','1017'),(2322,1027,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(2323,1027,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(2324,1027,'_elementor_version','3.0.13'),(2325,1027,'_wp_page_template','default'),(2326,1027,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"1f386fe6\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"33a65c39\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"59f8b1f\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">By: Cassandra Marie Mendoza<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The year 2020 has unexpectedly become a year of international health crisis.\\u00a0 Since January 2020, the whole world has been coping with the impact of the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.\\u00a0\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 COVID-19\\u2019s local transmission in the Philippines prompted President Duterte to sign proclamation No. 922<sup>1<\\/sup> declaring a state of public health emergency throughout the country.\\u00a0 Consequently, a sudden deployment ban of Filipino health workers was put into effect through the <a>Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) Governing Board Resolution No. 9 series of 2020<\\/a>.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The deployment ban included physicians, nurses, microbiologists, molecular biologists, medical technologists, clinical analysts, respiratory therapists, pharmacists, laboratory technicians, radiologic technicians, nursing aides, operators of medical equipment, supervisors of health services and personal care, and repairman of medical-hospital equipment.<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\">[2]<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The ban serves two purposes. First, it sought to address the shortage of health workers in the country.\\u00a0 The Human Resources for Health Network (HRHN), an inter-agency policy and program support network led by the Department of Health (DOH), reported that \\u201cthere was a shortage of about 290,000 health workers in the country, and that an average annual migration of 13,000 health care professionals aggravates the deficiency in the national supply\\u201d.<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\">[3]<\\/a> Second is to ensure the safety health workers.\\u00a0 Not allowing the health workers to go to countries where the pandemic is at its peak is said to be the government\\u2019s preventive measure to secure the safety of health workers.\\u00a0 The deployment ban has already affected around 700 nurses<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\">[4]<\\/a> throughout the country.\\u00a0 However, albeit noble in its purposes, the ban seems to tread upon the brink of unconstitutionality. Thus, the question arises: Is the deployment ban of health workers, specifically, of nurses constitutional?<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><strong>LEGAL AND CONSTITUTIONAL GAPS<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The International Convention on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights (ICESCR), acceded to by the Philippines, provides for the recognition of the people\\u2019s right to work.\\u00a0 This right includes the opportunity to gain his living by work which he freely chooses or accepts, and will take appropriate steps to safeguard this right.<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\">[5]<\\/a> It also includes the right to just and favorable conditions of work, including remunerations which provide all workers, as a minimum, with fair wages and equal remuneration for work of equal value without distinction of any kind, and safe and healthy working conditions<a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\">[6]<\\/a>.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 By virtue of the doctrine of incorporation in the Constitution, the Philippines adopted the abovementioned international policy.\\u00a0 The same is strengthened by Section 3, Article XIII of the 1987 Constitution which states that the workers \\u201c\\u2026 shall be entitled to security of tenure, humane conditions of work, and a living wage. They shall also participate in policy and decision-making processes affecting their rights and benefits as may be provided by law.<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\">[7]<\\/a>\\u201d<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Among the rights of labor protected under the Constitution are the right to choose one\\u2019s employment and the right to security of tenure. The latter provides for the right of the workers not to be terminated except for a just cause and with due process.\\u00a0 Filipino nurses and other labor advocates have appealed to lift the ban for being violative of the nurses\\u2019 constitutional rights to choose employment and to security of tenure.\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><strong><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">On the Nurses\\u2019 Right to Work<\\/span><\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0Even before the pandemic, the problem regarding the salary of the nurses was already present. In 2019, a petition has been filed before the Supreme Court (SC) seeking to increase the salary of the Filipino nurses and to declare unconstitutional the executive order issued by former president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo which downgraded the nurses\\u2019 salary from Salary Grade 11 to Salary Grade 10. However, such petition was objected to by the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) for lack of legal basis contending that \\u00a0granting the petition would result in inequity among the wages of government workers.<a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\">[8]<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0Towards the end of August 2020, an international information aggregator, i-Price, through Economic Research Institute-powered company, Salary Expert, published data indicating salaries of various front liners during the COVID-19 pandemic in six countries within Southeast Asia.\\u00a0 The study showed that the Filipino health care workers are the least paid workers in Southeast Asian countries next to Vietnam with only 40,000 pesos<a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\">[9]<\\/a>.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0More and more nurses, especially during this time of crisis, opted to work abroad to uplift the living conditions of the families they left behind in the country. However, with the deployment ban in place, these nurses had no choice but to stay in the country,\\u00a0 without assurance of any gainful employment from the government.\\u00a0 Worse, just to make ends meet, they may be forced to work on temporary employment offered by the government to health workers against the battle with COVID-19 pandemic.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">Insofar as\\u00a0 the right of labor is concerned, it may be said that the deployment ban has deprived the nurses the right to choose to work abroad and to choose the work environment that they believe is the most suitable for them and which could give them better compensation.\\u00a0\\u00a0 However, it bears noting that this right is not absolute.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In <em>PASEI v. Drilon<\\/em><a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\">[10]<\\/a> (1988), the Supreme Court <em>En Banc <\\/em>upheld the validity of the temporary deployment ban of Filipino domestic and household workers ruling that the reliance of the petitioner on the constitutional right to work of labors is not well-taken because such right granted by Sec. 3, Article XIII of the Constitution must submit to the demands of State\\u2019s power of regulation. The Court further held that the term \\u201cprotection to labor\\u201d afforded by the constitution does not signify promotion of employment alone. Rather, it is more concerned with providing employment to labor that is decent, just, and humane.\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The applicability of the case of <em>PASEI<\\/em> to the temporary ban on health workers is, at the least, questionable. In <em>PASEI<a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\"><strong>[11]<\\/strong><\\/a>,<\\/em> the temporary deployment ban was justified due to the apparently unhappy plight of the Filipino domestic servants abroad brought about by the exploitative working conditions and cases of abuse against these laborers. Under the present ban however, there was no showing of any kind of abuse from abroad towards Filipino nurses due to the pandemic.\\u00a0 In fact, hospitals abroad offer more sustainable and just conditions of work than hospitals in our country.\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Philippine government cannot validly claim that this deployment ban ensures the nurses just and humane conditions of work while nurses in the Philippines are being overworked and underpaid.\\u00a0 The current condition of nurses is awful. While risking their lives to save Covid-19 patients, they are stigmatized \\u2013some are evicted from their apartments<a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\">[12]<\\/a>, others discriminated in public transportation, and still others get viciously attacked by bystanders.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">It bears stressing that the government is not confined to the choice of restricting the nurses\\u2019 right to work as a response towards COVID-19.\\u00a0 Instead of unduly compelling these laborers to work in the country, the government should afford better salaries to our nurses and allow them to choose whether to stay in the country or to work abroad. By doing so, the government is acting its mandate to uphold the nurses\\u2019 right to work.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><strong><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">On Nurses\\u2019 Right to Security of Tenure<\\/span><\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><strong>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 <\\/strong>The deployment ban has affected the nurses\\u2019 rights to freely choose their employment as it precluded them from working overseas where there is stable employment, better job offers, and a higher standard of living.\\u00a0 It also left nurses with no choice but to look for other sustainable work\\u2013given the lack of contingency plan from the government to address their temporary unemployment.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">With regard to the employment contract of nurses under this emergency hiring program, even the DOH\\u2019s Director of the Office for Policy and Health Systems, Dr. Kenneth Ronquillo, admitted that the primary reason they are having difficulty in getting applicants is that they only offer short-term job contracts that would end in December with a very little assurance that it will be renewed in the 2021, versus the more stable and better job offers abroad<a href=\\\"#_ftn12\\\">[13]<\\/a>.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">In this instance, the right of the nurses to security of tenure is impaired by the government\\u2019s temporary employment scheme as the nurses are subjected to contractual employment,\\u00a0 without assurance of being regularized or having their three-month contracts under the Emergency Hiring Program extended.\\u00a0 This set-up denies the rights of the laborers to the benefits associated with regularization and thus, can be classified as an anti-tenurial security scheme frowned upon by the Labor Code.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Whether the deployment ban imposed by the government is constitutional is an issue that only the courts can determine, taking into consideration the provisions of the supreme law of the land.\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0Nevertheless, the government, in the exercise of its inherent police power, must recognize that while it is true that the right to health and safety may present a sufficient justification for the government\\u2019s imposition of the deployment ban against the Philippine nurses and other health workers, there is absolutely no need to stake their freedom to choose their work and their tenurial security rights. The government can do better than forcing them in the country. These rights, conferred by the Constitution, must be enjoyed by the people to the fullest extent possible without having to choose one over the other.\\u00a0 \\u00a0If the government is to be true to its mandate of protecting these workers, curtailing its rights should be the last resort. The government should first afford the statutory rights of labor such as humane living conditions and competitive benefits.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0Even if the deployment ban on nurses is upheld, the government should start seeing the irony of protecting workers\\u2019 rights not by actual grants but by curtailment of rights under the pretense of securing their health and safety.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><span style=\\\"color: #ff0000;\\\">[1]<\\/span> Proclamation 922 s. 2020. DECLARING A STATE OF PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY THROUGHOUT THE PHILIPPINES. https:\\/\\/www.officialgazette.gov.ph\\/downloads\\/2020\\/02feb\\/20200308-PROC-922-RRD-1.pdf<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><span style=\\\"color: #ff0000;\\\">[2]<\\/span> POEA Governing Board Resolution No. 9 Series of 2020.\\u00a0 http:\\/\\/poea.gov.ph\\/gbr\\/2020\\/GBR-09-2020.pdf<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><span style=\\\"color: #ff0000;\\\">[3]<\\/span> POEA Governing Board Resolution No. 9 Series of 2020. http:\\/\\/poea.gov.ph\\/gbr\\/2020\\/GBR-09-2020.pdf<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><span style=\\\"color: #ff0000;\\\">[4]<\\/span> Salud, Joel Pablo. \\u201cNursing Wounds: A Closer Look at the Nurses\\u2019 Deployment Ban\\u201d (Manila, Business Mirror: The broader look, June 4, 2020) <em>https:\\/\\/businessmirror.com.ph\\/2020\\/06\\/04\\/nursing-wounds-a-closer-look-at-the-nurses-deployment-ban\\/<\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[5]<\\/a> INTERNATIONAL COVENANT ON ECONOMICS, SOCIAL, AND CULTURAL RIGHTS, Article 6<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><span style=\\\"color: #ff0000;\\\">[6]<\\/span> INTERNATIONAL COVENANT ON ECONOMICS, SOCIAL, AND CULTURAL RIGHTS, Article 7<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[7]<\\/a> CONST., Sec 3, Article XIII.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\">[8]<\\/a> Tomacruz, Sofia. <em>\\u201cCalida Blocks Petition Seeking to Increase Nurses\\u2019 Salary\\u201d<\\/em> (Manila, February 26, 2019) <a>https:\\/\\/www.rappler.com\\/nation\\/calida-blocks-petit1ion-seeking-increase-nurses-salary.<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\">[9]<\\/a> iPrice. <em>\\u201cFilipino Frontliners Earn The Least Compared To Their Southeast Asian Peers, Data Shows\\u201d<\\/em> (Marketing in Asia, September 3, 2020) <em>https:\\/\\/marketinginasia.com\\/2020\\/09\\/03\\/filipino-frontliners-earn-the-least-compared-to-their-southeast-asian-peers-data-shows\\/<\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\">[10]<\\/a> G.R. No. 81958<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\">[11]<\\/a> Ibid<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\">[12]<\\/a> Santos, Ana. \\u201c<em>Attacked and Underpaid: Medics in Philippines battle stigma and virus.\\u201d<\\/em> (Manila, April 2, 2020) https:\\/\\/www.aljazeera.com\\/news\\/2020\\/04\\/02\\/attacked-underpaid-medics-in-philippines-battle-stigma-virus\\/.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref12\\\">[13]<\\/a> Terrazola, Vanne Alaine.\\u00a0 <em>\\u201cDOLE recommends lifting deployment ban for 600 nurses\\u201d<\\/em> (Manila, August 25, 2020) <em>https:\\/\\/mb.com.ph\\/2020\\/08\\/25\\/dole-recommends-lifting-deployment-ban-for-600-nurses\\/<\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">Cover Photo from <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.rappler.com\\/nation\\/filipino-nurses-bound-for-uk-barred-leaving-philippines\\\">Rappler<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(2327,1027,'_thumbnail_id','1017'),(2329,1028,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(2330,1028,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(2331,1028,'_elementor_version','3.0.13'),(2332,1028,'_wp_page_template','default'),(2333,1028,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"1f386fe6\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"33a65c39\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"59f8b1f\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">By: Cassandra Marie Mendoza<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The year 2020 has unexpectedly become a year of international health crisis.\\u00a0 Since January 2020, the whole world has been coping with the impact of the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.\\u00a0\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 COVID-19\\u2019s local transmission in the Philippines prompted President Duterte to sign proclamation No. 922<sup>1<\\/sup> declaring a state of public health emergency throughout the country.\\u00a0 Consequently, a sudden deployment ban of Filipino health workers was put into effect through the <a>Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) Governing Board Resolution No. 9 series of 2020<\\/a>.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The deployment ban included physicians, nurses, microbiologists, molecular biologists, medical technologists, clinical analysts, respiratory therapists, pharmacists, laboratory technicians, radiologic technicians, nursing aides, operators of medical equipment, supervisors of health services and personal care, and repairman of medical-hospital equipment.<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\">[2]<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The ban serves two purposes. First, it sought to address the shortage of health workers in the country.\\u00a0 The Human Resources for Health Network (HRHN), an inter-agency policy and program support network led by the Department of Health (DOH), reported that \\u201cthere was a shortage of about 290,000 health workers in the country, and that an average annual migration of 13,000 health care professionals aggravates the deficiency in the national supply\\u201d.<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\">[3]<\\/a> Second is to ensure the safety health workers.\\u00a0 Not allowing the health workers to go to countries where the pandemic is at its peak is said to be the government\\u2019s preventive measure to secure the safety of health workers.\\u00a0 The deployment ban has already affected around 700 nurses<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\">[4]<\\/a> throughout the country.\\u00a0 However, albeit noble in its purposes, the ban seems to tread upon the brink of unconstitutionality. Thus, the question arises: Is the deployment ban of health workers, specifically, of nurses constitutional?<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><strong>LEGAL AND CONSTITUTIONAL GAPS<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The International Convention on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights (ICESCR), acceded to by the Philippines, provides for the recognition of the people\\u2019s right to work.\\u00a0 This right includes the opportunity to gain his living by work which he freely chooses or accepts, and will take appropriate steps to safeguard this right.<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\">[5]<\\/a> It also includes the right to just and favorable conditions of work, including remunerations which provide all workers, as a minimum, with fair wages and equal remuneration for work of equal value without distinction of any kind, and safe and healthy working conditions<a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\">[6]<\\/a>.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 By virtue of the doctrine of incorporation in the Constitution, the Philippines adopted the abovementioned international policy.\\u00a0 The same is strengthened by Section 3, Article XIII of the 1987 Constitution which states that the workers \\u201c\\u2026 shall be entitled to security of tenure, humane conditions of work, and a living wage. They shall also participate in policy and decision-making processes affecting their rights and benefits as may be provided by law.<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\">[7]<\\/a>\\u201d<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Among the rights of labor protected under the Constitution are the right to choose one\\u2019s employment and the right to security of tenure. The latter provides for the right of the workers not to be terminated except for a just cause and with due process.\\u00a0 Filipino nurses and other labor advocates have appealed to lift the ban for being violative of the nurses\\u2019 constitutional rights to choose employment and to security of tenure.\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><strong><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">On the Nurses\\u2019 Right to Work<\\/span><\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0Even before the pandemic, the problem regarding the salary of the nurses was already present. In 2019, a petition has been filed before the Supreme Court (SC) seeking to increase the salary of the Filipino nurses and to declare unconstitutional the executive order issued by former president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo which downgraded the nurses\\u2019 salary from Salary Grade 11 to Salary Grade 10. However, such petition was objected to by the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) for lack of legal basis contending that \\u00a0granting the petition would result in inequity among the wages of government workers.<a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\">[8]<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0Towards the end of August 2020, an international information aggregator, i-Price, through Economic Research Institute-powered company, Salary Expert, published data indicating salaries of various front liners during the COVID-19 pandemic in six countries within Southeast Asia.\\u00a0 The study showed that the Filipino health care workers are the least paid workers in Southeast Asian countries next to Vietnam with only 40,000 pesos<a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\">[9]<\\/a>.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0More and more nurses, especially during this time of crisis, opted to work abroad to uplift the living conditions of the families they left behind in the country. However, with the deployment ban in place, these nurses had no choice but to stay in the country,\\u00a0 without assurance of any gainful employment from the government.\\u00a0 Worse, just to make ends meet, they may be forced to work on temporary employment offered by the government to health workers against the battle with COVID-19 pandemic.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Insofar as\\u00a0 the right of labor is concerned, it may be said that the deployment ban has deprived the nurses the right to choose to work abroad and to choose the work environment that they believe is the most suitable for them and which could give them better compensation.\\u00a0\\u00a0 However, it bears noting that this right is not absolute.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In <em>PASEI v. Drilon<\\/em><a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\">[10]<\\/a> (1988), the Supreme Court <em>En Banc <\\/em>upheld the validity of the temporary deployment ban of Filipino domestic and household workers ruling that the reliance of the petitioner on the constitutional right to work of labors is not well-taken because such right granted by Sec. 3, Article XIII of the Constitution must submit to the demands of State\\u2019s power of regulation. The Court further held that the term \\u201cprotection to labor\\u201d afforded by the constitution does not signify promotion of employment alone. Rather, it is more concerned with providing employment to labor that is decent, just, and humane.\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The applicability of the case of <em>PASEI<\\/em> to the temporary ban on health workers is, at the least, questionable. In <em>PASEI<a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\"><strong>[11]<\\/strong><\\/a>,<\\/em> the temporary deployment ban was justified due to the apparently unhappy plight of the Filipino domestic servants abroad brought about by the exploitative working conditions and cases of abuse against these laborers. Under the present ban however, there was no showing of any kind of abuse from abroad towards Filipino nurses due to the pandemic.\\u00a0 In fact, hospitals abroad offer more sustainable and just conditions of work than hospitals in our country.\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Philippine government cannot validly claim that this deployment ban ensures the nurses just and humane conditions of work while nurses in the Philippines are being overworked and underpaid.\\u00a0 The current condition of nurses is awful. While risking their lives to save Covid-19 patients, they are stigmatized \\u2013some are evicted from their apartments<a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\">[12]<\\/a>, others discriminated in public transportation, and still others get viciously attacked by bystanders.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 It bears stressing that the government is not confined to the choice of restricting the nurses\\u2019 right to work as a response towards COVID-19.\\u00a0 Instead of unduly compelling these laborers to work in the country, the government should afford better salaries to our nurses and allow them to choose whether to stay in the country or to work abroad. By doing so, the government is acting its mandate to uphold the nurses\\u2019 right to work.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><strong><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">On Nurses\\u2019 Right to Security of Tenure<\\/span><\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><strong>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 <\\/strong>The deployment ban has affected the nurses\\u2019 rights to freely choose their employment as it precluded them from working overseas where there is stable employment, better job offers, and a higher standard of living.\\u00a0 It also left nurses with no choice but to look for other sustainable work\\u2013given the lack of contingency plan from the government to address their temporary unemployment.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">With regard to the employment contract of nurses under this emergency hiring program, even the DOH\\u2019s Director of the Office for Policy and Health Systems, Dr. Kenneth Ronquillo, admitted that the primary reason they are having difficulty in getting applicants is that they only offer short-term job contracts that would end in December with a very little assurance that it will be renewed in the 2021, versus the more stable and better job offers abroad<a href=\\\"#_ftn12\\\">[13]<\\/a>.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">In this instance, the right of the nurses to security of tenure is impaired by the government\\u2019s temporary employment scheme as the nurses are subjected to contractual employment,\\u00a0 without assurance of being regularized or having their three-month contracts under the Emergency Hiring Program extended.\\u00a0 This set-up denies the rights of the laborers to the benefits associated with regularization and thus, can be classified as an anti-tenurial security scheme frowned upon by the Labor Code.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Whether the deployment ban imposed by the government is constitutional is an issue that only the courts can determine, taking into consideration the provisions of the supreme law of the land.\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0Nevertheless, the government, in the exercise of its inherent police power, must recognize that while it is true that the right to health and safety may present a sufficient justification for the government\\u2019s imposition of the deployment ban against the Philippine nurses and other health workers, there is absolutely no need to stake their freedom to choose their work and their tenurial security rights. The government can do better than forcing them in the country. These rights, conferred by the Constitution, must be enjoyed by the people to the fullest extent possible without having to choose one over the other.\\u00a0 \\u00a0If the government is to be true to its mandate of protecting these workers, curtailing its rights should be the last resort. The government should first afford the statutory rights of labor such as humane living conditions and competitive benefits.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0Even if the deployment ban on nurses is upheld, the government should start seeing the irony of protecting workers\\u2019 rights not by actual grants but by curtailment of rights under the pretense of securing their health and safety.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><span style=\\\"color: #ff0000;\\\">[1]<\\/span> Proclamation 922 s. 2020. DECLARING A STATE OF PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY THROUGHOUT THE PHILIPPINES. https:\\/\\/www.officialgazette.gov.ph\\/downloads\\/2020\\/02feb\\/20200308-PROC-922-RRD-1.pdf<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><span style=\\\"color: #ff0000;\\\">[2]<\\/span> POEA Governing Board Resolution No. 9 Series of 2020.\\u00a0 http:\\/\\/poea.gov.ph\\/gbr\\/2020\\/GBR-09-2020.pdf<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><span style=\\\"color: #ff0000;\\\">[3]<\\/span> POEA Governing Board Resolution No. 9 Series of 2020. http:\\/\\/poea.gov.ph\\/gbr\\/2020\\/GBR-09-2020.pdf<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><span style=\\\"color: #ff0000;\\\">[4]<\\/span> Salud, Joel Pablo. \\u201cNursing Wounds: A Closer Look at the Nurses\\u2019 Deployment Ban\\u201d (Manila, Business Mirror: The broader look, June 4, 2020) <em>https:\\/\\/businessmirror.com.ph\\/2020\\/06\\/04\\/nursing-wounds-a-closer-look-at-the-nurses-deployment-ban\\/<\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[5]<\\/a> INTERNATIONAL COVENANT ON ECONOMICS, SOCIAL, AND CULTURAL RIGHTS, Article 6<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><span style=\\\"color: #ff0000;\\\">[6]<\\/span> INTERNATIONAL COVENANT ON ECONOMICS, SOCIAL, AND CULTURAL RIGHTS, Article 7<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[7]<\\/a> CONST., Sec 3, Article XIII.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\">[8]<\\/a> Tomacruz, Sofia. <em>\\u201cCalida Blocks Petition Seeking to Increase Nurses\\u2019 Salary\\u201d<\\/em> (Manila, February 26, 2019) <a>https:\\/\\/www.rappler.com\\/nation\\/calida-blocks-petit1ion-seeking-increase-nurses-salary.<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\">[9]<\\/a> iPrice. <em>\\u201cFilipino Frontliners Earn The Least Compared To Their Southeast Asian Peers, Data Shows\\u201d<\\/em> (Marketing in Asia, September 3, 2020) <em>https:\\/\\/marketinginasia.com\\/2020\\/09\\/03\\/filipino-frontliners-earn-the-least-compared-to-their-southeast-asian-peers-data-shows\\/<\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\">[10]<\\/a> G.R. No. 81958<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\">[11]<\\/a> Ibid<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\">[12]<\\/a> Santos, Ana. \\u201c<em>Attacked and Underpaid: Medics in Philippines battle stigma and virus.\\u201d<\\/em> (Manila, April 2, 2020) https:\\/\\/www.aljazeera.com\\/news\\/2020\\/04\\/02\\/attacked-underpaid-medics-in-philippines-battle-stigma-virus\\/.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref12\\\">[13]<\\/a> Terrazola, Vanne Alaine.\\u00a0 <em>\\u201cDOLE recommends lifting deployment ban for 600 nurses\\u201d<\\/em> (Manila, August 25, 2020) <em>https:\\/\\/mb.com.ph\\/2020\\/08\\/25\\/dole-recommends-lifting-deployment-ban-for-600-nurses\\/<\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">Cover Photo from <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.rappler.com\\/nation\\/filipino-nurses-bound-for-uk-barred-leaving-philippines\\\">Rappler<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(2334,1028,'_thumbnail_id','1017'),(2337,1029,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(2338,1029,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(2339,1029,'_elementor_version','3.0.13'),(2340,1029,'_wp_page_template','default'),(2341,1029,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"1f386fe6\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"33a65c39\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"59f8b1f\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">By: Cassandra Marie Mendoza<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The year 2020 has unexpectedly become a year of international health crisis.\\u00a0 Since January 2020, the whole world has been coping with the impact of the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.\\u00a0\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 COVID-19\\u2019s local transmission in the Philippines prompted President Duterte to sign proclamation No. 922<sup>1<\\/sup> declaring a state of public health emergency throughout the country.\\u00a0 Consequently, a sudden deployment ban of Filipino health workers was put into effect through the <a>Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) Governing Board Resolution No. 9 series of 2020<\\/a>.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The deployment ban included physicians, nurses, microbiologists, molecular biologists, medical technologists, clinical analysts, respiratory therapists, pharmacists, laboratory technicians, radiologic technicians, nursing aides, operators of medical equipment, supervisors of health services and personal care, and repairman of medical-hospital equipment.<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\">[2]<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The ban serves two purposes. First, it sought to address the shortage of health workers in the country.\\u00a0 The Human Resources for Health Network (HRHN), an inter-agency policy and program support network led by the Department of Health (DOH), reported that \\u201cthere was a shortage of about 290,000 health workers in the country, and that an average annual migration of 13,000 health care professionals aggravates the deficiency in the national supply\\u201d.<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\">[3]<\\/a> Second is to ensure the safety health workers.\\u00a0 Not allowing the health workers to go to countries where the pandemic is at its peak is said to be the government\\u2019s preventive measure to secure the safety of health workers.\\u00a0 The deployment ban has already affected around 700 nurses<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\">[4]<\\/a> throughout the country.\\u00a0 However, albeit noble in its purposes, the ban seems to tread upon the brink of unconstitutionality. Thus, the question arises: Is the deployment ban of health workers, specifically, of nurses constitutional?<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><strong>LEGAL AND CONSTITUTIONAL GAPS<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The International Convention on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights (ICESCR), acceded to by the Philippines, provides for the recognition of the people\\u2019s right to work.\\u00a0 This right includes the opportunity to gain his living by work which he freely chooses or accepts, and will take appropriate steps to safeguard this right.<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\">[5]<\\/a> It also includes the right to just and favorable conditions of work, including remunerations which provide all workers, as a minimum, with fair wages and equal remuneration for work of equal value without distinction of any kind, and safe and healthy working conditions<a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\">[6]<\\/a>.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 By virtue of the doctrine of incorporation in the Constitution, the Philippines adopted the abovementioned international policy.\\u00a0 The same is strengthened by Section 3, Article XIII of the 1987 Constitution which states that the workers \\u201c\\u2026 shall be entitled to security of tenure, humane conditions of work, and a living wage. They shall also participate in policy and decision-making processes affecting their rights and benefits as may be provided by law.<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\">[7]<\\/a>\\u201d<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Among the rights of labor protected under the Constitution are the right to choose one\\u2019s employment and the right to security of tenure. The latter provides for the right of the workers not to be terminated except for a just cause and with due process.\\u00a0 Filipino nurses and other labor advocates have appealed to lift the ban for being violative of the nurses\\u2019 constitutional rights to choose employment and to security of tenure.\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><strong><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">On the Nurses\\u2019 Right to Work<\\/span><\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0Even before the pandemic, the problem regarding the salary of the nurses was already present. In 2019, a petition has been filed before the Supreme Court (SC) seeking to increase the salary of the Filipino nurses and to declare unconstitutional the executive order issued by former president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo which downgraded the nurses\\u2019 salary from Salary Grade 11 to Salary Grade 10. However, such petition was objected to by the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) for lack of legal basis contending that \\u00a0granting the petition would result in inequity among the wages of government workers.<a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\">[8]<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0Towards the end of August 2020, an international information aggregator, i-Price, through Economic Research Institute-powered company, Salary Expert, published data indicating salaries of various front liners during the COVID-19 pandemic in six countries within Southeast Asia.\\u00a0 The study showed that the Filipino health care workers are the least paid workers in Southeast Asian countries next to Vietnam with only 40,000 pesos<a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\">[9]<\\/a>.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0More and more nurses, especially during this time of crisis, opted to work abroad to uplift the living conditions of the families they left behind in the country. However, with the deployment ban in place, these nurses had no choice but to stay in the country,\\u00a0 without assurance of any gainful employment from the government.\\u00a0 Worse, just to make ends meet, they may be forced to work on temporary employment offered by the government to health workers against the battle with COVID-19 pandemic.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Insofar as\\u00a0 the right of labor is concerned, it may be said that the deployment ban has deprived the nurses the right to choose to work abroad and to choose the work environment that they believe is the most suitable for them and which could give them better compensation.\\u00a0\\u00a0 However, it bears noting that this right is not absolute.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In <em>PASEI v. Drilon<\\/em><a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\">[10]<\\/a> (1988), the Supreme Court <em>En Banc <\\/em>upheld the validity of the temporary deployment ban of Filipino domestic and household workers ruling that the reliance of the petitioner on the constitutional right to work of labors is not well-taken because such right granted by Sec. 3, Article XIII of the Constitution must submit to the demands of State\\u2019s power of regulation. The Court further held that the term \\u201cprotection to labor\\u201d afforded by the constitution does not signify promotion of employment alone. Rather, it is more concerned with providing employment to labor that is decent, just, and humane.\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The applicability of the case of <em>PASEI<\\/em> to the temporary ban on health workers is, at the least, questionable. In <em>PASEI<a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\"><strong>[11]<\\/strong><\\/a>,<\\/em> the temporary deployment ban was justified due to the apparently unhappy plight of the Filipino domestic servants abroad brought about by the exploitative working conditions and cases of abuse against these laborers. Under the present ban however, there was no showing of any kind of abuse from abroad towards Filipino nurses due to the pandemic.\\u00a0 In fact, hospitals abroad offer more sustainable and just conditions of work than hospitals in our country.\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Philippine government cannot validly claim that this deployment ban ensures the nurses just and humane conditions of work while nurses in the Philippines are being overworked and underpaid.\\u00a0 The current condition of nurses is awful. While risking their lives to save Covid-19 patients, they are stigmatized \\u2013some are evicted from their apartments<a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\">[12]<\\/a>, others discriminated in public transportation, and still others get viciously attacked by bystanders.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 It bears stressing that the government is not confined to the choice of restricting the nurses\\u2019 right to work as a response towards COVID-19.\\u00a0 Instead of unduly compelling these laborers to work in the country, the government should afford better salaries to our nurses and allow them to choose whether to stay in the country or to work abroad. By doing so, the government is acting its mandate to uphold the nurses\\u2019 right to work.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><strong><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">On Nurses\\u2019 Right to Security of Tenure<\\/span><\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><strong>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 <\\/strong>The deployment ban has affected the nurses\\u2019 rights to freely choose their employment as it precluded them from working overseas where there is stable employment, better job offers, and a higher standard of living.\\u00a0 It also left nurses with no choice but to look for other sustainable work\\u2013given the lack of contingency plan from the government to address their temporary unemployment.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">With regard to the employment contract of nurses under this emergency hiring program, even the DOH\\u2019s Director of the Office for Policy and Health Systems, Dr. Kenneth Ronquillo, admitted that the primary reason they are having difficulty in getting applicants is that they only offer short-term job contracts that would end in December with a very little assurance that it will be renewed in the 2021, versus the more stable and better job offers abroad<a href=\\\"#_ftn12\\\">[13]<\\/a>.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">In this instance, the right of the nurses to security of tenure is impaired by the government\\u2019s temporary employment scheme as the nurses are subjected to contractual employment,\\u00a0 without assurance of being regularized or having their three-month contracts under the Emergency Hiring Program extended.\\u00a0 This set-up denies the rights of the laborers to the benefits associated with regularization and thus, can be classified as an anti-tenurial security scheme frowned upon by the Labor Code.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Whether the deployment ban imposed by the government is constitutional is an issue that only the courts can determine, taking into consideration the provisions of the supreme law of the land.\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0Nevertheless, the government, in the exercise of its inherent police power, must recognize that while it is true that the right to health and safety may present a sufficient justification for the government\\u2019s imposition of the deployment ban against the Philippine nurses and other health workers, there is absolutely no need to stake their freedom to choose their work and their tenurial security rights. The government can do better than forcing them in the country. These rights, conferred by the Constitution, must be enjoyed by the people to the fullest extent possible without having to choose one over the other.\\u00a0 \\u00a0If the government is to be true to its mandate of protecting these workers, curtailing its rights should be the last resort. The government should first afford the statutory rights of labor such as humane living conditions and competitive benefits.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0Even if the deployment ban on nurses is upheld, the government should start seeing the irony of protecting workers\\u2019 rights not by actual grants but by curtailment of rights under the pretense of securing their health and safety.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><span style=\\\"color: #ff0000;\\\">[1]<\\/span> Proclamation 922 s. 2020. DECLARING A STATE OF PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY THROUGHOUT THE PHILIPPINES. https:\\/\\/www.officialgazette.gov.ph\\/downloads\\/2020\\/02feb\\/20200308-PROC-922-RRD-1.pdf<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><span style=\\\"color: #ff0000;\\\">[2]<\\/span> POEA Governing Board Resolution No. 9 Series of 2020.\\u00a0 http:\\/\\/poea.gov.ph\\/gbr\\/2020\\/GBR-09-2020.pdf<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><span style=\\\"color: #ff0000;\\\">[3]<\\/span> POEA Governing Board Resolution No. 9 Series of 2020. http:\\/\\/poea.gov.ph\\/gbr\\/2020\\/GBR-09-2020.pdf<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><span style=\\\"color: #ff0000;\\\">[4]<\\/span> Salud, Joel Pablo. \\u201cNursing Wounds: A Closer Look at the Nurses\\u2019 Deployment Ban\\u201d (Manila, Business Mirror: The broader look, June 4, 2020) <em>https:\\/\\/businessmirror.com.ph\\/2020\\/06\\/04\\/nursing-wounds-a-closer-look-at-the-nurses-deployment-ban\\/<\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[5]<\\/a> INTERNATIONAL COVENANT ON ECONOMICS, SOCIAL, AND CULTURAL RIGHTS, Article 6<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><span style=\\\"color: #ff0000;\\\">[6]<\\/span> INTERNATIONAL COVENANT ON ECONOMICS, SOCIAL, AND CULTURAL RIGHTS, Article 7<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[7]<\\/a> CONST., Sec 3, Article XIII.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\">[8]<\\/a> Tomacruz, Sofia. <em>\\u201cCalida Blocks Petition Seeking to Increase Nurses\\u2019 Salary\\u201d<\\/em> (Manila, February 26, 2019) <a>https:\\/\\/www.rappler.com\\/nation\\/calida-blocks-petit1ion-seeking-increase-nurses-salary.<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\">[9]<\\/a> iPrice. <em>\\u201cFilipino Frontliners Earn The Least Compared To Their Southeast Asian Peers, Data Shows\\u201d<\\/em> (Marketing in Asia, September 3, 2020) <em>https:\\/\\/marketinginasia.com\\/2020\\/09\\/03\\/filipino-frontliners-earn-the-least-compared-to-their-southeast-asian-peers-data-shows\\/<\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\">[10]<\\/a> G.R. No. 81958<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\">[11]<\\/a> Ibid<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\">[12]<\\/a> Santos, Ana. \\u201c<em>Attacked and Underpaid: Medics in Philippines battle stigma and virus.\\u201d<\\/em> (Manila, April 2, 2020) https:\\/\\/www.aljazeera.com\\/news\\/2020\\/04\\/02\\/attacked-underpaid-medics-in-philippines-battle-stigma-virus\\/.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref12\\\">[13]<\\/a> Terrazola, Vanne Alaine.\\u00a0 <em>\\u201cDOLE recommends lifting deployment ban for 600 nurses\\u201d<\\/em> (Manila, August 25, 2020) <em>https:\\/\\/mb.com.ph\\/2020\\/08\\/25\\/dole-recommends-lifting-deployment-ban-for-600-nurses\\/<\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">Cover Photo from <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.rappler.com\\/nation\\/filipino-nurses-bound-for-uk-barred-leaving-philippines\\\">Rappler<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(2342,1029,'_thumbnail_id','1017'),(2344,1030,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(2345,1030,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(2346,1030,'_elementor_version','3.0.13'),(2347,1030,'_wp_page_template','default'),(2348,1030,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"1f386fe6\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"33a65c39\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"59f8b1f\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">By: Cassandra Marie Mendoza<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The year 2020 has unexpectedly become a year of international health crisis.\\u00a0 Since January 2020, the whole world has been coping with the impact of the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.\\u00a0\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 COVID-19\\u2019s local transmission in the Philippines prompted President Duterte to sign proclamation No. 922<sup>1<\\/sup> declaring a state of public health emergency throughout the country.\\u00a0 Consequently, a sudden deployment ban of Filipino health workers was put into effect through the <a>Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) Governing Board Resolution No. 9 series of 2020<\\/a>.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The deployment ban included physicians, nurses, microbiologists, molecular biologists, medical technologists, clinical analysts, respiratory therapists, pharmacists, laboratory technicians, radiologic technicians, nursing aides, operators of medical equipment, supervisors of health services and personal care, and repairman of medical-hospital equipment.<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\">[2]<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The ban serves two purposes. First, it sought to address the shortage of health workers in the country.\\u00a0 The Human Resources for Health Network (HRHN), an inter-agency policy and program support network led by the Department of Health (DOH), reported that \\u201cthere was a shortage of about 290,000 health workers in the country, and that an average annual migration of 13,000 health care professionals aggravates the deficiency in the national supply\\u201d.<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\">[3]<\\/a> Second is to ensure the safety health workers.\\u00a0 Not allowing the health workers to go to countries where the pandemic is at its peak is said to be the government\\u2019s preventive measure to secure the safety of health workers.\\u00a0 The deployment ban has already affected around 700 nurses<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\">[4]<\\/a> throughout the country.\\u00a0 However, albeit noble in its purposes, the ban seems to tread upon the brink of unconstitutionality. Thus, the question arises: Is the deployment ban of health workers, specifically, of nurses constitutional?<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><strong>LEGAL AND CONSTITUTIONAL GAPS<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The International Convention on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights (ICESCR), acceded to by the Philippines, provides for the recognition of the people\\u2019s right to work.\\u00a0 This right includes the opportunity to gain his living by work which he freely chooses or accepts, and will take appropriate steps to safeguard this right.<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\">[5]<\\/a> It also includes the right to just and favorable conditions of work, including remunerations which provide all workers, as a minimum, with fair wages and equal remuneration for work of equal value without distinction of any kind, and safe and healthy working conditions<a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\">[6]<\\/a>.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 By virtue of the doctrine of incorporation in the Constitution, the Philippines adopted the abovementioned international policy.\\u00a0 The same is strengthened by Section 3, Article XIII of the 1987 Constitution which states that the workers \\u201c\\u2026 shall be entitled to security of tenure, humane conditions of work, and a living wage. They shall also participate in policy and decision-making processes affecting their rights and benefits as may be provided by law.<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\">[7]<\\/a>\\u201d<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Among the rights of labor protected under the Constitution are the right to choose one\\u2019s employment and the right to security of tenure. The latter provides for the right of the workers not to be terminated except for a just cause and with due process.\\u00a0 Filipino nurses and other labor advocates have appealed to lift the ban for being violative of the nurses\\u2019 constitutional rights to choose employment and to security of tenure.\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><strong><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">On the Nurses\\u2019 Right to Work<\\/span><\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0Even before the pandemic, the problem regarding the salary of the nurses was already present. In 2019, a petition has been filed before the Supreme Court (SC) seeking to increase the salary of the Filipino nurses and to declare unconstitutional the executive order issued by former president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo which downgraded the nurses\\u2019 salary from Salary Grade 11 to Salary Grade 10. However, such petition was objected to by the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) for lack of legal basis contending that \\u00a0granting the petition would result in inequity among the wages of government workers.<a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\">[8]<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0Towards the end of August 2020, an international information aggregator, i-Price, through Economic Research Institute-powered company, Salary Expert, published data indicating salaries of various front liners during the COVID-19 pandemic in six countries within Southeast Asia.\\u00a0 The study showed that the Filipino health care workers are the least paid workers in Southeast Asian countries next to Vietnam with only 40,000 pesos<a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\">[9]<\\/a>.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0More and more nurses, especially during this time of crisis, opted to work abroad to uplift the living conditions of the families they left behind in the country. However, with the deployment ban in place, these nurses had no choice but to stay in the country,\\u00a0 without assurance of any gainful employment from the government.\\u00a0 Worse, just to make ends meet, they may be forced to work on temporary employment offered by the government to health workers against the battle with COVID-19 pandemic.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Insofar as\\u00a0 the right of labor is concerned, it may be said that the deployment ban has deprived the nurses the right to choose to work abroad and to choose the work environment that they believe is the most suitable for them and which could give them better compensation.\\u00a0\\u00a0 However, it bears noting that this right is not absolute.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In <em>PASEI v. Drilon<\\/em><a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\">[10]<\\/a> (1988), the Supreme Court <em>En Banc <\\/em>upheld the validity of the temporary deployment ban of Filipino domestic and household workers ruling that the reliance of the petitioner on the constitutional right to work of labors is not well-taken because such right granted by Sec. 3, Article XIII of the Constitution must submit to the demands of State\\u2019s power of regulation. The Court further held that the term \\u201cprotection to labor\\u201d afforded by the constitution does not signify promotion of employment alone. Rather, it is more concerned with providing employment to labor that is decent, just, and humane.\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The applicability of the case of <em>PASEI<\\/em> to the temporary ban on health workers is, at the least, questionable. In <em>PASEI<a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\"><strong>[11]<\\/strong><\\/a>,<\\/em> the temporary deployment ban was justified due to the apparently unhappy plight of the Filipino domestic servants abroad brought about by the exploitative working conditions and cases of abuse against these laborers. Under the present ban however, there was no showing of any kind of abuse from abroad towards Filipino nurses due to the pandemic.\\u00a0 In fact, hospitals abroad offer more sustainable and just conditions of work than hospitals in our country.\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Philippine government cannot validly claim that this deployment ban ensures the nurses just and humane conditions of work while nurses in the Philippines are being overworked and underpaid.\\u00a0 The current condition of nurses is awful. While risking their lives to save Covid-19 patients, they are stigmatized \\u2013some are evicted from their apartments<a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\">[12]<\\/a>, others discriminated in public transportation, and still others get viciously attacked by bystanders.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 It bears stressing that the government is not confined to the choice of restricting the nurses\\u2019 right to work as a response towards COVID-19.\\u00a0 Instead of unduly compelling these laborers to work in the country, the government should afford better salaries to our nurses and allow them to choose whether to stay in the country or to work abroad. By doing so, the government is acting its mandate to uphold the nurses\\u2019 right to work.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><strong><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">On Nurses\\u2019 Right to Security of Tenure<\\/span><\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><strong>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 <\\/strong>The deployment ban has affected the nurses\\u2019 rights to freely choose their employment as it precluded them from working overseas where there is stable employment, better job offers, and a higher standard of living.\\u00a0 It also left nurses with no choice but to look for other sustainable work\\u2013given the lack of contingency plan from the government to address their temporary unemployment.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">With regard to the employment contract of nurses under this emergency hiring program, even the DOH\\u2019s Director of the Office for Policy and Health Systems, Dr. Kenneth Ronquillo, admitted that the primary reason they are having difficulty in getting applicants is that they only offer short-term job contracts that would end in December with a very little assurance that it will be renewed in the 2021, versus the more stable and better job offers abroad<a href=\\\"#_ftn12\\\">[13]<\\/a>.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">In this instance, the right of the nurses to security of tenure is impaired by the government\\u2019s temporary employment scheme as the nurses are subjected to contractual employment,\\u00a0 without assurance of being regularized or having their three-month contracts under the Emergency Hiring Program extended.\\u00a0 This set-up denies the rights of the laborers to the benefits associated with regularization and thus, can be classified as an anti-tenurial security scheme frowned upon by the Labor Code.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Whether the deployment ban imposed by the government is constitutional is an issue that only the courts can determine, taking into consideration the provisions of the supreme law of the land.\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0Nevertheless, the government, in the exercise of its inherent police power, must recognize that while it is true that the right to health and safety may present a sufficient justification for the government\\u2019s imposition of the deployment ban against the Philippine nurses and other health workers, there is absolutely no need to stake their freedom to choose their work and their tenurial security rights. The government can do better than forcing them in the country. These rights, conferred by the Constitution, must be enjoyed by the people to the fullest extent possible without having to choose one over the other.\\u00a0 \\u00a0If the government is to be true to its mandate of protecting these workers, curtailing its rights should be the last resort. The government should first afford the statutory rights of labor such as humane living conditions and competitive benefits.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0Even if the deployment ban on nurses is upheld, the government should start seeing the irony of protecting workers\\u2019 rights not by actual grants but by curtailment of rights under the pretense of securing their health and safety.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><span style=\\\"color: #ff0000;\\\">[1]<\\/span> Proclamation 922 s. 2020. DECLARING A STATE OF PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY THROUGHOUT THE PHILIPPINES. https:\\/\\/www.officialgazette.gov.ph\\/downloads\\/2020\\/02feb\\/20200308-PROC-922-RRD-1.pdf<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><span style=\\\"color: #ff0000;\\\">[2]<\\/span> POEA Governing Board Resolution No. 9 Series of 2020.\\u00a0 http:\\/\\/poea.gov.ph\\/gbr\\/2020\\/GBR-09-2020.pdf<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><span style=\\\"color: #ff0000;\\\">[3]<\\/span> POEA Governing Board Resolution No. 9 Series of 2020. http:\\/\\/poea.gov.ph\\/gbr\\/2020\\/GBR-09-2020.pdf<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><span style=\\\"color: #ff0000;\\\">[4]<\\/span> Salud, Joel Pablo. \\u201cNursing Wounds: A Closer Look at the Nurses\\u2019 Deployment Ban\\u201d (Manila, Business Mirror: The broader look, June 4, 2020) <em>https:\\/\\/businessmirror.com.ph\\/2020\\/06\\/04\\/nursing-wounds-a-closer-look-at-the-nurses-deployment-ban\\/<\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[5]<\\/a> INTERNATIONAL COVENANT ON ECONOMICS, SOCIAL, AND CULTURAL RIGHTS, Article 6<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><span style=\\\"color: #ff0000;\\\">[6]<\\/span> INTERNATIONAL COVENANT ON ECONOMICS, SOCIAL, AND CULTURAL RIGHTS, Article 7<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[7]<\\/a> CONST., Sec 3, Article XIII.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\">[8]<\\/a> Tomacruz, Sofia. <em>\\u201cCalida Blocks Petition Seeking to Increase Nurses\\u2019 Salary\\u201d<\\/em> (Manila, February 26, 2019) <a>https:\\/\\/www.rappler.com\\/nation\\/calida-blocks-petit1ion-seeking-increase-nurses-salary.<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\">[9]<\\/a> iPrice. <em>\\u201cFilipino Frontliners Earn The Least Compared To Their Southeast Asian Peers, Data Shows\\u201d<\\/em> (Marketing in Asia, September 3, 2020) <em>https:\\/\\/marketinginasia.com\\/2020\\/09\\/03\\/filipino-frontliners-earn-the-least-compared-to-their-southeast-asian-peers-data-shows\\/<\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\">[10]<\\/a> G.R. No. 81958<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\">[11]<\\/a> Ibid<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\">[12]<\\/a> Santos, Ana. \\u201c<em>Attacked and Underpaid: Medics in Philippines battle stigma and virus.\\u201d<\\/em> (Manila, April 2, 2020) https:\\/\\/www.aljazeera.com\\/news\\/2020\\/04\\/02\\/attacked-underpaid-medics-in-philippines-battle-stigma-virus\\/.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref12\\\">[13]<\\/a> Terrazola, Vanne Alaine.\\u00a0 <em>\\u201cDOLE recommends lifting deployment ban for 600 nurses\\u201d<\\/em> (Manila, August 25, 2020) <em>https:\\/\\/mb.com.ph\\/2020\\/08\\/25\\/dole-recommends-lifting-deployment-ban-for-600-nurses\\/<\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">Cover Photo from <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.rappler.com\\/nation\\/filipino-nurses-bound-for-uk-barred-leaving-philippines\\\">Rappler<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(2349,1030,'_thumbnail_id','1017'),(2351,1031,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(2352,1031,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(2353,1031,'_elementor_version','3.0.13'),(2354,1031,'_wp_page_template','default'),(2355,1031,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"1f386fe6\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"33a65c39\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"59f8b1f\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">By: Cassandra Marie Mendoza<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The year 2020 has unexpectedly become a year of international health crisis.\\u00a0 Since January 2020, the whole world has been coping with the impact of the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.\\u00a0\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 COVID-19\\u2019s local transmission in the Philippines prompted President Duterte to sign proclamation No. 922<sup>1<\\/sup> declaring a state of public health emergency throughout the country.\\u00a0 Consequently, a sudden deployment ban of Filipino health workers was put into effect through the <a>Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) Governing Board Resolution No. 9 series of 2020<\\/a>.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The deployment ban included physicians, nurses, microbiologists, molecular biologists, medical technologists, clinical analysts, respiratory therapists, pharmacists, laboratory technicians, radiologic technicians, nursing aides, operators of medical equipment, supervisors of health services and personal care, and repairman of medical-hospital equipment.<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\">[2]<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The ban serves two purposes. First, it sought to address the shortage of health workers in the country.\\u00a0 The Human Resources for Health Network (HRHN), an inter-agency policy and program support network led by the Department of Health (DOH), reported that \\u201cthere was a shortage of about 290,000 health workers in the country, and that an average annual migration of 13,000 health care professionals aggravates the deficiency in the national supply\\u201d.<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\">[3]<\\/a> Second is to ensure the safety health workers.\\u00a0 Not allowing the health workers to go to countries where the pandemic is at its peak is said to be the government\\u2019s preventive measure to secure the safety of health workers.\\u00a0 The deployment ban has already affected around 700 nurses<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\">[4]<\\/a> throughout the country.\\u00a0 However, albeit noble in its purposes, the ban seems to tread upon the brink of unconstitutionality. Thus, the question arises: Is the deployment ban of health workers, specifically, of nurses constitutional?<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><strong>LEGAL AND CONSTITUTIONAL GAPS<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The International Convention on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights (ICESCR), acceded to by the Philippines, provides for the recognition of the people\\u2019s right to work.\\u00a0 This right includes the opportunity to gain his living by work which he freely chooses or accepts, and will take appropriate steps to safeguard this right.<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\">[5]<\\/a> It also includes the right to just and favorable conditions of work, including remunerations which provide all workers, as a minimum, with fair wages and equal remuneration for work of equal value without distinction of any kind, and safe and healthy working conditions<a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\">[6]<\\/a>.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 By virtue of the doctrine of incorporation in the Constitution, the Philippines adopted the abovementioned international policy.\\u00a0 The same is strengthened by Section 3, Article XIII of the 1987 Constitution which states that the workers \\u201c\\u2026 shall be entitled to security of tenure, humane conditions of work, and a living wage. They shall also participate in policy and decision-making processes affecting their rights and benefits as may be provided by law.<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\">[7]<\\/a>\\u201d<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Among the rights of labor protected under the Constitution are the right to choose one\\u2019s employment and the right to security of tenure. The latter provides for the right of the workers not to be terminated except for a just cause and with due process.\\u00a0 Filipino nurses and other labor advocates have appealed to lift the ban for being violative of the nurses\\u2019 constitutional rights to choose employment and to security of tenure.\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><strong><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">On the Nurses\\u2019 Right to Work<\\/span><\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0Even before the pandemic, the problem regarding the salary of the nurses was already present. In 2019, a petition has been filed before the Supreme Court (SC) seeking to increase the salary of the Filipino nurses and to declare unconstitutional the executive order issued by former president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo which downgraded the nurses\\u2019 salary from Salary Grade 11 to Salary Grade 10. However, such petition was objected to by the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) for lack of legal basis contending that \\u00a0granting the petition would result in inequity among the wages of government workers.<a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\">[8]<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0Towards the end of August 2020, an international information aggregator, i-Price, through Economic Research Institute-powered company, Salary Expert, published data indicating salaries of various front liners during the COVID-19 pandemic in six countries within Southeast Asia.\\u00a0 The study showed that the Filipino health care workers are the least paid workers in Southeast Asian countries next to Vietnam with only 40,000 pesos<a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\">[9]<\\/a>.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0More and more nurses, especially during this time of crisis, opted to work abroad to uplift the living conditions of the families they left behind in the country. However, with the deployment ban in place, these nurses had no choice but to stay in the country,\\u00a0 without assurance of any gainful employment from the government.\\u00a0 Worse, just to make ends meet, they may be forced to work on temporary employment offered by the government to health workers against the battle with COVID-19 pandemic.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Insofar as\\u00a0 the right of labor is concerned, it may be said that the deployment ban has deprived the nurses the right to choose to work abroad and to choose the work environment that they believe is the most suitable for them and which could give them better compensation.\\u00a0\\u00a0 However, it bears noting that this right is not absolute.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In <em>PASEI v. Drilon<\\/em><a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\">[10]<\\/a> (1988), the Supreme Court <em>En Banc <\\/em>upheld the validity of the temporary deployment ban of Filipino domestic and household workers ruling that the reliance of the petitioner on the constitutional right to work of labors is not well-taken because such right granted by Sec. 3, Article XIII of the Constitution must submit to the demands of State\\u2019s power of regulation. The Court further held that the term \\u201cprotection to labor\\u201d afforded by the constitution does not signify promotion of employment alone. Rather, it is more concerned with providing employment to labor that is decent, just, and humane.\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The applicability of the case of <em>PASEI<\\/em> to the temporary ban on health workers is, at the least, questionable. In <em>PASEI<a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\"><strong>[11]<\\/strong><\\/a>,<\\/em> the temporary deployment ban was justified due to the apparently unhappy plight of the Filipino domestic servants abroad brought about by the exploitative working conditions and cases of abuse against these laborers. Under the present ban however, there was no showing of any kind of abuse from abroad towards Filipino nurses due to the pandemic.\\u00a0 In fact, hospitals abroad offer more sustainable and just conditions of work than hospitals in our country.\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Philippine government cannot validly claim that this deployment ban ensures the nurses just and humane conditions of work while nurses in the Philippines are being overworked and underpaid.\\u00a0 The current condition of nurses is awful. While risking their lives to save Covid-19 patients, they are stigmatized \\u2013some are evicted from their apartments<a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\">[12]<\\/a>, others discriminated in public transportation, and still others get viciously attacked by bystanders.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 It bears stressing that the government is not confined to the choice of restricting the nurses\\u2019 right to work as a response towards COVID-19.\\u00a0 Instead of unduly compelling these laborers to work in the country, the government should afford better salaries to our nurses and allow them to choose whether to stay in the country or to work abroad. By doing so, the government is acting its mandate to uphold the nurses\\u2019 right to work.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><strong><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">On Nurses\\u2019 Right to Security of Tenure<\\/span><\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><strong>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 <\\/strong>The deployment ban has affected the nurses\\u2019 rights to freely choose their employment as it precluded them from working overseas where there is stable employment, better job offers, and a higher standard of living.\\u00a0 It also left nurses with no choice but to look for other sustainable work\\u2013given the lack of contingency plan from the government to address their temporary unemployment.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 With regard to the employment contract of nurses under this emergency hiring program, even the DOH\\u2019s Director of the Office for Policy and Health Systems, Dr. Kenneth Ronquillo, admitted that the primary reason they are having difficulty in getting applicants is that they only offer short-term job contracts that would end in December with a very little assurance that it will be renewed in the 2021, versus the more stable and better job offers abroad<a href=\\\"#_ftn12\\\">[13]<\\/a>.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In this instance, the right of the nurses to security of tenure is impaired by the government\\u2019s temporary employment scheme as the nurses are subjected to contractual employment,\\u00a0 without assurance of being regularized or having their three-month contracts under the Emergency Hiring Program extended.\\u00a0 This set-up denies the rights of the laborers to the benefits associated with regularization and thus, can be classified as an anti-tenurial security scheme frowned upon by the Labor Code.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Whether the deployment ban imposed by the government is constitutional is an issue that only the courts can determine, taking into consideration the provisions of the supreme law of the land.\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0Nevertheless, the government, in the exercise of its inherent police power, must recognize that while it is true that the right to health and safety may present a sufficient justification for the government\\u2019s imposition of the deployment ban against the Philippine nurses and other health workers, there is absolutely no need to stake their freedom to choose their work and their tenurial security rights. The government can do better than forcing them in the country. These rights, conferred by the Constitution, must be enjoyed by the people to the fullest extent possible without having to choose one over the other.\\u00a0 \\u00a0If the government is to be true to its mandate of protecting these workers, curtailing its rights should be the last resort. The government should first afford the statutory rights of labor such as humane living conditions and competitive benefits.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0Even if the deployment ban on nurses is upheld, the government should start seeing the irony of protecting workers\\u2019 rights not by actual grants but by curtailment of rights under the pretense of securing their health and safety.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><span style=\\\"color: #ff0000;\\\">[1]<\\/span> Proclamation 922 s. 2020. DECLARING A STATE OF PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY THROUGHOUT THE PHILIPPINES. https:\\/\\/www.officialgazette.gov.ph\\/downloads\\/2020\\/02feb\\/20200308-PROC-922-RRD-1.pdf<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><span style=\\\"color: #ff0000;\\\">[2]<\\/span> POEA Governing Board Resolution No. 9 Series of 2020.\\u00a0 http:\\/\\/poea.gov.ph\\/gbr\\/2020\\/GBR-09-2020.pdf<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><span style=\\\"color: #ff0000;\\\">[3]<\\/span> POEA Governing Board Resolution No. 9 Series of 2020. http:\\/\\/poea.gov.ph\\/gbr\\/2020\\/GBR-09-2020.pdf<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><span style=\\\"color: #ff0000;\\\">[4]<\\/span> Salud, Joel Pablo. \\u201cNursing Wounds: A Closer Look at the Nurses\\u2019 Deployment Ban\\u201d (Manila, Business Mirror: The broader look, June 4, 2020) <em>https:\\/\\/businessmirror.com.ph\\/2020\\/06\\/04\\/nursing-wounds-a-closer-look-at-the-nurses-deployment-ban\\/<\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[5]<\\/a> INTERNATIONAL COVENANT ON ECONOMICS, SOCIAL, AND CULTURAL RIGHTS, Article 6<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><span style=\\\"color: #ff0000;\\\">[6]<\\/span> INTERNATIONAL COVENANT ON ECONOMICS, SOCIAL, AND CULTURAL RIGHTS, Article 7<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[7]<\\/a> CONST., Sec 3, Article XIII.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\">[8]<\\/a> Tomacruz, Sofia. <em>\\u201cCalida Blocks Petition Seeking to Increase Nurses\\u2019 Salary\\u201d<\\/em> (Manila, February 26, 2019) <a>https:\\/\\/www.rappler.com\\/nation\\/calida-blocks-petit1ion-seeking-increase-nurses-salary.<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\">[9]<\\/a> iPrice. <em>\\u201cFilipino Frontliners Earn The Least Compared To Their Southeast Asian Peers, Data Shows\\u201d<\\/em> (Marketing in Asia, September 3, 2020) <em>https:\\/\\/marketinginasia.com\\/2020\\/09\\/03\\/filipino-frontliners-earn-the-least-compared-to-their-southeast-asian-peers-data-shows\\/<\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\">[10]<\\/a> G.R. No. 81958<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\">[11]<\\/a> Ibid<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\">[12]<\\/a> Santos, Ana. \\u201c<em>Attacked and Underpaid: Medics in Philippines battle stigma and virus.\\u201d<\\/em> (Manila, April 2, 2020) https:\\/\\/www.aljazeera.com\\/news\\/2020\\/04\\/02\\/attacked-underpaid-medics-in-philippines-battle-stigma-virus\\/.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref12\\\">[13]<\\/a> Terrazola, Vanne Alaine.\\u00a0 <em>\\u201cDOLE recommends lifting deployment ban for 600 nurses\\u201d<\\/em> (Manila, August 25, 2020) <em>https:\\/\\/mb.com.ph\\/2020\\/08\\/25\\/dole-recommends-lifting-deployment-ban-for-600-nurses\\/<\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">Cover Photo from <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.rappler.com\\/nation\\/filipino-nurses-bound-for-uk-barred-leaving-philippines\\\">Rappler<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(2356,1031,'_thumbnail_id','1017'),(2358,1015,'_elementor_controls_usage','a:3:{s:11:\"text-editor\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:1;s:8:\"controls\";a:2:{s:7:\"content\";a:1:{s:14:\"section_editor\";a:1:{s:6:\"editor\";i:1;}}s:5:\"style\";a:1:{s:13:\"section_style\";a:2:{s:21:\"typography_typography\";i:1;s:22:\"typography_line_height\";i:1;}}}}s:6:\"column\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:0;s:8:\"controls\";a:0:{}}s:7:\"section\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:0;s:8:\"controls\";a:0:{}}}'),(2359,1018,'_customize_restore_dismissed','1'),(2360,1032,'_edit_lock','1605759473:1'),(2362,1032,'_customize_restore_dismissed','1'),(2363,1034,'_edit_lock','1605759214:1'),(2364,1034,'_customize_restore_dismissed','1'),(2365,1036,'_edit_lock','1605759436:1'),(2366,1036,'_customize_restore_dismissed','1'),(2368,1015,'ss_ss_click_share_count_facebook','4'),(2369,1015,'ss_ss_click_share_count_envelope','2'),(2370,1015,'ss_total_share_count','0'),(2371,1002,'ss_ss_click_share_count_copy','2'),(2372,595,'ss_ss_click_share_count_facebook','2'),(2373,1015,'ss_ss_click_share_count_copy','4'),(2374,1015,'ss_ss_click_share_count_print','4'),(2375,1002,'ss_ss_click_share_count_mix','1'),(2376,1038,'_edit_lock','1606111748:1'),(2379,1040,'_wp_attached_file','2020/11/weston-mackinnon-vw_kWuxOPRo-unsplash-scaled.jpg'),(2380,1040,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:6:{s:5:\"width\";i:1920;s:6:\"height\";i:1080;s:14:\"hwstring_small\";s:23:\"height=\'72\' width=\'128\'\";s:4:\"file\";s:56:\"2020/11/weston-mackinnon-vw_kWuxOPRo-unsplash-scaled.jpg\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:14:{s:9:\"thumbnail\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:56:\"weston-mackinnon-vw_kWuxOPRo-unsplash-scaled-150x150.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:6:\"medium\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:56:\"weston-mackinnon-vw_kWuxOPRo-unsplash-scaled-300x169.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:300;s:6:\"height\";i:169;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:12:\"medium_large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:56:\"weston-mackinnon-vw_kWuxOPRo-unsplash-scaled-768x432.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:768;s:6:\"height\";i:432;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:5:\"large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:57:\"weston-mackinnon-vw_kWuxOPRo-unsplash-scaled-1024x576.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1024;s:6:\"height\";i:576;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"1536x1536\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:57:\"weston-mackinnon-vw_kWuxOPRo-unsplash-scaled-1536x864.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1536;s:6:\"height\";i:864;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"2048x2048\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:58:\"weston-mackinnon-vw_kWuxOPRo-unsplash-scaled-2048x1152.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:2048;s:6:\"height\";i:1152;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:24:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:56:\"weston-mackinnon-vw_kWuxOPRo-unsplash-scaled-170x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:25:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:54:\"weston-mackinnon-vw_kWuxOPRo-unsplash-scaled-86x70.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:55:\"weston-mackinnon-vw_kWuxOPRo-unsplash-scaled-170x96.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:96;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:22:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:56:\"weston-mackinnon-vw_kWuxOPRo-unsplash-scaled-370x250.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:30:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:56:\"weston-mackinnon-vw_kWuxOPRo-unsplash-scaled-370x208.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:208;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:21:\"bfastmag_related_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:56:\"weston-mackinnon-vw_kWuxOPRo-unsplash-scaled-288x160.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:288;s:6:\"height\";i:160;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:18:\"bfastmag_blog_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:56:\"weston-mackinnon-vw_kWuxOPRo-unsplash-scaled-780x544.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:26:\"bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:56:\"weston-mackinnon-vw_kWuxOPRo-unsplash-scaled-780x439.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:439;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:0:\"\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:1:\"0\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:1:\"0\";s:3:\"iso\";s:1:\"0\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:1:\"0\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";s:1:\"0\";s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}}'),(2381,1038,'_pingme','1'),(2382,1038,'_encloseme','1'),(2383,1038,'_thumbnail_id','1040'),(2384,1038,'_edit_last','1'),(2385,1038,'_yoast_wpseo_primary_category','9'),(2386,1038,'wptr_hide_title','1'),(2387,1038,'ss_social_share_disable',''),(2388,1038,'_yoast_wpseo_focuskw','Retroactive Application of Laws'),(2389,1038,'_yoast_wpseo_metadesc','It is a settled principle that laws shall have no retroactive application. However, a penal law that is favorable to the accused can be applied retroactively, provided that the accused is not a habitual criminal.'),(2390,1038,'_yoast_wpseo_linkdex','59'),(2391,1038,'_yoast_wpseo_content_score','30'),(2392,1038,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(2393,1038,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(2394,1038,'_elementor_version','3.0.13'),(2395,1043,'_thumbnail_id','1040'),(2396,1043,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(2397,1043,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(2398,1043,'_elementor_version','3.0.13'),(2399,1044,'_thumbnail_id','1040'),(2400,1044,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(2401,1044,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(2402,1044,'_elementor_version','3.0.13'),(2403,1038,'_wp_page_template','default'),(2404,1038,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"52e9a36f\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"214dd53b\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"218903b\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- wp:heading --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<h2><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><strong>INMATES OF THE NEW BILIBID PRISON <em>v<\\/em>. DOJ SECRETARY DE LIMA AND DILG SECRETARY ROXAS: CLARIFICATION ON THE RETROACTIVE APPLICATION OF LAWS<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/h2>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">by: Dianne Nicole L. Ramos<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\">[1]<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 It is a settled principle that laws shall have no retroactive application<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\">[2]<\\/a>. However, a penal law that is favorable to the accused can be applied retroactively, provided that the accused is not a habitual criminal<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\">[3]<\\/a>. This is provided in Article 22 of the Revised Penal Code (RPC). In the words of the Supreme Court, these foregoing principles are the rules, the exception, and the exception to the exception on the effectivity of laws.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 A question arises when a law affects criminals but is not penal in nature. This was resolved in the case of <em>Inmates of the New Bilibid Prison v. DOJ Secretary De Lima and DILG Secretary Roxas. <\\/em>The said case involves Republic Act 10592 (R.A. No. 10592) or \\u201cAn Act Amending Articles 29, 94, 97, 98 And 99 Of\\u00a0<a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/www.gov.ph\\/1930\\/12\\/08\\/act-no-3815-s-1930\\/\\\">Act No. 3815<\\/a>, As Amended, Otherwise Known As The Revised Penal Code<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\">[4]<\\/a>\\u201d, which increased the good conduct time allowance (GCTA) to be deducted from a prisoner\\u2019s sentence. GCTA is a sentence reduction provision afforded to prisoners who show good behavior.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In line with this, the Department of Justice (DOJ) and Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) issued Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR). Section 4, Rule 1 of such IRR states that the provisions of the law shall be applied prospectively. This prompted the petitioners in this case, being prisoners who would have benefited from R.A. No. 10592, to assail the validity of the abovementioned provision in the IRR. They contended that R.A. No. 10592 is penal in nature and is beneficial to the accused. Therefore, it must be given retroactive application, pursuant to Article 22 of the RPC.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Court agreed. To contextualize, the Court defined a penal law as one that defines offenses and prescribes penalties for their violation. While the Court conceded that R.A. No. 10592 neither defines a crime or offense nor provides a penalty therefor as it only addresses the rehabilitation component of our correctional system, its provisions have the <em>purpose and effect of diminishing the punishment attached to a crime.<\\/em> The further reduction in the length of the penalty of imprisonment is beneficial to prisoners; hence, Article 22 of the RPC should apply.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Court upheld the petitioners\\u2019 argument that R.A. No. 10592 is a penal law because by amending the RPC, it becomes an integral part of the Code. The Court went further to rule that the prospective application of the beneficial provisions of R.A. No. 10592 would deprive the prisoners of time off, thus making more onerous the punishment for the crimes the committed.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The discussion of this case is relevant in the case of Lance Corporal Joseph Scott Pemberton. On September 7, 2020, President Rodrigo Duterte had granted absolute pardon to Pemberton, who has been in prison since 2014 for the homicide of transgender woman, Jennifer Laude. Pemberton and Laude met in a nightclub in Olongapo City in October 2014. That same night, upon learning that Laude was a transgender, Pemberton choked Laude and pushed her head into a toilet bowl until she drowned. Pemberton was sentenced to 6 years to 12 years in prison, which was later reduced to 10 years. Pemberton did not serve his sentence in the New Bilibid Prison. Instead, due to the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) between the United States and the Philippines, he was placed in a private air-conditioned cell in Camp Aguinaldo. The VFA is a legal framework, which governs many aspects of the US Military presence in our country. It also affect the determination of where convicted American personnel will be detained.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In August of 2020, Pemberton\\u2019s lawyer submitted a motion to the Court, stating that Pemberton had qualified for the benefits of the GCTA. Judge Roline Ginez-Jabalde, the same official which convicted Pemberton in 2015, ruled that since Pemberton had served almost 6 years in prison and had earned 4 years off of his sentence for good behavior while he was in jail, Pemberton is free to go.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Rommel Bagares, the lawyer representing the Laude family stated that the GCTA should not have been applied to Pemberton because his case is covered by the VFA, which is silent as to the application of the GCTA. Bagares and the Department of Justice immediately moved to oppose Pemberton\\u2019s release, but to no avail as President Duterte had granted Pemberton absolute pardon.\\u00a0 That same month, Pemberton was put on board a US Military cargo plane and was brought to Camp Smith in Hawaii, where the US Marine Corps are now taking administrative actions against Pemberton. According to the Bureau of Immigration, Pemberton has also been placed on the agency\\u2019s blacklist and can no longer return to the Philippines.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 To this day, there are still many L.G.B.T.Q. organizations around the world that cannot rest easy with the conclusion of this issue. It is therefore important that we keep abreast of the cases related hereto.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">[1]<\\/a> Dianne Nicole L. Ramos, UST Faculty of Civil Law, 2C, UST Law Review Understudy<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a> Civil Code, Article 4.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a> Sr. Insp. Valeroso v. People, 570 Phil. 58, 61-62 (2008) and People v. Alcaraz, 56 Phil. 522 (1932).<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[4]<\\/a> R.A. No. 10592 took effect on June 6, 2013.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><em><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/em><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><em><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\">Featured Photo by <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/unsplash.com\\/@betteratf8?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText\\\">Weston MacKinnon<\\/a> on <\\/span><\\/em><a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/unsplash.com\\/s\\/photos\\/prision?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText\\\"><em><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\">Unsplash<\\/span><\\/em><\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(2405,1045,'_thumbnail_id','1040'),(2406,1045,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(2407,1045,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(2408,1045,'_elementor_version','3.0.13'),(2409,1045,'_wp_page_template','default'),(2410,1045,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"52e9a36f\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"214dd53b\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"218903b\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- wp:heading --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<h2><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><strong>INMATES OF THE NEW BILIBID PRISON <em>v<\\/em>. DOJ SECRETARY DE LIMA AND DILG SECRETARY ROXAS: CLARIFICATION ON THE RETROACTIVE APPLICATION OF LAWS<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/h2>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">by: Dianne Nicole L. Ramos<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\">[1]<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 It is a settled principle that laws shall have no retroactive application<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\">[2]<\\/a>. However, a penal law that is favorable to the accused can be applied retroactively, provided that the accused is not a habitual criminal<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\">[3]<\\/a>. This is provided in Article 22 of the Revised Penal Code (RPC). In the words of the Supreme Court, these foregoing principles are the rules, the exception, and the exception to the exception on the effectivity of laws.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 A question arises when a law affects criminals but is not penal in nature. This was resolved in the case of <em>Inmates of the New Bilibid Prison v. DOJ Secretary De Lima and DILG Secretary Roxas. <\\/em>The said case involves Republic Act 10592 (R.A. No. 10592) or \\u201cAn Act Amending Articles 29, 94, 97, 98 And 99 Of\\u00a0<a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/www.gov.ph\\/1930\\/12\\/08\\/act-no-3815-s-1930\\/\\\">Act No. 3815<\\/a>, As Amended, Otherwise Known As The Revised Penal Code<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\">[4]<\\/a>\\u201d, which increased the good conduct time allowance (GCTA) to be deducted from a prisoner\\u2019s sentence. GCTA is a sentence reduction provision afforded to prisoners who show good behavior.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In line with this, the Department of Justice (DOJ) and Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) issued Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR). Section 4, Rule 1 of such IRR states that the provisions of the law shall be applied prospectively. This prompted the petitioners in this case, being prisoners who would have benefited from R.A. No. 10592, to assail the validity of the abovementioned provision in the IRR. They contended that R.A. No. 10592 is penal in nature and is beneficial to the accused. Therefore, it must be given retroactive application, pursuant to Article 22 of the RPC.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Court agreed. To contextualize, the Court defined a penal law as one that defines offenses and prescribes penalties for their violation. While the Court conceded that R.A. No. 10592 neither defines a crime or offense nor provides a penalty therefor as it only addresses the rehabilitation component of our correctional system, its provisions have the <em>purpose and effect of diminishing the punishment attached to a crime.<\\/em> The further reduction in the length of the penalty of imprisonment is beneficial to prisoners; hence, Article 22 of the RPC should apply.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Court upheld the petitioners\\u2019 argument that R.A. No. 10592 is a penal law because by amending the RPC, it becomes an integral part of the Code. The Court went further to rule that the prospective application of the beneficial provisions of R.A. No. 10592 would deprive the prisoners of time off, thus making more onerous the punishment for the crimes the committed.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The discussion of this case is relevant in the case of Lance Corporal Joseph Scott Pemberton. On September 7, 2020, President Rodrigo Duterte had granted absolute pardon to Pemberton, who has been in prison since 2014 for the homicide of transgender woman, Jennifer Laude. Pemberton and Laude met in a nightclub in Olongapo City in October 2014. That same night, upon learning that Laude was a transgender, Pemberton choked Laude and pushed her head into a toilet bowl until she drowned. Pemberton was sentenced to 6 years to 12 years in prison, which was later reduced to 10 years. Pemberton did not serve his sentence in the New Bilibid Prison. Instead, due to the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) between the United States and the Philippines, he was placed in a private air-conditioned cell in Camp Aguinaldo. The VFA is a legal framework, which governs many aspects of the US Military presence in our country. It also affect the determination of where convicted American personnel will be detained.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In August of 2020, Pemberton\\u2019s lawyer submitted a motion to the Court, stating that Pemberton had qualified for the benefits of the GCTA. Judge Roline Ginez-Jabalde, the same official which convicted Pemberton in 2015, ruled that since Pemberton had served almost 6 years in prison and had earned 4 years off of his sentence for good behavior while he was in jail, Pemberton is free to go.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Rommel Bagares, the lawyer representing the Laude family stated that the GCTA should not have been applied to Pemberton because his case is covered by the VFA, which is silent as to the application of the GCTA. Bagares and the Department of Justice immediately moved to oppose Pemberton\\u2019s release, but to no avail as President Duterte had granted Pemberton absolute pardon.\\u00a0 That same month, Pemberton was put on board a US Military cargo plane and was brought to Camp Smith in Hawaii, where the US Marine Corps are now taking administrative actions against Pemberton. According to the Bureau of Immigration, Pemberton has also been placed on the agency\\u2019s blacklist and can no longer return to the Philippines.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 To this day, there are still many L.G.B.T.Q. organizations around the world that cannot rest easy with the conclusion of this issue. It is therefore important that we keep abreast of the cases related hereto.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">[1]<\\/a> Dianne Nicole L. Ramos, UST Faculty of Civil Law, 2C, UST Law Review Understudy<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a> Civil Code, Article 4.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a> Sr. Insp. Valeroso v. People, 570 Phil. 58, 61-62 (2008) and People v. Alcaraz, 56 Phil. 522 (1932).<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[4]<\\/a> R.A. No. 10592 took effect on June 6, 2013.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><em><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/em><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><em><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\">Featured Photo by <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/unsplash.com\\/@betteratf8?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText\\\">Weston MacKinnon<\\/a> on <\\/span><\\/em><a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/unsplash.com\\/s\\/photos\\/prision?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText\\\"><em><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\">Unsplash<\\/span><\\/em><\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(2412,1038,'_elementor_controls_usage','a:3:{s:11:\"text-editor\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:1;s:8:\"controls\";a:2:{s:7:\"content\";a:1:{s:14:\"section_editor\";a:1:{s:6:\"editor\";i:1;}}s:5:\"style\";a:1:{s:13:\"section_style\";a:2:{s:21:\"typography_typography\";i:1;s:22:\"typography_line_height\";i:1;}}}}s:6:\"column\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:0;s:8:\"controls\";a:0:{}}s:7:\"section\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:0;s:8:\"controls\";a:0:{}}}'),(2414,1046,'_edit_lock','1606279718:1'),(2415,1038,'ss_ss_click_share_count_facebook','6'),(2416,1038,'ss_total_share_count','0'),(2417,1047,'_wp_attached_file','2020/11/640_modules_2020_07_06_13_03_09.jpg'),(2418,1047,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:6:{s:5:\"width\";i:640;s:6:\"height\";i:427;s:14:\"hwstring_small\";s:23:\"height=\'85\' width=\'128\'\";s:4:\"file\";s:43:\"2020/11/640_modules_2020_07_06_13_03_09.jpg\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:8:{s:9:\"thumbnail\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:43:\"640_modules_2020_07_06_13_03_09-150x150.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:6:\"medium\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:43:\"640_modules_2020_07_06_13_03_09-300x200.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:300;s:6:\"height\";i:200;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:24:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:43:\"640_modules_2020_07_06_13_03_09-170x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:25:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:41:\"640_modules_2020_07_06_13_03_09-86x70.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:43:\"640_modules_2020_07_06_13_03_09-165x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:165;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:22:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:43:\"640_modules_2020_07_06_13_03_09-370x250.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:30:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:43:\"640_modules_2020_07_06_13_03_09-370x247.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:247;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:21:\"bfastmag_related_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:43:\"640_modules_2020_07_06_13_03_09-288x160.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:288;s:6:\"height\";i:160;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:0:\"\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:1:\"0\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:1:\"0\";s:3:\"iso\";s:1:\"0\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:1:\"0\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";s:1:\"0\";s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}}'),(2419,1046,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(2420,1046,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(2421,1046,'_elementor_version','3.0.13'),(2422,1046,'_pingme','1'),(2423,1046,'_encloseme','1'),(2424,1048,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(2425,1048,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(2426,1048,'_elementor_version','3.0.13'),(2427,1049,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(2428,1049,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(2429,1049,'_elementor_version','3.0.13'),(2430,1046,'_wp_page_template','default'),(2431,1046,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"311665f1\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"5d826b6e\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"516ac56c\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- wp:heading --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<h2><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><strong>BAYANIHAN IN PUBLIC EDUCATION:<\\/strong><strong><br \\/><\\/strong><strong>Reforming the Special Education Fund under the Local Government Code to Support New Normal Education<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/h2>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">By: John Kristoffer P. Pereda<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><strong>I. Introduction<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In the pursuit of promoting universal respect for and observance of human rights and fundamental freedoms, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) recognized the right to education of every individual<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\"><sup>[1]<\\/sup><\\/a>. Although the UDHR does not have the force of law, it is seen as having moral force, binding in the sphere of conscience.<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\"><sup>[2]<\\/sup><\\/a> Taking cue from this declaration, the 1987 Philippine Constitution,\\u00a0 recognized this right to education providing a policy towards its furtherance. Under Article XIV, Section 1 of the Constitution, \\u201cthe State shall protect and promote the right of all citizens to quality education at all levels, and shall take appropriate steps to make such education accessible to all.\\u201d<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 As worded, Article XIV, Section 1 merely provides a guiding principle for the government in laying down laws, rules, and regulations concerning education \\u2013 that the State shall endeavor to protect and promote the people\\u2019s right to quality and accessible education. As such, in <em>Tolentino v. Secretary of Finance<\\/em><a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\"><sup>[3]<\\/sup><\\/a>, it is considered as one of the provisions \\u201cthat are put in the Constitution as moral incentives to legislation, not as judicially enforceable rights.\\u201d Guided by this policy, Congress, on different occasions, has enacted various laws in pursuit of the mandate of Article XIV, Section 1.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 It has been noted that in some developing countries, there is trend towards the decentralization of the management of public education to improve educational quality by bringing decision-making closer to schools, which, in effect, makes educational policymaking more responsive to local needs.<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\"><sup>[4]<\\/sup><\\/a> Notwithstanding this trend, public education policymaking in the Philippines remains mainly a business of the national government<a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\"><sup>[5]<\\/sup><\\/a>, primarily through the Department of Education.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 At any rate, the enactment of the Local Government Code of 1991 (LGC) marked an important milestone in the recalibration of responsibilities in the management of public education. The LGC sought to include local government units (LGUs) as partners in managing their respective local public education sectors, thereby slightly reducing the control of the national government over public education which the latter had monopolized for decades. The LGC granted special bodies called the local school boards (LSBs) the power to devote a special fund called the Special Education Fund (SEF) to certain projects and programs in schools in their respective localities.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 With the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, the world has witnessed a public health crisis that drastically changed how societies conduct their affairs. Certainly, the education sector is not left undisturbed. In fact, it is among the most affected sectors. For the first time in decades, the pandemic caused an extensive cancellation of formal classes which, in turn, prompted resort to alternative modes of learning. Unsurprisingly, the novelty of the \\u201cnew normal\\u201d instructional methods has drawn countless issues on inclusivity and accessibility. At the frontline of addressing these issues is the national government, having retained its function of managing public education.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 At this point, it is worthy to recall that that by virtue of the LGC, LGUs, through LSBs, have become stakeholders on the management of public education. They participate, albeit in a limited fashion, in financing the public education sector by means of SEFs. Thus, being partners of the national government, LGUs are likewise responsible in cushioning the effects of the pandemic in the education sector of their respective localities.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 This occasion presents an opportunity to examine the role of SEFs in making quality education inclusive and accessible, especially at this time of a public health crisis. This is so because the issues brought about by the shift to the \\u201cnew normal\\u201d education mostly revolve around financing and managing resources. Guided by the policy laid down in Article XIV, Section 1 of the Constitution, such opportunity is taken here.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><strong>II. Discussion<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Evidently, the enactment of the LGC ushered in a new era in Philippine public administration. Under the LGC, responsibilities on several policy areas are delegated to LGUs, both with respect to decision-making and fiscal administration. With the goal of involving local stakeholders in the management of the local public education sector, the LGC granted LSBs certain powers and functions for such purpose, to wit<em>:<\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Section 99. Functions of Local School Boards. - The provincial, city or municipal school board shall:<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">(a) Determine, in accordance with the criteria set by the Department of Education, Culture and Sports, the annual supplementary budgetary needs for the operation and maintenance of public schools within the province, city, or municipality, as the case may be, and the supplementary local cost of meeting such as needs, which shall be reflected in the form of an annual school board budget corresponding to its share of the proceeds of the special levy on real property constituting the Special Education Fund and such other sources of revenue as this Code and other laws or ordinances may provide;<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">(b) Authorize the provincial, city or municipal treasurer, as the case may be, to disburse funds from the Special Education Fund pursuant to the budget prepared and in accordance with existing rules and regulations;<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">(c) Serve as an advisory committee to the sanggunian concerned on educational matters such as, but not limited to, the necessity for and the uses of local appropriations for educational purposes; and<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">(d) Recommend changes in the names of public schools within the territorial jurisdiction of the local government unit for enactment by the sanggunian concerned.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Department of Education, Culture and Sports shall consult the local school board on the appointment of division superintendents, district supervisors, school principals, and other school officials.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Arguably, the most critical and consequential function of LSBs is that described in Sec. 99(a) and (b). Both paragraphs, taken together, provide that LGUs, through the LSBs, are mandated to determine and provide supplementary budget needs, in accordance with existing rules and regulations, for the operation and maintenance of public schools within their respective locality. Accordingly, said budget is to be sourced from the Special Education Fund (SEF), the generation of which is governed by Section 235 of the LGC, to wit<em>:<\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">Section 235. <em>Additional Levy on Real Property for the Special Education Fund<\\/em>. - A province or city, or a municipality within the Metropolitan Manila Area, may levy and collect an annual tax of one percent (1%) on the assessed value of real property which shall be in addition to the basic real property tax. The proceeds thereof shall exclusively accrue to the Special Education Fund (SEF).<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Conversely, Sec. 272 provides for the manner and the formula of allocation of the SEF, to wit:<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">Section 272. <em>Application of Proceeds of the Additional One Percent SEF Tax<\\/em>. - The proceeds from the additional one percent (1%) tax on real property accruing to the Special Education Fund (SEF) shall be automatically released to the local school boards: Provided, That, in case of provinces, the proceeds shall be divided equally between the provincial and municipal school boards x x x<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In sum, the SEF is a locally-generated fund intended to augment the budgetary requirements of local basic education sector. The authority to determine the school-related expenses that may be charged against the SEF are vested to LSBs.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 At any rate, the utilization of the SEFs as provided for in the LGC was envisioned to take place in a normal environment, i.e., in a society that is in the regular conduct of its affairs. While certain weak points in the existing SEF structure have already been noticed since the implementation of the LGC,<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\"><sup>[6]<\\/sup><\\/a> the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic has highlighted the same. The SEF appears to be counterproductive, or at the least, inconvenient, against the backdrop of the Covid-19 pandemic.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Under the existing framework, the SEF is sourced from the proceeds of the additional one percent (1%) tax on real property levied and collected by LGUs. In case of real property tax collection by cities, the proceeds accruing to the SEF is automatically given to the city school boards, while in case of provinces, the proceeds are equally divided between the provincial school board and the municipal school boards.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Ideally, this framework is a sound arrangement that has the effect of incentivizing well-performing LGUs. An LGU that develops an economic environment conducive for real property investments within the locality increases its collectible real property taxes. If it is diligent in collecting the same, such LGU generates a greater amount of SEF. In other words, SEFs tend to reward hard work.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In reality however, the existing SEF framework seems to perpetuate inequity among LGUs and among the divisions of our public education sector across the country. There are two main factors that lead to this inference: the poverty incidence in a certain LGU and its real property tax collection.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">The following statistics gives a glimpse of the current situation.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 First, on poverty incidence. Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority show that in 2018, the National Capital Region (NCR), Region III and Region IV-A record that lowest rate of poverty incidence among families in the country, with 1.4%, 5.2%, and 5.1%, respectively, of their total population living below the poverty line. Conversely, among the regions with the highest poverty incidence rate are Region V with 20%, Region VIII with 23.9%, and Region IX with 25.4%.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Second, concerning the real property collection of LGUs. It is a well-known fact that real property investments are concentrated in metropolitan areas and other major cities. The LGUs therein collect the highest amount of real property taxes which means that they collect the highest amount of funds accruing to the SEF. According to the 2018 data from Bureau of Local Government of Finance, LGUs in the NCR was able to collect approximately 25.3 billion pesos in real property tax; those in Region III, 7.4 billion; and those in Region IV-A, 13 billion pesos. Conversely, those in Region V, 956 million; those in Region VIII, 678 million; and those in Region IX, 572 million.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Admittedly, the presentation of the this data is not intended for scientific treatment nor does it seek to arrive at a scientifically precise analysis. Nonetheless, a reasonable inspection of the same suggests that the disadvantaged students in regions with relatively low poverty incidence rate stand to be benefited from a bigger SEF mainly due to the presence of massive real property investments therein, as reflected by the sheer amount of real property tax collected by their LGUs. On the other hand, disadvantaged students in regions with a relatively high poverty incidence rate enjoy a meager share of the SEF, owing to minimal real property investments in their regions.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The social ramifications of this inequality are evident. With a bigger fund to address the effects of the pandemic in the education sector, i.e. greater SEF collection (which may be further augmented by supplemental appropriations), LGUs in richer regions are more capable of providing education stakeholders with resources, equipment, and materials to support the students therein in adapting to the \\u201cnew normal\\u201d mode of learning. LGUs in poorer regions can only do so much. Only major cities are able to procure laptops, mobile phones, and other electronic devices to be used in alternative distance learning.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In other words, LGUs in regions with low poverty incidence rate have more SEF at their disposal. Conversely, those in regions with high poverty incidence have less. This predicament falls squarely into the very essence of inequitable access to education. The incongruence of the concept of SEF with the declared policy in Article XIV, Section 1, i.e. that the State shall protect and promote the right to quality and accessible education, has become unmistakably apparent. Hence, a reorientation of the concept of SEF is in order.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><strong>III. Proposed Solution<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In this time of an ongoing global pandemic, the inequities in educational opportunities in different divisions of our public education sector has become ostensible. Thus, the need to revisit the SEF mechanism has become more pressing. Indeed, the existing SEF system is a missed opportunity to make public education more equitable and accessible, and as such, the best time to rectify that is now.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In designing a system of intergovernmental relations, which is mostly given weight in federal and decentralized arrangements, the concept of intergovernmental fiscal transfers, also known as \\u201cequalization\\u201d transfers, is usually employed. As the term suggests, it is designed to minimize the economic disparities of local governments. In its basic concept, lower level government units contribute funds to a common pool wherein the amount of the contribution is proportionate to each unit\\u2019s respective resources and capabilities. In turn, the funds in the common pool is distributed to the recipient units according to their respective needs. Such arrangement, also known as horizontal transfers, deal specifically with rectifying fiscal imbalances between governmental units at the same level.<a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\"><sup>[7]<\\/sup><\\/a> Here, a \\u201cparochial\\u201d perspective is diminished, and every unit becomes a stakeholder in the development of another.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Given its character, the provisions in the LGC governing SEFs, especially Sec, 99 (a) and (b), must be amended to redesign the SEF into an equalization fund. Instead of being directly applied to the needs of the generating LGU, the SEF must be pooled into an equalization program to support localities with greater needs in public education management, which has become imperative in this time of Covid-19.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><strong>IV. Conclusion<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Without a doubt, certain LGUs will be apprehensive, if not dismissive, of the proposal put forward herein. To be sure, they cannot be faulted \\u2013 it is understandable because there lies in intergovernmental relations an inherent, or perhaps eternal, tension in competing for resources.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">Nonetheless, in this time of a national crisis, the spirit of <em>bayanihan<\\/em> becomes more crucial. The essence of <em>bayanihan<\\/em>, roughly translated as solidarity or civic unity, requires a little sacrifice on the part of the more capable in order to aid a fellow in need. One has to set aside personal parochial interests to support the needs of another.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 State legislations, as well as other government actions, must be guided by the Constitution. The policies and principles laid therein are not merely hollow words, but are express declarations of the collective goal of the people. In this regard, government actions and decisions that affects education must be in pursuit of the goal enunciated in Article XIV, Section 1. As shown here, the provisions governing SEF is anomalous as they tend to perpetuate inequity in the education sector \\u2013 an obvious affront to the letter and spirit of Article XIV, Section 1. That being the case, SEF must be reformed to become an instrument of providing equal access to quality education.\\u00a0 This proposal does not find justification on equity alone, but also on the shared moral responsibility of every Filipino to the succeeding generation.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\"><sup>[1]<\\/sup><\\/a> UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS, Art. 26<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\"><sup>[2]<\\/sup><\\/a> Jacob Dolinger, <em>The Failure of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights<\\/em>, 47 UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI INTER-AMERICAN L. R. 164, 184 (2016)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\"><sup>[3]<\\/sup><\\/a>235 SCRA 630 (1994)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\"><sup>[4]<\\/sup><\\/a> World Bank Group. Assessing the Role Played by Local Government in Supporting Basic Education in the Philippines. WORLD BANK (2016), http:\\/\\/documents1.worldbank.org\\/curated\\/en\\/468611468569289731\\/pdf\\/106955-REVISED-PH-PETS-QSDS-Note-7.pdf<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\"><sup>[5]<\\/sup><\\/a> Id.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\"><sup>[6]<\\/sup><\\/a> Rosario G. Manasan, Janet S. Cuenca & Alicia B. Celestino. Mobilizing LGU Support for Basic Education: Focus on the Special Education Fund, PHILIPPINE INSTITUTE FOR DEVELOPMENT STUDIES, (May 2011), https:\\/\\/dirp3.pids.gov.ph\\/ris\\/dps\\/pidsdps1107.pdf<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\"><sup>[7]<\\/sup><\\/a>Adam Yeeles, <em>Intergovernmental Fiscal Transfers and Geographical Disparities in Local Government Income in the Philippines<\\/em>, 32 JOURNAL OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN ECONOMIES 390, 391 (2015)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p>Featured Photo from <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.gmanetwork.com\\/news\\/news\\/nation\\/755686\\/students-may-have-to-share-copies-of-modules-in-blended-learning-deped-says\\/story\\/\\\">GMA News<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(2432,1050,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(2433,1050,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(2434,1050,'_elementor_version','3.0.13'),(2435,1050,'_wp_page_template','default'),(2436,1050,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"311665f1\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"5d826b6e\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"516ac56c\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- wp:heading --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<h2><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><strong>BAYANIHAN IN PUBLIC EDUCATION:<\\/strong><strong><br \\/><\\/strong><strong>Reforming the Special Education Fund under the Local Government Code to Support New Normal Education<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/h2>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">By: John Kristoffer P. Pereda<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><strong>I. Introduction<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In the pursuit of promoting universal respect for and observance of human rights and fundamental freedoms, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) recognized the right to education of every individual<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\"><sup>[1]<\\/sup><\\/a>. Although the UDHR does not have the force of law, it is seen as having moral force, binding in the sphere of conscience.<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\"><sup>[2]<\\/sup><\\/a> Taking cue from this declaration, the 1987 Philippine Constitution,\\u00a0 recognized this right to education providing a policy towards its furtherance. Under Article XIV, Section 1 of the Constitution, \\u201cthe State shall protect and promote the right of all citizens to quality education at all levels, and shall take appropriate steps to make such education accessible to all.\\u201d<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 As worded, Article XIV, Section 1 merely provides a guiding principle for the government in laying down laws, rules, and regulations concerning education \\u2013 that the State shall endeavor to protect and promote the people\\u2019s right to quality and accessible education. As such, in <em>Tolentino v. Secretary of Finance<\\/em><a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\"><sup>[3]<\\/sup><\\/a>, it is considered as one of the provisions \\u201cthat are put in the Constitution as moral incentives to legislation, not as judicially enforceable rights.\\u201d Guided by this policy, Congress, on different occasions, has enacted various laws in pursuit of the mandate of Article XIV, Section 1.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 It has been noted that in some developing countries, there is trend towards the decentralization of the management of public education to improve educational quality by bringing decision-making closer to schools, which, in effect, makes educational policymaking more responsive to local needs.<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\"><sup>[4]<\\/sup><\\/a> Notwithstanding this trend, public education policymaking in the Philippines remains mainly a business of the national government<a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\"><sup>[5]<\\/sup><\\/a>, primarily through the Department of Education.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 At any rate, the enactment of the Local Government Code of 1991 (LGC) marked an important milestone in the recalibration of responsibilities in the management of public education. The LGC sought to include local government units (LGUs) as partners in managing their respective local public education sectors, thereby slightly reducing the control of the national government over public education which the latter had monopolized for decades. The LGC granted special bodies called the local school boards (LSBs) the power to devote a special fund called the Special Education Fund (SEF) to certain projects and programs in schools in their respective localities.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 With the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, the world has witnessed a public health crisis that drastically changed how societies conduct their affairs. Certainly, the education sector is not left undisturbed. In fact, it is among the most affected sectors. For the first time in decades, the pandemic caused an extensive cancellation of formal classes which, in turn, prompted resort to alternative modes of learning. Unsurprisingly, the novelty of the \\u201cnew normal\\u201d instructional methods has drawn countless issues on inclusivity and accessibility. At the frontline of addressing these issues is the national government, having retained its function of managing public education.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 At this point, it is worthy to recall that that by virtue of the LGC, LGUs, through LSBs, have become stakeholders on the management of public education. They participate, albeit in a limited fashion, in financing the public education sector by means of SEFs. Thus, being partners of the national government, LGUs are likewise responsible in cushioning the effects of the pandemic in the education sector of their respective localities.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 This occasion presents an opportunity to examine the role of SEFs in making quality education inclusive and accessible, especially at this time of a public health crisis. This is so because the issues brought about by the shift to the \\u201cnew normal\\u201d education mostly revolve around financing and managing resources. Guided by the policy laid down in Article XIV, Section 1 of the Constitution, such opportunity is taken here.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><strong>II. Discussion<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Evidently, the enactment of the LGC ushered in a new era in Philippine public administration. Under the LGC, responsibilities on several policy areas are delegated to LGUs, both with respect to decision-making and fiscal administration. With the goal of involving local stakeholders in the management of the local public education sector, the LGC granted LSBs certain powers and functions for such purpose, to wit<em>:<\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Section 99. Functions of Local School Boards. - The provincial, city or municipal school board shall:<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">(a) Determine, in accordance with the criteria set by the Department of Education, Culture and Sports, the annual supplementary budgetary needs for the operation and maintenance of public schools within the province, city, or municipality, as the case may be, and the supplementary local cost of meeting such as needs, which shall be reflected in the form of an annual school board budget corresponding to its share of the proceeds of the special levy on real property constituting the Special Education Fund and such other sources of revenue as this Code and other laws or ordinances may provide;<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">(b) Authorize the provincial, city or municipal treasurer, as the case may be, to disburse funds from the Special Education Fund pursuant to the budget prepared and in accordance with existing rules and regulations;<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">(c) Serve as an advisory committee to the sanggunian concerned on educational matters such as, but not limited to, the necessity for and the uses of local appropriations for educational purposes; and<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">(d) Recommend changes in the names of public schools within the territorial jurisdiction of the local government unit for enactment by the sanggunian concerned.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Department of Education, Culture and Sports shall consult the local school board on the appointment of division superintendents, district supervisors, school principals, and other school officials.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Arguably, the most critical and consequential function of LSBs is that described in Sec. 99(a) and (b). Both paragraphs, taken together, provide that LGUs, through the LSBs, are mandated to determine and provide supplementary budget needs, in accordance with existing rules and regulations, for the operation and maintenance of public schools within their respective locality. Accordingly, said budget is to be sourced from the Special Education Fund (SEF), the generation of which is governed by Section 235 of the LGC, to wit<em>:<\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">Section 235. <em>Additional Levy on Real Property for the Special Education Fund<\\/em>. - A province or city, or a municipality within the Metropolitan Manila Area, may levy and collect an annual tax of one percent (1%) on the assessed value of real property which shall be in addition to the basic real property tax. The proceeds thereof shall exclusively accrue to the Special Education Fund (SEF).<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Conversely, Sec. 272 provides for the manner and the formula of allocation of the SEF, to wit:<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">Section 272. <em>Application of Proceeds of the Additional One Percent SEF Tax<\\/em>. - The proceeds from the additional one percent (1%) tax on real property accruing to the Special Education Fund (SEF) shall be automatically released to the local school boards: Provided, That, in case of provinces, the proceeds shall be divided equally between the provincial and municipal school boards x x x<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In sum, the SEF is a locally-generated fund intended to augment the budgetary requirements of local basic education sector. The authority to determine the school-related expenses that may be charged against the SEF are vested to LSBs.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 At any rate, the utilization of the SEFs as provided for in the LGC was envisioned to take place in a normal environment, i.e., in a society that is in the regular conduct of its affairs. While certain weak points in the existing SEF structure have already been noticed since the implementation of the LGC,<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\"><sup>[6]<\\/sup><\\/a> the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic has highlighted the same. The SEF appears to be counterproductive, or at the least, inconvenient, against the backdrop of the Covid-19 pandemic.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Under the existing framework, the SEF is sourced from the proceeds of the additional one percent (1%) tax on real property levied and collected by LGUs. In case of real property tax collection by cities, the proceeds accruing to the SEF is automatically given to the city school boards, while in case of provinces, the proceeds are equally divided between the provincial school board and the municipal school boards.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Ideally, this framework is a sound arrangement that has the effect of incentivizing well-performing LGUs. An LGU that develops an economic environment conducive for real property investments within the locality increases its collectible real property taxes. If it is diligent in collecting the same, such LGU generates a greater amount of SEF. In other words, SEFs tend to reward hard work.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In reality however, the existing SEF framework seems to perpetuate inequity among LGUs and among the divisions of our public education sector across the country. There are two main factors that lead to this inference: the poverty incidence in a certain LGU and its real property tax collection.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">The following statistics gives a glimpse of the current situation.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 First, on poverty incidence. Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority show that in 2018, the National Capital Region (NCR), Region III and Region IV-A record that lowest rate of poverty incidence among families in the country, with 1.4%, 5.2%, and 5.1%, respectively, of their total population living below the poverty line. Conversely, among the regions with the highest poverty incidence rate are Region V with 20%, Region VIII with 23.9%, and Region IX with 25.4%.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Second, concerning the real property collection of LGUs. It is a well-known fact that real property investments are concentrated in metropolitan areas and other major cities. The LGUs therein collect the highest amount of real property taxes which means that they collect the highest amount of funds accruing to the SEF. According to the 2018 data from Bureau of Local Government of Finance, LGUs in the NCR was able to collect approximately 25.3 billion pesos in real property tax; those in Region III, 7.4 billion; and those in Region IV-A, 13 billion pesos. Conversely, those in Region V, 956 million; those in Region VIII, 678 million; and those in Region IX, 572 million.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Admittedly, the presentation of the this data is not intended for scientific treatment nor does it seek to arrive at a scientifically precise analysis. Nonetheless, a reasonable inspection of the same suggests that the disadvantaged students in regions with relatively low poverty incidence rate stand to be benefited from a bigger SEF mainly due to the presence of massive real property investments therein, as reflected by the sheer amount of real property tax collected by their LGUs. On the other hand, disadvantaged students in regions with a relatively high poverty incidence rate enjoy a meager share of the SEF, owing to minimal real property investments in their regions.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The social ramifications of this inequality are evident. With a bigger fund to address the effects of the pandemic in the education sector, i.e. greater SEF collection (which may be further augmented by supplemental appropriations), LGUs in richer regions are more capable of providing education stakeholders with resources, equipment, and materials to support the students therein in adapting to the \\u201cnew normal\\u201d mode of learning. LGUs in poorer regions can only do so much. Only major cities are able to procure laptops, mobile phones, and other electronic devices to be used in alternative distance learning.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In other words, LGUs in regions with low poverty incidence rate have more SEF at their disposal. Conversely, those in regions with high poverty incidence have less. This predicament falls squarely into the very essence of inequitable access to education. The incongruence of the concept of SEF with the declared policy in Article XIV, Section 1, i.e. that the State shall protect and promote the right to quality and accessible education, has become unmistakably apparent. Hence, a reorientation of the concept of SEF is in order.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><strong>III. Proposed Solution<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In this time of an ongoing global pandemic, the inequities in educational opportunities in different divisions of our public education sector has become ostensible. Thus, the need to revisit the SEF mechanism has become more pressing. Indeed, the existing SEF system is a missed opportunity to make public education more equitable and accessible, and as such, the best time to rectify that is now.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In designing a system of intergovernmental relations, which is mostly given weight in federal and decentralized arrangements, the concept of intergovernmental fiscal transfers, also known as \\u201cequalization\\u201d transfers, is usually employed. As the term suggests, it is designed to minimize the economic disparities of local governments. In its basic concept, lower level government units contribute funds to a common pool wherein the amount of the contribution is proportionate to each unit\\u2019s respective resources and capabilities. In turn, the funds in the common pool is distributed to the recipient units according to their respective needs. Such arrangement, also known as horizontal transfers, deal specifically with rectifying fiscal imbalances between governmental units at the same level.<a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\"><sup>[7]<\\/sup><\\/a> Here, a \\u201cparochial\\u201d perspective is diminished, and every unit becomes a stakeholder in the development of another.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Given its character, the provisions in the LGC governing SEFs, especially Sec, 99(a) and 9(b), must be amended to redesign the SEF into an equalization fund. Instead of being directly applied the generating LGU, the SEF must be pooled into an equalization program to support localities with greater needs in public education management, which has become imperative in this time of Covid-19.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><strong>IV. Conclusion<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Without a doubt, certain LGUs will be apprehensive, if not dismissive, of the proposal put forward herein. To be sure, they cannot be faulted \\u2013 it is understandable because there lies in intergovernmental relations an inherent, or perhaps eternal, tension in competing for resources.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">Nonetheless, in this time of a national crisis, the spirit of <em>bayanihan<\\/em> becomes more crucial. The essence of <em>bayanihan<\\/em>, roughly translated as solidarity or civic unity, requires a little sacrifice on the part of the more capable in order to aid a fellow in need. One has to set aside personal parochial interests to support the needs of another.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 State legislations, as well as other government actions, must be guided by the Constitution. The policies and principles laid therein are not merely hollow words, but are express declarations of the collective goal of the people. In this regard, government actions and decisions that affects education must be in pursuit of the goal enunciated in Article XIV, Section 1. As shown here, the provisions governing SEF is anomalous as they tend to perpetuate inequity in the education sector \\u2013 an obvious affront to the letter and spirit of Article XIV, Section 1. That being the case, SEF must be reformed to become an instrument of providing equal access to quality education.\\u00a0 This proposal does not find justification on equity alone, but also on the shared moral responsibility of every Filipino to the succeeding generation.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\"><sup>[1]<\\/sup><\\/a> UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS, Art. 26<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\"><sup>[2]<\\/sup><\\/a> Jacob Dolinger, <em>The Failure of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights<\\/em>, 47 UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI INTER-AMERICAN L. R. 164, 184 (2016)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\"><sup>[3]<\\/sup><\\/a>235 SCRA 630 (1994)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\"><sup>[4]<\\/sup><\\/a> World Bank Group. Assessing the Role Played by Local Government in Supporting Basic Education in the Philippines. WORLD BANK (2016), http:\\/\\/documents1.worldbank.org\\/curated\\/en\\/468611468569289731\\/pdf\\/106955-REVISED-PH-PETS-QSDS-Note-7.pdf<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\"><sup>[5]<\\/sup><\\/a> Id.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\"><sup>[6]<\\/sup><\\/a> Rosario G. Manasan, Janet S. Cuenca & Alicia B. Celestino. Mobilizing LGU Support for Basic Education: Focus on the Special Education Fund, PHILIPPINE INSTITUTE FOR DEVELOPMENT STUDIES, (May 2011), https:\\/\\/dirp3.pids.gov.ph\\/ris\\/dps\\/pidsdps1107.pdf<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\"><sup>[7]<\\/sup><\\/a>Adam Yeeles, <em>Intergovernmental Fiscal Transfers and Geographical Disparities in Local Government Income in the Philippines<\\/em>, 32 JOURNAL OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN ECONOMIES 390, 391 (2015)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p>Featured Photo from <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.gmanetwork.com\\/news\\/news\\/nation\\/755686\\/students-may-have-to-share-copies-of-modules-in-blended-learning-deped-says\\/story\\/\\\">GMA News<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\"},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(2440,1051,'_wp_attached_file','2020/11/640_modules_2020_07_06_13_03_09-1.jpg'),(2441,1051,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:5:{s:5:\"width\";i:640;s:6:\"height\";i:427;s:4:\"file\";s:45:\"2020/11/640_modules_2020_07_06_13_03_09-1.jpg\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:8:{s:6:\"medium\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:45:\"640_modules_2020_07_06_13_03_09-1-300x200.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:300;s:6:\"height\";i:200;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"thumbnail\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:45:\"640_modules_2020_07_06_13_03_09-1-150x150.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:24:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:45:\"640_modules_2020_07_06_13_03_09-1-170x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:25:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:43:\"640_modules_2020_07_06_13_03_09-1-86x70.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:45:\"640_modules_2020_07_06_13_03_09-1-165x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:165;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:22:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:45:\"640_modules_2020_07_06_13_03_09-1-370x250.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:30:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:45:\"640_modules_2020_07_06_13_03_09-1-370x247.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:247;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:21:\"bfastmag_related_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:45:\"640_modules_2020_07_06_13_03_09-1-288x160.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:288;s:6:\"height\";i:160;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:0:\"\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:1:\"0\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:1:\"0\";s:3:\"iso\";s:1:\"0\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:1:\"0\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";s:1:\"0\";s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}}'),(2442,1052,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(2443,1052,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(2444,1052,'_elementor_version','3.0.13'),(2445,1052,'_wp_page_template','default'),(2446,1052,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"311665f1\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"5d826b6e\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"516ac56c\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- wp:heading --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<h2><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><strong>BAYANIHAN IN PUBLIC EDUCATION:<\\/strong><strong><br \\/><\\/strong><strong>Reforming the Special Education Fund under the Local Government Code to Support New Normal Education<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/h2>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">By: John Kristoffer P. Pereda<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><strong>I. Introduction<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In the pursuit of promoting universal respect for and observance of human rights and fundamental freedoms, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) recognized the right to education of every individual<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\"><sup>[1]<\\/sup><\\/a>. Although the UDHR does not have the force of law, it is seen as having moral force, binding in the sphere of conscience.<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\"><sup>[2]<\\/sup><\\/a> Taking cue from this declaration, the 1987 Philippine Constitution,\\u00a0 recognized this right to education providing a policy towards its furtherance. Under Article XIV, Section 1 of the Constitution, \\u201cthe State shall protect and promote the right of all citizens to quality education at all levels, and shall take appropriate steps to make such education accessible to all.\\u201d<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 As worded, Article XIV, Section 1 merely provides a guiding principle for the government in laying down laws, rules, and regulations concerning education \\u2013 that the State shall endeavor to protect and promote the people\\u2019s right to quality and accessible education. As such, in <em>Tolentino v. Secretary of Finance<\\/em><a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\"><sup>[3]<\\/sup><\\/a>, it is considered as one of the provisions \\u201cthat are put in the Constitution as moral incentives to legislation, not as judicially enforceable rights.\\u201d Guided by this policy, Congress, on different occasions, has enacted various laws in pursuit of the mandate of Article XIV, Section 1.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 It has been noted that in some developing countries, there is trend towards the decentralization of the management of public education to improve educational quality by bringing decision-making closer to schools, which, in effect, makes educational policymaking more responsive to local needs.<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\"><sup>[4]<\\/sup><\\/a> Notwithstanding this trend, public education policymaking in the Philippines remains mainly a business of the national government<a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\"><sup>[5]<\\/sup><\\/a>, primarily through the Department of Education.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 At any rate, the enactment of the Local Government Code of 1991 (LGC) marked an important milestone in the recalibration of responsibilities in the management of public education. The LGC sought to include local government units (LGUs) as partners in managing their respective local public education sectors, thereby slightly reducing the control of the national government over public education which the latter had monopolized for decades. The LGC granted special bodies called the local school boards (LSBs) the power to devote a special fund called the Special Education Fund (SEF) to certain projects and programs in schools in their respective localities.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 With the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, the world has witnessed a public health crisis that drastically changed how societies conduct their affairs. Certainly, the education sector is not left undisturbed. In fact, it is among the most affected sectors. For the first time in decades, the pandemic caused an extensive cancellation of formal classes which, in turn, prompted resort to alternative modes of learning. Unsurprisingly, the novelty of the \\u201cnew normal\\u201d instructional methods has drawn countless issues on inclusivity and accessibility. At the frontline of addressing these issues is the national government, having retained its function of managing public education.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 At this point, it is worthy to recall that that by virtue of the LGC, LGUs, through LSBs, have become stakeholders on the management of public education. They participate, albeit in a limited fashion, in financing the public education sector by means of SEFs. Thus, being partners of the national government, LGUs are likewise responsible in cushioning the effects of the pandemic in the education sector of their respective localities.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 This occasion presents an opportunity to examine the role of SEFs in making quality education inclusive and accessible, especially at this time of a public health crisis. This is so because the issues brought about by the shift to the \\u201cnew normal\\u201d education mostly revolve around financing and managing resources. Guided by the policy laid down in Article XIV, Section 1 of the Constitution, such opportunity is taken here.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><strong>II. Discussion<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Evidently, the enactment of the LGC ushered in a new era in Philippine public administration. Under the LGC, responsibilities on several policy areas are delegated to LGUs, both with respect to decision-making and fiscal administration. With the goal of involving local stakeholders in the management of the local public education sector, the LGC granted LSBs certain powers and functions for such purpose, to wit<em>:<\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Section 99. Functions of Local School Boards. - The provincial, city or municipal school board shall:<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">(a) Determine, in accordance with the criteria set by the Department of Education, Culture and Sports, the annual supplementary budgetary needs for the operation and maintenance of public schools within the province, city, or municipality, as the case may be, and the supplementary local cost of meeting such as needs, which shall be reflected in the form of an annual school board budget corresponding to its share of the proceeds of the special levy on real property constituting the Special Education Fund and such other sources of revenue as this Code and other laws or ordinances may provide;<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">(b) Authorize the provincial, city or municipal treasurer, as the case may be, to disburse funds from the Special Education Fund pursuant to the budget prepared and in accordance with existing rules and regulations;<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">(c) Serve as an advisory committee to the sanggunian concerned on educational matters such as, but not limited to, the necessity for and the uses of local appropriations for educational purposes; and<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">(d) Recommend changes in the names of public schools within the territorial jurisdiction of the local government unit for enactment by the sanggunian concerned.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Department of Education, Culture and Sports shall consult the local school board on the appointment of division superintendents, district supervisors, school principals, and other school officials.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Arguably, the most critical and consequential function of LSBs is that described in Sec. 99(a) and (b). Both paragraphs, taken together, provide that LGUs, through the LSBs, are mandated to determine and provide supplementary budget needs, in accordance with existing rules and regulations, for the operation and maintenance of public schools within their respective locality. Accordingly, said budget is to be sourced from the Special Education Fund (SEF), the generation of which is governed by Section 235 of the LGC, to wit<em>:<\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">Section 235. <em>Additional Levy on Real Property for the Special Education Fund<\\/em>. - A province or city, or a municipality within the Metropolitan Manila Area, may levy and collect an annual tax of one percent (1%) on the assessed value of real property which shall be in addition to the basic real property tax. The proceeds thereof shall exclusively accrue to the Special Education Fund (SEF).<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Conversely, Sec. 272 provides for the manner and the formula of allocation of the SEF, to wit:<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">Section 272. <em>Application of Proceeds of the Additional One Percent SEF Tax<\\/em>. - The proceeds from the additional one percent (1%) tax on real property accruing to the Special Education Fund (SEF) shall be automatically released to the local school boards: Provided, That, in case of provinces, the proceeds shall be divided equally between the provincial and municipal school boards x x x<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In sum, the SEF is a locally-generated fund intended to augment the budgetary requirements of local basic education sector. The authority to determine the school-related expenses that may be charged against the SEF are vested to LSBs.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 At any rate, the utilization of the SEFs as provided for in the LGC was envisioned to take place in a normal environment, i.e., in a society that is in the regular conduct of its affairs. While certain weak points in the existing SEF structure have already been noticed since the implementation of the LGC,<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\"><sup>[6]<\\/sup><\\/a> the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic has highlighted the same. The SEF appears to be counterproductive, or at the least, inconvenient, against the backdrop of the Covid-19 pandemic.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Under the existing framework, the SEF is sourced from the proceeds of the additional one percent (1%) tax on real property levied and collected by LGUs. In case of real property tax collection by cities, the proceeds accruing to the SEF is automatically given to the city school boards, while in case of provinces, the proceeds are equally divided between the provincial school board and the municipal school boards.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Ideally, this framework is a sound arrangement that has the effect of incentivizing well-performing LGUs. An LGU that develops an economic environment conducive for real property investments within the locality increases its collectible real property taxes. If it is diligent in collecting the same, such LGU generates a greater amount of SEF. In other words, SEFs tend to reward hard work.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In reality however, the existing SEF framework seems to perpetuate inequity among LGUs and among the divisions of our public education sector across the country. There are two main factors that lead to this inference: the poverty incidence in a certain LGU and its real property tax collection.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">The following statistics gives a glimpse of the current situation.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 First, on poverty incidence. Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority show that in 2018, the National Capital Region (NCR), Region III and Region IV-A record that lowest rate of poverty incidence among families in the country, with 1.4%, 5.2%, and 5.1%, respectively, of their total population living below the poverty line. Conversely, among the regions with the highest poverty incidence rate are Region V with 20%, Region VIII with 23.9%, and Region IX with 25.4%.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Second, concerning the real property collection of LGUs. It is a well-known fact that real property investments are concentrated in metropolitan areas and other major cities. The LGUs therein collect the highest amount of real property taxes which means that they collect the highest amount of funds accruing to the SEF. According to the 2018 data from Bureau of Local Government of Finance, LGUs in the NCR was able to collect approximately 25.3 billion pesos in real property tax; those in Region III, 7.4 billion; and those in Region IV-A, 13 billion pesos. Conversely, those in Region V, 956 million; those in Region VIII, 678 million; and those in Region IX, 572 million.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Admittedly, the presentation of the this data is not intended for scientific treatment nor does it seek to arrive at a scientifically precise analysis. Nonetheless, a reasonable inspection of the same suggests that the disadvantaged students in regions with relatively low poverty incidence rate stand to be benefited from a bigger SEF mainly due to the presence of massive real property investments therein, as reflected by the sheer amount of real property tax collected by their LGUs. On the other hand, disadvantaged students in regions with a relatively high poverty incidence rate enjoy a meager share of the SEF, owing to minimal real property investments in their regions.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The social ramifications of this inequality are evident. With a bigger fund to address the effects of the pandemic in the education sector, i.e. greater SEF collection (which may be further augmented by supplemental appropriations), LGUs in richer regions are more capable of providing education stakeholders with resources, equipment, and materials to support the students therein in adapting to the \\u201cnew normal\\u201d mode of learning. LGUs in poorer regions can only do so much. Only major cities are able to procure laptops, mobile phones, and other electronic devices to be used in alternative distance learning.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In other words, LGUs in regions with low poverty incidence rate have more SEF at their disposal. Conversely, those in regions with high poverty incidence have less. This predicament falls squarely into the very essence of inequitable access to education. The incongruence of the concept of SEF with the declared policy in Article XIV, Section 1, i.e. that the State shall protect and promote the right to quality and accessible education, has become unmistakably apparent. Hence, a reorientation of the concept of SEF is in order.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><strong>III. Proposed Solution<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In this time of an ongoing global pandemic, the inequities in educational opportunities in different divisions of our public education sector has become ostensible. Thus, the need to revisit the SEF mechanism has become more pressing. Indeed, the existing SEF system is a missed opportunity to make public education more equitable and accessible, and as such, the best time to rectify that is now.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In designing a system of intergovernmental relations, which is mostly given weight in federal and decentralized arrangements, the concept of intergovernmental fiscal transfers, also known as \\u201cequalization\\u201d transfers, is usually employed. As the term suggests, it is designed to minimize the economic disparities of local governments. In its basic concept, lower level government units contribute funds to a common pool wherein the amount of the contribution is proportionate to each unit\\u2019s respective resources and capabilities. In turn, the funds in the common pool is distributed to the recipient units according to their respective needs. Such arrangement, also known as horizontal transfers, deal specifically with rectifying fiscal imbalances between governmental units at the same level.<a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\"><sup>[7]<\\/sup><\\/a> Here, a \\u201cparochial\\u201d perspective is diminished, and every unit becomes a stakeholder in the development of another.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Given its character, the provisions in the LGC governing SEFs, especially Sec, 99(a) and 9(b), must be amended to redesign the SEF into an equalization fund. Instead of being directly applied the generating LGU, the SEF must be pooled into an equalization program to support localities with greater needs in public education management, which has become imperative in this time of Covid-19.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><strong>IV. Conclusion<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Without a doubt, certain LGUs will be apprehensive, if not dismissive, of the proposal put forward herein. To be sure, they cannot be faulted \\u2013 it is understandable because there lies in intergovernmental relations an inherent, or perhaps eternal, tension in competing for resources.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">Nonetheless, in this time of a national crisis, the spirit of <em>bayanihan<\\/em> becomes more crucial. The essence of <em>bayanihan<\\/em>, roughly translated as solidarity or civic unity, requires a little sacrifice on the part of the more capable in order to aid a fellow in need. One has to set aside personal parochial interests to support the needs of another.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 State legislations, as well as other government actions, must be guided by the Constitution. The policies and principles laid therein are not merely hollow words, but are express declarations of the collective goal of the people. In this regard, government actions and decisions that affects education must be in pursuit of the goal enunciated in Article XIV, Section 1. As shown here, the provisions governing SEF is anomalous as they tend to perpetuate inequity in the education sector \\u2013 an obvious affront to the letter and spirit of Article XIV, Section 1. That being the case, SEF must be reformed to become an instrument of providing equal access to quality education.\\u00a0 This proposal does not find justification on equity alone, but also on the shared moral responsibility of every Filipino to the succeeding generation.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\"><sup>[1]<\\/sup><\\/a> UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS, Art. 26<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\"><sup>[2]<\\/sup><\\/a> Jacob Dolinger, <em>The Failure of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights<\\/em>, 47 UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI INTER-AMERICAN L. R. 164, 184 (2016)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\"><sup>[3]<\\/sup><\\/a>235 SCRA 630 (1994)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\"><sup>[4]<\\/sup><\\/a> World Bank Group. Assessing the Role Played by Local Government in Supporting Basic Education in the Philippines. WORLD BANK (2016), http:\\/\\/documents1.worldbank.org\\/curated\\/en\\/468611468569289731\\/pdf\\/106955-REVISED-PH-PETS-QSDS-Note-7.pdf<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\"><sup>[5]<\\/sup><\\/a> Id.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\"><sup>[6]<\\/sup><\\/a> Rosario G. Manasan, Janet S. Cuenca & Alicia B. Celestino. Mobilizing LGU Support for Basic Education: Focus on the Special Education Fund, PHILIPPINE INSTITUTE FOR DEVELOPMENT STUDIES, (May 2011), https:\\/\\/dirp3.pids.gov.ph\\/ris\\/dps\\/pidsdps1107.pdf<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\"><sup>[7]<\\/sup><\\/a>Adam Yeeles, <em>Intergovernmental Fiscal Transfers and Geographical Disparities in Local Government Income in the Philippines<\\/em>, 32 JOURNAL OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN ECONOMIES 390, 391 (2015)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p>Featured Photo from <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.gmanetwork.com\\/news\\/news\\/nation\\/755686\\/students-may-have-to-share-copies-of-modules-in-blended-learning-deped-says\\/story\\/\\\">GMA News<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\"},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(2447,1052,'_elementor_controls_usage','a:3:{s:11:\"text-editor\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:0;s:8:\"controls\";a:1:{s:7:\"content\";a:1:{s:14:\"section_editor\";a:1:{s:6:\"editor\";i:1;}}}}s:6:\"column\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:0;s:8:\"controls\";a:0:{}}s:7:\"section\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:0;s:8:\"controls\";a:0:{}}}'),(2449,1046,'_thumbnail_id','1047'),(2450,1046,'_edit_last','1'),(2451,1046,'_yoast_wpseo_primary_category','10'),(2452,1046,'wptr_hide_title','1'),(2453,1046,'ss_social_share_disable',''),(2454,1046,'_yoast_wpseo_content_score','30'),(2455,1053,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(2456,1053,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(2457,1053,'_elementor_version','3.0.13'),(2458,1053,'_wp_page_template','default'),(2459,1053,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"311665f1\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"5d826b6e\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"516ac56c\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- wp:heading --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<h2><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><strong>BAYANIHAN IN PUBLIC EDUCATION:<\\/strong><strong><br \\/><\\/strong><strong>Reforming the Special Education Fund under the Local Government Code to Support New Normal Education<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/h2>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">By: John Kristoffer P. Pereda<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><strong>I. Introduction<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In the pursuit of promoting universal respect for and observance of human rights and fundamental freedoms, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) recognized the right to education of every individual<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\"><sup>[1]<\\/sup><\\/a>. Although the UDHR does not have the force of law, it is seen as having moral force, binding in the sphere of conscience.<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\"><sup>[2]<\\/sup><\\/a> Taking cue from this declaration, the 1987 Philippine Constitution,\\u00a0 recognized this right to education providing a policy towards its furtherance. Under Article XIV, Section 1 of the Constitution, \\u201cthe State shall protect and promote the right of all citizens to quality education at all levels, and shall take appropriate steps to make such education accessible to all.\\u201d<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 As worded, Article XIV, Section 1 merely provides a guiding principle for the government in laying down laws, rules, and regulations concerning education \\u2013 that the State shall endeavor to protect and promote the people\\u2019s right to quality and accessible education. As such, in <em>Tolentino v. Secretary of Finance<\\/em><a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\"><sup>[3]<\\/sup><\\/a>, it is considered as one of the provisions \\u201cthat are put in the Constitution as moral incentives to legislation, not as judicially enforceable rights.\\u201d Guided by this policy, Congress, on different occasions, has enacted various laws in pursuit of the mandate of Article XIV, Section 1.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 It has been noted that in some developing countries, there is trend towards the decentralization of the management of public education to improve educational quality by bringing decision-making closer to schools, which, in effect, makes educational policymaking more responsive to local needs.<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\"><sup>[4]<\\/sup><\\/a> Notwithstanding this trend, public education policymaking in the Philippines remains mainly a business of the national government<a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\"><sup>[5]<\\/sup><\\/a>, primarily through the Department of Education.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 At any rate, the enactment of the Local Government Code of 1991 (LGC) marked an important milestone in the recalibration of responsibilities in the management of public education. The LGC sought to include local government units (LGUs) as partners in managing their respective local public education sectors, thereby slightly reducing the control of the national government over public education which the latter had monopolized for decades. The LGC granted special bodies called the local school boards (LSBs) the power to devote a special fund called the Special Education Fund (SEF) to certain projects and programs in schools in their respective localities.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 With the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, the world has witnessed a public health crisis that drastically changed how societies conduct their affairs. Certainly, the education sector is not left undisturbed. In fact, it is among the most affected sectors. For the first time in decades, the pandemic caused an extensive cancellation of formal classes which, in turn, prompted resort to alternative modes of learning. Unsurprisingly, the novelty of the \\u201cnew normal\\u201d instructional methods has drawn countless issues on inclusivity and accessibility. At the frontline of addressing these issues is the national government, having retained its function of managing public education.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 At this point, it is worthy to recall that that by virtue of the LGC, LGUs, through LSBs, have become stakeholders on the management of public education. They participate, albeit in a limited fashion, in financing the public education sector by means of SEFs. Thus, being partners of the national government, LGUs are likewise responsible in cushioning the effects of the pandemic in the education sector of their respective localities.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 This occasion presents an opportunity to examine the role of SEFs in making quality education inclusive and accessible, especially at this time of a public health crisis. This is so because the issues brought about by the shift to the \\u201cnew normal\\u201d education mostly revolve around financing and managing resources. Guided by the policy laid down in Article XIV, Section 1 of the Constitution, such opportunity is taken here.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><strong>II. Discussion<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Evidently, the enactment of the LGC ushered in a new era in Philippine public administration. Under the LGC, responsibilities on several policy areas are delegated to LGUs, both with respect to decision-making and fiscal administration. With the goal of involving local stakeholders in the management of the local public education sector, the LGC granted LSBs certain powers and functions for such purpose, to wit<em>:<\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Section 99. Functions of Local School Boards. - The provincial, city or municipal school board shall:<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">(a) Determine, in accordance with the criteria set by the Department of Education, Culture and Sports, the annual supplementary budgetary needs for the operation and maintenance of public schools within the province, city, or municipality, as the case may be, and the supplementary local cost of meeting such as needs, which shall be reflected in the form of an annual school board budget corresponding to its share of the proceeds of the special levy on real property constituting the Special Education Fund and such other sources of revenue as this Code and other laws or ordinances may provide;<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">(b) Authorize the provincial, city or municipal treasurer, as the case may be, to disburse funds from the Special Education Fund pursuant to the budget prepared and in accordance with existing rules and regulations;<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">(c) Serve as an advisory committee to the sanggunian concerned on educational matters such as, but not limited to, the necessity for and the uses of local appropriations for educational purposes; and<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">(d) Recommend changes in the names of public schools within the territorial jurisdiction of the local government unit for enactment by the sanggunian concerned.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Department of Education, Culture and Sports shall consult the local school board on the appointment of division superintendents, district supervisors, school principals, and other school officials.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Arguably, the most critical and consequential function of LSBs is that described in Sec. 99(a) and (b). Both paragraphs, taken together, provide that LGUs, through the LSBs, are mandated to determine and provide supplementary budget needs, in accordance with existing rules and regulations, for the operation and maintenance of public schools within their respective locality. Accordingly, said budget is to be sourced from the Special Education Fund (SEF), the generation of which is governed by Section 235 of the LGC, to wit<em>:<\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">Section 235. <em>Additional Levy on Real Property for the Special Education Fund<\\/em>. - A province or city, or a municipality within the Metropolitan Manila Area, may levy and collect an annual tax of one percent (1%) on the assessed value of real property which shall be in addition to the basic real property tax. The proceeds thereof shall exclusively accrue to the Special Education Fund (SEF).<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Conversely, Sec. 272 provides for the manner and the formula of allocation of the SEF, to wit:<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">Section 272. <em>Application of Proceeds of the Additional One Percent SEF Tax<\\/em>. - The proceeds from the additional one percent (1%) tax on real property accruing to the Special Education Fund (SEF) shall be automatically released to the local school boards: Provided, That, in case of provinces, the proceeds shall be divided equally between the provincial and municipal school boards x x x<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In sum, the SEF is a locally-generated fund intended to augment the budgetary requirements of local basic education sector. The authority to determine the school-related expenses that may be charged against the SEF are vested to LSBs.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 At any rate, the utilization of the SEFs as provided for in the LGC was envisioned to take place in a normal environment, i.e., in a society that is in the regular conduct of its affairs. While certain weak points in the existing SEF structure have already been noticed since the implementation of the LGC,<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\"><sup>[6]<\\/sup><\\/a> the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic has highlighted the same. The SEF appears to be counterproductive, or at the least, inconvenient, against the backdrop of the Covid-19 pandemic.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Under the existing framework, the SEF is sourced from the proceeds of the additional one percent (1%) tax on real property levied and collected by LGUs. In case of real property tax collection by cities, the proceeds accruing to the SEF is automatically given to the city school boards, while in case of provinces, the proceeds are equally divided between the provincial school board and the municipal school boards.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Ideally, this framework is a sound arrangement that has the effect of incentivizing well-performing LGUs. An LGU that develops an economic environment conducive for real property investments within the locality increases its collectible real property taxes. If it is diligent in collecting the same, such LGU generates a greater amount of SEF. In other words, SEFs tend to reward hard work.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In reality however, the existing SEF framework seems to perpetuate inequity among LGUs and among the divisions of our public education sector across the country. There are two main factors that lead to this inference: the poverty incidence in a certain LGU and its real property tax collection.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">The following statistics gives a glimpse of the current situation.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 First, on poverty incidence. Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority show that in 2018, the National Capital Region (NCR), Region III and Region IV-A record that lowest rate of poverty incidence among families in the country, with 1.4%, 5.2%, and 5.1%, respectively, of their total population living below the poverty line. Conversely, among the regions with the highest poverty incidence rate are Region V with 20%, Region VIII with 23.9%, and Region IX with 25.4%.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Second, concerning the real property collection of LGUs. It is a well-known fact that real property investments are concentrated in metropolitan areas and other major cities. The LGUs therein collect the highest amount of real property taxes which means that they collect the highest amount of funds accruing to the SEF. According to the 2018 data from Bureau of Local Government of Finance, LGUs in the NCR was able to collect approximately 25.3 billion pesos in real property tax; those in Region III, 7.4 billion; and those in Region IV-A, 13 billion pesos. Conversely, those in Region V, 956 million; those in Region VIII, 678 million; and those in Region IX, 572 million.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Admittedly, the presentation of the this data is not intended for scientific treatment nor does it seek to arrive at a scientifically precise analysis. Nonetheless, a reasonable inspection of the same suggests that the disadvantaged students in regions with relatively low poverty incidence rate stand to be benefited from a bigger SEF mainly due to the presence of massive real property investments therein, as reflected by the sheer amount of real property tax collected by their LGUs. On the other hand, disadvantaged students in regions with a relatively high poverty incidence rate enjoy a meager share of the SEF, owing to minimal real property investments in their regions.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The social ramifications of this inequality are evident. With a bigger fund to address the effects of the pandemic in the education sector, i.e. greater SEF collection (which may be further augmented by supplemental appropriations), LGUs in richer regions are more capable of providing education stakeholders with resources, equipment, and materials to support the students therein in adapting to the \\u201cnew normal\\u201d mode of learning. LGUs in poorer regions can only do so much. Only major cities are able to procure laptops, mobile phones, and other electronic devices to be used in alternative distance learning.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In other words, LGUs in regions with low poverty incidence rate have more SEF at their disposal. Conversely, those in regions with high poverty incidence have less. This predicament falls squarely into the very essence of inequitable access to education. The incongruence of the concept of SEF with the declared policy in Article XIV, Section 1, i.e. that the State shall protect and promote the right to quality and accessible education, has become unmistakably apparent. Hence, a reorientation of the concept of SEF is in order.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><strong>III. Proposed Solution<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In this time of an ongoing global pandemic, the inequities in educational opportunities in different divisions of our public education sector has become ostensible. Thus, the need to revisit the SEF mechanism has become more pressing. Indeed, the existing SEF system is a missed opportunity to make public education more equitable and accessible, and as such, the best time to rectify that is now.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In designing a system of intergovernmental relations, which is mostly given weight in federal and decentralized arrangements, the concept of intergovernmental fiscal transfers, also known as \\u201cequalization\\u201d transfers, is usually employed. As the term suggests, it is designed to minimize the economic disparities of local governments. In its basic concept, lower level government units contribute funds to a common pool wherein the amount of the contribution is proportionate to each unit\\u2019s respective resources and capabilities. In turn, the funds in the common pool is distributed to the recipient units according to their respective needs. Such arrangement, also known as horizontal transfers, deal specifically with rectifying fiscal imbalances between governmental units at the same level.<a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\"><sup>[7]<\\/sup><\\/a> Here, a \\u201cparochial\\u201d perspective is diminished, and every unit becomes a stakeholder in the development of another.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Given its character, the provisions in the LGC governing SEFs, especially Sec, 99(a) and 9(b), must be amended to redesign the SEF into an equalization fund. Instead of being directly applied the generating LGU, the SEF must be pooled into an equalization program to support localities with greater needs in public education management, which has become imperative in this time of Covid-19.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><strong>IV. Conclusion<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Without a doubt, certain LGUs will be apprehensive, if not dismissive, of the proposal put forward herein. To be sure, they cannot be faulted \\u2013 it is understandable because there lies in intergovernmental relations an inherent, or perhaps eternal, tension in competing for resources.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">Nonetheless, in this time of a national crisis, the spirit of <em>bayanihan<\\/em> becomes more crucial. The essence of <em>bayanihan<\\/em>, roughly translated as solidarity or civic unity, requires a little sacrifice on the part of the more capable in order to aid a fellow in need. One has to set aside personal parochial interests to support the needs of another.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 State legislations, as well as other government actions, must be guided by the Constitution. The policies and principles laid therein are not merely hollow words, but are express declarations of the collective goal of the people. In this regard, government actions and decisions that affects education must be in pursuit of the goal enunciated in Article XIV, Section 1. As shown here, the provisions governing SEF is anomalous as they tend to perpetuate inequity in the education sector \\u2013 an obvious affront to the letter and spirit of Article XIV, Section 1. That being the case, SEF must be reformed to become an instrument of providing equal access to quality education.\\u00a0 This proposal does not find justification on equity alone, but also on the shared moral responsibility of every Filipino to the succeeding generation.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\"><sup>[1]<\\/sup><\\/a> UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS, Art. 26<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\"><sup>[2]<\\/sup><\\/a> Jacob Dolinger, <em>The Failure of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights<\\/em>, 47 UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI INTER-AMERICAN L. R. 164, 184 (2016)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\"><sup>[3]<\\/sup><\\/a>235 SCRA 630 (1994)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\"><sup>[4]<\\/sup><\\/a> World Bank Group. Assessing the Role Played by Local Government in Supporting Basic Education in the Philippines. WORLD BANK (2016), http:\\/\\/documents1.worldbank.org\\/curated\\/en\\/468611468569289731\\/pdf\\/106955-REVISED-PH-PETS-QSDS-Note-7.pdf<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\"><sup>[5]<\\/sup><\\/a> Id.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\"><sup>[6]<\\/sup><\\/a> Rosario G. Manasan, Janet S. Cuenca & Alicia B. Celestino. Mobilizing LGU Support for Basic Education: Focus on the Special Education Fund, PHILIPPINE INSTITUTE FOR DEVELOPMENT STUDIES, (May 2011), https:\\/\\/dirp3.pids.gov.ph\\/ris\\/dps\\/pidsdps1107.pdf<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\"><sup>[7]<\\/sup><\\/a>Adam Yeeles, <em>Intergovernmental Fiscal Transfers and Geographical Disparities in Local Government Income in the Philippines<\\/em>, 32 JOURNAL OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN ECONOMIES 390, 391 (2015)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p>Featured Photo from <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.gmanetwork.com\\/news\\/news\\/nation\\/755686\\/students-may-have-to-share-copies-of-modules-in-blended-learning-deped-says\\/story\\/\\\">GMA News<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\"},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(2460,1053,'_elementor_controls_usage','a:3:{s:11:\"text-editor\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:0;s:8:\"controls\";a:1:{s:7:\"content\";a:1:{s:14:\"section_editor\";a:1:{s:6:\"editor\";i:1;}}}}s:6:\"column\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:0;s:8:\"controls\";a:0:{}}s:7:\"section\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:0;s:8:\"controls\";a:0:{}}}'),(2462,1053,'_thumbnail_id','1047'),(2463,1046,'_yoast_wpseo_focuskw','bayanihan'),(2464,1046,'_yoast_wpseo_metadesc','In this time of a national crisis, the spirit of bayanihan becomes more crucial. The essence of bayanihan, roughly translated as solidarity or civic unity, requires a little sacrifice on the part of the more capable in order to aid a fellow in need. One has to set aside personal parochial interests to support the needs of another.'),(2465,1046,'_yoast_wpseo_linkdex','59'),(2466,1054,'_edit_lock','1606713739:1'),(2467,1055,'_wp_attached_file','2020/11/ULR-Volume-63.pdf'),(2468,1038,'ss_ss_click_share_count_copy','3'),(2469,1054,'_edit_last','1'),(2470,1054,'wptr_hide_title','0'),(2471,1054,'ss_social_share_disable',''),(2472,1054,'_yoast_wpseo_content_score','60'),(2481,1058,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(2482,1058,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(2483,1058,'_elementor_version','3.0.13'),(2484,1058,'_wp_page_template','default'),(2485,1058,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"311665f1\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"5d826b6e\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"516ac56c\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- wp:heading --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<h2><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><strong>BAYANIHAN IN PUBLIC EDUCATION:<\\/strong><strong><br \\/><\\/strong><strong>Reforming the Special Education Fund under the Local Government Code to Support New Normal Education<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/h2>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">By: John Kristoffer P. Pereda<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><strong>I. Introduction<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In the pursuit of promoting universal respect for and observance of human rights and fundamental freedoms, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) recognized the right to education of every individual<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\"><sup>[1]<\\/sup><\\/a>. Although the UDHR does not have the force of law, it is seen as having moral force, binding in the sphere of conscience.<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\"><sup>[2]<\\/sup><\\/a> Taking cue from this declaration, the 1987 Philippine Constitution,\\u00a0 recognized this right to education providing a policy towards its furtherance. Under Article XIV, Section 1 of the Constitution, \\u201cthe State shall protect and promote the right of all citizens to quality education at all levels, and shall take appropriate steps to make such education accessible to all.\\u201d<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 As worded, Article XIV, Section 1 merely provides a guiding principle for the government in laying down laws, rules, and regulations concerning education \\u2013 that the State shall endeavor to protect and promote the people\\u2019s right to quality and accessible education. As such, in <em>Tolentino v. Secretary of Finance<\\/em><a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\"><sup>[3]<\\/sup><\\/a>, it is considered as one of the provisions \\u201cthat are put in the Constitution as moral incentives to legislation, not as judicially enforceable rights.\\u201d Guided by this policy, Congress, on different occasions, has enacted various laws in pursuit of the mandate of Article XIV, Section 1.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 It has been noted that in some developing countries, there is trend towards the decentralization of the management of public education to improve educational quality by bringing decision-making closer to schools, which, in effect, makes educational policymaking more responsive to local needs.<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\"><sup>[4]<\\/sup><\\/a> Notwithstanding this trend, public education policymaking in the Philippines remains mainly a business of the national government<a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\"><sup>[5]<\\/sup><\\/a>, primarily through the Department of Education.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 At any rate, the enactment of the Local Government Code of 1991 (LGC) marked an important milestone in the recalibration of responsibilities in the management of public education. The LGC sought to include local government units (LGUs) as partners in managing their respective local public education sectors, thereby slightly reducing the control of the national government over public education which the latter had monopolized for decades. The LGC granted special bodies called the local school boards (LSBs) the power to devote a special fund called the Special Education Fund (SEF) to certain projects and programs in schools in their respective localities.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 With the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, the world has witnessed a public health crisis that drastically changed how societies conduct their affairs. Certainly, the education sector is not left undisturbed. In fact, it is among the most affected sectors. For the first time in decades, the pandemic caused an extensive cancellation of formal classes which, in turn, prompted resort to alternative modes of learning. Unsurprisingly, the novelty of the \\u201cnew normal\\u201d instructional methods has drawn countless issues on inclusivity and accessibility. At the frontline of addressing these issues is the national government, having retained its function of managing public education.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 At this point, it is worthy to recall that that by virtue of the LGC, LGUs, through LSBs, have become stakeholders on the management of public education. They participate, albeit in a limited fashion, in financing the public education sector by means of SEFs. Thus, being partners of the national government, LGUs are likewise responsible in cushioning the effects of the pandemic in the education sector of their respective localities.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 This occasion presents an opportunity to examine the role of SEFs in making quality education inclusive and accessible, especially at this time of a public health crisis. This is so because the issues brought about by the shift to the \\u201cnew normal\\u201d education mostly revolve around financing and managing resources. Guided by the policy laid down in Article XIV, Section 1 of the Constitution, such opportunity is taken here.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><strong>II. Discussion<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Evidently, the enactment of the LGC ushered in a new era in Philippine public administration. Under the LGC, responsibilities on several policy areas are delegated to LGUs, both with respect to decision-making and fiscal administration. With the goal of involving local stakeholders in the management of the local public education sector, the LGC granted LSBs certain powers and functions for such purpose, to wit<em>:<\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Section 99. Functions of Local School Boards. - The provincial, city or municipal school board shall:<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">(a) Determine, in accordance with the criteria set by the Department of Education, Culture and Sports, the annual supplementary budgetary needs for the operation and maintenance of public schools within the province, city, or municipality, as the case may be, and the supplementary local cost of meeting such as needs, which shall be reflected in the form of an annual school board budget corresponding to its share of the proceeds of the special levy on real property constituting the Special Education Fund and such other sources of revenue as this Code and other laws or ordinances may provide;<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">(b) Authorize the provincial, city or municipal treasurer, as the case may be, to disburse funds from the Special Education Fund pursuant to the budget prepared and in accordance with existing rules and regulations;<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">(c) Serve as an advisory committee to the sanggunian concerned on educational matters such as, but not limited to, the necessity for and the uses of local appropriations for educational purposes; and<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">(d) Recommend changes in the names of public schools within the territorial jurisdiction of the local government unit for enactment by the sanggunian concerned.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Department of Education, Culture and Sports shall consult the local school board on the appointment of division superintendents, district supervisors, school principals, and other school officials.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Arguably, the most critical and consequential function of LSBs is that described in Sec. 99(a) and (b). Both paragraphs, taken together, provide that LGUs, through the LSBs, are mandated to determine and provide supplementary budget needs, in accordance with existing rules and regulations, for the operation and maintenance of public schools within their respective locality. Accordingly, said budget is to be sourced from the Special Education Fund (SEF), the generation of which is governed by Section 235 of the LGC, to wit<em>:<\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">Section 235. <em>Additional Levy on Real Property for the Special Education Fund<\\/em>. - A province or city, or a municipality within the Metropolitan Manila Area, may levy and collect an annual tax of one percent (1%) on the assessed value of real property which shall be in addition to the basic real property tax. The proceeds thereof shall exclusively accrue to the Special Education Fund (SEF).<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Conversely, Sec. 272 provides for the manner and the formula of allocation of the SEF, to wit:<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">Section 272. <em>Application of Proceeds of the Additional One Percent SEF Tax<\\/em>. - The proceeds from the additional one percent (1%) tax on real property accruing to the Special Education Fund (SEF) shall be automatically released to the local school boards: Provided, That, in case of provinces, the proceeds shall be divided equally between the provincial and municipal school boards x x x<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In sum, the SEF is a locally-generated fund intended to augment the budgetary requirements of local basic education sector. The authority to determine the school-related expenses that may be charged against the SEF are vested to LSBs.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 At any rate, the utilization of the SEFs as provided for in the LGC was envisioned to take place in a normal environment, i.e., in a society that is in the regular conduct of its affairs. While certain weak points in the existing SEF structure have already been noticed since the implementation of the LGC,<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\"><sup>[6]<\\/sup><\\/a> the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic has highlighted the same. The SEF appears to be counterproductive, or at the least, inconvenient, against the backdrop of the Covid-19 pandemic.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Under the existing framework, the SEF is sourced from the proceeds of the additional one percent (1%) tax on real property levied and collected by LGUs. In case of real property tax collection by cities, the proceeds accruing to the SEF is automatically given to the city school boards, while in case of provinces, the proceeds are equally divided between the provincial school board and the municipal school boards.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Ideally, this framework is a sound arrangement that has the effect of incentivizing well-performing LGUs. An LGU that develops an economic environment conducive for real property investments within the locality increases its collectible real property taxes. If it is diligent in collecting the same, such LGU generates a greater amount of SEF. In other words, SEFs tend to reward hard work.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In reality however, the existing SEF framework seems to perpetuate inequity among LGUs and among the divisions of our public education sector across the country. There are two main factors that lead to this inference: the poverty incidence in a certain LGU and its real property tax collection.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">The following statistics gives a glimpse of the current situation.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 First, on poverty incidence. Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority show that in 2018, the National Capital Region (NCR), Region III and Region IV-A record that lowest rate of poverty incidence among families in the country, with 1.4%, 5.2%, and 5.1%, respectively, of their total population living below the poverty line. Conversely, among the regions with the highest poverty incidence rate are Region V with 20%, Region VIII with 23.9%, and Region IX with 25.4%.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Second, concerning the real property collection of LGUs. It is a well-known fact that real property investments are concentrated in metropolitan areas and other major cities. The LGUs therein collect the highest amount of real property taxes which means that they collect the highest amount of funds accruing to the SEF. According to the 2018 data from Bureau of Local Government of Finance, LGUs in the NCR was able to collect approximately 25.3 billion pesos in real property tax; those in Region III, 7.4 billion; and those in Region IV-A, 13 billion pesos. Conversely, those in Region V, 956 million; those in Region VIII, 678 million; and those in Region IX, 572 million.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Admittedly, the presentation of the this data is not intended for scientific treatment nor does it seek to arrive at a scientifically precise analysis. Nonetheless, a reasonable inspection of the same suggests that the disadvantaged students in regions with relatively low poverty incidence rate stand to be benefited from a bigger SEF mainly due to the presence of massive real property investments therein, as reflected by the sheer amount of real property tax collected by their LGUs. On the other hand, disadvantaged students in regions with a relatively high poverty incidence rate enjoy a meager share of the SEF, owing to minimal real property investments in their regions.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The social ramifications of this inequality are evident. With a bigger fund to address the effects of the pandemic in the education sector, i.e. greater SEF collection (which may be further augmented by supplemental appropriations), LGUs in richer regions are more capable of providing education stakeholders with resources, equipment, and materials to support the students therein in adapting to the \\u201cnew normal\\u201d mode of learning. LGUs in poorer regions can only do so much. Only major cities are able to procure laptops, mobile phones, and other electronic devices to be used in alternative distance learning.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In other words, LGUs in regions with low poverty incidence rate have more SEF at their disposal. Conversely, those in regions with high poverty incidence have less. This predicament falls squarely into the very essence of inequitable access to education. The incongruence of the concept of SEF with the declared policy in Article XIV, Section 1, i.e. that the State shall protect and promote the right to quality and accessible education, has become unmistakably apparent. Hence, a reorientation of the concept of SEF is in order.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><strong>III. Proposed Solution<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In this time of an ongoing global pandemic, the inequities in educational opportunities in different divisions of our public education sector has become ostensible. Thus, the need to revisit the SEF mechanism has become more pressing. Indeed, the existing SEF system is a missed opportunity to make public education more equitable and accessible, and as such, the best time to rectify that is now.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In designing a system of intergovernmental relations, which is mostly given weight in federal and decentralized arrangements, the concept of intergovernmental fiscal transfers, also known as \\u201cequalization\\u201d transfers, is usually employed. As the term suggests, it is designed to minimize the economic disparities of local governments. In its basic concept, lower level government units contribute funds to a common pool wherein the amount of the contribution is proportionate to each unit\\u2019s respective resources and capabilities. In turn, the funds in the common pool is distributed to the recipient units according to their respective needs. Such arrangement, also known as horizontal transfers, deal specifically with rectifying fiscal imbalances between governmental units at the same level.<a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\"><sup>[7]<\\/sup><\\/a> Here, a \\u201cparochial\\u201d perspective is diminished, and every unit becomes a stakeholder in the development of another.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Given its character, the provisions in the LGC governing SEFs, especially Sec, 99(a) and 9(b), must be amended to redesign the SEF into an equalization fund. Instead of being directly applied the generating LGU, the SEF must be pooled into an equalization program to support localities with greater needs in public education management, which has become imperative in this time of Covid-19.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><strong>IV. Conclusion<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Without a doubt, certain LGUs will be apprehensive, if not dismissive, of the proposal put forward herein. To be sure, they cannot be faulted \\u2013 it is understandable because there lies in intergovernmental relations an inherent, or perhaps eternal, tension in competing for resources.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">Nonetheless, in this time of a national crisis, the spirit of <em>bayanihan<\\/em> becomes more crucial. The essence of <em>bayanihan<\\/em>, roughly translated as solidarity or civic unity, requires a little sacrifice on the part of the more capable in order to aid a fellow in need. One has to set aside personal parochial interests to support the needs of another.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 State legislations, as well as other government actions, must be guided by the Constitution. The policies and principles laid therein are not merely hollow words, but are express declarations of the collective goal of the people. In this regard, government actions and decisions that affects education must be in pursuit of the goal enunciated in Article XIV, Section 1. As shown here, the provisions governing SEF is anomalous as they tend to perpetuate inequity in the education sector \\u2013 an obvious affront to the letter and spirit of Article XIV, Section 1. That being the case, SEF must be reformed to become an instrument of providing equal access to quality education.\\u00a0 This proposal does not find justification on equity alone, but also on the shared moral responsibility of every Filipino to the succeeding generation.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\"><sup>[1]<\\/sup><\\/a> UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS, Art. 26<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\"><sup>[2]<\\/sup><\\/a> Jacob Dolinger, <em>The Failure of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights<\\/em>, 47 UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI INTER-AMERICAN L. R. 164, 184 (2016)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\"><sup>[3]<\\/sup><\\/a>235 SCRA 630 (1994)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\"><sup>[4]<\\/sup><\\/a> World Bank Group. Assessing the Role Played by Local Government in Supporting Basic Education in the Philippines. WORLD BANK (2016), http:\\/\\/documents1.worldbank.org\\/curated\\/en\\/468611468569289731\\/pdf\\/106955-REVISED-PH-PETS-QSDS-Note-7.pdf<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\"><sup>[5]<\\/sup><\\/a> Id.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\"><sup>[6]<\\/sup><\\/a> Rosario G. Manasan, Janet S. Cuenca & Alicia B. Celestino. Mobilizing LGU Support for Basic Education: Focus on the Special Education Fund, PHILIPPINE INSTITUTE FOR DEVELOPMENT STUDIES, (May 2011), https:\\/\\/dirp3.pids.gov.ph\\/ris\\/dps\\/pidsdps1107.pdf<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\"><sup>[7]<\\/sup><\\/a>Adam Yeeles, <em>Intergovernmental Fiscal Transfers and Geographical Disparities in Local Government Income in the Philippines<\\/em>, 32 JOURNAL OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN ECONOMIES 390, 391 (2015)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p>Featured Photo from <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.gmanetwork.com\\/news\\/news\\/nation\\/755686\\/students-may-have-to-share-copies-of-modules-in-blended-learning-deped-says\\/story\\/\\\">GMA News<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\"},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(2486,1058,'_elementor_controls_usage','a:3:{s:11:\"text-editor\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:0;s:8:\"controls\";a:1:{s:7:\"content\";a:1:{s:14:\"section_editor\";a:1:{s:6:\"editor\";i:1;}}}}s:6:\"column\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:0;s:8:\"controls\";a:0:{}}s:7:\"section\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:0;s:8:\"controls\";a:0:{}}}'),(2488,1058,'_thumbnail_id','1047'),(2489,1059,'_thumbnail_id','1040'),(2490,1059,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(2491,1059,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(2492,1059,'_elementor_version','3.0.13'),(2493,1059,'_wp_page_template','default'),(2494,1059,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"52e9a36f\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"214dd53b\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"218903b\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- wp:heading --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<h2><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><strong>INMATES OF THE NEW BILIBID PRISON <em>v<\\/em>. DOJ SECRETARY DE LIMA AND DILG SECRETARY ROXAS: CLARIFICATION ON THE RETROACTIVE APPLICATION OF LAWS<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/h2>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">by: Dianne Nicole L. Ramos<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\">[1]<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 It is a settled principle that laws shall have no retroactive application<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\">[2]<\\/a>. However, a penal law that is favorable to the accused can be applied retroactively, provided that the accused is not a habitual criminal<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\">[3]<\\/a>. This is provided in Article 22 of the Revised Penal Code (RPC). In the words of the Supreme Court, these foregoing principles are the rules, the exception, and the exception to the exception on the effectivity of laws.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 A question arises when a law affects criminals but is not penal in nature. This was resolved in the case of <em>Inmates of the New Bilibid Prison v. DOJ Secretary De Lima and DILG Secretary Roxas. <\\/em>The said case involves Republic Act 10592 (R.A. No. 10592) or \\u201cAn Act Amending Articles 29, 94, 97, 98 And 99 Of\\u00a0<a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/www.gov.ph\\/1930\\/12\\/08\\/act-no-3815-s-1930\\/\\\">Act No. 3815<\\/a>, As Amended, Otherwise Known As The Revised Penal Code<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\">[4]<\\/a>\\u201d, which increased the good conduct time allowance (GCTA) to be deducted from a prisoner\\u2019s sentence. GCTA is a sentence reduction provision afforded to prisoners who show good behavior.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In line with this, the Department of Justice (DOJ) and Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) issued Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR). Section 4, Rule 1 of such IRR states that the provisions of the law shall be applied prospectively. This prompted the petitioners in this case, being prisoners who would have benefited from R.A. No. 10592, to assail the validity of the abovementioned provision in the IRR. They contended that R.A. No. 10592 is penal in nature and is beneficial to the accused. Therefore, it must be given retroactive application, pursuant to Article 22 of the RPC.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Court agreed. To contextualize, the Court defined a penal law as one that defines offenses and prescribes penalties for their violation. While the Court conceded that R.A. No. 10592 neither defines a crime or offense nor provides a penalty therefor as it only addresses the rehabilitation component of our correctional system, its provisions have the <em>purpose and effect of diminishing the punishment attached to a crime.<\\/em> The further reduction in the length of the penalty of imprisonment is beneficial to prisoners; hence, Article 22 of the RPC should apply.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Court upheld the petitioners\\u2019 argument that R.A. No. 10592 is a penal law because by amending the RPC, it becomes an integral part of the Code. The Court went further to rule that the prospective application of the beneficial provisions of R.A. No. 10592 would deprive the prisoners of time off, thus making more onerous the punishment for the crimes the committed.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The discussion of this case is relevant in the case of Lance Corporal Joseph Scott Pemberton. On September 7, 2020, President Rodrigo Duterte had granted absolute pardon to Pemberton, who has been in prison since 2014 for the homicide of transgender woman, Jennifer Laude. Pemberton and Laude met in a nightclub in Olongapo City in October 2014. That same night, upon learning that Laude was a transgender, Pemberton choked Laude and pushed her head into a toilet bowl until she drowned. Pemberton was sentenced to 6 years to 12 years in prison, which was later reduced to 10 years. Pemberton did not serve his sentence in the New Bilibid Prison. Instead, due to the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) between the United States and the Philippines, he was placed in a private air-conditioned cell in Camp Aguinaldo. The VFA is a legal framework, which governs many aspects of the US Military presence in our country. It also affect the determination of where convicted American personnel will be detained.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In August of 2020, Pemberton\\u2019s lawyer submitted a motion to the Court, stating that Pemberton had qualified for the benefits of the GCTA. Judge Roline Ginez-Jabalde, the same official which convicted Pemberton in 2015, ruled that since Pemberton had served almost 6 years in prison and had earned 4 years off of his sentence for good behavior while he was in jail, Pemberton is free to go.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Rommel Bagares, the lawyer representing the Laude family stated that the GCTA should not have been applied to Pemberton because his case is covered by the VFA, which is silent as to the application of the GCTA. Bagares and the Department of Justice immediately moved to oppose Pemberton\\u2019s release, but to no avail as President Duterte had granted Pemberton absolute pardon.\\u00a0 That same month, Pemberton was put on board a US Military cargo plane and was brought to Camp Smith in Hawaii, where the US Marine Corps are now taking administrative actions against Pemberton. According to the Bureau of Immigration, Pemberton has also been placed on the agency\\u2019s blacklist and can no longer return to the Philippines.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 To this day, there are still many L.G.B.T.Q. organizations around the world that cannot rest easy with the conclusion of this issue. It is therefore important that we keep abreast of the cases related hereto.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">[1]<\\/a> Dianne Nicole L. Ramos, UST Faculty of Civil Law, 2C, UST Law Review Understudy<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a> Civil Code, Article 4.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a> Sr. Insp. Valeroso v. People, 570 Phil. 58, 61-62 (2008) and People v. Alcaraz, 56 Phil. 522 (1932).<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[4]<\\/a> R.A. No. 10592 took effect on June 6, 2013.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><em><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/em><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><em><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\">Featured Photo by <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/unsplash.com\\/@betteratf8?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText\\\">Weston MacKinnon<\\/a> on <\\/span><\\/em><a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/unsplash.com\\/s\\/photos\\/prision?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText\\\"><em><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\">Unsplash<\\/span><\\/em><\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(2495,1059,'_elementor_controls_usage','a:3:{s:11:\"text-editor\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:1;s:8:\"controls\";a:2:{s:7:\"content\";a:1:{s:14:\"section_editor\";a:1:{s:6:\"editor\";i:1;}}s:5:\"style\";a:1:{s:13:\"section_style\";a:2:{s:21:\"typography_typography\";i:1;s:22:\"typography_line_height\";i:1;}}}}s:6:\"column\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:0;s:8:\"controls\";a:0:{}}s:7:\"section\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:0;s:8:\"controls\";a:0:{}}}'),(2497,1046,'ss_ss_click_share_count_facebook','1'),(2498,1046,'ss_total_share_count','0'),(2499,1046,'ss_ss_click_share_count_twitter','1'),(2500,1060,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(2501,1060,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(2502,1060,'_elementor_version','3.0.13'),(2503,1060,'_wp_page_template','default'),(2504,1060,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"311665f1\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"5d826b6e\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"516ac56c\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- wp:heading --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<h2><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><strong>BAYANIHAN IN PUBLIC EDUCATION:<\\/strong><strong><br \\/><\\/strong><strong>Reforming the Special Education Fund under the Local Government Code to Support New Normal Education<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/h2>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">By: John Kristoffer P. Pereda<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><strong>I. Introduction<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In the pursuit of promoting universal respect for and observance of human rights and fundamental freedoms, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) recognized the right to education of every individual<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\"><sup>[1]<\\/sup><\\/a>. Although the UDHR does not have the force of law, it is seen as having moral force, binding in the sphere of conscience.<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\"><sup>[2]<\\/sup><\\/a> Taking cue from this declaration, the 1987 Philippine Constitution,\\u00a0 recognized this right to education providing a policy towards its furtherance. Under Article XIV, Section 1 of the Constitution, \\u201cthe State shall protect and promote the right of all citizens to quality education at all levels, and shall take appropriate steps to make such education accessible to all.\\u201d<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 As worded, Article XIV, Section 1 merely provides a guiding principle for the government in laying down laws, rules, and regulations concerning education \\u2013 that the State shall endeavor to protect and promote the people\\u2019s right to quality and accessible education. As such, in <em>Tolentino v. Secretary of Finance<\\/em><a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\"><sup>[3]<\\/sup><\\/a>, it is considered as one of the provisions \\u201cthat are put in the Constitution as moral incentives to legislation, not as judicially enforceable rights.\\u201d Guided by this policy, Congress, on different occasions, has enacted various laws in pursuit of the mandate of Article XIV, Section 1.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 It has been noted that in some developing countries, there is trend towards the decentralization of the management of public education to improve educational quality by bringing decision-making closer to schools, which, in effect, makes educational policymaking more responsive to local needs.<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\"><sup>[4]<\\/sup><\\/a> Notwithstanding this trend, public education policymaking in the Philippines remains mainly a business of the national government<a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\"><sup>[5]<\\/sup><\\/a>, primarily through the Department of Education.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 At any rate, the enactment of the Local Government Code of 1991 (LGC) marked an important milestone in the recalibration of responsibilities in the management of public education. The LGC sought to include local government units (LGUs) as partners in managing their respective local public education sectors, thereby slightly reducing the control of the national government over public education which the latter had monopolized for decades. The LGC granted special bodies called the local school boards (LSBs) the power to devote a special fund called the Special Education Fund (SEF) to certain projects and programs in schools in their respective localities.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 With the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, the world has witnessed a public health crisis that drastically changed how societies conduct their affairs. Certainly, the education sector is not left undisturbed. In fact, it is among the most affected sectors. For the first time in decades, the pandemic caused an extensive cancellation of formal classes which, in turn, prompted resort to alternative modes of learning. Unsurprisingly, the novelty of the \\u201cnew normal\\u201d instructional methods has drawn countless issues on inclusivity and accessibility. At the frontline of addressing these issues is the national government, having retained its function of managing public education.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 At this point, it is worthy to recall that that by virtue of the LGC, LGUs, through LSBs, have become stakeholders on the management of public education. They participate, albeit in a limited fashion, in financing the public education sector by means of SEFs. Thus, being partners of the national government, LGUs are likewise responsible in cushioning the effects of the pandemic in the education sector of their respective localities.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 This occasion presents an opportunity to examine the role of SEFs in making quality education inclusive and accessible, especially at this time of a public health crisis. This is so because the issues brought about by the shift to the \\u201cnew normal\\u201d education mostly revolve around financing and managing resources. Guided by the policy laid down in Article XIV, Section 1 of the Constitution, such opportunity is taken here.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><strong>II. Discussion<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Evidently, the enactment of the LGC ushered in a new era in Philippine public administration. Under the LGC, responsibilities on several policy areas are delegated to LGUs, both with respect to decision-making and fiscal administration. With the goal of involving local stakeholders in the management of the local public education sector, the LGC granted LSBs certain powers and functions for such purpose, to wit<em>:<\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Section 99. Functions of Local School Boards. - The provincial, city or municipal school board shall:<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">(a) Determine, in accordance with the criteria set by the Department of Education, Culture and Sports, the annual supplementary budgetary needs for the operation and maintenance of public schools within the province, city, or municipality, as the case may be, and the supplementary local cost of meeting such as needs, which shall be reflected in the form of an annual school board budget corresponding to its share of the proceeds of the special levy on real property constituting the Special Education Fund and such other sources of revenue as this Code and other laws or ordinances may provide;<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">(b) Authorize the provincial, city or municipal treasurer, as the case may be, to disburse funds from the Special Education Fund pursuant to the budget prepared and in accordance with existing rules and regulations;<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">(c) Serve as an advisory committee to the sanggunian concerned on educational matters such as, but not limited to, the necessity for and the uses of local appropriations for educational purposes; and<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">(d) Recommend changes in the names of public schools within the territorial jurisdiction of the local government unit for enactment by the sanggunian concerned.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Department of Education, Culture and Sports shall consult the local school board on the appointment of division superintendents, district supervisors, school principals, and other school officials.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Arguably, the most critical and consequential function of LSBs is that described in Sec. 99(a) and (b). Both paragraphs, taken together, provide that LGUs, through the LSBs, are mandated to determine and provide supplementary budget needs, in accordance with existing rules and regulations, for the operation and maintenance of public schools within their respective locality. Accordingly, said budget is to be sourced from the Special Education Fund (SEF), the generation of which is governed by Section 235 of the LGC, to wit<em>:<\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">Section 235. <em>Additional Levy on Real Property for the Special Education Fund<\\/em>. - A province or city, or a municipality within the Metropolitan Manila Area, may levy and collect an annual tax of one percent (1%) on the assessed value of real property which shall be in addition to the basic real property tax. The proceeds thereof shall exclusively accrue to the Special Education Fund (SEF).<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Conversely, Sec. 272 provides for the manner and the formula of allocation of the SEF, to wit:<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">Section 272. <em>Application of Proceeds of the Additional One Percent SEF Tax<\\/em>. - The proceeds from the additional one percent (1%) tax on real property accruing to the Special Education Fund (SEF) shall be automatically released to the local school boards: Provided, That, in case of provinces, the proceeds shall be divided equally between the provincial and municipal school boards x x x<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In sum, the SEF is a locally-generated fund intended to augment the budgetary requirements of local basic education sector. The authority to determine the school-related expenses that may be charged against the SEF are vested to LSBs.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 At any rate, the utilization of the SEFs as provided for in the LGC was envisioned to take place in a normal environment, i.e., in a society that is in the regular conduct of its affairs. While certain weak points in the existing SEF structure have already been noticed since the implementation of the LGC,<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\"><sup>[6]<\\/sup><\\/a> the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic has highlighted the same. The SEF appears to be counterproductive, or at the least, inconvenient, against the backdrop of the Covid-19 pandemic.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Under the existing framework, the SEF is sourced from the proceeds of the additional one percent (1%) tax on real property levied and collected by LGUs. In case of real property tax collection by cities, the proceeds accruing to the SEF is automatically given to the city school boards, while in case of provinces, the proceeds are equally divided between the provincial school board and the municipal school boards.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Ideally, this framework is a sound arrangement that has the effect of incentivizing well-performing LGUs. An LGU that develops an economic environment conducive for real property investments within the locality increases its collectible real property taxes. If it is diligent in collecting the same, such LGU generates a greater amount of SEF. In other words, SEFs tend to reward hard work.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In reality however, the existing SEF framework seems to perpetuate inequity among LGUs and among the divisions of our public education sector across the country. There are two main factors that lead to this inference: the poverty incidence in a certain LGU and its real property tax collection.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">The following statistics gives a glimpse of the current situation.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 First, on poverty incidence. Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority show that in 2018, the National Capital Region (NCR), Region III and Region IV-A record that lowest rate of poverty incidence among families in the country, with 1.4%, 5.2%, and 5.1%, respectively, of their total population living below the poverty line. Conversely, among the regions with the highest poverty incidence rate are Region V with 20%, Region VIII with 23.9%, and Region IX with 25.4%.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Second, concerning the real property collection of LGUs. It is a well-known fact that real property investments are concentrated in metropolitan areas and other major cities. The LGUs therein collect the highest amount of real property taxes which means that they collect the highest amount of funds accruing to the SEF. According to the 2018 data from Bureau of Local Government of Finance, LGUs in the NCR was able to collect approximately 25.3 billion pesos in real property tax; those in Region III, 7.4 billion; and those in Region IV-A, 13 billion pesos. Conversely, those in Region V, 956 million; those in Region VIII, 678 million; and those in Region IX, 572 million.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Admittedly, the presentation of the this data is not intended for scientific treatment nor does it seek to arrive at a scientifically precise analysis. Nonetheless, a reasonable inspection of the same suggests that the disadvantaged students in regions with relatively low poverty incidence rate stand to be benefited from a bigger SEF mainly due to the presence of massive real property investments therein, as reflected by the sheer amount of real property tax collected by their LGUs. On the other hand, disadvantaged students in regions with a relatively high poverty incidence rate enjoy a meager share of the SEF, owing to minimal real property investments in their regions.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The social ramifications of this inequality are evident. With a bigger fund to address the effects of the pandemic in the education sector, i.e. greater SEF collection (which may be further augmented by supplemental appropriations), LGUs in richer regions are more capable of providing education stakeholders with resources, equipment, and materials to support the students therein in adapting to the \\u201cnew normal\\u201d mode of learning. LGUs in poorer regions can only do so much. Only major cities are able to procure laptops, mobile phones, and other electronic devices to be used in alternative distance learning.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In other words, LGUs in regions with low poverty incidence rate have more SEF at their disposal. Conversely, those in regions with high poverty incidence have less. This predicament falls squarely into the very essence of inequitable access to education. The incongruence of the concept of SEF with the declared policy in Article XIV, Section 1, i.e. that the State shall protect and promote the right to quality and accessible education, has become unmistakably apparent. Hence, a reorientation of the concept of SEF is in order.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><strong>III. Proposed Solution<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In this time of an ongoing global pandemic, the inequities in educational opportunities in different divisions of our public education sector has become ostensible. Thus, the need to revisit the SEF mechanism has become more pressing. Indeed, the existing SEF system is a missed opportunity to make public education more equitable and accessible, and as such, the best time to rectify that is now.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In designing a system of intergovernmental relations, which is mostly given weight in federal and decentralized arrangements, the concept of intergovernmental fiscal transfers, also known as \\u201cequalization\\u201d transfers, is usually employed. As the term suggests, it is designed to minimize the economic disparities of local governments. In its basic concept, lower level government units contribute funds to a common pool wherein the amount of the contribution is proportionate to each unit\\u2019s respective resources and capabilities. In turn, the funds in the common pool is distributed to the recipient units according to their respective needs. Such arrangement, also known as horizontal transfers, deal specifically with rectifying fiscal imbalances between governmental units at the same level.<a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\"><sup>[7]<\\/sup><\\/a> Here, a \\u201cparochial\\u201d perspective is diminished, and every unit becomes a stakeholder in the development of another.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Given its character, the provisions in the LGC governing SEFs, especially Sec, 99(a) and 9(b), must be amended to redesign the SEF into an equalization fund. Instead of being directly applied the generating LGU, the SEF must be pooled into an equalization program to support localities with greater needs in public education management, which has become imperative in this time of Covid-19.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><strong>IV. Conclusion<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Without a doubt, certain LGUs will be apprehensive, if not dismissive, of the proposal put forward herein. To be sure, they cannot be faulted \\u2013 it is understandable because there lies in intergovernmental relations an inherent, or perhaps eternal, tension in competing for resources.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">Nonetheless, in this time of a national crisis, the spirit of <em>bayanihan<\\/em> becomes more crucial. The essence of <em>bayanihan<\\/em>, roughly translated as solidarity or civic unity, requires a little sacrifice on the part of the more capable in order to aid a fellow in need. One has to set aside personal parochial interests to support the needs of another.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 State legislations, as well as other government actions, must be guided by the Constitution. The policies and principles laid therein are not merely hollow words, but are express declarations of the collective goal of the people. In this regard, government actions and decisions that affects education must be in pursuit of the goal enunciated in Article XIV, Section 1. As shown here, the provisions governing SEF is anomalous as they tend to perpetuate inequity in the education sector \\u2013 an obvious affront to the letter and spirit of Article XIV, Section 1. That being the case, SEF must be reformed to become an instrument of providing equal access to quality education.\\u00a0 This proposal does not find justification on equity alone, but also on the shared moral responsibility of every Filipino to the succeeding generation.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\"><sup>[1]<\\/sup><\\/a> UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS, Art. 26<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\"><sup>[2]<\\/sup><\\/a> Jacob Dolinger, <em>The Failure of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights<\\/em>, 47 UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI INTER-AMERICAN L. R. 164, 184 (2016)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\"><sup>[3]<\\/sup><\\/a>235 SCRA 630 (1994)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\"><sup>[4]<\\/sup><\\/a> World Bank Group. Assessing the Role Played by Local Government in Supporting Basic Education in the Philippines. WORLD BANK (2016), http:\\/\\/documents1.worldbank.org\\/curated\\/en\\/468611468569289731\\/pdf\\/106955-REVISED-PH-PETS-QSDS-Note-7.pdf<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\"><sup>[5]<\\/sup><\\/a> Id.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\"><sup>[6]<\\/sup><\\/a> Rosario G. Manasan, Janet S. Cuenca & Alicia B. Celestino. Mobilizing LGU Support for Basic Education: Focus on the Special Education Fund, PHILIPPINE INSTITUTE FOR DEVELOPMENT STUDIES, (May 2011), https:\\/\\/dirp3.pids.gov.ph\\/ris\\/dps\\/pidsdps1107.pdf<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\"><sup>[7]<\\/sup><\\/a>Adam Yeeles, <em>Intergovernmental Fiscal Transfers and Geographical Disparities in Local Government Income in the Philippines<\\/em>, 32 JOURNAL OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN ECONOMIES 390, 391 (2015)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p>Featured Photo from <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.gmanetwork.com\\/news\\/news\\/nation\\/755686\\/students-may-have-to-share-copies-of-modules-in-blended-learning-deped-says\\/story\\/\\\">GMA News<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\"},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(2505,1060,'_elementor_controls_usage','a:3:{s:11:\"text-editor\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:0;s:8:\"controls\";a:1:{s:7:\"content\";a:1:{s:14:\"section_editor\";a:1:{s:6:\"editor\";i:1;}}}}s:6:\"column\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:0;s:8:\"controls\";a:0:{}}s:7:\"section\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:0;s:8:\"controls\";a:0:{}}}'),(2507,1060,'_thumbnail_id','1047'),(2508,1061,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(2509,1061,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(2510,1061,'_elementor_version','3.0.13'),(2511,1061,'_wp_page_template','default');
INSERT INTO `wp_postmeta` VALUES (2512,1061,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"311665f1\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"5d826b6e\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"516ac56c\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- wp:heading --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<h2><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><strong>BAYANIHAN IN PUBLIC EDUCATION:<\\/strong><strong><br \\/><\\/strong><strong>Reforming the Special Education Fund under the Local Government Code to Support New Normal Education<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/h2>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">By: John Kristoffer P. Pereda<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><strong>I. Introduction<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In the pursuit of promoting universal respect for and observance of human rights and fundamental freedoms, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) recognized the right to education of every individual<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\"><sup>[1]<\\/sup><\\/a>. Although the UDHR does not have the force of law, it is seen as having moral force, binding in the sphere of conscience.<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\"><sup>[2]<\\/sup><\\/a> Taking cue from this declaration, the 1987 Philippine Constitution,\\u00a0 recognized this right to education providing a policy towards its furtherance. Under Article XIV, Section 1 of the Constitution, \\u201cthe State shall protect and promote the right of all citizens to quality education at all levels, and shall take appropriate steps to make such education accessible to all.\\u201d<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 As worded, Article XIV, Section 1 merely provides a guiding principle for the government in laying down laws, rules, and regulations concerning education \\u2013 that the State shall endeavor to protect and promote the people\\u2019s right to quality and accessible education. As such, in <em>Tolentino v. Secretary of Finance<\\/em><a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\"><sup>[3]<\\/sup><\\/a>, it is considered as one of the provisions \\u201cthat are put in the Constitution as moral incentives to legislation, not as judicially enforceable rights.\\u201d Guided by this policy, Congress, on different occasions, has enacted various laws in pursuit of the mandate of Article XIV, Section 1.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 It has been noted that in some developing countries, there is trend towards the decentralization of the management of public education to improve educational quality by bringing decision-making closer to schools, which, in effect, makes educational policymaking more responsive to local needs.<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\"><sup>[4]<\\/sup><\\/a> Notwithstanding this trend, public education policymaking in the Philippines remains mainly a business of the national government<a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\"><sup>[5]<\\/sup><\\/a>, primarily through the Department of Education.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 At any rate, the enactment of the Local Government Code of 1991 (LGC) marked an important milestone in the recalibration of responsibilities in the management of public education. The LGC sought to include local government units (LGUs) as partners in managing their respective local public education sectors, thereby slightly reducing the control of the national government over public education which the latter had monopolized for decades. The LGC granted special bodies called the local school boards (LSBs) the power to devote a special fund called the Special Education Fund (SEF) to certain projects and programs in schools in their respective localities.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 With the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, the world has witnessed a public health crisis that drastically changed how societies conduct their affairs. Certainly, the education sector is not left undisturbed. In fact, it is among the most affected sectors. For the first time in decades, the pandemic caused an extensive cancellation of formal classes which, in turn, prompted resort to alternative modes of learning. Unsurprisingly, the novelty of the \\u201cnew normal\\u201d instructional methods has drawn countless issues on inclusivity and accessibility. At the frontline of addressing these issues is the national government, having retained its function of managing public education.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 At this point, it is worthy to recall that that by virtue of the LGC, LGUs, through LSBs, have become stakeholders on the management of public education. They participate, albeit in a limited fashion, in financing the public education sector by means of SEFs. Thus, being partners of the national government, LGUs are likewise responsible in cushioning the effects of the pandemic in the education sector of their respective localities.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 This occasion presents an opportunity to examine the role of SEFs in making quality education inclusive and accessible, especially at this time of a public health crisis. This is so because the issues brought about by the shift to the \\u201cnew normal\\u201d education mostly revolve around financing and managing resources. Guided by the policy laid down in Article XIV, Section 1 of the Constitution, such opportunity is taken here.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><strong>II. Discussion<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Evidently, the enactment of the LGC ushered in a new era in Philippine public administration. Under the LGC, responsibilities on several policy areas are delegated to LGUs, both with respect to decision-making and fiscal administration. With the goal of involving local stakeholders in the management of the local public education sector, the LGC granted LSBs certain powers and functions for such purpose, to wit<em>:<\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Section 99. Functions of Local School Boards. - The provincial, city or municipal school board shall:<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">(a) Determine, in accordance with the criteria set by the Department of Education, Culture and Sports, the annual supplementary budgetary needs for the operation and maintenance of public schools within the province, city, or municipality, as the case may be, and the supplementary local cost of meeting such as needs, which shall be reflected in the form of an annual school board budget corresponding to its share of the proceeds of the special levy on real property constituting the Special Education Fund and such other sources of revenue as this Code and other laws or ordinances may provide;<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">(b) Authorize the provincial, city or municipal treasurer, as the case may be, to disburse funds from the Special Education Fund pursuant to the budget prepared and in accordance with existing rules and regulations;<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">(c) Serve as an advisory committee to the sanggunian concerned on educational matters such as, but not limited to, the necessity for and the uses of local appropriations for educational purposes; and<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">(d) Recommend changes in the names of public schools within the territorial jurisdiction of the local government unit for enactment by the sanggunian concerned.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Department of Education, Culture and Sports shall consult the local school board on the appointment of division superintendents, district supervisors, school principals, and other school officials.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Arguably, the most critical and consequential function of LSBs is that described in Sec. 99(a) and (b). Both paragraphs, taken together, provide that LGUs, through the LSBs, are mandated to determine and provide supplementary budget needs, in accordance with existing rules and regulations, for the operation and maintenance of public schools within their respective locality. Accordingly, said budget is to be sourced from the Special Education Fund (SEF), the generation of which is governed by Section 235 of the LGC, to wit<em>:<\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">Section 235. <em>Additional Levy on Real Property for the Special Education Fund<\\/em>. - A province or city, or a municipality within the Metropolitan Manila Area, may levy and collect an annual tax of one percent (1%) on the assessed value of real property which shall be in addition to the basic real property tax. The proceeds thereof shall exclusively accrue to the Special Education Fund (SEF).<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Conversely, Sec. 272 provides for the manner and the formula of allocation of the SEF, to wit:<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">Section 272. <em>Application of Proceeds of the Additional One Percent SEF Tax<\\/em>. - The proceeds from the additional one percent (1%) tax on real property accruing to the Special Education Fund (SEF) shall be automatically released to the local school boards: Provided, That, in case of provinces, the proceeds shall be divided equally between the provincial and municipal school boards x x x<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In sum, the SEF is a locally-generated fund intended to augment the budgetary requirements of local basic education sector. The authority to determine the school-related expenses that may be charged against the SEF are vested to LSBs.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 At any rate, the utilization of the SEFs as provided for in the LGC was envisioned to take place in a normal environment, i.e., in a society that is in the regular conduct of its affairs. While certain weak points in the existing SEF structure have already been noticed since the implementation of the LGC,<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\"><sup>[6]<\\/sup><\\/a> the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic has highlighted the same. The SEF appears to be counterproductive, or at the least, inconvenient, against the backdrop of the Covid-19 pandemic.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Under the existing framework, the SEF is sourced from the proceeds of the additional one percent (1%) tax on real property levied and collected by LGUs. In case of real property tax collection by cities, the proceeds accruing to the SEF is automatically given to the city school boards, while in case of provinces, the proceeds are equally divided between the provincial school board and the municipal school boards.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Ideally, this framework is a sound arrangement that has the effect of incentivizing well-performing LGUs. An LGU that develops an economic environment conducive for real property investments within the locality increases its collectible real property taxes. If it is diligent in collecting the same, such LGU generates a greater amount of SEF. In other words, SEFs tend to reward hard work.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In reality however, the existing SEF framework seems to perpetuate inequity among LGUs and among the divisions of our public education sector across the country. There are two main factors that lead to this inference: the poverty incidence in a certain LGU and its real property tax collection.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">The following statistics gives a glimpse of the current situation.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 First, on poverty incidence. Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority show that in 2018, the National Capital Region (NCR), Region III and Region IV-A record that lowest rate of poverty incidence among families in the country, with 1.4%, 5.2%, and 5.1%, respectively, of their total population living below the poverty line. Conversely, among the regions with the highest poverty incidence rate are Region V with 20%, Region VIII with 23.9%, and Region IX with 25.4%.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Second, concerning the real property collection of LGUs. It is a well-known fact that real property investments are concentrated in metropolitan areas and other major cities. The LGUs therein collect the highest amount of real property taxes which means that they collect the highest amount of funds accruing to the SEF. According to the 2018 data from Bureau of Local Government of Finance, LGUs in the NCR was able to collect approximately 25.3 billion pesos in real property tax; those in Region III, 7.4 billion; and those in Region IV-A, 13 billion pesos. Conversely, those in Region V, 956 million; those in Region VIII, 678 million; and those in Region IX, 572 million.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Admittedly, the presentation of the this data is not intended for scientific treatment nor does it seek to arrive at a scientifically precise analysis. Nonetheless, a reasonable inspection of the same suggests that the disadvantaged students in regions with relatively low poverty incidence rate stand to be benefited from a bigger SEF mainly due to the presence of massive real property investments therein, as reflected by the sheer amount of real property tax collected by their LGUs. On the other hand, disadvantaged students in regions with a relatively high poverty incidence rate enjoy a meager share of the SEF, owing to minimal real property investments in their regions.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The social ramifications of this inequality are evident. With a bigger fund to address the effects of the pandemic in the education sector, i.e. greater SEF collection (which may be further augmented by supplemental appropriations), LGUs in richer regions are more capable of providing education stakeholders with resources, equipment, and materials to support the students therein in adapting to the \\u201cnew normal\\u201d mode of learning. LGUs in poorer regions can only do so much. Only major cities are able to procure laptops, mobile phones, and other electronic devices to be used in alternative distance learning.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In other words, LGUs in regions with low poverty incidence rate have more SEF at their disposal. Conversely, those in regions with high poverty incidence have less. This predicament falls squarely into the very essence of inequitable access to education. The incongruence of the concept of SEF with the declared policy in Article XIV, Section 1, i.e. that the State shall protect and promote the right to quality and accessible education, has become unmistakably apparent. Hence, a reorientation of the concept of SEF is in order.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><strong>III. Proposed Solution<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In this time of an ongoing global pandemic, the inequities in educational opportunities in different divisions of our public education sector has become ostensible. Thus, the need to revisit the SEF mechanism has become more pressing. Indeed, the existing SEF system is a missed opportunity to make public education more equitable and accessible, and as such, the best time to rectify that is now.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In designing a system of intergovernmental relations, which is mostly given weight in federal and decentralized arrangements, the concept of intergovernmental fiscal transfers, also known as \\u201cequalization\\u201d transfers, is usually employed. As the term suggests, it is designed to minimize the economic disparities of local governments. In its basic concept, lower level government units contribute funds to a common pool wherein the amount of the contribution is proportionate to each unit\\u2019s respective resources and capabilities. In turn, the funds in the common pool is distributed to the recipient units according to their respective needs. Such arrangement, also known as horizontal transfers, deal specifically with rectifying fiscal imbalances between governmental units at the same level.<a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\"><sup>[7]<\\/sup><\\/a> Here, a \\u201cparochial\\u201d perspective is diminished, and every unit becomes a stakeholder in the development of another.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Given its character, the provisions in the LGC governing SEFs, especially Sec, 99(a) and 9(b), must be amended to redesign the SEF into an equalization fund. Instead of being directly applied the generating LGU, the SEF must be pooled into an equalization program to support localities with greater needs in public education management, which has become imperative in this time of Covid-19.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><strong>IV. Conclusion<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Without a doubt, certain LGUs will be apprehensive, if not dismissive, of the proposal put forward herein. To be sure, they cannot be faulted \\u2013 it is understandable because there lies in intergovernmental relations an inherent, or perhaps eternal, tension in competing for resources.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">Nonetheless, in this time of a national crisis, the spirit of <em>bayanihan<\\/em> becomes more crucial. The essence of <em>bayanihan<\\/em>, roughly translated as solidarity or civic unity, requires a little sacrifice on the part of the more capable in order to aid a fellow in need. One has to set aside personal parochial interests to support the needs of another.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 State legislations, as well as other government actions, must be guided by the Constitution. The policies and principles laid therein are not merely hollow words, but are express declarations of the collective goal of the people. In this regard, government actions and decisions that affects education must be in pursuit of the goal enunciated in Article XIV, Section 1. As shown here, the provisions governing SEF is anomalous as they tend to perpetuate inequity in the education sector \\u2013 an obvious affront to the letter and spirit of Article XIV, Section 1. That being the case, SEF must be reformed to become an instrument of providing equal access to quality education.\\u00a0 This proposal does not find justification on equity alone, but also on the shared moral responsibility of every Filipino to the succeeding generation.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\"><sup>[1]<\\/sup><\\/a> UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS, Art. 26<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\"><sup>[2]<\\/sup><\\/a> Jacob Dolinger, <em>The Failure of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights<\\/em>, 47 UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI INTER-AMERICAN L. R. 164, 184 (2016)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\"><sup>[3]<\\/sup><\\/a>235 SCRA 630 (1994)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\"><sup>[4]<\\/sup><\\/a> World Bank Group. Assessing the Role Played by Local Government in Supporting Basic Education in the Philippines. WORLD BANK (2016), http:\\/\\/documents1.worldbank.org\\/curated\\/en\\/468611468569289731\\/pdf\\/106955-REVISED-PH-PETS-QSDS-Note-7.pdf<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\"><sup>[5]<\\/sup><\\/a> Id.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\"><sup>[6]<\\/sup><\\/a> Rosario G. Manasan, Janet S. Cuenca & Alicia B. Celestino. Mobilizing LGU Support for Basic Education: Focus on the Special Education Fund, PHILIPPINE INSTITUTE FOR DEVELOPMENT STUDIES, (May 2011), https:\\/\\/dirp3.pids.gov.ph\\/ris\\/dps\\/pidsdps1107.pdf<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\"><sup>[7]<\\/sup><\\/a>Adam Yeeles, <em>Intergovernmental Fiscal Transfers and Geographical Disparities in Local Government Income in the Philippines<\\/em>, 32 JOURNAL OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN ECONOMIES 390, 391 (2015)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p>Featured Photo from <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.gmanetwork.com\\/news\\/news\\/nation\\/755686\\/students-may-have-to-share-copies-of-modules-in-blended-learning-deped-says\\/story\\/\\\">GMA News<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\"},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(2514,1061,'_thumbnail_id','1047'),(2515,1062,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(2516,1062,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(2517,1062,'_elementor_version','3.0.13'),(2518,1062,'_wp_page_template','default'),(2519,1062,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"311665f1\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"5d826b6e\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"516ac56c\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- wp:heading --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<h2><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><strong>BAYANIHAN IN PUBLIC EDUCATION:<\\/strong><strong><br \\/><\\/strong><strong>Reforming the Special Education Fund under the Local Government Code to Support New Normal Education<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/h2>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">By: John Kristoffer P. Pereda<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><strong>I. Introduction<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In the pursuit of promoting universal respect for and observance of human rights and fundamental freedoms, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) recognized the right to education of every individual<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\"><sup>[1]<\\/sup><\\/a>. Although the UDHR does not have the force of law, it is seen as having moral force, binding in the sphere of conscience.<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\"><sup>[2]<\\/sup><\\/a> Taking cue from this declaration, the 1987 Philippine Constitution,\\u00a0 recognized this right to education providing a policy towards its furtherance. Under Article XIV, Section 1 of the Constitution, \\u201cthe State shall protect and promote the right of all citizens to quality education at all levels, and shall take appropriate steps to make such education accessible to all.\\u201d<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 As worded, Article XIV, Section 1 merely provides a guiding principle for the government in laying down laws, rules, and regulations concerning education \\u2013 that the State shall endeavor to protect and promote the people\\u2019s right to quality and accessible education. As such, in <em>Tolentino v. Secretary of Finance<\\/em><a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\"><sup>[3]<\\/sup><\\/a>, it is considered as one of the provisions \\u201cthat are put in the Constitution as moral incentives to legislation, not as judicially enforceable rights.\\u201d Guided by this policy, Congress, on different occasions, has enacted various laws in pursuit of the mandate of Article XIV, Section 1.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 It has been noted that in some developing countries, there is trend towards the decentralization of the management of public education to improve educational quality by bringing decision-making closer to schools, which, in effect, makes educational policymaking more responsive to local needs.<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\"><sup>[4]<\\/sup><\\/a> Notwithstanding this trend, public education policymaking in the Philippines remains mainly a business of the national government<a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\"><sup>[5]<\\/sup><\\/a>, primarily through the Department of Education.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 At any rate, the enactment of the Local Government Code of 1991 (LGC) marked an important milestone in the recalibration of responsibilities in the management of public education. The LGC sought to include local government units (LGUs) as partners in managing their respective local public education sectors, thereby slightly reducing the control of the national government over public education which the latter had monopolized for decades. The LGC granted special bodies called the local school boards (LSBs) the power to devote a special fund called the Special Education Fund (SEF) to certain projects and programs in schools in their respective localities.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 With the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, the world has witnessed a public health crisis that drastically changed how societies conduct their affairs. Certainly, the education sector is not left undisturbed. In fact, it is among the most affected sectors. For the first time in decades, the pandemic caused an extensive cancellation of formal classes which, in turn, prompted resort to alternative modes of learning. Unsurprisingly, the novelty of the \\u201cnew normal\\u201d instructional methods has drawn countless issues on inclusivity and accessibility. At the frontline of addressing these issues is the national government, having retained its function of managing public education.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 At this point, it is worthy to recall that that by virtue of the LGC, LGUs, through LSBs, have become stakeholders on the management of public education. They participate, albeit in a limited fashion, in financing the public education sector by means of SEFs. Thus, being partners of the national government, LGUs are likewise responsible in cushioning the effects of the pandemic in the education sector of their respective localities.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 This occasion presents an opportunity to examine the role of SEFs in making quality education inclusive and accessible, especially at this time of a public health crisis. This is so because the issues brought about by the shift to the \\u201cnew normal\\u201d education mostly revolve around financing and managing resources. Guided by the policy laid down in Article XIV, Section 1 of the Constitution, such opportunity is taken here.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><strong>II. Discussion<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Evidently, the enactment of the LGC ushered in a new era in Philippine public administration. Under the LGC, responsibilities on several policy areas are delegated to LGUs, both with respect to decision-making and fiscal administration. With the goal of involving local stakeholders in the management of the local public education sector, the LGC granted LSBs certain powers and functions for such purpose, to wit<em>:<\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Section 99. Functions of Local School Boards. - The provincial, city or municipal school board shall:<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">(a) Determine, in accordance with the criteria set by the Department of Education, Culture and Sports, the annual supplementary budgetary needs for the operation and maintenance of public schools within the province, city, or municipality, as the case may be, and the supplementary local cost of meeting such as needs, which shall be reflected in the form of an annual school board budget corresponding to its share of the proceeds of the special levy on real property constituting the Special Education Fund and such other sources of revenue as this Code and other laws or ordinances may provide;<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">(b) Authorize the provincial, city or municipal treasurer, as the case may be, to disburse funds from the Special Education Fund pursuant to the budget prepared and in accordance with existing rules and regulations;<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">(c) Serve as an advisory committee to the sanggunian concerned on educational matters such as, but not limited to, the necessity for and the uses of local appropriations for educational purposes; and<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">(d) Recommend changes in the names of public schools within the territorial jurisdiction of the local government unit for enactment by the sanggunian concerned.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Department of Education, Culture and Sports shall consult the local school board on the appointment of division superintendents, district supervisors, school principals, and other school officials.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Arguably, the most critical and consequential function of LSBs is that described in Sec. 99(a) and (b). Both paragraphs, taken together, provide that LGUs, through the LSBs, are mandated to determine and provide supplementary budget needs, in accordance with existing rules and regulations, for the operation and maintenance of public schools within their respective locality. Accordingly, said budget is to be sourced from the Special Education Fund (SEF), the generation of which is governed by Section 235 of the LGC, to wit<em>:<\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">Section 235. <em>Additional Levy on Real Property for the Special Education Fund<\\/em>. - A province or city, or a municipality within the Metropolitan Manila Area, may levy and collect an annual tax of one percent (1%) on the assessed value of real property which shall be in addition to the basic real property tax. The proceeds thereof shall exclusively accrue to the Special Education Fund (SEF).<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Conversely, Sec. 272 provides for the manner and the formula of allocation of the SEF, to wit:<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">Section 272. <em>Application of Proceeds of the Additional One Percent SEF Tax<\\/em>. - The proceeds from the additional one percent (1%) tax on real property accruing to the Special Education Fund (SEF) shall be automatically released to the local school boards: Provided, That, in case of provinces, the proceeds shall be divided equally between the provincial and municipal school boards x x x<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In sum, the SEF is a locally-generated fund intended to augment the budgetary requirements of local basic education sector. The authority to determine the school-related expenses that may be charged against the SEF are vested to LSBs.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 At any rate, the utilization of the SEFs as provided for in the LGC was envisioned to take place in a normal environment, i.e., in a society that is in the regular conduct of its affairs. While certain weak points in the existing SEF structure have already been noticed since the implementation of the LGC,<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\"><sup>[6]<\\/sup><\\/a> the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic has highlighted the same. The SEF appears to be counterproductive, or at the least, inconvenient, against the backdrop of the Covid-19 pandemic.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Under the existing framework, the SEF is sourced from the proceeds of the additional one percent (1%) tax on real property levied and collected by LGUs. In case of real property tax collection by cities, the proceeds accruing to the SEF is automatically given to the city school boards, while in case of provinces, the proceeds are equally divided between the provincial school board and the municipal school boards.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Ideally, this framework is a sound arrangement that has the effect of incentivizing well-performing LGUs. An LGU that develops an economic environment conducive for real property investments within the locality increases its collectible real property taxes. If it is diligent in collecting the same, such LGU generates a greater amount of SEF. In other words, SEFs tend to reward hard work.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In reality however, the existing SEF framework seems to perpetuate inequity among LGUs and among the divisions of our public education sector across the country. There are two main factors that lead to this inference: the poverty incidence in a certain LGU and its real property tax collection.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">The following statistics gives a glimpse of the current situation.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 First, on poverty incidence. Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority show that in 2018, the National Capital Region (NCR), Region III and Region IV-A record that lowest rate of poverty incidence among families in the country, with 1.4%, 5.2%, and 5.1%, respectively, of their total population living below the poverty line. Conversely, among the regions with the highest poverty incidence rate are Region V with 20%, Region VIII with 23.9%, and Region IX with 25.4%.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Second, concerning the real property collection of LGUs. It is a well-known fact that real property investments are concentrated in metropolitan areas and other major cities. The LGUs therein collect the highest amount of real property taxes which means that they collect the highest amount of funds accruing to the SEF. According to the 2018 data from Bureau of Local Government of Finance, LGUs in the NCR was able to collect approximately 25.3 billion pesos in real property tax; those in Region III, 7.4 billion; and those in Region IV-A, 13 billion pesos. Conversely, those in Region V, 956 million; those in Region VIII, 678 million; and those in Region IX, 572 million.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Admittedly, the presentation of the this data is not intended for scientific treatment nor does it seek to arrive at a scientifically precise analysis. Nonetheless, a reasonable inspection of the same suggests that the disadvantaged students in regions with relatively low poverty incidence rate stand to be benefited from a bigger SEF mainly due to the presence of massive real property investments therein, as reflected by the sheer amount of real property tax collected by their LGUs. On the other hand, disadvantaged students in regions with a relatively high poverty incidence rate enjoy a meager share of the SEF, owing to minimal real property investments in their regions.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The social ramifications of this inequality are evident. With a bigger fund to address the effects of the pandemic in the education sector, i.e. greater SEF collection (which may be further augmented by supplemental appropriations), LGUs in richer regions are more capable of providing education stakeholders with resources, equipment, and materials to support the students therein in adapting to the \\u201cnew normal\\u201d mode of learning. LGUs in poorer regions can only do so much. Only major cities are able to procure laptops, mobile phones, and other electronic devices to be used in alternative distance learning.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In other words, LGUs in regions with low poverty incidence rate have more SEF at their disposal. Conversely, those in regions with high poverty incidence have less. This predicament falls squarely into the very essence of inequitable access to education. The incongruence of the concept of SEF with the declared policy in Article XIV, Section 1, i.e. that the State shall protect and promote the right to quality and accessible education, has become unmistakably apparent. Hence, a reorientation of the concept of SEF is in order.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><strong>III. Proposed Solution<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In this time of an ongoing global pandemic, the inequities in educational opportunities in different divisions of our public education sector has become ostensible. Thus, the need to revisit the SEF mechanism has become more pressing. Indeed, the existing SEF system is a missed opportunity to make public education more equitable and accessible, and as such, the best time to rectify that is now.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In designing a system of intergovernmental relations, which is mostly given weight in federal and decentralized arrangements, the concept of intergovernmental fiscal transfers, also known as \\u201cequalization\\u201d transfers, is usually employed. As the term suggests, it is designed to minimize the economic disparities of local governments. In its basic concept, lower level government units contribute funds to a common pool wherein the amount of the contribution is proportionate to each unit\\u2019s respective resources and capabilities. In turn, the funds in the common pool is distributed to the recipient units according to their respective needs. Such arrangement, also known as horizontal transfers, deal specifically with rectifying fiscal imbalances between governmental units at the same level.<a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\"><sup>[7]<\\/sup><\\/a> Here, a \\u201cparochial\\u201d perspective is diminished, and every unit becomes a stakeholder in the development of another.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Given its character, the provisions in the LGC governing SEFs, especially Sec, 99(a) and 9(b), must be amended to redesign the SEF into an equalization fund. Instead of being directly applied the generating LGU, the SEF must be pooled into an equalization program to support localities with greater needs in public education management, which has become imperative in this time of Covid-19.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><strong>IV. Conclusion<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Without a doubt, certain LGUs will be apprehensive, if not dismissive, of the proposal put forward herein. To be sure, they cannot be faulted \\u2013 it is understandable because there lies in intergovernmental relations an inherent, or perhaps eternal, tension in competing for resources.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">Nonetheless, in this time of a national crisis, the spirit of <em>bayanihan<\\/em> becomes more crucial. The essence of <em>bayanihan<\\/em>, roughly translated as solidarity or civic unity, requires a little sacrifice on the part of the more capable in order to aid a fellow in need. One has to set aside personal parochial interests to support the needs of another.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 State legislations, as well as other government actions, must be guided by the Constitution. The policies and principles laid therein are not merely hollow words, but are express declarations of the collective goal of the people. In this regard, government actions and decisions that affects education must be in pursuit of the goal enunciated in Article XIV, Section 1. As shown here, the provisions governing SEF is anomalous as they tend to perpetuate inequity in the education sector \\u2013 an obvious affront to the letter and spirit of Article XIV, Section 1. That being the case, SEF must be reformed to become an instrument of providing equal access to quality education.\\u00a0 This proposal does not find justification on equity alone, but also on the shared moral responsibility of every Filipino to the succeeding generation.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\"><sup>[1]<\\/sup><\\/a> UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS, Art. 26<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\"><sup>[2]<\\/sup><\\/a> Jacob Dolinger, <em>The Failure of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights<\\/em>, 47 UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI INTER-AMERICAN L. R. 164, 184 (2016)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\"><sup>[3]<\\/sup><\\/a>235 SCRA 630 (1994)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\"><sup>[4]<\\/sup><\\/a> World Bank Group. Assessing the Role Played by Local Government in Supporting Basic Education in the Philippines. WORLD BANK (2016), http:\\/\\/documents1.worldbank.org\\/curated\\/en\\/468611468569289731\\/pdf\\/106955-REVISED-PH-PETS-QSDS-Note-7.pdf<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\"><sup>[5]<\\/sup><\\/a> Id.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\"><sup>[6]<\\/sup><\\/a> Rosario G. Manasan, Janet S. Cuenca & Alicia B. Celestino. Mobilizing LGU Support for Basic Education: Focus on the Special Education Fund, PHILIPPINE INSTITUTE FOR DEVELOPMENT STUDIES, (May 2011), https:\\/\\/dirp3.pids.gov.ph\\/ris\\/dps\\/pidsdps1107.pdf<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\"><sup>[7]<\\/sup><\\/a>Adam Yeeles, <em>Intergovernmental Fiscal Transfers and Geographical Disparities in Local Government Income in the Philippines<\\/em>, 32 JOURNAL OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN ECONOMIES 390, 391 (2015)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p>Featured Photo from <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.gmanetwork.com\\/news\\/news\\/nation\\/755686\\/students-may-have-to-share-copies-of-modules-in-blended-learning-deped-says\\/story\\/\\\">GMA News<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\"},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(2521,1062,'_thumbnail_id','1047'),(2522,1063,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(2523,1063,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(2524,1063,'_elementor_version','3.0.13'),(2525,1063,'_wp_page_template','default'),(2526,1063,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"311665f1\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"5d826b6e\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"516ac56c\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- wp:heading --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<h2><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><strong>BAYANIHAN IN PUBLIC EDUCATION:<\\/strong><strong><br \\/><\\/strong><strong>Reforming the Special Education Fund under the Local Government Code to Support New Normal Education<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/h2>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">By: John Kristoffer P. Pereda<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><strong>I. Introduction<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In the pursuit of promoting universal respect for and observance of human rights and fundamental freedoms, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) recognized the right to education of every individual<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\"><sup>[1]<\\/sup><\\/a>. Although the UDHR does not have the force of law, it is seen as having moral force, binding in the sphere of conscience.<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\"><sup>[2]<\\/sup><\\/a> Taking cue from this declaration, the 1987 Philippine Constitution,\\u00a0 recognized this right to education providing a policy towards its furtherance. Under Article XIV, Section 1 of the Constitution, \\u201cthe State shall protect and promote the right of all citizens to quality education at all levels, and shall take appropriate steps to make such education accessible to all.\\u201d<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 As worded, Article XIV, Section 1 merely provides a guiding principle for the government in laying down laws, rules, and regulations concerning education \\u2013 that the State shall endeavor to protect and promote the people\\u2019s right to quality and accessible education. As such, in <em>Tolentino v. Secretary of Finance<\\/em><a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\"><sup>[3]<\\/sup><\\/a>, it is considered as one of the provisions \\u201cthat are put in the Constitution as moral incentives to legislation, not as judicially enforceable rights.\\u201d Guided by this policy, Congress, on different occasions, has enacted various laws in pursuit of the mandate of Article XIV, Section 1.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 It has been noted that in some developing countries, there is trend towards the decentralization of the management of public education to improve educational quality by bringing decision-making closer to schools, which, in effect, makes educational policymaking more responsive to local needs.<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\"><sup>[4]<\\/sup><\\/a> Notwithstanding this trend, public education policymaking in the Philippines remains mainly a business of the national government<a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\"><sup>[5]<\\/sup><\\/a>, primarily through the Department of Education.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 At any rate, the enactment of the Local Government Code of 1991 (LGC) marked an important milestone in the recalibration of responsibilities in the management of public education. The LGC sought to include local government units (LGUs) as partners in managing their respective local public education sectors, thereby slightly reducing the control of the national government over public education which the latter had monopolized for decades. The LGC granted special bodies called the local school boards (LSBs) the power to devote a special fund called the Special Education Fund (SEF) to certain projects and programs in schools in their respective localities.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 With the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, the world has witnessed a public health crisis that drastically changed how societies conduct their affairs. Certainly, the education sector is not left undisturbed. In fact, it is among the most affected sectors. For the first time in decades, the pandemic caused an extensive cancellation of formal classes which, in turn, prompted resort to alternative modes of learning. Unsurprisingly, the novelty of the \\u201cnew normal\\u201d instructional methods has drawn countless issues on inclusivity and accessibility. At the frontline of addressing these issues is the national government, having retained its function of managing public education.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 At this point, it is worthy to recall that that by virtue of the LGC, LGUs, through LSBs, have become stakeholders on the management of public education. They participate, albeit in a limited fashion, in financing the public education sector by means of SEFs. Thus, being partners of the national government, LGUs are likewise responsible in cushioning the effects of the pandemic in the education sector of their respective localities.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 This occasion presents an opportunity to examine the role of SEFs in making quality education inclusive and accessible, especially at this time of a public health crisis. This is so because the issues brought about by the shift to the \\u201cnew normal\\u201d education mostly revolve around financing and managing resources. Guided by the policy laid down in Article XIV, Section 1 of the Constitution, such opportunity is taken here.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><strong>II. Discussion<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Evidently, the enactment of the LGC ushered in a new era in Philippine public administration. Under the LGC, responsibilities on several policy areas are delegated to LGUs, both with respect to decision-making and fiscal administration. With the goal of involving local stakeholders in the management of the local public education sector, the LGC granted LSBs certain powers and functions for such purpose, to wit<em>:<\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Section 99. Functions of Local School Boards. - The provincial, city or municipal school board shall:<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">(a) Determine, in accordance with the criteria set by the Department of Education, Culture and Sports, the annual supplementary budgetary needs for the operation and maintenance of public schools within the province, city, or municipality, as the case may be, and the supplementary local cost of meeting such as needs, which shall be reflected in the form of an annual school board budget corresponding to its share of the proceeds of the special levy on real property constituting the Special Education Fund and such other sources of revenue as this Code and other laws or ordinances may provide;<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">(b) Authorize the provincial, city or municipal treasurer, as the case may be, to disburse funds from the Special Education Fund pursuant to the budget prepared and in accordance with existing rules and regulations;<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">(c) Serve as an advisory committee to the sanggunian concerned on educational matters such as, but not limited to, the necessity for and the uses of local appropriations for educational purposes; and<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">(d) Recommend changes in the names of public schools within the territorial jurisdiction of the local government unit for enactment by the sanggunian concerned.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Department of Education, Culture and Sports shall consult the local school board on the appointment of division superintendents, district supervisors, school principals, and other school officials.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Arguably, the most critical and consequential function of LSBs is that described in Sec. 99(a) and (b). Both paragraphs, taken together, provide that LGUs, through the LSBs, are mandated to determine and provide supplementary budget needs, in accordance with existing rules and regulations, for the operation and maintenance of public schools within their respective locality. Accordingly, said budget is to be sourced from the Special Education Fund (SEF), the generation of which is governed by Section 235 of the LGC, to wit<em>:<\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">Section 235. <em>Additional Levy on Real Property for the Special Education Fund<\\/em>. - A province or city, or a municipality within the Metropolitan Manila Area, may levy and collect an annual tax of one percent (1%) on the assessed value of real property which shall be in addition to the basic real property tax. The proceeds thereof shall exclusively accrue to the Special Education Fund (SEF).<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Conversely, Sec. 272 provides for the manner and the formula of allocation of the SEF, to wit:<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">Section 272. <em>Application of Proceeds of the Additional One Percent SEF Tax<\\/em>. - The proceeds from the additional one percent (1%) tax on real property accruing to the Special Education Fund (SEF) shall be automatically released to the local school boards: Provided, That, in case of provinces, the proceeds shall be divided equally between the provincial and municipal school boards x x x<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In sum, the SEF is a locally-generated fund intended to augment the budgetary requirements of local basic education sector. The authority to determine the school-related expenses that may be charged against the SEF are vested to LSBs.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 At any rate, the utilization of the SEFs as provided for in the LGC was envisioned to take place in a normal environment, i.e., in a society that is in the regular conduct of its affairs. While certain weak points in the existing SEF structure have already been noticed since the implementation of the LGC,<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\"><sup>[6]<\\/sup><\\/a> the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic has highlighted the same. The SEF appears to be counterproductive, or at the least, inconvenient, against the backdrop of the Covid-19 pandemic.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Under the existing framework, the SEF is sourced from the proceeds of the additional one percent (1%) tax on real property levied and collected by LGUs. In case of real property tax collection by cities, the proceeds accruing to the SEF is automatically given to the city school boards, while in case of provinces, the proceeds are equally divided between the provincial school board and the municipal school boards.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Ideally, this framework is a sound arrangement that has the effect of incentivizing well-performing LGUs. An LGU that develops an economic environment conducive for real property investments within the locality increases its collectible real property taxes. If it is diligent in collecting the same, such LGU generates a greater amount of SEF. In other words, SEFs tend to reward hard work.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In reality however, the existing SEF framework seems to perpetuate inequity among LGUs and among the divisions of our public education sector across the country. There are two main factors that lead to this inference: the poverty incidence in a certain LGU and its real property tax collection.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">The following statistics gives a glimpse of the current situation.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 First, on poverty incidence. Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority show that in 2018, the National Capital Region (NCR), Region III and Region IV-A record that lowest rate of poverty incidence among families in the country, with 1.4%, 5.2%, and 5.1%, respectively, of their total population living below the poverty line. Conversely, among the regions with the highest poverty incidence rate are Region V with 20%, Region VIII with 23.9%, and Region IX with 25.4%.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Second, concerning the real property collection of LGUs. It is a well-known fact that real property investments are concentrated in metropolitan areas and other major cities. The LGUs therein collect the highest amount of real property taxes which means that they collect the highest amount of funds accruing to the SEF. According to the 2018 data from Bureau of Local Government of Finance, LGUs in the NCR was able to collect approximately 25.3 billion pesos in real property tax; those in Region III, 7.4 billion; and those in Region IV-A, 13 billion pesos. Conversely, those in Region V, 956 million; those in Region VIII, 678 million; and those in Region IX, 572 million.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Admittedly, the presentation of the this data is not intended for scientific treatment nor does it seek to arrive at a scientifically precise analysis. Nonetheless, a reasonable inspection of the same suggests that the disadvantaged students in regions with relatively low poverty incidence rate stand to be benefited from a bigger SEF mainly due to the presence of massive real property investments therein, as reflected by the sheer amount of real property tax collected by their LGUs. On the other hand, disadvantaged students in regions with a relatively high poverty incidence rate enjoy a meager share of the SEF, owing to minimal real property investments in their regions.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The social ramifications of this inequality are evident. With a bigger fund to address the effects of the pandemic in the education sector, i.e. greater SEF collection (which may be further augmented by supplemental appropriations), LGUs in richer regions are more capable of providing education stakeholders with resources, equipment, and materials to support the students therein in adapting to the \\u201cnew normal\\u201d mode of learning. LGUs in poorer regions can only do so much. Only major cities are able to procure laptops, mobile phones, and other electronic devices to be used in alternative distance learning.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In other words, LGUs in regions with low poverty incidence rate have more SEF at their disposal. Conversely, those in regions with high poverty incidence have less. This predicament falls squarely into the very essence of inequitable access to education. The incongruence of the concept of SEF with the declared policy in Article XIV, Section 1, i.e. that the State shall protect and promote the right to quality and accessible education, has become unmistakably apparent. Hence, a reorientation of the concept of SEF is in order.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><strong>III. Proposed Solution<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In this time of an ongoing global pandemic, the inequities in educational opportunities in different divisions of our public education sector has become ostensible. Thus, the need to revisit the SEF mechanism has become more pressing. Indeed, the existing SEF system is a missed opportunity to make public education more equitable and accessible, and as such, the best time to rectify that is now.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In designing a system of intergovernmental relations, which is mostly given weight in federal and decentralized arrangements, the concept of intergovernmental fiscal transfers, also known as \\u201cequalization\\u201d transfers, is usually employed. As the term suggests, it is designed to minimize the economic disparities of local governments. In its basic concept, lower level government units contribute funds to a common pool wherein the amount of the contribution is proportionate to each unit\\u2019s respective resources and capabilities. In turn, the funds in the common pool is distributed to the recipient units according to their respective needs. Such arrangement, also known as horizontal transfers, deal specifically with rectifying fiscal imbalances between governmental units at the same level.<a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\"><sup>[7]<\\/sup><\\/a> Here, a \\u201cparochial\\u201d perspective is diminished, and every unit becomes a stakeholder in the development of another.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Given its character, the provisions in the LGC governing SEFs, especially Sec, 99(a) and 9(b), must be amended to redesign the SEF into an equalization fund. Instead of being directly applied the generating LGU, the SEF must be pooled into an equalization program to support localities with greater needs in public education management, which has become imperative in this time of Covid-19.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><strong>IV. Conclusion<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Without a doubt, certain LGUs will be apprehensive, if not dismissive, of the proposal put forward herein. To be sure, they cannot be faulted \\u2013 it is understandable because there lies in intergovernmental relations an inherent, or perhaps eternal, tension in competing for resources.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">Nonetheless, in this time of a national crisis, the spirit of <em>bayanihan<\\/em> becomes more crucial. The essence of <em>bayanihan<\\/em>, roughly translated as solidarity or civic unity, requires a little sacrifice on the part of the more capable in order to aid a fellow in need. One has to set aside personal parochial interests to support the needs of another.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 State legislations, as well as other government actions, must be guided by the Constitution. The policies and principles laid therein are not merely hollow words, but are express declarations of the collective goal of the people. In this regard, government actions and decisions that affects education must be in pursuit of the goal enunciated in Article XIV, Section 1. As shown here, the provisions governing SEF is anomalous as they tend to perpetuate inequity in the education sector \\u2013 an obvious affront to the letter and spirit of Article XIV, Section 1. That being the case, SEF must be reformed to become an instrument of providing equal access to quality education.\\u00a0 This proposal does not find justification on equity alone, but also on the shared moral responsibility of every Filipino to the succeeding generation.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\"><sup>[1]<\\/sup><\\/a> UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS, Art. 26<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\"><sup>[2]<\\/sup><\\/a> Jacob Dolinger, <em>The Failure of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights<\\/em>, 47 UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI INTER-AMERICAN L. R. 164, 184 (2016)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\"><sup>[3]<\\/sup><\\/a>235 SCRA 630 (1994)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\"><sup>[4]<\\/sup><\\/a> World Bank Group. Assessing the Role Played by Local Government in Supporting Basic Education in the Philippines. WORLD BANK (2016), http:\\/\\/documents1.worldbank.org\\/curated\\/en\\/468611468569289731\\/pdf\\/106955-REVISED-PH-PETS-QSDS-Note-7.pdf<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\"><sup>[5]<\\/sup><\\/a> Id.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\"><sup>[6]<\\/sup><\\/a> Rosario G. Manasan, Janet S. Cuenca & Alicia B. Celestino. Mobilizing LGU Support for Basic Education: Focus on the Special Education Fund, PHILIPPINE INSTITUTE FOR DEVELOPMENT STUDIES, (May 2011), https:\\/\\/dirp3.pids.gov.ph\\/ris\\/dps\\/pidsdps1107.pdf<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\"><sup>[7]<\\/sup><\\/a>Adam Yeeles, <em>Intergovernmental Fiscal Transfers and Geographical Disparities in Local Government Income in the Philippines<\\/em>, 32 JOURNAL OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN ECONOMIES 390, 391 (2015)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p>Featured Photo from <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.gmanetwork.com\\/news\\/news\\/nation\\/755686\\/students-may-have-to-share-copies-of-modules-in-blended-learning-deped-says\\/story\\/\\\">GMA News<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(2528,1063,'_thumbnail_id','1047'),(2531,583,'ss_ss_click_share_count_facebook','1'),(2532,583,'ss_total_share_count','0'),(2533,1037,'_customize_restore_dismissed','1'),(2534,1064,'_edit_lock','1606144734:1'),(2535,1064,'_wp_trash_meta_status','publish'),(2536,1064,'_wp_trash_meta_time','1606144745'),(2537,1065,'_edit_lock','1606145537:1'),(2538,1066,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(2539,1066,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(2540,1066,'_elementor_version','3.0.13'),(2541,1066,'_wp_page_template','default'),(2542,1066,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"311665f1\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"5d826b6e\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"516ac56c\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- wp:heading --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<h2><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><strong>BAYANIHAN IN PUBLIC EDUCATION:<\\/strong><strong><br \\/><\\/strong><strong>Reforming the Special Education Fund under the Local Government Code to Support New Normal Education<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/h2>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">By: John Kristoffer P. Pereda<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><strong>I. Introduction<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In the pursuit of promoting universal respect for and observance of human rights and fundamental freedoms, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) recognized the right to education of every individual<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\"><sup>[1]<\\/sup><\\/a>. Although the UDHR does not have the force of law, it is seen as having moral force, binding in the sphere of conscience.<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\"><sup>[2]<\\/sup><\\/a> Taking cue from this declaration, the 1987 Philippine Constitution,\\u00a0 recognized this right to education providing a policy towards its furtherance. Under Article XIV, Section 1 of the Constitution, \\u201cthe State shall protect and promote the right of all citizens to quality education at all levels, and shall take appropriate steps to make such education accessible to all.\\u201d<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 As worded, Article XIV, Section 1 merely provides a guiding principle for the government in laying down laws, rules, and regulations concerning education \\u2013 that the State shall endeavor to protect and promote the people\\u2019s right to quality and accessible education. As such, in <em>Tolentino v. Secretary of Finance<\\/em><a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\"><sup>[3]<\\/sup><\\/a>, it is considered as one of the provisions \\u201cthat are put in the Constitution as moral incentives to legislation, not as judicially enforceable rights.\\u201d Guided by this policy, Congress, on different occasions, has enacted various laws in pursuit of the mandate of Article XIV, Section 1.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 It has been noted that in some developing countries, there is trend towards the decentralization of the management of public education to improve educational quality by bringing decision-making closer to schools, which, in effect, makes educational policymaking more responsive to local needs.<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\"><sup>[4]<\\/sup><\\/a> Notwithstanding this trend, public education policymaking in the Philippines remains mainly a business of the national government<a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\"><sup>[5]<\\/sup><\\/a>, primarily through the Department of Education.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 At any rate, the enactment of the Local Government Code of 1991 (LGC) marked an important milestone in the recalibration of responsibilities in the management of public education. The LGC sought to include local government units (LGUs) as partners in managing their respective local public education sectors, thereby slightly reducing the control of the national government over public education which the latter had monopolized for decades. The LGC granted special bodies called the local school boards (LSBs) the power to devote a special fund called the Special Education Fund (SEF) to certain projects and programs in schools in their respective localities.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 With the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, the world has witnessed a public health crisis that drastically changed how societies conduct their affairs. Certainly, the education sector is not left undisturbed. In fact, it is among the most affected sectors. For the first time in decades, the pandemic caused an extensive cancellation of formal classes which, in turn, prompted resort to alternative modes of learning. Unsurprisingly, the novelty of the \\u201cnew normal\\u201d instructional methods has drawn countless issues on inclusivity and accessibility. At the frontline of addressing these issues is the national government, having retained its function of managing public education.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 At this point, it is worthy to recall that that by virtue of the LGC, LGUs, through LSBs, have become stakeholders on the management of public education. They participate, albeit in a limited fashion, in financing the public education sector by means of SEFs. Thus, being partners of the national government, LGUs are likewise responsible in cushioning the effects of the pandemic in the education sector of their respective localities.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 This occasion presents an opportunity to examine the role of SEFs in making quality education inclusive and accessible, especially at this time of a public health crisis. This is so because the issues brought about by the shift to the \\u201cnew normal\\u201d education mostly revolve around financing and managing resources. Guided by the policy laid down in Article XIV, Section 1 of the Constitution, such opportunity is taken here.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><strong>II. Discussion<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Evidently, the enactment of the LGC ushered in a new era in Philippine public administration. Under the LGC, responsibilities on several policy areas are delegated to LGUs, both with respect to decision-making and fiscal administration. With the goal of involving local stakeholders in the management of the local public education sector, the LGC granted LSBs certain powers and functions for such purpose, to wit<em>:<\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Section 99. Functions of Local School Boards. - The provincial, city or municipal school board shall:<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">(a) Determine, in accordance with the criteria set by the Department of Education, Culture and Sports, the annual supplementary budgetary needs for the operation and maintenance of public schools within the province, city, or municipality, as the case may be, and the supplementary local cost of meeting such as needs, which shall be reflected in the form of an annual school board budget corresponding to its share of the proceeds of the special levy on real property constituting the Special Education Fund and such other sources of revenue as this Code and other laws or ordinances may provide;<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">(b) Authorize the provincial, city or municipal treasurer, as the case may be, to disburse funds from the Special Education Fund pursuant to the budget prepared and in accordance with existing rules and regulations;<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">(c) Serve as an advisory committee to the sanggunian concerned on educational matters such as, but not limited to, the necessity for and the uses of local appropriations for educational purposes; and<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">(d) Recommend changes in the names of public schools within the territorial jurisdiction of the local government unit for enactment by the sanggunian concerned.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Department of Education, Culture and Sports shall consult the local school board on the appointment of division superintendents, district supervisors, school principals, and other school officials.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Arguably, the most critical and consequential function of LSBs is that described in Sec. 99(a) and (b). Both paragraphs, taken together, provide that LGUs, through the LSBs, are mandated to determine and provide supplementary budget needs, in accordance with existing rules and regulations, for the operation and maintenance of public schools within their respective locality. Accordingly, said budget is to be sourced from the Special Education Fund (SEF), the generation of which is governed by Section 235 of the LGC, to wit<em>:<\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">Section 235. <em>Additional Levy on Real Property for the Special Education Fund<\\/em>. - A province or city, or a municipality within the Metropolitan Manila Area, may levy and collect an annual tax of one percent (1%) on the assessed value of real property which shall be in addition to the basic real property tax. The proceeds thereof shall exclusively accrue to the Special Education Fund (SEF).<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Conversely, Sec. 272 provides for the manner and the formula of allocation of the SEF, to wit:<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">Section 272. <em>Application of Proceeds of the Additional One Percent SEF Tax<\\/em>. - The proceeds from the additional one percent (1%) tax on real property accruing to the Special Education Fund (SEF) shall be automatically released to the local school boards: Provided, That, in case of provinces, the proceeds shall be divided equally between the provincial and municipal school boards x x x<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In sum, the SEF is a locally-generated fund intended to augment the budgetary requirements of local basic education sector. The authority to determine the school-related expenses that may be charged against the SEF are vested to LSBs.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 At any rate, the utilization of the SEFs as provided for in the LGC was envisioned to take place in a normal environment, i.e., in a society that is in the regular conduct of its affairs. While certain weak points in the existing SEF structure have already been noticed since the implementation of the LGC,<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\"><sup>[6]<\\/sup><\\/a> the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic has highlighted the same. The SEF appears to be counterproductive, or at the least, inconvenient, against the backdrop of the Covid-19 pandemic.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Under the existing framework, the SEF is sourced from the proceeds of the additional one percent (1%) tax on real property levied and collected by LGUs. In case of real property tax collection by cities, the proceeds accruing to the SEF is automatically given to the city school boards, while in case of provinces, the proceeds are equally divided between the provincial school board and the municipal school boards.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Ideally, this framework is a sound arrangement that has the effect of incentivizing well-performing LGUs. An LGU that develops an economic environment conducive for real property investments within the locality increases its collectible real property taxes. If it is diligent in collecting the same, such LGU generates a greater amount of SEF. In other words, SEFs tend to reward hard work.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In reality however, the existing SEF framework seems to perpetuate inequity among LGUs and among the divisions of our public education sector across the country. There are two main factors that lead to this inference: the poverty incidence in a certain LGU and its real property tax collection.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">The following statistics gives a glimpse of the current situation.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 First, on poverty incidence. Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority show that in 2018, the National Capital Region (NCR), Region III and Region IV-A record that lowest rate of poverty incidence among families in the country, with 1.4%, 5.2%, and 5.1%, respectively, of their total population living below the poverty line. Conversely, among the regions with the highest poverty incidence rate are Region V with 20%, Region VIII with 23.9%, and Region IX with 25.4%.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Second, concerning the real property collection of LGUs. It is a well-known fact that real property investments are concentrated in metropolitan areas and other major cities. The LGUs therein collect the highest amount of real property taxes which means that they collect the highest amount of funds accruing to the SEF. According to the 2018 data from Bureau of Local Government of Finance, LGUs in the NCR was able to collect approximately 25.3 billion pesos in real property tax; those in Region III, 7.4 billion; and those in Region IV-A, 13 billion pesos. Conversely, those in Region V, 956 million; those in Region VIII, 678 million; and those in Region IX, 572 million.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Admittedly, the presentation of the this data is not intended for scientific treatment nor does it seek to arrive at a scientifically precise analysis. Nonetheless, a reasonable inspection of the same suggests that the disadvantaged students in regions with relatively low poverty incidence rate stand to be benefited from a bigger SEF mainly due to the presence of massive real property investments therein, as reflected by the sheer amount of real property tax collected by their LGUs. On the other hand, disadvantaged students in regions with a relatively high poverty incidence rate enjoy a meager share of the SEF, owing to minimal real property investments in their regions.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The social ramifications of this inequality are evident. With a bigger fund to address the effects of the pandemic in the education sector, i.e. greater SEF collection (which may be further augmented by supplemental appropriations), LGUs in richer regions are more capable of providing education stakeholders with resources, equipment, and materials to support the students therein in adapting to the \\u201cnew normal\\u201d mode of learning. LGUs in poorer regions can only do so much. Only major cities are able to procure laptops, mobile phones, and other electronic devices to be used in alternative distance learning.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In other words, LGUs in regions with low poverty incidence rate have more SEF at their disposal. Conversely, those in regions with high poverty incidence have less. This predicament falls squarely into the very essence of inequitable access to education. The incongruence of the concept of SEF with the declared policy in Article XIV, Section 1, i.e. that the State shall protect and promote the right to quality and accessible education, has become unmistakably apparent. Hence, a reorientation of the concept of SEF is in order.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><strong>III. Proposed Solution<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In this time of an ongoing global pandemic, the inequities in educational opportunities in different divisions of our public education sector has become ostensible. Thus, the need to revisit the SEF mechanism has become more pressing. Indeed, the existing SEF system is a missed opportunity to make public education more equitable and accessible, and as such, the best time to rectify that is now.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In designing a system of intergovernmental relations, which is mostly given weight in federal and decentralized arrangements, the concept of intergovernmental fiscal transfers, also known as \\u201cequalization\\u201d transfers, is usually employed. As the term suggests, it is designed to minimize the economic disparities of local governments. In its basic concept, lower level government units contribute funds to a common pool wherein the amount of the contribution is proportionate to each unit\\u2019s respective resources and capabilities. In turn, the funds in the common pool is distributed to the recipient units according to their respective needs. Such arrangement, also known as horizontal transfers, deal specifically with rectifying fiscal imbalances between governmental units at the same level.<a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\"><sup>[7]<\\/sup><\\/a> Here, a \\u201cparochial\\u201d perspective is diminished, and every unit becomes a stakeholder in the development of another.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Given its character, the provisions in the LGC governing SEFs, especially Sec, 99(a) and 9(b), must be amended to redesign the SEF into an equalization fund. Instead of being directly applied the generating LGU, the SEF must be pooled into an equalization program to support localities with greater needs in public education management, which has become imperative in this time of Covid-19.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><strong>IV. Conclusion<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Without a doubt, certain LGUs will be apprehensive, if not dismissive, of the proposal put forward herein. To be sure, they cannot be faulted \\u2013 it is understandable because there lies in intergovernmental relations an inherent, or perhaps eternal, tension in competing for resources.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">Nonetheless, in this time of a national crisis, the spirit of <em>bayanihan<\\/em> becomes more crucial. The essence of <em>bayanihan<\\/em>, roughly translated as solidarity or civic unity, requires a little sacrifice on the part of the more capable in order to aid a fellow in need. One has to set aside personal parochial interests to support the needs of another.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 State legislations, as well as other government actions, must be guided by the Constitution. The policies and principles laid therein are not merely hollow words, but are express declarations of the collective goal of the people. In this regard, government actions and decisions that affects education must be in pursuit of the goal enunciated in Article XIV, Section 1. As shown here, the provisions governing SEF is anomalous as they tend to perpetuate inequity in the education sector \\u2013 an obvious affront to the letter and spirit of Article XIV, Section 1. That being the case, SEF must be reformed to become an instrument of providing equal access to quality education.\\u00a0 This proposal does not find justification on equity alone, but also on the shared moral responsibility of every Filipino to the succeeding generation.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\"><sup>[1]<\\/sup><\\/a> UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS, Art. 26<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\"><sup>[2]<\\/sup><\\/a> Jacob Dolinger, <em>The Failure of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights<\\/em>, 47 UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI INTER-AMERICAN L. R. 164, 184 (2016)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\"><sup>[3]<\\/sup><\\/a>235 SCRA 630 (1994)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\"><sup>[4]<\\/sup><\\/a> World Bank Group. Assessing the Role Played by Local Government in Supporting Basic Education in the Philippines. WORLD BANK (2016), http:\\/\\/documents1.worldbank.org\\/curated\\/en\\/468611468569289731\\/pdf\\/106955-REVISED-PH-PETS-QSDS-Note-7.pdf<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\"><sup>[5]<\\/sup><\\/a> Id.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\"><sup>[6]<\\/sup><\\/a> Rosario G. Manasan, Janet S. Cuenca & Alicia B. Celestino. Mobilizing LGU Support for Basic Education: Focus on the Special Education Fund, PHILIPPINE INSTITUTE FOR DEVELOPMENT STUDIES, (May 2011), https:\\/\\/dirp3.pids.gov.ph\\/ris\\/dps\\/pidsdps1107.pdf<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\"><sup>[7]<\\/sup><\\/a>Adam Yeeles, <em>Intergovernmental Fiscal Transfers and Geographical Disparities in Local Government Income in the Philippines<\\/em>, 32 JOURNAL OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN ECONOMIES 390, 391 (2015)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p>Featured Photo from <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.gmanetwork.com\\/news\\/news\\/nation\\/755686\\/students-may-have-to-share-copies-of-modules-in-blended-learning-deped-says\\/story\\/\\\">GMA News<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(2543,1066,'_thumbnail_id','1047'),(2545,1067,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(2546,1067,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(2547,1067,'_elementor_version','3.0.13'),(2548,1067,'_wp_page_template','default'),(2549,1067,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"311665f1\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"5d826b6e\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"516ac56c\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- wp:heading --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<h2><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><strong>BAYANIHAN IN PUBLIC EDUCATION:<\\/strong><strong><br \\/><\\/strong><strong>Reforming the Special Education Fund under the Local Government Code to Support New Normal Education<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/h2>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">By: John Kristoffer P. Pereda<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><strong>I. Introduction<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In the pursuit of promoting universal respect for and observance of human rights and fundamental freedoms, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) recognized the right to education of every individual<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\"><sup>[1]<\\/sup><\\/a>. Although the UDHR does not have the force of law, it is seen as having moral force, binding in the sphere of conscience.<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\"><sup>[2]<\\/sup><\\/a> Taking cue from this declaration, the 1987 Philippine Constitution,\\u00a0 recognized this right to education providing a policy towards its furtherance. Under Article XIV, Section 1 of the Constitution, \\u201cthe State shall protect and promote the right of all citizens to quality education at all levels, and shall take appropriate steps to make such education accessible to all.\\u201d<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 As worded, Article XIV, Section 1 merely provides a guiding principle for the government in laying down laws, rules, and regulations concerning education \\u2013 that the State shall endeavor to protect and promote the people\\u2019s right to quality and accessible education. As such, in <em>Tolentino v. Secretary of Finance<\\/em><a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\"><sup>[3]<\\/sup><\\/a>, it is considered as one of the provisions \\u201cthat are put in the Constitution as moral incentives to legislation, not as judicially enforceable rights.\\u201d Guided by this policy, Congress, on different occasions, has enacted various laws in pursuit of the mandate of Article XIV, Section 1.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 It has been noted that in some developing countries, there is trend towards the decentralization of the management of public education to improve educational quality by bringing decision-making closer to schools, which, in effect, makes educational policymaking more responsive to local needs.<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\"><sup>[4]<\\/sup><\\/a> Notwithstanding this trend, public education policymaking in the Philippines remains mainly a business of the national government<a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\"><sup>[5]<\\/sup><\\/a>, primarily through the Department of Education.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 At any rate, the enactment of the Local Government Code of 1991 (LGC) marked an important milestone in the recalibration of responsibilities in the management of public education. The LGC sought to include local government units (LGUs) as partners in managing their respective local public education sectors, thereby slightly reducing the control of the national government over public education which the latter had monopolized for decades. The LGC granted special bodies called the local school boards (LSBs) the power to devote a special fund called the Special Education Fund (SEF) to certain projects and programs in schools in their respective localities.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 With the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, the world has witnessed a public health crisis that drastically changed how societies conduct their affairs. Certainly, the education sector is not left undisturbed. In fact, it is among the most affected sectors. For the first time in decades, the pandemic caused an extensive cancellation of formal classes which, in turn, prompted resort to alternative modes of learning. Unsurprisingly, the novelty of the \\u201cnew normal\\u201d instructional methods has drawn countless issues on inclusivity and accessibility. At the frontline of addressing these issues is the national government, having retained its function of managing public education.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 At this point, it is worthy to recall that that by virtue of the LGC, LGUs, through LSBs, have become stakeholders on the management of public education. They participate, albeit in a limited fashion, in financing the public education sector by means of SEFs. Thus, being partners of the national government, LGUs are likewise responsible in cushioning the effects of the pandemic in the education sector of their respective localities.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 This occasion presents an opportunity to examine the role of SEFs in making quality education inclusive and accessible, especially at this time of a public health crisis. This is so because the issues brought about by the shift to the \\u201cnew normal\\u201d education mostly revolve around financing and managing resources. Guided by the policy laid down in Article XIV, Section 1 of the Constitution, such opportunity is taken here.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><strong>II. Discussion<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Evidently, the enactment of the LGC ushered in a new era in Philippine public administration. Under the LGC, responsibilities on several policy areas are delegated to LGUs, both with respect to decision-making and fiscal administration. With the goal of involving local stakeholders in the management of the local public education sector, the LGC granted LSBs certain powers and functions for such purpose, to wit<em>:<\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Section 99. Functions of Local School Boards. - The provincial, city or municipal school board shall:<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">(a) Determine, in accordance with the criteria set by the Department of Education, Culture and Sports, the annual supplementary budgetary needs for the operation and maintenance of public schools within the province, city, or municipality, as the case may be, and the supplementary local cost of meeting such as needs, which shall be reflected in the form of an annual school board budget corresponding to its share of the proceeds of the special levy on real property constituting the Special Education Fund and such other sources of revenue as this Code and other laws or ordinances may provide;<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">(b) Authorize the provincial, city or municipal treasurer, as the case may be, to disburse funds from the Special Education Fund pursuant to the budget prepared and in accordance with existing rules and regulations;<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">(c) Serve as an advisory committee to the sanggunian concerned on educational matters such as, but not limited to, the necessity for and the uses of local appropriations for educational purposes; and<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">(d) Recommend changes in the names of public schools within the territorial jurisdiction of the local government unit for enactment by the sanggunian concerned.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Department of Education, Culture and Sports shall consult the local school board on the appointment of division superintendents, district supervisors, school principals, and other school officials.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Arguably, the most critical and consequential function of LSBs is that described in Sec. 99(a) and (b). Both paragraphs, taken together, provide that LGUs, through the LSBs, are mandated to determine and provide supplementary budget needs, in accordance with existing rules and regulations, for the operation and maintenance of public schools within their respective locality. Accordingly, said budget is to be sourced from the Special Education Fund (SEF), the generation of which is governed by Section 235 of the LGC, to wit<em>:<\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">Section 235. <em>Additional Levy on Real Property for the Special Education Fund<\\/em>. - A province or city, or a municipality within the Metropolitan Manila Area, may levy and collect an annual tax of one percent (1%) on the assessed value of real property which shall be in addition to the basic real property tax. The proceeds thereof shall exclusively accrue to the Special Education Fund (SEF).<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Conversely, Sec. 272 provides for the manner and the formula of allocation of the SEF, to wit:<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">Section 272. <em>Application of Proceeds of the Additional One Percent SEF Tax<\\/em>. - The proceeds from the additional one percent (1%) tax on real property accruing to the Special Education Fund (SEF) shall be automatically released to the local school boards: Provided, That, in case of provinces, the proceeds shall be divided equally between the provincial and municipal school boards x x x<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In sum, the SEF is a locally-generated fund intended to augment the budgetary requirements of local basic education sector. The authority to determine the school-related expenses that may be charged against the SEF are vested to LSBs.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 At any rate, the utilization of the SEFs as provided for in the LGC was envisioned to take place in a normal environment, i.e., in a society that is in the regular conduct of its affairs. While certain weak points in the existing SEF structure have already been noticed since the implementation of the LGC,<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\"><sup>[6]<\\/sup><\\/a> the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic has highlighted the same. The SEF appears to be counterproductive, or at the least, inconvenient, against the backdrop of the Covid-19 pandemic.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Under the existing framework, the SEF is sourced from the proceeds of the additional one percent (1%) tax on real property levied and collected by LGUs. In case of real property tax collection by cities, the proceeds accruing to the SEF is automatically given to the city school boards, while in case of provinces, the proceeds are equally divided between the provincial school board and the municipal school boards.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Ideally, this framework is a sound arrangement that has the effect of incentivizing well-performing LGUs. An LGU that develops an economic environment conducive for real property investments within the locality increases its collectible real property taxes. If it is diligent in collecting the same, such LGU generates a greater amount of SEF. In other words, SEFs tend to reward hard work.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In reality however, the existing SEF framework seems to perpetuate inequity among LGUs and among the divisions of our public education sector across the country. There are two main factors that lead to this inference: the poverty incidence in a certain LGU and its real property tax collection.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">The following statistics gives a glimpse of the current situation.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 First, on poverty incidence. Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority show that in 2018, the National Capital Region (NCR), Region III and Region IV-A record that lowest rate of poverty incidence among families in the country, with 1.4%, 5.2%, and 5.1%, respectively, of their total population living below the poverty line. Conversely, among the regions with the highest poverty incidence rate are Region V with 20%, Region VIII with 23.9%, and Region IX with 25.4%.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Second, concerning the real property collection of LGUs. It is a well-known fact that real property investments are concentrated in metropolitan areas and other major cities. The LGUs therein collect the highest amount of real property taxes which means that they collect the highest amount of funds accruing to the SEF. According to the 2018 data from Bureau of Local Government of Finance, LGUs in the NCR was able to collect approximately 25.3 billion pesos in real property tax; those in Region III, 7.4 billion; and those in Region IV-A, 13 billion pesos. Conversely, those in Region V, 956 million; those in Region VIII, 678 million; and those in Region IX, 572 million.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Admittedly, the presentation of the this data is not intended for scientific treatment nor does it seek to arrive at a scientifically precise analysis. Nonetheless, a reasonable inspection of the same suggests that the disadvantaged students in regions with relatively low poverty incidence rate stand to be benefited from a bigger SEF mainly due to the presence of massive real property investments therein, as reflected by the sheer amount of real property tax collected by their LGUs. On the other hand, disadvantaged students in regions with a relatively high poverty incidence rate enjoy a meager share of the SEF, owing to minimal real property investments in their regions.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The social ramifications of this inequality are evident. With a bigger fund to address the effects of the pandemic in the education sector, i.e. greater SEF collection (which may be further augmented by supplemental appropriations), LGUs in richer regions are more capable of providing education stakeholders with resources, equipment, and materials to support the students therein in adapting to the \\u201cnew normal\\u201d mode of learning. LGUs in poorer regions can only do so much. Only major cities are able to procure laptops, mobile phones, and other electronic devices to be used in alternative distance learning.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In other words, LGUs in regions with low poverty incidence rate have more SEF at their disposal. Conversely, those in regions with high poverty incidence have less. This predicament falls squarely into the very essence of inequitable access to education. The incongruence of the concept of SEF with the declared policy in Article XIV, Section 1, i.e. that the State shall protect and promote the right to quality and accessible education, has become unmistakably apparent. Hence, a reorientation of the concept of SEF is in order.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><strong>III. Proposed Solution<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In this time of an ongoing global pandemic, the inequities in educational opportunities in different divisions of our public education sector has become ostensible. Thus, the need to revisit the SEF mechanism has become more pressing. Indeed, the existing SEF system is a missed opportunity to make public education more equitable and accessible, and as such, the best time to rectify that is now.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In designing a system of intergovernmental relations, which is mostly given weight in federal and decentralized arrangements, the concept of intergovernmental fiscal transfers, also known as \\u201cequalization\\u201d transfers, is usually employed. As the term suggests, it is designed to minimize the economic disparities of local governments. In its basic concept, lower level government units contribute funds to a common pool wherein the amount of the contribution is proportionate to each unit\\u2019s respective resources and capabilities. In turn, the funds in the common pool is distributed to the recipient units according to their respective needs. Such arrangement, also known as horizontal transfers, deal specifically with rectifying fiscal imbalances between governmental units at the same level.<a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\"><sup>[7]<\\/sup><\\/a> Here, a \\u201cparochial\\u201d perspective is diminished, and every unit becomes a stakeholder in the development of another.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Given its character, the provisions in the LGC governing SEFs, especially Sec, 99(a) and 9(b), must be amended to redesign the SEF into an equalization fund. Instead of being directly applied the generating LGU, the SEF must be pooled into an equalization program to support localities with greater needs in public education management, which has become imperative in this time of Covid-19.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><strong>IV. Conclusion<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Without a doubt, certain LGUs will be apprehensive, if not dismissive, of the proposal put forward herein. To be sure, they cannot be faulted \\u2013 it is understandable because there lies in intergovernmental relations an inherent, or perhaps eternal, tension in competing for resources.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">Nonetheless, in this time of a national crisis, the spirit of <em>bayanihan<\\/em> becomes more crucial. The essence of <em>bayanihan<\\/em>, roughly translated as solidarity or civic unity, requires a little sacrifice on the part of the more capable in order to aid a fellow in need. One has to set aside personal parochial interests to support the needs of another.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 State legislations, as well as other government actions, must be guided by the Constitution. The policies and principles laid therein are not merely hollow words, but are express declarations of the collective goal of the people. In this regard, government actions and decisions that affects education must be in pursuit of the goal enunciated in Article XIV, Section 1. As shown here, the provisions governing SEF is anomalous as they tend to perpetuate inequity in the education sector \\u2013 an obvious affront to the letter and spirit of Article XIV, Section 1. That being the case, SEF must be reformed to become an instrument of providing equal access to quality education.\\u00a0 This proposal does not find justification on equity alone, but also on the shared moral responsibility of every Filipino to the succeeding generation.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\"><sup>[1]<\\/sup><\\/a> UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS, Art. 26<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\"><sup>[2]<\\/sup><\\/a> Jacob Dolinger, <em>The Failure of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights<\\/em>, 47 UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI INTER-AMERICAN L. R. 164, 184 (2016)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\"><sup>[3]<\\/sup><\\/a>235 SCRA 630 (1994)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\"><sup>[4]<\\/sup><\\/a> World Bank Group. Assessing the Role Played by Local Government in Supporting Basic Education in the Philippines. WORLD BANK (2016), http:\\/\\/documents1.worldbank.org\\/curated\\/en\\/468611468569289731\\/pdf\\/106955-REVISED-PH-PETS-QSDS-Note-7.pdf<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\"><sup>[5]<\\/sup><\\/a> Id.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\"><sup>[6]<\\/sup><\\/a> Rosario G. Manasan, Janet S. Cuenca & Alicia B. Celestino. Mobilizing LGU Support for Basic Education: Focus on the Special Education Fund, PHILIPPINE INSTITUTE FOR DEVELOPMENT STUDIES, (May 2011), https:\\/\\/dirp3.pids.gov.ph\\/ris\\/dps\\/pidsdps1107.pdf<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\"><sup>[7]<\\/sup><\\/a>Adam Yeeles, <em>Intergovernmental Fiscal Transfers and Geographical Disparities in Local Government Income in the Philippines<\\/em>, 32 JOURNAL OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN ECONOMIES 390, 391 (2015)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p>Featured Photo from <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.gmanetwork.com\\/news\\/news\\/nation\\/755686\\/students-may-have-to-share-copies-of-modules-in-blended-learning-deped-says\\/story\\/\\\">GMA News<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(2550,1067,'_thumbnail_id','1047'),(2552,1068,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(2553,1068,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(2554,1068,'_elementor_version','3.0.13'),(2555,1068,'_wp_page_template','default'),(2556,1068,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"311665f1\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"5d826b6e\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"516ac56c\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- wp:heading --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<h2><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><strong>BAYANIHAN IN PUBLIC EDUCATION:<\\/strong><strong><br \\/><\\/strong><strong>Reforming the Special Education Fund under the Local Government Code to Support New Normal Education<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/h2>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">By: John Kristoffer P. Pereda<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><strong>I. Introduction<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In the pursuit of promoting universal respect for and observance of human rights and fundamental freedoms, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) recognized the right to education of every individual<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\"><sup>[1]<\\/sup><\\/a>. Although the UDHR does not have the force of law, it is seen as having moral force, binding in the sphere of conscience.<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\"><sup>[2]<\\/sup><\\/a> Taking cue from this declaration, the 1987 Philippine Constitution,\\u00a0 recognized this right to education providing a policy towards its furtherance. Under Article XIV, Section 1 of the Constitution, \\u201cthe State shall protect and promote the right of all citizens to quality education at all levels, and shall take appropriate steps to make such education accessible to all.\\u201d<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 As worded, Article XIV, Section 1 merely provides a guiding principle for the government in laying down laws, rules, and regulations concerning education \\u2013 that the State shall endeavor to protect and promote the people\\u2019s right to quality and accessible education. As such, in <em>Tolentino v. Secretary of Finance<\\/em><a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\"><sup>[3]<\\/sup><\\/a>, it is considered as one of the provisions \\u201cthat are put in the Constitution as moral incentives to legislation, not as judicially enforceable rights.\\u201d Guided by this policy, Congress, on different occasions, has enacted various laws in pursuit of the mandate of Article XIV, Section 1.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 It has been noted that in some developing countries, there is trend towards the decentralization of the management of public education to improve educational quality by bringing decision-making closer to schools, which, in effect, makes educational policymaking more responsive to local needs.<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\"><sup>[4]<\\/sup><\\/a> Notwithstanding this trend, public education policymaking in the Philippines remains mainly a business of the national government<a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\"><sup>[5]<\\/sup><\\/a>, primarily through the Department of Education.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 At any rate, the enactment of the Local Government Code of 1991 (LGC) marked an important milestone in the recalibration of responsibilities in the management of public education. The LGC sought to include local government units (LGUs) as partners in managing their respective local public education sectors, thereby slightly reducing the control of the national government over public education which the latter had monopolized for decades. The LGC granted special bodies called the local school boards (LSBs) the power to devote a special fund called the Special Education Fund (SEF) to certain projects and programs in schools in their respective localities.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 With the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, the world has witnessed a public health crisis that drastically changed how societies conduct their affairs. Certainly, the education sector is not left undisturbed. In fact, it is among the most affected sectors. For the first time in decades, the pandemic caused an extensive cancellation of formal classes which, in turn, prompted resort to alternative modes of learning. Unsurprisingly, the novelty of the \\u201cnew normal\\u201d instructional methods has drawn countless issues on inclusivity and accessibility. At the frontline of addressing these issues is the national government, having retained its function of managing public education.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 At this point, it is worthy to recall that that by virtue of the LGC, LGUs, through LSBs, have become stakeholders on the management of public education. They participate, albeit in a limited fashion, in financing the public education sector by means of SEFs. Thus, being partners of the national government, LGUs are likewise responsible in cushioning the effects of the pandemic in the education sector of their respective localities.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 This occasion presents an opportunity to examine the role of SEFs in making quality education inclusive and accessible, especially at this time of a public health crisis. This is so because the issues brought about by the shift to the \\u201cnew normal\\u201d education mostly revolve around financing and managing resources. Guided by the policy laid down in Article XIV, Section 1 of the Constitution, such opportunity is taken here.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><strong>II. Discussion<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Evidently, the enactment of the LGC ushered in a new era in Philippine public administration. Under the LGC, responsibilities on several policy areas are delegated to LGUs, both with respect to decision-making and fiscal administration. With the goal of involving local stakeholders in the management of the local public education sector, the LGC granted LSBs certain powers and functions for such purpose, to wit<em>:<\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Section 99. Functions of Local School Boards. - The provincial, city or municipal school board shall:<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">(a) Determine, in accordance with the criteria set by the Department of Education, Culture and Sports, the annual supplementary budgetary needs for the operation and maintenance of public schools within the province, city, or municipality, as the case may be, and the supplementary local cost of meeting such as needs, which shall be reflected in the form of an annual school board budget corresponding to its share of the proceeds of the special levy on real property constituting the Special Education Fund and such other sources of revenue as this Code and other laws or ordinances may provide;<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">(b) Authorize the provincial, city or municipal treasurer, as the case may be, to disburse funds from the Special Education Fund pursuant to the budget prepared and in accordance with existing rules and regulations;<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">(c) Serve as an advisory committee to the sanggunian concerned on educational matters such as, but not limited to, the necessity for and the uses of local appropriations for educational purposes; and<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">(d) Recommend changes in the names of public schools within the territorial jurisdiction of the local government unit for enactment by the sanggunian concerned.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Department of Education, Culture and Sports shall consult the local school board on the appointment of division superintendents, district supervisors, school principals, and other school officials.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Arguably, the most critical and consequential function of LSBs is that described in Sec. 99(a) and (b). Both paragraphs, taken together, provide that LGUs, through the LSBs, are mandated to determine and provide supplementary budget needs, in accordance with existing rules and regulations, for the operation and maintenance of public schools within their respective locality. Accordingly, said budget is to be sourced from the Special Education Fund (SEF), the generation of which is governed by Section 235 of the LGC, to wit<em>:<\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">Section 235. <em>Additional Levy on Real Property for the Special Education Fund<\\/em>. - A province or city, or a municipality within the Metropolitan Manila Area, may levy and collect an annual tax of one percent (1%) on the assessed value of real property which shall be in addition to the basic real property tax. The proceeds thereof shall exclusively accrue to the Special Education Fund (SEF).<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Conversely, Sec. 272 provides for the manner and the formula of allocation of the SEF, to wit:<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">Section 272. <em>Application of Proceeds of the Additional One Percent SEF Tax<\\/em>. - The proceeds from the additional one percent (1%) tax on real property accruing to the Special Education Fund (SEF) shall be automatically released to the local school boards: Provided, That, in case of provinces, the proceeds shall be divided equally between the provincial and municipal school boards x x x<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In sum, the SEF is a locally-generated fund intended to augment the budgetary requirements of local basic education sector. The authority to determine the school-related expenses that may be charged against the SEF are vested to LSBs.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 At any rate, the utilization of the SEFs as provided for in the LGC was envisioned to take place in a normal environment, i.e., in a society that is in the regular conduct of its affairs. While certain weak points in the existing SEF structure have already been noticed since the implementation of the LGC,<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\"><sup>[6]<\\/sup><\\/a> the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic has highlighted the same. The SEF appears to be counterproductive, or at the least, inconvenient, against the backdrop of the Covid-19 pandemic.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Under the existing framework, the SEF is sourced from the proceeds of the additional one percent (1%) tax on real property levied and collected by LGUs. In case of real property tax collection by cities, the proceeds accruing to the SEF is automatically given to the city school boards, while in case of provinces, the proceeds are equally divided between the provincial school board and the municipal school boards.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Ideally, this framework is a sound arrangement that has the effect of incentivizing well-performing LGUs. An LGU that develops an economic environment conducive for real property investments within the locality increases its collectible real property taxes. If it is diligent in collecting the same, such LGU generates a greater amount of SEF. In other words, SEFs tend to reward hard work.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In reality however, the existing SEF framework seems to perpetuate inequity among LGUs and among the divisions of our public education sector across the country. There are two main factors that lead to this inference: the poverty incidence in a certain LGU and its real property tax collection.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">The following statistics gives a glimpse of the current situation.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 First, on poverty incidence. Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority show that in 2018, the National Capital Region (NCR), Region III and Region IV-A record that lowest rate of poverty incidence among families in the country, with 1.4%, 5.2%, and 5.1%, respectively, of their total population living below the poverty line. Conversely, among the regions with the highest poverty incidence rate are Region V with 20%, Region VIII with 23.9%, and Region IX with 25.4%.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Second, concerning the real property collection of LGUs. It is a well-known fact that real property investments are concentrated in metropolitan areas and other major cities. The LGUs therein collect the highest amount of real property taxes which means that they collect the highest amount of funds accruing to the SEF. According to the 2018 data from Bureau of Local Government of Finance, LGUs in the NCR was able to collect approximately 25.3 billion pesos in real property tax; those in Region III, 7.4 billion; and those in Region IV-A, 13 billion pesos. Conversely, those in Region V, 956 million; those in Region VIII, 678 million; and those in Region IX, 572 million.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Admittedly, the presentation of the this data is not intended for scientific treatment nor does it seek to arrive at a scientifically precise analysis. Nonetheless, a reasonable inspection of the same suggests that the disadvantaged students in regions with relatively low poverty incidence rate stand to be benefited from a bigger SEF mainly due to the presence of massive real property investments therein, as reflected by the sheer amount of real property tax collected by their LGUs. On the other hand, disadvantaged students in regions with a relatively high poverty incidence rate enjoy a meager share of the SEF, owing to minimal real property investments in their regions.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The social ramifications of this inequality are evident. With a bigger fund to address the effects of the pandemic in the education sector, i.e. greater SEF collection (which may be further augmented by supplemental appropriations), LGUs in richer regions are more capable of providing education stakeholders with resources, equipment, and materials to support the students therein in adapting to the \\u201cnew normal\\u201d mode of learning. LGUs in poorer regions can only do so much. Only major cities are able to procure laptops, mobile phones, and other electronic devices to be used in alternative distance learning.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In other words, LGUs in regions with low poverty incidence rate have more SEF at their disposal. Conversely, those in regions with high poverty incidence have less. This predicament falls squarely into the very essence of inequitable access to education. The incongruence of the concept of SEF with the declared policy in Article XIV, Section 1, i.e. that the State shall protect and promote the right to quality and accessible education, has become unmistakably apparent. Hence, a reorientation of the concept of SEF is in order.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><strong>III. Proposed Solution<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In this time of an ongoing global pandemic, the inequities in educational opportunities in different divisions of our public education sector has become ostensible. Thus, the need to revisit the SEF mechanism has become more pressing. Indeed, the existing SEF system is a missed opportunity to make public education more equitable and accessible, and as such, the best time to rectify that is now.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In designing a system of intergovernmental relations, which is mostly given weight in federal and decentralized arrangements, the concept of intergovernmental fiscal transfers, also known as \\u201cequalization\\u201d transfers, is usually employed. As the term suggests, it is designed to minimize the economic disparities of local governments. In its basic concept, lower level government units contribute funds to a common pool wherein the amount of the contribution is proportionate to each unit\\u2019s respective resources and capabilities. In turn, the funds in the common pool is distributed to the recipient units according to their respective needs. Such arrangement, also known as horizontal transfers, deal specifically with rectifying fiscal imbalances between governmental units at the same level.<a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\"><sup>[7]<\\/sup><\\/a> Here, a \\u201cparochial\\u201d perspective is diminished, and every unit becomes a stakeholder in the development of another.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Given its character, the provisions in the LGC governing SEFs, especially Sec, 99(a) and 9(b), must be amended to redesign the SEF into an equalization fund. Instead of being directly applied to the needs of the generating LGU, the SEF must be pooled into an equalization program to support localities with greater needs in public education management, which has become imperative in this time of Covid-19.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><strong>IV. Conclusion<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Without a doubt, certain LGUs will be apprehensive, if not dismissive, of the proposal put forward herein. To be sure, they cannot be faulted \\u2013 it is understandable because there lies in intergovernmental relations an inherent, or perhaps eternal, tension in competing for resources.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">Nonetheless, in this time of a national crisis, the spirit of <em>bayanihan<\\/em> becomes more crucial. The essence of <em>bayanihan<\\/em>, roughly translated as solidarity or civic unity, requires a little sacrifice on the part of the more capable in order to aid a fellow in need. One has to set aside personal parochial interests to support the needs of another.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 State legislations, as well as other government actions, must be guided by the Constitution. The policies and principles laid therein are not merely hollow words, but are express declarations of the collective goal of the people. In this regard, government actions and decisions that affects education must be in pursuit of the goal enunciated in Article XIV, Section 1. As shown here, the provisions governing SEF is anomalous as they tend to perpetuate inequity in the education sector \\u2013 an obvious affront to the letter and spirit of Article XIV, Section 1. That being the case, SEF must be reformed to become an instrument of providing equal access to quality education.\\u00a0 This proposal does not find justification on equity alone, but also on the shared moral responsibility of every Filipino to the succeeding generation.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\"><sup>[1]<\\/sup><\\/a> UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS, Art. 26<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\"><sup>[2]<\\/sup><\\/a> Jacob Dolinger, <em>The Failure of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights<\\/em>, 47 UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI INTER-AMERICAN L. R. 164, 184 (2016)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\"><sup>[3]<\\/sup><\\/a>235 SCRA 630 (1994)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\"><sup>[4]<\\/sup><\\/a> World Bank Group. Assessing the Role Played by Local Government in Supporting Basic Education in the Philippines. WORLD BANK (2016), http:\\/\\/documents1.worldbank.org\\/curated\\/en\\/468611468569289731\\/pdf\\/106955-REVISED-PH-PETS-QSDS-Note-7.pdf<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\"><sup>[5]<\\/sup><\\/a> Id.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\"><sup>[6]<\\/sup><\\/a> Rosario G. Manasan, Janet S. Cuenca & Alicia B. Celestino. Mobilizing LGU Support for Basic Education: Focus on the Special Education Fund, PHILIPPINE INSTITUTE FOR DEVELOPMENT STUDIES, (May 2011), https:\\/\\/dirp3.pids.gov.ph\\/ris\\/dps\\/pidsdps1107.pdf<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\"><sup>[7]<\\/sup><\\/a>Adam Yeeles, <em>Intergovernmental Fiscal Transfers and Geographical Disparities in Local Government Income in the Philippines<\\/em>, 32 JOURNAL OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN ECONOMIES 390, 391 (2015)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p>Featured Photo from <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.gmanetwork.com\\/news\\/news\\/nation\\/755686\\/students-may-have-to-share-copies-of-modules-in-blended-learning-deped-says\\/story\\/\\\">GMA News<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(2557,1068,'_thumbnail_id','1047'),(2561,1069,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(2562,1069,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(2563,1069,'_elementor_version','3.0.13'),(2564,1069,'_wp_page_template','default'),(2565,1069,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"311665f1\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"5d826b6e\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"516ac56c\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- wp:heading --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<h2><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><strong>BAYANIHAN IN PUBLIC EDUCATION:<\\/strong><strong><br \\/><\\/strong><strong>Reforming the Special Education Fund under the Local Government Code to Support New Normal Education<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/h2>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">By: John Kristoffer P. Pereda<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><strong>I. Introduction<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In the pursuit of promoting universal respect for and observance of human rights and fundamental freedoms, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) recognized the right to education of every individual<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\"><sup>[1]<\\/sup><\\/a>. Although the UDHR does not have the force of law, it is seen as having moral force, binding in the sphere of conscience.<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\"><sup>[2]<\\/sup><\\/a> Taking cue from this declaration, the 1987 Philippine Constitution,\\u00a0 recognized this right to education providing a policy towards its furtherance. Under Article XIV, Section 1 of the Constitution, \\u201cthe State shall protect and promote the right of all citizens to quality education at all levels, and shall take appropriate steps to make such education accessible to all.\\u201d<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 As worded, Article XIV, Section 1 merely provides a guiding principle for the government in laying down laws, rules, and regulations concerning education \\u2013 that the State shall endeavor to protect and promote the people\\u2019s right to quality and accessible education. As such, in <em>Tolentino v. Secretary of Finance<\\/em><a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\"><sup>[3]<\\/sup><\\/a>, it is considered as one of the provisions \\u201cthat are put in the Constitution as moral incentives to legislation, not as judicially enforceable rights.\\u201d Guided by this policy, Congress, on different occasions, has enacted various laws in pursuit of the mandate of Article XIV, Section 1.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 It has been noted that in some developing countries, there is trend towards the decentralization of the management of public education to improve educational quality by bringing decision-making closer to schools, which, in effect, makes educational policymaking more responsive to local needs.<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\"><sup>[4]<\\/sup><\\/a> Notwithstanding this trend, public education policymaking in the Philippines remains mainly a business of the national government<a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\"><sup>[5]<\\/sup><\\/a>, primarily through the Department of Education.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 At any rate, the enactment of the Local Government Code of 1991 (LGC) marked an important milestone in the recalibration of responsibilities in the management of public education. The LGC sought to include local government units (LGUs) as partners in managing their respective local public education sectors, thereby slightly reducing the control of the national government over public education which the latter had monopolized for decades. The LGC granted special bodies called the local school boards (LSBs) the power to devote a special fund called the Special Education Fund (SEF) to certain projects and programs in schools in their respective localities.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 With the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, the world has witnessed a public health crisis that drastically changed how societies conduct their affairs. Certainly, the education sector is not left undisturbed. In fact, it is among the most affected sectors. For the first time in decades, the pandemic caused an extensive cancellation of formal classes which, in turn, prompted resort to alternative modes of learning. Unsurprisingly, the novelty of the \\u201cnew normal\\u201d instructional methods has drawn countless issues on inclusivity and accessibility. At the frontline of addressing these issues is the national government, having retained its function of managing public education.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 At this point, it is worthy to recall that that by virtue of the LGC, LGUs, through LSBs, have become stakeholders on the management of public education. They participate, albeit in a limited fashion, in financing the public education sector by means of SEFs. Thus, being partners of the national government, LGUs are likewise responsible in cushioning the effects of the pandemic in the education sector of their respective localities.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 This occasion presents an opportunity to examine the role of SEFs in making quality education inclusive and accessible, especially at this time of a public health crisis. This is so because the issues brought about by the shift to the \\u201cnew normal\\u201d education mostly revolve around financing and managing resources. Guided by the policy laid down in Article XIV, Section 1 of the Constitution, such opportunity is taken here.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><strong>II. Discussion<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Evidently, the enactment of the LGC ushered in a new era in Philippine public administration. Under the LGC, responsibilities on several policy areas are delegated to LGUs, both with respect to decision-making and fiscal administration. With the goal of involving local stakeholders in the management of the local public education sector, the LGC granted LSBs certain powers and functions for such purpose, to wit<em>:<\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Section 99. Functions of Local School Boards. - The provincial, city or municipal school board shall:<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">(a) Determine, in accordance with the criteria set by the Department of Education, Culture and Sports, the annual supplementary budgetary needs for the operation and maintenance of public schools within the province, city, or municipality, as the case may be, and the supplementary local cost of meeting such as needs, which shall be reflected in the form of an annual school board budget corresponding to its share of the proceeds of the special levy on real property constituting the Special Education Fund and such other sources of revenue as this Code and other laws or ordinances may provide;<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">(b) Authorize the provincial, city or municipal treasurer, as the case may be, to disburse funds from the Special Education Fund pursuant to the budget prepared and in accordance with existing rules and regulations;<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">(c) Serve as an advisory committee to the sanggunian concerned on educational matters such as, but not limited to, the necessity for and the uses of local appropriations for educational purposes; and<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">(d) Recommend changes in the names of public schools within the territorial jurisdiction of the local government unit for enactment by the sanggunian concerned.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Department of Education, Culture and Sports shall consult the local school board on the appointment of division superintendents, district supervisors, school principals, and other school officials.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Arguably, the most critical and consequential function of LSBs is that described in Sec. 99(a) and (b). Both paragraphs, taken together, provide that LGUs, through the LSBs, are mandated to determine and provide supplementary budget needs, in accordance with existing rules and regulations, for the operation and maintenance of public schools within their respective locality. Accordingly, said budget is to be sourced from the Special Education Fund (SEF), the generation of which is governed by Section 235 of the LGC, to wit<em>:<\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">Section 235. <em>Additional Levy on Real Property for the Special Education Fund<\\/em>. - A province or city, or a municipality within the Metropolitan Manila Area, may levy and collect an annual tax of one percent (1%) on the assessed value of real property which shall be in addition to the basic real property tax. The proceeds thereof shall exclusively accrue to the Special Education Fund (SEF).<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Conversely, Sec. 272 provides for the manner and the formula of allocation of the SEF, to wit:<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">Section 272. <em>Application of Proceeds of the Additional One Percent SEF Tax<\\/em>. - The proceeds from the additional one percent (1%) tax on real property accruing to the Special Education Fund (SEF) shall be automatically released to the local school boards: Provided, That, in case of provinces, the proceeds shall be divided equally between the provincial and municipal school boards x x x<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In sum, the SEF is a locally-generated fund intended to augment the budgetary requirements of local basic education sector. The authority to determine the school-related expenses that may be charged against the SEF are vested to LSBs.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 At any rate, the utilization of the SEFs as provided for in the LGC was envisioned to take place in a normal environment, i.e., in a society that is in the regular conduct of its affairs. While certain weak points in the existing SEF structure have already been noticed since the implementation of the LGC,<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\"><sup>[6]<\\/sup><\\/a> the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic has highlighted the same. The SEF appears to be counterproductive, or at the least, inconvenient, against the backdrop of the Covid-19 pandemic.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Under the existing framework, the SEF is sourced from the proceeds of the additional one percent (1%) tax on real property levied and collected by LGUs. In case of real property tax collection by cities, the proceeds accruing to the SEF is automatically given to the city school boards, while in case of provinces, the proceeds are equally divided between the provincial school board and the municipal school boards.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Ideally, this framework is a sound arrangement that has the effect of incentivizing well-performing LGUs. An LGU that develops an economic environment conducive for real property investments within the locality increases its collectible real property taxes. If it is diligent in collecting the same, such LGU generates a greater amount of SEF. In other words, SEFs tend to reward hard work.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In reality however, the existing SEF framework seems to perpetuate inequity among LGUs and among the divisions of our public education sector across the country. There are two main factors that lead to this inference: the poverty incidence in a certain LGU and its real property tax collection.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">The following statistics gives a glimpse of the current situation.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 First, on poverty incidence. Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority show that in 2018, the National Capital Region (NCR), Region III and Region IV-A record that lowest rate of poverty incidence among families in the country, with 1.4%, 5.2%, and 5.1%, respectively, of their total population living below the poverty line. Conversely, among the regions with the highest poverty incidence rate are Region V with 20%, Region VIII with 23.9%, and Region IX with 25.4%.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Second, concerning the real property collection of LGUs. It is a well-known fact that real property investments are concentrated in metropolitan areas and other major cities. The LGUs therein collect the highest amount of real property taxes which means that they collect the highest amount of funds accruing to the SEF. According to the 2018 data from Bureau of Local Government of Finance, LGUs in the NCR was able to collect approximately 25.3 billion pesos in real property tax; those in Region III, 7.4 billion; and those in Region IV-A, 13 billion pesos. Conversely, those in Region V, 956 million; those in Region VIII, 678 million; and those in Region IX, 572 million.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Admittedly, the presentation of the this data is not intended for scientific treatment nor does it seek to arrive at a scientifically precise analysis. Nonetheless, a reasonable inspection of the same suggests that the disadvantaged students in regions with relatively low poverty incidence rate stand to be benefited from a bigger SEF mainly due to the presence of massive real property investments therein, as reflected by the sheer amount of real property tax collected by their LGUs. On the other hand, disadvantaged students in regions with a relatively high poverty incidence rate enjoy a meager share of the SEF, owing to minimal real property investments in their regions.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The social ramifications of this inequality are evident. With a bigger fund to address the effects of the pandemic in the education sector, i.e. greater SEF collection (which may be further augmented by supplemental appropriations), LGUs in richer regions are more capable of providing education stakeholders with resources, equipment, and materials to support the students therein in adapting to the \\u201cnew normal\\u201d mode of learning. LGUs in poorer regions can only do so much. Only major cities are able to procure laptops, mobile phones, and other electronic devices to be used in alternative distance learning.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In other words, LGUs in regions with low poverty incidence rate have more SEF at their disposal. Conversely, those in regions with high poverty incidence have less. This predicament falls squarely into the very essence of inequitable access to education. The incongruence of the concept of SEF with the declared policy in Article XIV, Section 1, i.e. that the State shall protect and promote the right to quality and accessible education, has become unmistakably apparent. Hence, a reorientation of the concept of SEF is in order.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><strong>III. Proposed Solution<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In this time of an ongoing global pandemic, the inequities in educational opportunities in different divisions of our public education sector has become ostensible. Thus, the need to revisit the SEF mechanism has become more pressing. Indeed, the existing SEF system is a missed opportunity to make public education more equitable and accessible, and as such, the best time to rectify that is now.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In designing a system of intergovernmental relations, which is mostly given weight in federal and decentralized arrangements, the concept of intergovernmental fiscal transfers, also known as \\u201cequalization\\u201d transfers, is usually employed. As the term suggests, it is designed to minimize the economic disparities of local governments. In its basic concept, lower level government units contribute funds to a common pool wherein the amount of the contribution is proportionate to each unit\\u2019s respective resources and capabilities. In turn, the funds in the common pool is distributed to the recipient units according to their respective needs. Such arrangement, also known as horizontal transfers, deal specifically with rectifying fiscal imbalances between governmental units at the same level.<a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\"><sup>[7]<\\/sup><\\/a> Here, a \\u201cparochial\\u201d perspective is diminished, and every unit becomes a stakeholder in the development of another.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Given its character, the provisions in the LGC governing SEFs, especially Sec, 99(a) and 9(b), must be amended to redesign the SEF into an equalization fund. Instead of being directly applied to the needs of the generating LGU, the SEF must be pooled into an equalization program to support localities with greater needs in public education management, which has become imperative in this time of Covid-19.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><strong>IV. Conclusion<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Without a doubt, certain LGUs will be apprehensive, if not dismissive, of the proposal put forward herein. To be sure, they cannot be faulted \\u2013 it is understandable because there lies in intergovernmental relations an inherent, or perhaps eternal, tension in competing for resources.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">Nonetheless, in this time of a national crisis, the spirit of <em>bayanihan<\\/em> becomes more crucial. The essence of <em>bayanihan<\\/em>, roughly translated as solidarity or civic unity, requires a little sacrifice on the part of the more capable in order to aid a fellow in need. One has to set aside personal parochial interests to support the needs of another.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 State legislations, as well as other government actions, must be guided by the Constitution. The policies and principles laid therein are not merely hollow words, but are express declarations of the collective goal of the people. In this regard, government actions and decisions that affects education must be in pursuit of the goal enunciated in Article XIV, Section 1. As shown here, the provisions governing SEF is anomalous as they tend to perpetuate inequity in the education sector \\u2013 an obvious affront to the letter and spirit of Article XIV, Section 1. That being the case, SEF must be reformed to become an instrument of providing equal access to quality education.\\u00a0 This proposal does not find justification on equity alone, but also on the shared moral responsibility of every Filipino to the succeeding generation.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\"><sup>[1]<\\/sup><\\/a> UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS, Art. 26<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\"><sup>[2]<\\/sup><\\/a> Jacob Dolinger, <em>The Failure of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights<\\/em>, 47 UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI INTER-AMERICAN L. R. 164, 184 (2016)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\"><sup>[3]<\\/sup><\\/a>235 SCRA 630 (1994)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\"><sup>[4]<\\/sup><\\/a> World Bank Group. Assessing the Role Played by Local Government in Supporting Basic Education in the Philippines. WORLD BANK (2016), http:\\/\\/documents1.worldbank.org\\/curated\\/en\\/468611468569289731\\/pdf\\/106955-REVISED-PH-PETS-QSDS-Note-7.pdf<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\"><sup>[5]<\\/sup><\\/a> Id.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\"><sup>[6]<\\/sup><\\/a> Rosario G. Manasan, Janet S. Cuenca & Alicia B. Celestino. Mobilizing LGU Support for Basic Education: Focus on the Special Education Fund, PHILIPPINE INSTITUTE FOR DEVELOPMENT STUDIES, (May 2011), https:\\/\\/dirp3.pids.gov.ph\\/ris\\/dps\\/pidsdps1107.pdf<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\"><sup>[7]<\\/sup><\\/a>Adam Yeeles, <em>Intergovernmental Fiscal Transfers and Geographical Disparities in Local Government Income in the Philippines<\\/em>, 32 JOURNAL OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN ECONOMIES 390, 391 (2015)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p>Featured Photo from <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.gmanetwork.com\\/news\\/news\\/nation\\/755686\\/students-may-have-to-share-copies-of-modules-in-blended-learning-deped-says\\/story\\/\\\">GMA News<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(2566,1069,'_thumbnail_id','1047'),(2568,1070,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(2569,1070,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(2570,1070,'_elementor_version','3.0.13'),(2571,1070,'_wp_page_template','default'),(2572,1070,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"311665f1\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"5d826b6e\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"516ac56c\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- wp:heading --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<h2><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><strong>BAYANIHAN IN PUBLIC EDUCATION:<\\/strong><strong><br \\/><\\/strong><strong>Reforming the Special Education Fund under the Local Government Code to Support New Normal Education<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/h2>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">By: John Kristoffer P. Pereda<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><strong>I. Introduction<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In the pursuit of promoting universal respect for and observance of human rights and fundamental freedoms, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) recognized the right to education of every individual<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\"><sup>[1]<\\/sup><\\/a>. Although the UDHR does not have the force of law, it is seen as having moral force, binding in the sphere of conscience.<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\"><sup>[2]<\\/sup><\\/a> Taking cue from this declaration, the 1987 Philippine Constitution,\\u00a0 recognized this right to education providing a policy towards its furtherance. Under Article XIV, Section 1 of the Constitution, \\u201cthe State shall protect and promote the right of all citizens to quality education at all levels, and shall take appropriate steps to make such education accessible to all.\\u201d<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 As worded, Article XIV, Section 1 merely provides a guiding principle for the government in laying down laws, rules, and regulations concerning education \\u2013 that the State shall endeavor to protect and promote the people\\u2019s right to quality and accessible education. As such, in <em>Tolentino v. Secretary of Finance<\\/em><a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\"><sup>[3]<\\/sup><\\/a>, it is considered as one of the provisions \\u201cthat are put in the Constitution as moral incentives to legislation, not as judicially enforceable rights.\\u201d Guided by this policy, Congress, on different occasions, has enacted various laws in pursuit of the mandate of Article XIV, Section 1.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 It has been noted that in some developing countries, there is trend towards the decentralization of the management of public education to improve educational quality by bringing decision-making closer to schools, which, in effect, makes educational policymaking more responsive to local needs.<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\"><sup>[4]<\\/sup><\\/a> Notwithstanding this trend, public education policymaking in the Philippines remains mainly a business of the national government<a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\"><sup>[5]<\\/sup><\\/a>, primarily through the Department of Education.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 At any rate, the enactment of the Local Government Code of 1991 (LGC) marked an important milestone in the recalibration of responsibilities in the management of public education. The LGC sought to include local government units (LGUs) as partners in managing their respective local public education sectors, thereby slightly reducing the control of the national government over public education which the latter had monopolized for decades. The LGC granted special bodies called the local school boards (LSBs) the power to devote a special fund called the Special Education Fund (SEF) to certain projects and programs in schools in their respective localities.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 With the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, the world has witnessed a public health crisis that drastically changed how societies conduct their affairs. Certainly, the education sector is not left undisturbed. In fact, it is among the most affected sectors. For the first time in decades, the pandemic caused an extensive cancellation of formal classes which, in turn, prompted resort to alternative modes of learning. Unsurprisingly, the novelty of the \\u201cnew normal\\u201d instructional methods has drawn countless issues on inclusivity and accessibility. At the frontline of addressing these issues is the national government, having retained its function of managing public education.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 At this point, it is worthy to recall that that by virtue of the LGC, LGUs, through LSBs, have become stakeholders on the management of public education. They participate, albeit in a limited fashion, in financing the public education sector by means of SEFs. Thus, being partners of the national government, LGUs are likewise responsible in cushioning the effects of the pandemic in the education sector of their respective localities.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 This occasion presents an opportunity to examine the role of SEFs in making quality education inclusive and accessible, especially at this time of a public health crisis. This is so because the issues brought about by the shift to the \\u201cnew normal\\u201d education mostly revolve around financing and managing resources. Guided by the policy laid down in Article XIV, Section 1 of the Constitution, such opportunity is taken here.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><strong>II. Discussion<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Evidently, the enactment of the LGC ushered in a new era in Philippine public administration. Under the LGC, responsibilities on several policy areas are delegated to LGUs, both with respect to decision-making and fiscal administration. With the goal of involving local stakeholders in the management of the local public education sector, the LGC granted LSBs certain powers and functions for such purpose, to wit<em>:<\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Section 99. Functions of Local School Boards. - The provincial, city or municipal school board shall:<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">(a) Determine, in accordance with the criteria set by the Department of Education, Culture and Sports, the annual supplementary budgetary needs for the operation and maintenance of public schools within the province, city, or municipality, as the case may be, and the supplementary local cost of meeting such as needs, which shall be reflected in the form of an annual school board budget corresponding to its share of the proceeds of the special levy on real property constituting the Special Education Fund and such other sources of revenue as this Code and other laws or ordinances may provide;<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">(b) Authorize the provincial, city or municipal treasurer, as the case may be, to disburse funds from the Special Education Fund pursuant to the budget prepared and in accordance with existing rules and regulations;<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">(c) Serve as an advisory committee to the sanggunian concerned on educational matters such as, but not limited to, the necessity for and the uses of local appropriations for educational purposes; and<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">(d) Recommend changes in the names of public schools within the territorial jurisdiction of the local government unit for enactment by the sanggunian concerned.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Department of Education, Culture and Sports shall consult the local school board on the appointment of division superintendents, district supervisors, school principals, and other school officials.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Arguably, the most critical and consequential function of LSBs is that described in Sec. 99(a) and (b). Both paragraphs, taken together, provide that LGUs, through the LSBs, are mandated to determine and provide supplementary budget needs, in accordance with existing rules and regulations, for the operation and maintenance of public schools within their respective locality. Accordingly, said budget is to be sourced from the Special Education Fund (SEF), the generation of which is governed by Section 235 of the LGC, to wit<em>:<\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">Section 235. <em>Additional Levy on Real Property for the Special Education Fund<\\/em>. - A province or city, or a municipality within the Metropolitan Manila Area, may levy and collect an annual tax of one percent (1%) on the assessed value of real property which shall be in addition to the basic real property tax. The proceeds thereof shall exclusively accrue to the Special Education Fund (SEF).<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Conversely, Sec. 272 provides for the manner and the formula of allocation of the SEF, to wit:<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">Section 272. <em>Application of Proceeds of the Additional One Percent SEF Tax<\\/em>. - The proceeds from the additional one percent (1%) tax on real property accruing to the Special Education Fund (SEF) shall be automatically released to the local school boards: Provided, That, in case of provinces, the proceeds shall be divided equally between the provincial and municipal school boards x x x<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In sum, the SEF is a locally-generated fund intended to augment the budgetary requirements of local basic education sector. The authority to determine the school-related expenses that may be charged against the SEF are vested to LSBs.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 At any rate, the utilization of the SEFs as provided for in the LGC was envisioned to take place in a normal environment, i.e., in a society that is in the regular conduct of its affairs. While certain weak points in the existing SEF structure have already been noticed since the implementation of the LGC,<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\"><sup>[6]<\\/sup><\\/a> the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic has highlighted the same. The SEF appears to be counterproductive, or at the least, inconvenient, against the backdrop of the Covid-19 pandemic.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Under the existing framework, the SEF is sourced from the proceeds of the additional one percent (1%) tax on real property levied and collected by LGUs. In case of real property tax collection by cities, the proceeds accruing to the SEF is automatically given to the city school boards, while in case of provinces, the proceeds are equally divided between the provincial school board and the municipal school boards.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Ideally, this framework is a sound arrangement that has the effect of incentivizing well-performing LGUs. An LGU that develops an economic environment conducive for real property investments within the locality increases its collectible real property taxes. If it is diligent in collecting the same, such LGU generates a greater amount of SEF. In other words, SEFs tend to reward hard work.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In reality however, the existing SEF framework seems to perpetuate inequity among LGUs and among the divisions of our public education sector across the country. There are two main factors that lead to this inference: the poverty incidence in a certain LGU and its real property tax collection.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">The following statistics gives a glimpse of the current situation.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 First, on poverty incidence. Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority show that in 2018, the National Capital Region (NCR), Region III and Region IV-A record that lowest rate of poverty incidence among families in the country, with 1.4%, 5.2%, and 5.1%, respectively, of their total population living below the poverty line. Conversely, among the regions with the highest poverty incidence rate are Region V with 20%, Region VIII with 23.9%, and Region IX with 25.4%.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Second, concerning the real property collection of LGUs. It is a well-known fact that real property investments are concentrated in metropolitan areas and other major cities. The LGUs therein collect the highest amount of real property taxes which means that they collect the highest amount of funds accruing to the SEF. According to the 2018 data from Bureau of Local Government of Finance, LGUs in the NCR was able to collect approximately 25.3 billion pesos in real property tax; those in Region III, 7.4 billion; and those in Region IV-A, 13 billion pesos. Conversely, those in Region V, 956 million; those in Region VIII, 678 million; and those in Region IX, 572 million.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Admittedly, the presentation of the this data is not intended for scientific treatment nor does it seek to arrive at a scientifically precise analysis. Nonetheless, a reasonable inspection of the same suggests that the disadvantaged students in regions with relatively low poverty incidence rate stand to be benefited from a bigger SEF mainly due to the presence of massive real property investments therein, as reflected by the sheer amount of real property tax collected by their LGUs. On the other hand, disadvantaged students in regions with a relatively high poverty incidence rate enjoy a meager share of the SEF, owing to minimal real property investments in their regions.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The social ramifications of this inequality are evident. With a bigger fund to address the effects of the pandemic in the education sector, i.e. greater SEF collection (which may be further augmented by supplemental appropriations), LGUs in richer regions are more capable of providing education stakeholders with resources, equipment, and materials to support the students therein in adapting to the \\u201cnew normal\\u201d mode of learning. LGUs in poorer regions can only do so much. Only major cities are able to procure laptops, mobile phones, and other electronic devices to be used in alternative distance learning.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In other words, LGUs in regions with low poverty incidence rate have more SEF at their disposal. Conversely, those in regions with high poverty incidence have less. This predicament falls squarely into the very essence of inequitable access to education. The incongruence of the concept of SEF with the declared policy in Article XIV, Section 1, i.e. that the State shall protect and promote the right to quality and accessible education, has become unmistakably apparent. Hence, a reorientation of the concept of SEF is in order.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><strong>III. Proposed Solution<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In this time of an ongoing global pandemic, the inequities in educational opportunities in different divisions of our public education sector has become ostensible. Thus, the need to revisit the SEF mechanism has become more pressing. Indeed, the existing SEF system is a missed opportunity to make public education more equitable and accessible, and as such, the best time to rectify that is now.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In designing a system of intergovernmental relations, which is mostly given weight in federal and decentralized arrangements, the concept of intergovernmental fiscal transfers, also known as \\u201cequalization\\u201d transfers, is usually employed. As the term suggests, it is designed to minimize the economic disparities of local governments. In its basic concept, lower level government units contribute funds to a common pool wherein the amount of the contribution is proportionate to each unit\\u2019s respective resources and capabilities. In turn, the funds in the common pool is distributed to the recipient units according to their respective needs. Such arrangement, also known as horizontal transfers, deal specifically with rectifying fiscal imbalances between governmental units at the same level.<a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\"><sup>[7]<\\/sup><\\/a> Here, a \\u201cparochial\\u201d perspective is diminished, and every unit becomes a stakeholder in the development of another.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Given its character, the provisions in the LGC governing SEFs, especially Sec, 99(a) and 9(b), must be amended to redesign the SEF into an equalization fund. Instead of being directly applied to the needs of the generating LGU, the SEF must be pooled into an equalization program to support localities with greater needs in public education management, which has become imperative in this time of Covid-19.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><strong>IV. Conclusion<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Without a doubt, certain LGUs will be apprehensive, if not dismissive, of the proposal put forward herein. To be sure, they cannot be faulted \\u2013 it is understandable because there lies in intergovernmental relations an inherent, or perhaps eternal, tension in competing for resources.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">Nonetheless, in this time of a national crisis, the spirit of <em>bayanihan<\\/em> becomes more crucial. The essence of <em>bayanihan<\\/em>, roughly translated as solidarity or civic unity, requires a little sacrifice on the part of the more capable in order to aid a fellow in need. One has to set aside personal parochial interests to support the needs of another.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 State legislations, as well as other government actions, must be guided by the Constitution. The policies and principles laid therein are not merely hollow words, but are express declarations of the collective goal of the people. In this regard, government actions and decisions that affects education must be in pursuit of the goal enunciated in Article XIV, Section 1. As shown here, the provisions governing SEF is anomalous as they tend to perpetuate inequity in the education sector \\u2013 an obvious affront to the letter and spirit of Article XIV, Section 1. That being the case, SEF must be reformed to become an instrument of providing equal access to quality education.\\u00a0 This proposal does not find justification on equity alone, but also on the shared moral responsibility of every Filipino to the succeeding generation.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\"><sup>[1]<\\/sup><\\/a> UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS, Art. 26<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\"><sup>[2]<\\/sup><\\/a> Jacob Dolinger, <em>The Failure of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights<\\/em>, 47 UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI INTER-AMERICAN L. R. 164, 184 (2016)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\"><sup>[3]<\\/sup><\\/a>235 SCRA 630 (1994)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\"><sup>[4]<\\/sup><\\/a> World Bank Group. Assessing the Role Played by Local Government in Supporting Basic Education in the Philippines. WORLD BANK (2016), http:\\/\\/documents1.worldbank.org\\/curated\\/en\\/468611468569289731\\/pdf\\/106955-REVISED-PH-PETS-QSDS-Note-7.pdf<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\"><sup>[5]<\\/sup><\\/a> Id.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\"><sup>[6]<\\/sup><\\/a> Rosario G. Manasan, Janet S. Cuenca & Alicia B. Celestino. Mobilizing LGU Support for Basic Education: Focus on the Special Education Fund, PHILIPPINE INSTITUTE FOR DEVELOPMENT STUDIES, (May 2011), https:\\/\\/dirp3.pids.gov.ph\\/ris\\/dps\\/pidsdps1107.pdf<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\"><sup>[7]<\\/sup><\\/a>Adam Yeeles, <em>Intergovernmental Fiscal Transfers and Geographical Disparities in Local Government Income in the Philippines<\\/em>, 32 JOURNAL OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN ECONOMIES 390, 391 (2015)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p>Featured Photo from <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.gmanetwork.com\\/news\\/news\\/nation\\/755686\\/students-may-have-to-share-copies-of-modules-in-blended-learning-deped-says\\/story\\/\\\">GMA News<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(2573,1070,'_thumbnail_id','1047'),(2575,1071,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(2576,1071,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(2577,1071,'_elementor_version','3.0.13'),(2578,1071,'_wp_page_template','default'),(2579,1071,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"311665f1\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"5d826b6e\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"516ac56c\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- wp:heading --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<h2><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><strong>BAYANIHAN IN PUBLIC EDUCATION:<\\/strong><strong><br \\/><\\/strong><strong>Reforming the Special Education Fund under the Local Government Code to Support New Normal Education<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/h2>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">By: John Kristoffer P. Pereda<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><strong>I. Introduction<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In the pursuit of promoting universal respect for and observance of human rights and fundamental freedoms, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) recognized the right to education of every individual<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\"><sup>[1]<\\/sup><\\/a>. Although the UDHR does not have the force of law, it is seen as having moral force, binding in the sphere of conscience.<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\"><sup>[2]<\\/sup><\\/a> Taking cue from this declaration, the 1987 Philippine Constitution,\\u00a0 recognized this right to education providing a policy towards its furtherance. Under Article XIV, Section 1 of the Constitution, \\u201cthe State shall protect and promote the right of all citizens to quality education at all levels, and shall take appropriate steps to make such education accessible to all.\\u201d<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 As worded, Article XIV, Section 1 merely provides a guiding principle for the government in laying down laws, rules, and regulations concerning education \\u2013 that the State shall endeavor to protect and promote the people\\u2019s right to quality and accessible education. As such, in <em>Tolentino v. Secretary of Finance<\\/em><a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\"><sup>[3]<\\/sup><\\/a>, it is considered as one of the provisions \\u201cthat are put in the Constitution as moral incentives to legislation, not as judicially enforceable rights.\\u201d Guided by this policy, Congress, on different occasions, has enacted various laws in pursuit of the mandate of Article XIV, Section 1.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 It has been noted that in some developing countries, there is trend towards the decentralization of the management of public education to improve educational quality by bringing decision-making closer to schools, which, in effect, makes educational policymaking more responsive to local needs.<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\"><sup>[4]<\\/sup><\\/a> Notwithstanding this trend, public education policymaking in the Philippines remains mainly a business of the national government<a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\"><sup>[5]<\\/sup><\\/a>, primarily through the Department of Education.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 At any rate, the enactment of the Local Government Code of 1991 (LGC) marked an important milestone in the recalibration of responsibilities in the management of public education. The LGC sought to include local government units (LGUs) as partners in managing their respective local public education sectors, thereby slightly reducing the control of the national government over public education which the latter had monopolized for decades. The LGC granted special bodies called the local school boards (LSBs) the power to devote a special fund called the Special Education Fund (SEF) to certain projects and programs in schools in their respective localities.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 With the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, the world has witnessed a public health crisis that drastically changed how societies conduct their affairs. Certainly, the education sector is not left undisturbed. In fact, it is among the most affected sectors. For the first time in decades, the pandemic caused an extensive cancellation of formal classes which, in turn, prompted resort to alternative modes of learning. Unsurprisingly, the novelty of the \\u201cnew normal\\u201d instructional methods has drawn countless issues on inclusivity and accessibility. At the frontline of addressing these issues is the national government, having retained its function of managing public education.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 At this point, it is worthy to recall that that by virtue of the LGC, LGUs, through LSBs, have become stakeholders on the management of public education. They participate, albeit in a limited fashion, in financing the public education sector by means of SEFs. Thus, being partners of the national government, LGUs are likewise responsible in cushioning the effects of the pandemic in the education sector of their respective localities.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 This occasion presents an opportunity to examine the role of SEFs in making quality education inclusive and accessible, especially at this time of a public health crisis. This is so because the issues brought about by the shift to the \\u201cnew normal\\u201d education mostly revolve around financing and managing resources. Guided by the policy laid down in Article XIV, Section 1 of the Constitution, such opportunity is taken here.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><strong>II. Discussion<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Evidently, the enactment of the LGC ushered in a new era in Philippine public administration. Under the LGC, responsibilities on several policy areas are delegated to LGUs, both with respect to decision-making and fiscal administration. With the goal of involving local stakeholders in the management of the local public education sector, the LGC granted LSBs certain powers and functions for such purpose, to wit<em>:<\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Section 99. Functions of Local School Boards. - The provincial, city or municipal school board shall:<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">(a) Determine, in accordance with the criteria set by the Department of Education, Culture and Sports, the annual supplementary budgetary needs for the operation and maintenance of public schools within the province, city, or municipality, as the case may be, and the supplementary local cost of meeting such as needs, which shall be reflected in the form of an annual school board budget corresponding to its share of the proceeds of the special levy on real property constituting the Special Education Fund and such other sources of revenue as this Code and other laws or ordinances may provide;<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">(b) Authorize the provincial, city or municipal treasurer, as the case may be, to disburse funds from the Special Education Fund pursuant to the budget prepared and in accordance with existing rules and regulations;<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">(c) Serve as an advisory committee to the sanggunian concerned on educational matters such as, but not limited to, the necessity for and the uses of local appropriations for educational purposes; and<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">(d) Recommend changes in the names of public schools within the territorial jurisdiction of the local government unit for enactment by the sanggunian concerned.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Department of Education, Culture and Sports shall consult the local school board on the appointment of division superintendents, district supervisors, school principals, and other school officials.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Arguably, the most critical and consequential function of LSBs is that described in Sec. 99(a) and (b). Both paragraphs, taken together, provide that LGUs, through the LSBs, are mandated to determine and provide supplementary budget needs, in accordance with existing rules and regulations, for the operation and maintenance of public schools within their respective locality. Accordingly, said budget is to be sourced from the Special Education Fund (SEF), the generation of which is governed by Section 235 of the LGC, to wit<em>:<\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">Section 235. <em>Additional Levy on Real Property for the Special Education Fund<\\/em>. - A province or city, or a municipality within the Metropolitan Manila Area, may levy and collect an annual tax of one percent (1%) on the assessed value of real property which shall be in addition to the basic real property tax. The proceeds thereof shall exclusively accrue to the Special Education Fund (SEF).<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Conversely, Sec. 272 provides for the manner and the formula of allocation of the SEF, to wit:<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">Section 272. <em>Application of Proceeds of the Additional One Percent SEF Tax<\\/em>. - The proceeds from the additional one percent (1%) tax on real property accruing to the Special Education Fund (SEF) shall be automatically released to the local school boards: Provided, That, in case of provinces, the proceeds shall be divided equally between the provincial and municipal school boards x x x<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In sum, the SEF is a locally-generated fund intended to augment the budgetary requirements of local basic education sector. The authority to determine the school-related expenses that may be charged against the SEF are vested to LSBs.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 At any rate, the utilization of the SEFs as provided for in the LGC was envisioned to take place in a normal environment, i.e., in a society that is in the regular conduct of its affairs. While certain weak points in the existing SEF structure have already been noticed since the implementation of the LGC,<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\"><sup>[6]<\\/sup><\\/a> the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic has highlighted the same. The SEF appears to be counterproductive, or at the least, inconvenient, against the backdrop of the Covid-19 pandemic.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Under the existing framework, the SEF is sourced from the proceeds of the additional one percent (1%) tax on real property levied and collected by LGUs. In case of real property tax collection by cities, the proceeds accruing to the SEF is automatically given to the city school boards, while in case of provinces, the proceeds are equally divided between the provincial school board and the municipal school boards.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Ideally, this framework is a sound arrangement that has the effect of incentivizing well-performing LGUs. An LGU that develops an economic environment conducive for real property investments within the locality increases its collectible real property taxes. If it is diligent in collecting the same, such LGU generates a greater amount of SEF. In other words, SEFs tend to reward hard work.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In reality however, the existing SEF framework seems to perpetuate inequity among LGUs and among the divisions of our public education sector across the country. There are two main factors that lead to this inference: the poverty incidence in a certain LGU and its real property tax collection.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">The following statistics gives a glimpse of the current situation.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 First, on poverty incidence. Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority show that in 2018, the National Capital Region (NCR), Region III and Region IV-A record that lowest rate of poverty incidence among families in the country, with 1.4%, 5.2%, and 5.1%, respectively, of their total population living below the poverty line. Conversely, among the regions with the highest poverty incidence rate are Region V with 20%, Region VIII with 23.9%, and Region IX with 25.4%.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Second, concerning the real property collection of LGUs. It is a well-known fact that real property investments are concentrated in metropolitan areas and other major cities. The LGUs therein collect the highest amount of real property taxes which means that they collect the highest amount of funds accruing to the SEF. According to the 2018 data from Bureau of Local Government of Finance, LGUs in the NCR was able to collect approximately 25.3 billion pesos in real property tax; those in Region III, 7.4 billion; and those in Region IV-A, 13 billion pesos. Conversely, those in Region V, 956 million; those in Region VIII, 678 million; and those in Region IX, 572 million.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Admittedly, the presentation of the this data is not intended for scientific treatment nor does it seek to arrive at a scientifically precise analysis. Nonetheless, a reasonable inspection of the same suggests that the disadvantaged students in regions with relatively low poverty incidence rate stand to be benefited from a bigger SEF mainly due to the presence of massive real property investments therein, as reflected by the sheer amount of real property tax collected by their LGUs. On the other hand, disadvantaged students in regions with a relatively high poverty incidence rate enjoy a meager share of the SEF, owing to minimal real property investments in their regions.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The social ramifications of this inequality are evident. With a bigger fund to address the effects of the pandemic in the education sector, i.e. greater SEF collection (which may be further augmented by supplemental appropriations), LGUs in richer regions are more capable of providing education stakeholders with resources, equipment, and materials to support the students therein in adapting to the \\u201cnew normal\\u201d mode of learning. LGUs in poorer regions can only do so much. Only major cities are able to procure laptops, mobile phones, and other electronic devices to be used in alternative distance learning.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In other words, LGUs in regions with low poverty incidence rate have more SEF at their disposal. Conversely, those in regions with high poverty incidence have less. This predicament falls squarely into the very essence of inequitable access to education. The incongruence of the concept of SEF with the declared policy in Article XIV, Section 1, i.e. that the State shall protect and promote the right to quality and accessible education, has become unmistakably apparent. Hence, a reorientation of the concept of SEF is in order.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><strong>III. Proposed Solution<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In this time of an ongoing global pandemic, the inequities in educational opportunities in different divisions of our public education sector has become ostensible. Thus, the need to revisit the SEF mechanism has become more pressing. Indeed, the existing SEF system is a missed opportunity to make public education more equitable and accessible, and as such, the best time to rectify that is now.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In designing a system of intergovernmental relations, which is mostly given weight in federal and decentralized arrangements, the concept of intergovernmental fiscal transfers, also known as \\u201cequalization\\u201d transfers, is usually employed. As the term suggests, it is designed to minimize the economic disparities of local governments. In its basic concept, lower level government units contribute funds to a common pool wherein the amount of the contribution is proportionate to each unit\\u2019s respective resources and capabilities. In turn, the funds in the common pool is distributed to the recipient units according to their respective needs. Such arrangement, also known as horizontal transfers, deal specifically with rectifying fiscal imbalances between governmental units at the same level.<a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\"><sup>[7]<\\/sup><\\/a> Here, a \\u201cparochial\\u201d perspective is diminished, and every unit becomes a stakeholder in the development of another.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Given its character, the provisions in the LGC governing SEFs, especially Sec, 99 (a) and (b), must be amended to redesign the SEF into an equalization fund. Instead of being directly applied to the needs of the generating LGU, the SEF must be pooled into an equalization program to support localities with greater needs in public education management, which has become imperative in this time of Covid-19.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><strong>IV. Conclusion<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Without a doubt, certain LGUs will be apprehensive, if not dismissive, of the proposal put forward herein. To be sure, they cannot be faulted \\u2013 it is understandable because there lies in intergovernmental relations an inherent, or perhaps eternal, tension in competing for resources.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">Nonetheless, in this time of a national crisis, the spirit of <em>bayanihan<\\/em> becomes more crucial. The essence of <em>bayanihan<\\/em>, roughly translated as solidarity or civic unity, requires a little sacrifice on the part of the more capable in order to aid a fellow in need. One has to set aside personal parochial interests to support the needs of another.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 State legislations, as well as other government actions, must be guided by the Constitution. The policies and principles laid therein are not merely hollow words, but are express declarations of the collective goal of the people. In this regard, government actions and decisions that affects education must be in pursuit of the goal enunciated in Article XIV, Section 1. As shown here, the provisions governing SEF is anomalous as they tend to perpetuate inequity in the education sector \\u2013 an obvious affront to the letter and spirit of Article XIV, Section 1. That being the case, SEF must be reformed to become an instrument of providing equal access to quality education.\\u00a0 This proposal does not find justification on equity alone, but also on the shared moral responsibility of every Filipino to the succeeding generation.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\"><sup>[1]<\\/sup><\\/a> UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS, Art. 26<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\"><sup>[2]<\\/sup><\\/a> Jacob Dolinger, <em>The Failure of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights<\\/em>, 47 UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI INTER-AMERICAN L. R. 164, 184 (2016)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\"><sup>[3]<\\/sup><\\/a>235 SCRA 630 (1994)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\"><sup>[4]<\\/sup><\\/a> World Bank Group. Assessing the Role Played by Local Government in Supporting Basic Education in the Philippines. WORLD BANK (2016), http:\\/\\/documents1.worldbank.org\\/curated\\/en\\/468611468569289731\\/pdf\\/106955-REVISED-PH-PETS-QSDS-Note-7.pdf<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\"><sup>[5]<\\/sup><\\/a> Id.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\"><sup>[6]<\\/sup><\\/a> Rosario G. Manasan, Janet S. Cuenca & Alicia B. Celestino. Mobilizing LGU Support for Basic Education: Focus on the Special Education Fund, PHILIPPINE INSTITUTE FOR DEVELOPMENT STUDIES, (May 2011), https:\\/\\/dirp3.pids.gov.ph\\/ris\\/dps\\/pidsdps1107.pdf<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\"><sup>[7]<\\/sup><\\/a>Adam Yeeles, <em>Intergovernmental Fiscal Transfers and Geographical Disparities in Local Government Income in the Philippines<\\/em>, 32 JOURNAL OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN ECONOMIES 390, 391 (2015)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p>Featured Photo from <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.gmanetwork.com\\/news\\/news\\/nation\\/755686\\/students-may-have-to-share-copies-of-modules-in-blended-learning-deped-says\\/story\\/\\\">GMA News<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(2580,1071,'_thumbnail_id','1047'),(2582,1046,'_elementor_controls_usage','a:3:{s:11:\"text-editor\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:1;s:8:\"controls\";a:2:{s:7:\"content\";a:1:{s:14:\"section_editor\";a:1:{s:6:\"editor\";i:1;}}s:5:\"style\";a:1:{s:13:\"section_style\";a:2:{s:21:\"typography_typography\";i:1;s:22:\"typography_line_height\";i:1;}}}}s:6:\"column\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:0;s:8:\"controls\";a:0:{}}s:7:\"section\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:0;s:8:\"controls\";a:0:{}}}'),(2584,1065,'_customize_restore_dismissed','1'),(2585,1082,'_wp_trash_meta_status','publish'),(2586,1082,'_wp_trash_meta_time','1606461389'),(2587,1083,'_wp_attached_file','2020/11/website-background-scaled.jpg'),(2588,1083,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:6:{s:5:\"width\";i:2560;s:6:\"height\";i:1830;s:4:\"file\";s:37:\"2020/11/website-background-scaled.jpg\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:14:{s:6:\"medium\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:30:\"website-background-300x214.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:300;s:6:\"height\";i:214;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:5:\"large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:31:\"website-background-1024x732.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1024;s:6:\"height\";i:732;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"thumbnail\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:30:\"website-background-150x150.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:12:\"medium_large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:30:\"website-background-768x549.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:768;s:6:\"height\";i:549;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"1536x1536\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:32:\"website-background-1536x1098.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1536;s:6:\"height\";i:1098;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"2048x2048\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:32:\"website-background-2048x1464.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:2048;s:6:\"height\";i:1464;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:24:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:30:\"website-background-170x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:25:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:28:\"website-background-86x70.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:30:\"website-background-154x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:154;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:22:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:30:\"website-background-370x250.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:30:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:30:\"website-background-350x250.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:350;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:21:\"bfastmag_related_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:30:\"website-background-288x160.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:288;s:6:\"height\";i:160;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:18:\"bfastmag_blog_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:30:\"website-background-780x544.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:26:\"bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:30:\"website-background-761x544.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:761;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:0:\"\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:1:\"0\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:1:\"0\";s:3:\"iso\";s:1:\"0\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:1:\"0\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";s:1:\"1\";s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}s:14:\"original_image\";s:22:\"website-background.jpg\";}'),(2589,1083,'_wp_attachment_is_custom_background','bfastmag'),(2591,1085,'_wp_attached_file','2020/11/website-background-distorted-scaled.jpg'),(2592,1085,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:6:{s:5:\"width\";i:1920;s:6:\"height\";i:1373;s:4:\"file\";s:47:\"2020/11/website-background-distorted-scaled.jpg\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:14:{s:6:\"medium\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:40:\"website-background-distorted-300x214.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:300;s:6:\"height\";i:214;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:5:\"large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:41:\"website-background-distorted-1024x732.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1024;s:6:\"height\";i:732;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"thumbnail\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:40:\"website-background-distorted-150x150.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:12:\"medium_large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:40:\"website-background-distorted-768x549.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:768;s:6:\"height\";i:549;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"1536x1536\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:42:\"website-background-distorted-1536x1098.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1536;s:6:\"height\";i:1098;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"2048x2048\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:42:\"website-background-distorted-2048x1464.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:2048;s:6:\"height\";i:1464;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:24:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:40:\"website-background-distorted-170x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:25:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:38:\"website-background-distorted-86x70.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:40:\"website-background-distorted-154x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:154;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:22:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:40:\"website-background-distorted-370x250.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:30:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:40:\"website-background-distorted-350x250.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:350;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:21:\"bfastmag_related_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:40:\"website-background-distorted-288x160.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:288;s:6:\"height\";i:160;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:18:\"bfastmag_blog_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:40:\"website-background-distorted-780x544.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:26:\"bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:40:\"website-background-distorted-761x544.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:761;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:0:\"\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:1:\"0\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:1:\"0\";s:3:\"iso\";s:1:\"0\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:1:\"0\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";s:1:\"1\";s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}s:14:\"original_image\";s:32:\"website-background-distorted.jpg\";}'),(2593,1085,'_wp_attachment_is_custom_background','bfastmag'),(2594,1051,'_wp_attachment_is_custom_background','bfastmag'),(2601,1088,'_wp_attached_file','2020/11/website-bg.jpg'),(2602,1088,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:5:{s:5:\"width\";i:1920;s:6:\"height\";i:1080;s:4:\"file\";s:22:\"2020/11/website-bg.jpg\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:13:{s:6:\"medium\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:22:\"website-bg-300x169.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:300;s:6:\"height\";i:169;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:5:\"large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:23:\"website-bg-1024x576.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1024;s:6:\"height\";i:576;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"thumbnail\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:22:\"website-bg-150x150.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:12:\"medium_large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:22:\"website-bg-768x432.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:768;s:6:\"height\";i:432;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"1536x1536\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:23:\"website-bg-1536x864.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1536;s:6:\"height\";i:864;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:24:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:22:\"website-bg-170x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:25:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"website-bg-86x70.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:21:\"website-bg-170x96.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:96;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:22:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:22:\"website-bg-370x250.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:30:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:22:\"website-bg-370x208.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:208;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:21:\"bfastmag_related_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:22:\"website-bg-288x160.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:288;s:6:\"height\";i:160;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:18:\"bfastmag_blog_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:22:\"website-bg-780x544.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:26:\"bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:22:\"website-bg-780x439.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:439;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:0:\"\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:1:\"0\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:1:\"0\";s:3:\"iso\";s:1:\"0\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:1:\"0\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";s:1:\"1\";s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}}'),(2603,1088,'_wp_attachment_is_custom_background','bfastmag'),(2604,1054,'ss_ss_click_share_count_facebook','1'),(2605,1054,'ss_total_share_count','0'),(2606,1084,'_edit_lock','1606714151:1'),(2607,1084,'_wp_trash_meta_status','publish'),(2608,1084,'_wp_trash_meta_time','1606714190'),(2622,1093,'_edit_lock','1607825675:1'),(2623,1094,'_wp_attached_file','2020/12/pexels-pixabay-2092241.jpg'),(2624,1094,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:5:{s:5:\"width\";i:1280;s:6:\"height\";i:853;s:4:\"file\";s:34:\"2020/12/pexels-pixabay-2092241.jpg\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:12:{s:6:\"medium\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:34:\"pexels-pixabay-2092241-300x200.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:300;s:6:\"height\";i:200;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:5:\"large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:35:\"pexels-pixabay-2092241-1024x682.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1024;s:6:\"height\";i:682;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"thumbnail\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:34:\"pexels-pixabay-2092241-150x150.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:12:\"medium_large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:34:\"pexels-pixabay-2092241-768x512.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:768;s:6:\"height\";i:512;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:24:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:34:\"pexels-pixabay-2092241-170x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:25:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:32:\"pexels-pixabay-2092241-86x70.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:34:\"pexels-pixabay-2092241-165x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:165;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:22:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:34:\"pexels-pixabay-2092241-370x250.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:30:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:34:\"pexels-pixabay-2092241-370x247.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:247;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:21:\"bfastmag_related_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:34:\"pexels-pixabay-2092241-288x160.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:288;s:6:\"height\";i:160;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:18:\"bfastmag_blog_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:34:\"pexels-pixabay-2092241-780x544.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:26:\"bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:34:\"pexels-pixabay-2092241-780x520.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:520;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:0:\"\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:1:\"0\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:1:\"0\";s:3:\"iso\";s:1:\"0\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:1:\"0\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";s:1:\"0\";s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}}'),(2625,1093,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(2626,1093,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(2627,1093,'_elementor_version','3.0.14'),(2628,1095,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(2629,1095,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(2630,1095,'_elementor_version','3.0.14'),(2631,1096,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(2632,1096,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(2633,1096,'_elementor_version','3.0.14'),(2634,1093,'_wp_page_template','default'),(2635,1093,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"56f8aeb\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"3bd1ce3c\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"7a59b74b\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">By: Frans Joseph F. Incomio* <\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 <\\/span>Embattled with the continuing threats of COVID-19, the Department of Finance (DOF) with the support of various executive departments such as the Department of Public Works and Highways, Bases Conversion and Development Authority, Department of Transportation and National Economic and Development Authority and Department of Budget and Management<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref1\\\"><sup>[1]<\\/sup><\\/a>, through the Senate, has proposed a revamp of Package 2 of The Tax Reform For Acceleration And Inclusions Program (TRAIN 2) or House Bill No. 4157<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref2\\\"><sup>[2]<\\/sup><\\/a> also known as the Corporate Income Tax and Incentive Rationalization Act (CITIRA) to what is now called the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprise (CREATE). Approved on 13 September 2019 for the 3<sup>rd<\\/sup> and final reading with the House of Representatives (HOR), the CITIRA bill was filed with the Senate for interpellations this year. However, due to COVID-19, the DOF sought to change some provisions of the bill especially Section 7 of the House Bill No. 4157 (HB No. 4157)<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref3\\\"><sup>[3]<\\/sup><\\/a>. Recently, on 26 November 2020, the Senate approved for the third and final reading the newly revised CITIRA bill, now CREATE bill or Senate Bill No. 1357 (SB No. 1357)<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref4\\\"><sup>[4]<\\/sup><\\/a>. This means that once this version is adopted by HOR, only the signature of the President is required for it to become a law<a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref5\\\"><sup>[5]<\\/sup><\\/a>.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Now that international pharmaceutical companies are expressing their success in discovering a vaccine for COVID-19<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref6\\\"><sup>[6]<\\/sup><\\/a>, the Philippine Government has started relaxing its policy in terms of travel and operations to give both the businesses and employees a chance to recover from their losses. However, while a chance to reoperate will give businesses a chance to earn again, the income generated will never be the same as before COVID-19 struck. One of the ways to alleviate business losses and free up some capital of aching corporations is through the CREATE bill. This bill basically seeks to cut Corporate Income Tax Rate (CITR) by 5% immediately upon its passage while an even greater 10% deduction is given to those qualified corporations. This will benefit not only large corporations but also micro, small, and medium enterprise (MSMEs) as part of their capital set to pay taxes will be freed up for investments or contingency funds.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><strong>CITIRA vis-\\u00e0-vis CREATE<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The CITIRA bill sought to deduct 1% from current CITR from the time of its passage. It also provided for an annual drop of 1% from year 2020 to year 2029. This means that from the time the CITIRA bill is passed, the CITR will be 29%, and by year 2029, the CITR will be 20%. This differs greatly when compared to the CREATE bill, which sought for an outright drop of the CITR by 5%. In addition to this, the CREATE bill states a proviso which provides for an immediate deduction of 10% of the CITR for certain corporations, <em>i.e.,<\\/em> corporations having net taxable income not exceeding Five Million Pesos (PhP5,000,000.00) and with total assets not exceeding One Hundred Million (PhP100,000,000.00), excluding land on which the particular business entity\\u2019s office, plant, and equipment. Generally, corporations falling under this provision shall be taxed at 25% CITR while for those falling under the qualification will be taxed at 20% CITR<a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref7\\\"><sup>[7]<\\/sup><\\/a>. Evidently, the CREATE bill gives a greater drop in the CITR once passed than the CITIRA bill but such corporate tax rates are fixed. There will be no further deduction in the CITR for the following years.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Under the CREATE bill, the Fiscal Incentives Review Board (FIRB), is given expanded powers to create Strategic Investment Priority Plans. The FIRB can also recommend to the President the grant of appropriate non-fiscal support on highly desirable projects or specific industrial activities. Upon recommendation, the President may approve the incentives and the period within which it may be availed. Such flexibility is sought to provide a more flexible system of incentive that will adapt to the needs of the economy. In other words, the tax incentive scheme of the Philippines will not vary as incentives will be assessed on a case-to-case basis<a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref8\\\"><sup>[8]<\\/sup><\\/a><a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref9\\\"><sup>[9]<\\/sup><\\/a>.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Lastly, due to the clamor of various business sectors already enjoying some tax incentives, they are given an additional two (2)-year sunset period. Subject to certain qualifications, businesses that have been enjoying tax incentives for a number of years are given more time to enjoy the said tax incentive before they are subject to regular taxation. Under the CITIRA bill, the sunset period ranges from two (2) years minimum to seven (7) years maximum, while under the CREATE bill the sunset period is up to eight (8) years maximum<a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref10\\\"><sup>[10]<\\/sup><\\/a>. This means that by the time the minimum period for the sunset ends, such companies enjoying the tax incentive will be subject to a regular CITR.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><strong>KEEP \\u201cTRAIN 2\\u201d MOVING<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Currently, the Philippines imposes the highest CITR on corporations as compared to neighboring Association of Southeast Asian Nation (ASEAN) countries. It seems that lowering the CITR is one of the ways to boost our economy as evidenced by Singapore which only imposes a 17% CITR. Singapore boasts of a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) Per Capita of 58,829.60 USD in 2019<a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref11\\\"><sup>[11]<\\/sup><\\/a> as compared to the Philippines\\u2019 GDP per Capita which was recorded at 3,337.70 USD<a href=\\\"#_ftn12\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref12\\\"><sup>[12]<\\/sup><\\/a> only. Reducing the CITR immediately will certainly encourage international corporations to keep its operations in the Philippines and this may also result to higher investments by those international corporations seeking to set an office in the ASEAN region. The Philippines\\u2019 corporate tax rate will induce international corporations to do business in the country. This will not only result to higher income for the government, but this also means more jobs to qualified Filipinos.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Due to the sudden impact of COVID-19, there should be a vigorous effort on the part of the government to seek ways to help businesses recuperate and prevent them from closing permanently. The DOF reported that while the forgone revenue due to the decrease in the CITR may reach up to PHP 600 billion<a href=\\\"#_ftn13\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref13\\\"><sup>[13]<\\/sup><\\/a> by the 5<sup>th<\\/sup> year of the CREATE bill, this reduced revenue will result to revival of most MSMEs that are on the verge of closure. This means that amidst the pandemic, corporations will be able to continue to operate and provide employment. Additionally, freed up capital due to the immediate decrease in the tax rate means that MSMEs may use the capital to expand their operations or keep their business afloat.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Aside from giving tax incentives, the DOF reported that the Philippines grants incentives to various business for the longest time compared to other ASEAN countries. This means that the Philippines has been giving up most of its revenue from medium to large scale businesses that are qualified for the tax incentive. While said corporations are given large tax incentives, MSMEs are subjected to the 30% CITR.\\u00a0 Thus, the CREATE Bill seeks to remove the incentive given to these corporations who have been enjoying the 5% tax on their Gross Income Earned and subject them to the new CITR.\\u00a0 The DOF reported that the Philippines has foregone PHP 441 Billion due to tax incentive granted to some 3,000 companies only.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><strong>TIMELINESS IS KEY <\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Upon the signing of incumbent president, Rodrigo Duterte III, of Republic Act No. 10963, the National Internal Revenue Code (NIRC) has been substantially amended especially the tax rates for individual earners<a href=\\\"#_ftn14\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref14\\\"><sup>[14]<\\/sup><\\/a>. However, due to the unexpected change in the business environment, the NIRC is again sought to be amended to keep the Philippines competitive among its neighboring nations and attractive to foreign investors. The CREATE bill seeks to provide immediate and direct impact to corporations in the country to address the losses during the past few months. It is the first-ever revenue-eroding tax reform package proposed by the DOF, but this is also the largest fiscal stimulus program in the history of the Philippines. The CREATE bill is a lifeline given to all corporations in the Philippines that will extend its effects to the working masses while simultaneously subjecting those corporations who have been enjoying tax incentives for years to the proper tax rates. This change will be the equalizer in terms of foregone revenue of the Philippines from the lower tax rate.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 As the threats of the pandemic persist even if businesses already started to resume operations, corporations in the Philippines still clamor for the approval of the CREATE bill.<a href=\\\"#_ftn15\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref15\\\"><sup>[15]<\\/sup><\\/a> True enough, the earlier the CREATE bill passes into law, the better room there will be for corporations to properly allocate its assets, since prompt relief is one of the rationales of TRAIN 2 from its inception<a href=\\\"#_ftn16\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref16\\\"><sup>[16]<\\/sup><\\/a>. Interestingly, SB No. 1357 contains a retroactive provision which states that once finally signed by the President and the corresponding publication has been made, the effectivity of some of CREATE bill\\u2019s provisions will retroact from 1 July 2020<a href=\\\"#_ftn17\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref17\\\"><sup>[17]<\\/sup><\\/a>. Perhaps due to this, the train may not be late after all.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><em>*Graduated from DLSU \\u2013 Taft with a degree in Accountancy in 2015, Frans worked as a tax consultant in one of the top accounting firms in the Philippines right after passing the CPA Boards in the same year. He is now in private practice\\u2014helping MSMEs in their accounting and tax matters.<\\/em> <\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\" name=\\\"_ftn1\\\"><sup>[1]<\\/sup><\\/a>Department of Public Works and Highways et, al., BUILD, BUILD, BUILD\\u2019 JOINT STATEMENT OF SUPPORT FOR THE CORPORATE RECOVERY AND TAX INCENTIVES FOR ENTERPRISES ACT, Tax Reform Community Group, 25 August 2020, <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/taxreform.dof.gov.ph\\/presentations-and-references\\/bbb-sos-for-create-dpwh-dotr-dbm-neda-bcda-consolidated-as-of-2-june-2020\\/\\\">https:\\/\\/taxreform.dof.gov.ph\\/presentations-and-references\\/bbb-sos-for-create-dpwh-dotr-dbm-neda-bcda-consolidated-as-of-2-june-2020\\/<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\" name=\\\"_ftn2\\\"><sup>[2]<\\/sup><\\/a> Committee Report No. 2 Re: HB No. 4157, 18<sup>th<\\/sup> Congress, 1<sup>st<\\/sup> Regular Session, (02 August 2019)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\" name=\\\"_ftn3\\\"><sup>[3]<\\/sup><\\/a> Section 7 of HB No. 4157, 18<sup>th<\\/sup> Congress, 1<sup>st<\\/sup> Regular Session<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\" name=\\\"_ftn4\\\"><sup>[4]<\\/sup><\\/a> SB No. 1357, 18<sup>th<\\/sup> Congress, 2<sup>nd<\\/sup> Regular Session (26 November 2020)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\" name=\\\"_ftn5\\\"><sup>[5]<\\/sup><\\/a> CONST. (1987)., Art VI, Sec. 27<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\" name=\\\"_ftn6\\\"><sup>[6]<\\/sup><\\/a> James Gallagher, Covid vaccine update: When will others be ready?, BBC NEWS, (02 December 2020), <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.bbc.com\\/news\\/health-5166549\\\">https:\\/\\/www.bbc.com\\/news\\/health-5166549<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\" name=\\\"_ftn7\\\"><sup>[7]<\\/sup><\\/a> Section 6 of SB No. 1357, 18<sup>th<\\/sup> Congress, 2<sup>nd<\\/sup> Regular Session (26 November 2020)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\" name=\\\"_ftn8\\\"><sup>[8]<\\/sup><\\/a> N.A., Package 2: Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises (CREATE) Act, Department of Finance, (No date), <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/taxreform.dof.gov.ph\\/tax-reform-packages\\/p2-corporate-recovery-and-tax-incentives-for-enterprises-act\\/\\\">https:\\/\\/taxreform.dof.gov.ph\\/tax-reform-packages\\/p2-corporate-recovery-and-tax-incentives-for-enterprises-act\\/<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\" name=\\\"_ftn9\\\"><sup>[9]<\\/sup><\\/a> Section 300, Chapter IV of SB No. 1357, 18<sup>th<\\/sup> Congress, 2<sup>nd<\\/sup> Regular Session (26 November 2020)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\" name=\\\"_ftn10\\\"><sup>[10]<\\/sup><\\/a> Section 301, Chapter IV of SB No. 1357, 18<sup>th<\\/sup> Congress, 2<sup>nd<\\/sup> Regular Session (26 November 2020)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\" name=\\\"_ftn11\\\"><sup>[11]<\\/sup><\\/a> N.A., Singapore GDP per capita, Trade Economics, (No Date), <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/tradingeconomics.com\\/singapore\\/gdp-per-capita\\\">https:\\/\\/tradingeconomics.com\\/singapore\\/gdp-per-capita\\u00a0<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref12\\\" name=\\\"_ftn12\\\"><sup><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">[12]<\\/span><\\/sup><\\/a><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"> N.A., Philippines GDP per capita, Trade Economics, <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/tradingeconomics.com\\/philippines\\/gdp-per-capita\\\">https:\\/\\/tradingeconomics.com\\/philippines\\/gdp-per-capita<\\/a><\\/span><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref13\\\" name=\\\"_ftn13\\\"><sup>[13]<\\/sup><\\/a> Jovie Marie de la Cruz, Citira, now CREATE, cuts CIT to 25%; means P259 billion in revenue loss till 2022, Business Mirror, (13 May 2020)<\\/span> <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/businessmirror.com.ph\\/2020\\/05\\/13\\/citira-now-create-cuts-cit-to-25-means-p259-billion-in-revenue-loss-till-2022\\/\\\">https:\\/\\/businessmirror.com.ph\\/2020\\/05\\/13\\/citira-now-create-cuts-cit-to-25-means-p259-billion-in-revenue-loss-till-2022\\/<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref14\\\" name=\\\"_ftn14\\\"><sup>[14]<\\/sup><\\/a> An Act Amending Sections 5, 6, 24, 25, 27, xxx, and Repealing Sections 35, 62 and 82; All under the Republic Act No. 8424, otherwise known as the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997, as amended, and for other purpose, Republic Act No. 10963, Sec. 5, (19 Dec<span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">ember 2017)<\\/span><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref15\\\" name=\\\"_ftn15\\\"><sup>[15]<\\/sup><\\/a> James A. Loyola, PCCI, PSE join clamor to pass CITIRA bill,\\u00a0Manila Bulletin, (09 March 2020), <a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/www.kccp.ph\\/2020\\/03\\/09\\/pcci-pse-join-clamor-to-pass-citira-bill\\/\\\">www.kccp.ph\\/2020\\/03\\/09\\/pcci-pse-join-clamor-to-pass-citira-bill\\/<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref16\\\" name=\\\"_ftn16\\\"><sup>[16]<\\/sup><\\/a> N.A., Package 2 top 10 rationales, Tax Reform Community Group, (2 March 2020), <a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/taxreform.dof.gov.ph\\/presentations-and-references\\/package-2-top-10-rationales-as-of-feb-28-2020\\/\\\">http:\\/\\/taxreform.dof.gov.ph\\/presentations-and-references\\/package-2-top-10-rationales-as-of-feb-28-2020\\/<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref17\\\" name=\\\"_ftn17\\\"><sup>[17]<\\/sup><\\/a> SB No. 1357, 18<sup>th<\\/sup> Congress, 2<sup>nd<\\/sup> Regular Session (26 November 2020)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0<em>Featured Photo by <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.pexels.com\\/@pixabay?utm_content=attributionCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=pexels\\\">Pixabay<\\/a> from <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.pexels.com\\/photo\\/accounting-analytics-balance-black-and-white-209224\\/?utm_content=attributionCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=pexels\\\">Pexels<\\/a><\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(2636,1097,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(2637,1097,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(2638,1097,'_elementor_version','3.0.14'),(2639,1097,'_wp_page_template','default'),(2640,1097,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"56f8aeb\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"3bd1ce3c\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"7a59b74b\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">By: Frans Joseph F. Incomio *<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">Embattled with the continuing threats of COVID-19, the Department of Finance (DOF) with the support of various executive departments such as the Department of Public Works and Highways, Bases Conversion and Development Authority, Department of Transportation and National Economic and Development Authority and Department of Budget and Management<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\">[1]<\\/a>, through the Senate, has proposed a revamp of House Bill No. 4157<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\">[2]<\\/a> also known as the Corporate Income Tax and Incentive Rationalization Act (CITIRA) to what is now called the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprise (CREATE). Approved on 13 September 2019 for the 3<sup>rd<\\/sup> and final reading with the House, the CITIRA bill was filed with the Senate for interpellations this year. However, due to COVID-19, the DOF sought to change some provisions of the CITIRA bill especially Section 7 of the House Bill No. 4157 (HB No. 4157)<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\">[3]<\\/a>. On 26 November 2020, the Senate approved on the third and final reading the newly revised CITIRA bill, now CREATE bill, under Senate Bill No. 1357 (SB No. 1357)<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\">[4]<\\/a> which means that it is on its way to the final process for its execution, i.e., the approval of the President, subject to the power to veto the said Bill<a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\">[5]<\\/a>.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">Now that international pharmaceutical companies are expressing their success in discovering a vaccine for COVID-19<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\">[6]<\\/a>, the Philippine Government has started relaxing its policy in terms of travel and operations to give both the businesses and employees a chance to recover from their losses. However, while a chance to reoperate will give businesses a chance to earn again, the income generated will never be the same as before COVID-19 struck. One of the ways to alleviate business losses and free up some capital of aching corporations is through the CREATE bill. This bill basically seeks to cut corporate tax rate by 5% immediately upon its passage. This will benefit not only large corporations but also micro, small, and medium enterprise (MSMEs) as part of their capital set to pay taxes will be freed up for investments or contingency funds.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong>CITIRA vis-\\u00e0-vis CREATE<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The CITIRA bill sought to deduct 1% from current Corporate Income Tax Rate (CITR) from the time of its passage. It also provided for an annual drop of 1% from year 2020 to year 2029. This means that from the time the CITIRA bill is passed, the CITR will be 29%, and by year 2029, the CITR will be 20%. This differs greatly when compared to the CREATE bill, which sought for an outright drop in the CITR of 5%. Hence, upon passage of the CREATE bill, corporations will now be subject to a 25% CITR. Unlike the CITIRA bill, the CREATE bill will continue to subject corporations to 25% CITR up to 2022. From 2023 to 2027, there will be a 1% drop annually, thus, by 2027, the CITR will only be 20%. Evidently, the CREATE bill does not only give a greater drop in the CITR on its first year of approval but also an accelerated the achievement of the final target of 20% CITR by two (2) years.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Under the CREATE bill, the Fiscal Incentives Review Board (FIRB), is given expanded powers to create Strategic Investment Priority Plans. The FIRB can also recommend to the President the grant of appropriate non-fiscal support on highly desirable projects or specific industrial activities. Upon recommendation, the President may approve the incentives and the period within which it may be availed. Such flexibility is sought to provide a more flexible system of incentive that will adapt to the needs of the economy. In other words, the tax incentive scheme of the Philippines will not vary as incentives will be assessed on a case-to-case basis<a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\">[7]<\\/a>.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Lastly, due to the clamor of various business sectors already enjoying some tax incentives, they are given an additional two (2)-year sunset period. Subject to certain qualifications, businesses that have been enjoying tax incentives for a period of 2 years\\u00a0are given more time to enjoy the said tax incentive before they are subject to regular taxation. Under the CITIRA bill, the sunset period ranges from two (2) years minimum to seven (7) years maximum, while under the CREATE bill the sunset period ranges from four (4) years minimum to nine (9) years maximum. This means that by the time the minimum period for the sunset ends, such companies enjoying the tax incentive will be subject to 25% CITR.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong>KEEP \\u201cTRAIN 2\\u201d MOVING<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Currently, the Philippines imposes the highest CITR on corporations as compared to neighboring Association of Southeast Asian Nation (ASEAN) countries. It seems that lowering the CITR is one of the ways to boost our economy as evidenced by Singapore which only imposes a 17% CITR. Singapore boasts of a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) Per Capita of 58,829.60 USD in 2019<a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\">[8]<\\/a> as compared to the Philippines\\u2019 GDP per Capita which was recorded at 3,337.70 USD<a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\">[9]<\\/a> only. Reducing the CITR immediately will certainly encourage international corporations to keep its operations in the Philippines and this may also result to higher investments by those international corporations seeking to set an office in the ASEAN region. The Philippines\\u2019 corporate tax rate will induce international corporations to do business in the country. This will not only result to higher income for the government, but this also means more jobs to qualified Filipinos.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Due to the sudden impact of COVID-19, there should be a vigorous efforts on the part of the government to seek ways to help businesses recuperate and prevent them from closing permanently. The DOF reported that while the forgone revenue due to the decrease in the CITR may reach up to PHP 600 billion<a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\">[10]<\\/a> by the 5<sup>th<\\/sup> year of the CREATE bill, this reduced revenue will result to revival of most MSMEs that are on the verge of closure. This means that amidst the pandemic, corporations will be able to continue to operate and provide employment. Additionally, freed up capital due to the immediate decrease in the tax rate means that MSMEs may use the capital to expand their operations or keep their business afloat.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Aside from giving tax incentives, the DOF reported that the Philippines grants incentives to various business for the longest time compared to other ASEAN countries. This means that the Philippines has been giving up most of its revenue from medium to large scale businesses that are qualified for the tax incentive. While said corporations are given large tax incentives, MSMEs are subjected to the 30% CITR.\\u00a0 Thus, the CREATE Bill seeks to remove the incentive given to these corporations who have been enjoying the 5% tax on their Gross Income Earned and subject them to the 25% CITR.\\u00a0 The DOF reported that the Philippines has foregone PHP 441 Billion due to tax incentive granted to some 3,000 companies only.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong>TIMELINESS IS KEY<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Upon the signing of incumbent president, Rodrigo Duterte III, of Republic Act No. 10963, the National Internal Revenue Code (NIRC) has been substantially amended especially the tax rates for individual earners<a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\">[11]<\\/a>. However, due to the unexpected change in the business environment, the NIRC is again sought to be amended to keep the Philippines competitive among its neighboring nations and attractive to foreign investors. The CREATE bill seeks to provide immediate and direct impact to corporations in the country to address the losses during the past few months. It is the first-ever revenue-eroding tax reform package proposed by the DOF, but this is also the largest fiscal stimulus program in the history of the Philippines. The CREATE bill is a lifeline given to all corporations in the Philippines that will extend its effects to the working masses while simultaneously subjecting those corporations who have been enjoying tax incentives for years to the proper tax rates. This change will be the equalizer in terms of foregone revenue of the Philippines from the lower tax rate.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 As the threats of the pandemic persist even if \\u00a0businesses already started to resume operations, corporations in the Philippines still clamor for the approval of the CREATE bill.<a href=\\\"#_ftn12\\\">[12]<\\/a> True enough, the earlier the CREATE bill passes into law, the better room there will be for corporations to properly allocate its assets, since prompt relief is one of the rationales of TRAIN 2 from its inception<a href=\\\"#_ftn13\\\">[13]<\\/a>. Interestingly, SB No. 1357 contains a retroactive provision which states that once finally signed by the President and the corresponding publication has been made, its effectivity will retroact from 1 January 2020<a href=\\\"#_ftn14\\\">[14]<\\/a>. Perhaps due to this clause, the train may not be late after all.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">*Graduated from DLSU \\u2013 Taft with a degree in Accountancy in 2015, Frans worked as a tax consultant in one of the top accounting firms in the Philippines right after passing the CPA Boards in the same year. He is now in private practice\\u2014helping MSMEs in their accounting and tax matters.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">[1]<\\/a>Department of Public Works and Highways et, al., BUILD, BUILD, BUILD\\u2019 JOINT STATEMENT OF SUPPORT FOR THE CORPORATE RECOVERY AND TAX INCENTIVES FOR ENTERPRISES ACT, Tax Reform Community Group, 25 August 2020, https:\\/\\/taxreform.dof.gov.ph\\/presentations-and-references\\/bbb-sos-for-create-dpwh-dotr-dbm-neda-bcda-consolidated-as-of-2-june-2020\\/<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a> Committee Report No. 2 Re: HB No. 4157, 18<sup>th<\\/sup> Congress, 1<sup>st<\\/sup> Regular Session, (02 August 2019)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a> Section 7 of HB No. 4157, 18<sup>th<\\/sup> Congress, 1<sup>st<\\/sup> Regular Session<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[4]<\\/a> SB No. 1357, 18<sup>th<\\/sup> Congress, 1<sup>st<\\/sup> Regular Session (18 February 2020)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[5]<\\/a> CONST. (1987)., Art VI, Sec. 27<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[6]<\\/a> <strong>James Gallagher<\\/strong>, Covid vaccine update: When will others be ready?, BBC NEWS, (02 December 2020), https:\\/\\/www.bbc.com\\/news\\/health-5166549<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\">[7]<\\/a> N.A., Package 2: Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises (CREATE) Act, Department of Finance, (No date), <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/taxreform.dof.gov.ph\\/tax-reform-packages\\/p2-corporate-recovery-and-tax-incentives-for-enterprises-act\\/\\\">https:\\/\\/taxreform.dof.gov.ph\\/tax-reform-packages\\/p2-corporate-recovery-and-tax-incentives-for-enterprises-act\\/<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\">[8]<\\/a> N.A., Singapore GDP per capita, Trade Economics, (No Date), https:\\/\\/tradingeconomics.com\\/singapore\\/gdp-per-capita\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\">[9]<\\/a> N.A., Philippines GDP per capita, Trade Economics, <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/tradingeconomics.com\\/philippines\\/gdp-per-capita\\\">https:\\/\\/tradingeconomics.com\\/philippines\\/gdp-per-capita<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\">[10]<\\/a> Jovie Marie de la Cruz, Citira, now CREATE, cuts CIT to 25%; means P259 billion in revenue loss till 2022, Business Mirror, (13 May 2020) <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/businessmirror.com.ph\\/2020\\/05\\/13\\/citira-now-create-cuts-cit-to-25-means-p259-billion-in-revenue-loss-till-2022\\/\\\">https:\\/\\/businessmirror.com.ph\\/2020\\/05\\/13\\/citira-now-create-cuts-cit-to-25-means-p259-billion-in-revenue-loss-till-2022\\/<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\">[11]<\\/a> An Act Amending Sections 5, 6, 24, 25, 27, xxx, and Repealing Sections 35, 62 and 82; All under the Republic Act No. 8424, otherwise known as the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997, as amended, and for other purpose, Republic Act No. 10963, Sec. 5, (19 December 2017)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref12\\\">[12]<\\/a> <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/business.mb.com.ph\\/2020\\/03\\/08\\/pcci-pse-join-clamor-to-pass-citira-bill\\/\\\">James A. Loyola<\\/a>, PCCI, PSE join clamor to pass CITIRA bill,\\u00a0Manila Bulletin, (09 March 2020), www.kccp.ph\\/2020\\/03\\/09\\/pcci-pse-join-clamor-to-pass-citira-bill\\/<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref13\\\">[13]<\\/a> N.A., Package 2 top 10 rationales, Tax Reform Community Group, (2 March 2020), http:\\/\\/taxreform.dof.gov.ph\\/presentations-and-references\\/package-2-top-10-rationales-as-of-feb-28-2020\\/<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref14\\\">[14]<\\/a> Sec. 14 of SB No. 1357, 18<sup>th<\\/sup> Congress, 1<sup>st<\\/sup> Regular Session (18 February 2020)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><em>Featured Photo by <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.pexels.com\\/@pixabay?utm_content=attributionCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=pexels\\\">Pixabay<\\/a> from <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.pexels.com\\/photo\\/accounting-analytics-balance-black-and-white-209224\\/?utm_content=attributionCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=pexels\\\">Pexels<\\/a><\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(2643,1093,'_thumbnail_id','1094'),(2644,1093,'_pingme','1'),(2645,1093,'_encloseme','1'),(2646,1098,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(2647,1098,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(2648,1098,'_elementor_version','3.0.14'),(2649,1098,'_wp_page_template','default'),(2650,1098,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"56f8aeb\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"3bd1ce3c\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"7a59b74b\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">By: Frans Joseph F. Incomio *<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">Embattled with the continuing threats of COVID-19, the Department of Finance (DOF) with the support of various executive departments such as the Department of Public Works and Highways, Bases Conversion and Development Authority, Department of Transportation and National Economic and Development Authority and Department of Budget and Management<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\">[1]<\\/a>, through the Senate, has proposed a revamp of House Bill No. 4157<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\">[2]<\\/a> also known as the Corporate Income Tax and Incentive Rationalization Act (CITIRA) to what is now called the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprise (CREATE). Approved on 13 September 2019 for the 3<sup>rd<\\/sup> and final reading with the House, the CITIRA bill was filed with the Senate for interpellations this year. However, due to COVID-19, the DOF sought to change some provisions of the CITIRA bill especially Section 7 of the House Bill No. 4157 (HB No. 4157)<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\">[3]<\\/a>. On 26 November 2020, the Senate approved on the third and final reading the newly revised CITIRA bill, now CREATE bill, under Senate Bill No. 1357 (SB No. 1357)<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\">[4]<\\/a> which means that it is on its way to the final process for its execution, i.e., the approval of the President, subject to the power to veto the said Bill<a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\">[5]<\\/a>.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">Now that international pharmaceutical companies are expressing their success in discovering a vaccine for COVID-19<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\">[6]<\\/a>, the Philippine Government has started relaxing its policy in terms of travel and operations to give both the businesses and employees a chance to recover from their losses. However, while a chance to reoperate will give businesses a chance to earn again, the income generated will never be the same as before COVID-19 struck. One of the ways to alleviate business losses and free up some capital of aching corporations is through the CREATE bill. This bill basically seeks to cut corporate tax rate by 5% immediately upon its passage. This will benefit not only large corporations but also micro, small, and medium enterprise (MSMEs) as part of their capital set to pay taxes will be freed up for investments or contingency funds.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong>CITIRA vis-\\u00e0-vis CREATE<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The CITIRA bill sought to deduct 1% from current Corporate Income Tax Rate (CITR) from the time of its passage. It also provided for an annual drop of 1% from year 2020 to year 2029. This means that from the time the CITIRA bill is passed, the CITR will be 29%, and by year 2029, the CITR will be 20%. This differs greatly when compared to the CREATE bill, which sought for an outright drop in the CITR of 5%. Hence, upon passage of the CREATE bill, corporations will now be subject to a 25% CITR. Unlike the CITIRA bill, the CREATE bill will continue to subject corporations to 25% CITR up to 2022. From 2023 to 2027, there will be a 1% drop annually, thus, by 2027, the CITR will only be 20%. Evidently, the CREATE bill does not only give a greater drop in the CITR on its first year of approval but also an accelerated the achievement of the final target of 20% CITR by two (2) years.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Under the CREATE bill, the Fiscal Incentives Review Board (FIRB), is given expanded powers to create Strategic Investment Priority Plans. The FIRB can also recommend to the President the grant of appropriate non-fiscal support on highly desirable projects or specific industrial activities. Upon recommendation, the President may approve the incentives and the period within which it may be availed. Such flexibility is sought to provide a more flexible system of incentive that will adapt to the needs of the economy. In other words, the tax incentive scheme of the Philippines will not vary as incentives will be assessed on a case-to-case basis<a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\">[7]<\\/a>.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Lastly, due to the clamor of various business sectors already enjoying some tax incentives, they are given an additional two (2)-year sunset period. Subject to certain qualifications, businesses that have been enjoying tax incentives for a period of 2 years\\u00a0are given more time to enjoy the said tax incentive before they are subject to regular taxation. Under the CITIRA bill, the sunset period ranges from two (2) years minimum to seven (7) years maximum, while under the CREATE bill the sunset period ranges from four (4) years minimum to nine (9) years maximum. This means that by the time the minimum period for the sunset ends, such companies enjoying the tax incentive will be subject to 25% CITR.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong>KEEP \\u201cTRAIN 2\\u201d MOVING<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Currently, the Philippines imposes the highest CITR on corporations as compared to neighboring Association of Southeast Asian Nation (ASEAN) countries. It seems that lowering the CITR is one of the ways to boost our economy as evidenced by Singapore which only imposes a 17% CITR. Singapore boasts of a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) Per Capita of 58,829.60 USD in 2019<a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\">[8]<\\/a> as compared to the Philippines\\u2019 GDP per Capita which was recorded at 3,337.70 USD<a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\">[9]<\\/a> only. Reducing the CITR immediately will certainly encourage international corporations to keep its operations in the Philippines and this may also result to higher investments by those international corporations seeking to set an office in the ASEAN region. The Philippines\\u2019 corporate tax rate will induce international corporations to do business in the country. This will not only result to higher income for the government, but this also means more jobs to qualified Filipinos.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Due to the sudden impact of COVID-19, there should be a vigorous efforts on the part of the government to seek ways to help businesses recuperate and prevent them from closing permanently. The DOF reported that while the forgone revenue due to the decrease in the CITR may reach up to PHP 600 billion<a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\">[10]<\\/a> by the 5<sup>th<\\/sup> year of the CREATE bill, this reduced revenue will result to revival of most MSMEs that are on the verge of closure. This means that amidst the pandemic, corporations will be able to continue to operate and provide employment. Additionally, freed up capital due to the immediate decrease in the tax rate means that MSMEs may use the capital to expand their operations or keep their business afloat.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Aside from giving tax incentives, the DOF reported that the Philippines grants incentives to various business for the longest time compared to other ASEAN countries. This means that the Philippines has been giving up most of its revenue from medium to large scale businesses that are qualified for the tax incentive. While said corporations are given large tax incentives, MSMEs are subjected to the 30% CITR.\\u00a0 Thus, the CREATE Bill seeks to remove the incentive given to these corporations who have been enjoying the 5% tax on their Gross Income Earned and subject them to the 25% CITR.\\u00a0 The DOF reported that the Philippines has foregone PHP 441 Billion due to tax incentive granted to some 3,000 companies only.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong>TIMELINESS IS KEY<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Upon the signing of incumbent president, Rodrigo Duterte III, of Republic Act No. 10963, the National Internal Revenue Code (NIRC) has been substantially amended especially the tax rates for individual earners<a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\">[11]<\\/a>. However, due to the unexpected change in the business environment, the NIRC is again sought to be amended to keep the Philippines competitive among its neighboring nations and attractive to foreign investors. The CREATE bill seeks to provide immediate and direct impact to corporations in the country to address the losses during the past few months. It is the first-ever revenue-eroding tax reform package proposed by the DOF, but this is also the largest fiscal stimulus program in the history of the Philippines. The CREATE bill is a lifeline given to all corporations in the Philippines that will extend its effects to the working masses while simultaneously subjecting those corporations who have been enjoying tax incentives for years to the proper tax rates. This change will be the equalizer in terms of foregone revenue of the Philippines from the lower tax rate.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 As the threats of the pandemic persist even if \\u00a0businesses already started to resume operations, corporations in the Philippines still clamor for the approval of the CREATE bill.<a href=\\\"#_ftn12\\\">[12]<\\/a> True enough, the earlier the CREATE bill passes into law, the better room there will be for corporations to properly allocate its assets, since prompt relief is one of the rationales of TRAIN 2 from its inception<a href=\\\"#_ftn13\\\">[13]<\\/a>. Interestingly, SB No. 1357 contains a retroactive provision which states that once finally signed by the President and the corresponding publication has been made, its effectivity will retroact from 1 January 2020<a href=\\\"#_ftn14\\\">[14]<\\/a>. Perhaps due to this clause, the train may not be late after all.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">*Graduated from DLSU \\u2013 Taft with a degree in Accountancy in 2015, Frans worked as a tax consultant in one of the top accounting firms in the Philippines right after passing the CPA Boards in the same year. He is now in private practice\\u2014helping MSMEs in their accounting and tax matters.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">[1]<\\/a>Department of Public Works and Highways et, al., BUILD, BUILD, BUILD\\u2019 JOINT STATEMENT OF SUPPORT FOR THE CORPORATE RECOVERY AND TAX INCENTIVES FOR ENTERPRISES ACT, Tax Reform Community Group, 25 August 2020, https:\\/\\/taxreform.dof.gov.ph\\/presentations-and-references\\/bbb-sos-for-create-dpwh-dotr-dbm-neda-bcda-consolidated-as-of-2-june-2020\\/<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a> Committee Report No. 2 Re: HB No. 4157, 18<sup>th<\\/sup> Congress, 1<sup>st<\\/sup> Regular Session, (02 August 2019)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a> Section 7 of HB No. 4157, 18<sup>th<\\/sup> Congress, 1<sup>st<\\/sup> Regular Session<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[4]<\\/a> SB No. 1357, 18<sup>th<\\/sup> Congress, 1<sup>st<\\/sup> Regular Session (18 February 2020)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[5]<\\/a> CONST. (1987)., Art VI, Sec. 27<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[6]<\\/a> <strong>James Gallagher<\\/strong>, Covid vaccine update: When will others be ready?, BBC NEWS, (02 December 2020), https:\\/\\/www.bbc.com\\/news\\/health-5166549<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\">[7]<\\/a> N.A., Package 2: Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises (CREATE) Act, Department of Finance, (No date), <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/taxreform.dof.gov.ph\\/tax-reform-packages\\/p2-corporate-recovery-and-tax-incentives-for-enterprises-act\\/\\\">https:\\/\\/taxreform.dof.gov.ph\\/tax-reform-packages\\/p2-corporate-recovery-and-tax-incentives-for-enterprises-act\\/<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\">[8]<\\/a> N.A., Singapore GDP per capita, Trade Economics, (No Date), https:\\/\\/tradingeconomics.com\\/singapore\\/gdp-per-capita\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\">[9]<\\/a> N.A., Philippines GDP per capita, Trade Economics, <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/tradingeconomics.com\\/philippines\\/gdp-per-capita\\\">https:\\/\\/tradingeconomics.com\\/philippines\\/gdp-per-capita<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\">[10]<\\/a> Jovie Marie de la Cruz, Citira, now CREATE, cuts CIT to 25%; means P259 billion in revenue loss till 2022, Business Mirror, (13 May 2020) <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/businessmirror.com.ph\\/2020\\/05\\/13\\/citira-now-create-cuts-cit-to-25-means-p259-billion-in-revenue-loss-till-2022\\/\\\">https:\\/\\/businessmirror.com.ph\\/2020\\/05\\/13\\/citira-now-create-cuts-cit-to-25-means-p259-billion-in-revenue-loss-till-2022\\/<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\">[11]<\\/a> An Act Amending Sections 5, 6, 24, 25, 27, xxx, and Repealing Sections 35, 62 and 82; All under the Republic Act No. 8424, otherwise known as the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997, as amended, and for other purpose, Republic Act No. 10963, Sec. 5, (19 December 2017)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref12\\\">[12]<\\/a> <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/business.mb.com.ph\\/2020\\/03\\/08\\/pcci-pse-join-clamor-to-pass-citira-bill\\/\\\">James A. Loyola<\\/a>, PCCI, PSE join clamor to pass CITIRA bill,\\u00a0Manila Bulletin, (09 March 2020), www.kccp.ph\\/2020\\/03\\/09\\/pcci-pse-join-clamor-to-pass-citira-bill\\/<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref13\\\">[13]<\\/a> N.A., Package 2 top 10 rationales, Tax Reform Community Group, (2 March 2020), http:\\/\\/taxreform.dof.gov.ph\\/presentations-and-references\\/package-2-top-10-rationales-as-of-feb-28-2020\\/<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref14\\\">[14]<\\/a> Sec. 14 of SB No. 1357, 18<sup>th<\\/sup> Congress, 1<sup>st<\\/sup> Regular Session (18 February 2020)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><em>Featured Photo by <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.pexels.com\\/@pixabay?utm_content=attributionCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=pexels\\\">Pixabay<\\/a> from <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.pexels.com\\/photo\\/accounting-analytics-balance-black-and-white-209224\\/?utm_content=attributionCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=pexels\\\">Pexels<\\/a><\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(2651,1098,'_thumbnail_id','1094'),(2653,1099,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(2654,1099,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(2655,1099,'_elementor_version','3.0.14'),(2656,1099,'_wp_page_template','default'),(2657,1099,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"56f8aeb\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"3bd1ce3c\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"7a59b74b\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">By: Frans Joseph F. Incomio *<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">Embattled with the continuing threats of COVID-19, the Department of Finance (DOF) with the support of various executive departments such as the Department of Public Works and Highways, Bases Conversion and Development Authority, Department of Transportation and National Economic and Development Authority and Department of Budget and Management<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\">[1]<\\/a>, through the Senate, has proposed a revamp of House Bill No. 4157<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\">[2]<\\/a> also known as the Corporate Income Tax and Incentive Rationalization Act (CITIRA) to what is now called the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprise (CREATE). Approved on 13 September 2019 for the 3<sup>rd<\\/sup> and final reading with the House, the CITIRA bill was filed with the Senate for interpellations this year. However, due to COVID-19, the DOF sought to change some provisions of the CITIRA bill especially Section 7 of the House Bill No. 4157 (HB No. 4157)<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\">[3]<\\/a>. On 26 November 2020, the Senate approved on the third and final reading the newly revised CITIRA bill, now CREATE bill, under Senate Bill No. 1357 (SB No. 1357)<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\">[4]<\\/a> which means that it is on its way to the final process for its execution, i.e., the approval of the President, subject to the power to veto the said Bill<a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\">[5]<\\/a>.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">Now that international pharmaceutical companies are expressing their success in discovering a vaccine for COVID-19<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\">[6]<\\/a>, the Philippine Government has started relaxing its policy in terms of travel and operations to give both the businesses and employees a chance to recover from their losses. However, while a chance to reoperate will give businesses a chance to earn again, the income generated will never be the same as before COVID-19 struck. One of the ways to alleviate business losses and free up some capital of aching corporations is through the CREATE bill. This bill basically seeks to cut corporate tax rate by 5% immediately upon its passage. This will benefit not only large corporations but also micro, small, and medium enterprise (MSMEs) as part of their capital set to pay taxes will be freed up for investments or contingency funds.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong>CITIRA vis-\\u00e0-vis CREATE<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The CITIRA bill sought to deduct 1% from current Corporate Income Tax Rate (CITR) from the time of its passage. It also provided for an annual drop of 1% from year 2020 to year 2029. This means that from the time the CITIRA bill is passed, the CITR will be 29%, and by year 2029, the CITR will be 20%. This differs greatly when compared to the CREATE bill, which sought for an outright drop in the CITR of 5%. Hence, upon passage of the CREATE bill, corporations will now be subject to a 25% CITR. Unlike the CITIRA bill, the CREATE bill will continue to subject corporations to 25% CITR up to 2022. From 2023 to 2027, there will be a 1% drop annually, thus, by 2027, the CITR will only be 20%. Evidently, the CREATE bill does not only give a greater drop in the CITR on its first year of approval but also an accelerated the achievement of the final target of 20% CITR by two (2) years.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Under the CREATE bill, the Fiscal Incentives Review Board (FIRB), is given expanded powers to create Strategic Investment Priority Plans. The FIRB can also recommend to the President the grant of appropriate non-fiscal support on highly desirable projects or specific industrial activities. Upon recommendation, the President may approve the incentives and the period within which it may be availed. Such flexibility is sought to provide a more flexible system of incentive that will adapt to the needs of the economy. In other words, the tax incentive scheme of the Philippines will not vary as incentives will be assessed on a case-to-case basis<a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\">[7]<\\/a>.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Lastly, due to the clamor of various business sectors already enjoying some tax incentives, they are given an additional two (2)-year sunset period. Subject to certain qualifications, businesses that have been enjoying tax incentives for a period of 2 years\\u00a0are given more time to enjoy the said tax incentive before they are subject to regular taxation. Under the CITIRA bill, the sunset period ranges from two (2) years minimum to seven (7) years maximum, while under the CREATE bill the sunset period ranges from four (4) years minimum to nine (9) years maximum. This means that by the time the minimum period for the sunset ends, such companies enjoying the tax incentive will be subject to 25% CITR.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong>KEEP \\u201cTRAIN 2\\u201d MOVING<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Currently, the Philippines imposes the highest CITR on corporations as compared to neighboring Association of Southeast Asian Nation (ASEAN) countries. It seems that lowering the CITR is one of the ways to boost our economy as evidenced by Singapore which only imposes a 17% CITR. Singapore boasts of a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) Per Capita of 58,829.60 USD in 2019<a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\">[8]<\\/a> as compared to the Philippines\\u2019 GDP per Capita which was recorded at 3,337.70 USD<a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\">[9]<\\/a> only. Reducing the CITR immediately will certainly encourage international corporations to keep its operations in the Philippines and this may also result to higher investments by those international corporations seeking to set an office in the ASEAN region. The Philippines\\u2019 corporate tax rate will induce international corporations to do business in the country. This will not only result to higher income for the government, but this also means more jobs to qualified Filipinos.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Due to the sudden impact of COVID-19, there should be a vigorous efforts on the part of the government to seek ways to help businesses recuperate and prevent them from closing permanently. The DOF reported that while the forgone revenue due to the decrease in the CITR may reach up to PHP 600 billion<a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\">[10]<\\/a> by the 5<sup>th<\\/sup> year of the CREATE bill, this reduced revenue will result to revival of most MSMEs that are on the verge of closure. This means that amidst the pandemic, corporations will be able to continue to operate and provide employment. Additionally, freed up capital due to the immediate decrease in the tax rate means that MSMEs may use the capital to expand their operations or keep their business afloat.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Aside from giving tax incentives, the DOF reported that the Philippines grants incentives to various business for the longest time compared to other ASEAN countries. This means that the Philippines has been giving up most of its revenue from medium to large scale businesses that are qualified for the tax incentive. While said corporations are given large tax incentives, MSMEs are subjected to the 30% CITR.\\u00a0 Thus, the CREATE Bill seeks to remove the incentive given to these corporations who have been enjoying the 5% tax on their Gross Income Earned and subject them to the 25% CITR.\\u00a0 The DOF reported that the Philippines has foregone PHP 441 Billion due to tax incentive granted to some 3,000 companies only.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong>TIMELINESS IS KEY<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Upon the signing of incumbent president, Rodrigo Duterte III, of Republic Act No. 10963, the National Internal Revenue Code (NIRC) has been substantially amended especially the tax rates for individual earners<a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\">[11]<\\/a>. However, due to the unexpected change in the business environment, the NIRC is again sought to be amended to keep the Philippines competitive among its neighboring nations and attractive to foreign investors. The CREATE bill seeks to provide immediate and direct impact to corporations in the country to address the losses during the past few months. It is the first-ever revenue-eroding tax reform package proposed by the DOF, but this is also the largest fiscal stimulus program in the history of the Philippines. The CREATE bill is a lifeline given to all corporations in the Philippines that will extend its effects to the working masses while simultaneously subjecting those corporations who have been enjoying tax incentives for years to the proper tax rates. This change will be the equalizer in terms of foregone revenue of the Philippines from the lower tax rate.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 As the threats of the pandemic persist even if \\u00a0businesses already started to resume operations, corporations in the Philippines still clamor for the approval of the CREATE bill.<a href=\\\"#_ftn12\\\">[12]<\\/a> True enough, the earlier the CREATE bill passes into law, the better room there will be for corporations to properly allocate its assets, since prompt relief is one of the rationales of TRAIN 2 from its inception<a href=\\\"#_ftn13\\\">[13]<\\/a>. Interestingly, SB No. 1357 contains a retroactive provision which states that once finally signed by the President and the corresponding publication has been made, its effectivity will retroact from 1 January 2020<a href=\\\"#_ftn14\\\">[14]<\\/a>. Perhaps due to this clause, the train may not be late after all.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">*Graduated from DLSU \\u2013 Taft with a degree in Accountancy in 2015, Frans worked as a tax consultant in one of the top accounting firms in the Philippines right after passing the CPA Boards in the same year. He is now in private practice\\u2014helping MSMEs in their accounting and tax matters.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">[1]<\\/a>Department of Public Works and Highways et, al., BUILD, BUILD, BUILD\\u2019 JOINT STATEMENT OF SUPPORT FOR THE CORPORATE RECOVERY AND TAX INCENTIVES FOR ENTERPRISES ACT, Tax Reform Community Group, 25 August 2020, https:\\/\\/taxreform.dof.gov.ph\\/presentations-and-references\\/bbb-sos-for-create-dpwh-dotr-dbm-neda-bcda-consolidated-as-of-2-june-2020\\/<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a> Committee Report No. 2 Re: HB No. 4157, 18<sup>th<\\/sup> Congress, 1<sup>st<\\/sup> Regular Session, (02 August 2019)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a> Section 7 of HB No. 4157, 18<sup>th<\\/sup> Congress, 1<sup>st<\\/sup> Regular Session<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[4]<\\/a> SB No. 1357, 18<sup>th<\\/sup> Congress, 1<sup>st<\\/sup> Regular Session (18 February 2020)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[5]<\\/a> CONST. (1987)., Art VI, Sec. 27<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[6]<\\/a> <strong>James Gallagher<\\/strong>, Covid vaccine update: When will others be ready?, BBC NEWS, (02 December 2020), https:\\/\\/www.bbc.com\\/news\\/health-5166549<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\">[7]<\\/a> N.A., Package 2: Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises (CREATE) Act, Department of Finance, (No date), <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/taxreform.dof.gov.ph\\/tax-reform-packages\\/p2-corporate-recovery-and-tax-incentives-for-enterprises-act\\/\\\">https:\\/\\/taxreform.dof.gov.ph\\/tax-reform-packages\\/p2-corporate-recovery-and-tax-incentives-for-enterprises-act\\/<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\">[8]<\\/a> N.A., Singapore GDP per capita, Trade Economics, (No Date), https:\\/\\/tradingeconomics.com\\/singapore\\/gdp-per-capita\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\">[9]<\\/a> N.A., Philippines GDP per capita, Trade Economics, <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/tradingeconomics.com\\/philippines\\/gdp-per-capita\\\">https:\\/\\/tradingeconomics.com\\/philippines\\/gdp-per-capita<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\">[10]<\\/a> Jovie Marie de la Cruz, Citira, now CREATE, cuts CIT to 25%; means P259 billion in revenue loss till 2022, Business Mirror, (13 May 2020) <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/businessmirror.com.ph\\/2020\\/05\\/13\\/citira-now-create-cuts-cit-to-25-means-p259-billion-in-revenue-loss-till-2022\\/\\\">https:\\/\\/businessmirror.com.ph\\/2020\\/05\\/13\\/citira-now-create-cuts-cit-to-25-means-p259-billion-in-revenue-loss-till-2022\\/<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\">[11]<\\/a> An Act Amending Sections 5, 6, 24, 25, 27, xxx, and Repealing Sections 35, 62 and 82; All under the Republic Act No. 8424, otherwise known as the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997, as amended, and for other purpose, Republic Act No. 10963, Sec. 5, (19 December 2017)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref12\\\">[12]<\\/a> <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/business.mb.com.ph\\/2020\\/03\\/08\\/pcci-pse-join-clamor-to-pass-citira-bill\\/\\\">James A. Loyola<\\/a>, PCCI, PSE join clamor to pass CITIRA bill,\\u00a0Manila Bulletin, (09 March 2020), www.kccp.ph\\/2020\\/03\\/09\\/pcci-pse-join-clamor-to-pass-citira-bill\\/<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref13\\\">[13]<\\/a> N.A., Package 2 top 10 rationales, Tax Reform Community Group, (2 March 2020), http:\\/\\/taxreform.dof.gov.ph\\/presentations-and-references\\/package-2-top-10-rationales-as-of-feb-28-2020\\/<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref14\\\">[14]<\\/a> Sec. 14 of SB No. 1357, 18<sup>th<\\/sup> Congress, 1<sup>st<\\/sup> Regular Session (18 February 2020)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><em>Featured Photo by <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.pexels.com\\/@pixabay?utm_content=attributionCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=pexels\\\">Pixabay<\\/a> from <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.pexels.com\\/photo\\/accounting-analytics-balance-black-and-white-209224\\/?utm_content=attributionCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=pexels\\\">Pexels<\\/a><\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(2658,1099,'_thumbnail_id','1094'),(2660,1100,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(2661,1100,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(2662,1100,'_elementor_version','3.0.14'),(2663,1100,'_wp_page_template','default'),(2664,1100,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"56f8aeb\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"3bd1ce3c\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"7a59b74b\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">By: Frans Joseph F. Incomio *<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">Embattled with the continuing threats of COVID-19, the Department of Finance (DOF) with the support of various executive departments such as the Department of Public Works and Highways, Bases Conversion and Development Authority, Department of Transportation and National Economic and Development Authority and Department of Budget and Management<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\">[1]<\\/a>, through the Senate, has proposed a revamp of House Bill No. 4157<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\">[2]<\\/a> also known as the Corporate Income Tax and Incentive Rationalization Act (CITIRA) to what is now called the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprise (CREATE). Approved on 13 September 2019 for the 3<sup>rd<\\/sup> and final reading with the House, the CITIRA bill was filed with the Senate for interpellations this year. However, due to COVID-19, the DOF sought to change some provisions of the CITIRA bill especially Section 7 of the House Bill No. 4157 (HB No. 4157)<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\">[3]<\\/a>. On 26 November 2020, the Senate approved on the third and final reading the newly revised CITIRA bill, now CREATE bill, under Senate Bill No. 1357 (SB No. 1357)<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\">[4]<\\/a> which means that it is on its way to the final process for its execution, i.e., the approval of the President, subject to the power to veto the said Bill<a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\">[5]<\\/a>.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">Now that international pharmaceutical companies are expressing their success in discovering a vaccine for COVID-19<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\">[6]<\\/a>, the Philippine Government has started relaxing its policy in terms of travel and operations to give both the businesses and employees a chance to recover from their losses. However, while a chance to reoperate will give businesses a chance to earn again, the income generated will never be the same as before COVID-19 struck. One of the ways to alleviate business losses and free up some capital of aching corporations is through the CREATE bill. This bill basically seeks to cut corporate tax rate by 5% immediately upon its passage. This will benefit not only large corporations but also micro, small, and medium enterprise (MSMEs) as part of their capital set to pay taxes will be freed up for investments or contingency funds.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong>CITIRA vis-\\u00e0-vis CREATE<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The CITIRA bill sought to deduct 1% from current Corporate Income Tax Rate (CITR) from the time of its passage. It also provided for an annual drop of 1% from year 2020 to year 2029. This means that from the time the CITIRA bill is passed, the CITR will be 29%, and by year 2029, the CITR will be 20%. This differs greatly when compared to the CREATE bill, which sought for an outright drop in the CITR of 5%. Hence, upon passage of the CREATE bill, corporations will now be subject to a 25% CITR. Unlike the CITIRA bill, the CREATE bill will continue to subject corporations to 25% CITR up to 2022. From 2023 to 2027, there will be a 1% drop annually, thus, by 2027, the CITR will only be 20%. Evidently, the CREATE bill does not only give a greater drop in the CITR on its first year of approval but also an accelerated the achievement of the final target of 20% CITR by two (2) years.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Under the CREATE bill, the Fiscal Incentives Review Board (FIRB), is given expanded powers to create Strategic Investment Priority Plans. The FIRB can also recommend to the President the grant of appropriate non-fiscal support on highly desirable projects or specific industrial activities. Upon recommendation, the President may approve the incentives and the period within which it may be availed. Such flexibility is sought to provide a more flexible system of incentive that will adapt to the needs of the economy. In other words, the tax incentive scheme of the Philippines will not vary as incentives will be assessed on a case-to-case basis<a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\">[7]<\\/a>.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Lastly, due to the clamor of various business sectors already enjoying some tax incentives, they are given an additional two (2)-year sunset period. Subject to certain qualifications, businesses that have been enjoying tax incentives for a period of 2 years\\u00a0are given more time to enjoy the said tax incentive before they are subject to regular taxation. Under the CITIRA bill, the sunset period ranges from two (2) years minimum to seven (7) years maximum, while under the CREATE bill the sunset period ranges from four (4) years minimum to nine (9) years maximum. This means that by the time the minimum period for the sunset ends, such companies enjoying the tax incentive will be subject to 25% CITR.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong>KEEP \\u201cTRAIN 2\\u201d MOVING<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Currently, the Philippines imposes the highest CITR on corporations as compared to neighboring Association of Southeast Asian Nation (ASEAN) countries. It seems that lowering the CITR is one of the ways to boost our economy as evidenced by Singapore which only imposes a 17% CITR. Singapore boasts of a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) Per Capita of 58,829.60 USD in 2019<a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\">[8]<\\/a> as compared to the Philippines\\u2019 GDP per Capita which was recorded at 3,337.70 USD<a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\">[9]<\\/a> only. Reducing the CITR immediately will certainly encourage international corporations to keep its operations in the Philippines and this may also result to higher investments by those international corporations seeking to set an office in the ASEAN region. The Philippines\\u2019 corporate tax rate will induce international corporations to do business in the country. This will not only result to higher income for the government, but this also means more jobs to qualified Filipinos.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Due to the sudden impact of COVID-19, there should be a vigorous efforts on the part of the government to seek ways to help businesses recuperate and prevent them from closing permanently. The DOF reported that while the forgone revenue due to the decrease in the CITR may reach up to PHP 600 billion<a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\">[10]<\\/a> by the 5<sup>th<\\/sup> year of the CREATE bill, this reduced revenue will result to revival of most MSMEs that are on the verge of closure. This means that amidst the pandemic, corporations will be able to continue to operate and provide employment. Additionally, freed up capital due to the immediate decrease in the tax rate means that MSMEs may use the capital to expand their operations or keep their business afloat.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Aside from giving tax incentives, the DOF reported that the Philippines grants incentives to various business for the longest time compared to other ASEAN countries. This means that the Philippines has been giving up most of its revenue from medium to large scale businesses that are qualified for the tax incentive. While said corporations are given large tax incentives, MSMEs are subjected to the 30% CITR.\\u00a0 Thus, the CREATE Bill seeks to remove the incentive given to these corporations who have been enjoying the 5% tax on their Gross Income Earned and subject them to the 25% CITR.\\u00a0 The DOF reported that the Philippines has foregone PHP 441 Billion due to tax incentive granted to some 3,000 companies only.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong>TIMELINESS IS KEY<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Upon the signing of incumbent president, Rodrigo Duterte III, of Republic Act No. 10963, the National Internal Revenue Code (NIRC) has been substantially amended especially the tax rates for individual earners<a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\">[11]<\\/a>. However, due to the unexpected change in the business environment, the NIRC is again sought to be amended to keep the Philippines competitive among its neighboring nations and attractive to foreign investors. The CREATE bill seeks to provide immediate and direct impact to corporations in the country to address the losses during the past few months. It is the first-ever revenue-eroding tax reform package proposed by the DOF, but this is also the largest fiscal stimulus program in the history of the Philippines. The CREATE bill is a lifeline given to all corporations in the Philippines that will extend its effects to the working masses while simultaneously subjecting those corporations who have been enjoying tax incentives for years to the proper tax rates. This change will be the equalizer in terms of foregone revenue of the Philippines from the lower tax rate.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 As the threats of the pandemic persist even if \\u00a0businesses already started to resume operations, corporations in the Philippines still clamor for the approval of the CREATE bill.<a href=\\\"#_ftn12\\\">[12]<\\/a> True enough, the earlier the CREATE bill passes into law, the better room there will be for corporations to properly allocate its assets, since prompt relief is one of the rationales of TRAIN 2 from its inception<a href=\\\"#_ftn13\\\">[13]<\\/a>. Interestingly, SB No. 1357 contains a retroactive provision which states that once finally signed by the President and the corresponding publication has been made, its effectivity will retroact from 1 January 2020<a href=\\\"#_ftn14\\\">[14]<\\/a>. Perhaps due to this clause, the train may not be late after all.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">*Graduated from DLSU \\u2013 Taft with a degree in Accountancy in 2015, Frans worked as a tax consultant in one of the top accounting firms in the Philippines right after passing the CPA Boards in the same year. He is now in private practice\\u2014helping MSMEs in their accounting and tax matters.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">[1]<\\/a>Department of Public Works and Highways et, al., BUILD, BUILD, BUILD\\u2019 JOINT STATEMENT OF SUPPORT FOR THE CORPORATE RECOVERY AND TAX INCENTIVES FOR ENTERPRISES ACT, Tax Reform Community Group, 25 August 2020, https:\\/\\/taxreform.dof.gov.ph\\/presentations-and-references\\/bbb-sos-for-create-dpwh-dotr-dbm-neda-bcda-consolidated-as-of-2-june-2020\\/<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a> Committee Report No. 2 Re: HB No. 4157, 18<sup>th<\\/sup> Congress, 1<sup>st<\\/sup> Regular Session, (02 August 2019)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a> Section 7 of HB No. 4157, 18<sup>th<\\/sup> Congress, 1<sup>st<\\/sup> Regular Session<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[4]<\\/a> SB No. 1357, 18<sup>th<\\/sup> Congress, 1<sup>st<\\/sup> Regular Session (18 February 2020)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[5]<\\/a> CONST. (1987)., Art VI, Sec. 27<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[6]<\\/a> <strong>James Gallagher<\\/strong>, Covid vaccine update: When will others be ready?, BBC NEWS, (02 December 2020), https:\\/\\/www.bbc.com\\/news\\/health-5166549<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\">[7]<\\/a> N.A., Package 2: Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises (CREATE) Act, Department of Finance, (No date), <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/taxreform.dof.gov.ph\\/tax-reform-packages\\/p2-corporate-recovery-and-tax-incentives-for-enterprises-act\\/\\\">https:\\/\\/taxreform.dof.gov.ph\\/tax-reform-packages\\/p2-corporate-recovery-and-tax-incentives-for-enterprises-act\\/<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\">[8]<\\/a> N.A., Singapore GDP per capita, Trade Economics, (No Date), https:\\/\\/tradingeconomics.com\\/singapore\\/gdp-per-capita\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\">[9]<\\/a> N.A., Philippines GDP per capita, Trade Economics, <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/tradingeconomics.com\\/philippines\\/gdp-per-capita\\\">https:\\/\\/tradingeconomics.com\\/philippines\\/gdp-per-capita<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\">[10]<\\/a> Jovie Marie de la Cruz, Citira, now CREATE, cuts CIT to 25%; means P259 billion in revenue loss till 2022, Business Mirror, (13 May 2020) <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/businessmirror.com.ph\\/2020\\/05\\/13\\/citira-now-create-cuts-cit-to-25-means-p259-billion-in-revenue-loss-till-2022\\/\\\">https:\\/\\/businessmirror.com.ph\\/2020\\/05\\/13\\/citira-now-create-cuts-cit-to-25-means-p259-billion-in-revenue-loss-till-2022\\/<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\">[11]<\\/a> An Act Amending Sections 5, 6, 24, 25, 27, xxx, and Repealing Sections 35, 62 and 82; All under the Republic Act No. 8424, otherwise known as the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997, as amended, and for other purpose, Republic Act No. 10963, Sec. 5, (19 December 2017)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref12\\\">[12]<\\/a> <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/business.mb.com.ph\\/2020\\/03\\/08\\/pcci-pse-join-clamor-to-pass-citira-bill\\/\\\">James A. Loyola<\\/a>, PCCI, PSE join clamor to pass CITIRA bill,\\u00a0Manila Bulletin, (09 March 2020), www.kccp.ph\\/2020\\/03\\/09\\/pcci-pse-join-clamor-to-pass-citira-bill\\/<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref13\\\">[13]<\\/a> N.A., Package 2 top 10 rationales, Tax Reform Community Group, (2 March 2020), http:\\/\\/taxreform.dof.gov.ph\\/presentations-and-references\\/package-2-top-10-rationales-as-of-feb-28-2020\\/<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref14\\\">[14]<\\/a> Sec. 14 of SB No. 1357, 18<sup>th<\\/sup> Congress, 1<sup>st<\\/sup> Regular Session (18 February 2020)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><em>Featured Photo by <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.pexels.com\\/@pixabay?utm_content=attributionCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=pexels\\\">Pixabay<\\/a> from <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.pexels.com\\/photo\\/accounting-analytics-balance-black-and-white-209224\\/?utm_content=attributionCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=pexels\\\">Pexels<\\/a><\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(2665,1100,'_thumbnail_id','1094'),(2669,1101,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(2670,1101,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(2671,1101,'_elementor_version','3.0.14'),(2672,1101,'_wp_page_template','default'),(2673,1101,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"56f8aeb\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"3bd1ce3c\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"7a59b74b\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">By: Frans Joseph F. Incomio *<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">Embattled with the continuing threats of COVID-19, the Department of Finance (DOF) with the support of various executive departments such as the Department of Public Works and Highways, Bases Conversion and Development Authority, Department of Transportation and National Economic and Development Authority and Department of Budget and Management<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\">[1]<\\/a>, through the Senate, has proposed a revamp of House Bill No. 4157<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\">[2]<\\/a> also known as the Corporate Income Tax and Incentive Rationalization Act (CITIRA) to what is now called the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprise (CREATE). Approved on 13 September 2019 for the 3<sup>rd<\\/sup> and final reading with the House, the CITIRA bill was filed with the Senate for interpellations this year. However, due to COVID-19, the DOF sought to change some provisions of the CITIRA bill especially Section 7 of the House Bill No. 4157 (HB No. 4157)<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\">[3]<\\/a>. On 26 November 2020, the Senate approved on the third and final reading the newly revised CITIRA bill, now CREATE bill, under Senate Bill No. 1357 (SB No. 1357)<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\">[4]<\\/a> which means that it is on its way to the final process for its execution, i.e., the approval of the President, subject to the power to veto the said Bill<a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\">[5]<\\/a>.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">Now that international pharmaceutical companies are expressing their success in discovering a vaccine for COVID-19<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\">[6]<\\/a>, the Philippine Government has started relaxing its policy in terms of travel and operations to give both the businesses and employees a chance to recover from their losses. However, while a chance to reoperate will give businesses a chance to earn again, the income generated will never be the same as before COVID-19 struck. One of the ways to alleviate business losses and free up some capital of aching corporations is through the CREATE bill. This bill basically seeks to cut corporate tax rate by 5% immediately upon its passage. This will benefit not only large corporations but also micro, small, and medium enterprise (MSMEs) as part of their capital set to pay taxes will be freed up for investments or contingency funds.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong>CITIRA vis-\\u00e0-vis CREATE<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The CITIRA bill sought to deduct 1% from current Corporate Income Tax Rate (CITR) from the time of its passage. It also provided for an annual drop of 1% from year 2020 to year 2029. This means that from the time the CITIRA bill is passed, the CITR will be 29%, and by year 2029, the CITR will be 20%. This differs greatly when compared to the CREATE bill, which sought for an outright drop in the CITR of 5%. Hence, upon passage of the CREATE bill, corporations will now be subject to a 25% CITR. Unlike the CITIRA bill, the CREATE bill will continue to subject corporations to 25% CITR up to 2022. From 2023 to 2027, there will be a 1% drop annually, thus, by 2027, the CITR will only be 20%. Evidently, the CREATE bill does not only give a greater drop in the CITR on its first year of approval but also an accelerated the achievement of the final target of 20% CITR by two (2) years.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Under the CREATE bill, the Fiscal Incentives Review Board (FIRB), is given expanded powers to create Strategic Investment Priority Plans. The FIRB can also recommend to the President the grant of appropriate non-fiscal support on highly desirable projects or specific industrial activities. Upon recommendation, the President may approve the incentives and the period within which it may be availed. Such flexibility is sought to provide a more flexible system of incentive that will adapt to the needs of the economy. In other words, the tax incentive scheme of the Philippines will not vary as incentives will be assessed on a case-to-case basis<a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\">[7]<\\/a>.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Lastly, due to the clamor of various business sectors already enjoying some tax incentives, they are given an additional two (2)-year sunset period. Subject to certain qualifications, businesses that have been enjoying tax incentives for a period of 2 years\\u00a0are given more time to enjoy the said tax incentive before they are subject to regular taxation. Under the CITIRA bill, the sunset period ranges from two (2) years minimum to seven (7) years maximum, while under the CREATE bill the sunset period ranges from four (4) years minimum to nine (9) years maximum. This means that by the time the minimum period for the sunset ends, such companies enjoying the tax incentive will be subject to 25% CITR.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong>KEEP \\u201cTRAIN 2\\u201d MOVING<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Currently, the Philippines imposes the highest CITR on corporations as compared to neighboring Association of Southeast Asian Nation (ASEAN) countries. It seems that lowering the CITR is one of the ways to boost our economy as evidenced by Singapore which only imposes a 17% CITR. Singapore boasts of a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) Per Capita of 58,829.60 USD in 2019<a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\">[8]<\\/a> as compared to the Philippines\\u2019 GDP per Capita which was recorded at 3,337.70 USD<a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\">[9]<\\/a> only. Reducing the CITR immediately will certainly encourage international corporations to keep its operations in the Philippines and this may also result to higher investments by those international corporations seeking to set an office in the ASEAN region. The Philippines\\u2019 corporate tax rate will induce international corporations to do business in the country. This will not only result to higher income for the government, but this also means more jobs to qualified Filipinos.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Due to the sudden impact of COVID-19, there should be a vigorous efforts on the part of the government to seek ways to help businesses recuperate and prevent them from closing permanently. The DOF reported that while the forgone revenue due to the decrease in the CITR may reach up to PHP 600 billion<a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\">[10]<\\/a> by the 5<sup>th<\\/sup> year of the CREATE bill, this reduced revenue will result to revival of most MSMEs that are on the verge of closure. This means that amidst the pandemic, corporations will be able to continue to operate and provide employment. Additionally, freed up capital due to the immediate decrease in the tax rate means that MSMEs may use the capital to expand their operations or keep their business afloat.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Aside from giving tax incentives, the DOF reported that the Philippines grants incentives to various business for the longest time compared to other ASEAN countries. This means that the Philippines has been giving up most of its revenue from medium to large scale businesses that are qualified for the tax incentive. While said corporations are given large tax incentives, MSMEs are subjected to the 30% CITR.\\u00a0 Thus, the CREATE Bill seeks to remove the incentive given to these corporations who have been enjoying the 5% tax on their Gross Income Earned and subject them to the 25% CITR.\\u00a0 The DOF reported that the Philippines has foregone PHP 441 Billion due to tax incentive granted to some 3,000 companies only.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong>TIMELINESS IS KEY<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Upon the signing of incumbent president, Rodrigo Duterte III, of Republic Act No. 10963, the National Internal Revenue Code (NIRC) has been substantially amended especially the tax rates for individual earners<a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\">[11]<\\/a>. However, due to the unexpected change in the business environment, the NIRC is again sought to be amended to keep the Philippines competitive among its neighboring nations and attractive to foreign investors. The CREATE bill seeks to provide immediate and direct impact to corporations in the country to address the losses during the past few months. It is the first-ever revenue-eroding tax reform package proposed by the DOF, but this is also the largest fiscal stimulus program in the history of the Philippines. The CREATE bill is a lifeline given to all corporations in the Philippines that will extend its effects to the working masses while simultaneously subjecting those corporations who have been enjoying tax incentives for years to the proper tax rates. This change will be the equalizer in terms of foregone revenue of the Philippines from the lower tax rate.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 As the threats of the pandemic persist even if \\u00a0businesses already started to resume operations, corporations in the Philippines still clamor for the approval of the CREATE bill.<a href=\\\"#_ftn12\\\">[12]<\\/a> True enough, the earlier the CREATE bill passes into law, the better room there will be for corporations to properly allocate its assets, since prompt relief is one of the rationales of TRAIN 2 from its inception<a href=\\\"#_ftn13\\\">[13]<\\/a>. Interestingly, SB No. 1357 contains a retroactive provision which states that once finally signed by the President and the corresponding publication has been made, its effectivity will retroact from 1 January 2020<a href=\\\"#_ftn14\\\">[14]<\\/a>. Perhaps due to this clause, the train may not be late after all.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">*Graduated from DLSU \\u2013 Taft with a degree in Accountancy in 2015, Frans worked as a tax consultant in one of the top accounting firms in the Philippines right after passing the CPA Boards in the same year. He is now in private practice\\u2014helping MSMEs in their accounting and tax matters.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">[1]<\\/a>Department of Public Works and Highways et, al., BUILD, BUILD, BUILD\\u2019 JOINT STATEMENT OF SUPPORT FOR THE CORPORATE RECOVERY AND TAX INCENTIVES FOR ENTERPRISES ACT, Tax Reform Community Group, 25 August 2020, https:\\/\\/taxreform.dof.gov.ph\\/presentations-and-references\\/bbb-sos-for-create-dpwh-dotr-dbm-neda-bcda-consolidated-as-of-2-june-2020\\/<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a> Committee Report No. 2 Re: HB No. 4157, 18<sup>th<\\/sup> Congress, 1<sup>st<\\/sup> Regular Session, (02 August 2019)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a> Section 7 of HB No. 4157, 18<sup>th<\\/sup> Congress, 1<sup>st<\\/sup> Regular Session<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[4]<\\/a> SB No. 1357, 18<sup>th<\\/sup> Congress, 1<sup>st<\\/sup> Regular Session (18 February 2020)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[5]<\\/a> CONST. (1987)., Art VI, Sec. 27<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[6]<\\/a> <strong>James Gallagher<\\/strong>, Covid vaccine update: When will others be ready?, BBC NEWS, (02 December 2020), https:\\/\\/www.bbc.com\\/news\\/health-5166549<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\">[7]<\\/a> N.A., Package 2: Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises (CREATE) Act, Department of Finance, (No date), <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/taxreform.dof.gov.ph\\/tax-reform-packages\\/p2-corporate-recovery-and-tax-incentives-for-enterprises-act\\/\\\">https:\\/\\/taxreform.dof.gov.ph\\/tax-reform-packages\\/p2-corporate-recovery-and-tax-incentives-for-enterprises-act\\/<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\">[8]<\\/a> N.A., Singapore GDP per capita, Trade Economics, (No Date), https:\\/\\/tradingeconomics.com\\/singapore\\/gdp-per-capita\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\">[9]<\\/a> N.A., Philippines GDP per capita, Trade Economics, <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/tradingeconomics.com\\/philippines\\/gdp-per-capita\\\">https:\\/\\/tradingeconomics.com\\/philippines\\/gdp-per-capita<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\">[10]<\\/a> Jovie Marie de la Cruz, Citira, now CREATE, cuts CIT to 25%; means P259 billion in revenue loss till 2022, Business Mirror, (13 May 2020) <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/businessmirror.com.ph\\/2020\\/05\\/13\\/citira-now-create-cuts-cit-to-25-means-p259-billion-in-revenue-loss-till-2022\\/\\\">https:\\/\\/businessmirror.com.ph\\/2020\\/05\\/13\\/citira-now-create-cuts-cit-to-25-means-p259-billion-in-revenue-loss-till-2022\\/<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\">[11]<\\/a> An Act Amending Sections 5, 6, 24, 25, 27, xxx, and Repealing Sections 35, 62 and 82; All under the Republic Act No. 8424, otherwise known as the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997, as amended, and for other purpose, Republic Act No. 10963, Sec. 5, (19 December 2017)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref12\\\">[12]<\\/a> <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/business.mb.com.ph\\/2020\\/03\\/08\\/pcci-pse-join-clamor-to-pass-citira-bill\\/\\\">James A. Loyola<\\/a>, PCCI, PSE join clamor to pass CITIRA bill,\\u00a0Manila Bulletin, (09 March 2020), www.kccp.ph\\/2020\\/03\\/09\\/pcci-pse-join-clamor-to-pass-citira-bill\\/<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref13\\\">[13]<\\/a> N.A., Package 2 top 10 rationales, Tax Reform Community Group, (2 March 2020), http:\\/\\/taxreform.dof.gov.ph\\/presentations-and-references\\/package-2-top-10-rationales-as-of-feb-28-2020\\/<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref14\\\">[14]<\\/a> Sec. 14 of SB No. 1357, 18<sup>th<\\/sup> Congress, 1<sup>st<\\/sup> Regular Session (18 February 2020)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><em>Featured Photo by <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.pexels.com\\/@pixabay?utm_content=attributionCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=pexels\\\">Pixabay<\\/a> from <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.pexels.com\\/photo\\/accounting-analytics-balance-black-and-white-209224\\/?utm_content=attributionCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=pexels\\\">Pexels<\\/a><\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(2674,1101,'_thumbnail_id','1094'),(2675,1101,'_elementor_controls_usage','a:3:{s:11:\"text-editor\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:1;s:8:\"controls\";a:2:{s:7:\"content\";a:1:{s:14:\"section_editor\";a:1:{s:6:\"editor\";i:1;}}s:5:\"style\";a:1:{s:13:\"section_style\";a:2:{s:21:\"typography_typography\";i:1;s:22:\"typography_line_height\";i:1;}}}}s:6:\"column\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:0;s:8:\"controls\";a:0:{}}s:7:\"section\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:0;s:8:\"controls\";a:0:{}}}'),(2677,1093,'_edit_last','1'),(2678,1093,'_yoast_wpseo_primary_category','10'),(2679,1093,'wptr_hide_title','0'),(2680,1093,'ss_social_share_disable',''),(2681,1093,'_yoast_wpseo_content_score','30'),(2682,1093,'_yoast_wpseo_metadesc','On 26 November 2020, the Senate has approved on the third and final reading the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentive for Enterprises Bill. It is sought to be signed immediately by no less than President Rodrigo Duterte III who himself urged the Congress to pass a bill to decrease in Corporate Income Tax Rates imposed upon corporations in the Philippines in his 2019 State of the Nation Address.'),(2691,1103,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(2692,1103,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(2693,1103,'_elementor_version','3.0.14'),(2694,1103,'_wp_page_template','default'),(2695,1103,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"56f8aeb\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"3bd1ce3c\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"7a59b74b\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">By: Frans Joseph F. Incomio *<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">Embattled with the continuing threats of COVID-19, the Department of Finance (DOF) with the support of various executive departments such as the Department of Public Works and Highways, Bases Conversion and Development Authority, Department of Transportation and National Economic and Development Authority and Department of Budget and Management<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\">[1]<\\/a>, through the Senate, has proposed a revamp of House Bill No. 4157<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\">[2]<\\/a> also known as the Corporate Income Tax and Incentive Rationalization Act (CITIRA) to what is now called the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprise (CREATE). Approved on 13 September 2019 for the 3<sup>rd<\\/sup> and final reading with the House, the CITIRA bill was filed with the Senate for interpellations this year. However, due to COVID-19, the DOF sought to change some provisions of the CITIRA bill especially Section 7 of the House Bill No. 4157 (HB No. 4157)<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\">[3]<\\/a>. On 26 November 2020, the Senate approved on the third and final reading the newly revised CITIRA bill, now CREATE bill, under Senate Bill No. 1357 (SB No. 1357)<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\">[4]<\\/a> which means that it is on its way to the final process for its execution, i.e., the approval of the President, subject to the power to veto the said Bill<a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\">[5]<\\/a>.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">Now that international pharmaceutical companies are expressing their success in discovering a vaccine for COVID-19<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\">[6]<\\/a>, the Philippine Government has started relaxing its policy in terms of travel and operations to give both the businesses and employees a chance to recover from their losses. However, while a chance to reoperate will give businesses a chance to earn again, the income generated will never be the same as before COVID-19 struck. One of the ways to alleviate business losses and free up some capital of aching corporations is through the CREATE bill. This bill basically seeks to cut corporate tax rate by 5% immediately upon its passage. This will benefit not only large corporations but also micro, small, and medium enterprise (MSMEs) as part of their capital set to pay taxes will be freed up for investments or contingency funds.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong>CITIRA vis-\\u00e0-vis CREATE<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The CITIRA bill sought to deduct 1% from current Corporate Income Tax Rate (CITR) from the time of its passage. It also provided for an annual drop of 1% from year 2020 to year 2029. This means that from the time the CITIRA bill is passed, the CITR will be 29%, and by year 2029, the CITR will be 20%. This differs greatly when compared to the CREATE bill, which sought for an outright drop in the CITR of 5%. Hence, upon passage of the CREATE bill, corporations will now be subject to a 25% CITR. Unlike the CITIRA bill, the CREATE bill will continue to subject corporations to 25% CITR up to 2022. From 2023 to 2027, there will be a 1% drop annually, thus, by 2027, the CITR will only be 20%. Evidently, the CREATE bill does not only give a greater drop in the CITR on its first year of approval but also an accelerated the achievement of the final target of 20% CITR by two (2) years.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Under the CREATE bill, the Fiscal Incentives Review Board (FIRB), is given expanded powers to create Strategic Investment Priority Plans. The FIRB can also recommend to the President the grant of appropriate non-fiscal support on highly desirable projects or specific industrial activities. Upon recommendation, the President may approve the incentives and the period within which it may be availed. Such flexibility is sought to provide a more flexible system of incentive that will adapt to the needs of the economy. In other words, the tax incentive scheme of the Philippines will not vary as incentives will be assessed on a case-to-case basis<a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\">[7]<\\/a>.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Lastly, due to the clamor of various business sectors already enjoying some tax incentives, they are given an additional two (2)-year sunset period. Subject to certain qualifications, businesses that have been enjoying tax incentives for a period of 2 years\\u00a0are given more time to enjoy the said tax incentive before they are subject to regular taxation. Under the CITIRA bill, the sunset period ranges from two (2) years minimum to seven (7) years maximum, while under the CREATE bill the sunset period ranges from four (4) years minimum to nine (9) years maximum. This means that by the time the minimum period for the sunset ends, such companies enjoying the tax incentive will be subject to 25% CITR.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong>KEEP \\u201cTRAIN 2\\u201d MOVING<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Currently, the Philippines imposes the highest CITR on corporations as compared to neighboring Association of Southeast Asian Nation (ASEAN) countries. It seems that lowering the CITR is one of the ways to boost our economy as evidenced by Singapore which only imposes a 17% CITR. Singapore boasts of a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) Per Capita of 58,829.60 USD in 2019<a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\">[8]<\\/a> as compared to the Philippines\\u2019 GDP per Capita which was recorded at 3,337.70 USD<a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\">[9]<\\/a> only. Reducing the CITR immediately will certainly encourage international corporations to keep its operations in the Philippines and this may also result to higher investments by those international corporations seeking to set an office in the ASEAN region. The Philippines\\u2019 corporate tax rate will induce international corporations to do business in the country. This will not only result to higher income for the government, but this also means more jobs to qualified Filipinos.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Due to the sudden impact of COVID-19, there should be a vigorous efforts on the part of the government to seek ways to help businesses recuperate and prevent them from closing permanently. The DOF reported that while the forgone revenue due to the decrease in the CITR may reach up to PHP 600 billion<a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\">[10]<\\/a> by the 5<sup>th<\\/sup> year of the CREATE bill, this reduced revenue will result to revival of most MSMEs that are on the verge of closure. This means that amidst the pandemic, corporations will be able to continue to operate and provide employment. Additionally, freed up capital due to the immediate decrease in the tax rate means that MSMEs may use the capital to expand their operations or keep their business afloat.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Aside from giving tax incentives, the DOF reported that the Philippines grants incentives to various business for the longest time compared to other ASEAN countries. This means that the Philippines has been giving up most of its revenue from medium to large scale businesses that are qualified for the tax incentive. While said corporations are given large tax incentives, MSMEs are subjected to the 30% CITR.\\u00a0 Thus, the CREATE Bill seeks to remove the incentive given to these corporations who have been enjoying the 5% tax on their Gross Income Earned and subject them to the 25% CITR.\\u00a0 The DOF reported that the Philippines has foregone PHP 441 Billion due to tax incentive granted to some 3,000 companies only.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong>TIMELINESS IS KEY<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Upon the signing of incumbent president, Rodrigo Duterte III, of Republic Act No. 10963, the National Internal Revenue Code (NIRC) has been substantially amended especially the tax rates for individual earners<a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\">[11]<\\/a>. However, due to the unexpected change in the business environment, the NIRC is again sought to be amended to keep the Philippines competitive among its neighboring nations and attractive to foreign investors. The CREATE bill seeks to provide immediate and direct impact to corporations in the country to address the losses during the past few months. It is the first-ever revenue-eroding tax reform package proposed by the DOF, but this is also the largest fiscal stimulus program in the history of the Philippines. The CREATE bill is a lifeline given to all corporations in the Philippines that will extend its effects to the working masses while simultaneously subjecting those corporations who have been enjoying tax incentives for years to the proper tax rates. This change will be the equalizer in terms of foregone revenue of the Philippines from the lower tax rate.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 As the threats of the pandemic persist even if \\u00a0businesses already started to resume operations, corporations in the Philippines still clamor for the approval of the CREATE bill.<a href=\\\"#_ftn12\\\">[12]<\\/a> True enough, the earlier the CREATE bill passes into law, the better room there will be for corporations to properly allocate its assets, since prompt relief is one of the rationales of TRAIN 2 from its inception<a href=\\\"#_ftn13\\\">[13]<\\/a>. Interestingly, SB No. 1357 contains a retroactive provision which states that once finally signed by the President and the corresponding publication has been made, its effectivity will retroact from 1 January 2020<a href=\\\"#_ftn14\\\">[14]<\\/a>. Perhaps due to this clause, the train may not be late after all.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">*Graduated from DLSU \\u2013 Taft with a degree in Accountancy in 2015, Frans worked as a tax consultant in one of the top accounting firms in the Philippines right after passing the CPA Boards in the same year. He is now in private practice\\u2014helping MSMEs in their accounting and tax matters.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">[1]<\\/a>Department of Public Works and Highways et, al., BUILD, BUILD, BUILD\\u2019 JOINT STATEMENT OF SUPPORT FOR THE CORPORATE RECOVERY AND TAX INCENTIVES FOR ENTERPRISES ACT, Tax Reform Community Group, 25 August 2020, https:\\/\\/taxreform.dof.gov.ph\\/presentations-and-references\\/bbb-sos-for-create-dpwh-dotr-dbm-neda-bcda-consolidated-as-of-2-june-2020\\/<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a> Committee Report No. 2 Re: HB No. 4157, 18<sup>th<\\/sup> Congress, 1<sup>st<\\/sup> Regular Session, (02 August 2019)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a> Section 7 of HB No. 4157, 18<sup>th<\\/sup> Congress, 1<sup>st<\\/sup> Regular Session<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[4]<\\/a> SB No. 1357, 18<sup>th<\\/sup> Congress, 1<sup>st<\\/sup> Regular Session (18 February 2020)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[5]<\\/a> CONST. (1987)., Art VI, Sec. 27<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[6]<\\/a> <strong>James Gallagher<\\/strong>, Covid vaccine update: When will others be ready?, BBC NEWS, (02 December 2020), https:\\/\\/www.bbc.com\\/news\\/health-5166549<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\">[7]<\\/a> N.A., Package 2: Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises (CREATE) Act, Department of Finance, (No date), <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/taxreform.dof.gov.ph\\/tax-reform-packages\\/p2-corporate-recovery-and-tax-incentives-for-enterprises-act\\/\\\">https:\\/\\/taxreform.dof.gov.ph\\/tax-reform-packages\\/p2-corporate-recovery-and-tax-incentives-for-enterprises-act\\/<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\">[8]<\\/a> N.A., Singapore GDP per capita, Trade Economics, (No Date), https:\\/\\/tradingeconomics.com\\/singapore\\/gdp-per-capita\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\">[9]<\\/a> N.A., Philippines GDP per capita, Trade Economics, <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/tradingeconomics.com\\/philippines\\/gdp-per-capita\\\">https:\\/\\/tradingeconomics.com\\/philippines\\/gdp-per-capita<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\">[10]<\\/a> Jovie Marie de la Cruz, Citira, now CREATE, cuts CIT to 25%; means P259 billion in revenue loss till 2022, Business Mirror, (13 May 2020) <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/businessmirror.com.ph\\/2020\\/05\\/13\\/citira-now-create-cuts-cit-to-25-means-p259-billion-in-revenue-loss-till-2022\\/\\\">https:\\/\\/businessmirror.com.ph\\/2020\\/05\\/13\\/citira-now-create-cuts-cit-to-25-means-p259-billion-in-revenue-loss-till-2022\\/<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\">[11]<\\/a> An Act Amending Sections 5, 6, 24, 25, 27, xxx, and Repealing Sections 35, 62 and 82; All under the Republic Act No. 8424, otherwise known as the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997, as amended, and for other purpose, Republic Act No. 10963, Sec. 5, (19 December 2017)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref12\\\">[12]<\\/a> <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/business.mb.com.ph\\/2020\\/03\\/08\\/pcci-pse-join-clamor-to-pass-citira-bill\\/\\\">James A. Loyola<\\/a>, PCCI, PSE join clamor to pass CITIRA bill,\\u00a0Manila Bulletin, (09 March 2020), www.kccp.ph\\/2020\\/03\\/09\\/pcci-pse-join-clamor-to-pass-citira-bill\\/<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref13\\\">[13]<\\/a> N.A., Package 2 top 10 rationales, Tax Reform Community Group, (2 March 2020), http:\\/\\/taxreform.dof.gov.ph\\/presentations-and-references\\/package-2-top-10-rationales-as-of-feb-28-2020\\/<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref14\\\">[14]<\\/a> Sec. 14 of SB No. 1357, 18<sup>th<\\/sup> Congress, 1<sup>st<\\/sup> Regular Session (18 February 2020)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><em>Featured Photo by <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.pexels.com\\/@pixabay?utm_content=attributionCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=pexels\\\">Pixabay<\\/a> from <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.pexels.com\\/photo\\/accounting-analytics-balance-black-and-white-209224\\/?utm_content=attributionCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=pexels\\\">Pexels<\\/a><\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(2696,1103,'_thumbnail_id','1094'),(2698,1104,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(2699,1104,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(2700,1104,'_elementor_version','3.0.14'),(2701,1104,'_wp_page_template','default'),(2702,1104,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"56f8aeb\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"3bd1ce3c\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"7a59b74b\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">By: Frans Joseph F. Incomio *<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">Embattled with the continuing threats of COVID-19, the Department of Finance (DOF) with the support of various executive departments such as the Department of Public Works and Highways, Bases Conversion and Development Authority, Department of Transportation and National Economic and Development Authority and Department of Budget and Management<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\">[1]<\\/a>, through the Senate, has proposed a revamp of House Bill No. 4157<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\">[2]<\\/a> also known as the Corporate Income Tax and Incentive Rationalization Act (CITIRA) to what is now called the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprise (CREATE). Approved on 13 September 2019 for the 3<sup>rd<\\/sup> and final reading with the House, the CITIRA bill was filed with the Senate for interpellations this year. However, due to COVID-19, the DOF sought to change some provisions of the CITIRA bill especially Section 7 of the House Bill No. 4157 (HB No. 4157)<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\">[3]<\\/a>. On 26 November 2020, the Senate approved on the third and final reading the newly revised CITIRA bill, now CREATE bill, under Senate Bill No. 1357 (SB No. 1357)<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\">[4]<\\/a> which means that it is on its way to the final process for its execution, i.e., the approval of the President, subject to the power to veto the said Bill<a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\">[5]<\\/a>.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">Now that international pharmaceutical companies are expressing their success in discovering a vaccine for COVID-19<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\">[6]<\\/a>, the Philippine Government has started relaxing its policy in terms of travel and operations to give both the businesses and employees a chance to recover from their losses. However, while a chance to reoperate will give businesses a chance to earn again, the income generated will never be the same as before COVID-19 struck. One of the ways to alleviate business losses and free up some capital of aching corporations is through the CREATE bill. This bill basically seeks to cut corporate tax rate by 5% immediately upon its passage. This will benefit not only large corporations but also micro, small, and medium enterprise (MSMEs) as part of their capital set to pay taxes will be freed up for investments or contingency funds.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong>CITIRA vis-\\u00e0-vis CREATE<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The CITIRA bill sought to deduct 1% from current Corporate Income Tax Rate (CITR) from the time of its passage. It also provided for an annual drop of 1% from year 2020 to year 2029. This means that from the time the CITIRA bill is passed, the CITR will be 29%, and by year 2029, the CITR will be 20%. This differs greatly when compared to the CREATE bill, which sought for an outright drop in the CITR of 5%. Hence, upon passage of the CREATE bill, corporations will now be subject to a 25% CITR. Unlike the CITIRA bill, the CREATE bill will continue to subject corporations to 25% CITR up to 2022. From 2023 to 2027, there will be a 1% drop annually, thus, by 2027, the CITR will only be 20%. Evidently, the CREATE bill does not only give a greater drop in the CITR on its first year of approval but also an accelerated the achievement of the final target of 20% CITR by two (2) years.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Under the CREATE bill, the Fiscal Incentives Review Board (FIRB), is given expanded powers to create Strategic Investment Priority Plans. The FIRB can also recommend to the President the grant of appropriate non-fiscal support on highly desirable projects or specific industrial activities. Upon recommendation, the President may approve the incentives and the period within which it may be availed. Such flexibility is sought to provide a more flexible system of incentive that will adapt to the needs of the economy. In other words, the tax incentive scheme of the Philippines will not vary as incentives will be assessed on a case-to-case basis<a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\">[7]<\\/a>.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Lastly, due to the clamor of various business sectors already enjoying some tax incentives, they are given an additional two (2)-year sunset period. Subject to certain qualifications, businesses that have been enjoying tax incentives for a period of 2 years\\u00a0are given more time to enjoy the said tax incentive before they are subject to regular taxation. Under the CITIRA bill, the sunset period ranges from two (2) years minimum to seven (7) years maximum, while under the CREATE bill the sunset period ranges from four (4) years minimum to nine (9) years maximum. This means that by the time the minimum period for the sunset ends, such companies enjoying the tax incentive will be subject to 25% CITR.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong>KEEP \\u201cTRAIN 2\\u201d MOVING<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Currently, the Philippines imposes the highest CITR on corporations as compared to neighboring Association of Southeast Asian Nation (ASEAN) countries. It seems that lowering the CITR is one of the ways to boost our economy as evidenced by Singapore which only imposes a 17% CITR. Singapore boasts of a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) Per Capita of 58,829.60 USD in 2019<a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\">[8]<\\/a> as compared to the Philippines\\u2019 GDP per Capita which was recorded at 3,337.70 USD<a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\">[9]<\\/a> only. Reducing the CITR immediately will certainly encourage international corporations to keep its operations in the Philippines and this may also result to higher investments by those international corporations seeking to set an office in the ASEAN region. The Philippines\\u2019 corporate tax rate will induce international corporations to do business in the country. This will not only result to higher income for the government, but this also means more jobs to qualified Filipinos.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Due to the sudden impact of COVID-19, there should be a vigorous efforts on the part of the government to seek ways to help businesses recuperate and prevent them from closing permanently. The DOF reported that while the forgone revenue due to the decrease in the CITR may reach up to PHP 600 billion<a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\">[10]<\\/a> by the 5<sup>th<\\/sup> year of the CREATE bill, this reduced revenue will result to revival of most MSMEs that are on the verge of closure. This means that amidst the pandemic, corporations will be able to continue to operate and provide employment. Additionally, freed up capital due to the immediate decrease in the tax rate means that MSMEs may use the capital to expand their operations or keep their business afloat.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Aside from giving tax incentives, the DOF reported that the Philippines grants incentives to various business for the longest time compared to other ASEAN countries. This means that the Philippines has been giving up most of its revenue from medium to large scale businesses that are qualified for the tax incentive. While said corporations are given large tax incentives, MSMEs are subjected to the 30% CITR.\\u00a0 Thus, the CREATE Bill seeks to remove the incentive given to these corporations who have been enjoying the 5% tax on their Gross Income Earned and subject them to the 25% CITR.\\u00a0 The DOF reported that the Philippines has foregone PHP 441 Billion due to tax incentive granted to some 3,000 companies only.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong>TIMELINESS IS KEY<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Upon the signing of incumbent president, Rodrigo Duterte III, of Republic Act No. 10963, the National Internal Revenue Code (NIRC) has been substantially amended especially the tax rates for individual earners<a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\">[11]<\\/a>. However, due to the unexpected change in the business environment, the NIRC is again sought to be amended to keep the Philippines competitive among its neighboring nations and attractive to foreign investors. The CREATE bill seeks to provide immediate and direct impact to corporations in the country to address the losses during the past few months. It is the first-ever revenue-eroding tax reform package proposed by the DOF, but this is also the largest fiscal stimulus program in the history of the Philippines. The CREATE bill is a lifeline given to all corporations in the Philippines that will extend its effects to the working masses while simultaneously subjecting those corporations who have been enjoying tax incentives for years to the proper tax rates. This change will be the equalizer in terms of foregone revenue of the Philippines from the lower tax rate.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 As the threats of the pandemic persist even if \\u00a0businesses already started to resume operations, corporations in the Philippines still clamor for the approval of the CREATE bill.<a href=\\\"#_ftn12\\\">[12]<\\/a> True enough, the earlier the CREATE bill passes into law, the better room there will be for corporations to properly allocate its assets, since prompt relief is one of the rationales of TRAIN 2 from its inception<a href=\\\"#_ftn13\\\">[13]<\\/a>. Interestingly, SB No. 1357 contains a retroactive provision which states that once finally signed by the President and the corresponding publication has been made, its effectivity will retroact from 1 January 2020<a href=\\\"#_ftn14\\\">[14]<\\/a>. Perhaps due to this clause, the train may not be late after all.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">*Graduated from DLSU \\u2013 Taft with a degree in Accountancy in 2015, Frans worked as a tax consultant in one of the top accounting firms in the Philippines right after passing the CPA Boards in the same year. He is now in private practice\\u2014helping MSMEs in their accounting and tax matters.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">[1]<\\/a>Department of Public Works and Highways et, al., BUILD, BUILD, BUILD\\u2019 JOINT STATEMENT OF SUPPORT FOR THE CORPORATE RECOVERY AND TAX INCENTIVES FOR ENTERPRISES ACT, Tax Reform Community Group, 25 August 2020, https:\\/\\/taxreform.dof.gov.ph\\/presentations-and-references\\/bbb-sos-for-create-dpwh-dotr-dbm-neda-bcda-consolidated-as-of-2-june-2020\\/<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a> Committee Report No. 2 Re: HB No. 4157, 18<sup>th<\\/sup> Congress, 1<sup>st<\\/sup> Regular Session, (02 August 2019)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a> Section 7 of HB No. 4157, 18<sup>th<\\/sup> Congress, 1<sup>st<\\/sup> Regular Session<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[4]<\\/a> SB No. 1357, 18<sup>th<\\/sup> Congress, 1<sup>st<\\/sup> Regular Session (18 February 2020)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[5]<\\/a> CONST. (1987)., Art VI, Sec. 27<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[6]<\\/a> <strong>James Gallagher<\\/strong>, Covid vaccine update: When will others be ready?, BBC NEWS, (02 December 2020), https:\\/\\/www.bbc.com\\/news\\/health-5166549<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\">[7]<\\/a> N.A., Package 2: Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises (CREATE) Act, Department of Finance, (No date), <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/taxreform.dof.gov.ph\\/tax-reform-packages\\/p2-corporate-recovery-and-tax-incentives-for-enterprises-act\\/\\\">https:\\/\\/taxreform.dof.gov.ph\\/tax-reform-packages\\/p2-corporate-recovery-and-tax-incentives-for-enterprises-act\\/<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\">[8]<\\/a> N.A., Singapore GDP per capita, Trade Economics, (No Date), https:\\/\\/tradingeconomics.com\\/singapore\\/gdp-per-capita\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\">[9]<\\/a> N.A., Philippines GDP per capita, Trade Economics, <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/tradingeconomics.com\\/philippines\\/gdp-per-capita\\\">https:\\/\\/tradingeconomics.com\\/philippines\\/gdp-per-capita<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\">[10]<\\/a> Jovie Marie de la Cruz, Citira, now CREATE, cuts CIT to 25%; means P259 billion in revenue loss till 2022, Business Mirror, (13 May 2020) <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/businessmirror.com.ph\\/2020\\/05\\/13\\/citira-now-create-cuts-cit-to-25-means-p259-billion-in-revenue-loss-till-2022\\/\\\">https:\\/\\/businessmirror.com.ph\\/2020\\/05\\/13\\/citira-now-create-cuts-cit-to-25-means-p259-billion-in-revenue-loss-till-2022\\/<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\">[11]<\\/a> An Act Amending Sections 5, 6, 24, 25, 27, xxx, and Repealing Sections 35, 62 and 82; All under the Republic Act No. 8424, otherwise known as the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997, as amended, and for other purpose, Republic Act No. 10963, Sec. 5, (19 December 2017)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref12\\\">[12]<\\/a> <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/business.mb.com.ph\\/2020\\/03\\/08\\/pcci-pse-join-clamor-to-pass-citira-bill\\/\\\">James A. Loyola<\\/a>, PCCI, PSE join clamor to pass CITIRA bill,\\u00a0Manila Bulletin, (09 March 2020), www.kccp.ph\\/2020\\/03\\/09\\/pcci-pse-join-clamor-to-pass-citira-bill\\/<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref13\\\">[13]<\\/a> N.A., Package 2 top 10 rationales, Tax Reform Community Group, (2 March 2020), http:\\/\\/taxreform.dof.gov.ph\\/presentations-and-references\\/package-2-top-10-rationales-as-of-feb-28-2020\\/<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref14\\\">[14]<\\/a> Sec. 14 of SB No. 1357, 18<sup>th<\\/sup> Congress, 1<sup>st<\\/sup> Regular Session (18 February 2020)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><em>Featured Photo by <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.pexels.com\\/@pixabay?utm_content=attributionCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=pexels\\\">Pixabay<\\/a> from <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.pexels.com\\/photo\\/accounting-analytics-balance-black-and-white-209224\\/?utm_content=attributionCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=pexels\\\">Pexels<\\/a><\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(2703,1104,'_thumbnail_id','1094'),(2705,1105,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(2706,1105,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(2707,1105,'_elementor_version','3.0.14'),(2708,1105,'_wp_page_template','default'),(2709,1105,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"56f8aeb\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"3bd1ce3c\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"7a59b74b\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">By: Frans Joseph F. Incomio *<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">Embattled with the continuing threats of COVID-19, the Department of Finance (DOF) with the support of various executive departments such as the Department of Public Works and Highways, Bases Conversion and Development Authority, Department of Transportation and National Economic and Development Authority and Department of Budget and Management<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\">[1]<\\/a>, through the Senate, has proposed a revamp of House Bill No. 4157<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\">[2]<\\/a> also known as the Corporate Income Tax and Incentive Rationalization Act (CITIRA) to what is now called the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprise (CREATE). Approved on 13 September 2019 for the 3<sup>rd<\\/sup> and final reading with the House, the CITIRA bill was filed with the Senate for interpellations this year. However, due to COVID-19, the DOF sought to change some provisions of the CITIRA bill especially Section 7 of the House Bill No. 4157 (HB No. 4157)<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\">[3]<\\/a>. On 26 November 2020, the Senate approved on the third and final reading the newly revised CITIRA bill, now CREATE bill, under Senate Bill No. 1357 (SB No. 1357)<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\">[4]<\\/a> which means that it is on its way to the final process for its execution, i.e., the approval of the President, subject to the power to veto the said Bill<a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\">[5]<\\/a>.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">Now that international pharmaceutical companies are expressing their success in discovering a vaccine for COVID-19<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\">[6]<\\/a>, the Philippine Government has started relaxing its policy in terms of travel and operations to give both the businesses and employees a chance to recover from their losses. However, while a chance to reoperate will give businesses a chance to earn again, the income generated will never be the same as before COVID-19 struck. One of the ways to alleviate business losses and free up some capital of aching corporations is through the CREATE bill. This bill basically seeks to cut corporate tax rate by 5% immediately upon its passage. This will benefit not only large corporations but also micro, small, and medium enterprise (MSMEs) as part of their capital set to pay taxes will be freed up for investments or contingency funds.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong>CITIRA vis-\\u00e0-vis CREATE<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The CITIRA bill sought to deduct 1% from current Corporate Income Tax Rate (CITR) from the time of its passage. It also provided for an annual drop of 1% from year 2020 to year 2029. This means that from the time the CITIRA bill is passed, the CITR will be 29%, and by year 2029, the CITR will be 20%. This differs greatly when compared to the CREATE bill, which sought for an outright drop in the CITR of 5%. Hence, upon passage of the CREATE bill, corporations will now be subject to a 25% CITR. Unlike the CITIRA bill, the CREATE bill will continue to subject corporations to 25% CITR up to 2022. From 2023 to 2027, there will be a 1% drop annually, thus, by 2027, the CITR will only be 20%. Evidently, the CREATE bill does not only give a greater drop in the CITR on its first year of approval but also an accelerated the achievement of the final target of 20% CITR by two (2) years.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Under the CREATE bill, the Fiscal Incentives Review Board (FIRB), is given expanded powers to create Strategic Investment Priority Plans. The FIRB can also recommend to the President the grant of appropriate non-fiscal support on highly desirable projects or specific industrial activities. Upon recommendation, the President may approve the incentives and the period within which it may be availed. Such flexibility is sought to provide a more flexible system of incentive that will adapt to the needs of the economy. In other words, the tax incentive scheme of the Philippines will not vary as incentives will be assessed on a case-to-case basis<a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\">[7]<\\/a>.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Lastly, due to the clamor of various business sectors already enjoying some tax incentives, they are given an additional two (2)-year sunset period. Subject to certain qualifications, businesses that have been enjoying tax incentives for a period of years are given more time to enjoy the said tax incentive before they are subject to regular taxation. Under the CITIRA bill, the sunset period ranges from two (2) years minimum to seven (7) years maximum, while under the CREATE bill the sunset period ranges from four (4) years minimum to nine (9) years maximum. This means that by the time the minimum period for the sunset ends, such companies enjoying the tax incentive will be subject to 25% CITR.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong>KEEP \\u201cTRAIN 2\\u201d MOVING<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Currently, the Philippines imposes the highest CITR on corporations as compared to neighboring Association of Southeast Asian Nation (ASEAN) countries. It seems that lowering the CITR is one of the ways to boost our economy as evidenced by Singapore which only imposes a 17% CITR. Singapore boasts of a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) Per Capita of 58,829.60 USD in 2019<a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\">[8]<\\/a> as compared to the Philippines\\u2019 GDP per Capita which was recorded at 3,337.70 USD<a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\">[9]<\\/a> only. Reducing the CITR immediately will certainly encourage international corporations to keep its operations in the Philippines and this may also result to higher investments by those international corporations seeking to set an office in the ASEAN region. The Philippines\\u2019 corporate tax rate will induce international corporations to do business in the country. This will not only result to higher income for the government, but this also means more jobs to qualified Filipinos.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Due to the sudden impact of COVID-19, there should be a vigorous efforts on the part of the government to seek ways to help businesses recuperate and prevent them from closing permanently. The DOF reported that while the forgone revenue due to the decrease in the CITR may reach up to PHP 600 billion<a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\">[10]<\\/a> by the 5<sup>th<\\/sup> year of the CREATE bill, this reduced revenue will result to revival of most MSMEs that are on the verge of closure. This means that amidst the pandemic, corporations will be able to continue to operate and provide employment. Additionally, freed up capital due to the immediate decrease in the tax rate means that MSMEs may use the capital to expand their operations or keep their business afloat.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Aside from giving tax incentives, the DOF reported that the Philippines grants incentives to various business for the longest time compared to other ASEAN countries. This means that the Philippines has been giving up most of its revenue from medium to large scale businesses that are qualified for the tax incentive. While said corporations are given large tax incentives, MSMEs are subjected to the 30% CITR.\\u00a0 Thus, the CREATE Bill seeks to remove the incentive given to these corporations who have been enjoying the 5% tax on their Gross Income Earned and subject them to the 25% CITR.\\u00a0 The DOF reported that the Philippines has foregone PHP 441 Billion due to tax incentive granted to some 3,000 companies only.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong>TIMELINESS IS KEY<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Upon the signing of incumbent president, Rodrigo Duterte III, of Republic Act No. 10963, the National Internal Revenue Code (NIRC) has been substantially amended especially the tax rates for individual earners<a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\">[11]<\\/a>. However, due to the unexpected change in the business environment, the NIRC is again sought to be amended to keep the Philippines competitive among its neighboring nations and attractive to foreign investors. The CREATE bill seeks to provide immediate and direct impact to corporations in the country to address the losses during the past few months. It is the first-ever revenue-eroding tax reform package proposed by the DOF, but this is also the largest fiscal stimulus program in the history of the Philippines. The CREATE bill is a lifeline given to all corporations in the Philippines that will extend its effects to the working masses while simultaneously subjecting those corporations who have been enjoying tax incentives for years to the proper tax rates. This change will be the equalizer in terms of foregone revenue of the Philippines from the lower tax rate.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 As the threats of the pandemic persist even if \\u00a0businesses already started to resume operations, corporations in the Philippines still clamor for the approval of the CREATE bill.<a href=\\\"#_ftn12\\\">[12]<\\/a> True enough, the earlier the CREATE bill passes into law, the better room there will be for corporations to properly allocate its assets, since prompt relief is one of the rationales of TRAIN 2 from its inception<a href=\\\"#_ftn13\\\">[13]<\\/a>. Interestingly, SB No. 1357 contains a retroactive provision which states that once finally signed by the President and the corresponding publication has been made, its effectivity will retroact from 1 January 2020<a href=\\\"#_ftn14\\\">[14]<\\/a>. Perhaps due to this clause, the train may not be late after all.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">*Graduated from DLSU \\u2013 Taft with a degree in Accountancy in 2015, Frans worked as a tax consultant in one of the top accounting firms in the Philippines right after passing the CPA Boards in the same year. He is now in private practice\\u2014helping MSMEs in their accounting and tax matters.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">[1]<\\/a>Department of Public Works and Highways et, al., BUILD, BUILD, BUILD\\u2019 JOINT STATEMENT OF SUPPORT FOR THE CORPORATE RECOVERY AND TAX INCENTIVES FOR ENTERPRISES ACT, Tax Reform Community Group, 25 August 2020, https:\\/\\/taxreform.dof.gov.ph\\/presentations-and-references\\/bbb-sos-for-create-dpwh-dotr-dbm-neda-bcda-consolidated-as-of-2-june-2020\\/<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a> Committee Report No. 2 Re: HB No. 4157, 18<sup>th<\\/sup> Congress, 1<sup>st<\\/sup> Regular Session, (02 August 2019)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a> Section 7 of HB No. 4157, 18<sup>th<\\/sup> Congress, 1<sup>st<\\/sup> Regular Session<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[4]<\\/a> SB No. 1357, 18<sup>th<\\/sup> Congress, 1<sup>st<\\/sup> Regular Session (18 February 2020)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[5]<\\/a> CONST. (1987)., Art VI, Sec. 27<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[6]<\\/a> <strong>James Gallagher<\\/strong>, Covid vaccine update: When will others be ready?, BBC NEWS, (02 December 2020), https:\\/\\/www.bbc.com\\/news\\/health-5166549<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\">[7]<\\/a> N.A., Package 2: Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises (CREATE) Act, Department of Finance, (No date), <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/taxreform.dof.gov.ph\\/tax-reform-packages\\/p2-corporate-recovery-and-tax-incentives-for-enterprises-act\\/\\\">https:\\/\\/taxreform.dof.gov.ph\\/tax-reform-packages\\/p2-corporate-recovery-and-tax-incentives-for-enterprises-act\\/<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\">[8]<\\/a> N.A., Singapore GDP per capita, Trade Economics, (No Date), https:\\/\\/tradingeconomics.com\\/singapore\\/gdp-per-capita\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\">[9]<\\/a> N.A., Philippines GDP per capita, Trade Economics, <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/tradingeconomics.com\\/philippines\\/gdp-per-capita\\\">https:\\/\\/tradingeconomics.com\\/philippines\\/gdp-per-capita<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\">[10]<\\/a> Jovie Marie de la Cruz, Citira, now CREATE, cuts CIT to 25%; means P259 billion in revenue loss till 2022, Business Mirror, (13 May 2020) <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/businessmirror.com.ph\\/2020\\/05\\/13\\/citira-now-create-cuts-cit-to-25-means-p259-billion-in-revenue-loss-till-2022\\/\\\">https:\\/\\/businessmirror.com.ph\\/2020\\/05\\/13\\/citira-now-create-cuts-cit-to-25-means-p259-billion-in-revenue-loss-till-2022\\/<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\">[11]<\\/a> An Act Amending Sections 5, 6, 24, 25, 27, xxx, and Repealing Sections 35, 62 and 82; All under the Republic Act No. 8424, otherwise known as the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997, as amended, and for other purpose, Republic Act No. 10963, Sec. 5, (19 December 2017)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref12\\\">[12]<\\/a> <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/business.mb.com.ph\\/2020\\/03\\/08\\/pcci-pse-join-clamor-to-pass-citira-bill\\/\\\">James A. Loyola<\\/a>, PCCI, PSE join clamor to pass CITIRA bill,\\u00a0Manila Bulletin, (09 March 2020), www.kccp.ph\\/2020\\/03\\/09\\/pcci-pse-join-clamor-to-pass-citira-bill\\/<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref13\\\">[13]<\\/a> N.A., Package 2 top 10 rationales, Tax Reform Community Group, (2 March 2020), http:\\/\\/taxreform.dof.gov.ph\\/presentations-and-references\\/package-2-top-10-rationales-as-of-feb-28-2020\\/<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref14\\\">[14]<\\/a> Sec. 14 of SB No. 1357, 18<sup>th<\\/sup> Congress, 1<sup>st<\\/sup> Regular Session (18 February 2020)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><em>Featured Photo by <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.pexels.com\\/@pixabay?utm_content=attributionCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=pexels\\\">Pixabay<\\/a> from <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.pexels.com\\/photo\\/accounting-analytics-balance-black-and-white-209224\\/?utm_content=attributionCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=pexels\\\">Pexels<\\/a><\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(2710,1105,'_thumbnail_id','1094'),(2714,1093,'ss_ss_click_share_count_facebook','2'),(2715,1093,'ss_total_share_count','0'),(2716,1106,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(2717,1106,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(2718,1106,'_elementor_version','3.0.14'),(2719,1106,'_wp_page_template','default'),(2720,1106,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"56f8aeb\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"3bd1ce3c\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"7a59b74b\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">By: Frans Joseph F. Incomio *<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">Embattled with the continuing threats of COVID-19, the Department of Finance (DOF) with the support of various executive departments such as the Department of Public Works and Highways, Bases Conversion and Development Authority, Department of Transportation and National Economic and Development Authority and Department of Budget and Management<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\">[1]<\\/a>, through the Senate, has proposed a revamp of House Bill No. 4157<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\">[2]<\\/a> also known as the Corporate Income Tax and Incentive Rationalization Act (CITIRA) to what is now called the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprise (CREATE). Approved on 13 September 2019 for the 3<sup>rd<\\/sup> and final reading with the House, the CITIRA bill was filed with the Senate for interpellations this year. However, due to COVID-19, the DOF sought to change some provisions of the CITIRA bill especially Section 7 of the House Bill No. 4157 (HB No. 4157)<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\">[3]<\\/a>. On 26 November 2020, the Senate approved on the third and final reading the newly revised CITIRA bill, now CREATE bill, under Senate Bill No. 1357 (SB No. 1357)<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\">[4]<\\/a> which means that it is on its way to the final process for its execution, i.e., the approval of the President, subject to the power to veto the said Bill<a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\">[5]<\\/a>.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">Now that international pharmaceutical companies are expressing their success in discovering a vaccine for COVID-19<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\">[6]<\\/a>, the Philippine Government has started relaxing its policy in terms of travel and operations to give both the businesses and employees a chance to recover from their losses. However, while a chance to reoperate will give businesses a chance to earn again, the income generated will never be the same as before COVID-19 struck. One of the ways to alleviate business losses and free up some capital of aching corporations is through the CREATE bill. This bill basically seeks to cut corporate tax rate by 5% immediately upon its passage. This will benefit not only large corporations but also micro, small, and medium enterprise (MSMEs) as part of their capital set to pay taxes will be freed up for investments or contingency funds.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong>CITIRA vis-\\u00e0-vis CREATE<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The CITIRA bill sought to deduct 1% from current Corporate Income Tax Rate (CITR) from the time of its passage. It also provided for an annual drop of 1% from year 2020 to year 2029. This means that from the time the CITIRA bill is passed, the CITR will be 29%, and by year 2029, the CITR will be 20%. This differs greatly when compared to the CREATE bill, which sought for an outright drop in the CITR of 5%. Hence, upon passage of the CREATE bill, corporations will now be subject to a 25% CITR. Unlike the CITIRA bill, the CREATE bill will continue to subject corporations to 25% CITR up to 2022. From 2023 to 2027, there will be a 1% drop annually, thus, by 2027, the CITR will only be 20%. Evidently, the CREATE bill does not only give a greater drop in the CITR on its first year of approval but also an accelerated the achievement of the final target of 20% CITR by two (2) years.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Under the CREATE bill, the Fiscal Incentives Review Board (FIRB), is given expanded powers to create Strategic Investment Priority Plans. The FIRB can also recommend to the President the grant of appropriate non-fiscal support on highly desirable projects or specific industrial activities. Upon recommendation, the President may approve the incentives and the period within which it may be availed. Such flexibility is sought to provide a more flexible system of incentive that will adapt to the needs of the economy. In other words, the tax incentive scheme of the Philippines will not vary as incentives will be assessed on a case-to-case basis<a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\">[7]<\\/a>.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Lastly, due to the clamor of various business sectors already enjoying some tax incentives, they are given an additional two (2)-year sunset period. Subject to certain qualifications, businesses that have been enjoying tax incentives for a period of years are given more time to enjoy the said tax incentive before they are subject to regular taxation. Under the CITIRA bill, the sunset period ranges from two (2) years minimum to seven (7) years maximum, while under the CREATE bill the sunset period ranges from four (4) years minimum to nine (9) years maximum. This means that by the time the minimum period for the sunset ends, such companies enjoying the tax incentive will be subject to 25% CITR.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong>KEEP \\u201cTRAIN 2\\u201d MOVING<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Currently, the Philippines imposes the highest CITR on corporations as compared to neighboring Association of Southeast Asian Nation (ASEAN) countries. It seems that lowering the CITR is one of the ways to boost our economy as evidenced by Singapore which only imposes a 17% CITR. Singapore boasts of a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) Per Capita of 58,829.60 USD in 2019<a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\">[8]<\\/a> as compared to the Philippines\\u2019 GDP per Capita which was recorded at 3,337.70 USD<a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\">[9]<\\/a> only. Reducing the CITR immediately will certainly encourage international corporations to keep its operations in the Philippines and this may also result to higher investments by those international corporations seeking to set an office in the ASEAN region. The Philippines\\u2019 corporate tax rate will induce international corporations to do business in the country. This will not only result to higher income for the government, but this also means more jobs to qualified Filipinos.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Due to the sudden impact of COVID-19, there should be a vigorous efforts on the part of the government to seek ways to help businesses recuperate and prevent them from closing permanently. The DOF reported that while the forgone revenue due to the decrease in the CITR may reach up to PHP 600 billion<a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\">[10]<\\/a> by the 5<sup>th<\\/sup> year of the CREATE bill, this reduced revenue will result to revival of most MSMEs that are on the verge of closure. This means that amidst the pandemic, corporations will be able to continue to operate and provide employment. Additionally, freed up capital due to the immediate decrease in the tax rate means that MSMEs may use the capital to expand their operations or keep their business afloat.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Aside from giving tax incentives, the DOF reported that the Philippines grants incentives to various business for the longest time compared to other ASEAN countries. This means that the Philippines has been giving up most of its revenue from medium to large scale businesses that are qualified for the tax incentive. While said corporations are given large tax incentives, MSMEs are subjected to the 30% CITR.\\u00a0 Thus, the CREATE Bill seeks to remove the incentive given to these corporations who have been enjoying the 5% tax on their Gross Income Earned and subject them to the 25% CITR.\\u00a0 The DOF reported that the Philippines has foregone PHP 441 Billion due to tax incentive granted to some 3,000 companies only.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong>TIMELINESS IS KEY<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Upon the signing of incumbent president, Rodrigo Duterte III, of Republic Act No. 10963, the National Internal Revenue Code (NIRC) has been substantially amended especially the tax rates for individual earners<a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\">[11]<\\/a>. However, due to the unexpected change in the business environment, the NIRC is again sought to be amended to keep the Philippines competitive among its neighboring nations and attractive to foreign investors. The CREATE bill seeks to provide immediate and direct impact to corporations in the country to address the losses during the past few months. It is the first-ever revenue-eroding tax reform package proposed by the DOF, but this is also the largest fiscal stimulus program in the history of the Philippines. The CREATE bill is a lifeline given to all corporations in the Philippines that will extend its effects to the working masses while simultaneously subjecting those corporations who have been enjoying tax incentives for years to the proper tax rates. This change will be the equalizer in terms of foregone revenue of the Philippines from the lower tax rate.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 As the threats of the pandemic persist even if \\u00a0businesses already started to resume operations, corporations in the Philippines still clamor for the approval of the CREATE bill.<a href=\\\"#_ftn12\\\">[12]<\\/a> True enough, the earlier the CREATE bill passes into law, the better room there will be for corporations to properly allocate its assets, since prompt relief is one of the rationales of TRAIN 2 from its inception<a href=\\\"#_ftn13\\\">[13]<\\/a>. Interestingly, SB No. 1357 contains a retroactive provision which states that once finally signed by the President and the corresponding publication has been made, its effectivity will retroact from 1 January 2020<a href=\\\"#_ftn14\\\">[14]<\\/a>. Perhaps due to this clause, the train may not be late after all.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">*Graduated from DLSU \\u2013 Taft with a degree in Accountancy in 2015, Frans worked as a tax consultant in one of the top accounting firms in the Philippines right after passing the CPA Boards in the same year. He is now in private practice\\u2014helping MSMEs in their accounting and tax matters.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">[1]<\\/a>Department of Public Works and Highways et, al., BUILD, BUILD, BUILD\\u2019 JOINT STATEMENT OF SUPPORT FOR THE CORPORATE RECOVERY AND TAX INCENTIVES FOR ENTERPRISES ACT, Tax Reform Community Group, 25 August 2020, https:\\/\\/taxreform.dof.gov.ph\\/presentations-and-references\\/bbb-sos-for-create-dpwh-dotr-dbm-neda-bcda-consolidated-as-of-2-june-2020\\/<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a> Committee Report No. 2 Re: HB No. 4157, 18<sup>th<\\/sup> Congress, 1<sup>st<\\/sup> Regular Session, (02 August 2019)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a> Section 7 of HB No. 4157, 18<sup>th<\\/sup> Congress, 1<sup>st<\\/sup> Regular Session<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[4]<\\/a> SB No. 1357, 18<sup>th<\\/sup> Congress, 1<sup>st<\\/sup> Regular Session (18 February 2020)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[5]<\\/a> CONST. (1987)., Art VI, Sec. 27<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[6]<\\/a> <strong>James Gallagher<\\/strong>, Covid vaccine update: When will others be ready?, BBC NEWS, (02 December 2020), https:\\/\\/www.bbc.com\\/news\\/health-5166549<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\">[7]<\\/a> N.A., Package 2: Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises (CREATE) Act, Department of Finance, (No date), <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/taxreform.dof.gov.ph\\/tax-reform-packages\\/p2-corporate-recovery-and-tax-incentives-for-enterprises-act\\/\\\">https:\\/\\/taxreform.dof.gov.ph\\/tax-reform-packages\\/p2-corporate-recovery-and-tax-incentives-for-enterprises-act\\/<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\">[8]<\\/a> N.A., Singapore GDP per capita, Trade Economics, (No Date), https:\\/\\/tradingeconomics.com\\/singapore\\/gdp-per-capita\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\">[9]<\\/a> N.A., Philippines GDP per capita, Trade Economics, <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/tradingeconomics.com\\/philippines\\/gdp-per-capita\\\">https:\\/\\/tradingeconomics.com\\/philippines\\/gdp-per-capita<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\">[10]<\\/a> Jovie Marie de la Cruz, Citira, now CREATE, cuts CIT to 25%; means P259 billion in revenue loss till 2022, Business Mirror, (13 May 2020) <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/businessmirror.com.ph\\/2020\\/05\\/13\\/citira-now-create-cuts-cit-to-25-means-p259-billion-in-revenue-loss-till-2022\\/\\\">https:\\/\\/businessmirror.com.ph\\/2020\\/05\\/13\\/citira-now-create-cuts-cit-to-25-means-p259-billion-in-revenue-loss-till-2022\\/<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\">[11]<\\/a> An Act Amending Sections 5, 6, 24, 25, 27, xxx, and Repealing Sections 35, 62 and 82; All under the Republic Act No. 8424, otherwise known as the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997, as amended, and for other purpose, Republic Act No. 10963, Sec. 5, (19 December 2017)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref12\\\">[12]<\\/a> <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/business.mb.com.ph\\/2020\\/03\\/08\\/pcci-pse-join-clamor-to-pass-citira-bill\\/\\\">James A. Loyola<\\/a>, PCCI, PSE join clamor to pass CITIRA bill,\\u00a0Manila Bulletin, (09 March 2020), www.kccp.ph\\/2020\\/03\\/09\\/pcci-pse-join-clamor-to-pass-citira-bill\\/<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref13\\\">[13]<\\/a> N.A., Package 2 top 10 rationales, Tax Reform Community Group, (2 March 2020), http:\\/\\/taxreform.dof.gov.ph\\/presentations-and-references\\/package-2-top-10-rationales-as-of-feb-28-2020\\/<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref14\\\">[14]<\\/a> Sec. 14 of SB No. 1357, 18<sup>th<\\/sup> Congress, 1<sup>st<\\/sup> Regular Session (18 February 2020)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><em>Featured Photo by <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.pexels.com\\/@pixabay?utm_content=attributionCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=pexels\\\">Pixabay<\\/a> from <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.pexels.com\\/photo\\/accounting-analytics-balance-black-and-white-209224\\/?utm_content=attributionCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=pexels\\\">Pexels<\\/a><\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(2721,1106,'_thumbnail_id','1094'),(2723,1107,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(2724,1107,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(2725,1107,'_elementor_version','3.0.14'),(2726,1107,'_wp_page_template','default'),(2727,1107,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"56f8aeb\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"3bd1ce3c\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"7a59b74b\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">By: Frans Joseph F. Incomio *<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">Embattled with the continuing threats of COVID-19, the Department of Finance (DOF) with the support of various executive departments such as the Department of Public Works and Highways, Bases Conversion and Development Authority, Department of Transportation and National Economic and Development Authority and Department of Budget and Management<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\">[1]<\\/a>, through the Senate, has proposed a revamp of House Bill No. 4157<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\">[2]<\\/a> also known as the Corporate Income Tax and Incentive Rationalization Act (CITIRA) to what is now called the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprise (CREATE). Approved on 13 September 2019 for the 3<sup>rd<\\/sup> and final reading with the House, the CITIRA bill was filed with the Senate for interpellations this year. However, due to COVID-19, the DOF sought to change some provisions of the CITIRA bill especially Section 7 of the House Bill No. 4157 (HB No. 4157)<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\">[3]<\\/a>. On 26 November 2020, the Senate approved on the third and final reading the newly revised CITIRA bill, now CREATE bill, under Senate Bill No. 1357 (SB No. 1357)<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\">[4]<\\/a> which means that it is on its way to the final process for its execution, i.e., the approval of the President, subject to the power to veto the said Bill<a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\">[5]<\\/a>.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">Now that international pharmaceutical companies are expressing their success in discovering a vaccine for COVID-19<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\">[6]<\\/a>, the Philippine Government has started relaxing its policy in terms of travel and operations to give both the businesses and employees a chance to recover from their losses. However, while a chance to reoperate will give businesses a chance to earn again, the income generated will never be the same as before COVID-19 struck. One of the ways to alleviate business losses and free up some capital of aching corporations is through the CREATE bill. This bill basically seeks to cut corporate tax rate by 5% immediately upon its passage. This will benefit not only large corporations but also micro, small, and medium enterprise (MSMEs) as part of their capital set to pay taxes will be freed up for investments or contingency funds.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong>CITIRA vis-\\u00e0-vis CREATE<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The CITIRA bill sought to deduct 1% from current Corporate Income Tax Rate (CITR) from the time of its passage. It also provided for an annual drop of 1% from year 2020 to year 2029. This means that from the time the CITIRA bill is passed, the CITR will be 29%, and by year 2029, the CITR will be 20%. This differs greatly when compared to the CREATE bill, which sought for an outright drop in the CITR of 5%. Hence, upon passage of the CREATE bill, corporations will now be subject to a 25% CITR. Unlike the CITIRA bill, the CREATE bill will continue to subject corporations to 25% CITR up to 2022. From 2023 to 2027, there will be a 1% drop annually, thus, by 2027, the CITR will only be 20%. Evidently, the CREATE bill does not only give a greater drop in the CITR on its first year of approval but also an accelerated the achievement of the final target of 20% CITR by two (2) years.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Under the CREATE bill, the Fiscal Incentives Review Board (FIRB), is given expanded powers to create Strategic Investment Priority Plans. The FIRB can also recommend to the President the grant of appropriate non-fiscal support on highly desirable projects or specific industrial activities. Upon recommendation, the President may approve the incentives and the period within which it may be availed. Such flexibility is sought to provide a more flexible system of incentive that will adapt to the needs of the economy. In other words, the tax incentive scheme of the Philippines will not vary as incentives will be assessed on a case-to-case basis<a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\">[7]<\\/a>.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Lastly, due to the clamor of various business sectors already enjoying some tax incentives, they are given an additional two (2)-year sunset period. Subject to certain qualifications, businesses that have been enjoying tax incentives for a period of years are given more time to enjoy the said tax incentive before they are subject to regular taxation. Under the CITIRA bill, the sunset period ranges from two (2) years minimum to seven (7) years maximum, while under the CREATE bill the sunset period ranges from four (4) years minimum to nine (9) years maximum. This means that by the time the minimum period for the sunset ends, such companies enjoying the tax incentive will be subject to 25% CITR.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong>KEEP \\u201cTRAIN 2\\u201d MOVING<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Currently, the Philippines imposes the highest CITR on corporations as compared to neighboring Association of Southeast Asian Nation (ASEAN) countries. It seems that lowering the CITR is one of the ways to boost our economy as evidenced by Singapore which only imposes a 17% CITR. Singapore boasts of a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) Per Capita of 58,829.60 USD in 2019<a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\">[8]<\\/a> as compared to the Philippines\\u2019 GDP per Capita which was recorded at 3,337.70 USD<a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\">[9]<\\/a> only. Reducing the CITR immediately will certainly encourage international corporations to keep its operations in the Philippines and this may also result to higher investments by those international corporations seeking to set an office in the ASEAN region. The Philippines\\u2019 corporate tax rate will induce international corporations to do business in the country. This will not only result to higher income for the government, but this also means more jobs to qualified Filipinos.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Due to the sudden impact of COVID-19, there should be a vigorous efforts on the part of the government to seek ways to help businesses recuperate and prevent them from closing permanently. The DOF reported that while the forgone revenue due to the decrease in the CITR may reach up to PHP 600 billion<a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\">[10]<\\/a> by the 5<sup>th<\\/sup> year of the CREATE bill, this reduced revenue will result to revival of most MSMEs that are on the verge of closure. This means that amidst the pandemic, corporations will be able to continue to operate and provide employment. Additionally, freed up capital due to the immediate decrease in the tax rate means that MSMEs may use the capital to expand their operations or keep their business afloat.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Aside from giving tax incentives, the DOF reported that the Philippines grants incentives to various business for the longest time compared to other ASEAN countries. This means that the Philippines has been giving up most of its revenue from medium to large scale businesses that are qualified for the tax incentive. While said corporations are given large tax incentives, MSMEs are subjected to the 30% CITR.\\u00a0 Thus, the CREATE Bill seeks to remove the incentive given to these corporations who have been enjoying the 5% tax on their Gross Income Earned and subject them to the 25% CITR.\\u00a0 The DOF reported that the Philippines has foregone PHP 441 Billion due to tax incentive granted to some 3,000 companies only.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong>TIMELINESS IS KEY<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Upon the signing of incumbent president, Rodrigo Duterte III, of Republic Act No. 10963, the National Internal Revenue Code (NIRC) has been substantially amended especially the tax rates for individual earners<a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\">[11]<\\/a>. However, due to the unexpected change in the business environment, the NIRC is again sought to be amended to keep the Philippines competitive among its neighboring nations and attractive to foreign investors. The CREATE bill seeks to provide immediate and direct impact to corporations in the country to address the losses during the past few months. It is the first-ever revenue-eroding tax reform package proposed by the DOF, but this is also the largest fiscal stimulus program in the history of the Philippines. The CREATE bill is a lifeline given to all corporations in the Philippines that will extend its effects to the working masses while simultaneously subjecting those corporations who have been enjoying tax incentives for years to the proper tax rates. This change will be the equalizer in terms of foregone revenue of the Philippines from the lower tax rate.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 As the threats of the pandemic persist even if \\u00a0businesses already started to resume operations, corporations in the Philippines still clamor for the approval of the CREATE bill.<a href=\\\"#_ftn12\\\">[12]<\\/a> True enough, the earlier the CREATE bill passes into law, the better room there will be for corporations to properly allocate its assets, since prompt relief is one of the rationales of TRAIN 2 from its inception<a href=\\\"#_ftn13\\\">[13]<\\/a>. Interestingly, SB No. 1357 contains a retroactive provision which states that once finally signed by the President and the corresponding publication has been made, its effectivity will retroact from 1 January 2020<a href=\\\"#_ftn14\\\">[14]<\\/a>. Perhaps due to this clause, the train may not be late after all.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">*Graduated from DLSU \\u2013 Taft with a degree in Accountancy in 2015, Frans worked as a tax consultant in one of the top accounting firms in the Philippines right after passing the CPA Boards in the same year. He is now in private practice\\u2014helping MSMEs in their accounting and tax matters.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">[1]<\\/a>Department of Public Works and Highways et, al., BUILD, BUILD, BUILD\\u2019 JOINT STATEMENT OF SUPPORT FOR THE CORPORATE RECOVERY AND TAX INCENTIVES FOR ENTERPRISES ACT, Tax Reform Community Group, 25 August 2020, https:\\/\\/taxreform.dof.gov.ph\\/presentations-and-references\\/bbb-sos-for-create-dpwh-dotr-dbm-neda-bcda-consolidated-as-of-2-june-2020\\/<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a> Committee Report No. 2 Re: HB No. 4157, 18<sup>th<\\/sup> Congress, 1<sup>st<\\/sup> Regular Session, (02 August 2019)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a> Section 7 of HB No. 4157, 18<sup>th<\\/sup> Congress, 1<sup>st<\\/sup> Regular Session<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[4]<\\/a> SB No. 1357, 18<sup>th<\\/sup> Congress, 1<sup>st<\\/sup> Regular Session (18 February 2020)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[5]<\\/a> CONST. (1987)., Art VI, Sec. 27<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[6]<\\/a> <strong>James Gallagher<\\/strong>, Covid vaccine update: When will others be ready?, BBC NEWS, (02 December 2020), https:\\/\\/www.bbc.com\\/news\\/health-5166549<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\">[7]<\\/a> N.A., Package 2: Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises (CREATE) Act, Department of Finance, (No date), <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/taxreform.dof.gov.ph\\/tax-reform-packages\\/p2-corporate-recovery-and-tax-incentives-for-enterprises-act\\/\\\">https:\\/\\/taxreform.dof.gov.ph\\/tax-reform-packages\\/p2-corporate-recovery-and-tax-incentives-for-enterprises-act\\/<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\">[8]<\\/a> N.A., Singapore GDP per capita, Trade Economics, (No Date), https:\\/\\/tradingeconomics.com\\/singapore\\/gdp-per-capita\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\">[9]<\\/a> N.A., Philippines GDP per capita, Trade Economics, <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/tradingeconomics.com\\/philippines\\/gdp-per-capita\\\">https:\\/\\/tradingeconomics.com\\/philippines\\/gdp-per-capita<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\">[10]<\\/a> Jovie Marie de la Cruz, Citira, now CREATE, cuts CIT to 25%; means P259 billion in revenue loss till 2022, Business Mirror, (13 May 2020) <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/businessmirror.com.ph\\/2020\\/05\\/13\\/citira-now-create-cuts-cit-to-25-means-p259-billion-in-revenue-loss-till-2022\\/\\\">https:\\/\\/businessmirror.com.ph\\/2020\\/05\\/13\\/citira-now-create-cuts-cit-to-25-means-p259-billion-in-revenue-loss-till-2022\\/<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\">[11]<\\/a> An Act Amending Sections 5, 6, 24, 25, 27, xxx, and Repealing Sections 35, 62 and 82; All under the Republic Act No. 8424, otherwise known as the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997, as amended, and for other purpose, Republic Act No. 10963, Sec. 5, (19 December 2017)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref12\\\">[12]<\\/a> <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/business.mb.com.ph\\/2020\\/03\\/08\\/pcci-pse-join-clamor-to-pass-citira-bill\\/\\\">James A. Loyola<\\/a>, PCCI, PSE join clamor to pass CITIRA bill,\\u00a0Manila Bulletin, (09 March 2020), www.kccp.ph\\/2020\\/03\\/09\\/pcci-pse-join-clamor-to-pass-citira-bill\\/<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref13\\\">[13]<\\/a> N.A., Package 2 top 10 rationales, Tax Reform Community Group, (2 March 2020), http:\\/\\/taxreform.dof.gov.ph\\/presentations-and-references\\/package-2-top-10-rationales-as-of-feb-28-2020\\/<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref14\\\">[14]<\\/a> Sec. 14 of SB No. 1357, 18<sup>th<\\/sup> Congress, 1<sup>st<\\/sup> Regular Session (18 February 2020)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><em>Featured Photo by <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.pexels.com\\/@pixabay?utm_content=attributionCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=pexels\\\">Pixabay<\\/a> from <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.pexels.com\\/photo\\/accounting-analytics-balance-black-and-white-209224\\/?utm_content=attributionCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=pexels\\\">Pexels<\\/a><\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(2728,1107,'_thumbnail_id','1094'),(2730,1108,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(2731,1108,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(2732,1108,'_elementor_version','3.0.14'),(2733,1108,'_wp_page_template','default'),(2734,1108,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"56f8aeb\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"3bd1ce3c\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"7a59b74b\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">By: Frans Joseph F. Incomio <\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Embattled with the continuing threats of COVID-19, the Department of Finance (DOF) with the support of various executive departments such as the Department of Public Works and Highways, Bases Conversion and Development Authority, Department of Transportation and National Economic and Development Authority and Department of Budget and Management<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\">[1]<\\/a>, through the Senate, has proposed a revamp of House Bill No. 4157<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\">[2]<\\/a> also known as the Corporate Income Tax and Incentive Rationalization Act (CITIRA) to what is now called the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprise (CREATE). Approved on 13 September 2019 for the 3<sup>rd<\\/sup> and final reading with the House, the CITIRA bill was filed with the Senate for interpellations this year. However, due to COVID-19, the DOF sought to change some provisions of the CITIRA bill especially Section 7 of the House Bill No. 4157 (HB No. 4157)<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\">[3]<\\/a>. On 26 November 2020, the Senate approved on the third and final reading the newly revised CITIRA bill, now CREATE bill, under Senate Bill No. 1357 (SB No. 1357)<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\">[4]<\\/a> which means that it is on its way to the final process for its execution, i.e., the approval of the President, subject to the power to veto the said Bill<a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\">[5]<\\/a>.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Now that international pharmaceutical companies are expressing their success in discovering a vaccine for COVID-19<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\">[6]<\\/a>, the Philippine Government has started relaxing its policy in terms of travel and operations to give both the businesses and employees a chance to recover from their losses. However, while a chance to reoperate will give businesses a chance to earn again, the income generated will never be the same as before COVID-19 struck. One of the ways to alleviate business losses and free up some capital of aching corporations is through the CREATE bill. This bill basically seeks to cut corporate tax rate by 5% immediately upon its passage. This will benefit not only large corporations but also micro, small, and medium enterprise (MSMEs) as part of their capital set to pay taxes will be freed up for investments or contingency funds.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong>CITIRA vis-\\u00e0-vis CREATE<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The CITIRA bill sought to deduct 1% from current Corporate Income Tax Rate (CITR) from the time of its passage. It also provided for an annual drop of 1% from year 2020 to year 2029. This means that from the time the CITIRA bill is passed, the CITR will be 29%, and by year 2029, the CITR will be 20%. This differs greatly when compared to the CREATE bill, which sought for an outright drop in the CITR of 5%. Hence, upon passage of the CREATE bill, corporations will now be subject to a 25% CITR. Unlike the CITIRA bill, the CREATE bill will continue to subject corporations to 25% CITR up to 2022. From 2023 to 2027, there will be a 1% drop annually, thus, by 2027, the CITR will only be 20%. Evidently, the CREATE bill does not only give a greater drop in the CITR on its first year of approval but also an accelerated the achievement of the final target of 20% CITR by two (2) years.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Under the CREATE bill, the Fiscal Incentives Review Board (FIRB), is given expanded powers to create Strategic Investment Priority Plans. The FIRB can also recommend to the President the grant of appropriate non-fiscal support on highly desirable projects or specific industrial activities. Upon recommendation, the President may approve the incentives and the period within which it may be availed. Such flexibility is sought to provide a more flexible system of incentive that will adapt to the needs of the economy. In other words, the tax incentive scheme of the Philippines will not vary as incentives will be assessed on a case-to-case basis<a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\">[7]<\\/a>.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Lastly, due to the clamor of various business sectors already enjoying some tax incentives, they are given an additional two (2)-year sunset period. Subject to certain qualifications, businesses that have been enjoying tax incentives for a period of years are given more time to enjoy the said tax incentive before they are subject to regular taxation. Under the CITIRA bill, the sunset period ranges from two (2) years minimum to seven (7) years maximum, while under the CREATE bill the sunset period ranges from four (4) years minimum to nine (9) years maximum. This means that by the time the minimum period for the sunset ends, such companies enjoying the tax incentive will be subject to 25% CITR.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong>KEEP \\u201cTRAIN 2\\u201d MOVING<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Currently, the Philippines imposes the highest CITR on corporations as compared to neighboring Association of Southeast Asian Nation (ASEAN) countries. It seems that lowering the CITR is one of the ways to boost our economy as evidenced by Singapore which only imposes a 17% CITR. Singapore boasts of a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) Per Capita of 58,829.60 USD in 2019<a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\">[8]<\\/a> as compared to the Philippines\\u2019 GDP per Capita which was recorded at 3,337.70 USD<a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\">[9]<\\/a> only. Reducing the CITR immediately will certainly encourage international corporations to keep its operations in the Philippines and this may also result to higher investments by those international corporations seeking to set an office in the ASEAN region. The Philippines\\u2019 corporate tax rate will induce international corporations to do business in the country. This will not only result to higher income for the government, but this also means more jobs to qualified Filipinos.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Due to the sudden impact of COVID-19, there should be a vigorous efforts on the part of the government to seek ways to help businesses recuperate and prevent them from closing permanently. The DOF reported that while the forgone revenue due to the decrease in the CITR may reach up to PHP 600 billion<a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\">[10]<\\/a> by the 5<sup>th<\\/sup> year of the CREATE bill, this reduced revenue will result to revival of most MSMEs that are on the verge of closure. This means that amidst the pandemic, corporations will be able to continue to operate and provide employment. Additionally, freed up capital due to the immediate decrease in the tax rate means that MSMEs may use the capital to expand their operations or keep their business afloat.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Aside from giving tax incentives, the DOF reported that the Philippines grants incentives to various business for the longest time compared to other ASEAN countries. This means that the Philippines has been giving up most of its revenue from medium to large scale businesses that are qualified for the tax incentive. While said corporations are given large tax incentives, MSMEs are subjected to the 30% CITR.\\u00a0 Thus, the CREATE Bill seeks to remove the incentive given to these corporations who have been enjoying the 5% tax on their Gross Income Earned and subject them to the 25% CITR.\\u00a0 The DOF reported that the Philippines has foregone PHP 441 Billion due to tax incentive granted to some 3,000 companies only.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong>TIMELINESS IS KEY<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Upon the signing of incumbent president, Rodrigo Duterte III, of Republic Act No. 10963, the National Internal Revenue Code (NIRC) has been substantially amended especially the tax rates for individual earners<a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\">[11]<\\/a>. However, due to the unexpected change in the business environment, the NIRC is again sought to be amended to keep the Philippines competitive among its neighboring nations and attractive to foreign investors. The CREATE bill seeks to provide immediate and direct impact to corporations in the country to address the losses during the past few months. It is the first-ever revenue-eroding tax reform package proposed by the DOF, but this is also the largest fiscal stimulus program in the history of the Philippines. The CREATE bill is a lifeline given to all corporations in the Philippines that will extend its effects to the working masses while simultaneously subjecting those corporations who have been enjoying tax incentives for years to the proper tax rates. This change will be the equalizer in terms of foregone revenue of the Philippines from the lower tax rate.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 As the threats of the pandemic persist even if \\u00a0businesses already started to resume operations, corporations in the Philippines still clamor for the approval of the CREATE bill.<a href=\\\"#_ftn12\\\">[12]<\\/a> True enough, the earlier the CREATE bill passes into law, the better room there will be for corporations to properly allocate its assets, since prompt relief is one of the rationales of TRAIN 2 from its inception<a href=\\\"#_ftn13\\\">[13]<\\/a>. Interestingly, SB No. 1357 contains a retroactive provision which states that once finally signed by the President and the corresponding publication has been made, its effectivity will retroact from 1 January 2020<a href=\\\"#_ftn14\\\">[14]<\\/a>. Perhaps due to this clause, the train may not be late after all.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">*Graduated from DLSU \\u2013 Taft with a degree in Accountancy in 2015, Frans worked as a tax consultant in one of the top accounting firms in the Philippines right after passing the CPA Boards in the same year. He is now in private practice\\u2014helping MSMEs in their accounting and tax matters.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">[1]<\\/a>Department of Public Works and Highways et, al., BUILD, BUILD, BUILD\\u2019 JOINT STATEMENT OF SUPPORT FOR THE CORPORATE RECOVERY AND TAX INCENTIVES FOR ENTERPRISES ACT, Tax Reform Community Group, 25 August 2020, https:\\/\\/taxreform.dof.gov.ph\\/presentations-and-references\\/bbb-sos-for-create-dpwh-dotr-dbm-neda-bcda-consolidated-as-of-2-june-2020\\/<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a> Committee Report No. 2 Re: HB No. 4157, 18<sup>th<\\/sup> Congress, 1<sup>st<\\/sup> Regular Session, (02 August 2019)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a> Section 7 of HB No. 4157, 18<sup>th<\\/sup> Congress, 1<sup>st<\\/sup> Regular Session<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[4]<\\/a> SB No. 1357, 18<sup>th<\\/sup> Congress, 1<sup>st<\\/sup> Regular Session (18 February 2020)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[5]<\\/a> CONST. (1987)., Art VI, Sec. 27<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[6]<\\/a> <strong>James Gallagher<\\/strong>, Covid vaccine update: When will others be ready?, BBC NEWS, (02 December 2020), https:\\/\\/www.bbc.com\\/news\\/health-5166549<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\">[7]<\\/a> N.A., Package 2: Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises (CREATE) Act, Department of Finance, (No date), <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/taxreform.dof.gov.ph\\/tax-reform-packages\\/p2-corporate-recovery-and-tax-incentives-for-enterprises-act\\/\\\">https:\\/\\/taxreform.dof.gov.ph\\/tax-reform-packages\\/p2-corporate-recovery-and-tax-incentives-for-enterprises-act\\/<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\">[8]<\\/a> N.A., Singapore GDP per capita, Trade Economics, (No Date), https:\\/\\/tradingeconomics.com\\/singapore\\/gdp-per-capita\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\">[9]<\\/a> N.A., Philippines GDP per capita, Trade Economics, <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/tradingeconomics.com\\/philippines\\/gdp-per-capita\\\">https:\\/\\/tradingeconomics.com\\/philippines\\/gdp-per-capita<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\">[10]<\\/a> Jovie Marie de la Cruz, Citira, now CREATE, cuts CIT to 25%; means P259 billion in revenue loss till 2022, Business Mirror, (13 May 2020) <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/businessmirror.com.ph\\/2020\\/05\\/13\\/citira-now-create-cuts-cit-to-25-means-p259-billion-in-revenue-loss-till-2022\\/\\\">https:\\/\\/businessmirror.com.ph\\/2020\\/05\\/13\\/citira-now-create-cuts-cit-to-25-means-p259-billion-in-revenue-loss-till-2022\\/<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\">[11]<\\/a> An Act Amending Sections 5, 6, 24, 25, 27, xxx, and Repealing Sections 35, 62 and 82; All under the Republic Act No. 8424, otherwise known as the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997, as amended, and for other purpose, Republic Act No. 10963, Sec. 5, (19 December 2017)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref12\\\">[12]<\\/a> <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/business.mb.com.ph\\/2020\\/03\\/08\\/pcci-pse-join-clamor-to-pass-citira-bill\\/\\\">James A. Loyola<\\/a>, PCCI, PSE join clamor to pass CITIRA bill,\\u00a0Manila Bulletin, (09 March 2020), www.kccp.ph\\/2020\\/03\\/09\\/pcci-pse-join-clamor-to-pass-citira-bill\\/<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref13\\\">[13]<\\/a> N.A., Package 2 top 10 rationales, Tax Reform Community Group, (2 March 2020), http:\\/\\/taxreform.dof.gov.ph\\/presentations-and-references\\/package-2-top-10-rationales-as-of-feb-28-2020\\/<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref14\\\">[14]<\\/a> Sec. 14 of SB No. 1357, 18<sup>th<\\/sup> Congress, 1<sup>st<\\/sup> Regular Session (18 February 2020)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><em>Featured Photo by <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.pexels.com\\/@pixabay?utm_content=attributionCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=pexels\\\">Pixabay<\\/a> from <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.pexels.com\\/photo\\/accounting-analytics-balance-black-and-white-209224\\/?utm_content=attributionCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=pexels\\\">Pexels<\\/a><\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(2735,1108,'_thumbnail_id','1094'),(2738,1109,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(2739,1109,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(2740,1109,'_elementor_version','3.0.14'),(2741,1109,'_wp_page_template','default'),(2742,1109,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"56f8aeb\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"3bd1ce3c\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"7a59b74b\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">By: Frans Joseph F. Incomio <\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Embattled with the continuing threats of COVID-19, the Department of Finance (DOF) with the support of various executive departments such as the Department of Public Works and Highways, Bases Conversion and Development Authority, Department of Transportation and National Economic and Development Authority and Department of Budget and Management<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\">[1]<\\/a>, through the Senate, has proposed a revamp of House Bill No. 4157<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\">[2]<\\/a> also known as the Corporate Income Tax and Incentive Rationalization Act (CITIRA) to what is now called the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprise (CREATE). Approved on 13 September 2019 for the 3<sup>rd<\\/sup> and final reading with the House, the CITIRA bill was filed with the Senate for interpellations this year. However, due to COVID-19, the DOF sought to change some provisions of the CITIRA bill especially Section 7 of the House Bill No. 4157 (HB No. 4157)<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\">[3]<\\/a>. On 26 November 2020, the Senate approved on the third and final reading the newly revised CITIRA bill, now CREATE bill, under Senate Bill No. 1357 (SB No. 1357)<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\">[4]<\\/a> which means that it is on its way to the final process for its execution, i.e., the approval of the President, subject to the power to veto the said Bill<a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\">[5]<\\/a>.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Now that international pharmaceutical companies are expressing their success in discovering a vaccine for COVID-19<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\">[6]<\\/a>, the Philippine Government has started relaxing its policy in terms of travel and operations to give both the businesses and employees a chance to recover from their losses. However, while a chance to reoperate will give businesses a chance to earn again, the income generated will never be the same as before COVID-19 struck. One of the ways to alleviate business losses and free up some capital of aching corporations is through the CREATE bill. This bill basically seeks to cut corporate tax rate by 5% immediately upon its passage. This will benefit not only large corporations but also micro, small, and medium enterprise (MSMEs) as part of their capital set to pay taxes will be freed up for investments or contingency funds.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong>CITIRA vis-\\u00e0-vis CREATE<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The CITIRA bill sought to deduct 1% from current Corporate Income Tax Rate (CITR) from the time of its passage. It also provided for an annual drop of 1% from year 2020 to year 2029. This means that from the time the CITIRA bill is passed, the CITR will be 29%, and by year 2029, the CITR will be 20%. This differs greatly when compared to the CREATE bill, which sought for an outright drop in the CITR of 5%. Hence, upon passage of the CREATE bill, corporations will now be subject to a 25% CITR. Unlike the CITIRA bill, the CREATE bill will continue to subject corporations to 25% CITR up to 2022. From 2023 to 2027, there will be a 1% drop annually, thus, by 2027, the CITR will only be 20%. Evidently, the CREATE bill does not only give a greater drop in the CITR on its first year of approval but also an accelerated the achievement of the final target of 20% CITR by two (2) years.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Under the CREATE bill, the Fiscal Incentives Review Board (FIRB), is given expanded powers to create Strategic Investment Priority Plans. The FIRB can also recommend to the President the grant of appropriate non-fiscal support on highly desirable projects or specific industrial activities. Upon recommendation, the President may approve the incentives and the period within which it may be availed. Such flexibility is sought to provide a more flexible system of incentive that will adapt to the needs of the economy. In other words, the tax incentive scheme of the Philippines will not vary as incentives will be assessed on a case-to-case basis<a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\">[7]<\\/a>.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Lastly, due to the clamor of various business sectors already enjoying some tax incentives, they are given an additional two (2)-year sunset period. Subject to certain qualifications, businesses that have been enjoying tax incentives for a period of years are given more time to enjoy the said tax incentive before they are subject to regular taxation. Under the CITIRA bill, the sunset period ranges from two (2) years minimum to seven (7) years maximum, while under the CREATE bill the sunset period ranges from four (4) years minimum to nine (9) years maximum. This means that by the time the minimum period for the sunset ends, such companies enjoying the tax incentive will be subject to 25% CITR.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong>KEEP \\u201cTRAIN 2\\u201d MOVING<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Currently, the Philippines imposes the highest CITR on corporations as compared to neighboring Association of Southeast Asian Nation (ASEAN) countries. It seems that lowering the CITR is one of the ways to boost our economy as evidenced by Singapore which only imposes a 17% CITR. Singapore boasts of a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) Per Capita of 58,829.60 USD in 2019<a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\">[8]<\\/a> as compared to the Philippines\\u2019 GDP per Capita which was recorded at 3,337.70 USD<a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\">[9]<\\/a> only. Reducing the CITR immediately will certainly encourage international corporations to keep its operations in the Philippines and this may also result to higher investments by those international corporations seeking to set an office in the ASEAN region. The Philippines\\u2019 corporate tax rate will induce international corporations to do business in the country. This will not only result to higher income for the government, but this also means more jobs to qualified Filipinos.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Due to the sudden impact of COVID-19, there should be a vigorous efforts on the part of the government to seek ways to help businesses recuperate and prevent them from closing permanently. The DOF reported that while the forgone revenue due to the decrease in the CITR may reach up to PHP 600 billion<a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\">[10]<\\/a> by the 5<sup>th<\\/sup> year of the CREATE bill, this reduced revenue will result to revival of most MSMEs that are on the verge of closure. This means that amidst the pandemic, corporations will be able to continue to operate and provide employment. Additionally, freed up capital due to the immediate decrease in the tax rate means that MSMEs may use the capital to expand their operations or keep their business afloat.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Aside from giving tax incentives, the DOF reported that the Philippines grants incentives to various business for the longest time compared to other ASEAN countries. This means that the Philippines has been giving up most of its revenue from medium to large scale businesses that are qualified for the tax incentive. While said corporations are given large tax incentives, MSMEs are subjected to the 30% CITR.\\u00a0 Thus, the CREATE Bill seeks to remove the incentive given to these corporations who have been enjoying the 5% tax on their Gross Income Earned and subject them to the 25% CITR.\\u00a0 The DOF reported that the Philippines has foregone PHP 441 Billion due to tax incentive granted to some 3,000 companies only.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong>TIMELINESS IS KEY<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Upon the signing of incumbent president, Rodrigo Duterte III, of Republic Act No. 10963, the National Internal Revenue Code (NIRC) has been substantially amended especially the tax rates for individual earners<a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\">[11]<\\/a>. However, due to the unexpected change in the business environment, the NIRC is again sought to be amended to keep the Philippines competitive among its neighboring nations and attractive to foreign investors. The CREATE bill seeks to provide immediate and direct impact to corporations in the country to address the losses during the past few months. It is the first-ever revenue-eroding tax reform package proposed by the DOF, but this is also the largest fiscal stimulus program in the history of the Philippines. The CREATE bill is a lifeline given to all corporations in the Philippines that will extend its effects to the working masses while simultaneously subjecting those corporations who have been enjoying tax incentives for years to the proper tax rates. This change will be the equalizer in terms of foregone revenue of the Philippines from the lower tax rate.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 As the threats of the pandemic persist even if \\u00a0businesses already started to resume operations, corporations in the Philippines still clamor for the approval of the CREATE bill.<a href=\\\"#_ftn12\\\">[12]<\\/a> True enough, the earlier the CREATE bill passes into law, the better room there will be for corporations to properly allocate its assets, since prompt relief is one of the rationales of TRAIN 2 from its inception<a href=\\\"#_ftn13\\\">[13]<\\/a>. Interestingly, SB No. 1357 contains a retroactive provision which states that once finally signed by the President and the corresponding publication has been made, its effectivity will retroact from 1 January 2020<a href=\\\"#_ftn14\\\">[14]<\\/a>. Perhaps due to this clause, the train may not be late after all.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">*Graduated from DLSU \\u2013 Taft with a degree in Accountancy in 2015, Frans worked as a tax consultant in one of the top accounting firms in the Philippines right after passing the CPA Boards in the same year. He is now in private practice\\u2014helping MSMEs in their accounting and tax matters.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">[1]<\\/a>Department of Public Works and Highways et, al., BUILD, BUILD, BUILD\\u2019 JOINT STATEMENT OF SUPPORT FOR THE CORPORATE RECOVERY AND TAX INCENTIVES FOR ENTERPRISES ACT, Tax Reform Community Group, 25 August 2020, https:\\/\\/taxreform.dof.gov.ph\\/presentations-and-references\\/bbb-sos-for-create-dpwh-dotr-dbm-neda-bcda-consolidated-as-of-2-june-2020\\/<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a> Committee Report No. 2 Re: HB No. 4157, 18<sup>th<\\/sup> Congress, 1<sup>st<\\/sup> Regular Session, (02 August 2019)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a> Section 7 of HB No. 4157, 18<sup>th<\\/sup> Congress, 1<sup>st<\\/sup> Regular Session<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[4]<\\/a> SB No. 1357, 18<sup>th<\\/sup> Congress, 1<sup>st<\\/sup> Regular Session (18 February 2020)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[5]<\\/a> CONST. (1987)., Art VI, Sec. 27<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[6]<\\/a> <strong>James Gallagher<\\/strong>, Covid vaccine update: When will others be ready?, BBC NEWS, (02 December 2020), https:\\/\\/www.bbc.com\\/news\\/health-5166549<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\">[7]<\\/a> N.A., Package 2: Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises (CREATE) Act, Department of Finance, (No date), <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/taxreform.dof.gov.ph\\/tax-reform-packages\\/p2-corporate-recovery-and-tax-incentives-for-enterprises-act\\/\\\">https:\\/\\/taxreform.dof.gov.ph\\/tax-reform-packages\\/p2-corporate-recovery-and-tax-incentives-for-enterprises-act\\/<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\">[8]<\\/a> N.A., Singapore GDP per capita, Trade Economics, (No Date), https:\\/\\/tradingeconomics.com\\/singapore\\/gdp-per-capita\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\">[9]<\\/a> N.A., Philippines GDP per capita, Trade Economics, <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/tradingeconomics.com\\/philippines\\/gdp-per-capita\\\">https:\\/\\/tradingeconomics.com\\/philippines\\/gdp-per-capita<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\">[10]<\\/a> Jovie Marie de la Cruz, Citira, now CREATE, cuts CIT to 25%; means P259 billion in revenue loss till 2022, Business Mirror, (13 May 2020) <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/businessmirror.com.ph\\/2020\\/05\\/13\\/citira-now-create-cuts-cit-to-25-means-p259-billion-in-revenue-loss-till-2022\\/\\\">https:\\/\\/businessmirror.com.ph\\/2020\\/05\\/13\\/citira-now-create-cuts-cit-to-25-means-p259-billion-in-revenue-loss-till-2022\\/<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\">[11]<\\/a> An Act Amending Sections 5, 6, 24, 25, 27, xxx, and Repealing Sections 35, 62 and 82; All under the Republic Act No. 8424, otherwise known as the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997, as amended, and for other purpose, Republic Act No. 10963, Sec. 5, (19 December 2017)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref12\\\">[12]<\\/a> <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/business.mb.com.ph\\/2020\\/03\\/08\\/pcci-pse-join-clamor-to-pass-citira-bill\\/\\\">James A. Loyola<\\/a>, PCCI, PSE join clamor to pass CITIRA bill,\\u00a0Manila Bulletin, (09 March 2020), www.kccp.ph\\/2020\\/03\\/09\\/pcci-pse-join-clamor-to-pass-citira-bill\\/<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref13\\\">[13]<\\/a> N.A., Package 2 top 10 rationales, Tax Reform Community Group, (2 March 2020), http:\\/\\/taxreform.dof.gov.ph\\/presentations-and-references\\/package-2-top-10-rationales-as-of-feb-28-2020\\/<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref14\\\">[14]<\\/a> Sec. 14 of SB No. 1357, 18<sup>th<\\/sup> Congress, 1<sup>st<\\/sup> Regular Session (18 February 2020)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><em>Featured Photo by <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.pexels.com\\/@pixabay?utm_content=attributionCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=pexels\\\">Pixabay<\\/a> from <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.pexels.com\\/photo\\/accounting-analytics-balance-black-and-white-209224\\/?utm_content=attributionCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=pexels\\\">Pexels<\\/a><\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(2743,1109,'_thumbnail_id','1094'),(2745,1110,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(2746,1110,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(2747,1110,'_elementor_version','3.0.14'),(2748,1110,'_wp_page_template','default'),(2749,1110,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"56f8aeb\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"3bd1ce3c\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"7a59b74b\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">By: Frans Joseph F. Incomio <\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Embattled with the continuing threats of COVID-19, the Department of Finance (DOF) with the support of various executive departments such as the Department of Public Works and Highways, Bases Conversion and Development Authority, Department of Transportation and National Economic and Development Authority and Department of Budget and Management<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\">[1]<\\/a>, through the Senate, has proposed a revamp of House Bill No. 4157<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\">[2]<\\/a> also known as the Corporate Income Tax and Incentive Rationalization Act (CITIRA) to what is now called the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprise (CREATE). Approved on 13 September 2019 for the 3<sup>rd<\\/sup> and final reading with the House, the CITIRA bill was filed with the Senate for interpellations this year. However, due to COVID-19, the DOF sought to change some provisions of the CITIRA bill especially Section 7 of the House Bill No. 4157 (HB No. 4157)<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\">[3]<\\/a>. On 26 November 2020, the Senate approved on the third and final reading the newly revised CITIRA bill, now CREATE bill, under Senate Bill No. 1357 (SB No. 1357)<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\">[4]<\\/a> which means that it is on its way to the final process for its execution, i.e., the approval of the President, subject to the power to veto the said Bill<a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\">[5]<\\/a>.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Now that international pharmaceutical companies are expressing their success in discovering a vaccine for COVID-19<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\">[6]<\\/a>, the Philippine Government has started relaxing its policy in terms of travel and operations to give both the businesses and employees a chance to recover from their losses. However, while a chance to reoperate will give businesses a chance to earn again, the income generated will never be the same as before COVID-19 struck. One of the ways to alleviate business losses and free up some capital of aching corporations is through the CREATE bill. This bill basically seeks to cut corporate tax rate by 5% immediately upon its passage. This will benefit not only large corporations but also micro, small, and medium enterprise (MSMEs) as part of their capital set to pay taxes will be freed up for investments or contingency funds.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong>CITIRA vis-\\u00e0-vis CREATE<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The CITIRA bill sought to deduct 1% from current Corporate Income Tax Rate (CITR) from the time of its passage. It also provided for an annual drop of 1% from year 2020 to year 2029. This means that from the time the CITIRA bill is passed, the CITR will be 29%, and by year 2029, the CITR will be 20%. This differs greatly when compared to the CREATE bill, which sought for an outright drop in the CITR of 5%. Hence, upon passage of the CREATE bill, corporations will now be subject to a 25% CITR. Unlike the CITIRA bill, the CREATE bill will continue to subject corporations to 25% CITR up to 2022. From 2023 to 2027, there will be a 1% drop annually, thus, by 2027, the CITR will only be 20%. Evidently, the CREATE bill does not only give a greater drop in the CITR on its first year of approval but also an accelerated the achievement of the final target of 20% CITR by two (2) years.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Under the CREATE bill, the Fiscal Incentives Review Board (FIRB), is given expanded powers to create Strategic Investment Priority Plans. The FIRB can also recommend to the President the grant of appropriate non-fiscal support on highly desirable projects or specific industrial activities. Upon recommendation, the President may approve the incentives and the period within which it may be availed. Such flexibility is sought to provide a more flexible system of incentive that will adapt to the needs of the economy. In other words, the tax incentive scheme of the Philippines will not vary as incentives will be assessed on a case-to-case basis<a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\">[7]<\\/a>.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Lastly, due to the clamor of various business sectors already enjoying some tax incentives, they are given an additional two (2)-year sunset period. Subject to certain qualifications, businesses that have been enjoying tax incentives for a period of years are given more time to enjoy the said tax incentive before they are subject to regular taxation. Under the CITIRA bill, the sunset period ranges from two (2) years minimum to seven (7) years maximum, while under the CREATE bill the sunset period ranges from four (4) years minimum to nine (9) years maximum. This means that by the time the minimum period for the sunset ends, such companies enjoying the tax incentive will be subject to 25% CITR.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong>KEEP \\u201cTRAIN 2\\u201d MOVING<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Currently, the Philippines imposes the highest CITR on corporations as compared to neighboring Association of Southeast Asian Nation (ASEAN) countries. It seems that lowering the CITR is one of the ways to boost our economy as evidenced by Singapore which only imposes a 17% CITR. Singapore boasts of a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) Per Capita of 58,829.60 USD in 2019<a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\">[8]<\\/a> as compared to the Philippines\\u2019 GDP per Capita which was recorded at 3,337.70 USD<a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\">[9]<\\/a> only. Reducing the CITR immediately will certainly encourage international corporations to keep its operations in the Philippines and this may also result to higher investments by those international corporations seeking to set an office in the ASEAN region. The Philippines\\u2019 corporate tax rate will induce international corporations to do business in the country. This will not only result to higher income for the government, but this also means more jobs to qualified Filipinos.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Due to the sudden impact of COVID-19, there should be a vigorous efforts on the part of the government to seek ways to help businesses recuperate and prevent them from closing permanently. The DOF reported that while the forgone revenue due to the decrease in the CITR may reach up to PHP 600 billion<a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\">[10]<\\/a> by the 5<sup>th<\\/sup> year of the CREATE bill, this reduced revenue will result to revival of most MSMEs that are on the verge of closure. This means that amidst the pandemic, corporations will be able to continue to operate and provide employment. Additionally, freed up capital due to the immediate decrease in the tax rate means that MSMEs may use the capital to expand their operations or keep their business afloat.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Aside from giving tax incentives, the DOF reported that the Philippines grants incentives to various business for the longest time compared to other ASEAN countries. This means that the Philippines has been giving up most of its revenue from medium to large scale businesses that are qualified for the tax incentive. While said corporations are given large tax incentives, MSMEs are subjected to the 30% CITR.\\u00a0 Thus, the CREATE Bill seeks to remove the incentive given to these corporations who have been enjoying the 5% tax on their Gross Income Earned and subject them to the 25% CITR.\\u00a0 The DOF reported that the Philippines has foregone PHP 441 Billion due to tax incentive granted to some 3,000 companies only.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong>TIMELINESS IS KEY<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Upon the signing of incumbent president, Rodrigo Duterte III, of Republic Act No. 10963, the National Internal Revenue Code (NIRC) has been substantially amended especially the tax rates for individual earners<a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\">[11]<\\/a>. However, due to the unexpected change in the business environment, the NIRC is again sought to be amended to keep the Philippines competitive among its neighboring nations and attractive to foreign investors. The CREATE bill seeks to provide immediate and direct impact to corporations in the country to address the losses during the past few months. It is the first-ever revenue-eroding tax reform package proposed by the DOF, but this is also the largest fiscal stimulus program in the history of the Philippines. The CREATE bill is a lifeline given to all corporations in the Philippines that will extend its effects to the working masses while simultaneously subjecting those corporations who have been enjoying tax incentives for years to the proper tax rates. This change will be the equalizer in terms of foregone revenue of the Philippines from the lower tax rate.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 As the threats of the pandemic persist even if \\u00a0businesses already started to resume operations, corporations in the Philippines still clamor for the approval of the CREATE bill.<a href=\\\"#_ftn12\\\">[12]<\\/a> True enough, the earlier the CREATE bill passes into law, the better room there will be for corporations to properly allocate its assets, since prompt relief is one of the rationales of TRAIN 2 from its inception<a href=\\\"#_ftn13\\\">[13]<\\/a>. Interestingly, SB No. 1357 contains a retroactive provision which states that once finally signed by the President and the corresponding publication has been made, its effectivity will retroact from 1 January 2020<a href=\\\"#_ftn14\\\">[14]<\\/a>. Perhaps due to this clause, the train may not be late after all.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">*Graduated from DLSU \\u2013 Taft with a degree in Accountancy in 2015, Frans worked as a tax consultant in one of the top accounting firms in the Philippines right after passing the CPA Boards in the same year. He is now in private practice\\u2014helping MSMEs in their accounting and tax matters.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">[1]<\\/a>Department of Public Works and Highways et, al., BUILD, BUILD, BUILD\\u2019 JOINT STATEMENT OF SUPPORT FOR THE CORPORATE RECOVERY AND TAX INCENTIVES FOR ENTERPRISES ACT, Tax Reform Community Group, 25 August 2020, https:\\/\\/taxreform.dof.gov.ph\\/presentations-and-references\\/bbb-sos-for-create-dpwh-dotr-dbm-neda-bcda-consolidated-as-of-2-june-2020\\/<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a> Committee Report No. 2 Re: HB No. 4157, 18<sup>th<\\/sup> Congress, 1<sup>st<\\/sup> Regular Session, (02 August 2019)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a> Section 7 of HB No. 4157, 18<sup>th<\\/sup> Congress, 1<sup>st<\\/sup> Regular Session<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[4]<\\/a> SB No. 1357, 18<sup>th<\\/sup> Congress, 1<sup>st<\\/sup> Regular Session (18 February 2020)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[5]<\\/a> CONST. (1987)., Art VI, Sec. 27<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[6]<\\/a> <strong>James Gallagher<\\/strong>, Covid vaccine update: When will others be ready?, BBC NEWS, (02 December 2020), https:\\/\\/www.bbc.com\\/news\\/health-5166549<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\">[7]<\\/a> N.A., Package 2: Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises (CREATE) Act, Department of Finance, (No date), <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/taxreform.dof.gov.ph\\/tax-reform-packages\\/p2-corporate-recovery-and-tax-incentives-for-enterprises-act\\/\\\">https:\\/\\/taxreform.dof.gov.ph\\/tax-reform-packages\\/p2-corporate-recovery-and-tax-incentives-for-enterprises-act\\/<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\">[8]<\\/a> N.A., Singapore GDP per capita, Trade Economics, (No Date), https:\\/\\/tradingeconomics.com\\/singapore\\/gdp-per-capita\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\">[9]<\\/a> N.A., Philippines GDP per capita, Trade Economics, <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/tradingeconomics.com\\/philippines\\/gdp-per-capita\\\">https:\\/\\/tradingeconomics.com\\/philippines\\/gdp-per-capita<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\">[10]<\\/a> Jovie Marie de la Cruz, Citira, now CREATE, cuts CIT to 25%; means P259 billion in revenue loss till 2022, Business Mirror, (13 May 2020) <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/businessmirror.com.ph\\/2020\\/05\\/13\\/citira-now-create-cuts-cit-to-25-means-p259-billion-in-revenue-loss-till-2022\\/\\\">https:\\/\\/businessmirror.com.ph\\/2020\\/05\\/13\\/citira-now-create-cuts-cit-to-25-means-p259-billion-in-revenue-loss-till-2022\\/<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\">[11]<\\/a> An Act Amending Sections 5, 6, 24, 25, 27, xxx, and Repealing Sections 35, 62 and 82; All under the Republic Act No. 8424, otherwise known as the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997, as amended, and for other purpose, Republic Act No. 10963, Sec. 5, (19 December 2017)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref12\\\">[12]<\\/a> <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/business.mb.com.ph\\/2020\\/03\\/08\\/pcci-pse-join-clamor-to-pass-citira-bill\\/\\\">James A. Loyola<\\/a>, PCCI, PSE join clamor to pass CITIRA bill,\\u00a0Manila Bulletin, (09 March 2020), www.kccp.ph\\/2020\\/03\\/09\\/pcci-pse-join-clamor-to-pass-citira-bill\\/<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref13\\\">[13]<\\/a> N.A., Package 2 top 10 rationales, Tax Reform Community Group, (2 March 2020), http:\\/\\/taxreform.dof.gov.ph\\/presentations-and-references\\/package-2-top-10-rationales-as-of-feb-28-2020\\/<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref14\\\">[14]<\\/a> Sec. 14 of SB No. 1357, 18<sup>th<\\/sup> Congress, 1<sup>st<\\/sup> Regular Session (18 February 2020)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><em>Featured Photo by <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.pexels.com\\/@pixabay?utm_content=attributionCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=pexels\\\">Pixabay<\\/a> from <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.pexels.com\\/photo\\/accounting-analytics-balance-black-and-white-209224\\/?utm_content=attributionCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=pexels\\\">Pexels<\\/a><\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(2750,1110,'_thumbnail_id','1094'),(2752,1111,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(2753,1111,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(2754,1111,'_elementor_version','3.0.14'),(2755,1111,'_wp_page_template','default'),(2756,1111,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"56f8aeb\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"3bd1ce3c\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"7a59b74b\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">By: Frans Joseph F. Incomio* <\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"> Embattled with the continuing threats of COVID-19, the Department of Finance (DOF) with the support of various executive departments such as the Department of Public Works and Highways, Bases Conversion and Development Authority, Department of Transportation and National Economic and Development Authority and Department of Budget and Management<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\">[1]<\\/a>, through the Senate, has proposed a revamp of House Bill No. 4157<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\">[2]<\\/a> also known as the Corporate Income Tax and Incentive Rationalization Act (CITIRA) to what is now called the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprise (CREATE). Approved on 13 September 2019 for the 3<sup>rd<\\/sup> and final reading with the House, the CITIRA bill was filed with the Senate for interpellations this year. However, due to COVID-19, the DOF sought to change some provisions of the CITIRA bill especially Section 7 of the House Bill No. 4157 (HB No. 4157)<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\">[3]<\\/a>. On 26 November 2020, the Senate approved on the third and final reading the newly revised CITIRA bill, now CREATE bill, under Senate Bill No. 1357 (SB No. 1357)<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\">[4]<\\/a> which means that it is on its way to the final process for its execution, i.e., the approval of the President, subject to the power to veto the said Bill<a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\">[5]<\\/a>.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"> Now that international pharmaceutical companies are expressing their success in discovering a vaccine for COVID-19<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\">[6]<\\/a>, the Philippine Government has started relaxing its policy in terms of travel and operations to give both the businesses and employees a chance to recover from their losses. However, while a chance to reoperate will give businesses a chance to earn again, the income generated will never be the same as before COVID-19 struck. One of the ways to alleviate business losses and free up some capital of aching corporations is through the CREATE bill. This bill basically seeks to cut corporate tax rate by 5% immediately upon its passage. This will benefit not only large corporations but also micro, small, and medium enterprise (MSMEs) as part of their capital set to pay taxes will be freed up for investments or contingency funds.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong>CITIRA vis-\\u00e0-vis CREATE<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"> The CITIRA bill sought to deduct 1% from current Corporate Income Tax Rate (CITR) from the time of its passage. It also provided for an annual drop of 1% from year 2020 to year 2029. This means that from the time the CITIRA bill is passed, the CITR will be 29%, and by year 2029, the CITR will be 20%. This differs greatly when compared to the CREATE bill, which sought for an outright drop in the CITR of 5%. Hence, upon passage of the CREATE bill, corporations will now be subject to a 25% CITR. Unlike the CITIRA bill, the CREATE bill will continue to subject corporations to 25% CITR up to 2022. From 2023 to 2027, there will be a 1% drop annually, thus, by 2027, the CITR will only be 20%. Evidently, the CREATE bill does not only give a greater drop in the CITR on its first year of approval but also an accelerated the achievement of the final target of 20% CITR by two (2) years.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"> Under the CREATE bill, the Fiscal Incentives Review Board (FIRB), is given expanded powers to create Strategic Investment Priority Plans. The FIRB can also recommend to the President the grant of appropriate non-fiscal support on highly desirable projects or specific industrial activities. Upon recommendation, the President may approve the incentives and the period within which it may be availed. Such flexibility is sought to provide a more flexible system of incentive that will adapt to the needs of the economy. In other words, the tax incentive scheme of the Philippines will not vary as incentives will be assessed on a case-to-case basis<a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\">[7]<\\/a>.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"> Lastly, due to the clamor of various business sectors already enjoying some tax incentives, they are given an additional two (2)-year sunset period. Subject to certain qualifications, businesses that have been enjoying tax incentives for a period of years are given more time to enjoy the said tax incentive before they are subject to regular taxation. Under the CITIRA bill, the sunset period ranges from two (2) years minimum to seven (7) years maximum, while under the CREATE bill the sunset period ranges from four (4) years minimum to nine (9) years maximum. This means that by the time the minimum period for the sunset ends, such companies enjoying the tax incentive will be subject to 25% CITR.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong>KEEP \\u201cTRAIN 2\\u201d MOVING<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"> Currently, the Philippines imposes the highest CITR on corporations as compared to neighboring Association of Southeast Asian Nation (ASEAN) countries. It seems that lowering the CITR is one of the ways to boost our economy as evidenced by Singapore which only imposes a 17% CITR. Singapore boasts of a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) Per Capita of 58,829.60 USD in 2019<a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\">[8]<\\/a> as compared to the Philippines\\u2019 GDP per Capita which was recorded at 3,337.70 USD<a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\">[9]<\\/a> only. Reducing the CITR immediately will certainly encourage international corporations to keep its operations in the Philippines and this may also result to higher investments by those international corporations seeking to set an office in the ASEAN region. The Philippines\\u2019 corporate tax rate will induce international corporations to do business in the country. This will not only result to higher income for the government, but this also means more jobs to qualified Filipinos.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"> Due to the sudden impact of COVID-19, there should be a vigorous efforts on the part of the government to seek ways to help businesses recuperate and prevent them from closing permanently. The DOF reported that while the forgone revenue due to the decrease in the CITR may reach up to PHP 600 billion<a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\">[10]<\\/a> by the 5<sup>th<\\/sup> year of the CREATE bill, this reduced revenue will result to revival of most MSMEs that are on the verge of closure. This means that amidst the pandemic, corporations will be able to continue to operate and provide employment. Additionally, freed up capital due to the immediate decrease in the tax rate means that MSMEs may use the capital to expand their operations or keep their business afloat.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"> Aside from giving tax incentives, the DOF reported that the Philippines grants incentives to various business for the longest time compared to other ASEAN countries. This means that the Philippines has been giving up most of its revenue from medium to large scale businesses that are qualified for the tax incentive. While said corporations are given large tax incentives, MSMEs are subjected to the 30% CITR. Thus, the CREATE Bill seeks to remove the incentive given to these corporations who have been enjoying the 5% tax on their Gross Income Earned and subject them to the 25% CITR. The DOF reported that the Philippines has foregone PHP 441 Billion due to tax incentive granted to some 3,000 companies only.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong>TIMELINESS IS KEY<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"> Upon the signing of incumbent president, Rodrigo Duterte III, of Republic Act No. 10963, the National Internal Revenue Code (NIRC) has been substantially amended especially the tax rates for individual earners<a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\">[11]<\\/a>. However, due to the unexpected change in the business environment, the NIRC is again sought to be amended to keep the Philippines competitive among its neighboring nations and attractive to foreign investors. The CREATE bill seeks to provide immediate and direct impact to corporations in the country to address the losses during the past few months. It is the first-ever revenue-eroding tax reform package proposed by the DOF, but this is also the largest fiscal stimulus program in the history of the Philippines. The CREATE bill is a lifeline given to all corporations in the Philippines that will extend its effects to the working masses while simultaneously subjecting those corporations who have been enjoying tax incentives for years to the proper tax rates. This change will be the equalizer in terms of foregone revenue of the Philippines from the lower tax rate.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"> As the threats of the pandemic persist even if businesses already started to resume operations, corporations in the Philippines still clamor for the approval of the CREATE bill.<a href=\\\"#_ftn12\\\">[12]<\\/a> True enough, the earlier the CREATE bill passes into law, the better room there will be for corporations to properly allocate its assets, since prompt relief is one of the rationales of TRAIN 2 from its inception<a href=\\\"#_ftn13\\\">[13]<\\/a>. Interestingly, SB No. 1357 contains a retroactive provision which states that once finally signed by the President and the corresponding publication has been made, its effectivity will retroact from 1 January 2020<a href=\\\"#_ftn14\\\">[14]<\\/a>. Perhaps due to this clause, the train may not be late after all.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\">\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">*Graduated from DLSU \\u2013 Taft with a degree in Accountancy in 2015, Frans worked as a tax consultant in one of the top accounting firms in the Philippines right after passing the CPA Boards in the same year. He is now in private practice\\u2014helping MSMEs in their accounting and tax matters.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">[1]<\\/a>Department of Public Works and Highways et, al., BUILD, BUILD, BUILD\\u2019 JOINT STATEMENT OF SUPPORT FOR THE CORPORATE RECOVERY AND TAX INCENTIVES FOR ENTERPRISES ACT, Tax Reform Community Group, 25 August 2020, https:\\/\\/taxreform.dof.gov.ph\\/presentations-and-references\\/bbb-sos-for-create-dpwh-dotr-dbm-neda-bcda-consolidated-as-of-2-june-2020\\/<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a> Committee Report No. 2 Re: HB No. 4157, 18<sup>th<\\/sup> Congress, 1<sup>st<\\/sup> Regular Session, (02 August 2019)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a> Section 7 of HB No. 4157, 18<sup>th<\\/sup> Congress, 1<sup>st<\\/sup> Regular Session<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[4]<\\/a> SB No. 1357, 18<sup>th<\\/sup> Congress, 1<sup>st<\\/sup> Regular Session (18 February 2020)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[5]<\\/a> CONST. (1987)., Art VI, Sec. 27<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[6]<\\/a> <strong>James Gallagher<\\/strong>, Covid vaccine update: When will others be ready?, BBC NEWS, (02 December 2020), https:\\/\\/www.bbc.com\\/news\\/health-5166549<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\">[7]<\\/a> N.A., Package 2: Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises (CREATE) Act, Department of Finance, (No date), <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/taxreform.dof.gov.ph\\/tax-reform-packages\\/p2-corporate-recovery-and-tax-incentives-for-enterprises-act\\/\\\">https:\\/\\/taxreform.dof.gov.ph\\/tax-reform-packages\\/p2-corporate-recovery-and-tax-incentives-for-enterprises-act\\/<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\">[8]<\\/a> N.A., Singapore GDP per capita, Trade Economics, (No Date), https:\\/\\/tradingeconomics.com\\/singapore\\/gdp-per-capita <\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\">[9]<\\/a> N.A., Philippines GDP per capita, Trade Economics, <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/tradingeconomics.com\\/philippines\\/gdp-per-capita\\\">https:\\/\\/tradingeconomics.com\\/philippines\\/gdp-per-capita<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\">[10]<\\/a> Jovie Marie de la Cruz, Citira, now CREATE, cuts CIT to 25%; means P259 billion in revenue loss till 2022, Business Mirror, (13 May 2020) <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/businessmirror.com.ph\\/2020\\/05\\/13\\/citira-now-create-cuts-cit-to-25-means-p259-billion-in-revenue-loss-till-2022\\/\\\">https:\\/\\/businessmirror.com.ph\\/2020\\/05\\/13\\/citira-now-create-cuts-cit-to-25-means-p259-billion-in-revenue-loss-till-2022\\/<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\">[11]<\\/a> An Act Amending Sections 5, 6, 24, 25, 27, xxx, and Repealing Sections 35, 62 and 82; All under the Republic Act No. 8424, otherwise known as the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997, as amended, and for other purpose, Republic Act No. 10963, Sec. 5, (19 December 2017)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref12\\\">[12]<\\/a> <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/business.mb.com.ph\\/2020\\/03\\/08\\/pcci-pse-join-clamor-to-pass-citira-bill\\/\\\">James A. Loyola<\\/a>, PCCI, PSE join clamor to pass CITIRA bill, Manila Bulletin, (09 March 2020), www.kccp.ph\\/2020\\/03\\/09\\/pcci-pse-join-clamor-to-pass-citira-bill\\/<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref13\\\">[13]<\\/a> N.A., Package 2 top 10 rationales, Tax Reform Community Group, (2 March 2020), http:\\/\\/taxreform.dof.gov.ph\\/presentations-and-references\\/package-2-top-10-rationales-as-of-feb-28-2020\\/<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref14\\\">[14]<\\/a> Sec. 14 of SB No. 1357, 18<sup>th<\\/sup> Congress, 1<sup>st<\\/sup> Regular Session (18 February 2020)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\">\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><em>Featured Photo by <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.pexels.com\\/@pixabay?utm_content=attributionCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=pexels\\\">Pixabay<\\/a> from <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.pexels.com\\/photo\\/accounting-analytics-balance-black-and-white-209224\\/?utm_content=attributionCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=pexels\\\">Pexels<\\/a><\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(2757,1111,'_thumbnail_id','1094'),(2760,1112,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(2761,1112,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(2762,1112,'_elementor_version','3.0.14'),(2763,1112,'_wp_page_template','default'),(2764,1112,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"56f8aeb\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"3bd1ce3c\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"7a59b74b\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">By: Frans Joseph F. Incomio* <\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"> Embattled with the continuing threats of COVID-19, the Department of Finance (DOF) with the support of various executive departments such as the Department of Public Works and Highways, Bases Conversion and Development Authority, Department of Transportation and National Economic and Development Authority and Department of Budget and Management<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\">[1]<\\/a>, through the Senate, has proposed a revamp of House Bill No. 4157<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\">[2]<\\/a> also known as the Corporate Income Tax and Incentive Rationalization Act (CITIRA) to what is now called the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprise (CREATE). Approved on 13 September 2019 for the 3<sup>rd<\\/sup> and final reading with the House, the CITIRA bill was filed with the Senate for interpellations this year. However, due to COVID-19, the DOF sought to change some provisions of the CITIRA bill especially Section 7 of the House Bill No. 4157 (HB No. 4157)<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\">[3]<\\/a>. On 26 November 2020, the Senate approved on the third and final reading the newly revised CITIRA bill, now CREATE bill, under Senate Bill No. 1357 (SB No. 1357)<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\">[4]<\\/a> which means that it is on its way to the final process for its execution, i.e., the approval of the President, subject to the power to veto the said Bill<a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\">[5]<\\/a>.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"> Now that international pharmaceutical companies are expressing their success in discovering a vaccine for COVID-19<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\">[6]<\\/a>, the Philippine Government has started relaxing its policy in terms of travel and operations to give both the businesses and employees a chance to recover from their losses. However, while a chance to reoperate will give businesses a chance to earn again, the income generated will never be the same as before COVID-19 struck. One of the ways to alleviate business losses and free up some capital of aching corporations is through the CREATE bill. This bill basically seeks to cut corporate tax rate by 5% immediately upon its passage. This will benefit not only large corporations but also micro, small, and medium enterprise (MSMEs) as part of their capital set to pay taxes will be freed up for investments or contingency funds.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong>CITIRA vis-\\u00e0-vis CREATE<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"> The CITIRA bill sought to deduct 1% from current Corporate Income Tax Rate (CITR) from the time of its passage. It also provided for an annual drop of 1% from year 2020 to year 2029. This means that from the time the CITIRA bill is passed, the CITR will be 29%, and by year 2029, the CITR will be 20%. This differs greatly when compared to the CREATE bill, which sought for an outright drop in the CITR of 5%. Hence, upon passage of the CREATE bill, corporations will now be subject to a 25% CITR. Unlike the CITIRA bill, the CREATE bill will continue to subject corporations to 25% CITR up to 2022. From 2023 to 2027, there will be a 1% drop annually, thus, by 2027, the CITR will only be 20%. Evidently, the CREATE bill does not only give a greater drop in the CITR on its first year of approval but also an accelerated the achievement of the final target of 20% CITR by two (2) years.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"> Under the CREATE bill, the Fiscal Incentives Review Board (FIRB), is given expanded powers to create Strategic Investment Priority Plans. The FIRB can also recommend to the President the grant of appropriate non-fiscal support on highly desirable projects or specific industrial activities. Upon recommendation, the President may approve the incentives and the period within which it may be availed. Such flexibility is sought to provide a more flexible system of incentive that will adapt to the needs of the economy. In other words, the tax incentive scheme of the Philippines will not vary as incentives will be assessed on a case-to-case basis<a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\">[7]<\\/a>.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"> Lastly, due to the clamor of various business sectors already enjoying some tax incentives, they are given an additional two (2)-year sunset period. Subject to certain qualifications, businesses that have been enjoying tax incentives for a period of years are given more time to enjoy the said tax incentive before they are subject to regular taxation. Under the CITIRA bill, the sunset period ranges from two (2) years minimum to seven (7) years maximum, while under the CREATE bill the sunset period ranges from four (4) years minimum to nine (9) years maximum. This means that by the time the minimum period for the sunset ends, such companies enjoying the tax incentive will be subject to 25% CITR.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong>KEEP \\u201cTRAIN 2\\u201d MOVING<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"> Currently, the Philippines imposes the highest CITR on corporations as compared to neighboring Association of Southeast Asian Nation (ASEAN) countries. It seems that lowering the CITR is one of the ways to boost our economy as evidenced by Singapore which only imposes a 17% CITR. Singapore boasts of a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) Per Capita of 58,829.60 USD in 2019<a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\">[8]<\\/a> as compared to the Philippines\\u2019 GDP per Capita which was recorded at 3,337.70 USD<a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\">[9]<\\/a> only. Reducing the CITR immediately will certainly encourage international corporations to keep its operations in the Philippines and this may also result to higher investments by those international corporations seeking to set an office in the ASEAN region. The Philippines\\u2019 corporate tax rate will induce international corporations to do business in the country. This will not only result to higher income for the government, but this also means more jobs to qualified Filipinos.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"> Due to the sudden impact of COVID-19, there should be a vigorous efforts on the part of the government to seek ways to help businesses recuperate and prevent them from closing permanently. The DOF reported that while the forgone revenue due to the decrease in the CITR may reach up to PHP 600 billion<a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\">[10]<\\/a> by the 5<sup>th<\\/sup> year of the CREATE bill, this reduced revenue will result to revival of most MSMEs that are on the verge of closure. This means that amidst the pandemic, corporations will be able to continue to operate and provide employment. Additionally, freed up capital due to the immediate decrease in the tax rate means that MSMEs may use the capital to expand their operations or keep their business afloat.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"> Aside from giving tax incentives, the DOF reported that the Philippines grants incentives to various business for the longest time compared to other ASEAN countries. This means that the Philippines has been giving up most of its revenue from medium to large scale businesses that are qualified for the tax incentive. While said corporations are given large tax incentives, MSMEs are subjected to the 30% CITR. Thus, the CREATE Bill seeks to remove the incentive given to these corporations who have been enjoying the 5% tax on their Gross Income Earned and subject them to the 25% CITR. The DOF reported that the Philippines has foregone PHP 441 Billion due to tax incentive granted to some 3,000 companies only.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong>TIMELINESS IS KEY<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"> Upon the signing of incumbent president, Rodrigo Duterte III, of Republic Act No. 10963, the National Internal Revenue Code (NIRC) has been substantially amended especially the tax rates for individual earners<a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\">[11]<\\/a>. However, due to the unexpected change in the business environment, the NIRC is again sought to be amended to keep the Philippines competitive among its neighboring nations and attractive to foreign investors. The CREATE bill seeks to provide immediate and direct impact to corporations in the country to address the losses during the past few months. It is the first-ever revenue-eroding tax reform package proposed by the DOF, but this is also the largest fiscal stimulus program in the history of the Philippines. The CREATE bill is a lifeline given to all corporations in the Philippines that will extend its effects to the working masses while simultaneously subjecting those corporations who have been enjoying tax incentives for years to the proper tax rates. This change will be the equalizer in terms of foregone revenue of the Philippines from the lower tax rate.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"> As the threats of the pandemic persist even if businesses already started to resume operations, corporations in the Philippines still clamor for the approval of the CREATE bill.<a href=\\\"#_ftn12\\\">[12]<\\/a> True enough, the earlier the CREATE bill passes into law, the better room there will be for corporations to properly allocate its assets, since prompt relief is one of the rationales of TRAIN 2 from its inception<a href=\\\"#_ftn13\\\">[13]<\\/a>. Interestingly, SB No. 1357 contains a retroactive provision which states that once finally signed by the President and the corresponding publication has been made, its effectivity will retroact from 1 January 2020<a href=\\\"#_ftn14\\\">[14]<\\/a>. Perhaps due to this clause, the train may not be late after all.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\">\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">*Graduated from DLSU \\u2013 Taft with a degree in Accountancy in 2015, Frans worked as a tax consultant in one of the top accounting firms in the Philippines right after passing the CPA Boards in the same year. He is now in private practice\\u2014helping MSMEs in their accounting and tax matters.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">[1]<\\/a>Department of Public Works and Highways et, al., BUILD, BUILD, BUILD\\u2019 JOINT STATEMENT OF SUPPORT FOR THE CORPORATE RECOVERY AND TAX INCENTIVES FOR ENTERPRISES ACT, Tax Reform Community Group, 25 August 2020, https:\\/\\/taxreform.dof.gov.ph\\/presentations-and-references\\/bbb-sos-for-create-dpwh-dotr-dbm-neda-bcda-consolidated-as-of-2-june-2020\\/<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a> Committee Report No. 2 Re: HB No. 4157, 18<sup>th<\\/sup> Congress, 1<sup>st<\\/sup> Regular Session, (02 August 2019)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a> Section 7 of HB No. 4157, 18<sup>th<\\/sup> Congress, 1<sup>st<\\/sup> Regular Session<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[4]<\\/a> SB No. 1357, 18<sup>th<\\/sup> Congress, 1<sup>st<\\/sup> Regular Session (18 February 2020)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[5]<\\/a> CONST. (1987)., Art VI, Sec. 27<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[6]<\\/a> <strong>James Gallagher<\\/strong>, Covid vaccine update: When will others be ready?, BBC NEWS, (02 December 2020), https:\\/\\/www.bbc.com\\/news\\/health-5166549<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\">[7]<\\/a> N.A., Package 2: Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises (CREATE) Act, Department of Finance, (No date), <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/taxreform.dof.gov.ph\\/tax-reform-packages\\/p2-corporate-recovery-and-tax-incentives-for-enterprises-act\\/\\\">https:\\/\\/taxreform.dof.gov.ph\\/tax-reform-packages\\/p2-corporate-recovery-and-tax-incentives-for-enterprises-act\\/<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\">[8]<\\/a> N.A., Singapore GDP per capita, Trade Economics, (No Date), https:\\/\\/tradingeconomics.com\\/singapore\\/gdp-per-capita <\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\">[9]<\\/a> N.A., Philippines GDP per capita, Trade Economics, <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/tradingeconomics.com\\/philippines\\/gdp-per-capita\\\">https:\\/\\/tradingeconomics.com\\/philippines\\/gdp-per-capita<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\">[10]<\\/a> Jovie Marie de la Cruz, Citira, now CREATE, cuts CIT to 25%; means P259 billion in revenue loss till 2022, Business Mirror, (13 May 2020) <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/businessmirror.com.ph\\/2020\\/05\\/13\\/citira-now-create-cuts-cit-to-25-means-p259-billion-in-revenue-loss-till-2022\\/\\\">https:\\/\\/businessmirror.com.ph\\/2020\\/05\\/13\\/citira-now-create-cuts-cit-to-25-means-p259-billion-in-revenue-loss-till-2022\\/<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\">[11]<\\/a> An Act Amending Sections 5, 6, 24, 25, 27, xxx, and Repealing Sections 35, 62 and 82; All under the Republic Act No. 8424, otherwise known as the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997, as amended, and for other purpose, Republic Act No. 10963, Sec. 5, (19 December 2017)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref12\\\">[12]<\\/a> <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/business.mb.com.ph\\/2020\\/03\\/08\\/pcci-pse-join-clamor-to-pass-citira-bill\\/\\\">James A. Loyola<\\/a>, PCCI, PSE join clamor to pass CITIRA bill, Manila Bulletin, (09 March 2020), www.kccp.ph\\/2020\\/03\\/09\\/pcci-pse-join-clamor-to-pass-citira-bill\\/<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref13\\\">[13]<\\/a> N.A., Package 2 top 10 rationales, Tax Reform Community Group, (2 March 2020), http:\\/\\/taxreform.dof.gov.ph\\/presentations-and-references\\/package-2-top-10-rationales-as-of-feb-28-2020\\/<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref14\\\">[14]<\\/a> Sec. 14 of SB No. 1357, 18<sup>th<\\/sup> Congress, 1<sup>st<\\/sup> Regular Session (18 February 2020)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\">\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><em>Featured Photo by <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.pexels.com\\/@pixabay?utm_content=attributionCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=pexels\\\">Pixabay<\\/a> from <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.pexels.com\\/photo\\/accounting-analytics-balance-black-and-white-209224\\/?utm_content=attributionCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=pexels\\\">Pexels<\\/a><\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(2765,1112,'_thumbnail_id','1094'),(2767,1113,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(2768,1113,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(2769,1113,'_elementor_version','3.0.14'),(2770,1113,'_wp_page_template','default'),(2771,1113,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"56f8aeb\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"3bd1ce3c\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"7a59b74b\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">By: Frans Joseph F. Incomio* <\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"> Embattled with the continuing threats of COVID-19, the Department of Finance (DOF) with the support of various executive departments such as the Department of Public Works and Highways, Bases Conversion and Development Authority, Department of Transportation and National Economic and Development Authority and Department of Budget and Management<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\">[1]<\\/a>, through the Senate, has proposed a revamp of House Bill No. 4157<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\">[2]<\\/a> also known as the Corporate Income Tax and Incentive Rationalization Act (CITIRA) to what is now called the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprise (CREATE). Approved on 13 September 2019 for the 3<sup>rd<\\/sup> and final reading with the House, the CITIRA bill was filed with the Senate for interpellations this year. However, due to COVID-19, the DOF sought to change some provisions of the CITIRA bill especially Section 7 of the House Bill No. 4157 (HB No. 4157)<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\">[3]<\\/a>. On 26 November 2020, the Senate approved on the third and final reading the newly revised CITIRA bill, now CREATE bill, under Senate Bill No. 1357 (SB No. 1357)<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\">[4]<\\/a> which means that it is on its way to the final process for its execution, i.e., the approval of the President, subject to the power to veto the said Bill<a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\">[5]<\\/a>.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"> Now that international pharmaceutical companies are expressing their success in discovering a vaccine for COVID-19<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\">[6]<\\/a>, the Philippine Government has started relaxing its policy in terms of travel and operations to give both the businesses and employees a chance to recover from their losses. However, while a chance to reoperate will give businesses a chance to earn again, the income generated will never be the same as before COVID-19 struck. One of the ways to alleviate business losses and free up some capital of aching corporations is through the CREATE bill. This bill basically seeks to cut corporate tax rate by 5% immediately upon its passage. This will benefit not only large corporations but also micro, small, and medium enterprise (MSMEs) as part of their capital set to pay taxes will be freed up for investments or contingency funds.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong>CITIRA vis-\\u00e0-vis CREATE<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"> The CITIRA bill sought to deduct 1% from current Corporate Income Tax Rate (CITR) from the time of its passage. It also provided for an annual drop of 1% from year 2020 to year 2029. This means that from the time the CITIRA bill is passed, the CITR will be 29%, and by year 2029, the CITR will be 20%. This differs greatly when compared to the CREATE bill, which sought for an outright drop in the CITR of 5%. Hence, upon passage of the CREATE bill, corporations will now be subject to a 25% CITR. Unlike the CITIRA bill, the CREATE bill will continue to subject corporations to 25% CITR up to 2022. From 2023 to 2027, there will be a 1% drop annually, thus, by 2027, the CITR will only be 20%. Evidently, the CREATE bill does not only give a greater drop in the CITR on its first year of approval but also an accelerated the achievement of the final target of 20% CITR by two (2) years.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"> Under the CREATE bill, the Fiscal Incentives Review Board (FIRB), is given expanded powers to create Strategic Investment Priority Plans. The FIRB can also recommend to the President the grant of appropriate non-fiscal support on highly desirable projects or specific industrial activities. Upon recommendation, the President may approve the incentives and the period within which it may be availed. Such flexibility is sought to provide a more flexible system of incentive that will adapt to the needs of the economy. In other words, the tax incentive scheme of the Philippines will not vary as incentives will be assessed on a case-to-case basis<a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\">[7]<\\/a>.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"> Lastly, due to the clamor of various business sectors already enjoying some tax incentives, they are given an additional two (2)-year sunset period. Subject to certain qualifications, businesses that have been enjoying tax incentives for a period of years are given more time to enjoy the said tax incentive before they are subject to regular taxation. Under the CITIRA bill, the sunset period ranges from two (2) years minimum to seven (7) years maximum, while under the CREATE bill the sunset period ranges from four (4) years minimum to nine (9) years maximum. This means that by the time the minimum period for the sunset ends, such companies enjoying the tax incentive will be subject to 25% CITR.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong>KEEP \\u201cTRAIN 2\\u201d MOVING<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"> Currently, the Philippines imposes the highest CITR on corporations as compared to neighboring Association of Southeast Asian Nation (ASEAN) countries. It seems that lowering the CITR is one of the ways to boost our economy as evidenced by Singapore which only imposes a 17% CITR. Singapore boasts of a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) Per Capita of 58,829.60 USD in 2019<a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\">[8]<\\/a> as compared to the Philippines\\u2019 GDP per Capita which was recorded at 3,337.70 USD<a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\">[9]<\\/a> only. Reducing the CITR immediately will certainly encourage international corporations to keep its operations in the Philippines and this may also result to higher investments by those international corporations seeking to set an office in the ASEAN region. The Philippines\\u2019 corporate tax rate will induce international corporations to do business in the country. This will not only result to higher income for the government, but this also means more jobs to qualified Filipinos.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"> Due to the sudden impact of COVID-19, there should be a vigorous efforts on the part of the government to seek ways to help businesses recuperate and prevent them from closing permanently. The DOF reported that while the forgone revenue due to the decrease in the CITR may reach up to PHP 600 billion<a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\">[10]<\\/a> by the 5<sup>th<\\/sup> year of the CREATE bill, this reduced revenue will result to revival of most MSMEs that are on the verge of closure. This means that amidst the pandemic, corporations will be able to continue to operate and provide employment. Additionally, freed up capital due to the immediate decrease in the tax rate means that MSMEs may use the capital to expand their operations or keep their business afloat.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"> Aside from giving tax incentives, the DOF reported that the Philippines grants incentives to various business for the longest time compared to other ASEAN countries. This means that the Philippines has been giving up most of its revenue from medium to large scale businesses that are qualified for the tax incentive. While said corporations are given large tax incentives, MSMEs are subjected to the 30% CITR. Thus, the CREATE Bill seeks to remove the incentive given to these corporations who have been enjoying the 5% tax on their Gross Income Earned and subject them to the 25% CITR. The DOF reported that the Philippines has foregone PHP 441 Billion due to tax incentive granted to some 3,000 companies only.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong>TIMELINESS IS KEY<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"> Upon the signing of incumbent president, Rodrigo Duterte III, of Republic Act No. 10963, the National Internal Revenue Code (NIRC) has been substantially amended especially the tax rates for individual earners<a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\">[11]<\\/a>. However, due to the unexpected change in the business environment, the NIRC is again sought to be amended to keep the Philippines competitive among its neighboring nations and attractive to foreign investors. The CREATE bill seeks to provide immediate and direct impact to corporations in the country to address the losses during the past few months. It is the first-ever revenue-eroding tax reform package proposed by the DOF, but this is also the largest fiscal stimulus program in the history of the Philippines. The CREATE bill is a lifeline given to all corporations in the Philippines that will extend its effects to the working masses while simultaneously subjecting those corporations who have been enjoying tax incentives for years to the proper tax rates. This change will be the equalizer in terms of foregone revenue of the Philippines from the lower tax rate.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"> As the threats of the pandemic persist even if businesses already started to resume operations, corporations in the Philippines still clamor for the approval of the CREATE bill.<a href=\\\"#_ftn12\\\">[12]<\\/a> True enough, the earlier the CREATE bill passes into law, the better room there will be for corporations to properly allocate its assets, since prompt relief is one of the rationales of TRAIN 2 from its inception<a href=\\\"#_ftn13\\\">[13]<\\/a>. Interestingly, SB No. 1357 contains a retroactive provision which states that once finally signed by the President and the corresponding publication has been made, its effectivity will retroact from 1 January 2020<a href=\\\"#_ftn14\\\">[14]<\\/a>. Perhaps due to this clause, the train may not be late after all.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\">\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">*Graduated from DLSU \\u2013 Taft with a degree in Accountancy in 2015, Frans worked as a tax consultant in one of the top accounting firms in the Philippines right after passing the CPA Boards in the same year. He is now in private practice\\u2014helping MSMEs in their accounting and tax matters.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">[1]<\\/a>Department of Public Works and Highways et, al., BUILD, BUILD, BUILD\\u2019 JOINT STATEMENT OF SUPPORT FOR THE CORPORATE RECOVERY AND TAX INCENTIVES FOR ENTERPRISES ACT, Tax Reform Community Group, 25 August 2020, https:\\/\\/taxreform.dof.gov.ph\\/presentations-and-references\\/bbb-sos-for-create-dpwh-dotr-dbm-neda-bcda-consolidated-as-of-2-june-2020\\/<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a> Committee Report No. 2 Re: HB No. 4157, 18<sup>th<\\/sup> Congress, 1<sup>st<\\/sup> Regular Session, (02 August 2019)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a> Section 7 of HB No. 4157, 18<sup>th<\\/sup> Congress, 1<sup>st<\\/sup> Regular Session<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[4]<\\/a> SB No. 1357, 18<sup>th<\\/sup> Congress, 1<sup>st<\\/sup> Regular Session (18 February 2020)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[5]<\\/a> CONST. (1987)., Art VI, Sec. 27<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[6]<\\/a> <strong>James Gallagher<\\/strong>, Covid vaccine update: When will others be ready?, BBC NEWS, (02 December 2020), https:\\/\\/www.bbc.com\\/news\\/health-5166549<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\">[7]<\\/a> N.A., Package 2: Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises (CREATE) Act, Department of Finance, (No date), <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/taxreform.dof.gov.ph\\/tax-reform-packages\\/p2-corporate-recovery-and-tax-incentives-for-enterprises-act\\/\\\">https:\\/\\/taxreform.dof.gov.ph\\/tax-reform-packages\\/p2-corporate-recovery-and-tax-incentives-for-enterprises-act\\/<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\">[8]<\\/a> N.A., Singapore GDP per capita, Trade Economics, (No Date), https:\\/\\/tradingeconomics.com\\/singapore\\/gdp-per-capita <\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\">[9]<\\/a> N.A., Philippines GDP per capita, Trade Economics, <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/tradingeconomics.com\\/philippines\\/gdp-per-capita\\\">https:\\/\\/tradingeconomics.com\\/philippines\\/gdp-per-capita<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\">[10]<\\/a> Jovie Marie de la Cruz, Citira, now CREATE, cuts CIT to 25%; means P259 billion in revenue loss till 2022, Business Mirror, (13 May 2020) <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/businessmirror.com.ph\\/2020\\/05\\/13\\/citira-now-create-cuts-cit-to-25-means-p259-billion-in-revenue-loss-till-2022\\/\\\">https:\\/\\/businessmirror.com.ph\\/2020\\/05\\/13\\/citira-now-create-cuts-cit-to-25-means-p259-billion-in-revenue-loss-till-2022\\/<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\">[11]<\\/a> An Act Amending Sections 5, 6, 24, 25, 27, xxx, and Repealing Sections 35, 62 and 82; All under the Republic Act No. 8424, otherwise known as the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997, as amended, and for other purpose, Republic Act No. 10963, Sec. 5, (19 December 2017)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref12\\\">[12]<\\/a> <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/business.mb.com.ph\\/2020\\/03\\/08\\/pcci-pse-join-clamor-to-pass-citira-bill\\/\\\">James A. Loyola<\\/a>, PCCI, PSE join clamor to pass CITIRA bill, Manila Bulletin, (09 March 2020), www.kccp.ph\\/2020\\/03\\/09\\/pcci-pse-join-clamor-to-pass-citira-bill\\/<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref13\\\">[13]<\\/a> N.A., Package 2 top 10 rationales, Tax Reform Community Group, (2 March 2020), http:\\/\\/taxreform.dof.gov.ph\\/presentations-and-references\\/package-2-top-10-rationales-as-of-feb-28-2020\\/<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref14\\\">[14]<\\/a> Sec. 14 of SB No. 1357, 18<sup>th<\\/sup> Congress, 1<sup>st<\\/sup> Regular Session (18 February 2020)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\">\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><em>Featured Photo by <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.pexels.com\\/@pixabay?utm_content=attributionCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=pexels\\\">Pixabay<\\/a> from <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.pexels.com\\/photo\\/accounting-analytics-balance-black-and-white-209224\\/?utm_content=attributionCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=pexels\\\">Pexels<\\/a><\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(2772,1113,'_thumbnail_id','1094'),(2774,1114,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(2775,1114,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(2776,1114,'_elementor_version','3.0.14'),(2777,1114,'_wp_page_template','default'),(2778,1114,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"56f8aeb\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"3bd1ce3c\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"7a59b74b\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">By: Frans Joseph F. Incomio* <\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Embattled with the continuing threats of COVID-19, the Department of Finance (DOF) with the support of various executive departments such as the Department of Public Works and Highways, Bases Conversion and Development Authority, Department of Transportation and National Economic and Development Authority and Department of Budget and Management<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\">[1]<\\/a>, through the Senate, has proposed a revamp of House Bill No. 4157<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\">[2]<\\/a> also known as the Corporate Income Tax and Incentive Rationalization Act (CITIRA) to what is now called the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprise (CREATE). Approved on 13 September 2019 for the 3<sup>rd<\\/sup> and final reading with the House, the CITIRA bill was filed with the Senate for interpellations this year. However, due to COVID-19, the DOF sought to change some provisions of the CITIRA bill especially Section 7 of the House Bill No. 4157 (HB No. 4157)<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\">[3]<\\/a>. On 26 November 2020, the Senate approved on the third and final reading the newly revised CITIRA bill, now CREATE bill, under Senate Bill No. 1357 (SB No. 1357)<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\">[4]<\\/a> which means that it is on its way to the final process for its execution, i.e., the approval of the President, subject to the power to veto the said Bill<a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\">[5]<\\/a>.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Now that international pharmaceutical companies are expressing their success in discovering a vaccine for COVID-19<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\">[6]<\\/a>, the Philippine Government has started relaxing its policy in terms of travel and operations to give both the businesses and employees a chance to recover from their losses. However, while a chance to reoperate will give businesses a chance to earn again, the income generated will never be the same as before COVID-19 struck. One of the ways to alleviate business losses and free up some capital of aching corporations is through the CREATE bill. This bill basically seeks to cut corporate tax rate by 5% immediately upon its passage. This will benefit not only large corporations but also micro, small, and medium enterprise (MSMEs) as part of their capital set to pay taxes will be freed up for investments or contingency funds.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong>CITIRA vis-\\u00e0-vis CREATE<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The CITIRA bill sought to deduct 1% from current Corporate Income Tax Rate (CITR) from the time of its passage. It also provided for an annual drop of 1% from year 2020 to year 2029. This means that from the time the CITIRA bill is passed, the CITR will be 29%, and by year 2029, the CITR will be 20%. This differs greatly when compared to the CREATE bill, which sought for an outright drop in the CITR of 5%. Hence, upon passage of the CREATE bill, corporations will now be subject to a 25% CITR. Unlike the CITIRA bill, the CREATE bill will continue to subject corporations to 25% CITR up to 2022. From 2023 to 2027, there will be a 1% drop annually, thus, by 2027, the CITR will only be 20%. Evidently, the CREATE bill does not only give a greater drop in the CITR on its first year of approval but also an accelerated the achievement of the final target of 20% CITR by two (2) years.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Under the CREATE bill, the Fiscal Incentives Review Board (FIRB), is given expanded powers to create Strategic Investment Priority Plans. The FIRB can also recommend to the President the grant of appropriate non-fiscal support on highly desirable projects or specific industrial activities. Upon recommendation, the President may approve the incentives and the period within which it may be availed. Such flexibility is sought to provide a more flexible system of incentive that will adapt to the needs of the economy. In other words, the tax incentive scheme of the Philippines will not vary as incentives will be assessed on a case-to-case basis<a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\">[7]<\\/a>.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Lastly, due to the clamor of various business sectors already enjoying some tax incentives, they are given an additional two (2)-year sunset period. Subject to certain qualifications, businesses that have been enjoying tax incentives for a period of years are given more time to enjoy the said tax incentive before they are subject to regular taxation. Under the CITIRA bill, the sunset period ranges from two (2) years minimum to seven (7) years maximum, while under the CREATE bill the sunset period ranges from four (4) years minimum to nine (9) years maximum. This means that by the time the minimum period for the sunset ends, such companies enjoying the tax incentive will be subject to 25% CITR.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong>KEEP \\u201cTRAIN 2\\u201d MOVING<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Currently, the Philippines imposes the highest CITR on corporations as compared to neighboring Association of Southeast Asian Nation (ASEAN) countries. It seems that lowering the CITR is one of the ways to boost our economy as evidenced by Singapore which only imposes a 17% CITR. Singapore boasts of a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) Per Capita of 58,829.60 USD in 2019<a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\">[8]<\\/a> as compared to the Philippines\\u2019 GDP per Capita which was recorded at 3,337.70 USD<a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\">[9]<\\/a> only. Reducing the CITR immediately will certainly encourage international corporations to keep its operations in the Philippines and this may also result to higher investments by those international corporations seeking to set an office in the ASEAN region. The Philippines\\u2019 corporate tax rate will induce international corporations to do business in the country. This will not only result to higher income for the government, but this also means more jobs to qualified Filipinos.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Due to the sudden impact of COVID-19, there should be a vigorous efforts on the part of the government to seek ways to help businesses recuperate and prevent them from closing permanently. The DOF reported that while the forgone revenue due to the decrease in the CITR may reach up to PHP 600 billion<a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\">[10]<\\/a> by the 5<sup>th<\\/sup> year of the CREATE bill, this reduced revenue will result to revival of most MSMEs that are on the verge of closure. This means that amidst the pandemic, corporations will be able to continue to operate and provide employment. Additionally, freed up capital due to the immediate decrease in the tax rate means that MSMEs may use the capital to expand their operations or keep their business afloat.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Aside from giving tax incentives, the DOF reported that the Philippines grants incentives to various business for the longest time compared to other ASEAN countries. This means that the Philippines has been giving up most of its revenue from medium to large scale businesses that are qualified for the tax incentive. While said corporations are given large tax incentives, MSMEs are subjected to the 30% CITR.\\u00a0 Thus, the CREATE Bill seeks to remove the incentive given to these corporations who have been enjoying the 5% tax on their Gross Income Earned and subject them to the 25% CITR.\\u00a0 The DOF reported that the Philippines has foregone PHP 441 Billion due to tax incentive granted to some 3,000 companies only.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong>TIMELINESS IS KEY<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Upon the signing of incumbent president, Rodrigo Duterte III, of Republic Act No. 10963, the National Internal Revenue Code (NIRC) has been substantially amended especially the tax rates for individual earners<a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\">[11]<\\/a>. However, due to the unexpected change in the business environment, the NIRC is again sought to be amended to keep the Philippines competitive among its neighboring nations and attractive to foreign investors. The CREATE bill seeks to provide immediate and direct impact to corporations in the country to address the losses during the past few months. It is the first-ever revenue-eroding tax reform package proposed by the DOF, but this is also the largest fiscal stimulus program in the history of the Philippines. The CREATE bill is a lifeline given to all corporations in the Philippines that will extend its effects to the working masses while simultaneously subjecting those corporations who have been enjoying tax incentives for years to the proper tax rates. This change will be the equalizer in terms of foregone revenue of the Philippines from the lower tax rate.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 As the threats of the pandemic persist even if \\u00a0businesses already started to resume operations, corporations in the Philippines still clamor for the approval of the CREATE bill.<a href=\\\"#_ftn12\\\">[12]<\\/a> True enough, the earlier the CREATE bill passes into law, the better room there will be for corporations to properly allocate its assets, since prompt relief is one of the rationales of TRAIN 2 from its inception<a href=\\\"#_ftn13\\\">[13]<\\/a>. Interestingly, SB No. 1357 contains a retroactive provision which states that once finally signed by the President and the corresponding publication has been made, its effectivity will retroact from 1 January 2020<a href=\\\"#_ftn14\\\">[14]<\\/a>. Perhaps due to this clause, the train may not be late after all.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">*Graduated from DLSU \\u2013 Taft with a degree in Accountancy in 2015, Frans worked as a tax consultant in one of the top accounting firms in the Philippines right after passing the CPA Boards in the same year. He is now in private practice\\u2014helping MSMEs in their accounting and tax matters.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">[1]<\\/a>Department of Public Works and Highways et, al., BUILD, BUILD, BUILD\\u2019 JOINT STATEMENT OF SUPPORT FOR THE CORPORATE RECOVERY AND TAX INCENTIVES FOR ENTERPRISES ACT, Tax Reform Community Group, 25 August 2020, https:\\/\\/taxreform.dof.gov.ph\\/presentations-and-references\\/bbb-sos-for-create-dpwh-dotr-dbm-neda-bcda-consolidated-as-of-2-june-2020\\/<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a> Committee Report No. 2 Re: HB No. 4157, 18<sup>th<\\/sup> Congress, 1<sup>st<\\/sup> Regular Session, (02 August 2019)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a> Section 7 of HB No. 4157, 18<sup>th<\\/sup> Congress, 1<sup>st<\\/sup> Regular Session<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[4]<\\/a> SB No. 1357, 18<sup>th<\\/sup> Congress, 1<sup>st<\\/sup> Regular Session (18 February 2020)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[5]<\\/a> CONST. (1987)., Art VI, Sec. 27<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[6]<\\/a> <strong>James Gallagher<\\/strong>, Covid vaccine update: When will others be ready?, BBC NEWS, (02 December 2020), https:\\/\\/www.bbc.com\\/news\\/health-5166549<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\">[7]<\\/a> N.A., Package 2: Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises (CREATE) Act, Department of Finance, (No date), <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/taxreform.dof.gov.ph\\/tax-reform-packages\\/p2-corporate-recovery-and-tax-incentives-for-enterprises-act\\/\\\">https:\\/\\/taxreform.dof.gov.ph\\/tax-reform-packages\\/p2-corporate-recovery-and-tax-incentives-for-enterprises-act\\/<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\">[8]<\\/a> N.A., Singapore GDP per capita, Trade Economics, (No Date), https:\\/\\/tradingeconomics.com\\/singapore\\/gdp-per-capita\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\">[9]<\\/a> N.A., Philippines GDP per capita, Trade Economics, <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/tradingeconomics.com\\/philippines\\/gdp-per-capita\\\">https:\\/\\/tradingeconomics.com\\/philippines\\/gdp-per-capita<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\">[10]<\\/a> Jovie Marie de la Cruz, Citira, now CREATE, cuts CIT to 25%; means P259 billion in revenue loss till 2022, Business Mirror, (13 May 2020) <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/businessmirror.com.ph\\/2020\\/05\\/13\\/citira-now-create-cuts-cit-to-25-means-p259-billion-in-revenue-loss-till-2022\\/\\\">https:\\/\\/businessmirror.com.ph\\/2020\\/05\\/13\\/citira-now-create-cuts-cit-to-25-means-p259-billion-in-revenue-loss-till-2022\\/<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\">[11]<\\/a> An Act Amending Sections 5, 6, 24, 25, 27, xxx, and Repealing Sections 35, 62 and 82; All under the Republic Act No. 8424, otherwise known as the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997, as amended, and for other purpose, Republic Act No. 10963, Sec. 5, (19 December 2017)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref12\\\">[12]<\\/a> <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/business.mb.com.ph\\/2020\\/03\\/08\\/pcci-pse-join-clamor-to-pass-citira-bill\\/\\\">James A. Loyola<\\/a>, PCCI, PSE join clamor to pass CITIRA bill,\\u00a0Manila Bulletin, (09 March 2020), www.kccp.ph\\/2020\\/03\\/09\\/pcci-pse-join-clamor-to-pass-citira-bill\\/<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref13\\\">[13]<\\/a> N.A., Package 2 top 10 rationales, Tax Reform Community Group, (2 March 2020), http:\\/\\/taxreform.dof.gov.ph\\/presentations-and-references\\/package-2-top-10-rationales-as-of-feb-28-2020\\/<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref14\\\">[14]<\\/a> Sec. 14 of SB No. 1357, 18<sup>th<\\/sup> Congress, 1<sup>st<\\/sup> Regular Session (18 February 2020)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><em>Featured Photo by <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.pexels.com\\/@pixabay?utm_content=attributionCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=pexels\\\">Pixabay<\\/a> from <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.pexels.com\\/photo\\/accounting-analytics-balance-black-and-white-209224\\/?utm_content=attributionCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=pexels\\\">Pexels<\\/a><\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(2779,1114,'_thumbnail_id','1094'),(2783,1115,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(2784,1115,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(2785,1115,'_elementor_version','3.0.14'),(2786,1115,'_wp_page_template','default'),(2787,1115,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"56f8aeb\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"3bd1ce3c\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"7a59b74b\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">By: Frans Joseph F. Incomio* <\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Embattled with the continuing threats of COVID-19, the Department of Finance (DOF) with the support of various executive departments such as the Department of Public Works and Highways, Bases Conversion and Development Authority, Department of Transportation and National Economic and Development Authority and Department of Budget and Management<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\">[1]<\\/a>, through the Senate, has proposed a revamp of House Bill No. 4157<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\">[2]<\\/a> also known as the Corporate Income Tax and Incentive Rationalization Act (CITIRA) to what is now called the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprise (CREATE). Approved on 13 September 2019 for the 3<sup>rd<\\/sup> and final reading with the House, the CITIRA bill was filed with the Senate for interpellations this year. However, due to COVID-19, the DOF sought to change some provisions of the CITIRA bill especially Section 7 of the House Bill No. 4157 (HB No. 4157)<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\">[3]<\\/a>. On 26 November 2020, the Senate approved on the third and final reading the newly revised CITIRA bill, now CREATE bill, under Senate Bill No. 1357 (SB No. 1357)<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\">[4]<\\/a> which means that it is on its way to the final process for its execution, i.e., the approval of the President, subject to the power to veto the said Bill<a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\">[5]<\\/a>.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Now that international pharmaceutical companies are expressing their success in discovering a vaccine for COVID-19<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\">[6]<\\/a>, the Philippine Government has started relaxing its policy in terms of travel and operations to give both the businesses and employees a chance to recover from their losses. However, while a chance to reoperate will give businesses a chance to earn again, the income generated will never be the same as before COVID-19 struck. One of the ways to alleviate business losses and free up some capital of aching corporations is through the CREATE bill. This bill basically seeks to cut corporate tax rate by 5% immediately upon its passage. This will benefit not only large corporations but also micro, small, and medium enterprise (MSMEs) as part of their capital set to pay taxes will be freed up for investments or contingency funds.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong>CITIRA vis-\\u00e0-vis CREATE<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The CITIRA bill sought to deduct 1% from current Corporate Income Tax Rate (CITR) from the time of its passage. It also provided for an annual drop of 1% from year 2020 to year 2029. This means that from the time the CITIRA bill is passed, the CITR will be 29%, and by year 2029, the CITR will be 20%. This differs greatly when compared to the CREATE bill, which sought for an outright drop in the CITR of 5%. Hence, upon passage of the CREATE bill, corporations will now be subject to a 25% CITR. Unlike the CITIRA bill, the CREATE bill will continue to subject corporations to 25% CITR up to 2022. From 2023 to 2027, there will be a 1% drop annually, thus, by 2027, the CITR will only be 20%. Evidently, the CREATE bill does not only give a greater drop in the CITR on its first year of approval but also an accelerated the achievement of the final target of 20% CITR by two (2) years.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Under the CREATE bill, the Fiscal Incentives Review Board (FIRB), is given expanded powers to create Strategic Investment Priority Plans. The FIRB can also recommend to the President the grant of appropriate non-fiscal support on highly desirable projects or specific industrial activities. Upon recommendation, the President may approve the incentives and the period within which it may be availed. Such flexibility is sought to provide a more flexible system of incentive that will adapt to the needs of the economy. In other words, the tax incentive scheme of the Philippines will not vary as incentives will be assessed on a case-to-case basis<a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\">[7]<\\/a>.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Lastly, due to the clamor of various business sectors already enjoying some tax incentives, they are given an additional two (2)-year sunset period. Subject to certain qualifications, businesses that have been enjoying tax incentives for a period of years are given more time to enjoy the said tax incentive before they are subject to regular taxation. Under the CITIRA bill, the sunset period ranges from two (2) years minimum to seven (7) years maximum, while under the CREATE bill the sunset period ranges from four (4) years minimum to nine (9) years maximum. This means that by the time the minimum period for the sunset ends, such companies enjoying the tax incentive will be subject to 25% CITR.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong>KEEP \\u201cTRAIN 2\\u201d MOVING<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Currently, the Philippines imposes the highest CITR on corporations as compared to neighboring Association of Southeast Asian Nation (ASEAN) countries. It seems that lowering the CITR is one of the ways to boost our economy as evidenced by Singapore which only imposes a 17% CITR. Singapore boasts of a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) Per Capita of 58,829.60 USD in 2019<a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\">[8]<\\/a> as compared to the Philippines\\u2019 GDP per Capita which was recorded at 3,337.70 USD<a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\">[9]<\\/a> only. Reducing the CITR immediately will certainly encourage international corporations to keep its operations in the Philippines and this may also result to higher investments by those international corporations seeking to set an office in the ASEAN region. The Philippines\\u2019 corporate tax rate will induce international corporations to do business in the country. This will not only result to higher income for the government, but this also means more jobs to qualified Filipinos.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Due to the sudden impact of COVID-19, there should be a vigorous efforts on the part of the government to seek ways to help businesses recuperate and prevent them from closing permanently. The DOF reported that while the forgone revenue due to the decrease in the CITR may reach up to PHP 600 billion<a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\">[10]<\\/a> by the 5<sup>th<\\/sup> year of the CREATE bill, this reduced revenue will result to revival of most MSMEs that are on the verge of closure. This means that amidst the pandemic, corporations will be able to continue to operate and provide employment. Additionally, freed up capital due to the immediate decrease in the tax rate means that MSMEs may use the capital to expand their operations or keep their business afloat.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Aside from giving tax incentives, the DOF reported that the Philippines grants incentives to various business for the longest time compared to other ASEAN countries. This means that the Philippines has been giving up most of its revenue from medium to large scale businesses that are qualified for the tax incentive. While said corporations are given large tax incentives, MSMEs are subjected to the 30% CITR.\\u00a0 Thus, the CREATE Bill seeks to remove the incentive given to these corporations who have been enjoying the 5% tax on their Gross Income Earned and subject them to the 25% CITR.\\u00a0 The DOF reported that the Philippines has foregone PHP 441 Billion due to tax incentive granted to some 3,000 companies only.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong>TIMELINESS IS KEY<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Upon the signing of incumbent president, Rodrigo Duterte III, of Republic Act No. 10963, the National Internal Revenue Code (NIRC) has been substantially amended especially the tax rates for individual earners<a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\">[11]<\\/a>. However, due to the unexpected change in the business environment, the NIRC is again sought to be amended to keep the Philippines competitive among its neighboring nations and attractive to foreign investors. The CREATE bill seeks to provide immediate and direct impact to corporations in the country to address the losses during the past few months. It is the first-ever revenue-eroding tax reform package proposed by the DOF, but this is also the largest fiscal stimulus program in the history of the Philippines. The CREATE bill is a lifeline given to all corporations in the Philippines that will extend its effects to the working masses while simultaneously subjecting those corporations who have been enjoying tax incentives for years to the proper tax rates. This change will be the equalizer in terms of foregone revenue of the Philippines from the lower tax rate.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 As the threats of the pandemic persist even if \\u00a0businesses already started to resume operations, corporations in the Philippines still clamor for the approval of the CREATE bill.<a href=\\\"#_ftn12\\\">[12]<\\/a> True enough, the earlier the CREATE bill passes into law, the better room there will be for corporations to properly allocate its assets, since prompt relief is one of the rationales of TRAIN 2 from its inception<a href=\\\"#_ftn13\\\">[13]<\\/a>. Interestingly, SB No. 1357 contains a retroactive provision which states that once finally signed by the President and the corresponding publication has been made, its effectivity will retroact from 1 January 2020<a href=\\\"#_ftn14\\\">[14]<\\/a>. Perhaps due to this clause, the train may not be late after all.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">*Graduated from DLSU \\u2013 Taft with a degree in Accountancy in 2015, Frans worked as a tax consultant in one of the top accounting firms in the Philippines right after passing the CPA Boards in the same year. He is now in private practice\\u2014helping MSMEs in their accounting and tax matters.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">[1]<\\/a>Department of Public Works and Highways et, al., BUILD, BUILD, BUILD\\u2019 JOINT STATEMENT OF SUPPORT FOR THE CORPORATE RECOVERY AND TAX INCENTIVES FOR ENTERPRISES ACT, Tax Reform Community Group, 25 August 2020, https:\\/\\/taxreform.dof.gov.ph\\/presentations-and-references\\/bbb-sos-for-create-dpwh-dotr-dbm-neda-bcda-consolidated-as-of-2-june-2020\\/<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a> Committee Report No. 2 Re: HB No. 4157, 18<sup>th<\\/sup> Congress, 1<sup>st<\\/sup> Regular Session, (02 August 2019)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a> Section 7 of HB No. 4157, 18<sup>th<\\/sup> Congress, 1<sup>st<\\/sup> Regular Session<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[4]<\\/a> SB No. 1357, 18<sup>th<\\/sup> Congress, 1<sup>st<\\/sup> Regular Session (18 February 2020)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[5]<\\/a> CONST. (1987)., Art VI, Sec. 27<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[6]<\\/a> <strong>James Gallagher<\\/strong>, Covid vaccine update: When will others be ready?, BBC NEWS, (02 December 2020), https:\\/\\/www.bbc.com\\/news\\/health-5166549<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\">[7]<\\/a> N.A., Package 2: Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises (CREATE) Act, Department of Finance, (No date), <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/taxreform.dof.gov.ph\\/tax-reform-packages\\/p2-corporate-recovery-and-tax-incentives-for-enterprises-act\\/\\\">https:\\/\\/taxreform.dof.gov.ph\\/tax-reform-packages\\/p2-corporate-recovery-and-tax-incentives-for-enterprises-act\\/<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\">[8]<\\/a> N.A., Singapore GDP per capita, Trade Economics, (No Date), https:\\/\\/tradingeconomics.com\\/singapore\\/gdp-per-capita\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\">[9]<\\/a> N.A., Philippines GDP per capita, Trade Economics, <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/tradingeconomics.com\\/philippines\\/gdp-per-capita\\\">https:\\/\\/tradingeconomics.com\\/philippines\\/gdp-per-capita<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\">[10]<\\/a> Jovie Marie de la Cruz, Citira, now CREATE, cuts CIT to 25%; means P259 billion in revenue loss till 2022, Business Mirror, (13 May 2020) <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/businessmirror.com.ph\\/2020\\/05\\/13\\/citira-now-create-cuts-cit-to-25-means-p259-billion-in-revenue-loss-till-2022\\/\\\">https:\\/\\/businessmirror.com.ph\\/2020\\/05\\/13\\/citira-now-create-cuts-cit-to-25-means-p259-billion-in-revenue-loss-till-2022\\/<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\">[11]<\\/a> An Act Amending Sections 5, 6, 24, 25, 27, xxx, and Repealing Sections 35, 62 and 82; All under the Republic Act No. 8424, otherwise known as the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997, as amended, and for other purpose, Republic Act No. 10963, Sec. 5, (19 December 2017)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref12\\\">[12]<\\/a> <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/business.mb.com.ph\\/2020\\/03\\/08\\/pcci-pse-join-clamor-to-pass-citira-bill\\/\\\">James A. Loyola<\\/a>, PCCI, PSE join clamor to pass CITIRA bill,\\u00a0Manila Bulletin, (09 March 2020), www.kccp.ph\\/2020\\/03\\/09\\/pcci-pse-join-clamor-to-pass-citira-bill\\/<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref13\\\">[13]<\\/a> N.A., Package 2 top 10 rationales, Tax Reform Community Group, (2 March 2020), http:\\/\\/taxreform.dof.gov.ph\\/presentations-and-references\\/package-2-top-10-rationales-as-of-feb-28-2020\\/<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref14\\\">[14]<\\/a> Sec. 14 of SB No. 1357, 18<sup>th<\\/sup> Congress, 1<sup>st<\\/sup> Regular Session (18 February 2020)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><em>Featured Photo by <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.pexels.com\\/@pixabay?utm_content=attributionCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=pexels\\\">Pixabay<\\/a> from <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.pexels.com\\/photo\\/accounting-analytics-balance-black-and-white-209224\\/?utm_content=attributionCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=pexels\\\">Pexels<\\/a><\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(2788,1115,'_thumbnail_id','1094'),(2789,1115,'_elementor_controls_usage','a:3:{s:11:\"text-editor\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:1;s:8:\"controls\";a:2:{s:7:\"content\";a:1:{s:14:\"section_editor\";a:1:{s:6:\"editor\";i:1;}}s:5:\"style\";a:1:{s:13:\"section_style\";a:2:{s:21:\"typography_typography\";i:1;s:22:\"typography_line_height\";i:1;}}}}s:6:\"column\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:0;s:8:\"controls\";a:0:{}}s:7:\"section\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:0;s:8:\"controls\";a:0:{}}}'),(2791,1116,'_thumbnail_id','912'),(2792,1116,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(2793,1116,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(2794,1116,'_elementor_version','3.0.10'),(2795,1116,'_wp_page_template','default'),(2796,1116,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"7ee52cfe\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"326a02cd\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"2347b1d6\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><strong>By: Earl Anthony Reyes<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The end of Marcos\\u2019 dictatorial regime signaled the end of the Fourth Republic and the dawn of a new constitutional order. With the ratification of the 1987 Philippine Constitution, the Filipino people renewed its commitment to the ideals of republicanism and democracy, \\u201cpreventing the concentration of the sovereign powers of state in one body.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\">[1]<\\/a> However, this adherence to the principle of separation of powers that distinguish republics from the rest will always be tested by fire. For there will be moments when the lines separating the powers shall appear to blur and a one-man rule shall seem to dawn again. These moments are \\u201cemergencies.\\u201d<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 One such emergency is the ongoing COVID-19 Pandemic. Due to this pandemic that, on March 6, 2020, President Rodrigo Duterte declared a State of Public Health Emergency throughout the Philippines due to COVID-19 via Proclamation No. 922. This was followed by Proclamation No. 929 through which the President declared a State of Calamity throughout the same, placing the entire island of Luzon under \\u201cEnhanced Community Quarantine\\u201d or lockdown. As a response, the Congress enacted Bayanihan to Heal As One Act<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\">[2]<\\/a>, granting the President temporary emergency powers, among others.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The aim, then, of this article is to explore how the present constitution attempts to deal with emergency and mitigate the possible excesses of government response.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">Republics are neat, orderly systems. Under normal circumstances, a republic projects a seamless interplay between the organs of the government. The legislative organ enacts laws. The executive implements them. Meanwhile, in cases of actual legal controversies, the judiciary mediates between concerned parties. However, nothing shows its true fragility better than an incoming onslaught of emergency. Emergencies and the rule of law, which the republican system represents, are two things that hardly ever mix well.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">An emergency is the total opposite of the rule of law. While the rule of law blossoms and relies on a state of normalcy, emergency is a situation or condition that exists outside it. In the words of Carl Schmitt, \\u201cthere exists no norm that is applicable to chaos.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\">[3]<\\/a> Thus, \\u201cthe requirement that the government\\u2019s powers be defined and constrained by law tends to yield in times of emergency to calls for government to respond in ways that exceed its regular legal powers.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\">[4]<\\/a> But what exactly is an emergency?<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">There is no one way to define an emergency. Nevertheless, one may define an emergency as \\u201ca situation that produces a grave disturbance of the political system or order, threatening its survival.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\">[5]<\\/a> As such, emergencies are the bane of any given State or regime. In anticipation of these exceptional conditions, most constitutions have opted for mechanisms by which the delegation of certain powers to a president or to other constitutionally-designated authority is permitted. The reason for this delegation is quite simple: to resolve the threat to the system \\u201cin such a way that the legal\\/constitutional system is restored to its previous state.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\">[6]<\\/a> This is the concept of \\u201cemergency powers\\u201d that modern republics have inherited from the classical Roman Republic.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">Throughout the existence of the Roman republic, emergency powers were granted under the apparatus of Roman dictatorship. According to the humanists of the Renaissance, \\u201cdictatorship was a wise invention of the Roman Republic and the dictator was an extraordinary Roman magistrate, introduced after the expulsion of the kings, so that a strong <em>imperium <\\/em>[military power] may still be possible in times of insecurity.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\">[7]<\\/a> This apparatus became a necessity as the elaborate system of checks championed by the republican system became source of obstructing division of authority during times of crisis.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">This, then, is the Roman model of emergency powers: the Senate directs the consuls to appoint a dictator for a period of up to six months. The dictator is authorized to suspend rights and legal processes and to marshal military and other forces to deal with the threat against the Republic. When the threat has been resolved, the dictator is expected to step down and return to his farm, or wherever his former station may be. Meanwhile, the orders he may have issued are terminated and the status <em>quo ante<\\/em> is restored, including the rights and legal processes.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">This model is quite different from the modern model in practice today. While the Roman dictator was chosen from among virtuous men of great renown and ability, the modern model requires that the person who is to wield the emergency powers \\u201cenjoys a kind of popular or democratic mandate,\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\">[8]<\\/a> usually the president or the head of the executive branch. Another key difference between the two models is that advanced democracies prefer to deal with emergencies through ordinary legislation. Through this legislation, traditional emergency powers as well as those that are yet to be created by the legislature are delegated to the executive and may be enacted for temporary periods. As such, the legislature plays a fundamental role not only in recognizing the existence of an emergency but also in creating powers to be delegated to the executive branch. This is in stark contrast with the Roman practice of <em>heteroinvestiture<\\/em>, \\u201cwhere the party declaring an emergency is completely separated from the one that exercises that authority.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\">[9]<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">The present 1987 Philippine Constitution provides for three kinds of emergency powers that may be exercised during a state of emergency:<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">General emergency powers;<a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\">[10]<\\/a><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">Temporary take over or direct the operation of any privately owned public utility or business affected with public interest;<a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\">[11]<\\/a> and<\\/span><\\/li>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">Extraordinary military powers of the President<a href=\\\"#_ftn12\\\">[12]<\\/a><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">Of these three, only the third kind is fully lodged in President and within his discretion as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, subject only to the restraints provided by the Constitution. The other two are reposed in Congress as the Supreme Court declared in no uncertain terms in <em>David v. Arroyo<\\/em>.<a href=\\\"#_ftn13\\\">[13]<\\/a> However, given that during crisis, Congress may fail to function properly as it may not be practicable for it to meet and exercise its powers, the Constitution permits it to delegate these emergency powers and grant the same to the President, subject to the following conditions:<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">There must be a war or other emergency;<\\/span><\\/li>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">The delegation must be for a limited period only;<\\/span><\\/li>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">The delegation must be subject to such restrictions as the Congress may prescribe; and<\\/span><\\/li>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">The emergency powers must be exercised to carry out a national policy declared by Congress.<a href=\\\"#_ftn14\\\"><sup>[14]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">So, who declares the existence of the state of exception, that is, of war or other emergencies? For the declaration of war or its existence, the present Constitution is clear that Congress shall have the sole power to declare it, \\u201cby a vote of two-thirds of both Houses in joint session assembled.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn15\\\">[15]<\\/a> But what of the other instances of emergencies? It appears that it is still Congress who has the prerogative to declare it. However, as constitutionally provided, its prerogative to declare the existence of such may be delegated to the President. This is how the President was able to declare a State of Public Health Emergency and a State of Calamity throughout the Philippines because of COVID-19.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">Under the \\u201cMandatory Reporting of Notifiable Diseases and Health Events of Public Health Concern Act,\\u201d Congress empowers the President to declare a state of public health emergency and mobilize governmental and nongovernmental agencies to respond to the threat when the same threatens national security.<a href=\\\"#_ftn16\\\">[16]<\\/a> This was the legal basis of Proclamation No. 922. While Proclamation No. 929 finds its basis in the \\u201cPhilippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010.\\u201d This law authorizes the President to declare a State of Calamity following the recommendation of National Disaster Coordinating Council.<a href=\\\"#_ftn17\\\">[17]<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">From these attempts to anticipate and arrest emergencies before they disrupt the political order or system, that is, by legislating emergencies, one can surmise that the constitutional system attempts to bring into its ordinary competence what has hitherto been declared as an emergency \\u2013 its traditional antithesis, antithetical to the constitutional order itself. As such, the republic should fear not as \\u201cnew powers may be granted as often as emergencies contemplated in the Constitution arise.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn18\\\">[18]<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">As can be taken from the foregoing discussion, the constitutional order in force in the Philippines requires the interplay between the legislative and executive branches of the government, the so-called \\u201cpolitical\\u201d branches of the government. But what if a collusion exists between these two \\u201cpolitical\\u201d branches? For example, under the guise of an emergency, Congress delegates a number of emergency powers to the President in exchange for prolonged and extended possession of congressional power by the same individuals. Then when such emergency has passed, the President, with the plenipotent fiat of Congress, refuses to lift the declaration of emergency. This situation would undoubtedly create an unprecedented constitutional crisis. What would the course of action be to remedy the situation?<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">It is suggested that there are three possible remedies: two intra-constitutional and the one extra-constitutional. The first intra-constitutional remedy is to file a petition before the Supreme Court under its expanded judicial power \\u201cto determine whether or not there has been a grave abuse of discretion amounting to lack or excess of jurisdiction on the part of any branch or instrumentality of the Government.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn19\\\">[19]<\\/a> This expanded version of the judicial power has severely undermined what was the otherwise insurmountable \\u201cpolitical question\\u201d doctrine. The second intra-constitutional remedy is one coursed through <s>\\u201c<\\/s>The Initiative and Referendum Act.<a href=\\\"#_ftn20\\\">[20]\\\"<\\/a> (R.A. No. 6735) Through this law, the Filipino people can reject the law granting the emergency powers to the President in an election called for that purpose and, thereby, lift the declaration of state of emergency. Last but definitely the least is the extra-constitutional but proven remedy: People Power.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">In <em>Letter Of Associate Justice Reynato S. Puno,<\\/em> the Supreme Court said that \\u201cthe locus of positive law-making power lies with the people of the state and from there is derived the right of the people to abolish, to reform and to alter any existing form of government without regard to the existing constitution.\\u201dEven then, according to the esteemed constitutionalist, Fr. Joaquin G. Bernas, S.J., the People Power, as a display of the sovereign will of the Filipino people, is deemed written and institutionalized in the 1987 Philippine Constitution itself, especially when it described the Philippine state: \\u201cdemocratic.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn21\\\">[21]<\\/a> He further opined that \\u201cthe import of this addition, a monument to \\u2018people power\\u2019 which re-won democracy in EDSA, is that the Philippines under the new Constitution is not just a representative government but also shares some aspects of direct democracy.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn22\\\">[22]<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><strong>Conclusion<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">A state of emergency is not only cause of discomfort but also distress. It is a threat not only to the existence of the State but also to the people under its protection, to their rights and interests. But above all else, its mere existence betrays the latent reality that a republican system of government, like any other government, is a fragile creation. Sometimes, it can be helpless against the rise of dictators as the Philippines saw in the dictatorship of the President Ferdinand Marcos. Thus, one of the lasting legacies of the 1987 Philippine Constitution is to curb and suppress, when it can, an impending rise of a dictator at every turn and, most specially, in moments of crisis and emergency.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">However, the Constitution can only do so much. For, after all, it is only a creature of the sovereign people\\u2019s own making. It is only its instrument and servant, though most original and supreme as such, of its sovereign will. It is like the mythical household gods of Illium brought by Aeneas from Troy to Italy: it can only protect if it in turn be protected. Hence, constant vigilance!<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">[1]<\\/a> Salvador T. Carlota, <em>The Three Most Important Features of the Philippine Legal System that Others Should Understand<\\/em>, http:\\/\\/www.ialsnet.org\\/meetings\\/enriching\\/carlota.pdf (Last accessed 29 August 2020).<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a> An Act declaring the Existence of a National Emergency arising from the Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) situation and a National Policy in connection therewith, and authorizing the President of the Republic of the Philippines for a Limited Period and subject to Restrictions, to exercise Powers Necessary and Proper to carry out the Declared National Policy and for other Purposes, Republic Act No. 11469, (2020).<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a> Carl Schmitt, <em>Political Theology: Four Chapters on the Concept of Sovereignty,<\\/em> University of Chicago Press, 13 (2005).<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[4]<\\/a> Clement Fatovic, <em>Emergencies and the Rule of Law<\\/em>, <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/oxfordre.com\\/politics\\/view\\/10.1093\\/acrefore\\/9780190228637.001.0001\\/acrefore-9780190228637-e-93\\\">https:\\/\\/oxfordre.com\\/politics\\/view\\/10.1093\\/acrefore\\/9780190228637.001.0001\\/acrefore-9780190228637-e-93<\\/a> (Last accessed 29 August 2020)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[5]<\\/a> John Ferejohn & Pasquale Pasquino, <em>The Law of the Exception: A Typology of Emergency Powers<\\/em>, International Journal of Constitutional Law, 231 (2004).<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[6]<\\/a> <em>Id. <\\/em>at 210.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\">[7]<\\/a> Carl Schmitt, <em>Dictatorship: From the Beginning of the Modern Concept of Sovereignty to the Proletarian Class-Struggle<\\/em>, Cambridge: Polity Press, 1 (2014).<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\">[8]<\\/a> FEREJOHN, supra note 4, at 214.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\">[9]<\\/a> FEREJOHN, supra note 4, at 218.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\">[10]<\\/a> CONST., art. VI, sec. 23, par. 2.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\">[11]<\\/a> CONST., art. XII, sec. 17.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref12\\\">[12]<\\/a><s> <\\/s>CONST., art. VII, section 18.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref13\\\">[13]<\\/a> <em>David v. Arroyo<\\/em>, G.R. No. 171396, May 3, 2006.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref14\\\">[14]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref15\\\">[15]<\\/a> CONST., art. VI, sec. 23, par 1.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref16\\\">[16]<\\/a> An Act Providing Policies and Prescribing Procedures on Surveillance and Response to Notifiable Diseases, Epidemics, and Health Events of Public Health Concern, and Appropriating Funds Therefor, Repealing for the Purpose Act No. 3573, Otherwise Known as the \\\"Law on Reporting of Communicable Diseases, Republic Act No. 1132, sec. 7 (2019).<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref17\\\">[17]<\\/a> An Act Providing Policies and Prescribing Procedures on Surveillance and Response to Notifiable Diseases, Epidemics, and Health Events of Public Health Concern, and Appropriating Funds Therefor, Repealing for the Purpose Act No. 3573, Otherwise Known as the \\\"Law on Reporting of Communicable Diseases, Republic Act No. 10121, sec. 16 (2019).<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref18\\\">[18]<\\/a> <em>Rodriguez v. Gella<\\/em>, G.R. No. L-6266, February 2, 1953.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref19\\\">[19]<\\/a> CONST., art. VIII, sec. 1.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref20\\\">[20]<\\/a> An Act Providing for a System of Initiative and Referendum and Appropriating Funds Therefor, Republic Act No. 6735, (1989).<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref21\\\">[21]<\\/a> CONST., art. II, sec. 1; <em>See <\\/em>Joaquin G. Bernas, S.J., <em>From One-Man Rule to \\u201cPeople Power\\u201d<\\/em>, 46 ATENEO L.J. 44, 60 (2001).<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref22\\\">[22]<\\/a> BERNAS, <em>id.<\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><strong><em>Featured Image Credit to the <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/pcoo.gov.ph\\/\\\">Presidential communications Operations Office<\\/a>.<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(2797,1116,'_elementor_controls_usage','a:3:{s:11:\"text-editor\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:1;s:8:\"controls\";a:2:{s:7:\"content\";a:1:{s:14:\"section_editor\";a:1:{s:6:\"editor\";i:1;}}s:5:\"style\";a:1:{s:13:\"section_style\";a:2:{s:21:\"typography_typography\";i:1;s:22:\"typography_line_height\";i:1;}}}}s:6:\"column\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:0;s:8:\"controls\";a:0:{}}s:7:\"section\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:0;s:8:\"controls\";a:0:{}}}'),(2799,1117,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(2800,1117,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(2801,1117,'_elementor_version','3.0.14'),(2802,1117,'_wp_page_template','default'),(2803,1117,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"56f8aeb\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"3bd1ce3c\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"7a59b74b\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">By: Frans Joseph F. Incomio* <\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Embattled with the continuing threats of COVID-19, the Department of Finance (DOF) with the support of various executive departments such as the Department of Public Works and Highways, Bases Conversion and Development Authority, Department of Transportation and National Economic and Development Authority and Department of Budget and Management<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\">[1]<\\/a>, through the Senate, has proposed a revamp of House Bill No. 4157<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\">[2]<\\/a> also known as the Corporate Income Tax and Incentive Rationalization Act (CITIRA) to what is now called the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprise (CREATE). Approved on 13 September 2019 for the 3<sup>rd<\\/sup> and final reading with the House, the CITIRA bill was filed with the Senate for interpellations this year. However, due to COVID-19, the DOF sought to change some provisions of the CITIRA bill especially Section 7 of the House Bill No. 4157 (HB No. 4157)<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\">[3]<\\/a>. On 26 November 2020, the Senate approved on the third and final reading the newly revised CITIRA bill, now CREATE bill, under Senate Bill No. 1357 (SB No. 1357)<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\">[4]<\\/a> which means that it is on its way to the final process for its execution, i.e., the approval of the President, subject to the power to veto the said Bill<a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\">[5]<\\/a>.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Now that international pharmaceutical companies are expressing their success in discovering a vaccine for COVID-19<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\">[6]<\\/a>, the Philippine Government has started relaxing its policy in terms of travel and operations to give both the businesses and employees a chance to recover from their losses. However, while a chance to reoperate will give businesses a chance to earn again, the income generated will never be the same as before COVID-19 struck. One of the ways to alleviate business losses and free up some capital of aching corporations is through the CREATE bill. This bill basically seeks to cut corporate tax rate by 5% immediately upon its passage. This will benefit not only large corporations but also micro, small, and medium enterprise (MSMEs) as part of their capital set to pay taxes will be freed up for investments or contingency funds.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong>CITIRA vis-\\u00e0-vis CREATE<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The CITIRA bill sought to deduct 1% from current Corporate Income Tax Rate (CITR) from the time of its passage. It also provided for an annual drop of 1% from year 2020 to year 2029. This means that from the time the CITIRA bill is passed, the CITR will be 29%, and by year 2029, the CITR will be 20%. This differs greatly when compared to the CREATE bill, which sought for an outright drop in the CITR of 5%. Hence, upon passage of the CREATE bill, corporations will now be subject to a 25% CITR. Unlike the CITIRA bill, the CREATE bill will continue to subject corporations to 25% CITR up to 2022. From 2023 to 2027, there will be a 1% drop annually, thus, by 2027, the CITR will only be 20%. Evidently, the CREATE bill does not only give a greater drop in the CITR on its first year of approval but also an accelerated the achievement of the final target of 20% CITR by two (2) years.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Under the CREATE bill, the Fiscal Incentives Review Board (FIRB), is given expanded powers to create Strategic Investment Priority Plans. The FIRB can also recommend to the President the grant of appropriate non-fiscal support on highly desirable projects or specific industrial activities. Upon recommendation, the President may approve the incentives and the period within which it may be availed. Such flexibility is sought to provide a more flexible system of incentive that will adapt to the needs of the economy. In other words, the tax incentive scheme of the Philippines will not vary as incentives will be assessed on a case-to-case basis<a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\">[7]<\\/a>.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Lastly, due to the clamor of various business sectors already enjoying some tax incentives, they are given an additional two (2)-year sunset period. Subject to certain qualifications, businesses that have been enjoying tax incentives for a period of years are given more time to enjoy the said tax incentive before they are subject to regular taxation. Under the CITIRA bill, the sunset period ranges from two (2) years minimum to seven (7) years maximum, while under the CREATE bill the sunset period ranges from four (4) years minimum to nine (9) years maximum. This means that by the time the minimum period for the sunset ends, such companies enjoying the tax incentive will be subject to 25% CITR.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong>KEEP \\u201cTRAIN 2\\u201d MOVING<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Currently, the Philippines imposes the highest CITR on corporations as compared to neighboring Association of Southeast Asian Nation (ASEAN) countries. It seems that lowering the CITR is one of the ways to boost our economy as evidenced by Singapore which only imposes a 17% CITR. Singapore boasts of a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) Per Capita of 58,829.60 USD in 2019<a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\">[8]<\\/a> as compared to the Philippines\\u2019 GDP per Capita which was recorded at 3,337.70 USD<a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\">[9]<\\/a> only. Reducing the CITR immediately will certainly encourage international corporations to keep its operations in the Philippines and this may also result to higher investments by those international corporations seeking to set an office in the ASEAN region. The Philippines\\u2019 corporate tax rate will induce international corporations to do business in the country. This will not only result to higher income for the government, but this also means more jobs to qualified Filipinos.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Due to the sudden impact of COVID-19, there should be a vigorous efforts on the part of the government to seek ways to help businesses recuperate and prevent them from closing permanently. The DOF reported that while the forgone revenue due to the decrease in the CITR may reach up to PHP 600 billion<a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\">[10]<\\/a> by the 5<sup>th<\\/sup> year of the CREATE bill, this reduced revenue will result to revival of most MSMEs that are on the verge of closure. This means that amidst the pandemic, corporations will be able to continue to operate and provide employment. Additionally, freed up capital due to the immediate decrease in the tax rate means that MSMEs may use the capital to expand their operations or keep their business afloat.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Aside from giving tax incentives, the DOF reported that the Philippines grants incentives to various business for the longest time compared to other ASEAN countries. This means that the Philippines has been giving up most of its revenue from medium to large scale businesses that are qualified for the tax incentive. While said corporations are given large tax incentives, MSMEs are subjected to the 30% CITR.\\u00a0 Thus, the CREATE Bill seeks to remove the incentive given to these corporations who have been enjoying the 5% tax on their Gross Income Earned and subject them to the 25% CITR.\\u00a0 The DOF reported that the Philippines has foregone PHP 441 Billion due to tax incentive granted to some 3,000 companies only.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong>TIMELINESS IS KEY<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Upon the signing of incumbent president, Rodrigo Duterte III, of Republic Act No. 10963, the National Internal Revenue Code (NIRC) has been substantially amended especially the tax rates for individual earners<a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\">[11]<\\/a>. However, due to the unexpected change in the business environment, the NIRC is again sought to be amended to keep the Philippines competitive among its neighboring nations and attractive to foreign investors. The CREATE bill seeks to provide immediate and direct impact to corporations in the country to address the losses during the past few months. It is the first-ever revenue-eroding tax reform package proposed by the DOF, but this is also the largest fiscal stimulus program in the history of the Philippines. The CREATE bill is a lifeline given to all corporations in the Philippines that will extend its effects to the working masses while simultaneously subjecting those corporations who have been enjoying tax incentives for years to the proper tax rates. This change will be the equalizer in terms of foregone revenue of the Philippines from the lower tax rate.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 As the threats of the pandemic persist even if \\u00a0businesses already started to resume operations, corporations in the Philippines still clamor for the approval of the CREATE bill.<a href=\\\"#_ftn12\\\">[12]<\\/a> True enough, the earlier the CREATE bill passes into law, the better room there will be for corporations to properly allocate its assets, since prompt relief is one of the rationales of TRAIN 2 from its inception<a href=\\\"#_ftn13\\\">[13]<\\/a>. Interestingly, SB No. 1357 contains a retroactive provision which states that once finally signed by the President and the corresponding publication has been made, its effectivity will retroact from 1 January 2020<a href=\\\"#_ftn14\\\">[14]<\\/a>. Perhaps due to this clause, the train may not be late after all.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">*Graduated from DLSU \\u2013 Taft with a degree in Accountancy in 2015, Frans worked as a tax consultant in one of the top accounting firms in the Philippines right after passing the CPA Boards in the same year. He is now in private practice\\u2014helping MSMEs in their accounting and tax matters.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">[1]<\\/a>Department of Public Works and Highways et, al., BUILD, BUILD, BUILD\\u2019 JOINT STATEMENT OF SUPPORT FOR THE CORPORATE RECOVERY AND TAX INCENTIVES FOR ENTERPRISES ACT, Tax Reform Community Group, 25 August 2020, https:\\/\\/taxreform.dof.gov.ph\\/presentations-and-references\\/bbb-sos-for-create-dpwh-dotr-dbm-neda-bcda-consolidated-as-of-2-june-2020\\/<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a> Committee Report No. 2 Re: HB No. 4157, 18<sup>th<\\/sup> Congress, 1<sup>st<\\/sup> Regular Session, (02 August 2019)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a> Section 7 of HB No. 4157, 18<sup>th<\\/sup> Congress, 1<sup>st<\\/sup> Regular Session<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[4]<\\/a> SB No. 1357, 18<sup>th<\\/sup> Congress, 1<sup>st<\\/sup> Regular Session (18 February 2020)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[5]<\\/a> CONST. (1987)., Art VI, Sec. 27<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[6]<\\/a> <strong>James Gallagher<\\/strong>, Covid vaccine update: When will others be ready?, BBC NEWS, (02 December 2020), https:\\/\\/www.bbc.com\\/news\\/health-5166549<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\">[7]<\\/a> N.A., Package 2: Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises (CREATE) Act, Department of Finance, (No date), <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/taxreform.dof.gov.ph\\/tax-reform-packages\\/p2-corporate-recovery-and-tax-incentives-for-enterprises-act\\/\\\">https:\\/\\/taxreform.dof.gov.ph\\/tax-reform-packages\\/p2-corporate-recovery-and-tax-incentives-for-enterprises-act\\/<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\">[8]<\\/a> N.A., Singapore GDP per capita, Trade Economics, (No Date), https:\\/\\/tradingeconomics.com\\/singapore\\/gdp-per-capita\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\">[9]<\\/a> N.A., Philippines GDP per capita, Trade Economics, <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/tradingeconomics.com\\/philippines\\/gdp-per-capita\\\">https:\\/\\/tradingeconomics.com\\/philippines\\/gdp-per-capita<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\">[10]<\\/a> Jovie Marie de la Cruz, Citira, now CREATE, cuts CIT to 25%; means P259 billion in revenue loss till 2022, Business Mirror, (13 May 2020) <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/businessmirror.com.ph\\/2020\\/05\\/13\\/citira-now-create-cuts-cit-to-25-means-p259-billion-in-revenue-loss-till-2022\\/\\\">https:\\/\\/businessmirror.com.ph\\/2020\\/05\\/13\\/citira-now-create-cuts-cit-to-25-means-p259-billion-in-revenue-loss-till-2022\\/<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\">[11]<\\/a> An Act Amending Sections 5, 6, 24, 25, 27, xxx, and Repealing Sections 35, 62 and 82; All under the Republic Act No. 8424, otherwise known as the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997, as amended, and for other purpose, Republic Act No. 10963, Sec. 5, (19 December 2017)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref12\\\">[12]<\\/a> <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/business.mb.com.ph\\/2020\\/03\\/08\\/pcci-pse-join-clamor-to-pass-citira-bill\\/\\\">James A. Loyola<\\/a>, PCCI, PSE join clamor to pass CITIRA bill,\\u00a0Manila Bulletin, (09 March 2020), www.kccp.ph\\/2020\\/03\\/09\\/pcci-pse-join-clamor-to-pass-citira-bill\\/<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref13\\\">[13]<\\/a> N.A., Package 2 top 10 rationales, Tax Reform Community Group, (2 March 2020), http:\\/\\/taxreform.dof.gov.ph\\/presentations-and-references\\/package-2-top-10-rationales-as-of-feb-28-2020\\/<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref14\\\">[14]<\\/a> Sec. 14 of SB No. 1357, 18<sup>th<\\/sup> Congress, 1<sup>st<\\/sup> Regular Session (18 February 2020)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><em>Featured Photo by <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.pexels.com\\/@pixabay?utm_content=attributionCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=pexels\\\">Pixabay<\\/a> from <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.pexels.com\\/photo\\/accounting-analytics-balance-black-and-white-209224\\/?utm_content=attributionCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=pexels\\\">Pexels<\\/a><\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(2804,1117,'_thumbnail_id','1094'),(2805,1117,'_elementor_controls_usage','a:3:{s:11:\"text-editor\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:1;s:8:\"controls\";a:2:{s:7:\"content\";a:1:{s:14:\"section_editor\";a:1:{s:6:\"editor\";i:1;}}s:5:\"style\";a:1:{s:13:\"section_style\";a:2:{s:21:\"typography_typography\";i:1;s:22:\"typography_line_height\";i:1;}}}}s:6:\"column\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:0;s:8:\"controls\";a:0:{}}s:7:\"section\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:0;s:8:\"controls\";a:0:{}}}'),(2807,1093,'_yoast_wpseo_opengraph-title','\"TRAIN 2\": Is the TRAIN running late, again?'),(2809,1118,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(2810,1118,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(2811,1118,'_elementor_version','3.0.14'),(2812,1118,'_wp_page_template','default'),(2813,1118,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"56f8aeb\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"3bd1ce3c\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"7a59b74b\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">By: Frans Joseph F. Incomio* <\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Embattled with the continuing threats of COVID-19, the Department of Finance (DOF) with the support of various executive departments such as the Department of Public Works and Highways, Bases Conversion and Development Authority, Department of Transportation and National Economic and Development Authority and Department of Budget and Management<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\">[1]<\\/a>, through the Senate, has proposed a revamp of House Bill No. 4157<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\">[2]<\\/a> also known as the Corporate Income Tax and Incentive Rationalization Act (CITIRA) to what is now called the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprise (CREATE). Approved on 13 September 2019 for the 3<sup>rd<\\/sup> and final reading with the House, the CITIRA bill was filed with the Senate for interpellations this year. However, due to COVID-19, the DOF sought to change some provisions of the CITIRA bill especially Section 7 of the House Bill No. 4157 (HB No. 4157)<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\">[3]<\\/a>. On 26 November 2020, the Senate approved on the third and final reading the newly revised CITIRA bill, now CREATE bill, under Senate Bill No. 1357 (SB No. 1357)<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\">[4]<\\/a> which means that it is on its way to the final process for its execution, i.e., the approval of the President, subject to the power to veto the said Bill<a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\">[5]<\\/a>.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Now that international pharmaceutical companies are expressing their success in discovering a vaccine for COVID-19<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\">[6]<\\/a>, the Philippine Government has started relaxing its policy in terms of travel and operations to give both the businesses and employees a chance to recover from their losses. However, while a chance to reoperate will give businesses a chance to earn again, the income generated will never be the same as before COVID-19 struck. One of the ways to alleviate business losses and free up some capital of aching corporations is through the CREATE bill. This bill basically seeks to cut corporate tax rate by 5% immediately upon its passage. This will benefit not only large corporations but also micro, small, and medium enterprise (MSMEs) as part of their capital set to pay taxes will be freed up for investments or contingency funds.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong>CITIRA vis-\\u00e0-vis CREATE<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The CITIRA bill sought to deduct 1% from current Corporate Income Tax Rate (CITR) from the time of its passage. It also provided for an annual drop of 1% from year 2020 to year 2029. This means that from the time the CITIRA bill is passed, the CITR will be 29%, and by year 2029, the CITR will be 20%. This differs greatly when compared to the CREATE bill, which sought for an outright drop in the CITR of 5%. Hence, upon passage of the CREATE bill, corporations will now be subject to a 25% CITR. Unlike the CITIRA bill, the CREATE bill will continue to subject corporations to 25% CITR up to 2022. From 2023 to 2027, there will be a 1% drop annually, thus, by 2027, the CITR will only be 20%. Evidently, the CREATE bill does not only give a greater drop in the CITR on its first year of approval but also an accelerated the achievement of the final target of 20% CITR by two (2) years.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Under the CREATE bill, the Fiscal Incentives Review Board (FIRB), is given expanded powers to create Strategic Investment Priority Plans. The FIRB can also recommend to the President the grant of appropriate non-fiscal support on highly desirable projects or specific industrial activities. Upon recommendation, the President may approve the incentives and the period within which it may be availed. Such flexibility is sought to provide a more flexible system of incentive that will adapt to the needs of the economy. In other words, the tax incentive scheme of the Philippines will not vary as incentives will be assessed on a case-to-case basis<a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\">[7]<\\/a>.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Lastly, due to the clamor of various business sectors already enjoying some tax incentives, they are given an additional two (2)-year sunset period. Subject to certain qualifications, businesses that have been enjoying tax incentives for a period of years are given more time to enjoy the said tax incentive before they are subject to regular taxation. Under the CITIRA bill, the sunset period ranges from two (2) years minimum to seven (7) years maximum, while under the CREATE bill the sunset period ranges from four (4) years minimum to nine (9) years maximum. This means that by the time the minimum period for the sunset ends, such companies enjoying the tax incentive will be subject to 25% CITR.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong>KEEP \\u201cTRAIN 2\\u201d MOVING<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Currently, the Philippines imposes the highest CITR on corporations as compared to neighboring Association of Southeast Asian Nation (ASEAN) countries. It seems that lowering the CITR is one of the ways to boost our economy as evidenced by Singapore which only imposes a 17% CITR. Singapore boasts of a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) Per Capita of 58,829.60 USD in 2019<a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\">[8]<\\/a> as compared to the Philippines\\u2019 GDP per Capita which was recorded at 3,337.70 USD<a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\">[9]<\\/a> only. Reducing the CITR immediately will certainly encourage international corporations to keep its operations in the Philippines and this may also result to higher investments by those international corporations seeking to set an office in the ASEAN region. The Philippines\\u2019 corporate tax rate will induce international corporations to do business in the country. This will not only result to higher income for the government, but this also means more jobs to qualified Filipinos.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Due to the sudden impact of COVID-19, there should be a vigorous efforts on the part of the government to seek ways to help businesses recuperate and prevent them from closing permanently. The DOF reported that while the forgone revenue due to the decrease in the CITR may reach up to PHP 600 billion<a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\">[10]<\\/a> by the 5<sup>th<\\/sup> year of the CREATE bill, this reduced revenue will result to revival of most MSMEs that are on the verge of closure. This means that amidst the pandemic, corporations will be able to continue to operate and provide employment. Additionally, freed up capital due to the immediate decrease in the tax rate means that MSMEs may use the capital to expand their operations or keep their business afloat.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Aside from giving tax incentives, the DOF reported that the Philippines grants incentives to various business for the longest time compared to other ASEAN countries. This means that the Philippines has been giving up most of its revenue from medium to large scale businesses that are qualified for the tax incentive. While said corporations are given large tax incentives, MSMEs are subjected to the 30% CITR.\\u00a0 Thus, the CREATE Bill seeks to remove the incentive given to these corporations who have been enjoying the 5% tax on their Gross Income Earned and subject them to the 25% CITR.\\u00a0 The DOF reported that the Philippines has foregone PHP 441 Billion due to tax incentive granted to some 3,000 companies only.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong>TIMELINESS IS KEY<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Upon the signing of incumbent president, Rodrigo Duterte III, of Republic Act No. 10963, the National Internal Revenue Code (NIRC) has been substantially amended especially the tax rates for individual earners<a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\">[11]<\\/a>. However, due to the unexpected change in the business environment, the NIRC is again sought to be amended to keep the Philippines competitive among its neighboring nations and attractive to foreign investors. The CREATE bill seeks to provide immediate and direct impact to corporations in the country to address the losses during the past few months. It is the first-ever revenue-eroding tax reform package proposed by the DOF, but this is also the largest fiscal stimulus program in the history of the Philippines. The CREATE bill is a lifeline given to all corporations in the Philippines that will extend its effects to the working masses while simultaneously subjecting those corporations who have been enjoying tax incentives for years to the proper tax rates. This change will be the equalizer in terms of foregone revenue of the Philippines from the lower tax rate.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 As the threats of the pandemic persist even if \\u00a0businesses already started to resume operations, corporations in the Philippines still clamor for the approval of the CREATE bill.<a href=\\\"#_ftn12\\\">[12]<\\/a> True enough, the earlier the CREATE bill passes into law, the better room there will be for corporations to properly allocate its assets, since prompt relief is one of the rationales of TRAIN 2 from its inception<a href=\\\"#_ftn13\\\">[13]<\\/a>. Interestingly, SB No. 1357 contains a retroactive provision which states that once finally signed by the President and the corresponding publication has been made, its effectivity will retroact from 1 January 2020<a href=\\\"#_ftn14\\\">[14]<\\/a>. Perhaps due to this clause, the train may not be late after all.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">*Graduated from DLSU \\u2013 Taft with a degree in Accountancy in 2015, Frans worked as a tax consultant in one of the top accounting firms in the Philippines right after passing the CPA Boards in the same year. He is now in private practice\\u2014helping MSMEs in their accounting and tax matters.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">[1]<\\/a>Department of Public Works and Highways et, al., BUILD, BUILD, BUILD\\u2019 JOINT STATEMENT OF SUPPORT FOR THE CORPORATE RECOVERY AND TAX INCENTIVES FOR ENTERPRISES ACT, Tax Reform Community Group, 25 August 2020, https:\\/\\/taxreform.dof.gov.ph\\/presentations-and-references\\/bbb-sos-for-create-dpwh-dotr-dbm-neda-bcda-consolidated-as-of-2-june-2020\\/<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a> Committee Report No. 2 Re: HB No. 4157, 18<sup>th<\\/sup> Congress, 1<sup>st<\\/sup> Regular Session, (02 August 2019)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a> Section 7 of HB No. 4157, 18<sup>th<\\/sup> Congress, 1<sup>st<\\/sup> Regular Session<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[4]<\\/a> SB No. 1357, 18<sup>th<\\/sup> Congress, 1<sup>st<\\/sup> Regular Session (18 February 2020)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[5]<\\/a> CONST. (1987)., Art VI, Sec. 27<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[6]<\\/a> <strong>James Gallagher<\\/strong>, Covid vaccine update: When will others be ready?, BBC NEWS, (02 December 2020), https:\\/\\/www.bbc.com\\/news\\/health-5166549<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\">[7]<\\/a> N.A., Package 2: Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises (CREATE) Act, Department of Finance, (No date), <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/taxreform.dof.gov.ph\\/tax-reform-packages\\/p2-corporate-recovery-and-tax-incentives-for-enterprises-act\\/\\\">https:\\/\\/taxreform.dof.gov.ph\\/tax-reform-packages\\/p2-corporate-recovery-and-tax-incentives-for-enterprises-act\\/<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\">[8]<\\/a> N.A., Singapore GDP per capita, Trade Economics, (No Date), https:\\/\\/tradingeconomics.com\\/singapore\\/gdp-per-capita\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\">[9]<\\/a> N.A., Philippines GDP per capita, Trade Economics, <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/tradingeconomics.com\\/philippines\\/gdp-per-capita\\\">https:\\/\\/tradingeconomics.com\\/philippines\\/gdp-per-capita<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\">[10]<\\/a> Jovie Marie de la Cruz, Citira, now CREATE, cuts CIT to 25%; means P259 billion in revenue loss till 2022, Business Mirror, (13 May 2020) <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/businessmirror.com.ph\\/2020\\/05\\/13\\/citira-now-create-cuts-cit-to-25-means-p259-billion-in-revenue-loss-till-2022\\/\\\">https:\\/\\/businessmirror.com.ph\\/2020\\/05\\/13\\/citira-now-create-cuts-cit-to-25-means-p259-billion-in-revenue-loss-till-2022\\/<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\">[11]<\\/a> An Act Amending Sections 5, 6, 24, 25, 27, xxx, and Repealing Sections 35, 62 and 82; All under the Republic Act No. 8424, otherwise known as the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997, as amended, and for other purpose, Republic Act No. 10963, Sec. 5, (19 December 2017)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref12\\\">[12]<\\/a> <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/business.mb.com.ph\\/2020\\/03\\/08\\/pcci-pse-join-clamor-to-pass-citira-bill\\/\\\">James A. Loyola<\\/a>, PCCI, PSE join clamor to pass CITIRA bill,\\u00a0Manila Bulletin, (09 March 2020), www.kccp.ph\\/2020\\/03\\/09\\/pcci-pse-join-clamor-to-pass-citira-bill\\/<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref13\\\">[13]<\\/a> N.A., Package 2 top 10 rationales, Tax Reform Community Group, (2 March 2020), http:\\/\\/taxreform.dof.gov.ph\\/presentations-and-references\\/package-2-top-10-rationales-as-of-feb-28-2020\\/<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref14\\\">[14]<\\/a> Sec. 14 of SB No. 1357, 18<sup>th<\\/sup> Congress, 1<sup>st<\\/sup> Regular Session (18 February 2020)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><em>Featured Photo by <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.pexels.com\\/@pixabay?utm_content=attributionCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=pexels\\\">Pixabay<\\/a> from <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.pexels.com\\/photo\\/accounting-analytics-balance-black-and-white-209224\\/?utm_content=attributionCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=pexels\\\">Pexels<\\/a><\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(2814,1118,'_thumbnail_id','1094'),(2816,1119,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(2817,1119,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(2818,1119,'_elementor_version','3.0.14'),(2819,1119,'_wp_page_template','default'),(2820,1119,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"56f8aeb\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"3bd1ce3c\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"7a59b74b\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">By: Frans Joseph F. Incomio* <\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Embattled with the continuing threats of COVID-19, the Department of Finance (DOF) with the support of various executive departments such as the Department of Public Works and Highways, Bases Conversion and Development Authority, Department of Transportation and National Economic and Development Authority and Department of Budget and Management<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\">[1]<\\/a>, through the Senate, has proposed a revamp of House Bill No. 4157<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\">[2]<\\/a> also known as the Corporate Income Tax and Incentive Rationalization Act (CITIRA) to what is now called the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprise (CREATE). Approved on 13 September 2019 for the 3<sup>rd<\\/sup> and final reading with the House, the CITIRA bill was filed with the Senate for interpellations this year. However, due to COVID-19, the DOF sought to change some provisions of the CITIRA bill especially Section 7 of the House Bill No. 4157 (HB No. 4157)<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\">[3]<\\/a>. On 26 November 2020, the Senate approved on the third and final reading the newly revised CITIRA bill, now CREATE bill, under Senate Bill No. 1357 (SB No. 1357)<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\">[4]<\\/a> which means that it is on its way to the final process for its execution, i.e., the approval of the President, subject to the power to veto the said Bill<a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\">[5]<\\/a>.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Now that international pharmaceutical companies are expressing their success in discovering a vaccine for COVID-19<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\">[6]<\\/a>, the Philippine Government has started relaxing its policy in terms of travel and operations to give both the businesses and employees a chance to recover from their losses. However, while a chance to reoperate will give businesses a chance to earn again, the income generated will never be the same as before COVID-19 struck. One of the ways to alleviate business losses and free up some capital of aching corporations is through the CREATE bill. This bill basically seeks to cut corporate tax rate by 5% immediately upon its passage. This will benefit not only large corporations but also micro, small, and medium enterprise (MSMEs) as part of their capital set to pay taxes will be freed up for investments or contingency funds.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong>CITIRA vis-\\u00e0-vis CREATE<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The CITIRA bill sought to deduct 1% from current Corporate Income Tax Rate (CITR) from the time of its passage. It also provided for an annual drop of 1% from year 2020 to year 2029. This means that from the time the CITIRA bill is passed, the CITR will be 29%, and by year 2029, the CITR will be 20%. This differs greatly when compared to the CREATE bill, which sought for an outright drop in the CITR of 5%. Hence, upon passage of the CREATE bill, corporations will now be subject to a 25% CITR. Unlike the CITIRA bill, the CREATE bill will continue to subject corporations to 25% CITR up to 2022. From 2023 to 2027, there will be a 1% drop annually, thus, by 2027, the CITR will only be 20%. Evidently, the CREATE bill does not only give a greater drop in the CITR on its first year of approval but also an accelerated the achievement of the final target of 20% CITR by two (2) years.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Under the CREATE bill, the Fiscal Incentives Review Board (FIRB), is given expanded powers to create Strategic Investment Priority Plans. The FIRB can also recommend to the President the grant of appropriate non-fiscal support on highly desirable projects or specific industrial activities. Upon recommendation, the President may approve the incentives and the period within which it may be availed. Such flexibility is sought to provide a more flexible system of incentive that will adapt to the needs of the economy. In other words, the tax incentive scheme of the Philippines will not vary as incentives will be assessed on a case-to-case basis<a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\">[7]<\\/a>.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Lastly, due to the clamor of various business sectors already enjoying some tax incentives, they are given an additional two (2)-year sunset period. Subject to certain qualifications, businesses that have been enjoying tax incentives for a period of years are given more time to enjoy the said tax incentive before they are subject to regular taxation. Under the CITIRA bill, the sunset period ranges from two (2) years minimum to seven (7) years maximum, while under the CREATE bill the sunset period ranges from four (4) years minimum to nine (9) years maximum. This means that by the time the minimum period for the sunset ends, such companies enjoying the tax incentive will be subject to 25% CITR.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong>KEEP \\u201cTRAIN 2\\u201d MOVING<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Currently, the Philippines imposes the highest CITR on corporations as compared to neighboring Association of Southeast Asian Nation (ASEAN) countries. It seems that lowering the CITR is one of the ways to boost our economy as evidenced by Singapore which only imposes a 17% CITR. Singapore boasts of a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) Per Capita of 58,829.60 USD in 2019<a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\">[8]<\\/a> as compared to the Philippines\\u2019 GDP per Capita which was recorded at 3,337.70 USD<a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\">[9]<\\/a> only. Reducing the CITR immediately will certainly encourage international corporations to keep its operations in the Philippines and this may also result to higher investments by those international corporations seeking to set an office in the ASEAN region. The Philippines\\u2019 corporate tax rate will induce international corporations to do business in the country. This will not only result to higher income for the government, but this also means more jobs to qualified Filipinos.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Due to the sudden impact of COVID-19, there should be a vigorous efforts on the part of the government to seek ways to help businesses recuperate and prevent them from closing permanently. The DOF reported that while the forgone revenue due to the decrease in the CITR may reach up to PHP 600 billion<a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\">[10]<\\/a> by the 5<sup>th<\\/sup> year of the CREATE bill, this reduced revenue will result to revival of most MSMEs that are on the verge of closure. This means that amidst the pandemic, corporations will be able to continue to operate and provide employment. Additionally, freed up capital due to the immediate decrease in the tax rate means that MSMEs may use the capital to expand their operations or keep their business afloat.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Aside from giving tax incentives, the DOF reported that the Philippines grants incentives to various business for the longest time compared to other ASEAN countries. This means that the Philippines has been giving up most of its revenue from medium to large scale businesses that are qualified for the tax incentive. While said corporations are given large tax incentives, MSMEs are subjected to the 30% CITR.\\u00a0 Thus, the CREATE Bill seeks to remove the incentive given to these corporations who have been enjoying the 5% tax on their Gross Income Earned and subject them to the 25% CITR.\\u00a0 The DOF reported that the Philippines has foregone PHP 441 Billion due to tax incentive granted to some 3,000 companies only.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong>TIMELINESS IS KEY<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Upon the signing of incumbent president, Rodrigo Duterte III, of Republic Act No. 10963, the National Internal Revenue Code (NIRC) has been substantially amended especially the tax rates for individual earners<a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\">[11]<\\/a>. However, due to the unexpected change in the business environment, the NIRC is again sought to be amended to keep the Philippines competitive among its neighboring nations and attractive to foreign investors. The CREATE bill seeks to provide immediate and direct impact to corporations in the country to address the losses during the past few months. It is the first-ever revenue-eroding tax reform package proposed by the DOF, but this is also the largest fiscal stimulus program in the history of the Philippines. The CREATE bill is a lifeline given to all corporations in the Philippines that will extend its effects to the working masses while simultaneously subjecting those corporations who have been enjoying tax incentives for years to the proper tax rates. This change will be the equalizer in terms of foregone revenue of the Philippines from the lower tax rate.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 As the threats of the pandemic persist even if \\u00a0businesses already started to resume operations, corporations in the Philippines still clamor for the approval of the CREATE bill.<a href=\\\"#_ftn12\\\">[12]<\\/a> True enough, the earlier the CREATE bill passes into law, the better room there will be for corporations to properly allocate its assets, since prompt relief is one of the rationales of TRAIN 2 from its inception<a href=\\\"#_ftn13\\\">[13]<\\/a>. Interestingly, SB No. 1357 contains a retroactive provision which states that once finally signed by the President and the corresponding publication has been made, its effectivity will retroact from 1 January 2020<a href=\\\"#_ftn14\\\">[14]<\\/a>. Perhaps due to this clause, the train may not be late after all.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">*Graduated from DLSU \\u2013 Taft with a degree in Accountancy in 2015, Frans worked as a tax consultant in one of the top accounting firms in the Philippines right after passing the CPA Boards in the same year. He is now in private practice\\u2014helping MSMEs in their accounting and tax matters.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">[1]<\\/a>Department of Public Works and Highways et, al., BUILD, BUILD, BUILD\\u2019 JOINT STATEMENT OF SUPPORT FOR THE CORPORATE RECOVERY AND TAX INCENTIVES FOR ENTERPRISES ACT, Tax Reform Community Group, 25 August 2020, https:\\/\\/taxreform.dof.gov.ph\\/presentations-and-references\\/bbb-sos-for-create-dpwh-dotr-dbm-neda-bcda-consolidated-as-of-2-june-2020\\/<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a> Committee Report No. 2 Re: HB No. 4157, 18<sup>th<\\/sup> Congress, 1<sup>st<\\/sup> Regular Session, (02 August 2019)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a> Section 7 of HB No. 4157, 18<sup>th<\\/sup> Congress, 1<sup>st<\\/sup> Regular Session<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[4]<\\/a> SB No. 1357, 18<sup>th<\\/sup> Congress, 1<sup>st<\\/sup> Regular Session (18 February 2020)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[5]<\\/a> CONST. (1987)., Art VI, Sec. 27<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[6]<\\/a> <strong>James Gallagher<\\/strong>, Covid vaccine update: When will others be ready?, BBC NEWS, (02 December 2020), https:\\/\\/www.bbc.com\\/news\\/health-5166549<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\">[7]<\\/a> N.A., Package 2: Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises (CREATE) Act, Department of Finance, (No date), <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/taxreform.dof.gov.ph\\/tax-reform-packages\\/p2-corporate-recovery-and-tax-incentives-for-enterprises-act\\/\\\">https:\\/\\/taxreform.dof.gov.ph\\/tax-reform-packages\\/p2-corporate-recovery-and-tax-incentives-for-enterprises-act\\/<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\">[8]<\\/a> N.A., Singapore GDP per capita, Trade Economics, (No Date), https:\\/\\/tradingeconomics.com\\/singapore\\/gdp-per-capita\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\">[9]<\\/a> N.A., Philippines GDP per capita, Trade Economics, <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/tradingeconomics.com\\/philippines\\/gdp-per-capita\\\">https:\\/\\/tradingeconomics.com\\/philippines\\/gdp-per-capita<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\">[10]<\\/a> Jovie Marie de la Cruz, Citira, now CREATE, cuts CIT to 25%; means P259 billion in revenue loss till 2022, Business Mirror, (13 May 2020) <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/businessmirror.com.ph\\/2020\\/05\\/13\\/citira-now-create-cuts-cit-to-25-means-p259-billion-in-revenue-loss-till-2022\\/\\\">https:\\/\\/businessmirror.com.ph\\/2020\\/05\\/13\\/citira-now-create-cuts-cit-to-25-means-p259-billion-in-revenue-loss-till-2022\\/<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\">[11]<\\/a> An Act Amending Sections 5, 6, 24, 25, 27, xxx, and Repealing Sections 35, 62 and 82; All under the Republic Act No. 8424, otherwise known as the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997, as amended, and for other purpose, Republic Act No. 10963, Sec. 5, (19 December 2017)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref12\\\">[12]<\\/a> <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/business.mb.com.ph\\/2020\\/03\\/08\\/pcci-pse-join-clamor-to-pass-citira-bill\\/\\\">James A. Loyola<\\/a>, PCCI, PSE join clamor to pass CITIRA bill,\\u00a0Manila Bulletin, (09 March 2020), www.kccp.ph\\/2020\\/03\\/09\\/pcci-pse-join-clamor-to-pass-citira-bill\\/<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref13\\\">[13]<\\/a> N.A., Package 2 top 10 rationales, Tax Reform Community Group, (2 March 2020), http:\\/\\/taxreform.dof.gov.ph\\/presentations-and-references\\/package-2-top-10-rationales-as-of-feb-28-2020\\/<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref14\\\">[14]<\\/a> Sec. 14 of SB No. 1357, 18<sup>th<\\/sup> Congress, 1<sup>st<\\/sup> Regular Session (18 February 2020)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><em>Featured Photo by <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.pexels.com\\/@pixabay?utm_content=attributionCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=pexels\\\">Pixabay<\\/a> from <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.pexels.com\\/photo\\/accounting-analytics-balance-black-and-white-209224\\/?utm_content=attributionCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=pexels\\\">Pexels<\\/a><\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(2821,1119,'_thumbnail_id','1094'),(2823,1120,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(2824,1120,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(2825,1120,'_elementor_version','3.0.14'),(2826,1120,'_wp_page_template','default'),(2827,1120,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"56f8aeb\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"3bd1ce3c\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"7a59b74b\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">By: Frans Joseph F. Incomio* <\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 <\\/span>Embattled with the continuing threats of COVID-19, the Department of Finance (DOF) with the support of various executive departments such as the Department of Public Works and Highways, Bases Conversion and Development Authority, Department of Transportation and National Economic and Development Authority and Department of Budget and Management<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref1\\\"><sup>[1]<\\/sup><\\/a>, through the Senate, has proposed a revamp of Package 2 of The Tax Reform For Acceleration And Inclusions Program (TRAIN 2) or House Bill No. 4157<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref2\\\"><sup>[2]<\\/sup><\\/a> also known as the Corporate Income Tax and Incentive Rationalization Act (CITIRA) to what is now called the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprise (CREATE). Approved on 13 September 2019 for the 3<sup>rd<\\/sup> and final reading with the House of Representatives (HOR), the CITIRA bill was filed with the Senate for interpellations this year. However, due to COVID-19, the DOF sought to change some provisions of the bill especially Section 7 of the House Bill No. 4157 (HB No. 4157)<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref3\\\"><sup>[3]<\\/sup><\\/a>. Recently, on 26 November 2020, the Senate approved for the third and final reading the newly revised CITIRA bill, now CREATE bill or Senate Bill No. 1357 (SB No. 1357)<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref4\\\"><sup>[4]<\\/sup><\\/a>. This means that once this version is adopted by HOR, only the signature of the President is required for it to become a law<a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref5\\\"><sup>[5]<\\/sup><\\/a>.<\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Now that international pharmaceutical companies are expressing their success in discovering a vaccine for COVID-19<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref6\\\"><sup>[6]<\\/sup><\\/a>, the Philippine Government has started relaxing its policy in terms of travel and operations to give both the businesses and employees a chance to recover from their losses. However, while a chance to reoperate will give businesses a chance to earn again, the income generated will never be the same as before COVID-19 struck. One of the ways to alleviate business losses and free up some capital of aching corporations is through the CREATE bill. This bill basically seeks to cut Corporate Income Tax Rate (CITR) by 5% immediately upon its passage while an even greater 10% deduction is given to those qualified corporations. This will benefit not only large corporations but also micro, small, and medium enterprise (MSMEs) as part of their capital set to pay taxes will be freed up for investments or contingency funds.<\\/p>\\n<p><strong>CITIRA vis-\\u00e0-vis CREATE<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The CITIRA bill sought to deduct 1% from current CITR from the time of its passage. It also provided for an annual drop of 1% from year 2020 to year 2029. This means that from the time the CITIRA bill is passed, the CITR will be 29%, and by year 2029, the CITR will be 20%. This differs greatly when compared to the CREATE bill, which sought for an outright drop of the CITR by 5%. In addition to this, the CREATE bill states a proviso which provides for an immediate deduction of 10% of the CITR for certain corporations, <em>i.e.,<\\/em> corporations having net taxable income not exceeding Five Million Pesos (PhP5,000,000.00) and with total assets not exceeding One Hundred Million (PhP100,000,000.00), excluding land on which the particular business entity\\u2019s office, plant, and equipment. Generally, corporations falling under this provision shall be taxed at 25% CITR while for those falling under the qualification will be taxed at 20% CITR<a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref7\\\"><sup>[7]<\\/sup><\\/a>. Evidently, the CREATE bill gives a greater drop in the CITR once passed than the CITIRA bill but such corporate tax rates are fixed. There will be no further deduction in the CITR for the following years.<\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Under the CREATE bill, the Fiscal Incentives Review Board (FIRB), is given expanded powers to create Strategic Investment Priority Plans. The FIRB can also recommend to the President the grant of appropriate non-fiscal support on highly desirable projects or specific industrial activities. Upon recommendation, the President may approve the incentives and the period within which it may be availed. Such flexibility is sought to provide a more flexible system of incentive that will adapt to the needs of the economy. In other words, the tax incentive scheme of the Philippines will not vary as incentives will be assessed on a case-to-case basis<a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref8\\\"><sup>[8]<\\/sup><\\/a><a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref9\\\"><sup>[9]<\\/sup><\\/a>.<\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Lastly, due to the clamor of various business sectors already enjoying some tax incentives, they are given an additional two (2)-year sunset period. Subject to certain qualifications, businesses that have been enjoying tax incentives for a number of years are given more time to enjoy the said tax incentive before they are subject to regular taxation. Under the CITIRA bill, the sunset period ranges from two (2) years minimum to seven (7) years maximum, while under the CREATE bill the sunset period is up to eight (8) years maximum<a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref10\\\"><sup>[10]<\\/sup><\\/a>. This means that by the time the minimum period for the sunset ends, such companies enjoying the tax incentive will be subject to a regular CITR.<\\/p>\\n<p><strong>KEEP \\u201cTRAIN 2\\u201d MOVING<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Currently, the Philippines imposes the highest CITR on corporations as compared to neighboring Association of Southeast Asian Nation (ASEAN) countries. It seems that lowering the CITR is one of the ways to boost our economy as evidenced by Singapore which only imposes a 17% CITR. Singapore boasts of a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) Per Capita of 58,829.60 USD in 2019<a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref11\\\"><sup>[11]<\\/sup><\\/a> as compared to the Philippines\\u2019 GDP per Capita which was recorded at 3,337.70 USD<a href=\\\"#_ftn12\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref12\\\"><sup>[12]<\\/sup><\\/a> only. Reducing the CITR immediately will certainly encourage international corporations to keep its operations in the Philippines and this may also result to higher investments by those international corporations seeking to set an office in the ASEAN region. The Philippines\\u2019 corporate tax rate will induce international corporations to do business in the country. This will not only result to higher income for the government, but this also means more jobs to qualified Filipinos.<\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Due to the sudden impact of COVID-19, there should be a vigorous effort on the part of the government to seek ways to help businesses recuperate and prevent them from closing permanently. The DOF reported that while the forgone revenue due to the decrease in the CITR may reach up to PHP 600 billion<a href=\\\"#_ftn13\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref13\\\"><sup>[13]<\\/sup><\\/a> by the 5<sup>th<\\/sup> year of the CREATE bill, this reduced revenue will result to revival of most MSMEs that are on the verge of closure. This means that amidst the pandemic, corporations will be able to continue to operate and provide employment. Additionally, freed up capital due to the immediate decrease in the tax rate means that MSMEs may use the capital to expand their operations or keep their business afloat.<\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Aside from giving tax incentives, the DOF reported that the Philippines grants incentives to various business for the longest time compared to other ASEAN countries. This means that the Philippines has been giving up most of its revenue from medium to large scale businesses that are qualified for the tax incentive. While said corporations are given large tax incentives, MSMEs are subjected to the 30% CITR.\\u00a0 Thus, the CREATE Bill seeks to remove the incentive given to these corporations who have been enjoying the 5% tax on their Gross Income Earned and subject them to the new CITR.\\u00a0 The DOF reported that the Philippines has foregone PHP 441 Billion due to tax incentive granted to some 3,000 companies only.<\\/p>\\n<p><strong>\\u00a0<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>TIMELINESS IS KEY <\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Upon the signing of incumbent president, Rodrigo Duterte III, of Republic Act No. 10963, the National Internal Revenue Code (NIRC) has been substantially amended especially the tax rates for individual earners<a href=\\\"#_ftn14\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref14\\\"><sup>[14]<\\/sup><\\/a>. However, due to the unexpected change in the business environment, the NIRC is again sought to be amended to keep the Philippines competitive among its neighboring nations and attractive to foreign investors. The CREATE bill seeks to provide immediate and direct impact to corporations in the country to address the losses during the past few months. It is the first-ever revenue-eroding tax reform package proposed by the DOF, but this is also the largest fiscal stimulus program in the history of the Philippines. The CREATE bill is a lifeline given to all corporations in the Philippines that will extend its effects to the working masses while simultaneously subjecting those corporations who have been enjoying tax incentives for years to the proper tax rates. This change will be the equalizer in terms of foregone revenue of the Philippines from the lower tax rate.<\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 As the threats of the pandemic persist even if businesses already started to resume operations, corporations in the Philippines still clamor for the approval of the CREATE bill.<a href=\\\"#_ftn15\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref15\\\"><sup>[15]<\\/sup><\\/a> True enough, the earlier the CREATE bill passes into law, the better room there will be for corporations to properly allocate its assets, since prompt relief is one of the rationales of TRAIN 2 from its inception<a href=\\\"#_ftn16\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref16\\\"><sup>[16]<\\/sup><\\/a>. Interestingly, SB No. 1357 contains a retroactive provision which states that once finally signed by the President and the corresponding publication has been made, the effectivity of some of CREATE bill\\u2019s provisions will retroact from 1 July 2020<a href=\\\"#_ftn17\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref17\\\"><sup>[17]<\\/sup><\\/a>. Perhaps due to this, the train may not be late after all.<\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><em>*Graduated from DLSU \\u2013 Taft with a degree in Accountancy in 2015, Frans worked as a tax consultant in one of the top accounting firms in the Philippines right after passing the CPA Boards in the same year. He is now in private practice\\u2014helping MSMEs in their accounting and tax matters.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\" name=\\\"_ftn1\\\"><sup>[1]<\\/sup><\\/a>Department of Public Works and Highways et, al., BUILD, BUILD, BUILD\\u2019 JOINT STATEMENT OF SUPPORT FOR THE CORPORATE RECOVERY AND TAX INCENTIVES FOR ENTERPRISES ACT, Tax Reform Community Group, 25 August 2020, <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/taxreform.dof.gov.ph\\/presentations-and-references\\/bbb-sos-for-create-dpwh-dotr-dbm-neda-bcda-consolidated-as-of-2-june-2020\\/\\\">https:\\/\\/taxreform.dof.gov.ph\\/presentations-and-references\\/bbb-sos-for-create-dpwh-dotr-dbm-neda-bcda-consolidated-as-of-2-june-2020\\/<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\" name=\\\"_ftn2\\\"><sup>[2]<\\/sup><\\/a> Committee Report No. 2 Re: HB No. 4157, 18<sup>th<\\/sup> Congress, 1<sup>st<\\/sup> Regular Session, (02 August 2019)<\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\" name=\\\"_ftn3\\\"><sup>[3]<\\/sup><\\/a> Section 7 of HB No. 4157, 18<sup>th<\\/sup> Congress, 1<sup>st<\\/sup> Regular Session<\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\" name=\\\"_ftn4\\\"><sup>[4]<\\/sup><\\/a> SB No. 1357, 18<sup>th<\\/sup> Congress, 2<sup>nd<\\/sup> Regular Session (26 November 2020)<\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\" name=\\\"_ftn5\\\"><sup>[5]<\\/sup><\\/a> CONST. (1987)., Art VI, Sec. 27<\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\" name=\\\"_ftn6\\\"><sup>[6]<\\/sup><\\/a> James Gallagher, Covid vaccine update: When will others be ready?, BBC NEWS, (02 December 2020), <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.bbc.com\\/news\\/health-5166549\\\">https:\\/\\/www.bbc.com\\/news\\/health-5166549<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\" name=\\\"_ftn7\\\"><sup>[7]<\\/sup><\\/a> Section 6 of SB No. 1357, 18<sup>th<\\/sup> Congress, 2<sup>nd<\\/sup> Regular Session (26 November 2020)<\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\" name=\\\"_ftn8\\\"><sup>[8]<\\/sup><\\/a> N.A., Package 2: Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises (CREATE) Act, Department of Finance, (No date), <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/taxreform.dof.gov.ph\\/tax-reform-packages\\/p2-corporate-recovery-and-tax-incentives-for-enterprises-act\\/\\\">https:\\/\\/taxreform.dof.gov.ph\\/tax-reform-packages\\/p2-corporate-recovery-and-tax-incentives-for-enterprises-act\\/<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\" name=\\\"_ftn9\\\"><sup>[9]<\\/sup><\\/a> Section 300, Chapter IV of SB No. 1357, 18<sup>th<\\/sup> Congress, 2<sup>nd<\\/sup> Regular Session (26 November 2020)<\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\" name=\\\"_ftn10\\\"><sup>[10]<\\/sup><\\/a> Section 301, Chapter IV of SB No. 1357, 18<sup>th<\\/sup> Congress, 2<sup>nd<\\/sup> Regular Session (26 November 2020)<\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\" name=\\\"_ftn11\\\"><sup>[11]<\\/sup><\\/a> N.A., Singapore GDP per capita, Trade Economics, (No Date), <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/tradingeconomics.com\\/singapore\\/gdp-per-capita\\\">https:\\/\\/tradingeconomics.com\\/singapore\\/gdp-per-capita\\u00a0<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref12\\\" name=\\\"_ftn12\\\"><sup><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">[12]<\\/span><\\/sup><\\/a><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"> N.A., Philippines GDP per capita, Trade Economics, <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/tradingeconomics.com\\/philippines\\/gdp-per-capita\\\">https:\\/\\/tradingeconomics.com\\/philippines\\/gdp-per-capita<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref13\\\" name=\\\"_ftn13\\\"><sup>[13]<\\/sup><\\/a> Jovie Marie de la Cruz, Citira, now CREATE, cuts CIT to 25%; means P259 billion in revenue loss till 2022, Business Mirror, (13 May 2020)<\\/span> <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/businessmirror.com.ph\\/2020\\/05\\/13\\/citira-now-create-cuts-cit-to-25-means-p259-billion-in-revenue-loss-till-2022\\/\\\">https:\\/\\/businessmirror.com.ph\\/2020\\/05\\/13\\/citira-now-create-cuts-cit-to-25-means-p259-billion-in-revenue-loss-till-2022\\/<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref14\\\" name=\\\"_ftn14\\\"><sup>[14]<\\/sup><\\/a> An Act Amending Sections 5, 6, 24, 25, 27, xxx, and Repealing Sections 35, 62 and 82; All under the Republic Act No. 8424, otherwise known as the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997, as amended, and for other purpose, Republic Act No. 10963, Sec. 5, (19 Dec<span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">ember 2017)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref15\\\" name=\\\"_ftn15\\\"><sup>[15]<\\/sup><\\/a> James A. Loyola, PCCI, PSE join clamor to pass CITIRA bill,\\u00a0Manila Bulletin, (09 March 2020), <a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/www.kccp.ph\\/2020\\/03\\/09\\/pcci-pse-join-clamor-to-pass-citira-bill\\/\\\">www.kccp.ph\\/2020\\/03\\/09\\/pcci-pse-join-clamor-to-pass-citira-bill\\/<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref16\\\" name=\\\"_ftn16\\\"><sup>[16]<\\/sup><\\/a> N.A., Package 2 top 10 rationales, Tax Reform Community Group, (2 March 2020), <a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/taxreform.dof.gov.ph\\/presentations-and-references\\/package-2-top-10-rationales-as-of-feb-28-2020\\/\\\">http:\\/\\/taxreform.dof.gov.ph\\/presentations-and-references\\/package-2-top-10-rationales-as-of-feb-28-2020\\/<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref17\\\" name=\\\"_ftn17\\\"><sup>[17]<\\/sup><\\/a> SB No. 1357, 18<sup>th<\\/sup> Congress, 2<sup>nd<\\/sup> Regular Session (26 November 2020)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><em>Featured Photo by <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.pexels.com\\/@pixabay?utm_content=attributionCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=pexels\\\">Pixabay<\\/a> from <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.pexels.com\\/photo\\/accounting-analytics-balance-black-and-white-209224\\/?utm_content=attributionCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=pexels\\\">Pexels<\\/a><\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(2828,1120,'_thumbnail_id','1094'),(2831,1121,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(2832,1121,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(2833,1121,'_elementor_version','3.0.14'),(2834,1121,'_wp_page_template','default'),(2835,1121,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"56f8aeb\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"3bd1ce3c\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"7a59b74b\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">By: Frans Joseph F. Incomio* <\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 <\\/span>Embattled with the continuing threats of COVID-19, the Department of Finance (DOF) with the support of various executive departments such as the Department of Public Works and Highways, Bases Conversion and Development Authority, Department of Transportation and National Economic and Development Authority and Department of Budget and Management<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref1\\\"><sup>[1]<\\/sup><\\/a>, through the Senate, has proposed a revamp of Package 2 of The Tax Reform For Acceleration And Inclusions Program (TRAIN 2) or House Bill No. 4157<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref2\\\"><sup>[2]<\\/sup><\\/a> also known as the Corporate Income Tax and Incentive Rationalization Act (CITIRA) to what is now called the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprise (CREATE). Approved on 13 September 2019 for the 3<sup>rd<\\/sup> and final reading with the House of Representatives (HOR), the CITIRA bill was filed with the Senate for interpellations this year. However, due to COVID-19, the DOF sought to change some provisions of the bill especially Section 7 of the House Bill No. 4157 (HB No. 4157)<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref3\\\"><sup>[3]<\\/sup><\\/a>. Recently, on 26 November 2020, the Senate approved for the third and final reading the newly revised CITIRA bill, now CREATE bill or Senate Bill No. 1357 (SB No. 1357)<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref4\\\"><sup>[4]<\\/sup><\\/a>. This means that once this version is adopted by HOR, only the signature of the President is required for it to become a law<a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref5\\\"><sup>[5]<\\/sup><\\/a>.<\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Now that international pharmaceutical companies are expressing their success in discovering a vaccine for COVID-19<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref6\\\"><sup>[6]<\\/sup><\\/a>, the Philippine Government has started relaxing its policy in terms of travel and operations to give both the businesses and employees a chance to recover from their losses. However, while a chance to reoperate will give businesses a chance to earn again, the income generated will never be the same as before COVID-19 struck. One of the ways to alleviate business losses and free up some capital of aching corporations is through the CREATE bill. This bill basically seeks to cut Corporate Income Tax Rate (CITR) by 5% immediately upon its passage while an even greater 10% deduction is given to those qualified corporations. This will benefit not only large corporations but also micro, small, and medium enterprise (MSMEs) as part of their capital set to pay taxes will be freed up for investments or contingency funds.<\\/p>\\n<p><strong>CITIRA vis-\\u00e0-vis CREATE<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The CITIRA bill sought to deduct 1% from current CITR from the time of its passage. It also provided for an annual drop of 1% from year 2020 to year 2029. This means that from the time the CITIRA bill is passed, the CITR will be 29%, and by year 2029, the CITR will be 20%. This differs greatly when compared to the CREATE bill, which sought for an outright drop of the CITR by 5%. In addition to this, the CREATE bill states a proviso which provides for an immediate deduction of 10% of the CITR for certain corporations, <em>i.e.,<\\/em> corporations having net taxable income not exceeding Five Million Pesos (PhP5,000,000.00) and with total assets not exceeding One Hundred Million (PhP100,000,000.00), excluding land on which the particular business entity\\u2019s office, plant, and equipment. Generally, corporations falling under this provision shall be taxed at 25% CITR while for those falling under the qualification will be taxed at 20% CITR<a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref7\\\"><sup>[7]<\\/sup><\\/a>. Evidently, the CREATE bill gives a greater drop in the CITR once passed than the CITIRA bill but such corporate tax rates are fixed. There will be no further deduction in the CITR for the following years.<\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Under the CREATE bill, the Fiscal Incentives Review Board (FIRB), is given expanded powers to create Strategic Investment Priority Plans. The FIRB can also recommend to the President the grant of appropriate non-fiscal support on highly desirable projects or specific industrial activities. Upon recommendation, the President may approve the incentives and the period within which it may be availed. Such flexibility is sought to provide a more flexible system of incentive that will adapt to the needs of the economy. In other words, the tax incentive scheme of the Philippines will not vary as incentives will be assessed on a case-to-case basis<a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref8\\\"><sup>[8]<\\/sup><\\/a><a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref9\\\"><sup>[9]<\\/sup><\\/a>.<\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Lastly, due to the clamor of various business sectors already enjoying some tax incentives, they are given an additional two (2)-year sunset period. Subject to certain qualifications, businesses that have been enjoying tax incentives for a number of years are given more time to enjoy the said tax incentive before they are subject to regular taxation. Under the CITIRA bill, the sunset period ranges from two (2) years minimum to seven (7) years maximum, while under the CREATE bill the sunset period is up to eight (8) years maximum<a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref10\\\"><sup>[10]<\\/sup><\\/a>. This means that by the time the minimum period for the sunset ends, such companies enjoying the tax incentive will be subject to a regular CITR.<\\/p>\\n<p><strong>KEEP \\u201cTRAIN 2\\u201d MOVING<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Currently, the Philippines imposes the highest CITR on corporations as compared to neighboring Association of Southeast Asian Nation (ASEAN) countries. It seems that lowering the CITR is one of the ways to boost our economy as evidenced by Singapore which only imposes a 17% CITR. Singapore boasts of a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) Per Capita of 58,829.60 USD in 2019<a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref11\\\"><sup>[11]<\\/sup><\\/a> as compared to the Philippines\\u2019 GDP per Capita which was recorded at 3,337.70 USD<a href=\\\"#_ftn12\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref12\\\"><sup>[12]<\\/sup><\\/a> only. Reducing the CITR immediately will certainly encourage international corporations to keep its operations in the Philippines and this may also result to higher investments by those international corporations seeking to set an office in the ASEAN region. The Philippines\\u2019 corporate tax rate will induce international corporations to do business in the country. This will not only result to higher income for the government, but this also means more jobs to qualified Filipinos.<\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Due to the sudden impact of COVID-19, there should be a vigorous effort on the part of the government to seek ways to help businesses recuperate and prevent them from closing permanently. The DOF reported that while the forgone revenue due to the decrease in the CITR may reach up to PHP 600 billion<a href=\\\"#_ftn13\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref13\\\"><sup>[13]<\\/sup><\\/a> by the 5<sup>th<\\/sup> year of the CREATE bill, this reduced revenue will result to revival of most MSMEs that are on the verge of closure. This means that amidst the pandemic, corporations will be able to continue to operate and provide employment. Additionally, freed up capital due to the immediate decrease in the tax rate means that MSMEs may use the capital to expand their operations or keep their business afloat.<\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Aside from giving tax incentives, the DOF reported that the Philippines grants incentives to various business for the longest time compared to other ASEAN countries. This means that the Philippines has been giving up most of its revenue from medium to large scale businesses that are qualified for the tax incentive. While said corporations are given large tax incentives, MSMEs are subjected to the 30% CITR.\\u00a0 Thus, the CREATE Bill seeks to remove the incentive given to these corporations who have been enjoying the 5% tax on their Gross Income Earned and subject them to the new CITR.\\u00a0 The DOF reported that the Philippines has foregone PHP 441 Billion due to tax incentive granted to some 3,000 companies only.<\\/p>\\n<p><strong>\\u00a0<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>TIMELINESS IS KEY <\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Upon the signing of incumbent president, Rodrigo Duterte III, of Republic Act No. 10963, the National Internal Revenue Code (NIRC) has been substantially amended especially the tax rates for individual earners<a href=\\\"#_ftn14\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref14\\\"><sup>[14]<\\/sup><\\/a>. However, due to the unexpected change in the business environment, the NIRC is again sought to be amended to keep the Philippines competitive among its neighboring nations and attractive to foreign investors. The CREATE bill seeks to provide immediate and direct impact to corporations in the country to address the losses during the past few months. It is the first-ever revenue-eroding tax reform package proposed by the DOF, but this is also the largest fiscal stimulus program in the history of the Philippines. The CREATE bill is a lifeline given to all corporations in the Philippines that will extend its effects to the working masses while simultaneously subjecting those corporations who have been enjoying tax incentives for years to the proper tax rates. This change will be the equalizer in terms of foregone revenue of the Philippines from the lower tax rate.<\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 As the threats of the pandemic persist even if businesses already started to resume operations, corporations in the Philippines still clamor for the approval of the CREATE bill.<a href=\\\"#_ftn15\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref15\\\"><sup>[15]<\\/sup><\\/a> True enough, the earlier the CREATE bill passes into law, the better room there will be for corporations to properly allocate its assets, since prompt relief is one of the rationales of TRAIN 2 from its inception<a href=\\\"#_ftn16\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref16\\\"><sup>[16]<\\/sup><\\/a>. Interestingly, SB No. 1357 contains a retroactive provision which states that once finally signed by the President and the corresponding publication has been made, the effectivity of some of CREATE bill\\u2019s provisions will retroact from 1 July 2020<a href=\\\"#_ftn17\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref17\\\"><sup>[17]<\\/sup><\\/a>. Perhaps due to this, the train may not be late after all.<\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><em>*Graduated from DLSU \\u2013 Taft with a degree in Accountancy in 2015, Frans worked as a tax consultant in one of the top accounting firms in the Philippines right after passing the CPA Boards in the same year. He is now in private practice\\u2014helping MSMEs in their accounting and tax matters.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\" name=\\\"_ftn1\\\"><sup>[1]<\\/sup><\\/a>Department of Public Works and Highways et, al., BUILD, BUILD, BUILD\\u2019 JOINT STATEMENT OF SUPPORT FOR THE CORPORATE RECOVERY AND TAX INCENTIVES FOR ENTERPRISES ACT, Tax Reform Community Group, 25 August 2020, <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/taxreform.dof.gov.ph\\/presentations-and-references\\/bbb-sos-for-create-dpwh-dotr-dbm-neda-bcda-consolidated-as-of-2-june-2020\\/\\\">https:\\/\\/taxreform.dof.gov.ph\\/presentations-and-references\\/bbb-sos-for-create-dpwh-dotr-dbm-neda-bcda-consolidated-as-of-2-june-2020\\/<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\" name=\\\"_ftn2\\\"><sup>[2]<\\/sup><\\/a> Committee Report No. 2 Re: HB No. 4157, 18<sup>th<\\/sup> Congress, 1<sup>st<\\/sup> Regular Session, (02 August 2019)<\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\" name=\\\"_ftn3\\\"><sup>[3]<\\/sup><\\/a> Section 7 of HB No. 4157, 18<sup>th<\\/sup> Congress, 1<sup>st<\\/sup> Regular Session<\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\" name=\\\"_ftn4\\\"><sup>[4]<\\/sup><\\/a> SB No. 1357, 18<sup>th<\\/sup> Congress, 2<sup>nd<\\/sup> Regular Session (26 November 2020)<\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\" name=\\\"_ftn5\\\"><sup>[5]<\\/sup><\\/a> CONST. (1987)., Art VI, Sec. 27<\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\" name=\\\"_ftn6\\\"><sup>[6]<\\/sup><\\/a> James Gallagher, Covid vaccine update: When will others be ready?, BBC NEWS, (02 December 2020), <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.bbc.com\\/news\\/health-5166549\\\">https:\\/\\/www.bbc.com\\/news\\/health-5166549<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\" name=\\\"_ftn7\\\"><sup>[7]<\\/sup><\\/a> Section 6 of SB No. 1357, 18<sup>th<\\/sup> Congress, 2<sup>nd<\\/sup> Regular Session (26 November 2020)<\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\" name=\\\"_ftn8\\\"><sup>[8]<\\/sup><\\/a> N.A., Package 2: Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises (CREATE) Act, Department of Finance, (No date), <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/taxreform.dof.gov.ph\\/tax-reform-packages\\/p2-corporate-recovery-and-tax-incentives-for-enterprises-act\\/\\\">https:\\/\\/taxreform.dof.gov.ph\\/tax-reform-packages\\/p2-corporate-recovery-and-tax-incentives-for-enterprises-act\\/<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\" name=\\\"_ftn9\\\"><sup>[9]<\\/sup><\\/a> Section 300, Chapter IV of SB No. 1357, 18<sup>th<\\/sup> Congress, 2<sup>nd<\\/sup> Regular Session (26 November 2020)<\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\" name=\\\"_ftn10\\\"><sup>[10]<\\/sup><\\/a> Section 301, Chapter IV of SB No. 1357, 18<sup>th<\\/sup> Congress, 2<sup>nd<\\/sup> Regular Session (26 November 2020)<\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\" name=\\\"_ftn11\\\"><sup>[11]<\\/sup><\\/a> N.A., Singapore GDP per capita, Trade Economics, (No Date), <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/tradingeconomics.com\\/singapore\\/gdp-per-capita\\\">https:\\/\\/tradingeconomics.com\\/singapore\\/gdp-per-capita\\u00a0<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref12\\\" name=\\\"_ftn12\\\"><sup><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">[12]<\\/span><\\/sup><\\/a><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"> N.A., Philippines GDP per capita, Trade Economics, <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/tradingeconomics.com\\/philippines\\/gdp-per-capita\\\">https:\\/\\/tradingeconomics.com\\/philippines\\/gdp-per-capita<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref13\\\" name=\\\"_ftn13\\\"><sup>[13]<\\/sup><\\/a> Jovie Marie de la Cruz, Citira, now CREATE, cuts CIT to 25%; means P259 billion in revenue loss till 2022, Business Mirror, (13 May 2020)<\\/span> <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/businessmirror.com.ph\\/2020\\/05\\/13\\/citira-now-create-cuts-cit-to-25-means-p259-billion-in-revenue-loss-till-2022\\/\\\">https:\\/\\/businessmirror.com.ph\\/2020\\/05\\/13\\/citira-now-create-cuts-cit-to-25-means-p259-billion-in-revenue-loss-till-2022\\/<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref14\\\" name=\\\"_ftn14\\\"><sup>[14]<\\/sup><\\/a> An Act Amending Sections 5, 6, 24, 25, 27, xxx, and Repealing Sections 35, 62 and 82; All under the Republic Act No. 8424, otherwise known as the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997, as amended, and for other purpose, Republic Act No. 10963, Sec. 5, (19 Dec<span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">ember 2017)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref15\\\" name=\\\"_ftn15\\\"><sup>[15]<\\/sup><\\/a> James A. Loyola, PCCI, PSE join clamor to pass CITIRA bill,\\u00a0Manila Bulletin, (09 March 2020), <a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/www.kccp.ph\\/2020\\/03\\/09\\/pcci-pse-join-clamor-to-pass-citira-bill\\/\\\">www.kccp.ph\\/2020\\/03\\/09\\/pcci-pse-join-clamor-to-pass-citira-bill\\/<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref16\\\" name=\\\"_ftn16\\\"><sup>[16]<\\/sup><\\/a> N.A., Package 2 top 10 rationales, Tax Reform Community Group, (2 March 2020), <a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/taxreform.dof.gov.ph\\/presentations-and-references\\/package-2-top-10-rationales-as-of-feb-28-2020\\/\\\">http:\\/\\/taxreform.dof.gov.ph\\/presentations-and-references\\/package-2-top-10-rationales-as-of-feb-28-2020\\/<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref17\\\" name=\\\"_ftn17\\\"><sup>[17]<\\/sup><\\/a> SB No. 1357, 18<sup>th<\\/sup> Congress, 2<sup>nd<\\/sup> Regular Session (26 November 2020)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><em>Featured Photo by <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.pexels.com\\/@pixabay?utm_content=attributionCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=pexels\\\">Pixabay<\\/a> from <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.pexels.com\\/photo\\/accounting-analytics-balance-black-and-white-209224\\/?utm_content=attributionCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=pexels\\\">Pexels<\\/a><\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(2836,1121,'_thumbnail_id','1094'),(2838,1122,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(2839,1122,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(2840,1122,'_elementor_version','3.0.14'),(2841,1122,'_wp_page_template','default'),(2842,1122,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"56f8aeb\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"3bd1ce3c\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"7a59b74b\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">By: Frans Joseph F. Incomio* <\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 <\\/span>Embattled with the continuing threats of COVID-19, the Department of Finance (DOF) with the support of various executive departments such as the Department of Public Works and Highways, Bases Conversion and Development Authority, Department of Transportation and National Economic and Development Authority and Department of Budget and Management<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref1\\\"><sup>[1]<\\/sup><\\/a>, through the Senate, has proposed a revamp of Package 2 of The Tax Reform For Acceleration And Inclusions Program (TRAIN 2) or House Bill No. 4157<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref2\\\"><sup>[2]<\\/sup><\\/a> also known as the Corporate Income Tax and Incentive Rationalization Act (CITIRA) to what is now called the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprise (CREATE). Approved on 13 September 2019 for the 3<sup>rd<\\/sup> and final reading with the House of Representatives (HOR), the CITIRA bill was filed with the Senate for interpellations this year. However, due to COVID-19, the DOF sought to change some provisions of the bill especially Section 7 of the House Bill No. 4157 (HB No. 4157)<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref3\\\"><sup>[3]<\\/sup><\\/a>. Recently, on 26 November 2020, the Senate approved for the third and final reading the newly revised CITIRA bill, now CREATE bill or Senate Bill No. 1357 (SB No. 1357)<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref4\\\"><sup>[4]<\\/sup><\\/a>. This means that once this version is adopted by HOR, only the signature of the President is required for it to become a law<a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref5\\\"><sup>[5]<\\/sup><\\/a>.<\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Now that international pharmaceutical companies are expressing their success in discovering a vaccine for COVID-19<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref6\\\"><sup>[6]<\\/sup><\\/a>, the Philippine Government has started relaxing its policy in terms of travel and operations to give both the businesses and employees a chance to recover from their losses. However, while a chance to reoperate will give businesses a chance to earn again, the income generated will never be the same as before COVID-19 struck. One of the ways to alleviate business losses and free up some capital of aching corporations is through the CREATE bill. This bill basically seeks to cut Corporate Income Tax Rate (CITR) by 5% immediately upon its passage while an even greater 10% deduction is given to those qualified corporations. This will benefit not only large corporations but also micro, small, and medium enterprise (MSMEs) as part of their capital set to pay taxes will be freed up for investments or contingency funds.<\\/p>\\n<p><strong>CITIRA vis-\\u00e0-vis CREATE<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The CITIRA bill sought to deduct 1% from current CITR from the time of its passage. It also provided for an annual drop of 1% from year 2020 to year 2029. This means that from the time the CITIRA bill is passed, the CITR will be 29%, and by year 2029, the CITR will be 20%. This differs greatly when compared to the CREATE bill, which sought for an outright drop of the CITR by 5%. In addition to this, the CREATE bill states a proviso which provides for an immediate deduction of 10% of the CITR for certain corporations, <em>i.e.,<\\/em> corporations having net taxable income not exceeding Five Million Pesos (PhP5,000,000.00) and with total assets not exceeding One Hundred Million (PhP100,000,000.00), excluding land on which the particular business entity\\u2019s office, plant, and equipment. Generally, corporations falling under this provision shall be taxed at 25% CITR while for those falling under the qualification will be taxed at 20% CITR<a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref7\\\"><sup>[7]<\\/sup><\\/a>. Evidently, the CREATE bill gives a greater drop in the CITR once passed than the CITIRA bill but such corporate tax rates are fixed. There will be no further deduction in the CITR for the following years.<\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Under the CREATE bill, the Fiscal Incentives Review Board (FIRB), is given expanded powers to create Strategic Investment Priority Plans. The FIRB can also recommend to the President the grant of appropriate non-fiscal support on highly desirable projects or specific industrial activities. Upon recommendation, the President may approve the incentives and the period within which it may be availed. Such flexibility is sought to provide a more flexible system of incentive that will adapt to the needs of the economy. In other words, the tax incentive scheme of the Philippines will not vary as incentives will be assessed on a case-to-case basis<a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref8\\\"><sup>[8]<\\/sup><\\/a><a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref9\\\"><sup>[9]<\\/sup><\\/a>.<\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Lastly, due to the clamor of various business sectors already enjoying some tax incentives, they are given an additional two (2)-year sunset period. Subject to certain qualifications, businesses that have been enjoying tax incentives for a number of years are given more time to enjoy the said tax incentive before they are subject to regular taxation. Under the CITIRA bill, the sunset period ranges from two (2) years minimum to seven (7) years maximum, while under the CREATE bill the sunset period is up to eight (8) years maximum<a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref10\\\"><sup>[10]<\\/sup><\\/a>. This means that by the time the minimum period for the sunset ends, such companies enjoying the tax incentive will be subject to a regular CITR.<\\/p>\\n<p><strong>KEEP \\u201cTRAIN 2\\u201d MOVING<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Currently, the Philippines imposes the highest CITR on corporations as compared to neighboring Association of Southeast Asian Nation (ASEAN) countries. It seems that lowering the CITR is one of the ways to boost our economy as evidenced by Singapore which only imposes a 17% CITR. Singapore boasts of a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) Per Capita of 58,829.60 USD in 2019<a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref11\\\"><sup>[11]<\\/sup><\\/a> as compared to the Philippines\\u2019 GDP per Capita which was recorded at 3,337.70 USD<a href=\\\"#_ftn12\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref12\\\"><sup>[12]<\\/sup><\\/a> only. Reducing the CITR immediately will certainly encourage international corporations to keep its operations in the Philippines and this may also result to higher investments by those international corporations seeking to set an office in the ASEAN region. The Philippines\\u2019 corporate tax rate will induce international corporations to do business in the country. This will not only result to higher income for the government, but this also means more jobs to qualified Filipinos.<\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Due to the sudden impact of COVID-19, there should be a vigorous effort on the part of the government to seek ways to help businesses recuperate and prevent them from closing permanently. The DOF reported that while the forgone revenue due to the decrease in the CITR may reach up to PHP 600 billion<a href=\\\"#_ftn13\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref13\\\"><sup>[13]<\\/sup><\\/a> by the 5<sup>th<\\/sup> year of the CREATE bill, this reduced revenue will result to revival of most MSMEs that are on the verge of closure. This means that amidst the pandemic, corporations will be able to continue to operate and provide employment. Additionally, freed up capital due to the immediate decrease in the tax rate means that MSMEs may use the capital to expand their operations or keep their business afloat.<\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Aside from giving tax incentives, the DOF reported that the Philippines grants incentives to various business for the longest time compared to other ASEAN countries. This means that the Philippines has been giving up most of its revenue from medium to large scale businesses that are qualified for the tax incentive. While said corporations are given large tax incentives, MSMEs are subjected to the 30% CITR.\\u00a0 Thus, the CREATE Bill seeks to remove the incentive given to these corporations who have been enjoying the 5% tax on their Gross Income Earned and subject them to the new CITR.\\u00a0 The DOF reported that the Philippines has foregone PHP 441 Billion due to tax incentive granted to some 3,000 companies only.<\\/p>\\n<p><strong>\\u00a0<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>TIMELINESS IS KEY <\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Upon the signing of incumbent president, Rodrigo Duterte III, of Republic Act No. 10963, the National Internal Revenue Code (NIRC) has been substantially amended especially the tax rates for individual earners<a href=\\\"#_ftn14\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref14\\\"><sup>[14]<\\/sup><\\/a>. However, due to the unexpected change in the business environment, the NIRC is again sought to be amended to keep the Philippines competitive among its neighboring nations and attractive to foreign investors. The CREATE bill seeks to provide immediate and direct impact to corporations in the country to address the losses during the past few months. It is the first-ever revenue-eroding tax reform package proposed by the DOF, but this is also the largest fiscal stimulus program in the history of the Philippines. The CREATE bill is a lifeline given to all corporations in the Philippines that will extend its effects to the working masses while simultaneously subjecting those corporations who have been enjoying tax incentives for years to the proper tax rates. This change will be the equalizer in terms of foregone revenue of the Philippines from the lower tax rate.<\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 As the threats of the pandemic persist even if businesses already started to resume operations, corporations in the Philippines still clamor for the approval of the CREATE bill.<a href=\\\"#_ftn15\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref15\\\"><sup>[15]<\\/sup><\\/a> True enough, the earlier the CREATE bill passes into law, the better room there will be for corporations to properly allocate its assets, since prompt relief is one of the rationales of TRAIN 2 from its inception<a href=\\\"#_ftn16\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref16\\\"><sup>[16]<\\/sup><\\/a>. Interestingly, SB No. 1357 contains a retroactive provision which states that once finally signed by the President and the corresponding publication has been made, the effectivity of some of CREATE bill\\u2019s provisions will retroact from 1 July 2020<a href=\\\"#_ftn17\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref17\\\"><sup>[17]<\\/sup><\\/a>. Perhaps due to this, the train may not be late after all.<\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><em>*Graduated from DLSU \\u2013 Taft with a degree in Accountancy in 2015, Frans worked as a tax consultant in one of the top accounting firms in the Philippines right after passing the CPA Boards in the same year. He is now in private practice\\u2014helping MSMEs in their accounting and tax matters.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\" name=\\\"_ftn1\\\"><sup>[1]<\\/sup><\\/a>Department of Public Works and Highways et, al., BUILD, BUILD, BUILD\\u2019 JOINT STATEMENT OF SUPPORT FOR THE CORPORATE RECOVERY AND TAX INCENTIVES FOR ENTERPRISES ACT, Tax Reform Community Group, 25 August 2020, <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/taxreform.dof.gov.ph\\/presentations-and-references\\/bbb-sos-for-create-dpwh-dotr-dbm-neda-bcda-consolidated-as-of-2-june-2020\\/\\\">https:\\/\\/taxreform.dof.gov.ph\\/presentations-and-references\\/bbb-sos-for-create-dpwh-dotr-dbm-neda-bcda-consolidated-as-of-2-june-2020\\/<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\" name=\\\"_ftn2\\\"><sup>[2]<\\/sup><\\/a> Committee Report No. 2 Re: HB No. 4157, 18<sup>th<\\/sup> Congress, 1<sup>st<\\/sup> Regular Session, (02 August 2019)<\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\" name=\\\"_ftn3\\\"><sup>[3]<\\/sup><\\/a> Section 7 of HB No. 4157, 18<sup>th<\\/sup> Congress, 1<sup>st<\\/sup> Regular Session<\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\" name=\\\"_ftn4\\\"><sup>[4]<\\/sup><\\/a> SB No. 1357, 18<sup>th<\\/sup> Congress, 2<sup>nd<\\/sup> Regular Session (26 November 2020)<\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\" name=\\\"_ftn5\\\"><sup>[5]<\\/sup><\\/a> CONST. (1987)., Art VI, Sec. 27<\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\" name=\\\"_ftn6\\\"><sup>[6]<\\/sup><\\/a> James Gallagher, Covid vaccine update: When will others be ready?, BBC NEWS, (02 December 2020), <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.bbc.com\\/news\\/health-5166549\\\">https:\\/\\/www.bbc.com\\/news\\/health-5166549<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\" name=\\\"_ftn7\\\"><sup>[7]<\\/sup><\\/a> Section 6 of SB No. 1357, 18<sup>th<\\/sup> Congress, 2<sup>nd<\\/sup> Regular Session (26 November 2020)<\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\" name=\\\"_ftn8\\\"><sup>[8]<\\/sup><\\/a> N.A., Package 2: Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises (CREATE) Act, Department of Finance, (No date), <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/taxreform.dof.gov.ph\\/tax-reform-packages\\/p2-corporate-recovery-and-tax-incentives-for-enterprises-act\\/\\\">https:\\/\\/taxreform.dof.gov.ph\\/tax-reform-packages\\/p2-corporate-recovery-and-tax-incentives-for-enterprises-act\\/<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\" name=\\\"_ftn9\\\"><sup>[9]<\\/sup><\\/a> Section 300, Chapter IV of SB No. 1357, 18<sup>th<\\/sup> Congress, 2<sup>nd<\\/sup> Regular Session (26 November 2020)<\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\" name=\\\"_ftn10\\\"><sup>[10]<\\/sup><\\/a> Section 301, Chapter IV of SB No. 1357, 18<sup>th<\\/sup> Congress, 2<sup>nd<\\/sup> Regular Session (26 November 2020)<\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\" name=\\\"_ftn11\\\"><sup>[11]<\\/sup><\\/a> N.A., Singapore GDP per capita, Trade Economics, (No Date), <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/tradingeconomics.com\\/singapore\\/gdp-per-capita\\\">https:\\/\\/tradingeconomics.com\\/singapore\\/gdp-per-capita\\u00a0<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref12\\\" name=\\\"_ftn12\\\"><sup><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">[12]<\\/span><\\/sup><\\/a><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"> N.A., Philippines GDP per capita, Trade Economics, <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/tradingeconomics.com\\/philippines\\/gdp-per-capita\\\">https:\\/\\/tradingeconomics.com\\/philippines\\/gdp-per-capita<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref13\\\" name=\\\"_ftn13\\\"><sup>[13]<\\/sup><\\/a> Jovie Marie de la Cruz, Citira, now CREATE, cuts CIT to 25%; means P259 billion in revenue loss till 2022, Business Mirror, (13 May 2020)<\\/span> <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/businessmirror.com.ph\\/2020\\/05\\/13\\/citira-now-create-cuts-cit-to-25-means-p259-billion-in-revenue-loss-till-2022\\/\\\">https:\\/\\/businessmirror.com.ph\\/2020\\/05\\/13\\/citira-now-create-cuts-cit-to-25-means-p259-billion-in-revenue-loss-till-2022\\/<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref14\\\" name=\\\"_ftn14\\\"><sup>[14]<\\/sup><\\/a> An Act Amending Sections 5, 6, 24, 25, 27, xxx, and Repealing Sections 35, 62 and 82; All under the Republic Act No. 8424, otherwise known as the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997, as amended, and for other purpose, Republic Act No. 10963, Sec. 5, (19 Dec<span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">ember 2017)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref15\\\" name=\\\"_ftn15\\\"><sup>[15]<\\/sup><\\/a> James A. Loyola, PCCI, PSE join clamor to pass CITIRA bill,\\u00a0Manila Bulletin, (09 March 2020), <a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/www.kccp.ph\\/2020\\/03\\/09\\/pcci-pse-join-clamor-to-pass-citira-bill\\/\\\">www.kccp.ph\\/2020\\/03\\/09\\/pcci-pse-join-clamor-to-pass-citira-bill\\/<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref16\\\" name=\\\"_ftn16\\\"><sup>[16]<\\/sup><\\/a> N.A., Package 2 top 10 rationales, Tax Reform Community Group, (2 March 2020), <a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/taxreform.dof.gov.ph\\/presentations-and-references\\/package-2-top-10-rationales-as-of-feb-28-2020\\/\\\">http:\\/\\/taxreform.dof.gov.ph\\/presentations-and-references\\/package-2-top-10-rationales-as-of-feb-28-2020\\/<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref17\\\" name=\\\"_ftn17\\\"><sup>[17]<\\/sup><\\/a> SB No. 1357, 18<sup>th<\\/sup> Congress, 2<sup>nd<\\/sup> Regular Session (26 November 2020)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><em>Featured Photo by <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.pexels.com\\/@pixabay?utm_content=attributionCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=pexels\\\">Pixabay<\\/a> from <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.pexels.com\\/photo\\/accounting-analytics-balance-black-and-white-209224\\/?utm_content=attributionCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=pexels\\\">Pexels<\\/a><\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(2843,1122,'_thumbnail_id','1094'),(2845,1123,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(2846,1123,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(2847,1123,'_elementor_version','3.0.14'),(2848,1123,'_wp_page_template','default'),(2849,1123,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"56f8aeb\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"3bd1ce3c\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"7a59b74b\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">By: Frans Joseph F. Incomio* <\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 <\\/span>Embattled with the continuing threats of COVID-19, the Department of Finance (DOF) with the support of various executive departments such as the Department of Public Works and Highways, Bases Conversion and Development Authority, Department of Transportation and National Economic and Development Authority and Department of Budget and Management<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref1\\\"><sup>[1]<\\/sup><\\/a>, through the Senate, has proposed a revamp of Package 2 of The Tax Reform For Acceleration And Inclusions Program (TRAIN 2) or House Bill No. 4157<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref2\\\"><sup>[2]<\\/sup><\\/a> also known as the Corporate Income Tax and Incentive Rationalization Act (CITIRA) to what is now called the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprise (CREATE). Approved on 13 September 2019 for the 3<sup>rd<\\/sup> and final reading with the House of Representatives (HOR), the CITIRA bill was filed with the Senate for interpellations this year. However, due to COVID-19, the DOF sought to change some provisions of the bill especially Section 7 of the House Bill No. 4157 (HB No. 4157)<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref3\\\"><sup>[3]<\\/sup><\\/a>. Recently, on 26 November 2020, the Senate approved for the third and final reading the newly revised CITIRA bill, now CREATE bill or Senate Bill No. 1357 (SB No. 1357)<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref4\\\"><sup>[4]<\\/sup><\\/a>. This means that once this version is adopted by HOR, only the signature of the President is required for it to become a law<a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref5\\\"><sup>[5]<\\/sup><\\/a>.<\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Now that international pharmaceutical companies are expressing their success in discovering a vaccine for COVID-19<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref6\\\"><sup>[6]<\\/sup><\\/a>, the Philippine Government has started relaxing its policy in terms of travel and operations to give both the businesses and employees a chance to recover from their losses. However, while a chance to reoperate will give businesses a chance to earn again, the income generated will never be the same as before COVID-19 struck. One of the ways to alleviate business losses and free up some capital of aching corporations is through the CREATE bill. This bill basically seeks to cut Corporate Income Tax Rate (CITR) by 5% immediately upon its passage while an even greater 10% deduction is given to those qualified corporations. This will benefit not only large corporations but also micro, small, and medium enterprise (MSMEs) as part of their capital set to pay taxes will be freed up for investments or contingency funds.<\\/p>\\n<p><strong>CITIRA vis-\\u00e0-vis CREATE<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The CITIRA bill sought to deduct 1% from current CITR from the time of its passage. It also provided for an annual drop of 1% from year 2020 to year 2029. This means that from the time the CITIRA bill is passed, the CITR will be 29%, and by year 2029, the CITR will be 20%. This differs greatly when compared to the CREATE bill, which sought for an outright drop of the CITR by 5%. In addition to this, the CREATE bill states a proviso which provides for an immediate deduction of 10% of the CITR for certain corporations, <em>i.e.,<\\/em> corporations having net taxable income not exceeding Five Million Pesos (PhP5,000,000.00) and with total assets not exceeding One Hundred Million (PhP100,000,000.00), excluding land on which the particular business entity\\u2019s office, plant, and equipment. Generally, corporations falling under this provision shall be taxed at 25% CITR while for those falling under the qualification will be taxed at 20% CITR<a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref7\\\"><sup>[7]<\\/sup><\\/a>. Evidently, the CREATE bill gives a greater drop in the CITR once passed than the CITIRA bill but such corporate tax rates are fixed. There will be no further deduction in the CITR for the following years.<\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Under the CREATE bill, the Fiscal Incentives Review Board (FIRB), is given expanded powers to create Strategic Investment Priority Plans. The FIRB can also recommend to the President the grant of appropriate non-fiscal support on highly desirable projects or specific industrial activities. Upon recommendation, the President may approve the incentives and the period within which it may be availed. Such flexibility is sought to provide a more flexible system of incentive that will adapt to the needs of the economy. In other words, the tax incentive scheme of the Philippines will not vary as incentives will be assessed on a case-to-case basis<a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref8\\\"><sup>[8]<\\/sup><\\/a><a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref9\\\"><sup>[9]<\\/sup><\\/a>.<\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Lastly, due to the clamor of various business sectors already enjoying some tax incentives, they are given an additional two (2)-year sunset period. Subject to certain qualifications, businesses that have been enjoying tax incentives for a number of years are given more time to enjoy the said tax incentive before they are subject to regular taxation. Under the CITIRA bill, the sunset period ranges from two (2) years minimum to seven (7) years maximum, while under the CREATE bill the sunset period is up to eight (8) years maximum<a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref10\\\"><sup>[10]<\\/sup><\\/a>. This means that by the time the minimum period for the sunset ends, such companies enjoying the tax incentive will be subject to a regular CITR.<\\/p>\\n<p><strong>KEEP \\u201cTRAIN 2\\u201d MOVING<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Currently, the Philippines imposes the highest CITR on corporations as compared to neighboring Association of Southeast Asian Nation (ASEAN) countries. It seems that lowering the CITR is one of the ways to boost our economy as evidenced by Singapore which only imposes a 17% CITR. Singapore boasts of a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) Per Capita of 58,829.60 USD in 2019<a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref11\\\"><sup>[11]<\\/sup><\\/a> as compared to the Philippines\\u2019 GDP per Capita which was recorded at 3,337.70 USD<a href=\\\"#_ftn12\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref12\\\"><sup>[12]<\\/sup><\\/a> only. Reducing the CITR immediately will certainly encourage international corporations to keep its operations in the Philippines and this may also result to higher investments by those international corporations seeking to set an office in the ASEAN region. The Philippines\\u2019 corporate tax rate will induce international corporations to do business in the country. This will not only result to higher income for the government, but this also means more jobs to qualified Filipinos.<\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Due to the sudden impact of COVID-19, there should be a vigorous effort on the part of the government to seek ways to help businesses recuperate and prevent them from closing permanently. The DOF reported that while the forgone revenue due to the decrease in the CITR may reach up to PHP 600 billion<a href=\\\"#_ftn13\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref13\\\"><sup>[13]<\\/sup><\\/a> by the 5<sup>th<\\/sup> year of the CREATE bill, this reduced revenue will result to revival of most MSMEs that are on the verge of closure. This means that amidst the pandemic, corporations will be able to continue to operate and provide employment. Additionally, freed up capital due to the immediate decrease in the tax rate means that MSMEs may use the capital to expand their operations or keep their business afloat.<\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Aside from giving tax incentives, the DOF reported that the Philippines grants incentives to various business for the longest time compared to other ASEAN countries. This means that the Philippines has been giving up most of its revenue from medium to large scale businesses that are qualified for the tax incentive. While said corporations are given large tax incentives, MSMEs are subjected to the 30% CITR.\\u00a0 Thus, the CREATE Bill seeks to remove the incentive given to these corporations who have been enjoying the 5% tax on their Gross Income Earned and subject them to the new CITR.\\u00a0 The DOF reported that the Philippines has foregone PHP 441 Billion due to tax incentive granted to some 3,000 companies only.<\\/p>\\n<p><strong>TIMELINESS IS KEY <\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Upon the signing of incumbent president, Rodrigo Duterte III, of Republic Act No. 10963, the National Internal Revenue Code (NIRC) has been substantially amended especially the tax rates for individual earners<a href=\\\"#_ftn14\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref14\\\"><sup>[14]<\\/sup><\\/a>. However, due to the unexpected change in the business environment, the NIRC is again sought to be amended to keep the Philippines competitive among its neighboring nations and attractive to foreign investors. The CREATE bill seeks to provide immediate and direct impact to corporations in the country to address the losses during the past few months. It is the first-ever revenue-eroding tax reform package proposed by the DOF, but this is also the largest fiscal stimulus program in the history of the Philippines. The CREATE bill is a lifeline given to all corporations in the Philippines that will extend its effects to the working masses while simultaneously subjecting those corporations who have been enjoying tax incentives for years to the proper tax rates. This change will be the equalizer in terms of foregone revenue of the Philippines from the lower tax rate.<\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 As the threats of the pandemic persist even if businesses already started to resume operations, corporations in the Philippines still clamor for the approval of the CREATE bill.<a href=\\\"#_ftn15\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref15\\\"><sup>[15]<\\/sup><\\/a> True enough, the earlier the CREATE bill passes into law, the better room there will be for corporations to properly allocate its assets, since prompt relief is one of the rationales of TRAIN 2 from its inception<a href=\\\"#_ftn16\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref16\\\"><sup>[16]<\\/sup><\\/a>. Interestingly, SB No. 1357 contains a retroactive provision which states that once finally signed by the President and the corresponding publication has been made, the effectivity of some of CREATE bill\\u2019s provisions will retroact from 1 July 2020<a href=\\\"#_ftn17\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref17\\\"><sup>[17]<\\/sup><\\/a>. Perhaps due to this, the train may not be late after all.<\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><em>*Graduated from DLSU \\u2013 Taft with a degree in Accountancy in 2015, Frans worked as a tax consultant in one of the top accounting firms in the Philippines right after passing the CPA Boards in the same year. He is now in private practice\\u2014helping MSMEs in their accounting and tax matters.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\" name=\\\"_ftn1\\\"><sup>[1]<\\/sup><\\/a>Department of Public Works and Highways et, al., BUILD, BUILD, BUILD\\u2019 JOINT STATEMENT OF SUPPORT FOR THE CORPORATE RECOVERY AND TAX INCENTIVES FOR ENTERPRISES ACT, Tax Reform Community Group, 25 August 2020, <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/taxreform.dof.gov.ph\\/presentations-and-references\\/bbb-sos-for-create-dpwh-dotr-dbm-neda-bcda-consolidated-as-of-2-june-2020\\/\\\">https:\\/\\/taxreform.dof.gov.ph\\/presentations-and-references\\/bbb-sos-for-create-dpwh-dotr-dbm-neda-bcda-consolidated-as-of-2-june-2020\\/<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\" name=\\\"_ftn2\\\"><sup>[2]<\\/sup><\\/a> Committee Report No. 2 Re: HB No. 4157, 18<sup>th<\\/sup> Congress, 1<sup>st<\\/sup> Regular Session, (02 August 2019)<\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\" name=\\\"_ftn3\\\"><sup>[3]<\\/sup><\\/a> Section 7 of HB No. 4157, 18<sup>th<\\/sup> Congress, 1<sup>st<\\/sup> Regular Session<\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\" name=\\\"_ftn4\\\"><sup>[4]<\\/sup><\\/a> SB No. 1357, 18<sup>th<\\/sup> Congress, 2<sup>nd<\\/sup> Regular Session (26 November 2020)<\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\" name=\\\"_ftn5\\\"><sup>[5]<\\/sup><\\/a> CONST. (1987)., Art VI, Sec. 27<\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\" name=\\\"_ftn6\\\"><sup>[6]<\\/sup><\\/a> James Gallagher, Covid vaccine update: When will others be ready?, BBC NEWS, (02 December 2020), <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.bbc.com\\/news\\/health-5166549\\\">https:\\/\\/www.bbc.com\\/news\\/health-5166549<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\" name=\\\"_ftn7\\\"><sup>[7]<\\/sup><\\/a> Section 6 of SB No. 1357, 18<sup>th<\\/sup> Congress, 2<sup>nd<\\/sup> Regular Session (26 November 2020)<\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\" name=\\\"_ftn8\\\"><sup>[8]<\\/sup><\\/a> N.A., Package 2: Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises (CREATE) Act, Department of Finance, (No date), <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/taxreform.dof.gov.ph\\/tax-reform-packages\\/p2-corporate-recovery-and-tax-incentives-for-enterprises-act\\/\\\">https:\\/\\/taxreform.dof.gov.ph\\/tax-reform-packages\\/p2-corporate-recovery-and-tax-incentives-for-enterprises-act\\/<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\" name=\\\"_ftn9\\\"><sup>[9]<\\/sup><\\/a> Section 300, Chapter IV of SB No. 1357, 18<sup>th<\\/sup> Congress, 2<sup>nd<\\/sup> Regular Session (26 November 2020)<\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\" name=\\\"_ftn10\\\"><sup>[10]<\\/sup><\\/a> Section 301, Chapter IV of SB No. 1357, 18<sup>th<\\/sup> Congress, 2<sup>nd<\\/sup> Regular Session (26 November 2020)<\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\" name=\\\"_ftn11\\\"><sup>[11]<\\/sup><\\/a> N.A., Singapore GDP per capita, Trade Economics, (No Date), <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/tradingeconomics.com\\/singapore\\/gdp-per-capita\\\">https:\\/\\/tradingeconomics.com\\/singapore\\/gdp-per-capita\\u00a0<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref12\\\" name=\\\"_ftn12\\\"><sup><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">[12]<\\/span><\\/sup><\\/a><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"> N.A., Philippines GDP per capita, Trade Economics, <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/tradingeconomics.com\\/philippines\\/gdp-per-capita\\\">https:\\/\\/tradingeconomics.com\\/philippines\\/gdp-per-capita<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref13\\\" name=\\\"_ftn13\\\"><sup>[13]<\\/sup><\\/a> Jovie Marie de la Cruz, Citira, now CREATE, cuts CIT to 25%; means P259 billion in revenue loss till 2022, Business Mirror, (13 May 2020)<\\/span> <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/businessmirror.com.ph\\/2020\\/05\\/13\\/citira-now-create-cuts-cit-to-25-means-p259-billion-in-revenue-loss-till-2022\\/\\\">https:\\/\\/businessmirror.com.ph\\/2020\\/05\\/13\\/citira-now-create-cuts-cit-to-25-means-p259-billion-in-revenue-loss-till-2022\\/<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref14\\\" name=\\\"_ftn14\\\"><sup>[14]<\\/sup><\\/a> An Act Amending Sections 5, 6, 24, 25, 27, xxx, and Repealing Sections 35, 62 and 82; All under the Republic Act No. 8424, otherwise known as the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997, as amended, and for other purpose, Republic Act No. 10963, Sec. 5, (19 Dec<span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">ember 2017)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref15\\\" name=\\\"_ftn15\\\"><sup>[15]<\\/sup><\\/a> James A. Loyola, PCCI, PSE join clamor to pass CITIRA bill,\\u00a0Manila Bulletin, (09 March 2020), <a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/www.kccp.ph\\/2020\\/03\\/09\\/pcci-pse-join-clamor-to-pass-citira-bill\\/\\\">www.kccp.ph\\/2020\\/03\\/09\\/pcci-pse-join-clamor-to-pass-citira-bill\\/<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref16\\\" name=\\\"_ftn16\\\"><sup>[16]<\\/sup><\\/a> N.A., Package 2 top 10 rationales, Tax Reform Community Group, (2 March 2020), <a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/taxreform.dof.gov.ph\\/presentations-and-references\\/package-2-top-10-rationales-as-of-feb-28-2020\\/\\\">http:\\/\\/taxreform.dof.gov.ph\\/presentations-and-references\\/package-2-top-10-rationales-as-of-feb-28-2020\\/<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref17\\\" name=\\\"_ftn17\\\"><sup>[17]<\\/sup><\\/a> SB No. 1357, 18<sup>th<\\/sup> Congress, 2<sup>nd<\\/sup> Regular Session (26 November 2020)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><em>Featured Photo by <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.pexels.com\\/@pixabay?utm_content=attributionCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=pexels\\\">Pixabay<\\/a> from <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.pexels.com\\/photo\\/accounting-analytics-balance-black-and-white-209224\\/?utm_content=attributionCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=pexels\\\">Pexels<\\/a><\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(2850,1123,'_thumbnail_id','1094'),(2853,1124,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(2854,1124,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(2855,1124,'_elementor_version','3.0.14'),(2856,1124,'_wp_page_template','default'),(2857,1124,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"56f8aeb\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"3bd1ce3c\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"7a59b74b\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">By: Frans Joseph F. Incomio* <\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 <\\/span>Embattled with the continuing threats of COVID-19, the Department of Finance (DOF) with the support of various executive departments such as the Department of Public Works and Highways, Bases Conversion and Development Authority, Department of Transportation and National Economic and Development Authority and Department of Budget and Management<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref1\\\"><sup>[1]<\\/sup><\\/a>, through the Senate, has proposed a revamp of Package 2 of The Tax Reform For Acceleration And Inclusions Program (TRAIN 2) or House Bill No. 4157<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref2\\\"><sup>[2]<\\/sup><\\/a> also known as the Corporate Income Tax and Incentive Rationalization Act (CITIRA) to what is now called the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprise (CREATE). Approved on 13 September 2019 for the 3<sup>rd<\\/sup> and final reading with the House of Representatives (HOR), the CITIRA bill was filed with the Senate for interpellations this year. However, due to COVID-19, the DOF sought to change some provisions of the bill especially Section 7 of the House Bill No. 4157 (HB No. 4157)<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref3\\\"><sup>[3]<\\/sup><\\/a>. Recently, on 26 November 2020, the Senate approved for the third and final reading the newly revised CITIRA bill, now CREATE bill or Senate Bill No. 1357 (SB No. 1357)<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref4\\\"><sup>[4]<\\/sup><\\/a>. This means that once this version is adopted by HOR, only the signature of the President is required for it to become a law<a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref5\\\"><sup>[5]<\\/sup><\\/a>.<\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Now that international pharmaceutical companies are expressing their success in discovering a vaccine for COVID-19<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref6\\\"><sup>[6]<\\/sup><\\/a>, the Philippine Government has started relaxing its policy in terms of travel and operations to give both the businesses and employees a chance to recover from their losses. However, while a chance to reoperate will give businesses a chance to earn again, the income generated will never be the same as before COVID-19 struck. One of the ways to alleviate business losses and free up some capital of aching corporations is through the CREATE bill. This bill basically seeks to cut Corporate Income Tax Rate (CITR) by 5% immediately upon its passage while an even greater 10% deduction is given to those qualified corporations. This will benefit not only large corporations but also micro, small, and medium enterprise (MSMEs) as part of their capital set to pay taxes will be freed up for investments or contingency funds.<\\/p>\\n<p><strong>CITIRA vis-\\u00e0-vis CREATE<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The CITIRA bill sought to deduct 1% from current CITR from the time of its passage. It also provided for an annual drop of 1% from year 2020 to year 2029. This means that from the time the CITIRA bill is passed, the CITR will be 29%, and by year 2029, the CITR will be 20%. This differs greatly when compared to the CREATE bill, which sought for an outright drop of the CITR by 5%. In addition to this, the CREATE bill states a proviso which provides for an immediate deduction of 10% of the CITR for certain corporations, <em>i.e.,<\\/em> corporations having net taxable income not exceeding Five Million Pesos (PhP5,000,000.00) and with total assets not exceeding One Hundred Million (PhP100,000,000.00), excluding land on which the particular business entity\\u2019s office, plant, and equipment. Generally, corporations falling under this provision shall be taxed at 25% CITR while for those falling under the qualification will be taxed at 20% CITR<a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref7\\\"><sup>[7]<\\/sup><\\/a>. Evidently, the CREATE bill gives a greater drop in the CITR once passed than the CITIRA bill but such corporate tax rates are fixed. There will be no further deduction in the CITR for the following years.<\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Under the CREATE bill, the Fiscal Incentives Review Board (FIRB), is given expanded powers to create Strategic Investment Priority Plans. The FIRB can also recommend to the President the grant of appropriate non-fiscal support on highly desirable projects or specific industrial activities. Upon recommendation, the President may approve the incentives and the period within which it may be availed. Such flexibility is sought to provide a more flexible system of incentive that will adapt to the needs of the economy. In other words, the tax incentive scheme of the Philippines will not vary as incentives will be assessed on a case-to-case basis<a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref8\\\"><sup>[8]<\\/sup><\\/a><a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref9\\\"><sup>[9]<\\/sup><\\/a>.<\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Lastly, due to the clamor of various business sectors already enjoying some tax incentives, they are given an additional two (2)-year sunset period. Subject to certain qualifications, businesses that have been enjoying tax incentives for a number of years are given more time to enjoy the said tax incentive before they are subject to regular taxation. Under the CITIRA bill, the sunset period ranges from two (2) years minimum to seven (7) years maximum, while under the CREATE bill the sunset period is up to eight (8) years maximum<a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref10\\\"><sup>[10]<\\/sup><\\/a>. This means that by the time the minimum period for the sunset ends, such companies enjoying the tax incentive will be subject to a regular CITR.<\\/p>\\n<p><strong>KEEP \\u201cTRAIN 2\\u201d MOVING<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Currently, the Philippines imposes the highest CITR on corporations as compared to neighboring Association of Southeast Asian Nation (ASEAN) countries. It seems that lowering the CITR is one of the ways to boost our economy as evidenced by Singapore which only imposes a 17% CITR. Singapore boasts of a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) Per Capita of 58,829.60 USD in 2019<a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref11\\\"><sup>[11]<\\/sup><\\/a> as compared to the Philippines\\u2019 GDP per Capita which was recorded at 3,337.70 USD<a href=\\\"#_ftn12\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref12\\\"><sup>[12]<\\/sup><\\/a> only. Reducing the CITR immediately will certainly encourage international corporations to keep its operations in the Philippines and this may also result to higher investments by those international corporations seeking to set an office in the ASEAN region. The Philippines\\u2019 corporate tax rate will induce international corporations to do business in the country. This will not only result to higher income for the government, but this also means more jobs to qualified Filipinos.<\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Due to the sudden impact of COVID-19, there should be a vigorous effort on the part of the government to seek ways to help businesses recuperate and prevent them from closing permanently. The DOF reported that while the forgone revenue due to the decrease in the CITR may reach up to PHP 600 billion<a href=\\\"#_ftn13\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref13\\\"><sup>[13]<\\/sup><\\/a> by the 5<sup>th<\\/sup> year of the CREATE bill, this reduced revenue will result to revival of most MSMEs that are on the verge of closure. This means that amidst the pandemic, corporations will be able to continue to operate and provide employment. Additionally, freed up capital due to the immediate decrease in the tax rate means that MSMEs may use the capital to expand their operations or keep their business afloat.<\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Aside from giving tax incentives, the DOF reported that the Philippines grants incentives to various business for the longest time compared to other ASEAN countries. This means that the Philippines has been giving up most of its revenue from medium to large scale businesses that are qualified for the tax incentive. While said corporations are given large tax incentives, MSMEs are subjected to the 30% CITR.\\u00a0 Thus, the CREATE Bill seeks to remove the incentive given to these corporations who have been enjoying the 5% tax on their Gross Income Earned and subject them to the new CITR.\\u00a0 The DOF reported that the Philippines has foregone PHP 441 Billion due to tax incentive granted to some 3,000 companies only.<\\/p>\\n<p><strong>TIMELINESS IS KEY <\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Upon the signing of incumbent president, Rodrigo Duterte III, of Republic Act No. 10963, the National Internal Revenue Code (NIRC) has been substantially amended especially the tax rates for individual earners<a href=\\\"#_ftn14\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref14\\\"><sup>[14]<\\/sup><\\/a>. However, due to the unexpected change in the business environment, the NIRC is again sought to be amended to keep the Philippines competitive among its neighboring nations and attractive to foreign investors. The CREATE bill seeks to provide immediate and direct impact to corporations in the country to address the losses during the past few months. It is the first-ever revenue-eroding tax reform package proposed by the DOF, but this is also the largest fiscal stimulus program in the history of the Philippines. The CREATE bill is a lifeline given to all corporations in the Philippines that will extend its effects to the working masses while simultaneously subjecting those corporations who have been enjoying tax incentives for years to the proper tax rates. This change will be the equalizer in terms of foregone revenue of the Philippines from the lower tax rate.<\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 As the threats of the pandemic persist even if businesses already started to resume operations, corporations in the Philippines still clamor for the approval of the CREATE bill.<a href=\\\"#_ftn15\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref15\\\"><sup>[15]<\\/sup><\\/a> True enough, the earlier the CREATE bill passes into law, the better room there will be for corporations to properly allocate its assets, since prompt relief is one of the rationales of TRAIN 2 from its inception<a href=\\\"#_ftn16\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref16\\\"><sup>[16]<\\/sup><\\/a>. Interestingly, SB No. 1357 contains a retroactive provision which states that once finally signed by the President and the corresponding publication has been made, the effectivity of some of CREATE bill\\u2019s provisions will retroact from 1 July 2020<a href=\\\"#_ftn17\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref17\\\"><sup>[17]<\\/sup><\\/a>. Perhaps due to this, the train may not be late after all.<\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><em>*Graduated from DLSU \\u2013 Taft with a degree in Accountancy in 2015, Frans worked as a tax consultant in one of the top accounting firms in the Philippines right after passing the CPA Boards in the same year. He is now in private practice\\u2014helping MSMEs in their accounting and tax matters.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\" name=\\\"_ftn1\\\"><sup>[1]<\\/sup><\\/a>Department of Public Works and Highways et, al., BUILD, BUILD, BUILD\\u2019 JOINT STATEMENT OF SUPPORT FOR THE CORPORATE RECOVERY AND TAX INCENTIVES FOR ENTERPRISES ACT, Tax Reform Community Group, 25 August 2020, <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/taxreform.dof.gov.ph\\/presentations-and-references\\/bbb-sos-for-create-dpwh-dotr-dbm-neda-bcda-consolidated-as-of-2-june-2020\\/\\\">https:\\/\\/taxreform.dof.gov.ph\\/presentations-and-references\\/bbb-sos-for-create-dpwh-dotr-dbm-neda-bcda-consolidated-as-of-2-june-2020\\/<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\" name=\\\"_ftn2\\\"><sup>[2]<\\/sup><\\/a> Committee Report No. 2 Re: HB No. 4157, 18<sup>th<\\/sup> Congress, 1<sup>st<\\/sup> Regular Session, (02 August 2019)<\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\" name=\\\"_ftn3\\\"><sup>[3]<\\/sup><\\/a> Section 7 of HB No. 4157, 18<sup>th<\\/sup> Congress, 1<sup>st<\\/sup> Regular Session<\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\" name=\\\"_ftn4\\\"><sup>[4]<\\/sup><\\/a> SB No. 1357, 18<sup>th<\\/sup> Congress, 2<sup>nd<\\/sup> Regular Session (26 November 2020)<\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\" name=\\\"_ftn5\\\"><sup>[5]<\\/sup><\\/a> CONST. (1987)., Art VI, Sec. 27<\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\" name=\\\"_ftn6\\\"><sup>[6]<\\/sup><\\/a> James Gallagher, Covid vaccine update: When will others be ready?, BBC NEWS, (02 December 2020), <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.bbc.com\\/news\\/health-5166549\\\">https:\\/\\/www.bbc.com\\/news\\/health-5166549<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\" name=\\\"_ftn7\\\"><sup>[7]<\\/sup><\\/a> Section 6 of SB No. 1357, 18<sup>th<\\/sup> Congress, 2<sup>nd<\\/sup> Regular Session (26 November 2020)<\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\" name=\\\"_ftn8\\\"><sup>[8]<\\/sup><\\/a> N.A., Package 2: Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises (CREATE) Act, Department of Finance, (No date), <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/taxreform.dof.gov.ph\\/tax-reform-packages\\/p2-corporate-recovery-and-tax-incentives-for-enterprises-act\\/\\\">https:\\/\\/taxreform.dof.gov.ph\\/tax-reform-packages\\/p2-corporate-recovery-and-tax-incentives-for-enterprises-act\\/<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\" name=\\\"_ftn9\\\"><sup>[9]<\\/sup><\\/a> Section 300, Chapter IV of SB No. 1357, 18<sup>th<\\/sup> Congress, 2<sup>nd<\\/sup> Regular Session (26 November 2020)<\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\" name=\\\"_ftn10\\\"><sup>[10]<\\/sup><\\/a> Section 301, Chapter IV of SB No. 1357, 18<sup>th<\\/sup> Congress, 2<sup>nd<\\/sup> Regular Session (26 November 2020)<\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\" name=\\\"_ftn11\\\"><sup>[11]<\\/sup><\\/a> N.A., Singapore GDP per capita, Trade Economics, (No Date), <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/tradingeconomics.com\\/singapore\\/gdp-per-capita\\\">https:\\/\\/tradingeconomics.com\\/singapore\\/gdp-per-capita\\u00a0<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref12\\\" name=\\\"_ftn12\\\"><sup><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">[12]<\\/span><\\/sup><\\/a><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"> N.A., Philippines GDP per capita, Trade Economics, <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/tradingeconomics.com\\/philippines\\/gdp-per-capita\\\">https:\\/\\/tradingeconomics.com\\/philippines\\/gdp-per-capita<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref13\\\" name=\\\"_ftn13\\\"><sup>[13]<\\/sup><\\/a> Jovie Marie de la Cruz, Citira, now CREATE, cuts CIT to 25%; means P259 billion in revenue loss till 2022, Business Mirror, (13 May 2020)<\\/span> <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/businessmirror.com.ph\\/2020\\/05\\/13\\/citira-now-create-cuts-cit-to-25-means-p259-billion-in-revenue-loss-till-2022\\/\\\">https:\\/\\/businessmirror.com.ph\\/2020\\/05\\/13\\/citira-now-create-cuts-cit-to-25-means-p259-billion-in-revenue-loss-till-2022\\/<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref14\\\" name=\\\"_ftn14\\\"><sup>[14]<\\/sup><\\/a> An Act Amending Sections 5, 6, 24, 25, 27, xxx, and Repealing Sections 35, 62 and 82; All under the Republic Act No. 8424, otherwise known as the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997, as amended, and for other purpose, Republic Act No. 10963, Sec. 5, (19 Dec<span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">ember 2017)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref15\\\" name=\\\"_ftn15\\\"><sup>[15]<\\/sup><\\/a> James A. Loyola, PCCI, PSE join clamor to pass CITIRA bill,\\u00a0Manila Bulletin, (09 March 2020), <a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/www.kccp.ph\\/2020\\/03\\/09\\/pcci-pse-join-clamor-to-pass-citira-bill\\/\\\">www.kccp.ph\\/2020\\/03\\/09\\/pcci-pse-join-clamor-to-pass-citira-bill\\/<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref16\\\" name=\\\"_ftn16\\\"><sup>[16]<\\/sup><\\/a> N.A., Package 2 top 10 rationales, Tax Reform Community Group, (2 March 2020), <a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/taxreform.dof.gov.ph\\/presentations-and-references\\/package-2-top-10-rationales-as-of-feb-28-2020\\/\\\">http:\\/\\/taxreform.dof.gov.ph\\/presentations-and-references\\/package-2-top-10-rationales-as-of-feb-28-2020\\/<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref17\\\" name=\\\"_ftn17\\\"><sup>[17]<\\/sup><\\/a> SB No. 1357, 18<sup>th<\\/sup> Congress, 2<sup>nd<\\/sup> Regular Session (26 November 2020)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><em>Featured Photo by <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.pexels.com\\/@pixabay?utm_content=attributionCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=pexels\\\">Pixabay<\\/a> from <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.pexels.com\\/photo\\/accounting-analytics-balance-black-and-white-209224\\/?utm_content=attributionCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=pexels\\\">Pexels<\\/a><\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(2858,1124,'_thumbnail_id','1094'),(2860,1125,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(2861,1125,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(2862,1125,'_elementor_version','3.0.14'),(2863,1125,'_wp_page_template','default'),(2864,1125,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"56f8aeb\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"3bd1ce3c\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"7a59b74b\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">By: Frans Joseph F. Incomio* <\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 <\\/span>Embattled with the continuing threats of COVID-19, the Department of Finance (DOF) with the support of various executive departments such as the Department of Public Works and Highways, Bases Conversion and Development Authority, Department of Transportation and National Economic and Development Authority and Department of Budget and Management<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref1\\\"><sup>[1]<\\/sup><\\/a>, through the Senate, has proposed a revamp of Package 2 of The Tax Reform For Acceleration And Inclusions Program (TRAIN 2) or House Bill No. 4157<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref2\\\"><sup>[2]<\\/sup><\\/a> also known as the Corporate Income Tax and Incentive Rationalization Act (CITIRA) to what is now called the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprise (CREATE). Approved on 13 September 2019 for the 3<sup>rd<\\/sup> and final reading with the House of Representatives (HOR), the CITIRA bill was filed with the Senate for interpellations this year. However, due to COVID-19, the DOF sought to change some provisions of the bill especially Section 7 of the House Bill No. 4157 (HB No. 4157)<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref3\\\"><sup>[3]<\\/sup><\\/a>. Recently, on 26 November 2020, the Senate approved for the third and final reading the newly revised CITIRA bill, now CREATE bill or Senate Bill No. 1357 (SB No. 1357)<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref4\\\"><sup>[4]<\\/sup><\\/a>. This means that once this version is adopted by HOR, only the signature of the President is required for it to become a law<a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref5\\\"><sup>[5]<\\/sup><\\/a>.<\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Now that international pharmaceutical companies are expressing their success in discovering a vaccine for COVID-19<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref6\\\"><sup>[6]<\\/sup><\\/a>, the Philippine Government has started relaxing its policy in terms of travel and operations to give both the businesses and employees a chance to recover from their losses. However, while a chance to reoperate will give businesses a chance to earn again, the income generated will never be the same as before COVID-19 struck. One of the ways to alleviate business losses and free up some capital of aching corporations is through the CREATE bill. This bill basically seeks to cut Corporate Income Tax Rate (CITR) by 5% immediately upon its passage while an even greater 10% deduction is given to those qualified corporations. This will benefit not only large corporations but also micro, small, and medium enterprise (MSMEs) as part of their capital set to pay taxes will be freed up for investments or contingency funds.<\\/p>\\n<p><strong>CITIRA vis-\\u00e0-vis CREATE<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The CITIRA bill sought to deduct 1% from current CITR from the time of its passage. It also provided for an annual drop of 1% from year 2020 to year 2029. This means that from the time the CITIRA bill is passed, the CITR will be 29%, and by year 2029, the CITR will be 20%. This differs greatly when compared to the CREATE bill, which sought for an outright drop of the CITR by 5%. In addition to this, the CREATE bill states a proviso which provides for an immediate deduction of 10% of the CITR for certain corporations, <em>i.e.,<\\/em> corporations having net taxable income not exceeding Five Million Pesos (PhP5,000,000.00) and with total assets not exceeding One Hundred Million (PhP100,000,000.00), excluding land on which the particular business entity\\u2019s office, plant, and equipment. Generally, corporations falling under this provision shall be taxed at 25% CITR while for those falling under the qualification will be taxed at 20% CITR<a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref7\\\"><sup>[7]<\\/sup><\\/a>. Evidently, the CREATE bill gives a greater drop in the CITR once passed than the CITIRA bill but such corporate tax rates are fixed. There will be no further deduction in the CITR for the following years.<\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Under the CREATE bill, the Fiscal Incentives Review Board (FIRB), is given expanded powers to create Strategic Investment Priority Plans. The FIRB can also recommend to the President the grant of appropriate non-fiscal support on highly desirable projects or specific industrial activities. Upon recommendation, the President may approve the incentives and the period within which it may be availed. Such flexibility is sought to provide a more flexible system of incentive that will adapt to the needs of the economy. In other words, the tax incentive scheme of the Philippines will not vary as incentives will be assessed on a case-to-case basis<a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref8\\\"><sup>[8]<\\/sup><\\/a><a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref9\\\"><sup>[9]<\\/sup><\\/a>.<\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Lastly, due to the clamor of various business sectors already enjoying some tax incentives, they are given an additional two (2)-year sunset period. Subject to certain qualifications, businesses that have been enjoying tax incentives for a number of years are given more time to enjoy the said tax incentive before they are subject to regular taxation. Under the CITIRA bill, the sunset period ranges from two (2) years minimum to seven (7) years maximum, while under the CREATE bill the sunset period is up to eight (8) years maximum<a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref10\\\"><sup>[10]<\\/sup><\\/a>. This means that by the time the minimum period for the sunset ends, such companies enjoying the tax incentive will be subject to a regular CITR.<\\/p>\\n<p><strong>KEEP \\u201cTRAIN 2\\u201d MOVING<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Currently, the Philippines imposes the highest CITR on corporations as compared to neighboring Association of Southeast Asian Nation (ASEAN) countries. It seems that lowering the CITR is one of the ways to boost our economy as evidenced by Singapore which only imposes a 17% CITR. Singapore boasts of a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) Per Capita of 58,829.60 USD in 2019<a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref11\\\"><sup>[11]<\\/sup><\\/a> as compared to the Philippines\\u2019 GDP per Capita which was recorded at 3,337.70 USD<a href=\\\"#_ftn12\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref12\\\"><sup>[12]<\\/sup><\\/a> only. Reducing the CITR immediately will certainly encourage international corporations to keep its operations in the Philippines and this may also result to higher investments by those international corporations seeking to set an office in the ASEAN region. The Philippines\\u2019 corporate tax rate will induce international corporations to do business in the country. This will not only result to higher income for the government, but this also means more jobs to qualified Filipinos.<\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Due to the sudden impact of COVID-19, there should be a vigorous effort on the part of the government to seek ways to help businesses recuperate and prevent them from closing permanently. The DOF reported that while the forgone revenue due to the decrease in the CITR may reach up to PHP 600 billion<a href=\\\"#_ftn13\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref13\\\"><sup>[13]<\\/sup><\\/a> by the 5<sup>th<\\/sup> year of the CREATE bill, this reduced revenue will result to revival of most MSMEs that are on the verge of closure. This means that amidst the pandemic, corporations will be able to continue to operate and provide employment. Additionally, freed up capital due to the immediate decrease in the tax rate means that MSMEs may use the capital to expand their operations or keep their business afloat.<\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Aside from giving tax incentives, the DOF reported that the Philippines grants incentives to various business for the longest time compared to other ASEAN countries. This means that the Philippines has been giving up most of its revenue from medium to large scale businesses that are qualified for the tax incentive. While said corporations are given large tax incentives, MSMEs are subjected to the 30% CITR.\\u00a0 Thus, the CREATE Bill seeks to remove the incentive given to these corporations who have been enjoying the 5% tax on their Gross Income Earned and subject them to the new CITR.\\u00a0 The DOF reported that the Philippines has foregone PHP 441 Billion due to tax incentive granted to some 3,000 companies only.<\\/p>\\n<p><strong>TIMELINESS IS KEY <\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Upon the signing of incumbent president, Rodrigo Duterte III, of Republic Act No. 10963, the National Internal Revenue Code (NIRC) has been substantially amended especially the tax rates for individual earners<a href=\\\"#_ftn14\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref14\\\"><sup>[14]<\\/sup><\\/a>. However, due to the unexpected change in the business environment, the NIRC is again sought to be amended to keep the Philippines competitive among its neighboring nations and attractive to foreign investors. The CREATE bill seeks to provide immediate and direct impact to corporations in the country to address the losses during the past few months. It is the first-ever revenue-eroding tax reform package proposed by the DOF, but this is also the largest fiscal stimulus program in the history of the Philippines. The CREATE bill is a lifeline given to all corporations in the Philippines that will extend its effects to the working masses while simultaneously subjecting those corporations who have been enjoying tax incentives for years to the proper tax rates. This change will be the equalizer in terms of foregone revenue of the Philippines from the lower tax rate.<\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 As the threats of the pandemic persist even if businesses already started to resume operations, corporations in the Philippines still clamor for the approval of the CREATE bill.<a href=\\\"#_ftn15\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref15\\\"><sup>[15]<\\/sup><\\/a> True enough, the earlier the CREATE bill passes into law, the better room there will be for corporations to properly allocate its assets, since prompt relief is one of the rationales of TRAIN 2 from its inception<a href=\\\"#_ftn16\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref16\\\"><sup>[16]<\\/sup><\\/a>. Interestingly, SB No. 1357 contains a retroactive provision which states that once finally signed by the President and the corresponding publication has been made, the effectivity of some of CREATE bill\\u2019s provisions will retroact from 1 July 2020<a href=\\\"#_ftn17\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref17\\\"><sup>[17]<\\/sup><\\/a>. Perhaps due to this, the train may not be late after all.<\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><em>*Graduated from DLSU \\u2013 Taft with a degree in Accountancy in 2015, Frans worked as a tax consultant in one of the top accounting firms in the Philippines right after passing the CPA Boards in the same year. He is now in private practice\\u2014helping MSMEs in their accounting and tax matters.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\" name=\\\"_ftn1\\\"><sup>[1]<\\/sup><\\/a>Department of Public Works and Highways et, al., BUILD, BUILD, BUILD\\u2019 JOINT STATEMENT OF SUPPORT FOR THE CORPORATE RECOVERY AND TAX INCENTIVES FOR ENTERPRISES ACT, Tax Reform Community Group, 25 August 2020, <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/taxreform.dof.gov.ph\\/presentations-and-references\\/bbb-sos-for-create-dpwh-dotr-dbm-neda-bcda-consolidated-as-of-2-june-2020\\/\\\">https:\\/\\/taxreform.dof.gov.ph\\/presentations-and-references\\/bbb-sos-for-create-dpwh-dotr-dbm-neda-bcda-consolidated-as-of-2-june-2020\\/<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\" name=\\\"_ftn2\\\"><sup>[2]<\\/sup><\\/a> Committee Report No. 2 Re: HB No. 4157, 18<sup>th<\\/sup> Congress, 1<sup>st<\\/sup> Regular Session, (02 August 2019)<\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\" name=\\\"_ftn3\\\"><sup>[3]<\\/sup><\\/a> Section 7 of HB No. 4157, 18<sup>th<\\/sup> Congress, 1<sup>st<\\/sup> Regular Session<\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\" name=\\\"_ftn4\\\"><sup>[4]<\\/sup><\\/a> SB No. 1357, 18<sup>th<\\/sup> Congress, 2<sup>nd<\\/sup> Regular Session (26 November 2020)<\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\" name=\\\"_ftn5\\\"><sup>[5]<\\/sup><\\/a> CONST. (1987)., Art VI, Sec. 27<\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\" name=\\\"_ftn6\\\"><sup>[6]<\\/sup><\\/a> James Gallagher, Covid vaccine update: When will others be ready?, BBC NEWS, (02 December 2020), <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.bbc.com\\/news\\/health-5166549\\\">https:\\/\\/www.bbc.com\\/news\\/health-5166549<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\" name=\\\"_ftn7\\\"><sup>[7]<\\/sup><\\/a> Section 6 of SB No. 1357, 18<sup>th<\\/sup> Congress, 2<sup>nd<\\/sup> Regular Session (26 November 2020)<\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\" name=\\\"_ftn8\\\"><sup>[8]<\\/sup><\\/a> N.A., Package 2: Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises (CREATE) Act, Department of Finance, (No date), <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/taxreform.dof.gov.ph\\/tax-reform-packages\\/p2-corporate-recovery-and-tax-incentives-for-enterprises-act\\/\\\">https:\\/\\/taxreform.dof.gov.ph\\/tax-reform-packages\\/p2-corporate-recovery-and-tax-incentives-for-enterprises-act\\/<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\" name=\\\"_ftn9\\\"><sup>[9]<\\/sup><\\/a> Section 300, Chapter IV of SB No. 1357, 18<sup>th<\\/sup> Congress, 2<sup>nd<\\/sup> Regular Session (26 November 2020)<\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\" name=\\\"_ftn10\\\"><sup>[10]<\\/sup><\\/a> Section 301, Chapter IV of SB No. 1357, 18<sup>th<\\/sup> Congress, 2<sup>nd<\\/sup> Regular Session (26 November 2020)<\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\" name=\\\"_ftn11\\\"><sup>[11]<\\/sup><\\/a> N.A., Singapore GDP per capita, Trade Economics, (No Date), <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/tradingeconomics.com\\/singapore\\/gdp-per-capita\\\">https:\\/\\/tradingeconomics.com\\/singapore\\/gdp-per-capita\\u00a0<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref12\\\" name=\\\"_ftn12\\\"><sup><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">[12]<\\/span><\\/sup><\\/a><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"> N.A., Philippines GDP per capita, Trade Economics, <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/tradingeconomics.com\\/philippines\\/gdp-per-capita\\\">https:\\/\\/tradingeconomics.com\\/philippines\\/gdp-per-capita<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref13\\\" name=\\\"_ftn13\\\"><sup>[13]<\\/sup><\\/a> Jovie Marie de la Cruz, Citira, now CREATE, cuts CIT to 25%; means P259 billion in revenue loss till 2022, Business Mirror, (13 May 2020)<\\/span> <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/businessmirror.com.ph\\/2020\\/05\\/13\\/citira-now-create-cuts-cit-to-25-means-p259-billion-in-revenue-loss-till-2022\\/\\\">https:\\/\\/businessmirror.com.ph\\/2020\\/05\\/13\\/citira-now-create-cuts-cit-to-25-means-p259-billion-in-revenue-loss-till-2022\\/<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref14\\\" name=\\\"_ftn14\\\"><sup>[14]<\\/sup><\\/a> An Act Amending Sections 5, 6, 24, 25, 27, xxx, and Repealing Sections 35, 62 and 82; All under the Republic Act No. 8424, otherwise known as the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997, as amended, and for other purpose, Republic Act No. 10963, Sec. 5, (19 Dec<span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">ember 2017)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref15\\\" name=\\\"_ftn15\\\"><sup>[15]<\\/sup><\\/a> James A. Loyola, PCCI, PSE join clamor to pass CITIRA bill,\\u00a0Manila Bulletin, (09 March 2020), <a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/www.kccp.ph\\/2020\\/03\\/09\\/pcci-pse-join-clamor-to-pass-citira-bill\\/\\\">www.kccp.ph\\/2020\\/03\\/09\\/pcci-pse-join-clamor-to-pass-citira-bill\\/<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref16\\\" name=\\\"_ftn16\\\"><sup>[16]<\\/sup><\\/a> N.A., Package 2 top 10 rationales, Tax Reform Community Group, (2 March 2020), <a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/taxreform.dof.gov.ph\\/presentations-and-references\\/package-2-top-10-rationales-as-of-feb-28-2020\\/\\\">http:\\/\\/taxreform.dof.gov.ph\\/presentations-and-references\\/package-2-top-10-rationales-as-of-feb-28-2020\\/<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref17\\\" name=\\\"_ftn17\\\"><sup>[17]<\\/sup><\\/a> SB No. 1357, 18<sup>th<\\/sup> Congress, 2<sup>nd<\\/sup> Regular Session (26 November 2020)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><em>Featured Photo by <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.pexels.com\\/@pixabay?utm_content=attributionCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=pexels\\\">Pixabay<\\/a> from <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.pexels.com\\/photo\\/accounting-analytics-balance-black-and-white-209224\\/?utm_content=attributionCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=pexels\\\">Pexels<\\/a><\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(2865,1125,'_thumbnail_id','1094'),(2867,1126,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(2868,1126,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(2869,1126,'_elementor_version','3.0.14'),(2870,1126,'_wp_page_template','default'),(2871,1126,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"56f8aeb\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"3bd1ce3c\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"7a59b74b\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">By: Frans Joseph F. Incomio* <\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 <\\/span>Embattled with the continuing threats of COVID-19, the Department of Finance (DOF) with the support of various executive departments such as the Department of Public Works and Highways, Bases Conversion and Development Authority, Department of Transportation and National Economic and Development Authority and Department of Budget and Management<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref1\\\"><sup>[1]<\\/sup><\\/a>, through the Senate, has proposed a revamp of Package 2 of The Tax Reform For Acceleration And Inclusions Program (TRAIN 2) or House Bill No. 4157<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref2\\\"><sup>[2]<\\/sup><\\/a> also known as the Corporate Income Tax and Incentive Rationalization Act (CITIRA) to what is now called the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprise (CREATE). Approved on 13 September 2019 for the 3<sup>rd<\\/sup> and final reading with the House of Representatives (HOR), the CITIRA bill was filed with the Senate for interpellations this year. However, due to COVID-19, the DOF sought to change some provisions of the bill especially Section 7 of the House Bill No. 4157 (HB No. 4157)<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref3\\\"><sup>[3]<\\/sup><\\/a>. Recently, on 26 November 2020, the Senate approved for the third and final reading the newly revised CITIRA bill, now CREATE bill or Senate Bill No. 1357 (SB No. 1357)<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref4\\\"><sup>[4]<\\/sup><\\/a>. This means that once this version is adopted by HOR, only the signature of the President is required for it to become a law<a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref5\\\"><sup>[5]<\\/sup><\\/a>.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Now that international pharmaceutical companies are expressing their success in discovering a vaccine for COVID-19<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref6\\\"><sup>[6]<\\/sup><\\/a>, the Philippine Government has started relaxing its policy in terms of travel and operations to give both the businesses and employees a chance to recover from their losses. However, while a chance to reoperate will give businesses a chance to earn again, the income generated will never be the same as before COVID-19 struck. One of the ways to alleviate business losses and free up some capital of aching corporations is through the CREATE bill. This bill basically seeks to cut Corporate Income Tax Rate (CITR) by 5% immediately upon its passage while an even greater 10% deduction is given to those qualified corporations. This will benefit not only large corporations but also micro, small, and medium enterprise (MSMEs) as part of their capital set to pay taxes will be freed up for investments or contingency funds.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><strong>CITIRA vis-\\u00e0-vis CREATE<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The CITIRA bill sought to deduct 1% from current CITR from the time of its passage. It also provided for an annual drop of 1% from year 2020 to year 2029. This means that from the time the CITIRA bill is passed, the CITR will be 29%, and by year 2029, the CITR will be 20%. This differs greatly when compared to the CREATE bill, which sought for an outright drop of the CITR by 5%. In addition to this, the CREATE bill states a proviso which provides for an immediate deduction of 10% of the CITR for certain corporations, <em>i.e.,<\\/em> corporations having net taxable income not exceeding Five Million Pesos (PhP5,000,000.00) and with total assets not exceeding One Hundred Million (PhP100,000,000.00), excluding land on which the particular business entity\\u2019s office, plant, and equipment. Generally, corporations falling under this provision shall be taxed at 25% CITR while for those falling under the qualification will be taxed at 20% CITR<a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref7\\\"><sup>[7]<\\/sup><\\/a>. Evidently, the CREATE bill gives a greater drop in the CITR once passed than the CITIRA bill but such corporate tax rates are fixed. There will be no further deduction in the CITR for the following years.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Under the CREATE bill, the Fiscal Incentives Review Board (FIRB), is given expanded powers to create Strategic Investment Priority Plans. The FIRB can also recommend to the President the grant of appropriate non-fiscal support on highly desirable projects or specific industrial activities. Upon recommendation, the President may approve the incentives and the period within which it may be availed. Such flexibility is sought to provide a more flexible system of incentive that will adapt to the needs of the economy. In other words, the tax incentive scheme of the Philippines will not vary as incentives will be assessed on a case-to-case basis<a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref8\\\"><sup>[8]<\\/sup><\\/a><a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref9\\\"><sup>[9]<\\/sup><\\/a>.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Lastly, due to the clamor of various business sectors already enjoying some tax incentives, they are given an additional two (2)-year sunset period. Subject to certain qualifications, businesses that have been enjoying tax incentives for a number of years are given more time to enjoy the said tax incentive before they are subject to regular taxation. Under the CITIRA bill, the sunset period ranges from two (2) years minimum to seven (7) years maximum, while under the CREATE bill the sunset period is up to eight (8) years maximum<a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref10\\\"><sup>[10]<\\/sup><\\/a>. This means that by the time the minimum period for the sunset ends, such companies enjoying the tax incentive will be subject to a regular CITR.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><strong>KEEP \\u201cTRAIN 2\\u201d MOVING<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Currently, the Philippines imposes the highest CITR on corporations as compared to neighboring Association of Southeast Asian Nation (ASEAN) countries. It seems that lowering the CITR is one of the ways to boost our economy as evidenced by Singapore which only imposes a 17% CITR. Singapore boasts of a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) Per Capita of 58,829.60 USD in 2019<a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref11\\\"><sup>[11]<\\/sup><\\/a> as compared to the Philippines\\u2019 GDP per Capita which was recorded at 3,337.70 USD<a href=\\\"#_ftn12\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref12\\\"><sup>[12]<\\/sup><\\/a> only. Reducing the CITR immediately will certainly encourage international corporations to keep its operations in the Philippines and this may also result to higher investments by those international corporations seeking to set an office in the ASEAN region. The Philippines\\u2019 corporate tax rate will induce international corporations to do business in the country. This will not only result to higher income for the government, but this also means more jobs to qualified Filipinos.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Due to the sudden impact of COVID-19, there should be a vigorous effort on the part of the government to seek ways to help businesses recuperate and prevent them from closing permanently. The DOF reported that while the forgone revenue due to the decrease in the CITR may reach up to PHP 600 billion<a href=\\\"#_ftn13\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref13\\\"><sup>[13]<\\/sup><\\/a> by the 5<sup>th<\\/sup> year of the CREATE bill, this reduced revenue will result to revival of most MSMEs that are on the verge of closure. This means that amidst the pandemic, corporations will be able to continue to operate and provide employment. Additionally, freed up capital due to the immediate decrease in the tax rate means that MSMEs may use the capital to expand their operations or keep their business afloat.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Aside from giving tax incentives, the DOF reported that the Philippines grants incentives to various business for the longest time compared to other ASEAN countries. This means that the Philippines has been giving up most of its revenue from medium to large scale businesses that are qualified for the tax incentive. While said corporations are given large tax incentives, MSMEs are subjected to the 30% CITR.\\u00a0 Thus, the CREATE Bill seeks to remove the incentive given to these corporations who have been enjoying the 5% tax on their Gross Income Earned and subject them to the new CITR.\\u00a0 The DOF reported that the Philippines has foregone PHP 441 Billion due to tax incentive granted to some 3,000 companies only.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><strong>TIMELINESS IS KEY <\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Upon the signing of incumbent president, Rodrigo Duterte III, of Republic Act No. 10963, the National Internal Revenue Code (NIRC) has been substantially amended especially the tax rates for individual earners<a href=\\\"#_ftn14\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref14\\\"><sup>[14]<\\/sup><\\/a>. However, due to the unexpected change in the business environment, the NIRC is again sought to be amended to keep the Philippines competitive among its neighboring nations and attractive to foreign investors. The CREATE bill seeks to provide immediate and direct impact to corporations in the country to address the losses during the past few months. It is the first-ever revenue-eroding tax reform package proposed by the DOF, but this is also the largest fiscal stimulus program in the history of the Philippines. The CREATE bill is a lifeline given to all corporations in the Philippines that will extend its effects to the working masses while simultaneously subjecting those corporations who have been enjoying tax incentives for years to the proper tax rates. This change will be the equalizer in terms of foregone revenue of the Philippines from the lower tax rate.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 As the threats of the pandemic persist even if businesses already started to resume operations, corporations in the Philippines still clamor for the approval of the CREATE bill.<a href=\\\"#_ftn15\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref15\\\"><sup>[15]<\\/sup><\\/a> True enough, the earlier the CREATE bill passes into law, the better room there will be for corporations to properly allocate its assets, since prompt relief is one of the rationales of TRAIN 2 from its inception<a href=\\\"#_ftn16\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref16\\\"><sup>[16]<\\/sup><\\/a>. Interestingly, SB No. 1357 contains a retroactive provision which states that once finally signed by the President and the corresponding publication has been made, the effectivity of some of CREATE bill\\u2019s provisions will retroact from 1 July 2020<a href=\\\"#_ftn17\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref17\\\"><sup>[17]<\\/sup><\\/a>. Perhaps due to this, the train may not be late after all.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><em>*Graduated from DLSU \\u2013 Taft with a degree in Accountancy in 2015, Frans worked as a tax consultant in one of the top accounting firms in the Philippines right after passing the CPA Boards in the same year. He is now in private practice\\u2014helping MSMEs in their accounting and tax matters.<\\/em> <\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\" name=\\\"_ftn1\\\"><sup>[1]<\\/sup><\\/a>Department of Public Works and Highways et, al., BUILD, BUILD, BUILD\\u2019 JOINT STATEMENT OF SUPPORT FOR THE CORPORATE RECOVERY AND TAX INCENTIVES FOR ENTERPRISES ACT, Tax Reform Community Group, 25 August 2020, <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/taxreform.dof.gov.ph\\/presentations-and-references\\/bbb-sos-for-create-dpwh-dotr-dbm-neda-bcda-consolidated-as-of-2-june-2020\\/\\\">https:\\/\\/taxreform.dof.gov.ph\\/presentations-and-references\\/bbb-sos-for-create-dpwh-dotr-dbm-neda-bcda-consolidated-as-of-2-june-2020\\/<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\" name=\\\"_ftn2\\\"><sup>[2]<\\/sup><\\/a> Committee Report No. 2 Re: HB No. 4157, 18<sup>th<\\/sup> Congress, 1<sup>st<\\/sup> Regular Session, (02 August 2019)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\" name=\\\"_ftn3\\\"><sup>[3]<\\/sup><\\/a> Section 7 of HB No. 4157, 18<sup>th<\\/sup> Congress, 1<sup>st<\\/sup> Regular Session<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\" name=\\\"_ftn4\\\"><sup>[4]<\\/sup><\\/a> SB No. 1357, 18<sup>th<\\/sup> Congress, 2<sup>nd<\\/sup> Regular Session (26 November 2020)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\" name=\\\"_ftn5\\\"><sup>[5]<\\/sup><\\/a> CONST. (1987)., Art VI, Sec. 27<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\" name=\\\"_ftn6\\\"><sup>[6]<\\/sup><\\/a> James Gallagher, Covid vaccine update: When will others be ready?, BBC NEWS, (02 December 2020), <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.bbc.com\\/news\\/health-5166549\\\">https:\\/\\/www.bbc.com\\/news\\/health-5166549<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\" name=\\\"_ftn7\\\"><sup>[7]<\\/sup><\\/a> Section 6 of SB No. 1357, 18<sup>th<\\/sup> Congress, 2<sup>nd<\\/sup> Regular Session (26 November 2020)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\" name=\\\"_ftn8\\\"><sup>[8]<\\/sup><\\/a> N.A., Package 2: Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises (CREATE) Act, Department of Finance, (No date), <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/taxreform.dof.gov.ph\\/tax-reform-packages\\/p2-corporate-recovery-and-tax-incentives-for-enterprises-act\\/\\\">https:\\/\\/taxreform.dof.gov.ph\\/tax-reform-packages\\/p2-corporate-recovery-and-tax-incentives-for-enterprises-act\\/<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\" name=\\\"_ftn9\\\"><sup>[9]<\\/sup><\\/a> Section 300, Chapter IV of SB No. 1357, 18<sup>th<\\/sup> Congress, 2<sup>nd<\\/sup> Regular Session (26 November 2020)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\" name=\\\"_ftn10\\\"><sup>[10]<\\/sup><\\/a> Section 301, Chapter IV of SB No. 1357, 18<sup>th<\\/sup> Congress, 2<sup>nd<\\/sup> Regular Session (26 November 2020)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\" name=\\\"_ftn11\\\"><sup>[11]<\\/sup><\\/a> N.A., Singapore GDP per capita, Trade Economics, (No Date), <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/tradingeconomics.com\\/singapore\\/gdp-per-capita\\\">https:\\/\\/tradingeconomics.com\\/singapore\\/gdp-per-capita\\u00a0<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref12\\\" name=\\\"_ftn12\\\"><sup><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">[12]<\\/span><\\/sup><\\/a><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"> N.A., Philippines GDP per capita, Trade Economics, <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/tradingeconomics.com\\/philippines\\/gdp-per-capita\\\">https:\\/\\/tradingeconomics.com\\/philippines\\/gdp-per-capita<\\/a><\\/span><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref13\\\" name=\\\"_ftn13\\\"><sup>[13]<\\/sup><\\/a> Jovie Marie de la Cruz, Citira, now CREATE, cuts CIT to 25%; means P259 billion in revenue loss till 2022, Business Mirror, (13 May 2020)<\\/span> <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/businessmirror.com.ph\\/2020\\/05\\/13\\/citira-now-create-cuts-cit-to-25-means-p259-billion-in-revenue-loss-till-2022\\/\\\">https:\\/\\/businessmirror.com.ph\\/2020\\/05\\/13\\/citira-now-create-cuts-cit-to-25-means-p259-billion-in-revenue-loss-till-2022\\/<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref14\\\" name=\\\"_ftn14\\\"><sup>[14]<\\/sup><\\/a> An Act Amending Sections 5, 6, 24, 25, 27, xxx, and Repealing Sections 35, 62 and 82; All under the Republic Act No. 8424, otherwise known as the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997, as amended, and for other purpose, Republic Act No. 10963, Sec. 5, (19 Dec<span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">ember 2017)<\\/span><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref15\\\" name=\\\"_ftn15\\\"><sup>[15]<\\/sup><\\/a> James A. Loyola, PCCI, PSE join clamor to pass CITIRA bill,\\u00a0Manila Bulletin, (09 March 2020), <a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/www.kccp.ph\\/2020\\/03\\/09\\/pcci-pse-join-clamor-to-pass-citira-bill\\/\\\">www.kccp.ph\\/2020\\/03\\/09\\/pcci-pse-join-clamor-to-pass-citira-bill\\/<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref16\\\" name=\\\"_ftn16\\\"><sup>[16]<\\/sup><\\/a> N.A., Package 2 top 10 rationales, Tax Reform Community Group, (2 March 2020), <a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/taxreform.dof.gov.ph\\/presentations-and-references\\/package-2-top-10-rationales-as-of-feb-28-2020\\/\\\">http:\\/\\/taxreform.dof.gov.ph\\/presentations-and-references\\/package-2-top-10-rationales-as-of-feb-28-2020\\/<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref17\\\" name=\\\"_ftn17\\\"><sup>[17]<\\/sup><\\/a> SB No. 1357, 18<sup>th<\\/sup> Congress, 2<sup>nd<\\/sup> Regular Session (26 November 2020)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><em>Featured Photo by <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.pexels.com\\/@pixabay?utm_content=attributionCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=pexels\\\">Pixabay<\\/a> from <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.pexels.com\\/photo\\/accounting-analytics-balance-black-and-white-209224\\/?utm_content=attributionCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=pexels\\\">Pexels<\\/a><\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(2872,1126,'_thumbnail_id','1094'),(2875,1127,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(2876,1127,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(2877,1127,'_elementor_version','3.0.14'),(2878,1127,'_wp_page_template','default'),(2879,1127,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"56f8aeb\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"3bd1ce3c\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"7a59b74b\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">By: Frans Joseph F. Incomio* <\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 <\\/span>Embattled with the continuing threats of COVID-19, the Department of Finance (DOF) with the support of various executive departments such as the Department of Public Works and Highways, Bases Conversion and Development Authority, Department of Transportation and National Economic and Development Authority and Department of Budget and Management<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref1\\\"><sup>[1]<\\/sup><\\/a>, through the Senate, has proposed a revamp of Package 2 of The Tax Reform For Acceleration And Inclusions Program (TRAIN 2) or House Bill No. 4157<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref2\\\"><sup>[2]<\\/sup><\\/a> also known as the Corporate Income Tax and Incentive Rationalization Act (CITIRA) to what is now called the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprise (CREATE). Approved on 13 September 2019 for the 3<sup>rd<\\/sup> and final reading with the House of Representatives (HOR), the CITIRA bill was filed with the Senate for interpellations this year. However, due to COVID-19, the DOF sought to change some provisions of the bill especially Section 7 of the House Bill No. 4157 (HB No. 4157)<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref3\\\"><sup>[3]<\\/sup><\\/a>. Recently, on 26 November 2020, the Senate approved for the third and final reading the newly revised CITIRA bill, now CREATE bill or Senate Bill No. 1357 (SB No. 1357)<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref4\\\"><sup>[4]<\\/sup><\\/a>. This means that once this version is adopted by HOR, only the signature of the President is required for it to become a law<a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref5\\\"><sup>[5]<\\/sup><\\/a>.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Now that international pharmaceutical companies are expressing their success in discovering a vaccine for COVID-19<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref6\\\"><sup>[6]<\\/sup><\\/a>, the Philippine Government has started relaxing its policy in terms of travel and operations to give both the businesses and employees a chance to recover from their losses. However, while a chance to reoperate will give businesses a chance to earn again, the income generated will never be the same as before COVID-19 struck. One of the ways to alleviate business losses and free up some capital of aching corporations is through the CREATE bill. This bill basically seeks to cut Corporate Income Tax Rate (CITR) by 5% immediately upon its passage while an even greater 10% deduction is given to those qualified corporations. This will benefit not only large corporations but also micro, small, and medium enterprise (MSMEs) as part of their capital set to pay taxes will be freed up for investments or contingency funds.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><strong>CITIRA vis-\\u00e0-vis CREATE<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The CITIRA bill sought to deduct 1% from current CITR from the time of its passage. It also provided for an annual drop of 1% from year 2020 to year 2029. This means that from the time the CITIRA bill is passed, the CITR will be 29%, and by year 2029, the CITR will be 20%. This differs greatly when compared to the CREATE bill, which sought for an outright drop of the CITR by 5%. In addition to this, the CREATE bill states a proviso which provides for an immediate deduction of 10% of the CITR for certain corporations, <em>i.e.,<\\/em> corporations having net taxable income not exceeding Five Million Pesos (PhP5,000,000.00) and with total assets not exceeding One Hundred Million (PhP100,000,000.00), excluding land on which the particular business entity\\u2019s office, plant, and equipment. Generally, corporations falling under this provision shall be taxed at 25% CITR while for those falling under the qualification will be taxed at 20% CITR<a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref7\\\"><sup>[7]<\\/sup><\\/a>. Evidently, the CREATE bill gives a greater drop in the CITR once passed than the CITIRA bill but such corporate tax rates are fixed. There will be no further deduction in the CITR for the following years.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Under the CREATE bill, the Fiscal Incentives Review Board (FIRB), is given expanded powers to create Strategic Investment Priority Plans. The FIRB can also recommend to the President the grant of appropriate non-fiscal support on highly desirable projects or specific industrial activities. Upon recommendation, the President may approve the incentives and the period within which it may be availed. Such flexibility is sought to provide a more flexible system of incentive that will adapt to the needs of the economy. In other words, the tax incentive scheme of the Philippines will not vary as incentives will be assessed on a case-to-case basis<a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref8\\\"><sup>[8]<\\/sup><\\/a><a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref9\\\"><sup>[9]<\\/sup><\\/a>.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Lastly, due to the clamor of various business sectors already enjoying some tax incentives, they are given an additional two (2)-year sunset period. Subject to certain qualifications, businesses that have been enjoying tax incentives for a number of years are given more time to enjoy the said tax incentive before they are subject to regular taxation. Under the CITIRA bill, the sunset period ranges from two (2) years minimum to seven (7) years maximum, while under the CREATE bill the sunset period is up to eight (8) years maximum<a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref10\\\"><sup>[10]<\\/sup><\\/a>. This means that by the time the minimum period for the sunset ends, such companies enjoying the tax incentive will be subject to a regular CITR.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><strong>KEEP \\u201cTRAIN 2\\u201d MOVING<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Currently, the Philippines imposes the highest CITR on corporations as compared to neighboring Association of Southeast Asian Nation (ASEAN) countries. It seems that lowering the CITR is one of the ways to boost our economy as evidenced by Singapore which only imposes a 17% CITR. Singapore boasts of a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) Per Capita of 58,829.60 USD in 2019<a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref11\\\"><sup>[11]<\\/sup><\\/a> as compared to the Philippines\\u2019 GDP per Capita which was recorded at 3,337.70 USD<a href=\\\"#_ftn12\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref12\\\"><sup>[12]<\\/sup><\\/a> only. Reducing the CITR immediately will certainly encourage international corporations to keep its operations in the Philippines and this may also result to higher investments by those international corporations seeking to set an office in the ASEAN region. The Philippines\\u2019 corporate tax rate will induce international corporations to do business in the country. This will not only result to higher income for the government, but this also means more jobs to qualified Filipinos.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Due to the sudden impact of COVID-19, there should be a vigorous effort on the part of the government to seek ways to help businesses recuperate and prevent them from closing permanently. The DOF reported that while the forgone revenue due to the decrease in the CITR may reach up to PHP 600 billion<a href=\\\"#_ftn13\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref13\\\"><sup>[13]<\\/sup><\\/a> by the 5<sup>th<\\/sup> year of the CREATE bill, this reduced revenue will result to revival of most MSMEs that are on the verge of closure. This means that amidst the pandemic, corporations will be able to continue to operate and provide employment. Additionally, freed up capital due to the immediate decrease in the tax rate means that MSMEs may use the capital to expand their operations or keep their business afloat.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Aside from giving tax incentives, the DOF reported that the Philippines grants incentives to various business for the longest time compared to other ASEAN countries. This means that the Philippines has been giving up most of its revenue from medium to large scale businesses that are qualified for the tax incentive. While said corporations are given large tax incentives, MSMEs are subjected to the 30% CITR.\\u00a0 Thus, the CREATE Bill seeks to remove the incentive given to these corporations who have been enjoying the 5% tax on their Gross Income Earned and subject them to the new CITR.\\u00a0 The DOF reported that the Philippines has foregone PHP 441 Billion due to tax incentive granted to some 3,000 companies only.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><strong>TIMELINESS IS KEY <\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Upon the signing of incumbent president, Rodrigo Duterte III, of Republic Act No. 10963, the National Internal Revenue Code (NIRC) has been substantially amended especially the tax rates for individual earners<a href=\\\"#_ftn14\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref14\\\"><sup>[14]<\\/sup><\\/a>. However, due to the unexpected change in the business environment, the NIRC is again sought to be amended to keep the Philippines competitive among its neighboring nations and attractive to foreign investors. The CREATE bill seeks to provide immediate and direct impact to corporations in the country to address the losses during the past few months. It is the first-ever revenue-eroding tax reform package proposed by the DOF, but this is also the largest fiscal stimulus program in the history of the Philippines. The CREATE bill is a lifeline given to all corporations in the Philippines that will extend its effects to the working masses while simultaneously subjecting those corporations who have been enjoying tax incentives for years to the proper tax rates. This change will be the equalizer in terms of foregone revenue of the Philippines from the lower tax rate.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 As the threats of the pandemic persist even if businesses already started to resume operations, corporations in the Philippines still clamor for the approval of the CREATE bill.<a href=\\\"#_ftn15\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref15\\\"><sup>[15]<\\/sup><\\/a> True enough, the earlier the CREATE bill passes into law, the better room there will be for corporations to properly allocate its assets, since prompt relief is one of the rationales of TRAIN 2 from its inception<a href=\\\"#_ftn16\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref16\\\"><sup>[16]<\\/sup><\\/a>. Interestingly, SB No. 1357 contains a retroactive provision which states that once finally signed by the President and the corresponding publication has been made, the effectivity of some of CREATE bill\\u2019s provisions will retroact from 1 July 2020<a href=\\\"#_ftn17\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref17\\\"><sup>[17]<\\/sup><\\/a>. Perhaps due to this, the train may not be late after all.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><em>*Graduated from DLSU \\u2013 Taft with a degree in Accountancy in 2015, Frans worked as a tax consultant in one of the top accounting firms in the Philippines right after passing the CPA Boards in the same year. He is now in private practice\\u2014helping MSMEs in their accounting and tax matters.<\\/em> <\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\" name=\\\"_ftn1\\\"><sup>[1]<\\/sup><\\/a>Department of Public Works and Highways et, al., BUILD, BUILD, BUILD\\u2019 JOINT STATEMENT OF SUPPORT FOR THE CORPORATE RECOVERY AND TAX INCENTIVES FOR ENTERPRISES ACT, Tax Reform Community Group, 25 August 2020, <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/taxreform.dof.gov.ph\\/presentations-and-references\\/bbb-sos-for-create-dpwh-dotr-dbm-neda-bcda-consolidated-as-of-2-june-2020\\/\\\">https:\\/\\/taxreform.dof.gov.ph\\/presentations-and-references\\/bbb-sos-for-create-dpwh-dotr-dbm-neda-bcda-consolidated-as-of-2-june-2020\\/<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\" name=\\\"_ftn2\\\"><sup>[2]<\\/sup><\\/a> Committee Report No. 2 Re: HB No. 4157, 18<sup>th<\\/sup> Congress, 1<sup>st<\\/sup> Regular Session, (02 August 2019)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\" name=\\\"_ftn3\\\"><sup>[3]<\\/sup><\\/a> Section 7 of HB No. 4157, 18<sup>th<\\/sup> Congress, 1<sup>st<\\/sup> Regular Session<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\" name=\\\"_ftn4\\\"><sup>[4]<\\/sup><\\/a> SB No. 1357, 18<sup>th<\\/sup> Congress, 2<sup>nd<\\/sup> Regular Session (26 November 2020)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\" name=\\\"_ftn5\\\"><sup>[5]<\\/sup><\\/a> CONST. (1987)., Art VI, Sec. 27<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\" name=\\\"_ftn6\\\"><sup>[6]<\\/sup><\\/a> James Gallagher, Covid vaccine update: When will others be ready?, BBC NEWS, (02 December 2020), <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.bbc.com\\/news\\/health-5166549\\\">https:\\/\\/www.bbc.com\\/news\\/health-5166549<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\" name=\\\"_ftn7\\\"><sup>[7]<\\/sup><\\/a> Section 6 of SB No. 1357, 18<sup>th<\\/sup> Congress, 2<sup>nd<\\/sup> Regular Session (26 November 2020)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\" name=\\\"_ftn8\\\"><sup>[8]<\\/sup><\\/a> N.A., Package 2: Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises (CREATE) Act, Department of Finance, (No date), <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/taxreform.dof.gov.ph\\/tax-reform-packages\\/p2-corporate-recovery-and-tax-incentives-for-enterprises-act\\/\\\">https:\\/\\/taxreform.dof.gov.ph\\/tax-reform-packages\\/p2-corporate-recovery-and-tax-incentives-for-enterprises-act\\/<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\" name=\\\"_ftn9\\\"><sup>[9]<\\/sup><\\/a> Section 300, Chapter IV of SB No. 1357, 18<sup>th<\\/sup> Congress, 2<sup>nd<\\/sup> Regular Session (26 November 2020)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\" name=\\\"_ftn10\\\"><sup>[10]<\\/sup><\\/a> Section 301, Chapter IV of SB No. 1357, 18<sup>th<\\/sup> Congress, 2<sup>nd<\\/sup> Regular Session (26 November 2020)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\" name=\\\"_ftn11\\\"><sup>[11]<\\/sup><\\/a> N.A., Singapore GDP per capita, Trade Economics, (No Date), <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/tradingeconomics.com\\/singapore\\/gdp-per-capita\\\">https:\\/\\/tradingeconomics.com\\/singapore\\/gdp-per-capita\\u00a0<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref12\\\" name=\\\"_ftn12\\\"><sup><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">[12]<\\/span><\\/sup><\\/a><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"> N.A., Philippines GDP per capita, Trade Economics, <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/tradingeconomics.com\\/philippines\\/gdp-per-capita\\\">https:\\/\\/tradingeconomics.com\\/philippines\\/gdp-per-capita<\\/a><\\/span><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref13\\\" name=\\\"_ftn13\\\"><sup>[13]<\\/sup><\\/a> Jovie Marie de la Cruz, Citira, now CREATE, cuts CIT to 25%; means P259 billion in revenue loss till 2022, Business Mirror, (13 May 2020)<\\/span> <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/businessmirror.com.ph\\/2020\\/05\\/13\\/citira-now-create-cuts-cit-to-25-means-p259-billion-in-revenue-loss-till-2022\\/\\\">https:\\/\\/businessmirror.com.ph\\/2020\\/05\\/13\\/citira-now-create-cuts-cit-to-25-means-p259-billion-in-revenue-loss-till-2022\\/<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref14\\\" name=\\\"_ftn14\\\"><sup>[14]<\\/sup><\\/a> An Act Amending Sections 5, 6, 24, 25, 27, xxx, and Repealing Sections 35, 62 and 82; All under the Republic Act No. 8424, otherwise known as the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997, as amended, and for other purpose, Republic Act No. 10963, Sec. 5, (19 Dec<span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">ember 2017)<\\/span><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref15\\\" name=\\\"_ftn15\\\"><sup>[15]<\\/sup><\\/a> James A. Loyola, PCCI, PSE join clamor to pass CITIRA bill,\\u00a0Manila Bulletin, (09 March 2020), <a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/www.kccp.ph\\/2020\\/03\\/09\\/pcci-pse-join-clamor-to-pass-citira-bill\\/\\\">www.kccp.ph\\/2020\\/03\\/09\\/pcci-pse-join-clamor-to-pass-citira-bill\\/<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref16\\\" name=\\\"_ftn16\\\"><sup>[16]<\\/sup><\\/a> N.A., Package 2 top 10 rationales, Tax Reform Community Group, (2 March 2020), <a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/taxreform.dof.gov.ph\\/presentations-and-references\\/package-2-top-10-rationales-as-of-feb-28-2020\\/\\\">http:\\/\\/taxreform.dof.gov.ph\\/presentations-and-references\\/package-2-top-10-rationales-as-of-feb-28-2020\\/<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref17\\\" name=\\\"_ftn17\\\"><sup>[17]<\\/sup><\\/a> SB No. 1357, 18<sup>th<\\/sup> Congress, 2<sup>nd<\\/sup> Regular Session (26 November 2020)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><em>Featured Photo by <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.pexels.com\\/@pixabay?utm_content=attributionCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=pexels\\\">Pixabay<\\/a> from <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.pexels.com\\/photo\\/accounting-analytics-balance-black-and-white-209224\\/?utm_content=attributionCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=pexels\\\">Pexels<\\/a><\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(2880,1127,'_thumbnail_id','1094'),(2882,1128,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(2883,1128,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(2884,1128,'_elementor_version','3.0.14'),(2885,1128,'_wp_page_template','default'),(2886,1128,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"56f8aeb\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"3bd1ce3c\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"7a59b74b\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">By: Frans Joseph F. Incomio* <\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 <\\/span>Embattled with the continuing threats of COVID-19, the Department of Finance (DOF) with the support of various executive departments such as the Department of Public Works and Highways, Bases Conversion and Development Authority, Department of Transportation and National Economic and Development Authority and Department of Budget and Management<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref1\\\"><sup>[1]<\\/sup><\\/a>, through the Senate, has proposed a revamp of Package 2 of The Tax Reform For Acceleration And Inclusions Program (TRAIN 2) or House Bill No. 4157<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref2\\\"><sup>[2]<\\/sup><\\/a> also known as the Corporate Income Tax and Incentive Rationalization Act (CITIRA) to what is now called the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprise (CREATE). Approved on 13 September 2019 for the 3<sup>rd<\\/sup> and final reading with the House of Representatives (HOR), the CITIRA bill was filed with the Senate for interpellations this year. However, due to COVID-19, the DOF sought to change some provisions of the bill especially Section 7 of the House Bill No. 4157 (HB No. 4157)<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref3\\\"><sup>[3]<\\/sup><\\/a>. Recently, on 26 November 2020, the Senate approved for the third and final reading the newly revised CITIRA bill, now CREATE bill or Senate Bill No. 1357 (SB No. 1357)<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref4\\\"><sup>[4]<\\/sup><\\/a>. This means that once this version is adopted by HOR, only the signature of the President is required for it to become a law<a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref5\\\"><sup>[5]<\\/sup><\\/a>.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Now that international pharmaceutical companies are expressing their success in discovering a vaccine for COVID-19<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref6\\\"><sup>[6]<\\/sup><\\/a>, the Philippine Government has started relaxing its policy in terms of travel and operations to give both the businesses and employees a chance to recover from their losses. However, while a chance to reoperate will give businesses a chance to earn again, the income generated will never be the same as before COVID-19 struck. One of the ways to alleviate business losses and free up some capital of aching corporations is through the CREATE bill. This bill basically seeks to cut Corporate Income Tax Rate (CITR) by 5% immediately upon its passage while an even greater 10% deduction is given to those qualified corporations. This will benefit not only large corporations but also micro, small, and medium enterprise (MSMEs) as part of their capital set to pay taxes will be freed up for investments or contingency funds.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><strong>CITIRA vis-\\u00e0-vis CREATE<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The CITIRA bill sought to deduct 1% from current CITR from the time of its passage. It also provided for an annual drop of 1% from year 2020 to year 2029. This means that from the time the CITIRA bill is passed, the CITR will be 29%, and by year 2029, the CITR will be 20%. This differs greatly when compared to the CREATE bill, which sought for an outright drop of the CITR by 5%. In addition to this, the CREATE bill states a proviso which provides for an immediate deduction of 10% of the CITR for certain corporations, <em>i.e.,<\\/em> corporations having net taxable income not exceeding Five Million Pesos (PhP5,000,000.00) and with total assets not exceeding One Hundred Million (PhP100,000,000.00), excluding land on which the particular business entity\\u2019s office, plant, and equipment. Generally, corporations falling under this provision shall be taxed at 25% CITR while for those falling under the qualification will be taxed at 20% CITR<a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref7\\\"><sup>[7]<\\/sup><\\/a>. Evidently, the CREATE bill gives a greater drop in the CITR once passed than the CITIRA bill but such corporate tax rates are fixed. There will be no further deduction in the CITR for the following years.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Under the CREATE bill, the Fiscal Incentives Review Board (FIRB), is given expanded powers to create Strategic Investment Priority Plans. The FIRB can also recommend to the President the grant of appropriate non-fiscal support on highly desirable projects or specific industrial activities. Upon recommendation, the President may approve the incentives and the period within which it may be availed. Such flexibility is sought to provide a more flexible system of incentive that will adapt to the needs of the economy. In other words, the tax incentive scheme of the Philippines will not vary as incentives will be assessed on a case-to-case basis<a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref8\\\"><sup>[8]<\\/sup><\\/a><a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref9\\\"><sup>[9]<\\/sup><\\/a>.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Lastly, due to the clamor of various business sectors already enjoying some tax incentives, they are given an additional two (2)-year sunset period. Subject to certain qualifications, businesses that have been enjoying tax incentives for a number of years are given more time to enjoy the said tax incentive before they are subject to regular taxation. Under the CITIRA bill, the sunset period ranges from two (2) years minimum to seven (7) years maximum, while under the CREATE bill the sunset period is up to eight (8) years maximum<a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref10\\\"><sup>[10]<\\/sup><\\/a>. This means that by the time the minimum period for the sunset ends, such companies enjoying the tax incentive will be subject to a regular CITR.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><strong>KEEP \\u201cTRAIN 2\\u201d MOVING<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Currently, the Philippines imposes the highest CITR on corporations as compared to neighboring Association of Southeast Asian Nation (ASEAN) countries. It seems that lowering the CITR is one of the ways to boost our economy as evidenced by Singapore which only imposes a 17% CITR. Singapore boasts of a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) Per Capita of 58,829.60 USD in 2019<a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref11\\\"><sup>[11]<\\/sup><\\/a> as compared to the Philippines\\u2019 GDP per Capita which was recorded at 3,337.70 USD<a href=\\\"#_ftn12\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref12\\\"><sup>[12]<\\/sup><\\/a> only. Reducing the CITR immediately will certainly encourage international corporations to keep its operations in the Philippines and this may also result to higher investments by those international corporations seeking to set an office in the ASEAN region. The Philippines\\u2019 corporate tax rate will induce international corporations to do business in the country. This will not only result to higher income for the government, but this also means more jobs to qualified Filipinos.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Due to the sudden impact of COVID-19, there should be a vigorous effort on the part of the government to seek ways to help businesses recuperate and prevent them from closing permanently. The DOF reported that while the forgone revenue due to the decrease in the CITR may reach up to PHP 600 billion<a href=\\\"#_ftn13\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref13\\\"><sup>[13]<\\/sup><\\/a> by the 5<sup>th<\\/sup> year of the CREATE bill, this reduced revenue will result to revival of most MSMEs that are on the verge of closure. This means that amidst the pandemic, corporations will be able to continue to operate and provide employment. Additionally, freed up capital due to the immediate decrease in the tax rate means that MSMEs may use the capital to expand their operations or keep their business afloat.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Aside from giving tax incentives, the DOF reported that the Philippines grants incentives to various business for the longest time compared to other ASEAN countries. This means that the Philippines has been giving up most of its revenue from medium to large scale businesses that are qualified for the tax incentive. While said corporations are given large tax incentives, MSMEs are subjected to the 30% CITR.\\u00a0 Thus, the CREATE Bill seeks to remove the incentive given to these corporations who have been enjoying the 5% tax on their Gross Income Earned and subject them to the new CITR.\\u00a0 The DOF reported that the Philippines has foregone PHP 441 Billion due to tax incentive granted to some 3,000 companies only.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><strong>TIMELINESS IS KEY <\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Upon the signing of incumbent president, Rodrigo Duterte III, of Republic Act No. 10963, the National Internal Revenue Code (NIRC) has been substantially amended especially the tax rates for individual earners<a href=\\\"#_ftn14\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref14\\\"><sup>[14]<\\/sup><\\/a>. However, due to the unexpected change in the business environment, the NIRC is again sought to be amended to keep the Philippines competitive among its neighboring nations and attractive to foreign investors. The CREATE bill seeks to provide immediate and direct impact to corporations in the country to address the losses during the past few months. It is the first-ever revenue-eroding tax reform package proposed by the DOF, but this is also the largest fiscal stimulus program in the history of the Philippines. The CREATE bill is a lifeline given to all corporations in the Philippines that will extend its effects to the working masses while simultaneously subjecting those corporations who have been enjoying tax incentives for years to the proper tax rates. This change will be the equalizer in terms of foregone revenue of the Philippines from the lower tax rate.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 As the threats of the pandemic persist even if businesses already started to resume operations, corporations in the Philippines still clamor for the approval of the CREATE bill.<a href=\\\"#_ftn15\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref15\\\"><sup>[15]<\\/sup><\\/a> True enough, the earlier the CREATE bill passes into law, the better room there will be for corporations to properly allocate its assets, since prompt relief is one of the rationales of TRAIN 2 from its inception<a href=\\\"#_ftn16\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref16\\\"><sup>[16]<\\/sup><\\/a>. Interestingly, SB No. 1357 contains a retroactive provision which states that once finally signed by the President and the corresponding publication has been made, the effectivity of some of CREATE bill\\u2019s provisions will retroact from 1 July 2020<a href=\\\"#_ftn17\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref17\\\"><sup>[17]<\\/sup><\\/a>. Perhaps due to this, the train may not be late after all.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><em>*Graduated from DLSU \\u2013 Taft with a degree in Accountancy in 2015, Frans worked as a tax consultant in one of the top accounting firms in the Philippines right after passing the CPA Boards in the same year. He is now in private practice\\u2014helping MSMEs in their accounting and tax matters.<\\/em> <\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\" name=\\\"_ftn1\\\"><sup>[1]<\\/sup><\\/a>Department of Public Works and Highways et, al., BUILD, BUILD, BUILD\\u2019 JOINT STATEMENT OF SUPPORT FOR THE CORPORATE RECOVERY AND TAX INCENTIVES FOR ENTERPRISES ACT, Tax Reform Community Group, 25 August 2020, <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/taxreform.dof.gov.ph\\/presentations-and-references\\/bbb-sos-for-create-dpwh-dotr-dbm-neda-bcda-consolidated-as-of-2-june-2020\\/\\\">https:\\/\\/taxreform.dof.gov.ph\\/presentations-and-references\\/bbb-sos-for-create-dpwh-dotr-dbm-neda-bcda-consolidated-as-of-2-june-2020\\/<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\" name=\\\"_ftn2\\\"><sup>[2]<\\/sup><\\/a> Committee Report No. 2 Re: HB No. 4157, 18<sup>th<\\/sup> Congress, 1<sup>st<\\/sup> Regular Session, (02 August 2019)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\" name=\\\"_ftn3\\\"><sup>[3]<\\/sup><\\/a> Section 7 of HB No. 4157, 18<sup>th<\\/sup> Congress, 1<sup>st<\\/sup> Regular Session<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\" name=\\\"_ftn4\\\"><sup>[4]<\\/sup><\\/a> SB No. 1357, 18<sup>th<\\/sup> Congress, 2<sup>nd<\\/sup> Regular Session (26 November 2020)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\" name=\\\"_ftn5\\\"><sup>[5]<\\/sup><\\/a> CONST. (1987)., Art VI, Sec. 27<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\" name=\\\"_ftn6\\\"><sup>[6]<\\/sup><\\/a> James Gallagher, Covid vaccine update: When will others be ready?, BBC NEWS, (02 December 2020), <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.bbc.com\\/news\\/health-5166549\\\">https:\\/\\/www.bbc.com\\/news\\/health-5166549<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\" name=\\\"_ftn7\\\"><sup>[7]<\\/sup><\\/a> Section 6 of SB No. 1357, 18<sup>th<\\/sup> Congress, 2<sup>nd<\\/sup> Regular Session (26 November 2020)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\" name=\\\"_ftn8\\\"><sup>[8]<\\/sup><\\/a> N.A., Package 2: Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises (CREATE) Act, Department of Finance, (No date), <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/taxreform.dof.gov.ph\\/tax-reform-packages\\/p2-corporate-recovery-and-tax-incentives-for-enterprises-act\\/\\\">https:\\/\\/taxreform.dof.gov.ph\\/tax-reform-packages\\/p2-corporate-recovery-and-tax-incentives-for-enterprises-act\\/<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\" name=\\\"_ftn9\\\"><sup>[9]<\\/sup><\\/a> Section 300, Chapter IV of SB No. 1357, 18<sup>th<\\/sup> Congress, 2<sup>nd<\\/sup> Regular Session (26 November 2020)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\" name=\\\"_ftn10\\\"><sup>[10]<\\/sup><\\/a> Section 301, Chapter IV of SB No. 1357, 18<sup>th<\\/sup> Congress, 2<sup>nd<\\/sup> Regular Session (26 November 2020)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\" name=\\\"_ftn11\\\"><sup>[11]<\\/sup><\\/a> N.A., Singapore GDP per capita, Trade Economics, (No Date), <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/tradingeconomics.com\\/singapore\\/gdp-per-capita\\\">https:\\/\\/tradingeconomics.com\\/singapore\\/gdp-per-capita\\u00a0<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref12\\\" name=\\\"_ftn12\\\"><sup><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">[12]<\\/span><\\/sup><\\/a><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"> N.A., Philippines GDP per capita, Trade Economics, <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/tradingeconomics.com\\/philippines\\/gdp-per-capita\\\">https:\\/\\/tradingeconomics.com\\/philippines\\/gdp-per-capita<\\/a><\\/span><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref13\\\" name=\\\"_ftn13\\\"><sup>[13]<\\/sup><\\/a> Jovie Marie de la Cruz, Citira, now CREATE, cuts CIT to 25%; means P259 billion in revenue loss till 2022, Business Mirror, (13 May 2020)<\\/span> <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/businessmirror.com.ph\\/2020\\/05\\/13\\/citira-now-create-cuts-cit-to-25-means-p259-billion-in-revenue-loss-till-2022\\/\\\">https:\\/\\/businessmirror.com.ph\\/2020\\/05\\/13\\/citira-now-create-cuts-cit-to-25-means-p259-billion-in-revenue-loss-till-2022\\/<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref14\\\" name=\\\"_ftn14\\\"><sup>[14]<\\/sup><\\/a> An Act Amending Sections 5, 6, 24, 25, 27, xxx, and Repealing Sections 35, 62 and 82; All under the Republic Act No. 8424, otherwise known as the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997, as amended, and for other purpose, Republic Act No. 10963, Sec. 5, (19 Dec<span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">ember 2017)<\\/span><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref15\\\" name=\\\"_ftn15\\\"><sup>[15]<\\/sup><\\/a> James A. Loyola, PCCI, PSE join clamor to pass CITIRA bill,\\u00a0Manila Bulletin, (09 March 2020), <a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/www.kccp.ph\\/2020\\/03\\/09\\/pcci-pse-join-clamor-to-pass-citira-bill\\/\\\">www.kccp.ph\\/2020\\/03\\/09\\/pcci-pse-join-clamor-to-pass-citira-bill\\/<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref16\\\" name=\\\"_ftn16\\\"><sup>[16]<\\/sup><\\/a> N.A., Package 2 top 10 rationales, Tax Reform Community Group, (2 March 2020), <a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/taxreform.dof.gov.ph\\/presentations-and-references\\/package-2-top-10-rationales-as-of-feb-28-2020\\/\\\">http:\\/\\/taxreform.dof.gov.ph\\/presentations-and-references\\/package-2-top-10-rationales-as-of-feb-28-2020\\/<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref17\\\" name=\\\"_ftn17\\\"><sup>[17]<\\/sup><\\/a> SB No. 1357, 18<sup>th<\\/sup> Congress, 2<sup>nd<\\/sup> Regular Session (26 November 2020)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><em>Featured Photo by <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.pexels.com\\/@pixabay?utm_content=attributionCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=pexels\\\">Pixabay<\\/a> from <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.pexels.com\\/photo\\/accounting-analytics-balance-black-and-white-209224\\/?utm_content=attributionCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=pexels\\\">Pexels<\\/a><\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(2887,1128,'_thumbnail_id','1094'),(2889,1129,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(2890,1129,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(2891,1129,'_elementor_version','3.0.14'),(2892,1129,'_wp_page_template','default'),(2893,1129,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"56f8aeb\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"3bd1ce3c\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"7a59b74b\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">By: Frans Joseph F. Incomio* <\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 <\\/span>Embattled with the continuing threats of COVID-19, the Department of Finance (DOF) with the support of various executive departments such as the Department of Public Works and Highways, Bases Conversion and Development Authority, Department of Transportation and National Economic and Development Authority and Department of Budget and Management<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref1\\\"><sup>[1]<\\/sup><\\/a>, through the Senate, has proposed a revamp of Package 2 of The Tax Reform For Acceleration And Inclusions Program (TRAIN 2) or House Bill No. 4157<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref2\\\"><sup>[2]<\\/sup><\\/a> also known as the Corporate Income Tax and Incentive Rationalization Act (CITIRA) to what is now called the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprise (CREATE). Approved on 13 September 2019 for the 3<sup>rd<\\/sup> and final reading with the House of Representatives (HOR), the CITIRA bill was filed with the Senate for interpellations this year. However, due to COVID-19, the DOF sought to change some provisions of the bill especially Section 7 of the House Bill No. 4157 (HB No. 4157)<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref3\\\"><sup>[3]<\\/sup><\\/a>. Recently, on 26 November 2020, the Senate approved for the third and final reading the newly revised CITIRA bill, now CREATE bill or Senate Bill No. 1357 (SB No. 1357)<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref4\\\"><sup>[4]<\\/sup><\\/a>. This means that once this version is adopted by HOR, only the signature of the President is required for it to become a law<a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref5\\\"><sup>[5]<\\/sup><\\/a>.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Now that international pharmaceutical companies are expressing their success in discovering a vaccine for COVID-19<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref6\\\"><sup>[6]<\\/sup><\\/a>, the Philippine Government has started relaxing its policy in terms of travel and operations to give both the businesses and employees a chance to recover from their losses. However, while a chance to reoperate will give businesses a chance to earn again, the income generated will never be the same as before COVID-19 struck. One of the ways to alleviate business losses and free up some capital of aching corporations is through the CREATE bill. This bill basically seeks to cut Corporate Income Tax Rate (CITR) by 5% immediately upon its passage while an even greater 10% deduction is given to those qualified corporations. This will benefit not only large corporations but also micro, small, and medium enterprise (MSMEs) as part of their capital set to pay taxes will be freed up for investments or contingency funds.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><strong>CITIRA vis-\\u00e0-vis CREATE<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The CITIRA bill sought to deduct 1% from current CITR from the time of its passage. It also provided for an annual drop of 1% from year 2020 to year 2029. This means that from the time the CITIRA bill is passed, the CITR will be 29%, and by year 2029, the CITR will be 20%. This differs greatly when compared to the CREATE bill, which sought for an outright drop of the CITR by 5%. In addition to this, the CREATE bill states a proviso which provides for an immediate deduction of 10% of the CITR for certain corporations, <em>i.e.,<\\/em> corporations having net taxable income not exceeding Five Million Pesos (PhP5,000,000.00) and with total assets not exceeding One Hundred Million (PhP100,000,000.00), excluding land on which the particular business entity\\u2019s office, plant, and equipment. Generally, corporations falling under this provision shall be taxed at 25% CITR while for those falling under the qualification will be taxed at 20% CITR<a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref7\\\"><sup>[7]<\\/sup><\\/a>. Evidently, the CREATE bill gives a greater drop in the CITR once passed than the CITIRA bill but such corporate tax rates are fixed. There will be no further deduction in the CITR for the following years.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Under the CREATE bill, the Fiscal Incentives Review Board (FIRB), is given expanded powers to create Strategic Investment Priority Plans. The FIRB can also recommend to the President the grant of appropriate non-fiscal support on highly desirable projects or specific industrial activities. Upon recommendation, the President may approve the incentives and the period within which it may be availed. Such flexibility is sought to provide a more flexible system of incentive that will adapt to the needs of the economy. In other words, the tax incentive scheme of the Philippines will not vary as incentives will be assessed on a case-to-case basis<a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref8\\\"><sup>[8]<\\/sup><\\/a><a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref9\\\"><sup>[9]<\\/sup><\\/a>.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Lastly, due to the clamor of various business sectors already enjoying some tax incentives, they are given an additional two (2)-year sunset period. Subject to certain qualifications, businesses that have been enjoying tax incentives for a number of years are given more time to enjoy the said tax incentive before they are subject to regular taxation. Under the CITIRA bill, the sunset period ranges from two (2) years minimum to seven (7) years maximum, while under the CREATE bill the sunset period is up to eight (8) years maximum<a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref10\\\"><sup>[10]<\\/sup><\\/a>. This means that by the time the minimum period for the sunset ends, such companies enjoying the tax incentive will be subject to a regular CITR.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><strong>KEEP \\u201cTRAIN 2\\u201d MOVING<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Currently, the Philippines imposes the highest CITR on corporations as compared to neighboring Association of Southeast Asian Nation (ASEAN) countries. It seems that lowering the CITR is one of the ways to boost our economy as evidenced by Singapore which only imposes a 17% CITR. Singapore boasts of a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) Per Capita of 58,829.60 USD in 2019<a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref11\\\"><sup>[11]<\\/sup><\\/a> as compared to the Philippines\\u2019 GDP per Capita which was recorded at 3,337.70 USD<a href=\\\"#_ftn12\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref12\\\"><sup>[12]<\\/sup><\\/a> only. Reducing the CITR immediately will certainly encourage international corporations to keep its operations in the Philippines and this may also result to higher investments by those international corporations seeking to set an office in the ASEAN region. The Philippines\\u2019 corporate tax rate will induce international corporations to do business in the country. This will not only result to higher income for the government, but this also means more jobs to qualified Filipinos.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Due to the sudden impact of COVID-19, there should be a vigorous effort on the part of the government to seek ways to help businesses recuperate and prevent them from closing permanently. The DOF reported that while the forgone revenue due to the decrease in the CITR may reach up to PHP 600 billion<a href=\\\"#_ftn13\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref13\\\"><sup>[13]<\\/sup><\\/a> by the 5<sup>th<\\/sup> year of the CREATE bill, this reduced revenue will result to revival of most MSMEs that are on the verge of closure. This means that amidst the pandemic, corporations will be able to continue to operate and provide employment. Additionally, freed up capital due to the immediate decrease in the tax rate means that MSMEs may use the capital to expand their operations or keep their business afloat.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Aside from giving tax incentives, the DOF reported that the Philippines grants incentives to various business for the longest time compared to other ASEAN countries. This means that the Philippines has been giving up most of its revenue from medium to large scale businesses that are qualified for the tax incentive. While said corporations are given large tax incentives, MSMEs are subjected to the 30% CITR.\\u00a0 Thus, the CREATE Bill seeks to remove the incentive given to these corporations who have been enjoying the 5% tax on their Gross Income Earned and subject them to the new CITR.\\u00a0 The DOF reported that the Philippines has foregone PHP 441 Billion due to tax incentive granted to some 3,000 companies only.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><strong>TIMELINESS IS KEY <\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Upon the signing of incumbent president, Rodrigo Duterte III, of Republic Act No. 10963, the National Internal Revenue Code (NIRC) has been substantially amended especially the tax rates for individual earners<a href=\\\"#_ftn14\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref14\\\"><sup>[14]<\\/sup><\\/a>. However, due to the unexpected change in the business environment, the NIRC is again sought to be amended to keep the Philippines competitive among its neighboring nations and attractive to foreign investors. The CREATE bill seeks to provide immediate and direct impact to corporations in the country to address the losses during the past few months. It is the first-ever revenue-eroding tax reform package proposed by the DOF, but this is also the largest fiscal stimulus program in the history of the Philippines. The CREATE bill is a lifeline given to all corporations in the Philippines that will extend its effects to the working masses while simultaneously subjecting those corporations who have been enjoying tax incentives for years to the proper tax rates. This change will be the equalizer in terms of foregone revenue of the Philippines from the lower tax rate.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 As the threats of the pandemic persist even if businesses already started to resume operations, corporations in the Philippines still clamor for the approval of the CREATE bill.<a href=\\\"#_ftn15\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref15\\\"><sup>[15]<\\/sup><\\/a> True enough, the earlier the CREATE bill passes into law, the better room there will be for corporations to properly allocate its assets, since prompt relief is one of the rationales of TRAIN 2 from its inception<a href=\\\"#_ftn16\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref16\\\"><sup>[16]<\\/sup><\\/a>. Interestingly, SB No. 1357 contains a retroactive provision which states that once finally signed by the President and the corresponding publication has been made, the effectivity of some of CREATE bill\\u2019s provisions will retroact from 1 July 2020<a href=\\\"#_ftn17\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref17\\\"><sup>[17]<\\/sup><\\/a>. Perhaps due to this, the train may not be late after all.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><em>*Graduated from DLSU \\u2013 Taft with a degree in Accountancy in 2015, Frans worked as a tax consultant in one of the top accounting firms in the Philippines right after passing the CPA Boards in the same year. He is now in private practice\\u2014helping MSMEs in their accounting and tax matters.<\\/em> <\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\" name=\\\"_ftn1\\\"><sup>[1]<\\/sup><\\/a>Department of Public Works and Highways et, al., BUILD, BUILD, BUILD\\u2019 JOINT STATEMENT OF SUPPORT FOR THE CORPORATE RECOVERY AND TAX INCENTIVES FOR ENTERPRISES ACT, Tax Reform Community Group, 25 August 2020, <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/taxreform.dof.gov.ph\\/presentations-and-references\\/bbb-sos-for-create-dpwh-dotr-dbm-neda-bcda-consolidated-as-of-2-june-2020\\/\\\">https:\\/\\/taxreform.dof.gov.ph\\/presentations-and-references\\/bbb-sos-for-create-dpwh-dotr-dbm-neda-bcda-consolidated-as-of-2-june-2020\\/<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\" name=\\\"_ftn2\\\"><sup>[2]<\\/sup><\\/a> Committee Report No. 2 Re: HB No. 4157, 18<sup>th<\\/sup> Congress, 1<sup>st<\\/sup> Regular Session, (02 August 2019)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\" name=\\\"_ftn3\\\"><sup>[3]<\\/sup><\\/a> Section 7 of HB No. 4157, 18<sup>th<\\/sup> Congress, 1<sup>st<\\/sup> Regular Session<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\" name=\\\"_ftn4\\\"><sup>[4]<\\/sup><\\/a> SB No. 1357, 18<sup>th<\\/sup> Congress, 2<sup>nd<\\/sup> Regular Session (26 November 2020)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\" name=\\\"_ftn5\\\"><sup>[5]<\\/sup><\\/a> CONST. (1987)., Art VI, Sec. 27<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\" name=\\\"_ftn6\\\"><sup>[6]<\\/sup><\\/a> James Gallagher, Covid vaccine update: When will others be ready?, BBC NEWS, (02 December 2020), <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.bbc.com\\/news\\/health-5166549\\\">https:\\/\\/www.bbc.com\\/news\\/health-5166549<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\" name=\\\"_ftn7\\\"><sup>[7]<\\/sup><\\/a> Section 6 of SB No. 1357, 18<sup>th<\\/sup> Congress, 2<sup>nd<\\/sup> Regular Session (26 November 2020)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\" name=\\\"_ftn8\\\"><sup>[8]<\\/sup><\\/a> N.A., Package 2: Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises (CREATE) Act, Department of Finance, (No date), <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/taxreform.dof.gov.ph\\/tax-reform-packages\\/p2-corporate-recovery-and-tax-incentives-for-enterprises-act\\/\\\">https:\\/\\/taxreform.dof.gov.ph\\/tax-reform-packages\\/p2-corporate-recovery-and-tax-incentives-for-enterprises-act\\/<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\" name=\\\"_ftn9\\\"><sup>[9]<\\/sup><\\/a> Section 300, Chapter IV of SB No. 1357, 18<sup>th<\\/sup> Congress, 2<sup>nd<\\/sup> Regular Session (26 November 2020)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\" name=\\\"_ftn10\\\"><sup>[10]<\\/sup><\\/a> Section 301, Chapter IV of SB No. 1357, 18<sup>th<\\/sup> Congress, 2<sup>nd<\\/sup> Regular Session (26 November 2020)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\" name=\\\"_ftn11\\\"><sup>[11]<\\/sup><\\/a> N.A., Singapore GDP per capita, Trade Economics, (No Date), <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/tradingeconomics.com\\/singapore\\/gdp-per-capita\\\">https:\\/\\/tradingeconomics.com\\/singapore\\/gdp-per-capita\\u00a0<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref12\\\" name=\\\"_ftn12\\\"><sup><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">[12]<\\/span><\\/sup><\\/a><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"> N.A., Philippines GDP per capita, Trade Economics, <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/tradingeconomics.com\\/philippines\\/gdp-per-capita\\\">https:\\/\\/tradingeconomics.com\\/philippines\\/gdp-per-capita<\\/a><\\/span><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref13\\\" name=\\\"_ftn13\\\"><sup>[13]<\\/sup><\\/a> Jovie Marie de la Cruz, Citira, now CREATE, cuts CIT to 25%; means P259 billion in revenue loss till 2022, Business Mirror, (13 May 2020)<\\/span> <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/businessmirror.com.ph\\/2020\\/05\\/13\\/citira-now-create-cuts-cit-to-25-means-p259-billion-in-revenue-loss-till-2022\\/\\\">https:\\/\\/businessmirror.com.ph\\/2020\\/05\\/13\\/citira-now-create-cuts-cit-to-25-means-p259-billion-in-revenue-loss-till-2022\\/<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref14\\\" name=\\\"_ftn14\\\"><sup>[14]<\\/sup><\\/a> An Act Amending Sections 5, 6, 24, 25, 27, xxx, and Repealing Sections 35, 62 and 82; All under the Republic Act No. 8424, otherwise known as the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997, as amended, and for other purpose, Republic Act No. 10963, Sec. 5, (19 Dec<span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">ember 2017)<\\/span><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref15\\\" name=\\\"_ftn15\\\"><sup>[15]<\\/sup><\\/a> James A. Loyola, PCCI, PSE join clamor to pass CITIRA bill,\\u00a0Manila Bulletin, (09 March 2020), <a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/www.kccp.ph\\/2020\\/03\\/09\\/pcci-pse-join-clamor-to-pass-citira-bill\\/\\\">www.kccp.ph\\/2020\\/03\\/09\\/pcci-pse-join-clamor-to-pass-citira-bill\\/<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref16\\\" name=\\\"_ftn16\\\"><sup>[16]<\\/sup><\\/a> N.A., Package 2 top 10 rationales, Tax Reform Community Group, (2 March 2020), <a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/taxreform.dof.gov.ph\\/presentations-and-references\\/package-2-top-10-rationales-as-of-feb-28-2020\\/\\\">http:\\/\\/taxreform.dof.gov.ph\\/presentations-and-references\\/package-2-top-10-rationales-as-of-feb-28-2020\\/<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref17\\\" name=\\\"_ftn17\\\"><sup>[17]<\\/sup><\\/a> SB No. 1357, 18<sup>th<\\/sup> Congress, 2<sup>nd<\\/sup> Regular Session (26 November 2020)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0<em>Featured Photo by <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.pexels.com\\/@pixabay?utm_content=attributionCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=pexels\\\">Pixabay<\\/a> from <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.pexels.com\\/photo\\/accounting-analytics-balance-black-and-white-209224\\/?utm_content=attributionCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=pexels\\\">Pexels<\\/a><\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(2894,1129,'_thumbnail_id','1094'),(2898,1093,'_elementor_controls_usage','a:3:{s:11:\"text-editor\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:1;s:8:\"controls\";a:2:{s:7:\"content\";a:1:{s:14:\"section_editor\";a:1:{s:6:\"editor\";i:1;}}s:5:\"style\";a:1:{s:13:\"section_style\";a:2:{s:21:\"typography_typography\";i:1;s:22:\"typography_line_height\";i:1;}}}}s:6:\"column\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:0;s:8:\"controls\";a:0:{}}s:7:\"section\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:0;s:8:\"controls\";a:0:{}}}'),(2899,1130,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(2900,1130,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(2901,1130,'_elementor_version','3.0.14'),(2902,1130,'_wp_page_template','default'),(2903,1130,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"56f8aeb\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"3bd1ce3c\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"7a59b74b\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">By: Frans Joseph F. Incomio* <\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 <\\/span>Embattled with the continuing threats of COVID-19, the Department of Finance (DOF) with the support of various executive departments such as the Department of Public Works and Highways, Bases Conversion and Development Authority, Department of Transportation and National Economic and Development Authority and Department of Budget and Management<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref1\\\"><sup>[1]<\\/sup><\\/a>, through the Senate, has proposed a revamp of Package 2 of The Tax Reform For Acceleration And Inclusions Program (TRAIN 2) or House Bill No. 4157<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref2\\\"><sup>[2]<\\/sup><\\/a> also known as the Corporate Income Tax and Incentive Rationalization Act (CITIRA) to what is now called the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprise (CREATE). Approved on 13 September 2019 for the 3<sup>rd<\\/sup> and final reading with the House of Representatives (HOR), the CITIRA bill was filed with the Senate for interpellations this year. However, due to COVID-19, the DOF sought to change some provisions of the bill especially Section 7 of the House Bill No. 4157 (HB No. 4157)<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref3\\\"><sup>[3]<\\/sup><\\/a>. Recently, on 26 November 2020, the Senate approved for the third and final reading the newly revised CITIRA bill, now CREATE bill or Senate Bill No. 1357 (SB No. 1357)<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref4\\\"><sup>[4]<\\/sup><\\/a>. This means that once this version is adopted by HOR, only the signature of the President is required for it to become a law<a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref5\\\"><sup>[5]<\\/sup><\\/a>.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Now that international pharmaceutical companies are expressing their success in discovering a vaccine for COVID-19<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref6\\\"><sup>[6]<\\/sup><\\/a>, the Philippine Government has started relaxing its policy in terms of travel and operations to give both the businesses and employees a chance to recover from their losses. However, while a chance to reoperate will give businesses a chance to earn again, the income generated will never be the same as before COVID-19 struck. One of the ways to alleviate business losses and free up some capital of aching corporations is through the CREATE bill. This bill basically seeks to cut Corporate Income Tax Rate (CITR) by 5% immediately upon its passage while an even greater 10% deduction is given to those qualified corporations. This will benefit not only large corporations but also micro, small, and medium enterprise (MSMEs) as part of their capital set to pay taxes will be freed up for investments or contingency funds.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><strong>CITIRA vis-\\u00e0-vis CREATE<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The CITIRA bill sought to deduct 1% from current CITR from the time of its passage. It also provided for an annual drop of 1% from year 2020 to year 2029. This means that from the time the CITIRA bill is passed, the CITR will be 29%, and by year 2029, the CITR will be 20%. This differs greatly when compared to the CREATE bill, which sought for an outright drop of the CITR by 5%. In addition to this, the CREATE bill states a proviso which provides for an immediate deduction of 10% of the CITR for certain corporations, <em>i.e.,<\\/em> corporations having net taxable income not exceeding Five Million Pesos (PhP5,000,000.00) and with total assets not exceeding One Hundred Million (PhP100,000,000.00), excluding land on which the particular business entity\\u2019s office, plant, and equipment. Generally, corporations falling under this provision shall be taxed at 25% CITR while for those falling under the qualification will be taxed at 20% CITR<a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref7\\\"><sup>[7]<\\/sup><\\/a>. Evidently, the CREATE bill gives a greater drop in the CITR once passed than the CITIRA bill but such corporate tax rates are fixed. There will be no further deduction in the CITR for the following years.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Under the CREATE bill, the Fiscal Incentives Review Board (FIRB), is given expanded powers to create Strategic Investment Priority Plans. The FIRB can also recommend to the President the grant of appropriate non-fiscal support on highly desirable projects or specific industrial activities. Upon recommendation, the President may approve the incentives and the period within which it may be availed. Such flexibility is sought to provide a more flexible system of incentive that will adapt to the needs of the economy. In other words, the tax incentive scheme of the Philippines will not vary as incentives will be assessed on a case-to-case basis<a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref8\\\"><sup>[8]<\\/sup><\\/a><a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref9\\\"><sup>[9]<\\/sup><\\/a>.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Lastly, due to the clamor of various business sectors already enjoying some tax incentives, they are given an additional two (2)-year sunset period. Subject to certain qualifications, businesses that have been enjoying tax incentives for a number of years are given more time to enjoy the said tax incentive before they are subject to regular taxation. Under the CITIRA bill, the sunset period ranges from two (2) years minimum to seven (7) years maximum, while under the CREATE bill the sunset period is up to eight (8) years maximum<a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref10\\\"><sup>[10]<\\/sup><\\/a>. This means that by the time the minimum period for the sunset ends, such companies enjoying the tax incentive will be subject to a regular CITR.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><strong>KEEP \\u201cTRAIN 2\\u201d MOVING<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Currently, the Philippines imposes the highest CITR on corporations as compared to neighboring Association of Southeast Asian Nation (ASEAN) countries. It seems that lowering the CITR is one of the ways to boost our economy as evidenced by Singapore which only imposes a 17% CITR. Singapore boasts of a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) Per Capita of 58,829.60 USD in 2019<a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref11\\\"><sup>[11]<\\/sup><\\/a> as compared to the Philippines\\u2019 GDP per Capita which was recorded at 3,337.70 USD<a href=\\\"#_ftn12\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref12\\\"><sup>[12]<\\/sup><\\/a> only. Reducing the CITR immediately will certainly encourage international corporations to keep its operations in the Philippines and this may also result to higher investments by those international corporations seeking to set an office in the ASEAN region. The Philippines\\u2019 corporate tax rate will induce international corporations to do business in the country. This will not only result to higher income for the government, but this also means more jobs to qualified Filipinos.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Due to the sudden impact of COVID-19, there should be a vigorous effort on the part of the government to seek ways to help businesses recuperate and prevent them from closing permanently. The DOF reported that while the forgone revenue due to the decrease in the CITR may reach up to PHP 600 billion<a href=\\\"#_ftn13\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref13\\\"><sup>[13]<\\/sup><\\/a> by the 5<sup>th<\\/sup> year of the CREATE bill, this reduced revenue will result to revival of most MSMEs that are on the verge of closure. This means that amidst the pandemic, corporations will be able to continue to operate and provide employment. Additionally, freed up capital due to the immediate decrease in the tax rate means that MSMEs may use the capital to expand their operations or keep their business afloat.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Aside from giving tax incentives, the DOF reported that the Philippines grants incentives to various business for the longest time compared to other ASEAN countries. This means that the Philippines has been giving up most of its revenue from medium to large scale businesses that are qualified for the tax incentive. While said corporations are given large tax incentives, MSMEs are subjected to the 30% CITR.\\u00a0 Thus, the CREATE Bill seeks to remove the incentive given to these corporations who have been enjoying the 5% tax on their Gross Income Earned and subject them to the new CITR.\\u00a0 The DOF reported that the Philippines has foregone PHP 441 Billion due to tax incentive granted to some 3,000 companies only.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><strong>TIMELINESS IS KEY <\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Upon the signing of incumbent president, Rodrigo Duterte III, of Republic Act No. 10963, the National Internal Revenue Code (NIRC) has been substantially amended especially the tax rates for individual earners<a href=\\\"#_ftn14\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref14\\\"><sup>[14]<\\/sup><\\/a>. However, due to the unexpected change in the business environment, the NIRC is again sought to be amended to keep the Philippines competitive among its neighboring nations and attractive to foreign investors. The CREATE bill seeks to provide immediate and direct impact to corporations in the country to address the losses during the past few months. It is the first-ever revenue-eroding tax reform package proposed by the DOF, but this is also the largest fiscal stimulus program in the history of the Philippines. The CREATE bill is a lifeline given to all corporations in the Philippines that will extend its effects to the working masses while simultaneously subjecting those corporations who have been enjoying tax incentives for years to the proper tax rates. This change will be the equalizer in terms of foregone revenue of the Philippines from the lower tax rate.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 As the threats of the pandemic persist even if businesses already started to resume operations, corporations in the Philippines still clamor for the approval of the CREATE bill.<a href=\\\"#_ftn15\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref15\\\"><sup>[15]<\\/sup><\\/a> True enough, the earlier the CREATE bill passes into law, the better room there will be for corporations to properly allocate its assets, since prompt relief is one of the rationales of TRAIN 2 from its inception<a href=\\\"#_ftn16\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref16\\\"><sup>[16]<\\/sup><\\/a>. Interestingly, SB No. 1357 contains a retroactive provision which states that once finally signed by the President and the corresponding publication has been made, the effectivity of some of CREATE bill\\u2019s provisions will retroact from 1 July 2020<a href=\\\"#_ftn17\\\" name=\\\"_ftnref17\\\"><sup>[17]<\\/sup><\\/a>. Perhaps due to this, the train may not be late after all.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><em>*Graduated from DLSU \\u2013 Taft with a degree in Accountancy in 2015, Frans worked as a tax consultant in one of the top accounting firms in the Philippines right after passing the CPA Boards in the same year. He is now in private practice\\u2014helping MSMEs in their accounting and tax matters.<\\/em> <\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\" name=\\\"_ftn1\\\"><sup>[1]<\\/sup><\\/a>Department of Public Works and Highways et, al., BUILD, BUILD, BUILD\\u2019 JOINT STATEMENT OF SUPPORT FOR THE CORPORATE RECOVERY AND TAX INCENTIVES FOR ENTERPRISES ACT, Tax Reform Community Group, 25 August 2020, <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/taxreform.dof.gov.ph\\/presentations-and-references\\/bbb-sos-for-create-dpwh-dotr-dbm-neda-bcda-consolidated-as-of-2-june-2020\\/\\\">https:\\/\\/taxreform.dof.gov.ph\\/presentations-and-references\\/bbb-sos-for-create-dpwh-dotr-dbm-neda-bcda-consolidated-as-of-2-june-2020\\/<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\" name=\\\"_ftn2\\\"><sup>[2]<\\/sup><\\/a> Committee Report No. 2 Re: HB No. 4157, 18<sup>th<\\/sup> Congress, 1<sup>st<\\/sup> Regular Session, (02 August 2019)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\" name=\\\"_ftn3\\\"><sup>[3]<\\/sup><\\/a> Section 7 of HB No. 4157, 18<sup>th<\\/sup> Congress, 1<sup>st<\\/sup> Regular Session<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\" name=\\\"_ftn4\\\"><sup>[4]<\\/sup><\\/a> SB No. 1357, 18<sup>th<\\/sup> Congress, 2<sup>nd<\\/sup> Regular Session (26 November 2020)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\" name=\\\"_ftn5\\\"><sup>[5]<\\/sup><\\/a> CONST. (1987)., Art VI, Sec. 27<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\" name=\\\"_ftn6\\\"><sup>[6]<\\/sup><\\/a> James Gallagher, Covid vaccine update: When will others be ready?, BBC NEWS, (02 December 2020), <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.bbc.com\\/news\\/health-5166549\\\">https:\\/\\/www.bbc.com\\/news\\/health-5166549<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\" name=\\\"_ftn7\\\"><sup>[7]<\\/sup><\\/a> Section 6 of SB No. 1357, 18<sup>th<\\/sup> Congress, 2<sup>nd<\\/sup> Regular Session (26 November 2020)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\" name=\\\"_ftn8\\\"><sup>[8]<\\/sup><\\/a> N.A., Package 2: Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises (CREATE) Act, Department of Finance, (No date), <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/taxreform.dof.gov.ph\\/tax-reform-packages\\/p2-corporate-recovery-and-tax-incentives-for-enterprises-act\\/\\\">https:\\/\\/taxreform.dof.gov.ph\\/tax-reform-packages\\/p2-corporate-recovery-and-tax-incentives-for-enterprises-act\\/<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\" name=\\\"_ftn9\\\"><sup>[9]<\\/sup><\\/a> Section 300, Chapter IV of SB No. 1357, 18<sup>th<\\/sup> Congress, 2<sup>nd<\\/sup> Regular Session (26 November 2020)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\" name=\\\"_ftn10\\\"><sup>[10]<\\/sup><\\/a> Section 301, Chapter IV of SB No. 1357, 18<sup>th<\\/sup> Congress, 2<sup>nd<\\/sup> Regular Session (26 November 2020)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\" name=\\\"_ftn11\\\"><sup>[11]<\\/sup><\\/a> N.A., Singapore GDP per capita, Trade Economics, (No Date), <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/tradingeconomics.com\\/singapore\\/gdp-per-capita\\\">https:\\/\\/tradingeconomics.com\\/singapore\\/gdp-per-capita\\u00a0<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref12\\\" name=\\\"_ftn12\\\"><sup><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">[12]<\\/span><\\/sup><\\/a><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"> N.A., Philippines GDP per capita, Trade Economics, <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/tradingeconomics.com\\/philippines\\/gdp-per-capita\\\">https:\\/\\/tradingeconomics.com\\/philippines\\/gdp-per-capita<\\/a><\\/span><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref13\\\" name=\\\"_ftn13\\\"><sup>[13]<\\/sup><\\/a> Jovie Marie de la Cruz, Citira, now CREATE, cuts CIT to 25%; means P259 billion in revenue loss till 2022, Business Mirror, (13 May 2020)<\\/span> <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/businessmirror.com.ph\\/2020\\/05\\/13\\/citira-now-create-cuts-cit-to-25-means-p259-billion-in-revenue-loss-till-2022\\/\\\">https:\\/\\/businessmirror.com.ph\\/2020\\/05\\/13\\/citira-now-create-cuts-cit-to-25-means-p259-billion-in-revenue-loss-till-2022\\/<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref14\\\" name=\\\"_ftn14\\\"><sup>[14]<\\/sup><\\/a> An Act Amending Sections 5, 6, 24, 25, 27, xxx, and Repealing Sections 35, 62 and 82; All under the Republic Act No. 8424, otherwise known as the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997, as amended, and for other purpose, Republic Act No. 10963, Sec. 5, (19 Dec<span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">ember 2017)<\\/span><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref15\\\" name=\\\"_ftn15\\\"><sup>[15]<\\/sup><\\/a> James A. Loyola, PCCI, PSE join clamor to pass CITIRA bill,\\u00a0Manila Bulletin, (09 March 2020), <a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/www.kccp.ph\\/2020\\/03\\/09\\/pcci-pse-join-clamor-to-pass-citira-bill\\/\\\">www.kccp.ph\\/2020\\/03\\/09\\/pcci-pse-join-clamor-to-pass-citira-bill\\/<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref16\\\" name=\\\"_ftn16\\\"><sup>[16]<\\/sup><\\/a> N.A., Package 2 top 10 rationales, Tax Reform Community Group, (2 March 2020), <a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/taxreform.dof.gov.ph\\/presentations-and-references\\/package-2-top-10-rationales-as-of-feb-28-2020\\/\\\">http:\\/\\/taxreform.dof.gov.ph\\/presentations-and-references\\/package-2-top-10-rationales-as-of-feb-28-2020\\/<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref17\\\" name=\\\"_ftn17\\\"><sup>[17]<\\/sup><\\/a> SB No. 1357, 18<sup>th<\\/sup> Congress, 2<sup>nd<\\/sup> Regular Session (26 November 2020)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt; font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\">\\u00a0<em>Featured Photo by <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.pexels.com\\/@pixabay?utm_content=attributionCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=pexels\\\">Pixabay<\\/a> from <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.pexels.com\\/photo\\/accounting-analytics-balance-black-and-white-209224\\/?utm_content=attributionCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=pexels\\\">Pexels<\\/a><\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(2904,1130,'_thumbnail_id','1094'),(2906,1130,'_elementor_controls_usage','a:3:{s:11:\"text-editor\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:1;s:8:\"controls\";a:2:{s:7:\"content\";a:1:{s:14:\"section_editor\";a:1:{s:6:\"editor\";i:1;}}s:5:\"style\";a:1:{s:13:\"section_style\";a:2:{s:21:\"typography_typography\";i:1;s:22:\"typography_line_height\";i:1;}}}}s:6:\"column\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:0;s:8:\"controls\";a:0:{}}s:7:\"section\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:0;s:8:\"controls\";a:0:{}}}'),(2907,1131,'_thumbnail_id','987'),(2908,1131,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(2909,1131,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(2910,1131,'_elementor_version','3.0.11'),(2911,1131,'_wp_page_template','default'),(2912,1131,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"63b378c1\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"2393363e\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"4407d46f\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0 \\u00a0 \\u00a0 On April 2019, the Safe Spaces or \\u201c<em>Bawal Bastos<\\/em>\\u201d law was enacted which seeks to protect any person from gender-based sexual harassment in public spaces. The law <\\/span><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\">seeks to address the many gaps which is not covered by the sexual harassment under the previous legal framework and to promote gender equality wherein persons may be free from duress and any kind of external pressure from doing their ordinary lives. <br \\/><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Of particular importance is the widening of the scope of what constitutes <\\/span><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\">sexual harassment and where it can take place. In sum, the law also contemplates that sexual harassment may also emanate from a colleague and not just from someone in the workplace who is a superior or who has moral ascendancy. In this regard, any person may be an offender if s\\/he has made a transphobic, sexist comments.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 It also contemplates online spaces as part of the \\u201cpublic space\\u201d. Before <\\/span><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\">the enactment of this act, sexual harassment may only committed in the workplace, <\\/span><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\">educational or training environment.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0The Safe Spaces Act does not, in any way, supersede the Sexual Harassment <\\/span><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\">Act. If the offender qualifies for both offenses under the law, he shall be liable <\\/span><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\">therefor.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed {\\\"imageURL\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/THE-SAFE-SPACES-ACT.pdf\\\",\\\"imgID\\\":966,\\\"imgTitle\\\":\\\"THE SAFE SPACES ACT\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-pdfjsblock-pdfjs-embed pdfjs-wrapper\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\">[pdfjs-viewer viewer_width=0 viewer_height=800 url=http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/THE-SAFE-SPACES-ACT.pdf download=true print=true fullscreen=true fullscreen_target=false fullscreen_text=\\\"View%20Fullscreen\\\" zoom=auto ]<\\/span><\\/div>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><em><strong><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/strong><\\/em><\\/p>\\n<p><strong><em><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\">Featured Photo by <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/unsplash.com\\/@anniespratt?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText\\\">Annie Spratt<\\/a> on <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/unsplash.com\\/?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText\\\">Unsplash<\\/a><\\/span><\\/em><\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: georgia, palatino;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(2913,1131,'_elementor_controls_usage','a:3:{s:11:\"text-editor\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:1;s:8:\"controls\";a:2:{s:7:\"content\";a:1:{s:14:\"section_editor\";a:1:{s:6:\"editor\";i:1;}}s:5:\"style\";a:1:{s:13:\"section_style\";a:2:{s:21:\"typography_typography\";i:1;s:22:\"typography_line_height\";i:1;}}}}s:6:\"column\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:0;s:8:\"controls\";a:0:{}}s:7:\"section\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:0;s:8:\"controls\";a:0:{}}}'),(2916,1132,'_customize_restore_dismissed','1'),(2918,1133,'_customize_restore_dismissed','1'),(2919,1134,'_edit_lock','1608113132:1'),(2920,1135,'sa_slide1_content','<div style=\'text-align: center; padding-bottom: 10px;\'>\n<div><img src=\'http://lawreview.ust.edu.ph/wp-content/plugins/slide-anything/images/sample_logo1.png\' alt=\'Logo 1\' /></div>\n<h3>Company Name</h3>\n<p>Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, cu usu cibo vituperata, id ius probo maiestatis inciderint, sit eu vide volutpat.</p>\n</div>\n'),(2921,1135,'sa_slide1_image_data','~left top~contain~no-repeat~#f4cccc'),(2922,1135,'sa_slide1_link_url',''),(2923,1135,'sa_slide1_link_target','_self'),(2924,1135,'sa_slide1_popup_type','NONE'),(2925,1135,'sa_slide1_popup_imageid',''),(2926,1135,'sa_slide1_popup_imagetitle',''),(2927,1135,'sa_slide1_popup_video_id',''),(2928,1135,'sa_slide1_popup_video_type',''),(2929,1135,'sa_slide1_popup_background','no'),(2930,1135,'sa_slide1_popup_html',''),(2931,1135,'sa_slide1_popup_shortcode','0'),(2932,1135,'sa_slide1_popup_bgcol','#ffffff'),(2933,1135,'sa_slide1_popup_width','600'),(2934,1135,'sa_slide2_content','<div style=\'text-align: center; padding-bottom: 10px;\'>\n<div><img src=\'http://lawreview.ust.edu.ph/wp-content/plugins/slide-anything/images/sample_logo2.png\' alt=\'Logo 2\' /></div>\n<h3>Company Name</h3>\n<p>Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, cu usu cibo vituperata, id ius probo maiestatis inciderint, sit eu vide volutpat.</p>\n</div>\n'),(2935,1135,'sa_slide2_image_data','~left top~contain~no-repeat~#d9ead3'),(2936,1135,'sa_slide2_link_url',''),(2937,1135,'sa_slide2_link_target','_self'),(2938,1135,'sa_slide2_popup_type','NONE'),(2939,1135,'sa_slide2_popup_imageid',''),(2940,1135,'sa_slide2_popup_imagetitle',''),(2941,1135,'sa_slide2_popup_video_id',''),(2942,1135,'sa_slide2_popup_video_type',''),(2943,1135,'sa_slide2_popup_background','no'),(2944,1135,'sa_slide2_popup_html',''),(2945,1135,'sa_slide2_popup_shortcode','0'),(2946,1135,'sa_slide2_popup_bgcol','#ffffff'),(2947,1135,'sa_slide2_popup_width','600'),(2948,1135,'sa_slide3_content','<div style=\'text-align: center; padding-bottom: 10px;\'>\n<div><img src=\'http://lawreview.ust.edu.ph/wp-content/plugins/slide-anything/images/sample_logo3.png\' alt=\'Logo 3\' /></div>\n<h3>Company Name</h3>\n<p>Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, cu usu cibo vituperata, id ius probo maiestatis inciderint, sit eu vide volutpat.</p>\n</div>\n'),(2949,1135,'sa_slide3_image_data','~left top~contain~no-repeat~#fce5cd'),(2950,1135,'sa_slide3_link_url',''),(2951,1135,'sa_slide3_link_target','_self'),(2952,1135,'sa_slide3_popup_type','NONE'),(2953,1135,'sa_slide3_popup_imageid',''),(2954,1135,'sa_slide3_popup_imagetitle',''),(2955,1135,'sa_slide3_popup_video_id',''),(2956,1135,'sa_slide3_popup_video_type',''),(2957,1135,'sa_slide3_popup_background','no'),(2958,1135,'sa_slide3_popup_html',''),(2959,1135,'sa_slide3_popup_shortcode','0'),(2960,1135,'sa_slide3_popup_bgcol','#ffffff'),(2961,1135,'sa_slide3_popup_width','600'),(2962,1135,'sa_slide4_content','<div style=\'text-align: center; padding-bottom: 10px;\'>\n<div><img src=\'http://lawreview.ust.edu.ph/wp-content/plugins/slide-anything/images/sample_logo4.png\' alt=\'Logo 4\' /></div>\n<h3>Company Name</h3>\n<p>Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, cu usu cibo vituperata, id ius probo maiestatis inciderint, sit eu vide volutpat.</p>\n</div>\n'),(2963,1135,'sa_slide4_image_data','~left top~contain~no-repeat~#d0e0e3'),(2964,1135,'sa_slide4_link_url',''),(2965,1135,'sa_slide4_link_target','_self'),(2966,1135,'sa_slide4_popup_type','NONE'),(2967,1135,'sa_slide4_popup_imageid',''),(2968,1135,'sa_slide4_popup_imagetitle',''),(2969,1135,'sa_slide4_popup_video_id',''),(2970,1135,'sa_slide4_popup_video_type',''),(2971,1135,'sa_slide4_popup_background','no'),(2972,1135,'sa_slide4_popup_html',''),(2973,1135,'sa_slide4_popup_shortcode','0'),(2974,1135,'sa_slide4_popup_bgcol','#ffffff'),(2975,1135,'sa_slide4_popup_width','600'),(2976,1135,'sa_slide5_content','<div style=\'text-align: center; padding-bottom: 10px;\'>\n<div><img src=\'http://lawreview.ust.edu.ph/wp-content/plugins/slide-anything/images/sample_logo5.png\' alt=\'Logo 5\' /></div>\n<h3>Company Name</h3>\n<p>Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, cu usu cibo vituperata, id ius probo maiestatis inciderint, sit eu vide volutpat.</p>\n</div>\n'),(2977,1135,'sa_slide5_image_data','~left top~contain~no-repeat~#fff2cc'),(2978,1135,'sa_slide5_link_url',''),(2979,1135,'sa_slide5_link_target','_self'),(2980,1135,'sa_slide5_popup_type','NONE'),(2981,1135,'sa_slide5_popup_imageid',''),(2982,1135,'sa_slide5_popup_imagetitle',''),(2983,1135,'sa_slide5_popup_video_id',''),(2984,1135,'sa_slide5_popup_video_type',''),(2985,1135,'sa_slide5_popup_background','no'),(2986,1135,'sa_slide5_popup_html',''),(2987,1135,'sa_slide5_popup_shortcode','0'),(2988,1135,'sa_slide5_popup_bgcol','#ffffff'),(2989,1135,'sa_slide5_popup_width','600'),(2990,1135,'sa_slide6_content','<div style=\'text-align: center; padding-bottom: 10px;\'>\n<div><img src=\'http://lawreview.ust.edu.ph/wp-content/plugins/slide-anything/images/sample_logo6.png\' alt=\'Logo 6\' /></div>\n<h3>Company Name</h3>\n<p>Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, cu usu cibo vituperata, id ius probo maiestatis inciderint, sit eu vide volutpat.</p>\n</div>\n'),(2991,1135,'sa_slide6_image_data','~left top~contain~no-repeat~#cfe2f3'),(2992,1135,'sa_slide6_link_url',''),(2993,1135,'sa_slide6_link_target','_self'),(2994,1135,'sa_slide6_popup_type','NONE'),(2995,1135,'sa_slide6_popup_imageid',''),(2996,1135,'sa_slide6_popup_imagetitle',''),(2997,1135,'sa_slide6_popup_video_id',''),(2998,1135,'sa_slide6_popup_video_type',''),(2999,1135,'sa_slide6_popup_background','no'),(3000,1135,'sa_slide6_popup_html',''),(3001,1135,'sa_slide6_popup_shortcode','0'),(3002,1135,'sa_slide6_popup_bgcol','#ffffff'),(3003,1135,'sa_slide6_popup_width','600'),(3004,1135,'sa_slide7_content','<div style=\'text-align: center; padding-bottom: 10px;\'>\n<div><img src=\'http://lawreview.ust.edu.ph/wp-content/plugins/slide-anything/images/sample_logo7.png\' alt=\'Logo 7\' /></div>\n<h3>Company Name</h3>\n<p>Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, cu usu cibo vituperata, id ius probo maiestatis inciderint, sit eu vide volutpat.</p>\n</div>\n'),(3005,1135,'sa_slide7_image_data','~left top~contain~no-repeat~#d9d2e9'),(3006,1135,'sa_slide7_link_url',''),(3007,1135,'sa_slide7_link_target','_self'),(3008,1135,'sa_slide7_popup_type','NONE'),(3009,1135,'sa_slide7_popup_imageid',''),(3010,1135,'sa_slide7_popup_imagetitle',''),(3011,1135,'sa_slide7_popup_video_id',''),(3012,1135,'sa_slide7_popup_video_type',''),(3013,1135,'sa_slide7_popup_background','no'),(3014,1135,'sa_slide7_popup_html',''),(3015,1135,'sa_slide7_popup_shortcode','0'),(3016,1135,'sa_slide7_popup_bgcol','#ffffff'),(3017,1135,'sa_slide7_popup_width','600'),(3018,1135,'sa_slide8_content','<div style=\'text-align: center; padding-bottom: 10px;\'>\n<div><img src=\'http://lawreview.ust.edu.ph/wp-content/plugins/slide-anything/images/sample_logo8.png\' alt=\'Logo 8\' /></div>\n<h3>Company Name</h3>\n<p>Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, cu usu cibo vituperata, id ius probo maiestatis inciderint, sit eu vide volutpat.</p>\n</div>\n'),(3019,1135,'sa_slide8_image_data','~left top~contain~no-repeat~#ead1dc'),(3020,1135,'sa_slide8_link_url',''),(3021,1135,'sa_slide8_link_target','_self'),(3022,1135,'sa_slide8_popup_type','NONE'),(3023,1135,'sa_slide8_popup_imageid',''),(3024,1135,'sa_slide8_popup_imagetitle',''),(3025,1135,'sa_slide8_popup_video_id',''),(3026,1135,'sa_slide8_popup_video_type',''),(3027,1135,'sa_slide8_popup_background','no'),(3028,1135,'sa_slide8_popup_html',''),(3029,1135,'sa_slide8_popup_shortcode','0'),(3030,1135,'sa_slide8_popup_bgcol','#ffffff'),(3031,1135,'sa_slide8_popup_width','600'),(3032,1135,'sa_disable_visual_editor','0'),(3033,1135,'sa_num_slides','8'),(3034,1135,'sa_slide_duration','4'),(3035,1135,'sa_slide_transition','0.3'),(3036,1135,'sa_slide_by','1'),(3037,1135,'sa_loop_slider','1'),(3038,1135,'sa_stop_hover','1'),(3039,1135,'sa_nav_arrows','1'),(3040,1135,'sa_pagination','1'),(3041,1135,'sa_shortcodes','0'),(3042,1135,'sa_random_order','1'),(3043,1135,'sa_reverse_order','0'),(3044,1135,'sa_mouse_drag','0'),(3045,1135,'sa_touch_drag','1'),(3046,1135,'sa_click_advance','0'),(3047,1135,'sa_auto_height','0'),(3048,1135,'sa_vert_center','0'),(3049,1135,'sa_items_width1','1'),(3050,1135,'sa_items_width2','2'),(3051,1135,'sa_items_width3','3'),(3052,1135,'sa_items_width4','4'),(3053,1135,'sa_items_width5','4'),(3054,1135,'sa_items_width6','4'),(3055,1135,'sa_transition','fade'),(3056,1135,'sa_hero_slider','0'),(3057,1135,'sa_showcase_slider','0'),(3058,1135,'sa_showcase_width','120'),(3059,1135,'sa_showcase_tablet','1'),(3060,1135,'sa_showcase_width_tab','130'),(3061,1135,'sa_showcase_mobile','0'),(3062,1135,'sa_showcase_width_mob','140'),(3063,1135,'sa_css_id','sample_slider'),(3064,1135,'sa_background_color','#fafafa'),(3065,1135,'sa_border_width','1'),(3066,1135,'sa_border_color','#f0f0f0'),(3067,1135,'sa_border_radius','5'),(3068,1135,'sa_wrapper_padd_top','8'),(3069,1135,'sa_wrapper_padd_right','8'),(3070,1135,'sa_wrapper_padd_bottom','8'),(3071,1135,'sa_wrapper_padd_left','8'),(3072,1135,'sa_slide_min_height_perc','50'),(3073,1135,'sa_slide_padding_tb','5'),(3074,1135,'sa_slide_padding_lr','5'),(3075,1135,'sa_slide_margin_lr','0'),(3076,1135,'sa_autohide_arrows','1'),(3077,1135,'sa_dot_per_slide','0'),(3078,1135,'sa_slide_icons_location','Center Center'),(3079,1135,'sa_slide_icons_visible','0'),(3080,1135,'sa_slide_icons_color','white'),(3081,1135,'sa_thumbs_active','0'),(3082,1135,'sa_thumbs_location','Inside Bottom'),(3083,1135,'sa_thumbs_image_size','thumbnail'),(3084,1135,'sa_thumbs_padding','3'),(3085,1135,'sa_thumbs_width','150'),(3086,1135,'sa_thumbs_height','85'),(3087,1135,'sa_thumbs_opacity','50'),(3088,1135,'sa_thumbs_border_width','0'),(3089,1135,'sa_thumbs_border_color','#ffffff'),(3090,1135,'sa_thumbs_resp_tablet','75'),(3091,1135,'sa_thumbs_resp_mobile','50'),(3092,1135,'_edit_lock','1608113382:1'),(3093,1137,'_edit_last','1'),(3094,1137,'sa_slide1_content','<p>Slide content</p>'),(3095,1137,'sa_slide1_image_data','0~left top~contain~no-repeat~rgba(0,0,0,0)'),(3096,1137,'sa_slide1_link_url',''),(3097,1137,'sa_slide1_link_target','_self'),(3098,1137,'sa_slide2_content','<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://lawreview.ust.edu.ph/bayanihan-in-public-education/\"><strong>BAYANIHAN IN PUBLIC EDUCATION:</strong><strong><br /></strong><strong>Reforming the Special Education Fund under the Local Government Code to Support New Normal Education</strong></a></h2>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">By: John Kristoffer P. Pereda</p>'),(3099,1137,'sa_slide2_image_data','0~left top~contain~no-repeat~rgba(0,0,0,0)'),(3100,1137,'sa_slide2_link_url',''),(3101,1137,'sa_slide2_link_target','_self'),(3102,1137,'sa_slide3_content',''),(3103,1137,'sa_slide3_image_data','0~left top~contain~no-repeat~rgba(0,0,0,0)'),(3104,1137,'sa_slide3_link_url',''),(3105,1137,'sa_slide3_link_target','_self'),(3106,1137,'sa_slide4_content',''),(3107,1137,'sa_slide4_image_data','0~~~~'),(3108,1137,'sa_slide4_link_url',''),(3109,1137,'sa_slide4_link_target',''),(3110,1137,'sa_num_slides','3'),(3111,1137,'sa_disable_visual_editor','0'),(3112,1137,'sa_info_added','0'),(3113,1137,'sa_info_deleted','0'),(3114,1137,'sa_duplicate_slide','0'),(3115,1137,'sa_info_duplicated','0'),(3116,1137,'sa_move_slide_up','2'),(3117,1137,'sa_info_moved','0'),(3118,1137,'sa_slide_duration','3.3'),(3119,1137,'sa_slide_transition','0.2'),(3120,1137,'sa_slide_by','1'),(3121,1137,'sa_loop_slider','1'),(3122,1137,'sa_stop_hover','1'),(3123,1137,'sa_nav_arrows','1'),(3124,1137,'sa_pagination','1'),(3125,1137,'sa_random_order','0'),(3126,1137,'sa_reverse_order','0'),(3127,1137,'sa_shortcodes','0'),(3128,1137,'sa_mouse_drag','0'),(3129,1137,'sa_touch_drag','0'),(3130,1137,'sa_click_advance','0'),(3131,1137,'sa_auto_height','0'),(3132,1137,'sa_vert_center','0'),(3133,1137,'sa_items_width1','1'),(3134,1137,'sa_items_width2','1'),(3135,1137,'sa_items_width3','1'),(3136,1137,'sa_items_width4','1'),(3137,1137,'sa_items_width5','1'),(3138,1137,'sa_items_width6','1'),(3139,1137,'sa_transition','Slide'),(3140,1137,'sa_hero_slider','0'),(3141,1137,'sa_showcase_slider','0'),(3142,1137,'sa_showcase_tablet','0'),(3143,1137,'sa_showcase_mobile','0'),(3144,1137,'sa_css_id','slider_1137'),(3145,1137,'sa_background_color','rgba(0,0,0,0)'),(3146,1137,'sa_border_width','0'),(3147,1137,'sa_border_color','rgba(0,0,0,0)'),(3148,1137,'sa_border_radius','0'),(3149,1137,'sa_wrapper_padd_top','0'),(3150,1137,'sa_wrapper_padd_right','0'),(3151,1137,'sa_wrapper_padd_bottom','0'),(3152,1137,'sa_wrapper_padd_left','0'),(3153,1137,'sa_slide_min_height_perc','50'),(3154,1137,'sa_slide_padding_tb','5'),(3155,1137,'sa_slide_padding_lr','5'),(3156,1137,'sa_slide_margin_lr','0'),(3157,1137,'sa_slide_icons_location','Center Center'),(3158,1137,'sa_slide_icons_color','white selected'),(3159,1137,'sa_autohide_arrows','1'),(3160,1137,'sa_dot_per_slide','0'),(3161,1137,'sa_slide_icons_visible','0'),(3162,1137,'sa_other_settings','0|0|0|0|0|0'),(3163,1137,'sa_start_pos','1'),(3164,1137,'wptr_hide_title','0'),(3165,1137,'_edit_lock','1608114183:1'),(3166,1134,'_customize_restore_dismissed','1'),(3168,1137,'sa_slide1_char_count','20'),(3169,1137,'sa_slide2_char_count','363'),(3170,1137,'sa_slide3_char_count','0'),(3171,1137,'sa_slide4_char_count','0'),(3172,595,'_lps-block-ids','a:1:{s:0:\"\";a:0:{}}'),(3173,1140,'_customize_restore_dismissed','1'),(3174,1141,'_edit_lock','1608114604:1'),(3175,1141,'_customize_restore_dismissed','1'),(3176,1142,'_edit_lock','1608115636:1'),(3177,189,'ss_ss_click_share_count_facebook','2'),(3178,189,'ss_total_share_count','0'),(3179,799,'ss_ss_click_share_count_print','1'),(3180,1143,'_edit_lock','1611492105:1'),(3191,1144,'_wp_attached_file','2021/01/kelly-sikkema-E8H76nY1v6Q-unsplash2-scaled.jpg'),(3192,1144,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:6:{s:5:\"width\";i:1920;s:6:\"height\";i:1280;s:4:\"file\";s:54:\"2021/01/kelly-sikkema-E8H76nY1v6Q-unsplash2-scaled.jpg\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:14:{s:6:\"medium\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:47:\"kelly-sikkema-E8H76nY1v6Q-unsplash2-300x200.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:300;s:6:\"height\";i:200;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:5:\"large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:48:\"kelly-sikkema-E8H76nY1v6Q-unsplash2-1024x683.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1024;s:6:\"height\";i:683;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"thumbnail\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:47:\"kelly-sikkema-E8H76nY1v6Q-unsplash2-150x150.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:12:\"medium_large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:47:\"kelly-sikkema-E8H76nY1v6Q-unsplash2-768x512.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:768;s:6:\"height\";i:512;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"1536x1536\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:49:\"kelly-sikkema-E8H76nY1v6Q-unsplash2-1536x1024.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1536;s:6:\"height\";i:1024;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"2048x2048\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:49:\"kelly-sikkema-E8H76nY1v6Q-unsplash2-2048x1365.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:2048;s:6:\"height\";i:1365;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:24:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:47:\"kelly-sikkema-E8H76nY1v6Q-unsplash2-170x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:25:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:45:\"kelly-sikkema-E8H76nY1v6Q-unsplash2-86x70.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:47:\"kelly-sikkema-E8H76nY1v6Q-unsplash2-165x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:165;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:22:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:47:\"kelly-sikkema-E8H76nY1v6Q-unsplash2-370x250.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:30:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:47:\"kelly-sikkema-E8H76nY1v6Q-unsplash2-370x247.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:247;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:21:\"bfastmag_related_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:47:\"kelly-sikkema-E8H76nY1v6Q-unsplash2-288x160.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:288;s:6:\"height\";i:160;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:18:\"bfastmag_blog_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:47:\"kelly-sikkema-E8H76nY1v6Q-unsplash2-780x544.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:26:\"bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:47:\"kelly-sikkema-E8H76nY1v6Q-unsplash2-780x520.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:520;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:0:\"\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:1:\"0\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:1:\"0\";s:3:\"iso\";s:1:\"0\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:1:\"0\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";s:1:\"0\";s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}s:14:\"original_image\";s:39:\"kelly-sikkema-E8H76nY1v6Q-unsplash2.jpg\";}'),(3193,1143,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(3194,1143,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(3195,1143,'_elementor_version','3.0.16'),(3196,1143,'_pingme','1'),(3197,1143,'_encloseme','1'),(3198,1145,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(3199,1145,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(3200,1145,'_elementor_version','3.0.16'),(3201,1146,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(3202,1146,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(3203,1146,'_elementor_version','3.0.16'),(3204,1143,'_wp_page_template','default'),(3205,1143,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"198409a9\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"2987e756\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"59f1f72b\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>By: Daniella Khylyn D.Glean<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The sound of wedding bells and the tune of \\u201cHere Comes the Bride\\u201d are wonderful sounds most people aspire to hear. However, once the ceremonies are over and the fairy tale ends, there are some grim realities that beset unfortunate married couples.<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\">[1]<\\/a> One of them is the infidelity committed by one of the spouses.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Unfortunately, in this age when broken homes have become all too common, marriage requires hard work \\u2013 a part of which is to accept the fact that something may come up and destroy the union and the commitment. Wives, in particular, should be aware of their legal rights.\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 What can a wife do within the bounds of the law when her husband cheats? Unfaithfulness of a husband is punishable under Article 334 of the Revised Penal Code. Likewise, repeated marital infidelity is also punishable under Republic Act No. 9262, otherwise known as the\\u00a0Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Law.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Philippine law criminalizes concubinage. Under the Revised Penal Code, concubinage may be committed by a husband with a woman who is not his wife provided certain conditions are met. On the other hand, the National Commission for Women defines marital infidelity as \\u201ca violation or breach of good faith and confidence by one or both spouses to the matrimonial vows.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\">[2]<\\/a> \\u00a0While there is no such crime as marital or sexual infidelity, it is regarded as one of the grounds for a Petition for Legal Separation.<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\">[3]<\\/a> Under the Philippine laws, there is no precise definition of sexual infidelity but our jurisdiction recognizes that this include concubinage, which is denominated as a crime against chastity.<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\">[4]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Concubinage is committed by any husband who shall keep a mistress in the conjugal dwelling, or, shall have sexual intercourse, under exceptional circumstances, with a woman who is not his wife, or shall cohabit with her in any other place, shall be punished by <em>prision correccional <\\/em>in its minimum and medium periods. The concubine shall suffer the penalty of <em>destierro.<a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\"><strong>[5]<\\/strong><\\/a> <\\/em>The elements of the crime of concubinage are:<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:list {\\\"ordered\\\":true,\\\"type\\\":\\\"1\\\"} -->\\n<ol>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\n<ol>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\n<ol type=\\\"1\\\">\\n<li>That the <em>man must <\\/em>be married.<\\/li>\\n<li>That he committed <em>any<\\/em> of the following acts:\\n<ul>\\n<li><em>Keeping <\\/em>a mistress in the <em>conjugal dwelling;<\\/em><\\/li>\\n<li><em>Having sexual intercourse under scandalous circumstances <\\/em>with a woman who is not his wife;<\\/li>\\n<li><em>Cohabiting <\\/em>with her in any other place.<\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<\\/li>\\n<li>That as regards the woman, <em>she must know him to be married.<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\"><strong>[6]<\\/strong><\\/a><\\/em><\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The offenders are the married man and the woman who knows him to be married prior to the commission of the crime. The former is liable for concubinage <em>only <\\/em>when he does <em>any<\\/em> of the three acts mentioned. If his sexual relations with a woman not his wife is not any one of them, he is not criminally liable.<a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\">[7]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Therefore, in order to be convicted of the crime, it is necessary for the offended spouse to establish proof beyond reasonable doubt that the husband is either keeping a mistress in the conjugal dwelling; or having sexual intercourse, under scandalous circumstances, with another woman; or cohabiting with another woman in any other place.<a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\">[8]<\\/a> In addition, the crime of concubinage is considered a private crime which may only be prosecuted by the offended spouse.<a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\">[9]<\\/a> Thus, the complaint must be lodged by the offended wife and no one else.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 From the discussion above, it can be inferred that the crime of concubinage is difficult to prove in court. Republic Act (R.A.) No. 9262, otherwise known as the Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Law (\\u201cVAWC\\u201d), was signed into law in order to address that difficulty. Due to the inherent unequal power relationship between men and women, the will of the offended wife to lodge a complaint might be affected by the dominant husband. Hence, the VAWC law considers repeated marital infidelity as a form of psychological violence and treats the same as a public crime. Being a public crime, the complaint may be filed by any citizen having personal knowledge of the circumstances.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Republic Act No. RA 9262 , otherwise known as the Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Law (\\u201cVAWC\\u201d), defines violence against women and children as \\u201cany act or a series of acts against a woman who is his wife, former wife or against a woman with whom the person has or had sexual or dating relationship, or against her child, whether legitimate or illegitimate, within or without family abode, which result in physical, sexual, psychological harm or suffering, or economic abuse including threats of such acts, battery, assault, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty\\u201d.<a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\">[10]<\\/a> As can be gleaned from this definition, the concept of \\u201cviolence\\u201d against women includes not just physical violence, but also sexual violence, psychological violence and economic abuse.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 A novel concept in Philippine law is\\u00a0<strong>psychological violence. Section 3(c) of R.A. No. 9262 defines psychological violence as<\\/strong>acts or omissions causing or likely to cause mental or emotional suffering of the victim such as but not limited to intimidation, harassment, stalking, damage to property, public ridicule or humiliation, repeated verbal abuse and marital infidelity. It includes causing or allowing the victim to witness the physical, sexual or psychological abuse of a member of the family to which the victim belongs, or to witness pornography in any form or to witness abusive injury to pets or to unlawful or unwanted deprivation of the right to custody and\\/or visitation of common children.<a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\">[11]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 On the other hand, Section 5(i) of R.A. No. 9262 penalizes psychological violence that are caused on victims who are women and children through any of the following acts: \\u00a0\\u201ccausing mental or emotional anguish, public ridicule or humiliation to the woman or her child, including, but not limited to, repeated verbal and emotional abuse, and denial of financial support or custody of minor children or access to the woman\'s child\\/children.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn12\\\">[12]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Hence, under Section 5(i), in relation to Sections 3(a) and 3(c) of RA No. 9262, the elements of the crime are derived as follows:<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:quote -->\\n<blockquote class=\\\"wp-block-quote\\\">\\n<p>\\u201c(1) The offended party is a woman and\\/or her child or children;<\\/p>\\n<p>(2) The woman is either the wife or former wife of the offender, or is a woman with whom the offender has or had a sexual or dating relationship, or is a woman with whom such offender has a common child. As for the woman\'s child or children, they may be legitimate or illegitimate, or living within or without the family abode;<\\/p>\\n<p>(3) The offender causes on the woman and\\/or child mental or emotional anguish; and<\\/p>\\n<p>(4) The anguish is caused through acts of public ridicule or humiliation, repeated verbal and emotional abuse, denial of financial support or custody of minor children or access to the children or similar such acts or omissions.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn13\\\">[13]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<\\/blockquote>\\n<!-- \\/wp:quote --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Therefore, psychological violence is an indispensable element to be made liable under Section 5(i) of R.A. No. 9262.<a href=\\\"#_ftn14\\\">[14]<\\/a> Equally essential is the element of emotional anguish and mental suffering. Psychological violence is the means employed by the perpetrator, while emotional anguish or mental suffering are the effects caused to or the damage sustained by the offended party.<a href=\\\"#_ftn15\\\">[15]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In a landmark case dated September 8, 2020<a href=\\\"#_ftn16\\\">[16]<\\/a> the Supreme Court First Division ruled that the prosecution established beyond reasonable doubt that the husband committed the crime of psychological violence, by leaving his wife to live with his mistress despite being fully aware that his wife suffered emotionally and psychologically because of his decision.<a href=\\\"#_ftn17\\\">[17]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Supreme Court further explained that the marital infidelity committed by the husband, which is a form of psychological violence, is the proximate cause of the wife\\u2019s emotional anguish and mental suffering, to the point that even her health condition was adversely affected.<a href=\\\"#_ftn18\\\">[18]<\\/a> The law does not require that the victim became psychologically ill due to the psychological violence inflicted by the abuser. Psychological violence as an element of the crime, and the mental and emotional anguish the victim may suffer, may be proven through testimonies.<a href=\\\"#_ftn19\\\">[19]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 While the case is not the first to declare marital infidelity as a form of psychological violence, it is the first time the Court has said that the act of leaving a wife to live with the mistress, causing emotional and mental anguish, is considered a form of psychological violence. In this regard, <em>Araza<a href=\\\"#_ftn20\\\"><strong>[20]<\\/strong><\\/a> <\\/em>made it a point that illicit relationships which causes mental or emotional anguish on the wife are addressed and penalized\\u00a0under R.A. No. 9262. However, it bears noting that R.A. No. 9262 does not criminalize acts of marital infidelity per se, but the psychological violence causing mental or emotional suffering on the wife.<a href=\\\"#_ftn21\\\">[21]<\\/a> It is the emotional anguish caused by illicit affairs by the husband, and not exactly the act of infidelity, that was subject of guilt.\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Contrary to popular belief, being legally married is not just a piece of paper. When cheating occurs, it can confer wives the legal right to seek redress that will protect them as needed.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 However, while Philippine law criminalizes concubinage as a \\u201ccrime against chastity\\u201d under the Revised Penal Code<a href=\\\"#_ftn22\\\">[22]<\\/a> and treats the same as sexual infidelity in the Family Code, the challenge persists that when the evidence merely proves that the husband is having an extra-marital affair and nothing more, he cannot be charged with concubinage. In which case, the offended spouse may likewise consider filing a complaint for violation of the provisions of R.A. 9262.<a href=\\\"#_ftn23\\\">[23]<\\/a> Philandering husbands can now be charged criminally even for just one incident of marital infidelity under the \\u201cpsychological violence\\u201d provision of R.A. No. 9262.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Court, speaking through Chief Justice Peralta, affirmed that marital infidelity is a form of psychological violence. In effect, the Court liberally construed R.A. No. 9262 to afford women ample protection by filling the gaps of the law.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 This interpretation is in keeping with the obligation of the Philippines to uphold the rights of women according to the Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), Convention on the Rights of the Child, Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The penalty for \\u201cpsychological violence\\u201d is a minimum of six years up to twelve years of imprisonment.\\u00a0The maximum penalty is imposed if the violence is committed by the intimate partner against the woman when she is pregnant or in the presence of the common children.<a href=\\\"#_ftn24\\\"><sup>[24]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 They say the law is unfair to women, but fortunately, it can be fair for the innocent spouse. Through the rights conferred by the VAWC law, wives will no longer be silent victims. With the help of the law, the wife can fight for their rights.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator {\\\"className\\\":\\\"is-style-wide\\\"} --><hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator is-style-wide\\\" \\/><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">[1]<\\/a> Nicolas & De Vega Law Offices,\\u00a0 How To Sue Your Wife For Adultery In The Philippines, https:\\/\\/ndvlaw.com\\/how-to-sue-your-wife-for-adultery-in-the-philippines\\/ (last accessed Nov. 8, 2020).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a> Domini M. Torrevillas, Amending the marital infidelity law, https:\\/\\/www.pressreader.com\\/philippines\\/the-philippine-star\\/20150630\\/281702613368034 (last accessed Jan. 23, 2021)<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a> FAMILY CODE, art. 55 (8).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[4]<\\/a> REV. PEN. CODE, Book II, Title Eleven.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[5]<\\/a> REV. PEN. CODE, art. 344.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[6]<\\/a> REV. PEN. CODE, Book Two, page 848.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\">[7]<\\/a> People v. Santos, <em>et al., <\\/em>C.A., 45 O.G. 2116.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\">[8]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\">[9]<\\/a> REV. PEN. CODE, art. 344.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\">[10]<\\/a> R.A. No. 9262, Section 3(a).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\">[11]<\\/a> R.A. No. 9262, Section 3(c).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref12\\\">[12]<\\/a> R.A. No. 9262, Section 5(i).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref13\\\">[13]<\\/a> <em>Dinamling v. People<\\/em>, 761 Phil. 356, 373 (2015).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref14\\\">[14]<\\/a> <em>Esteban Donato Reyes v. People<\\/em>, G.R. No. 232678, July 3, 2019.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref15\\\">[15]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref16\\\">[16]<\\/a> <em>Jaime Araza y Jarupay v. People of the Philippines<\\/em>, G.R. No. 247429, Sept. 8, 2020.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref17\\\">[17]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref18\\\">[18]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref19\\\">[19]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref20\\\">[20]<\\/a> <em>Id., <\\/em>at 4.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref21\\\">[21]<\\/a> <em>AAA v. BBB,<\\/em> G.R. No. 212448, January 11, 2018.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref22\\\">[22]<\\/a> <em>Id.,<\\/em> at 1.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref23\\\">[23]<\\/a> <em>Id., <\\/em>at 2.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref24\\\">[24]<\\/a> <em>Id., <\\/em>at 3.<\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p>Photo by <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/unsplash.com\\/@kellysikkema?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText\\\">Kelly Sikkema<\\/a> on <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/unsplash.com\\/s\\/photos\\/divorce?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText\\\">Unsplash<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(3206,1147,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(3207,1147,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(3208,1147,'_elementor_version','3.0.16'),(3209,1147,'_wp_page_template','default'),(3210,1147,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"198409a9\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"2987e756\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"59f1f72b\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>By: Daniella Khylyn D.Glean<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The sound of wedding bells and the tune of \\u201cHere Comes the Bride\\u201d are wonderful sounds most people aspire to hear. However, once the ceremonies are over and the fairy tale ends, there are some grim realities that beset unfortunate married couples.<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\">[1]<\\/a> One of them is the infidelity committed by one of the spouses.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Unfortunately, in this age when broken homes have become all too common, marriage requires hard work \\u2013 a part of which is to accept the fact that something may come up and destroy the union and the commitment. Wives, in particular, should be aware of their legal rights.\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 What can a wife do within the bounds of the law when her husband cheats? Unfaithfulness of a husband is punishable under Article 334 of the Revised Penal Code. Likewise, repeated marital infidelity is also punishable under Republic Act No. 9262, otherwise known as the\\u00a0Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Law.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Philippine law criminalizes concubinage. Under the Revised Penal Code, concubinage may be committed by a husband with a woman who is not his wife provided certain conditions are met. On the other hand, the National Commission for Women defines marital infidelity as \\u201ca violation or breach of good faith and confidence by one or both spouses to the matrimonial vows.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\">[2]<\\/a> \\u00a0While there is no such crime as marital or sexual infidelity, it is regarded as one of the grounds for a Petition for Legal Separation.<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\">[3]<\\/a> Under the Philippine laws, there is no precise definition of sexual infidelity but our jurisdiction recognizes that this include concubinage, which is denominated as a crime against chastity.<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\">[4]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Concubinage is committed by any husband who shall keep a mistress in the conjugal dwelling, or, shall have sexual intercourse, under exceptional circumstances, with a woman who is not his wife, or shall cohabit with her in any other place, shall be punished by <em>prision correccional <\\/em>in its minimum and medium periods. The concubine shall suffer the penalty of <em>destierro.<a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\"><strong>[5]<\\/strong><\\/a> <\\/em>The elements of the crime of concubinage are:<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:list {\\\"ordered\\\":true,\\\"type\\\":\\\"1\\\"} -->\\n<ol>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\n<ol>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\n<ol type=\\\"1\\\">\\n<li>That the <em>man must <\\/em>be married.<\\/li>\\n<li>That he committed <em>any<\\/em> of the following acts:\\n<ul>\\n<li><em>Keeping <\\/em>a mistress in the <em>conjugal dwelling;<\\/em><\\/li>\\n<li><em>Having sexual intercourse under scandalous circumstances <\\/em>with a woman who is not his wife;<\\/li>\\n<li><em>Cohabiting <\\/em>with her in any other place.<\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<\\/li>\\n<li>That as regards the woman, <em>she must know him to be married.<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\"><strong>[6]<\\/strong><\\/a><\\/em><\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The offenders are the married man and the woman who knows him to be married prior to the commission of the crime. The former is liable for concubinage <em>only <\\/em>when he does <em>any<\\/em> of the three acts mentioned. If his sexual relations with a woman not his wife is not any one of them, he is not criminally liable.<a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\">[7]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Therefore, in order to be convicted of the crime, it is necessary for the offended spouse to establish proof beyond reasonable doubt that the husband is either keeping a mistress in the conjugal dwelling; or having sexual intercourse, under scandalous circumstances, with another woman; or cohabiting with another woman in any other place.<a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\">[8]<\\/a> In addition, the crime of concubinage is considered a private crime which may only be prosecuted by the offended spouse.<a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\">[9]<\\/a> Thus, the complaint must be lodged by the offended wife and no one else.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 From the discussion above, it can be inferred that the crime of concubinage is difficult to prove in court. Republic Act (R.A.) No. 9262, otherwise known as the Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Law (\\u201cVAWC\\u201d), was signed into law in order to address that difficulty. Due to the inherent unequal power relationship between men and women, the will of the offended wife to lodge a complaint might be affected by the dominant husband. Hence, the VAWC law considers repeated marital infidelity as a form of psychological violence and treats the same as a public crime. Being a public crime, the complaint may be filed by any citizen having personal knowledge of the circumstances.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Republic Act No. RA 9262 , otherwise known as the Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Law (\\u201cVAWC\\u201d), defines violence against women and children as \\u201cany act or a series of acts against a woman who is his wife, former wife or against a woman with whom the person has or had sexual or dating relationship, or against her child, whether legitimate or illegitimate, within or without family abode, which result in physical, sexual, psychological harm or suffering, or economic abuse including threats of such acts, battery, assault, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty\\u201d.<a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\">[10]<\\/a> As can be gleaned from this definition, the concept of \\u201cviolence\\u201d against women includes not just physical violence, but also sexual violence, psychological violence and economic abuse.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 A novel concept in Philippine law is\\u00a0<strong>psychological violence. Section 3(c) of R.A. No. 9262 defines psychological violence as<\\/strong>acts or omissions causing or likely to cause mental or emotional suffering of the victim such as but not limited to intimidation, harassment, stalking, damage to property, public ridicule or humiliation, repeated verbal abuse and marital infidelity. It includes causing or allowing the victim to witness the physical, sexual or psychological abuse of a member of the family to which the victim belongs, or to witness pornography in any form or to witness abusive injury to pets or to unlawful or unwanted deprivation of the right to custody and\\/or visitation of common children.<a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\">[11]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 On the other hand, Section 5(i) of R.A. No. 9262 penalizes psychological violence that are caused on victims who are women and children through any of the following acts: \\u00a0\\u201ccausing mental or emotional anguish, public ridicule or humiliation to the woman or her child, including, but not limited to, repeated verbal and emotional abuse, and denial of financial support or custody of minor children or access to the woman\'s child\\/children.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn12\\\">[12]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Hence, under Section 5(i), in relation to Sections 3(a) and 3(c) of RA No. 9262, the elements of the crime are derived as follows:<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:quote -->\\n<blockquote class=\\\"wp-block-quote\\\">\\n<p>\\u201c(1) The offended party is a woman and\\/or her child or children;<\\/p>\\n<p>(2) The woman is either the wife or former wife of the offender, or is a woman with whom the offender has or had a sexual or dating relationship, or is a woman with whom such offender has a common child. As for the woman\'s child or children, they may be legitimate or illegitimate, or living within or without the family abode;<\\/p>\\n<p>(3) The offender causes on the woman and\\/or child mental or emotional anguish; and<\\/p>\\n<p>(4) The anguish is caused through acts of public ridicule or humiliation, repeated verbal and emotional abuse, denial of financial support or custody of minor children or access to the children or similar such acts or omissions.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn13\\\">[13]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<\\/blockquote>\\n<!-- \\/wp:quote --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Therefore, psychological violence is an indispensable element to be made liable under Section 5(i) of R.A. No. 9262.<a href=\\\"#_ftn14\\\">[14]<\\/a> Equally essential is the element of emotional anguish and mental suffering. Psychological violence is the means employed by the perpetrator, while emotional anguish or mental suffering are the effects caused to or the damage sustained by the offended party.<a href=\\\"#_ftn15\\\">[15]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In a landmark case dated September 8, 2020<a href=\\\"#_ftn16\\\">[16]<\\/a> the Supreme Court First Division ruled that the prosecution established beyond reasonable doubt that the husband committed the crime of psychological violence, by leaving his wife to live with his mistress despite being fully aware that his wife suffered emotionally and psychologically because of his decision.<a href=\\\"#_ftn17\\\">[17]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Supreme Court further explained that the marital infidelity committed by the husband, which is a form of psychological violence, is the proximate cause of the wife\\u2019s emotional anguish and mental suffering, to the point that even her health condition was adversely affected.<a href=\\\"#_ftn18\\\">[18]<\\/a> The law does not require that the victim became psychologically ill due to the psychological violence inflicted by the abuser. Psychological violence as an element of the crime, and the mental and emotional anguish the victim may suffer, may be proven through testimonies.<a href=\\\"#_ftn19\\\">[19]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 While the case is not the first to declare marital infidelity as a form of psychological violence, it is the first time the Court has said that the act of leaving a wife to live with the mistress, causing emotional and mental anguish, is considered a form of psychological violence. In this regard, <em>Araza<a href=\\\"#_ftn20\\\"><strong>[20]<\\/strong><\\/a> <\\/em>made it a point that illicit relationships which causes mental or emotional anguish on the wife are addressed and penalized\\u00a0under R.A. No. 9262. However, it bears noting that R.A. No. 9262 does not criminalize acts of marital infidelity per se, but the psychological violence causing mental or emotional suffering on the wife.<a href=\\\"#_ftn21\\\">[21]<\\/a> It is the emotional anguish caused by illicit affairs by the husband, and not exactly the act of infidelity, that was subject of guilt.\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Contrary to popular belief, being legally married is not just a piece of paper. When cheating occurs, it can confer wives the legal right to seek redress that will protect them as needed.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 However, while Philippine law criminalizes concubinage as a \\u201ccrime against chastity\\u201d under the Revised Penal Code<a href=\\\"#_ftn22\\\">[22]<\\/a> and treats the same as sexual infidelity in the Family Code, the challenge persists that when the evidence merely proves that the husband is having an extra-marital affair and nothing more, he cannot be charged with concubinage. In which case, the offended spouse may likewise consider filing a complaint for violation of the provisions of R.A. 9262.<a href=\\\"#_ftn23\\\">[23]<\\/a> Philandering husbands can now be charged criminally even for just one incident of marital infidelity under the \\u201cpsychological violence\\u201d provision of R.A. No. 9262.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Court, speaking through Chief Justice Peralta, affirmed that marital infidelity is a form of psychological violence. In effect, the Court liberally construed R.A. No. 9262 to afford women ample protection by filling the gaps of the law.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 This interpretation is in keeping with the obligation of the Philippines to uphold the rights of women according to the Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), Convention on the Rights of the Child, Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The penalty for \\u201cpsychological violence\\u201d is a minimum of six years up to twelve years of imprisonment.\\u00a0The maximum penalty is imposed if the violence is committed by the intimate partner against the woman when she is pregnant or in the presence of the common children.<a href=\\\"#_ftn24\\\"><sup>[24]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 They say the law is unfair to women, but fortunately, it can be fair for the innocent spouse. Through the rights conferred by the VAWC law, wives will no longer be silent victims. With the help of the law, the wife can fight for their rights.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator {\\\"className\\\":\\\"is-style-wide\\\"} --><hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator is-style-wide\\\" \\/><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">[1]<\\/a> Nicolas & De Vega Law Offices,\\u00a0 How To Sue Your Wife For Adultery In The Philippines, https:\\/\\/ndvlaw.com\\/how-to-sue-your-wife-for-adultery-in-the-philippines\\/ (last accessed Nov. 8, 2020).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a> Domini M. Torrevillas, Amending the marital infidelity law, https:\\/\\/www.pressreader.com\\/philippines\\/the-philippine-star\\/20150630\\/281702613368034 (last accessed Jan. 23, 2021)<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a> FAMILY CODE, art. 55 (8).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[4]<\\/a> REV. PEN. CODE, Book II, Title Eleven.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[5]<\\/a> REV. PEN. CODE, art. 344.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[6]<\\/a> REV. PEN. CODE, Book Two, page 848.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\">[7]<\\/a> People v. Santos, <em>et al., <\\/em>C.A., 45 O.G. 2116.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\">[8]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\">[9]<\\/a> REV. PEN. CODE, art. 344.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\">[10]<\\/a> R.A. No. 9262, Section 3(a).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\">[11]<\\/a> R.A. No. 9262, Section 3(c).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref12\\\">[12]<\\/a> R.A. No. 9262, Section 5(i).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref13\\\">[13]<\\/a> <em>Dinamling v. People<\\/em>, 761 Phil. 356, 373 (2015).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref14\\\">[14]<\\/a> <em>Esteban Donato Reyes v. People<\\/em>, G.R. No. 232678, July 3, 2019.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref15\\\">[15]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref16\\\">[16]<\\/a> <em>Jaime Araza y Jarupay v. People of the Philippines<\\/em>, G.R. No. 247429, Sept. 8, 2020.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref17\\\">[17]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref18\\\">[18]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref19\\\">[19]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref20\\\">[20]<\\/a> <em>Id., <\\/em>at 4.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref21\\\">[21]<\\/a> <em>AAA v. BBB,<\\/em> G.R. No. 212448, January 11, 2018.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref22\\\">[22]<\\/a> <em>Id.,<\\/em> at 1.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref23\\\">[23]<\\/a> <em>Id., <\\/em>at 2.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref24\\\">[24]<\\/a> <em>Id., <\\/em>at 3.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(3213,1143,'_yoast_wpseo_content_score','30'),(3214,1143,'_yoast_wpseo_estimated-reading-time-minutes','9'),(3216,1148,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(3217,1148,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(3218,1148,'_elementor_version','3.0.16'),(3219,1148,'_wp_page_template','default'),(3220,1148,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"198409a9\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"2987e756\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"59f1f72b\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>By: Daniella Khylyn D.Glean<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The sound of wedding bells and the tune of \\u201cHere Comes the Bride\\u201d are wonderful sounds most people aspire to hear. However, once the ceremonies are over and the fairy tale ends, there are some grim realities that beset unfortunate married couples.<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\">[1]<\\/a> One of them is the infidelity committed by one of the spouses.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Unfortunately, in this age when broken homes have become all too common, marriage requires hard work \\u2013 a part of which is to accept the fact that something may come up and destroy the union and the commitment. Wives, in particular, should be aware of their legal rights.\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 What can a wife do within the bounds of the law when her husband cheats? Unfaithfulness of a husband is punishable under Article 334 of the Revised Penal Code. Likewise, repeated marital infidelity is also punishable under Republic Act No. 9262, otherwise known as the\\u00a0Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Law.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Philippine law criminalizes concubinage. Under the Revised Penal Code, concubinage may be committed by a husband with a woman who is not his wife provided certain conditions are met. On the other hand, the National Commission for Women defines marital infidelity as \\u201ca violation or breach of good faith and confidence by one or both spouses to the matrimonial vows.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\">[2]<\\/a> \\u00a0While there is no such crime as marital or sexual infidelity, it is regarded as one of the grounds for a Petition for Legal Separation.<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\">[3]<\\/a> Under the Philippine laws, there is no precise definition of sexual infidelity but our jurisdiction recognizes that this include concubinage, which is denominated as a crime against chastity.<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\">[4]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Concubinage is committed by any husband who shall keep a mistress in the conjugal dwelling, or, shall have sexual intercourse, under exceptional circumstances, with a woman who is not his wife, or shall cohabit with her in any other place, shall be punished by <em>prision correccional <\\/em>in its minimum and medium periods. The concubine shall suffer the penalty of <em>destierro.<a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\"><strong>[5]<\\/strong><\\/a> <\\/em>The elements of the crime of concubinage are:<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:list {\\\"ordered\\\":true,\\\"type\\\":\\\"1\\\"} -->\\n<ol>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\n<ol>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\n<ol type=\\\"1\\\">\\n<li>That the <em>man must <\\/em>be married.<\\/li>\\n<li>That he committed <em>any<\\/em> of the following acts:\\n<ul>\\n<li><em>Keeping <\\/em>a mistress in the <em>conjugal dwelling;<\\/em><\\/li>\\n<li><em>Having sexual intercourse under scandalous circumstances <\\/em>with a woman who is not his wife;<\\/li>\\n<li><em>Cohabiting <\\/em>with her in any other place.<\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<\\/li>\\n<li>That as regards the woman, <em>she must know him to be married.<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\"><strong>[6]<\\/strong><\\/a><\\/em><\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The offenders are the married man and the woman who knows him to be married prior to the commission of the crime. The former is liable for concubinage <em>only <\\/em>when he does <em>any<\\/em> of the three acts mentioned. If his sexual relations with a woman not his wife is not any one of them, he is not criminally liable.<a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\">[7]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Therefore, in order to be convicted of the crime, it is necessary for the offended spouse to establish proof beyond reasonable doubt that the husband is either keeping a mistress in the conjugal dwelling; or having sexual intercourse, under scandalous circumstances, with another woman; or cohabiting with another woman in any other place.<a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\">[8]<\\/a> In addition, the crime of concubinage is considered a private crime which may only be prosecuted by the offended spouse.<a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\">[9]<\\/a> Thus, the complaint must be lodged by the offended wife and no one else.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 From the discussion above, it can be inferred that the crime of concubinage is difficult to prove in court. Republic Act (R.A.) No. 9262, otherwise known as the Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Law (\\u201cVAWC\\u201d), was signed into law in order to address that difficulty. Due to the inherent unequal power relationship between men and women, the will of the offended wife to lodge a complaint might be affected by the dominant husband. Hence, the VAWC law considers repeated marital infidelity as a form of psychological violence and treats the same as a public crime. Being a public crime, the complaint may be filed by any citizen having personal knowledge of the circumstances.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Republic Act No. RA 9262 , otherwise known as the Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Law (\\u201cVAWC\\u201d), defines violence against women and children as \\u201cany act or a series of acts against a woman who is his wife, former wife or against a woman with whom the person has or had sexual or dating relationship, or against her child, whether legitimate or illegitimate, within or without family abode, which result in physical, sexual, psychological harm or suffering, or economic abuse including threats of such acts, battery, assault, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty\\u201d.<a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\">[10]<\\/a> As can be gleaned from this definition, the concept of \\u201cviolence\\u201d against women includes not just physical violence, but also sexual violence, psychological violence and economic abuse.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 A novel concept in Philippine law is\\u00a0<strong>psychological violence. Section 3(c) of R.A. No. 9262 defines psychological violence as<\\/strong>acts or omissions causing or likely to cause mental or emotional suffering of the victim such as but not limited to intimidation, harassment, stalking, damage to property, public ridicule or humiliation, repeated verbal abuse and marital infidelity. It includes causing or allowing the victim to witness the physical, sexual or psychological abuse of a member of the family to which the victim belongs, or to witness pornography in any form or to witness abusive injury to pets or to unlawful or unwanted deprivation of the right to custody and\\/or visitation of common children.<a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\">[11]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 On the other hand, Section 5(i) of R.A. No. 9262 penalizes psychological violence that are caused on victims who are women and children through any of the following acts: \\u00a0\\u201ccausing mental or emotional anguish, public ridicule or humiliation to the woman or her child, including, but not limited to, repeated verbal and emotional abuse, and denial of financial support or custody of minor children or access to the woman\'s child\\/children.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn12\\\">[12]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Hence, under Section 5(i), in relation to Sections 3(a) and 3(c) of RA No. 9262, the elements of the crime are derived as follows:<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:quote -->\\n<blockquote class=\\\"wp-block-quote\\\">\\n<p>\\u201c(1) The offended party is a woman and\\/or her child or children;<\\/p>\\n<p>(2) The woman is either the wife or former wife of the offender, or is a woman with whom the offender has or had a sexual or dating relationship, or is a woman with whom such offender has a common child. As for the woman\'s child or children, they may be legitimate or illegitimate, or living within or without the family abode;<\\/p>\\n<p>(3) The offender causes on the woman and\\/or child mental or emotional anguish; and<\\/p>\\n<p>(4) The anguish is caused through acts of public ridicule or humiliation, repeated verbal and emotional abuse, denial of financial support or custody of minor children or access to the children or similar such acts or omissions.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn13\\\">[13]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<\\/blockquote>\\n<!-- \\/wp:quote --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Therefore, psychological violence is an indispensable element to be made liable under Section 5(i) of R.A. No. 9262.<a href=\\\"#_ftn14\\\">[14]<\\/a> Equally essential is the element of emotional anguish and mental suffering. Psychological violence is the means employed by the perpetrator, while emotional anguish or mental suffering are the effects caused to or the damage sustained by the offended party.<a href=\\\"#_ftn15\\\">[15]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In a landmark case dated September 8, 2020<a href=\\\"#_ftn16\\\">[16]<\\/a> the Supreme Court First Division ruled that the prosecution established beyond reasonable doubt that the husband committed the crime of psychological violence, by leaving his wife to live with his mistress despite being fully aware that his wife suffered emotionally and psychologically because of his decision.<a href=\\\"#_ftn17\\\">[17]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Supreme Court further explained that the marital infidelity committed by the husband, which is a form of psychological violence, is the proximate cause of the wife\\u2019s emotional anguish and mental suffering, to the point that even her health condition was adversely affected.<a href=\\\"#_ftn18\\\">[18]<\\/a> The law does not require that the victim became psychologically ill due to the psychological violence inflicted by the abuser. Psychological violence as an element of the crime, and the mental and emotional anguish the victim may suffer, may be proven through testimonies.<a href=\\\"#_ftn19\\\">[19]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 While the case is not the first to declare marital infidelity as a form of psychological violence, it is the first time the Court has said that the act of leaving a wife to live with the mistress, causing emotional and mental anguish, is considered a form of psychological violence. In this regard, <em>Araza<a href=\\\"#_ftn20\\\"><strong>[20]<\\/strong><\\/a> <\\/em>made it a point that illicit relationships which causes mental or emotional anguish on the wife are addressed and penalized\\u00a0under R.A. No. 9262. However, it bears noting that R.A. No. 9262 does not criminalize acts of marital infidelity per se, but the psychological violence causing mental or emotional suffering on the wife.<a href=\\\"#_ftn21\\\">[21]<\\/a> It is the emotional anguish caused by illicit affairs by the husband, and not exactly the act of infidelity, that was subject of guilt.\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Contrary to popular belief, being legally married is not just a piece of paper. When cheating occurs, it can confer wives the legal right to seek redress that will protect them as needed.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 However, while Philippine law criminalizes concubinage as a \\u201ccrime against chastity\\u201d under the Revised Penal Code<a href=\\\"#_ftn22\\\">[22]<\\/a> and treats the same as sexual infidelity in the Family Code, the challenge persists that when the evidence merely proves that the husband is having an extra-marital affair and nothing more, he cannot be charged with concubinage. In which case, the offended spouse may likewise consider filing a complaint for violation of the provisions of R.A. 9262.<a href=\\\"#_ftn23\\\">[23]<\\/a> Philandering husbands can now be charged criminally even for just one incident of marital infidelity under the \\u201cpsychological violence\\u201d provision of R.A. No. 9262.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Court, speaking through Chief Justice Peralta, affirmed that marital infidelity is a form of psychological violence. In effect, the Court liberally construed R.A. No. 9262 to afford women ample protection by filling the gaps of the law.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 This interpretation is in keeping with the obligation of the Philippines to uphold the rights of women according to the Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), Convention on the Rights of the Child, Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The penalty for \\u201cpsychological violence\\u201d is a minimum of six years up to twelve years of imprisonment.\\u00a0The maximum penalty is imposed if the violence is committed by the intimate partner against the woman when she is pregnant or in the presence of the common children.<a href=\\\"#_ftn24\\\"><sup>[24]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 They say the law is unfair to women, but fortunately, it can be fair for the innocent spouse. Through the rights conferred by the VAWC law, wives will no longer be silent victims. With the help of the law, the wife can fight for their rights.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator {\\\"className\\\":\\\"is-style-wide\\\"} --><hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator is-style-wide\\\" \\/><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">[1]<\\/a> Nicolas & De Vega Law Offices,\\u00a0 How To Sue Your Wife For Adultery In The Philippines, https:\\/\\/ndvlaw.com\\/how-to-sue-your-wife-for-adultery-in-the-philippines\\/ (last accessed Nov. 8, 2020).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a> Domini M. Torrevillas, Amending the marital infidelity law, https:\\/\\/www.pressreader.com\\/philippines\\/the-philippine-star\\/20150630\\/281702613368034 (last accessed Jan. 23, 2021)<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a> FAMILY CODE, art. 55 (8).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[4]<\\/a> REV. PEN. CODE, Book II, Title Eleven.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[5]<\\/a> REV. PEN. CODE, art. 344.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[6]<\\/a> REV. PEN. CODE, Book Two, page 848.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\">[7]<\\/a> People v. Santos, <em>et al., <\\/em>C.A., 45 O.G. 2116.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\">[8]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\">[9]<\\/a> REV. PEN. CODE, art. 344.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\">[10]<\\/a> R.A. No. 9262, Section 3(a).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\">[11]<\\/a> R.A. No. 9262, Section 3(c).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref12\\\">[12]<\\/a> R.A. No. 9262, Section 5(i).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref13\\\">[13]<\\/a> <em>Dinamling v. People<\\/em>, 761 Phil. 356, 373 (2015).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref14\\\">[14]<\\/a> <em>Esteban Donato Reyes v. People<\\/em>, G.R. No. 232678, July 3, 2019.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref15\\\">[15]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref16\\\">[16]<\\/a> <em>Jaime Araza y Jarupay v. People of the Philippines<\\/em>, G.R. No. 247429, Sept. 8, 2020.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref17\\\">[17]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref18\\\">[18]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref19\\\">[19]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref20\\\">[20]<\\/a> <em>Id., <\\/em>at 4.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref21\\\">[21]<\\/a> <em>AAA v. BBB,<\\/em> G.R. No. 212448, January 11, 2018.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref22\\\">[22]<\\/a> <em>Id.,<\\/em> at 1.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref23\\\">[23]<\\/a> <em>Id., <\\/em>at 2.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref24\\\">[24]<\\/a> <em>Id., <\\/em>at 3.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(3222,1149,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(3223,1149,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(3224,1149,'_elementor_version','3.0.16'),(3225,1149,'_wp_page_template','default');
INSERT INTO `wp_postmeta` VALUES (3226,1149,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"198409a9\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"2987e756\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"59f1f72b\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>By: Daniella Khylyn D.Glean<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The sound of wedding bells and the tune of \\u201cHere Comes the Bride\\u201d are wonderful sounds most people aspire to hear. However, once the ceremonies are over and the fairy tale ends, there are some grim realities that beset unfortunate married couples.<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\">[1]<\\/a> One of them is the infidelity committed by one of the spouses.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Unfortunately, in this age when broken homes have become all too common, marriage requires hard work \\u2013 a part of which is to accept the fact that something may come up and destroy the union and the commitment. Wives, in particular, should be aware of their legal rights.\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 What can a wife do within the bounds of the law when her husband cheats? Unfaithfulness of a husband is punishable under Article 334 of the Revised Penal Code. Likewise, repeated marital infidelity is also punishable under Republic Act No. 9262, otherwise known as the\\u00a0Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Law.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Philippine law criminalizes concubinage. Under the Revised Penal Code, concubinage may be committed by a husband with a woman who is not his wife provided certain conditions are met. On the other hand, the National Commission for Women defines marital infidelity as \\u201ca violation or breach of good faith and confidence by one or both spouses to the matrimonial vows.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\">[2]<\\/a> \\u00a0While there is no such crime as marital or sexual infidelity, it is regarded as one of the grounds for a Petition for Legal Separation.<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\">[3]<\\/a> Under the Philippine laws, there is no precise definition of sexual infidelity but our jurisdiction recognizes that this include concubinage, which is denominated as a crime against chastity.<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\">[4]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Concubinage is committed by any husband who shall keep a mistress in the conjugal dwelling, or, shall have sexual intercourse, under exceptional circumstances, with a woman who is not his wife, or shall cohabit with her in any other place, shall be punished by <em>prision correccional <\\/em>in its minimum and medium periods. The concubine shall suffer the penalty of <em>destierro.<a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\"><strong>[5]<\\/strong><\\/a> <\\/em>The elements of the crime of concubinage are:<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:list {\\\"ordered\\\":true,\\\"type\\\":\\\"1\\\"} -->\\n<ol>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\n<ol>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\n<ol type=\\\"1\\\">\\n<li>That the <em>man must <\\/em>be married.<\\/li>\\n<li>That he committed <em>any<\\/em> of the following acts:\\n<ul>\\n<li><em>Keeping <\\/em>a mistress in the <em>conjugal dwelling;<\\/em><\\/li>\\n<li><em>Having sexual intercourse under scandalous circumstances <\\/em>with a woman who is not his wife;<\\/li>\\n<li><em>Cohabiting <\\/em>with her in any other place.<\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<\\/li>\\n<li>That as regards the woman, <em>she must know him to be married.<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\"><strong>[6]<\\/strong><\\/a><\\/em><\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The offenders are the married man and the woman who knows him to be married prior to the commission of the crime. The former is liable for concubinage <em>only <\\/em>when he does <em>any<\\/em> of the three acts mentioned. If his sexual relations with a woman not his wife is not any one of them, he is not criminally liable.<a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\">[7]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Therefore, in order to be convicted of the crime, it is necessary for the offended spouse to establish proof beyond reasonable doubt that the husband is either keeping a mistress in the conjugal dwelling; or having sexual intercourse, under scandalous circumstances, with another woman; or cohabiting with another woman in any other place.<a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\">[8]<\\/a> In addition, the crime of concubinage is considered a private crime which may only be prosecuted by the offended spouse.<a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\">[9]<\\/a> Thus, the complaint must be lodged by the offended wife and no one else.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 From the discussion above, it can be inferred that the crime of concubinage is difficult to prove in court. Republic Act (R.A.) No. 9262, otherwise known as the Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Law (\\u201cVAWC\\u201d), was signed into law in order to address that difficulty. Due to the inherent unequal power relationship between men and women, the will of the offended wife to lodge a complaint might be affected by the dominant husband. Hence, the VAWC law considers repeated marital infidelity as a form of psychological violence and treats the same as a public crime. Being a public crime, the complaint may be filed by any citizen having personal knowledge of the circumstances.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Republic Act No. RA 9262 , otherwise known as the Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Law (\\u201cVAWC\\u201d), defines violence against women and children as \\u201cany act or a series of acts against a woman who is his wife, former wife or against a woman with whom the person has or had sexual or dating relationship, or against her child, whether legitimate or illegitimate, within or without family abode, which result in physical, sexual, psychological harm or suffering, or economic abuse including threats of such acts, battery, assault, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty\\u201d.<a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\">[10]<\\/a> As can be gleaned from this definition, the concept of \\u201cviolence\\u201d against women includes not just physical violence, but also sexual violence, psychological violence and economic abuse.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 A novel concept in Philippine law is\\u00a0<strong>psychological violence. Section 3(c) of R.A. No. 9262 defines psychological violence as<\\/strong>acts or omissions causing or likely to cause mental or emotional suffering of the victim such as but not limited to intimidation, harassment, stalking, damage to property, public ridicule or humiliation, repeated verbal abuse and marital infidelity. It includes causing or allowing the victim to witness the physical, sexual or psychological abuse of a member of the family to which the victim belongs, or to witness pornography in any form or to witness abusive injury to pets or to unlawful or unwanted deprivation of the right to custody and\\/or visitation of common children.<a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\">[11]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 On the other hand, Section 5(i) of R.A. No. 9262 penalizes psychological violence that are caused on victims who are women and children through any of the following acts: \\u00a0\\u201ccausing mental or emotional anguish, public ridicule or humiliation to the woman or her child, including, but not limited to, repeated verbal and emotional abuse, and denial of financial support or custody of minor children or access to the woman\'s child\\/children.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn12\\\">[12]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Hence, under Section 5(i), in relation to Sections 3(a) and 3(c) of RA No. 9262, the elements of the crime are derived as follows:<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:quote -->\\n<blockquote class=\\\"wp-block-quote\\\">\\n<p>\\u201c(1) The offended party is a woman and\\/or her child or children;<\\/p>\\n<p>(2) The woman is either the wife or former wife of the offender, or is a woman with whom the offender has or had a sexual or dating relationship, or is a woman with whom such offender has a common child. As for the woman\'s child or children, they may be legitimate or illegitimate, or living within or without the family abode;<\\/p>\\n<p>(3) The offender causes on the woman and\\/or child mental or emotional anguish; and<\\/p>\\n<p>(4) The anguish is caused through acts of public ridicule or humiliation, repeated verbal and emotional abuse, denial of financial support or custody of minor children or access to the children or similar such acts or omissions.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn13\\\">[13]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<\\/blockquote>\\n<!-- \\/wp:quote --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Therefore, psychological violence is an indispensable element to be made liable under Section 5(i) of R.A. No. 9262.<a href=\\\"#_ftn14\\\">[14]<\\/a> Equally essential is the element of emotional anguish and mental suffering. Psychological violence is the means employed by the perpetrator, while emotional anguish or mental suffering are the effects caused to or the damage sustained by the offended party.<a href=\\\"#_ftn15\\\">[15]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In a landmark case dated September 8, 2020<a href=\\\"#_ftn16\\\">[16]<\\/a> the Supreme Court First Division ruled that the prosecution established beyond reasonable doubt that the husband committed the crime of psychological violence, by leaving his wife to live with his mistress despite being fully aware that his wife suffered emotionally and psychologically because of his decision.<a href=\\\"#_ftn17\\\">[17]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Supreme Court further explained that the marital infidelity committed by the husband, which is a form of psychological violence, is the proximate cause of the wife\\u2019s emotional anguish and mental suffering, to the point that even her health condition was adversely affected.<a href=\\\"#_ftn18\\\">[18]<\\/a> The law does not require that the victim became psychologically ill due to the psychological violence inflicted by the abuser. Psychological violence as an element of the crime, and the mental and emotional anguish the victim may suffer, may be proven through testimonies.<a href=\\\"#_ftn19\\\">[19]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 While the case is not the first to declare marital infidelity as a form of psychological violence, it is the first time the Court has said that the act of leaving a wife to live with the mistress, causing emotional and mental anguish, is considered a form of psychological violence. In this regard, <em>Araza<a href=\\\"#_ftn20\\\"><strong>[20]<\\/strong><\\/a> <\\/em>made it a point that illicit relationships which causes mental or emotional anguish on the wife are addressed and penalized\\u00a0under R.A. No. 9262. However, it bears noting that R.A. No. 9262 does not criminalize acts of marital infidelity per se, but the psychological violence causing mental or emotional suffering on the wife.<a href=\\\"#_ftn21\\\">[21]<\\/a> It is the emotional anguish caused by illicit affairs by the husband, and not exactly the act of infidelity, that was subject of guilt.\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Contrary to popular belief, being legally married is not just a piece of paper. When cheating occurs, it can confer wives the legal right to seek redress that will protect them as needed.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 However, while Philippine law criminalizes concubinage as a \\u201ccrime against chastity\\u201d under the Revised Penal Code<a href=\\\"#_ftn22\\\">[22]<\\/a> and treats the same as sexual infidelity in the Family Code, the challenge persists that when the evidence merely proves that the husband is having an extra-marital affair and nothing more, he cannot be charged with concubinage. In which case, the offended spouse may likewise consider filing a complaint for violation of the provisions of R.A. 9262.<a href=\\\"#_ftn23\\\">[23]<\\/a> Philandering husbands can now be charged criminally even for just one incident of marital infidelity under the \\u201cpsychological violence\\u201d provision of R.A. No. 9262.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Court, speaking through Chief Justice Peralta, affirmed that marital infidelity is a form of psychological violence. In effect, the Court liberally construed R.A. No. 9262 to afford women ample protection by filling the gaps of the law.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 This interpretation is in keeping with the obligation of the Philippines to uphold the rights of women according to the Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), Convention on the Rights of the Child, Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The penalty for \\u201cpsychological violence\\u201d is a minimum of six years up to twelve years of imprisonment.\\u00a0The maximum penalty is imposed if the violence is committed by the intimate partner against the woman when she is pregnant or in the presence of the common children.<a href=\\\"#_ftn24\\\"><sup>[24]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 They say the law is unfair to women, but fortunately, it can be fair for the innocent spouse. Through the rights conferred by the VAWC law, wives will no longer be silent victims. With the help of the law, the wife can fight for their rights.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator {\\\"className\\\":\\\"is-style-wide\\\"} --><hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator is-style-wide\\\" \\/><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">[1]<\\/a> Nicolas & De Vega Law Offices,\\u00a0 How To Sue Your Wife For Adultery In The Philippines, https:\\/\\/ndvlaw.com\\/how-to-sue-your-wife-for-adultery-in-the-philippines\\/ (last accessed Nov. 8, 2020).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a> Domini M. Torrevillas, Amending the marital infidelity law, https:\\/\\/www.pressreader.com\\/philippines\\/the-philippine-star\\/20150630\\/281702613368034 (last accessed Jan. 23, 2021)<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a> FAMILY CODE, art. 55 (8).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[4]<\\/a> REV. PEN. CODE, Book II, Title Eleven.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[5]<\\/a> REV. PEN. CODE, art. 344.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[6]<\\/a> REV. PEN. CODE, Book Two, page 848.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\">[7]<\\/a> People v. Santos, <em>et al., <\\/em>C.A., 45 O.G. 2116.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\">[8]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\">[9]<\\/a> REV. PEN. CODE, art. 344.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\">[10]<\\/a> R.A. No. 9262, Section 3(a).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\">[11]<\\/a> R.A. No. 9262, Section 3(c).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref12\\\">[12]<\\/a> R.A. No. 9262, Section 5(i).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref13\\\">[13]<\\/a> <em>Dinamling v. People<\\/em>, 761 Phil. 356, 373 (2015).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref14\\\">[14]<\\/a> <em>Esteban Donato Reyes v. People<\\/em>, G.R. No. 232678, July 3, 2019.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref15\\\">[15]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref16\\\">[16]<\\/a> <em>Jaime Araza y Jarupay v. People of the Philippines<\\/em>, G.R. No. 247429, Sept. 8, 2020.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref17\\\">[17]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref18\\\">[18]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref19\\\">[19]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref20\\\">[20]<\\/a> <em>Id., <\\/em>at 4.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref21\\\">[21]<\\/a> <em>AAA v. BBB,<\\/em> G.R. No. 212448, January 11, 2018.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref22\\\">[22]<\\/a> <em>Id.,<\\/em> at 1.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref23\\\">[23]<\\/a> <em>Id., <\\/em>at 2.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref24\\\">[24]<\\/a> <em>Id., <\\/em>at 3.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(3228,1150,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(3229,1150,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(3230,1150,'_elementor_version','3.0.16'),(3231,1150,'_wp_page_template','default'),(3232,1150,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"198409a9\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"2987e756\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"59f1f72b\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>By: Daniella Khylyn D.Glean<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The sound of wedding bells and the tune of \\u201cHere Comes the Bride\\u201d are wonderful sounds most people aspire to hear. However, once the ceremonies are over and the fairy tale ends, there are some grim realities that beset unfortunate married couples.<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\">[1]<\\/a> One of them is the infidelity committed by one of the spouses.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Unfortunately, in this age when broken homes have become all too common, marriage requires hard work \\u2013 a part of which is to accept the fact that something may come up and destroy the union and the commitment. Wives, in particular, should be aware of their legal rights.\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 What can a wife do within the bounds of the law when her husband cheats? Unfaithfulness of a husband is punishable under Article 334 of the Revised Penal Code. Likewise, repeated marital infidelity is also punishable under Republic Act No. 9262, otherwise known as the\\u00a0Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Law.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Philippine law criminalizes concubinage. Under the Revised Penal Code, concubinage may be committed by a husband with a woman who is not his wife provided certain conditions are met. On the other hand, the National Commission for Women defines marital infidelity as \\u201ca violation or breach of good faith and confidence by one or both spouses to the matrimonial vows.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\">[2]<\\/a> \\u00a0While there is no such crime as marital or sexual infidelity, it is regarded as one of the grounds for a Petition for Legal Separation.<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\">[3]<\\/a> Under the Philippine laws, there is no precise definition of sexual infidelity but our jurisdiction recognizes that this include concubinage, which is denominated as a crime against chastity.<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\">[4]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Concubinage is committed by any husband who shall keep a mistress in the conjugal dwelling, or, shall have sexual intercourse, under exceptional circumstances, with a woman who is not his wife, or shall cohabit with her in any other place, shall be punished by <em>prision correccional <\\/em>in its minimum and medium periods. The concubine shall suffer the penalty of <em>destierro.<a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\"><strong>[5]<\\/strong><\\/a> <\\/em>The elements of the crime of concubinage are:<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:list {\\\"ordered\\\":true,\\\"type\\\":\\\"1\\\"} -->\\n<ol>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\n<ol>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\n<ol type=\\\"1\\\">\\n<li>That the <em>man must <\\/em>be married.<\\/li>\\n<li>That he committed <em>any<\\/em> of the following acts:\\n<ul>\\n<li><em>Keeping <\\/em>a mistress in the <em>conjugal dwelling;<\\/em><\\/li>\\n<li><em>Having sexual intercourse under scandalous circumstances <\\/em>with a woman who is not his wife;<\\/li>\\n<li><em>Cohabiting <\\/em>with her in any other place.<\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<\\/li>\\n<li>That as regards the woman, <em>she must know him to be married.<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\"><strong>[6]<\\/strong><\\/a><\\/em><\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The offenders are the married man and the woman who knows him to be married prior to the commission of the crime. The former is liable for concubinage <em>only <\\/em>when he does <em>any<\\/em> of the three acts mentioned. If his sexual relations with a woman not his wife is not any one of them, he is not criminally liable.<a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\">[7]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Therefore, in order to be convicted of the crime, it is necessary for the offended spouse to establish proof beyond reasonable doubt that the husband is either keeping a mistress in the conjugal dwelling; or having sexual intercourse, under scandalous circumstances, with another woman; or cohabiting with another woman in any other place.<a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\">[8]<\\/a> In addition, the crime of concubinage is considered a private crime which may only be prosecuted by the offended spouse.<a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\">[9]<\\/a> Thus, the complaint must be lodged by the offended wife and no one else.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 From the discussion above, it can be inferred that the crime of concubinage is difficult to prove in court. Republic Act (R.A.) No. 9262, otherwise known as the Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Law (\\u201cVAWC\\u201d), was signed into law in order to address that difficulty. Due to the inherent unequal power relationship between men and women, the will of the offended wife to lodge a complaint might be affected by the dominant husband. Hence, the VAWC law considers repeated marital infidelity as a form of psychological violence and treats the same as a public crime. Being a public crime, the complaint may be filed by any citizen having personal knowledge of the circumstances.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Republic Act No. RA 9262 , otherwise known as the Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Law (\\u201cVAWC\\u201d), defines violence against women and children as \\u201cany act or a series of acts against a woman who is his wife, former wife or against a woman with whom the person has or had sexual or dating relationship, or against her child, whether legitimate or illegitimate, within or without family abode, which result in physical, sexual, psychological harm or suffering, or economic abuse including threats of such acts, battery, assault, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty\\u201d.<a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\">[10]<\\/a> As can be gleaned from this definition, the concept of \\u201cviolence\\u201d against women includes not just physical violence, but also sexual violence, psychological violence and economic abuse.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 A novel concept in Philippine law is\\u00a0<strong>psychological violence. Section 3(c) of R.A. No. 9262 defines psychological violence as<\\/strong>acts or omissions causing or likely to cause mental or emotional suffering of the victim such as but not limited to intimidation, harassment, stalking, damage to property, public ridicule or humiliation, repeated verbal abuse and marital infidelity. It includes causing or allowing the victim to witness the physical, sexual or psychological abuse of a member of the family to which the victim belongs, or to witness pornography in any form or to witness abusive injury to pets or to unlawful or unwanted deprivation of the right to custody and\\/or visitation of common children.<a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\">[11]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 On the other hand, Section 5(i) of R.A. No. 9262 penalizes psychological violence that are caused on victims who are women and children through any of the following acts: \\u00a0\\u201ccausing mental or emotional anguish, public ridicule or humiliation to the woman or her child, including, but not limited to, repeated verbal and emotional abuse, and denial of financial support or custody of minor children or access to the woman\'s child\\/children.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn12\\\">[12]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Hence, under Section 5(i), in relation to Sections 3(a) and 3(c) of RA No. 9262, the elements of the crime are derived as follows:<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:quote -->\\n<blockquote class=\\\"wp-block-quote\\\">\\n<p>\\u201c(1) The offended party is a woman and\\/or her child or children;<\\/p>\\n<p>(2) The woman is either the wife or former wife of the offender, or is a woman with whom the offender has or had a sexual or dating relationship, or is a woman with whom such offender has a common child. As for the woman\'s child or children, they may be legitimate or illegitimate, or living within or without the family abode;<\\/p>\\n<p>(3) The offender causes on the woman and\\/or child mental or emotional anguish; and<\\/p>\\n<p>(4) The anguish is caused through acts of public ridicule or humiliation, repeated verbal and emotional abuse, denial of financial support or custody of minor children or access to the children or similar such acts or omissions.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn13\\\">[13]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<\\/blockquote>\\n<!-- \\/wp:quote --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Therefore, psychological violence is an indispensable element to be made liable under Section 5(i) of R.A. No. 9262.<a href=\\\"#_ftn14\\\">[14]<\\/a> Equally essential is the element of emotional anguish and mental suffering. Psychological violence is the means employed by the perpetrator, while emotional anguish or mental suffering are the effects caused to or the damage sustained by the offended party.<a href=\\\"#_ftn15\\\">[15]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In a landmark case dated September 8, 2020<a href=\\\"#_ftn16\\\">[16]<\\/a> the Supreme Court First Division ruled that the prosecution established beyond reasonable doubt that the husband committed the crime of psychological violence, by leaving his wife to live with his mistress despite being fully aware that his wife suffered emotionally and psychologically because of his decision.<a href=\\\"#_ftn17\\\">[17]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Supreme Court further explained that the marital infidelity committed by the husband, which is a form of psychological violence, is the proximate cause of the wife\\u2019s emotional anguish and mental suffering, to the point that even her health condition was adversely affected.<a href=\\\"#_ftn18\\\">[18]<\\/a> The law does not require that the victim became psychologically ill due to the psychological violence inflicted by the abuser. Psychological violence as an element of the crime, and the mental and emotional anguish the victim may suffer, may be proven through testimonies.<a href=\\\"#_ftn19\\\">[19]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 While the case is not the first to declare marital infidelity as a form of psychological violence, it is the first time the Court has said that the act of leaving a wife to live with the mistress, causing emotional and mental anguish, is considered a form of psychological violence. In this regard, <em>Araza<a href=\\\"#_ftn20\\\"><strong>[20]<\\/strong><\\/a> <\\/em>made it a point that illicit relationships which causes mental or emotional anguish on the wife are addressed and penalized\\u00a0under R.A. No. 9262. However, it bears noting that R.A. No. 9262 does not criminalize acts of marital infidelity per se, but the psychological violence causing mental or emotional suffering on the wife.<a href=\\\"#_ftn21\\\">[21]<\\/a> It is the emotional anguish caused by illicit affairs by the husband, and not exactly the act of infidelity, that was subject of guilt.\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Contrary to popular belief, being legally married is not just a piece of paper. When cheating occurs, it can confer wives the legal right to seek redress that will protect them as needed.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 However, while Philippine law criminalizes concubinage as a \\u201ccrime against chastity\\u201d under the Revised Penal Code<a href=\\\"#_ftn22\\\">[22]<\\/a> and treats the same as sexual infidelity in the Family Code, the challenge persists that when the evidence merely proves that the husband is having an extra-marital affair and nothing more, he cannot be charged with concubinage. In which case, the offended spouse may likewise consider filing a complaint for violation of the provisions of R.A. 9262.<a href=\\\"#_ftn23\\\">[23]<\\/a> Philandering husbands can now be charged criminally even for just one incident of marital infidelity under the \\u201cpsychological violence\\u201d provision of R.A. No. 9262.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Court, speaking through Chief Justice Peralta, affirmed that marital infidelity is a form of psychological violence. In effect, the Court liberally construed R.A. No. 9262 to afford women ample protection by filling the gaps of the law.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 This interpretation is in keeping with the obligation of the Philippines to uphold the rights of women according to the Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), Convention on the Rights of the Child, Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The penalty for \\u201cpsychological violence\\u201d is a minimum of six years up to twelve years of imprisonment.\\u00a0The maximum penalty is imposed if the violence is committed by the intimate partner against the woman when she is pregnant or in the presence of the common children.<a href=\\\"#_ftn24\\\"><sup>[24]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 They say the law is unfair to women, but fortunately, it can be fair for the innocent spouse. Through the rights conferred by the VAWC law, wives will no longer be silent victims. With the help of the law, the wife can fight for their rights.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator {\\\"className\\\":\\\"is-style-wide\\\"} --><hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator is-style-wide\\\" \\/><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">[1]<\\/a> Nicolas & De Vega Law Offices,\\u00a0 How To Sue Your Wife For Adultery In The Philippines, https:\\/\\/ndvlaw.com\\/how-to-sue-your-wife-for-adultery-in-the-philippines\\/ (last accessed Nov. 8, 2020).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a> Domini M. Torrevillas, Amending the marital infidelity law, https:\\/\\/www.pressreader.com\\/philippines\\/the-philippine-star\\/20150630\\/281702613368034 (last accessed Jan. 23, 2021)<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a> FAMILY CODE, art. 55 (8).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[4]<\\/a> REV. PEN. CODE, Book II, Title Eleven.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[5]<\\/a> REV. PEN. CODE, art. 344.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[6]<\\/a> REV. PEN. CODE, Book Two, page 848.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\">[7]<\\/a> People v. Santos, <em>et al., <\\/em>C.A., 45 O.G. 2116.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\">[8]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\">[9]<\\/a> REV. PEN. CODE, art. 344.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\">[10]<\\/a> R.A. No. 9262, Section 3(a).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\">[11]<\\/a> R.A. No. 9262, Section 3(c).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref12\\\">[12]<\\/a> R.A. No. 9262, Section 5(i).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref13\\\">[13]<\\/a> <em>Dinamling v. People<\\/em>, 761 Phil. 356, 373 (2015).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref14\\\">[14]<\\/a> <em>Esteban Donato Reyes v. People<\\/em>, G.R. No. 232678, July 3, 2019.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref15\\\">[15]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref16\\\">[16]<\\/a> <em>Jaime Araza y Jarupay v. People of the Philippines<\\/em>, G.R. No. 247429, Sept. 8, 2020.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref17\\\">[17]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref18\\\">[18]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref19\\\">[19]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref20\\\">[20]<\\/a> <em>Id., <\\/em>at 4.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref21\\\">[21]<\\/a> <em>AAA v. BBB,<\\/em> G.R. No. 212448, January 11, 2018.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref22\\\">[22]<\\/a> <em>Id.,<\\/em> at 1.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref23\\\">[23]<\\/a> <em>Id., <\\/em>at 2.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref24\\\">[24]<\\/a> <em>Id., <\\/em>at 3.<\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p>Photo by <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/unsplash.com\\/@kellysikkema?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText\\\">Kelly Sikkema<\\/a> on <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/unsplash.com\\/s\\/photos\\/divorce?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText\\\">Unsplash<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(3234,1143,'_elementor_controls_usage','a:3:{s:11:\"text-editor\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:1;s:8:\"controls\";a:2:{s:7:\"content\";a:1:{s:14:\"section_editor\";a:1:{s:6:\"editor\";i:1;}}s:5:\"style\";a:1:{s:13:\"section_style\";a:2:{s:21:\"typography_typography\";i:1;s:22:\"typography_line_height\";i:1;}}}}s:6:\"column\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:0;s:8:\"controls\";a:0:{}}s:7:\"section\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:0;s:8:\"controls\";a:0:{}}}'),(3236,1151,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(3237,1151,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(3238,1151,'_elementor_version','3.0.16'),(3239,1151,'_wp_page_template','default'),(3240,1151,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"198409a9\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"2987e756\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"59f1f72b\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>By: Daniella Khylyn D.Glean<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The sound of wedding bells and the tune of \\u201cHere Comes the Bride\\u201d are wonderful sounds most people aspire to hear. However, once the ceremonies are over and the fairy tale ends, there are some grim realities that beset unfortunate married couples.<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\">[1]<\\/a> One of them is the infidelity committed by one of the spouses.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Unfortunately, in this age when broken homes have become all too common, marriage requires hard work \\u2013 a part of which is to accept the fact that something may come up and destroy the union and the commitment. Wives, in particular, should be aware of their legal rights.\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 What can a wife do within the bounds of the law when her husband cheats? Unfaithfulness of a husband is punishable under Article 334 of the Revised Penal Code. Likewise, repeated marital infidelity is also punishable under Republic Act No. 9262, otherwise known as the\\u00a0Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Law.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Philippine law criminalizes concubinage. Under the Revised Penal Code, concubinage may be committed by a husband with a woman who is not his wife provided certain conditions are met. On the other hand, the National Commission for Women defines marital infidelity as \\u201ca violation or breach of good faith and confidence by one or both spouses to the matrimonial vows.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\">[2]<\\/a> \\u00a0While there is no such crime as marital or sexual infidelity, it is regarded as one of the grounds for a Petition for Legal Separation.<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\">[3]<\\/a> Under the Philippine laws, there is no precise definition of sexual infidelity but our jurisdiction recognizes that this include concubinage, which is denominated as a crime against chastity.<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\">[4]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Concubinage is committed by any husband who shall keep a mistress in the conjugal dwelling, or, shall have sexual intercourse, under exceptional circumstances, with a woman who is not his wife, or shall cohabit with her in any other place, shall be punished by <em>prision correccional <\\/em>in its minimum and medium periods. The concubine shall suffer the penalty of <em>destierro.<a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\"><strong>[5]<\\/strong><\\/a> <\\/em>The elements of the crime of concubinage are:<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:list {\\\"ordered\\\":true,\\\"type\\\":\\\"1\\\"} -->\\n<ol>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\n<ol>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\n<ol type=\\\"1\\\">\\n<li>That the <em>man must <\\/em>be married.<\\/li>\\n<li>That he committed <em>any<\\/em> of the following acts:\\n<ul>\\n<li><em>Keeping <\\/em>a mistress in the <em>conjugal dwelling;<\\/em><\\/li>\\n<li><em>Having sexual intercourse under scandalous circumstances <\\/em>with a woman who is not his wife;<\\/li>\\n<li><em>Cohabiting <\\/em>with her in any other place.<\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<\\/li>\\n<li>That as regards the woman, <em>she must know him to be married.<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\"><strong>[6]<\\/strong><\\/a><\\/em><\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The offenders are the married man and the woman who knows him to be married prior to the commission of the crime. The former is liable for concubinage <em>only <\\/em>when he does <em>any<\\/em> of the three acts mentioned. If his sexual relations with a woman not his wife is not any one of them, he is not criminally liable.<a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\">[7]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Therefore, in order to be convicted of the crime, it is necessary for the offended spouse to establish proof beyond reasonable doubt that the husband is either keeping a mistress in the conjugal dwelling; or having sexual intercourse, under scandalous circumstances, with another woman; or cohabiting with another woman in any other place.<a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\">[8]<\\/a> In addition, the crime of concubinage is considered a private crime which may only be prosecuted by the offended spouse.<a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\">[9]<\\/a> Thus, the complaint must be lodged by the offended wife and no one else.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 From the discussion above, it can be inferred that the crime of concubinage is difficult to prove in court. Republic Act (R.A.) No. 9262, otherwise known as the Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Law (\\u201cVAWC\\u201d), was signed into law in order to address that difficulty. Due to the inherent unequal power relationship between men and women, the will of the offended wife to lodge a complaint might be affected by the dominant husband. Hence, the VAWC law considers repeated marital infidelity as a form of psychological violence and treats the same as a public crime. Being a public crime, the complaint may be filed by any citizen having personal knowledge of the circumstances.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Republic Act No. RA 9262 , otherwise known as the Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Law (\\u201cVAWC\\u201d), defines violence against women and children as \\u201cany act or a series of acts against a woman who is his wife, former wife or against a woman with whom the person has or had sexual or dating relationship, or against her child, whether legitimate or illegitimate, within or without family abode, which result in physical, sexual, psychological harm or suffering, or economic abuse including threats of such acts, battery, assault, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty\\u201d.<a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\">[10]<\\/a> As can be gleaned from this definition, the concept of \\u201cviolence\\u201d against women includes not just physical violence, but also sexual violence, psychological violence and economic abuse.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 A novel concept in Philippine law is\\u00a0<strong>psychological violence. Section 3(c) of R.A. No. 9262 defines psychological violence as<\\/strong>acts or omissions causing or likely to cause mental or emotional suffering of the victim such as but not limited to intimidation, harassment, stalking, damage to property, public ridicule or humiliation, repeated verbal abuse and marital infidelity. It includes causing or allowing the victim to witness the physical, sexual or psychological abuse of a member of the family to which the victim belongs, or to witness pornography in any form or to witness abusive injury to pets or to unlawful or unwanted deprivation of the right to custody and\\/or visitation of common children.<a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\">[11]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 On the other hand, Section 5(i) of R.A. No. 9262 penalizes psychological violence that are caused on victims who are women and children through any of the following acts: \\u00a0\\u201ccausing mental or emotional anguish, public ridicule or humiliation to the woman or her child, including, but not limited to, repeated verbal and emotional abuse, and denial of financial support or custody of minor children or access to the woman\'s child\\/children.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn12\\\">[12]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Hence, under Section 5(i), in relation to Sections 3(a) and 3(c) of RA No. 9262, the elements of the crime are derived as follows:<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:quote -->\\n<blockquote class=\\\"wp-block-quote\\\">\\n<p>\\u201c(1) The offended party is a woman and\\/or her child or children;<\\/p>\\n<p>(2) The woman is either the wife or former wife of the offender, or is a woman with whom the offender has or had a sexual or dating relationship, or is a woman with whom such offender has a common child. As for the woman\'s child or children, they may be legitimate or illegitimate, or living within or without the family abode;<\\/p>\\n<p>(3) The offender causes on the woman and\\/or child mental or emotional anguish; and<\\/p>\\n<p>(4) The anguish is caused through acts of public ridicule or humiliation, repeated verbal and emotional abuse, denial of financial support or custody of minor children or access to the children or similar such acts or omissions.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn13\\\">[13]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<\\/blockquote>\\n<!-- \\/wp:quote --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Therefore, psychological violence is an indispensable element to be made liable under Section 5(i) of R.A. No. 9262.<a href=\\\"#_ftn14\\\">[14]<\\/a> Equally essential is the element of emotional anguish and mental suffering. Psychological violence is the means employed by the perpetrator, while emotional anguish or mental suffering are the effects caused to or the damage sustained by the offended party.<a href=\\\"#_ftn15\\\">[15]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In a landmark case dated September 8, 2020<a href=\\\"#_ftn16\\\">[16]<\\/a> the Supreme Court First Division ruled that the prosecution established beyond reasonable doubt that the husband committed the crime of psychological violence, by leaving his wife to live with his mistress despite being fully aware that his wife suffered emotionally and psychologically because of his decision.<a href=\\\"#_ftn17\\\">[17]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Supreme Court further explained that the marital infidelity committed by the husband, which is a form of psychological violence, is the proximate cause of the wife\\u2019s emotional anguish and mental suffering, to the point that even her health condition was adversely affected.<a href=\\\"#_ftn18\\\">[18]<\\/a> The law does not require that the victim became psychologically ill due to the psychological violence inflicted by the abuser. Psychological violence as an element of the crime, and the mental and emotional anguish the victim may suffer, may be proven through testimonies.<a href=\\\"#_ftn19\\\">[19]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 While the case is not the first to declare marital infidelity as a form of psychological violence, it is the first time the Court has said that the act of leaving a wife to live with the mistress, causing emotional and mental anguish, is considered a form of psychological violence. In this regard, <em>Araza<a href=\\\"#_ftn20\\\"><strong>[20]<\\/strong><\\/a> <\\/em>made it a point that illicit relationships which causes mental or emotional anguish on the wife are addressed and penalized\\u00a0under R.A. No. 9262. However, it bears noting that R.A. No. 9262 does not criminalize acts of marital infidelity per se, but the psychological violence causing mental or emotional suffering on the wife.<a href=\\\"#_ftn21\\\">[21]<\\/a> It is the emotional anguish caused by illicit affairs by the husband, and not exactly the act of infidelity, that was subject of guilt.\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Contrary to popular belief, being legally married is not just a piece of paper. When cheating occurs, it can confer wives the legal right to seek redress that will protect them as needed.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 However, while Philippine law criminalizes concubinage as a \\u201ccrime against chastity\\u201d under the Revised Penal Code<a href=\\\"#_ftn22\\\">[22]<\\/a> and treats the same as sexual infidelity in the Family Code, the challenge persists that when the evidence merely proves that the husband is having an extra-marital affair and nothing more, he cannot be charged with concubinage. In which case, the offended spouse may likewise consider filing a complaint for violation of the provisions of R.A. 9262.<a href=\\\"#_ftn23\\\">[23]<\\/a> Philandering husbands can now be charged criminally even for just one incident of marital infidelity under the \\u201cpsychological violence\\u201d provision of R.A. No. 9262.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Court, speaking through Chief Justice Peralta, affirmed that marital infidelity is a form of psychological violence. In effect, the Court liberally construed R.A. No. 9262 to afford women ample protection by filling the gaps of the law.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 This interpretation is in keeping with the obligation of the Philippines to uphold the rights of women according to the Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), Convention on the Rights of the Child, Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The penalty for \\u201cpsychological violence\\u201d is a minimum of six years up to twelve years of imprisonment.\\u00a0The maximum penalty is imposed if the violence is committed by the intimate partner against the woman when she is pregnant or in the presence of the common children.<a href=\\\"#_ftn24\\\"><sup>[24]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 They say the law is unfair to women, but fortunately, it can be fair for the innocent spouse. Through the rights conferred by the VAWC law, wives will no longer be silent victims. With the help of the law, the wife can fight for their rights.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator {\\\"className\\\":\\\"is-style-wide\\\"} --><hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator is-style-wide\\\" \\/><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">[1]<\\/a> Nicolas & De Vega Law Offices,\\u00a0 How To Sue Your Wife For Adultery In The Philippines, https:\\/\\/ndvlaw.com\\/how-to-sue-your-wife-for-adultery-in-the-philippines\\/ (last accessed Nov. 8, 2020).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a> Domini M. Torrevillas, Amending the marital infidelity law, https:\\/\\/www.pressreader.com\\/philippines\\/the-philippine-star\\/20150630\\/281702613368034 (last accessed Jan. 23, 2021)<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a> FAMILY CODE, art. 55 (8).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[4]<\\/a> REV. PEN. CODE, Book II, Title Eleven.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[5]<\\/a> REV. PEN. CODE, art. 344.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[6]<\\/a> REV. PEN. CODE, Book Two, page 848.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\">[7]<\\/a> People v. Santos, <em>et al., <\\/em>C.A., 45 O.G. 2116.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\">[8]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\">[9]<\\/a> REV. PEN. CODE, art. 344.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\">[10]<\\/a> R.A. No. 9262, Section 3(a).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\">[11]<\\/a> R.A. No. 9262, Section 3(c).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref12\\\">[12]<\\/a> R.A. No. 9262, Section 5(i).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref13\\\">[13]<\\/a> <em>Dinamling v. People<\\/em>, 761 Phil. 356, 373 (2015).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref14\\\">[14]<\\/a> <em>Esteban Donato Reyes v. People<\\/em>, G.R. No. 232678, July 3, 2019.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref15\\\">[15]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref16\\\">[16]<\\/a> <em>Jaime Araza y Jarupay v. People of the Philippines<\\/em>, G.R. No. 247429, Sept. 8, 2020.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref17\\\">[17]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref18\\\">[18]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref19\\\">[19]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref20\\\">[20]<\\/a> <em>Id., <\\/em>at 4.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref21\\\">[21]<\\/a> <em>AAA v. BBB,<\\/em> G.R. No. 212448, January 11, 2018.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref22\\\">[22]<\\/a> <em>Id.,<\\/em> at 1.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref23\\\">[23]<\\/a> <em>Id., <\\/em>at 2.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref24\\\">[24]<\\/a> <em>Id., <\\/em>at 3.<\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p>Photo by <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/unsplash.com\\/@kellysikkema?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText\\\">Kelly Sikkema<\\/a> on <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/unsplash.com\\/s\\/photos\\/divorce?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText\\\">Unsplash<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(3241,1151,'_elementor_controls_usage','a:3:{s:11:\"text-editor\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:1;s:8:\"controls\";a:2:{s:7:\"content\";a:1:{s:14:\"section_editor\";a:1:{s:6:\"editor\";i:1;}}s:5:\"style\";a:1:{s:13:\"section_style\";a:2:{s:21:\"typography_typography\";i:1;s:22:\"typography_line_height\";i:1;}}}}s:6:\"column\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:0;s:8:\"controls\";a:0:{}}s:7:\"section\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:0;s:8:\"controls\";a:0:{}}}'),(3243,1143,'_thumbnail_id','1144'),(3244,1143,'_edit_last','1'),(3245,1143,'_yoast_wpseo_primary_category','10'),(3246,1143,'wptr_hide_title','0'),(3247,1143,'ss_social_share_disable',''),(3248,1152,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(3249,1152,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(3250,1152,'_elementor_version','3.0.16'),(3251,1152,'_wp_page_template','default'),(3252,1152,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"198409a9\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"2987e756\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"59f1f72b\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>By: Daniella Khylyn D.Glean<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The sound of wedding bells and the tune of \\u201cHere Comes the Bride\\u201d are wonderful sounds most people aspire to hear. However, once the ceremonies are over and the fairy tale ends, there are some grim realities that beset unfortunate married couples.<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\">[1]<\\/a> One of them is the infidelity committed by one of the spouses.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Unfortunately, in this age when broken homes have become all too common, marriage requires hard work \\u2013 a part of which is to accept the fact that something may come up and destroy the union and the commitment. Wives, in particular, should be aware of their legal rights.\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 What can a wife do within the bounds of the law when her husband cheats? Unfaithfulness of a husband is punishable under Article 334 of the Revised Penal Code. Likewise, repeated marital infidelity is also punishable under Republic Act No. 9262, otherwise known as the\\u00a0Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Law.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Philippine law criminalizes concubinage. Under the Revised Penal Code, concubinage may be committed by a husband with a woman who is not his wife provided certain conditions are met. On the other hand, the National Commission for Women defines marital infidelity as \\u201ca violation or breach of good faith and confidence by one or both spouses to the matrimonial vows.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\">[2]<\\/a> \\u00a0While there is no such crime as marital or sexual infidelity, it is regarded as one of the grounds for a Petition for Legal Separation.<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\">[3]<\\/a> Under the Philippine laws, there is no precise definition of sexual infidelity but our jurisdiction recognizes that this include concubinage, which is denominated as a crime against chastity.<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\">[4]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Concubinage is committed by any husband who shall keep a mistress in the conjugal dwelling, or, shall have sexual intercourse, under exceptional circumstances, with a woman who is not his wife, or shall cohabit with her in any other place, shall be punished by <em>prision correccional <\\/em>in its minimum and medium periods. The concubine shall suffer the penalty of <em>destierro.<a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\"><strong>[5]<\\/strong><\\/a> <\\/em>The elements of the crime of concubinage are:<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:list {\\\"ordered\\\":true,\\\"type\\\":\\\"1\\\"} -->\\n<ol>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\n<ol>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\n<ol type=\\\"1\\\">\\n<li>That the <em>man must <\\/em>be married.<\\/li>\\n<li>That he committed <em>any<\\/em> of the following acts:\\n<ul>\\n<li><em>Keeping <\\/em>a mistress in the <em>conjugal dwelling;<\\/em><\\/li>\\n<li><em>Having sexual intercourse under scandalous circumstances <\\/em>with a woman who is not his wife;<\\/li>\\n<li><em>Cohabiting <\\/em>with her in any other place.<\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<\\/li>\\n<li>That as regards the woman, <em>she must know him to be married.<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\"><strong>[6]<\\/strong><\\/a><\\/em><\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The offenders are the married man and the woman who knows him to be married prior to the commission of the crime. The former is liable for concubinage <em>only <\\/em>when he does <em>any<\\/em> of the three acts mentioned. If his sexual relations with a woman not his wife is not any one of them, he is not criminally liable.<a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\">[7]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Therefore, in order to be convicted of the crime, it is necessary for the offended spouse to establish proof beyond reasonable doubt that the husband is either keeping a mistress in the conjugal dwelling; or having sexual intercourse, under scandalous circumstances, with another woman; or cohabiting with another woman in any other place.<a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\">[8]<\\/a> In addition, the crime of concubinage is considered a private crime which may only be prosecuted by the offended spouse.<a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\">[9]<\\/a> Thus, the complaint must be lodged by the offended wife and no one else.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 From the discussion above, it can be inferred that the crime of concubinage is difficult to prove in court. Republic Act (R.A.) No. 9262, otherwise known as the Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Law (\\u201cVAWC\\u201d), was signed into law in order to address that difficulty. Due to the inherent unequal power relationship between men and women, the will of the offended wife to lodge a complaint might be affected by the dominant husband. Hence, the VAWC law considers repeated marital infidelity as a form of psychological violence and treats the same as a public crime. Being a public crime, the complaint may be filed by any citizen having personal knowledge of the circumstances.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Republic Act No. RA 9262 , otherwise known as the Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Law (\\u201cVAWC\\u201d), defines violence against women and children as \\u201cany act or a series of acts against a woman who is his wife, former wife or against a woman with whom the person has or had sexual or dating relationship, or against her child, whether legitimate or illegitimate, within or without family abode, which result in physical, sexual, psychological harm or suffering, or economic abuse including threats of such acts, battery, assault, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty\\u201d.<a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\">[10]<\\/a> As can be gleaned from this definition, the concept of \\u201cviolence\\u201d against women includes not just physical violence, but also sexual violence, psychological violence and economic abuse.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 A novel concept in Philippine law is\\u00a0<strong>psychological violence. Section 3(c) of R.A. No. 9262 defines psychological violence as<\\/strong>acts or omissions causing or likely to cause mental or emotional suffering of the victim such as but not limited to intimidation, harassment, stalking, damage to property, public ridicule or humiliation, repeated verbal abuse and marital infidelity. It includes causing or allowing the victim to witness the physical, sexual or psychological abuse of a member of the family to which the victim belongs, or to witness pornography in any form or to witness abusive injury to pets or to unlawful or unwanted deprivation of the right to custody and\\/or visitation of common children.<a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\">[11]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 On the other hand, Section 5(i) of R.A. No. 9262 penalizes psychological violence that are caused on victims who are women and children through any of the following acts: \\u00a0\\u201ccausing mental or emotional anguish, public ridicule or humiliation to the woman or her child, including, but not limited to, repeated verbal and emotional abuse, and denial of financial support or custody of minor children or access to the woman\'s child\\/children.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn12\\\">[12]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Hence, under Section 5(i), in relation to Sections 3(a) and 3(c) of RA No. 9262, the elements of the crime are derived as follows:<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:quote -->\\n<blockquote class=\\\"wp-block-quote\\\">\\n<p>\\u201c(1) The offended party is a woman and\\/or her child or children;<\\/p>\\n<p>(2) The woman is either the wife or former wife of the offender, or is a woman with whom the offender has or had a sexual or dating relationship, or is a woman with whom such offender has a common child. As for the woman\'s child or children, they may be legitimate or illegitimate, or living within or without the family abode;<\\/p>\\n<p>(3) The offender causes on the woman and\\/or child mental or emotional anguish; and<\\/p>\\n<p>(4) The anguish is caused through acts of public ridicule or humiliation, repeated verbal and emotional abuse, denial of financial support or custody of minor children or access to the children or similar such acts or omissions.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn13\\\">[13]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<\\/blockquote>\\n<!-- \\/wp:quote --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Therefore, psychological violence is an indispensable element to be made liable under Section 5(i) of R.A. No. 9262.<a href=\\\"#_ftn14\\\">[14]<\\/a> Equally essential is the element of emotional anguish and mental suffering. Psychological violence is the means employed by the perpetrator, while emotional anguish or mental suffering are the effects caused to or the damage sustained by the offended party.<a href=\\\"#_ftn15\\\">[15]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In a landmark case dated September 8, 2020<a href=\\\"#_ftn16\\\">[16]<\\/a> the Supreme Court First Division ruled that the prosecution established beyond reasonable doubt that the husband committed the crime of psychological violence, by leaving his wife to live with his mistress despite being fully aware that his wife suffered emotionally and psychologically because of his decision.<a href=\\\"#_ftn17\\\">[17]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Supreme Court further explained that the marital infidelity committed by the husband, which is a form of psychological violence, is the proximate cause of the wife\\u2019s emotional anguish and mental suffering, to the point that even her health condition was adversely affected.<a href=\\\"#_ftn18\\\">[18]<\\/a> The law does not require that the victim became psychologically ill due to the psychological violence inflicted by the abuser. Psychological violence as an element of the crime, and the mental and emotional anguish the victim may suffer, may be proven through testimonies.<a href=\\\"#_ftn19\\\">[19]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 While the case is not the first to declare marital infidelity as a form of psychological violence, it is the first time the Court has said that the act of leaving a wife to live with the mistress, causing emotional and mental anguish, is considered a form of psychological violence. In this regard, <em>Araza<a href=\\\"#_ftn20\\\"><strong>[20]<\\/strong><\\/a> <\\/em>made it a point that illicit relationships which causes mental or emotional anguish on the wife are addressed and penalized\\u00a0under R.A. No. 9262. However, it bears noting that R.A. No. 9262 does not criminalize acts of marital infidelity per se, but the psychological violence causing mental or emotional suffering on the wife.<a href=\\\"#_ftn21\\\">[21]<\\/a> It is the emotional anguish caused by illicit affairs by the husband, and not exactly the act of infidelity, that was subject of guilt.\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Contrary to popular belief, being legally married is not just a piece of paper. When cheating occurs, it can confer wives the legal right to seek redress that will protect them as needed.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 However, while Philippine law criminalizes concubinage as a \\u201ccrime against chastity\\u201d under the Revised Penal Code<a href=\\\"#_ftn22\\\">[22]<\\/a> and treats the same as sexual infidelity in the Family Code, the challenge persists that when the evidence merely proves that the husband is having an extra-marital affair and nothing more, he cannot be charged with concubinage. In which case, the offended spouse may likewise consider filing a complaint for violation of the provisions of R.A. 9262.<a href=\\\"#_ftn23\\\">[23]<\\/a> Philandering husbands can now be charged criminally even for just one incident of marital infidelity under the \\u201cpsychological violence\\u201d provision of R.A. No. 9262.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Court, speaking through Chief Justice Peralta, affirmed that marital infidelity is a form of psychological violence. In effect, the Court liberally construed R.A. No. 9262 to afford women ample protection by filling the gaps of the law.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 This interpretation is in keeping with the obligation of the Philippines to uphold the rights of women according to the Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), Convention on the Rights of the Child, Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The penalty for \\u201cpsychological violence\\u201d is a minimum of six years up to twelve years of imprisonment.\\u00a0The maximum penalty is imposed if the violence is committed by the intimate partner against the woman when she is pregnant or in the presence of the common children.<a href=\\\"#_ftn24\\\"><sup>[24]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 They say the law is unfair to women, but fortunately, it can be fair for the innocent spouse. Through the rights conferred by the VAWC law, wives will no longer be silent victims. With the help of the law, the wife can fight for their rights.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator {\\\"className\\\":\\\"is-style-wide\\\"} --><hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator is-style-wide\\\" \\/><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">[1]<\\/a> Nicolas & De Vega Law Offices,\\u00a0 How To Sue Your Wife For Adultery In The Philippines, https:\\/\\/ndvlaw.com\\/how-to-sue-your-wife-for-adultery-in-the-philippines\\/ (last accessed Nov. 8, 2020).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a> Domini M. Torrevillas, Amending the marital infidelity law, https:\\/\\/www.pressreader.com\\/philippines\\/the-philippine-star\\/20150630\\/281702613368034 (last accessed Jan. 23, 2021)<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a> FAMILY CODE, art. 55 (8).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[4]<\\/a> REV. PEN. CODE, Book II, Title Eleven.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[5]<\\/a> REV. PEN. CODE, art. 344.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[6]<\\/a> REV. PEN. CODE, Book Two, page 848.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\">[7]<\\/a> People v. Santos, <em>et al., <\\/em>C.A., 45 O.G. 2116.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\">[8]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\">[9]<\\/a> REV. PEN. CODE, art. 344.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\">[10]<\\/a> R.A. No. 9262, Section 3(a).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\">[11]<\\/a> R.A. No. 9262, Section 3(c).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref12\\\">[12]<\\/a> R.A. No. 9262, Section 5(i).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref13\\\">[13]<\\/a> <em>Dinamling v. People<\\/em>, 761 Phil. 356, 373 (2015).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref14\\\">[14]<\\/a> <em>Esteban Donato Reyes v. People<\\/em>, G.R. No. 232678, July 3, 2019.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref15\\\">[15]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref16\\\">[16]<\\/a> <em>Jaime Araza y Jarupay v. People of the Philippines<\\/em>, G.R. No. 247429, Sept. 8, 2020.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref17\\\">[17]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref18\\\">[18]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref19\\\">[19]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref20\\\">[20]<\\/a> <em>Id., <\\/em>at 4.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref21\\\">[21]<\\/a> <em>AAA v. BBB,<\\/em> G.R. No. 212448, January 11, 2018.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref22\\\">[22]<\\/a> <em>Id.,<\\/em> at 1.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref23\\\">[23]<\\/a> <em>Id., <\\/em>at 2.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref24\\\">[24]<\\/a> <em>Id., <\\/em>at 3.<\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p>Photo by <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/unsplash.com\\/@kellysikkema?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText\\\">Kelly Sikkema<\\/a> on <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/unsplash.com\\/s\\/photos\\/divorce?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText\\\">Unsplash<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(3253,1152,'_elementor_controls_usage','a:3:{s:11:\"text-editor\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:1;s:8:\"controls\";a:2:{s:7:\"content\";a:1:{s:14:\"section_editor\";a:1:{s:6:\"editor\";i:1;}}s:5:\"style\";a:1:{s:13:\"section_style\";a:2:{s:21:\"typography_typography\";i:1;s:22:\"typography_line_height\";i:1;}}}}s:6:\"column\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:0;s:8:\"controls\";a:0:{}}s:7:\"section\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:0;s:8:\"controls\";a:0:{}}}'),(3255,1152,'_thumbnail_id','1144'),(3256,1143,'_yoast_wpseo_metadesc','In this regard, Araza made it a point that illicit relationships which causes mental or emotional anguish on the wife are addressed and penalized under R.A. No. 9262. However, it bears noting that R.A. No. 9262 does not criminalize acts of marital infidelity per se, but the psychological violence causing mental or emotional suffering on the wife. It is the emotional anguish caused by illicit affairs by the husband, and not exactly the act of infidelity, that was subject of guilt.'),(3257,1143,'_yoast_wpseo_focuskw','Psychological Violence'),(3258,1143,'_yoast_wpseo_linkdex','58'),(3259,1153,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(3260,1153,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(3261,1153,'_elementor_version','3.0.16'),(3262,1153,'_wp_page_template','default'),(3263,1153,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"198409a9\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"2987e756\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"59f1f72b\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>By: Daniella Khylyn D.Glean<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The sound of wedding bells and the tune of \\u201cHere Comes the Bride\\u201d are wonderful sounds most people aspire to hear. However, once the ceremonies are over and the fairy tale ends, there are some grim realities that beset unfortunate married couples.<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\">[1]<\\/a> One of them is the infidelity committed by one of the spouses.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Unfortunately, in this age when broken homes have become all too common, marriage requires hard work \\u2013 a part of which is to accept the fact that something may come up and destroy the union and the commitment. Wives, in particular, should be aware of their legal rights.\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 What can a wife do within the bounds of the law when her husband cheats? Unfaithfulness of a husband is punishable under Article 334 of the Revised Penal Code. Likewise, repeated marital infidelity is also punishable under Republic Act No. 9262, otherwise known as the\\u00a0Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Law.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Philippine law criminalizes concubinage. Under the Revised Penal Code, concubinage may be committed by a husband with a woman who is not his wife provided certain conditions are met. On the other hand, the National Commission for Women defines marital infidelity as \\u201ca violation or breach of good faith and confidence by one or both spouses to the matrimonial vows.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\">[2]<\\/a> \\u00a0While there is no such crime as marital or sexual infidelity, it is regarded as one of the grounds for a Petition for Legal Separation.<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\">[3]<\\/a> Under the Philippine laws, there is no precise definition of sexual infidelity but our jurisdiction recognizes that this include concubinage, which is denominated as a crime against chastity.<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\">[4]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Concubinage is committed by any husband who shall keep a mistress in the conjugal dwelling, or, shall have sexual intercourse, under exceptional circumstances, with a woman who is not his wife, or shall cohabit with her in any other place, shall be punished by <em>prision correccional <\\/em>in its minimum and medium periods. The concubine shall suffer the penalty of <em>destierro.<a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\"><strong>[5]<\\/strong><\\/a> <\\/em>The elements of the crime of concubinage are:<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:list {\\\"ordered\\\":true,\\\"type\\\":\\\"1\\\"} -->\\n<ol>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\n<ol>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\n<ol type=\\\"1\\\">\\n<li>That the <em>man must <\\/em>be married.<\\/li>\\n<li>That he committed <em>any<\\/em> of the following acts:\\n<ul>\\n<li><em>Keeping <\\/em>a mistress in the <em>conjugal dwelling;<\\/em><\\/li>\\n<li><em>Having sexual intercourse under scandalous circumstances <\\/em>with a woman who is not his wife;<\\/li>\\n<li><em>Cohabiting <\\/em>with her in any other place.<\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<\\/li>\\n<li>That as regards the woman, <em>she must know him to be married.<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\"><strong>[6]<\\/strong><\\/a><\\/em><\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The offenders are the married man and the woman who knows him to be married prior to the commission of the crime. The former is liable for concubinage <em>only <\\/em>when he does <em>any<\\/em> of the three acts mentioned. If his sexual relations with a woman not his wife is not any one of them, he is not criminally liable.<a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\">[7]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Therefore, in order to be convicted of the crime, it is necessary for the offended spouse to establish proof beyond reasonable doubt that the husband is either keeping a mistress in the conjugal dwelling; or having sexual intercourse, under scandalous circumstances, with another woman; or cohabiting with another woman in any other place.<a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\">[8]<\\/a> In addition, the crime of concubinage is considered a private crime which may only be prosecuted by the offended spouse.<a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\">[9]<\\/a> Thus, the complaint must be lodged by the offended wife and no one else.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 From the discussion above, it can be inferred that the crime of concubinage is difficult to prove in court. Republic Act (R.A.) No. 9262, otherwise known as the Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Law (\\u201cVAWC\\u201d), was signed into law in order to address that difficulty. Due to the inherent unequal power relationship between men and women, the will of the offended wife to lodge a complaint might be affected by the dominant husband. Hence, the VAWC law considers repeated marital infidelity as a form of psychological violence and treats the same as a public crime. Being a public crime, the complaint may be filed by any citizen having personal knowledge of the circumstances.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Republic Act No. RA 9262 , otherwise known as the Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Law (\\u201cVAWC\\u201d), defines violence against women and children as \\u201cany act or a series of acts against a woman who is his wife, former wife or against a woman with whom the person has or had sexual or dating relationship, or against her child, whether legitimate or illegitimate, within or without family abode, which result in physical, sexual, psychological harm or suffering, or economic abuse including threats of such acts, battery, assault, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty\\u201d.<a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\">[10]<\\/a> As can be gleaned from this definition, the concept of \\u201cviolence\\u201d against women includes not just physical violence, but also sexual violence, psychological violence and economic abuse.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 A novel concept in Philippine law is\\u00a0<strong>psychological violence. Section 3(c) of R.A. No. 9262 defines psychological violence as<\\/strong>acts or omissions causing or likely to cause mental or emotional suffering of the victim such as but not limited to intimidation, harassment, stalking, damage to property, public ridicule or humiliation, repeated verbal abuse and marital infidelity. It includes causing or allowing the victim to witness the physical, sexual or psychological abuse of a member of the family to which the victim belongs, or to witness pornography in any form or to witness abusive injury to pets or to unlawful or unwanted deprivation of the right to custody and\\/or visitation of common children.<a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\">[11]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 On the other hand, Section 5(i) of R.A. No. 9262 penalizes psychological violence that are caused on victims who are women and children through any of the following acts: \\u00a0\\u201ccausing mental or emotional anguish, public ridicule or humiliation to the woman or her child, including, but not limited to, repeated verbal and emotional abuse, and denial of financial support or custody of minor children or access to the woman\'s child\\/children.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn12\\\">[12]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Hence, under Section 5(i), in relation to Sections 3(a) and 3(c) of RA No. 9262, the elements of the crime are derived as follows:<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:quote -->\\n<blockquote class=\\\"wp-block-quote\\\">\\n<p>\\u201c(1) The offended party is a woman and\\/or her child or children;<\\/p>\\n<p>(2) The woman is either the wife or former wife of the offender, or is a woman with whom the offender has or had a sexual or dating relationship, or is a woman with whom such offender has a common child. As for the woman\'s child or children, they may be legitimate or illegitimate, or living within or without the family abode;<\\/p>\\n<p>(3) The offender causes on the woman and\\/or child mental or emotional anguish; and<\\/p>\\n<p>(4) The anguish is caused through acts of public ridicule or humiliation, repeated verbal and emotional abuse, denial of financial support or custody of minor children or access to the children or similar such acts or omissions.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn13\\\">[13]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<\\/blockquote>\\n<!-- \\/wp:quote --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Therefore, psychological violence is an indispensable element to be made liable under Section 5(i) of R.A. No. 9262.<a href=\\\"#_ftn14\\\">[14]<\\/a> Equally essential is the element of emotional anguish and mental suffering. Psychological violence is the means employed by the perpetrator, while emotional anguish or mental suffering are the effects caused to or the damage sustained by the offended party.<a href=\\\"#_ftn15\\\">[15]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In a landmark case dated September 8, 2020<a href=\\\"#_ftn16\\\">[16]<\\/a> the Supreme Court First Division ruled that the prosecution established beyond reasonable doubt that the husband committed the crime of psychological violence, by leaving his wife to live with his mistress despite being fully aware that his wife suffered emotionally and psychologically because of his decision.<a href=\\\"#_ftn17\\\">[17]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Supreme Court further explained that the marital infidelity committed by the husband, which is a form of psychological violence, is the proximate cause of the wife\\u2019s emotional anguish and mental suffering, to the point that even her health condition was adversely affected.<a href=\\\"#_ftn18\\\">[18]<\\/a> The law does not require that the victim became psychologically ill due to the psychological violence inflicted by the abuser. Psychological violence as an element of the crime, and the mental and emotional anguish the victim may suffer, may be proven through testimonies.<a href=\\\"#_ftn19\\\">[19]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 While the case is not the first to declare marital infidelity as a form of psychological violence, it is the first time the Court has said that the act of leaving a wife to live with the mistress, causing emotional and mental anguish, is considered a form of psychological violence. In this regard, <em>Araza<a href=\\\"#_ftn20\\\"><strong>[20]<\\/strong><\\/a> <\\/em>made it a point that illicit relationships which causes mental or emotional anguish on the wife are addressed and penalized\\u00a0under R.A. No. 9262. However, it bears noting that R.A. No. 9262 does not criminalize acts of marital infidelity per se, but the psychological violence causing mental or emotional suffering on the wife.<a href=\\\"#_ftn21\\\">[21]<\\/a> It is the emotional anguish caused by illicit affairs by the husband, and not exactly the act of infidelity, that was subject of guilt.\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Contrary to popular belief, being legally married is not just a piece of paper. When cheating occurs, it can confer wives the legal right to seek redress that will protect them as needed.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 However, while Philippine law criminalizes concubinage as a \\u201ccrime against chastity\\u201d under the Revised Penal Code<a href=\\\"#_ftn22\\\">[22]<\\/a> and treats the same as sexual infidelity in the Family Code, the challenge persists that when the evidence merely proves that the husband is having an extra-marital affair and nothing more, he cannot be charged with concubinage. In which case, the offended spouse may likewise consider filing a complaint for violation of the provisions of R.A. 9262.<a href=\\\"#_ftn23\\\">[23]<\\/a> Philandering husbands can now be charged criminally even for just one incident of marital infidelity under the \\u201cpsychological violence\\u201d provision of R.A. No. 9262.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Court, speaking through Chief Justice Peralta, affirmed that marital infidelity is a form of psychological violence. In effect, the Court liberally construed R.A. No. 9262 to afford women ample protection by filling the gaps of the law.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 This interpretation is in keeping with the obligation of the Philippines to uphold the rights of women according to the Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), Convention on the Rights of the Child, Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The penalty for \\u201cpsychological violence\\u201d is a minimum of six years up to twelve years of imprisonment.\\u00a0The maximum penalty is imposed if the violence is committed by the intimate partner against the woman when she is pregnant or in the presence of the common children.<a href=\\\"#_ftn24\\\"><sup>[24]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 They say the law is unfair to women, but fortunately, it can be fair for the innocent spouse. Through the rights conferred by the VAWC law, wives will no longer be silent victims. With the help of the law, the wife can fight for their rights.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator {\\\"className\\\":\\\"is-style-wide\\\"} --><hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator is-style-wide\\\" \\/><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">[1]<\\/a> Nicolas & De Vega Law Offices,\\u00a0 How To Sue Your Wife For Adultery In The Philippines, https:\\/\\/ndvlaw.com\\/how-to-sue-your-wife-for-adultery-in-the-philippines\\/ (last accessed Nov. 8, 2020).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a> Domini M. Torrevillas, Amending the marital infidelity law, https:\\/\\/www.pressreader.com\\/philippines\\/the-philippine-star\\/20150630\\/281702613368034 (last accessed Jan. 23, 2021)<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a> FAMILY CODE, art. 55 (8).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[4]<\\/a> REV. PEN. CODE, Book II, Title Eleven.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[5]<\\/a> REV. PEN. CODE, art. 344.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[6]<\\/a> REV. PEN. CODE, Book Two, page 848.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\">[7]<\\/a> People v. Santos, <em>et al., <\\/em>C.A., 45 O.G. 2116.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\">[8]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\">[9]<\\/a> REV. PEN. CODE, art. 344.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\">[10]<\\/a> R.A. No. 9262, Section 3(a).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\">[11]<\\/a> R.A. No. 9262, Section 3(c).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref12\\\">[12]<\\/a> R.A. No. 9262, Section 5(i).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref13\\\">[13]<\\/a> <em>Dinamling v. People<\\/em>, 761 Phil. 356, 373 (2015).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref14\\\">[14]<\\/a> <em>Esteban Donato Reyes v. People<\\/em>, G.R. No. 232678, July 3, 2019.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref15\\\">[15]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref16\\\">[16]<\\/a> <em>Jaime Araza y Jarupay v. People of the Philippines<\\/em>, G.R. No. 247429, Sept. 8, 2020.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref17\\\">[17]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref18\\\">[18]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref19\\\">[19]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref20\\\">[20]<\\/a> <em>Id., <\\/em>at 4.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref21\\\">[21]<\\/a> <em>AAA v. BBB,<\\/em> G.R. No. 212448, January 11, 2018.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref22\\\">[22]<\\/a> <em>Id.,<\\/em> at 1.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref23\\\">[23]<\\/a> <em>Id., <\\/em>at 2.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref24\\\">[24]<\\/a> <em>Id., <\\/em>at 3.<\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p>Photo by <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/unsplash.com\\/@kellysikkema?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText\\\">Kelly Sikkema<\\/a> on <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/unsplash.com\\/s\\/photos\\/divorce?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText\\\">Unsplash<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(3264,1153,'_elementor_controls_usage','a:3:{s:11:\"text-editor\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:1;s:8:\"controls\";a:2:{s:7:\"content\";a:1:{s:14:\"section_editor\";a:1:{s:6:\"editor\";i:1;}}s:5:\"style\";a:1:{s:13:\"section_style\";a:2:{s:21:\"typography_typography\";i:1;s:22:\"typography_line_height\";i:1;}}}}s:6:\"column\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:0;s:8:\"controls\";a:0:{}}s:7:\"section\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:0;s:8:\"controls\";a:0:{}}}'),(3266,1153,'_thumbnail_id','1144'),(3271,1143,'ss_ss_click_share_count_facebook','3'),(3272,1154,'_edit_lock','1611723898:1'),(3273,1154,'_edit_last','1'),(3274,1154,'_yoast_wpseo_primary_category','9'),(3275,1154,'wptr_hide_title','0'),(3276,1154,'ss_social_share_disable',''),(3277,1154,'_yoast_wpseo_focuskw','Public Trust'),(3278,1154,'_yoast_wpseo_metadesc','Jura Regalia is the State exercising its sovereign power as the owner of lands of the public domain and of the patrimony of the nation, [2] embodied under Article XII of the 1987 Philippine Constitution. [3] In the interest of quality and efficiency, the State began turning over its resources to private entities to distribute the burden of fulfilling its citizen\'s needs.'),(3279,1154,'_yoast_wpseo_linkdex','49'),(3280,1154,'_yoast_wpseo_content_score','30'),(3281,1154,'_yoast_wpseo_estimated-reading-time-minutes','7'),(3282,1158,'_wp_attached_file','2021/01/marwin-gherald-villanueva-CeptyC1bHaI-unsplash.jpg'),(3283,1158,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:5:{s:5:\"width\";i:1920;s:6:\"height\";i:1081;s:4:\"file\";s:58:\"2021/01/marwin-gherald-villanueva-CeptyC1bHaI-unsplash.jpg\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:14:{s:6:\"medium\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:58:\"marwin-gherald-villanueva-CeptyC1bHaI-unsplash-300x169.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:300;s:6:\"height\";i:169;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:5:\"large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:59:\"marwin-gherald-villanueva-CeptyC1bHaI-unsplash-1024x576.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1024;s:6:\"height\";i:576;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"thumbnail\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:58:\"marwin-gherald-villanueva-CeptyC1bHaI-unsplash-150x150.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:12:\"medium_large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:58:\"marwin-gherald-villanueva-CeptyC1bHaI-unsplash-768x432.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:768;s:6:\"height\";i:432;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"1536x1536\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:59:\"marwin-gherald-villanueva-CeptyC1bHaI-unsplash-1536x865.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1536;s:6:\"height\";i:865;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"2048x2048\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:60:\"marwin-gherald-villanueva-CeptyC1bHaI-unsplash-2048x1153.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:2048;s:6:\"height\";i:1153;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:24:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:58:\"marwin-gherald-villanueva-CeptyC1bHaI-unsplash-170x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:25:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:56:\"marwin-gherald-villanueva-CeptyC1bHaI-unsplash-86x70.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:57:\"marwin-gherald-villanueva-CeptyC1bHaI-unsplash-170x96.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:96;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:22:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:58:\"marwin-gherald-villanueva-CeptyC1bHaI-unsplash-370x250.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:30:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:58:\"marwin-gherald-villanueva-CeptyC1bHaI-unsplash-370x208.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:208;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:21:\"bfastmag_related_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:58:\"marwin-gherald-villanueva-CeptyC1bHaI-unsplash-288x160.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:288;s:6:\"height\";i:160;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:18:\"bfastmag_blog_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:58:\"marwin-gherald-villanueva-CeptyC1bHaI-unsplash-780x544.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:26:\"bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:58:\"marwin-gherald-villanueva-CeptyC1bHaI-unsplash-780x439.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:439;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:0:\"\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:10:\"1611751664\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:1:\"0\";s:3:\"iso\";s:1:\"0\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:1:\"0\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";s:1:\"1\";s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}}'),(3284,1154,'_thumbnail_id','1166'),(3285,1154,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(3286,1154,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(3287,1154,'_elementor_version','3.0.16'),(3288,1159,'_thumbnail_id','1158'),(3289,1159,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(3290,1159,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(3291,1159,'_elementor_version','3.0.16'),(3292,1160,'_thumbnail_id','1158'),(3293,1160,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(3294,1160,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(3295,1160,'_elementor_version','3.0.16'),(3296,1154,'_wp_page_template','default'),(3297,1154,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"49f5ce18\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"569be8e\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"11332676\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>By: <em>Maria Josefa Jillian N. Tan<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\"><sup><strong><sup>[1]<\\/sup><\\/strong><\\/sup><\\/a><\\/em><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><em>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Jura Regalia<\\/em>\\u00a0is the State exercising its sovereign power as the owner of lands of the public domain and of the patrimony of the nation,<sup> <a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\"><sup>[2]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/sup> embodied under Article XII of the 1987 Philippine Constitution.<sup> <a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\"><sup>[3]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/sup> In the interest of quality and efficiency, the State began turning over its resources to private entities to distribute the burden of fulfilling its citizen\'s needs. Notably, the government regulates these private entities to protect the general welfare by legislation, commonly noted as\\u00a0<em>police power<\\/em>. In discussing the promotion of general welfare, the doctrine of\\u00a0<em>parens patriae<\\/em>\\u00a0is not far off.\\u00a0<em>Parens patriae<\\/em>\\u00a0means \\\"father of his country,\\\" and \\\"expresses the inherent power and authority of the state to provide protection of the person and property of a person\\u00a0<em>non sui juris<\\/em>.\\\" The persons\\u00a0<em>non sui juris<\\/em>\\u00a0are the Filipino consumers whose welfare needs the State\'s protection from overpowering business pursuits.<sup> <a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\"><sup>[4]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/sup><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><em>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 <\\/em>In\\u00a0<em>Maynilad Water Services, Inc. v. Secretary of Department of Environment and Natural Resources<\\/em><em> (<\\/em><em>Maynilad v. Secretary of DENR<\\/em><em>)<\\/em>, the Supreme Court noted a gap between these three doctrines and introduced the Public Trust Doctrine. The Public Trust Doctrine was derived from American jurisprudence, imposing a duty upon the State and its representatives of continuing supervision over the taking and use of appropriated water<a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\"><sup>[5]<\\/sup><\\/a>, and reaffirming the superiority of public rights over private rights for critical resources. In this framework, a relationship is formed \\u2013 the state (the trustee) manages the specific natural resources (trust principal) for the benefit of the current and future generations (the beneficiaries).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><em>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 <\\/em>The Regional Office of DENR charged Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) and its concessionaires for violation of and non\\u00adcompliance with Section 8 of the Clean Water Act for failing to provide, install, operate, and maintain adequate Wastewater Treatment Facilities (WWTFs) for the sewerage system. Allegedly, the water suppliers\' inaction resulted in the degradation of quality and beneficial use of water\'s receiving bodies leading to Manila Bay. Also, the water suppliers\' delay directly forestalled the DENR\'s mandate (issued in\\u00a0<em>Metropolitan Manila Development Authority v. Concerned Residents of Manila Bay<\\/em><a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\"><em><strong>[6]<\\/strong><\\/em><\\/a>) to implement the operational plan for the rehabilitation and restoration of Manila Bay and its river tributaries.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><em>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 <\\/em>In their respective answers to the charges, MWSS averred their compliance with the law while Maynilad and Manila Water asserted the supremacy of the Concession Agreements (Agreement\\/s) executed with MWSS. They also cited Section 7 of the Clean Water Act, which first requires the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to prepare and effect a national program on sewerage and septage management to guide the MWSS and\\/or its concessionaires in implementing the law.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><em>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 <\\/em>After deliberation of the complaints, the Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources (SENR) ruled in favor of the DENR. SENR cited the ruling in the case of\\u00a0<em>Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) v. Concerned Residents of Manila Bay,\\u00a0<\\/em>that \\\"strict compliance with the Clean Water Act is a necessary given, and the five-year periodic review stipulated in the Agreements between petitioners should have considered and factored in the requirements of the Clean Water Act.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\">[7]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><em>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 <\\/em>The Court of Appeals (CA) agreed with the SENR, holding the water concessionaires accountable. The\\u00a0<em>MMDA v. Concerned Citizens of Manila Bay<\\/em>\\u00a0case relating to petitioners\' obligations in the clean-up of Manila Bay simply sets different deadlines: one for submission by Maynilad and Manila Water of their plans and projects for the construction of WWTFs in certain areas in Metro Manila, Rizal, and Cavite, and another for the actual construction and completion thereof.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><em>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 <\\/em>When the MWSS and its concessionaires raised the case to the Supreme Court in a petition for review on\\u00a0<em>certiorari<\\/em>, the Supreme Court agreed with the CA and told the MWSS and its water concessionaires to stop making excuses. The Highest Court noted: \\u201cthe meat of this case is the\\u00a0<strong>fact of delay<\\/strong>\\u00a0(by petitioners) in complying with the mandate under Section 8, whereas the matter involved in\\u00a0<em>MMDA v. Concerned Residents of Manila Bay<\\/em>\\u00a0is the\\u00a0<strong>urgency of rehabilitation of Manila Bay.<\\/strong>\\u201d<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><em>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 <\\/em>The case of\\u00a0<em>Maynilad v. DENR\\u00a0<\\/em>has<em>\\u00a0<\\/em>its petitioners<em>\\u00a0<\\/em>(the MWSS and its fellow concessionaires) suggest that the ruling in the case of\\u00a0<em>MMDA v. Concerned Residents of Manila Bay<\\/em>\\u00a0amended Section 8 of the Clean Water Act. The Supreme Court rectifies this assumption, discussing the concessionaires\\u2019 delayed compliance past the effectivity of the Clean Air Law, which the petitioners failed to notify the Congress. Petitioners cannot alter the law and court instruction by mere stipulation in their private contract.<a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\">[8]<\\/a>\\u00a0To hold these entities accountable, the Supreme Court introduced the public trust doctrine in\\u00a0<em>Maynilad v. DENR<\\/em>.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><em>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 <\\/em>The Public trust doctrine<strong>\\u00a0<\\/strong>holds that specific natural resources belong to all and cannot be privately owned or controlled because of their inherent importance to each individual and society.<a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\">[9]<\\/a> As mentioned earlier, the Court obtained this from American Jurisprudence, citing\\u00a0<em>National Audubon Society v. Superior Court of Alpine County<\\/em>. The case in California arose when the Division of Water Resources granted the Department of Water and Power of the City of Los Angeles (DWP) a permit to divert about half the flow of these streams into DWP\'s Owens Valley aqueduct. The agency\'s action caused severe damage to the ecosystem and the water level of its second-largest body of water, Mono Lake. When this issue reached the California Supreme Court, the court decided that the State has a dual mandate: to balance the need for municipal water supplies with the ecological need for water to restore and maintain natural water-dependent ecosystems.<a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\">[10]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><em>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 <\\/em>Noting the ongoing water supply crisis at the time of presiding the case of\\u00a0<em>Maynilad v. DENR<\\/em>, the Supreme Court adopted California\\u2019s discussion where: \\\"the [S]tate has an affirmative duty to take the public trust into account in the planning and allocation of water resources, and to protect public trust uses whenever feasible\\\" and that \\u201cthe public is regarded as the beneficial owner of trust resources (where) courts can enforce the public trust doctrine even against the government itself.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\"><sup>[11]<\\/sup><\\/a>\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Through the MWSS, Maynilad and Manila Water were granted utility franchises by the State.\\u00a0Under the Public Trust doctrine, the State requires these entities to maintain quality and good service for the general public and accomplish this through statutory regulation such as the Clean Water Act\'s legislation. Ergo, those liable under the Clean Water Act are the State, concessionaires, and water users. Considering MWSS, et al. fail to do their part, they are liable for violating the law for their non-performance.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><em>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 <\\/em>The ruling of\\u00a0<em>Maynilad v. DENR<\\/em>\\u00a0may go in conflict with the DENR issuances before its decision. According to DENR Memorandum Circular 2019-62, \\u201cno business owner shall be issued new business permit unless he\\/she has obtained the necessary clearances and permits such as discharge permits and environmental sanitation clearances as may be prescribed by existing laws or as may be required by DENR, LLDA (Laguna Lake Development Authority), and\\/or DOH (Department of Health) and its instrumentalities.\\u201d<sup> <a href=\\\"#_ftn12\\\"><sup>[12]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/sup> However, with Covid-19 extending quarantine and disrupting regular working hours, business owners will not be able to discuss with MWSS, Maynilad, and Manila Waters the necessary sanitation clearance required by the State. Considering that MWSS, Maynilad, and Manila Waters are primary water suppliers of the country that got penalized,\\u00a0<em>Maynilad v. DENR<\\/em>\\u00a0should impel the DENR to give time extensions to private entities tied to these water concessionaires to obtain sufficient time to fulfill its requirements.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">[1]<\\/a> Understudy of UST Law Review<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a> <em>Republic v. Rosemoor Mining and Development Corporation<\\/em>, 470 Phil. 363, 383 (2004).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a> \\u201cAll lands of the public domain, waters, minerals, coal, petroleum, and other mineral oils, all forces of potential energy, fisheries, forests or timber, wildlife, flora and fauna, and <strong>other natural resources are owned by the State<\\/strong>. With the exception of agricultural lands, all other natural resources shall not be alienated. <strong>The exploration, development, and utilization of natural resources shall be under the full control and supervision of the State.<\\/strong> The State may directly undertake such activities, or it may enter into co-production, joint venture, or production-sharing agreements with Filipino citizens, or corporations or associations at least sixty <em>per centum<\\/em> of whose capital is owned by such citizens...\\u201d<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[4]<\\/a> \\u00a0<em>Maynilad Water Services, Inc. v. Secretary of Department of Environment and Natural Resources<\\/em>, G.R. No. 202897, 06 August 2019.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[5]<\\/a> <em>National Audubon Society v. Superior Court of Alpine County<\\/em>, 33 Cal. 3d 419, 658 P.2d 709, 189 Cal.Rptr. 346, as cited in Ausness, Richard, Water Rights, the Public Trust Doctrine, and the Protection of Instream Uses, 1986 U. Ill. L. Rev. 407.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[6]<\\/a> G.R. Nos. 171947-48, 18 December 2008.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\">[7]<\\/a> <em>Maynilad v. DENR<\\/em>, G.R. No. 202897, 06 August 2019<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\">[8]<\\/a> Id.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\">[9]<\\/a> Klass, Alexandra, and Ling-Yee Huang,\\u00a0<em>Restoring the Trust: Water Resources and the Public Trust Doctrine<\\/em>, A Manual for Advocates, Center for Progressive Reform (September 2009)<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\">[10]<\\/a> Id.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\">[11]<\\/a> <em>Maynilad v. DENR<\\/em>, G.R. No. 202897, 6 August 2019<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref12\\\">[12]<\\/a> Vitangco, Al.\\u00a0 \\u201cBPLO contradicts DENR guidelines and SC decision.\\u201d 22 August 2020. <em>Manila Times.<\\/em> Retrieved 12 September 2020, from https:\\/\\/www.manilatimes.net\\/2020\\/08\\/22\\/opinion\\/columnists\\/bplo-contradicts-denr-guidelines-and-sc-decision\\/758295\\/<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Featured Photo by <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/unsplash.com\\/@mbcaptures?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText\\\">Michael Buillerey<\\/a> on <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/unsplash.com\\/s\\/photos\\/manila-bay?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText\\\">Unsplash<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(3298,1161,'_thumbnail_id','1158'),(3299,1161,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(3300,1161,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(3301,1161,'_elementor_version','3.0.16'),(3302,1161,'_wp_page_template','default'),(3303,1161,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"49f5ce18\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"569be8e\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"11332676\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>By: <em>Maria Josefa Jillian N. Tan<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\"><sup><strong><sup>[1]<\\/sup><\\/strong><\\/sup><\\/a><\\/em><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><em>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Jura Regalia<\\/em>\\u00a0is the State exercising its sovereign power as the owner of lands of the public domain and of the patrimony of the nation,<sup> <a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\"><sup>[2]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/sup> embodied under Article XII of the 1987 Philippine Constitution.<sup> <a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\"><sup>[3]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/sup> In the interest of quality and efficiency, the State began turning over its resources to private entities to distribute the burden of fulfilling its citizen\'s needs. Notably, the government regulates these private entities to protect the general welfare by legislation, commonly noted as\\u00a0<em>police power<\\/em>. In discussing the promotion of general welfare, the doctrine of\\u00a0<em>parens patriae<\\/em>\\u00a0is not far off.\\u00a0<em>Parens patriae<\\/em>\\u00a0means \\\"father of his country,\\\" and \\\"expresses the inherent power and authority of the state to provide protection of the person and property of a person\\u00a0<em>non sui juris<\\/em>.\\\" The persons\\u00a0<em>non sui juris<\\/em>\\u00a0are the Filipino consumers whose welfare needs the State\'s protection from overpowering business pursuits.<sup> <a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\"><sup>[4]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/sup><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><em>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 <\\/em>In\\u00a0<em>Maynilad Water Services, Inc. v. Secretary of Department of Environment and Natural Resources<\\/em><em> (<\\/em><em>Maynilad v. Secretary of DENR<\\/em><em>)<\\/em>, the Supreme Court noted a gap between these three doctrines and introduced the Public Trust Doctrine. The Public Trust Doctrine was derived from American jurisprudence, imposing a duty upon the State and its representatives of continuing supervision over the taking and use of appropriated water<a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\"><sup>[5]<\\/sup><\\/a>, and reaffirming the superiority of public rights over private rights for critical resources. In this framework, a relationship is formed \\u2013 the state (the trustee) manages the specific natural resources (trust principal) for the benefit of the current and future generations (the beneficiaries).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><em>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 <\\/em>The Regional Office of DENR charged Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) and its concessionaires for violation of and non\\u00adcompliance with Section 8 of the Clean Water Act for failing to provide, install, operate, and maintain adequate Wastewater Treatment Facilities (WWTFs) for the sewerage system. Allegedly, the water suppliers\' inaction resulted in the degradation of quality and beneficial use of water\'s receiving bodies leading to Manila Bay. Also, the water suppliers\' delay directly forestalled the DENR\'s mandate (issued in\\u00a0<em>Metropolitan Manila Development Authority v. Concerned Residents of Manila Bay<\\/em><a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\"><em><strong>[6]<\\/strong><\\/em><\\/a>) to implement the operational plan for the rehabilitation and restoration of Manila Bay and its river tributaries.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><em>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 <\\/em>In their respective answers to the charges, MWSS averred their compliance with the law while Maynilad and Manila Water asserted the supremacy of the Concession Agreements (Agreement\\/s) executed with MWSS. They also cited Section 7 of the Clean Water Act, which first requires the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to prepare and effect a national program on sewerage and septage management to guide the MWSS and\\/or its concessionaires in implementing the law.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><em>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 <\\/em>After deliberation of the complaints, the Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources (SENR) ruled in favor of the DENR. SENR cited the ruling in the case of\\u00a0<em>Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) v. Concerned Residents of Manila Bay,\\u00a0<\\/em>that \\\"strict compliance with the Clean Water Act is a necessary given, and the five-year periodic review stipulated in the Agreements between petitioners should have considered and factored in the requirements of the Clean Water Act.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\">[7]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><em>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 <\\/em>The Court of Appeals (CA) agreed with the SENR, holding the water concessionaires accountable. The\\u00a0<em>MMDA v. Concerned Citizens of Manila Bay<\\/em>\\u00a0case relating to petitioners\' obligations in the clean-up of Manila Bay simply sets different deadlines: one for submission by Maynilad and Manila Water of their plans and projects for the construction of WWTFs in certain areas in Metro Manila, Rizal, and Cavite, and another for the actual construction and completion thereof.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><em>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 <\\/em>When the MWSS and its concessionaires raised the case to the Supreme Court in a petition for review on\\u00a0<em>certiorari<\\/em>, the Supreme Court agreed with the CA and told the MWSS and its water concessionaires to stop making excuses. The Highest Court noted: \\u201cthe meat of this case is the\\u00a0<strong>fact of delay<\\/strong>\\u00a0(by petitioners) in complying with the mandate under Section 8, whereas the matter involved in\\u00a0<em>MMDA v. Concerned Residents of Manila Bay<\\/em>\\u00a0is the\\u00a0<strong>urgency of rehabilitation of Manila Bay.<\\/strong>\\u201d<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><em>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 <\\/em>The case of\\u00a0<em>Maynilad v. DENR\\u00a0<\\/em>has<em>\\u00a0<\\/em>its petitioners<em>\\u00a0<\\/em>(the MWSS and its fellow concessionaires) suggest that the ruling in the case of\\u00a0<em>MMDA v. Concerned Residents of Manila Bay<\\/em>\\u00a0amended Section 8 of the Clean Water Act. The Supreme Court rectifies this assumption, discussing the concessionaires\\u2019 delayed compliance past the effectivity of the Clean Air Law, which the petitioners failed to notify the Congress. Petitioners cannot alter the law and court instruction by mere stipulation in their private contract.<a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\">[8]<\\/a>\\u00a0To hold these entities accountable, the Supreme Court introduced the public trust doctrine in\\u00a0<em>Maynilad v. DENR<\\/em>.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><em>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 <\\/em>The Public trust doctrine<strong>\\u00a0<\\/strong>holds that specific natural resources belong to all and cannot be privately owned or controlled because of their inherent importance to each individual and society.<a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\">[9]<\\/a> As mentioned earlier, the Court obtained this from American Jurisprudence, citing\\u00a0<em>National Audubon Society v. Superior Court of Alpine County<\\/em>. The case in California arose when the Division of Water Resources granted the Department of Water and Power of the City of Los Angeles (DWP) a permit to divert about half the flow of these streams into DWP\'s Owens Valley aqueduct. The agency\'s action caused severe damage to the ecosystem and the water level of its second-largest body of water, Mono Lake. When this issue reached the California Supreme Court, the court decided that the State has a dual mandate: to balance the need for municipal water supplies with the ecological need for water to restore and maintain natural water-dependent ecosystems.<a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\">[10]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><em>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 <\\/em>Noting the ongoing water supply crisis at the time of presiding the case of\\u00a0<em>Maynilad v. DENR<\\/em>, the Supreme Court adopted California\\u2019s discussion where: \\\"the [S]tate has an affirmative duty to take the public trust into account in the planning and allocation of water resources, and to protect public trust uses whenever feasible\\\" and that \\u201cthe public is regarded as the beneficial owner of trust resources (where) courts can enforce the public trust doctrine even against the government itself.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\"><sup>[11]<\\/sup><\\/a>\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Through the MWSS, Maynilad and Manila Water were granted utility franchises by the State.\\u00a0Under the Public Trust doctrine, the State requires these entities to maintain quality and good service for the general public and accomplish this through statutory regulation such as the Clean Water Act\'s legislation. Ergo, those liable under the Clean Water Act are the State, concessionaires, and water users. Considering MWSS, et al. fail to do their part, they are liable for violating the law for their non-performance.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><em>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 <\\/em>The ruling of\\u00a0<em>Maynilad v. DENR<\\/em>\\u00a0may go in conflict with the DENR issuances before its decision. According to DENR Memorandum Circular 2019-62, \\u201cno business owner shall be issued new business permit unless he\\/she has obtained the necessary clearances and permits such as discharge permits and environmental sanitation clearances as may be prescribed by existing laws or as may be required by DENR, LLDA (Laguna Lake Development Authority), and\\/or DOH (Department of Health) and its instrumentalities.\\u201d<sup> <a href=\\\"#_ftn12\\\"><sup>[12]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/sup> However, with Covid-19 extending quarantine and disrupting regular working hours, business owners will not be able to discuss with MWSS, Maynilad, and Manila Waters the necessary sanitation clearance required by the State. Considering that MWSS, Maynilad, and Manila Waters are primary water suppliers of the country that got penalized,\\u00a0<em>Maynilad v. DENR<\\/em>\\u00a0should impel the DENR to give time extensions to private entities tied to these water concessionaires to obtain sufficient time to fulfill its requirements.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">[1]<\\/a> Understudy of UST Law Review<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a> <em>Republic v. Rosemoor Mining and Development Corporation<\\/em>, 470 Phil. 363, 383 (2004).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a> \\u201cAll lands of the public domain, waters, minerals, coal, petroleum, and other mineral oils, all forces of potential energy, fisheries, forests or timber, wildlife, flora and fauna, and <strong>other natural resources are owned by the State<\\/strong>. With the exception of agricultural lands, all other natural resources shall not be alienated. <strong>The exploration, development, and utilization of natural resources shall be under the full control and supervision of the State.<\\/strong> The State may directly undertake such activities, or it may enter into co-production, joint venture, or production-sharing agreements with Filipino citizens, or corporations or associations at least sixty <em>per centum<\\/em> of whose capital is owned by such citizens...\\u201d<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[4]<\\/a> \\u00a0<em>Maynilad Water Services, Inc. v. Secretary of Department of Environment and Natural Resources<\\/em>, G.R. No. 202897, 06 August 2019.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[5]<\\/a> <em>National Audubon Society v. Superior Court of Alpine County<\\/em>, 33 Cal. 3d 419, 658 P.2d 709, 189 Cal.Rptr. 346, as cited in Ausness, Richard, Water Rights, the Public Trust Doctrine, and the Protection of Instream Uses, 1986 U. Ill. L. Rev. 407.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[6]<\\/a> G.R. Nos. 171947-48, 18 December 2008.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\">[7]<\\/a> <em>Maynilad v. DENR<\\/em>, G.R. No. 202897, 06 August 2019<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\">[8]<\\/a> Id.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\">[9]<\\/a> Klass, Alexandra, and Ling-Yee Huang,\\u00a0<em>Restoring the Trust: Water Resources and the Public Trust Doctrine<\\/em>, A Manual for Advocates, Center for Progressive Reform (September 2009)<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\">[10]<\\/a> Id.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\">[11]<\\/a> <em>Maynilad v. DENR<\\/em>, G.R. No. 202897, 6 August 2019<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref12\\\">[12]<\\/a> Vitangco, Al.\\u00a0 \\u201cBPLO contradicts DENR guidelines and SC decision.\\u201d 22 August 2020. <em>Manila Times.<\\/em> Retrieved 12 September 2020, from https:\\/\\/www.manilatimes.net\\/2020\\/08\\/22\\/opinion\\/columnists\\/bplo-contradicts-denr-guidelines-and-sc-decision\\/758295\\/<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Featured Photo by <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/unsplash.com\\/@marwinforalifetime?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText\\\">Marwin Gherald Villanueva<\\/a> on <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/unsplash.com\\/s\\/photos\\/manila-bay?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText\\\">Unsplash<\\/a><a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/unsplash.com\\/@marwinforalifetime\\\">Marwin Gherald Villanueva@marwinforalifetime<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(3307,1162,'_thumbnail_id','1158'),(3308,1162,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(3309,1162,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(3310,1162,'_elementor_version','3.0.16'),(3311,1162,'_wp_page_template','default'),(3312,1162,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"49f5ce18\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"569be8e\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"11332676\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>By: <em>Maria Josefa Jillian N. Tan<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\"><sup><strong><sup>[1]<\\/sup><\\/strong><\\/sup><\\/a><\\/em><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><em>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Jura Regalia<\\/em>\\u00a0is the State exercising its sovereign power as the owner of lands of the public domain and of the patrimony of the nation,<sup> <a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\"><sup>[2]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/sup> embodied under Article XII of the 1987 Philippine Constitution.<sup> <a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\"><sup>[3]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/sup> In the interest of quality and efficiency, the State began turning over its resources to private entities to distribute the burden of fulfilling its citizen\'s needs. Notably, the government regulates these private entities to protect the general welfare by legislation, commonly noted as\\u00a0<em>police power<\\/em>. In discussing the promotion of general welfare, the doctrine of\\u00a0<em>parens patriae<\\/em>\\u00a0is not far off.\\u00a0<em>Parens patriae<\\/em>\\u00a0means \\\"father of his country,\\\" and \\\"expresses the inherent power and authority of the state to provide protection of the person and property of a person\\u00a0<em>non sui juris<\\/em>.\\\" The persons\\u00a0<em>non sui juris<\\/em>\\u00a0are the Filipino consumers whose welfare needs the State\'s protection from overpowering business pursuits.<sup> <a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\"><sup>[4]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/sup><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><em>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 <\\/em>In\\u00a0<em>Maynilad Water Services, Inc. v. Secretary of Department of Environment and Natural Resources<\\/em><em> (<\\/em><em>Maynilad v. Secretary of DENR<\\/em><em>)<\\/em>, the Supreme Court noted a gap between these three doctrines and introduced the Public Trust Doctrine. The Public Trust Doctrine was derived from American jurisprudence, imposing a duty upon the State and its representatives of continuing supervision over the taking and use of appropriated water<a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\"><sup>[5]<\\/sup><\\/a>, and reaffirming the superiority of public rights over private rights for critical resources. In this framework, a relationship is formed \\u2013 the state (the trustee) manages the specific natural resources (trust principal) for the benefit of the current and future generations (the beneficiaries).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><em>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 <\\/em>The Regional Office of DENR charged Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) and its concessionaires for violation of and non\\u00adcompliance with Section 8 of the Clean Water Act for failing to provide, install, operate, and maintain adequate Wastewater Treatment Facilities (WWTFs) for the sewerage system. Allegedly, the water suppliers\' inaction resulted in the degradation of quality and beneficial use of water\'s receiving bodies leading to Manila Bay. Also, the water suppliers\' delay directly forestalled the DENR\'s mandate (issued in\\u00a0<em>Metropolitan Manila Development Authority v. Concerned Residents of Manila Bay<\\/em><a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\"><em><strong>[6]<\\/strong><\\/em><\\/a>) to implement the operational plan for the rehabilitation and restoration of Manila Bay and its river tributaries.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><em>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 <\\/em>In their respective answers to the charges, MWSS averred their compliance with the law while Maynilad and Manila Water asserted the supremacy of the Concession Agreements (Agreement\\/s) executed with MWSS. They also cited Section 7 of the Clean Water Act, which first requires the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to prepare and effect a national program on sewerage and septage management to guide the MWSS and\\/or its concessionaires in implementing the law.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><em>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 <\\/em>After deliberation of the complaints, the Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources (SENR) ruled in favor of the DENR. SENR cited the ruling in the case of\\u00a0<em>Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) v. Concerned Residents of Manila Bay,\\u00a0<\\/em>that \\\"strict compliance with the Clean Water Act is a necessary given, and the five-year periodic review stipulated in the Agreements between petitioners should have considered and factored in the requirements of the Clean Water Act.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\">[7]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><em>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 <\\/em>The Court of Appeals (CA) agreed with the SENR, holding the water concessionaires accountable. The\\u00a0<em>MMDA v. Concerned Citizens of Manila Bay<\\/em>\\u00a0case relating to petitioners\' obligations in the clean-up of Manila Bay simply sets different deadlines: one for submission by Maynilad and Manila Water of their plans and projects for the construction of WWTFs in certain areas in Metro Manila, Rizal, and Cavite, and another for the actual construction and completion thereof.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><em>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 <\\/em>When the MWSS and its concessionaires raised the case to the Supreme Court in a petition for review on\\u00a0<em>certiorari<\\/em>, the Supreme Court agreed with the CA and told the MWSS and its water concessionaires to stop making excuses. The Highest Court noted: \\u201cthe meat of this case is the\\u00a0<strong>fact of delay<\\/strong>\\u00a0(by petitioners) in complying with the mandate under Section 8, whereas the matter involved in\\u00a0<em>MMDA v. Concerned Residents of Manila Bay<\\/em>\\u00a0is the\\u00a0<strong>urgency of rehabilitation of Manila Bay.<\\/strong>\\u201d<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><em>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 <\\/em>The case of\\u00a0<em>Maynilad v. DENR\\u00a0<\\/em>has<em>\\u00a0<\\/em>its petitioners<em>\\u00a0<\\/em>(the MWSS and its fellow concessionaires) suggest that the ruling in the case of\\u00a0<em>MMDA v. Concerned Residents of Manila Bay<\\/em>\\u00a0amended Section 8 of the Clean Water Act. The Supreme Court rectifies this assumption, discussing the concessionaires\\u2019 delayed compliance past the effectivity of the Clean Air Law, which the petitioners failed to notify the Congress. Petitioners cannot alter the law and court instruction by mere stipulation in their private contract.<a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\">[8]<\\/a>\\u00a0To hold these entities accountable, the Supreme Court introduced the public trust doctrine in\\u00a0<em>Maynilad v. DENR<\\/em>.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><em>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 <\\/em>The Public trust doctrine<strong>\\u00a0<\\/strong>holds that specific natural resources belong to all and cannot be privately owned or controlled because of their inherent importance to each individual and society.<a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\">[9]<\\/a> As mentioned earlier, the Court obtained this from American Jurisprudence, citing\\u00a0<em>National Audubon Society v. Superior Court of Alpine County<\\/em>. The case in California arose when the Division of Water Resources granted the Department of Water and Power of the City of Los Angeles (DWP) a permit to divert about half the flow of these streams into DWP\'s Owens Valley aqueduct. The agency\'s action caused severe damage to the ecosystem and the water level of its second-largest body of water, Mono Lake. When this issue reached the California Supreme Court, the court decided that the State has a dual mandate: to balance the need for municipal water supplies with the ecological need for water to restore and maintain natural water-dependent ecosystems.<a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\">[10]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><em>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 <\\/em>Noting the ongoing water supply crisis at the time of presiding the case of\\u00a0<em>Maynilad v. DENR<\\/em>, the Supreme Court adopted California\\u2019s discussion where: \\\"the [S]tate has an affirmative duty to take the public trust into account in the planning and allocation of water resources, and to protect public trust uses whenever feasible\\\" and that \\u201cthe public is regarded as the beneficial owner of trust resources (where) courts can enforce the public trust doctrine even against the government itself.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\"><sup>[11]<\\/sup><\\/a>\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Through the MWSS, Maynilad and Manila Water were granted utility franchises by the State.\\u00a0Under the Public Trust doctrine, the State requires these entities to maintain quality and good service for the general public and accomplish this through statutory regulation such as the Clean Water Act\'s legislation. Ergo, those liable under the Clean Water Act are the State, concessionaires, and water users. Considering MWSS, et al. fail to do their part, they are liable for violating the law for their non-performance.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><em>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 <\\/em>The ruling of\\u00a0<em>Maynilad v. DENR<\\/em>\\u00a0may go in conflict with the DENR issuances before its decision. According to DENR Memorandum Circular 2019-62, \\u201cno business owner shall be issued new business permit unless he\\/she has obtained the necessary clearances and permits such as discharge permits and environmental sanitation clearances as may be prescribed by existing laws or as may be required by DENR, LLDA (Laguna Lake Development Authority), and\\/or DOH (Department of Health) and its instrumentalities.\\u201d<sup> <a href=\\\"#_ftn12\\\"><sup>[12]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/sup> However, with Covid-19 extending quarantine and disrupting regular working hours, business owners will not be able to discuss with MWSS, Maynilad, and Manila Waters the necessary sanitation clearance required by the State. Considering that MWSS, Maynilad, and Manila Waters are primary water suppliers of the country that got penalized,\\u00a0<em>Maynilad v. DENR<\\/em>\\u00a0should impel the DENR to give time extensions to private entities tied to these water concessionaires to obtain sufficient time to fulfill its requirements.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">[1]<\\/a> Understudy of UST Law Review<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a> <em>Republic v. Rosemoor Mining and Development Corporation<\\/em>, 470 Phil. 363, 383 (2004).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a> \\u201cAll lands of the public domain, waters, minerals, coal, petroleum, and other mineral oils, all forces of potential energy, fisheries, forests or timber, wildlife, flora and fauna, and <strong>other natural resources are owned by the State<\\/strong>. With the exception of agricultural lands, all other natural resources shall not be alienated. <strong>The exploration, development, and utilization of natural resources shall be under the full control and supervision of the State.<\\/strong> The State may directly undertake such activities, or it may enter into co-production, joint venture, or production-sharing agreements with Filipino citizens, or corporations or associations at least sixty <em>per centum<\\/em> of whose capital is owned by such citizens...\\u201d<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[4]<\\/a> \\u00a0<em>Maynilad Water Services, Inc. v. Secretary of Department of Environment and Natural Resources<\\/em>, G.R. No. 202897, 06 August 2019.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[5]<\\/a> <em>National Audubon Society v. Superior Court of Alpine County<\\/em>, 33 Cal. 3d 419, 658 P.2d 709, 189 Cal.Rptr. 346, as cited in Ausness, Richard, Water Rights, the Public Trust Doctrine, and the Protection of Instream Uses, 1986 U. Ill. L. Rev. 407.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[6]<\\/a> G.R. Nos. 171947-48, 18 December 2008.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\">[7]<\\/a> <em>Maynilad v. DENR<\\/em>, G.R. No. 202897, 06 August 2019<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\">[8]<\\/a> Id.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\">[9]<\\/a> Klass, Alexandra, and Ling-Yee Huang,\\u00a0<em>Restoring the Trust: Water Resources and the Public Trust Doctrine<\\/em>, A Manual for Advocates, Center for Progressive Reform (September 2009)<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\">[10]<\\/a> Id.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\">[11]<\\/a> <em>Maynilad v. DENR<\\/em>, G.R. No. 202897, 6 August 2019<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref12\\\">[12]<\\/a> Vitangco, Al.\\u00a0 \\u201cBPLO contradicts DENR guidelines and SC decision.\\u201d 22 August 2020. <em>Manila Times.<\\/em> Retrieved 12 September 2020, from https:\\/\\/www.manilatimes.net\\/2020\\/08\\/22\\/opinion\\/columnists\\/bplo-contradicts-denr-guidelines-and-sc-decision\\/758295\\/<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Featured Photo by <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/unsplash.com\\/@marwinforalifetime?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText\\\">Marwin Gherald Villanueva<\\/a> on <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/unsplash.com\\/s\\/photos\\/manila-bay?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText\\\">Unsplash<\\/a><a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/unsplash.com\\/@marwinforalifetime\\\">Marwin Gherald Villanueva@marwinforalifetime<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(3314,1163,'_thumbnail_id','1158'),(3315,1163,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(3316,1163,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(3317,1163,'_elementor_version','3.0.16'),(3318,1163,'_wp_page_template','default'),(3319,1163,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"49f5ce18\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"569be8e\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"11332676\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>By: <em>Maria Josefa Jillian N. Tan<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\"><sup><strong><sup>[1]<\\/sup><\\/strong><\\/sup><\\/a><\\/em><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><em>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Jura Regalia<\\/em>\\u00a0is the State exercising its sovereign power as the owner of lands of the public domain and of the patrimony of the nation,<sup> <a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\"><sup>[2]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/sup> embodied under Article XII of the 1987 Philippine Constitution.<sup> <a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\"><sup>[3]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/sup> In the interest of quality and efficiency, the State began turning over its resources to private entities to distribute the burden of fulfilling its citizen\'s needs. Notably, the government regulates these private entities to protect the general welfare by legislation, commonly noted as\\u00a0<em>police power<\\/em>. In discussing the promotion of general welfare, the doctrine of\\u00a0<em>parens patriae<\\/em>\\u00a0is not far off.\\u00a0<em>Parens patriae<\\/em>\\u00a0means \\\"father of his country,\\\" and \\\"expresses the inherent power and authority of the state to provide protection of the person and property of a person\\u00a0<em>non sui juris<\\/em>.\\\" The persons\\u00a0<em>non sui juris<\\/em>\\u00a0are the Filipino consumers whose welfare needs the State\'s protection from overpowering business pursuits.<sup> <a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\"><sup>[4]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/sup><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><em>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 <\\/em>In\\u00a0<em>Maynilad Water Services, Inc. v. Secretary of Department of Environment and Natural Resources<\\/em><em> (<\\/em><em>Maynilad v. Secretary of DENR<\\/em><em>)<\\/em>, the Supreme Court noted a gap between these three doctrines and introduced the Public Trust Doctrine. The Public Trust Doctrine was derived from American jurisprudence, imposing a duty upon the State and its representatives of continuing supervision over the taking and use of appropriated water<a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\"><sup>[5]<\\/sup><\\/a>, and reaffirming the superiority of public rights over private rights for critical resources. In this framework, a relationship is formed \\u2013 the state (the trustee) manages the specific natural resources (trust principal) for the benefit of the current and future generations (the beneficiaries).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><em>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 <\\/em>The Regional Office of DENR charged Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) and its concessionaires for violation of and non\\u00adcompliance with Section 8 of the Clean Water Act for failing to provide, install, operate, and maintain adequate Wastewater Treatment Facilities (WWTFs) for the sewerage system. Allegedly, the water suppliers\' inaction resulted in the degradation of quality and beneficial use of water\'s receiving bodies leading to Manila Bay. Also, the water suppliers\' delay directly forestalled the DENR\'s mandate (issued in\\u00a0<em>Metropolitan Manila Development Authority v. Concerned Residents of Manila Bay<\\/em><a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\"><em><strong>[6]<\\/strong><\\/em><\\/a>) to implement the operational plan for the rehabilitation and restoration of Manila Bay and its river tributaries.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><em>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 <\\/em>In their respective answers to the charges, MWSS averred their compliance with the law while Maynilad and Manila Water asserted the supremacy of the Concession Agreements (Agreement\\/s) executed with MWSS. They also cited Section 7 of the Clean Water Act, which first requires the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to prepare and effect a national program on sewerage and septage management to guide the MWSS and\\/or its concessionaires in implementing the law.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><em>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 <\\/em>After deliberation of the complaints, the Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources (SENR) ruled in favor of the DENR. SENR cited the ruling in the case of\\u00a0<em>Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) v. Concerned Residents of Manila Bay,\\u00a0<\\/em>that \\\"strict compliance with the Clean Water Act is a necessary given, and the five-year periodic review stipulated in the Agreements between petitioners should have considered and factored in the requirements of the Clean Water Act.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\">[7]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><em>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 <\\/em>The Court of Appeals (CA) agreed with the SENR, holding the water concessionaires accountable. The\\u00a0<em>MMDA v. Concerned Citizens of Manila Bay<\\/em>\\u00a0case relating to petitioners\' obligations in the clean-up of Manila Bay simply sets different deadlines: one for submission by Maynilad and Manila Water of their plans and projects for the construction of WWTFs in certain areas in Metro Manila, Rizal, and Cavite, and another for the actual construction and completion thereof.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><em>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 <\\/em>When the MWSS and its concessionaires raised the case to the Supreme Court in a petition for review on\\u00a0<em>certiorari<\\/em>, the Supreme Court agreed with the CA and told the MWSS and its water concessionaires to stop making excuses. The Highest Court noted: \\u201cthe meat of this case is the\\u00a0<strong>fact of delay<\\/strong>\\u00a0(by petitioners) in complying with the mandate under Section 8, whereas the matter involved in\\u00a0<em>MMDA v. Concerned Residents of Manila Bay<\\/em>\\u00a0is the\\u00a0<strong>urgency of rehabilitation of Manila Bay.<\\/strong>\\u201d<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><em>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 <\\/em>The case of\\u00a0<em>Maynilad v. DENR\\u00a0<\\/em>has<em>\\u00a0<\\/em>its petitioners<em>\\u00a0<\\/em>(the MWSS and its fellow concessionaires) suggest that the ruling in the case of\\u00a0<em>MMDA v. Concerned Residents of Manila Bay<\\/em>\\u00a0amended Section 8 of the Clean Water Act. The Supreme Court rectifies this assumption, discussing the concessionaires\\u2019 delayed compliance past the effectivity of the Clean Air Law, which the petitioners failed to notify the Congress. Petitioners cannot alter the law and court instruction by mere stipulation in their private contract.<a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\">[8]<\\/a>\\u00a0To hold these entities accountable, the Supreme Court introduced the public trust doctrine in\\u00a0<em>Maynilad v. DENR<\\/em>.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><em>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 <\\/em>The Public trust doctrine<strong>\\u00a0<\\/strong>holds that specific natural resources belong to all and cannot be privately owned or controlled because of their inherent importance to each individual and society.<a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\">[9]<\\/a> As mentioned earlier, the Court obtained this from American Jurisprudence, citing\\u00a0<em>National Audubon Society v. Superior Court of Alpine County<\\/em>. The case in California arose when the Division of Water Resources granted the Department of Water and Power of the City of Los Angeles (DWP) a permit to divert about half the flow of these streams into DWP\'s Owens Valley aqueduct. The agency\'s action caused severe damage to the ecosystem and the water level of its second-largest body of water, Mono Lake. When this issue reached the California Supreme Court, the court decided that the State has a dual mandate: to balance the need for municipal water supplies with the ecological need for water to restore and maintain natural water-dependent ecosystems.<a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\">[10]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><em>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 <\\/em>Noting the ongoing water supply crisis at the time of presiding the case of\\u00a0<em>Maynilad v. DENR<\\/em>, the Supreme Court adopted California\\u2019s discussion where: \\\"the [S]tate has an affirmative duty to take the public trust into account in the planning and allocation of water resources, and to protect public trust uses whenever feasible\\\" and that \\u201cthe public is regarded as the beneficial owner of trust resources (where) courts can enforce the public trust doctrine even against the government itself.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\"><sup>[11]<\\/sup><\\/a>\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Through the MWSS, Maynilad and Manila Water were granted utility franchises by the State.\\u00a0Under the Public Trust doctrine, the State requires these entities to maintain quality and good service for the general public and accomplish this through statutory regulation such as the Clean Water Act\'s legislation. Ergo, those liable under the Clean Water Act are the State, concessionaires, and water users. Considering MWSS, et al. fail to do their part, they are liable for violating the law for their non-performance.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><em>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 <\\/em>The ruling of\\u00a0<em>Maynilad v. DENR<\\/em>\\u00a0may go in conflict with the DENR issuances before its decision. According to DENR Memorandum Circular 2019-62, \\u201cno business owner shall be issued new business permit unless he\\/she has obtained the necessary clearances and permits such as discharge permits and environmental sanitation clearances as may be prescribed by existing laws or as may be required by DENR, LLDA (Laguna Lake Development Authority), and\\/or DOH (Department of Health) and its instrumentalities.\\u201d<sup> <a href=\\\"#_ftn12\\\"><sup>[12]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/sup> However, with Covid-19 extending quarantine and disrupting regular working hours, business owners will not be able to discuss with MWSS, Maynilad, and Manila Waters the necessary sanitation clearance required by the State. Considering that MWSS, Maynilad, and Manila Waters are primary water suppliers of the country that got penalized,\\u00a0<em>Maynilad v. DENR<\\/em>\\u00a0should impel the DENR to give time extensions to private entities tied to these water concessionaires to obtain sufficient time to fulfill its requirements.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">[1]<\\/a> Understudy of UST Law Review<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a> <em>Republic v. Rosemoor Mining and Development Corporation<\\/em>, 470 Phil. 363, 383 (2004).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a> \\u201cAll lands of the public domain, waters, minerals, coal, petroleum, and other mineral oils, all forces of potential energy, fisheries, forests or timber, wildlife, flora and fauna, and <strong>other natural resources are owned by the State<\\/strong>. With the exception of agricultural lands, all other natural resources shall not be alienated. <strong>The exploration, development, and utilization of natural resources shall be under the full control and supervision of the State.<\\/strong> The State may directly undertake such activities, or it may enter into co-production, joint venture, or production-sharing agreements with Filipino citizens, or corporations or associations at least sixty <em>per centum<\\/em> of whose capital is owned by such citizens...\\u201d<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[4]<\\/a> \\u00a0<em>Maynilad Water Services, Inc. v. Secretary of Department of Environment and Natural Resources<\\/em>, G.R. No. 202897, 06 August 2019.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[5]<\\/a> <em>National Audubon Society v. Superior Court of Alpine County<\\/em>, 33 Cal. 3d 419, 658 P.2d 709, 189 Cal.Rptr. 346, as cited in Ausness, Richard, Water Rights, the Public Trust Doctrine, and the Protection of Instream Uses, 1986 U. Ill. L. Rev. 407.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[6]<\\/a> G.R. Nos. 171947-48, 18 December 2008.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\">[7]<\\/a> <em>Maynilad v. DENR<\\/em>, G.R. No. 202897, 06 August 2019<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\">[8]<\\/a> Id.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\">[9]<\\/a> Klass, Alexandra, and Ling-Yee Huang,\\u00a0<em>Restoring the Trust: Water Resources and the Public Trust Doctrine<\\/em>, A Manual for Advocates, Center for Progressive Reform (September 2009)<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\">[10]<\\/a> Id.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\">[11]<\\/a> <em>Maynilad v. DENR<\\/em>, G.R. No. 202897, 6 August 2019<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref12\\\">[12]<\\/a> Vitangco, Al.\\u00a0 \\u201cBPLO contradicts DENR guidelines and SC decision.\\u201d 22 August 2020. <em>Manila Times.<\\/em> Retrieved 12 September 2020, from https:\\/\\/www.manilatimes.net\\/2020\\/08\\/22\\/opinion\\/columnists\\/bplo-contradicts-denr-guidelines-and-sc-decision\\/758295\\/<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Featured Photo by <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/unsplash.com\\/@marwinforalifetime?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText\\\">Marwin Gherald Villanueva<\\/a> on <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/unsplash.com\\/s\\/photos\\/manila-bay?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText\\\">Unsplash<\\/a><a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/unsplash.com\\/@marwinforalifetime\\\">Marwin Gherald Villanueva@marwinforalifetime<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(3321,1164,'_thumbnail_id','1158'),(3322,1164,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(3323,1164,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(3324,1164,'_elementor_version','3.0.16'),(3325,1164,'_wp_page_template','default'),(3326,1164,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"49f5ce18\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"569be8e\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"11332676\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>By: <em>Maria Josefa Jillian N. Tan<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\"><sup><strong><sup>[1]<\\/sup><\\/strong><\\/sup><\\/a><\\/em><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><em>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Jura Regalia<\\/em>\\u00a0is the State exercising its sovereign power as the owner of lands of the public domain and of the patrimony of the nation,<sup> <a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\"><sup>[2]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/sup> embodied under Article XII of the 1987 Philippine Constitution.<sup> <a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\"><sup>[3]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/sup> In the interest of quality and efficiency, the State began turning over its resources to private entities to distribute the burden of fulfilling its citizen\'s needs. Notably, the government regulates these private entities to protect the general welfare by legislation, commonly noted as\\u00a0<em>police power<\\/em>. In discussing the promotion of general welfare, the doctrine of\\u00a0<em>parens patriae<\\/em>\\u00a0is not far off.\\u00a0<em>Parens patriae<\\/em>\\u00a0means \\\"father of his country,\\\" and \\\"expresses the inherent power and authority of the state to provide protection of the person and property of a person\\u00a0<em>non sui juris<\\/em>.\\\" The persons\\u00a0<em>non sui juris<\\/em>\\u00a0are the Filipino consumers whose welfare needs the State\'s protection from overpowering business pursuits.<sup> <a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\"><sup>[4]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/sup><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><em>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 <\\/em>In\\u00a0<em>Maynilad Water Services, Inc. v. Secretary of Department of Environment and Natural Resources<\\/em><em> (<\\/em><em>Maynilad v. Secretary of DENR<\\/em><em>)<\\/em>, the Supreme Court noted a gap between these three doctrines and introduced the Public Trust Doctrine. The Public Trust Doctrine was derived from American jurisprudence, imposing a duty upon the State and its representatives of continuing supervision over the taking and use of appropriated water<a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\"><sup>[5]<\\/sup><\\/a>, and reaffirming the superiority of public rights over private rights for critical resources. In this framework, a relationship is formed \\u2013 the state (the trustee) manages the specific natural resources (trust principal) for the benefit of the current and future generations (the beneficiaries).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><em>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 <\\/em>The Regional Office of DENR charged Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) and its concessionaires for violation of and non\\u00adcompliance with Section 8 of the Clean Water Act for failing to provide, install, operate, and maintain adequate Wastewater Treatment Facilities (WWTFs) for the sewerage system. Allegedly, the water suppliers\' inaction resulted in the degradation of quality and beneficial use of water\'s receiving bodies leading to Manila Bay. Also, the water suppliers\' delay directly forestalled the DENR\'s mandate (issued in\\u00a0<em>Metropolitan Manila Development Authority v. Concerned Residents of Manila Bay<\\/em><a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\"><em><strong>[6]<\\/strong><\\/em><\\/a>) to implement the operational plan for the rehabilitation and restoration of Manila Bay and its river tributaries.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><em>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 <\\/em>In their respective answers to the charges, MWSS averred their compliance with the law while Maynilad and Manila Water asserted the supremacy of the Concession Agreements (Agreement\\/s) executed with MWSS. They also cited Section 7 of the Clean Water Act, which first requires the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to prepare and effect a national program on sewerage and septage management to guide the MWSS and\\/or its concessionaires in implementing the law.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><em>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 <\\/em>After deliberation of the complaints, the Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources (SENR) ruled in favor of the DENR. SENR cited the ruling in the case of\\u00a0<em>Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) v. Concerned Residents of Manila Bay,\\u00a0<\\/em>that \\\"strict compliance with the Clean Water Act is a necessary given, and the five-year periodic review stipulated in the Agreements between petitioners should have considered and factored in the requirements of the Clean Water Act.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\">[7]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><em>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 <\\/em>The Court of Appeals (CA) agreed with the SENR, holding the water concessionaires accountable. The\\u00a0<em>MMDA v. Concerned Citizens of Manila Bay<\\/em>\\u00a0case relating to petitioners\' obligations in the clean-up of Manila Bay simply sets different deadlines: one for submission by Maynilad and Manila Water of their plans and projects for the construction of WWTFs in certain areas in Metro Manila, Rizal, and Cavite, and another for the actual construction and completion thereof.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><em>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 <\\/em>When the MWSS and its concessionaires raised the case to the Supreme Court in a petition for review on\\u00a0<em>certiorari<\\/em>, the Supreme Court agreed with the CA and told the MWSS and its water concessionaires to stop making excuses. The Highest Court noted: \\u201cthe meat of this case is the\\u00a0<strong>fact of delay<\\/strong>\\u00a0(by petitioners) in complying with the mandate under Section 8, whereas the matter involved in\\u00a0<em>MMDA v. Concerned Residents of Manila Bay<\\/em>\\u00a0is the\\u00a0<strong>urgency of rehabilitation of Manila Bay.<\\/strong>\\u201d<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><em>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 <\\/em>The case of\\u00a0<em>Maynilad v. DENR\\u00a0<\\/em>has<em>\\u00a0<\\/em>its petitioners<em>\\u00a0<\\/em>(the MWSS and its fellow concessionaires) suggest that the ruling in the case of\\u00a0<em>MMDA v. Concerned Residents of Manila Bay<\\/em>\\u00a0amended Section 8 of the Clean Water Act. The Supreme Court rectifies this assumption, discussing the concessionaires\\u2019 delayed compliance past the effectivity of the Clean Air Law, which the petitioners failed to notify the Congress. Petitioners cannot alter the law and court instruction by mere stipulation in their private contract.<a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\">[8]<\\/a>\\u00a0To hold these entities accountable, the Supreme Court introduced the public trust doctrine in\\u00a0<em>Maynilad v. DENR<\\/em>.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><em>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 <\\/em>The Public trust doctrine<strong>\\u00a0<\\/strong>holds that specific natural resources belong to all and cannot be privately owned or controlled because of their inherent importance to each individual and society.<a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\">[9]<\\/a> As mentioned earlier, the Court obtained this from American Jurisprudence, citing\\u00a0<em>National Audubon Society v. Superior Court of Alpine County<\\/em>. The case in California arose when the Division of Water Resources granted the Department of Water and Power of the City of Los Angeles (DWP) a permit to divert about half the flow of these streams into DWP\'s Owens Valley aqueduct. The agency\'s action caused severe damage to the ecosystem and the water level of its second-largest body of water, Mono Lake. When this issue reached the California Supreme Court, the court decided that the State has a dual mandate: to balance the need for municipal water supplies with the ecological need for water to restore and maintain natural water-dependent ecosystems.<a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\">[10]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><em>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 <\\/em>Noting the ongoing water supply crisis at the time of presiding the case of\\u00a0<em>Maynilad v. DENR<\\/em>, the Supreme Court adopted California\\u2019s discussion where: \\\"the [S]tate has an affirmative duty to take the public trust into account in the planning and allocation of water resources, and to protect public trust uses whenever feasible\\\" and that \\u201cthe public is regarded as the beneficial owner of trust resources (where) courts can enforce the public trust doctrine even against the government itself.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\"><sup>[11]<\\/sup><\\/a>\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Through the MWSS, Maynilad and Manila Water were granted utility franchises by the State.\\u00a0Under the Public Trust doctrine, the State requires these entities to maintain quality and good service for the general public and accomplish this through statutory regulation such as the Clean Water Act\'s legislation. Ergo, those liable under the Clean Water Act are the State, concessionaires, and water users. Considering MWSS, et al. fail to do their part, they are liable for violating the law for their non-performance.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><em>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 <\\/em>The ruling of\\u00a0<em>Maynilad v. DENR<\\/em>\\u00a0may go in conflict with the DENR issuances before its decision. According to DENR Memorandum Circular 2019-62, \\u201cno business owner shall be issued new business permit unless he\\/she has obtained the necessary clearances and permits such as discharge permits and environmental sanitation clearances as may be prescribed by existing laws or as may be required by DENR, LLDA (Laguna Lake Development Authority), and\\/or DOH (Department of Health) and its instrumentalities.\\u201d<sup> <a href=\\\"#_ftn12\\\"><sup>[12]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/sup> However, with Covid-19 extending quarantine and disrupting regular working hours, business owners will not be able to discuss with MWSS, Maynilad, and Manila Waters the necessary sanitation clearance required by the State. Considering that MWSS, Maynilad, and Manila Waters are primary water suppliers of the country that got penalized,\\u00a0<em>Maynilad v. DENR<\\/em>\\u00a0should impel the DENR to give time extensions to private entities tied to these water concessionaires to obtain sufficient time to fulfill its requirements.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">[1]<\\/a> Understudy of UST Law Review<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a> <em>Republic v. Rosemoor Mining and Development Corporation<\\/em>, 470 Phil. 363, 383 (2004).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a> \\u201cAll lands of the public domain, waters, minerals, coal, petroleum, and other mineral oils, all forces of potential energy, fisheries, forests or timber, wildlife, flora and fauna, and <strong>other natural resources are owned by the State<\\/strong>. With the exception of agricultural lands, all other natural resources shall not be alienated. <strong>The exploration, development, and utilization of natural resources shall be under the full control and supervision of the State.<\\/strong> The State may directly undertake such activities, or it may enter into co-production, joint venture, or production-sharing agreements with Filipino citizens, or corporations or associations at least sixty <em>per centum<\\/em> of whose capital is owned by such citizens...\\u201d<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[4]<\\/a> \\u00a0<em>Maynilad Water Services, Inc. v. Secretary of Department of Environment and Natural Resources<\\/em>, G.R. No. 202897, 06 August 2019.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[5]<\\/a> <em>National Audubon Society v. Superior Court of Alpine County<\\/em>, 33 Cal. 3d 419, 658 P.2d 709, 189 Cal.Rptr. 346, as cited in Ausness, Richard, Water Rights, the Public Trust Doctrine, and the Protection of Instream Uses, 1986 U. Ill. L. Rev. 407.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[6]<\\/a> G.R. Nos. 171947-48, 18 December 2008.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\">[7]<\\/a> <em>Maynilad v. DENR<\\/em>, G.R. No. 202897, 06 August 2019<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\">[8]<\\/a> Id.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\">[9]<\\/a> Klass, Alexandra, and Ling-Yee Huang,\\u00a0<em>Restoring the Trust: Water Resources and the Public Trust Doctrine<\\/em>, A Manual for Advocates, Center for Progressive Reform (September 2009)<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\">[10]<\\/a> Id.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\">[11]<\\/a> <em>Maynilad v. DENR<\\/em>, G.R. No. 202897, 6 August 2019<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref12\\\">[12]<\\/a> Vitangco, Al.\\u00a0 \\u201cBPLO contradicts DENR guidelines and SC decision.\\u201d 22 August 2020. <em>Manila Times.<\\/em> Retrieved 12 September 2020, from https:\\/\\/www.manilatimes.net\\/2020\\/08\\/22\\/opinion\\/columnists\\/bplo-contradicts-denr-guidelines-and-sc-decision\\/758295\\/<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Featured Photo by <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/unsplash.com\\/@mbcaptures?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText\\\">Michael Buillerey<\\/a> on <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/unsplash.com\\/s\\/photos\\/manila-bay?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText\\\">Unsplash<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(3328,1154,'_elementor_controls_usage','a:3:{s:11:\"text-editor\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:1;s:8:\"controls\";a:2:{s:7:\"content\";a:1:{s:14:\"section_editor\";a:1:{s:6:\"editor\";i:1;}}s:5:\"style\";a:1:{s:13:\"section_style\";a:2:{s:21:\"typography_typography\";i:1;s:22:\"typography_line_height\";i:1;}}}}s:6:\"column\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:0;s:8:\"controls\";a:0:{}}s:7:\"section\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:0;s:8:\"controls\";a:0:{}}}'),(3330,1165,'_wp_attached_file','2021/01/kevin-maillefer-6pNcx5Mh9cI-unsplash-scaled.jpg'),(3331,1165,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:6:{s:5:\"width\";i:1442;s:6:\"height\";i:1920;s:4:\"file\";s:55:\"2021/01/kevin-maillefer-6pNcx5Mh9cI-unsplash-scaled.jpg\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:14:{s:6:\"medium\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:48:\"kevin-maillefer-6pNcx5Mh9cI-unsplash-225x300.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:225;s:6:\"height\";i:300;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:5:\"large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:49:\"kevin-maillefer-6pNcx5Mh9cI-unsplash-769x1024.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:769;s:6:\"height\";i:1024;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"thumbnail\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:48:\"kevin-maillefer-6pNcx5Mh9cI-unsplash-150x150.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:12:\"medium_large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:49:\"kevin-maillefer-6pNcx5Mh9cI-unsplash-768x1023.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:768;s:6:\"height\";i:1023;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"1536x1536\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:50:\"kevin-maillefer-6pNcx5Mh9cI-unsplash-1153x1536.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1153;s:6:\"height\";i:1536;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"2048x2048\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:50:\"kevin-maillefer-6pNcx5Mh9cI-unsplash-1538x2048.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1538;s:6:\"height\";i:2048;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:24:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:48:\"kevin-maillefer-6pNcx5Mh9cI-unsplash-170x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:25:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:46:\"kevin-maillefer-6pNcx5Mh9cI-unsplash-86x70.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:47:\"kevin-maillefer-6pNcx5Mh9cI-unsplash-83x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:83;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:22:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:48:\"kevin-maillefer-6pNcx5Mh9cI-unsplash-370x250.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:30:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:48:\"kevin-maillefer-6pNcx5Mh9cI-unsplash-188x250.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:188;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:21:\"bfastmag_related_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:48:\"kevin-maillefer-6pNcx5Mh9cI-unsplash-288x160.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:288;s:6:\"height\";i:160;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:18:\"bfastmag_blog_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:48:\"kevin-maillefer-6pNcx5Mh9cI-unsplash-780x544.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:26:\"bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:48:\"kevin-maillefer-6pNcx5Mh9cI-unsplash-408x544.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:408;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:0:\"\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:1:\"0\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:1:\"0\";s:3:\"iso\";s:1:\"0\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:1:\"0\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";s:1:\"0\";s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}s:14:\"original_image\";s:40:\"kevin-maillefer-6pNcx5Mh9cI-unsplash.jpg\";}'),(3332,1166,'_wp_attached_file','2021/01/michael-buillerey-tKiaYOzmszQ-unsplash-scaled.jpg'),(3333,1166,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:6:{s:5:\"width\";i:1920;s:6:\"height\";i:1080;s:4:\"file\";s:57:\"2021/01/michael-buillerey-tKiaYOzmszQ-unsplash-scaled.jpg\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:14:{s:6:\"medium\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:50:\"michael-buillerey-tKiaYOzmszQ-unsplash-300x169.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:300;s:6:\"height\";i:169;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:5:\"large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:51:\"michael-buillerey-tKiaYOzmszQ-unsplash-1024x576.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1024;s:6:\"height\";i:576;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"thumbnail\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:50:\"michael-buillerey-tKiaYOzmszQ-unsplash-150x150.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:12:\"medium_large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:50:\"michael-buillerey-tKiaYOzmszQ-unsplash-768x432.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:768;s:6:\"height\";i:432;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"1536x1536\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:51:\"michael-buillerey-tKiaYOzmszQ-unsplash-1536x864.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1536;s:6:\"height\";i:864;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"2048x2048\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:52:\"michael-buillerey-tKiaYOzmszQ-unsplash-2048x1152.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:2048;s:6:\"height\";i:1152;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:24:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:50:\"michael-buillerey-tKiaYOzmszQ-unsplash-170x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:25:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:48:\"michael-buillerey-tKiaYOzmszQ-unsplash-86x70.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:49:\"michael-buillerey-tKiaYOzmszQ-unsplash-170x96.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:96;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:22:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:50:\"michael-buillerey-tKiaYOzmszQ-unsplash-370x250.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:30:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:50:\"michael-buillerey-tKiaYOzmszQ-unsplash-370x208.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:208;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:21:\"bfastmag_related_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:50:\"michael-buillerey-tKiaYOzmszQ-unsplash-288x160.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:288;s:6:\"height\";i:160;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:18:\"bfastmag_blog_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:50:\"michael-buillerey-tKiaYOzmszQ-unsplash-780x544.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:26:\"bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:50:\"michael-buillerey-tKiaYOzmszQ-unsplash-780x439.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:439;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:0:\"\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:1:\"0\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:1:\"0\";s:3:\"iso\";s:1:\"0\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:1:\"0\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";s:1:\"0\";s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}s:14:\"original_image\";s:42:\"michael-buillerey-tKiaYOzmszQ-unsplash.jpg\";}'),(3334,1154,'_pingme','1'),(3335,1154,'_encloseme','1'),(3336,1167,'_thumbnail_id','1158'),(3337,1167,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(3338,1167,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(3339,1167,'_elementor_version','3.0.16'),(3340,1167,'_wp_page_template','default'),(3341,1167,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"49f5ce18\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"569be8e\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"11332676\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>By: <em>Maria Josefa Jillian N. Tan<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\"><sup><strong><sup>[1]<\\/sup><\\/strong><\\/sup><\\/a><\\/em><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><em>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Jura Regalia<\\/em>\\u00a0is the State exercising its sovereign power as the owner of lands of the public domain and of the patrimony of the nation,<sup> <a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\"><sup>[2]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/sup> embodied under Article XII of the 1987 Philippine Constitution.<sup> <a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\"><sup>[3]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/sup> In the interest of quality and efficiency, the State began turning over its resources to private entities to distribute the burden of fulfilling its citizen\'s needs. Notably, the government regulates these private entities to protect the general welfare by legislation, commonly noted as\\u00a0<em>police power<\\/em>. In discussing the promotion of general welfare, the doctrine of\\u00a0<em>parens patriae<\\/em>\\u00a0is not far off.\\u00a0<em>Parens patriae<\\/em>\\u00a0means \\\"father of his country,\\\" and \\\"expresses the inherent power and authority of the state to provide protection of the person and property of a person\\u00a0<em>non sui juris<\\/em>.\\\" The persons\\u00a0<em>non sui juris<\\/em>\\u00a0are the Filipino consumers whose welfare needs the State\'s protection from overpowering business pursuits.<sup> <a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\"><sup>[4]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/sup><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><em>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 <\\/em>In\\u00a0<em>Maynilad Water Services, Inc. v. Secretary of Department of Environment and Natural Resources<\\/em><em> (<\\/em><em>Maynilad v. Secretary of DENR<\\/em><em>)<\\/em>, the Supreme Court noted a gap between these three doctrines and introduced the Public Trust Doctrine. The Public Trust Doctrine was derived from American jurisprudence, imposing a duty upon the State and its representatives of continuing supervision over the taking and use of appropriated water<a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\"><sup>[5]<\\/sup><\\/a>, and reaffirming the superiority of public rights over private rights for critical resources. In this framework, a relationship is formed \\u2013 the state (the trustee) manages the specific natural resources (trust principal) for the benefit of the current and future generations (the beneficiaries).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><em>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 <\\/em>The Regional Office of DENR charged Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) and its concessionaires for violation of and non\\u00adcompliance with Section 8 of the Clean Water Act for failing to provide, install, operate, and maintain adequate Wastewater Treatment Facilities (WWTFs) for the sewerage system. Allegedly, the water suppliers\' inaction resulted in the degradation of quality and beneficial use of water\'s receiving bodies leading to Manila Bay. Also, the water suppliers\' delay directly forestalled the DENR\'s mandate (issued in\\u00a0<em>Metropolitan Manila Development Authority v. Concerned Residents of Manila Bay<\\/em><a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\"><em><strong>[6]<\\/strong><\\/em><\\/a>) to implement the operational plan for the rehabilitation and restoration of Manila Bay and its river tributaries.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><em>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 <\\/em>In their respective answers to the charges, MWSS averred their compliance with the law while Maynilad and Manila Water asserted the supremacy of the Concession Agreements (Agreement\\/s) executed with MWSS. They also cited Section 7 of the Clean Water Act, which first requires the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to prepare and effect a national program on sewerage and septage management to guide the MWSS and\\/or its concessionaires in implementing the law.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><em>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 <\\/em>After deliberation of the complaints, the Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources (SENR) ruled in favor of the DENR. SENR cited the ruling in the case of\\u00a0<em>Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) v. Concerned Residents of Manila Bay,\\u00a0<\\/em>that \\\"strict compliance with the Clean Water Act is a necessary given, and the five-year periodic review stipulated in the Agreements between petitioners should have considered and factored in the requirements of the Clean Water Act.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\">[7]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><em>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 <\\/em>The Court of Appeals (CA) agreed with the SENR, holding the water concessionaires accountable. The\\u00a0<em>MMDA v. Concerned Citizens of Manila Bay<\\/em>\\u00a0case relating to petitioners\' obligations in the clean-up of Manila Bay simply sets different deadlines: one for submission by Maynilad and Manila Water of their plans and projects for the construction of WWTFs in certain areas in Metro Manila, Rizal, and Cavite, and another for the actual construction and completion thereof.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><em>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 <\\/em>When the MWSS and its concessionaires raised the case to the Supreme Court in a petition for review on\\u00a0<em>certiorari<\\/em>, the Supreme Court agreed with the CA and told the MWSS and its water concessionaires to stop making excuses. The Highest Court noted: \\u201cthe meat of this case is the\\u00a0<strong>fact of delay<\\/strong>\\u00a0(by petitioners) in complying with the mandate under Section 8, whereas the matter involved in\\u00a0<em>MMDA v. Concerned Residents of Manila Bay<\\/em>\\u00a0is the\\u00a0<strong>urgency of rehabilitation of Manila Bay.<\\/strong>\\u201d<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><em>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 <\\/em>The case of\\u00a0<em>Maynilad v. DENR\\u00a0<\\/em>has<em>\\u00a0<\\/em>its petitioners<em>\\u00a0<\\/em>(the MWSS and its fellow concessionaires) suggest that the ruling in the case of\\u00a0<em>MMDA v. Concerned Residents of Manila Bay<\\/em>\\u00a0amended Section 8 of the Clean Water Act. The Supreme Court rectifies this assumption, discussing the concessionaires\\u2019 delayed compliance past the effectivity of the Clean Air Law, which the petitioners failed to notify the Congress. Petitioners cannot alter the law and court instruction by mere stipulation in their private contract.<a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\">[8]<\\/a>\\u00a0To hold these entities accountable, the Supreme Court introduced the public trust doctrine in\\u00a0<em>Maynilad v. DENR<\\/em>.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><em>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 <\\/em>The Public trust doctrine<strong>\\u00a0<\\/strong>holds that specific natural resources belong to all and cannot be privately owned or controlled because of their inherent importance to each individual and society.<a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\">[9]<\\/a> As mentioned earlier, the Court obtained this from American Jurisprudence, citing\\u00a0<em>National Audubon Society v. Superior Court of Alpine County<\\/em>. The case in California arose when the Division of Water Resources granted the Department of Water and Power of the City of Los Angeles (DWP) a permit to divert about half the flow of these streams into DWP\'s Owens Valley aqueduct. The agency\'s action caused severe damage to the ecosystem and the water level of its second-largest body of water, Mono Lake. When this issue reached the California Supreme Court, the court decided that the State has a dual mandate: to balance the need for municipal water supplies with the ecological need for water to restore and maintain natural water-dependent ecosystems.<a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\">[10]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><em>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 <\\/em>Noting the ongoing water supply crisis at the time of presiding the case of\\u00a0<em>Maynilad v. DENR<\\/em>, the Supreme Court adopted California\\u2019s discussion where: \\\"the [S]tate has an affirmative duty to take the public trust into account in the planning and allocation of water resources, and to protect public trust uses whenever feasible\\\" and that \\u201cthe public is regarded as the beneficial owner of trust resources (where) courts can enforce the public trust doctrine even against the government itself.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\"><sup>[11]<\\/sup><\\/a>\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Through the MWSS, Maynilad and Manila Water were granted utility franchises by the State.\\u00a0Under the Public Trust doctrine, the State requires these entities to maintain quality and good service for the general public and accomplish this through statutory regulation such as the Clean Water Act\'s legislation. Ergo, those liable under the Clean Water Act are the State, concessionaires, and water users. Considering MWSS, et al. fail to do their part, they are liable for violating the law for their non-performance.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><em>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 <\\/em>The ruling of\\u00a0<em>Maynilad v. DENR<\\/em>\\u00a0may go in conflict with the DENR issuances before its decision. According to DENR Memorandum Circular 2019-62, \\u201cno business owner shall be issued new business permit unless he\\/she has obtained the necessary clearances and permits such as discharge permits and environmental sanitation clearances as may be prescribed by existing laws or as may be required by DENR, LLDA (Laguna Lake Development Authority), and\\/or DOH (Department of Health) and its instrumentalities.\\u201d<sup> <a href=\\\"#_ftn12\\\"><sup>[12]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/sup> However, with Covid-19 extending quarantine and disrupting regular working hours, business owners will not be able to discuss with MWSS, Maynilad, and Manila Waters the necessary sanitation clearance required by the State. Considering that MWSS, Maynilad, and Manila Waters are primary water suppliers of the country that got penalized,\\u00a0<em>Maynilad v. DENR<\\/em>\\u00a0should impel the DENR to give time extensions to private entities tied to these water concessionaires to obtain sufficient time to fulfill its requirements.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">[1]<\\/a> Understudy of UST Law Review<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a> <em>Republic v. Rosemoor Mining and Development Corporation<\\/em>, 470 Phil. 363, 383 (2004).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a> \\u201cAll lands of the public domain, waters, minerals, coal, petroleum, and other mineral oils, all forces of potential energy, fisheries, forests or timber, wildlife, flora and fauna, and <strong>other natural resources are owned by the State<\\/strong>. With the exception of agricultural lands, all other natural resources shall not be alienated. <strong>The exploration, development, and utilization of natural resources shall be under the full control and supervision of the State.<\\/strong> The State may directly undertake such activities, or it may enter into co-production, joint venture, or production-sharing agreements with Filipino citizens, or corporations or associations at least sixty <em>per centum<\\/em> of whose capital is owned by such citizens...\\u201d<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[4]<\\/a> \\u00a0<em>Maynilad Water Services, Inc. v. Secretary of Department of Environment and Natural Resources<\\/em>, G.R. No. 202897, 06 August 2019.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[5]<\\/a> <em>National Audubon Society v. Superior Court of Alpine County<\\/em>, 33 Cal. 3d 419, 658 P.2d 709, 189 Cal.Rptr. 346, as cited in Ausness, Richard, Water Rights, the Public Trust Doctrine, and the Protection of Instream Uses, 1986 U. Ill. L. Rev. 407.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[6]<\\/a> G.R. Nos. 171947-48, 18 December 2008.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\">[7]<\\/a> <em>Maynilad v. DENR<\\/em>, G.R. No. 202897, 06 August 2019<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\">[8]<\\/a> Id.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\">[9]<\\/a> Klass, Alexandra, and Ling-Yee Huang,\\u00a0<em>Restoring the Trust: Water Resources and the Public Trust Doctrine<\\/em>, A Manual for Advocates, Center for Progressive Reform (September 2009)<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\">[10]<\\/a> Id.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\">[11]<\\/a> <em>Maynilad v. DENR<\\/em>, G.R. No. 202897, 6 August 2019<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref12\\\">[12]<\\/a> Vitangco, Al.\\u00a0 \\u201cBPLO contradicts DENR guidelines and SC decision.\\u201d 22 August 2020. <em>Manila Times.<\\/em> Retrieved 12 September 2020, from https:\\/\\/www.manilatimes.net\\/2020\\/08\\/22\\/opinion\\/columnists\\/bplo-contradicts-denr-guidelines-and-sc-decision\\/758295\\/<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Featured Photo by <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/unsplash.com\\/@mbcaptures?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText\\\">Michael Buillerey<\\/a> on <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/unsplash.com\\/s\\/photos\\/manila-bay?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText\\\">Unsplash<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(3342,1167,'_elementor_controls_usage','a:3:{s:11:\"text-editor\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:1;s:8:\"controls\";a:2:{s:7:\"content\";a:1:{s:14:\"section_editor\";a:1:{s:6:\"editor\";i:1;}}s:5:\"style\";a:1:{s:13:\"section_style\";a:2:{s:21:\"typography_typography\";i:1;s:22:\"typography_line_height\";i:1;}}}}s:6:\"column\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:0;s:8:\"controls\";a:0:{}}s:7:\"section\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:0;s:8:\"controls\";a:0:{}}}'),(3344,1168,'_thumbnail_id','1158'),(3345,1168,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(3346,1168,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(3347,1168,'_elementor_version','3.0.16'),(3348,1168,'_wp_page_template','default'),(3349,1168,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"49f5ce18\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"569be8e\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"11332676\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>By: <em>Maria Josefa Jillian N. Tan<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\"><sup><strong><sup>[1]<\\/sup><\\/strong><\\/sup><\\/a><\\/em><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><em>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Jura Regalia<\\/em>\\u00a0is the State exercising its sovereign power as the owner of lands of the public domain and of the patrimony of the nation,<sup> <a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\"><sup>[2]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/sup> embodied under Article XII of the 1987 Philippine Constitution.<sup> <a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\"><sup>[3]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/sup> In the interest of quality and efficiency, the State began turning over its resources to private entities to distribute the burden of fulfilling its citizen\'s needs. Notably, the government regulates these private entities to protect the general welfare by legislation, commonly noted as\\u00a0<em>police power<\\/em>. In discussing the promotion of general welfare, the doctrine of\\u00a0<em>parens patriae<\\/em>\\u00a0is not far off.\\u00a0<em>Parens patriae<\\/em>\\u00a0means \\\"father of his country,\\\" and \\\"expresses the inherent power and authority of the state to provide protection of the person and property of a person\\u00a0<em>non sui juris<\\/em>.\\\" The persons\\u00a0<em>non sui juris<\\/em>\\u00a0are the Filipino consumers whose welfare needs the State\'s protection from overpowering business pursuits.<sup> <a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\"><sup>[4]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/sup><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><em>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 <\\/em>In\\u00a0<em>Maynilad Water Services, Inc. v. Secretary of Department of Environment and Natural Resources<\\/em><em> (<\\/em><em>Maynilad v. Secretary of DENR<\\/em><em>)<\\/em>, the Supreme Court noted a gap between these three doctrines and introduced the Public Trust Doctrine. The Public Trust Doctrine was derived from American jurisprudence, imposing a duty upon the State and its representatives of continuing supervision over the taking and use of appropriated water<a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\"><sup>[5]<\\/sup><\\/a>, and reaffirming the superiority of public rights over private rights for critical resources. In this framework, a relationship is formed \\u2013 the state (the trustee) manages the specific natural resources (trust principal) for the benefit of the current and future generations (the beneficiaries).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><em>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 <\\/em>The Regional Office of DENR charged Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) and its concessionaires for violation of and non\\u00adcompliance with Section 8 of the Clean Water Act for failing to provide, install, operate, and maintain adequate Wastewater Treatment Facilities (WWTFs) for the sewerage system. Allegedly, the water suppliers\' inaction resulted in the degradation of quality and beneficial use of water\'s receiving bodies leading to Manila Bay. Also, the water suppliers\' delay directly forestalled the DENR\'s mandate (issued in\\u00a0<em>Metropolitan Manila Development Authority v. Concerned Residents of Manila Bay<\\/em><a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\"><em><strong>[6]<\\/strong><\\/em><\\/a>) to implement the operational plan for the rehabilitation and restoration of Manila Bay and its river tributaries.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><em>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 <\\/em>In their respective answers to the charges, MWSS averred their compliance with the law while Maynilad and Manila Water asserted the supremacy of the Concession Agreements (Agreement\\/s) executed with MWSS. They also cited Section 7 of the Clean Water Act, which first requires the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to prepare and effect a national program on sewerage and septage management to guide the MWSS and\\/or its concessionaires in implementing the law.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><em>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 <\\/em>After deliberation of the complaints, the Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources (SENR) ruled in favor of the DENR. SENR cited the ruling in the case of\\u00a0<em>Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) v. Concerned Residents of Manila Bay,\\u00a0<\\/em>that \\\"strict compliance with the Clean Water Act is a necessary given, and the five-year periodic review stipulated in the Agreements between petitioners should have considered and factored in the requirements of the Clean Water Act.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\">[7]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><em>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 <\\/em>The Court of Appeals (CA) agreed with the SENR, holding the water concessionaires accountable. The\\u00a0<em>MMDA v. Concerned Citizens of Manila Bay<\\/em>\\u00a0case relating to petitioners\' obligations in the clean-up of Manila Bay simply sets different deadlines: one for submission by Maynilad and Manila Water of their plans and projects for the construction of WWTFs in certain areas in Metro Manila, Rizal, and Cavite, and another for the actual construction and completion thereof.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><em>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 <\\/em>When the MWSS and its concessionaires raised the case to the Supreme Court in a petition for review on\\u00a0<em>certiorari<\\/em>, the Supreme Court agreed with the CA and told the MWSS and its water concessionaires to stop making excuses. The Highest Court noted: \\u201cthe meat of this case is the\\u00a0<strong>fact of delay<\\/strong>\\u00a0(by petitioners) in complying with the mandate under Section 8, whereas the matter involved in\\u00a0<em>MMDA v. Concerned Residents of Manila Bay<\\/em>\\u00a0is the\\u00a0<strong>urgency of rehabilitation of Manila Bay.<\\/strong>\\u201d<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><em>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 <\\/em>The case of\\u00a0<em>Maynilad v. DENR\\u00a0<\\/em>has<em>\\u00a0<\\/em>its petitioners<em>\\u00a0<\\/em>(the MWSS and its fellow concessionaires) suggest that the ruling in the case of\\u00a0<em>MMDA v. Concerned Residents of Manila Bay<\\/em>\\u00a0amended Section 8 of the Clean Water Act. The Supreme Court rectifies this assumption, discussing the concessionaires\\u2019 delayed compliance past the effectivity of the Clean Air Law, which the petitioners failed to notify the Congress. Petitioners cannot alter the law and court instruction by mere stipulation in their private contract.<a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\">[8]<\\/a>\\u00a0To hold these entities accountable, the Supreme Court introduced the public trust doctrine in\\u00a0<em>Maynilad v. DENR<\\/em>.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><em>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 <\\/em>The Public trust doctrine<strong>\\u00a0<\\/strong>holds that specific natural resources belong to all and cannot be privately owned or controlled because of their inherent importance to each individual and society.<a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\">[9]<\\/a> As mentioned earlier, the Court obtained this from American Jurisprudence, citing\\u00a0<em>National Audubon Society v. Superior Court of Alpine County<\\/em>. The case in California arose when the Division of Water Resources granted the Department of Water and Power of the City of Los Angeles (DWP) a permit to divert about half the flow of these streams into DWP\'s Owens Valley aqueduct. The agency\'s action caused severe damage to the ecosystem and the water level of its second-largest body of water, Mono Lake. When this issue reached the California Supreme Court, the court decided that the State has a dual mandate: to balance the need for municipal water supplies with the ecological need for water to restore and maintain natural water-dependent ecosystems.<a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\">[10]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><em>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 <\\/em>Noting the ongoing water supply crisis at the time of presiding the case of\\u00a0<em>Maynilad v. DENR<\\/em>, the Supreme Court adopted California\\u2019s discussion where: \\\"the [S]tate has an affirmative duty to take the public trust into account in the planning and allocation of water resources, and to protect public trust uses whenever feasible\\\" and that \\u201cthe public is regarded as the beneficial owner of trust resources (where) courts can enforce the public trust doctrine even against the government itself.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\"><sup>[11]<\\/sup><\\/a>\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Through the MWSS, Maynilad and Manila Water were granted utility franchises by the State.\\u00a0Under the Public Trust doctrine, the State requires these entities to maintain quality and good service for the general public and accomplish this through statutory regulation such as the Clean Water Act\'s legislation. Ergo, those liable under the Clean Water Act are the State, concessionaires, and water users. Considering MWSS, et al. fail to do their part, they are liable for violating the law for their non-performance.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><em>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 <\\/em>The ruling of\\u00a0<em>Maynilad v. DENR<\\/em>\\u00a0may go in conflict with the DENR issuances before its decision. According to DENR Memorandum Circular 2019-62, \\u201cno business owner shall be issued new business permit unless he\\/she has obtained the necessary clearances and permits such as discharge permits and environmental sanitation clearances as may be prescribed by existing laws or as may be required by DENR, LLDA (Laguna Lake Development Authority), and\\/or DOH (Department of Health) and its instrumentalities.\\u201d<sup> <a href=\\\"#_ftn12\\\"><sup>[12]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/sup> However, with Covid-19 extending quarantine and disrupting regular working hours, business owners will not be able to discuss with MWSS, Maynilad, and Manila Waters the necessary sanitation clearance required by the State. Considering that MWSS, Maynilad, and Manila Waters are primary water suppliers of the country that got penalized,\\u00a0<em>Maynilad v. DENR<\\/em>\\u00a0should impel the DENR to give time extensions to private entities tied to these water concessionaires to obtain sufficient time to fulfill its requirements.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">[1]<\\/a> Understudy of UST Law Review<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a> <em>Republic v. Rosemoor Mining and Development Corporation<\\/em>, 470 Phil. 363, 383 (2004).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a> \\u201cAll lands of the public domain, waters, minerals, coal, petroleum, and other mineral oils, all forces of potential energy, fisheries, forests or timber, wildlife, flora and fauna, and <strong>other natural resources are owned by the State<\\/strong>. With the exception of agricultural lands, all other natural resources shall not be alienated. <strong>The exploration, development, and utilization of natural resources shall be under the full control and supervision of the State.<\\/strong> The State may directly undertake such activities, or it may enter into co-production, joint venture, or production-sharing agreements with Filipino citizens, or corporations or associations at least sixty <em>per centum<\\/em> of whose capital is owned by such citizens...\\u201d<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[4]<\\/a> \\u00a0<em>Maynilad Water Services, Inc. v. Secretary of Department of Environment and Natural Resources<\\/em>, G.R. No. 202897, 06 August 2019.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[5]<\\/a> <em>National Audubon Society v. Superior Court of Alpine County<\\/em>, 33 Cal. 3d 419, 658 P.2d 709, 189 Cal.Rptr. 346, as cited in Ausness, Richard, Water Rights, the Public Trust Doctrine, and the Protection of Instream Uses, 1986 U. Ill. L. Rev. 407.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[6]<\\/a> G.R. Nos. 171947-48, 18 December 2008.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\">[7]<\\/a> <em>Maynilad v. DENR<\\/em>, G.R. No. 202897, 06 August 2019<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\">[8]<\\/a> Id.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\">[9]<\\/a> Klass, Alexandra, and Ling-Yee Huang,\\u00a0<em>Restoring the Trust: Water Resources and the Public Trust Doctrine<\\/em>, A Manual for Advocates, Center for Progressive Reform (September 2009)<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\">[10]<\\/a> Id.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\">[11]<\\/a> <em>Maynilad v. DENR<\\/em>, G.R. No. 202897, 6 August 2019<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref12\\\">[12]<\\/a> Vitangco, Al.\\u00a0 \\u201cBPLO contradicts DENR guidelines and SC decision.\\u201d 22 August 2020. <em>Manila Times.<\\/em> Retrieved 12 September 2020, from https:\\/\\/www.manilatimes.net\\/2020\\/08\\/22\\/opinion\\/columnists\\/bplo-contradicts-denr-guidelines-and-sc-decision\\/758295\\/<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Featured Photo by <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/unsplash.com\\/@mbcaptures?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText\\\">Michael Buillerey<\\/a> on <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/unsplash.com\\/s\\/photos\\/manila-bay?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText\\\">Unsplash<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(3350,1168,'_elementor_controls_usage','a:3:{s:11:\"text-editor\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:1;s:8:\"controls\";a:2:{s:7:\"content\";a:1:{s:14:\"section_editor\";a:1:{s:6:\"editor\";i:1;}}s:5:\"style\";a:1:{s:13:\"section_style\";a:2:{s:21:\"typography_typography\";i:1;s:22:\"typography_line_height\";i:1;}}}}s:6:\"column\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:0;s:8:\"controls\";a:0:{}}s:7:\"section\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:0;s:8:\"controls\";a:0:{}}}'),(3352,1169,'_thumbnail_id','1166'),(3353,1169,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(3354,1169,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(3355,1169,'_elementor_version','3.0.16'),(3356,1169,'_wp_page_template','default'),(3357,1169,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"49f5ce18\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"569be8e\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"11332676\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>By: <em>Maria Josefa Jillian N. Tan<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\"><sup><strong><sup>[1]<\\/sup><\\/strong><\\/sup><\\/a><\\/em><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><em>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Jura Regalia<\\/em>\\u00a0is the State exercising its sovereign power as the owner of lands of the public domain and of the patrimony of the nation,<sup> <a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\"><sup>[2]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/sup> embodied under Article XII of the 1987 Philippine Constitution.<sup> <a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\"><sup>[3]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/sup> In the interest of quality and efficiency, the State began turning over its resources to private entities to distribute the burden of fulfilling its citizen\'s needs. Notably, the government regulates these private entities to protect the general welfare by legislation, commonly noted as\\u00a0<em>police power<\\/em>. In discussing the promotion of general welfare, the doctrine of\\u00a0<em>parens patriae<\\/em>\\u00a0is not far off.\\u00a0<em>Parens patriae<\\/em>\\u00a0means \\\"father of his country,\\\" and \\\"expresses the inherent power and authority of the state to provide protection of the person and property of a person\\u00a0<em>non sui juris<\\/em>.\\\" The persons\\u00a0<em>non sui juris<\\/em>\\u00a0are the Filipino consumers whose welfare needs the State\'s protection from overpowering business pursuits.<sup> <a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\"><sup>[4]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/sup><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><em>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 <\\/em>In\\u00a0<em>Maynilad Water Services, Inc. v. Secretary of Department of Environment and Natural Resources<\\/em><em> (<\\/em><em>Maynilad v. Secretary of DENR<\\/em><em>)<\\/em>, the Supreme Court noted a gap between these three doctrines and introduced the Public Trust Doctrine. The Public Trust Doctrine was derived from American jurisprudence, imposing a duty upon the State and its representatives of continuing supervision over the taking and use of appropriated water<a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\"><sup>[5]<\\/sup><\\/a>, and reaffirming the superiority of public rights over private rights for critical resources. In this framework, a relationship is formed \\u2013 the state (the trustee) manages the specific natural resources (trust principal) for the benefit of the current and future generations (the beneficiaries).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><em>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 <\\/em>The Regional Office of DENR charged Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) and its concessionaires for violation of and non\\u00adcompliance with Section 8 of the Clean Water Act for failing to provide, install, operate, and maintain adequate Wastewater Treatment Facilities (WWTFs) for the sewerage system. Allegedly, the water suppliers\' inaction resulted in the degradation of quality and beneficial use of water\'s receiving bodies leading to Manila Bay. Also, the water suppliers\' delay directly forestalled the DENR\'s mandate (issued in\\u00a0<em>Metropolitan Manila Development Authority v. Concerned Residents of Manila Bay<\\/em><a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\"><em><strong>[6]<\\/strong><\\/em><\\/a>) to implement the operational plan for the rehabilitation and restoration of Manila Bay and its river tributaries.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><em>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 <\\/em>In their respective answers to the charges, MWSS averred their compliance with the law while Maynilad and Manila Water asserted the supremacy of the Concession Agreements (Agreement\\/s) executed with MWSS. They also cited Section 7 of the Clean Water Act, which first requires the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to prepare and effect a national program on sewerage and septage management to guide the MWSS and\\/or its concessionaires in implementing the law.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><em>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 <\\/em>After deliberation of the complaints, the Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources (SENR) ruled in favor of the DENR. SENR cited the ruling in the case of\\u00a0<em>Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) v. Concerned Residents of Manila Bay,\\u00a0<\\/em>that \\\"strict compliance with the Clean Water Act is a necessary given, and the five-year periodic review stipulated in the Agreements between petitioners should have considered and factored in the requirements of the Clean Water Act.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\">[7]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><em>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 <\\/em>The Court of Appeals (CA) agreed with the SENR, holding the water concessionaires accountable. The\\u00a0<em>MMDA v. Concerned Citizens of Manila Bay<\\/em>\\u00a0case relating to petitioners\' obligations in the clean-up of Manila Bay simply sets different deadlines: one for submission by Maynilad and Manila Water of their plans and projects for the construction of WWTFs in certain areas in Metro Manila, Rizal, and Cavite, and another for the actual construction and completion thereof.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><em>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 <\\/em>When the MWSS and its concessionaires raised the case to the Supreme Court in a petition for review on\\u00a0<em>certiorari<\\/em>, the Supreme Court agreed with the CA and told the MWSS and its water concessionaires to stop making excuses. The Highest Court noted: \\u201cthe meat of this case is the\\u00a0<strong>fact of delay<\\/strong>\\u00a0(by petitioners) in complying with the mandate under Section 8, whereas the matter involved in\\u00a0<em>MMDA v. Concerned Residents of Manila Bay<\\/em>\\u00a0is the\\u00a0<strong>urgency of rehabilitation of Manila Bay.<\\/strong>\\u201d<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><em>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 <\\/em>The case of\\u00a0<em>Maynilad v. DENR\\u00a0<\\/em>has<em>\\u00a0<\\/em>its petitioners<em>\\u00a0<\\/em>(the MWSS and its fellow concessionaires) suggest that the ruling in the case of\\u00a0<em>MMDA v. Concerned Residents of Manila Bay<\\/em>\\u00a0amended Section 8 of the Clean Water Act. The Supreme Court rectifies this assumption, discussing the concessionaires\\u2019 delayed compliance past the effectivity of the Clean Air Law, which the petitioners failed to notify the Congress. Petitioners cannot alter the law and court instruction by mere stipulation in their private contract.<a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\">[8]<\\/a>\\u00a0To hold these entities accountable, the Supreme Court introduced the public trust doctrine in\\u00a0<em>Maynilad v. DENR<\\/em>.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><em>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 <\\/em>The Public trust doctrine<strong>\\u00a0<\\/strong>holds that specific natural resources belong to all and cannot be privately owned or controlled because of their inherent importance to each individual and society.<a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\">[9]<\\/a> As mentioned earlier, the Court obtained this from American Jurisprudence, citing\\u00a0<em>National Audubon Society v. Superior Court of Alpine County<\\/em>. The case in California arose when the Division of Water Resources granted the Department of Water and Power of the City of Los Angeles (DWP) a permit to divert about half the flow of these streams into DWP\'s Owens Valley aqueduct. The agency\'s action caused severe damage to the ecosystem and the water level of its second-largest body of water, Mono Lake. When this issue reached the California Supreme Court, the court decided that the State has a dual mandate: to balance the need for municipal water supplies with the ecological need for water to restore and maintain natural water-dependent ecosystems.<a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\">[10]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><em>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 <\\/em>Noting the ongoing water supply crisis at the time of presiding the case of\\u00a0<em>Maynilad v. DENR<\\/em>, the Supreme Court adopted California\\u2019s discussion where: \\\"the [S]tate has an affirmative duty to take the public trust into account in the planning and allocation of water resources, and to protect public trust uses whenever feasible\\\" and that \\u201cthe public is regarded as the beneficial owner of trust resources (where) courts can enforce the public trust doctrine even against the government itself.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\"><sup>[11]<\\/sup><\\/a>\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Through the MWSS, Maynilad and Manila Water were granted utility franchises by the State.\\u00a0Under the Public Trust doctrine, the State requires these entities to maintain quality and good service for the general public and accomplish this through statutory regulation such as the Clean Water Act\'s legislation. Ergo, those liable under the Clean Water Act are the State, concessionaires, and water users. Considering MWSS, et al. fail to do their part, they are liable for violating the law for their non-performance.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><em>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 <\\/em>The ruling of\\u00a0<em>Maynilad v. DENR<\\/em>\\u00a0may go in conflict with the DENR issuances before its decision. According to DENR Memorandum Circular 2019-62, \\u201cno business owner shall be issued new business permit unless he\\/she has obtained the necessary clearances and permits such as discharge permits and environmental sanitation clearances as may be prescribed by existing laws or as may be required by DENR, LLDA (Laguna Lake Development Authority), and\\/or DOH (Department of Health) and its instrumentalities.\\u201d<sup> <a href=\\\"#_ftn12\\\"><sup>[12]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/sup> However, with Covid-19 extending quarantine and disrupting regular working hours, business owners will not be able to discuss with MWSS, Maynilad, and Manila Waters the necessary sanitation clearance required by the State. Considering that MWSS, Maynilad, and Manila Waters are primary water suppliers of the country that got penalized,\\u00a0<em>Maynilad v. DENR<\\/em>\\u00a0should impel the DENR to give time extensions to private entities tied to these water concessionaires to obtain sufficient time to fulfill its requirements.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">[1]<\\/a> Understudy of UST Law Review<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a> <em>Republic v. Rosemoor Mining and Development Corporation<\\/em>, 470 Phil. 363, 383 (2004).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a> \\u201cAll lands of the public domain, waters, minerals, coal, petroleum, and other mineral oils, all forces of potential energy, fisheries, forests or timber, wildlife, flora and fauna, and <strong>other natural resources are owned by the State<\\/strong>. With the exception of agricultural lands, all other natural resources shall not be alienated. <strong>The exploration, development, and utilization of natural resources shall be under the full control and supervision of the State.<\\/strong> The State may directly undertake such activities, or it may enter into co-production, joint venture, or production-sharing agreements with Filipino citizens, or corporations or associations at least sixty <em>per centum<\\/em> of whose capital is owned by such citizens...\\u201d<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[4]<\\/a> \\u00a0<em>Maynilad Water Services, Inc. v. Secretary of Department of Environment and Natural Resources<\\/em>, G.R. No. 202897, 06 August 2019.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[5]<\\/a> <em>National Audubon Society v. Superior Court of Alpine County<\\/em>, 33 Cal. 3d 419, 658 P.2d 709, 189 Cal.Rptr. 346, as cited in Ausness, Richard, Water Rights, the Public Trust Doctrine, and the Protection of Instream Uses, 1986 U. Ill. L. Rev. 407.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[6]<\\/a> G.R. Nos. 171947-48, 18 December 2008.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\">[7]<\\/a> <em>Maynilad v. DENR<\\/em>, G.R. No. 202897, 06 August 2019<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\">[8]<\\/a> Id.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\">[9]<\\/a> Klass, Alexandra, and Ling-Yee Huang,\\u00a0<em>Restoring the Trust: Water Resources and the Public Trust Doctrine<\\/em>, A Manual for Advocates, Center for Progressive Reform (September 2009)<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\">[10]<\\/a> Id.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\">[11]<\\/a> <em>Maynilad v. DENR<\\/em>, G.R. No. 202897, 6 August 2019<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref12\\\">[12]<\\/a> Vitangco, Al.\\u00a0 \\u201cBPLO contradicts DENR guidelines and SC decision.\\u201d 22 August 2020. <em>Manila Times.<\\/em> Retrieved 12 September 2020, from https:\\/\\/www.manilatimes.net\\/2020\\/08\\/22\\/opinion\\/columnists\\/bplo-contradicts-denr-guidelines-and-sc-decision\\/758295\\/<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Featured Photo by <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/unsplash.com\\/@mbcaptures?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText\\\">Michael Buillerey<\\/a> on <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/unsplash.com\\/s\\/photos\\/manila-bay?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText\\\">Unsplash<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(3358,1169,'_elementor_controls_usage','a:3:{s:11:\"text-editor\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:1;s:8:\"controls\";a:2:{s:7:\"content\";a:1:{s:14:\"section_editor\";a:1:{s:6:\"editor\";i:1;}}s:5:\"style\";a:1:{s:13:\"section_style\";a:2:{s:21:\"typography_typography\";i:1;s:22:\"typography_line_height\";i:1;}}}}s:6:\"column\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:0;s:8:\"controls\";a:0:{}}s:7:\"section\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:0;s:8:\"controls\";a:0:{}}}'),(3361,189,'ss_ss_click_share_count_twitter','1'),(3364,1171,'_wp_attached_file','2021/02/cropped-ULR-Seal-with-Name.png'),(3365,1171,'_wp_attachment_context','custom-logo'),(3366,1171,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:5:{s:5:\"width\";i:1920;s:6:\"height\";i:793;s:4:\"file\";s:38:\"2021/02/cropped-ULR-Seal-with-Name.png\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:13:{s:6:\"medium\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:38:\"cropped-ULR-Seal-with-Name-300x124.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:300;s:6:\"height\";i:124;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:5:\"large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:39:\"cropped-ULR-Seal-with-Name-1024x423.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:1024;s:6:\"height\";i:423;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:9:\"thumbnail\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:38:\"cropped-ULR-Seal-with-Name-150x150.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:12:\"medium_large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:38:\"cropped-ULR-Seal-with-Name-768x317.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:768;s:6:\"height\";i:317;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:9:\"1536x1536\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:39:\"cropped-ULR-Seal-with-Name-1536x634.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:1536;s:6:\"height\";i:634;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:24:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:38:\"cropped-ULR-Seal-with-Name-170x110.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:25:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:36:\"cropped-ULR-Seal-with-Name-86x70.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:37:\"cropped-ULR-Seal-with-Name-170x70.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:22:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:38:\"cropped-ULR-Seal-with-Name-370x250.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:30:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:38:\"cropped-ULR-Seal-with-Name-370x153.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:153;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:21:\"bfastmag_related_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:38:\"cropped-ULR-Seal-with-Name-288x160.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:288;s:6:\"height\";i:160;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:18:\"bfastmag_blog_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:38:\"cropped-ULR-Seal-with-Name-780x544.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:26:\"bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:38:\"cropped-ULR-Seal-with-Name-780x322.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:322;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:0:\"\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:1:\"0\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:1:\"0\";s:3:\"iso\";s:1:\"0\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:1:\"0\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";s:1:\"0\";s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}}'),(3367,1142,'_customize_restore_dismissed','1'),(3368,1173,'_edit_lock','1612254723:1'),(3369,1174,'_wp_attached_file','2021/02/ULR-Seal-with-Name.png'),(3370,1174,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:5:{s:5:\"width\";i:1920;s:6:\"height\";i:709;s:4:\"file\";s:30:\"2021/02/ULR-Seal-with-Name.png\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:13:{s:6:\"medium\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:30:\"ULR-Seal-with-Name-300x111.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:300;s:6:\"height\";i:111;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:5:\"large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:31:\"ULR-Seal-with-Name-1024x378.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:1024;s:6:\"height\";i:378;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:9:\"thumbnail\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:30:\"ULR-Seal-with-Name-150x150.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:12:\"medium_large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:30:\"ULR-Seal-with-Name-768x284.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:768;s:6:\"height\";i:284;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:9:\"1536x1536\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:31:\"ULR-Seal-with-Name-1536x567.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:1536;s:6:\"height\";i:567;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:24:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:30:\"ULR-Seal-with-Name-170x110.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:25:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:28:\"ULR-Seal-with-Name-86x70.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:29:\"ULR-Seal-with-Name-170x63.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:63;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:22:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:30:\"ULR-Seal-with-Name-370x250.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:30:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:30:\"ULR-Seal-with-Name-370x137.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:137;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:21:\"bfastmag_related_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:30:\"ULR-Seal-with-Name-288x160.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:288;s:6:\"height\";i:160;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:18:\"bfastmag_blog_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:30:\"ULR-Seal-with-Name-780x544.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:26:\"bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:30:\"ULR-Seal-with-Name-780x288.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:288;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:0:\"\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:1:\"0\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:1:\"0\";s:3:\"iso\";s:1:\"0\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:1:\"0\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";s:1:\"0\";s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}}'),(3371,1175,'_wp_attached_file','2021/02/cropped-ULR-Seal-with-Name-1.png'),(3372,1175,'_wp_attachment_context','custom-logo'),(3373,1175,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:5:{s:5:\"width\";i:1920;s:6:\"height\";i:640;s:4:\"file\";s:40:\"2021/02/cropped-ULR-Seal-with-Name-1.png\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:13:{s:6:\"medium\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:40:\"cropped-ULR-Seal-with-Name-1-300x100.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:300;s:6:\"height\";i:100;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:5:\"large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:41:\"cropped-ULR-Seal-with-Name-1-1024x341.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:1024;s:6:\"height\";i:341;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:9:\"thumbnail\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:40:\"cropped-ULR-Seal-with-Name-1-150x150.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:12:\"medium_large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:40:\"cropped-ULR-Seal-with-Name-1-768x256.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:768;s:6:\"height\";i:256;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:9:\"1536x1536\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:41:\"cropped-ULR-Seal-with-Name-1-1536x512.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:1536;s:6:\"height\";i:512;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:24:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:40:\"cropped-ULR-Seal-with-Name-1-170x110.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:25:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:38:\"cropped-ULR-Seal-with-Name-1-86x70.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:39:\"cropped-ULR-Seal-with-Name-1-170x57.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:57;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:22:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:40:\"cropped-ULR-Seal-with-Name-1-370x250.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:30:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:40:\"cropped-ULR-Seal-with-Name-1-370x123.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:123;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:21:\"bfastmag_related_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:40:\"cropped-ULR-Seal-with-Name-1-288x160.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:288;s:6:\"height\";i:160;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:18:\"bfastmag_blog_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:40:\"cropped-ULR-Seal-with-Name-1-780x544.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:26:\"bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:40:\"cropped-ULR-Seal-with-Name-1-780x260.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:260;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:0:\"\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:1:\"0\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:1:\"0\";s:3:\"iso\";s:1:\"0\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:1:\"0\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";s:1:\"0\";s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}}'),(3376,1177,'_wp_attached_file','2021/02/ulr_seal_small__2Ht_icon.ico'),(3377,1177,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:5:{s:5:\"width\";i:0;s:6:\"height\";i:0;s:4:\"file\";s:36:\"2021/02/ulr_seal_small__2Ht_icon.ico\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:0:{}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:0:\"\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:1:\"0\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:1:\"0\";s:3:\"iso\";s:1:\"0\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:1:\"0\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";s:1:\"0\";s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}}'),(3378,1173,'_wp_trash_meta_status','publish'),(3379,1173,'_wp_trash_meta_time','1612254746'),(3380,1178,'_wp_attached_file','2021/02/Website-top-page-Logo.png'),(3381,1178,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:5:{s:5:\"width\";i:272;s:6:\"height\";i:100;s:4:\"file\";s:33:\"2021/02/Website-top-page-Logo.png\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:4:{s:9:\"thumbnail\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:33:\"Website-top-page-Logo-150x100.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:100;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:24:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:33:\"Website-top-page-Logo-170x100.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:100;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:25:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:31:\"Website-top-page-Logo-86x70.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:32:\"Website-top-page-Logo-170x63.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:63;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:0:\"\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:1:\"0\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:1:\"0\";s:3:\"iso\";s:1:\"0\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:1:\"0\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";s:1:\"0\";s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}}'),(3382,1179,'_edit_lock','1612255670:1'),(3383,1179,'_wp_trash_meta_status','publish'),(3384,1179,'_wp_trash_meta_time','1612255699'),(3397,973,'ss_ss_click_share_count_copy','1'),(3398,973,'ss_total_share_count','0'),(3399,973,'ss_ss_click_share_count_print','1'),(3402,229,'_wp_trash_meta_status','publish'),(3403,229,'_wp_trash_meta_time','1612459825'),(3404,229,'_wp_desired_post_slug','case-digest'),(3414,1181,'_edit_lock','1612521004:1'),(3415,189,'ss_social_share_disable',''),(3416,189,'_yoast_wpseo_content_score','90'),(3417,189,'_yoast_wpseo_estimated-reading-time-minutes','1'),(3418,1184,'_wp_attached_file','2021/02/Standard-Banner.jpg'),(3419,1184,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:5:{s:5:\"width\";i:1440;s:6:\"height\";i:900;s:4:\"file\";s:27:\"2021/02/Standard-Banner.jpg\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:12:{s:6:\"medium\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:27:\"Standard-Banner-300x188.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:300;s:6:\"height\";i:188;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:5:\"large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:28:\"Standard-Banner-1024x640.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1024;s:6:\"height\";i:640;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"thumbnail\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:27:\"Standard-Banner-150x150.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:12:\"medium_large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:27:\"Standard-Banner-768x480.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:768;s:6:\"height\";i:480;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:24:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:27:\"Standard-Banner-170x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:25:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:25:\"Standard-Banner-86x70.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:27:\"Standard-Banner-170x106.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:106;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:22:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:27:\"Standard-Banner-370x250.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:30:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:27:\"Standard-Banner-370x231.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:231;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:21:\"bfastmag_related_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:27:\"Standard-Banner-288x160.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:288;s:6:\"height\";i:160;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:18:\"bfastmag_blog_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:27:\"Standard-Banner-780x544.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:26:\"bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:27:\"Standard-Banner-780x488.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:488;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:0:\"\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:1:\"0\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:1:\"0\";s:3:\"iso\";s:1:\"0\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:1:\"0\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";s:1:\"1\";s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}}'),(3420,189,'_thumbnail_id','1184'),(3421,1187,'_wp_attached_file','2021/02/Standard-Banner-1.jpg'),(3422,1187,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:5:{s:5:\"width\";i:1440;s:6:\"height\";i:900;s:4:\"file\";s:29:\"2021/02/Standard-Banner-1.jpg\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:12:{s:6:\"medium\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:29:\"Standard-Banner-1-300x188.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:300;s:6:\"height\";i:188;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:5:\"large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:30:\"Standard-Banner-1-1024x640.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1024;s:6:\"height\";i:640;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"thumbnail\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:29:\"Standard-Banner-1-150x150.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:12:\"medium_large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:29:\"Standard-Banner-1-768x480.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:768;s:6:\"height\";i:480;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:24:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:29:\"Standard-Banner-1-170x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:25:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:27:\"Standard-Banner-1-86x70.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:29:\"Standard-Banner-1-170x106.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:106;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:22:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:29:\"Standard-Banner-1-370x250.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:30:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:29:\"Standard-Banner-1-370x231.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:231;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:21:\"bfastmag_related_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:29:\"Standard-Banner-1-288x160.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:288;s:6:\"height\";i:160;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:18:\"bfastmag_blog_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:29:\"Standard-Banner-1-780x544.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:26:\"bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:29:\"Standard-Banner-1-780x488.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:488;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:0:\"\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:1:\"0\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:1:\"0\";s:3:\"iso\";s:1:\"0\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:1:\"0\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";s:1:\"1\";s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}}'),(3423,1189,'_wp_attached_file','2021/02/Law-Review_Landmark-Cases-Case-Digests-2018-2019.pdf'),(3424,1181,'_pingme','1'),(3425,1181,'_encloseme','1'),(3426,1181,'_thumbnail_id','1184'),(3427,1181,'_edit_last','1'),(3428,1181,'_yoast_wpseo_primary_category','73'),(3429,1181,'wptr_hide_title','0'),(3430,1181,'ss_social_share_disable',''),(3431,1181,'_yoast_wpseo_focuskw','landmark cases'),(3432,1181,'_yoast_wpseo_metadesc','Digest of the landmark cases decided by the Philippines Supreme Court in the year 2018-2019.'),(3433,1181,'_yoast_wpseo_linkdex','43'),(3434,1181,'_yoast_wpseo_content_score','60'),(3435,1181,'_yoast_wpseo_estimated-reading-time-minutes','1'),(3436,1181,'ss_ss_click_share_count_facebook','86'),(3437,1181,'ss_total_share_count','0'),(3438,1181,'ss_ss_click_share_count_copy','341'),(3439,1181,'_oembed_70784c81bf8ea800532769caec5333b0','{{unknown}}'),(3440,1181,'ss_ss_click_share_count_envelope','243'),(3441,1181,'ss_ss_click_share_count_print','124'),(3442,1181,'ss_ss_click_share_count_linkedin','1'),(3443,1143,'ss_ss_click_share_count_envelope','2'),(3444,1143,'ss_total_share_count','0'),(3445,1181,'ss_ss_click_share_count_twitter','5'),(3446,1154,'ss_ss_click_share_count_copy','1'),(3447,1154,'ss_total_share_count','0'),(3448,1143,'ss_ss_click_share_count_copy','3'),(3449,1181,'ss_ss_click_share_count_mix','1'),(3450,850,'ss_ss_click_share_count_print','1'),(3451,296,'ss_ss_click_share_count_envelope','2'),(3452,1154,'ss_ss_click_share_count_print','1'),(3453,1154,'ss_ss_click_share_count_facebook','1'),(3454,965,'ss_ss_click_share_count_facebook','3'),(3455,965,'ss_total_share_count','0'),(3456,1215,'_edit_lock','1614547620:1'),(3459,1217,'_wp_attached_file','2021/02/visuals-qMrdgxnTfx4-unsplash-Custom.jpg'),(3460,1217,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:5:{s:5:\"width\";i:1024;s:6:\"height\";i:640;s:4:\"file\";s:47:\"2021/02/visuals-qMrdgxnTfx4-unsplash-Custom.jpg\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:11:{s:6:\"medium\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:47:\"visuals-qMrdgxnTfx4-unsplash-Custom-300x188.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:300;s:6:\"height\";i:188;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"thumbnail\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:47:\"visuals-qMrdgxnTfx4-unsplash-Custom-150x150.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:12:\"medium_large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:47:\"visuals-qMrdgxnTfx4-unsplash-Custom-768x480.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:768;s:6:\"height\";i:480;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:24:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:47:\"visuals-qMrdgxnTfx4-unsplash-Custom-170x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:25:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:45:\"visuals-qMrdgxnTfx4-unsplash-Custom-86x70.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:47:\"visuals-qMrdgxnTfx4-unsplash-Custom-170x106.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:106;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:22:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:47:\"visuals-qMrdgxnTfx4-unsplash-Custom-370x250.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:30:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:47:\"visuals-qMrdgxnTfx4-unsplash-Custom-370x231.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:231;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:21:\"bfastmag_related_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:47:\"visuals-qMrdgxnTfx4-unsplash-Custom-288x160.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:288;s:6:\"height\";i:160;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:18:\"bfastmag_blog_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:47:\"visuals-qMrdgxnTfx4-unsplash-Custom-780x544.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:26:\"bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:47:\"visuals-qMrdgxnTfx4-unsplash-Custom-780x488.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:488;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:0:\"\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:1:\"0\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:1:\"0\";s:3:\"iso\";s:1:\"0\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:1:\"0\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";s:1:\"0\";s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}}'),(3461,1215,'_thumbnail_id','1228'),(3462,1215,'_edit_last','1'),(3463,1215,'_yoast_wpseo_primary_category','10'),(3464,1215,'wptr_hide_title','0'),(3465,1215,'ss_social_share_disable',''),(3466,1215,'_yoast_wpseo_focuskw','Consumer Act'),(3467,1215,'_yoast_wpseo_metadesc','From the provisions of the Consumer Act, it appears that this law could be applied to regulating the conduct of scalpers. In fact, it might fit in squarely since the law punishes deceptive, unfair, and unconscionable sales act or practice – and this includes the act of taking advantage of the situation.'),(3468,1215,'_yoast_wpseo_linkdex','38'),(3469,1215,'_yoast_wpseo_content_score','30'),(3470,1215,'_yoast_wpseo_estimated-reading-time-minutes','9'),(3471,1215,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(3472,1215,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(3473,1215,'_elementor_version','3.1.1'),(3474,1215,'_pingme','1'),(3475,1215,'_encloseme','1'),(3476,1219,'_thumbnail_id','1217'),(3477,1219,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(3478,1219,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(3479,1219,'_elementor_version','3.1.1'),(3480,1220,'_thumbnail_id','1217'),(3481,1220,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(3482,1220,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(3483,1220,'_elementor_version','3.1.1'),(3484,1215,'_wp_page_template','default'),(3485,1215,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"333659e4\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"36fec886\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"8f9e531\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>By: Lance Lester Angelo Sim<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Covid-19 pandemic has brought about numerous changes in our society, as well as a few realizations in our lives. One thing that is made even more apparent amidst this pandemic is that how we are now becoming even more dependent upon computer devices such as laptops, tablets, and other devices that could access the internet.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Such is not surprising seeing that most people are staying at their homes and hoping for the pandemic to end. While waiting, people would use their devices to access the internet to continue human interactions or to be productive.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Having access to the internet is no longer just a luxury. It is a necessity. The internet serves as a bridge which not only gives people access to information, but also connects people without ever needing to leave their homes. It allows people to continue to have their jobs through work-from-home arrangements and allows students to continue their education through online schooling.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 A Report from a Special Rapporteur of the United Nations (UN) recognized that the internet is a \\u201ccatalyst\\u201d for individuals which facilitates the realization of human rights.<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\">[1]<\\/a> It provides people with an alternative means of progressing with their daily lives.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 However, the frequent lockdowns and the closure of factories have stunted the production of these devices causing a shortage of supply. Furthermore, there are unscrupulous people who would take advantage of the situation \\u2013- those commonly referred to as \\u201cscalpers.\\u201d<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 A scalper is \\u201csomeone who buys things, such as [event] tickets [or new electronics], at the usual prices and then sells them, when they are difficult to get, at much higher prices.\\\"<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\">[2]<\\/a> Scalpers would take advantage of the current situation by buying or hoarding products in great demand and reselling them for profit.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 An example of such an instance is when the prices of N95 and surgical masks\\u00a0 skyrocketed earlier this year due to the increase in the demand following the eruption of the Taal Volcano, and the outbreak of Covid-19.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Since the products that are \\u201cscalped\\u201d are usually necessities, there would always be some desperate buyers. As a consequence, these scalpers can make easy money from the desperations of the people.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 This would then lead us to the issue of fairness. Let us take a short glimpse of what could be the applicable law\\/s.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 On April 13, 1992, Congress enacted Republic Act (R.A.) No. 7394, or the Consumer Act of the Philippines,<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\">[3]<\\/a> in order \\u201cto protect the interests of the consumer, promote his general welfare and to establish standards of conduct for business and industry.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\">[4]<\\/a> This law prohibits unfair or unconscionable sales by a seller, <em>to wit<\\/em>:<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><strong>ARTICLE 52. Unfair or Unconscionable Sales Act or Practice.<\\/strong> \\u2014 An unfair or unconscionable sales act or practice by a seller or supplier in connection with a consumer transaction violates this Chapter whether it occurs before, during or after the consumer transaction. <strong>An act or practice shall be deemed unfair or unconscionable <\\/strong>whenever the producer, manufacturer, distributor, supplier or seller, <strong>by taking advantage of the <\\/strong>consumer\'s physical or mental infirmity, ignorance, illiteracy, lack of time or the <strong>general conditions of the environment or surroundings<\\/strong>, induces the consumer to enter into a sales or lease transaction grossly inimical to the interests of the consumer or grossly one-sided in favor of the producer, manufacturer, distributor, supplier or seller.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In determining whether an act or practice is unfair and unconscionable, the following circumstances shall be considered:<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p style=\\\"text-align: center;\\\">xxx<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px; text-align: left;\\\">b) that when the consumer transaction was entered into, <strong>the price grossly exceeded the price at which similar products or services<\\/strong> were readily obtainable in similar transaction by like consumers;<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 On that same year, Congress also enacted R.A. No. 7581, or the Price Act,<a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\">[5]<\\/a> as amended by R.A. 10623,<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\">[6]<\\/a> which aims \\u201cto ensure the availability of basic necessities and prime commodities at reasonable prices at all times without denying legitimate business a fair return on investment\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\">[7]<\\/a> and \\u201cto provide effective and sufficient protection to consumers against hoarding, profiteering and cartels with respect to the supply, distribution, marketing and pricing of said goods, especially during periods of calamity, emergency, widespread illegal price manipulation and other similar situations.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\">[8]<\\/a> True to its policy, the law considers the acts of hoarding or profiteering of basic necessities and prime commodities as unlawful, <em>to wit<\\/em>:<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><strong>SECTION 5. Illegal Acts of Price Manipulation<\\/strong>. \\u2014 Without prejudice to the provisions of existing laws on goods not covered by this Act, it shall be <strong>unlawful for any person habitually engaged in<\\/strong> the production, manufacture, importation, storage, transport, distribution, <strong>sale or other methods of disposition of goods<\\/strong> to engage in the following acts of price manipulation of the price of any basic necessity or prime commodity.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\">(1) <strong>Hoarding<\\/strong>, which is the <strong>undue accumulation<\\/strong> by a person or combination of persons <strong>of any basic or prime commodity<\\/strong> beyond his or their normal inventory levels or the unreasonable limitation or refusal to dispose of, sell or distribute the stocks of any basic necessity of prime commodity to the general public or the unjustified taking out of any basic necessity or prime commodity from the channels of reproduction, trade, commerce and industry. xxx<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\">(2) <strong>Profiteering<\\/strong>, which is the <strong>sale or offering for sale of any basic necessity or prime commodity at a price grossly in excess of its true worth<\\/strong>. xxx<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In addition, R.A. No. 11469, or the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act,<a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\">[9]<\\/a> was signed into law on March 24, 2020, which authorized the president to exercise special temporary powers which would be necessary to deal with the Covid-19 pandemic. One of such powers is penalizing acts of hoarding, profiteering, manipulation of prices, monopolies, or other combinations in restraint of trade, or other malicious practices concerning the goods as enumerated under the law, <em>to wit<\\/em>:<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><strong>SECTION 6. Penalties.<\\/strong> \\u2014 In addition to acts or omissions already penalized by existing laws, the following offenses shall be punishable with imprisonment of 2 months or a fine of not less than P10,000.00, but not more than P1,000,000.00, or both, such imprisonment and fine, at the discretion of the court:<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px; text-align: center;\\\">xxx<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\">(c) <strong>Engaging in hoarding, profiteering, injurious speculations, manipulation of prices, product deceptions, and cartels, monopolies or other combinations in restraint of trade, or other pernicious practices<\\/strong> affecting the supply, distribution and movement of food, clothing, hygiene and sanitation products, medicine and medical supplies, fuel, fertilizers, chemicals, building materials, implements, machinery equipment and spare parts required in agriculture, industry and other essential services, and other articles of prime necessity, whether imported or locally produced or manufactured.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 A perusal of the above-cited provisions of law shows that the Price Act, as amended, and the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act are not applicable when the products subject to price regulation are computer devices, since these do not fall upon those which were enumerated by law. The Bayanihan to Heal as One Act limits the coverage of the goods subjected to the penalized acts. Such is also true for the Price Act, as amended, as it applies only to basic necessities and prime commodities \\u2013 the definitions of which are also clearly limited.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Price Act, as amended, defined \'[b]asic necessities\' as: \\u201cgoods vital to the needs of consumers for their sustenance and existence \\u2026 but not limited to, rice, corn, root crops, bread; fresh, dried or canned fish and other marine products; fresh pork, beef and poultry meat; \\u2026 and such other goods as may be included under Section 4 of this Act.\\\"<a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\">[10]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 On the other hand, \'prime commodities\' are defined as \\u201cgoods not considered as basic necessities but are essential to consumers \\u2026 but not limited to, flour; dried, processed or canned pork, beef and poultry meat; \\u2026 and such other goods as may be included under Section 4 of this Act.\\\"<a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\">[11]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Although it may be true that computer devices are not part of the enumeration of either basic necessities or prime commodities, Section 4 of The Price Act, as amended allows the inclusion and exclusion of what was enumerated, to wit:<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><strong>SECTION 4. Inclusion or Exclusion from the Coverage of This Act.<\\/strong> \\u2014 Upon petition of the concerned parties or motu proprio action from the concerned agency of the Price Coordinating Council and after public hearing, the implementing agency, with the approval of the President, may <strong>include in the definition of basic necessities or prime commodities types and brands of the goods or may exclude from the coverage of this Act, types or brands of the goods included in the definition of basic necessities and prime commodities, which may be deemed as nonessential goods or luxury goods<\\/strong>: Provided, That, any type or brand so excluded may be reinstated by the implementing agency during occasions of acute shortage in the supply of the basic necessity or prime commodity to which the excluded type or brand used to belong.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><strong>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 <\\/strong>In other words, the law allows the changing of what is to be considered or covered as basic necessities or prime commodities.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 From the provisions of the Consumer Act, it appears that this law could be applied to regulating the conduct of scalpers. In fact, it might fit in squarely since the law punishes deceptive, unfair, and unconscionable sales act or practice \\u2013 and this includes the act of taking advantage of the situation. Moreover, it appears that there is no limitation as to what products or goods which should be the subject of the transaction.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Knowing that there is a law that could be invoked by the consumers against \\u201cscalpers\\u201d would give the former a small sigh of relief. At the very least, the consumers would know that they have the right against these \\u201cscalpers.\\u201d In this time of the pandemic, people should be helping each other. It is not the time to take advantage of one another.\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">[1]<\\/a> Frank La Rue, <em>Report of the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression<\\/em>, United Nations General Assembly, (May 16, 2011), https:\\/\\/www2.ohchr.org\\/english\\/bodies\\/hrcouncil\\/docs\\/17session\\/A.HRC.17.27_en.pdf<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a> <em>Scalper<\\/em>, Cambridge Dictionary, https:\\/\\/dictionary.cambridge.org\\/us\\/dictionary\\/english\\/scalper (last accessed December 12, 2020).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a> The Consumer Act of the Philippines, Republic Act No. 7394.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[4]<\\/a> <em>Id<\\/em>., Art. 2.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[5]<\\/a> An Act Providing Protection to Consumers by Stabilizing the Prices of Basic Necessities and Prime Commodities and by Prescribing Measures against Undue Price Increases During Emergency Situations and Like Occasions, Republic Act No. 7581 [hereinafter R.A. 7581].<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[6]<\\/a> An Act Amending Certain Provisions of Republic Act No. 7581, Entitled \\\"An Act Providing Protection to Consumers by Stabilizing the Prices of Basic Necessities and Prime Commodities and by Prescribing Measures against Undue Price Increases During Emergency Situations and Like Occasions\\\" and for Other Purposes, Republic Act No. 10623 [hereinafter R.A. 10623].<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\">[7]<\\/a> R.A. 7581, Sec. 2.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\">[8]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\">[9]<\\/a> An Act Declaring the Existence of a National Emergency arising from the Corona Virus Disease 2019 (Covid-19) Situation and a National Policy in Connection therewith, and Authorizing the President of the Republic of The Philippines for a Limited Period and Subject to Restrictions, to Exercise Powers Necessary and Proper to Carry Out the Declared National Policy and for Other Purposes, Republic Act No. 11469.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\">[10]<\\/a> R.A. 10623, Sec. 1.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\">[11]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em>, Sec. 2.<\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(3486,1221,'_thumbnail_id','1217'),(3487,1221,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(3488,1221,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(3489,1221,'_elementor_version','3.1.1'),(3490,1221,'_wp_page_template','default'),(3491,1221,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"333659e4\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"36fec886\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"8f9e531\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>By: Lance Lester Angelo Sim<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Covid-19 pandemic has brought about numerous changes in our society, as well as a few realizations in our lives. One thing that is made even more apparent amidst this pandemic is that how we are now becoming even more dependent upon computer devices such as laptops, tablets, and other devices that could access the internet.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Such is not surprising seeing that most people are staying at their homes and hoping for the pandemic to end. While waiting, people would use their devices to access the internet to continue human interactions or to be productive.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Having access to the internet is no longer just a luxury. It is a necessity. The internet serves as a bridge which not only gives people access to information, but also connects people without ever needing to leave their homes. It allows people to continue to have their jobs through work-from-home arrangements and allows students to continue their education through online schooling.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 A Report from a Special Rapporteur of the United Nations (UN) recognized that the internet is a \\u201ccatalyst\\u201d for individuals which facilitates the realization of human rights.<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\">[1]<\\/a> It provides people with an alternative means of progressing with their daily lives.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 However, the frequent lockdowns and the closure of factories have stunted the production of these devices causing a shortage of supply. Furthermore, there are unscrupulous people who would take advantage of the situation \\u2013- those commonly referred to as \\u201cscalpers.\\u201d<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 A scalper is \\u201csomeone who buys things, such as [event] tickets [or new electronics], at the usual prices and then sells them, when they are difficult to get, at much higher prices.\\\"<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\">[2]<\\/a> Scalpers would take advantage of the current situation by buying or hoarding products in great demand and reselling them for profit.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 An example of such an instance is when the prices of N95 and surgical masks <a>skyrocketed <\\/a>earlier this year due to the increase in the demand following the eruption of the Taal Volcano, and the outbreak of Covid-19.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Since the products that are \\u201cscalped\\u201d are usually necessities, there would always be some desperate buyers. As a consequence, these scalpers can make easy money from the desperations of the people.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 This would then lead us to the issue of fairness. Let us take a short glimpse of what could be the applicable law\\/s.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 On April 13, 1992, Congress enacted Republic Act (R.A.) No. 7394, or the Consumer Act of the Philippines,<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\">[3]<\\/a> in order \\u201cto protect the interests of the consumer, promote his general welfare and to establish standards of conduct for business and industry.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\">[4]<\\/a> This law prohibits unfair or unconscionable sales by a seller, <em>to wit<\\/em>:<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><strong>ARTICLE 52. Unfair or Unconscionable Sales Act or Practice.<\\/strong> \\u2014 An unfair or unconscionable sales act or practice by a seller or supplier in connection with a consumer transaction violates this Chapter whether it occurs before, during or after the consumer transaction. <strong>An act or practice shall be deemed unfair or unconscionable <\\/strong>whenever the producer, manufacturer, distributor, supplier or seller, <strong>by taking advantage of the <\\/strong>consumer\'s physical or mental infirmity, ignorance, illiteracy, lack of time or the <strong>general conditions of the environment or surroundings<\\/strong>, induces the consumer to enter into a sales or lease transaction grossly inimical to the interests of the consumer or grossly one-sided in favor of the producer, manufacturer, distributor, supplier or seller.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In determining whether an act or practice is unfair and unconscionable, the following circumstances shall be considered:<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p style=\\\"text-align: center;\\\">xxx<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px; text-align: left;\\\">b) that when the consumer transaction was entered into, <strong>the price grossly exceeded the price at which similar products or services<\\/strong> were readily obtainable in similar transaction by like consumers;<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 On that same year, Congress also enacted R.A. No. 7581, or the Price Act,<a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\">[5]<\\/a> as amended by R.A. 10623,<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\">[6]<\\/a> which aims \\u201cto ensure the availability of basic necessities and prime commodities at reasonable prices at all times without denying legitimate business a fair return on investment\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\">[7]<\\/a> and \\u201cto provide effective and sufficient protection to consumers against hoarding, profiteering and cartels with respect to the supply, distribution, marketing and pricing of said goods, especially during periods of calamity, emergency, widespread illegal price manipulation and other similar situations.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\">[8]<\\/a> True to its policy, the law considers the acts of hoarding or profiteering of basic necessities and prime commodities as unlawful, <em>to wit<\\/em>:<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><strong>SECTION 5. Illegal Acts of Price Manipulation<\\/strong>. \\u2014 Without prejudice to the provisions of existing laws on goods not covered by this Act, it shall be <strong>unlawful for any person habitually engaged in<\\/strong> the production, manufacture, importation, storage, transport, distribution, <strong>sale or other methods of disposition of goods<\\/strong> to engage in the following acts of price manipulation of the price of any basic necessity or prime commodity.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\">(1) <strong>Hoarding<\\/strong>, which is the <strong>undue accumulation<\\/strong> by a person or combination of persons <strong>of any basic or prime commodity<\\/strong> beyond his or their normal inventory levels or the unreasonable limitation or refusal to dispose of, sell or distribute the stocks of any basic necessity of prime commodity to the general public or the unjustified taking out of any basic necessity or prime commodity from the channels of reproduction, trade, commerce and industry. xxx<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\">(2) <strong>Profiteering<\\/strong>, which is the <strong>sale or offering for sale of any basic necessity or prime commodity at a price grossly in excess of its true worth<\\/strong>. xxx<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In addition, R.A. No. 11469, or the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act,<a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\">[9]<\\/a> was signed into law on March 24, 2020, which authorized the president to exercise special temporary powers which would be necessary to deal with the Covid-19 pandemic. One of such powers is penalizing acts of hoarding, profiteering, manipulation of prices, monopolies, or other combinations in restraint of trade, or other malicious practices concerning the goods as enumerated under the law, <em>to wit<\\/em>:<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><strong>SECTION 6. Penalties.<\\/strong> \\u2014 In addition to acts or omissions already penalized by existing laws, the following offenses shall be punishable with imprisonment of 2 months or a fine of not less than P10,000.00, but not more than P1,000,000.00, or both, such imprisonment and fine, at the discretion of the court:<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px; text-align: center;\\\">xxx<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\">(c) <strong>Engaging in hoarding, profiteering, injurious speculations, manipulation of prices, product deceptions, and cartels, monopolies or other combinations in restraint of trade, or other pernicious practices<\\/strong> affecting the supply, distribution and movement of food, clothing, hygiene and sanitation products, medicine and medical supplies, fuel, fertilizers, chemicals, building materials, implements, machinery equipment and spare parts required in agriculture, industry and other essential services, and other articles of prime necessity, whether imported or locally produced or manufactured.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 A perusal of the above-cited provisions of law shows that the Price Act, as amended, and the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act are not applicable when the products subject to price regulation are computer devices, since these do not fall upon those which were enumerated by law. The Bayanihan to Heal as One Act limits the coverage of the goods subjected to the penalized acts. Such is also true for the Price Act, as amended, as it applies only to basic necessities and prime commodities \\u2013 the definitions of which are also clearly limited.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Price Act, as amended, defined \'[b]asic necessities\' as: \\u201cgoods vital to the needs of consumers for their sustenance and existence \\u2026 but not limited to, rice, corn, root crops, bread; fresh, dried or canned fish and other marine products; fresh pork, beef and poultry meat; \\u2026 and such other goods as may be included under Section 4 of this Act.\\\"<a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\">[10]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 On the other hand, \'prime commodities\' are defined as \\u201cgoods not considered as basic necessities but are essential to consumers \\u2026 but not limited to, flour; dried, processed or canned pork, beef and poultry meat; \\u2026 and such other goods as may be included under Section 4 of this Act.\\\"<a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\">[11]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Although it may be true that computer devices are not part of the enumeration of either basic necessities or prime commodities, Section 4 of The Price Act, as amended allows the inclusion and exclusion of what was enumerated, to wit:<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><strong>SECTION 4. Inclusion or Exclusion from the Coverage of This Act.<\\/strong> \\u2014 Upon petition of the concerned parties or motu proprio action from the concerned agency of the Price Coordinating Council and after public hearing, the implementing agency, with the approval of the President, may <strong>include in the definition of basic necessities or prime commodities types and brands of the goods or may exclude from the coverage of this Act, types or brands of the goods included in the definition of basic necessities and prime commodities, which may be deemed as nonessential goods or luxury goods<\\/strong>: Provided, That, any type or brand so excluded may be reinstated by the implementing agency during occasions of acute shortage in the supply of the basic necessity or prime commodity to which the excluded type or brand used to belong.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><strong>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 <\\/strong>In other words, the law allows the changing of what is to be considered or covered as basic necessities or prime commodities.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 From the provisions of the Consumer Act, it appears that this law could be applied to regulating the conduct of scalpers. In fact, it might fit in squarely since the law punishes deceptive, unfair, and unconscionable sales act or practice \\u2013 and this includes the act of taking advantage of the situation. Moreover, it appears that there is no limitation as to what products or goods which should be the subject of the transaction.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Knowing that there is a law that could be invoked by the consumers against \\u201cscalpers\\u201d would give the former a small sigh of relief. At the very least, the consumers would know that they have the right against these \\u201cscalpers.\\u201d In this time of the pandemic, people should be helping each other. It is not the time to take advantage of one another.\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">[1]<\\/a> Frank La Rue, <em>Report of the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression<\\/em>, United Nations General Assembly, (May 16, 2011), https:\\/\\/www2.ohchr.org\\/english\\/bodies\\/hrcouncil\\/docs\\/17session\\/A.HRC.17.27_en.pdf<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a> <em>Scalper<\\/em>, Cambridge Dictionary, https:\\/\\/dictionary.cambridge.org\\/us\\/dictionary\\/english\\/scalper (last accessed December 12, 2020).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a> The Consumer Act of the Philippines, Republic Act No. 7394.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[4]<\\/a> <em>Id<\\/em>., Art. 2.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[5]<\\/a> An Act Providing Protection to Consumers by Stabilizing the Prices of Basic Necessities and Prime Commodities and by Prescribing Measures against Undue Price Increases During Emergency Situations and Like Occasions, Republic Act No. 7581 [hereinafter R.A. 7581].<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[6]<\\/a> An Act Amending Certain Provisions of Republic Act No. 7581, Entitled \\\"An Act Providing Protection to Consumers by Stabilizing the Prices of Basic Necessities and Prime Commodities and by Prescribing Measures against Undue Price Increases During Emergency Situations and Like Occasions\\\" and for Other Purposes, Republic Act No. 10623 [hereinafter R.A. 10623].<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\">[7]<\\/a> R.A. 7581, Sec. 2.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\">[8]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\">[9]<\\/a> An Act Declaring the Existence of a National Emergency arising from the Corona Virus Disease 2019 (Covid-19) Situation and a National Policy in Connection therewith, and Authorizing the President of the Republic of The Philippines for a Limited Period and Subject to Restrictions, to Exercise Powers Necessary and Proper to Carry Out the Declared National Policy and for Other Purposes, Republic Act No. 11469.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\">[10]<\\/a> R.A. 10623, Sec. 1.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\">[11]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em>, Sec. 2.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Featured Photo by <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/unsplash.com\\/@visuals?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText\\\">visuals<\\/a> on <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/unsplash.com\\/s\\/photos\\/n95?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText\\\">Unsplash<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(3495,1222,'_thumbnail_id','1217'),(3496,1222,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(3497,1222,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(3498,1222,'_elementor_version','3.1.1'),(3499,1222,'_wp_page_template','default'),(3500,1222,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"333659e4\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"36fec886\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"8f9e531\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>By: Lance Lester Angelo Sim<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Covid-19 pandemic has brought about numerous changes in our society, as well as a few realizations in our lives. One thing that is made even more apparent amidst this pandemic is that how we are now becoming even more dependent upon computer devices such as laptops, tablets, and other devices that could access the internet.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Such is not surprising seeing that most people are staying at their homes and hoping for the pandemic to end. While waiting, people would use their devices to access the internet to continue human interactions or to be productive.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Having access to the internet is no longer just a luxury. It is a necessity. The internet serves as a bridge which not only gives people access to information, but also connects people without ever needing to leave their homes. It allows people to continue to have their jobs through work-from-home arrangements and allows students to continue their education through online schooling.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 A Report from a Special Rapporteur of the United Nations (UN) recognized that the internet is a \\u201ccatalyst\\u201d for individuals which facilitates the realization of human rights.<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\">[1]<\\/a> It provides people with an alternative means of progressing with their daily lives.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 However, the frequent lockdowns and the closure of factories have stunted the production of these devices causing a shortage of supply. Furthermore, there are unscrupulous people who would take advantage of the situation \\u2013- those commonly referred to as \\u201cscalpers.\\u201d<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 A scalper is \\u201csomeone who buys things, such as [event] tickets [or new electronics], at the usual prices and then sells them, when they are difficult to get, at much higher prices.\\\"<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\">[2]<\\/a> Scalpers would take advantage of the current situation by buying or hoarding products in great demand and reselling them for profit.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 An example of such an instance is when the prices of N95 and surgical masks <a>skyrocketed <\\/a>earlier this year due to the increase in the demand following the eruption of the Taal Volcano, and the outbreak of Covid-19.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Since the products that are \\u201cscalped\\u201d are usually necessities, there would always be some desperate buyers. As a consequence, these scalpers can make easy money from the desperations of the people.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 This would then lead us to the issue of fairness. Let us take a short glimpse of what could be the applicable law\\/s.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 On April 13, 1992, Congress enacted Republic Act (R.A.) No. 7394, or the Consumer Act of the Philippines,<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\">[3]<\\/a> in order \\u201cto protect the interests of the consumer, promote his general welfare and to establish standards of conduct for business and industry.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\">[4]<\\/a> This law prohibits unfair or unconscionable sales by a seller, <em>to wit<\\/em>:<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><strong>ARTICLE 52. Unfair or Unconscionable Sales Act or Practice.<\\/strong> \\u2014 An unfair or unconscionable sales act or practice by a seller or supplier in connection with a consumer transaction violates this Chapter whether it occurs before, during or after the consumer transaction. <strong>An act or practice shall be deemed unfair or unconscionable <\\/strong>whenever the producer, manufacturer, distributor, supplier or seller, <strong>by taking advantage of the <\\/strong>consumer\'s physical or mental infirmity, ignorance, illiteracy, lack of time or the <strong>general conditions of the environment or surroundings<\\/strong>, induces the consumer to enter into a sales or lease transaction grossly inimical to the interests of the consumer or grossly one-sided in favor of the producer, manufacturer, distributor, supplier or seller.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In determining whether an act or practice is unfair and unconscionable, the following circumstances shall be considered:<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p style=\\\"text-align: center;\\\">xxx<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px; text-align: left;\\\">b) that when the consumer transaction was entered into, <strong>the price grossly exceeded the price at which similar products or services<\\/strong> were readily obtainable in similar transaction by like consumers;<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 On that same year, Congress also enacted R.A. No. 7581, or the Price Act,<a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\">[5]<\\/a> as amended by R.A. 10623,<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\">[6]<\\/a> which aims \\u201cto ensure the availability of basic necessities and prime commodities at reasonable prices at all times without denying legitimate business a fair return on investment\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\">[7]<\\/a> and \\u201cto provide effective and sufficient protection to consumers against hoarding, profiteering and cartels with respect to the supply, distribution, marketing and pricing of said goods, especially during periods of calamity, emergency, widespread illegal price manipulation and other similar situations.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\">[8]<\\/a> True to its policy, the law considers the acts of hoarding or profiteering of basic necessities and prime commodities as unlawful, <em>to wit<\\/em>:<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><strong>SECTION 5. Illegal Acts of Price Manipulation<\\/strong>. \\u2014 Without prejudice to the provisions of existing laws on goods not covered by this Act, it shall be <strong>unlawful for any person habitually engaged in<\\/strong> the production, manufacture, importation, storage, transport, distribution, <strong>sale or other methods of disposition of goods<\\/strong> to engage in the following acts of price manipulation of the price of any basic necessity or prime commodity.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\">(1) <strong>Hoarding<\\/strong>, which is the <strong>undue accumulation<\\/strong> by a person or combination of persons <strong>of any basic or prime commodity<\\/strong> beyond his or their normal inventory levels or the unreasonable limitation or refusal to dispose of, sell or distribute the stocks of any basic necessity of prime commodity to the general public or the unjustified taking out of any basic necessity or prime commodity from the channels of reproduction, trade, commerce and industry. xxx<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\">(2) <strong>Profiteering<\\/strong>, which is the <strong>sale or offering for sale of any basic necessity or prime commodity at a price grossly in excess of its true worth<\\/strong>. xxx<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In addition, R.A. No. 11469, or the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act,<a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\">[9]<\\/a> was signed into law on March 24, 2020, which authorized the president to exercise special temporary powers which would be necessary to deal with the Covid-19 pandemic. One of such powers is penalizing acts of hoarding, profiteering, manipulation of prices, monopolies, or other combinations in restraint of trade, or other malicious practices concerning the goods as enumerated under the law, <em>to wit<\\/em>:<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><strong>SECTION 6. Penalties.<\\/strong> \\u2014 In addition to acts or omissions already penalized by existing laws, the following offenses shall be punishable with imprisonment of 2 months or a fine of not less than P10,000.00, but not more than P1,000,000.00, or both, such imprisonment and fine, at the discretion of the court:<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px; text-align: center;\\\">xxx<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\">(c) <strong>Engaging in hoarding, profiteering, injurious speculations, manipulation of prices, product deceptions, and cartels, monopolies or other combinations in restraint of trade, or other pernicious practices<\\/strong> affecting the supply, distribution and movement of food, clothing, hygiene and sanitation products, medicine and medical supplies, fuel, fertilizers, chemicals, building materials, implements, machinery equipment and spare parts required in agriculture, industry and other essential services, and other articles of prime necessity, whether imported or locally produced or manufactured.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 A perusal of the above-cited provisions of law shows that the Price Act, as amended, and the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act are not applicable when the products subject to price regulation are computer devices, since these do not fall upon those which were enumerated by law. The Bayanihan to Heal as One Act limits the coverage of the goods subjected to the penalized acts. Such is also true for the Price Act, as amended, as it applies only to basic necessities and prime commodities \\u2013 the definitions of which are also clearly limited.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Price Act, as amended, defined \'[b]asic necessities\' as: \\u201cgoods vital to the needs of consumers for their sustenance and existence \\u2026 but not limited to, rice, corn, root crops, bread; fresh, dried or canned fish and other marine products; fresh pork, beef and poultry meat; \\u2026 and such other goods as may be included under Section 4 of this Act.\\\"<a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\">[10]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 On the other hand, \'prime commodities\' are defined as \\u201cgoods not considered as basic necessities but are essential to consumers \\u2026 but not limited to, flour; dried, processed or canned pork, beef and poultry meat; \\u2026 and such other goods as may be included under Section 4 of this Act.\\\"<a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\">[11]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Although it may be true that computer devices are not part of the enumeration of either basic necessities or prime commodities, Section 4 of The Price Act, as amended allows the inclusion and exclusion of what was enumerated, to wit:<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><strong>SECTION 4. Inclusion or Exclusion from the Coverage of This Act.<\\/strong> \\u2014 Upon petition of the concerned parties or motu proprio action from the concerned agency of the Price Coordinating Council and after public hearing, the implementing agency, with the approval of the President, may <strong>include in the definition of basic necessities or prime commodities types and brands of the goods or may exclude from the coverage of this Act, types or brands of the goods included in the definition of basic necessities and prime commodities, which may be deemed as nonessential goods or luxury goods<\\/strong>: Provided, That, any type or brand so excluded may be reinstated by the implementing agency during occasions of acute shortage in the supply of the basic necessity or prime commodity to which the excluded type or brand used to belong.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><strong>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 <\\/strong>In other words, the law allows the changing of what is to be considered or covered as basic necessities or prime commodities.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 From the provisions of the Consumer Act, it appears that this law could be applied to regulating the conduct of scalpers. In fact, it might fit in squarely since the law punishes deceptive, unfair, and unconscionable sales act or practice \\u2013 and this includes the act of taking advantage of the situation. Moreover, it appears that there is no limitation as to what products or goods which should be the subject of the transaction.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Knowing that there is a law that could be invoked by the consumers against \\u201cscalpers\\u201d would give the former a small sigh of relief. At the very least, the consumers would know that they have the right against these \\u201cscalpers.\\u201d In this time of the pandemic, people should be helping each other. It is not the time to take advantage of one another.\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">[1]<\\/a> Frank La Rue, <em>Report of the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression<\\/em>, United Nations General Assembly, (May 16, 2011), https:\\/\\/www2.ohchr.org\\/english\\/bodies\\/hrcouncil\\/docs\\/17session\\/A.HRC.17.27_en.pdf<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a> <em>Scalper<\\/em>, Cambridge Dictionary, https:\\/\\/dictionary.cambridge.org\\/us\\/dictionary\\/english\\/scalper (last accessed December 12, 2020).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a> The Consumer Act of the Philippines, Republic Act No. 7394.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[4]<\\/a> <em>Id<\\/em>., Art. 2.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[5]<\\/a> An Act Providing Protection to Consumers by Stabilizing the Prices of Basic Necessities and Prime Commodities and by Prescribing Measures against Undue Price Increases During Emergency Situations and Like Occasions, Republic Act No. 7581 [hereinafter R.A. 7581].<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[6]<\\/a> An Act Amending Certain Provisions of Republic Act No. 7581, Entitled \\\"An Act Providing Protection to Consumers by Stabilizing the Prices of Basic Necessities and Prime Commodities and by Prescribing Measures against Undue Price Increases During Emergency Situations and Like Occasions\\\" and for Other Purposes, Republic Act No. 10623 [hereinafter R.A. 10623].<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\">[7]<\\/a> R.A. 7581, Sec. 2.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\">[8]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\">[9]<\\/a> An Act Declaring the Existence of a National Emergency arising from the Corona Virus Disease 2019 (Covid-19) Situation and a National Policy in Connection therewith, and Authorizing the President of the Republic of The Philippines for a Limited Period and Subject to Restrictions, to Exercise Powers Necessary and Proper to Carry Out the Declared National Policy and for Other Purposes, Republic Act No. 11469.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\">[10]<\\/a> R.A. 10623, Sec. 1.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\">[11]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em>, Sec. 2.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Featured Photo by <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/unsplash.com\\/@visuals?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText\\\">visuals<\\/a> on <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/unsplash.com\\/s\\/photos\\/n95?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText\\\">Unsplash<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(3502,1223,'_thumbnail_id','1217'),(3503,1223,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(3504,1223,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(3505,1223,'_elementor_version','3.1.1'),(3506,1223,'_wp_page_template','default'),(3507,1223,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"333659e4\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"36fec886\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"8f9e531\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>By: Lance Lester Angelo Sim<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Covid-19 pandemic has brought about numerous changes in our society, as well as a few realizations in our lives. One thing that is made even more apparent amidst this pandemic is that how we are now becoming even more dependent upon computer devices such as laptops, tablets, and other devices that could access the internet.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Such is not surprising seeing that most people are staying at their homes and hoping for the pandemic to end. While waiting, people would use their devices to access the internet to continue human interactions or to be productive.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Having access to the internet is no longer just a luxury. It is a necessity. The internet serves as a bridge which not only gives people access to information, but also connects people without ever needing to leave their homes. It allows people to continue to have their jobs through work-from-home arrangements and allows students to continue their education through online schooling.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 A Report from a Special Rapporteur of the United Nations (UN) recognized that the internet is a \\u201ccatalyst\\u201d for individuals which facilitates the realization of human rights.<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\">[1]<\\/a> It provides people with an alternative means of progressing with their daily lives.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 However, the frequent lockdowns and the closure of factories have stunted the production of these devices causing a shortage of supply. Furthermore, there are unscrupulous people who would take advantage of the situation \\u2013- those commonly referred to as \\u201cscalpers.\\u201d<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 A scalper is \\u201csomeone who buys things, such as [event] tickets [or new electronics], at the usual prices and then sells them, when they are difficult to get, at much higher prices.\\\"<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\">[2]<\\/a> Scalpers would take advantage of the current situation by buying or hoarding products in great demand and reselling them for profit.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 An example of such an instance is when the prices of N95 and surgical masks <a>skyrocketed <\\/a>earlier this year due to the increase in the demand following the eruption of the Taal Volcano, and the outbreak of Covid-19.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Since the products that are \\u201cscalped\\u201d are usually necessities, there would always be some desperate buyers. As a consequence, these scalpers can make easy money from the desperations of the people.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 This would then lead us to the issue of fairness. Let us take a short glimpse of what could be the applicable law\\/s.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 On April 13, 1992, Congress enacted Republic Act (R.A.) No. 7394, or the Consumer Act of the Philippines,<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\">[3]<\\/a> in order \\u201cto protect the interests of the consumer, promote his general welfare and to establish standards of conduct for business and industry.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\">[4]<\\/a> This law prohibits unfair or unconscionable sales by a seller, <em>to wit<\\/em>:<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><strong>ARTICLE 52. Unfair or Unconscionable Sales Act or Practice.<\\/strong> \\u2014 An unfair or unconscionable sales act or practice by a seller or supplier in connection with a consumer transaction violates this Chapter whether it occurs before, during or after the consumer transaction. <strong>An act or practice shall be deemed unfair or unconscionable <\\/strong>whenever the producer, manufacturer, distributor, supplier or seller, <strong>by taking advantage of the <\\/strong>consumer\'s physical or mental infirmity, ignorance, illiteracy, lack of time or the <strong>general conditions of the environment or surroundings<\\/strong>, induces the consumer to enter into a sales or lease transaction grossly inimical to the interests of the consumer or grossly one-sided in favor of the producer, manufacturer, distributor, supplier or seller.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In determining whether an act or practice is unfair and unconscionable, the following circumstances shall be considered:<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p style=\\\"text-align: center;\\\">xxx<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px; text-align: left;\\\">b) that when the consumer transaction was entered into, <strong>the price grossly exceeded the price at which similar products or services<\\/strong> were readily obtainable in similar transaction by like consumers;<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 On that same year, Congress also enacted R.A. No. 7581, or the Price Act,<a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\">[5]<\\/a> as amended by R.A. 10623,<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\">[6]<\\/a> which aims \\u201cto ensure the availability of basic necessities and prime commodities at reasonable prices at all times without denying legitimate business a fair return on investment\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\">[7]<\\/a> and \\u201cto provide effective and sufficient protection to consumers against hoarding, profiteering and cartels with respect to the supply, distribution, marketing and pricing of said goods, especially during periods of calamity, emergency, widespread illegal price manipulation and other similar situations.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\">[8]<\\/a> True to its policy, the law considers the acts of hoarding or profiteering of basic necessities and prime commodities as unlawful, <em>to wit<\\/em>:<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><strong>SECTION 5. Illegal Acts of Price Manipulation<\\/strong>. \\u2014 Without prejudice to the provisions of existing laws on goods not covered by this Act, it shall be <strong>unlawful for any person habitually engaged in<\\/strong> the production, manufacture, importation, storage, transport, distribution, <strong>sale or other methods of disposition of goods<\\/strong> to engage in the following acts of price manipulation of the price of any basic necessity or prime commodity.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\">(1) <strong>Hoarding<\\/strong>, which is the <strong>undue accumulation<\\/strong> by a person or combination of persons <strong>of any basic or prime commodity<\\/strong> beyond his or their normal inventory levels or the unreasonable limitation or refusal to dispose of, sell or distribute the stocks of any basic necessity of prime commodity to the general public or the unjustified taking out of any basic necessity or prime commodity from the channels of reproduction, trade, commerce and industry. xxx<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\">(2) <strong>Profiteering<\\/strong>, which is the <strong>sale or offering for sale of any basic necessity or prime commodity at a price grossly in excess of its true worth<\\/strong>. xxx<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In addition, R.A. No. 11469, or the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act,<a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\">[9]<\\/a> was signed into law on March 24, 2020, which authorized the president to exercise special temporary powers which would be necessary to deal with the Covid-19 pandemic. One of such powers is penalizing acts of hoarding, profiteering, manipulation of prices, monopolies, or other combinations in restraint of trade, or other malicious practices concerning the goods as enumerated under the law, <em>to wit<\\/em>:<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><strong>SECTION 6. Penalties.<\\/strong> \\u2014 In addition to acts or omissions already penalized by existing laws, the following offenses shall be punishable with imprisonment of 2 months or a fine of not less than P10,000.00, but not more than P1,000,000.00, or both, such imprisonment and fine, at the discretion of the court:<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px; text-align: center;\\\">xxx<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\">(c) <strong>Engaging in hoarding, profiteering, injurious speculations, manipulation of prices, product deceptions, and cartels, monopolies or other combinations in restraint of trade, or other pernicious practices<\\/strong> affecting the supply, distribution and movement of food, clothing, hygiene and sanitation products, medicine and medical supplies, fuel, fertilizers, chemicals, building materials, implements, machinery equipment and spare parts required in agriculture, industry and other essential services, and other articles of prime necessity, whether imported or locally produced or manufactured.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 A perusal of the above-cited provisions of law shows that the Price Act, as amended, and the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act are not applicable when the products subject to price regulation are computer devices, since these do not fall upon those which were enumerated by law. The Bayanihan to Heal as One Act limits the coverage of the goods subjected to the penalized acts. Such is also true for the Price Act, as amended, as it applies only to basic necessities and prime commodities \\u2013 the definitions of which are also clearly limited.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Price Act, as amended, defined \'[b]asic necessities\' as: \\u201cgoods vital to the needs of consumers for their sustenance and existence \\u2026 but not limited to, rice, corn, root crops, bread; fresh, dried or canned fish and other marine products; fresh pork, beef and poultry meat; \\u2026 and such other goods as may be included under Section 4 of this Act.\\\"<a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\">[10]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 On the other hand, \'prime commodities\' are defined as \\u201cgoods not considered as basic necessities but are essential to consumers \\u2026 but not limited to, flour; dried, processed or canned pork, beef and poultry meat; \\u2026 and such other goods as may be included under Section 4 of this Act.\\\"<a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\">[11]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Although it may be true that computer devices are not part of the enumeration of either basic necessities or prime commodities, Section 4 of The Price Act, as amended allows the inclusion and exclusion of what was enumerated, to wit:<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><strong>SECTION 4. Inclusion or Exclusion from the Coverage of This Act.<\\/strong> \\u2014 Upon petition of the concerned parties or motu proprio action from the concerned agency of the Price Coordinating Council and after public hearing, the implementing agency, with the approval of the President, may <strong>include in the definition of basic necessities or prime commodities types and brands of the goods or may exclude from the coverage of this Act, types or brands of the goods included in the definition of basic necessities and prime commodities, which may be deemed as nonessential goods or luxury goods<\\/strong>: Provided, That, any type or brand so excluded may be reinstated by the implementing agency during occasions of acute shortage in the supply of the basic necessity or prime commodity to which the excluded type or brand used to belong.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><strong>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 <\\/strong>In other words, the law allows the changing of what is to be considered or covered as basic necessities or prime commodities.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 From the provisions of the Consumer Act, it appears that this law could be applied to regulating the conduct of scalpers. In fact, it might fit in squarely since the law punishes deceptive, unfair, and unconscionable sales act or practice \\u2013 and this includes the act of taking advantage of the situation. Moreover, it appears that there is no limitation as to what products or goods which should be the subject of the transaction.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Knowing that there is a law that could be invoked by the consumers against \\u201cscalpers\\u201d would give the former a small sigh of relief. At the very least, the consumers would know that they have the right against these \\u201cscalpers.\\u201d In this time of the pandemic, people should be helping each other. It is not the time to take advantage of one another.\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">[1]<\\/a> Frank La Rue, <em>Report of the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression<\\/em>, United Nations General Assembly, (May 16, 2011), https:\\/\\/www2.ohchr.org\\/english\\/bodies\\/hrcouncil\\/docs\\/17session\\/A.HRC.17.27_en.pdf<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a> <em>Scalper<\\/em>, Cambridge Dictionary, https:\\/\\/dictionary.cambridge.org\\/us\\/dictionary\\/english\\/scalper (last accessed December 12, 2020).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a> The Consumer Act of the Philippines, Republic Act No. 7394.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[4]<\\/a> <em>Id<\\/em>., Art. 2.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[5]<\\/a> An Act Providing Protection to Consumers by Stabilizing the Prices of Basic Necessities and Prime Commodities and by Prescribing Measures against Undue Price Increases During Emergency Situations and Like Occasions, Republic Act No. 7581 [hereinafter R.A. 7581].<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[6]<\\/a> An Act Amending Certain Provisions of Republic Act No. 7581, Entitled \\\"An Act Providing Protection to Consumers by Stabilizing the Prices of Basic Necessities and Prime Commodities and by Prescribing Measures against Undue Price Increases During Emergency Situations and Like Occasions\\\" and for Other Purposes, Republic Act No. 10623 [hereinafter R.A. 10623].<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\">[7]<\\/a> R.A. 7581, Sec. 2.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\">[8]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\">[9]<\\/a> An Act Declaring the Existence of a National Emergency arising from the Corona Virus Disease 2019 (Covid-19) Situation and a National Policy in Connection therewith, and Authorizing the President of the Republic of The Philippines for a Limited Period and Subject to Restrictions, to Exercise Powers Necessary and Proper to Carry Out the Declared National Policy and for Other Purposes, Republic Act No. 11469.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\">[10]<\\/a> R.A. 10623, Sec. 1.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\">[11]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em>, Sec. 2.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Featured Photo by <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/unsplash.com\\/@visuals?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText\\\">visuals<\\/a> on <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/unsplash.com\\/s\\/photos\\/n95?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText\\\">Unsplash<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(3509,1224,'_thumbnail_id','1217'),(3510,1224,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(3511,1224,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(3512,1224,'_elementor_version','3.1.1'),(3513,1224,'_wp_page_template','default'),(3514,1224,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"333659e4\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"36fec886\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"8f9e531\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>By: Lance Lester Angelo Sim<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Covid-19 pandemic has brought about numerous changes in our society, as well as a few realizations in our lives. One thing that is made even more apparent amidst this pandemic is that how we are now becoming even more dependent upon computer devices such as laptops, tablets, and other devices that could access the internet.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Such is not surprising seeing that most people are staying at their homes and hoping for the pandemic to end. While waiting, people would use their devices to access the internet to continue human interactions or to be productive.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Having access to the internet is no longer just a luxury. It is a necessity. The internet serves as a bridge which not only gives people access to information, but also connects people without ever needing to leave their homes. It allows people to continue to have their jobs through work-from-home arrangements and allows students to continue their education through online schooling.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 A Report from a Special Rapporteur of the United Nations (UN) recognized that the internet is a \\u201ccatalyst\\u201d for individuals which facilitates the realization of human rights.<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\">[1]<\\/a> It provides people with an alternative means of progressing with their daily lives.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 However, the frequent lockdowns and the closure of factories have stunted the production of these devices causing a shortage of supply. Furthermore, there are unscrupulous people who would take advantage of the situation \\u2013- those commonly referred to as \\u201cscalpers.\\u201d<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 A scalper is \\u201csomeone who buys things, such as [event] tickets [or new electronics], at the usual prices and then sells them, when they are difficult to get, at much higher prices.\\\"<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\">[2]<\\/a> Scalpers would take advantage of the current situation by buying or hoarding products in great demand and reselling them for profit.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 An example of such an instance is when the prices of N95 and surgical masks\\u00a0 skyrocketed earlier this year due to the increase in the demand following the eruption of the Taal Volcano, and the outbreak of Covid-19.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Since the products that are \\u201cscalped\\u201d are usually necessities, there would always be some desperate buyers. As a consequence, these scalpers can make easy money from the desperations of the people.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 This would then lead us to the issue of fairness. Let us take a short glimpse of what could be the applicable law\\/s.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 On April 13, 1992, Congress enacted Republic Act (R.A.) No. 7394, or the Consumer Act of the Philippines,<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\">[3]<\\/a> in order \\u201cto protect the interests of the consumer, promote his general welfare and to establish standards of conduct for business and industry.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\">[4]<\\/a> This law prohibits unfair or unconscionable sales by a seller, <em>to wit<\\/em>:<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><strong>ARTICLE 52. Unfair or Unconscionable Sales Act or Practice.<\\/strong> \\u2014 An unfair or unconscionable sales act or practice by a seller or supplier in connection with a consumer transaction violates this Chapter whether it occurs before, during or after the consumer transaction. <strong>An act or practice shall be deemed unfair or unconscionable <\\/strong>whenever the producer, manufacturer, distributor, supplier or seller, <strong>by taking advantage of the <\\/strong>consumer\'s physical or mental infirmity, ignorance, illiteracy, lack of time or the <strong>general conditions of the environment or surroundings<\\/strong>, induces the consumer to enter into a sales or lease transaction grossly inimical to the interests of the consumer or grossly one-sided in favor of the producer, manufacturer, distributor, supplier or seller.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In determining whether an act or practice is unfair and unconscionable, the following circumstances shall be considered:<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p style=\\\"text-align: center;\\\">xxx<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px; text-align: left;\\\">b) that when the consumer transaction was entered into, <strong>the price grossly exceeded the price at which similar products or services<\\/strong> were readily obtainable in similar transaction by like consumers;<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 On that same year, Congress also enacted R.A. No. 7581, or the Price Act,<a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\">[5]<\\/a> as amended by R.A. 10623,<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\">[6]<\\/a> which aims \\u201cto ensure the availability of basic necessities and prime commodities at reasonable prices at all times without denying legitimate business a fair return on investment\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\">[7]<\\/a> and \\u201cto provide effective and sufficient protection to consumers against hoarding, profiteering and cartels with respect to the supply, distribution, marketing and pricing of said goods, especially during periods of calamity, emergency, widespread illegal price manipulation and other similar situations.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\">[8]<\\/a> True to its policy, the law considers the acts of hoarding or profiteering of basic necessities and prime commodities as unlawful, <em>to wit<\\/em>:<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><strong>SECTION 5. Illegal Acts of Price Manipulation<\\/strong>. \\u2014 Without prejudice to the provisions of existing laws on goods not covered by this Act, it shall be <strong>unlawful for any person habitually engaged in<\\/strong> the production, manufacture, importation, storage, transport, distribution, <strong>sale or other methods of disposition of goods<\\/strong> to engage in the following acts of price manipulation of the price of any basic necessity or prime commodity.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\">(1) <strong>Hoarding<\\/strong>, which is the <strong>undue accumulation<\\/strong> by a person or combination of persons <strong>of any basic or prime commodity<\\/strong> beyond his or their normal inventory levels or the unreasonable limitation or refusal to dispose of, sell or distribute the stocks of any basic necessity of prime commodity to the general public or the unjustified taking out of any basic necessity or prime commodity from the channels of reproduction, trade, commerce and industry. xxx<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\">(2) <strong>Profiteering<\\/strong>, which is the <strong>sale or offering for sale of any basic necessity or prime commodity at a price grossly in excess of its true worth<\\/strong>. xxx<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In addition, R.A. No. 11469, or the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act,<a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\">[9]<\\/a> was signed into law on March 24, 2020, which authorized the president to exercise special temporary powers which would be necessary to deal with the Covid-19 pandemic. One of such powers is penalizing acts of hoarding, profiteering, manipulation of prices, monopolies, or other combinations in restraint of trade, or other malicious practices concerning the goods as enumerated under the law, <em>to wit<\\/em>:<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><strong>SECTION 6. Penalties.<\\/strong> \\u2014 In addition to acts or omissions already penalized by existing laws, the following offenses shall be punishable with imprisonment of 2 months or a fine of not less than P10,000.00, but not more than P1,000,000.00, or both, such imprisonment and fine, at the discretion of the court:<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px; text-align: center;\\\">xxx<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\">(c) <strong>Engaging in hoarding, profiteering, injurious speculations, manipulation of prices, product deceptions, and cartels, monopolies or other combinations in restraint of trade, or other pernicious practices<\\/strong> affecting the supply, distribution and movement of food, clothing, hygiene and sanitation products, medicine and medical supplies, fuel, fertilizers, chemicals, building materials, implements, machinery equipment and spare parts required in agriculture, industry and other essential services, and other articles of prime necessity, whether imported or locally produced or manufactured.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 A perusal of the above-cited provisions of law shows that the Price Act, as amended, and the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act are not applicable when the products subject to price regulation are computer devices, since these do not fall upon those which were enumerated by law. The Bayanihan to Heal as One Act limits the coverage of the goods subjected to the penalized acts. Such is also true for the Price Act, as amended, as it applies only to basic necessities and prime commodities \\u2013 the definitions of which are also clearly limited.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Price Act, as amended, defined \'[b]asic necessities\' as: \\u201cgoods vital to the needs of consumers for their sustenance and existence \\u2026 but not limited to, rice, corn, root crops, bread; fresh, dried or canned fish and other marine products; fresh pork, beef and poultry meat; \\u2026 and such other goods as may be included under Section 4 of this Act.\\\"<a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\">[10]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 On the other hand, \'prime commodities\' are defined as \\u201cgoods not considered as basic necessities but are essential to consumers \\u2026 but not limited to, flour; dried, processed or canned pork, beef and poultry meat; \\u2026 and such other goods as may be included under Section 4 of this Act.\\\"<a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\">[11]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Although it may be true that computer devices are not part of the enumeration of either basic necessities or prime commodities, Section 4 of The Price Act, as amended allows the inclusion and exclusion of what was enumerated, to wit:<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><strong>SECTION 4. Inclusion or Exclusion from the Coverage of This Act.<\\/strong> \\u2014 Upon petition of the concerned parties or motu proprio action from the concerned agency of the Price Coordinating Council and after public hearing, the implementing agency, with the approval of the President, may <strong>include in the definition of basic necessities or prime commodities types and brands of the goods or may exclude from the coverage of this Act, types or brands of the goods included in the definition of basic necessities and prime commodities, which may be deemed as nonessential goods or luxury goods<\\/strong>: Provided, That, any type or brand so excluded may be reinstated by the implementing agency during occasions of acute shortage in the supply of the basic necessity or prime commodity to which the excluded type or brand used to belong.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><strong>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 <\\/strong>In other words, the law allows the changing of what is to be considered or covered as basic necessities or prime commodities.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 From the provisions of the Consumer Act, it appears that this law could be applied to regulating the conduct of scalpers. In fact, it might fit in squarely since the law punishes deceptive, unfair, and unconscionable sales act or practice \\u2013 and this includes the act of taking advantage of the situation. Moreover, it appears that there is no limitation as to what products or goods which should be the subject of the transaction.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Knowing that there is a law that could be invoked by the consumers against \\u201cscalpers\\u201d would give the former a small sigh of relief. At the very least, the consumers would know that they have the right against these \\u201cscalpers.\\u201d In this time of the pandemic, people should be helping each other. It is not the time to take advantage of one another.\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">[1]<\\/a> Frank La Rue, <em>Report of the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression<\\/em>, United Nations General Assembly, (May 16, 2011), https:\\/\\/www2.ohchr.org\\/english\\/bodies\\/hrcouncil\\/docs\\/17session\\/A.HRC.17.27_en.pdf<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a> <em>Scalper<\\/em>, Cambridge Dictionary, https:\\/\\/dictionary.cambridge.org\\/us\\/dictionary\\/english\\/scalper (last accessed December 12, 2020).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a> The Consumer Act of the Philippines, Republic Act No. 7394.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[4]<\\/a> <em>Id<\\/em>., Art. 2.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[5]<\\/a> An Act Providing Protection to Consumers by Stabilizing the Prices of Basic Necessities and Prime Commodities and by Prescribing Measures against Undue Price Increases During Emergency Situations and Like Occasions, Republic Act No. 7581 [hereinafter R.A. 7581].<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[6]<\\/a> An Act Amending Certain Provisions of Republic Act No. 7581, Entitled \\\"An Act Providing Protection to Consumers by Stabilizing the Prices of Basic Necessities and Prime Commodities and by Prescribing Measures against Undue Price Increases During Emergency Situations and Like Occasions\\\" and for Other Purposes, Republic Act No. 10623 [hereinafter R.A. 10623].<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\">[7]<\\/a> R.A. 7581, Sec. 2.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\">[8]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\">[9]<\\/a> An Act Declaring the Existence of a National Emergency arising from the Corona Virus Disease 2019 (Covid-19) Situation and a National Policy in Connection therewith, and Authorizing the President of the Republic of The Philippines for a Limited Period and Subject to Restrictions, to Exercise Powers Necessary and Proper to Carry Out the Declared National Policy and for Other Purposes, Republic Act No. 11469.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\">[10]<\\/a> R.A. 10623, Sec. 1.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\">[11]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em>, Sec. 2.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Featured Photo by <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/unsplash.com\\/@visuals?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText\\\">visuals<\\/a> on <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/unsplash.com\\/s\\/photos\\/n95?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText\\\">Unsplash<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(3518,1225,'_thumbnail_id','1217'),(3519,1225,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(3520,1225,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(3521,1225,'_elementor_version','3.1.1'),(3522,1225,'_wp_page_template','default'),(3523,1225,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"333659e4\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"36fec886\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"8f9e531\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>By: Lance Lester Angelo Sim<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Covid-19 pandemic has brought about numerous changes in our society, as well as a few realizations in our lives. One thing that is made even more apparent amidst this pandemic is that how we are now becoming even more dependent upon computer devices such as laptops, tablets, and other devices that could access the internet.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Such is not surprising seeing that most people are staying at their homes and hoping for the pandemic to end. While waiting, people would use their devices to access the internet to continue human interactions or to be productive.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Having access to the internet is no longer just a luxury. It is a necessity. The internet serves as a bridge which not only gives people access to information, but also connects people without ever needing to leave their homes. It allows people to continue to have their jobs through work-from-home arrangements and allows students to continue their education through online schooling.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 A Report from a Special Rapporteur of the United Nations (UN) recognized that the internet is a \\u201ccatalyst\\u201d for individuals which facilitates the realization of human rights.<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\">[1]<\\/a> It provides people with an alternative means of progressing with their daily lives.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 However, the frequent lockdowns and the closure of factories have stunted the production of these devices causing a shortage of supply. Furthermore, there are unscrupulous people who would take advantage of the situation \\u2013- those commonly referred to as \\u201cscalpers.\\u201d<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 A scalper is \\u201csomeone who buys things, such as [event] tickets [or new electronics], at the usual prices and then sells them, when they are difficult to get, at much higher prices.\\\"<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\">[2]<\\/a> Scalpers would take advantage of the current situation by buying or hoarding products in great demand and reselling them for profit.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 An example of such an instance is when the prices of N95 and surgical masks\\u00a0 skyrocketed earlier this year due to the increase in the demand following the eruption of the Taal Volcano, and the outbreak of Covid-19.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Since the products that are \\u201cscalped\\u201d are usually necessities, there would always be some desperate buyers. As a consequence, these scalpers can make easy money from the desperations of the people.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 This would then lead us to the issue of fairness. Let us take a short glimpse of what could be the applicable law\\/s.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 On April 13, 1992, Congress enacted Republic Act (R.A.) No. 7394, or the Consumer Act of the Philippines,<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\">[3]<\\/a> in order \\u201cto protect the interests of the consumer, promote his general welfare and to establish standards of conduct for business and industry.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\">[4]<\\/a> This law prohibits unfair or unconscionable sales by a seller, <em>to wit<\\/em>:<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><strong>ARTICLE 52. Unfair or Unconscionable Sales Act or Practice.<\\/strong> \\u2014 An unfair or unconscionable sales act or practice by a seller or supplier in connection with a consumer transaction violates this Chapter whether it occurs before, during or after the consumer transaction. <strong>An act or practice shall be deemed unfair or unconscionable <\\/strong>whenever the producer, manufacturer, distributor, supplier or seller, <strong>by taking advantage of the <\\/strong>consumer\'s physical or mental infirmity, ignorance, illiteracy, lack of time or the <strong>general conditions of the environment or surroundings<\\/strong>, induces the consumer to enter into a sales or lease transaction grossly inimical to the interests of the consumer or grossly one-sided in favor of the producer, manufacturer, distributor, supplier or seller.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In determining whether an act or practice is unfair and unconscionable, the following circumstances shall be considered:<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p style=\\\"text-align: center;\\\">xxx<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px; text-align: left;\\\">b) that when the consumer transaction was entered into, <strong>the price grossly exceeded the price at which similar products or services<\\/strong> were readily obtainable in similar transaction by like consumers;<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 On that same year, Congress also enacted R.A. No. 7581, or the Price Act,<a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\">[5]<\\/a> as amended by R.A. 10623,<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\">[6]<\\/a> which aims \\u201cto ensure the availability of basic necessities and prime commodities at reasonable prices at all times without denying legitimate business a fair return on investment\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\">[7]<\\/a> and \\u201cto provide effective and sufficient protection to consumers against hoarding, profiteering and cartels with respect to the supply, distribution, marketing and pricing of said goods, especially during periods of calamity, emergency, widespread illegal price manipulation and other similar situations.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\">[8]<\\/a> True to its policy, the law considers the acts of hoarding or profiteering of basic necessities and prime commodities as unlawful, <em>to wit<\\/em>:<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><strong>SECTION 5. Illegal Acts of Price Manipulation<\\/strong>. \\u2014 Without prejudice to the provisions of existing laws on goods not covered by this Act, it shall be <strong>unlawful for any person habitually engaged in<\\/strong> the production, manufacture, importation, storage, transport, distribution, <strong>sale or other methods of disposition of goods<\\/strong> to engage in the following acts of price manipulation of the price of any basic necessity or prime commodity.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\">(1) <strong>Hoarding<\\/strong>, which is the <strong>undue accumulation<\\/strong> by a person or combination of persons <strong>of any basic or prime commodity<\\/strong> beyond his or their normal inventory levels or the unreasonable limitation or refusal to dispose of, sell or distribute the stocks of any basic necessity of prime commodity to the general public or the unjustified taking out of any basic necessity or prime commodity from the channels of reproduction, trade, commerce and industry. xxx<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\">(2) <strong>Profiteering<\\/strong>, which is the <strong>sale or offering for sale of any basic necessity or prime commodity at a price grossly in excess of its true worth<\\/strong>. xxx<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In addition, R.A. No. 11469, or the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act,<a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\">[9]<\\/a> was signed into law on March 24, 2020, which authorized the president to exercise special temporary powers which would be necessary to deal with the Covid-19 pandemic. One of such powers is penalizing acts of hoarding, profiteering, manipulation of prices, monopolies, or other combinations in restraint of trade, or other malicious practices concerning the goods as enumerated under the law, <em>to wit<\\/em>:<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><strong>SECTION 6. Penalties.<\\/strong> \\u2014 In addition to acts or omissions already penalized by existing laws, the following offenses shall be punishable with imprisonment of 2 months or a fine of not less than P10,000.00, but not more than P1,000,000.00, or both, such imprisonment and fine, at the discretion of the court:<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px; text-align: center;\\\">xxx<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\">(c) <strong>Engaging in hoarding, profiteering, injurious speculations, manipulation of prices, product deceptions, and cartels, monopolies or other combinations in restraint of trade, or other pernicious practices<\\/strong> affecting the supply, distribution and movement of food, clothing, hygiene and sanitation products, medicine and medical supplies, fuel, fertilizers, chemicals, building materials, implements, machinery equipment and spare parts required in agriculture, industry and other essential services, and other articles of prime necessity, whether imported or locally produced or manufactured.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 A perusal of the above-cited provisions of law shows that the Price Act, as amended, and the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act are not applicable when the products subject to price regulation are computer devices, since these do not fall upon those which were enumerated by law. The Bayanihan to Heal as One Act limits the coverage of the goods subjected to the penalized acts. Such is also true for the Price Act, as amended, as it applies only to basic necessities and prime commodities \\u2013 the definitions of which are also clearly limited.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Price Act, as amended, defined \'[b]asic necessities\' as: \\u201cgoods vital to the needs of consumers for their sustenance and existence \\u2026 but not limited to, rice, corn, root crops, bread; fresh, dried or canned fish and other marine products; fresh pork, beef and poultry meat; \\u2026 and such other goods as may be included under Section 4 of this Act.\\\"<a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\">[10]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 On the other hand, \'prime commodities\' are defined as \\u201cgoods not considered as basic necessities but are essential to consumers \\u2026 but not limited to, flour; dried, processed or canned pork, beef and poultry meat; \\u2026 and such other goods as may be included under Section 4 of this Act.\\\"<a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\">[11]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Although it may be true that computer devices are not part of the enumeration of either basic necessities or prime commodities, Section 4 of The Price Act, as amended allows the inclusion and exclusion of what was enumerated, to wit:<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><strong>SECTION 4. Inclusion or Exclusion from the Coverage of This Act.<\\/strong> \\u2014 Upon petition of the concerned parties or motu proprio action from the concerned agency of the Price Coordinating Council and after public hearing, the implementing agency, with the approval of the President, may <strong>include in the definition of basic necessities or prime commodities types and brands of the goods or may exclude from the coverage of this Act, types or brands of the goods included in the definition of basic necessities and prime commodities, which may be deemed as nonessential goods or luxury goods<\\/strong>: Provided, That, any type or brand so excluded may be reinstated by the implementing agency during occasions of acute shortage in the supply of the basic necessity or prime commodity to which the excluded type or brand used to belong.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><strong>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 <\\/strong>In other words, the law allows the changing of what is to be considered or covered as basic necessities or prime commodities.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 From the provisions of the Consumer Act, it appears that this law could be applied to regulating the conduct of scalpers. In fact, it might fit in squarely since the law punishes deceptive, unfair, and unconscionable sales act or practice \\u2013 and this includes the act of taking advantage of the situation. Moreover, it appears that there is no limitation as to what products or goods which should be the subject of the transaction.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Knowing that there is a law that could be invoked by the consumers against \\u201cscalpers\\u201d would give the former a small sigh of relief. At the very least, the consumers would know that they have the right against these \\u201cscalpers.\\u201d In this time of the pandemic, people should be helping each other. It is not the time to take advantage of one another.\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">[1]<\\/a> Frank La Rue, <em>Report of the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression<\\/em>, United Nations General Assembly, (May 16, 2011), https:\\/\\/www2.ohchr.org\\/english\\/bodies\\/hrcouncil\\/docs\\/17session\\/A.HRC.17.27_en.pdf<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a> <em>Scalper<\\/em>, Cambridge Dictionary, https:\\/\\/dictionary.cambridge.org\\/us\\/dictionary\\/english\\/scalper (last accessed December 12, 2020).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a> The Consumer Act of the Philippines, Republic Act No. 7394.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[4]<\\/a> <em>Id<\\/em>., Art. 2.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[5]<\\/a> An Act Providing Protection to Consumers by Stabilizing the Prices of Basic Necessities and Prime Commodities and by Prescribing Measures against Undue Price Increases During Emergency Situations and Like Occasions, Republic Act No. 7581 [hereinafter R.A. 7581].<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[6]<\\/a> An Act Amending Certain Provisions of Republic Act No. 7581, Entitled \\\"An Act Providing Protection to Consumers by Stabilizing the Prices of Basic Necessities and Prime Commodities and by Prescribing Measures against Undue Price Increases During Emergency Situations and Like Occasions\\\" and for Other Purposes, Republic Act No. 10623 [hereinafter R.A. 10623].<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\">[7]<\\/a> R.A. 7581, Sec. 2.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\">[8]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\">[9]<\\/a> An Act Declaring the Existence of a National Emergency arising from the Corona Virus Disease 2019 (Covid-19) Situation and a National Policy in Connection therewith, and Authorizing the President of the Republic of The Philippines for a Limited Period and Subject to Restrictions, to Exercise Powers Necessary and Proper to Carry Out the Declared National Policy and for Other Purposes, Republic Act No. 11469.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\">[10]<\\/a> R.A. 10623, Sec. 1.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\">[11]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em>, Sec. 2.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Featured Photo by <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/unsplash.com\\/@visuals?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText\\\">visuals<\\/a> on <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/unsplash.com\\/s\\/photos\\/n95?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText\\\">Unsplash<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(3525,1226,'_thumbnail_id','1217'),(3526,1226,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(3527,1226,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(3528,1226,'_elementor_version','3.1.1'),(3529,1226,'_wp_page_template','default'),(3530,1226,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"333659e4\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"36fec886\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"8f9e531\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>By: Lance Lester Angelo Sim<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Covid-19 pandemic has brought about numerous changes in our society, as well as a few realizations in our lives. One thing that is made even more apparent amidst this pandemic is that how we are now becoming even more dependent upon computer devices such as laptops, tablets, and other devices that could access the internet.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Such is not surprising seeing that most people are staying at their homes and hoping for the pandemic to end. While waiting, people would use their devices to access the internet to continue human interactions or to be productive.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Having access to the internet is no longer just a luxury. It is a necessity. The internet serves as a bridge which not only gives people access to information, but also connects people without ever needing to leave their homes. It allows people to continue to have their jobs through work-from-home arrangements and allows students to continue their education through online schooling.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 A Report from a Special Rapporteur of the United Nations (UN) recognized that the internet is a \\u201ccatalyst\\u201d for individuals which facilitates the realization of human rights.<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\">[1]<\\/a> It provides people with an alternative means of progressing with their daily lives.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 However, the frequent lockdowns and the closure of factories have stunted the production of these devices causing a shortage of supply. Furthermore, there are unscrupulous people who would take advantage of the situation \\u2013- those commonly referred to as \\u201cscalpers.\\u201d<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 A scalper is \\u201csomeone who buys things, such as [event] tickets [or new electronics], at the usual prices and then sells them, when they are difficult to get, at much higher prices.\\\"<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\">[2]<\\/a> Scalpers would take advantage of the current situation by buying or hoarding products in great demand and reselling them for profit.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 An example of such an instance is when the prices of N95 and surgical masks\\u00a0 skyrocketed earlier this year due to the increase in the demand following the eruption of the Taal Volcano, and the outbreak of Covid-19.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Since the products that are \\u201cscalped\\u201d are usually necessities, there would always be some desperate buyers. As a consequence, these scalpers can make easy money from the desperations of the people.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 This would then lead us to the issue of fairness. Let us take a short glimpse of what could be the applicable law\\/s.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 On April 13, 1992, Congress enacted Republic Act (R.A.) No. 7394, or the Consumer Act of the Philippines,<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\">[3]<\\/a> in order \\u201cto protect the interests of the consumer, promote his general welfare and to establish standards of conduct for business and industry.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\">[4]<\\/a> This law prohibits unfair or unconscionable sales by a seller, <em>to wit<\\/em>:<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><strong>ARTICLE 52. Unfair or Unconscionable Sales Act or Practice.<\\/strong> \\u2014 An unfair or unconscionable sales act or practice by a seller or supplier in connection with a consumer transaction violates this Chapter whether it occurs before, during or after the consumer transaction. <strong>An act or practice shall be deemed unfair or unconscionable <\\/strong>whenever the producer, manufacturer, distributor, supplier or seller, <strong>by taking advantage of the <\\/strong>consumer\'s physical or mental infirmity, ignorance, illiteracy, lack of time or the <strong>general conditions of the environment or surroundings<\\/strong>, induces the consumer to enter into a sales or lease transaction grossly inimical to the interests of the consumer or grossly one-sided in favor of the producer, manufacturer, distributor, supplier or seller.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In determining whether an act or practice is unfair and unconscionable, the following circumstances shall be considered:<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p style=\\\"text-align: center;\\\">xxx<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px; text-align: left;\\\">b) that when the consumer transaction was entered into, <strong>the price grossly exceeded the price at which similar products or services<\\/strong> were readily obtainable in similar transaction by like consumers;<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 On that same year, Congress also enacted R.A. No. 7581, or the Price Act,<a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\">[5]<\\/a> as amended by R.A. 10623,<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\">[6]<\\/a> which aims \\u201cto ensure the availability of basic necessities and prime commodities at reasonable prices at all times without denying legitimate business a fair return on investment\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\">[7]<\\/a> and \\u201cto provide effective and sufficient protection to consumers against hoarding, profiteering and cartels with respect to the supply, distribution, marketing and pricing of said goods, especially during periods of calamity, emergency, widespread illegal price manipulation and other similar situations.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\">[8]<\\/a> True to its policy, the law considers the acts of hoarding or profiteering of basic necessities and prime commodities as unlawful, <em>to wit<\\/em>:<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><strong>SECTION 5. Illegal Acts of Price Manipulation<\\/strong>. \\u2014 Without prejudice to the provisions of existing laws on goods not covered by this Act, it shall be <strong>unlawful for any person habitually engaged in<\\/strong> the production, manufacture, importation, storage, transport, distribution, <strong>sale or other methods of disposition of goods<\\/strong> to engage in the following acts of price manipulation of the price of any basic necessity or prime commodity.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\">(1) <strong>Hoarding<\\/strong>, which is the <strong>undue accumulation<\\/strong> by a person or combination of persons <strong>of any basic or prime commodity<\\/strong> beyond his or their normal inventory levels or the unreasonable limitation or refusal to dispose of, sell or distribute the stocks of any basic necessity of prime commodity to the general public or the unjustified taking out of any basic necessity or prime commodity from the channels of reproduction, trade, commerce and industry. xxx<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\">(2) <strong>Profiteering<\\/strong>, which is the <strong>sale or offering for sale of any basic necessity or prime commodity at a price grossly in excess of its true worth<\\/strong>. xxx<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In addition, R.A. No. 11469, or the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act,<a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\">[9]<\\/a> was signed into law on March 24, 2020, which authorized the president to exercise special temporary powers which would be necessary to deal with the Covid-19 pandemic. One of such powers is penalizing acts of hoarding, profiteering, manipulation of prices, monopolies, or other combinations in restraint of trade, or other malicious practices concerning the goods as enumerated under the law, <em>to wit<\\/em>:<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><strong>SECTION 6. Penalties.<\\/strong> \\u2014 In addition to acts or omissions already penalized by existing laws, the following offenses shall be punishable with imprisonment of 2 months or a fine of not less than P10,000.00, but not more than P1,000,000.00, or both, such imprisonment and fine, at the discretion of the court:<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px; text-align: center;\\\">xxx<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\">(c) <strong>Engaging in hoarding, profiteering, injurious speculations, manipulation of prices, product deceptions, and cartels, monopolies or other combinations in restraint of trade, or other pernicious practices<\\/strong> affecting the supply, distribution and movement of food, clothing, hygiene and sanitation products, medicine and medical supplies, fuel, fertilizers, chemicals, building materials, implements, machinery equipment and spare parts required in agriculture, industry and other essential services, and other articles of prime necessity, whether imported or locally produced or manufactured.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 A perusal of the above-cited provisions of law shows that the Price Act, as amended, and the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act are not applicable when the products subject to price regulation are computer devices, since these do not fall upon those which were enumerated by law. The Bayanihan to Heal as One Act limits the coverage of the goods subjected to the penalized acts. Such is also true for the Price Act, as amended, as it applies only to basic necessities and prime commodities \\u2013 the definitions of which are also clearly limited.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Price Act, as amended, defined \'[b]asic necessities\' as: \\u201cgoods vital to the needs of consumers for their sustenance and existence \\u2026 but not limited to, rice, corn, root crops, bread; fresh, dried or canned fish and other marine products; fresh pork, beef and poultry meat; \\u2026 and such other goods as may be included under Section 4 of this Act.\\\"<a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\">[10]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 On the other hand, \'prime commodities\' are defined as \\u201cgoods not considered as basic necessities but are essential to consumers \\u2026 but not limited to, flour; dried, processed or canned pork, beef and poultry meat; \\u2026 and such other goods as may be included under Section 4 of this Act.\\\"<a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\">[11]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Although it may be true that computer devices are not part of the enumeration of either basic necessities or prime commodities, Section 4 of The Price Act, as amended allows the inclusion and exclusion of what was enumerated, to wit:<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><strong>SECTION 4. Inclusion or Exclusion from the Coverage of This Act.<\\/strong> \\u2014 Upon petition of the concerned parties or motu proprio action from the concerned agency of the Price Coordinating Council and after public hearing, the implementing agency, with the approval of the President, may <strong>include in the definition of basic necessities or prime commodities types and brands of the goods or may exclude from the coverage of this Act, types or brands of the goods included in the definition of basic necessities and prime commodities, which may be deemed as nonessential goods or luxury goods<\\/strong>: Provided, That, any type or brand so excluded may be reinstated by the implementing agency during occasions of acute shortage in the supply of the basic necessity or prime commodity to which the excluded type or brand used to belong.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><strong>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 <\\/strong>In other words, the law allows the changing of what is to be considered or covered as basic necessities or prime commodities.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 From the provisions of the Consumer Act, it appears that this law could be applied to regulating the conduct of scalpers. In fact, it might fit in squarely since the law punishes deceptive, unfair, and unconscionable sales act or practice \\u2013 and this includes the act of taking advantage of the situation. Moreover, it appears that there is no limitation as to what products or goods which should be the subject of the transaction.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Knowing that there is a law that could be invoked by the consumers against \\u201cscalpers\\u201d would give the former a small sigh of relief. At the very least, the consumers would know that they have the right against these \\u201cscalpers.\\u201d In this time of the pandemic, people should be helping each other. It is not the time to take advantage of one another.\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">[1]<\\/a> Frank La Rue, <em>Report of the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression<\\/em>, United Nations General Assembly, (May 16, 2011), https:\\/\\/www2.ohchr.org\\/english\\/bodies\\/hrcouncil\\/docs\\/17session\\/A.HRC.17.27_en.pdf<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a> <em>Scalper<\\/em>, Cambridge Dictionary, https:\\/\\/dictionary.cambridge.org\\/us\\/dictionary\\/english\\/scalper (last accessed December 12, 2020).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a> The Consumer Act of the Philippines, Republic Act No. 7394.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[4]<\\/a> <em>Id<\\/em>., Art. 2.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[5]<\\/a> An Act Providing Protection to Consumers by Stabilizing the Prices of Basic Necessities and Prime Commodities and by Prescribing Measures against Undue Price Increases During Emergency Situations and Like Occasions, Republic Act No. 7581 [hereinafter R.A. 7581].<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[6]<\\/a> An Act Amending Certain Provisions of Republic Act No. 7581, Entitled \\\"An Act Providing Protection to Consumers by Stabilizing the Prices of Basic Necessities and Prime Commodities and by Prescribing Measures against Undue Price Increases During Emergency Situations and Like Occasions\\\" and for Other Purposes, Republic Act No. 10623 [hereinafter R.A. 10623].<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\">[7]<\\/a> R.A. 7581, Sec. 2.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\">[8]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\">[9]<\\/a> An Act Declaring the Existence of a National Emergency arising from the Corona Virus Disease 2019 (Covid-19) Situation and a National Policy in Connection therewith, and Authorizing the President of the Republic of The Philippines for a Limited Period and Subject to Restrictions, to Exercise Powers Necessary and Proper to Carry Out the Declared National Policy and for Other Purposes, Republic Act No. 11469.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\">[10]<\\/a> R.A. 10623, Sec. 1.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\">[11]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em>, Sec. 2.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Featured Photo by <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/unsplash.com\\/@visuals?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText\\\">visuals<\\/a> on <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/unsplash.com\\/s\\/photos\\/n95?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText\\\">Unsplash<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(3532,1227,'_thumbnail_id','1217'),(3533,1227,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(3534,1227,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(3535,1227,'_elementor_version','3.1.1'),(3536,1227,'_wp_page_template','default'),(3537,1227,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"333659e4\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"36fec886\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"8f9e531\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>By: Lance Lester Angelo Sim<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Covid-19 pandemic has brought about numerous changes in our society, as well as a few realizations in our lives. One thing that is made even more apparent amidst this pandemic is that how we are now becoming even more dependent upon computer devices such as laptops, tablets, and other devices that could access the internet.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Such is not surprising seeing that most people are staying at their homes and hoping for the pandemic to end. While waiting, people would use their devices to access the internet to continue human interactions or to be productive.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Having access to the internet is no longer just a luxury. It is a necessity. The internet serves as a bridge which not only gives people access to information, but also connects people without ever needing to leave their homes. It allows people to continue to have their jobs through work-from-home arrangements and allows students to continue their education through online schooling.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 A Report from a Special Rapporteur of the United Nations (UN) recognized that the internet is a \\u201ccatalyst\\u201d for individuals which facilitates the realization of human rights.<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\">[1]<\\/a> It provides people with an alternative means of progressing with their daily lives.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 However, the frequent lockdowns and the closure of factories have stunted the production of these devices causing a shortage of supply. Furthermore, there are unscrupulous people who would take advantage of the situation \\u2013- those commonly referred to as \\u201cscalpers.\\u201d<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 A scalper is \\u201csomeone who buys things, such as [event] tickets [or new electronics], at the usual prices and then sells them, when they are difficult to get, at much higher prices.\\\"<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\">[2]<\\/a> Scalpers would take advantage of the current situation by buying or hoarding products in great demand and reselling them for profit.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 An example of such an instance is when the prices of N95 and surgical masks\\u00a0 skyrocketed earlier this year due to the increase in the demand following the eruption of the Taal Volcano, and the outbreak of Covid-19.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Since the products that are \\u201cscalped\\u201d are usually necessities, there would always be some desperate buyers. As a consequence, these scalpers can make easy money from the desperations of the people.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 This would then lead us to the issue of fairness. Let us take a short glimpse of what could be the applicable law\\/s.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 On April 13, 1992, Congress enacted Republic Act (R.A.) No. 7394, or the Consumer Act of the Philippines,<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\">[3]<\\/a> in order \\u201cto protect the interests of the consumer, promote his general welfare and to establish standards of conduct for business and industry.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\">[4]<\\/a> This law prohibits unfair or unconscionable sales by a seller, <em>to wit<\\/em>:<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><strong>ARTICLE 52. Unfair or Unconscionable Sales Act or Practice.<\\/strong> \\u2014 An unfair or unconscionable sales act or practice by a seller or supplier in connection with a consumer transaction violates this Chapter whether it occurs before, during or after the consumer transaction. <strong>An act or practice shall be deemed unfair or unconscionable <\\/strong>whenever the producer, manufacturer, distributor, supplier or seller, <strong>by taking advantage of the <\\/strong>consumer\'s physical or mental infirmity, ignorance, illiteracy, lack of time or the <strong>general conditions of the environment or surroundings<\\/strong>, induces the consumer to enter into a sales or lease transaction grossly inimical to the interests of the consumer or grossly one-sided in favor of the producer, manufacturer, distributor, supplier or seller.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In determining whether an act or practice is unfair and unconscionable, the following circumstances shall be considered:<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p style=\\\"text-align: center;\\\">xxx<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px; text-align: left;\\\">b) that when the consumer transaction was entered into, <strong>the price grossly exceeded the price at which similar products or services<\\/strong> were readily obtainable in similar transaction by like consumers;<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 On that same year, Congress also enacted R.A. No. 7581, or the Price Act,<a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\">[5]<\\/a> as amended by R.A. 10623,<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\">[6]<\\/a> which aims \\u201cto ensure the availability of basic necessities and prime commodities at reasonable prices at all times without denying legitimate business a fair return on investment\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\">[7]<\\/a> and \\u201cto provide effective and sufficient protection to consumers against hoarding, profiteering and cartels with respect to the supply, distribution, marketing and pricing of said goods, especially during periods of calamity, emergency, widespread illegal price manipulation and other similar situations.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\">[8]<\\/a> True to its policy, the law considers the acts of hoarding or profiteering of basic necessities and prime commodities as unlawful, <em>to wit<\\/em>:<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><strong>SECTION 5. Illegal Acts of Price Manipulation<\\/strong>. \\u2014 Without prejudice to the provisions of existing laws on goods not covered by this Act, it shall be <strong>unlawful for any person habitually engaged in<\\/strong> the production, manufacture, importation, storage, transport, distribution, <strong>sale or other methods of disposition of goods<\\/strong> to engage in the following acts of price manipulation of the price of any basic necessity or prime commodity.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\">(1) <strong>Hoarding<\\/strong>, which is the <strong>undue accumulation<\\/strong> by a person or combination of persons <strong>of any basic or prime commodity<\\/strong> beyond his or their normal inventory levels or the unreasonable limitation or refusal to dispose of, sell or distribute the stocks of any basic necessity of prime commodity to the general public or the unjustified taking out of any basic necessity or prime commodity from the channels of reproduction, trade, commerce and industry. xxx<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\">(2) <strong>Profiteering<\\/strong>, which is the <strong>sale or offering for sale of any basic necessity or prime commodity at a price grossly in excess of its true worth<\\/strong>. xxx<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In addition, R.A. No. 11469, or the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act,<a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\">[9]<\\/a> was signed into law on March 24, 2020, which authorized the president to exercise special temporary powers which would be necessary to deal with the Covid-19 pandemic. One of such powers is penalizing acts of hoarding, profiteering, manipulation of prices, monopolies, or other combinations in restraint of trade, or other malicious practices concerning the goods as enumerated under the law, <em>to wit<\\/em>:<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><strong>SECTION 6. Penalties.<\\/strong> \\u2014 In addition to acts or omissions already penalized by existing laws, the following offenses shall be punishable with imprisonment of 2 months or a fine of not less than P10,000.00, but not more than P1,000,000.00, or both, such imprisonment and fine, at the discretion of the court:<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px; text-align: center;\\\">xxx<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\">(c) <strong>Engaging in hoarding, profiteering, injurious speculations, manipulation of prices, product deceptions, and cartels, monopolies or other combinations in restraint of trade, or other pernicious practices<\\/strong> affecting the supply, distribution and movement of food, clothing, hygiene and sanitation products, medicine and medical supplies, fuel, fertilizers, chemicals, building materials, implements, machinery equipment and spare parts required in agriculture, industry and other essential services, and other articles of prime necessity, whether imported or locally produced or manufactured.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 A perusal of the above-cited provisions of law shows that the Price Act, as amended, and the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act are not applicable when the products subject to price regulation are computer devices, since these do not fall upon those which were enumerated by law. The Bayanihan to Heal as One Act limits the coverage of the goods subjected to the penalized acts. Such is also true for the Price Act, as amended, as it applies only to basic necessities and prime commodities \\u2013 the definitions of which are also clearly limited.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Price Act, as amended, defined \'[b]asic necessities\' as: \\u201cgoods vital to the needs of consumers for their sustenance and existence \\u2026 but not limited to, rice, corn, root crops, bread; fresh, dried or canned fish and other marine products; fresh pork, beef and poultry meat; \\u2026 and such other goods as may be included under Section 4 of this Act.\\\"<a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\">[10]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 On the other hand, \'prime commodities\' are defined as \\u201cgoods not considered as basic necessities but are essential to consumers \\u2026 but not limited to, flour; dried, processed or canned pork, beef and poultry meat; \\u2026 and such other goods as may be included under Section 4 of this Act.\\\"<a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\">[11]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Although it may be true that computer devices are not part of the enumeration of either basic necessities or prime commodities, Section 4 of The Price Act, as amended allows the inclusion and exclusion of what was enumerated, to wit:<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><strong>SECTION 4. Inclusion or Exclusion from the Coverage of This Act.<\\/strong> \\u2014 Upon petition of the concerned parties or motu proprio action from the concerned agency of the Price Coordinating Council and after public hearing, the implementing agency, with the approval of the President, may <strong>include in the definition of basic necessities or prime commodities types and brands of the goods or may exclude from the coverage of this Act, types or brands of the goods included in the definition of basic necessities and prime commodities, which may be deemed as nonessential goods or luxury goods<\\/strong>: Provided, That, any type or brand so excluded may be reinstated by the implementing agency during occasions of acute shortage in the supply of the basic necessity or prime commodity to which the excluded type or brand used to belong.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><strong>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 <\\/strong>In other words, the law allows the changing of what is to be considered or covered as basic necessities or prime commodities.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 From the provisions of the Consumer Act, it appears that this law could be applied to regulating the conduct of scalpers. In fact, it might fit in squarely since the law punishes deceptive, unfair, and unconscionable sales act or practice \\u2013 and this includes the act of taking advantage of the situation. Moreover, it appears that there is no limitation as to what products or goods which should be the subject of the transaction.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Knowing that there is a law that could be invoked by the consumers against \\u201cscalpers\\u201d would give the former a small sigh of relief. At the very least, the consumers would know that they have the right against these \\u201cscalpers.\\u201d In this time of the pandemic, people should be helping each other. It is not the time to take advantage of one another.\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">[1]<\\/a> Frank La Rue, <em>Report of the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression<\\/em>, United Nations General Assembly, (May 16, 2011), https:\\/\\/www2.ohchr.org\\/english\\/bodies\\/hrcouncil\\/docs\\/17session\\/A.HRC.17.27_en.pdf<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a> <em>Scalper<\\/em>, Cambridge Dictionary, https:\\/\\/dictionary.cambridge.org\\/us\\/dictionary\\/english\\/scalper (last accessed December 12, 2020).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a> The Consumer Act of the Philippines, Republic Act No. 7394.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[4]<\\/a> <em>Id<\\/em>., Art. 2.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[5]<\\/a> An Act Providing Protection to Consumers by Stabilizing the Prices of Basic Necessities and Prime Commodities and by Prescribing Measures against Undue Price Increases During Emergency Situations and Like Occasions, Republic Act No. 7581 [hereinafter R.A. 7581].<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[6]<\\/a> An Act Amending Certain Provisions of Republic Act No. 7581, Entitled \\\"An Act Providing Protection to Consumers by Stabilizing the Prices of Basic Necessities and Prime Commodities and by Prescribing Measures against Undue Price Increases During Emergency Situations and Like Occasions\\\" and for Other Purposes, Republic Act No. 10623 [hereinafter R.A. 10623].<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\">[7]<\\/a> R.A. 7581, Sec. 2.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\">[8]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\">[9]<\\/a> An Act Declaring the Existence of a National Emergency arising from the Corona Virus Disease 2019 (Covid-19) Situation and a National Policy in Connection therewith, and Authorizing the President of the Republic of The Philippines for a Limited Period and Subject to Restrictions, to Exercise Powers Necessary and Proper to Carry Out the Declared National Policy and for Other Purposes, Republic Act No. 11469.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\">[10]<\\/a> R.A. 10623, Sec. 1.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\">[11]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em>, Sec. 2.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Featured Photo by <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/unsplash.com\\/@visuals?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText\\\">visuals<\\/a> on <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/unsplash.com\\/s\\/photos\\/n95?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText\\\">Unsplash<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(3541,1228,'_wp_attached_file','2021/02/Adobe_Post_20210301_0524070.812015005297104.jpg'),(3542,1228,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:5:{s:5:\"width\";i:1920;s:6:\"height\";i:1080;s:4:\"file\";s:55:\"2021/02/Adobe_Post_20210301_0524070.812015005297104.jpg\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:14:{s:6:\"medium\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:55:\"Adobe_Post_20210301_0524070.812015005297104-300x169.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:300;s:6:\"height\";i:169;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:5:\"large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:56:\"Adobe_Post_20210301_0524070.812015005297104-1024x576.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1024;s:6:\"height\";i:576;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"thumbnail\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:55:\"Adobe_Post_20210301_0524070.812015005297104-150x150.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:12:\"medium_large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:55:\"Adobe_Post_20210301_0524070.812015005297104-768x432.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:768;s:6:\"height\";i:432;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"1536x1536\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:56:\"Adobe_Post_20210301_0524070.812015005297104-1536x864.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1536;s:6:\"height\";i:864;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"2048x2048\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:57:\"Adobe_Post_20210301_0524070.812015005297104-2048x1152.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:2048;s:6:\"height\";i:1152;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:24:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:55:\"Adobe_Post_20210301_0524070.812015005297104-170x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:25:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:53:\"Adobe_Post_20210301_0524070.812015005297104-86x70.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:54:\"Adobe_Post_20210301_0524070.812015005297104-170x96.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:96;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:22:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:55:\"Adobe_Post_20210301_0524070.812015005297104-370x250.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:30:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:55:\"Adobe_Post_20210301_0524070.812015005297104-370x208.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:208;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:21:\"bfastmag_related_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:55:\"Adobe_Post_20210301_0524070.812015005297104-288x160.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:288;s:6:\"height\";i:160;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:18:\"bfastmag_blog_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:55:\"Adobe_Post_20210301_0524070.812015005297104-780x544.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:26:\"bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:55:\"Adobe_Post_20210301_0524070.812015005297104-780x439.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:439;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:0:\"\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:1:\"0\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:1:\"0\";s:3:\"iso\";s:1:\"0\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:1:\"0\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";s:1:\"0\";s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}}'),(3551,1230,'_thumbnail_id','1217'),(3552,1230,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(3553,1230,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(3554,1230,'_elementor_version','3.1.1'),(3555,1230,'_wp_page_template','default'),(3556,1230,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"333659e4\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"36fec886\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"8f9e531\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>By: Lance Lester Angelo Sim<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Covid-19 pandemic has brought about numerous changes in our society, as well as a few realizations in our lives. One thing that is made even more apparent amidst this pandemic is that how we are now becoming even more dependent upon computer devices such as laptops, tablets, and other devices that could access the internet.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Such is not surprising seeing that most people are staying at their homes and hoping for the pandemic to end. While waiting, people would use their devices to access the internet to continue human interactions or to be productive.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Having access to the internet is no longer just a luxury. It is a necessity. The internet serves as a bridge which not only gives people access to information, but also connects people without ever needing to leave their homes. It allows people to continue to have their jobs through work-from-home arrangements and allows students to continue their education through online schooling.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 A Report from a Special Rapporteur of the United Nations (UN) recognized that the internet is a \\u201ccatalyst\\u201d for individuals which facilitates the realization of human rights.<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\">[1]<\\/a> It provides people with an alternative means of progressing with their daily lives.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 However, the frequent lockdowns and the closure of factories have stunted the production of these devices causing a shortage of supply. Furthermore, there are unscrupulous people who would take advantage of the situation \\u2013- those commonly referred to as \\u201cscalpers.\\u201d<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 A scalper is \\u201csomeone who buys things, such as [event] tickets [or new electronics], at the usual prices and then sells them, when they are difficult to get, at much higher prices.\\\"<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\">[2]<\\/a> Scalpers would take advantage of the current situation by buying or hoarding products in great demand and reselling them for profit.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 An example of such an instance is when the prices of N95 and surgical masks\\u00a0 skyrocketed earlier this year due to the increase in the demand following the eruption of the Taal Volcano, and the outbreak of Covid-19.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Since the products that are \\u201cscalped\\u201d are usually necessities, there would always be some desperate buyers. As a consequence, these scalpers can make easy money from the desperations of the people.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 This would then lead us to the issue of fairness. Let us take a short glimpse of what could be the applicable law\\/s.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 On April 13, 1992, Congress enacted Republic Act (R.A.) No. 7394, or the Consumer Act of the Philippines,<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\">[3]<\\/a> in order \\u201cto protect the interests of the consumer, promote his general welfare and to establish standards of conduct for business and industry.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\">[4]<\\/a> This law prohibits unfair or unconscionable sales by a seller, <em>to wit<\\/em>:<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><strong>ARTICLE 52. Unfair or Unconscionable Sales Act or Practice.<\\/strong> \\u2014 An unfair or unconscionable sales act or practice by a seller or supplier in connection with a consumer transaction violates this Chapter whether it occurs before, during or after the consumer transaction. <strong>An act or practice shall be deemed unfair or unconscionable <\\/strong>whenever the producer, manufacturer, distributor, supplier or seller, <strong>by taking advantage of the <\\/strong>consumer\'s physical or mental infirmity, ignorance, illiteracy, lack of time or the <strong>general conditions of the environment or surroundings<\\/strong>, induces the consumer to enter into a sales or lease transaction grossly inimical to the interests of the consumer or grossly one-sided in favor of the producer, manufacturer, distributor, supplier or seller.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In determining whether an act or practice is unfair and unconscionable, the following circumstances shall be considered:<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p style=\\\"text-align: center;\\\">xxx<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px; text-align: left;\\\">b) that when the consumer transaction was entered into, <strong>the price grossly exceeded the price at which similar products or services<\\/strong> were readily obtainable in similar transaction by like consumers;<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 On that same year, Congress also enacted R.A. No. 7581, or the Price Act,<a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\">[5]<\\/a> as amended by R.A. 10623,<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\">[6]<\\/a> which aims \\u201cto ensure the availability of basic necessities and prime commodities at reasonable prices at all times without denying legitimate business a fair return on investment\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\">[7]<\\/a> and \\u201cto provide effective and sufficient protection to consumers against hoarding, profiteering and cartels with respect to the supply, distribution, marketing and pricing of said goods, especially during periods of calamity, emergency, widespread illegal price manipulation and other similar situations.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\">[8]<\\/a> True to its policy, the law considers the acts of hoarding or profiteering of basic necessities and prime commodities as unlawful, <em>to wit<\\/em>:<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><strong>SECTION 5. Illegal Acts of Price Manipulation<\\/strong>. \\u2014 Without prejudice to the provisions of existing laws on goods not covered by this Act, it shall be <strong>unlawful for any person habitually engaged in<\\/strong> the production, manufacture, importation, storage, transport, distribution, <strong>sale or other methods of disposition of goods<\\/strong> to engage in the following acts of price manipulation of the price of any basic necessity or prime commodity.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\">(1) <strong>Hoarding<\\/strong>, which is the <strong>undue accumulation<\\/strong> by a person or combination of persons <strong>of any basic or prime commodity<\\/strong> beyond his or their normal inventory levels or the unreasonable limitation or refusal to dispose of, sell or distribute the stocks of any basic necessity of prime commodity to the general public or the unjustified taking out of any basic necessity or prime commodity from the channels of reproduction, trade, commerce and industry. xxx<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\">(2) <strong>Profiteering<\\/strong>, which is the <strong>sale or offering for sale of any basic necessity or prime commodity at a price grossly in excess of its true worth<\\/strong>. xxx<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In addition, R.A. No. 11469, or the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act,<a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\">[9]<\\/a> was signed into law on March 24, 2020, which authorized the president to exercise special temporary powers which would be necessary to deal with the Covid-19 pandemic. One of such powers is penalizing acts of hoarding, profiteering, manipulation of prices, monopolies, or other combinations in restraint of trade, or other malicious practices concerning the goods as enumerated under the law, <em>to wit<\\/em>:<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><strong>SECTION 6. Penalties.<\\/strong> \\u2014 In addition to acts or omissions already penalized by existing laws, the following offenses shall be punishable with imprisonment of 2 months or a fine of not less than P10,000.00, but not more than P1,000,000.00, or both, such imprisonment and fine, at the discretion of the court:<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px; text-align: center;\\\">xxx<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\">(c) <strong>Engaging in hoarding, profiteering, injurious speculations, manipulation of prices, product deceptions, and cartels, monopolies or other combinations in restraint of trade, or other pernicious practices<\\/strong> affecting the supply, distribution and movement of food, clothing, hygiene and sanitation products, medicine and medical supplies, fuel, fertilizers, chemicals, building materials, implements, machinery equipment and spare parts required in agriculture, industry and other essential services, and other articles of prime necessity, whether imported or locally produced or manufactured.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 A perusal of the above-cited provisions of law shows that the Price Act, as amended, and the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act are not applicable when the products subject to price regulation are computer devices, since these do not fall upon those which were enumerated by law. The Bayanihan to Heal as One Act limits the coverage of the goods subjected to the penalized acts. Such is also true for the Price Act, as amended, as it applies only to basic necessities and prime commodities \\u2013 the definitions of which are also clearly limited.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Price Act, as amended, defined \'[b]asic necessities\' as: \\u201cgoods vital to the needs of consumers for their sustenance and existence \\u2026 but not limited to, rice, corn, root crops, bread; fresh, dried or canned fish and other marine products; fresh pork, beef and poultry meat; \\u2026 and such other goods as may be included under Section 4 of this Act.\\\"<a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\">[10]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 On the other hand, \'prime commodities\' are defined as \\u201cgoods not considered as basic necessities but are essential to consumers \\u2026 but not limited to, flour; dried, processed or canned pork, beef and poultry meat; \\u2026 and such other goods as may be included under Section 4 of this Act.\\\"<a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\">[11]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Although it may be true that computer devices are not part of the enumeration of either basic necessities or prime commodities, Section 4 of The Price Act, as amended allows the inclusion and exclusion of what was enumerated, to wit:<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><strong>SECTION 4. Inclusion or Exclusion from the Coverage of This Act.<\\/strong> \\u2014 Upon petition of the concerned parties or motu proprio action from the concerned agency of the Price Coordinating Council and after public hearing, the implementing agency, with the approval of the President, may <strong>include in the definition of basic necessities or prime commodities types and brands of the goods or may exclude from the coverage of this Act, types or brands of the goods included in the definition of basic necessities and prime commodities, which may be deemed as nonessential goods or luxury goods<\\/strong>: Provided, That, any type or brand so excluded may be reinstated by the implementing agency during occasions of acute shortage in the supply of the basic necessity or prime commodity to which the excluded type or brand used to belong.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><strong>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 <\\/strong>In other words, the law allows the changing of what is to be considered or covered as basic necessities or prime commodities.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 From the provisions of the Consumer Act, it appears that this law could be applied to regulating the conduct of scalpers. In fact, it might fit in squarely since the law punishes deceptive, unfair, and unconscionable sales act or practice \\u2013 and this includes the act of taking advantage of the situation. Moreover, it appears that there is no limitation as to what products or goods which should be the subject of the transaction.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Knowing that there is a law that could be invoked by the consumers against \\u201cscalpers\\u201d would give the former a small sigh of relief. At the very least, the consumers would know that they have the right against these \\u201cscalpers.\\u201d In this time of the pandemic, people should be helping each other. It is not the time to take advantage of one another.\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">[1]<\\/a> Frank La Rue, <em>Report of the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression<\\/em>, United Nations General Assembly, (May 16, 2011), https:\\/\\/www2.ohchr.org\\/english\\/bodies\\/hrcouncil\\/docs\\/17session\\/A.HRC.17.27_en.pdf<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a> <em>Scalper<\\/em>, Cambridge Dictionary, https:\\/\\/dictionary.cambridge.org\\/us\\/dictionary\\/english\\/scalper (last accessed December 12, 2020).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a> The Consumer Act of the Philippines, Republic Act No. 7394.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[4]<\\/a> <em>Id<\\/em>., Art. 2.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[5]<\\/a> An Act Providing Protection to Consumers by Stabilizing the Prices of Basic Necessities and Prime Commodities and by Prescribing Measures against Undue Price Increases During Emergency Situations and Like Occasions, Republic Act No. 7581 [hereinafter R.A. 7581].<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[6]<\\/a> An Act Amending Certain Provisions of Republic Act No. 7581, Entitled \\\"An Act Providing Protection to Consumers by Stabilizing the Prices of Basic Necessities and Prime Commodities and by Prescribing Measures against Undue Price Increases During Emergency Situations and Like Occasions\\\" and for Other Purposes, Republic Act No. 10623 [hereinafter R.A. 10623].<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\">[7]<\\/a> R.A. 7581, Sec. 2.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\">[8]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\">[9]<\\/a> An Act Declaring the Existence of a National Emergency arising from the Corona Virus Disease 2019 (Covid-19) Situation and a National Policy in Connection therewith, and Authorizing the President of the Republic of The Philippines for a Limited Period and Subject to Restrictions, to Exercise Powers Necessary and Proper to Carry Out the Declared National Policy and for Other Purposes, Republic Act No. 11469.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\">[10]<\\/a> R.A. 10623, Sec. 1.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\">[11]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em>, Sec. 2.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Featured Photo by <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/unsplash.com\\/@visuals?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText\\\">visuals<\\/a> on <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/unsplash.com\\/s\\/photos\\/n95?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText\\\">Unsplash<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(3557,1230,'_elementor_controls_usage','a:3:{s:11:\"text-editor\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:1;s:8:\"controls\";a:2:{s:7:\"content\";a:1:{s:14:\"section_editor\";a:1:{s:6:\"editor\";i:1;}}s:5:\"style\";a:1:{s:13:\"section_style\";a:2:{s:21:\"typography_typography\";i:1;s:22:\"typography_line_height\";i:1;}}}}s:6:\"column\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:0;s:8:\"controls\";a:0:{}}s:7:\"section\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:0;s:8:\"controls\";a:0:{}}}'),(3559,1231,'_thumbnail_id','1228'),(3560,1231,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(3561,1231,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(3562,1231,'_elementor_version','3.1.1'),(3563,1231,'_wp_page_template','default'),(3564,1231,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"333659e4\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"36fec886\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"8f9e531\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>By: Lance Lester Angelo Sim<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Covid-19 pandemic has brought about numerous changes in our society, as well as a few realizations in our lives. One thing that is made even more apparent amidst this pandemic is that how we are now becoming even more dependent upon computer devices such as laptops, tablets, and other devices that could access the internet.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Such is not surprising seeing that most people are staying at their homes and hoping for the pandemic to end. While waiting, people would use their devices to access the internet to continue human interactions or to be productive.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Having access to the internet is no longer just a luxury. It is a necessity. The internet serves as a bridge which not only gives people access to information, but also connects people without ever needing to leave their homes. It allows people to continue to have their jobs through work-from-home arrangements and allows students to continue their education through online schooling.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 A Report from a Special Rapporteur of the United Nations (UN) recognized that the internet is a \\u201ccatalyst\\u201d for individuals which facilitates the realization of human rights.<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\">[1]<\\/a> It provides people with an alternative means of progressing with their daily lives.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 However, the frequent lockdowns and the closure of factories have stunted the production of these devices causing a shortage of supply. Furthermore, there are unscrupulous people who would take advantage of the situation \\u2013- those commonly referred to as \\u201cscalpers.\\u201d<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 A scalper is \\u201csomeone who buys things, such as [event] tickets [or new electronics], at the usual prices and then sells them, when they are difficult to get, at much higher prices.\\\"<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\">[2]<\\/a> Scalpers would take advantage of the current situation by buying or hoarding products in great demand and reselling them for profit.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 An example of such an instance is when the prices of N95 and surgical masks\\u00a0 skyrocketed earlier this year due to the increase in the demand following the eruption of the Taal Volcano, and the outbreak of Covid-19.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Since the products that are \\u201cscalped\\u201d are usually necessities, there would always be some desperate buyers. As a consequence, these scalpers can make easy money from the desperations of the people.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 This would then lead us to the issue of fairness. Let us take a short glimpse of what could be the applicable law\\/s.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 On April 13, 1992, Congress enacted Republic Act (R.A.) No. 7394, or the Consumer Act of the Philippines,<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\">[3]<\\/a> in order \\u201cto protect the interests of the consumer, promote his general welfare and to establish standards of conduct for business and industry.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\">[4]<\\/a> This law prohibits unfair or unconscionable sales by a seller, <em>to wit<\\/em>:<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><strong>ARTICLE 52. Unfair or Unconscionable Sales Act or Practice.<\\/strong> \\u2014 An unfair or unconscionable sales act or practice by a seller or supplier in connection with a consumer transaction violates this Chapter whether it occurs before, during or after the consumer transaction. <strong>An act or practice shall be deemed unfair or unconscionable <\\/strong>whenever the producer, manufacturer, distributor, supplier or seller, <strong>by taking advantage of the <\\/strong>consumer\'s physical or mental infirmity, ignorance, illiteracy, lack of time or the <strong>general conditions of the environment or surroundings<\\/strong>, induces the consumer to enter into a sales or lease transaction grossly inimical to the interests of the consumer or grossly one-sided in favor of the producer, manufacturer, distributor, supplier or seller.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In determining whether an act or practice is unfair and unconscionable, the following circumstances shall be considered:<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p style=\\\"text-align: center;\\\">xxx<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px; text-align: left;\\\">b) that when the consumer transaction was entered into, <strong>the price grossly exceeded the price at which similar products or services<\\/strong> were readily obtainable in similar transaction by like consumers;<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 On that same year, Congress also enacted R.A. No. 7581, or the Price Act,<a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\">[5]<\\/a> as amended by R.A. 10623,<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\">[6]<\\/a> which aims \\u201cto ensure the availability of basic necessities and prime commodities at reasonable prices at all times without denying legitimate business a fair return on investment\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\">[7]<\\/a> and \\u201cto provide effective and sufficient protection to consumers against hoarding, profiteering and cartels with respect to the supply, distribution, marketing and pricing of said goods, especially during periods of calamity, emergency, widespread illegal price manipulation and other similar situations.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\">[8]<\\/a> True to its policy, the law considers the acts of hoarding or profiteering of basic necessities and prime commodities as unlawful, <em>to wit<\\/em>:<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><strong>SECTION 5. Illegal Acts of Price Manipulation<\\/strong>. \\u2014 Without prejudice to the provisions of existing laws on goods not covered by this Act, it shall be <strong>unlawful for any person habitually engaged in<\\/strong> the production, manufacture, importation, storage, transport, distribution, <strong>sale or other methods of disposition of goods<\\/strong> to engage in the following acts of price manipulation of the price of any basic necessity or prime commodity.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\">(1) <strong>Hoarding<\\/strong>, which is the <strong>undue accumulation<\\/strong> by a person or combination of persons <strong>of any basic or prime commodity<\\/strong> beyond his or their normal inventory levels or the unreasonable limitation or refusal to dispose of, sell or distribute the stocks of any basic necessity of prime commodity to the general public or the unjustified taking out of any basic necessity or prime commodity from the channels of reproduction, trade, commerce and industry. xxx<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\">(2) <strong>Profiteering<\\/strong>, which is the <strong>sale or offering for sale of any basic necessity or prime commodity at a price grossly in excess of its true worth<\\/strong>. xxx<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In addition, R.A. No. 11469, or the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act,<a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\">[9]<\\/a> was signed into law on March 24, 2020, which authorized the president to exercise special temporary powers which would be necessary to deal with the Covid-19 pandemic. One of such powers is penalizing acts of hoarding, profiteering, manipulation of prices, monopolies, or other combinations in restraint of trade, or other malicious practices concerning the goods as enumerated under the law, <em>to wit<\\/em>:<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><strong>SECTION 6. Penalties.<\\/strong> \\u2014 In addition to acts or omissions already penalized by existing laws, the following offenses shall be punishable with imprisonment of 2 months or a fine of not less than P10,000.00, but not more than P1,000,000.00, or both, such imprisonment and fine, at the discretion of the court:<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px; text-align: center;\\\">xxx<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\">(c) <strong>Engaging in hoarding, profiteering, injurious speculations, manipulation of prices, product deceptions, and cartels, monopolies or other combinations in restraint of trade, or other pernicious practices<\\/strong> affecting the supply, distribution and movement of food, clothing, hygiene and sanitation products, medicine and medical supplies, fuel, fertilizers, chemicals, building materials, implements, machinery equipment and spare parts required in agriculture, industry and other essential services, and other articles of prime necessity, whether imported or locally produced or manufactured.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 A perusal of the above-cited provisions of law shows that the Price Act, as amended, and the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act are not applicable when the products subject to price regulation are computer devices, since these do not fall upon those which were enumerated by law. The Bayanihan to Heal as One Act limits the coverage of the goods subjected to the penalized acts. Such is also true for the Price Act, as amended, as it applies only to basic necessities and prime commodities \\u2013 the definitions of which are also clearly limited.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Price Act, as amended, defined \'[b]asic necessities\' as: \\u201cgoods vital to the needs of consumers for their sustenance and existence \\u2026 but not limited to, rice, corn, root crops, bread; fresh, dried or canned fish and other marine products; fresh pork, beef and poultry meat; \\u2026 and such other goods as may be included under Section 4 of this Act.\\\"<a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\">[10]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 On the other hand, \'prime commodities\' are defined as \\u201cgoods not considered as basic necessities but are essential to consumers \\u2026 but not limited to, flour; dried, processed or canned pork, beef and poultry meat; \\u2026 and such other goods as may be included under Section 4 of this Act.\\\"<a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\">[11]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Although it may be true that computer devices are not part of the enumeration of either basic necessities or prime commodities, Section 4 of The Price Act, as amended allows the inclusion and exclusion of what was enumerated, to wit:<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><strong>SECTION 4. Inclusion or Exclusion from the Coverage of This Act.<\\/strong> \\u2014 Upon petition of the concerned parties or motu proprio action from the concerned agency of the Price Coordinating Council and after public hearing, the implementing agency, with the approval of the President, may <strong>include in the definition of basic necessities or prime commodities types and brands of the goods or may exclude from the coverage of this Act, types or brands of the goods included in the definition of basic necessities and prime commodities, which may be deemed as nonessential goods or luxury goods<\\/strong>: Provided, That, any type or brand so excluded may be reinstated by the implementing agency during occasions of acute shortage in the supply of the basic necessity or prime commodity to which the excluded type or brand used to belong.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><strong>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 <\\/strong>In other words, the law allows the changing of what is to be considered or covered as basic necessities or prime commodities.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 From the provisions of the Consumer Act, it appears that this law could be applied to regulating the conduct of scalpers. In fact, it might fit in squarely since the law punishes deceptive, unfair, and unconscionable sales act or practice \\u2013 and this includes the act of taking advantage of the situation. Moreover, it appears that there is no limitation as to what products or goods which should be the subject of the transaction.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Knowing that there is a law that could be invoked by the consumers against \\u201cscalpers\\u201d would give the former a small sigh of relief. At the very least, the consumers would know that they have the right against these \\u201cscalpers.\\u201d In this time of the pandemic, people should be helping each other. It is not the time to take advantage of one another.\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">[1]<\\/a> Frank La Rue, <em>Report of the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression<\\/em>, United Nations General Assembly, (May 16, 2011), https:\\/\\/www2.ohchr.org\\/english\\/bodies\\/hrcouncil\\/docs\\/17session\\/A.HRC.17.27_en.pdf<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a> <em>Scalper<\\/em>, Cambridge Dictionary, https:\\/\\/dictionary.cambridge.org\\/us\\/dictionary\\/english\\/scalper (last accessed December 12, 2020).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a> The Consumer Act of the Philippines, Republic Act No. 7394.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[4]<\\/a> <em>Id<\\/em>., Art. 2.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[5]<\\/a> An Act Providing Protection to Consumers by Stabilizing the Prices of Basic Necessities and Prime Commodities and by Prescribing Measures against Undue Price Increases During Emergency Situations and Like Occasions, Republic Act No. 7581 [hereinafter R.A. 7581].<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[6]<\\/a> An Act Amending Certain Provisions of Republic Act No. 7581, Entitled \\\"An Act Providing Protection to Consumers by Stabilizing the Prices of Basic Necessities and Prime Commodities and by Prescribing Measures against Undue Price Increases During Emergency Situations and Like Occasions\\\" and for Other Purposes, Republic Act No. 10623 [hereinafter R.A. 10623].<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\">[7]<\\/a> R.A. 7581, Sec. 2.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\">[8]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\">[9]<\\/a> An Act Declaring the Existence of a National Emergency arising from the Corona Virus Disease 2019 (Covid-19) Situation and a National Policy in Connection therewith, and Authorizing the President of the Republic of The Philippines for a Limited Period and Subject to Restrictions, to Exercise Powers Necessary and Proper to Carry Out the Declared National Policy and for Other Purposes, Republic Act No. 11469.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\">[10]<\\/a> R.A. 10623, Sec. 1.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\">[11]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em>, Sec. 2.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Featured Photo by <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/unsplash.com\\/@visuals?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText\\\">visuals<\\/a> on <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/unsplash.com\\/s\\/photos\\/n95?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText\\\">Unsplash<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(3566,1232,'_thumbnail_id','1228'),(3567,1232,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(3568,1232,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(3569,1232,'_elementor_version','3.1.1'),(3570,1232,'_wp_page_template','default'),(3571,1232,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"333659e4\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"36fec886\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"8f9e531\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>By: Lance Lester Angelo Sim<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Covid-19 pandemic has brought about numerous changes in our society, as well as a few realizations in our lives. One thing that is made even more apparent amidst this pandemic is that how we are now becoming even more dependent upon computer devices such as laptops, tablets, and other devices that could access the internet.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Such is not surprising seeing that most people are staying at their homes and hoping for the pandemic to end. While waiting, people would use their devices to access the internet to continue human interactions or to be productive.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Having access to the internet is no longer just a luxury. It is a necessity. The internet serves as a bridge which not only gives people access to information, but also connects people without ever needing to leave their homes. It allows people to continue to have their jobs through work-from-home arrangements and allows students to continue their education through online schooling.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 A Report from a Special Rapporteur of the United Nations (UN) recognized that the internet is a \\u201ccatalyst\\u201d for individuals which facilitates the realization of human rights.<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\">[1]<\\/a> It provides people with an alternative means of progressing with their daily lives.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 However, the frequent lockdowns and the closure of factories have stunted the production of these devices causing a shortage of supply. Furthermore, there are unscrupulous people who would take advantage of the situation \\u2013- those commonly referred to as \\u201cscalpers.\\u201d<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 A scalper is \\u201csomeone who buys things, such as [event] tickets [or new electronics], at the usual prices and then sells them, when they are difficult to get, at much higher prices.\\\"<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\">[2]<\\/a> Scalpers would take advantage of the current situation by buying or hoarding products in great demand and reselling them for profit.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 An example of such an instance is when the prices of N95 and surgical masks\\u00a0 skyrocketed earlier this year due to the increase in the demand following the eruption of the Taal Volcano, and the outbreak of Covid-19.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Since the products that are \\u201cscalped\\u201d are usually necessities, there would always be some desperate buyers. As a consequence, these scalpers can make easy money from the desperations of the people.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 This would then lead us to the issue of fairness. Let us take a short glimpse of what could be the applicable law\\/s.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 On April 13, 1992, Congress enacted Republic Act (R.A.) No. 7394, or the Consumer Act of the Philippines,<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\">[3]<\\/a> in order \\u201cto protect the interests of the consumer, promote his general welfare and to establish standards of conduct for business and industry.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\">[4]<\\/a> This law prohibits unfair or unconscionable sales by a seller, <em>to wit<\\/em>:<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><strong>ARTICLE 52. Unfair or Unconscionable Sales Act or Practice.<\\/strong> \\u2014 An unfair or unconscionable sales act or practice by a seller or supplier in connection with a consumer transaction violates this Chapter whether it occurs before, during or after the consumer transaction. <strong>An act or practice shall be deemed unfair or unconscionable <\\/strong>whenever the producer, manufacturer, distributor, supplier or seller, <strong>by taking advantage of the <\\/strong>consumer\'s physical or mental infirmity, ignorance, illiteracy, lack of time or the <strong>general conditions of the environment or surroundings<\\/strong>, induces the consumer to enter into a sales or lease transaction grossly inimical to the interests of the consumer or grossly one-sided in favor of the producer, manufacturer, distributor, supplier or seller.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In determining whether an act or practice is unfair and unconscionable, the following circumstances shall be considered:<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p style=\\\"text-align: center;\\\">xxx<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px; text-align: left;\\\">b) that when the consumer transaction was entered into, <strong>the price grossly exceeded the price at which similar products or services<\\/strong> were readily obtainable in similar transaction by like consumers;<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 On that same year, Congress also enacted R.A. No. 7581, or the Price Act,<a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\">[5]<\\/a> as amended by R.A. 10623,<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\">[6]<\\/a> which aims \\u201cto ensure the availability of basic necessities and prime commodities at reasonable prices at all times without denying legitimate business a fair return on investment\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\">[7]<\\/a> and \\u201cto provide effective and sufficient protection to consumers against hoarding, profiteering and cartels with respect to the supply, distribution, marketing and pricing of said goods, especially during periods of calamity, emergency, widespread illegal price manipulation and other similar situations.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\">[8]<\\/a> True to its policy, the law considers the acts of hoarding or profiteering of basic necessities and prime commodities as unlawful, <em>to wit<\\/em>:<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><strong>SECTION 5. Illegal Acts of Price Manipulation<\\/strong>. \\u2014 Without prejudice to the provisions of existing laws on goods not covered by this Act, it shall be <strong>unlawful for any person habitually engaged in<\\/strong> the production, manufacture, importation, storage, transport, distribution, <strong>sale or other methods of disposition of goods<\\/strong> to engage in the following acts of price manipulation of the price of any basic necessity or prime commodity.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\">(1) <strong>Hoarding<\\/strong>, which is the <strong>undue accumulation<\\/strong> by a person or combination of persons <strong>of any basic or prime commodity<\\/strong> beyond his or their normal inventory levels or the unreasonable limitation or refusal to dispose of, sell or distribute the stocks of any basic necessity of prime commodity to the general public or the unjustified taking out of any basic necessity or prime commodity from the channels of reproduction, trade, commerce and industry. xxx<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\">(2) <strong>Profiteering<\\/strong>, which is the <strong>sale or offering for sale of any basic necessity or prime commodity at a price grossly in excess of its true worth<\\/strong>. xxx<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In addition, R.A. No. 11469, or the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act,<a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\">[9]<\\/a> was signed into law on March 24, 2020, which authorized the president to exercise special temporary powers which would be necessary to deal with the Covid-19 pandemic. One of such powers is penalizing acts of hoarding, profiteering, manipulation of prices, monopolies, or other combinations in restraint of trade, or other malicious practices concerning the goods as enumerated under the law, <em>to wit<\\/em>:<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><strong>SECTION 6. Penalties.<\\/strong> \\u2014 In addition to acts or omissions already penalized by existing laws, the following offenses shall be punishable with imprisonment of 2 months or a fine of not less than P10,000.00, but not more than P1,000,000.00, or both, such imprisonment and fine, at the discretion of the court:<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px; text-align: center;\\\">xxx<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\">(c) <strong>Engaging in hoarding, profiteering, injurious speculations, manipulation of prices, product deceptions, and cartels, monopolies or other combinations in restraint of trade, or other pernicious practices<\\/strong> affecting the supply, distribution and movement of food, clothing, hygiene and sanitation products, medicine and medical supplies, fuel, fertilizers, chemicals, building materials, implements, machinery equipment and spare parts required in agriculture, industry and other essential services, and other articles of prime necessity, whether imported or locally produced or manufactured.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 A perusal of the above-cited provisions of law shows that the Price Act, as amended, and the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act are not applicable when the products subject to price regulation are computer devices, since these do not fall upon those which were enumerated by law. The Bayanihan to Heal as One Act limits the coverage of the goods subjected to the penalized acts. Such is also true for the Price Act, as amended, as it applies only to basic necessities and prime commodities \\u2013 the definitions of which are also clearly limited.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Price Act, as amended, defined \'[b]asic necessities\' as: \\u201cgoods vital to the needs of consumers for their sustenance and existence \\u2026 but not limited to, rice, corn, root crops, bread; fresh, dried or canned fish and other marine products; fresh pork, beef and poultry meat; \\u2026 and such other goods as may be included under Section 4 of this Act.\\\"<a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\">[10]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 On the other hand, \'prime commodities\' are defined as \\u201cgoods not considered as basic necessities but are essential to consumers \\u2026 but not limited to, flour; dried, processed or canned pork, beef and poultry meat; \\u2026 and such other goods as may be included under Section 4 of this Act.\\\"<a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\">[11]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Although it may be true that computer devices are not part of the enumeration of either basic necessities or prime commodities, Section 4 of The Price Act, as amended allows the inclusion and exclusion of what was enumerated, to wit:<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><strong>SECTION 4. Inclusion or Exclusion from the Coverage of This Act.<\\/strong> \\u2014 Upon petition of the concerned parties or motu proprio action from the concerned agency of the Price Coordinating Council and after public hearing, the implementing agency, with the approval of the President, may <strong>include in the definition of basic necessities or prime commodities types and brands of the goods or may exclude from the coverage of this Act, types or brands of the goods included in the definition of basic necessities and prime commodities, which may be deemed as nonessential goods or luxury goods<\\/strong>: Provided, That, any type or brand so excluded may be reinstated by the implementing agency during occasions of acute shortage in the supply of the basic necessity or prime commodity to which the excluded type or brand used to belong.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><strong>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 <\\/strong>In other words, the law allows the changing of what is to be considered or covered as basic necessities or prime commodities.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 From the provisions of the Consumer Act, it appears that this law could be applied to regulating the conduct of scalpers. In fact, it might fit in squarely since the law punishes deceptive, unfair, and unconscionable sales act or practice \\u2013 and this includes the act of taking advantage of the situation. Moreover, it appears that there is no limitation as to what products or goods which should be the subject of the transaction.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Knowing that there is a law that could be invoked by the consumers against \\u201cscalpers\\u201d would give the former a small sigh of relief. At the very least, the consumers would know that they have the right against these \\u201cscalpers.\\u201d In this time of the pandemic, people should be helping each other. It is not the time to take advantage of one another.\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">[1]<\\/a> Frank La Rue, <em>Report of the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression<\\/em>, United Nations General Assembly, (May 16, 2011), https:\\/\\/www2.ohchr.org\\/english\\/bodies\\/hrcouncil\\/docs\\/17session\\/A.HRC.17.27_en.pdf<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a> <em>Scalper<\\/em>, Cambridge Dictionary, https:\\/\\/dictionary.cambridge.org\\/us\\/dictionary\\/english\\/scalper (last accessed December 12, 2020).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a> The Consumer Act of the Philippines, Republic Act No. 7394.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[4]<\\/a> <em>Id<\\/em>., Art. 2.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[5]<\\/a> An Act Providing Protection to Consumers by Stabilizing the Prices of Basic Necessities and Prime Commodities and by Prescribing Measures against Undue Price Increases During Emergency Situations and Like Occasions, Republic Act No. 7581 [hereinafter R.A. 7581].<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[6]<\\/a> An Act Amending Certain Provisions of Republic Act No. 7581, Entitled \\\"An Act Providing Protection to Consumers by Stabilizing the Prices of Basic Necessities and Prime Commodities and by Prescribing Measures against Undue Price Increases During Emergency Situations and Like Occasions\\\" and for Other Purposes, Republic Act No. 10623 [hereinafter R.A. 10623].<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\">[7]<\\/a> R.A. 7581, Sec. 2.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\">[8]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\">[9]<\\/a> An Act Declaring the Existence of a National Emergency arising from the Corona Virus Disease 2019 (Covid-19) Situation and a National Policy in Connection therewith, and Authorizing the President of the Republic of The Philippines for a Limited Period and Subject to Restrictions, to Exercise Powers Necessary and Proper to Carry Out the Declared National Policy and for Other Purposes, Republic Act No. 11469.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\">[10]<\\/a> R.A. 10623, Sec. 1.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\">[11]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em>, Sec. 2.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Featured Photo by <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/unsplash.com\\/@visuals?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText\\\">visuals<\\/a> on <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/unsplash.com\\/s\\/photos\\/n95?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText\\\">Unsplash<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(3573,1233,'_thumbnail_id','1228'),(3574,1233,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(3575,1233,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(3576,1233,'_elementor_version','3.1.1'),(3577,1233,'_wp_page_template','default'),(3578,1233,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"333659e4\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"36fec886\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"8f9e531\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>By: Lance Lester Angelo Sim<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Covid-19 pandemic has brought about numerous changes in our society, as well as a few realizations in our lives. One thing that is made even more apparent amidst this pandemic is that how we are now becoming even more dependent upon computer devices such as laptops, tablets, and other devices that could access the internet.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Such is not surprising seeing that most people are staying at their homes and hoping for the pandemic to end. While waiting, people would use their devices to access the internet to continue human interactions or to be productive.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Having access to the internet is no longer just a luxury. It is a necessity. The internet serves as a bridge which not only gives people access to information, but also connects people without ever needing to leave their homes. It allows people to continue to have their jobs through work-from-home arrangements and allows students to continue their education through online schooling.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 A Report from a Special Rapporteur of the United Nations (UN) recognized that the internet is a \\u201ccatalyst\\u201d for individuals which facilitates the realization of human rights.<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\">[1]<\\/a> It provides people with an alternative means of progressing with their daily lives.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 However, the frequent lockdowns and the closure of factories have stunted the production of these devices causing a shortage of supply. Furthermore, there are unscrupulous people who would take advantage of the situation \\u2013- those commonly referred to as \\u201cscalpers.\\u201d<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 A scalper is \\u201csomeone who buys things, such as [event] tickets [or new electronics], at the usual prices and then sells them, when they are difficult to get, at much higher prices.\\\"<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\">[2]<\\/a> Scalpers would take advantage of the current situation by buying or hoarding products in great demand and reselling them for profit.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 An example of such an instance is when the prices of N95 and surgical masks\\u00a0 skyrocketed earlier this year due to the increase in the demand following the eruption of the Taal Volcano, and the outbreak of Covid-19.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Since the products that are \\u201cscalped\\u201d are usually necessities, there would always be some desperate buyers. As a consequence, these scalpers can make easy money from the desperations of the people.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 This would then lead us to the issue of fairness. Let us take a short glimpse of what could be the applicable law\\/s.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 On April 13, 1992, Congress enacted Republic Act (R.A.) No. 7394, or the Consumer Act of the Philippines,<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\">[3]<\\/a> in order \\u201cto protect the interests of the consumer, promote his general welfare and to establish standards of conduct for business and industry.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\">[4]<\\/a> This law prohibits unfair or unconscionable sales by a seller, <em>to wit<\\/em>:<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><strong>ARTICLE 52. Unfair or Unconscionable Sales Act or Practice.<\\/strong> \\u2014 An unfair or unconscionable sales act or practice by a seller or supplier in connection with a consumer transaction violates this Chapter whether it occurs before, during or after the consumer transaction. <strong>An act or practice shall be deemed unfair or unconscionable <\\/strong>whenever the producer, manufacturer, distributor, supplier or seller, <strong>by taking advantage of the <\\/strong>consumer\'s physical or mental infirmity, ignorance, illiteracy, lack of time or the <strong>general conditions of the environment or surroundings<\\/strong>, induces the consumer to enter into a sales or lease transaction grossly inimical to the interests of the consumer or grossly one-sided in favor of the producer, manufacturer, distributor, supplier or seller.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In determining whether an act or practice is unfair and unconscionable, the following circumstances shall be considered:<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p style=\\\"text-align: center;\\\">xxx<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px; text-align: left;\\\">b) that when the consumer transaction was entered into, <strong>the price grossly exceeded the price at which similar products or services<\\/strong> were readily obtainable in similar transaction by like consumers;<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 On that same year, Congress also enacted R.A. No. 7581, or the Price Act,<a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\">[5]<\\/a> as amended by R.A. 10623,<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\">[6]<\\/a> which aims \\u201cto ensure the availability of basic necessities and prime commodities at reasonable prices at all times without denying legitimate business a fair return on investment\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\">[7]<\\/a> and \\u201cto provide effective and sufficient protection to consumers against hoarding, profiteering and cartels with respect to the supply, distribution, marketing and pricing of said goods, especially during periods of calamity, emergency, widespread illegal price manipulation and other similar situations.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\">[8]<\\/a> True to its policy, the law considers the acts of hoarding or profiteering of basic necessities and prime commodities as unlawful, <em>to wit<\\/em>:<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><strong>SECTION 5. Illegal Acts of Price Manipulation<\\/strong>. \\u2014 Without prejudice to the provisions of existing laws on goods not covered by this Act, it shall be <strong>unlawful for any person habitually engaged in<\\/strong> the production, manufacture, importation, storage, transport, distribution, <strong>sale or other methods of disposition of goods<\\/strong> to engage in the following acts of price manipulation of the price of any basic necessity or prime commodity.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\">(1) <strong>Hoarding<\\/strong>, which is the <strong>undue accumulation<\\/strong> by a person or combination of persons <strong>of any basic or prime commodity<\\/strong> beyond his or their normal inventory levels or the unreasonable limitation or refusal to dispose of, sell or distribute the stocks of any basic necessity of prime commodity to the general public or the unjustified taking out of any basic necessity or prime commodity from the channels of reproduction, trade, commerce and industry. xxx<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\">(2) <strong>Profiteering<\\/strong>, which is the <strong>sale or offering for sale of any basic necessity or prime commodity at a price grossly in excess of its true worth<\\/strong>. xxx<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In addition, R.A. No. 11469, or the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act,<a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\">[9]<\\/a> was signed into law on March 24, 2020, which authorized the president to exercise special temporary powers which would be necessary to deal with the Covid-19 pandemic. One of such powers is penalizing acts of hoarding, profiteering, manipulation of prices, monopolies, or other combinations in restraint of trade, or other malicious practices concerning the goods as enumerated under the law, <em>to wit<\\/em>:<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><strong>SECTION 6. Penalties.<\\/strong> \\u2014 In addition to acts or omissions already penalized by existing laws, the following offenses shall be punishable with imprisonment of 2 months or a fine of not less than P10,000.00, but not more than P1,000,000.00, or both, such imprisonment and fine, at the discretion of the court:<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px; text-align: center;\\\">xxx<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\">(c) <strong>Engaging in hoarding, profiteering, injurious speculations, manipulation of prices, product deceptions, and cartels, monopolies or other combinations in restraint of trade, or other pernicious practices<\\/strong> affecting the supply, distribution and movement of food, clothing, hygiene and sanitation products, medicine and medical supplies, fuel, fertilizers, chemicals, building materials, implements, machinery equipment and spare parts required in agriculture, industry and other essential services, and other articles of prime necessity, whether imported or locally produced or manufactured.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 A perusal of the above-cited provisions of law shows that the Price Act, as amended, and the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act are not applicable when the products subject to price regulation are computer devices, since these do not fall upon those which were enumerated by law. The Bayanihan to Heal as One Act limits the coverage of the goods subjected to the penalized acts. Such is also true for the Price Act, as amended, as it applies only to basic necessities and prime commodities \\u2013 the definitions of which are also clearly limited.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Price Act, as amended, defined \'[b]asic necessities\' as: \\u201cgoods vital to the needs of consumers for their sustenance and existence \\u2026 but not limited to, rice, corn, root crops, bread; fresh, dried or canned fish and other marine products; fresh pork, beef and poultry meat; \\u2026 and such other goods as may be included under Section 4 of this Act.\\\"<a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\">[10]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 On the other hand, \'prime commodities\' are defined as \\u201cgoods not considered as basic necessities but are essential to consumers \\u2026 but not limited to, flour; dried, processed or canned pork, beef and poultry meat; \\u2026 and such other goods as may be included under Section 4 of this Act.\\\"<a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\">[11]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Although it may be true that computer devices are not part of the enumeration of either basic necessities or prime commodities, Section 4 of The Price Act, as amended allows the inclusion and exclusion of what was enumerated, to wit:<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><strong>SECTION 4. Inclusion or Exclusion from the Coverage of This Act.<\\/strong> \\u2014 Upon petition of the concerned parties or motu proprio action from the concerned agency of the Price Coordinating Council and after public hearing, the implementing agency, with the approval of the President, may <strong>include in the definition of basic necessities or prime commodities types and brands of the goods or may exclude from the coverage of this Act, types or brands of the goods included in the definition of basic necessities and prime commodities, which may be deemed as nonessential goods or luxury goods<\\/strong>: Provided, That, any type or brand so excluded may be reinstated by the implementing agency during occasions of acute shortage in the supply of the basic necessity or prime commodity to which the excluded type or brand used to belong.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><strong>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 <\\/strong>In other words, the law allows the changing of what is to be considered or covered as basic necessities or prime commodities.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 From the provisions of the Consumer Act, it appears that this law could be applied to regulating the conduct of scalpers. In fact, it might fit in squarely since the law punishes deceptive, unfair, and unconscionable sales act or practice \\u2013 and this includes the act of taking advantage of the situation. Moreover, it appears that there is no limitation as to what products or goods which should be the subject of the transaction.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Knowing that there is a law that could be invoked by the consumers against \\u201cscalpers\\u201d would give the former a small sigh of relief. At the very least, the consumers would know that they have the right against these \\u201cscalpers.\\u201d In this time of the pandemic, people should be helping each other. It is not the time to take advantage of one another.\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">[1]<\\/a> Frank La Rue, <em>Report of the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression<\\/em>, United Nations General Assembly, (May 16, 2011), https:\\/\\/www2.ohchr.org\\/english\\/bodies\\/hrcouncil\\/docs\\/17session\\/A.HRC.17.27_en.pdf<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a> <em>Scalper<\\/em>, Cambridge Dictionary, https:\\/\\/dictionary.cambridge.org\\/us\\/dictionary\\/english\\/scalper (last accessed December 12, 2020).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a> The Consumer Act of the Philippines, Republic Act No. 7394.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[4]<\\/a> <em>Id<\\/em>., Art. 2.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[5]<\\/a> An Act Providing Protection to Consumers by Stabilizing the Prices of Basic Necessities and Prime Commodities and by Prescribing Measures against Undue Price Increases During Emergency Situations and Like Occasions, Republic Act No. 7581 [hereinafter R.A. 7581].<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[6]<\\/a> An Act Amending Certain Provisions of Republic Act No. 7581, Entitled \\\"An Act Providing Protection to Consumers by Stabilizing the Prices of Basic Necessities and Prime Commodities and by Prescribing Measures against Undue Price Increases During Emergency Situations and Like Occasions\\\" and for Other Purposes, Republic Act No. 10623 [hereinafter R.A. 10623].<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\">[7]<\\/a> R.A. 7581, Sec. 2.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\">[8]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\">[9]<\\/a> An Act Declaring the Existence of a National Emergency arising from the Corona Virus Disease 2019 (Covid-19) Situation and a National Policy in Connection therewith, and Authorizing the President of the Republic of The Philippines for a Limited Period and Subject to Restrictions, to Exercise Powers Necessary and Proper to Carry Out the Declared National Policy and for Other Purposes, Republic Act No. 11469.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\">[10]<\\/a> R.A. 10623, Sec. 1.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\">[11]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em>, Sec. 2.<\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(3580,1215,'_elementor_controls_usage','a:3:{s:11:\"text-editor\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:1;s:8:\"controls\";a:2:{s:7:\"content\";a:1:{s:14:\"section_editor\";a:1:{s:6:\"editor\";i:1;}}s:5:\"style\";a:1:{s:13:\"section_style\";a:2:{s:21:\"typography_typography\";i:1;s:22:\"typography_line_height\";i:1;}}}}s:6:\"column\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:0;s:8:\"controls\";a:0:{}}s:7:\"section\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:0;s:8:\"controls\";a:0:{}}}'),(3582,1215,'ss_ss_click_share_count_facebook','2'),(3583,1215,'ss_total_share_count','0'),(3584,1143,'ss_ss_click_share_count_print','2'),(3585,1234,'_edit_lock','1626763512:1'),(3586,1235,'_wp_attached_file','2021/04/Digest-Handbook-Archival-Printing-Quality-Final.pdf'),(3587,1234,'_pingme','1'),(3588,1234,'_encloseme','1'),(3589,1234,'_thumbnail_id','1187'),(3590,1234,'_edit_last','1'),(3591,1234,'_yoast_wpseo_primary_category','73'),(3592,1234,'wptr_hide_title','0'),(3593,1234,'ss_social_share_disable',''),(3594,1234,'_yoast_wpseo_content_score','30'),(3595,1234,'_yoast_wpseo_estimated-reading-time-minutes','1'),(3596,1234,'_yoast_wpseo_focuskw','ULR Digest'),(3597,1234,'_yoast_wpseo_metadesc','DIGEST HANDBOOK: The Jurisprudence Team of the UST Law Review presents this Digest Handbook, a uniform set of rules in making case digests.'),(3598,1234,'_yoast_wpseo_linkdex','29'),(3599,1234,'ss_ss_click_share_count_print','38'),(3600,1234,'ss_total_share_count','0'),(3601,1234,'ss_ss_click_share_count_copy','59'),(3602,1234,'ss_ss_click_share_count_envelope','30'),(3603,1234,'ss_ss_click_share_count_facebook','12'),(3604,296,'ss_ss_click_share_count_twitter','1'),(3605,786,'ss_ss_click_share_count_print','3'),(3606,965,'ss_ss_click_share_count_copy','5'),(3607,1215,'ss_ss_click_share_count_copy','1'),(3608,1261,'_edit_lock','1629342614:1'),(3609,1262,'_wp_attached_file','2021/05/obi-onyeador-PMnbMcJeftk-unsplash-scaled.jpg'),(3610,1262,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:6:{s:5:\"width\";i:1920;s:6:\"height\";i:1242;s:4:\"file\";s:52:\"2021/05/obi-onyeador-PMnbMcJeftk-unsplash-scaled.jpg\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:14:{s:6:\"medium\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:45:\"obi-onyeador-PMnbMcJeftk-unsplash-300x194.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:300;s:6:\"height\";i:194;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:5:\"large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:46:\"obi-onyeador-PMnbMcJeftk-unsplash-1024x662.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1024;s:6:\"height\";i:662;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"thumbnail\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:45:\"obi-onyeador-PMnbMcJeftk-unsplash-150x150.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:12:\"medium_large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:45:\"obi-onyeador-PMnbMcJeftk-unsplash-768x497.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:768;s:6:\"height\";i:497;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"1536x1536\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:46:\"obi-onyeador-PMnbMcJeftk-unsplash-1536x993.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1536;s:6:\"height\";i:993;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"2048x2048\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:47:\"obi-onyeador-PMnbMcJeftk-unsplash-2048x1325.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:2048;s:6:\"height\";i:1325;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:24:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:45:\"obi-onyeador-PMnbMcJeftk-unsplash-170x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:25:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:43:\"obi-onyeador-PMnbMcJeftk-unsplash-86x70.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:45:\"obi-onyeador-PMnbMcJeftk-unsplash-170x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:22:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:45:\"obi-onyeador-PMnbMcJeftk-unsplash-370x250.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:30:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:45:\"obi-onyeador-PMnbMcJeftk-unsplash-370x239.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:239;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:21:\"bfastmag_related_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:45:\"obi-onyeador-PMnbMcJeftk-unsplash-288x160.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:288;s:6:\"height\";i:160;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:18:\"bfastmag_blog_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:45:\"obi-onyeador-PMnbMcJeftk-unsplash-780x544.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:26:\"bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:45:\"obi-onyeador-PMnbMcJeftk-unsplash-780x505.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:505;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:0:\"\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:1:\"0\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:1:\"0\";s:3:\"iso\";s:1:\"0\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:1:\"0\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";s:1:\"0\";s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}s:14:\"original_image\";s:37:\"obi-onyeador-PMnbMcJeftk-unsplash.jpg\";}'),(3611,1261,'_thumbnail_id','1262'),(3612,1261,'_edit_last','1'),(3613,1261,'_yoast_wpseo_primary_category','10'),(3614,1261,'wptr_hide_title','0'),(3615,1261,'ss_social_share_disable',''),(3616,1261,'_yoast_wpseo_focuskw','Medical Decision Makers'),(3617,1261,'_yoast_wpseo_metadesc','Legislators should strive to include healthcare workers in developing legislation that would allow minors to get vaccines for themselves without parental permission, all while preserving the family harmony and the patient’s well-being, as well as knowing that this is about a patient’s health and not grandstanding parental authority.'),(3618,1261,'_yoast_wpseo_linkdex','24'),(3619,1261,'_yoast_wpseo_content_score','30'),(3620,1261,'_yoast_wpseo_estimated-reading-time-minutes','25'),(3621,1261,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(3622,1261,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(3623,1261,'_elementor_version','3.1.1'),(3624,1261,'_pingme','1'),(3625,1261,'_encloseme','1'),(3626,1264,'_thumbnail_id','1262'),(3627,1264,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(3628,1264,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(3629,1264,'_elementor_version','3.1.1'),(3630,1265,'_thumbnail_id','1262'),(3631,1265,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(3632,1265,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(3633,1265,'_elementor_version','3.1.1'),(3634,1261,'_wp_page_template','default'),(3635,1261,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"3d1e02bb\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"4005cedf\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"6508c5f0\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><!-- wp:separator --><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"text-align: center;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\"><em><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">*<\\/a>This should not be treated as a medical advice. It is always best to consult your physician.<\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p style=\\\"text-align: right;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>By: Ashley Faye S. Cruz**<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 You are a 15-year-old high school kid lining up in an annual physical examination. The school physician asked if you were vaccinated when you were still a newborn. You answered in the negative, and the physician gave you flyers for free vaccines at the public health center. You went home and excitedly told your mother about this thing called \\u201cvaccine\\u201d and how it can help your immune system. Your mom, who believes in medical conspiracy theories, adamantly denied your request and pulled a litany of conspiracy theories taken from social media websites. Determined, you went to the public health center, but the nurse denied you a free vaccine because there needs parental consent.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 It is very alarming that the Philippines could have avoided diseases by a simple vaccine trip to the nearest pediatrician. United Nations International Children\'s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) reported that as of 2019, an estimated 2.9 million Filipino children remain unvaccinated and remain vulnerable to serious diseases such as rubella and polio. <a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\">[1]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 World Health Organization (WHO) representative Rabindra Abeyasinghe said that to halt the proliferation of disease in the country, 95% need to be vaccinated<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\">[2]<\\/a>. Notwithstanding the availability of free vaccines at public health centers, many parents still refuse to vaccinate their children. Parents have the \\u201cvaccine hesitancy\\u201d, which is the delay in acceptance or refusal of vaccines despite the availability of vaccination services.<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\">[3]<\\/a> Studies have identified several factors that have caused the loss of public confidence in vaccine, though the recommended vaccines are long proven to be effective.<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\">[4]<\\/a> Among these are the following:<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:list {\\\"ordered\\\":true,\\\"type\\\":\\\"1\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<ol>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\n<ol type=\\\"1\\\">\\n<li>Dengvaxia controversy, where 10% of the 800,000 students who were immunized with a vaccine against Dengue known as Dengvaxia, but did not have a prior dengue infection, posed a higher risk of contracting severe Dengue<a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\">[5]<\\/a>;<\\/li>\\n<li>Circumstantial events surrounding vaccinations such as when parents attach significance to events such as sleep or behavioral patterns and birth timing;<\\/li>\\n<li>Over-reporting of adverse effects of immunization by mass media such as newspapers and television; and<\\/li>\\n<li>Social media also contributed to vaccine hesitancy, and parents tend to be more susceptible to media reports on the Internet.<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\">[6]<\\/a><\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<\\/li>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\u00a0<\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Parents who choose not to vaccinate their children endanger not only themselves but also everyone else as immunization rates fall too low for vaccine-preventable diseases. In the school year before the COVID-19 outbreak in the United States (U.S.), the rate of childhood vaccine exemptions claimed by parents rose in 40 of 49 states as reflected in the records. <a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\">[7]<\\/a> Dr. Arthur Caplan, founding director of the Division of Medical Ethics at New York University Langone Medical Center, said that \\u201c<em>Parents should not have the authority to subject their children to serious preventable harm<\\/em>\\u201d. <a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\">[8]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 However, there is a solution made by certain states in the U.S. to combat the ever-worsening disease statistics. Nine states allow minors to receive vaccinations without their parents\' permission. Four states allow adolescents to receive specific vaccines, while five states allow minors to consent to any healthcare. <a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\">[9]<\\/a> The American Medical Association and the Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine and other medical organizations, strongly support laws allowing older minors to self-consent to vaccinations. Granting teenagers this right is essential to stemming the spread of diseases, whether they are newly emerging like COVID-19 or have faded from the news.<a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\">[10]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 English, et al., of the Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine, stated in their position paper <em>Adolescent Consent for Vaccination: A Position Paper of the Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine<\\/em>, that adolescent vaccines allow the enhancement of adolescent and adult health. Approaches to boost the proportion of adolescents who receive vaccines will be essential to assure that adolescent vaccination will lead to developments in the health of populations. Within ethical and legal guidelines, it will be important to develop policies and strategies that expand opportunities for minors to receive vaccinations when parents are not physically present.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\">[11]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The U.S. laws on emancipation from parental authority vary from state to state. For instance, some states adopt the \\u201cmature minor\\u201d doctrine. The mature minor doctrine legally recognizes the medical decision-making capacity of adolescents, even though they are still minors under parental or legal guardian control. They are usually 12 years old or older, and they are required to demonstrate adequate cognitive maturity and capacity to understand the risks of medical evaluations and treatments. Some other states allow this practice but its application is restricted only on the grounds of parental availability and sensitive clinical situations.<a href=\\\"#_ftn12\\\">[12]<\\/a> They also allow medical service without parental consent in times of emergency. Other medical services that are available to adolescents that do not need parental consent are rape or sexual assault services, contraception services. sexually transmitted infections, prenatal care, abortion, pediatric care for children of minors, substance use disorder treatment, and mental health treatment. <a href=\\\"#_ftn13\\\">[13]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>Federal law of the U.S, does not contain any requirements for parent\\u2019s consent for vaccination of minors. As an exception, the mature minor doctrine which developed from jurisprudence provides an avenue for minors to obtain vaccines for themselves, as long as the patient can give informed consent, the treatment is not high risk, and is provided in a nonnegligent manner.<a href=\\\"#_ftn14\\\">[14]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 To illustrate, in the case of <em>In Re: Swan<\\/em>, Maine Supreme Judicial Court addressed the issue of discontinuing the treatment of minor patient in a chronic vegetative state with little hope of recovery, specifically that the medical decision maker here is the minor patient himself. Chad had an accident which rendered him needing a life-sustaining procedure included a gastrostomy tube that provided hydration and nutrients to his body. Chad\'s mother and brother said that prior to his accident, Chad told them that he did not want to be held alive by artificial means if an injury rendered him incapable of existing otherwise. The tube eventually deteriorated and made his condition worse. Chad\\u2019s parents acquiesced to his wishes.<a href=\\\"#_ftn15\\\">[15]<\\/a> The District Attorney contended that Chad\'s ability to refuse medical care was \\\"significantly limited\\\" since he was under the legal age of majority when he articulated his wishes. Maine Supreme Judicial Court opposed such contention, saying that Chad\'s age was only a \\\"factor to be weighed by the truth finder in judging the seriousness and deliberateness\\\" of his comments. Chad\'s aspirations to not be held in a permanent vegetative condition were \\\"well-informed medical care decisions\\\" that should be respected.<a href=\\\"#_ftn16\\\">[16]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Some suggest that all states should allow minors to make some health care decisions, especially in stigmatized areas such as sexual health and drug addiction. <a href=\\\"#_ftn17\\\">[17]<\\/a> In California, children aged 12 and up will undergo sexually transmitted disease vaccinations without parental supervision. Hepatitis B vaccine may be given to children of any age without their parents\' consent in Minnesota. In Alabama, children ages 14 and up can consent to all healthcare services.<a href=\\\"#_ftn18\\\">[18]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>The situation in the Philippines \\u2013 Emancipation Laws<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Philippines has legislation for emancipation from parental authority. The age of eighteen years is the age of majority unless otherwise provided, and emancipation takes place in such event.<a href=\\\"#_ftn19\\\">[19]<\\/a> According to the law, \\u201cEmancipation shall terminate parental authority over the person and property of the child who shall then be qualified and responsible for all acts of civil life, save the exceptions established by existing laws in special cases.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn20\\\">[20]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Parental authority is also ingrained in our statutes. Article 17 of The Child and Youth Welfare Code states that \\u201cthe father and mother shall exercise jointly just and reasonable parental authority and responsibility for their legitimate or adopted children.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn21\\\">[21]<\\/a> In case of absence or death or either parent, the surviving parent shall exercise the parental authority. <a href=\\\"#_ftn22\\\">[22]<\\/a> \\u201cGrandparents and in their default, the oldest brother or sister who is at least eighteen years of age, or the relative who has actual custody of the child, shall exercise parental authority in case of absence or death of both parents unless a guardian has been appointed following the succeeding provision.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn23\\\">[23]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Code also provides in Chapter 2, Article 43 \\u00a0that \\u201cthe parents shall have the right to the company of their children and, concerning all other persons or institutions dealing with the child\'s development, the primary right and obligation to provide for their upbringing.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn24\\\">[24]<\\/a> The authority of parents\\/legal guardians are also strengthened by Article 209 of the Act: \\u201cUnder the natural right and duty of parents over the person and property of their unemancipated children, parental authority and responsibility shall include the caring for and rearing them for civic consciousness and efficiency and the development of their moral, mental and physical character and well-being.\\u201d <a href=\\\"#_ftn25\\\">[25]<\\/a> It cannot be renounced or transferred except in cases authorized by law. <a href=\\\"#_ftn26\\\">[26]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Parental authority terminates permanently upon the death of the parents, upon the death of the child, or emancipation of the child. <a href=\\\"#_ftn27\\\">[27]<\\/a> Moreover, unless subsequently revived by final judgment, it is also terminated upon adoption of the child, upon judicial declaration of abandonment of the child in a case filed for the purpose, upon the final judgment of a competent court divesting the party concerned of parental authority, upon judicial declaration of absence or incapacity of the person exercising parental authority. <a href=\\\"#_ftn28\\\">[28]<\\/a> It can be suspended upon conviction of the parent or the person exercising the same of a crime which carries with it the penalty of civil interdiction, <a href=\\\"#_ftn29\\\">[29]<\\/a> or if they treat the child with excessive harshness or cruelty, gives the child corrupting orders, counsel, or example, compels the child to beg, or subjects the child or allows him to be subjected to acts of lasciviousness<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>Vaccine laws in the Philippines<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 There is a law mandating the basic immunization services for infants and children, or the An Act Providing For Mandatory Basic Immunization Services For Infants And Children, Repealing For The Purpose Presidential Decree No. 996, As Amended (Republic Act No. 10152). It is the policy of the State to take a proactive role in the preventive health care of infants and children, and through this legislation, the State wants to adopt a comprehensive, mandatory and sustainable immunization program for vaccine-preventable diseases for all infants and children.<a href=\\\"#_ftn30\\\">[30]<\\/a> This law covers the following vaccine-preventable diseases:<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:list {\\\"ordered\\\":true,\\\"type\\\":\\\"a\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<ol>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\n<ol>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\n<ol type=\\\"a\\\">\\n<li>Tuberculosis<\\/li>\\n<li>Diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis;<\\/li>\\n<li>Poliomyelitis;<\\/li>\\n<li>Measles;<\\/li>\\n<li>Mumps;<\\/li>\\n<li>Rubella or German measles;<\\/li>\\n<li>Hepatitis-B;<\\/li>\\n<li>H. Influenza type B (HIB); and<\\/li>\\n<li>Such other types may be determined by the Secretary of Health in a department circular.<\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<p>\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Such basic immunizations shall be given for free at any government hospital or health center to infants and children up to five (5) years of age.<a href=\\\"#_ftn31\\\">[31]<\\/a> R.A. 10152 also mandates that all health care practitioners or health care workers who are administering prenatal care shall educate all pregnant mothers on the importance of giving their infants the basic immunization services as well as any possible effects of immunization and that the Department of Health (DOH) and other government and private sectors shall make available appropriate information materials and shall have a system of its distribution to the public.<a href=\\\"#_ftn32\\\">[32]<\\/a> One of the important provisions is Section 5 which provides that any physician, nurse, midwife, nursing aide or skilled birth attendant, who delivers, or assists in the delivery of, a newborn shall, before delivery, inform parents or legal guardian of the newborn of the availability, nature, and benefits of immunization against Hepatitis-B and other vaccine-preventable diseases at birth.<a href=\\\"#_ftn33\\\">[33]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 However, Secretary to the Cabinet Karlo Nograles said that \\u201cthe government could neither force parents to have their children vaccinated nor punish them if they have not.\\u201d He said that \\u201cRA 10152 does not have any penal provisions and does not punish parents who do not have their children vaccinated, unlike the Presidential Decree (PD) it replaced. Under PD 996, it was the duty of parents or those having custody of the child to see to it that the child is immunized. Those who did not could be punished with a P200 fine or one-month imprisonment\\u201d <a href=\\\"#_ftn34\\\">[34]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 With the advent of R.A. 11166 or the Philippine HIV and AIDS Policy Act, the threshold of consent for the screening, voluntary testing, and treatment for human immunodeficiency virus infection, was lowered to fifteen years of age\\u2014 a characterization of the mature minor doctrine. It requires the assent of the child below 15 years old or those mentally incapacitated, if capacity to assent exists, in order to avail of voluntary testing and protect its interests.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 As seen from the aforementioned laws, just like at the federal level of the US, there is a vacuum in terms of parental consent for vaccination of minors in the Philippines.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>Philippine laws: parental consent for medical treatments<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 A doctor-patient relationship is a form of contract. It is an elementary principle that one of the elements of a contract is consent. The person giving consent must be of legal age (18 years of age, unless otherwise provided) and mentally and physically competent. As the legal guardians, parents are the persons who must sign the consent forms.<a href=\\\"#_ftn35\\\">[35]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Article 1327 of the Civil Code provides the persons who cannot give consent to a contract: unemancipated minors and insane or demented persons, and deaf-mutes who do not know how to write. <a href=\\\"#_ftn36\\\">[36]<\\/a> The Civil Code does not define who can consent to a contract, rather, it defines who has no capacity. These persons can easily be victims of fraud as they are not capable of understanding or knowing the nature of their actions, thus they can only enter into an agreement or contracts through their parents or their legal guardians.<a href=\\\"#_ftn37\\\">[37]<\\/a> The contract they have entered is voidable, meaning it is valid and binding until it is annulled by a proper action in court.<a href=\\\"#_ftn38\\\">[38]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In the medical field, there is the right to informed consent, \\u00a0a legal right recognized and protected by law and jurisprudence. The patient has the right to choose openly whether or not to consent to care after being adequately advised by the specialist about the complications and benefits of the recommended treatment, as well as the viable treatment alternatives, including the possibility of no treatment.<a href=\\\"#_ftn39\\\">[39]<\\/a> It is further drawn as a legal concept, where a person can be said, \\u201cto have given consent based upon a clear appreciation and understanding of the facts, implications, and future consequences of an action.\\u201d He must have adequate reasoning faculties and knows all relevant facts at the time consent is given. If a person cannot give informed consent, say a child, another person is generally authorized to give consent on their behalf, in this case, his parents or legal guardian\\/s. <a href=\\\"#_ftn40\\\">[40]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The key elements of informed consent, according to Tejam of Asia Pacific Journal of Pediatrics and Child Health are disclosure of information, assessment of the decision maker\\u2019s capacity to make medical choices, and process of obtaining consent in the form of a voluntary agreement from the patient without coercion or persuasion. In pediatrics, it comes from the parent or legal guardian. Per the best interests standard, parents are regarded to be in the best position to determine their child\\u2019s best interest because parental decision aims to maximize benefits for their children while minimizing harm. However, the determination of what is in children\\u2019s best interest is often subjective and debatable. While written or verbal informed parental consent may be enough for ethical and legal purposes, but it does not meet the necessities of the ethical concept of informed concept. <a href=\\\"#_ftn41\\\">[41]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The purpose of informed consent and the strict guidelines surrounding this concept is the respect for autonomy, which includes the liberty of the patient, defined as \\u201cthe capacity to live life according to one\'s reasons and motives and agency \\u2026[or] rational capacity for intentional action.\\u201d This principle served as one of the pillars in resolving ethical dilemmas.<a href=\\\"#_ftn42\\\">[42]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>Legal consequences of letting Filipino adolescents make vaccine related medical decisions<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Suppose the teen suffered injuries because of the vaccine<a href=\\\"#_ftn43\\\">[43]<\\/a> and the parents want to file a suit against the physician who administered the vaccine. Here are some of the laws that are usually invoked in a medical malpractice suit.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><em>Medical malpractice<\\/em> is defined by Bellosillo, et al (2010) as:<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<blockquote>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u201cAny professional misconduct, or bad skillful practice, or any practice contrary to law or established rules and regulations whereby the health of a person is injured because of failure of a physician to behave or act as a reasonable, prudent physician who is charged with a duty to use a standard of due care and to foresee harm that may result from failure to meet such standard which may be the proximate cause of injury. It ordinarily refers to any malfeasance or dereliction of duty committed by a physician.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn44\\\">[44]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<\\/blockquote>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>The elements of medical malpractice, as enunciated in the case of <em>Lucas vs Tua\\u00f1o, <\\/em>(2009), are:<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:list {\\\"ordered\\\":true,\\\"type\\\":\\\"1\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<ol>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\n<ol>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\n<ol type=\\\"1\\\">\\n<li>A patient engages the services of a physician whereby a physician-patient relationship is generated<\\/li>\\n<li>A physician is under a duty to [the former] to exercise that degree of care, skill, and diligence which physicians in the same general neighborhood and the same general line of practice ordinarily possess and exercise in like cases<\\/li>\\n<li>There is a breach of duty of care, skill, and diligence, or the improper performance of such duty, by the attending physician when the patient is injured in body or health<\\/li>\\n<li>Proof of such breach must likewise rest upon the testimony of an expert witness that the treatment accorded to the patient failed to meet the standard level of care, skill, and diligence which physicians in the same general neighborhood and the same general line of practice ordinarily possess and exercise in like cases.<\\/li>\\n<li>The proximate cause of an injury is that cause, which, in the natural and continuous sequence, unbroken by any efficient intervening cause, produces the injury, and without which the result would not have occurred<a href=\\\"#_ftn45\\\">[45]<\\/a><\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<div>\\u00a0<\\/div>\\n<\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 With these elements present, the physician can be held liable for negligence which is a tort liability. Negligence is defined as \\u201cthe doing of some act which a reasonable and prudent physician would not do, or the failure to do some act which such a person should or would do.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn46\\\">[46]<\\/a> While it is true that physicians are not required to possess extraordinary learning and skill, however, they must keep abreast with medical developments and techniques and must refrain from experimenting. <a href=\\\"#_ftn47\\\">[47]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In terms of evidence, the patient must prove that the health care provider failed to do something which a reasonably prudent health care provider would have done, or that he or she did something that a reasonably prudent provider would not have done; and that that failure or action caused injury to the patient. <a href=\\\"#_ftn48\\\">[48]<\\/a> The injured minor or his parents\\/legal guardian can recover financial damages (actual damages for the pecuniary loss suffered by a party, and moral damages, for the physical suffering and\\/or mental anguish, fright, shock, etc.). <a href=\\\"#_ftn49\\\">[49]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 He can also be held criminally liable<a href=\\\"#_ftn50\\\">[50]<\\/a>. Under the Revised Penal Code (RPC), he can be liable for the crime of administering injurious substances or beverages. The elements are:<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:list {\\\"ordered\\\":true,\\\"type\\\":\\\"1\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<ol>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\n<ol>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\n<ol type=\\\"1\\\">\\n<li>The offender in\\ufb02icted upon another any serious physical injury;<\\/li>\\n<li>That it was done by knowingly administering to him any injurious substances or beverages or by taking advantage of his weakness of mind or credulity;<\\/li>\\n<li>That he had no intent to kill. <a href=\\\"#_ftn51\\\">[51]<\\/a><\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<div>\\u00a0<\\/div>\\n<\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 He can also be made liable for Physical Injuries<a href=\\\"#_ftn52\\\">[52]<\\/a> and for Reckless Imprudence (quasi-offense). Reckless imprudence, as defined in Article 365 of RPC, \\u201cconsists in voluntarily, but without malice, doing or failing to do an act from which material damage results because of inexcusable lack of precaution on the part of the person performing or failing to perform such act, taking into consideration his employment or occupation, degree of intelligence, physical condition and other circumstances regarding persons, time and place.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn53\\\">[53]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 On the other end, the medical practitioner can take shelter on legal doctrines to save themselves from liability. The first is the <em>doctrine of foreseeability<\\/em>, which provides that:<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<blockquote>\\n<p>\\u201cA physician cannot be held liable for negligence if the injury sustained by a patient is on account of unforeseen conditions. But, a physician who fails to ascertain the condition of the patient for want of the requisite skills and training is answerable for the injury sustained by the patient if an injury resulted thereto. Such foreseeable injury may be ascertained from the history, physical examination, observation and from information gathered from another member of the family.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn54\\\">[54]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<\\/blockquote>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 He can also avoid liability by invoking the defense of accident, that is, an event which happens without any human agency or, if happening through human agency, an event which, under the circumstances, is unusual to and not expected by the person to whom it happened.<a href=\\\"#_ftn55\\\">[55]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>Practical Consequences \\u2013 Risks of letting minors make health care decisions<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 David DeLugas, executive director of the National Association of Parents (U.S.), said that letting minors make health care decisions in lieu of their parents may introduce conflict into families. He does not think states should upset the parent-child relationship by taking power from the parents and transferring it to the children.<a href=\\\"#_ftn56\\\">[56]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Grootens-Wiegers, et al. also noted that there is no general agreement as to which age is appropriate for minors to be considered competent for informed decision-making. Some studies suggest that it is at 9 years old, some studies suggest that it is ages of 14 or 15. Minors of the same age may have a different level of maturity. Young children, who exhibited an adequate aptitude for decision-making in a certain situation, can lack ample ability in another.<a href=\\\"#_ftn57\\\">[57]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 They also discussed that adolescence is a period when various health issues and increased risks appear. Teenagers experience changes in diet and tend to explore vices such as tobacco and substance abuse. The increase in mortality is attributed to decision-making being affected by risky behavior, sensation seeking, and peer influences. The increased risk can also be attributed to lower cognitive control because of the developing brain in adolescence, especially the brain\\u2019s reward system combined with late development of the control system which decreases decision-making competence. Since the maturity of adolescence varies from one child to another, the practice can be very unpredictable.<a href=\\\"#_ftn58\\\">[58]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 However, good practical outcomes can also come with the idea of minors making medical decisions for themselves, especially for vaccines. Assent from minors aged seven years and above can improve moral growth and develop autonomy. It can even encourage them to comply with the medical treatment and allow them to express their interests in such endeavor. It offers a chance to contribute to their healthcare and provide an honest and open relationship between the family and medical service team.<a href=\\\"#_ftn59\\\">[59]<\\/a> Children will no longer be obligated to keep quiet for the sake of their parents. It also ensures that a child\'s unanswered questions, unresolved worries, or desire to be acknowledged are treated as legitimate and rational issues that matter in the child\'s world, rather than being dismissed as complete nonsense. <a href=\\\"#_ftn60\\\">[60]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>Recommendation<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 With the positive and negative outcomes analyzed, the recommendations are set forth to guide future legislators and policymakers and to help outweigh the negative effects.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:list --><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\n<ul>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\n<ul>\\n<li>The requirements of assent are: 1) properly informing patients about the issues at hand and what to expect; 2) assessment of their understanding; 3) soliciting agreement or acknowledgment of the decision.<a href=\\\"#_ftn61\\\">[61]<\\/a><\\/li>\\n<li>American Academy of Pediatrics said that assent should be obtained whenever reasonable, and that assent should only be obtained in situations in which the medical service team would be willing to honor, at least in part, a child\\u2019s dissent.<a href=\\\"#_ftn62\\\">[62]<\\/a><\\/li>\\n<li>Legislation should reflect the concept of <em>care ethics<\\/em> (\\u201cIndividuals do not exist in isolation but with others to\\u00a0 whom\\u00a0 they are emotionally or psychologically close,\\u00a0 such as parents,\\u00a0 siblings, and friends \\u201d). Medical professionals should educate a minor by generating information that can provide specific medical context that can be weighed and analyzed with perspectives offered by family and friends which can largely affect their thought processes. The legislation should also recognize the limitations of judgments of minors.<a href=\\\"#_ftn63\\\">[63]<\\/a><\\/li>\\n<li>The legislators should also limit the age bracket (ideally at the age of 14), and limit the vaccines to the recommended types that have been long proven to be effective by science (Ex. measles, polio, diphtheria, influenza) to minimize health risks.<\\/li>\\n<li>In the legislation, healthcare professionals, adolescent health care clinicians, public health personnel, medical organizations should be present and give their inputs.<a href=\\\"#_ftn64\\\">[64]<\\/a><\\/li>\\n<li>The legislators should frame the law in a way that reflects the thought that \\u201cparental consent should be considered a responsibility that supports the minor\'s best interests and preserves a family\'s interests, rather than a parent\'s right to express their own autonomous choices.\\u201d\\u00a0 Davis and Fang, in an article, said that \\u201c<em>Providers have to serve the pediatric patient\'s best interest and not necessarily the parents\' desires.<\\/em>\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn65\\\">[65]<\\/a><\\/li>\\n<li>For policy-making among healthcare professionals or even in the legislation itself, a set of protocols should be developed to serve as a guide to assess minor\\u2019s maturity and decision-making ability. Legal documentation guidelines should be executed to protect healthcare workers against a suit.<a href=\\\"#_ftn66\\\">[66]<\\/a><\\/li>\\n<li>Adolescent\\u2019s privacy should be reflected in the legislation and healthcare protocols. <a href=\\\"#_ftn67\\\">[67]<\\/a><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<div>\\u00a0<\\/div>\\n<\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>Conclusion<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Vaccines have greatly contributed in eradicating serious diseases that could have led to mortality or permanent disability. They are one of the scientific breakthroughs that are gravely misunderstood and often subjected to prejudicial preference. Time and again refused because of misinformation as well as cultural and religious differences. In the Philippines, there is a huge vacuum in emancipation laws for medical decisions for minors. Assuming that minors would be allowed to obtain a vaccine without parental consent, different positive outcomes could be factored, such as a decrease in disease statistics and empowerment in adolescence, while negative outlooks include increased risky behavior in minors because of their developing mental and physical structure, and the boosted risk of medical malpractice suits if ever the vaccine produces adverse effects in their body. Legislators should strive to include healthcare workers in developing legislation that would allow minors to get vaccines for themselves without parental permission, all while preserving the family harmony and the patient\\u2019s well-being, as well as knowing that this is about a patient\\u2019s health and not grandstanding parental authority.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>* Associate Research Editor, UST Law Review; freelance writer<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">[1]<\\/a>UNICEF Philippines, #VaccinesWork: UNICEF stresses importance of immunization on World Immunization Week, UNICEF Philippines, (January 31, 2021), https:\\/\\/www.unicef.org\\/philippines\\/press-releases\\/vaccineswork-unicef-stresses-importance-immunization-world-immunization-week<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a> Jenny Lei Ravelo, Another casualty of vaccine hesitancy: Philippines declares polio outbreak, (January 31, 2021), https:\\/\\/www.devex.com\\/news\\/another-casualty-of-vaccine-hesitancy-philippines-declares-polio-outbreak-95648<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a> Department of Health, Doh Identifies Vaccine Hesitancy as One of The Reasons For Measles Outbreak, Department of Health, (January 31, 2021), https:\\/\\/doh.gov.ph\\/node\\/16721<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[4]<\\/a> Id.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[5]<\\/a> World Health Organization, Revised SAGE recommendation on use of dengue vaccine, (Apil 19, 2018), https:\\/\\/www.who.int\\/immunization\\/diseases\\/dengue\\/revised_SAGE_recommendations_dengue_vaccines_apr2018\\/en\\/<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[6]<\\/a> Migrino, Jr J, Gayados B. Birol RJ, De Jesus L, Lopez CW, Mercado WC, et al. Factors affecting vaccine hesitancy among families with children 2 years old and younger in two urban communities in Manila, Philippines. Western Pac Surveill Response J. 2020 Jun; 10(2). doi: 10.5365\\/wpsar.2019.10.2.006<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\">[7]<\\/a> Kelly Danielpour, Commentary: Why all 50 states need to allow teens to get vaccinated without parental consent, Los Angeles Times, (Nov. 19, 2020), https:\\/\\/journaltimes.com\\/news\\/commentary-why-all-50-states-need-to-allow-teens-to-get-vaccinated-without-parental-consent\\/article_264a2b69-0924-5c08-aabd-fb79fa5deec4.html<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\">[8]<\\/a> Id.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\">[9]<\\/a> Michael Ollove, Teens of \\u2018Anti-Vaxxers\\u2019 Can Get Their Own Vaccines, Some States Say, Stateline, (June 24, 2019), https:\\/\\/www.pewtrusts.org\\/en\\/research-and-analysis\\/blogs\\/stateline\\/2019\\/06\\/24\\/teens-of-anti-vaxxers-can-get-their-own-vaccines-some-states-say<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\">[10]<\\/a> Kelly Danielpour, Commentary: Why all 50 states need to allow teens to get vaccinated without parental consent, Los Angeles Times, (Nov. 19, 2020), https:\\/\\/journaltimes.com\\/news\\/commentary-why-all-50-states-need-to-allow-teens-to-get-vaccinated-without-parental-consent\\/article_264a2b69-0924-5c08-aabd-fb79fa5deec4.html<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\">[11]<\\/a> Abigail English, Carol A. Ford, Jessica A. Kahn, Elyse Olshen Kharbanda, Adolescent Consent for Vaccination: A Position Paper of the Societyfor Adolescent Health and Medicine, 53 Journal of Adolescent Health, 550, 550-553, (2013)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref12\\\">[12]<\\/a> Michael Davis & Andrea Fang, Emancipated Minor, StatPearls Publishing LLC, (May 19, 2020), https:\\/\\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\\/books\\/NBK554594\\/<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref13\\\">[13]<\\/a> Id.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref14\\\">[14]<\\/a> Abigail English, Carol A. Ford, Jessica A. Kahn, Elyse Olshen Kharbanda, Adolescent Consent for Vaccination: A Position Paper of the Societyfor Adolescent Health and Medicine, 53 Journal of Adolescent Health, 550, 552, (2013)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref15\\\">[15]<\\/a> <em>In Re: Chad Eric Swan, <\\/em>569 A.2d 1202 (1990), decided January 23, 1990, opinion Issued February 15, 1990.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref16\\\">[16]<\\/a> Id.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref17\\\">[17]<\\/a> Michael Ollove, Teens of \\u2018Anti-Vaxxers\\u2019 Can Get Their Own Vaccines, Some States Say, Stateline, (June 24, 2019), https:\\/\\/www.pewtrusts.org\\/en\\/research-and-analysis\\/blogs\\/stateline\\/2019\\/06\\/24\\/teens-of-anti-vaxxers-can-get-their-own-vaccines-some-states-say<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref18\\\">[18]<\\/a> Mackenzie Bean, 9 states where minors can get vaccinated without parental consent, ASC COMMUNICATIONS 2021, (June 24, 2019), https:\\/\\/www.beckershospitalreview.com\\/quality\\/9-states-where-minors-can-get-vaccinated-without-parental-consent.html<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref19\\\">[19]<\\/a> An Act Lowering The Age Of Majority From Twenty-One To Eighteen Years, Amending For The Purpose Executive Order Numbered Two Hundred Nine, And For Other Purposes, Republic Act No. 6809, sec. 234 (1989)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref20\\\">[20]<\\/a> R.A. 386, sec. 236<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref21\\\">[21]<\\/a> The Child and Youth Welfare Code, Presidential Decree No. 603, art. 17 (1974)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref22\\\">[22]<\\/a>P.D. 603, art. 17<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref23\\\">[23]<\\/a> P.D. 603, art. 19 (1974)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref24\\\">[24]<\\/a> P.D. 603, art. 43 (1974)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref25\\\">[25]<\\/a> The Family Code of The Philippines, Executive Order No. 209, art. 209 (1988)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref26\\\">[26]<\\/a> E.O. 209, art. 210<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref27\\\">[27]<\\/a> E.O. 209, art. 228<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref28\\\">[28]<\\/a> E.O. 209, art. 229<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref29\\\">[29]<\\/a> E.O. 209, art. 230<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref30\\\">[30]<\\/a> An Act Providing For Mandatory Basic Immunization Services For Infants And Children, Repealing For The Purpose Presidential Decree No. 996, As Amended, Republic Act No. 10152, sec. 2 (2011)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref31\\\">[31]<\\/a> R.A. 10152, sec. 3<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref32\\\">[32]<\\/a> R.A. 10152, sec. 4<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref33\\\">[33]<\\/a> R.A. 10152, sec. 5<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref34\\\">[34]<\\/a> Sheila Crisostomo & Gilbert Bayoran, Mandatory immunization ordered, The Philippine Star, (Feb. 10, 2019), https:\\/\\/www.philstar.com\\/headlines\\/2019\\/02\\/10\\/1892465\\/mandatory-immunization-ordered<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref35\\\">[35]<\\/a> Josue N. Bellosillo, Bu C. Castro, Emmanuel LJ. Mapili, Albert D. Rebosa, Antonio D. Rebosa, Basics of Philippine Medical Jurisprudence and Ethics, p. 113, (2010 ed. Central Book Supply, 2010)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref36\\\">[36]<\\/a> An Act To Ordain And Institute The Civil Code Of The Philippines, Republic Act No. 386, art. 1327 (1950)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref37\\\">[37]<\\/a> Hector S. De Leon & Hector M. De Leon, Jr. The Law on Obligations and Contracts, p. 342-349, (Rex Printing Company, Inc., 2014)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref38\\\">[38]<\\/a> Id. at p. 431<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref39\\\">[39]<\\/a> Josue N. Bellosillo, Bu C. Castro, Emmanuel LJ. Mapili, Albert D. Rebosa, Antonio D. Rebosa, Basics of Philippine Medical Jurisprudence and Ethics, p. 113, (2010 ed. Central Book Supply, 2010)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref40\\\">[40]<\\/a> Id. at p. 412 (2010 ed. Central Book Supply, 2010)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref41\\\">[41]<\\/a> Cyrus Cesar R. Tejam, Clinical Pediatrics in the Philippines: Parental Assent and Consent, 2 Asia Pacific Journal of Pediatrics and Child Health, 27, 29 \\u00a0(2019)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref42\\\">[42]<\\/a> Id.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref43\\\">[43]<\\/a> An instance is when it is recommended that \\u201c<em>vaccines not be given during chemo or radiation treatments \\u2013 the only exception to this is the flu shot. This is mainly because vaccines need an immune system response to work, and you may not get an adequate response during cancer treatment<\\/em>.\\u201d \\u2013 American Cancer Society, Vaccinations and Flu Shots for People with Cancer: Should people with cancer get any vaccines? , American Cancer Society webpage, Inc. (2020), <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.cancer.org\\/treatment\\/treatments-and-side-effects\\/physical-side-effects\\/low-blood-counts\\/infections\\/vaccination-during-cancer-treatment.html\\\">https:\\/\\/www.cancer.org\\/treatment\\/treatments-and-side-effects\\/physical-side-effects\\/low-blood-counts\\/infections\\/vaccination-during-cancer-treatment.html<\\/a>. This should not be treated as a medical advice. It is always best to consult your physician.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref44\\\">[44]<\\/a> Josue N. Bellosillo, Bu C. Castro, Emmanuel LJ. Mapili, Albert D. Rebosa, Antonio D. Rebosa, Basics of Philippine Medical Jurisprudence and Ethics, p. 117 (2010 ed. Central Book Supply, 2010)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref45\\\">[45]<\\/a> <em>Lucas v. Tua\\u00f1o<\\/em>, 586 SCRA 173 (2009)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref46\\\">[46]<\\/a> Josue N. Bellosillo, Bu C. Castro, Emmanuel LJ. Mapili, Albert D. Rebosa, Antonio D. Rebosa, Basics of Philippine Medical Jurisprudence and Ethics, p. 131, (2010 ed. Central Book Supply, 2010)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref47\\\">[47]<\\/a> Id.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref48\\\">[48]<\\/a> Professional Services, Inc. v. Natividad and Enrique Agana, 542 Phil. 464, 481 (2007).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref49\\\">[49]<\\/a> Josue N. Bellosillo, Bu C. Castro, Emmanuel LJ. Mapili, Albert D. Rebosa, Antonio D. Rebosa, Basics of Philippine Medical Jurisprudence and Ethics, p. 59, (2010 ed. Central Book Supply, 2010)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref50\\\">[50]<\\/a> Id at 195<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref51\\\">[51]<\\/a> The Revised Penal Code, Act No. 3815, art. 264, (1930)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref52\\\">[52]<\\/a> Act No. 3815, art. 266, (1930)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref53\\\">[53]<\\/a> <em>Gonzaga v. People, <\\/em>G.R. No. 195671, January 21, 2015.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref54\\\">[54]<\\/a> Josue N. Bellosillo, Bu C. Castro, Emmanuel LJ. Mapili, Albert D. Rebosa, Antonio D. Rebosa, Basics of Philippine Medical Jurisprudence and Ethics, p. 154, (2010 ed. Central Book Supply, 2010)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref55\\\">[55]<\\/a> Id.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref56\\\">[56]<\\/a> Michael Ollove, Teens of \\u2018Anti-Vaxxers\\u2019 Can Get Their Own Vaccines, Some States Say, Stateline, (June 24, 2019), https:\\/\\/www.pewtrusts.org\\/en\\/research-and-analysis\\/blogs\\/stateline\\/2019\\/06\\/24\\/teens-of-anti-vaxxers-can-get-their-own-vaccines-some-states-say<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref57\\\">[57]<\\/a> Petronella Grootens-Wiegers,\\u00a0 Irma M. Hein, Jos M. van den Broek, & Martine C. de Vries, Medical decision-making in children and adolescents: developmental and neuroscientific aspects, BMC Pediatrics, 1, 2 (2017)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref58\\\">[58]<\\/a> Petronella Grootens-Wiegers,\\u00a0 Irma M. Hein, Jos M. van den Broek, & Martine C. de Vries, Medical decision-making in children and adolescents: developmental and neuroscientific aspects, BMC Pediatrics, 1, 6 (2017)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref59\\\">[59]<\\/a> Cyrus Cesar R. Tejam, Clinical Pediatrics in the Philippines: Parental Assent and Consent, 2 Asia Pacific Journal of Pediatrics and Child Health, 27, 29 (2019)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref60\\\">[60]<\\/a> Rebecca Babcock, Medical Decision-Making for Minors: Using Care Ethics to Empower Adolescents and Amend the Current Power Imbalances, 8 Asian Bioethics Review, 4, 13 (2016)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref61\\\">[61]<\\/a> Cyrus Cesar R. Tejam, Clinical Pediatrics in the Philippines: Parental Assent and Consent, 2 Asia Pacific Journal of Pediatrics and Child Health, 27, 29 (2019)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref62\\\">[62]<\\/a> Id at 27-33<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref63\\\">[63]<\\/a> Rebecca Babcock, Medical Decision-Making for Minors: Using Care Ethics to Empower Adolescents and Amend the Current Power Imbalances, 8 Asian Bioethics Review, 4, 13 (2016)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref64\\\">[64]<\\/a> Abigail English, Carol A. Ford, Jessica A. Kahn, Elyse Olshen Kharbanda, Adolescent Consent for Vaccination: A Position Paper of the Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine, 53 Journal of Adolescent Health, 550, 552, (2013)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref65\\\">[65]<\\/a> Michael Davis & Andrea Fang, Emancipated Minor, StatPearls Publishing LLC, (May 19, 2020), https:\\/\\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\\/books\\/NBK554594\\/<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref66\\\">[66]<\\/a> Id.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref67\\\">[67]<\\/a> Id.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>Featured Photo by <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/unsplash.com\\/@thenewmalcolm?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText\\\">Obi Onyeador<\\/a> on <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/unsplash.com\\/s\\/photos\\/vaccine-choice?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText\\\">Unsplash<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.15,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(3636,1266,'_thumbnail_id','1262'),(3637,1266,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(3638,1266,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(3639,1266,'_elementor_version','3.1.1'),(3640,1266,'_wp_page_template','default'),(3641,1266,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"3d1e02bb\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"4005cedf\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"6508c5f0\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<!-- wp:separator -->\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\"><em><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">*<\\/a>This should not be treated as a medical advice. It is always best to consult your physician.<\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>By: Ashley Faye S. Cruz**<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 You are a 15-year-old high school kid lining up in an annual physical examination. The school physician asked if you were vaccinated when you were still a newborn. You answered in the negative, and the physician gave you flyers for free vaccines at the public health center. You went home and excitedly told your mother about this thing called \\u201cvaccine\\u201d and how it can help your immune system. Your mom, who believes in medical conspiracy theories, adamantly denied your request and pulled a litany of conspiracy theories taken from social media websites. Determined, you went to the public health center, but the nurse denied you a free vaccine because there needs parental consent.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 It is very alarming that the Philippines could have avoided diseases by a simple vaccine trip to the nearest pediatrician. United Nations International Children\'s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) reported that as of 2019, an estimated 2.9 million Filipino children remain unvaccinated and remain vulnerable to serious diseases such as rubella and polio. <a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\">[1]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 World Health Organization (WHO) representative Rabindra Abeyasinghe said that to halt the proliferation of disease in the country, 95% need to be vaccinated<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\">[2]<\\/a>. Notwithstanding the availability of free vaccines at public health centers, many parents still refuse to vaccinate their children. Parents have the \\u201cvaccine hesitancy\\u201d, which is the delay in acceptance or refusal of vaccines despite the availability of vaccination services.<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\">[3]<\\/a> Studies have identified several factors that have caused the loss of public confidence in vaccine, though the recommended vaccines are long proven to be effective.<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\">[4]<\\/a> Among these are the following:<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:list {\\\"ordered\\\":true,\\\"type\\\":\\\"1\\\"} -->\\n<ol>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\n<ol type=\\\"1\\\">\\n<li>Dengvaxia controversy, where 10% of the 800,000 students who were immunized with a vaccine against Dengue known as Dengvaxia, but did not have a prior dengue infection, posed a higher risk of contracting severe Dengue<a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\">[5]<\\/a>;<\\/li>\\n<li>Circumstantial events surrounding vaccinations such as when parents attach significance to events such as sleep or behavioral patterns and birth timing;<\\/li>\\n<li>Over-reporting of adverse effects of immunization by mass media such as newspapers and television; and<\\/li>\\n<li>Social media also contributed to vaccine hesitancy, and parents tend to be more susceptible to media reports on the Internet.<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\">[6]<\\/a><\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Parents who choose not to vaccinate their children endanger not only themselves but also everyone else as immunization rates fall too low for vaccine-preventable diseases. In the school year before the COVID-19 outbreak in the United States (U.S.), the rate of childhood vaccine exemptions claimed by parents rose in 40 of 49 states as reflected in the records. <a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\">[7]<\\/a> Dr. Arthur Caplan, founding director of the Division of Medical Ethics at New York University Langone Medical Center, said that \\u201c<em>Parents should not have the authority to subject their children to serious preventable harm<\\/em>\\u201d. <a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\">[8]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 However, there is a solution made by certain states in the U.S. to combat the ever-worsening disease statistics. Nine states allow minors to receive vaccinations without their parents\' permission. Four states allow adolescents to receive specific vaccines, while five states allow minors to consent to any healthcare. <a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\">[9]<\\/a> The American Medical Association and the Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine and other medical organizations, strongly support laws allowing older minors to self-consent to vaccinations. Granting teenagers this right is essential to stemming the spread of diseases, whether they are newly emerging like COVID-19 or have faded from the news.<a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\">[10]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 English, et al., of the Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine, stated in their position paper <em>Adolescent Consent for Vaccination: A Position Paper of the Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine<\\/em>, that adolescent vaccines allow the enhancement of adolescent and adult health. Approaches to boost the proportion of adolescents who receive vaccines will be essential to assure that adolescent vaccination will lead to developments in the health of populations. Within ethical and legal guidelines, it will be important to develop policies and strategies that expand opportunities for minors to receive vaccinations when parents are not physically present.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\">[11]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The U.S. laws on emancipation from parental authority vary from state to state. For instance, some states adopt the \\u201cmature minor\\u201d doctrine. The mature minor doctrine legally recognizes the medical decision-making capacity of adolescents, even though they are still minors under parental or legal guardian control. They are usually 12 years old or older, and they are required to demonstrate adequate cognitive maturity and capacity to understand the risks of medical evaluations and treatments. Some other states allow this practice but its application is restricted only on the grounds of parental availability and sensitive clinical situations.<a href=\\\"#_ftn12\\\">[12]<\\/a> They also allow medical service without parental consent in times of emergency. Other medical services that are available to adolescents that do not need parental consent are rape or sexual assault services, contraception services. sexually transmitted infections, prenatal care, abortion, pediatric care for children of minors, substance use disorder treatment, and mental health treatment. <a href=\\\"#_ftn13\\\">[13]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Federal law of the U.S, does not contain any requirements for parent\\u2019s consent for vaccination of minors. As an exception, the mature minor doctrine which developed from jurisprudence provides an avenue for minors to obtain vaccines for themselves, as long as the patient can give informed consent, the treatment is not high risk, and is provided in a nonnegligent manner.<a href=\\\"#_ftn14\\\">[14]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 To illustrate, in the case of <em>In Re: Swan<\\/em>, Maine Supreme Judicial Court addressed the issue of discontinuing the treatment of minor patient in a chronic vegetative state with little hope of recovery, specifically that the medical decision maker here is the minor patient himself. Chad had an accident which rendered him needing a life-sustaining procedure included a gastrostomy tube that provided hydration and nutrients to his body. Chad\'s mother and brother said that prior to his accident, Chad told them that he did not want to be held alive by artificial means if an injury rendered him incapable of existing otherwise. The tube eventually deteriorated and made his condition worse. Chad\\u2019s parents acquiesced to his wishes.<a href=\\\"#_ftn15\\\">[15]<\\/a> The District Attorney contended that Chad\'s ability to refuse medical care was \\\"significantly limited\\\" since he was under the legal age of majority when he articulated his wishes. Maine Supreme Judicial Court opposed such contention, saying that Chad\'s age was only a \\\"factor to be weighed by the truth finder in judging the seriousness and deliberateness\\\" of his comments. Chad\'s aspirations to not be held in a permanent vegetative condition were \\\"well-informed medical care decisions\\\" that should be respected.<a href=\\\"#_ftn16\\\">[16]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Some suggest that all states should allow minors to make some health care decisions, especially in stigmatized areas such as sexual health and drug addiction. <a href=\\\"#_ftn17\\\">[17]<\\/a> In California, children aged 12 and up will undergo sexually transmitted disease vaccinations without parental supervision. Hepatitis B vaccine may be given to children of any age without their parents\' consent in Minnesota. In Alabama, children ages 14 and up can consent to all healthcare services.<a href=\\\"#_ftn18\\\">[18]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><strong>The situation in the Philippines \\u2013 Emancipation Laws<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Philippines has legislation for emancipation from parental authority. The age of eighteen years is the age of majority unless otherwise provided, and emancipation takes place in such event.<a href=\\\"#_ftn19\\\">[19]<\\/a> According to the law, \\u201cEmancipation shall terminate parental authority over the person and property of the child who shall then be qualified and responsible for all acts of civil life, save the exceptions established by existing laws in special cases.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn20\\\">[20]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Parental authority is also ingrained in our statutes. Article 17 of The Child and Youth Welfare Code states that \\u201cthe father and mother shall exercise jointly just and reasonable parental authority and responsibility for their legitimate or adopted children.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn21\\\">[21]<\\/a> In case of absence or death or either parent, the surviving parent shall exercise the parental authority. <a href=\\\"#_ftn22\\\">[22]<\\/a> \\u201cGrandparents and in their default, the oldest brother or sister who is at least eighteen years of age, or the relative who has actual custody of the child, shall exercise parental authority in case of absence or death of both parents unless a guardian has been appointed following the succeeding provision.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn23\\\">[23]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Code also provides in Chapter 2, Article 43 \\u00a0that \\u201cthe parents shall have the right to the company of their children and, concerning all other persons or institutions dealing with the child\'s development, the primary right and obligation to provide for their upbringing.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn24\\\">[24]<\\/a> The authority of parents\\/legal guardians are also strengthened by Article 209 of the Act: \\u201cUnder the natural right and duty of parents over the person and property of their unemancipated children, parental authority and responsibility shall include the caring for and rearing them for civic consciousness and efficiency and the development of their moral, mental and physical character and well-being.\\u201d <a href=\\\"#_ftn25\\\">[25]<\\/a> It cannot be renounced or transferred except in cases authorized by law. <a href=\\\"#_ftn26\\\">[26]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Parental authority terminates permanently upon the death of the parents, upon the death of the child, or emancipation of the child. <a href=\\\"#_ftn27\\\">[27]<\\/a> Moreover, unless subsequently revived by final judgment, it is also terminated upon adoption of the child, upon judicial declaration of abandonment of the child in a case filed for the purpose, upon the final judgment of a competent court divesting the party concerned of parental authority, upon judicial declaration of absence or incapacity of the person exercising parental authority. <a href=\\\"#_ftn28\\\">[28]<\\/a> It can be suspended upon conviction of the parent or the person exercising the same of a crime which carries with it the penalty of civil interdiction, <a href=\\\"#_ftn29\\\">[29]<\\/a> or if they treat the child with excessive harshness or cruelty, gives the child corrupting orders, counsel, or example, compels the child to beg, or subjects the child or allows him to be subjected to acts of lasciviousness<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><strong>Vaccine laws in the Philippines<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 There is a law mandating the basic immunization services for infants and children, or the An Act Providing For Mandatory Basic Immunization Services For Infants And Children, Repealing For The Purpose Presidential Decree No. 996, As Amended (Republic Act No. 10152). It is the policy of the State to take a proactive role in the preventive health care of infants and children, and through this legislation, the State wants to adopt a comprehensive, mandatory and sustainable immunization program for vaccine-preventable diseases for all infants and children.<a href=\\\"#_ftn30\\\">[30]<\\/a> This law covers the following vaccine-preventable diseases:<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:list {\\\"ordered\\\":true,\\\"type\\\":\\\"a\\\"} -->\\n<ol>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\n<ol>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\n<ol type=\\\"a\\\">\\n<li>Tuberculosis<\\/li>\\n<li>Diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis;<\\/li>\\n<li>Poliomyelitis;<\\/li>\\n<li>Measles;<\\/li>\\n<li>Mumps;<\\/li>\\n<li>Rubella or German measles;<\\/li>\\n<li>Hepatitis-B;<\\/li>\\n<li>H. Influenza type B (HIB); and<\\/li>\\n<li>Such other types may be determined by the Secretary of Health in a department circular.<\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Such basic immunizations shall be given for free at any government hospital or health center to infants and children up to five (5) years of age.<a href=\\\"#_ftn31\\\">[31]<\\/a> R.A. 10152 also mandates that all health care practitioners or health care workers who are administering prenatal care shall educate all pregnant mothers on the importance of giving their infants the basic immunization services as well as any possible effects of immunization and that the Department of Health (DOH) and other government and private sectors shall make available appropriate information materials and shall have a system of its distribution to the public.<a href=\\\"#_ftn32\\\">[32]<\\/a> One of the important provisions is Section 5 which provides that any physician, nurse, midwife, nursing aide or skilled birth attendant, who delivers, or assists in the delivery of, a newborn shall, before delivery, inform parents or legal guardian of the newborn of the availability, nature, and benefits of immunization against Hepatitis-B and other vaccine-preventable diseases at birth.<a href=\\\"#_ftn33\\\">[33]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 However, Secretary to the Cabinet Karlo Nograles said that \\u201cthe government could neither force parents to have their children vaccinated nor punish them if they have not.\\u201d He said that \\u201cRA 10152 does not have any penal provisions and does not punish parents who do not have their children vaccinated, unlike the Presidential Decree (PD) it replaced. Under PD 996, it was the duty of parents or those having custody of the child to see to it that the child is immunized. Those who did not could be punished with a P200 fine or one-month imprisonment\\u201d <a href=\\\"#_ftn34\\\">[34]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 With the advent of R.A. 11166 or the Philippine HIV and AIDS Policy Act, the threshold of consent for the screening, voluntary testing, and treatment for human immunodeficiency virus infection, was lowered to fifteen years of age\\u2014 a characterization of the mature minor doctrine. It requires the assent of the child below 15 years old or those mentally incapacitated, if capacity to assent exists, in order to avail of voluntary testing and protect its interests.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 As seen from the aforementioned laws, just like at the federal level of the US, there is a vacuum in terms of parental consent for vaccination of minors in the Philippines.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><strong>Philippine laws: parental consent for medical treatments<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 A doctor-patient relationship is a form of contract. It is an elementary principle that one of the elements of a contract is consent. The person giving consent must be of legal age (18 years of age, unless otherwise provided) and mentally and physically competent. As the legal guardians, parents are the persons who must sign the consent forms.<a href=\\\"#_ftn35\\\">[35]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Article 1327 of the Civil Code provides the persons who cannot give consent to a contract: unemancipated minors and insane or demented persons, and deaf-mutes who do not know how to write. <a href=\\\"#_ftn36\\\">[36]<\\/a> The Civil Code does not define who can consent to a contract, rather, it defines who has no capacity. These persons can easily be victims of fraud as they are not capable of understanding or knowing the nature of their actions, thus they can only enter into an agreement or contracts through their parents or their legal guardians.<a href=\\\"#_ftn37\\\">[37]<\\/a> The contract they have entered is voidable, meaning it is valid and binding until it is annulled by a proper action in court.<a href=\\\"#_ftn38\\\">[38]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In the medical field, there is the right to informed consent, \\u00a0a legal right recognized and protected by law and jurisprudence. The patient has the right to choose openly whether or not to consent to care after being adequately advised by the specialist about the complications and benefits of the recommended treatment, as well as the viable treatment alternatives, including the possibility of no treatment.<a href=\\\"#_ftn39\\\">[39]<\\/a> It is further drawn as a legal concept, where a person can be said, \\u201cto have given consent based upon a clear appreciation and understanding of the facts, implications, and future consequences of an action.\\u201d He must have adequate reasoning faculties and knows all relevant facts at the time consent is given. If a person cannot give informed consent, say a child, another person is generally authorized to give consent on their behalf, in this case, his parents or legal guardian\\/s. <a href=\\\"#_ftn40\\\">[40]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The key elements of informed consent, according to Tejam of Asia Pacific Journal of Pediatrics and Child Health are disclosure of information, assessment of the decision maker\\u2019s capacity to make medical choices, and process of obtaining consent in the form of a voluntary agreement from the patient without coercion or persuasion. In pediatrics, it comes from the parent or legal guardian. Per the best interests standard, parents are regarded to be in the best position to determine their child\\u2019s best interest because parental decision aims to maximize benefits for their children while minimizing harm. However, the determination of what is in children\\u2019s best interest is often subjective and debatable. While written or verbal informed parental consent may be enough for ethical and legal purposes, but it does not meet the necessities of the ethical concept of informed concept. <a href=\\\"#_ftn41\\\">[41]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The purpose of informed consent and the strict guidelines surrounding this concept is the respect for autonomy, which includes the liberty of the patient, defined as \\u201cthe capacity to live life according to one\'s reasons and motives and agency \\u2026[or] rational capacity for intentional action.\\u201d This principle served as one of the pillars in resolving ethical dilemmas.<a href=\\\"#_ftn42\\\">[42]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><strong>Legal consequences of letting Filipino adolescents make vaccine related medical decisions<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Suppose the teen suffered injuries because of the vaccine<a href=\\\"#_ftn43\\\">[43]<\\/a> and the parents want to file a suit against the physician who administered the vaccine. Here are some of the laws that are usually invoked in a medical malpractice suit.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><em>Medical malpractice<\\/em> is defined by Bellosillo, et al (2010) as:<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<blockquote>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u201cAny professional misconduct, or bad skillful practice, or any practice contrary to law or established rules and regulations whereby the health of a person is injured because of failure of a physician to behave or act as a reasonable, prudent physician who is charged with a duty to use a standard of due care and to foresee harm that may result from failure to meet such standard which may be the proximate cause of injury. It ordinarily refers to any malfeasance or dereliction of duty committed by a physician.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn44\\\">[44]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<\\/blockquote>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>The elements of medical malpractice, as enunciated in the case of <em>Lucas vs Tua\\u00f1o, <\\/em>(2009), are:<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:list {\\\"ordered\\\":true,\\\"type\\\":\\\"1\\\"} -->\\n<ol>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\n<ol>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\n<ol type=\\\"1\\\">\\n<li>A patient engages the services of a physician whereby a physician-patient relationship is generated<\\/li>\\n<li>A physician is under a duty to [the former] to exercise that degree of care, skill, and diligence which physicians in the same general neighborhood and the same general line of practice ordinarily possess and exercise in like cases<\\/li>\\n<li>There is a breach of duty of care, skill, and diligence, or the improper performance of such duty, by the attending physician when the patient is injured in body or health<\\/li>\\n<li>Proof of such breach must likewise rest upon the testimony of an expert witness that the treatment accorded to the patient failed to meet the standard level of care, skill, and diligence which physicians in the same general neighborhood and the same general line of practice ordinarily possess and exercise in like cases.<\\/li>\\n<li>The proximate cause of an injury is that cause, which, in the natural and continuous sequence, unbroken by any efficient intervening cause, produces the injury, and without which the result would not have occurred<a href=\\\"#_ftn45\\\">[45]<\\/a><\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 With these elements present, the physician can be held liable for negligence which is a tort liability. Negligence is defined as \\u201cthe doing of some act which a reasonable and prudent physician would not do, or the failure to do some act which such a person should or would do.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn46\\\">[46]<\\/a> While it is true that physicians are not required to possess extraordinary learning and skill, however, they must keep abreast with medical developments and techniques and must refrain from experimenting. <a href=\\\"#_ftn47\\\">[47]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In terms of evidence, the patient must prove that the health care provider failed to do something which a reasonably prudent health care provider would have done, or that he or she did something that a reasonably prudent provider would not have done; and that that failure or action caused injury to the patient. <a href=\\\"#_ftn48\\\">[48]<\\/a> The injured minor or his parents\\/legal guardian can recover financial damages (actual damages for the pecuniary loss suffered by a party, and moral damages, for the physical suffering and\\/or mental anguish, fright, shock, etc.). <a href=\\\"#_ftn49\\\">[49]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 He can also be held criminally liable<a href=\\\"#_ftn50\\\">[50]<\\/a>. Under the Revised Penal Code (RPC), he can be liable for the crime of administering injurious substances or beverages. The elements are:<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:list {\\\"ordered\\\":true,\\\"type\\\":\\\"1\\\"} -->\\n<ol>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\n<ol>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\n<ol type=\\\"1\\\">\\n<li>The offender in\\ufb02icted upon another any serious physical injury;<\\/li>\\n<li>That it was done by knowingly administering to him any injurious substances or beverages or by taking advantage of his weakness of mind or credulity;<\\/li>\\n<li>That he had no intent to kill. <a href=\\\"#_ftn51\\\">[51]<\\/a><\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 He can also be made liable for Physical Injuries<a href=\\\"#_ftn52\\\">[52]<\\/a> and for Reckless Imprudence (quasi-offense). Reckless imprudence, as defined in Article 365 of RPC, \\u201cconsists in voluntarily, but without malice, doing or failing to do an act from which material damage results because of inexcusable lack of precaution on the part of the person performing or failing to perform such act, taking into consideration his employment or occupation, degree of intelligence, physical condition and other circumstances regarding persons, time and place.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn53\\\">[53]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 On the other end, the medical practitioner can take shelter on legal doctrines to save themselves from liability. The first is the <em>doctrine of foreseeability<\\/em>, which provides that:<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<blockquote>\\n<p>\\u201cA physician cannot be held liable for negligence if the injury sustained by a patient is on account of unforeseen conditions. But, a physician who fails to ascertain the condition of the patient for want of the requisite skills and training is answerable for the injury sustained by the patient if an injury resulted thereto. Such foreseeable injury may be ascertained from the history, physical examination, observation and from information gathered from another member of the family.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn54\\\">[54]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<\\/blockquote>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 He can also avoid liability by invoking the defense of accident, that is, an event which happens without any human agency or, if happening through human agency, an event which, under the circumstances, is unusual to and not expected by the person to whom it happened.<a href=\\\"#_ftn55\\\">[55]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><strong>Practical Consequences \\u2013 Risks of letting minors make health care decisions<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 David DeLugas, executive director of the National Association of Parents (U.S.), said that letting minors make health care decisions in lieu of their parents may introduce conflict into families. He does not think states should upset the parent-child relationship by taking power from the parents and transferring it to the children.<a href=\\\"#_ftn56\\\">[56]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Grootens-Wiegers, et al. also noted that there is no general agreement as to which age is appropriate for minors to be considered competent for informed decision-making. Some studies suggest that it is at 9 years old, some studies suggest that it is ages of 14 or 15. Minors of the same age may have a different level of maturity. Young children, who exhibited an adequate aptitude for decision-making in a certain situation, can lack ample ability in another.<a href=\\\"#_ftn57\\\">[57]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 They also discussed that adolescence is a period when various health issues and increased risks appear. Teenagers experience changes in diet and tend to explore vices such as tobacco and substance abuse. The increase in mortality is attributed to decision-making being affected by risky behavior, sensation seeking, and peer influences. The increased risk can also be attributed to lower cognitive control because of the developing brain in adolescence, especially the brain\\u2019s reward system combined with late development of the control system which decreases decision-making competence. Since the maturity of adolescence varies from one child to another, the practice can be very unpredictable.<a href=\\\"#_ftn58\\\">[58]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 However, good practical outcomes can also come with the idea of minors making medical decisions for themselves, especially for vaccines. Assent from minors aged seven years and above can improve moral growth and develop autonomy. It can even encourage them to comply with the medical treatment and allow them to express their interests in such endeavor. It offers a chance to contribute to their healthcare and provide an honest and open relationship between the family and medical service team.<a href=\\\"#_ftn59\\\">[59]<\\/a> Children will no longer be obligated to keep quiet for the sake of their parents. It also ensures that a child\'s unanswered questions, unresolved worries, or desire to be acknowledged are treated as legitimate and rational issues that matter in the child\'s world, rather than being dismissed as complete nonsense. <a href=\\\"#_ftn60\\\">[60]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><strong>Recommendation<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 With the positive and negative outcomes analyzed, the recommendations are set forth to guide future legislators and policymakers and to help outweigh the negative effects.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:list -->\\n<ul>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\n<ul>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\n<ul>\\n<li>The requirements of assent are: 1) properly informing patients about the issues at hand and what to expect; 2) assessment of their understanding; 3) soliciting agreement or acknowledgment of the decision.<a href=\\\"#_ftn61\\\">[61]<\\/a><\\/li>\\n<li>American Academy of Pediatrics said that assent should be obtained whenever reasonable, and that assent should only be obtained in situations in which the medical service team would be willing to honor, at least in part, a child\\u2019s dissent.<a href=\\\"#_ftn62\\\">[62]<\\/a><\\/li>\\n<li>Legislation should reflect the concept of <em>care ethics<\\/em> (\\u201cIndividuals do not exist in isolation but with others to\\u00a0 whom\\u00a0 they are emotionally or psychologically close,\\u00a0 such as parents,\\u00a0 siblings, and friends \\u201d). Medical professionals should educate a minor by generating information that can provide specific medical context that can be weighed and analyzed with perspectives offered by family and friends which can largely affect their thought processes. The legislation should also recognize the limitations of judgments of minors.<a href=\\\"#_ftn63\\\">[63]<\\/a><\\/li>\\n<li>The legislators should also limit the age bracket (ideally at the age of 14), and limit the vaccines to the recommended types that have been long proven to be effective by science (Ex. measles, polio, diphtheria, influenza) to minimize health risks.<\\/li>\\n<li>In the legislation, healthcare professionals, adolescent health care clinicians, public health personnel, medical organizations should be present and give their inputs.<a href=\\\"#_ftn64\\\">[64]<\\/a><\\/li>\\n<li>The legislators should frame the law in a way that reflects the thought that \\u201cparental consent should be considered a responsibility that supports the minor\'s best interests and preserves a family\'s interests, rather than a parent\'s right to express their own autonomous choices.\\u201d\\u00a0 Davis and Fang, in an article, said that \\u201c<em>Providers have to serve the pediatric patient\'s best interest and not necessarily the parents\' desires.<\\/em>\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn65\\\">[65]<\\/a><\\/li>\\n<li>For policy-making among healthcare professionals or even in the legislation itself, a set of protocols should be developed to serve as a guide to assess minor\\u2019s maturity and decision-making ability. Legal documentation guidelines should be executed to protect healthcare workers against a suit.<a href=\\\"#_ftn66\\\">[66]<\\/a><\\/li>\\n<li>Adolescent\\u2019s privacy should be reflected in the legislation and healthcare protocols. <a href=\\\"#_ftn67\\\">[67]<\\/a><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><strong>Conclusion<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Vaccines have greatly contributed in eradicating serious diseases that could have led to mortality or permanent disability. They are one of the scientific breakthroughs that are gravely misunderstood and often subjected to prejudicial preference. Time and again refused because of misinformation as well as cultural and religious differences. In the Philippines, there is a huge vacuum in emancipation laws for medical decisions for minors. Assuming that minors would be allowed to obtain a vaccine without parental consent, different positive outcomes could be factored, such as a decrease in disease statistics and empowerment in adolescence, while negative outlooks include increased risky behavior in minors because of their developing mental and physical structure, and the boosted risk of medical malpractice suits if ever the vaccine produces adverse effects in their body. Legislators should strive to include healthcare workers in developing legislation that would allow minors to get vaccines for themselves without parental permission, all while preserving the family harmony and the patient\\u2019s well-being, as well as knowing that this is about a patient\\u2019s health and not grandstanding parental authority.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>* Associate Research Editor, UST Law Review; freelance writer<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">[1]<\\/a>UNICEF Philippines, #VaccinesWork: UNICEF stresses importance of immunization on World Immunization Week, UNICEF Philippines, (January 31, 2021), https:\\/\\/www.unicef.org\\/philippines\\/press-releases\\/vaccineswork-unicef-stresses-importance-immunization-world-immunization-week<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a> Jenny Lei Ravelo, Another casualty of vaccine hesitancy: Philippines declares polio outbreak, (January 31, 2021), https:\\/\\/www.devex.com\\/news\\/another-casualty-of-vaccine-hesitancy-philippines-declares-polio-outbreak-95648<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a> Department of Health, Doh Identifies Vaccine Hesitancy as One of The Reasons For Measles Outbreak, Department of Health, (January 31, 2021), https:\\/\\/doh.gov.ph\\/node\\/16721<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[4]<\\/a> Id.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[5]<\\/a> World Health Organization, Revised SAGE recommendation on use of dengue vaccine, (Apil 19, 2018), https:\\/\\/www.who.int\\/immunization\\/diseases\\/dengue\\/revised_SAGE_recommendations_dengue_vaccines_apr2018\\/en\\/<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[6]<\\/a> Migrino, Jr J, Gayados B. Birol RJ, De Jesus L, Lopez CW, Mercado WC, et al. Factors affecting vaccine hesitancy among families with children 2 years old and younger in two urban communities in Manila, Philippines. Western Pac Surveill Response J. 2020 Jun; 10(2). doi: 10.5365\\/wpsar.2019.10.2.006<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\">[7]<\\/a> Kelly Danielpour, Commentary: Why all 50 states need to allow teens to get vaccinated without parental consent, Los Angeles Times, (Nov. 19, 2020), https:\\/\\/journaltimes.com\\/news\\/commentary-why-all-50-states-need-to-allow-teens-to-get-vaccinated-without-parental-consent\\/article_264a2b69-0924-5c08-aabd-fb79fa5deec4.html<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\">[8]<\\/a> Id.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\">[9]<\\/a> Michael Ollove, Teens of \\u2018Anti-Vaxxers\\u2019 Can Get Their Own Vaccines, Some States Say, Stateline, (June 24, 2019), https:\\/\\/www.pewtrusts.org\\/en\\/research-and-analysis\\/blogs\\/stateline\\/2019\\/06\\/24\\/teens-of-anti-vaxxers-can-get-their-own-vaccines-some-states-say<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\">[10]<\\/a> Kelly Danielpour, Commentary: Why all 50 states need to allow teens to get vaccinated without parental consent, Los Angeles Times, (Nov. 19, 2020), https:\\/\\/journaltimes.com\\/news\\/commentary-why-all-50-states-need-to-allow-teens-to-get-vaccinated-without-parental-consent\\/article_264a2b69-0924-5c08-aabd-fb79fa5deec4.html<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\">[11]<\\/a> Abigail English, Carol A. Ford, Jessica A. Kahn, Elyse Olshen Kharbanda, Adolescent Consent for Vaccination: A Position Paper of the Societyfor Adolescent Health and Medicine, 53 Journal of Adolescent Health, 550, 550-553, (2013)<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref12\\\">[12]<\\/a> Michael Davis & Andrea Fang, Emancipated Minor, StatPearls Publishing LLC, (May 19, 2020), https:\\/\\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\\/books\\/NBK554594\\/<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref13\\\">[13]<\\/a> Id.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref14\\\">[14]<\\/a> Abigail English, Carol A. Ford, Jessica A. Kahn, Elyse Olshen Kharbanda, Adolescent Consent for Vaccination: A Position Paper of the Societyfor Adolescent Health and Medicine, 53 Journal of Adolescent Health, 550, 552, (2013)<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref15\\\">[15]<\\/a> <em>In Re: Chad Eric Swan, <\\/em>569 A.2d 1202 (1990), decided January 23, 1990, opinion Issued February 15, 1990.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref16\\\">[16]<\\/a> Id.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref17\\\">[17]<\\/a> Michael Ollove, Teens of \\u2018Anti-Vaxxers\\u2019 Can Get Their Own Vaccines, Some States Say, Stateline, (June 24, 2019), https:\\/\\/www.pewtrusts.org\\/en\\/research-and-analysis\\/blogs\\/stateline\\/2019\\/06\\/24\\/teens-of-anti-vaxxers-can-get-their-own-vaccines-some-states-say<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref18\\\">[18]<\\/a> Mackenzie Bean, 9 states where minors can get vaccinated without parental consent, ASC COMMUNICATIONS 2021, (June 24, 2019), https:\\/\\/www.beckershospitalreview.com\\/quality\\/9-states-where-minors-can-get-vaccinated-without-parental-consent.html<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref19\\\">[19]<\\/a> An Act Lowering The Age Of Majority From Twenty-One To Eighteen Years, Amending For The Purpose Executive Order Numbered Two Hundred Nine, And For Other Purposes, Republic Act No. 6809, sec. 234 (1989)<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref20\\\">[20]<\\/a> R.A. 386, sec. 236<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref21\\\">[21]<\\/a> The Child and Youth Welfare Code, Presidential Decree No. 603, art. 17 (1974)<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref22\\\">[22]<\\/a>P.D. 603, art. 17<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref23\\\">[23]<\\/a> P.D. 603, art. 19 (1974)<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref24\\\">[24]<\\/a> P.D. 603, art. 43 (1974)<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref25\\\">[25]<\\/a> The Family Code of The Philippines, Executive Order No. 209, art. 209 (1988)<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref26\\\">[26]<\\/a> E.O. 209, art. 210<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref27\\\">[27]<\\/a> E.O. 209, art. 228<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref28\\\">[28]<\\/a> E.O. 209, art. 229<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref29\\\">[29]<\\/a> E.O. 209, art. 230<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref30\\\">[30]<\\/a> An Act Providing For Mandatory Basic Immunization Services For Infants And Children, Repealing For The Purpose Presidential Decree No. 996, As Amended, Republic Act No. 10152, sec. 2 (2011)<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref31\\\">[31]<\\/a> R.A. 10152, sec. 3<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref32\\\">[32]<\\/a> R.A. 10152, sec. 4<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref33\\\">[33]<\\/a> R.A. 10152, sec. 5<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref34\\\">[34]<\\/a> Sheila Crisostomo & Gilbert Bayoran, Mandatory immunization ordered, The Philippine Star, (Feb. 10, 2019), https:\\/\\/www.philstar.com\\/headlines\\/2019\\/02\\/10\\/1892465\\/mandatory-immunization-ordered<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref35\\\">[35]<\\/a> Josue N. Bellosillo, Bu C. Castro, Emmanuel LJ. Mapili, Albert D. Rebosa, Antonio D. Rebosa, Basics of Philippine Medical Jurisprudence and Ethics, p. 113, (2010 ed. Central Book Supply, 2010)<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref36\\\">[36]<\\/a> An Act To Ordain And Institute The Civil Code Of The Philippines, Republic Act No. 386, art. 1327 (1950)<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref37\\\">[37]<\\/a> Hector S. De Leon & Hector M. De Leon, Jr. The Law on Obligations and Contracts, p. 342-349, (Rex Printing Company, Inc., 2014)<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref38\\\">[38]<\\/a> Id. at p. 431<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref39\\\">[39]<\\/a> Josue N. Bellosillo, Bu C. Castro, Emmanuel LJ. Mapili, Albert D. Rebosa, Antonio D. Rebosa, Basics of Philippine Medical Jurisprudence and Ethics, p. 113, (2010 ed. Central Book Supply, 2010)<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref40\\\">[40]<\\/a> Id. at p. 412 (2010 ed. Central Book Supply, 2010)<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref41\\\">[41]<\\/a> Cyrus Cesar R. Tejam, Clinical Pediatrics in the Philippines: Parental Assent and Consent, 2 Asia Pacific Journal of Pediatrics and Child Health, 27, 29 \\u00a0(2019)<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref42\\\">[42]<\\/a> Id.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref43\\\">[43]<\\/a> An instance is when it is recommended that \\u201c<em>vaccines not be given during chemo or radiation treatments \\u2013 the only exception to this is the flu shot. This is mainly because vaccines need an immune system response to work, and you may not get an adequate response during cancer treatment<\\/em>.\\u201d \\u2013 American Cancer Society, Vaccinations and Flu Shots for People with Cancer: Should people with cancer get any vaccines? , American Cancer Society webpage, Inc. (2020), <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.cancer.org\\/treatment\\/treatments-and-side-effects\\/physical-side-effects\\/low-blood-counts\\/infections\\/vaccination-during-cancer-treatment.html\\\">https:\\/\\/www.cancer.org\\/treatment\\/treatments-and-side-effects\\/physical-side-effects\\/low-blood-counts\\/infections\\/vaccination-during-cancer-treatment.html<\\/a>. This should not be treated as a medical advice. It is always best to consult your physician.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref44\\\">[44]<\\/a> Josue N. Bellosillo, Bu C. Castro, Emmanuel LJ. Mapili, Albert D. Rebosa, Antonio D. Rebosa, Basics of Philippine Medical Jurisprudence and Ethics, p. 117 (2010 ed. Central Book Supply, 2010)<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref45\\\">[45]<\\/a> <em>Lucas v. Tua\\u00f1o<\\/em>, 586 SCRA 173 (2009)<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref46\\\">[46]<\\/a> Josue N. Bellosillo, Bu C. Castro, Emmanuel LJ. Mapili, Albert D. Rebosa, Antonio D. Rebosa, Basics of Philippine Medical Jurisprudence and Ethics, p. 131, (2010 ed. Central Book Supply, 2010)<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref47\\\">[47]<\\/a> Id.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref48\\\">[48]<\\/a> Professional Services, Inc. v. Natividad and Enrique Agana, 542 Phil. 464, 481 (2007).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref49\\\">[49]<\\/a> Josue N. Bellosillo, Bu C. Castro, Emmanuel LJ. Mapili, Albert D. Rebosa, Antonio D. Rebosa, Basics of Philippine Medical Jurisprudence and Ethics, p. 59, (2010 ed. Central Book Supply, 2010)<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref50\\\">[50]<\\/a> Id at 195<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref51\\\">[51]<\\/a> The Revised Penal Code, Act No. 3815, art. 264, (1930)<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref52\\\">[52]<\\/a> Act No. 3815, art. 266, (1930)<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref53\\\">[53]<\\/a> <em>Gonzaga v. People, <\\/em>G.R. No. 195671, January 21, 2015.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref54\\\">[54]<\\/a> Josue N. Bellosillo, Bu C. Castro, Emmanuel LJ. Mapili, Albert D. Rebosa, Antonio D. Rebosa, Basics of Philippine Medical Jurisprudence and Ethics, p. 154, (2010 ed. Central Book Supply, 2010)<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref55\\\">[55]<\\/a> Id.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref56\\\">[56]<\\/a> Michael Ollove, Teens of \\u2018Anti-Vaxxers\\u2019 Can Get Their Own Vaccines, Some States Say, Stateline, (June 24, 2019), https:\\/\\/www.pewtrusts.org\\/en\\/research-and-analysis\\/blogs\\/stateline\\/2019\\/06\\/24\\/teens-of-anti-vaxxers-can-get-their-own-vaccines-some-states-say<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref57\\\">[57]<\\/a> Petronella Grootens-Wiegers,\\u00a0 Irma M. Hein, Jos M. van den Broek, & Martine C. de Vries, Medical decision-making in children and adolescents: developmental and neuroscientific aspects, BMC Pediatrics, 1, 2 (2017)<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref58\\\">[58]<\\/a> Petronella Grootens-Wiegers,\\u00a0 Irma M. Hein, Jos M. van den Broek, & Martine C. de Vries, Medical decision-making in children and adolescents: developmental and neuroscientific aspects, BMC Pediatrics, 1, 6 (2017)<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref59\\\">[59]<\\/a> Cyrus Cesar R. Tejam, Clinical Pediatrics in the Philippines: Parental Assent and Consent, 2 Asia Pacific Journal of Pediatrics and Child Health, 27, 29 (2019)<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref60\\\">[60]<\\/a> Rebecca Babcock, Medical Decision-Making for Minors: Using Care Ethics to Empower Adolescents and Amend the Current Power Imbalances, 8 Asian Bioethics Review, 4, 13 (2016)<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref61\\\">[61]<\\/a> Cyrus Cesar R. Tejam, Clinical Pediatrics in the Philippines: Parental Assent and Consent, 2 Asia Pacific Journal of Pediatrics and Child Health, 27, 29 (2019)<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref62\\\">[62]<\\/a> Id at 27-33<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref63\\\">[63]<\\/a> Rebecca Babcock, Medical Decision-Making for Minors: Using Care Ethics to Empower Adolescents and Amend the Current Power Imbalances, 8 Asian Bioethics Review, 4, 13 (2016)<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref64\\\">[64]<\\/a> Abigail English, Carol A. Ford, Jessica A. Kahn, Elyse Olshen Kharbanda, Adolescent Consent for Vaccination: A Position Paper of the Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine, 53 Journal of Adolescent Health, 550, 552, (2013)<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref65\\\">[65]<\\/a> Michael Davis & Andrea Fang, Emancipated Minor, StatPearls Publishing LLC, (May 19, 2020), https:\\/\\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\\/books\\/NBK554594\\/<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref66\\\">[66]<\\/a> Id.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref67\\\">[67]<\\/a> Id.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Featured Photo by <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/unsplash.com\\/@thenewmalcolm?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText\\\">Obi Onyeador<\\/a> on <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/unsplash.com\\/s\\/photos\\/vaccine-choice?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText\\\">Unsplash<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.15,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(3645,1267,'_thumbnail_id','1262'),(3646,1267,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(3647,1267,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(3648,1267,'_elementor_version','3.1.1'),(3649,1267,'_wp_page_template','default'),(3650,1267,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"3d1e02bb\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"4005cedf\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"6508c5f0\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<!-- wp:separator -->\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\"><em><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">*<\\/a>This should not be treated as a medical advice. It is always best to consult your physician.<\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>By: Ashley Faye S. Cruz**<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 You are a 15-year-old high school kid lining up in an annual physical examination. The school physician asked if you were vaccinated when you were still a newborn. You answered in the negative, and the physician gave you flyers for free vaccines at the public health center. You went home and excitedly told your mother about this thing called \\u201cvaccine\\u201d and how it can help your immune system. Your mom, who believes in medical conspiracy theories, adamantly denied your request and pulled a litany of conspiracy theories taken from social media websites. Determined, you went to the public health center, but the nurse denied you a free vaccine because there needs parental consent.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 It is very alarming that the Philippines could have avoided diseases by a simple vaccine trip to the nearest pediatrician. United Nations International Children\'s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) reported that as of 2019, an estimated 2.9 million Filipino children remain unvaccinated and remain vulnerable to serious diseases such as rubella and polio. <a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\">[1]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 World Health Organization (WHO) representative Rabindra Abeyasinghe said that to halt the proliferation of disease in the country, 95% need to be vaccinated<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\">[2]<\\/a>. Notwithstanding the availability of free vaccines at public health centers, many parents still refuse to vaccinate their children. Parents have the \\u201cvaccine hesitancy\\u201d, which is the delay in acceptance or refusal of vaccines despite the availability of vaccination services.<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\">[3]<\\/a> Studies have identified several factors that have caused the loss of public confidence in vaccine, though the recommended vaccines are long proven to be effective.<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\">[4]<\\/a> Among these are the following:<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:list {\\\"ordered\\\":true,\\\"type\\\":\\\"1\\\"} -->\\n<ol>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\n<ol type=\\\"1\\\">\\n<li>Dengvaxia controversy, where 10% of the 800,000 students who were immunized with a vaccine against Dengue known as Dengvaxia, but did not have a prior dengue infection, posed a higher risk of contracting severe Dengue<a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\">[5]<\\/a>;<\\/li>\\n<li>Circumstantial events surrounding vaccinations such as when parents attach significance to events such as sleep or behavioral patterns and birth timing;<\\/li>\\n<li>Over-reporting of adverse effects of immunization by mass media such as newspapers and television; and<\\/li>\\n<li>Social media also contributed to vaccine hesitancy, and parents tend to be more susceptible to media reports on the Internet.<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\">[6]<\\/a><\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Parents who choose not to vaccinate their children endanger not only themselves but also everyone else as immunization rates fall too low for vaccine-preventable diseases. In the school year before the COVID-19 outbreak in the United States (U.S.), the rate of childhood vaccine exemptions claimed by parents rose in 40 of 49 states as reflected in the records. <a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\">[7]<\\/a> Dr. Arthur Caplan, founding director of the Division of Medical Ethics at New York University Langone Medical Center, said that \\u201c<em>Parents should not have the authority to subject their children to serious preventable harm<\\/em>\\u201d. <a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\">[8]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 However, there is a solution made by certain states in the U.S. to combat the ever-worsening disease statistics. Nine states allow minors to receive vaccinations without their parents\' permission. Four states allow adolescents to receive specific vaccines, while five states allow minors to consent to any healthcare. <a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\">[9]<\\/a> The American Medical Association and the Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine and other medical organizations, strongly support laws allowing older minors to self-consent to vaccinations. Granting teenagers this right is essential to stemming the spread of diseases, whether they are newly emerging like COVID-19 or have faded from the news.<a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\">[10]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 English, et al., of the Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine, stated in their position paper <em>Adolescent Consent for Vaccination: A Position Paper of the Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine<\\/em>, that adolescent vaccines allow the enhancement of adolescent and adult health. Approaches to boost the proportion of adolescents who receive vaccines will be essential to assure that adolescent vaccination will lead to developments in the health of populations. Within ethical and legal guidelines, it will be important to develop policies and strategies that expand opportunities for minors to receive vaccinations when parents are not physically present.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\">[11]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The U.S. laws on emancipation from parental authority vary from state to state. For instance, some states adopt the \\u201cmature minor\\u201d doctrine. The mature minor doctrine legally recognizes the medical decision-making capacity of adolescents, even though they are still minors under parental or legal guardian control. They are usually 12 years old or older, and they are required to demonstrate adequate cognitive maturity and capacity to understand the risks of medical evaluations and treatments. Some other states allow this practice but its application is restricted only on the grounds of parental availability and sensitive clinical situations.<a href=\\\"#_ftn12\\\">[12]<\\/a> They also allow medical service without parental consent in times of emergency. Other medical services that are available to adolescents that do not need parental consent are rape or sexual assault services, contraception services. sexually transmitted infections, prenatal care, abortion, pediatric care for children of minors, substance use disorder treatment, and mental health treatment. <a href=\\\"#_ftn13\\\">[13]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Federal law of the U.S, does not contain any requirements for parent\\u2019s consent for vaccination of minors. As an exception, the mature minor doctrine which developed from jurisprudence provides an avenue for minors to obtain vaccines for themselves, as long as the patient can give informed consent, the treatment is not high risk, and is provided in a nonnegligent manner.<a href=\\\"#_ftn14\\\">[14]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 To illustrate, in the case of <em>In Re: Swan<\\/em>, Maine Supreme Judicial Court addressed the issue of discontinuing the treatment of minor patient in a chronic vegetative state with little hope of recovery, specifically that the medical decision maker here is the minor patient himself. Chad had an accident which rendered him needing a life-sustaining procedure included a gastrostomy tube that provided hydration and nutrients to his body. Chad\'s mother and brother said that prior to his accident, Chad told them that he did not want to be held alive by artificial means if an injury rendered him incapable of existing otherwise. The tube eventually deteriorated and made his condition worse. Chad\\u2019s parents acquiesced to his wishes.<a href=\\\"#_ftn15\\\">[15]<\\/a> The District Attorney contended that Chad\'s ability to refuse medical care was \\\"significantly limited\\\" since he was under the legal age of majority when he articulated his wishes. Maine Supreme Judicial Court opposed such contention, saying that Chad\'s age was only a \\\"factor to be weighed by the truth finder in judging the seriousness and deliberateness\\\" of his comments. Chad\'s aspirations to not be held in a permanent vegetative condition were \\\"well-informed medical care decisions\\\" that should be respected.<a href=\\\"#_ftn16\\\">[16]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Some suggest that all states should allow minors to make some health care decisions, especially in stigmatized areas such as sexual health and drug addiction. <a href=\\\"#_ftn17\\\">[17]<\\/a> In California, children aged 12 and up will undergo sexually transmitted disease vaccinations without parental supervision. Hepatitis B vaccine may be given to children of any age without their parents\' consent in Minnesota. In Alabama, children ages 14 and up can consent to all healthcare services.<a href=\\\"#_ftn18\\\">[18]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><strong>The situation in the Philippines \\u2013 Emancipation Laws<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Philippines has legislation for emancipation from parental authority. The age of eighteen years is the age of majority unless otherwise provided, and emancipation takes place in such event.<a href=\\\"#_ftn19\\\">[19]<\\/a> According to the law, \\u201cEmancipation shall terminate parental authority over the person and property of the child who shall then be qualified and responsible for all acts of civil life, save the exceptions established by existing laws in special cases.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn20\\\">[20]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Parental authority is also ingrained in our statutes. Article 17 of The Child and Youth Welfare Code states that \\u201cthe father and mother shall exercise jointly just and reasonable parental authority and responsibility for their legitimate or adopted children.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn21\\\">[21]<\\/a> In case of absence or death or either parent, the surviving parent shall exercise the parental authority. <a href=\\\"#_ftn22\\\">[22]<\\/a> \\u201cGrandparents and in their default, the oldest brother or sister who is at least eighteen years of age, or the relative who has actual custody of the child, shall exercise parental authority in case of absence or death of both parents unless a guardian has been appointed following the succeeding provision.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn23\\\">[23]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Code also provides in Chapter 2, Article 43 \\u00a0that \\u201cthe parents shall have the right to the company of their children and, concerning all other persons or institutions dealing with the child\'s development, the primary right and obligation to provide for their upbringing.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn24\\\">[24]<\\/a> The authority of parents\\/legal guardians are also strengthened by Article 209 of the Act: \\u201cUnder the natural right and duty of parents over the person and property of their unemancipated children, parental authority and responsibility shall include the caring for and rearing them for civic consciousness and efficiency and the development of their moral, mental and physical character and well-being.\\u201d <a href=\\\"#_ftn25\\\">[25]<\\/a> It cannot be renounced or transferred except in cases authorized by law. <a href=\\\"#_ftn26\\\">[26]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Parental authority terminates permanently upon the death of the parents, upon the death of the child, or emancipation of the child. <a href=\\\"#_ftn27\\\">[27]<\\/a> Moreover, unless subsequently revived by final judgment, it is also terminated upon adoption of the child, upon judicial declaration of abandonment of the child in a case filed for the purpose, upon the final judgment of a competent court divesting the party concerned of parental authority, upon judicial declaration of absence or incapacity of the person exercising parental authority. <a href=\\\"#_ftn28\\\">[28]<\\/a> It can be suspended upon conviction of the parent or the person exercising the same of a crime which carries with it the penalty of civil interdiction, <a href=\\\"#_ftn29\\\">[29]<\\/a> or if they treat the child with excessive harshness or cruelty, gives the child corrupting orders, counsel, or example, compels the child to beg, or subjects the child or allows him to be subjected to acts of lasciviousness<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><strong>Vaccine laws in the Philippines<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 There is a law mandating the basic immunization services for infants and children, or the An Act Providing For Mandatory Basic Immunization Services For Infants And Children, Repealing For The Purpose Presidential Decree No. 996, As Amended (Republic Act No. 10152). It is the policy of the State to take a proactive role in the preventive health care of infants and children, and through this legislation, the State wants to adopt a comprehensive, mandatory and sustainable immunization program for vaccine-preventable diseases for all infants and children.<a href=\\\"#_ftn30\\\">[30]<\\/a> This law covers the following vaccine-preventable diseases:<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:list {\\\"ordered\\\":true,\\\"type\\\":\\\"a\\\"} -->\\n<ol>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\n<ol>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\n<ol type=\\\"a\\\">\\n<li>Tuberculosis<\\/li>\\n<li>Diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis;<\\/li>\\n<li>Poliomyelitis;<\\/li>\\n<li>Measles;<\\/li>\\n<li>Mumps;<\\/li>\\n<li>Rubella or German measles;<\\/li>\\n<li>Hepatitis-B;<\\/li>\\n<li>H. Influenza type B (HIB); and<\\/li>\\n<li>Such other types may be determined by the Secretary of Health in a department circular.<\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Such basic immunizations shall be given for free at any government hospital or health center to infants and children up to five (5) years of age.<a href=\\\"#_ftn31\\\">[31]<\\/a> R.A. 10152 also mandates that all health care practitioners or health care workers who are administering prenatal care shall educate all pregnant mothers on the importance of giving their infants the basic immunization services as well as any possible effects of immunization and that the Department of Health (DOH) and other government and private sectors shall make available appropriate information materials and shall have a system of its distribution to the public.<a href=\\\"#_ftn32\\\">[32]<\\/a> One of the important provisions is Section 5 which provides that any physician, nurse, midwife, nursing aide or skilled birth attendant, who delivers, or assists in the delivery of, a newborn shall, before delivery, inform parents or legal guardian of the newborn of the availability, nature, and benefits of immunization against Hepatitis-B and other vaccine-preventable diseases at birth.<a href=\\\"#_ftn33\\\">[33]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 However, Secretary to the Cabinet Karlo Nograles said that \\u201cthe government could neither force parents to have their children vaccinated nor punish them if they have not.\\u201d He said that \\u201cRA 10152 does not have any penal provisions and does not punish parents who do not have their children vaccinated, unlike the Presidential Decree (PD) it replaced. Under PD 996, it was the duty of parents or those having custody of the child to see to it that the child is immunized. Those who did not could be punished with a P200 fine or one-month imprisonment\\u201d <a href=\\\"#_ftn34\\\">[34]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 With the advent of R.A. 11166 or the Philippine HIV and AIDS Policy Act, the threshold of consent for the screening, voluntary testing, and treatment for human immunodeficiency virus infection, was lowered to fifteen years of age\\u2014 a characterization of the mature minor doctrine. It requires the assent of the child below 15 years old or those mentally incapacitated, if capacity to assent exists, in order to avail of voluntary testing and protect its interests.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 As seen from the aforementioned laws, just like at the federal level of the US, there is a vacuum in terms of parental consent for vaccination of minors in the Philippines.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><strong>Philippine laws: parental consent for medical treatments<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 A doctor-patient relationship is a form of contract. It is an elementary principle that one of the elements of a contract is consent. The person giving consent must be of legal age (18 years of age, unless otherwise provided) and mentally and physically competent. As the legal guardians, parents are the persons who must sign the consent forms.<a href=\\\"#_ftn35\\\">[35]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Article 1327 of the Civil Code provides the persons who cannot give consent to a contract: unemancipated minors and insane or demented persons, and deaf-mutes who do not know how to write. <a href=\\\"#_ftn36\\\">[36]<\\/a> The Civil Code does not define who can consent to a contract, rather, it defines who has no capacity. These persons can easily be victims of fraud as they are not capable of understanding or knowing the nature of their actions, thus they can only enter into an agreement or contracts through their parents or their legal guardians.<a href=\\\"#_ftn37\\\">[37]<\\/a> The contract they have entered is voidable, meaning it is valid and binding until it is annulled by a proper action in court.<a href=\\\"#_ftn38\\\">[38]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In the medical field, there is the right to informed consent, \\u00a0a legal right recognized and protected by law and jurisprudence. The patient has the right to choose openly whether or not to consent to care after being adequately advised by the specialist about the complications and benefits of the recommended treatment, as well as the viable treatment alternatives, including the possibility of no treatment.<a href=\\\"#_ftn39\\\">[39]<\\/a> It is further drawn as a legal concept, where a person can be said, \\u201cto have given consent based upon a clear appreciation and understanding of the facts, implications, and future consequences of an action.\\u201d He must have adequate reasoning faculties and knows all relevant facts at the time consent is given. If a person cannot give informed consent, say a child, another person is generally authorized to give consent on their behalf, in this case, his parents or legal guardian\\/s. <a href=\\\"#_ftn40\\\">[40]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The key elements of informed consent, according to Tejam of Asia Pacific Journal of Pediatrics and Child Health are disclosure of information, assessment of the decision maker\\u2019s capacity to make medical choices, and process of obtaining consent in the form of a voluntary agreement from the patient without coercion or persuasion. In pediatrics, it comes from the parent or legal guardian. Per the best interests standard, parents are regarded to be in the best position to determine their child\\u2019s best interest because parental decision aims to maximize benefits for their children while minimizing harm. However, the determination of what is in children\\u2019s best interest is often subjective and debatable. While written or verbal informed parental consent may be enough for ethical and legal purposes, but it does not meet the necessities of the ethical concept of informed concept. <a href=\\\"#_ftn41\\\">[41]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The purpose of informed consent and the strict guidelines surrounding this concept is the respect for autonomy, which includes the liberty of the patient, defined as \\u201cthe capacity to live life according to one\'s reasons and motives and agency \\u2026[or] rational capacity for intentional action.\\u201d This principle served as one of the pillars in resolving ethical dilemmas.<a href=\\\"#_ftn42\\\">[42]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><strong>Legal consequences of letting Filipino adolescents make vaccine related medical decisions<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Suppose the teen suffered injuries because of the vaccine<a href=\\\"#_ftn43\\\">[43]<\\/a> and the parents want to file a suit against the physician who administered the vaccine. Here are some of the laws that are usually invoked in a medical malpractice suit.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><em>Medical malpractice<\\/em> is defined by Bellosillo, et al (2010) as:<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<blockquote>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u201cAny professional misconduct, or bad skillful practice, or any practice contrary to law or established rules and regulations whereby the health of a person is injured because of failure of a physician to behave or act as a reasonable, prudent physician who is charged with a duty to use a standard of due care and to foresee harm that may result from failure to meet such standard which may be the proximate cause of injury. It ordinarily refers to any malfeasance or dereliction of duty committed by a physician.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn44\\\">[44]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<\\/blockquote>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>The elements of medical malpractice, as enunciated in the case of <em>Lucas vs Tua\\u00f1o, <\\/em>(2009), are:<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:list {\\\"ordered\\\":true,\\\"type\\\":\\\"1\\\"} -->\\n<ol>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\n<ol>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\n<ol type=\\\"1\\\">\\n<li>A patient engages the services of a physician whereby a physician-patient relationship is generated<\\/li>\\n<li>A physician is under a duty to [the former] to exercise that degree of care, skill, and diligence which physicians in the same general neighborhood and the same general line of practice ordinarily possess and exercise in like cases<\\/li>\\n<li>There is a breach of duty of care, skill, and diligence, or the improper performance of such duty, by the attending physician when the patient is injured in body or health<\\/li>\\n<li>Proof of such breach must likewise rest upon the testimony of an expert witness that the treatment accorded to the patient failed to meet the standard level of care, skill, and diligence which physicians in the same general neighborhood and the same general line of practice ordinarily possess and exercise in like cases.<\\/li>\\n<li>The proximate cause of an injury is that cause, which, in the natural and continuous sequence, unbroken by any efficient intervening cause, produces the injury, and without which the result would not have occurred<a href=\\\"#_ftn45\\\">[45]<\\/a><\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 With these elements present, the physician can be held liable for negligence which is a tort liability. Negligence is defined as \\u201cthe doing of some act which a reasonable and prudent physician would not do, or the failure to do some act which such a person should or would do.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn46\\\">[46]<\\/a> While it is true that physicians are not required to possess extraordinary learning and skill, however, they must keep abreast with medical developments and techniques and must refrain from experimenting. <a href=\\\"#_ftn47\\\">[47]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In terms of evidence, the patient must prove that the health care provider failed to do something which a reasonably prudent health care provider would have done, or that he or she did something that a reasonably prudent provider would not have done; and that that failure or action caused injury to the patient. <a href=\\\"#_ftn48\\\">[48]<\\/a> The injured minor or his parents\\/legal guardian can recover financial damages (actual damages for the pecuniary loss suffered by a party, and moral damages, for the physical suffering and\\/or mental anguish, fright, shock, etc.). <a href=\\\"#_ftn49\\\">[49]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 He can also be held criminally liable<a href=\\\"#_ftn50\\\">[50]<\\/a>. Under the Revised Penal Code (RPC), he can be liable for the crime of administering injurious substances or beverages. The elements are:<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:list {\\\"ordered\\\":true,\\\"type\\\":\\\"1\\\"} -->\\n<ol>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\n<ol>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\n<ol type=\\\"1\\\">\\n<li>The offender in\\ufb02icted upon another any serious physical injury;<\\/li>\\n<li>That it was done by knowingly administering to him any injurious substances or beverages or by taking advantage of his weakness of mind or credulity;<\\/li>\\n<li>That he had no intent to kill. <a href=\\\"#_ftn51\\\">[51]<\\/a><\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 He can also be made liable for Physical Injuries<a href=\\\"#_ftn52\\\">[52]<\\/a> and for Reckless Imprudence (quasi-offense). Reckless imprudence, as defined in Article 365 of RPC, \\u201cconsists in voluntarily, but without malice, doing or failing to do an act from which material damage results because of inexcusable lack of precaution on the part of the person performing or failing to perform such act, taking into consideration his employment or occupation, degree of intelligence, physical condition and other circumstances regarding persons, time and place.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn53\\\">[53]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 On the other end, the medical practitioner can take shelter on legal doctrines to save themselves from liability. The first is the <em>doctrine of foreseeability<\\/em>, which provides that:<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<blockquote>\\n<p>\\u201cA physician cannot be held liable for negligence if the injury sustained by a patient is on account of unforeseen conditions. But, a physician who fails to ascertain the condition of the patient for want of the requisite skills and training is answerable for the injury sustained by the patient if an injury resulted thereto. Such foreseeable injury may be ascertained from the history, physical examination, observation and from information gathered from another member of the family.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn54\\\">[54]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<\\/blockquote>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 He can also avoid liability by invoking the defense of accident, that is, an event which happens without any human agency or, if happening through human agency, an event which, under the circumstances, is unusual to and not expected by the person to whom it happened.<a href=\\\"#_ftn55\\\">[55]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><strong>Practical Consequences \\u2013 Risks of letting minors make health care decisions<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 David DeLugas, executive director of the National Association of Parents (U.S.), said that letting minors make health care decisions in lieu of their parents may introduce conflict into families. He does not think states should upset the parent-child relationship by taking power from the parents and transferring it to the children.<a href=\\\"#_ftn56\\\">[56]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Grootens-Wiegers, et al. also noted that there is no general agreement as to which age is appropriate for minors to be considered competent for informed decision-making. Some studies suggest that it is at 9 years old, some studies suggest that it is ages of 14 or 15. Minors of the same age may have a different level of maturity. Young children, who exhibited an adequate aptitude for decision-making in a certain situation, can lack ample ability in another.<a href=\\\"#_ftn57\\\">[57]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 They also discussed that adolescence is a period when various health issues and increased risks appear. Teenagers experience changes in diet and tend to explore vices such as tobacco and substance abuse. The increase in mortality is attributed to decision-making being affected by risky behavior, sensation seeking, and peer influences. The increased risk can also be attributed to lower cognitive control because of the developing brain in adolescence, especially the brain\\u2019s reward system combined with late development of the control system which decreases decision-making competence. Since the maturity of adolescence varies from one child to another, the practice can be very unpredictable.<a href=\\\"#_ftn58\\\">[58]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 However, good practical outcomes can also come with the idea of minors making medical decisions for themselves, especially for vaccines. Assent from minors aged seven years and above can improve moral growth and develop autonomy. It can even encourage them to comply with the medical treatment and allow them to express their interests in such endeavor. It offers a chance to contribute to their healthcare and provide an honest and open relationship between the family and medical service team.<a href=\\\"#_ftn59\\\">[59]<\\/a> Children will no longer be obligated to keep quiet for the sake of their parents. It also ensures that a child\'s unanswered questions, unresolved worries, or desire to be acknowledged are treated as legitimate and rational issues that matter in the child\'s world, rather than being dismissed as complete nonsense. <a href=\\\"#_ftn60\\\">[60]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><strong>Recommendation<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 With the positive and negative outcomes analyzed, the recommendations are set forth to guide future legislators and policymakers and to help outweigh the negative effects.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:list -->\\n<ul>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\n<ul>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\n<ul>\\n<li>The requirements of assent are: 1) properly informing patients about the issues at hand and what to expect; 2) assessment of their understanding; 3) soliciting agreement or acknowledgment of the decision.<a href=\\\"#_ftn61\\\">[61]<\\/a><\\/li>\\n<li>American Academy of Pediatrics said that assent should be obtained whenever reasonable, and that assent should only be obtained in situations in which the medical service team would be willing to honor, at least in part, a child\\u2019s dissent.<a href=\\\"#_ftn62\\\">[62]<\\/a><\\/li>\\n<li>Legislation should reflect the concept of <em>care ethics<\\/em> (\\u201cIndividuals do not exist in isolation but with others to\\u00a0 whom\\u00a0 they are emotionally or psychologically close,\\u00a0 such as parents,\\u00a0 siblings, and friends \\u201d). Medical professionals should educate a minor by generating information that can provide specific medical context that can be weighed and analyzed with perspectives offered by family and friends which can largely affect their thought processes. The legislation should also recognize the limitations of judgments of minors.<a href=\\\"#_ftn63\\\">[63]<\\/a><\\/li>\\n<li>The legislators should also limit the age bracket (ideally at the age of 14), and limit the vaccines to the recommended types that have been long proven to be effective by science (Ex. measles, polio, diphtheria, influenza) to minimize health risks.<\\/li>\\n<li>In the legislation, healthcare professionals, adolescent health care clinicians, public health personnel, medical organizations should be present and give their inputs.<a href=\\\"#_ftn64\\\">[64]<\\/a><\\/li>\\n<li>The legislators should frame the law in a way that reflects the thought that \\u201cparental consent should be considered a responsibility that supports the minor\'s best interests and preserves a family\'s interests, rather than a parent\'s right to express their own autonomous choices.\\u201d\\u00a0 Davis and Fang, in an article, said that \\u201c<em>Providers have to serve the pediatric patient\'s best interest and not necessarily the parents\' desires.<\\/em>\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn65\\\">[65]<\\/a><\\/li>\\n<li>For policy-making among healthcare professionals or even in the legislation itself, a set of protocols should be developed to serve as a guide to assess minor\\u2019s maturity and decision-making ability. Legal documentation guidelines should be executed to protect healthcare workers against a suit.<a href=\\\"#_ftn66\\\">[66]<\\/a><\\/li>\\n<li>Adolescent\\u2019s privacy should be reflected in the legislation and healthcare protocols. <a href=\\\"#_ftn67\\\">[67]<\\/a><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><strong>Conclusion<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Vaccines have greatly contributed in eradicating serious diseases that could have led to mortality or permanent disability. They are one of the scientific breakthroughs that are gravely misunderstood and often subjected to prejudicial preference. Time and again refused because of misinformation as well as cultural and religious differences. In the Philippines, there is a huge vacuum in emancipation laws for medical decisions for minors. Assuming that minors would be allowed to obtain a vaccine without parental consent, different positive outcomes could be factored, such as a decrease in disease statistics and empowerment in adolescence, while negative outlooks include increased risky behavior in minors because of their developing mental and physical structure, and the boosted risk of medical malpractice suits if ever the vaccine produces adverse effects in their body. Legislators should strive to include healthcare workers in developing legislation that would allow minors to get vaccines for themselves without parental permission, all while preserving the family harmony and the patient\\u2019s well-being, as well as knowing that this is about a patient\\u2019s health and not grandstanding parental authority.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>* Associate Research Editor, UST Law Review; freelance writer<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">[1]<\\/a>UNICEF Philippines, #VaccinesWork: UNICEF stresses importance of immunization on World Immunization Week, UNICEF Philippines, (January 31, 2021), https:\\/\\/www.unicef.org\\/philippines\\/press-releases\\/vaccineswork-unicef-stresses-importance-immunization-world-immunization-week<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a> Jenny Lei Ravelo, Another casualty of vaccine hesitancy: Philippines declares polio outbreak, (January 31, 2021), https:\\/\\/www.devex.com\\/news\\/another-casualty-of-vaccine-hesitancy-philippines-declares-polio-outbreak-95648<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a> Department of Health, Doh Identifies Vaccine Hesitancy as One of The Reasons For Measles Outbreak, Department of Health, (January 31, 2021), https:\\/\\/doh.gov.ph\\/node\\/16721<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[4]<\\/a> Id.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[5]<\\/a> World Health Organization, Revised SAGE recommendation on use of dengue vaccine, (Apil 19, 2018), https:\\/\\/www.who.int\\/immunization\\/diseases\\/dengue\\/revised_SAGE_recommendations_dengue_vaccines_apr2018\\/en\\/<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[6]<\\/a> Migrino, Jr J, Gayados B. Birol RJ, De Jesus L, Lopez CW, Mercado WC, et al. Factors affecting vaccine hesitancy among families with children 2 years old and younger in two urban communities in Manila, Philippines. Western Pac Surveill Response J. 2020 Jun; 10(2). doi: 10.5365\\/wpsar.2019.10.2.006<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\">[7]<\\/a> Kelly Danielpour, Commentary: Why all 50 states need to allow teens to get vaccinated without parental consent, Los Angeles Times, (Nov. 19, 2020), https:\\/\\/journaltimes.com\\/news\\/commentary-why-all-50-states-need-to-allow-teens-to-get-vaccinated-without-parental-consent\\/article_264a2b69-0924-5c08-aabd-fb79fa5deec4.html<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\">[8]<\\/a> Id.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\">[9]<\\/a> Michael Ollove, Teens of \\u2018Anti-Vaxxers\\u2019 Can Get Their Own Vaccines, Some States Say, Stateline, (June 24, 2019), https:\\/\\/www.pewtrusts.org\\/en\\/research-and-analysis\\/blogs\\/stateline\\/2019\\/06\\/24\\/teens-of-anti-vaxxers-can-get-their-own-vaccines-some-states-say<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\">[10]<\\/a> Kelly Danielpour, Commentary: Why all 50 states need to allow teens to get vaccinated without parental consent, Los Angeles Times, (Nov. 19, 2020), https:\\/\\/journaltimes.com\\/news\\/commentary-why-all-50-states-need-to-allow-teens-to-get-vaccinated-without-parental-consent\\/article_264a2b69-0924-5c08-aabd-fb79fa5deec4.html<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\">[11]<\\/a> Abigail English, Carol A. Ford, Jessica A. Kahn, Elyse Olshen Kharbanda, Adolescent Consent for Vaccination: A Position Paper of the Societyfor Adolescent Health and Medicine, 53 Journal of Adolescent Health, 550, 550-553, (2013)<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref12\\\">[12]<\\/a> Michael Davis & Andrea Fang, Emancipated Minor, StatPearls Publishing LLC, (May 19, 2020), https:\\/\\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\\/books\\/NBK554594\\/<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref13\\\">[13]<\\/a> Id.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref14\\\">[14]<\\/a> Abigail English, Carol A. Ford, Jessica A. Kahn, Elyse Olshen Kharbanda, Adolescent Consent for Vaccination: A Position Paper of the Societyfor Adolescent Health and Medicine, 53 Journal of Adolescent Health, 550, 552, (2013)<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref15\\\">[15]<\\/a> <em>In Re: Chad Eric Swan, <\\/em>569 A.2d 1202 (1990), decided January 23, 1990, opinion Issued February 15, 1990.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref16\\\">[16]<\\/a> Id.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref17\\\">[17]<\\/a> Michael Ollove, Teens of \\u2018Anti-Vaxxers\\u2019 Can Get Their Own Vaccines, Some States Say, Stateline, (June 24, 2019), https:\\/\\/www.pewtrusts.org\\/en\\/research-and-analysis\\/blogs\\/stateline\\/2019\\/06\\/24\\/teens-of-anti-vaxxers-can-get-their-own-vaccines-some-states-say<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref18\\\">[18]<\\/a> Mackenzie Bean, 9 states where minors can get vaccinated without parental consent, ASC COMMUNICATIONS 2021, (June 24, 2019), https:\\/\\/www.beckershospitalreview.com\\/quality\\/9-states-where-minors-can-get-vaccinated-without-parental-consent.html<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref19\\\">[19]<\\/a> An Act Lowering The Age Of Majority From Twenty-One To Eighteen Years, Amending For The Purpose Executive Order Numbered Two Hundred Nine, And For Other Purposes, Republic Act No. 6809, sec. 234 (1989)<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref20\\\">[20]<\\/a> R.A. 386, sec. 236<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref21\\\">[21]<\\/a> The Child and Youth Welfare Code, Presidential Decree No. 603, art. 17 (1974)<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref22\\\">[22]<\\/a>P.D. 603, art. 17<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref23\\\">[23]<\\/a> P.D. 603, art. 19 (1974)<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref24\\\">[24]<\\/a> P.D. 603, art. 43 (1974)<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref25\\\">[25]<\\/a> The Family Code of The Philippines, Executive Order No. 209, art. 209 (1988)<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref26\\\">[26]<\\/a> E.O. 209, art. 210<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref27\\\">[27]<\\/a> E.O. 209, art. 228<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref28\\\">[28]<\\/a> E.O. 209, art. 229<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref29\\\">[29]<\\/a> E.O. 209, art. 230<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref30\\\">[30]<\\/a> An Act Providing For Mandatory Basic Immunization Services For Infants And Children, Repealing For The Purpose Presidential Decree No. 996, As Amended, Republic Act No. 10152, sec. 2 (2011)<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref31\\\">[31]<\\/a> R.A. 10152, sec. 3<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref32\\\">[32]<\\/a> R.A. 10152, sec. 4<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref33\\\">[33]<\\/a> R.A. 10152, sec. 5<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref34\\\">[34]<\\/a> Sheila Crisostomo & Gilbert Bayoran, Mandatory immunization ordered, The Philippine Star, (Feb. 10, 2019), https:\\/\\/www.philstar.com\\/headlines\\/2019\\/02\\/10\\/1892465\\/mandatory-immunization-ordered<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref35\\\">[35]<\\/a> Josue N. Bellosillo, Bu C. Castro, Emmanuel LJ. Mapili, Albert D. Rebosa, Antonio D. Rebosa, Basics of Philippine Medical Jurisprudence and Ethics, p. 113, (2010 ed. Central Book Supply, 2010)<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref36\\\">[36]<\\/a> An Act To Ordain And Institute The Civil Code Of The Philippines, Republic Act No. 386, art. 1327 (1950)<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref37\\\">[37]<\\/a> Hector S. De Leon & Hector M. De Leon, Jr. The Law on Obligations and Contracts, p. 342-349, (Rex Printing Company, Inc., 2014)<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref38\\\">[38]<\\/a> Id. at p. 431<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref39\\\">[39]<\\/a> Josue N. Bellosillo, Bu C. Castro, Emmanuel LJ. Mapili, Albert D. Rebosa, Antonio D. Rebosa, Basics of Philippine Medical Jurisprudence and Ethics, p. 113, (2010 ed. Central Book Supply, 2010)<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref40\\\">[40]<\\/a> Id. at p. 412 (2010 ed. Central Book Supply, 2010)<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref41\\\">[41]<\\/a> Cyrus Cesar R. Tejam, Clinical Pediatrics in the Philippines: Parental Assent and Consent, 2 Asia Pacific Journal of Pediatrics and Child Health, 27, 29 \\u00a0(2019)<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref42\\\">[42]<\\/a> Id.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref43\\\">[43]<\\/a> An instance is when it is recommended that \\u201c<em>vaccines not be given during chemo or radiation treatments \\u2013 the only exception to this is the flu shot. This is mainly because vaccines need an immune system response to work, and you may not get an adequate response during cancer treatment<\\/em>.\\u201d \\u2013 American Cancer Society, Vaccinations and Flu Shots for People with Cancer: Should people with cancer get any vaccines? , American Cancer Society webpage, Inc. (2020), <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.cancer.org\\/treatment\\/treatments-and-side-effects\\/physical-side-effects\\/low-blood-counts\\/infections\\/vaccination-during-cancer-treatment.html\\\">https:\\/\\/www.cancer.org\\/treatment\\/treatments-and-side-effects\\/physical-side-effects\\/low-blood-counts\\/infections\\/vaccination-during-cancer-treatment.html<\\/a>. This should not be treated as a medical advice. It is always best to consult your physician.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref44\\\">[44]<\\/a> Josue N. Bellosillo, Bu C. Castro, Emmanuel LJ. Mapili, Albert D. Rebosa, Antonio D. Rebosa, Basics of Philippine Medical Jurisprudence and Ethics, p. 117 (2010 ed. Central Book Supply, 2010)<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref45\\\">[45]<\\/a> <em>Lucas v. Tua\\u00f1o<\\/em>, 586 SCRA 173 (2009)<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref46\\\">[46]<\\/a> Josue N. Bellosillo, Bu C. Castro, Emmanuel LJ. Mapili, Albert D. Rebosa, Antonio D. Rebosa, Basics of Philippine Medical Jurisprudence and Ethics, p. 131, (2010 ed. Central Book Supply, 2010)<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref47\\\">[47]<\\/a> Id.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref48\\\">[48]<\\/a> Professional Services, Inc. v. Natividad and Enrique Agana, 542 Phil. 464, 481 (2007).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref49\\\">[49]<\\/a> Josue N. Bellosillo, Bu C. Castro, Emmanuel LJ. Mapili, Albert D. Rebosa, Antonio D. Rebosa, Basics of Philippine Medical Jurisprudence and Ethics, p. 59, (2010 ed. Central Book Supply, 2010)<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref50\\\">[50]<\\/a> Id at 195<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref51\\\">[51]<\\/a> The Revised Penal Code, Act No. 3815, art. 264, (1930)<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref52\\\">[52]<\\/a> Act No. 3815, art. 266, (1930)<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref53\\\">[53]<\\/a> <em>Gonzaga v. People, <\\/em>G.R. No. 195671, January 21, 2015.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref54\\\">[54]<\\/a> Josue N. Bellosillo, Bu C. Castro, Emmanuel LJ. Mapili, Albert D. Rebosa, Antonio D. Rebosa, Basics of Philippine Medical Jurisprudence and Ethics, p. 154, (2010 ed. Central Book Supply, 2010)<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref55\\\">[55]<\\/a> Id.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref56\\\">[56]<\\/a> Michael Ollove, Teens of \\u2018Anti-Vaxxers\\u2019 Can Get Their Own Vaccines, Some States Say, Stateline, (June 24, 2019), https:\\/\\/www.pewtrusts.org\\/en\\/research-and-analysis\\/blogs\\/stateline\\/2019\\/06\\/24\\/teens-of-anti-vaxxers-can-get-their-own-vaccines-some-states-say<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref57\\\">[57]<\\/a> Petronella Grootens-Wiegers,\\u00a0 Irma M. Hein, Jos M. van den Broek, & Martine C. de Vries, Medical decision-making in children and adolescents: developmental and neuroscientific aspects, BMC Pediatrics, 1, 2 (2017)<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref58\\\">[58]<\\/a> Petronella Grootens-Wiegers,\\u00a0 Irma M. Hein, Jos M. van den Broek, & Martine C. de Vries, Medical decision-making in children and adolescents: developmental and neuroscientific aspects, BMC Pediatrics, 1, 6 (2017)<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref59\\\">[59]<\\/a> Cyrus Cesar R. Tejam, Clinical Pediatrics in the Philippines: Parental Assent and Consent, 2 Asia Pacific Journal of Pediatrics and Child Health, 27, 29 (2019)<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref60\\\">[60]<\\/a> Rebecca Babcock, Medical Decision-Making for Minors: Using Care Ethics to Empower Adolescents and Amend the Current Power Imbalances, 8 Asian Bioethics Review, 4, 13 (2016)<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref61\\\">[61]<\\/a> Cyrus Cesar R. Tejam, Clinical Pediatrics in the Philippines: Parental Assent and Consent, 2 Asia Pacific Journal of Pediatrics and Child Health, 27, 29 (2019)<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref62\\\">[62]<\\/a> Id at 27-33<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref63\\\">[63]<\\/a> Rebecca Babcock, Medical Decision-Making for Minors: Using Care Ethics to Empower Adolescents and Amend the Current Power Imbalances, 8 Asian Bioethics Review, 4, 13 (2016)<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref64\\\">[64]<\\/a> Abigail English, Carol A. Ford, Jessica A. Kahn, Elyse Olshen Kharbanda, Adolescent Consent for Vaccination: A Position Paper of the Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine, 53 Journal of Adolescent Health, 550, 552, (2013)<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref65\\\">[65]<\\/a> Michael Davis & Andrea Fang, Emancipated Minor, StatPearls Publishing LLC, (May 19, 2020), https:\\/\\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\\/books\\/NBK554594\\/<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref66\\\">[66]<\\/a> Id.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref67\\\">[67]<\\/a> Id.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Featured Photo by <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/unsplash.com\\/@thenewmalcolm?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText\\\">Obi Onyeador<\\/a> on <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/unsplash.com\\/s\\/photos\\/vaccine-choice?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText\\\">Unsplash<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.15,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(3652,1268,'_thumbnail_id','1262'),(3653,1268,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(3654,1268,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(3655,1268,'_elementor_version','3.1.1'),(3656,1268,'_wp_page_template','default'),(3657,1268,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"3d1e02bb\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"4005cedf\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"6508c5f0\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<!-- wp:separator -->\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\"><em><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">*<\\/a>This should not be treated as a medical advice. It is always best to consult your physician.<\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>By: Ashley Faye S. Cruz**<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 You are a 15-year-old high school kid lining up in an annual physical examination. The school physician asked if you were vaccinated when you were still a newborn. You answered in the negative, and the physician gave you flyers for free vaccines at the public health center. You went home and excitedly told your mother about this thing called \\u201cvaccine\\u201d and how it can help your immune system. Your mom, who believes in medical conspiracy theories, adamantly denied your request and pulled a litany of conspiracy theories taken from social media websites. Determined, you went to the public health center, but the nurse denied you a free vaccine because there needs parental consent.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 It is very alarming that the Philippines could have avoided diseases by a simple vaccine trip to the nearest pediatrician. United Nations International Children\'s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) reported that as of 2019, an estimated 2.9 million Filipino children remain unvaccinated and remain vulnerable to serious diseases such as rubella and polio. <a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\">[1]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 World Health Organization (WHO) representative Rabindra Abeyasinghe said that to halt the proliferation of disease in the country, 95% need to be vaccinated<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\">[2]<\\/a>. Notwithstanding the availability of free vaccines at public health centers, many parents still refuse to vaccinate their children. Parents have the \\u201cvaccine hesitancy\\u201d, which is the delay in acceptance or refusal of vaccines despite the availability of vaccination services.<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\">[3]<\\/a> Studies have identified several factors that have caused the loss of public confidence in vaccine, though the recommended vaccines are long proven to be effective.<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\">[4]<\\/a> Among these are the following:<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:list {\\\"ordered\\\":true,\\\"type\\\":\\\"1\\\"} -->\\n<ol>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\n<ol type=\\\"1\\\">\\n<li>Dengvaxia controversy, where 10% of the 800,000 students who were immunized with a vaccine against Dengue known as Dengvaxia, but did not have a prior dengue infection, posed a higher risk of contracting severe Dengue<a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\">[5]<\\/a>;<\\/li>\\n<li>Circumstantial events surrounding vaccinations such as when parents attach significance to events such as sleep or behavioral patterns and birth timing;<\\/li>\\n<li>Over-reporting of adverse effects of immunization by mass media such as newspapers and television; and<\\/li>\\n<li>Social media also contributed to vaccine hesitancy, and parents tend to be more susceptible to media reports on the Internet.<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\">[6]<\\/a><\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Parents who choose not to vaccinate their children endanger not only themselves but also everyone else as immunization rates fall too low for vaccine-preventable diseases. In the school year before the COVID-19 outbreak in the United States (U.S.), the rate of childhood vaccine exemptions claimed by parents rose in 40 of 49 states as reflected in the records. <a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\">[7]<\\/a> Dr. Arthur Caplan, founding director of the Division of Medical Ethics at New York University Langone Medical Center, said that \\u201c<em>Parents should not have the authority to subject their children to serious preventable harm<\\/em>\\u201d. <a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\">[8]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 However, there is a solution made by certain states in the U.S. to combat the ever-worsening disease statistics. Nine states allow minors to receive vaccinations without their parents\' permission. Four states allow adolescents to receive specific vaccines, while five states allow minors to consent to any healthcare. <a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\">[9]<\\/a> The American Medical Association and the Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine and other medical organizations, strongly support laws allowing older minors to self-consent to vaccinations. Granting teenagers this right is essential to stemming the spread of diseases, whether they are newly emerging like COVID-19 or have faded from the news.<a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\">[10]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 English, et al., of the Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine, stated in their position paper <em>Adolescent Consent for Vaccination: A Position Paper of the Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine<\\/em>, that adolescent vaccines allow the enhancement of adolescent and adult health. Approaches to boost the proportion of adolescents who receive vaccines will be essential to assure that adolescent vaccination will lead to developments in the health of populations. Within ethical and legal guidelines, it will be important to develop policies and strategies that expand opportunities for minors to receive vaccinations when parents are not physically present.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\">[11]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The U.S. laws on emancipation from parental authority vary from state to state. For instance, some states adopt the \\u201cmature minor\\u201d doctrine. The mature minor doctrine legally recognizes the medical decision-making capacity of adolescents, even though they are still minors under parental or legal guardian control. They are usually 12 years old or older, and they are required to demonstrate adequate cognitive maturity and capacity to understand the risks of medical evaluations and treatments. Some other states allow this practice but its application is restricted only on the grounds of parental availability and sensitive clinical situations.<a href=\\\"#_ftn12\\\">[12]<\\/a> They also allow medical service without parental consent in times of emergency. Other medical services that are available to adolescents that do not need parental consent are rape or sexual assault services, contraception services. sexually transmitted infections, prenatal care, abortion, pediatric care for children of minors, substance use disorder treatment, and mental health treatment. <a href=\\\"#_ftn13\\\">[13]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Federal law of the U.S, does not contain any requirements for parent\\u2019s consent for vaccination of minors. As an exception, the mature minor doctrine which developed from jurisprudence provides an avenue for minors to obtain vaccines for themselves, as long as the patient can give informed consent, the treatment is not high risk, and is provided in a nonnegligent manner.<a href=\\\"#_ftn14\\\">[14]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 To illustrate, in the case of <em>In Re: Swan<\\/em>, Maine Supreme Judicial Court addressed the issue of discontinuing the treatment of minor patient in a chronic vegetative state with little hope of recovery, specifically that the medical decision maker here is the minor patient himself. Chad had an accident which rendered him needing a life-sustaining procedure included a gastrostomy tube that provided hydration and nutrients to his body. Chad\'s mother and brother said that prior to his accident, Chad told them that he did not want to be held alive by artificial means if an injury rendered him incapable of existing otherwise. The tube eventually deteriorated and made his condition worse. Chad\\u2019s parents acquiesced to his wishes.<a href=\\\"#_ftn15\\\">[15]<\\/a> The District Attorney contended that Chad\'s ability to refuse medical care was \\\"significantly limited\\\" since he was under the legal age of majority when he articulated his wishes. Maine Supreme Judicial Court opposed such contention, saying that Chad\'s age was only a \\\"factor to be weighed by the truth finder in judging the seriousness and deliberateness\\\" of his comments. Chad\'s aspirations to not be held in a permanent vegetative condition were \\\"well-informed medical care decisions\\\" that should be respected.<a href=\\\"#_ftn16\\\">[16]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Some suggest that all states should allow minors to make some health care decisions, especially in stigmatized areas such as sexual health and drug addiction. <a href=\\\"#_ftn17\\\">[17]<\\/a> In California, children aged 12 and up will undergo sexually transmitted disease vaccinations without parental supervision. Hepatitis B vaccine may be given to children of any age without their parents\' consent in Minnesota. In Alabama, children ages 14 and up can consent to all healthcare services.<a href=\\\"#_ftn18\\\">[18]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><strong>The situation in the Philippines \\u2013 Emancipation Laws<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Philippines has legislation for emancipation from parental authority. The age of eighteen years is the age of majority unless otherwise provided, and emancipation takes place in such event.<a href=\\\"#_ftn19\\\">[19]<\\/a> According to the law, \\u201cEmancipation shall terminate parental authority over the person and property of the child who shall then be qualified and responsible for all acts of civil life, save the exceptions established by existing laws in special cases.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn20\\\">[20]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Parental authority is also ingrained in our statutes. Article 17 of The Child and Youth Welfare Code states that \\u201cthe father and mother shall exercise jointly just and reasonable parental authority and responsibility for their legitimate or adopted children.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn21\\\">[21]<\\/a> In case of absence or death or either parent, the surviving parent shall exercise the parental authority. <a href=\\\"#_ftn22\\\">[22]<\\/a> \\u201cGrandparents and in their default, the oldest brother or sister who is at least eighteen years of age, or the relative who has actual custody of the child, shall exercise parental authority in case of absence or death of both parents unless a guardian has been appointed following the succeeding provision.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn23\\\">[23]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Code also provides in Chapter 2, Article 43 \\u00a0that \\u201cthe parents shall have the right to the company of their children and, concerning all other persons or institutions dealing with the child\'s development, the primary right and obligation to provide for their upbringing.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn24\\\">[24]<\\/a> The authority of parents\\/legal guardians are also strengthened by Article 209 of the Act: \\u201cUnder the natural right and duty of parents over the person and property of their unemancipated children, parental authority and responsibility shall include the caring for and rearing them for civic consciousness and efficiency and the development of their moral, mental and physical character and well-being.\\u201d <a href=\\\"#_ftn25\\\">[25]<\\/a> It cannot be renounced or transferred except in cases authorized by law. <a href=\\\"#_ftn26\\\">[26]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Parental authority terminates permanently upon the death of the parents, upon the death of the child, or emancipation of the child. <a href=\\\"#_ftn27\\\">[27]<\\/a> Moreover, unless subsequently revived by final judgment, it is also terminated upon adoption of the child, upon judicial declaration of abandonment of the child in a case filed for the purpose, upon the final judgment of a competent court divesting the party concerned of parental authority, upon judicial declaration of absence or incapacity of the person exercising parental authority. <a href=\\\"#_ftn28\\\">[28]<\\/a> It can be suspended upon conviction of the parent or the person exercising the same of a crime which carries with it the penalty of civil interdiction, <a href=\\\"#_ftn29\\\">[29]<\\/a> or if they treat the child with excessive harshness or cruelty, gives the child corrupting orders, counsel, or example, compels the child to beg, or subjects the child or allows him to be subjected to acts of lasciviousness<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><strong>Vaccine laws in the Philippines<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 There is a law mandating the basic immunization services for infants and children, or the An Act Providing For Mandatory Basic Immunization Services For Infants And Children, Repealing For The Purpose Presidential Decree No. 996, As Amended (Republic Act No. 10152). It is the policy of the State to take a proactive role in the preventive health care of infants and children, and through this legislation, the State wants to adopt a comprehensive, mandatory and sustainable immunization program for vaccine-preventable diseases for all infants and children.<a href=\\\"#_ftn30\\\">[30]<\\/a> This law covers the following vaccine-preventable diseases:<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:list {\\\"ordered\\\":true,\\\"type\\\":\\\"a\\\"} -->\\n<ol>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\n<ol>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\n<ol type=\\\"a\\\">\\n<li>Tuberculosis<\\/li>\\n<li>Diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis;<\\/li>\\n<li>Poliomyelitis;<\\/li>\\n<li>Measles;<\\/li>\\n<li>Mumps;<\\/li>\\n<li>Rubella or German measles;<\\/li>\\n<li>Hepatitis-B;<\\/li>\\n<li>H. Influenza type B (HIB); and<\\/li>\\n<li>Such other types may be determined by the Secretary of Health in a department circular.<\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Such basic immunizations shall be given for free at any government hospital or health center to infants and children up to five (5) years of age.<a href=\\\"#_ftn31\\\">[31]<\\/a> R.A. 10152 also mandates that all health care practitioners or health care workers who are administering prenatal care shall educate all pregnant mothers on the importance of giving their infants the basic immunization services as well as any possible effects of immunization and that the Department of Health (DOH) and other government and private sectors shall make available appropriate information materials and shall have a system of its distribution to the public.<a href=\\\"#_ftn32\\\">[32]<\\/a> One of the important provisions is Section 5 which provides that any physician, nurse, midwife, nursing aide or skilled birth attendant, who delivers, or assists in the delivery of, a newborn shall, before delivery, inform parents or legal guardian of the newborn of the availability, nature, and benefits of immunization against Hepatitis-B and other vaccine-preventable diseases at birth.<a href=\\\"#_ftn33\\\">[33]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 However, Secretary to the Cabinet Karlo Nograles said that \\u201cthe government could neither force parents to have their children vaccinated nor punish them if they have not.\\u201d He said that \\u201cRA 10152 does not have any penal provisions and does not punish parents who do not have their children vaccinated, unlike the Presidential Decree (PD) it replaced. Under PD 996, it was the duty of parents or those having custody of the child to see to it that the child is immunized. Those who did not could be punished with a P200 fine or one-month imprisonment\\u201d <a href=\\\"#_ftn34\\\">[34]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 With the advent of R.A. 11166 or the Philippine HIV and AIDS Policy Act, the threshold of consent for the screening, voluntary testing, and treatment for human immunodeficiency virus infection, was lowered to fifteen years of age\\u2014 a characterization of the mature minor doctrine. It requires the assent of the child below 15 years old or those mentally incapacitated, if capacity to assent exists, in order to avail of voluntary testing and protect its interests.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 As seen from the aforementioned laws, just like at the federal level of the US, there is a vacuum in terms of parental consent for vaccination of minors in the Philippines.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><strong>Philippine laws: parental consent for medical treatments<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 A doctor-patient relationship is a form of contract. It is an elementary principle that one of the elements of a contract is consent. The person giving consent must be of legal age (18 years of age, unless otherwise provided) and mentally and physically competent. As the legal guardians, parents are the persons who must sign the consent forms.<a href=\\\"#_ftn35\\\">[35]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Article 1327 of the Civil Code provides the persons who cannot give consent to a contract: unemancipated minors and insane or demented persons, and deaf-mutes who do not know how to write. <a href=\\\"#_ftn36\\\">[36]<\\/a> The Civil Code does not define who can consent to a contract, rather, it defines who has no capacity. These persons can easily be victims of fraud as they are not capable of understanding or knowing the nature of their actions, thus they can only enter into an agreement or contracts through their parents or their legal guardians.<a href=\\\"#_ftn37\\\">[37]<\\/a> The contract they have entered is voidable, meaning it is valid and binding until it is annulled by a proper action in court.<a href=\\\"#_ftn38\\\">[38]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In the medical field, there is the right to informed consent, \\u00a0a legal right recognized and protected by law and jurisprudence. The patient has the right to choose openly whether or not to consent to care after being adequately advised by the specialist about the complications and benefits of the recommended treatment, as well as the viable treatment alternatives, including the possibility of no treatment.<a href=\\\"#_ftn39\\\">[39]<\\/a> It is further drawn as a legal concept, where a person can be said, \\u201cto have given consent based upon a clear appreciation and understanding of the facts, implications, and future consequences of an action.\\u201d He must have adequate reasoning faculties and knows all relevant facts at the time consent is given. If a person cannot give informed consent, say a child, another person is generally authorized to give consent on their behalf, in this case, his parents or legal guardian\\/s. <a href=\\\"#_ftn40\\\">[40]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The key elements of informed consent, according to Tejam of Asia Pacific Journal of Pediatrics and Child Health are disclosure of information, assessment of the decision maker\\u2019s capacity to make medical choices, and process of obtaining consent in the form of a voluntary agreement from the patient without coercion or persuasion. In pediatrics, it comes from the parent or legal guardian. Per the best interests standard, parents are regarded to be in the best position to determine their child\\u2019s best interest because parental decision aims to maximize benefits for their children while minimizing harm. However, the determination of what is in children\\u2019s best interest is often subjective and debatable. While written or verbal informed parental consent may be enough for ethical and legal purposes, but it does not meet the necessities of the ethical concept of informed concept. <a href=\\\"#_ftn41\\\">[41]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The purpose of informed consent and the strict guidelines surrounding this concept is the respect for autonomy, which includes the liberty of the patient, defined as \\u201cthe capacity to live life according to one\'s reasons and motives and agency \\u2026[or] rational capacity for intentional action.\\u201d This principle served as one of the pillars in resolving ethical dilemmas.<a href=\\\"#_ftn42\\\">[42]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><strong>Legal consequences of letting Filipino adolescents make vaccine related medical decisions<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Suppose the teen suffered injuries because of the vaccine<a href=\\\"#_ftn43\\\">[43]<\\/a> and the parents want to file a suit against the physician who administered the vaccine. Here are some of the laws that are usually invoked in a medical malpractice suit.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><em>Medical malpractice<\\/em> is defined by Bellosillo, et al (2010) as:<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<blockquote>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u201cAny professional misconduct, or bad skillful practice, or any practice contrary to law or established rules and regulations whereby the health of a person is injured because of failure of a physician to behave or act as a reasonable, prudent physician who is charged with a duty to use a standard of due care and to foresee harm that may result from failure to meet such standard which may be the proximate cause of injury. It ordinarily refers to any malfeasance or dereliction of duty committed by a physician.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn44\\\">[44]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<\\/blockquote>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>The elements of medical malpractice, as enunciated in the case of <em>Lucas vs Tua\\u00f1o, <\\/em>(2009), are:<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:list {\\\"ordered\\\":true,\\\"type\\\":\\\"1\\\"} -->\\n<ol>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\n<ol>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\n<ol type=\\\"1\\\">\\n<li>A patient engages the services of a physician whereby a physician-patient relationship is generated<\\/li>\\n<li>A physician is under a duty to [the former] to exercise that degree of care, skill, and diligence which physicians in the same general neighborhood and the same general line of practice ordinarily possess and exercise in like cases<\\/li>\\n<li>There is a breach of duty of care, skill, and diligence, or the improper performance of such duty, by the attending physician when the patient is injured in body or health<\\/li>\\n<li>Proof of such breach must likewise rest upon the testimony of an expert witness that the treatment accorded to the patient failed to meet the standard level of care, skill, and diligence which physicians in the same general neighborhood and the same general line of practice ordinarily possess and exercise in like cases.<\\/li>\\n<li>The proximate cause of an injury is that cause, which, in the natural and continuous sequence, unbroken by any efficient intervening cause, produces the injury, and without which the result would not have occurred<a href=\\\"#_ftn45\\\">[45]<\\/a><\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 With these elements present, the physician can be held liable for negligence which is a tort liability. Negligence is defined as \\u201cthe doing of some act which a reasonable and prudent physician would not do, or the failure to do some act which such a person should or would do.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn46\\\">[46]<\\/a> While it is true that physicians are not required to possess extraordinary learning and skill, however, they must keep abreast with medical developments and techniques and must refrain from experimenting. <a href=\\\"#_ftn47\\\">[47]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In terms of evidence, the patient must prove that the health care provider failed to do something which a reasonably prudent health care provider would have done, or that he or she did something that a reasonably prudent provider would not have done; and that that failure or action caused injury to the patient. <a href=\\\"#_ftn48\\\">[48]<\\/a> The injured minor or his parents\\/legal guardian can recover financial damages (actual damages for the pecuniary loss suffered by a party, and moral damages, for the physical suffering and\\/or mental anguish, fright, shock, etc.). <a href=\\\"#_ftn49\\\">[49]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 He can also be held criminally liable<a href=\\\"#_ftn50\\\">[50]<\\/a>. Under the Revised Penal Code (RPC), he can be liable for the crime of administering injurious substances or beverages. The elements are:<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:list {\\\"ordered\\\":true,\\\"type\\\":\\\"1\\\"} -->\\n<ol>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\n<ol>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\n<ol type=\\\"1\\\">\\n<li>The offender in\\ufb02icted upon another any serious physical injury;<\\/li>\\n<li>That it was done by knowingly administering to him any injurious substances or beverages or by taking advantage of his weakness of mind or credulity;<\\/li>\\n<li>That he had no intent to kill. <a href=\\\"#_ftn51\\\">[51]<\\/a><\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 He can also be made liable for Physical Injuries<a href=\\\"#_ftn52\\\">[52]<\\/a> and for Reckless Imprudence (quasi-offense). Reckless imprudence, as defined in Article 365 of RPC, \\u201cconsists in voluntarily, but without malice, doing or failing to do an act from which material damage results because of inexcusable lack of precaution on the part of the person performing or failing to perform such act, taking into consideration his employment or occupation, degree of intelligence, physical condition and other circumstances regarding persons, time and place.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn53\\\">[53]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 On the other end, the medical practitioner can take shelter on legal doctrines to save themselves from liability. The first is the <em>doctrine of foreseeability<\\/em>, which provides that:<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<blockquote>\\n<p>\\u201cA physician cannot be held liable for negligence if the injury sustained by a patient is on account of unforeseen conditions. But, a physician who fails to ascertain the condition of the patient for want of the requisite skills and training is answerable for the injury sustained by the patient if an injury resulted thereto. Such foreseeable injury may be ascertained from the history, physical examination, observation and from information gathered from another member of the family.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn54\\\">[54]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<\\/blockquote>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 He can also avoid liability by invoking the defense of accident, that is, an event which happens without any human agency or, if happening through human agency, an event which, under the circumstances, is unusual to and not expected by the person to whom it happened.<a href=\\\"#_ftn55\\\">[55]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><strong>Practical Consequences \\u2013 Risks of letting minors make health care decisions<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 David DeLugas, executive director of the National Association of Parents (U.S.), said that letting minors make health care decisions in lieu of their parents may introduce conflict into families. He does not think states should upset the parent-child relationship by taking power from the parents and transferring it to the children.<a href=\\\"#_ftn56\\\">[56]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Grootens-Wiegers, et al. also noted that there is no general agreement as to which age is appropriate for minors to be considered competent for informed decision-making. Some studies suggest that it is at 9 years old, some studies suggest that it is ages of 14 or 15. Minors of the same age may have a different level of maturity. Young children, who exhibited an adequate aptitude for decision-making in a certain situation, can lack ample ability in another.<a href=\\\"#_ftn57\\\">[57]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 They also discussed that adolescence is a period when various health issues and increased risks appear. Teenagers experience changes in diet and tend to explore vices such as tobacco and substance abuse. The increase in mortality is attributed to decision-making being affected by risky behavior, sensation seeking, and peer influences. The increased risk can also be attributed to lower cognitive control because of the developing brain in adolescence, especially the brain\\u2019s reward system combined with late development of the control system which decreases decision-making competence. Since the maturity of adolescence varies from one child to another, the practice can be very unpredictable.<a href=\\\"#_ftn58\\\">[58]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 However, good practical outcomes can also come with the idea of minors making medical decisions for themselves, especially for vaccines. Assent from minors aged seven years and above can improve moral growth and develop autonomy. It can even encourage them to comply with the medical treatment and allow them to express their interests in such endeavor. It offers a chance to contribute to their healthcare and provide an honest and open relationship between the family and medical service team.<a href=\\\"#_ftn59\\\">[59]<\\/a> Children will no longer be obligated to keep quiet for the sake of their parents. It also ensures that a child\'s unanswered questions, unresolved worries, or desire to be acknowledged are treated as legitimate and rational issues that matter in the child\'s world, rather than being dismissed as complete nonsense. <a href=\\\"#_ftn60\\\">[60]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><strong>Recommendation<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 With the positive and negative outcomes analyzed, the recommendations are set forth to guide future legislators and policymakers and to help outweigh the negative effects.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:list -->\\n<ul>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\n<ul>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\n<ul>\\n<li>The requirements of assent are: 1) properly informing patients about the issues at hand and what to expect; 2) assessment of their understanding; 3) soliciting agreement or acknowledgment of the decision.<a href=\\\"#_ftn61\\\">[61]<\\/a><\\/li>\\n<li>American Academy of Pediatrics said that assent should be obtained whenever reasonable, and that assent should only be obtained in situations in which the medical service team would be willing to honor, at least in part, a child\\u2019s dissent.<a href=\\\"#_ftn62\\\">[62]<\\/a><\\/li>\\n<li>Legislation should reflect the concept of <em>care ethics<\\/em> (\\u201cIndividuals do not exist in isolation but with others to\\u00a0 whom\\u00a0 they are emotionally or psychologically close,\\u00a0 such as parents,\\u00a0 siblings, and friends \\u201d). Medical professionals should educate a minor by generating information that can provide specific medical context that can be weighed and analyzed with perspectives offered by family and friends which can largely affect their thought processes. The legislation should also recognize the limitations of judgments of minors.<a href=\\\"#_ftn63\\\">[63]<\\/a><\\/li>\\n<li>The legislators should also limit the age bracket (ideally at the age of 14), and limit the vaccines to the recommended types that have been long proven to be effective by science (Ex. measles, polio, diphtheria, influenza) to minimize health risks.<\\/li>\\n<li>In the legislation, healthcare professionals, adolescent health care clinicians, public health personnel, medical organizations should be present and give their inputs.<a href=\\\"#_ftn64\\\">[64]<\\/a><\\/li>\\n<li>The legislators should frame the law in a way that reflects the thought that \\u201cparental consent should be considered a responsibility that supports the minor\'s best interests and preserves a family\'s interests, rather than a parent\'s right to express their own autonomous choices.\\u201d\\u00a0 Davis and Fang, in an article, said that \\u201c<em>Providers have to serve the pediatric patient\'s best interest and not necessarily the parents\' desires.<\\/em>\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn65\\\">[65]<\\/a><\\/li>\\n<li>For policy-making among healthcare professionals or even in the legislation itself, a set of protocols should be developed to serve as a guide to assess minor\\u2019s maturity and decision-making ability. Legal documentation guidelines should be executed to protect healthcare workers against a suit.<a href=\\\"#_ftn66\\\">[66]<\\/a><\\/li>\\n<li>Adolescent\\u2019s privacy should be reflected in the legislation and healthcare protocols. <a href=\\\"#_ftn67\\\">[67]<\\/a><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><strong>Conclusion<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Vaccines have greatly contributed in eradicating serious diseases that could have led to mortality or permanent disability. They are one of the scientific breakthroughs that are gravely misunderstood and often subjected to prejudicial preference. Time and again refused because of misinformation as well as cultural and religious differences. In the Philippines, there is a huge vacuum in emancipation laws for medical decisions for minors. Assuming that minors would be allowed to obtain a vaccine without parental consent, different positive outcomes could be factored, such as a decrease in disease statistics and empowerment in adolescence, while negative outlooks include increased risky behavior in minors because of their developing mental and physical structure, and the boosted risk of medical malpractice suits if ever the vaccine produces adverse effects in their body. Legislators should strive to include healthcare workers in developing legislation that would allow minors to get vaccines for themselves without parental permission, all while preserving the family harmony and the patient\\u2019s well-being, as well as knowing that this is about a patient\\u2019s health and not grandstanding parental authority.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>* Associate Research Editor, UST Law Review; freelance writer<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">[1]<\\/a>UNICEF Philippines, #VaccinesWork: UNICEF stresses importance of immunization on World Immunization Week, UNICEF Philippines, (January 31, 2021), https:\\/\\/www.unicef.org\\/philippines\\/press-releases\\/vaccineswork-unicef-stresses-importance-immunization-world-immunization-week<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a> Jenny Lei Ravelo, Another casualty of vaccine hesitancy: Philippines declares polio outbreak, (January 31, 2021), https:\\/\\/www.devex.com\\/news\\/another-casualty-of-vaccine-hesitancy-philippines-declares-polio-outbreak-95648<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a> Department of Health, Doh Identifies Vaccine Hesitancy as One of The Reasons For Measles Outbreak, Department of Health, (January 31, 2021), https:\\/\\/doh.gov.ph\\/node\\/16721<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[4]<\\/a> Id.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[5]<\\/a> World Health Organization, Revised SAGE recommendation on use of dengue vaccine, (Apil 19, 2018), https:\\/\\/www.who.int\\/immunization\\/diseases\\/dengue\\/revised_SAGE_recommendations_dengue_vaccines_apr2018\\/en\\/<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[6]<\\/a> Migrino, Jr J, Gayados B. Birol RJ, De Jesus L, Lopez CW, Mercado WC, et al. Factors affecting vaccine hesitancy among families with children 2 years old and younger in two urban communities in Manila, Philippines. Western Pac Surveill Response J. 2020 Jun; 10(2). doi: 10.5365\\/wpsar.2019.10.2.006<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\">[7]<\\/a> Kelly Danielpour, Commentary: Why all 50 states need to allow teens to get vaccinated without parental consent, Los Angeles Times, (Nov. 19, 2020), https:\\/\\/journaltimes.com\\/news\\/commentary-why-all-50-states-need-to-allow-teens-to-get-vaccinated-without-parental-consent\\/article_264a2b69-0924-5c08-aabd-fb79fa5deec4.html<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\">[8]<\\/a> Id.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\">[9]<\\/a> Michael Ollove, Teens of \\u2018Anti-Vaxxers\\u2019 Can Get Their Own Vaccines, Some States Say, Stateline, (June 24, 2019), https:\\/\\/www.pewtrusts.org\\/en\\/research-and-analysis\\/blogs\\/stateline\\/2019\\/06\\/24\\/teens-of-anti-vaxxers-can-get-their-own-vaccines-some-states-say<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\">[10]<\\/a> Kelly Danielpour, Commentary: Why all 50 states need to allow teens to get vaccinated without parental consent, Los Angeles Times, (Nov. 19, 2020), https:\\/\\/journaltimes.com\\/news\\/commentary-why-all-50-states-need-to-allow-teens-to-get-vaccinated-without-parental-consent\\/article_264a2b69-0924-5c08-aabd-fb79fa5deec4.html<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\">[11]<\\/a> Abigail English, Carol A. Ford, Jessica A. Kahn, Elyse Olshen Kharbanda, Adolescent Consent for Vaccination: A Position Paper of the Societyfor Adolescent Health and Medicine, 53 Journal of Adolescent Health, 550, 550-553, (2013)<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref12\\\">[12]<\\/a> Michael Davis & Andrea Fang, Emancipated Minor, StatPearls Publishing LLC, (May 19, 2020), https:\\/\\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\\/books\\/NBK554594\\/<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref13\\\">[13]<\\/a> Id.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref14\\\">[14]<\\/a> Abigail English, Carol A. Ford, Jessica A. Kahn, Elyse Olshen Kharbanda, Adolescent Consent for Vaccination: A Position Paper of the Societyfor Adolescent Health and Medicine, 53 Journal of Adolescent Health, 550, 552, (2013)<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref15\\\">[15]<\\/a> <em>In Re: Chad Eric Swan, <\\/em>569 A.2d 1202 (1990), decided January 23, 1990, opinion Issued February 15, 1990.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref16\\\">[16]<\\/a> Id.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref17\\\">[17]<\\/a> Michael Ollove, Teens of \\u2018Anti-Vaxxers\\u2019 Can Get Their Own Vaccines, Some States Say, Stateline, (June 24, 2019), https:\\/\\/www.pewtrusts.org\\/en\\/research-and-analysis\\/blogs\\/stateline\\/2019\\/06\\/24\\/teens-of-anti-vaxxers-can-get-their-own-vaccines-some-states-say<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref18\\\">[18]<\\/a> Mackenzie Bean, 9 states where minors can get vaccinated without parental consent, ASC COMMUNICATIONS 2021, (June 24, 2019), https:\\/\\/www.beckershospitalreview.com\\/quality\\/9-states-where-minors-can-get-vaccinated-without-parental-consent.html<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref19\\\">[19]<\\/a> An Act Lowering The Age Of Majority From Twenty-One To Eighteen Years, Amending For The Purpose Executive Order Numbered Two Hundred Nine, And For Other Purposes, Republic Act No. 6809, sec. 234 (1989)<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref20\\\">[20]<\\/a> R.A. 386, sec. 236<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref21\\\">[21]<\\/a> The Child and Youth Welfare Code, Presidential Decree No. 603, art. 17 (1974)<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref22\\\">[22]<\\/a>P.D. 603, art. 17<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref23\\\">[23]<\\/a> P.D. 603, art. 19 (1974)<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref24\\\">[24]<\\/a> P.D. 603, art. 43 (1974)<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref25\\\">[25]<\\/a> The Family Code of The Philippines, Executive Order No. 209, art. 209 (1988)<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref26\\\">[26]<\\/a> E.O. 209, art. 210<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref27\\\">[27]<\\/a> E.O. 209, art. 228<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref28\\\">[28]<\\/a> E.O. 209, art. 229<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref29\\\">[29]<\\/a> E.O. 209, art. 230<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref30\\\">[30]<\\/a> An Act Providing For Mandatory Basic Immunization Services For Infants And Children, Repealing For The Purpose Presidential Decree No. 996, As Amended, Republic Act No. 10152, sec. 2 (2011)<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref31\\\">[31]<\\/a> R.A. 10152, sec. 3<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref32\\\">[32]<\\/a> R.A. 10152, sec. 4<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref33\\\">[33]<\\/a> R.A. 10152, sec. 5<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref34\\\">[34]<\\/a> Sheila Crisostomo & Gilbert Bayoran, Mandatory immunization ordered, The Philippine Star, (Feb. 10, 2019), https:\\/\\/www.philstar.com\\/headlines\\/2019\\/02\\/10\\/1892465\\/mandatory-immunization-ordered<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref35\\\">[35]<\\/a> Josue N. Bellosillo, Bu C. Castro, Emmanuel LJ. Mapili, Albert D. Rebosa, Antonio D. Rebosa, Basics of Philippine Medical Jurisprudence and Ethics, p. 113, (2010 ed. Central Book Supply, 2010)<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref36\\\">[36]<\\/a> An Act To Ordain And Institute The Civil Code Of The Philippines, Republic Act No. 386, art. 1327 (1950)<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref37\\\">[37]<\\/a> Hector S. De Leon & Hector M. De Leon, Jr. The Law on Obligations and Contracts, p. 342-349, (Rex Printing Company, Inc., 2014)<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref38\\\">[38]<\\/a> Id. at p. 431<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref39\\\">[39]<\\/a> Josue N. Bellosillo, Bu C. Castro, Emmanuel LJ. Mapili, Albert D. Rebosa, Antonio D. Rebosa, Basics of Philippine Medical Jurisprudence and Ethics, p. 113, (2010 ed. Central Book Supply, 2010)<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref40\\\">[40]<\\/a> Id. at p. 412 (2010 ed. Central Book Supply, 2010)<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref41\\\">[41]<\\/a> Cyrus Cesar R. Tejam, Clinical Pediatrics in the Philippines: Parental Assent and Consent, 2 Asia Pacific Journal of Pediatrics and Child Health, 27, 29 \\u00a0(2019)<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref42\\\">[42]<\\/a> Id.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref43\\\">[43]<\\/a> An instance is when it is recommended that \\u201c<em>vaccines not be given during chemo or radiation treatments \\u2013 the only exception to this is the flu shot. This is mainly because vaccines need an immune system response to work, and you may not get an adequate response during cancer treatment<\\/em>.\\u201d \\u2013 American Cancer Society, Vaccinations and Flu Shots for People with Cancer: Should people with cancer get any vaccines? , American Cancer Society webpage, Inc. (2020), <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.cancer.org\\/treatment\\/treatments-and-side-effects\\/physical-side-effects\\/low-blood-counts\\/infections\\/vaccination-during-cancer-treatment.html\\\">https:\\/\\/www.cancer.org\\/treatment\\/treatments-and-side-effects\\/physical-side-effects\\/low-blood-counts\\/infections\\/vaccination-during-cancer-treatment.html<\\/a>. This should not be treated as a medical advice. It is always best to consult your physician.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref44\\\">[44]<\\/a> Josue N. Bellosillo, Bu C. Castro, Emmanuel LJ. Mapili, Albert D. Rebosa, Antonio D. Rebosa, Basics of Philippine Medical Jurisprudence and Ethics, p. 117 (2010 ed. Central Book Supply, 2010)<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref45\\\">[45]<\\/a> <em>Lucas v. Tua\\u00f1o<\\/em>, 586 SCRA 173 (2009)<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref46\\\">[46]<\\/a> Josue N. Bellosillo, Bu C. Castro, Emmanuel LJ. Mapili, Albert D. Rebosa, Antonio D. Rebosa, Basics of Philippine Medical Jurisprudence and Ethics, p. 131, (2010 ed. Central Book Supply, 2010)<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref47\\\">[47]<\\/a> Id.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref48\\\">[48]<\\/a> Professional Services, Inc. v. Natividad and Enrique Agana, 542 Phil. 464, 481 (2007).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref49\\\">[49]<\\/a> Josue N. Bellosillo, Bu C. Castro, Emmanuel LJ. Mapili, Albert D. Rebosa, Antonio D. Rebosa, Basics of Philippine Medical Jurisprudence and Ethics, p. 59, (2010 ed. Central Book Supply, 2010)<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref50\\\">[50]<\\/a> Id at 195<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref51\\\">[51]<\\/a> The Revised Penal Code, Act No. 3815, art. 264, (1930)<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref52\\\">[52]<\\/a> Act No. 3815, art. 266, (1930)<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref53\\\">[53]<\\/a> <em>Gonzaga v. People, <\\/em>G.R. No. 195671, January 21, 2015.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref54\\\">[54]<\\/a> Josue N. Bellosillo, Bu C. Castro, Emmanuel LJ. Mapili, Albert D. Rebosa, Antonio D. Rebosa, Basics of Philippine Medical Jurisprudence and Ethics, p. 154, (2010 ed. Central Book Supply, 2010)<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref55\\\">[55]<\\/a> Id.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref56\\\">[56]<\\/a> Michael Ollove, Teens of \\u2018Anti-Vaxxers\\u2019 Can Get Their Own Vaccines, Some States Say, Stateline, (June 24, 2019), https:\\/\\/www.pewtrusts.org\\/en\\/research-and-analysis\\/blogs\\/stateline\\/2019\\/06\\/24\\/teens-of-anti-vaxxers-can-get-their-own-vaccines-some-states-say<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref57\\\">[57]<\\/a> Petronella Grootens-Wiegers,\\u00a0 Irma M. Hein, Jos M. van den Broek, & Martine C. de Vries, Medical decision-making in children and adolescents: developmental and neuroscientific aspects, BMC Pediatrics, 1, 2 (2017)<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref58\\\">[58]<\\/a> Petronella Grootens-Wiegers,\\u00a0 Irma M. Hein, Jos M. van den Broek, & Martine C. de Vries, Medical decision-making in children and adolescents: developmental and neuroscientific aspects, BMC Pediatrics, 1, 6 (2017)<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref59\\\">[59]<\\/a> Cyrus Cesar R. Tejam, Clinical Pediatrics in the Philippines: Parental Assent and Consent, 2 Asia Pacific Journal of Pediatrics and Child Health, 27, 29 (2019)<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref60\\\">[60]<\\/a> Rebecca Babcock, Medical Decision-Making for Minors: Using Care Ethics to Empower Adolescents and Amend the Current Power Imbalances, 8 Asian Bioethics Review, 4, 13 (2016)<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref61\\\">[61]<\\/a> Cyrus Cesar R. Tejam, Clinical Pediatrics in the Philippines: Parental Assent and Consent, 2 Asia Pacific Journal of Pediatrics and Child Health, 27, 29 (2019)<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref62\\\">[62]<\\/a> Id at 27-33<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref63\\\">[63]<\\/a> Rebecca Babcock, Medical Decision-Making for Minors: Using Care Ethics to Empower Adolescents and Amend the Current Power Imbalances, 8 Asian Bioethics Review, 4, 13 (2016)<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref64\\\">[64]<\\/a> Abigail English, Carol A. Ford, Jessica A. Kahn, Elyse Olshen Kharbanda, Adolescent Consent for Vaccination: A Position Paper of the Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine, 53 Journal of Adolescent Health, 550, 552, (2013)<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref65\\\">[65]<\\/a> Michael Davis & Andrea Fang, Emancipated Minor, StatPearls Publishing LLC, (May 19, 2020), https:\\/\\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\\/books\\/NBK554594\\/<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref66\\\">[66]<\\/a> Id.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref67\\\">[67]<\\/a> Id.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Featured Photo by <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/unsplash.com\\/@thenewmalcolm?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText\\\">Obi Onyeador<\\/a> on <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/unsplash.com\\/s\\/photos\\/vaccine-choice?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText\\\">Unsplash<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.15,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(3659,1269,'_thumbnail_id','1262'),(3660,1269,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(3661,1269,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(3662,1269,'_elementor_version','3.1.1'),(3663,1269,'_wp_page_template','default'),(3664,1269,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"3d1e02bb\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"4005cedf\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"6508c5f0\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><!-- wp:separator --><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\"><em><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">*<\\/a>This should not be treated as a medical advice. It is always best to consult your physician.<\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\">\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>By: Ashley Faye S. Cruz**<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> You are a 15-year-old high school kid lining up in an annual physical examination. The school physician asked if you were vaccinated when you were still a newborn. You answered in the negative, and the physician gave you flyers for free vaccines at the public health center. You went home and excitedly told your mother about this thing called \\u201cvaccine\\u201d and how it can help your immune system. Your mom, who believes in medical conspiracy theories, adamantly denied your request and pulled a litany of conspiracy theories taken from social media websites. Determined, you went to the public health center, but the nurse denied you a free vaccine because there needs parental consent.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> It is very alarming that the Philippines could have avoided diseases by a simple vaccine trip to the nearest pediatrician. United Nations International Children\'s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) reported that as of 2019, an estimated 2.9 million Filipino children remain unvaccinated and remain vulnerable to serious diseases such as rubella and polio. <a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\">[1]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> World Health Organization (WHO) representative Rabindra Abeyasinghe said that to halt the proliferation of disease in the country, 95% need to be vaccinated<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\">[2]<\\/a>. Notwithstanding the availability of free vaccines at public health centers, many parents still refuse to vaccinate their children. Parents have the \\u201cvaccine hesitancy\\u201d, which is the delay in acceptance or refusal of vaccines despite the availability of vaccination services.<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\">[3]<\\/a> Studies have identified several factors that have caused the loss of public confidence in vaccine, though the recommended vaccines are long proven to be effective.<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\">[4]<\\/a> Among these are the following:<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:list {\\\"ordered\\\":true,\\\"type\\\":\\\"1\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<ol>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\n<ol type=\\\"1\\\">\\n<li>Dengvaxia controversy, where 10% of the 800,000 students who were immunized with a vaccine against Dengue known as Dengvaxia, but did not have a prior dengue infection, posed a higher risk of contracting severe Dengue<a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\">[5]<\\/a>;<\\/li>\\n<li>Circumstantial events surrounding vaccinations such as when parents attach significance to events such as sleep or behavioral patterns and birth timing;<\\/li>\\n<li>Over-reporting of adverse effects of immunization by mass media such as newspapers and television; and<\\/li>\\n<li>Social media also contributed to vaccine hesitancy, and parents tend to be more susceptible to media reports on the Internet.<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\">[6]<\\/a><\\/li><\\/ol><\\/li><li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\n<br><\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> Parents who choose not to vaccinate their children endanger not only themselves but also everyone else as immunization rates fall too low for vaccine-preventable diseases. In the school year before the COVID-19 outbreak in the United States (U.S.), the rate of childhood vaccine exemptions claimed by parents rose in 40 of 49 states as reflected in the records. <a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\">[7]<\\/a> Dr. Arthur Caplan, founding director of the Division of Medical Ethics at New York University Langone Medical Center, said that \\u201c<em>Parents should not have the authority to subject their children to serious preventable harm<\\/em>\\u201d. <a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\">[8]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> However, there is a solution made by certain states in the U.S. to combat the ever-worsening disease statistics. Nine states allow minors to receive vaccinations without their parents\' permission. Four states allow adolescents to receive specific vaccines, while five states allow minors to consent to any healthcare. <a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\">[9]<\\/a> The American Medical Association and the Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine and other medical organizations, strongly support laws allowing older minors to self-consent to vaccinations. Granting teenagers this right is essential to stemming the spread of diseases, whether they are newly emerging like COVID-19 or have faded from the news.<a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\">[10]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> English, et al., of the Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine, stated in their position paper <em>Adolescent Consent for Vaccination: A Position Paper of the Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine<\\/em>, that adolescent vaccines allow the enhancement of adolescent and adult health. Approaches to boost the proportion of adolescents who receive vaccines will be essential to assure that adolescent vaccination will lead to developments in the health of populations. Within ethical and legal guidelines, it will be important to develop policies and strategies that expand opportunities for minors to receive vaccinations when parents are not physically present.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\">[11]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> The U.S. laws on emancipation from parental authority vary from state to state. For instance, some states adopt the \\u201cmature minor\\u201d doctrine. The mature minor doctrine legally recognizes the medical decision-making capacity of adolescents, even though they are still minors under parental or legal guardian control. They are usually 12 years old or older, and they are required to demonstrate adequate cognitive maturity and capacity to understand the risks of medical evaluations and treatments. Some other states allow this practice but its application is restricted only on the grounds of parental availability and sensitive clinical situations.<a href=\\\"#_ftn12\\\">[12]<\\/a> They also allow medical service without parental consent in times of emergency. Other medical services that are available to adolescents that do not need parental consent are rape or sexual assault services, contraception services. sexually transmitted infections, prenatal care, abortion, pediatric care for children of minors, substance use disorder treatment, and mental health treatment. <a href=\\\"#_ftn13\\\">[13]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>Federal law of the U.S, does not contain any requirements for parent\\u2019s consent for vaccination of minors. As an exception, the mature minor doctrine which developed from jurisprudence provides an avenue for minors to obtain vaccines for themselves, as long as the patient can give informed consent, the treatment is not high risk, and is provided in a nonnegligent manner.<a href=\\\"#_ftn14\\\">[14]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> To illustrate, in the case of <em>In Re: Swan<\\/em>, Maine Supreme Judicial Court addressed the issue of discontinuing the treatment of minor patient in a chronic vegetative state with little hope of recovery, specifically that the medical decision maker here is the minor patient himself. Chad had an accident which rendered him needing a life-sustaining procedure included a gastrostomy tube that provided hydration and nutrients to his body. Chad\'s mother and brother said that prior to his accident, Chad told them that he did not want to be held alive by artificial means if an injury rendered him incapable of existing otherwise. The tube eventually deteriorated and made his condition worse. Chad\\u2019s parents acquiesced to his wishes.<a href=\\\"#_ftn15\\\">[15]<\\/a> The District Attorney contended that Chad\'s ability to refuse medical care was \\\"significantly limited\\\" since he was under the legal age of majority when he articulated his wishes. Maine Supreme Judicial Court opposed such contention, saying that Chad\'s age was only a \\\"factor to be weighed by the truth finder in judging the seriousness and deliberateness\\\" of his comments. Chad\'s aspirations to not be held in a permanent vegetative condition were \\\"well-informed medical care decisions\\\" that should be respected.<a href=\\\"#_ftn16\\\">[16]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> Some suggest that all states should allow minors to make some health care decisions, especially in stigmatized areas such as sexual health and drug addiction. <a href=\\\"#_ftn17\\\">[17]<\\/a> In California, children aged 12 and up will undergo sexually transmitted disease vaccinations without parental supervision. Hepatitis B vaccine may be given to children of any age without their parents\' consent in Minnesota. In Alabama, children ages 14 and up can consent to all healthcare services.<a href=\\\"#_ftn18\\\">[18]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>The situation in the Philippines \\u2013 Emancipation Laws<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> The Philippines has legislation for emancipation from parental authority. The age of eighteen years is the age of majority unless otherwise provided, and emancipation takes place in such event.<a href=\\\"#_ftn19\\\">[19]<\\/a> According to the law, \\u201cEmancipation shall terminate parental authority over the person and property of the child who shall then be qualified and responsible for all acts of civil life, save the exceptions established by existing laws in special cases.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn20\\\">[20]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> Parental authority is also ingrained in our statutes. Article 17 of The Child and Youth Welfare Code states that \\u201cthe father and mother shall exercise jointly just and reasonable parental authority and responsibility for their legitimate or adopted children.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn21\\\">[21]<\\/a> In case of absence or death or either parent, the surviving parent shall exercise the parental authority. <a href=\\\"#_ftn22\\\">[22]<\\/a> \\u201cGrandparents and in their default, the oldest brother or sister who is at least eighteen years of age, or the relative who has actual custody of the child, shall exercise parental authority in case of absence or death of both parents unless a guardian has been appointed following the succeeding provision.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn23\\\">[23]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> The Code also provides in Chapter 2, Article 43 that \\u201cthe parents shall have the right to the company of their children and, concerning all other persons or institutions dealing with the child\'s development, the primary right and obligation to provide for their upbringing.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn24\\\">[24]<\\/a> The authority of parents\\/legal guardians are also strengthened by Article 209 of the Act: \\u201cUnder the natural right and duty of parents over the person and property of their unemancipated children, parental authority and responsibility shall include the caring for and rearing them for civic consciousness and efficiency and the development of their moral, mental and physical character and well-being.\\u201d <a href=\\\"#_ftn25\\\">[25]<\\/a> It cannot be renounced or transferred except in cases authorized by law. <a href=\\\"#_ftn26\\\">[26]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> Parental authority terminates permanently upon the death of the parents, upon the death of the child, or emancipation of the child. <a href=\\\"#_ftn27\\\">[27]<\\/a> Moreover, unless subsequently revived by final judgment, it is also terminated upon adoption of the child, upon judicial declaration of abandonment of the child in a case filed for the purpose, upon the final judgment of a competent court divesting the party concerned of parental authority, upon judicial declaration of absence or incapacity of the person exercising parental authority. <a href=\\\"#_ftn28\\\">[28]<\\/a> It can be suspended upon conviction of the parent or the person exercising the same of a crime which carries with it the penalty of civil interdiction, <a href=\\\"#_ftn29\\\">[29]<\\/a> or if they treat the child with excessive harshness or cruelty, gives the child corrupting orders, counsel, or example, compels the child to beg, or subjects the child or allows him to be subjected to acts of lasciviousness<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>Vaccine laws in the Philippines<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> There is a law mandating the basic immunization services for infants and children, or the An Act Providing For Mandatory Basic Immunization Services For Infants And Children, Repealing For The Purpose Presidential Decree No. 996, As Amended (Republic Act No. 10152). It is the policy of the State to take a proactive role in the preventive health care of infants and children, and through this legislation, the State wants to adopt a comprehensive, mandatory and sustainable immunization program for vaccine-preventable diseases for all infants and children.<a href=\\\"#_ftn30\\\">[30]<\\/a> This law covers the following vaccine-preventable diseases:<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:list {\\\"ordered\\\":true,\\\"type\\\":\\\"a\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<ol>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\n<ol>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\n<ol type=\\\"a\\\">\\n<li>Tuberculosis<\\/li>\\n<li>Diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis;<\\/li>\\n<li>Poliomyelitis;<\\/li>\\n<li>Measles;<\\/li>\\n<li>Mumps;<\\/li>\\n<li>Rubella or German measles;<\\/li>\\n<li>Hepatitis-B;<\\/li>\\n<li>H. Influenza type B (HIB); and<\\/li>\\n<li>Such other types may be determined by the Secretary of Health in a department circular.<\\/li><\\/ol><\\/li><li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\"><\\/li><li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\"><ol type=\\\"a\\\">\\n<br><\\/ol>\\n<\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> Such basic immunizations shall be given for free at any government hospital or health center to infants and children up to five (5) years of age.<a href=\\\"#_ftn31\\\">[31]<\\/a> R.A. 10152 also mandates that all health care practitioners or health care workers who are administering prenatal care shall educate all pregnant mothers on the importance of giving their infants the basic immunization services as well as any possible effects of immunization and that the Department of Health (DOH) and other government and private sectors shall make available appropriate information materials and shall have a system of its distribution to the public.<a href=\\\"#_ftn32\\\">[32]<\\/a> One of the important provisions is Section 5 which provides that any physician, nurse, midwife, nursing aide or skilled birth attendant, who delivers, or assists in the delivery of, a newborn shall, before delivery, inform parents or legal guardian of the newborn of the availability, nature, and benefits of immunization against Hepatitis-B and other vaccine-preventable diseases at birth.<a href=\\\"#_ftn33\\\">[33]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> However, Secretary to the Cabinet Karlo Nograles said that \\u201cthe government could neither force parents to have their children vaccinated nor punish them if they have not.\\u201d He said that \\u201cRA 10152 does not have any penal provisions and does not punish parents who do not have their children vaccinated, unlike the Presidential Decree (PD) it replaced. Under PD 996, it was the duty of parents or those having custody of the child to see to it that the child is immunized. Those who did not could be punished with a P200 fine or one-month imprisonment\\u201d <a href=\\\"#_ftn34\\\">[34]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> With the advent of R.A. 11166 or the Philippine HIV and AIDS Policy Act, the threshold of consent for the screening, voluntary testing, and treatment for human immunodeficiency virus infection, was lowered to fifteen years of age\\u2014 a characterization of the mature minor doctrine. It requires the assent of the child below 15 years old or those mentally incapacitated, if capacity to assent exists, in order to avail of voluntary testing and protect its interests.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> As seen from the aforementioned laws, just like at the federal level of the US, there is a vacuum in terms of parental consent for vaccination of minors in the Philippines.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>Philippine laws: parental consent for medical treatments<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> A doctor-patient relationship is a form of contract. It is an elementary principle that one of the elements of a contract is consent. The person giving consent must be of legal age (18 years of age, unless otherwise provided) and mentally and physically competent. As the legal guardians, parents are the persons who must sign the consent forms.<a href=\\\"#_ftn35\\\">[35]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> Article 1327 of the Civil Code provides the persons who cannot give consent to a contract: unemancipated minors and insane or demented persons, and deaf-mutes who do not know how to write. <a href=\\\"#_ftn36\\\">[36]<\\/a> The Civil Code does not define who can consent to a contract, rather, it defines who has no capacity. These persons can easily be victims of fraud as they are not capable of understanding or knowing the nature of their actions, thus they can only enter into an agreement or contracts through their parents or their legal guardians.<a href=\\\"#_ftn37\\\">[37]<\\/a> The contract they have entered is voidable, meaning it is valid and binding until it is annulled by a proper action in court.<a href=\\\"#_ftn38\\\">[38]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> In the medical field, there is the right to informed consent, a legal right recognized and protected by law and jurisprudence. The patient has the right to choose openly whether or not to consent to care after being adequately advised by the specialist about the complications and benefits of the recommended treatment, as well as the viable treatment alternatives, including the possibility of no treatment.<a href=\\\"#_ftn39\\\">[39]<\\/a> It is further drawn as a legal concept, where a person can be said, \\u201cto have given consent based upon a clear appreciation and understanding of the facts, implications, and future consequences of an action.\\u201d He must have adequate reasoning faculties and knows all relevant facts at the time consent is given. If a person cannot give informed consent, say a child, another person is generally authorized to give consent on their behalf, in this case, his parents or legal guardian\\/s. <a href=\\\"#_ftn40\\\">[40]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> The key elements of informed consent, according to Tejam of Asia Pacific Journal of Pediatrics and Child Health are disclosure of information, assessment of the decision maker\\u2019s capacity to make medical choices, and process of obtaining consent in the form of a voluntary agreement from the patient without coercion or persuasion. In pediatrics, it comes from the parent or legal guardian. Per the best interests standard, parents are regarded to be in the best position to determine their child\\u2019s best interest because parental decision aims to maximize benefits for their children while minimizing harm. However, the determination of what is in children\\u2019s best interest is often subjective and debatable. While written or verbal informed parental consent may be enough for ethical and legal purposes, but it does not meet the necessities of the ethical concept of informed concept. <a href=\\\"#_ftn41\\\">[41]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> The purpose of informed consent and the strict guidelines surrounding this concept is the respect for autonomy, which includes the liberty of the patient, defined as \\u201cthe capacity to live life according to one\'s reasons and motives and agency \\u2026[or] rational capacity for intentional action.\\u201d This principle served as one of the pillars in resolving ethical dilemmas.<a href=\\\"#_ftn42\\\">[42]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>Legal consequences of letting Filipino adolescents make vaccine related medical decisions<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> Suppose the teen suffered injuries because of the vaccine<a href=\\\"#_ftn43\\\">[43]<\\/a> and the parents want to file a suit against the physician who administered the vaccine. Here are some of the laws that are usually invoked in a medical malpractice suit.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><em>Medical malpractice<\\/em> is defined by Bellosillo, et al (2010) as:<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<blockquote>\\n<p> \\u201cAny professional misconduct, or bad skillful practice, or any practice contrary to law or established rules and regulations whereby the health of a person is injured because of failure of a physician to behave or act as a reasonable, prudent physician who is charged with a duty to use a standard of due care and to foresee harm that may result from failure to meet such standard which may be the proximate cause of injury. It ordinarily refers to any malfeasance or dereliction of duty committed by a physician.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn44\\\">[44]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<\\/blockquote>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>The elements of medical malpractice, as enunciated in the case of <em>Lucas vs Tua\\u00f1o, <\\/em>(2009), are:<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:list {\\\"ordered\\\":true,\\\"type\\\":\\\"1\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<ol>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\n<ol>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\n<ol type=\\\"1\\\">\\n<li>A patient engages the services of a physician whereby a physician-patient relationship is generated<\\/li>\\n<li>A physician is under a duty to [the former] to exercise that degree of care, skill, and diligence which physicians in the same general neighborhood and the same general line of practice ordinarily possess and exercise in like cases<\\/li>\\n<li>There is a breach of duty of care, skill, and diligence, or the improper performance of such duty, by the attending physician when the patient is injured in body or health<\\/li>\\n<li>Proof of such breach must likewise rest upon the testimony of an expert witness that the treatment accorded to the patient failed to meet the standard level of care, skill, and diligence which physicians in the same general neighborhood and the same general line of practice ordinarily possess and exercise in like cases.<\\/li>\\n<li>The proximate cause of an injury is that cause, which, in the natural and continuous sequence, unbroken by any efficient intervening cause, produces the injury, and without which the result would not have occurred<a href=\\\"#_ftn45\\\">[45]<\\/a><\\/li><\\/ol><div><br><\\/div><ol type=\\\"1\\\">\\n<\\/ol>\\n<\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> With these elements present, the physician can be held liable for negligence which is a tort liability. Negligence is defined as \\u201cthe doing of some act which a reasonable and prudent physician would not do, or the failure to do some act which such a person should or would do.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn46\\\">[46]<\\/a> While it is true that physicians are not required to possess extraordinary learning and skill, however, they must keep abreast with medical developments and techniques and must refrain from experimenting. <a href=\\\"#_ftn47\\\">[47]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> In terms of evidence, the patient must prove that the health care provider failed to do something which a reasonably prudent health care provider would have done, or that he or she did something that a reasonably prudent provider would not have done; and that that failure or action caused injury to the patient. <a href=\\\"#_ftn48\\\">[48]<\\/a> The injured minor or his parents\\/legal guardian can recover financial damages (actual damages for the pecuniary loss suffered by a party, and moral damages, for the physical suffering and\\/or mental anguish, fright, shock, etc.). <a href=\\\"#_ftn49\\\">[49]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> He can also be held criminally liable<a href=\\\"#_ftn50\\\">[50]<\\/a>. Under the Revised Penal Code (RPC), he can be liable for the crime of administering injurious substances or beverages. The elements are:<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:list {\\\"ordered\\\":true,\\\"type\\\":\\\"1\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<ol>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\n<ol>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\n<ol type=\\\"1\\\">\\n<li>The offender in\\ufb02icted upon another any serious physical injury;<\\/li>\\n<li>That it was done by knowingly administering to him any injurious substances or beverages or by taking advantage of his weakness of mind or credulity;<\\/li>\\n<li>That he had no intent to kill. <a href=\\\"#_ftn51\\\">[51]<\\/a><\\/li><\\/ol><div><br><\\/div><ol type=\\\"1\\\">\\n<\\/ol>\\n<\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> He can also be made liable for Physical Injuries<a href=\\\"#_ftn52\\\">[52]<\\/a> and for Reckless Imprudence (quasi-offense). Reckless imprudence, as defined in Article 365 of RPC, \\u201cconsists in voluntarily, but without malice, doing or failing to do an act from which material damage results because of inexcusable lack of precaution on the part of the person performing or failing to perform such act, taking into consideration his employment or occupation, degree of intelligence, physical condition and other circumstances regarding persons, time and place.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn53\\\">[53]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> On the other end, the medical practitioner can take shelter on legal doctrines to save themselves from liability. The first is the <em>doctrine of foreseeability<\\/em>, which provides that:<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<blockquote>\\n<p>\\u201cA physician cannot be held liable for negligence if the injury sustained by a patient is on account of unforeseen conditions. But, a physician who fails to ascertain the condition of the patient for want of the requisite skills and training is answerable for the injury sustained by the patient if an injury resulted thereto. Such foreseeable injury may be ascertained from the history, physical examination, observation and from information gathered from another member of the family.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn54\\\">[54]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<\\/blockquote>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> He can also avoid liability by invoking the defense of accident, that is, an event which happens without any human agency or, if happening through human agency, an event which, under the circumstances, is unusual to and not expected by the person to whom it happened.<a href=\\\"#_ftn55\\\">[55]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>Practical Consequences \\u2013 Risks of letting minors make health care decisions<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> David DeLugas, executive director of the National Association of Parents (U.S.), said that letting minors make health care decisions in lieu of their parents may introduce conflict into families. He does not think states should upset the parent-child relationship by taking power from the parents and transferring it to the children.<a href=\\\"#_ftn56\\\">[56]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> Grootens-Wiegers, et al. also noted that there is no general agreement as to which age is appropriate for minors to be considered competent for informed decision-making. Some studies suggest that it is at 9 years old, some studies suggest that it is ages of 14 or 15. Minors of the same age may have a different level of maturity. Young children, who exhibited an adequate aptitude for decision-making in a certain situation, can lack ample ability in another.<a href=\\\"#_ftn57\\\">[57]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> They also discussed that adolescence is a period when various health issues and increased risks appear. Teenagers experience changes in diet and tend to explore vices such as tobacco and substance abuse. The increase in mortality is attributed to decision-making being affected by risky behavior, sensation seeking, and peer influences. The increased risk can also be attributed to lower cognitive control because of the developing brain in adolescence, especially the brain\\u2019s reward system combined with late development of the control system which decreases decision-making competence. Since the maturity of adolescence varies from one child to another, the practice can be very unpredictable.<a href=\\\"#_ftn58\\\">[58]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> However, good practical outcomes can also come with the idea of minors making medical decisions for themselves, especially for vaccines. Assent from minors aged seven years and above can improve moral growth and develop autonomy. It can even encourage them to comply with the medical treatment and allow them to express their interests in such endeavor. It offers a chance to contribute to their healthcare and provide an honest and open relationship between the family and medical service team.<a href=\\\"#_ftn59\\\">[59]<\\/a> Children will no longer be obligated to keep quiet for the sake of their parents. It also ensures that a child\'s unanswered questions, unresolved worries, or desire to be acknowledged are treated as legitimate and rational issues that matter in the child\'s world, rather than being dismissed as complete nonsense. <a href=\\\"#_ftn60\\\">[60]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>Recommendation<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> With the positive and negative outcomes analyzed, the recommendations are set forth to guide future legislators and policymakers and to help outweigh the negative effects.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:list --><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\n<ul>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\n<ul>\\n<li>The requirements of assent are: 1) properly informing patients about the issues at hand and what to expect; 2) assessment of their understanding; 3) soliciting agreement or acknowledgment of the decision.<a href=\\\"#_ftn61\\\">[61]<\\/a><\\/li>\\n<li>American Academy of Pediatrics said that assent should be obtained whenever reasonable, and that assent should only be obtained in situations in which the medical service team would be willing to honor, at least in part, a child\\u2019s dissent.<a href=\\\"#_ftn62\\\">[62]<\\/a><\\/li>\\n<li>Legislation should reflect the concept of <em>care ethics<\\/em> (\\u201cIndividuals do not exist in isolation but with others to whom they are emotionally or psychologically close, such as parents, siblings, and friends \\u201d). Medical professionals should educate a minor by generating information that can provide specific medical context that can be weighed and analyzed with perspectives offered by family and friends which can largely affect their thought processes. The legislation should also recognize the limitations of judgments of minors.<a href=\\\"#_ftn63\\\">[63]<\\/a><\\/li>\\n<li>The legislators should also limit the age bracket (ideally at the age of 14), and limit the vaccines to the recommended types that have been long proven to be effective by science (Ex. measles, polio, diphtheria, influenza) to minimize health risks.<\\/li>\\n<li>In the legislation, healthcare professionals, adolescent health care clinicians, public health personnel, medical organizations should be present and give their inputs.<a href=\\\"#_ftn64\\\">[64]<\\/a><\\/li>\\n<li>The legislators should frame the law in a way that reflects the thought that \\u201cparental consent should be considered a responsibility that supports the minor\'s best interests and preserves a family\'s interests, rather than a parent\'s right to express their own autonomous choices.\\u201d Davis and Fang, in an article, said that \\u201c<em>Providers have to serve the pediatric patient\'s best interest and not necessarily the parents\' desires.<\\/em>\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn65\\\">[65]<\\/a><\\/li>\\n<li>For policy-making among healthcare professionals or even in the legislation itself, a set of protocols should be developed to serve as a guide to assess minor\\u2019s maturity and decision-making ability. Legal documentation guidelines should be executed to protect healthcare workers against a suit.<a href=\\\"#_ftn66\\\">[66]<\\/a><\\/li>\\n<li>Adolescent\\u2019s privacy should be reflected in the legislation and healthcare protocols. <a href=\\\"#_ftn67\\\">[67]<\\/a><\\/li><\\/ul><div><br><\\/div><ul>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>Conclusion<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> Vaccines have greatly contributed in eradicating serious diseases that could have led to mortality or permanent disability. They are one of the scientific breakthroughs that are gravely misunderstood and often subjected to prejudicial preference. Time and again refused because of misinformation as well as cultural and religious differences. In the Philippines, there is a huge vacuum in emancipation laws for medical decisions for minors. Assuming that minors would be allowed to obtain a vaccine without parental consent, different positive outcomes could be factored, such as a decrease in disease statistics and empowerment in adolescence, while negative outlooks include increased risky behavior in minors because of their developing mental and physical structure, and the boosted risk of medical malpractice suits if ever the vaccine produces adverse effects in their body. Legislators should strive to include healthcare workers in developing legislation that would allow minors to get vaccines for themselves without parental permission, all while preserving the family harmony and the patient\\u2019s well-being, as well as knowing that this is about a patient\\u2019s health and not grandstanding parental authority.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\">\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>* Associate Research Editor, UST Law Review; freelance writer<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">[1]<\\/a>UNICEF Philippines, #VaccinesWork: UNICEF stresses importance of immunization on World Immunization Week, UNICEF Philippines, (January 31, 2021), https:\\/\\/www.unicef.org\\/philippines\\/press-releases\\/vaccineswork-unicef-stresses-importance-immunization-world-immunization-week<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a> Jenny Lei Ravelo, Another casualty of vaccine hesitancy: Philippines declares polio outbreak, (January 31, 2021), https:\\/\\/www.devex.com\\/news\\/another-casualty-of-vaccine-hesitancy-philippines-declares-polio-outbreak-95648<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a> Department of Health, Doh Identifies Vaccine Hesitancy as One of The Reasons For Measles Outbreak, Department of Health, (January 31, 2021), https:\\/\\/doh.gov.ph\\/node\\/16721<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[4]<\\/a> Id.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[5]<\\/a> World Health Organization, Revised SAGE recommendation on use of dengue vaccine, (Apil 19, 2018), https:\\/\\/www.who.int\\/immunization\\/diseases\\/dengue\\/revised_SAGE_recommendations_dengue_vaccines_apr2018\\/en\\/<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[6]<\\/a> Migrino, Jr J, Gayados B. Birol RJ, De Jesus L, Lopez CW, Mercado WC, et al. Factors affecting vaccine hesitancy among families with children 2 years old and younger in two urban communities in Manila, Philippines. Western Pac Surveill Response J. 2020 Jun; 10(2). doi: 10.5365\\/wpsar.2019.10.2.006<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\">[7]<\\/a> Kelly Danielpour, Commentary: Why all 50 states need to allow teens to get vaccinated without parental consent, Los Angeles Times, (Nov. 19, 2020), https:\\/\\/journaltimes.com\\/news\\/commentary-why-all-50-states-need-to-allow-teens-to-get-vaccinated-without-parental-consent\\/article_264a2b69-0924-5c08-aabd-fb79fa5deec4.html<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\">[8]<\\/a> Id.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\">[9]<\\/a> Michael Ollove, Teens of \\u2018Anti-Vaxxers\\u2019 Can Get Their Own Vaccines, Some States Say, Stateline, (June 24, 2019), https:\\/\\/www.pewtrusts.org\\/en\\/research-and-analysis\\/blogs\\/stateline\\/2019\\/06\\/24\\/teens-of-anti-vaxxers-can-get-their-own-vaccines-some-states-say<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\">[10]<\\/a> Kelly Danielpour, Commentary: Why all 50 states need to allow teens to get vaccinated without parental consent, Los Angeles Times, (Nov. 19, 2020), https:\\/\\/journaltimes.com\\/news\\/commentary-why-all-50-states-need-to-allow-teens-to-get-vaccinated-without-parental-consent\\/article_264a2b69-0924-5c08-aabd-fb79fa5deec4.html<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\">[11]<\\/a> Abigail English, Carol A. Ford, Jessica A. Kahn, Elyse Olshen Kharbanda, Adolescent Consent for Vaccination: A Position Paper of the Societyfor Adolescent Health and Medicine, 53 Journal of Adolescent Health, 550, 550-553, (2013)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref12\\\">[12]<\\/a> Michael Davis & Andrea Fang, Emancipated Minor, StatPearls Publishing LLC, (May 19, 2020), https:\\/\\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\\/books\\/NBK554594\\/<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref13\\\">[13]<\\/a> Id.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref14\\\">[14]<\\/a> Abigail English, Carol A. Ford, Jessica A. Kahn, Elyse Olshen Kharbanda, Adolescent Consent for Vaccination: A Position Paper of the Societyfor Adolescent Health and Medicine, 53 Journal of Adolescent Health, 550, 552, (2013)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref15\\\">[15]<\\/a> <em>In Re: Chad Eric Swan, <\\/em>569 A.2d 1202 (1990), decided January 23, 1990, opinion Issued February 15, 1990.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref16\\\">[16]<\\/a> Id.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref17\\\">[17]<\\/a> Michael Ollove, Teens of \\u2018Anti-Vaxxers\\u2019 Can Get Their Own Vaccines, Some States Say, Stateline, (June 24, 2019), https:\\/\\/www.pewtrusts.org\\/en\\/research-and-analysis\\/blogs\\/stateline\\/2019\\/06\\/24\\/teens-of-anti-vaxxers-can-get-their-own-vaccines-some-states-say<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref18\\\">[18]<\\/a> Mackenzie Bean, 9 states where minors can get vaccinated without parental consent, ASC COMMUNICATIONS 2021, (June 24, 2019), https:\\/\\/www.beckershospitalreview.com\\/quality\\/9-states-where-minors-can-get-vaccinated-without-parental-consent.html<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref19\\\">[19]<\\/a> An Act Lowering The Age Of Majority From Twenty-One To Eighteen Years, Amending For The Purpose Executive Order Numbered Two Hundred Nine, And For Other Purposes, Republic Act No. 6809, sec. 234 (1989)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref20\\\">[20]<\\/a> R.A. 386, sec. 236<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref21\\\">[21]<\\/a> The Child and Youth Welfare Code, Presidential Decree No. 603, art. 17 (1974)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref22\\\">[22]<\\/a>P.D. 603, art. 17<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref23\\\">[23]<\\/a> P.D. 603, art. 19 (1974)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref24\\\">[24]<\\/a> P.D. 603, art. 43 (1974)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref25\\\">[25]<\\/a> The Family Code of The Philippines, Executive Order No. 209, art. 209 (1988)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref26\\\">[26]<\\/a> E.O. 209, art. 210<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref27\\\">[27]<\\/a> E.O. 209, art. 228<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref28\\\">[28]<\\/a> E.O. 209, art. 229<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref29\\\">[29]<\\/a> E.O. 209, art. 230<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref30\\\">[30]<\\/a> An Act Providing For Mandatory Basic Immunization Services For Infants And Children, Repealing For The Purpose Presidential Decree No. 996, As Amended, Republic Act No. 10152, sec. 2 (2011)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref31\\\">[31]<\\/a> R.A. 10152, sec. 3<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref32\\\">[32]<\\/a> R.A. 10152, sec. 4<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref33\\\">[33]<\\/a> R.A. 10152, sec. 5<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref34\\\">[34]<\\/a> Sheila Crisostomo & Gilbert Bayoran, Mandatory immunization ordered, The Philippine Star, (Feb. 10, 2019), https:\\/\\/www.philstar.com\\/headlines\\/2019\\/02\\/10\\/1892465\\/mandatory-immunization-ordered<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref35\\\">[35]<\\/a> Josue N. Bellosillo, Bu C. Castro, Emmanuel LJ. Mapili, Albert D. Rebosa, Antonio D. Rebosa, Basics of Philippine Medical Jurisprudence and Ethics, p. 113, (2010 ed. Central Book Supply, 2010)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref36\\\">[36]<\\/a> An Act To Ordain And Institute The Civil Code Of The Philippines, Republic Act No. 386, art. 1327 (1950)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref37\\\">[37]<\\/a> Hector S. De Leon & Hector M. De Leon, Jr. The Law on Obligations and Contracts, p. 342-349, (Rex Printing Company, Inc., 2014)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref38\\\">[38]<\\/a> Id. at p. 431<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref39\\\">[39]<\\/a> Josue N. Bellosillo, Bu C. Castro, Emmanuel LJ. Mapili, Albert D. Rebosa, Antonio D. Rebosa, Basics of Philippine Medical Jurisprudence and Ethics, p. 113, (2010 ed. Central Book Supply, 2010)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref40\\\">[40]<\\/a> Id. at p. 412 (2010 ed. Central Book Supply, 2010)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref41\\\">[41]<\\/a> Cyrus Cesar R. Tejam, Clinical Pediatrics in the Philippines: Parental Assent and Consent, 2 Asia Pacific Journal of Pediatrics and Child Health, 27, 29 (2019)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref42\\\">[42]<\\/a> Id.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref43\\\">[43]<\\/a> An instance is when it is recommended that \\u201c<em>vaccines not be given during chemo or radiation treatments \\u2013 the only exception to this is the flu shot. This is mainly because vaccines need an immune system response to work, and you may not get an adequate response during cancer treatment<\\/em>.\\u201d \\u2013 American Cancer Society, Vaccinations and Flu Shots for People with Cancer: Should people with cancer get any vaccines? , American Cancer Society webpage, Inc. (2020), <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.cancer.org\\/treatment\\/treatments-and-side-effects\\/physical-side-effects\\/low-blood-counts\\/infections\\/vaccination-during-cancer-treatment.html\\\">https:\\/\\/www.cancer.org\\/treatment\\/treatments-and-side-effects\\/physical-side-effects\\/low-blood-counts\\/infections\\/vaccination-during-cancer-treatment.html<\\/a>. This should not be treated as a medical advice. It is always best to consult your physician.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref44\\\">[44]<\\/a> Josue N. Bellosillo, Bu C. Castro, Emmanuel LJ. Mapili, Albert D. Rebosa, Antonio D. Rebosa, Basics of Philippine Medical Jurisprudence and Ethics, p. 117 (2010 ed. Central Book Supply, 2010)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref45\\\">[45]<\\/a> <em>Lucas v. Tua\\u00f1o<\\/em>, 586 SCRA 173 (2009)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref46\\\">[46]<\\/a> Josue N. Bellosillo, Bu C. Castro, Emmanuel LJ. Mapili, Albert D. Rebosa, Antonio D. Rebosa, Basics of Philippine Medical Jurisprudence and Ethics, p. 131, (2010 ed. Central Book Supply, 2010)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref47\\\">[47]<\\/a> Id.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref48\\\">[48]<\\/a> Professional Services, Inc. v. Natividad and Enrique Agana, 542 Phil. 464, 481 (2007).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref49\\\">[49]<\\/a> Josue N. Bellosillo, Bu C. Castro, Emmanuel LJ. Mapili, Albert D. Rebosa, Antonio D. Rebosa, Basics of Philippine Medical Jurisprudence and Ethics, p. 59, (2010 ed. Central Book Supply, 2010)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref50\\\">[50]<\\/a> Id at 195<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref51\\\">[51]<\\/a> The Revised Penal Code, Act No. 3815, art. 264, (1930)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref52\\\">[52]<\\/a> Act No. 3815, art. 266, (1930)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref53\\\">[53]<\\/a> <em>Gonzaga v. People, <\\/em>G.R. No. 195671, January 21, 2015.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref54\\\">[54]<\\/a> Josue N. Bellosillo, Bu C. Castro, Emmanuel LJ. Mapili, Albert D. Rebosa, Antonio D. Rebosa, Basics of Philippine Medical Jurisprudence and Ethics, p. 154, (2010 ed. Central Book Supply, 2010)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref55\\\">[55]<\\/a> Id.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref56\\\">[56]<\\/a> Michael Ollove, Teens of \\u2018Anti-Vaxxers\\u2019 Can Get Their Own Vaccines, Some States Say, Stateline, (June 24, 2019), https:\\/\\/www.pewtrusts.org\\/en\\/research-and-analysis\\/blogs\\/stateline\\/2019\\/06\\/24\\/teens-of-anti-vaxxers-can-get-their-own-vaccines-some-states-say<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref57\\\">[57]<\\/a> Petronella Grootens-Wiegers, Irma M. Hein, Jos M. van den Broek, & Martine C. de Vries, Medical decision-making in children and adolescents: developmental and neuroscientific aspects, BMC Pediatrics, 1, 2 (2017)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref58\\\">[58]<\\/a> Petronella Grootens-Wiegers, Irma M. Hein, Jos M. van den Broek, & Martine C. de Vries, Medical decision-making in children and adolescents: developmental and neuroscientific aspects, BMC Pediatrics, 1, 6 (2017)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref59\\\">[59]<\\/a> Cyrus Cesar R. Tejam, Clinical Pediatrics in the Philippines: Parental Assent and Consent, 2 Asia Pacific Journal of Pediatrics and Child Health, 27, 29 (2019)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref60\\\">[60]<\\/a> Rebecca Babcock, Medical Decision-Making for Minors: Using Care Ethics to Empower Adolescents and Amend the Current Power Imbalances, 8 Asian Bioethics Review, 4, 13 (2016)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref61\\\">[61]<\\/a> Cyrus Cesar R. Tejam, Clinical Pediatrics in the Philippines: Parental Assent and Consent, 2 Asia Pacific Journal of Pediatrics and Child Health, 27, 29 (2019)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref62\\\">[62]<\\/a> Id at 27-33<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref63\\\">[63]<\\/a> Rebecca Babcock, Medical Decision-Making for Minors: Using Care Ethics to Empower Adolescents and Amend the Current Power Imbalances, 8 Asian Bioethics Review, 4, 13 (2016)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref64\\\">[64]<\\/a> Abigail English, Carol A. Ford, Jessica A. Kahn, Elyse Olshen Kharbanda, Adolescent Consent for Vaccination: A Position Paper of the Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine, 53 Journal of Adolescent Health, 550, 552, (2013)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref65\\\">[65]<\\/a> Michael Davis & Andrea Fang, Emancipated Minor, StatPearls Publishing LLC, (May 19, 2020), https:\\/\\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\\/books\\/NBK554594\\/<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref66\\\">[66]<\\/a> Id.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref67\\\">[67]<\\/a> Id.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\">\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>Featured Photo by <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/unsplash.com\\/@thenewmalcolm?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText\\\">Obi Onyeador<\\/a> on <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/unsplash.com\\/s\\/photos\\/vaccine-choice?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText\\\">Unsplash<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.15,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(3668,1270,'_thumbnail_id','1262'),(3669,1270,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(3670,1270,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(3671,1270,'_elementor_version','3.1.1'),(3672,1270,'_wp_page_template','default'),(3673,1270,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"3d1e02bb\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"4005cedf\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"6508c5f0\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><!-- wp:separator --><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\"><em><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">*<\\/a>This should not be treated as a medical advice. It is always best to consult your physician.<\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\">\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>By: Ashley Faye S. Cruz**<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> You are a 15-year-old high school kid lining up in an annual physical examination. The school physician asked if you were vaccinated when you were still a newborn. You answered in the negative, and the physician gave you flyers for free vaccines at the public health center. You went home and excitedly told your mother about this thing called \\u201cvaccine\\u201d and how it can help your immune system. Your mom, who believes in medical conspiracy theories, adamantly denied your request and pulled a litany of conspiracy theories taken from social media websites. Determined, you went to the public health center, but the nurse denied you a free vaccine because there needs parental consent.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> It is very alarming that the Philippines could have avoided diseases by a simple vaccine trip to the nearest pediatrician. United Nations International Children\'s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) reported that as of 2019, an estimated 2.9 million Filipino children remain unvaccinated and remain vulnerable to serious diseases such as rubella and polio. <a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\">[1]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> World Health Organization (WHO) representative Rabindra Abeyasinghe said that to halt the proliferation of disease in the country, 95% need to be vaccinated<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\">[2]<\\/a>. Notwithstanding the availability of free vaccines at public health centers, many parents still refuse to vaccinate their children. Parents have the \\u201cvaccine hesitancy\\u201d, which is the delay in acceptance or refusal of vaccines despite the availability of vaccination services.<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\">[3]<\\/a> Studies have identified several factors that have caused the loss of public confidence in vaccine, though the recommended vaccines are long proven to be effective.<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\">[4]<\\/a> Among these are the following:<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:list {\\\"ordered\\\":true,\\\"type\\\":\\\"1\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<ol>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\n<ol type=\\\"1\\\">\\n<li>Dengvaxia controversy, where 10% of the 800,000 students who were immunized with a vaccine against Dengue known as Dengvaxia, but did not have a prior dengue infection, posed a higher risk of contracting severe Dengue<a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\">[5]<\\/a>;<\\/li>\\n<li>Circumstantial events surrounding vaccinations such as when parents attach significance to events such as sleep or behavioral patterns and birth timing;<\\/li>\\n<li>Over-reporting of adverse effects of immunization by mass media such as newspapers and television; and<\\/li>\\n<li>Social media also contributed to vaccine hesitancy, and parents tend to be more susceptible to media reports on the Internet.<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\">[6]<\\/a><\\/li><\\/ol><\\/li><li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\n<br><\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> Parents who choose not to vaccinate their children endanger not only themselves but also everyone else as immunization rates fall too low for vaccine-preventable diseases. In the school year before the COVID-19 outbreak in the United States (U.S.), the rate of childhood vaccine exemptions claimed by parents rose in 40 of 49 states as reflected in the records. <a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\">[7]<\\/a> Dr. Arthur Caplan, founding director of the Division of Medical Ethics at New York University Langone Medical Center, said that \\u201c<em>Parents should not have the authority to subject their children to serious preventable harm<\\/em>\\u201d. <a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\">[8]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> However, there is a solution made by certain states in the U.S. to combat the ever-worsening disease statistics. Nine states allow minors to receive vaccinations without their parents\' permission. Four states allow adolescents to receive specific vaccines, while five states allow minors to consent to any healthcare. <a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\">[9]<\\/a> The American Medical Association and the Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine and other medical organizations, strongly support laws allowing older minors to self-consent to vaccinations. Granting teenagers this right is essential to stemming the spread of diseases, whether they are newly emerging like COVID-19 or have faded from the news.<a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\">[10]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> English, et al., of the Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine, stated in their position paper <em>Adolescent Consent for Vaccination: A Position Paper of the Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine<\\/em>, that adolescent vaccines allow the enhancement of adolescent and adult health. Approaches to boost the proportion of adolescents who receive vaccines will be essential to assure that adolescent vaccination will lead to developments in the health of populations. Within ethical and legal guidelines, it will be important to develop policies and strategies that expand opportunities for minors to receive vaccinations when parents are not physically present.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\">[11]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> The U.S. laws on emancipation from parental authority vary from state to state. For instance, some states adopt the \\u201cmature minor\\u201d doctrine. The mature minor doctrine legally recognizes the medical decision-making capacity of adolescents, even though they are still minors under parental or legal guardian control. They are usually 12 years old or older, and they are required to demonstrate adequate cognitive maturity and capacity to understand the risks of medical evaluations and treatments. Some other states allow this practice but its application is restricted only on the grounds of parental availability and sensitive clinical situations.<a href=\\\"#_ftn12\\\">[12]<\\/a> They also allow medical service without parental consent in times of emergency. Other medical services that are available to adolescents that do not need parental consent are rape or sexual assault services, contraception services. sexually transmitted infections, prenatal care, abortion, pediatric care for children of minors, substance use disorder treatment, and mental health treatment. <a href=\\\"#_ftn13\\\">[13]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>Federal law of the U.S, does not contain any requirements for parent\\u2019s consent for vaccination of minors. As an exception, the mature minor doctrine which developed from jurisprudence provides an avenue for minors to obtain vaccines for themselves, as long as the patient can give informed consent, the treatment is not high risk, and is provided in a nonnegligent manner.<a href=\\\"#_ftn14\\\">[14]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> To illustrate, in the case of <em>In Re: Swan<\\/em>, Maine Supreme Judicial Court addressed the issue of discontinuing the treatment of minor patient in a chronic vegetative state with little hope of recovery, specifically that the medical decision maker here is the minor patient himself. Chad had an accident which rendered him needing a life-sustaining procedure included a gastrostomy tube that provided hydration and nutrients to his body. Chad\'s mother and brother said that prior to his accident, Chad told them that he did not want to be held alive by artificial means if an injury rendered him incapable of existing otherwise. The tube eventually deteriorated and made his condition worse. Chad\\u2019s parents acquiesced to his wishes.<a href=\\\"#_ftn15\\\">[15]<\\/a> The District Attorney contended that Chad\'s ability to refuse medical care was \\\"significantly limited\\\" since he was under the legal age of majority when he articulated his wishes. Maine Supreme Judicial Court opposed such contention, saying that Chad\'s age was only a \\\"factor to be weighed by the truth finder in judging the seriousness and deliberateness\\\" of his comments. Chad\'s aspirations to not be held in a permanent vegetative condition were \\\"well-informed medical care decisions\\\" that should be respected.<a href=\\\"#_ftn16\\\">[16]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> Some suggest that all states should allow minors to make some health care decisions, especially in stigmatized areas such as sexual health and drug addiction. <a href=\\\"#_ftn17\\\">[17]<\\/a> In California, children aged 12 and up will undergo sexually transmitted disease vaccinations without parental supervision. Hepatitis B vaccine may be given to children of any age without their parents\' consent in Minnesota. In Alabama, children ages 14 and up can consent to all healthcare services.<a href=\\\"#_ftn18\\\">[18]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>The situation in the Philippines \\u2013 Emancipation Laws<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> The Philippines has legislation for emancipation from parental authority. The age of eighteen years is the age of majority unless otherwise provided, and emancipation takes place in such event.<a href=\\\"#_ftn19\\\">[19]<\\/a> According to the law, \\u201cEmancipation shall terminate parental authority over the person and property of the child who shall then be qualified and responsible for all acts of civil life, save the exceptions established by existing laws in special cases.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn20\\\">[20]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> Parental authority is also ingrained in our statutes. Article 17 of The Child and Youth Welfare Code states that \\u201cthe father and mother shall exercise jointly just and reasonable parental authority and responsibility for their legitimate or adopted children.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn21\\\">[21]<\\/a> In case of absence or death or either parent, the surviving parent shall exercise the parental authority. <a href=\\\"#_ftn22\\\">[22]<\\/a> \\u201cGrandparents and in their default, the oldest brother or sister who is at least eighteen years of age, or the relative who has actual custody of the child, shall exercise parental authority in case of absence or death of both parents unless a guardian has been appointed following the succeeding provision.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn23\\\">[23]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> The Code also provides in Chapter 2, Article 43 that \\u201cthe parents shall have the right to the company of their children and, concerning all other persons or institutions dealing with the child\'s development, the primary right and obligation to provide for their upbringing.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn24\\\">[24]<\\/a> The authority of parents\\/legal guardians are also strengthened by Article 209 of the Act: \\u201cUnder the natural right and duty of parents over the person and property of their unemancipated children, parental authority and responsibility shall include the caring for and rearing them for civic consciousness and efficiency and the development of their moral, mental and physical character and well-being.\\u201d <a href=\\\"#_ftn25\\\">[25]<\\/a> It cannot be renounced or transferred except in cases authorized by law. <a href=\\\"#_ftn26\\\">[26]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> Parental authority terminates permanently upon the death of the parents, upon the death of the child, or emancipation of the child. <a href=\\\"#_ftn27\\\">[27]<\\/a> Moreover, unless subsequently revived by final judgment, it is also terminated upon adoption of the child, upon judicial declaration of abandonment of the child in a case filed for the purpose, upon the final judgment of a competent court divesting the party concerned of parental authority, upon judicial declaration of absence or incapacity of the person exercising parental authority. <a href=\\\"#_ftn28\\\">[28]<\\/a> It can be suspended upon conviction of the parent or the person exercising the same of a crime which carries with it the penalty of civil interdiction, <a href=\\\"#_ftn29\\\">[29]<\\/a> or if they treat the child with excessive harshness or cruelty, gives the child corrupting orders, counsel, or example, compels the child to beg, or subjects the child or allows him to be subjected to acts of lasciviousness<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>Vaccine laws in the Philippines<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> There is a law mandating the basic immunization services for infants and children, or the An Act Providing For Mandatory Basic Immunization Services For Infants And Children, Repealing For The Purpose Presidential Decree No. 996, As Amended (Republic Act No. 10152). It is the policy of the State to take a proactive role in the preventive health care of infants and children, and through this legislation, the State wants to adopt a comprehensive, mandatory and sustainable immunization program for vaccine-preventable diseases for all infants and children.<a href=\\\"#_ftn30\\\">[30]<\\/a> This law covers the following vaccine-preventable diseases:<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:list {\\\"ordered\\\":true,\\\"type\\\":\\\"a\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<ol>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\n<ol>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\n<ol type=\\\"a\\\">\\n<li>Tuberculosis<\\/li>\\n<li>Diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis;<\\/li>\\n<li>Poliomyelitis;<\\/li>\\n<li>Measles;<\\/li>\\n<li>Mumps;<\\/li>\\n<li>Rubella or German measles;<\\/li>\\n<li>Hepatitis-B;<\\/li>\\n<li>H. Influenza type B (HIB); and<\\/li>\\n<li>Such other types may be determined by the Secretary of Health in a department circular.<\\/li><\\/ol><\\/li><li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\"><\\/li><li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\"><ol type=\\\"a\\\">\\n<br><\\/ol>\\n<\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> Such basic immunizations shall be given for free at any government hospital or health center to infants and children up to five (5) years of age.<a href=\\\"#_ftn31\\\">[31]<\\/a> R.A. 10152 also mandates that all health care practitioners or health care workers who are administering prenatal care shall educate all pregnant mothers on the importance of giving their infants the basic immunization services as well as any possible effects of immunization and that the Department of Health (DOH) and other government and private sectors shall make available appropriate information materials and shall have a system of its distribution to the public.<a href=\\\"#_ftn32\\\">[32]<\\/a> One of the important provisions is Section 5 which provides that any physician, nurse, midwife, nursing aide or skilled birth attendant, who delivers, or assists in the delivery of, a newborn shall, before delivery, inform parents or legal guardian of the newborn of the availability, nature, and benefits of immunization against Hepatitis-B and other vaccine-preventable diseases at birth.<a href=\\\"#_ftn33\\\">[33]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> However, Secretary to the Cabinet Karlo Nograles said that \\u201cthe government could neither force parents to have their children vaccinated nor punish them if they have not.\\u201d He said that \\u201cRA 10152 does not have any penal provisions and does not punish parents who do not have their children vaccinated, unlike the Presidential Decree (PD) it replaced. Under PD 996, it was the duty of parents or those having custody of the child to see to it that the child is immunized. Those who did not could be punished with a P200 fine or one-month imprisonment\\u201d <a href=\\\"#_ftn34\\\">[34]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> With the advent of R.A. 11166 or the Philippine HIV and AIDS Policy Act, the threshold of consent for the screening, voluntary testing, and treatment for human immunodeficiency virus infection, was lowered to fifteen years of age\\u2014 a characterization of the mature minor doctrine. It requires the assent of the child below 15 years old or those mentally incapacitated, if capacity to assent exists, in order to avail of voluntary testing and protect its interests.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> As seen from the aforementioned laws, just like at the federal level of the US, there is a vacuum in terms of parental consent for vaccination of minors in the Philippines.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>Philippine laws: parental consent for medical treatments<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> A doctor-patient relationship is a form of contract. It is an elementary principle that one of the elements of a contract is consent. The person giving consent must be of legal age (18 years of age, unless otherwise provided) and mentally and physically competent. As the legal guardians, parents are the persons who must sign the consent forms.<a href=\\\"#_ftn35\\\">[35]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> Article 1327 of the Civil Code provides the persons who cannot give consent to a contract: unemancipated minors and insane or demented persons, and deaf-mutes who do not know how to write. <a href=\\\"#_ftn36\\\">[36]<\\/a> The Civil Code does not define who can consent to a contract, rather, it defines who has no capacity. These persons can easily be victims of fraud as they are not capable of understanding or knowing the nature of their actions, thus they can only enter into an agreement or contracts through their parents or their legal guardians.<a href=\\\"#_ftn37\\\">[37]<\\/a> The contract they have entered is voidable, meaning it is valid and binding until it is annulled by a proper action in court.<a href=\\\"#_ftn38\\\">[38]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> In the medical field, there is the right to informed consent, a legal right recognized and protected by law and jurisprudence. The patient has the right to choose openly whether or not to consent to care after being adequately advised by the specialist about the complications and benefits of the recommended treatment, as well as the viable treatment alternatives, including the possibility of no treatment.<a href=\\\"#_ftn39\\\">[39]<\\/a> It is further drawn as a legal concept, where a person can be said, \\u201cto have given consent based upon a clear appreciation and understanding of the facts, implications, and future consequences of an action.\\u201d He must have adequate reasoning faculties and knows all relevant facts at the time consent is given. If a person cannot give informed consent, say a child, another person is generally authorized to give consent on their behalf, in this case, his parents or legal guardian\\/s. <a href=\\\"#_ftn40\\\">[40]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> The key elements of informed consent, according to Tejam of Asia Pacific Journal of Pediatrics and Child Health are disclosure of information, assessment of the decision maker\\u2019s capacity to make medical choices, and process of obtaining consent in the form of a voluntary agreement from the patient without coercion or persuasion. In pediatrics, it comes from the parent or legal guardian. Per the best interests standard, parents are regarded to be in the best position to determine their child\\u2019s best interest because parental decision aims to maximize benefits for their children while minimizing harm. However, the determination of what is in children\\u2019s best interest is often subjective and debatable. While written or verbal informed parental consent may be enough for ethical and legal purposes, but it does not meet the necessities of the ethical concept of informed concept. <a href=\\\"#_ftn41\\\">[41]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> The purpose of informed consent and the strict guidelines surrounding this concept is the respect for autonomy, which includes the liberty of the patient, defined as \\u201cthe capacity to live life according to one\'s reasons and motives and agency \\u2026[or] rational capacity for intentional action.\\u201d This principle served as one of the pillars in resolving ethical dilemmas.<a href=\\\"#_ftn42\\\">[42]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>Legal consequences of letting Filipino adolescents make vaccine related medical decisions<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> Suppose the teen suffered injuries because of the vaccine<a href=\\\"#_ftn43\\\">[43]<\\/a> and the parents want to file a suit against the physician who administered the vaccine. Here are some of the laws that are usually invoked in a medical malpractice suit.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><em>Medical malpractice<\\/em> is defined by Bellosillo, et al (2010) as:<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<blockquote>\\n<p> \\u201cAny professional misconduct, or bad skillful practice, or any practice contrary to law or established rules and regulations whereby the health of a person is injured because of failure of a physician to behave or act as a reasonable, prudent physician who is charged with a duty to use a standard of due care and to foresee harm that may result from failure to meet such standard which may be the proximate cause of injury. It ordinarily refers to any malfeasance or dereliction of duty committed by a physician.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn44\\\">[44]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<\\/blockquote>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>The elements of medical malpractice, as enunciated in the case of <em>Lucas vs Tua\\u00f1o, <\\/em>(2009), are:<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:list {\\\"ordered\\\":true,\\\"type\\\":\\\"1\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<ol>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\n<ol>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\n<ol type=\\\"1\\\">\\n<li>A patient engages the services of a physician whereby a physician-patient relationship is generated<\\/li>\\n<li>A physician is under a duty to [the former] to exercise that degree of care, skill, and diligence which physicians in the same general neighborhood and the same general line of practice ordinarily possess and exercise in like cases<\\/li>\\n<li>There is a breach of duty of care, skill, and diligence, or the improper performance of such duty, by the attending physician when the patient is injured in body or health<\\/li>\\n<li>Proof of such breach must likewise rest upon the testimony of an expert witness that the treatment accorded to the patient failed to meet the standard level of care, skill, and diligence which physicians in the same general neighborhood and the same general line of practice ordinarily possess and exercise in like cases.<\\/li>\\n<li>The proximate cause of an injury is that cause, which, in the natural and continuous sequence, unbroken by any efficient intervening cause, produces the injury, and without which the result would not have occurred<a href=\\\"#_ftn45\\\">[45]<\\/a><\\/li><\\/ol><div><br><\\/div><ol type=\\\"1\\\">\\n<\\/ol>\\n<\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> With these elements present, the physician can be held liable for negligence which is a tort liability. Negligence is defined as \\u201cthe doing of some act which a reasonable and prudent physician would not do, or the failure to do some act which such a person should or would do.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn46\\\">[46]<\\/a> While it is true that physicians are not required to possess extraordinary learning and skill, however, they must keep abreast with medical developments and techniques and must refrain from experimenting. <a href=\\\"#_ftn47\\\">[47]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> In terms of evidence, the patient must prove that the health care provider failed to do something which a reasonably prudent health care provider would have done, or that he or she did something that a reasonably prudent provider would not have done; and that that failure or action caused injury to the patient. <a href=\\\"#_ftn48\\\">[48]<\\/a> The injured minor or his parents\\/legal guardian can recover financial damages (actual damages for the pecuniary loss suffered by a party, and moral damages, for the physical suffering and\\/or mental anguish, fright, shock, etc.). <a href=\\\"#_ftn49\\\">[49]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> He can also be held criminally liable<a href=\\\"#_ftn50\\\">[50]<\\/a>. Under the Revised Penal Code (RPC), he can be liable for the crime of administering injurious substances or beverages. The elements are:<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:list {\\\"ordered\\\":true,\\\"type\\\":\\\"1\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<ol>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\n<ol>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\n<ol type=\\\"1\\\">\\n<li>The offender in\\ufb02icted upon another any serious physical injury;<\\/li>\\n<li>That it was done by knowingly administering to him any injurious substances or beverages or by taking advantage of his weakness of mind or credulity;<\\/li>\\n<li>That he had no intent to kill. <a href=\\\"#_ftn51\\\">[51]<\\/a><\\/li><\\/ol><div><br><\\/div><ol type=\\\"1\\\">\\n<\\/ol>\\n<\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> He can also be made liable for Physical Injuries<a href=\\\"#_ftn52\\\">[52]<\\/a> and for Reckless Imprudence (quasi-offense). Reckless imprudence, as defined in Article 365 of RPC, \\u201cconsists in voluntarily, but without malice, doing or failing to do an act from which material damage results because of inexcusable lack of precaution on the part of the person performing or failing to perform such act, taking into consideration his employment or occupation, degree of intelligence, physical condition and other circumstances regarding persons, time and place.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn53\\\">[53]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> On the other end, the medical practitioner can take shelter on legal doctrines to save themselves from liability. The first is the <em>doctrine of foreseeability<\\/em>, which provides that:<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<blockquote>\\n<p>\\u201cA physician cannot be held liable for negligence if the injury sustained by a patient is on account of unforeseen conditions. But, a physician who fails to ascertain the condition of the patient for want of the requisite skills and training is answerable for the injury sustained by the patient if an injury resulted thereto. Such foreseeable injury may be ascertained from the history, physical examination, observation and from information gathered from another member of the family.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn54\\\">[54]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<\\/blockquote>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> He can also avoid liability by invoking the defense of accident, that is, an event which happens without any human agency or, if happening through human agency, an event which, under the circumstances, is unusual to and not expected by the person to whom it happened.<a href=\\\"#_ftn55\\\">[55]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>Practical Consequences \\u2013 Risks of letting minors make health care decisions<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> David DeLugas, executive director of the National Association of Parents (U.S.), said that letting minors make health care decisions in lieu of their parents may introduce conflict into families. He does not think states should upset the parent-child relationship by taking power from the parents and transferring it to the children.<a href=\\\"#_ftn56\\\">[56]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> Grootens-Wiegers, et al. also noted that there is no general agreement as to which age is appropriate for minors to be considered competent for informed decision-making. Some studies suggest that it is at 9 years old, some studies suggest that it is ages of 14 or 15. Minors of the same age may have a different level of maturity. Young children, who exhibited an adequate aptitude for decision-making in a certain situation, can lack ample ability in another.<a href=\\\"#_ftn57\\\">[57]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> They also discussed that adolescence is a period when various health issues and increased risks appear. Teenagers experience changes in diet and tend to explore vices such as tobacco and substance abuse. The increase in mortality is attributed to decision-making being affected by risky behavior, sensation seeking, and peer influences. The increased risk can also be attributed to lower cognitive control because of the developing brain in adolescence, especially the brain\\u2019s reward system combined with late development of the control system which decreases decision-making competence. Since the maturity of adolescence varies from one child to another, the practice can be very unpredictable.<a href=\\\"#_ftn58\\\">[58]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> However, good practical outcomes can also come with the idea of minors making medical decisions for themselves, especially for vaccines. Assent from minors aged seven years and above can improve moral growth and develop autonomy. It can even encourage them to comply with the medical treatment and allow them to express their interests in such endeavor. It offers a chance to contribute to their healthcare and provide an honest and open relationship between the family and medical service team.<a href=\\\"#_ftn59\\\">[59]<\\/a> Children will no longer be obligated to keep quiet for the sake of their parents. It also ensures that a child\'s unanswered questions, unresolved worries, or desire to be acknowledged are treated as legitimate and rational issues that matter in the child\'s world, rather than being dismissed as complete nonsense. <a href=\\\"#_ftn60\\\">[60]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>Recommendation<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> With the positive and negative outcomes analyzed, the recommendations are set forth to guide future legislators and policymakers and to help outweigh the negative effects.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:list --><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\n<ul>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\n<ul>\\n<li>The requirements of assent are: 1) properly informing patients about the issues at hand and what to expect; 2) assessment of their understanding; 3) soliciting agreement or acknowledgment of the decision.<a href=\\\"#_ftn61\\\">[61]<\\/a><\\/li>\\n<li>American Academy of Pediatrics said that assent should be obtained whenever reasonable, and that assent should only be obtained in situations in which the medical service team would be willing to honor, at least in part, a child\\u2019s dissent.<a href=\\\"#_ftn62\\\">[62]<\\/a><\\/li>\\n<li>Legislation should reflect the concept of <em>care ethics<\\/em> (\\u201cIndividuals do not exist in isolation but with others to whom they are emotionally or psychologically close, such as parents, siblings, and friends \\u201d). Medical professionals should educate a minor by generating information that can provide specific medical context that can be weighed and analyzed with perspectives offered by family and friends which can largely affect their thought processes. The legislation should also recognize the limitations of judgments of minors.<a href=\\\"#_ftn63\\\">[63]<\\/a><\\/li>\\n<li>The legislators should also limit the age bracket (ideally at the age of 14), and limit the vaccines to the recommended types that have been long proven to be effective by science (Ex. measles, polio, diphtheria, influenza) to minimize health risks.<\\/li>\\n<li>In the legislation, healthcare professionals, adolescent health care clinicians, public health personnel, medical organizations should be present and give their inputs.<a href=\\\"#_ftn64\\\">[64]<\\/a><\\/li>\\n<li>The legislators should frame the law in a way that reflects the thought that \\u201cparental consent should be considered a responsibility that supports the minor\'s best interests and preserves a family\'s interests, rather than a parent\'s right to express their own autonomous choices.\\u201d Davis and Fang, in an article, said that \\u201c<em>Providers have to serve the pediatric patient\'s best interest and not necessarily the parents\' desires.<\\/em>\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn65\\\">[65]<\\/a><\\/li>\\n<li>For policy-making among healthcare professionals or even in the legislation itself, a set of protocols should be developed to serve as a guide to assess minor\\u2019s maturity and decision-making ability. Legal documentation guidelines should be executed to protect healthcare workers against a suit.<a href=\\\"#_ftn66\\\">[66]<\\/a><\\/li>\\n<li>Adolescent\\u2019s privacy should be reflected in the legislation and healthcare protocols. <a href=\\\"#_ftn67\\\">[67]<\\/a><\\/li><\\/ul><div><br><\\/div><ul>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>Conclusion<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> Vaccines have greatly contributed in eradicating serious diseases that could have led to mortality or permanent disability. They are one of the scientific breakthroughs that are gravely misunderstood and often subjected to prejudicial preference. Time and again refused because of misinformation as well as cultural and religious differences. In the Philippines, there is a huge vacuum in emancipation laws for medical decisions for minors. Assuming that minors would be allowed to obtain a vaccine without parental consent, different positive outcomes could be factored, such as a decrease in disease statistics and empowerment in adolescence, while negative outlooks include increased risky behavior in minors because of their developing mental and physical structure, and the boosted risk of medical malpractice suits if ever the vaccine produces adverse effects in their body. Legislators should strive to include healthcare workers in developing legislation that would allow minors to get vaccines for themselves without parental permission, all while preserving the family harmony and the patient\\u2019s well-being, as well as knowing that this is about a patient\\u2019s health and not grandstanding parental authority.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\">\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>* Associate Research Editor, UST Law Review; freelance writer<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">[1]<\\/a>UNICEF Philippines, #VaccinesWork: UNICEF stresses importance of immunization on World Immunization Week, UNICEF Philippines, (January 31, 2021), https:\\/\\/www.unicef.org\\/philippines\\/press-releases\\/vaccineswork-unicef-stresses-importance-immunization-world-immunization-week<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a> Jenny Lei Ravelo, Another casualty of vaccine hesitancy: Philippines declares polio outbreak, (January 31, 2021), https:\\/\\/www.devex.com\\/news\\/another-casualty-of-vaccine-hesitancy-philippines-declares-polio-outbreak-95648<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a> Department of Health, Doh Identifies Vaccine Hesitancy as One of The Reasons For Measles Outbreak, Department of Health, (January 31, 2021), https:\\/\\/doh.gov.ph\\/node\\/16721<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[4]<\\/a> Id.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[5]<\\/a> World Health Organization, Revised SAGE recommendation on use of dengue vaccine, (Apil 19, 2018), https:\\/\\/www.who.int\\/immunization\\/diseases\\/dengue\\/revised_SAGE_recommendations_dengue_vaccines_apr2018\\/en\\/<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[6]<\\/a> Migrino, Jr J, Gayados B. Birol RJ, De Jesus L, Lopez CW, Mercado WC, et al. Factors affecting vaccine hesitancy among families with children 2 years old and younger in two urban communities in Manila, Philippines. Western Pac Surveill Response J. 2020 Jun; 10(2). doi: 10.5365\\/wpsar.2019.10.2.006<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\">[7]<\\/a> Kelly Danielpour, Commentary: Why all 50 states need to allow teens to get vaccinated without parental consent, Los Angeles Times, (Nov. 19, 2020), https:\\/\\/journaltimes.com\\/news\\/commentary-why-all-50-states-need-to-allow-teens-to-get-vaccinated-without-parental-consent\\/article_264a2b69-0924-5c08-aabd-fb79fa5deec4.html<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\">[8]<\\/a> Id.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\">[9]<\\/a> Michael Ollove, Teens of \\u2018Anti-Vaxxers\\u2019 Can Get Their Own Vaccines, Some States Say, Stateline, (June 24, 2019), https:\\/\\/www.pewtrusts.org\\/en\\/research-and-analysis\\/blogs\\/stateline\\/2019\\/06\\/24\\/teens-of-anti-vaxxers-can-get-their-own-vaccines-some-states-say<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\">[10]<\\/a> Kelly Danielpour, Commentary: Why all 50 states need to allow teens to get vaccinated without parental consent, Los Angeles Times, (Nov. 19, 2020), https:\\/\\/journaltimes.com\\/news\\/commentary-why-all-50-states-need-to-allow-teens-to-get-vaccinated-without-parental-consent\\/article_264a2b69-0924-5c08-aabd-fb79fa5deec4.html<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\">[11]<\\/a> Abigail English, Carol A. Ford, Jessica A. Kahn, Elyse Olshen Kharbanda, Adolescent Consent for Vaccination: A Position Paper of the Societyfor Adolescent Health and Medicine, 53 Journal of Adolescent Health, 550, 550-553, (2013)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref12\\\">[12]<\\/a> Michael Davis & Andrea Fang, Emancipated Minor, StatPearls Publishing LLC, (May 19, 2020), https:\\/\\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\\/books\\/NBK554594\\/<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref13\\\">[13]<\\/a> Id.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref14\\\">[14]<\\/a> Abigail English, Carol A. Ford, Jessica A. Kahn, Elyse Olshen Kharbanda, Adolescent Consent for Vaccination: A Position Paper of the Societyfor Adolescent Health and Medicine, 53 Journal of Adolescent Health, 550, 552, (2013)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref15\\\">[15]<\\/a> <em>In Re: Chad Eric Swan, <\\/em>569 A.2d 1202 (1990), decided January 23, 1990, opinion Issued February 15, 1990.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref16\\\">[16]<\\/a> Id.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref17\\\">[17]<\\/a> Michael Ollove, Teens of \\u2018Anti-Vaxxers\\u2019 Can Get Their Own Vaccines, Some States Say, Stateline, (June 24, 2019), https:\\/\\/www.pewtrusts.org\\/en\\/research-and-analysis\\/blogs\\/stateline\\/2019\\/06\\/24\\/teens-of-anti-vaxxers-can-get-their-own-vaccines-some-states-say<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref18\\\">[18]<\\/a> Mackenzie Bean, 9 states where minors can get vaccinated without parental consent, ASC COMMUNICATIONS 2021, (June 24, 2019), https:\\/\\/www.beckershospitalreview.com\\/quality\\/9-states-where-minors-can-get-vaccinated-without-parental-consent.html<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref19\\\">[19]<\\/a> An Act Lowering The Age Of Majority From Twenty-One To Eighteen Years, Amending For The Purpose Executive Order Numbered Two Hundred Nine, And For Other Purposes, Republic Act No. 6809, sec. 234 (1989)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref20\\\">[20]<\\/a> R.A. 386, sec. 236<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref21\\\">[21]<\\/a> The Child and Youth Welfare Code, Presidential Decree No. 603, art. 17 (1974)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref22\\\">[22]<\\/a>P.D. 603, art. 17<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref23\\\">[23]<\\/a> P.D. 603, art. 19 (1974)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref24\\\">[24]<\\/a> P.D. 603, art. 43 (1974)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref25\\\">[25]<\\/a> The Family Code of The Philippines, Executive Order No. 209, art. 209 (1988)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref26\\\">[26]<\\/a> E.O. 209, art. 210<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref27\\\">[27]<\\/a> E.O. 209, art. 228<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref28\\\">[28]<\\/a> E.O. 209, art. 229<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref29\\\">[29]<\\/a> E.O. 209, art. 230<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref30\\\">[30]<\\/a> An Act Providing For Mandatory Basic Immunization Services For Infants And Children, Repealing For The Purpose Presidential Decree No. 996, As Amended, Republic Act No. 10152, sec. 2 (2011)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref31\\\">[31]<\\/a> R.A. 10152, sec. 3<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref32\\\">[32]<\\/a> R.A. 10152, sec. 4<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref33\\\">[33]<\\/a> R.A. 10152, sec. 5<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref34\\\">[34]<\\/a> Sheila Crisostomo & Gilbert Bayoran, Mandatory immunization ordered, The Philippine Star, (Feb. 10, 2019), https:\\/\\/www.philstar.com\\/headlines\\/2019\\/02\\/10\\/1892465\\/mandatory-immunization-ordered<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref35\\\">[35]<\\/a> Josue N. Bellosillo, Bu C. Castro, Emmanuel LJ. Mapili, Albert D. Rebosa, Antonio D. Rebosa, Basics of Philippine Medical Jurisprudence and Ethics, p. 113, (2010 ed. Central Book Supply, 2010)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref36\\\">[36]<\\/a> An Act To Ordain And Institute The Civil Code Of The Philippines, Republic Act No. 386, art. 1327 (1950)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref37\\\">[37]<\\/a> Hector S. De Leon & Hector M. De Leon, Jr. The Law on Obligations and Contracts, p. 342-349, (Rex Printing Company, Inc., 2014)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref38\\\">[38]<\\/a> Id. at p. 431<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref39\\\">[39]<\\/a> Josue N. Bellosillo, Bu C. Castro, Emmanuel LJ. Mapili, Albert D. Rebosa, Antonio D. Rebosa, Basics of Philippine Medical Jurisprudence and Ethics, p. 113, (2010 ed. Central Book Supply, 2010)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref40\\\">[40]<\\/a> Id. at p. 412 (2010 ed. Central Book Supply, 2010)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref41\\\">[41]<\\/a> Cyrus Cesar R. Tejam, Clinical Pediatrics in the Philippines: Parental Assent and Consent, 2 Asia Pacific Journal of Pediatrics and Child Health, 27, 29 (2019)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref42\\\">[42]<\\/a> Id.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref43\\\">[43]<\\/a> An instance is when it is recommended that \\u201c<em>vaccines not be given during chemo or radiation treatments \\u2013 the only exception to this is the flu shot. This is mainly because vaccines need an immune system response to work, and you may not get an adequate response during cancer treatment<\\/em>.\\u201d \\u2013 American Cancer Society, Vaccinations and Flu Shots for People with Cancer: Should people with cancer get any vaccines? , American Cancer Society webpage, Inc. (2020), <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.cancer.org\\/treatment\\/treatments-and-side-effects\\/physical-side-effects\\/low-blood-counts\\/infections\\/vaccination-during-cancer-treatment.html\\\">https:\\/\\/www.cancer.org\\/treatment\\/treatments-and-side-effects\\/physical-side-effects\\/low-blood-counts\\/infections\\/vaccination-during-cancer-treatment.html<\\/a>. This should not be treated as a medical advice. It is always best to consult your physician.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref44\\\">[44]<\\/a> Josue N. Bellosillo, Bu C. Castro, Emmanuel LJ. Mapili, Albert D. Rebosa, Antonio D. Rebosa, Basics of Philippine Medical Jurisprudence and Ethics, p. 117 (2010 ed. Central Book Supply, 2010)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref45\\\">[45]<\\/a> <em>Lucas v. Tua\\u00f1o<\\/em>, 586 SCRA 173 (2009)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref46\\\">[46]<\\/a> Josue N. Bellosillo, Bu C. Castro, Emmanuel LJ. Mapili, Albert D. Rebosa, Antonio D. Rebosa, Basics of Philippine Medical Jurisprudence and Ethics, p. 131, (2010 ed. Central Book Supply, 2010)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref47\\\">[47]<\\/a> Id.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref48\\\">[48]<\\/a> Professional Services, Inc. v. Natividad and Enrique Agana, 542 Phil. 464, 481 (2007).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref49\\\">[49]<\\/a> Josue N. Bellosillo, Bu C. Castro, Emmanuel LJ. Mapili, Albert D. Rebosa, Antonio D. Rebosa, Basics of Philippine Medical Jurisprudence and Ethics, p. 59, (2010 ed. Central Book Supply, 2010)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref50\\\">[50]<\\/a> Id at 195<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref51\\\">[51]<\\/a> The Revised Penal Code, Act No. 3815, art. 264, (1930)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref52\\\">[52]<\\/a> Act No. 3815, art. 266, (1930)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref53\\\">[53]<\\/a> <em>Gonzaga v. People, <\\/em>G.R. No. 195671, January 21, 2015.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref54\\\">[54]<\\/a> Josue N. Bellosillo, Bu C. Castro, Emmanuel LJ. Mapili, Albert D. Rebosa, Antonio D. Rebosa, Basics of Philippine Medical Jurisprudence and Ethics, p. 154, (2010 ed. Central Book Supply, 2010)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref55\\\">[55]<\\/a> Id.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref56\\\">[56]<\\/a> Michael Ollove, Teens of \\u2018Anti-Vaxxers\\u2019 Can Get Their Own Vaccines, Some States Say, Stateline, (June 24, 2019), https:\\/\\/www.pewtrusts.org\\/en\\/research-and-analysis\\/blogs\\/stateline\\/2019\\/06\\/24\\/teens-of-anti-vaxxers-can-get-their-own-vaccines-some-states-say<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref57\\\">[57]<\\/a> Petronella Grootens-Wiegers, Irma M. Hein, Jos M. van den Broek, & Martine C. de Vries, Medical decision-making in children and adolescents: developmental and neuroscientific aspects, BMC Pediatrics, 1, 2 (2017)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref58\\\">[58]<\\/a> Petronella Grootens-Wiegers, Irma M. Hein, Jos M. van den Broek, & Martine C. de Vries, Medical decision-making in children and adolescents: developmental and neuroscientific aspects, BMC Pediatrics, 1, 6 (2017)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref59\\\">[59]<\\/a> Cyrus Cesar R. Tejam, Clinical Pediatrics in the Philippines: Parental Assent and Consent, 2 Asia Pacific Journal of Pediatrics and Child Health, 27, 29 (2019)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref60\\\">[60]<\\/a> Rebecca Babcock, Medical Decision-Making for Minors: Using Care Ethics to Empower Adolescents and Amend the Current Power Imbalances, 8 Asian Bioethics Review, 4, 13 (2016)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref61\\\">[61]<\\/a> Cyrus Cesar R. Tejam, Clinical Pediatrics in the Philippines: Parental Assent and Consent, 2 Asia Pacific Journal of Pediatrics and Child Health, 27, 29 (2019)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref62\\\">[62]<\\/a> Id at 27-33<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref63\\\">[63]<\\/a> Rebecca Babcock, Medical Decision-Making for Minors: Using Care Ethics to Empower Adolescents and Amend the Current Power Imbalances, 8 Asian Bioethics Review, 4, 13 (2016)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref64\\\">[64]<\\/a> Abigail English, Carol A. Ford, Jessica A. Kahn, Elyse Olshen Kharbanda, Adolescent Consent for Vaccination: A Position Paper of the Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine, 53 Journal of Adolescent Health, 550, 552, (2013)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref65\\\">[65]<\\/a> Michael Davis & Andrea Fang, Emancipated Minor, StatPearls Publishing LLC, (May 19, 2020), https:\\/\\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\\/books\\/NBK554594\\/<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref66\\\">[66]<\\/a> Id.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref67\\\">[67]<\\/a> Id.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\">\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>Featured Photo by <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/unsplash.com\\/@thenewmalcolm?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText\\\">Obi Onyeador<\\/a> on <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/unsplash.com\\/s\\/photos\\/vaccine-choice?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText\\\">Unsplash<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.15,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(3675,1271,'_thumbnail_id','1262'),(3676,1271,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(3677,1271,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(3678,1271,'_elementor_version','3.1.1'),(3679,1271,'_wp_page_template','default'),(3680,1271,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"3d1e02bb\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"4005cedf\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"6508c5f0\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><!-- wp:separator --><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\"><em><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">*<\\/a>This should not be treated as a medical advice. It is always best to consult your physician.<\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\">\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>By: Ashley Faye S. Cruz**<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> You are a 15-year-old high school kid lining up in an annual physical examination. The school physician asked if you were vaccinated when you were still a newborn. You answered in the negative, and the physician gave you flyers for free vaccines at the public health center. You went home and excitedly told your mother about this thing called \\u201cvaccine\\u201d and how it can help your immune system. Your mom, who believes in medical conspiracy theories, adamantly denied your request and pulled a litany of conspiracy theories taken from social media websites. Determined, you went to the public health center, but the nurse denied you a free vaccine because there needs parental consent.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> It is very alarming that the Philippines could have avoided diseases by a simple vaccine trip to the nearest pediatrician. United Nations International Children\'s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) reported that as of 2019, an estimated 2.9 million Filipino children remain unvaccinated and remain vulnerable to serious diseases such as rubella and polio. <a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\">[1]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> World Health Organization (WHO) representative Rabindra Abeyasinghe said that to halt the proliferation of disease in the country, 95% need to be vaccinated<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\">[2]<\\/a>. Notwithstanding the availability of free vaccines at public health centers, many parents still refuse to vaccinate their children. Parents have the \\u201cvaccine hesitancy\\u201d, which is the delay in acceptance or refusal of vaccines despite the availability of vaccination services.<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\">[3]<\\/a> Studies have identified several factors that have caused the loss of public confidence in vaccine, though the recommended vaccines are long proven to be effective.<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\">[4]<\\/a> Among these are the following:<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:list {\\\"ordered\\\":true,\\\"type\\\":\\\"1\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<ol>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\n<ol type=\\\"1\\\">\\n<li>Dengvaxia controversy, where 10% of the 800,000 students who were immunized with a vaccine against Dengue known as Dengvaxia, but did not have a prior dengue infection, posed a higher risk of contracting severe Dengue<a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\">[5]<\\/a>;<\\/li>\\n<li>Circumstantial events surrounding vaccinations such as when parents attach significance to events such as sleep or behavioral patterns and birth timing;<\\/li>\\n<li>Over-reporting of adverse effects of immunization by mass media such as newspapers and television; and<\\/li>\\n<li>Social media also contributed to vaccine hesitancy, and parents tend to be more susceptible to media reports on the Internet.<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\">[6]<\\/a><\\/li><\\/ol><\\/li><li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\n<br><\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> Parents who choose not to vaccinate their children endanger not only themselves but also everyone else as immunization rates fall too low for vaccine-preventable diseases. In the school year before the COVID-19 outbreak in the United States (U.S.), the rate of childhood vaccine exemptions claimed by parents rose in 40 of 49 states as reflected in the records. <a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\">[7]<\\/a> Dr. Arthur Caplan, founding director of the Division of Medical Ethics at New York University Langone Medical Center, said that \\u201c<em>Parents should not have the authority to subject their children to serious preventable harm<\\/em>\\u201d. <a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\">[8]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> However, there is a solution made by certain states in the U.S. to combat the ever-worsening disease statistics. Nine states allow minors to receive vaccinations without their parents\' permission. Four states allow adolescents to receive specific vaccines, while five states allow minors to consent to any healthcare. <a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\">[9]<\\/a> The American Medical Association and the Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine and other medical organizations, strongly support laws allowing older minors to self-consent to vaccinations. Granting teenagers this right is essential to stemming the spread of diseases, whether they are newly emerging like COVID-19 or have faded from the news.<a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\">[10]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> English, et al., of the Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine, stated in their position paper <em>Adolescent Consent for Vaccination: A Position Paper of the Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine<\\/em>, that adolescent vaccines allow the enhancement of adolescent and adult health. Approaches to boost the proportion of adolescents who receive vaccines will be essential to assure that adolescent vaccination will lead to developments in the health of populations. Within ethical and legal guidelines, it will be important to develop policies and strategies that expand opportunities for minors to receive vaccinations when parents are not physically present.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\">[11]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> The U.S. laws on emancipation from parental authority vary from state to state. For instance, some states adopt the \\u201cmature minor\\u201d doctrine. The mature minor doctrine legally recognizes the medical decision-making capacity of adolescents, even though they are still minors under parental or legal guardian control. They are usually 12 years old or older, and they are required to demonstrate adequate cognitive maturity and capacity to understand the risks of medical evaluations and treatments. Some other states allow this practice but its application is restricted only on the grounds of parental availability and sensitive clinical situations.<a href=\\\"#_ftn12\\\">[12]<\\/a> They also allow medical service without parental consent in times of emergency. Other medical services that are available to adolescents that do not need parental consent are rape or sexual assault services, contraception services. sexually transmitted infections, prenatal care, abortion, pediatric care for children of minors, substance use disorder treatment, and mental health treatment. <a href=\\\"#_ftn13\\\">[13]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>Federal law of the U.S, does not contain any requirements for parent\\u2019s consent for vaccination of minors. As an exception, the mature minor doctrine which developed from jurisprudence provides an avenue for minors to obtain vaccines for themselves, as long as the patient can give informed consent, the treatment is not high risk, and is provided in a nonnegligent manner.<a href=\\\"#_ftn14\\\">[14]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> To illustrate, in the case of <em>In Re: Swan<\\/em>, Maine Supreme Judicial Court addressed the issue of discontinuing the treatment of minor patient in a chronic vegetative state with little hope of recovery, specifically that the medical decision maker here is the minor patient himself. Chad had an accident which rendered him needing a life-sustaining procedure included a gastrostomy tube that provided hydration and nutrients to his body. Chad\'s mother and brother said that prior to his accident, Chad told them that he did not want to be held alive by artificial means if an injury rendered him incapable of existing otherwise. The tube eventually deteriorated and made his condition worse. Chad\\u2019s parents acquiesced to his wishes.<a href=\\\"#_ftn15\\\">[15]<\\/a> The District Attorney contended that Chad\'s ability to refuse medical care was \\\"significantly limited\\\" since he was under the legal age of majority when he articulated his wishes. Maine Supreme Judicial Court opposed such contention, saying that Chad\'s age was only a \\\"factor to be weighed by the truth finder in judging the seriousness and deliberateness\\\" of his comments. Chad\'s aspirations to not be held in a permanent vegetative condition were \\\"well-informed medical care decisions\\\" that should be respected.<a href=\\\"#_ftn16\\\">[16]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> Some suggest that all states should allow minors to make some health care decisions, especially in stigmatized areas such as sexual health and drug addiction. <a href=\\\"#_ftn17\\\">[17]<\\/a> In California, children aged 12 and up will undergo sexually transmitted disease vaccinations without parental supervision. Hepatitis B vaccine may be given to children of any age without their parents\' consent in Minnesota. In Alabama, children ages 14 and up can consent to all healthcare services.<a href=\\\"#_ftn18\\\">[18]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>The situation in the Philippines \\u2013 Emancipation Laws<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> The Philippines has legislation for emancipation from parental authority. The age of eighteen years is the age of majority unless otherwise provided, and emancipation takes place in such event.<a href=\\\"#_ftn19\\\">[19]<\\/a> According to the law, \\u201cEmancipation shall terminate parental authority over the person and property of the child who shall then be qualified and responsible for all acts of civil life, save the exceptions established by existing laws in special cases.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn20\\\">[20]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> Parental authority is also ingrained in our statutes. Article 17 of The Child and Youth Welfare Code states that \\u201cthe father and mother shall exercise jointly just and reasonable parental authority and responsibility for their legitimate or adopted children.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn21\\\">[21]<\\/a> In case of absence or death or either parent, the surviving parent shall exercise the parental authority. <a href=\\\"#_ftn22\\\">[22]<\\/a> \\u201cGrandparents and in their default, the oldest brother or sister who is at least eighteen years of age, or the relative who has actual custody of the child, shall exercise parental authority in case of absence or death of both parents unless a guardian has been appointed following the succeeding provision.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn23\\\">[23]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> The Code also provides in Chapter 2, Article 43 that \\u201cthe parents shall have the right to the company of their children and, concerning all other persons or institutions dealing with the child\'s development, the primary right and obligation to provide for their upbringing.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn24\\\">[24]<\\/a> The authority of parents\\/legal guardians are also strengthened by Article 209 of the Act: \\u201cUnder the natural right and duty of parents over the person and property of their unemancipated children, parental authority and responsibility shall include the caring for and rearing them for civic consciousness and efficiency and the development of their moral, mental and physical character and well-being.\\u201d <a href=\\\"#_ftn25\\\">[25]<\\/a> It cannot be renounced or transferred except in cases authorized by law. <a href=\\\"#_ftn26\\\">[26]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> Parental authority terminates permanently upon the death of the parents, upon the death of the child, or emancipation of the child. <a href=\\\"#_ftn27\\\">[27]<\\/a> Moreover, unless subsequently revived by final judgment, it is also terminated upon adoption of the child, upon judicial declaration of abandonment of the child in a case filed for the purpose, upon the final judgment of a competent court divesting the party concerned of parental authority, upon judicial declaration of absence or incapacity of the person exercising parental authority. <a href=\\\"#_ftn28\\\">[28]<\\/a> It can be suspended upon conviction of the parent or the person exercising the same of a crime which carries with it the penalty of civil interdiction, <a href=\\\"#_ftn29\\\">[29]<\\/a> or if they treat the child with excessive harshness or cruelty, gives the child corrupting orders, counsel, or example, compels the child to beg, or subjects the child or allows him to be subjected to acts of lasciviousness<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>Vaccine laws in the Philippines<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> There is a law mandating the basic immunization services for infants and children, or the An Act Providing For Mandatory Basic Immunization Services For Infants And Children, Repealing For The Purpose Presidential Decree No. 996, As Amended (Republic Act No. 10152). It is the policy of the State to take a proactive role in the preventive health care of infants and children, and through this legislation, the State wants to adopt a comprehensive, mandatory and sustainable immunization program for vaccine-preventable diseases for all infants and children.<a href=\\\"#_ftn30\\\">[30]<\\/a> This law covers the following vaccine-preventable diseases:<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:list {\\\"ordered\\\":true,\\\"type\\\":\\\"a\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<ol>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\n<ol>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\n<ol type=\\\"a\\\">\\n<li>Tuberculosis<\\/li>\\n<li>Diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis;<\\/li>\\n<li>Poliomyelitis;<\\/li>\\n<li>Measles;<\\/li>\\n<li>Mumps;<\\/li>\\n<li>Rubella or German measles;<\\/li>\\n<li>Hepatitis-B;<\\/li>\\n<li>H. Influenza type B (HIB); and<\\/li>\\n<li>Such other types may be determined by the Secretary of Health in a department circular.<\\/li><\\/ol><\\/li><li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\"><\\/li><li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\"><ol type=\\\"a\\\">\\n<br><\\/ol>\\n<\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> Such basic immunizations shall be given for free at any government hospital or health center to infants and children up to five (5) years of age.<a href=\\\"#_ftn31\\\">[31]<\\/a> R.A. 10152 also mandates that all health care practitioners or health care workers who are administering prenatal care shall educate all pregnant mothers on the importance of giving their infants the basic immunization services as well as any possible effects of immunization and that the Department of Health (DOH) and other government and private sectors shall make available appropriate information materials and shall have a system of its distribution to the public.<a href=\\\"#_ftn32\\\">[32]<\\/a> One of the important provisions is Section 5 which provides that any physician, nurse, midwife, nursing aide or skilled birth attendant, who delivers, or assists in the delivery of, a newborn shall, before delivery, inform parents or legal guardian of the newborn of the availability, nature, and benefits of immunization against Hepatitis-B and other vaccine-preventable diseases at birth.<a href=\\\"#_ftn33\\\">[33]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> However, Secretary to the Cabinet Karlo Nograles said that \\u201cthe government could neither force parents to have their children vaccinated nor punish them if they have not.\\u201d He said that \\u201cRA 10152 does not have any penal provisions and does not punish parents who do not have their children vaccinated, unlike the Presidential Decree (PD) it replaced. Under PD 996, it was the duty of parents or those having custody of the child to see to it that the child is immunized. Those who did not could be punished with a P200 fine or one-month imprisonment\\u201d <a href=\\\"#_ftn34\\\">[34]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> With the advent of R.A. 11166 or the Philippine HIV and AIDS Policy Act, the threshold of consent for the screening, voluntary testing, and treatment for human immunodeficiency virus infection, was lowered to fifteen years of age\\u2014 a characterization of the mature minor doctrine. It requires the assent of the child below 15 years old or those mentally incapacitated, if capacity to assent exists, in order to avail of voluntary testing and protect its interests.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> As seen from the aforementioned laws, just like at the federal level of the US, there is a vacuum in terms of parental consent for vaccination of minors in the Philippines.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>Philippine laws: parental consent for medical treatments<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> A doctor-patient relationship is a form of contract. It is an elementary principle that one of the elements of a contract is consent. The person giving consent must be of legal age (18 years of age, unless otherwise provided) and mentally and physically competent. As the legal guardians, parents are the persons who must sign the consent forms.<a href=\\\"#_ftn35\\\">[35]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> Article 1327 of the Civil Code provides the persons who cannot give consent to a contract: unemancipated minors and insane or demented persons, and deaf-mutes who do not know how to write. <a href=\\\"#_ftn36\\\">[36]<\\/a> The Civil Code does not define who can consent to a contract, rather, it defines who has no capacity. These persons can easily be victims of fraud as they are not capable of understanding or knowing the nature of their actions, thus they can only enter into an agreement or contracts through their parents or their legal guardians.<a href=\\\"#_ftn37\\\">[37]<\\/a> The contract they have entered is voidable, meaning it is valid and binding until it is annulled by a proper action in court.<a href=\\\"#_ftn38\\\">[38]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> In the medical field, there is the right to informed consent, a legal right recognized and protected by law and jurisprudence. The patient has the right to choose openly whether or not to consent to care after being adequately advised by the specialist about the complications and benefits of the recommended treatment, as well as the viable treatment alternatives, including the possibility of no treatment.<a href=\\\"#_ftn39\\\">[39]<\\/a> It is further drawn as a legal concept, where a person can be said, \\u201cto have given consent based upon a clear appreciation and understanding of the facts, implications, and future consequences of an action.\\u201d He must have adequate reasoning faculties and knows all relevant facts at the time consent is given. If a person cannot give informed consent, say a child, another person is generally authorized to give consent on their behalf, in this case, his parents or legal guardian\\/s. <a href=\\\"#_ftn40\\\">[40]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> The key elements of informed consent, according to Tejam of Asia Pacific Journal of Pediatrics and Child Health are disclosure of information, assessment of the decision maker\\u2019s capacity to make medical choices, and process of obtaining consent in the form of a voluntary agreement from the patient without coercion or persuasion. In pediatrics, it comes from the parent or legal guardian. Per the best interests standard, parents are regarded to be in the best position to determine their child\\u2019s best interest because parental decision aims to maximize benefits for their children while minimizing harm. However, the determination of what is in children\\u2019s best interest is often subjective and debatable. While written or verbal informed parental consent may be enough for ethical and legal purposes, but it does not meet the necessities of the ethical concept of informed concept. <a href=\\\"#_ftn41\\\">[41]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> The purpose of informed consent and the strict guidelines surrounding this concept is the respect for autonomy, which includes the liberty of the patient, defined as \\u201cthe capacity to live life according to one\'s reasons and motives and agency \\u2026[or] rational capacity for intentional action.\\u201d This principle served as one of the pillars in resolving ethical dilemmas.<a href=\\\"#_ftn42\\\">[42]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>Legal consequences of letting Filipino adolescents make vaccine related medical decisions<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> Suppose the teen suffered injuries because of the vaccine<a href=\\\"#_ftn43\\\">[43]<\\/a> and the parents want to file a suit against the physician who administered the vaccine. Here are some of the laws that are usually invoked in a medical malpractice suit.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><em>Medical malpractice<\\/em> is defined by Bellosillo, et al (2010) as:<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<blockquote>\\n<p> \\u201cAny professional misconduct, or bad skillful practice, or any practice contrary to law or established rules and regulations whereby the health of a person is injured because of failure of a physician to behave or act as a reasonable, prudent physician who is charged with a duty to use a standard of due care and to foresee harm that may result from failure to meet such standard which may be the proximate cause of injury. It ordinarily refers to any malfeasance or dereliction of duty committed by a physician.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn44\\\">[44]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<\\/blockquote>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>The elements of medical malpractice, as enunciated in the case of <em>Lucas vs Tua\\u00f1o, <\\/em>(2009), are:<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:list {\\\"ordered\\\":true,\\\"type\\\":\\\"1\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<ol>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\n<ol>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\n<ol type=\\\"1\\\">\\n<li>A patient engages the services of a physician whereby a physician-patient relationship is generated<\\/li>\\n<li>A physician is under a duty to [the former] to exercise that degree of care, skill, and diligence which physicians in the same general neighborhood and the same general line of practice ordinarily possess and exercise in like cases<\\/li>\\n<li>There is a breach of duty of care, skill, and diligence, or the improper performance of such duty, by the attending physician when the patient is injured in body or health<\\/li>\\n<li>Proof of such breach must likewise rest upon the testimony of an expert witness that the treatment accorded to the patient failed to meet the standard level of care, skill, and diligence which physicians in the same general neighborhood and the same general line of practice ordinarily possess and exercise in like cases.<\\/li>\\n<li>The proximate cause of an injury is that cause, which, in the natural and continuous sequence, unbroken by any efficient intervening cause, produces the injury, and without which the result would not have occurred<a href=\\\"#_ftn45\\\">[45]<\\/a><\\/li><\\/ol><div><br><\\/div><ol type=\\\"1\\\">\\n<\\/ol>\\n<\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> With these elements present, the physician can be held liable for negligence which is a tort liability. Negligence is defined as \\u201cthe doing of some act which a reasonable and prudent physician would not do, or the failure to do some act which such a person should or would do.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn46\\\">[46]<\\/a> While it is true that physicians are not required to possess extraordinary learning and skill, however, they must keep abreast with medical developments and techniques and must refrain from experimenting. <a href=\\\"#_ftn47\\\">[47]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> In terms of evidence, the patient must prove that the health care provider failed to do something which a reasonably prudent health care provider would have done, or that he or she did something that a reasonably prudent provider would not have done; and that that failure or action caused injury to the patient. <a href=\\\"#_ftn48\\\">[48]<\\/a> The injured minor or his parents\\/legal guardian can recover financial damages (actual damages for the pecuniary loss suffered by a party, and moral damages, for the physical suffering and\\/or mental anguish, fright, shock, etc.). <a href=\\\"#_ftn49\\\">[49]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> He can also be held criminally liable<a href=\\\"#_ftn50\\\">[50]<\\/a>. Under the Revised Penal Code (RPC), he can be liable for the crime of administering injurious substances or beverages. The elements are:<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:list {\\\"ordered\\\":true,\\\"type\\\":\\\"1\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<ol>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\n<ol>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\n<ol type=\\\"1\\\">\\n<li>The offender in\\ufb02icted upon another any serious physical injury;<\\/li>\\n<li>That it was done by knowingly administering to him any injurious substances or beverages or by taking advantage of his weakness of mind or credulity;<\\/li>\\n<li>That he had no intent to kill. <a href=\\\"#_ftn51\\\">[51]<\\/a><\\/li><\\/ol><div><br><\\/div><ol type=\\\"1\\\">\\n<\\/ol>\\n<\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> He can also be made liable for Physical Injuries<a href=\\\"#_ftn52\\\">[52]<\\/a> and for Reckless Imprudence (quasi-offense). Reckless imprudence, as defined in Article 365 of RPC, \\u201cconsists in voluntarily, but without malice, doing or failing to do an act from which material damage results because of inexcusable lack of precaution on the part of the person performing or failing to perform such act, taking into consideration his employment or occupation, degree of intelligence, physical condition and other circumstances regarding persons, time and place.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn53\\\">[53]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> On the other end, the medical practitioner can take shelter on legal doctrines to save themselves from liability. The first is the <em>doctrine of foreseeability<\\/em>, which provides that:<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<blockquote>\\n<p>\\u201cA physician cannot be held liable for negligence if the injury sustained by a patient is on account of unforeseen conditions. But, a physician who fails to ascertain the condition of the patient for want of the requisite skills and training is answerable for the injury sustained by the patient if an injury resulted thereto. Such foreseeable injury may be ascertained from the history, physical examination, observation and from information gathered from another member of the family.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn54\\\">[54]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<\\/blockquote>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> He can also avoid liability by invoking the defense of accident, that is, an event which happens without any human agency or, if happening through human agency, an event which, under the circumstances, is unusual to and not expected by the person to whom it happened.<a href=\\\"#_ftn55\\\">[55]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>Practical Consequences \\u2013 Risks of letting minors make health care decisions<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> David DeLugas, executive director of the National Association of Parents (U.S.), said that letting minors make health care decisions in lieu of their parents may introduce conflict into families. He does not think states should upset the parent-child relationship by taking power from the parents and transferring it to the children.<a href=\\\"#_ftn56\\\">[56]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> Grootens-Wiegers, et al. also noted that there is no general agreement as to which age is appropriate for minors to be considered competent for informed decision-making. Some studies suggest that it is at 9 years old, some studies suggest that it is ages of 14 or 15. Minors of the same age may have a different level of maturity. Young children, who exhibited an adequate aptitude for decision-making in a certain situation, can lack ample ability in another.<a href=\\\"#_ftn57\\\">[57]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> They also discussed that adolescence is a period when various health issues and increased risks appear. Teenagers experience changes in diet and tend to explore vices such as tobacco and substance abuse. The increase in mortality is attributed to decision-making being affected by risky behavior, sensation seeking, and peer influences. The increased risk can also be attributed to lower cognitive control because of the developing brain in adolescence, especially the brain\\u2019s reward system combined with late development of the control system which decreases decision-making competence. Since the maturity of adolescence varies from one child to another, the practice can be very unpredictable.<a href=\\\"#_ftn58\\\">[58]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> However, good practical outcomes can also come with the idea of minors making medical decisions for themselves, especially for vaccines. Assent from minors aged seven years and above can improve moral growth and develop autonomy. It can even encourage them to comply with the medical treatment and allow them to express their interests in such endeavor. It offers a chance to contribute to their healthcare and provide an honest and open relationship between the family and medical service team.<a href=\\\"#_ftn59\\\">[59]<\\/a> Children will no longer be obligated to keep quiet for the sake of their parents. It also ensures that a child\'s unanswered questions, unresolved worries, or desire to be acknowledged are treated as legitimate and rational issues that matter in the child\'s world, rather than being dismissed as complete nonsense. <a href=\\\"#_ftn60\\\">[60]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>Recommendation<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> With the positive and negative outcomes analyzed, the recommendations are set forth to guide future legislators and policymakers and to help outweigh the negative effects.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:list --><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\n<ul>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\n<ul>\\n<li>The requirements of assent are: 1) properly informing patients about the issues at hand and what to expect; 2) assessment of their understanding; 3) soliciting agreement or acknowledgment of the decision.<a href=\\\"#_ftn61\\\">[61]<\\/a><\\/li>\\n<li>American Academy of Pediatrics said that assent should be obtained whenever reasonable, and that assent should only be obtained in situations in which the medical service team would be willing to honor, at least in part, a child\\u2019s dissent.<a href=\\\"#_ftn62\\\">[62]<\\/a><\\/li>\\n<li>Legislation should reflect the concept of <em>care ethics<\\/em> (\\u201cIndividuals do not exist in isolation but with others to whom they are emotionally or psychologically close, such as parents, siblings, and friends \\u201d). Medical professionals should educate a minor by generating information that can provide specific medical context that can be weighed and analyzed with perspectives offered by family and friends which can largely affect their thought processes. The legislation should also recognize the limitations of judgments of minors.<a href=\\\"#_ftn63\\\">[63]<\\/a><\\/li>\\n<li>The legislators should also limit the age bracket (ideally at the age of 14), and limit the vaccines to the recommended types that have been long proven to be effective by science (Ex. measles, polio, diphtheria, influenza) to minimize health risks.<\\/li>\\n<li>In the legislation, healthcare professionals, adolescent health care clinicians, public health personnel, medical organizations should be present and give their inputs.<a href=\\\"#_ftn64\\\">[64]<\\/a><\\/li>\\n<li>The legislators should frame the law in a way that reflects the thought that \\u201cparental consent should be considered a responsibility that supports the minor\'s best interests and preserves a family\'s interests, rather than a parent\'s right to express their own autonomous choices.\\u201d Davis and Fang, in an article, said that \\u201c<em>Providers have to serve the pediatric patient\'s best interest and not necessarily the parents\' desires.<\\/em>\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn65\\\">[65]<\\/a><\\/li>\\n<li>For policy-making among healthcare professionals or even in the legislation itself, a set of protocols should be developed to serve as a guide to assess minor\\u2019s maturity and decision-making ability. Legal documentation guidelines should be executed to protect healthcare workers against a suit.<a href=\\\"#_ftn66\\\">[66]<\\/a><\\/li>\\n<li>Adolescent\\u2019s privacy should be reflected in the legislation and healthcare protocols. <a href=\\\"#_ftn67\\\">[67]<\\/a><\\/li><\\/ul><div><br><\\/div><ul>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>Conclusion<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> Vaccines have greatly contributed in eradicating serious diseases that could have led to mortality or permanent disability. They are one of the scientific breakthroughs that are gravely misunderstood and often subjected to prejudicial preference. Time and again refused because of misinformation as well as cultural and religious differences. In the Philippines, there is a huge vacuum in emancipation laws for medical decisions for minors. Assuming that minors would be allowed to obtain a vaccine without parental consent, different positive outcomes could be factored, such as a decrease in disease statistics and empowerment in adolescence, while negative outlooks include increased risky behavior in minors because of their developing mental and physical structure, and the boosted risk of medical malpractice suits if ever the vaccine produces adverse effects in their body. Legislators should strive to include healthcare workers in developing legislation that would allow minors to get vaccines for themselves without parental permission, all while preserving the family harmony and the patient\\u2019s well-being, as well as knowing that this is about a patient\\u2019s health and not grandstanding parental authority.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\">\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>* Associate Research Editor, UST Law Review; freelance writer<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">[1]<\\/a>UNICEF Philippines, #VaccinesWork: UNICEF stresses importance of immunization on World Immunization Week, UNICEF Philippines, (January 31, 2021), https:\\/\\/www.unicef.org\\/philippines\\/press-releases\\/vaccineswork-unicef-stresses-importance-immunization-world-immunization-week<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a> Jenny Lei Ravelo, Another casualty of vaccine hesitancy: Philippines declares polio outbreak, (January 31, 2021), https:\\/\\/www.devex.com\\/news\\/another-casualty-of-vaccine-hesitancy-philippines-declares-polio-outbreak-95648<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a> Department of Health, Doh Identifies Vaccine Hesitancy as One of The Reasons For Measles Outbreak, Department of Health, (January 31, 2021), https:\\/\\/doh.gov.ph\\/node\\/16721<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[4]<\\/a> Id.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[5]<\\/a> World Health Organization, Revised SAGE recommendation on use of dengue vaccine, (Apil 19, 2018), https:\\/\\/www.who.int\\/immunization\\/diseases\\/dengue\\/revised_SAGE_recommendations_dengue_vaccines_apr2018\\/en\\/<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[6]<\\/a> Migrino, Jr J, Gayados B. Birol RJ, De Jesus L, Lopez CW, Mercado WC, et al. Factors affecting vaccine hesitancy among families with children 2 years old and younger in two urban communities in Manila, Philippines. Western Pac Surveill Response J. 2020 Jun; 10(2). doi: 10.5365\\/wpsar.2019.10.2.006<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\">[7]<\\/a> Kelly Danielpour, Commentary: Why all 50 states need to allow teens to get vaccinated without parental consent, Los Angeles Times, (Nov. 19, 2020), https:\\/\\/journaltimes.com\\/news\\/commentary-why-all-50-states-need-to-allow-teens-to-get-vaccinated-without-parental-consent\\/article_264a2b69-0924-5c08-aabd-fb79fa5deec4.html<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\">[8]<\\/a> Id.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\">[9]<\\/a> Michael Ollove, Teens of \\u2018Anti-Vaxxers\\u2019 Can Get Their Own Vaccines, Some States Say, Stateline, (June 24, 2019), https:\\/\\/www.pewtrusts.org\\/en\\/research-and-analysis\\/blogs\\/stateline\\/2019\\/06\\/24\\/teens-of-anti-vaxxers-can-get-their-own-vaccines-some-states-say<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\">[10]<\\/a> Kelly Danielpour, Commentary: Why all 50 states need to allow teens to get vaccinated without parental consent, Los Angeles Times, (Nov. 19, 2020), https:\\/\\/journaltimes.com\\/news\\/commentary-why-all-50-states-need-to-allow-teens-to-get-vaccinated-without-parental-consent\\/article_264a2b69-0924-5c08-aabd-fb79fa5deec4.html<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\">[11]<\\/a> Abigail English, Carol A. Ford, Jessica A. Kahn, Elyse Olshen Kharbanda, Adolescent Consent for Vaccination: A Position Paper of the Societyfor Adolescent Health and Medicine, 53 Journal of Adolescent Health, 550, 550-553, (2013)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref12\\\">[12]<\\/a> Michael Davis & Andrea Fang, Emancipated Minor, StatPearls Publishing LLC, (May 19, 2020), https:\\/\\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\\/books\\/NBK554594\\/<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref13\\\">[13]<\\/a> Id.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref14\\\">[14]<\\/a> Abigail English, Carol A. Ford, Jessica A. Kahn, Elyse Olshen Kharbanda, Adolescent Consent for Vaccination: A Position Paper of the Societyfor Adolescent Health and Medicine, 53 Journal of Adolescent Health, 550, 552, (2013)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref15\\\">[15]<\\/a> <em>In Re: Chad Eric Swan, <\\/em>569 A.2d 1202 (1990), decided January 23, 1990, opinion Issued February 15, 1990.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref16\\\">[16]<\\/a> Id.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref17\\\">[17]<\\/a> Michael Ollove, Teens of \\u2018Anti-Vaxxers\\u2019 Can Get Their Own Vaccines, Some States Say, Stateline, (June 24, 2019), https:\\/\\/www.pewtrusts.org\\/en\\/research-and-analysis\\/blogs\\/stateline\\/2019\\/06\\/24\\/teens-of-anti-vaxxers-can-get-their-own-vaccines-some-states-say<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref18\\\">[18]<\\/a> Mackenzie Bean, 9 states where minors can get vaccinated without parental consent, ASC COMMUNICATIONS 2021, (June 24, 2019), https:\\/\\/www.beckershospitalreview.com\\/quality\\/9-states-where-minors-can-get-vaccinated-without-parental-consent.html<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref19\\\">[19]<\\/a> An Act Lowering The Age Of Majority From Twenty-One To Eighteen Years, Amending For The Purpose Executive Order Numbered Two Hundred Nine, And For Other Purposes, Republic Act No. 6809, sec. 234 (1989)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref20\\\">[20]<\\/a> R.A. 386, sec. 236<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref21\\\">[21]<\\/a> The Child and Youth Welfare Code, Presidential Decree No. 603, art. 17 (1974)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref22\\\">[22]<\\/a>P.D. 603, art. 17<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref23\\\">[23]<\\/a> P.D. 603, art. 19 (1974)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref24\\\">[24]<\\/a> P.D. 603, art. 43 (1974)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref25\\\">[25]<\\/a> The Family Code of The Philippines, Executive Order No. 209, art. 209 (1988)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref26\\\">[26]<\\/a> E.O. 209, art. 210<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref27\\\">[27]<\\/a> E.O. 209, art. 228<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref28\\\">[28]<\\/a> E.O. 209, art. 229<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref29\\\">[29]<\\/a> E.O. 209, art. 230<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref30\\\">[30]<\\/a> An Act Providing For Mandatory Basic Immunization Services For Infants And Children, Repealing For The Purpose Presidential Decree No. 996, As Amended, Republic Act No. 10152, sec. 2 (2011)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref31\\\">[31]<\\/a> R.A. 10152, sec. 3<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref32\\\">[32]<\\/a> R.A. 10152, sec. 4<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref33\\\">[33]<\\/a> R.A. 10152, sec. 5<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref34\\\">[34]<\\/a> Sheila Crisostomo & Gilbert Bayoran, Mandatory immunization ordered, The Philippine Star, (Feb. 10, 2019), https:\\/\\/www.philstar.com\\/headlines\\/2019\\/02\\/10\\/1892465\\/mandatory-immunization-ordered<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref35\\\">[35]<\\/a> Josue N. Bellosillo, Bu C. Castro, Emmanuel LJ. Mapili, Albert D. Rebosa, Antonio D. Rebosa, Basics of Philippine Medical Jurisprudence and Ethics, p. 113, (2010 ed. Central Book Supply, 2010)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref36\\\">[36]<\\/a> An Act To Ordain And Institute The Civil Code Of The Philippines, Republic Act No. 386, art. 1327 (1950)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref37\\\">[37]<\\/a> Hector S. De Leon & Hector M. De Leon, Jr. The Law on Obligations and Contracts, p. 342-349, (Rex Printing Company, Inc., 2014)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref38\\\">[38]<\\/a> Id. at p. 431<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref39\\\">[39]<\\/a> Josue N. Bellosillo, Bu C. Castro, Emmanuel LJ. Mapili, Albert D. Rebosa, Antonio D. Rebosa, Basics of Philippine Medical Jurisprudence and Ethics, p. 113, (2010 ed. Central Book Supply, 2010)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref40\\\">[40]<\\/a> Id. at p. 412 (2010 ed. Central Book Supply, 2010)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref41\\\">[41]<\\/a> Cyrus Cesar R. Tejam, Clinical Pediatrics in the Philippines: Parental Assent and Consent, 2 Asia Pacific Journal of Pediatrics and Child Health, 27, 29 (2019)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref42\\\">[42]<\\/a> Id.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref43\\\">[43]<\\/a> An instance is when it is recommended that \\u201c<em>vaccines not be given during chemo or radiation treatments \\u2013 the only exception to this is the flu shot. This is mainly because vaccines need an immune system response to work, and you may not get an adequate response during cancer treatment<\\/em>.\\u201d \\u2013 American Cancer Society, Vaccinations and Flu Shots for People with Cancer: Should people with cancer get any vaccines? , American Cancer Society webpage, Inc. (2020), <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.cancer.org\\/treatment\\/treatments-and-side-effects\\/physical-side-effects\\/low-blood-counts\\/infections\\/vaccination-during-cancer-treatment.html\\\">https:\\/\\/www.cancer.org\\/treatment\\/treatments-and-side-effects\\/physical-side-effects\\/low-blood-counts\\/infections\\/vaccination-during-cancer-treatment.html<\\/a>. This should not be treated as a medical advice. It is always best to consult your physician.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref44\\\">[44]<\\/a> Josue N. Bellosillo, Bu C. Castro, Emmanuel LJ. Mapili, Albert D. Rebosa, Antonio D. Rebosa, Basics of Philippine Medical Jurisprudence and Ethics, p. 117 (2010 ed. Central Book Supply, 2010)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref45\\\">[45]<\\/a> <em>Lucas v. Tua\\u00f1o<\\/em>, 586 SCRA 173 (2009)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref46\\\">[46]<\\/a> Josue N. Bellosillo, Bu C. Castro, Emmanuel LJ. Mapili, Albert D. Rebosa, Antonio D. Rebosa, Basics of Philippine Medical Jurisprudence and Ethics, p. 131, (2010 ed. Central Book Supply, 2010)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref47\\\">[47]<\\/a> Id.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref48\\\">[48]<\\/a> Professional Services, Inc. v. Natividad and Enrique Agana, 542 Phil. 464, 481 (2007).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref49\\\">[49]<\\/a> Josue N. Bellosillo, Bu C. Castro, Emmanuel LJ. Mapili, Albert D. Rebosa, Antonio D. Rebosa, Basics of Philippine Medical Jurisprudence and Ethics, p. 59, (2010 ed. Central Book Supply, 2010)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref50\\\">[50]<\\/a> Id at 195<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref51\\\">[51]<\\/a> The Revised Penal Code, Act No. 3815, art. 264, (1930)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref52\\\">[52]<\\/a> Act No. 3815, art. 266, (1930)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref53\\\">[53]<\\/a> <em>Gonzaga v. People, <\\/em>G.R. No. 195671, January 21, 2015.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref54\\\">[54]<\\/a> Josue N. Bellosillo, Bu C. Castro, Emmanuel LJ. Mapili, Albert D. Rebosa, Antonio D. Rebosa, Basics of Philippine Medical Jurisprudence and Ethics, p. 154, (2010 ed. Central Book Supply, 2010)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref55\\\">[55]<\\/a> Id.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref56\\\">[56]<\\/a> Michael Ollove, Teens of \\u2018Anti-Vaxxers\\u2019 Can Get Their Own Vaccines, Some States Say, Stateline, (June 24, 2019), https:\\/\\/www.pewtrusts.org\\/en\\/research-and-analysis\\/blogs\\/stateline\\/2019\\/06\\/24\\/teens-of-anti-vaxxers-can-get-their-own-vaccines-some-states-say<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref57\\\">[57]<\\/a> Petronella Grootens-Wiegers, Irma M. Hein, Jos M. van den Broek, & Martine C. de Vries, Medical decision-making in children and adolescents: developmental and neuroscientific aspects, BMC Pediatrics, 1, 2 (2017)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref58\\\">[58]<\\/a> Petronella Grootens-Wiegers, Irma M. Hein, Jos M. van den Broek, & Martine C. de Vries, Medical decision-making in children and adolescents: developmental and neuroscientific aspects, BMC Pediatrics, 1, 6 (2017)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref59\\\">[59]<\\/a> Cyrus Cesar R. Tejam, Clinical Pediatrics in the Philippines: Parental Assent and Consent, 2 Asia Pacific Journal of Pediatrics and Child Health, 27, 29 (2019)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref60\\\">[60]<\\/a> Rebecca Babcock, Medical Decision-Making for Minors: Using Care Ethics to Empower Adolescents and Amend the Current Power Imbalances, 8 Asian Bioethics Review, 4, 13 (2016)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref61\\\">[61]<\\/a> Cyrus Cesar R. Tejam, Clinical Pediatrics in the Philippines: Parental Assent and Consent, 2 Asia Pacific Journal of Pediatrics and Child Health, 27, 29 (2019)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref62\\\">[62]<\\/a> Id at 27-33<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref63\\\">[63]<\\/a> Rebecca Babcock, Medical Decision-Making for Minors: Using Care Ethics to Empower Adolescents and Amend the Current Power Imbalances, 8 Asian Bioethics Review, 4, 13 (2016)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref64\\\">[64]<\\/a> Abigail English, Carol A. Ford, Jessica A. Kahn, Elyse Olshen Kharbanda, Adolescent Consent for Vaccination: A Position Paper of the Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine, 53 Journal of Adolescent Health, 550, 552, (2013)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref65\\\">[65]<\\/a> Michael Davis & Andrea Fang, Emancipated Minor, StatPearls Publishing LLC, (May 19, 2020), https:\\/\\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\\/books\\/NBK554594\\/<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref66\\\">[66]<\\/a> Id.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref67\\\">[67]<\\/a> Id.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\">\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>Featured Photo by <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/unsplash.com\\/@thenewmalcolm?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText\\\">Obi Onyeador<\\/a> on <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/unsplash.com\\/s\\/photos\\/vaccine-choice?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText\\\">Unsplash<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.15,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(3682,1272,'_thumbnail_id','1262'),(3683,1272,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(3684,1272,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(3685,1272,'_elementor_version','3.1.1'),(3686,1272,'_wp_page_template','default'),(3687,1272,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"3d1e02bb\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"4005cedf\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"6508c5f0\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><!-- wp:separator --><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"text-align: center;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\"><em><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">*<\\/a>This should not be treated as a medical advice. It is always best to consult your physician.<\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>By: Ashley Faye S. Cruz**<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 You are a 15-year-old high school kid lining up in an annual physical examination. The school physician asked if you were vaccinated when you were still a newborn. You answered in the negative, and the physician gave you flyers for free vaccines at the public health center. You went home and excitedly told your mother about this thing called \\u201cvaccine\\u201d and how it can help your immune system. Your mom, who believes in medical conspiracy theories, adamantly denied your request and pulled a litany of conspiracy theories taken from social media websites. Determined, you went to the public health center, but the nurse denied you a free vaccine because there needs parental consent.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 It is very alarming that the Philippines could have avoided diseases by a simple vaccine trip to the nearest pediatrician. United Nations International Children\'s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) reported that as of 2019, an estimated 2.9 million Filipino children remain unvaccinated and remain vulnerable to serious diseases such as rubella and polio. <a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\">[1]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 World Health Organization (WHO) representative Rabindra Abeyasinghe said that to halt the proliferation of disease in the country, 95% need to be vaccinated<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\">[2]<\\/a>. Notwithstanding the availability of free vaccines at public health centers, many parents still refuse to vaccinate their children. Parents have the \\u201cvaccine hesitancy\\u201d, which is the delay in acceptance or refusal of vaccines despite the availability of vaccination services.<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\">[3]<\\/a> Studies have identified several factors that have caused the loss of public confidence in vaccine, though the recommended vaccines are long proven to be effective.<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\">[4]<\\/a> Among these are the following:<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:list {\\\"ordered\\\":true,\\\"type\\\":\\\"1\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<ol>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\n<ol type=\\\"1\\\">\\n<li>Dengvaxia controversy, where 10% of the 800,000 students who were immunized with a vaccine against Dengue known as Dengvaxia, but did not have a prior dengue infection, posed a higher risk of contracting severe Dengue<a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\">[5]<\\/a>;<\\/li>\\n<li>Circumstantial events surrounding vaccinations such as when parents attach significance to events such as sleep or behavioral patterns and birth timing;<\\/li>\\n<li>Over-reporting of adverse effects of immunization by mass media such as newspapers and television; and<\\/li>\\n<li>Social media also contributed to vaccine hesitancy, and parents tend to be more susceptible to media reports on the Internet.<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\">[6]<\\/a><\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<\\/li>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\u00a0<\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Parents who choose not to vaccinate their children endanger not only themselves but also everyone else as immunization rates fall too low for vaccine-preventable diseases. In the school year before the COVID-19 outbreak in the United States (U.S.), the rate of childhood vaccine exemptions claimed by parents rose in 40 of 49 states as reflected in the records. <a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\">[7]<\\/a> Dr. Arthur Caplan, founding director of the Division of Medical Ethics at New York University Langone Medical Center, said that \\u201c<em>Parents should not have the authority to subject their children to serious preventable harm<\\/em>\\u201d. <a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\">[8]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 However, there is a solution made by certain states in the U.S. to combat the ever-worsening disease statistics. Nine states allow minors to receive vaccinations without their parents\' permission. Four states allow adolescents to receive specific vaccines, while five states allow minors to consent to any healthcare. <a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\">[9]<\\/a> The American Medical Association and the Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine and other medical organizations, strongly support laws allowing older minors to self-consent to vaccinations. Granting teenagers this right is essential to stemming the spread of diseases, whether they are newly emerging like COVID-19 or have faded from the news.<a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\">[10]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 English, et al., of the Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine, stated in their position paper <em>Adolescent Consent for Vaccination: A Position Paper of the Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine<\\/em>, that adolescent vaccines allow the enhancement of adolescent and adult health. Approaches to boost the proportion of adolescents who receive vaccines will be essential to assure that adolescent vaccination will lead to developments in the health of populations. Within ethical and legal guidelines, it will be important to develop policies and strategies that expand opportunities for minors to receive vaccinations when parents are not physically present.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\">[11]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The U.S. laws on emancipation from parental authority vary from state to state. For instance, some states adopt the \\u201cmature minor\\u201d doctrine. The mature minor doctrine legally recognizes the medical decision-making capacity of adolescents, even though they are still minors under parental or legal guardian control. They are usually 12 years old or older, and they are required to demonstrate adequate cognitive maturity and capacity to understand the risks of medical evaluations and treatments. Some other states allow this practice but its application is restricted only on the grounds of parental availability and sensitive clinical situations.<a href=\\\"#_ftn12\\\">[12]<\\/a> They also allow medical service without parental consent in times of emergency. Other medical services that are available to adolescents that do not need parental consent are rape or sexual assault services, contraception services. sexually transmitted infections, prenatal care, abortion, pediatric care for children of minors, substance use disorder treatment, and mental health treatment. <a href=\\\"#_ftn13\\\">[13]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>Federal law of the U.S, does not contain any requirements for parent\\u2019s consent for vaccination of minors. As an exception, the mature minor doctrine which developed from jurisprudence provides an avenue for minors to obtain vaccines for themselves, as long as the patient can give informed consent, the treatment is not high risk, and is provided in a nonnegligent manner.<a href=\\\"#_ftn14\\\">[14]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 To illustrate, in the case of <em>In Re: Swan<\\/em>, Maine Supreme Judicial Court addressed the issue of discontinuing the treatment of minor patient in a chronic vegetative state with little hope of recovery, specifically that the medical decision maker here is the minor patient himself. Chad had an accident which rendered him needing a life-sustaining procedure included a gastrostomy tube that provided hydration and nutrients to his body. Chad\'s mother and brother said that prior to his accident, Chad told them that he did not want to be held alive by artificial means if an injury rendered him incapable of existing otherwise. The tube eventually deteriorated and made his condition worse. Chad\\u2019s parents acquiesced to his wishes.<a href=\\\"#_ftn15\\\">[15]<\\/a> The District Attorney contended that Chad\'s ability to refuse medical care was \\\"significantly limited\\\" since he was under the legal age of majority when he articulated his wishes. Maine Supreme Judicial Court opposed such contention, saying that Chad\'s age was only a \\\"factor to be weighed by the truth finder in judging the seriousness and deliberateness\\\" of his comments. Chad\'s aspirations to not be held in a permanent vegetative condition were \\\"well-informed medical care decisions\\\" that should be respected.<a href=\\\"#_ftn16\\\">[16]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Some suggest that all states should allow minors to make some health care decisions, especially in stigmatized areas such as sexual health and drug addiction. <a href=\\\"#_ftn17\\\">[17]<\\/a> In California, children aged 12 and up will undergo sexually transmitted disease vaccinations without parental supervision. Hepatitis B vaccine may be given to children of any age without their parents\' consent in Minnesota. In Alabama, children ages 14 and up can consent to all healthcare services.<a href=\\\"#_ftn18\\\">[18]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>The situation in the Philippines \\u2013 Emancipation Laws<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Philippines has legislation for emancipation from parental authority. The age of eighteen years is the age of majority unless otherwise provided, and emancipation takes place in such event.<a href=\\\"#_ftn19\\\">[19]<\\/a> According to the law, \\u201cEmancipation shall terminate parental authority over the person and property of the child who shall then be qualified and responsible for all acts of civil life, save the exceptions established by existing laws in special cases.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn20\\\">[20]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Parental authority is also ingrained in our statutes. Article 17 of The Child and Youth Welfare Code states that \\u201cthe father and mother shall exercise jointly just and reasonable parental authority and responsibility for their legitimate or adopted children.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn21\\\">[21]<\\/a> In case of absence or death or either parent, the surviving parent shall exercise the parental authority. <a href=\\\"#_ftn22\\\">[22]<\\/a> \\u201cGrandparents and in their default, the oldest brother or sister who is at least eighteen years of age, or the relative who has actual custody of the child, shall exercise parental authority in case of absence or death of both parents unless a guardian has been appointed following the succeeding provision.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn23\\\">[23]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Code also provides in Chapter 2, Article 43 \\u00a0that \\u201cthe parents shall have the right to the company of their children and, concerning all other persons or institutions dealing with the child\'s development, the primary right and obligation to provide for their upbringing.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn24\\\">[24]<\\/a> The authority of parents\\/legal guardians are also strengthened by Article 209 of the Act: \\u201cUnder the natural right and duty of parents over the person and property of their unemancipated children, parental authority and responsibility shall include the caring for and rearing them for civic consciousness and efficiency and the development of their moral, mental and physical character and well-being.\\u201d <a href=\\\"#_ftn25\\\">[25]<\\/a> It cannot be renounced or transferred except in cases authorized by law. <a href=\\\"#_ftn26\\\">[26]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Parental authority terminates permanently upon the death of the parents, upon the death of the child, or emancipation of the child. <a href=\\\"#_ftn27\\\">[27]<\\/a> Moreover, unless subsequently revived by final judgment, it is also terminated upon adoption of the child, upon judicial declaration of abandonment of the child in a case filed for the purpose, upon the final judgment of a competent court divesting the party concerned of parental authority, upon judicial declaration of absence or incapacity of the person exercising parental authority. <a href=\\\"#_ftn28\\\">[28]<\\/a> It can be suspended upon conviction of the parent or the person exercising the same of a crime which carries with it the penalty of civil interdiction, <a href=\\\"#_ftn29\\\">[29]<\\/a> or if they treat the child with excessive harshness or cruelty, gives the child corrupting orders, counsel, or example, compels the child to beg, or subjects the child or allows him to be subjected to acts of lasciviousness<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>Vaccine laws in the Philippines<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 There is a law mandating the basic immunization services for infants and children, or the An Act Providing For Mandatory Basic Immunization Services For Infants And Children, Repealing For The Purpose Presidential Decree No. 996, As Amended (Republic Act No. 10152). It is the policy of the State to take a proactive role in the preventive health care of infants and children, and through this legislation, the State wants to adopt a comprehensive, mandatory and sustainable immunization program for vaccine-preventable diseases for all infants and children.<a href=\\\"#_ftn30\\\">[30]<\\/a> This law covers the following vaccine-preventable diseases:<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:list {\\\"ordered\\\":true,\\\"type\\\":\\\"a\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<ol>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\n<ol>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\n<ol type=\\\"a\\\">\\n<li>Tuberculosis<\\/li>\\n<li>Diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis;<\\/li>\\n<li>Poliomyelitis;<\\/li>\\n<li>Measles;<\\/li>\\n<li>Mumps;<\\/li>\\n<li>Rubella or German measles;<\\/li>\\n<li>Hepatitis-B;<\\/li>\\n<li>H. Influenza type B (HIB); and<\\/li>\\n<li>Such other types may be determined by the Secretary of Health in a department circular.<\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<\\/li>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\u00a0<\\/li>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\u00a0<\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Such basic immunizations shall be given for free at any government hospital or health center to infants and children up to five (5) years of age.<a href=\\\"#_ftn31\\\">[31]<\\/a> R.A. 10152 also mandates that all health care practitioners or health care workers who are administering prenatal care shall educate all pregnant mothers on the importance of giving their infants the basic immunization services as well as any possible effects of immunization and that the Department of Health (DOH) and other government and private sectors shall make available appropriate information materials and shall have a system of its distribution to the public.<a href=\\\"#_ftn32\\\">[32]<\\/a> One of the important provisions is Section 5 which provides that any physician, nurse, midwife, nursing aide or skilled birth attendant, who delivers, or assists in the delivery of, a newborn shall, before delivery, inform parents or legal guardian of the newborn of the availability, nature, and benefits of immunization against Hepatitis-B and other vaccine-preventable diseases at birth.<a href=\\\"#_ftn33\\\">[33]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 However, Secretary to the Cabinet Karlo Nograles said that \\u201cthe government could neither force parents to have their children vaccinated nor punish them if they have not.\\u201d He said that \\u201cRA 10152 does not have any penal provisions and does not punish parents who do not have their children vaccinated, unlike the Presidential Decree (PD) it replaced. Under PD 996, it was the duty of parents or those having custody of the child to see to it that the child is immunized. Those who did not could be punished with a P200 fine or one-month imprisonment\\u201d <a href=\\\"#_ftn34\\\">[34]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 With the advent of R.A. 11166 or the Philippine HIV and AIDS Policy Act, the threshold of consent for the screening, voluntary testing, and treatment for human immunodeficiency virus infection, was lowered to fifteen years of age\\u2014 a characterization of the mature minor doctrine. It requires the assent of the child below 15 years old or those mentally incapacitated, if capacity to assent exists, in order to avail of voluntary testing and protect its interests.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 As seen from the aforementioned laws, just like at the federal level of the US, there is a vacuum in terms of parental consent for vaccination of minors in the Philippines.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>Philippine laws: parental consent for medical treatments<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 A doctor-patient relationship is a form of contract. It is an elementary principle that one of the elements of a contract is consent. The person giving consent must be of legal age (18 years of age, unless otherwise provided) and mentally and physically competent. As the legal guardians, parents are the persons who must sign the consent forms.<a href=\\\"#_ftn35\\\">[35]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Article 1327 of the Civil Code provides the persons who cannot give consent to a contract: unemancipated minors and insane or demented persons, and deaf-mutes who do not know how to write. <a href=\\\"#_ftn36\\\">[36]<\\/a> The Civil Code does not define who can consent to a contract, rather, it defines who has no capacity. These persons can easily be victims of fraud as they are not capable of understanding or knowing the nature of their actions, thus they can only enter into an agreement or contracts through their parents or their legal guardians.<a href=\\\"#_ftn37\\\">[37]<\\/a> The contract they have entered is voidable, meaning it is valid and binding until it is annulled by a proper action in court.<a href=\\\"#_ftn38\\\">[38]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In the medical field, there is the right to informed consent, \\u00a0a legal right recognized and protected by law and jurisprudence. The patient has the right to choose openly whether or not to consent to care after being adequately advised by the specialist about the complications and benefits of the recommended treatment, as well as the viable treatment alternatives, including the possibility of no treatment.<a href=\\\"#_ftn39\\\">[39]<\\/a> It is further drawn as a legal concept, where a person can be said, \\u201cto have given consent based upon a clear appreciation and understanding of the facts, implications, and future consequences of an action.\\u201d He must have adequate reasoning faculties and knows all relevant facts at the time consent is given. If a person cannot give informed consent, say a child, another person is generally authorized to give consent on their behalf, in this case, his parents or legal guardian\\/s. <a href=\\\"#_ftn40\\\">[40]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The key elements of informed consent, according to Tejam of Asia Pacific Journal of Pediatrics and Child Health are disclosure of information, assessment of the decision maker\\u2019s capacity to make medical choices, and process of obtaining consent in the form of a voluntary agreement from the patient without coercion or persuasion. In pediatrics, it comes from the parent or legal guardian. Per the best interests standard, parents are regarded to be in the best position to determine their child\\u2019s best interest because parental decision aims to maximize benefits for their children while minimizing harm. However, the determination of what is in children\\u2019s best interest is often subjective and debatable. While written or verbal informed parental consent may be enough for ethical and legal purposes, but it does not meet the necessities of the ethical concept of informed concept. <a href=\\\"#_ftn41\\\">[41]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The purpose of informed consent and the strict guidelines surrounding this concept is the respect for autonomy, which includes the liberty of the patient, defined as \\u201cthe capacity to live life according to one\'s reasons and motives and agency \\u2026[or] rational capacity for intentional action.\\u201d This principle served as one of the pillars in resolving ethical dilemmas.<a href=\\\"#_ftn42\\\">[42]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>Legal consequences of letting Filipino adolescents make vaccine related medical decisions<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Suppose the teen suffered injuries because of the vaccine<a href=\\\"#_ftn43\\\">[43]<\\/a> and the parents want to file a suit against the physician who administered the vaccine. Here are some of the laws that are usually invoked in a medical malpractice suit.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><em>Medical malpractice<\\/em> is defined by Bellosillo, et al (2010) as:<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<blockquote>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u201cAny professional misconduct, or bad skillful practice, or any practice contrary to law or established rules and regulations whereby the health of a person is injured because of failure of a physician to behave or act as a reasonable, prudent physician who is charged with a duty to use a standard of due care and to foresee harm that may result from failure to meet such standard which may be the proximate cause of injury. It ordinarily refers to any malfeasance or dereliction of duty committed by a physician.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn44\\\">[44]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<\\/blockquote>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>The elements of medical malpractice, as enunciated in the case of <em>Lucas vs Tua\\u00f1o, <\\/em>(2009), are:<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:list {\\\"ordered\\\":true,\\\"type\\\":\\\"1\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<ol>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\n<ol>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\n<ol type=\\\"1\\\">\\n<li>A patient engages the services of a physician whereby a physician-patient relationship is generated<\\/li>\\n<li>A physician is under a duty to [the former] to exercise that degree of care, skill, and diligence which physicians in the same general neighborhood and the same general line of practice ordinarily possess and exercise in like cases<\\/li>\\n<li>There is a breach of duty of care, skill, and diligence, or the improper performance of such duty, by the attending physician when the patient is injured in body or health<\\/li>\\n<li>Proof of such breach must likewise rest upon the testimony of an expert witness that the treatment accorded to the patient failed to meet the standard level of care, skill, and diligence which physicians in the same general neighborhood and the same general line of practice ordinarily possess and exercise in like cases.<\\/li>\\n<li>The proximate cause of an injury is that cause, which, in the natural and continuous sequence, unbroken by any efficient intervening cause, produces the injury, and without which the result would not have occurred<a href=\\\"#_ftn45\\\">[45]<\\/a><\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<div>\\u00a0<\\/div>\\n<\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 With these elements present, the physician can be held liable for negligence which is a tort liability. Negligence is defined as \\u201cthe doing of some act which a reasonable and prudent physician would not do, or the failure to do some act which such a person should or would do.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn46\\\">[46]<\\/a> While it is true that physicians are not required to possess extraordinary learning and skill, however, they must keep abreast with medical developments and techniques and must refrain from experimenting. <a href=\\\"#_ftn47\\\">[47]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In terms of evidence, the patient must prove that the health care provider failed to do something which a reasonably prudent health care provider would have done, or that he or she did something that a reasonably prudent provider would not have done; and that that failure or action caused injury to the patient. <a href=\\\"#_ftn48\\\">[48]<\\/a> The injured minor or his parents\\/legal guardian can recover financial damages (actual damages for the pecuniary loss suffered by a party, and moral damages, for the physical suffering and\\/or mental anguish, fright, shock, etc.). <a href=\\\"#_ftn49\\\">[49]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 He can also be held criminally liable<a href=\\\"#_ftn50\\\">[50]<\\/a>. Under the Revised Penal Code (RPC), he can be liable for the crime of administering injurious substances or beverages. The elements are:<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:list {\\\"ordered\\\":true,\\\"type\\\":\\\"1\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<ol>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\n<ol>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\n<ol type=\\\"1\\\">\\n<li>The offender in\\ufb02icted upon another any serious physical injury;<\\/li>\\n<li>That it was done by knowingly administering to him any injurious substances or beverages or by taking advantage of his weakness of mind or credulity;<\\/li>\\n<li>That he had no intent to kill. <a href=\\\"#_ftn51\\\">[51]<\\/a><\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<div>\\u00a0<\\/div>\\n<\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 He can also be made liable for Physical Injuries<a href=\\\"#_ftn52\\\">[52]<\\/a> and for Reckless Imprudence (quasi-offense). Reckless imprudence, as defined in Article 365 of RPC, \\u201cconsists in voluntarily, but without malice, doing or failing to do an act from which material damage results because of inexcusable lack of precaution on the part of the person performing or failing to perform such act, taking into consideration his employment or occupation, degree of intelligence, physical condition and other circumstances regarding persons, time and place.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn53\\\">[53]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 On the other end, the medical practitioner can take shelter on legal doctrines to save themselves from liability. The first is the <em>doctrine of foreseeability<\\/em>, which provides that:<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<blockquote>\\n<p>\\u201cA physician cannot be held liable for negligence if the injury sustained by a patient is on account of unforeseen conditions. But, a physician who fails to ascertain the condition of the patient for want of the requisite skills and training is answerable for the injury sustained by the patient if an injury resulted thereto. Such foreseeable injury may be ascertained from the history, physical examination, observation and from information gathered from another member of the family.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn54\\\">[54]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<\\/blockquote>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 He can also avoid liability by invoking the defense of accident, that is, an event which happens without any human agency or, if happening through human agency, an event which, under the circumstances, is unusual to and not expected by the person to whom it happened.<a href=\\\"#_ftn55\\\">[55]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>Practical Consequences \\u2013 Risks of letting minors make health care decisions<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 David DeLugas, executive director of the National Association of Parents (U.S.), said that letting minors make health care decisions in lieu of their parents may introduce conflict into families. He does not think states should upset the parent-child relationship by taking power from the parents and transferring it to the children.<a href=\\\"#_ftn56\\\">[56]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Grootens-Wiegers, et al. also noted that there is no general agreement as to which age is appropriate for minors to be considered competent for informed decision-making. Some studies suggest that it is at 9 years old, some studies suggest that it is ages of 14 or 15. Minors of the same age may have a different level of maturity. Young children, who exhibited an adequate aptitude for decision-making in a certain situation, can lack ample ability in another.<a href=\\\"#_ftn57\\\">[57]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 They also discussed that adolescence is a period when various health issues and increased risks appear. Teenagers experience changes in diet and tend to explore vices such as tobacco and substance abuse. The increase in mortality is attributed to decision-making being affected by risky behavior, sensation seeking, and peer influences. The increased risk can also be attributed to lower cognitive control because of the developing brain in adolescence, especially the brain\\u2019s reward system combined with late development of the control system which decreases decision-making competence. Since the maturity of adolescence varies from one child to another, the practice can be very unpredictable.<a href=\\\"#_ftn58\\\">[58]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 However, good practical outcomes can also come with the idea of minors making medical decisions for themselves, especially for vaccines. Assent from minors aged seven years and above can improve moral growth and develop autonomy. It can even encourage them to comply with the medical treatment and allow them to express their interests in such endeavor. It offers a chance to contribute to their healthcare and provide an honest and open relationship between the family and medical service team.<a href=\\\"#_ftn59\\\">[59]<\\/a> Children will no longer be obligated to keep quiet for the sake of their parents. It also ensures that a child\'s unanswered questions, unresolved worries, or desire to be acknowledged are treated as legitimate and rational issues that matter in the child\'s world, rather than being dismissed as complete nonsense. <a href=\\\"#_ftn60\\\">[60]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>Recommendation<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 With the positive and negative outcomes analyzed, the recommendations are set forth to guide future legislators and policymakers and to help outweigh the negative effects.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:list --><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\n<ul>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\n<ul>\\n<li>The requirements of assent are: 1) properly informing patients about the issues at hand and what to expect; 2) assessment of their understanding; 3) soliciting agreement or acknowledgment of the decision.<a href=\\\"#_ftn61\\\">[61]<\\/a><\\/li>\\n<li>American Academy of Pediatrics said that assent should be obtained whenever reasonable, and that assent should only be obtained in situations in which the medical service team would be willing to honor, at least in part, a child\\u2019s dissent.<a href=\\\"#_ftn62\\\">[62]<\\/a><\\/li>\\n<li>Legislation should reflect the concept of <em>care ethics<\\/em> (\\u201cIndividuals do not exist in isolation but with others to\\u00a0 whom\\u00a0 they are emotionally or psychologically close,\\u00a0 such as parents,\\u00a0 siblings, and friends \\u201d). Medical professionals should educate a minor by generating information that can provide specific medical context that can be weighed and analyzed with perspectives offered by family and friends which can largely affect their thought processes. The legislation should also recognize the limitations of judgments of minors.<a href=\\\"#_ftn63\\\">[63]<\\/a><\\/li>\\n<li>The legislators should also limit the age bracket (ideally at the age of 14), and limit the vaccines to the recommended types that have been long proven to be effective by science (Ex. measles, polio, diphtheria, influenza) to minimize health risks.<\\/li>\\n<li>In the legislation, healthcare professionals, adolescent health care clinicians, public health personnel, medical organizations should be present and give their inputs.<a href=\\\"#_ftn64\\\">[64]<\\/a><\\/li>\\n<li>The legislators should frame the law in a way that reflects the thought that \\u201cparental consent should be considered a responsibility that supports the minor\'s best interests and preserves a family\'s interests, rather than a parent\'s right to express their own autonomous choices.\\u201d\\u00a0 Davis and Fang, in an article, said that \\u201c<em>Providers have to serve the pediatric patient\'s best interest and not necessarily the parents\' desires.<\\/em>\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn65\\\">[65]<\\/a><\\/li>\\n<li>For policy-making among healthcare professionals or even in the legislation itself, a set of protocols should be developed to serve as a guide to assess minor\\u2019s maturity and decision-making ability. Legal documentation guidelines should be executed to protect healthcare workers against a suit.<a href=\\\"#_ftn66\\\">[66]<\\/a><\\/li>\\n<li>Adolescent\\u2019s privacy should be reflected in the legislation and healthcare protocols. <a href=\\\"#_ftn67\\\">[67]<\\/a><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<div>\\u00a0<\\/div>\\n<\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>Conclusion<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Vaccines have greatly contributed in eradicating serious diseases that could have led to mortality or permanent disability. They are one of the scientific breakthroughs that are gravely misunderstood and often subjected to prejudicial preference. Time and again refused because of misinformation as well as cultural and religious differences. In the Philippines, there is a huge vacuum in emancipation laws for medical decisions for minors. Assuming that minors would be allowed to obtain a vaccine without parental consent, different positive outcomes could be factored, such as a decrease in disease statistics and empowerment in adolescence, while negative outlooks include increased risky behavior in minors because of their developing mental and physical structure, and the boosted risk of medical malpractice suits if ever the vaccine produces adverse effects in their body. Legislators should strive to include healthcare workers in developing legislation that would allow minors to get vaccines for themselves without parental permission, all while preserving the family harmony and the patient\\u2019s well-being, as well as knowing that this is about a patient\\u2019s health and not grandstanding parental authority.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>* Associate Research Editor, UST Law Review; freelance writer<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">[1]<\\/a>UNICEF Philippines, #VaccinesWork: UNICEF stresses importance of immunization on World Immunization Week, UNICEF Philippines, (January 31, 2021), https:\\/\\/www.unicef.org\\/philippines\\/press-releases\\/vaccineswork-unicef-stresses-importance-immunization-world-immunization-week<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a> Jenny Lei Ravelo, Another casualty of vaccine hesitancy: Philippines declares polio outbreak, (January 31, 2021), https:\\/\\/www.devex.com\\/news\\/another-casualty-of-vaccine-hesitancy-philippines-declares-polio-outbreak-95648<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a> Department of Health, Doh Identifies Vaccine Hesitancy as One of The Reasons For Measles Outbreak, Department of Health, (January 31, 2021), https:\\/\\/doh.gov.ph\\/node\\/16721<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[4]<\\/a> Id.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[5]<\\/a> World Health Organization, Revised SAGE recommendation on use of dengue vaccine, (Apil 19, 2018), https:\\/\\/www.who.int\\/immunization\\/diseases\\/dengue\\/revised_SAGE_recommendations_dengue_vaccines_apr2018\\/en\\/<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[6]<\\/a> Migrino, Jr J, Gayados B. Birol RJ, De Jesus L, Lopez CW, Mercado WC, et al. Factors affecting vaccine hesitancy among families with children 2 years old and younger in two urban communities in Manila, Philippines. Western Pac Surveill Response J. 2020 Jun; 10(2). doi: 10.5365\\/wpsar.2019.10.2.006<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\">[7]<\\/a> Kelly Danielpour, Commentary: Why all 50 states need to allow teens to get vaccinated without parental consent, Los Angeles Times, (Nov. 19, 2020), https:\\/\\/journaltimes.com\\/news\\/commentary-why-all-50-states-need-to-allow-teens-to-get-vaccinated-without-parental-consent\\/article_264a2b69-0924-5c08-aabd-fb79fa5deec4.html<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\">[8]<\\/a> Id.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\">[9]<\\/a> Michael Ollove, Teens of \\u2018Anti-Vaxxers\\u2019 Can Get Their Own Vaccines, Some States Say, Stateline, (June 24, 2019), https:\\/\\/www.pewtrusts.org\\/en\\/research-and-analysis\\/blogs\\/stateline\\/2019\\/06\\/24\\/teens-of-anti-vaxxers-can-get-their-own-vaccines-some-states-say<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\">[10]<\\/a> Kelly Danielpour, Commentary: Why all 50 states need to allow teens to get vaccinated without parental consent, Los Angeles Times, (Nov. 19, 2020), https:\\/\\/journaltimes.com\\/news\\/commentary-why-all-50-states-need-to-allow-teens-to-get-vaccinated-without-parental-consent\\/article_264a2b69-0924-5c08-aabd-fb79fa5deec4.html<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\">[11]<\\/a> Abigail English, Carol A. Ford, Jessica A. Kahn, Elyse Olshen Kharbanda, Adolescent Consent for Vaccination: A Position Paper of the Societyfor Adolescent Health and Medicine, 53 Journal of Adolescent Health, 550, 550-553, (2013)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref12\\\">[12]<\\/a> Michael Davis & Andrea Fang, Emancipated Minor, StatPearls Publishing LLC, (May 19, 2020), https:\\/\\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\\/books\\/NBK554594\\/<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref13\\\">[13]<\\/a> Id.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref14\\\">[14]<\\/a> Abigail English, Carol A. Ford, Jessica A. Kahn, Elyse Olshen Kharbanda, Adolescent Consent for Vaccination: A Position Paper of the Societyfor Adolescent Health and Medicine, 53 Journal of Adolescent Health, 550, 552, (2013)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref15\\\">[15]<\\/a> <em>In Re: Chad Eric Swan, <\\/em>569 A.2d 1202 (1990), decided January 23, 1990, opinion Issued February 15, 1990.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref16\\\">[16]<\\/a> Id.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref17\\\">[17]<\\/a> Michael Ollove, Teens of \\u2018Anti-Vaxxers\\u2019 Can Get Their Own Vaccines, Some States Say, Stateline, (June 24, 2019), https:\\/\\/www.pewtrusts.org\\/en\\/research-and-analysis\\/blogs\\/stateline\\/2019\\/06\\/24\\/teens-of-anti-vaxxers-can-get-their-own-vaccines-some-states-say<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref18\\\">[18]<\\/a> Mackenzie Bean, 9 states where minors can get vaccinated without parental consent, ASC COMMUNICATIONS 2021, (June 24, 2019), https:\\/\\/www.beckershospitalreview.com\\/quality\\/9-states-where-minors-can-get-vaccinated-without-parental-consent.html<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref19\\\">[19]<\\/a> An Act Lowering The Age Of Majority From Twenty-One To Eighteen Years, Amending For The Purpose Executive Order Numbered Two Hundred Nine, And For Other Purposes, Republic Act No. 6809, sec. 234 (1989)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref20\\\">[20]<\\/a> R.A. 386, sec. 236<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref21\\\">[21]<\\/a> The Child and Youth Welfare Code, Presidential Decree No. 603, art. 17 (1974)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref22\\\">[22]<\\/a>P.D. 603, art. 17<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref23\\\">[23]<\\/a> P.D. 603, art. 19 (1974)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref24\\\">[24]<\\/a> P.D. 603, art. 43 (1974)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref25\\\">[25]<\\/a> The Family Code of The Philippines, Executive Order No. 209, art. 209 (1988)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref26\\\">[26]<\\/a> E.O. 209, art. 210<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref27\\\">[27]<\\/a> E.O. 209, art. 228<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref28\\\">[28]<\\/a> E.O. 209, art. 229<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref29\\\">[29]<\\/a> E.O. 209, art. 230<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref30\\\">[30]<\\/a> An Act Providing For Mandatory Basic Immunization Services For Infants And Children, Repealing For The Purpose Presidential Decree No. 996, As Amended, Republic Act No. 10152, sec. 2 (2011)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref31\\\">[31]<\\/a> R.A. 10152, sec. 3<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref32\\\">[32]<\\/a> R.A. 10152, sec. 4<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref33\\\">[33]<\\/a> R.A. 10152, sec. 5<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref34\\\">[34]<\\/a> Sheila Crisostomo & Gilbert Bayoran, Mandatory immunization ordered, The Philippine Star, (Feb. 10, 2019), https:\\/\\/www.philstar.com\\/headlines\\/2019\\/02\\/10\\/1892465\\/mandatory-immunization-ordered<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref35\\\">[35]<\\/a> Josue N. Bellosillo, Bu C. Castro, Emmanuel LJ. Mapili, Albert D. Rebosa, Antonio D. Rebosa, Basics of Philippine Medical Jurisprudence and Ethics, p. 113, (2010 ed. Central Book Supply, 2010)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref36\\\">[36]<\\/a> An Act To Ordain And Institute The Civil Code Of The Philippines, Republic Act No. 386, art. 1327 (1950)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref37\\\">[37]<\\/a> Hector S. De Leon & Hector M. De Leon, Jr. The Law on Obligations and Contracts, p. 342-349, (Rex Printing Company, Inc., 2014)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref38\\\">[38]<\\/a> Id. at p. 431<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref39\\\">[39]<\\/a> Josue N. Bellosillo, Bu C. Castro, Emmanuel LJ. Mapili, Albert D. Rebosa, Antonio D. Rebosa, Basics of Philippine Medical Jurisprudence and Ethics, p. 113, (2010 ed. Central Book Supply, 2010)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref40\\\">[40]<\\/a> Id. at p. 412 (2010 ed. Central Book Supply, 2010)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref41\\\">[41]<\\/a> Cyrus Cesar R. Tejam, Clinical Pediatrics in the Philippines: Parental Assent and Consent, 2 Asia Pacific Journal of Pediatrics and Child Health, 27, 29 \\u00a0(2019)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref42\\\">[42]<\\/a> Id.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref43\\\">[43]<\\/a> An instance is when it is recommended that \\u201c<em>vaccines not be given during chemo or radiation treatments \\u2013 the only exception to this is the flu shot. This is mainly because vaccines need an immune system response to work, and you may not get an adequate response during cancer treatment<\\/em>.\\u201d \\u2013 American Cancer Society, Vaccinations and Flu Shots for People with Cancer: Should people with cancer get any vaccines? , American Cancer Society webpage, Inc. (2020), <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.cancer.org\\/treatment\\/treatments-and-side-effects\\/physical-side-effects\\/low-blood-counts\\/infections\\/vaccination-during-cancer-treatment.html\\\">https:\\/\\/www.cancer.org\\/treatment\\/treatments-and-side-effects\\/physical-side-effects\\/low-blood-counts\\/infections\\/vaccination-during-cancer-treatment.html<\\/a>. This should not be treated as a medical advice. It is always best to consult your physician.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref44\\\">[44]<\\/a> Josue N. Bellosillo, Bu C. Castro, Emmanuel LJ. Mapili, Albert D. Rebosa, Antonio D. Rebosa, Basics of Philippine Medical Jurisprudence and Ethics, p. 117 (2010 ed. Central Book Supply, 2010)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref45\\\">[45]<\\/a> <em>Lucas v. Tua\\u00f1o<\\/em>, 586 SCRA 173 (2009)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref46\\\">[46]<\\/a> Josue N. Bellosillo, Bu C. Castro, Emmanuel LJ. Mapili, Albert D. Rebosa, Antonio D. Rebosa, Basics of Philippine Medical Jurisprudence and Ethics, p. 131, (2010 ed. Central Book Supply, 2010)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref47\\\">[47]<\\/a> Id.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref48\\\">[48]<\\/a> Professional Services, Inc. v. Natividad and Enrique Agana, 542 Phil. 464, 481 (2007).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref49\\\">[49]<\\/a> Josue N. Bellosillo, Bu C. Castro, Emmanuel LJ. Mapili, Albert D. Rebosa, Antonio D. Rebosa, Basics of Philippine Medical Jurisprudence and Ethics, p. 59, (2010 ed. Central Book Supply, 2010)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref50\\\">[50]<\\/a> Id at 195<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref51\\\">[51]<\\/a> The Revised Penal Code, Act No. 3815, art. 264, (1930)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref52\\\">[52]<\\/a> Act No. 3815, art. 266, (1930)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref53\\\">[53]<\\/a> <em>Gonzaga v. People, <\\/em>G.R. No. 195671, January 21, 2015.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref54\\\">[54]<\\/a> Josue N. Bellosillo, Bu C. Castro, Emmanuel LJ. Mapili, Albert D. Rebosa, Antonio D. Rebosa, Basics of Philippine Medical Jurisprudence and Ethics, p. 154, (2010 ed. Central Book Supply, 2010)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref55\\\">[55]<\\/a> Id.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref56\\\">[56]<\\/a> Michael Ollove, Teens of \\u2018Anti-Vaxxers\\u2019 Can Get Their Own Vaccines, Some States Say, Stateline, (June 24, 2019), https:\\/\\/www.pewtrusts.org\\/en\\/research-and-analysis\\/blogs\\/stateline\\/2019\\/06\\/24\\/teens-of-anti-vaxxers-can-get-their-own-vaccines-some-states-say<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref57\\\">[57]<\\/a> Petronella Grootens-Wiegers,\\u00a0 Irma M. Hein, Jos M. van den Broek, & Martine C. de Vries, Medical decision-making in children and adolescents: developmental and neuroscientific aspects, BMC Pediatrics, 1, 2 (2017)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref58\\\">[58]<\\/a> Petronella Grootens-Wiegers,\\u00a0 Irma M. Hein, Jos M. van den Broek, & Martine C. de Vries, Medical decision-making in children and adolescents: developmental and neuroscientific aspects, BMC Pediatrics, 1, 6 (2017)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref59\\\">[59]<\\/a> Cyrus Cesar R. Tejam, Clinical Pediatrics in the Philippines: Parental Assent and Consent, 2 Asia Pacific Journal of Pediatrics and Child Health, 27, 29 (2019)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref60\\\">[60]<\\/a> Rebecca Babcock, Medical Decision-Making for Minors: Using Care Ethics to Empower Adolescents and Amend the Current Power Imbalances, 8 Asian Bioethics Review, 4, 13 (2016)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref61\\\">[61]<\\/a> Cyrus Cesar R. Tejam, Clinical Pediatrics in the Philippines: Parental Assent and Consent, 2 Asia Pacific Journal of Pediatrics and Child Health, 27, 29 (2019)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref62\\\">[62]<\\/a> Id at 27-33<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref63\\\">[63]<\\/a> Rebecca Babcock, Medical Decision-Making for Minors: Using Care Ethics to Empower Adolescents and Amend the Current Power Imbalances, 8 Asian Bioethics Review, 4, 13 (2016)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref64\\\">[64]<\\/a> Abigail English, Carol A. Ford, Jessica A. Kahn, Elyse Olshen Kharbanda, Adolescent Consent for Vaccination: A Position Paper of the Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine, 53 Journal of Adolescent Health, 550, 552, (2013)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref65\\\">[65]<\\/a> Michael Davis & Andrea Fang, Emancipated Minor, StatPearls Publishing LLC, (May 19, 2020), https:\\/\\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\\/books\\/NBK554594\\/<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref66\\\">[66]<\\/a> Id.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref67\\\">[67]<\\/a> Id.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>Featured Photo by <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/unsplash.com\\/@thenewmalcolm?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText\\\">Obi Onyeador<\\/a> on <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/unsplash.com\\/s\\/photos\\/vaccine-choice?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText\\\">Unsplash<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.15,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(3691,1273,'_thumbnail_id','1262'),(3692,1273,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(3693,1273,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(3694,1273,'_elementor_version','3.1.1'),(3695,1273,'_wp_page_template','default'),(3696,1273,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"3d1e02bb\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"4005cedf\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"6508c5f0\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><!-- wp:separator --><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"text-align: center;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\"><em><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">*<\\/a>This should not be treated as a medical advice. It is always best to consult your physician.<\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>By: Ashley Faye S. Cruz**<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 You are a 15-year-old high school kid lining up in an annual physical examination. The school physician asked if you were vaccinated when you were still a newborn. You answered in the negative, and the physician gave you flyers for free vaccines at the public health center. You went home and excitedly told your mother about this thing called \\u201cvaccine\\u201d and how it can help your immune system. Your mom, who believes in medical conspiracy theories, adamantly denied your request and pulled a litany of conspiracy theories taken from social media websites. Determined, you went to the public health center, but the nurse denied you a free vaccine because there needs parental consent.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 It is very alarming that the Philippines could have avoided diseases by a simple vaccine trip to the nearest pediatrician. United Nations International Children\'s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) reported that as of 2019, an estimated 2.9 million Filipino children remain unvaccinated and remain vulnerable to serious diseases such as rubella and polio. <a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\">[1]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 World Health Organization (WHO) representative Rabindra Abeyasinghe said that to halt the proliferation of disease in the country, 95% need to be vaccinated<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\">[2]<\\/a>. Notwithstanding the availability of free vaccines at public health centers, many parents still refuse to vaccinate their children. Parents have the \\u201cvaccine hesitancy\\u201d, which is the delay in acceptance or refusal of vaccines despite the availability of vaccination services.<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\">[3]<\\/a> Studies have identified several factors that have caused the loss of public confidence in vaccine, though the recommended vaccines are long proven to be effective.<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\">[4]<\\/a> Among these are the following:<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:list {\\\"ordered\\\":true,\\\"type\\\":\\\"1\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<ol>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\n<ol type=\\\"1\\\">\\n<li>Dengvaxia controversy, where 10% of the 800,000 students who were immunized with a vaccine against Dengue known as Dengvaxia, but did not have a prior dengue infection, posed a higher risk of contracting severe Dengue<a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\">[5]<\\/a>;<\\/li>\\n<li>Circumstantial events surrounding vaccinations such as when parents attach significance to events such as sleep or behavioral patterns and birth timing;<\\/li>\\n<li>Over-reporting of adverse effects of immunization by mass media such as newspapers and television; and<\\/li>\\n<li>Social media also contributed to vaccine hesitancy, and parents tend to be more susceptible to media reports on the Internet.<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\">[6]<\\/a><\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<\\/li>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\u00a0<\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Parents who choose not to vaccinate their children endanger not only themselves but also everyone else as immunization rates fall too low for vaccine-preventable diseases. In the school year before the COVID-19 outbreak in the United States (U.S.), the rate of childhood vaccine exemptions claimed by parents rose in 40 of 49 states as reflected in the records. <a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\">[7]<\\/a> Dr. Arthur Caplan, founding director of the Division of Medical Ethics at New York University Langone Medical Center, said that \\u201c<em>Parents should not have the authority to subject their children to serious preventable harm<\\/em>\\u201d. <a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\">[8]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 However, there is a solution made by certain states in the U.S. to combat the ever-worsening disease statistics. Nine states allow minors to receive vaccinations without their parents\' permission. Four states allow adolescents to receive specific vaccines, while five states allow minors to consent to any healthcare. <a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\">[9]<\\/a> The American Medical Association and the Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine and other medical organizations, strongly support laws allowing older minors to self-consent to vaccinations. Granting teenagers this right is essential to stemming the spread of diseases, whether they are newly emerging like COVID-19 or have faded from the news.<a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\">[10]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 English, et al., of the Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine, stated in their position paper <em>Adolescent Consent for Vaccination: A Position Paper of the Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine<\\/em>, that adolescent vaccines allow the enhancement of adolescent and adult health. Approaches to boost the proportion of adolescents who receive vaccines will be essential to assure that adolescent vaccination will lead to developments in the health of populations. Within ethical and legal guidelines, it will be important to develop policies and strategies that expand opportunities for minors to receive vaccinations when parents are not physically present.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\">[11]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The U.S. laws on emancipation from parental authority vary from state to state. For instance, some states adopt the \\u201cmature minor\\u201d doctrine. The mature minor doctrine legally recognizes the medical decision-making capacity of adolescents, even though they are still minors under parental or legal guardian control. They are usually 12 years old or older, and they are required to demonstrate adequate cognitive maturity and capacity to understand the risks of medical evaluations and treatments. Some other states allow this practice but its application is restricted only on the grounds of parental availability and sensitive clinical situations.<a href=\\\"#_ftn12\\\">[12]<\\/a> They also allow medical service without parental consent in times of emergency. Other medical services that are available to adolescents that do not need parental consent are rape or sexual assault services, contraception services. sexually transmitted infections, prenatal care, abortion, pediatric care for children of minors, substance use disorder treatment, and mental health treatment. <a href=\\\"#_ftn13\\\">[13]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>Federal law of the U.S, does not contain any requirements for parent\\u2019s consent for vaccination of minors. As an exception, the mature minor doctrine which developed from jurisprudence provides an avenue for minors to obtain vaccines for themselves, as long as the patient can give informed consent, the treatment is not high risk, and is provided in a nonnegligent manner.<a href=\\\"#_ftn14\\\">[14]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 To illustrate, in the case of <em>In Re: Swan<\\/em>, Maine Supreme Judicial Court addressed the issue of discontinuing the treatment of minor patient in a chronic vegetative state with little hope of recovery, specifically that the medical decision maker here is the minor patient himself. Chad had an accident which rendered him needing a life-sustaining procedure included a gastrostomy tube that provided hydration and nutrients to his body. Chad\'s mother and brother said that prior to his accident, Chad told them that he did not want to be held alive by artificial means if an injury rendered him incapable of existing otherwise. The tube eventually deteriorated and made his condition worse. Chad\\u2019s parents acquiesced to his wishes.<a href=\\\"#_ftn15\\\">[15]<\\/a> The District Attorney contended that Chad\'s ability to refuse medical care was \\\"significantly limited\\\" since he was under the legal age of majority when he articulated his wishes. Maine Supreme Judicial Court opposed such contention, saying that Chad\'s age was only a \\\"factor to be weighed by the truth finder in judging the seriousness and deliberateness\\\" of his comments. Chad\'s aspirations to not be held in a permanent vegetative condition were \\\"well-informed medical care decisions\\\" that should be respected.<a href=\\\"#_ftn16\\\">[16]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Some suggest that all states should allow minors to make some health care decisions, especially in stigmatized areas such as sexual health and drug addiction. <a href=\\\"#_ftn17\\\">[17]<\\/a> In California, children aged 12 and up will undergo sexually transmitted disease vaccinations without parental supervision. Hepatitis B vaccine may be given to children of any age without their parents\' consent in Minnesota. In Alabama, children ages 14 and up can consent to all healthcare services.<a href=\\\"#_ftn18\\\">[18]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>The situation in the Philippines \\u2013 Emancipation Laws<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Philippines has legislation for emancipation from parental authority. The age of eighteen years is the age of majority unless otherwise provided, and emancipation takes place in such event.<a href=\\\"#_ftn19\\\">[19]<\\/a> According to the law, \\u201cEmancipation shall terminate parental authority over the person and property of the child who shall then be qualified and responsible for all acts of civil life, save the exceptions established by existing laws in special cases.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn20\\\">[20]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Parental authority is also ingrained in our statutes. Article 17 of The Child and Youth Welfare Code states that \\u201cthe father and mother shall exercise jointly just and reasonable parental authority and responsibility for their legitimate or adopted children.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn21\\\">[21]<\\/a> In case of absence or death or either parent, the surviving parent shall exercise the parental authority. <a href=\\\"#_ftn22\\\">[22]<\\/a> \\u201cGrandparents and in their default, the oldest brother or sister who is at least eighteen years of age, or the relative who has actual custody of the child, shall exercise parental authority in case of absence or death of both parents unless a guardian has been appointed following the succeeding provision.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn23\\\">[23]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Code also provides in Chapter 2, Article 43 \\u00a0that \\u201cthe parents shall have the right to the company of their children and, concerning all other persons or institutions dealing with the child\'s development, the primary right and obligation to provide for their upbringing.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn24\\\">[24]<\\/a> The authority of parents\\/legal guardians are also strengthened by Article 209 of the Act: \\u201cUnder the natural right and duty of parents over the person and property of their unemancipated children, parental authority and responsibility shall include the caring for and rearing them for civic consciousness and efficiency and the development of their moral, mental and physical character and well-being.\\u201d <a href=\\\"#_ftn25\\\">[25]<\\/a> It cannot be renounced or transferred except in cases authorized by law. <a href=\\\"#_ftn26\\\">[26]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Parental authority terminates permanently upon the death of the parents, upon the death of the child, or emancipation of the child. <a href=\\\"#_ftn27\\\">[27]<\\/a> Moreover, unless subsequently revived by final judgment, it is also terminated upon adoption of the child, upon judicial declaration of abandonment of the child in a case filed for the purpose, upon the final judgment of a competent court divesting the party concerned of parental authority, upon judicial declaration of absence or incapacity of the person exercising parental authority. <a href=\\\"#_ftn28\\\">[28]<\\/a> It can be suspended upon conviction of the parent or the person exercising the same of a crime which carries with it the penalty of civil interdiction, <a href=\\\"#_ftn29\\\">[29]<\\/a> or if they treat the child with excessive harshness or cruelty, gives the child corrupting orders, counsel, or example, compels the child to beg, or subjects the child or allows him to be subjected to acts of lasciviousness<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>Vaccine laws in the Philippines<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 There is a law mandating the basic immunization services for infants and children, or the An Act Providing For Mandatory Basic Immunization Services For Infants And Children, Repealing For The Purpose Presidential Decree No. 996, As Amended (Republic Act No. 10152). It is the policy of the State to take a proactive role in the preventive health care of infants and children, and through this legislation, the State wants to adopt a comprehensive, mandatory and sustainable immunization program for vaccine-preventable diseases for all infants and children.<a href=\\\"#_ftn30\\\">[30]<\\/a> This law covers the following vaccine-preventable diseases:<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:list {\\\"ordered\\\":true,\\\"type\\\":\\\"a\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<ol>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\n<ol>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\n<ol type=\\\"a\\\">\\n<li>Tuberculosis<\\/li>\\n<li>Diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis;<\\/li>\\n<li>Poliomyelitis;<\\/li>\\n<li>Measles;<\\/li>\\n<li>Mumps;<\\/li>\\n<li>Rubella or German measles;<\\/li>\\n<li>Hepatitis-B;<\\/li>\\n<li>H. Influenza type B (HIB); and<\\/li>\\n<li>Such other types may be determined by the Secretary of Health in a department circular.<\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<\\/li>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\u00a0<\\/li>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\u00a0<\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Such basic immunizations shall be given for free at any government hospital or health center to infants and children up to five (5) years of age.<a href=\\\"#_ftn31\\\">[31]<\\/a> R.A. 10152 also mandates that all health care practitioners or health care workers who are administering prenatal care shall educate all pregnant mothers on the importance of giving their infants the basic immunization services as well as any possible effects of immunization and that the Department of Health (DOH) and other government and private sectors shall make available appropriate information materials and shall have a system of its distribution to the public.<a href=\\\"#_ftn32\\\">[32]<\\/a> One of the important provisions is Section 5 which provides that any physician, nurse, midwife, nursing aide or skilled birth attendant, who delivers, or assists in the delivery of, a newborn shall, before delivery, inform parents or legal guardian of the newborn of the availability, nature, and benefits of immunization against Hepatitis-B and other vaccine-preventable diseases at birth.<a href=\\\"#_ftn33\\\">[33]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 However, Secretary to the Cabinet Karlo Nograles said that \\u201cthe government could neither force parents to have their children vaccinated nor punish them if they have not.\\u201d He said that \\u201cRA 10152 does not have any penal provisions and does not punish parents who do not have their children vaccinated, unlike the Presidential Decree (PD) it replaced. Under PD 996, it was the duty of parents or those having custody of the child to see to it that the child is immunized. Those who did not could be punished with a P200 fine or one-month imprisonment\\u201d <a href=\\\"#_ftn34\\\">[34]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 With the advent of R.A. 11166 or the Philippine HIV and AIDS Policy Act, the threshold of consent for the screening, voluntary testing, and treatment for human immunodeficiency virus infection, was lowered to fifteen years of age\\u2014 a characterization of the mature minor doctrine. It requires the assent of the child below 15 years old or those mentally incapacitated, if capacity to assent exists, in order to avail of voluntary testing and protect its interests.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 As seen from the aforementioned laws, just like at the federal level of the US, there is a vacuum in terms of parental consent for vaccination of minors in the Philippines.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>Philippine laws: parental consent for medical treatments<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 A doctor-patient relationship is a form of contract. It is an elementary principle that one of the elements of a contract is consent. The person giving consent must be of legal age (18 years of age, unless otherwise provided) and mentally and physically competent. As the legal guardians, parents are the persons who must sign the consent forms.<a href=\\\"#_ftn35\\\">[35]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Article 1327 of the Civil Code provides the persons who cannot give consent to a contract: unemancipated minors and insane or demented persons, and deaf-mutes who do not know how to write. <a href=\\\"#_ftn36\\\">[36]<\\/a> The Civil Code does not define who can consent to a contract, rather, it defines who has no capacity. These persons can easily be victims of fraud as they are not capable of understanding or knowing the nature of their actions, thus they can only enter into an agreement or contracts through their parents or their legal guardians.<a href=\\\"#_ftn37\\\">[37]<\\/a> The contract they have entered is voidable, meaning it is valid and binding until it is annulled by a proper action in court.<a href=\\\"#_ftn38\\\">[38]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In the medical field, there is the right to informed consent, \\u00a0a legal right recognized and protected by law and jurisprudence. The patient has the right to choose openly whether or not to consent to care after being adequately advised by the specialist about the complications and benefits of the recommended treatment, as well as the viable treatment alternatives, including the possibility of no treatment.<a href=\\\"#_ftn39\\\">[39]<\\/a> It is further drawn as a legal concept, where a person can be said, \\u201cto have given consent based upon a clear appreciation and understanding of the facts, implications, and future consequences of an action.\\u201d He must have adequate reasoning faculties and knows all relevant facts at the time consent is given. If a person cannot give informed consent, say a child, another person is generally authorized to give consent on their behalf, in this case, his parents or legal guardian\\/s. <a href=\\\"#_ftn40\\\">[40]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The key elements of informed consent, according to Tejam of Asia Pacific Journal of Pediatrics and Child Health are disclosure of information, assessment of the decision maker\\u2019s capacity to make medical choices, and process of obtaining consent in the form of a voluntary agreement from the patient without coercion or persuasion. In pediatrics, it comes from the parent or legal guardian. Per the best interests standard, parents are regarded to be in the best position to determine their child\\u2019s best interest because parental decision aims to maximize benefits for their children while minimizing harm. However, the determination of what is in children\\u2019s best interest is often subjective and debatable. While written or verbal informed parental consent may be enough for ethical and legal purposes, but it does not meet the necessities of the ethical concept of informed concept. <a href=\\\"#_ftn41\\\">[41]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The purpose of informed consent and the strict guidelines surrounding this concept is the respect for autonomy, which includes the liberty of the patient, defined as \\u201cthe capacity to live life according to one\'s reasons and motives and agency \\u2026[or] rational capacity for intentional action.\\u201d This principle served as one of the pillars in resolving ethical dilemmas.<a href=\\\"#_ftn42\\\">[42]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>Legal consequences of letting Filipino adolescents make vaccine related medical decisions<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Suppose the teen suffered injuries because of the vaccine<a href=\\\"#_ftn43\\\">[43]<\\/a> and the parents want to file a suit against the physician who administered the vaccine. Here are some of the laws that are usually invoked in a medical malpractice suit.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><em>Medical malpractice<\\/em> is defined by Bellosillo, et al (2010) as:<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<blockquote>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u201cAny professional misconduct, or bad skillful practice, or any practice contrary to law or established rules and regulations whereby the health of a person is injured because of failure of a physician to behave or act as a reasonable, prudent physician who is charged with a duty to use a standard of due care and to foresee harm that may result from failure to meet such standard which may be the proximate cause of injury. It ordinarily refers to any malfeasance or dereliction of duty committed by a physician.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn44\\\">[44]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<\\/blockquote>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>The elements of medical malpractice, as enunciated in the case of <em>Lucas vs Tua\\u00f1o, <\\/em>(2009), are:<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:list {\\\"ordered\\\":true,\\\"type\\\":\\\"1\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<ol>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\n<ol>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\n<ol type=\\\"1\\\">\\n<li>A patient engages the services of a physician whereby a physician-patient relationship is generated<\\/li>\\n<li>A physician is under a duty to [the former] to exercise that degree of care, skill, and diligence which physicians in the same general neighborhood and the same general line of practice ordinarily possess and exercise in like cases<\\/li>\\n<li>There is a breach of duty of care, skill, and diligence, or the improper performance of such duty, by the attending physician when the patient is injured in body or health<\\/li>\\n<li>Proof of such breach must likewise rest upon the testimony of an expert witness that the treatment accorded to the patient failed to meet the standard level of care, skill, and diligence which physicians in the same general neighborhood and the same general line of practice ordinarily possess and exercise in like cases.<\\/li>\\n<li>The proximate cause of an injury is that cause, which, in the natural and continuous sequence, unbroken by any efficient intervening cause, produces the injury, and without which the result would not have occurred<a href=\\\"#_ftn45\\\">[45]<\\/a><\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<div>\\u00a0<\\/div>\\n<\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 With these elements present, the physician can be held liable for negligence which is a tort liability. Negligence is defined as \\u201cthe doing of some act which a reasonable and prudent physician would not do, or the failure to do some act which such a person should or would do.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn46\\\">[46]<\\/a> While it is true that physicians are not required to possess extraordinary learning and skill, however, they must keep abreast with medical developments and techniques and must refrain from experimenting. <a href=\\\"#_ftn47\\\">[47]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In terms of evidence, the patient must prove that the health care provider failed to do something which a reasonably prudent health care provider would have done, or that he or she did something that a reasonably prudent provider would not have done; and that that failure or action caused injury to the patient. <a href=\\\"#_ftn48\\\">[48]<\\/a> The injured minor or his parents\\/legal guardian can recover financial damages (actual damages for the pecuniary loss suffered by a party, and moral damages, for the physical suffering and\\/or mental anguish, fright, shock, etc.). <a href=\\\"#_ftn49\\\">[49]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 He can also be held criminally liable<a href=\\\"#_ftn50\\\">[50]<\\/a>. Under the Revised Penal Code (RPC), he can be liable for the crime of administering injurious substances or beverages. The elements are:<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:list {\\\"ordered\\\":true,\\\"type\\\":\\\"1\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<ol>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\n<ol>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\n<ol type=\\\"1\\\">\\n<li>The offender in\\ufb02icted upon another any serious physical injury;<\\/li>\\n<li>That it was done by knowingly administering to him any injurious substances or beverages or by taking advantage of his weakness of mind or credulity;<\\/li>\\n<li>That he had no intent to kill. <a href=\\\"#_ftn51\\\">[51]<\\/a><\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<div>\\u00a0<\\/div>\\n<\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 He can also be made liable for Physical Injuries<a href=\\\"#_ftn52\\\">[52]<\\/a> and for Reckless Imprudence (quasi-offense). Reckless imprudence, as defined in Article 365 of RPC, \\u201cconsists in voluntarily, but without malice, doing or failing to do an act from which material damage results because of inexcusable lack of precaution on the part of the person performing or failing to perform such act, taking into consideration his employment or occupation, degree of intelligence, physical condition and other circumstances regarding persons, time and place.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn53\\\">[53]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 On the other end, the medical practitioner can take shelter on legal doctrines to save themselves from liability. The first is the <em>doctrine of foreseeability<\\/em>, which provides that:<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<blockquote>\\n<p>\\u201cA physician cannot be held liable for negligence if the injury sustained by a patient is on account of unforeseen conditions. But, a physician who fails to ascertain the condition of the patient for want of the requisite skills and training is answerable for the injury sustained by the patient if an injury resulted thereto. Such foreseeable injury may be ascertained from the history, physical examination, observation and from information gathered from another member of the family.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn54\\\">[54]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<\\/blockquote>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 He can also avoid liability by invoking the defense of accident, that is, an event which happens without any human agency or, if happening through human agency, an event which, under the circumstances, is unusual to and not expected by the person to whom it happened.<a href=\\\"#_ftn55\\\">[55]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>Practical Consequences \\u2013 Risks of letting minors make health care decisions<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 David DeLugas, executive director of the National Association of Parents (U.S.), said that letting minors make health care decisions in lieu of their parents may introduce conflict into families. He does not think states should upset the parent-child relationship by taking power from the parents and transferring it to the children.<a href=\\\"#_ftn56\\\">[56]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Grootens-Wiegers, et al. also noted that there is no general agreement as to which age is appropriate for minors to be considered competent for informed decision-making. Some studies suggest that it is at 9 years old, some studies suggest that it is ages of 14 or 15. Minors of the same age may have a different level of maturity. Young children, who exhibited an adequate aptitude for decision-making in a certain situation, can lack ample ability in another.<a href=\\\"#_ftn57\\\">[57]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 They also discussed that adolescence is a period when various health issues and increased risks appear. Teenagers experience changes in diet and tend to explore vices such as tobacco and substance abuse. The increase in mortality is attributed to decision-making being affected by risky behavior, sensation seeking, and peer influences. The increased risk can also be attributed to lower cognitive control because of the developing brain in adolescence, especially the brain\\u2019s reward system combined with late development of the control system which decreases decision-making competence. Since the maturity of adolescence varies from one child to another, the practice can be very unpredictable.<a href=\\\"#_ftn58\\\">[58]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 However, good practical outcomes can also come with the idea of minors making medical decisions for themselves, especially for vaccines. Assent from minors aged seven years and above can improve moral growth and develop autonomy. It can even encourage them to comply with the medical treatment and allow them to express their interests in such endeavor. It offers a chance to contribute to their healthcare and provide an honest and open relationship between the family and medical service team.<a href=\\\"#_ftn59\\\">[59]<\\/a> Children will no longer be obligated to keep quiet for the sake of their parents. It also ensures that a child\'s unanswered questions, unresolved worries, or desire to be acknowledged are treated as legitimate and rational issues that matter in the child\'s world, rather than being dismissed as complete nonsense. <a href=\\\"#_ftn60\\\">[60]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>Recommendation<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 With the positive and negative outcomes analyzed, the recommendations are set forth to guide future legislators and policymakers and to help outweigh the negative effects.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:list --><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\n<ul>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\n<ul>\\n<li>The requirements of assent are: 1) properly informing patients about the issues at hand and what to expect; 2) assessment of their understanding; 3) soliciting agreement or acknowledgment of the decision.<a href=\\\"#_ftn61\\\">[61]<\\/a><\\/li>\\n<li>American Academy of Pediatrics said that assent should be obtained whenever reasonable, and that assent should only be obtained in situations in which the medical service team would be willing to honor, at least in part, a child\\u2019s dissent.<a href=\\\"#_ftn62\\\">[62]<\\/a><\\/li>\\n<li>Legislation should reflect the concept of <em>care ethics<\\/em> (\\u201cIndividuals do not exist in isolation but with others to\\u00a0 whom\\u00a0 they are emotionally or psychologically close,\\u00a0 such as parents,\\u00a0 siblings, and friends \\u201d). Medical professionals should educate a minor by generating information that can provide specific medical context that can be weighed and analyzed with perspectives offered by family and friends which can largely affect their thought processes. The legislation should also recognize the limitations of judgments of minors.<a href=\\\"#_ftn63\\\">[63]<\\/a><\\/li>\\n<li>The legislators should also limit the age bracket (ideally at the age of 14), and limit the vaccines to the recommended types that have been long proven to be effective by science (Ex. measles, polio, diphtheria, influenza) to minimize health risks.<\\/li>\\n<li>In the legislation, healthcare professionals, adolescent health care clinicians, public health personnel, medical organizations should be present and give their inputs.<a href=\\\"#_ftn64\\\">[64]<\\/a><\\/li>\\n<li>The legislators should frame the law in a way that reflects the thought that \\u201cparental consent should be considered a responsibility that supports the minor\'s best interests and preserves a family\'s interests, rather than a parent\'s right to express their own autonomous choices.\\u201d\\u00a0 Davis and Fang, in an article, said that \\u201c<em>Providers have to serve the pediatric patient\'s best interest and not necessarily the parents\' desires.<\\/em>\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn65\\\">[65]<\\/a><\\/li>\\n<li>For policy-making among healthcare professionals or even in the legislation itself, a set of protocols should be developed to serve as a guide to assess minor\\u2019s maturity and decision-making ability. Legal documentation guidelines should be executed to protect healthcare workers against a suit.<a href=\\\"#_ftn66\\\">[66]<\\/a><\\/li>\\n<li>Adolescent\\u2019s privacy should be reflected in the legislation and healthcare protocols. <a href=\\\"#_ftn67\\\">[67]<\\/a><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<div>\\u00a0<\\/div>\\n<\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>Conclusion<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Vaccines have greatly contributed in eradicating serious diseases that could have led to mortality or permanent disability. They are one of the scientific breakthroughs that are gravely misunderstood and often subjected to prejudicial preference. Time and again refused because of misinformation as well as cultural and religious differences. In the Philippines, there is a huge vacuum in emancipation laws for medical decisions for minors. Assuming that minors would be allowed to obtain a vaccine without parental consent, different positive outcomes could be factored, such as a decrease in disease statistics and empowerment in adolescence, while negative outlooks include increased risky behavior in minors because of their developing mental and physical structure, and the boosted risk of medical malpractice suits if ever the vaccine produces adverse effects in their body. Legislators should strive to include healthcare workers in developing legislation that would allow minors to get vaccines for themselves without parental permission, all while preserving the family harmony and the patient\\u2019s well-being, as well as knowing that this is about a patient\\u2019s health and not grandstanding parental authority.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>* Associate Research Editor, UST Law Review; freelance writer<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">[1]<\\/a>UNICEF Philippines, #VaccinesWork: UNICEF stresses importance of immunization on World Immunization Week, UNICEF Philippines, (January 31, 2021), https:\\/\\/www.unicef.org\\/philippines\\/press-releases\\/vaccineswork-unicef-stresses-importance-immunization-world-immunization-week<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a> Jenny Lei Ravelo, Another casualty of vaccine hesitancy: Philippines declares polio outbreak, (January 31, 2021), https:\\/\\/www.devex.com\\/news\\/another-casualty-of-vaccine-hesitancy-philippines-declares-polio-outbreak-95648<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a> Department of Health, Doh Identifies Vaccine Hesitancy as One of The Reasons For Measles Outbreak, Department of Health, (January 31, 2021), https:\\/\\/doh.gov.ph\\/node\\/16721<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[4]<\\/a> Id.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[5]<\\/a> World Health Organization, Revised SAGE recommendation on use of dengue vaccine, (Apil 19, 2018), https:\\/\\/www.who.int\\/immunization\\/diseases\\/dengue\\/revised_SAGE_recommendations_dengue_vaccines_apr2018\\/en\\/<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[6]<\\/a> Migrino, Jr J, Gayados B. Birol RJ, De Jesus L, Lopez CW, Mercado WC, et al. Factors affecting vaccine hesitancy among families with children 2 years old and younger in two urban communities in Manila, Philippines. Western Pac Surveill Response J. 2020 Jun; 10(2). doi: 10.5365\\/wpsar.2019.10.2.006<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\">[7]<\\/a> Kelly Danielpour, Commentary: Why all 50 states need to allow teens to get vaccinated without parental consent, Los Angeles Times, (Nov. 19, 2020), https:\\/\\/journaltimes.com\\/news\\/commentary-why-all-50-states-need-to-allow-teens-to-get-vaccinated-without-parental-consent\\/article_264a2b69-0924-5c08-aabd-fb79fa5deec4.html<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\">[8]<\\/a> Id.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\">[9]<\\/a> Michael Ollove, Teens of \\u2018Anti-Vaxxers\\u2019 Can Get Their Own Vaccines, Some States Say, Stateline, (June 24, 2019), https:\\/\\/www.pewtrusts.org\\/en\\/research-and-analysis\\/blogs\\/stateline\\/2019\\/06\\/24\\/teens-of-anti-vaxxers-can-get-their-own-vaccines-some-states-say<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\">[10]<\\/a> Kelly Danielpour, Commentary: Why all 50 states need to allow teens to get vaccinated without parental consent, Los Angeles Times, (Nov. 19, 2020), https:\\/\\/journaltimes.com\\/news\\/commentary-why-all-50-states-need-to-allow-teens-to-get-vaccinated-without-parental-consent\\/article_264a2b69-0924-5c08-aabd-fb79fa5deec4.html<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\">[11]<\\/a> Abigail English, Carol A. Ford, Jessica A. Kahn, Elyse Olshen Kharbanda, Adolescent Consent for Vaccination: A Position Paper of the Societyfor Adolescent Health and Medicine, 53 Journal of Adolescent Health, 550, 550-553, (2013)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref12\\\">[12]<\\/a> Michael Davis & Andrea Fang, Emancipated Minor, StatPearls Publishing LLC, (May 19, 2020), https:\\/\\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\\/books\\/NBK554594\\/<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref13\\\">[13]<\\/a> Id.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref14\\\">[14]<\\/a> Abigail English, Carol A. Ford, Jessica A. Kahn, Elyse Olshen Kharbanda, Adolescent Consent for Vaccination: A Position Paper of the Societyfor Adolescent Health and Medicine, 53 Journal of Adolescent Health, 550, 552, (2013)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref15\\\">[15]<\\/a> <em>In Re: Chad Eric Swan, <\\/em>569 A.2d 1202 (1990), decided January 23, 1990, opinion Issued February 15, 1990.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref16\\\">[16]<\\/a> Id.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref17\\\">[17]<\\/a> Michael Ollove, Teens of \\u2018Anti-Vaxxers\\u2019 Can Get Their Own Vaccines, Some States Say, Stateline, (June 24, 2019), https:\\/\\/www.pewtrusts.org\\/en\\/research-and-analysis\\/blogs\\/stateline\\/2019\\/06\\/24\\/teens-of-anti-vaxxers-can-get-their-own-vaccines-some-states-say<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref18\\\">[18]<\\/a> Mackenzie Bean, 9 states where minors can get vaccinated without parental consent, ASC COMMUNICATIONS 2021, (June 24, 2019), https:\\/\\/www.beckershospitalreview.com\\/quality\\/9-states-where-minors-can-get-vaccinated-without-parental-consent.html<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref19\\\">[19]<\\/a> An Act Lowering The Age Of Majority From Twenty-One To Eighteen Years, Amending For The Purpose Executive Order Numbered Two Hundred Nine, And For Other Purposes, Republic Act No. 6809, sec. 234 (1989)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref20\\\">[20]<\\/a> R.A. 386, sec. 236<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref21\\\">[21]<\\/a> The Child and Youth Welfare Code, Presidential Decree No. 603, art. 17 (1974)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref22\\\">[22]<\\/a>P.D. 603, art. 17<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref23\\\">[23]<\\/a> P.D. 603, art. 19 (1974)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref24\\\">[24]<\\/a> P.D. 603, art. 43 (1974)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref25\\\">[25]<\\/a> The Family Code of The Philippines, Executive Order No. 209, art. 209 (1988)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref26\\\">[26]<\\/a> E.O. 209, art. 210<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref27\\\">[27]<\\/a> E.O. 209, art. 228<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref28\\\">[28]<\\/a> E.O. 209, art. 229<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref29\\\">[29]<\\/a> E.O. 209, art. 230<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref30\\\">[30]<\\/a> An Act Providing For Mandatory Basic Immunization Services For Infants And Children, Repealing For The Purpose Presidential Decree No. 996, As Amended, Republic Act No. 10152, sec. 2 (2011)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref31\\\">[31]<\\/a> R.A. 10152, sec. 3<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref32\\\">[32]<\\/a> R.A. 10152, sec. 4<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref33\\\">[33]<\\/a> R.A. 10152, sec. 5<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref34\\\">[34]<\\/a> Sheila Crisostomo & Gilbert Bayoran, Mandatory immunization ordered, The Philippine Star, (Feb. 10, 2019), https:\\/\\/www.philstar.com\\/headlines\\/2019\\/02\\/10\\/1892465\\/mandatory-immunization-ordered<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref35\\\">[35]<\\/a> Josue N. Bellosillo, Bu C. Castro, Emmanuel LJ. Mapili, Albert D. Rebosa, Antonio D. Rebosa, Basics of Philippine Medical Jurisprudence and Ethics, p. 113, (2010 ed. Central Book Supply, 2010)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref36\\\">[36]<\\/a> An Act To Ordain And Institute The Civil Code Of The Philippines, Republic Act No. 386, art. 1327 (1950)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref37\\\">[37]<\\/a> Hector S. De Leon & Hector M. De Leon, Jr. The Law on Obligations and Contracts, p. 342-349, (Rex Printing Company, Inc., 2014)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref38\\\">[38]<\\/a> Id. at p. 431<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref39\\\">[39]<\\/a> Josue N. Bellosillo, Bu C. Castro, Emmanuel LJ. Mapili, Albert D. Rebosa, Antonio D. Rebosa, Basics of Philippine Medical Jurisprudence and Ethics, p. 113, (2010 ed. Central Book Supply, 2010)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref40\\\">[40]<\\/a> Id. at p. 412 (2010 ed. Central Book Supply, 2010)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref41\\\">[41]<\\/a> Cyrus Cesar R. Tejam, Clinical Pediatrics in the Philippines: Parental Assent and Consent, 2 Asia Pacific Journal of Pediatrics and Child Health, 27, 29 \\u00a0(2019)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref42\\\">[42]<\\/a> Id.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref43\\\">[43]<\\/a> An instance is when it is recommended that \\u201c<em>vaccines not be given during chemo or radiation treatments \\u2013 the only exception to this is the flu shot. This is mainly because vaccines need an immune system response to work, and you may not get an adequate response during cancer treatment<\\/em>.\\u201d \\u2013 American Cancer Society, Vaccinations and Flu Shots for People with Cancer: Should people with cancer get any vaccines? , American Cancer Society webpage, Inc. (2020), <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.cancer.org\\/treatment\\/treatments-and-side-effects\\/physical-side-effects\\/low-blood-counts\\/infections\\/vaccination-during-cancer-treatment.html\\\">https:\\/\\/www.cancer.org\\/treatment\\/treatments-and-side-effects\\/physical-side-effects\\/low-blood-counts\\/infections\\/vaccination-during-cancer-treatment.html<\\/a>. This should not be treated as a medical advice. It is always best to consult your physician.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref44\\\">[44]<\\/a> Josue N. Bellosillo, Bu C. Castro, Emmanuel LJ. Mapili, Albert D. Rebosa, Antonio D. Rebosa, Basics of Philippine Medical Jurisprudence and Ethics, p. 117 (2010 ed. Central Book Supply, 2010)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref45\\\">[45]<\\/a> <em>Lucas v. Tua\\u00f1o<\\/em>, 586 SCRA 173 (2009)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref46\\\">[46]<\\/a> Josue N. Bellosillo, Bu C. Castro, Emmanuel LJ. Mapili, Albert D. Rebosa, Antonio D. Rebosa, Basics of Philippine Medical Jurisprudence and Ethics, p. 131, (2010 ed. Central Book Supply, 2010)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref47\\\">[47]<\\/a> Id.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref48\\\">[48]<\\/a> Professional Services, Inc. v. Natividad and Enrique Agana, 542 Phil. 464, 481 (2007).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref49\\\">[49]<\\/a> Josue N. Bellosillo, Bu C. Castro, Emmanuel LJ. Mapili, Albert D. Rebosa, Antonio D. Rebosa, Basics of Philippine Medical Jurisprudence and Ethics, p. 59, (2010 ed. Central Book Supply, 2010)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref50\\\">[50]<\\/a> Id at 195<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref51\\\">[51]<\\/a> The Revised Penal Code, Act No. 3815, art. 264, (1930)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref52\\\">[52]<\\/a> Act No. 3815, art. 266, (1930)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref53\\\">[53]<\\/a> <em>Gonzaga v. People, <\\/em>G.R. No. 195671, January 21, 2015.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref54\\\">[54]<\\/a> Josue N. Bellosillo, Bu C. Castro, Emmanuel LJ. Mapili, Albert D. Rebosa, Antonio D. Rebosa, Basics of Philippine Medical Jurisprudence and Ethics, p. 154, (2010 ed. Central Book Supply, 2010)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref55\\\">[55]<\\/a> Id.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref56\\\">[56]<\\/a> Michael Ollove, Teens of \\u2018Anti-Vaxxers\\u2019 Can Get Their Own Vaccines, Some States Say, Stateline, (June 24, 2019), https:\\/\\/www.pewtrusts.org\\/en\\/research-and-analysis\\/blogs\\/stateline\\/2019\\/06\\/24\\/teens-of-anti-vaxxers-can-get-their-own-vaccines-some-states-say<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref57\\\">[57]<\\/a> Petronella Grootens-Wiegers,\\u00a0 Irma M. Hein, Jos M. van den Broek, & Martine C. de Vries, Medical decision-making in children and adolescents: developmental and neuroscientific aspects, BMC Pediatrics, 1, 2 (2017)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref58\\\">[58]<\\/a> Petronella Grootens-Wiegers,\\u00a0 Irma M. Hein, Jos M. van den Broek, & Martine C. de Vries, Medical decision-making in children and adolescents: developmental and neuroscientific aspects, BMC Pediatrics, 1, 6 (2017)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref59\\\">[59]<\\/a> Cyrus Cesar R. Tejam, Clinical Pediatrics in the Philippines: Parental Assent and Consent, 2 Asia Pacific Journal of Pediatrics and Child Health, 27, 29 (2019)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref60\\\">[60]<\\/a> Rebecca Babcock, Medical Decision-Making for Minors: Using Care Ethics to Empower Adolescents and Amend the Current Power Imbalances, 8 Asian Bioethics Review, 4, 13 (2016)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref61\\\">[61]<\\/a> Cyrus Cesar R. Tejam, Clinical Pediatrics in the Philippines: Parental Assent and Consent, 2 Asia Pacific Journal of Pediatrics and Child Health, 27, 29 (2019)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref62\\\">[62]<\\/a> Id at 27-33<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref63\\\">[63]<\\/a> Rebecca Babcock, Medical Decision-Making for Minors: Using Care Ethics to Empower Adolescents and Amend the Current Power Imbalances, 8 Asian Bioethics Review, 4, 13 (2016)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref64\\\">[64]<\\/a> Abigail English, Carol A. Ford, Jessica A. Kahn, Elyse Olshen Kharbanda, Adolescent Consent for Vaccination: A Position Paper of the Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine, 53 Journal of Adolescent Health, 550, 552, (2013)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref65\\\">[65]<\\/a> Michael Davis & Andrea Fang, Emancipated Minor, StatPearls Publishing LLC, (May 19, 2020), https:\\/\\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\\/books\\/NBK554594\\/<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref66\\\">[66]<\\/a> Id.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref67\\\">[67]<\\/a> Id.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>Featured Photo by <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/unsplash.com\\/@thenewmalcolm?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText\\\">Obi Onyeador<\\/a> on <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/unsplash.com\\/s\\/photos\\/vaccine-choice?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText\\\">Unsplash<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.15,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(3698,1274,'_thumbnail_id','1262'),(3699,1274,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(3700,1274,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(3701,1274,'_elementor_version','3.1.1'),(3702,1274,'_wp_page_template','default'),(3703,1274,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"3d1e02bb\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"4005cedf\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"6508c5f0\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><!-- wp:separator --><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"text-align: center;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\"><em><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">*<\\/a>This should not be treated as a medical advice. It is always best to consult your physician.<\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>By: Ashley Faye S. Cruz**<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 You are a 15-year-old high school kid lining up in an annual physical examination. The school physician asked if you were vaccinated when you were still a newborn. You answered in the negative, and the physician gave you flyers for free vaccines at the public health center. You went home and excitedly told your mother about this thing called \\u201cvaccine\\u201d and how it can help your immune system. Your mom, who believes in medical conspiracy theories, adamantly denied your request and pulled a litany of conspiracy theories taken from social media websites. Determined, you went to the public health center, but the nurse denied you a free vaccine because there needs parental consent.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 It is very alarming that the Philippines could have avoided diseases by a simple vaccine trip to the nearest pediatrician. United Nations International Children\'s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) reported that as of 2019, an estimated 2.9 million Filipino children remain unvaccinated and remain vulnerable to serious diseases such as rubella and polio. <a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\">[1]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 World Health Organization (WHO) representative Rabindra Abeyasinghe said that to halt the proliferation of disease in the country, 95% need to be vaccinated<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\">[2]<\\/a>. Notwithstanding the availability of free vaccines at public health centers, many parents still refuse to vaccinate their children. Parents have the \\u201cvaccine hesitancy\\u201d, which is the delay in acceptance or refusal of vaccines despite the availability of vaccination services.<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\">[3]<\\/a> Studies have identified several factors that have caused the loss of public confidence in vaccine, though the recommended vaccines are long proven to be effective.<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\">[4]<\\/a> Among these are the following:<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:list {\\\"ordered\\\":true,\\\"type\\\":\\\"1\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<ol>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\n<ol type=\\\"1\\\">\\n<li>Dengvaxia controversy, where 10% of the 800,000 students who were immunized with a vaccine against Dengue known as Dengvaxia, but did not have a prior dengue infection, posed a higher risk of contracting severe Dengue<a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\">[5]<\\/a>;<\\/li>\\n<li>Circumstantial events surrounding vaccinations such as when parents attach significance to events such as sleep or behavioral patterns and birth timing;<\\/li>\\n<li>Over-reporting of adverse effects of immunization by mass media such as newspapers and television; and<\\/li>\\n<li>Social media also contributed to vaccine hesitancy, and parents tend to be more susceptible to media reports on the Internet.<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\">[6]<\\/a><\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<\\/li>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\u00a0<\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Parents who choose not to vaccinate their children endanger not only themselves but also everyone else as immunization rates fall too low for vaccine-preventable diseases. In the school year before the COVID-19 outbreak in the United States (U.S.), the rate of childhood vaccine exemptions claimed by parents rose in 40 of 49 states as reflected in the records. <a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\">[7]<\\/a> Dr. Arthur Caplan, founding director of the Division of Medical Ethics at New York University Langone Medical Center, said that \\u201c<em>Parents should not have the authority to subject their children to serious preventable harm<\\/em>\\u201d. <a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\">[8]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 However, there is a solution made by certain states in the U.S. to combat the ever-worsening disease statistics. Nine states allow minors to receive vaccinations without their parents\' permission. Four states allow adolescents to receive specific vaccines, while five states allow minors to consent to any healthcare. <a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\">[9]<\\/a> The American Medical Association and the Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine and other medical organizations, strongly support laws allowing older minors to self-consent to vaccinations. Granting teenagers this right is essential to stemming the spread of diseases, whether they are newly emerging like COVID-19 or have faded from the news.<a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\">[10]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 English, et al., of the Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine, stated in their position paper <em>Adolescent Consent for Vaccination: A Position Paper of the Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine<\\/em>, that adolescent vaccines allow the enhancement of adolescent and adult health. Approaches to boost the proportion of adolescents who receive vaccines will be essential to assure that adolescent vaccination will lead to developments in the health of populations. Within ethical and legal guidelines, it will be important to develop policies and strategies that expand opportunities for minors to receive vaccinations when parents are not physically present.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\">[11]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The U.S. laws on emancipation from parental authority vary from state to state. For instance, some states adopt the \\u201cmature minor\\u201d doctrine. The mature minor doctrine legally recognizes the medical decision-making capacity of adolescents, even though they are still minors under parental or legal guardian control. They are usually 12 years old or older, and they are required to demonstrate adequate cognitive maturity and capacity to understand the risks of medical evaluations and treatments. Some other states allow this practice but its application is restricted only on the grounds of parental availability and sensitive clinical situations.<a href=\\\"#_ftn12\\\">[12]<\\/a> They also allow medical service without parental consent in times of emergency. Other medical services that are available to adolescents that do not need parental consent are rape or sexual assault services, contraception services. sexually transmitted infections, prenatal care, abortion, pediatric care for children of minors, substance use disorder treatment, and mental health treatment. <a href=\\\"#_ftn13\\\">[13]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>Federal law of the U.S, does not contain any requirements for parent\\u2019s consent for vaccination of minors. As an exception, the mature minor doctrine which developed from jurisprudence provides an avenue for minors to obtain vaccines for themselves, as long as the patient can give informed consent, the treatment is not high risk, and is provided in a nonnegligent manner.<a href=\\\"#_ftn14\\\">[14]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 To illustrate, in the case of <em>In Re: Swan<\\/em>, Maine Supreme Judicial Court addressed the issue of discontinuing the treatment of minor patient in a chronic vegetative state with little hope of recovery, specifically that the medical decision maker here is the minor patient himself. Chad had an accident which rendered him needing a life-sustaining procedure included a gastrostomy tube that provided hydration and nutrients to his body. Chad\'s mother and brother said that prior to his accident, Chad told them that he did not want to be held alive by artificial means if an injury rendered him incapable of existing otherwise. The tube eventually deteriorated and made his condition worse. Chad\\u2019s parents acquiesced to his wishes.<a href=\\\"#_ftn15\\\">[15]<\\/a> The District Attorney contended that Chad\'s ability to refuse medical care was \\\"significantly limited\\\" since he was under the legal age of majority when he articulated his wishes. Maine Supreme Judicial Court opposed such contention, saying that Chad\'s age was only a \\\"factor to be weighed by the truth finder in judging the seriousness and deliberateness\\\" of his comments. Chad\'s aspirations to not be held in a permanent vegetative condition were \\\"well-informed medical care decisions\\\" that should be respected.<a href=\\\"#_ftn16\\\">[16]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Some suggest that all states should allow minors to make some health care decisions, especially in stigmatized areas such as sexual health and drug addiction. <a href=\\\"#_ftn17\\\">[17]<\\/a> In California, children aged 12 and up will undergo sexually transmitted disease vaccinations without parental supervision. Hepatitis B vaccine may be given to children of any age without their parents\' consent in Minnesota. In Alabama, children ages 14 and up can consent to all healthcare services.<a href=\\\"#_ftn18\\\">[18]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>The situation in the Philippines \\u2013 Emancipation Laws<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Philippines has legislation for emancipation from parental authority. The age of eighteen years is the age of majority unless otherwise provided, and emancipation takes place in such event.<a href=\\\"#_ftn19\\\">[19]<\\/a> According to the law, \\u201cEmancipation shall terminate parental authority over the person and property of the child who shall then be qualified and responsible for all acts of civil life, save the exceptions established by existing laws in special cases.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn20\\\">[20]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Parental authority is also ingrained in our statutes. Article 17 of The Child and Youth Welfare Code states that \\u201cthe father and mother shall exercise jointly just and reasonable parental authority and responsibility for their legitimate or adopted children.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn21\\\">[21]<\\/a> In case of absence or death or either parent, the surviving parent shall exercise the parental authority. <a href=\\\"#_ftn22\\\">[22]<\\/a> \\u201cGrandparents and in their default, the oldest brother or sister who is at least eighteen years of age, or the relative who has actual custody of the child, shall exercise parental authority in case of absence or death of both parents unless a guardian has been appointed following the succeeding provision.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn23\\\">[23]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Code also provides in Chapter 2, Article 43 \\u00a0that \\u201cthe parents shall have the right to the company of their children and, concerning all other persons or institutions dealing with the child\'s development, the primary right and obligation to provide for their upbringing.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn24\\\">[24]<\\/a> The authority of parents\\/legal guardians are also strengthened by Article 209 of the Act: \\u201cUnder the natural right and duty of parents over the person and property of their unemancipated children, parental authority and responsibility shall include the caring for and rearing them for civic consciousness and efficiency and the development of their moral, mental and physical character and well-being.\\u201d <a href=\\\"#_ftn25\\\">[25]<\\/a> It cannot be renounced or transferred except in cases authorized by law. <a href=\\\"#_ftn26\\\">[26]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Parental authority terminates permanently upon the death of the parents, upon the death of the child, or emancipation of the child. <a href=\\\"#_ftn27\\\">[27]<\\/a> Moreover, unless subsequently revived by final judgment, it is also terminated upon adoption of the child, upon judicial declaration of abandonment of the child in a case filed for the purpose, upon the final judgment of a competent court divesting the party concerned of parental authority, upon judicial declaration of absence or incapacity of the person exercising parental authority. <a href=\\\"#_ftn28\\\">[28]<\\/a> It can be suspended upon conviction of the parent or the person exercising the same of a crime which carries with it the penalty of civil interdiction, <a href=\\\"#_ftn29\\\">[29]<\\/a> or if they treat the child with excessive harshness or cruelty, gives the child corrupting orders, counsel, or example, compels the child to beg, or subjects the child or allows him to be subjected to acts of lasciviousness<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>Vaccine laws in the Philippines<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 There is a law mandating the basic immunization services for infants and children, or the An Act Providing For Mandatory Basic Immunization Services For Infants And Children, Repealing For The Purpose Presidential Decree No. 996, As Amended (Republic Act No. 10152). It is the policy of the State to take a proactive role in the preventive health care of infants and children, and through this legislation, the State wants to adopt a comprehensive, mandatory and sustainable immunization program for vaccine-preventable diseases for all infants and children.<a href=\\\"#_ftn30\\\">[30]<\\/a> This law covers the following vaccine-preventable diseases:<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:list {\\\"ordered\\\":true,\\\"type\\\":\\\"a\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<ol>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\n<ol>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\n<ol type=\\\"a\\\">\\n<li>Tuberculosis<\\/li>\\n<li>Diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis;<\\/li>\\n<li>Poliomyelitis;<\\/li>\\n<li>Measles;<\\/li>\\n<li>Mumps;<\\/li>\\n<li>Rubella or German measles;<\\/li>\\n<li>Hepatitis-B;<\\/li>\\n<li>H. Influenza type B (HIB); and<\\/li>\\n<li>Such other types may be determined by the Secretary of Health in a department circular.<\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<\\/li>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\u00a0<\\/li>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\u00a0<\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Such basic immunizations shall be given for free at any government hospital or health center to infants and children up to five (5) years of age.<a href=\\\"#_ftn31\\\">[31]<\\/a> R.A. 10152 also mandates that all health care practitioners or health care workers who are administering prenatal care shall educate all pregnant mothers on the importance of giving their infants the basic immunization services as well as any possible effects of immunization and that the Department of Health (DOH) and other government and private sectors shall make available appropriate information materials and shall have a system of its distribution to the public.<a href=\\\"#_ftn32\\\">[32]<\\/a> One of the important provisions is Section 5 which provides that any physician, nurse, midwife, nursing aide or skilled birth attendant, who delivers, or assists in the delivery of, a newborn shall, before delivery, inform parents or legal guardian of the newborn of the availability, nature, and benefits of immunization against Hepatitis-B and other vaccine-preventable diseases at birth.<a href=\\\"#_ftn33\\\">[33]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 However, Secretary to the Cabinet Karlo Nograles said that \\u201cthe government could neither force parents to have their children vaccinated nor punish them if they have not.\\u201d He said that \\u201cRA 10152 does not have any penal provisions and does not punish parents who do not have their children vaccinated, unlike the Presidential Decree (PD) it replaced. Under PD 996, it was the duty of parents or those having custody of the child to see to it that the child is immunized. Those who did not could be punished with a P200 fine or one-month imprisonment\\u201d <a href=\\\"#_ftn34\\\">[34]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 With the advent of R.A. 11166 or the Philippine HIV and AIDS Policy Act, the threshold of consent for the screening, voluntary testing, and treatment for human immunodeficiency virus infection, was lowered to fifteen years of age\\u2014 a characterization of the mature minor doctrine. It requires the assent of the child below 15 years old or those mentally incapacitated, if capacity to assent exists, in order to avail of voluntary testing and protect its interests.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 As seen from the aforementioned laws, just like at the federal level of the US, there is a vacuum in terms of parental consent for vaccination of minors in the Philippines.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>Philippine laws: parental consent for medical treatments<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 A doctor-patient relationship is a form of contract. It is an elementary principle that one of the elements of a contract is consent. The person giving consent must be of legal age (18 years of age, unless otherwise provided) and mentally and physically competent. As the legal guardians, parents are the persons who must sign the consent forms.<a href=\\\"#_ftn35\\\">[35]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Article 1327 of the Civil Code provides the persons who cannot give consent to a contract: unemancipated minors and insane or demented persons, and deaf-mutes who do not know how to write. <a href=\\\"#_ftn36\\\">[36]<\\/a> The Civil Code does not define who can consent to a contract, rather, it defines who has no capacity. These persons can easily be victims of fraud as they are not capable of understanding or knowing the nature of their actions, thus they can only enter into an agreement or contracts through their parents or their legal guardians.<a href=\\\"#_ftn37\\\">[37]<\\/a> The contract they have entered is voidable, meaning it is valid and binding until it is annulled by a proper action in court.<a href=\\\"#_ftn38\\\">[38]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In the medical field, there is the right to informed consent, \\u00a0a legal right recognized and protected by law and jurisprudence. The patient has the right to choose openly whether or not to consent to care after being adequately advised by the specialist about the complications and benefits of the recommended treatment, as well as the viable treatment alternatives, including the possibility of no treatment.<a href=\\\"#_ftn39\\\">[39]<\\/a> It is further drawn as a legal concept, where a person can be said, \\u201cto have given consent based upon a clear appreciation and understanding of the facts, implications, and future consequences of an action.\\u201d He must have adequate reasoning faculties and knows all relevant facts at the time consent is given. If a person cannot give informed consent, say a child, another person is generally authorized to give consent on their behalf, in this case, his parents or legal guardian\\/s. <a href=\\\"#_ftn40\\\">[40]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The key elements of informed consent, according to Tejam of Asia Pacific Journal of Pediatrics and Child Health are disclosure of information, assessment of the decision maker\\u2019s capacity to make medical choices, and process of obtaining consent in the form of a voluntary agreement from the patient without coercion or persuasion. In pediatrics, it comes from the parent or legal guardian. Per the best interests standard, parents are regarded to be in the best position to determine their child\\u2019s best interest because parental decision aims to maximize benefits for their children while minimizing harm. However, the determination of what is in children\\u2019s best interest is often subjective and debatable. While written or verbal informed parental consent may be enough for ethical and legal purposes, but it does not meet the necessities of the ethical concept of informed concept. <a href=\\\"#_ftn41\\\">[41]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The purpose of informed consent and the strict guidelines surrounding this concept is the respect for autonomy, which includes the liberty of the patient, defined as \\u201cthe capacity to live life according to one\'s reasons and motives and agency \\u2026[or] rational capacity for intentional action.\\u201d This principle served as one of the pillars in resolving ethical dilemmas.<a href=\\\"#_ftn42\\\">[42]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>Legal consequences of letting Filipino adolescents make vaccine related medical decisions<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Suppose the teen suffered injuries because of the vaccine<a href=\\\"#_ftn43\\\">[43]<\\/a> and the parents want to file a suit against the physician who administered the vaccine. Here are some of the laws that are usually invoked in a medical malpractice suit.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><em>Medical malpractice<\\/em> is defined by Bellosillo, et al (2010) as:<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<blockquote>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u201cAny professional misconduct, or bad skillful practice, or any practice contrary to law or established rules and regulations whereby the health of a person is injured because of failure of a physician to behave or act as a reasonable, prudent physician who is charged with a duty to use a standard of due care and to foresee harm that may result from failure to meet such standard which may be the proximate cause of injury. It ordinarily refers to any malfeasance or dereliction of duty committed by a physician.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn44\\\">[44]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<\\/blockquote>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>The elements of medical malpractice, as enunciated in the case of <em>Lucas vs Tua\\u00f1o, <\\/em>(2009), are:<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:list {\\\"ordered\\\":true,\\\"type\\\":\\\"1\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<ol>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\n<ol>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\n<ol type=\\\"1\\\">\\n<li>A patient engages the services of a physician whereby a physician-patient relationship is generated<\\/li>\\n<li>A physician is under a duty to [the former] to exercise that degree of care, skill, and diligence which physicians in the same general neighborhood and the same general line of practice ordinarily possess and exercise in like cases<\\/li>\\n<li>There is a breach of duty of care, skill, and diligence, or the improper performance of such duty, by the attending physician when the patient is injured in body or health<\\/li>\\n<li>Proof of such breach must likewise rest upon the testimony of an expert witness that the treatment accorded to the patient failed to meet the standard level of care, skill, and diligence which physicians in the same general neighborhood and the same general line of practice ordinarily possess and exercise in like cases.<\\/li>\\n<li>The proximate cause of an injury is that cause, which, in the natural and continuous sequence, unbroken by any efficient intervening cause, produces the injury, and without which the result would not have occurred<a href=\\\"#_ftn45\\\">[45]<\\/a><\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<div>\\u00a0<\\/div>\\n<\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 With these elements present, the physician can be held liable for negligence which is a tort liability. Negligence is defined as \\u201cthe doing of some act which a reasonable and prudent physician would not do, or the failure to do some act which such a person should or would do.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn46\\\">[46]<\\/a> While it is true that physicians are not required to possess extraordinary learning and skill, however, they must keep abreast with medical developments and techniques and must refrain from experimenting. <a href=\\\"#_ftn47\\\">[47]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In terms of evidence, the patient must prove that the health care provider failed to do something which a reasonably prudent health care provider would have done, or that he or she did something that a reasonably prudent provider would not have done; and that that failure or action caused injury to the patient. <a href=\\\"#_ftn48\\\">[48]<\\/a> The injured minor or his parents\\/legal guardian can recover financial damages (actual damages for the pecuniary loss suffered by a party, and moral damages, for the physical suffering and\\/or mental anguish, fright, shock, etc.). <a href=\\\"#_ftn49\\\">[49]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 He can also be held criminally liable<a href=\\\"#_ftn50\\\">[50]<\\/a>. Under the Revised Penal Code (RPC), he can be liable for the crime of administering injurious substances or beverages. The elements are:<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:list {\\\"ordered\\\":true,\\\"type\\\":\\\"1\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<ol>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\n<ol>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\n<ol type=\\\"1\\\">\\n<li>The offender in\\ufb02icted upon another any serious physical injury;<\\/li>\\n<li>That it was done by knowingly administering to him any injurious substances or beverages or by taking advantage of his weakness of mind or credulity;<\\/li>\\n<li>That he had no intent to kill. <a href=\\\"#_ftn51\\\">[51]<\\/a><\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<div>\\u00a0<\\/div>\\n<\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 He can also be made liable for Physical Injuries<a href=\\\"#_ftn52\\\">[52]<\\/a> and for Reckless Imprudence (quasi-offense). Reckless imprudence, as defined in Article 365 of RPC, \\u201cconsists in voluntarily, but without malice, doing or failing to do an act from which material damage results because of inexcusable lack of precaution on the part of the person performing or failing to perform such act, taking into consideration his employment or occupation, degree of intelligence, physical condition and other circumstances regarding persons, time and place.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn53\\\">[53]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 On the other end, the medical practitioner can take shelter on legal doctrines to save themselves from liability. The first is the <em>doctrine of foreseeability<\\/em>, which provides that:<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<blockquote>\\n<p>\\u201cA physician cannot be held liable for negligence if the injury sustained by a patient is on account of unforeseen conditions. But, a physician who fails to ascertain the condition of the patient for want of the requisite skills and training is answerable for the injury sustained by the patient if an injury resulted thereto. Such foreseeable injury may be ascertained from the history, physical examination, observation and from information gathered from another member of the family.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn54\\\">[54]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<\\/blockquote>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 He can also avoid liability by invoking the defense of accident, that is, an event which happens without any human agency or, if happening through human agency, an event which, under the circumstances, is unusual to and not expected by the person to whom it happened.<a href=\\\"#_ftn55\\\">[55]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>Practical Consequences \\u2013 Risks of letting minors make health care decisions<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 David DeLugas, executive director of the National Association of Parents (U.S.), said that letting minors make health care decisions in lieu of their parents may introduce conflict into families. He does not think states should upset the parent-child relationship by taking power from the parents and transferring it to the children.<a href=\\\"#_ftn56\\\">[56]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Grootens-Wiegers, et al. also noted that there is no general agreement as to which age is appropriate for minors to be considered competent for informed decision-making. Some studies suggest that it is at 9 years old, some studies suggest that it is ages of 14 or 15. Minors of the same age may have a different level of maturity. Young children, who exhibited an adequate aptitude for decision-making in a certain situation, can lack ample ability in another.<a href=\\\"#_ftn57\\\">[57]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 They also discussed that adolescence is a period when various health issues and increased risks appear. Teenagers experience changes in diet and tend to explore vices such as tobacco and substance abuse. The increase in mortality is attributed to decision-making being affected by risky behavior, sensation seeking, and peer influences. The increased risk can also be attributed to lower cognitive control because of the developing brain in adolescence, especially the brain\\u2019s reward system combined with late development of the control system which decreases decision-making competence. Since the maturity of adolescence varies from one child to another, the practice can be very unpredictable.<a href=\\\"#_ftn58\\\">[58]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 However, good practical outcomes can also come with the idea of minors making medical decisions for themselves, especially for vaccines. Assent from minors aged seven years and above can improve moral growth and develop autonomy. It can even encourage them to comply with the medical treatment and allow them to express their interests in such endeavor. It offers a chance to contribute to their healthcare and provide an honest and open relationship between the family and medical service team.<a href=\\\"#_ftn59\\\">[59]<\\/a> Children will no longer be obligated to keep quiet for the sake of their parents. It also ensures that a child\'s unanswered questions, unresolved worries, or desire to be acknowledged are treated as legitimate and rational issues that matter in the child\'s world, rather than being dismissed as complete nonsense. <a href=\\\"#_ftn60\\\">[60]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>Recommendation<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 With the positive and negative outcomes analyzed, the recommendations are set forth to guide future legislators and policymakers and to help outweigh the negative effects.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:list --><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\n<ul>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\n<ul>\\n<li>The requirements of assent are: 1) properly informing patients about the issues at hand and what to expect; 2) assessment of their understanding; 3) soliciting agreement or acknowledgment of the decision.<a href=\\\"#_ftn61\\\">[61]<\\/a><\\/li>\\n<li>American Academy of Pediatrics said that assent should be obtained whenever reasonable, and that assent should only be obtained in situations in which the medical service team would be willing to honor, at least in part, a child\\u2019s dissent.<a href=\\\"#_ftn62\\\">[62]<\\/a><\\/li>\\n<li>Legislation should reflect the concept of <em>care ethics<\\/em> (\\u201cIndividuals do not exist in isolation but with others to\\u00a0 whom\\u00a0 they are emotionally or psychologically close,\\u00a0 such as parents,\\u00a0 siblings, and friends \\u201d). Medical professionals should educate a minor by generating information that can provide specific medical context that can be weighed and analyzed with perspectives offered by family and friends which can largely affect their thought processes. The legislation should also recognize the limitations of judgments of minors.<a href=\\\"#_ftn63\\\">[63]<\\/a><\\/li>\\n<li>The legislators should also limit the age bracket (ideally at the age of 14), and limit the vaccines to the recommended types that have been long proven to be effective by science (Ex. measles, polio, diphtheria, influenza) to minimize health risks.<\\/li>\\n<li>In the legislation, healthcare professionals, adolescent health care clinicians, public health personnel, medical organizations should be present and give their inputs.<a href=\\\"#_ftn64\\\">[64]<\\/a><\\/li>\\n<li>The legislators should frame the law in a way that reflects the thought that \\u201cparental consent should be considered a responsibility that supports the minor\'s best interests and preserves a family\'s interests, rather than a parent\'s right to express their own autonomous choices.\\u201d\\u00a0 Davis and Fang, in an article, said that \\u201c<em>Providers have to serve the pediatric patient\'s best interest and not necessarily the parents\' desires.<\\/em>\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn65\\\">[65]<\\/a><\\/li>\\n<li>For policy-making among healthcare professionals or even in the legislation itself, a set of protocols should be developed to serve as a guide to assess minor\\u2019s maturity and decision-making ability. Legal documentation guidelines should be executed to protect healthcare workers against a suit.<a href=\\\"#_ftn66\\\">[66]<\\/a><\\/li>\\n<li>Adolescent\\u2019s privacy should be reflected in the legislation and healthcare protocols. <a href=\\\"#_ftn67\\\">[67]<\\/a><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<div>\\u00a0<\\/div>\\n<\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>Conclusion<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Vaccines have greatly contributed in eradicating serious diseases that could have led to mortality or permanent disability. They are one of the scientific breakthroughs that are gravely misunderstood and often subjected to prejudicial preference. Time and again refused because of misinformation as well as cultural and religious differences. In the Philippines, there is a huge vacuum in emancipation laws for medical decisions for minors. Assuming that minors would be allowed to obtain a vaccine without parental consent, different positive outcomes could be factored, such as a decrease in disease statistics and empowerment in adolescence, while negative outlooks include increased risky behavior in minors because of their developing mental and physical structure, and the boosted risk of medical malpractice suits if ever the vaccine produces adverse effects in their body. Legislators should strive to include healthcare workers in developing legislation that would allow minors to get vaccines for themselves without parental permission, all while preserving the family harmony and the patient\\u2019s well-being, as well as knowing that this is about a patient\\u2019s health and not grandstanding parental authority.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>* Associate Research Editor, UST Law Review; freelance writer<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">[1]<\\/a>UNICEF Philippines, #VaccinesWork: UNICEF stresses importance of immunization on World Immunization Week, UNICEF Philippines, (January 31, 2021), https:\\/\\/www.unicef.org\\/philippines\\/press-releases\\/vaccineswork-unicef-stresses-importance-immunization-world-immunization-week<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a> Jenny Lei Ravelo, Another casualty of vaccine hesitancy: Philippines declares polio outbreak, (January 31, 2021), https:\\/\\/www.devex.com\\/news\\/another-casualty-of-vaccine-hesitancy-philippines-declares-polio-outbreak-95648<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a> Department of Health, Doh Identifies Vaccine Hesitancy as One of The Reasons For Measles Outbreak, Department of Health, (January 31, 2021), https:\\/\\/doh.gov.ph\\/node\\/16721<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[4]<\\/a> Id.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[5]<\\/a> World Health Organization, Revised SAGE recommendation on use of dengue vaccine, (Apil 19, 2018), https:\\/\\/www.who.int\\/immunization\\/diseases\\/dengue\\/revised_SAGE_recommendations_dengue_vaccines_apr2018\\/en\\/<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[6]<\\/a> Migrino, Jr J, Gayados B. Birol RJ, De Jesus L, Lopez CW, Mercado WC, et al. Factors affecting vaccine hesitancy among families with children 2 years old and younger in two urban communities in Manila, Philippines. Western Pac Surveill Response J. 2020 Jun; 10(2). doi: 10.5365\\/wpsar.2019.10.2.006<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\">[7]<\\/a> Kelly Danielpour, Commentary: Why all 50 states need to allow teens to get vaccinated without parental consent, Los Angeles Times, (Nov. 19, 2020), https:\\/\\/journaltimes.com\\/news\\/commentary-why-all-50-states-need-to-allow-teens-to-get-vaccinated-without-parental-consent\\/article_264a2b69-0924-5c08-aabd-fb79fa5deec4.html<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\">[8]<\\/a> Id.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\">[9]<\\/a> Michael Ollove, Teens of \\u2018Anti-Vaxxers\\u2019 Can Get Their Own Vaccines, Some States Say, Stateline, (June 24, 2019), https:\\/\\/www.pewtrusts.org\\/en\\/research-and-analysis\\/blogs\\/stateline\\/2019\\/06\\/24\\/teens-of-anti-vaxxers-can-get-their-own-vaccines-some-states-say<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\">[10]<\\/a> Kelly Danielpour, Commentary: Why all 50 states need to allow teens to get vaccinated without parental consent, Los Angeles Times, (Nov. 19, 2020), https:\\/\\/journaltimes.com\\/news\\/commentary-why-all-50-states-need-to-allow-teens-to-get-vaccinated-without-parental-consent\\/article_264a2b69-0924-5c08-aabd-fb79fa5deec4.html<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\">[11]<\\/a> Abigail English, Carol A. Ford, Jessica A. Kahn, Elyse Olshen Kharbanda, Adolescent Consent for Vaccination: A Position Paper of the Societyfor Adolescent Health and Medicine, 53 Journal of Adolescent Health, 550, 550-553, (2013)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref12\\\">[12]<\\/a> Michael Davis & Andrea Fang, Emancipated Minor, StatPearls Publishing LLC, (May 19, 2020), https:\\/\\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\\/books\\/NBK554594\\/<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref13\\\">[13]<\\/a> Id.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref14\\\">[14]<\\/a> Abigail English, Carol A. Ford, Jessica A. Kahn, Elyse Olshen Kharbanda, Adolescent Consent for Vaccination: A Position Paper of the Societyfor Adolescent Health and Medicine, 53 Journal of Adolescent Health, 550, 552, (2013)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref15\\\">[15]<\\/a> <em>In Re: Chad Eric Swan, <\\/em>569 A.2d 1202 (1990), decided January 23, 1990, opinion Issued February 15, 1990.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref16\\\">[16]<\\/a> Id.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref17\\\">[17]<\\/a> Michael Ollove, Teens of \\u2018Anti-Vaxxers\\u2019 Can Get Their Own Vaccines, Some States Say, Stateline, (June 24, 2019), https:\\/\\/www.pewtrusts.org\\/en\\/research-and-analysis\\/blogs\\/stateline\\/2019\\/06\\/24\\/teens-of-anti-vaxxers-can-get-their-own-vaccines-some-states-say<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref18\\\">[18]<\\/a> Mackenzie Bean, 9 states where minors can get vaccinated without parental consent, ASC COMMUNICATIONS 2021, (June 24, 2019), https:\\/\\/www.beckershospitalreview.com\\/quality\\/9-states-where-minors-can-get-vaccinated-without-parental-consent.html<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref19\\\">[19]<\\/a> An Act Lowering The Age Of Majority From Twenty-One To Eighteen Years, Amending For The Purpose Executive Order Numbered Two Hundred Nine, And For Other Purposes, Republic Act No. 6809, sec. 234 (1989)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref20\\\">[20]<\\/a> R.A. 386, sec. 236<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref21\\\">[21]<\\/a> The Child and Youth Welfare Code, Presidential Decree No. 603, art. 17 (1974)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref22\\\">[22]<\\/a>P.D. 603, art. 17<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref23\\\">[23]<\\/a> P.D. 603, art. 19 (1974)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref24\\\">[24]<\\/a> P.D. 603, art. 43 (1974)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref25\\\">[25]<\\/a> The Family Code of The Philippines, Executive Order No. 209, art. 209 (1988)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref26\\\">[26]<\\/a> E.O. 209, art. 210<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref27\\\">[27]<\\/a> E.O. 209, art. 228<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref28\\\">[28]<\\/a> E.O. 209, art. 229<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref29\\\">[29]<\\/a> E.O. 209, art. 230<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref30\\\">[30]<\\/a> An Act Providing For Mandatory Basic Immunization Services For Infants And Children, Repealing For The Purpose Presidential Decree No. 996, As Amended, Republic Act No. 10152, sec. 2 (2011)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref31\\\">[31]<\\/a> R.A. 10152, sec. 3<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref32\\\">[32]<\\/a> R.A. 10152, sec. 4<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref33\\\">[33]<\\/a> R.A. 10152, sec. 5<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref34\\\">[34]<\\/a> Sheila Crisostomo & Gilbert Bayoran, Mandatory immunization ordered, The Philippine Star, (Feb. 10, 2019), https:\\/\\/www.philstar.com\\/headlines\\/2019\\/02\\/10\\/1892465\\/mandatory-immunization-ordered<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref35\\\">[35]<\\/a> Josue N. Bellosillo, Bu C. Castro, Emmanuel LJ. Mapili, Albert D. Rebosa, Antonio D. Rebosa, Basics of Philippine Medical Jurisprudence and Ethics, p. 113, (2010 ed. Central Book Supply, 2010)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref36\\\">[36]<\\/a> An Act To Ordain And Institute The Civil Code Of The Philippines, Republic Act No. 386, art. 1327 (1950)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref37\\\">[37]<\\/a> Hector S. De Leon & Hector M. De Leon, Jr. The Law on Obligations and Contracts, p. 342-349, (Rex Printing Company, Inc., 2014)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref38\\\">[38]<\\/a> Id. at p. 431<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref39\\\">[39]<\\/a> Josue N. Bellosillo, Bu C. Castro, Emmanuel LJ. Mapili, Albert D. Rebosa, Antonio D. Rebosa, Basics of Philippine Medical Jurisprudence and Ethics, p. 113, (2010 ed. Central Book Supply, 2010)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref40\\\">[40]<\\/a> Id. at p. 412 (2010 ed. Central Book Supply, 2010)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref41\\\">[41]<\\/a> Cyrus Cesar R. Tejam, Clinical Pediatrics in the Philippines: Parental Assent and Consent, 2 Asia Pacific Journal of Pediatrics and Child Health, 27, 29 \\u00a0(2019)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref42\\\">[42]<\\/a> Id.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref43\\\">[43]<\\/a> An instance is when it is recommended that \\u201c<em>vaccines not be given during chemo or radiation treatments \\u2013 the only exception to this is the flu shot. This is mainly because vaccines need an immune system response to work, and you may not get an adequate response during cancer treatment<\\/em>.\\u201d \\u2013 American Cancer Society, Vaccinations and Flu Shots for People with Cancer: Should people with cancer get any vaccines? , American Cancer Society webpage, Inc. (2020), <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.cancer.org\\/treatment\\/treatments-and-side-effects\\/physical-side-effects\\/low-blood-counts\\/infections\\/vaccination-during-cancer-treatment.html\\\">https:\\/\\/www.cancer.org\\/treatment\\/treatments-and-side-effects\\/physical-side-effects\\/low-blood-counts\\/infections\\/vaccination-during-cancer-treatment.html<\\/a>. This should not be treated as a medical advice. It is always best to consult your physician.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref44\\\">[44]<\\/a> Josue N. Bellosillo, Bu C. Castro, Emmanuel LJ. Mapili, Albert D. Rebosa, Antonio D. Rebosa, Basics of Philippine Medical Jurisprudence and Ethics, p. 117 (2010 ed. Central Book Supply, 2010)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref45\\\">[45]<\\/a> <em>Lucas v. Tua\\u00f1o<\\/em>, 586 SCRA 173 (2009)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref46\\\">[46]<\\/a> Josue N. Bellosillo, Bu C. Castro, Emmanuel LJ. Mapili, Albert D. Rebosa, Antonio D. Rebosa, Basics of Philippine Medical Jurisprudence and Ethics, p. 131, (2010 ed. Central Book Supply, 2010)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref47\\\">[47]<\\/a> Id.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref48\\\">[48]<\\/a> Professional Services, Inc. v. Natividad and Enrique Agana, 542 Phil. 464, 481 (2007).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref49\\\">[49]<\\/a> Josue N. Bellosillo, Bu C. Castro, Emmanuel LJ. Mapili, Albert D. Rebosa, Antonio D. Rebosa, Basics of Philippine Medical Jurisprudence and Ethics, p. 59, (2010 ed. Central Book Supply, 2010)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref50\\\">[50]<\\/a> Id at 195<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref51\\\">[51]<\\/a> The Revised Penal Code, Act No. 3815, art. 264, (1930)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref52\\\">[52]<\\/a> Act No. 3815, art. 266, (1930)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref53\\\">[53]<\\/a> <em>Gonzaga v. People, <\\/em>G.R. No. 195671, January 21, 2015.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref54\\\">[54]<\\/a> Josue N. Bellosillo, Bu C. Castro, Emmanuel LJ. Mapili, Albert D. Rebosa, Antonio D. Rebosa, Basics of Philippine Medical Jurisprudence and Ethics, p. 154, (2010 ed. Central Book Supply, 2010)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref55\\\">[55]<\\/a> Id.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref56\\\">[56]<\\/a> Michael Ollove, Teens of \\u2018Anti-Vaxxers\\u2019 Can Get Their Own Vaccines, Some States Say, Stateline, (June 24, 2019), https:\\/\\/www.pewtrusts.org\\/en\\/research-and-analysis\\/blogs\\/stateline\\/2019\\/06\\/24\\/teens-of-anti-vaxxers-can-get-their-own-vaccines-some-states-say<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref57\\\">[57]<\\/a> Petronella Grootens-Wiegers,\\u00a0 Irma M. Hein, Jos M. van den Broek, & Martine C. de Vries, Medical decision-making in children and adolescents: developmental and neuroscientific aspects, BMC Pediatrics, 1, 2 (2017)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref58\\\">[58]<\\/a> Petronella Grootens-Wiegers,\\u00a0 Irma M. Hein, Jos M. van den Broek, & Martine C. de Vries, Medical decision-making in children and adolescents: developmental and neuroscientific aspects, BMC Pediatrics, 1, 6 (2017)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref59\\\">[59]<\\/a> Cyrus Cesar R. Tejam, Clinical Pediatrics in the Philippines: Parental Assent and Consent, 2 Asia Pacific Journal of Pediatrics and Child Health, 27, 29 (2019)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref60\\\">[60]<\\/a> Rebecca Babcock, Medical Decision-Making for Minors: Using Care Ethics to Empower Adolescents and Amend the Current Power Imbalances, 8 Asian Bioethics Review, 4, 13 (2016)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref61\\\">[61]<\\/a> Cyrus Cesar R. Tejam, Clinical Pediatrics in the Philippines: Parental Assent and Consent, 2 Asia Pacific Journal of Pediatrics and Child Health, 27, 29 (2019)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref62\\\">[62]<\\/a> Id at 27-33<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref63\\\">[63]<\\/a> Rebecca Babcock, Medical Decision-Making for Minors: Using Care Ethics to Empower Adolescents and Amend the Current Power Imbalances, 8 Asian Bioethics Review, 4, 13 (2016)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref64\\\">[64]<\\/a> Abigail English, Carol A. Ford, Jessica A. Kahn, Elyse Olshen Kharbanda, Adolescent Consent for Vaccination: A Position Paper of the Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine, 53 Journal of Adolescent Health, 550, 552, (2013)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref65\\\">[65]<\\/a> Michael Davis & Andrea Fang, Emancipated Minor, StatPearls Publishing LLC, (May 19, 2020), https:\\/\\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\\/books\\/NBK554594\\/<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref66\\\">[66]<\\/a> Id.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref67\\\">[67]<\\/a> Id.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>Featured Photo by <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/unsplash.com\\/@thenewmalcolm?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText\\\">Obi Onyeador<\\/a> on <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/unsplash.com\\/s\\/photos\\/vaccine-choice?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText\\\">Unsplash<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.15,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(3705,1275,'_thumbnail_id','1262'),(3706,1275,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(3707,1275,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(3708,1275,'_elementor_version','3.1.1'),(3709,1275,'_wp_page_template','default');
INSERT INTO `wp_postmeta` VALUES (3710,1275,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"3d1e02bb\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"4005cedf\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"6508c5f0\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><!-- wp:separator --><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"text-align: center;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\"><em><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">*<\\/a>This should not be treated as a medical advice. It is always best to consult your physician.<\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p style=\\\"text-align: right;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>By: Ashley Faye S. Cruz**<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 You are a 15-year-old high school kid lining up in an annual physical examination. The school physician asked if you were vaccinated when you were still a newborn. You answered in the negative, and the physician gave you flyers for free vaccines at the public health center. You went home and excitedly told your mother about this thing called \\u201cvaccine\\u201d and how it can help your immune system. Your mom, who believes in medical conspiracy theories, adamantly denied your request and pulled a litany of conspiracy theories taken from social media websites. Determined, you went to the public health center, but the nurse denied you a free vaccine because there needs parental consent.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 It is very alarming that the Philippines could have avoided diseases by a simple vaccine trip to the nearest pediatrician. United Nations International Children\'s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) reported that as of 2019, an estimated 2.9 million Filipino children remain unvaccinated and remain vulnerable to serious diseases such as rubella and polio. <a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\">[1]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 World Health Organization (WHO) representative Rabindra Abeyasinghe said that to halt the proliferation of disease in the country, 95% need to be vaccinated<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\">[2]<\\/a>. Notwithstanding the availability of free vaccines at public health centers, many parents still refuse to vaccinate their children. Parents have the \\u201cvaccine hesitancy\\u201d, which is the delay in acceptance or refusal of vaccines despite the availability of vaccination services.<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\">[3]<\\/a> Studies have identified several factors that have caused the loss of public confidence in vaccine, though the recommended vaccines are long proven to be effective.<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\">[4]<\\/a> Among these are the following:<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:list {\\\"ordered\\\":true,\\\"type\\\":\\\"1\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<ol>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\n<ol type=\\\"1\\\">\\n<li>Dengvaxia controversy, where 10% of the 800,000 students who were immunized with a vaccine against Dengue known as Dengvaxia, but did not have a prior dengue infection, posed a higher risk of contracting severe Dengue<a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\">[5]<\\/a>;<\\/li>\\n<li>Circumstantial events surrounding vaccinations such as when parents attach significance to events such as sleep or behavioral patterns and birth timing;<\\/li>\\n<li>Over-reporting of adverse effects of immunization by mass media such as newspapers and television; and<\\/li>\\n<li>Social media also contributed to vaccine hesitancy, and parents tend to be more susceptible to media reports on the Internet.<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\">[6]<\\/a><\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<\\/li>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\u00a0<\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Parents who choose not to vaccinate their children endanger not only themselves but also everyone else as immunization rates fall too low for vaccine-preventable diseases. In the school year before the COVID-19 outbreak in the United States (U.S.), the rate of childhood vaccine exemptions claimed by parents rose in 40 of 49 states as reflected in the records. <a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\">[7]<\\/a> Dr. Arthur Caplan, founding director of the Division of Medical Ethics at New York University Langone Medical Center, said that \\u201c<em>Parents should not have the authority to subject their children to serious preventable harm<\\/em>\\u201d. <a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\">[8]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 However, there is a solution made by certain states in the U.S. to combat the ever-worsening disease statistics. Nine states allow minors to receive vaccinations without their parents\' permission. Four states allow adolescents to receive specific vaccines, while five states allow minors to consent to any healthcare. <a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\">[9]<\\/a> The American Medical Association and the Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine and other medical organizations, strongly support laws allowing older minors to self-consent to vaccinations. Granting teenagers this right is essential to stemming the spread of diseases, whether they are newly emerging like COVID-19 or have faded from the news.<a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\">[10]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 English, et al., of the Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine, stated in their position paper <em>Adolescent Consent for Vaccination: A Position Paper of the Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine<\\/em>, that adolescent vaccines allow the enhancement of adolescent and adult health. Approaches to boost the proportion of adolescents who receive vaccines will be essential to assure that adolescent vaccination will lead to developments in the health of populations. Within ethical and legal guidelines, it will be important to develop policies and strategies that expand opportunities for minors to receive vaccinations when parents are not physically present.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\">[11]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The U.S. laws on emancipation from parental authority vary from state to state. For instance, some states adopt the \\u201cmature minor\\u201d doctrine. The mature minor doctrine legally recognizes the medical decision-making capacity of adolescents, even though they are still minors under parental or legal guardian control. They are usually 12 years old or older, and they are required to demonstrate adequate cognitive maturity and capacity to understand the risks of medical evaluations and treatments. Some other states allow this practice but its application is restricted only on the grounds of parental availability and sensitive clinical situations.<a href=\\\"#_ftn12\\\">[12]<\\/a> They also allow medical service without parental consent in times of emergency. Other medical services that are available to adolescents that do not need parental consent are rape or sexual assault services, contraception services. sexually transmitted infections, prenatal care, abortion, pediatric care for children of minors, substance use disorder treatment, and mental health treatment. <a href=\\\"#_ftn13\\\">[13]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>Federal law of the U.S, does not contain any requirements for parent\\u2019s consent for vaccination of minors. As an exception, the mature minor doctrine which developed from jurisprudence provides an avenue for minors to obtain vaccines for themselves, as long as the patient can give informed consent, the treatment is not high risk, and is provided in a nonnegligent manner.<a href=\\\"#_ftn14\\\">[14]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 To illustrate, in the case of <em>In Re: Swan<\\/em>, Maine Supreme Judicial Court addressed the issue of discontinuing the treatment of minor patient in a chronic vegetative state with little hope of recovery, specifically that the medical decision maker here is the minor patient himself. Chad had an accident which rendered him needing a life-sustaining procedure included a gastrostomy tube that provided hydration and nutrients to his body. Chad\'s mother and brother said that prior to his accident, Chad told them that he did not want to be held alive by artificial means if an injury rendered him incapable of existing otherwise. The tube eventually deteriorated and made his condition worse. Chad\\u2019s parents acquiesced to his wishes.<a href=\\\"#_ftn15\\\">[15]<\\/a> The District Attorney contended that Chad\'s ability to refuse medical care was \\\"significantly limited\\\" since he was under the legal age of majority when he articulated his wishes. Maine Supreme Judicial Court opposed such contention, saying that Chad\'s age was only a \\\"factor to be weighed by the truth finder in judging the seriousness and deliberateness\\\" of his comments. Chad\'s aspirations to not be held in a permanent vegetative condition were \\\"well-informed medical care decisions\\\" that should be respected.<a href=\\\"#_ftn16\\\">[16]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Some suggest that all states should allow minors to make some health care decisions, especially in stigmatized areas such as sexual health and drug addiction. <a href=\\\"#_ftn17\\\">[17]<\\/a> In California, children aged 12 and up will undergo sexually transmitted disease vaccinations without parental supervision. Hepatitis B vaccine may be given to children of any age without their parents\' consent in Minnesota. In Alabama, children ages 14 and up can consent to all healthcare services.<a href=\\\"#_ftn18\\\">[18]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>The situation in the Philippines \\u2013 Emancipation Laws<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Philippines has legislation for emancipation from parental authority. The age of eighteen years is the age of majority unless otherwise provided, and emancipation takes place in such event.<a href=\\\"#_ftn19\\\">[19]<\\/a> According to the law, \\u201cEmancipation shall terminate parental authority over the person and property of the child who shall then be qualified and responsible for all acts of civil life, save the exceptions established by existing laws in special cases.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn20\\\">[20]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Parental authority is also ingrained in our statutes. Article 17 of The Child and Youth Welfare Code states that \\u201cthe father and mother shall exercise jointly just and reasonable parental authority and responsibility for their legitimate or adopted children.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn21\\\">[21]<\\/a> In case of absence or death or either parent, the surviving parent shall exercise the parental authority. <a href=\\\"#_ftn22\\\">[22]<\\/a> \\u201cGrandparents and in their default, the oldest brother or sister who is at least eighteen years of age, or the relative who has actual custody of the child, shall exercise parental authority in case of absence or death of both parents unless a guardian has been appointed following the succeeding provision.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn23\\\">[23]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Code also provides in Chapter 2, Article 43 \\u00a0that \\u201cthe parents shall have the right to the company of their children and, concerning all other persons or institutions dealing with the child\'s development, the primary right and obligation to provide for their upbringing.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn24\\\">[24]<\\/a> The authority of parents\\/legal guardians are also strengthened by Article 209 of the Act: \\u201cUnder the natural right and duty of parents over the person and property of their unemancipated children, parental authority and responsibility shall include the caring for and rearing them for civic consciousness and efficiency and the development of their moral, mental and physical character and well-being.\\u201d <a href=\\\"#_ftn25\\\">[25]<\\/a> It cannot be renounced or transferred except in cases authorized by law. <a href=\\\"#_ftn26\\\">[26]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Parental authority terminates permanently upon the death of the parents, upon the death of the child, or emancipation of the child. <a href=\\\"#_ftn27\\\">[27]<\\/a> Moreover, unless subsequently revived by final judgment, it is also terminated upon adoption of the child, upon judicial declaration of abandonment of the child in a case filed for the purpose, upon the final judgment of a competent court divesting the party concerned of parental authority, upon judicial declaration of absence or incapacity of the person exercising parental authority. <a href=\\\"#_ftn28\\\">[28]<\\/a> It can be suspended upon conviction of the parent or the person exercising the same of a crime which carries with it the penalty of civil interdiction, <a href=\\\"#_ftn29\\\">[29]<\\/a> or if they treat the child with excessive harshness or cruelty, gives the child corrupting orders, counsel, or example, compels the child to beg, or subjects the child or allows him to be subjected to acts of lasciviousness<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>Vaccine laws in the Philippines<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 There is a law mandating the basic immunization services for infants and children, or the An Act Providing For Mandatory Basic Immunization Services For Infants And Children, Repealing For The Purpose Presidential Decree No. 996, As Amended (Republic Act No. 10152). It is the policy of the State to take a proactive role in the preventive health care of infants and children, and through this legislation, the State wants to adopt a comprehensive, mandatory and sustainable immunization program for vaccine-preventable diseases for all infants and children.<a href=\\\"#_ftn30\\\">[30]<\\/a> This law covers the following vaccine-preventable diseases:<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:list {\\\"ordered\\\":true,\\\"type\\\":\\\"a\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<ol>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\n<ol>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\n<ol type=\\\"a\\\">\\n<li>Tuberculosis<\\/li>\\n<li>Diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis;<\\/li>\\n<li>Poliomyelitis;<\\/li>\\n<li>Measles;<\\/li>\\n<li>Mumps;<\\/li>\\n<li>Rubella or German measles;<\\/li>\\n<li>Hepatitis-B;<\\/li>\\n<li>H. Influenza type B (HIB); and<\\/li>\\n<li>Such other types may be determined by the Secretary of Health in a department circular.<\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<\\/li>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\u00a0<\\/li>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\u00a0<\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Such basic immunizations shall be given for free at any government hospital or health center to infants and children up to five (5) years of age.<a href=\\\"#_ftn31\\\">[31]<\\/a> R.A. 10152 also mandates that all health care practitioners or health care workers who are administering prenatal care shall educate all pregnant mothers on the importance of giving their infants the basic immunization services as well as any possible effects of immunization and that the Department of Health (DOH) and other government and private sectors shall make available appropriate information materials and shall have a system of its distribution to the public.<a href=\\\"#_ftn32\\\">[32]<\\/a> One of the important provisions is Section 5 which provides that any physician, nurse, midwife, nursing aide or skilled birth attendant, who delivers, or assists in the delivery of, a newborn shall, before delivery, inform parents or legal guardian of the newborn of the availability, nature, and benefits of immunization against Hepatitis-B and other vaccine-preventable diseases at birth.<a href=\\\"#_ftn33\\\">[33]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 However, Secretary to the Cabinet Karlo Nograles said that \\u201cthe government could neither force parents to have their children vaccinated nor punish them if they have not.\\u201d He said that \\u201cRA 10152 does not have any penal provisions and does not punish parents who do not have their children vaccinated, unlike the Presidential Decree (PD) it replaced. Under PD 996, it was the duty of parents or those having custody of the child to see to it that the child is immunized. Those who did not could be punished with a P200 fine or one-month imprisonment\\u201d <a href=\\\"#_ftn34\\\">[34]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 With the advent of R.A. 11166 or the Philippine HIV and AIDS Policy Act, the threshold of consent for the screening, voluntary testing, and treatment for human immunodeficiency virus infection, was lowered to fifteen years of age\\u2014 a characterization of the mature minor doctrine. It requires the assent of the child below 15 years old or those mentally incapacitated, if capacity to assent exists, in order to avail of voluntary testing and protect its interests.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 As seen from the aforementioned laws, just like at the federal level of the US, there is a vacuum in terms of parental consent for vaccination of minors in the Philippines.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>Philippine laws: parental consent for medical treatments<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 A doctor-patient relationship is a form of contract. It is an elementary principle that one of the elements of a contract is consent. The person giving consent must be of legal age (18 years of age, unless otherwise provided) and mentally and physically competent. As the legal guardians, parents are the persons who must sign the consent forms.<a href=\\\"#_ftn35\\\">[35]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Article 1327 of the Civil Code provides the persons who cannot give consent to a contract: unemancipated minors and insane or demented persons, and deaf-mutes who do not know how to write. <a href=\\\"#_ftn36\\\">[36]<\\/a> The Civil Code does not define who can consent to a contract, rather, it defines who has no capacity. These persons can easily be victims of fraud as they are not capable of understanding or knowing the nature of their actions, thus they can only enter into an agreement or contracts through their parents or their legal guardians.<a href=\\\"#_ftn37\\\">[37]<\\/a> The contract they have entered is voidable, meaning it is valid and binding until it is annulled by a proper action in court.<a href=\\\"#_ftn38\\\">[38]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In the medical field, there is the right to informed consent, \\u00a0a legal right recognized and protected by law and jurisprudence. The patient has the right to choose openly whether or not to consent to care after being adequately advised by the specialist about the complications and benefits of the recommended treatment, as well as the viable treatment alternatives, including the possibility of no treatment.<a href=\\\"#_ftn39\\\">[39]<\\/a> It is further drawn as a legal concept, where a person can be said, \\u201cto have given consent based upon a clear appreciation and understanding of the facts, implications, and future consequences of an action.\\u201d He must have adequate reasoning faculties and knows all relevant facts at the time consent is given. If a person cannot give informed consent, say a child, another person is generally authorized to give consent on their behalf, in this case, his parents or legal guardian\\/s. <a href=\\\"#_ftn40\\\">[40]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The key elements of informed consent, according to Tejam of Asia Pacific Journal of Pediatrics and Child Health are disclosure of information, assessment of the decision maker\\u2019s capacity to make medical choices, and process of obtaining consent in the form of a voluntary agreement from the patient without coercion or persuasion. In pediatrics, it comes from the parent or legal guardian. Per the best interests standard, parents are regarded to be in the best position to determine their child\\u2019s best interest because parental decision aims to maximize benefits for their children while minimizing harm. However, the determination of what is in children\\u2019s best interest is often subjective and debatable. While written or verbal informed parental consent may be enough for ethical and legal purposes, but it does not meet the necessities of the ethical concept of informed concept. <a href=\\\"#_ftn41\\\">[41]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The purpose of informed consent and the strict guidelines surrounding this concept is the respect for autonomy, which includes the liberty of the patient, defined as \\u201cthe capacity to live life according to one\'s reasons and motives and agency \\u2026[or] rational capacity for intentional action.\\u201d This principle served as one of the pillars in resolving ethical dilemmas.<a href=\\\"#_ftn42\\\">[42]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>Legal consequences of letting Filipino adolescents make vaccine related medical decisions<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Suppose the teen suffered injuries because of the vaccine<a href=\\\"#_ftn43\\\">[43]<\\/a> and the parents want to file a suit against the physician who administered the vaccine. Here are some of the laws that are usually invoked in a medical malpractice suit.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><em>Medical malpractice<\\/em> is defined by Bellosillo, et al (2010) as:<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<blockquote>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u201cAny professional misconduct, or bad skillful practice, or any practice contrary to law or established rules and regulations whereby the health of a person is injured because of failure of a physician to behave or act as a reasonable, prudent physician who is charged with a duty to use a standard of due care and to foresee harm that may result from failure to meet such standard which may be the proximate cause of injury. It ordinarily refers to any malfeasance or dereliction of duty committed by a physician.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn44\\\">[44]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<\\/blockquote>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>The elements of medical malpractice, as enunciated in the case of <em>Lucas vs Tua\\u00f1o, <\\/em>(2009), are:<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:list {\\\"ordered\\\":true,\\\"type\\\":\\\"1\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<ol>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\n<ol>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\n<ol type=\\\"1\\\">\\n<li>A patient engages the services of a physician whereby a physician-patient relationship is generated<\\/li>\\n<li>A physician is under a duty to [the former] to exercise that degree of care, skill, and diligence which physicians in the same general neighborhood and the same general line of practice ordinarily possess and exercise in like cases<\\/li>\\n<li>There is a breach of duty of care, skill, and diligence, or the improper performance of such duty, by the attending physician when the patient is injured in body or health<\\/li>\\n<li>Proof of such breach must likewise rest upon the testimony of an expert witness that the treatment accorded to the patient failed to meet the standard level of care, skill, and diligence which physicians in the same general neighborhood and the same general line of practice ordinarily possess and exercise in like cases.<\\/li>\\n<li>The proximate cause of an injury is that cause, which, in the natural and continuous sequence, unbroken by any efficient intervening cause, produces the injury, and without which the result would not have occurred<a href=\\\"#_ftn45\\\">[45]<\\/a><\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<div>\\u00a0<\\/div>\\n<\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 With these elements present, the physician can be held liable for negligence which is a tort liability. Negligence is defined as \\u201cthe doing of some act which a reasonable and prudent physician would not do, or the failure to do some act which such a person should or would do.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn46\\\">[46]<\\/a> While it is true that physicians are not required to possess extraordinary learning and skill, however, they must keep abreast with medical developments and techniques and must refrain from experimenting. <a href=\\\"#_ftn47\\\">[47]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In terms of evidence, the patient must prove that the health care provider failed to do something which a reasonably prudent health care provider would have done, or that he or she did something that a reasonably prudent provider would not have done; and that that failure or action caused injury to the patient. <a href=\\\"#_ftn48\\\">[48]<\\/a> The injured minor or his parents\\/legal guardian can recover financial damages (actual damages for the pecuniary loss suffered by a party, and moral damages, for the physical suffering and\\/or mental anguish, fright, shock, etc.). <a href=\\\"#_ftn49\\\">[49]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 He can also be held criminally liable<a href=\\\"#_ftn50\\\">[50]<\\/a>. Under the Revised Penal Code (RPC), he can be liable for the crime of administering injurious substances or beverages. The elements are:<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:list {\\\"ordered\\\":true,\\\"type\\\":\\\"1\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<ol>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\n<ol>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\n<ol type=\\\"1\\\">\\n<li>The offender in\\ufb02icted upon another any serious physical injury;<\\/li>\\n<li>That it was done by knowingly administering to him any injurious substances or beverages or by taking advantage of his weakness of mind or credulity;<\\/li>\\n<li>That he had no intent to kill. <a href=\\\"#_ftn51\\\">[51]<\\/a><\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<div>\\u00a0<\\/div>\\n<\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 He can also be made liable for Physical Injuries<a href=\\\"#_ftn52\\\">[52]<\\/a> and for Reckless Imprudence (quasi-offense). Reckless imprudence, as defined in Article 365 of RPC, \\u201cconsists in voluntarily, but without malice, doing or failing to do an act from which material damage results because of inexcusable lack of precaution on the part of the person performing or failing to perform such act, taking into consideration his employment or occupation, degree of intelligence, physical condition and other circumstances regarding persons, time and place.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn53\\\">[53]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 On the other end, the medical practitioner can take shelter on legal doctrines to save themselves from liability. The first is the <em>doctrine of foreseeability<\\/em>, which provides that:<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<blockquote>\\n<p>\\u201cA physician cannot be held liable for negligence if the injury sustained by a patient is on account of unforeseen conditions. But, a physician who fails to ascertain the condition of the patient for want of the requisite skills and training is answerable for the injury sustained by the patient if an injury resulted thereto. Such foreseeable injury may be ascertained from the history, physical examination, observation and from information gathered from another member of the family.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn54\\\">[54]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<\\/blockquote>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 He can also avoid liability by invoking the defense of accident, that is, an event which happens without any human agency or, if happening through human agency, an event which, under the circumstances, is unusual to and not expected by the person to whom it happened.<a href=\\\"#_ftn55\\\">[55]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>Practical Consequences \\u2013 Risks of letting minors make health care decisions<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 David DeLugas, executive director of the National Association of Parents (U.S.), said that letting minors make health care decisions in lieu of their parents may introduce conflict into families. He does not think states should upset the parent-child relationship by taking power from the parents and transferring it to the children.<a href=\\\"#_ftn56\\\">[56]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Grootens-Wiegers, et al. also noted that there is no general agreement as to which age is appropriate for minors to be considered competent for informed decision-making. Some studies suggest that it is at 9 years old, some studies suggest that it is ages of 14 or 15. Minors of the same age may have a different level of maturity. Young children, who exhibited an adequate aptitude for decision-making in a certain situation, can lack ample ability in another.<a href=\\\"#_ftn57\\\">[57]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 They also discussed that adolescence is a period when various health issues and increased risks appear. Teenagers experience changes in diet and tend to explore vices such as tobacco and substance abuse. The increase in mortality is attributed to decision-making being affected by risky behavior, sensation seeking, and peer influences. The increased risk can also be attributed to lower cognitive control because of the developing brain in adolescence, especially the brain\\u2019s reward system combined with late development of the control system which decreases decision-making competence. Since the maturity of adolescence varies from one child to another, the practice can be very unpredictable.<a href=\\\"#_ftn58\\\">[58]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 However, good practical outcomes can also come with the idea of minors making medical decisions for themselves, especially for vaccines. Assent from minors aged seven years and above can improve moral growth and develop autonomy. It can even encourage them to comply with the medical treatment and allow them to express their interests in such endeavor. It offers a chance to contribute to their healthcare and provide an honest and open relationship between the family and medical service team.<a href=\\\"#_ftn59\\\">[59]<\\/a> Children will no longer be obligated to keep quiet for the sake of their parents. It also ensures that a child\'s unanswered questions, unresolved worries, or desire to be acknowledged are treated as legitimate and rational issues that matter in the child\'s world, rather than being dismissed as complete nonsense. <a href=\\\"#_ftn60\\\">[60]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>Recommendation<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 With the positive and negative outcomes analyzed, the recommendations are set forth to guide future legislators and policymakers and to help outweigh the negative effects.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:list --><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\n<ul>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\n<ul>\\n<li>The requirements of assent are: 1) properly informing patients about the issues at hand and what to expect; 2) assessment of their understanding; 3) soliciting agreement or acknowledgment of the decision.<a href=\\\"#_ftn61\\\">[61]<\\/a><\\/li>\\n<li>American Academy of Pediatrics said that assent should be obtained whenever reasonable, and that assent should only be obtained in situations in which the medical service team would be willing to honor, at least in part, a child\\u2019s dissent.<a href=\\\"#_ftn62\\\">[62]<\\/a><\\/li>\\n<li>Legislation should reflect the concept of <em>care ethics<\\/em> (\\u201cIndividuals do not exist in isolation but with others to\\u00a0 whom\\u00a0 they are emotionally or psychologically close,\\u00a0 such as parents,\\u00a0 siblings, and friends \\u201d). Medical professionals should educate a minor by generating information that can provide specific medical context that can be weighed and analyzed with perspectives offered by family and friends which can largely affect their thought processes. The legislation should also recognize the limitations of judgments of minors.<a href=\\\"#_ftn63\\\">[63]<\\/a><\\/li>\\n<li>The legislators should also limit the age bracket (ideally at the age of 14), and limit the vaccines to the recommended types that have been long proven to be effective by science (Ex. measles, polio, diphtheria, influenza) to minimize health risks.<\\/li>\\n<li>In the legislation, healthcare professionals, adolescent health care clinicians, public health personnel, medical organizations should be present and give their inputs.<a href=\\\"#_ftn64\\\">[64]<\\/a><\\/li>\\n<li>The legislators should frame the law in a way that reflects the thought that \\u201cparental consent should be considered a responsibility that supports the minor\'s best interests and preserves a family\'s interests, rather than a parent\'s right to express their own autonomous choices.\\u201d\\u00a0 Davis and Fang, in an article, said that \\u201c<em>Providers have to serve the pediatric patient\'s best interest and not necessarily the parents\' desires.<\\/em>\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn65\\\">[65]<\\/a><\\/li>\\n<li>For policy-making among healthcare professionals or even in the legislation itself, a set of protocols should be developed to serve as a guide to assess minor\\u2019s maturity and decision-making ability. Legal documentation guidelines should be executed to protect healthcare workers against a suit.<a href=\\\"#_ftn66\\\">[66]<\\/a><\\/li>\\n<li>Adolescent\\u2019s privacy should be reflected in the legislation and healthcare protocols. <a href=\\\"#_ftn67\\\">[67]<\\/a><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<div>\\u00a0<\\/div>\\n<\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>Conclusion<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Vaccines have greatly contributed in eradicating serious diseases that could have led to mortality or permanent disability. They are one of the scientific breakthroughs that are gravely misunderstood and often subjected to prejudicial preference. Time and again refused because of misinformation as well as cultural and religious differences. In the Philippines, there is a huge vacuum in emancipation laws for medical decisions for minors. Assuming that minors would be allowed to obtain a vaccine without parental consent, different positive outcomes could be factored, such as a decrease in disease statistics and empowerment in adolescence, while negative outlooks include increased risky behavior in minors because of their developing mental and physical structure, and the boosted risk of medical malpractice suits if ever the vaccine produces adverse effects in their body. Legislators should strive to include healthcare workers in developing legislation that would allow minors to get vaccines for themselves without parental permission, all while preserving the family harmony and the patient\\u2019s well-being, as well as knowing that this is about a patient\\u2019s health and not grandstanding parental authority.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>* Associate Research Editor, UST Law Review; freelance writer<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">[1]<\\/a>UNICEF Philippines, #VaccinesWork: UNICEF stresses importance of immunization on World Immunization Week, UNICEF Philippines, (January 31, 2021), https:\\/\\/www.unicef.org\\/philippines\\/press-releases\\/vaccineswork-unicef-stresses-importance-immunization-world-immunization-week<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a> Jenny Lei Ravelo, Another casualty of vaccine hesitancy: Philippines declares polio outbreak, (January 31, 2021), https:\\/\\/www.devex.com\\/news\\/another-casualty-of-vaccine-hesitancy-philippines-declares-polio-outbreak-95648<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a> Department of Health, Doh Identifies Vaccine Hesitancy as One of The Reasons For Measles Outbreak, Department of Health, (January 31, 2021), https:\\/\\/doh.gov.ph\\/node\\/16721<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[4]<\\/a> Id.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[5]<\\/a> World Health Organization, Revised SAGE recommendation on use of dengue vaccine, (Apil 19, 2018), https:\\/\\/www.who.int\\/immunization\\/diseases\\/dengue\\/revised_SAGE_recommendations_dengue_vaccines_apr2018\\/en\\/<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[6]<\\/a> Migrino, Jr J, Gayados B. Birol RJ, De Jesus L, Lopez CW, Mercado WC, et al. Factors affecting vaccine hesitancy among families with children 2 years old and younger in two urban communities in Manila, Philippines. Western Pac Surveill Response J. 2020 Jun; 10(2). doi: 10.5365\\/wpsar.2019.10.2.006<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\">[7]<\\/a> Kelly Danielpour, Commentary: Why all 50 states need to allow teens to get vaccinated without parental consent, Los Angeles Times, (Nov. 19, 2020), https:\\/\\/journaltimes.com\\/news\\/commentary-why-all-50-states-need-to-allow-teens-to-get-vaccinated-without-parental-consent\\/article_264a2b69-0924-5c08-aabd-fb79fa5deec4.html<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\">[8]<\\/a> Id.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\">[9]<\\/a> Michael Ollove, Teens of \\u2018Anti-Vaxxers\\u2019 Can Get Their Own Vaccines, Some States Say, Stateline, (June 24, 2019), https:\\/\\/www.pewtrusts.org\\/en\\/research-and-analysis\\/blogs\\/stateline\\/2019\\/06\\/24\\/teens-of-anti-vaxxers-can-get-their-own-vaccines-some-states-say<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\">[10]<\\/a> Kelly Danielpour, Commentary: Why all 50 states need to allow teens to get vaccinated without parental consent, Los Angeles Times, (Nov. 19, 2020), https:\\/\\/journaltimes.com\\/news\\/commentary-why-all-50-states-need-to-allow-teens-to-get-vaccinated-without-parental-consent\\/article_264a2b69-0924-5c08-aabd-fb79fa5deec4.html<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\">[11]<\\/a> Abigail English, Carol A. Ford, Jessica A. Kahn, Elyse Olshen Kharbanda, Adolescent Consent for Vaccination: A Position Paper of the Societyfor Adolescent Health and Medicine, 53 Journal of Adolescent Health, 550, 550-553, (2013)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref12\\\">[12]<\\/a> Michael Davis & Andrea Fang, Emancipated Minor, StatPearls Publishing LLC, (May 19, 2020), https:\\/\\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\\/books\\/NBK554594\\/<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref13\\\">[13]<\\/a> Id.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref14\\\">[14]<\\/a> Abigail English, Carol A. Ford, Jessica A. Kahn, Elyse Olshen Kharbanda, Adolescent Consent for Vaccination: A Position Paper of the Societyfor Adolescent Health and Medicine, 53 Journal of Adolescent Health, 550, 552, (2013)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref15\\\">[15]<\\/a> <em>In Re: Chad Eric Swan, <\\/em>569 A.2d 1202 (1990), decided January 23, 1990, opinion Issued February 15, 1990.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref16\\\">[16]<\\/a> Id.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref17\\\">[17]<\\/a> Michael Ollove, Teens of \\u2018Anti-Vaxxers\\u2019 Can Get Their Own Vaccines, Some States Say, Stateline, (June 24, 2019), https:\\/\\/www.pewtrusts.org\\/en\\/research-and-analysis\\/blogs\\/stateline\\/2019\\/06\\/24\\/teens-of-anti-vaxxers-can-get-their-own-vaccines-some-states-say<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref18\\\">[18]<\\/a> Mackenzie Bean, 9 states where minors can get vaccinated without parental consent, ASC COMMUNICATIONS 2021, (June 24, 2019), https:\\/\\/www.beckershospitalreview.com\\/quality\\/9-states-where-minors-can-get-vaccinated-without-parental-consent.html<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref19\\\">[19]<\\/a> An Act Lowering The Age Of Majority From Twenty-One To Eighteen Years, Amending For The Purpose Executive Order Numbered Two Hundred Nine, And For Other Purposes, Republic Act No. 6809, sec. 234 (1989)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref20\\\">[20]<\\/a> R.A. 386, sec. 236<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref21\\\">[21]<\\/a> The Child and Youth Welfare Code, Presidential Decree No. 603, art. 17 (1974)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref22\\\">[22]<\\/a>P.D. 603, art. 17<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref23\\\">[23]<\\/a> P.D. 603, art. 19 (1974)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref24\\\">[24]<\\/a> P.D. 603, art. 43 (1974)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref25\\\">[25]<\\/a> The Family Code of The Philippines, Executive Order No. 209, art. 209 (1988)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref26\\\">[26]<\\/a> E.O. 209, art. 210<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref27\\\">[27]<\\/a> E.O. 209, art. 228<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref28\\\">[28]<\\/a> E.O. 209, art. 229<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref29\\\">[29]<\\/a> E.O. 209, art. 230<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref30\\\">[30]<\\/a> An Act Providing For Mandatory Basic Immunization Services For Infants And Children, Repealing For The Purpose Presidential Decree No. 996, As Amended, Republic Act No. 10152, sec. 2 (2011)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref31\\\">[31]<\\/a> R.A. 10152, sec. 3<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref32\\\">[32]<\\/a> R.A. 10152, sec. 4<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref33\\\">[33]<\\/a> R.A. 10152, sec. 5<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref34\\\">[34]<\\/a> Sheila Crisostomo & Gilbert Bayoran, Mandatory immunization ordered, The Philippine Star, (Feb. 10, 2019), https:\\/\\/www.philstar.com\\/headlines\\/2019\\/02\\/10\\/1892465\\/mandatory-immunization-ordered<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref35\\\">[35]<\\/a> Josue N. Bellosillo, Bu C. Castro, Emmanuel LJ. Mapili, Albert D. Rebosa, Antonio D. Rebosa, Basics of Philippine Medical Jurisprudence and Ethics, p. 113, (2010 ed. Central Book Supply, 2010)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref36\\\">[36]<\\/a> An Act To Ordain And Institute The Civil Code Of The Philippines, Republic Act No. 386, art. 1327 (1950)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref37\\\">[37]<\\/a> Hector S. De Leon & Hector M. De Leon, Jr. The Law on Obligations and Contracts, p. 342-349, (Rex Printing Company, Inc., 2014)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref38\\\">[38]<\\/a> Id. at p. 431<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref39\\\">[39]<\\/a> Josue N. Bellosillo, Bu C. Castro, Emmanuel LJ. Mapili, Albert D. Rebosa, Antonio D. Rebosa, Basics of Philippine Medical Jurisprudence and Ethics, p. 113, (2010 ed. Central Book Supply, 2010)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref40\\\">[40]<\\/a> Id. at p. 412 (2010 ed. Central Book Supply, 2010)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref41\\\">[41]<\\/a> Cyrus Cesar R. Tejam, Clinical Pediatrics in the Philippines: Parental Assent and Consent, 2 Asia Pacific Journal of Pediatrics and Child Health, 27, 29 \\u00a0(2019)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref42\\\">[42]<\\/a> Id.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref43\\\">[43]<\\/a> An instance is when it is recommended that \\u201c<em>vaccines not be given during chemo or radiation treatments \\u2013 the only exception to this is the flu shot. This is mainly because vaccines need an immune system response to work, and you may not get an adequate response during cancer treatment<\\/em>.\\u201d \\u2013 American Cancer Society, Vaccinations and Flu Shots for People with Cancer: Should people with cancer get any vaccines? , American Cancer Society webpage, Inc. (2020), <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.cancer.org\\/treatment\\/treatments-and-side-effects\\/physical-side-effects\\/low-blood-counts\\/infections\\/vaccination-during-cancer-treatment.html\\\">https:\\/\\/www.cancer.org\\/treatment\\/treatments-and-side-effects\\/physical-side-effects\\/low-blood-counts\\/infections\\/vaccination-during-cancer-treatment.html<\\/a>. This should not be treated as a medical advice. It is always best to consult your physician.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref44\\\">[44]<\\/a> Josue N. Bellosillo, Bu C. Castro, Emmanuel LJ. Mapili, Albert D. Rebosa, Antonio D. Rebosa, Basics of Philippine Medical Jurisprudence and Ethics, p. 117 (2010 ed. Central Book Supply, 2010)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref45\\\">[45]<\\/a> <em>Lucas v. Tua\\u00f1o<\\/em>, 586 SCRA 173 (2009)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref46\\\">[46]<\\/a> Josue N. Bellosillo, Bu C. Castro, Emmanuel LJ. Mapili, Albert D. Rebosa, Antonio D. Rebosa, Basics of Philippine Medical Jurisprudence and Ethics, p. 131, (2010 ed. Central Book Supply, 2010)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref47\\\">[47]<\\/a> Id.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref48\\\">[48]<\\/a> Professional Services, Inc. v. Natividad and Enrique Agana, 542 Phil. 464, 481 (2007).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref49\\\">[49]<\\/a> Josue N. Bellosillo, Bu C. Castro, Emmanuel LJ. Mapili, Albert D. Rebosa, Antonio D. Rebosa, Basics of Philippine Medical Jurisprudence and Ethics, p. 59, (2010 ed. Central Book Supply, 2010)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref50\\\">[50]<\\/a> Id at 195<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref51\\\">[51]<\\/a> The Revised Penal Code, Act No. 3815, art. 264, (1930)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref52\\\">[52]<\\/a> Act No. 3815, art. 266, (1930)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref53\\\">[53]<\\/a> <em>Gonzaga v. People, <\\/em>G.R. No. 195671, January 21, 2015.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref54\\\">[54]<\\/a> Josue N. Bellosillo, Bu C. Castro, Emmanuel LJ. Mapili, Albert D. Rebosa, Antonio D. Rebosa, Basics of Philippine Medical Jurisprudence and Ethics, p. 154, (2010 ed. Central Book Supply, 2010)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref55\\\">[55]<\\/a> Id.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref56\\\">[56]<\\/a> Michael Ollove, Teens of \\u2018Anti-Vaxxers\\u2019 Can Get Their Own Vaccines, Some States Say, Stateline, (June 24, 2019), https:\\/\\/www.pewtrusts.org\\/en\\/research-and-analysis\\/blogs\\/stateline\\/2019\\/06\\/24\\/teens-of-anti-vaxxers-can-get-their-own-vaccines-some-states-say<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref57\\\">[57]<\\/a> Petronella Grootens-Wiegers,\\u00a0 Irma M. Hein, Jos M. van den Broek, & Martine C. de Vries, Medical decision-making in children and adolescents: developmental and neuroscientific aspects, BMC Pediatrics, 1, 2 (2017)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref58\\\">[58]<\\/a> Petronella Grootens-Wiegers,\\u00a0 Irma M. Hein, Jos M. van den Broek, & Martine C. de Vries, Medical decision-making in children and adolescents: developmental and neuroscientific aspects, BMC Pediatrics, 1, 6 (2017)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref59\\\">[59]<\\/a> Cyrus Cesar R. Tejam, Clinical Pediatrics in the Philippines: Parental Assent and Consent, 2 Asia Pacific Journal of Pediatrics and Child Health, 27, 29 (2019)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref60\\\">[60]<\\/a> Rebecca Babcock, Medical Decision-Making for Minors: Using Care Ethics to Empower Adolescents and Amend the Current Power Imbalances, 8 Asian Bioethics Review, 4, 13 (2016)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref61\\\">[61]<\\/a> Cyrus Cesar R. Tejam, Clinical Pediatrics in the Philippines: Parental Assent and Consent, 2 Asia Pacific Journal of Pediatrics and Child Health, 27, 29 (2019)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref62\\\">[62]<\\/a> Id at 27-33<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref63\\\">[63]<\\/a> Rebecca Babcock, Medical Decision-Making for Minors: Using Care Ethics to Empower Adolescents and Amend the Current Power Imbalances, 8 Asian Bioethics Review, 4, 13 (2016)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref64\\\">[64]<\\/a> Abigail English, Carol A. Ford, Jessica A. Kahn, Elyse Olshen Kharbanda, Adolescent Consent for Vaccination: A Position Paper of the Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine, 53 Journal of Adolescent Health, 550, 552, (2013)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref65\\\">[65]<\\/a> Michael Davis & Andrea Fang, Emancipated Minor, StatPearls Publishing LLC, (May 19, 2020), https:\\/\\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\\/books\\/NBK554594\\/<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref66\\\">[66]<\\/a> Id.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref67\\\">[67]<\\/a> Id.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>Featured Photo by <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/unsplash.com\\/@thenewmalcolm?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText\\\">Obi Onyeador<\\/a> on <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/unsplash.com\\/s\\/photos\\/vaccine-choice?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText\\\">Unsplash<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.15,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(3714,1276,'_thumbnail_id','1262'),(3715,1276,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(3716,1276,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(3717,1276,'_elementor_version','3.1.1'),(3718,1276,'_wp_page_template','default'),(3719,1276,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"3d1e02bb\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"4005cedf\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"6508c5f0\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><!-- wp:separator --><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"text-align: center;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\"><em><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">*<\\/a>This should not be treated as a medical advice. It is always best to consult your physician.<\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p style=\\\"text-align: right;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>By: Ashley Faye S. Cruz**<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 You are a 15-year-old high school kid lining up in an annual physical examination. The school physician asked if you were vaccinated when you were still a newborn. You answered in the negative, and the physician gave you flyers for free vaccines at the public health center. You went home and excitedly told your mother about this thing called \\u201cvaccine\\u201d and how it can help your immune system. Your mom, who believes in medical conspiracy theories, adamantly denied your request and pulled a litany of conspiracy theories taken from social media websites. Determined, you went to the public health center, but the nurse denied you a free vaccine because there needs parental consent.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 It is very alarming that the Philippines could have avoided diseases by a simple vaccine trip to the nearest pediatrician. United Nations International Children\'s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) reported that as of 2019, an estimated 2.9 million Filipino children remain unvaccinated and remain vulnerable to serious diseases such as rubella and polio. <a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\">[1]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 World Health Organization (WHO) representative Rabindra Abeyasinghe said that to halt the proliferation of disease in the country, 95% need to be vaccinated<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\">[2]<\\/a>. Notwithstanding the availability of free vaccines at public health centers, many parents still refuse to vaccinate their children. Parents have the \\u201cvaccine hesitancy\\u201d, which is the delay in acceptance or refusal of vaccines despite the availability of vaccination services.<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\">[3]<\\/a> Studies have identified several factors that have caused the loss of public confidence in vaccine, though the recommended vaccines are long proven to be effective.<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\">[4]<\\/a> Among these are the following:<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:list {\\\"ordered\\\":true,\\\"type\\\":\\\"1\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<ol>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\n<ol type=\\\"1\\\">\\n<li>Dengvaxia controversy, where 10% of the 800,000 students who were immunized with a vaccine against Dengue known as Dengvaxia, but did not have a prior dengue infection, posed a higher risk of contracting severe Dengue<a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\">[5]<\\/a>;<\\/li>\\n<li>Circumstantial events surrounding vaccinations such as when parents attach significance to events such as sleep or behavioral patterns and birth timing;<\\/li>\\n<li>Over-reporting of adverse effects of immunization by mass media such as newspapers and television; and<\\/li>\\n<li>Social media also contributed to vaccine hesitancy, and parents tend to be more susceptible to media reports on the Internet.<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\">[6]<\\/a><\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<\\/li>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\u00a0<\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Parents who choose not to vaccinate their children endanger not only themselves but also everyone else as immunization rates fall too low for vaccine-preventable diseases. In the school year before the COVID-19 outbreak in the United States (U.S.), the rate of childhood vaccine exemptions claimed by parents rose in 40 of 49 states as reflected in the records. <a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\">[7]<\\/a> Dr. Arthur Caplan, founding director of the Division of Medical Ethics at New York University Langone Medical Center, said that \\u201c<em>Parents should not have the authority to subject their children to serious preventable harm<\\/em>\\u201d. <a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\">[8]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 However, there is a solution made by certain states in the U.S. to combat the ever-worsening disease statistics. Nine states allow minors to receive vaccinations without their parents\' permission. Four states allow adolescents to receive specific vaccines, while five states allow minors to consent to any healthcare. <a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\">[9]<\\/a> The American Medical Association and the Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine and other medical organizations, strongly support laws allowing older minors to self-consent to vaccinations. Granting teenagers this right is essential to stemming the spread of diseases, whether they are newly emerging like COVID-19 or have faded from the news.<a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\">[10]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 English, et al., of the Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine, stated in their position paper <em>Adolescent Consent for Vaccination: A Position Paper of the Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine<\\/em>, that adolescent vaccines allow the enhancement of adolescent and adult health. Approaches to boost the proportion of adolescents who receive vaccines will be essential to assure that adolescent vaccination will lead to developments in the health of populations. Within ethical and legal guidelines, it will be important to develop policies and strategies that expand opportunities for minors to receive vaccinations when parents are not physically present.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\">[11]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The U.S. laws on emancipation from parental authority vary from state to state. For instance, some states adopt the \\u201cmature minor\\u201d doctrine. The mature minor doctrine legally recognizes the medical decision-making capacity of adolescents, even though they are still minors under parental or legal guardian control. They are usually 12 years old or older, and they are required to demonstrate adequate cognitive maturity and capacity to understand the risks of medical evaluations and treatments. Some other states allow this practice but its application is restricted only on the grounds of parental availability and sensitive clinical situations.<a href=\\\"#_ftn12\\\">[12]<\\/a> They also allow medical service without parental consent in times of emergency. Other medical services that are available to adolescents that do not need parental consent are rape or sexual assault services, contraception services. sexually transmitted infections, prenatal care, abortion, pediatric care for children of minors, substance use disorder treatment, and mental health treatment. <a href=\\\"#_ftn13\\\">[13]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>Federal law of the U.S, does not contain any requirements for parent\\u2019s consent for vaccination of minors. As an exception, the mature minor doctrine which developed from jurisprudence provides an avenue for minors to obtain vaccines for themselves, as long as the patient can give informed consent, the treatment is not high risk, and is provided in a nonnegligent manner.<a href=\\\"#_ftn14\\\">[14]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 To illustrate, in the case of <em>In Re: Swan<\\/em>, Maine Supreme Judicial Court addressed the issue of discontinuing the treatment of minor patient in a chronic vegetative state with little hope of recovery, specifically that the medical decision maker here is the minor patient himself. Chad had an accident which rendered him needing a life-sustaining procedure included a gastrostomy tube that provided hydration and nutrients to his body. Chad\'s mother and brother said that prior to his accident, Chad told them that he did not want to be held alive by artificial means if an injury rendered him incapable of existing otherwise. The tube eventually deteriorated and made his condition worse. Chad\\u2019s parents acquiesced to his wishes.<a href=\\\"#_ftn15\\\">[15]<\\/a> The District Attorney contended that Chad\'s ability to refuse medical care was \\\"significantly limited\\\" since he was under the legal age of majority when he articulated his wishes. Maine Supreme Judicial Court opposed such contention, saying that Chad\'s age was only a \\\"factor to be weighed by the truth finder in judging the seriousness and deliberateness\\\" of his comments. Chad\'s aspirations to not be held in a permanent vegetative condition were \\\"well-informed medical care decisions\\\" that should be respected.<a href=\\\"#_ftn16\\\">[16]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Some suggest that all states should allow minors to make some health care decisions, especially in stigmatized areas such as sexual health and drug addiction. <a href=\\\"#_ftn17\\\">[17]<\\/a> In California, children aged 12 and up will undergo sexually transmitted disease vaccinations without parental supervision. Hepatitis B vaccine may be given to children of any age without their parents\' consent in Minnesota. In Alabama, children ages 14 and up can consent to all healthcare services.<a href=\\\"#_ftn18\\\">[18]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>The situation in the Philippines \\u2013 Emancipation Laws<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Philippines has legislation for emancipation from parental authority. The age of eighteen years is the age of majority unless otherwise provided, and emancipation takes place in such event.<a href=\\\"#_ftn19\\\">[19]<\\/a> According to the law, \\u201cEmancipation shall terminate parental authority over the person and property of the child who shall then be qualified and responsible for all acts of civil life, save the exceptions established by existing laws in special cases.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn20\\\">[20]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Parental authority is also ingrained in our statutes. Article 17 of The Child and Youth Welfare Code states that \\u201cthe father and mother shall exercise jointly just and reasonable parental authority and responsibility for their legitimate or adopted children.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn21\\\">[21]<\\/a> In case of absence or death or either parent, the surviving parent shall exercise the parental authority. <a href=\\\"#_ftn22\\\">[22]<\\/a> \\u201cGrandparents and in their default, the oldest brother or sister who is at least eighteen years of age, or the relative who has actual custody of the child, shall exercise parental authority in case of absence or death of both parents unless a guardian has been appointed following the succeeding provision.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn23\\\">[23]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Code also provides in Chapter 2, Article 43 \\u00a0that \\u201cthe parents shall have the right to the company of their children and, concerning all other persons or institutions dealing with the child\'s development, the primary right and obligation to provide for their upbringing.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn24\\\">[24]<\\/a> The authority of parents\\/legal guardians are also strengthened by Article 209 of the Act: \\u201cUnder the natural right and duty of parents over the person and property of their unemancipated children, parental authority and responsibility shall include the caring for and rearing them for civic consciousness and efficiency and the development of their moral, mental and physical character and well-being.\\u201d <a href=\\\"#_ftn25\\\">[25]<\\/a> It cannot be renounced or transferred except in cases authorized by law. <a href=\\\"#_ftn26\\\">[26]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Parental authority terminates permanently upon the death of the parents, upon the death of the child, or emancipation of the child. <a href=\\\"#_ftn27\\\">[27]<\\/a> Moreover, unless subsequently revived by final judgment, it is also terminated upon adoption of the child, upon judicial declaration of abandonment of the child in a case filed for the purpose, upon the final judgment of a competent court divesting the party concerned of parental authority, upon judicial declaration of absence or incapacity of the person exercising parental authority. <a href=\\\"#_ftn28\\\">[28]<\\/a> It can be suspended upon conviction of the parent or the person exercising the same of a crime which carries with it the penalty of civil interdiction, <a href=\\\"#_ftn29\\\">[29]<\\/a> or if they treat the child with excessive harshness or cruelty, gives the child corrupting orders, counsel, or example, compels the child to beg, or subjects the child or allows him to be subjected to acts of lasciviousness<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>Vaccine laws in the Philippines<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 There is a law mandating the basic immunization services for infants and children, or the An Act Providing For Mandatory Basic Immunization Services For Infants And Children, Repealing For The Purpose Presidential Decree No. 996, As Amended (Republic Act No. 10152). It is the policy of the State to take a proactive role in the preventive health care of infants and children, and through this legislation, the State wants to adopt a comprehensive, mandatory and sustainable immunization program for vaccine-preventable diseases for all infants and children.<a href=\\\"#_ftn30\\\">[30]<\\/a> This law covers the following vaccine-preventable diseases:<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:list {\\\"ordered\\\":true,\\\"type\\\":\\\"a\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<ol>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\n<ol>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\n<ol type=\\\"a\\\">\\n<li>Tuberculosis<\\/li>\\n<li>Diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis;<\\/li>\\n<li>Poliomyelitis;<\\/li>\\n<li>Measles;<\\/li>\\n<li>Mumps;<\\/li>\\n<li>Rubella or German measles;<\\/li>\\n<li>Hepatitis-B;<\\/li>\\n<li>H. Influenza type B (HIB); and<\\/li>\\n<li>Such other types may be determined by the Secretary of Health in a department circular.<\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<\\/li>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\u00a0<\\/li>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\u00a0<\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Such basic immunizations shall be given for free at any government hospital or health center to infants and children up to five (5) years of age.<a href=\\\"#_ftn31\\\">[31]<\\/a> R.A. 10152 also mandates that all health care practitioners or health care workers who are administering prenatal care shall educate all pregnant mothers on the importance of giving their infants the basic immunization services as well as any possible effects of immunization and that the Department of Health (DOH) and other government and private sectors shall make available appropriate information materials and shall have a system of its distribution to the public.<a href=\\\"#_ftn32\\\">[32]<\\/a> One of the important provisions is Section 5 which provides that any physician, nurse, midwife, nursing aide or skilled birth attendant, who delivers, or assists in the delivery of, a newborn shall, before delivery, inform parents or legal guardian of the newborn of the availability, nature, and benefits of immunization against Hepatitis-B and other vaccine-preventable diseases at birth.<a href=\\\"#_ftn33\\\">[33]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 However, Secretary to the Cabinet Karlo Nograles said that \\u201cthe government could neither force parents to have their children vaccinated nor punish them if they have not.\\u201d He said that \\u201cRA 10152 does not have any penal provisions and does not punish parents who do not have their children vaccinated, unlike the Presidential Decree (PD) it replaced. Under PD 996, it was the duty of parents or those having custody of the child to see to it that the child is immunized. Those who did not could be punished with a P200 fine or one-month imprisonment\\u201d <a href=\\\"#_ftn34\\\">[34]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 With the advent of R.A. 11166 or the Philippine HIV and AIDS Policy Act, the threshold of consent for the screening, voluntary testing, and treatment for human immunodeficiency virus infection, was lowered to fifteen years of age\\u2014 a characterization of the mature minor doctrine. It requires the assent of the child below 15 years old or those mentally incapacitated, if capacity to assent exists, in order to avail of voluntary testing and protect its interests.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 As seen from the aforementioned laws, just like at the federal level of the US, there is a vacuum in terms of parental consent for vaccination of minors in the Philippines.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>Philippine laws: parental consent for medical treatments<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 A doctor-patient relationship is a form of contract. It is an elementary principle that one of the elements of a contract is consent. The person giving consent must be of legal age (18 years of age, unless otherwise provided) and mentally and physically competent. As the legal guardians, parents are the persons who must sign the consent forms.<a href=\\\"#_ftn35\\\">[35]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Article 1327 of the Civil Code provides the persons who cannot give consent to a contract: unemancipated minors and insane or demented persons, and deaf-mutes who do not know how to write. <a href=\\\"#_ftn36\\\">[36]<\\/a> The Civil Code does not define who can consent to a contract, rather, it defines who has no capacity. These persons can easily be victims of fraud as they are not capable of understanding or knowing the nature of their actions, thus they can only enter into an agreement or contracts through their parents or their legal guardians.<a href=\\\"#_ftn37\\\">[37]<\\/a> The contract they have entered is voidable, meaning it is valid and binding until it is annulled by a proper action in court.<a href=\\\"#_ftn38\\\">[38]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In the medical field, there is the right to informed consent, \\u00a0a legal right recognized and protected by law and jurisprudence. The patient has the right to choose openly whether or not to consent to care after being adequately advised by the specialist about the complications and benefits of the recommended treatment, as well as the viable treatment alternatives, including the possibility of no treatment.<a href=\\\"#_ftn39\\\">[39]<\\/a> It is further drawn as a legal concept, where a person can be said, \\u201cto have given consent based upon a clear appreciation and understanding of the facts, implications, and future consequences of an action.\\u201d He must have adequate reasoning faculties and knows all relevant facts at the time consent is given. If a person cannot give informed consent, say a child, another person is generally authorized to give consent on their behalf, in this case, his parents or legal guardian\\/s. <a href=\\\"#_ftn40\\\">[40]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The key elements of informed consent, according to Tejam of Asia Pacific Journal of Pediatrics and Child Health are disclosure of information, assessment of the decision maker\\u2019s capacity to make medical choices, and process of obtaining consent in the form of a voluntary agreement from the patient without coercion or persuasion. In pediatrics, it comes from the parent or legal guardian. Per the best interests standard, parents are regarded to be in the best position to determine their child\\u2019s best interest because parental decision aims to maximize benefits for their children while minimizing harm. However, the determination of what is in children\\u2019s best interest is often subjective and debatable. While written or verbal informed parental consent may be enough for ethical and legal purposes, but it does not meet the necessities of the ethical concept of informed concept. <a href=\\\"#_ftn41\\\">[41]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The purpose of informed consent and the strict guidelines surrounding this concept is the respect for autonomy, which includes the liberty of the patient, defined as \\u201cthe capacity to live life according to one\'s reasons and motives and agency \\u2026[or] rational capacity for intentional action.\\u201d This principle served as one of the pillars in resolving ethical dilemmas.<a href=\\\"#_ftn42\\\">[42]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>Legal consequences of letting Filipino adolescents make vaccine related medical decisions<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Suppose the teen suffered injuries because of the vaccine<a href=\\\"#_ftn43\\\">[43]<\\/a> and the parents want to file a suit against the physician who administered the vaccine. Here are some of the laws that are usually invoked in a medical malpractice suit.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><em>Medical malpractice<\\/em> is defined by Bellosillo, et al (2010) as:<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<blockquote>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u201cAny professional misconduct, or bad skillful practice, or any practice contrary to law or established rules and regulations whereby the health of a person is injured because of failure of a physician to behave or act as a reasonable, prudent physician who is charged with a duty to use a standard of due care and to foresee harm that may result from failure to meet such standard which may be the proximate cause of injury. It ordinarily refers to any malfeasance or dereliction of duty committed by a physician.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn44\\\">[44]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<\\/blockquote>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>The elements of medical malpractice, as enunciated in the case of <em>Lucas vs Tua\\u00f1o, <\\/em>(2009), are:<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:list {\\\"ordered\\\":true,\\\"type\\\":\\\"1\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<ol>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\n<ol>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\n<ol type=\\\"1\\\">\\n<li>A patient engages the services of a physician whereby a physician-patient relationship is generated<\\/li>\\n<li>A physician is under a duty to [the former] to exercise that degree of care, skill, and diligence which physicians in the same general neighborhood and the same general line of practice ordinarily possess and exercise in like cases<\\/li>\\n<li>There is a breach of duty of care, skill, and diligence, or the improper performance of such duty, by the attending physician when the patient is injured in body or health<\\/li>\\n<li>Proof of such breach must likewise rest upon the testimony of an expert witness that the treatment accorded to the patient failed to meet the standard level of care, skill, and diligence which physicians in the same general neighborhood and the same general line of practice ordinarily possess and exercise in like cases.<\\/li>\\n<li>The proximate cause of an injury is that cause, which, in the natural and continuous sequence, unbroken by any efficient intervening cause, produces the injury, and without which the result would not have occurred<a href=\\\"#_ftn45\\\">[45]<\\/a><\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<div>\\u00a0<\\/div>\\n<\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 With these elements present, the physician can be held liable for negligence which is a tort liability. Negligence is defined as \\u201cthe doing of some act which a reasonable and prudent physician would not do, or the failure to do some act which such a person should or would do.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn46\\\">[46]<\\/a> While it is true that physicians are not required to possess extraordinary learning and skill, however, they must keep abreast with medical developments and techniques and must refrain from experimenting. <a href=\\\"#_ftn47\\\">[47]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In terms of evidence, the patient must prove that the health care provider failed to do something which a reasonably prudent health care provider would have done, or that he or she did something that a reasonably prudent provider would not have done; and that that failure or action caused injury to the patient. <a href=\\\"#_ftn48\\\">[48]<\\/a> The injured minor or his parents\\/legal guardian can recover financial damages (actual damages for the pecuniary loss suffered by a party, and moral damages, for the physical suffering and\\/or mental anguish, fright, shock, etc.). <a href=\\\"#_ftn49\\\">[49]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 He can also be held criminally liable<a href=\\\"#_ftn50\\\">[50]<\\/a>. Under the Revised Penal Code (RPC), he can be liable for the crime of administering injurious substances or beverages. The elements are:<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:list {\\\"ordered\\\":true,\\\"type\\\":\\\"1\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<ol>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\n<ol>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\n<ol type=\\\"1\\\">\\n<li>The offender in\\ufb02icted upon another any serious physical injury;<\\/li>\\n<li>That it was done by knowingly administering to him any injurious substances or beverages or by taking advantage of his weakness of mind or credulity;<\\/li>\\n<li>That he had no intent to kill. <a href=\\\"#_ftn51\\\">[51]<\\/a><\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<div>\\u00a0<\\/div>\\n<\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 He can also be made liable for Physical Injuries<a href=\\\"#_ftn52\\\">[52]<\\/a> and for Reckless Imprudence (quasi-offense). Reckless imprudence, as defined in Article 365 of RPC, \\u201cconsists in voluntarily, but without malice, doing or failing to do an act from which material damage results because of inexcusable lack of precaution on the part of the person performing or failing to perform such act, taking into consideration his employment or occupation, degree of intelligence, physical condition and other circumstances regarding persons, time and place.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn53\\\">[53]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 On the other end, the medical practitioner can take shelter on legal doctrines to save themselves from liability. The first is the <em>doctrine of foreseeability<\\/em>, which provides that:<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<blockquote>\\n<p>\\u201cA physician cannot be held liable for negligence if the injury sustained by a patient is on account of unforeseen conditions. But, a physician who fails to ascertain the condition of the patient for want of the requisite skills and training is answerable for the injury sustained by the patient if an injury resulted thereto. Such foreseeable injury may be ascertained from the history, physical examination, observation and from information gathered from another member of the family.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn54\\\">[54]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<\\/blockquote>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 He can also avoid liability by invoking the defense of accident, that is, an event which happens without any human agency or, if happening through human agency, an event which, under the circumstances, is unusual to and not expected by the person to whom it happened.<a href=\\\"#_ftn55\\\">[55]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>Practical Consequences \\u2013 Risks of letting minors make health care decisions<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 David DeLugas, executive director of the National Association of Parents (U.S.), said that letting minors make health care decisions in lieu of their parents may introduce conflict into families. He does not think states should upset the parent-child relationship by taking power from the parents and transferring it to the children.<a href=\\\"#_ftn56\\\">[56]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Grootens-Wiegers, et al. also noted that there is no general agreement as to which age is appropriate for minors to be considered competent for informed decision-making. Some studies suggest that it is at 9 years old, some studies suggest that it is ages of 14 or 15. Minors of the same age may have a different level of maturity. Young children, who exhibited an adequate aptitude for decision-making in a certain situation, can lack ample ability in another.<a href=\\\"#_ftn57\\\">[57]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 They also discussed that adolescence is a period when various health issues and increased risks appear. Teenagers experience changes in diet and tend to explore vices such as tobacco and substance abuse. The increase in mortality is attributed to decision-making being affected by risky behavior, sensation seeking, and peer influences. The increased risk can also be attributed to lower cognitive control because of the developing brain in adolescence, especially the brain\\u2019s reward system combined with late development of the control system which decreases decision-making competence. Since the maturity of adolescence varies from one child to another, the practice can be very unpredictable.<a href=\\\"#_ftn58\\\">[58]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 However, good practical outcomes can also come with the idea of minors making medical decisions for themselves, especially for vaccines. Assent from minors aged seven years and above can improve moral growth and develop autonomy. It can even encourage them to comply with the medical treatment and allow them to express their interests in such endeavor. It offers a chance to contribute to their healthcare and provide an honest and open relationship between the family and medical service team.<a href=\\\"#_ftn59\\\">[59]<\\/a> Children will no longer be obligated to keep quiet for the sake of their parents. It also ensures that a child\'s unanswered questions, unresolved worries, or desire to be acknowledged are treated as legitimate and rational issues that matter in the child\'s world, rather than being dismissed as complete nonsense. <a href=\\\"#_ftn60\\\">[60]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>Recommendation<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 With the positive and negative outcomes analyzed, the recommendations are set forth to guide future legislators and policymakers and to help outweigh the negative effects.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:list --><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\n<ul>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\n<ul>\\n<li>The requirements of assent are: 1) properly informing patients about the issues at hand and what to expect; 2) assessment of their understanding; 3) soliciting agreement or acknowledgment of the decision.<a href=\\\"#_ftn61\\\">[61]<\\/a><\\/li>\\n<li>American Academy of Pediatrics said that assent should be obtained whenever reasonable, and that assent should only be obtained in situations in which the medical service team would be willing to honor, at least in part, a child\\u2019s dissent.<a href=\\\"#_ftn62\\\">[62]<\\/a><\\/li>\\n<li>Legislation should reflect the concept of <em>care ethics<\\/em> (\\u201cIndividuals do not exist in isolation but with others to\\u00a0 whom\\u00a0 they are emotionally or psychologically close,\\u00a0 such as parents,\\u00a0 siblings, and friends \\u201d). Medical professionals should educate a minor by generating information that can provide specific medical context that can be weighed and analyzed with perspectives offered by family and friends which can largely affect their thought processes. The legislation should also recognize the limitations of judgments of minors.<a href=\\\"#_ftn63\\\">[63]<\\/a><\\/li>\\n<li>The legislators should also limit the age bracket (ideally at the age of 14), and limit the vaccines to the recommended types that have been long proven to be effective by science (Ex. measles, polio, diphtheria, influenza) to minimize health risks.<\\/li>\\n<li>In the legislation, healthcare professionals, adolescent health care clinicians, public health personnel, medical organizations should be present and give their inputs.<a href=\\\"#_ftn64\\\">[64]<\\/a><\\/li>\\n<li>The legislators should frame the law in a way that reflects the thought that \\u201cparental consent should be considered a responsibility that supports the minor\'s best interests and preserves a family\'s interests, rather than a parent\'s right to express their own autonomous choices.\\u201d\\u00a0 Davis and Fang, in an article, said that \\u201c<em>Providers have to serve the pediatric patient\'s best interest and not necessarily the parents\' desires.<\\/em>\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn65\\\">[65]<\\/a><\\/li>\\n<li>For policy-making among healthcare professionals or even in the legislation itself, a set of protocols should be developed to serve as a guide to assess minor\\u2019s maturity and decision-making ability. Legal documentation guidelines should be executed to protect healthcare workers against a suit.<a href=\\\"#_ftn66\\\">[66]<\\/a><\\/li>\\n<li>Adolescent\\u2019s privacy should be reflected in the legislation and healthcare protocols. <a href=\\\"#_ftn67\\\">[67]<\\/a><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<div>\\u00a0<\\/div>\\n<\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>Conclusion<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Vaccines have greatly contributed in eradicating serious diseases that could have led to mortality or permanent disability. They are one of the scientific breakthroughs that are gravely misunderstood and often subjected to prejudicial preference. Time and again refused because of misinformation as well as cultural and religious differences. In the Philippines, there is a huge vacuum in emancipation laws for medical decisions for minors. Assuming that minors would be allowed to obtain a vaccine without parental consent, different positive outcomes could be factored, such as a decrease in disease statistics and empowerment in adolescence, while negative outlooks include increased risky behavior in minors because of their developing mental and physical structure, and the boosted risk of medical malpractice suits if ever the vaccine produces adverse effects in their body. Legislators should strive to include healthcare workers in developing legislation that would allow minors to get vaccines for themselves without parental permission, all while preserving the family harmony and the patient\\u2019s well-being, as well as knowing that this is about a patient\\u2019s health and not grandstanding parental authority.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>* Associate Research Editor, UST Law Review; freelance writer<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">[1]<\\/a>UNICEF Philippines, #VaccinesWork: UNICEF stresses importance of immunization on World Immunization Week, UNICEF Philippines, (January 31, 2021), https:\\/\\/www.unicef.org\\/philippines\\/press-releases\\/vaccineswork-unicef-stresses-importance-immunization-world-immunization-week<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a> Jenny Lei Ravelo, Another casualty of vaccine hesitancy: Philippines declares polio outbreak, (January 31, 2021), https:\\/\\/www.devex.com\\/news\\/another-casualty-of-vaccine-hesitancy-philippines-declares-polio-outbreak-95648<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a> Department of Health, Doh Identifies Vaccine Hesitancy as One of The Reasons For Measles Outbreak, Department of Health, (January 31, 2021), https:\\/\\/doh.gov.ph\\/node\\/16721<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[4]<\\/a> Id.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[5]<\\/a> World Health Organization, Revised SAGE recommendation on use of dengue vaccine, (Apil 19, 2018), https:\\/\\/www.who.int\\/immunization\\/diseases\\/dengue\\/revised_SAGE_recommendations_dengue_vaccines_apr2018\\/en\\/<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[6]<\\/a> Migrino, Jr J, Gayados B. Birol RJ, De Jesus L, Lopez CW, Mercado WC, et al. Factors affecting vaccine hesitancy among families with children 2 years old and younger in two urban communities in Manila, Philippines. Western Pac Surveill Response J. 2020 Jun; 10(2). doi: 10.5365\\/wpsar.2019.10.2.006<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\">[7]<\\/a> Kelly Danielpour, Commentary: Why all 50 states need to allow teens to get vaccinated without parental consent, Los Angeles Times, (Nov. 19, 2020), https:\\/\\/journaltimes.com\\/news\\/commentary-why-all-50-states-need-to-allow-teens-to-get-vaccinated-without-parental-consent\\/article_264a2b69-0924-5c08-aabd-fb79fa5deec4.html<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\">[8]<\\/a> Id.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\">[9]<\\/a> Michael Ollove, Teens of \\u2018Anti-Vaxxers\\u2019 Can Get Their Own Vaccines, Some States Say, Stateline, (June 24, 2019), https:\\/\\/www.pewtrusts.org\\/en\\/research-and-analysis\\/blogs\\/stateline\\/2019\\/06\\/24\\/teens-of-anti-vaxxers-can-get-their-own-vaccines-some-states-say<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\">[10]<\\/a> Kelly Danielpour, Commentary: Why all 50 states need to allow teens to get vaccinated without parental consent, Los Angeles Times, (Nov. 19, 2020), https:\\/\\/journaltimes.com\\/news\\/commentary-why-all-50-states-need-to-allow-teens-to-get-vaccinated-without-parental-consent\\/article_264a2b69-0924-5c08-aabd-fb79fa5deec4.html<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\">[11]<\\/a> Abigail English, Carol A. Ford, Jessica A. Kahn, Elyse Olshen Kharbanda, Adolescent Consent for Vaccination: A Position Paper of the Societyfor Adolescent Health and Medicine, 53 Journal of Adolescent Health, 550, 550-553, (2013)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref12\\\">[12]<\\/a> Michael Davis & Andrea Fang, Emancipated Minor, StatPearls Publishing LLC, (May 19, 2020), https:\\/\\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\\/books\\/NBK554594\\/<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref13\\\">[13]<\\/a> Id.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref14\\\">[14]<\\/a> Abigail English, Carol A. Ford, Jessica A. Kahn, Elyse Olshen Kharbanda, Adolescent Consent for Vaccination: A Position Paper of the Societyfor Adolescent Health and Medicine, 53 Journal of Adolescent Health, 550, 552, (2013)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref15\\\">[15]<\\/a> <em>In Re: Chad Eric Swan, <\\/em>569 A.2d 1202 (1990), decided January 23, 1990, opinion Issued February 15, 1990.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref16\\\">[16]<\\/a> Id.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref17\\\">[17]<\\/a> Michael Ollove, Teens of \\u2018Anti-Vaxxers\\u2019 Can Get Their Own Vaccines, Some States Say, Stateline, (June 24, 2019), https:\\/\\/www.pewtrusts.org\\/en\\/research-and-analysis\\/blogs\\/stateline\\/2019\\/06\\/24\\/teens-of-anti-vaxxers-can-get-their-own-vaccines-some-states-say<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref18\\\">[18]<\\/a> Mackenzie Bean, 9 states where minors can get vaccinated without parental consent, ASC COMMUNICATIONS 2021, (June 24, 2019), https:\\/\\/www.beckershospitalreview.com\\/quality\\/9-states-where-minors-can-get-vaccinated-without-parental-consent.html<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref19\\\">[19]<\\/a> An Act Lowering The Age Of Majority From Twenty-One To Eighteen Years, Amending For The Purpose Executive Order Numbered Two Hundred Nine, And For Other Purposes, Republic Act No. 6809, sec. 234 (1989)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref20\\\">[20]<\\/a> R.A. 386, sec. 236<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref21\\\">[21]<\\/a> The Child and Youth Welfare Code, Presidential Decree No. 603, art. 17 (1974)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref22\\\">[22]<\\/a>P.D. 603, art. 17<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref23\\\">[23]<\\/a> P.D. 603, art. 19 (1974)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref24\\\">[24]<\\/a> P.D. 603, art. 43 (1974)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref25\\\">[25]<\\/a> The Family Code of The Philippines, Executive Order No. 209, art. 209 (1988)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref26\\\">[26]<\\/a> E.O. 209, art. 210<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref27\\\">[27]<\\/a> E.O. 209, art. 228<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref28\\\">[28]<\\/a> E.O. 209, art. 229<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref29\\\">[29]<\\/a> E.O. 209, art. 230<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref30\\\">[30]<\\/a> An Act Providing For Mandatory Basic Immunization Services For Infants And Children, Repealing For The Purpose Presidential Decree No. 996, As Amended, Republic Act No. 10152, sec. 2 (2011)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref31\\\">[31]<\\/a> R.A. 10152, sec. 3<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref32\\\">[32]<\\/a> R.A. 10152, sec. 4<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref33\\\">[33]<\\/a> R.A. 10152, sec. 5<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref34\\\">[34]<\\/a> Sheila Crisostomo & Gilbert Bayoran, Mandatory immunization ordered, The Philippine Star, (Feb. 10, 2019), https:\\/\\/www.philstar.com\\/headlines\\/2019\\/02\\/10\\/1892465\\/mandatory-immunization-ordered<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref35\\\">[35]<\\/a> Josue N. Bellosillo, Bu C. Castro, Emmanuel LJ. Mapili, Albert D. Rebosa, Antonio D. Rebosa, Basics of Philippine Medical Jurisprudence and Ethics, p. 113, (2010 ed. Central Book Supply, 2010)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref36\\\">[36]<\\/a> An Act To Ordain And Institute The Civil Code Of The Philippines, Republic Act No. 386, art. 1327 (1950)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref37\\\">[37]<\\/a> Hector S. De Leon & Hector M. De Leon, Jr. The Law on Obligations and Contracts, p. 342-349, (Rex Printing Company, Inc., 2014)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref38\\\">[38]<\\/a> Id. at p. 431<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref39\\\">[39]<\\/a> Josue N. Bellosillo, Bu C. Castro, Emmanuel LJ. Mapili, Albert D. Rebosa, Antonio D. Rebosa, Basics of Philippine Medical Jurisprudence and Ethics, p. 113, (2010 ed. Central Book Supply, 2010)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref40\\\">[40]<\\/a> Id. at p. 412 (2010 ed. Central Book Supply, 2010)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref41\\\">[41]<\\/a> Cyrus Cesar R. Tejam, Clinical Pediatrics in the Philippines: Parental Assent and Consent, 2 Asia Pacific Journal of Pediatrics and Child Health, 27, 29 \\u00a0(2019)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref42\\\">[42]<\\/a> Id.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref43\\\">[43]<\\/a> An instance is when it is recommended that \\u201c<em>vaccines not be given during chemo or radiation treatments \\u2013 the only exception to this is the flu shot. This is mainly because vaccines need an immune system response to work, and you may not get an adequate response during cancer treatment<\\/em>.\\u201d \\u2013 American Cancer Society, Vaccinations and Flu Shots for People with Cancer: Should people with cancer get any vaccines? , American Cancer Society webpage, Inc. (2020), <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.cancer.org\\/treatment\\/treatments-and-side-effects\\/physical-side-effects\\/low-blood-counts\\/infections\\/vaccination-during-cancer-treatment.html\\\">https:\\/\\/www.cancer.org\\/treatment\\/treatments-and-side-effects\\/physical-side-effects\\/low-blood-counts\\/infections\\/vaccination-during-cancer-treatment.html<\\/a>. This should not be treated as a medical advice. It is always best to consult your physician.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref44\\\">[44]<\\/a> Josue N. Bellosillo, Bu C. Castro, Emmanuel LJ. Mapili, Albert D. Rebosa, Antonio D. Rebosa, Basics of Philippine Medical Jurisprudence and Ethics, p. 117 (2010 ed. Central Book Supply, 2010)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref45\\\">[45]<\\/a> <em>Lucas v. Tua\\u00f1o<\\/em>, 586 SCRA 173 (2009)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref46\\\">[46]<\\/a> Josue N. Bellosillo, Bu C. Castro, Emmanuel LJ. Mapili, Albert D. Rebosa, Antonio D. Rebosa, Basics of Philippine Medical Jurisprudence and Ethics, p. 131, (2010 ed. Central Book Supply, 2010)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref47\\\">[47]<\\/a> Id.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref48\\\">[48]<\\/a> Professional Services, Inc. v. Natividad and Enrique Agana, 542 Phil. 464, 481 (2007).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref49\\\">[49]<\\/a> Josue N. Bellosillo, Bu C. Castro, Emmanuel LJ. Mapili, Albert D. Rebosa, Antonio D. Rebosa, Basics of Philippine Medical Jurisprudence and Ethics, p. 59, (2010 ed. Central Book Supply, 2010)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref50\\\">[50]<\\/a> Id at 195<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref51\\\">[51]<\\/a> The Revised Penal Code, Act No. 3815, art. 264, (1930)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref52\\\">[52]<\\/a> Act No. 3815, art. 266, (1930)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref53\\\">[53]<\\/a> <em>Gonzaga v. People, <\\/em>G.R. No. 195671, January 21, 2015.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref54\\\">[54]<\\/a> Josue N. Bellosillo, Bu C. Castro, Emmanuel LJ. Mapili, Albert D. Rebosa, Antonio D. Rebosa, Basics of Philippine Medical Jurisprudence and Ethics, p. 154, (2010 ed. Central Book Supply, 2010)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref55\\\">[55]<\\/a> Id.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref56\\\">[56]<\\/a> Michael Ollove, Teens of \\u2018Anti-Vaxxers\\u2019 Can Get Their Own Vaccines, Some States Say, Stateline, (June 24, 2019), https:\\/\\/www.pewtrusts.org\\/en\\/research-and-analysis\\/blogs\\/stateline\\/2019\\/06\\/24\\/teens-of-anti-vaxxers-can-get-their-own-vaccines-some-states-say<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref57\\\">[57]<\\/a> Petronella Grootens-Wiegers,\\u00a0 Irma M. Hein, Jos M. van den Broek, & Martine C. de Vries, Medical decision-making in children and adolescents: developmental and neuroscientific aspects, BMC Pediatrics, 1, 2 (2017)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref58\\\">[58]<\\/a> Petronella Grootens-Wiegers,\\u00a0 Irma M. Hein, Jos M. van den Broek, & Martine C. de Vries, Medical decision-making in children and adolescents: developmental and neuroscientific aspects, BMC Pediatrics, 1, 6 (2017)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref59\\\">[59]<\\/a> Cyrus Cesar R. Tejam, Clinical Pediatrics in the Philippines: Parental Assent and Consent, 2 Asia Pacific Journal of Pediatrics and Child Health, 27, 29 (2019)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref60\\\">[60]<\\/a> Rebecca Babcock, Medical Decision-Making for Minors: Using Care Ethics to Empower Adolescents and Amend the Current Power Imbalances, 8 Asian Bioethics Review, 4, 13 (2016)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref61\\\">[61]<\\/a> Cyrus Cesar R. Tejam, Clinical Pediatrics in the Philippines: Parental Assent and Consent, 2 Asia Pacific Journal of Pediatrics and Child Health, 27, 29 (2019)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref62\\\">[62]<\\/a> Id at 27-33<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref63\\\">[63]<\\/a> Rebecca Babcock, Medical Decision-Making for Minors: Using Care Ethics to Empower Adolescents and Amend the Current Power Imbalances, 8 Asian Bioethics Review, 4, 13 (2016)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref64\\\">[64]<\\/a> Abigail English, Carol A. Ford, Jessica A. Kahn, Elyse Olshen Kharbanda, Adolescent Consent for Vaccination: A Position Paper of the Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine, 53 Journal of Adolescent Health, 550, 552, (2013)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref65\\\">[65]<\\/a> Michael Davis & Andrea Fang, Emancipated Minor, StatPearls Publishing LLC, (May 19, 2020), https:\\/\\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\\/books\\/NBK554594\\/<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref66\\\">[66]<\\/a> Id.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref67\\\">[67]<\\/a> Id.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>Featured Photo by <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/unsplash.com\\/@thenewmalcolm?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText\\\">Obi Onyeador<\\/a> on <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/unsplash.com\\/s\\/photos\\/vaccine-choice?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText\\\">Unsplash<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.15,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(3721,1277,'_thumbnail_id','1262'),(3722,1277,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(3723,1277,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(3724,1277,'_elementor_version','3.1.1'),(3725,1277,'_wp_page_template','default'),(3726,1277,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"3d1e02bb\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"4005cedf\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"6508c5f0\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><!-- wp:separator --><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"text-align: center;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\"><em><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">*<\\/a>This should not be treated as a medical advice. It is always best to consult your physician.<\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p style=\\\"text-align: right;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>By: Ashley Faye S. Cruz**<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 You are a 15-year-old high school kid lining up in an annual physical examination. The school physician asked if you were vaccinated when you were still a newborn. You answered in the negative, and the physician gave you flyers for free vaccines at the public health center. You went home and excitedly told your mother about this thing called \\u201cvaccine\\u201d and how it can help your immune system. Your mom, who believes in medical conspiracy theories, adamantly denied your request and pulled a litany of conspiracy theories taken from social media websites. Determined, you went to the public health center, but the nurse denied you a free vaccine because there needs parental consent.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 It is very alarming that the Philippines could have avoided diseases by a simple vaccine trip to the nearest pediatrician. United Nations International Children\'s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) reported that as of 2019, an estimated 2.9 million Filipino children remain unvaccinated and remain vulnerable to serious diseases such as rubella and polio. <a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\">[1]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 World Health Organization (WHO) representative Rabindra Abeyasinghe said that to halt the proliferation of disease in the country, 95% need to be vaccinated<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\">[2]<\\/a>. Notwithstanding the availability of free vaccines at public health centers, many parents still refuse to vaccinate their children. Parents have the \\u201cvaccine hesitancy\\u201d, which is the delay in acceptance or refusal of vaccines despite the availability of vaccination services.<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\">[3]<\\/a> Studies have identified several factors that have caused the loss of public confidence in vaccine, though the recommended vaccines are long proven to be effective.<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\">[4]<\\/a> Among these are the following:<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:list {\\\"ordered\\\":true,\\\"type\\\":\\\"1\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<ol>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\n<ol type=\\\"1\\\">\\n<li>Dengvaxia controversy, where 10% of the 800,000 students who were immunized with a vaccine against Dengue known as Dengvaxia, but did not have a prior dengue infection, posed a higher risk of contracting severe Dengue<a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\">[5]<\\/a>;<\\/li>\\n<li>Circumstantial events surrounding vaccinations such as when parents attach significance to events such as sleep or behavioral patterns and birth timing;<\\/li>\\n<li>Over-reporting of adverse effects of immunization by mass media such as newspapers and television; and<\\/li>\\n<li>Social media also contributed to vaccine hesitancy, and parents tend to be more susceptible to media reports on the Internet.<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\">[6]<\\/a><\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<\\/li>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\u00a0<\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Parents who choose not to vaccinate their children endanger not only themselves but also everyone else as immunization rates fall too low for vaccine-preventable diseases. In the school year before the COVID-19 outbreak in the United States (U.S.), the rate of childhood vaccine exemptions claimed by parents rose in 40 of 49 states as reflected in the records. <a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\">[7]<\\/a> Dr. Arthur Caplan, founding director of the Division of Medical Ethics at New York University Langone Medical Center, said that \\u201c<em>Parents should not have the authority to subject their children to serious preventable harm<\\/em>\\u201d. <a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\">[8]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 However, there is a solution made by certain states in the U.S. to combat the ever-worsening disease statistics. Nine states allow minors to receive vaccinations without their parents\' permission. Four states allow adolescents to receive specific vaccines, while five states allow minors to consent to any healthcare. <a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\">[9]<\\/a> The American Medical Association and the Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine and other medical organizations, strongly support laws allowing older minors to self-consent to vaccinations. Granting teenagers this right is essential to stemming the spread of diseases, whether they are newly emerging like COVID-19 or have faded from the news.<a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\">[10]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 English, et al., of the Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine, stated in their position paper <em>Adolescent Consent for Vaccination: A Position Paper of the Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine<\\/em>, that adolescent vaccines allow the enhancement of adolescent and adult health. Approaches to boost the proportion of adolescents who receive vaccines will be essential to assure that adolescent vaccination will lead to developments in the health of populations. Within ethical and legal guidelines, it will be important to develop policies and strategies that expand opportunities for minors to receive vaccinations when parents are not physically present.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\">[11]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The U.S. laws on emancipation from parental authority vary from state to state. For instance, some states adopt the \\u201cmature minor\\u201d doctrine. The mature minor doctrine legally recognizes the medical decision-making capacity of adolescents, even though they are still minors under parental or legal guardian control. They are usually 12 years old or older, and they are required to demonstrate adequate cognitive maturity and capacity to understand the risks of medical evaluations and treatments. Some other states allow this practice but its application is restricted only on the grounds of parental availability and sensitive clinical situations.<a href=\\\"#_ftn12\\\">[12]<\\/a> They also allow medical service without parental consent in times of emergency. Other medical services that are available to adolescents that do not need parental consent are rape or sexual assault services, contraception services. sexually transmitted infections, prenatal care, abortion, pediatric care for children of minors, substance use disorder treatment, and mental health treatment. <a href=\\\"#_ftn13\\\">[13]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>Federal law of the U.S, does not contain any requirements for parent\\u2019s consent for vaccination of minors. As an exception, the mature minor doctrine which developed from jurisprudence provides an avenue for minors to obtain vaccines for themselves, as long as the patient can give informed consent, the treatment is not high risk, and is provided in a nonnegligent manner.<a href=\\\"#_ftn14\\\">[14]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 To illustrate, in the case of <em>In Re: Swan<\\/em>, Maine Supreme Judicial Court addressed the issue of discontinuing the treatment of minor patient in a chronic vegetative state with little hope of recovery, specifically that the medical decision maker here is the minor patient himself. Chad had an accident which rendered him needing a life-sustaining procedure included a gastrostomy tube that provided hydration and nutrients to his body. Chad\'s mother and brother said that prior to his accident, Chad told them that he did not want to be held alive by artificial means if an injury rendered him incapable of existing otherwise. The tube eventually deteriorated and made his condition worse. Chad\\u2019s parents acquiesced to his wishes.<a href=\\\"#_ftn15\\\">[15]<\\/a> The District Attorney contended that Chad\'s ability to refuse medical care was \\\"significantly limited\\\" since he was under the legal age of majority when he articulated his wishes. Maine Supreme Judicial Court opposed such contention, saying that Chad\'s age was only a \\\"factor to be weighed by the truth finder in judging the seriousness and deliberateness\\\" of his comments. Chad\'s aspirations to not be held in a permanent vegetative condition were \\\"well-informed medical care decisions\\\" that should be respected.<a href=\\\"#_ftn16\\\">[16]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Some suggest that all states should allow minors to make some health care decisions, especially in stigmatized areas such as sexual health and drug addiction. <a href=\\\"#_ftn17\\\">[17]<\\/a> In California, children aged 12 and up will undergo sexually transmitted disease vaccinations without parental supervision. Hepatitis B vaccine may be given to children of any age without their parents\' consent in Minnesota. In Alabama, children ages 14 and up can consent to all healthcare services.<a href=\\\"#_ftn18\\\">[18]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>The situation in the Philippines \\u2013 Emancipation Laws<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Philippines has legislation for emancipation from parental authority. The age of eighteen years is the age of majority unless otherwise provided, and emancipation takes place in such event.<a href=\\\"#_ftn19\\\">[19]<\\/a> According to the law, \\u201cEmancipation shall terminate parental authority over the person and property of the child who shall then be qualified and responsible for all acts of civil life, save the exceptions established by existing laws in special cases.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn20\\\">[20]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Parental authority is also ingrained in our statutes. Article 17 of The Child and Youth Welfare Code states that \\u201cthe father and mother shall exercise jointly just and reasonable parental authority and responsibility for their legitimate or adopted children.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn21\\\">[21]<\\/a> In case of absence or death or either parent, the surviving parent shall exercise the parental authority. <a href=\\\"#_ftn22\\\">[22]<\\/a> \\u201cGrandparents and in their default, the oldest brother or sister who is at least eighteen years of age, or the relative who has actual custody of the child, shall exercise parental authority in case of absence or death of both parents unless a guardian has been appointed following the succeeding provision.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn23\\\">[23]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Code also provides in Chapter 2, Article 43 \\u00a0that \\u201cthe parents shall have the right to the company of their children and, concerning all other persons or institutions dealing with the child\'s development, the primary right and obligation to provide for their upbringing.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn24\\\">[24]<\\/a> The authority of parents\\/legal guardians are also strengthened by Article 209 of the Act: \\u201cUnder the natural right and duty of parents over the person and property of their unemancipated children, parental authority and responsibility shall include the caring for and rearing them for civic consciousness and efficiency and the development of their moral, mental and physical character and well-being.\\u201d <a href=\\\"#_ftn25\\\">[25]<\\/a> It cannot be renounced or transferred except in cases authorized by law. <a href=\\\"#_ftn26\\\">[26]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Parental authority terminates permanently upon the death of the parents, upon the death of the child, or emancipation of the child. <a href=\\\"#_ftn27\\\">[27]<\\/a> Moreover, unless subsequently revived by final judgment, it is also terminated upon adoption of the child, upon judicial declaration of abandonment of the child in a case filed for the purpose, upon the final judgment of a competent court divesting the party concerned of parental authority, upon judicial declaration of absence or incapacity of the person exercising parental authority. <a href=\\\"#_ftn28\\\">[28]<\\/a> It can be suspended upon conviction of the parent or the person exercising the same of a crime which carries with it the penalty of civil interdiction, <a href=\\\"#_ftn29\\\">[29]<\\/a> or if they treat the child with excessive harshness or cruelty, gives the child corrupting orders, counsel, or example, compels the child to beg, or subjects the child or allows him to be subjected to acts of lasciviousness<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>Vaccine laws in the Philippines<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 There is a law mandating the basic immunization services for infants and children, or the An Act Providing For Mandatory Basic Immunization Services For Infants And Children, Repealing For The Purpose Presidential Decree No. 996, As Amended (Republic Act No. 10152). It is the policy of the State to take a proactive role in the preventive health care of infants and children, and through this legislation, the State wants to adopt a comprehensive, mandatory and sustainable immunization program for vaccine-preventable diseases for all infants and children.<a href=\\\"#_ftn30\\\">[30]<\\/a> This law covers the following vaccine-preventable diseases:<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:list {\\\"ordered\\\":true,\\\"type\\\":\\\"a\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<ol>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\n<ol>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\n<ol type=\\\"a\\\">\\n<li>Tuberculosis<\\/li>\\n<li>Diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis;<\\/li>\\n<li>Poliomyelitis;<\\/li>\\n<li>Measles;<\\/li>\\n<li>Mumps;<\\/li>\\n<li>Rubella or German measles;<\\/li>\\n<li>Hepatitis-B;<\\/li>\\n<li>H. Influenza type B (HIB); and<\\/li>\\n<li>Such other types may be determined by the Secretary of Health in a department circular.<\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<\\/li>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\u00a0<\\/li>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\u00a0<\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Such basic immunizations shall be given for free at any government hospital or health center to infants and children up to five (5) years of age.<a href=\\\"#_ftn31\\\">[31]<\\/a> R.A. 10152 also mandates that all health care practitioners or health care workers who are administering prenatal care shall educate all pregnant mothers on the importance of giving their infants the basic immunization services as well as any possible effects of immunization and that the Department of Health (DOH) and other government and private sectors shall make available appropriate information materials and shall have a system of its distribution to the public.<a href=\\\"#_ftn32\\\">[32]<\\/a> One of the important provisions is Section 5 which provides that any physician, nurse, midwife, nursing aide or skilled birth attendant, who delivers, or assists in the delivery of, a newborn shall, before delivery, inform parents or legal guardian of the newborn of the availability, nature, and benefits of immunization against Hepatitis-B and other vaccine-preventable diseases at birth.<a href=\\\"#_ftn33\\\">[33]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 However, Secretary to the Cabinet Karlo Nograles said that \\u201cthe government could neither force parents to have their children vaccinated nor punish them if they have not.\\u201d He said that \\u201cRA 10152 does not have any penal provisions and does not punish parents who do not have their children vaccinated, unlike the Presidential Decree (PD) it replaced. Under PD 996, it was the duty of parents or those having custody of the child to see to it that the child is immunized. Those who did not could be punished with a P200 fine or one-month imprisonment\\u201d <a href=\\\"#_ftn34\\\">[34]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 With the advent of R.A. 11166 or the Philippine HIV and AIDS Policy Act, the threshold of consent for the screening, voluntary testing, and treatment for human immunodeficiency virus infection, was lowered to fifteen years of age\\u2014 a characterization of the mature minor doctrine. It requires the assent of the child below 15 years old or those mentally incapacitated, if capacity to assent exists, in order to avail of voluntary testing and protect its interests.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 As seen from the aforementioned laws, just like at the federal level of the US, there is a vacuum in terms of parental consent for vaccination of minors in the Philippines.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>Philippine laws: parental consent for medical treatments<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 A doctor-patient relationship is a form of contract. It is an elementary principle that one of the elements of a contract is consent. The person giving consent must be of legal age (18 years of age, unless otherwise provided) and mentally and physically competent. As the legal guardians, parents are the persons who must sign the consent forms.<a href=\\\"#_ftn35\\\">[35]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Article 1327 of the Civil Code provides the persons who cannot give consent to a contract: unemancipated minors and insane or demented persons, and deaf-mutes who do not know how to write. <a href=\\\"#_ftn36\\\">[36]<\\/a> The Civil Code does not define who can consent to a contract, rather, it defines who has no capacity. These persons can easily be victims of fraud as they are not capable of understanding or knowing the nature of their actions, thus they can only enter into an agreement or contracts through their parents or their legal guardians.<a href=\\\"#_ftn37\\\">[37]<\\/a> The contract they have entered is voidable, meaning it is valid and binding until it is annulled by a proper action in court.<a href=\\\"#_ftn38\\\">[38]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In the medical field, there is the right to informed consent, \\u00a0a legal right recognized and protected by law and jurisprudence. The patient has the right to choose openly whether or not to consent to care after being adequately advised by the specialist about the complications and benefits of the recommended treatment, as well as the viable treatment alternatives, including the possibility of no treatment.<a href=\\\"#_ftn39\\\">[39]<\\/a> It is further drawn as a legal concept, where a person can be said, \\u201cto have given consent based upon a clear appreciation and understanding of the facts, implications, and future consequences of an action.\\u201d He must have adequate reasoning faculties and knows all relevant facts at the time consent is given. If a person cannot give informed consent, say a child, another person is generally authorized to give consent on their behalf, in this case, his parents or legal guardian\\/s. <a href=\\\"#_ftn40\\\">[40]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The key elements of informed consent, according to Tejam of Asia Pacific Journal of Pediatrics and Child Health are disclosure of information, assessment of the decision maker\\u2019s capacity to make medical choices, and process of obtaining consent in the form of a voluntary agreement from the patient without coercion or persuasion. In pediatrics, it comes from the parent or legal guardian. Per the best interests standard, parents are regarded to be in the best position to determine their child\\u2019s best interest because parental decision aims to maximize benefits for their children while minimizing harm. However, the determination of what is in children\\u2019s best interest is often subjective and debatable. While written or verbal informed parental consent may be enough for ethical and legal purposes, but it does not meet the necessities of the ethical concept of informed concept. <a href=\\\"#_ftn41\\\">[41]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The purpose of informed consent and the strict guidelines surrounding this concept is the respect for autonomy, which includes the liberty of the patient, defined as \\u201cthe capacity to live life according to one\'s reasons and motives and agency \\u2026[or] rational capacity for intentional action.\\u201d This principle served as one of the pillars in resolving ethical dilemmas.<a href=\\\"#_ftn42\\\">[42]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>Legal consequences of letting Filipino adolescents make vaccine related medical decisions<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Suppose the teen suffered injuries because of the vaccine<a href=\\\"#_ftn43\\\">[43]<\\/a> and the parents want to file a suit against the physician who administered the vaccine. Here are some of the laws that are usually invoked in a medical malpractice suit.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><em>Medical malpractice<\\/em> is defined by Bellosillo, et al (2010) as:<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<blockquote>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u201cAny professional misconduct, or bad skillful practice, or any practice contrary to law or established rules and regulations whereby the health of a person is injured because of failure of a physician to behave or act as a reasonable, prudent physician who is charged with a duty to use a standard of due care and to foresee harm that may result from failure to meet such standard which may be the proximate cause of injury. It ordinarily refers to any malfeasance or dereliction of duty committed by a physician.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn44\\\">[44]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<\\/blockquote>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>The elements of medical malpractice, as enunciated in the case of <em>Lucas vs Tua\\u00f1o, <\\/em>(2009), are:<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:list {\\\"ordered\\\":true,\\\"type\\\":\\\"1\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<ol>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\n<ol>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\n<ol type=\\\"1\\\">\\n<li>A patient engages the services of a physician whereby a physician-patient relationship is generated<\\/li>\\n<li>A physician is under a duty to [the former] to exercise that degree of care, skill, and diligence which physicians in the same general neighborhood and the same general line of practice ordinarily possess and exercise in like cases<\\/li>\\n<li>There is a breach of duty of care, skill, and diligence, or the improper performance of such duty, by the attending physician when the patient is injured in body or health<\\/li>\\n<li>Proof of such breach must likewise rest upon the testimony of an expert witness that the treatment accorded to the patient failed to meet the standard level of care, skill, and diligence which physicians in the same general neighborhood and the same general line of practice ordinarily possess and exercise in like cases.<\\/li>\\n<li>The proximate cause of an injury is that cause, which, in the natural and continuous sequence, unbroken by any efficient intervening cause, produces the injury, and without which the result would not have occurred<a href=\\\"#_ftn45\\\">[45]<\\/a><\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<div>\\u00a0<\\/div>\\n<\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 With these elements present, the physician can be held liable for negligence which is a tort liability. Negligence is defined as \\u201cthe doing of some act which a reasonable and prudent physician would not do, or the failure to do some act which such a person should or would do.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn46\\\">[46]<\\/a> While it is true that physicians are not required to possess extraordinary learning and skill, however, they must keep abreast with medical developments and techniques and must refrain from experimenting. <a href=\\\"#_ftn47\\\">[47]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In terms of evidence, the patient must prove that the health care provider failed to do something which a reasonably prudent health care provider would have done, or that he or she did something that a reasonably prudent provider would not have done; and that that failure or action caused injury to the patient. <a href=\\\"#_ftn48\\\">[48]<\\/a> The injured minor or his parents\\/legal guardian can recover financial damages (actual damages for the pecuniary loss suffered by a party, and moral damages, for the physical suffering and\\/or mental anguish, fright, shock, etc.). <a href=\\\"#_ftn49\\\">[49]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 He can also be held criminally liable<a href=\\\"#_ftn50\\\">[50]<\\/a>. Under the Revised Penal Code (RPC), he can be liable for the crime of administering injurious substances or beverages. The elements are:<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:list {\\\"ordered\\\":true,\\\"type\\\":\\\"1\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<ol>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\n<ol>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\n<ol type=\\\"1\\\">\\n<li>The offender in\\ufb02icted upon another any serious physical injury;<\\/li>\\n<li>That it was done by knowingly administering to him any injurious substances or beverages or by taking advantage of his weakness of mind or credulity;<\\/li>\\n<li>That he had no intent to kill. <a href=\\\"#_ftn51\\\">[51]<\\/a><\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<div>\\u00a0<\\/div>\\n<\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 He can also be made liable for Physical Injuries<a href=\\\"#_ftn52\\\">[52]<\\/a> and for Reckless Imprudence (quasi-offense). Reckless imprudence, as defined in Article 365 of RPC, \\u201cconsists in voluntarily, but without malice, doing or failing to do an act from which material damage results because of inexcusable lack of precaution on the part of the person performing or failing to perform such act, taking into consideration his employment or occupation, degree of intelligence, physical condition and other circumstances regarding persons, time and place.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn53\\\">[53]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 On the other end, the medical practitioner can take shelter on legal doctrines to save themselves from liability. The first is the <em>doctrine of foreseeability<\\/em>, which provides that:<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<blockquote>\\n<p>\\u201cA physician cannot be held liable for negligence if the injury sustained by a patient is on account of unforeseen conditions. But, a physician who fails to ascertain the condition of the patient for want of the requisite skills and training is answerable for the injury sustained by the patient if an injury resulted thereto. Such foreseeable injury may be ascertained from the history, physical examination, observation and from information gathered from another member of the family.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn54\\\">[54]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<\\/blockquote>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 He can also avoid liability by invoking the defense of accident, that is, an event which happens without any human agency or, if happening through human agency, an event which, under the circumstances, is unusual to and not expected by the person to whom it happened.<a href=\\\"#_ftn55\\\">[55]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>Practical Consequences \\u2013 Risks of letting minors make health care decisions<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 David DeLugas, executive director of the National Association of Parents (U.S.), said that letting minors make health care decisions in lieu of their parents may introduce conflict into families. He does not think states should upset the parent-child relationship by taking power from the parents and transferring it to the children.<a href=\\\"#_ftn56\\\">[56]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Grootens-Wiegers, et al. also noted that there is no general agreement as to which age is appropriate for minors to be considered competent for informed decision-making. Some studies suggest that it is at 9 years old, some studies suggest that it is ages of 14 or 15. Minors of the same age may have a different level of maturity. Young children, who exhibited an adequate aptitude for decision-making in a certain situation, can lack ample ability in another.<a href=\\\"#_ftn57\\\">[57]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 They also discussed that adolescence is a period when various health issues and increased risks appear. Teenagers experience changes in diet and tend to explore vices such as tobacco and substance abuse. The increase in mortality is attributed to decision-making being affected by risky behavior, sensation seeking, and peer influences. The increased risk can also be attributed to lower cognitive control because of the developing brain in adolescence, especially the brain\\u2019s reward system combined with late development of the control system which decreases decision-making competence. Since the maturity of adolescence varies from one child to another, the practice can be very unpredictable.<a href=\\\"#_ftn58\\\">[58]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 However, good practical outcomes can also come with the idea of minors making medical decisions for themselves, especially for vaccines. Assent from minors aged seven years and above can improve moral growth and develop autonomy. It can even encourage them to comply with the medical treatment and allow them to express their interests in such endeavor. It offers a chance to contribute to their healthcare and provide an honest and open relationship between the family and medical service team.<a href=\\\"#_ftn59\\\">[59]<\\/a> Children will no longer be obligated to keep quiet for the sake of their parents. It also ensures that a child\'s unanswered questions, unresolved worries, or desire to be acknowledged are treated as legitimate and rational issues that matter in the child\'s world, rather than being dismissed as complete nonsense. <a href=\\\"#_ftn60\\\">[60]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>Recommendation<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 With the positive and negative outcomes analyzed, the recommendations are set forth to guide future legislators and policymakers and to help outweigh the negative effects.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:list --><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\n<ul>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\n<ul>\\n<li>The requirements of assent are: 1) properly informing patients about the issues at hand and what to expect; 2) assessment of their understanding; 3) soliciting agreement or acknowledgment of the decision.<a href=\\\"#_ftn61\\\">[61]<\\/a><\\/li>\\n<li>American Academy of Pediatrics said that assent should be obtained whenever reasonable, and that assent should only be obtained in situations in which the medical service team would be willing to honor, at least in part, a child\\u2019s dissent.<a href=\\\"#_ftn62\\\">[62]<\\/a><\\/li>\\n<li>Legislation should reflect the concept of <em>care ethics<\\/em> (\\u201cIndividuals do not exist in isolation but with others to\\u00a0 whom\\u00a0 they are emotionally or psychologically close,\\u00a0 such as parents,\\u00a0 siblings, and friends \\u201d). Medical professionals should educate a minor by generating information that can provide specific medical context that can be weighed and analyzed with perspectives offered by family and friends which can largely affect their thought processes. The legislation should also recognize the limitations of judgments of minors.<a href=\\\"#_ftn63\\\">[63]<\\/a><\\/li>\\n<li>The legislators should also limit the age bracket (ideally at the age of 14), and limit the vaccines to the recommended types that have been long proven to be effective by science (Ex. measles, polio, diphtheria, influenza) to minimize health risks.<\\/li>\\n<li>In the legislation, healthcare professionals, adolescent health care clinicians, public health personnel, medical organizations should be present and give their inputs.<a href=\\\"#_ftn64\\\">[64]<\\/a><\\/li>\\n<li>The legislators should frame the law in a way that reflects the thought that \\u201cparental consent should be considered a responsibility that supports the minor\'s best interests and preserves a family\'s interests, rather than a parent\'s right to express their own autonomous choices.\\u201d\\u00a0 Davis and Fang, in an article, said that \\u201c<em>Providers have to serve the pediatric patient\'s best interest and not necessarily the parents\' desires.<\\/em>\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn65\\\">[65]<\\/a><\\/li>\\n<li>For policy-making among healthcare professionals or even in the legislation itself, a set of protocols should be developed to serve as a guide to assess minor\\u2019s maturity and decision-making ability. Legal documentation guidelines should be executed to protect healthcare workers against a suit.<a href=\\\"#_ftn66\\\">[66]<\\/a><\\/li>\\n<li>Adolescent\\u2019s privacy should be reflected in the legislation and healthcare protocols. <a href=\\\"#_ftn67\\\">[67]<\\/a><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<div>\\u00a0<\\/div>\\n<\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>Conclusion<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Vaccines have greatly contributed in eradicating serious diseases that could have led to mortality or permanent disability. They are one of the scientific breakthroughs that are gravely misunderstood and often subjected to prejudicial preference. Time and again refused because of misinformation as well as cultural and religious differences. In the Philippines, there is a huge vacuum in emancipation laws for medical decisions for minors. Assuming that minors would be allowed to obtain a vaccine without parental consent, different positive outcomes could be factored, such as a decrease in disease statistics and empowerment in adolescence, while negative outlooks include increased risky behavior in minors because of their developing mental and physical structure, and the boosted risk of medical malpractice suits if ever the vaccine produces adverse effects in their body. Legislators should strive to include healthcare workers in developing legislation that would allow minors to get vaccines for themselves without parental permission, all while preserving the family harmony and the patient\\u2019s well-being, as well as knowing that this is about a patient\\u2019s health and not grandstanding parental authority.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>* Associate Research Editor, UST Law Review; freelance writer<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">[1]<\\/a>UNICEF Philippines, #VaccinesWork: UNICEF stresses importance of immunization on World Immunization Week, UNICEF Philippines, (January 31, 2021), https:\\/\\/www.unicef.org\\/philippines\\/press-releases\\/vaccineswork-unicef-stresses-importance-immunization-world-immunization-week<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a> Jenny Lei Ravelo, Another casualty of vaccine hesitancy: Philippines declares polio outbreak, (January 31, 2021), https:\\/\\/www.devex.com\\/news\\/another-casualty-of-vaccine-hesitancy-philippines-declares-polio-outbreak-95648<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a> Department of Health, Doh Identifies Vaccine Hesitancy as One of The Reasons For Measles Outbreak, Department of Health, (January 31, 2021), https:\\/\\/doh.gov.ph\\/node\\/16721<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[4]<\\/a> Id.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[5]<\\/a> World Health Organization, Revised SAGE recommendation on use of dengue vaccine, (Apil 19, 2018), https:\\/\\/www.who.int\\/immunization\\/diseases\\/dengue\\/revised_SAGE_recommendations_dengue_vaccines_apr2018\\/en\\/<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[6]<\\/a> Migrino, Jr J, Gayados B. Birol RJ, De Jesus L, Lopez CW, Mercado WC, et al. Factors affecting vaccine hesitancy among families with children 2 years old and younger in two urban communities in Manila, Philippines. Western Pac Surveill Response J. 2020 Jun; 10(2). doi: 10.5365\\/wpsar.2019.10.2.006<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\">[7]<\\/a> Kelly Danielpour, Commentary: Why all 50 states need to allow teens to get vaccinated without parental consent, Los Angeles Times, (Nov. 19, 2020), https:\\/\\/journaltimes.com\\/news\\/commentary-why-all-50-states-need-to-allow-teens-to-get-vaccinated-without-parental-consent\\/article_264a2b69-0924-5c08-aabd-fb79fa5deec4.html<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\">[8]<\\/a> Id.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\">[9]<\\/a> Michael Ollove, Teens of \\u2018Anti-Vaxxers\\u2019 Can Get Their Own Vaccines, Some States Say, Stateline, (June 24, 2019), https:\\/\\/www.pewtrusts.org\\/en\\/research-and-analysis\\/blogs\\/stateline\\/2019\\/06\\/24\\/teens-of-anti-vaxxers-can-get-their-own-vaccines-some-states-say<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\">[10]<\\/a> Kelly Danielpour, Commentary: Why all 50 states need to allow teens to get vaccinated without parental consent, Los Angeles Times, (Nov. 19, 2020), https:\\/\\/journaltimes.com\\/news\\/commentary-why-all-50-states-need-to-allow-teens-to-get-vaccinated-without-parental-consent\\/article_264a2b69-0924-5c08-aabd-fb79fa5deec4.html<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\">[11]<\\/a> Abigail English, Carol A. Ford, Jessica A. Kahn, Elyse Olshen Kharbanda, Adolescent Consent for Vaccination: A Position Paper of the Societyfor Adolescent Health and Medicine, 53 Journal of Adolescent Health, 550, 550-553, (2013)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref12\\\">[12]<\\/a> Michael Davis & Andrea Fang, Emancipated Minor, StatPearls Publishing LLC, (May 19, 2020), https:\\/\\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\\/books\\/NBK554594\\/<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref13\\\">[13]<\\/a> Id.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref14\\\">[14]<\\/a> Abigail English, Carol A. Ford, Jessica A. Kahn, Elyse Olshen Kharbanda, Adolescent Consent for Vaccination: A Position Paper of the Societyfor Adolescent Health and Medicine, 53 Journal of Adolescent Health, 550, 552, (2013)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref15\\\">[15]<\\/a> <em>In Re: Chad Eric Swan, <\\/em>569 A.2d 1202 (1990), decided January 23, 1990, opinion Issued February 15, 1990.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref16\\\">[16]<\\/a> Id.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref17\\\">[17]<\\/a> Michael Ollove, Teens of \\u2018Anti-Vaxxers\\u2019 Can Get Their Own Vaccines, Some States Say, Stateline, (June 24, 2019), https:\\/\\/www.pewtrusts.org\\/en\\/research-and-analysis\\/blogs\\/stateline\\/2019\\/06\\/24\\/teens-of-anti-vaxxers-can-get-their-own-vaccines-some-states-say<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref18\\\">[18]<\\/a> Mackenzie Bean, 9 states where minors can get vaccinated without parental consent, ASC COMMUNICATIONS 2021, (June 24, 2019), https:\\/\\/www.beckershospitalreview.com\\/quality\\/9-states-where-minors-can-get-vaccinated-without-parental-consent.html<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref19\\\">[19]<\\/a> An Act Lowering The Age Of Majority From Twenty-One To Eighteen Years, Amending For The Purpose Executive Order Numbered Two Hundred Nine, And For Other Purposes, Republic Act No. 6809, sec. 234 (1989)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref20\\\">[20]<\\/a> R.A. 386, sec. 236<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref21\\\">[21]<\\/a> The Child and Youth Welfare Code, Presidential Decree No. 603, art. 17 (1974)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref22\\\">[22]<\\/a>P.D. 603, art. 17<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref23\\\">[23]<\\/a> P.D. 603, art. 19 (1974)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref24\\\">[24]<\\/a> P.D. 603, art. 43 (1974)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref25\\\">[25]<\\/a> The Family Code of The Philippines, Executive Order No. 209, art. 209 (1988)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref26\\\">[26]<\\/a> E.O. 209, art. 210<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref27\\\">[27]<\\/a> E.O. 209, art. 228<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref28\\\">[28]<\\/a> E.O. 209, art. 229<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref29\\\">[29]<\\/a> E.O. 209, art. 230<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref30\\\">[30]<\\/a> An Act Providing For Mandatory Basic Immunization Services For Infants And Children, Repealing For The Purpose Presidential Decree No. 996, As Amended, Republic Act No. 10152, sec. 2 (2011)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref31\\\">[31]<\\/a> R.A. 10152, sec. 3<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref32\\\">[32]<\\/a> R.A. 10152, sec. 4<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref33\\\">[33]<\\/a> R.A. 10152, sec. 5<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref34\\\">[34]<\\/a> Sheila Crisostomo & Gilbert Bayoran, Mandatory immunization ordered, The Philippine Star, (Feb. 10, 2019), https:\\/\\/www.philstar.com\\/headlines\\/2019\\/02\\/10\\/1892465\\/mandatory-immunization-ordered<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref35\\\">[35]<\\/a> Josue N. Bellosillo, Bu C. Castro, Emmanuel LJ. Mapili, Albert D. Rebosa, Antonio D. Rebosa, Basics of Philippine Medical Jurisprudence and Ethics, p. 113, (2010 ed. Central Book Supply, 2010)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref36\\\">[36]<\\/a> An Act To Ordain And Institute The Civil Code Of The Philippines, Republic Act No. 386, art. 1327 (1950)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref37\\\">[37]<\\/a> Hector S. De Leon & Hector M. De Leon, Jr. The Law on Obligations and Contracts, p. 342-349, (Rex Printing Company, Inc., 2014)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref38\\\">[38]<\\/a> Id. at p. 431<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref39\\\">[39]<\\/a> Josue N. Bellosillo, Bu C. Castro, Emmanuel LJ. Mapili, Albert D. Rebosa, Antonio D. Rebosa, Basics of Philippine Medical Jurisprudence and Ethics, p. 113, (2010 ed. Central Book Supply, 2010)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref40\\\">[40]<\\/a> Id. at p. 412 (2010 ed. Central Book Supply, 2010)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref41\\\">[41]<\\/a> Cyrus Cesar R. Tejam, Clinical Pediatrics in the Philippines: Parental Assent and Consent, 2 Asia Pacific Journal of Pediatrics and Child Health, 27, 29 \\u00a0(2019)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref42\\\">[42]<\\/a> Id.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref43\\\">[43]<\\/a> An instance is when it is recommended that \\u201c<em>vaccines not be given during chemo or radiation treatments \\u2013 the only exception to this is the flu shot. This is mainly because vaccines need an immune system response to work, and you may not get an adequate response during cancer treatment<\\/em>.\\u201d \\u2013 American Cancer Society, Vaccinations and Flu Shots for People with Cancer: Should people with cancer get any vaccines? , American Cancer Society webpage, Inc. (2020), <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.cancer.org\\/treatment\\/treatments-and-side-effects\\/physical-side-effects\\/low-blood-counts\\/infections\\/vaccination-during-cancer-treatment.html\\\">https:\\/\\/www.cancer.org\\/treatment\\/treatments-and-side-effects\\/physical-side-effects\\/low-blood-counts\\/infections\\/vaccination-during-cancer-treatment.html<\\/a>. This should not be treated as a medical advice. It is always best to consult your physician.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref44\\\">[44]<\\/a> Josue N. Bellosillo, Bu C. Castro, Emmanuel LJ. Mapili, Albert D. Rebosa, Antonio D. Rebosa, Basics of Philippine Medical Jurisprudence and Ethics, p. 117 (2010 ed. Central Book Supply, 2010)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref45\\\">[45]<\\/a> <em>Lucas v. Tua\\u00f1o<\\/em>, 586 SCRA 173 (2009)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref46\\\">[46]<\\/a> Josue N. Bellosillo, Bu C. Castro, Emmanuel LJ. Mapili, Albert D. Rebosa, Antonio D. Rebosa, Basics of Philippine Medical Jurisprudence and Ethics, p. 131, (2010 ed. Central Book Supply, 2010)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref47\\\">[47]<\\/a> Id.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref48\\\">[48]<\\/a> Professional Services, Inc. v. Natividad and Enrique Agana, 542 Phil. 464, 481 (2007).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref49\\\">[49]<\\/a> Josue N. Bellosillo, Bu C. Castro, Emmanuel LJ. Mapili, Albert D. Rebosa, Antonio D. Rebosa, Basics of Philippine Medical Jurisprudence and Ethics, p. 59, (2010 ed. Central Book Supply, 2010)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref50\\\">[50]<\\/a> Id at 195<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref51\\\">[51]<\\/a> The Revised Penal Code, Act No. 3815, art. 264, (1930)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref52\\\">[52]<\\/a> Act No. 3815, art. 266, (1930)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref53\\\">[53]<\\/a> <em>Gonzaga v. People, <\\/em>G.R. No. 195671, January 21, 2015.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref54\\\">[54]<\\/a> Josue N. Bellosillo, Bu C. Castro, Emmanuel LJ. Mapili, Albert D. Rebosa, Antonio D. Rebosa, Basics of Philippine Medical Jurisprudence and Ethics, p. 154, (2010 ed. Central Book Supply, 2010)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref55\\\">[55]<\\/a> Id.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref56\\\">[56]<\\/a> Michael Ollove, Teens of \\u2018Anti-Vaxxers\\u2019 Can Get Their Own Vaccines, Some States Say, Stateline, (June 24, 2019), https:\\/\\/www.pewtrusts.org\\/en\\/research-and-analysis\\/blogs\\/stateline\\/2019\\/06\\/24\\/teens-of-anti-vaxxers-can-get-their-own-vaccines-some-states-say<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref57\\\">[57]<\\/a> Petronella Grootens-Wiegers,\\u00a0 Irma M. Hein, Jos M. van den Broek, & Martine C. de Vries, Medical decision-making in children and adolescents: developmental and neuroscientific aspects, BMC Pediatrics, 1, 2 (2017)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref58\\\">[58]<\\/a> Petronella Grootens-Wiegers,\\u00a0 Irma M. Hein, Jos M. van den Broek, & Martine C. de Vries, Medical decision-making in children and adolescents: developmental and neuroscientific aspects, BMC Pediatrics, 1, 6 (2017)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref59\\\">[59]<\\/a> Cyrus Cesar R. Tejam, Clinical Pediatrics in the Philippines: Parental Assent and Consent, 2 Asia Pacific Journal of Pediatrics and Child Health, 27, 29 (2019)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref60\\\">[60]<\\/a> Rebecca Babcock, Medical Decision-Making for Minors: Using Care Ethics to Empower Adolescents and Amend the Current Power Imbalances, 8 Asian Bioethics Review, 4, 13 (2016)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref61\\\">[61]<\\/a> Cyrus Cesar R. Tejam, Clinical Pediatrics in the Philippines: Parental Assent and Consent, 2 Asia Pacific Journal of Pediatrics and Child Health, 27, 29 (2019)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref62\\\">[62]<\\/a> Id at 27-33<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref63\\\">[63]<\\/a> Rebecca Babcock, Medical Decision-Making for Minors: Using Care Ethics to Empower Adolescents and Amend the Current Power Imbalances, 8 Asian Bioethics Review, 4, 13 (2016)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref64\\\">[64]<\\/a> Abigail English, Carol A. Ford, Jessica A. Kahn, Elyse Olshen Kharbanda, Adolescent Consent for Vaccination: A Position Paper of the Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine, 53 Journal of Adolescent Health, 550, 552, (2013)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref65\\\">[65]<\\/a> Michael Davis & Andrea Fang, Emancipated Minor, StatPearls Publishing LLC, (May 19, 2020), https:\\/\\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\\/books\\/NBK554594\\/<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref66\\\">[66]<\\/a> Id.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref67\\\">[67]<\\/a> Id.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>Featured Photo by <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/unsplash.com\\/@thenewmalcolm?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText\\\">Obi Onyeador<\\/a> on <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/unsplash.com\\/s\\/photos\\/vaccine-choice?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText\\\">Unsplash<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.15,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(3728,1278,'_thumbnail_id','1262'),(3729,1278,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(3730,1278,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(3731,1278,'_elementor_version','3.1.1'),(3732,1278,'_wp_page_template','default'),(3733,1278,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"3d1e02bb\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"4005cedf\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"6508c5f0\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><!-- wp:separator --><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"text-align: center;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\"><em><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">*<\\/a>This should not be treated as a medical advice. It is always best to consult your physician.<\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p style=\\\"text-align: right;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>By: Ashley Faye S. Cruz**<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 You are a 15-year-old high school kid lining up in an annual physical examination. The school physician asked if you were vaccinated when you were still a newborn. You answered in the negative, and the physician gave you flyers for free vaccines at the public health center. You went home and excitedly told your mother about this thing called \\u201cvaccine\\u201d and how it can help your immune system. Your mom, who believes in medical conspiracy theories, adamantly denied your request and pulled a litany of conspiracy theories taken from social media websites. Determined, you went to the public health center, but the nurse denied you a free vaccine because there needs parental consent.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 It is very alarming that the Philippines could have avoided diseases by a simple vaccine trip to the nearest pediatrician. United Nations International Children\'s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) reported that as of 2019, an estimated 2.9 million Filipino children remain unvaccinated and remain vulnerable to serious diseases such as rubella and polio. <a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\">[1]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 World Health Organization (WHO) representative Rabindra Abeyasinghe said that to halt the proliferation of disease in the country, 95% need to be vaccinated<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\">[2]<\\/a>. Notwithstanding the availability of free vaccines at public health centers, many parents still refuse to vaccinate their children. Parents have the \\u201cvaccine hesitancy\\u201d, which is the delay in acceptance or refusal of vaccines despite the availability of vaccination services.<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\">[3]<\\/a> Studies have identified several factors that have caused the loss of public confidence in vaccine, though the recommended vaccines are long proven to be effective.<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\">[4]<\\/a> Among these are the following:<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:list {\\\"ordered\\\":true,\\\"type\\\":\\\"1\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<ol>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\n<ol type=\\\"1\\\">\\n<li>Dengvaxia controversy, where 10% of the 800,000 students who were immunized with a vaccine against Dengue known as Dengvaxia, but did not have a prior dengue infection, posed a higher risk of contracting severe Dengue<a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\">[5]<\\/a>;<\\/li>\\n<li>Circumstantial events surrounding vaccinations such as when parents attach significance to events such as sleep or behavioral patterns and birth timing;<\\/li>\\n<li>Over-reporting of adverse effects of immunization by mass media such as newspapers and television; and<\\/li>\\n<li>Social media also contributed to vaccine hesitancy, and parents tend to be more susceptible to media reports on the Internet.<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\">[6]<\\/a><\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<\\/li>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\u00a0<\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Parents who choose not to vaccinate their children endanger not only themselves but also everyone else as immunization rates fall too low for vaccine-preventable diseases. In the school year before the COVID-19 outbreak in the United States (U.S.), the rate of childhood vaccine exemptions claimed by parents rose in 40 of 49 states as reflected in the records. <a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\">[7]<\\/a> Dr. Arthur Caplan, founding director of the Division of Medical Ethics at New York University Langone Medical Center, said that \\u201c<em>Parents should not have the authority to subject their children to serious preventable harm<\\/em>\\u201d. <a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\">[8]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 However, there is a solution made by certain states in the U.S. to combat the ever-worsening disease statistics. Nine states allow minors to receive vaccinations without their parents\' permission. Four states allow adolescents to receive specific vaccines, while five states allow minors to consent to any healthcare. <a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\">[9]<\\/a> The American Medical Association and the Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine and other medical organizations, strongly support laws allowing older minors to self-consent to vaccinations. Granting teenagers this right is essential to stemming the spread of diseases, whether they are newly emerging like COVID-19 or have faded from the news.<a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\">[10]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 English, et al., of the Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine, stated in their position paper <em>Adolescent Consent for Vaccination: A Position Paper of the Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine<\\/em>, that adolescent vaccines allow the enhancement of adolescent and adult health. Approaches to boost the proportion of adolescents who receive vaccines will be essential to assure that adolescent vaccination will lead to developments in the health of populations. Within ethical and legal guidelines, it will be important to develop policies and strategies that expand opportunities for minors to receive vaccinations when parents are not physically present.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\">[11]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The U.S. laws on emancipation from parental authority vary from state to state. For instance, some states adopt the \\u201cmature minor\\u201d doctrine. The mature minor doctrine legally recognizes the medical decision-making capacity of adolescents, even though they are still minors under parental or legal guardian control. They are usually 12 years old or older, and they are required to demonstrate adequate cognitive maturity and capacity to understand the risks of medical evaluations and treatments. Some other states allow this practice but its application is restricted only on the grounds of parental availability and sensitive clinical situations.<a href=\\\"#_ftn12\\\">[12]<\\/a> They also allow medical service without parental consent in times of emergency. Other medical services that are available to adolescents that do not need parental consent are rape or sexual assault services, contraception services. sexually transmitted infections, prenatal care, abortion, pediatric care for children of minors, substance use disorder treatment, and mental health treatment. <a href=\\\"#_ftn13\\\">[13]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>Federal law of the U.S, does not contain any requirements for parent\\u2019s consent for vaccination of minors. As an exception, the mature minor doctrine which developed from jurisprudence provides an avenue for minors to obtain vaccines for themselves, as long as the patient can give informed consent, the treatment is not high risk, and is provided in a nonnegligent manner.<a href=\\\"#_ftn14\\\">[14]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 To illustrate, in the case of <em>In Re: Swan<\\/em>, Maine Supreme Judicial Court addressed the issue of discontinuing the treatment of minor patient in a chronic vegetative state with little hope of recovery, specifically that the medical decision maker here is the minor patient himself. Chad had an accident which rendered him needing a life-sustaining procedure included a gastrostomy tube that provided hydration and nutrients to his body. Chad\'s mother and brother said that prior to his accident, Chad told them that he did not want to be held alive by artificial means if an injury rendered him incapable of existing otherwise. The tube eventually deteriorated and made his condition worse. Chad\\u2019s parents acquiesced to his wishes.<a href=\\\"#_ftn15\\\">[15]<\\/a> The District Attorney contended that Chad\'s ability to refuse medical care was \\\"significantly limited\\\" since he was under the legal age of majority when he articulated his wishes. Maine Supreme Judicial Court opposed such contention, saying that Chad\'s age was only a \\\"factor to be weighed by the truth finder in judging the seriousness and deliberateness\\\" of his comments. Chad\'s aspirations to not be held in a permanent vegetative condition were \\\"well-informed medical care decisions\\\" that should be respected.<a href=\\\"#_ftn16\\\">[16]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Some suggest that all states should allow minors to make some health care decisions, especially in stigmatized areas such as sexual health and drug addiction. <a href=\\\"#_ftn17\\\">[17]<\\/a> In California, children aged 12 and up will undergo sexually transmitted disease vaccinations without parental supervision. Hepatitis B vaccine may be given to children of any age without their parents\' consent in Minnesota. In Alabama, children ages 14 and up can consent to all healthcare services.<a href=\\\"#_ftn18\\\">[18]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>The situation in the Philippines \\u2013 Emancipation Laws<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Philippines has legislation for emancipation from parental authority. The age of eighteen years is the age of majority unless otherwise provided, and emancipation takes place in such event.<a href=\\\"#_ftn19\\\">[19]<\\/a> According to the law, \\u201cEmancipation shall terminate parental authority over the person and property of the child who shall then be qualified and responsible for all acts of civil life, save the exceptions established by existing laws in special cases.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn20\\\">[20]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Parental authority is also ingrained in our statutes. Article 17 of The Child and Youth Welfare Code states that \\u201cthe father and mother shall exercise jointly just and reasonable parental authority and responsibility for their legitimate or adopted children.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn21\\\">[21]<\\/a> In case of absence or death or either parent, the surviving parent shall exercise the parental authority. <a href=\\\"#_ftn22\\\">[22]<\\/a> \\u201cGrandparents and in their default, the oldest brother or sister who is at least eighteen years of age, or the relative who has actual custody of the child, shall exercise parental authority in case of absence or death of both parents unless a guardian has been appointed following the succeeding provision.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn23\\\">[23]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Code also provides in Chapter 2, Article 43 \\u00a0that \\u201cthe parents shall have the right to the company of their children and, concerning all other persons or institutions dealing with the child\'s development, the primary right and obligation to provide for their upbringing.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn24\\\">[24]<\\/a> The authority of parents\\/legal guardians are also strengthened by Article 209 of the Act: \\u201cUnder the natural right and duty of parents over the person and property of their unemancipated children, parental authority and responsibility shall include the caring for and rearing them for civic consciousness and efficiency and the development of their moral, mental and physical character and well-being.\\u201d <a href=\\\"#_ftn25\\\">[25]<\\/a> It cannot be renounced or transferred except in cases authorized by law. <a href=\\\"#_ftn26\\\">[26]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Parental authority terminates permanently upon the death of the parents, upon the death of the child, or emancipation of the child. <a href=\\\"#_ftn27\\\">[27]<\\/a> Moreover, unless subsequently revived by final judgment, it is also terminated upon adoption of the child, upon judicial declaration of abandonment of the child in a case filed for the purpose, upon the final judgment of a competent court divesting the party concerned of parental authority, upon judicial declaration of absence or incapacity of the person exercising parental authority. <a href=\\\"#_ftn28\\\">[28]<\\/a> It can be suspended upon conviction of the parent or the person exercising the same of a crime which carries with it the penalty of civil interdiction, <a href=\\\"#_ftn29\\\">[29]<\\/a> or if they treat the child with excessive harshness or cruelty, gives the child corrupting orders, counsel, or example, compels the child to beg, or subjects the child or allows him to be subjected to acts of lasciviousness<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>Vaccine laws in the Philippines<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 There is a law mandating the basic immunization services for infants and children, or the An Act Providing For Mandatory Basic Immunization Services For Infants And Children, Repealing For The Purpose Presidential Decree No. 996, As Amended (Republic Act No. 10152). It is the policy of the State to take a proactive role in the preventive health care of infants and children, and through this legislation, the State wants to adopt a comprehensive, mandatory and sustainable immunization program for vaccine-preventable diseases for all infants and children.<a href=\\\"#_ftn30\\\">[30]<\\/a> This law covers the following vaccine-preventable diseases:<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:list {\\\"ordered\\\":true,\\\"type\\\":\\\"a\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<ol>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\n<ol>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\n<ol type=\\\"a\\\">\\n<li>Tuberculosis<\\/li>\\n<li>Diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis;<\\/li>\\n<li>Poliomyelitis;<\\/li>\\n<li>Measles;<\\/li>\\n<li>Mumps;<\\/li>\\n<li>Rubella or German measles;<\\/li>\\n<li>Hepatitis-B;<\\/li>\\n<li>H. Influenza type B (HIB); and<\\/li>\\n<li>Such other types may be determined by the Secretary of Health in a department circular.<\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<p>\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Such basic immunizations shall be given for free at any government hospital or health center to infants and children up to five (5) years of age.<a href=\\\"#_ftn31\\\">[31]<\\/a> R.A. 10152 also mandates that all health care practitioners or health care workers who are administering prenatal care shall educate all pregnant mothers on the importance of giving their infants the basic immunization services as well as any possible effects of immunization and that the Department of Health (DOH) and other government and private sectors shall make available appropriate information materials and shall have a system of its distribution to the public.<a href=\\\"#_ftn32\\\">[32]<\\/a> One of the important provisions is Section 5 which provides that any physician, nurse, midwife, nursing aide or skilled birth attendant, who delivers, or assists in the delivery of, a newborn shall, before delivery, inform parents or legal guardian of the newborn of the availability, nature, and benefits of immunization against Hepatitis-B and other vaccine-preventable diseases at birth.<a href=\\\"#_ftn33\\\">[33]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 However, Secretary to the Cabinet Karlo Nograles said that \\u201cthe government could neither force parents to have their children vaccinated nor punish them if they have not.\\u201d He said that \\u201cRA 10152 does not have any penal provisions and does not punish parents who do not have their children vaccinated, unlike the Presidential Decree (PD) it replaced. Under PD 996, it was the duty of parents or those having custody of the child to see to it that the child is immunized. Those who did not could be punished with a P200 fine or one-month imprisonment\\u201d <a href=\\\"#_ftn34\\\">[34]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 With the advent of R.A. 11166 or the Philippine HIV and AIDS Policy Act, the threshold of consent for the screening, voluntary testing, and treatment for human immunodeficiency virus infection, was lowered to fifteen years of age\\u2014 a characterization of the mature minor doctrine. It requires the assent of the child below 15 years old or those mentally incapacitated, if capacity to assent exists, in order to avail of voluntary testing and protect its interests.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 As seen from the aforementioned laws, just like at the federal level of the US, there is a vacuum in terms of parental consent for vaccination of minors in the Philippines.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>Philippine laws: parental consent for medical treatments<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 A doctor-patient relationship is a form of contract. It is an elementary principle that one of the elements of a contract is consent. The person giving consent must be of legal age (18 years of age, unless otherwise provided) and mentally and physically competent. As the legal guardians, parents are the persons who must sign the consent forms.<a href=\\\"#_ftn35\\\">[35]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Article 1327 of the Civil Code provides the persons who cannot give consent to a contract: unemancipated minors and insane or demented persons, and deaf-mutes who do not know how to write. <a href=\\\"#_ftn36\\\">[36]<\\/a> The Civil Code does not define who can consent to a contract, rather, it defines who has no capacity. These persons can easily be victims of fraud as they are not capable of understanding or knowing the nature of their actions, thus they can only enter into an agreement or contracts through their parents or their legal guardians.<a href=\\\"#_ftn37\\\">[37]<\\/a> The contract they have entered is voidable, meaning it is valid and binding until it is annulled by a proper action in court.<a href=\\\"#_ftn38\\\">[38]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In the medical field, there is the right to informed consent, \\u00a0a legal right recognized and protected by law and jurisprudence. The patient has the right to choose openly whether or not to consent to care after being adequately advised by the specialist about the complications and benefits of the recommended treatment, as well as the viable treatment alternatives, including the possibility of no treatment.<a href=\\\"#_ftn39\\\">[39]<\\/a> It is further drawn as a legal concept, where a person can be said, \\u201cto have given consent based upon a clear appreciation and understanding of the facts, implications, and future consequences of an action.\\u201d He must have adequate reasoning faculties and knows all relevant facts at the time consent is given. If a person cannot give informed consent, say a child, another person is generally authorized to give consent on their behalf, in this case, his parents or legal guardian\\/s. <a href=\\\"#_ftn40\\\">[40]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The key elements of informed consent, according to Tejam of Asia Pacific Journal of Pediatrics and Child Health are disclosure of information, assessment of the decision maker\\u2019s capacity to make medical choices, and process of obtaining consent in the form of a voluntary agreement from the patient without coercion or persuasion. In pediatrics, it comes from the parent or legal guardian. Per the best interests standard, parents are regarded to be in the best position to determine their child\\u2019s best interest because parental decision aims to maximize benefits for their children while minimizing harm. However, the determination of what is in children\\u2019s best interest is often subjective and debatable. While written or verbal informed parental consent may be enough for ethical and legal purposes, but it does not meet the necessities of the ethical concept of informed concept. <a href=\\\"#_ftn41\\\">[41]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The purpose of informed consent and the strict guidelines surrounding this concept is the respect for autonomy, which includes the liberty of the patient, defined as \\u201cthe capacity to live life according to one\'s reasons and motives and agency \\u2026[or] rational capacity for intentional action.\\u201d This principle served as one of the pillars in resolving ethical dilemmas.<a href=\\\"#_ftn42\\\">[42]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>Legal consequences of letting Filipino adolescents make vaccine related medical decisions<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Suppose the teen suffered injuries because of the vaccine<a href=\\\"#_ftn43\\\">[43]<\\/a> and the parents want to file a suit against the physician who administered the vaccine. Here are some of the laws that are usually invoked in a medical malpractice suit.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><em>Medical malpractice<\\/em> is defined by Bellosillo, et al (2010) as:<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<blockquote>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u201cAny professional misconduct, or bad skillful practice, or any practice contrary to law or established rules and regulations whereby the health of a person is injured because of failure of a physician to behave or act as a reasonable, prudent physician who is charged with a duty to use a standard of due care and to foresee harm that may result from failure to meet such standard which may be the proximate cause of injury. It ordinarily refers to any malfeasance or dereliction of duty committed by a physician.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn44\\\">[44]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<\\/blockquote>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>The elements of medical malpractice, as enunciated in the case of <em>Lucas vs Tua\\u00f1o, <\\/em>(2009), are:<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:list {\\\"ordered\\\":true,\\\"type\\\":\\\"1\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<ol>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\n<ol>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\n<ol type=\\\"1\\\">\\n<li>A patient engages the services of a physician whereby a physician-patient relationship is generated<\\/li>\\n<li>A physician is under a duty to [the former] to exercise that degree of care, skill, and diligence which physicians in the same general neighborhood and the same general line of practice ordinarily possess and exercise in like cases<\\/li>\\n<li>There is a breach of duty of care, skill, and diligence, or the improper performance of such duty, by the attending physician when the patient is injured in body or health<\\/li>\\n<li>Proof of such breach must likewise rest upon the testimony of an expert witness that the treatment accorded to the patient failed to meet the standard level of care, skill, and diligence which physicians in the same general neighborhood and the same general line of practice ordinarily possess and exercise in like cases.<\\/li>\\n<li>The proximate cause of an injury is that cause, which, in the natural and continuous sequence, unbroken by any efficient intervening cause, produces the injury, and without which the result would not have occurred<a href=\\\"#_ftn45\\\">[45]<\\/a><\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<div>\\u00a0<\\/div>\\n<\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 With these elements present, the physician can be held liable for negligence which is a tort liability. Negligence is defined as \\u201cthe doing of some act which a reasonable and prudent physician would not do, or the failure to do some act which such a person should or would do.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn46\\\">[46]<\\/a> While it is true that physicians are not required to possess extraordinary learning and skill, however, they must keep abreast with medical developments and techniques and must refrain from experimenting. <a href=\\\"#_ftn47\\\">[47]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In terms of evidence, the patient must prove that the health care provider failed to do something which a reasonably prudent health care provider would have done, or that he or she did something that a reasonably prudent provider would not have done; and that that failure or action caused injury to the patient. <a href=\\\"#_ftn48\\\">[48]<\\/a> The injured minor or his parents\\/legal guardian can recover financial damages (actual damages for the pecuniary loss suffered by a party, and moral damages, for the physical suffering and\\/or mental anguish, fright, shock, etc.). <a href=\\\"#_ftn49\\\">[49]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 He can also be held criminally liable<a href=\\\"#_ftn50\\\">[50]<\\/a>. Under the Revised Penal Code (RPC), he can be liable for the crime of administering injurious substances or beverages. The elements are:<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:list {\\\"ordered\\\":true,\\\"type\\\":\\\"1\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<ol>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\n<ol>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\n<ol type=\\\"1\\\">\\n<li>The offender in\\ufb02icted upon another any serious physical injury;<\\/li>\\n<li>That it was done by knowingly administering to him any injurious substances or beverages or by taking advantage of his weakness of mind or credulity;<\\/li>\\n<li>That he had no intent to kill. <a href=\\\"#_ftn51\\\">[51]<\\/a><\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<div>\\u00a0<\\/div>\\n<\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 He can also be made liable for Physical Injuries<a href=\\\"#_ftn52\\\">[52]<\\/a> and for Reckless Imprudence (quasi-offense). Reckless imprudence, as defined in Article 365 of RPC, \\u201cconsists in voluntarily, but without malice, doing or failing to do an act from which material damage results because of inexcusable lack of precaution on the part of the person performing or failing to perform such act, taking into consideration his employment or occupation, degree of intelligence, physical condition and other circumstances regarding persons, time and place.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn53\\\">[53]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 On the other end, the medical practitioner can take shelter on legal doctrines to save themselves from liability. The first is the <em>doctrine of foreseeability<\\/em>, which provides that:<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<blockquote>\\n<p>\\u201cA physician cannot be held liable for negligence if the injury sustained by a patient is on account of unforeseen conditions. But, a physician who fails to ascertain the condition of the patient for want of the requisite skills and training is answerable for the injury sustained by the patient if an injury resulted thereto. Such foreseeable injury may be ascertained from the history, physical examination, observation and from information gathered from another member of the family.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn54\\\">[54]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<\\/blockquote>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 He can also avoid liability by invoking the defense of accident, that is, an event which happens without any human agency or, if happening through human agency, an event which, under the circumstances, is unusual to and not expected by the person to whom it happened.<a href=\\\"#_ftn55\\\">[55]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>Practical Consequences \\u2013 Risks of letting minors make health care decisions<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 David DeLugas, executive director of the National Association of Parents (U.S.), said that letting minors make health care decisions in lieu of their parents may introduce conflict into families. He does not think states should upset the parent-child relationship by taking power from the parents and transferring it to the children.<a href=\\\"#_ftn56\\\">[56]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Grootens-Wiegers, et al. also noted that there is no general agreement as to which age is appropriate for minors to be considered competent for informed decision-making. Some studies suggest that it is at 9 years old, some studies suggest that it is ages of 14 or 15. Minors of the same age may have a different level of maturity. Young children, who exhibited an adequate aptitude for decision-making in a certain situation, can lack ample ability in another.<a href=\\\"#_ftn57\\\">[57]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 They also discussed that adolescence is a period when various health issues and increased risks appear. Teenagers experience changes in diet and tend to explore vices such as tobacco and substance abuse. The increase in mortality is attributed to decision-making being affected by risky behavior, sensation seeking, and peer influences. The increased risk can also be attributed to lower cognitive control because of the developing brain in adolescence, especially the brain\\u2019s reward system combined with late development of the control system which decreases decision-making competence. Since the maturity of adolescence varies from one child to another, the practice can be very unpredictable.<a href=\\\"#_ftn58\\\">[58]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 However, good practical outcomes can also come with the idea of minors making medical decisions for themselves, especially for vaccines. Assent from minors aged seven years and above can improve moral growth and develop autonomy. It can even encourage them to comply with the medical treatment and allow them to express their interests in such endeavor. It offers a chance to contribute to their healthcare and provide an honest and open relationship between the family and medical service team.<a href=\\\"#_ftn59\\\">[59]<\\/a> Children will no longer be obligated to keep quiet for the sake of their parents. It also ensures that a child\'s unanswered questions, unresolved worries, or desire to be acknowledged are treated as legitimate and rational issues that matter in the child\'s world, rather than being dismissed as complete nonsense. <a href=\\\"#_ftn60\\\">[60]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>Recommendation<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 With the positive and negative outcomes analyzed, the recommendations are set forth to guide future legislators and policymakers and to help outweigh the negative effects.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:list --><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\n<ul>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\n<ul>\\n<li>The requirements of assent are: 1) properly informing patients about the issues at hand and what to expect; 2) assessment of their understanding; 3) soliciting agreement or acknowledgment of the decision.<a href=\\\"#_ftn61\\\">[61]<\\/a><\\/li>\\n<li>American Academy of Pediatrics said that assent should be obtained whenever reasonable, and that assent should only be obtained in situations in which the medical service team would be willing to honor, at least in part, a child\\u2019s dissent.<a href=\\\"#_ftn62\\\">[62]<\\/a><\\/li>\\n<li>Legislation should reflect the concept of <em>care ethics<\\/em> (\\u201cIndividuals do not exist in isolation but with others to\\u00a0 whom\\u00a0 they are emotionally or psychologically close,\\u00a0 such as parents,\\u00a0 siblings, and friends \\u201d). Medical professionals should educate a minor by generating information that can provide specific medical context that can be weighed and analyzed with perspectives offered by family and friends which can largely affect their thought processes. The legislation should also recognize the limitations of judgments of minors.<a href=\\\"#_ftn63\\\">[63]<\\/a><\\/li>\\n<li>The legislators should also limit the age bracket (ideally at the age of 14), and limit the vaccines to the recommended types that have been long proven to be effective by science (Ex. measles, polio, diphtheria, influenza) to minimize health risks.<\\/li>\\n<li>In the legislation, healthcare professionals, adolescent health care clinicians, public health personnel, medical organizations should be present and give their inputs.<a href=\\\"#_ftn64\\\">[64]<\\/a><\\/li>\\n<li>The legislators should frame the law in a way that reflects the thought that \\u201cparental consent should be considered a responsibility that supports the minor\'s best interests and preserves a family\'s interests, rather than a parent\'s right to express their own autonomous choices.\\u201d\\u00a0 Davis and Fang, in an article, said that \\u201c<em>Providers have to serve the pediatric patient\'s best interest and not necessarily the parents\' desires.<\\/em>\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn65\\\">[65]<\\/a><\\/li>\\n<li>For policy-making among healthcare professionals or even in the legislation itself, a set of protocols should be developed to serve as a guide to assess minor\\u2019s maturity and decision-making ability. Legal documentation guidelines should be executed to protect healthcare workers against a suit.<a href=\\\"#_ftn66\\\">[66]<\\/a><\\/li>\\n<li>Adolescent\\u2019s privacy should be reflected in the legislation and healthcare protocols. <a href=\\\"#_ftn67\\\">[67]<\\/a><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<div>\\u00a0<\\/div>\\n<\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>Conclusion<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Vaccines have greatly contributed in eradicating serious diseases that could have led to mortality or permanent disability. They are one of the scientific breakthroughs that are gravely misunderstood and often subjected to prejudicial preference. Time and again refused because of misinformation as well as cultural and religious differences. In the Philippines, there is a huge vacuum in emancipation laws for medical decisions for minors. Assuming that minors would be allowed to obtain a vaccine without parental consent, different positive outcomes could be factored, such as a decrease in disease statistics and empowerment in adolescence, while negative outlooks include increased risky behavior in minors because of their developing mental and physical structure, and the boosted risk of medical malpractice suits if ever the vaccine produces adverse effects in their body. Legislators should strive to include healthcare workers in developing legislation that would allow minors to get vaccines for themselves without parental permission, all while preserving the family harmony and the patient\\u2019s well-being, as well as knowing that this is about a patient\\u2019s health and not grandstanding parental authority.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>* Associate Research Editor, UST Law Review; freelance writer<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">[1]<\\/a>UNICEF Philippines, #VaccinesWork: UNICEF stresses importance of immunization on World Immunization Week, UNICEF Philippines, (January 31, 2021), https:\\/\\/www.unicef.org\\/philippines\\/press-releases\\/vaccineswork-unicef-stresses-importance-immunization-world-immunization-week<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a> Jenny Lei Ravelo, Another casualty of vaccine hesitancy: Philippines declares polio outbreak, (January 31, 2021), https:\\/\\/www.devex.com\\/news\\/another-casualty-of-vaccine-hesitancy-philippines-declares-polio-outbreak-95648<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a> Department of Health, Doh Identifies Vaccine Hesitancy as One of The Reasons For Measles Outbreak, Department of Health, (January 31, 2021), https:\\/\\/doh.gov.ph\\/node\\/16721<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[4]<\\/a> Id.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[5]<\\/a> World Health Organization, Revised SAGE recommendation on use of dengue vaccine, (Apil 19, 2018), https:\\/\\/www.who.int\\/immunization\\/diseases\\/dengue\\/revised_SAGE_recommendations_dengue_vaccines_apr2018\\/en\\/<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[6]<\\/a> Migrino, Jr J, Gayados B. Birol RJ, De Jesus L, Lopez CW, Mercado WC, et al. Factors affecting vaccine hesitancy among families with children 2 years old and younger in two urban communities in Manila, Philippines. Western Pac Surveill Response J. 2020 Jun; 10(2). doi: 10.5365\\/wpsar.2019.10.2.006<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\">[7]<\\/a> Kelly Danielpour, Commentary: Why all 50 states need to allow teens to get vaccinated without parental consent, Los Angeles Times, (Nov. 19, 2020), https:\\/\\/journaltimes.com\\/news\\/commentary-why-all-50-states-need-to-allow-teens-to-get-vaccinated-without-parental-consent\\/article_264a2b69-0924-5c08-aabd-fb79fa5deec4.html<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\">[8]<\\/a> Id.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\">[9]<\\/a> Michael Ollove, Teens of \\u2018Anti-Vaxxers\\u2019 Can Get Their Own Vaccines, Some States Say, Stateline, (June 24, 2019), https:\\/\\/www.pewtrusts.org\\/en\\/research-and-analysis\\/blogs\\/stateline\\/2019\\/06\\/24\\/teens-of-anti-vaxxers-can-get-their-own-vaccines-some-states-say<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\">[10]<\\/a> Kelly Danielpour, Commentary: Why all 50 states need to allow teens to get vaccinated without parental consent, Los Angeles Times, (Nov. 19, 2020), https:\\/\\/journaltimes.com\\/news\\/commentary-why-all-50-states-need-to-allow-teens-to-get-vaccinated-without-parental-consent\\/article_264a2b69-0924-5c08-aabd-fb79fa5deec4.html<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\">[11]<\\/a> Abigail English, Carol A. Ford, Jessica A. Kahn, Elyse Olshen Kharbanda, Adolescent Consent for Vaccination: A Position Paper of the Societyfor Adolescent Health and Medicine, 53 Journal of Adolescent Health, 550, 550-553, (2013)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref12\\\">[12]<\\/a> Michael Davis & Andrea Fang, Emancipated Minor, StatPearls Publishing LLC, (May 19, 2020), https:\\/\\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\\/books\\/NBK554594\\/<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref13\\\">[13]<\\/a> Id.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref14\\\">[14]<\\/a> Abigail English, Carol A. Ford, Jessica A. Kahn, Elyse Olshen Kharbanda, Adolescent Consent for Vaccination: A Position Paper of the Societyfor Adolescent Health and Medicine, 53 Journal of Adolescent Health, 550, 552, (2013)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref15\\\">[15]<\\/a> <em>In Re: Chad Eric Swan, <\\/em>569 A.2d 1202 (1990), decided January 23, 1990, opinion Issued February 15, 1990.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref16\\\">[16]<\\/a> Id.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref17\\\">[17]<\\/a> Michael Ollove, Teens of \\u2018Anti-Vaxxers\\u2019 Can Get Their Own Vaccines, Some States Say, Stateline, (June 24, 2019), https:\\/\\/www.pewtrusts.org\\/en\\/research-and-analysis\\/blogs\\/stateline\\/2019\\/06\\/24\\/teens-of-anti-vaxxers-can-get-their-own-vaccines-some-states-say<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref18\\\">[18]<\\/a> Mackenzie Bean, 9 states where minors can get vaccinated without parental consent, ASC COMMUNICATIONS 2021, (June 24, 2019), https:\\/\\/www.beckershospitalreview.com\\/quality\\/9-states-where-minors-can-get-vaccinated-without-parental-consent.html<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref19\\\">[19]<\\/a> An Act Lowering The Age Of Majority From Twenty-One To Eighteen Years, Amending For The Purpose Executive Order Numbered Two Hundred Nine, And For Other Purposes, Republic Act No. 6809, sec. 234 (1989)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref20\\\">[20]<\\/a> R.A. 386, sec. 236<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref21\\\">[21]<\\/a> The Child and Youth Welfare Code, Presidential Decree No. 603, art. 17 (1974)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref22\\\">[22]<\\/a>P.D. 603, art. 17<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref23\\\">[23]<\\/a> P.D. 603, art. 19 (1974)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref24\\\">[24]<\\/a> P.D. 603, art. 43 (1974)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref25\\\">[25]<\\/a> The Family Code of The Philippines, Executive Order No. 209, art. 209 (1988)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref26\\\">[26]<\\/a> E.O. 209, art. 210<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref27\\\">[27]<\\/a> E.O. 209, art. 228<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref28\\\">[28]<\\/a> E.O. 209, art. 229<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref29\\\">[29]<\\/a> E.O. 209, art. 230<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref30\\\">[30]<\\/a> An Act Providing For Mandatory Basic Immunization Services For Infants And Children, Repealing For The Purpose Presidential Decree No. 996, As Amended, Republic Act No. 10152, sec. 2 (2011)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref31\\\">[31]<\\/a> R.A. 10152, sec. 3<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref32\\\">[32]<\\/a> R.A. 10152, sec. 4<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref33\\\">[33]<\\/a> R.A. 10152, sec. 5<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref34\\\">[34]<\\/a> Sheila Crisostomo & Gilbert Bayoran, Mandatory immunization ordered, The Philippine Star, (Feb. 10, 2019), https:\\/\\/www.philstar.com\\/headlines\\/2019\\/02\\/10\\/1892465\\/mandatory-immunization-ordered<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref35\\\">[35]<\\/a> Josue N. Bellosillo, Bu C. Castro, Emmanuel LJ. Mapili, Albert D. Rebosa, Antonio D. Rebosa, Basics of Philippine Medical Jurisprudence and Ethics, p. 113, (2010 ed. Central Book Supply, 2010)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref36\\\">[36]<\\/a> An Act To Ordain And Institute The Civil Code Of The Philippines, Republic Act No. 386, art. 1327 (1950)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref37\\\">[37]<\\/a> Hector S. De Leon & Hector M. De Leon, Jr. The Law on Obligations and Contracts, p. 342-349, (Rex Printing Company, Inc., 2014)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref38\\\">[38]<\\/a> Id. at p. 431<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref39\\\">[39]<\\/a> Josue N. Bellosillo, Bu C. Castro, Emmanuel LJ. Mapili, Albert D. Rebosa, Antonio D. Rebosa, Basics of Philippine Medical Jurisprudence and Ethics, p. 113, (2010 ed. Central Book Supply, 2010)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref40\\\">[40]<\\/a> Id. at p. 412 (2010 ed. Central Book Supply, 2010)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref41\\\">[41]<\\/a> Cyrus Cesar R. Tejam, Clinical Pediatrics in the Philippines: Parental Assent and Consent, 2 Asia Pacific Journal of Pediatrics and Child Health, 27, 29 \\u00a0(2019)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref42\\\">[42]<\\/a> Id.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref43\\\">[43]<\\/a> An instance is when it is recommended that \\u201c<em>vaccines not be given during chemo or radiation treatments \\u2013 the only exception to this is the flu shot. This is mainly because vaccines need an immune system response to work, and you may not get an adequate response during cancer treatment<\\/em>.\\u201d \\u2013 American Cancer Society, Vaccinations and Flu Shots for People with Cancer: Should people with cancer get any vaccines? , American Cancer Society webpage, Inc. (2020), <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.cancer.org\\/treatment\\/treatments-and-side-effects\\/physical-side-effects\\/low-blood-counts\\/infections\\/vaccination-during-cancer-treatment.html\\\">https:\\/\\/www.cancer.org\\/treatment\\/treatments-and-side-effects\\/physical-side-effects\\/low-blood-counts\\/infections\\/vaccination-during-cancer-treatment.html<\\/a>. This should not be treated as a medical advice. It is always best to consult your physician.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref44\\\">[44]<\\/a> Josue N. Bellosillo, Bu C. Castro, Emmanuel LJ. Mapili, Albert D. Rebosa, Antonio D. Rebosa, Basics of Philippine Medical Jurisprudence and Ethics, p. 117 (2010 ed. Central Book Supply, 2010)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref45\\\">[45]<\\/a> <em>Lucas v. Tua\\u00f1o<\\/em>, 586 SCRA 173 (2009)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref46\\\">[46]<\\/a> Josue N. Bellosillo, Bu C. Castro, Emmanuel LJ. Mapili, Albert D. Rebosa, Antonio D. Rebosa, Basics of Philippine Medical Jurisprudence and Ethics, p. 131, (2010 ed. Central Book Supply, 2010)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref47\\\">[47]<\\/a> Id.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref48\\\">[48]<\\/a> Professional Services, Inc. v. Natividad and Enrique Agana, 542 Phil. 464, 481 (2007).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref49\\\">[49]<\\/a> Josue N. Bellosillo, Bu C. Castro, Emmanuel LJ. Mapili, Albert D. Rebosa, Antonio D. Rebosa, Basics of Philippine Medical Jurisprudence and Ethics, p. 59, (2010 ed. Central Book Supply, 2010)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref50\\\">[50]<\\/a> Id at 195<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref51\\\">[51]<\\/a> The Revised Penal Code, Act No. 3815, art. 264, (1930)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref52\\\">[52]<\\/a> Act No. 3815, art. 266, (1930)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref53\\\">[53]<\\/a> <em>Gonzaga v. People, <\\/em>G.R. No. 195671, January 21, 2015.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref54\\\">[54]<\\/a> Josue N. Bellosillo, Bu C. Castro, Emmanuel LJ. Mapili, Albert D. Rebosa, Antonio D. Rebosa, Basics of Philippine Medical Jurisprudence and Ethics, p. 154, (2010 ed. Central Book Supply, 2010)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref55\\\">[55]<\\/a> Id.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref56\\\">[56]<\\/a> Michael Ollove, Teens of \\u2018Anti-Vaxxers\\u2019 Can Get Their Own Vaccines, Some States Say, Stateline, (June 24, 2019), https:\\/\\/www.pewtrusts.org\\/en\\/research-and-analysis\\/blogs\\/stateline\\/2019\\/06\\/24\\/teens-of-anti-vaxxers-can-get-their-own-vaccines-some-states-say<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref57\\\">[57]<\\/a> Petronella Grootens-Wiegers,\\u00a0 Irma M. Hein, Jos M. van den Broek, & Martine C. de Vries, Medical decision-making in children and adolescents: developmental and neuroscientific aspects, BMC Pediatrics, 1, 2 (2017)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref58\\\">[58]<\\/a> Petronella Grootens-Wiegers,\\u00a0 Irma M. Hein, Jos M. van den Broek, & Martine C. de Vries, Medical decision-making in children and adolescents: developmental and neuroscientific aspects, BMC Pediatrics, 1, 6 (2017)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref59\\\">[59]<\\/a> Cyrus Cesar R. Tejam, Clinical Pediatrics in the Philippines: Parental Assent and Consent, 2 Asia Pacific Journal of Pediatrics and Child Health, 27, 29 (2019)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref60\\\">[60]<\\/a> Rebecca Babcock, Medical Decision-Making for Minors: Using Care Ethics to Empower Adolescents and Amend the Current Power Imbalances, 8 Asian Bioethics Review, 4, 13 (2016)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref61\\\">[61]<\\/a> Cyrus Cesar R. Tejam, Clinical Pediatrics in the Philippines: Parental Assent and Consent, 2 Asia Pacific Journal of Pediatrics and Child Health, 27, 29 (2019)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref62\\\">[62]<\\/a> Id at 27-33<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref63\\\">[63]<\\/a> Rebecca Babcock, Medical Decision-Making for Minors: Using Care Ethics to Empower Adolescents and Amend the Current Power Imbalances, 8 Asian Bioethics Review, 4, 13 (2016)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref64\\\">[64]<\\/a> Abigail English, Carol A. Ford, Jessica A. Kahn, Elyse Olshen Kharbanda, Adolescent Consent for Vaccination: A Position Paper of the Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine, 53 Journal of Adolescent Health, 550, 552, (2013)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref65\\\">[65]<\\/a> Michael Davis & Andrea Fang, Emancipated Minor, StatPearls Publishing LLC, (May 19, 2020), https:\\/\\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\\/books\\/NBK554594\\/<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref66\\\">[66]<\\/a> Id.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref67\\\">[67]<\\/a> Id.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>Featured Photo by <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/unsplash.com\\/@thenewmalcolm?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText\\\">Obi Onyeador<\\/a> on <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/unsplash.com\\/s\\/photos\\/vaccine-choice?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText\\\">Unsplash<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.15,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(3735,1261,'_elementor_controls_usage','a:3:{s:11:\"text-editor\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:1;s:8:\"controls\";a:2:{s:7:\"content\";a:1:{s:14:\"section_editor\";a:1:{s:6:\"editor\";i:1;}}s:5:\"style\";a:1:{s:13:\"section_style\";a:2:{s:21:\"typography_typography\";i:1;s:22:\"typography_line_height\";i:1;}}}}s:6:\"column\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:0;s:8:\"controls\";a:0:{}}s:7:\"section\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:0;s:8:\"controls\";a:0:{}}}'),(3737,1279,'_wp_attached_file','2020/10'),(3738,1280,'_wp_attached_file','2020/11'),(3739,1281,'_wp_attached_file','2020/12'),(3740,1282,'_wp_attached_file','2021'),(3741,1283,'_wp_attached_file','2021/01'),(3742,1284,'_wp_attached_file','2021/02'),(3743,1285,'_wp_attached_file','2021/03'),(3744,1286,'_wp_attached_file','2021/04'),(3745,1287,'_wp_attached_file','2021/05'),(3756,299,'_edit_lock','1620908075:1'),(3758,301,'_edit_lock','1620908093:1'),(3759,1289,'_wp_attached_file','2021/05/ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED.pdf'),(3760,1290,'_thumbnail_id','401'),(3761,1290,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(3762,1290,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(3763,1290,'_elementor_version','2.9.13'),(3764,1290,'_wp_page_template','default'),(3765,1290,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"571c1ce2\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"4edf2e0e\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"108a00b9\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<!-- wp:paragraph --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Here is the first of the series of updates or trends in Jurisprudence. In the recent case of <span style=\\\"text-decoration: underline;\\\">**<em>*Lara\'s Gifts & Decors v. Midtown<\\/em> ***<\\/span>(28 August 2019), the Supreme Court modified the guidelines on the imposition of interest as provided in the renowned cases of <span style=\\\"text-decoration: underline;\\\"><em>Eastern Shipping Lines v. CA<\\/em>(1994)<\\/span> and <span style=\\\"text-decoration: underline;\\\"><em>Nacar v. Gallery Frames<\\/em> (2013)<\\/span>.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>The Juris Team is yet to create a full article about this. In the meantime, a comparative table was prepared for everyone\'s edification.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:file {\\\"id\\\":298,\\\"href\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2019\\/12\\/ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED.pdf\\\"} -->\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-file\\\"><a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2019\\/12\\/ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED.pdf\\\">ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED<\\/a><a class=\\\"wp-block-file__button\\\" href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2019\\/12\\/ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED.pdf\\\" download=\\\"\\\">Download<\\/a><\\/div>\\n<!-- \\/wp:file --><!-- wp:gallery {\\\"ids\\\":[424,425,426]} -->\\n<figure class=\\\"wp-block-gallery columns-3 is-cropped\\\">\\n<ul class=\\\"blocks-gallery-grid\\\">\\n<li class=\\\"blocks-gallery-item\\\">\\n<figure><img class=\\\"wp-image-424\\\" src=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/02\\/ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-001-1-1024x791.jpg\\\" alt=\\\"\\\" data-id=\\\"424\\\" data-full-url=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/02\\/ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-001-1.jpg\\\" data-link=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/modified-guidelines-on-imposition-of-interest\\/ulr-juris_eastern-nacar-modified-page-001-1\\/\\\" \\/><\\/figure>\\n<\\/li>\\n<li class=\\\"blocks-gallery-item\\\">\\n<figure><img class=\\\"wp-image-425\\\" src=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/02\\/ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-002-1-1024x791.jpg\\\" alt=\\\"\\\" data-id=\\\"425\\\" data-full-url=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/02\\/ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-002-1.jpg\\\" data-link=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/modified-guidelines-on-imposition-of-interest\\/ulr-juris_eastern-nacar-modified-page-002-1\\/\\\" \\/><\\/figure>\\n<\\/li>\\n<li class=\\\"blocks-gallery-item\\\">\\n<figure><img class=\\\"wp-image-426\\\" src=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/02\\/ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-003-1-1024x791.jpg\\\" alt=\\\"\\\" data-id=\\\"426\\\" data-full-url=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/02\\/ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-003-1.jpg\\\" data-link=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/modified-guidelines-on-imposition-of-interest\\/ulr-juris_eastern-nacar-modified-page-003-1\\/\\\" \\/><\\/figure>\\n<\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<\\/figure>\\n<!-- \\/wp:gallery -->\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"_margin\":{\"unit\":\"px\",\"top\":\"-17\",\"right\":\"-17\",\"bottom\":\"-17\",\"left\":\"-17\",\"isLinked\":true}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(3767,1291,'_thumbnail_id','401'),(3768,1291,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(3769,1291,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(3770,1291,'_elementor_version','2.9.13'),(3771,1291,'_wp_page_template','default'),(3772,1291,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"571c1ce2\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"4edf2e0e\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"108a00b9\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<!-- wp:paragraph --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Here is the first of the series of updates or trends in Jurisprudence. In the recent case of <span style=\\\"text-decoration: underline;\\\">**<em>*Lara\'s Gifts & Decors v. Midtown<\\/em> ***<\\/span>(28 August 2019), the Supreme Court modified the guidelines on the imposition of interest as provided in the renowned cases of <span style=\\\"text-decoration: underline;\\\"><em>Eastern Shipping Lines v. CA<\\/em>(1994)<\\/span> and <span style=\\\"text-decoration: underline;\\\"><em>Nacar v. Gallery Frames<\\/em> (2013)<\\/span>.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>The Juris Team is yet to create a full article about this. In the meantime, a comparative table was prepared for everyone\'s edification.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:file {\\\"id\\\":298,\\\"href\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2019\\/12\\/ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED.pdf\\\"} -->\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-file\\\"><a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2019\\/12\\/ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED.pdf\\\">ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED<\\/a><a class=\\\"wp-block-file__button\\\" href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2019\\/12\\/ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED.pdf\\\" download=\\\"\\\">Download<\\/a><\\/div>\\n<!-- \\/wp:file --><!-- wp:gallery {\\\"ids\\\":[424,425,426]} -->\\n<figure class=\\\"wp-block-gallery columns-3 is-cropped\\\">\\n<ul class=\\\"blocks-gallery-grid\\\">\\n<li class=\\\"blocks-gallery-item\\\">\\n<figure><img class=\\\"wp-image-424\\\" src=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/02\\/ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-001-1-1024x791.jpg\\\" alt=\\\"\\\" data-id=\\\"424\\\" data-full-url=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/02\\/ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-001-1.jpg\\\" data-link=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/modified-guidelines-on-imposition-of-interest\\/ulr-juris_eastern-nacar-modified-page-001-1\\/\\\" \\/><\\/figure>\\n<\\/li>\\n<li class=\\\"blocks-gallery-item\\\">\\n<figure><img class=\\\"wp-image-425\\\" src=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/02\\/ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-002-1-1024x791.jpg\\\" alt=\\\"\\\" data-id=\\\"425\\\" data-full-url=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/02\\/ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-002-1.jpg\\\" data-link=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/modified-guidelines-on-imposition-of-interest\\/ulr-juris_eastern-nacar-modified-page-002-1\\/\\\" \\/><\\/figure>\\n<\\/li>\\n<li class=\\\"blocks-gallery-item\\\">\\n<figure><img class=\\\"wp-image-426\\\" src=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/02\\/ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-003-1-1024x791.jpg\\\" alt=\\\"\\\" data-id=\\\"426\\\" data-full-url=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/02\\/ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-003-1.jpg\\\" data-link=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/modified-guidelines-on-imposition-of-interest\\/ulr-juris_eastern-nacar-modified-page-003-1\\/\\\" \\/><\\/figure>\\n<\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<\\/figure>\\n<!-- \\/wp:gallery -->\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"_margin\":{\"unit\":\"px\",\"top\":\"-17\",\"right\":\"-17\",\"bottom\":\"-17\",\"left\":\"-17\",\"isLinked\":true}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(3774,1292,'_thumbnail_id','401'),(3775,1292,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(3776,1292,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(3777,1292,'_elementor_version','2.9.13'),(3778,1292,'_wp_page_template','default'),(3779,1292,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"571c1ce2\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"4edf2e0e\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"108a00b9\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><!-- wp:paragraph --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>Here is the first of the series of updates or trends in Jurisprudence. In the recent case of <span style=\\\"text-decoration: underline;\\\">**<em>*Lara\'s Gifts & Decors v. Midtown<\\/em> ***<\\/span>(28 August 2019), the Supreme Court modified the guidelines on the imposition of interest as provided in the renowned cases of <span style=\\\"text-decoration: underline;\\\"><em>Eastern Shipping Lines v. CA<\\/em>(1994)<\\/span> and <span style=\\\"text-decoration: underline;\\\"><em>Nacar v. Gallery Frames<\\/em> (2013)<\\/span>.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>The Juris Team is yet to create a full article about this. In the meantime, a comparative table was prepared for everyone\'s edification.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:file {\\\"id\\\":298,\\\"href\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2019\\/12\\/ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED.pdf\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-file\\\"><a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/Editorial.pdf\\\">U<a>LR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED<\\/a><\\/a><a class=\\\"wp-block-file__button\\\" href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2019\\/12\\/ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED.pdf\\\" download=\\\"\\\">Download<\\/a><\\/div>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:file --><!-- wp:gallery {\\\"ids\\\":[424,425,426]} --><\\/p>\\n<figure class=\\\"wp-block-gallery columns-3 is-cropped\\\">\\n<ul class=\\\"blocks-gallery-grid\\\">\\n<li class=\\\"blocks-gallery-item\\\">\\n<figure><img class=\\\"wp-image-424\\\" src=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/02\\/ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-001-1-1024x791.jpg\\\" alt=\\\"\\\" data-id=\\\"424\\\" data-full-url=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/02\\/ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-001-1.jpg\\\" data-link=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/modified-guidelines-on-imposition-of-interest\\/ulr-juris_eastern-nacar-modified-page-001-1\\/\\\"><\\/figure>\\n<\\/li>\\n<li class=\\\"blocks-gallery-item\\\">\\n<figure><img class=\\\"wp-image-425\\\" src=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/02\\/ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-002-1-1024x791.jpg\\\" alt=\\\"\\\" data-id=\\\"425\\\" data-full-url=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/02\\/ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-002-1.jpg\\\" data-link=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/modified-guidelines-on-imposition-of-interest\\/ulr-juris_eastern-nacar-modified-page-002-1\\/\\\"><\\/figure>\\n<\\/li>\\n<li class=\\\"blocks-gallery-item\\\">\\n<figure><img class=\\\"wp-image-426\\\" src=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/02\\/ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-003-1-1024x791.jpg\\\" alt=\\\"\\\" data-id=\\\"426\\\" data-full-url=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/02\\/ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-003-1.jpg\\\" data-link=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/modified-guidelines-on-imposition-of-interest\\/ulr-juris_eastern-nacar-modified-page-003-1\\/\\\"><\\/figure>\\n<\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<\\/figure>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:gallery --><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"_margin\":{\"unit\":\"px\",\"top\":\"-17\",\"right\":\"-17\",\"bottom\":\"-17\",\"left\":\"-17\",\"isLinked\":true}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(3782,296,'_yoast_wpseo_estimated-reading-time-minutes','1'),(3785,1294,'_thumbnail_id','401'),(3786,1294,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(3787,1294,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(3788,1294,'_elementor_version','3.1.1'),(3789,1294,'_wp_page_template','default'),(3790,1294,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"571c1ce2\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"4edf2e0e\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"108a00b9\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><!-- wp:paragraph --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>Here is the first of the series of updates or trends in Jurisprudence. In the recent case of <span style=\\\"text-decoration: underline;\\\">**<em>*Lara\'s Gifts & Decors v. Midtown<\\/em> ***<\\/span>(28 August 2019), the Supreme Court modified the guidelines on the imposition of interest as provided in the renowned cases of <span style=\\\"text-decoration: underline;\\\"><em>Eastern Shipping Lines v. CA<\\/em>(1994)<\\/span> and <span style=\\\"text-decoration: underline;\\\"><em>Nacar v. Gallery Frames<\\/em> (2013)<\\/span>.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>The Juris Team is yet to create a full article about this. In the meantime, a comparative table was prepared for everyone\'s edification.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:file {\\\"id\\\":298,\\\"href\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2019\\/12\\/ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED.pdf\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-file\\\"><a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/Editorial.pdf\\\">U<a>LR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED<\\/a><\\/a><a class=\\\"wp-block-file__button\\\" href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2019\\/12\\/ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED.pdf\\\" download=\\\"\\\">Download<\\/a><\\/div>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:file --><!-- wp:gallery {\\\"ids\\\":[424,425,426]} --><\\/p>\\n<figure class=\\\"wp-block-gallery columns-3 is-cropped\\\">\\n<ul class=\\\"blocks-gallery-grid\\\">\\n<li class=\\\"blocks-gallery-item\\\">\\n<figure><img class=\\\"wp-image-424\\\" src=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/02\\/ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-001-1-1024x791.jpg\\\" alt=\\\"\\\" data-id=\\\"424\\\" data-full-url=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/02\\/ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-001-1.jpg\\\" data-link=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/modified-guidelines-on-imposition-of-interest\\/ulr-juris_eastern-nacar-modified-page-001-1\\/\\\"><\\/figure>\\n<\\/li>\\n<li class=\\\"blocks-gallery-item\\\">\\n<figure><img class=\\\"wp-image-425\\\" src=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/02\\/ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-002-1-1024x791.jpg\\\" alt=\\\"\\\" data-id=\\\"425\\\" data-full-url=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/02\\/ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-002-1.jpg\\\" data-link=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/modified-guidelines-on-imposition-of-interest\\/ulr-juris_eastern-nacar-modified-page-002-1\\/\\\"><\\/figure>\\n<\\/li>\\n<li class=\\\"blocks-gallery-item\\\">\\n<figure><img class=\\\"wp-image-426\\\" src=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/02\\/ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-003-1-1024x791.jpg\\\" alt=\\\"\\\" data-id=\\\"426\\\" data-full-url=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/02\\/ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-003-1.jpg\\\" data-link=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/modified-guidelines-on-imposition-of-interest\\/ulr-juris_eastern-nacar-modified-page-003-1\\/\\\"><\\/figure>\\n<\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<\\/figure>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:gallery --><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"_margin\":{\"unit\":\"px\",\"top\":\"-17\",\"right\":\"-17\",\"bottom\":\"-17\",\"left\":\"-17\",\"isLinked\":true}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(3792,1295,'_thumbnail_id','401'),(3793,1295,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(3794,1295,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(3795,1295,'_elementor_version','3.1.1'),(3796,1295,'_wp_page_template','default'),(3797,1295,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"571c1ce2\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"4edf2e0e\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"108a00b9\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><!-- wp:paragraph --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>Here is the first of the series of updates or trends in Jurisprudence. In the recent case of <span style=\\\"text-decoration: underline;\\\">**<em>*Lara\'s Gifts & Decors v. Midtown<\\/em> ***<\\/span>(28 August 2019), the Supreme Court modified the guidelines on the imposition of interest as provided in the renowned cases of <span style=\\\"text-decoration: underline;\\\"><em>Eastern Shipping Lines v. CA<\\/em>(1994)<\\/span> and <span style=\\\"text-decoration: underline;\\\"><em>Nacar v. Gallery Frames<\\/em> (2013)<\\/span>.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>The Juris Team is yet to create a full article about this. In the meantime, a comparative table was prepared for everyone\'s edification.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:file {\\\"id\\\":298,\\\"href\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2019\\/12\\/ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED.pdf\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-file\\\"><a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/Editorial.pdf\\\">U<a>LR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED<\\/a><\\/a><a class=\\\"wp-block-file__button\\\" href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2019\\/12\\/ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED.pdf\\\" download=\\\"\\\">Download<\\/a><\\/div>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:file --><!-- wp:gallery {\\\"ids\\\":[424,425,426]} --><\\/p>\\n<figure class=\\\"wp-block-gallery columns-3 is-cropped\\\">\\n<ul class=\\\"blocks-gallery-grid\\\">\\n<li class=\\\"blocks-gallery-item\\\">\\n<figure><img class=\\\"wp-image-424\\\" src=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/02\\/ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-001-1-1024x791.jpg\\\" alt=\\\"\\\" data-id=\\\"424\\\" data-full-url=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/02\\/ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-001-1.jpg\\\" data-link=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/modified-guidelines-on-imposition-of-interest\\/ulr-juris_eastern-nacar-modified-page-001-1\\/\\\"><\\/figure>\\n<\\/li>\\n<li class=\\\"blocks-gallery-item\\\">\\n<figure><img class=\\\"wp-image-425\\\" src=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/02\\/ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-002-1-1024x791.jpg\\\" alt=\\\"\\\" data-id=\\\"425\\\" data-full-url=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/02\\/ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-002-1.jpg\\\" data-link=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/modified-guidelines-on-imposition-of-interest\\/ulr-juris_eastern-nacar-modified-page-002-1\\/\\\"><\\/figure>\\n<\\/li>\\n<li class=\\\"blocks-gallery-item\\\">\\n<figure><img class=\\\"wp-image-426\\\" src=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/02\\/ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-003-1-1024x791.jpg\\\" alt=\\\"\\\" data-id=\\\"426\\\" data-full-url=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/02\\/ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-003-1.jpg\\\" data-link=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/modified-guidelines-on-imposition-of-interest\\/ulr-juris_eastern-nacar-modified-page-003-1\\/\\\"><\\/figure>\\n<\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<\\/figure>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:gallery --><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"_margin\":{\"unit\":\"px\",\"top\":\"-17\",\"right\":\"-17\",\"bottom\":\"-17\",\"left\":\"-17\",\"isLinked\":true}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(3799,1296,'_thumbnail_id','401'),(3800,1296,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(3801,1296,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(3802,1296,'_elementor_version','3.1.1'),(3803,1296,'_wp_page_template','default'),(3804,1296,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"571c1ce2\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"4edf2e0e\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"108a00b9\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><!-- wp:paragraph --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>Here is the first of the series of updates or trends in Jurisprudence. In the recent case of <span style=\\\"text-decoration: underline;\\\">**<em>*Lara\'s Gifts & Decors v. Midtown<\\/em> ***<\\/span>(28 August 2019), the Supreme Court modified the guidelines on the imposition of interest as provided in the renowned cases of <span style=\\\"text-decoration: underline;\\\"><em>Eastern Shipping Lines v. CA<\\/em>(1994)<\\/span> and <span style=\\\"text-decoration: underline;\\\"><em>Nacar v. Gallery Frames<\\/em> (2013)<\\/span>.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>The Juris Team is yet to create a full article about this. In the meantime, a comparative table was prepared for everyone\'s edification.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:file {\\\"id\\\":298,\\\"href\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2019\\/12\\/ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED.pdf\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-file\\\"><a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/05\\/ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED.pdf\\\">U<\\/a><a>LR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED<\\/a><a class=\\\"wp-block-file__button\\\" href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/05\\/ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED.pdf\\\" download=\\\"\\\">Download<\\/a><\\/div>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:file --><!-- wp:gallery {\\\"ids\\\":[424,425,426]} --><\\/p>\\n<figure class=\\\"wp-block-gallery columns-3 is-cropped\\\">\\n<ul class=\\\"blocks-gallery-grid\\\">\\n<li class=\\\"blocks-gallery-item\\\">\\n<figure><img class=\\\"wp-image-424\\\" src=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/02\\/ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-001-1-1024x791.jpg\\\" alt=\\\"\\\" data-id=\\\"424\\\" data-full-url=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/02\\/ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-001-1.jpg\\\" data-link=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/modified-guidelines-on-imposition-of-interest\\/ulr-juris_eastern-nacar-modified-page-001-1\\/\\\" \\/><\\/figure>\\n<\\/li>\\n<li class=\\\"blocks-gallery-item\\\">\\n<figure><img class=\\\"wp-image-425\\\" src=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/02\\/ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-002-1-1024x791.jpg\\\" alt=\\\"\\\" data-id=\\\"425\\\" data-full-url=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/02\\/ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-002-1.jpg\\\" data-link=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/modified-guidelines-on-imposition-of-interest\\/ulr-juris_eastern-nacar-modified-page-002-1\\/\\\" \\/><\\/figure>\\n<\\/li>\\n<li class=\\\"blocks-gallery-item\\\">\\n<figure><img class=\\\"wp-image-426\\\" src=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/02\\/ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-003-1-1024x791.jpg\\\" alt=\\\"\\\" data-id=\\\"426\\\" data-full-url=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/02\\/ULR-JURIS_EASTERN-NACAR-MODIFIED-page-003-1.jpg\\\" data-link=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/modified-guidelines-on-imposition-of-interest\\/ulr-juris_eastern-nacar-modified-page-003-1\\/\\\" \\/><\\/figure>\\n<\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<\\/figure>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:gallery --><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"_margin\":{\"unit\":\"px\",\"top\":\"-17\",\"right\":\"-17\",\"bottom\":\"-17\",\"left\":\"-17\",\"isLinked\":true}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(3806,296,'_elementor_controls_usage','a:3:{s:11:\"text-editor\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:1;s:8:\"controls\";a:3:{s:7:\"content\";a:1:{s:14:\"section_editor\";a:1:{s:6:\"editor\";i:1;}}s:5:\"style\";a:1:{s:13:\"section_style\";a:1:{s:21:\"typography_typography\";i:1;}}s:8:\"advanced\";a:1:{s:14:\"_section_style\";a:1:{s:7:\"_margin\";i:1;}}}}s:6:\"column\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:0;s:8:\"controls\";a:0:{}}s:7:\"section\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:0;s:8:\"controls\";a:0:{}}}'),(3808,1297,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(3809,1297,'_elementor_template_type','wp-page'),(3810,1297,'_elementor_version','3.0.10'),(3811,1297,'_wp_page_template','default'),(3812,1297,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"4de51cd9\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"76ec2c3\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"fdaff1a\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<div> [pdfjs-viewer viewer_width=0 viewer_height=800 url=http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/Editorial.pdf download=true print=true fullscreen=true fullscreen_target=false fullscreen_text=\\\"View%20Fullscreen\\\" zoom=auto ]<\\/div>\\n<hr>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:heading {\\\"level\\\":3} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<h3><span style=\\\"font-size: 18pt;\\\">Articles<\\/span><\\/h3>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/Unwanted-Sexual-Advances-and-Sex-Discrimination_Sexual-Harassment-in-light-of-the-Safe-Spaces-Act-of-2019_R.A.-11313_Alyssa-Gomez.pdf\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">Unwanted Sexual Advances and Sex Discrimination: Sexual Harassment in light of the Safe Spaces Act of 2019 (R.A. 11313)<\\/a><\\/span><br><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong><em>By: Alyssa Gomez<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/journal-volume-64\\/\\\">R<\\/a><a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/drive.google.com\\/file\\/d\\/1rVTCBx0aIS1kI4Qk4jNSbnFX2hK-VFir\\/view?usp=sharing\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">egulating War: A Systematic Approach on the Different Measures and Instruments to Implement the International Humanitarian Law<\\/a><\\/span><br><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong><em>By: Atty. Kenneth James Carlo C. Hizon<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/drive.google.com\\/file\\/d\\/1-WScrAt_Fti5qO6qrcz4h9wxk4UddlRG\\/view?usp=sharing\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">Job Contracting Deconstructed: An Analysis of the Labor\\u2019s Right to Security of Tenure and the Global Trend of Job Outsourcing<\\/a><\\/span><br><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong><em>B<\\/em><\\/strong>y: <strong><em>Atty. King James Carlo C. Hizon<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:heading {\\\"level\\\":3} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<h3><span style=\\\"font-size: 18pt;\\\">Features<\\/span><\\/h3>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/A-DEMOCRACY-BY-ANY-OTHER-NAME_RAPHAEL-LORENZO-A.-PANGALANGAN.pdf\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">A Democracy by any Other Name<\\/a><\\/span><br><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong><em>By: Raphael Lorenzo A. Pangalangan<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/ANTI-SUIT-INJUNCTION-IN-INTERNATIONAL-COMMERCIAL-ARBITRATION_A-Critical-Analysis_HON.-RONALD-B.-MORENO-LL.M.-DCL-compressed.pdf\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">Anti-Suit Injunction in International Commercial Arbitration: A Critical Analysis <\\/a><\\/span><br><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong><em>By: Hon. Ronald B. Moreno, LL.M., DCL Associate Justice, Sandiganbayan<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:heading {\\\"level\\\":3} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<h3><span style=\\\"font-size: 18pt;\\\">Comment<\\/span><\\/h3>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/WTOS-DISPUTE-RESOLUTION-IN-MULTILATERAL-TRADING-SYSTEM_INDISPENSABLE-OR-OPTIONAL_MARIELLA-MARASIGAN.pdf\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">WTO\\u2019s Dispute Resolution in Multilateral Trading System: Indispensable or Optional? <\\/a><\\/span><br><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong><em>By: Mariella Marasigan<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:heading {\\\"level\\\":3} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<h3><span style=\\\"font-size: 18pt;\\\">Trends in Jurisprudence<\\/span><\\/h3>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/New-Guidelines-on-Prescription-for-Insurers-as-Subrogees.pdf\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">New Guidelines on Prescription for Insurers as Subrogees<\\/a><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed {\\\"imageURL\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/Editorial.pdf\\\",\\\"imgID\\\":881,\\\"imgTitle\\\":\\\"Editorial\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<div> <\\/div>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed --><\\/span><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(3813,1297,'_elementor_controls_usage','a:3:{s:11:\"text-editor\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:1;s:8:\"controls\";a:2:{s:7:\"content\";a:1:{s:14:\"section_editor\";a:1:{s:6:\"editor\";i:1;}}s:5:\"style\";a:1:{s:13:\"section_style\";a:2:{s:21:\"typography_typography\";i:1;s:22:\"typography_line_height\";i:1;}}}}s:6:\"column\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:0;s:8:\"controls\";a:0:{}}s:7:\"section\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:0;s:8:\"controls\";a:0:{}}}'),(3815,866,'_yoast_wpseo_estimated-reading-time-minutes','1'),(3825,1302,'_wp_attached_file','2021/05/Editorial.pdf'),(3826,866,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(3827,1304,'_elementor_template_type','wp-page'),(3828,1304,'_elementor_version','3.0.10'),(3829,1304,'_wp_page_template','default'),(3830,1304,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"4de51cd9\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"76ec2c3\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"fdaff1a\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<div> [pdfjs-viewer viewer_width=0 viewer_height=800 url=http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/Editorial.pdf download=true print=true fullscreen=true fullscreen_target=false fullscreen_text=\\\"View%20Fullscreen\\\" zoom=auto ]<\\/div>\\n<hr>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:heading {\\\"level\\\":3} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<h3><span style=\\\"font-size: 18pt;\\\">Articles<\\/span><\\/h3>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/Unwanted-Sexual-Advances-and-Sex-Discrimination_Sexual-Harassment-in-light-of-the-Safe-Spaces-Act-of-2019_R.A.-11313_Alyssa-Gomez.pdf\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">Unwanted Sexual Advances and Sex Discrimination: Sexual Harassment in light of the Safe Spaces Act of 2019 (R.A. 11313)<\\/a><\\/span><br><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong><em>By: Alyssa Gomez<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/journal-volume-64\\/\\\">R<\\/a><a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/drive.google.com\\/file\\/d\\/1rVTCBx0aIS1kI4Qk4jNSbnFX2hK-VFir\\/view?usp=sharing\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">egulating War: A Systematic Approach on the Different Measures and Instruments to Implement the International Humanitarian Law<\\/a><\\/span><br><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong><em>By: Atty. Kenneth James Carlo C. Hizon<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/drive.google.com\\/file\\/d\\/1-WScrAt_Fti5qO6qrcz4h9wxk4UddlRG\\/view?usp=sharing\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">Job Contracting Deconstructed: An Analysis of the Labor\\u2019s Right to Security of Tenure and the Global Trend of Job Outsourcing<\\/a><\\/span><br><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong><em>B<\\/em><\\/strong>y: <strong><em>Atty. King James Carlo C. Hizon<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:heading {\\\"level\\\":3} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<h3><span style=\\\"font-size: 18pt;\\\">Features<\\/span><\\/h3>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/A-DEMOCRACY-BY-ANY-OTHER-NAME_RAPHAEL-LORENZO-A.-PANGALANGAN.pdf\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">A Democracy by any Other Name<\\/a><\\/span><br><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong><em>By: Raphael Lorenzo A. Pangalangan<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/ANTI-SUIT-INJUNCTION-IN-INTERNATIONAL-COMMERCIAL-ARBITRATION_A-Critical-Analysis_HON.-RONALD-B.-MORENO-LL.M.-DCL-compressed.pdf\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">Anti-Suit Injunction in International Commercial Arbitration: A Critical Analysis <\\/a><\\/span><br><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong><em>By: Hon. Ronald B. Moreno, LL.M., DCL Associate Justice, Sandiganbayan<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:heading {\\\"level\\\":3} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<h3><span style=\\\"font-size: 18pt;\\\">Comment<\\/span><\\/h3>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/WTOS-DISPUTE-RESOLUTION-IN-MULTILATERAL-TRADING-SYSTEM_INDISPENSABLE-OR-OPTIONAL_MARIELLA-MARASIGAN.pdf\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">WTO\\u2019s Dispute Resolution in Multilateral Trading System: Indispensable or Optional? <\\/a><\\/span><br><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong><em>By: Mariella Marasigan<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:heading {\\\"level\\\":3} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<h3><span style=\\\"font-size: 18pt;\\\">Trends in Jurisprudence<\\/span><\\/h3>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/New-Guidelines-on-Prescription-for-Insurers-as-Subrogees.pdf\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">New Guidelines on Prescription for Insurers as Subrogees<\\/a><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed {\\\"imageURL\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/Editorial.pdf\\\",\\\"imgID\\\":881,\\\"imgTitle\\\":\\\"Editorial\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<div> <\\/div>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed --><\\/span><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(3832,1304,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(3833,1305,'_elementor_template_type','wp-page'),(3834,1305,'_elementor_version','3.0.10'),(3835,1305,'_wp_page_template','default'),(3836,1305,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"4de51cd9\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"76ec2c3\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"fdaff1a\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<div> [pdfjs-viewer viewer_width=0 viewer_height=800 url=http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/Editorial.pdf download=true print=true fullscreen=true fullscreen_target=false fullscreen_text=\\\"View%20Fullscreen\\\" zoom=auto ]<\\/div>\\n<hr>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:heading {\\\"level\\\":3} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<h3><span style=\\\"font-size: 18pt;\\\">Articles<\\/span><\\/h3>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/Unwanted-Sexual-Advances-and-Sex-Discrimination_Sexual-Harassment-in-light-of-the-Safe-Spaces-Act-of-2019_R.A.-11313_Alyssa-Gomez.pdf\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">Unwanted Sexual Advances and Sex Discrimination: Sexual Harassment in light of the Safe Spaces Act of 2019 (R.A. 11313)<\\/a><\\/span><br><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong><em>By: Alyssa Gomez<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/journal-volume-64\\/\\\">R<\\/a><a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/drive.google.com\\/file\\/d\\/1rVTCBx0aIS1kI4Qk4jNSbnFX2hK-VFir\\/view?usp=sharing\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">egulating War: A Systematic Approach on the Different Measures and Instruments to Implement the International Humanitarian Law<\\/a><\\/span><br><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong><em>By: Atty. Kenneth James Carlo C. Hizon<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/drive.google.com\\/file\\/d\\/1-WScrAt_Fti5qO6qrcz4h9wxk4UddlRG\\/view?usp=sharing\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">Job Contracting Deconstructed: An Analysis of the Labor\\u2019s Right to Security of Tenure and the Global Trend of Job Outsourcing<\\/a><\\/span><br><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong><em>B<\\/em><\\/strong>y: <strong><em>Atty. King James Carlo C. Hizon<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:heading {\\\"level\\\":3} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<h3><span style=\\\"font-size: 18pt;\\\">Features<\\/span><\\/h3>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/A-DEMOCRACY-BY-ANY-OTHER-NAME_RAPHAEL-LORENZO-A.-PANGALANGAN.pdf\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">A Democracy by any Other Name<\\/a><\\/span><br><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong><em>By: Raphael Lorenzo A. Pangalangan<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/ANTI-SUIT-INJUNCTION-IN-INTERNATIONAL-COMMERCIAL-ARBITRATION_A-Critical-Analysis_HON.-RONALD-B.-MORENO-LL.M.-DCL-compressed.pdf\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">Anti-Suit Injunction in International Commercial Arbitration: A Critical Analysis <\\/a><\\/span><br><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong><em>By: Hon. Ronald B. Moreno, LL.M., DCL Associate Justice, Sandiganbayan<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:heading {\\\"level\\\":3} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<h3><span style=\\\"font-size: 18pt;\\\">Comment<\\/span><\\/h3>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/WTOS-DISPUTE-RESOLUTION-IN-MULTILATERAL-TRADING-SYSTEM_INDISPENSABLE-OR-OPTIONAL_MARIELLA-MARASIGAN.pdf\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">WTO\\u2019s Dispute Resolution in Multilateral Trading System: Indispensable or Optional? <\\/a><\\/span><br><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong><em>By: Mariella Marasigan<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:heading {\\\"level\\\":3} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<h3><span style=\\\"font-size: 18pt;\\\">Trends in Jurisprudence<\\/span><\\/h3>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/New-Guidelines-on-Prescription-for-Insurers-as-Subrogees.pdf\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">New Guidelines on Prescription for Insurers as Subrogees<\\/a><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed {\\\"imageURL\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/Editorial.pdf\\\",\\\"imgID\\\":881,\\\"imgTitle\\\":\\\"Editorial\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<div> <\\/div>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed --><\\/span><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(3838,1305,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(3839,1306,'_elementor_template_type','wp-page'),(3840,1306,'_elementor_version','3.0.10'),(3841,1306,'_wp_page_template','default'),(3842,1306,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"4de51cd9\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"76ec2c3\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"fdaff1a\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<div> [pdfjs-viewer viewer_width=0 viewer_height=800 url=http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/Editorial.pdf download=true print=true fullscreen=true fullscreen_target=false fullscreen_text=\\\"View%20Fullscreen\\\" zoom=auto ]<\\/div>\\n<hr>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:heading {\\\"level\\\":3} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<h3><span style=\\\"font-size: 18pt;\\\">Articles<\\/span><\\/h3>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/Unwanted-Sexual-Advances-and-Sex-Discrimination_Sexual-Harassment-in-light-of-the-Safe-Spaces-Act-of-2019_R.A.-11313_Alyssa-Gomez.pdf\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">Unwanted Sexual Advances and Sex Discrimination: Sexual Harassment in light of the Safe Spaces Act of 2019 (R.A. 11313)<\\/a><\\/span><br><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong><em>By: Alyssa Gomez<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/journal-volume-64\\/\\\">R<\\/a><a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/drive.google.com\\/file\\/d\\/1rVTCBx0aIS1kI4Qk4jNSbnFX2hK-VFir\\/view?usp=sharing\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">egulating War: A Systematic Approach on the Different Measures and Instruments to Implement the International Humanitarian Law<\\/a><\\/span><br><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong><em>By: Atty. Kenneth James Carlo C. Hizon<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/drive.google.com\\/file\\/d\\/1-WScrAt_Fti5qO6qrcz4h9wxk4UddlRG\\/view?usp=sharing\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">Job Contracting Deconstructed: An Analysis of the Labor\\u2019s Right to Security of Tenure and the Global Trend of Job Outsourcing<\\/a><\\/span><br><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong><em>B<\\/em><\\/strong>y: <strong><em>Atty. King James Carlo C. Hizon<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:heading {\\\"level\\\":3} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<h3><span style=\\\"font-size: 18pt;\\\">Features<\\/span><\\/h3>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/A-DEMOCRACY-BY-ANY-OTHER-NAME_RAPHAEL-LORENZO-A.-PANGALANGAN.pdf\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">A Democracy by any Other Name<\\/a><\\/span><br><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong><em>By: Raphael Lorenzo A. Pangalangan<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/ANTI-SUIT-INJUNCTION-IN-INTERNATIONAL-COMMERCIAL-ARBITRATION_A-Critical-Analysis_HON.-RONALD-B.-MORENO-LL.M.-DCL-compressed.pdf\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">Anti-Suit Injunction in International Commercial Arbitration: A Critical Analysis <\\/a><\\/span><br><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong><em>By: Hon. Ronald B. Moreno, LL.M., DCL Associate Justice, Sandiganbayan<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:heading {\\\"level\\\":3} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<h3><span style=\\\"font-size: 18pt;\\\">Comment<\\/span><\\/h3>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/WTOS-DISPUTE-RESOLUTION-IN-MULTILATERAL-TRADING-SYSTEM_INDISPENSABLE-OR-OPTIONAL_MARIELLA-MARASIGAN.pdf\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">WTO\\u2019s Dispute Resolution in Multilateral Trading System: Indispensable or Optional? <\\/a><\\/span><br><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong><em>By: Mariella Marasigan<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:heading {\\\"level\\\":3} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<h3><span style=\\\"font-size: 18pt;\\\">Trends in Jurisprudence<\\/span><\\/h3>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/New-Guidelines-on-Prescription-for-Insurers-as-Subrogees.pdf\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">New Guidelines on Prescription for Insurers as Subrogees<\\/a><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed {\\\"imageURL\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/Editorial.pdf\\\",\\\"imgID\\\":881,\\\"imgTitle\\\":\\\"Editorial\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<div> <\\/div>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed --><\\/span><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.15,\"sizes\":[]},\"typography_font_size\":{\"unit\":\"px\",\"size\":12,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(3844,1306,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(3846,1261,'ss_ss_click_share_count_facebook','2'),(3847,1261,'ss_total_share_count','0'),(3849,807,'ss_ss_click_share_count_copy','1'),(3850,807,'ss_total_share_count','0'),(3851,1307,'_edit_lock','1625223218:1'),(3854,1307,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(3855,1307,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(3856,1307,'_elementor_version','3.1.1'),(3857,1307,'_pingme','1'),(3858,1307,'_encloseme','1'),(3859,1309,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(3860,1309,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(3861,1309,'_elementor_version','3.1.1'),(3862,1310,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(3863,1310,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(3864,1310,'_elementor_version','3.1.1'),(3865,1307,'_wp_page_template','default'),(3866,1307,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"5f7665c\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"368e9987\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"14f0af9a\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>by: Raphel U. Rayco<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Crucial to the formation of a new society founded upon compassion after a period of war and strife is the reacceptance of those who might have been guilty of political offenses, conditioned upon their return to obedience and duty within a prescribed time. This is the essence of amnesty.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The first recorded award of clemency was after the victory of the democratic leader Thrasybulus at Piraeus in 403 BC. At the time, \\u201cto prevent further infighting, an oath of reconciliation was sworn, promising to refrain from vengeful action provoked by the memory of past wrongdoing.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\">[1]<\\/a> Such oath was seen as the basis upon which democracy was reconstructed in Athens.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In the Philippines, a nation marred with various political conflicts, the grant of amnesty to certain classes of people has been used to help the country advance despite the turmoil it has gone through. While amnesty does not represent the entire population\\u2019s forgiveness, it is still seen by those who have the power to grant it as a way for Philippine society to progress.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 At present, under Philippine law and jurisprudence, the requisites for the valid grant of amnesty by the President are: (1) the concurrence of a majority of all the members of Congress;<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\">[2]<\\/a> and (2) a previous admission of guilt<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\">[3]<\\/a>. Upon showing of fulfillment of the procedural formalities, there shall be total extinguishment of the grantee\\u2019s criminal liability, the imposed penalty, and all its effects. The concept of amnesty reaches back to the past and erases the guilt of the person granted with the executive clemency.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 As compared to a pardon, another kind of executive clemency, amnesty differs in scope and in application. While pardon is only addressed to ordinary offenses, amnesty is addressed to political offenses. The former is granted to individuals, while the latter is granted to classes of persons. Only the latter requires the concurrence of majority of all members of Congress. Probably the most important distinction is that pardon looks forward and relieves the recipient of the consequences of the offense he might have committed, while amnesty looks backward and puts to oblivion the offense itself. In other words, amnesty deletes the past commission of the offense.<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\">[4]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In 2010, the former President Benigno Aquino III \\u00a0granted amnesty to active and former personnel of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), the Philippine National Police (PNP) and their supporters who have or may have committed crimes punishable under the Revised Penal Code, the Articles of War and other laws in connection with, in relation or incident to the July 27, 2003 Oakwood Mutiny, the February 2006 Marines Stand-Off and the November 29, 2007 Manila Peninsula Incident.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Proclamation was based on the recognition of the \\u201cclamor from certain sectors of society\\u201d with the goal of promoting an atmosphere conducive to the attainment of a just, comprehensive and enduring peace in line with the Government\\u2019s peace and reconciliation initiatives.<a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\">[5]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Among those who applied for executive clemency is former Senator and current key opposition leader Antonio Trillanes IV. Upon his alleged application,<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\">[6]<\\/a> he was granted amnesty in 2011.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 However, seven years into enjoying his freedom based on the grant by former President Aquino III, Trillanes\\u2019 amnesty was declared void<em> ab initio<\\/em> by current President Rodrigo Duterte by virtue of Proclamation No. 572, s. 2018.<a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\">[7]<\\/a>\\u00a0 Under the whereas clauses of the more recent proclamation, the basis of the revocation of the grant of amnesty under Department of National Defense (DND) Ad Hoc Committee Resolution No. 2 is Trillanes\\u2019 alleged failure to file an Official Amnesty Application Form as per the Certification dated August 30, 2018 issued by Lt. Col. Thea Joan N. Andrade<a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\">[8]<\\/a>, stating that there is no available copy of his application for amnesty in the records.<a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\">[9]<\\/a> In the same Proclamation, President Duterte ordered the AFP Martial to pursue all criminal and administrative cases filed against former LTSG Trillanes in relation to the Oakwood Mutiny and the Manila Peninsula Incident.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 This Proclamation was \\u201cnothing but an order of arrest.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\">[10]<\\/a> In a unilateral act of revocation <em>sans <\\/em>the concurrence present on its grant, the president effectively ordered the arrest of a purported grantee. Through Sec. 2(2) of Proclamation No. 572, President Duterte orders the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police \\u201cto employ all lawful means to apprehend former LTSG Antonio Trillanes so that he can be recommitted to the detention facility where he had been incarcerated for him to stand trial for the crimes he is charged with.\\u201d<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Acting upon the Proclamation, the Department of Justice filed an omnibus motion to revive both the rebellion case against Trillanes in Makati Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 150 and the coup d\\u2019\\u00e9tat case in Branch 148.\\u00a0Judge Andres Soriano of Makati RTC Branch 148 denied the DOJ\\u2019s bid to revive the coup d\\u2019etat case while Judge Elmo Alameda of Makati RTC Branch 150 reinstated it.<a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\">[11]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Judge Alameda issued a warrant for the arrest of Trillanes even after the latter submitted the affidavit of Col. Josefa Berbigal, head of the secretariat of the temporary amnesty committee of the DND that processed the applications of military rebels in 2011. Col. Bergibal attested to Trillanes\\u2019 act of filing an application for amnesty in 2011 and admission of guilt in taking part in various attempts to overthrow the government.<a href=\\\"#_ftn12\\\">[12]<\\/a>\\u00a0 \\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Upon appeal by Trillanes, the Court of Appeals (CA) took note of the conflicting rulings of the RTC branches. It noted that \\u201cone and the same document \\u2013 a <em>Certificate of Amnesty <\\/em>- that attests to the grant of amnesty to the petitioner, was read by the RTC of Makati - Branch 148 favorably for the petitioner, but was appreciated unfavorably by the respondent court, RTC of Makati - Branch 150.\\u201d The CA also found that Judge Alameda limited his court only to hearing oral arguments and receiving affidavits.<a href=\\\"#_ftn13\\\">[13]<\\/a>\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The CA ruled that Judge Alameda disregarded the Doctrine of Immutability of Judgment, the legal precept that a decision that has acquired finality generally becomes immutable and unalterable. Thus, the CA declared Judge Alameda\\u2019s reinstating the rebellion case void. He was the same judge who dismissed the rebellion case in 2011 after Trillanes submitted a certificate of amnesty granted by then President Aquino III.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The CA ruled that the RTC Branch 150 committed grave abuse of discretion amounting to excess of jurisdiction, thus ousting it of jurisdiction in reopening Trillanes\\u2019 rebellion case. It found that the respondent court failed to take ample time to pause and ponder, whether or not it retained jurisdiction, summarily and cursorily considered the DOJ\\u2019s Omnibus Motionupon a matter involving a criminal action that it has long-ago dismissed.<a href=\\\"#_ftn14\\\">[14]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 However, the CA upheld the legality of Proclamation No. 572 despite Trillanes\\u2019 counsels\\u2019 averments of violations of his rights against double jeopardy, ex post facto laws and bill of attainders, and to equal protection of the law. It stated:<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<blockquote>\\n<p>\\u201cGiven the foregoing disquisition, the Court is of the view that an order that dismisses a criminal action based on an amnesty becomes a void judgment when the said amnesty is revoked on the ground that the grantee failed to comply with the conditions of such grant. As discussed above, when a conditional amnesty is subsequently revoked on the ground of breach or noncompliance with the conditions, the grant of amnesty is voided, as if no amnesty was granted to begin with. By necessary implication, any proceeding or action that arose from such revoked amnesty becomes null and void as well. A previous order that dismissed the criminal action is considered to have been issued with grave abuse of discretion because it has no basis in law, as the amnesty has been revoked and voided. Applied to the case, if the revocation of the petitioner\'s amnesty is legally and factually sound, the Order of 07 September 2011 can be set aside for being a void judgment and beyond the ambit of the immutability of final judgments and orders doctrine.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn15\\\">[15]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<\\/blockquote>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The CA held that the crux of the controversy of whether an amnesty may be revoked arises not from the substantive aspect of the conditional amnesty proclamation, but from its procedural aspect. The Court made reference to the only United Nations member states which have Constitutions that expressly refer to the irrevocability of the legal effects of an amnesty: Peru and Angola. It bears noting that all 191 other member states, including the Philippines, do not have a similar provision.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In sum, the CA upheld Proclamation No. 572 ruling that a conditional amnesty <strong>may be revoked<\\/strong> on the limited ground that the attached conditions have not been met. It noted that a revoked amnesty can render void an order or judgment that dismissed a criminal action because of the amnesty, but the process entails <strong>a proper judicial inquiry<\\/strong> which either party to the controversy may initiate viathe proper legal tools and remedies with the proper court clothed with jurisdiction. The court inquiry cannot be merely summary and cursory, but one that shall give the parties ample opportunity to be heard on their respective evidence.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 After the CA Decision, the Department of Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said the Office of the Solicitor General, as counsel for the government, will determine the next legal remedy.<a href=\\\"#_ftn16\\\">[16]<\\/a> If elevated to the Supreme Court, it would then face the challenge of answering the questions surrounding this case.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>In any case, the Court must consider the applicability of the principle of presumption of regularity in the performance of official duty. The DND, an administrative body, was engaged in the performance of its official duty in granting Trillanes and the other members of the specified class amnesty under DND Ad Hoc Committee Resolution No. 2. The Supreme Court has ruled in <em>Yap vs. Lagtapon<\\/em><a href=\\\"#_ftn17\\\">[17]<\\/a>that \\u201c[t]he presumption of regularity in the performance of official duties is an aid to the effective and unhampered administration of government functions. Without such benefit, every official action could be negated with minimal effort from litigants, irrespective of merit or sufficiency of evidence to support such challenge.\\u201d In the same case, the Court under the <em>ponencia<\\/em> of Justice Caguioa held that nothing short of clear and convincing evidence to the contrary could overthrow such presumption.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In one of the earliest cases<a href=\\\"#_ftn18\\\">[18]<\\/a> regarding amnesty in the Philippines, the Supreme Court held that the right to the benefits of amnesty, once established by the evidence presented either by the complainant or prosecution, or by the defense, cannot be waived, because it is of public interest that a person who is regarded by the Amnesty Proclamation which has the <em>force of a law<\\/em>, not only as innocent, but one who stands in the eyes of the law as if he had never committed any punishable offense.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Applying these two cases to the present issue, the heavy burden should have always been on the Office of the President, the one which issued the proclamation, to prove that Trillanes did indeed fail to pass the requirements for his amnesty application. The citing of a lone affidavit in the whereas clauses of Proclamation No. 572 is not within the required quantum of \\u201cclear and convincing evidence\\u201d which could possibly overthrow the presumption of regularity in the performance of duty by the DND in 2011.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 By protecting the sanctity of an amnesty grant presumed validly received, the Supreme Court would in effect be recognizing the relevance of reaccepting classes of people who may have been guilty of political offenses for the purpose of forming a compassionate, yet resolutely progressive Philippine society.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">[1]<\\/a> Christopher Joyce, The Athenian Amnesty and Scrutiny of 403, (Dec. 2008), https:\\/\\/www.jstor.org\\/stable\\/27564181?seq=1 (last accessed May 13, 2021).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a> CONST., Article VII, Sec. 19<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a> <em>Gaudencio Vera, et al vs. People of the Philippines<\\/em>; G.R. No. L-18184, January 31, 1963<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[4]<\\/a> Reyes, Luis B. The Revised Penal Code: Criminal Law Book One, 638 (2017)<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[5]<\\/a> Office of the President of the Philippines, Proclamation No. 50, s. 2010, Official Gazette, October 12, 2010<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[6]<\\/a> Elemia, Camille. \\u2018Ex-DND panel chair, official tell courts: Trillanes applied for amnesty in 2011.\\u2019 2018, Sept. 24. Retrieved from https:\\/\\/www.rappler.com\\/nation\\/honorio-azcueta-josefa-berbigal-tell-court-trillanes-applied-for-amnesty-2011 (Last accessed May 13, 2021)<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\">[7]<\\/a> Office of the President of the Philippines, Proclamation No. 572, s. 2018, Official Gazette, August 21, 2018<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\">[8]<\\/a> Chief, Discipline, Law and Order Division of the Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel, J1<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\">[9]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\">[10]<\\/a> Billones, Trishia. \\u2018\\u2018Duterte nullification of Trillanes amnesty \'nothing but an arrest order\' \\u2013 lawyer\\u2019 2018, Sept. 17. Retrieved from https:\\/\\/news.abs-cbn.com\\/news\\/09\\/17\\/18\\/duterte-nullification-of-trillanes-amnesty-nothing-but-an-arrest-order-lawyer (Last accessed May 13, 2021)<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\">[11]<\\/a> Navallo, Mike. \\u2018Court of Appeals junks revived rebellion case vs Trillanes\\u2019 2021, March 2. Retrieved from https:\\/\\/news.abs-cbn.com\\/news\\/03\\/02\\/21\\/court-of-appeals-junks-revived-rebellion-case-vs-trillanes (Last accessed May 13, 2021)<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref12\\\">[12]<\\/a> Reysio-Cruz, Matthew and Salaverria, Leila. \\u2018Makati judge revives rebellion case vs Trillanes\\u20192018, September 26. Retrieved from https:\\/\\/newsinfo.inquirer.net\\/1036352\\/makati-judge-revives-rebellion-case-vs-trillanes (Last accessed May 13, 2021)<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref13\\\">[13]<\\/a> <em>Trillanes IV vs. Hon. Alameda,<\\/em> CA-G.R. SP No. 159811; March 1, 2021<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref14\\\">[14]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref15\\\">[15]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref16\\\">[16]<\\/a> Pulta, Benjamin. \\u2018DOJ leaves it up to OSG to appeal Trillanes\\u2019 case\\u2019 2021, March 2. Retrieved from https:\\/\\/www.pna.gov.ph\\/articles\\/1132303 (Last accessed May 13, 2021)<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref17\\\">[17]<\\/a> <em>Yap vs. Lagtapon<\\/em>, G.R. No. 196347; January 23, 2017<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref18\\\">[18]<\\/a> <em>Barrioquinto v. Fernandez<\\/em>, G.R. No. L-1278, January 21, 1949<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(3867,1311,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(3868,1311,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(3869,1311,'_elementor_version','3.1.1'),(3870,1311,'_wp_page_template','default'),(3871,1311,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"5f7665c\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"368e9987\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"14f0af9a\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>by: Raphel U. Rayco<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Crucial to the formation of a new society founded upon compassion after a period of war and strife is the reacceptance of those who might have been guilty of political offenses, conditioned upon their return to obedience and duty within a prescribed time. This is the essence of amnesty.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The first recorded award of clemency was after the victory of the democratic leader Thrasybulus at Piraeus in 403 BC. At the time, \\u201cto prevent further infighting, an oath of reconciliation was sworn, promising to refrain from vengeful action provoked by the memory of past wrongdoing.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\">[1]<\\/a> Such oath was seen as the basis upon which democracy was reconstructed in Athens.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In the Philippines, a nation marred with various political conflicts, the grant of amnesty to certain classes of people has been used to help the country advance despite the turmoil it has gone through. While amnesty does not represent the entire population\\u2019s forgiveness, it is still seen by those who have the power to grant it as a way for Philippine society to progress.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 At present, under Philippine law and jurisprudence, the requisites for the valid grant of amnesty by the President are: (1) the concurrence of a majority of all the members of Congress;<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\">[2]<\\/a> and (2) a previous admission of guilt<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\">[3]<\\/a>. Upon showing of fulfillment of the procedural formalities, there shall be total extinguishment of the grantee\\u2019s criminal liability, the imposed penalty, and all its effects. The concept of amnesty reaches back to the past and erases the guilt of the person granted with the executive clemency.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 As compared to a pardon, another kind of executive clemency, amnesty differs in scope and in application. While pardon is only addressed to ordinary offenses, amnesty is addressed to political offenses. The former is granted to individuals, while the latter is granted to classes of persons. Only the latter requires the concurrence of majority of all members of Congress. Probably the most important distinction is that pardon looks forward and relieves the recipient of the consequences of the offense he might have committed, while amnesty looks backward and puts to oblivion the offense itself. In other words, amnesty deletes the past commission of the offense.<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\">[4]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In 2010, the former President Benigno Aquino III \\u00a0granted amnesty to active and former personnel of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), the Philippine National Police (PNP) and their supporters who have or may have committed crimes punishable under the Revised Penal Code, the Articles of War and other laws in connection with, in relation or incident to the July 27, 2003 Oakwood Mutiny, the February 2006 Marines Stand-Off and the November 29, 2007 Manila Peninsula Incident.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Proclamation was based on the recognition of the \\u201cclamor from certain sectors of society\\u201d with the goal of promoting an atmosphere conducive to the attainment of a just, comprehensive and enduring peace in line with the Government\\u2019s peace and reconciliation initiatives.<a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\">[5]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Among those who applied for executive clemency is former Senator and current key opposition leader Antonio Trillanes IV. Upon his alleged application,<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\">[6]<\\/a> he was granted amnesty in 2011.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 However, seven years into enjoying his freedom based on the grant by former President Aquino III, Trillanes\\u2019 amnesty was declared void<em> ab initio<\\/em> by current President Rodrigo Duterte by virtue of Proclamation No. 572, s. 2018.<a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\">[7]<\\/a>\\u00a0 Under the whereas clauses of the more recent proclamation, the basis of the revocation of the grant of amnesty under Department of National Defense (DND) Ad Hoc Committee Resolution No. 2 is Trillanes\\u2019 alleged failure to file an Official Amnesty Application Form as per the Certification dated August 30, 2018 issued by Lt. Col. Thea Joan N. Andrade<a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\">[8]<\\/a>, stating that there is no available copy of his application for amnesty in the records.<a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\">[9]<\\/a> In the same Proclamation, President Duterte ordered the AFP Martial to pursue all criminal and administrative cases filed against former LTSG Trillanes in relation to the Oakwood Mutiny and the Manila Peninsula Incident.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 This Proclamation was \\u201cnothing but an order of arrest.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\">[10]<\\/a> In a unilateral act of revocation <em>sans <\\/em>the concurrence present on its grant, the president effectively ordered the arrest of a purported grantee. Through Sec. 2(2) of Proclamation No. 572, President Duterte orders the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police \\u201cto employ all lawful means to apprehend former LTSG Antonio Trillanes so that he can be recommitted to the detention facility where he had been incarcerated for him to stand trial for the crimes he is charged with.\\u201d<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Acting upon the Proclamation, the Department of Justice filed an omnibus motion to revive both the rebellion case against Trillanes in Makati Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 150 and the coup d\\u2019\\u00e9tat case in Branch 148.\\u00a0Judge Andres Soriano of Makati RTC Branch 148 denied the DOJ\\u2019s bid to revive the coup d\\u2019etat case while Judge Elmo Alameda of Makati RTC Branch 150 reinstated it.<a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\">[11]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Judge Alameda issued a warrant for the arrest of Trillanes even after the latter submitted the affidavit of Col. Josefa Berbigal, head of the secretariat of the temporary amnesty committee of the DND that processed the applications of military rebels in 2011. Col. Bergibal attested to Trillanes\\u2019 act of filing an application for amnesty in 2011 and admission of guilt in taking part in various attempts to overthrow the government.<a href=\\\"#_ftn12\\\">[12]<\\/a>\\u00a0 \\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Upon appeal by Trillanes, the Court of Appeals (CA) took note of the conflicting rulings of the RTC branches. It noted that \\u201cone and the same document \\u2013 a <em>Certificate of Amnesty <\\/em>- that attests to the grant of amnesty to the petitioner, was read by the RTC of Makati - Branch 148 favorably for the petitioner, but was appreciated unfavorably by the respondent court, RTC of Makati - Branch 150.\\u201d The CA also found that Judge Alameda limited his court only to hearing oral arguments and receiving affidavits.<a href=\\\"#_ftn13\\\">[13]<\\/a>\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The CA ruled that Judge Alameda disregarded the Doctrine of Immutability of Judgment, the legal precept that a decision that has acquired finality generally becomes immutable and unalterable. Thus, the CA declared Judge Alameda\\u2019s reinstating the rebellion case void. He was the same judge who dismissed the rebellion case in 2011 after Trillanes submitted a certificate of amnesty granted by then President Aquino III.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The CA ruled that the RTC Branch 150 committed grave abuse of discretion amounting to excess of jurisdiction, thus ousting it of jurisdiction in reopening Trillanes\\u2019 rebellion case. It found that the respondent court failed to take ample time to pause and ponder, whether or not it retained jurisdiction, summarily and cursorily considered the DOJ\\u2019s Omnibus Motionupon a matter involving a criminal action that it has long-ago dismissed.<a href=\\\"#_ftn14\\\">[14]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 However, the CA upheld the legality of Proclamation No. 572 despite Trillanes\\u2019 counsels\\u2019 averments of violations of his rights against double jeopardy, ex post facto laws and bill of attainders, and to equal protection of the law. It stated:<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<blockquote>\\n<p>\\u201cGiven the foregoing disquisition, the Court is of the view that an order that dismisses a criminal action based on an amnesty becomes a void judgment when the said amnesty is revoked on the ground that the grantee failed to comply with the conditions of such grant. As discussed above, when a conditional amnesty is subsequently revoked on the ground of breach or noncompliance with the conditions, the grant of amnesty is voided, as if no amnesty was granted to begin with. By necessary implication, any proceeding or action that arose from such revoked amnesty becomes null and void as well. A previous order that dismissed the criminal action is considered to have been issued with grave abuse of discretion because it has no basis in law, as the amnesty has been revoked and voided. Applied to the case, if the revocation of the petitioner\'s amnesty is legally and factually sound, the Order of 07 September 2011 can be set aside for being a void judgment and beyond the ambit of the immutability of final judgments and orders doctrine.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn15\\\">[15]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<\\/blockquote>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The CA held that the crux of the controversy of whether an amnesty may be revoked arises not from the substantive aspect of the conditional amnesty proclamation, but from its procedural aspect. The Court made reference to the only United Nations member states which have Constitutions that expressly refer to the irrevocability of the legal effects of an amnesty: Peru and Angola. It bears noting that all 191 other member states, including the Philippines, do not have a similar provision.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In sum, the CA upheld Proclamation No. 572 ruling that a conditional amnesty <strong>may be revoked<\\/strong> on the limited ground that the attached conditions have not been met. It noted that a revoked amnesty can render void an order or judgment that dismissed a criminal action because of the amnesty, but the process entails <strong>a proper judicial inquiry<\\/strong> which either party to the controversy may initiate viathe proper legal tools and remedies with the proper court clothed with jurisdiction. The court inquiry cannot be merely summary and cursory, but one that shall give the parties ample opportunity to be heard on their respective evidence.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 After the CA Decision, the Department of Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said the Office of the Solicitor General, as counsel for the government, will determine the next legal remedy.<a href=\\\"#_ftn16\\\">[16]<\\/a> If elevated to the Supreme Court, it would then face the challenge of answering the questions surrounding this case.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>In any case, the Court must consider the applicability of the principle of presumption of regularity in the performance of official duty. The DND, an administrative body, was engaged in the performance of its official duty in granting Trillanes and the other members of the specified class amnesty under DND Ad Hoc Committee Resolution No. 2. The Supreme Court has ruled in <em>Yap vs. Lagtapon<\\/em><a href=\\\"#_ftn17\\\">[17]<\\/a>that \\u201c[t]he presumption of regularity in the performance of official duties is an aid to the effective and unhampered administration of government functions. Without such benefit, every official action could be negated with minimal effort from litigants, irrespective of merit or sufficiency of evidence to support such challenge.\\u201d In the same case, the Court under the <em>ponencia<\\/em> of Justice Caguioa held that nothing short of clear and convincing evidence to the contrary could overthrow such presumption.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In one of the earliest cases<a href=\\\"#_ftn18\\\">[18]<\\/a> regarding amnesty in the Philippines, the Supreme Court held that the right to the benefits of amnesty, once established by the evidence presented either by the complainant or prosecution, or by the defense, cannot be waived, because it is of public interest that a person who is regarded by the Amnesty Proclamation which has the <em>force of a law<\\/em>, not only as innocent, but one who stands in the eyes of the law as if he had never committed any punishable offense.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Applying these two cases to the present issue, the heavy burden should have always been on the Office of the President, the one which issued the proclamation, to prove that Trillanes did indeed fail to pass the requirements for his amnesty application. The citing of a lone affidavit in the whereas clauses of Proclamation No. 572 is not within the required quantum of \\u201cclear and convincing evidence\\u201d which could possibly overthrow the presumption of regularity in the performance of duty by the DND in 2011.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 By protecting the sanctity of an amnesty grant presumed validly received, the Supreme Court would in effect be recognizing the relevance of reaccepting classes of people who may have been guilty of political offenses for the purpose of forming a compassionate, yet resolutely progressive Philippine society.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">[1]<\\/a> Christopher Joyce, The Athenian Amnesty and Scrutiny of 403, (Dec. 2008), https:\\/\\/www.jstor.org\\/stable\\/27564181?seq=1 (last accessed May 13, 2021).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a> CONST., Article VII, Sec. 19<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a> <em>Gaudencio Vera, et al vs. People of the Philippines<\\/em>; G.R. No. L-18184, January 31, 1963<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[4]<\\/a> Reyes, Luis B. The Revised Penal Code: Criminal Law Book One, 638 (2017)<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[5]<\\/a> Office of the President of the Philippines, Proclamation No. 50, s. 2010, Official Gazette, October 12, 2010<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[6]<\\/a> Elemia, Camille. \\u2018Ex-DND panel chair, official tell courts: Trillanes applied for amnesty in 2011.\\u2019 2018, Sept. 24. Retrieved from https:\\/\\/www.rappler.com\\/nation\\/honorio-azcueta-josefa-berbigal-tell-court-trillanes-applied-for-amnesty-2011 (Last accessed May 13, 2021)<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\">[7]<\\/a> Office of the President of the Philippines, Proclamation No. 572, s. 2018, Official Gazette, August 21, 2018<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\">[8]<\\/a> Chief, Discipline, Law and Order Division of the Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel, J1<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\">[9]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\">[10]<\\/a> Billones, Trishia. \\u2018\\u2018Duterte nullification of Trillanes amnesty \'nothing but an arrest order\' \\u2013 lawyer\\u2019 2018, Sept. 17. Retrieved from https:\\/\\/news.abs-cbn.com\\/news\\/09\\/17\\/18\\/duterte-nullification-of-trillanes-amnesty-nothing-but-an-arrest-order-lawyer (Last accessed May 13, 2021)<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\">[11]<\\/a> Navallo, Mike. \\u2018Court of Appeals junks revived rebellion case vs Trillanes\\u2019 2021, March 2. Retrieved from https:\\/\\/news.abs-cbn.com\\/news\\/03\\/02\\/21\\/court-of-appeals-junks-revived-rebellion-case-vs-trillanes (Last accessed May 13, 2021)<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref12\\\">[12]<\\/a> Reysio-Cruz, Matthew and Salaverria, Leila. \\u2018Makati judge revives rebellion case vs Trillanes\\u20192018, September 26. Retrieved from https:\\/\\/newsinfo.inquirer.net\\/1036352\\/makati-judge-revives-rebellion-case-vs-trillanes (Last accessed May 13, 2021)<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref13\\\">[13]<\\/a> <em>Trillanes IV vs. Hon. Alameda,<\\/em> CA-G.R. SP No. 159811; March 1, 2021<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref14\\\">[14]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref15\\\">[15]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref16\\\">[16]<\\/a> Pulta, Benjamin. \\u2018DOJ leaves it up to OSG to appeal Trillanes\\u2019 case\\u2019 2021, March 2. Retrieved from https:\\/\\/www.pna.gov.ph\\/articles\\/1132303 (Last accessed May 13, 2021)<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref17\\\">[17]<\\/a> <em>Yap vs. Lagtapon<\\/em>, G.R. No. 196347; January 23, 2017<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref18\\\">[18]<\\/a> <em>Barrioquinto v. Fernandez<\\/em>, G.R. No. L-1278, January 21, 1949<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(3873,1307,'_elementor_controls_usage','a:3:{s:11:\"text-editor\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:1;s:8:\"controls\";a:2:{s:7:\"content\";a:1:{s:14:\"section_editor\";a:1:{s:6:\"editor\";i:1;}}s:5:\"style\";a:1:{s:13:\"section_style\";a:2:{s:21:\"typography_typography\";i:1;s:22:\"typography_line_height\";i:1;}}}}s:6:\"column\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:0;s:8:\"controls\";a:0:{}}s:7:\"section\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:0;s:8:\"controls\";a:0:{}}}'),(3874,1307,'_yoast_wpseo_content_score','30'),(3875,1307,'_yoast_wpseo_estimated-reading-time-minutes','10'),(3877,1312,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(3878,1312,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(3879,1312,'_elementor_version','3.1.1'),(3880,1312,'_wp_page_template','default'),(3881,1312,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"5f7665c\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"368e9987\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"14f0af9a\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>by: Raphel U. Rayco<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Crucial to the formation of a new society founded upon compassion after a period of war and strife is the reacceptance of those who might have been guilty of political offenses, conditioned upon their return to obedience and duty within a prescribed time. This is the essence of amnesty.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The first recorded award of clemency was after the victory of the democratic leader Thrasybulus at Piraeus in 403 BC. At the time, \\u201cto prevent further infighting, an oath of reconciliation was sworn, promising to refrain from vengeful action provoked by the memory of past wrongdoing.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\">[1]<\\/a> Such oath was seen as the basis upon which democracy was reconstructed in Athens.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In the Philippines, a nation marred with various political conflicts, the grant of amnesty to certain classes of people has been used to help the country advance despite the turmoil it has gone through. While amnesty does not represent the entire population\\u2019s forgiveness, it is still seen by those who have the power to grant it as a way for Philippine society to progress.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 At present, under Philippine law and jurisprudence, the requisites for the valid grant of amnesty by the President are: (1) the concurrence of a majority of all the members of Congress;<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\">[2]<\\/a> and (2) a previous admission of guilt<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\">[3]<\\/a>. Upon showing of fulfillment of the procedural formalities, there shall be total extinguishment of the grantee\\u2019s criminal liability, the imposed penalty, and all its effects. The concept of amnesty reaches back to the past and erases the guilt of the person granted with the executive clemency.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 As compared to a pardon, another kind of executive clemency, amnesty differs in scope and in application. While pardon is only addressed to ordinary offenses, amnesty is addressed to political offenses. The former is granted to individuals, while the latter is granted to classes of persons. Only the latter requires the concurrence of majority of all members of Congress. Probably the most important distinction is that pardon looks forward and relieves the recipient of the consequences of the offense he might have committed, while amnesty looks backward and puts to oblivion the offense itself. In other words, amnesty deletes the past commission of the offense.<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\">[4]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In 2010, the former President Benigno Aquino III \\u00a0granted amnesty to active and former personnel of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), the Philippine National Police (PNP) and their supporters who have or may have committed crimes punishable under the Revised Penal Code, the Articles of War and other laws in connection with, in relation or incident to the July 27, 2003 Oakwood Mutiny, the February 2006 Marines Stand-Off and the November 29, 2007 Manila Peninsula Incident.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Proclamation was based on the recognition of the \\u201cclamor from certain sectors of society\\u201d with the goal of promoting an atmosphere conducive to the attainment of a just, comprehensive and enduring peace in line with the Government\\u2019s peace and reconciliation initiatives.<a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\">[5]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Among those who applied for executive clemency is former Senator and current key opposition leader Antonio Trillanes IV. Upon his alleged application,<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\">[6]<\\/a> he was granted amnesty in 2011.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 However, seven years into enjoying his freedom based on the grant by former President Aquino III, Trillanes\\u2019 amnesty was declared void<em> ab initio<\\/em> by current President Rodrigo Duterte by virtue of Proclamation No. 572, s. 2018.<a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\">[7]<\\/a>\\u00a0 Under the whereas clauses of the more recent proclamation, the basis of the revocation of the grant of amnesty under Department of National Defense (DND) Ad Hoc Committee Resolution No. 2 is Trillanes\\u2019 alleged failure to file an Official Amnesty Application Form as per the Certification dated August 30, 2018 issued by Lt. Col. Thea Joan N. Andrade<a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\">[8]<\\/a>, stating that there is no available copy of his application for amnesty in the records.<a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\">[9]<\\/a> In the same Proclamation, President Duterte ordered the AFP Martial to pursue all criminal and administrative cases filed against former LTSG Trillanes in relation to the Oakwood Mutiny and the Manila Peninsula Incident.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 This Proclamation was \\u201cnothing but an order of arrest.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\">[10]<\\/a> In a unilateral act of revocation <em>sans <\\/em>the concurrence present on its grant, the president effectively ordered the arrest of a purported grantee. Through Sec. 2(2) of Proclamation No. 572, President Duterte orders the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police \\u201cto employ all lawful means to apprehend former LTSG Antonio Trillanes so that he can be recommitted to the detention facility where he had been incarcerated for him to stand trial for the crimes he is charged with.\\u201d<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Acting upon the Proclamation, the Department of Justice filed an omnibus motion to revive both the rebellion case against Trillanes in Makati Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 150 and the coup d\\u2019\\u00e9tat case in Branch 148.\\u00a0Judge Andres Soriano of Makati RTC Branch 148 denied the DOJ\\u2019s bid to revive the coup d\\u2019etat case while Judge Elmo Alameda of Makati RTC Branch 150 reinstated it.<a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\">[11]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Judge Alameda issued a warrant for the arrest of Trillanes even after the latter submitted the affidavit of Col. Josefa Berbigal, head of the secretariat of the temporary amnesty committee of the DND that processed the applications of military rebels in 2011. Col. Bergibal attested to Trillanes\\u2019 act of filing an application for amnesty in 2011 and admission of guilt in taking part in various attempts to overthrow the government.<a href=\\\"#_ftn12\\\">[12]<\\/a>\\u00a0 \\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Upon appeal by Trillanes, the Court of Appeals (CA) took note of the conflicting rulings of the RTC branches. It noted that \\u201cone and the same document \\u2013 a <em>Certificate of Amnesty <\\/em>- that attests to the grant of amnesty to the petitioner, was read by the RTC of Makati - Branch 148 favorably for the petitioner, but was appreciated unfavorably by the respondent court, RTC of Makati - Branch 150.\\u201d The CA also found that Judge Alameda limited his court only to hearing oral arguments and receiving affidavits.<a href=\\\"#_ftn13\\\">[13]<\\/a>\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The CA ruled that Judge Alameda disregarded the Doctrine of Immutability of Judgment, the legal precept that a decision that has acquired finality generally becomes immutable and unalterable. Thus, the CA declared Judge Alameda\\u2019s reinstating the rebellion case void. He was the same judge who dismissed the rebellion case in 2011 after Trillanes submitted a certificate of amnesty granted by then President Aquino III.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The CA ruled that the RTC Branch 150 committed grave abuse of discretion amounting to excess of jurisdiction, thus ousting it of jurisdiction in reopening Trillanes\\u2019 rebellion case. It found that the respondent court failed to take ample time to pause and ponder, whether or not it retained jurisdiction, summarily and cursorily considered the DOJ\\u2019s Omnibus Motionupon a matter involving a criminal action that it has long-ago dismissed.<a href=\\\"#_ftn14\\\">[14]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 However, the CA upheld the legality of Proclamation No. 572 despite Trillanes\\u2019 counsels\\u2019 averments of violations of his rights against double jeopardy, ex post facto laws and bill of attainders, and to equal protection of the law. It stated:<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<blockquote>\\n<p>\\u201cGiven the foregoing disquisition, the Court is of the view that an order that dismisses a criminal action based on an amnesty becomes a void judgment when the said amnesty is revoked on the ground that the grantee failed to comply with the conditions of such grant. As discussed above, when a conditional amnesty is subsequently revoked on the ground of breach or noncompliance with the conditions, the grant of amnesty is voided, as if no amnesty was granted to begin with. By necessary implication, any proceeding or action that arose from such revoked amnesty becomes null and void as well. A previous order that dismissed the criminal action is considered to have been issued with grave abuse of discretion because it has no basis in law, as the amnesty has been revoked and voided. Applied to the case, if the revocation of the petitioner\'s amnesty is legally and factually sound, the Order of 07 September 2011 can be set aside for being a void judgment and beyond the ambit of the immutability of final judgments and orders doctrine.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn15\\\">[15]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<\\/blockquote>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The CA held that the crux of the controversy of whether an amnesty may be revoked arises not from the substantive aspect of the conditional amnesty proclamation, but from its procedural aspect. The Court made reference to the only United Nations member states which have Constitutions that expressly refer to the irrevocability of the legal effects of an amnesty: Peru and Angola. It bears noting that all 191 other member states, including the Philippines, do not have a similar provision.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In sum, the CA upheld Proclamation No. 572 ruling that a conditional amnesty <strong>may be revoked<\\/strong> on the limited ground that the attached conditions have not been met. It noted that a revoked amnesty can render void an order or judgment that dismissed a criminal action because of the amnesty, but the process entails <strong>a proper judicial inquiry<\\/strong> which either party to the controversy may initiate viathe proper legal tools and remedies with the proper court clothed with jurisdiction. The court inquiry cannot be merely summary and cursory, but one that shall give the parties ample opportunity to be heard on their respective evidence.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 After the CA Decision, the Department of Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said the Office of the Solicitor General, as counsel for the government, will determine the next legal remedy.<a href=\\\"#_ftn16\\\">[16]<\\/a> If elevated to the Supreme Court, it would then face the challenge of answering the questions surrounding this case.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>In any case, the Court must consider the applicability of the principle of presumption of regularity in the performance of official duty. The DND, an administrative body, was engaged in the performance of its official duty in granting Trillanes and the other members of the specified class amnesty under DND Ad Hoc Committee Resolution No. 2. The Supreme Court has ruled in <em>Yap vs. Lagtapon<\\/em><a href=\\\"#_ftn17\\\">[17]<\\/a>that \\u201c[t]he presumption of regularity in the performance of official duties is an aid to the effective and unhampered administration of government functions. Without such benefit, every official action could be negated with minimal effort from litigants, irrespective of merit or sufficiency of evidence to support such challenge.\\u201d In the same case, the Court under the <em>ponencia<\\/em> of Justice Caguioa held that nothing short of clear and convincing evidence to the contrary could overthrow such presumption.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In one of the earliest cases<a href=\\\"#_ftn18\\\">[18]<\\/a> regarding amnesty in the Philippines, the Supreme Court held that the right to the benefits of amnesty, once established by the evidence presented either by the complainant or prosecution, or by the defense, cannot be waived, because it is of public interest that a person who is regarded by the Amnesty Proclamation which has the <em>force of a law<\\/em>, not only as innocent, but one who stands in the eyes of the law as if he had never committed any punishable offense.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Applying these two cases to the present issue, the heavy burden should have always been on the Office of the President, the one which issued the proclamation, to prove that Trillanes did indeed fail to pass the requirements for his amnesty application. The citing of a lone affidavit in the whereas clauses of Proclamation No. 572 is not within the required quantum of \\u201cclear and convincing evidence\\u201d which could possibly overthrow the presumption of regularity in the performance of duty by the DND in 2011.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 By protecting the sanctity of an amnesty grant presumed validly received, the Supreme Court would in effect be recognizing the relevance of reaccepting classes of people who may have been guilty of political offenses for the purpose of forming a compassionate, yet resolutely progressive Philippine society.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">[1]<\\/a> Christopher Joyce, The Athenian Amnesty and Scrutiny of 403, (Dec. 2008), https:\\/\\/www.jstor.org\\/stable\\/27564181?seq=1 (last accessed May 13, 2021).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a> CONST., Article VII, Sec. 19<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a> <em>Gaudencio Vera, et al vs. People of the Philippines<\\/em>; G.R. No. L-18184, January 31, 1963<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[4]<\\/a> Reyes, Luis B. The Revised Penal Code: Criminal Law Book One, 638 (2017)<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[5]<\\/a> Office of the President of the Philippines, Proclamation No. 50, s. 2010, Official Gazette, October 12, 2010<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[6]<\\/a> Elemia, Camille. \\u2018Ex-DND panel chair, official tell courts: Trillanes applied for amnesty in 2011.\\u2019 2018, Sept. 24. Retrieved from https:\\/\\/www.rappler.com\\/nation\\/honorio-azcueta-josefa-berbigal-tell-court-trillanes-applied-for-amnesty-2011 (Last accessed May 13, 2021)<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\">[7]<\\/a> Office of the President of the Philippines, Proclamation No. 572, s. 2018, Official Gazette, August 21, 2018<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\">[8]<\\/a> Chief, Discipline, Law and Order Division of the Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel, J1<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\">[9]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\">[10]<\\/a> Billones, Trishia. \\u2018\\u2018Duterte nullification of Trillanes amnesty \'nothing but an arrest order\' \\u2013 lawyer\\u2019 2018, Sept. 17. Retrieved from https:\\/\\/news.abs-cbn.com\\/news\\/09\\/17\\/18\\/duterte-nullification-of-trillanes-amnesty-nothing-but-an-arrest-order-lawyer (Last accessed May 13, 2021)<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\">[11]<\\/a> Navallo, Mike. \\u2018Court of Appeals junks revived rebellion case vs Trillanes\\u2019 2021, March 2. Retrieved from https:\\/\\/news.abs-cbn.com\\/news\\/03\\/02\\/21\\/court-of-appeals-junks-revived-rebellion-case-vs-trillanes (Last accessed May 13, 2021)<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref12\\\">[12]<\\/a> Reysio-Cruz, Matthew and Salaverria, Leila. \\u2018Makati judge revives rebellion case vs Trillanes\\u20192018, September 26. Retrieved from https:\\/\\/newsinfo.inquirer.net\\/1036352\\/makati-judge-revives-rebellion-case-vs-trillanes (Last accessed May 13, 2021)<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref13\\\">[13]<\\/a> <em>Trillanes IV vs. Hon. Alameda,<\\/em> CA-G.R. SP No. 159811; March 1, 2021<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref14\\\">[14]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref15\\\">[15]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref16\\\">[16]<\\/a> Pulta, Benjamin. \\u2018DOJ leaves it up to OSG to appeal Trillanes\\u2019 case\\u2019 2021, March 2. Retrieved from https:\\/\\/www.pna.gov.ph\\/articles\\/1132303 (Last accessed May 13, 2021)<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref17\\\">[17]<\\/a> <em>Yap vs. Lagtapon<\\/em>, G.R. No. 196347; January 23, 2017<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref18\\\">[18]<\\/a> <em>Barrioquinto v. Fernandez<\\/em>, G.R. No. L-1278, January 21, 1949<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(3882,1312,'_elementor_controls_usage','a:3:{s:11:\"text-editor\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:1;s:8:\"controls\";a:2:{s:7:\"content\";a:1:{s:14:\"section_editor\";a:1:{s:6:\"editor\";i:1;}}s:5:\"style\";a:1:{s:13:\"section_style\";a:2:{s:21:\"typography_typography\";i:1;s:22:\"typography_line_height\";i:1;}}}}s:6:\"column\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:0;s:8:\"controls\";a:0:{}}s:7:\"section\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:0;s:8:\"controls\";a:0:{}}}'),(3885,1307,'_edit_last','1'),(3886,1307,'_yoast_wpseo_primary_category','10'),(3887,1307,'wptr_hide_title','0'),(3888,1307,'ss_social_share_disable',''),(3889,1313,'_wp_attached_file','2021/05/Untitled-design2.jpg'),(3890,1313,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:5:{s:5:\"width\";i:1101;s:6:\"height\";i:734;s:4:\"file\";s:28:\"2021/05/Untitled-design2.jpg\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:12:{s:6:\"medium\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:28:\"Untitled-design2-300x200.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:300;s:6:\"height\";i:200;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:5:\"large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:29:\"Untitled-design2-1024x683.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1024;s:6:\"height\";i:683;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"thumbnail\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:28:\"Untitled-design2-150x150.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:12:\"medium_large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:28:\"Untitled-design2-768x512.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:768;s:6:\"height\";i:512;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:24:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:28:\"Untitled-design2-170x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:25:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:26:\"Untitled-design2-86x70.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:28:\"Untitled-design2-165x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:165;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:22:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:28:\"Untitled-design2-370x250.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:30:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:28:\"Untitled-design2-370x247.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:247;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:21:\"bfastmag_related_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:28:\"Untitled-design2-288x160.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:288;s:6:\"height\";i:160;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:18:\"bfastmag_blog_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:28:\"Untitled-design2-780x544.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:26:\"bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:28:\"Untitled-design2-780x520.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:520;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:0:\"\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:1:\"0\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:1:\"0\";s:3:\"iso\";s:1:\"0\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:1:\"0\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";s:1:\"0\";s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}}'),(3891,1307,'_thumbnail_id','1313'),(3910,1307,'ss_ss_click_share_count_facebook','1'),(3911,1307,'ss_total_share_count','0'),(3912,1307,'ss_ss_click_share_count_twitter','1'),(3933,1314,'_edit_lock','1625389053:1'),(3934,1315,'_wp_attached_file','2021/07/Untitled-design3.jpg'),(3935,1315,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:5:{s:5:\"width\";i:1920;s:6:\"height\";i:1080;s:4:\"file\";s:28:\"2021/07/Untitled-design3.jpg\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:13:{s:6:\"medium\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:28:\"Untitled-design3-300x169.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:300;s:6:\"height\";i:169;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:5:\"large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:29:\"Untitled-design3-1024x576.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1024;s:6:\"height\";i:576;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"thumbnail\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:28:\"Untitled-design3-150x150.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:12:\"medium_large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:28:\"Untitled-design3-768x432.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:768;s:6:\"height\";i:432;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"1536x1536\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:29:\"Untitled-design3-1536x864.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1536;s:6:\"height\";i:864;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:24:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:28:\"Untitled-design3-170x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:25:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:26:\"Untitled-design3-86x70.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:27:\"Untitled-design3-170x96.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:96;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:22:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:28:\"Untitled-design3-370x250.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:30:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:28:\"Untitled-design3-370x208.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:208;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:21:\"bfastmag_related_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:28:\"Untitled-design3-288x160.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:288;s:6:\"height\";i:160;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:18:\"bfastmag_blog_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:28:\"Untitled-design3-780x544.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:26:\"bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:28:\"Untitled-design3-780x439.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:439;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:0:\"\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:1:\"0\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:1:\"0\";s:3:\"iso\";s:1:\"0\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:1:\"0\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";s:1:\"0\";s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}}'),(3936,1314,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(3937,1314,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(3938,1314,'_elementor_version','3.2.4'),(3939,1314,'_pingme','1'),(3940,1314,'_encloseme','1'),(3941,1316,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(3942,1316,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(3943,1316,'_elementor_version','3.2.4'),(3944,1317,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(3945,1317,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(3946,1317,'_elementor_version','3.2.4'),(3947,1314,'_wp_page_template','default'),(3948,1314,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"6e15c706\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"25c228e7\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"21b7e2be\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<h1><span style=\\\"font-size: 24pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">People of the Philippines v. Juvy D. Amarela and Junard G. Racho: Applying the Maria Clara Doctrine in the 21st Century<\\/span><\\/h1>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p>\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><em>By: Ristel Mae B. Tagudando<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\"><sup><strong><sup>[1]<\\/sup><\\/strong><\\/sup><\\/a><\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><strong><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">I. THE WOMEN\\u2019S HONOR DOCTRINE<\\/span><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Maria Clara Doctrine or the Women\\u2019s Honor Doctrine became part of Philippine jurisprudence in the 1960 case of <em>People v. Ta\\u00f1o<\\/em>.<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\"><sup>[2]<\\/sup><\\/a> Based on Maria Clara\'s character from Jose Rizal\'s <em>Noli Me Tangere<\\/em>, the doctrine provides the presumption that \\\"women, especially Filipinos, would not admit that they have been abused unless that abuse had happened\\\".<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\"><sup>[3]<\\/sup><\\/a> This doctrine implies that the testimony of the alleged victim by itself may be sufficient to sustain a conviction.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><strong><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">II. SUMMARY OF THE CASE<\\/span><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In <em>People v. Amarela, <\\/em>the plaintiff,AAA, was watching a beauty contest with her aunt when she went to the restroom to urinate. However, she was not able to reach the comfort room because Amarela stopped her along the way.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 According to AAA, Amarela suddenly pulled her towards the daycare center and punched her in the abdomen, making her weak. Thereafter, Amarela undressed and put his penis inside AAA\\u2019s vagina. Three (3) men came to AAA\\u2019s rescue when she shouted for help, forcing Amarela to run away. However, she was brought to a hut by these persons, having bad intentions with her. Hence, she fled and ended up in the house of Godo Dumandan, who brought her first to the Racho residence because Dumandan thought her aunt was not at home. Dumandan stayed behind; that is why Racho was asked to bring AAA to her aunt\'s house instead. However, instead, she was brought to a shanty. She was told to lie down, but she refused. Racho boxed her abdomen and placed himself on top of AAA. Racho then inserted his penis into AAA\'s vagina. Thereafter, Racho left her. Thus, AAA went home alone and decided to leave home the following day. \\u00a0Eventually, AAA told her mother about what happened to her and reported the matter to the police.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Regional Trial Court (RTC) rendered a decision finding the appellants guilty beyond reasonable doubt of the crime of rape as the plaintiff\\u2019s testimony positively identifying both appellants was clear, positive, and straightforward.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In appeal before the Court of Appeals (CA), the appellants argued that several circumstances cast doubt on the victim\'s claim that she was raped. They alleged that her testimony does not conform to shared knowledge and ordinary human experience. Moreover, they pointed out that, although there were other witnesses, \\u00a0the only material testimony on record was that of the victim . However, the appellate court affirmed the trial court\'s decision as it found no reason to reverse the factual findings of the court <em>a quo<\\/em>.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 For the Supreme Court (SC), it had no reason to deviate from the well-entrenched rule that in matters of credibility of witnesses, the assessment made by the trial court should be respected and given weight.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Supreme Court reversed the judgment of conviction. First, AAA\'s version of the story in her affidavit-complaint differs materially from her testimony in court. Second, AAA could not have easily identified Amarela because the crime scene was dark; she only saw him for the first time. Third, her testimony lacks material details on how she was brought under the stage against her will. Lastly, the medical findings do not corroborate physical injuries and are inconclusive of any signs of forced entry.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><strong>III. WEIGHING OF THE VICTIM\\u2019S TESTIMONY<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Supreme Court has long accorded the evaluations of testimonial evidence by trial courts great respect. One can expect that said determination is based on reasonable discretion as to opting for which testimony is acceptable and which witness is worthy of belief. However, although the factual findings of the trial court are given weight by the Court\\u2014most especially when affirmed by the appellate court\\u2014such rule is not absolute as, for instance, when some facts or circumstances of weight and substance have been overlooked, misapprehended, and misinterpreted.<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\"><sup>[4]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Presently, the Court follows specific guidelines when presented with the credibility of witnesses, to wit:\\u00a0 giving the highest respect to the RTC\'s evaluation of the testimony of the witnesses, considering its unique position in directly observing the demeanor of a witness on the stand.\\u00a0 Second, absent any substantial reason that would justify the reversal of the RTC\'s assessments and conclusions. The reviewing court is generally bound by the lower court\'s findings, particularly when no significant facts and circumstances affecting the case\'s outcome are shown to have been overlooked or disregarded. Lastly, such a rule is even more stringently applied if the CA concurred with the RTC. <a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\"><sup>[5]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Applying the Maria Clara doctrine or the Women\\u2019s Honor doctrine\\u2014which often leads to cases being adjudged solely on the basis of the credibility of the victim \\u2013 does not only put the accused at an unfair disadvantage but also results in a travesty of justice. It is not impossible for an assumed victim to merely fabricate stories of her abuse.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In the past, one can say that it is natural for a woman to be reluctant to disclose a sexual assault. This stereotype cannot be applied anymore as women have transformed over the years and have become more willing to speak up and fight for their rights . There is a need to veer away from such a notion and accept the realities of a woman\'s dynamic role in society today.<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\">[6]<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Leaving the aforementioned doctrine\\u2013 given that the findings through evidence presented do not match the victim\'s testimony \\u2013 in the past is crucial because an accused must only be convicted solely on the testimony of the victim, provided of course, that the testimony is credible, natural, convincing, and consistent with human nature and the normal course of things. <a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\"><sup>[7]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Furthermore, this rule was clarified in the recent case of <em>People v. ZZZ<\\/em>. The \\u00a0Supreme Court relied on the victim\'s testimony because the latter readily recognized and pointed to her violator.\\u00a0 Unlike in <em>People v. Amarela, <\\/em>the victim recounted the harrowing nights that tormented her for six years of living with the perpetrator, and the medico-legal examination corroborated the latter\'s testimony. Hence, the SC found no compelling motive for the victim to lie. Furthermore, that after all, \\u201cno person, especially one of tender age, would ordinarily cry \\\"rape\\\" and subject oneself to the consequent rigors and embarrassments of medical examination and public trial, if not for the quest for rightful justice.<a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\">[8]<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><strong>IV. ERADICATING STEREOTYPES<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Supreme Court\\u2019s recent consideration and clarification as to the application of the Maria Clara doctrine in <em>People v. Amarela<\\/em> would not only prevent corruption of justice on the part of the accused but eradicate gender bias\\u00a0 and misconceptions in the society as well \\u2013 especially on the part of women.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The old constructed perception of women anchored in the apparent attributes of Maria Clara \\u2013 a pure soul, \\u00a0modest, self-effacing, long-suffering<a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\">[9]<\\/a> \\u2013 can no longer be applied absolutely today. Gone are the days when in cases of abuse, for a woman to be credible, she must be like Maria Clara; and when she does not fit the mold, there is a propensity of discrediting her as a witness, as exemplified in <em>Tionloc<\\/em><a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\">[10]<\\/a>:<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 It would be unfair to convict a man of rape committed against a woman who, after giving him the impression through her unexplainable silence of her tacit consent and allowing him to have sexual contact with her, changed her mind in the middle and charged him with rape.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 According to some women\'s rights groups, the Court\'s decision would open the floodgates to more incidents of rape, as this may embolden perpetrators to \\\"abuse more women\\\" confident that \\\"courts will most likely dismiss rape cases. <a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\"><sup>[11]<\\/sup><\\/a> The limitation of this ruling is already established in the ruling in the 2020 case of <em>People v. ZZZ<\\/em>, wherein the Court still weighed the victim\'s testimony based on factors such as her age, her recognition of the accused in open court, and other corroborative evidence.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Rather than completely disregarding a \\u00a0victim\\u2019s testimony, courts should distill it by doing away with outdated notions and stereotypes based purely on gender.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">[1]<\\/a> UST Faculty of Civil Law, 2G, UST Law Review Understudy<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a> Citing <em>People v. Ta\\u00f1o, <\\/em>109 Phil. 912(1960)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a> \\\"Maria Clara Doctrine in Rape Cases Revisited\\\". Buban and Lardizabal Law Offices. June 8, 2018.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[4]<\\/a> (People v. Amarela, 2018)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[5]<\\/a> (People v. Amarela, 2018)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[6]<\\/a> People v. Amarela, 2018<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\">[7]<\\/a> People v. Zamoraga, 568 Phil. 132, 140 (2008); People v. Achas, 612 Phil. 652, 662 (2009); People v. Banig, 693 Phil. 303, 312 (2012); People v. Gahi, 727 Phil. 642, 657 (2014); People v. Pitala, G.R. No. 223561, 19 October 2016.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\">[8]<\\/a> (People v. ZZZ, 2020)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\">[9]<\\/a>Pons, J. S. (n.d.). Construction and deconstruction of Maria Clara: History of an imagined care-oriented model of gender in the Philippines. Academia.edu. https:\\/\\/www.academia.edu\\/24937445\\/Construction_and_deconstruction_of_Maria_Clara_History_of_an_imagined_care_oriented_model_of_gender_in_the_Philippines.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\">[10]<\\/a> 63 ATENEO L.J. 317 (2018)\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\">[11]<\\/a> (The Philippine Star, 2018)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">Cover Photo: Painting by Juan Luna- La Bulaque\\u00f1a, 1985 and Puesta Del Sol, 1880\'s.\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]},\"typography_font_size\":{\"unit\":\"px\",\"size\":18,\"sizes\":[]},\"text_shadow_text_shadow_type\":\"yes\",\"text_shadow_text_shadow\":{\"horizontal\":0,\"vertical\":0,\"blur\":0,\"color\":\"rgba(0,0,0,0.3)\"}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(3949,1318,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(3950,1318,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(3951,1318,'_elementor_version','3.2.4'),(3952,1318,'_wp_page_template','default'),(3953,1318,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"6e15c706\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"25c228e7\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"21b7e2be\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><em>By: Ristel Mae B. Tagudando<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\"><sup><strong><sup>[1]<\\/sup><\\/strong><\\/sup><\\/a><\\/em><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>I. THE WOMEN\\u2019S HONOR DOCTRINE<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>The Maria Clara Doctrine or the Women\\u2019s Honor Doctrine became part of Philippine jurisprudence in the 1960 case of <em>People v. Ta\\u00f1o<\\/em>.<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\"><sup>[2]<\\/sup><\\/a> Based on Maria Clara\'s character from Jose Rizal\'s <em>Noli Me Tangere<\\/em>, the doctrine provides the presumption that \\\"women, especially Filipinos, would not admit that they have been abused unless that abuse had happened\\\".<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\"><sup>[3]<\\/sup><\\/a> This doctrine implies that the testimony of the alleged victim by itself may be sufficient to sustain a conviction.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>II. SUMMARY OF THE CASE<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>In <em>People v. Amarela, <\\/em>the plaintiff,AAA, was watching a beauty contest with her aunt when she went to the restroom to urinate. However, she was not able to reach the comfort room because Amarela stopped her along the way.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>According to AAA, Amarela suddenly pulled her towards the daycare center and punched her in the abdomen, making her weak. Thereafter, Amarela undressed and put his penis inside AAA\\u2019s vagina. Three (3) men came to AAA\\u2019s rescue when she shouted for help, forcing Amarela to run away. However, she was brought to a hut by these persons, having bad intentions with her. Hence, she fled and ended up in the house of Godo Dumandan, who brought her first to the Racho residence because Dumandan thought her aunt was not at home. Dumandan stayed behind; that is why Racho was asked to bring AAA to her aunt\'s house instead. However, instead, she was brought to a shanty. She was told to lie down, but she refused. Racho boxed her abdomen and placed himself on top of AAA. Racho then inserted his penis into AAA\'s vagina. Thereafter, Racho left her. Thus, AAA went home alone and decided to leave home the following day. \\u00a0Eventually, AAA told her mother about what happened to her and reported the matter to the police.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>The Regional Trial Court (RTC) rendered a decision finding the appellants guilty beyond reasonable doubt of the crime of rape as the plaintiff\\u2019s testimony positively identifying both appellants was clear, positive, and straightforward.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>In appeal before the Court of Appeals (CA), the appellants argued that several circumstances cast doubt on the victim\'s claim that she was raped. They alleged that her testimony does not conform to shared knowledge and ordinary human experience. Moreover, they pointed out that, although there were other witnesses, \\u00a0the only material testimony on record was that of the victim . However, the appellate court affirmed the trial court\'s decision as it found no reason to reverse the factual findings of the court <em>a quo<\\/em>.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>For the Supreme Court (SC), it had no reason to deviate from the well-entrenched rule that in matters of credibility of witnesses, the assessment made by the trial court should be respected and given weight.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>The Supreme Court reversed the judgment of conviction. First, AAA\'s version of the story in her affidavit-complaint differs materially from her testimony in court. Second, AAA could not have easily identified Amarela because the crime scene was dark; she only saw him for the first time. Third, her testimony lacks material details on how she was brought under the stage against her will. Lastly, the medical findings do not corroborate physical injuries and are inconclusive of any signs of forced entry.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>III. WEIGHING OF THE VICTIM\\u2019S TESTIMONY<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>The Supreme Court has long accorded the evaluations of testimonial evidence by trial courts great respect. One can expect that said determination is based on reasonable discretion as to opting for which testimony is acceptable and which witness is worthy of belief. However, although the factual findings of the trial court are given weight by the Court\\u2014most especially when affirmed by the appellate court\\u2014such rule is not absolute as, for instance, when some facts or circumstances of weight and substance have been overlooked, misapprehended, and misinterpreted.<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\"><sup>[4]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>Presently, the Court follows specific guidelines when presented with the credibility of witnesses, to wit:\\u00a0 giving the highest respect to the RTC\'s evaluation of the testimony of the witnesses, considering its unique position in directly observing the demeanor of a witness on the stand.\\u00a0 Second, absent any substantial reason that would justify the reversal of the RTC\'s assessments and conclusions. The reviewing court is generally bound by the lower court\'s findings, particularly when no significant facts and circumstances affecting the case\'s outcome are shown to have been overlooked or disregarded. Lastly, such a rule is even more stringently applied if the CA concurred with the RTC. <a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\"><sup>[5]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>Applying the Maria Clara doctrine or the Women\\u2019s Honor doctrine\\u2014which often leads to cases being adjudged solely on the basis of the credibility of the victim \\u2013 does not only put the accused at an unfair disadvantage but also results in a travesty of justice. It is not impossible for an assumed victim to merely fabricate stories of her abuse.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>In the past, one can say that it is natural for a woman to be reluctant to disclose a sexual assault. This stereotype cannot be applied anymore as women have transformed over the years and have become more willing to speak up and fight for their rights . There is a need to veer away from such a notion and accept the realities of a woman\'s dynamic role in society today.<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\">[6]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>Leaving the aforementioned doctrine\\u2013 given that the findings through evidence presented do not match the victim\'s testimony \\u2013 in the past is crucial because an accused must only be convicted solely on the testimony of the victim, provided of course, that the testimony is credible, natural, convincing, and consistent with human nature and the normal course of things. <a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\"><sup>[7]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>Furthermore, this rule was clarified in the recent case of <em>People v. ZZZ<\\/em>. The \\u00a0Supreme Court relied on the victim\'s testimony because the latter readily recognized and pointed to her violator.\\u00a0 Unlike in <em>People v. Amarela, <\\/em>the victim recounted the harrowing nights that tormented her for six years of living with the perpetrator, and the medico-legal examination corroborated the latter\'s testimony. Hence, the SC found no compelling motive for the victim to lie. Furthermore, that after all, \\u201cno person, especially one of tender age, would ordinarily cry \\\"rape\\\" and subject oneself to the consequent rigors and embarrassments of medical examination and public trial, if not for the quest for rightful justice.<a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\">[8]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>IV. ERADICATING STEREOTYPES<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>The Supreme Court\\u2019s recent consideration and clarification as to the application of the Maria Clara doctrine in <em>People v. Amarela<\\/em> would not only prevent corruption of justice on the part of the accused but eradicate gender bias\\u00a0 and misconceptions in the society as well \\u2013 especially on the part of women.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>The old constructed perception of women anchored in the apparent attributes of Maria Clara \\u2013 a pure soul, \\u00a0modest, self-effacing, long-suffering<a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\">[9]<\\/a> \\u2013 can no longer be applied absolutely today. Gone are the days when in cases of abuse, for a woman to be credible, she must be like Maria Clara; and when she does not fit the mold, there is a propensity of discrediting her as a witness, as exemplified in <em>Tionloc<\\/em><a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\">[10]<\\/a>:<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>It would be unfair to convict a man of rape committed against a woman who, after giving him the impression through her unexplainable silence of her tacit consent and allowing him to have sexual contact with her, changed her mind in the middle and charged him with rape.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>According to some women\'s rights groups, the Court\'s decision would open the floodgates to more incidents of rape, as this may embolden perpetrators to \\\"abuse more women\\\" confident that \\\"courts will most likely dismiss rape cases. <a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\"><sup>[11]<\\/sup><\\/a> The limitation of this ruling is already established in the ruling in the 2020 case of <em>People v. ZZZ<\\/em>, wherein the Court still weighed the victim\'s testimony based on factors such as her age, her recognition of the accused in open court, and other corroborative evidence.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>Rather than completely disregarding a \\u00a0victim\\u2019s testimony, courts should distill it by doing away with outdated notions and stereotypes based purely on gender.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">[1]<\\/a> UST Faculty of Civil Law, 2G, UST Law Review Understudy<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a> Citing <em>People v. Ta\\u00f1o, <\\/em>109 Phil. 912(1960)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a> \\\"Maria Clara Doctrine in Rape Cases Revisited\\\". Buban and Lardizabal Law Offices. June 8, 2018.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[4]<\\/a> (People v. Amarela, 2018)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[5]<\\/a> (People v. Amarela, 2018)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[6]<\\/a> People v. Amarela, 2018<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\">[7]<\\/a> People v. Zamoraga, 568 Phil. 132, 140 (2008); People v. Achas, 612 Phil. 652, 662 (2009); People v. Banig, 693 Phil. 303, 312 (2012); People v. Gahi, 727 Phil. 642, 657 (2014); People v. Pitala, G.R. No. 223561, 19 October 2016.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\">[8]<\\/a> (People v. ZZZ, 2020)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\">[9]<\\/a>Pons, J. S. (n.d.). Construction and deconstruction of Maria Clara: History of an imagined care-oriented model of gender in the Philippines. Academia.edu. https:\\/\\/www.academia.edu\\/24937445\\/Construction_and_deconstruction_of_Maria_Clara_History_of_an_imagined_care_oriented_model_of_gender_in_the_Philippines.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\">[10]<\\/a> 63 ATENEO L.J. 317 (2018)\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\">[11]<\\/a> (The Philippine Star, 2018)<\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p>Cover Photo: Painting by Juan Luna- La Bulaque\\u00f1a, 1985 and Puesta Del Sol, 1880\'s.\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\"},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(3956,1314,'_yoast_wpseo_content_score','30'),(3957,1314,'_yoast_wpseo_estimated-reading-time-minutes','7'),(3959,1319,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(3960,1319,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(3961,1319,'_elementor_version','3.2.4'),(3962,1319,'_wp_page_template','default'),(3963,1319,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"6e15c706\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"25c228e7\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"21b7e2be\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><em>By: Ristel Mae B. Tagudando<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\"><sup><strong><sup>[1]<\\/sup><\\/strong><\\/sup><\\/a><\\/em><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>I. THE WOMEN\\u2019S HONOR DOCTRINE<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>The Maria Clara Doctrine or the Women\\u2019s Honor Doctrine became part of Philippine jurisprudence in the 1960 case of <em>People v. Ta\\u00f1o<\\/em>.<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\"><sup>[2]<\\/sup><\\/a> Based on Maria Clara\'s character from Jose Rizal\'s <em>Noli Me Tangere<\\/em>, the doctrine provides the presumption that \\\"women, especially Filipinos, would not admit that they have been abused unless that abuse had happened\\\".<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\"><sup>[3]<\\/sup><\\/a> This doctrine implies that the testimony of the alleged victim by itself may be sufficient to sustain a conviction.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>II. SUMMARY OF THE CASE<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>In <em>People v. Amarela, <\\/em>the plaintiff,AAA, was watching a beauty contest with her aunt when she went to the restroom to urinate. However, she was not able to reach the comfort room because Amarela stopped her along the way.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>According to AAA, Amarela suddenly pulled her towards the daycare center and punched her in the abdomen, making her weak. Thereafter, Amarela undressed and put his penis inside AAA\\u2019s vagina. Three (3) men came to AAA\\u2019s rescue when she shouted for help, forcing Amarela to run away. However, she was brought to a hut by these persons, having bad intentions with her. Hence, she fled and ended up in the house of Godo Dumandan, who brought her first to the Racho residence because Dumandan thought her aunt was not at home. Dumandan stayed behind; that is why Racho was asked to bring AAA to her aunt\'s house instead. However, instead, she was brought to a shanty. She was told to lie down, but she refused. Racho boxed her abdomen and placed himself on top of AAA. Racho then inserted his penis into AAA\'s vagina. Thereafter, Racho left her. Thus, AAA went home alone and decided to leave home the following day. \\u00a0Eventually, AAA told her mother about what happened to her and reported the matter to the police.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>The Regional Trial Court (RTC) rendered a decision finding the appellants guilty beyond reasonable doubt of the crime of rape as the plaintiff\\u2019s testimony positively identifying both appellants was clear, positive, and straightforward.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>In appeal before the Court of Appeals (CA), the appellants argued that several circumstances cast doubt on the victim\'s claim that she was raped. They alleged that her testimony does not conform to shared knowledge and ordinary human experience. Moreover, they pointed out that, although there were other witnesses, \\u00a0the only material testimony on record was that of the victim . However, the appellate court affirmed the trial court\'s decision as it found no reason to reverse the factual findings of the court <em>a quo<\\/em>.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>For the Supreme Court (SC), it had no reason to deviate from the well-entrenched rule that in matters of credibility of witnesses, the assessment made by the trial court should be respected and given weight.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>The Supreme Court reversed the judgment of conviction. First, AAA\'s version of the story in her affidavit-complaint differs materially from her testimony in court. Second, AAA could not have easily identified Amarela because the crime scene was dark; she only saw him for the first time. Third, her testimony lacks material details on how she was brought under the stage against her will. Lastly, the medical findings do not corroborate physical injuries and are inconclusive of any signs of forced entry.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>III. WEIGHING OF THE VICTIM\\u2019S TESTIMONY<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>The Supreme Court has long accorded the evaluations of testimonial evidence by trial courts great respect. One can expect that said determination is based on reasonable discretion as to opting for which testimony is acceptable and which witness is worthy of belief. However, although the factual findings of the trial court are given weight by the Court\\u2014most especially when affirmed by the appellate court\\u2014such rule is not absolute as, for instance, when some facts or circumstances of weight and substance have been overlooked, misapprehended, and misinterpreted.<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\"><sup>[4]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>Presently, the Court follows specific guidelines when presented with the credibility of witnesses, to wit:\\u00a0 giving the highest respect to the RTC\'s evaluation of the testimony of the witnesses, considering its unique position in directly observing the demeanor of a witness on the stand.\\u00a0 Second, absent any substantial reason that would justify the reversal of the RTC\'s assessments and conclusions. The reviewing court is generally bound by the lower court\'s findings, particularly when no significant facts and circumstances affecting the case\'s outcome are shown to have been overlooked or disregarded. Lastly, such a rule is even more stringently applied if the CA concurred with the RTC. <a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\"><sup>[5]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>Applying the Maria Clara doctrine or the Women\\u2019s Honor doctrine\\u2014which often leads to cases being adjudged solely on the basis of the credibility of the victim \\u2013 does not only put the accused at an unfair disadvantage but also results in a travesty of justice. It is not impossible for an assumed victim to merely fabricate stories of her abuse.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>In the past, one can say that it is natural for a woman to be reluctant to disclose a sexual assault. This stereotype cannot be applied anymore as women have transformed over the years and have become more willing to speak up and fight for their rights . There is a need to veer away from such a notion and accept the realities of a woman\'s dynamic role in society today.<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\">[6]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>Leaving the aforementioned doctrine\\u2013 given that the findings through evidence presented do not match the victim\'s testimony \\u2013 in the past is crucial because an accused must only be convicted solely on the testimony of the victim, provided of course, that the testimony is credible, natural, convincing, and consistent with human nature and the normal course of things. <a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\"><sup>[7]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>Furthermore, this rule was clarified in the recent case of <em>People v. ZZZ<\\/em>. The \\u00a0Supreme Court relied on the victim\'s testimony because the latter readily recognized and pointed to her violator.\\u00a0 Unlike in <em>People v. Amarela, <\\/em>the victim recounted the harrowing nights that tormented her for six years of living with the perpetrator, and the medico-legal examination corroborated the latter\'s testimony. Hence, the SC found no compelling motive for the victim to lie. Furthermore, that after all, \\u201cno person, especially one of tender age, would ordinarily cry \\\"rape\\\" and subject oneself to the consequent rigors and embarrassments of medical examination and public trial, if not for the quest for rightful justice.<a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\">[8]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>IV. ERADICATING STEREOTYPES<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>The Supreme Court\\u2019s recent consideration and clarification as to the application of the Maria Clara doctrine in <em>People v. Amarela<\\/em> would not only prevent corruption of justice on the part of the accused but eradicate gender bias\\u00a0 and misconceptions in the society as well \\u2013 especially on the part of women.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>The old constructed perception of women anchored in the apparent attributes of Maria Clara \\u2013 a pure soul, \\u00a0modest, self-effacing, long-suffering<a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\">[9]<\\/a> \\u2013 can no longer be applied absolutely today. Gone are the days when in cases of abuse, for a woman to be credible, she must be like Maria Clara; and when she does not fit the mold, there is a propensity of discrediting her as a witness, as exemplified in <em>Tionloc<\\/em><a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\">[10]<\\/a>:<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>It would be unfair to convict a man of rape committed against a woman who, after giving him the impression through her unexplainable silence of her tacit consent and allowing him to have sexual contact with her, changed her mind in the middle and charged him with rape.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>According to some women\'s rights groups, the Court\'s decision would open the floodgates to more incidents of rape, as this may embolden perpetrators to \\\"abuse more women\\\" confident that \\\"courts will most likely dismiss rape cases. <a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\"><sup>[11]<\\/sup><\\/a> The limitation of this ruling is already established in the ruling in the 2020 case of <em>People v. ZZZ<\\/em>, wherein the Court still weighed the victim\'s testimony based on factors such as her age, her recognition of the accused in open court, and other corroborative evidence.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>Rather than completely disregarding a \\u00a0victim\\u2019s testimony, courts should distill it by doing away with outdated notions and stereotypes based purely on gender.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">[1]<\\/a> UST Faculty of Civil Law, 2G, UST Law Review Understudy<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a> Citing <em>People v. Ta\\u00f1o, <\\/em>109 Phil. 912(1960)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a> \\\"Maria Clara Doctrine in Rape Cases Revisited\\\". Buban and Lardizabal Law Offices. June 8, 2018.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[4]<\\/a> (People v. Amarela, 2018)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[5]<\\/a> (People v. Amarela, 2018)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[6]<\\/a> People v. Amarela, 2018<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\">[7]<\\/a> People v. Zamoraga, 568 Phil. 132, 140 (2008); People v. Achas, 612 Phil. 652, 662 (2009); People v. Banig, 693 Phil. 303, 312 (2012); People v. Gahi, 727 Phil. 642, 657 (2014); People v. Pitala, G.R. No. 223561, 19 October 2016.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\">[8]<\\/a> (People v. ZZZ, 2020)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\">[9]<\\/a>Pons, J. S. (n.d.). Construction and deconstruction of Maria Clara: History of an imagined care-oriented model of gender in the Philippines. Academia.edu. https:\\/\\/www.academia.edu\\/24937445\\/Construction_and_deconstruction_of_Maria_Clara_History_of_an_imagined_care_oriented_model_of_gender_in_the_Philippines.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\">[10]<\\/a> 63 ATENEO L.J. 317 (2018)\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\">[11]<\\/a> (The Philippine Star, 2018)<\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p>Cover Photo: Painting by Juan Luna- La Bulaque\\u00f1a, 1985 and Puesta Del Sol, 1880\'s.\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\"},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(3964,1319,'_elementor_controls_usage','a:3:{s:11:\"text-editor\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:0;s:8:\"controls\";a:1:{s:7:\"content\";a:1:{s:14:\"section_editor\";a:1:{s:6:\"editor\";i:1;}}}}s:6:\"column\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:0;s:8:\"controls\";a:0:{}}s:7:\"section\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:0;s:8:\"controls\";a:0:{}}}'),(3966,1314,'_thumbnail_id','1315'),(3967,1314,'_edit_last','1'),(3968,1314,'wptr_hide_title','1'),(3969,1314,'ss_social_share_disable',''),(3970,1314,'_yoast_wpseo_primary_category','9'),(3971,1320,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(3972,1320,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(3973,1320,'_elementor_version','3.2.4'),(3974,1320,'_wp_page_template','default'),(3975,1320,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"6e15c706\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"25c228e7\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"21b7e2be\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><em>By: Ristel Mae B. Tagudando<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\"><sup><strong><sup>[1]<\\/sup><\\/strong><\\/sup><\\/a><\\/em><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>I. THE WOMEN\\u2019S HONOR DOCTRINE<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>The Maria Clara Doctrine or the Women\\u2019s Honor Doctrine became part of Philippine jurisprudence in the 1960 case of <em>People v. Ta\\u00f1o<\\/em>.<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\"><sup>[2]<\\/sup><\\/a> Based on Maria Clara\'s character from Jose Rizal\'s <em>Noli Me Tangere<\\/em>, the doctrine provides the presumption that \\\"women, especially Filipinos, would not admit that they have been abused unless that abuse had happened\\\".<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\"><sup>[3]<\\/sup><\\/a> This doctrine implies that the testimony of the alleged victim by itself may be sufficient to sustain a conviction.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>II. SUMMARY OF THE CASE<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>In <em>People v. Amarela, <\\/em>the plaintiff,AAA, was watching a beauty contest with her aunt when she went to the restroom to urinate. However, she was not able to reach the comfort room because Amarela stopped her along the way.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>According to AAA, Amarela suddenly pulled her towards the daycare center and punched her in the abdomen, making her weak. Thereafter, Amarela undressed and put his penis inside AAA\\u2019s vagina. Three (3) men came to AAA\\u2019s rescue when she shouted for help, forcing Amarela to run away. However, she was brought to a hut by these persons, having bad intentions with her. Hence, she fled and ended up in the house of Godo Dumandan, who brought her first to the Racho residence because Dumandan thought her aunt was not at home. Dumandan stayed behind; that is why Racho was asked to bring AAA to her aunt\'s house instead. However, instead, she was brought to a shanty. She was told to lie down, but she refused. Racho boxed her abdomen and placed himself on top of AAA. Racho then inserted his penis into AAA\'s vagina. Thereafter, Racho left her. Thus, AAA went home alone and decided to leave home the following day. \\u00a0Eventually, AAA told her mother about what happened to her and reported the matter to the police.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>The Regional Trial Court (RTC) rendered a decision finding the appellants guilty beyond reasonable doubt of the crime of rape as the plaintiff\\u2019s testimony positively identifying both appellants was clear, positive, and straightforward.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>In appeal before the Court of Appeals (CA), the appellants argued that several circumstances cast doubt on the victim\'s claim that she was raped. They alleged that her testimony does not conform to shared knowledge and ordinary human experience. Moreover, they pointed out that, although there were other witnesses, \\u00a0the only material testimony on record was that of the victim . However, the appellate court affirmed the trial court\'s decision as it found no reason to reverse the factual findings of the court <em>a quo<\\/em>.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>For the Supreme Court (SC), it had no reason to deviate from the well-entrenched rule that in matters of credibility of witnesses, the assessment made by the trial court should be respected and given weight.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>The Supreme Court reversed the judgment of conviction. First, AAA\'s version of the story in her affidavit-complaint differs materially from her testimony in court. Second, AAA could not have easily identified Amarela because the crime scene was dark; she only saw him for the first time. Third, her testimony lacks material details on how she was brought under the stage against her will. Lastly, the medical findings do not corroborate physical injuries and are inconclusive of any signs of forced entry.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>III. WEIGHING OF THE VICTIM\\u2019S TESTIMONY<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>The Supreme Court has long accorded the evaluations of testimonial evidence by trial courts great respect. One can expect that said determination is based on reasonable discretion as to opting for which testimony is acceptable and which witness is worthy of belief. However, although the factual findings of the trial court are given weight by the Court\\u2014most especially when affirmed by the appellate court\\u2014such rule is not absolute as, for instance, when some facts or circumstances of weight and substance have been overlooked, misapprehended, and misinterpreted.<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\"><sup>[4]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>Presently, the Court follows specific guidelines when presented with the credibility of witnesses, to wit:\\u00a0 giving the highest respect to the RTC\'s evaluation of the testimony of the witnesses, considering its unique position in directly observing the demeanor of a witness on the stand.\\u00a0 Second, absent any substantial reason that would justify the reversal of the RTC\'s assessments and conclusions. The reviewing court is generally bound by the lower court\'s findings, particularly when no significant facts and circumstances affecting the case\'s outcome are shown to have been overlooked or disregarded. Lastly, such a rule is even more stringently applied if the CA concurred with the RTC. <a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\"><sup>[5]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>Applying the Maria Clara doctrine or the Women\\u2019s Honor doctrine\\u2014which often leads to cases being adjudged solely on the basis of the credibility of the victim \\u2013 does not only put the accused at an unfair disadvantage but also results in a travesty of justice. It is not impossible for an assumed victim to merely fabricate stories of her abuse.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>In the past, one can say that it is natural for a woman to be reluctant to disclose a sexual assault. This stereotype cannot be applied anymore as women have transformed over the years and have become more willing to speak up and fight for their rights . There is a need to veer away from such a notion and accept the realities of a woman\'s dynamic role in society today.<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\">[6]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>Leaving the aforementioned doctrine\\u2013 given that the findings through evidence presented do not match the victim\'s testimony \\u2013 in the past is crucial because an accused must only be convicted solely on the testimony of the victim, provided of course, that the testimony is credible, natural, convincing, and consistent with human nature and the normal course of things. <a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\"><sup>[7]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>Furthermore, this rule was clarified in the recent case of <em>People v. ZZZ<\\/em>. The \\u00a0Supreme Court relied on the victim\'s testimony because the latter readily recognized and pointed to her violator.\\u00a0 Unlike in <em>People v. Amarela, <\\/em>the victim recounted the harrowing nights that tormented her for six years of living with the perpetrator, and the medico-legal examination corroborated the latter\'s testimony. Hence, the SC found no compelling motive for the victim to lie. Furthermore, that after all, \\u201cno person, especially one of tender age, would ordinarily cry \\\"rape\\\" and subject oneself to the consequent rigors and embarrassments of medical examination and public trial, if not for the quest for rightful justice.<a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\">[8]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>IV. ERADICATING STEREOTYPES<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>The Supreme Court\\u2019s recent consideration and clarification as to the application of the Maria Clara doctrine in <em>People v. Amarela<\\/em> would not only prevent corruption of justice on the part of the accused but eradicate gender bias\\u00a0 and misconceptions in the society as well \\u2013 especially on the part of women.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>The old constructed perception of women anchored in the apparent attributes of Maria Clara \\u2013 a pure soul, \\u00a0modest, self-effacing, long-suffering<a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\">[9]<\\/a> \\u2013 can no longer be applied absolutely today. Gone are the days when in cases of abuse, for a woman to be credible, she must be like Maria Clara; and when she does not fit the mold, there is a propensity of discrediting her as a witness, as exemplified in <em>Tionloc<\\/em><a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\">[10]<\\/a>:<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>It would be unfair to convict a man of rape committed against a woman who, after giving him the impression through her unexplainable silence of her tacit consent and allowing him to have sexual contact with her, changed her mind in the middle and charged him with rape.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>According to some women\'s rights groups, the Court\'s decision would open the floodgates to more incidents of rape, as this may embolden perpetrators to \\\"abuse more women\\\" confident that \\\"courts will most likely dismiss rape cases. <a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\"><sup>[11]<\\/sup><\\/a> The limitation of this ruling is already established in the ruling in the 2020 case of <em>People v. ZZZ<\\/em>, wherein the Court still weighed the victim\'s testimony based on factors such as her age, her recognition of the accused in open court, and other corroborative evidence.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>Rather than completely disregarding a \\u00a0victim\\u2019s testimony, courts should distill it by doing away with outdated notions and stereotypes based purely on gender.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">[1]<\\/a> UST Faculty of Civil Law, 2G, UST Law Review Understudy<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a> Citing <em>People v. Ta\\u00f1o, <\\/em>109 Phil. 912(1960)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a> \\\"Maria Clara Doctrine in Rape Cases Revisited\\\". Buban and Lardizabal Law Offices. June 8, 2018.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[4]<\\/a> (People v. Amarela, 2018)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[5]<\\/a> (People v. Amarela, 2018)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[6]<\\/a> People v. Amarela, 2018<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\">[7]<\\/a> People v. Zamoraga, 568 Phil. 132, 140 (2008); People v. Achas, 612 Phil. 652, 662 (2009); People v. Banig, 693 Phil. 303, 312 (2012); People v. Gahi, 727 Phil. 642, 657 (2014); People v. Pitala, G.R. No. 223561, 19 October 2016.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\">[8]<\\/a> (People v. ZZZ, 2020)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\">[9]<\\/a>Pons, J. S. (n.d.). Construction and deconstruction of Maria Clara: History of an imagined care-oriented model of gender in the Philippines. Academia.edu. https:\\/\\/www.academia.edu\\/24937445\\/Construction_and_deconstruction_of_Maria_Clara_History_of_an_imagined_care_oriented_model_of_gender_in_the_Philippines.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\">[10]<\\/a> 63 ATENEO L.J. 317 (2018)\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\">[11]<\\/a> (The Philippine Star, 2018)<\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p>Cover Photo: Painting by Juan Luna- La Bulaque\\u00f1a, 1985 and Puesta Del Sol, 1880\'s.\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\"},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(3977,1320,'_thumbnail_id','1315'),(3978,1321,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(3979,1321,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(3980,1321,'_elementor_version','3.2.4'),(3981,1321,'_wp_page_template','default'),(3982,1321,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"6e15c706\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"25c228e7\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"21b7e2be\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><em>By: Ristel Mae B. Tagudando<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\"><sup><strong><sup>[1]<\\/sup><\\/strong><\\/sup><\\/a><\\/em><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>I. THE WOMEN\\u2019S HONOR DOCTRINE<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>The Maria Clara Doctrine or the Women\\u2019s Honor Doctrine became part of Philippine jurisprudence in the 1960 case of <em>People v. Ta\\u00f1o<\\/em>.<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\"><sup>[2]<\\/sup><\\/a> Based on Maria Clara\'s character from Jose Rizal\'s <em>Noli Me Tangere<\\/em>, the doctrine provides the presumption that \\\"women, especially Filipinos, would not admit that they have been abused unless that abuse had happened\\\".<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\"><sup>[3]<\\/sup><\\/a> This doctrine implies that the testimony of the alleged victim by itself may be sufficient to sustain a conviction.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>II. SUMMARY OF THE CASE<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>In <em>People v. Amarela, <\\/em>the plaintiff,AAA, was watching a beauty contest with her aunt when she went to the restroom to urinate. However, she was not able to reach the comfort room because Amarela stopped her along the way.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>According to AAA, Amarela suddenly pulled her towards the daycare center and punched her in the abdomen, making her weak. Thereafter, Amarela undressed and put his penis inside AAA\\u2019s vagina. Three (3) men came to AAA\\u2019s rescue when she shouted for help, forcing Amarela to run away. However, she was brought to a hut by these persons, having bad intentions with her. Hence, she fled and ended up in the house of Godo Dumandan, who brought her first to the Racho residence because Dumandan thought her aunt was not at home. Dumandan stayed behind; that is why Racho was asked to bring AAA to her aunt\'s house instead. However, instead, she was brought to a shanty. She was told to lie down, but she refused. Racho boxed her abdomen and placed himself on top of AAA. Racho then inserted his penis into AAA\'s vagina. Thereafter, Racho left her. Thus, AAA went home alone and decided to leave home the following day. \\u00a0Eventually, AAA told her mother about what happened to her and reported the matter to the police.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>The Regional Trial Court (RTC) rendered a decision finding the appellants guilty beyond reasonable doubt of the crime of rape as the plaintiff\\u2019s testimony positively identifying both appellants was clear, positive, and straightforward.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>In appeal before the Court of Appeals (CA), the appellants argued that several circumstances cast doubt on the victim\'s claim that she was raped. They alleged that her testimony does not conform to shared knowledge and ordinary human experience. Moreover, they pointed out that, although there were other witnesses, \\u00a0the only material testimony on record was that of the victim . However, the appellate court affirmed the trial court\'s decision as it found no reason to reverse the factual findings of the court <em>a quo<\\/em>.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>For the Supreme Court (SC), it had no reason to deviate from the well-entrenched rule that in matters of credibility of witnesses, the assessment made by the trial court should be respected and given weight.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>The Supreme Court reversed the judgment of conviction. First, AAA\'s version of the story in her affidavit-complaint differs materially from her testimony in court. Second, AAA could not have easily identified Amarela because the crime scene was dark; she only saw him for the first time. Third, her testimony lacks material details on how she was brought under the stage against her will. Lastly, the medical findings do not corroborate physical injuries and are inconclusive of any signs of forced entry.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>III. WEIGHING OF THE VICTIM\\u2019S TESTIMONY<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>The Supreme Court has long accorded the evaluations of testimonial evidence by trial courts great respect. One can expect that said determination is based on reasonable discretion as to opting for which testimony is acceptable and which witness is worthy of belief. However, although the factual findings of the trial court are given weight by the Court\\u2014most especially when affirmed by the appellate court\\u2014such rule is not absolute as, for instance, when some facts or circumstances of weight and substance have been overlooked, misapprehended, and misinterpreted.<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\"><sup>[4]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>Presently, the Court follows specific guidelines when presented with the credibility of witnesses, to wit:\\u00a0 giving the highest respect to the RTC\'s evaluation of the testimony of the witnesses, considering its unique position in directly observing the demeanor of a witness on the stand.\\u00a0 Second, absent any substantial reason that would justify the reversal of the RTC\'s assessments and conclusions. The reviewing court is generally bound by the lower court\'s findings, particularly when no significant facts and circumstances affecting the case\'s outcome are shown to have been overlooked or disregarded. Lastly, such a rule is even more stringently applied if the CA concurred with the RTC. <a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\"><sup>[5]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>Applying the Maria Clara doctrine or the Women\\u2019s Honor doctrine\\u2014which often leads to cases being adjudged solely on the basis of the credibility of the victim \\u2013 does not only put the accused at an unfair disadvantage but also results in a travesty of justice. It is not impossible for an assumed victim to merely fabricate stories of her abuse.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>In the past, one can say that it is natural for a woman to be reluctant to disclose a sexual assault. This stereotype cannot be applied anymore as women have transformed over the years and have become more willing to speak up and fight for their rights . There is a need to veer away from such a notion and accept the realities of a woman\'s dynamic role in society today.<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\">[6]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>Leaving the aforementioned doctrine\\u2013 given that the findings through evidence presented do not match the victim\'s testimony \\u2013 in the past is crucial because an accused must only be convicted solely on the testimony of the victim, provided of course, that the testimony is credible, natural, convincing, and consistent with human nature and the normal course of things. <a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\"><sup>[7]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>Furthermore, this rule was clarified in the recent case of <em>People v. ZZZ<\\/em>. The \\u00a0Supreme Court relied on the victim\'s testimony because the latter readily recognized and pointed to her violator.\\u00a0 Unlike in <em>People v. Amarela, <\\/em>the victim recounted the harrowing nights that tormented her for six years of living with the perpetrator, and the medico-legal examination corroborated the latter\'s testimony. Hence, the SC found no compelling motive for the victim to lie. Furthermore, that after all, \\u201cno person, especially one of tender age, would ordinarily cry \\\"rape\\\" and subject oneself to the consequent rigors and embarrassments of medical examination and public trial, if not for the quest for rightful justice.<a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\">[8]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>IV. ERADICATING STEREOTYPES<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>The Supreme Court\\u2019s recent consideration and clarification as to the application of the Maria Clara doctrine in <em>People v. Amarela<\\/em> would not only prevent corruption of justice on the part of the accused but eradicate gender bias\\u00a0 and misconceptions in the society as well \\u2013 especially on the part of women.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>The old constructed perception of women anchored in the apparent attributes of Maria Clara \\u2013 a pure soul, \\u00a0modest, self-effacing, long-suffering<a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\">[9]<\\/a> \\u2013 can no longer be applied absolutely today. Gone are the days when in cases of abuse, for a woman to be credible, she must be like Maria Clara; and when she does not fit the mold, there is a propensity of discrediting her as a witness, as exemplified in <em>Tionloc<\\/em><a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\">[10]<\\/a>:<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>It would be unfair to convict a man of rape committed against a woman who, after giving him the impression through her unexplainable silence of her tacit consent and allowing him to have sexual contact with her, changed her mind in the middle and charged him with rape.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>According to some women\'s rights groups, the Court\'s decision would open the floodgates to more incidents of rape, as this may embolden perpetrators to \\\"abuse more women\\\" confident that \\\"courts will most likely dismiss rape cases. <a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\"><sup>[11]<\\/sup><\\/a> The limitation of this ruling is already established in the ruling in the 2020 case of <em>People v. ZZZ<\\/em>, wherein the Court still weighed the victim\'s testimony based on factors such as her age, her recognition of the accused in open court, and other corroborative evidence.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>Rather than completely disregarding a \\u00a0victim\\u2019s testimony, courts should distill it by doing away with outdated notions and stereotypes based purely on gender.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">[1]<\\/a> UST Faculty of Civil Law, 2G, UST Law Review Understudy<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a> Citing <em>People v. Ta\\u00f1o, <\\/em>109 Phil. 912(1960)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a> \\\"Maria Clara Doctrine in Rape Cases Revisited\\\". Buban and Lardizabal Law Offices. June 8, 2018.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[4]<\\/a> (People v. Amarela, 2018)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[5]<\\/a> (People v. Amarela, 2018)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[6]<\\/a> People v. Amarela, 2018<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\">[7]<\\/a> People v. Zamoraga, 568 Phil. 132, 140 (2008); People v. Achas, 612 Phil. 652, 662 (2009); People v. Banig, 693 Phil. 303, 312 (2012); People v. Gahi, 727 Phil. 642, 657 (2014); People v. Pitala, G.R. No. 223561, 19 October 2016.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\">[8]<\\/a> (People v. ZZZ, 2020)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\">[9]<\\/a>Pons, J. S. (n.d.). Construction and deconstruction of Maria Clara: History of an imagined care-oriented model of gender in the Philippines. Academia.edu. https:\\/\\/www.academia.edu\\/24937445\\/Construction_and_deconstruction_of_Maria_Clara_History_of_an_imagined_care_oriented_model_of_gender_in_the_Philippines.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\">[10]<\\/a> 63 ATENEO L.J. 317 (2018)\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\">[11]<\\/a> (The Philippine Star, 2018)<\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p>Cover Photo: Painting by Juan Luna- La Bulaque\\u00f1a, 1985 and Puesta Del Sol, 1880\'s.\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\"},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(3984,1321,'_thumbnail_id','1315'),(3985,1322,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(3986,1322,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(3987,1322,'_elementor_version','3.2.4'),(3988,1322,'_wp_page_template','default'),(3989,1322,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"6e15c706\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"25c228e7\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"21b7e2be\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><em>By: Ristel Mae B. Tagudando<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\"><sup><strong><sup>[1]<\\/sup><\\/strong><\\/sup><\\/a><\\/em><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>I. THE WOMEN\\u2019S HONOR DOCTRINE<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>The Maria Clara Doctrine or the Women\\u2019s Honor Doctrine became part of Philippine jurisprudence in the 1960 case of <em>People v. Ta\\u00f1o<\\/em>.<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\"><sup>[2]<\\/sup><\\/a> Based on Maria Clara\'s character from Jose Rizal\'s <em>Noli Me Tangere<\\/em>, the doctrine provides the presumption that \\\"women, especially Filipinos, would not admit that they have been abused unless that abuse had happened\\\".<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\"><sup>[3]<\\/sup><\\/a> This doctrine implies that the testimony of the alleged victim by itself may be sufficient to sustain a conviction.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>II. SUMMARY OF THE CASE<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>In <em>People v. Amarela, <\\/em>the plaintiff,AAA, was watching a beauty contest with her aunt when she went to the restroom to urinate. However, she was not able to reach the comfort room because Amarela stopped her along the way.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>According to AAA, Amarela suddenly pulled her towards the daycare center and punched her in the abdomen, making her weak. Thereafter, Amarela undressed and put his penis inside AAA\\u2019s vagina. Three (3) men came to AAA\\u2019s rescue when she shouted for help, forcing Amarela to run away. However, she was brought to a hut by these persons, having bad intentions with her. Hence, she fled and ended up in the house of Godo Dumandan, who brought her first to the Racho residence because Dumandan thought her aunt was not at home. Dumandan stayed behind; that is why Racho was asked to bring AAA to her aunt\'s house instead. However, instead, she was brought to a shanty. She was told to lie down, but she refused. Racho boxed her abdomen and placed himself on top of AAA. Racho then inserted his penis into AAA\'s vagina. Thereafter, Racho left her. Thus, AAA went home alone and decided to leave home the following day. \\u00a0Eventually, AAA told her mother about what happened to her and reported the matter to the police.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>The Regional Trial Court (RTC) rendered a decision finding the appellants guilty beyond reasonable doubt of the crime of rape as the plaintiff\\u2019s testimony positively identifying both appellants was clear, positive, and straightforward.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>In appeal before the Court of Appeals (CA), the appellants argued that several circumstances cast doubt on the victim\'s claim that she was raped. They alleged that her testimony does not conform to shared knowledge and ordinary human experience. Moreover, they pointed out that, although there were other witnesses, \\u00a0the only material testimony on record was that of the victim . However, the appellate court affirmed the trial court\'s decision as it found no reason to reverse the factual findings of the court <em>a quo<\\/em>.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>For the Supreme Court (SC), it had no reason to deviate from the well-entrenched rule that in matters of credibility of witnesses, the assessment made by the trial court should be respected and given weight.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>The Supreme Court reversed the judgment of conviction. First, AAA\'s version of the story in her affidavit-complaint differs materially from her testimony in court. Second, AAA could not have easily identified Amarela because the crime scene was dark; she only saw him for the first time. Third, her testimony lacks material details on how she was brought under the stage against her will. Lastly, the medical findings do not corroborate physical injuries and are inconclusive of any signs of forced entry.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>III. WEIGHING OF THE VICTIM\\u2019S TESTIMONY<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>The Supreme Court has long accorded the evaluations of testimonial evidence by trial courts great respect. One can expect that said determination is based on reasonable discretion as to opting for which testimony is acceptable and which witness is worthy of belief. However, although the factual findings of the trial court are given weight by the Court\\u2014most especially when affirmed by the appellate court\\u2014such rule is not absolute as, for instance, when some facts or circumstances of weight and substance have been overlooked, misapprehended, and misinterpreted.<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\"><sup>[4]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>Presently, the Court follows specific guidelines when presented with the credibility of witnesses, to wit:\\u00a0 giving the highest respect to the RTC\'s evaluation of the testimony of the witnesses, considering its unique position in directly observing the demeanor of a witness on the stand.\\u00a0 Second, absent any substantial reason that would justify the reversal of the RTC\'s assessments and conclusions. The reviewing court is generally bound by the lower court\'s findings, particularly when no significant facts and circumstances affecting the case\'s outcome are shown to have been overlooked or disregarded. Lastly, such a rule is even more stringently applied if the CA concurred with the RTC. <a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\"><sup>[5]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>Applying the Maria Clara doctrine or the Women\\u2019s Honor doctrine\\u2014which often leads to cases being adjudged solely on the basis of the credibility of the victim \\u2013 does not only put the accused at an unfair disadvantage but also results in a travesty of justice. It is not impossible for an assumed victim to merely fabricate stories of her abuse.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>In the past, one can say that it is natural for a woman to be reluctant to disclose a sexual assault. This stereotype cannot be applied anymore as women have transformed over the years and have become more willing to speak up and fight for their rights . There is a need to veer away from such a notion and accept the realities of a woman\'s dynamic role in society today.<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\">[6]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>Leaving the aforementioned doctrine\\u2013 given that the findings through evidence presented do not match the victim\'s testimony \\u2013 in the past is crucial because an accused must only be convicted solely on the testimony of the victim, provided of course, that the testimony is credible, natural, convincing, and consistent with human nature and the normal course of things. <a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\"><sup>[7]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>Furthermore, this rule was clarified in the recent case of <em>People v. ZZZ<\\/em>. The \\u00a0Supreme Court relied on the victim\'s testimony because the latter readily recognized and pointed to her violator.\\u00a0 Unlike in <em>People v. Amarela, <\\/em>the victim recounted the harrowing nights that tormented her for six years of living with the perpetrator, and the medico-legal examination corroborated the latter\'s testimony. Hence, the SC found no compelling motive for the victim to lie. Furthermore, that after all, \\u201cno person, especially one of tender age, would ordinarily cry \\\"rape\\\" and subject oneself to the consequent rigors and embarrassments of medical examination and public trial, if not for the quest for rightful justice.<a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\">[8]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>IV. ERADICATING STEREOTYPES<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>The Supreme Court\\u2019s recent consideration and clarification as to the application of the Maria Clara doctrine in <em>People v. Amarela<\\/em> would not only prevent corruption of justice on the part of the accused but eradicate gender bias\\u00a0 and misconceptions in the society as well \\u2013 especially on the part of women.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>The old constructed perception of women anchored in the apparent attributes of Maria Clara \\u2013 a pure soul, \\u00a0modest, self-effacing, long-suffering<a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\">[9]<\\/a> \\u2013 can no longer be applied absolutely today. Gone are the days when in cases of abuse, for a woman to be credible, she must be like Maria Clara; and when she does not fit the mold, there is a propensity of discrediting her as a witness, as exemplified in <em>Tionloc<\\/em><a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\">[10]<\\/a>:<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>It would be unfair to convict a man of rape committed against a woman who, after giving him the impression through her unexplainable silence of her tacit consent and allowing him to have sexual contact with her, changed her mind in the middle and charged him with rape.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>According to some women\'s rights groups, the Court\'s decision would open the floodgates to more incidents of rape, as this may embolden perpetrators to \\\"abuse more women\\\" confident that \\\"courts will most likely dismiss rape cases. <a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\"><sup>[11]<\\/sup><\\/a> The limitation of this ruling is already established in the ruling in the 2020 case of <em>People v. ZZZ<\\/em>, wherein the Court still weighed the victim\'s testimony based on factors such as her age, her recognition of the accused in open court, and other corroborative evidence.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>Rather than completely disregarding a \\u00a0victim\\u2019s testimony, courts should distill it by doing away with outdated notions and stereotypes based purely on gender.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">[1]<\\/a> UST Faculty of Civil Law, 2G, UST Law Review Understudy<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a> Citing <em>People v. Ta\\u00f1o, <\\/em>109 Phil. 912(1960)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a> \\\"Maria Clara Doctrine in Rape Cases Revisited\\\". Buban and Lardizabal Law Offices. June 8, 2018.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[4]<\\/a> (People v. Amarela, 2018)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[5]<\\/a> (People v. Amarela, 2018)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[6]<\\/a> People v. Amarela, 2018<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\">[7]<\\/a> People v. Zamoraga, 568 Phil. 132, 140 (2008); People v. Achas, 612 Phil. 652, 662 (2009); People v. Banig, 693 Phil. 303, 312 (2012); People v. Gahi, 727 Phil. 642, 657 (2014); People v. Pitala, G.R. No. 223561, 19 October 2016.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\">[8]<\\/a> (People v. ZZZ, 2020)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\">[9]<\\/a>Pons, J. S. (n.d.). Construction and deconstruction of Maria Clara: History of an imagined care-oriented model of gender in the Philippines. Academia.edu. https:\\/\\/www.academia.edu\\/24937445\\/Construction_and_deconstruction_of_Maria_Clara_History_of_an_imagined_care_oriented_model_of_gender_in_the_Philippines.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\">[10]<\\/a> 63 ATENEO L.J. 317 (2018)\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\">[11]<\\/a> (The Philippine Star, 2018)<\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p>Cover Photo: Painting by Juan Luna- La Bulaque\\u00f1a, 1985 and Puesta Del Sol, 1880\'s.\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.1,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(3991,1322,'_thumbnail_id','1315'),(3993,1323,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(3994,1323,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(3995,1323,'_elementor_version','3.2.4'),(3996,1323,'_wp_page_template','default'),(3997,1323,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"6e15c706\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"25c228e7\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"21b7e2be\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><em>By: Ristel Mae B. Tagudando<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\"><sup><strong><sup>[1]<\\/sup><\\/strong><\\/sup><\\/a><\\/em><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>I. THE WOMEN\\u2019S HONOR DOCTRINE<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>The Maria Clara Doctrine or the Women\\u2019s Honor Doctrine became part of Philippine jurisprudence in the 1960 case of <em>People v. Ta\\u00f1o<\\/em>.<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\"><sup>[2]<\\/sup><\\/a> Based on Maria Clara\'s character from Jose Rizal\'s <em>Noli Me Tangere<\\/em>, the doctrine provides the presumption that \\\"women, especially Filipinos, would not admit that they have been abused unless that abuse had happened\\\".<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\"><sup>[3]<\\/sup><\\/a> This doctrine implies that the testimony of the alleged victim by itself may be sufficient to sustain a conviction.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>II. SUMMARY OF THE CASE<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>In <em>People v. Amarela, <\\/em>the plaintiff,AAA, was watching a beauty contest with her aunt when she went to the restroom to urinate. However, she was not able to reach the comfort room because Amarela stopped her along the way.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>According to AAA, Amarela suddenly pulled her towards the daycare center and punched her in the abdomen, making her weak. Thereafter, Amarela undressed and put his penis inside AAA\\u2019s vagina. Three (3) men came to AAA\\u2019s rescue when she shouted for help, forcing Amarela to run away. However, she was brought to a hut by these persons, having bad intentions with her. Hence, she fled and ended up in the house of Godo Dumandan, who brought her first to the Racho residence because Dumandan thought her aunt was not at home. Dumandan stayed behind; that is why Racho was asked to bring AAA to her aunt\'s house instead. However, instead, she was brought to a shanty. She was told to lie down, but she refused. Racho boxed her abdomen and placed himself on top of AAA. Racho then inserted his penis into AAA\'s vagina. Thereafter, Racho left her. Thus, AAA went home alone and decided to leave home the following day. \\u00a0Eventually, AAA told her mother about what happened to her and reported the matter to the police.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>The Regional Trial Court (RTC) rendered a decision finding the appellants guilty beyond reasonable doubt of the crime of rape as the plaintiff\\u2019s testimony positively identifying both appellants was clear, positive, and straightforward.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>In appeal before the Court of Appeals (CA), the appellants argued that several circumstances cast doubt on the victim\'s claim that she was raped. They alleged that her testimony does not conform to shared knowledge and ordinary human experience. Moreover, they pointed out that, although there were other witnesses, \\u00a0the only material testimony on record was that of the victim . However, the appellate court affirmed the trial court\'s decision as it found no reason to reverse the factual findings of the court <em>a quo<\\/em>.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>For the Supreme Court (SC), it had no reason to deviate from the well-entrenched rule that in matters of credibility of witnesses, the assessment made by the trial court should be respected and given weight.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>The Supreme Court reversed the judgment of conviction. First, AAA\'s version of the story in her affidavit-complaint differs materially from her testimony in court. Second, AAA could not have easily identified Amarela because the crime scene was dark; she only saw him for the first time. Third, her testimony lacks material details on how she was brought under the stage against her will. Lastly, the medical findings do not corroborate physical injuries and are inconclusive of any signs of forced entry.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>III. WEIGHING OF THE VICTIM\\u2019S TESTIMONY<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>The Supreme Court has long accorded the evaluations of testimonial evidence by trial courts great respect. One can expect that said determination is based on reasonable discretion as to opting for which testimony is acceptable and which witness is worthy of belief. However, although the factual findings of the trial court are given weight by the Court\\u2014most especially when affirmed by the appellate court\\u2014such rule is not absolute as, for instance, when some facts or circumstances of weight and substance have been overlooked, misapprehended, and misinterpreted.<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\"><sup>[4]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>Presently, the Court follows specific guidelines when presented with the credibility of witnesses, to wit:\\u00a0 giving the highest respect to the RTC\'s evaluation of the testimony of the witnesses, considering its unique position in directly observing the demeanor of a witness on the stand.\\u00a0 Second, absent any substantial reason that would justify the reversal of the RTC\'s assessments and conclusions. The reviewing court is generally bound by the lower court\'s findings, particularly when no significant facts and circumstances affecting the case\'s outcome are shown to have been overlooked or disregarded. Lastly, such a rule is even more stringently applied if the CA concurred with the RTC. <a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\"><sup>[5]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>Applying the Maria Clara doctrine or the Women\\u2019s Honor doctrine\\u2014which often leads to cases being adjudged solely on the basis of the credibility of the victim \\u2013 does not only put the accused at an unfair disadvantage but also results in a travesty of justice. It is not impossible for an assumed victim to merely fabricate stories of her abuse.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>In the past, one can say that it is natural for a woman to be reluctant to disclose a sexual assault. This stereotype cannot be applied anymore as women have transformed over the years and have become more willing to speak up and fight for their rights . There is a need to veer away from such a notion and accept the realities of a woman\'s dynamic role in society today.<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\">[6]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>Leaving the aforementioned doctrine\\u2013 given that the findings through evidence presented do not match the victim\'s testimony \\u2013 in the past is crucial because an accused must only be convicted solely on the testimony of the victim, provided of course, that the testimony is credible, natural, convincing, and consistent with human nature and the normal course of things. <a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\"><sup>[7]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>Furthermore, this rule was clarified in the recent case of <em>People v. ZZZ<\\/em>. The \\u00a0Supreme Court relied on the victim\'s testimony because the latter readily recognized and pointed to her violator.\\u00a0 Unlike in <em>People v. Amarela, <\\/em>the victim recounted the harrowing nights that tormented her for six years of living with the perpetrator, and the medico-legal examination corroborated the latter\'s testimony. Hence, the SC found no compelling motive for the victim to lie. Furthermore, that after all, \\u201cno person, especially one of tender age, would ordinarily cry \\\"rape\\\" and subject oneself to the consequent rigors and embarrassments of medical examination and public trial, if not for the quest for rightful justice.<a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\">[8]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>IV. ERADICATING STEREOTYPES<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>The Supreme Court\\u2019s recent consideration and clarification as to the application of the Maria Clara doctrine in <em>People v. Amarela<\\/em> would not only prevent corruption of justice on the part of the accused but eradicate gender bias\\u00a0 and misconceptions in the society as well \\u2013 especially on the part of women.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>The old constructed perception of women anchored in the apparent attributes of Maria Clara \\u2013 a pure soul, \\u00a0modest, self-effacing, long-suffering<a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\">[9]<\\/a> \\u2013 can no longer be applied absolutely today. Gone are the days when in cases of abuse, for a woman to be credible, she must be like Maria Clara; and when she does not fit the mold, there is a propensity of discrediting her as a witness, as exemplified in <em>Tionloc<\\/em><a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\">[10]<\\/a>:<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>It would be unfair to convict a man of rape committed against a woman who, after giving him the impression through her unexplainable silence of her tacit consent and allowing him to have sexual contact with her, changed her mind in the middle and charged him with rape.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>According to some women\'s rights groups, the Court\'s decision would open the floodgates to more incidents of rape, as this may embolden perpetrators to \\\"abuse more women\\\" confident that \\\"courts will most likely dismiss rape cases. <a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\"><sup>[11]<\\/sup><\\/a> The limitation of this ruling is already established in the ruling in the 2020 case of <em>People v. ZZZ<\\/em>, wherein the Court still weighed the victim\'s testimony based on factors such as her age, her recognition of the accused in open court, and other corroborative evidence.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>Rather than completely disregarding a \\u00a0victim\\u2019s testimony, courts should distill it by doing away with outdated notions and stereotypes based purely on gender.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">[1]<\\/a> UST Faculty of Civil Law, 2G, UST Law Review Understudy<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a> Citing <em>People v. Ta\\u00f1o, <\\/em>109 Phil. 912(1960)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a> \\\"Maria Clara Doctrine in Rape Cases Revisited\\\". Buban and Lardizabal Law Offices. June 8, 2018.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[4]<\\/a> (People v. Amarela, 2018)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[5]<\\/a> (People v. Amarela, 2018)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[6]<\\/a> People v. Amarela, 2018<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\">[7]<\\/a> People v. Zamoraga, 568 Phil. 132, 140 (2008); People v. Achas, 612 Phil. 652, 662 (2009); People v. Banig, 693 Phil. 303, 312 (2012); People v. Gahi, 727 Phil. 642, 657 (2014); People v. Pitala, G.R. No. 223561, 19 October 2016.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\">[8]<\\/a> (People v. ZZZ, 2020)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\">[9]<\\/a>Pons, J. S. (n.d.). Construction and deconstruction of Maria Clara: History of an imagined care-oriented model of gender in the Philippines. Academia.edu. https:\\/\\/www.academia.edu\\/24937445\\/Construction_and_deconstruction_of_Maria_Clara_History_of_an_imagined_care_oriented_model_of_gender_in_the_Philippines.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\">[10]<\\/a> 63 ATENEO L.J. 317 (2018)\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\">[11]<\\/a> (The Philippine Star, 2018)<\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p>Cover Photo: Painting by Juan Luna- La Bulaque\\u00f1a, 1985 and Puesta Del Sol, 1880\'s.\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.1,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(3998,1323,'_thumbnail_id','1315'),(4000,1324,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(4001,1324,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(4002,1324,'_elementor_version','3.2.4'),(4003,1324,'_wp_page_template','default'),(4004,1324,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"6e15c706\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"25c228e7\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"21b7e2be\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><em>By: Ristel Mae B. Tagudando<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\"><sup><strong><sup>[1]<\\/sup><\\/strong><\\/sup><\\/a><\\/em><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>I. THE WOMEN\\u2019S HONOR DOCTRINE<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>The Maria Clara Doctrine or the Women\\u2019s Honor Doctrine became part of Philippine jurisprudence in the 1960 case of <em>People v. Ta\\u00f1o<\\/em>.<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\"><sup>[2]<\\/sup><\\/a> Based on Maria Clara\'s character from Jose Rizal\'s <em>Noli Me Tangere<\\/em>, the doctrine provides the presumption that \\\"women, especially Filipinos, would not admit that they have been abused unless that abuse had happened\\\".<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\"><sup>[3]<\\/sup><\\/a> This doctrine implies that the testimony of the alleged victim by itself may be sufficient to sustain a conviction.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>II. SUMMARY OF THE CASE<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>In <em>People v. Amarela, <\\/em>the plaintiff,AAA, was watching a beauty contest with her aunt when she went to the restroom to urinate. However, she was not able to reach the comfort room because Amarela stopped her along the way.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>According to AAA, Amarela suddenly pulled her towards the daycare center and punched her in the abdomen, making her weak. Thereafter, Amarela undressed and put his penis inside AAA\\u2019s vagina. Three (3) men came to AAA\\u2019s rescue when she shouted for help, forcing Amarela to run away. However, she was brought to a hut by these persons, having bad intentions with her. Hence, she fled and ended up in the house of Godo Dumandan, who brought her first to the Racho residence because Dumandan thought her aunt was not at home. Dumandan stayed behind; that is why Racho was asked to bring AAA to her aunt\'s house instead. However, instead, she was brought to a shanty. She was told to lie down, but she refused. Racho boxed her abdomen and placed himself on top of AAA. Racho then inserted his penis into AAA\'s vagina. Thereafter, Racho left her. Thus, AAA went home alone and decided to leave home the following day. \\u00a0Eventually, AAA told her mother about what happened to her and reported the matter to the police.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>The Regional Trial Court (RTC) rendered a decision finding the appellants guilty beyond reasonable doubt of the crime of rape as the plaintiff\\u2019s testimony positively identifying both appellants was clear, positive, and straightforward.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>In appeal before the Court of Appeals (CA), the appellants argued that several circumstances cast doubt on the victim\'s claim that she was raped. They alleged that her testimony does not conform to shared knowledge and ordinary human experience. Moreover, they pointed out that, although there were other witnesses, \\u00a0the only material testimony on record was that of the victim . However, the appellate court affirmed the trial court\'s decision as it found no reason to reverse the factual findings of the court <em>a quo<\\/em>.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>For the Supreme Court (SC), it had no reason to deviate from the well-entrenched rule that in matters of credibility of witnesses, the assessment made by the trial court should be respected and given weight.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>The Supreme Court reversed the judgment of conviction. First, AAA\'s version of the story in her affidavit-complaint differs materially from her testimony in court. Second, AAA could not have easily identified Amarela because the crime scene was dark; she only saw him for the first time. Third, her testimony lacks material details on how she was brought under the stage against her will. Lastly, the medical findings do not corroborate physical injuries and are inconclusive of any signs of forced entry.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>III. WEIGHING OF THE VICTIM\\u2019S TESTIMONY<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>The Supreme Court has long accorded the evaluations of testimonial evidence by trial courts great respect. One can expect that said determination is based on reasonable discretion as to opting for which testimony is acceptable and which witness is worthy of belief. However, although the factual findings of the trial court are given weight by the Court\\u2014most especially when affirmed by the appellate court\\u2014such rule is not absolute as, for instance, when some facts or circumstances of weight and substance have been overlooked, misapprehended, and misinterpreted.<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\"><sup>[4]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>Presently, the Court follows specific guidelines when presented with the credibility of witnesses, to wit:\\u00a0 giving the highest respect to the RTC\'s evaluation of the testimony of the witnesses, considering its unique position in directly observing the demeanor of a witness on the stand.\\u00a0 Second, absent any substantial reason that would justify the reversal of the RTC\'s assessments and conclusions. The reviewing court is generally bound by the lower court\'s findings, particularly when no significant facts and circumstances affecting the case\'s outcome are shown to have been overlooked or disregarded. Lastly, such a rule is even more stringently applied if the CA concurred with the RTC. <a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\"><sup>[5]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>Applying the Maria Clara doctrine or the Women\\u2019s Honor doctrine\\u2014which often leads to cases being adjudged solely on the basis of the credibility of the victim \\u2013 does not only put the accused at an unfair disadvantage but also results in a travesty of justice. It is not impossible for an assumed victim to merely fabricate stories of her abuse.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>In the past, one can say that it is natural for a woman to be reluctant to disclose a sexual assault. This stereotype cannot be applied anymore as women have transformed over the years and have become more willing to speak up and fight for their rights . There is a need to veer away from such a notion and accept the realities of a woman\'s dynamic role in society today.<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\">[6]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>Leaving the aforementioned doctrine\\u2013 given that the findings through evidence presented do not match the victim\'s testimony \\u2013 in the past is crucial because an accused must only be convicted solely on the testimony of the victim, provided of course, that the testimony is credible, natural, convincing, and consistent with human nature and the normal course of things. <a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\"><sup>[7]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>Furthermore, this rule was clarified in the recent case of <em>People v. ZZZ<\\/em>. The \\u00a0Supreme Court relied on the victim\'s testimony because the latter readily recognized and pointed to her violator.\\u00a0 Unlike in <em>People v. Amarela, <\\/em>the victim recounted the harrowing nights that tormented her for six years of living with the perpetrator, and the medico-legal examination corroborated the latter\'s testimony. Hence, the SC found no compelling motive for the victim to lie. Furthermore, that after all, \\u201cno person, especially one of tender age, would ordinarily cry \\\"rape\\\" and subject oneself to the consequent rigors and embarrassments of medical examination and public trial, if not for the quest for rightful justice.<a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\">[8]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>IV. ERADICATING STEREOTYPES<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>The Supreme Court\\u2019s recent consideration and clarification as to the application of the Maria Clara doctrine in <em>People v. Amarela<\\/em> would not only prevent corruption of justice on the part of the accused but eradicate gender bias\\u00a0 and misconceptions in the society as well \\u2013 especially on the part of women.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>The old constructed perception of women anchored in the apparent attributes of Maria Clara \\u2013 a pure soul, \\u00a0modest, self-effacing, long-suffering<a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\">[9]<\\/a> \\u2013 can no longer be applied absolutely today. Gone are the days when in cases of abuse, for a woman to be credible, she must be like Maria Clara; and when she does not fit the mold, there is a propensity of discrediting her as a witness, as exemplified in <em>Tionloc<\\/em><a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\">[10]<\\/a>:<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>It would be unfair to convict a man of rape committed against a woman who, after giving him the impression through her unexplainable silence of her tacit consent and allowing him to have sexual contact with her, changed her mind in the middle and charged him with rape.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>According to some women\'s rights groups, the Court\'s decision would open the floodgates to more incidents of rape, as this may embolden perpetrators to \\\"abuse more women\\\" confident that \\\"courts will most likely dismiss rape cases. <a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\"><sup>[11]<\\/sup><\\/a> The limitation of this ruling is already established in the ruling in the 2020 case of <em>People v. ZZZ<\\/em>, wherein the Court still weighed the victim\'s testimony based on factors such as her age, her recognition of the accused in open court, and other corroborative evidence.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>Rather than completely disregarding a \\u00a0victim\\u2019s testimony, courts should distill it by doing away with outdated notions and stereotypes based purely on gender.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">[1]<\\/a> UST Faculty of Civil Law, 2G, UST Law Review Understudy<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a> Citing <em>People v. Ta\\u00f1o, <\\/em>109 Phil. 912(1960)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a> \\\"Maria Clara Doctrine in Rape Cases Revisited\\\". Buban and Lardizabal Law Offices. June 8, 2018.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[4]<\\/a> (People v. Amarela, 2018)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[5]<\\/a> (People v. Amarela, 2018)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[6]<\\/a> People v. Amarela, 2018<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\">[7]<\\/a> People v. Zamoraga, 568 Phil. 132, 140 (2008); People v. Achas, 612 Phil. 652, 662 (2009); People v. Banig, 693 Phil. 303, 312 (2012); People v. Gahi, 727 Phil. 642, 657 (2014); People v. Pitala, G.R. No. 223561, 19 October 2016.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\">[8]<\\/a> (People v. ZZZ, 2020)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\">[9]<\\/a>Pons, J. S. (n.d.). Construction and deconstruction of Maria Clara: History of an imagined care-oriented model of gender in the Philippines. Academia.edu. https:\\/\\/www.academia.edu\\/24937445\\/Construction_and_deconstruction_of_Maria_Clara_History_of_an_imagined_care_oriented_model_of_gender_in_the_Philippines.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\">[10]<\\/a> 63 ATENEO L.J. 317 (2018)\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\">[11]<\\/a> (The Philippine Star, 2018)<\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p>Cover Photo: Painting by Juan Luna- La Bulaque\\u00f1a, 1985 and Puesta Del Sol, 1880\'s.\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.1,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(4005,1324,'_thumbnail_id','1315'),(4007,1325,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(4008,1325,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(4009,1325,'_elementor_version','3.2.4'),(4010,1325,'_wp_page_template','default'),(4011,1325,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"6e15c706\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"25c228e7\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"21b7e2be\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><em>By: Ristel Mae B. Tagudando<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\"><sup><strong><sup>[1]<\\/sup><\\/strong><\\/sup><\\/a><\\/em><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>I. THE WOMEN\\u2019S HONOR DOCTRINE<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> The Maria Clara Doctrine or the Women\\u2019s Honor Doctrine became part of Philippine jurisprudence in the 1960 case of <em>People v. Ta\\u00f1o<\\/em>.<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\"><sup>[2]<\\/sup><\\/a> Based on Maria Clara\'s character from Jose Rizal\'s <em>Noli Me Tangere<\\/em>, the doctrine provides the presumption that \\\"women, especially Filipinos, would not admit that they have been abused unless that abuse had happened\\\".<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\"><sup>[3]<\\/sup><\\/a> This doctrine implies that the testimony of the alleged victim by itself may be sufficient to sustain a conviction.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>II. SUMMARY OF THE CASE<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> In <em>People v. Amarela, <\\/em>the plaintiff,AAA, was watching a beauty contest with her aunt when she went to the restroom to urinate. However, she was not able to reach the comfort room because Amarela stopped her along the way.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> According to AAA, Amarela suddenly pulled her towards the daycare center and punched her in the abdomen, making her weak. Thereafter, Amarela undressed and put his penis inside AAA\\u2019s vagina. Three (3) men came to AAA\\u2019s rescue when she shouted for help, forcing Amarela to run away. However, she was brought to a hut by these persons, having bad intentions with her. Hence, she fled and ended up in the house of Godo Dumandan, who brought her first to the Racho residence because Dumandan thought her aunt was not at home. Dumandan stayed behind; that is why Racho was asked to bring AAA to her aunt\'s house instead. However, instead, she was brought to a shanty. She was told to lie down, but she refused. Racho boxed her abdomen and placed himself on top of AAA. Racho then inserted his penis into AAA\'s vagina. Thereafter, Racho left her. Thus, AAA went home alone and decided to leave home the following day. Eventually, AAA told her mother about what happened to her and reported the matter to the police.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> The Regional Trial Court (RTC) rendered a decision finding the appellants guilty beyond reasonable doubt of the crime of rape as the plaintiff\\u2019s testimony positively identifying both appellants was clear, positive, and straightforward.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> In appeal before the Court of Appeals (CA), the appellants argued that several circumstances cast doubt on the victim\'s claim that she was raped. They alleged that her testimony does not conform to shared knowledge and ordinary human experience. Moreover, they pointed out that, although there were other witnesses, the only material testimony on record was that of the victim . However, the appellate court affirmed the trial court\'s decision as it found no reason to reverse the factual findings of the court <em>a quo<\\/em>.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> For the Supreme Court (SC), it had no reason to deviate from the well-entrenched rule that in matters of credibility of witnesses, the assessment made by the trial court should be respected and given weight.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> The Supreme Court reversed the judgment of conviction. First, AAA\'s version of the story in her affidavit-complaint differs materially from her testimony in court. Second, AAA could not have easily identified Amarela because the crime scene was dark; she only saw him for the first time. Third, her testimony lacks material details on how she was brought under the stage against her will. Lastly, the medical findings do not corroborate physical injuries and are inconclusive of any signs of forced entry.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>III. WEIGHING OF THE VICTIM\\u2019S TESTIMONY<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> The Supreme Court has long accorded the evaluations of testimonial evidence by trial courts great respect. One can expect that said determination is based on reasonable discretion as to opting for which testimony is acceptable and which witness is worthy of belief. However, although the factual findings of the trial court are given weight by the Court\\u2014most especially when affirmed by the appellate court\\u2014such rule is not absolute as, for instance, when some facts or circumstances of weight and substance have been overlooked, misapprehended, and misinterpreted.<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\"><sup>[4]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> Presently, the Court follows specific guidelines when presented with the credibility of witnesses, to wit: giving the highest respect to the RTC\'s evaluation of the testimony of the witnesses, considering its unique position in directly observing the demeanor of a witness on the stand. Second, absent any substantial reason that would justify the reversal of the RTC\'s assessments and conclusions. The reviewing court is generally bound by the lower court\'s findings, particularly when no significant facts and circumstances affecting the case\'s outcome are shown to have been overlooked or disregarded. Lastly, such a rule is even more stringently applied if the CA concurred with the RTC. <a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\"><sup>[5]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> Applying the Maria Clara doctrine or the Women\\u2019s Honor doctrine\\u2014which often leads to cases being adjudged solely on the basis of the credibility of the victim \\u2013 does not only put the accused at an unfair disadvantage but also results in a travesty of justice. It is not impossible for an assumed victim to merely fabricate stories of her abuse.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> In the past, one can say that it is natural for a woman to be reluctant to disclose a sexual assault. This stereotype cannot be applied anymore as women have transformed over the years and have become more willing to speak up and fight for their rights . There is a need to veer away from such a notion and accept the realities of a woman\'s dynamic role in society today.<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\">[6]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> Leaving the aforementioned doctrine\\u2013 given that the findings through evidence presented do not match the victim\'s testimony \\u2013 in the past is crucial because an accused must only be convicted solely on the testimony of the victim, provided of course, that the testimony is credible, natural, convincing, and consistent with human nature and the normal course of things. <a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\"><sup>[7]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> Furthermore, this rule was clarified in the recent case of <em>People v. ZZZ<\\/em>. The Supreme Court relied on the victim\'s testimony because the latter readily recognized and pointed to her violator. Unlike in <em>People v. Amarela, <\\/em>the victim recounted the harrowing nights that tormented her for six years of living with the perpetrator, and the medico-legal examination corroborated the latter\'s testimony. Hence, the SC found no compelling motive for the victim to lie. Furthermore, that after all, \\u201cno person, especially one of tender age, would ordinarily cry \\\"rape\\\" and subject oneself to the consequent rigors and embarrassments of medical examination and public trial, if not for the quest for rightful justice.<a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\">[8]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>IV. ERADICATING STEREOTYPES<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> The Supreme Court\\u2019s recent consideration and clarification as to the application of the Maria Clara doctrine in <em>People v. Amarela<\\/em> would not only prevent corruption of justice on the part of the accused but eradicate gender bias and misconceptions in the society as well \\u2013 especially on the part of women.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> The old constructed perception of women anchored in the apparent attributes of Maria Clara \\u2013 a pure soul, modest, self-effacing, long-suffering<a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\">[9]<\\/a> \\u2013 can no longer be applied absolutely today. Gone are the days when in cases of abuse, for a woman to be credible, she must be like Maria Clara; and when she does not fit the mold, there is a propensity of discrediting her as a witness, as exemplified in <em>Tionloc<\\/em><a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\">[10]<\\/a>:<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> It would be unfair to convict a man of rape committed against a woman who, after giving him the impression through her unexplainable silence of her tacit consent and allowing him to have sexual contact with her, changed her mind in the middle and charged him with rape.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> According to some women\'s rights groups, the Court\'s decision would open the floodgates to more incidents of rape, as this may embolden perpetrators to \\\"abuse more women\\\" confident that \\\"courts will most likely dismiss rape cases. <a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\"><sup>[11]<\\/sup><\\/a> The limitation of this ruling is already established in the ruling in the 2020 case of <em>People v. ZZZ<\\/em>, wherein the Court still weighed the victim\'s testimony based on factors such as her age, her recognition of the accused in open court, and other corroborative evidence.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> Rather than completely disregarding a victim\\u2019s testimony, courts should distill it by doing away with outdated notions and stereotypes based purely on gender.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/p>\\n<hr>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">[1]<\\/a> UST Faculty of Civil Law, 2G, UST Law Review Understudy<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a> Citing <em>People v. Ta\\u00f1o, <\\/em>109 Phil. 912(1960)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a> \\\"Maria Clara Doctrine in Rape Cases Revisited\\\". Buban and Lardizabal Law Offices. June 8, 2018.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[4]<\\/a> (People v. Amarela, 2018)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[5]<\\/a> (People v. Amarela, 2018)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[6]<\\/a> People v. Amarela, 2018<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\">[7]<\\/a> People v. Zamoraga, 568 Phil. 132, 140 (2008); People v. Achas, 612 Phil. 652, 662 (2009); People v. Banig, 693 Phil. 303, 312 (2012); People v. Gahi, 727 Phil. 642, 657 (2014); People v. Pitala, G.R. No. 223561, 19 October 2016.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\">[8]<\\/a> (People v. ZZZ, 2020)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\">[9]<\\/a>Pons, J. S. (n.d.). Construction and deconstruction of Maria Clara: History of an imagined care-oriented model of gender in the Philippines. Academia.edu. https:\\/\\/www.academia.edu\\/24937445\\/Construction_and_deconstruction_of_Maria_Clara_History_of_an_imagined_care_oriented_model_of_gender_in_the_Philippines.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\">[10]<\\/a> 63 ATENEO L.J. 317 (2018) <\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\">[11]<\\/a> (The Philippine Star, 2018)<\\/p>\\n<hr>\\n<p>Cover Photo: Painting by Juan Luna- La Bulaque\\u00f1a, 1985 and Puesta Del Sol, 1880\'s. <\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n \",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.1,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(4012,1325,'_thumbnail_id','1315'),(4016,1326,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(4017,1326,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(4018,1326,'_elementor_version','3.2.4'),(4019,1326,'_wp_page_template','default'),(4020,1326,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"6e15c706\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"25c228e7\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"21b7e2be\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><em>By: Ristel Mae B. Tagudando<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\"><sup><strong><sup>[1]<\\/sup><\\/strong><\\/sup><\\/a><\\/em><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>I. THE WOMEN\\u2019S HONOR DOCTRINE<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> The Maria Clara Doctrine or the Women\\u2019s Honor Doctrine became part of Philippine jurisprudence in the 1960 case of <em>People v. Ta\\u00f1o<\\/em>.<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\"><sup>[2]<\\/sup><\\/a> Based on Maria Clara\'s character from Jose Rizal\'s <em>Noli Me Tangere<\\/em>, the doctrine provides the presumption that \\\"women, especially Filipinos, would not admit that they have been abused unless that abuse had happened\\\".<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\"><sup>[3]<\\/sup><\\/a> This doctrine implies that the testimony of the alleged victim by itself may be sufficient to sustain a conviction.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>II. SUMMARY OF THE CASE<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> In <em>People v. Amarela, <\\/em>the plaintiff,AAA, was watching a beauty contest with her aunt when she went to the restroom to urinate. However, she was not able to reach the comfort room because Amarela stopped her along the way.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> According to AAA, Amarela suddenly pulled her towards the daycare center and punched her in the abdomen, making her weak. Thereafter, Amarela undressed and put his penis inside AAA\\u2019s vagina. Three (3) men came to AAA\\u2019s rescue when she shouted for help, forcing Amarela to run away. However, she was brought to a hut by these persons, having bad intentions with her. Hence, she fled and ended up in the house of Godo Dumandan, who brought her first to the Racho residence because Dumandan thought her aunt was not at home. Dumandan stayed behind; that is why Racho was asked to bring AAA to her aunt\'s house instead. However, instead, she was brought to a shanty. She was told to lie down, but she refused. Racho boxed her abdomen and placed himself on top of AAA. Racho then inserted his penis into AAA\'s vagina. Thereafter, Racho left her. Thus, AAA went home alone and decided to leave home the following day. Eventually, AAA told her mother about what happened to her and reported the matter to the police.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> The Regional Trial Court (RTC) rendered a decision finding the appellants guilty beyond reasonable doubt of the crime of rape as the plaintiff\\u2019s testimony positively identifying both appellants was clear, positive, and straightforward.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> In appeal before the Court of Appeals (CA), the appellants argued that several circumstances cast doubt on the victim\'s claim that she was raped. They alleged that her testimony does not conform to shared knowledge and ordinary human experience. Moreover, they pointed out that, although there were other witnesses, the only material testimony on record was that of the victim . However, the appellate court affirmed the trial court\'s decision as it found no reason to reverse the factual findings of the court <em>a quo<\\/em>.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> For the Supreme Court (SC), it had no reason to deviate from the well-entrenched rule that in matters of credibility of witnesses, the assessment made by the trial court should be respected and given weight.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> The Supreme Court reversed the judgment of conviction. First, AAA\'s version of the story in her affidavit-complaint differs materially from her testimony in court. Second, AAA could not have easily identified Amarela because the crime scene was dark; she only saw him for the first time. Third, her testimony lacks material details on how she was brought under the stage against her will. Lastly, the medical findings do not corroborate physical injuries and are inconclusive of any signs of forced entry.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>III. WEIGHING OF THE VICTIM\\u2019S TESTIMONY<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> The Supreme Court has long accorded the evaluations of testimonial evidence by trial courts great respect. One can expect that said determination is based on reasonable discretion as to opting for which testimony is acceptable and which witness is worthy of belief. However, although the factual findings of the trial court are given weight by the Court\\u2014most especially when affirmed by the appellate court\\u2014such rule is not absolute as, for instance, when some facts or circumstances of weight and substance have been overlooked, misapprehended, and misinterpreted.<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\"><sup>[4]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> Presently, the Court follows specific guidelines when presented with the credibility of witnesses, to wit: giving the highest respect to the RTC\'s evaluation of the testimony of the witnesses, considering its unique position in directly observing the demeanor of a witness on the stand. Second, absent any substantial reason that would justify the reversal of the RTC\'s assessments and conclusions. The reviewing court is generally bound by the lower court\'s findings, particularly when no significant facts and circumstances affecting the case\'s outcome are shown to have been overlooked or disregarded. Lastly, such a rule is even more stringently applied if the CA concurred with the RTC. <a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\"><sup>[5]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> Applying the Maria Clara doctrine or the Women\\u2019s Honor doctrine\\u2014which often leads to cases being adjudged solely on the basis of the credibility of the victim \\u2013 does not only put the accused at an unfair disadvantage but also results in a travesty of justice. It is not impossible for an assumed victim to merely fabricate stories of her abuse.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> In the past, one can say that it is natural for a woman to be reluctant to disclose a sexual assault. This stereotype cannot be applied anymore as women have transformed over the years and have become more willing to speak up and fight for their rights . There is a need to veer away from such a notion and accept the realities of a woman\'s dynamic role in society today.<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\">[6]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> Leaving the aforementioned doctrine\\u2013 given that the findings through evidence presented do not match the victim\'s testimony \\u2013 in the past is crucial because an accused must only be convicted solely on the testimony of the victim, provided of course, that the testimony is credible, natural, convincing, and consistent with human nature and the normal course of things. <a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\"><sup>[7]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> Furthermore, this rule was clarified in the recent case of <em>People v. ZZZ<\\/em>. The Supreme Court relied on the victim\'s testimony because the latter readily recognized and pointed to her violator. Unlike in <em>People v. Amarela, <\\/em>the victim recounted the harrowing nights that tormented her for six years of living with the perpetrator, and the medico-legal examination corroborated the latter\'s testimony. Hence, the SC found no compelling motive for the victim to lie. Furthermore, that after all, \\u201cno person, especially one of tender age, would ordinarily cry \\\"rape\\\" and subject oneself to the consequent rigors and embarrassments of medical examination and public trial, if not for the quest for rightful justice.<a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\">[8]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>IV. ERADICATING STEREOTYPES<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> The Supreme Court\\u2019s recent consideration and clarification as to the application of the Maria Clara doctrine in <em>People v. Amarela<\\/em> would not only prevent corruption of justice on the part of the accused but eradicate gender bias and misconceptions in the society as well \\u2013 especially on the part of women.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> The old constructed perception of women anchored in the apparent attributes of Maria Clara \\u2013 a pure soul, modest, self-effacing, long-suffering<a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\">[9]<\\/a> \\u2013 can no longer be applied absolutely today. Gone are the days when in cases of abuse, for a woman to be credible, she must be like Maria Clara; and when she does not fit the mold, there is a propensity of discrediting her as a witness, as exemplified in <em>Tionloc<\\/em><a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\">[10]<\\/a>:<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> It would be unfair to convict a man of rape committed against a woman who, after giving him the impression through her unexplainable silence of her tacit consent and allowing him to have sexual contact with her, changed her mind in the middle and charged him with rape.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> According to some women\'s rights groups, the Court\'s decision would open the floodgates to more incidents of rape, as this may embolden perpetrators to \\\"abuse more women\\\" confident that \\\"courts will most likely dismiss rape cases. <a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\"><sup>[11]<\\/sup><\\/a> The limitation of this ruling is already established in the ruling in the 2020 case of <em>People v. ZZZ<\\/em>, wherein the Court still weighed the victim\'s testimony based on factors such as her age, her recognition of the accused in open court, and other corroborative evidence.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> Rather than completely disregarding a victim\\u2019s testimony, courts should distill it by doing away with outdated notions and stereotypes based purely on gender.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/p>\\n<hr>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">[1]<\\/a> UST Faculty of Civil Law, 2G, UST Law Review Understudy<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a> Citing <em>People v. Ta\\u00f1o, <\\/em>109 Phil. 912(1960)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a> \\\"Maria Clara Doctrine in Rape Cases Revisited\\\". Buban and Lardizabal Law Offices. June 8, 2018.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[4]<\\/a> (People v. Amarela, 2018)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[5]<\\/a> (People v. Amarela, 2018)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[6]<\\/a> People v. Amarela, 2018<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\">[7]<\\/a> People v. Zamoraga, 568 Phil. 132, 140 (2008); People v. Achas, 612 Phil. 652, 662 (2009); People v. Banig, 693 Phil. 303, 312 (2012); People v. Gahi, 727 Phil. 642, 657 (2014); People v. Pitala, G.R. No. 223561, 19 October 2016.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\">[8]<\\/a> (People v. ZZZ, 2020)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\">[9]<\\/a>Pons, J. S. (n.d.). Construction and deconstruction of Maria Clara: History of an imagined care-oriented model of gender in the Philippines. Academia.edu. https:\\/\\/www.academia.edu\\/24937445\\/Construction_and_deconstruction_of_Maria_Clara_History_of_an_imagined_care_oriented_model_of_gender_in_the_Philippines.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\">[10]<\\/a> 63 ATENEO L.J. 317 (2018) <\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\">[11]<\\/a> (The Philippine Star, 2018)<\\/p>\\n<hr>\\n<p>Cover Photo: Painting by Juan Luna- La Bulaque\\u00f1a, 1985 and Puesta Del Sol, 1880\'s. <\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n \",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.1,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(4021,1326,'_thumbnail_id','1315'),(4022,1326,'_elementor_controls_usage','a:3:{s:11:\"text-editor\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:1;s:8:\"controls\";a:2:{s:7:\"content\";a:1:{s:14:\"section_editor\";a:1:{s:6:\"editor\";i:1;}}s:5:\"style\";a:1:{s:13:\"section_style\";a:2:{s:21:\"typography_typography\";i:1;s:22:\"typography_line_height\";i:1;}}}}s:6:\"column\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:0;s:8:\"controls\";a:0:{}}s:7:\"section\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:0;s:8:\"controls\";a:0:{}}}'),(4024,1327,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(4025,1327,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(4026,1327,'_elementor_version','3.2.4'),(4027,1327,'_wp_page_template','default'),(4028,1327,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"6e15c706\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"25c228e7\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"21b7e2be\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><em>By: Ristel Mae B. Tagudando<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\"><sup><strong><sup>[1]<\\/sup><\\/strong><\\/sup><\\/a><\\/em><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>I. THE WOMEN\\u2019S HONOR DOCTRINE<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> The Maria Clara Doctrine or the Women\\u2019s Honor Doctrine became part of Philippine jurisprudence in the 1960 case of <em>People v. Ta\\u00f1o<\\/em>.<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\"><sup>[2]<\\/sup><\\/a> Based on Maria Clara\'s character from Jose Rizal\'s <em>Noli Me Tangere<\\/em>, the doctrine provides the presumption that \\\"women, especially Filipinos, would not admit that they have been abused unless that abuse had happened\\\".<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\"><sup>[3]<\\/sup><\\/a> This doctrine implies that the testimony of the alleged victim by itself may be sufficient to sustain a conviction.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>II. SUMMARY OF THE CASE<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> In <em>People v. Amarela, <\\/em>the plaintiff,AAA, was watching a beauty contest with her aunt when she went to the restroom to urinate. However, she was not able to reach the comfort room because Amarela stopped her along the way.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> According to AAA, Amarela suddenly pulled her towards the daycare center and punched her in the abdomen, making her weak. Thereafter, Amarela undressed and put his penis inside AAA\\u2019s vagina. Three (3) men came to AAA\\u2019s rescue when she shouted for help, forcing Amarela to run away. However, she was brought to a hut by these persons, having bad intentions with her. Hence, she fled and ended up in the house of Godo Dumandan, who brought her first to the Racho residence because Dumandan thought her aunt was not at home. Dumandan stayed behind; that is why Racho was asked to bring AAA to her aunt\'s house instead. However, instead, she was brought to a shanty. She was told to lie down, but she refused. Racho boxed her abdomen and placed himself on top of AAA. Racho then inserted his penis into AAA\'s vagina. Thereafter, Racho left her. Thus, AAA went home alone and decided to leave home the following day. Eventually, AAA told her mother about what happened to her and reported the matter to the police.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> The Regional Trial Court (RTC) rendered a decision finding the appellants guilty beyond reasonable doubt of the crime of rape as the plaintiff\\u2019s testimony positively identifying both appellants was clear, positive, and straightforward.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> In appeal before the Court of Appeals (CA), the appellants argued that several circumstances cast doubt on the victim\'s claim that she was raped. They alleged that her testimony does not conform to shared knowledge and ordinary human experience. Moreover, they pointed out that, although there were other witnesses, the only material testimony on record was that of the victim . However, the appellate court affirmed the trial court\'s decision as it found no reason to reverse the factual findings of the court <em>a quo<\\/em>.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> For the Supreme Court (SC), it had no reason to deviate from the well-entrenched rule that in matters of credibility of witnesses, the assessment made by the trial court should be respected and given weight.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> The Supreme Court reversed the judgment of conviction. First, AAA\'s version of the story in her affidavit-complaint differs materially from her testimony in court. Second, AAA could not have easily identified Amarela because the crime scene was dark; she only saw him for the first time. Third, her testimony lacks material details on how she was brought under the stage against her will. Lastly, the medical findings do not corroborate physical injuries and are inconclusive of any signs of forced entry.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>III. WEIGHING OF THE VICTIM\\u2019S TESTIMONY<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> The Supreme Court has long accorded the evaluations of testimonial evidence by trial courts great respect. One can expect that said determination is based on reasonable discretion as to opting for which testimony is acceptable and which witness is worthy of belief. However, although the factual findings of the trial court are given weight by the Court\\u2014most especially when affirmed by the appellate court\\u2014such rule is not absolute as, for instance, when some facts or circumstances of weight and substance have been overlooked, misapprehended, and misinterpreted.<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\"><sup>[4]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> Presently, the Court follows specific guidelines when presented with the credibility of witnesses, to wit: giving the highest respect to the RTC\'s evaluation of the testimony of the witnesses, considering its unique position in directly observing the demeanor of a witness on the stand. Second, absent any substantial reason that would justify the reversal of the RTC\'s assessments and conclusions. The reviewing court is generally bound by the lower court\'s findings, particularly when no significant facts and circumstances affecting the case\'s outcome are shown to have been overlooked or disregarded. Lastly, such a rule is even more stringently applied if the CA concurred with the RTC. <a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\"><sup>[5]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> Applying the Maria Clara doctrine or the Women\\u2019s Honor doctrine\\u2014which often leads to cases being adjudged solely on the basis of the credibility of the victim \\u2013 does not only put the accused at an unfair disadvantage but also results in a travesty of justice. It is not impossible for an assumed victim to merely fabricate stories of her abuse.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> In the past, one can say that it is natural for a woman to be reluctant to disclose a sexual assault. This stereotype cannot be applied anymore as women have transformed over the years and have become more willing to speak up and fight for their rights . There is a need to veer away from such a notion and accept the realities of a woman\'s dynamic role in society today.<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\">[6]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> Leaving the aforementioned doctrine\\u2013 given that the findings through evidence presented do not match the victim\'s testimony \\u2013 in the past is crucial because an accused must only be convicted solely on the testimony of the victim, provided of course, that the testimony is credible, natural, convincing, and consistent with human nature and the normal course of things. <a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\"><sup>[7]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> Furthermore, this rule was clarified in the recent case of <em>People v. ZZZ<\\/em>. The Supreme Court relied on the victim\'s testimony because the latter readily recognized and pointed to her violator. Unlike in <em>People v. Amarela, <\\/em>the victim recounted the harrowing nights that tormented her for six years of living with the perpetrator, and the medico-legal examination corroborated the latter\'s testimony. Hence, the SC found no compelling motive for the victim to lie. Furthermore, that after all, \\u201cno person, especially one of tender age, would ordinarily cry \\\"rape\\\" and subject oneself to the consequent rigors and embarrassments of medical examination and public trial, if not for the quest for rightful justice.<a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\">[8]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>IV. ERADICATING STEREOTYPES<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> The Supreme Court\\u2019s recent consideration and clarification as to the application of the Maria Clara doctrine in <em>People v. Amarela<\\/em> would not only prevent corruption of justice on the part of the accused but eradicate gender bias and misconceptions in the society as well \\u2013 especially on the part of women.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> The old constructed perception of women anchored in the apparent attributes of Maria Clara \\u2013 a pure soul, modest, self-effacing, long-suffering<a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\">[9]<\\/a> \\u2013 can no longer be applied absolutely today. Gone are the days when in cases of abuse, for a woman to be credible, she must be like Maria Clara; and when she does not fit the mold, there is a propensity of discrediting her as a witness, as exemplified in <em>Tionloc<\\/em><a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\">[10]<\\/a>:<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> It would be unfair to convict a man of rape committed against a woman who, after giving him the impression through her unexplainable silence of her tacit consent and allowing him to have sexual contact with her, changed her mind in the middle and charged him with rape.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> According to some women\'s rights groups, the Court\'s decision would open the floodgates to more incidents of rape, as this may embolden perpetrators to \\\"abuse more women\\\" confident that \\\"courts will most likely dismiss rape cases. <a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\"><sup>[11]<\\/sup><\\/a> The limitation of this ruling is already established in the ruling in the 2020 case of <em>People v. ZZZ<\\/em>, wherein the Court still weighed the victim\'s testimony based on factors such as her age, her recognition of the accused in open court, and other corroborative evidence.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> Rather than completely disregarding a victim\\u2019s testimony, courts should distill it by doing away with outdated notions and stereotypes based purely on gender.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/p>\\n<hr>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">[1]<\\/a> UST Faculty of Civil Law, 2G, UST Law Review Understudy<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a> Citing <em>People v. Ta\\u00f1o, <\\/em>109 Phil. 912(1960)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a> \\\"Maria Clara Doctrine in Rape Cases Revisited\\\". Buban and Lardizabal Law Offices. June 8, 2018.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[4]<\\/a> (People v. Amarela, 2018)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[5]<\\/a> (People v. Amarela, 2018)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[6]<\\/a> People v. Amarela, 2018<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\">[7]<\\/a> People v. Zamoraga, 568 Phil. 132, 140 (2008); People v. Achas, 612 Phil. 652, 662 (2009); People v. Banig, 693 Phil. 303, 312 (2012); People v. Gahi, 727 Phil. 642, 657 (2014); People v. Pitala, G.R. No. 223561, 19 October 2016.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\">[8]<\\/a> (People v. ZZZ, 2020)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\">[9]<\\/a>Pons, J. S. (n.d.). Construction and deconstruction of Maria Clara: History of an imagined care-oriented model of gender in the Philippines. Academia.edu. https:\\/\\/www.academia.edu\\/24937445\\/Construction_and_deconstruction_of_Maria_Clara_History_of_an_imagined_care_oriented_model_of_gender_in_the_Philippines.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\">[10]<\\/a> 63 ATENEO L.J. 317 (2018) <\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\">[11]<\\/a> (The Philippine Star, 2018)<\\/p>\\n<hr>\\n<p>Cover Photo: Painting by Juan Luna- La Bulaque\\u00f1a, 1985 and Puesta Del Sol, 1880\'s. <\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n \",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.1,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(4029,1327,'_thumbnail_id','1315'),(4031,1328,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(4032,1328,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(4033,1328,'_elementor_version','3.2.4'),(4034,1328,'_wp_page_template','default'),(4035,1328,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"6e15c706\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"25c228e7\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"21b7e2be\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><em>By: Ristel Mae B. Tagudando<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\"><sup><strong><sup>[1]<\\/sup><\\/strong><\\/sup><\\/a><\\/em><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>I. THE WOMEN\\u2019S HONOR DOCTRINE<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> The Maria Clara Doctrine or the Women\\u2019s Honor Doctrine became part of Philippine jurisprudence in the 1960 case of <em>People v. Ta\\u00f1o<\\/em>.<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\"><sup>[2]<\\/sup><\\/a> Based on Maria Clara\'s character from Jose Rizal\'s <em>Noli Me Tangere<\\/em>, the doctrine provides the presumption that \\\"women, especially Filipinos, would not admit that they have been abused unless that abuse had happened\\\".<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\"><sup>[3]<\\/sup><\\/a> This doctrine implies that the testimony of the alleged victim by itself may be sufficient to sustain a conviction.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>II. SUMMARY OF THE CASE<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> In <em>People v. Amarela, <\\/em>the plaintiff,AAA, was watching a beauty contest with her aunt when she went to the restroom to urinate. However, she was not able to reach the comfort room because Amarela stopped her along the way.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> According to AAA, Amarela suddenly pulled her towards the daycare center and punched her in the abdomen, making her weak. Thereafter, Amarela undressed and put his penis inside AAA\\u2019s vagina. Three (3) men came to AAA\\u2019s rescue when she shouted for help, forcing Amarela to run away. However, she was brought to a hut by these persons, having bad intentions with her. Hence, she fled and ended up in the house of Godo Dumandan, who brought her first to the Racho residence because Dumandan thought her aunt was not at home. Dumandan stayed behind; that is why Racho was asked to bring AAA to her aunt\'s house instead. However, instead, she was brought to a shanty. She was told to lie down, but she refused. Racho boxed her abdomen and placed himself on top of AAA. Racho then inserted his penis into AAA\'s vagina. Thereafter, Racho left her. Thus, AAA went home alone and decided to leave home the following day. Eventually, AAA told her mother about what happened to her and reported the matter to the police.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> The Regional Trial Court (RTC) rendered a decision finding the appellants guilty beyond reasonable doubt of the crime of rape as the plaintiff\\u2019s testimony positively identifying both appellants was clear, positive, and straightforward.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> In appeal before the Court of Appeals (CA), the appellants argued that several circumstances cast doubt on the victim\'s claim that she was raped. They alleged that her testimony does not conform to shared knowledge and ordinary human experience. Moreover, they pointed out that, although there were other witnesses, the only material testimony on record was that of the victim . However, the appellate court affirmed the trial court\'s decision as it found no reason to reverse the factual findings of the court <em>a quo<\\/em>.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> For the Supreme Court (SC), it had no reason to deviate from the well-entrenched rule that in matters of credibility of witnesses, the assessment made by the trial court should be respected and given weight.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> The Supreme Court reversed the judgment of conviction. First, AAA\'s version of the story in her affidavit-complaint differs materially from her testimony in court. Second, AAA could not have easily identified Amarela because the crime scene was dark; she only saw him for the first time. Third, her testimony lacks material details on how she was brought under the stage against her will. Lastly, the medical findings do not corroborate physical injuries and are inconclusive of any signs of forced entry.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>III. WEIGHING OF THE VICTIM\\u2019S TESTIMONY<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> The Supreme Court has long accorded the evaluations of testimonial evidence by trial courts great respect. One can expect that said determination is based on reasonable discretion as to opting for which testimony is acceptable and which witness is worthy of belief. However, although the factual findings of the trial court are given weight by the Court\\u2014most especially when affirmed by the appellate court\\u2014such rule is not absolute as, for instance, when some facts or circumstances of weight and substance have been overlooked, misapprehended, and misinterpreted.<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\"><sup>[4]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> Presently, the Court follows specific guidelines when presented with the credibility of witnesses, to wit: giving the highest respect to the RTC\'s evaluation of the testimony of the witnesses, considering its unique position in directly observing the demeanor of a witness on the stand. Second, absent any substantial reason that would justify the reversal of the RTC\'s assessments and conclusions. The reviewing court is generally bound by the lower court\'s findings, particularly when no significant facts and circumstances affecting the case\'s outcome are shown to have been overlooked or disregarded. Lastly, such a rule is even more stringently applied if the CA concurred with the RTC. <a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\"><sup>[5]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> Applying the Maria Clara doctrine or the Women\\u2019s Honor doctrine\\u2014which often leads to cases being adjudged solely on the basis of the credibility of the victim \\u2013 does not only put the accused at an unfair disadvantage but also results in a travesty of justice. It is not impossible for an assumed victim to merely fabricate stories of her abuse.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> In the past, one can say that it is natural for a woman to be reluctant to disclose a sexual assault. This stereotype cannot be applied anymore as women have transformed over the years and have become more willing to speak up and fight for their rights . There is a need to veer away from such a notion and accept the realities of a woman\'s dynamic role in society today.<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\">[6]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> Leaving the aforementioned doctrine\\u2013 given that the findings through evidence presented do not match the victim\'s testimony \\u2013 in the past is crucial because an accused must only be convicted solely on the testimony of the victim, provided of course, that the testimony is credible, natural, convincing, and consistent with human nature and the normal course of things. <a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\"><sup>[7]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> Furthermore, this rule was clarified in the recent case of <em>People v. ZZZ<\\/em>. The Supreme Court relied on the victim\'s testimony because the latter readily recognized and pointed to her violator. Unlike in <em>People v. Amarela, <\\/em>the victim recounted the harrowing nights that tormented her for six years of living with the perpetrator, and the medico-legal examination corroborated the latter\'s testimony. Hence, the SC found no compelling motive for the victim to lie. Furthermore, that after all, \\u201cno person, especially one of tender age, would ordinarily cry \\\"rape\\\" and subject oneself to the consequent rigors and embarrassments of medical examination and public trial, if not for the quest for rightful justice.<a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\">[8]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>IV. ERADICATING STEREOTYPES<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> The Supreme Court\\u2019s recent consideration and clarification as to the application of the Maria Clara doctrine in <em>People v. Amarela<\\/em> would not only prevent corruption of justice on the part of the accused but eradicate gender bias and misconceptions in the society as well \\u2013 especially on the part of women.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> The old constructed perception of women anchored in the apparent attributes of Maria Clara \\u2013 a pure soul, modest, self-effacing, long-suffering<a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\">[9]<\\/a> \\u2013 can no longer be applied absolutely today. Gone are the days when in cases of abuse, for a woman to be credible, she must be like Maria Clara; and when she does not fit the mold, there is a propensity of discrediting her as a witness, as exemplified in <em>Tionloc<\\/em><a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\">[10]<\\/a>:<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> It would be unfair to convict a man of rape committed against a woman who, after giving him the impression through her unexplainable silence of her tacit consent and allowing him to have sexual contact with her, changed her mind in the middle and charged him with rape.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> According to some women\'s rights groups, the Court\'s decision would open the floodgates to more incidents of rape, as this may embolden perpetrators to \\\"abuse more women\\\" confident that \\\"courts will most likely dismiss rape cases. <a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\"><sup>[11]<\\/sup><\\/a> The limitation of this ruling is already established in the ruling in the 2020 case of <em>People v. ZZZ<\\/em>, wherein the Court still weighed the victim\'s testimony based on factors such as her age, her recognition of the accused in open court, and other corroborative evidence.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> Rather than completely disregarding a victim\\u2019s testimony, courts should distill it by doing away with outdated notions and stereotypes based purely on gender.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/p>\\n<hr>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">[1]<\\/a> UST Faculty of Civil Law, 2G, UST Law Review Understudy<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a> Citing <em>People v. Ta\\u00f1o, <\\/em>109 Phil. 912(1960)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a> \\\"Maria Clara Doctrine in Rape Cases Revisited\\\". Buban and Lardizabal Law Offices. June 8, 2018.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[4]<\\/a> (People v. Amarela, 2018)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[5]<\\/a> (People v. Amarela, 2018)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[6]<\\/a> People v. Amarela, 2018<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\">[7]<\\/a> People v. Zamoraga, 568 Phil. 132, 140 (2008); People v. Achas, 612 Phil. 652, 662 (2009); People v. Banig, 693 Phil. 303, 312 (2012); People v. Gahi, 727 Phil. 642, 657 (2014); People v. Pitala, G.R. No. 223561, 19 October 2016.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\">[8]<\\/a> (People v. ZZZ, 2020)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\">[9]<\\/a>Pons, J. S. (n.d.). Construction and deconstruction of Maria Clara: History of an imagined care-oriented model of gender in the Philippines. Academia.edu. https:\\/\\/www.academia.edu\\/24937445\\/Construction_and_deconstruction_of_Maria_Clara_History_of_an_imagined_care_oriented_model_of_gender_in_the_Philippines.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\">[10]<\\/a> 63 ATENEO L.J. 317 (2018) <\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\">[11]<\\/a> (The Philippine Star, 2018)<\\/p>\\n<hr>\\n<p>Cover Photo: Painting by Juan Luna- La Bulaque\\u00f1a, 1985 and Puesta Del Sol, 1880\'s. <\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n \",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.1,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(4036,1328,'_thumbnail_id','1315'),(4038,1329,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(4039,1329,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(4040,1329,'_elementor_version','3.2.4'),(4041,1329,'_wp_page_template','default'),(4042,1329,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"6e15c706\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"25c228e7\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"21b7e2be\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<h4><span style=\\\"font-size: 24pt;\\\">People of the Philippines v. Juvy D. Amarela and Junard G. Racho: Applying the Maria Clara Doctrine in the 21st Century<\\/span><\\/h4>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><em>By: Ristel Mae B. Tagudando<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\"><sup><strong><sup>[1]<\\/sup><\\/strong><\\/sup><\\/a><\\/em><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>I. THE WOMEN\\u2019S HONOR DOCTRINE<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Maria Clara Doctrine or the Women\\u2019s Honor Doctrine became part of Philippine jurisprudence in the 1960 case of <em>People v. Ta\\u00f1o<\\/em>.<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\"><sup>[2]<\\/sup><\\/a> Based on Maria Clara\'s character from Jose Rizal\'s <em>Noli Me Tangere<\\/em>, the doctrine provides the presumption that \\\"women, especially Filipinos, would not admit that they have been abused unless that abuse had happened\\\".<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\"><sup>[3]<\\/sup><\\/a> This doctrine implies that the testimony of the alleged victim by itself may be sufficient to sustain a conviction.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>II. SUMMARY OF THE CASE<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In <em>People v. Amarela, <\\/em>the plaintiff,AAA, was watching a beauty contest with her aunt when she went to the restroom to urinate. However, she was not able to reach the comfort room because Amarela stopped her along the way.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 According to AAA, Amarela suddenly pulled her towards the daycare center and punched her in the abdomen, making her weak. Thereafter, Amarela undressed and put his penis inside AAA\\u2019s vagina. Three (3) men came to AAA\\u2019s rescue when she shouted for help, forcing Amarela to run away. However, she was brought to a hut by these persons, having bad intentions with her. Hence, she fled and ended up in the house of Godo Dumandan, who brought her first to the Racho residence because Dumandan thought her aunt was not at home. Dumandan stayed behind; that is why Racho was asked to bring AAA to her aunt\'s house instead. However, instead, she was brought to a shanty. She was told to lie down, but she refused. Racho boxed her abdomen and placed himself on top of AAA. Racho then inserted his penis into AAA\'s vagina. Thereafter, Racho left her. Thus, AAA went home alone and decided to leave home the following day. \\u00a0Eventually, AAA told her mother about what happened to her and reported the matter to the police.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Regional Trial Court (RTC) rendered a decision finding the appellants guilty beyond reasonable doubt of the crime of rape as the plaintiff\\u2019s testimony positively identifying both appellants was clear, positive, and straightforward.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In appeal before the Court of Appeals (CA), the appellants argued that several circumstances cast doubt on the victim\'s claim that she was raped. They alleged that her testimony does not conform to shared knowledge and ordinary human experience. Moreover, they pointed out that, although there were other witnesses, \\u00a0the only material testimony on record was that of the victim . However, the appellate court affirmed the trial court\'s decision as it found no reason to reverse the factual findings of the court <em>a quo<\\/em>.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 For the Supreme Court (SC), it had no reason to deviate from the well-entrenched rule that in matters of credibility of witnesses, the assessment made by the trial court should be respected and given weight.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Supreme Court reversed the judgment of conviction. First, AAA\'s version of the story in her affidavit-complaint differs materially from her testimony in court. Second, AAA could not have easily identified Amarela because the crime scene was dark; she only saw him for the first time. Third, her testimony lacks material details on how she was brought under the stage against her will. Lastly, the medical findings do not corroborate physical injuries and are inconclusive of any signs of forced entry.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>III. WEIGHING OF THE VICTIM\\u2019S TESTIMONY<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Supreme Court has long accorded the evaluations of testimonial evidence by trial courts great respect. One can expect that said determination is based on reasonable discretion as to opting for which testimony is acceptable and which witness is worthy of belief. However, although the factual findings of the trial court are given weight by the Court\\u2014most especially when affirmed by the appellate court\\u2014such rule is not absolute as, for instance, when some facts or circumstances of weight and substance have been overlooked, misapprehended, and misinterpreted.<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\"><sup>[4]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Presently, the Court follows specific guidelines when presented with the credibility of witnesses, to wit:\\u00a0 giving the highest respect to the RTC\'s evaluation of the testimony of the witnesses, considering its unique position in directly observing the demeanor of a witness on the stand.\\u00a0 Second, absent any substantial reason that would justify the reversal of the RTC\'s assessments and conclusions. The reviewing court is generally bound by the lower court\'s findings, particularly when no significant facts and circumstances affecting the case\'s outcome are shown to have been overlooked or disregarded. Lastly, such a rule is even more stringently applied if the CA concurred with the RTC. <a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\"><sup>[5]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Applying the Maria Clara doctrine or the Women\\u2019s Honor doctrine\\u2014which often leads to cases being adjudged solely on the basis of the credibility of the victim \\u2013 does not only put the accused at an unfair disadvantage but also results in a travesty of justice. It is not impossible for an assumed victim to merely fabricate stories of her abuse.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In the past, one can say that it is natural for a woman to be reluctant to disclose a sexual assault. This stereotype cannot be applied anymore as women have transformed over the years and have become more willing to speak up and fight for their rights . There is a need to veer away from such a notion and accept the realities of a woman\'s dynamic role in society today.<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\">[6]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Leaving the aforementioned doctrine\\u2013 given that the findings through evidence presented do not match the victim\'s testimony \\u2013 in the past is crucial because an accused must only be convicted solely on the testimony of the victim, provided of course, that the testimony is credible, natural, convincing, and consistent with human nature and the normal course of things. <a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\"><sup>[7]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Furthermore, this rule was clarified in the recent case of <em>People v. ZZZ<\\/em>. The \\u00a0Supreme Court relied on the victim\'s testimony because the latter readily recognized and pointed to her violator.\\u00a0 Unlike in <em>People v. Amarela, <\\/em>the victim recounted the harrowing nights that tormented her for six years of living with the perpetrator, and the medico-legal examination corroborated the latter\'s testimony. Hence, the SC found no compelling motive for the victim to lie. Furthermore, that after all, \\u201cno person, especially one of tender age, would ordinarily cry \\\"rape\\\" and subject oneself to the consequent rigors and embarrassments of medical examination and public trial, if not for the quest for rightful justice.<a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\">[8]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>IV. ERADICATING STEREOTYPES<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Supreme Court\\u2019s recent consideration and clarification as to the application of the Maria Clara doctrine in <em>People v. Amarela<\\/em> would not only prevent corruption of justice on the part of the accused but eradicate gender bias\\u00a0 and misconceptions in the society as well \\u2013 especially on the part of women.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The old constructed perception of women anchored in the apparent attributes of Maria Clara \\u2013 a pure soul, \\u00a0modest, self-effacing, long-suffering<a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\">[9]<\\/a> \\u2013 can no longer be applied absolutely today. Gone are the days when in cases of abuse, for a woman to be credible, she must be like Maria Clara; and when she does not fit the mold, there is a propensity of discrediting her as a witness, as exemplified in <em>Tionloc<\\/em><a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\">[10]<\\/a>:<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 It would be unfair to convict a man of rape committed against a woman who, after giving him the impression through her unexplainable silence of her tacit consent and allowing him to have sexual contact with her, changed her mind in the middle and charged him with rape.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 According to some women\'s rights groups, the Court\'s decision would open the floodgates to more incidents of rape, as this may embolden perpetrators to \\\"abuse more women\\\" confident that \\\"courts will most likely dismiss rape cases. <a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\"><sup>[11]<\\/sup><\\/a> The limitation of this ruling is already established in the ruling in the 2020 case of <em>People v. ZZZ<\\/em>, wherein the Court still weighed the victim\'s testimony based on factors such as her age, her recognition of the accused in open court, and other corroborative evidence.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Rather than completely disregarding a \\u00a0victim\\u2019s testimony, courts should distill it by doing away with outdated notions and stereotypes based purely on gender.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">[1]<\\/a> UST Faculty of Civil Law, 2G, UST Law Review Understudy<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a> Citing <em>People v. Ta\\u00f1o, <\\/em>109 Phil. 912(1960)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a> \\\"Maria Clara Doctrine in Rape Cases Revisited\\\". Buban and Lardizabal Law Offices. June 8, 2018.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[4]<\\/a> (People v. Amarela, 2018)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[5]<\\/a> (People v. Amarela, 2018)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[6]<\\/a> People v. Amarela, 2018<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\">[7]<\\/a> People v. Zamoraga, 568 Phil. 132, 140 (2008); People v. Achas, 612 Phil. 652, 662 (2009); People v. Banig, 693 Phil. 303, 312 (2012); People v. Gahi, 727 Phil. 642, 657 (2014); People v. Pitala, G.R. No. 223561, 19 October 2016.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\">[8]<\\/a> (People v. ZZZ, 2020)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\">[9]<\\/a>Pons, J. S. (n.d.). Construction and deconstruction of Maria Clara: History of an imagined care-oriented model of gender in the Philippines. Academia.edu. https:\\/\\/www.academia.edu\\/24937445\\/Construction_and_deconstruction_of_Maria_Clara_History_of_an_imagined_care_oriented_model_of_gender_in_the_Philippines.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\">[10]<\\/a> 63 ATENEO L.J. 317 (2018)\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\">[11]<\\/a> (The Philippine Star, 2018)<\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p>Cover Photo: Painting by Juan Luna- La Bulaque\\u00f1a, 1985 and Puesta Del Sol, 1880\'s.\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0<\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.1,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(4043,1329,'_thumbnail_id','1315'),(4047,1330,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(4048,1330,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(4049,1330,'_elementor_version','3.2.4'),(4050,1330,'_wp_page_template','default'),(4051,1330,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"6e15c706\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"25c228e7\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"21b7e2be\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<h4><span style=\\\"font-size: 24pt;\\\">People of the Philippines v. Juvy D. Amarela and Junard G. Racho: Applying the Maria Clara Doctrine in the 21st Century<\\/span><\\/h4>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><em>By: Ristel Mae B. Tagudando<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\"><sup><strong><sup>[1]<\\/sup><\\/strong><\\/sup><\\/a><\\/em><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>I. THE WOMEN\\u2019S HONOR DOCTRINE<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Maria Clara Doctrine or the Women\\u2019s Honor Doctrine became part of Philippine jurisprudence in the 1960 case of <em>People v. Ta\\u00f1o<\\/em>.<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\"><sup>[2]<\\/sup><\\/a> Based on Maria Clara\'s character from Jose Rizal\'s <em>Noli Me Tangere<\\/em>, the doctrine provides the presumption that \\\"women, especially Filipinos, would not admit that they have been abused unless that abuse had happened\\\".<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\"><sup>[3]<\\/sup><\\/a> This doctrine implies that the testimony of the alleged victim by itself may be sufficient to sustain a conviction.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>II. SUMMARY OF THE CASE<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In <em>People v. Amarela, <\\/em>the plaintiff,AAA, was watching a beauty contest with her aunt when she went to the restroom to urinate. However, she was not able to reach the comfort room because Amarela stopped her along the way.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 According to AAA, Amarela suddenly pulled her towards the daycare center and punched her in the abdomen, making her weak. Thereafter, Amarela undressed and put his penis inside AAA\\u2019s vagina. Three (3) men came to AAA\\u2019s rescue when she shouted for help, forcing Amarela to run away. However, she was brought to a hut by these persons, having bad intentions with her. Hence, she fled and ended up in the house of Godo Dumandan, who brought her first to the Racho residence because Dumandan thought her aunt was not at home. Dumandan stayed behind; that is why Racho was asked to bring AAA to her aunt\'s house instead. However, instead, she was brought to a shanty. She was told to lie down, but she refused. Racho boxed her abdomen and placed himself on top of AAA. Racho then inserted his penis into AAA\'s vagina. Thereafter, Racho left her. Thus, AAA went home alone and decided to leave home the following day. \\u00a0Eventually, AAA told her mother about what happened to her and reported the matter to the police.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Regional Trial Court (RTC) rendered a decision finding the appellants guilty beyond reasonable doubt of the crime of rape as the plaintiff\\u2019s testimony positively identifying both appellants was clear, positive, and straightforward.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In appeal before the Court of Appeals (CA), the appellants argued that several circumstances cast doubt on the victim\'s claim that she was raped. They alleged that her testimony does not conform to shared knowledge and ordinary human experience. Moreover, they pointed out that, although there were other witnesses, \\u00a0the only material testimony on record was that of the victim . However, the appellate court affirmed the trial court\'s decision as it found no reason to reverse the factual findings of the court <em>a quo<\\/em>.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 For the Supreme Court (SC), it had no reason to deviate from the well-entrenched rule that in matters of credibility of witnesses, the assessment made by the trial court should be respected and given weight.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Supreme Court reversed the judgment of conviction. First, AAA\'s version of the story in her affidavit-complaint differs materially from her testimony in court. Second, AAA could not have easily identified Amarela because the crime scene was dark; she only saw him for the first time. Third, her testimony lacks material details on how she was brought under the stage against her will. Lastly, the medical findings do not corroborate physical injuries and are inconclusive of any signs of forced entry.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>III. WEIGHING OF THE VICTIM\\u2019S TESTIMONY<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Supreme Court has long accorded the evaluations of testimonial evidence by trial courts great respect. One can expect that said determination is based on reasonable discretion as to opting for which testimony is acceptable and which witness is worthy of belief. However, although the factual findings of the trial court are given weight by the Court\\u2014most especially when affirmed by the appellate court\\u2014such rule is not absolute as, for instance, when some facts or circumstances of weight and substance have been overlooked, misapprehended, and misinterpreted.<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\"><sup>[4]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Presently, the Court follows specific guidelines when presented with the credibility of witnesses, to wit:\\u00a0 giving the highest respect to the RTC\'s evaluation of the testimony of the witnesses, considering its unique position in directly observing the demeanor of a witness on the stand.\\u00a0 Second, absent any substantial reason that would justify the reversal of the RTC\'s assessments and conclusions. The reviewing court is generally bound by the lower court\'s findings, particularly when no significant facts and circumstances affecting the case\'s outcome are shown to have been overlooked or disregarded. Lastly, such a rule is even more stringently applied if the CA concurred with the RTC. <a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\"><sup>[5]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Applying the Maria Clara doctrine or the Women\\u2019s Honor doctrine\\u2014which often leads to cases being adjudged solely on the basis of the credibility of the victim \\u2013 does not only put the accused at an unfair disadvantage but also results in a travesty of justice. It is not impossible for an assumed victim to merely fabricate stories of her abuse.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In the past, one can say that it is natural for a woman to be reluctant to disclose a sexual assault. This stereotype cannot be applied anymore as women have transformed over the years and have become more willing to speak up and fight for their rights . There is a need to veer away from such a notion and accept the realities of a woman\'s dynamic role in society today.<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\">[6]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Leaving the aforementioned doctrine\\u2013 given that the findings through evidence presented do not match the victim\'s testimony \\u2013 in the past is crucial because an accused must only be convicted solely on the testimony of the victim, provided of course, that the testimony is credible, natural, convincing, and consistent with human nature and the normal course of things. <a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\"><sup>[7]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Furthermore, this rule was clarified in the recent case of <em>People v. ZZZ<\\/em>. The \\u00a0Supreme Court relied on the victim\'s testimony because the latter readily recognized and pointed to her violator.\\u00a0 Unlike in <em>People v. Amarela, <\\/em>the victim recounted the harrowing nights that tormented her for six years of living with the perpetrator, and the medico-legal examination corroborated the latter\'s testimony. Hence, the SC found no compelling motive for the victim to lie. Furthermore, that after all, \\u201cno person, especially one of tender age, would ordinarily cry \\\"rape\\\" and subject oneself to the consequent rigors and embarrassments of medical examination and public trial, if not for the quest for rightful justice.<a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\">[8]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>IV. ERADICATING STEREOTYPES<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Supreme Court\\u2019s recent consideration and clarification as to the application of the Maria Clara doctrine in <em>People v. Amarela<\\/em> would not only prevent corruption of justice on the part of the accused but eradicate gender bias\\u00a0 and misconceptions in the society as well \\u2013 especially on the part of women.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The old constructed perception of women anchored in the apparent attributes of Maria Clara \\u2013 a pure soul, \\u00a0modest, self-effacing, long-suffering<a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\">[9]<\\/a> \\u2013 can no longer be applied absolutely today. Gone are the days when in cases of abuse, for a woman to be credible, she must be like Maria Clara; and when she does not fit the mold, there is a propensity of discrediting her as a witness, as exemplified in <em>Tionloc<\\/em><a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\">[10]<\\/a>:<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 It would be unfair to convict a man of rape committed against a woman who, after giving him the impression through her unexplainable silence of her tacit consent and allowing him to have sexual contact with her, changed her mind in the middle and charged him with rape.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 According to some women\'s rights groups, the Court\'s decision would open the floodgates to more incidents of rape, as this may embolden perpetrators to \\\"abuse more women\\\" confident that \\\"courts will most likely dismiss rape cases. <a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\"><sup>[11]<\\/sup><\\/a> The limitation of this ruling is already established in the ruling in the 2020 case of <em>People v. ZZZ<\\/em>, wherein the Court still weighed the victim\'s testimony based on factors such as her age, her recognition of the accused in open court, and other corroborative evidence.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Rather than completely disregarding a \\u00a0victim\\u2019s testimony, courts should distill it by doing away with outdated notions and stereotypes based purely on gender.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">[1]<\\/a> UST Faculty of Civil Law, 2G, UST Law Review Understudy<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a> Citing <em>People v. Ta\\u00f1o, <\\/em>109 Phil. 912(1960)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a> \\\"Maria Clara Doctrine in Rape Cases Revisited\\\". Buban and Lardizabal Law Offices. June 8, 2018.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[4]<\\/a> (People v. Amarela, 2018)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[5]<\\/a> (People v. Amarela, 2018)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[6]<\\/a> People v. Amarela, 2018<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\">[7]<\\/a> People v. Zamoraga, 568 Phil. 132, 140 (2008); People v. Achas, 612 Phil. 652, 662 (2009); People v. Banig, 693 Phil. 303, 312 (2012); People v. Gahi, 727 Phil. 642, 657 (2014); People v. Pitala, G.R. No. 223561, 19 October 2016.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\">[8]<\\/a> (People v. ZZZ, 2020)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\">[9]<\\/a>Pons, J. S. (n.d.). Construction and deconstruction of Maria Clara: History of an imagined care-oriented model of gender in the Philippines. Academia.edu. https:\\/\\/www.academia.edu\\/24937445\\/Construction_and_deconstruction_of_Maria_Clara_History_of_an_imagined_care_oriented_model_of_gender_in_the_Philippines.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\">[10]<\\/a> 63 ATENEO L.J. 317 (2018)\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\">[11]<\\/a> (The Philippine Star, 2018)<\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p>Cover Photo: Painting by Juan Luna- La Bulaque\\u00f1a, 1985 and Puesta Del Sol, 1880\'s.\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0<\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.1,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(4052,1330,'_thumbnail_id','1315'),(4054,1331,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(4055,1331,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(4056,1331,'_elementor_version','3.2.4'),(4057,1331,'_wp_page_template','default'),(4058,1331,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"6e15c706\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"25c228e7\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"21b7e2be\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<h4><span style=\\\"font-size: 24pt;\\\">People of the Philippines v. Juvy D. Amarela and Junard G. Racho: Applying the Maria Clara Doctrine in the 21st Century<\\/span><\\/h4>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><em>By: Ristel Mae B. Tagudando<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\"><sup><strong><sup>[1]<\\/sup><\\/strong><\\/sup><\\/a><\\/em><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>I. THE WOMEN\\u2019S HONOR DOCTRINE<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Maria Clara Doctrine or the Women\\u2019s Honor Doctrine became part of Philippine jurisprudence in the 1960 case of <em>People v. Ta\\u00f1o<\\/em>.<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\"><sup>[2]<\\/sup><\\/a> Based on Maria Clara\'s character from Jose Rizal\'s <em>Noli Me Tangere<\\/em>, the doctrine provides the presumption that \\\"women, especially Filipinos, would not admit that they have been abused unless that abuse had happened\\\".<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\"><sup>[3]<\\/sup><\\/a> This doctrine implies that the testimony of the alleged victim by itself may be sufficient to sustain a conviction.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>II. SUMMARY OF THE CASE<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In <em>People v. Amarela, <\\/em>the plaintiff,AAA, was watching a beauty contest with her aunt when she went to the restroom to urinate. However, she was not able to reach the comfort room because Amarela stopped her along the way.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 According to AAA, Amarela suddenly pulled her towards the daycare center and punched her in the abdomen, making her weak. Thereafter, Amarela undressed and put his penis inside AAA\\u2019s vagina. Three (3) men came to AAA\\u2019s rescue when she shouted for help, forcing Amarela to run away. However, she was brought to a hut by these persons, having bad intentions with her. Hence, she fled and ended up in the house of Godo Dumandan, who brought her first to the Racho residence because Dumandan thought her aunt was not at home. Dumandan stayed behind; that is why Racho was asked to bring AAA to her aunt\'s house instead. However, instead, she was brought to a shanty. She was told to lie down, but she refused. Racho boxed her abdomen and placed himself on top of AAA. Racho then inserted his penis into AAA\'s vagina. Thereafter, Racho left her. Thus, AAA went home alone and decided to leave home the following day. \\u00a0Eventually, AAA told her mother about what happened to her and reported the matter to the police.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Regional Trial Court (RTC) rendered a decision finding the appellants guilty beyond reasonable doubt of the crime of rape as the plaintiff\\u2019s testimony positively identifying both appellants was clear, positive, and straightforward.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In appeal before the Court of Appeals (CA), the appellants argued that several circumstances cast doubt on the victim\'s claim that she was raped. They alleged that her testimony does not conform to shared knowledge and ordinary human experience. Moreover, they pointed out that, although there were other witnesses, \\u00a0the only material testimony on record was that of the victim . However, the appellate court affirmed the trial court\'s decision as it found no reason to reverse the factual findings of the court <em>a quo<\\/em>.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 For the Supreme Court (SC), it had no reason to deviate from the well-entrenched rule that in matters of credibility of witnesses, the assessment made by the trial court should be respected and given weight.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Supreme Court reversed the judgment of conviction. First, AAA\'s version of the story in her affidavit-complaint differs materially from her testimony in court. Second, AAA could not have easily identified Amarela because the crime scene was dark; she only saw him for the first time. Third, her testimony lacks material details on how she was brought under the stage against her will. Lastly, the medical findings do not corroborate physical injuries and are inconclusive of any signs of forced entry.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>III. WEIGHING OF THE VICTIM\\u2019S TESTIMONY<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Supreme Court has long accorded the evaluations of testimonial evidence by trial courts great respect. One can expect that said determination is based on reasonable discretion as to opting for which testimony is acceptable and which witness is worthy of belief. However, although the factual findings of the trial court are given weight by the Court\\u2014most especially when affirmed by the appellate court\\u2014such rule is not absolute as, for instance, when some facts or circumstances of weight and substance have been overlooked, misapprehended, and misinterpreted.<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\"><sup>[4]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Presently, the Court follows specific guidelines when presented with the credibility of witnesses, to wit:\\u00a0 giving the highest respect to the RTC\'s evaluation of the testimony of the witnesses, considering its unique position in directly observing the demeanor of a witness on the stand.\\u00a0 Second, absent any substantial reason that would justify the reversal of the RTC\'s assessments and conclusions. The reviewing court is generally bound by the lower court\'s findings, particularly when no significant facts and circumstances affecting the case\'s outcome are shown to have been overlooked or disregarded. Lastly, such a rule is even more stringently applied if the CA concurred with the RTC. <a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\"><sup>[5]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Applying the Maria Clara doctrine or the Women\\u2019s Honor doctrine\\u2014which often leads to cases being adjudged solely on the basis of the credibility of the victim \\u2013 does not only put the accused at an unfair disadvantage but also results in a travesty of justice. It is not impossible for an assumed victim to merely fabricate stories of her abuse.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In the past, one can say that it is natural for a woman to be reluctant to disclose a sexual assault. This stereotype cannot be applied anymore as women have transformed over the years and have become more willing to speak up and fight for their rights . There is a need to veer away from such a notion and accept the realities of a woman\'s dynamic role in society today.<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\">[6]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Leaving the aforementioned doctrine\\u2013 given that the findings through evidence presented do not match the victim\'s testimony \\u2013 in the past is crucial because an accused must only be convicted solely on the testimony of the victim, provided of course, that the testimony is credible, natural, convincing, and consistent with human nature and the normal course of things. <a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\"><sup>[7]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Furthermore, this rule was clarified in the recent case of <em>People v. ZZZ<\\/em>. The \\u00a0Supreme Court relied on the victim\'s testimony because the latter readily recognized and pointed to her violator.\\u00a0 Unlike in <em>People v. Amarela, <\\/em>the victim recounted the harrowing nights that tormented her for six years of living with the perpetrator, and the medico-legal examination corroborated the latter\'s testimony. Hence, the SC found no compelling motive for the victim to lie. Furthermore, that after all, \\u201cno person, especially one of tender age, would ordinarily cry \\\"rape\\\" and subject oneself to the consequent rigors and embarrassments of medical examination and public trial, if not for the quest for rightful justice.<a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\">[8]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>IV. ERADICATING STEREOTYPES<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Supreme Court\\u2019s recent consideration and clarification as to the application of the Maria Clara doctrine in <em>People v. Amarela<\\/em> would not only prevent corruption of justice on the part of the accused but eradicate gender bias\\u00a0 and misconceptions in the society as well \\u2013 especially on the part of women.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The old constructed perception of women anchored in the apparent attributes of Maria Clara \\u2013 a pure soul, \\u00a0modest, self-effacing, long-suffering<a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\">[9]<\\/a> \\u2013 can no longer be applied absolutely today. Gone are the days when in cases of abuse, for a woman to be credible, she must be like Maria Clara; and when she does not fit the mold, there is a propensity of discrediting her as a witness, as exemplified in <em>Tionloc<\\/em><a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\">[10]<\\/a>:<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 It would be unfair to convict a man of rape committed against a woman who, after giving him the impression through her unexplainable silence of her tacit consent and allowing him to have sexual contact with her, changed her mind in the middle and charged him with rape.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 According to some women\'s rights groups, the Court\'s decision would open the floodgates to more incidents of rape, as this may embolden perpetrators to \\\"abuse more women\\\" confident that \\\"courts will most likely dismiss rape cases. <a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\"><sup>[11]<\\/sup><\\/a> The limitation of this ruling is already established in the ruling in the 2020 case of <em>People v. ZZZ<\\/em>, wherein the Court still weighed the victim\'s testimony based on factors such as her age, her recognition of the accused in open court, and other corroborative evidence.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Rather than completely disregarding a \\u00a0victim\\u2019s testimony, courts should distill it by doing away with outdated notions and stereotypes based purely on gender.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">[1]<\\/a> UST Faculty of Civil Law, 2G, UST Law Review Understudy<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a> Citing <em>People v. Ta\\u00f1o, <\\/em>109 Phil. 912(1960)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a> \\\"Maria Clara Doctrine in Rape Cases Revisited\\\". Buban and Lardizabal Law Offices. June 8, 2018.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[4]<\\/a> (People v. Amarela, 2018)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[5]<\\/a> (People v. Amarela, 2018)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[6]<\\/a> People v. Amarela, 2018<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\">[7]<\\/a> People v. Zamoraga, 568 Phil. 132, 140 (2008); People v. Achas, 612 Phil. 652, 662 (2009); People v. Banig, 693 Phil. 303, 312 (2012); People v. Gahi, 727 Phil. 642, 657 (2014); People v. Pitala, G.R. No. 223561, 19 October 2016.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\">[8]<\\/a> (People v. ZZZ, 2020)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\">[9]<\\/a>Pons, J. S. (n.d.). Construction and deconstruction of Maria Clara: History of an imagined care-oriented model of gender in the Philippines. Academia.edu. https:\\/\\/www.academia.edu\\/24937445\\/Construction_and_deconstruction_of_Maria_Clara_History_of_an_imagined_care_oriented_model_of_gender_in_the_Philippines.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\">[10]<\\/a> 63 ATENEO L.J. 317 (2018)\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\">[11]<\\/a> (The Philippine Star, 2018)<\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p>Cover Photo: Painting by Juan Luna- La Bulaque\\u00f1a, 1985 and Puesta Del Sol, 1880\'s.\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0<\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.1,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(4059,1331,'_thumbnail_id','1315'),(4061,1332,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(4062,1332,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(4063,1332,'_elementor_version','3.2.4'),(4064,1332,'_wp_page_template','default'),(4065,1332,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"6e15c706\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"25c228e7\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"21b7e2be\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<h4><span style=\\\"font-size: 18pt;\\\">People of the Philippines v. Juvy D. Amarela and Junard G. Racho: Applying the Maria Clara Doctrine in the 21st Century<\\/span><\\/h4>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><em>By: Ristel Mae B. Tagudando<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\"><sup><strong><sup>[1]<\\/sup><\\/strong><\\/sup><\\/a><\\/em><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>I. THE WOMEN\\u2019S HONOR DOCTRINE<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Maria Clara Doctrine or the Women\\u2019s Honor Doctrine became part of Philippine jurisprudence in the 1960 case of <em>People v. Ta\\u00f1o<\\/em>.<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\"><sup>[2]<\\/sup><\\/a> Based on Maria Clara\'s character from Jose Rizal\'s <em>Noli Me Tangere<\\/em>, the doctrine provides the presumption that \\\"women, especially Filipinos, would not admit that they have been abused unless that abuse had happened\\\".<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\"><sup>[3]<\\/sup><\\/a> This doctrine implies that the testimony of the alleged victim by itself may be sufficient to sustain a conviction.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>II. SUMMARY OF THE CASE<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In <em>People v. Amarela, <\\/em>the plaintiff,AAA, was watching a beauty contest with her aunt when she went to the restroom to urinate. However, she was not able to reach the comfort room because Amarela stopped her along the way.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 According to AAA, Amarela suddenly pulled her towards the daycare center and punched her in the abdomen, making her weak. Thereafter, Amarela undressed and put his penis inside AAA\\u2019s vagina. Three (3) men came to AAA\\u2019s rescue when she shouted for help, forcing Amarela to run away. However, she was brought to a hut by these persons, having bad intentions with her. Hence, she fled and ended up in the house of Godo Dumandan, who brought her first to the Racho residence because Dumandan thought her aunt was not at home. Dumandan stayed behind; that is why Racho was asked to bring AAA to her aunt\'s house instead. However, instead, she was brought to a shanty. She was told to lie down, but she refused. Racho boxed her abdomen and placed himself on top of AAA. Racho then inserted his penis into AAA\'s vagina. Thereafter, Racho left her. Thus, AAA went home alone and decided to leave home the following day. \\u00a0Eventually, AAA told her mother about what happened to her and reported the matter to the police.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Regional Trial Court (RTC) rendered a decision finding the appellants guilty beyond reasonable doubt of the crime of rape as the plaintiff\\u2019s testimony positively identifying both appellants was clear, positive, and straightforward.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In appeal before the Court of Appeals (CA), the appellants argued that several circumstances cast doubt on the victim\'s claim that she was raped. They alleged that her testimony does not conform to shared knowledge and ordinary human experience. Moreover, they pointed out that, although there were other witnesses, \\u00a0the only material testimony on record was that of the victim . However, the appellate court affirmed the trial court\'s decision as it found no reason to reverse the factual findings of the court <em>a quo<\\/em>.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 For the Supreme Court (SC), it had no reason to deviate from the well-entrenched rule that in matters of credibility of witnesses, the assessment made by the trial court should be respected and given weight.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Supreme Court reversed the judgment of conviction. First, AAA\'s version of the story in her affidavit-complaint differs materially from her testimony in court. Second, AAA could not have easily identified Amarela because the crime scene was dark; she only saw him for the first time. Third, her testimony lacks material details on how she was brought under the stage against her will. Lastly, the medical findings do not corroborate physical injuries and are inconclusive of any signs of forced entry.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>III. WEIGHING OF THE VICTIM\\u2019S TESTIMONY<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Supreme Court has long accorded the evaluations of testimonial evidence by trial courts great respect. One can expect that said determination is based on reasonable discretion as to opting for which testimony is acceptable and which witness is worthy of belief. However, although the factual findings of the trial court are given weight by the Court\\u2014most especially when affirmed by the appellate court\\u2014such rule is not absolute as, for instance, when some facts or circumstances of weight and substance have been overlooked, misapprehended, and misinterpreted.<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\"><sup>[4]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Presently, the Court follows specific guidelines when presented with the credibility of witnesses, to wit:\\u00a0 giving the highest respect to the RTC\'s evaluation of the testimony of the witnesses, considering its unique position in directly observing the demeanor of a witness on the stand.\\u00a0 Second, absent any substantial reason that would justify the reversal of the RTC\'s assessments and conclusions. The reviewing court is generally bound by the lower court\'s findings, particularly when no significant facts and circumstances affecting the case\'s outcome are shown to have been overlooked or disregarded. Lastly, such a rule is even more stringently applied if the CA concurred with the RTC. <a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\"><sup>[5]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Applying the Maria Clara doctrine or the Women\\u2019s Honor doctrine\\u2014which often leads to cases being adjudged solely on the basis of the credibility of the victim \\u2013 does not only put the accused at an unfair disadvantage but also results in a travesty of justice. It is not impossible for an assumed victim to merely fabricate stories of her abuse.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In the past, one can say that it is natural for a woman to be reluctant to disclose a sexual assault. This stereotype cannot be applied anymore as women have transformed over the years and have become more willing to speak up and fight for their rights . There is a need to veer away from such a notion and accept the realities of a woman\'s dynamic role in society today.<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\">[6]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Leaving the aforementioned doctrine\\u2013 given that the findings through evidence presented do not match the victim\'s testimony \\u2013 in the past is crucial because an accused must only be convicted solely on the testimony of the victim, provided of course, that the testimony is credible, natural, convincing, and consistent with human nature and the normal course of things. <a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\"><sup>[7]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Furthermore, this rule was clarified in the recent case of <em>People v. ZZZ<\\/em>. The \\u00a0Supreme Court relied on the victim\'s testimony because the latter readily recognized and pointed to her violator.\\u00a0 Unlike in <em>People v. Amarela, <\\/em>the victim recounted the harrowing nights that tormented her for six years of living with the perpetrator, and the medico-legal examination corroborated the latter\'s testimony. Hence, the SC found no compelling motive for the victim to lie. Furthermore, that after all, \\u201cno person, especially one of tender age, would ordinarily cry \\\"rape\\\" and subject oneself to the consequent rigors and embarrassments of medical examination and public trial, if not for the quest for rightful justice.<a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\">[8]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>IV. ERADICATING STEREOTYPES<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Supreme Court\\u2019s recent consideration and clarification as to the application of the Maria Clara doctrine in <em>People v. Amarela<\\/em> would not only prevent corruption of justice on the part of the accused but eradicate gender bias\\u00a0 and misconceptions in the society as well \\u2013 especially on the part of women.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The old constructed perception of women anchored in the apparent attributes of Maria Clara \\u2013 a pure soul, \\u00a0modest, self-effacing, long-suffering<a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\">[9]<\\/a> \\u2013 can no longer be applied absolutely today. Gone are the days when in cases of abuse, for a woman to be credible, she must be like Maria Clara; and when she does not fit the mold, there is a propensity of discrediting her as a witness, as exemplified in <em>Tionloc<\\/em><a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\">[10]<\\/a>:<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 It would be unfair to convict a man of rape committed against a woman who, after giving him the impression through her unexplainable silence of her tacit consent and allowing him to have sexual contact with her, changed her mind in the middle and charged him with rape.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 According to some women\'s rights groups, the Court\'s decision would open the floodgates to more incidents of rape, as this may embolden perpetrators to \\\"abuse more women\\\" confident that \\\"courts will most likely dismiss rape cases. <a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\"><sup>[11]<\\/sup><\\/a> The limitation of this ruling is already established in the ruling in the 2020 case of <em>People v. ZZZ<\\/em>, wherein the Court still weighed the victim\'s testimony based on factors such as her age, her recognition of the accused in open court, and other corroborative evidence.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Rather than completely disregarding a \\u00a0victim\\u2019s testimony, courts should distill it by doing away with outdated notions and stereotypes based purely on gender.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">[1]<\\/a> UST Faculty of Civil Law, 2G, UST Law Review Understudy<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a> Citing <em>People v. Ta\\u00f1o, <\\/em>109 Phil. 912(1960)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a> \\\"Maria Clara Doctrine in Rape Cases Revisited\\\". Buban and Lardizabal Law Offices. June 8, 2018.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[4]<\\/a> (People v. Amarela, 2018)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[5]<\\/a> (People v. Amarela, 2018)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[6]<\\/a> People v. Amarela, 2018<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\">[7]<\\/a> People v. Zamoraga, 568 Phil. 132, 140 (2008); People v. Achas, 612 Phil. 652, 662 (2009); People v. Banig, 693 Phil. 303, 312 (2012); People v. Gahi, 727 Phil. 642, 657 (2014); People v. Pitala, G.R. No. 223561, 19 October 2016.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\">[8]<\\/a> (People v. ZZZ, 2020)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\">[9]<\\/a>Pons, J. S. (n.d.). Construction and deconstruction of Maria Clara: History of an imagined care-oriented model of gender in the Philippines. Academia.edu. https:\\/\\/www.academia.edu\\/24937445\\/Construction_and_deconstruction_of_Maria_Clara_History_of_an_imagined_care_oriented_model_of_gender_in_the_Philippines.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\">[10]<\\/a> 63 ATENEO L.J. 317 (2018)\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\">[11]<\\/a> (The Philippine Star, 2018)<\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p>Cover Photo: Painting by Juan Luna- La Bulaque\\u00f1a, 1985 and Puesta Del Sol, 1880\'s.\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0<\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.1,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(4066,1332,'_thumbnail_id','1315'),(4070,1333,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(4071,1333,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(4072,1333,'_elementor_version','3.2.4'),(4073,1333,'_wp_page_template','default'),(4074,1333,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"6e15c706\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"25c228e7\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"21b7e2be\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<h4><span style=\\\"font-size: 18pt;\\\">People of the Philippines v. Juvy D. Amarela and Junard G. Racho: Applying the Maria Clara Doctrine in the 21st Century<\\/span><\\/h4>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><em>By: Ristel Mae B. Tagudando<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\"><sup><strong><sup>[1]<\\/sup><\\/strong><\\/sup><\\/a><\\/em><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>I. THE WOMEN\\u2019S HONOR DOCTRINE<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Maria Clara Doctrine or the Women\\u2019s Honor Doctrine became part of Philippine jurisprudence in the 1960 case of <em>People v. Ta\\u00f1o<\\/em>.<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\"><sup>[2]<\\/sup><\\/a> Based on Maria Clara\'s character from Jose Rizal\'s <em>Noli Me Tangere<\\/em>, the doctrine provides the presumption that \\\"women, especially Filipinos, would not admit that they have been abused unless that abuse had happened\\\".<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\"><sup>[3]<\\/sup><\\/a> This doctrine implies that the testimony of the alleged victim by itself may be sufficient to sustain a conviction.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>II. SUMMARY OF THE CASE<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In <em>People v. Amarela, <\\/em>the plaintiff,AAA, was watching a beauty contest with her aunt when she went to the restroom to urinate. However, she was not able to reach the comfort room because Amarela stopped her along the way.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 According to AAA, Amarela suddenly pulled her towards the daycare center and punched her in the abdomen, making her weak. Thereafter, Amarela undressed and put his penis inside AAA\\u2019s vagina. Three (3) men came to AAA\\u2019s rescue when she shouted for help, forcing Amarela to run away. However, she was brought to a hut by these persons, having bad intentions with her. Hence, she fled and ended up in the house of Godo Dumandan, who brought her first to the Racho residence because Dumandan thought her aunt was not at home. Dumandan stayed behind; that is why Racho was asked to bring AAA to her aunt\'s house instead. However, instead, she was brought to a shanty. She was told to lie down, but she refused. Racho boxed her abdomen and placed himself on top of AAA. Racho then inserted his penis into AAA\'s vagina. Thereafter, Racho left her. Thus, AAA went home alone and decided to leave home the following day. \\u00a0Eventually, AAA told her mother about what happened to her and reported the matter to the police.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Regional Trial Court (RTC) rendered a decision finding the appellants guilty beyond reasonable doubt of the crime of rape as the plaintiff\\u2019s testimony positively identifying both appellants was clear, positive, and straightforward.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In appeal before the Court of Appeals (CA), the appellants argued that several circumstances cast doubt on the victim\'s claim that she was raped. They alleged that her testimony does not conform to shared knowledge and ordinary human experience. Moreover, they pointed out that, although there were other witnesses, \\u00a0the only material testimony on record was that of the victim . However, the appellate court affirmed the trial court\'s decision as it found no reason to reverse the factual findings of the court <em>a quo<\\/em>.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 For the Supreme Court (SC), it had no reason to deviate from the well-entrenched rule that in matters of credibility of witnesses, the assessment made by the trial court should be respected and given weight.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Supreme Court reversed the judgment of conviction. First, AAA\'s version of the story in her affidavit-complaint differs materially from her testimony in court. Second, AAA could not have easily identified Amarela because the crime scene was dark; she only saw him for the first time. Third, her testimony lacks material details on how she was brought under the stage against her will. Lastly, the medical findings do not corroborate physical injuries and are inconclusive of any signs of forced entry.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>III. WEIGHING OF THE VICTIM\\u2019S TESTIMONY<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Supreme Court has long accorded the evaluations of testimonial evidence by trial courts great respect. One can expect that said determination is based on reasonable discretion as to opting for which testimony is acceptable and which witness is worthy of belief. However, although the factual findings of the trial court are given weight by the Court\\u2014most especially when affirmed by the appellate court\\u2014such rule is not absolute as, for instance, when some facts or circumstances of weight and substance have been overlooked, misapprehended, and misinterpreted.<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\"><sup>[4]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Presently, the Court follows specific guidelines when presented with the credibility of witnesses, to wit:\\u00a0 giving the highest respect to the RTC\'s evaluation of the testimony of the witnesses, considering its unique position in directly observing the demeanor of a witness on the stand.\\u00a0 Second, absent any substantial reason that would justify the reversal of the RTC\'s assessments and conclusions. The reviewing court is generally bound by the lower court\'s findings, particularly when no significant facts and circumstances affecting the case\'s outcome are shown to have been overlooked or disregarded. Lastly, such a rule is even more stringently applied if the CA concurred with the RTC. <a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\"><sup>[5]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Applying the Maria Clara doctrine or the Women\\u2019s Honor doctrine\\u2014which often leads to cases being adjudged solely on the basis of the credibility of the victim \\u2013 does not only put the accused at an unfair disadvantage but also results in a travesty of justice. It is not impossible for an assumed victim to merely fabricate stories of her abuse.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In the past, one can say that it is natural for a woman to be reluctant to disclose a sexual assault. This stereotype cannot be applied anymore as women have transformed over the years and have become more willing to speak up and fight for their rights . There is a need to veer away from such a notion and accept the realities of a woman\'s dynamic role in society today.<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\">[6]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Leaving the aforementioned doctrine\\u2013 given that the findings through evidence presented do not match the victim\'s testimony \\u2013 in the past is crucial because an accused must only be convicted solely on the testimony of the victim, provided of course, that the testimony is credible, natural, convincing, and consistent with human nature and the normal course of things. <a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\"><sup>[7]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Furthermore, this rule was clarified in the recent case of <em>People v. ZZZ<\\/em>. The \\u00a0Supreme Court relied on the victim\'s testimony because the latter readily recognized and pointed to her violator.\\u00a0 Unlike in <em>People v. Amarela, <\\/em>the victim recounted the harrowing nights that tormented her for six years of living with the perpetrator, and the medico-legal examination corroborated the latter\'s testimony. Hence, the SC found no compelling motive for the victim to lie. Furthermore, that after all, \\u201cno person, especially one of tender age, would ordinarily cry \\\"rape\\\" and subject oneself to the consequent rigors and embarrassments of medical examination and public trial, if not for the quest for rightful justice.<a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\">[8]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>IV. ERADICATING STEREOTYPES<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Supreme Court\\u2019s recent consideration and clarification as to the application of the Maria Clara doctrine in <em>People v. Amarela<\\/em> would not only prevent corruption of justice on the part of the accused but eradicate gender bias\\u00a0 and misconceptions in the society as well \\u2013 especially on the part of women.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The old constructed perception of women anchored in the apparent attributes of Maria Clara \\u2013 a pure soul, \\u00a0modest, self-effacing, long-suffering<a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\">[9]<\\/a> \\u2013 can no longer be applied absolutely today. Gone are the days when in cases of abuse, for a woman to be credible, she must be like Maria Clara; and when she does not fit the mold, there is a propensity of discrediting her as a witness, as exemplified in <em>Tionloc<\\/em><a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\">[10]<\\/a>:<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 It would be unfair to convict a man of rape committed against a woman who, after giving him the impression through her unexplainable silence of her tacit consent and allowing him to have sexual contact with her, changed her mind in the middle and charged him with rape.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 According to some women\'s rights groups, the Court\'s decision would open the floodgates to more incidents of rape, as this may embolden perpetrators to \\\"abuse more women\\\" confident that \\\"courts will most likely dismiss rape cases. <a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\"><sup>[11]<\\/sup><\\/a> The limitation of this ruling is already established in the ruling in the 2020 case of <em>People v. ZZZ<\\/em>, wherein the Court still weighed the victim\'s testimony based on factors such as her age, her recognition of the accused in open court, and other corroborative evidence.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Rather than completely disregarding a \\u00a0victim\\u2019s testimony, courts should distill it by doing away with outdated notions and stereotypes based purely on gender.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">[1]<\\/a> UST Faculty of Civil Law, 2G, UST Law Review Understudy<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a> Citing <em>People v. Ta\\u00f1o, <\\/em>109 Phil. 912(1960)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a> \\\"Maria Clara Doctrine in Rape Cases Revisited\\\". Buban and Lardizabal Law Offices. June 8, 2018.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[4]<\\/a> (People v. Amarela, 2018)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[5]<\\/a> (People v. Amarela, 2018)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[6]<\\/a> People v. Amarela, 2018<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\">[7]<\\/a> People v. Zamoraga, 568 Phil. 132, 140 (2008); People v. Achas, 612 Phil. 652, 662 (2009); People v. Banig, 693 Phil. 303, 312 (2012); People v. Gahi, 727 Phil. 642, 657 (2014); People v. Pitala, G.R. No. 223561, 19 October 2016.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\">[8]<\\/a> (People v. ZZZ, 2020)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\">[9]<\\/a>Pons, J. S. (n.d.). Construction and deconstruction of Maria Clara: History of an imagined care-oriented model of gender in the Philippines. Academia.edu. https:\\/\\/www.academia.edu\\/24937445\\/Construction_and_deconstruction_of_Maria_Clara_History_of_an_imagined_care_oriented_model_of_gender_in_the_Philippines.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\">[10]<\\/a> 63 ATENEO L.J. 317 (2018)\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\">[11]<\\/a> (The Philippine Star, 2018)<\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p>Cover Photo: Painting by Juan Luna- La Bulaque\\u00f1a, 1985 and Puesta Del Sol, 1880\'s.\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0<\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.1,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(4075,1333,'_thumbnail_id','1315'),(4077,1334,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(4078,1334,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(4079,1334,'_elementor_version','3.2.4'),(4080,1334,'_wp_page_template','default'),(4081,1334,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"6e15c706\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"25c228e7\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"21b7e2be\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<h4><span style=\\\"font-size: 18pt;\\\">People of the Philippines v. Juvy D. Amarela and Junard G. Racho: Applying the Maria Clara Doctrine in the 21st Century<\\/span><\\/h4>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><em>By: Ristel Mae B. Tagudando<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\"><sup><strong><sup>[1]<\\/sup><\\/strong><\\/sup><\\/a><\\/em><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>I. THE WOMEN\\u2019S HONOR DOCTRINE<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Maria Clara Doctrine or the Women\\u2019s Honor Doctrine became part of Philippine jurisprudence in the 1960 case of <em>People v. Ta\\u00f1o<\\/em>.<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\"><sup>[2]<\\/sup><\\/a> Based on Maria Clara\'s character from Jose Rizal\'s <em>Noli Me Tangere<\\/em>, the doctrine provides the presumption that \\\"women, especially Filipinos, would not admit that they have been abused unless that abuse had happened\\\".<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\"><sup>[3]<\\/sup><\\/a> This doctrine implies that the testimony of the alleged victim by itself may be sufficient to sustain a conviction.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>II. SUMMARY OF THE CASE<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In <em>People v. Amarela, <\\/em>the plaintiff,AAA, was watching a beauty contest with her aunt when she went to the restroom to urinate. However, she was not able to reach the comfort room because Amarela stopped her along the way.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 According to AAA, Amarela suddenly pulled her towards the daycare center and punched her in the abdomen, making her weak. Thereafter, Amarela undressed and put his penis inside AAA\\u2019s vagina. Three (3) men came to AAA\\u2019s rescue when she shouted for help, forcing Amarela to run away. However, she was brought to a hut by these persons, having bad intentions with her. Hence, she fled and ended up in the house of Godo Dumandan, who brought her first to the Racho residence because Dumandan thought her aunt was not at home. Dumandan stayed behind; that is why Racho was asked to bring AAA to her aunt\'s house instead. However, instead, she was brought to a shanty. She was told to lie down, but she refused. Racho boxed her abdomen and placed himself on top of AAA. Racho then inserted his penis into AAA\'s vagina. Thereafter, Racho left her. Thus, AAA went home alone and decided to leave home the following day. \\u00a0Eventually, AAA told her mother about what happened to her and reported the matter to the police.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Regional Trial Court (RTC) rendered a decision finding the appellants guilty beyond reasonable doubt of the crime of rape as the plaintiff\\u2019s testimony positively identifying both appellants was clear, positive, and straightforward.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In appeal before the Court of Appeals (CA), the appellants argued that several circumstances cast doubt on the victim\'s claim that she was raped. They alleged that her testimony does not conform to shared knowledge and ordinary human experience. Moreover, they pointed out that, although there were other witnesses, \\u00a0the only material testimony on record was that of the victim . However, the appellate court affirmed the trial court\'s decision as it found no reason to reverse the factual findings of the court <em>a quo<\\/em>.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 For the Supreme Court (SC), it had no reason to deviate from the well-entrenched rule that in matters of credibility of witnesses, the assessment made by the trial court should be respected and given weight.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Supreme Court reversed the judgment of conviction. First, AAA\'s version of the story in her affidavit-complaint differs materially from her testimony in court. Second, AAA could not have easily identified Amarela because the crime scene was dark; she only saw him for the first time. Third, her testimony lacks material details on how she was brought under the stage against her will. Lastly, the medical findings do not corroborate physical injuries and are inconclusive of any signs of forced entry.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>III. WEIGHING OF THE VICTIM\\u2019S TESTIMONY<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Supreme Court has long accorded the evaluations of testimonial evidence by trial courts great respect. One can expect that said determination is based on reasonable discretion as to opting for which testimony is acceptable and which witness is worthy of belief. However, although the factual findings of the trial court are given weight by the Court\\u2014most especially when affirmed by the appellate court\\u2014such rule is not absolute as, for instance, when some facts or circumstances of weight and substance have been overlooked, misapprehended, and misinterpreted.<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\"><sup>[4]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Presently, the Court follows specific guidelines when presented with the credibility of witnesses, to wit:\\u00a0 giving the highest respect to the RTC\'s evaluation of the testimony of the witnesses, considering its unique position in directly observing the demeanor of a witness on the stand.\\u00a0 Second, absent any substantial reason that would justify the reversal of the RTC\'s assessments and conclusions. The reviewing court is generally bound by the lower court\'s findings, particularly when no significant facts and circumstances affecting the case\'s outcome are shown to have been overlooked or disregarded. Lastly, such a rule is even more stringently applied if the CA concurred with the RTC. <a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\"><sup>[5]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Applying the Maria Clara doctrine or the Women\\u2019s Honor doctrine\\u2014which often leads to cases being adjudged solely on the basis of the credibility of the victim \\u2013 does not only put the accused at an unfair disadvantage but also results in a travesty of justice. It is not impossible for an assumed victim to merely fabricate stories of her abuse.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In the past, one can say that it is natural for a woman to be reluctant to disclose a sexual assault. This stereotype cannot be applied anymore as women have transformed over the years and have become more willing to speak up and fight for their rights . There is a need to veer away from such a notion and accept the realities of a woman\'s dynamic role in society today.<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\">[6]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Leaving the aforementioned doctrine\\u2013 given that the findings through evidence presented do not match the victim\'s testimony \\u2013 in the past is crucial because an accused must only be convicted solely on the testimony of the victim, provided of course, that the testimony is credible, natural, convincing, and consistent with human nature and the normal course of things. <a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\"><sup>[7]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Furthermore, this rule was clarified in the recent case of <em>People v. ZZZ<\\/em>. The \\u00a0Supreme Court relied on the victim\'s testimony because the latter readily recognized and pointed to her violator.\\u00a0 Unlike in <em>People v. Amarela, <\\/em>the victim recounted the harrowing nights that tormented her for six years of living with the perpetrator, and the medico-legal examination corroborated the latter\'s testimony. Hence, the SC found no compelling motive for the victim to lie. Furthermore, that after all, \\u201cno person, especially one of tender age, would ordinarily cry \\\"rape\\\" and subject oneself to the consequent rigors and embarrassments of medical examination and public trial, if not for the quest for rightful justice.<a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\">[8]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>IV. ERADICATING STEREOTYPES<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Supreme Court\\u2019s recent consideration and clarification as to the application of the Maria Clara doctrine in <em>People v. Amarela<\\/em> would not only prevent corruption of justice on the part of the accused but eradicate gender bias\\u00a0 and misconceptions in the society as well \\u2013 especially on the part of women.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The old constructed perception of women anchored in the apparent attributes of Maria Clara \\u2013 a pure soul, \\u00a0modest, self-effacing, long-suffering<a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\">[9]<\\/a> \\u2013 can no longer be applied absolutely today. Gone are the days when in cases of abuse, for a woman to be credible, she must be like Maria Clara; and when she does not fit the mold, there is a propensity of discrediting her as a witness, as exemplified in <em>Tionloc<\\/em><a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\">[10]<\\/a>:<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 It would be unfair to convict a man of rape committed against a woman who, after giving him the impression through her unexplainable silence of her tacit consent and allowing him to have sexual contact with her, changed her mind in the middle and charged him with rape.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 According to some women\'s rights groups, the Court\'s decision would open the floodgates to more incidents of rape, as this may embolden perpetrators to \\\"abuse more women\\\" confident that \\\"courts will most likely dismiss rape cases. <a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\"><sup>[11]<\\/sup><\\/a> The limitation of this ruling is already established in the ruling in the 2020 case of <em>People v. ZZZ<\\/em>, wherein the Court still weighed the victim\'s testimony based on factors such as her age, her recognition of the accused in open court, and other corroborative evidence.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Rather than completely disregarding a \\u00a0victim\\u2019s testimony, courts should distill it by doing away with outdated notions and stereotypes based purely on gender.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">[1]<\\/a> UST Faculty of Civil Law, 2G, UST Law Review Understudy<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a> Citing <em>People v. Ta\\u00f1o, <\\/em>109 Phil. 912(1960)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a> \\\"Maria Clara Doctrine in Rape Cases Revisited\\\". Buban and Lardizabal Law Offices. June 8, 2018.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[4]<\\/a> (People v. Amarela, 2018)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[5]<\\/a> (People v. Amarela, 2018)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[6]<\\/a> People v. Amarela, 2018<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\">[7]<\\/a> People v. Zamoraga, 568 Phil. 132, 140 (2008); People v. Achas, 612 Phil. 652, 662 (2009); People v. Banig, 693 Phil. 303, 312 (2012); People v. Gahi, 727 Phil. 642, 657 (2014); People v. Pitala, G.R. No. 223561, 19 October 2016.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\">[8]<\\/a> (People v. ZZZ, 2020)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\">[9]<\\/a>Pons, J. S. (n.d.). Construction and deconstruction of Maria Clara: History of an imagined care-oriented model of gender in the Philippines. Academia.edu. https:\\/\\/www.academia.edu\\/24937445\\/Construction_and_deconstruction_of_Maria_Clara_History_of_an_imagined_care_oriented_model_of_gender_in_the_Philippines.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\">[10]<\\/a> 63 ATENEO L.J. 317 (2018)\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\">[11]<\\/a> (The Philippine Star, 2018)<\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p>Cover Photo: Painting by Juan Luna- La Bulaque\\u00f1a, 1985 and Puesta Del Sol, 1880\'s.\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0<\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.1,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(4082,1334,'_thumbnail_id','1315'),(4084,1335,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(4085,1335,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(4086,1335,'_elementor_version','3.2.4'),(4087,1335,'_wp_page_template','default'),(4088,1335,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"6e15c706\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"25c228e7\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"21b7e2be\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<h4><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">People of the Philippines v. Juvy D. Amarela and Junard G. Racho:<br \\/>Applying the Maria Clara Doctrine in the 21st Century<\\/span><\\/h4>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><em>By: Ristel Mae B. Tagudando<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\"><sup><strong><sup>[1]<\\/sup><\\/strong><\\/sup><\\/a><\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong>I. THE WOMEN\\u2019S HONOR DOCTRINE<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Maria Clara Doctrine or the Women\\u2019s Honor Doctrine became part of Philippine jurisprudence in the 1960 case of <em>People v. Ta\\u00f1o<\\/em>.<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\"><sup>[2]<\\/sup><\\/a> Based on Maria Clara\'s character from Jose Rizal\'s <em>Noli Me Tangere<\\/em>, the doctrine provides the presumption that \\\"women, especially Filipinos, would not admit that they have been abused unless that abuse had happened\\\".<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\"><sup>[3]<\\/sup><\\/a> This doctrine implies that the testimony of the alleged victim by itself may be sufficient to sustain a conviction.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong>II. SUMMARY OF THE CASE<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In <em>People v. Amarela, <\\/em>the plaintiff,AAA, was watching a beauty contest with her aunt when she went to the restroom to urinate. However, she was not able to reach the comfort room because Amarela stopped her along the way.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 According to AAA, Amarela suddenly pulled her towards the daycare center and punched her in the abdomen, making her weak. Thereafter, Amarela undressed and put his penis inside AAA\\u2019s vagina. Three (3) men came to AAA\\u2019s rescue when she shouted for help, forcing Amarela to run away. However, she was brought to a hut by these persons, having bad intentions with her. Hence, she fled and ended up in the house of Godo Dumandan, who brought her first to the Racho residence because Dumandan thought her aunt was not at home. Dumandan stayed behind; that is why Racho was asked to bring AAA to her aunt\'s house instead. However, instead, she was brought to a shanty. She was told to lie down, but she refused. Racho boxed her abdomen and placed himself on top of AAA. Racho then inserted his penis into AAA\'s vagina. Thereafter, Racho left her. Thus, AAA went home alone and decided to leave home the following day. \\u00a0Eventually, AAA told her mother about what happened to her and reported the matter to the police.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Regional Trial Court (RTC) rendered a decision finding the appellants guilty beyond reasonable doubt of the crime of rape as the plaintiff\\u2019s testimony positively identifying both appellants was clear, positive, and straightforward.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In appeal before the Court of Appeals (CA), the appellants argued that several circumstances cast doubt on the victim\'s claim that she was raped. They alleged that her testimony does not conform to shared knowledge and ordinary human experience. Moreover, they pointed out that, although there were other witnesses, \\u00a0the only material testimony on record was that of the victim . However, the appellate court affirmed the trial court\'s decision as it found no reason to reverse the factual findings of the court <em>a quo<\\/em>.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 For the Supreme Court (SC), it had no reason to deviate from the well-entrenched rule that in matters of credibility of witnesses, the assessment made by the trial court should be respected and given weight.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Supreme Court reversed the judgment of conviction. First, AAA\'s version of the story in her affidavit-complaint differs materially from her testimony in court. Second, AAA could not have easily identified Amarela because the crime scene was dark; she only saw him for the first time. Third, her testimony lacks material details on how she was brought under the stage against her will. Lastly, the medical findings do not corroborate physical injuries and are inconclusive of any signs of forced entry.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong>III. WEIGHING OF THE VICTIM\\u2019S TESTIMONY<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Supreme Court has long accorded the evaluations of testimonial evidence by trial courts great respect. One can expect that said determination is based on reasonable discretion as to opting for which testimony is acceptable and which witness is worthy of belief. However, although the factual findings of the trial court are given weight by the Court\\u2014most especially when affirmed by the appellate court\\u2014such rule is not absolute as, for instance, when some facts or circumstances of weight and substance have been overlooked, misapprehended, and misinterpreted.<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\"><sup>[4]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Presently, the Court follows specific guidelines when presented with the credibility of witnesses, to wit:\\u00a0 giving the highest respect to the RTC\'s evaluation of the testimony of the witnesses, considering its unique position in directly observing the demeanor of a witness on the stand.\\u00a0 Second, absent any substantial reason that would justify the reversal of the RTC\'s assessments and conclusions. The reviewing court is generally bound by the lower court\'s findings, particularly when no significant facts and circumstances affecting the case\'s outcome are shown to have been overlooked or disregarded. Lastly, such a rule is even more stringently applied if the CA concurred with the RTC. <a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\"><sup>[5]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Applying the Maria Clara doctrine or the Women\\u2019s Honor doctrine\\u2014which often leads to cases being adjudged solely on the basis of the credibility of the victim \\u2013 does not only put the accused at an unfair disadvantage but also results in a travesty of justice. It is not impossible for an assumed victim to merely fabricate stories of her abuse.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In the past, one can say that it is natural for a woman to be reluctant to disclose a sexual assault. This stereotype cannot be applied anymore as women have transformed over the years and have become more willing to speak up and fight for their rights . There is a need to veer away from such a notion and accept the realities of a woman\'s dynamic role in society today.<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\">[6]<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Leaving the aforementioned doctrine\\u2013 given that the findings through evidence presented do not match the victim\'s testimony \\u2013 in the past is crucial because an accused must only be convicted solely on the testimony of the victim, provided of course, that the testimony is credible, natural, convincing, and consistent with human nature and the normal course of things. <a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\"><sup>[7]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Furthermore, this rule was clarified in the recent case of <em>People v. ZZZ<\\/em>. The \\u00a0Supreme Court relied on the victim\'s testimony because the latter readily recognized and pointed to her violator.\\u00a0 Unlike in <em>People v. Amarela, <\\/em>the victim recounted the harrowing nights that tormented her for six years of living with the perpetrator, and the medico-legal examination corroborated the latter\'s testimony. Hence, the SC found no compelling motive for the victim to lie. Furthermore, that after all, \\u201cno person, especially one of tender age, would ordinarily cry \\\"rape\\\" and subject oneself to the consequent rigors and embarrassments of medical examination and public trial, if not for the quest for rightful justice.<a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\">[8]<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong>IV. ERADICATING STEREOTYPES<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Supreme Court\\u2019s recent consideration and clarification as to the application of the Maria Clara doctrine in <em>People v. Amarela<\\/em> would not only prevent corruption of justice on the part of the accused but eradicate gender bias\\u00a0 and misconceptions in the society as well \\u2013 especially on the part of women.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The old constructed perception of women anchored in the apparent attributes of Maria Clara \\u2013 a pure soul, \\u00a0modest, self-effacing, long-suffering<a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\">[9]<\\/a> \\u2013 can no longer be applied absolutely today. Gone are the days when in cases of abuse, for a woman to be credible, she must be like Maria Clara; and when she does not fit the mold, there is a propensity of discrediting her as a witness, as exemplified in <em>Tionloc<\\/em><a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\">[10]<\\/a>:<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 It would be unfair to convict a man of rape committed against a woman who, after giving him the impression through her unexplainable silence of her tacit consent and allowing him to have sexual contact with her, changed her mind in the middle and charged him with rape.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 According to some women\'s rights groups, the Court\'s decision would open the floodgates to more incidents of rape, as this may embolden perpetrators to \\\"abuse more women\\\" confident that \\\"courts will most likely dismiss rape cases. <a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\"><sup>[11]<\\/sup><\\/a> The limitation of this ruling is already established in the ruling in the 2020 case of <em>People v. ZZZ<\\/em>, wherein the Court still weighed the victim\'s testimony based on factors such as her age, her recognition of the accused in open court, and other corroborative evidence.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Rather than completely disregarding a \\u00a0victim\\u2019s testimony, courts should distill it by doing away with outdated notions and stereotypes based purely on gender.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">[1]<\\/a> UST Faculty of Civil Law, 2G, UST Law Review Understudy<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a> Citing <em>People v. Ta\\u00f1o, <\\/em>109 Phil. 912(1960)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a> \\\"Maria Clara Doctrine in Rape Cases Revisited\\\". Buban and Lardizabal Law Offices. June 8, 2018.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[4]<\\/a> (People v. Amarela, 2018)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[5]<\\/a> (People v. Amarela, 2018)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[6]<\\/a> People v. Amarela, 2018<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\">[7]<\\/a> People v. Zamoraga, 568 Phil. 132, 140 (2008); People v. Achas, 612 Phil. 652, 662 (2009); People v. Banig, 693 Phil. 303, 312 (2012); People v. Gahi, 727 Phil. 642, 657 (2014); People v. Pitala, G.R. No. 223561, 19 October 2016.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\">[8]<\\/a> (People v. ZZZ, 2020)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\">[9]<\\/a>Pons, J. S. (n.d.). Construction and deconstruction of Maria Clara: History of an imagined care-oriented model of gender in the Philippines. Academia.edu. https:\\/\\/www.academia.edu\\/24937445\\/Construction_and_deconstruction_of_Maria_Clara_History_of_an_imagined_care_oriented_model_of_gender_in_the_Philippines.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\">[10]<\\/a> 63 ATENEO L.J. 317 (2018)\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\">[11]<\\/a> (The Philippine Star, 2018)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">Cover Photo: Painting by Juan Luna- La Bulaque\\u00f1a, 1985 and Puesta Del Sol, 1880\'s.\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.1,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(4089,1335,'_thumbnail_id','1315'),(4093,1336,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(4094,1336,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(4095,1336,'_elementor_version','3.2.4'),(4096,1336,'_wp_page_template','default'),(4097,1336,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"6e15c706\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"25c228e7\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"21b7e2be\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<h4><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">People of the Philippines v. Juvy D. Amarela and Junard G. Racho:<br \\/>Applying the Maria Clara Doctrine in the 21st Century<\\/span><\\/h4>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><em>By: Ristel Mae B. Tagudando<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\"><sup><strong><sup>[1]<\\/sup><\\/strong><\\/sup><\\/a><\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong>I. THE WOMEN\\u2019S HONOR DOCTRINE<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Maria Clara Doctrine or the Women\\u2019s Honor Doctrine became part of Philippine jurisprudence in the 1960 case of <em>People v. Ta\\u00f1o<\\/em>.<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\"><sup>[2]<\\/sup><\\/a> Based on Maria Clara\'s character from Jose Rizal\'s <em>Noli Me Tangere<\\/em>, the doctrine provides the presumption that \\\"women, especially Filipinos, would not admit that they have been abused unless that abuse had happened\\\".<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\"><sup>[3]<\\/sup><\\/a> This doctrine implies that the testimony of the alleged victim by itself may be sufficient to sustain a conviction.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong>II. SUMMARY OF THE CASE<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In <em>People v. Amarela, <\\/em>the plaintiff,AAA, was watching a beauty contest with her aunt when she went to the restroom to urinate. However, she was not able to reach the comfort room because Amarela stopped her along the way.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 According to AAA, Amarela suddenly pulled her towards the daycare center and punched her in the abdomen, making her weak. Thereafter, Amarela undressed and put his penis inside AAA\\u2019s vagina. Three (3) men came to AAA\\u2019s rescue when she shouted for help, forcing Amarela to run away. However, she was brought to a hut by these persons, having bad intentions with her. Hence, she fled and ended up in the house of Godo Dumandan, who brought her first to the Racho residence because Dumandan thought her aunt was not at home. Dumandan stayed behind; that is why Racho was asked to bring AAA to her aunt\'s house instead. However, instead, she was brought to a shanty. She was told to lie down, but she refused. Racho boxed her abdomen and placed himself on top of AAA. Racho then inserted his penis into AAA\'s vagina. Thereafter, Racho left her. Thus, AAA went home alone and decided to leave home the following day. \\u00a0Eventually, AAA told her mother about what happened to her and reported the matter to the police.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Regional Trial Court (RTC) rendered a decision finding the appellants guilty beyond reasonable doubt of the crime of rape as the plaintiff\\u2019s testimony positively identifying both appellants was clear, positive, and straightforward.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In appeal before the Court of Appeals (CA), the appellants argued that several circumstances cast doubt on the victim\'s claim that she was raped. They alleged that her testimony does not conform to shared knowledge and ordinary human experience. Moreover, they pointed out that, although there were other witnesses, \\u00a0the only material testimony on record was that of the victim . However, the appellate court affirmed the trial court\'s decision as it found no reason to reverse the factual findings of the court <em>a quo<\\/em>.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 For the Supreme Court (SC), it had no reason to deviate from the well-entrenched rule that in matters of credibility of witnesses, the assessment made by the trial court should be respected and given weight.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Supreme Court reversed the judgment of conviction. First, AAA\'s version of the story in her affidavit-complaint differs materially from her testimony in court. Second, AAA could not have easily identified Amarela because the crime scene was dark; she only saw him for the first time. Third, her testimony lacks material details on how she was brought under the stage against her will. Lastly, the medical findings do not corroborate physical injuries and are inconclusive of any signs of forced entry.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong>III. WEIGHING OF THE VICTIM\\u2019S TESTIMONY<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Supreme Court has long accorded the evaluations of testimonial evidence by trial courts great respect. One can expect that said determination is based on reasonable discretion as to opting for which testimony is acceptable and which witness is worthy of belief. However, although the factual findings of the trial court are given weight by the Court\\u2014most especially when affirmed by the appellate court\\u2014such rule is not absolute as, for instance, when some facts or circumstances of weight and substance have been overlooked, misapprehended, and misinterpreted.<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\"><sup>[4]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Presently, the Court follows specific guidelines when presented with the credibility of witnesses, to wit:\\u00a0 giving the highest respect to the RTC\'s evaluation of the testimony of the witnesses, considering its unique position in directly observing the demeanor of a witness on the stand.\\u00a0 Second, absent any substantial reason that would justify the reversal of the RTC\'s assessments and conclusions. The reviewing court is generally bound by the lower court\'s findings, particularly when no significant facts and circumstances affecting the case\'s outcome are shown to have been overlooked or disregarded. Lastly, such a rule is even more stringently applied if the CA concurred with the RTC. <a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\"><sup>[5]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Applying the Maria Clara doctrine or the Women\\u2019s Honor doctrine\\u2014which often leads to cases being adjudged solely on the basis of the credibility of the victim \\u2013 does not only put the accused at an unfair disadvantage but also results in a travesty of justice. It is not impossible for an assumed victim to merely fabricate stories of her abuse.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In the past, one can say that it is natural for a woman to be reluctant to disclose a sexual assault. This stereotype cannot be applied anymore as women have transformed over the years and have become more willing to speak up and fight for their rights . There is a need to veer away from such a notion and accept the realities of a woman\'s dynamic role in society today.<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\">[6]<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Leaving the aforementioned doctrine\\u2013 given that the findings through evidence presented do not match the victim\'s testimony \\u2013 in the past is crucial because an accused must only be convicted solely on the testimony of the victim, provided of course, that the testimony is credible, natural, convincing, and consistent with human nature and the normal course of things. <a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\"><sup>[7]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Furthermore, this rule was clarified in the recent case of <em>People v. ZZZ<\\/em>. The \\u00a0Supreme Court relied on the victim\'s testimony because the latter readily recognized and pointed to her violator.\\u00a0 Unlike in <em>People v. Amarela, <\\/em>the victim recounted the harrowing nights that tormented her for six years of living with the perpetrator, and the medico-legal examination corroborated the latter\'s testimony. Hence, the SC found no compelling motive for the victim to lie. Furthermore, that after all, \\u201cno person, especially one of tender age, would ordinarily cry \\\"rape\\\" and subject oneself to the consequent rigors and embarrassments of medical examination and public trial, if not for the quest for rightful justice.<a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\">[8]<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong>IV. ERADICATING STEREOTYPES<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Supreme Court\\u2019s recent consideration and clarification as to the application of the Maria Clara doctrine in <em>People v. Amarela<\\/em> would not only prevent corruption of justice on the part of the accused but eradicate gender bias\\u00a0 and misconceptions in the society as well \\u2013 especially on the part of women.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The old constructed perception of women anchored in the apparent attributes of Maria Clara \\u2013 a pure soul, \\u00a0modest, self-effacing, long-suffering<a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\">[9]<\\/a> \\u2013 can no longer be applied absolutely today. Gone are the days when in cases of abuse, for a woman to be credible, she must be like Maria Clara; and when she does not fit the mold, there is a propensity of discrediting her as a witness, as exemplified in <em>Tionloc<\\/em><a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\">[10]<\\/a>:<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 It would be unfair to convict a man of rape committed against a woman who, after giving him the impression through her unexplainable silence of her tacit consent and allowing him to have sexual contact with her, changed her mind in the middle and charged him with rape.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 According to some women\'s rights groups, the Court\'s decision would open the floodgates to more incidents of rape, as this may embolden perpetrators to \\\"abuse more women\\\" confident that \\\"courts will most likely dismiss rape cases. <a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\"><sup>[11]<\\/sup><\\/a> The limitation of this ruling is already established in the ruling in the 2020 case of <em>People v. ZZZ<\\/em>, wherein the Court still weighed the victim\'s testimony based on factors such as her age, her recognition of the accused in open court, and other corroborative evidence.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Rather than completely disregarding a \\u00a0victim\\u2019s testimony, courts should distill it by doing away with outdated notions and stereotypes based purely on gender.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">[1]<\\/a> UST Faculty of Civil Law, 2G, UST Law Review Understudy<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a> Citing <em>People v. Ta\\u00f1o, <\\/em>109 Phil. 912(1960)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a> \\\"Maria Clara Doctrine in Rape Cases Revisited\\\". Buban and Lardizabal Law Offices. June 8, 2018.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[4]<\\/a> (People v. Amarela, 2018)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[5]<\\/a> (People v. Amarela, 2018)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[6]<\\/a> People v. Amarela, 2018<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\">[7]<\\/a> People v. Zamoraga, 568 Phil. 132, 140 (2008); People v. Achas, 612 Phil. 652, 662 (2009); People v. Banig, 693 Phil. 303, 312 (2012); People v. Gahi, 727 Phil. 642, 657 (2014); People v. Pitala, G.R. No. 223561, 19 October 2016.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\">[8]<\\/a> (People v. ZZZ, 2020)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\">[9]<\\/a>Pons, J. S. (n.d.). Construction and deconstruction of Maria Clara: History of an imagined care-oriented model of gender in the Philippines. Academia.edu. https:\\/\\/www.academia.edu\\/24937445\\/Construction_and_deconstruction_of_Maria_Clara_History_of_an_imagined_care_oriented_model_of_gender_in_the_Philippines.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\">[10]<\\/a> 63 ATENEO L.J. 317 (2018)\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\">[11]<\\/a> (The Philippine Star, 2018)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">Cover Photo: Painting by Juan Luna- La Bulaque\\u00f1a, 1985 and Puesta Del Sol, 1880\'s.\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.1,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(4098,1336,'_thumbnail_id','1315'),(4099,1336,'_elementor_controls_usage','a:3:{s:11:\"text-editor\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:1;s:8:\"controls\";a:2:{s:7:\"content\";a:1:{s:14:\"section_editor\";a:1:{s:6:\"editor\";i:1;}}s:5:\"style\";a:1:{s:13:\"section_style\";a:2:{s:21:\"typography_typography\";i:1;s:22:\"typography_line_height\";i:1;}}}}s:6:\"column\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:0;s:8:\"controls\";a:0:{}}s:7:\"section\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:0;s:8:\"controls\";a:0:{}}}'),(4101,1314,'ss_ss_click_share_count_twitter','1'),(4102,1337,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(4103,1337,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(4104,1337,'_elementor_version','3.2.4'),(4105,1337,'_wp_page_template','default'),(4106,1337,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"6e15c706\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"25c228e7\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"21b7e2be\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<h4><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">People of the Philippines v. Juvy D. Amarela and Junard G. Racho:<br \\/>Applying the Maria Clara Doctrine in the 21st Century<\\/span><\\/h4>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><em>By: Ristel Mae B. Tagudando<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\"><sup><strong><sup>[1]<\\/sup><\\/strong><\\/sup><\\/a><\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong>I. THE WOMEN\\u2019S HONOR DOCTRINE<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Maria Clara Doctrine or the Women\\u2019s Honor Doctrine became part of Philippine jurisprudence in the 1960 case of <em>People v. Ta\\u00f1o<\\/em>.<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\"><sup>[2]<\\/sup><\\/a> Based on Maria Clara\'s character from Jose Rizal\'s <em>Noli Me Tangere<\\/em>, the doctrine provides the presumption that \\\"women, especially Filipinos, would not admit that they have been abused unless that abuse had happened\\\".<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\"><sup>[3]<\\/sup><\\/a> This doctrine implies that the testimony of the alleged victim by itself may be sufficient to sustain a conviction.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong>II. SUMMARY OF THE CASE<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In <em>People v. Amarela, <\\/em>the plaintiff,AAA, was watching a beauty contest with her aunt when she went to the restroom to urinate. However, she was not able to reach the comfort room because Amarela stopped her along the way.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 According to AAA, Amarela suddenly pulled her towards the daycare center and punched her in the abdomen, making her weak. Thereafter, Amarela undressed and put his penis inside AAA\\u2019s vagina. Three (3) men came to AAA\\u2019s rescue when she shouted for help, forcing Amarela to run away. However, she was brought to a hut by these persons, having bad intentions with her. Hence, she fled and ended up in the house of Godo Dumandan, who brought her first to the Racho residence because Dumandan thought her aunt was not at home. Dumandan stayed behind; that is why Racho was asked to bring AAA to her aunt\'s house instead. However, instead, she was brought to a shanty. She was told to lie down, but she refused. Racho boxed her abdomen and placed himself on top of AAA. Racho then inserted his penis into AAA\'s vagina. Thereafter, Racho left her. Thus, AAA went home alone and decided to leave home the following day. \\u00a0Eventually, AAA told her mother about what happened to her and reported the matter to the police.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Regional Trial Court (RTC) rendered a decision finding the appellants guilty beyond reasonable doubt of the crime of rape as the plaintiff\\u2019s testimony positively identifying both appellants was clear, positive, and straightforward.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In appeal before the Court of Appeals (CA), the appellants argued that several circumstances cast doubt on the victim\'s claim that she was raped. They alleged that her testimony does not conform to shared knowledge and ordinary human experience. Moreover, they pointed out that, although there were other witnesses, \\u00a0the only material testimony on record was that of the victim . However, the appellate court affirmed the trial court\'s decision as it found no reason to reverse the factual findings of the court <em>a quo<\\/em>.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 For the Supreme Court (SC), it had no reason to deviate from the well-entrenched rule that in matters of credibility of witnesses, the assessment made by the trial court should be respected and given weight.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Supreme Court reversed the judgment of conviction. First, AAA\'s version of the story in her affidavit-complaint differs materially from her testimony in court. Second, AAA could not have easily identified Amarela because the crime scene was dark; she only saw him for the first time. Third, her testimony lacks material details on how she was brought under the stage against her will. Lastly, the medical findings do not corroborate physical injuries and are inconclusive of any signs of forced entry.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong>III. WEIGHING OF THE VICTIM\\u2019S TESTIMONY<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Supreme Court has long accorded the evaluations of testimonial evidence by trial courts great respect. One can expect that said determination is based on reasonable discretion as to opting for which testimony is acceptable and which witness is worthy of belief. However, although the factual findings of the trial court are given weight by the Court\\u2014most especially when affirmed by the appellate court\\u2014such rule is not absolute as, for instance, when some facts or circumstances of weight and substance have been overlooked, misapprehended, and misinterpreted.<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\"><sup>[4]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Presently, the Court follows specific guidelines when presented with the credibility of witnesses, to wit:\\u00a0 giving the highest respect to the RTC\'s evaluation of the testimony of the witnesses, considering its unique position in directly observing the demeanor of a witness on the stand.\\u00a0 Second, absent any substantial reason that would justify the reversal of the RTC\'s assessments and conclusions. The reviewing court is generally bound by the lower court\'s findings, particularly when no significant facts and circumstances affecting the case\'s outcome are shown to have been overlooked or disregarded. Lastly, such a rule is even more stringently applied if the CA concurred with the RTC. <a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\"><sup>[5]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Applying the Maria Clara doctrine or the Women\\u2019s Honor doctrine\\u2014which often leads to cases being adjudged solely on the basis of the credibility of the victim \\u2013 does not only put the accused at an unfair disadvantage but also results in a travesty of justice. It is not impossible for an assumed victim to merely fabricate stories of her abuse.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In the past, one can say that it is natural for a woman to be reluctant to disclose a sexual assault. This stereotype cannot be applied anymore as women have transformed over the years and have become more willing to speak up and fight for their rights . There is a need to veer away from such a notion and accept the realities of a woman\'s dynamic role in society today.<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\">[6]<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Leaving the aforementioned doctrine\\u2013 given that the findings through evidence presented do not match the victim\'s testimony \\u2013 in the past is crucial because an accused must only be convicted solely on the testimony of the victim, provided of course, that the testimony is credible, natural, convincing, and consistent with human nature and the normal course of things. <a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\"><sup>[7]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Furthermore, this rule was clarified in the recent case of <em>People v. ZZZ<\\/em>. The \\u00a0Supreme Court relied on the victim\'s testimony because the latter readily recognized and pointed to her violator.\\u00a0 Unlike in <em>People v. Amarela, <\\/em>the victim recounted the harrowing nights that tormented her for six years of living with the perpetrator, and the medico-legal examination corroborated the latter\'s testimony. Hence, the SC found no compelling motive for the victim to lie. Furthermore, that after all, \\u201cno person, especially one of tender age, would ordinarily cry \\\"rape\\\" and subject oneself to the consequent rigors and embarrassments of medical examination and public trial, if not for the quest for rightful justice.<a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\">[8]<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong>IV. ERADICATING STEREOTYPES<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Supreme Court\\u2019s recent consideration and clarification as to the application of the Maria Clara doctrine in <em>People v. Amarela<\\/em> would not only prevent corruption of justice on the part of the accused but eradicate gender bias\\u00a0 and misconceptions in the society as well \\u2013 especially on the part of women.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The old constructed perception of women anchored in the apparent attributes of Maria Clara \\u2013 a pure soul, \\u00a0modest, self-effacing, long-suffering<a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\">[9]<\\/a> \\u2013 can no longer be applied absolutely today. Gone are the days when in cases of abuse, for a woman to be credible, she must be like Maria Clara; and when she does not fit the mold, there is a propensity of discrediting her as a witness, as exemplified in <em>Tionloc<\\/em><a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\">[10]<\\/a>:<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 It would be unfair to convict a man of rape committed against a woman who, after giving him the impression through her unexplainable silence of her tacit consent and allowing him to have sexual contact with her, changed her mind in the middle and charged him with rape.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 According to some women\'s rights groups, the Court\'s decision would open the floodgates to more incidents of rape, as this may embolden perpetrators to \\\"abuse more women\\\" confident that \\\"courts will most likely dismiss rape cases. <a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\"><sup>[11]<\\/sup><\\/a> The limitation of this ruling is already established in the ruling in the 2020 case of <em>People v. ZZZ<\\/em>, wherein the Court still weighed the victim\'s testimony based on factors such as her age, her recognition of the accused in open court, and other corroborative evidence.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Rather than completely disregarding a \\u00a0victim\\u2019s testimony, courts should distill it by doing away with outdated notions and stereotypes based purely on gender.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">[1]<\\/a> UST Faculty of Civil Law, 2G, UST Law Review Understudy<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a> Citing <em>People v. Ta\\u00f1o, <\\/em>109 Phil. 912(1960)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a> \\\"Maria Clara Doctrine in Rape Cases Revisited\\\". Buban and Lardizabal Law Offices. June 8, 2018.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[4]<\\/a> (People v. Amarela, 2018)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[5]<\\/a> (People v. Amarela, 2018)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[6]<\\/a> People v. Amarela, 2018<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\">[7]<\\/a> People v. Zamoraga, 568 Phil. 132, 140 (2008); People v. Achas, 612 Phil. 652, 662 (2009); People v. Banig, 693 Phil. 303, 312 (2012); People v. Gahi, 727 Phil. 642, 657 (2014); People v. Pitala, G.R. No. 223561, 19 October 2016.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\">[8]<\\/a> (People v. ZZZ, 2020)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\">[9]<\\/a>Pons, J. S. (n.d.). Construction and deconstruction of Maria Clara: History of an imagined care-oriented model of gender in the Philippines. Academia.edu. https:\\/\\/www.academia.edu\\/24937445\\/Construction_and_deconstruction_of_Maria_Clara_History_of_an_imagined_care_oriented_model_of_gender_in_the_Philippines.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\">[10]<\\/a> 63 ATENEO L.J. 317 (2018)\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\">[11]<\\/a> (The Philippine Star, 2018)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">Cover Photo: Painting by Juan Luna- La Bulaque\\u00f1a, 1985 and Puesta Del Sol, 1880\'s.\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.1,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(4107,1337,'_thumbnail_id','1315'),(4109,1338,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(4110,1338,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(4111,1338,'_elementor_version','3.2.4'),(4112,1338,'_wp_page_template','default'),(4113,1338,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"6e15c706\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"25c228e7\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"21b7e2be\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<h4><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">People of the Philippines v. Juvy D. Amarela and Junard G. Racho:<br \\/>Applying the Maria Clara Doctrine in the 21st Century<\\/span><\\/h4>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><em>By: Ristel Mae B. Tagudando<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\"><sup><strong><sup>[1]<\\/sup><\\/strong><\\/sup><\\/a><\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong>I. THE WOMEN\\u2019S HONOR DOCTRINE<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Maria Clara Doctrine or the Women\\u2019s Honor Doctrine became part of Philippine jurisprudence in the 1960 case of <em>People v. Ta\\u00f1o<\\/em>.<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\"><sup>[2]<\\/sup><\\/a> Based on Maria Clara\'s character from Jose Rizal\'s <em>Noli Me Tangere<\\/em>, the doctrine provides the presumption that \\\"women, especially Filipinos, would not admit that they have been abused unless that abuse had happened\\\".<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\"><sup>[3]<\\/sup><\\/a> This doctrine implies that the testimony of the alleged victim by itself may be sufficient to sustain a conviction.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong>II. SUMMARY OF THE CASE<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In <em>People v. Amarela, <\\/em>the plaintiff,AAA, was watching a beauty contest with her aunt when she went to the restroom to urinate. However, she was not able to reach the comfort room because Amarela stopped her along the way.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 According to AAA, Amarela suddenly pulled her towards the daycare center and punched her in the abdomen, making her weak. Thereafter, Amarela undressed and put his penis inside AAA\\u2019s vagina. Three (3) men came to AAA\\u2019s rescue when she shouted for help, forcing Amarela to run away. However, she was brought to a hut by these persons, having bad intentions with her. Hence, she fled and ended up in the house of Godo Dumandan, who brought her first to the Racho residence because Dumandan thought her aunt was not at home. Dumandan stayed behind; that is why Racho was asked to bring AAA to her aunt\'s house instead. However, instead, she was brought to a shanty. She was told to lie down, but she refused. Racho boxed her abdomen and placed himself on top of AAA. Racho then inserted his penis into AAA\'s vagina. Thereafter, Racho left her. Thus, AAA went home alone and decided to leave home the following day. \\u00a0Eventually, AAA told her mother about what happened to her and reported the matter to the police.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Regional Trial Court (RTC) rendered a decision finding the appellants guilty beyond reasonable doubt of the crime of rape as the plaintiff\\u2019s testimony positively identifying both appellants was clear, positive, and straightforward.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In appeal before the Court of Appeals (CA), the appellants argued that several circumstances cast doubt on the victim\'s claim that she was raped. They alleged that her testimony does not conform to shared knowledge and ordinary human experience. Moreover, they pointed out that, although there were other witnesses, \\u00a0the only material testimony on record was that of the victim . However, the appellate court affirmed the trial court\'s decision as it found no reason to reverse the factual findings of the court <em>a quo<\\/em>.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 For the Supreme Court (SC), it had no reason to deviate from the well-entrenched rule that in matters of credibility of witnesses, the assessment made by the trial court should be respected and given weight.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Supreme Court reversed the judgment of conviction. First, AAA\'s version of the story in her affidavit-complaint differs materially from her testimony in court. Second, AAA could not have easily identified Amarela because the crime scene was dark; she only saw him for the first time. Third, her testimony lacks material details on how she was brought under the stage against her will. Lastly, the medical findings do not corroborate physical injuries and are inconclusive of any signs of forced entry.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong>III. WEIGHING OF THE VICTIM\\u2019S TESTIMONY<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Supreme Court has long accorded the evaluations of testimonial evidence by trial courts great respect. One can expect that said determination is based on reasonable discretion as to opting for which testimony is acceptable and which witness is worthy of belief. However, although the factual findings of the trial court are given weight by the Court\\u2014most especially when affirmed by the appellate court\\u2014such rule is not absolute as, for instance, when some facts or circumstances of weight and substance have been overlooked, misapprehended, and misinterpreted.<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\"><sup>[4]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Presently, the Court follows specific guidelines when presented with the credibility of witnesses, to wit:\\u00a0 giving the highest respect to the RTC\'s evaluation of the testimony of the witnesses, considering its unique position in directly observing the demeanor of a witness on the stand.\\u00a0 Second, absent any substantial reason that would justify the reversal of the RTC\'s assessments and conclusions. The reviewing court is generally bound by the lower court\'s findings, particularly when no significant facts and circumstances affecting the case\'s outcome are shown to have been overlooked or disregarded. Lastly, such a rule is even more stringently applied if the CA concurred with the RTC. <a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\"><sup>[5]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Applying the Maria Clara doctrine or the Women\\u2019s Honor doctrine\\u2014which often leads to cases being adjudged solely on the basis of the credibility of the victim \\u2013 does not only put the accused at an unfair disadvantage but also results in a travesty of justice. It is not impossible for an assumed victim to merely fabricate stories of her abuse.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In the past, one can say that it is natural for a woman to be reluctant to disclose a sexual assault. This stereotype cannot be applied anymore as women have transformed over the years and have become more willing to speak up and fight for their rights . There is a need to veer away from such a notion and accept the realities of a woman\'s dynamic role in society today.<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\">[6]<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Leaving the aforementioned doctrine\\u2013 given that the findings through evidence presented do not match the victim\'s testimony \\u2013 in the past is crucial because an accused must only be convicted solely on the testimony of the victim, provided of course, that the testimony is credible, natural, convincing, and consistent with human nature and the normal course of things. <a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\"><sup>[7]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Furthermore, this rule was clarified in the recent case of <em>People v. ZZZ<\\/em>. The \\u00a0Supreme Court relied on the victim\'s testimony because the latter readily recognized and pointed to her violator.\\u00a0 Unlike in <em>People v. Amarela, <\\/em>the victim recounted the harrowing nights that tormented her for six years of living with the perpetrator, and the medico-legal examination corroborated the latter\'s testimony. Hence, the SC found no compelling motive for the victim to lie. Furthermore, that after all, \\u201cno person, especially one of tender age, would ordinarily cry \\\"rape\\\" and subject oneself to the consequent rigors and embarrassments of medical examination and public trial, if not for the quest for rightful justice.<a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\">[8]<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong>IV. ERADICATING STEREOTYPES<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Supreme Court\\u2019s recent consideration and clarification as to the application of the Maria Clara doctrine in <em>People v. Amarela<\\/em> would not only prevent corruption of justice on the part of the accused but eradicate gender bias\\u00a0 and misconceptions in the society as well \\u2013 especially on the part of women.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The old constructed perception of women anchored in the apparent attributes of Maria Clara \\u2013 a pure soul, \\u00a0modest, self-effacing, long-suffering<a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\">[9]<\\/a> \\u2013 can no longer be applied absolutely today. Gone are the days when in cases of abuse, for a woman to be credible, she must be like Maria Clara; and when she does not fit the mold, there is a propensity of discrediting her as a witness, as exemplified in <em>Tionloc<\\/em><a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\">[10]<\\/a>:<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 It would be unfair to convict a man of rape committed against a woman who, after giving him the impression through her unexplainable silence of her tacit consent and allowing him to have sexual contact with her, changed her mind in the middle and charged him with rape.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 According to some women\'s rights groups, the Court\'s decision would open the floodgates to more incidents of rape, as this may embolden perpetrators to \\\"abuse more women\\\" confident that \\\"courts will most likely dismiss rape cases. <a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\"><sup>[11]<\\/sup><\\/a> The limitation of this ruling is already established in the ruling in the 2020 case of <em>People v. ZZZ<\\/em>, wherein the Court still weighed the victim\'s testimony based on factors such as her age, her recognition of the accused in open court, and other corroborative evidence.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Rather than completely disregarding a \\u00a0victim\\u2019s testimony, courts should distill it by doing away with outdated notions and stereotypes based purely on gender.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">[1]<\\/a> UST Faculty of Civil Law, 2G, UST Law Review Understudy<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a> Citing <em>People v. Ta\\u00f1o, <\\/em>109 Phil. 912(1960)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a> \\\"Maria Clara Doctrine in Rape Cases Revisited\\\". Buban and Lardizabal Law Offices. June 8, 2018.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[4]<\\/a> (People v. Amarela, 2018)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[5]<\\/a> (People v. Amarela, 2018)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[6]<\\/a> People v. Amarela, 2018<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\">[7]<\\/a> People v. Zamoraga, 568 Phil. 132, 140 (2008); People v. Achas, 612 Phil. 652, 662 (2009); People v. Banig, 693 Phil. 303, 312 (2012); People v. Gahi, 727 Phil. 642, 657 (2014); People v. Pitala, G.R. No. 223561, 19 October 2016.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\">[8]<\\/a> (People v. ZZZ, 2020)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\">[9]<\\/a>Pons, J. S. (n.d.). Construction and deconstruction of Maria Clara: History of an imagined care-oriented model of gender in the Philippines. Academia.edu. https:\\/\\/www.academia.edu\\/24937445\\/Construction_and_deconstruction_of_Maria_Clara_History_of_an_imagined_care_oriented_model_of_gender_in_the_Philippines.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\">[10]<\\/a> 63 ATENEO L.J. 317 (2018)\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\">[11]<\\/a> (The Philippine Star, 2018)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">Cover Photo: Painting by Juan Luna- La Bulaque\\u00f1a, 1985 and Puesta Del Sol, 1880\'s.\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.1,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(4114,1338,'_thumbnail_id','1315'),(4116,1339,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(4117,1339,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(4118,1339,'_elementor_version','3.2.4'),(4119,1339,'_wp_page_template','default'),(4120,1339,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"6e15c706\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"25c228e7\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"21b7e2be\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<h1><span style=\\\"font-size: 24pt;\\\">People of the Philippines v. Juvy D. Amarela and Junard G. Racho: Applying the Maria Clara Doctrine in the 21st Century<\\/span><\\/h1>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><em>By: Ristel Mae B. Tagudando<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\"><sup><strong><sup>[1]<\\/sup><\\/strong><\\/sup><\\/a><\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong>I. THE WOMEN\\u2019S HONOR DOCTRINE<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Maria Clara Doctrine or the Women\\u2019s Honor Doctrine became part of Philippine jurisprudence in the 1960 case of <em>People v. Ta\\u00f1o<\\/em>.<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\"><sup>[2]<\\/sup><\\/a> Based on Maria Clara\'s character from Jose Rizal\'s <em>Noli Me Tangere<\\/em>, the doctrine provides the presumption that \\\"women, especially Filipinos, would not admit that they have been abused unless that abuse had happened\\\".<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\"><sup>[3]<\\/sup><\\/a> This doctrine implies that the testimony of the alleged victim by itself may be sufficient to sustain a conviction.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong>II. SUMMARY OF THE CASE<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In <em>People v. Amarela, <\\/em>the plaintiff,AAA, was watching a beauty contest with her aunt when she went to the restroom to urinate. However, she was not able to reach the comfort room because Amarela stopped her along the way.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 According to AAA, Amarela suddenly pulled her towards the daycare center and punched her in the abdomen, making her weak. Thereafter, Amarela undressed and put his penis inside AAA\\u2019s vagina. Three (3) men came to AAA\\u2019s rescue when she shouted for help, forcing Amarela to run away. However, she was brought to a hut by these persons, having bad intentions with her. Hence, she fled and ended up in the house of Godo Dumandan, who brought her first to the Racho residence because Dumandan thought her aunt was not at home. Dumandan stayed behind; that is why Racho was asked to bring AAA to her aunt\'s house instead. However, instead, she was brought to a shanty. She was told to lie down, but she refused. Racho boxed her abdomen and placed himself on top of AAA. Racho then inserted his penis into AAA\'s vagina. Thereafter, Racho left her. Thus, AAA went home alone and decided to leave home the following day. \\u00a0Eventually, AAA told her mother about what happened to her and reported the matter to the police.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Regional Trial Court (RTC) rendered a decision finding the appellants guilty beyond reasonable doubt of the crime of rape as the plaintiff\\u2019s testimony positively identifying both appellants was clear, positive, and straightforward.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In appeal before the Court of Appeals (CA), the appellants argued that several circumstances cast doubt on the victim\'s claim that she was raped. They alleged that her testimony does not conform to shared knowledge and ordinary human experience. Moreover, they pointed out that, although there were other witnesses, \\u00a0the only material testimony on record was that of the victim . However, the appellate court affirmed the trial court\'s decision as it found no reason to reverse the factual findings of the court <em>a quo<\\/em>.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 For the Supreme Court (SC), it had no reason to deviate from the well-entrenched rule that in matters of credibility of witnesses, the assessment made by the trial court should be respected and given weight.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Supreme Court reversed the judgment of conviction. First, AAA\'s version of the story in her affidavit-complaint differs materially from her testimony in court. Second, AAA could not have easily identified Amarela because the crime scene was dark; she only saw him for the first time. Third, her testimony lacks material details on how she was brought under the stage against her will. Lastly, the medical findings do not corroborate physical injuries and are inconclusive of any signs of forced entry.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong>III. WEIGHING OF THE VICTIM\\u2019S TESTIMONY<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Supreme Court has long accorded the evaluations of testimonial evidence by trial courts great respect. One can expect that said determination is based on reasonable discretion as to opting for which testimony is acceptable and which witness is worthy of belief. However, although the factual findings of the trial court are given weight by the Court\\u2014most especially when affirmed by the appellate court\\u2014such rule is not absolute as, for instance, when some facts or circumstances of weight and substance have been overlooked, misapprehended, and misinterpreted.<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\"><sup>[4]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Presently, the Court follows specific guidelines when presented with the credibility of witnesses, to wit:\\u00a0 giving the highest respect to the RTC\'s evaluation of the testimony of the witnesses, considering its unique position in directly observing the demeanor of a witness on the stand.\\u00a0 Second, absent any substantial reason that would justify the reversal of the RTC\'s assessments and conclusions. The reviewing court is generally bound by the lower court\'s findings, particularly when no significant facts and circumstances affecting the case\'s outcome are shown to have been overlooked or disregarded. Lastly, such a rule is even more stringently applied if the CA concurred with the RTC. <a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\"><sup>[5]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Applying the Maria Clara doctrine or the Women\\u2019s Honor doctrine\\u2014which often leads to cases being adjudged solely on the basis of the credibility of the victim \\u2013 does not only put the accused at an unfair disadvantage but also results in a travesty of justice. It is not impossible for an assumed victim to merely fabricate stories of her abuse.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In the past, one can say that it is natural for a woman to be reluctant to disclose a sexual assault. This stereotype cannot be applied anymore as women have transformed over the years and have become more willing to speak up and fight for their rights . There is a need to veer away from such a notion and accept the realities of a woman\'s dynamic role in society today.<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\">[6]<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Leaving the aforementioned doctrine\\u2013 given that the findings through evidence presented do not match the victim\'s testimony \\u2013 in the past is crucial because an accused must only be convicted solely on the testimony of the victim, provided of course, that the testimony is credible, natural, convincing, and consistent with human nature and the normal course of things. <a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\"><sup>[7]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Furthermore, this rule was clarified in the recent case of <em>People v. ZZZ<\\/em>. The \\u00a0Supreme Court relied on the victim\'s testimony because the latter readily recognized and pointed to her violator.\\u00a0 Unlike in <em>People v. Amarela, <\\/em>the victim recounted the harrowing nights that tormented her for six years of living with the perpetrator, and the medico-legal examination corroborated the latter\'s testimony. Hence, the SC found no compelling motive for the victim to lie. Furthermore, that after all, \\u201cno person, especially one of tender age, would ordinarily cry \\\"rape\\\" and subject oneself to the consequent rigors and embarrassments of medical examination and public trial, if not for the quest for rightful justice.<a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\">[8]<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong>IV. ERADICATING STEREOTYPES<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Supreme Court\\u2019s recent consideration and clarification as to the application of the Maria Clara doctrine in <em>People v. Amarela<\\/em> would not only prevent corruption of justice on the part of the accused but eradicate gender bias\\u00a0 and misconceptions in the society as well \\u2013 especially on the part of women.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The old constructed perception of women anchored in the apparent attributes of Maria Clara \\u2013 a pure soul, \\u00a0modest, self-effacing, long-suffering<a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\">[9]<\\/a> \\u2013 can no longer be applied absolutely today. Gone are the days when in cases of abuse, for a woman to be credible, she must be like Maria Clara; and when she does not fit the mold, there is a propensity of discrediting her as a witness, as exemplified in <em>Tionloc<\\/em><a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\">[10]<\\/a>:<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 It would be unfair to convict a man of rape committed against a woman who, after giving him the impression through her unexplainable silence of her tacit consent and allowing him to have sexual contact with her, changed her mind in the middle and charged him with rape.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 According to some women\'s rights groups, the Court\'s decision would open the floodgates to more incidents of rape, as this may embolden perpetrators to \\\"abuse more women\\\" confident that \\\"courts will most likely dismiss rape cases. <a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\"><sup>[11]<\\/sup><\\/a> The limitation of this ruling is already established in the ruling in the 2020 case of <em>People v. ZZZ<\\/em>, wherein the Court still weighed the victim\'s testimony based on factors such as her age, her recognition of the accused in open court, and other corroborative evidence.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Rather than completely disregarding a \\u00a0victim\\u2019s testimony, courts should distill it by doing away with outdated notions and stereotypes based purely on gender.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">[1]<\\/a> UST Faculty of Civil Law, 2G, UST Law Review Understudy<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a> Citing <em>People v. Ta\\u00f1o, <\\/em>109 Phil. 912(1960)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a> \\\"Maria Clara Doctrine in Rape Cases Revisited\\\". Buban and Lardizabal Law Offices. June 8, 2018.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[4]<\\/a> (People v. Amarela, 2018)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[5]<\\/a> (People v. Amarela, 2018)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[6]<\\/a> People v. Amarela, 2018<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\">[7]<\\/a> People v. Zamoraga, 568 Phil. 132, 140 (2008); People v. Achas, 612 Phil. 652, 662 (2009); People v. Banig, 693 Phil. 303, 312 (2012); People v. Gahi, 727 Phil. 642, 657 (2014); People v. Pitala, G.R. No. 223561, 19 October 2016.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\">[8]<\\/a> (People v. ZZZ, 2020)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\">[9]<\\/a>Pons, J. S. (n.d.). Construction and deconstruction of Maria Clara: History of an imagined care-oriented model of gender in the Philippines. Academia.edu. https:\\/\\/www.academia.edu\\/24937445\\/Construction_and_deconstruction_of_Maria_Clara_History_of_an_imagined_care_oriented_model_of_gender_in_the_Philippines.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\">[10]<\\/a> 63 ATENEO L.J. 317 (2018)\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\">[11]<\\/a> (The Philippine Star, 2018)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">Cover Photo: Painting by Juan Luna- La Bulaque\\u00f1a, 1985 and Puesta Del Sol, 1880\'s.\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.1,\"sizes\":[]},\"typography_font_size\":{\"unit\":\"px\",\"size\":14,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(4121,1339,'_thumbnail_id','1315'),(4124,1340,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(4125,1340,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(4126,1340,'_elementor_version','3.2.4'),(4127,1340,'_wp_page_template','default'),(4128,1340,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"6e15c706\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"25c228e7\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"21b7e2be\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<h1><span style=\\\"font-size: 24pt;\\\">People of the Philippines v. Juvy D. Amarela and Junard G. Racho: Applying the Maria Clara Doctrine in the 21st Century<\\/span><\\/h1>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><em>By: Ristel Mae B. Tagudando<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\"><sup><strong><sup>[1]<\\/sup><\\/strong><\\/sup><\\/a><\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong>I. THE WOMEN\\u2019S HONOR DOCTRINE<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Maria Clara Doctrine or the Women\\u2019s Honor Doctrine became part of Philippine jurisprudence in the 1960 case of <em>People v. Ta\\u00f1o<\\/em>.<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\"><sup>[2]<\\/sup><\\/a> Based on Maria Clara\'s character from Jose Rizal\'s <em>Noli Me Tangere<\\/em>, the doctrine provides the presumption that \\\"women, especially Filipinos, would not admit that they have been abused unless that abuse had happened\\\".<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\"><sup>[3]<\\/sup><\\/a> This doctrine implies that the testimony of the alleged victim by itself may be sufficient to sustain a conviction.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong>II. SUMMARY OF THE CASE<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In <em>People v. Amarela, <\\/em>the plaintiff,AAA, was watching a beauty contest with her aunt when she went to the restroom to urinate. However, she was not able to reach the comfort room because Amarela stopped her along the way.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 According to AAA, Amarela suddenly pulled her towards the daycare center and punched her in the abdomen, making her weak. Thereafter, Amarela undressed and put his penis inside AAA\\u2019s vagina. Three (3) men came to AAA\\u2019s rescue when she shouted for help, forcing Amarela to run away. However, she was brought to a hut by these persons, having bad intentions with her. Hence, she fled and ended up in the house of Godo Dumandan, who brought her first to the Racho residence because Dumandan thought her aunt was not at home. Dumandan stayed behind; that is why Racho was asked to bring AAA to her aunt\'s house instead. However, instead, she was brought to a shanty. She was told to lie down, but she refused. Racho boxed her abdomen and placed himself on top of AAA. Racho then inserted his penis into AAA\'s vagina. Thereafter, Racho left her. Thus, AAA went home alone and decided to leave home the following day. \\u00a0Eventually, AAA told her mother about what happened to her and reported the matter to the police.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Regional Trial Court (RTC) rendered a decision finding the appellants guilty beyond reasonable doubt of the crime of rape as the plaintiff\\u2019s testimony positively identifying both appellants was clear, positive, and straightforward.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In appeal before the Court of Appeals (CA), the appellants argued that several circumstances cast doubt on the victim\'s claim that she was raped. They alleged that her testimony does not conform to shared knowledge and ordinary human experience. Moreover, they pointed out that, although there were other witnesses, \\u00a0the only material testimony on record was that of the victim . However, the appellate court affirmed the trial court\'s decision as it found no reason to reverse the factual findings of the court <em>a quo<\\/em>.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 For the Supreme Court (SC), it had no reason to deviate from the well-entrenched rule that in matters of credibility of witnesses, the assessment made by the trial court should be respected and given weight.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Supreme Court reversed the judgment of conviction. First, AAA\'s version of the story in her affidavit-complaint differs materially from her testimony in court. Second, AAA could not have easily identified Amarela because the crime scene was dark; she only saw him for the first time. Third, her testimony lacks material details on how she was brought under the stage against her will. Lastly, the medical findings do not corroborate physical injuries and are inconclusive of any signs of forced entry.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong>III. WEIGHING OF THE VICTIM\\u2019S TESTIMONY<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Supreme Court has long accorded the evaluations of testimonial evidence by trial courts great respect. One can expect that said determination is based on reasonable discretion as to opting for which testimony is acceptable and which witness is worthy of belief. However, although the factual findings of the trial court are given weight by the Court\\u2014most especially when affirmed by the appellate court\\u2014such rule is not absolute as, for instance, when some facts or circumstances of weight and substance have been overlooked, misapprehended, and misinterpreted.<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\"><sup>[4]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Presently, the Court follows specific guidelines when presented with the credibility of witnesses, to wit:\\u00a0 giving the highest respect to the RTC\'s evaluation of the testimony of the witnesses, considering its unique position in directly observing the demeanor of a witness on the stand.\\u00a0 Second, absent any substantial reason that would justify the reversal of the RTC\'s assessments and conclusions. The reviewing court is generally bound by the lower court\'s findings, particularly when no significant facts and circumstances affecting the case\'s outcome are shown to have been overlooked or disregarded. Lastly, such a rule is even more stringently applied if the CA concurred with the RTC. <a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\"><sup>[5]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Applying the Maria Clara doctrine or the Women\\u2019s Honor doctrine\\u2014which often leads to cases being adjudged solely on the basis of the credibility of the victim \\u2013 does not only put the accused at an unfair disadvantage but also results in a travesty of justice. It is not impossible for an assumed victim to merely fabricate stories of her abuse.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In the past, one can say that it is natural for a woman to be reluctant to disclose a sexual assault. This stereotype cannot be applied anymore as women have transformed over the years and have become more willing to speak up and fight for their rights . There is a need to veer away from such a notion and accept the realities of a woman\'s dynamic role in society today.<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\">[6]<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Leaving the aforementioned doctrine\\u2013 given that the findings through evidence presented do not match the victim\'s testimony \\u2013 in the past is crucial because an accused must only be convicted solely on the testimony of the victim, provided of course, that the testimony is credible, natural, convincing, and consistent with human nature and the normal course of things. <a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\"><sup>[7]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Furthermore, this rule was clarified in the recent case of <em>People v. ZZZ<\\/em>. The \\u00a0Supreme Court relied on the victim\'s testimony because the latter readily recognized and pointed to her violator.\\u00a0 Unlike in <em>People v. Amarela, <\\/em>the victim recounted the harrowing nights that tormented her for six years of living with the perpetrator, and the medico-legal examination corroborated the latter\'s testimony. Hence, the SC found no compelling motive for the victim to lie. Furthermore, that after all, \\u201cno person, especially one of tender age, would ordinarily cry \\\"rape\\\" and subject oneself to the consequent rigors and embarrassments of medical examination and public trial, if not for the quest for rightful justice.<a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\">[8]<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong>IV. ERADICATING STEREOTYPES<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Supreme Court\\u2019s recent consideration and clarification as to the application of the Maria Clara doctrine in <em>People v. Amarela<\\/em> would not only prevent corruption of justice on the part of the accused but eradicate gender bias\\u00a0 and misconceptions in the society as well \\u2013 especially on the part of women.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The old constructed perception of women anchored in the apparent attributes of Maria Clara \\u2013 a pure soul, \\u00a0modest, self-effacing, long-suffering<a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\">[9]<\\/a> \\u2013 can no longer be applied absolutely today. Gone are the days when in cases of abuse, for a woman to be credible, she must be like Maria Clara; and when she does not fit the mold, there is a propensity of discrediting her as a witness, as exemplified in <em>Tionloc<\\/em><a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\">[10]<\\/a>:<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 It would be unfair to convict a man of rape committed against a woman who, after giving him the impression through her unexplainable silence of her tacit consent and allowing him to have sexual contact with her, changed her mind in the middle and charged him with rape.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 According to some women\'s rights groups, the Court\'s decision would open the floodgates to more incidents of rape, as this may embolden perpetrators to \\\"abuse more women\\\" confident that \\\"courts will most likely dismiss rape cases. <a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\"><sup>[11]<\\/sup><\\/a> The limitation of this ruling is already established in the ruling in the 2020 case of <em>People v. ZZZ<\\/em>, wherein the Court still weighed the victim\'s testimony based on factors such as her age, her recognition of the accused in open court, and other corroborative evidence.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Rather than completely disregarding a \\u00a0victim\\u2019s testimony, courts should distill it by doing away with outdated notions and stereotypes based purely on gender.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">[1]<\\/a> UST Faculty of Civil Law, 2G, UST Law Review Understudy<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a> Citing <em>People v. Ta\\u00f1o, <\\/em>109 Phil. 912(1960)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a> \\\"Maria Clara Doctrine in Rape Cases Revisited\\\". Buban and Lardizabal Law Offices. June 8, 2018.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[4]<\\/a> (People v. Amarela, 2018)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[5]<\\/a> (People v. Amarela, 2018)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[6]<\\/a> People v. Amarela, 2018<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\">[7]<\\/a> People v. Zamoraga, 568 Phil. 132, 140 (2008); People v. Achas, 612 Phil. 652, 662 (2009); People v. Banig, 693 Phil. 303, 312 (2012); People v. Gahi, 727 Phil. 642, 657 (2014); People v. Pitala, G.R. No. 223561, 19 October 2016.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\">[8]<\\/a> (People v. ZZZ, 2020)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\">[9]<\\/a>Pons, J. S. (n.d.). Construction and deconstruction of Maria Clara: History of an imagined care-oriented model of gender in the Philippines. Academia.edu. https:\\/\\/www.academia.edu\\/24937445\\/Construction_and_deconstruction_of_Maria_Clara_History_of_an_imagined_care_oriented_model_of_gender_in_the_Philippines.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\">[10]<\\/a> 63 ATENEO L.J. 317 (2018)\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\">[11]<\\/a> (The Philippine Star, 2018)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">Cover Photo: Painting by Juan Luna- La Bulaque\\u00f1a, 1985 and Puesta Del Sol, 1880\'s.\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.1,\"sizes\":[]},\"typography_font_size\":{\"unit\":\"px\",\"size\":14,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(4129,1340,'_thumbnail_id','1315'),(4131,1341,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(4132,1341,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(4133,1341,'_elementor_version','3.2.4'),(4134,1341,'_wp_page_template','default'),(4135,1341,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"6e15c706\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"25c228e7\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"21b7e2be\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<h1><span style=\\\"font-size: 24pt;\\\">People of the Philippines v. Juvy D. Amarela and Junard G. Racho: Applying the Maria Clara Doctrine in the 21st Century<\\/span><\\/h1>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><em>By: Ristel Mae B. Tagudando<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\"><sup><strong><sup>[1]<\\/sup><\\/strong><\\/sup><\\/a><\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong>I. THE WOMEN\\u2019S HONOR DOCTRINE<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Maria Clara Doctrine or the Women\\u2019s Honor Doctrine became part of Philippine jurisprudence in the 1960 case of <em>People v. Ta\\u00f1o<\\/em>.<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\"><sup>[2]<\\/sup><\\/a> Based on Maria Clara\'s character from Jose Rizal\'s <em>Noli Me Tangere<\\/em>, the doctrine provides the presumption that \\\"women, especially Filipinos, would not admit that they have been abused unless that abuse had happened\\\".<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\"><sup>[3]<\\/sup><\\/a> This doctrine implies that the testimony of the alleged victim by itself may be sufficient to sustain a conviction.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong>II. SUMMARY OF THE CASE<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In <em>People v. Amarela, <\\/em>the plaintiff,AAA, was watching a beauty contest with her aunt when she went to the restroom to urinate. However, she was not able to reach the comfort room because Amarela stopped her along the way.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 According to AAA, Amarela suddenly pulled her towards the daycare center and punched her in the abdomen, making her weak. Thereafter, Amarela undressed and put his penis inside AAA\\u2019s vagina. Three (3) men came to AAA\\u2019s rescue when she shouted for help, forcing Amarela to run away. However, she was brought to a hut by these persons, having bad intentions with her. Hence, she fled and ended up in the house of Godo Dumandan, who brought her first to the Racho residence because Dumandan thought her aunt was not at home. Dumandan stayed behind; that is why Racho was asked to bring AAA to her aunt\'s house instead. However, instead, she was brought to a shanty. She was told to lie down, but she refused. Racho boxed her abdomen and placed himself on top of AAA. Racho then inserted his penis into AAA\'s vagina. Thereafter, Racho left her. Thus, AAA went home alone and decided to leave home the following day. \\u00a0Eventually, AAA told her mother about what happened to her and reported the matter to the police.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Regional Trial Court (RTC) rendered a decision finding the appellants guilty beyond reasonable doubt of the crime of rape as the plaintiff\\u2019s testimony positively identifying both appellants was clear, positive, and straightforward.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In appeal before the Court of Appeals (CA), the appellants argued that several circumstances cast doubt on the victim\'s claim that she was raped. They alleged that her testimony does not conform to shared knowledge and ordinary human experience. Moreover, they pointed out that, although there were other witnesses, \\u00a0the only material testimony on record was that of the victim . However, the appellate court affirmed the trial court\'s decision as it found no reason to reverse the factual findings of the court <em>a quo<\\/em>.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 For the Supreme Court (SC), it had no reason to deviate from the well-entrenched rule that in matters of credibility of witnesses, the assessment made by the trial court should be respected and given weight.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Supreme Court reversed the judgment of conviction. First, AAA\'s version of the story in her affidavit-complaint differs materially from her testimony in court. Second, AAA could not have easily identified Amarela because the crime scene was dark; she only saw him for the first time. Third, her testimony lacks material details on how she was brought under the stage against her will. Lastly, the medical findings do not corroborate physical injuries and are inconclusive of any signs of forced entry.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong>III. WEIGHING OF THE VICTIM\\u2019S TESTIMONY<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Supreme Court has long accorded the evaluations of testimonial evidence by trial courts great respect. One can expect that said determination is based on reasonable discretion as to opting for which testimony is acceptable and which witness is worthy of belief. However, although the factual findings of the trial court are given weight by the Court\\u2014most especially when affirmed by the appellate court\\u2014such rule is not absolute as, for instance, when some facts or circumstances of weight and substance have been overlooked, misapprehended, and misinterpreted.<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\"><sup>[4]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Presently, the Court follows specific guidelines when presented with the credibility of witnesses, to wit:\\u00a0 giving the highest respect to the RTC\'s evaluation of the testimony of the witnesses, considering its unique position in directly observing the demeanor of a witness on the stand.\\u00a0 Second, absent any substantial reason that would justify the reversal of the RTC\'s assessments and conclusions. The reviewing court is generally bound by the lower court\'s findings, particularly when no significant facts and circumstances affecting the case\'s outcome are shown to have been overlooked or disregarded. Lastly, such a rule is even more stringently applied if the CA concurred with the RTC. <a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\"><sup>[5]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Applying the Maria Clara doctrine or the Women\\u2019s Honor doctrine\\u2014which often leads to cases being adjudged solely on the basis of the credibility of the victim \\u2013 does not only put the accused at an unfair disadvantage but also results in a travesty of justice. It is not impossible for an assumed victim to merely fabricate stories of her abuse.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In the past, one can say that it is natural for a woman to be reluctant to disclose a sexual assault. This stereotype cannot be applied anymore as women have transformed over the years and have become more willing to speak up and fight for their rights . There is a need to veer away from such a notion and accept the realities of a woman\'s dynamic role in society today.<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\">[6]<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Leaving the aforementioned doctrine\\u2013 given that the findings through evidence presented do not match the victim\'s testimony \\u2013 in the past is crucial because an accused must only be convicted solely on the testimony of the victim, provided of course, that the testimony is credible, natural, convincing, and consistent with human nature and the normal course of things. <a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\"><sup>[7]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Furthermore, this rule was clarified in the recent case of <em>People v. ZZZ<\\/em>. The \\u00a0Supreme Court relied on the victim\'s testimony because the latter readily recognized and pointed to her violator.\\u00a0 Unlike in <em>People v. Amarela, <\\/em>the victim recounted the harrowing nights that tormented her for six years of living with the perpetrator, and the medico-legal examination corroborated the latter\'s testimony. Hence, the SC found no compelling motive for the victim to lie. Furthermore, that after all, \\u201cno person, especially one of tender age, would ordinarily cry \\\"rape\\\" and subject oneself to the consequent rigors and embarrassments of medical examination and public trial, if not for the quest for rightful justice.<a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\">[8]<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong>IV. ERADICATING STEREOTYPES<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Supreme Court\\u2019s recent consideration and clarification as to the application of the Maria Clara doctrine in <em>People v. Amarela<\\/em> would not only prevent corruption of justice on the part of the accused but eradicate gender bias\\u00a0 and misconceptions in the society as well \\u2013 especially on the part of women.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The old constructed perception of women anchored in the apparent attributes of Maria Clara \\u2013 a pure soul, \\u00a0modest, self-effacing, long-suffering<a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\">[9]<\\/a> \\u2013 can no longer be applied absolutely today. Gone are the days when in cases of abuse, for a woman to be credible, she must be like Maria Clara; and when she does not fit the mold, there is a propensity of discrediting her as a witness, as exemplified in <em>Tionloc<\\/em><a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\">[10]<\\/a>:<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 It would be unfair to convict a man of rape committed against a woman who, after giving him the impression through her unexplainable silence of her tacit consent and allowing him to have sexual contact with her, changed her mind in the middle and charged him with rape.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 According to some women\'s rights groups, the Court\'s decision would open the floodgates to more incidents of rape, as this may embolden perpetrators to \\\"abuse more women\\\" confident that \\\"courts will most likely dismiss rape cases. <a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\"><sup>[11]<\\/sup><\\/a> The limitation of this ruling is already established in the ruling in the 2020 case of <em>People v. ZZZ<\\/em>, wherein the Court still weighed the victim\'s testimony based on factors such as her age, her recognition of the accused in open court, and other corroborative evidence.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Rather than completely disregarding a \\u00a0victim\\u2019s testimony, courts should distill it by doing away with outdated notions and stereotypes based purely on gender.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">[1]<\\/a> UST Faculty of Civil Law, 2G, UST Law Review Understudy<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a> Citing <em>People v. Ta\\u00f1o, <\\/em>109 Phil. 912(1960)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a> \\\"Maria Clara Doctrine in Rape Cases Revisited\\\". Buban and Lardizabal Law Offices. June 8, 2018.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[4]<\\/a> (People v. Amarela, 2018)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[5]<\\/a> (People v. Amarela, 2018)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[6]<\\/a> People v. Amarela, 2018<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\">[7]<\\/a> People v. Zamoraga, 568 Phil. 132, 140 (2008); People v. Achas, 612 Phil. 652, 662 (2009); People v. Banig, 693 Phil. 303, 312 (2012); People v. Gahi, 727 Phil. 642, 657 (2014); People v. Pitala, G.R. No. 223561, 19 October 2016.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\">[8]<\\/a> (People v. ZZZ, 2020)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\">[9]<\\/a>Pons, J. S. (n.d.). Construction and deconstruction of Maria Clara: History of an imagined care-oriented model of gender in the Philippines. Academia.edu. https:\\/\\/www.academia.edu\\/24937445\\/Construction_and_deconstruction_of_Maria_Clara_History_of_an_imagined_care_oriented_model_of_gender_in_the_Philippines.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\">[10]<\\/a> 63 ATENEO L.J. 317 (2018)\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\">[11]<\\/a> (The Philippine Star, 2018)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">Cover Photo: Painting by Juan Luna- La Bulaque\\u00f1a, 1985 and Puesta Del Sol, 1880\'s.\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.1,\"sizes\":[]},\"typography_font_size\":{\"unit\":\"px\",\"size\":14,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(4136,1341,'_thumbnail_id','1315'),(4138,1342,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(4139,1342,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(4140,1342,'_elementor_version','3.2.4'),(4141,1342,'_wp_page_template','default'),(4142,1342,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"6e15c706\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"25c228e7\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"21b7e2be\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<h1><span style=\\\"font-size: 24pt;\\\">People of the Philippines v. Juvy D. Amarela and Junard G. Racho: Applying the Maria Clara Doctrine in the 21st Century<\\/span><\\/h1>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><em>By: Ristel Mae B. Tagudando<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\"><sup><strong><sup>[1]<\\/sup><\\/strong><\\/sup><\\/a><\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><strong>I. THE WOMEN\\u2019S HONOR DOCTRINE<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Maria Clara Doctrine or the Women\\u2019s Honor Doctrine became part of Philippine jurisprudence in the 1960 case of <em>People v. Ta\\u00f1o<\\/em>.<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\"><sup>[2]<\\/sup><\\/a> Based on Maria Clara\'s character from Jose Rizal\'s <em>Noli Me Tangere<\\/em>, the doctrine provides the presumption that \\\"women, especially Filipinos, would not admit that they have been abused unless that abuse had happened\\\".<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\"><sup>[3]<\\/sup><\\/a> This doctrine implies that the testimony of the alleged victim by itself may be sufficient to sustain a conviction.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><strong>II. SUMMARY OF THE CASE<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In <em>People v. Amarela, <\\/em>the plaintiff,AAA, was watching a beauty contest with her aunt when she went to the restroom to urinate. However, she was not able to reach the comfort room because Amarela stopped her along the way.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 According to AAA, Amarela suddenly pulled her towards the daycare center and punched her in the abdomen, making her weak. Thereafter, Amarela undressed and put his penis inside AAA\\u2019s vagina. Three (3) men came to AAA\\u2019s rescue when she shouted for help, forcing Amarela to run away. However, she was brought to a hut by these persons, having bad intentions with her. Hence, she fled and ended up in the house of Godo Dumandan, who brought her first to the Racho residence because Dumandan thought her aunt was not at home. Dumandan stayed behind; that is why Racho was asked to bring AAA to her aunt\'s house instead. However, instead, she was brought to a shanty. She was told to lie down, but she refused. Racho boxed her abdomen and placed himself on top of AAA. Racho then inserted his penis into AAA\'s vagina. Thereafter, Racho left her. Thus, AAA went home alone and decided to leave home the following day. \\u00a0Eventually, AAA told her mother about what happened to her and reported the matter to the police.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Regional Trial Court (RTC) rendered a decision finding the appellants guilty beyond reasonable doubt of the crime of rape as the plaintiff\\u2019s testimony positively identifying both appellants was clear, positive, and straightforward.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In appeal before the Court of Appeals (CA), the appellants argued that several circumstances cast doubt on the victim\'s claim that she was raped. They alleged that her testimony does not conform to shared knowledge and ordinary human experience. Moreover, they pointed out that, although there were other witnesses, \\u00a0the only material testimony on record was that of the victim . However, the appellate court affirmed the trial court\'s decision as it found no reason to reverse the factual findings of the court <em>a quo<\\/em>.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 For the Supreme Court (SC), it had no reason to deviate from the well-entrenched rule that in matters of credibility of witnesses, the assessment made by the trial court should be respected and given weight.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Supreme Court reversed the judgment of conviction. First, AAA\'s version of the story in her affidavit-complaint differs materially from her testimony in court. Second, AAA could not have easily identified Amarela because the crime scene was dark; she only saw him for the first time. Third, her testimony lacks material details on how she was brought under the stage against her will. Lastly, the medical findings do not corroborate physical injuries and are inconclusive of any signs of forced entry.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><strong>III. WEIGHING OF THE VICTIM\\u2019S TESTIMONY<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Supreme Court has long accorded the evaluations of testimonial evidence by trial courts great respect. One can expect that said determination is based on reasonable discretion as to opting for which testimony is acceptable and which witness is worthy of belief. However, although the factual findings of the trial court are given weight by the Court\\u2014most especially when affirmed by the appellate court\\u2014such rule is not absolute as, for instance, when some facts or circumstances of weight and substance have been overlooked, misapprehended, and misinterpreted.<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\"><sup>[4]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Presently, the Court follows specific guidelines when presented with the credibility of witnesses, to wit:\\u00a0 giving the highest respect to the RTC\'s evaluation of the testimony of the witnesses, considering its unique position in directly observing the demeanor of a witness on the stand.\\u00a0 Second, absent any substantial reason that would justify the reversal of the RTC\'s assessments and conclusions. The reviewing court is generally bound by the lower court\'s findings, particularly when no significant facts and circumstances affecting the case\'s outcome are shown to have been overlooked or disregarded. Lastly, such a rule is even more stringently applied if the CA concurred with the RTC. <a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\"><sup>[5]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Applying the Maria Clara doctrine or the Women\\u2019s Honor doctrine\\u2014which often leads to cases being adjudged solely on the basis of the credibility of the victim \\u2013 does not only put the accused at an unfair disadvantage but also results in a travesty of justice. It is not impossible for an assumed victim to merely fabricate stories of her abuse.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In the past, one can say that it is natural for a woman to be reluctant to disclose a sexual assault. This stereotype cannot be applied anymore as women have transformed over the years and have become more willing to speak up and fight for their rights . There is a need to veer away from such a notion and accept the realities of a woman\'s dynamic role in society today.<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\">[6]<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Leaving the aforementioned doctrine\\u2013 given that the findings through evidence presented do not match the victim\'s testimony \\u2013 in the past is crucial because an accused must only be convicted solely on the testimony of the victim, provided of course, that the testimony is credible, natural, convincing, and consistent with human nature and the normal course of things. <a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\"><sup>[7]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Furthermore, this rule was clarified in the recent case of <em>People v. ZZZ<\\/em>. The \\u00a0Supreme Court relied on the victim\'s testimony because the latter readily recognized and pointed to her violator.\\u00a0 Unlike in <em>People v. Amarela, <\\/em>the victim recounted the harrowing nights that tormented her for six years of living with the perpetrator, and the medico-legal examination corroborated the latter\'s testimony. Hence, the SC found no compelling motive for the victim to lie. Furthermore, that after all, \\u201cno person, especially one of tender age, would ordinarily cry \\\"rape\\\" and subject oneself to the consequent rigors and embarrassments of medical examination and public trial, if not for the quest for rightful justice.<a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\">[8]<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><strong>IV. ERADICATING STEREOTYPES<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Supreme Court\\u2019s recent consideration and clarification as to the application of the Maria Clara doctrine in <em>People v. Amarela<\\/em> would not only prevent corruption of justice on the part of the accused but eradicate gender bias\\u00a0 and misconceptions in the society as well \\u2013 especially on the part of women.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The old constructed perception of women anchored in the apparent attributes of Maria Clara \\u2013 a pure soul, \\u00a0modest, self-effacing, long-suffering<a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\">[9]<\\/a> \\u2013 can no longer be applied absolutely today. Gone are the days when in cases of abuse, for a woman to be credible, she must be like Maria Clara; and when she does not fit the mold, there is a propensity of discrediting her as a witness, as exemplified in <em>Tionloc<\\/em><a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\">[10]<\\/a>:<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 It would be unfair to convict a man of rape committed against a woman who, after giving him the impression through her unexplainable silence of her tacit consent and allowing him to have sexual contact with her, changed her mind in the middle and charged him with rape.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 According to some women\'s rights groups, the Court\'s decision would open the floodgates to more incidents of rape, as this may embolden perpetrators to \\\"abuse more women\\\" confident that \\\"courts will most likely dismiss rape cases. <a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\"><sup>[11]<\\/sup><\\/a> The limitation of this ruling is already established in the ruling in the 2020 case of <em>People v. ZZZ<\\/em>, wherein the Court still weighed the victim\'s testimony based on factors such as her age, her recognition of the accused in open court, and other corroborative evidence.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Rather than completely disregarding a \\u00a0victim\\u2019s testimony, courts should distill it by doing away with outdated notions and stereotypes based purely on gender.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">[1]<\\/a> UST Faculty of Civil Law, 2G, UST Law Review Understudy<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a> Citing <em>People v. Ta\\u00f1o, <\\/em>109 Phil. 912(1960)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a> \\\"Maria Clara Doctrine in Rape Cases Revisited\\\". Buban and Lardizabal Law Offices. June 8, 2018.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[4]<\\/a> (People v. Amarela, 2018)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[5]<\\/a> (People v. Amarela, 2018)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[6]<\\/a> People v. Amarela, 2018<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\">[7]<\\/a> People v. Zamoraga, 568 Phil. 132, 140 (2008); People v. Achas, 612 Phil. 652, 662 (2009); People v. Banig, 693 Phil. 303, 312 (2012); People v. Gahi, 727 Phil. 642, 657 (2014); People v. Pitala, G.R. No. 223561, 19 October 2016.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\">[8]<\\/a> (People v. ZZZ, 2020)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\">[9]<\\/a>Pons, J. S. (n.d.). Construction and deconstruction of Maria Clara: History of an imagined care-oriented model of gender in the Philippines. Academia.edu. https:\\/\\/www.academia.edu\\/24937445\\/Construction_and_deconstruction_of_Maria_Clara_History_of_an_imagined_care_oriented_model_of_gender_in_the_Philippines.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\">[10]<\\/a> 63 ATENEO L.J. 317 (2018)\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\">[11]<\\/a> (The Philippine Star, 2018)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">Cover Photo: Painting by Juan Luna- La Bulaque\\u00f1a, 1985 and Puesta Del Sol, 1880\'s.\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.1,\"sizes\":[]},\"typography_font_size\":{\"unit\":\"px\",\"size\":14,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(4143,1342,'_thumbnail_id','1315'),(4147,1343,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(4148,1343,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(4149,1343,'_elementor_version','3.2.4'),(4150,1343,'_wp_page_template','default'),(4151,1343,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"6e15c706\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"25c228e7\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"21b7e2be\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<h1><span style=\\\"font-size: 24pt;\\\">People of the Philippines v. Juvy D. Amarela and Junard G. Racho: Applying the Maria Clara Doctrine in the 21st Century<\\/span><\\/h1>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><em>By: Ristel Mae B. Tagudando<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\"><sup><strong><sup>[1]<\\/sup><\\/strong><\\/sup><\\/a><\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><strong>I. THE WOMEN\\u2019S HONOR DOCTRINE<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Maria Clara Doctrine or the Women\\u2019s Honor Doctrine became part of Philippine jurisprudence in the 1960 case of <em>People v. Ta\\u00f1o<\\/em>.<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\"><sup>[2]<\\/sup><\\/a> Based on Maria Clara\'s character from Jose Rizal\'s <em>Noli Me Tangere<\\/em>, the doctrine provides the presumption that \\\"women, especially Filipinos, would not admit that they have been abused unless that abuse had happened\\\".<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\"><sup>[3]<\\/sup><\\/a> This doctrine implies that the testimony of the alleged victim by itself may be sufficient to sustain a conviction.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><strong>II. SUMMARY OF THE CASE<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In <em>People v. Amarela, <\\/em>the plaintiff,AAA, was watching a beauty contest with her aunt when she went to the restroom to urinate. However, she was not able to reach the comfort room because Amarela stopped her along the way.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 According to AAA, Amarela suddenly pulled her towards the daycare center and punched her in the abdomen, making her weak. Thereafter, Amarela undressed and put his penis inside AAA\\u2019s vagina. Three (3) men came to AAA\\u2019s rescue when she shouted for help, forcing Amarela to run away. However, she was brought to a hut by these persons, having bad intentions with her. Hence, she fled and ended up in the house of Godo Dumandan, who brought her first to the Racho residence because Dumandan thought her aunt was not at home. Dumandan stayed behind; that is why Racho was asked to bring AAA to her aunt\'s house instead. However, instead, she was brought to a shanty. She was told to lie down, but she refused. Racho boxed her abdomen and placed himself on top of AAA. Racho then inserted his penis into AAA\'s vagina. Thereafter, Racho left her. Thus, AAA went home alone and decided to leave home the following day. \\u00a0Eventually, AAA told her mother about what happened to her and reported the matter to the police.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Regional Trial Court (RTC) rendered a decision finding the appellants guilty beyond reasonable doubt of the crime of rape as the plaintiff\\u2019s testimony positively identifying both appellants was clear, positive, and straightforward.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In appeal before the Court of Appeals (CA), the appellants argued that several circumstances cast doubt on the victim\'s claim that she was raped. They alleged that her testimony does not conform to shared knowledge and ordinary human experience. Moreover, they pointed out that, although there were other witnesses, \\u00a0the only material testimony on record was that of the victim . However, the appellate court affirmed the trial court\'s decision as it found no reason to reverse the factual findings of the court <em>a quo<\\/em>.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 For the Supreme Court (SC), it had no reason to deviate from the well-entrenched rule that in matters of credibility of witnesses, the assessment made by the trial court should be respected and given weight.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Supreme Court reversed the judgment of conviction. First, AAA\'s version of the story in her affidavit-complaint differs materially from her testimony in court. Second, AAA could not have easily identified Amarela because the crime scene was dark; she only saw him for the first time. Third, her testimony lacks material details on how she was brought under the stage against her will. Lastly, the medical findings do not corroborate physical injuries and are inconclusive of any signs of forced entry.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><strong>III. WEIGHING OF THE VICTIM\\u2019S TESTIMONY<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Supreme Court has long accorded the evaluations of testimonial evidence by trial courts great respect. One can expect that said determination is based on reasonable discretion as to opting for which testimony is acceptable and which witness is worthy of belief. However, although the factual findings of the trial court are given weight by the Court\\u2014most especially when affirmed by the appellate court\\u2014such rule is not absolute as, for instance, when some facts or circumstances of weight and substance have been overlooked, misapprehended, and misinterpreted.<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\"><sup>[4]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Presently, the Court follows specific guidelines when presented with the credibility of witnesses, to wit:\\u00a0 giving the highest respect to the RTC\'s evaluation of the testimony of the witnesses, considering its unique position in directly observing the demeanor of a witness on the stand.\\u00a0 Second, absent any substantial reason that would justify the reversal of the RTC\'s assessments and conclusions. The reviewing court is generally bound by the lower court\'s findings, particularly when no significant facts and circumstances affecting the case\'s outcome are shown to have been overlooked or disregarded. Lastly, such a rule is even more stringently applied if the CA concurred with the RTC. <a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\"><sup>[5]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Applying the Maria Clara doctrine or the Women\\u2019s Honor doctrine\\u2014which often leads to cases being adjudged solely on the basis of the credibility of the victim \\u2013 does not only put the accused at an unfair disadvantage but also results in a travesty of justice. It is not impossible for an assumed victim to merely fabricate stories of her abuse.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In the past, one can say that it is natural for a woman to be reluctant to disclose a sexual assault. This stereotype cannot be applied anymore as women have transformed over the years and have become more willing to speak up and fight for their rights . There is a need to veer away from such a notion and accept the realities of a woman\'s dynamic role in society today.<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\">[6]<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Leaving the aforementioned doctrine\\u2013 given that the findings through evidence presented do not match the victim\'s testimony \\u2013 in the past is crucial because an accused must only be convicted solely on the testimony of the victim, provided of course, that the testimony is credible, natural, convincing, and consistent with human nature and the normal course of things. <a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\"><sup>[7]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Furthermore, this rule was clarified in the recent case of <em>People v. ZZZ<\\/em>. The \\u00a0Supreme Court relied on the victim\'s testimony because the latter readily recognized and pointed to her violator.\\u00a0 Unlike in <em>People v. Amarela, <\\/em>the victim recounted the harrowing nights that tormented her for six years of living with the perpetrator, and the medico-legal examination corroborated the latter\'s testimony. Hence, the SC found no compelling motive for the victim to lie. Furthermore, that after all, \\u201cno person, especially one of tender age, would ordinarily cry \\\"rape\\\" and subject oneself to the consequent rigors and embarrassments of medical examination and public trial, if not for the quest for rightful justice.<a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\">[8]<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><strong>IV. ERADICATING STEREOTYPES<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Supreme Court\\u2019s recent consideration and clarification as to the application of the Maria Clara doctrine in <em>People v. Amarela<\\/em> would not only prevent corruption of justice on the part of the accused but eradicate gender bias\\u00a0 and misconceptions in the society as well \\u2013 especially on the part of women.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The old constructed perception of women anchored in the apparent attributes of Maria Clara \\u2013 a pure soul, \\u00a0modest, self-effacing, long-suffering<a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\">[9]<\\/a> \\u2013 can no longer be applied absolutely today. Gone are the days when in cases of abuse, for a woman to be credible, she must be like Maria Clara; and when she does not fit the mold, there is a propensity of discrediting her as a witness, as exemplified in <em>Tionloc<\\/em><a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\">[10]<\\/a>:<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 It would be unfair to convict a man of rape committed against a woman who, after giving him the impression through her unexplainable silence of her tacit consent and allowing him to have sexual contact with her, changed her mind in the middle and charged him with rape.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 According to some women\'s rights groups, the Court\'s decision would open the floodgates to more incidents of rape, as this may embolden perpetrators to \\\"abuse more women\\\" confident that \\\"courts will most likely dismiss rape cases. <a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\"><sup>[11]<\\/sup><\\/a> The limitation of this ruling is already established in the ruling in the 2020 case of <em>People v. ZZZ<\\/em>, wherein the Court still weighed the victim\'s testimony based on factors such as her age, her recognition of the accused in open court, and other corroborative evidence.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Rather than completely disregarding a \\u00a0victim\\u2019s testimony, courts should distill it by doing away with outdated notions and stereotypes based purely on gender.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">[1]<\\/a> UST Faculty of Civil Law, 2G, UST Law Review Understudy<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a> Citing <em>People v. Ta\\u00f1o, <\\/em>109 Phil. 912(1960)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a> \\\"Maria Clara Doctrine in Rape Cases Revisited\\\". Buban and Lardizabal Law Offices. June 8, 2018.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[4]<\\/a> (People v. Amarela, 2018)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[5]<\\/a> (People v. Amarela, 2018)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[6]<\\/a> People v. Amarela, 2018<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\">[7]<\\/a> People v. Zamoraga, 568 Phil. 132, 140 (2008); People v. Achas, 612 Phil. 652, 662 (2009); People v. Banig, 693 Phil. 303, 312 (2012); People v. Gahi, 727 Phil. 642, 657 (2014); People v. Pitala, G.R. No. 223561, 19 October 2016.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\">[8]<\\/a> (People v. ZZZ, 2020)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\">[9]<\\/a>Pons, J. S. (n.d.). Construction and deconstruction of Maria Clara: History of an imagined care-oriented model of gender in the Philippines. Academia.edu. https:\\/\\/www.academia.edu\\/24937445\\/Construction_and_deconstruction_of_Maria_Clara_History_of_an_imagined_care_oriented_model_of_gender_in_the_Philippines.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\">[10]<\\/a> 63 ATENEO L.J. 317 (2018)\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\">[11]<\\/a> (The Philippine Star, 2018)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">Cover Photo: Painting by Juan Luna- La Bulaque\\u00f1a, 1985 and Puesta Del Sol, 1880\'s.\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.1,\"sizes\":[]},\"typography_font_size\":{\"unit\":\"px\",\"size\":14,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(4152,1343,'_thumbnail_id','1315'),(4154,1344,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(4155,1344,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(4156,1344,'_elementor_version','3.2.4'),(4157,1344,'_wp_page_template','default'),(4158,1344,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"6e15c706\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"25c228e7\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"21b7e2be\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<h1><span style=\\\"font-size: 24pt;\\\">People of the Philippines v. Juvy D. Amarela and Junard G. Racho: Applying the Maria Clara Doctrine in the 21st Century<\\/span><\\/h1>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><em>By: Ristel Mae B. Tagudando<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\"><sup><strong><sup>[1]<\\/sup><\\/strong><\\/sup><\\/a><\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><strong>I. THE WOMEN\\u2019S HONOR DOCTRINE<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Maria Clara Doctrine or the Women\\u2019s Honor Doctrine became part of Philippine jurisprudence in the 1960 case of <em>People v. Ta\\u00f1o<\\/em>.<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\"><sup>[2]<\\/sup><\\/a> Based on Maria Clara\'s character from Jose Rizal\'s <em>Noli Me Tangere<\\/em>, the doctrine provides the presumption that \\\"women, especially Filipinos, would not admit that they have been abused unless that abuse had happened\\\".<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\"><sup>[3]<\\/sup><\\/a> This doctrine implies that the testimony of the alleged victim by itself may be sufficient to sustain a conviction.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><strong>II. SUMMARY OF THE CASE<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In <em>People v. Amarela, <\\/em>the plaintiff,AAA, was watching a beauty contest with her aunt when she went to the restroom to urinate. However, she was not able to reach the comfort room because Amarela stopped her along the way.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 According to AAA, Amarela suddenly pulled her towards the daycare center and punched her in the abdomen, making her weak. Thereafter, Amarela undressed and put his penis inside AAA\\u2019s vagina. Three (3) men came to AAA\\u2019s rescue when she shouted for help, forcing Amarela to run away. However, she was brought to a hut by these persons, having bad intentions with her. Hence, she fled and ended up in the house of Godo Dumandan, who brought her first to the Racho residence because Dumandan thought her aunt was not at home. Dumandan stayed behind; that is why Racho was asked to bring AAA to her aunt\'s house instead. However, instead, she was brought to a shanty. She was told to lie down, but she refused. Racho boxed her abdomen and placed himself on top of AAA. Racho then inserted his penis into AAA\'s vagina. Thereafter, Racho left her. Thus, AAA went home alone and decided to leave home the following day. \\u00a0Eventually, AAA told her mother about what happened to her and reported the matter to the police.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Regional Trial Court (RTC) rendered a decision finding the appellants guilty beyond reasonable doubt of the crime of rape as the plaintiff\\u2019s testimony positively identifying both appellants was clear, positive, and straightforward.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In appeal before the Court of Appeals (CA), the appellants argued that several circumstances cast doubt on the victim\'s claim that she was raped. They alleged that her testimony does not conform to shared knowledge and ordinary human experience. Moreover, they pointed out that, although there were other witnesses, \\u00a0the only material testimony on record was that of the victim . However, the appellate court affirmed the trial court\'s decision as it found no reason to reverse the factual findings of the court <em>a quo<\\/em>.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 For the Supreme Court (SC), it had no reason to deviate from the well-entrenched rule that in matters of credibility of witnesses, the assessment made by the trial court should be respected and given weight.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Supreme Court reversed the judgment of conviction. First, AAA\'s version of the story in her affidavit-complaint differs materially from her testimony in court. Second, AAA could not have easily identified Amarela because the crime scene was dark; she only saw him for the first time. Third, her testimony lacks material details on how she was brought under the stage against her will. Lastly, the medical findings do not corroborate physical injuries and are inconclusive of any signs of forced entry.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><strong>III. WEIGHING OF THE VICTIM\\u2019S TESTIMONY<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Supreme Court has long accorded the evaluations of testimonial evidence by trial courts great respect. One can expect that said determination is based on reasonable discretion as to opting for which testimony is acceptable and which witness is worthy of belief. However, although the factual findings of the trial court are given weight by the Court\\u2014most especially when affirmed by the appellate court\\u2014such rule is not absolute as, for instance, when some facts or circumstances of weight and substance have been overlooked, misapprehended, and misinterpreted.<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\"><sup>[4]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Presently, the Court follows specific guidelines when presented with the credibility of witnesses, to wit:\\u00a0 giving the highest respect to the RTC\'s evaluation of the testimony of the witnesses, considering its unique position in directly observing the demeanor of a witness on the stand.\\u00a0 Second, absent any substantial reason that would justify the reversal of the RTC\'s assessments and conclusions. The reviewing court is generally bound by the lower court\'s findings, particularly when no significant facts and circumstances affecting the case\'s outcome are shown to have been overlooked or disregarded. Lastly, such a rule is even more stringently applied if the CA concurred with the RTC. <a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\"><sup>[5]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Applying the Maria Clara doctrine or the Women\\u2019s Honor doctrine\\u2014which often leads to cases being adjudged solely on the basis of the credibility of the victim \\u2013 does not only put the accused at an unfair disadvantage but also results in a travesty of justice. It is not impossible for an assumed victim to merely fabricate stories of her abuse.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In the past, one can say that it is natural for a woman to be reluctant to disclose a sexual assault. This stereotype cannot be applied anymore as women have transformed over the years and have become more willing to speak up and fight for their rights . There is a need to veer away from such a notion and accept the realities of a woman\'s dynamic role in society today.<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\">[6]<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Leaving the aforementioned doctrine\\u2013 given that the findings through evidence presented do not match the victim\'s testimony \\u2013 in the past is crucial because an accused must only be convicted solely on the testimony of the victim, provided of course, that the testimony is credible, natural, convincing, and consistent with human nature and the normal course of things. <a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\"><sup>[7]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Furthermore, this rule was clarified in the recent case of <em>People v. ZZZ<\\/em>. The \\u00a0Supreme Court relied on the victim\'s testimony because the latter readily recognized and pointed to her violator.\\u00a0 Unlike in <em>People v. Amarela, <\\/em>the victim recounted the harrowing nights that tormented her for six years of living with the perpetrator, and the medico-legal examination corroborated the latter\'s testimony. Hence, the SC found no compelling motive for the victim to lie. Furthermore, that after all, \\u201cno person, especially one of tender age, would ordinarily cry \\\"rape\\\" and subject oneself to the consequent rigors and embarrassments of medical examination and public trial, if not for the quest for rightful justice.<a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\">[8]<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><strong>IV. ERADICATING STEREOTYPES<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Supreme Court\\u2019s recent consideration and clarification as to the application of the Maria Clara doctrine in <em>People v. Amarela<\\/em> would not only prevent corruption of justice on the part of the accused but eradicate gender bias\\u00a0 and misconceptions in the society as well \\u2013 especially on the part of women.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The old constructed perception of women anchored in the apparent attributes of Maria Clara \\u2013 a pure soul, \\u00a0modest, self-effacing, long-suffering<a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\">[9]<\\/a> \\u2013 can no longer be applied absolutely today. Gone are the days when in cases of abuse, for a woman to be credible, she must be like Maria Clara; and when she does not fit the mold, there is a propensity of discrediting her as a witness, as exemplified in <em>Tionloc<\\/em><a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\">[10]<\\/a>:<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 It would be unfair to convict a man of rape committed against a woman who, after giving him the impression through her unexplainable silence of her tacit consent and allowing him to have sexual contact with her, changed her mind in the middle and charged him with rape.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 According to some women\'s rights groups, the Court\'s decision would open the floodgates to more incidents of rape, as this may embolden perpetrators to \\\"abuse more women\\\" confident that \\\"courts will most likely dismiss rape cases. <a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\"><sup>[11]<\\/sup><\\/a> The limitation of this ruling is already established in the ruling in the 2020 case of <em>People v. ZZZ<\\/em>, wherein the Court still weighed the victim\'s testimony based on factors such as her age, her recognition of the accused in open court, and other corroborative evidence.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Rather than completely disregarding a \\u00a0victim\\u2019s testimony, courts should distill it by doing away with outdated notions and stereotypes based purely on gender.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">[1]<\\/a> UST Faculty of Civil Law, 2G, UST Law Review Understudy<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a> Citing <em>People v. Ta\\u00f1o, <\\/em>109 Phil. 912(1960)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a> \\\"Maria Clara Doctrine in Rape Cases Revisited\\\". Buban and Lardizabal Law Offices. June 8, 2018.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[4]<\\/a> (People v. Amarela, 2018)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[5]<\\/a> (People v. Amarela, 2018)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[6]<\\/a> People v. Amarela, 2018<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\">[7]<\\/a> People v. Zamoraga, 568 Phil. 132, 140 (2008); People v. Achas, 612 Phil. 652, 662 (2009); People v. Banig, 693 Phil. 303, 312 (2012); People v. Gahi, 727 Phil. 642, 657 (2014); People v. Pitala, G.R. No. 223561, 19 October 2016.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\">[8]<\\/a> (People v. ZZZ, 2020)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\">[9]<\\/a>Pons, J. S. (n.d.). Construction and deconstruction of Maria Clara: History of an imagined care-oriented model of gender in the Philippines. Academia.edu. https:\\/\\/www.academia.edu\\/24937445\\/Construction_and_deconstruction_of_Maria_Clara_History_of_an_imagined_care_oriented_model_of_gender_in_the_Philippines.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\">[10]<\\/a> 63 ATENEO L.J. 317 (2018)\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\">[11]<\\/a> (The Philippine Star, 2018)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">Cover Photo: Painting by Juan Luna- La Bulaque\\u00f1a, 1985 and Puesta Del Sol, 1880\'s.\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.1,\"sizes\":[]},\"typography_font_size\":{\"unit\":\"px\",\"size\":14,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(4159,1344,'_thumbnail_id','1315'),(4161,1345,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(4162,1345,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(4163,1345,'_elementor_version','3.2.4'),(4164,1345,'_wp_page_template','default'),(4165,1345,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"6e15c706\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"25c228e7\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"21b7e2be\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<h1><span style=\\\"font-size: 24pt;\\\">People of the Philippines v. Juvy D. Amarela and Junard G. Racho: Applying the Maria Clara Doctrine in the 21st Century<\\/span><\\/h1>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><em>By: Ristel Mae B. Tagudando<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\"><sup><strong><sup>[1]<\\/sup><\\/strong><\\/sup><\\/a><\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><strong>I. THE WOMEN\\u2019S HONOR DOCTRINE<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Maria Clara Doctrine or the Women\\u2019s Honor Doctrine became part of Philippine jurisprudence in the 1960 case of <em>People v. Ta\\u00f1o<\\/em>.<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\"><sup>[2]<\\/sup><\\/a> Based on Maria Clara\'s character from Jose Rizal\'s <em>Noli Me Tangere<\\/em>, the doctrine provides the presumption that \\\"women, especially Filipinos, would not admit that they have been abused unless that abuse had happened\\\".<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\"><sup>[3]<\\/sup><\\/a> This doctrine implies that the testimony of the alleged victim by itself may be sufficient to sustain a conviction.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><strong>II. SUMMARY OF THE CASE<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In <em>People v. Amarela, <\\/em>the plaintiff,AAA, was watching a beauty contest with her aunt when she went to the restroom to urinate. However, she was not able to reach the comfort room because Amarela stopped her along the way.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 According to AAA, Amarela suddenly pulled her towards the daycare center and punched her in the abdomen, making her weak. Thereafter, Amarela undressed and put his penis inside AAA\\u2019s vagina. Three (3) men came to AAA\\u2019s rescue when she shouted for help, forcing Amarela to run away. However, she was brought to a hut by these persons, having bad intentions with her. Hence, she fled and ended up in the house of Godo Dumandan, who brought her first to the Racho residence because Dumandan thought her aunt was not at home. Dumandan stayed behind; that is why Racho was asked to bring AAA to her aunt\'s house instead. However, instead, she was brought to a shanty. She was told to lie down, but she refused. Racho boxed her abdomen and placed himself on top of AAA. Racho then inserted his penis into AAA\'s vagina. Thereafter, Racho left her. Thus, AAA went home alone and decided to leave home the following day. \\u00a0Eventually, AAA told her mother about what happened to her and reported the matter to the police.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Regional Trial Court (RTC) rendered a decision finding the appellants guilty beyond reasonable doubt of the crime of rape as the plaintiff\\u2019s testimony positively identifying both appellants was clear, positive, and straightforward.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In appeal before the Court of Appeals (CA), the appellants argued that several circumstances cast doubt on the victim\'s claim that she was raped. They alleged that her testimony does not conform to shared knowledge and ordinary human experience. Moreover, they pointed out that, although there were other witnesses, \\u00a0the only material testimony on record was that of the victim . However, the appellate court affirmed the trial court\'s decision as it found no reason to reverse the factual findings of the court <em>a quo<\\/em>.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 For the Supreme Court (SC), it had no reason to deviate from the well-entrenched rule that in matters of credibility of witnesses, the assessment made by the trial court should be respected and given weight.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Supreme Court reversed the judgment of conviction. First, AAA\'s version of the story in her affidavit-complaint differs materially from her testimony in court. Second, AAA could not have easily identified Amarela because the crime scene was dark; she only saw him for the first time. Third, her testimony lacks material details on how she was brought under the stage against her will. Lastly, the medical findings do not corroborate physical injuries and are inconclusive of any signs of forced entry.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><strong>III. WEIGHING OF THE VICTIM\\u2019S TESTIMONY<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Supreme Court has long accorded the evaluations of testimonial evidence by trial courts great respect. One can expect that said determination is based on reasonable discretion as to opting for which testimony is acceptable and which witness is worthy of belief. However, although the factual findings of the trial court are given weight by the Court\\u2014most especially when affirmed by the appellate court\\u2014such rule is not absolute as, for instance, when some facts or circumstances of weight and substance have been overlooked, misapprehended, and misinterpreted.<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\"><sup>[4]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Presently, the Court follows specific guidelines when presented with the credibility of witnesses, to wit:\\u00a0 giving the highest respect to the RTC\'s evaluation of the testimony of the witnesses, considering its unique position in directly observing the demeanor of a witness on the stand.\\u00a0 Second, absent any substantial reason that would justify the reversal of the RTC\'s assessments and conclusions. The reviewing court is generally bound by the lower court\'s findings, particularly when no significant facts and circumstances affecting the case\'s outcome are shown to have been overlooked or disregarded. Lastly, such a rule is even more stringently applied if the CA concurred with the RTC. <a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\"><sup>[5]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Applying the Maria Clara doctrine or the Women\\u2019s Honor doctrine\\u2014which often leads to cases being adjudged solely on the basis of the credibility of the victim \\u2013 does not only put the accused at an unfair disadvantage but also results in a travesty of justice. It is not impossible for an assumed victim to merely fabricate stories of her abuse.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In the past, one can say that it is natural for a woman to be reluctant to disclose a sexual assault. This stereotype cannot be applied anymore as women have transformed over the years and have become more willing to speak up and fight for their rights . There is a need to veer away from such a notion and accept the realities of a woman\'s dynamic role in society today.<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\">[6]<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Leaving the aforementioned doctrine\\u2013 given that the findings through evidence presented do not match the victim\'s testimony \\u2013 in the past is crucial because an accused must only be convicted solely on the testimony of the victim, provided of course, that the testimony is credible, natural, convincing, and consistent with human nature and the normal course of things. <a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\"><sup>[7]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Furthermore, this rule was clarified in the recent case of <em>People v. ZZZ<\\/em>. The \\u00a0Supreme Court relied on the victim\'s testimony because the latter readily recognized and pointed to her violator.\\u00a0 Unlike in <em>People v. Amarela, <\\/em>the victim recounted the harrowing nights that tormented her for six years of living with the perpetrator, and the medico-legal examination corroborated the latter\'s testimony. Hence, the SC found no compelling motive for the victim to lie. Furthermore, that after all, \\u201cno person, especially one of tender age, would ordinarily cry \\\"rape\\\" and subject oneself to the consequent rigors and embarrassments of medical examination and public trial, if not for the quest for rightful justice.<a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\">[8]<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><strong>IV. ERADICATING STEREOTYPES<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Supreme Court\\u2019s recent consideration and clarification as to the application of the Maria Clara doctrine in <em>People v. Amarela<\\/em> would not only prevent corruption of justice on the part of the accused but eradicate gender bias\\u00a0 and misconceptions in the society as well \\u2013 especially on the part of women.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The old constructed perception of women anchored in the apparent attributes of Maria Clara \\u2013 a pure soul, \\u00a0modest, self-effacing, long-suffering<a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\">[9]<\\/a> \\u2013 can no longer be applied absolutely today. Gone are the days when in cases of abuse, for a woman to be credible, she must be like Maria Clara; and when she does not fit the mold, there is a propensity of discrediting her as a witness, as exemplified in <em>Tionloc<\\/em><a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\">[10]<\\/a>:<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 It would be unfair to convict a man of rape committed against a woman who, after giving him the impression through her unexplainable silence of her tacit consent and allowing him to have sexual contact with her, changed her mind in the middle and charged him with rape.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 According to some women\'s rights groups, the Court\'s decision would open the floodgates to more incidents of rape, as this may embolden perpetrators to \\\"abuse more women\\\" confident that \\\"courts will most likely dismiss rape cases. <a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\"><sup>[11]<\\/sup><\\/a> The limitation of this ruling is already established in the ruling in the 2020 case of <em>People v. ZZZ<\\/em>, wherein the Court still weighed the victim\'s testimony based on factors such as her age, her recognition of the accused in open court, and other corroborative evidence.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Rather than completely disregarding a \\u00a0victim\\u2019s testimony, courts should distill it by doing away with outdated notions and stereotypes based purely on gender.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">[1]<\\/a> UST Faculty of Civil Law, 2G, UST Law Review Understudy<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a> Citing <em>People v. Ta\\u00f1o, <\\/em>109 Phil. 912(1960)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a> \\\"Maria Clara Doctrine in Rape Cases Revisited\\\". Buban and Lardizabal Law Offices. June 8, 2018.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[4]<\\/a> (People v. Amarela, 2018)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[5]<\\/a> (People v. Amarela, 2018)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[6]<\\/a> People v. Amarela, 2018<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\">[7]<\\/a> People v. Zamoraga, 568 Phil. 132, 140 (2008); People v. Achas, 612 Phil. 652, 662 (2009); People v. Banig, 693 Phil. 303, 312 (2012); People v. Gahi, 727 Phil. 642, 657 (2014); People v. Pitala, G.R. No. 223561, 19 October 2016.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\">[8]<\\/a> (People v. ZZZ, 2020)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\">[9]<\\/a>Pons, J. S. (n.d.). Construction and deconstruction of Maria Clara: History of an imagined care-oriented model of gender in the Philippines. Academia.edu. https:\\/\\/www.academia.edu\\/24937445\\/Construction_and_deconstruction_of_Maria_Clara_History_of_an_imagined_care_oriented_model_of_gender_in_the_Philippines.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\">[10]<\\/a> 63 ATENEO L.J. 317 (2018)\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\">[11]<\\/a> (The Philippine Star, 2018)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">Cover Photo: Painting by Juan Luna- La Bulaque\\u00f1a, 1985 and Puesta Del Sol, 1880\'s.\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.1,\"sizes\":[]},\"typography_font_size\":{\"unit\":\"px\",\"size\":18,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(4166,1345,'_thumbnail_id','1315'),(4170,1346,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(4171,1346,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(4172,1346,'_elementor_version','3.2.4'),(4173,1346,'_wp_page_template','default'),(4174,1346,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"6e15c706\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"25c228e7\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"21b7e2be\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<h1><span style=\\\"font-size: 24pt;\\\">People of the Philippines v. Juvy D. Amarela and Junard G. Racho: Applying the Maria Clara Doctrine in the 21st Century<\\/span><\\/h1>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><em>By: Ristel Mae B. Tagudando<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\"><sup><strong><sup>[1]<\\/sup><\\/strong><\\/sup><\\/a><\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><strong>I. THE WOMEN\\u2019S HONOR DOCTRINE<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Maria Clara Doctrine or the Women\\u2019s Honor Doctrine became part of Philippine jurisprudence in the 1960 case of <em>People v. Ta\\u00f1o<\\/em>.<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\"><sup>[2]<\\/sup><\\/a> Based on Maria Clara\'s character from Jose Rizal\'s <em>Noli Me Tangere<\\/em>, the doctrine provides the presumption that \\\"women, especially Filipinos, would not admit that they have been abused unless that abuse had happened\\\".<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\"><sup>[3]<\\/sup><\\/a> This doctrine implies that the testimony of the alleged victim by itself may be sufficient to sustain a conviction.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><strong>II. SUMMARY OF THE CASE<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In <em>People v. Amarela, <\\/em>the plaintiff,AAA, was watching a beauty contest with her aunt when she went to the restroom to urinate. However, she was not able to reach the comfort room because Amarela stopped her along the way.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 According to AAA, Amarela suddenly pulled her towards the daycare center and punched her in the abdomen, making her weak. Thereafter, Amarela undressed and put his penis inside AAA\\u2019s vagina. Three (3) men came to AAA\\u2019s rescue when she shouted for help, forcing Amarela to run away. However, she was brought to a hut by these persons, having bad intentions with her. Hence, she fled and ended up in the house of Godo Dumandan, who brought her first to the Racho residence because Dumandan thought her aunt was not at home. Dumandan stayed behind; that is why Racho was asked to bring AAA to her aunt\'s house instead. However, instead, she was brought to a shanty. She was told to lie down, but she refused. Racho boxed her abdomen and placed himself on top of AAA. Racho then inserted his penis into AAA\'s vagina. Thereafter, Racho left her. Thus, AAA went home alone and decided to leave home the following day. \\u00a0Eventually, AAA told her mother about what happened to her and reported the matter to the police.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Regional Trial Court (RTC) rendered a decision finding the appellants guilty beyond reasonable doubt of the crime of rape as the plaintiff\\u2019s testimony positively identifying both appellants was clear, positive, and straightforward.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In appeal before the Court of Appeals (CA), the appellants argued that several circumstances cast doubt on the victim\'s claim that she was raped. They alleged that her testimony does not conform to shared knowledge and ordinary human experience. Moreover, they pointed out that, although there were other witnesses, \\u00a0the only material testimony on record was that of the victim . However, the appellate court affirmed the trial court\'s decision as it found no reason to reverse the factual findings of the court <em>a quo<\\/em>.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 For the Supreme Court (SC), it had no reason to deviate from the well-entrenched rule that in matters of credibility of witnesses, the assessment made by the trial court should be respected and given weight.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Supreme Court reversed the judgment of conviction. First, AAA\'s version of the story in her affidavit-complaint differs materially from her testimony in court. Second, AAA could not have easily identified Amarela because the crime scene was dark; she only saw him for the first time. Third, her testimony lacks material details on how she was brought under the stage against her will. Lastly, the medical findings do not corroborate physical injuries and are inconclusive of any signs of forced entry.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><strong>III. WEIGHING OF THE VICTIM\\u2019S TESTIMONY<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Supreme Court has long accorded the evaluations of testimonial evidence by trial courts great respect. One can expect that said determination is based on reasonable discretion as to opting for which testimony is acceptable and which witness is worthy of belief. However, although the factual findings of the trial court are given weight by the Court\\u2014most especially when affirmed by the appellate court\\u2014such rule is not absolute as, for instance, when some facts or circumstances of weight and substance have been overlooked, misapprehended, and misinterpreted.<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\"><sup>[4]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Presently, the Court follows specific guidelines when presented with the credibility of witnesses, to wit:\\u00a0 giving the highest respect to the RTC\'s evaluation of the testimony of the witnesses, considering its unique position in directly observing the demeanor of a witness on the stand.\\u00a0 Second, absent any substantial reason that would justify the reversal of the RTC\'s assessments and conclusions. The reviewing court is generally bound by the lower court\'s findings, particularly when no significant facts and circumstances affecting the case\'s outcome are shown to have been overlooked or disregarded. Lastly, such a rule is even more stringently applied if the CA concurred with the RTC. <a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\"><sup>[5]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Applying the Maria Clara doctrine or the Women\\u2019s Honor doctrine\\u2014which often leads to cases being adjudged solely on the basis of the credibility of the victim \\u2013 does not only put the accused at an unfair disadvantage but also results in a travesty of justice. It is not impossible for an assumed victim to merely fabricate stories of her abuse.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In the past, one can say that it is natural for a woman to be reluctant to disclose a sexual assault. This stereotype cannot be applied anymore as women have transformed over the years and have become more willing to speak up and fight for their rights . There is a need to veer away from such a notion and accept the realities of a woman\'s dynamic role in society today.<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\">[6]<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Leaving the aforementioned doctrine\\u2013 given that the findings through evidence presented do not match the victim\'s testimony \\u2013 in the past is crucial because an accused must only be convicted solely on the testimony of the victim, provided of course, that the testimony is credible, natural, convincing, and consistent with human nature and the normal course of things. <a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\"><sup>[7]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Furthermore, this rule was clarified in the recent case of <em>People v. ZZZ<\\/em>. The \\u00a0Supreme Court relied on the victim\'s testimony because the latter readily recognized and pointed to her violator.\\u00a0 Unlike in <em>People v. Amarela, <\\/em>the victim recounted the harrowing nights that tormented her for six years of living with the perpetrator, and the medico-legal examination corroborated the latter\'s testimony. Hence, the SC found no compelling motive for the victim to lie. Furthermore, that after all, \\u201cno person, especially one of tender age, would ordinarily cry \\\"rape\\\" and subject oneself to the consequent rigors and embarrassments of medical examination and public trial, if not for the quest for rightful justice.<a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\">[8]<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><strong>IV. ERADICATING STEREOTYPES<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Supreme Court\\u2019s recent consideration and clarification as to the application of the Maria Clara doctrine in <em>People v. Amarela<\\/em> would not only prevent corruption of justice on the part of the accused but eradicate gender bias\\u00a0 and misconceptions in the society as well \\u2013 especially on the part of women.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The old constructed perception of women anchored in the apparent attributes of Maria Clara \\u2013 a pure soul, \\u00a0modest, self-effacing, long-suffering<a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\">[9]<\\/a> \\u2013 can no longer be applied absolutely today. Gone are the days when in cases of abuse, for a woman to be credible, she must be like Maria Clara; and when she does not fit the mold, there is a propensity of discrediting her as a witness, as exemplified in <em>Tionloc<\\/em><a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\">[10]<\\/a>:<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 It would be unfair to convict a man of rape committed against a woman who, after giving him the impression through her unexplainable silence of her tacit consent and allowing him to have sexual contact with her, changed her mind in the middle and charged him with rape.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 According to some women\'s rights groups, the Court\'s decision would open the floodgates to more incidents of rape, as this may embolden perpetrators to \\\"abuse more women\\\" confident that \\\"courts will most likely dismiss rape cases. <a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\"><sup>[11]<\\/sup><\\/a> The limitation of this ruling is already established in the ruling in the 2020 case of <em>People v. ZZZ<\\/em>, wherein the Court still weighed the victim\'s testimony based on factors such as her age, her recognition of the accused in open court, and other corroborative evidence.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Rather than completely disregarding a \\u00a0victim\\u2019s testimony, courts should distill it by doing away with outdated notions and stereotypes based purely on gender.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">[1]<\\/a> UST Faculty of Civil Law, 2G, UST Law Review Understudy<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a> Citing <em>People v. Ta\\u00f1o, <\\/em>109 Phil. 912(1960)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a> \\\"Maria Clara Doctrine in Rape Cases Revisited\\\". Buban and Lardizabal Law Offices. June 8, 2018.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[4]<\\/a> (People v. Amarela, 2018)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[5]<\\/a> (People v. Amarela, 2018)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[6]<\\/a> People v. Amarela, 2018<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\">[7]<\\/a> People v. Zamoraga, 568 Phil. 132, 140 (2008); People v. Achas, 612 Phil. 652, 662 (2009); People v. Banig, 693 Phil. 303, 312 (2012); People v. Gahi, 727 Phil. 642, 657 (2014); People v. Pitala, G.R. No. 223561, 19 October 2016.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\">[8]<\\/a> (People v. ZZZ, 2020)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\">[9]<\\/a>Pons, J. S. (n.d.). Construction and deconstruction of Maria Clara: History of an imagined care-oriented model of gender in the Philippines. Academia.edu. https:\\/\\/www.academia.edu\\/24937445\\/Construction_and_deconstruction_of_Maria_Clara_History_of_an_imagined_care_oriented_model_of_gender_in_the_Philippines.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\">[10]<\\/a> 63 ATENEO L.J. 317 (2018)\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\">[11]<\\/a> (The Philippine Star, 2018)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">Cover Photo: Painting by Juan Luna- La Bulaque\\u00f1a, 1985 and Puesta Del Sol, 1880\'s.\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.1,\"sizes\":[]},\"typography_font_size\":{\"unit\":\"px\",\"size\":18,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(4175,1346,'_thumbnail_id','1315'),(4177,1347,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(4178,1347,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(4179,1347,'_elementor_version','3.2.4'),(4180,1347,'_wp_page_template','default'),(4181,1347,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"6e15c706\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"25c228e7\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"21b7e2be\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<h1><span style=\\\"font-size: 24pt;\\\">People of the Philippines v. Juvy D. Amarela and Junard G. Racho: Applying the Maria Clara Doctrine in the 21st Century<\\/span><\\/h1>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><em>By: Ristel Mae B. Tagudando<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\"><sup><strong><sup>[1]<\\/sup><\\/strong><\\/sup><\\/a><\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><strong>I. THE WOMEN\\u2019S HONOR DOCTRINE<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Maria Clara Doctrine or the Women\\u2019s Honor Doctrine became part of Philippine jurisprudence in the 1960 case of <em>People v. Ta\\u00f1o<\\/em>.<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\"><sup>[2]<\\/sup><\\/a> Based on Maria Clara\'s character from Jose Rizal\'s <em>Noli Me Tangere<\\/em>, the doctrine provides the presumption that \\\"women, especially Filipinos, would not admit that they have been abused unless that abuse had happened\\\".<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\"><sup>[3]<\\/sup><\\/a> This doctrine implies that the testimony of the alleged victim by itself may be sufficient to sustain a conviction.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><strong>II. SUMMARY OF THE CASE<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In <em>People v. Amarela, <\\/em>the plaintiff,AAA, was watching a beauty contest with her aunt when she went to the restroom to urinate. However, she was not able to reach the comfort room because Amarela stopped her along the way.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 According to AAA, Amarela suddenly pulled her towards the daycare center and punched her in the abdomen, making her weak. Thereafter, Amarela undressed and put his penis inside AAA\\u2019s vagina. Three (3) men came to AAA\\u2019s rescue when she shouted for help, forcing Amarela to run away. However, she was brought to a hut by these persons, having bad intentions with her. Hence, she fled and ended up in the house of Godo Dumandan, who brought her first to the Racho residence because Dumandan thought her aunt was not at home. Dumandan stayed behind; that is why Racho was asked to bring AAA to her aunt\'s house instead. However, instead, she was brought to a shanty. She was told to lie down, but she refused. Racho boxed her abdomen and placed himself on top of AAA. Racho then inserted his penis into AAA\'s vagina. Thereafter, Racho left her. Thus, AAA went home alone and decided to leave home the following day. \\u00a0Eventually, AAA told her mother about what happened to her and reported the matter to the police.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Regional Trial Court (RTC) rendered a decision finding the appellants guilty beyond reasonable doubt of the crime of rape as the plaintiff\\u2019s testimony positively identifying both appellants was clear, positive, and straightforward.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In appeal before the Court of Appeals (CA), the appellants argued that several circumstances cast doubt on the victim\'s claim that she was raped. They alleged that her testimony does not conform to shared knowledge and ordinary human experience. Moreover, they pointed out that, although there were other witnesses, \\u00a0the only material testimony on record was that of the victim . However, the appellate court affirmed the trial court\'s decision as it found no reason to reverse the factual findings of the court <em>a quo<\\/em>.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 For the Supreme Court (SC), it had no reason to deviate from the well-entrenched rule that in matters of credibility of witnesses, the assessment made by the trial court should be respected and given weight.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Supreme Court reversed the judgment of conviction. First, AAA\'s version of the story in her affidavit-complaint differs materially from her testimony in court. Second, AAA could not have easily identified Amarela because the crime scene was dark; she only saw him for the first time. Third, her testimony lacks material details on how she was brought under the stage against her will. Lastly, the medical findings do not corroborate physical injuries and are inconclusive of any signs of forced entry.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><strong>III. WEIGHING OF THE VICTIM\\u2019S TESTIMONY<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Supreme Court has long accorded the evaluations of testimonial evidence by trial courts great respect. One can expect that said determination is based on reasonable discretion as to opting for which testimony is acceptable and which witness is worthy of belief. However, although the factual findings of the trial court are given weight by the Court\\u2014most especially when affirmed by the appellate court\\u2014such rule is not absolute as, for instance, when some facts or circumstances of weight and substance have been overlooked, misapprehended, and misinterpreted.<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\"><sup>[4]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Presently, the Court follows specific guidelines when presented with the credibility of witnesses, to wit:\\u00a0 giving the highest respect to the RTC\'s evaluation of the testimony of the witnesses, considering its unique position in directly observing the demeanor of a witness on the stand.\\u00a0 Second, absent any substantial reason that would justify the reversal of the RTC\'s assessments and conclusions. The reviewing court is generally bound by the lower court\'s findings, particularly when no significant facts and circumstances affecting the case\'s outcome are shown to have been overlooked or disregarded. Lastly, such a rule is even more stringently applied if the CA concurred with the RTC. <a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\"><sup>[5]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Applying the Maria Clara doctrine or the Women\\u2019s Honor doctrine\\u2014which often leads to cases being adjudged solely on the basis of the credibility of the victim \\u2013 does not only put the accused at an unfair disadvantage but also results in a travesty of justice. It is not impossible for an assumed victim to merely fabricate stories of her abuse.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In the past, one can say that it is natural for a woman to be reluctant to disclose a sexual assault. This stereotype cannot be applied anymore as women have transformed over the years and have become more willing to speak up and fight for their rights . There is a need to veer away from such a notion and accept the realities of a woman\'s dynamic role in society today.<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\">[6]<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Leaving the aforementioned doctrine\\u2013 given that the findings through evidence presented do not match the victim\'s testimony \\u2013 in the past is crucial because an accused must only be convicted solely on the testimony of the victim, provided of course, that the testimony is credible, natural, convincing, and consistent with human nature and the normal course of things. <a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\"><sup>[7]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Furthermore, this rule was clarified in the recent case of <em>People v. ZZZ<\\/em>. The \\u00a0Supreme Court relied on the victim\'s testimony because the latter readily recognized and pointed to her violator.\\u00a0 Unlike in <em>People v. Amarela, <\\/em>the victim recounted the harrowing nights that tormented her for six years of living with the perpetrator, and the medico-legal examination corroborated the latter\'s testimony. Hence, the SC found no compelling motive for the victim to lie. Furthermore, that after all, \\u201cno person, especially one of tender age, would ordinarily cry \\\"rape\\\" and subject oneself to the consequent rigors and embarrassments of medical examination and public trial, if not for the quest for rightful justice.<a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\">[8]<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><strong>IV. ERADICATING STEREOTYPES<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Supreme Court\\u2019s recent consideration and clarification as to the application of the Maria Clara doctrine in <em>People v. Amarela<\\/em> would not only prevent corruption of justice on the part of the accused but eradicate gender bias\\u00a0 and misconceptions in the society as well \\u2013 especially on the part of women.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The old constructed perception of women anchored in the apparent attributes of Maria Clara \\u2013 a pure soul, \\u00a0modest, self-effacing, long-suffering<a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\">[9]<\\/a> \\u2013 can no longer be applied absolutely today. Gone are the days when in cases of abuse, for a woman to be credible, she must be like Maria Clara; and when she does not fit the mold, there is a propensity of discrediting her as a witness, as exemplified in <em>Tionloc<\\/em><a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\">[10]<\\/a>:<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 It would be unfair to convict a man of rape committed against a woman who, after giving him the impression through her unexplainable silence of her tacit consent and allowing him to have sexual contact with her, changed her mind in the middle and charged him with rape.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 According to some women\'s rights groups, the Court\'s decision would open the floodgates to more incidents of rape, as this may embolden perpetrators to \\\"abuse more women\\\" confident that \\\"courts will most likely dismiss rape cases. <a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\"><sup>[11]<\\/sup><\\/a> The limitation of this ruling is already established in the ruling in the 2020 case of <em>People v. ZZZ<\\/em>, wherein the Court still weighed the victim\'s testimony based on factors such as her age, her recognition of the accused in open court, and other corroborative evidence.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Rather than completely disregarding a \\u00a0victim\\u2019s testimony, courts should distill it by doing away with outdated notions and stereotypes based purely on gender.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">[1]<\\/a> UST Faculty of Civil Law, 2G, UST Law Review Understudy<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a> Citing <em>People v. Ta\\u00f1o, <\\/em>109 Phil. 912(1960)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a> \\\"Maria Clara Doctrine in Rape Cases Revisited\\\". Buban and Lardizabal Law Offices. June 8, 2018.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[4]<\\/a> (People v. Amarela, 2018)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[5]<\\/a> (People v. Amarela, 2018)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[6]<\\/a> People v. Amarela, 2018<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\">[7]<\\/a> People v. Zamoraga, 568 Phil. 132, 140 (2008); People v. Achas, 612 Phil. 652, 662 (2009); People v. Banig, 693 Phil. 303, 312 (2012); People v. Gahi, 727 Phil. 642, 657 (2014); People v. Pitala, G.R. No. 223561, 19 October 2016.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\">[8]<\\/a> (People v. ZZZ, 2020)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\">[9]<\\/a>Pons, J. S. (n.d.). Construction and deconstruction of Maria Clara: History of an imagined care-oriented model of gender in the Philippines. Academia.edu. https:\\/\\/www.academia.edu\\/24937445\\/Construction_and_deconstruction_of_Maria_Clara_History_of_an_imagined_care_oriented_model_of_gender_in_the_Philippines.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\">[10]<\\/a> 63 ATENEO L.J. 317 (2018)\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\">[11]<\\/a> (The Philippine Star, 2018)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">Cover Photo: Painting by Juan Luna- La Bulaque\\u00f1a, 1985 and Puesta Del Sol, 1880\'s.\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.1,\"sizes\":[]},\"typography_font_size\":{\"unit\":\"px\",\"size\":18,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(4182,1347,'_thumbnail_id','1315'),(4184,1348,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(4185,1348,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(4186,1348,'_elementor_version','3.2.4'),(4187,1348,'_wp_page_template','default'),(4188,1348,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"6e15c706\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"25c228e7\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"21b7e2be\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<h1><span style=\\\"font-size: 24pt;\\\">People of the Philippines v. Juvy D. Amarela and Junard G. Racho: Applying the Maria Clara Doctrine in the 21st Century<\\/span><\\/h1>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><em>By: Ristel Mae B. Tagudando<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\"><sup><strong><sup>[1]<\\/sup><\\/strong><\\/sup><\\/a><\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><strong>I. THE WOMEN\\u2019S HONOR DOCTRINE<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Maria Clara Doctrine or the Women\\u2019s Honor Doctrine became part of Philippine jurisprudence in the 1960 case of <em>People v. Ta\\u00f1o<\\/em>.<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\"><sup>[2]<\\/sup><\\/a> Based on Maria Clara\'s character from Jose Rizal\'s <em>Noli Me Tangere<\\/em>, the doctrine provides the presumption that \\\"women, especially Filipinos, would not admit that they have been abused unless that abuse had happened\\\".<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\"><sup>[3]<\\/sup><\\/a> This doctrine implies that the testimony of the alleged victim by itself may be sufficient to sustain a conviction.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><strong>II. SUMMARY OF THE CASE<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In <em>People v. Amarela, <\\/em>the plaintiff,AAA, was watching a beauty contest with her aunt when she went to the restroom to urinate. However, she was not able to reach the comfort room because Amarela stopped her along the way.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 According to AAA, Amarela suddenly pulled her towards the daycare center and punched her in the abdomen, making her weak. Thereafter, Amarela undressed and put his penis inside AAA\\u2019s vagina. Three (3) men came to AAA\\u2019s rescue when she shouted for help, forcing Amarela to run away. However, she was brought to a hut by these persons, having bad intentions with her. Hence, she fled and ended up in the house of Godo Dumandan, who brought her first to the Racho residence because Dumandan thought her aunt was not at home. Dumandan stayed behind; that is why Racho was asked to bring AAA to her aunt\'s house instead. However, instead, she was brought to a shanty. She was told to lie down, but she refused. Racho boxed her abdomen and placed himself on top of AAA. Racho then inserted his penis into AAA\'s vagina. Thereafter, Racho left her. Thus, AAA went home alone and decided to leave home the following day. \\u00a0Eventually, AAA told her mother about what happened to her and reported the matter to the police.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Regional Trial Court (RTC) rendered a decision finding the appellants guilty beyond reasonable doubt of the crime of rape as the plaintiff\\u2019s testimony positively identifying both appellants was clear, positive, and straightforward.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In appeal before the Court of Appeals (CA), the appellants argued that several circumstances cast doubt on the victim\'s claim that she was raped. They alleged that her testimony does not conform to shared knowledge and ordinary human experience. Moreover, they pointed out that, although there were other witnesses, \\u00a0the only material testimony on record was that of the victim . However, the appellate court affirmed the trial court\'s decision as it found no reason to reverse the factual findings of the court <em>a quo<\\/em>.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 For the Supreme Court (SC), it had no reason to deviate from the well-entrenched rule that in matters of credibility of witnesses, the assessment made by the trial court should be respected and given weight.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Supreme Court reversed the judgment of conviction. First, AAA\'s version of the story in her affidavit-complaint differs materially from her testimony in court. Second, AAA could not have easily identified Amarela because the crime scene was dark; she only saw him for the first time. Third, her testimony lacks material details on how she was brought under the stage against her will. Lastly, the medical findings do not corroborate physical injuries and are inconclusive of any signs of forced entry.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><strong>III. WEIGHING OF THE VICTIM\\u2019S TESTIMONY<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Supreme Court has long accorded the evaluations of testimonial evidence by trial courts great respect. One can expect that said determination is based on reasonable discretion as to opting for which testimony is acceptable and which witness is worthy of belief. However, although the factual findings of the trial court are given weight by the Court\\u2014most especially when affirmed by the appellate court\\u2014such rule is not absolute as, for instance, when some facts or circumstances of weight and substance have been overlooked, misapprehended, and misinterpreted.<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\"><sup>[4]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Presently, the Court follows specific guidelines when presented with the credibility of witnesses, to wit:\\u00a0 giving the highest respect to the RTC\'s evaluation of the testimony of the witnesses, considering its unique position in directly observing the demeanor of a witness on the stand.\\u00a0 Second, absent any substantial reason that would justify the reversal of the RTC\'s assessments and conclusions. The reviewing court is generally bound by the lower court\'s findings, particularly when no significant facts and circumstances affecting the case\'s outcome are shown to have been overlooked or disregarded. Lastly, such a rule is even more stringently applied if the CA concurred with the RTC. <a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\"><sup>[5]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Applying the Maria Clara doctrine or the Women\\u2019s Honor doctrine\\u2014which often leads to cases being adjudged solely on the basis of the credibility of the victim \\u2013 does not only put the accused at an unfair disadvantage but also results in a travesty of justice. It is not impossible for an assumed victim to merely fabricate stories of her abuse.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In the past, one can say that it is natural for a woman to be reluctant to disclose a sexual assault. This stereotype cannot be applied anymore as women have transformed over the years and have become more willing to speak up and fight for their rights . There is a need to veer away from such a notion and accept the realities of a woman\'s dynamic role in society today.<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\">[6]<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Leaving the aforementioned doctrine\\u2013 given that the findings through evidence presented do not match the victim\'s testimony \\u2013 in the past is crucial because an accused must only be convicted solely on the testimony of the victim, provided of course, that the testimony is credible, natural, convincing, and consistent with human nature and the normal course of things. <a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\"><sup>[7]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Furthermore, this rule was clarified in the recent case of <em>People v. ZZZ<\\/em>. The \\u00a0Supreme Court relied on the victim\'s testimony because the latter readily recognized and pointed to her violator.\\u00a0 Unlike in <em>People v. Amarela, <\\/em>the victim recounted the harrowing nights that tormented her for six years of living with the perpetrator, and the medico-legal examination corroborated the latter\'s testimony. Hence, the SC found no compelling motive for the victim to lie. Furthermore, that after all, \\u201cno person, especially one of tender age, would ordinarily cry \\\"rape\\\" and subject oneself to the consequent rigors and embarrassments of medical examination and public trial, if not for the quest for rightful justice.<a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\">[8]<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><strong>IV. ERADICATING STEREOTYPES<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Supreme Court\\u2019s recent consideration and clarification as to the application of the Maria Clara doctrine in <em>People v. Amarela<\\/em> would not only prevent corruption of justice on the part of the accused but eradicate gender bias\\u00a0 and misconceptions in the society as well \\u2013 especially on the part of women.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The old constructed perception of women anchored in the apparent attributes of Maria Clara \\u2013 a pure soul, \\u00a0modest, self-effacing, long-suffering<a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\">[9]<\\/a> \\u2013 can no longer be applied absolutely today. Gone are the days when in cases of abuse, for a woman to be credible, she must be like Maria Clara; and when she does not fit the mold, there is a propensity of discrediting her as a witness, as exemplified in <em>Tionloc<\\/em><a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\">[10]<\\/a>:<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 It would be unfair to convict a man of rape committed against a woman who, after giving him the impression through her unexplainable silence of her tacit consent and allowing him to have sexual contact with her, changed her mind in the middle and charged him with rape.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 According to some women\'s rights groups, the Court\'s decision would open the floodgates to more incidents of rape, as this may embolden perpetrators to \\\"abuse more women\\\" confident that \\\"courts will most likely dismiss rape cases. <a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\"><sup>[11]<\\/sup><\\/a> The limitation of this ruling is already established in the ruling in the 2020 case of <em>People v. ZZZ<\\/em>, wherein the Court still weighed the victim\'s testimony based on factors such as her age, her recognition of the accused in open court, and other corroborative evidence.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Rather than completely disregarding a \\u00a0victim\\u2019s testimony, courts should distill it by doing away with outdated notions and stereotypes based purely on gender.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">[1]<\\/a> UST Faculty of Civil Law, 2G, UST Law Review Understudy<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a> Citing <em>People v. Ta\\u00f1o, <\\/em>109 Phil. 912(1960)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a> \\\"Maria Clara Doctrine in Rape Cases Revisited\\\". Buban and Lardizabal Law Offices. June 8, 2018.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[4]<\\/a> (People v. Amarela, 2018)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[5]<\\/a> (People v. Amarela, 2018)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[6]<\\/a> People v. Amarela, 2018<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\">[7]<\\/a> People v. Zamoraga, 568 Phil. 132, 140 (2008); People v. Achas, 612 Phil. 652, 662 (2009); People v. Banig, 693 Phil. 303, 312 (2012); People v. Gahi, 727 Phil. 642, 657 (2014); People v. Pitala, G.R. No. 223561, 19 October 2016.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\">[8]<\\/a> (People v. ZZZ, 2020)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\">[9]<\\/a>Pons, J. S. (n.d.). Construction and deconstruction of Maria Clara: History of an imagined care-oriented model of gender in the Philippines. Academia.edu. https:\\/\\/www.academia.edu\\/24937445\\/Construction_and_deconstruction_of_Maria_Clara_History_of_an_imagined_care_oriented_model_of_gender_in_the_Philippines.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\">[10]<\\/a> 63 ATENEO L.J. 317 (2018)\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\">[11]<\\/a> (The Philippine Star, 2018)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">Cover Photo: Painting by Juan Luna- La Bulaque\\u00f1a, 1985 and Puesta Del Sol, 1880\'s.\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.15,\"sizes\":[]},\"typography_font_size\":{\"unit\":\"px\",\"size\":18,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(4189,1348,'_thumbnail_id','1315'),(4193,1349,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(4194,1349,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(4195,1349,'_elementor_version','3.2.4'),(4196,1349,'_wp_page_template','default'),(4197,1349,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"6e15c706\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"25c228e7\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"21b7e2be\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<h1><span style=\\\"font-size: 24pt;\\\">People of the Philippines v. Juvy D. Amarela and Junard G. Racho: Applying the Maria Clara Doctrine in the 21st Century<\\/span><\\/h1>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><em>By: Ristel Mae B. Tagudando<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\"><sup><strong><sup>[1]<\\/sup><\\/strong><\\/sup><\\/a><\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><strong>I. THE WOMEN\\u2019S HONOR DOCTRINE<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Maria Clara Doctrine or the Women\\u2019s Honor Doctrine became part of Philippine jurisprudence in the 1960 case of <em>People v. Ta\\u00f1o<\\/em>.<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\"><sup>[2]<\\/sup><\\/a> Based on Maria Clara\'s character from Jose Rizal\'s <em>Noli Me Tangere<\\/em>, the doctrine provides the presumption that \\\"women, especially Filipinos, would not admit that they have been abused unless that abuse had happened\\\".<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\"><sup>[3]<\\/sup><\\/a> This doctrine implies that the testimony of the alleged victim by itself may be sufficient to sustain a conviction.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><strong>II. SUMMARY OF THE CASE<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In <em>People v. Amarela, <\\/em>the plaintiff,AAA, was watching a beauty contest with her aunt when she went to the restroom to urinate. However, she was not able to reach the comfort room because Amarela stopped her along the way.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 According to AAA, Amarela suddenly pulled her towards the daycare center and punched her in the abdomen, making her weak. Thereafter, Amarela undressed and put his penis inside AAA\\u2019s vagina. Three (3) men came to AAA\\u2019s rescue when she shouted for help, forcing Amarela to run away. However, she was brought to a hut by these persons, having bad intentions with her. Hence, she fled and ended up in the house of Godo Dumandan, who brought her first to the Racho residence because Dumandan thought her aunt was not at home. Dumandan stayed behind; that is why Racho was asked to bring AAA to her aunt\'s house instead. However, instead, she was brought to a shanty. She was told to lie down, but she refused. Racho boxed her abdomen and placed himself on top of AAA. Racho then inserted his penis into AAA\'s vagina. Thereafter, Racho left her. Thus, AAA went home alone and decided to leave home the following day. \\u00a0Eventually, AAA told her mother about what happened to her and reported the matter to the police.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Regional Trial Court (RTC) rendered a decision finding the appellants guilty beyond reasonable doubt of the crime of rape as the plaintiff\\u2019s testimony positively identifying both appellants was clear, positive, and straightforward.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In appeal before the Court of Appeals (CA), the appellants argued that several circumstances cast doubt on the victim\'s claim that she was raped. They alleged that her testimony does not conform to shared knowledge and ordinary human experience. Moreover, they pointed out that, although there were other witnesses, \\u00a0the only material testimony on record was that of the victim . However, the appellate court affirmed the trial court\'s decision as it found no reason to reverse the factual findings of the court <em>a quo<\\/em>.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 For the Supreme Court (SC), it had no reason to deviate from the well-entrenched rule that in matters of credibility of witnesses, the assessment made by the trial court should be respected and given weight.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Supreme Court reversed the judgment of conviction. First, AAA\'s version of the story in her affidavit-complaint differs materially from her testimony in court. Second, AAA could not have easily identified Amarela because the crime scene was dark; she only saw him for the first time. Third, her testimony lacks material details on how she was brought under the stage against her will. Lastly, the medical findings do not corroborate physical injuries and are inconclusive of any signs of forced entry.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><strong>III. WEIGHING OF THE VICTIM\\u2019S TESTIMONY<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Supreme Court has long accorded the evaluations of testimonial evidence by trial courts great respect. One can expect that said determination is based on reasonable discretion as to opting for which testimony is acceptable and which witness is worthy of belief. However, although the factual findings of the trial court are given weight by the Court\\u2014most especially when affirmed by the appellate court\\u2014such rule is not absolute as, for instance, when some facts or circumstances of weight and substance have been overlooked, misapprehended, and misinterpreted.<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\"><sup>[4]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Presently, the Court follows specific guidelines when presented with the credibility of witnesses, to wit:\\u00a0 giving the highest respect to the RTC\'s evaluation of the testimony of the witnesses, considering its unique position in directly observing the demeanor of a witness on the stand.\\u00a0 Second, absent any substantial reason that would justify the reversal of the RTC\'s assessments and conclusions. The reviewing court is generally bound by the lower court\'s findings, particularly when no significant facts and circumstances affecting the case\'s outcome are shown to have been overlooked or disregarded. Lastly, such a rule is even more stringently applied if the CA concurred with the RTC. <a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\"><sup>[5]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Applying the Maria Clara doctrine or the Women\\u2019s Honor doctrine\\u2014which often leads to cases being adjudged solely on the basis of the credibility of the victim \\u2013 does not only put the accused at an unfair disadvantage but also results in a travesty of justice. It is not impossible for an assumed victim to merely fabricate stories of her abuse.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In the past, one can say that it is natural for a woman to be reluctant to disclose a sexual assault. This stereotype cannot be applied anymore as women have transformed over the years and have become more willing to speak up and fight for their rights . There is a need to veer away from such a notion and accept the realities of a woman\'s dynamic role in society today.<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\">[6]<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Leaving the aforementioned doctrine\\u2013 given that the findings through evidence presented do not match the victim\'s testimony \\u2013 in the past is crucial because an accused must only be convicted solely on the testimony of the victim, provided of course, that the testimony is credible, natural, convincing, and consistent with human nature and the normal course of things. <a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\"><sup>[7]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Furthermore, this rule was clarified in the recent case of <em>People v. ZZZ<\\/em>. The \\u00a0Supreme Court relied on the victim\'s testimony because the latter readily recognized and pointed to her violator.\\u00a0 Unlike in <em>People v. Amarela, <\\/em>the victim recounted the harrowing nights that tormented her for six years of living with the perpetrator, and the medico-legal examination corroborated the latter\'s testimony. Hence, the SC found no compelling motive for the victim to lie. Furthermore, that after all, \\u201cno person, especially one of tender age, would ordinarily cry \\\"rape\\\" and subject oneself to the consequent rigors and embarrassments of medical examination and public trial, if not for the quest for rightful justice.<a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\">[8]<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><strong>IV. ERADICATING STEREOTYPES<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Supreme Court\\u2019s recent consideration and clarification as to the application of the Maria Clara doctrine in <em>People v. Amarela<\\/em> would not only prevent corruption of justice on the part of the accused but eradicate gender bias\\u00a0 and misconceptions in the society as well \\u2013 especially on the part of women.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The old constructed perception of women anchored in the apparent attributes of Maria Clara \\u2013 a pure soul, \\u00a0modest, self-effacing, long-suffering<a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\">[9]<\\/a> \\u2013 can no longer be applied absolutely today. Gone are the days when in cases of abuse, for a woman to be credible, she must be like Maria Clara; and when she does not fit the mold, there is a propensity of discrediting her as a witness, as exemplified in <em>Tionloc<\\/em><a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\">[10]<\\/a>:<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 It would be unfair to convict a man of rape committed against a woman who, after giving him the impression through her unexplainable silence of her tacit consent and allowing him to have sexual contact with her, changed her mind in the middle and charged him with rape.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 According to some women\'s rights groups, the Court\'s decision would open the floodgates to more incidents of rape, as this may embolden perpetrators to \\\"abuse more women\\\" confident that \\\"courts will most likely dismiss rape cases. <a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\"><sup>[11]<\\/sup><\\/a> The limitation of this ruling is already established in the ruling in the 2020 case of <em>People v. ZZZ<\\/em>, wherein the Court still weighed the victim\'s testimony based on factors such as her age, her recognition of the accused in open court, and other corroborative evidence.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Rather than completely disregarding a \\u00a0victim\\u2019s testimony, courts should distill it by doing away with outdated notions and stereotypes based purely on gender.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">[1]<\\/a> UST Faculty of Civil Law, 2G, UST Law Review Understudy<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a> Citing <em>People v. Ta\\u00f1o, <\\/em>109 Phil. 912(1960)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a> \\\"Maria Clara Doctrine in Rape Cases Revisited\\\". Buban and Lardizabal Law Offices. June 8, 2018.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[4]<\\/a> (People v. Amarela, 2018)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[5]<\\/a> (People v. Amarela, 2018)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[6]<\\/a> People v. Amarela, 2018<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\">[7]<\\/a> People v. Zamoraga, 568 Phil. 132, 140 (2008); People v. Achas, 612 Phil. 652, 662 (2009); People v. Banig, 693 Phil. 303, 312 (2012); People v. Gahi, 727 Phil. 642, 657 (2014); People v. Pitala, G.R. No. 223561, 19 October 2016.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\">[8]<\\/a> (People v. ZZZ, 2020)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\">[9]<\\/a>Pons, J. S. (n.d.). Construction and deconstruction of Maria Clara: History of an imagined care-oriented model of gender in the Philippines. Academia.edu. https:\\/\\/www.academia.edu\\/24937445\\/Construction_and_deconstruction_of_Maria_Clara_History_of_an_imagined_care_oriented_model_of_gender_in_the_Philippines.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\">[10]<\\/a> 63 ATENEO L.J. 317 (2018)\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\">[11]<\\/a> (The Philippine Star, 2018)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">Cover Photo: Painting by Juan Luna- La Bulaque\\u00f1a, 1985 and Puesta Del Sol, 1880\'s.\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.15,\"sizes\":[]},\"typography_font_size\":{\"unit\":\"px\",\"size\":18,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(4198,1349,'_thumbnail_id','1315'),(4200,1350,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(4201,1350,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(4202,1350,'_elementor_version','3.2.4'),(4203,1350,'_wp_page_template','default'),(4204,1350,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"6e15c706\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"25c228e7\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"21b7e2be\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<h1><span style=\\\"font-size: 24pt;\\\">People of the Philippines v. Juvy D. Amarela and Junard G. Racho: Applying the Maria Clara Doctrine in the 21st Century<\\/span><\\/h1>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><em>By: Ristel Mae B. Tagudando<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\"><sup><strong><sup>[1]<\\/sup><\\/strong><\\/sup><\\/a><\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><strong>I. THE WOMEN\\u2019S HONOR DOCTRINE<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Maria Clara Doctrine or the Women\\u2019s Honor Doctrine became part of Philippine jurisprudence in the 1960 case of <em>People v. Ta\\u00f1o<\\/em>.<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\"><sup>[2]<\\/sup><\\/a> Based on Maria Clara\'s character from Jose Rizal\'s <em>Noli Me Tangere<\\/em>, the doctrine provides the presumption that \\\"women, especially Filipinos, would not admit that they have been abused unless that abuse had happened\\\".<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\"><sup>[3]<\\/sup><\\/a> This doctrine implies that the testimony of the alleged victim by itself may be sufficient to sustain a conviction.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><strong>II. SUMMARY OF THE CASE<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In <em>People v. Amarela, <\\/em>the plaintiff,AAA, was watching a beauty contest with her aunt when she went to the restroom to urinate. However, she was not able to reach the comfort room because Amarela stopped her along the way.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 According to AAA, Amarela suddenly pulled her towards the daycare center and punched her in the abdomen, making her weak. Thereafter, Amarela undressed and put his penis inside AAA\\u2019s vagina. Three (3) men came to AAA\\u2019s rescue when she shouted for help, forcing Amarela to run away. However, she was brought to a hut by these persons, having bad intentions with her. Hence, she fled and ended up in the house of Godo Dumandan, who brought her first to the Racho residence because Dumandan thought her aunt was not at home. Dumandan stayed behind; that is why Racho was asked to bring AAA to her aunt\'s house instead. However, instead, she was brought to a shanty. She was told to lie down, but she refused. Racho boxed her abdomen and placed himself on top of AAA. Racho then inserted his penis into AAA\'s vagina. Thereafter, Racho left her. Thus, AAA went home alone and decided to leave home the following day. \\u00a0Eventually, AAA told her mother about what happened to her and reported the matter to the police.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Regional Trial Court (RTC) rendered a decision finding the appellants guilty beyond reasonable doubt of the crime of rape as the plaintiff\\u2019s testimony positively identifying both appellants was clear, positive, and straightforward.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In appeal before the Court of Appeals (CA), the appellants argued that several circumstances cast doubt on the victim\'s claim that she was raped. They alleged that her testimony does not conform to shared knowledge and ordinary human experience. Moreover, they pointed out that, although there were other witnesses, \\u00a0the only material testimony on record was that of the victim . However, the appellate court affirmed the trial court\'s decision as it found no reason to reverse the factual findings of the court <em>a quo<\\/em>.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 For the Supreme Court (SC), it had no reason to deviate from the well-entrenched rule that in matters of credibility of witnesses, the assessment made by the trial court should be respected and given weight.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Supreme Court reversed the judgment of conviction. First, AAA\'s version of the story in her affidavit-complaint differs materially from her testimony in court. Second, AAA could not have easily identified Amarela because the crime scene was dark; she only saw him for the first time. Third, her testimony lacks material details on how she was brought under the stage against her will. Lastly, the medical findings do not corroborate physical injuries and are inconclusive of any signs of forced entry.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><strong>III. WEIGHING OF THE VICTIM\\u2019S TESTIMONY<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Supreme Court has long accorded the evaluations of testimonial evidence by trial courts great respect. One can expect that said determination is based on reasonable discretion as to opting for which testimony is acceptable and which witness is worthy of belief. However, although the factual findings of the trial court are given weight by the Court\\u2014most especially when affirmed by the appellate court\\u2014such rule is not absolute as, for instance, when some facts or circumstances of weight and substance have been overlooked, misapprehended, and misinterpreted.<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\"><sup>[4]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Presently, the Court follows specific guidelines when presented with the credibility of witnesses, to wit:\\u00a0 giving the highest respect to the RTC\'s evaluation of the testimony of the witnesses, considering its unique position in directly observing the demeanor of a witness on the stand.\\u00a0 Second, absent any substantial reason that would justify the reversal of the RTC\'s assessments and conclusions. The reviewing court is generally bound by the lower court\'s findings, particularly when no significant facts and circumstances affecting the case\'s outcome are shown to have been overlooked or disregarded. Lastly, such a rule is even more stringently applied if the CA concurred with the RTC. <a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\"><sup>[5]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Applying the Maria Clara doctrine or the Women\\u2019s Honor doctrine\\u2014which often leads to cases being adjudged solely on the basis of the credibility of the victim \\u2013 does not only put the accused at an unfair disadvantage but also results in a travesty of justice. It is not impossible for an assumed victim to merely fabricate stories of her abuse.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In the past, one can say that it is natural for a woman to be reluctant to disclose a sexual assault. This stereotype cannot be applied anymore as women have transformed over the years and have become more willing to speak up and fight for their rights . There is a need to veer away from such a notion and accept the realities of a woman\'s dynamic role in society today.<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\">[6]<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Leaving the aforementioned doctrine\\u2013 given that the findings through evidence presented do not match the victim\'s testimony \\u2013 in the past is crucial because an accused must only be convicted solely on the testimony of the victim, provided of course, that the testimony is credible, natural, convincing, and consistent with human nature and the normal course of things. <a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\"><sup>[7]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Furthermore, this rule was clarified in the recent case of <em>People v. ZZZ<\\/em>. The \\u00a0Supreme Court relied on the victim\'s testimony because the latter readily recognized and pointed to her violator.\\u00a0 Unlike in <em>People v. Amarela, <\\/em>the victim recounted the harrowing nights that tormented her for six years of living with the perpetrator, and the medico-legal examination corroborated the latter\'s testimony. Hence, the SC found no compelling motive for the victim to lie. Furthermore, that after all, \\u201cno person, especially one of tender age, would ordinarily cry \\\"rape\\\" and subject oneself to the consequent rigors and embarrassments of medical examination and public trial, if not for the quest for rightful justice.<a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\">[8]<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><strong>IV. ERADICATING STEREOTYPES<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Supreme Court\\u2019s recent consideration and clarification as to the application of the Maria Clara doctrine in <em>People v. Amarela<\\/em> would not only prevent corruption of justice on the part of the accused but eradicate gender bias\\u00a0 and misconceptions in the society as well \\u2013 especially on the part of women.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The old constructed perception of women anchored in the apparent attributes of Maria Clara \\u2013 a pure soul, \\u00a0modest, self-effacing, long-suffering<a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\">[9]<\\/a> \\u2013 can no longer be applied absolutely today. Gone are the days when in cases of abuse, for a woman to be credible, she must be like Maria Clara; and when she does not fit the mold, there is a propensity of discrediting her as a witness, as exemplified in <em>Tionloc<\\/em><a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\">[10]<\\/a>:<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 It would be unfair to convict a man of rape committed against a woman who, after giving him the impression through her unexplainable silence of her tacit consent and allowing him to have sexual contact with her, changed her mind in the middle and charged him with rape.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 According to some women\'s rights groups, the Court\'s decision would open the floodgates to more incidents of rape, as this may embolden perpetrators to \\\"abuse more women\\\" confident that \\\"courts will most likely dismiss rape cases. <a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\"><sup>[11]<\\/sup><\\/a> The limitation of this ruling is already established in the ruling in the 2020 case of <em>People v. ZZZ<\\/em>, wherein the Court still weighed the victim\'s testimony based on factors such as her age, her recognition of the accused in open court, and other corroborative evidence.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Rather than completely disregarding a \\u00a0victim\\u2019s testimony, courts should distill it by doing away with outdated notions and stereotypes based purely on gender.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">[1]<\\/a> UST Faculty of Civil Law, 2G, UST Law Review Understudy<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a> Citing <em>People v. Ta\\u00f1o, <\\/em>109 Phil. 912(1960)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a> \\\"Maria Clara Doctrine in Rape Cases Revisited\\\". Buban and Lardizabal Law Offices. June 8, 2018.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[4]<\\/a> (People v. Amarela, 2018)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[5]<\\/a> (People v. Amarela, 2018)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[6]<\\/a> People v. Amarela, 2018<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\">[7]<\\/a> People v. Zamoraga, 568 Phil. 132, 140 (2008); People v. Achas, 612 Phil. 652, 662 (2009); People v. Banig, 693 Phil. 303, 312 (2012); People v. Gahi, 727 Phil. 642, 657 (2014); People v. Pitala, G.R. No. 223561, 19 October 2016.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\">[8]<\\/a> (People v. ZZZ, 2020)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\">[9]<\\/a>Pons, J. S. (n.d.). Construction and deconstruction of Maria Clara: History of an imagined care-oriented model of gender in the Philippines. Academia.edu. https:\\/\\/www.academia.edu\\/24937445\\/Construction_and_deconstruction_of_Maria_Clara_History_of_an_imagined_care_oriented_model_of_gender_in_the_Philippines.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\">[10]<\\/a> 63 ATENEO L.J. 317 (2018)\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\">[11]<\\/a> (The Philippine Star, 2018)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">Cover Photo: Painting by Juan Luna- La Bulaque\\u00f1a, 1985 and Puesta Del Sol, 1880\'s.\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.15,\"sizes\":[]},\"typography_font_size\":{\"unit\":\"px\",\"size\":18,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(4205,1350,'_thumbnail_id','1315'),(4207,1351,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(4208,1351,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(4209,1351,'_elementor_version','3.2.4'),(4210,1351,'_wp_page_template','default'),(4211,1351,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"6e15c706\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"25c228e7\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"21b7e2be\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<h1><span style=\\\"font-size: 24pt;\\\">People of the Philippines v. Juvy D. Amarela and Junard G. Racho: Applying the Maria Clara Doctrine in the 21st Century<\\/span><\\/h1>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p>\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><em>By: Ristel Mae B. Tagudando<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\"><sup><strong><sup>[1]<\\/sup><\\/strong><\\/sup><\\/a><\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><strong>I. THE WOMEN\\u2019S HONOR DOCTRINE<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Maria Clara Doctrine or the Women\\u2019s Honor Doctrine became part of Philippine jurisprudence in the 1960 case of <em>People v. Ta\\u00f1o<\\/em>.<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\"><sup>[2]<\\/sup><\\/a> Based on Maria Clara\'s character from Jose Rizal\'s <em>Noli Me Tangere<\\/em>, the doctrine provides the presumption that \\\"women, especially Filipinos, would not admit that they have been abused unless that abuse had happened\\\".<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\"><sup>[3]<\\/sup><\\/a> This doctrine implies that the testimony of the alleged victim by itself may be sufficient to sustain a conviction.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><strong>II. SUMMARY OF THE CASE<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In <em>People v. Amarela, <\\/em>the plaintiff,AAA, was watching a beauty contest with her aunt when she went to the restroom to urinate. However, she was not able to reach the comfort room because Amarela stopped her along the way.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 According to AAA, Amarela suddenly pulled her towards the daycare center and punched her in the abdomen, making her weak. Thereafter, Amarela undressed and put his penis inside AAA\\u2019s vagina. Three (3) men came to AAA\\u2019s rescue when she shouted for help, forcing Amarela to run away. However, she was brought to a hut by these persons, having bad intentions with her. Hence, she fled and ended up in the house of Godo Dumandan, who brought her first to the Racho residence because Dumandan thought her aunt was not at home. Dumandan stayed behind; that is why Racho was asked to bring AAA to her aunt\'s house instead. However, instead, she was brought to a shanty. She was told to lie down, but she refused. Racho boxed her abdomen and placed himself on top of AAA. Racho then inserted his penis into AAA\'s vagina. Thereafter, Racho left her. Thus, AAA went home alone and decided to leave home the following day. \\u00a0Eventually, AAA told her mother about what happened to her and reported the matter to the police.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Regional Trial Court (RTC) rendered a decision finding the appellants guilty beyond reasonable doubt of the crime of rape as the plaintiff\\u2019s testimony positively identifying both appellants was clear, positive, and straightforward.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In appeal before the Court of Appeals (CA), the appellants argued that several circumstances cast doubt on the victim\'s claim that she was raped. They alleged that her testimony does not conform to shared knowledge and ordinary human experience. Moreover, they pointed out that, although there were other witnesses, \\u00a0the only material testimony on record was that of the victim . However, the appellate court affirmed the trial court\'s decision as it found no reason to reverse the factual findings of the court <em>a quo<\\/em>.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 For the Supreme Court (SC), it had no reason to deviate from the well-entrenched rule that in matters of credibility of witnesses, the assessment made by the trial court should be respected and given weight.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Supreme Court reversed the judgment of conviction. First, AAA\'s version of the story in her affidavit-complaint differs materially from her testimony in court. Second, AAA could not have easily identified Amarela because the crime scene was dark; she only saw him for the first time. Third, her testimony lacks material details on how she was brought under the stage against her will. Lastly, the medical findings do not corroborate physical injuries and are inconclusive of any signs of forced entry.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><strong>III. WEIGHING OF THE VICTIM\\u2019S TESTIMONY<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Supreme Court has long accorded the evaluations of testimonial evidence by trial courts great respect. One can expect that said determination is based on reasonable discretion as to opting for which testimony is acceptable and which witness is worthy of belief. However, although the factual findings of the trial court are given weight by the Court\\u2014most especially when affirmed by the appellate court\\u2014such rule is not absolute as, for instance, when some facts or circumstances of weight and substance have been overlooked, misapprehended, and misinterpreted.<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\"><sup>[4]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Presently, the Court follows specific guidelines when presented with the credibility of witnesses, to wit:\\u00a0 giving the highest respect to the RTC\'s evaluation of the testimony of the witnesses, considering its unique position in directly observing the demeanor of a witness on the stand.\\u00a0 Second, absent any substantial reason that would justify the reversal of the RTC\'s assessments and conclusions. The reviewing court is generally bound by the lower court\'s findings, particularly when no significant facts and circumstances affecting the case\'s outcome are shown to have been overlooked or disregarded. Lastly, such a rule is even more stringently applied if the CA concurred with the RTC. <a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\"><sup>[5]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Applying the Maria Clara doctrine or the Women\\u2019s Honor doctrine\\u2014which often leads to cases being adjudged solely on the basis of the credibility of the victim \\u2013 does not only put the accused at an unfair disadvantage but also results in a travesty of justice. It is not impossible for an assumed victim to merely fabricate stories of her abuse.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In the past, one can say that it is natural for a woman to be reluctant to disclose a sexual assault. This stereotype cannot be applied anymore as women have transformed over the years and have become more willing to speak up and fight for their rights . There is a need to veer away from such a notion and accept the realities of a woman\'s dynamic role in society today.<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\">[6]<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Leaving the aforementioned doctrine\\u2013 given that the findings through evidence presented do not match the victim\'s testimony \\u2013 in the past is crucial because an accused must only be convicted solely on the testimony of the victim, provided of course, that the testimony is credible, natural, convincing, and consistent with human nature and the normal course of things. <a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\"><sup>[7]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Furthermore, this rule was clarified in the recent case of <em>People v. ZZZ<\\/em>. The \\u00a0Supreme Court relied on the victim\'s testimony because the latter readily recognized and pointed to her violator.\\u00a0 Unlike in <em>People v. Amarela, <\\/em>the victim recounted the harrowing nights that tormented her for six years of living with the perpetrator, and the medico-legal examination corroborated the latter\'s testimony. Hence, the SC found no compelling motive for the victim to lie. Furthermore, that after all, \\u201cno person, especially one of tender age, would ordinarily cry \\\"rape\\\" and subject oneself to the consequent rigors and embarrassments of medical examination and public trial, if not for the quest for rightful justice.<a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\">[8]<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><strong>IV. ERADICATING STEREOTYPES<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Supreme Court\\u2019s recent consideration and clarification as to the application of the Maria Clara doctrine in <em>People v. Amarela<\\/em> would not only prevent corruption of justice on the part of the accused but eradicate gender bias\\u00a0 and misconceptions in the society as well \\u2013 especially on the part of women.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The old constructed perception of women anchored in the apparent attributes of Maria Clara \\u2013 a pure soul, \\u00a0modest, self-effacing, long-suffering<a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\">[9]<\\/a> \\u2013 can no longer be applied absolutely today. Gone are the days when in cases of abuse, for a woman to be credible, she must be like Maria Clara; and when she does not fit the mold, there is a propensity of discrediting her as a witness, as exemplified in <em>Tionloc<\\/em><a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\">[10]<\\/a>:<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 It would be unfair to convict a man of rape committed against a woman who, after giving him the impression through her unexplainable silence of her tacit consent and allowing him to have sexual contact with her, changed her mind in the middle and charged him with rape.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 According to some women\'s rights groups, the Court\'s decision would open the floodgates to more incidents of rape, as this may embolden perpetrators to \\\"abuse more women\\\" confident that \\\"courts will most likely dismiss rape cases. <a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\"><sup>[11]<\\/sup><\\/a> The limitation of this ruling is already established in the ruling in the 2020 case of <em>People v. ZZZ<\\/em>, wherein the Court still weighed the victim\'s testimony based on factors such as her age, her recognition of the accused in open court, and other corroborative evidence.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Rather than completely disregarding a \\u00a0victim\\u2019s testimony, courts should distill it by doing away with outdated notions and stereotypes based purely on gender.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">[1]<\\/a> UST Faculty of Civil Law, 2G, UST Law Review Understudy<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a> Citing <em>People v. Ta\\u00f1o, <\\/em>109 Phil. 912(1960)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a> \\\"Maria Clara Doctrine in Rape Cases Revisited\\\". Buban and Lardizabal Law Offices. June 8, 2018.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[4]<\\/a> (People v. Amarela, 2018)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[5]<\\/a> (People v. Amarela, 2018)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[6]<\\/a> People v. Amarela, 2018<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\">[7]<\\/a> People v. Zamoraga, 568 Phil. 132, 140 (2008); People v. Achas, 612 Phil. 652, 662 (2009); People v. Banig, 693 Phil. 303, 312 (2012); People v. Gahi, 727 Phil. 642, 657 (2014); People v. Pitala, G.R. No. 223561, 19 October 2016.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\">[8]<\\/a> (People v. ZZZ, 2020)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\">[9]<\\/a>Pons, J. S. (n.d.). Construction and deconstruction of Maria Clara: History of an imagined care-oriented model of gender in the Philippines. Academia.edu. https:\\/\\/www.academia.edu\\/24937445\\/Construction_and_deconstruction_of_Maria_Clara_History_of_an_imagined_care_oriented_model_of_gender_in_the_Philippines.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\">[10]<\\/a> 63 ATENEO L.J. 317 (2018)\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\">[11]<\\/a> (The Philippine Star, 2018)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">Cover Photo: Painting by Juan Luna- La Bulaque\\u00f1a, 1985 and Puesta Del Sol, 1880\'s.\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.15,\"sizes\":[]},\"typography_font_size\":{\"unit\":\"px\",\"size\":18,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(4212,1351,'_thumbnail_id','1315'),(4215,1352,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(4216,1352,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(4217,1352,'_elementor_version','3.2.4'),(4218,1352,'_wp_page_template','default'),(4219,1352,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"6e15c706\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"25c228e7\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"21b7e2be\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<h1><span style=\\\"font-size: 24pt;\\\">People of the Philippines v. Juvy D. Amarela and Junard G. Racho: Applying the Maria Clara Doctrine in the 21st Century<\\/span><\\/h1>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p>\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><em>By: Ristel Mae B. Tagudando<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\"><sup><strong><sup>[1]<\\/sup><\\/strong><\\/sup><\\/a><\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><strong>I. THE WOMEN\\u2019S HONOR DOCTRINE<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Maria Clara Doctrine or the Women\\u2019s Honor Doctrine became part of Philippine jurisprudence in the 1960 case of <em>People v. Ta\\u00f1o<\\/em>.<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\"><sup>[2]<\\/sup><\\/a> Based on Maria Clara\'s character from Jose Rizal\'s <em>Noli Me Tangere<\\/em>, the doctrine provides the presumption that \\\"women, especially Filipinos, would not admit that they have been abused unless that abuse had happened\\\".<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\"><sup>[3]<\\/sup><\\/a> This doctrine implies that the testimony of the alleged victim by itself may be sufficient to sustain a conviction.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><strong>II. SUMMARY OF THE CASE<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In <em>People v. Amarela, <\\/em>the plaintiff,AAA, was watching a beauty contest with her aunt when she went to the restroom to urinate. However, she was not able to reach the comfort room because Amarela stopped her along the way.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 According to AAA, Amarela suddenly pulled her towards the daycare center and punched her in the abdomen, making her weak. Thereafter, Amarela undressed and put his penis inside AAA\\u2019s vagina. Three (3) men came to AAA\\u2019s rescue when she shouted for help, forcing Amarela to run away. However, she was brought to a hut by these persons, having bad intentions with her. Hence, she fled and ended up in the house of Godo Dumandan, who brought her first to the Racho residence because Dumandan thought her aunt was not at home. Dumandan stayed behind; that is why Racho was asked to bring AAA to her aunt\'s house instead. However, instead, she was brought to a shanty. She was told to lie down, but she refused. Racho boxed her abdomen and placed himself on top of AAA. Racho then inserted his penis into AAA\'s vagina. Thereafter, Racho left her. Thus, AAA went home alone and decided to leave home the following day. \\u00a0Eventually, AAA told her mother about what happened to her and reported the matter to the police.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Regional Trial Court (RTC) rendered a decision finding the appellants guilty beyond reasonable doubt of the crime of rape as the plaintiff\\u2019s testimony positively identifying both appellants was clear, positive, and straightforward.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In appeal before the Court of Appeals (CA), the appellants argued that several circumstances cast doubt on the victim\'s claim that she was raped. They alleged that her testimony does not conform to shared knowledge and ordinary human experience. Moreover, they pointed out that, although there were other witnesses, \\u00a0the only material testimony on record was that of the victim . However, the appellate court affirmed the trial court\'s decision as it found no reason to reverse the factual findings of the court <em>a quo<\\/em>.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 For the Supreme Court (SC), it had no reason to deviate from the well-entrenched rule that in matters of credibility of witnesses, the assessment made by the trial court should be respected and given weight.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Supreme Court reversed the judgment of conviction. First, AAA\'s version of the story in her affidavit-complaint differs materially from her testimony in court. Second, AAA could not have easily identified Amarela because the crime scene was dark; she only saw him for the first time. Third, her testimony lacks material details on how she was brought under the stage against her will. Lastly, the medical findings do not corroborate physical injuries and are inconclusive of any signs of forced entry.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><strong>III. WEIGHING OF THE VICTIM\\u2019S TESTIMONY<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Supreme Court has long accorded the evaluations of testimonial evidence by trial courts great respect. One can expect that said determination is based on reasonable discretion as to opting for which testimony is acceptable and which witness is worthy of belief. However, although the factual findings of the trial court are given weight by the Court\\u2014most especially when affirmed by the appellate court\\u2014such rule is not absolute as, for instance, when some facts or circumstances of weight and substance have been overlooked, misapprehended, and misinterpreted.<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\"><sup>[4]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Presently, the Court follows specific guidelines when presented with the credibility of witnesses, to wit:\\u00a0 giving the highest respect to the RTC\'s evaluation of the testimony of the witnesses, considering its unique position in directly observing the demeanor of a witness on the stand.\\u00a0 Second, absent any substantial reason that would justify the reversal of the RTC\'s assessments and conclusions. The reviewing court is generally bound by the lower court\'s findings, particularly when no significant facts and circumstances affecting the case\'s outcome are shown to have been overlooked or disregarded. Lastly, such a rule is even more stringently applied if the CA concurred with the RTC. <a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\"><sup>[5]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Applying the Maria Clara doctrine or the Women\\u2019s Honor doctrine\\u2014which often leads to cases being adjudged solely on the basis of the credibility of the victim \\u2013 does not only put the accused at an unfair disadvantage but also results in a travesty of justice. It is not impossible for an assumed victim to merely fabricate stories of her abuse.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In the past, one can say that it is natural for a woman to be reluctant to disclose a sexual assault. This stereotype cannot be applied anymore as women have transformed over the years and have become more willing to speak up and fight for their rights . There is a need to veer away from such a notion and accept the realities of a woman\'s dynamic role in society today.<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\">[6]<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Leaving the aforementioned doctrine\\u2013 given that the findings through evidence presented do not match the victim\'s testimony \\u2013 in the past is crucial because an accused must only be convicted solely on the testimony of the victim, provided of course, that the testimony is credible, natural, convincing, and consistent with human nature and the normal course of things. <a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\"><sup>[7]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Furthermore, this rule was clarified in the recent case of <em>People v. ZZZ<\\/em>. The \\u00a0Supreme Court relied on the victim\'s testimony because the latter readily recognized and pointed to her violator.\\u00a0 Unlike in <em>People v. Amarela, <\\/em>the victim recounted the harrowing nights that tormented her for six years of living with the perpetrator, and the medico-legal examination corroborated the latter\'s testimony. Hence, the SC found no compelling motive for the victim to lie. Furthermore, that after all, \\u201cno person, especially one of tender age, would ordinarily cry \\\"rape\\\" and subject oneself to the consequent rigors and embarrassments of medical examination and public trial, if not for the quest for rightful justice.<a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\">[8]<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><strong>IV. ERADICATING STEREOTYPES<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Supreme Court\\u2019s recent consideration and clarification as to the application of the Maria Clara doctrine in <em>People v. Amarela<\\/em> would not only prevent corruption of justice on the part of the accused but eradicate gender bias\\u00a0 and misconceptions in the society as well \\u2013 especially on the part of women.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The old constructed perception of women anchored in the apparent attributes of Maria Clara \\u2013 a pure soul, \\u00a0modest, self-effacing, long-suffering<a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\">[9]<\\/a> \\u2013 can no longer be applied absolutely today. Gone are the days when in cases of abuse, for a woman to be credible, she must be like Maria Clara; and when she does not fit the mold, there is a propensity of discrediting her as a witness, as exemplified in <em>Tionloc<\\/em><a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\">[10]<\\/a>:<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 It would be unfair to convict a man of rape committed against a woman who, after giving him the impression through her unexplainable silence of her tacit consent and allowing him to have sexual contact with her, changed her mind in the middle and charged him with rape.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 According to some women\'s rights groups, the Court\'s decision would open the floodgates to more incidents of rape, as this may embolden perpetrators to \\\"abuse more women\\\" confident that \\\"courts will most likely dismiss rape cases. <a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\"><sup>[11]<\\/sup><\\/a> The limitation of this ruling is already established in the ruling in the 2020 case of <em>People v. ZZZ<\\/em>, wherein the Court still weighed the victim\'s testimony based on factors such as her age, her recognition of the accused in open court, and other corroborative evidence.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Rather than completely disregarding a \\u00a0victim\\u2019s testimony, courts should distill it by doing away with outdated notions and stereotypes based purely on gender.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">[1]<\\/a> UST Faculty of Civil Law, 2G, UST Law Review Understudy<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a> Citing <em>People v. Ta\\u00f1o, <\\/em>109 Phil. 912(1960)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a> \\\"Maria Clara Doctrine in Rape Cases Revisited\\\". Buban and Lardizabal Law Offices. June 8, 2018.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[4]<\\/a> (People v. Amarela, 2018)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[5]<\\/a> (People v. Amarela, 2018)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[6]<\\/a> People v. Amarela, 2018<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\">[7]<\\/a> People v. Zamoraga, 568 Phil. 132, 140 (2008); People v. Achas, 612 Phil. 652, 662 (2009); People v. Banig, 693 Phil. 303, 312 (2012); People v. Gahi, 727 Phil. 642, 657 (2014); People v. Pitala, G.R. No. 223561, 19 October 2016.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\">[8]<\\/a> (People v. ZZZ, 2020)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\">[9]<\\/a>Pons, J. S. (n.d.). Construction and deconstruction of Maria Clara: History of an imagined care-oriented model of gender in the Philippines. Academia.edu. https:\\/\\/www.academia.edu\\/24937445\\/Construction_and_deconstruction_of_Maria_Clara_History_of_an_imagined_care_oriented_model_of_gender_in_the_Philippines.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\">[10]<\\/a> 63 ATENEO L.J. 317 (2018)\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\">[11]<\\/a> (The Philippine Star, 2018)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">Cover Photo: Painting by Juan Luna- La Bulaque\\u00f1a, 1985 and Puesta Del Sol, 1880\'s.\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.15,\"sizes\":[]},\"typography_font_size\":{\"unit\":\"px\",\"size\":18,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(4220,1352,'_thumbnail_id','1315'),(4222,1353,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(4223,1353,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(4224,1353,'_elementor_version','3.2.4'),(4225,1353,'_wp_page_template','default'),(4226,1353,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"6e15c706\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"25c228e7\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"21b7e2be\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<h1><span style=\\\"font-size: 24pt;\\\">People of the Philippines v. Juvy D. Amarela and Junard G. Racho: Applying the Maria Clara Doctrine in the 21st Century<\\/span><\\/h1>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p>\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><em>By: Ristel Mae B. Tagudando<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\"><sup><strong><sup>[1]<\\/sup><\\/strong><\\/sup><\\/a><\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><strong>I. THE WOMEN\\u2019S HONOR DOCTRINE<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Maria Clara Doctrine or the Women\\u2019s Honor Doctrine became part of Philippine jurisprudence in the 1960 case of <em>People v. Ta\\u00f1o<\\/em>.<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\"><sup>[2]<\\/sup><\\/a> Based on Maria Clara\'s character from Jose Rizal\'s <em>Noli Me Tangere<\\/em>, the doctrine provides the presumption that \\\"women, especially Filipinos, would not admit that they have been abused unless that abuse had happened\\\".<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\"><sup>[3]<\\/sup><\\/a> This doctrine implies that the testimony of the alleged victim by itself may be sufficient to sustain a conviction.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><strong>II. SUMMARY OF THE CASE<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In <em>People v. Amarela, <\\/em>the plaintiff,AAA, was watching a beauty contest with her aunt when she went to the restroom to urinate. However, she was not able to reach the comfort room because Amarela stopped her along the way.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 According to AAA, Amarela suddenly pulled her towards the daycare center and punched her in the abdomen, making her weak. Thereafter, Amarela undressed and put his penis inside AAA\\u2019s vagina. Three (3) men came to AAA\\u2019s rescue when she shouted for help, forcing Amarela to run away. However, she was brought to a hut by these persons, having bad intentions with her. Hence, she fled and ended up in the house of Godo Dumandan, who brought her first to the Racho residence because Dumandan thought her aunt was not at home. Dumandan stayed behind; that is why Racho was asked to bring AAA to her aunt\'s house instead. However, instead, she was brought to a shanty. She was told to lie down, but she refused. Racho boxed her abdomen and placed himself on top of AAA. Racho then inserted his penis into AAA\'s vagina. Thereafter, Racho left her. Thus, AAA went home alone and decided to leave home the following day. \\u00a0Eventually, AAA told her mother about what happened to her and reported the matter to the police.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Regional Trial Court (RTC) rendered a decision finding the appellants guilty beyond reasonable doubt of the crime of rape as the plaintiff\\u2019s testimony positively identifying both appellants was clear, positive, and straightforward.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In appeal before the Court of Appeals (CA), the appellants argued that several circumstances cast doubt on the victim\'s claim that she was raped. They alleged that her testimony does not conform to shared knowledge and ordinary human experience. Moreover, they pointed out that, although there were other witnesses, \\u00a0the only material testimony on record was that of the victim . However, the appellate court affirmed the trial court\'s decision as it found no reason to reverse the factual findings of the court <em>a quo<\\/em>.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 For the Supreme Court (SC), it had no reason to deviate from the well-entrenched rule that in matters of credibility of witnesses, the assessment made by the trial court should be respected and given weight.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Supreme Court reversed the judgment of conviction. First, AAA\'s version of the story in her affidavit-complaint differs materially from her testimony in court. Second, AAA could not have easily identified Amarela because the crime scene was dark; she only saw him for the first time. Third, her testimony lacks material details on how she was brought under the stage against her will. Lastly, the medical findings do not corroborate physical injuries and are inconclusive of any signs of forced entry.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><strong>III. WEIGHING OF THE VICTIM\\u2019S TESTIMONY<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Supreme Court has long accorded the evaluations of testimonial evidence by trial courts great respect. One can expect that said determination is based on reasonable discretion as to opting for which testimony is acceptable and which witness is worthy of belief. However, although the factual findings of the trial court are given weight by the Court\\u2014most especially when affirmed by the appellate court\\u2014such rule is not absolute as, for instance, when some facts or circumstances of weight and substance have been overlooked, misapprehended, and misinterpreted.<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\"><sup>[4]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Presently, the Court follows specific guidelines when presented with the credibility of witnesses, to wit:\\u00a0 giving the highest respect to the RTC\'s evaluation of the testimony of the witnesses, considering its unique position in directly observing the demeanor of a witness on the stand.\\u00a0 Second, absent any substantial reason that would justify the reversal of the RTC\'s assessments and conclusions. The reviewing court is generally bound by the lower court\'s findings, particularly when no significant facts and circumstances affecting the case\'s outcome are shown to have been overlooked or disregarded. Lastly, such a rule is even more stringently applied if the CA concurred with the RTC. <a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\"><sup>[5]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Applying the Maria Clara doctrine or the Women\\u2019s Honor doctrine\\u2014which often leads to cases being adjudged solely on the basis of the credibility of the victim \\u2013 does not only put the accused at an unfair disadvantage but also results in a travesty of justice. It is not impossible for an assumed victim to merely fabricate stories of her abuse.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In the past, one can say that it is natural for a woman to be reluctant to disclose a sexual assault. This stereotype cannot be applied anymore as women have transformed over the years and have become more willing to speak up and fight for their rights . There is a need to veer away from such a notion and accept the realities of a woman\'s dynamic role in society today.<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\">[6]<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Leaving the aforementioned doctrine\\u2013 given that the findings through evidence presented do not match the victim\'s testimony \\u2013 in the past is crucial because an accused must only be convicted solely on the testimony of the victim, provided of course, that the testimony is credible, natural, convincing, and consistent with human nature and the normal course of things. <a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\"><sup>[7]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Furthermore, this rule was clarified in the recent case of <em>People v. ZZZ<\\/em>. The \\u00a0Supreme Court relied on the victim\'s testimony because the latter readily recognized and pointed to her violator.\\u00a0 Unlike in <em>People v. Amarela, <\\/em>the victim recounted the harrowing nights that tormented her for six years of living with the perpetrator, and the medico-legal examination corroborated the latter\'s testimony. Hence, the SC found no compelling motive for the victim to lie. Furthermore, that after all, \\u201cno person, especially one of tender age, would ordinarily cry \\\"rape\\\" and subject oneself to the consequent rigors and embarrassments of medical examination and public trial, if not for the quest for rightful justice.<a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\">[8]<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><strong>IV. ERADICATING STEREOTYPES<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Supreme Court\\u2019s recent consideration and clarification as to the application of the Maria Clara doctrine in <em>People v. Amarela<\\/em> would not only prevent corruption of justice on the part of the accused but eradicate gender bias\\u00a0 and misconceptions in the society as well \\u2013 especially on the part of women.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The old constructed perception of women anchored in the apparent attributes of Maria Clara \\u2013 a pure soul, \\u00a0modest, self-effacing, long-suffering<a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\">[9]<\\/a> \\u2013 can no longer be applied absolutely today. Gone are the days when in cases of abuse, for a woman to be credible, she must be like Maria Clara; and when she does not fit the mold, there is a propensity of discrediting her as a witness, as exemplified in <em>Tionloc<\\/em><a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\">[10]<\\/a>:<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 It would be unfair to convict a man of rape committed against a woman who, after giving him the impression through her unexplainable silence of her tacit consent and allowing him to have sexual contact with her, changed her mind in the middle and charged him with rape.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 According to some women\'s rights groups, the Court\'s decision would open the floodgates to more incidents of rape, as this may embolden perpetrators to \\\"abuse more women\\\" confident that \\\"courts will most likely dismiss rape cases. <a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\"><sup>[11]<\\/sup><\\/a> The limitation of this ruling is already established in the ruling in the 2020 case of <em>People v. ZZZ<\\/em>, wherein the Court still weighed the victim\'s testimony based on factors such as her age, her recognition of the accused in open court, and other corroborative evidence.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Rather than completely disregarding a \\u00a0victim\\u2019s testimony, courts should distill it by doing away with outdated notions and stereotypes based purely on gender.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">[1]<\\/a> UST Faculty of Civil Law, 2G, UST Law Review Understudy<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a> Citing <em>People v. Ta\\u00f1o, <\\/em>109 Phil. 912(1960)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a> \\\"Maria Clara Doctrine in Rape Cases Revisited\\\". Buban and Lardizabal Law Offices. June 8, 2018.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[4]<\\/a> (People v. Amarela, 2018)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[5]<\\/a> (People v. Amarela, 2018)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[6]<\\/a> People v. Amarela, 2018<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\">[7]<\\/a> People v. Zamoraga, 568 Phil. 132, 140 (2008); People v. Achas, 612 Phil. 652, 662 (2009); People v. Banig, 693 Phil. 303, 312 (2012); People v. Gahi, 727 Phil. 642, 657 (2014); People v. Pitala, G.R. No. 223561, 19 October 2016.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\">[8]<\\/a> (People v. ZZZ, 2020)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\">[9]<\\/a>Pons, J. S. (n.d.). Construction and deconstruction of Maria Clara: History of an imagined care-oriented model of gender in the Philippines. Academia.edu. https:\\/\\/www.academia.edu\\/24937445\\/Construction_and_deconstruction_of_Maria_Clara_History_of_an_imagined_care_oriented_model_of_gender_in_the_Philippines.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\">[10]<\\/a> 63 ATENEO L.J. 317 (2018)\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\">[11]<\\/a> (The Philippine Star, 2018)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">Cover Photo: Painting by Juan Luna- La Bulaque\\u00f1a, 1985 and Puesta Del Sol, 1880\'s.\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.15,\"sizes\":[]},\"typography_font_size\":{\"unit\":\"px\",\"size\":18,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(4227,1353,'_thumbnail_id','1315'),(4229,1354,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(4230,1354,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(4231,1354,'_elementor_version','3.2.4'),(4232,1354,'_wp_page_template','default'),(4233,1354,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"6e15c706\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"25c228e7\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"21b7e2be\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<h1><span style=\\\"font-size: 24pt;\\\">People of the Philippines v. Juvy D. Amarela and Junard G. Racho: Applying the Maria Clara Doctrine in the 21st Century<\\/span><\\/h1>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p>\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><em>By: Ristel Mae B. Tagudando<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\"><sup><strong><sup>[1]<\\/sup><\\/strong><\\/sup><\\/a><\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><strong>I. THE WOMEN\\u2019S HONOR DOCTRINE<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Maria Clara Doctrine or the Women\\u2019s Honor Doctrine became part of Philippine jurisprudence in the 1960 case of <em>People v. Ta\\u00f1o<\\/em>.<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\"><sup>[2]<\\/sup><\\/a> Based on Maria Clara\'s character from Jose Rizal\'s <em>Noli Me Tangere<\\/em>, the doctrine provides the presumption that \\\"women, especially Filipinos, would not admit that they have been abused unless that abuse had happened\\\".<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\"><sup>[3]<\\/sup><\\/a> This doctrine implies that the testimony of the alleged victim by itself may be sufficient to sustain a conviction.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><strong>II. SUMMARY OF THE CASE<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In <em>People v. Amarela, <\\/em>the plaintiff,AAA, was watching a beauty contest with her aunt when she went to the restroom to urinate. However, she was not able to reach the comfort room because Amarela stopped her along the way.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 According to AAA, Amarela suddenly pulled her towards the daycare center and punched her in the abdomen, making her weak. Thereafter, Amarela undressed and put his penis inside AAA\\u2019s vagina. Three (3) men came to AAA\\u2019s rescue when she shouted for help, forcing Amarela to run away. However, she was brought to a hut by these persons, having bad intentions with her. Hence, she fled and ended up in the house of Godo Dumandan, who brought her first to the Racho residence because Dumandan thought her aunt was not at home. Dumandan stayed behind; that is why Racho was asked to bring AAA to her aunt\'s house instead. However, instead, she was brought to a shanty. She was told to lie down, but she refused. Racho boxed her abdomen and placed himself on top of AAA. Racho then inserted his penis into AAA\'s vagina. Thereafter, Racho left her. Thus, AAA went home alone and decided to leave home the following day. \\u00a0Eventually, AAA told her mother about what happened to her and reported the matter to the police.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Regional Trial Court (RTC) rendered a decision finding the appellants guilty beyond reasonable doubt of the crime of rape as the plaintiff\\u2019s testimony positively identifying both appellants was clear, positive, and straightforward.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In appeal before the Court of Appeals (CA), the appellants argued that several circumstances cast doubt on the victim\'s claim that she was raped. They alleged that her testimony does not conform to shared knowledge and ordinary human experience. Moreover, they pointed out that, although there were other witnesses, \\u00a0the only material testimony on record was that of the victim . However, the appellate court affirmed the trial court\'s decision as it found no reason to reverse the factual findings of the court <em>a quo<\\/em>.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 For the Supreme Court (SC), it had no reason to deviate from the well-entrenched rule that in matters of credibility of witnesses, the assessment made by the trial court should be respected and given weight.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Supreme Court reversed the judgment of conviction. First, AAA\'s version of the story in her affidavit-complaint differs materially from her testimony in court. Second, AAA could not have easily identified Amarela because the crime scene was dark; she only saw him for the first time. Third, her testimony lacks material details on how she was brought under the stage against her will. Lastly, the medical findings do not corroborate physical injuries and are inconclusive of any signs of forced entry.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><strong>III. WEIGHING OF THE VICTIM\\u2019S TESTIMONY<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Supreme Court has long accorded the evaluations of testimonial evidence by trial courts great respect. One can expect that said determination is based on reasonable discretion as to opting for which testimony is acceptable and which witness is worthy of belief. However, although the factual findings of the trial court are given weight by the Court\\u2014most especially when affirmed by the appellate court\\u2014such rule is not absolute as, for instance, when some facts or circumstances of weight and substance have been overlooked, misapprehended, and misinterpreted.<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\"><sup>[4]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Presently, the Court follows specific guidelines when presented with the credibility of witnesses, to wit:\\u00a0 giving the highest respect to the RTC\'s evaluation of the testimony of the witnesses, considering its unique position in directly observing the demeanor of a witness on the stand.\\u00a0 Second, absent any substantial reason that would justify the reversal of the RTC\'s assessments and conclusions. The reviewing court is generally bound by the lower court\'s findings, particularly when no significant facts and circumstances affecting the case\'s outcome are shown to have been overlooked or disregarded. Lastly, such a rule is even more stringently applied if the CA concurred with the RTC. <a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\"><sup>[5]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Applying the Maria Clara doctrine or the Women\\u2019s Honor doctrine\\u2014which often leads to cases being adjudged solely on the basis of the credibility of the victim \\u2013 does not only put the accused at an unfair disadvantage but also results in a travesty of justice. It is not impossible for an assumed victim to merely fabricate stories of her abuse.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In the past, one can say that it is natural for a woman to be reluctant to disclose a sexual assault. This stereotype cannot be applied anymore as women have transformed over the years and have become more willing to speak up and fight for their rights . There is a need to veer away from such a notion and accept the realities of a woman\'s dynamic role in society today.<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\">[6]<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Leaving the aforementioned doctrine\\u2013 given that the findings through evidence presented do not match the victim\'s testimony \\u2013 in the past is crucial because an accused must only be convicted solely on the testimony of the victim, provided of course, that the testimony is credible, natural, convincing, and consistent with human nature and the normal course of things. <a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\"><sup>[7]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Furthermore, this rule was clarified in the recent case of <em>People v. ZZZ<\\/em>. The \\u00a0Supreme Court relied on the victim\'s testimony because the latter readily recognized and pointed to her violator.\\u00a0 Unlike in <em>People v. Amarela, <\\/em>the victim recounted the harrowing nights that tormented her for six years of living with the perpetrator, and the medico-legal examination corroborated the latter\'s testimony. Hence, the SC found no compelling motive for the victim to lie. Furthermore, that after all, \\u201cno person, especially one of tender age, would ordinarily cry \\\"rape\\\" and subject oneself to the consequent rigors and embarrassments of medical examination and public trial, if not for the quest for rightful justice.<a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\">[8]<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><strong>IV. ERADICATING STEREOTYPES<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Supreme Court\\u2019s recent consideration and clarification as to the application of the Maria Clara doctrine in <em>People v. Amarela<\\/em> would not only prevent corruption of justice on the part of the accused but eradicate gender bias\\u00a0 and misconceptions in the society as well \\u2013 especially on the part of women.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The old constructed perception of women anchored in the apparent attributes of Maria Clara \\u2013 a pure soul, \\u00a0modest, self-effacing, long-suffering<a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\">[9]<\\/a> \\u2013 can no longer be applied absolutely today. Gone are the days when in cases of abuse, for a woman to be credible, she must be like Maria Clara; and when she does not fit the mold, there is a propensity of discrediting her as a witness, as exemplified in <em>Tionloc<\\/em><a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\">[10]<\\/a>:<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 It would be unfair to convict a man of rape committed against a woman who, after giving him the impression through her unexplainable silence of her tacit consent and allowing him to have sexual contact with her, changed her mind in the middle and charged him with rape.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 According to some women\'s rights groups, the Court\'s decision would open the floodgates to more incidents of rape, as this may embolden perpetrators to \\\"abuse more women\\\" confident that \\\"courts will most likely dismiss rape cases. <a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\"><sup>[11]<\\/sup><\\/a> The limitation of this ruling is already established in the ruling in the 2020 case of <em>People v. ZZZ<\\/em>, wherein the Court still weighed the victim\'s testimony based on factors such as her age, her recognition of the accused in open court, and other corroborative evidence.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Rather than completely disregarding a \\u00a0victim\\u2019s testimony, courts should distill it by doing away with outdated notions and stereotypes based purely on gender.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">[1]<\\/a> UST Faculty of Civil Law, 2G, UST Law Review Understudy<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a> Citing <em>People v. Ta\\u00f1o, <\\/em>109 Phil. 912(1960)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a> \\\"Maria Clara Doctrine in Rape Cases Revisited\\\". Buban and Lardizabal Law Offices. June 8, 2018.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[4]<\\/a> (People v. Amarela, 2018)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[5]<\\/a> (People v. Amarela, 2018)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[6]<\\/a> People v. Amarela, 2018<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\">[7]<\\/a> People v. Zamoraga, 568 Phil. 132, 140 (2008); People v. Achas, 612 Phil. 652, 662 (2009); People v. Banig, 693 Phil. 303, 312 (2012); People v. Gahi, 727 Phil. 642, 657 (2014); People v. Pitala, G.R. No. 223561, 19 October 2016.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\">[8]<\\/a> (People v. ZZZ, 2020)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\">[9]<\\/a>Pons, J. S. (n.d.). Construction and deconstruction of Maria Clara: History of an imagined care-oriented model of gender in the Philippines. Academia.edu. https:\\/\\/www.academia.edu\\/24937445\\/Construction_and_deconstruction_of_Maria_Clara_History_of_an_imagined_care_oriented_model_of_gender_in_the_Philippines.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\">[10]<\\/a> 63 ATENEO L.J. 317 (2018)\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\">[11]<\\/a> (The Philippine Star, 2018)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">Cover Photo: Painting by Juan Luna- La Bulaque\\u00f1a, 1985 and Puesta Del Sol, 1880\'s.\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.15,\"sizes\":[]},\"typography_font_size\":{\"unit\":\"px\",\"size\":17,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(4234,1354,'_thumbnail_id','1315'),(4237,1355,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(4238,1355,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(4239,1355,'_elementor_version','3.2.4'),(4240,1355,'_wp_page_template','default'),(4241,1355,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"6e15c706\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"25c228e7\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"21b7e2be\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<h1><span style=\\\"font-size: 24pt;\\\">People of the Philippines v. Juvy D. Amarela and Junard G. Racho: Applying the Maria Clara Doctrine in the 21st Century<\\/span><\\/h1>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p>\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><em>By: Ristel Mae B. Tagudando<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\"><sup><strong><sup>[1]<\\/sup><\\/strong><\\/sup><\\/a><\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><strong>I. THE WOMEN\\u2019S HONOR DOCTRINE<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Maria Clara Doctrine or the Women\\u2019s Honor Doctrine became part of Philippine jurisprudence in the 1960 case of <em>People v. Ta\\u00f1o<\\/em>.<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\"><sup>[2]<\\/sup><\\/a> Based on Maria Clara\'s character from Jose Rizal\'s <em>Noli Me Tangere<\\/em>, the doctrine provides the presumption that \\\"women, especially Filipinos, would not admit that they have been abused unless that abuse had happened\\\".<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\"><sup>[3]<\\/sup><\\/a> This doctrine implies that the testimony of the alleged victim by itself may be sufficient to sustain a conviction.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><strong>II. SUMMARY OF THE CASE<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In <em>People v. Amarela, <\\/em>the plaintiff,AAA, was watching a beauty contest with her aunt when she went to the restroom to urinate. However, she was not able to reach the comfort room because Amarela stopped her along the way.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 According to AAA, Amarela suddenly pulled her towards the daycare center and punched her in the abdomen, making her weak. Thereafter, Amarela undressed and put his penis inside AAA\\u2019s vagina. Three (3) men came to AAA\\u2019s rescue when she shouted for help, forcing Amarela to run away. However, she was brought to a hut by these persons, having bad intentions with her. Hence, she fled and ended up in the house of Godo Dumandan, who brought her first to the Racho residence because Dumandan thought her aunt was not at home. Dumandan stayed behind; that is why Racho was asked to bring AAA to her aunt\'s house instead. However, instead, she was brought to a shanty. She was told to lie down, but she refused. Racho boxed her abdomen and placed himself on top of AAA. Racho then inserted his penis into AAA\'s vagina. Thereafter, Racho left her. Thus, AAA went home alone and decided to leave home the following day. \\u00a0Eventually, AAA told her mother about what happened to her and reported the matter to the police.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Regional Trial Court (RTC) rendered a decision finding the appellants guilty beyond reasonable doubt of the crime of rape as the plaintiff\\u2019s testimony positively identifying both appellants was clear, positive, and straightforward.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In appeal before the Court of Appeals (CA), the appellants argued that several circumstances cast doubt on the victim\'s claim that she was raped. They alleged that her testimony does not conform to shared knowledge and ordinary human experience. Moreover, they pointed out that, although there were other witnesses, \\u00a0the only material testimony on record was that of the victim . However, the appellate court affirmed the trial court\'s decision as it found no reason to reverse the factual findings of the court <em>a quo<\\/em>.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 For the Supreme Court (SC), it had no reason to deviate from the well-entrenched rule that in matters of credibility of witnesses, the assessment made by the trial court should be respected and given weight.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Supreme Court reversed the judgment of conviction. First, AAA\'s version of the story in her affidavit-complaint differs materially from her testimony in court. Second, AAA could not have easily identified Amarela because the crime scene was dark; she only saw him for the first time. Third, her testimony lacks material details on how she was brought under the stage against her will. Lastly, the medical findings do not corroborate physical injuries and are inconclusive of any signs of forced entry.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><strong>III. WEIGHING OF THE VICTIM\\u2019S TESTIMONY<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Supreme Court has long accorded the evaluations of testimonial evidence by trial courts great respect. One can expect that said determination is based on reasonable discretion as to opting for which testimony is acceptable and which witness is worthy of belief. However, although the factual findings of the trial court are given weight by the Court\\u2014most especially when affirmed by the appellate court\\u2014such rule is not absolute as, for instance, when some facts or circumstances of weight and substance have been overlooked, misapprehended, and misinterpreted.<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\"><sup>[4]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Presently, the Court follows specific guidelines when presented with the credibility of witnesses, to wit:\\u00a0 giving the highest respect to the RTC\'s evaluation of the testimony of the witnesses, considering its unique position in directly observing the demeanor of a witness on the stand.\\u00a0 Second, absent any substantial reason that would justify the reversal of the RTC\'s assessments and conclusions. The reviewing court is generally bound by the lower court\'s findings, particularly when no significant facts and circumstances affecting the case\'s outcome are shown to have been overlooked or disregarded. Lastly, such a rule is even more stringently applied if the CA concurred with the RTC. <a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\"><sup>[5]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Applying the Maria Clara doctrine or the Women\\u2019s Honor doctrine\\u2014which often leads to cases being adjudged solely on the basis of the credibility of the victim \\u2013 does not only put the accused at an unfair disadvantage but also results in a travesty of justice. It is not impossible for an assumed victim to merely fabricate stories of her abuse.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In the past, one can say that it is natural for a woman to be reluctant to disclose a sexual assault. This stereotype cannot be applied anymore as women have transformed over the years and have become more willing to speak up and fight for their rights . There is a need to veer away from such a notion and accept the realities of a woman\'s dynamic role in society today.<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\">[6]<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Leaving the aforementioned doctrine\\u2013 given that the findings through evidence presented do not match the victim\'s testimony \\u2013 in the past is crucial because an accused must only be convicted solely on the testimony of the victim, provided of course, that the testimony is credible, natural, convincing, and consistent with human nature and the normal course of things. <a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\"><sup>[7]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Furthermore, this rule was clarified in the recent case of <em>People v. ZZZ<\\/em>. The \\u00a0Supreme Court relied on the victim\'s testimony because the latter readily recognized and pointed to her violator.\\u00a0 Unlike in <em>People v. Amarela, <\\/em>the victim recounted the harrowing nights that tormented her for six years of living with the perpetrator, and the medico-legal examination corroborated the latter\'s testimony. Hence, the SC found no compelling motive for the victim to lie. Furthermore, that after all, \\u201cno person, especially one of tender age, would ordinarily cry \\\"rape\\\" and subject oneself to the consequent rigors and embarrassments of medical examination and public trial, if not for the quest for rightful justice.<a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\">[8]<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><strong>IV. ERADICATING STEREOTYPES<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Supreme Court\\u2019s recent consideration and clarification as to the application of the Maria Clara doctrine in <em>People v. Amarela<\\/em> would not only prevent corruption of justice on the part of the accused but eradicate gender bias\\u00a0 and misconceptions in the society as well \\u2013 especially on the part of women.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The old constructed perception of women anchored in the apparent attributes of Maria Clara \\u2013 a pure soul, \\u00a0modest, self-effacing, long-suffering<a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\">[9]<\\/a> \\u2013 can no longer be applied absolutely today. Gone are the days when in cases of abuse, for a woman to be credible, she must be like Maria Clara; and when she does not fit the mold, there is a propensity of discrediting her as a witness, as exemplified in <em>Tionloc<\\/em><a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\">[10]<\\/a>:<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 It would be unfair to convict a man of rape committed against a woman who, after giving him the impression through her unexplainable silence of her tacit consent and allowing him to have sexual contact with her, changed her mind in the middle and charged him with rape.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 According to some women\'s rights groups, the Court\'s decision would open the floodgates to more incidents of rape, as this may embolden perpetrators to \\\"abuse more women\\\" confident that \\\"courts will most likely dismiss rape cases. <a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\"><sup>[11]<\\/sup><\\/a> The limitation of this ruling is already established in the ruling in the 2020 case of <em>People v. ZZZ<\\/em>, wherein the Court still weighed the victim\'s testimony based on factors such as her age, her recognition of the accused in open court, and other corroborative evidence.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Rather than completely disregarding a \\u00a0victim\\u2019s testimony, courts should distill it by doing away with outdated notions and stereotypes based purely on gender.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">[1]<\\/a> UST Faculty of Civil Law, 2G, UST Law Review Understudy<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a> Citing <em>People v. Ta\\u00f1o, <\\/em>109 Phil. 912(1960)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a> \\\"Maria Clara Doctrine in Rape Cases Revisited\\\". Buban and Lardizabal Law Offices. June 8, 2018.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[4]<\\/a> (People v. Amarela, 2018)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[5]<\\/a> (People v. Amarela, 2018)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[6]<\\/a> People v. Amarela, 2018<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\">[7]<\\/a> People v. Zamoraga, 568 Phil. 132, 140 (2008); People v. Achas, 612 Phil. 652, 662 (2009); People v. Banig, 693 Phil. 303, 312 (2012); People v. Gahi, 727 Phil. 642, 657 (2014); People v. Pitala, G.R. No. 223561, 19 October 2016.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\">[8]<\\/a> (People v. ZZZ, 2020)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\">[9]<\\/a>Pons, J. S. (n.d.). Construction and deconstruction of Maria Clara: History of an imagined care-oriented model of gender in the Philippines. Academia.edu. https:\\/\\/www.academia.edu\\/24937445\\/Construction_and_deconstruction_of_Maria_Clara_History_of_an_imagined_care_oriented_model_of_gender_in_the_Philippines.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\">[10]<\\/a> 63 ATENEO L.J. 317 (2018)\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\">[11]<\\/a> (The Philippine Star, 2018)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">Cover Photo: Painting by Juan Luna- La Bulaque\\u00f1a, 1985 and Puesta Del Sol, 1880\'s.\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.15,\"sizes\":[]},\"typography_font_size\":{\"unit\":\"px\",\"size\":17,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(4242,1355,'_thumbnail_id','1315'),(4244,1356,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(4245,1356,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(4246,1356,'_elementor_version','3.2.4'),(4247,1356,'_wp_page_template','default'),(4248,1356,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"6e15c706\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"25c228e7\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"21b7e2be\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<h1><span style=\\\"font-size: 24pt;\\\">People of the Philippines v. Juvy D. Amarela and Junard G. Racho: Applying the Maria Clara Doctrine in the 21st Century<\\/span><\\/h1>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p>\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><em>By: Ristel Mae B. Tagudando<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\"><sup><strong><sup>[1]<\\/sup><\\/strong><\\/sup><\\/a><\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><strong>I. THE WOMEN\\u2019S HONOR DOCTRINE<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Maria Clara Doctrine or the Women\\u2019s Honor Doctrine became part of Philippine jurisprudence in the 1960 case of <em>People v. Ta\\u00f1o<\\/em>.<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\"><sup>[2]<\\/sup><\\/a> Based on Maria Clara\'s character from Jose Rizal\'s <em>Noli Me Tangere<\\/em>, the doctrine provides the presumption that \\\"women, especially Filipinos, would not admit that they have been abused unless that abuse had happened\\\".<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\"><sup>[3]<\\/sup><\\/a> This doctrine implies that the testimony of the alleged victim by itself may be sufficient to sustain a conviction.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><strong>II. SUMMARY OF THE CASE<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In <em>People v. Amarela, <\\/em>the plaintiff,AAA, was watching a beauty contest with her aunt when she went to the restroom to urinate. However, she was not able to reach the comfort room because Amarela stopped her along the way.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 According to AAA, Amarela suddenly pulled her towards the daycare center and punched her in the abdomen, making her weak. Thereafter, Amarela undressed and put his penis inside AAA\\u2019s vagina. Three (3) men came to AAA\\u2019s rescue when she shouted for help, forcing Amarela to run away. However, she was brought to a hut by these persons, having bad intentions with her. Hence, she fled and ended up in the house of Godo Dumandan, who brought her first to the Racho residence because Dumandan thought her aunt was not at home. Dumandan stayed behind; that is why Racho was asked to bring AAA to her aunt\'s house instead. However, instead, she was brought to a shanty. She was told to lie down, but she refused. Racho boxed her abdomen and placed himself on top of AAA. Racho then inserted his penis into AAA\'s vagina. Thereafter, Racho left her. Thus, AAA went home alone and decided to leave home the following day. \\u00a0Eventually, AAA told her mother about what happened to her and reported the matter to the police.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Regional Trial Court (RTC) rendered a decision finding the appellants guilty beyond reasonable doubt of the crime of rape as the plaintiff\\u2019s testimony positively identifying both appellants was clear, positive, and straightforward.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In appeal before the Court of Appeals (CA), the appellants argued that several circumstances cast doubt on the victim\'s claim that she was raped. They alleged that her testimony does not conform to shared knowledge and ordinary human experience. Moreover, they pointed out that, although there were other witnesses, \\u00a0the only material testimony on record was that of the victim . However, the appellate court affirmed the trial court\'s decision as it found no reason to reverse the factual findings of the court <em>a quo<\\/em>.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 For the Supreme Court (SC), it had no reason to deviate from the well-entrenched rule that in matters of credibility of witnesses, the assessment made by the trial court should be respected and given weight.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Supreme Court reversed the judgment of conviction. First, AAA\'s version of the story in her affidavit-complaint differs materially from her testimony in court. Second, AAA could not have easily identified Amarela because the crime scene was dark; she only saw him for the first time. Third, her testimony lacks material details on how she was brought under the stage against her will. Lastly, the medical findings do not corroborate physical injuries and are inconclusive of any signs of forced entry.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><strong>III. WEIGHING OF THE VICTIM\\u2019S TESTIMONY<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Supreme Court has long accorded the evaluations of testimonial evidence by trial courts great respect. One can expect that said determination is based on reasonable discretion as to opting for which testimony is acceptable and which witness is worthy of belief. However, although the factual findings of the trial court are given weight by the Court\\u2014most especially when affirmed by the appellate court\\u2014such rule is not absolute as, for instance, when some facts or circumstances of weight and substance have been overlooked, misapprehended, and misinterpreted.<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\"><sup>[4]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Presently, the Court follows specific guidelines when presented with the credibility of witnesses, to wit:\\u00a0 giving the highest respect to the RTC\'s evaluation of the testimony of the witnesses, considering its unique position in directly observing the demeanor of a witness on the stand.\\u00a0 Second, absent any substantial reason that would justify the reversal of the RTC\'s assessments and conclusions. The reviewing court is generally bound by the lower court\'s findings, particularly when no significant facts and circumstances affecting the case\'s outcome are shown to have been overlooked or disregarded. Lastly, such a rule is even more stringently applied if the CA concurred with the RTC. <a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\"><sup>[5]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Applying the Maria Clara doctrine or the Women\\u2019s Honor doctrine\\u2014which often leads to cases being adjudged solely on the basis of the credibility of the victim \\u2013 does not only put the accused at an unfair disadvantage but also results in a travesty of justice. It is not impossible for an assumed victim to merely fabricate stories of her abuse.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In the past, one can say that it is natural for a woman to be reluctant to disclose a sexual assault. This stereotype cannot be applied anymore as women have transformed over the years and have become more willing to speak up and fight for their rights . There is a need to veer away from such a notion and accept the realities of a woman\'s dynamic role in society today.<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\">[6]<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Leaving the aforementioned doctrine\\u2013 given that the findings through evidence presented do not match the victim\'s testimony \\u2013 in the past is crucial because an accused must only be convicted solely on the testimony of the victim, provided of course, that the testimony is credible, natural, convincing, and consistent with human nature and the normal course of things. <a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\"><sup>[7]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Furthermore, this rule was clarified in the recent case of <em>People v. ZZZ<\\/em>. The \\u00a0Supreme Court relied on the victim\'s testimony because the latter readily recognized and pointed to her violator.\\u00a0 Unlike in <em>People v. Amarela, <\\/em>the victim recounted the harrowing nights that tormented her for six years of living with the perpetrator, and the medico-legal examination corroborated the latter\'s testimony. Hence, the SC found no compelling motive for the victim to lie. Furthermore, that after all, \\u201cno person, especially one of tender age, would ordinarily cry \\\"rape\\\" and subject oneself to the consequent rigors and embarrassments of medical examination and public trial, if not for the quest for rightful justice.<a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\">[8]<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><strong>IV. ERADICATING STEREOTYPES<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Supreme Court\\u2019s recent consideration and clarification as to the application of the Maria Clara doctrine in <em>People v. Amarela<\\/em> would not only prevent corruption of justice on the part of the accused but eradicate gender bias\\u00a0 and misconceptions in the society as well \\u2013 especially on the part of women.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The old constructed perception of women anchored in the apparent attributes of Maria Clara \\u2013 a pure soul, \\u00a0modest, self-effacing, long-suffering<a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\">[9]<\\/a> \\u2013 can no longer be applied absolutely today. Gone are the days when in cases of abuse, for a woman to be credible, she must be like Maria Clara; and when she does not fit the mold, there is a propensity of discrediting her as a witness, as exemplified in <em>Tionloc<\\/em><a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\">[10]<\\/a>:<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 It would be unfair to convict a man of rape committed against a woman who, after giving him the impression through her unexplainable silence of her tacit consent and allowing him to have sexual contact with her, changed her mind in the middle and charged him with rape.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 According to some women\'s rights groups, the Court\'s decision would open the floodgates to more incidents of rape, as this may embolden perpetrators to \\\"abuse more women\\\" confident that \\\"courts will most likely dismiss rape cases. <a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\"><sup>[11]<\\/sup><\\/a> The limitation of this ruling is already established in the ruling in the 2020 case of <em>People v. ZZZ<\\/em>, wherein the Court still weighed the victim\'s testimony based on factors such as her age, her recognition of the accused in open court, and other corroborative evidence.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Rather than completely disregarding a \\u00a0victim\\u2019s testimony, courts should distill it by doing away with outdated notions and stereotypes based purely on gender.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">[1]<\\/a> UST Faculty of Civil Law, 2G, UST Law Review Understudy<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a> Citing <em>People v. Ta\\u00f1o, <\\/em>109 Phil. 912(1960)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a> \\\"Maria Clara Doctrine in Rape Cases Revisited\\\". Buban and Lardizabal Law Offices. June 8, 2018.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[4]<\\/a> (People v. Amarela, 2018)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[5]<\\/a> (People v. Amarela, 2018)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[6]<\\/a> People v. Amarela, 2018<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\">[7]<\\/a> People v. Zamoraga, 568 Phil. 132, 140 (2008); People v. Achas, 612 Phil. 652, 662 (2009); People v. Banig, 693 Phil. 303, 312 (2012); People v. Gahi, 727 Phil. 642, 657 (2014); People v. Pitala, G.R. No. 223561, 19 October 2016.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\">[8]<\\/a> (People v. ZZZ, 2020)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\">[9]<\\/a>Pons, J. S. (n.d.). Construction and deconstruction of Maria Clara: History of an imagined care-oriented model of gender in the Philippines. Academia.edu. https:\\/\\/www.academia.edu\\/24937445\\/Construction_and_deconstruction_of_Maria_Clara_History_of_an_imagined_care_oriented_model_of_gender_in_the_Philippines.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\">[10]<\\/a> 63 ATENEO L.J. 317 (2018)\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\">[11]<\\/a> (The Philippine Star, 2018)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">Cover Photo: Painting by Juan Luna- La Bulaque\\u00f1a, 1985 and Puesta Del Sol, 1880\'s.\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.15,\"sizes\":[]},\"typography_font_size\":{\"unit\":\"px\",\"size\":17,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(4249,1356,'_thumbnail_id','1315'),(4251,1357,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(4252,1357,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(4253,1357,'_elementor_version','3.2.4'),(4254,1357,'_wp_page_template','default'),(4255,1357,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"6e15c706\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"25c228e7\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"21b7e2be\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<h1><span style=\\\"font-size: 24pt;\\\">People of the Philippines v. Juvy D. Amarela and Junard G. Racho: Applying the Maria Clara Doctrine in the 21st Century<\\/span><\\/h1>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p>\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><em>By: Ristel Mae B. Tagudando<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\"><sup><strong><sup>[1]<\\/sup><\\/strong><\\/sup><\\/a><\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><strong>I. THE WOMEN\\u2019S HONOR DOCTRINE<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Maria Clara Doctrine or the Women\\u2019s Honor Doctrine became part of Philippine jurisprudence in the 1960 case of <em>People v. Ta\\u00f1o<\\/em>.<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\"><sup>[2]<\\/sup><\\/a> Based on Maria Clara\'s character from Jose Rizal\'s <em>Noli Me Tangere<\\/em>, the doctrine provides the presumption that \\\"women, especially Filipinos, would not admit that they have been abused unless that abuse had happened\\\".<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\"><sup>[3]<\\/sup><\\/a> This doctrine implies that the testimony of the alleged victim by itself may be sufficient to sustain a conviction.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><strong>II. SUMMARY OF THE CASE<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In <em>People v. Amarela, <\\/em>the plaintiff,AAA, was watching a beauty contest with her aunt when she went to the restroom to urinate. However, she was not able to reach the comfort room because Amarela stopped her along the way.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 According to AAA, Amarela suddenly pulled her towards the daycare center and punched her in the abdomen, making her weak. Thereafter, Amarela undressed and put his penis inside AAA\\u2019s vagina. Three (3) men came to AAA\\u2019s rescue when she shouted for help, forcing Amarela to run away. However, she was brought to a hut by these persons, having bad intentions with her. Hence, she fled and ended up in the house of Godo Dumandan, who brought her first to the Racho residence because Dumandan thought her aunt was not at home. Dumandan stayed behind; that is why Racho was asked to bring AAA to her aunt\'s house instead. However, instead, she was brought to a shanty. She was told to lie down, but she refused. Racho boxed her abdomen and placed himself on top of AAA. Racho then inserted his penis into AAA\'s vagina. Thereafter, Racho left her. Thus, AAA went home alone and decided to leave home the following day. \\u00a0Eventually, AAA told her mother about what happened to her and reported the matter to the police.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Regional Trial Court (RTC) rendered a decision finding the appellants guilty beyond reasonable doubt of the crime of rape as the plaintiff\\u2019s testimony positively identifying both appellants was clear, positive, and straightforward.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In appeal before the Court of Appeals (CA), the appellants argued that several circumstances cast doubt on the victim\'s claim that she was raped. They alleged that her testimony does not conform to shared knowledge and ordinary human experience. Moreover, they pointed out that, although there were other witnesses, \\u00a0the only material testimony on record was that of the victim . However, the appellate court affirmed the trial court\'s decision as it found no reason to reverse the factual findings of the court <em>a quo<\\/em>.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 For the Supreme Court (SC), it had no reason to deviate from the well-entrenched rule that in matters of credibility of witnesses, the assessment made by the trial court should be respected and given weight.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Supreme Court reversed the judgment of conviction. First, AAA\'s version of the story in her affidavit-complaint differs materially from her testimony in court. Second, AAA could not have easily identified Amarela because the crime scene was dark; she only saw him for the first time. Third, her testimony lacks material details on how she was brought under the stage against her will. Lastly, the medical findings do not corroborate physical injuries and are inconclusive of any signs of forced entry.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><strong>III. WEIGHING OF THE VICTIM\\u2019S TESTIMONY<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Supreme Court has long accorded the evaluations of testimonial evidence by trial courts great respect. One can expect that said determination is based on reasonable discretion as to opting for which testimony is acceptable and which witness is worthy of belief. However, although the factual findings of the trial court are given weight by the Court\\u2014most especially when affirmed by the appellate court\\u2014such rule is not absolute as, for instance, when some facts or circumstances of weight and substance have been overlooked, misapprehended, and misinterpreted.<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\"><sup>[4]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Presently, the Court follows specific guidelines when presented with the credibility of witnesses, to wit:\\u00a0 giving the highest respect to the RTC\'s evaluation of the testimony of the witnesses, considering its unique position in directly observing the demeanor of a witness on the stand.\\u00a0 Second, absent any substantial reason that would justify the reversal of the RTC\'s assessments and conclusions. The reviewing court is generally bound by the lower court\'s findings, particularly when no significant facts and circumstances affecting the case\'s outcome are shown to have been overlooked or disregarded. Lastly, such a rule is even more stringently applied if the CA concurred with the RTC. <a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\"><sup>[5]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Applying the Maria Clara doctrine or the Women\\u2019s Honor doctrine\\u2014which often leads to cases being adjudged solely on the basis of the credibility of the victim \\u2013 does not only put the accused at an unfair disadvantage but also results in a travesty of justice. It is not impossible for an assumed victim to merely fabricate stories of her abuse.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In the past, one can say that it is natural for a woman to be reluctant to disclose a sexual assault. This stereotype cannot be applied anymore as women have transformed over the years and have become more willing to speak up and fight for their rights . There is a need to veer away from such a notion and accept the realities of a woman\'s dynamic role in society today.<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\">[6]<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Leaving the aforementioned doctrine\\u2013 given that the findings through evidence presented do not match the victim\'s testimony \\u2013 in the past is crucial because an accused must only be convicted solely on the testimony of the victim, provided of course, that the testimony is credible, natural, convincing, and consistent with human nature and the normal course of things. <a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\"><sup>[7]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Furthermore, this rule was clarified in the recent case of <em>People v. ZZZ<\\/em>. The \\u00a0Supreme Court relied on the victim\'s testimony because the latter readily recognized and pointed to her violator.\\u00a0 Unlike in <em>People v. Amarela, <\\/em>the victim recounted the harrowing nights that tormented her for six years of living with the perpetrator, and the medico-legal examination corroborated the latter\'s testimony. Hence, the SC found no compelling motive for the victim to lie. Furthermore, that after all, \\u201cno person, especially one of tender age, would ordinarily cry \\\"rape\\\" and subject oneself to the consequent rigors and embarrassments of medical examination and public trial, if not for the quest for rightful justice.<a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\">[8]<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><strong>IV. ERADICATING STEREOTYPES<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Supreme Court\\u2019s recent consideration and clarification as to the application of the Maria Clara doctrine in <em>People v. Amarela<\\/em> would not only prevent corruption of justice on the part of the accused but eradicate gender bias\\u00a0 and misconceptions in the society as well \\u2013 especially on the part of women.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The old constructed perception of women anchored in the apparent attributes of Maria Clara \\u2013 a pure soul, \\u00a0modest, self-effacing, long-suffering<a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\">[9]<\\/a> \\u2013 can no longer be applied absolutely today. Gone are the days when in cases of abuse, for a woman to be credible, she must be like Maria Clara; and when she does not fit the mold, there is a propensity of discrediting her as a witness, as exemplified in <em>Tionloc<\\/em><a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\">[10]<\\/a>:<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 It would be unfair to convict a man of rape committed against a woman who, after giving him the impression through her unexplainable silence of her tacit consent and allowing him to have sexual contact with her, changed her mind in the middle and charged him with rape.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 According to some women\'s rights groups, the Court\'s decision would open the floodgates to more incidents of rape, as this may embolden perpetrators to \\\"abuse more women\\\" confident that \\\"courts will most likely dismiss rape cases. <a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\"><sup>[11]<\\/sup><\\/a> The limitation of this ruling is already established in the ruling in the 2020 case of <em>People v. ZZZ<\\/em>, wherein the Court still weighed the victim\'s testimony based on factors such as her age, her recognition of the accused in open court, and other corroborative evidence.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Rather than completely disregarding a \\u00a0victim\\u2019s testimony, courts should distill it by doing away with outdated notions and stereotypes based purely on gender.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">[1]<\\/a> UST Faculty of Civil Law, 2G, UST Law Review Understudy<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a> Citing <em>People v. Ta\\u00f1o, <\\/em>109 Phil. 912(1960)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a> \\\"Maria Clara Doctrine in Rape Cases Revisited\\\". Buban and Lardizabal Law Offices. June 8, 2018.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[4]<\\/a> (People v. Amarela, 2018)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[5]<\\/a> (People v. Amarela, 2018)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[6]<\\/a> People v. Amarela, 2018<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\">[7]<\\/a> People v. Zamoraga, 568 Phil. 132, 140 (2008); People v. Achas, 612 Phil. 652, 662 (2009); People v. Banig, 693 Phil. 303, 312 (2012); People v. Gahi, 727 Phil. 642, 657 (2014); People v. Pitala, G.R. No. 223561, 19 October 2016.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\">[8]<\\/a> (People v. ZZZ, 2020)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\">[9]<\\/a>Pons, J. S. (n.d.). Construction and deconstruction of Maria Clara: History of an imagined care-oriented model of gender in the Philippines. Academia.edu. https:\\/\\/www.academia.edu\\/24937445\\/Construction_and_deconstruction_of_Maria_Clara_History_of_an_imagined_care_oriented_model_of_gender_in_the_Philippines.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\">[10]<\\/a> 63 ATENEO L.J. 317 (2018)\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\">[11]<\\/a> (The Philippine Star, 2018)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">Cover Photo: Painting by Juan Luna- La Bulaque\\u00f1a, 1985 and Puesta Del Sol, 1880\'s.\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.15,\"sizes\":[]},\"typography_font_size\":{\"unit\":\"px\",\"size\":18,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(4256,1357,'_thumbnail_id','1315'),(4260,1358,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(4261,1358,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(4262,1358,'_elementor_version','3.2.4'),(4263,1358,'_wp_page_template','default'),(4264,1358,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"6e15c706\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"25c228e7\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"21b7e2be\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<h1><span style=\\\"font-size: 24pt;\\\">People of the Philippines v. Juvy D. Amarela and Junard G. Racho: Applying the Maria Clara Doctrine in the 21st Century<\\/span><\\/h1>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p>\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><em>By: Ristel Mae B. Tagudando<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\"><sup><strong><sup>[1]<\\/sup><\\/strong><\\/sup><\\/a><\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><strong>I. THE WOMEN\\u2019S HONOR DOCTRINE<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Maria Clara Doctrine or the Women\\u2019s Honor Doctrine became part of Philippine jurisprudence in the 1960 case of <em>People v. Ta\\u00f1o<\\/em>.<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\"><sup>[2]<\\/sup><\\/a> Based on Maria Clara\'s character from Jose Rizal\'s <em>Noli Me Tangere<\\/em>, the doctrine provides the presumption that \\\"women, especially Filipinos, would not admit that they have been abused unless that abuse had happened\\\".<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\"><sup>[3]<\\/sup><\\/a> This doctrine implies that the testimony of the alleged victim by itself may be sufficient to sustain a conviction.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><strong>II. SUMMARY OF THE CASE<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In <em>People v. Amarela, <\\/em>the plaintiff,AAA, was watching a beauty contest with her aunt when she went to the restroom to urinate. However, she was not able to reach the comfort room because Amarela stopped her along the way.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 According to AAA, Amarela suddenly pulled her towards the daycare center and punched her in the abdomen, making her weak. Thereafter, Amarela undressed and put his penis inside AAA\\u2019s vagina. Three (3) men came to AAA\\u2019s rescue when she shouted for help, forcing Amarela to run away. However, she was brought to a hut by these persons, having bad intentions with her. Hence, she fled and ended up in the house of Godo Dumandan, who brought her first to the Racho residence because Dumandan thought her aunt was not at home. Dumandan stayed behind; that is why Racho was asked to bring AAA to her aunt\'s house instead. However, instead, she was brought to a shanty. She was told to lie down, but she refused. Racho boxed her abdomen and placed himself on top of AAA. Racho then inserted his penis into AAA\'s vagina. Thereafter, Racho left her. Thus, AAA went home alone and decided to leave home the following day. \\u00a0Eventually, AAA told her mother about what happened to her and reported the matter to the police.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Regional Trial Court (RTC) rendered a decision finding the appellants guilty beyond reasonable doubt of the crime of rape as the plaintiff\\u2019s testimony positively identifying both appellants was clear, positive, and straightforward.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In appeal before the Court of Appeals (CA), the appellants argued that several circumstances cast doubt on the victim\'s claim that she was raped. They alleged that her testimony does not conform to shared knowledge and ordinary human experience. Moreover, they pointed out that, although there were other witnesses, \\u00a0the only material testimony on record was that of the victim . However, the appellate court affirmed the trial court\'s decision as it found no reason to reverse the factual findings of the court <em>a quo<\\/em>.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 For the Supreme Court (SC), it had no reason to deviate from the well-entrenched rule that in matters of credibility of witnesses, the assessment made by the trial court should be respected and given weight.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Supreme Court reversed the judgment of conviction. First, AAA\'s version of the story in her affidavit-complaint differs materially from her testimony in court. Second, AAA could not have easily identified Amarela because the crime scene was dark; she only saw him for the first time. Third, her testimony lacks material details on how she was brought under the stage against her will. Lastly, the medical findings do not corroborate physical injuries and are inconclusive of any signs of forced entry.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><strong>III. WEIGHING OF THE VICTIM\\u2019S TESTIMONY<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Supreme Court has long accorded the evaluations of testimonial evidence by trial courts great respect. One can expect that said determination is based on reasonable discretion as to opting for which testimony is acceptable and which witness is worthy of belief. However, although the factual findings of the trial court are given weight by the Court\\u2014most especially when affirmed by the appellate court\\u2014such rule is not absolute as, for instance, when some facts or circumstances of weight and substance have been overlooked, misapprehended, and misinterpreted.<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\"><sup>[4]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Presently, the Court follows specific guidelines when presented with the credibility of witnesses, to wit:\\u00a0 giving the highest respect to the RTC\'s evaluation of the testimony of the witnesses, considering its unique position in directly observing the demeanor of a witness on the stand.\\u00a0 Second, absent any substantial reason that would justify the reversal of the RTC\'s assessments and conclusions. The reviewing court is generally bound by the lower court\'s findings, particularly when no significant facts and circumstances affecting the case\'s outcome are shown to have been overlooked or disregarded. Lastly, such a rule is even more stringently applied if the CA concurred with the RTC. <a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\"><sup>[5]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Applying the Maria Clara doctrine or the Women\\u2019s Honor doctrine\\u2014which often leads to cases being adjudged solely on the basis of the credibility of the victim \\u2013 does not only put the accused at an unfair disadvantage but also results in a travesty of justice. It is not impossible for an assumed victim to merely fabricate stories of her abuse.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In the past, one can say that it is natural for a woman to be reluctant to disclose a sexual assault. This stereotype cannot be applied anymore as women have transformed over the years and have become more willing to speak up and fight for their rights . There is a need to veer away from such a notion and accept the realities of a woman\'s dynamic role in society today.<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\">[6]<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Leaving the aforementioned doctrine\\u2013 given that the findings through evidence presented do not match the victim\'s testimony \\u2013 in the past is crucial because an accused must only be convicted solely on the testimony of the victim, provided of course, that the testimony is credible, natural, convincing, and consistent with human nature and the normal course of things. <a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\"><sup>[7]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Furthermore, this rule was clarified in the recent case of <em>People v. ZZZ<\\/em>. The \\u00a0Supreme Court relied on the victim\'s testimony because the latter readily recognized and pointed to her violator.\\u00a0 Unlike in <em>People v. Amarela, <\\/em>the victim recounted the harrowing nights that tormented her for six years of living with the perpetrator, and the medico-legal examination corroborated the latter\'s testimony. Hence, the SC found no compelling motive for the victim to lie. Furthermore, that after all, \\u201cno person, especially one of tender age, would ordinarily cry \\\"rape\\\" and subject oneself to the consequent rigors and embarrassments of medical examination and public trial, if not for the quest for rightful justice.<a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\">[8]<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><strong>IV. ERADICATING STEREOTYPES<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Supreme Court\\u2019s recent consideration and clarification as to the application of the Maria Clara doctrine in <em>People v. Amarela<\\/em> would not only prevent corruption of justice on the part of the accused but eradicate gender bias\\u00a0 and misconceptions in the society as well \\u2013 especially on the part of women.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The old constructed perception of women anchored in the apparent attributes of Maria Clara \\u2013 a pure soul, \\u00a0modest, self-effacing, long-suffering<a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\">[9]<\\/a> \\u2013 can no longer be applied absolutely today. Gone are the days when in cases of abuse, for a woman to be credible, she must be like Maria Clara; and when she does not fit the mold, there is a propensity of discrediting her as a witness, as exemplified in <em>Tionloc<\\/em><a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\">[10]<\\/a>:<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 It would be unfair to convict a man of rape committed against a woman who, after giving him the impression through her unexplainable silence of her tacit consent and allowing him to have sexual contact with her, changed her mind in the middle and charged him with rape.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 According to some women\'s rights groups, the Court\'s decision would open the floodgates to more incidents of rape, as this may embolden perpetrators to \\\"abuse more women\\\" confident that \\\"courts will most likely dismiss rape cases. <a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\"><sup>[11]<\\/sup><\\/a> The limitation of this ruling is already established in the ruling in the 2020 case of <em>People v. ZZZ<\\/em>, wherein the Court still weighed the victim\'s testimony based on factors such as her age, her recognition of the accused in open court, and other corroborative evidence.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Rather than completely disregarding a \\u00a0victim\\u2019s testimony, courts should distill it by doing away with outdated notions and stereotypes based purely on gender.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">[1]<\\/a> UST Faculty of Civil Law, 2G, UST Law Review Understudy<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a> Citing <em>People v. Ta\\u00f1o, <\\/em>109 Phil. 912(1960)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a> \\\"Maria Clara Doctrine in Rape Cases Revisited\\\". Buban and Lardizabal Law Offices. June 8, 2018.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[4]<\\/a> (People v. Amarela, 2018)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[5]<\\/a> (People v. Amarela, 2018)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[6]<\\/a> People v. Amarela, 2018<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\">[7]<\\/a> People v. Zamoraga, 568 Phil. 132, 140 (2008); People v. Achas, 612 Phil. 652, 662 (2009); People v. Banig, 693 Phil. 303, 312 (2012); People v. Gahi, 727 Phil. 642, 657 (2014); People v. Pitala, G.R. No. 223561, 19 October 2016.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\">[8]<\\/a> (People v. ZZZ, 2020)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\">[9]<\\/a>Pons, J. S. (n.d.). Construction and deconstruction of Maria Clara: History of an imagined care-oriented model of gender in the Philippines. Academia.edu. https:\\/\\/www.academia.edu\\/24937445\\/Construction_and_deconstruction_of_Maria_Clara_History_of_an_imagined_care_oriented_model_of_gender_in_the_Philippines.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\">[10]<\\/a> 63 ATENEO L.J. 317 (2018)\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\">[11]<\\/a> (The Philippine Star, 2018)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">Cover Photo: Painting by Juan Luna- La Bulaque\\u00f1a, 1985 and Puesta Del Sol, 1880\'s.\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.15,\"sizes\":[]},\"typography_font_size\":{\"unit\":\"px\",\"size\":18,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(4265,1358,'_thumbnail_id','1315'),(4267,1359,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(4268,1359,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(4269,1359,'_elementor_version','3.2.4'),(4270,1359,'_wp_page_template','default');
INSERT INTO `wp_postmeta` VALUES (4271,1359,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"6e15c706\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"25c228e7\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"21b7e2be\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<h1><span style=\\\"font-size: 24pt;\\\">People of the Philippines v. Juvy D. Amarela and Junard G. Racho: Applying the Maria Clara Doctrine in the 21st Century<\\/span><\\/h1>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p>\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><em>By: Ristel Mae B. Tagudando<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\"><sup><strong><sup>[1]<\\/sup><\\/strong><\\/sup><\\/a><\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><strong>I. THE WOMEN\\u2019S HONOR DOCTRINE<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Maria Clara Doctrine or the Women\\u2019s Honor Doctrine became part of Philippine jurisprudence in the 1960 case of <em>People v. Ta\\u00f1o<\\/em>.<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\"><sup>[2]<\\/sup><\\/a> Based on Maria Clara\'s character from Jose Rizal\'s <em>Noli Me Tangere<\\/em>, the doctrine provides the presumption that \\\"women, especially Filipinos, would not admit that they have been abused unless that abuse had happened\\\".<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\"><sup>[3]<\\/sup><\\/a> This doctrine implies that the testimony of the alleged victim by itself may be sufficient to sustain a conviction.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><strong>II. SUMMARY OF THE CASE<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In <em>People v. Amarela, <\\/em>the plaintiff,AAA, was watching a beauty contest with her aunt when she went to the restroom to urinate. However, she was not able to reach the comfort room because Amarela stopped her along the way.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 According to AAA, Amarela suddenly pulled her towards the daycare center and punched her in the abdomen, making her weak. Thereafter, Amarela undressed and put his penis inside AAA\\u2019s vagina. Three (3) men came to AAA\\u2019s rescue when she shouted for help, forcing Amarela to run away. However, she was brought to a hut by these persons, having bad intentions with her. Hence, she fled and ended up in the house of Godo Dumandan, who brought her first to the Racho residence because Dumandan thought her aunt was not at home. Dumandan stayed behind; that is why Racho was asked to bring AAA to her aunt\'s house instead. However, instead, she was brought to a shanty. She was told to lie down, but she refused. Racho boxed her abdomen and placed himself on top of AAA. Racho then inserted his penis into AAA\'s vagina. Thereafter, Racho left her. Thus, AAA went home alone and decided to leave home the following day. \\u00a0Eventually, AAA told her mother about what happened to her and reported the matter to the police.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Regional Trial Court (RTC) rendered a decision finding the appellants guilty beyond reasonable doubt of the crime of rape as the plaintiff\\u2019s testimony positively identifying both appellants was clear, positive, and straightforward.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In appeal before the Court of Appeals (CA), the appellants argued that several circumstances cast doubt on the victim\'s claim that she was raped. They alleged that her testimony does not conform to shared knowledge and ordinary human experience. Moreover, they pointed out that, although there were other witnesses, \\u00a0the only material testimony on record was that of the victim . However, the appellate court affirmed the trial court\'s decision as it found no reason to reverse the factual findings of the court <em>a quo<\\/em>.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 For the Supreme Court (SC), it had no reason to deviate from the well-entrenched rule that in matters of credibility of witnesses, the assessment made by the trial court should be respected and given weight.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Supreme Court reversed the judgment of conviction. First, AAA\'s version of the story in her affidavit-complaint differs materially from her testimony in court. Second, AAA could not have easily identified Amarela because the crime scene was dark; she only saw him for the first time. Third, her testimony lacks material details on how she was brought under the stage against her will. Lastly, the medical findings do not corroborate physical injuries and are inconclusive of any signs of forced entry.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><strong>III. WEIGHING OF THE VICTIM\\u2019S TESTIMONY<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Supreme Court has long accorded the evaluations of testimonial evidence by trial courts great respect. One can expect that said determination is based on reasonable discretion as to opting for which testimony is acceptable and which witness is worthy of belief. However, although the factual findings of the trial court are given weight by the Court\\u2014most especially when affirmed by the appellate court\\u2014such rule is not absolute as, for instance, when some facts or circumstances of weight and substance have been overlooked, misapprehended, and misinterpreted.<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\"><sup>[4]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Presently, the Court follows specific guidelines when presented with the credibility of witnesses, to wit:\\u00a0 giving the highest respect to the RTC\'s evaluation of the testimony of the witnesses, considering its unique position in directly observing the demeanor of a witness on the stand.\\u00a0 Second, absent any substantial reason that would justify the reversal of the RTC\'s assessments and conclusions. The reviewing court is generally bound by the lower court\'s findings, particularly when no significant facts and circumstances affecting the case\'s outcome are shown to have been overlooked or disregarded. Lastly, such a rule is even more stringently applied if the CA concurred with the RTC. <a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\"><sup>[5]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Applying the Maria Clara doctrine or the Women\\u2019s Honor doctrine\\u2014which often leads to cases being adjudged solely on the basis of the credibility of the victim \\u2013 does not only put the accused at an unfair disadvantage but also results in a travesty of justice. It is not impossible for an assumed victim to merely fabricate stories of her abuse.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In the past, one can say that it is natural for a woman to be reluctant to disclose a sexual assault. This stereotype cannot be applied anymore as women have transformed over the years and have become more willing to speak up and fight for their rights . There is a need to veer away from such a notion and accept the realities of a woman\'s dynamic role in society today.<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\">[6]<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Leaving the aforementioned doctrine\\u2013 given that the findings through evidence presented do not match the victim\'s testimony \\u2013 in the past is crucial because an accused must only be convicted solely on the testimony of the victim, provided of course, that the testimony is credible, natural, convincing, and consistent with human nature and the normal course of things. <a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\"><sup>[7]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Furthermore, this rule was clarified in the recent case of <em>People v. ZZZ<\\/em>. The \\u00a0Supreme Court relied on the victim\'s testimony because the latter readily recognized and pointed to her violator.\\u00a0 Unlike in <em>People v. Amarela, <\\/em>the victim recounted the harrowing nights that tormented her for six years of living with the perpetrator, and the medico-legal examination corroborated the latter\'s testimony. Hence, the SC found no compelling motive for the victim to lie. Furthermore, that after all, \\u201cno person, especially one of tender age, would ordinarily cry \\\"rape\\\" and subject oneself to the consequent rigors and embarrassments of medical examination and public trial, if not for the quest for rightful justice.<a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\">[8]<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><strong>IV. ERADICATING STEREOTYPES<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Supreme Court\\u2019s recent consideration and clarification as to the application of the Maria Clara doctrine in <em>People v. Amarela<\\/em> would not only prevent corruption of justice on the part of the accused but eradicate gender bias\\u00a0 and misconceptions in the society as well \\u2013 especially on the part of women.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The old constructed perception of women anchored in the apparent attributes of Maria Clara \\u2013 a pure soul, \\u00a0modest, self-effacing, long-suffering<a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\">[9]<\\/a> \\u2013 can no longer be applied absolutely today. Gone are the days when in cases of abuse, for a woman to be credible, she must be like Maria Clara; and when she does not fit the mold, there is a propensity of discrediting her as a witness, as exemplified in <em>Tionloc<\\/em><a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\">[10]<\\/a>:<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 It would be unfair to convict a man of rape committed against a woman who, after giving him the impression through her unexplainable silence of her tacit consent and allowing him to have sexual contact with her, changed her mind in the middle and charged him with rape.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 According to some women\'s rights groups, the Court\'s decision would open the floodgates to more incidents of rape, as this may embolden perpetrators to \\\"abuse more women\\\" confident that \\\"courts will most likely dismiss rape cases. <a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\"><sup>[11]<\\/sup><\\/a> The limitation of this ruling is already established in the ruling in the 2020 case of <em>People v. ZZZ<\\/em>, wherein the Court still weighed the victim\'s testimony based on factors such as her age, her recognition of the accused in open court, and other corroborative evidence.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Rather than completely disregarding a \\u00a0victim\\u2019s testimony, courts should distill it by doing away with outdated notions and stereotypes based purely on gender.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">[1]<\\/a> UST Faculty of Civil Law, 2G, UST Law Review Understudy<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a> Citing <em>People v. Ta\\u00f1o, <\\/em>109 Phil. 912(1960)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a> \\\"Maria Clara Doctrine in Rape Cases Revisited\\\". Buban and Lardizabal Law Offices. June 8, 2018.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[4]<\\/a> (People v. Amarela, 2018)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[5]<\\/a> (People v. Amarela, 2018)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[6]<\\/a> People v. Amarela, 2018<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\">[7]<\\/a> People v. Zamoraga, 568 Phil. 132, 140 (2008); People v. Achas, 612 Phil. 652, 662 (2009); People v. Banig, 693 Phil. 303, 312 (2012); People v. Gahi, 727 Phil. 642, 657 (2014); People v. Pitala, G.R. No. 223561, 19 October 2016.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\">[8]<\\/a> (People v. ZZZ, 2020)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\">[9]<\\/a>Pons, J. S. (n.d.). Construction and deconstruction of Maria Clara: History of an imagined care-oriented model of gender in the Philippines. Academia.edu. https:\\/\\/www.academia.edu\\/24937445\\/Construction_and_deconstruction_of_Maria_Clara_History_of_an_imagined_care_oriented_model_of_gender_in_the_Philippines.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\">[10]<\\/a> 63 ATENEO L.J. 317 (2018)\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\">[11]<\\/a> (The Philippine Star, 2018)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">Cover Photo: Painting by Juan Luna- La Bulaque\\u00f1a, 1985 and Puesta Del Sol, 1880\'s.\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.15,\"sizes\":[]},\"typography_font_size\":{\"unit\":\"px\",\"size\":18,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(4272,1359,'_thumbnail_id','1315'),(4274,1360,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(4275,1360,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(4276,1360,'_elementor_version','3.2.4'),(4277,1360,'_wp_page_template','default'),(4278,1360,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"6e15c706\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"25c228e7\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"21b7e2be\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<h1><span style=\\\"font-size: 24pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\">People of the Philippines v. Juvy D. Amarela and Junard G. Racho: Applying the Maria Clara Doctrine in the 21st Century<\\/span><\\/h1>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p>\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\"><em>By: Ristel Mae B. Tagudando<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\"><sup><strong><sup>[1]<\\/sup><\\/strong><\\/sup><\\/a><\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\"><strong><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">I. THE WOMEN\\u2019S HONOR DOCTRINE<\\/span><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Maria Clara Doctrine or the Women\\u2019s Honor Doctrine became part of Philippine jurisprudence in the 1960 case of <em>People v. Ta\\u00f1o<\\/em>.<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\"><sup>[2]<\\/sup><\\/a> Based on Maria Clara\'s character from Jose Rizal\'s <em>Noli Me Tangere<\\/em>, the doctrine provides the presumption that \\\"women, especially Filipinos, would not admit that they have been abused unless that abuse had happened\\\".<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\"><sup>[3]<\\/sup><\\/a> This doctrine implies that the testimony of the alleged victim by itself may be sufficient to sustain a conviction.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\"><strong><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">II. SUMMARY OF THE CASE<\\/span><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In <em>People v. Amarela, <\\/em>the plaintiff,AAA, was watching a beauty contest with her aunt when she went to the restroom to urinate. However, she was not able to reach the comfort room because Amarela stopped her along the way.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 According to AAA, Amarela suddenly pulled her towards the daycare center and punched her in the abdomen, making her weak. Thereafter, Amarela undressed and put his penis inside AAA\\u2019s vagina. Three (3) men came to AAA\\u2019s rescue when she shouted for help, forcing Amarela to run away. However, she was brought to a hut by these persons, having bad intentions with her. Hence, she fled and ended up in the house of Godo Dumandan, who brought her first to the Racho residence because Dumandan thought her aunt was not at home. Dumandan stayed behind; that is why Racho was asked to bring AAA to her aunt\'s house instead. However, instead, she was brought to a shanty. She was told to lie down, but she refused. Racho boxed her abdomen and placed himself on top of AAA. Racho then inserted his penis into AAA\'s vagina. Thereafter, Racho left her. Thus, AAA went home alone and decided to leave home the following day. \\u00a0Eventually, AAA told her mother about what happened to her and reported the matter to the police.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Regional Trial Court (RTC) rendered a decision finding the appellants guilty beyond reasonable doubt of the crime of rape as the plaintiff\\u2019s testimony positively identifying both appellants was clear, positive, and straightforward.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In appeal before the Court of Appeals (CA), the appellants argued that several circumstances cast doubt on the victim\'s claim that she was raped. They alleged that her testimony does not conform to shared knowledge and ordinary human experience. Moreover, they pointed out that, although there were other witnesses, \\u00a0the only material testimony on record was that of the victim . However, the appellate court affirmed the trial court\'s decision as it found no reason to reverse the factual findings of the court <em>a quo<\\/em>.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 For the Supreme Court (SC), it had no reason to deviate from the well-entrenched rule that in matters of credibility of witnesses, the assessment made by the trial court should be respected and given weight.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Supreme Court reversed the judgment of conviction. First, AAA\'s version of the story in her affidavit-complaint differs materially from her testimony in court. Second, AAA could not have easily identified Amarela because the crime scene was dark; she only saw him for the first time. Third, her testimony lacks material details on how she was brought under the stage against her will. Lastly, the medical findings do not corroborate physical injuries and are inconclusive of any signs of forced entry.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\"><strong>III. WEIGHING OF THE VICTIM\\u2019S TESTIMONY<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Supreme Court has long accorded the evaluations of testimonial evidence by trial courts great respect. One can expect that said determination is based on reasonable discretion as to opting for which testimony is acceptable and which witness is worthy of belief. However, although the factual findings of the trial court are given weight by the Court\\u2014most especially when affirmed by the appellate court\\u2014such rule is not absolute as, for instance, when some facts or circumstances of weight and substance have been overlooked, misapprehended, and misinterpreted.<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\"><sup>[4]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Presently, the Court follows specific guidelines when presented with the credibility of witnesses, to wit:\\u00a0 giving the highest respect to the RTC\'s evaluation of the testimony of the witnesses, considering its unique position in directly observing the demeanor of a witness on the stand.\\u00a0 Second, absent any substantial reason that would justify the reversal of the RTC\'s assessments and conclusions. The reviewing court is generally bound by the lower court\'s findings, particularly when no significant facts and circumstances affecting the case\'s outcome are shown to have been overlooked or disregarded. Lastly, such a rule is even more stringently applied if the CA concurred with the RTC. <a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\"><sup>[5]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Applying the Maria Clara doctrine or the Women\\u2019s Honor doctrine\\u2014which often leads to cases being adjudged solely on the basis of the credibility of the victim \\u2013 does not only put the accused at an unfair disadvantage but also results in a travesty of justice. It is not impossible for an assumed victim to merely fabricate stories of her abuse.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In the past, one can say that it is natural for a woman to be reluctant to disclose a sexual assault. This stereotype cannot be applied anymore as women have transformed over the years and have become more willing to speak up and fight for their rights . There is a need to veer away from such a notion and accept the realities of a woman\'s dynamic role in society today.<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\">[6]<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Leaving the aforementioned doctrine\\u2013 given that the findings through evidence presented do not match the victim\'s testimony \\u2013 in the past is crucial because an accused must only be convicted solely on the testimony of the victim, provided of course, that the testimony is credible, natural, convincing, and consistent with human nature and the normal course of things. <a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\"><sup>[7]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Furthermore, this rule was clarified in the recent case of <em>People v. ZZZ<\\/em>. The \\u00a0Supreme Court relied on the victim\'s testimony because the latter readily recognized and pointed to her violator.\\u00a0 Unlike in <em>People v. Amarela, <\\/em>the victim recounted the harrowing nights that tormented her for six years of living with the perpetrator, and the medico-legal examination corroborated the latter\'s testimony. Hence, the SC found no compelling motive for the victim to lie. Furthermore, that after all, \\u201cno person, especially one of tender age, would ordinarily cry \\\"rape\\\" and subject oneself to the consequent rigors and embarrassments of medical examination and public trial, if not for the quest for rightful justice.<a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\">[8]<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\"><strong>IV. ERADICATING STEREOTYPES<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Supreme Court\\u2019s recent consideration and clarification as to the application of the Maria Clara doctrine in <em>People v. Amarela<\\/em> would not only prevent corruption of justice on the part of the accused but eradicate gender bias\\u00a0 and misconceptions in the society as well \\u2013 especially on the part of women.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The old constructed perception of women anchored in the apparent attributes of Maria Clara \\u2013 a pure soul, \\u00a0modest, self-effacing, long-suffering<a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\">[9]<\\/a> \\u2013 can no longer be applied absolutely today. Gone are the days when in cases of abuse, for a woman to be credible, she must be like Maria Clara; and when she does not fit the mold, there is a propensity of discrediting her as a witness, as exemplified in <em>Tionloc<\\/em><a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\">[10]<\\/a>:<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 It would be unfair to convict a man of rape committed against a woman who, after giving him the impression through her unexplainable silence of her tacit consent and allowing him to have sexual contact with her, changed her mind in the middle and charged him with rape.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 According to some women\'s rights groups, the Court\'s decision would open the floodgates to more incidents of rape, as this may embolden perpetrators to \\\"abuse more women\\\" confident that \\\"courts will most likely dismiss rape cases. <a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\"><sup>[11]<\\/sup><\\/a> The limitation of this ruling is already established in the ruling in the 2020 case of <em>People v. ZZZ<\\/em>, wherein the Court still weighed the victim\'s testimony based on factors such as her age, her recognition of the accused in open court, and other corroborative evidence.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Rather than completely disregarding a \\u00a0victim\\u2019s testimony, courts should distill it by doing away with outdated notions and stereotypes based purely on gender.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">[1]<\\/a> UST Faculty of Civil Law, 2G, UST Law Review Understudy<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a> Citing <em>People v. Ta\\u00f1o, <\\/em>109 Phil. 912(1960)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a> \\\"Maria Clara Doctrine in Rape Cases Revisited\\\". Buban and Lardizabal Law Offices. June 8, 2018.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[4]<\\/a> (People v. Amarela, 2018)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[5]<\\/a> (People v. Amarela, 2018)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[6]<\\/a> People v. Amarela, 2018<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\">[7]<\\/a> People v. Zamoraga, 568 Phil. 132, 140 (2008); People v. Achas, 612 Phil. 652, 662 (2009); People v. Banig, 693 Phil. 303, 312 (2012); People v. Gahi, 727 Phil. 642, 657 (2014); People v. Pitala, G.R. No. 223561, 19 October 2016.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\">[8]<\\/a> (People v. ZZZ, 2020)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\">[9]<\\/a>Pons, J. S. (n.d.). Construction and deconstruction of Maria Clara: History of an imagined care-oriented model of gender in the Philippines. Academia.edu. https:\\/\\/www.academia.edu\\/24937445\\/Construction_and_deconstruction_of_Maria_Clara_History_of_an_imagined_care_oriented_model_of_gender_in_the_Philippines.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\">[10]<\\/a> 63 ATENEO L.J. 317 (2018)\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\">[11]<\\/a> (The Philippine Star, 2018)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\">Cover Photo: Painting by Juan Luna- La Bulaque\\u00f1a, 1985 and Puesta Del Sol, 1880\'s.\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.15,\"sizes\":[]},\"typography_font_size\":{\"unit\":\"px\",\"size\":18,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(4279,1360,'_thumbnail_id','1315'),(4283,1361,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(4284,1361,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(4285,1361,'_elementor_version','3.2.4'),(4286,1361,'_wp_page_template','default'),(4287,1361,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"6e15c706\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"25c228e7\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"21b7e2be\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<h1><span style=\\\"font-size: 24pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\">People of the Philippines v. Juvy D. Amarela and Junard G. Racho: Applying the Maria Clara Doctrine in the 21st Century<\\/span><\\/h1>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p>\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\"><em>By: Ristel Mae B. Tagudando<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\"><sup><strong><sup>[1]<\\/sup><\\/strong><\\/sup><\\/a><\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\"><strong><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">I. THE WOMEN\\u2019S HONOR DOCTRINE<\\/span><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Maria Clara Doctrine or the Women\\u2019s Honor Doctrine became part of Philippine jurisprudence in the 1960 case of <em>People v. Ta\\u00f1o<\\/em>.<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\"><sup>[2]<\\/sup><\\/a> Based on Maria Clara\'s character from Jose Rizal\'s <em>Noli Me Tangere<\\/em>, the doctrine provides the presumption that \\\"women, especially Filipinos, would not admit that they have been abused unless that abuse had happened\\\".<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\"><sup>[3]<\\/sup><\\/a> This doctrine implies that the testimony of the alleged victim by itself may be sufficient to sustain a conviction.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\"><strong><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">II. SUMMARY OF THE CASE<\\/span><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In <em>People v. Amarela, <\\/em>the plaintiff,AAA, was watching a beauty contest with her aunt when she went to the restroom to urinate. However, she was not able to reach the comfort room because Amarela stopped her along the way.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 According to AAA, Amarela suddenly pulled her towards the daycare center and punched her in the abdomen, making her weak. Thereafter, Amarela undressed and put his penis inside AAA\\u2019s vagina. Three (3) men came to AAA\\u2019s rescue when she shouted for help, forcing Amarela to run away. However, she was brought to a hut by these persons, having bad intentions with her. Hence, she fled and ended up in the house of Godo Dumandan, who brought her first to the Racho residence because Dumandan thought her aunt was not at home. Dumandan stayed behind; that is why Racho was asked to bring AAA to her aunt\'s house instead. However, instead, she was brought to a shanty. She was told to lie down, but she refused. Racho boxed her abdomen and placed himself on top of AAA. Racho then inserted his penis into AAA\'s vagina. Thereafter, Racho left her. Thus, AAA went home alone and decided to leave home the following day. \\u00a0Eventually, AAA told her mother about what happened to her and reported the matter to the police.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Regional Trial Court (RTC) rendered a decision finding the appellants guilty beyond reasonable doubt of the crime of rape as the plaintiff\\u2019s testimony positively identifying both appellants was clear, positive, and straightforward.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In appeal before the Court of Appeals (CA), the appellants argued that several circumstances cast doubt on the victim\'s claim that she was raped. They alleged that her testimony does not conform to shared knowledge and ordinary human experience. Moreover, they pointed out that, although there were other witnesses, \\u00a0the only material testimony on record was that of the victim . However, the appellate court affirmed the trial court\'s decision as it found no reason to reverse the factual findings of the court <em>a quo<\\/em>.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 For the Supreme Court (SC), it had no reason to deviate from the well-entrenched rule that in matters of credibility of witnesses, the assessment made by the trial court should be respected and given weight.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Supreme Court reversed the judgment of conviction. First, AAA\'s version of the story in her affidavit-complaint differs materially from her testimony in court. Second, AAA could not have easily identified Amarela because the crime scene was dark; she only saw him for the first time. Third, her testimony lacks material details on how she was brought under the stage against her will. Lastly, the medical findings do not corroborate physical injuries and are inconclusive of any signs of forced entry.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\"><strong>III. WEIGHING OF THE VICTIM\\u2019S TESTIMONY<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Supreme Court has long accorded the evaluations of testimonial evidence by trial courts great respect. One can expect that said determination is based on reasonable discretion as to opting for which testimony is acceptable and which witness is worthy of belief. However, although the factual findings of the trial court are given weight by the Court\\u2014most especially when affirmed by the appellate court\\u2014such rule is not absolute as, for instance, when some facts or circumstances of weight and substance have been overlooked, misapprehended, and misinterpreted.<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\"><sup>[4]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Presently, the Court follows specific guidelines when presented with the credibility of witnesses, to wit:\\u00a0 giving the highest respect to the RTC\'s evaluation of the testimony of the witnesses, considering its unique position in directly observing the demeanor of a witness on the stand.\\u00a0 Second, absent any substantial reason that would justify the reversal of the RTC\'s assessments and conclusions. The reviewing court is generally bound by the lower court\'s findings, particularly when no significant facts and circumstances affecting the case\'s outcome are shown to have been overlooked or disregarded. Lastly, such a rule is even more stringently applied if the CA concurred with the RTC. <a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\"><sup>[5]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Applying the Maria Clara doctrine or the Women\\u2019s Honor doctrine\\u2014which often leads to cases being adjudged solely on the basis of the credibility of the victim \\u2013 does not only put the accused at an unfair disadvantage but also results in a travesty of justice. It is not impossible for an assumed victim to merely fabricate stories of her abuse.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In the past, one can say that it is natural for a woman to be reluctant to disclose a sexual assault. This stereotype cannot be applied anymore as women have transformed over the years and have become more willing to speak up and fight for their rights . There is a need to veer away from such a notion and accept the realities of a woman\'s dynamic role in society today.<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\">[6]<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Leaving the aforementioned doctrine\\u2013 given that the findings through evidence presented do not match the victim\'s testimony \\u2013 in the past is crucial because an accused must only be convicted solely on the testimony of the victim, provided of course, that the testimony is credible, natural, convincing, and consistent with human nature and the normal course of things. <a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\"><sup>[7]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Furthermore, this rule was clarified in the recent case of <em>People v. ZZZ<\\/em>. The \\u00a0Supreme Court relied on the victim\'s testimony because the latter readily recognized and pointed to her violator.\\u00a0 Unlike in <em>People v. Amarela, <\\/em>the victim recounted the harrowing nights that tormented her for six years of living with the perpetrator, and the medico-legal examination corroborated the latter\'s testimony. Hence, the SC found no compelling motive for the victim to lie. Furthermore, that after all, \\u201cno person, especially one of tender age, would ordinarily cry \\\"rape\\\" and subject oneself to the consequent rigors and embarrassments of medical examination and public trial, if not for the quest for rightful justice.<a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\">[8]<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\"><strong>IV. ERADICATING STEREOTYPES<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Supreme Court\\u2019s recent consideration and clarification as to the application of the Maria Clara doctrine in <em>People v. Amarela<\\/em> would not only prevent corruption of justice on the part of the accused but eradicate gender bias\\u00a0 and misconceptions in the society as well \\u2013 especially on the part of women.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The old constructed perception of women anchored in the apparent attributes of Maria Clara \\u2013 a pure soul, \\u00a0modest, self-effacing, long-suffering<a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\">[9]<\\/a> \\u2013 can no longer be applied absolutely today. Gone are the days when in cases of abuse, for a woman to be credible, she must be like Maria Clara; and when she does not fit the mold, there is a propensity of discrediting her as a witness, as exemplified in <em>Tionloc<\\/em><a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\">[10]<\\/a>:<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 It would be unfair to convict a man of rape committed against a woman who, after giving him the impression through her unexplainable silence of her tacit consent and allowing him to have sexual contact with her, changed her mind in the middle and charged him with rape.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 According to some women\'s rights groups, the Court\'s decision would open the floodgates to more incidents of rape, as this may embolden perpetrators to \\\"abuse more women\\\" confident that \\\"courts will most likely dismiss rape cases. <a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\"><sup>[11]<\\/sup><\\/a> The limitation of this ruling is already established in the ruling in the 2020 case of <em>People v. ZZZ<\\/em>, wherein the Court still weighed the victim\'s testimony based on factors such as her age, her recognition of the accused in open court, and other corroborative evidence.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Rather than completely disregarding a \\u00a0victim\\u2019s testimony, courts should distill it by doing away with outdated notions and stereotypes based purely on gender.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">[1]<\\/a> UST Faculty of Civil Law, 2G, UST Law Review Understudy<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a> Citing <em>People v. Ta\\u00f1o, <\\/em>109 Phil. 912(1960)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a> \\\"Maria Clara Doctrine in Rape Cases Revisited\\\". Buban and Lardizabal Law Offices. June 8, 2018.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[4]<\\/a> (People v. Amarela, 2018)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[5]<\\/a> (People v. Amarela, 2018)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[6]<\\/a> People v. Amarela, 2018<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\">[7]<\\/a> People v. Zamoraga, 568 Phil. 132, 140 (2008); People v. Achas, 612 Phil. 652, 662 (2009); People v. Banig, 693 Phil. 303, 312 (2012); People v. Gahi, 727 Phil. 642, 657 (2014); People v. Pitala, G.R. No. 223561, 19 October 2016.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\">[8]<\\/a> (People v. ZZZ, 2020)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\">[9]<\\/a>Pons, J. S. (n.d.). Construction and deconstruction of Maria Clara: History of an imagined care-oriented model of gender in the Philippines. Academia.edu. https:\\/\\/www.academia.edu\\/24937445\\/Construction_and_deconstruction_of_Maria_Clara_History_of_an_imagined_care_oriented_model_of_gender_in_the_Philippines.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\">[10]<\\/a> 63 ATENEO L.J. 317 (2018)\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\">[11]<\\/a> (The Philippine Star, 2018)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\">Cover Photo: Painting by Juan Luna- La Bulaque\\u00f1a, 1985 and Puesta Del Sol, 1880\'s.\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.15,\"sizes\":[]},\"typography_font_size\":{\"unit\":\"px\",\"size\":18,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(4288,1361,'_thumbnail_id','1315'),(4290,1362,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(4291,1362,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(4292,1362,'_elementor_version','3.2.4'),(4293,1362,'_wp_page_template','default'),(4294,1362,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"6e15c706\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"25c228e7\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"21b7e2be\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<h1><span style=\\\"font-size: 24pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\">People of the Philippines v. Juvy D. Amarela and Junard G. Racho: Applying the Maria Clara Doctrine in the 21st Century<\\/span><\\/h1>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p>\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\"><em>By: Ristel Mae B. Tagudando<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\"><sup><strong><sup>[1]<\\/sup><\\/strong><\\/sup><\\/a><\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\"><strong><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">I. THE WOMEN\\u2019S HONOR DOCTRINE<\\/span><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Maria Clara Doctrine or the Women\\u2019s Honor Doctrine became part of Philippine jurisprudence in the 1960 case of <em>People v. Ta\\u00f1o<\\/em>.<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\"><sup>[2]<\\/sup><\\/a> Based on Maria Clara\'s character from Jose Rizal\'s <em>Noli Me Tangere<\\/em>, the doctrine provides the presumption that \\\"women, especially Filipinos, would not admit that they have been abused unless that abuse had happened\\\".<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\"><sup>[3]<\\/sup><\\/a> This doctrine implies that the testimony of the alleged victim by itself may be sufficient to sustain a conviction.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\"><strong><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">II. SUMMARY OF THE CASE<\\/span><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In <em>People v. Amarela, <\\/em>the plaintiff,AAA, was watching a beauty contest with her aunt when she went to the restroom to urinate. However, she was not able to reach the comfort room because Amarela stopped her along the way.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 According to AAA, Amarela suddenly pulled her towards the daycare center and punched her in the abdomen, making her weak. Thereafter, Amarela undressed and put his penis inside AAA\\u2019s vagina. Three (3) men came to AAA\\u2019s rescue when she shouted for help, forcing Amarela to run away. However, she was brought to a hut by these persons, having bad intentions with her. Hence, she fled and ended up in the house of Godo Dumandan, who brought her first to the Racho residence because Dumandan thought her aunt was not at home. Dumandan stayed behind; that is why Racho was asked to bring AAA to her aunt\'s house instead. However, instead, she was brought to a shanty. She was told to lie down, but she refused. Racho boxed her abdomen and placed himself on top of AAA. Racho then inserted his penis into AAA\'s vagina. Thereafter, Racho left her. Thus, AAA went home alone and decided to leave home the following day. \\u00a0Eventually, AAA told her mother about what happened to her and reported the matter to the police.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Regional Trial Court (RTC) rendered a decision finding the appellants guilty beyond reasonable doubt of the crime of rape as the plaintiff\\u2019s testimony positively identifying both appellants was clear, positive, and straightforward.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In appeal before the Court of Appeals (CA), the appellants argued that several circumstances cast doubt on the victim\'s claim that she was raped. They alleged that her testimony does not conform to shared knowledge and ordinary human experience. Moreover, they pointed out that, although there were other witnesses, \\u00a0the only material testimony on record was that of the victim . However, the appellate court affirmed the trial court\'s decision as it found no reason to reverse the factual findings of the court <em>a quo<\\/em>.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 For the Supreme Court (SC), it had no reason to deviate from the well-entrenched rule that in matters of credibility of witnesses, the assessment made by the trial court should be respected and given weight.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Supreme Court reversed the judgment of conviction. First, AAA\'s version of the story in her affidavit-complaint differs materially from her testimony in court. Second, AAA could not have easily identified Amarela because the crime scene was dark; she only saw him for the first time. Third, her testimony lacks material details on how she was brought under the stage against her will. Lastly, the medical findings do not corroborate physical injuries and are inconclusive of any signs of forced entry.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\"><strong>III. WEIGHING OF THE VICTIM\\u2019S TESTIMONY<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Supreme Court has long accorded the evaluations of testimonial evidence by trial courts great respect. One can expect that said determination is based on reasonable discretion as to opting for which testimony is acceptable and which witness is worthy of belief. However, although the factual findings of the trial court are given weight by the Court\\u2014most especially when affirmed by the appellate court\\u2014such rule is not absolute as, for instance, when some facts or circumstances of weight and substance have been overlooked, misapprehended, and misinterpreted.<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\"><sup>[4]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Presently, the Court follows specific guidelines when presented with the credibility of witnesses, to wit:\\u00a0 giving the highest respect to the RTC\'s evaluation of the testimony of the witnesses, considering its unique position in directly observing the demeanor of a witness on the stand.\\u00a0 Second, absent any substantial reason that would justify the reversal of the RTC\'s assessments and conclusions. The reviewing court is generally bound by the lower court\'s findings, particularly when no significant facts and circumstances affecting the case\'s outcome are shown to have been overlooked or disregarded. Lastly, such a rule is even more stringently applied if the CA concurred with the RTC. <a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\"><sup>[5]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Applying the Maria Clara doctrine or the Women\\u2019s Honor doctrine\\u2014which often leads to cases being adjudged solely on the basis of the credibility of the victim \\u2013 does not only put the accused at an unfair disadvantage but also results in a travesty of justice. It is not impossible for an assumed victim to merely fabricate stories of her abuse.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In the past, one can say that it is natural for a woman to be reluctant to disclose a sexual assault. This stereotype cannot be applied anymore as women have transformed over the years and have become more willing to speak up and fight for their rights . There is a need to veer away from such a notion and accept the realities of a woman\'s dynamic role in society today.<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\">[6]<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Leaving the aforementioned doctrine\\u2013 given that the findings through evidence presented do not match the victim\'s testimony \\u2013 in the past is crucial because an accused must only be convicted solely on the testimony of the victim, provided of course, that the testimony is credible, natural, convincing, and consistent with human nature and the normal course of things. <a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\"><sup>[7]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Furthermore, this rule was clarified in the recent case of <em>People v. ZZZ<\\/em>. The \\u00a0Supreme Court relied on the victim\'s testimony because the latter readily recognized and pointed to her violator.\\u00a0 Unlike in <em>People v. Amarela, <\\/em>the victim recounted the harrowing nights that tormented her for six years of living with the perpetrator, and the medico-legal examination corroborated the latter\'s testimony. Hence, the SC found no compelling motive for the victim to lie. Furthermore, that after all, \\u201cno person, especially one of tender age, would ordinarily cry \\\"rape\\\" and subject oneself to the consequent rigors and embarrassments of medical examination and public trial, if not for the quest for rightful justice.<a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\">[8]<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\"><strong>IV. ERADICATING STEREOTYPES<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Supreme Court\\u2019s recent consideration and clarification as to the application of the Maria Clara doctrine in <em>People v. Amarela<\\/em> would not only prevent corruption of justice on the part of the accused but eradicate gender bias\\u00a0 and misconceptions in the society as well \\u2013 especially on the part of women.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The old constructed perception of women anchored in the apparent attributes of Maria Clara \\u2013 a pure soul, \\u00a0modest, self-effacing, long-suffering<a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\">[9]<\\/a> \\u2013 can no longer be applied absolutely today. Gone are the days when in cases of abuse, for a woman to be credible, she must be like Maria Clara; and when she does not fit the mold, there is a propensity of discrediting her as a witness, as exemplified in <em>Tionloc<\\/em><a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\">[10]<\\/a>:<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 It would be unfair to convict a man of rape committed against a woman who, after giving him the impression through her unexplainable silence of her tacit consent and allowing him to have sexual contact with her, changed her mind in the middle and charged him with rape.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 According to some women\'s rights groups, the Court\'s decision would open the floodgates to more incidents of rape, as this may embolden perpetrators to \\\"abuse more women\\\" confident that \\\"courts will most likely dismiss rape cases. <a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\"><sup>[11]<\\/sup><\\/a> The limitation of this ruling is already established in the ruling in the 2020 case of <em>People v. ZZZ<\\/em>, wherein the Court still weighed the victim\'s testimony based on factors such as her age, her recognition of the accused in open court, and other corroborative evidence.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Rather than completely disregarding a \\u00a0victim\\u2019s testimony, courts should distill it by doing away with outdated notions and stereotypes based purely on gender.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">[1]<\\/a> UST Faculty of Civil Law, 2G, UST Law Review Understudy<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a> Citing <em>People v. Ta\\u00f1o, <\\/em>109 Phil. 912(1960)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a> \\\"Maria Clara Doctrine in Rape Cases Revisited\\\". Buban and Lardizabal Law Offices. June 8, 2018.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[4]<\\/a> (People v. Amarela, 2018)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[5]<\\/a> (People v. Amarela, 2018)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[6]<\\/a> People v. Amarela, 2018<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\">[7]<\\/a> People v. Zamoraga, 568 Phil. 132, 140 (2008); People v. Achas, 612 Phil. 652, 662 (2009); People v. Banig, 693 Phil. 303, 312 (2012); People v. Gahi, 727 Phil. 642, 657 (2014); People v. Pitala, G.R. No. 223561, 19 October 2016.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\">[8]<\\/a> (People v. ZZZ, 2020)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\">[9]<\\/a>Pons, J. S. (n.d.). Construction and deconstruction of Maria Clara: History of an imagined care-oriented model of gender in the Philippines. Academia.edu. https:\\/\\/www.academia.edu\\/24937445\\/Construction_and_deconstruction_of_Maria_Clara_History_of_an_imagined_care_oriented_model_of_gender_in_the_Philippines.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\">[10]<\\/a> 63 ATENEO L.J. 317 (2018)\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\">[11]<\\/a> (The Philippine Star, 2018)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\">Cover Photo: Painting by Juan Luna- La Bulaque\\u00f1a, 1985 and Puesta Del Sol, 1880\'s.\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: verdana, geneva;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.15,\"sizes\":[]},\"typography_font_size\":{\"unit\":\"px\",\"size\":18,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(4295,1362,'_thumbnail_id','1315'),(4297,1363,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(4298,1363,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(4299,1363,'_elementor_version','3.2.4'),(4300,1363,'_wp_page_template','default'),(4301,1363,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"6e15c706\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"25c228e7\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"21b7e2be\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<h1><span style=\\\"font-size: 24pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">People of the Philippines v. Juvy D. Amarela and Junard G. Racho: Applying the Maria Clara Doctrine in the 21st Century<\\/span><\\/h1>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p>\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><em>By: Ristel Mae B. Tagudando<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\"><sup><strong><sup>[1]<\\/sup><\\/strong><\\/sup><\\/a><\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><strong><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">I. THE WOMEN\\u2019S HONOR DOCTRINE<\\/span><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Maria Clara Doctrine or the Women\\u2019s Honor Doctrine became part of Philippine jurisprudence in the 1960 case of <em>People v. Ta\\u00f1o<\\/em>.<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\"><sup>[2]<\\/sup><\\/a> Based on Maria Clara\'s character from Jose Rizal\'s <em>Noli Me Tangere<\\/em>, the doctrine provides the presumption that \\\"women, especially Filipinos, would not admit that they have been abused unless that abuse had happened\\\".<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\"><sup>[3]<\\/sup><\\/a> This doctrine implies that the testimony of the alleged victim by itself may be sufficient to sustain a conviction.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><strong><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">II. SUMMARY OF THE CASE<\\/span><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In <em>People v. Amarela, <\\/em>the plaintiff,AAA, was watching a beauty contest with her aunt when she went to the restroom to urinate. However, she was not able to reach the comfort room because Amarela stopped her along the way.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 According to AAA, Amarela suddenly pulled her towards the daycare center and punched her in the abdomen, making her weak. Thereafter, Amarela undressed and put his penis inside AAA\\u2019s vagina. Three (3) men came to AAA\\u2019s rescue when she shouted for help, forcing Amarela to run away. However, she was brought to a hut by these persons, having bad intentions with her. Hence, she fled and ended up in the house of Godo Dumandan, who brought her first to the Racho residence because Dumandan thought her aunt was not at home. Dumandan stayed behind; that is why Racho was asked to bring AAA to her aunt\'s house instead. However, instead, she was brought to a shanty. She was told to lie down, but she refused. Racho boxed her abdomen and placed himself on top of AAA. Racho then inserted his penis into AAA\'s vagina. Thereafter, Racho left her. Thus, AAA went home alone and decided to leave home the following day. \\u00a0Eventually, AAA told her mother about what happened to her and reported the matter to the police.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Regional Trial Court (RTC) rendered a decision finding the appellants guilty beyond reasonable doubt of the crime of rape as the plaintiff\\u2019s testimony positively identifying both appellants was clear, positive, and straightforward.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In appeal before the Court of Appeals (CA), the appellants argued that several circumstances cast doubt on the victim\'s claim that she was raped. They alleged that her testimony does not conform to shared knowledge and ordinary human experience. Moreover, they pointed out that, although there were other witnesses, \\u00a0the only material testimony on record was that of the victim . However, the appellate court affirmed the trial court\'s decision as it found no reason to reverse the factual findings of the court <em>a quo<\\/em>.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 For the Supreme Court (SC), it had no reason to deviate from the well-entrenched rule that in matters of credibility of witnesses, the assessment made by the trial court should be respected and given weight.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Supreme Court reversed the judgment of conviction. First, AAA\'s version of the story in her affidavit-complaint differs materially from her testimony in court. Second, AAA could not have easily identified Amarela because the crime scene was dark; she only saw him for the first time. Third, her testimony lacks material details on how she was brought under the stage against her will. Lastly, the medical findings do not corroborate physical injuries and are inconclusive of any signs of forced entry.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><strong>III. WEIGHING OF THE VICTIM\\u2019S TESTIMONY<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Supreme Court has long accorded the evaluations of testimonial evidence by trial courts great respect. One can expect that said determination is based on reasonable discretion as to opting for which testimony is acceptable and which witness is worthy of belief. However, although the factual findings of the trial court are given weight by the Court\\u2014most especially when affirmed by the appellate court\\u2014such rule is not absolute as, for instance, when some facts or circumstances of weight and substance have been overlooked, misapprehended, and misinterpreted.<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\"><sup>[4]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Presently, the Court follows specific guidelines when presented with the credibility of witnesses, to wit:\\u00a0 giving the highest respect to the RTC\'s evaluation of the testimony of the witnesses, considering its unique position in directly observing the demeanor of a witness on the stand.\\u00a0 Second, absent any substantial reason that would justify the reversal of the RTC\'s assessments and conclusions. The reviewing court is generally bound by the lower court\'s findings, particularly when no significant facts and circumstances affecting the case\'s outcome are shown to have been overlooked or disregarded. Lastly, such a rule is even more stringently applied if the CA concurred with the RTC. <a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\"><sup>[5]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Applying the Maria Clara doctrine or the Women\\u2019s Honor doctrine\\u2014which often leads to cases being adjudged solely on the basis of the credibility of the victim \\u2013 does not only put the accused at an unfair disadvantage but also results in a travesty of justice. It is not impossible for an assumed victim to merely fabricate stories of her abuse.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In the past, one can say that it is natural for a woman to be reluctant to disclose a sexual assault. This stereotype cannot be applied anymore as women have transformed over the years and have become more willing to speak up and fight for their rights . There is a need to veer away from such a notion and accept the realities of a woman\'s dynamic role in society today.<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\">[6]<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Leaving the aforementioned doctrine\\u2013 given that the findings through evidence presented do not match the victim\'s testimony \\u2013 in the past is crucial because an accused must only be convicted solely on the testimony of the victim, provided of course, that the testimony is credible, natural, convincing, and consistent with human nature and the normal course of things. <a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\"><sup>[7]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Furthermore, this rule was clarified in the recent case of <em>People v. ZZZ<\\/em>. The \\u00a0Supreme Court relied on the victim\'s testimony because the latter readily recognized and pointed to her violator.\\u00a0 Unlike in <em>People v. Amarela, <\\/em>the victim recounted the harrowing nights that tormented her for six years of living with the perpetrator, and the medico-legal examination corroborated the latter\'s testimony. Hence, the SC found no compelling motive for the victim to lie. Furthermore, that after all, \\u201cno person, especially one of tender age, would ordinarily cry \\\"rape\\\" and subject oneself to the consequent rigors and embarrassments of medical examination and public trial, if not for the quest for rightful justice.<a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\">[8]<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><strong>IV. ERADICATING STEREOTYPES<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Supreme Court\\u2019s recent consideration and clarification as to the application of the Maria Clara doctrine in <em>People v. Amarela<\\/em> would not only prevent corruption of justice on the part of the accused but eradicate gender bias\\u00a0 and misconceptions in the society as well \\u2013 especially on the part of women.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The old constructed perception of women anchored in the apparent attributes of Maria Clara \\u2013 a pure soul, \\u00a0modest, self-effacing, long-suffering<a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\">[9]<\\/a> \\u2013 can no longer be applied absolutely today. Gone are the days when in cases of abuse, for a woman to be credible, she must be like Maria Clara; and when she does not fit the mold, there is a propensity of discrediting her as a witness, as exemplified in <em>Tionloc<\\/em><a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\">[10]<\\/a>:<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 It would be unfair to convict a man of rape committed against a woman who, after giving him the impression through her unexplainable silence of her tacit consent and allowing him to have sexual contact with her, changed her mind in the middle and charged him with rape.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 According to some women\'s rights groups, the Court\'s decision would open the floodgates to more incidents of rape, as this may embolden perpetrators to \\\"abuse more women\\\" confident that \\\"courts will most likely dismiss rape cases. <a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\"><sup>[11]<\\/sup><\\/a> The limitation of this ruling is already established in the ruling in the 2020 case of <em>People v. ZZZ<\\/em>, wherein the Court still weighed the victim\'s testimony based on factors such as her age, her recognition of the accused in open court, and other corroborative evidence.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Rather than completely disregarding a \\u00a0victim\\u2019s testimony, courts should distill it by doing away with outdated notions and stereotypes based purely on gender.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">[1]<\\/a> UST Faculty of Civil Law, 2G, UST Law Review Understudy<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a> Citing <em>People v. Ta\\u00f1o, <\\/em>109 Phil. 912(1960)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a> \\\"Maria Clara Doctrine in Rape Cases Revisited\\\". Buban and Lardizabal Law Offices. June 8, 2018.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[4]<\\/a> (People v. Amarela, 2018)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[5]<\\/a> (People v. Amarela, 2018)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[6]<\\/a> People v. Amarela, 2018<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\">[7]<\\/a> People v. Zamoraga, 568 Phil. 132, 140 (2008); People v. Achas, 612 Phil. 652, 662 (2009); People v. Banig, 693 Phil. 303, 312 (2012); People v. Gahi, 727 Phil. 642, 657 (2014); People v. Pitala, G.R. No. 223561, 19 October 2016.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\">[8]<\\/a> (People v. ZZZ, 2020)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\">[9]<\\/a>Pons, J. S. (n.d.). Construction and deconstruction of Maria Clara: History of an imagined care-oriented model of gender in the Philippines. Academia.edu. https:\\/\\/www.academia.edu\\/24937445\\/Construction_and_deconstruction_of_Maria_Clara_History_of_an_imagined_care_oriented_model_of_gender_in_the_Philippines.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\">[10]<\\/a> 63 ATENEO L.J. 317 (2018)\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\">[11]<\\/a> (The Philippine Star, 2018)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">Cover Photo: Painting by Juan Luna- La Bulaque\\u00f1a, 1985 and Puesta Del Sol, 1880\'s.\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.15,\"sizes\":[]},\"typography_font_size\":{\"unit\":\"px\",\"size\":18,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(4302,1363,'_thumbnail_id','1315'),(4305,1364,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(4306,1364,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(4307,1364,'_elementor_version','3.2.4'),(4308,1364,'_wp_page_template','default'),(4309,1364,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"6e15c706\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"25c228e7\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"21b7e2be\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<h1><span style=\\\"font-size: 24pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">People of the Philippines v. Juvy D. Amarela and Junard G. Racho: Applying the Maria Clara Doctrine in the 21st Century<\\/span><\\/h1>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p>\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><em>By: Ristel Mae B. Tagudando<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\"><sup><strong><sup>[1]<\\/sup><\\/strong><\\/sup><\\/a><\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><strong><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">I. THE WOMEN\\u2019S HONOR DOCTRINE<\\/span><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Maria Clara Doctrine or the Women\\u2019s Honor Doctrine became part of Philippine jurisprudence in the 1960 case of <em>People v. Ta\\u00f1o<\\/em>.<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\"><sup>[2]<\\/sup><\\/a> Based on Maria Clara\'s character from Jose Rizal\'s <em>Noli Me Tangere<\\/em>, the doctrine provides the presumption that \\\"women, especially Filipinos, would not admit that they have been abused unless that abuse had happened\\\".<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\"><sup>[3]<\\/sup><\\/a> This doctrine implies that the testimony of the alleged victim by itself may be sufficient to sustain a conviction.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><strong><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">II. SUMMARY OF THE CASE<\\/span><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In <em>People v. Amarela, <\\/em>the plaintiff,AAA, was watching a beauty contest with her aunt when she went to the restroom to urinate. However, she was not able to reach the comfort room because Amarela stopped her along the way.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 According to AAA, Amarela suddenly pulled her towards the daycare center and punched her in the abdomen, making her weak. Thereafter, Amarela undressed and put his penis inside AAA\\u2019s vagina. Three (3) men came to AAA\\u2019s rescue when she shouted for help, forcing Amarela to run away. However, she was brought to a hut by these persons, having bad intentions with her. Hence, she fled and ended up in the house of Godo Dumandan, who brought her first to the Racho residence because Dumandan thought her aunt was not at home. Dumandan stayed behind; that is why Racho was asked to bring AAA to her aunt\'s house instead. However, instead, she was brought to a shanty. She was told to lie down, but she refused. Racho boxed her abdomen and placed himself on top of AAA. Racho then inserted his penis into AAA\'s vagina. Thereafter, Racho left her. Thus, AAA went home alone and decided to leave home the following day. \\u00a0Eventually, AAA told her mother about what happened to her and reported the matter to the police.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Regional Trial Court (RTC) rendered a decision finding the appellants guilty beyond reasonable doubt of the crime of rape as the plaintiff\\u2019s testimony positively identifying both appellants was clear, positive, and straightforward.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In appeal before the Court of Appeals (CA), the appellants argued that several circumstances cast doubt on the victim\'s claim that she was raped. They alleged that her testimony does not conform to shared knowledge and ordinary human experience. Moreover, they pointed out that, although there were other witnesses, \\u00a0the only material testimony on record was that of the victim . However, the appellate court affirmed the trial court\'s decision as it found no reason to reverse the factual findings of the court <em>a quo<\\/em>.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 For the Supreme Court (SC), it had no reason to deviate from the well-entrenched rule that in matters of credibility of witnesses, the assessment made by the trial court should be respected and given weight.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Supreme Court reversed the judgment of conviction. First, AAA\'s version of the story in her affidavit-complaint differs materially from her testimony in court. Second, AAA could not have easily identified Amarela because the crime scene was dark; she only saw him for the first time. Third, her testimony lacks material details on how she was brought under the stage against her will. Lastly, the medical findings do not corroborate physical injuries and are inconclusive of any signs of forced entry.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><strong>III. WEIGHING OF THE VICTIM\\u2019S TESTIMONY<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Supreme Court has long accorded the evaluations of testimonial evidence by trial courts great respect. One can expect that said determination is based on reasonable discretion as to opting for which testimony is acceptable and which witness is worthy of belief. However, although the factual findings of the trial court are given weight by the Court\\u2014most especially when affirmed by the appellate court\\u2014such rule is not absolute as, for instance, when some facts or circumstances of weight and substance have been overlooked, misapprehended, and misinterpreted.<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\"><sup>[4]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Presently, the Court follows specific guidelines when presented with the credibility of witnesses, to wit:\\u00a0 giving the highest respect to the RTC\'s evaluation of the testimony of the witnesses, considering its unique position in directly observing the demeanor of a witness on the stand.\\u00a0 Second, absent any substantial reason that would justify the reversal of the RTC\'s assessments and conclusions. The reviewing court is generally bound by the lower court\'s findings, particularly when no significant facts and circumstances affecting the case\'s outcome are shown to have been overlooked or disregarded. Lastly, such a rule is even more stringently applied if the CA concurred with the RTC. <a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\"><sup>[5]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Applying the Maria Clara doctrine or the Women\\u2019s Honor doctrine\\u2014which often leads to cases being adjudged solely on the basis of the credibility of the victim \\u2013 does not only put the accused at an unfair disadvantage but also results in a travesty of justice. It is not impossible for an assumed victim to merely fabricate stories of her abuse.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In the past, one can say that it is natural for a woman to be reluctant to disclose a sexual assault. This stereotype cannot be applied anymore as women have transformed over the years and have become more willing to speak up and fight for their rights . There is a need to veer away from such a notion and accept the realities of a woman\'s dynamic role in society today.<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\">[6]<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Leaving the aforementioned doctrine\\u2013 given that the findings through evidence presented do not match the victim\'s testimony \\u2013 in the past is crucial because an accused must only be convicted solely on the testimony of the victim, provided of course, that the testimony is credible, natural, convincing, and consistent with human nature and the normal course of things. <a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\"><sup>[7]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Furthermore, this rule was clarified in the recent case of <em>People v. ZZZ<\\/em>. The \\u00a0Supreme Court relied on the victim\'s testimony because the latter readily recognized and pointed to her violator.\\u00a0 Unlike in <em>People v. Amarela, <\\/em>the victim recounted the harrowing nights that tormented her for six years of living with the perpetrator, and the medico-legal examination corroborated the latter\'s testimony. Hence, the SC found no compelling motive for the victim to lie. Furthermore, that after all, \\u201cno person, especially one of tender age, would ordinarily cry \\\"rape\\\" and subject oneself to the consequent rigors and embarrassments of medical examination and public trial, if not for the quest for rightful justice.<a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\">[8]<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><strong>IV. ERADICATING STEREOTYPES<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Supreme Court\\u2019s recent consideration and clarification as to the application of the Maria Clara doctrine in <em>People v. Amarela<\\/em> would not only prevent corruption of justice on the part of the accused but eradicate gender bias\\u00a0 and misconceptions in the society as well \\u2013 especially on the part of women.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The old constructed perception of women anchored in the apparent attributes of Maria Clara \\u2013 a pure soul, \\u00a0modest, self-effacing, long-suffering<a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\">[9]<\\/a> \\u2013 can no longer be applied absolutely today. Gone are the days when in cases of abuse, for a woman to be credible, she must be like Maria Clara; and when she does not fit the mold, there is a propensity of discrediting her as a witness, as exemplified in <em>Tionloc<\\/em><a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\">[10]<\\/a>:<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 It would be unfair to convict a man of rape committed against a woman who, after giving him the impression through her unexplainable silence of her tacit consent and allowing him to have sexual contact with her, changed her mind in the middle and charged him with rape.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 According to some women\'s rights groups, the Court\'s decision would open the floodgates to more incidents of rape, as this may embolden perpetrators to \\\"abuse more women\\\" confident that \\\"courts will most likely dismiss rape cases. <a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\"><sup>[11]<\\/sup><\\/a> The limitation of this ruling is already established in the ruling in the 2020 case of <em>People v. ZZZ<\\/em>, wherein the Court still weighed the victim\'s testimony based on factors such as her age, her recognition of the accused in open court, and other corroborative evidence.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Rather than completely disregarding a \\u00a0victim\\u2019s testimony, courts should distill it by doing away with outdated notions and stereotypes based purely on gender.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">[1]<\\/a> UST Faculty of Civil Law, 2G, UST Law Review Understudy<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a> Citing <em>People v. Ta\\u00f1o, <\\/em>109 Phil. 912(1960)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a> \\\"Maria Clara Doctrine in Rape Cases Revisited\\\". Buban and Lardizabal Law Offices. June 8, 2018.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[4]<\\/a> (People v. Amarela, 2018)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[5]<\\/a> (People v. Amarela, 2018)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[6]<\\/a> People v. Amarela, 2018<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\">[7]<\\/a> People v. Zamoraga, 568 Phil. 132, 140 (2008); People v. Achas, 612 Phil. 652, 662 (2009); People v. Banig, 693 Phil. 303, 312 (2012); People v. Gahi, 727 Phil. 642, 657 (2014); People v. Pitala, G.R. No. 223561, 19 October 2016.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\">[8]<\\/a> (People v. ZZZ, 2020)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\">[9]<\\/a>Pons, J. S. (n.d.). Construction and deconstruction of Maria Clara: History of an imagined care-oriented model of gender in the Philippines. Academia.edu. https:\\/\\/www.academia.edu\\/24937445\\/Construction_and_deconstruction_of_Maria_Clara_History_of_an_imagined_care_oriented_model_of_gender_in_the_Philippines.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\">[10]<\\/a> 63 ATENEO L.J. 317 (2018)\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\">[11]<\\/a> (The Philippine Star, 2018)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">Cover Photo: Painting by Juan Luna- La Bulaque\\u00f1a, 1985 and Puesta Del Sol, 1880\'s.\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.15,\"sizes\":[]},\"typography_font_size\":{\"unit\":\"px\",\"size\":18,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(4310,1364,'_thumbnail_id','1315'),(4312,1365,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(4313,1365,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(4314,1365,'_elementor_version','3.2.4'),(4315,1365,'_wp_page_template','default'),(4316,1365,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"6e15c706\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"25c228e7\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"21b7e2be\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<h1><span style=\\\"font-size: 24pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">People of the Philippines v. Juvy D. Amarela and Junard G. Racho: Applying the Maria Clara Doctrine in the 21st Century<\\/span><\\/h1>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p>\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><em>By: Ristel Mae B. Tagudando<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\"><sup><strong><sup>[1]<\\/sup><\\/strong><\\/sup><\\/a><\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><strong><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">I. THE WOMEN\\u2019S HONOR DOCTRINE<\\/span><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Maria Clara Doctrine or the Women\\u2019s Honor Doctrine became part of Philippine jurisprudence in the 1960 case of <em>People v. Ta\\u00f1o<\\/em>.<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\"><sup>[2]<\\/sup><\\/a> Based on Maria Clara\'s character from Jose Rizal\'s <em>Noli Me Tangere<\\/em>, the doctrine provides the presumption that \\\"women, especially Filipinos, would not admit that they have been abused unless that abuse had happened\\\".<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\"><sup>[3]<\\/sup><\\/a> This doctrine implies that the testimony of the alleged victim by itself may be sufficient to sustain a conviction.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><strong><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">II. SUMMARY OF THE CASE<\\/span><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In <em>People v. Amarela, <\\/em>the plaintiff,AAA, was watching a beauty contest with her aunt when she went to the restroom to urinate. However, she was not able to reach the comfort room because Amarela stopped her along the way.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 According to AAA, Amarela suddenly pulled her towards the daycare center and punched her in the abdomen, making her weak. Thereafter, Amarela undressed and put his penis inside AAA\\u2019s vagina. Three (3) men came to AAA\\u2019s rescue when she shouted for help, forcing Amarela to run away. However, she was brought to a hut by these persons, having bad intentions with her. Hence, she fled and ended up in the house of Godo Dumandan, who brought her first to the Racho residence because Dumandan thought her aunt was not at home. Dumandan stayed behind; that is why Racho was asked to bring AAA to her aunt\'s house instead. However, instead, she was brought to a shanty. She was told to lie down, but she refused. Racho boxed her abdomen and placed himself on top of AAA. Racho then inserted his penis into AAA\'s vagina. Thereafter, Racho left her. Thus, AAA went home alone and decided to leave home the following day. \\u00a0Eventually, AAA told her mother about what happened to her and reported the matter to the police.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Regional Trial Court (RTC) rendered a decision finding the appellants guilty beyond reasonable doubt of the crime of rape as the plaintiff\\u2019s testimony positively identifying both appellants was clear, positive, and straightforward.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In appeal before the Court of Appeals (CA), the appellants argued that several circumstances cast doubt on the victim\'s claim that she was raped. They alleged that her testimony does not conform to shared knowledge and ordinary human experience. Moreover, they pointed out that, although there were other witnesses, \\u00a0the only material testimony on record was that of the victim . However, the appellate court affirmed the trial court\'s decision as it found no reason to reverse the factual findings of the court <em>a quo<\\/em>.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 For the Supreme Court (SC), it had no reason to deviate from the well-entrenched rule that in matters of credibility of witnesses, the assessment made by the trial court should be respected and given weight.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Supreme Court reversed the judgment of conviction. First, AAA\'s version of the story in her affidavit-complaint differs materially from her testimony in court. Second, AAA could not have easily identified Amarela because the crime scene was dark; she only saw him for the first time. Third, her testimony lacks material details on how she was brought under the stage against her will. Lastly, the medical findings do not corroborate physical injuries and are inconclusive of any signs of forced entry.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><strong>III. WEIGHING OF THE VICTIM\\u2019S TESTIMONY<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Supreme Court has long accorded the evaluations of testimonial evidence by trial courts great respect. One can expect that said determination is based on reasonable discretion as to opting for which testimony is acceptable and which witness is worthy of belief. However, although the factual findings of the trial court are given weight by the Court\\u2014most especially when affirmed by the appellate court\\u2014such rule is not absolute as, for instance, when some facts or circumstances of weight and substance have been overlooked, misapprehended, and misinterpreted.<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\"><sup>[4]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Presently, the Court follows specific guidelines when presented with the credibility of witnesses, to wit:\\u00a0 giving the highest respect to the RTC\'s evaluation of the testimony of the witnesses, considering its unique position in directly observing the demeanor of a witness on the stand.\\u00a0 Second, absent any substantial reason that would justify the reversal of the RTC\'s assessments and conclusions. The reviewing court is generally bound by the lower court\'s findings, particularly when no significant facts and circumstances affecting the case\'s outcome are shown to have been overlooked or disregarded. Lastly, such a rule is even more stringently applied if the CA concurred with the RTC. <a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\"><sup>[5]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Applying the Maria Clara doctrine or the Women\\u2019s Honor doctrine\\u2014which often leads to cases being adjudged solely on the basis of the credibility of the victim \\u2013 does not only put the accused at an unfair disadvantage but also results in a travesty of justice. It is not impossible for an assumed victim to merely fabricate stories of her abuse.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In the past, one can say that it is natural for a woman to be reluctant to disclose a sexual assault. This stereotype cannot be applied anymore as women have transformed over the years and have become more willing to speak up and fight for their rights . There is a need to veer away from such a notion and accept the realities of a woman\'s dynamic role in society today.<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\">[6]<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Leaving the aforementioned doctrine\\u2013 given that the findings through evidence presented do not match the victim\'s testimony \\u2013 in the past is crucial because an accused must only be convicted solely on the testimony of the victim, provided of course, that the testimony is credible, natural, convincing, and consistent with human nature and the normal course of things. <a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\"><sup>[7]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Furthermore, this rule was clarified in the recent case of <em>People v. ZZZ<\\/em>. The \\u00a0Supreme Court relied on the victim\'s testimony because the latter readily recognized and pointed to her violator.\\u00a0 Unlike in <em>People v. Amarela, <\\/em>the victim recounted the harrowing nights that tormented her for six years of living with the perpetrator, and the medico-legal examination corroborated the latter\'s testimony. Hence, the SC found no compelling motive for the victim to lie. Furthermore, that after all, \\u201cno person, especially one of tender age, would ordinarily cry \\\"rape\\\" and subject oneself to the consequent rigors and embarrassments of medical examination and public trial, if not for the quest for rightful justice.<a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\">[8]<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><strong>IV. ERADICATING STEREOTYPES<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Supreme Court\\u2019s recent consideration and clarification as to the application of the Maria Clara doctrine in <em>People v. Amarela<\\/em> would not only prevent corruption of justice on the part of the accused but eradicate gender bias\\u00a0 and misconceptions in the society as well \\u2013 especially on the part of women.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The old constructed perception of women anchored in the apparent attributes of Maria Clara \\u2013 a pure soul, \\u00a0modest, self-effacing, long-suffering<a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\">[9]<\\/a> \\u2013 can no longer be applied absolutely today. Gone are the days when in cases of abuse, for a woman to be credible, she must be like Maria Clara; and when she does not fit the mold, there is a propensity of discrediting her as a witness, as exemplified in <em>Tionloc<\\/em><a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\">[10]<\\/a>:<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 It would be unfair to convict a man of rape committed against a woman who, after giving him the impression through her unexplainable silence of her tacit consent and allowing him to have sexual contact with her, changed her mind in the middle and charged him with rape.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 According to some women\'s rights groups, the Court\'s decision would open the floodgates to more incidents of rape, as this may embolden perpetrators to \\\"abuse more women\\\" confident that \\\"courts will most likely dismiss rape cases. <a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\"><sup>[11]<\\/sup><\\/a> The limitation of this ruling is already established in the ruling in the 2020 case of <em>People v. ZZZ<\\/em>, wherein the Court still weighed the victim\'s testimony based on factors such as her age, her recognition of the accused in open court, and other corroborative evidence.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Rather than completely disregarding a \\u00a0victim\\u2019s testimony, courts should distill it by doing away with outdated notions and stereotypes based purely on gender.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">[1]<\\/a> UST Faculty of Civil Law, 2G, UST Law Review Understudy<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a> Citing <em>People v. Ta\\u00f1o, <\\/em>109 Phil. 912(1960)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a> \\\"Maria Clara Doctrine in Rape Cases Revisited\\\". Buban and Lardizabal Law Offices. June 8, 2018.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[4]<\\/a> (People v. Amarela, 2018)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[5]<\\/a> (People v. Amarela, 2018)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[6]<\\/a> People v. Amarela, 2018<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\">[7]<\\/a> People v. Zamoraga, 568 Phil. 132, 140 (2008); People v. Achas, 612 Phil. 652, 662 (2009); People v. Banig, 693 Phil. 303, 312 (2012); People v. Gahi, 727 Phil. 642, 657 (2014); People v. Pitala, G.R. No. 223561, 19 October 2016.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\">[8]<\\/a> (People v. ZZZ, 2020)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\">[9]<\\/a>Pons, J. S. (n.d.). Construction and deconstruction of Maria Clara: History of an imagined care-oriented model of gender in the Philippines. Academia.edu. https:\\/\\/www.academia.edu\\/24937445\\/Construction_and_deconstruction_of_Maria_Clara_History_of_an_imagined_care_oriented_model_of_gender_in_the_Philippines.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\">[10]<\\/a> 63 ATENEO L.J. 317 (2018)\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\">[11]<\\/a> (The Philippine Star, 2018)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">Cover Photo: Painting by Juan Luna- La Bulaque\\u00f1a, 1985 and Puesta Del Sol, 1880\'s.\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.15,\"sizes\":[]},\"typography_font_size\":{\"unit\":\"px\",\"size\":18,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(4317,1365,'_thumbnail_id','1315'),(4319,1366,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(4320,1366,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(4321,1366,'_elementor_version','3.2.4'),(4322,1366,'_wp_page_template','default'),(4323,1366,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"6e15c706\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"25c228e7\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"21b7e2be\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<h1><span style=\\\"font-size: 24pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">People of the Philippines v. Juvy D. Amarela and Junard G. Racho: Applying the Maria Clara Doctrine in the 21st Century<\\/span><\\/h1>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p>\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><em>By: Ristel Mae B. Tagudando<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\"><sup><strong><sup>[1]<\\/sup><\\/strong><\\/sup><\\/a><\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><strong><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">I. THE WOMEN\\u2019S HONOR DOCTRINE<\\/span><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Maria Clara Doctrine or the Women\\u2019s Honor Doctrine became part of Philippine jurisprudence in the 1960 case of <em>People v. Ta\\u00f1o<\\/em>.<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\"><sup>[2]<\\/sup><\\/a> Based on Maria Clara\'s character from Jose Rizal\'s <em>Noli Me Tangere<\\/em>, the doctrine provides the presumption that \\\"women, especially Filipinos, would not admit that they have been abused unless that abuse had happened\\\".<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\"><sup>[3]<\\/sup><\\/a> This doctrine implies that the testimony of the alleged victim by itself may be sufficient to sustain a conviction.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><strong><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">II. SUMMARY OF THE CASE<\\/span><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In <em>People v. Amarela, <\\/em>the plaintiff,AAA, was watching a beauty contest with her aunt when she went to the restroom to urinate. However, she was not able to reach the comfort room because Amarela stopped her along the way.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 According to AAA, Amarela suddenly pulled her towards the daycare center and punched her in the abdomen, making her weak. Thereafter, Amarela undressed and put his penis inside AAA\\u2019s vagina. Three (3) men came to AAA\\u2019s rescue when she shouted for help, forcing Amarela to run away. However, she was brought to a hut by these persons, having bad intentions with her. Hence, she fled and ended up in the house of Godo Dumandan, who brought her first to the Racho residence because Dumandan thought her aunt was not at home. Dumandan stayed behind; that is why Racho was asked to bring AAA to her aunt\'s house instead. However, instead, she was brought to a shanty. She was told to lie down, but she refused. Racho boxed her abdomen and placed himself on top of AAA. Racho then inserted his penis into AAA\'s vagina. Thereafter, Racho left her. Thus, AAA went home alone and decided to leave home the following day. \\u00a0Eventually, AAA told her mother about what happened to her and reported the matter to the police.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Regional Trial Court (RTC) rendered a decision finding the appellants guilty beyond reasonable doubt of the crime of rape as the plaintiff\\u2019s testimony positively identifying both appellants was clear, positive, and straightforward.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In appeal before the Court of Appeals (CA), the appellants argued that several circumstances cast doubt on the victim\'s claim that she was raped. They alleged that her testimony does not conform to shared knowledge and ordinary human experience. Moreover, they pointed out that, although there were other witnesses, \\u00a0the only material testimony on record was that of the victim . However, the appellate court affirmed the trial court\'s decision as it found no reason to reverse the factual findings of the court <em>a quo<\\/em>.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 For the Supreme Court (SC), it had no reason to deviate from the well-entrenched rule that in matters of credibility of witnesses, the assessment made by the trial court should be respected and given weight.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Supreme Court reversed the judgment of conviction. First, AAA\'s version of the story in her affidavit-complaint differs materially from her testimony in court. Second, AAA could not have easily identified Amarela because the crime scene was dark; she only saw him for the first time. Third, her testimony lacks material details on how she was brought under the stage against her will. Lastly, the medical findings do not corroborate physical injuries and are inconclusive of any signs of forced entry.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><strong>III. WEIGHING OF THE VICTIM\\u2019S TESTIMONY<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Supreme Court has long accorded the evaluations of testimonial evidence by trial courts great respect. One can expect that said determination is based on reasonable discretion as to opting for which testimony is acceptable and which witness is worthy of belief. However, although the factual findings of the trial court are given weight by the Court\\u2014most especially when affirmed by the appellate court\\u2014such rule is not absolute as, for instance, when some facts or circumstances of weight and substance have been overlooked, misapprehended, and misinterpreted.<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\"><sup>[4]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Presently, the Court follows specific guidelines when presented with the credibility of witnesses, to wit:\\u00a0 giving the highest respect to the RTC\'s evaluation of the testimony of the witnesses, considering its unique position in directly observing the demeanor of a witness on the stand.\\u00a0 Second, absent any substantial reason that would justify the reversal of the RTC\'s assessments and conclusions. The reviewing court is generally bound by the lower court\'s findings, particularly when no significant facts and circumstances affecting the case\'s outcome are shown to have been overlooked or disregarded. Lastly, such a rule is even more stringently applied if the CA concurred with the RTC. <a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\"><sup>[5]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Applying the Maria Clara doctrine or the Women\\u2019s Honor doctrine\\u2014which often leads to cases being adjudged solely on the basis of the credibility of the victim \\u2013 does not only put the accused at an unfair disadvantage but also results in a travesty of justice. It is not impossible for an assumed victim to merely fabricate stories of her abuse.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In the past, one can say that it is natural for a woman to be reluctant to disclose a sexual assault. This stereotype cannot be applied anymore as women have transformed over the years and have become more willing to speak up and fight for their rights . There is a need to veer away from such a notion and accept the realities of a woman\'s dynamic role in society today.<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\">[6]<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Leaving the aforementioned doctrine\\u2013 given that the findings through evidence presented do not match the victim\'s testimony \\u2013 in the past is crucial because an accused must only be convicted solely on the testimony of the victim, provided of course, that the testimony is credible, natural, convincing, and consistent with human nature and the normal course of things. <a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\"><sup>[7]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Furthermore, this rule was clarified in the recent case of <em>People v. ZZZ<\\/em>. The \\u00a0Supreme Court relied on the victim\'s testimony because the latter readily recognized and pointed to her violator.\\u00a0 Unlike in <em>People v. Amarela, <\\/em>the victim recounted the harrowing nights that tormented her for six years of living with the perpetrator, and the medico-legal examination corroborated the latter\'s testimony. Hence, the SC found no compelling motive for the victim to lie. Furthermore, that after all, \\u201cno person, especially one of tender age, would ordinarily cry \\\"rape\\\" and subject oneself to the consequent rigors and embarrassments of medical examination and public trial, if not for the quest for rightful justice.<a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\">[8]<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><strong>IV. ERADICATING STEREOTYPES<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Supreme Court\\u2019s recent consideration and clarification as to the application of the Maria Clara doctrine in <em>People v. Amarela<\\/em> would not only prevent corruption of justice on the part of the accused but eradicate gender bias\\u00a0 and misconceptions in the society as well \\u2013 especially on the part of women.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The old constructed perception of women anchored in the apparent attributes of Maria Clara \\u2013 a pure soul, \\u00a0modest, self-effacing, long-suffering<a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\">[9]<\\/a> \\u2013 can no longer be applied absolutely today. Gone are the days when in cases of abuse, for a woman to be credible, she must be like Maria Clara; and when she does not fit the mold, there is a propensity of discrediting her as a witness, as exemplified in <em>Tionloc<\\/em><a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\">[10]<\\/a>:<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 It would be unfair to convict a man of rape committed against a woman who, after giving him the impression through her unexplainable silence of her tacit consent and allowing him to have sexual contact with her, changed her mind in the middle and charged him with rape.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 According to some women\'s rights groups, the Court\'s decision would open the floodgates to more incidents of rape, as this may embolden perpetrators to \\\"abuse more women\\\" confident that \\\"courts will most likely dismiss rape cases. <a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\"><sup>[11]<\\/sup><\\/a> The limitation of this ruling is already established in the ruling in the 2020 case of <em>People v. ZZZ<\\/em>, wherein the Court still weighed the victim\'s testimony based on factors such as her age, her recognition of the accused in open court, and other corroborative evidence.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Rather than completely disregarding a \\u00a0victim\\u2019s testimony, courts should distill it by doing away with outdated notions and stereotypes based purely on gender.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">[1]<\\/a> UST Faculty of Civil Law, 2G, UST Law Review Understudy<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a> Citing <em>People v. Ta\\u00f1o, <\\/em>109 Phil. 912(1960)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a> \\\"Maria Clara Doctrine in Rape Cases Revisited\\\". Buban and Lardizabal Law Offices. June 8, 2018.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[4]<\\/a> (People v. Amarela, 2018)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[5]<\\/a> (People v. Amarela, 2018)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[6]<\\/a> People v. Amarela, 2018<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\">[7]<\\/a> People v. Zamoraga, 568 Phil. 132, 140 (2008); People v. Achas, 612 Phil. 652, 662 (2009); People v. Banig, 693 Phil. 303, 312 (2012); People v. Gahi, 727 Phil. 642, 657 (2014); People v. Pitala, G.R. No. 223561, 19 October 2016.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\">[8]<\\/a> (People v. ZZZ, 2020)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\">[9]<\\/a>Pons, J. S. (n.d.). Construction and deconstruction of Maria Clara: History of an imagined care-oriented model of gender in the Philippines. Academia.edu. https:\\/\\/www.academia.edu\\/24937445\\/Construction_and_deconstruction_of_Maria_Clara_History_of_an_imagined_care_oriented_model_of_gender_in_the_Philippines.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\">[10]<\\/a> 63 ATENEO L.J. 317 (2018)\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\">[11]<\\/a> (The Philippine Star, 2018)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">Cover Photo: Painting by Juan Luna- La Bulaque\\u00f1a, 1985 and Puesta Del Sol, 1880\'s.\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.15,\"sizes\":[]},\"typography_font_size\":{\"unit\":\"px\",\"size\":18,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(4324,1366,'_thumbnail_id','1315'),(4327,1367,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(4328,1367,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(4329,1367,'_elementor_version','3.2.4'),(4330,1367,'_wp_page_template','default'),(4331,1367,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"6e15c706\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"25c228e7\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"21b7e2be\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<h1><span style=\\\"font-size: 24pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">People of the Philippines v. Juvy D. Amarela and Junard G. Racho: Applying the Maria Clara Doctrine in the 21st Century<\\/span><\\/h1>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p>\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><em>By: Ristel Mae B. Tagudando<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\"><sup><strong><sup>[1]<\\/sup><\\/strong><\\/sup><\\/a><\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><strong><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">I. THE WOMEN\\u2019S HONOR DOCTRINE<\\/span><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Maria Clara Doctrine or the Women\\u2019s Honor Doctrine became part of Philippine jurisprudence in the 1960 case of <em>People v. Ta\\u00f1o<\\/em>.<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\"><sup>[2]<\\/sup><\\/a> Based on Maria Clara\'s character from Jose Rizal\'s <em>Noli Me Tangere<\\/em>, the doctrine provides the presumption that \\\"women, especially Filipinos, would not admit that they have been abused unless that abuse had happened\\\".<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\"><sup>[3]<\\/sup><\\/a> This doctrine implies that the testimony of the alleged victim by itself may be sufficient to sustain a conviction.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><strong><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">II. SUMMARY OF THE CASE<\\/span><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In <em>People v. Amarela, <\\/em>the plaintiff,AAA, was watching a beauty contest with her aunt when she went to the restroom to urinate. However, she was not able to reach the comfort room because Amarela stopped her along the way.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 According to AAA, Amarela suddenly pulled her towards the daycare center and punched her in the abdomen, making her weak. Thereafter, Amarela undressed and put his penis inside AAA\\u2019s vagina. Three (3) men came to AAA\\u2019s rescue when she shouted for help, forcing Amarela to run away. However, she was brought to a hut by these persons, having bad intentions with her. Hence, she fled and ended up in the house of Godo Dumandan, who brought her first to the Racho residence because Dumandan thought her aunt was not at home. Dumandan stayed behind; that is why Racho was asked to bring AAA to her aunt\'s house instead. However, instead, she was brought to a shanty. She was told to lie down, but she refused. Racho boxed her abdomen and placed himself on top of AAA. Racho then inserted his penis into AAA\'s vagina. Thereafter, Racho left her. Thus, AAA went home alone and decided to leave home the following day. \\u00a0Eventually, AAA told her mother about what happened to her and reported the matter to the police.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Regional Trial Court (RTC) rendered a decision finding the appellants guilty beyond reasonable doubt of the crime of rape as the plaintiff\\u2019s testimony positively identifying both appellants was clear, positive, and straightforward.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In appeal before the Court of Appeals (CA), the appellants argued that several circumstances cast doubt on the victim\'s claim that she was raped. They alleged that her testimony does not conform to shared knowledge and ordinary human experience. Moreover, they pointed out that, although there were other witnesses, \\u00a0the only material testimony on record was that of the victim . However, the appellate court affirmed the trial court\'s decision as it found no reason to reverse the factual findings of the court <em>a quo<\\/em>.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 For the Supreme Court (SC), it had no reason to deviate from the well-entrenched rule that in matters of credibility of witnesses, the assessment made by the trial court should be respected and given weight.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Supreme Court reversed the judgment of conviction. First, AAA\'s version of the story in her affidavit-complaint differs materially from her testimony in court. Second, AAA could not have easily identified Amarela because the crime scene was dark; she only saw him for the first time. Third, her testimony lacks material details on how she was brought under the stage against her will. Lastly, the medical findings do not corroborate physical injuries and are inconclusive of any signs of forced entry.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><strong>III. WEIGHING OF THE VICTIM\\u2019S TESTIMONY<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Supreme Court has long accorded the evaluations of testimonial evidence by trial courts great respect. One can expect that said determination is based on reasonable discretion as to opting for which testimony is acceptable and which witness is worthy of belief. However, although the factual findings of the trial court are given weight by the Court\\u2014most especially when affirmed by the appellate court\\u2014such rule is not absolute as, for instance, when some facts or circumstances of weight and substance have been overlooked, misapprehended, and misinterpreted.<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\"><sup>[4]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Presently, the Court follows specific guidelines when presented with the credibility of witnesses, to wit:\\u00a0 giving the highest respect to the RTC\'s evaluation of the testimony of the witnesses, considering its unique position in directly observing the demeanor of a witness on the stand.\\u00a0 Second, absent any substantial reason that would justify the reversal of the RTC\'s assessments and conclusions. The reviewing court is generally bound by the lower court\'s findings, particularly when no significant facts and circumstances affecting the case\'s outcome are shown to have been overlooked or disregarded. Lastly, such a rule is even more stringently applied if the CA concurred with the RTC. <a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\"><sup>[5]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Applying the Maria Clara doctrine or the Women\\u2019s Honor doctrine\\u2014which often leads to cases being adjudged solely on the basis of the credibility of the victim \\u2013 does not only put the accused at an unfair disadvantage but also results in a travesty of justice. It is not impossible for an assumed victim to merely fabricate stories of her abuse.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In the past, one can say that it is natural for a woman to be reluctant to disclose a sexual assault. This stereotype cannot be applied anymore as women have transformed over the years and have become more willing to speak up and fight for their rights . There is a need to veer away from such a notion and accept the realities of a woman\'s dynamic role in society today.<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\">[6]<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Leaving the aforementioned doctrine\\u2013 given that the findings through evidence presented do not match the victim\'s testimony \\u2013 in the past is crucial because an accused must only be convicted solely on the testimony of the victim, provided of course, that the testimony is credible, natural, convincing, and consistent with human nature and the normal course of things. <a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\"><sup>[7]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Furthermore, this rule was clarified in the recent case of <em>People v. ZZZ<\\/em>. The \\u00a0Supreme Court relied on the victim\'s testimony because the latter readily recognized and pointed to her violator.\\u00a0 Unlike in <em>People v. Amarela, <\\/em>the victim recounted the harrowing nights that tormented her for six years of living with the perpetrator, and the medico-legal examination corroborated the latter\'s testimony. Hence, the SC found no compelling motive for the victim to lie. Furthermore, that after all, \\u201cno person, especially one of tender age, would ordinarily cry \\\"rape\\\" and subject oneself to the consequent rigors and embarrassments of medical examination and public trial, if not for the quest for rightful justice.<a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\">[8]<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><strong>IV. ERADICATING STEREOTYPES<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Supreme Court\\u2019s recent consideration and clarification as to the application of the Maria Clara doctrine in <em>People v. Amarela<\\/em> would not only prevent corruption of justice on the part of the accused but eradicate gender bias\\u00a0 and misconceptions in the society as well \\u2013 especially on the part of women.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The old constructed perception of women anchored in the apparent attributes of Maria Clara \\u2013 a pure soul, \\u00a0modest, self-effacing, long-suffering<a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\">[9]<\\/a> \\u2013 can no longer be applied absolutely today. Gone are the days when in cases of abuse, for a woman to be credible, she must be like Maria Clara; and when she does not fit the mold, there is a propensity of discrediting her as a witness, as exemplified in <em>Tionloc<\\/em><a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\">[10]<\\/a>:<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 It would be unfair to convict a man of rape committed against a woman who, after giving him the impression through her unexplainable silence of her tacit consent and allowing him to have sexual contact with her, changed her mind in the middle and charged him with rape.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 According to some women\'s rights groups, the Court\'s decision would open the floodgates to more incidents of rape, as this may embolden perpetrators to \\\"abuse more women\\\" confident that \\\"courts will most likely dismiss rape cases. <a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\"><sup>[11]<\\/sup><\\/a> The limitation of this ruling is already established in the ruling in the 2020 case of <em>People v. ZZZ<\\/em>, wherein the Court still weighed the victim\'s testimony based on factors such as her age, her recognition of the accused in open court, and other corroborative evidence.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Rather than completely disregarding a \\u00a0victim\\u2019s testimony, courts should distill it by doing away with outdated notions and stereotypes based purely on gender.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">[1]<\\/a> UST Faculty of Civil Law, 2G, UST Law Review Understudy<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a> Citing <em>People v. Ta\\u00f1o, <\\/em>109 Phil. 912(1960)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a> \\\"Maria Clara Doctrine in Rape Cases Revisited\\\". Buban and Lardizabal Law Offices. June 8, 2018.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[4]<\\/a> (People v. Amarela, 2018)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[5]<\\/a> (People v. Amarela, 2018)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[6]<\\/a> People v. Amarela, 2018<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\">[7]<\\/a> People v. Zamoraga, 568 Phil. 132, 140 (2008); People v. Achas, 612 Phil. 652, 662 (2009); People v. Banig, 693 Phil. 303, 312 (2012); People v. Gahi, 727 Phil. 642, 657 (2014); People v. Pitala, G.R. No. 223561, 19 October 2016.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\">[8]<\\/a> (People v. ZZZ, 2020)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\">[9]<\\/a>Pons, J. S. (n.d.). Construction and deconstruction of Maria Clara: History of an imagined care-oriented model of gender in the Philippines. Academia.edu. https:\\/\\/www.academia.edu\\/24937445\\/Construction_and_deconstruction_of_Maria_Clara_History_of_an_imagined_care_oriented_model_of_gender_in_the_Philippines.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\">[10]<\\/a> 63 ATENEO L.J. 317 (2018)\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\">[11]<\\/a> (The Philippine Star, 2018)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">Cover Photo: Painting by Juan Luna- La Bulaque\\u00f1a, 1985 and Puesta Del Sol, 1880\'s.\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.15,\"sizes\":[]},\"typography_font_size\":{\"unit\":\"px\",\"size\":18,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(4332,1367,'_thumbnail_id','1315'),(4334,1368,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(4335,1368,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(4336,1368,'_elementor_version','3.2.4'),(4337,1368,'_wp_page_template','default'),(4338,1368,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"6e15c706\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"25c228e7\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"21b7e2be\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<h1><span style=\\\"font-size: 24pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">People of the Philippines v. Juvy D. Amarela and Junard G. Racho: Applying the Maria Clara Doctrine in the 21st Century<\\/span><\\/h1>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p>\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><em>By: Ristel Mae B. Tagudando<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\"><sup><strong><sup>[1]<\\/sup><\\/strong><\\/sup><\\/a><\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><strong><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">I. THE WOMEN\\u2019S HONOR DOCTRINE<\\/span><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Maria Clara Doctrine or the Women\\u2019s Honor Doctrine became part of Philippine jurisprudence in the 1960 case of <em>People v. Ta\\u00f1o<\\/em>.<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\"><sup>[2]<\\/sup><\\/a> Based on Maria Clara\'s character from Jose Rizal\'s <em>Noli Me Tangere<\\/em>, the doctrine provides the presumption that \\\"women, especially Filipinos, would not admit that they have been abused unless that abuse had happened\\\".<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\"><sup>[3]<\\/sup><\\/a> This doctrine implies that the testimony of the alleged victim by itself may be sufficient to sustain a conviction.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><strong><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">II. SUMMARY OF THE CASE<\\/span><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In <em>People v. Amarela, <\\/em>the plaintiff,AAA, was watching a beauty contest with her aunt when she went to the restroom to urinate. However, she was not able to reach the comfort room because Amarela stopped her along the way.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 According to AAA, Amarela suddenly pulled her towards the daycare center and punched her in the abdomen, making her weak. Thereafter, Amarela undressed and put his penis inside AAA\\u2019s vagina. Three (3) men came to AAA\\u2019s rescue when she shouted for help, forcing Amarela to run away. However, she was brought to a hut by these persons, having bad intentions with her. Hence, she fled and ended up in the house of Godo Dumandan, who brought her first to the Racho residence because Dumandan thought her aunt was not at home. Dumandan stayed behind; that is why Racho was asked to bring AAA to her aunt\'s house instead. However, instead, she was brought to a shanty. She was told to lie down, but she refused. Racho boxed her abdomen and placed himself on top of AAA. Racho then inserted his penis into AAA\'s vagina. Thereafter, Racho left her. Thus, AAA went home alone and decided to leave home the following day. \\u00a0Eventually, AAA told her mother about what happened to her and reported the matter to the police.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Regional Trial Court (RTC) rendered a decision finding the appellants guilty beyond reasonable doubt of the crime of rape as the plaintiff\\u2019s testimony positively identifying both appellants was clear, positive, and straightforward.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In appeal before the Court of Appeals (CA), the appellants argued that several circumstances cast doubt on the victim\'s claim that she was raped. They alleged that her testimony does not conform to shared knowledge and ordinary human experience. Moreover, they pointed out that, although there were other witnesses, \\u00a0the only material testimony on record was that of the victim . However, the appellate court affirmed the trial court\'s decision as it found no reason to reverse the factual findings of the court <em>a quo<\\/em>.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 For the Supreme Court (SC), it had no reason to deviate from the well-entrenched rule that in matters of credibility of witnesses, the assessment made by the trial court should be respected and given weight.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Supreme Court reversed the judgment of conviction. First, AAA\'s version of the story in her affidavit-complaint differs materially from her testimony in court. Second, AAA could not have easily identified Amarela because the crime scene was dark; she only saw him for the first time. Third, her testimony lacks material details on how she was brought under the stage against her will. Lastly, the medical findings do not corroborate physical injuries and are inconclusive of any signs of forced entry.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><strong>III. WEIGHING OF THE VICTIM\\u2019S TESTIMONY<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Supreme Court has long accorded the evaluations of testimonial evidence by trial courts great respect. One can expect that said determination is based on reasonable discretion as to opting for which testimony is acceptable and which witness is worthy of belief. However, although the factual findings of the trial court are given weight by the Court\\u2014most especially when affirmed by the appellate court\\u2014such rule is not absolute as, for instance, when some facts or circumstances of weight and substance have been overlooked, misapprehended, and misinterpreted.<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\"><sup>[4]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Presently, the Court follows specific guidelines when presented with the credibility of witnesses, to wit:\\u00a0 giving the highest respect to the RTC\'s evaluation of the testimony of the witnesses, considering its unique position in directly observing the demeanor of a witness on the stand.\\u00a0 Second, absent any substantial reason that would justify the reversal of the RTC\'s assessments and conclusions. The reviewing court is generally bound by the lower court\'s findings, particularly when no significant facts and circumstances affecting the case\'s outcome are shown to have been overlooked or disregarded. Lastly, such a rule is even more stringently applied if the CA concurred with the RTC. <a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\"><sup>[5]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Applying the Maria Clara doctrine or the Women\\u2019s Honor doctrine\\u2014which often leads to cases being adjudged solely on the basis of the credibility of the victim \\u2013 does not only put the accused at an unfair disadvantage but also results in a travesty of justice. It is not impossible for an assumed victim to merely fabricate stories of her abuse.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In the past, one can say that it is natural for a woman to be reluctant to disclose a sexual assault. This stereotype cannot be applied anymore as women have transformed over the years and have become more willing to speak up and fight for their rights . There is a need to veer away from such a notion and accept the realities of a woman\'s dynamic role in society today.<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\">[6]<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Leaving the aforementioned doctrine\\u2013 given that the findings through evidence presented do not match the victim\'s testimony \\u2013 in the past is crucial because an accused must only be convicted solely on the testimony of the victim, provided of course, that the testimony is credible, natural, convincing, and consistent with human nature and the normal course of things. <a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\"><sup>[7]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Furthermore, this rule was clarified in the recent case of <em>People v. ZZZ<\\/em>. The \\u00a0Supreme Court relied on the victim\'s testimony because the latter readily recognized and pointed to her violator.\\u00a0 Unlike in <em>People v. Amarela, <\\/em>the victim recounted the harrowing nights that tormented her for six years of living with the perpetrator, and the medico-legal examination corroborated the latter\'s testimony. Hence, the SC found no compelling motive for the victim to lie. Furthermore, that after all, \\u201cno person, especially one of tender age, would ordinarily cry \\\"rape\\\" and subject oneself to the consequent rigors and embarrassments of medical examination and public trial, if not for the quest for rightful justice.<a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\">[8]<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><strong>IV. ERADICATING STEREOTYPES<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Supreme Court\\u2019s recent consideration and clarification as to the application of the Maria Clara doctrine in <em>People v. Amarela<\\/em> would not only prevent corruption of justice on the part of the accused but eradicate gender bias\\u00a0 and misconceptions in the society as well \\u2013 especially on the part of women.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The old constructed perception of women anchored in the apparent attributes of Maria Clara \\u2013 a pure soul, \\u00a0modest, self-effacing, long-suffering<a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\">[9]<\\/a> \\u2013 can no longer be applied absolutely today. Gone are the days when in cases of abuse, for a woman to be credible, she must be like Maria Clara; and when she does not fit the mold, there is a propensity of discrediting her as a witness, as exemplified in <em>Tionloc<\\/em><a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\">[10]<\\/a>:<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 It would be unfair to convict a man of rape committed against a woman who, after giving him the impression through her unexplainable silence of her tacit consent and allowing him to have sexual contact with her, changed her mind in the middle and charged him with rape.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 According to some women\'s rights groups, the Court\'s decision would open the floodgates to more incidents of rape, as this may embolden perpetrators to \\\"abuse more women\\\" confident that \\\"courts will most likely dismiss rape cases. <a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\"><sup>[11]<\\/sup><\\/a> The limitation of this ruling is already established in the ruling in the 2020 case of <em>People v. ZZZ<\\/em>, wherein the Court still weighed the victim\'s testimony based on factors such as her age, her recognition of the accused in open court, and other corroborative evidence.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Rather than completely disregarding a \\u00a0victim\\u2019s testimony, courts should distill it by doing away with outdated notions and stereotypes based purely on gender.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">[1]<\\/a> UST Faculty of Civil Law, 2G, UST Law Review Understudy<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a> Citing <em>People v. Ta\\u00f1o, <\\/em>109 Phil. 912(1960)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a> \\\"Maria Clara Doctrine in Rape Cases Revisited\\\". Buban and Lardizabal Law Offices. June 8, 2018.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[4]<\\/a> (People v. Amarela, 2018)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[5]<\\/a> (People v. Amarela, 2018)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[6]<\\/a> People v. Amarela, 2018<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\">[7]<\\/a> People v. Zamoraga, 568 Phil. 132, 140 (2008); People v. Achas, 612 Phil. 652, 662 (2009); People v. Banig, 693 Phil. 303, 312 (2012); People v. Gahi, 727 Phil. 642, 657 (2014); People v. Pitala, G.R. No. 223561, 19 October 2016.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\">[8]<\\/a> (People v. ZZZ, 2020)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\">[9]<\\/a>Pons, J. S. (n.d.). Construction and deconstruction of Maria Clara: History of an imagined care-oriented model of gender in the Philippines. Academia.edu. https:\\/\\/www.academia.edu\\/24937445\\/Construction_and_deconstruction_of_Maria_Clara_History_of_an_imagined_care_oriented_model_of_gender_in_the_Philippines.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\">[10]<\\/a> 63 ATENEO L.J. 317 (2018)\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\">[11]<\\/a> (The Philippine Star, 2018)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">Cover Photo: Painting by Juan Luna- La Bulaque\\u00f1a, 1985 and Puesta Del Sol, 1880\'s.\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.15,\"sizes\":[]},\"typography_font_size\":{\"unit\":\"px\",\"size\":18,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(4339,1368,'_thumbnail_id','1315'),(4341,1369,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(4342,1369,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(4343,1369,'_elementor_version','3.2.4'),(4344,1369,'_wp_page_template','default'),(4345,1369,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"6e15c706\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"25c228e7\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"21b7e2be\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<h1><span style=\\\"font-size: 24pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">People of the Philippines v. Juvy D. Amarela and Junard G. Racho: Applying the Maria Clara Doctrine in the 21st Century<\\/span><\\/h1>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p>\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><em>By: Ristel Mae B. Tagudando<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\"><sup><strong><sup>[1]<\\/sup><\\/strong><\\/sup><\\/a><\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><strong><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">I. THE WOMEN\\u2019S HONOR DOCTRINE<\\/span><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Maria Clara Doctrine or the Women\\u2019s Honor Doctrine became part of Philippine jurisprudence in the 1960 case of <em>People v. Ta\\u00f1o<\\/em>.<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\"><sup>[2]<\\/sup><\\/a> Based on Maria Clara\'s character from Jose Rizal\'s <em>Noli Me Tangere<\\/em>, the doctrine provides the presumption that \\\"women, especially Filipinos, would not admit that they have been abused unless that abuse had happened\\\".<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\"><sup>[3]<\\/sup><\\/a> This doctrine implies that the testimony of the alleged victim by itself may be sufficient to sustain a conviction.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><strong><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">II. SUMMARY OF THE CASE<\\/span><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In <em>People v. Amarela, <\\/em>the plaintiff,AAA, was watching a beauty contest with her aunt when she went to the restroom to urinate. However, she was not able to reach the comfort room because Amarela stopped her along the way.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 According to AAA, Amarela suddenly pulled her towards the daycare center and punched her in the abdomen, making her weak. Thereafter, Amarela undressed and put his penis inside AAA\\u2019s vagina. Three (3) men came to AAA\\u2019s rescue when she shouted for help, forcing Amarela to run away. However, she was brought to a hut by these persons, having bad intentions with her. Hence, she fled and ended up in the house of Godo Dumandan, who brought her first to the Racho residence because Dumandan thought her aunt was not at home. Dumandan stayed behind; that is why Racho was asked to bring AAA to her aunt\'s house instead. However, instead, she was brought to a shanty. She was told to lie down, but she refused. Racho boxed her abdomen and placed himself on top of AAA. Racho then inserted his penis into AAA\'s vagina. Thereafter, Racho left her. Thus, AAA went home alone and decided to leave home the following day. \\u00a0Eventually, AAA told her mother about what happened to her and reported the matter to the police.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Regional Trial Court (RTC) rendered a decision finding the appellants guilty beyond reasonable doubt of the crime of rape as the plaintiff\\u2019s testimony positively identifying both appellants was clear, positive, and straightforward.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In appeal before the Court of Appeals (CA), the appellants argued that several circumstances cast doubt on the victim\'s claim that she was raped. They alleged that her testimony does not conform to shared knowledge and ordinary human experience. Moreover, they pointed out that, although there were other witnesses, \\u00a0the only material testimony on record was that of the victim . However, the appellate court affirmed the trial court\'s decision as it found no reason to reverse the factual findings of the court <em>a quo<\\/em>.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 For the Supreme Court (SC), it had no reason to deviate from the well-entrenched rule that in matters of credibility of witnesses, the assessment made by the trial court should be respected and given weight.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Supreme Court reversed the judgment of conviction. First, AAA\'s version of the story in her affidavit-complaint differs materially from her testimony in court. Second, AAA could not have easily identified Amarela because the crime scene was dark; she only saw him for the first time. Third, her testimony lacks material details on how she was brought under the stage against her will. Lastly, the medical findings do not corroborate physical injuries and are inconclusive of any signs of forced entry.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><strong>III. WEIGHING OF THE VICTIM\\u2019S TESTIMONY<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Supreme Court has long accorded the evaluations of testimonial evidence by trial courts great respect. One can expect that said determination is based on reasonable discretion as to opting for which testimony is acceptable and which witness is worthy of belief. However, although the factual findings of the trial court are given weight by the Court\\u2014most especially when affirmed by the appellate court\\u2014such rule is not absolute as, for instance, when some facts or circumstances of weight and substance have been overlooked, misapprehended, and misinterpreted.<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\"><sup>[4]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Presently, the Court follows specific guidelines when presented with the credibility of witnesses, to wit:\\u00a0 giving the highest respect to the RTC\'s evaluation of the testimony of the witnesses, considering its unique position in directly observing the demeanor of a witness on the stand.\\u00a0 Second, absent any substantial reason that would justify the reversal of the RTC\'s assessments and conclusions. The reviewing court is generally bound by the lower court\'s findings, particularly when no significant facts and circumstances affecting the case\'s outcome are shown to have been overlooked or disregarded. Lastly, such a rule is even more stringently applied if the CA concurred with the RTC. <a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\"><sup>[5]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Applying the Maria Clara doctrine or the Women\\u2019s Honor doctrine\\u2014which often leads to cases being adjudged solely on the basis of the credibility of the victim \\u2013 does not only put the accused at an unfair disadvantage but also results in a travesty of justice. It is not impossible for an assumed victim to merely fabricate stories of her abuse.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In the past, one can say that it is natural for a woman to be reluctant to disclose a sexual assault. This stereotype cannot be applied anymore as women have transformed over the years and have become more willing to speak up and fight for their rights . There is a need to veer away from such a notion and accept the realities of a woman\'s dynamic role in society today.<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\">[6]<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Leaving the aforementioned doctrine\\u2013 given that the findings through evidence presented do not match the victim\'s testimony \\u2013 in the past is crucial because an accused must only be convicted solely on the testimony of the victim, provided of course, that the testimony is credible, natural, convincing, and consistent with human nature and the normal course of things. <a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\"><sup>[7]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Furthermore, this rule was clarified in the recent case of <em>People v. ZZZ<\\/em>. The \\u00a0Supreme Court relied on the victim\'s testimony because the latter readily recognized and pointed to her violator.\\u00a0 Unlike in <em>People v. Amarela, <\\/em>the victim recounted the harrowing nights that tormented her for six years of living with the perpetrator, and the medico-legal examination corroborated the latter\'s testimony. Hence, the SC found no compelling motive for the victim to lie. Furthermore, that after all, \\u201cno person, especially one of tender age, would ordinarily cry \\\"rape\\\" and subject oneself to the consequent rigors and embarrassments of medical examination and public trial, if not for the quest for rightful justice.<a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\">[8]<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><strong>IV. ERADICATING STEREOTYPES<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Supreme Court\\u2019s recent consideration and clarification as to the application of the Maria Clara doctrine in <em>People v. Amarela<\\/em> would not only prevent corruption of justice on the part of the accused but eradicate gender bias\\u00a0 and misconceptions in the society as well \\u2013 especially on the part of women.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The old constructed perception of women anchored in the apparent attributes of Maria Clara \\u2013 a pure soul, \\u00a0modest, self-effacing, long-suffering<a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\">[9]<\\/a> \\u2013 can no longer be applied absolutely today. Gone are the days when in cases of abuse, for a woman to be credible, she must be like Maria Clara; and when she does not fit the mold, there is a propensity of discrediting her as a witness, as exemplified in <em>Tionloc<\\/em><a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\">[10]<\\/a>:<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 It would be unfair to convict a man of rape committed against a woman who, after giving him the impression through her unexplainable silence of her tacit consent and allowing him to have sexual contact with her, changed her mind in the middle and charged him with rape.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 According to some women\'s rights groups, the Court\'s decision would open the floodgates to more incidents of rape, as this may embolden perpetrators to \\\"abuse more women\\\" confident that \\\"courts will most likely dismiss rape cases. <a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\"><sup>[11]<\\/sup><\\/a> The limitation of this ruling is already established in the ruling in the 2020 case of <em>People v. ZZZ<\\/em>, wherein the Court still weighed the victim\'s testimony based on factors such as her age, her recognition of the accused in open court, and other corroborative evidence.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Rather than completely disregarding a \\u00a0victim\\u2019s testimony, courts should distill it by doing away with outdated notions and stereotypes based purely on gender.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">[1]<\\/a> UST Faculty of Civil Law, 2G, UST Law Review Understudy<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a> Citing <em>People v. Ta\\u00f1o, <\\/em>109 Phil. 912(1960)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a> \\\"Maria Clara Doctrine in Rape Cases Revisited\\\". Buban and Lardizabal Law Offices. June 8, 2018.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[4]<\\/a> (People v. Amarela, 2018)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[5]<\\/a> (People v. Amarela, 2018)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[6]<\\/a> People v. Amarela, 2018<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\">[7]<\\/a> People v. Zamoraga, 568 Phil. 132, 140 (2008); People v. Achas, 612 Phil. 652, 662 (2009); People v. Banig, 693 Phil. 303, 312 (2012); People v. Gahi, 727 Phil. 642, 657 (2014); People v. Pitala, G.R. No. 223561, 19 October 2016.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\">[8]<\\/a> (People v. ZZZ, 2020)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\">[9]<\\/a>Pons, J. S. (n.d.). Construction and deconstruction of Maria Clara: History of an imagined care-oriented model of gender in the Philippines. Academia.edu. https:\\/\\/www.academia.edu\\/24937445\\/Construction_and_deconstruction_of_Maria_Clara_History_of_an_imagined_care_oriented_model_of_gender_in_the_Philippines.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\">[10]<\\/a> 63 ATENEO L.J. 317 (2018)\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\">[11]<\\/a> (The Philippine Star, 2018)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">Cover Photo: Painting by Juan Luna- La Bulaque\\u00f1a, 1985 and Puesta Del Sol, 1880\'s.\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]},\"typography_font_size\":{\"unit\":\"px\",\"size\":18,\"sizes\":[]},\"text_shadow_text_shadow_type\":\"yes\"},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(4346,1369,'_thumbnail_id','1315'),(4350,1370,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(4351,1370,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(4352,1370,'_elementor_version','3.2.4'),(4353,1370,'_wp_page_template','default'),(4354,1370,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"6e15c706\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"25c228e7\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"21b7e2be\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<h1><span style=\\\"font-size: 24pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">People of the Philippines v. Juvy D. Amarela and Junard G. Racho: Applying the Maria Clara Doctrine in the 21st Century<\\/span><\\/h1>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p>\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><em>By: Ristel Mae B. Tagudando<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\"><sup><strong><sup>[1]<\\/sup><\\/strong><\\/sup><\\/a><\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><strong><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">I. THE WOMEN\\u2019S HONOR DOCTRINE<\\/span><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Maria Clara Doctrine or the Women\\u2019s Honor Doctrine became part of Philippine jurisprudence in the 1960 case of <em>People v. Ta\\u00f1o<\\/em>.<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\"><sup>[2]<\\/sup><\\/a> Based on Maria Clara\'s character from Jose Rizal\'s <em>Noli Me Tangere<\\/em>, the doctrine provides the presumption that \\\"women, especially Filipinos, would not admit that they have been abused unless that abuse had happened\\\".<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\"><sup>[3]<\\/sup><\\/a> This doctrine implies that the testimony of the alleged victim by itself may be sufficient to sustain a conviction.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><strong><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">II. SUMMARY OF THE CASE<\\/span><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In <em>People v. Amarela, <\\/em>the plaintiff,AAA, was watching a beauty contest with her aunt when she went to the restroom to urinate. However, she was not able to reach the comfort room because Amarela stopped her along the way.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 According to AAA, Amarela suddenly pulled her towards the daycare center and punched her in the abdomen, making her weak. Thereafter, Amarela undressed and put his penis inside AAA\\u2019s vagina. Three (3) men came to AAA\\u2019s rescue when she shouted for help, forcing Amarela to run away. However, she was brought to a hut by these persons, having bad intentions with her. Hence, she fled and ended up in the house of Godo Dumandan, who brought her first to the Racho residence because Dumandan thought her aunt was not at home. Dumandan stayed behind; that is why Racho was asked to bring AAA to her aunt\'s house instead. However, instead, she was brought to a shanty. She was told to lie down, but she refused. Racho boxed her abdomen and placed himself on top of AAA. Racho then inserted his penis into AAA\'s vagina. Thereafter, Racho left her. Thus, AAA went home alone and decided to leave home the following day. \\u00a0Eventually, AAA told her mother about what happened to her and reported the matter to the police.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Regional Trial Court (RTC) rendered a decision finding the appellants guilty beyond reasonable doubt of the crime of rape as the plaintiff\\u2019s testimony positively identifying both appellants was clear, positive, and straightforward.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In appeal before the Court of Appeals (CA), the appellants argued that several circumstances cast doubt on the victim\'s claim that she was raped. They alleged that her testimony does not conform to shared knowledge and ordinary human experience. Moreover, they pointed out that, although there were other witnesses, \\u00a0the only material testimony on record was that of the victim . However, the appellate court affirmed the trial court\'s decision as it found no reason to reverse the factual findings of the court <em>a quo<\\/em>.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 For the Supreme Court (SC), it had no reason to deviate from the well-entrenched rule that in matters of credibility of witnesses, the assessment made by the trial court should be respected and given weight.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Supreme Court reversed the judgment of conviction. First, AAA\'s version of the story in her affidavit-complaint differs materially from her testimony in court. Second, AAA could not have easily identified Amarela because the crime scene was dark; she only saw him for the first time. Third, her testimony lacks material details on how she was brought under the stage against her will. Lastly, the medical findings do not corroborate physical injuries and are inconclusive of any signs of forced entry.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><strong>III. WEIGHING OF THE VICTIM\\u2019S TESTIMONY<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Supreme Court has long accorded the evaluations of testimonial evidence by trial courts great respect. One can expect that said determination is based on reasonable discretion as to opting for which testimony is acceptable and which witness is worthy of belief. However, although the factual findings of the trial court are given weight by the Court\\u2014most especially when affirmed by the appellate court\\u2014such rule is not absolute as, for instance, when some facts or circumstances of weight and substance have been overlooked, misapprehended, and misinterpreted.<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\"><sup>[4]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Presently, the Court follows specific guidelines when presented with the credibility of witnesses, to wit:\\u00a0 giving the highest respect to the RTC\'s evaluation of the testimony of the witnesses, considering its unique position in directly observing the demeanor of a witness on the stand.\\u00a0 Second, absent any substantial reason that would justify the reversal of the RTC\'s assessments and conclusions. The reviewing court is generally bound by the lower court\'s findings, particularly when no significant facts and circumstances affecting the case\'s outcome are shown to have been overlooked or disregarded. Lastly, such a rule is even more stringently applied if the CA concurred with the RTC. <a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\"><sup>[5]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Applying the Maria Clara doctrine or the Women\\u2019s Honor doctrine\\u2014which often leads to cases being adjudged solely on the basis of the credibility of the victim \\u2013 does not only put the accused at an unfair disadvantage but also results in a travesty of justice. It is not impossible for an assumed victim to merely fabricate stories of her abuse.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In the past, one can say that it is natural for a woman to be reluctant to disclose a sexual assault. This stereotype cannot be applied anymore as women have transformed over the years and have become more willing to speak up and fight for their rights . There is a need to veer away from such a notion and accept the realities of a woman\'s dynamic role in society today.<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\">[6]<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Leaving the aforementioned doctrine\\u2013 given that the findings through evidence presented do not match the victim\'s testimony \\u2013 in the past is crucial because an accused must only be convicted solely on the testimony of the victim, provided of course, that the testimony is credible, natural, convincing, and consistent with human nature and the normal course of things. <a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\"><sup>[7]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Furthermore, this rule was clarified in the recent case of <em>People v. ZZZ<\\/em>. The \\u00a0Supreme Court relied on the victim\'s testimony because the latter readily recognized and pointed to her violator.\\u00a0 Unlike in <em>People v. Amarela, <\\/em>the victim recounted the harrowing nights that tormented her for six years of living with the perpetrator, and the medico-legal examination corroborated the latter\'s testimony. Hence, the SC found no compelling motive for the victim to lie. Furthermore, that after all, \\u201cno person, especially one of tender age, would ordinarily cry \\\"rape\\\" and subject oneself to the consequent rigors and embarrassments of medical examination and public trial, if not for the quest for rightful justice.<a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\">[8]<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><strong>IV. ERADICATING STEREOTYPES<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Supreme Court\\u2019s recent consideration and clarification as to the application of the Maria Clara doctrine in <em>People v. Amarela<\\/em> would not only prevent corruption of justice on the part of the accused but eradicate gender bias\\u00a0 and misconceptions in the society as well \\u2013 especially on the part of women.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The old constructed perception of women anchored in the apparent attributes of Maria Clara \\u2013 a pure soul, \\u00a0modest, self-effacing, long-suffering<a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\">[9]<\\/a> \\u2013 can no longer be applied absolutely today. Gone are the days when in cases of abuse, for a woman to be credible, she must be like Maria Clara; and when she does not fit the mold, there is a propensity of discrediting her as a witness, as exemplified in <em>Tionloc<\\/em><a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\">[10]<\\/a>:<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 It would be unfair to convict a man of rape committed against a woman who, after giving him the impression through her unexplainable silence of her tacit consent and allowing him to have sexual contact with her, changed her mind in the middle and charged him with rape.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 According to some women\'s rights groups, the Court\'s decision would open the floodgates to more incidents of rape, as this may embolden perpetrators to \\\"abuse more women\\\" confident that \\\"courts will most likely dismiss rape cases. <a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\"><sup>[11]<\\/sup><\\/a> The limitation of this ruling is already established in the ruling in the 2020 case of <em>People v. ZZZ<\\/em>, wherein the Court still weighed the victim\'s testimony based on factors such as her age, her recognition of the accused in open court, and other corroborative evidence.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Rather than completely disregarding a \\u00a0victim\\u2019s testimony, courts should distill it by doing away with outdated notions and stereotypes based purely on gender.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">[1]<\\/a> UST Faculty of Civil Law, 2G, UST Law Review Understudy<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a> Citing <em>People v. Ta\\u00f1o, <\\/em>109 Phil. 912(1960)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a> \\\"Maria Clara Doctrine in Rape Cases Revisited\\\". Buban and Lardizabal Law Offices. June 8, 2018.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[4]<\\/a> (People v. Amarela, 2018)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[5]<\\/a> (People v. Amarela, 2018)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[6]<\\/a> People v. Amarela, 2018<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\">[7]<\\/a> People v. Zamoraga, 568 Phil. 132, 140 (2008); People v. Achas, 612 Phil. 652, 662 (2009); People v. Banig, 693 Phil. 303, 312 (2012); People v. Gahi, 727 Phil. 642, 657 (2014); People v. Pitala, G.R. No. 223561, 19 October 2016.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\">[8]<\\/a> (People v. ZZZ, 2020)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\">[9]<\\/a>Pons, J. S. (n.d.). Construction and deconstruction of Maria Clara: History of an imagined care-oriented model of gender in the Philippines. Academia.edu. https:\\/\\/www.academia.edu\\/24937445\\/Construction_and_deconstruction_of_Maria_Clara_History_of_an_imagined_care_oriented_model_of_gender_in_the_Philippines.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\">[10]<\\/a> 63 ATENEO L.J. 317 (2018)\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\">[11]<\\/a> (The Philippine Star, 2018)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">Cover Photo: Painting by Juan Luna- La Bulaque\\u00f1a, 1985 and Puesta Del Sol, 1880\'s.\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]},\"typography_font_size\":{\"unit\":\"px\",\"size\":18,\"sizes\":[]},\"text_shadow_text_shadow_type\":\"yes\"},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(4355,1370,'_thumbnail_id','1315'),(4357,1371,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(4358,1371,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(4359,1371,'_elementor_version','3.2.4'),(4360,1371,'_wp_page_template','default'),(4361,1371,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"6e15c706\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"25c228e7\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"21b7e2be\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<h1><span style=\\\"font-size: 24pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">People of the Philippines v. Juvy D. Amarela and Junard G. Racho: Applying the Maria Clara Doctrine in the 21st Century<\\/span><\\/h1>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p>\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><em>By: Ristel Mae B. Tagudando<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\"><sup><strong><sup>[1]<\\/sup><\\/strong><\\/sup><\\/a><\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><strong><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">I. THE WOMEN\\u2019S HONOR DOCTRINE<\\/span><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Maria Clara Doctrine or the Women\\u2019s Honor Doctrine became part of Philippine jurisprudence in the 1960 case of <em>People v. Ta\\u00f1o<\\/em>.<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\"><sup>[2]<\\/sup><\\/a> Based on Maria Clara\'s character from Jose Rizal\'s <em>Noli Me Tangere<\\/em>, the doctrine provides the presumption that \\\"women, especially Filipinos, would not admit that they have been abused unless that abuse had happened\\\".<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\"><sup>[3]<\\/sup><\\/a> This doctrine implies that the testimony of the alleged victim by itself may be sufficient to sustain a conviction.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><strong><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">II. SUMMARY OF THE CASE<\\/span><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In <em>People v. Amarela, <\\/em>the plaintiff,AAA, was watching a beauty contest with her aunt when she went to the restroom to urinate. However, she was not able to reach the comfort room because Amarela stopped her along the way.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 According to AAA, Amarela suddenly pulled her towards the daycare center and punched her in the abdomen, making her weak. Thereafter, Amarela undressed and put his penis inside AAA\\u2019s vagina. Three (3) men came to AAA\\u2019s rescue when she shouted for help, forcing Amarela to run away. However, she was brought to a hut by these persons, having bad intentions with her. Hence, she fled and ended up in the house of Godo Dumandan, who brought her first to the Racho residence because Dumandan thought her aunt was not at home. Dumandan stayed behind; that is why Racho was asked to bring AAA to her aunt\'s house instead. However, instead, she was brought to a shanty. She was told to lie down, but she refused. Racho boxed her abdomen and placed himself on top of AAA. Racho then inserted his penis into AAA\'s vagina. Thereafter, Racho left her. Thus, AAA went home alone and decided to leave home the following day. \\u00a0Eventually, AAA told her mother about what happened to her and reported the matter to the police.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Regional Trial Court (RTC) rendered a decision finding the appellants guilty beyond reasonable doubt of the crime of rape as the plaintiff\\u2019s testimony positively identifying both appellants was clear, positive, and straightforward.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In appeal before the Court of Appeals (CA), the appellants argued that several circumstances cast doubt on the victim\'s claim that she was raped. They alleged that her testimony does not conform to shared knowledge and ordinary human experience. Moreover, they pointed out that, although there were other witnesses, \\u00a0the only material testimony on record was that of the victim . However, the appellate court affirmed the trial court\'s decision as it found no reason to reverse the factual findings of the court <em>a quo<\\/em>.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 For the Supreme Court (SC), it had no reason to deviate from the well-entrenched rule that in matters of credibility of witnesses, the assessment made by the trial court should be respected and given weight.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Supreme Court reversed the judgment of conviction. First, AAA\'s version of the story in her affidavit-complaint differs materially from her testimony in court. Second, AAA could not have easily identified Amarela because the crime scene was dark; she only saw him for the first time. Third, her testimony lacks material details on how she was brought under the stage against her will. Lastly, the medical findings do not corroborate physical injuries and are inconclusive of any signs of forced entry.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><strong>III. WEIGHING OF THE VICTIM\\u2019S TESTIMONY<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Supreme Court has long accorded the evaluations of testimonial evidence by trial courts great respect. One can expect that said determination is based on reasonable discretion as to opting for which testimony is acceptable and which witness is worthy of belief. However, although the factual findings of the trial court are given weight by the Court\\u2014most especially when affirmed by the appellate court\\u2014such rule is not absolute as, for instance, when some facts or circumstances of weight and substance have been overlooked, misapprehended, and misinterpreted.<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\"><sup>[4]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Presently, the Court follows specific guidelines when presented with the credibility of witnesses, to wit:\\u00a0 giving the highest respect to the RTC\'s evaluation of the testimony of the witnesses, considering its unique position in directly observing the demeanor of a witness on the stand.\\u00a0 Second, absent any substantial reason that would justify the reversal of the RTC\'s assessments and conclusions. The reviewing court is generally bound by the lower court\'s findings, particularly when no significant facts and circumstances affecting the case\'s outcome are shown to have been overlooked or disregarded. Lastly, such a rule is even more stringently applied if the CA concurred with the RTC. <a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\"><sup>[5]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Applying the Maria Clara doctrine or the Women\\u2019s Honor doctrine\\u2014which often leads to cases being adjudged solely on the basis of the credibility of the victim \\u2013 does not only put the accused at an unfair disadvantage but also results in a travesty of justice. It is not impossible for an assumed victim to merely fabricate stories of her abuse.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In the past, one can say that it is natural for a woman to be reluctant to disclose a sexual assault. This stereotype cannot be applied anymore as women have transformed over the years and have become more willing to speak up and fight for their rights . There is a need to veer away from such a notion and accept the realities of a woman\'s dynamic role in society today.<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\">[6]<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Leaving the aforementioned doctrine\\u2013 given that the findings through evidence presented do not match the victim\'s testimony \\u2013 in the past is crucial because an accused must only be convicted solely on the testimony of the victim, provided of course, that the testimony is credible, natural, convincing, and consistent with human nature and the normal course of things. <a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\"><sup>[7]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Furthermore, this rule was clarified in the recent case of <em>People v. ZZZ<\\/em>. The \\u00a0Supreme Court relied on the victim\'s testimony because the latter readily recognized and pointed to her violator.\\u00a0 Unlike in <em>People v. Amarela, <\\/em>the victim recounted the harrowing nights that tormented her for six years of living with the perpetrator, and the medico-legal examination corroborated the latter\'s testimony. Hence, the SC found no compelling motive for the victim to lie. Furthermore, that after all, \\u201cno person, especially one of tender age, would ordinarily cry \\\"rape\\\" and subject oneself to the consequent rigors and embarrassments of medical examination and public trial, if not for the quest for rightful justice.<a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\">[8]<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><strong>IV. ERADICATING STEREOTYPES<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Supreme Court\\u2019s recent consideration and clarification as to the application of the Maria Clara doctrine in <em>People v. Amarela<\\/em> would not only prevent corruption of justice on the part of the accused but eradicate gender bias\\u00a0 and misconceptions in the society as well \\u2013 especially on the part of women.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The old constructed perception of women anchored in the apparent attributes of Maria Clara \\u2013 a pure soul, \\u00a0modest, self-effacing, long-suffering<a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\">[9]<\\/a> \\u2013 can no longer be applied absolutely today. Gone are the days when in cases of abuse, for a woman to be credible, she must be like Maria Clara; and when she does not fit the mold, there is a propensity of discrediting her as a witness, as exemplified in <em>Tionloc<\\/em><a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\">[10]<\\/a>:<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 It would be unfair to convict a man of rape committed against a woman who, after giving him the impression through her unexplainable silence of her tacit consent and allowing him to have sexual contact with her, changed her mind in the middle and charged him with rape.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 According to some women\'s rights groups, the Court\'s decision would open the floodgates to more incidents of rape, as this may embolden perpetrators to \\\"abuse more women\\\" confident that \\\"courts will most likely dismiss rape cases. <a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\"><sup>[11]<\\/sup><\\/a> The limitation of this ruling is already established in the ruling in the 2020 case of <em>People v. ZZZ<\\/em>, wherein the Court still weighed the victim\'s testimony based on factors such as her age, her recognition of the accused in open court, and other corroborative evidence.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Rather than completely disregarding a \\u00a0victim\\u2019s testimony, courts should distill it by doing away with outdated notions and stereotypes based purely on gender.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">[1]<\\/a> UST Faculty of Civil Law, 2G, UST Law Review Understudy<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a> Citing <em>People v. Ta\\u00f1o, <\\/em>109 Phil. 912(1960)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a> \\\"Maria Clara Doctrine in Rape Cases Revisited\\\". Buban and Lardizabal Law Offices. June 8, 2018.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[4]<\\/a> (People v. Amarela, 2018)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[5]<\\/a> (People v. Amarela, 2018)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[6]<\\/a> People v. Amarela, 2018<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\">[7]<\\/a> People v. Zamoraga, 568 Phil. 132, 140 (2008); People v. Achas, 612 Phil. 652, 662 (2009); People v. Banig, 693 Phil. 303, 312 (2012); People v. Gahi, 727 Phil. 642, 657 (2014); People v. Pitala, G.R. No. 223561, 19 October 2016.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\">[8]<\\/a> (People v. ZZZ, 2020)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\">[9]<\\/a>Pons, J. S. (n.d.). Construction and deconstruction of Maria Clara: History of an imagined care-oriented model of gender in the Philippines. Academia.edu. https:\\/\\/www.academia.edu\\/24937445\\/Construction_and_deconstruction_of_Maria_Clara_History_of_an_imagined_care_oriented_model_of_gender_in_the_Philippines.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\">[10]<\\/a> 63 ATENEO L.J. 317 (2018)\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\">[11]<\\/a> (The Philippine Star, 2018)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">Cover Photo: Painting by Juan Luna- La Bulaque\\u00f1a, 1985 and Puesta Del Sol, 1880\'s.\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]},\"typography_font_size\":{\"unit\":\"px\",\"size\":18,\"sizes\":[]},\"text_shadow_text_shadow_type\":\"yes\"},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(4362,1371,'_thumbnail_id','1315'),(4364,1372,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(4365,1372,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(4366,1372,'_elementor_version','3.2.4'),(4367,1372,'_wp_page_template','default'),(4368,1372,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"6e15c706\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"25c228e7\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"21b7e2be\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<h1><span style=\\\"font-size: 24pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">People of the Philippines v. Juvy D. Amarela and Junard G. Racho: Applying the Maria Clara Doctrine in the 21st Century<\\/span><\\/h1>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p>\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><em>By: Ristel Mae B. Tagudando<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\"><sup><strong><sup>[1]<\\/sup><\\/strong><\\/sup><\\/a><\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><strong><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">I. THE WOMEN\\u2019S HONOR DOCTRINE<\\/span><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Maria Clara Doctrine or the Women\\u2019s Honor Doctrine became part of Philippine jurisprudence in the 1960 case of <em>People v. Ta\\u00f1o<\\/em>.<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\"><sup>[2]<\\/sup><\\/a> Based on Maria Clara\'s character from Jose Rizal\'s <em>Noli Me Tangere<\\/em>, the doctrine provides the presumption that \\\"women, especially Filipinos, would not admit that they have been abused unless that abuse had happened\\\".<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\"><sup>[3]<\\/sup><\\/a> This doctrine implies that the testimony of the alleged victim by itself may be sufficient to sustain a conviction.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><strong><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">II. SUMMARY OF THE CASE<\\/span><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In <em>People v. Amarela, <\\/em>the plaintiff,AAA, was watching a beauty contest with her aunt when she went to the restroom to urinate. However, she was not able to reach the comfort room because Amarela stopped her along the way.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 According to AAA, Amarela suddenly pulled her towards the daycare center and punched her in the abdomen, making her weak. Thereafter, Amarela undressed and put his penis inside AAA\\u2019s vagina. Three (3) men came to AAA\\u2019s rescue when she shouted for help, forcing Amarela to run away. However, she was brought to a hut by these persons, having bad intentions with her. Hence, she fled and ended up in the house of Godo Dumandan, who brought her first to the Racho residence because Dumandan thought her aunt was not at home. Dumandan stayed behind; that is why Racho was asked to bring AAA to her aunt\'s house instead. However, instead, she was brought to a shanty. She was told to lie down, but she refused. Racho boxed her abdomen and placed himself on top of AAA. Racho then inserted his penis into AAA\'s vagina. Thereafter, Racho left her. Thus, AAA went home alone and decided to leave home the following day. \\u00a0Eventually, AAA told her mother about what happened to her and reported the matter to the police.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Regional Trial Court (RTC) rendered a decision finding the appellants guilty beyond reasonable doubt of the crime of rape as the plaintiff\\u2019s testimony positively identifying both appellants was clear, positive, and straightforward.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In appeal before the Court of Appeals (CA), the appellants argued that several circumstances cast doubt on the victim\'s claim that she was raped. They alleged that her testimony does not conform to shared knowledge and ordinary human experience. Moreover, they pointed out that, although there were other witnesses, \\u00a0the only material testimony on record was that of the victim . However, the appellate court affirmed the trial court\'s decision as it found no reason to reverse the factual findings of the court <em>a quo<\\/em>.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 For the Supreme Court (SC), it had no reason to deviate from the well-entrenched rule that in matters of credibility of witnesses, the assessment made by the trial court should be respected and given weight.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Supreme Court reversed the judgment of conviction. First, AAA\'s version of the story in her affidavit-complaint differs materially from her testimony in court. Second, AAA could not have easily identified Amarela because the crime scene was dark; she only saw him for the first time. Third, her testimony lacks material details on how she was brought under the stage against her will. Lastly, the medical findings do not corroborate physical injuries and are inconclusive of any signs of forced entry.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><strong>III. WEIGHING OF THE VICTIM\\u2019S TESTIMONY<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Supreme Court has long accorded the evaluations of testimonial evidence by trial courts great respect. One can expect that said determination is based on reasonable discretion as to opting for which testimony is acceptable and which witness is worthy of belief. However, although the factual findings of the trial court are given weight by the Court\\u2014most especially when affirmed by the appellate court\\u2014such rule is not absolute as, for instance, when some facts or circumstances of weight and substance have been overlooked, misapprehended, and misinterpreted.<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\"><sup>[4]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Presently, the Court follows specific guidelines when presented with the credibility of witnesses, to wit:\\u00a0 giving the highest respect to the RTC\'s evaluation of the testimony of the witnesses, considering its unique position in directly observing the demeanor of a witness on the stand.\\u00a0 Second, absent any substantial reason that would justify the reversal of the RTC\'s assessments and conclusions. The reviewing court is generally bound by the lower court\'s findings, particularly when no significant facts and circumstances affecting the case\'s outcome are shown to have been overlooked or disregarded. Lastly, such a rule is even more stringently applied if the CA concurred with the RTC. <a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\"><sup>[5]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Applying the Maria Clara doctrine or the Women\\u2019s Honor doctrine\\u2014which often leads to cases being adjudged solely on the basis of the credibility of the victim \\u2013 does not only put the accused at an unfair disadvantage but also results in a travesty of justice. It is not impossible for an assumed victim to merely fabricate stories of her abuse.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In the past, one can say that it is natural for a woman to be reluctant to disclose a sexual assault. This stereotype cannot be applied anymore as women have transformed over the years and have become more willing to speak up and fight for their rights . There is a need to veer away from such a notion and accept the realities of a woman\'s dynamic role in society today.<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\">[6]<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Leaving the aforementioned doctrine\\u2013 given that the findings through evidence presented do not match the victim\'s testimony \\u2013 in the past is crucial because an accused must only be convicted solely on the testimony of the victim, provided of course, that the testimony is credible, natural, convincing, and consistent with human nature and the normal course of things. <a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\"><sup>[7]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Furthermore, this rule was clarified in the recent case of <em>People v. ZZZ<\\/em>. The \\u00a0Supreme Court relied on the victim\'s testimony because the latter readily recognized and pointed to her violator.\\u00a0 Unlike in <em>People v. Amarela, <\\/em>the victim recounted the harrowing nights that tormented her for six years of living with the perpetrator, and the medico-legal examination corroborated the latter\'s testimony. Hence, the SC found no compelling motive for the victim to lie. Furthermore, that after all, \\u201cno person, especially one of tender age, would ordinarily cry \\\"rape\\\" and subject oneself to the consequent rigors and embarrassments of medical examination and public trial, if not for the quest for rightful justice.<a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\">[8]<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><strong>IV. ERADICATING STEREOTYPES<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Supreme Court\\u2019s recent consideration and clarification as to the application of the Maria Clara doctrine in <em>People v. Amarela<\\/em> would not only prevent corruption of justice on the part of the accused but eradicate gender bias\\u00a0 and misconceptions in the society as well \\u2013 especially on the part of women.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The old constructed perception of women anchored in the apparent attributes of Maria Clara \\u2013 a pure soul, \\u00a0modest, self-effacing, long-suffering<a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\">[9]<\\/a> \\u2013 can no longer be applied absolutely today. Gone are the days when in cases of abuse, for a woman to be credible, she must be like Maria Clara; and when she does not fit the mold, there is a propensity of discrediting her as a witness, as exemplified in <em>Tionloc<\\/em><a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\">[10]<\\/a>:<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 It would be unfair to convict a man of rape committed against a woman who, after giving him the impression through her unexplainable silence of her tacit consent and allowing him to have sexual contact with her, changed her mind in the middle and charged him with rape.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 According to some women\'s rights groups, the Court\'s decision would open the floodgates to more incidents of rape, as this may embolden perpetrators to \\\"abuse more women\\\" confident that \\\"courts will most likely dismiss rape cases. <a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\"><sup>[11]<\\/sup><\\/a> The limitation of this ruling is already established in the ruling in the 2020 case of <em>People v. ZZZ<\\/em>, wherein the Court still weighed the victim\'s testimony based on factors such as her age, her recognition of the accused in open court, and other corroborative evidence.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Rather than completely disregarding a \\u00a0victim\\u2019s testimony, courts should distill it by doing away with outdated notions and stereotypes based purely on gender.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">[1]<\\/a> UST Faculty of Civil Law, 2G, UST Law Review Understudy<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a> Citing <em>People v. Ta\\u00f1o, <\\/em>109 Phil. 912(1960)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a> \\\"Maria Clara Doctrine in Rape Cases Revisited\\\". Buban and Lardizabal Law Offices. June 8, 2018.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[4]<\\/a> (People v. Amarela, 2018)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[5]<\\/a> (People v. Amarela, 2018)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[6]<\\/a> People v. Amarela, 2018<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\">[7]<\\/a> People v. Zamoraga, 568 Phil. 132, 140 (2008); People v. Achas, 612 Phil. 652, 662 (2009); People v. Banig, 693 Phil. 303, 312 (2012); People v. Gahi, 727 Phil. 642, 657 (2014); People v. Pitala, G.R. No. 223561, 19 October 2016.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\">[8]<\\/a> (People v. ZZZ, 2020)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\">[9]<\\/a>Pons, J. S. (n.d.). Construction and deconstruction of Maria Clara: History of an imagined care-oriented model of gender in the Philippines. Academia.edu. https:\\/\\/www.academia.edu\\/24937445\\/Construction_and_deconstruction_of_Maria_Clara_History_of_an_imagined_care_oriented_model_of_gender_in_the_Philippines.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\">[10]<\\/a> 63 ATENEO L.J. 317 (2018)\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\">[11]<\\/a> (The Philippine Star, 2018)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">Cover Photo: Painting by Juan Luna- La Bulaque\\u00f1a, 1985 and Puesta Del Sol, 1880\'s.\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]},\"typography_font_size\":{\"unit\":\"px\",\"size\":18,\"sizes\":[]},\"text_shadow_text_shadow_type\":\"yes\",\"text_shadow_text_shadow\":{\"horizontal\":0,\"vertical\":0,\"blur\":0,\"color\":\"rgba(0,0,0,0.3)\"}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(4369,1372,'_thumbnail_id','1315'),(4371,1314,'_elementor_controls_usage','a:3:{s:11:\"text-editor\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:2;s:8:\"controls\";a:2:{s:7:\"content\";a:1:{s:14:\"section_editor\";a:1:{s:6:\"editor\";i:1;}}s:5:\"style\";a:1:{s:13:\"section_style\";a:5:{s:21:\"typography_typography\";i:1;s:22:\"typography_line_height\";i:1;s:20:\"typography_font_size\";i:1;s:28:\"text_shadow_text_shadow_type\";i:1;s:23:\"text_shadow_text_shadow\";i:1;}}}}s:6:\"column\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:0;s:8:\"controls\";a:0:{}}s:7:\"section\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:0;s:8:\"controls\";a:0:{}}}'),(4373,1373,'_wp_trash_meta_status','publish'),(4374,1373,'_wp_trash_meta_time','1625223053'),(4375,1374,'_wp_trash_meta_status','publish'),(4376,1374,'_wp_trash_meta_time','1625223064'),(4377,1375,'_edit_lock','1625223080:1'),(4378,1375,'_wp_trash_meta_status','publish'),(4379,1375,'_wp_trash_meta_time','1625223084'),(4380,1376,'_edit_lock','1625223116:1'),(4381,1377,'_wp_trash_meta_status','publish'),(4382,1377,'_wp_trash_meta_time','1625223129'),(4383,1376,'_customize_restore_dismissed','1'),(4384,1378,'_elementor_template_type','wp-page'),(4385,1378,'_elementor_version','3.1.1'),(4386,1378,'_wp_page_template','default'),(4387,1378,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"4de51cd9\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"76ec2c3\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"fdaff1a\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<div> [pdfjs-viewer viewer_width=0 viewer_height=800 url=http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/Editorial.pdf download=true print=true fullscreen=true fullscreen_target=false fullscreen_text=\\\"View%20Fullscreen\\\" zoom=auto ]<\\/div>\\n<hr>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:heading {\\\"level\\\":3} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<h3><span style=\\\"font-size: 18pt;\\\">Articles<\\/span><\\/h3>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/Unwanted-Sexual-Advances-and-Sex-Discrimination_Sexual-Harassment-in-light-of-the-Safe-Spaces-Act-of-2019_R.A.-11313_Alyssa-Gomez.pdf\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">Unwanted Sexual Advances and Sex Discrimination: Sexual Harassment in light of the Safe Spaces Act of 2019 (R.A. 11313)<\\/a><\\/span><br><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong><em>By: Alyssa Gomez<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/journal-volume-64\\/\\\">R<\\/a><a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/drive.google.com\\/file\\/d\\/1rVTCBx0aIS1kI4Qk4jNSbnFX2hK-VFir\\/view?usp=sharing\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">egulating War: A Systematic Approach on the Different Measures and Instruments to Implement the International Humanitarian Law<\\/a><\\/span><br><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong><em>By: Atty. Kenneth James Carlo C. Hizon<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/drive.google.com\\/file\\/d\\/1-WScrAt_Fti5qO6qrcz4h9wxk4UddlRG\\/view?usp=sharing\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">Job Contracting Deconstructed: An Analysis of the Labor\\u2019s Right to Security of Tenure and the Global Trend of Job Outsourcing<\\/a><\\/span><br><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong><em>B<\\/em><\\/strong>y: <strong><em>Atty. King James Carlo C. Hizon<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:heading {\\\"level\\\":3} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<h3><span style=\\\"font-size: 18pt;\\\">Features<\\/span><\\/h3>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/A-DEMOCRACY-BY-ANY-OTHER-NAME_RAPHAEL-LORENZO-A.-PANGALANGAN.pdf\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">A Democracy by any Other Name<\\/a><\\/span><br><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong><em>By: Raphael Lorenzo A. Pangalangan<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/ANTI-SUIT-INJUNCTION-IN-INTERNATIONAL-COMMERCIAL-ARBITRATION_A-Critical-Analysis_HON.-RONALD-B.-MORENO-LL.M.-DCL-compressed.pdf\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">Anti-Suit Injunction in International Commercial Arbitration: A Critical Analysis <\\/a><\\/span><br><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong><em>By: Hon. Ronald B. Moreno, LL.M., DCL Associate Justice, Sandiganbayan<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:heading {\\\"level\\\":3} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<h3><span style=\\\"font-size: 18pt;\\\">Comment<\\/span><\\/h3>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/WTOS-DISPUTE-RESOLUTION-IN-MULTILATERAL-TRADING-SYSTEM_INDISPENSABLE-OR-OPTIONAL_MARIELLA-MARASIGAN.pdf\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">WTO\\u2019s Dispute Resolution in Multilateral Trading System: Indispensable or Optional? <\\/a><\\/span><br><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong><em>By: Mariella Marasigan<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:heading {\\\"level\\\":3} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<h3><span style=\\\"font-size: 18pt;\\\">Trends in Jurisprudence<\\/span><\\/h3>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/New-Guidelines-on-Prescription-for-Insurers-as-Subrogees.pdf\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">New Guidelines on Prescription for Insurers as Subrogees<\\/a><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed {\\\"imageURL\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/Editorial.pdf\\\",\\\"imgID\\\":881,\\\"imgTitle\\\":\\\"Editorial\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<div> <\\/div>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed --><\\/span><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.15,\"sizes\":[]},\"typography_font_size\":{\"unit\":\"px\",\"size\":12,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(4388,1378,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(4390,1379,'_elementor_template_type','wp-page'),(4391,1379,'_elementor_version','3.1.1'),(4392,1379,'_wp_page_template','default'),(4393,1379,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"4de51cd9\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"76ec2c3\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"fdaff1a\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<div> [pdfjs-viewer viewer_width=0 viewer_height=800 url=http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/Editorial.pdf download=true print=true fullscreen=true fullscreen_target=false fullscreen_text=\\\"View%20Fullscreen\\\" zoom=auto ]<\\/div>\\n<hr>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:heading {\\\"level\\\":3} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<h3><span style=\\\"font-size: 18pt;\\\">Articles<\\/span><\\/h3>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/Unwanted-Sexual-Advances-and-Sex-Discrimination_Sexual-Harassment-in-light-of-the-Safe-Spaces-Act-of-2019_R.A.-11313_Alyssa-Gomez.pdf\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">Unwanted Sexual Advances and Sex Discrimination: Sexual Harassment in light of the Safe Spaces Act of 2019 (R.A. 11313)<\\/a><\\/span><br><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong><em>By: Alyssa Gomez<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/journal-volume-64\\/\\\">R<\\/a><a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/drive.google.com\\/file\\/d\\/1rVTCBx0aIS1kI4Qk4jNSbnFX2hK-VFir\\/view?usp=sharing\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">egulating War: A Systematic Approach on the Different Measures and Instruments to Implement the International Humanitarian Law<\\/a><\\/span><br><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong><em>By: Atty. Kenneth James Carlo C. Hizon<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/drive.google.com\\/file\\/d\\/1-WScrAt_Fti5qO6qrcz4h9wxk4UddlRG\\/view?usp=sharing\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">Job Contracting Deconstructed: An Analysis of the Labor\\u2019s Right to Security of Tenure and the Global Trend of Job Outsourcing<\\/a><\\/span><br><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong><em>B<\\/em><\\/strong>y: <strong><em>Atty. King James Carlo C. Hizon<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:heading {\\\"level\\\":3} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<h3><span style=\\\"font-size: 18pt;\\\">Features<\\/span><\\/h3>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/A-DEMOCRACY-BY-ANY-OTHER-NAME_RAPHAEL-LORENZO-A.-PANGALANGAN.pdf\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">A Democracy by any Other Name<\\/a><\\/span><br><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong><em>By: Raphael Lorenzo A. Pangalangan<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/ANTI-SUIT-INJUNCTION-IN-INTERNATIONAL-COMMERCIAL-ARBITRATION_A-Critical-Analysis_HON.-RONALD-B.-MORENO-LL.M.-DCL-compressed.pdf\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">Anti-Suit Injunction in International Commercial Arbitration: A Critical Analysis <\\/a><\\/span><br><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong><em>By: Hon. Ronald B. Moreno, LL.M., DCL Associate Justice, Sandiganbayan<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:heading {\\\"level\\\":3} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<h3><span style=\\\"font-size: 18pt;\\\">Comment<\\/span><\\/h3>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/WTOS-DISPUTE-RESOLUTION-IN-MULTILATERAL-TRADING-SYSTEM_INDISPENSABLE-OR-OPTIONAL_MARIELLA-MARASIGAN.pdf\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">WTO\\u2019s Dispute Resolution in Multilateral Trading System: Indispensable or Optional? <\\/a><\\/span><br><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong><em>By: Mariella Marasigan<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:heading {\\\"level\\\":3} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<h3><span style=\\\"font-size: 18pt;\\\">Trends in Jurisprudence<\\/span><\\/h3>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/New-Guidelines-on-Prescription-for-Insurers-as-Subrogees.pdf\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">New Guidelines on Prescription for Insurers as Subrogees<\\/a><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed {\\\"imageURL\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/Editorial.pdf\\\",\\\"imgID\\\":881,\\\"imgTitle\\\":\\\"Editorial\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<div> <\\/div>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed --><\\/span><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.15,\"sizes\":[]},\"typography_font_size\":{\"unit\":\"px\",\"size\":12,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(4394,1379,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(4396,1380,'_elementor_template_type','wp-page'),(4397,1380,'_elementor_version','3.1.1'),(4398,1380,'_wp_page_template','default'),(4399,1380,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"4de51cd9\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"76ec2c3\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"fdaff1a\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<div> [pdfjs-viewer viewer_width=0 viewer_height=800 url=http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/Editorial.pdf download=true print=true fullscreen=true fullscreen_target=false fullscreen_text=\\\"View%20Fullscreen\\\" zoom=auto ]<\\/div>\\n<hr>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:heading {\\\"level\\\":3} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<h3><span style=\\\"font-size: 18pt;\\\">Articles<\\/span><\\/h3>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/Unwanted-Sexual-Advances-and-Sex-Discrimination_Sexual-Harassment-in-light-of-the-Safe-Spaces-Act-of-2019_R.A.-11313_Alyssa-Gomez.pdf\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">Unwanted Sexual Advances and Sex Discrimination: Sexual Harassment in light of the Safe Spaces Act of 2019 (R.A. 11313)<\\/a><\\/span><br><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong><em>By: Alyssa Gomez<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/journal-volume-64\\/\\\">R<\\/a><a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/drive.google.com\\/file\\/d\\/1rVTCBx0aIS1kI4Qk4jNSbnFX2hK-VFir\\/view?usp=sharing\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">egulating War: A Systematic Approach on the Different Measures and Instruments to Implement the International Humanitarian Law<\\/a><\\/span><br><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong><em>By: Atty. Kenneth James Carlo C. Hizon<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/drive.google.com\\/file\\/d\\/1-WScrAt_Fti5qO6qrcz4h9wxk4UddlRG\\/view?usp=sharing\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">Job Contracting Deconstructed: An Analysis of the Labor\\u2019s Right to Security of Tenure and the Global Trend of Job Outsourcing<\\/a><\\/span><br><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong><em>B<\\/em><\\/strong>y: <strong><em>Atty. King James Carlo C. Hizon<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:heading {\\\"level\\\":3} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<h3><span style=\\\"font-size: 18pt;\\\">Features<\\/span><\\/h3>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/A-DEMOCRACY-BY-ANY-OTHER-NAME_RAPHAEL-LORENZO-A.-PANGALANGAN.pdf\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">A Democracy by any Other Name<\\/a><\\/span><br><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong><em>By: Raphael Lorenzo A. Pangalangan<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/ANTI-SUIT-INJUNCTION-IN-INTERNATIONAL-COMMERCIAL-ARBITRATION_A-Critical-Analysis_HON.-RONALD-B.-MORENO-LL.M.-DCL-compressed.pdf\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">Anti-Suit Injunction in International Commercial Arbitration: A Critical Analysis <\\/a><\\/span><br><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong><em>By: Hon. Ronald B. Moreno, LL.M., DCL Associate Justice, Sandiganbayan<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:heading {\\\"level\\\":3} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<h3><span style=\\\"font-size: 18pt;\\\">Comment<\\/span><\\/h3>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/WTOS-DISPUTE-RESOLUTION-IN-MULTILATERAL-TRADING-SYSTEM_INDISPENSABLE-OR-OPTIONAL_MARIELLA-MARASIGAN.pdf\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">WTO\\u2019s Dispute Resolution in Multilateral Trading System: Indispensable or Optional? <\\/a><\\/span><br><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong><em>By: Mariella Marasigan<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:heading {\\\"level\\\":3} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<h3><span style=\\\"font-size: 18pt;\\\">Trends in Jurisprudence<\\/span><\\/h3>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/New-Guidelines-on-Prescription-for-Insurers-as-Subrogees.pdf\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">New Guidelines on Prescription for Insurers as Subrogees<\\/a><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed {\\\"imageURL\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/Editorial.pdf\\\",\\\"imgID\\\":881,\\\"imgTitle\\\":\\\"Editorial\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<div> <\\/div>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed --><\\/span><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]},\"typography_font_size\":{\"unit\":\"px\",\"size\":12,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(4400,1380,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(4403,1381,'_elementor_template_type','wp-page'),(4404,1381,'_elementor_version','3.2.4'),(4405,1381,'_wp_page_template','default'),(4406,1381,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"4de51cd9\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"76ec2c3\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"fdaff1a\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<div> [pdfjs-viewer viewer_width=0 viewer_height=800 url=http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/Editorial.pdf download=true print=true fullscreen=true fullscreen_target=false fullscreen_text=\\\"View%20Fullscreen\\\" zoom=auto ]<\\/div>\\n<hr>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:heading {\\\"level\\\":3} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<h3><span style=\\\"font-size: 18pt;\\\">Articles<\\/span><\\/h3>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/Unwanted-Sexual-Advances-and-Sex-Discrimination_Sexual-Harassment-in-light-of-the-Safe-Spaces-Act-of-2019_R.A.-11313_Alyssa-Gomez.pdf\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">Unwanted Sexual Advances and Sex Discrimination: Sexual Harassment in light of the Safe Spaces Act of 2019 (R.A. 11313)<\\/a><\\/span><br><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong><em>By: Alyssa Gomez<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/journal-volume-64\\/\\\">R<\\/a><a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/drive.google.com\\/file\\/d\\/1rVTCBx0aIS1kI4Qk4jNSbnFX2hK-VFir\\/view?usp=sharing\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">egulating War: A Systematic Approach on the Different Measures and Instruments to Implement the International Humanitarian Law<\\/a><\\/span><br><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong><em>By: Atty. Kenneth James Carlo C. Hizon<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/drive.google.com\\/file\\/d\\/1-WScrAt_Fti5qO6qrcz4h9wxk4UddlRG\\/view?usp=sharing\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">Job Contracting Deconstructed: An Analysis of the Labor\\u2019s Right to Security of Tenure and the Global Trend of Job Outsourcing<\\/a><\\/span><br><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong><em>B<\\/em><\\/strong>y: <strong><em>Atty. King James Carlo C. Hizon<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:heading {\\\"level\\\":3} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<h3><span style=\\\"font-size: 18pt;\\\">Features<\\/span><\\/h3>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/A-DEMOCRACY-BY-ANY-OTHER-NAME_RAPHAEL-LORENZO-A.-PANGALANGAN.pdf\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">A Democracy by any Other Name<\\/a><\\/span><br><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong><em>By: Raphael Lorenzo A. Pangalangan<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/ANTI-SUIT-INJUNCTION-IN-INTERNATIONAL-COMMERCIAL-ARBITRATION_A-Critical-Analysis_HON.-RONALD-B.-MORENO-LL.M.-DCL-compressed.pdf\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">Anti-Suit Injunction in International Commercial Arbitration: A Critical Analysis <\\/a><\\/span><br><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong><em>By: Hon. Ronald B. Moreno, LL.M., DCL Associate Justice, Sandiganbayan<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:heading {\\\"level\\\":3} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<h3><span style=\\\"font-size: 18pt;\\\">Comment<\\/span><\\/h3>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/WTOS-DISPUTE-RESOLUTION-IN-MULTILATERAL-TRADING-SYSTEM_INDISPENSABLE-OR-OPTIONAL_MARIELLA-MARASIGAN.pdf\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">WTO\\u2019s Dispute Resolution in Multilateral Trading System: Indispensable or Optional? <\\/a><\\/span><br><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong><em>By: Mariella Marasigan<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:heading {\\\"level\\\":3} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<h3><span style=\\\"font-size: 18pt;\\\">Trends in Jurisprudence<\\/span><\\/h3>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/New-Guidelines-on-Prescription-for-Insurers-as-Subrogees.pdf\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">New Guidelines on Prescription for Insurers as Subrogees<\\/a><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed {\\\"imageURL\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/Editorial.pdf\\\",\\\"imgID\\\":881,\\\"imgTitle\\\":\\\"Editorial\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<div> <\\/div>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed --><\\/span><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]},\"typography_font_size\":{\"unit\":\"px\",\"size\":12,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(4407,1381,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(4409,1382,'_elementor_template_type','wp-page'),(4410,1382,'_elementor_version','3.2.4'),(4411,1382,'_wp_page_template','default'),(4412,1382,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"4de51cd9\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"76ec2c3\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"fdaff1a\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<div> [pdfjs-viewer viewer_width=0 viewer_height=800 url=http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/Editorial.pdf download=true print=true fullscreen=true fullscreen_target=false fullscreen_text=\\\"View%20Fullscreen\\\" zoom=auto ]<\\/div>\\n<hr>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:heading {\\\"level\\\":3} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<h3><span style=\\\"font-size: 18pt;\\\">Articles<\\/span><\\/h3>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/Unwanted-Sexual-Advances-and-Sex-Discrimination_Sexual-Harassment-in-light-of-the-Safe-Spaces-Act-of-2019_R.A.-11313_Alyssa-Gomez.pdf\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">Unwanted Sexual Advances and Sex Discrimination: Sexual Harassment in light of the Safe Spaces Act of 2019 (R.A. 11313)<\\/a><\\/span><br><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong><em>By: Alyssa Gomez<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/journal-volume-64\\/\\\">R<\\/a><a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/drive.google.com\\/file\\/d\\/1rVTCBx0aIS1kI4Qk4jNSbnFX2hK-VFir\\/view?usp=sharing\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">egulating War: A Systematic Approach on the Different Measures and Instruments to Implement the International Humanitarian Law<\\/a><\\/span><br><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong><em>By: Atty. Kenneth James Carlo C. Hizon<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/drive.google.com\\/file\\/d\\/1-WScrAt_Fti5qO6qrcz4h9wxk4UddlRG\\/view?usp=sharing\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">Job Contracting Deconstructed: An Analysis of the Labor\\u2019s Right to Security of Tenure and the Global Trend of Job Outsourcing<\\/a><\\/span><br><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong><em>B<\\/em><\\/strong>y: <strong><em>Atty. King James Carlo C. Hizon<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:heading {\\\"level\\\":3} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<h3><span style=\\\"font-size: 18pt;\\\">Features<\\/span><\\/h3>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/A-DEMOCRACY-BY-ANY-OTHER-NAME_RAPHAEL-LORENZO-A.-PANGALANGAN.pdf\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">A Democracy by any Other Name<\\/a><\\/span><br><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong><em>By: Raphael Lorenzo A. Pangalangan<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/ANTI-SUIT-INJUNCTION-IN-INTERNATIONAL-COMMERCIAL-ARBITRATION_A-Critical-Analysis_HON.-RONALD-B.-MORENO-LL.M.-DCL-compressed.pdf\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">Anti-Suit Injunction in International Commercial Arbitration: A Critical Analysis <\\/a><\\/span><br><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong><em>By: Hon. Ronald B. Moreno, LL.M., DCL Associate Justice, Sandiganbayan<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:heading {\\\"level\\\":3} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<h3><span style=\\\"font-size: 18pt;\\\">Comment<\\/span><\\/h3>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/WTOS-DISPUTE-RESOLUTION-IN-MULTILATERAL-TRADING-SYSTEM_INDISPENSABLE-OR-OPTIONAL_MARIELLA-MARASIGAN.pdf\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">WTO\\u2019s Dispute Resolution in Multilateral Trading System: Indispensable or Optional? <\\/a><\\/span><br><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><strong><em>By: Mariella Marasigan<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:heading {\\\"level\\\":3} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<h3><span style=\\\"font-size: 18pt;\\\">Trends in Jurisprudence<\\/span><\\/h3>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/New-Guidelines-on-Prescription-for-Insurers-as-Subrogees.pdf\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">New Guidelines on Prescription for Insurers as Subrogees<\\/a><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed {\\\"imageURL\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/Editorial.pdf\\\",\\\"imgID\\\":881,\\\"imgTitle\\\":\\\"Editorial\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<div> <\\/div>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed --><\\/span><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]},\"typography_font_size\":{\"unit\":\"px\",\"size\":12,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(4413,1382,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(4415,1383,'_elementor_template_type','wp-page'),(4416,1383,'_elementor_version','3.2.4'),(4417,1383,'_wp_page_template','default'),(4418,1383,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"4de51cd9\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"76ec2c3\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"fdaff1a\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<div><span style=\\\"color: #000000;\\\">\\u00a0[pdfjs-viewer viewer_width=0 viewer_height=800 url=http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/Editorial.pdf download=true print=true fullscreen=true fullscreen_target=false fullscreen_text=\\\"View%20Fullscreen\\\" zoom=auto ]<\\/span><\\/div>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:heading {\\\"level\\\":3} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<h3><span style=\\\"font-size: 18pt; color: #000000;\\\">Articles<\\/span><\\/h3>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><a style=\\\"color: #000000;\\\" href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/Unwanted-Sexual-Advances-and-Sex-Discrimination_Sexual-Harassment-in-light-of-the-Safe-Spaces-Act-of-2019_R.A.-11313_Alyssa-Gomez.pdf\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">Unwanted Sexual Advances and Sex Discrimination: Sexual Harassment in light of the Safe Spaces Act of 2019 (R.A. 11313)<\\/a><\\/span><br \\/><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><strong><em>By: Alyssa Gomez<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><a style=\\\"color: #000000;\\\" href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/journal-volume-64\\/\\\">R<\\/a><a style=\\\"color: #000000;\\\" href=\\\"https:\\/\\/drive.google.com\\/file\\/d\\/1rVTCBx0aIS1kI4Qk4jNSbnFX2hK-VFir\\/view?usp=sharing\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">egulating War: A Systematic Approach on the Different Measures and Instruments to Implement the International Humanitarian Law<\\/a><\\/span><br \\/><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><strong><em>By: Atty. Kenneth James Carlo C. Hizon<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><a style=\\\"color: #000000;\\\" href=\\\"https:\\/\\/drive.google.com\\/file\\/d\\/1-WScrAt_Fti5qO6qrcz4h9wxk4UddlRG\\/view?usp=sharing\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">Job Contracting Deconstructed: An Analysis of the Labor\\u2019s Right to Security of Tenure and the Global Trend of Job Outsourcing<\\/a><\\/span><br \\/><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><strong><em>B<\\/em><\\/strong>y: <strong><em>Atty. King James Carlo C. Hizon<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:heading {\\\"level\\\":3} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<h3><span style=\\\"font-size: 18pt; color: #000000;\\\">Features<\\/span><\\/h3>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><a style=\\\"color: #000000;\\\" href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/A-DEMOCRACY-BY-ANY-OTHER-NAME_RAPHAEL-LORENZO-A.-PANGALANGAN.pdf\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">A Democracy by any Other Name<\\/a><\\/span><br \\/><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><strong><em>By: Raphael Lorenzo A. Pangalangan<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><a style=\\\"color: #000000;\\\" href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/ANTI-SUIT-INJUNCTION-IN-INTERNATIONAL-COMMERCIAL-ARBITRATION_A-Critical-Analysis_HON.-RONALD-B.-MORENO-LL.M.-DCL-compressed.pdf\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">Anti-Suit Injunction in International Commercial Arbitration: A Critical Analysis <\\/a><\\/span><br \\/><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><strong><em>By: Hon. Ronald B. Moreno, LL.M., DCL Associate Justice, Sandiganbayan<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:heading {\\\"level\\\":3} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<h3><span style=\\\"font-size: 18pt; color: #000000;\\\">Comment<\\/span><\\/h3>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><a style=\\\"color: #000000;\\\" href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/WTOS-DISPUTE-RESOLUTION-IN-MULTILATERAL-TRADING-SYSTEM_INDISPENSABLE-OR-OPTIONAL_MARIELLA-MARASIGAN.pdf\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">WTO\\u2019s Dispute Resolution in Multilateral Trading System: Indispensable or Optional? <\\/a><\\/span><br \\/><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><strong><em>By: Mariella Marasigan<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:heading {\\\"level\\\":3} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<h3><span style=\\\"font-size: 18pt; color: #000000;\\\">Trends in Jurisprudence<\\/span><\\/h3>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><a style=\\\"color: #000000;\\\" href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/New-Guidelines-on-Prescription-for-Insurers-as-Subrogees.pdf\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">New Guidelines on Prescription for Insurers as Subrogees<\\/a><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed {\\\"imageURL\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/Editorial.pdf\\\",\\\"imgID\\\":881,\\\"imgTitle\\\":\\\"Editorial\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<div>\\u00a0<\\/div>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed --><\\/span><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]},\"typography_font_size\":{\"unit\":\"px\",\"size\":12,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(4419,1383,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(4422,1384,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(4423,1384,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(4424,1384,'_elementor_version','3.2.4'),(4425,1384,'_wp_page_template','default'),(4426,1384,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"6e15c706\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"25c228e7\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"21b7e2be\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<h1><span style=\\\"font-size: 24pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">People of the Philippines v. Juvy D. Amarela and Junard G. Racho: Applying the Maria Clara Doctrine in the 21st Century<\\/span><\\/h1>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p>\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><em>By: Ristel Mae B. Tagudando<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\"><sup><strong><sup>[1]<\\/sup><\\/strong><\\/sup><\\/a><\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><strong><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">I. THE WOMEN\\u2019S HONOR DOCTRINE<\\/span><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Maria Clara Doctrine or the Women\\u2019s Honor Doctrine became part of Philippine jurisprudence in the 1960 case of <em>People v. Ta\\u00f1o<\\/em>.<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\"><sup>[2]<\\/sup><\\/a> Based on Maria Clara\'s character from Jose Rizal\'s <em>Noli Me Tangere<\\/em>, the doctrine provides the presumption that \\\"women, especially Filipinos, would not admit that they have been abused unless that abuse had happened\\\".<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\"><sup>[3]<\\/sup><\\/a> This doctrine implies that the testimony of the alleged victim by itself may be sufficient to sustain a conviction.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><strong><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">II. SUMMARY OF THE CASE<\\/span><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In <em>People v. Amarela, <\\/em>the plaintiff,AAA, was watching a beauty contest with her aunt when she went to the restroom to urinate. However, she was not able to reach the comfort room because Amarela stopped her along the way.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 According to AAA, Amarela suddenly pulled her towards the daycare center and punched her in the abdomen, making her weak. Thereafter, Amarela undressed and put his penis inside AAA\\u2019s vagina. Three (3) men came to AAA\\u2019s rescue when she shouted for help, forcing Amarela to run away. However, she was brought to a hut by these persons, having bad intentions with her. Hence, she fled and ended up in the house of Godo Dumandan, who brought her first to the Racho residence because Dumandan thought her aunt was not at home. Dumandan stayed behind; that is why Racho was asked to bring AAA to her aunt\'s house instead. However, instead, she was brought to a shanty. She was told to lie down, but she refused. Racho boxed her abdomen and placed himself on top of AAA. Racho then inserted his penis into AAA\'s vagina. Thereafter, Racho left her. Thus, AAA went home alone and decided to leave home the following day. \\u00a0Eventually, AAA told her mother about what happened to her and reported the matter to the police.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Regional Trial Court (RTC) rendered a decision finding the appellants guilty beyond reasonable doubt of the crime of rape as the plaintiff\\u2019s testimony positively identifying both appellants was clear, positive, and straightforward.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In appeal before the Court of Appeals (CA), the appellants argued that several circumstances cast doubt on the victim\'s claim that she was raped. They alleged that her testimony does not conform to shared knowledge and ordinary human experience. Moreover, they pointed out that, although there were other witnesses, \\u00a0the only material testimony on record was that of the victim . However, the appellate court affirmed the trial court\'s decision as it found no reason to reverse the factual findings of the court <em>a quo<\\/em>.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 For the Supreme Court (SC), it had no reason to deviate from the well-entrenched rule that in matters of credibility of witnesses, the assessment made by the trial court should be respected and given weight.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Supreme Court reversed the judgment of conviction. First, AAA\'s version of the story in her affidavit-complaint differs materially from her testimony in court. Second, AAA could not have easily identified Amarela because the crime scene was dark; she only saw him for the first time. Third, her testimony lacks material details on how she was brought under the stage against her will. Lastly, the medical findings do not corroborate physical injuries and are inconclusive of any signs of forced entry.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><strong>III. WEIGHING OF THE VICTIM\\u2019S TESTIMONY<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Supreme Court has long accorded the evaluations of testimonial evidence by trial courts great respect. One can expect that said determination is based on reasonable discretion as to opting for which testimony is acceptable and which witness is worthy of belief. However, although the factual findings of the trial court are given weight by the Court\\u2014most especially when affirmed by the appellate court\\u2014such rule is not absolute as, for instance, when some facts or circumstances of weight and substance have been overlooked, misapprehended, and misinterpreted.<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\"><sup>[4]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Presently, the Court follows specific guidelines when presented with the credibility of witnesses, to wit:\\u00a0 giving the highest respect to the RTC\'s evaluation of the testimony of the witnesses, considering its unique position in directly observing the demeanor of a witness on the stand.\\u00a0 Second, absent any substantial reason that would justify the reversal of the RTC\'s assessments and conclusions. The reviewing court is generally bound by the lower court\'s findings, particularly when no significant facts and circumstances affecting the case\'s outcome are shown to have been overlooked or disregarded. Lastly, such a rule is even more stringently applied if the CA concurred with the RTC. <a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\"><sup>[5]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Applying the Maria Clara doctrine or the Women\\u2019s Honor doctrine\\u2014which often leads to cases being adjudged solely on the basis of the credibility of the victim \\u2013 does not only put the accused at an unfair disadvantage but also results in a travesty of justice. It is not impossible for an assumed victim to merely fabricate stories of her abuse.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In the past, one can say that it is natural for a woman to be reluctant to disclose a sexual assault. This stereotype cannot be applied anymore as women have transformed over the years and have become more willing to speak up and fight for their rights . There is a need to veer away from such a notion and accept the realities of a woman\'s dynamic role in society today.<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\">[6]<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Leaving the aforementioned doctrine\\u2013 given that the findings through evidence presented do not match the victim\'s testimony \\u2013 in the past is crucial because an accused must only be convicted solely on the testimony of the victim, provided of course, that the testimony is credible, natural, convincing, and consistent with human nature and the normal course of things. <a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\"><sup>[7]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Furthermore, this rule was clarified in the recent case of <em>People v. ZZZ<\\/em>. The \\u00a0Supreme Court relied on the victim\'s testimony because the latter readily recognized and pointed to her violator.\\u00a0 Unlike in <em>People v. Amarela, <\\/em>the victim recounted the harrowing nights that tormented her for six years of living with the perpetrator, and the medico-legal examination corroborated the latter\'s testimony. Hence, the SC found no compelling motive for the victim to lie. Furthermore, that after all, \\u201cno person, especially one of tender age, would ordinarily cry \\\"rape\\\" and subject oneself to the consequent rigors and embarrassments of medical examination and public trial, if not for the quest for rightful justice.<a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\">[8]<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><strong>IV. ERADICATING STEREOTYPES<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Supreme Court\\u2019s recent consideration and clarification as to the application of the Maria Clara doctrine in <em>People v. Amarela<\\/em> would not only prevent corruption of justice on the part of the accused but eradicate gender bias\\u00a0 and misconceptions in the society as well \\u2013 especially on the part of women.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The old constructed perception of women anchored in the apparent attributes of Maria Clara \\u2013 a pure soul, \\u00a0modest, self-effacing, long-suffering<a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\">[9]<\\/a> \\u2013 can no longer be applied absolutely today. Gone are the days when in cases of abuse, for a woman to be credible, she must be like Maria Clara; and when she does not fit the mold, there is a propensity of discrediting her as a witness, as exemplified in <em>Tionloc<\\/em><a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\">[10]<\\/a>:<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 It would be unfair to convict a man of rape committed against a woman who, after giving him the impression through her unexplainable silence of her tacit consent and allowing him to have sexual contact with her, changed her mind in the middle and charged him with rape.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 According to some women\'s rights groups, the Court\'s decision would open the floodgates to more incidents of rape, as this may embolden perpetrators to \\\"abuse more women\\\" confident that \\\"courts will most likely dismiss rape cases. <a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\"><sup>[11]<\\/sup><\\/a> The limitation of this ruling is already established in the ruling in the 2020 case of <em>People v. ZZZ<\\/em>, wherein the Court still weighed the victim\'s testimony based on factors such as her age, her recognition of the accused in open court, and other corroborative evidence.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Rather than completely disregarding a \\u00a0victim\\u2019s testimony, courts should distill it by doing away with outdated notions and stereotypes based purely on gender.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">[1]<\\/a> UST Faculty of Civil Law, 2G, UST Law Review Understudy<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a> Citing <em>People v. Ta\\u00f1o, <\\/em>109 Phil. 912(1960)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a> \\\"Maria Clara Doctrine in Rape Cases Revisited\\\". Buban and Lardizabal Law Offices. June 8, 2018.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[4]<\\/a> (People v. Amarela, 2018)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[5]<\\/a> (People v. Amarela, 2018)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[6]<\\/a> People v. Amarela, 2018<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\">[7]<\\/a> People v. Zamoraga, 568 Phil. 132, 140 (2008); People v. Achas, 612 Phil. 652, 662 (2009); People v. Banig, 693 Phil. 303, 312 (2012); People v. Gahi, 727 Phil. 642, 657 (2014); People v. Pitala, G.R. No. 223561, 19 October 2016.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\">[8]<\\/a> (People v. ZZZ, 2020)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\">[9]<\\/a>Pons, J. S. (n.d.). Construction and deconstruction of Maria Clara: History of an imagined care-oriented model of gender in the Philippines. Academia.edu. https:\\/\\/www.academia.edu\\/24937445\\/Construction_and_deconstruction_of_Maria_Clara_History_of_an_imagined_care_oriented_model_of_gender_in_the_Philippines.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\">[10]<\\/a> 63 ATENEO L.J. 317 (2018)\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\">[11]<\\/a> (The Philippine Star, 2018)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">Cover Photo: Painting by Juan Luna- La Bulaque\\u00f1a, 1985 and Puesta Del Sol, 1880\'s.\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]},\"typography_font_size\":{\"unit\":\"px\",\"size\":18,\"sizes\":[]},\"text_shadow_text_shadow_type\":\"yes\",\"text_shadow_text_shadow\":{\"horizontal\":0,\"vertical\":0,\"blur\":0,\"color\":\"rgba(0,0,0,0.3)\"}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(4427,1384,'_thumbnail_id','1315'),(4428,1384,'_elementor_controls_usage','a:3:{s:11:\"text-editor\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:2;s:8:\"controls\";a:2:{s:7:\"content\";a:1:{s:14:\"section_editor\";a:1:{s:6:\"editor\";i:1;}}s:5:\"style\";a:1:{s:13:\"section_style\";a:5:{s:21:\"typography_typography\";i:1;s:22:\"typography_line_height\";i:1;s:20:\"typography_font_size\";i:1;s:28:\"text_shadow_text_shadow_type\";i:1;s:23:\"text_shadow_text_shadow\";i:1;}}}}s:6:\"column\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:0;s:8:\"controls\";a:0:{}}s:7:\"section\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:0;s:8:\"controls\";a:0:{}}}'),(4448,1314,'ss_ss_click_share_count_facebook','6'),(4449,1314,'ss_total_share_count','0'),(4452,1314,'ss_ss_click_share_count_copy','2'),(4453,1385,'_edit_lock','1625713241:1'),(4456,1385,'_pingme','1'),(4457,1385,'_encloseme','1'),(4459,1385,'_edit_last','1'),(4460,1385,'wptr_hide_title','1'),(4461,1385,'ss_social_share_disable',''),(4462,1385,'_yoast_wpseo_primary_category','9'),(4463,1385,'_yoast_wpseo_content_score','30'),(4464,1385,'_yoast_wpseo_estimated-reading-time-minutes','15'),(4465,1385,'_yoast_wpseo_focuskw','Quo Warranto'),(4466,1385,'_yoast_wpseo_metadesc','On May 11, 2018, the Supreme Court of the Philippines, in one fell swoop, ousted its own Chief Justice. The decision in Republic v. Sereno took the Office of Solicitor General’s (OSG) position that even impeachable officials can be removed from office via a quo warranto petition. The decision discarded the traditional concept of removing impeachable officials from office only through impeachment proceedings. Sereno’s removal even prompted Associate Justice Marvic M. V. F. Leonen to call it a “legal abomination.”'),(4467,1385,'_yoast_wpseo_linkdex','43'),(4468,1385,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(4469,1385,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(4470,1385,'_elementor_version','3.2.5'),(4472,1388,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(4473,1388,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(4474,1388,'_elementor_version','3.2.5'),(4476,1389,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(4477,1389,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(4478,1389,'_elementor_version','3.2.5'),(4479,1385,'_wp_page_template','default'),(4480,1385,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"2cdfbf39\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"2c640098\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"4b2e55e0\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><!-- wp:heading --><\\/p>\\n<h1><strong><em>Republic v. Sereno<\\/em><\\/strong><strong> and its Aftermath: The Politicization of <em>Quo Warranto<\\/em> Petitions<\\/strong><\\/h1>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><em>By: Bryan Jay L. Santos<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\"><sup><strong><sup>[1]<\\/sup><\\/strong><\\/sup><\\/a><\\/em><\\/p>\\n<p><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>I. INTRODUCTION<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<blockquote>\\n<p><em>Despite our most solid belief that we are right, we should still have the humility<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><em>to be open to the possibility that others may not see it our way.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><em>- Supreme Court Associate Justice Marvic M. V. F. Leonen<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><em>in his Dissenting Opinion in Republic v. Sereno<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<\\/blockquote>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> On May 11, 2018, the Supreme Court of the Philippines, in one fell swoop, ousted its own Chief Justice. The decision in <em>Republic v. Sereno<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\"><sup><strong><sup>[2]<\\/sup><\\/strong><\\/sup><\\/a><\\/em> took the Office of Solicitor General\\u2019s (OSG) position that even impeachable officials can be removed from office via a <em>quo warranto<\\/em> petition. The decision discarded the traditional concept of removing impeachable officials from office only through impeachment proceedings. Sereno\\u2019s removal even prompted Associate Justice Marvic M. V. F. Leonen to call it a \\u201clegal abomination.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\"><sup>[3]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> But by and large, the <em>Sereno<\\/em> decision, aptly described as <em>sui generis<\\/em> or \\u201cin a class by itself,\\u201d has set a legal precedent for cases based on <em>quo warranto <\\/em>petitions by the OSG. The decision has engendered fears that the OSG has found a way to silence those in the government service who espouse views that are contrary to the current administration\\u2019s position.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>II. DIFFERENTIATING IMPEACHMENTFROM <em>QUO WARRANTO<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> The Court explained in<em> Sereno<\\/em> that \\u201cat its most basic, impeachment proceedings are political in nature, while an action for <em>quo warranto<\\/em> is judicial or a proceeding traditionally lodged in courts.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\"><sup>[4]<\\/sup><\\/a> Section 2, Article XI of the 1987 Constitution specifies the grounds for impeachment and those officials that may be impeached:<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><em> Section 2. The President, the Vice-President, the Members of the Supreme Court, the Members of the Constitutional Commissions, and the Ombudsman may be removed from office on impeachment for, and conviction of, culpable violation of the Constitution, treason, bribery, graft and corruption, other high crimes, or betrayal of public trust. All other public officers and employees may be removed from office as provided by law, but not by impeachment.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong> <\\/strong> The Court points out that impeachment is \\u201cessentially a political process meant to vindicate the violation of the public\\u2019s trust.\\u201d The Constitution vests in the House of Representatives the power to initiate all cases of impeachment. Meanwhile, it vests in the Senate the power to try and decide all the cases.<a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\"><sup>[5]<\\/sup><\\/a> Any member of the House of Representatives or any citizen with an endorsement of any member of the House of Representatives may file an impeachment complaint.<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\">[6]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> Meanwhile, Rule 66 of the Rules of Court defines a <em>quo warranto<\\/em> petition as:<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><em> Section 1. Action by Government against individuals. \\u2014 An action for the usurpation of a public office, position or franchise may be commenced by a verified petition brought in the name of the Republic of the Philippines against:<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><em>(a) A person who usurps, intrudes into, or unlawfully holds or exercises a public office, position or franchise;<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><em>(b) A public officer who does or suffers an act which, by the provision of law, constitutes a ground for the forfeiture of his office; or<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><em>(c) An association which acts as a corporation within the Philippines without being legally incorporated or without lawful authority so to act.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> This rule allows the Solicitor General to commence the action before the Regional Trial Court (RTC) of Manila, the Court of Appeals (CA), or even the Supreme Court (Court). Procedural law shows that a <em>quo warranto<\\/em> petition proceeds independently from an impeachment case, even if the two may result in the same outcome: the removal of an impeachable official.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>III. HOW THE SUPREME COURT RULED IN <em>SERENO<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> In <em>Sereno,<\\/em> the Court tackled the OSG\\u2019s petition for being a matter of transcendental importance, which is an exception to the doctrine of hierarchy of courts.<a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\"><sup>[7]<\\/sup><\\/a> The Court ruled that the one-year prescription on <em>quo warranto<\\/em> cases applies only to private citizens and not to the State. The Court took the OSG\\u2019s position that the State has an imprescriptible right to bring a <em>quo warranto<\\/em> petition under the Latin maxim \\u201c<em>nullum tempus occurit regi<\\/em>.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\">[8]<\\/a> As applied in <em>Sereno<\\/em>, this maxim shows that when the State, through the Solicitor General, files a case on behalf of the people or when the matter involves the interest of the general public, the lapse of time constitutes no bar to the proceeding.<a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\">[9]<\\/a> Thus, prescription or laches will not be a defense when the government is the real party in interest. The Court found that Sereno had consistently failed to file her Statements of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN) for her years of service in the government, particularly during the period she was affiliated with the University of the Philippines. The Court held in no uncertain terms that the SALN requirement is mandatory.<a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\"><sup>[10]<\\/sup><\\/a> It ruled that her failure to file her SALNs reflected on her lack of integrity: a continuing qualification for a member of the Judiciary.<a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\"><sup>[11]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> Sereno\\u2019s inconsistent filing of her SALNs as a professor at the University of the Philippines disqualified her at the outset for the position of Chief Justice in 2012. The Judicial and Bar Council (JBC), which screens and recommends applicants to posts in the Judiciary,<a href=\\\"#_ftn12\\\"><sup>[12]<\\/sup><\\/a> required the then applicants to submit their past ten (10) SALNs, specifically for 2001 to 2011. Despite this rule, the Court found it bizarre for the JBC to have accepted Sereno\\u2019s submission of only three (3) SALNs and her justification-explanation letter indicating that her other SALNS were \\u201cinfeasible to retrieve.\\u201d The OSG disputed this by presenting some of Sereno\\u2019s \\u201cmissing\\u201d SALNs.<a href=\\\"#_ftn13\\\"><sup>[13]<\\/sup><\\/a> As ruled by the Court, Sereno\\u2019s blatant disregard of the JBC rule on SALN submission manifested her lack of integrity. She violated not only the JBC rules but also the law and the Constitution.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> Sereno\\u2019s defense consistently relied on the \\u201c<em>Doblada<\\/em> doctrine,\\u201d which pertains to the Court\\u2019s decision in <em>Concerned Taxpayer v. Doblada, Jr.<a href=\\\"#_ftn14\\\"><strong>[14]<\\/strong><\\/a> <\\/em>In this case, Norberto Doblada, a court sheriff, was accused of failing to file his SALNs for 18 years based on the investigation of the Office of the Court Administrator (OCA). However, Doblada presented evidence<a href=\\\"#_ftn15\\\">[15]<\\/a> that he had filed one of the SALNs that he allegedly failed to file. The Court held in this case that \\u201cone cannot readily conclude that respondent failed to file his sworn [SALNs] \\u2026 simply because these documents are missing[.]\\u201d Sereno thus passed the buck to the OSG to show that she did not file her SALNs in the contested years and not just rely on their finding that the SALNs were simply no longer on file in the relevant offices.<a href=\\\"#_ftn16\\\">[16]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> The Court found that the <em>Doblada <\\/em>case is not on all fours with the circumstances surrounding Sereno\\u2019s alleged non-filing of her SALNs. The Court highlighted the fact that based on the evidence presented, \\u201cthe existence of [the] SALNs and the <em>fact of filing <\\/em>thereof were neither established by direct proof constituting substantial evidence nor by mere inference.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn17\\\">[17]<\\/a> Moreover, the Court found in <em>Doblada <\\/em>that there was no categorical statement from the OCA, the repository agency for the SALNs of employees of the Judiciary, that the contested SALNs were not on file. This was not the same circumstance in Sereno\\u2019s case. The Office of the Ombudsman, the repository agency of Sereno\\u2019s SALNs, categorically stated that Sereno has no SALNs filed for the contested years. Thus, the Ombudsman\\u2019s categorical statement and Sereno\\u2019s inability to show proof of her filing said SALNs conclusively established that she did not file them.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> Finally, that former President Benigno Simeon Aquino III eventually appointed Sereno as Chief Justice did not cure her ineligibility and lack of integrity. In <em>Maquiling v. COMELEC,<\\/em><a href=\\\"#_ftn18\\\"><sup>[18]<\\/sup><\\/a>the Court ruled that qualifications for public office must be possessed at the time of appointment and assumption to office and during the officer\\u2019s entire tenure as a continuing requirement. Hence, the Court found Sereno to have unlawfully held the position of, and exercised the powers vested in, the Chief Justice. <\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>III. <em>QUO WARRANTO<\\/em> PETITIONS POST-<em>SERENO<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> People have expressed fears that a<em> quo warranto<\\/em> petition may be weaponized against any public officer, impeachable or not. After <em>Sereno<\\/em>, some <em>quo warranto<\\/em> petitions have made headlines locally. In 2018, former presidential candidate Elly Pamatong filed such an action against President Rodrigo Duterte. He claimed that President Duterte was not qualified to become President when the latter filed his Certificate of Candidacy (COC) in the 2016 elections because he initially filed his COC for mayor of Davao City.<a href=\\\"#_ftn19\\\"><sup>[19]<\\/sup><\\/a> Solicitor General Jose Calida (SolGen Calida) sought to have the petition dismissed for false allegations because the COMELEC already affirmed Duterte\\u2019s COC as valid and effective.<a href=\\\"#_ftn20\\\"><sup>[20]<\\/sup><\\/a> Interestingly, SolGen Calida said that Pamatong\\u2019s petition \\u201ctrivialized the rules of procedure.\\u201d<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> In February last year, SolGen Calida filed a <em>quo warranto<\\/em> petition against broadcasting network ABS-CBN for unlawfully exercising its franchise by broadcasting for a fee and allowing foreign investors to participate in the network\\u2019s ownership.<a href=\\\"#_ftn21\\\"><sup>[21]<\\/sup><\\/a> The House of Representatives went on recess in March 2020 without tackling ABS-CBN\\u2019s franchise application, and on May 4, the franchise expired. The following day, the network went off the air. On June 23, the Court dismissed the <em>quo <\\/em>warranto petition for being moot, following the expiration of the network\\u2019s franchise.<a href=\\\"#_ftn22\\\"><sup>[22]<\\/sup><\\/a> In July, the House Committee on Legislative Franchises denied the franchise renewal of ABS-CBN.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> The latest OSG-initiated quo warranto petition was against incumbent Associate Justice Leonen. Last year, some individuals attempted to retrieve Justice Leonen\\u2019s SALNs from the Office of the Ombudsman and found that some of his SALNs were not on file. Manila Times columnist Rigoberto Tiglao wrote that he had previously requested for copies of Leonen\\u2019s SALNs from the Office of the Ombudsman. The Office of the Ombudsman replied to his request and stated that Justice Leonen had missing SALNs on file, specifically for the years that he was still working at the University of the Philippines.<a href=\\\"#_ftn23\\\">[23]<\\/a> However, the Office of the Court Administrator rebuffed his similar request and noted that such documents are considered privileged communication. Lawyer Larry Gadon also sought to have copies of Leonen\\u2019s copies, but the Court firmly rejected his request.<a href=\\\"#_ftn24\\\">[24]<\\/a> To recall, Gadon filed an impeachment complaint against Sereno in 2017 and assisted in the filing of the impeachment complaint against Justice Leonen last year.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> The alleged non-filing of SALNs is reminiscent of the same ground which caused the ouster of Sereno. Making a case out of this, the OSG appealed to the Court to release the SALNs of Justice Leonen in preparation for a possible <em>quo warranto<\\/em> proceeding against him.<a href=\\\"#_ftn25\\\"><sup>[25]<\\/sup><\\/a> However, the Court rebuffed the OSG\\u2019s unrelenting pursuit of Justice Leonen\\u2019s SALNs and reiterated the procedures for entertaining any request for copies of SALNs and personal data sheets of Supreme Court Justices and officers and employees of the Judiciary.<a href=\\\"#_ftn26\\\">[26]<\\/a> The OSG\\u2019s request met a similar fate in the hands of the Board of Regents of the University of the Philippines (UP-BOR). In the Minutes of the UP-BOR Meeting,<a href=\\\"#_ftn27\\\">[27]<\\/a> the Board of Regents deliberated on the OSG\\u2019s requests for copies of Justice Leonen\\u2019s SALNs from the University of the Philippines. It decided not to grant these requests in light of the Court\\u2019s earlier denial of the same requests from the OSG and pending legal advice.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> Certain quarters in the political arena forayed once again in filing an impeachment complaint, this time against Justice Leonen, seeking refuge in the landmark <em>Sereno<\\/em> ruling that the non-filing of SALNs reflects on a public official\\u2019s integrity. Promptly, private citizen Edwin Cordevilla filed an impeachment complaint against Justice Leonen on December 7, 2020. Ilocos Norte Rep. Angelo Marcos Barba, the cousin of defeated Vice-Presidential candidate Ferdinand \\u201cBongbong\\u201d Marcos, Jr., promptly endorsed the complaint. The Speaker of the House of Representatives eventually calendared the impeachment complaint and later on referred the same before the Committee on Justice of the House of Representatives per House Rules. Based on the minutes of the meeting held on May 27, 2021,<a href=\\\"#_ftn28\\\">[28]<\\/a> the Committee on Justice, chaired by Leyte Rep. Vicente Veloso III, deliberated on the impeachment complaint, which cited three grounds:<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:list {\\\"ordered\\\":true,\\\"type\\\":\\\"1\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<ol>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\n<ol>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\n<ol>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\n<ol type=\\\"1\\\">\\n<li>The respondent committed culpable violation of the Constitution for failing to dispose of at least 37 cases within 24 months as mandated under Section 15 (1), Article VIII, in relation to Section 16, Article III of the Constitution, which mandates the prompt action and speedy disposition of cases;<\\/li>\\n<li>The respondent arbitrarily delayed the resolution of cases pending before him as chairperson of the House of Representatives Electoral Tribunal (HRET); and<\\/li>\\n<li>The respondent failed to file his Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN) for a total of 15 years while working at the University of the Philippines. <\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> On the same day and in the same meeting, the House Committee on Justice ruled that the impeachment complaint was insufficient in form. The Committee members found that none of the documents annexed to the complaint are authentic or certified true copies, in violation of the impeachment rules of the House. The members also noted that Cordevilla could not show that he has personal knowledge of the facts in his complaint or the acts and omissions that the complaint attributes to Justice Leonen. The members considered as hearsay the allegations supported only by annexed news articles.<a href=\\\"#_ftn29\\\">[29]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>IV. THE SUPREME COURT AND THE THREAT OF <em>QUO WARRANTO<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> Legal precedents bind Supreme Court decisions under the doctrine of <em>stare decisis<\\/em>. <em>Sereno<\\/em> put into the fore the nature of a <em>quo warranto<\\/em> action and laid the doctrine that impeachable officials may be removed from office if they lacked the qualifications required before and during the holding of such office. Many perceive that the OSG is using the petition against personalities that have earned the administration\\u2019s ire.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> It is no secret that President Duterte publicly threatened to block ABS-CBN\\u2019s franchise renewal. While he could not legally do so, his allies in the House of Representatives made sure they carried out his will. Amid House hearings on the franchise renewal, the OSG hedged its bets and filed a <em>quo warranto<\\/em> petition against the network.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> The impeachment complaint against Justice Leonen assails his \\u201clack of integrity for failure to file his SALNs\\u201d and \\u201cnegligence and incompetence for failing to dispose of the cases assigned to him in violation of the Constitution.\\u201d As if on cue, the OSG also sought to access Justice Leonen\\u2019s SALNs for a possible <em>quo warranto<\\/em> proceeding, but to no avail.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> Has the Court inadvertently allowed the OSG to use the <em>quo warranto <\\/em>action to threaten critical or \\u201cunfriendly\\u201d personalities? While the Court resolved <em>Sereno <\\/em>as a legal matter, its ramifications have caused serious effects on local politics.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>To be clear, Court did not start the politicization or weaponization of a <em>quo warranto<\\/em> action. It merely clarified its use as a remedy under procedural law and applied it in <em>Sereno<\\/em>. The Court cannot judge the intention of <em>quo<\\/em> <em>warranto<\\/em> petitioners because it is not a trier of facts. Besides, its judicial independence transcends the changes in the political landscape where the other two co-equal branches reside.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> However, it may be reasonable for the Court to discuss the procedure for filing a <em>quo warranto<\\/em> petition against impeachable officials. It should establish the proper court jurisdiction for such an action, particularly applying the recent clarification on the doctrine of hierarchy of courts in <em>Gios-Samar v. DOTC and CAAP.<\\/em><a href=\\\"#_ftn30\\\"><sup>[30]<\\/sup><\\/a>It may even consider the imposition of penalties for people who trivialize a <em>quo warranto<\\/em> petition to achieve personal or political wins.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> When an opportunity presents itself, the Court must take steps in harmonizing differing interpretations of Section 8 of R.A. No. 6713,<a href=\\\"#_ftn31\\\">[31]<\\/a> commonly referred to as the SALN Law. Because of the precedent-setting <em>Sereno<\\/em> ruling on the relationship between a public official\\u2019s integrity and his (or her) non-filing of SALNs, there may soon be another case filed in courts involving the same or very similar issue. The Court must settle the to preserve the country\\u2019s political structure and restore public trust in the government. Decisive action in favoring the greater good transcends even the most powerful, albeit impermanent, politicians and power players in the country.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> The Court must quash any attempt to seek the perversion of justice through shrewd maneuvers to poke holes into its decisions. It must not venture into any game of semantics and provide our legal system with the correct reading of the law. The Court\\u2019s infallibility resides not in the composition of sitting Justices or the brilliance of its decisions but in the fact that it is the \\u201ccourt of last resort.\\u201d With this in mind, the Court must express its wisdom on this matter before waiting for an actual controversy to avoid making its decision more controversial than the controversy already found therein.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/p>\\n<hr>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">[1]<\\/a>UST Law Review, Staff Member.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a>G.R. No. 237428, May 11, 2018.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a> <em>Id<\\/em>.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[4]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em> at 48.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[5]<\\/a> CONST., art VI, sec 3.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[6]<\\/a> Official Gazette, Impeachment: A Political and Historical Guide, https:\\/\\/www.officialgazette.gov.ph\\/interactive-a-primer-on-impeachment\\/ (last accessed June 4, 2021).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\">[7]<\\/a> <em>The Diocese of Bacolod v. Commission on Elections<\\/em>, G.R. No. 205728, January 21, 2015.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\">[8]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em>, note 2, at 24. This Latin phrase means \\u201cno time runs against the king.\\u201d<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\">[9]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em>, at 76<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\">[10]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em>, at 90-96. <\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\">[11]<\\/a> CONST., art VIII, sec 7(3): <em>A Member of the Judiciary must be a person of proven competence, integrity, probity, and independence.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref12\\\">[12]<\\/a> CONST., art VIII, sec 8(5): <em>The Council shall have the principal function of recommending appointees to the Judiciary. It may exercise such other functions and duties as the Supreme Court may assign to it.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref13\\\">[13]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em>, note 2, at 120.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref14\\\">[14]<\\/a> 498 Phil. 395 (2005).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref15\\\">[15]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em> Based on a letter sent by the Acting Branch Clerk of Court of Branch 155, RTC, Pasig City.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref16\\\">[16]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em>,note 2, at 101.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref17\\\">[17]<\\/a> <em>Id.,<\\/em> at 102.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref18\\\">[18]<\\/a> 709 Phil. 408 (2013).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref19\\\">[19]<\\/a> Tetch Torres-Tupas, Calida asks SC to junk quo warranto case vs Duterte, September 3, 2018, https:\\/\\/newsinfo.inquirer.net\\/ 1027861\\/calida-asks-sc-to-junk-quo-warranto-case-vs-duterte (last accessed February 3, 2021).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref20\\\">[20]<\\/a> Edu Punay, SC asked to junk quo warranto case vs Duterte, September 4, 2018, https:\\/\\/www.philstar.com\\/headlines\\/2018\\/09\\/04\\/1848562\\/sc-asked-junk-quo-warranto-case-vs-duterte (last accessed February 2, 2021).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref21\\\">[21]<\\/a> OSG files petition for quo warranto vs ABS-CBN; asks SC to forfeit legislative franchise, February 10, 2020, https:\\/ \\/pia.gov.ph\\/news\\/articles\\/1034298 (last accessed February 3, 2021).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref22\\\">[22]<\\/a> Rey Panaligan, SC junks quo warranto complaint vs ABS-CBN, June 30, 2020, https:\\/\\/mb.com.ph\\/2020\\/06\\/23\\/sc-junks-quo-warranto-complaint-vs-abs-cbn\\/ (last accessed February 1, 2021).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref23\\\">[23]<\\/a> Rigoberto Tiglao, Leonen failed to file his SALNs like Sereno, but for more years, September 7, 2020, https:\\/\\/www.manilatimes.net\\/2020\\/ 09\\/07\\/opinion\\/columnists\\/topanalysis\\/leonen-failed-to-file-his-salns-like-sereno-but-for-more-years\\/765590 (last accessed June 07, 2021).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref24\\\">[24]<\\/a> Joel San Juan, SC affirms rejection of Gadon request for Leonen\\u2019s SALN, November 3, 2020, https:\\/\\/businessmirror.com.ph\\/2020\\/11\\/03\\/sc-affirms-rejection-of-gadon-request-for-leonens-saln\\/ (last accessed June 07, 2021).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref25\\\">[25]<\\/a> Jomar Canlas, OSG readies quo warranto vs Leonen, November 2, 2020, https:\\/\\/www.manilatimes.net\\/2020\\/11\\/02\\/news\\/ national\\/osg-readies-quo-warranto-vs-leonen\\/790244\\/ (last accessed February 3, 2021).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref26\\\">[26]<\\/a> A.M. No. 09-8-6-SC, June 13, 2012.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref27\\\">[27]<\\/a> The University of the Philippines Gazette, Decisions of the Board of Regents, 1356<sup>th<\\/sup> Meeting, Volume LI Issue Number 7, November 26, 2020, (last accessed June 05, 2021).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref28\\\">[28]<\\/a> House of Representatives, Committee Daily Bulletin, p. 12-13, in Vol. II No. 168, 18<sup>th<\\/sup> Congress, Second Regular Session, (May 27, 2021).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref29\\\">[29]<\\/a> <em>Id<\\/em>., at 13.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref30\\\">[30]<\\/a> G.R. No. 217158, March 12, 2019. Speaking through Justice Jardeleza, the Court <em>En Banc<\\/em> ruled that: \\u201cAccordingly, for the guidance of the bench and the bar, we reiterate that when a question before the Court involves determination of a factual issue indispensable to the resolution of the legal issue, the Court will refuse to resolve the question regardless of the allegation or invocation of compelling reasons, such as the transcendental or paramount importance of the case. Such question must first be brought before the proper trial courts or the CA, both of which are specially equipped to try and resolve factual questions.\\u201d<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref31\\\">[31]<\\/a> An Act Establishing a Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees, to Uphold the Time-Honored Principle of Public Office Being a Public Trust, Granting Incentives and Rewards for Exemplary Service, Enumerating Prohibited Acts and Transactions and Providing Penalties for Violations thereof and for Other Purposes, Republic Act No. 6713, (1989).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]},\"text_shadow_text_shadow_type\":\"yes\",\"text_shadow_text_shadow\":{\"horizontal\":0,\"vertical\":0,\"blur\":0,\"color\":\"rgba(0,0,0,0.3)\"}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(4482,1390,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(4483,1390,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(4484,1390,'_elementor_version','3.2.5'),(4485,1390,'_wp_page_template','default'),(4486,1390,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"2cdfbf39\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"2c640098\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"4b2e55e0\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><!-- wp:heading --><\\/p>\\n<h2><strong><em>REPUBLIC V. SERENO<\\/em><\\/strong><strong> AND ITS AFTERMATH: THE POLITICIZATION OF <em>QUO WARRANTO<\\/em> PETITIONS<\\/strong><\\/h2>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><em>By: Bryan Jay L. Santos<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\"><sup><strong><sup>[1]<\\/sup><\\/strong><\\/sup><\\/a><\\/em><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>I. INTRODUCTION<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<blockquote>\\n<p><em>Despite our most solid belief that we are right, we should still have the humility<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><em>to be open to the possibility that others may not see it our way.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><em>- Supreme Court Associate Justice Marvic M. V. F. Leonen<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><em>in his Dissenting Opinion in Republic v. Sereno<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<\\/blockquote>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 On May 11, 2018, the Supreme Court of the Philippines, in one fell swoop, ousted its own Chief Justice. The decision in <em>Republic v. Sereno<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\"><sup><strong><sup>[2]<\\/sup><\\/strong><\\/sup><\\/a><\\/em> took the Office of Solicitor General\\u2019s (OSG) position that even impeachable officials can be removed from office via a <em>quo warranto<\\/em> petition. The decision discarded the traditional concept of removing impeachable officials from office only through impeachment proceedings. Sereno\\u2019s removal even prompted Associate Justice Marvic M. V. F. Leonen to call it a \\u201clegal abomination.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\"><sup>[3]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 But by and large, the <em>Sereno<\\/em> decision, aptly described as <em>sui generis<\\/em> or \\u201cin a class by itself,\\u201d has set a legal precedent for cases based on <em>quo warranto <\\/em>petitions by the OSG. The decision has engendered fears that the OSG has found a way to silence those in the government service who espouse views that are contrary to the current administration\\u2019s position.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>II. DIFFERENTIATING IMPEACHMENTFROM <em>QUO WARRANTO<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Court explained in<em> Sereno<\\/em> that \\u201cat its most basic, impeachment proceedings are political in nature, while an action for <em>quo warranto<\\/em> is judicial or a proceeding traditionally lodged in courts.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\"><sup>[4]<\\/sup><\\/a> Section 2, Article XI of the 1987 Constitution specifies the grounds for impeachment and those officials that may be impeached:<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><em>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Section 2. The President, the Vice-President, the Members of the Supreme Court, the Members of the Constitutional Commissions, and the Ombudsman may be removed from office on impeachment for, and conviction of, culpable violation of the Constitution, treason, bribery, graft and corruption, other high crimes, or betrayal of public trust. All other public officers and employees may be removed from office as provided by law, but not by impeachment.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>\\u00a0<\\/strong>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Court points out that impeachment is \\u201cessentially a political process meant to vindicate the violation of the public\\u2019s trust.\\u201d The Constitution vests in the House of Representatives the power to initiate all cases of impeachment. Meanwhile, it vests in the Senate the power to try and decide all the cases.<a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\"><sup>[5]<\\/sup><\\/a> Any member of the House of Representatives or any citizen with an endorsement of any member of the House of Representatives may file an impeachment complaint.<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\">[6]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Meanwhile, Rule 66 of the Rules of Court defines a <em>quo warranto<\\/em> petition as:<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><em>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Section 1. Action by Government against individuals. \\u2014 An action for the usurpation of a public office, position or franchise may be commenced by a verified petition brought in the name of the Republic of the Philippines against:<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><em>(a) A person who usurps, intrudes into, or unlawfully holds or exercises a public office, position or franchise;<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><em>(b) A public officer who does or suffers an act which, by the provision of law, constitutes a ground for the forfeiture of his office; or<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><em>(c) An association which acts as a corporation within the Philippines without being legally incorporated or without lawful authority so to act.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 This rule allows the Solicitor General to commence the action before the Regional Trial Court (RTC) of Manila, the Court of Appeals (CA), or even the Supreme Court (Court). Procedural law shows that a <em>quo warranto<\\/em> petition proceeds independently from an impeachment case, even if the two may result in the same outcome: the removal of an impeachable official.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>III. HOW THE SUPREME COURT RULED IN <em>SERENO<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In <em>Sereno,<\\/em> the Court tackled the OSG\\u2019s petition for being a matter of transcendental importance, which is an exception to the doctrine of hierarchy of courts.<a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\"><sup>[7]<\\/sup><\\/a> The Court ruled that the one-year prescription on <em>quo warranto<\\/em> cases applies only to private citizens and not to the State. The Court took the OSG\\u2019s position that the State has an imprescriptible right to bring a <em>quo warranto<\\/em> petition under the Latin maxim \\u201c<em>nullum tempus occurit regi<\\/em>.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\">[8]<\\/a> As applied in <em>Sereno<\\/em>, this maxim shows that when the State, through the Solicitor General, files a case on behalf of the people or when the matter involves the interest of the general public, the lapse of time constitutes no bar to the proceeding.<a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\">[9]<\\/a> Thus, prescription or laches will not be a defense when the government is the real party in interest. \\u00a0The Court found that Sereno had consistently failed to file her Statements of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN) for her years of service in the government, particularly during the period she was affiliated with the University of the Philippines. The Court held in no uncertain terms that the SALN requirement is mandatory.<a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\"><sup>[10]<\\/sup><\\/a> It ruled that her failure to file her SALNs reflected on her lack of integrity: a continuing qualification for a member of the Judiciary.<a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\"><sup>[11]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Sereno\\u2019s inconsistent filing of her SALNs as a professor at the University of the Philippines disqualified her at the outset for the position of Chief Justice in 2012. The Judicial and Bar Council (JBC), which screens and recommends applicants to posts in the Judiciary,<a href=\\\"#_ftn12\\\"><sup>[12]<\\/sup><\\/a> required the then applicants to submit their past ten (10) SALNs, specifically for \\u00a02001 to 2011. Despite this rule, the Court found it bizarre for the JBC to have accepted Sereno\\u2019s submission of only three (3) SALNs and her justification-explanation letter indicating that her other SALNS were \\u201cinfeasible to retrieve.\\u201d The OSG disputed this by presenting some of Sereno\\u2019s \\u201cmissing\\u201d SALNs.<a href=\\\"#_ftn13\\\"><sup>[13]<\\/sup><\\/a> As ruled by the Court, Sereno\\u2019s blatant disregard of the JBC rule on SALN submission manifested her lack of integrity. She violated not only the JBC rules but also the law and the Constitution.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Sereno\\u2019s defense consistently relied on the \\u201c<em>Doblada<\\/em> doctrine,\\u201d which pertains to the Court\\u2019s decision in <em>Concerned Taxypayer v. Doblada, Jr.<a href=\\\"#_ftn14\\\"><strong>[14]<\\/strong><\\/a> <\\/em>In this case, Norberto Doblada, a court sheriff, was accused of failing to file his SALNs for 18 years based on the investigation of the Office of the Court Administrator (OCA). However, Doblada presented evidence<a href=\\\"#_ftn15\\\">[15]<\\/a> that he had filed one of the SALNs that he allegedly failed to file. The Court held in this case that \\u201cone cannot readily conclude that respondent failed to file his sworn [SALNs] \\u2026 simply because these documents are missing[.]\\u201d Sereno thus passed the buck to the OSG to show that she did not file her SALNs in the contested years and not just rely on their finding that the SALNs were simply no longer on file in the relevant offices.<a href=\\\"#_ftn16\\\">[16]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Court found that the <em>Doblada <\\/em>case is not on all fours with the circumstances surrounding Sereno\\u2019s alleged non-filing of her SALNs. The Court highlighted the fact that based on the evidence presented, \\u201cthe existence of [the] SALNs and the <em>fact of filing <\\/em>thereof were neither established by direct proof constituting substantial evidence nor by mere inference.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn17\\\">[17]<\\/a> Moreover, the Court found in <em>Doblada <\\/em>that there was no categorical statement from the OCA, the repository agency for the SALNs of employees of the Judiciary, that the contested SALNs were not on file. This was not the same circumstance in Sereno\\u2019s case. The Office of the Ombudsman, the repository agency of Sereno\\u2019s SALNs, categorically stated that Sereno has no SALNs filed for the contested years. Thus, the Ombudsman\\u2019s categorical statement and Sereno\\u2019s inability to show proof of her filing said SALNs conclusively established that she did not file them.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Finally, that former President Benigno Simeon Aquino III eventually appointed Sereno as Chief Justice did not cure her ineligibility and lack of integrity. In <em>Maquiling v. COMELEC,<\\/em><a href=\\\"#_ftn18\\\"><sup>[18]<\\/sup><\\/a>the Court ruled that qualifications for public office must be possessed at the time of appointment and assumption to office and during the officer\\u2019s entire tenure as a continuing requirement. Hence, the Court found Sereno to have unlawfully held the position of, and exercised the powers vested in, the Chief Justice.\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>III. <em>QUO WARRANTO<\\/em> PETITIONS POST-<em>SERENO<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 People have expressed fears that a<em> quo warranto<\\/em> petition may be weaponized against any public officer, impeachable or not. After <em>Sereno<\\/em>, some <em>quo warranto<\\/em> petitions have made headlines locally. In 2018, former presidential candidate Elly Pamatong filed such an action against President Rodrigo Duterte. He claimed that President Duterte was not qualified to become President when the latter filed his Certificate of Candidacy (COC) in the 2016 elections because he initially filed his COC for mayor of Davao City.<a href=\\\"#_ftn19\\\"><sup>[19]<\\/sup><\\/a> Solicitor General Jose Calida (SolGen Calida) sought to have the petition dismissed for false allegations because the COMELEC already affirmed Duterte\\u2019s COC as valid and effective.<a href=\\\"#_ftn20\\\"><sup>[20]<\\/sup><\\/a> Interestingly, SolGen Calida said that Pamatong\\u2019s petition \\u201ctrivialized the rules of procedure.\\u201d<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In February last year, SolGen Calida filed a <em>quo warranto<\\/em> petition against broadcasting network ABS-CBN for unlawfully exercising its franchise by broadcasting for a fee and allowing foreign investors to participate in the network\\u2019s ownership.<a href=\\\"#_ftn21\\\"><sup>[21]<\\/sup><\\/a> The House of Representatives went on recess in March 2020 without tackling ABS-CBN\\u2019s franchise application, and on May 4, the franchise expired. The following day, the network went off the air. On June 23, the Court dismissed the <em>quo <\\/em>warranto petition for being moot, following the expiration of the network\\u2019s franchise.<a href=\\\"#_ftn22\\\"><sup>[22]<\\/sup><\\/a> In July, the House Committee on Legislative Franchises denied the franchise renewal of ABS-CBN.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The latest OSG-initiated quo warranto petition was against incumbent Associate Justice Leonen. Last year, some individuals attempted to retrieve Justice Leonen\\u2019s SALNs from the Office of the Ombudsman and found that some of his SALNs were not on file. Manila Times columnist Rigoberto Tiglao wrote that he had previously requested for copies of Leonen\\u2019s SALNs from the Office of the Ombudsman. The Office of the Ombudsman replied to his request and stated that Justice Leonen had missing SALNs on file, specifically for the years that he was still working at the University of the Philippines.<a href=\\\"#_ftn23\\\">[23]<\\/a> However, the Office of the Court Administrator rebuffed his similar request and noted that such documents are considered privileged communication. Lawyer Larry Gadon also sought to have copies of Leonen\\u2019s copies, but the Court firmly rejected his request.<a href=\\\"#_ftn24\\\">[24]<\\/a> To recall, Gadon filed an impeachment complaint against Sereno in 2017 and assisted in the filing of the impeachment complaint against Justice Leonen last year.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The alleged non-filing of SALNs is reminiscent of the same ground which caused the ouster of Sereno. Making a case out of this, the OSG appealed to the Court to release the SALNs of Justice Leonen in preparation for a possible <em>quo warranto<\\/em> proceeding against him.<a href=\\\"#_ftn25\\\"><sup>[25]<\\/sup><\\/a> However, the Court rebuffed the OSG\\u2019s unrelenting pursuit of Justice Leonen\\u2019s SALNs and reiterated the procedures for entertaining any request for copies of SALNs and personal data sheets of Supreme Court Justices and officers and employees of the Judiciary.<a href=\\\"#_ftn26\\\">[26]<\\/a> The OSG\\u2019s request met a similar fate in the hands of the Board of Regents of the University of the Philippines (UP-BOR). In the Minutes of the UP-BOR Meeting,<a href=\\\"#_ftn27\\\">[27]<\\/a> the Board of Regents deliberated on the OSG\\u2019s requests for copies of Justice Leonen\\u2019s SALNs from the University of the Philippines. It decided not to grant these requests in light of the Court\\u2019s earlier denial of the same requests from the OSG and pending legal advice.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Certain quarters in the political arena forayed once again in filing an impeachment complaint, this time against Justice Leonen, seeking refuge in the landmark <em>Sereno<\\/em> ruling that the non-filing of SALNs reflects on a public official\\u2019s integrity. Promptly, private citizen Edwin Cordevilla filed an impeachment complaint against Justice Leonen on December 7, 2020. Ilocos Norte Rep. Angelo Marcos Barba, the cousin of defeated Vice-Presidential candidate Ferdinand \\u201cBongbong\\u201d Marcos, Jr., promptly endorsed the complaint. The Speaker of the House of Representatives eventually calendared the impeachment complaint and later on referred the same before the Committee on Justice of the House of Representatives per House Rules. Based on the minutes of the meeting held on May 27, 2021,<a href=\\\"#_ftn28\\\">[28]<\\/a> the Committee on Justice, chaired by Leyte Rep. Vicente Veloso III,\\u00a0 deliberated on the impeachment complaint, which cited three grounds:<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:list {\\\"ordered\\\":true,\\\"type\\\":\\\"1\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<ol>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\n<ol>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\n<ol>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\n<ol type=\\\"1\\\">\\n<li>The respondent committed culpable violation of the Constitution for failing to dispose of at least 37 cases within 24 months as mandated under Section 15 (1), Article VIII, in relation to Section 16, Article III of the Constitution, which mandates the prompt action and speedy disposition of cases;<\\/li>\\n<li>The respondent arbitrarily delayed the resolution of cases pending before him as chairperson of the House of Representatives Electoral Tribunal (HRET); and<\\/li>\\n<li>The respondent failed to file his Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN) for a total of 15 years while working at the University of the Philippines.\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0<\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 On the same day and in the same meeting, the House Committee on Justice ruled that the impeachment complaint was insufficient in form. The Committee members found that none of the documents annexed to the complaint are authentic or certified true copies, in violation of the impeachment rules of the House. The members also noted that Cordevilla could not show that he has personal knowledge of the facts in his complaint or the acts and omissions that the complaint attributes to Justice Leonen. The members considered as hearsay the allegations supported only by annexed news articles.<a href=\\\"#_ftn29\\\">[29]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>IV. THE SUPREME COURT AND THE THREAT OF <em>QUO WARRANTO<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Legal precedents bind Supreme Court decisions under the doctrine of <em>stare decisis<\\/em>. <em>Sereno<\\/em> put into the fore the nature of a <em>quo warranto<\\/em> action and laid the doctrine that impeachable officials may be removed from office if they lacked the qualifications required before and during the holding of such office. Many perceive that the OSG is using the petition against personalities that have earned the administration\\u2019s ire.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 It is no secret that President Duterte publicly threatened to block ABS-CBN\\u2019s franchise renewal. While he could not legally do so, his allies in the House of Representatives made sure they carried out his will. Amid House hearings on the franchise renewal, the OSG hedged its bets and filed a <em>quo warranto<\\/em> petition against the network.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The impeachment complaint against Justice Leonen assails his \\u201clack of integrity for failure to file his SALNs\\u201d and \\u201cnegligence and incompetence for failing to dispose of the cases assigned to him in violation of the Constitution.\\u201d As if on cue, the OSG also sought to access Justice Leonen\\u2019s SALNs for a possible <em>quo warranto<\\/em> proceeding, but to no avail.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Has the Court inadvertently allowed the OSG to use the <em>quo warranto <\\/em>action to threaten critical or \\u201cunfriendly\\u201d personalities? While the Court resolved <em>Sereno <\\/em>as a legal matter, its ramifications have caused serious effects on local politics.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>To be clear, Court did not start the politicization or weaponization of a <em>quo warranto<\\/em> action. It merely clarified its use as a remedy under procedural law and applied it in <em>Sereno<\\/em>. The Court cannot judge the intention of <em>quo<\\/em> <em>warranto<\\/em> petitioners because it is not a trier of facts. Besides, its judicial independence transcends the changes in the political landscape where the other two co-equal branches reside.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 However, it may be reasonable for the Court to discuss the procedure for filing a <em>quo warranto<\\/em> petition against impeachable officials. It should establish the proper court jurisdiction for such an action, particularly applying the recent clarification on the doctrine of hierarchy of courts in <em>Gios-Samar v. DOTC and CAAP.<\\/em><a href=\\\"#_ftn30\\\"><sup>[30]<\\/sup><\\/a>It may even consider the imposition of penalties for people who trivialize a <em>quo warranto<\\/em> petition to achieve personal or political wins.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 When an opportunity presents itself, the Court must take steps in harmonizing differing interpretations of Section 8 of R.A. No. 6713,<a href=\\\"#_ftn31\\\">[31]<\\/a> commonly referred to as the SALN Law. Because of the precedent-setting <em>Sereno<\\/em> ruling on the relationship between a public official\\u2019s integrity and his (or her) non-filing of SALNs, there may soon be another case filed in courts involving the same or very similar issue.\\u00a0 The Court must settle the to preserve the country\\u2019s political structure and restore public trust in the government. Decisive action in favoring the greater good transcends even the most powerful, albeit impermanent, politicians and power players in the country.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Court must quash any attempt to seek the perversion of justice through shrewd maneuvers to poke holes into its decisions. It must not venture into any game of semantics and provide our legal system with the correct reading of the law. The Court\\u2019s infallibility resides not in the composition of sitting Justices or the brilliance of its decisions but in the fact that it is the \\u201ccourt of last resort.\\u201d With this in mind, the Court must express its wisdom on this matter before waiting for an actual controversy to avoid making its decision more controversial than the controversy already found therein.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">[1]<\\/a>UST Law Review, Staff Member.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a>G.R. No. 237428, May 11, 2018.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a> <em>Id<\\/em>.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[4]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em> at 48.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[5]<\\/a> CONST., art VI, sec 3.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[6]<\\/a> Official Gazette, Impeachment: A Political and Historical Guide, https:\\/\\/www.officialgazette.gov.ph\\/interactive-a-primer-on-impeachment\\/ (last accessed June 4, 2021).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\">[7]<\\/a> <em>The Diocese of Bacolod v. Commission on Elections<\\/em>, G.R. No. 205728, January 21, 2015.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\">[8]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em>, note 2, at 24. This Latin phrase means \\u201cno time runs against the king.\\u201d<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\">[9]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em>, at 76<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\">[10]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em>, at 90-96.\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\">[11]<\\/a> CONST., art VIII, sec 7(3): <em>A Member of the Judiciary must be a person of proven competence, integrity, probity, and independence.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref12\\\">[12]<\\/a> CONST., art VIII, sec 8(5): <em>The Council shall have the principal function of recommending appointees to the Judiciary. It may exercise such other functions and duties as the Supreme Court may assign to it.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref13\\\">[13]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em>, note 2, at 120.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref14\\\">[14]<\\/a> 498 Phil. 395 (2005).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref15\\\">[15]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em> Based on a letter sent by the Acting Branch Clerk of Court of Branch 155, RTC, Pasig City.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref16\\\">[16]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em>,note 2, at 101.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref17\\\">[17]<\\/a> <em>Id.,<\\/em> \\u00a0at 102.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref18\\\">[18]<\\/a> 709 Phil. 408 (2013).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref19\\\">[19]<\\/a> Tetch Torres-Tupas, Calida asks SC to junk quo warranto case vs Duterte, September 3, 2018, https:\\/\\/newsinfo.inquirer.net\\/ 1027861\\/calida-asks-sc-to-junk-quo-warranto-case-vs-duterte (last accessed February 3, 2021).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref20\\\">[20]<\\/a> Edu Punay, SC asked to junk quo warranto case vs Duterte, September 4, 2018, https:\\/\\/www.philstar.com\\/headlines\\/2018\\/09\\/04\\/1848562\\/sc-asked-junk-quo-warranto-case-vs-duterte (last accessed February 2, 2021).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref21\\\">[21]<\\/a> OSG files petition for quo warranto vs ABS-CBN; asks SC to forfeit legislative franchise, February 10, 2020, https:\\/ \\/pia.gov.ph\\/news\\/articles\\/1034298 (last accessed February 3, 2021).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref22\\\">[22]<\\/a> Rey Panaligan, SC junks quo warranto complaint vs ABS-CBN, June 30, 2020, https:\\/\\/mb.com.ph\\/2020\\/06\\/23\\/sc-junks-quo-warranto-complaint-vs-abs-cbn\\/ (last accessed February 1, 2021).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref23\\\">[23]<\\/a> Rigoberto Tiglao, Leonen failed to file his SALNs like Sereno, but for more years, September 7, 2020, https:\\/\\/www.manilatimes.net\\/2020\\/ 09\\/07\\/opinion\\/columnists\\/topanalysis\\/leonen-failed-to-file-his-salns-like-sereno-but-for-more-years\\/765590 (last accessed June 07, 2021).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref24\\\">[24]<\\/a> Joel San Juan, SC affirms rejection of Gadon request for Leonen\\u2019s SALN, November 3, 2020, https:\\/\\/businessmirror.com.ph\\/2020\\/11\\/03\\/sc-affirms-rejection-of-gadon-request-for-leonens-saln\\/ (last accessed June 07, 2021).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref25\\\">[25]<\\/a> Jomar Canlas, OSG readies quo warranto vs Leonen, November 2, 2020, https:\\/\\/www.manilatimes.net\\/2020\\/11\\/02\\/news\\/ national\\/osg-readies-quo-warranto-vs-leonen\\/790244\\/ (last accessed February 3, 2021).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref26\\\">[26]<\\/a> A.M. No. 09-8-6-SC, June 13, 2012.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref27\\\">[27]<\\/a> The University of the Philippines Gazette, Decisions of the Board of Regents, 1356<sup>th<\\/sup> Meeting, Volume LI Issue Number 7, November 26, 2020, (last accessed June 05, 2021).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref28\\\">[28]<\\/a> House of Representatives, Committee Daily Bulletin, p. 12-13, in Vol. II No. 168, 18<sup>th<\\/sup> Congress, Second Regular Session, (May 27, 2021).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref29\\\">[29]<\\/a> <em>Id<\\/em>., at 13.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref30\\\">[30]<\\/a> G.R. No. 217158, March 12, 2019. Speaking through Justice Jardeleza, the Court <em>En Banc<\\/em> ruled that: \\u201cAccordingly, for the guidance of the bench and the bar, we reiterate that when a question before the Court involves determination of a factual issue indispensable to the resolution of the legal issue, the Court will refuse to resolve the question regardless of the allegation or invocation of compelling reasons, such as the transcendental or paramount importance of the case. Such question must first be brought before the proper trial courts or the CA, both of which are specially equipped to try and resolve factual questions.\\u201d<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref31\\\">[31]<\\/a> An Act Establishing a Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees, to Uphold the Time-Honored Principle of Public Office Being a Public Trust, Granting Incentives and Rewards for Exemplary Service, Enumerating Prohibited Acts and Transactions and Providing Penalties for Violations thereof and for Other Purposes, Republic Act No. 6713, (1989).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]},\"text_shadow_text_shadow_type\":\"yes\",\"text_shadow_text_shadow\":{\"horizontal\":0,\"vertical\":0,\"blur\":0,\"color\":\"rgba(0,0,0,0.3)\"}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(4491,1391,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(4492,1391,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(4493,1391,'_elementor_version','3.2.5'),(4494,1391,'_wp_page_template','default'),(4495,1391,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"2cdfbf39\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"2c640098\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"4b2e55e0\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><!-- wp:heading --><\\/p>\\n<h2><strong><em>REPUBLIC V. SERENO<\\/em><\\/strong><strong> AND ITS AFTERMATH: THE POLITICIZATION OF <em>QUO WARRANTO<\\/em> PETITIONS<\\/strong><\\/h2>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><em>By: Bryan Jay L. Santos<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\"><sup><strong><sup>[1]<\\/sup><\\/strong><\\/sup><\\/a><\\/em><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>I. INTRODUCTION<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<blockquote>\\n<p><em>Despite our most solid belief that we are right, we should still have the humility<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><em>to be open to the possibility that others may not see it our way.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><em>- Supreme Court Associate Justice Marvic M. V. F. Leonen<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><em>in his Dissenting Opinion in Republic v. Sereno<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<\\/blockquote>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 On May 11, 2018, the Supreme Court of the Philippines, in one fell swoop, ousted its own Chief Justice. The decision in <em>Republic v. Sereno<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\"><sup><strong><sup>[2]<\\/sup><\\/strong><\\/sup><\\/a><\\/em> took the Office of Solicitor General\\u2019s (OSG) position that even impeachable officials can be removed from office via a <em>quo warranto<\\/em> petition. The decision discarded the traditional concept of removing impeachable officials from office only through impeachment proceedings. Sereno\\u2019s removal even prompted Associate Justice Marvic M. V. F. Leonen to call it a \\u201clegal abomination.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\"><sup>[3]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 But by and large, the <em>Sereno<\\/em> decision, aptly described as <em>sui generis<\\/em> or \\u201cin a class by itself,\\u201d has set a legal precedent for cases based on <em>quo warranto <\\/em>petitions by the OSG. The decision has engendered fears that the OSG has found a way to silence those in the government service who espouse views that are contrary to the current administration\\u2019s position.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>II. DIFFERENTIATING IMPEACHMENTFROM <em>QUO WARRANTO<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Court explained in<em> Sereno<\\/em> that \\u201cat its most basic, impeachment proceedings are political in nature, while an action for <em>quo warranto<\\/em> is judicial or a proceeding traditionally lodged in courts.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\"><sup>[4]<\\/sup><\\/a> Section 2, Article XI of the 1987 Constitution specifies the grounds for impeachment and those officials that may be impeached:<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><em>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Section 2. The President, the Vice-President, the Members of the Supreme Court, the Members of the Constitutional Commissions, and the Ombudsman may be removed from office on impeachment for, and conviction of, culpable violation of the Constitution, treason, bribery, graft and corruption, other high crimes, or betrayal of public trust. All other public officers and employees may be removed from office as provided by law, but not by impeachment.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>\\u00a0<\\/strong>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Court points out that impeachment is \\u201cessentially a political process meant to vindicate the violation of the public\\u2019s trust.\\u201d The Constitution vests in the House of Representatives the power to initiate all cases of impeachment. Meanwhile, it vests in the Senate the power to try and decide all the cases.<a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\"><sup>[5]<\\/sup><\\/a> Any member of the House of Representatives or any citizen with an endorsement of any member of the House of Representatives may file an impeachment complaint.<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\">[6]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Meanwhile, Rule 66 of the Rules of Court defines a <em>quo warranto<\\/em> petition as:<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><em>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Section 1. Action by Government against individuals. \\u2014 An action for the usurpation of a public office, position or franchise may be commenced by a verified petition brought in the name of the Republic of the Philippines against:<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><em>(a) A person who usurps, intrudes into, or unlawfully holds or exercises a public office, position or franchise;<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><em>(b) A public officer who does or suffers an act which, by the provision of law, constitutes a ground for the forfeiture of his office; or<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><em>(c) An association which acts as a corporation within the Philippines without being legally incorporated or without lawful authority so to act.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 This rule allows the Solicitor General to commence the action before the Regional Trial Court (RTC) of Manila, the Court of Appeals (CA), or even the Supreme Court (Court). Procedural law shows that a <em>quo warranto<\\/em> petition proceeds independently from an impeachment case, even if the two may result in the same outcome: the removal of an impeachable official.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>III. HOW THE SUPREME COURT RULED IN <em>SERENO<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In <em>Sereno,<\\/em> the Court tackled the OSG\\u2019s petition for being a matter of transcendental importance, which is an exception to the doctrine of hierarchy of courts.<a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\"><sup>[7]<\\/sup><\\/a> The Court ruled that the one-year prescription on <em>quo warranto<\\/em> cases applies only to private citizens and not to the State. The Court took the OSG\\u2019s position that the State has an imprescriptible right to bring a <em>quo warranto<\\/em> petition under the Latin maxim \\u201c<em>nullum tempus occurit regi<\\/em>.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\">[8]<\\/a> As applied in <em>Sereno<\\/em>, this maxim shows that when the State, through the Solicitor General, files a case on behalf of the people or when the matter involves the interest of the general public, the lapse of time constitutes no bar to the proceeding.<a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\">[9]<\\/a> Thus, prescription or laches will not be a defense when the government is the real party in interest. \\u00a0The Court found that Sereno had consistently failed to file her Statements of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN) for her years of service in the government, particularly during the period she was affiliated with the University of the Philippines. The Court held in no uncertain terms that the SALN requirement is mandatory.<a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\"><sup>[10]<\\/sup><\\/a> It ruled that her failure to file her SALNs reflected on her lack of integrity: a continuing qualification for a member of the Judiciary.<a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\"><sup>[11]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Sereno\\u2019s inconsistent filing of her SALNs as a professor at the University of the Philippines disqualified her at the outset for the position of Chief Justice in 2012. The Judicial and Bar Council (JBC), which screens and recommends applicants to posts in the Judiciary,<a href=\\\"#_ftn12\\\"><sup>[12]<\\/sup><\\/a> required the then applicants to submit their past ten (10) SALNs, specifically for \\u00a02001 to 2011. Despite this rule, the Court found it bizarre for the JBC to have accepted Sereno\\u2019s submission of only three (3) SALNs and her justification-explanation letter indicating that her other SALNS were \\u201cinfeasible to retrieve.\\u201d The OSG disputed this by presenting some of Sereno\\u2019s \\u201cmissing\\u201d SALNs.<a href=\\\"#_ftn13\\\"><sup>[13]<\\/sup><\\/a> As ruled by the Court, Sereno\\u2019s blatant disregard of the JBC rule on SALN submission manifested her lack of integrity. She violated not only the JBC rules but also the law and the Constitution.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Sereno\\u2019s defense consistently relied on the \\u201c<em>Doblada<\\/em> doctrine,\\u201d which pertains to the Court\\u2019s decision in <em>Concerned Taxypayer v. Doblada, Jr.<a href=\\\"#_ftn14\\\"><strong>[14]<\\/strong><\\/a> <\\/em>In this case, Norberto Doblada, a court sheriff, was accused of failing to file his SALNs for 18 years based on the investigation of the Office of the Court Administrator (OCA). However, Doblada presented evidence<a href=\\\"#_ftn15\\\">[15]<\\/a> that he had filed one of the SALNs that he allegedly failed to file. The Court held in this case that \\u201cone cannot readily conclude that respondent failed to file his sworn [SALNs] \\u2026 simply because these documents are missing[.]\\u201d Sereno thus passed the buck to the OSG to show that she did not file her SALNs in the contested years and not just rely on their finding that the SALNs were simply no longer on file in the relevant offices.<a href=\\\"#_ftn16\\\">[16]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Court found that the <em>Doblada <\\/em>case is not on all fours with the circumstances surrounding Sereno\\u2019s alleged non-filing of her SALNs. The Court highlighted the fact that based on the evidence presented, \\u201cthe existence of [the] SALNs and the <em>fact of filing <\\/em>thereof were neither established by direct proof constituting substantial evidence nor by mere inference.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn17\\\">[17]<\\/a> Moreover, the Court found in <em>Doblada <\\/em>that there was no categorical statement from the OCA, the repository agency for the SALNs of employees of the Judiciary, that the contested SALNs were not on file. This was not the same circumstance in Sereno\\u2019s case. The Office of the Ombudsman, the repository agency of Sereno\\u2019s SALNs, categorically stated that Sereno has no SALNs filed for the contested years. Thus, the Ombudsman\\u2019s categorical statement and Sereno\\u2019s inability to show proof of her filing said SALNs conclusively established that she did not file them.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Finally, that former President Benigno Simeon Aquino III eventually appointed Sereno as Chief Justice did not cure her ineligibility and lack of integrity. In <em>Maquiling v. COMELEC,<\\/em><a href=\\\"#_ftn18\\\"><sup>[18]<\\/sup><\\/a>the Court ruled that qualifications for public office must be possessed at the time of appointment and assumption to office and during the officer\\u2019s entire tenure as a continuing requirement. Hence, the Court found Sereno to have unlawfully held the position of, and exercised the powers vested in, the Chief Justice.\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>III. <em>QUO WARRANTO<\\/em> PETITIONS POST-<em>SERENO<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 People have expressed fears that a<em> quo warranto<\\/em> petition may be weaponized against any public officer, impeachable or not. After <em>Sereno<\\/em>, some <em>quo warranto<\\/em> petitions have made headlines locally. In 2018, former presidential candidate Elly Pamatong filed such an action against President Rodrigo Duterte. He claimed that President Duterte was not qualified to become President when the latter filed his Certificate of Candidacy (COC) in the 2016 elections because he initially filed his COC for mayor of Davao City.<a href=\\\"#_ftn19\\\"><sup>[19]<\\/sup><\\/a> Solicitor General Jose Calida (SolGen Calida) sought to have the petition dismissed for false allegations because the COMELEC already affirmed Duterte\\u2019s COC as valid and effective.<a href=\\\"#_ftn20\\\"><sup>[20]<\\/sup><\\/a> Interestingly, SolGen Calida said that Pamatong\\u2019s petition \\u201ctrivialized the rules of procedure.\\u201d<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In February last year, SolGen Calida filed a <em>quo warranto<\\/em> petition against broadcasting network ABS-CBN for unlawfully exercising its franchise by broadcasting for a fee and allowing foreign investors to participate in the network\\u2019s ownership.<a href=\\\"#_ftn21\\\"><sup>[21]<\\/sup><\\/a> The House of Representatives went on recess in March 2020 without tackling ABS-CBN\\u2019s franchise application, and on May 4, the franchise expired. The following day, the network went off the air. On June 23, the Court dismissed the <em>quo <\\/em>warranto petition for being moot, following the expiration of the network\\u2019s franchise.<a href=\\\"#_ftn22\\\"><sup>[22]<\\/sup><\\/a> In July, the House Committee on Legislative Franchises denied the franchise renewal of ABS-CBN.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The latest OSG-initiated quo warranto petition was against incumbent Associate Justice Leonen. Last year, some individuals attempted to retrieve Justice Leonen\\u2019s SALNs from the Office of the Ombudsman and found that some of his SALNs were not on file. Manila Times columnist Rigoberto Tiglao wrote that he had previously requested for copies of Leonen\\u2019s SALNs from the Office of the Ombudsman. The Office of the Ombudsman replied to his request and stated that Justice Leonen had missing SALNs on file, specifically for the years that he was still working at the University of the Philippines.<a href=\\\"#_ftn23\\\">[23]<\\/a> However, the Office of the Court Administrator rebuffed his similar request and noted that such documents are considered privileged communication. Lawyer Larry Gadon also sought to have copies of Leonen\\u2019s copies, but the Court firmly rejected his request.<a href=\\\"#_ftn24\\\">[24]<\\/a> To recall, Gadon filed an impeachment complaint against Sereno in 2017 and assisted in the filing of the impeachment complaint against Justice Leonen last year.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The alleged non-filing of SALNs is reminiscent of the same ground which caused the ouster of Sereno. Making a case out of this, the OSG appealed to the Court to release the SALNs of Justice Leonen in preparation for a possible <em>quo warranto<\\/em> proceeding against him.<a href=\\\"#_ftn25\\\"><sup>[25]<\\/sup><\\/a> However, the Court rebuffed the OSG\\u2019s unrelenting pursuit of Justice Leonen\\u2019s SALNs and reiterated the procedures for entertaining any request for copies of SALNs and personal data sheets of Supreme Court Justices and officers and employees of the Judiciary.<a href=\\\"#_ftn26\\\">[26]<\\/a> The OSG\\u2019s request met a similar fate in the hands of the Board of Regents of the University of the Philippines (UP-BOR). In the Minutes of the UP-BOR Meeting,<a href=\\\"#_ftn27\\\">[27]<\\/a> the Board of Regents deliberated on the OSG\\u2019s requests for copies of Justice Leonen\\u2019s SALNs from the University of the Philippines. It decided not to grant these requests in light of the Court\\u2019s earlier denial of the same requests from the OSG and pending legal advice.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Certain quarters in the political arena forayed once again in filing an impeachment complaint, this time against Justice Leonen, seeking refuge in the landmark <em>Sereno<\\/em> ruling that the non-filing of SALNs reflects on a public official\\u2019s integrity. Promptly, private citizen Edwin Cordevilla filed an impeachment complaint against Justice Leonen on December 7, 2020. Ilocos Norte Rep. Angelo Marcos Barba, the cousin of defeated Vice-Presidential candidate Ferdinand \\u201cBongbong\\u201d Marcos, Jr., promptly endorsed the complaint. The Speaker of the House of Representatives eventually calendared the impeachment complaint and later on referred the same before the Committee on Justice of the House of Representatives per House Rules. Based on the minutes of the meeting held on May 27, 2021,<a href=\\\"#_ftn28\\\">[28]<\\/a> the Committee on Justice, chaired by Leyte Rep. Vicente Veloso III,\\u00a0 deliberated on the impeachment complaint, which cited three grounds:<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:list {\\\"ordered\\\":true,\\\"type\\\":\\\"1\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<ol>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\n<ol>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\n<ol>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\n<ol type=\\\"1\\\">\\n<li>The respondent committed culpable violation of the Constitution for failing to dispose of at least 37 cases within 24 months as mandated under Section 15 (1), Article VIII, in relation to Section 16, Article III of the Constitution, which mandates the prompt action and speedy disposition of cases;<\\/li>\\n<li>The respondent arbitrarily delayed the resolution of cases pending before him as chairperson of the House of Representatives Electoral Tribunal (HRET); and<\\/li>\\n<li>The respondent failed to file his Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN) for a total of 15 years while working at the University of the Philippines.\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0<\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 On the same day and in the same meeting, the House Committee on Justice ruled that the impeachment complaint was insufficient in form. The Committee members found that none of the documents annexed to the complaint are authentic or certified true copies, in violation of the impeachment rules of the House. The members also noted that Cordevilla could not show that he has personal knowledge of the facts in his complaint or the acts and omissions that the complaint attributes to Justice Leonen. The members considered as hearsay the allegations supported only by annexed news articles.<a href=\\\"#_ftn29\\\">[29]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>IV. THE SUPREME COURT AND THE THREAT OF <em>QUO WARRANTO<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Legal precedents bind Supreme Court decisions under the doctrine of <em>stare decisis<\\/em>. <em>Sereno<\\/em> put into the fore the nature of a <em>quo warranto<\\/em> action and laid the doctrine that impeachable officials may be removed from office if they lacked the qualifications required before and during the holding of such office. Many perceive that the OSG is using the petition against personalities that have earned the administration\\u2019s ire.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 It is no secret that President Duterte publicly threatened to block ABS-CBN\\u2019s franchise renewal. While he could not legally do so, his allies in the House of Representatives made sure they carried out his will. Amid House hearings on the franchise renewal, the OSG hedged its bets and filed a <em>quo warranto<\\/em> petition against the network.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The impeachment complaint against Justice Leonen assails his \\u201clack of integrity for failure to file his SALNs\\u201d and \\u201cnegligence and incompetence for failing to dispose of the cases assigned to him in violation of the Constitution.\\u201d As if on cue, the OSG also sought to access Justice Leonen\\u2019s SALNs for a possible <em>quo warranto<\\/em> proceeding, but to no avail.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Has the Court inadvertently allowed the OSG to use the <em>quo warranto <\\/em>action to threaten critical or \\u201cunfriendly\\u201d personalities? While the Court resolved <em>Sereno <\\/em>as a legal matter, its ramifications have caused serious effects on local politics.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>To be clear, Court did not start the politicization or weaponization of a <em>quo warranto<\\/em> action. It merely clarified its use as a remedy under procedural law and applied it in <em>Sereno<\\/em>. The Court cannot judge the intention of <em>quo<\\/em> <em>warranto<\\/em> petitioners because it is not a trier of facts. Besides, its judicial independence transcends the changes in the political landscape where the other two co-equal branches reside.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 However, it may be reasonable for the Court to discuss the procedure for filing a <em>quo warranto<\\/em> petition against impeachable officials. It should establish the proper court jurisdiction for such an action, particularly applying the recent clarification on the doctrine of hierarchy of courts in <em>Gios-Samar v. DOTC and CAAP.<\\/em><a href=\\\"#_ftn30\\\"><sup>[30]<\\/sup><\\/a>It may even consider the imposition of penalties for people who trivialize a <em>quo warranto<\\/em> petition to achieve personal or political wins.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 When an opportunity presents itself, the Court must take steps in harmonizing differing interpretations of Section 8 of R.A. No. 6713,<a href=\\\"#_ftn31\\\">[31]<\\/a> commonly referred to as the SALN Law. Because of the precedent-setting <em>Sereno<\\/em> ruling on the relationship between a public official\\u2019s integrity and his (or her) non-filing of SALNs, there may soon be another case filed in courts involving the same or very similar issue.\\u00a0 The Court must settle the to preserve the country\\u2019s political structure and restore public trust in the government. Decisive action in favoring the greater good transcends even the most powerful, albeit impermanent, politicians and power players in the country.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Court must quash any attempt to seek the perversion of justice through shrewd maneuvers to poke holes into its decisions. It must not venture into any game of semantics and provide our legal system with the correct reading of the law. The Court\\u2019s infallibility resides not in the composition of sitting Justices or the brilliance of its decisions but in the fact that it is the \\u201ccourt of last resort.\\u201d With this in mind, the Court must express its wisdom on this matter before waiting for an actual controversy to avoid making its decision more controversial than the controversy already found therein.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">[1]<\\/a>UST Law Review, Staff Member.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a>G.R. No. 237428, May 11, 2018.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a> <em>Id<\\/em>.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[4]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em> at 48.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[5]<\\/a> CONST., art VI, sec 3.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[6]<\\/a> Official Gazette, Impeachment: A Political and Historical Guide, https:\\/\\/www.officialgazette.gov.ph\\/interactive-a-primer-on-impeachment\\/ (last accessed June 4, 2021).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\">[7]<\\/a> <em>The Diocese of Bacolod v. Commission on Elections<\\/em>, G.R. No. 205728, January 21, 2015.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\">[8]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em>, note 2, at 24. This Latin phrase means \\u201cno time runs against the king.\\u201d<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\">[9]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em>, at 76<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\">[10]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em>, at 90-96.\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\">[11]<\\/a> CONST., art VIII, sec 7(3): <em>A Member of the Judiciary must be a person of proven competence, integrity, probity, and independence.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref12\\\">[12]<\\/a> CONST., art VIII, sec 8(5): <em>The Council shall have the principal function of recommending appointees to the Judiciary. It may exercise such other functions and duties as the Supreme Court may assign to it.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref13\\\">[13]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em>, note 2, at 120.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref14\\\">[14]<\\/a> 498 Phil. 395 (2005).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref15\\\">[15]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em> Based on a letter sent by the Acting Branch Clerk of Court of Branch 155, RTC, Pasig City.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref16\\\">[16]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em>,note 2, at 101.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref17\\\">[17]<\\/a> <em>Id.,<\\/em> \\u00a0at 102.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref18\\\">[18]<\\/a> 709 Phil. 408 (2013).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref19\\\">[19]<\\/a> Tetch Torres-Tupas, Calida asks SC to junk quo warranto case vs Duterte, September 3, 2018, https:\\/\\/newsinfo.inquirer.net\\/ 1027861\\/calida-asks-sc-to-junk-quo-warranto-case-vs-duterte (last accessed February 3, 2021).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref20\\\">[20]<\\/a> Edu Punay, SC asked to junk quo warranto case vs Duterte, September 4, 2018, https:\\/\\/www.philstar.com\\/headlines\\/2018\\/09\\/04\\/1848562\\/sc-asked-junk-quo-warranto-case-vs-duterte (last accessed February 2, 2021).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref21\\\">[21]<\\/a> OSG files petition for quo warranto vs ABS-CBN; asks SC to forfeit legislative franchise, February 10, 2020, https:\\/ \\/pia.gov.ph\\/news\\/articles\\/1034298 (last accessed February 3, 2021).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref22\\\">[22]<\\/a> Rey Panaligan, SC junks quo warranto complaint vs ABS-CBN, June 30, 2020, https:\\/\\/mb.com.ph\\/2020\\/06\\/23\\/sc-junks-quo-warranto-complaint-vs-abs-cbn\\/ (last accessed February 1, 2021).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref23\\\">[23]<\\/a> Rigoberto Tiglao, Leonen failed to file his SALNs like Sereno, but for more years, September 7, 2020, https:\\/\\/www.manilatimes.net\\/2020\\/ 09\\/07\\/opinion\\/columnists\\/topanalysis\\/leonen-failed-to-file-his-salns-like-sereno-but-for-more-years\\/765590 (last accessed June 07, 2021).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref24\\\">[24]<\\/a> Joel San Juan, SC affirms rejection of Gadon request for Leonen\\u2019s SALN, November 3, 2020, https:\\/\\/businessmirror.com.ph\\/2020\\/11\\/03\\/sc-affirms-rejection-of-gadon-request-for-leonens-saln\\/ (last accessed June 07, 2021).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref25\\\">[25]<\\/a> Jomar Canlas, OSG readies quo warranto vs Leonen, November 2, 2020, https:\\/\\/www.manilatimes.net\\/2020\\/11\\/02\\/news\\/ national\\/osg-readies-quo-warranto-vs-leonen\\/790244\\/ (last accessed February 3, 2021).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref26\\\">[26]<\\/a> A.M. No. 09-8-6-SC, June 13, 2012.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref27\\\">[27]<\\/a> The University of the Philippines Gazette, Decisions of the Board of Regents, 1356<sup>th<\\/sup> Meeting, Volume LI Issue Number 7, November 26, 2020, (last accessed June 05, 2021).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref28\\\">[28]<\\/a> House of Representatives, Committee Daily Bulletin, p. 12-13, in Vol. II No. 168, 18<sup>th<\\/sup> Congress, Second Regular Session, (May 27, 2021).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref29\\\">[29]<\\/a> <em>Id<\\/em>., at 13.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref30\\\">[30]<\\/a> G.R. No. 217158, March 12, 2019. Speaking through Justice Jardeleza, the Court <em>En Banc<\\/em> ruled that: \\u201cAccordingly, for the guidance of the bench and the bar, we reiterate that when a question before the Court involves determination of a factual issue indispensable to the resolution of the legal issue, the Court will refuse to resolve the question regardless of the allegation or invocation of compelling reasons, such as the transcendental or paramount importance of the case. Such question must first be brought before the proper trial courts or the CA, both of which are specially equipped to try and resolve factual questions.\\u201d<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref31\\\">[31]<\\/a> An Act Establishing a Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees, to Uphold the Time-Honored Principle of Public Office Being a Public Trust, Granting Incentives and Rewards for Exemplary Service, Enumerating Prohibited Acts and Transactions and Providing Penalties for Violations thereof and for Other Purposes, Republic Act No. 6713, (1989).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]},\"text_shadow_text_shadow_type\":\"yes\",\"text_shadow_text_shadow\":{\"horizontal\":0,\"vertical\":0,\"blur\":0,\"color\":\"rgba(0,0,0,0.3)\"}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(4498,1392,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(4499,1392,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(4500,1392,'_elementor_version','3.2.5'),(4501,1392,'_wp_page_template','default'),(4502,1392,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"2cdfbf39\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"2c640098\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"4b2e55e0\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><!-- wp:heading --><\\/p>\\n<h2><strong><em>REPUBLIC V. SERENO<\\/em><\\/strong><strong> AND ITS AFTERMATH: THE POLITICIZATION OF <em>QUO WARRANTO<\\/em> PETITIONS<\\/strong><\\/h2>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><em>By: Bryan Jay L. Santos<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\"><sup><strong><sup>[1]<\\/sup><\\/strong><\\/sup><\\/a><\\/em><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>I. INTRODUCTION<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<blockquote>\\n<p><em>Despite our most solid belief that we are right, we should still have the humility<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><em>to be open to the possibility that others may not see it our way.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><em>- Supreme Court Associate Justice Marvic M. V. F. Leonen<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><em>in his Dissenting Opinion in Republic v. Sereno<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<\\/blockquote>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 On May 11, 2018, the Supreme Court of the Philippines, in one fell swoop, ousted its own Chief Justice. The decision in <em>Republic v. Sereno<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\"><sup><strong><sup>[2]<\\/sup><\\/strong><\\/sup><\\/a><\\/em> took the Office of Solicitor General\\u2019s (OSG) position that even impeachable officials can be removed from office via a <em>quo warranto<\\/em> petition. The decision discarded the traditional concept of removing impeachable officials from office only through impeachment proceedings. Sereno\\u2019s removal even prompted Associate Justice Marvic M. V. F. Leonen to call it a \\u201clegal abomination.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\"><sup>[3]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 But by and large, the <em>Sereno<\\/em> decision, aptly described as <em>sui generis<\\/em> or \\u201cin a class by itself,\\u201d has set a legal precedent for cases based on <em>quo warranto <\\/em>petitions by the OSG. The decision has engendered fears that the OSG has found a way to silence those in the government service who espouse views that are contrary to the current administration\\u2019s position.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>II. DIFFERENTIATING IMPEACHMENTFROM <em>QUO WARRANTO<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Court explained in<em> Sereno<\\/em> that \\u201cat its most basic, impeachment proceedings are political in nature, while an action for <em>quo warranto<\\/em> is judicial or a proceeding traditionally lodged in courts.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\"><sup>[4]<\\/sup><\\/a> Section 2, Article XI of the 1987 Constitution specifies the grounds for impeachment and those officials that may be impeached:<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><em>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Section 2. The President, the Vice-President, the Members of the Supreme Court, the Members of the Constitutional Commissions, and the Ombudsman may be removed from office on impeachment for, and conviction of, culpable violation of the Constitution, treason, bribery, graft and corruption, other high crimes, or betrayal of public trust. All other public officers and employees may be removed from office as provided by law, but not by impeachment.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>\\u00a0<\\/strong>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Court points out that impeachment is \\u201cessentially a political process meant to vindicate the violation of the public\\u2019s trust.\\u201d The Constitution vests in the House of Representatives the power to initiate all cases of impeachment. Meanwhile, it vests in the Senate the power to try and decide all the cases.<a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\"><sup>[5]<\\/sup><\\/a> Any member of the House of Representatives or any citizen with an endorsement of any member of the House of Representatives may file an impeachment complaint.<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\">[6]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Meanwhile, Rule 66 of the Rules of Court defines a <em>quo warranto<\\/em> petition as:<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><em>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Section 1. Action by Government against individuals. \\u2014 An action for the usurpation of a public office, position or franchise may be commenced by a verified petition brought in the name of the Republic of the Philippines against:<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><em>(a) A person who usurps, intrudes into, or unlawfully holds or exercises a public office, position or franchise;<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><em>(b) A public officer who does or suffers an act which, by the provision of law, constitutes a ground for the forfeiture of his office; or<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><em>(c) An association which acts as a corporation within the Philippines without being legally incorporated or without lawful authority so to act.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 This rule allows the Solicitor General to commence the action before the Regional Trial Court (RTC) of Manila, the Court of Appeals (CA), or even the Supreme Court (Court). Procedural law shows that a <em>quo warranto<\\/em> petition proceeds independently from an impeachment case, even if the two may result in the same outcome: the removal of an impeachable official.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>III. HOW THE SUPREME COURT RULED IN <em>SERENO<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In <em>Sereno,<\\/em> the Court tackled the OSG\\u2019s petition for being a matter of transcendental importance, which is an exception to the doctrine of hierarchy of courts.<a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\"><sup>[7]<\\/sup><\\/a> The Court ruled that the one-year prescription on <em>quo warranto<\\/em> cases applies only to private citizens and not to the State. The Court took the OSG\\u2019s position that the State has an imprescriptible right to bring a <em>quo warranto<\\/em> petition under the Latin maxim \\u201c<em>nullum tempus occurit regi<\\/em>.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\">[8]<\\/a> As applied in <em>Sereno<\\/em>, this maxim shows that when the State, through the Solicitor General, files a case on behalf of the people or when the matter involves the interest of the general public, the lapse of time constitutes no bar to the proceeding.<a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\">[9]<\\/a> Thus, prescription or laches will not be a defense when the government is the real party in interest. \\u00a0The Court found that Sereno had consistently failed to file her Statements of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN) for her years of service in the government, particularly during the period she was affiliated with the University of the Philippines. The Court held in no uncertain terms that the SALN requirement is mandatory.<a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\"><sup>[10]<\\/sup><\\/a> It ruled that her failure to file her SALNs reflected on her lack of integrity: a continuing qualification for a member of the Judiciary.<a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\"><sup>[11]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Sereno\\u2019s inconsistent filing of her SALNs as a professor at the University of the Philippines disqualified her at the outset for the position of Chief Justice in 2012. The Judicial and Bar Council (JBC), which screens and recommends applicants to posts in the Judiciary,<a href=\\\"#_ftn12\\\"><sup>[12]<\\/sup><\\/a> required the then applicants to submit their past ten (10) SALNs, specifically for \\u00a02001 to 2011. Despite this rule, the Court found it bizarre for the JBC to have accepted Sereno\\u2019s submission of only three (3) SALNs and her justification-explanation letter indicating that her other SALNS were \\u201cinfeasible to retrieve.\\u201d The OSG disputed this by presenting some of Sereno\\u2019s \\u201cmissing\\u201d SALNs.<a href=\\\"#_ftn13\\\"><sup>[13]<\\/sup><\\/a> As ruled by the Court, Sereno\\u2019s blatant disregard of the JBC rule on SALN submission manifested her lack of integrity. She violated not only the JBC rules but also the law and the Constitution.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Sereno\\u2019s defense consistently relied on the \\u201c<em>Doblada<\\/em> doctrine,\\u201d which pertains to the Court\\u2019s decision in <em>Concerned Taxypayer v. Doblada, Jr.<a href=\\\"#_ftn14\\\"><strong>[14]<\\/strong><\\/a> <\\/em>In this case, Norberto Doblada, a court sheriff, was accused of failing to file his SALNs for 18 years based on the investigation of the Office of the Court Administrator (OCA). However, Doblada presented evidence<a href=\\\"#_ftn15\\\">[15]<\\/a> that he had filed one of the SALNs that he allegedly failed to file. The Court held in this case that \\u201cone cannot readily conclude that respondent failed to file his sworn [SALNs] \\u2026 simply because these documents are missing[.]\\u201d Sereno thus passed the buck to the OSG to show that she did not file her SALNs in the contested years and not just rely on their finding that the SALNs were simply no longer on file in the relevant offices.<a href=\\\"#_ftn16\\\">[16]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Court found that the <em>Doblada <\\/em>case is not on all fours with the circumstances surrounding Sereno\\u2019s alleged non-filing of her SALNs. The Court highlighted the fact that based on the evidence presented, \\u201cthe existence of [the] SALNs and the <em>fact of filing <\\/em>thereof were neither established by direct proof constituting substantial evidence nor by mere inference.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn17\\\">[17]<\\/a> Moreover, the Court found in <em>Doblada <\\/em>that there was no categorical statement from the OCA, the repository agency for the SALNs of employees of the Judiciary, that the contested SALNs were not on file. This was not the same circumstance in Sereno\\u2019s case. The Office of the Ombudsman, the repository agency of Sereno\\u2019s SALNs, categorically stated that Sereno has no SALNs filed for the contested years. Thus, the Ombudsman\\u2019s categorical statement and Sereno\\u2019s inability to show proof of her filing said SALNs conclusively established that she did not file them.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Finally, that former President Benigno Simeon Aquino III eventually appointed Sereno as Chief Justice did not cure her ineligibility and lack of integrity. In <em>Maquiling v. COMELEC,<\\/em><a href=\\\"#_ftn18\\\"><sup>[18]<\\/sup><\\/a>the Court ruled that qualifications for public office must be possessed at the time of appointment and assumption to office and during the officer\\u2019s entire tenure as a continuing requirement. Hence, the Court found Sereno to have unlawfully held the position of, and exercised the powers vested in, the Chief Justice.\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>III. <em>QUO WARRANTO<\\/em> PETITIONS POST-<em>SERENO<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 People have expressed fears that a<em> quo warranto<\\/em> petition may be weaponized against any public officer, impeachable or not. After <em>Sereno<\\/em>, some <em>quo warranto<\\/em> petitions have made headlines locally. In 2018, former presidential candidate Elly Pamatong filed such an action against President Rodrigo Duterte. He claimed that President Duterte was not qualified to become President when the latter filed his Certificate of Candidacy (COC) in the 2016 elections because he initially filed his COC for mayor of Davao City.<a href=\\\"#_ftn19\\\"><sup>[19]<\\/sup><\\/a> Solicitor General Jose Calida (SolGen Calida) sought to have the petition dismissed for false allegations because the COMELEC already affirmed Duterte\\u2019s COC as valid and effective.<a href=\\\"#_ftn20\\\"><sup>[20]<\\/sup><\\/a> Interestingly, SolGen Calida said that Pamatong\\u2019s petition \\u201ctrivialized the rules of procedure.\\u201d<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In February last year, SolGen Calida filed a <em>quo warranto<\\/em> petition against broadcasting network ABS-CBN for unlawfully exercising its franchise by broadcasting for a fee and allowing foreign investors to participate in the network\\u2019s ownership.<a href=\\\"#_ftn21\\\"><sup>[21]<\\/sup><\\/a> The House of Representatives went on recess in March 2020 without tackling ABS-CBN\\u2019s franchise application, and on May 4, the franchise expired. The following day, the network went off the air. On June 23, the Court dismissed the <em>quo <\\/em>warranto petition for being moot, following the expiration of the network\\u2019s franchise.<a href=\\\"#_ftn22\\\"><sup>[22]<\\/sup><\\/a> In July, the House Committee on Legislative Franchises denied the franchise renewal of ABS-CBN.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The latest OSG-initiated quo warranto petition was against incumbent Associate Justice Leonen. Last year, some individuals attempted to retrieve Justice Leonen\\u2019s SALNs from the Office of the Ombudsman and found that some of his SALNs were not on file. Manila Times columnist Rigoberto Tiglao wrote that he had previously requested for copies of Leonen\\u2019s SALNs from the Office of the Ombudsman. The Office of the Ombudsman replied to his request and stated that Justice Leonen had missing SALNs on file, specifically for the years that he was still working at the University of the Philippines.<a href=\\\"#_ftn23\\\">[23]<\\/a> However, the Office of the Court Administrator rebuffed his similar request and noted that such documents are considered privileged communication. Lawyer Larry Gadon also sought to have copies of Leonen\\u2019s copies, but the Court firmly rejected his request.<a href=\\\"#_ftn24\\\">[24]<\\/a> To recall, Gadon filed an impeachment complaint against Sereno in 2017 and assisted in the filing of the impeachment complaint against Justice Leonen last year.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The alleged non-filing of SALNs is reminiscent of the same ground which caused the ouster of Sereno. Making a case out of this, the OSG appealed to the Court to release the SALNs of Justice Leonen in preparation for a possible <em>quo warranto<\\/em> proceeding against him.<a href=\\\"#_ftn25\\\"><sup>[25]<\\/sup><\\/a> However, the Court rebuffed the OSG\\u2019s unrelenting pursuit of Justice Leonen\\u2019s SALNs and reiterated the procedures for entertaining any request for copies of SALNs and personal data sheets of Supreme Court Justices and officers and employees of the Judiciary.<a href=\\\"#_ftn26\\\">[26]<\\/a> The OSG\\u2019s request met a similar fate in the hands of the Board of Regents of the University of the Philippines (UP-BOR). In the Minutes of the UP-BOR Meeting,<a href=\\\"#_ftn27\\\">[27]<\\/a> the Board of Regents deliberated on the OSG\\u2019s requests for copies of Justice Leonen\\u2019s SALNs from the University of the Philippines. It decided not to grant these requests in light of the Court\\u2019s earlier denial of the same requests from the OSG and pending legal advice.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Certain quarters in the political arena forayed once again in filing an impeachment complaint, this time against Justice Leonen, seeking refuge in the landmark <em>Sereno<\\/em> ruling that the non-filing of SALNs reflects on a public official\\u2019s integrity. Promptly, private citizen Edwin Cordevilla filed an impeachment complaint against Justice Leonen on December 7, 2020. Ilocos Norte Rep. Angelo Marcos Barba, the cousin of defeated Vice-Presidential candidate Ferdinand \\u201cBongbong\\u201d Marcos, Jr., promptly endorsed the complaint. The Speaker of the House of Representatives eventually calendared the impeachment complaint and later on referred the same before the Committee on Justice of the House of Representatives per House Rules. Based on the minutes of the meeting held on May 27, 2021,<a href=\\\"#_ftn28\\\">[28]<\\/a> the Committee on Justice, chaired by Leyte Rep. Vicente Veloso III,\\u00a0 deliberated on the impeachment complaint, which cited three grounds:<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:list {\\\"ordered\\\":true,\\\"type\\\":\\\"1\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<ol>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\n<ol>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\n<ol>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\n<ol type=\\\"1\\\">\\n<li>The respondent committed culpable violation of the Constitution for failing to dispose of at least 37 cases within 24 months as mandated under Section 15 (1), Article VIII, in relation to Section 16, Article III of the Constitution, which mandates the prompt action and speedy disposition of cases;<\\/li>\\n<li>The respondent arbitrarily delayed the resolution of cases pending before him as chairperson of the House of Representatives Electoral Tribunal (HRET); and<\\/li>\\n<li>The respondent failed to file his Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN) for a total of 15 years while working at the University of the Philippines.\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0<\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 On the same day and in the same meeting, the House Committee on Justice ruled that the impeachment complaint was insufficient in form. The Committee members found that none of the documents annexed to the complaint are authentic or certified true copies, in violation of the impeachment rules of the House. The members also noted that Cordevilla could not show that he has personal knowledge of the facts in his complaint or the acts and omissions that the complaint attributes to Justice Leonen. The members considered as hearsay the allegations supported only by annexed news articles.<a href=\\\"#_ftn29\\\">[29]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>IV. THE SUPREME COURT AND THE THREAT OF <em>QUO WARRANTO<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Legal precedents bind Supreme Court decisions under the doctrine of <em>stare decisis<\\/em>. <em>Sereno<\\/em> put into the fore the nature of a <em>quo warranto<\\/em> action and laid the doctrine that impeachable officials may be removed from office if they lacked the qualifications required before and during the holding of such office. Many perceive that the OSG is using the petition against personalities that have earned the administration\\u2019s ire.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 It is no secret that President Duterte publicly threatened to block ABS-CBN\\u2019s franchise renewal. While he could not legally do so, his allies in the House of Representatives made sure they carried out his will. Amid House hearings on the franchise renewal, the OSG hedged its bets and filed a <em>quo warranto<\\/em> petition against the network.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The impeachment complaint against Justice Leonen assails his \\u201clack of integrity for failure to file his SALNs\\u201d and \\u201cnegligence and incompetence for failing to dispose of the cases assigned to him in violation of the Constitution.\\u201d As if on cue, the OSG also sought to access Justice Leonen\\u2019s SALNs for a possible <em>quo warranto<\\/em> proceeding, but to no avail.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Has the Court inadvertently allowed the OSG to use the <em>quo warranto <\\/em>action to threaten critical or \\u201cunfriendly\\u201d personalities? While the Court resolved <em>Sereno <\\/em>as a legal matter, its ramifications have caused serious effects on local politics.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>To be clear, Court did not start the politicization or weaponization of a <em>quo warranto<\\/em> action. It merely clarified its use as a remedy under procedural law and applied it in <em>Sereno<\\/em>. The Court cannot judge the intention of <em>quo<\\/em> <em>warranto<\\/em> petitioners because it is not a trier of facts. Besides, its judicial independence transcends the changes in the political landscape where the other two co-equal branches reside.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 However, it may be reasonable for the Court to discuss the procedure for filing a <em>quo warranto<\\/em> petition against impeachable officials. It should establish the proper court jurisdiction for such an action, particularly applying the recent clarification on the doctrine of hierarchy of courts in <em>Gios-Samar v. DOTC and CAAP.<\\/em><a href=\\\"#_ftn30\\\"><sup>[30]<\\/sup><\\/a>It may even consider the imposition of penalties for people who trivialize a <em>quo warranto<\\/em> petition to achieve personal or political wins.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 When an opportunity presents itself, the Court must take steps in harmonizing differing interpretations of Section 8 of R.A. No. 6713,<a href=\\\"#_ftn31\\\">[31]<\\/a> commonly referred to as the SALN Law. Because of the precedent-setting <em>Sereno<\\/em> ruling on the relationship between a public official\\u2019s integrity and his (or her) non-filing of SALNs, there may soon be another case filed in courts involving the same or very similar issue.\\u00a0 The Court must settle the to preserve the country\\u2019s political structure and restore public trust in the government. Decisive action in favoring the greater good transcends even the most powerful, albeit impermanent, politicians and power players in the country.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Court must quash any attempt to seek the perversion of justice through shrewd maneuvers to poke holes into its decisions. It must not venture into any game of semantics and provide our legal system with the correct reading of the law. The Court\\u2019s infallibility resides not in the composition of sitting Justices or the brilliance of its decisions but in the fact that it is the \\u201ccourt of last resort.\\u201d With this in mind, the Court must express its wisdom on this matter before waiting for an actual controversy to avoid making its decision more controversial than the controversy already found therein.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">[1]<\\/a>UST Law Review, Staff Member.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a>G.R. No. 237428, May 11, 2018.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a> <em>Id<\\/em>.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[4]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em> at 48.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[5]<\\/a> CONST., art VI, sec 3.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[6]<\\/a> Official Gazette, Impeachment: A Political and Historical Guide, https:\\/\\/www.officialgazette.gov.ph\\/interactive-a-primer-on-impeachment\\/ (last accessed June 4, 2021).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\">[7]<\\/a> <em>The Diocese of Bacolod v. Commission on Elections<\\/em>, G.R. No. 205728, January 21, 2015.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\">[8]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em>, note 2, at 24. This Latin phrase means \\u201cno time runs against the king.\\u201d<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\">[9]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em>, at 76<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\">[10]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em>, at 90-96.\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\">[11]<\\/a> CONST., art VIII, sec 7(3): <em>A Member of the Judiciary must be a person of proven competence, integrity, probity, and independence.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref12\\\">[12]<\\/a> CONST., art VIII, sec 8(5): <em>The Council shall have the principal function of recommending appointees to the Judiciary. It may exercise such other functions and duties as the Supreme Court may assign to it.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref13\\\">[13]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em>, note 2, at 120.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref14\\\">[14]<\\/a> 498 Phil. 395 (2005).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref15\\\">[15]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em> Based on a letter sent by the Acting Branch Clerk of Court of Branch 155, RTC, Pasig City.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref16\\\">[16]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em>,note 2, at 101.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref17\\\">[17]<\\/a> <em>Id.,<\\/em> \\u00a0at 102.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref18\\\">[18]<\\/a> 709 Phil. 408 (2013).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref19\\\">[19]<\\/a> Tetch Torres-Tupas, Calida asks SC to junk quo warranto case vs Duterte, September 3, 2018, https:\\/\\/newsinfo.inquirer.net\\/ 1027861\\/calida-asks-sc-to-junk-quo-warranto-case-vs-duterte (last accessed February 3, 2021).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref20\\\">[20]<\\/a> Edu Punay, SC asked to junk quo warranto case vs Duterte, September 4, 2018, https:\\/\\/www.philstar.com\\/headlines\\/2018\\/09\\/04\\/1848562\\/sc-asked-junk-quo-warranto-case-vs-duterte (last accessed February 2, 2021).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref21\\\">[21]<\\/a> OSG files petition for quo warranto vs ABS-CBN; asks SC to forfeit legislative franchise, February 10, 2020, https:\\/ \\/pia.gov.ph\\/news\\/articles\\/1034298 (last accessed February 3, 2021).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref22\\\">[22]<\\/a> Rey Panaligan, SC junks quo warranto complaint vs ABS-CBN, June 30, 2020, https:\\/\\/mb.com.ph\\/2020\\/06\\/23\\/sc-junks-quo-warranto-complaint-vs-abs-cbn\\/ (last accessed February 1, 2021).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref23\\\">[23]<\\/a> Rigoberto Tiglao, Leonen failed to file his SALNs like Sereno, but for more years, September 7, 2020, https:\\/\\/www.manilatimes.net\\/2020\\/ 09\\/07\\/opinion\\/columnists\\/topanalysis\\/leonen-failed-to-file-his-salns-like-sereno-but-for-more-years\\/765590 (last accessed June 07, 2021).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref24\\\">[24]<\\/a> Joel San Juan, SC affirms rejection of Gadon request for Leonen\\u2019s SALN, November 3, 2020, https:\\/\\/businessmirror.com.ph\\/2020\\/11\\/03\\/sc-affirms-rejection-of-gadon-request-for-leonens-saln\\/ (last accessed June 07, 2021).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref25\\\">[25]<\\/a> Jomar Canlas, OSG readies quo warranto vs Leonen, November 2, 2020, https:\\/\\/www.manilatimes.net\\/2020\\/11\\/02\\/news\\/ national\\/osg-readies-quo-warranto-vs-leonen\\/790244\\/ (last accessed February 3, 2021).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref26\\\">[26]<\\/a> A.M. No. 09-8-6-SC, June 13, 2012.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref27\\\">[27]<\\/a> The University of the Philippines Gazette, Decisions of the Board of Regents, 1356<sup>th<\\/sup> Meeting, Volume LI Issue Number 7, November 26, 2020, (last accessed June 05, 2021).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref28\\\">[28]<\\/a> House of Representatives, Committee Daily Bulletin, p. 12-13, in Vol. II No. 168, 18<sup>th<\\/sup> Congress, Second Regular Session, (May 27, 2021).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref29\\\">[29]<\\/a> <em>Id<\\/em>., at 13.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref30\\\">[30]<\\/a> G.R. No. 217158, March 12, 2019. Speaking through Justice Jardeleza, the Court <em>En Banc<\\/em> ruled that: \\u201cAccordingly, for the guidance of the bench and the bar, we reiterate that when a question before the Court involves determination of a factual issue indispensable to the resolution of the legal issue, the Court will refuse to resolve the question regardless of the allegation or invocation of compelling reasons, such as the transcendental or paramount importance of the case. Such question must first be brought before the proper trial courts or the CA, both of which are specially equipped to try and resolve factual questions.\\u201d<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref31\\\">[31]<\\/a> An Act Establishing a Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees, to Uphold the Time-Honored Principle of Public Office Being a Public Trust, Granting Incentives and Rewards for Exemplary Service, Enumerating Prohibited Acts and Transactions and Providing Penalties for Violations thereof and for Other Purposes, Republic Act No. 6713, (1989).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]},\"text_shadow_text_shadow_type\":\"yes\",\"text_shadow_text_shadow\":{\"horizontal\":0,\"vertical\":0,\"blur\":0,\"color\":\"rgba(0,0,0,0.3)\"}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(4505,1393,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(4506,1393,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(4507,1393,'_elementor_version','3.2.5'),(4508,1393,'_wp_page_template','default'),(4509,1393,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"2cdfbf39\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"2c640098\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"4b2e55e0\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><!-- wp:heading --><\\/p>\\n<h2><strong><em>REPUBLIC V. SERENO<\\/em><\\/strong><strong> AND ITS AFTERMATH: THE POLITICIZATION OF <em>QUO WARRANTO<\\/em> PETITIONS<\\/strong><\\/h2>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><em>By: Bryan Jay L. Santos<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\"><sup><strong><sup>[1]<\\/sup><\\/strong><\\/sup><\\/a><\\/em><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>I. INTRODUCTION<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<blockquote>\\n<p><em>Despite our most solid belief that we are right, we should still have the humility<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><em>to be open to the possibility that others may not see it our way.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><em>- Supreme Court Associate Justice Marvic M. V. F. Leonen<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><em>in his Dissenting Opinion in Republic v. Sereno<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<\\/blockquote>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 On May 11, 2018, the Supreme Court of the Philippines, in one fell swoop, ousted its own Chief Justice. The decision in <em>Republic v. Sereno<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\"><sup><strong><sup>[2]<\\/sup><\\/strong><\\/sup><\\/a><\\/em> took the Office of Solicitor General\\u2019s (OSG) position that even impeachable officials can be removed from office via a <em>quo warranto<\\/em> petition. The decision discarded the traditional concept of removing impeachable officials from office only through impeachment proceedings. Sereno\\u2019s removal even prompted Associate Justice Marvic M. V. F. Leonen to call it a \\u201clegal abomination.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\"><sup>[3]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 But by and large, the <em>Sereno<\\/em> decision, aptly described as <em>sui generis<\\/em> or \\u201cin a class by itself,\\u201d has set a legal precedent for cases based on <em>quo warranto <\\/em>petitions by the OSG. The decision has engendered fears that the OSG has found a way to silence those in the government service who espouse views that are contrary to the current administration\\u2019s position.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>II. DIFFERENTIATING IMPEACHMENTFROM <em>QUO WARRANTO<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Court explained in<em> Sereno<\\/em> that \\u201cat its most basic, impeachment proceedings are political in nature, while an action for <em>quo warranto<\\/em> is judicial or a proceeding traditionally lodged in courts.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\"><sup>[4]<\\/sup><\\/a> Section 2, Article XI of the 1987 Constitution specifies the grounds for impeachment and those officials that may be impeached:<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><em>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Section 2. The President, the Vice-President, the Members of the Supreme Court, the Members of the Constitutional Commissions, and the Ombudsman may be removed from office on impeachment for, and conviction of, culpable violation of the Constitution, treason, bribery, graft and corruption, other high crimes, or betrayal of public trust. All other public officers and employees may be removed from office as provided by law, but not by impeachment.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>\\u00a0<\\/strong>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Court points out that impeachment is \\u201cessentially a political process meant to vindicate the violation of the public\\u2019s trust.\\u201d The Constitution vests in the House of Representatives the power to initiate all cases of impeachment. Meanwhile, it vests in the Senate the power to try and decide all the cases.<a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\"><sup>[5]<\\/sup><\\/a> Any member of the House of Representatives or any citizen with an endorsement of any member of the House of Representatives may file an impeachment complaint.<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\">[6]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Meanwhile, Rule 66 of the Rules of Court defines a <em>quo warranto<\\/em> petition as:<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><em>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Section 1. Action by Government against individuals. \\u2014 An action for the usurpation of a public office, position or franchise may be commenced by a verified petition brought in the name of the Republic of the Philippines against:<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><em>(a) A person who usurps, intrudes into, or unlawfully holds or exercises a public office, position or franchise;<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><em>(b) A public officer who does or suffers an act which, by the provision of law, constitutes a ground for the forfeiture of his office; or<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><em>(c) An association which acts as a corporation within the Philippines without being legally incorporated or without lawful authority so to act.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 This rule allows the Solicitor General to commence the action before the Regional Trial Court (RTC) of Manila, the Court of Appeals (CA), or even the Supreme Court (Court). Procedural law shows that a <em>quo warranto<\\/em> petition proceeds independently from an impeachment case, even if the two may result in the same outcome: the removal of an impeachable official.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>III. HOW THE SUPREME COURT RULED IN <em>SERENO<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In <em>Sereno,<\\/em> the Court tackled the OSG\\u2019s petition for being a matter of transcendental importance, which is an exception to the doctrine of hierarchy of courts.<a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\"><sup>[7]<\\/sup><\\/a> The Court ruled that the one-year prescription on <em>quo warranto<\\/em> cases applies only to private citizens and not to the State. The Court took the OSG\\u2019s position that the State has an imprescriptible right to bring a <em>quo warranto<\\/em> petition under the Latin maxim \\u201c<em>nullum tempus occurit regi<\\/em>.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\">[8]<\\/a> As applied in <em>Sereno<\\/em>, this maxim shows that when the State, through the Solicitor General, files a case on behalf of the people or when the matter involves the interest of the general public, the lapse of time constitutes no bar to the proceeding.<a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\">[9]<\\/a> Thus, prescription or laches will not be a defense when the government is the real party in interest. \\u00a0The Court found that Sereno had consistently failed to file her Statements of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN) for her years of service in the government, particularly during the period she was affiliated with the University of the Philippines. The Court held in no uncertain terms that the SALN requirement is mandatory.<a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\"><sup>[10]<\\/sup><\\/a> It ruled that her failure to file her SALNs reflected on her lack of integrity: a continuing qualification for a member of the Judiciary.<a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\"><sup>[11]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Sereno\\u2019s inconsistent filing of her SALNs as a professor at the University of the Philippines disqualified her at the outset for the position of Chief Justice in 2012. The Judicial and Bar Council (JBC), which screens and recommends applicants to posts in the Judiciary,<a href=\\\"#_ftn12\\\"><sup>[12]<\\/sup><\\/a> required the then applicants to submit their past ten (10) SALNs, specifically for \\u00a02001 to 2011. Despite this rule, the Court found it bizarre for the JBC to have accepted Sereno\\u2019s submission of only three (3) SALNs and her justification-explanation letter indicating that her other SALNS were \\u201cinfeasible to retrieve.\\u201d The OSG disputed this by presenting some of Sereno\\u2019s \\u201cmissing\\u201d SALNs.<a href=\\\"#_ftn13\\\"><sup>[13]<\\/sup><\\/a> As ruled by the Court, Sereno\\u2019s blatant disregard of the JBC rule on SALN submission manifested her lack of integrity. She violated not only the JBC rules but also the law and the Constitution.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Sereno\\u2019s defense consistently relied on the \\u201c<em>Doblada<\\/em> doctrine,\\u201d which pertains to the Court\\u2019s decision in <em>Concerned Taxypayer v. Doblada, Jr.<a href=\\\"#_ftn14\\\"><strong>[14]<\\/strong><\\/a> <\\/em>In this case, Norberto Doblada, a court sheriff, was accused of failing to file his SALNs for 18 years based on the investigation of the Office of the Court Administrator (OCA). However, Doblada presented evidence<a href=\\\"#_ftn15\\\">[15]<\\/a> that he had filed one of the SALNs that he allegedly failed to file. The Court held in this case that \\u201cone cannot readily conclude that respondent failed to file his sworn [SALNs] \\u2026 simply because these documents are missing[.]\\u201d Sereno thus passed the buck to the OSG to show that she did not file her SALNs in the contested years and not just rely on their finding that the SALNs were simply no longer on file in the relevant offices.<a href=\\\"#_ftn16\\\">[16]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Court found that the <em>Doblada <\\/em>case is not on all fours with the circumstances surrounding Sereno\\u2019s alleged non-filing of her SALNs. The Court highlighted the fact that based on the evidence presented, \\u201cthe existence of [the] SALNs and the <em>fact of filing <\\/em>thereof were neither established by direct proof constituting substantial evidence nor by mere inference.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn17\\\">[17]<\\/a> Moreover, the Court found in <em>Doblada <\\/em>that there was no categorical statement from the OCA, the repository agency for the SALNs of employees of the Judiciary, that the contested SALNs were not on file. This was not the same circumstance in Sereno\\u2019s case. The Office of the Ombudsman, the repository agency of Sereno\\u2019s SALNs, categorically stated that Sereno has no SALNs filed for the contested years. Thus, the Ombudsman\\u2019s categorical statement and Sereno\\u2019s inability to show proof of her filing said SALNs conclusively established that she did not file them.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Finally, that former President Benigno Simeon Aquino III eventually appointed Sereno as Chief Justice did not cure her ineligibility and lack of integrity. In <em>Maquiling v. COMELEC,<\\/em><a href=\\\"#_ftn18\\\"><sup>[18]<\\/sup><\\/a>the Court ruled that qualifications for public office must be possessed at the time of appointment and assumption to office and during the officer\\u2019s entire tenure as a continuing requirement. Hence, the Court found Sereno to have unlawfully held the position of, and exercised the powers vested in, the Chief Justice.\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>III. <em>QUO WARRANTO<\\/em> PETITIONS POST-<em>SERENO<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 People have expressed fears that a<em> quo warranto<\\/em> petition may be weaponized against any public officer, impeachable or not. After <em>Sereno<\\/em>, some <em>quo warranto<\\/em> petitions have made headlines locally. In 2018, former presidential candidate Elly Pamatong filed such an action against President Rodrigo Duterte. He claimed that President Duterte was not qualified to become President when the latter filed his Certificate of Candidacy (COC) in the 2016 elections because he initially filed his COC for mayor of Davao City.<a href=\\\"#_ftn19\\\"><sup>[19]<\\/sup><\\/a> Solicitor General Jose Calida (SolGen Calida) sought to have the petition dismissed for false allegations because the COMELEC already affirmed Duterte\\u2019s COC as valid and effective.<a href=\\\"#_ftn20\\\"><sup>[20]<\\/sup><\\/a> Interestingly, SolGen Calida said that Pamatong\\u2019s petition \\u201ctrivialized the rules of procedure.\\u201d<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In February last year, SolGen Calida filed a <em>quo warranto<\\/em> petition against broadcasting network ABS-CBN for unlawfully exercising its franchise by broadcasting for a fee and allowing foreign investors to participate in the network\\u2019s ownership.<a href=\\\"#_ftn21\\\"><sup>[21]<\\/sup><\\/a> The House of Representatives went on recess in March 2020 without tackling ABS-CBN\\u2019s franchise application, and on May 4, the franchise expired. The following day, the network went off the air. On June 23, the Court dismissed the <em>quo <\\/em>warranto petition for being moot, following the expiration of the network\\u2019s franchise.<a href=\\\"#_ftn22\\\"><sup>[22]<\\/sup><\\/a> In July, the House Committee on Legislative Franchises denied the franchise renewal of ABS-CBN.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The latest OSG-initiated quo warranto petition was against incumbent Associate Justice Leonen. Last year, some individuals attempted to retrieve Justice Leonen\\u2019s SALNs from the Office of the Ombudsman and found that some of his SALNs were not on file. Manila Times columnist Rigoberto Tiglao wrote that he had previously requested for copies of Leonen\\u2019s SALNs from the Office of the Ombudsman. The Office of the Ombudsman replied to his request and stated that Justice Leonen had missing SALNs on file, specifically for the years that he was still working at the University of the Philippines.<a href=\\\"#_ftn23\\\">[23]<\\/a> However, the Office of the Court Administrator rebuffed his similar request and noted that such documents are considered privileged communication. Lawyer Larry Gadon also sought to have copies of Leonen\\u2019s copies, but the Court firmly rejected his request.<a href=\\\"#_ftn24\\\">[24]<\\/a> To recall, Gadon filed an impeachment complaint against Sereno in 2017 and assisted in the filing of the impeachment complaint against Justice Leonen last year.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The alleged non-filing of SALNs is reminiscent of the same ground which caused the ouster of Sereno. Making a case out of this, the OSG appealed to the Court to release the SALNs of Justice Leonen in preparation for a possible <em>quo warranto<\\/em> proceeding against him.<a href=\\\"#_ftn25\\\"><sup>[25]<\\/sup><\\/a> However, the Court rebuffed the OSG\\u2019s unrelenting pursuit of Justice Leonen\\u2019s SALNs and reiterated the procedures for entertaining any request for copies of SALNs and personal data sheets of Supreme Court Justices and officers and employees of the Judiciary.<a href=\\\"#_ftn26\\\">[26]<\\/a> The OSG\\u2019s request met a similar fate in the hands of the Board of Regents of the University of the Philippines (UP-BOR). In the Minutes of the UP-BOR Meeting,<a href=\\\"#_ftn27\\\">[27]<\\/a> the Board of Regents deliberated on the OSG\\u2019s requests for copies of Justice Leonen\\u2019s SALNs from the University of the Philippines. It decided not to grant these requests in light of the Court\\u2019s earlier denial of the same requests from the OSG and pending legal advice.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Certain quarters in the political arena forayed once again in filing an impeachment complaint, this time against Justice Leonen, seeking refuge in the landmark <em>Sereno<\\/em> ruling that the non-filing of SALNs reflects on a public official\\u2019s integrity. Promptly, private citizen Edwin Cordevilla filed an impeachment complaint against Justice Leonen on December 7, 2020. Ilocos Norte Rep. Angelo Marcos Barba, the cousin of defeated Vice-Presidential candidate Ferdinand \\u201cBongbong\\u201d Marcos, Jr., promptly endorsed the complaint. The Speaker of the House of Representatives eventually calendared the impeachment complaint and later on referred the same before the Committee on Justice of the House of Representatives per House Rules. Based on the minutes of the meeting held on May 27, 2021,<a href=\\\"#_ftn28\\\">[28]<\\/a> the Committee on Justice, chaired by Leyte Rep. Vicente Veloso III,\\u00a0 deliberated on the impeachment complaint, which cited three grounds:<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:list {\\\"ordered\\\":true,\\\"type\\\":\\\"1\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<ol>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\n<ol>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\n<ol>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\n<ol type=\\\"1\\\">\\n<li>The respondent committed culpable violation of the Constitution for failing to dispose of at least 37 cases within 24 months as mandated under Section 15 (1), Article VIII, in relation to Section 16, Article III of the Constitution, which mandates the prompt action and speedy disposition of cases;<\\/li>\\n<li>The respondent arbitrarily delayed the resolution of cases pending before him as chairperson of the House of Representatives Electoral Tribunal (HRET); and<\\/li>\\n<li>The respondent failed to file his Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN) for a total of 15 years while working at the University of the Philippines.\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0<\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 On the same day and in the same meeting, the House Committee on Justice ruled that the impeachment complaint was insufficient in form. The Committee members found that none of the documents annexed to the complaint are authentic or certified true copies, in violation of the impeachment rules of the House. The members also noted that Cordevilla could not show that he has personal knowledge of the facts in his complaint or the acts and omissions that the complaint attributes to Justice Leonen. The members considered as hearsay the allegations supported only by annexed news articles.<a href=\\\"#_ftn29\\\">[29]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>IV. THE SUPREME COURT AND THE THREAT OF <em>QUO WARRANTO<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Legal precedents bind Supreme Court decisions under the doctrine of <em>stare decisis<\\/em>. <em>Sereno<\\/em> put into the fore the nature of a <em>quo warranto<\\/em> action and laid the doctrine that impeachable officials may be removed from office if they lacked the qualifications required before and during the holding of such office. Many perceive that the OSG is using the petition against personalities that have earned the administration\\u2019s ire.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 It is no secret that President Duterte publicly threatened to block ABS-CBN\\u2019s franchise renewal. While he could not legally do so, his allies in the House of Representatives made sure they carried out his will. Amid House hearings on the franchise renewal, the OSG hedged its bets and filed a <em>quo warranto<\\/em> petition against the network.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The impeachment complaint against Justice Leonen assails his \\u201clack of integrity for failure to file his SALNs\\u201d and \\u201cnegligence and incompetence for failing to dispose of the cases assigned to him in violation of the Constitution.\\u201d As if on cue, the OSG also sought to access Justice Leonen\\u2019s SALNs for a possible <em>quo warranto<\\/em> proceeding, but to no avail.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Has the Court inadvertently allowed the OSG to use the <em>quo warranto <\\/em>action to threaten critical or \\u201cunfriendly\\u201d personalities? While the Court resolved <em>Sereno <\\/em>as a legal matter, its ramifications have caused serious effects on local politics.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>To be clear, Court did not start the politicization or weaponization of a <em>quo warranto<\\/em> action. It merely clarified its use as a remedy under procedural law and applied it in <em>Sereno<\\/em>. The Court cannot judge the intention of <em>quo<\\/em> <em>warranto<\\/em> petitioners because it is not a trier of facts. Besides, its judicial independence transcends the changes in the political landscape where the other two co-equal branches reside.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 However, it may be reasonable for the Court to discuss the procedure for filing a <em>quo warranto<\\/em> petition against impeachable officials. It should establish the proper court jurisdiction for such an action, particularly applying the recent clarification on the doctrine of hierarchy of courts in <em>Gios-Samar v. DOTC and CAAP.<\\/em><a href=\\\"#_ftn30\\\"><sup>[30]<\\/sup><\\/a>It may even consider the imposition of penalties for people who trivialize a <em>quo warranto<\\/em> petition to achieve personal or political wins.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 When an opportunity presents itself, the Court must take steps in harmonizing differing interpretations of Section 8 of R.A. No. 6713,<a href=\\\"#_ftn31\\\">[31]<\\/a> commonly referred to as the SALN Law. Because of the precedent-setting <em>Sereno<\\/em> ruling on the relationship between a public official\\u2019s integrity and his (or her) non-filing of SALNs, there may soon be another case filed in courts involving the same or very similar issue.\\u00a0 The Court must settle the to preserve the country\\u2019s political structure and restore public trust in the government. Decisive action in favoring the greater good transcends even the most powerful, albeit impermanent, politicians and power players in the country.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Court must quash any attempt to seek the perversion of justice through shrewd maneuvers to poke holes into its decisions. It must not venture into any game of semantics and provide our legal system with the correct reading of the law. The Court\\u2019s infallibility resides not in the composition of sitting Justices or the brilliance of its decisions but in the fact that it is the \\u201ccourt of last resort.\\u201d With this in mind, the Court must express its wisdom on this matter before waiting for an actual controversy to avoid making its decision more controversial than the controversy already found therein.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">[1]<\\/a>UST Law Review, Staff Member.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a>G.R. No. 237428, May 11, 2018.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a> <em>Id<\\/em>.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[4]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em> at 48.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[5]<\\/a> CONST., art VI, sec 3.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[6]<\\/a> Official Gazette, Impeachment: A Political and Historical Guide, https:\\/\\/www.officialgazette.gov.ph\\/interactive-a-primer-on-impeachment\\/ (last accessed June 4, 2021).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\">[7]<\\/a> <em>The Diocese of Bacolod v. Commission on Elections<\\/em>, G.R. No. 205728, January 21, 2015.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\">[8]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em>, note 2, at 24. This Latin phrase means \\u201cno time runs against the king.\\u201d<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\">[9]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em>, at 76<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\">[10]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em>, at 90-96.\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\">[11]<\\/a> CONST., art VIII, sec 7(3): <em>A Member of the Judiciary must be a person of proven competence, integrity, probity, and independence.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref12\\\">[12]<\\/a> CONST., art VIII, sec 8(5): <em>The Council shall have the principal function of recommending appointees to the Judiciary. It may exercise such other functions and duties as the Supreme Court may assign to it.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref13\\\">[13]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em>, note 2, at 120.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref14\\\">[14]<\\/a> 498 Phil. 395 (2005).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref15\\\">[15]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em> Based on a letter sent by the Acting Branch Clerk of Court of Branch 155, RTC, Pasig City.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref16\\\">[16]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em>,note 2, at 101.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref17\\\">[17]<\\/a> <em>Id.,<\\/em> \\u00a0at 102.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref18\\\">[18]<\\/a> 709 Phil. 408 (2013).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref19\\\">[19]<\\/a> Tetch Torres-Tupas, Calida asks SC to junk quo warranto case vs Duterte, September 3, 2018, https:\\/\\/newsinfo.inquirer.net\\/ 1027861\\/calida-asks-sc-to-junk-quo-warranto-case-vs-duterte (last accessed February 3, 2021).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref20\\\">[20]<\\/a> Edu Punay, SC asked to junk quo warranto case vs Duterte, September 4, 2018, https:\\/\\/www.philstar.com\\/headlines\\/2018\\/09\\/04\\/1848562\\/sc-asked-junk-quo-warranto-case-vs-duterte (last accessed February 2, 2021).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref21\\\">[21]<\\/a> OSG files petition for quo warranto vs ABS-CBN; asks SC to forfeit legislative franchise, February 10, 2020, https:\\/ \\/pia.gov.ph\\/news\\/articles\\/1034298 (last accessed February 3, 2021).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref22\\\">[22]<\\/a> Rey Panaligan, SC junks quo warranto complaint vs ABS-CBN, June 30, 2020, https:\\/\\/mb.com.ph\\/2020\\/06\\/23\\/sc-junks-quo-warranto-complaint-vs-abs-cbn\\/ (last accessed February 1, 2021).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref23\\\">[23]<\\/a> Rigoberto Tiglao, Leonen failed to file his SALNs like Sereno, but for more years, September 7, 2020, https:\\/\\/www.manilatimes.net\\/2020\\/ 09\\/07\\/opinion\\/columnists\\/topanalysis\\/leonen-failed-to-file-his-salns-like-sereno-but-for-more-years\\/765590 (last accessed June 07, 2021).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref24\\\">[24]<\\/a> Joel San Juan, SC affirms rejection of Gadon request for Leonen\\u2019s SALN, November 3, 2020, https:\\/\\/businessmirror.com.ph\\/2020\\/11\\/03\\/sc-affirms-rejection-of-gadon-request-for-leonens-saln\\/ (last accessed June 07, 2021).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref25\\\">[25]<\\/a> Jomar Canlas, OSG readies quo warranto vs Leonen, November 2, 2020, https:\\/\\/www.manilatimes.net\\/2020\\/11\\/02\\/news\\/ national\\/osg-readies-quo-warranto-vs-leonen\\/790244\\/ (last accessed February 3, 2021).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref26\\\">[26]<\\/a> A.M. No. 09-8-6-SC, June 13, 2012.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref27\\\">[27]<\\/a> The University of the Philippines Gazette, Decisions of the Board of Regents, 1356<sup>th<\\/sup> Meeting, Volume LI Issue Number 7, November 26, 2020, (last accessed June 05, 2021).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref28\\\">[28]<\\/a> House of Representatives, Committee Daily Bulletin, p. 12-13, in Vol. II No. 168, 18<sup>th<\\/sup> Congress, Second Regular Session, (May 27, 2021).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref29\\\">[29]<\\/a> <em>Id<\\/em>., at 13.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref30\\\">[30]<\\/a> G.R. No. 217158, March 12, 2019. Speaking through Justice Jardeleza, the Court <em>En Banc<\\/em> ruled that: \\u201cAccordingly, for the guidance of the bench and the bar, we reiterate that when a question before the Court involves determination of a factual issue indispensable to the resolution of the legal issue, the Court will refuse to resolve the question regardless of the allegation or invocation of compelling reasons, such as the transcendental or paramount importance of the case. Such question must first be brought before the proper trial courts or the CA, both of which are specially equipped to try and resolve factual questions.\\u201d<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref31\\\">[31]<\\/a> An Act Establishing a Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees, to Uphold the Time-Honored Principle of Public Office Being a Public Trust, Granting Incentives and Rewards for Exemplary Service, Enumerating Prohibited Acts and Transactions and Providing Penalties for Violations thereof and for Other Purposes, Republic Act No. 6713, (1989).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0<\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]},\"text_shadow_text_shadow_type\":\"yes\",\"text_shadow_text_shadow\":{\"horizontal\":0,\"vertical\":0,\"blur\":0,\"color\":\"rgba(0,0,0,0.3)\"}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(4515,1395,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(4516,1395,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(4517,1395,'_elementor_version','3.2.5'),(4518,1395,'_wp_page_template','default'),(4519,1395,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"2cdfbf39\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"2c640098\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"4b2e55e0\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><!-- wp:heading --><\\/p>\\n<h2><strong><em>REPUBLIC V. SERENO<\\/em><\\/strong><strong> AND ITS AFTERMATH: THE POLITICIZATION OF <em>QUO WARRANTO<\\/em> PETITIONS<\\/strong><\\/h2>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><em>By: Bryan Jay L. Santos<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\"><sup><strong><sup>[1]<\\/sup><\\/strong><\\/sup><\\/a><\\/em><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>I. INTRODUCTION<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<blockquote>\\n<p><em>Despite our most solid belief that we are right, we should still have the humility<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><em>to be open to the possibility that others may not see it our way.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><em>- Supreme Court Associate Justice Marvic M. V. F. Leonen<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><em>in his Dissenting Opinion in Republic v. Sereno<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<\\/blockquote>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 On May 11, 2018, the Supreme Court of the Philippines, in one fell swoop, ousted its own Chief Justice. The decision in <em>Republic v. Sereno<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\"><sup><strong><sup>[2]<\\/sup><\\/strong><\\/sup><\\/a><\\/em> took the Office of Solicitor General\\u2019s (OSG) position that even impeachable officials can be removed from office via a <em>quo warranto<\\/em> petition. The decision discarded the traditional concept of removing impeachable officials from office only through impeachment proceedings. Sereno\\u2019s removal even prompted Associate Justice Marvic M. V. F. Leonen to call it a \\u201clegal abomination.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\"><sup>[3]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 But by and large, the <em>Sereno<\\/em> decision, aptly described as <em>sui generis<\\/em> or \\u201cin a class by itself,\\u201d has set a legal precedent for cases based on <em>quo warranto <\\/em>petitions by the OSG. The decision has engendered fears that the OSG has found a way to silence those in the government service who espouse views that are contrary to the current administration\\u2019s position.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>II. DIFFERENTIATING IMPEACHMENTFROM <em>QUO WARRANTO<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Court explained in<em> Sereno<\\/em> that \\u201cat its most basic, impeachment proceedings are political in nature, while an action for <em>quo warranto<\\/em> is judicial or a proceeding traditionally lodged in courts.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\"><sup>[4]<\\/sup><\\/a> Section 2, Article XI of the 1987 Constitution specifies the grounds for impeachment and those officials that may be impeached:<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><em>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Section 2. The President, the Vice-President, the Members of the Supreme Court, the Members of the Constitutional Commissions, and the Ombudsman may be removed from office on impeachment for, and conviction of, culpable violation of the Constitution, treason, bribery, graft and corruption, other high crimes, or betrayal of public trust. All other public officers and employees may be removed from office as provided by law, but not by impeachment.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>\\u00a0<\\/strong>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Court points out that impeachment is \\u201cessentially a political process meant to vindicate the violation of the public\\u2019s trust.\\u201d The Constitution vests in the House of Representatives the power to initiate all cases of impeachment. Meanwhile, it vests in the Senate the power to try and decide all the cases.<a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\"><sup>[5]<\\/sup><\\/a> Any member of the House of Representatives or any citizen with an endorsement of any member of the House of Representatives may file an impeachment complaint.<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\">[6]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Meanwhile, Rule 66 of the Rules of Court defines a <em>quo warranto<\\/em> petition as:<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><em>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Section 1. Action by Government against individuals. \\u2014 An action for the usurpation of a public office, position or franchise may be commenced by a verified petition brought in the name of the Republic of the Philippines against:<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><em>(a) A person who usurps, intrudes into, or unlawfully holds or exercises a public office, position or franchise;<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><em>(b) A public officer who does or suffers an act which, by the provision of law, constitutes a ground for the forfeiture of his office; or<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><em>(c) An association which acts as a corporation within the Philippines without being legally incorporated or without lawful authority so to act.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 This rule allows the Solicitor General to commence the action before the Regional Trial Court (RTC) of Manila, the Court of Appeals (CA), or even the Supreme Court (Court). Procedural law shows that a <em>quo warranto<\\/em> petition proceeds independently from an impeachment case, even if the two may result in the same outcome: the removal of an impeachable official.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>III. HOW THE SUPREME COURT RULED IN <em>SERENO<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In <em>Sereno,<\\/em> the Court tackled the OSG\\u2019s petition for being a matter of transcendental importance, which is an exception to the doctrine of hierarchy of courts.<a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\"><sup>[7]<\\/sup><\\/a> The Court ruled that the one-year prescription on <em>quo warranto<\\/em> cases applies only to private citizens and not to the State. The Court took the OSG\\u2019s position that the State has an imprescriptible right to bring a <em>quo warranto<\\/em> petition under the Latin maxim \\u201c<em>nullum tempus occurit regi<\\/em>.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\">[8]<\\/a> As applied in <em>Sereno<\\/em>, this maxim shows that when the State, through the Solicitor General, files a case on behalf of the people or when the matter involves the interest of the general public, the lapse of time constitutes no bar to the proceeding.<a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\">[9]<\\/a> Thus, prescription or laches will not be a defense when the government is the real party in interest. \\u00a0The Court found that Sereno had consistently failed to file her Statements of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN) for her years of service in the government, particularly during the period she was affiliated with the University of the Philippines. The Court held in no uncertain terms that the SALN requirement is mandatory.<a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\"><sup>[10]<\\/sup><\\/a> It ruled that her failure to file her SALNs reflected on her lack of integrity: a continuing qualification for a member of the Judiciary.<a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\"><sup>[11]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Sereno\\u2019s inconsistent filing of her SALNs as a professor at the University of the Philippines disqualified her at the outset for the position of Chief Justice in 2012. The Judicial and Bar Council (JBC), which screens and recommends applicants to posts in the Judiciary,<a href=\\\"#_ftn12\\\"><sup>[12]<\\/sup><\\/a> required the then applicants to submit their past ten (10) SALNs, specifically for \\u00a02001 to 2011. Despite this rule, the Court found it bizarre for the JBC to have accepted Sereno\\u2019s submission of only three (3) SALNs and her justification-explanation letter indicating that her other SALNS were \\u201cinfeasible to retrieve.\\u201d The OSG disputed this by presenting some of Sereno\\u2019s \\u201cmissing\\u201d SALNs.<a href=\\\"#_ftn13\\\"><sup>[13]<\\/sup><\\/a> As ruled by the Court, Sereno\\u2019s blatant disregard of the JBC rule on SALN submission manifested her lack of integrity. She violated not only the JBC rules but also the law and the Constitution.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Sereno\\u2019s defense consistently relied on the \\u201c<em>Doblada<\\/em> doctrine,\\u201d which pertains to the Court\\u2019s decision in <em>Concerned Taxypayer v. Doblada, Jr.<a href=\\\"#_ftn14\\\"><strong>[14]<\\/strong><\\/a> <\\/em>In this case, Norberto Doblada, a court sheriff, was accused of failing to file his SALNs for 18 years based on the investigation of the Office of the Court Administrator (OCA). However, Doblada presented evidence<a href=\\\"#_ftn15\\\">[15]<\\/a> that he had filed one of the SALNs that he allegedly failed to file. The Court held in this case that \\u201cone cannot readily conclude that respondent failed to file his sworn [SALNs] \\u2026 simply because these documents are missing[.]\\u201d Sereno thus passed the buck to the OSG to show that she did not file her SALNs in the contested years and not just rely on their finding that the SALNs were simply no longer on file in the relevant offices.<a href=\\\"#_ftn16\\\">[16]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Court found that the <em>Doblada <\\/em>case is not on all fours with the circumstances surrounding Sereno\\u2019s alleged non-filing of her SALNs. The Court highlighted the fact that based on the evidence presented, \\u201cthe existence of [the] SALNs and the <em>fact of filing <\\/em>thereof were neither established by direct proof constituting substantial evidence nor by mere inference.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn17\\\">[17]<\\/a> Moreover, the Court found in <em>Doblada <\\/em>that there was no categorical statement from the OCA, the repository agency for the SALNs of employees of the Judiciary, that the contested SALNs were not on file. This was not the same circumstance in Sereno\\u2019s case. The Office of the Ombudsman, the repository agency of Sereno\\u2019s SALNs, categorically stated that Sereno has no SALNs filed for the contested years. Thus, the Ombudsman\\u2019s categorical statement and Sereno\\u2019s inability to show proof of her filing said SALNs conclusively established that she did not file them.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Finally, that former President Benigno Simeon Aquino III eventually appointed Sereno as Chief Justice did not cure her ineligibility and lack of integrity. In <em>Maquiling v. COMELEC,<\\/em><a href=\\\"#_ftn18\\\"><sup>[18]<\\/sup><\\/a>the Court ruled that qualifications for public office must be possessed at the time of appointment and assumption to office and during the officer\\u2019s entire tenure as a continuing requirement. Hence, the Court found Sereno to have unlawfully held the position of, and exercised the powers vested in, the Chief Justice.\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>III. <em>QUO WARRANTO<\\/em> PETITIONS POST-<em>SERENO<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 People have expressed fears that a<em> quo warranto<\\/em> petition may be weaponized against any public officer, impeachable or not. After <em>Sereno<\\/em>, some <em>quo warranto<\\/em> petitions have made headlines locally. In 2018, former presidential candidate Elly Pamatong filed such an action against President Rodrigo Duterte. He claimed that President Duterte was not qualified to become President when the latter filed his Certificate of Candidacy (COC) in the 2016 elections because he initially filed his COC for mayor of Davao City.<a href=\\\"#_ftn19\\\"><sup>[19]<\\/sup><\\/a> Solicitor General Jose Calida (SolGen Calida) sought to have the petition dismissed for false allegations because the COMELEC already affirmed Duterte\\u2019s COC as valid and effective.<a href=\\\"#_ftn20\\\"><sup>[20]<\\/sup><\\/a> Interestingly, SolGen Calida said that Pamatong\\u2019s petition \\u201ctrivialized the rules of procedure.\\u201d<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In February last year, SolGen Calida filed a <em>quo warranto<\\/em> petition against broadcasting network ABS-CBN for unlawfully exercising its franchise by broadcasting for a fee and allowing foreign investors to participate in the network\\u2019s ownership.<a href=\\\"#_ftn21\\\"><sup>[21]<\\/sup><\\/a> The House of Representatives went on recess in March 2020 without tackling ABS-CBN\\u2019s franchise application, and on May 4, the franchise expired. The following day, the network went off the air. On June 23, the Court dismissed the <em>quo <\\/em>warranto petition for being moot, following the expiration of the network\\u2019s franchise.<a href=\\\"#_ftn22\\\"><sup>[22]<\\/sup><\\/a> In July, the House Committee on Legislative Franchises denied the franchise renewal of ABS-CBN.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The latest OSG-initiated quo warranto petition was against incumbent Associate Justice Leonen. Last year, some individuals attempted to retrieve Justice Leonen\\u2019s SALNs from the Office of the Ombudsman and found that some of his SALNs were not on file. Manila Times columnist Rigoberto Tiglao wrote that he had previously requested for copies of Leonen\\u2019s SALNs from the Office of the Ombudsman. The Office of the Ombudsman replied to his request and stated that Justice Leonen had missing SALNs on file, specifically for the years that he was still working at the University of the Philippines.<a href=\\\"#_ftn23\\\">[23]<\\/a> However, the Office of the Court Administrator rebuffed his similar request and noted that such documents are considered privileged communication. Lawyer Larry Gadon also sought to have copies of Leonen\\u2019s copies, but the Court firmly rejected his request.<a href=\\\"#_ftn24\\\">[24]<\\/a> To recall, Gadon filed an impeachment complaint against Sereno in 2017 and assisted in the filing of the impeachment complaint against Justice Leonen last year.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The alleged non-filing of SALNs is reminiscent of the same ground which caused the ouster of Sereno. Making a case out of this, the OSG appealed to the Court to release the SALNs of Justice Leonen in preparation for a possible <em>quo warranto<\\/em> proceeding against him.<a href=\\\"#_ftn25\\\"><sup>[25]<\\/sup><\\/a> However, the Court rebuffed the OSG\\u2019s unrelenting pursuit of Justice Leonen\\u2019s SALNs and reiterated the procedures for entertaining any request for copies of SALNs and personal data sheets of Supreme Court Justices and officers and employees of the Judiciary.<a href=\\\"#_ftn26\\\">[26]<\\/a> The OSG\\u2019s request met a similar fate in the hands of the Board of Regents of the University of the Philippines (UP-BOR). In the Minutes of the UP-BOR Meeting,<a href=\\\"#_ftn27\\\">[27]<\\/a> the Board of Regents deliberated on the OSG\\u2019s requests for copies of Justice Leonen\\u2019s SALNs from the University of the Philippines. It decided not to grant these requests in light of the Court\\u2019s earlier denial of the same requests from the OSG and pending legal advice.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Certain quarters in the political arena forayed once again in filing an impeachment complaint, this time against Justice Leonen, seeking refuge in the landmark <em>Sereno<\\/em> ruling that the non-filing of SALNs reflects on a public official\\u2019s integrity. Promptly, private citizen Edwin Cordevilla filed an impeachment complaint against Justice Leonen on December 7, 2020. Ilocos Norte Rep. Angelo Marcos Barba, the cousin of defeated Vice-Presidential candidate Ferdinand \\u201cBongbong\\u201d Marcos, Jr., promptly endorsed the complaint. The Speaker of the House of Representatives eventually calendared the impeachment complaint and later on referred the same before the Committee on Justice of the House of Representatives per House Rules. Based on the minutes of the meeting held on May 27, 2021,<a href=\\\"#_ftn28\\\">[28]<\\/a> the Committee on Justice, chaired by Leyte Rep. Vicente Veloso III,\\u00a0 deliberated on the impeachment complaint, which cited three grounds:<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:list {\\\"ordered\\\":true,\\\"type\\\":\\\"1\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<ol>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\n<ol>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\n<ol>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\n<ol type=\\\"1\\\">\\n<li>The respondent committed culpable violation of the Constitution for failing to dispose of at least 37 cases within 24 months as mandated under Section 15 (1), Article VIII, in relation to Section 16, Article III of the Constitution, which mandates the prompt action and speedy disposition of cases;<\\/li>\\n<li>The respondent arbitrarily delayed the resolution of cases pending before him as chairperson of the House of Representatives Electoral Tribunal (HRET); and<\\/li>\\n<li>The respondent failed to file his Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN) for a total of 15 years while working at the University of the Philippines.\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0<\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 On the same day and in the same meeting, the House Committee on Justice ruled that the impeachment complaint was insufficient in form. The Committee members found that none of the documents annexed to the complaint are authentic or certified true copies, in violation of the impeachment rules of the House. The members also noted that Cordevilla could not show that he has personal knowledge of the facts in his complaint or the acts and omissions that the complaint attributes to Justice Leonen. The members considered as hearsay the allegations supported only by annexed news articles.<a href=\\\"#_ftn29\\\">[29]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>IV. THE SUPREME COURT AND THE THREAT OF <em>QUO WARRANTO<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Legal precedents bind Supreme Court decisions under the doctrine of <em>stare decisis<\\/em>. <em>Sereno<\\/em> put into the fore the nature of a <em>quo warranto<\\/em> action and laid the doctrine that impeachable officials may be removed from office if they lacked the qualifications required before and during the holding of such office. Many perceive that the OSG is using the petition against personalities that have earned the administration\\u2019s ire.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 It is no secret that President Duterte publicly threatened to block ABS-CBN\\u2019s franchise renewal. While he could not legally do so, his allies in the House of Representatives made sure they carried out his will. Amid House hearings on the franchise renewal, the OSG hedged its bets and filed a <em>quo warranto<\\/em> petition against the network.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The impeachment complaint against Justice Leonen assails his \\u201clack of integrity for failure to file his SALNs\\u201d and \\u201cnegligence and incompetence for failing to dispose of the cases assigned to him in violation of the Constitution.\\u201d As if on cue, the OSG also sought to access Justice Leonen\\u2019s SALNs for a possible <em>quo warranto<\\/em> proceeding, but to no avail.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Has the Court inadvertently allowed the OSG to use the <em>quo warranto <\\/em>action to threaten critical or \\u201cunfriendly\\u201d personalities? While the Court resolved <em>Sereno <\\/em>as a legal matter, its ramifications have caused serious effects on local politics.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>To be clear, Court did not start the politicization or weaponization of a <em>quo warranto<\\/em> action. It merely clarified its use as a remedy under procedural law and applied it in <em>Sereno<\\/em>. The Court cannot judge the intention of <em>quo<\\/em> <em>warranto<\\/em> petitioners because it is not a trier of facts. Besides, its judicial independence transcends the changes in the political landscape where the other two co-equal branches reside.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 However, it may be reasonable for the Court to discuss the procedure for filing a <em>quo warranto<\\/em> petition against impeachable officials. It should establish the proper court jurisdiction for such an action, particularly applying the recent clarification on the doctrine of hierarchy of courts in <em>Gios-Samar v. DOTC and CAAP.<\\/em><a href=\\\"#_ftn30\\\"><sup>[30]<\\/sup><\\/a>It may even consider the imposition of penalties for people who trivialize a <em>quo warranto<\\/em> petition to achieve personal or political wins.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 When an opportunity presents itself, the Court must take steps in harmonizing differing interpretations of Section 8 of R.A. No. 6713,<a href=\\\"#_ftn31\\\">[31]<\\/a> commonly referred to as the SALN Law. Because of the precedent-setting <em>Sereno<\\/em> ruling on the relationship between a public official\\u2019s integrity and his (or her) non-filing of SALNs, there may soon be another case filed in courts involving the same or very similar issue.\\u00a0 The Court must settle the to preserve the country\\u2019s political structure and restore public trust in the government. Decisive action in favoring the greater good transcends even the most powerful, albeit impermanent, politicians and power players in the country.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Court must quash any attempt to seek the perversion of justice through shrewd maneuvers to poke holes into its decisions. It must not venture into any game of semantics and provide our legal system with the correct reading of the law. The Court\\u2019s infallibility resides not in the composition of sitting Justices or the brilliance of its decisions but in the fact that it is the \\u201ccourt of last resort.\\u201d With this in mind, the Court must express its wisdom on this matter before waiting for an actual controversy to avoid making its decision more controversial than the controversy already found therein.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">[1]<\\/a>UST Law Review, Staff Member.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a>G.R. No. 237428, May 11, 2018.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a> <em>Id<\\/em>.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[4]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em> at 48.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[5]<\\/a> CONST., art VI, sec 3.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[6]<\\/a> Official Gazette, Impeachment: A Political and Historical Guide, https:\\/\\/www.officialgazette.gov.ph\\/interactive-a-primer-on-impeachment\\/ (last accessed June 4, 2021).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\">[7]<\\/a> <em>The Diocese of Bacolod v. Commission on Elections<\\/em>, G.R. No. 205728, January 21, 2015.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\">[8]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em>, note 2, at 24. This Latin phrase means \\u201cno time runs against the king.\\u201d<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\">[9]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em>, at 76<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\">[10]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em>, at 90-96.\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\">[11]<\\/a> CONST., art VIII, sec 7(3): <em>A Member of the Judiciary must be a person of proven competence, integrity, probity, and independence.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref12\\\">[12]<\\/a> CONST., art VIII, sec 8(5): <em>The Council shall have the principal function of recommending appointees to the Judiciary. It may exercise such other functions and duties as the Supreme Court may assign to it.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref13\\\">[13]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em>, note 2, at 120.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref14\\\">[14]<\\/a> 498 Phil. 395 (2005).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref15\\\">[15]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em> Based on a letter sent by the Acting Branch Clerk of Court of Branch 155, RTC, Pasig City.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref16\\\">[16]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em>,note 2, at 101.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref17\\\">[17]<\\/a> <em>Id.,<\\/em> \\u00a0at 102.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref18\\\">[18]<\\/a> 709 Phil. 408 (2013).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref19\\\">[19]<\\/a> Tetch Torres-Tupas, Calida asks SC to junk quo warranto case vs Duterte, September 3, 2018, https:\\/\\/newsinfo.inquirer.net\\/ 1027861\\/calida-asks-sc-to-junk-quo-warranto-case-vs-duterte (last accessed February 3, 2021).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref20\\\">[20]<\\/a> Edu Punay, SC asked to junk quo warranto case vs Duterte, September 4, 2018, https:\\/\\/www.philstar.com\\/headlines\\/2018\\/09\\/04\\/1848562\\/sc-asked-junk-quo-warranto-case-vs-duterte (last accessed February 2, 2021).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref21\\\">[21]<\\/a> OSG files petition for quo warranto vs ABS-CBN; asks SC to forfeit legislative franchise, February 10, 2020, https:\\/ \\/pia.gov.ph\\/news\\/articles\\/1034298 (last accessed February 3, 2021).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref22\\\">[22]<\\/a> Rey Panaligan, SC junks quo warranto complaint vs ABS-CBN, June 30, 2020, https:\\/\\/mb.com.ph\\/2020\\/06\\/23\\/sc-junks-quo-warranto-complaint-vs-abs-cbn\\/ (last accessed February 1, 2021).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref23\\\">[23]<\\/a> Rigoberto Tiglao, Leonen failed to file his SALNs like Sereno, but for more years, September 7, 2020, https:\\/\\/www.manilatimes.net\\/2020\\/ 09\\/07\\/opinion\\/columnists\\/topanalysis\\/leonen-failed-to-file-his-salns-like-sereno-but-for-more-years\\/765590 (last accessed June 07, 2021).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref24\\\">[24]<\\/a> Joel San Juan, SC affirms rejection of Gadon request for Leonen\\u2019s SALN, November 3, 2020, https:\\/\\/businessmirror.com.ph\\/2020\\/11\\/03\\/sc-affirms-rejection-of-gadon-request-for-leonens-saln\\/ (last accessed June 07, 2021).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref25\\\">[25]<\\/a> Jomar Canlas, OSG readies quo warranto vs Leonen, November 2, 2020, https:\\/\\/www.manilatimes.net\\/2020\\/11\\/02\\/news\\/ national\\/osg-readies-quo-warranto-vs-leonen\\/790244\\/ (last accessed February 3, 2021).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref26\\\">[26]<\\/a> A.M. No. 09-8-6-SC, June 13, 2012.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref27\\\">[27]<\\/a> The University of the Philippines Gazette, Decisions of the Board of Regents, 1356<sup>th<\\/sup> Meeting, Volume LI Issue Number 7, November 26, 2020, (last accessed June 05, 2021).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref28\\\">[28]<\\/a> House of Representatives, Committee Daily Bulletin, p. 12-13, in Vol. II No. 168, 18<sup>th<\\/sup> Congress, Second Regular Session, (May 27, 2021).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref29\\\">[29]<\\/a> <em>Id<\\/em>., at 13.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref30\\\">[30]<\\/a> G.R. No. 217158, March 12, 2019. Speaking through Justice Jardeleza, the Court <em>En Banc<\\/em> ruled that: \\u201cAccordingly, for the guidance of the bench and the bar, we reiterate that when a question before the Court involves determination of a factual issue indispensable to the resolution of the legal issue, the Court will refuse to resolve the question regardless of the allegation or invocation of compelling reasons, such as the transcendental or paramount importance of the case. Such question must first be brought before the proper trial courts or the CA, both of which are specially equipped to try and resolve factual questions.\\u201d<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref31\\\">[31]<\\/a> An Act Establishing a Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees, to Uphold the Time-Honored Principle of Public Office Being a Public Trust, Granting Incentives and Rewards for Exemplary Service, Enumerating Prohibited Acts and Transactions and Providing Penalties for Violations thereof and for Other Purposes, Republic Act No. 6713, (1989).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0<\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]},\"text_shadow_text_shadow_type\":\"yes\",\"text_shadow_text_shadow\":{\"horizontal\":0,\"vertical\":0,\"blur\":0,\"color\":\"rgba(0,0,0,0.3)\"}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(4520,1395,'_elementor_controls_usage','a:3:{s:11:\"text-editor\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:2;s:8:\"controls\";a:2:{s:7:\"content\";a:1:{s:14:\"section_editor\";a:1:{s:6:\"editor\";i:1;}}s:5:\"style\";a:1:{s:13:\"section_style\";a:4:{s:21:\"typography_typography\";i:1;s:22:\"typography_line_height\";i:1;s:28:\"text_shadow_text_shadow_type\";i:1;s:23:\"text_shadow_text_shadow\";i:1;}}}}s:6:\"column\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:0;s:8:\"controls\";a:0:{}}s:7:\"section\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:0;s:8:\"controls\";a:0:{}}}'),(4523,1396,'_wp_attached_file','2021/07/For-Quo-Warranto-under-Section-51-Article-VIII-of-the-1987-Constitution-and-Rule-66-of-the-Rules-of-Court2.png'),(4524,1396,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:5:{s:5:\"width\";i:1920;s:6:\"height\";i:1080;s:4:\"file\";s:118:\"2021/07/For-Quo-Warranto-under-Section-51-Article-VIII-of-the-1987-Constitution-and-Rule-66-of-the-Rules-of-Court2.png\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:13:{s:6:\"medium\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:118:\"For-Quo-Warranto-under-Section-51-Article-VIII-of-the-1987-Constitution-and-Rule-66-of-the-Rules-of-Court2-300x169.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:300;s:6:\"height\";i:169;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:5:\"large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:119:\"For-Quo-Warranto-under-Section-51-Article-VIII-of-the-1987-Constitution-and-Rule-66-of-the-Rules-of-Court2-1024x576.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:1024;s:6:\"height\";i:576;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:9:\"thumbnail\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:118:\"For-Quo-Warranto-under-Section-51-Article-VIII-of-the-1987-Constitution-and-Rule-66-of-the-Rules-of-Court2-150x150.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:12:\"medium_large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:118:\"For-Quo-Warranto-under-Section-51-Article-VIII-of-the-1987-Constitution-and-Rule-66-of-the-Rules-of-Court2-768x432.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:768;s:6:\"height\";i:432;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:9:\"1536x1536\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:119:\"For-Quo-Warranto-under-Section-51-Article-VIII-of-the-1987-Constitution-and-Rule-66-of-the-Rules-of-Court2-1536x864.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:1536;s:6:\"height\";i:864;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:24:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:118:\"For-Quo-Warranto-under-Section-51-Article-VIII-of-the-1987-Constitution-and-Rule-66-of-the-Rules-of-Court2-170x110.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:25:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:116:\"For-Quo-Warranto-under-Section-51-Article-VIII-of-the-1987-Constitution-and-Rule-66-of-the-Rules-of-Court2-86x70.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:117:\"For-Quo-Warranto-under-Section-51-Article-VIII-of-the-1987-Constitution-and-Rule-66-of-the-Rules-of-Court2-170x96.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:96;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:22:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:118:\"For-Quo-Warranto-under-Section-51-Article-VIII-of-the-1987-Constitution-and-Rule-66-of-the-Rules-of-Court2-370x250.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:30:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:118:\"For-Quo-Warranto-under-Section-51-Article-VIII-of-the-1987-Constitution-and-Rule-66-of-the-Rules-of-Court2-370x208.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:208;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:21:\"bfastmag_related_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:118:\"For-Quo-Warranto-under-Section-51-Article-VIII-of-the-1987-Constitution-and-Rule-66-of-the-Rules-of-Court2-288x160.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:288;s:6:\"height\";i:160;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:18:\"bfastmag_blog_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:118:\"For-Quo-Warranto-under-Section-51-Article-VIII-of-the-1987-Constitution-and-Rule-66-of-the-Rules-of-Court2-780x544.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:26:\"bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:118:\"For-Quo-Warranto-under-Section-51-Article-VIII-of-the-1987-Constitution-and-Rule-66-of-the-Rules-of-Court2-780x439.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:439;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:0:\"\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:1:\"0\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:1:\"0\";s:3:\"iso\";s:1:\"0\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:1:\"0\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";s:1:\"0\";s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}}'),(4525,1385,'_thumbnail_id','1396'),(4526,1397,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(4527,1397,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(4528,1397,'_elementor_version','3.2.5'),(4529,1397,'_wp_page_template','default'),(4530,1397,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"2cdfbf39\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"2c640098\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"4b2e55e0\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><!-- wp:heading --><\\/p>\\n<h2><strong><em>REPUBLIC V. SERENO<\\/em><\\/strong><strong> AND ITS AFTERMATH: THE POLITICIZATION OF <em>QUO WARRANTO<\\/em> PETITIONS<\\/strong><\\/h2>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><em>By: Bryan Jay L. Santos<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\"><sup><strong><sup>[1]<\\/sup><\\/strong><\\/sup><\\/a><\\/em><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>I. INTRODUCTION<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<blockquote>\\n<p><em>Despite our most solid belief that we are right, we should still have the humility<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><em>to be open to the possibility that others may not see it our way.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><em>- Supreme Court Associate Justice Marvic M. V. F. Leonen<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><em>in his Dissenting Opinion in Republic v. Sereno<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<\\/blockquote>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 On May 11, 2018, the Supreme Court of the Philippines, in one fell swoop, ousted its own Chief Justice. The decision in <em>Republic v. Sereno<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\"><sup><strong><sup>[2]<\\/sup><\\/strong><\\/sup><\\/a><\\/em> took the Office of Solicitor General\\u2019s (OSG) position that even impeachable officials can be removed from office via a <em>quo warranto<\\/em> petition. The decision discarded the traditional concept of removing impeachable officials from office only through impeachment proceedings. Sereno\\u2019s removal even prompted Associate Justice Marvic M. V. F. Leonen to call it a \\u201clegal abomination.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\"><sup>[3]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 But by and large, the <em>Sereno<\\/em> decision, aptly described as <em>sui generis<\\/em> or \\u201cin a class by itself,\\u201d has set a legal precedent for cases based on <em>quo warranto <\\/em>petitions by the OSG. The decision has engendered fears that the OSG has found a way to silence those in the government service who espouse views that are contrary to the current administration\\u2019s position.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>II. DIFFERENTIATING IMPEACHMENTFROM <em>QUO WARRANTO<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Court explained in<em> Sereno<\\/em> that \\u201cat its most basic, impeachment proceedings are political in nature, while an action for <em>quo warranto<\\/em> is judicial or a proceeding traditionally lodged in courts.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\"><sup>[4]<\\/sup><\\/a> Section 2, Article XI of the 1987 Constitution specifies the grounds for impeachment and those officials that may be impeached:<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><em>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Section 2. The President, the Vice-President, the Members of the Supreme Court, the Members of the Constitutional Commissions, and the Ombudsman may be removed from office on impeachment for, and conviction of, culpable violation of the Constitution, treason, bribery, graft and corruption, other high crimes, or betrayal of public trust. All other public officers and employees may be removed from office as provided by law, but not by impeachment.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>\\u00a0<\\/strong>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Court points out that impeachment is \\u201cessentially a political process meant to vindicate the violation of the public\\u2019s trust.\\u201d The Constitution vests in the House of Representatives the power to initiate all cases of impeachment. Meanwhile, it vests in the Senate the power to try and decide all the cases.<a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\"><sup>[5]<\\/sup><\\/a> Any member of the House of Representatives or any citizen with an endorsement of any member of the House of Representatives may file an impeachment complaint.<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\">[6]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Meanwhile, Rule 66 of the Rules of Court defines a <em>quo warranto<\\/em> petition as:<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><em>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Section 1. Action by Government against individuals. \\u2014 An action for the usurpation of a public office, position or franchise may be commenced by a verified petition brought in the name of the Republic of the Philippines against:<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><em>(a) A person who usurps, intrudes into, or unlawfully holds or exercises a public office, position or franchise;<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><em>(b) A public officer who does or suffers an act which, by the provision of law, constitutes a ground for the forfeiture of his office; or<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><em>(c) An association which acts as a corporation within the Philippines without being legally incorporated or without lawful authority so to act.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 This rule allows the Solicitor General to commence the action before the Regional Trial Court (RTC) of Manila, the Court of Appeals (CA), or even the Supreme Court (Court). Procedural law shows that a <em>quo warranto<\\/em> petition proceeds independently from an impeachment case, even if the two may result in the same outcome: the removal of an impeachable official.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>III. HOW THE SUPREME COURT RULED IN <em>SERENO<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In <em>Sereno,<\\/em> the Court tackled the OSG\\u2019s petition for being a matter of transcendental importance, which is an exception to the doctrine of hierarchy of courts.<a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\"><sup>[7]<\\/sup><\\/a> The Court ruled that the one-year prescription on <em>quo warranto<\\/em> cases applies only to private citizens and not to the State. The Court took the OSG\\u2019s position that the State has an imprescriptible right to bring a <em>quo warranto<\\/em> petition under the Latin maxim \\u201c<em>nullum tempus occurit regi<\\/em>.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\">[8]<\\/a> As applied in <em>Sereno<\\/em>, this maxim shows that when the State, through the Solicitor General, files a case on behalf of the people or when the matter involves the interest of the general public, the lapse of time constitutes no bar to the proceeding.<a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\">[9]<\\/a> Thus, prescription or laches will not be a defense when the government is the real party in interest. \\u00a0The Court found that Sereno had consistently failed to file her Statements of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN) for her years of service in the government, particularly during the period she was affiliated with the University of the Philippines. The Court held in no uncertain terms that the SALN requirement is mandatory.<a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\"><sup>[10]<\\/sup><\\/a> It ruled that her failure to file her SALNs reflected on her lack of integrity: a continuing qualification for a member of the Judiciary.<a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\"><sup>[11]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Sereno\\u2019s inconsistent filing of her SALNs as a professor at the University of the Philippines disqualified her at the outset for the position of Chief Justice in 2012. The Judicial and Bar Council (JBC), which screens and recommends applicants to posts in the Judiciary,<a href=\\\"#_ftn12\\\"><sup>[12]<\\/sup><\\/a> required the then applicants to submit their past ten (10) SALNs, specifically for \\u00a02001 to 2011. Despite this rule, the Court found it bizarre for the JBC to have accepted Sereno\\u2019s submission of only three (3) SALNs and her justification-explanation letter indicating that her other SALNS were \\u201cinfeasible to retrieve.\\u201d The OSG disputed this by presenting some of Sereno\\u2019s \\u201cmissing\\u201d SALNs.<a href=\\\"#_ftn13\\\"><sup>[13]<\\/sup><\\/a> As ruled by the Court, Sereno\\u2019s blatant disregard of the JBC rule on SALN submission manifested her lack of integrity. She violated not only the JBC rules but also the law and the Constitution.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Sereno\\u2019s defense consistently relied on the \\u201c<em>Doblada<\\/em> doctrine,\\u201d which pertains to the Court\\u2019s decision in <em>Concerned Taxypayer v. Doblada, Jr.<a href=\\\"#_ftn14\\\"><strong>[14]<\\/strong><\\/a> <\\/em>In this case, Norberto Doblada, a court sheriff, was accused of failing to file his SALNs for 18 years based on the investigation of the Office of the Court Administrator (OCA). However, Doblada presented evidence<a href=\\\"#_ftn15\\\">[15]<\\/a> that he had filed one of the SALNs that he allegedly failed to file. The Court held in this case that \\u201cone cannot readily conclude that respondent failed to file his sworn [SALNs] \\u2026 simply because these documents are missing[.]\\u201d Sereno thus passed the buck to the OSG to show that she did not file her SALNs in the contested years and not just rely on their finding that the SALNs were simply no longer on file in the relevant offices.<a href=\\\"#_ftn16\\\">[16]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Court found that the <em>Doblada <\\/em>case is not on all fours with the circumstances surrounding Sereno\\u2019s alleged non-filing of her SALNs. The Court highlighted the fact that based on the evidence presented, \\u201cthe existence of [the] SALNs and the <em>fact of filing <\\/em>thereof were neither established by direct proof constituting substantial evidence nor by mere inference.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn17\\\">[17]<\\/a> Moreover, the Court found in <em>Doblada <\\/em>that there was no categorical statement from the OCA, the repository agency for the SALNs of employees of the Judiciary, that the contested SALNs were not on file. This was not the same circumstance in Sereno\\u2019s case. The Office of the Ombudsman, the repository agency of Sereno\\u2019s SALNs, categorically stated that Sereno has no SALNs filed for the contested years. Thus, the Ombudsman\\u2019s categorical statement and Sereno\\u2019s inability to show proof of her filing said SALNs conclusively established that she did not file them.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Finally, that former President Benigno Simeon Aquino III eventually appointed Sereno as Chief Justice did not cure her ineligibility and lack of integrity. In <em>Maquiling v. COMELEC,<\\/em><a href=\\\"#_ftn18\\\"><sup>[18]<\\/sup><\\/a>the Court ruled that qualifications for public office must be possessed at the time of appointment and assumption to office and during the officer\\u2019s entire tenure as a continuing requirement. Hence, the Court found Sereno to have unlawfully held the position of, and exercised the powers vested in, the Chief Justice.\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>III. <em>QUO WARRANTO<\\/em> PETITIONS POST-<em>SERENO<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 People have expressed fears that a<em> quo warranto<\\/em> petition may be weaponized against any public officer, impeachable or not. After <em>Sereno<\\/em>, some <em>quo warranto<\\/em> petitions have made headlines locally. In 2018, former presidential candidate Elly Pamatong filed such an action against President Rodrigo Duterte. He claimed that President Duterte was not qualified to become President when the latter filed his Certificate of Candidacy (COC) in the 2016 elections because he initially filed his COC for mayor of Davao City.<a href=\\\"#_ftn19\\\"><sup>[19]<\\/sup><\\/a> Solicitor General Jose Calida (SolGen Calida) sought to have the petition dismissed for false allegations because the COMELEC already affirmed Duterte\\u2019s COC as valid and effective.<a href=\\\"#_ftn20\\\"><sup>[20]<\\/sup><\\/a> Interestingly, SolGen Calida said that Pamatong\\u2019s petition \\u201ctrivialized the rules of procedure.\\u201d<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In February last year, SolGen Calida filed a <em>quo warranto<\\/em> petition against broadcasting network ABS-CBN for unlawfully exercising its franchise by broadcasting for a fee and allowing foreign investors to participate in the network\\u2019s ownership.<a href=\\\"#_ftn21\\\"><sup>[21]<\\/sup><\\/a> The House of Representatives went on recess in March 2020 without tackling ABS-CBN\\u2019s franchise application, and on May 4, the franchise expired. The following day, the network went off the air. On June 23, the Court dismissed the <em>quo <\\/em>warranto petition for being moot, following the expiration of the network\\u2019s franchise.<a href=\\\"#_ftn22\\\"><sup>[22]<\\/sup><\\/a> In July, the House Committee on Legislative Franchises denied the franchise renewal of ABS-CBN.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The latest OSG-initiated quo warranto petition was against incumbent Associate Justice Leonen. Last year, some individuals attempted to retrieve Justice Leonen\\u2019s SALNs from the Office of the Ombudsman and found that some of his SALNs were not on file. Manila Times columnist Rigoberto Tiglao wrote that he had previously requested for copies of Leonen\\u2019s SALNs from the Office of the Ombudsman. The Office of the Ombudsman replied to his request and stated that Justice Leonen had missing SALNs on file, specifically for the years that he was still working at the University of the Philippines.<a href=\\\"#_ftn23\\\">[23]<\\/a> However, the Office of the Court Administrator rebuffed his similar request and noted that such documents are considered privileged communication. Lawyer Larry Gadon also sought to have copies of Leonen\\u2019s copies, but the Court firmly rejected his request.<a href=\\\"#_ftn24\\\">[24]<\\/a> To recall, Gadon filed an impeachment complaint against Sereno in 2017 and assisted in the filing of the impeachment complaint against Justice Leonen last year.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The alleged non-filing of SALNs is reminiscent of the same ground which caused the ouster of Sereno. Making a case out of this, the OSG appealed to the Court to release the SALNs of Justice Leonen in preparation for a possible <em>quo warranto<\\/em> proceeding against him.<a href=\\\"#_ftn25\\\"><sup>[25]<\\/sup><\\/a> However, the Court rebuffed the OSG\\u2019s unrelenting pursuit of Justice Leonen\\u2019s SALNs and reiterated the procedures for entertaining any request for copies of SALNs and personal data sheets of Supreme Court Justices and officers and employees of the Judiciary.<a href=\\\"#_ftn26\\\">[26]<\\/a> The OSG\\u2019s request met a similar fate in the hands of the Board of Regents of the University of the Philippines (UP-BOR). In the Minutes of the UP-BOR Meeting,<a href=\\\"#_ftn27\\\">[27]<\\/a> the Board of Regents deliberated on the OSG\\u2019s requests for copies of Justice Leonen\\u2019s SALNs from the University of the Philippines. It decided not to grant these requests in light of the Court\\u2019s earlier denial of the same requests from the OSG and pending legal advice.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Certain quarters in the political arena forayed once again in filing an impeachment complaint, this time against Justice Leonen, seeking refuge in the landmark <em>Sereno<\\/em> ruling that the non-filing of SALNs reflects on a public official\\u2019s integrity. Promptly, private citizen Edwin Cordevilla filed an impeachment complaint against Justice Leonen on December 7, 2020. Ilocos Norte Rep. Angelo Marcos Barba, the cousin of defeated Vice-Presidential candidate Ferdinand \\u201cBongbong\\u201d Marcos, Jr., promptly endorsed the complaint. The Speaker of the House of Representatives eventually calendared the impeachment complaint and later on referred the same before the Committee on Justice of the House of Representatives per House Rules. Based on the minutes of the meeting held on May 27, 2021,<a href=\\\"#_ftn28\\\">[28]<\\/a> the Committee on Justice, chaired by Leyte Rep. Vicente Veloso III,\\u00a0 deliberated on the impeachment complaint, which cited three grounds:<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:list {\\\"ordered\\\":true,\\\"type\\\":\\\"1\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<ol>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\n<ol>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\n<ol>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\n<ol type=\\\"1\\\">\\n<li>The respondent committed culpable violation of the Constitution for failing to dispose of at least 37 cases within 24 months as mandated under Section 15 (1), Article VIII, in relation to Section 16, Article III of the Constitution, which mandates the prompt action and speedy disposition of cases;<\\/li>\\n<li>The respondent arbitrarily delayed the resolution of cases pending before him as chairperson of the House of Representatives Electoral Tribunal (HRET); and<\\/li>\\n<li>The respondent failed to file his Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN) for a total of 15 years while working at the University of the Philippines.\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0<\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 On the same day and in the same meeting, the House Committee on Justice ruled that the impeachment complaint was insufficient in form. The Committee members found that none of the documents annexed to the complaint are authentic or certified true copies, in violation of the impeachment rules of the House. The members also noted that Cordevilla could not show that he has personal knowledge of the facts in his complaint or the acts and omissions that the complaint attributes to Justice Leonen. The members considered as hearsay the allegations supported only by annexed news articles.<a href=\\\"#_ftn29\\\">[29]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>IV. THE SUPREME COURT AND THE THREAT OF <em>QUO WARRANTO<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Legal precedents bind Supreme Court decisions under the doctrine of <em>stare decisis<\\/em>. <em>Sereno<\\/em> put into the fore the nature of a <em>quo warranto<\\/em> action and laid the doctrine that impeachable officials may be removed from office if they lacked the qualifications required before and during the holding of such office. Many perceive that the OSG is using the petition against personalities that have earned the administration\\u2019s ire.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 It is no secret that President Duterte publicly threatened to block ABS-CBN\\u2019s franchise renewal. While he could not legally do so, his allies in the House of Representatives made sure they carried out his will. Amid House hearings on the franchise renewal, the OSG hedged its bets and filed a <em>quo warranto<\\/em> petition against the network.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The impeachment complaint against Justice Leonen assails his \\u201clack of integrity for failure to file his SALNs\\u201d and \\u201cnegligence and incompetence for failing to dispose of the cases assigned to him in violation of the Constitution.\\u201d As if on cue, the OSG also sought to access Justice Leonen\\u2019s SALNs for a possible <em>quo warranto<\\/em> proceeding, but to no avail.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Has the Court inadvertently allowed the OSG to use the <em>quo warranto <\\/em>action to threaten critical or \\u201cunfriendly\\u201d personalities? While the Court resolved <em>Sereno <\\/em>as a legal matter, its ramifications have caused serious effects on local politics.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>To be clear, Court did not start the politicization or weaponization of a <em>quo warranto<\\/em> action. It merely clarified its use as a remedy under procedural law and applied it in <em>Sereno<\\/em>. The Court cannot judge the intention of <em>quo<\\/em> <em>warranto<\\/em> petitioners because it is not a trier of facts. Besides, its judicial independence transcends the changes in the political landscape where the other two co-equal branches reside.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 However, it may be reasonable for the Court to discuss the procedure for filing a <em>quo warranto<\\/em> petition against impeachable officials. It should establish the proper court jurisdiction for such an action, particularly applying the recent clarification on the doctrine of hierarchy of courts in <em>Gios-Samar v. DOTC and CAAP.<\\/em><a href=\\\"#_ftn30\\\"><sup>[30]<\\/sup><\\/a>It may even consider the imposition of penalties for people who trivialize a <em>quo warranto<\\/em> petition to achieve personal or political wins.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 When an opportunity presents itself, the Court must take steps in harmonizing differing interpretations of Section 8 of R.A. No. 6713,<a href=\\\"#_ftn31\\\">[31]<\\/a> commonly referred to as the SALN Law. Because of the precedent-setting <em>Sereno<\\/em> ruling on the relationship between a public official\\u2019s integrity and his (or her) non-filing of SALNs, there may soon be another case filed in courts involving the same or very similar issue.\\u00a0 The Court must settle the to preserve the country\\u2019s political structure and restore public trust in the government. Decisive action in favoring the greater good transcends even the most powerful, albeit impermanent, politicians and power players in the country.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Court must quash any attempt to seek the perversion of justice through shrewd maneuvers to poke holes into its decisions. It must not venture into any game of semantics and provide our legal system with the correct reading of the law. The Court\\u2019s infallibility resides not in the composition of sitting Justices or the brilliance of its decisions but in the fact that it is the \\u201ccourt of last resort.\\u201d With this in mind, the Court must express its wisdom on this matter before waiting for an actual controversy to avoid making its decision more controversial than the controversy already found therein.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">[1]<\\/a>UST Law Review, Staff Member.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a>G.R. No. 237428, May 11, 2018.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a> <em>Id<\\/em>.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[4]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em> at 48.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[5]<\\/a> CONST., art VI, sec 3.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[6]<\\/a> Official Gazette, Impeachment: A Political and Historical Guide, https:\\/\\/www.officialgazette.gov.ph\\/interactive-a-primer-on-impeachment\\/ (last accessed June 4, 2021).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\">[7]<\\/a> <em>The Diocese of Bacolod v. Commission on Elections<\\/em>, G.R. No. 205728, January 21, 2015.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\">[8]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em>, note 2, at 24. This Latin phrase means \\u201cno time runs against the king.\\u201d<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\">[9]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em>, at 76<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\">[10]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em>, at 90-96.\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\">[11]<\\/a> CONST., art VIII, sec 7(3): <em>A Member of the Judiciary must be a person of proven competence, integrity, probity, and independence.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref12\\\">[12]<\\/a> CONST., art VIII, sec 8(5): <em>The Council shall have the principal function of recommending appointees to the Judiciary. It may exercise such other functions and duties as the Supreme Court may assign to it.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref13\\\">[13]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em>, note 2, at 120.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref14\\\">[14]<\\/a> 498 Phil. 395 (2005).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref15\\\">[15]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em> Based on a letter sent by the Acting Branch Clerk of Court of Branch 155, RTC, Pasig City.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref16\\\">[16]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em>,note 2, at 101.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref17\\\">[17]<\\/a> <em>Id.,<\\/em> \\u00a0at 102.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref18\\\">[18]<\\/a> 709 Phil. 408 (2013).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref19\\\">[19]<\\/a> Tetch Torres-Tupas, Calida asks SC to junk quo warranto case vs Duterte, September 3, 2018, https:\\/\\/newsinfo.inquirer.net\\/ 1027861\\/calida-asks-sc-to-junk-quo-warranto-case-vs-duterte (last accessed February 3, 2021).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref20\\\">[20]<\\/a> Edu Punay, SC asked to junk quo warranto case vs Duterte, September 4, 2018, https:\\/\\/www.philstar.com\\/headlines\\/2018\\/09\\/04\\/1848562\\/sc-asked-junk-quo-warranto-case-vs-duterte (last accessed February 2, 2021).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref21\\\">[21]<\\/a> OSG files petition for quo warranto vs ABS-CBN; asks SC to forfeit legislative franchise, February 10, 2020, https:\\/ \\/pia.gov.ph\\/news\\/articles\\/1034298 (last accessed February 3, 2021).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref22\\\">[22]<\\/a> Rey Panaligan, SC junks quo warranto complaint vs ABS-CBN, June 30, 2020, https:\\/\\/mb.com.ph\\/2020\\/06\\/23\\/sc-junks-quo-warranto-complaint-vs-abs-cbn\\/ (last accessed February 1, 2021).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref23\\\">[23]<\\/a> Rigoberto Tiglao, Leonen failed to file his SALNs like Sereno, but for more years, September 7, 2020, https:\\/\\/www.manilatimes.net\\/2020\\/ 09\\/07\\/opinion\\/columnists\\/topanalysis\\/leonen-failed-to-file-his-salns-like-sereno-but-for-more-years\\/765590 (last accessed June 07, 2021).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref24\\\">[24]<\\/a> Joel San Juan, SC affirms rejection of Gadon request for Leonen\\u2019s SALN, November 3, 2020, https:\\/\\/businessmirror.com.ph\\/2020\\/11\\/03\\/sc-affirms-rejection-of-gadon-request-for-leonens-saln\\/ (last accessed June 07, 2021).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref25\\\">[25]<\\/a> Jomar Canlas, OSG readies quo warranto vs Leonen, November 2, 2020, https:\\/\\/www.manilatimes.net\\/2020\\/11\\/02\\/news\\/ national\\/osg-readies-quo-warranto-vs-leonen\\/790244\\/ (last accessed February 3, 2021).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref26\\\">[26]<\\/a> A.M. No. 09-8-6-SC, June 13, 2012.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref27\\\">[27]<\\/a> The University of the Philippines Gazette, Decisions of the Board of Regents, 1356<sup>th<\\/sup> Meeting, Volume LI Issue Number 7, November 26, 2020, (last accessed June 05, 2021).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref28\\\">[28]<\\/a> House of Representatives, Committee Daily Bulletin, p. 12-13, in Vol. II No. 168, 18<sup>th<\\/sup> Congress, Second Regular Session, (May 27, 2021).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref29\\\">[29]<\\/a> <em>Id<\\/em>., at 13.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref30\\\">[30]<\\/a> G.R. No. 217158, March 12, 2019. Speaking through Justice Jardeleza, the Court <em>En Banc<\\/em> ruled that: \\u201cAccordingly, for the guidance of the bench and the bar, we reiterate that when a question before the Court involves determination of a factual issue indispensable to the resolution of the legal issue, the Court will refuse to resolve the question regardless of the allegation or invocation of compelling reasons, such as the transcendental or paramount importance of the case. Such question must first be brought before the proper trial courts or the CA, both of which are specially equipped to try and resolve factual questions.\\u201d<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref31\\\">[31]<\\/a> An Act Establishing a Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees, to Uphold the Time-Honored Principle of Public Office Being a Public Trust, Granting Incentives and Rewards for Exemplary Service, Enumerating Prohibited Acts and Transactions and Providing Penalties for Violations thereof and for Other Purposes, Republic Act No. 6713, (1989).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0<\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]},\"text_shadow_text_shadow_type\":\"yes\",\"text_shadow_text_shadow\":{\"horizontal\":0,\"vertical\":0,\"blur\":0,\"color\":\"rgba(0,0,0,0.3)\"}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(4532,1397,'_thumbnail_id','1396'),(4533,1398,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(4534,1398,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(4535,1398,'_elementor_version','3.2.5'),(4536,1398,'_wp_page_template','default'),(4537,1398,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"2cdfbf39\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"2c640098\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"4b2e55e0\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><!-- wp:heading --><\\/p>\\n<h2><strong><em>REPUBLIC V. SERENO<\\/em><\\/strong><strong> AND ITS AFTERMATH: THE POLITICIZATION OF <em>QUO WARRANTO<\\/em> PETITIONS<\\/strong><\\/h2>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><em>By: Bryan Jay L. Santos<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\"><sup><strong><sup>[1]<\\/sup><\\/strong><\\/sup><\\/a><\\/em><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>I. INTRODUCTION<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<blockquote>\\n<p><em>Despite our most solid belief that we are right, we should still have the humility<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><em>to be open to the possibility that others may not see it our way.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><em>- Supreme Court Associate Justice Marvic M. V. F. Leonen<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><em>in his Dissenting Opinion in Republic v. Sereno<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<\\/blockquote>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 On May 11, 2018, the Supreme Court of the Philippines, in one fell swoop, ousted its own Chief Justice. The decision in <em>Republic v. Sereno<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\"><sup><strong><sup>[2]<\\/sup><\\/strong><\\/sup><\\/a><\\/em> took the Office of Solicitor General\\u2019s (OSG) position that even impeachable officials can be removed from office via a <em>quo warranto<\\/em> petition. The decision discarded the traditional concept of removing impeachable officials from office only through impeachment proceedings. Sereno\\u2019s removal even prompted Associate Justice Marvic M. V. F. Leonen to call it a \\u201clegal abomination.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\"><sup>[3]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 But by and large, the <em>Sereno<\\/em> decision, aptly described as <em>sui generis<\\/em> or \\u201cin a class by itself,\\u201d has set a legal precedent for cases based on <em>quo warranto <\\/em>petitions by the OSG. The decision has engendered fears that the OSG has found a way to silence those in the government service who espouse views that are contrary to the current administration\\u2019s position.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>II. DIFFERENTIATING IMPEACHMENTFROM <em>QUO WARRANTO<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Court explained in<em> Sereno<\\/em> that \\u201cat its most basic, impeachment proceedings are political in nature, while an action for <em>quo warranto<\\/em> is judicial or a proceeding traditionally lodged in courts.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\"><sup>[4]<\\/sup><\\/a> Section 2, Article XI of the 1987 Constitution specifies the grounds for impeachment and those officials that may be impeached:<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><em>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Section 2. The President, the Vice-President, the Members of the Supreme Court, the Members of the Constitutional Commissions, and the Ombudsman may be removed from office on impeachment for, and conviction of, culpable violation of the Constitution, treason, bribery, graft and corruption, other high crimes, or betrayal of public trust. All other public officers and employees may be removed from office as provided by law, but not by impeachment.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>\\u00a0<\\/strong>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Court points out that impeachment is \\u201cessentially a political process meant to vindicate the violation of the public\\u2019s trust.\\u201d The Constitution vests in the House of Representatives the power to initiate all cases of impeachment. Meanwhile, it vests in the Senate the power to try and decide all the cases.<a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\"><sup>[5]<\\/sup><\\/a> Any member of the House of Representatives or any citizen with an endorsement of any member of the House of Representatives may file an impeachment complaint.<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\">[6]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Meanwhile, Rule 66 of the Rules of Court defines a <em>quo warranto<\\/em> petition as:<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><em>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Section 1. Action by Government against individuals. \\u2014 An action for the usurpation of a public office, position or franchise may be commenced by a verified petition brought in the name of the Republic of the Philippines against:<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><em>(a) A person who usurps, intrudes into, or unlawfully holds or exercises a public office, position or franchise;<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><em>(b) A public officer who does or suffers an act which, by the provision of law, constitutes a ground for the forfeiture of his office; or<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><em>(c) An association which acts as a corporation within the Philippines without being legally incorporated or without lawful authority so to act.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 This rule allows the Solicitor General to commence the action before the Regional Trial Court (RTC) of Manila, the Court of Appeals (CA), or even the Supreme Court (Court). Procedural law shows that a <em>quo warranto<\\/em> petition proceeds independently from an impeachment case, even if the two may result in the same outcome: the removal of an impeachable official.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>III. HOW THE SUPREME COURT RULED IN <em>SERENO<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In <em>Sereno,<\\/em> the Court tackled the OSG\\u2019s petition for being a matter of transcendental importance, which is an exception to the doctrine of hierarchy of courts.<a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\"><sup>[7]<\\/sup><\\/a> The Court ruled that the one-year prescription on <em>quo warranto<\\/em> cases applies only to private citizens and not to the State. The Court took the OSG\\u2019s position that the State has an imprescriptible right to bring a <em>quo warranto<\\/em> petition under the Latin maxim \\u201c<em>nullum tempus occurit regi<\\/em>.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\">[8]<\\/a> As applied in <em>Sereno<\\/em>, this maxim shows that when the State, through the Solicitor General, files a case on behalf of the people or when the matter involves the interest of the general public, the lapse of time constitutes no bar to the proceeding.<a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\">[9]<\\/a> Thus, prescription or laches will not be a defense when the government is the real party in interest. \\u00a0The Court found that Sereno had consistently failed to file her Statements of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN) for her years of service in the government, particularly during the period she was affiliated with the University of the Philippines. The Court held in no uncertain terms that the SALN requirement is mandatory.<a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\"><sup>[10]<\\/sup><\\/a> It ruled that her failure to file her SALNs reflected on her lack of integrity: a continuing qualification for a member of the Judiciary.<a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\"><sup>[11]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Sereno\\u2019s inconsistent filing of her SALNs as a professor at the University of the Philippines disqualified her at the outset for the position of Chief Justice in 2012. The Judicial and Bar Council (JBC), which screens and recommends applicants to posts in the Judiciary,<a href=\\\"#_ftn12\\\"><sup>[12]<\\/sup><\\/a> required the then applicants to submit their past ten (10) SALNs, specifically for \\u00a02001 to 2011. Despite this rule, the Court found it bizarre for the JBC to have accepted Sereno\\u2019s submission of only three (3) SALNs and her justification-explanation letter indicating that her other SALNS were \\u201cinfeasible to retrieve.\\u201d The OSG disputed this by presenting some of Sereno\\u2019s \\u201cmissing\\u201d SALNs.<a href=\\\"#_ftn13\\\"><sup>[13]<\\/sup><\\/a> As ruled by the Court, Sereno\\u2019s blatant disregard of the JBC rule on SALN submission manifested her lack of integrity. She violated not only the JBC rules but also the law and the Constitution.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Sereno\\u2019s defense consistently relied on the \\u201c<em>Doblada<\\/em> doctrine,\\u201d which pertains to the Court\\u2019s decision in <em>Concerned Taxypayer v. Doblada, Jr.<a href=\\\"#_ftn14\\\"><strong>[14]<\\/strong><\\/a> <\\/em>In this case, Norberto Doblada, a court sheriff, was accused of failing to file his SALNs for 18 years based on the investigation of the Office of the Court Administrator (OCA). However, Doblada presented evidence<a href=\\\"#_ftn15\\\">[15]<\\/a> that he had filed one of the SALNs that he allegedly failed to file. The Court held in this case that \\u201cone cannot readily conclude that respondent failed to file his sworn [SALNs] \\u2026 simply because these documents are missing[.]\\u201d Sereno thus passed the buck to the OSG to show that she did not file her SALNs in the contested years and not just rely on their finding that the SALNs were simply no longer on file in the relevant offices.<a href=\\\"#_ftn16\\\">[16]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Court found that the <em>Doblada <\\/em>case is not on all fours with the circumstances surrounding Sereno\\u2019s alleged non-filing of her SALNs. The Court highlighted the fact that based on the evidence presented, \\u201cthe existence of [the] SALNs and the <em>fact of filing <\\/em>thereof were neither established by direct proof constituting substantial evidence nor by mere inference.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn17\\\">[17]<\\/a> Moreover, the Court found in <em>Doblada <\\/em>that there was no categorical statement from the OCA, the repository agency for the SALNs of employees of the Judiciary, that the contested SALNs were not on file. This was not the same circumstance in Sereno\\u2019s case. The Office of the Ombudsman, the repository agency of Sereno\\u2019s SALNs, categorically stated that Sereno has no SALNs filed for the contested years. Thus, the Ombudsman\\u2019s categorical statement and Sereno\\u2019s inability to show proof of her filing said SALNs conclusively established that she did not file them.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Finally, that former President Benigno Simeon Aquino III eventually appointed Sereno as Chief Justice did not cure her ineligibility and lack of integrity. In <em>Maquiling v. COMELEC,<\\/em><a href=\\\"#_ftn18\\\"><sup>[18]<\\/sup><\\/a>the Court ruled that qualifications for public office must be possessed at the time of appointment and assumption to office and during the officer\\u2019s entire tenure as a continuing requirement. Hence, the Court found Sereno to have unlawfully held the position of, and exercised the powers vested in, the Chief Justice.\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>III. <em>QUO WARRANTO<\\/em> PETITIONS POST-<em>SERENO<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 People have expressed fears that a<em> quo warranto<\\/em> petition may be weaponized against any public officer, impeachable or not. After <em>Sereno<\\/em>, some <em>quo warranto<\\/em> petitions have made headlines locally. In 2018, former presidential candidate Elly Pamatong filed such an action against President Rodrigo Duterte. He claimed that President Duterte was not qualified to become President when the latter filed his Certificate of Candidacy (COC) in the 2016 elections because he initially filed his COC for mayor of Davao City.<a href=\\\"#_ftn19\\\"><sup>[19]<\\/sup><\\/a> Solicitor General Jose Calida (SolGen Calida) sought to have the petition dismissed for false allegations because the COMELEC already affirmed Duterte\\u2019s COC as valid and effective.<a href=\\\"#_ftn20\\\"><sup>[20]<\\/sup><\\/a> Interestingly, SolGen Calida said that Pamatong\\u2019s petition \\u201ctrivialized the rules of procedure.\\u201d<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In February last year, SolGen Calida filed a <em>quo warranto<\\/em> petition against broadcasting network ABS-CBN for unlawfully exercising its franchise by broadcasting for a fee and allowing foreign investors to participate in the network\\u2019s ownership.<a href=\\\"#_ftn21\\\"><sup>[21]<\\/sup><\\/a> The House of Representatives went on recess in March 2020 without tackling ABS-CBN\\u2019s franchise application, and on May 4, the franchise expired. The following day, the network went off the air. On June 23, the Court dismissed the <em>quo <\\/em>warranto petition for being moot, following the expiration of the network\\u2019s franchise.<a href=\\\"#_ftn22\\\"><sup>[22]<\\/sup><\\/a> In July, the House Committee on Legislative Franchises denied the franchise renewal of ABS-CBN.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The latest OSG-initiated quo warranto petition was against incumbent Associate Justice Leonen. Last year, some individuals attempted to retrieve Justice Leonen\\u2019s SALNs from the Office of the Ombudsman and found that some of his SALNs were not on file. Manila Times columnist Rigoberto Tiglao wrote that he had previously requested for copies of Leonen\\u2019s SALNs from the Office of the Ombudsman. The Office of the Ombudsman replied to his request and stated that Justice Leonen had missing SALNs on file, specifically for the years that he was still working at the University of the Philippines.<a href=\\\"#_ftn23\\\">[23]<\\/a> However, the Office of the Court Administrator rebuffed his similar request and noted that such documents are considered privileged communication. Lawyer Larry Gadon also sought to have copies of Leonen\\u2019s copies, but the Court firmly rejected his request.<a href=\\\"#_ftn24\\\">[24]<\\/a> To recall, Gadon filed an impeachment complaint against Sereno in 2017 and assisted in the filing of the impeachment complaint against Justice Leonen last year.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The alleged non-filing of SALNs is reminiscent of the same ground which caused the ouster of Sereno. Making a case out of this, the OSG appealed to the Court to release the SALNs of Justice Leonen in preparation for a possible <em>quo warranto<\\/em> proceeding against him.<a href=\\\"#_ftn25\\\"><sup>[25]<\\/sup><\\/a> However, the Court rebuffed the OSG\\u2019s unrelenting pursuit of Justice Leonen\\u2019s SALNs and reiterated the procedures for entertaining any request for copies of SALNs and personal data sheets of Supreme Court Justices and officers and employees of the Judiciary.<a href=\\\"#_ftn26\\\">[26]<\\/a> The OSG\\u2019s request met a similar fate in the hands of the Board of Regents of the University of the Philippines (UP-BOR). In the Minutes of the UP-BOR Meeting,<a href=\\\"#_ftn27\\\">[27]<\\/a> the Board of Regents deliberated on the OSG\\u2019s requests for copies of Justice Leonen\\u2019s SALNs from the University of the Philippines. It decided not to grant these requests in light of the Court\\u2019s earlier denial of the same requests from the OSG and pending legal advice.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Certain quarters in the political arena forayed once again in filing an impeachment complaint, this time against Justice Leonen, seeking refuge in the landmark <em>Sereno<\\/em> ruling that the non-filing of SALNs reflects on a public official\\u2019s integrity. Promptly, private citizen Edwin Cordevilla filed an impeachment complaint against Justice Leonen on December 7, 2020. Ilocos Norte Rep. Angelo Marcos Barba, the cousin of defeated Vice-Presidential candidate Ferdinand \\u201cBongbong\\u201d Marcos, Jr., promptly endorsed the complaint. The Speaker of the House of Representatives eventually calendared the impeachment complaint and later on referred the same before the Committee on Justice of the House of Representatives per House Rules. Based on the minutes of the meeting held on May 27, 2021,<a href=\\\"#_ftn28\\\">[28]<\\/a> the Committee on Justice, chaired by Leyte Rep. Vicente Veloso III,\\u00a0 deliberated on the impeachment complaint, which cited three grounds:<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:list {\\\"ordered\\\":true,\\\"type\\\":\\\"1\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<ol>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\n<ol>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\n<ol>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\n<ol type=\\\"1\\\">\\n<li>The respondent committed culpable violation of the Constitution for failing to dispose of at least 37 cases within 24 months as mandated under Section 15 (1), Article VIII, in relation to Section 16, Article III of the Constitution, which mandates the prompt action and speedy disposition of cases;<\\/li>\\n<li>The respondent arbitrarily delayed the resolution of cases pending before him as chairperson of the House of Representatives Electoral Tribunal (HRET); and<\\/li>\\n<li>The respondent failed to file his Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN) for a total of 15 years while working at the University of the Philippines.\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0<\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 On the same day and in the same meeting, the House Committee on Justice ruled that the impeachment complaint was insufficient in form. The Committee members found that none of the documents annexed to the complaint are authentic or certified true copies, in violation of the impeachment rules of the House. The members also noted that Cordevilla could not show that he has personal knowledge of the facts in his complaint or the acts and omissions that the complaint attributes to Justice Leonen. The members considered as hearsay the allegations supported only by annexed news articles.<a href=\\\"#_ftn29\\\">[29]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>IV. THE SUPREME COURT AND THE THREAT OF <em>QUO WARRANTO<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Legal precedents bind Supreme Court decisions under the doctrine of <em>stare decisis<\\/em>. <em>Sereno<\\/em> put into the fore the nature of a <em>quo warranto<\\/em> action and laid the doctrine that impeachable officials may be removed from office if they lacked the qualifications required before and during the holding of such office. Many perceive that the OSG is using the petition against personalities that have earned the administration\\u2019s ire.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 It is no secret that President Duterte publicly threatened to block ABS-CBN\\u2019s franchise renewal. While he could not legally do so, his allies in the House of Representatives made sure they carried out his will. Amid House hearings on the franchise renewal, the OSG hedged its bets and filed a <em>quo warranto<\\/em> petition against the network.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The impeachment complaint against Justice Leonen assails his \\u201clack of integrity for failure to file his SALNs\\u201d and \\u201cnegligence and incompetence for failing to dispose of the cases assigned to him in violation of the Constitution.\\u201d As if on cue, the OSG also sought to access Justice Leonen\\u2019s SALNs for a possible <em>quo warranto<\\/em> proceeding, but to no avail.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Has the Court inadvertently allowed the OSG to use the <em>quo warranto <\\/em>action to threaten critical or \\u201cunfriendly\\u201d personalities? While the Court resolved <em>Sereno <\\/em>as a legal matter, its ramifications have caused serious effects on local politics.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>To be clear, Court did not start the politicization or weaponization of a <em>quo warranto<\\/em> action. It merely clarified its use as a remedy under procedural law and applied it in <em>Sereno<\\/em>. The Court cannot judge the intention of <em>quo<\\/em> <em>warranto<\\/em> petitioners because it is not a trier of facts. Besides, its judicial independence transcends the changes in the political landscape where the other two co-equal branches reside.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 However, it may be reasonable for the Court to discuss the procedure for filing a <em>quo warranto<\\/em> petition against impeachable officials. It should establish the proper court jurisdiction for such an action, particularly applying the recent clarification on the doctrine of hierarchy of courts in <em>Gios-Samar v. DOTC and CAAP.<\\/em><a href=\\\"#_ftn30\\\"><sup>[30]<\\/sup><\\/a>It may even consider the imposition of penalties for people who trivialize a <em>quo warranto<\\/em> petition to achieve personal or political wins.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 When an opportunity presents itself, the Court must take steps in harmonizing differing interpretations of Section 8 of R.A. No. 6713,<a href=\\\"#_ftn31\\\">[31]<\\/a> commonly referred to as the SALN Law. Because of the precedent-setting <em>Sereno<\\/em> ruling on the relationship between a public official\\u2019s integrity and his (or her) non-filing of SALNs, there may soon be another case filed in courts involving the same or very similar issue.\\u00a0 The Court must settle the to preserve the country\\u2019s political structure and restore public trust in the government. Decisive action in favoring the greater good transcends even the most powerful, albeit impermanent, politicians and power players in the country.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Court must quash any attempt to seek the perversion of justice through shrewd maneuvers to poke holes into its decisions. It must not venture into any game of semantics and provide our legal system with the correct reading of the law. The Court\\u2019s infallibility resides not in the composition of sitting Justices or the brilliance of its decisions but in the fact that it is the \\u201ccourt of last resort.\\u201d With this in mind, the Court must express its wisdom on this matter before waiting for an actual controversy to avoid making its decision more controversial than the controversy already found therein.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">[1]<\\/a>UST Law Review, Staff Member.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a>G.R. No. 237428, May 11, 2018.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a> <em>Id<\\/em>.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[4]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em> at 48.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[5]<\\/a> CONST., art VI, sec 3.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[6]<\\/a> Official Gazette, Impeachment: A Political and Historical Guide, https:\\/\\/www.officialgazette.gov.ph\\/interactive-a-primer-on-impeachment\\/ (last accessed June 4, 2021).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\">[7]<\\/a> <em>The Diocese of Bacolod v. Commission on Elections<\\/em>, G.R. No. 205728, January 21, 2015.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\">[8]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em>, note 2, at 24. This Latin phrase means \\u201cno time runs against the king.\\u201d<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\">[9]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em>, at 76<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\">[10]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em>, at 90-96.\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\">[11]<\\/a> CONST., art VIII, sec 7(3): <em>A Member of the Judiciary must be a person of proven competence, integrity, probity, and independence.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref12\\\">[12]<\\/a> CONST., art VIII, sec 8(5): <em>The Council shall have the principal function of recommending appointees to the Judiciary. It may exercise such other functions and duties as the Supreme Court may assign to it.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref13\\\">[13]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em>, note 2, at 120.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref14\\\">[14]<\\/a> 498 Phil. 395 (2005).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref15\\\">[15]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em> Based on a letter sent by the Acting Branch Clerk of Court of Branch 155, RTC, Pasig City.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref16\\\">[16]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em>,note 2, at 101.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref17\\\">[17]<\\/a> <em>Id.,<\\/em> \\u00a0at 102.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref18\\\">[18]<\\/a> 709 Phil. 408 (2013).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref19\\\">[19]<\\/a> Tetch Torres-Tupas, Calida asks SC to junk quo warranto case vs Duterte, September 3, 2018, https:\\/\\/newsinfo.inquirer.net\\/ 1027861\\/calida-asks-sc-to-junk-quo-warranto-case-vs-duterte (last accessed February 3, 2021).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref20\\\">[20]<\\/a> Edu Punay, SC asked to junk quo warranto case vs Duterte, September 4, 2018, https:\\/\\/www.philstar.com\\/headlines\\/2018\\/09\\/04\\/1848562\\/sc-asked-junk-quo-warranto-case-vs-duterte (last accessed February 2, 2021).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref21\\\">[21]<\\/a> OSG files petition for quo warranto vs ABS-CBN; asks SC to forfeit legislative franchise, February 10, 2020, https:\\/ \\/pia.gov.ph\\/news\\/articles\\/1034298 (last accessed February 3, 2021).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref22\\\">[22]<\\/a> Rey Panaligan, SC junks quo warranto complaint vs ABS-CBN, June 30, 2020, https:\\/\\/mb.com.ph\\/2020\\/06\\/23\\/sc-junks-quo-warranto-complaint-vs-abs-cbn\\/ (last accessed February 1, 2021).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref23\\\">[23]<\\/a> Rigoberto Tiglao, Leonen failed to file his SALNs like Sereno, but for more years, September 7, 2020, https:\\/\\/www.manilatimes.net\\/2020\\/ 09\\/07\\/opinion\\/columnists\\/topanalysis\\/leonen-failed-to-file-his-salns-like-sereno-but-for-more-years\\/765590 (last accessed June 07, 2021).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref24\\\">[24]<\\/a> Joel San Juan, SC affirms rejection of Gadon request for Leonen\\u2019s SALN, November 3, 2020, https:\\/\\/businessmirror.com.ph\\/2020\\/11\\/03\\/sc-affirms-rejection-of-gadon-request-for-leonens-saln\\/ (last accessed June 07, 2021).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref25\\\">[25]<\\/a> Jomar Canlas, OSG readies quo warranto vs Leonen, November 2, 2020, https:\\/\\/www.manilatimes.net\\/2020\\/11\\/02\\/news\\/ national\\/osg-readies-quo-warranto-vs-leonen\\/790244\\/ (last accessed February 3, 2021).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref26\\\">[26]<\\/a> A.M. No. 09-8-6-SC, June 13, 2012.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref27\\\">[27]<\\/a> The University of the Philippines Gazette, Decisions of the Board of Regents, 1356<sup>th<\\/sup> Meeting, Volume LI Issue Number 7, November 26, 2020, (last accessed June 05, 2021).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref28\\\">[28]<\\/a> House of Representatives, Committee Daily Bulletin, p. 12-13, in Vol. II No. 168, 18<sup>th<\\/sup> Congress, Second Regular Session, (May 27, 2021).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref29\\\">[29]<\\/a> <em>Id<\\/em>., at 13.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref30\\\">[30]<\\/a> G.R. No. 217158, March 12, 2019. Speaking through Justice Jardeleza, the Court <em>En Banc<\\/em> ruled that: \\u201cAccordingly, for the guidance of the bench and the bar, we reiterate that when a question before the Court involves determination of a factual issue indispensable to the resolution of the legal issue, the Court will refuse to resolve the question regardless of the allegation or invocation of compelling reasons, such as the transcendental or paramount importance of the case. Such question must first be brought before the proper trial courts or the CA, both of which are specially equipped to try and resolve factual questions.\\u201d<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref31\\\">[31]<\\/a> An Act Establishing a Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees, to Uphold the Time-Honored Principle of Public Office Being a Public Trust, Granting Incentives and Rewards for Exemplary Service, Enumerating Prohibited Acts and Transactions and Providing Penalties for Violations thereof and for Other Purposes, Republic Act No. 6713, (1989).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0<\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]},\"text_shadow_text_shadow_type\":\"yes\",\"text_shadow_text_shadow\":{\"horizontal\":0,\"vertical\":0,\"blur\":0,\"color\":\"rgba(0,0,0,0.3)\"}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(4539,1398,'_thumbnail_id','1396'),(4540,1399,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(4541,1399,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(4542,1399,'_elementor_version','3.2.5'),(4543,1399,'_wp_page_template','default'),(4544,1399,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"2cdfbf39\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"2c640098\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"4b2e55e0\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><!-- wp:heading --><\\/p>\\n<h1><strong><em>Republic v. Sereno<\\/em><\\/strong><strong> and its Aftermath: The Politicization of <em>Quo Warranto<\\/em> Petitions<\\/strong><\\/h1>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><em>By: Bryan Jay L. Santos<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\"><sup><strong><sup>[1]<\\/sup><\\/strong><\\/sup><\\/a><\\/em><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>I. INTRODUCTION<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<blockquote>\\n<p><em>Despite our most solid belief that we are right, we should still have the humility<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><em>to be open to the possibility that others may not see it our way.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><em>- Supreme Court Associate Justice Marvic M. V. F. Leonen<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><em>in his Dissenting Opinion in Republic v. Sereno<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<\\/blockquote>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 On May 11, 2018, the Supreme Court of the Philippines, in one fell swoop, ousted its own Chief Justice. The decision in <em>Republic v. Sereno<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\"><sup><strong><sup>[2]<\\/sup><\\/strong><\\/sup><\\/a><\\/em> took the Office of Solicitor General\\u2019s (OSG) position that even impeachable officials can be removed from office via a <em>quo warranto<\\/em> petition. The decision discarded the traditional concept of removing impeachable officials from office only through impeachment proceedings. Sereno\\u2019s removal even prompted Associate Justice Marvic M. V. F. Leonen to call it a \\u201clegal abomination.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\"><sup>[3]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 But by and large, the <em>Sereno<\\/em> decision, aptly described as <em>sui generis<\\/em> or \\u201cin a class by itself,\\u201d has set a legal precedent for cases based on <em>quo warranto <\\/em>petitions by the OSG. The decision has engendered fears that the OSG has found a way to silence those in the government service who espouse views that are contrary to the current administration\\u2019s position.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>II. DIFFERENTIATING IMPEACHMENTFROM <em>QUO WARRANTO<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Court explained in<em> Sereno<\\/em> that \\u201cat its most basic, impeachment proceedings are political in nature, while an action for <em>quo warranto<\\/em> is judicial or a proceeding traditionally lodged in courts.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\"><sup>[4]<\\/sup><\\/a> Section 2, Article XI of the 1987 Constitution specifies the grounds for impeachment and those officials that may be impeached:<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><em>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Section 2. The President, the Vice-President, the Members of the Supreme Court, the Members of the Constitutional Commissions, and the Ombudsman may be removed from office on impeachment for, and conviction of, culpable violation of the Constitution, treason, bribery, graft and corruption, other high crimes, or betrayal of public trust. All other public officers and employees may be removed from office as provided by law, but not by impeachment.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>\\u00a0<\\/strong>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Court points out that impeachment is \\u201cessentially a political process meant to vindicate the violation of the public\\u2019s trust.\\u201d The Constitution vests in the House of Representatives the power to initiate all cases of impeachment. Meanwhile, it vests in the Senate the power to try and decide all the cases.<a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\"><sup>[5]<\\/sup><\\/a> Any member of the House of Representatives or any citizen with an endorsement of any member of the House of Representatives may file an impeachment complaint.<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\">[6]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Meanwhile, Rule 66 of the Rules of Court defines a <em>quo warranto<\\/em> petition as:<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><em>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Section 1. Action by Government against individuals. \\u2014 An action for the usurpation of a public office, position or franchise may be commenced by a verified petition brought in the name of the Republic of the Philippines against:<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><em>(a) A person who usurps, intrudes into, or unlawfully holds or exercises a public office, position or franchise;<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><em>(b) A public officer who does or suffers an act which, by the provision of law, constitutes a ground for the forfeiture of his office; or<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><em>(c) An association which acts as a corporation within the Philippines without being legally incorporated or without lawful authority so to act.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 This rule allows the Solicitor General to commence the action before the Regional Trial Court (RTC) of Manila, the Court of Appeals (CA), or even the Supreme Court (Court). Procedural law shows that a <em>quo warranto<\\/em> petition proceeds independently from an impeachment case, even if the two may result in the same outcome: the removal of an impeachable official.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>III. HOW THE SUPREME COURT RULED IN <em>SERENO<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In <em>Sereno,<\\/em> the Court tackled the OSG\\u2019s petition for being a matter of transcendental importance, which is an exception to the doctrine of hierarchy of courts.<a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\"><sup>[7]<\\/sup><\\/a> The Court ruled that the one-year prescription on <em>quo warranto<\\/em> cases applies only to private citizens and not to the State. The Court took the OSG\\u2019s position that the State has an imprescriptible right to bring a <em>quo warranto<\\/em> petition under the Latin maxim \\u201c<em>nullum tempus occurit regi<\\/em>.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\">[8]<\\/a> As applied in <em>Sereno<\\/em>, this maxim shows that when the State, through the Solicitor General, files a case on behalf of the people or when the matter involves the interest of the general public, the lapse of time constitutes no bar to the proceeding.<a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\">[9]<\\/a> Thus, prescription or laches will not be a defense when the government is the real party in interest. \\u00a0The Court found that Sereno had consistently failed to file her Statements of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN) for her years of service in the government, particularly during the period she was affiliated with the University of the Philippines. The Court held in no uncertain terms that the SALN requirement is mandatory.<a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\"><sup>[10]<\\/sup><\\/a> It ruled that her failure to file her SALNs reflected on her lack of integrity: a continuing qualification for a member of the Judiciary.<a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\"><sup>[11]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Sereno\\u2019s inconsistent filing of her SALNs as a professor at the University of the Philippines disqualified her at the outset for the position of Chief Justice in 2012. The Judicial and Bar Council (JBC), which screens and recommends applicants to posts in the Judiciary,<a href=\\\"#_ftn12\\\"><sup>[12]<\\/sup><\\/a> required the then applicants to submit their past ten (10) SALNs, specifically for \\u00a02001 to 2011. Despite this rule, the Court found it bizarre for the JBC to have accepted Sereno\\u2019s submission of only three (3) SALNs and her justification-explanation letter indicating that her other SALNS were \\u201cinfeasible to retrieve.\\u201d The OSG disputed this by presenting some of Sereno\\u2019s \\u201cmissing\\u201d SALNs.<a href=\\\"#_ftn13\\\"><sup>[13]<\\/sup><\\/a> As ruled by the Court, Sereno\\u2019s blatant disregard of the JBC rule on SALN submission manifested her lack of integrity. She violated not only the JBC rules but also the law and the Constitution.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Sereno\\u2019s defense consistently relied on the \\u201c<em>Doblada<\\/em> doctrine,\\u201d which pertains to the Court\\u2019s decision in <em>Concerned Taxypayer v. Doblada, Jr.<a href=\\\"#_ftn14\\\"><strong>[14]<\\/strong><\\/a> <\\/em>In this case, Norberto Doblada, a court sheriff, was accused of failing to file his SALNs for 18 years based on the investigation of the Office of the Court Administrator (OCA). However, Doblada presented evidence<a href=\\\"#_ftn15\\\">[15]<\\/a> that he had filed one of the SALNs that he allegedly failed to file. The Court held in this case that \\u201cone cannot readily conclude that respondent failed to file his sworn [SALNs] \\u2026 simply because these documents are missing[.]\\u201d Sereno thus passed the buck to the OSG to show that she did not file her SALNs in the contested years and not just rely on their finding that the SALNs were simply no longer on file in the relevant offices.<a href=\\\"#_ftn16\\\">[16]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Court found that the <em>Doblada <\\/em>case is not on all fours with the circumstances surrounding Sereno\\u2019s alleged non-filing of her SALNs. The Court highlighted the fact that based on the evidence presented, \\u201cthe existence of [the] SALNs and the <em>fact of filing <\\/em>thereof were neither established by direct proof constituting substantial evidence nor by mere inference.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn17\\\">[17]<\\/a> Moreover, the Court found in <em>Doblada <\\/em>that there was no categorical statement from the OCA, the repository agency for the SALNs of employees of the Judiciary, that the contested SALNs were not on file. This was not the same circumstance in Sereno\\u2019s case. The Office of the Ombudsman, the repository agency of Sereno\\u2019s SALNs, categorically stated that Sereno has no SALNs filed for the contested years. Thus, the Ombudsman\\u2019s categorical statement and Sereno\\u2019s inability to show proof of her filing said SALNs conclusively established that she did not file them.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Finally, that former President Benigno Simeon Aquino III eventually appointed Sereno as Chief Justice did not cure her ineligibility and lack of integrity. In <em>Maquiling v. COMELEC,<\\/em><a href=\\\"#_ftn18\\\"><sup>[18]<\\/sup><\\/a>the Court ruled that qualifications for public office must be possessed at the time of appointment and assumption to office and during the officer\\u2019s entire tenure as a continuing requirement. Hence, the Court found Sereno to have unlawfully held the position of, and exercised the powers vested in, the Chief Justice.\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>III. <em>QUO WARRANTO<\\/em> PETITIONS POST-<em>SERENO<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 People have expressed fears that a<em> quo warranto<\\/em> petition may be weaponized against any public officer, impeachable or not. After <em>Sereno<\\/em>, some <em>quo warranto<\\/em> petitions have made headlines locally. In 2018, former presidential candidate Elly Pamatong filed such an action against President Rodrigo Duterte. He claimed that President Duterte was not qualified to become President when the latter filed his Certificate of Candidacy (COC) in the 2016 elections because he initially filed his COC for mayor of Davao City.<a href=\\\"#_ftn19\\\"><sup>[19]<\\/sup><\\/a> Solicitor General Jose Calida (SolGen Calida) sought to have the petition dismissed for false allegations because the COMELEC already affirmed Duterte\\u2019s COC as valid and effective.<a href=\\\"#_ftn20\\\"><sup>[20]<\\/sup><\\/a> Interestingly, SolGen Calida said that Pamatong\\u2019s petition \\u201ctrivialized the rules of procedure.\\u201d<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In February last year, SolGen Calida filed a <em>quo warranto<\\/em> petition against broadcasting network ABS-CBN for unlawfully exercising its franchise by broadcasting for a fee and allowing foreign investors to participate in the network\\u2019s ownership.<a href=\\\"#_ftn21\\\"><sup>[21]<\\/sup><\\/a> The House of Representatives went on recess in March 2020 without tackling ABS-CBN\\u2019s franchise application, and on May 4, the franchise expired. The following day, the network went off the air. On June 23, the Court dismissed the <em>quo <\\/em>warranto petition for being moot, following the expiration of the network\\u2019s franchise.<a href=\\\"#_ftn22\\\"><sup>[22]<\\/sup><\\/a> In July, the House Committee on Legislative Franchises denied the franchise renewal of ABS-CBN.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The latest OSG-initiated quo warranto petition was against incumbent Associate Justice Leonen. Last year, some individuals attempted to retrieve Justice Leonen\\u2019s SALNs from the Office of the Ombudsman and found that some of his SALNs were not on file. Manila Times columnist Rigoberto Tiglao wrote that he had previously requested for copies of Leonen\\u2019s SALNs from the Office of the Ombudsman. The Office of the Ombudsman replied to his request and stated that Justice Leonen had missing SALNs on file, specifically for the years that he was still working at the University of the Philippines.<a href=\\\"#_ftn23\\\">[23]<\\/a> However, the Office of the Court Administrator rebuffed his similar request and noted that such documents are considered privileged communication. Lawyer Larry Gadon also sought to have copies of Leonen\\u2019s copies, but the Court firmly rejected his request.<a href=\\\"#_ftn24\\\">[24]<\\/a> To recall, Gadon filed an impeachment complaint against Sereno in 2017 and assisted in the filing of the impeachment complaint against Justice Leonen last year.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The alleged non-filing of SALNs is reminiscent of the same ground which caused the ouster of Sereno. Making a case out of this, the OSG appealed to the Court to release the SALNs of Justice Leonen in preparation for a possible <em>quo warranto<\\/em> proceeding against him.<a href=\\\"#_ftn25\\\"><sup>[25]<\\/sup><\\/a> However, the Court rebuffed the OSG\\u2019s unrelenting pursuit of Justice Leonen\\u2019s SALNs and reiterated the procedures for entertaining any request for copies of SALNs and personal data sheets of Supreme Court Justices and officers and employees of the Judiciary.<a href=\\\"#_ftn26\\\">[26]<\\/a> The OSG\\u2019s request met a similar fate in the hands of the Board of Regents of the University of the Philippines (UP-BOR). In the Minutes of the UP-BOR Meeting,<a href=\\\"#_ftn27\\\">[27]<\\/a> the Board of Regents deliberated on the OSG\\u2019s requests for copies of Justice Leonen\\u2019s SALNs from the University of the Philippines. It decided not to grant these requests in light of the Court\\u2019s earlier denial of the same requests from the OSG and pending legal advice.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Certain quarters in the political arena forayed once again in filing an impeachment complaint, this time against Justice Leonen, seeking refuge in the landmark <em>Sereno<\\/em> ruling that the non-filing of SALNs reflects on a public official\\u2019s integrity. Promptly, private citizen Edwin Cordevilla filed an impeachment complaint against Justice Leonen on December 7, 2020. Ilocos Norte Rep. Angelo Marcos Barba, the cousin of defeated Vice-Presidential candidate Ferdinand \\u201cBongbong\\u201d Marcos, Jr., promptly endorsed the complaint. The Speaker of the House of Representatives eventually calendared the impeachment complaint and later on referred the same before the Committee on Justice of the House of Representatives per House Rules. Based on the minutes of the meeting held on May 27, 2021,<a href=\\\"#_ftn28\\\">[28]<\\/a> the Committee on Justice, chaired by Leyte Rep. Vicente Veloso III,\\u00a0 deliberated on the impeachment complaint, which cited three grounds:<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:list {\\\"ordered\\\":true,\\\"type\\\":\\\"1\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<ol>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\n<ol>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\n<ol>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\n<ol type=\\\"1\\\">\\n<li>The respondent committed culpable violation of the Constitution for failing to dispose of at least 37 cases within 24 months as mandated under Section 15 (1), Article VIII, in relation to Section 16, Article III of the Constitution, which mandates the prompt action and speedy disposition of cases;<\\/li>\\n<li>The respondent arbitrarily delayed the resolution of cases pending before him as chairperson of the House of Representatives Electoral Tribunal (HRET); and<\\/li>\\n<li>The respondent failed to file his Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN) for a total of 15 years while working at the University of the Philippines.\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0<\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 On the same day and in the same meeting, the House Committee on Justice ruled that the impeachment complaint was insufficient in form. The Committee members found that none of the documents annexed to the complaint are authentic or certified true copies, in violation of the impeachment rules of the House. The members also noted that Cordevilla could not show that he has personal knowledge of the facts in his complaint or the acts and omissions that the complaint attributes to Justice Leonen. The members considered as hearsay the allegations supported only by annexed news articles.<a href=\\\"#_ftn29\\\">[29]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>IV. THE SUPREME COURT AND THE THREAT OF <em>QUO WARRANTO<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Legal precedents bind Supreme Court decisions under the doctrine of <em>stare decisis<\\/em>. <em>Sereno<\\/em> put into the fore the nature of a <em>quo warranto<\\/em> action and laid the doctrine that impeachable officials may be removed from office if they lacked the qualifications required before and during the holding of such office. Many perceive that the OSG is using the petition against personalities that have earned the administration\\u2019s ire.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 It is no secret that President Duterte publicly threatened to block ABS-CBN\\u2019s franchise renewal. While he could not legally do so, his allies in the House of Representatives made sure they carried out his will. Amid House hearings on the franchise renewal, the OSG hedged its bets and filed a <em>quo warranto<\\/em> petition against the network.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The impeachment complaint against Justice Leonen assails his \\u201clack of integrity for failure to file his SALNs\\u201d and \\u201cnegligence and incompetence for failing to dispose of the cases assigned to him in violation of the Constitution.\\u201d As if on cue, the OSG also sought to access Justice Leonen\\u2019s SALNs for a possible <em>quo warranto<\\/em> proceeding, but to no avail.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Has the Court inadvertently allowed the OSG to use the <em>quo warranto <\\/em>action to threaten critical or \\u201cunfriendly\\u201d personalities? While the Court resolved <em>Sereno <\\/em>as a legal matter, its ramifications have caused serious effects on local politics.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>To be clear, Court did not start the politicization or weaponization of a <em>quo warranto<\\/em> action. It merely clarified its use as a remedy under procedural law and applied it in <em>Sereno<\\/em>. The Court cannot judge the intention of <em>quo<\\/em> <em>warranto<\\/em> petitioners because it is not a trier of facts. Besides, its judicial independence transcends the changes in the political landscape where the other two co-equal branches reside.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 However, it may be reasonable for the Court to discuss the procedure for filing a <em>quo warranto<\\/em> petition against impeachable officials. It should establish the proper court jurisdiction for such an action, particularly applying the recent clarification on the doctrine of hierarchy of courts in <em>Gios-Samar v. DOTC and CAAP.<\\/em><a href=\\\"#_ftn30\\\"><sup>[30]<\\/sup><\\/a>It may even consider the imposition of penalties for people who trivialize a <em>quo warranto<\\/em> petition to achieve personal or political wins.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 When an opportunity presents itself, the Court must take steps in harmonizing differing interpretations of Section 8 of R.A. No. 6713,<a href=\\\"#_ftn31\\\">[31]<\\/a> commonly referred to as the SALN Law. Because of the precedent-setting <em>Sereno<\\/em> ruling on the relationship between a public official\\u2019s integrity and his (or her) non-filing of SALNs, there may soon be another case filed in courts involving the same or very similar issue.\\u00a0 The Court must settle the to preserve the country\\u2019s political structure and restore public trust in the government. Decisive action in favoring the greater good transcends even the most powerful, albeit impermanent, politicians and power players in the country.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Court must quash any attempt to seek the perversion of justice through shrewd maneuvers to poke holes into its decisions. It must not venture into any game of semantics and provide our legal system with the correct reading of the law. The Court\\u2019s infallibility resides not in the composition of sitting Justices or the brilliance of its decisions but in the fact that it is the \\u201ccourt of last resort.\\u201d With this in mind, the Court must express its wisdom on this matter before waiting for an actual controversy to avoid making its decision more controversial than the controversy already found therein.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">[1]<\\/a>UST Law Review, Staff Member.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a>G.R. No. 237428, May 11, 2018.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a> <em>Id<\\/em>.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[4]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em> at 48.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[5]<\\/a> CONST., art VI, sec 3.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[6]<\\/a> Official Gazette, Impeachment: A Political and Historical Guide, https:\\/\\/www.officialgazette.gov.ph\\/interactive-a-primer-on-impeachment\\/ (last accessed June 4, 2021).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\">[7]<\\/a> <em>The Diocese of Bacolod v. Commission on Elections<\\/em>, G.R. No. 205728, January 21, 2015.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\">[8]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em>, note 2, at 24. This Latin phrase means \\u201cno time runs against the king.\\u201d<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\">[9]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em>, at 76<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\">[10]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em>, at 90-96.\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\">[11]<\\/a> CONST., art VIII, sec 7(3): <em>A Member of the Judiciary must be a person of proven competence, integrity, probity, and independence.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref12\\\">[12]<\\/a> CONST., art VIII, sec 8(5): <em>The Council shall have the principal function of recommending appointees to the Judiciary. It may exercise such other functions and duties as the Supreme Court may assign to it.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref13\\\">[13]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em>, note 2, at 120.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref14\\\">[14]<\\/a> 498 Phil. 395 (2005).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref15\\\">[15]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em> Based on a letter sent by the Acting Branch Clerk of Court of Branch 155, RTC, Pasig City.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref16\\\">[16]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em>,note 2, at 101.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref17\\\">[17]<\\/a> <em>Id.,<\\/em> \\u00a0at 102.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref18\\\">[18]<\\/a> 709 Phil. 408 (2013).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref19\\\">[19]<\\/a> Tetch Torres-Tupas, Calida asks SC to junk quo warranto case vs Duterte, September 3, 2018, https:\\/\\/newsinfo.inquirer.net\\/ 1027861\\/calida-asks-sc-to-junk-quo-warranto-case-vs-duterte (last accessed February 3, 2021).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref20\\\">[20]<\\/a> Edu Punay, SC asked to junk quo warranto case vs Duterte, September 4, 2018, https:\\/\\/www.philstar.com\\/headlines\\/2018\\/09\\/04\\/1848562\\/sc-asked-junk-quo-warranto-case-vs-duterte (last accessed February 2, 2021).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref21\\\">[21]<\\/a> OSG files petition for quo warranto vs ABS-CBN; asks SC to forfeit legislative franchise, February 10, 2020, https:\\/ \\/pia.gov.ph\\/news\\/articles\\/1034298 (last accessed February 3, 2021).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref22\\\">[22]<\\/a> Rey Panaligan, SC junks quo warranto complaint vs ABS-CBN, June 30, 2020, https:\\/\\/mb.com.ph\\/2020\\/06\\/23\\/sc-junks-quo-warranto-complaint-vs-abs-cbn\\/ (last accessed February 1, 2021).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref23\\\">[23]<\\/a> Rigoberto Tiglao, Leonen failed to file his SALNs like Sereno, but for more years, September 7, 2020, https:\\/\\/www.manilatimes.net\\/2020\\/ 09\\/07\\/opinion\\/columnists\\/topanalysis\\/leonen-failed-to-file-his-salns-like-sereno-but-for-more-years\\/765590 (last accessed June 07, 2021).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref24\\\">[24]<\\/a> Joel San Juan, SC affirms rejection of Gadon request for Leonen\\u2019s SALN, November 3, 2020, https:\\/\\/businessmirror.com.ph\\/2020\\/11\\/03\\/sc-affirms-rejection-of-gadon-request-for-leonens-saln\\/ (last accessed June 07, 2021).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref25\\\">[25]<\\/a> Jomar Canlas, OSG readies quo warranto vs Leonen, November 2, 2020, https:\\/\\/www.manilatimes.net\\/2020\\/11\\/02\\/news\\/ national\\/osg-readies-quo-warranto-vs-leonen\\/790244\\/ (last accessed February 3, 2021).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref26\\\">[26]<\\/a> A.M. No. 09-8-6-SC, June 13, 2012.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref27\\\">[27]<\\/a> The University of the Philippines Gazette, Decisions of the Board of Regents, 1356<sup>th<\\/sup> Meeting, Volume LI Issue Number 7, November 26, 2020, (last accessed June 05, 2021).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref28\\\">[28]<\\/a> House of Representatives, Committee Daily Bulletin, p. 12-13, in Vol. II No. 168, 18<sup>th<\\/sup> Congress, Second Regular Session, (May 27, 2021).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref29\\\">[29]<\\/a> <em>Id<\\/em>., at 13.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref30\\\">[30]<\\/a> G.R. No. 217158, March 12, 2019. Speaking through Justice Jardeleza, the Court <em>En Banc<\\/em> ruled that: \\u201cAccordingly, for the guidance of the bench and the bar, we reiterate that when a question before the Court involves determination of a factual issue indispensable to the resolution of the legal issue, the Court will refuse to resolve the question regardless of the allegation or invocation of compelling reasons, such as the transcendental or paramount importance of the case. Such question must first be brought before the proper trial courts or the CA, both of which are specially equipped to try and resolve factual questions.\\u201d<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref31\\\">[31]<\\/a> An Act Establishing a Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees, to Uphold the Time-Honored Principle of Public Office Being a Public Trust, Granting Incentives and Rewards for Exemplary Service, Enumerating Prohibited Acts and Transactions and Providing Penalties for Violations thereof and for Other Purposes, Republic Act No. 6713, (1989).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0<\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]},\"text_shadow_text_shadow_type\":\"yes\",\"text_shadow_text_shadow\":{\"horizontal\":0,\"vertical\":0,\"blur\":0,\"color\":\"rgba(0,0,0,0.3)\"}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(4546,1399,'_thumbnail_id','1396'),(4549,1400,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(4550,1400,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(4551,1400,'_elementor_version','3.2.4'),(4552,1400,'_wp_page_template','default'),(4553,1400,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"6e15c706\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"25c228e7\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"21b7e2be\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<h1><span style=\\\"font-size: 24pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">People of the Philippines v. Juvy D. Amarela and Junard G. Racho: Applying the Maria Clara Doctrine in the 21st Century<\\/span><\\/h1>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p>\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><em>By: Ristel Mae B. Tagudando<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\"><sup><strong><sup>[1]<\\/sup><\\/strong><\\/sup><\\/a><\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><strong><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">I. THE WOMEN\\u2019S HONOR DOCTRINE<\\/span><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Maria Clara Doctrine or the Women\\u2019s Honor Doctrine became part of Philippine jurisprudence in the 1960 case of <em>People v. Ta\\u00f1o<\\/em>.<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\"><sup>[2]<\\/sup><\\/a> Based on Maria Clara\'s character from Jose Rizal\'s <em>Noli Me Tangere<\\/em>, the doctrine provides the presumption that \\\"women, especially Filipinos, would not admit that they have been abused unless that abuse had happened\\\".<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\"><sup>[3]<\\/sup><\\/a> This doctrine implies that the testimony of the alleged victim by itself may be sufficient to sustain a conviction.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><strong><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\">II. SUMMARY OF THE CASE<\\/span><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In <em>People v. Amarela, <\\/em>the plaintiff,AAA, was watching a beauty contest with her aunt when she went to the restroom to urinate. However, she was not able to reach the comfort room because Amarela stopped her along the way.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 According to AAA, Amarela suddenly pulled her towards the daycare center and punched her in the abdomen, making her weak. Thereafter, Amarela undressed and put his penis inside AAA\\u2019s vagina. Three (3) men came to AAA\\u2019s rescue when she shouted for help, forcing Amarela to run away. However, she was brought to a hut by these persons, having bad intentions with her. Hence, she fled and ended up in the house of Godo Dumandan, who brought her first to the Racho residence because Dumandan thought her aunt was not at home. Dumandan stayed behind; that is why Racho was asked to bring AAA to her aunt\'s house instead. However, instead, she was brought to a shanty. She was told to lie down, but she refused. Racho boxed her abdomen and placed himself on top of AAA. Racho then inserted his penis into AAA\'s vagina. Thereafter, Racho left her. Thus, AAA went home alone and decided to leave home the following day. \\u00a0Eventually, AAA told her mother about what happened to her and reported the matter to the police.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Regional Trial Court (RTC) rendered a decision finding the appellants guilty beyond reasonable doubt of the crime of rape as the plaintiff\\u2019s testimony positively identifying both appellants was clear, positive, and straightforward.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In appeal before the Court of Appeals (CA), the appellants argued that several circumstances cast doubt on the victim\'s claim that she was raped. They alleged that her testimony does not conform to shared knowledge and ordinary human experience. Moreover, they pointed out that, although there were other witnesses, \\u00a0the only material testimony on record was that of the victim . However, the appellate court affirmed the trial court\'s decision as it found no reason to reverse the factual findings of the court <em>a quo<\\/em>.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 For the Supreme Court (SC), it had no reason to deviate from the well-entrenched rule that in matters of credibility of witnesses, the assessment made by the trial court should be respected and given weight.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Supreme Court reversed the judgment of conviction. First, AAA\'s version of the story in her affidavit-complaint differs materially from her testimony in court. Second, AAA could not have easily identified Amarela because the crime scene was dark; she only saw him for the first time. Third, her testimony lacks material details on how she was brought under the stage against her will. Lastly, the medical findings do not corroborate physical injuries and are inconclusive of any signs of forced entry.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><strong>III. WEIGHING OF THE VICTIM\\u2019S TESTIMONY<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Supreme Court has long accorded the evaluations of testimonial evidence by trial courts great respect. One can expect that said determination is based on reasonable discretion as to opting for which testimony is acceptable and which witness is worthy of belief. However, although the factual findings of the trial court are given weight by the Court\\u2014most especially when affirmed by the appellate court\\u2014such rule is not absolute as, for instance, when some facts or circumstances of weight and substance have been overlooked, misapprehended, and misinterpreted.<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\"><sup>[4]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Presently, the Court follows specific guidelines when presented with the credibility of witnesses, to wit:\\u00a0 giving the highest respect to the RTC\'s evaluation of the testimony of the witnesses, considering its unique position in directly observing the demeanor of a witness on the stand.\\u00a0 Second, absent any substantial reason that would justify the reversal of the RTC\'s assessments and conclusions. The reviewing court is generally bound by the lower court\'s findings, particularly when no significant facts and circumstances affecting the case\'s outcome are shown to have been overlooked or disregarded. Lastly, such a rule is even more stringently applied if the CA concurred with the RTC. <a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\"><sup>[5]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Applying the Maria Clara doctrine or the Women\\u2019s Honor doctrine\\u2014which often leads to cases being adjudged solely on the basis of the credibility of the victim \\u2013 does not only put the accused at an unfair disadvantage but also results in a travesty of justice. It is not impossible for an assumed victim to merely fabricate stories of her abuse.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In the past, one can say that it is natural for a woman to be reluctant to disclose a sexual assault. This stereotype cannot be applied anymore as women have transformed over the years and have become more willing to speak up and fight for their rights . There is a need to veer away from such a notion and accept the realities of a woman\'s dynamic role in society today.<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\">[6]<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Leaving the aforementioned doctrine\\u2013 given that the findings through evidence presented do not match the victim\'s testimony \\u2013 in the past is crucial because an accused must only be convicted solely on the testimony of the victim, provided of course, that the testimony is credible, natural, convincing, and consistent with human nature and the normal course of things. <a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\"><sup>[7]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Furthermore, this rule was clarified in the recent case of <em>People v. ZZZ<\\/em>. The \\u00a0Supreme Court relied on the victim\'s testimony because the latter readily recognized and pointed to her violator.\\u00a0 Unlike in <em>People v. Amarela, <\\/em>the victim recounted the harrowing nights that tormented her for six years of living with the perpetrator, and the medico-legal examination corroborated the latter\'s testimony. Hence, the SC found no compelling motive for the victim to lie. Furthermore, that after all, \\u201cno person, especially one of tender age, would ordinarily cry \\\"rape\\\" and subject oneself to the consequent rigors and embarrassments of medical examination and public trial, if not for the quest for rightful justice.<a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\">[8]<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><strong>IV. ERADICATING STEREOTYPES<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Supreme Court\\u2019s recent consideration and clarification as to the application of the Maria Clara doctrine in <em>People v. Amarela<\\/em> would not only prevent corruption of justice on the part of the accused but eradicate gender bias\\u00a0 and misconceptions in the society as well \\u2013 especially on the part of women.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The old constructed perception of women anchored in the apparent attributes of Maria Clara \\u2013 a pure soul, \\u00a0modest, self-effacing, long-suffering<a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\">[9]<\\/a> \\u2013 can no longer be applied absolutely today. Gone are the days when in cases of abuse, for a woman to be credible, she must be like Maria Clara; and when she does not fit the mold, there is a propensity of discrediting her as a witness, as exemplified in <em>Tionloc<\\/em><a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\">[10]<\\/a>:<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 It would be unfair to convict a man of rape committed against a woman who, after giving him the impression through her unexplainable silence of her tacit consent and allowing him to have sexual contact with her, changed her mind in the middle and charged him with rape.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 According to some women\'s rights groups, the Court\'s decision would open the floodgates to more incidents of rape, as this may embolden perpetrators to \\\"abuse more women\\\" confident that \\\"courts will most likely dismiss rape cases. <a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\"><sup>[11]<\\/sup><\\/a> The limitation of this ruling is already established in the ruling in the 2020 case of <em>People v. ZZZ<\\/em>, wherein the Court still weighed the victim\'s testimony based on factors such as her age, her recognition of the accused in open court, and other corroborative evidence.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Rather than completely disregarding a \\u00a0victim\\u2019s testimony, courts should distill it by doing away with outdated notions and stereotypes based purely on gender.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">[1]<\\/a> UST Faculty of Civil Law, 2G, UST Law Review Understudy<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a> Citing <em>People v. Ta\\u00f1o, <\\/em>109 Phil. 912(1960)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a> \\\"Maria Clara Doctrine in Rape Cases Revisited\\\". Buban and Lardizabal Law Offices. June 8, 2018.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[4]<\\/a> (People v. Amarela, 2018)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[5]<\\/a> (People v. Amarela, 2018)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[6]<\\/a> People v. Amarela, 2018<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\">[7]<\\/a> People v. Zamoraga, 568 Phil. 132, 140 (2008); People v. Achas, 612 Phil. 652, 662 (2009); People v. Banig, 693 Phil. 303, 312 (2012); People v. Gahi, 727 Phil. 642, 657 (2014); People v. Pitala, G.R. No. 223561, 19 October 2016.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\">[8]<\\/a> (People v. ZZZ, 2020)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\">[9]<\\/a>Pons, J. S. (n.d.). Construction and deconstruction of Maria Clara: History of an imagined care-oriented model of gender in the Philippines. Academia.edu. https:\\/\\/www.academia.edu\\/24937445\\/Construction_and_deconstruction_of_Maria_Clara_History_of_an_imagined_care_oriented_model_of_gender_in_the_Philippines.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\">[10]<\\/a> 63 ATENEO L.J. 317 (2018)\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\">[11]<\\/a> (The Philippine Star, 2018)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">Cover Photo: Painting by Juan Luna- La Bulaque\\u00f1a, 1985 and Puesta Del Sol, 1880\'s.\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]},\"typography_font_size\":{\"unit\":\"px\",\"size\":18,\"sizes\":[]},\"text_shadow_text_shadow_type\":\"yes\",\"text_shadow_text_shadow\":{\"horizontal\":0,\"vertical\":0,\"blur\":0,\"color\":\"rgba(0,0,0,0.3)\"}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(4554,1400,'_thumbnail_id','1315'),(4555,1400,'_elementor_controls_usage','a:3:{s:11:\"text-editor\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:2;s:8:\"controls\";a:2:{s:7:\"content\";a:1:{s:14:\"section_editor\";a:1:{s:6:\"editor\";i:1;}}s:5:\"style\";a:1:{s:13:\"section_style\";a:5:{s:21:\"typography_typography\";i:1;s:22:\"typography_line_height\";i:1;s:20:\"typography_font_size\";i:1;s:28:\"text_shadow_text_shadow_type\";i:1;s:23:\"text_shadow_text_shadow\";i:1;}}}}s:6:\"column\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:0;s:8:\"controls\";a:0:{}}s:7:\"section\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:0;s:8:\"controls\";a:0:{}}}'),(4557,1385,'ss_ss_click_share_count_envelope','1'),(4558,1385,'ss_total_share_count','0'),(4559,1401,'_edit_lock','1625567159:1'),(4560,1402,'_wp_attached_file','2021/07/For-Quo-Warranto-under-Section-51-Article-VIII-of-the-1987-Constitution-and-Rule-66-of-the-Rules-of-Court3.png'),(4561,1402,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:5:{s:5:\"width\";i:1920;s:6:\"height\";i:1080;s:4:\"file\";s:118:\"2021/07/For-Quo-Warranto-under-Section-51-Article-VIII-of-the-1987-Constitution-and-Rule-66-of-the-Rules-of-Court3.png\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:13:{s:6:\"medium\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:118:\"For-Quo-Warranto-under-Section-51-Article-VIII-of-the-1987-Constitution-and-Rule-66-of-the-Rules-of-Court3-300x169.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:300;s:6:\"height\";i:169;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:5:\"large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:119:\"For-Quo-Warranto-under-Section-51-Article-VIII-of-the-1987-Constitution-and-Rule-66-of-the-Rules-of-Court3-1024x576.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:1024;s:6:\"height\";i:576;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:9:\"thumbnail\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:118:\"For-Quo-Warranto-under-Section-51-Article-VIII-of-the-1987-Constitution-and-Rule-66-of-the-Rules-of-Court3-150x150.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:12:\"medium_large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:118:\"For-Quo-Warranto-under-Section-51-Article-VIII-of-the-1987-Constitution-and-Rule-66-of-the-Rules-of-Court3-768x432.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:768;s:6:\"height\";i:432;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:9:\"1536x1536\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:119:\"For-Quo-Warranto-under-Section-51-Article-VIII-of-the-1987-Constitution-and-Rule-66-of-the-Rules-of-Court3-1536x864.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:1536;s:6:\"height\";i:864;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:24:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:118:\"For-Quo-Warranto-under-Section-51-Article-VIII-of-the-1987-Constitution-and-Rule-66-of-the-Rules-of-Court3-170x110.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:25:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:116:\"For-Quo-Warranto-under-Section-51-Article-VIII-of-the-1987-Constitution-and-Rule-66-of-the-Rules-of-Court3-86x70.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:117:\"For-Quo-Warranto-under-Section-51-Article-VIII-of-the-1987-Constitution-and-Rule-66-of-the-Rules-of-Court3-170x96.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:96;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:22:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:118:\"For-Quo-Warranto-under-Section-51-Article-VIII-of-the-1987-Constitution-and-Rule-66-of-the-Rules-of-Court3-370x250.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:30:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:118:\"For-Quo-Warranto-under-Section-51-Article-VIII-of-the-1987-Constitution-and-Rule-66-of-the-Rules-of-Court3-370x208.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:208;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:21:\"bfastmag_related_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:118:\"For-Quo-Warranto-under-Section-51-Article-VIII-of-the-1987-Constitution-and-Rule-66-of-the-Rules-of-Court3-288x160.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:288;s:6:\"height\";i:160;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:18:\"bfastmag_blog_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:118:\"For-Quo-Warranto-under-Section-51-Article-VIII-of-the-1987-Constitution-and-Rule-66-of-the-Rules-of-Court3-780x544.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:26:\"bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:118:\"For-Quo-Warranto-under-Section-51-Article-VIII-of-the-1987-Constitution-and-Rule-66-of-the-Rules-of-Court3-780x439.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:439;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:0:\"\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:1:\"0\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:1:\"0\";s:3:\"iso\";s:1:\"0\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:1:\"0\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";s:1:\"0\";s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}}'),(4562,1401,'_pingme','1'),(4563,1401,'_encloseme','1'),(4564,1401,'_thumbnail_id','1402'),(4565,1401,'_edit_last','1'),(4566,1401,'wptr_hide_title','1'),(4567,1401,'ss_social_share_disable',''),(4568,1401,'_yoast_wpseo_primary_category','9'),(4569,1401,'_yoast_wpseo_focuskw','CBA'),(4570,1401,'_yoast_wpseo_metadesc','A collective bargaining agreement (CBA) is the negotiated contract between a legitimate labor organization and the employer concerning wages, hours of work, and other terms and conditions of employment in a bargaining unit. As in all contracts, the parties in a CBA may establish such stipulations, clauses, terms, and conditions as they may deem convenient provided these are not contrary to law, morals, good customs, public order or public policy.'),(4571,1401,'_yoast_wpseo_linkdex','29'),(4572,1401,'_yoast_wpseo_content_score','30'),(4573,1401,'_yoast_wpseo_estimated-reading-time-minutes','14'),(4574,1401,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(4575,1401,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(4576,1401,'_elementor_version','3.2.5'),(4577,1404,'_thumbnail_id','1402'),(4578,1404,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(4579,1404,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(4580,1404,'_elementor_version','3.2.5'),(4581,1405,'_thumbnail_id','1402'),(4582,1405,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(4583,1405,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(4584,1405,'_elementor_version','3.2.5'),(4585,1401,'_wp_page_template','default'),(4586,1401,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"41051a1a\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"39861e11\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"49767b39\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<h1><strong>HONGKONG BANK INDEPENDENT LABOR UNION <em>v<\\/em>. HONGKONG AND SHANGHAI BANKING CORPORATION LIMITED: Agreements must be kept; the CBA governs the relationship of employers and their employees.<\\/strong><\\/h1>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><em>By: Pio Vincent R. Buencamino<\\/em><a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\"><em><sup><strong><sup>[1]<\\/sup><\\/strong><\\/sup><\\/em><\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>I. CBA is the law between the parties.<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 A collective bargaining agreement (CBA) is the negotiated contract between a legitimate labor organization and the employer concerning wages, hours of work, and other terms and conditions of employment in a bargaining unit. As in all contracts, the parties in a CBA may establish such stipulations, clauses, terms, and conditions as they may deem convenient provided these are not contrary to law, morals, good customs, public order or public policy. Thus, where the CBA is clear and unambiguous, it becomes the law between the parties and compliance therewith is mandated by the express policy of the law.<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\"><sup>[2]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The right to collective bargaining and negotiations as well as to participate in policy and decision-making processes affecting the rights and benefits of employees are guaranteed by the Constitution which states that: \\u201cThe State shall afford full protection to labor, local and overseas, organized and unorganized, and promote full employment and equality of employment opportunities for all.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\"><sup>[3]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 It shall guarantee the rights of all workers to self-organization, collective bargaining and negotiations, and peaceful concerted activities, including the right to strike in accordance with law. They shall be entitled to security of tenure, humane conditions of work, and a living wage. They shall also participate in policy and decision-making processes affecting their rights and benefits as may be provided by law.\\u201d<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Thus, Article 253 of the Labor Code states that: \\u201cWhen there is a collective bargaining agreement, the duty to bargain collectively shall also mean that\\u00a0<strong>neither party shall terminate nor modify such agreement during its lifetime. x x x It shall be the duty of both parties to keep the status quo and to continue in full force and effect the terms and conditions of the existing agreement<\\/strong>\\u00a0during the 60-day period and\\/or <strong>until a new agreement is reached by the parties<\\/strong>.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\"><sup>[4]<\\/sup><\\/a> (Emphases supplied)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 This provision evinces the intent of the lawmakers to safeguard the rights and security of workers. Therefore, it is important for the Court to protect this constitutionally guaranteed right. Thus, the Court is tasked to strike down any acts of employers that would derogate and violate the rights of workers under the CBA.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Thus, it was ruled in <em>Faculty Association of Mapua Institute of Technology (FAMJT) v. Court of Appeals<\\/em><a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\"><sup>[5]<\\/sup><\\/a> that the provisions of the CBA must be respected since its terms and conditions constitute the law between the parties. Until a new CBA is executed by and between the parties, they are bound to keep the\\u00a0<em>status quo<\\/em><em>\\u00a0<\\/em>and to continue in full force and effect the terms and conditions of the existing agreement. Any unilateral modification of the provisions of the CBA violates not only Art. 253 of the Labor Code, but also the Constitution. Accordingly, such modification is legally ineffective and invalid.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>II. Summary<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In 2001, the <em>Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas<\\/em> (BSP) issued the Manual of Regulations for Banks (MoRB). Relevant to the instant case is Section X338 thereof which reads: \\u201cBanks may provide financial assistance to their officers and employees, as part of their fringe benefits program, to meet housing, transportation, household and personal needs of their officers and employees. Financing plans and amendments thereto shall be with prior approval of the BSP.\\u201d<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Respondent Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited (HSBC), on March 12, 2003, submitted its Financial Assistance Plan (Plan) to the BSP for approval. The Plan allegedly contained a credit checking proviso stating that \\\"repayment defaults on existing loans and adverse information on outside loans will be considered in the evaluation of loan applications.\\\" The BSP approved the Plan on May 5, 2003.\\u00a0Said Plan were later amended thrice and were approved by the BSP.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Meanwhile, petitioner Hongkong Bank Independent Labor Union (HBILU), the incumbent bargaining agent of HSBC\'s rank-and-file employees, entered into a CBA with the bank covering the period from April 1, 2010 to March 31, 2012, but such CBA did not contain any provision citing the approved Plan.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 When the CBA was about to expire, the parties started negotiations for a new one to cover the period from April 1, 2012 to March 31, 2017. During the said negotiations, HSBC proposed amendments to the CBA to align the wordings of the CBA with its BSP-approved Plan by inserting stipulations that make external credit checking as well as the financial assistance plan approved by the BSP as prerequisites before a salary loan will be granted to an employee. HBILU vigorously objected to the proposed amendments, claiming that their insertions would curtail its members\' availment of salary loans. In view of HBILU\'s objection, HSBC withdrew its proposed amendments. Thus, the CBA remained unchanged.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Despite the withdrawal of the proposal, HSBC sent an e-mail to its employees on April 20, 2012 concerning the enforcement of the Plan, including the Credit Checking provisions thereof. Thereafter, in September 2012, HBILU member Vince Mananghaya (Mananghaya) applied for a loan under the provisions of the CBA. His first loan application in March 2012 was approved, but adverse findings from the external checks on his credit background resulted in the denial of his September application.\\u00a0HBILU then raised the denial as a grievance issue with the National Conciliation Mediation Board (NCMB). It argued that the imposition of an additional requirement\\u2014the external credit checking prior to approval of any loan application the CBA\\u2014is not sanctioned under the CBA.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Ruling in favor of the respondent, the NCMB stated that an employer has the right to issue and implement guidelines for the availment of loan accommodations under the CBA as part of its management prerogative. Aggrieved, HBILU elevated the case to the Court of Appeals (CA). The CA sustained the findings and conclusions of the NCMB-PVA\\u00a0<em>in\\u00a0toto\\u00a0<\\/em>on the ratiocination that HSBC was merely complying with Section X338 of the MoRB when it submitted the Plan to BSP. Petitioner moved for reconsideration but it was denied.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Hence this petition raising the issue of whether HSBC could validly enforce the credit-checking requirement under its BSP-approved Plan in processing the salary loan applications of covered employees even when the said requirement is not recognized under the CBA.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Court ruled in the negative and stated that although jurisprudence recognizes the validity of the exercise by an employer of its management, this prerogative is\\u00a0not absolute\\u00a0and is subject to limitations imposed by law,\\u00a0the <strong>collective bargaining agreement<\\/strong>, and the general principles of fair play and justice. The CBA, being the law between the parties, binds both parties and pursuant to Art. 253 of the Labor Code<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\"><sup>[6]<\\/sup><\\/a>, imposes upon them the duty to keep the\\u00a0<em>status quo<\\/em><em>\\u00a0<\\/em>and to continue in full force and effect the terms and conditions of the existing agreement,thus, any unilateral modification thereof contravenes the Labor Code and is invalid.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Furthermore, the Courtalso noted that the external credit check, as well as the manner of its enforcement, is a new imposition by HSBC because the bank did not attempt to rebut HBILU\'s evidence that\\u00a0the former\'s requirements for the grant of salary loans changed only after the April 20, 2012 email blast.The petitioners were able to prove that before the email blast, HSBC only required four documents in applying for a loan: 1) Application for Personal Loan Form; 2) Authority to Deduct Form; 3) Set-Off of Retirement Fund Form; and 4) Promissory Note Form.\\u00a0Thereafter, the management imposed a\\u00a0new set of requirements,\\u00a0which includes the \\\"Authority to Conduct Checks Form.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Based on the evidence and arguments presented, the Plan was never made part of the CBA. Thus, no other conclusion can be had other than the fact that\\u00a0HSBC\'s enforcement of credit checking on salary loans under the CBA invalidly modified the latter\'s provisions thereon through the imposition of additional requirements which cannot be found anywhere in the CBA.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>Respondent argues that the credit checking requirement under the MoRB should be deemed written into the CBA by citing Sec. X304.1 of the 2011 MoRB in maintaining that financial institutions must look into the obligor\'s repayment history, among other things, before approving a loan application. Said provision reads:<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\">\\u00a7 X304.1\\u00a0<strong>General guidelines.<\\/strong>\\u00a0Consistent with safe and sound banking practices, a bank shall grant loans or other credit accommodations only in amounts and for the periods of time essential for the effective completion of the operation to be financed. Before granting loans or other credit accommodations, a bank must ascertain that the borrower, co-maker, endorser, surety, and\\/or guarantor, if applicable, is\\/are financially capable of fulfilling his\\/their commitments to the bank. For this purpose, a bank shall obtain adequate information on his\\/their credit standing and financial capacities x x x.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 However, the Court ruled that such provision is a general one, and it should be interpreted in conjunction with Section X338.3, the provision which specifically applies to salary loans under the fringe benefit program of the bank which states that:<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\">All loans or other credit accommodations to bank officers and employees, EXCEPT those granted under the fringe benefit program of the bank, shall be subject to the same terms and conditions imposed on the regular lending operations of the bank. Loans or other credit accommodations granted to officers shall, in addition, be subject to the provisions of Section 36 of R.A. No. 8791 and Sections X326 to X336 but not to the individual ceilings where such loans or other credit accommodations are obtained under the bank\'s fringe benefits program.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Thus, the Court ruled that Sec. X338.3 <strong>clearly<\\/strong> excluded loans and credit accommodations under the bank\'s fringe benefits program from the operation of Sec. X304.1, thus, salary loans in the present case are not covered by the credit checking requirement under the MORB.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong><em>Section 40 of the General Banking Law clearly exclude salary loans from its application<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 <\\/strong>The Court stated that indeed, Section 40 of Republic Act No. 8791<a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\"><sup>[7]<\\/sup><\\/a> (General Banking Law of 2000) requires HSBC to conduct a credit check on all of its borrowers. However, a reading of the same law reveals that loan accommodations to employees are not covered by said statute. Nowhere in the law does it state that its provisions shall apply to loans extended to bank employees which are granted under the latter\'s fringe benefits program. Had the law intended otherwise, it could have easily specified such, similar to what was done for directors, officers, stockholders and their related interests under Section 36 thereof. This conclusion is supported by the very wording of Subsection X338.3 of the MORB. To reiterate:<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\">Subsection X338.3 Other conditions\\/limitations<br \\/>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The investment by a bank in equipment and other chattels under its fringe benefits program for officers and employees shall be included in determining the extent of the investment of the bank in real estate and equipment for purposes of Section 51 of R.A. No. 8791.<\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\">XXX<\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 All loans or other credit accommodations to bank officers and employees, except those granted under the fringe benefit program of the bank, shall be subject to the same terms and conditions imposed on the regular lending operations of the bank.\\u00a0Loans or other credit accommodations granted to\\u00a0officers\\u00a0shall, in addition, be subject to the provisions of Section 36 of R.A. No. 8791\\u00a0and Sections X326 to X336 but not to the individual ceilings where Such loans or other credit accommodations are obtained under the bank\'s fringe benefits program.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Therefore, the Court concluded that even though the provision covers loans extended to both bank officers and employees, the last paragraph thereof singled out loans and credit accommodations granted to\\u00a0officers\\u00a0when it provided for the applicability of RA 8791. Accordingly, what the law does not include, it excludes.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Court also stated are other ways of securing payment of said salary loans other than ascertaining whether the borrowing employee has the capacity to pay the loan. BSP Circular 423, Series of 2004 itself provides for such which states:<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Subsection X338.1 Mechanics. The mechanics of such financing plan shall have the following minimum features: Participation shall be limited to full-time and permanent officers and employees of the bank; x x x The bank shall adopt measures to protect itself from losses such as by incorporating in the plan or contract provisions requiring co-makers or co-signor, chattel, or real estate mortgages, fire insurance, mortgage redemption insurance, assignment of money value of leave credits, pension or retirement benefits.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Additionally, both the BSP Circular 423, Series of 2004 and Section X338.3 of the MoRB provide for a safeguard in order to protect the funds of the Bank\'s depositors while allowing the Bank to extend such benefits to its employees, in that both require that: \\u201cThe aggregate outstanding loans and other credit accommodations granted under the bank\'s fringe benefits program, inclusive of those granted to officers in the nature of lease with option to purchase, shall not exceed five percent (5%) of the bank\'s total loan portfolio.\\u201d<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Court held that the evidence presented justifies the conclusion that the credit checking requirement imposed by HSBC under the questioned Plan which effectively and undoubtedly modified the CBA provisions on salary loans was a unilateral imposition violative of HSBC\'s duty to bargain collectively and, therefore, invalid.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Court also emphasized that in resolving issues concerning CBAs, the foremost consideration therein is upholding the intention of both parties as stated in the agreement itself, or based on their negotiations.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>III. CBA CANNOT BE MODIFIED UNILATERALLY<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In this case, the Court gave importance to and emphasized the rights of the workers which are guaranteed by the Constitution as well as by the Labor Code. Central to this case is the right of the workers, as mandated by the Constitution, to collective bargaining and negotiations and to participate in policy and decision-making processes affecting their rights and benefits as may be provided by law.<a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\"><sup>[8]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Pursuant to such guarantee, Article 211 of the Labor Code, as amended<a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\"><sup>[9]<\\/sup><\\/a>, declares it a policy of the State: (a) To promote and emphasize the primacy of free collective bargaining and negotiations, including voluntary arbitration, mediation, and conciliation, as modes of settling labor or industrial disputes; x x x (d) To promote the enlightenment of workers concerning their rights and obligations as union members and as employees; x x x (g) To ensure the participation of workers in decision and policy-making processes affecting their rights, duties and welfare.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Additionally, Art 255 of the same Code<a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\"><sup>[10]<\\/sup><\\/a> provides: \\u201cAny provision of law to the contrary notwithstanding, workers shall have the right, subject to such rules and regulations as the Secretary of Labor and Employment may promulgate, to participate in policy and decision-making process of the establishment where they are employed insofar as said processes will directly affect their rights, benefits and welfare.\\u201d<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In this case, the union and the bank already had an existing CBA. Furthermore, it contained provisions regarding the grant of salary loans which also set forth the requirements and qualifications for the grant thereof. The bank sought to impose other requirements that were not included in the CBA such as external credit checking. It claimed they could rightfully impose such because it was part of the plan approved by the BSP and such was customarily done by banks. The union rejected such provision during the negotiations for the new CBA.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Court ruled that the acts of the bank were invalid as it constitutes a unilateral modification of the CBA between the union and the bank which violates Art. 253 of the Labor Code. This is so because it was proven that the external credit checking was never intended to be part of the salary loan grant under the CBA because it was never previously done by the bank when the employees applied for salary loans, moreover, they did not include it in its negotiation for the first CBA.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>IV. CHANGING TIMES: WORKER\\u2019S RIGHTS RECOGNIZED<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 \\u201cDo not bite the hand that feeds you.\\u201d This saying is commonly used to remind employees not to go against their employers, or to give way to decisions, procedures, and the requirements of employers, even if at the expense of the employee. However, justice demands that employees get what they are entitled to.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 This case shows that even a huge institution cannot escape from the arms of the law when they commit acts that violate the rights of their workers. While HSBC is a banking institution imbued with public interest with the duty to protect with extraordinary diligence the money of its depositors, they cannot invoke such principle when they violate the provisions of the CBA. Therefore, in this case, the Court categorically held that banks cannot unilaterally impose requirements that are not included in their CBA.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Under the Constitution, the State affirms labor as a primary social economic force. It shall protect the rights of the workers and promote their welfare.<a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\"><sup>[11]<\\/sup><\\/a> With the changing times, the present set of laws, availability of the Courts, and prevalence of social media, employers can no longer violate the rights of their workers with impunity. Employees are now given more opportunities to assert their rights against erring employers. Accordingly, the Courts will not hesitate to punish the acts of employers when they violate the rights of their employees. Therefore, employers must keep in mind that they should follow the laws carefully enacted in favor of their employees. After all, the success of the business of the employers highly depends on the performance, motivation, and productivity of their employees. Employees can only do so when they know that all the benefits and rights granted to them by law are respected and given to them by their employers.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\"><em><sup><strong><sup>[1]<\\/sup><\\/strong><\\/sup><\\/em><\\/a> 2C - Understudy<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\"><sup>[2]<\\/sup><\\/a> <em>Goya, Inc. v. Goya, Inc. Employees Union-FFW,<\\/em> 689 SCRA 1, 15-16, (2013).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\"><sup>[3]<\\/sup><\\/a> CONST. Art. XIII, Sec. 3.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\"><sup>[4]<\\/sup><\\/a> LABOR CODE, P.D. 442 as amended, art. 253.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\"><sup>[5]<\\/sup><\\/a> <em>Faculty Association of Mapua Institute of Technology (FAMJT) v. Court of Appeals<\\/em>, 524 SCRA 709 (2007).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\"><sup>[6]<\\/sup><\\/a> LABOR CODE, P.D. 442 as amended, art. 253.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\"><sup>[7]<\\/sup><\\/a> An Act Providing for the Regulation of the Organization and Operation of Banks, Quasi Banks, Trust Entities and for other purposes, Republic Act 8791, sec. 40 (2000).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\"><sup>[8]<\\/sup><\\/a> CONST. Art. XIII, Sec. 3.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\"><sup>[9]<\\/sup><\\/a> LABOR CODE, P.D. 442 as amended, art. 211.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\"><sup>[10]<\\/sup><\\/a> LABOR CODE, P.D. 442 as amended, art. 255.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\"><sup>[11]<\\/sup><\\/a> CONST., Art. II, Sec. 18.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>Cover Photo by <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/unsplash.com\\/@orangetiephotography?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText\\\">Joshua Lawrence<\\/a> on <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/unsplash.com\\/s\\/photos\\/hsbc?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText\\\">Unsplash<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(4587,1406,'_thumbnail_id','1402'),(4588,1406,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(4589,1406,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(4590,1406,'_elementor_version','3.2.5'),(4591,1406,'_wp_page_template','default'),(4592,1406,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"41051a1a\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"39861e11\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"49767b39\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><strong>HONGKONG BANK INDEPENDENT LABOR UNION <em>v<\\/em>. HONGKONG AND SHANGHAI BANKING CORPORATION LIMITED: Agreements must be kept; the CBA governs the relationship of employers and their employees.<\\/strong><strong><\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><em>By: Pio Vincent R. Buencamino<\\/em><a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\"><em><sup><strong><sup>[1]<\\/sup><\\/strong><\\/sup><\\/em><\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><strong>I. CBA is the law between the parties.<\\/strong><strong><\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>A collective bargaining agreement (CBA) is the negotiated contract between a legitimate labor organization and the employer concerning wages, hours of work, and other terms and conditions of employment in a bargaining unit. As in all contracts, the parties in a CBA may establish such stipulations, clauses, terms, and conditions as they may deem convenient provided these are not contrary to law, morals, good customs, public order or public policy. Thus, where the CBA is clear and unambiguous, it becomes the law between the parties and compliance therewith is mandated by the express policy of the law.<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\"><sup>[2]<\\/sup><\\/a><sup><\\/sup><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>The right to collective bargaining and negotiations as well as to participate in policy and decision-making processes affecting the rights and benefits of employees are guaranteed by the Constitution which states that: \\u201cThe State shall afford full protection to labor, local and overseas, organized and unorganized, and promote full employment and equality of employment opportunities for all.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\"><sup>[3]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>It shall guarantee the rights of all workers to self-organization, collective bargaining and negotiations, and peaceful concerted activities, including the right to strike in accordance with law. They shall be entitled to security of tenure, humane conditions of work, and a living wage. They shall also participate in policy and decision-making processes affecting their rights and benefits as may be provided by law.\\u201d<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Thus, Article 253 of the Labor Code states that: \\u201cWhen there is a collective bargaining agreement, the duty to bargain collectively shall also mean that <strong>neither party shall terminate nor modify such agreement during its lifetime. x x x It shall be the duty of both parties to keep the status quo and to continue in full force and effect the terms and conditions of the existing agreement<\\/strong> during the 60-day period and\\/or <strong>until a new agreement is reached by the parties<\\/strong>.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\"><sup>[4]<\\/sup><\\/a><sup> <\\/sup>(Emphases supplied)<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>This provision evinces the intent of the lawmakers to safeguard the rights and security of workers. Therefore, it is important for the Court to protect this constitutionally guaranteed right. Thus, the Court is tasked to strike down any acts of employers that would derogate and violate the rights of workers under the CBA.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Thus, it was ruled in <em>Faculty Association of Mapua Institute of Technology (FAMJT) v. Court of Appeals<\\/em><a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\"><sup>[5]<\\/sup><\\/a><sup> <\\/sup>that the provisions of the CBA must be respected since its terms and conditions constitute the law between the parties. Until a new CBA is executed by and between the parties, they are bound to keep the <em>status quo<\\/em><em> <\\/em>and to continue in full force and effect the terms and conditions of the existing agreement. Any unilateral modification of the provisions of the CBA violates not only Art. 253 of the Labor Code, but also the Constitution. Accordingly, such modification is legally ineffective and invalid.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><strong>II. Summary<\\/strong><strong><\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>In 2001, the <em>Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas<\\/em> (BSP) issued the Manual of Regulations for Banks (MoRB). Relevant to the instant case is Section X338 thereof which reads: \\u201cBanks may provide financial assistance to their officers and employees, as part of their fringe benefits program, to meet housing, transportation, household and personal needs of their officers and employees. Financing plans and amendments thereto shall be with prior approval of the BSP.\\u201d<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Respondent Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited (HSBC), on March 12, 2003, submitted its Financial Assistance Plan (Plan) to the BSP for approval. The Plan allegedly contained a credit checking proviso stating that \\\"repayment defaults on existing loans and adverse information on outside loans will be considered in the evaluation of loan applications.\\\" The BSP approved the Plan on May 5, 2003. Said Plan were later amended thrice and were approved by the BSP.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Meanwhile, petitioner Hongkong Bank Independent Labor Union (HBILU), the incumbent bargaining agent of HSBC\'s rank-and-file employees, entered into a CBA with the bank covering the period from April 1, 2010 to March 31, 2012, but such CBA did not contain any provision citing the approved Plan.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>When the CBA was about to expire, the parties started negotiations for a new one to cover the period from April 1, 2012 to March 31, 2017. During the said negotiations, HSBC proposed amendments to the CBA to align the wordings of the CBA with its BSP-approved Plan by inserting stipulations that make external credit checking as well as the financial assistance plan approved by the BSP as prerequisites before a salary loan will be granted to an employee. HBILU vigorously objected to the proposed amendments, claiming that their insertions would curtail its members\' availment of salary loans. In view of HBILU\'s objection, HSBC withdrew its proposed amendments. Thus, the CBA remained unchanged.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Despite the withdrawal of the proposal, HSBC sent an e-mail to its employees on April 20, 2012 concerning the enforcement of the Plan, including the Credit Checking provisions thereof. Thereafter, in September 2012, HBILU member Vince Mananghaya (Mananghaya) applied for a loan under the provisions of the CBA. His first loan application in March 2012 was approved, but adverse findings from the external checks on his credit background resulted in the denial of his September application. HBILU then raised the denial as a grievance issue with the National Conciliation Mediation Board (NCMB). It argued that the imposition of an additional requirement\\u2014the external credit checking prior to approval of any loan application the CBA\\u2014is not sanctioned under the CBA.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Ruling in favor of the respondent, the NCMB stated that an employer has the right to issue and implement guidelines for the availment of loan accommodations under the CBA as part of its management prerogative. Aggrieved, HBILU elevated the case to the Court of Appeals (CA). The CA sustained the findings and conclusions of the NCMB-PVA <em>in toto <\\/em>on the ratiocination that HSBC was merely complying with Section X338 of the MoRB when it submitted the Plan to BSP. Petitioner moved for reconsideration but it was denied.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Hence this petition raising the issue of whether HSBC could validly enforce the credit-checking requirement under its BSP-approved Plan in processing the salary loan applications of covered employees even when the said requirement is not recognized under the CBA.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>The Court ruled in the negative and stated that although jurisprudence recognizes the validity of the exercise by an employer of its management, this prerogative is not absolute and is subject to limitations imposed by law, the <strong>collective bargaining agreement<\\/strong>, and the general principles of fair play and justice. The CBA, being the law between the parties, binds both parties and pursuant to Art. 253 of the Labor Code<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\"><sup>[6]<\\/sup><\\/a>, imposes upon them the duty to keep the <em>status quo<\\/em><em> <\\/em>and to continue in full force and effect the terms and conditions of the existing agreement,thus, any unilateral modification thereof contravenes the Labor Code and is invalid.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Furthermore, the Courtalso noted that the external credit check, as well as the manner of its enforcement, is a new imposition by HSBC because the bank did not attempt to rebut HBILU\'s evidence that the former\'s requirements for the grant of salary loans changed only after the April 20, 2012 email blast.The petitioners were able to prove that before the email blast, HSBC only required four documents in applying for a loan: 1) Application for Personal Loan Form; 2) Authority to Deduct Form; 3) Set-Off of Retirement Fund Form; and 4) Promissory Note Form. Thereafter, the management imposed a new set of requirements, which includes the \\\"Authority to Conduct Checks Form.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Based on the evidence and arguments presented, the Plan was never made part of the CBA. Thus, no other conclusion can be had other than the fact that HSBC\'s enforcement of credit checking on salary loans under the CBA invalidly modified the latter\'s provisions thereon through the imposition of additional requirements which cannot be found anywhere in the CBA.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Respondent argues that the credit checking requirement under the MoRB should be deemed written into the CBA by citing Sec. X304.1 of the 2011 MoRB in maintaining that financial institutions must look into the obligor\'s repayment history, among other things, before approving a loan application. Said provision reads:<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a7 X304.1 <strong>General guidelines.<\\/strong> Consistent with safe and sound banking practices, a bank shall grant loans or other credit accommodations only in amounts and for the periods of time essential for the effective completion of the operation to be financed. Before granting loans or other credit accommodations, a bank must ascertain that the borrower, co-maker, endorser, surety, and\\/or guarantor, if applicable, is\\/are financially capable of fulfilling his\\/their commitments to the bank. For this purpose, a bank shall obtain adequate information on his\\/their credit standing and financial capacities x x x.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>However, the Court ruled that such provision is a general one, and it should be interpreted in conjunction with Section X338.3, the provision which specifically applies to salary loans under the fringe benefit program of the bank which states that:<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>All loans or other credit accommodations to bank officers and employees, EXCEPT those granted under the fringe benefit program of the bank, shall be subject to the same terms and conditions imposed on the regular lending operations of the bank. Loans or other credit accommodations granted to officers shall, in addition, be subject to the provisions of Section 36 of R.A. No. 8791 and Sections X326 to X336 but not to the individual ceilings where such loans or other credit accommodations are obtained under the bank\'s fringe benefits program.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Thus, the Court ruled that Sec. X338.3 <strong>clearly<\\/strong> excluded loans and credit accommodations under the bank\'s fringe benefits program from the operation of Sec. X304.1, thus, salary loans in the present case are not covered by the credit checking requirement under the MORB.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><strong><em>Section 40 of the General Banking Law clearly exclude salary loans from its application<\\/em><\\/strong><strong><em><\\/em><\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><strong> <\\/strong>The Court stated that indeed, Section 40 of Republic Act No. 8791<a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\"><sup>[7]<\\/sup><\\/a> (General Banking Law of 2000) requires HSBC to conduct a credit check on all of its borrowers. However, a reading of the same law reveals that loan accommodations to employees are not covered by said statute. Nowhere in the law does it state that its provisions shall apply to loans extended to bank employees which are granted under the latter\'s fringe benefits program. Had the law intended otherwise, it could have easily specified such, similar to what was done for directors, officers, stockholders and their related interests under Section 36 thereof. This conclusion is supported by the very wording of Subsection X338.3 of the MORB. To reiterate:<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Subsection X338.3 Other conditions\\/limitations<br> The investment by a bank in equipment and other chattels under its fringe benefits program for officers and employees shall be included in determining the extent of the investment of the bank in real estate and equipment for purposes of Section 51 of R.A. No. 8791.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>XXX<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><br> All loans or other credit accommodations to bank officers and employees, except those granted under the fringe benefit program of the bank, shall be subject to the same terms and conditions imposed on the regular lending operations of the bank. Loans or other credit accommodations granted to officers shall, in addition, be subject to the provisions of Section 36 of R.A. No. 8791 and Sections X326 to X336 but not to the individual ceilings where Such loans or other credit accommodations are obtained under the bank\'s fringe benefits program.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p> Therefore, the Court concluded that even though the provision covers loans extended to both bank officers and employees, the last paragraph thereof singled out loans and credit accommodations granted to officers when it provided for the applicability of RA 8791. Accordingly, what the law does not include, it excludes.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>The Court also stated are other ways of securing payment of said salary loans other than ascertaining whether the borrowing employee has the capacity to pay the loan. BSP Circular 423, Series of 2004 itself provides for such which states:<br><br><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Subsection X338.1 Mechanics. The mechanics of such financing plan shall have the following minimum features: Participation shall be limited to full-time and permanent officers and employees of the bank; x x x The bank shall adopt measures to protect itself from losses such as by incorporating in the plan or contract provisions requiring co-makers or co-signor, chattel, or real estate mortgages, fire insurance, mortgage redemption insurance, assignment of money value of leave credits, pension or retirement benefits.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Additionally, both the BSP Circular 423, Series of 2004 and Section X338.3 of the MoRB provide for a safeguard in order to protect the funds of the Bank\'s depositors while allowing the Bank to extend such benefits to its employees, in that both require that: \\u201cThe aggregate outstanding loans and other credit accommodations granted under the bank\'s fringe benefits program, inclusive of those granted to officers in the nature of lease with option to purchase, shall not exceed five percent (5%) of the bank\'s total loan portfolio.\\u201d<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>The Court held that the evidence presented justifies the conclusion that the credit checking requirement imposed by HSBC under the questioned Plan which effectively and undoubtedly modified the CBA provisions on salary loans was a unilateral imposition violative of HSBC\'s duty to bargain collectively and, therefore, invalid.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>The Court also emphasized that in resolving issues concerning CBAs, the foremost consideration therein is upholding the intention of both parties as stated in the agreement itself, or based on their negotiations.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><strong>III. CBA CANNOT BE MODIFIED UNILATERALLY<\\/strong><strong><\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><strong> <\\/strong>In this case, the Court gave importance to and emphasized the rights of the workers which are guaranteed by the Constitution as well as by the Labor Code. Central to this case is the right of the workers, as mandated by the Constitution, to collective bargaining and negotiations and to participate in policy and decision-making processes affecting their rights and benefits as may be provided by law.<a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\"><sup>[8]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Pursuant to such guarantee, Article 211 of the Labor Code, as amended<a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\"><sup>[9]<\\/sup><\\/a>, declares it a policy of the State: (a) To promote and emphasize the primacy of free collective bargaining and negotiations, including voluntary arbitration, mediation, and conciliation, as modes of settling labor or industrial disputes; x x x (d) To promote the enlightenment of workers concerning their rights and obligations as union members and as employees; x x x (g) To ensure the participation of workers in decision and policy-making processes affecting their rights, duties and welfare.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Additionally, Art 255 of the same Code<a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\"><sup>[10]<\\/sup><\\/a> provides: \\u201cAny provision of law to the contrary notwithstanding, workers shall have the right, subject to such rules and regulations as the Secretary of Labor and Employment may promulgate, to participate in policy and decision-making process of the establishment where they are employed insofar as said processes will directly affect their rights, benefits and welfare.\\u201d<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>In this case, the union and the bank already had an existing CBA. Furthermore, it contained provisions regarding the grant of salary loans which also set forth the requirements and qualifications for the grant thereof. The bank sought to impose other requirements that were not included in the CBA such as external credit checking. It claimed they could rightfully impose such because it was part of the plan approved by the BSP and such was customarily done by banks. The union rejected such provision during the negotiations for the new CBA.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>The Court ruled that the acts of the bank were invalid as it constitutes a unilateral modification of the CBA between the union and the bank which violates Art. 253 of the Labor Code. This is so because it was proven that the external credit checking was never intended to be part of the salary loan grant under the CBA because it was never previously done by the bank when the employees applied for salary loans, moreover, they did not include it in its negotiation for the first CBA.<strong><\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><strong>IV. CHANGING TIMES: WORKER\\u2019S RIGHTS RECOGNIZED<\\/strong><strong><\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u201cDo not bite the hand that feeds you.\\u201d This saying is commonly used to remind employees not to go against their employers, or to give way to decisions, procedures, and the requirements of employers, even if at the expense of the employee. However, justice demands that employees get what they are entitled to.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>This case shows that even a huge institution cannot escape from the arms of the law when they commit acts that violate the rights of their workers. While HSBC is a banking institution imbued with public interest with the duty to protect with extraordinary diligence the money of its depositors, they cannot invoke such principle when they violate the provisions of the CBA. Therefore, in this case, the Court categorically held that banks cannot unilaterally impose requirements that are not included in their CBA.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Under the Constitution, the State affirms labor as a primary social economic force. It shall protect the rights of the workers and promote their welfare.<a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\"><sup>[11]<\\/sup><\\/a> With the changing times, the present set of laws, availability of the Courts, and prevalence of social media, employers can no longer violate the rights of their workers with impunity. Employees are now given more opportunities to assert their rights against erring employers. Accordingly, the Courts will not hesitate to punish the acts of employers when they violate the rights of their employees. Therefore, employers must keep in mind that they should follow the laws carefully enacted in favor of their employees. After all, the success of the business of the employers highly depends on the performance, motivation, and productivity of their employees. Employees can only do so when they know that all the benefits and rights granted to them by law are respected and given to them by their employers.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:separator -->\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\"\\/>\\n<!-- \\/wp:separator -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\"><em><sup><strong><sup>[1]<\\/sup><\\/strong><\\/sup><\\/em><\\/a> 2C - Understudy<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\"><sup>[2]<\\/sup><\\/a> <em>Goya, Inc. v. Goya, Inc. Employees Union-FFW,<\\/em> 689 SCRA 1, 15-16, (2013).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\"><sup>[3]<\\/sup><\\/a> CONST. Art. XIII, Sec. 3.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\"><sup>[4]<\\/sup><\\/a> LABOR CODE, P.D. 442 as amended, art. 253.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\"><sup>[5]<\\/sup><\\/a> <em>Faculty Association of Mapua Institute of Technology (FAMJT) v. Court of Appeals<\\/em>, 524 SCRA 709 (2007).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\"><sup>[6]<\\/sup><\\/a> LABOR CODE, P.D. 442 as amended, art. 253.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\"><sup>[7]<\\/sup><\\/a> An Act Providing for the Regulation of the Organization and Operation of Banks, Quasi Banks, Trust Entities and for other purposes, Republic Act 8791, sec. 40 (2000).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\"><sup>[8]<\\/sup><\\/a> CONST. Art. XIII, Sec. 3.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\"><sup>[9]<\\/sup><\\/a> LABOR CODE, P.D. 442 as amended, art. 211.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\"><sup>[10]<\\/sup><\\/a> LABOR CODE, P.D. 442 as amended, art. 255.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\"><sup>[11]<\\/sup><\\/a> CONST., Art. II, Sec. 18.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:separator -->\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\"\\/>\\n<!-- \\/wp:separator -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Cover Photo by <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/unsplash.com\\/@orangetiephotography?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText\\\">Joshua Lawrence<\\/a> on <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/unsplash.com\\/s\\/photos\\/hsbc?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText\\\">Unsplash<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(4596,1407,'_thumbnail_id','1402'),(4597,1407,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(4598,1407,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(4599,1407,'_elementor_version','3.2.5'),(4600,1407,'_wp_page_template','default'),(4601,1407,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"41051a1a\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"39861e11\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"49767b39\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><strong>HONGKONG BANK INDEPENDENT LABOR UNION <em>v<\\/em>. HONGKONG AND SHANGHAI BANKING CORPORATION LIMITED: Agreements must be kept; the CBA governs the relationship of employers and their employees.<\\/strong><strong><\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><em>By: Pio Vincent R. Buencamino<\\/em><a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\"><em><sup><strong><sup>[1]<\\/sup><\\/strong><\\/sup><\\/em><\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><strong>I. CBA is the law between the parties.<\\/strong><strong><\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>A collective bargaining agreement (CBA) is the negotiated contract between a legitimate labor organization and the employer concerning wages, hours of work, and other terms and conditions of employment in a bargaining unit. As in all contracts, the parties in a CBA may establish such stipulations, clauses, terms, and conditions as they may deem convenient provided these are not contrary to law, morals, good customs, public order or public policy. Thus, where the CBA is clear and unambiguous, it becomes the law between the parties and compliance therewith is mandated by the express policy of the law.<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\"><sup>[2]<\\/sup><\\/a><sup><\\/sup><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>The right to collective bargaining and negotiations as well as to participate in policy and decision-making processes affecting the rights and benefits of employees are guaranteed by the Constitution which states that: \\u201cThe State shall afford full protection to labor, local and overseas, organized and unorganized, and promote full employment and equality of employment opportunities for all.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\"><sup>[3]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>It shall guarantee the rights of all workers to self-organization, collective bargaining and negotiations, and peaceful concerted activities, including the right to strike in accordance with law. They shall be entitled to security of tenure, humane conditions of work, and a living wage. They shall also participate in policy and decision-making processes affecting their rights and benefits as may be provided by law.\\u201d<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Thus, Article 253 of the Labor Code states that: \\u201cWhen there is a collective bargaining agreement, the duty to bargain collectively shall also mean that <strong>neither party shall terminate nor modify such agreement during its lifetime. x x x It shall be the duty of both parties to keep the status quo and to continue in full force and effect the terms and conditions of the existing agreement<\\/strong> during the 60-day period and\\/or <strong>until a new agreement is reached by the parties<\\/strong>.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\"><sup>[4]<\\/sup><\\/a><sup> <\\/sup>(Emphases supplied)<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>This provision evinces the intent of the lawmakers to safeguard the rights and security of workers. Therefore, it is important for the Court to protect this constitutionally guaranteed right. Thus, the Court is tasked to strike down any acts of employers that would derogate and violate the rights of workers under the CBA.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Thus, it was ruled in <em>Faculty Association of Mapua Institute of Technology (FAMJT) v. Court of Appeals<\\/em><a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\"><sup>[5]<\\/sup><\\/a><sup> <\\/sup>that the provisions of the CBA must be respected since its terms and conditions constitute the law between the parties. Until a new CBA is executed by and between the parties, they are bound to keep the <em>status quo<\\/em><em> <\\/em>and to continue in full force and effect the terms and conditions of the existing agreement. Any unilateral modification of the provisions of the CBA violates not only Art. 253 of the Labor Code, but also the Constitution. Accordingly, such modification is legally ineffective and invalid.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><strong>II. Summary<\\/strong><strong><\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>In 2001, the <em>Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas<\\/em> (BSP) issued the Manual of Regulations for Banks (MoRB). Relevant to the instant case is Section X338 thereof which reads: \\u201cBanks may provide financial assistance to their officers and employees, as part of their fringe benefits program, to meet housing, transportation, household and personal needs of their officers and employees. Financing plans and amendments thereto shall be with prior approval of the BSP.\\u201d<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Respondent Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited (HSBC), on March 12, 2003, submitted its Financial Assistance Plan (Plan) to the BSP for approval. The Plan allegedly contained a credit checking proviso stating that \\\"repayment defaults on existing loans and adverse information on outside loans will be considered in the evaluation of loan applications.\\\" The BSP approved the Plan on May 5, 2003. Said Plan were later amended thrice and were approved by the BSP.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Meanwhile, petitioner Hongkong Bank Independent Labor Union (HBILU), the incumbent bargaining agent of HSBC\'s rank-and-file employees, entered into a CBA with the bank covering the period from April 1, 2010 to March 31, 2012, but such CBA did not contain any provision citing the approved Plan.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>When the CBA was about to expire, the parties started negotiations for a new one to cover the period from April 1, 2012 to March 31, 2017. During the said negotiations, HSBC proposed amendments to the CBA to align the wordings of the CBA with its BSP-approved Plan by inserting stipulations that make external credit checking as well as the financial assistance plan approved by the BSP as prerequisites before a salary loan will be granted to an employee. HBILU vigorously objected to the proposed amendments, claiming that their insertions would curtail its members\' availment of salary loans. In view of HBILU\'s objection, HSBC withdrew its proposed amendments. Thus, the CBA remained unchanged.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Despite the withdrawal of the proposal, HSBC sent an e-mail to its employees on April 20, 2012 concerning the enforcement of the Plan, including the Credit Checking provisions thereof. Thereafter, in September 2012, HBILU member Vince Mananghaya (Mananghaya) applied for a loan under the provisions of the CBA. His first loan application in March 2012 was approved, but adverse findings from the external checks on his credit background resulted in the denial of his September application. HBILU then raised the denial as a grievance issue with the National Conciliation Mediation Board (NCMB). It argued that the imposition of an additional requirement\\u2014the external credit checking prior to approval of any loan application the CBA\\u2014is not sanctioned under the CBA.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Ruling in favor of the respondent, the NCMB stated that an employer has the right to issue and implement guidelines for the availment of loan accommodations under the CBA as part of its management prerogative. Aggrieved, HBILU elevated the case to the Court of Appeals (CA). The CA sustained the findings and conclusions of the NCMB-PVA <em>in toto <\\/em>on the ratiocination that HSBC was merely complying with Section X338 of the MoRB when it submitted the Plan to BSP. Petitioner moved for reconsideration but it was denied.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Hence this petition raising the issue of whether HSBC could validly enforce the credit-checking requirement under its BSP-approved Plan in processing the salary loan applications of covered employees even when the said requirement is not recognized under the CBA.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>The Court ruled in the negative and stated that although jurisprudence recognizes the validity of the exercise by an employer of its management, this prerogative is not absolute and is subject to limitations imposed by law, the <strong>collective bargaining agreement<\\/strong>, and the general principles of fair play and justice. The CBA, being the law between the parties, binds both parties and pursuant to Art. 253 of the Labor Code<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\"><sup>[6]<\\/sup><\\/a>, imposes upon them the duty to keep the <em>status quo<\\/em><em> <\\/em>and to continue in full force and effect the terms and conditions of the existing agreement,thus, any unilateral modification thereof contravenes the Labor Code and is invalid.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Furthermore, the Courtalso noted that the external credit check, as well as the manner of its enforcement, is a new imposition by HSBC because the bank did not attempt to rebut HBILU\'s evidence that the former\'s requirements for the grant of salary loans changed only after the April 20, 2012 email blast.The petitioners were able to prove that before the email blast, HSBC only required four documents in applying for a loan: 1) Application for Personal Loan Form; 2) Authority to Deduct Form; 3) Set-Off of Retirement Fund Form; and 4) Promissory Note Form. Thereafter, the management imposed a new set of requirements, which includes the \\\"Authority to Conduct Checks Form.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Based on the evidence and arguments presented, the Plan was never made part of the CBA. Thus, no other conclusion can be had other than the fact that HSBC\'s enforcement of credit checking on salary loans under the CBA invalidly modified the latter\'s provisions thereon through the imposition of additional requirements which cannot be found anywhere in the CBA.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Respondent argues that the credit checking requirement under the MoRB should be deemed written into the CBA by citing Sec. X304.1 of the 2011 MoRB in maintaining that financial institutions must look into the obligor\'s repayment history, among other things, before approving a loan application. Said provision reads:<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a7 X304.1 <strong>General guidelines.<\\/strong> Consistent with safe and sound banking practices, a bank shall grant loans or other credit accommodations only in amounts and for the periods of time essential for the effective completion of the operation to be financed. Before granting loans or other credit accommodations, a bank must ascertain that the borrower, co-maker, endorser, surety, and\\/or guarantor, if applicable, is\\/are financially capable of fulfilling his\\/their commitments to the bank. For this purpose, a bank shall obtain adequate information on his\\/their credit standing and financial capacities x x x.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>However, the Court ruled that such provision is a general one, and it should be interpreted in conjunction with Section X338.3, the provision which specifically applies to salary loans under the fringe benefit program of the bank which states that:<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>All loans or other credit accommodations to bank officers and employees, EXCEPT those granted under the fringe benefit program of the bank, shall be subject to the same terms and conditions imposed on the regular lending operations of the bank. Loans or other credit accommodations granted to officers shall, in addition, be subject to the provisions of Section 36 of R.A. No. 8791 and Sections X326 to X336 but not to the individual ceilings where such loans or other credit accommodations are obtained under the bank\'s fringe benefits program.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Thus, the Court ruled that Sec. X338.3 <strong>clearly<\\/strong> excluded loans and credit accommodations under the bank\'s fringe benefits program from the operation of Sec. X304.1, thus, salary loans in the present case are not covered by the credit checking requirement under the MORB.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><strong><em>Section 40 of the General Banking Law clearly exclude salary loans from its application<\\/em><\\/strong><strong><em><\\/em><\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><strong> <\\/strong>The Court stated that indeed, Section 40 of Republic Act No. 8791<a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\"><sup>[7]<\\/sup><\\/a> (General Banking Law of 2000) requires HSBC to conduct a credit check on all of its borrowers. However, a reading of the same law reveals that loan accommodations to employees are not covered by said statute. Nowhere in the law does it state that its provisions shall apply to loans extended to bank employees which are granted under the latter\'s fringe benefits program. Had the law intended otherwise, it could have easily specified such, similar to what was done for directors, officers, stockholders and their related interests under Section 36 thereof. This conclusion is supported by the very wording of Subsection X338.3 of the MORB. To reiterate:<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Subsection X338.3 Other conditions\\/limitations<br> The investment by a bank in equipment and other chattels under its fringe benefits program for officers and employees shall be included in determining the extent of the investment of the bank in real estate and equipment for purposes of Section 51 of R.A. No. 8791.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>XXX<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><br> All loans or other credit accommodations to bank officers and employees, except those granted under the fringe benefit program of the bank, shall be subject to the same terms and conditions imposed on the regular lending operations of the bank. Loans or other credit accommodations granted to officers shall, in addition, be subject to the provisions of Section 36 of R.A. No. 8791 and Sections X326 to X336 but not to the individual ceilings where Such loans or other credit accommodations are obtained under the bank\'s fringe benefits program.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p> Therefore, the Court concluded that even though the provision covers loans extended to both bank officers and employees, the last paragraph thereof singled out loans and credit accommodations granted to officers when it provided for the applicability of RA 8791. Accordingly, what the law does not include, it excludes.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>The Court also stated are other ways of securing payment of said salary loans other than ascertaining whether the borrowing employee has the capacity to pay the loan. BSP Circular 423, Series of 2004 itself provides for such which states:<br><br><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Subsection X338.1 Mechanics. The mechanics of such financing plan shall have the following minimum features: Participation shall be limited to full-time and permanent officers and employees of the bank; x x x The bank shall adopt measures to protect itself from losses such as by incorporating in the plan or contract provisions requiring co-makers or co-signor, chattel, or real estate mortgages, fire insurance, mortgage redemption insurance, assignment of money value of leave credits, pension or retirement benefits.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Additionally, both the BSP Circular 423, Series of 2004 and Section X338.3 of the MoRB provide for a safeguard in order to protect the funds of the Bank\'s depositors while allowing the Bank to extend such benefits to its employees, in that both require that: \\u201cThe aggregate outstanding loans and other credit accommodations granted under the bank\'s fringe benefits program, inclusive of those granted to officers in the nature of lease with option to purchase, shall not exceed five percent (5%) of the bank\'s total loan portfolio.\\u201d<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>The Court held that the evidence presented justifies the conclusion that the credit checking requirement imposed by HSBC under the questioned Plan which effectively and undoubtedly modified the CBA provisions on salary loans was a unilateral imposition violative of HSBC\'s duty to bargain collectively and, therefore, invalid.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>The Court also emphasized that in resolving issues concerning CBAs, the foremost consideration therein is upholding the intention of both parties as stated in the agreement itself, or based on their negotiations.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><strong>III. CBA CANNOT BE MODIFIED UNILATERALLY<\\/strong><strong><\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><strong> <\\/strong>In this case, the Court gave importance to and emphasized the rights of the workers which are guaranteed by the Constitution as well as by the Labor Code. Central to this case is the right of the workers, as mandated by the Constitution, to collective bargaining and negotiations and to participate in policy and decision-making processes affecting their rights and benefits as may be provided by law.<a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\"><sup>[8]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Pursuant to such guarantee, Article 211 of the Labor Code, as amended<a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\"><sup>[9]<\\/sup><\\/a>, declares it a policy of the State: (a) To promote and emphasize the primacy of free collective bargaining and negotiations, including voluntary arbitration, mediation, and conciliation, as modes of settling labor or industrial disputes; x x x (d) To promote the enlightenment of workers concerning their rights and obligations as union members and as employees; x x x (g) To ensure the participation of workers in decision and policy-making processes affecting their rights, duties and welfare.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Additionally, Art 255 of the same Code<a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\"><sup>[10]<\\/sup><\\/a> provides: \\u201cAny provision of law to the contrary notwithstanding, workers shall have the right, subject to such rules and regulations as the Secretary of Labor and Employment may promulgate, to participate in policy and decision-making process of the establishment where they are employed insofar as said processes will directly affect their rights, benefits and welfare.\\u201d<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>In this case, the union and the bank already had an existing CBA. Furthermore, it contained provisions regarding the grant of salary loans which also set forth the requirements and qualifications for the grant thereof. The bank sought to impose other requirements that were not included in the CBA such as external credit checking. It claimed they could rightfully impose such because it was part of the plan approved by the BSP and such was customarily done by banks. The union rejected such provision during the negotiations for the new CBA.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>The Court ruled that the acts of the bank were invalid as it constitutes a unilateral modification of the CBA between the union and the bank which violates Art. 253 of the Labor Code. This is so because it was proven that the external credit checking was never intended to be part of the salary loan grant under the CBA because it was never previously done by the bank when the employees applied for salary loans, moreover, they did not include it in its negotiation for the first CBA.<strong><\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><strong>IV. CHANGING TIMES: WORKER\\u2019S RIGHTS RECOGNIZED<\\/strong><strong><\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u201cDo not bite the hand that feeds you.\\u201d This saying is commonly used to remind employees not to go against their employers, or to give way to decisions, procedures, and the requirements of employers, even if at the expense of the employee. However, justice demands that employees get what they are entitled to.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>This case shows that even a huge institution cannot escape from the arms of the law when they commit acts that violate the rights of their workers. While HSBC is a banking institution imbued with public interest with the duty to protect with extraordinary diligence the money of its depositors, they cannot invoke such principle when they violate the provisions of the CBA. Therefore, in this case, the Court categorically held that banks cannot unilaterally impose requirements that are not included in their CBA.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Under the Constitution, the State affirms labor as a primary social economic force. It shall protect the rights of the workers and promote their welfare.<a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\"><sup>[11]<\\/sup><\\/a> With the changing times, the present set of laws, availability of the Courts, and prevalence of social media, employers can no longer violate the rights of their workers with impunity. Employees are now given more opportunities to assert their rights against erring employers. Accordingly, the Courts will not hesitate to punish the acts of employers when they violate the rights of their employees. Therefore, employers must keep in mind that they should follow the laws carefully enacted in favor of their employees. After all, the success of the business of the employers highly depends on the performance, motivation, and productivity of their employees. Employees can only do so when they know that all the benefits and rights granted to them by law are respected and given to them by their employers.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:separator -->\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\"\\/>\\n<!-- \\/wp:separator -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\"><em><sup><strong><sup>[1]<\\/sup><\\/strong><\\/sup><\\/em><\\/a> 2C - Understudy<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\"><sup>[2]<\\/sup><\\/a> <em>Goya, Inc. v. Goya, Inc. Employees Union-FFW,<\\/em> 689 SCRA 1, 15-16, (2013).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\"><sup>[3]<\\/sup><\\/a> CONST. Art. XIII, Sec. 3.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\"><sup>[4]<\\/sup><\\/a> LABOR CODE, P.D. 442 as amended, art. 253.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\"><sup>[5]<\\/sup><\\/a> <em>Faculty Association of Mapua Institute of Technology (FAMJT) v. Court of Appeals<\\/em>, 524 SCRA 709 (2007).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\"><sup>[6]<\\/sup><\\/a> LABOR CODE, P.D. 442 as amended, art. 253.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\"><sup>[7]<\\/sup><\\/a> An Act Providing for the Regulation of the Organization and Operation of Banks, Quasi Banks, Trust Entities and for other purposes, Republic Act 8791, sec. 40 (2000).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\"><sup>[8]<\\/sup><\\/a> CONST. Art. XIII, Sec. 3.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\"><sup>[9]<\\/sup><\\/a> LABOR CODE, P.D. 442 as amended, art. 211.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\"><sup>[10]<\\/sup><\\/a> LABOR CODE, P.D. 442 as amended, art. 255.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\"><sup>[11]<\\/sup><\\/a> CONST., Art. II, Sec. 18.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:separator -->\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\"\\/>\\n<!-- \\/wp:separator -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Cover Photo by <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/unsplash.com\\/@orangetiephotography?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText\\\">Joshua Lawrence<\\/a> on <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/unsplash.com\\/s\\/photos\\/hsbc?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText\\\">Unsplash<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(4603,1408,'_thumbnail_id','1402'),(4604,1408,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(4605,1408,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(4606,1408,'_elementor_version','3.2.5'),(4607,1408,'_wp_page_template','default'),(4608,1408,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"41051a1a\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"39861e11\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"49767b39\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><strong>HONGKONG BANK INDEPENDENT LABOR UNION <em>v<\\/em>. HONGKONG AND SHANGHAI BANKING CORPORATION LIMITED: Agreements must be kept; the CBA governs the relationship of employers and their employees.<\\/strong><strong><\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><em>By: Pio Vincent R. Buencamino<\\/em><a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\"><em><sup><strong><sup>[1]<\\/sup><\\/strong><\\/sup><\\/em><\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><strong>I. CBA is the law between the parties.<\\/strong><strong><\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>A collective bargaining agreement (CBA) is the negotiated contract between a legitimate labor organization and the employer concerning wages, hours of work, and other terms and conditions of employment in a bargaining unit. As in all contracts, the parties in a CBA may establish such stipulations, clauses, terms, and conditions as they may deem convenient provided these are not contrary to law, morals, good customs, public order or public policy. Thus, where the CBA is clear and unambiguous, it becomes the law between the parties and compliance therewith is mandated by the express policy of the law.<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\"><sup>[2]<\\/sup><\\/a><sup><\\/sup><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>The right to collective bargaining and negotiations as well as to participate in policy and decision-making processes affecting the rights and benefits of employees are guaranteed by the Constitution which states that: \\u201cThe State shall afford full protection to labor, local and overseas, organized and unorganized, and promote full employment and equality of employment opportunities for all.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\"><sup>[3]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>It shall guarantee the rights of all workers to self-organization, collective bargaining and negotiations, and peaceful concerted activities, including the right to strike in accordance with law. They shall be entitled to security of tenure, humane conditions of work, and a living wage. They shall also participate in policy and decision-making processes affecting their rights and benefits as may be provided by law.\\u201d<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Thus, Article 253 of the Labor Code states that: \\u201cWhen there is a collective bargaining agreement, the duty to bargain collectively shall also mean that <strong>neither party shall terminate nor modify such agreement during its lifetime. x x x It shall be the duty of both parties to keep the status quo and to continue in full force and effect the terms and conditions of the existing agreement<\\/strong> during the 60-day period and\\/or <strong>until a new agreement is reached by the parties<\\/strong>.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\"><sup>[4]<\\/sup><\\/a><sup> <\\/sup>(Emphases supplied)<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>This provision evinces the intent of the lawmakers to safeguard the rights and security of workers. Therefore, it is important for the Court to protect this constitutionally guaranteed right. Thus, the Court is tasked to strike down any acts of employers that would derogate and violate the rights of workers under the CBA.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Thus, it was ruled in <em>Faculty Association of Mapua Institute of Technology (FAMJT) v. Court of Appeals<\\/em><a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\"><sup>[5]<\\/sup><\\/a><sup> <\\/sup>that the provisions of the CBA must be respected since its terms and conditions constitute the law between the parties. Until a new CBA is executed by and between the parties, they are bound to keep the <em>status quo<\\/em><em> <\\/em>and to continue in full force and effect the terms and conditions of the existing agreement. Any unilateral modification of the provisions of the CBA violates not only Art. 253 of the Labor Code, but also the Constitution. Accordingly, such modification is legally ineffective and invalid.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><strong>II. Summary<\\/strong><strong><\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>In 2001, the <em>Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas<\\/em> (BSP) issued the Manual of Regulations for Banks (MoRB). Relevant to the instant case is Section X338 thereof which reads: \\u201cBanks may provide financial assistance to their officers and employees, as part of their fringe benefits program, to meet housing, transportation, household and personal needs of their officers and employees. Financing plans and amendments thereto shall be with prior approval of the BSP.\\u201d<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Respondent Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited (HSBC), on March 12, 2003, submitted its Financial Assistance Plan (Plan) to the BSP for approval. The Plan allegedly contained a credit checking proviso stating that \\\"repayment defaults on existing loans and adverse information on outside loans will be considered in the evaluation of loan applications.\\\" The BSP approved the Plan on May 5, 2003. Said Plan were later amended thrice and were approved by the BSP.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Meanwhile, petitioner Hongkong Bank Independent Labor Union (HBILU), the incumbent bargaining agent of HSBC\'s rank-and-file employees, entered into a CBA with the bank covering the period from April 1, 2010 to March 31, 2012, but such CBA did not contain any provision citing the approved Plan.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>When the CBA was about to expire, the parties started negotiations for a new one to cover the period from April 1, 2012 to March 31, 2017. During the said negotiations, HSBC proposed amendments to the CBA to align the wordings of the CBA with its BSP-approved Plan by inserting stipulations that make external credit checking as well as the financial assistance plan approved by the BSP as prerequisites before a salary loan will be granted to an employee. HBILU vigorously objected to the proposed amendments, claiming that their insertions would curtail its members\' availment of salary loans. In view of HBILU\'s objection, HSBC withdrew its proposed amendments. Thus, the CBA remained unchanged.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Despite the withdrawal of the proposal, HSBC sent an e-mail to its employees on April 20, 2012 concerning the enforcement of the Plan, including the Credit Checking provisions thereof. Thereafter, in September 2012, HBILU member Vince Mananghaya (Mananghaya) applied for a loan under the provisions of the CBA. His first loan application in March 2012 was approved, but adverse findings from the external checks on his credit background resulted in the denial of his September application. HBILU then raised the denial as a grievance issue with the National Conciliation Mediation Board (NCMB). It argued that the imposition of an additional requirement\\u2014the external credit checking prior to approval of any loan application the CBA\\u2014is not sanctioned under the CBA.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Ruling in favor of the respondent, the NCMB stated that an employer has the right to issue and implement guidelines for the availment of loan accommodations under the CBA as part of its management prerogative. Aggrieved, HBILU elevated the case to the Court of Appeals (CA). The CA sustained the findings and conclusions of the NCMB-PVA <em>in toto <\\/em>on the ratiocination that HSBC was merely complying with Section X338 of the MoRB when it submitted the Plan to BSP. Petitioner moved for reconsideration but it was denied.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Hence this petition raising the issue of whether HSBC could validly enforce the credit-checking requirement under its BSP-approved Plan in processing the salary loan applications of covered employees even when the said requirement is not recognized under the CBA.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>The Court ruled in the negative and stated that although jurisprudence recognizes the validity of the exercise by an employer of its management, this prerogative is not absolute and is subject to limitations imposed by law, the <strong>collective bargaining agreement<\\/strong>, and the general principles of fair play and justice. The CBA, being the law between the parties, binds both parties and pursuant to Art. 253 of the Labor Code<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\"><sup>[6]<\\/sup><\\/a>, imposes upon them the duty to keep the <em>status quo<\\/em><em> <\\/em>and to continue in full force and effect the terms and conditions of the existing agreement,thus, any unilateral modification thereof contravenes the Labor Code and is invalid.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Furthermore, the Courtalso noted that the external credit check, as well as the manner of its enforcement, is a new imposition by HSBC because the bank did not attempt to rebut HBILU\'s evidence that the former\'s requirements for the grant of salary loans changed only after the April 20, 2012 email blast.The petitioners were able to prove that before the email blast, HSBC only required four documents in applying for a loan: 1) Application for Personal Loan Form; 2) Authority to Deduct Form; 3) Set-Off of Retirement Fund Form; and 4) Promissory Note Form. Thereafter, the management imposed a new set of requirements, which includes the \\\"Authority to Conduct Checks Form.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Based on the evidence and arguments presented, the Plan was never made part of the CBA. Thus, no other conclusion can be had other than the fact that HSBC\'s enforcement of credit checking on salary loans under the CBA invalidly modified the latter\'s provisions thereon through the imposition of additional requirements which cannot be found anywhere in the CBA.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Respondent argues that the credit checking requirement under the MoRB should be deemed written into the CBA by citing Sec. X304.1 of the 2011 MoRB in maintaining that financial institutions must look into the obligor\'s repayment history, among other things, before approving a loan application. Said provision reads:<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a7 X304.1 <strong>General guidelines.<\\/strong> Consistent with safe and sound banking practices, a bank shall grant loans or other credit accommodations only in amounts and for the periods of time essential for the effective completion of the operation to be financed. Before granting loans or other credit accommodations, a bank must ascertain that the borrower, co-maker, endorser, surety, and\\/or guarantor, if applicable, is\\/are financially capable of fulfilling his\\/their commitments to the bank. For this purpose, a bank shall obtain adequate information on his\\/their credit standing and financial capacities x x x.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>However, the Court ruled that such provision is a general one, and it should be interpreted in conjunction with Section X338.3, the provision which specifically applies to salary loans under the fringe benefit program of the bank which states that:<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>All loans or other credit accommodations to bank officers and employees, EXCEPT those granted under the fringe benefit program of the bank, shall be subject to the same terms and conditions imposed on the regular lending operations of the bank. Loans or other credit accommodations granted to officers shall, in addition, be subject to the provisions of Section 36 of R.A. No. 8791 and Sections X326 to X336 but not to the individual ceilings where such loans or other credit accommodations are obtained under the bank\'s fringe benefits program.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Thus, the Court ruled that Sec. X338.3 <strong>clearly<\\/strong> excluded loans and credit accommodations under the bank\'s fringe benefits program from the operation of Sec. X304.1, thus, salary loans in the present case are not covered by the credit checking requirement under the MORB.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><strong><em>Section 40 of the General Banking Law clearly exclude salary loans from its application<\\/em><\\/strong><strong><em><\\/em><\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><strong> <\\/strong>The Court stated that indeed, Section 40 of Republic Act No. 8791<a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\"><sup>[7]<\\/sup><\\/a> (General Banking Law of 2000) requires HSBC to conduct a credit check on all of its borrowers. However, a reading of the same law reveals that loan accommodations to employees are not covered by said statute. Nowhere in the law does it state that its provisions shall apply to loans extended to bank employees which are granted under the latter\'s fringe benefits program. Had the law intended otherwise, it could have easily specified such, similar to what was done for directors, officers, stockholders and their related interests under Section 36 thereof. This conclusion is supported by the very wording of Subsection X338.3 of the MORB. To reiterate:<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Subsection X338.3 Other conditions\\/limitations<br> The investment by a bank in equipment and other chattels under its fringe benefits program for officers and employees shall be included in determining the extent of the investment of the bank in real estate and equipment for purposes of Section 51 of R.A. No. 8791.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>XXX<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><br> All loans or other credit accommodations to bank officers and employees, except those granted under the fringe benefit program of the bank, shall be subject to the same terms and conditions imposed on the regular lending operations of the bank. Loans or other credit accommodations granted to officers shall, in addition, be subject to the provisions of Section 36 of R.A. No. 8791 and Sections X326 to X336 but not to the individual ceilings where Such loans or other credit accommodations are obtained under the bank\'s fringe benefits program.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p> Therefore, the Court concluded that even though the provision covers loans extended to both bank officers and employees, the last paragraph thereof singled out loans and credit accommodations granted to officers when it provided for the applicability of RA 8791. Accordingly, what the law does not include, it excludes.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>The Court also stated are other ways of securing payment of said salary loans other than ascertaining whether the borrowing employee has the capacity to pay the loan. BSP Circular 423, Series of 2004 itself provides for such which states:<br><br><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Subsection X338.1 Mechanics. The mechanics of such financing plan shall have the following minimum features: Participation shall be limited to full-time and permanent officers and employees of the bank; x x x The bank shall adopt measures to protect itself from losses such as by incorporating in the plan or contract provisions requiring co-makers or co-signor, chattel, or real estate mortgages, fire insurance, mortgage redemption insurance, assignment of money value of leave credits, pension or retirement benefits.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Additionally, both the BSP Circular 423, Series of 2004 and Section X338.3 of the MoRB provide for a safeguard in order to protect the funds of the Bank\'s depositors while allowing the Bank to extend such benefits to its employees, in that both require that: \\u201cThe aggregate outstanding loans and other credit accommodations granted under the bank\'s fringe benefits program, inclusive of those granted to officers in the nature of lease with option to purchase, shall not exceed five percent (5%) of the bank\'s total loan portfolio.\\u201d<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>The Court held that the evidence presented justifies the conclusion that the credit checking requirement imposed by HSBC under the questioned Plan which effectively and undoubtedly modified the CBA provisions on salary loans was a unilateral imposition violative of HSBC\'s duty to bargain collectively and, therefore, invalid.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>The Court also emphasized that in resolving issues concerning CBAs, the foremost consideration therein is upholding the intention of both parties as stated in the agreement itself, or based on their negotiations.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><strong>III. CBA CANNOT BE MODIFIED UNILATERALLY<\\/strong><strong><\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><strong> <\\/strong>In this case, the Court gave importance to and emphasized the rights of the workers which are guaranteed by the Constitution as well as by the Labor Code. Central to this case is the right of the workers, as mandated by the Constitution, to collective bargaining and negotiations and to participate in policy and decision-making processes affecting their rights and benefits as may be provided by law.<a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\"><sup>[8]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Pursuant to such guarantee, Article 211 of the Labor Code, as amended<a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\"><sup>[9]<\\/sup><\\/a>, declares it a policy of the State: (a) To promote and emphasize the primacy of free collective bargaining and negotiations, including voluntary arbitration, mediation, and conciliation, as modes of settling labor or industrial disputes; x x x (d) To promote the enlightenment of workers concerning their rights and obligations as union members and as employees; x x x (g) To ensure the participation of workers in decision and policy-making processes affecting their rights, duties and welfare.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Additionally, Art 255 of the same Code<a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\"><sup>[10]<\\/sup><\\/a> provides: \\u201cAny provision of law to the contrary notwithstanding, workers shall have the right, subject to such rules and regulations as the Secretary of Labor and Employment may promulgate, to participate in policy and decision-making process of the establishment where they are employed insofar as said processes will directly affect their rights, benefits and welfare.\\u201d<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>In this case, the union and the bank already had an existing CBA. Furthermore, it contained provisions regarding the grant of salary loans which also set forth the requirements and qualifications for the grant thereof. The bank sought to impose other requirements that were not included in the CBA such as external credit checking. It claimed they could rightfully impose such because it was part of the plan approved by the BSP and such was customarily done by banks. The union rejected such provision during the negotiations for the new CBA.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>The Court ruled that the acts of the bank were invalid as it constitutes a unilateral modification of the CBA between the union and the bank which violates Art. 253 of the Labor Code. This is so because it was proven that the external credit checking was never intended to be part of the salary loan grant under the CBA because it was never previously done by the bank when the employees applied for salary loans, moreover, they did not include it in its negotiation for the first CBA.<strong><\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><strong>IV. CHANGING TIMES: WORKER\\u2019S RIGHTS RECOGNIZED<\\/strong><strong><\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u201cDo not bite the hand that feeds you.\\u201d This saying is commonly used to remind employees not to go against their employers, or to give way to decisions, procedures, and the requirements of employers, even if at the expense of the employee. However, justice demands that employees get what they are entitled to.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>This case shows that even a huge institution cannot escape from the arms of the law when they commit acts that violate the rights of their workers. While HSBC is a banking institution imbued with public interest with the duty to protect with extraordinary diligence the money of its depositors, they cannot invoke such principle when they violate the provisions of the CBA. Therefore, in this case, the Court categorically held that banks cannot unilaterally impose requirements that are not included in their CBA.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Under the Constitution, the State affirms labor as a primary social economic force. It shall protect the rights of the workers and promote their welfare.<a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\"><sup>[11]<\\/sup><\\/a> With the changing times, the present set of laws, availability of the Courts, and prevalence of social media, employers can no longer violate the rights of their workers with impunity. Employees are now given more opportunities to assert their rights against erring employers. Accordingly, the Courts will not hesitate to punish the acts of employers when they violate the rights of their employees. Therefore, employers must keep in mind that they should follow the laws carefully enacted in favor of their employees. After all, the success of the business of the employers highly depends on the performance, motivation, and productivity of their employees. Employees can only do so when they know that all the benefits and rights granted to them by law are respected and given to them by their employers.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:separator -->\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\"\\/>\\n<!-- \\/wp:separator -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\"><em><sup><strong><sup>[1]<\\/sup><\\/strong><\\/sup><\\/em><\\/a> 2C - Understudy<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\"><sup>[2]<\\/sup><\\/a> <em>Goya, Inc. v. Goya, Inc. Employees Union-FFW,<\\/em> 689 SCRA 1, 15-16, (2013).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\"><sup>[3]<\\/sup><\\/a> CONST. Art. XIII, Sec. 3.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\"><sup>[4]<\\/sup><\\/a> LABOR CODE, P.D. 442 as amended, art. 253.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\"><sup>[5]<\\/sup><\\/a> <em>Faculty Association of Mapua Institute of Technology (FAMJT) v. Court of Appeals<\\/em>, 524 SCRA 709 (2007).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\"><sup>[6]<\\/sup><\\/a> LABOR CODE, P.D. 442 as amended, art. 253.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\"><sup>[7]<\\/sup><\\/a> An Act Providing for the Regulation of the Organization and Operation of Banks, Quasi Banks, Trust Entities and for other purposes, Republic Act 8791, sec. 40 (2000).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\"><sup>[8]<\\/sup><\\/a> CONST. Art. XIII, Sec. 3.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\"><sup>[9]<\\/sup><\\/a> LABOR CODE, P.D. 442 as amended, art. 211.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\"><sup>[10]<\\/sup><\\/a> LABOR CODE, P.D. 442 as amended, art. 255.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\"><sup>[11]<\\/sup><\\/a> CONST., Art. II, Sec. 18.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:separator -->\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\"\\/>\\n<!-- \\/wp:separator -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Cover Photo by <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/unsplash.com\\/@orangetiephotography?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText\\\">Joshua Lawrence<\\/a> on <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/unsplash.com\\/s\\/photos\\/hsbc?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText\\\">Unsplash<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(4610,1409,'_thumbnail_id','1402'),(4611,1409,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(4612,1409,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(4613,1409,'_elementor_version','3.2.5'),(4614,1409,'_wp_page_template','default'),(4615,1409,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"41051a1a\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"39861e11\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"49767b39\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<h1><strong>HONGKONG BANK INDEPENDENT LABOR UNION <em>v<\\/em>. HONGKONG AND SHANGHAI BANKING CORPORATION LIMITED: Agreements must be kept; the CBA governs the relationship of employers and their employees.<\\/strong><\\/h1>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><em>By: Pio Vincent R. Buencamino<\\/em><a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\"><em><sup><strong><sup>[1]<\\/sup><\\/strong><\\/sup><\\/em><\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>I. CBA is the law between the parties.<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 A collective bargaining agreement (CBA) is the negotiated contract between a legitimate labor organization and the employer concerning wages, hours of work, and other terms and conditions of employment in a bargaining unit. As in all contracts, the parties in a CBA may establish such stipulations, clauses, terms, and conditions as they may deem convenient provided these are not contrary to law, morals, good customs, public order or public policy. Thus, where the CBA is clear and unambiguous, it becomes the law between the parties and compliance therewith is mandated by the express policy of the law.<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\"><sup>[2]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The right to collective bargaining and negotiations as well as to participate in policy and decision-making processes affecting the rights and benefits of employees are guaranteed by the Constitution which states that: \\u201cThe State shall afford full protection to labor, local and overseas, organized and unorganized, and promote full employment and equality of employment opportunities for all.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\"><sup>[3]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 It shall guarantee the rights of all workers to self-organization, collective bargaining and negotiations, and peaceful concerted activities, including the right to strike in accordance with law. They shall be entitled to security of tenure, humane conditions of work, and a living wage. They shall also participate in policy and decision-making processes affecting their rights and benefits as may be provided by law.\\u201d<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Thus, Article 253 of the Labor Code states that: \\u201cWhen there is a collective bargaining agreement, the duty to bargain collectively shall also mean that\\u00a0<strong>neither party shall terminate nor modify such agreement during its lifetime. x x x It shall be the duty of both parties to keep the status quo and to continue in full force and effect the terms and conditions of the existing agreement<\\/strong>\\u00a0during the 60-day period and\\/or <strong>until a new agreement is reached by the parties<\\/strong>.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\"><sup>[4]<\\/sup><\\/a> (Emphases supplied)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 This provision evinces the intent of the lawmakers to safeguard the rights and security of workers. Therefore, it is important for the Court to protect this constitutionally guaranteed right. Thus, the Court is tasked to strike down any acts of employers that would derogate and violate the rights of workers under the CBA.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Thus, it was ruled in <em>Faculty Association of Mapua Institute of Technology (FAMJT) v. Court of Appeals<\\/em><a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\"><sup>[5]<\\/sup><\\/a> that the provisions of the CBA must be respected since its terms and conditions constitute the law between the parties. Until a new CBA is executed by and between the parties, they are bound to keep the\\u00a0<em>status quo<\\/em><em>\\u00a0<\\/em>and to continue in full force and effect the terms and conditions of the existing agreement. Any unilateral modification of the provisions of the CBA violates not only Art. 253 of the Labor Code, but also the Constitution. Accordingly, such modification is legally ineffective and invalid.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>II. Summary<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In 2001, the <em>Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas<\\/em> (BSP) issued the Manual of Regulations for Banks (MoRB). Relevant to the instant case is Section X338 thereof which reads: \\u201cBanks may provide financial assistance to their officers and employees, as part of their fringe benefits program, to meet housing, transportation, household and personal needs of their officers and employees. Financing plans and amendments thereto shall be with prior approval of the BSP.\\u201d<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Respondent Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited (HSBC), on March 12, 2003, submitted its Financial Assistance Plan (Plan) to the BSP for approval. The Plan allegedly contained a credit checking proviso stating that \\\"repayment defaults on existing loans and adverse information on outside loans will be considered in the evaluation of loan applications.\\\" The BSP approved the Plan on May 5, 2003.\\u00a0Said Plan were later amended thrice and were approved by the BSP.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Meanwhile, petitioner Hongkong Bank Independent Labor Union (HBILU), the incumbent bargaining agent of HSBC\'s rank-and-file employees, entered into a CBA with the bank covering the period from April 1, 2010 to March 31, 2012, but such CBA did not contain any provision citing the approved Plan.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 When the CBA was about to expire, the parties started negotiations for a new one to cover the period from April 1, 2012 to March 31, 2017. During the said negotiations, HSBC proposed amendments to the CBA to align the wordings of the CBA with its BSP-approved Plan by inserting stipulations that make external credit checking as well as the financial assistance plan approved by the BSP as prerequisites before a salary loan will be granted to an employee. HBILU vigorously objected to the proposed amendments, claiming that their insertions would curtail its members\' availment of salary loans. In view of HBILU\'s objection, HSBC withdrew its proposed amendments. Thus, the CBA remained unchanged.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Despite the withdrawal of the proposal, HSBC sent an e-mail to its employees on April 20, 2012 concerning the enforcement of the Plan, including the Credit Checking provisions thereof. Thereafter, in September 2012, HBILU member Vince Mananghaya (Mananghaya) applied for a loan under the provisions of the CBA. His first loan application in March 2012 was approved, but adverse findings from the external checks on his credit background resulted in the denial of his September application.\\u00a0HBILU then raised the denial as a grievance issue with the National Conciliation Mediation Board (NCMB). It argued that the imposition of an additional requirement\\u2014the external credit checking prior to approval of any loan application the CBA\\u2014is not sanctioned under the CBA.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Ruling in favor of the respondent, the NCMB stated that an employer has the right to issue and implement guidelines for the availment of loan accommodations under the CBA as part of its management prerogative. Aggrieved, HBILU elevated the case to the Court of Appeals (CA). The CA sustained the findings and conclusions of the NCMB-PVA\\u00a0<em>in\\u00a0toto\\u00a0<\\/em>on the ratiocination that HSBC was merely complying with Section X338 of the MoRB when it submitted the Plan to BSP. Petitioner moved for reconsideration but it was denied.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Hence this petition raising the issue of whether HSBC could validly enforce the credit-checking requirement under its BSP-approved Plan in processing the salary loan applications of covered employees even when the said requirement is not recognized under the CBA.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Court ruled in the negative and stated that although jurisprudence recognizes the validity of the exercise by an employer of its management, this prerogative is\\u00a0not absolute\\u00a0and is subject to limitations imposed by law,\\u00a0the <strong>collective bargaining agreement<\\/strong>, and the general principles of fair play and justice. The CBA, being the law between the parties, binds both parties and pursuant to Art. 253 of the Labor Code<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\"><sup>[6]<\\/sup><\\/a>, imposes upon them the duty to keep the\\u00a0<em>status quo<\\/em><em>\\u00a0<\\/em>and to continue in full force and effect the terms and conditions of the existing agreement,thus, any unilateral modification thereof contravenes the Labor Code and is invalid.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Furthermore, the Courtalso noted that the external credit check, as well as the manner of its enforcement, is a new imposition by HSBC because the bank did not attempt to rebut HBILU\'s evidence that\\u00a0the former\'s requirements for the grant of salary loans changed only after the April 20, 2012 email blast.The petitioners were able to prove that before the email blast, HSBC only required four documents in applying for a loan: 1) Application for Personal Loan Form; 2) Authority to Deduct Form; 3) Set-Off of Retirement Fund Form; and 4) Promissory Note Form.\\u00a0Thereafter, the management imposed a\\u00a0new set of requirements,\\u00a0which includes the \\\"Authority to Conduct Checks Form.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Based on the evidence and arguments presented, the Plan was never made part of the CBA. Thus, no other conclusion can be had other than the fact that\\u00a0HSBC\'s enforcement of credit checking on salary loans under the CBA invalidly modified the latter\'s provisions thereon through the imposition of additional requirements which cannot be found anywhere in the CBA.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>Respondent argues that the credit checking requirement under the MoRB should be deemed written into the CBA by citing Sec. X304.1 of the 2011 MoRB in maintaining that financial institutions must look into the obligor\'s repayment history, among other things, before approving a loan application. Said provision reads:<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\">\\u00a7 X304.1\\u00a0<strong>General guidelines.<\\/strong>\\u00a0Consistent with safe and sound banking practices, a bank shall grant loans or other credit accommodations only in amounts and for the periods of time essential for the effective completion of the operation to be financed. Before granting loans or other credit accommodations, a bank must ascertain that the borrower, co-maker, endorser, surety, and\\/or guarantor, if applicable, is\\/are financially capable of fulfilling his\\/their commitments to the bank. For this purpose, a bank shall obtain adequate information on his\\/their credit standing and financial capacities x x x.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 However, the Court ruled that such provision is a general one, and it should be interpreted in conjunction with Section X338.3, the provision which specifically applies to salary loans under the fringe benefit program of the bank which states that:<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\">All loans or other credit accommodations to bank officers and employees, EXCEPT those granted under the fringe benefit program of the bank, shall be subject to the same terms and conditions imposed on the regular lending operations of the bank. Loans or other credit accommodations granted to officers shall, in addition, be subject to the provisions of Section 36 of R.A. No. 8791 and Sections X326 to X336 but not to the individual ceilings where such loans or other credit accommodations are obtained under the bank\'s fringe benefits program.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Thus, the Court ruled that Sec. X338.3 <strong>clearly<\\/strong> excluded loans and credit accommodations under the bank\'s fringe benefits program from the operation of Sec. X304.1, thus, salary loans in the present case are not covered by the credit checking requirement under the MORB.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong><em>Section 40 of the General Banking Law clearly exclude salary loans from its application<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 <\\/strong>The Court stated that indeed, Section 40 of Republic Act No. 8791<a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\"><sup>[7]<\\/sup><\\/a> (General Banking Law of 2000) requires HSBC to conduct a credit check on all of its borrowers. However, a reading of the same law reveals that loan accommodations to employees are not covered by said statute. Nowhere in the law does it state that its provisions shall apply to loans extended to bank employees which are granted under the latter\'s fringe benefits program. Had the law intended otherwise, it could have easily specified such, similar to what was done for directors, officers, stockholders and their related interests under Section 36 thereof. This conclusion is supported by the very wording of Subsection X338.3 of the MORB. To reiterate:<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\">Subsection X338.3 Other conditions\\/limitations<br \\/>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The investment by a bank in equipment and other chattels under its fringe benefits program for officers and employees shall be included in determining the extent of the investment of the bank in real estate and equipment for purposes of Section 51 of R.A. No. 8791.<\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\">XXX<\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 All loans or other credit accommodations to bank officers and employees, except those granted under the fringe benefit program of the bank, shall be subject to the same terms and conditions imposed on the regular lending operations of the bank.\\u00a0Loans or other credit accommodations granted to\\u00a0officers\\u00a0shall, in addition, be subject to the provisions of Section 36 of R.A. No. 8791\\u00a0and Sections X326 to X336 but not to the individual ceilings where Such loans or other credit accommodations are obtained under the bank\'s fringe benefits program.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Therefore, the Court concluded that even though the provision covers loans extended to both bank officers and employees, the last paragraph thereof singled out loans and credit accommodations granted to\\u00a0officers\\u00a0when it provided for the applicability of RA 8791. Accordingly, what the law does not include, it excludes.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Court also stated are other ways of securing payment of said salary loans other than ascertaining whether the borrowing employee has the capacity to pay the loan. BSP Circular 423, Series of 2004 itself provides for such which states:<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Subsection X338.1 Mechanics. The mechanics of such financing plan shall have the following minimum features: Participation shall be limited to full-time and permanent officers and employees of the bank; x x x The bank shall adopt measures to protect itself from losses such as by incorporating in the plan or contract provisions requiring co-makers or co-signor, chattel, or real estate mortgages, fire insurance, mortgage redemption insurance, assignment of money value of leave credits, pension or retirement benefits.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Additionally, both the BSP Circular 423, Series of 2004 and Section X338.3 of the MoRB provide for a safeguard in order to protect the funds of the Bank\'s depositors while allowing the Bank to extend such benefits to its employees, in that both require that: \\u201cThe aggregate outstanding loans and other credit accommodations granted under the bank\'s fringe benefits program, inclusive of those granted to officers in the nature of lease with option to purchase, shall not exceed five percent (5%) of the bank\'s total loan portfolio.\\u201d<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Court held that the evidence presented justifies the conclusion that the credit checking requirement imposed by HSBC under the questioned Plan which effectively and undoubtedly modified the CBA provisions on salary loans was a unilateral imposition violative of HSBC\'s duty to bargain collectively and, therefore, invalid.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Court also emphasized that in resolving issues concerning CBAs, the foremost consideration therein is upholding the intention of both parties as stated in the agreement itself, or based on their negotiations.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>III. CBA CANNOT BE MODIFIED UNILATERALLY<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In this case, the Court gave importance to and emphasized the rights of the workers which are guaranteed by the Constitution as well as by the Labor Code. Central to this case is the right of the workers, as mandated by the Constitution, to collective bargaining and negotiations and to participate in policy and decision-making processes affecting their rights and benefits as may be provided by law.<a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\"><sup>[8]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Pursuant to such guarantee, Article 211 of the Labor Code, as amended<a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\"><sup>[9]<\\/sup><\\/a>, declares it a policy of the State: (a) To promote and emphasize the primacy of free collective bargaining and negotiations, including voluntary arbitration, mediation, and conciliation, as modes of settling labor or industrial disputes; x x x (d) To promote the enlightenment of workers concerning their rights and obligations as union members and as employees; x x x (g) To ensure the participation of workers in decision and policy-making processes affecting their rights, duties and welfare.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Additionally, Art 255 of the same Code<a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\"><sup>[10]<\\/sup><\\/a> provides: \\u201cAny provision of law to the contrary notwithstanding, workers shall have the right, subject to such rules and regulations as the Secretary of Labor and Employment may promulgate, to participate in policy and decision-making process of the establishment where they are employed insofar as said processes will directly affect their rights, benefits and welfare.\\u201d<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In this case, the union and the bank already had an existing CBA. Furthermore, it contained provisions regarding the grant of salary loans which also set forth the requirements and qualifications for the grant thereof. The bank sought to impose other requirements that were not included in the CBA such as external credit checking. It claimed they could rightfully impose such because it was part of the plan approved by the BSP and such was customarily done by banks. The union rejected such provision during the negotiations for the new CBA.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Court ruled that the acts of the bank were invalid as it constitutes a unilateral modification of the CBA between the union and the bank which violates Art. 253 of the Labor Code. This is so because it was proven that the external credit checking was never intended to be part of the salary loan grant under the CBA because it was never previously done by the bank when the employees applied for salary loans, moreover, they did not include it in its negotiation for the first CBA.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>IV. CHANGING TIMES: WORKER\\u2019S RIGHTS RECOGNIZED<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 \\u201cDo not bite the hand that feeds you.\\u201d This saying is commonly used to remind employees not to go against their employers, or to give way to decisions, procedures, and the requirements of employers, even if at the expense of the employee. However, justice demands that employees get what they are entitled to.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 This case shows that even a huge institution cannot escape from the arms of the law when they commit acts that violate the rights of their workers. While HSBC is a banking institution imbued with public interest with the duty to protect with extraordinary diligence the money of its depositors, they cannot invoke such principle when they violate the provisions of the CBA. Therefore, in this case, the Court categorically held that banks cannot unilaterally impose requirements that are not included in their CBA.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Under the Constitution, the State affirms labor as a primary social economic force. It shall protect the rights of the workers and promote their welfare.<a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\"><sup>[11]<\\/sup><\\/a> With the changing times, the present set of laws, availability of the Courts, and prevalence of social media, employers can no longer violate the rights of their workers with impunity. Employees are now given more opportunities to assert their rights against erring employers. Accordingly, the Courts will not hesitate to punish the acts of employers when they violate the rights of their employees. Therefore, employers must keep in mind that they should follow the laws carefully enacted in favor of their employees. After all, the success of the business of the employers highly depends on the performance, motivation, and productivity of their employees. Employees can only do so when they know that all the benefits and rights granted to them by law are respected and given to them by their employers.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\"><em><sup><strong><sup>[1]<\\/sup><\\/strong><\\/sup><\\/em><\\/a> 2C - Understudy<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\"><sup>[2]<\\/sup><\\/a> <em>Goya, Inc. v. Goya, Inc. Employees Union-FFW,<\\/em> 689 SCRA 1, 15-16, (2013).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\"><sup>[3]<\\/sup><\\/a> CONST. Art. XIII, Sec. 3.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\"><sup>[4]<\\/sup><\\/a> LABOR CODE, P.D. 442 as amended, art. 253.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\"><sup>[5]<\\/sup><\\/a> <em>Faculty Association of Mapua Institute of Technology (FAMJT) v. Court of Appeals<\\/em>, 524 SCRA 709 (2007).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\"><sup>[6]<\\/sup><\\/a> LABOR CODE, P.D. 442 as amended, art. 253.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\"><sup>[7]<\\/sup><\\/a> An Act Providing for the Regulation of the Organization and Operation of Banks, Quasi Banks, Trust Entities and for other purposes, Republic Act 8791, sec. 40 (2000).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\"><sup>[8]<\\/sup><\\/a> CONST. Art. XIII, Sec. 3.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\"><sup>[9]<\\/sup><\\/a> LABOR CODE, P.D. 442 as amended, art. 211.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\"><sup>[10]<\\/sup><\\/a> LABOR CODE, P.D. 442 as amended, art. 255.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\"><sup>[11]<\\/sup><\\/a> CONST., Art. II, Sec. 18.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>Cover Photo by <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/unsplash.com\\/@orangetiephotography?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText\\\">Joshua Lawrence<\\/a> on <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/unsplash.com\\/s\\/photos\\/hsbc?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText\\\">Unsplash<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(4617,1401,'_elementor_controls_usage','a:3:{s:11:\"text-editor\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:1;s:8:\"controls\";a:2:{s:7:\"content\";a:1:{s:14:\"section_editor\";a:1:{s:6:\"editor\";i:1;}}s:5:\"style\";a:1:{s:13:\"section_style\";a:2:{s:21:\"typography_typography\";i:1;s:22:\"typography_line_height\";i:1;}}}}s:6:\"column\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:0;s:8:\"controls\";a:0:{}}s:7:\"section\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:0;s:8:\"controls\";a:0:{}}}'),(4619,1410,'_thumbnail_id','1402'),(4620,1410,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(4621,1410,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(4622,1410,'_elementor_version','3.2.5'),(4623,1410,'_wp_page_template','default'),(4624,1410,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"41051a1a\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"39861e11\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"49767b39\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<h1><strong>HONGKONG BANK INDEPENDENT LABOR UNION <em>v<\\/em>. HONGKONG AND SHANGHAI BANKING CORPORATION LIMITED: Agreements must be kept; the CBA governs the relationship of employers and their employees.<\\/strong><\\/h1>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><em>By: Pio Vincent R. Buencamino<\\/em><a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\"><em><sup><strong><sup>[1]<\\/sup><\\/strong><\\/sup><\\/em><\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>I. CBA is the law between the parties.<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 A collective bargaining agreement (CBA) is the negotiated contract between a legitimate labor organization and the employer concerning wages, hours of work, and other terms and conditions of employment in a bargaining unit. As in all contracts, the parties in a CBA may establish such stipulations, clauses, terms, and conditions as they may deem convenient provided these are not contrary to law, morals, good customs, public order or public policy. Thus, where the CBA is clear and unambiguous, it becomes the law between the parties and compliance therewith is mandated by the express policy of the law.<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\"><sup>[2]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The right to collective bargaining and negotiations as well as to participate in policy and decision-making processes affecting the rights and benefits of employees are guaranteed by the Constitution which states that: \\u201cThe State shall afford full protection to labor, local and overseas, organized and unorganized, and promote full employment and equality of employment opportunities for all.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\"><sup>[3]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 It shall guarantee the rights of all workers to self-organization, collective bargaining and negotiations, and peaceful concerted activities, including the right to strike in accordance with law. They shall be entitled to security of tenure, humane conditions of work, and a living wage. They shall also participate in policy and decision-making processes affecting their rights and benefits as may be provided by law.\\u201d<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Thus, Article 253 of the Labor Code states that: \\u201cWhen there is a collective bargaining agreement, the duty to bargain collectively shall also mean that\\u00a0<strong>neither party shall terminate nor modify such agreement during its lifetime. x x x It shall be the duty of both parties to keep the status quo and to continue in full force and effect the terms and conditions of the existing agreement<\\/strong>\\u00a0during the 60-day period and\\/or <strong>until a new agreement is reached by the parties<\\/strong>.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\"><sup>[4]<\\/sup><\\/a> (Emphases supplied)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 This provision evinces the intent of the lawmakers to safeguard the rights and security of workers. Therefore, it is important for the Court to protect this constitutionally guaranteed right. Thus, the Court is tasked to strike down any acts of employers that would derogate and violate the rights of workers under the CBA.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Thus, it was ruled in <em>Faculty Association of Mapua Institute of Technology (FAMJT) v. Court of Appeals<\\/em><a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\"><sup>[5]<\\/sup><\\/a> that the provisions of the CBA must be respected since its terms and conditions constitute the law between the parties. Until a new CBA is executed by and between the parties, they are bound to keep the\\u00a0<em>status quo<\\/em><em>\\u00a0<\\/em>and to continue in full force and effect the terms and conditions of the existing agreement. Any unilateral modification of the provisions of the CBA violates not only Art. 253 of the Labor Code, but also the Constitution. Accordingly, such modification is legally ineffective and invalid.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>II. Summary<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In 2001, the <em>Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas<\\/em> (BSP) issued the Manual of Regulations for Banks (MoRB). Relevant to the instant case is Section X338 thereof which reads: \\u201cBanks may provide financial assistance to their officers and employees, as part of their fringe benefits program, to meet housing, transportation, household and personal needs of their officers and employees. Financing plans and amendments thereto shall be with prior approval of the BSP.\\u201d<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Respondent Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited (HSBC), on March 12, 2003, submitted its Financial Assistance Plan (Plan) to the BSP for approval. The Plan allegedly contained a credit checking proviso stating that \\\"repayment defaults on existing loans and adverse information on outside loans will be considered in the evaluation of loan applications.\\\" The BSP approved the Plan on May 5, 2003.\\u00a0Said Plan were later amended thrice and were approved by the BSP.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Meanwhile, petitioner Hongkong Bank Independent Labor Union (HBILU), the incumbent bargaining agent of HSBC\'s rank-and-file employees, entered into a CBA with the bank covering the period from April 1, 2010 to March 31, 2012, but such CBA did not contain any provision citing the approved Plan.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 When the CBA was about to expire, the parties started negotiations for a new one to cover the period from April 1, 2012 to March 31, 2017. During the said negotiations, HSBC proposed amendments to the CBA to align the wordings of the CBA with its BSP-approved Plan by inserting stipulations that make external credit checking as well as the financial assistance plan approved by the BSP as prerequisites before a salary loan will be granted to an employee. HBILU vigorously objected to the proposed amendments, claiming that their insertions would curtail its members\' availment of salary loans. In view of HBILU\'s objection, HSBC withdrew its proposed amendments. Thus, the CBA remained unchanged.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Despite the withdrawal of the proposal, HSBC sent an e-mail to its employees on April 20, 2012 concerning the enforcement of the Plan, including the Credit Checking provisions thereof. Thereafter, in September 2012, HBILU member Vince Mananghaya (Mananghaya) applied for a loan under the provisions of the CBA. His first loan application in March 2012 was approved, but adverse findings from the external checks on his credit background resulted in the denial of his September application.\\u00a0HBILU then raised the denial as a grievance issue with the National Conciliation Mediation Board (NCMB). It argued that the imposition of an additional requirement\\u2014the external credit checking prior to approval of any loan application the CBA\\u2014is not sanctioned under the CBA.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Ruling in favor of the respondent, the NCMB stated that an employer has the right to issue and implement guidelines for the availment of loan accommodations under the CBA as part of its management prerogative. Aggrieved, HBILU elevated the case to the Court of Appeals (CA). The CA sustained the findings and conclusions of the NCMB-PVA\\u00a0<em>in\\u00a0toto\\u00a0<\\/em>on the ratiocination that HSBC was merely complying with Section X338 of the MoRB when it submitted the Plan to BSP. Petitioner moved for reconsideration but it was denied.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Hence this petition raising the issue of whether HSBC could validly enforce the credit-checking requirement under its BSP-approved Plan in processing the salary loan applications of covered employees even when the said requirement is not recognized under the CBA.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Court ruled in the negative and stated that although jurisprudence recognizes the validity of the exercise by an employer of its management, this prerogative is\\u00a0not absolute\\u00a0and is subject to limitations imposed by law,\\u00a0the <strong>collective bargaining agreement<\\/strong>, and the general principles of fair play and justice. The CBA, being the law between the parties, binds both parties and pursuant to Art. 253 of the Labor Code<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\"><sup>[6]<\\/sup><\\/a>, imposes upon them the duty to keep the\\u00a0<em>status quo<\\/em><em>\\u00a0<\\/em>and to continue in full force and effect the terms and conditions of the existing agreement,thus, any unilateral modification thereof contravenes the Labor Code and is invalid.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Furthermore, the Courtalso noted that the external credit check, as well as the manner of its enforcement, is a new imposition by HSBC because the bank did not attempt to rebut HBILU\'s evidence that\\u00a0the former\'s requirements for the grant of salary loans changed only after the April 20, 2012 email blast.The petitioners were able to prove that before the email blast, HSBC only required four documents in applying for a loan: 1) Application for Personal Loan Form; 2) Authority to Deduct Form; 3) Set-Off of Retirement Fund Form; and 4) Promissory Note Form.\\u00a0Thereafter, the management imposed a\\u00a0new set of requirements,\\u00a0which includes the \\\"Authority to Conduct Checks Form.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Based on the evidence and arguments presented, the Plan was never made part of the CBA. Thus, no other conclusion can be had other than the fact that\\u00a0HSBC\'s enforcement of credit checking on salary loans under the CBA invalidly modified the latter\'s provisions thereon through the imposition of additional requirements which cannot be found anywhere in the CBA.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>Respondent argues that the credit checking requirement under the MoRB should be deemed written into the CBA by citing Sec. X304.1 of the 2011 MoRB in maintaining that financial institutions must look into the obligor\'s repayment history, among other things, before approving a loan application. Said provision reads:<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\">\\u00a7 X304.1\\u00a0<strong>General guidelines.<\\/strong>\\u00a0Consistent with safe and sound banking practices, a bank shall grant loans or other credit accommodations only in amounts and for the periods of time essential for the effective completion of the operation to be financed. Before granting loans or other credit accommodations, a bank must ascertain that the borrower, co-maker, endorser, surety, and\\/or guarantor, if applicable, is\\/are financially capable of fulfilling his\\/their commitments to the bank. For this purpose, a bank shall obtain adequate information on his\\/their credit standing and financial capacities x x x.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 However, the Court ruled that such provision is a general one, and it should be interpreted in conjunction with Section X338.3, the provision which specifically applies to salary loans under the fringe benefit program of the bank which states that:<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\">All loans or other credit accommodations to bank officers and employees, EXCEPT those granted under the fringe benefit program of the bank, shall be subject to the same terms and conditions imposed on the regular lending operations of the bank. Loans or other credit accommodations granted to officers shall, in addition, be subject to the provisions of Section 36 of R.A. No. 8791 and Sections X326 to X336 but not to the individual ceilings where such loans or other credit accommodations are obtained under the bank\'s fringe benefits program.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Thus, the Court ruled that Sec. X338.3 <strong>clearly<\\/strong> excluded loans and credit accommodations under the bank\'s fringe benefits program from the operation of Sec. X304.1, thus, salary loans in the present case are not covered by the credit checking requirement under the MORB.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong><em>Section 40 of the General Banking Law clearly exclude salary loans from its application<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 <\\/strong>The Court stated that indeed, Section 40 of Republic Act No. 8791<a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\"><sup>[7]<\\/sup><\\/a> (General Banking Law of 2000) requires HSBC to conduct a credit check on all of its borrowers. However, a reading of the same law reveals that loan accommodations to employees are not covered by said statute. Nowhere in the law does it state that its provisions shall apply to loans extended to bank employees which are granted under the latter\'s fringe benefits program. Had the law intended otherwise, it could have easily specified such, similar to what was done for directors, officers, stockholders and their related interests under Section 36 thereof. This conclusion is supported by the very wording of Subsection X338.3 of the MORB. To reiterate:<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\">Subsection X338.3 Other conditions\\/limitations<br \\/>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The investment by a bank in equipment and other chattels under its fringe benefits program for officers and employees shall be included in determining the extent of the investment of the bank in real estate and equipment for purposes of Section 51 of R.A. No. 8791.<\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\">XXX<\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 All loans or other credit accommodations to bank officers and employees, except those granted under the fringe benefit program of the bank, shall be subject to the same terms and conditions imposed on the regular lending operations of the bank.\\u00a0Loans or other credit accommodations granted to\\u00a0officers\\u00a0shall, in addition, be subject to the provisions of Section 36 of R.A. No. 8791\\u00a0and Sections X326 to X336 but not to the individual ceilings where Such loans or other credit accommodations are obtained under the bank\'s fringe benefits program.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Therefore, the Court concluded that even though the provision covers loans extended to both bank officers and employees, the last paragraph thereof singled out loans and credit accommodations granted to\\u00a0officers\\u00a0when it provided for the applicability of RA 8791. Accordingly, what the law does not include, it excludes.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Court also stated are other ways of securing payment of said salary loans other than ascertaining whether the borrowing employee has the capacity to pay the loan. BSP Circular 423, Series of 2004 itself provides for such which states:<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Subsection X338.1 Mechanics. The mechanics of such financing plan shall have the following minimum features: Participation shall be limited to full-time and permanent officers and employees of the bank; x x x The bank shall adopt measures to protect itself from losses such as by incorporating in the plan or contract provisions requiring co-makers or co-signor, chattel, or real estate mortgages, fire insurance, mortgage redemption insurance, assignment of money value of leave credits, pension or retirement benefits.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Additionally, both the BSP Circular 423, Series of 2004 and Section X338.3 of the MoRB provide for a safeguard in order to protect the funds of the Bank\'s depositors while allowing the Bank to extend such benefits to its employees, in that both require that: \\u201cThe aggregate outstanding loans and other credit accommodations granted under the bank\'s fringe benefits program, inclusive of those granted to officers in the nature of lease with option to purchase, shall not exceed five percent (5%) of the bank\'s total loan portfolio.\\u201d<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Court held that the evidence presented justifies the conclusion that the credit checking requirement imposed by HSBC under the questioned Plan which effectively and undoubtedly modified the CBA provisions on salary loans was a unilateral imposition violative of HSBC\'s duty to bargain collectively and, therefore, invalid.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Court also emphasized that in resolving issues concerning CBAs, the foremost consideration therein is upholding the intention of both parties as stated in the agreement itself, or based on their negotiations.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>III. CBA CANNOT BE MODIFIED UNILATERALLY<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In this case, the Court gave importance to and emphasized the rights of the workers which are guaranteed by the Constitution as well as by the Labor Code. Central to this case is the right of the workers, as mandated by the Constitution, to collective bargaining and negotiations and to participate in policy and decision-making processes affecting their rights and benefits as may be provided by law.<a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\"><sup>[8]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Pursuant to such guarantee, Article 211 of the Labor Code, as amended<a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\"><sup>[9]<\\/sup><\\/a>, declares it a policy of the State: (a) To promote and emphasize the primacy of free collective bargaining and negotiations, including voluntary arbitration, mediation, and conciliation, as modes of settling labor or industrial disputes; x x x (d) To promote the enlightenment of workers concerning their rights and obligations as union members and as employees; x x x (g) To ensure the participation of workers in decision and policy-making processes affecting their rights, duties and welfare.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Additionally, Art 255 of the same Code<a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\"><sup>[10]<\\/sup><\\/a> provides: \\u201cAny provision of law to the contrary notwithstanding, workers shall have the right, subject to such rules and regulations as the Secretary of Labor and Employment may promulgate, to participate in policy and decision-making process of the establishment where they are employed insofar as said processes will directly affect their rights, benefits and welfare.\\u201d<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In this case, the union and the bank already had an existing CBA. Furthermore, it contained provisions regarding the grant of salary loans which also set forth the requirements and qualifications for the grant thereof. The bank sought to impose other requirements that were not included in the CBA such as external credit checking. It claimed they could rightfully impose such because it was part of the plan approved by the BSP and such was customarily done by banks. The union rejected such provision during the negotiations for the new CBA.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Court ruled that the acts of the bank were invalid as it constitutes a unilateral modification of the CBA between the union and the bank which violates Art. 253 of the Labor Code. This is so because it was proven that the external credit checking was never intended to be part of the salary loan grant under the CBA because it was never previously done by the bank when the employees applied for salary loans, moreover, they did not include it in its negotiation for the first CBA.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>IV. CHANGING TIMES: WORKER\\u2019S RIGHTS RECOGNIZED<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 \\u201cDo not bite the hand that feeds you.\\u201d This saying is commonly used to remind employees not to go against their employers, or to give way to decisions, procedures, and the requirements of employers, even if at the expense of the employee. However, justice demands that employees get what they are entitled to.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 This case shows that even a huge institution cannot escape from the arms of the law when they commit acts that violate the rights of their workers. While HSBC is a banking institution imbued with public interest with the duty to protect with extraordinary diligence the money of its depositors, they cannot invoke such principle when they violate the provisions of the CBA. Therefore, in this case, the Court categorically held that banks cannot unilaterally impose requirements that are not included in their CBA.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Under the Constitution, the State affirms labor as a primary social economic force. It shall protect the rights of the workers and promote their welfare.<a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\"><sup>[11]<\\/sup><\\/a> With the changing times, the present set of laws, availability of the Courts, and prevalence of social media, employers can no longer violate the rights of their workers with impunity. Employees are now given more opportunities to assert their rights against erring employers. Accordingly, the Courts will not hesitate to punish the acts of employers when they violate the rights of their employees. Therefore, employers must keep in mind that they should follow the laws carefully enacted in favor of their employees. After all, the success of the business of the employers highly depends on the performance, motivation, and productivity of their employees. Employees can only do so when they know that all the benefits and rights granted to them by law are respected and given to them by their employers.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\"><em><sup><strong><sup>[1]<\\/sup><\\/strong><\\/sup><\\/em><\\/a> 2C - Understudy<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\"><sup>[2]<\\/sup><\\/a> <em>Goya, Inc. v. Goya, Inc. Employees Union-FFW,<\\/em> 689 SCRA 1, 15-16, (2013).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\"><sup>[3]<\\/sup><\\/a> CONST. Art. XIII, Sec. 3.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\"><sup>[4]<\\/sup><\\/a> LABOR CODE, P.D. 442 as amended, art. 253.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\"><sup>[5]<\\/sup><\\/a> <em>Faculty Association of Mapua Institute of Technology (FAMJT) v. Court of Appeals<\\/em>, 524 SCRA 709 (2007).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\"><sup>[6]<\\/sup><\\/a> LABOR CODE, P.D. 442 as amended, art. 253.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\"><sup>[7]<\\/sup><\\/a> An Act Providing for the Regulation of the Organization and Operation of Banks, Quasi Banks, Trust Entities and for other purposes, Republic Act 8791, sec. 40 (2000).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\"><sup>[8]<\\/sup><\\/a> CONST. Art. XIII, Sec. 3.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\"><sup>[9]<\\/sup><\\/a> LABOR CODE, P.D. 442 as amended, art. 211.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\"><sup>[10]<\\/sup><\\/a> LABOR CODE, P.D. 442 as amended, art. 255.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\"><sup>[11]<\\/sup><\\/a> CONST., Art. II, Sec. 18.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>Cover Photo by <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/unsplash.com\\/@orangetiephotography?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText\\\">Joshua Lawrence<\\/a> on <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/unsplash.com\\/s\\/photos\\/hsbc?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText\\\">Unsplash<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(4625,1410,'_elementor_controls_usage','a:3:{s:11:\"text-editor\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:1;s:8:\"controls\";a:2:{s:7:\"content\";a:1:{s:14:\"section_editor\";a:1:{s:6:\"editor\";i:1;}}s:5:\"style\";a:1:{s:13:\"section_style\";a:2:{s:21:\"typography_typography\";i:1;s:22:\"typography_line_height\";i:1;}}}}s:6:\"column\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:0;s:8:\"controls\";a:0:{}}s:7:\"section\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:0;s:8:\"controls\";a:0:{}}}'),(4627,1411,'_thumbnail_id','1402'),(4628,1411,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(4629,1411,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(4630,1411,'_elementor_version','3.2.5'),(4631,1411,'_wp_page_template','default'),(4632,1411,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"41051a1a\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"39861e11\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"49767b39\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<h1><strong>HONGKONG BANK INDEPENDENT LABOR UNION <em>v<\\/em>. HONGKONG AND SHANGHAI BANKING CORPORATION LIMITED: Agreements must be kept; the CBA governs the relationship of employers and their employees.<\\/strong><\\/h1>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><em>By: Pio Vincent R. Buencamino<\\/em><a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\"><em><sup><strong><sup>[1]<\\/sup><\\/strong><\\/sup><\\/em><\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>I. CBA is the law between the parties.<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 A collective bargaining agreement (CBA) is the negotiated contract between a legitimate labor organization and the employer concerning wages, hours of work, and other terms and conditions of employment in a bargaining unit. As in all contracts, the parties in a CBA may establish such stipulations, clauses, terms, and conditions as they may deem convenient provided these are not contrary to law, morals, good customs, public order or public policy. Thus, where the CBA is clear and unambiguous, it becomes the law between the parties and compliance therewith is mandated by the express policy of the law.<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\"><sup>[2]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The right to collective bargaining and negotiations as well as to participate in policy and decision-making processes affecting the rights and benefits of employees are guaranteed by the Constitution which states that: \\u201cThe State shall afford full protection to labor, local and overseas, organized and unorganized, and promote full employment and equality of employment opportunities for all.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\"><sup>[3]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 It shall guarantee the rights of all workers to self-organization, collective bargaining and negotiations, and peaceful concerted activities, including the right to strike in accordance with law. They shall be entitled to security of tenure, humane conditions of work, and a living wage. They shall also participate in policy and decision-making processes affecting their rights and benefits as may be provided by law.\\u201d<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Thus, Article 253 of the Labor Code states that: \\u201cWhen there is a collective bargaining agreement, the duty to bargain collectively shall also mean that\\u00a0<strong>neither party shall terminate nor modify such agreement during its lifetime. x x x It shall be the duty of both parties to keep the status quo and to continue in full force and effect the terms and conditions of the existing agreement<\\/strong>\\u00a0during the 60-day period and\\/or <strong>until a new agreement is reached by the parties<\\/strong>.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\"><sup>[4]<\\/sup><\\/a> (Emphases supplied)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 This provision evinces the intent of the lawmakers to safeguard the rights and security of workers. Therefore, it is important for the Court to protect this constitutionally guaranteed right. Thus, the Court is tasked to strike down any acts of employers that would derogate and violate the rights of workers under the CBA.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Thus, it was ruled in <em>Faculty Association of Mapua Institute of Technology (FAMJT) v. Court of Appeals<\\/em><a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\"><sup>[5]<\\/sup><\\/a> that the provisions of the CBA must be respected since its terms and conditions constitute the law between the parties. Until a new CBA is executed by and between the parties, they are bound to keep the\\u00a0<em>status quo<\\/em><em>\\u00a0<\\/em>and to continue in full force and effect the terms and conditions of the existing agreement. Any unilateral modification of the provisions of the CBA violates not only Art. 253 of the Labor Code, but also the Constitution. Accordingly, such modification is legally ineffective and invalid.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>II. Summary<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In 2001, the <em>Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas<\\/em> (BSP) issued the Manual of Regulations for Banks (MoRB). Relevant to the instant case is Section X338 thereof which reads: \\u201cBanks may provide financial assistance to their officers and employees, as part of their fringe benefits program, to meet housing, transportation, household and personal needs of their officers and employees. Financing plans and amendments thereto shall be with prior approval of the BSP.\\u201d<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Respondent Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited (HSBC), on March 12, 2003, submitted its Financial Assistance Plan (Plan) to the BSP for approval. The Plan allegedly contained a credit checking proviso stating that \\\"repayment defaults on existing loans and adverse information on outside loans will be considered in the evaluation of loan applications.\\\" The BSP approved the Plan on May 5, 2003.\\u00a0Said Plan were later amended thrice and were approved by the BSP.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Meanwhile, petitioner Hongkong Bank Independent Labor Union (HBILU), the incumbent bargaining agent of HSBC\'s rank-and-file employees, entered into a CBA with the bank covering the period from April 1, 2010 to March 31, 2012, but such CBA did not contain any provision citing the approved Plan.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 When the CBA was about to expire, the parties started negotiations for a new one to cover the period from April 1, 2012 to March 31, 2017. During the said negotiations, HSBC proposed amendments to the CBA to align the wordings of the CBA with its BSP-approved Plan by inserting stipulations that make external credit checking as well as the financial assistance plan approved by the BSP as prerequisites before a salary loan will be granted to an employee. HBILU vigorously objected to the proposed amendments, claiming that their insertions would curtail its members\' availment of salary loans. In view of HBILU\'s objection, HSBC withdrew its proposed amendments. Thus, the CBA remained unchanged.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Despite the withdrawal of the proposal, HSBC sent an e-mail to its employees on April 20, 2012 concerning the enforcement of the Plan, including the Credit Checking provisions thereof. Thereafter, in September 2012, HBILU member Vince Mananghaya (Mananghaya) applied for a loan under the provisions of the CBA. His first loan application in March 2012 was approved, but adverse findings from the external checks on his credit background resulted in the denial of his September application.\\u00a0HBILU then raised the denial as a grievance issue with the National Conciliation Mediation Board (NCMB). It argued that the imposition of an additional requirement\\u2014the external credit checking prior to approval of any loan application the CBA\\u2014is not sanctioned under the CBA.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Ruling in favor of the respondent, the NCMB stated that an employer has the right to issue and implement guidelines for the availment of loan accommodations under the CBA as part of its management prerogative. Aggrieved, HBILU elevated the case to the Court of Appeals (CA). The CA sustained the findings and conclusions of the NCMB-PVA\\u00a0<em>in\\u00a0toto\\u00a0<\\/em>on the ratiocination that HSBC was merely complying with Section X338 of the MoRB when it submitted the Plan to BSP. Petitioner moved for reconsideration but it was denied.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Hence this petition raising the issue of whether HSBC could validly enforce the credit-checking requirement under its BSP-approved Plan in processing the salary loan applications of covered employees even when the said requirement is not recognized under the CBA.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Court ruled in the negative and stated that although jurisprudence recognizes the validity of the exercise by an employer of its management, this prerogative is\\u00a0not absolute\\u00a0and is subject to limitations imposed by law,\\u00a0the <strong>collective bargaining agreement<\\/strong>, and the general principles of fair play and justice. The CBA, being the law between the parties, binds both parties and pursuant to Art. 253 of the Labor Code<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\"><sup>[6]<\\/sup><\\/a>, imposes upon them the duty to keep the\\u00a0<em>status quo<\\/em><em>\\u00a0<\\/em>and to continue in full force and effect the terms and conditions of the existing agreement,thus, any unilateral modification thereof contravenes the Labor Code and is invalid.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Furthermore, the Courtalso noted that the external credit check, as well as the manner of its enforcement, is a new imposition by HSBC because the bank did not attempt to rebut HBILU\'s evidence that\\u00a0the former\'s requirements for the grant of salary loans changed only after the April 20, 2012 email blast.The petitioners were able to prove that before the email blast, HSBC only required four documents in applying for a loan: 1) Application for Personal Loan Form; 2) Authority to Deduct Form; 3) Set-Off of Retirement Fund Form; and 4) Promissory Note Form.\\u00a0Thereafter, the management imposed a\\u00a0new set of requirements,\\u00a0which includes the \\\"Authority to Conduct Checks Form.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Based on the evidence and arguments presented, the Plan was never made part of the CBA. Thus, no other conclusion can be had other than the fact that\\u00a0HSBC\'s enforcement of credit checking on salary loans under the CBA invalidly modified the latter\'s provisions thereon through the imposition of additional requirements which cannot be found anywhere in the CBA.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>Respondent argues that the credit checking requirement under the MoRB should be deemed written into the CBA by citing Sec. X304.1 of the 2011 MoRB in maintaining that financial institutions must look into the obligor\'s repayment history, among other things, before approving a loan application. Said provision reads:<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\">\\u00a7 X304.1\\u00a0<strong>General guidelines.<\\/strong>\\u00a0Consistent with safe and sound banking practices, a bank shall grant loans or other credit accommodations only in amounts and for the periods of time essential for the effective completion of the operation to be financed. Before granting loans or other credit accommodations, a bank must ascertain that the borrower, co-maker, endorser, surety, and\\/or guarantor, if applicable, is\\/are financially capable of fulfilling his\\/their commitments to the bank. For this purpose, a bank shall obtain adequate information on his\\/their credit standing and financial capacities x x x.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 However, the Court ruled that such provision is a general one, and it should be interpreted in conjunction with Section X338.3, the provision which specifically applies to salary loans under the fringe benefit program of the bank which states that:<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\">All loans or other credit accommodations to bank officers and employees, EXCEPT those granted under the fringe benefit program of the bank, shall be subject to the same terms and conditions imposed on the regular lending operations of the bank. Loans or other credit accommodations granted to officers shall, in addition, be subject to the provisions of Section 36 of R.A. No. 8791 and Sections X326 to X336 but not to the individual ceilings where such loans or other credit accommodations are obtained under the bank\'s fringe benefits program.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Thus, the Court ruled that Sec. X338.3 <strong>clearly<\\/strong> excluded loans and credit accommodations under the bank\'s fringe benefits program from the operation of Sec. X304.1, thus, salary loans in the present case are not covered by the credit checking requirement under the MORB.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong><em>Section 40 of the General Banking Law clearly exclude salary loans from its application<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 <\\/strong>The Court stated that indeed, Section 40 of Republic Act No. 8791<a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\"><sup>[7]<\\/sup><\\/a> (General Banking Law of 2000) requires HSBC to conduct a credit check on all of its borrowers. However, a reading of the same law reveals that loan accommodations to employees are not covered by said statute. Nowhere in the law does it state that its provisions shall apply to loans extended to bank employees which are granted under the latter\'s fringe benefits program. Had the law intended otherwise, it could have easily specified such, similar to what was done for directors, officers, stockholders and their related interests under Section 36 thereof. This conclusion is supported by the very wording of Subsection X338.3 of the MORB. To reiterate:<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\">Subsection X338.3 Other conditions\\/limitations<br \\/>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The investment by a bank in equipment and other chattels under its fringe benefits program for officers and employees shall be included in determining the extent of the investment of the bank in real estate and equipment for purposes of Section 51 of R.A. No. 8791.<\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\">XXX<\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 All loans or other credit accommodations to bank officers and employees, except those granted under the fringe benefit program of the bank, shall be subject to the same terms and conditions imposed on the regular lending operations of the bank.\\u00a0Loans or other credit accommodations granted to\\u00a0officers\\u00a0shall, in addition, be subject to the provisions of Section 36 of R.A. No. 8791\\u00a0and Sections X326 to X336 but not to the individual ceilings where Such loans or other credit accommodations are obtained under the bank\'s fringe benefits program.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Therefore, the Court concluded that even though the provision covers loans extended to both bank officers and employees, the last paragraph thereof singled out loans and credit accommodations granted to\\u00a0officers\\u00a0when it provided for the applicability of RA 8791. Accordingly, what the law does not include, it excludes.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Court also stated are other ways of securing payment of said salary loans other than ascertaining whether the borrowing employee has the capacity to pay the loan. BSP Circular 423, Series of 2004 itself provides for such which states:<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Subsection X338.1 Mechanics. The mechanics of such financing plan shall have the following minimum features: Participation shall be limited to full-time and permanent officers and employees of the bank; x x x The bank shall adopt measures to protect itself from losses such as by incorporating in the plan or contract provisions requiring co-makers or co-signor, chattel, or real estate mortgages, fire insurance, mortgage redemption insurance, assignment of money value of leave credits, pension or retirement benefits.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Additionally, both the BSP Circular 423, Series of 2004 and Section X338.3 of the MoRB provide for a safeguard in order to protect the funds of the Bank\'s depositors while allowing the Bank to extend such benefits to its employees, in that both require that: \\u201cThe aggregate outstanding loans and other credit accommodations granted under the bank\'s fringe benefits program, inclusive of those granted to officers in the nature of lease with option to purchase, shall not exceed five percent (5%) of the bank\'s total loan portfolio.\\u201d<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Court held that the evidence presented justifies the conclusion that the credit checking requirement imposed by HSBC under the questioned Plan which effectively and undoubtedly modified the CBA provisions on salary loans was a unilateral imposition violative of HSBC\'s duty to bargain collectively and, therefore, invalid.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Court also emphasized that in resolving issues concerning CBAs, the foremost consideration therein is upholding the intention of both parties as stated in the agreement itself, or based on their negotiations.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>III. CBA CANNOT BE MODIFIED UNILATERALLY<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In this case, the Court gave importance to and emphasized the rights of the workers which are guaranteed by the Constitution as well as by the Labor Code. Central to this case is the right of the workers, as mandated by the Constitution, to collective bargaining and negotiations and to participate in policy and decision-making processes affecting their rights and benefits as may be provided by law.<a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\"><sup>[8]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Pursuant to such guarantee, Article 211 of the Labor Code, as amended<a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\"><sup>[9]<\\/sup><\\/a>, declares it a policy of the State: (a) To promote and emphasize the primacy of free collective bargaining and negotiations, including voluntary arbitration, mediation, and conciliation, as modes of settling labor or industrial disputes; x x x (d) To promote the enlightenment of workers concerning their rights and obligations as union members and as employees; x x x (g) To ensure the participation of workers in decision and policy-making processes affecting their rights, duties and welfare.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Additionally, Art 255 of the same Code<a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\"><sup>[10]<\\/sup><\\/a> provides: \\u201cAny provision of law to the contrary notwithstanding, workers shall have the right, subject to such rules and regulations as the Secretary of Labor and Employment may promulgate, to participate in policy and decision-making process of the establishment where they are employed insofar as said processes will directly affect their rights, benefits and welfare.\\u201d<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In this case, the union and the bank already had an existing CBA. Furthermore, it contained provisions regarding the grant of salary loans which also set forth the requirements and qualifications for the grant thereof. The bank sought to impose other requirements that were not included in the CBA such as external credit checking. It claimed they could rightfully impose such because it was part of the plan approved by the BSP and such was customarily done by banks. The union rejected such provision during the negotiations for the new CBA.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Court ruled that the acts of the bank were invalid as it constitutes a unilateral modification of the CBA between the union and the bank which violates Art. 253 of the Labor Code. This is so because it was proven that the external credit checking was never intended to be part of the salary loan grant under the CBA because it was never previously done by the bank when the employees applied for salary loans, moreover, they did not include it in its negotiation for the first CBA.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>IV. CHANGING TIMES: WORKER\\u2019S RIGHTS RECOGNIZED<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 \\u201cDo not bite the hand that feeds you.\\u201d This saying is commonly used to remind employees not to go against their employers, or to give way to decisions, procedures, and the requirements of employers, even if at the expense of the employee. However, justice demands that employees get what they are entitled to.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 This case shows that even a huge institution cannot escape from the arms of the law when they commit acts that violate the rights of their workers. While HSBC is a banking institution imbued with public interest with the duty to protect with extraordinary diligence the money of its depositors, they cannot invoke such principle when they violate the provisions of the CBA. Therefore, in this case, the Court categorically held that banks cannot unilaterally impose requirements that are not included in their CBA.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Under the Constitution, the State affirms labor as a primary social economic force. It shall protect the rights of the workers and promote their welfare.<a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\"><sup>[11]<\\/sup><\\/a> With the changing times, the present set of laws, availability of the Courts, and prevalence of social media, employers can no longer violate the rights of their workers with impunity. Employees are now given more opportunities to assert their rights against erring employers. Accordingly, the Courts will not hesitate to punish the acts of employers when they violate the rights of their employees. Therefore, employers must keep in mind that they should follow the laws carefully enacted in favor of their employees. After all, the success of the business of the employers highly depends on the performance, motivation, and productivity of their employees. Employees can only do so when they know that all the benefits and rights granted to them by law are respected and given to them by their employers.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\"><em><sup><strong><sup>[1]<\\/sup><\\/strong><\\/sup><\\/em><\\/a> 2C - Understudy<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\"><sup>[2]<\\/sup><\\/a> <em>Goya, Inc. v. Goya, Inc. Employees Union-FFW,<\\/em> 689 SCRA 1, 15-16, (2013).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\"><sup>[3]<\\/sup><\\/a> CONST. Art. XIII, Sec. 3.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\"><sup>[4]<\\/sup><\\/a> LABOR CODE, P.D. 442 as amended, art. 253.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\"><sup>[5]<\\/sup><\\/a> <em>Faculty Association of Mapua Institute of Technology (FAMJT) v. Court of Appeals<\\/em>, 524 SCRA 709 (2007).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\"><sup>[6]<\\/sup><\\/a> LABOR CODE, P.D. 442 as amended, art. 253.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\"><sup>[7]<\\/sup><\\/a> An Act Providing for the Regulation of the Organization and Operation of Banks, Quasi Banks, Trust Entities and for other purposes, Republic Act 8791, sec. 40 (2000).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\"><sup>[8]<\\/sup><\\/a> CONST. Art. XIII, Sec. 3.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\"><sup>[9]<\\/sup><\\/a> LABOR CODE, P.D. 442 as amended, art. 211.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\"><sup>[10]<\\/sup><\\/a> LABOR CODE, P.D. 442 as amended, art. 255.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\"><sup>[11]<\\/sup><\\/a> CONST., Art. II, Sec. 18.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>Cover Photo by <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/unsplash.com\\/@orangetiephotography?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText\\\">Joshua Lawrence<\\/a> on <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/unsplash.com\\/s\\/photos\\/hsbc?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText\\\">Unsplash<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(4633,1411,'_elementor_controls_usage','a:3:{s:11:\"text-editor\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:1;s:8:\"controls\";a:2:{s:7:\"content\";a:1:{s:14:\"section_editor\";a:1:{s:6:\"editor\";i:1;}}s:5:\"style\";a:1:{s:13:\"section_style\";a:2:{s:21:\"typography_typography\";i:1;s:22:\"typography_line_height\";i:1;}}}}s:6:\"column\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:0;s:8:\"controls\";a:0:{}}s:7:\"section\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:0;s:8:\"controls\";a:0:{}}}'),(4635,1412,'_wp_attached_file','2021/06'),(4636,1413,'_wp_attached_file','2021/07'),(4637,1038,'ss_ss_click_share_count_print','2'),(4638,1414,'_edit_lock','1625713190:1'),(4639,1415,'_wp_attached_file','2021/07/For-Quo-Warranto-under-Section-51-Article-VIII-of-the-1987-Constitution-and-Rule-66-of-the-Rules-of-Court4.png'),(4640,1415,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:5:{s:5:\"width\";i:1920;s:6:\"height\";i:1080;s:4:\"file\";s:118:\"2021/07/For-Quo-Warranto-under-Section-51-Article-VIII-of-the-1987-Constitution-and-Rule-66-of-the-Rules-of-Court4.png\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:13:{s:6:\"medium\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:118:\"For-Quo-Warranto-under-Section-51-Article-VIII-of-the-1987-Constitution-and-Rule-66-of-the-Rules-of-Court4-300x169.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:300;s:6:\"height\";i:169;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:5:\"large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:119:\"For-Quo-Warranto-under-Section-51-Article-VIII-of-the-1987-Constitution-and-Rule-66-of-the-Rules-of-Court4-1024x576.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:1024;s:6:\"height\";i:576;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:9:\"thumbnail\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:118:\"For-Quo-Warranto-under-Section-51-Article-VIII-of-the-1987-Constitution-and-Rule-66-of-the-Rules-of-Court4-150x150.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:12:\"medium_large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:118:\"For-Quo-Warranto-under-Section-51-Article-VIII-of-the-1987-Constitution-and-Rule-66-of-the-Rules-of-Court4-768x432.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:768;s:6:\"height\";i:432;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:9:\"1536x1536\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:119:\"For-Quo-Warranto-under-Section-51-Article-VIII-of-the-1987-Constitution-and-Rule-66-of-the-Rules-of-Court4-1536x864.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:1536;s:6:\"height\";i:864;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:24:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:118:\"For-Quo-Warranto-under-Section-51-Article-VIII-of-the-1987-Constitution-and-Rule-66-of-the-Rules-of-Court4-170x110.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:25:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:116:\"For-Quo-Warranto-under-Section-51-Article-VIII-of-the-1987-Constitution-and-Rule-66-of-the-Rules-of-Court4-86x70.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:117:\"For-Quo-Warranto-under-Section-51-Article-VIII-of-the-1987-Constitution-and-Rule-66-of-the-Rules-of-Court4-170x96.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:96;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:22:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:118:\"For-Quo-Warranto-under-Section-51-Article-VIII-of-the-1987-Constitution-and-Rule-66-of-the-Rules-of-Court4-370x250.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:30:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:118:\"For-Quo-Warranto-under-Section-51-Article-VIII-of-the-1987-Constitution-and-Rule-66-of-the-Rules-of-Court4-370x208.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:208;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:21:\"bfastmag_related_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:118:\"For-Quo-Warranto-under-Section-51-Article-VIII-of-the-1987-Constitution-and-Rule-66-of-the-Rules-of-Court4-288x160.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:288;s:6:\"height\";i:160;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:18:\"bfastmag_blog_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:118:\"For-Quo-Warranto-under-Section-51-Article-VIII-of-the-1987-Constitution-and-Rule-66-of-the-Rules-of-Court4-780x544.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:26:\"bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:118:\"For-Quo-Warranto-under-Section-51-Article-VIII-of-the-1987-Constitution-and-Rule-66-of-the-Rules-of-Court4-780x439.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:439;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:0:\"\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:1:\"0\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:1:\"0\";s:3:\"iso\";s:1:\"0\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:1:\"0\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";s:1:\"0\";s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}}'),(4641,1414,'_pingme','1'),(4642,1414,'_encloseme','1'),(4643,1414,'_thumbnail_id','1415'),(4644,1414,'_edit_last','1'),(4645,1414,'wptr_hide_title','1'),(4646,1414,'ss_social_share_disable',''),(4647,1414,'_yoast_wpseo_primary_category','9'),(4648,1414,'_yoast_wpseo_content_score','30'),(4649,1414,'_yoast_wpseo_estimated-reading-time-minutes','8'),(4650,1414,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(4651,1414,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(4652,1414,'_elementor_version','3.2.5'),(4653,1417,'_thumbnail_id','1415'),(4654,1417,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(4655,1417,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(4656,1417,'_elementor_version','3.2.5'),(4657,1418,'_thumbnail_id','1415'),(4658,1418,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(4659,1418,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(4660,1418,'_elementor_version','3.2.5'),(4661,1414,'_wp_page_template','default'),(4662,1414,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"1c7c499d\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"714ba9a8\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"4101df77\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<!-- wp:heading -->\\n<h2><strong>JONATHAN DELA CRUZ <em>v.<\\/em> PAQUITO OCHOA JR.:<\\/strong> <strong>SETTING THE PARAMETERS OF VALID APPROPRIATIONS<\\/strong> <strong>AND THE PRESIDENT\\u2019S ITEM-VETO POWER<\\/strong><\\/h2>\\n<!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>By: Raphael U. Rayco<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\"><em><sup><strong><sup>[1]<\\/sup><\\/strong><\\/sup><\\/em><\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 No less than the 1987 Philippine Constitution mandates that \\u201c[t]he President shall have the power to veto any particular item or items in an appropriation, revenue, or tariff bill, but the veto shall not affect the item or items to which he does not object.<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\"><sup>[2]<\\/sup><\\/a>\\u201d The provision provides for the President\\u2019s \\u201cline-item veto\\u201d powers. In <em>Belgica v. Executive Secretary,<\\/em><a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\">[3]<\\/a> the Supreme Court held that there cannot be singular lump-sum appropriations. These are appropriations with broad provisions that leave a great deal of discretion to the public official entrusted with the administration of public funds. These appropriations preclude the exercise by the President of his veto power since there are no specific line-items for him to discernibly veto. It stated:<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Since such appropriation type necessitates the further determination of both the actual amount to be expended and the actual purpose of the appropriation which must still be chosen from the multiple purposes stated in the law, it cannot be said that the appropriation law already indicates a \\\"specific appropriation of money\\u201d and hence, without a proper line-item which the President may veto. As a practical result, the President would then be faced with the predicament of either vetoing the entire appropriation if he finds some of its purposes wasteful or undesirable, or approving the entire appropriation so as not to hinder some of its legitimate purposes.<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\">[4]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In <em>Jonathan Dela Cruz v. Paquito Ochoa, Jr.<\\/em>, the Supreme Court clarified what constitutes valid \\u201cline-items,\\u201d which are allocations of a specified singular amount for a specified singular purpose, as can be gleaned from the General Appropriations Act (GAA) and the details and documents attached to it. Furthermore, the Court explained the difference between \\u201cline-items\\u201d from \\u201clump-sum appropriations,\\u201d which are invalid for hampering the exercise by the President of his veto power under Article VI, Section 27(2)\\u00a0of the 1987 Philippine Constitution.<a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\"><sup>[5]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Notably, <em>Dela Cruz v. Ochoa <\\/em>involved the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC), which is now the Department of Transportation (DOTr). In 2020, this administrative office received an annual budget of Php 99,396,428.000.00.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Land Transportation Office (LTO), under its mandate, and for the specific purpose of creating a uniform license plate design, formulated the Motor Vehicle License Plate Standardization Program (MVPSP) to supply new license plates for both old and new vehicle registrants. In connection with the program, DOTC was allotted a total of \\u20b14,843,753,000 in the 2014 GAA<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\"><sup>[6]<\\/sup><\\/a> for what is labeled as \\\"MFO 2: Motor Vehicle Registration and Driver\'s Licensing Regulatory Services.\\\"<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The petitioners in <em>Dela Cruz v. Ochoa<\\/em> argue that considering that\\u00a0\\u201cMotor vehicle plate making project\\u201d\\u00a0did not appear as an item in the 2014 National Expenditure Program (2014 NEP) and the 2014 GAA, unlike in the 2013 GAA, the use of the funds allocated for the MF02\\u00a0for the MVPSP amounted to a prohibited transfer of appropriations under Article VI, Section 25(5) of the Constitution.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Supreme Court previously held that an appropriation, to be valid, must indicate a specific amount and a specific purpose. However, the purpose may be specific even if it is broken down into different related sub-categories of the same nature.<a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\"><sup>[7]<\\/sup><\\/a> In the present case, the Court found that the purpose of the appropriation under the GAA, which is for the LTO to \\\"aid law enforcement and improve the motor vehicle registration database,\\\" is already specific. It naturally and logically included plate-making, since plate-making was an integral component of the registration process.\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Moreover, the Court ruled that the valid line-item \\u201cMotor Vehicle Registration and Driver\'s Licensing Regulatory Services\\u201d did not constitute a lump-sum appropriation since the specific appropriations of money could already be found under\\u00a0\\u201cDetails of the FY 2014 Budget\\u201d\\u00a0which was attached to the 2014 GAA.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 It is imperative to discuss the relevant parts of the Philippine Budget System to provide adequate background on the item-veto powers of the President and the parameters of such powers.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Philippine Budget System consists of four phases: (1) Budget Preparation; (2) Budget Legislation; (3) Budget Execution; and (4) Accountability. Under the first phase, the various departments and agencies submit their respective Agency Budget Proposals to the Department of Budget and Management (DBM). The second phase, also known as the Budget Authorization Phase, starts when Congress receives the President\\u2019s Budget and ends with the President\\u2019s approval of the GAA. Then, the implementation of the GAA is directed by the guidelines issued by the DBM under the third phase. Finally, the Accountability Phase ensures that the government funds have been effectively and efficiently utilized to achieve the State\\u2019s socio-economic goals.<a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\"><sup>[8]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The General Appropriation Bill (GAB) is created in Phase 2 of the budget system. After the GAB goes through the houses of Congress separately, the House of Representatives and the Senate will then constitute a panel each to sit in the Bicameral Conference Committee to harmonize the conflicting provisions of their versions. The \\\"harmonized\\\" version of the GAB is next presented to the President for approval. The President reviews the GAB and prepares the Veto Message. Finally, budget items are subjected to either direct veto or conditional implementation.<a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\"><sup>[9]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In <em>Bengzon v. Secretary of Justice<\\/em><a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\"><sup>[10]<\\/sup><\\/a>, the US Supreme Court explained that a valid item of an appropriation bill must be an \\u201citem which, in itself, is a specific appropriation of money, not some general provision of law which happens to be put into an appropriation bill.\\\"<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Since 2014, the National Government has grouped or aligned the programs, activities, or projects of each department and agency into the Major Final Outputs (MFOs) in a new system for the preparation of the National Budget, called \\u201cPerformance Informed Budgeting\\u201d. However, the groupings do not mean that there are no more line-items in the 2014 GAA. The ruling in <em>Belgica v. Executive Secretary,<\\/em>which cited <em>Bengzon<\\/em>,noted that\\u00a0line-items under appropriations should be \\\"specific appropriations of money\\\" that would still enable the President to exercise his veto power over the same.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 More recently, in\\u00a0<em>Araullo v. Aquino III<\\/em><a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\"><sup>[11]<\\/sup><\\/a><em>,<\\/em>\\u00a0\\u00a0the Court differentiated the term\\u00a0\\u201citem\\u201d from \\u201cexpense categories.\\u201d The former was defined as \\u201cthe last and indivisible purpose of a program in the appropriation law,\\u201d while the latter was described as allotment classes which are set in more general terms in the GAA. The Supreme Court explained in that case that the President cannot exercise his veto power over an expense category, as he may only veto the item to which that expense category belongs.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Supreme Court ruled in <em>Belgica <\\/em>that \\u201can item of appropriation must be an item characterized by singular correspondence \\u2013 meaning an allocation of a specified singular amount for a specified singular purpose, otherwise known as a \\\"line-item.\\\" The Court noted that a valid line-item has a dual purpose, as it not only allows the item to be consistent with its definition as a \\\"specific appropriation of money,\\\" but also ensures that the President may discernibly veto the same.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In <em>Dela Cruz v. Ochoa<\\/em>, the\\u00a0Supreme Court noted that the details of the FY 2014 Budget,\\u00a0which was attached to the 2014 GAA, show that the MFOs constituted the expense category or class; while the last and indivisible purpose of each program (the line-item) was an appropriation for a\\u00a0\\u201cMotor vehicle registration system<em>.<\\/em>\\u201d\\u00a0It satisfied the valid line-item requirement which the President could discernibly veto which counts as a \\u201cspecific appropriation of money,\\u201d as contemplated under the law and in jurisprudence.\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Studying <em>Dela Cruz v. Ochoa<\\/em>, another issue that comes to mind is the contested impending implementation of the Child Safety in Motor Vehicles Act,<a href=\\\"#_ftn12\\\">[12]<\\/a> which is also tasked upon the DOTr. Some motor vehicle drivers and members of Congress<a href=\\\"#_ftn13\\\"><sup>[13]<\\/sup><\\/a> criticize this Act, which requires children 12 years old and below who are under one hundred fifty (150) centimeters or fifty-nine (59) inches in height to use \\u201cchild restraint systems\\u201d or specialized child car seats in motor vehicles, subject to certain exceptions under the law. The Act includes a Nationwide Public Information Campaign and Certification Training Programs, both of which require the utilization of a substantial part of the appropriated budget for the DOTr.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Section 14 of the Act states that \\u201c[t]he initial amount necessary for the implementation of this Act shall be charged against the current appropriation of the DOTr\\u201d subject to several <em>Proviso<\\/em>. One such proviso notes that the funds necessary for the continued implementation of the Act shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><em>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Dela Cruz vs. Ochoa <\\/em>serves as a guideline for Congress in preparing and creating the General Appropriations Act, specifically the budget allotment for the DOTr in the following years, especially when the Act would start its full implementation since it has been deferred by the LTO due to Covid-19 global pandemic. The Legislature ought to be mindful of the line-item requirement and ensure that the budget allotment for the implementation of this Act would not be in the form of a singular lump-sum appropriation.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">[1]<\\/a> Raphael U. Rayco, UST Faculty of Civil Law, 2A, UST Law Review Understudy.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a> Section 27(2), Article VI of the 1987 Philippine Constitution.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a> G.R. 208566, November 19, 2013; Perlas-Bernabe, <em>J.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[4]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[5]<\\/a> G.R. No. 219683; January 23, 2018; Bersamin, <em>J<\\/em>.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[6]<\\/a> Republic Act No. 10633<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\">[7]<\\/a> <em>Goh v. Bayron<\\/em>, G.R. No. 212584; November 25, 2014; Carpio, <em>J.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\">[8]<\\/a> Araullo vs. Aquino III; G.R. No. 209287, February 3, 2015; Bersamin, <em>J.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\">[9]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\">[10]<\\/a> G.R. No. L-42821, January 18, 1936; Malcolm, <em>J.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\">[11]<\\/a> G.R. No. 209287, February 3, 2015; Bersamin, <em>J.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref12\\\">[12]<\\/a> R.A. No. 11229, otherwise known as \\u201cAn Act Providing for the Special Protection of Child Passengers in Motor Vehicles and Appropriating Funds Therefor\\u201d<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref13\\\">[13]<\\/a> Adonis, Meg and Aurelio Julie M. <em>February 02, 2021. DOTr urged to suspend child car seat law<\\/em>. Inquirer.net. Retrieved from https:\\/\\/newsinfo.inquirer.net\\/1390861\\/dotr-urged-to-suspend-child-car-seat-law#ixzz6lOZ8r0JB<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(4663,1419,'_thumbnail_id','1415'),(4664,1419,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(4665,1419,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(4666,1419,'_elementor_version','3.2.5'),(4667,1419,'_wp_page_template','default'),(4668,1419,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"1c7c499d\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"714ba9a8\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"4101df77\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<!-- wp:heading -->\\n<h2><strong>JONATHAN DELA CRUZ <em>v.<\\/em> PAQUITO OCHOA JR.:<\\/strong> <strong>SETTING THE PARAMETERS OF VALID APPROPRIATIONS<\\/strong> <strong>AND THE PRESIDENT\\u2019S ITEM-VETO POWER<\\/strong><\\/h2>\\n<!-- \\/wp:heading -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>By: Raphael U. Rayco<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\"><em><sup><strong><sup>[1]<\\/sup><\\/strong><\\/sup><\\/em><\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>No less than the 1987 Philippine Constitution mandates that \\u201c[t]he President shall have the power to veto any particular item or items in an appropriation, revenue, or tariff bill, but the veto shall not affect the item or items to which he does not object.<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\"><sup>[2]<\\/sup><\\/a>\\u201d The provision provides for the President\\u2019s \\u201cline-item veto\\u201d powers. In <em>Belgica v. Executive Secretary,<\\/em><a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\">[3]<\\/a> the Supreme Court held that there cannot be singular lump-sum appropriations. These are appropriations with broad provisions that leave a great deal of discretion to the public official entrusted with the administration of public funds. These appropriations preclude the exercise by the President of his veto power since there are no specific line-items for him to discernibly veto. It stated:<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Since such appropriation type necessitates the further determination of both the actual amount to be expended and the actual purpose of the appropriation which must still be chosen from the multiple purposes stated in the law, it cannot be said that the appropriation law already indicates a \\\"specific appropriation of money\\u201d and hence, without a proper line-item which the President may veto. As a practical result, the President would then be faced with the predicament of either vetoing the entire appropriation if he finds some of its purposes wasteful or undesirable, or approving the entire appropriation so as not to hinder some of its legitimate purposes.<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\">[4]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>In <em>Jonathan Dela Cruz v. Paquito Ochoa, Jr.<\\/em>, the Supreme Court clarified what constitutes valid \\u201cline-items,\\u201d which are allocations of a specified singular amount for a specified singular purpose, as can be gleaned from the General Appropriations Act (GAA) and the details and documents attached to it. Furthermore, the Court explained the difference between \\u201cline-items\\u201d from \\u201clump-sum appropriations,\\u201d which are invalid for hampering the exercise by the President of his veto power under Article VI, Section 27(2) of the 1987 Philippine Constitution.<a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\"><sup>[5]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Notably, <em>Dela Cruz v. Ochoa <\\/em>involved the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC), which is now the Department of Transportation (DOTr). In 2020, this administrative office received an annual budget of Php 99,396,428.000.00.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>The Land Transportation Office (LTO), under its mandate, and for the specific purpose of creating a uniform license plate design, formulated the Motor Vehicle License Plate Standardization Program (MVPSP) to supply new license plates for both old and new vehicle registrants. In connection with the program, DOTC was allotted a total of \\u20b14,843,753,000 in the 2014 GAA<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\"><sup>[6]<\\/sup><\\/a> for what is labeled as \\\"MFO 2: Motor Vehicle Registration and Driver\'s Licensing Regulatory Services.\\\"<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>The petitioners in <em>Dela Cruz v. Ochoa<\\/em> argue that considering that \\u201cMotor vehicle plate making project\\u201d did not appear as an item in the 2014 National Expenditure Program (2014 NEP) and the 2014 GAA, unlike in the 2013 GAA, the use of the funds allocated for the MF02 for the MVPSP amounted to a prohibited transfer of appropriations under Article VI, Section 25(5) of the Constitution.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>The Supreme Court previously held that an appropriation, to be valid, must indicate a specific amount and a specific purpose. However, the purpose may be specific even if it is broken down into different related sub-categories of the same nature.<a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\"><sup>[7]<\\/sup><\\/a> In the present case, the Court found that the purpose of the appropriation under the GAA, which is for the LTO to \\\"aid law enforcement and improve the motor vehicle registration database,\\\" is already specific. It naturally and logically included plate-making, since plate-making was an integral component of the registration process. <\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Moreover, the Court ruled that the valid line-item \\u201cMotor Vehicle Registration and Driver\'s Licensing Regulatory Services\\u201d did not constitute a lump-sum appropriation since the specific appropriations of money could already be found under \\u201cDetails of the FY 2014 Budget\\u201d which was attached to the 2014 GAA.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>It is imperative to discuss the relevant parts of the Philippine Budget System to provide adequate background on the item-veto powers of the President and the parameters of such powers.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p> The Philippine Budget System consists of four phases: (1) Budget Preparation; (2) Budget Legislation; (3) Budget Execution; and (4) Accountability. Under the first phase, the various departments and agencies submit their respective Agency Budget Proposals to the Department of Budget and Management (DBM). The second phase, also known as the Budget Authorization Phase, starts when Congress receives the President\\u2019s Budget and ends with the President\\u2019s approval of the GAA. Then, the implementation of the GAA is directed by the guidelines issued by the DBM under the third phase. Finally, the Accountability Phase ensures that the government funds have been effectively and efficiently utilized to achieve the State\\u2019s socio-economic goals.<a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\"><sup>[8]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p> The General Appropriation Bill (GAB) is created in Phase 2 of the budget system. After the GAB goes through the houses of Congress separately, the House of Representatives and the Senate will then constitute a panel each to sit in the Bicameral Conference Committee to harmonize the conflicting provisions of their versions. The \\\"harmonized\\\" version of the GAB is next presented to the President for approval. The President reviews the GAB and prepares the Veto Message. Finally, budget items are subjected to either direct veto or conditional implementation.<a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\"><sup>[9]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p> In <em>Bengzon v. Secretary of Justice<\\/em><a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\"><sup>[10]<\\/sup><\\/a>, the US Supreme Court explained that a valid item of an appropriation bill must be an \\u201citem which, in itself, is a specific appropriation of money, not some general provision of law which happens to be put into an appropriation bill.\\\"<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Since 2014, the National Government has grouped or aligned the programs, activities, or projects of each department and agency into the Major Final Outputs (MFOs) in a new system for the preparation of the National Budget, called \\u201cPerformance Informed Budgeting\\u201d. However, the groupings do not mean that there are no more line-items in the 2014 GAA. The ruling in <em>Belgica v. Executive Secretary,<\\/em>which cited <em>Bengzon<\\/em>,noted that line-items under appropriations should be \\\"specific appropriations of money\\\" that would still enable the President to exercise his veto power over the same.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>More recently, in <em>Araullo v. Aquino III<\\/em><a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\"><sup>[11]<\\/sup><\\/a><em>,<\\/em> the Court differentiated the term \\u201citem\\u201d from \\u201cexpense categories.\\u201d The former was defined as \\u201cthe last and indivisible purpose of a program in the appropriation law,\\u201d while the latter was described as allotment classes which are set in more general terms in the GAA. The Supreme Court explained in that case that the President cannot exercise his veto power over an expense category, as he may only veto the item to which that expense category belongs.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>The Supreme Court ruled in <em>Belgica <\\/em>that \\u201can item of appropriation must be an item characterized by singular correspondence \\u2013 meaning an allocation of a specified singular amount for a specified singular purpose, otherwise known as a \\\"line-item.\\\" The Court noted that a valid line-item has a dual purpose, as it not only allows the item to be consistent with its definition as a \\\"specific appropriation of money,\\\" but also ensures that the President may discernibly veto the same.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>In <em>Dela Cruz v. Ochoa<\\/em>, the Supreme Court noted that the details of the FY 2014 Budget, which was attached to the 2014 GAA, show that the MFOs constituted the expense category or class; while the last and indivisible purpose of each program (the line-item) was an appropriation for a \\u201cMotor vehicle registration system<em>.<\\/em>\\u201d It satisfied the valid line-item requirement which the President could discernibly veto which counts as a \\u201cspecific appropriation of money,\\u201d as contemplated under the law and in jurisprudence. <\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p> Studying <em>Dela Cruz v. Ochoa<\\/em>, another issue that comes to mind is the contested impending implementation of the Child Safety in Motor Vehicles Act,<a href=\\\"#_ftn12\\\">[12]<\\/a> which is also tasked upon the DOTr. Some motor vehicle drivers and members of Congress<a href=\\\"#_ftn13\\\"><sup>[13]<\\/sup><\\/a> criticize this Act, which requires children 12 years old and below who are under one hundred fifty (150) centimeters or fifty-nine (59) inches in height to use \\u201cchild restraint systems\\u201d or specialized child car seats in motor vehicles, subject to certain exceptions under the law. The Act includes a Nationwide Public Information Campaign and Certification Training Programs, both of which require the utilization of a substantial part of the appropriated budget for the DOTr.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p> Section 14 of the Act states that \\u201c[t]he initial amount necessary for the implementation of this Act shall be charged against the current appropriation of the DOTr\\u201d subject to several <em>Proviso<\\/em>. One such proviso notes that the funds necessary for the continued implementation of the Act shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act. <\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p> <em>Dela Cruz vs. Ochoa <\\/em>serves as a guideline for Congress in preparing and creating the General Appropriations Act, specifically the budget allotment for the DOTr in the following years, especially when the Act would start its full implementation since it has been deferred by the LTO due to Covid-19 global pandemic. The Legislature ought to be mindful of the line-item requirement and ensure that the budget allotment for the implementation of this Act would not be in the form of a singular lump-sum appropriation.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:separator -->\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\"\\/>\\n<!-- \\/wp:separator -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">[1]<\\/a> Raphael U. Rayco, UST Faculty of Civil Law, 2A, UST Law Review Understudy.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a> Section 27(2), Article VI of the 1987 Philippine Constitution.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a> G.R. 208566, November 19, 2013; Perlas-Bernabe, <em>J.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[4]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[5]<\\/a> G.R. No. 219683; January 23, 2018; Bersamin, <em>J<\\/em>.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[6]<\\/a> Republic Act No. 10633<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\">[7]<\\/a> <em>Goh v. Bayron<\\/em>, G.R. No. 212584; November 25, 2014; Carpio, <em>J.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\">[8]<\\/a> Araullo vs. Aquino III; G.R. No. 209287, February 3, 2015; Bersamin, <em>J.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\">[9]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\">[10]<\\/a> G.R. No. L-42821, January 18, 1936; Malcolm, <em>J.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\">[11]<\\/a> G.R. No. 209287, February 3, 2015; Bersamin, <em>J.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref12\\\">[12]<\\/a> R.A. No. 11229, otherwise known as \\u201cAn Act Providing for the Special Protection of Child Passengers in Motor Vehicles and Appropriating Funds Therefor\\u201d<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref13\\\">[13]<\\/a> Adonis, Meg and Aurelio Julie M. <em>February 02, 2021. DOTr urged to suspend child car seat law<\\/em>. Inquirer.net. Retrieved from https:\\/\\/newsinfo.inquirer.net\\/1390861\\/dotr-urged-to-suspend-child-car-seat-law#ixzz6lOZ8r0JB<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(4671,1420,'_thumbnail_id','1415'),(4672,1420,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(4673,1420,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(4674,1420,'_elementor_version','3.2.5'),(4675,1420,'_wp_page_template','default'),(4676,1420,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"1c7c499d\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"714ba9a8\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"4101df77\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<!-- wp:heading -->\\n<h2><strong>JONATHAN DELA CRUZ <em>v.<\\/em> PAQUITO OCHOA JR.:<\\/strong> <strong>SETTING THE PARAMETERS OF VALID APPROPRIATIONS<\\/strong> <strong>AND THE PRESIDENT\\u2019S ITEM-VETO POWER<\\/strong><\\/h2>\\n<!-- \\/wp:heading -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>By: Raphael U. Rayco<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\"><em><sup><strong><sup>[1]<\\/sup><\\/strong><\\/sup><\\/em><\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>No less than the 1987 Philippine Constitution mandates that \\u201c[t]he President shall have the power to veto any particular item or items in an appropriation, revenue, or tariff bill, but the veto shall not affect the item or items to which he does not object.<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\"><sup>[2]<\\/sup><\\/a>\\u201d The provision provides for the President\\u2019s \\u201cline-item veto\\u201d powers. In <em>Belgica v. Executive Secretary,<\\/em><a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\">[3]<\\/a> the Supreme Court held that there cannot be singular lump-sum appropriations. These are appropriations with broad provisions that leave a great deal of discretion to the public official entrusted with the administration of public funds. These appropriations preclude the exercise by the President of his veto power since there are no specific line-items for him to discernibly veto. It stated:<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Since such appropriation type necessitates the further determination of both the actual amount to be expended and the actual purpose of the appropriation which must still be chosen from the multiple purposes stated in the law, it cannot be said that the appropriation law already indicates a \\\"specific appropriation of money\\u201d and hence, without a proper line-item which the President may veto. As a practical result, the President would then be faced with the predicament of either vetoing the entire appropriation if he finds some of its purposes wasteful or undesirable, or approving the entire appropriation so as not to hinder some of its legitimate purposes.<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\">[4]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>In <em>Jonathan Dela Cruz v. Paquito Ochoa, Jr.<\\/em>, the Supreme Court clarified what constitutes valid \\u201cline-items,\\u201d which are allocations of a specified singular amount for a specified singular purpose, as can be gleaned from the General Appropriations Act (GAA) and the details and documents attached to it. Furthermore, the Court explained the difference between \\u201cline-items\\u201d from \\u201clump-sum appropriations,\\u201d which are invalid for hampering the exercise by the President of his veto power under Article VI, Section 27(2) of the 1987 Philippine Constitution.<a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\"><sup>[5]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Notably, <em>Dela Cruz v. Ochoa <\\/em>involved the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC), which is now the Department of Transportation (DOTr). In 2020, this administrative office received an annual budget of Php 99,396,428.000.00.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>The Land Transportation Office (LTO), under its mandate, and for the specific purpose of creating a uniform license plate design, formulated the Motor Vehicle License Plate Standardization Program (MVPSP) to supply new license plates for both old and new vehicle registrants. In connection with the program, DOTC was allotted a total of \\u20b14,843,753,000 in the 2014 GAA<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\"><sup>[6]<\\/sup><\\/a> for what is labeled as \\\"MFO 2: Motor Vehicle Registration and Driver\'s Licensing Regulatory Services.\\\"<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>The petitioners in <em>Dela Cruz v. Ochoa<\\/em> argue that considering that \\u201cMotor vehicle plate making project\\u201d did not appear as an item in the 2014 National Expenditure Program (2014 NEP) and the 2014 GAA, unlike in the 2013 GAA, the use of the funds allocated for the MF02 for the MVPSP amounted to a prohibited transfer of appropriations under Article VI, Section 25(5) of the Constitution.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>The Supreme Court previously held that an appropriation, to be valid, must indicate a specific amount and a specific purpose. However, the purpose may be specific even if it is broken down into different related sub-categories of the same nature.<a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\"><sup>[7]<\\/sup><\\/a> In the present case, the Court found that the purpose of the appropriation under the GAA, which is for the LTO to \\\"aid law enforcement and improve the motor vehicle registration database,\\\" is already specific. It naturally and logically included plate-making, since plate-making was an integral component of the registration process. <\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Moreover, the Court ruled that the valid line-item \\u201cMotor Vehicle Registration and Driver\'s Licensing Regulatory Services\\u201d did not constitute a lump-sum appropriation since the specific appropriations of money could already be found under \\u201cDetails of the FY 2014 Budget\\u201d which was attached to the 2014 GAA.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>It is imperative to discuss the relevant parts of the Philippine Budget System to provide adequate background on the item-veto powers of the President and the parameters of such powers.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p> The Philippine Budget System consists of four phases: (1) Budget Preparation; (2) Budget Legislation; (3) Budget Execution; and (4) Accountability. Under the first phase, the various departments and agencies submit their respective Agency Budget Proposals to the Department of Budget and Management (DBM). The second phase, also known as the Budget Authorization Phase, starts when Congress receives the President\\u2019s Budget and ends with the President\\u2019s approval of the GAA. Then, the implementation of the GAA is directed by the guidelines issued by the DBM under the third phase. Finally, the Accountability Phase ensures that the government funds have been effectively and efficiently utilized to achieve the State\\u2019s socio-economic goals.<a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\"><sup>[8]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p> The General Appropriation Bill (GAB) is created in Phase 2 of the budget system. After the GAB goes through the houses of Congress separately, the House of Representatives and the Senate will then constitute a panel each to sit in the Bicameral Conference Committee to harmonize the conflicting provisions of their versions. The \\\"harmonized\\\" version of the GAB is next presented to the President for approval. The President reviews the GAB and prepares the Veto Message. Finally, budget items are subjected to either direct veto or conditional implementation.<a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\"><sup>[9]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p> In <em>Bengzon v. Secretary of Justice<\\/em><a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\"><sup>[10]<\\/sup><\\/a>, the US Supreme Court explained that a valid item of an appropriation bill must be an \\u201citem which, in itself, is a specific appropriation of money, not some general provision of law which happens to be put into an appropriation bill.\\\"<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Since 2014, the National Government has grouped or aligned the programs, activities, or projects of each department and agency into the Major Final Outputs (MFOs) in a new system for the preparation of the National Budget, called \\u201cPerformance Informed Budgeting\\u201d. However, the groupings do not mean that there are no more line-items in the 2014 GAA. The ruling in <em>Belgica v. Executive Secretary,<\\/em>which cited <em>Bengzon<\\/em>,noted that line-items under appropriations should be \\\"specific appropriations of money\\\" that would still enable the President to exercise his veto power over the same.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>More recently, in <em>Araullo v. Aquino III<\\/em><a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\"><sup>[11]<\\/sup><\\/a><em>,<\\/em> the Court differentiated the term \\u201citem\\u201d from \\u201cexpense categories.\\u201d The former was defined as \\u201cthe last and indivisible purpose of a program in the appropriation law,\\u201d while the latter was described as allotment classes which are set in more general terms in the GAA. The Supreme Court explained in that case that the President cannot exercise his veto power over an expense category, as he may only veto the item to which that expense category belongs.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>The Supreme Court ruled in <em>Belgica <\\/em>that \\u201can item of appropriation must be an item characterized by singular correspondence \\u2013 meaning an allocation of a specified singular amount for a specified singular purpose, otherwise known as a \\\"line-item.\\\" The Court noted that a valid line-item has a dual purpose, as it not only allows the item to be consistent with its definition as a \\\"specific appropriation of money,\\\" but also ensures that the President may discernibly veto the same.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>In <em>Dela Cruz v. Ochoa<\\/em>, the Supreme Court noted that the details of the FY 2014 Budget, which was attached to the 2014 GAA, show that the MFOs constituted the expense category or class; while the last and indivisible purpose of each program (the line-item) was an appropriation for a \\u201cMotor vehicle registration system<em>.<\\/em>\\u201d It satisfied the valid line-item requirement which the President could discernibly veto which counts as a \\u201cspecific appropriation of money,\\u201d as contemplated under the law and in jurisprudence. <\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p> Studying <em>Dela Cruz v. Ochoa<\\/em>, another issue that comes to mind is the contested impending implementation of the Child Safety in Motor Vehicles Act,<a href=\\\"#_ftn12\\\">[12]<\\/a> which is also tasked upon the DOTr. Some motor vehicle drivers and members of Congress<a href=\\\"#_ftn13\\\"><sup>[13]<\\/sup><\\/a> criticize this Act, which requires children 12 years old and below who are under one hundred fifty (150) centimeters or fifty-nine (59) inches in height to use \\u201cchild restraint systems\\u201d or specialized child car seats in motor vehicles, subject to certain exceptions under the law. The Act includes a Nationwide Public Information Campaign and Certification Training Programs, both of which require the utilization of a substantial part of the appropriated budget for the DOTr.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p> Section 14 of the Act states that \\u201c[t]he initial amount necessary for the implementation of this Act shall be charged against the current appropriation of the DOTr\\u201d subject to several <em>Proviso<\\/em>. One such proviso notes that the funds necessary for the continued implementation of the Act shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act. <\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p> <em>Dela Cruz vs. Ochoa <\\/em>serves as a guideline for Congress in preparing and creating the General Appropriations Act, specifically the budget allotment for the DOTr in the following years, especially when the Act would start its full implementation since it has been deferred by the LTO due to Covid-19 global pandemic. The Legislature ought to be mindful of the line-item requirement and ensure that the budget allotment for the implementation of this Act would not be in the form of a singular lump-sum appropriation.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:separator -->\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\"\\/>\\n<!-- \\/wp:separator -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">[1]<\\/a> Raphael U. Rayco, UST Faculty of Civil Law, 2A, UST Law Review Understudy.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a> Section 27(2), Article VI of the 1987 Philippine Constitution.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a> G.R. 208566, November 19, 2013; Perlas-Bernabe, <em>J.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[4]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[5]<\\/a> G.R. No. 219683; January 23, 2018; Bersamin, <em>J<\\/em>.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[6]<\\/a> Republic Act No. 10633<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\">[7]<\\/a> <em>Goh v. Bayron<\\/em>, G.R. No. 212584; November 25, 2014; Carpio, <em>J.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\">[8]<\\/a> Araullo vs. Aquino III; G.R. No. 209287, February 3, 2015; Bersamin, <em>J.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\">[9]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\">[10]<\\/a> G.R. No. L-42821, January 18, 1936; Malcolm, <em>J.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\">[11]<\\/a> G.R. No. 209287, February 3, 2015; Bersamin, <em>J.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref12\\\">[12]<\\/a> R.A. No. 11229, otherwise known as \\u201cAn Act Providing for the Special Protection of Child Passengers in Motor Vehicles and Appropriating Funds Therefor\\u201d<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref13\\\">[13]<\\/a> Adonis, Meg and Aurelio Julie M. <em>February 02, 2021. DOTr urged to suspend child car seat law<\\/em>. Inquirer.net. Retrieved from https:\\/\\/newsinfo.inquirer.net\\/1390861\\/dotr-urged-to-suspend-child-car-seat-law#ixzz6lOZ8r0JB<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(4678,1421,'_thumbnail_id','1415'),(4679,1421,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(4680,1421,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(4681,1421,'_elementor_version','3.2.5'),(4682,1421,'_wp_page_template','default'),(4683,1421,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"1c7c499d\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"714ba9a8\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"4101df77\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<!-- wp:heading -->\\n<h2><strong>JONATHAN DELA CRUZ <em>v.<\\/em> PAQUITO OCHOA JR.:<\\/strong> <strong>SETTING THE PARAMETERS OF VALID APPROPRIATIONS<\\/strong> <strong>AND THE PRESIDENT\\u2019S ITEM-VETO POWER<\\/strong><\\/h2>\\n<!-- \\/wp:heading -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>By: Raphael U. Rayco<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\"><em><sup><strong><sup>[1]<\\/sup><\\/strong><\\/sup><\\/em><\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>No less than the 1987 Philippine Constitution mandates that \\u201c[t]he President shall have the power to veto any particular item or items in an appropriation, revenue, or tariff bill, but the veto shall not affect the item or items to which he does not object.<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\"><sup>[2]<\\/sup><\\/a>\\u201d The provision provides for the President\\u2019s \\u201cline-item veto\\u201d powers. In <em>Belgica v. Executive Secretary,<\\/em><a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\">[3]<\\/a> the Supreme Court held that there cannot be singular lump-sum appropriations. These are appropriations with broad provisions that leave a great deal of discretion to the public official entrusted with the administration of public funds. These appropriations preclude the exercise by the President of his veto power since there are no specific line-items for him to discernibly veto. It stated:<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Since such appropriation type necessitates the further determination of both the actual amount to be expended and the actual purpose of the appropriation which must still be chosen from the multiple purposes stated in the law, it cannot be said that the appropriation law already indicates a \\\"specific appropriation of money\\u201d and hence, without a proper line-item which the President may veto. As a practical result, the President would then be faced with the predicament of either vetoing the entire appropriation if he finds some of its purposes wasteful or undesirable, or approving the entire appropriation so as not to hinder some of its legitimate purposes.<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\">[4]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>In <em>Jonathan Dela Cruz v. Paquito Ochoa, Jr.<\\/em>, the Supreme Court clarified what constitutes valid \\u201cline-items,\\u201d which are allocations of a specified singular amount for a specified singular purpose, as can be gleaned from the General Appropriations Act (GAA) and the details and documents attached to it. Furthermore, the Court explained the difference between \\u201cline-items\\u201d from \\u201clump-sum appropriations,\\u201d which are invalid for hampering the exercise by the President of his veto power under Article VI, Section 27(2) of the 1987 Philippine Constitution.<a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\"><sup>[5]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Notably, <em>Dela Cruz v. Ochoa <\\/em>involved the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC), which is now the Department of Transportation (DOTr). In 2020, this administrative office received an annual budget of Php 99,396,428.000.00.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>The Land Transportation Office (LTO), under its mandate, and for the specific purpose of creating a uniform license plate design, formulated the Motor Vehicle License Plate Standardization Program (MVPSP) to supply new license plates for both old and new vehicle registrants. In connection with the program, DOTC was allotted a total of \\u20b14,843,753,000 in the 2014 GAA<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\"><sup>[6]<\\/sup><\\/a> for what is labeled as \\\"MFO 2: Motor Vehicle Registration and Driver\'s Licensing Regulatory Services.\\\"<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>The petitioners in <em>Dela Cruz v. Ochoa<\\/em> argue that considering that \\u201cMotor vehicle plate making project\\u201d did not appear as an item in the 2014 National Expenditure Program (2014 NEP) and the 2014 GAA, unlike in the 2013 GAA, the use of the funds allocated for the MF02 for the MVPSP amounted to a prohibited transfer of appropriations under Article VI, Section 25(5) of the Constitution.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>The Supreme Court previously held that an appropriation, to be valid, must indicate a specific amount and a specific purpose. However, the purpose may be specific even if it is broken down into different related sub-categories of the same nature.<a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\"><sup>[7]<\\/sup><\\/a> In the present case, the Court found that the purpose of the appropriation under the GAA, which is for the LTO to \\\"aid law enforcement and improve the motor vehicle registration database,\\\" is already specific. It naturally and logically included plate-making, since plate-making was an integral component of the registration process. <\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Moreover, the Court ruled that the valid line-item \\u201cMotor Vehicle Registration and Driver\'s Licensing Regulatory Services\\u201d did not constitute a lump-sum appropriation since the specific appropriations of money could already be found under \\u201cDetails of the FY 2014 Budget\\u201d which was attached to the 2014 GAA.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>It is imperative to discuss the relevant parts of the Philippine Budget System to provide adequate background on the item-veto powers of the President and the parameters of such powers.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p> The Philippine Budget System consists of four phases: (1) Budget Preparation; (2) Budget Legislation; (3) Budget Execution; and (4) Accountability. Under the first phase, the various departments and agencies submit their respective Agency Budget Proposals to the Department of Budget and Management (DBM). The second phase, also known as the Budget Authorization Phase, starts when Congress receives the President\\u2019s Budget and ends with the President\\u2019s approval of the GAA. Then, the implementation of the GAA is directed by the guidelines issued by the DBM under the third phase. Finally, the Accountability Phase ensures that the government funds have been effectively and efficiently utilized to achieve the State\\u2019s socio-economic goals.<a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\"><sup>[8]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p> The General Appropriation Bill (GAB) is created in Phase 2 of the budget system. After the GAB goes through the houses of Congress separately, the House of Representatives and the Senate will then constitute a panel each to sit in the Bicameral Conference Committee to harmonize the conflicting provisions of their versions. The \\\"harmonized\\\" version of the GAB is next presented to the President for approval. The President reviews the GAB and prepares the Veto Message. Finally, budget items are subjected to either direct veto or conditional implementation.<a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\"><sup>[9]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p> In <em>Bengzon v. Secretary of Justice<\\/em><a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\"><sup>[10]<\\/sup><\\/a>, the US Supreme Court explained that a valid item of an appropriation bill must be an \\u201citem which, in itself, is a specific appropriation of money, not some general provision of law which happens to be put into an appropriation bill.\\\"<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Since 2014, the National Government has grouped or aligned the programs, activities, or projects of each department and agency into the Major Final Outputs (MFOs) in a new system for the preparation of the National Budget, called \\u201cPerformance Informed Budgeting\\u201d. However, the groupings do not mean that there are no more line-items in the 2014 GAA. The ruling in <em>Belgica v. Executive Secretary,<\\/em>which cited <em>Bengzon<\\/em>,noted that line-items under appropriations should be \\\"specific appropriations of money\\\" that would still enable the President to exercise his veto power over the same.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>More recently, in <em>Araullo v. Aquino III<\\/em><a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\"><sup>[11]<\\/sup><\\/a><em>,<\\/em> the Court differentiated the term \\u201citem\\u201d from \\u201cexpense categories.\\u201d The former was defined as \\u201cthe last and indivisible purpose of a program in the appropriation law,\\u201d while the latter was described as allotment classes which are set in more general terms in the GAA. The Supreme Court explained in that case that the President cannot exercise his veto power over an expense category, as he may only veto the item to which that expense category belongs.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>The Supreme Court ruled in <em>Belgica <\\/em>that \\u201can item of appropriation must be an item characterized by singular correspondence \\u2013 meaning an allocation of a specified singular amount for a specified singular purpose, otherwise known as a \\\"line-item.\\\" The Court noted that a valid line-item has a dual purpose, as it not only allows the item to be consistent with its definition as a \\\"specific appropriation of money,\\\" but also ensures that the President may discernibly veto the same.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>In <em>Dela Cruz v. Ochoa<\\/em>, the Supreme Court noted that the details of the FY 2014 Budget, which was attached to the 2014 GAA, show that the MFOs constituted the expense category or class; while the last and indivisible purpose of each program (the line-item) was an appropriation for a \\u201cMotor vehicle registration system<em>.<\\/em>\\u201d It satisfied the valid line-item requirement which the President could discernibly veto which counts as a \\u201cspecific appropriation of money,\\u201d as contemplated under the law and in jurisprudence. <\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p> Studying <em>Dela Cruz v. Ochoa<\\/em>, another issue that comes to mind is the contested impending implementation of the Child Safety in Motor Vehicles Act,<a href=\\\"#_ftn12\\\">[12]<\\/a> which is also tasked upon the DOTr. Some motor vehicle drivers and members of Congress<a href=\\\"#_ftn13\\\"><sup>[13]<\\/sup><\\/a> criticize this Act, which requires children 12 years old and below who are under one hundred fifty (150) centimeters or fifty-nine (59) inches in height to use \\u201cchild restraint systems\\u201d or specialized child car seats in motor vehicles, subject to certain exceptions under the law. The Act includes a Nationwide Public Information Campaign and Certification Training Programs, both of which require the utilization of a substantial part of the appropriated budget for the DOTr.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p> Section 14 of the Act states that \\u201c[t]he initial amount necessary for the implementation of this Act shall be charged against the current appropriation of the DOTr\\u201d subject to several <em>Proviso<\\/em>. One such proviso notes that the funds necessary for the continued implementation of the Act shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act. <\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p> <em>Dela Cruz vs. Ochoa <\\/em>serves as a guideline for Congress in preparing and creating the General Appropriations Act, specifically the budget allotment for the DOTr in the following years, especially when the Act would start its full implementation since it has been deferred by the LTO due to Covid-19 global pandemic. The Legislature ought to be mindful of the line-item requirement and ensure that the budget allotment for the implementation of this Act would not be in the form of a singular lump-sum appropriation.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:separator -->\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\"\\/>\\n<!-- \\/wp:separator -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">[1]<\\/a> Raphael U. Rayco, UST Faculty of Civil Law, 2A, UST Law Review Understudy.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a> Section 27(2), Article VI of the 1987 Philippine Constitution.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a> G.R. 208566, November 19, 2013; Perlas-Bernabe, <em>J.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[4]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[5]<\\/a> G.R. No. 219683; January 23, 2018; Bersamin, <em>J<\\/em>.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[6]<\\/a> Republic Act No. 10633<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\">[7]<\\/a> <em>Goh v. Bayron<\\/em>, G.R. No. 212584; November 25, 2014; Carpio, <em>J.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\">[8]<\\/a> Araullo vs. Aquino III; G.R. No. 209287, February 3, 2015; Bersamin, <em>J.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\">[9]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\">[10]<\\/a> G.R. No. L-42821, January 18, 1936; Malcolm, <em>J.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\">[11]<\\/a> G.R. No. 209287, February 3, 2015; Bersamin, <em>J.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref12\\\">[12]<\\/a> R.A. No. 11229, otherwise known as \\u201cAn Act Providing for the Special Protection of Child Passengers in Motor Vehicles and Appropriating Funds Therefor\\u201d<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref13\\\">[13]<\\/a> Adonis, Meg and Aurelio Julie M. <em>February 02, 2021. DOTr urged to suspend child car seat law<\\/em>. Inquirer.net. Retrieved from https:\\/\\/newsinfo.inquirer.net\\/1390861\\/dotr-urged-to-suspend-child-car-seat-law#ixzz6lOZ8r0JB<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(4685,1422,'_thumbnail_id','1415'),(4686,1422,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(4687,1422,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(4688,1422,'_elementor_version','3.2.5'),(4689,1422,'_wp_page_template','default'),(4690,1422,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"1c7c499d\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"714ba9a8\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"4101df77\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<!-- wp:heading -->\\n<h2><strong>JONATHAN DELA CRUZ <em>v.<\\/em> PAQUITO OCHOA JR.:<\\/strong> <strong>SETTING THE PARAMETERS OF VALID APPROPRIATIONS<\\/strong> <strong>AND THE PRESIDENT\\u2019S ITEM-VETO POWER<\\/strong><\\/h2>\\n<!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>By: Raphael U. Rayco<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\"><em><sup><strong><sup>[1]<\\/sup><\\/strong><\\/sup><\\/em><\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 No less than the 1987 Philippine Constitution mandates that \\u201c[t]he President shall have the power to veto any particular item or items in an appropriation, revenue, or tariff bill, but the veto shall not affect the item or items to which he does not object.<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\"><sup>[2]<\\/sup><\\/a>\\u201d The provision provides for the President\\u2019s \\u201cline-item veto\\u201d powers. In <em>Belgica v. Executive Secretary,<\\/em><a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\">[3]<\\/a> the Supreme Court held that there cannot be singular lump-sum appropriations. These are appropriations with broad provisions that leave a great deal of discretion to the public official entrusted with the administration of public funds. These appropriations preclude the exercise by the President of his veto power since there are no specific line-items for him to discernibly veto. It stated:<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Since such appropriation type necessitates the further determination of both the actual amount to be expended and the actual purpose of the appropriation which must still be chosen from the multiple purposes stated in the law, it cannot be said that the appropriation law already indicates a \\\"specific appropriation of money\\u201d and hence, without a proper line-item which the President may veto. As a practical result, the President would then be faced with the predicament of either vetoing the entire appropriation if he finds some of its purposes wasteful or undesirable, or approving the entire appropriation so as not to hinder some of its legitimate purposes.<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\">[4]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In <em>Jonathan Dela Cruz v. Paquito Ochoa, Jr.<\\/em>, the Supreme Court clarified what constitutes valid \\u201cline-items,\\u201d which are allocations of a specified singular amount for a specified singular purpose, as can be gleaned from the General Appropriations Act (GAA) and the details and documents attached to it. Furthermore, the Court explained the difference between \\u201cline-items\\u201d from \\u201clump-sum appropriations,\\u201d which are invalid for hampering the exercise by the President of his veto power under Article VI, Section 27(2)\\u00a0of the 1987 Philippine Constitution.<a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\"><sup>[5]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Notably, <em>Dela Cruz v. Ochoa <\\/em>involved the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC), which is now the Department of Transportation (DOTr). In 2020, this administrative office received an annual budget of Php 99,396,428.000.00.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Land Transportation Office (LTO), under its mandate, and for the specific purpose of creating a uniform license plate design, formulated the Motor Vehicle License Plate Standardization Program (MVPSP) to supply new license plates for both old and new vehicle registrants. In connection with the program, DOTC was allotted a total of \\u20b14,843,753,000 in the 2014 GAA<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\"><sup>[6]<\\/sup><\\/a> for what is labeled as \\\"MFO 2: Motor Vehicle Registration and Driver\'s Licensing Regulatory Services.\\\"<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The petitioners in <em>Dela Cruz v. Ochoa<\\/em> argue that considering that\\u00a0\\u201cMotor vehicle plate making project\\u201d\\u00a0did not appear as an item in the 2014 National Expenditure Program (2014 NEP) and the 2014 GAA, unlike in the 2013 GAA, the use of the funds allocated for the MF02\\u00a0for the MVPSP amounted to a prohibited transfer of appropriations under Article VI, Section 25(5) of the Constitution.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Supreme Court previously held that an appropriation, to be valid, must indicate a specific amount and a specific purpose. However, the purpose may be specific even if it is broken down into different related sub-categories of the same nature.<a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\"><sup>[7]<\\/sup><\\/a> In the present case, the Court found that the purpose of the appropriation under the GAA, which is for the LTO to \\\"aid law enforcement and improve the motor vehicle registration database,\\\" is already specific. It naturally and logically included plate-making, since plate-making was an integral component of the registration process.\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Moreover, the Court ruled that the valid line-item \\u201cMotor Vehicle Registration and Driver\'s Licensing Regulatory Services\\u201d did not constitute a lump-sum appropriation since the specific appropriations of money could already be found under\\u00a0\\u201cDetails of the FY 2014 Budget\\u201d\\u00a0which was attached to the 2014 GAA.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 It is imperative to discuss the relevant parts of the Philippine Budget System to provide adequate background on the item-veto powers of the President and the parameters of such powers.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Philippine Budget System consists of four phases: (1) Budget Preparation; (2) Budget Legislation; (3) Budget Execution; and (4) Accountability. Under the first phase, the various departments and agencies submit their respective Agency Budget Proposals to the Department of Budget and Management (DBM). The second phase, also known as the Budget Authorization Phase, starts when Congress receives the President\\u2019s Budget and ends with the President\\u2019s approval of the GAA. Then, the implementation of the GAA is directed by the guidelines issued by the DBM under the third phase. Finally, the Accountability Phase ensures that the government funds have been effectively and efficiently utilized to achieve the State\\u2019s socio-economic goals.<a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\"><sup>[8]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The General Appropriation Bill (GAB) is created in Phase 2 of the budget system. After the GAB goes through the houses of Congress separately, the House of Representatives and the Senate will then constitute a panel each to sit in the Bicameral Conference Committee to harmonize the conflicting provisions of their versions. The \\\"harmonized\\\" version of the GAB is next presented to the President for approval. The President reviews the GAB and prepares the Veto Message. Finally, budget items are subjected to either direct veto or conditional implementation.<a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\"><sup>[9]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In <em>Bengzon v. Secretary of Justice<\\/em><a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\"><sup>[10]<\\/sup><\\/a>, the US Supreme Court explained that a valid item of an appropriation bill must be an \\u201citem which, in itself, is a specific appropriation of money, not some general provision of law which happens to be put into an appropriation bill.\\\"<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Since 2014, the National Government has grouped or aligned the programs, activities, or projects of each department and agency into the Major Final Outputs (MFOs) in a new system for the preparation of the National Budget, called \\u201cPerformance Informed Budgeting\\u201d. However, the groupings do not mean that there are no more line-items in the 2014 GAA. The ruling in <em>Belgica v. Executive Secretary,<\\/em>which cited <em>Bengzon<\\/em>,noted that\\u00a0line-items under appropriations should be \\\"specific appropriations of money\\\" that would still enable the President to exercise his veto power over the same.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 More recently, in\\u00a0<em>Araullo v. Aquino III<\\/em><a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\"><sup>[11]<\\/sup><\\/a><em>,<\\/em>\\u00a0\\u00a0the Court differentiated the term\\u00a0\\u201citem\\u201d from \\u201cexpense categories.\\u201d The former was defined as \\u201cthe last and indivisible purpose of a program in the appropriation law,\\u201d while the latter was described as allotment classes which are set in more general terms in the GAA. The Supreme Court explained in that case that the President cannot exercise his veto power over an expense category, as he may only veto the item to which that expense category belongs.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Supreme Court ruled in <em>Belgica <\\/em>that \\u201can item of appropriation must be an item characterized by singular correspondence \\u2013 meaning an allocation of a specified singular amount for a specified singular purpose, otherwise known as a \\\"line-item.\\\" The Court noted that a valid line-item has a dual purpose, as it not only allows the item to be consistent with its definition as a \\\"specific appropriation of money,\\\" but also ensures that the President may discernibly veto the same.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In <em>Dela Cruz v. Ochoa<\\/em>, the\\u00a0Supreme Court noted that the details of the FY 2014 Budget,\\u00a0which was attached to the 2014 GAA, show that the MFOs constituted the expense category or class; while the last and indivisible purpose of each program (the line-item) was an appropriation for a\\u00a0\\u201cMotor vehicle registration system<em>.<\\/em>\\u201d\\u00a0It satisfied the valid line-item requirement which the President could discernibly veto which counts as a \\u201cspecific appropriation of money,\\u201d as contemplated under the law and in jurisprudence.\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Studying <em>Dela Cruz v. Ochoa<\\/em>, another issue that comes to mind is the contested impending implementation of the Child Safety in Motor Vehicles Act,<a href=\\\"#_ftn12\\\">[12]<\\/a> which is also tasked upon the DOTr. Some motor vehicle drivers and members of Congress<a href=\\\"#_ftn13\\\"><sup>[13]<\\/sup><\\/a> criticize this Act, which requires children 12 years old and below who are under one hundred fifty (150) centimeters or fifty-nine (59) inches in height to use \\u201cchild restraint systems\\u201d or specialized child car seats in motor vehicles, subject to certain exceptions under the law. The Act includes a Nationwide Public Information Campaign and Certification Training Programs, both of which require the utilization of a substantial part of the appropriated budget for the DOTr.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Section 14 of the Act states that \\u201c[t]he initial amount necessary for the implementation of this Act shall be charged against the current appropriation of the DOTr\\u201d subject to several <em>Proviso<\\/em>. One such proviso notes that the funds necessary for the continued implementation of the Act shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><em>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Dela Cruz vs. Ochoa <\\/em>serves as a guideline for Congress in preparing and creating the General Appropriations Act, specifically the budget allotment for the DOTr in the following years, especially when the Act would start its full implementation since it has been deferred by the LTO due to Covid-19 global pandemic. The Legislature ought to be mindful of the line-item requirement and ensure that the budget allotment for the implementation of this Act would not be in the form of a singular lump-sum appropriation.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">[1]<\\/a> Raphael U. Rayco, UST Faculty of Civil Law, 2A, UST Law Review Understudy.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a> Section 27(2), Article VI of the 1987 Philippine Constitution.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a> G.R. 208566, November 19, 2013; Perlas-Bernabe, <em>J.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[4]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[5]<\\/a> G.R. No. 219683; January 23, 2018; Bersamin, <em>J<\\/em>.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[6]<\\/a> Republic Act No. 10633<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\">[7]<\\/a> <em>Goh v. Bayron<\\/em>, G.R. No. 212584; November 25, 2014; Carpio, <em>J.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\">[8]<\\/a> Araullo vs. Aquino III; G.R. No. 209287, February 3, 2015; Bersamin, <em>J.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\">[9]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\">[10]<\\/a> G.R. No. L-42821, January 18, 1936; Malcolm, <em>J.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\">[11]<\\/a> G.R. No. 209287, February 3, 2015; Bersamin, <em>J.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref12\\\">[12]<\\/a> R.A. No. 11229, otherwise known as \\u201cAn Act Providing for the Special Protection of Child Passengers in Motor Vehicles and Appropriating Funds Therefor\\u201d<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref13\\\">[13]<\\/a> Adonis, Meg and Aurelio Julie M. <em>February 02, 2021. DOTr urged to suspend child car seat law<\\/em>. Inquirer.net. Retrieved from https:\\/\\/newsinfo.inquirer.net\\/1390861\\/dotr-urged-to-suspend-child-car-seat-law#ixzz6lOZ8r0JB<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(4692,1414,'_elementor_controls_usage','a:3:{s:11:\"text-editor\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:1;s:8:\"controls\";a:2:{s:7:\"content\";a:1:{s:14:\"section_editor\";a:1:{s:6:\"editor\";i:1;}}s:5:\"style\";a:1:{s:13:\"section_style\";a:2:{s:21:\"typography_typography\";i:1;s:22:\"typography_line_height\";i:1;}}}}s:6:\"column\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:0;s:8:\"controls\";a:0:{}}s:7:\"section\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:0;s:8:\"controls\";a:0:{}}}'),(4694,1423,'_thumbnail_id','1415'),(4695,1423,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(4696,1423,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(4697,1423,'_elementor_version','3.2.5'),(4698,1423,'_wp_page_template','default'),(4699,1423,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"1c7c499d\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"714ba9a8\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"4101df77\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<!-- wp:heading -->\\n<h2><strong>JONATHAN DELA CRUZ <em>v.<\\/em> PAQUITO OCHOA JR.:<\\/strong> <strong>SETTING THE PARAMETERS OF VALID APPROPRIATIONS<\\/strong> <strong>AND THE PRESIDENT\\u2019S ITEM-VETO POWER<\\/strong><\\/h2>\\n<!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>By: Raphael U. Rayco<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\"><em><sup><strong><sup>[1]<\\/sup><\\/strong><\\/sup><\\/em><\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 No less than the 1987 Philippine Constitution mandates that \\u201c[t]he President shall have the power to veto any particular item or items in an appropriation, revenue, or tariff bill, but the veto shall not affect the item or items to which he does not object.<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\"><sup>[2]<\\/sup><\\/a>\\u201d The provision provides for the President\\u2019s \\u201cline-item veto\\u201d powers. In <em>Belgica v. Executive Secretary,<\\/em><a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\">[3]<\\/a> the Supreme Court held that there cannot be singular lump-sum appropriations. These are appropriations with broad provisions that leave a great deal of discretion to the public official entrusted with the administration of public funds. These appropriations preclude the exercise by the President of his veto power since there are no specific line-items for him to discernibly veto. It stated:<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Since such appropriation type necessitates the further determination of both the actual amount to be expended and the actual purpose of the appropriation which must still be chosen from the multiple purposes stated in the law, it cannot be said that the appropriation law already indicates a \\\"specific appropriation of money\\u201d and hence, without a proper line-item which the President may veto. As a practical result, the President would then be faced with the predicament of either vetoing the entire appropriation if he finds some of its purposes wasteful or undesirable, or approving the entire appropriation so as not to hinder some of its legitimate purposes.<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\">[4]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In <em>Jonathan Dela Cruz v. Paquito Ochoa, Jr.<\\/em>, the Supreme Court clarified what constitutes valid \\u201cline-items,\\u201d which are allocations of a specified singular amount for a specified singular purpose, as can be gleaned from the General Appropriations Act (GAA) and the details and documents attached to it. Furthermore, the Court explained the difference between \\u201cline-items\\u201d from \\u201clump-sum appropriations,\\u201d which are invalid for hampering the exercise by the President of his veto power under Article VI, Section 27(2)\\u00a0of the 1987 Philippine Constitution.<a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\"><sup>[5]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Notably, <em>Dela Cruz v. Ochoa <\\/em>involved the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC), which is now the Department of Transportation (DOTr). In 2020, this administrative office received an annual budget of Php 99,396,428.000.00.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Land Transportation Office (LTO), under its mandate, and for the specific purpose of creating a uniform license plate design, formulated the Motor Vehicle License Plate Standardization Program (MVPSP) to supply new license plates for both old and new vehicle registrants. In connection with the program, DOTC was allotted a total of \\u20b14,843,753,000 in the 2014 GAA<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\"><sup>[6]<\\/sup><\\/a> for what is labeled as \\\"MFO 2: Motor Vehicle Registration and Driver\'s Licensing Regulatory Services.\\\"<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The petitioners in <em>Dela Cruz v. Ochoa<\\/em> argue that considering that\\u00a0\\u201cMotor vehicle plate making project\\u201d\\u00a0did not appear as an item in the 2014 National Expenditure Program (2014 NEP) and the 2014 GAA, unlike in the 2013 GAA, the use of the funds allocated for the MF02\\u00a0for the MVPSP amounted to a prohibited transfer of appropriations under Article VI, Section 25(5) of the Constitution.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Supreme Court previously held that an appropriation, to be valid, must indicate a specific amount and a specific purpose. However, the purpose may be specific even if it is broken down into different related sub-categories of the same nature.<a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\"><sup>[7]<\\/sup><\\/a> In the present case, the Court found that the purpose of the appropriation under the GAA, which is for the LTO to \\\"aid law enforcement and improve the motor vehicle registration database,\\\" is already specific. It naturally and logically included plate-making, since plate-making was an integral component of the registration process.\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Moreover, the Court ruled that the valid line-item \\u201cMotor Vehicle Registration and Driver\'s Licensing Regulatory Services\\u201d did not constitute a lump-sum appropriation since the specific appropriations of money could already be found under\\u00a0\\u201cDetails of the FY 2014 Budget\\u201d\\u00a0which was attached to the 2014 GAA.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 It is imperative to discuss the relevant parts of the Philippine Budget System to provide adequate background on the item-veto powers of the President and the parameters of such powers.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Philippine Budget System consists of four phases: (1) Budget Preparation; (2) Budget Legislation; (3) Budget Execution; and (4) Accountability. Under the first phase, the various departments and agencies submit their respective Agency Budget Proposals to the Department of Budget and Management (DBM). The second phase, also known as the Budget Authorization Phase, starts when Congress receives the President\\u2019s Budget and ends with the President\\u2019s approval of the GAA. Then, the implementation of the GAA is directed by the guidelines issued by the DBM under the third phase. Finally, the Accountability Phase ensures that the government funds have been effectively and efficiently utilized to achieve the State\\u2019s socio-economic goals.<a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\"><sup>[8]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The General Appropriation Bill (GAB) is created in Phase 2 of the budget system. After the GAB goes through the houses of Congress separately, the House of Representatives and the Senate will then constitute a panel each to sit in the Bicameral Conference Committee to harmonize the conflicting provisions of their versions. The \\\"harmonized\\\" version of the GAB is next presented to the President for approval. The President reviews the GAB and prepares the Veto Message. Finally, budget items are subjected to either direct veto or conditional implementation.<a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\"><sup>[9]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In <em>Bengzon v. Secretary of Justice<\\/em><a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\"><sup>[10]<\\/sup><\\/a>, the US Supreme Court explained that a valid item of an appropriation bill must be an \\u201citem which, in itself, is a specific appropriation of money, not some general provision of law which happens to be put into an appropriation bill.\\\"<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Since 2014, the National Government has grouped or aligned the programs, activities, or projects of each department and agency into the Major Final Outputs (MFOs) in a new system for the preparation of the National Budget, called \\u201cPerformance Informed Budgeting\\u201d. However, the groupings do not mean that there are no more line-items in the 2014 GAA. The ruling in <em>Belgica v. Executive Secretary,<\\/em>which cited <em>Bengzon<\\/em>,noted that\\u00a0line-items under appropriations should be \\\"specific appropriations of money\\\" that would still enable the President to exercise his veto power over the same.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 More recently, in\\u00a0<em>Araullo v. Aquino III<\\/em><a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\"><sup>[11]<\\/sup><\\/a><em>,<\\/em>\\u00a0\\u00a0the Court differentiated the term\\u00a0\\u201citem\\u201d from \\u201cexpense categories.\\u201d The former was defined as \\u201cthe last and indivisible purpose of a program in the appropriation law,\\u201d while the latter was described as allotment classes which are set in more general terms in the GAA. The Supreme Court explained in that case that the President cannot exercise his veto power over an expense category, as he may only veto the item to which that expense category belongs.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Supreme Court ruled in <em>Belgica <\\/em>that \\u201can item of appropriation must be an item characterized by singular correspondence \\u2013 meaning an allocation of a specified singular amount for a specified singular purpose, otherwise known as a \\\"line-item.\\\" The Court noted that a valid line-item has a dual purpose, as it not only allows the item to be consistent with its definition as a \\\"specific appropriation of money,\\\" but also ensures that the President may discernibly veto the same.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In <em>Dela Cruz v. Ochoa<\\/em>, the\\u00a0Supreme Court noted that the details of the FY 2014 Budget,\\u00a0which was attached to the 2014 GAA, show that the MFOs constituted the expense category or class; while the last and indivisible purpose of each program (the line-item) was an appropriation for a\\u00a0\\u201cMotor vehicle registration system<em>.<\\/em>\\u201d\\u00a0It satisfied the valid line-item requirement which the President could discernibly veto which counts as a \\u201cspecific appropriation of money,\\u201d as contemplated under the law and in jurisprudence.\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Studying <em>Dela Cruz v. Ochoa<\\/em>, another issue that comes to mind is the contested impending implementation of the Child Safety in Motor Vehicles Act,<a href=\\\"#_ftn12\\\">[12]<\\/a> which is also tasked upon the DOTr. Some motor vehicle drivers and members of Congress<a href=\\\"#_ftn13\\\"><sup>[13]<\\/sup><\\/a> criticize this Act, which requires children 12 years old and below who are under one hundred fifty (150) centimeters or fifty-nine (59) inches in height to use \\u201cchild restraint systems\\u201d or specialized child car seats in motor vehicles, subject to certain exceptions under the law. The Act includes a Nationwide Public Information Campaign and Certification Training Programs, both of which require the utilization of a substantial part of the appropriated budget for the DOTr.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Section 14 of the Act states that \\u201c[t]he initial amount necessary for the implementation of this Act shall be charged against the current appropriation of the DOTr\\u201d subject to several <em>Proviso<\\/em>. One such proviso notes that the funds necessary for the continued implementation of the Act shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><em>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Dela Cruz vs. Ochoa <\\/em>serves as a guideline for Congress in preparing and creating the General Appropriations Act, specifically the budget allotment for the DOTr in the following years, especially when the Act would start its full implementation since it has been deferred by the LTO due to Covid-19 global pandemic. The Legislature ought to be mindful of the line-item requirement and ensure that the budget allotment for the implementation of this Act would not be in the form of a singular lump-sum appropriation.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">[1]<\\/a> Raphael U. Rayco, UST Faculty of Civil Law, 2A, UST Law Review Understudy.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a> Section 27(2), Article VI of the 1987 Philippine Constitution.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a> G.R. 208566, November 19, 2013; Perlas-Bernabe, <em>J.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[4]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[5]<\\/a> G.R. No. 219683; January 23, 2018; Bersamin, <em>J<\\/em>.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[6]<\\/a> Republic Act No. 10633<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\">[7]<\\/a> <em>Goh v. Bayron<\\/em>, G.R. No. 212584; November 25, 2014; Carpio, <em>J.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\">[8]<\\/a> Araullo vs. Aquino III; G.R. No. 209287, February 3, 2015; Bersamin, <em>J.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\">[9]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\">[10]<\\/a> G.R. No. L-42821, January 18, 1936; Malcolm, <em>J.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\">[11]<\\/a> G.R. No. 209287, February 3, 2015; Bersamin, <em>J.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref12\\\">[12]<\\/a> R.A. No. 11229, otherwise known as \\u201cAn Act Providing for the Special Protection of Child Passengers in Motor Vehicles and Appropriating Funds Therefor\\u201d<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref13\\\">[13]<\\/a> Adonis, Meg and Aurelio Julie M. <em>February 02, 2021. DOTr urged to suspend child car seat law<\\/em>. Inquirer.net. Retrieved from https:\\/\\/newsinfo.inquirer.net\\/1390861\\/dotr-urged-to-suspend-child-car-seat-law#ixzz6lOZ8r0JB<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(4700,1423,'_elementor_controls_usage','a:3:{s:11:\"text-editor\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:1;s:8:\"controls\";a:2:{s:7:\"content\";a:1:{s:14:\"section_editor\";a:1:{s:6:\"editor\";i:1;}}s:5:\"style\";a:1:{s:13:\"section_style\";a:2:{s:21:\"typography_typography\";i:1;s:22:\"typography_line_height\";i:1;}}}}s:6:\"column\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:0;s:8:\"controls\";a:0:{}}s:7:\"section\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:0;s:8:\"controls\";a:0:{}}}'),(4702,1424,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(4703,1424,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(4704,1424,'_elementor_version','3.2.5'),(4705,1424,'_wp_page_template','default'),(4706,1424,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"2cdfbf39\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"2c640098\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"4b2e55e0\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><!-- wp:heading --><\\/p>\\n<h1><strong><em>Republic v. Sereno<\\/em><\\/strong><strong> and its Aftermath: The Politicization of <em>Quo Warranto<\\/em> Petitions<\\/strong><\\/h1>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><em>By: Bryan Jay L. Santos<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\"><sup><strong><sup>[1]<\\/sup><\\/strong><\\/sup><\\/a><\\/em><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>I. INTRODUCTION<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<blockquote>\\n<p><em>Despite our most solid belief that we are right, we should still have the humility<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><em>to be open to the possibility that others may not see it our way.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><em>- Supreme Court Associate Justice Marvic M. V. F. Leonen<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><em>in his Dissenting Opinion in Republic v. Sereno<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<\\/blockquote>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 On May 11, 2018, the Supreme Court of the Philippines, in one fell swoop, ousted its own Chief Justice. The decision in <em>Republic v. Sereno<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\"><sup><strong><sup>[2]<\\/sup><\\/strong><\\/sup><\\/a><\\/em> took the Office of Solicitor General\\u2019s (OSG) position that even impeachable officials can be removed from office via a <em>quo warranto<\\/em> petition. The decision discarded the traditional concept of removing impeachable officials from office only through impeachment proceedings. Sereno\\u2019s removal even prompted Associate Justice Marvic M. V. F. Leonen to call it a \\u201clegal abomination.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\"><sup>[3]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 But by and large, the <em>Sereno<\\/em> decision, aptly described as <em>sui generis<\\/em> or \\u201cin a class by itself,\\u201d has set a legal precedent for cases based on <em>quo warranto <\\/em>petitions by the OSG. The decision has engendered fears that the OSG has found a way to silence those in the government service who espouse views that are contrary to the current administration\\u2019s position.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>II. DIFFERENTIATING IMPEACHMENTFROM <em>QUO WARRANTO<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Court explained in<em> Sereno<\\/em> that \\u201cat its most basic, impeachment proceedings are political in nature, while an action for <em>quo warranto<\\/em> is judicial or a proceeding traditionally lodged in courts.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\"><sup>[4]<\\/sup><\\/a> Section 2, Article XI of the 1987 Constitution specifies the grounds for impeachment and those officials that may be impeached:<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><em>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Section 2. The President, the Vice-President, the Members of the Supreme Court, the Members of the Constitutional Commissions, and the Ombudsman may be removed from office on impeachment for, and conviction of, culpable violation of the Constitution, treason, bribery, graft and corruption, other high crimes, or betrayal of public trust. All other public officers and employees may be removed from office as provided by law, but not by impeachment.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>\\u00a0<\\/strong>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Court points out that impeachment is \\u201cessentially a political process meant to vindicate the violation of the public\\u2019s trust.\\u201d The Constitution vests in the House of Representatives the power to initiate all cases of impeachment. Meanwhile, it vests in the Senate the power to try and decide all the cases.<a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\"><sup>[5]<\\/sup><\\/a> Any member of the House of Representatives or any citizen with an endorsement of any member of the House of Representatives may file an impeachment complaint.<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\">[6]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Meanwhile, Rule 66 of the Rules of Court defines a <em>quo warranto<\\/em> petition as:<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><em>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Section 1. Action by Government against individuals. \\u2014 An action for the usurpation of a public office, position or franchise may be commenced by a verified petition brought in the name of the Republic of the Philippines against:<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><em>(a) A person who usurps, intrudes into, or unlawfully holds or exercises a public office, position or franchise;<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><em>(b) A public officer who does or suffers an act which, by the provision of law, constitutes a ground for the forfeiture of his office; or<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><em>(c) An association which acts as a corporation within the Philippines without being legally incorporated or without lawful authority so to act.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 This rule allows the Solicitor General to commence the action before the Regional Trial Court (RTC) of Manila, the Court of Appeals (CA), or even the Supreme Court (Court). Procedural law shows that a <em>quo warranto<\\/em> petition proceeds independently from an impeachment case, even if the two may result in the same outcome: the removal of an impeachable official.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>III. HOW THE SUPREME COURT RULED IN <em>SERENO<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In <em>Sereno,<\\/em> the Court tackled the OSG\\u2019s petition for being a matter of transcendental importance, which is an exception to the doctrine of hierarchy of courts.<a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\"><sup>[7]<\\/sup><\\/a> The Court ruled that the one-year prescription on <em>quo warranto<\\/em> cases applies only to private citizens and not to the State. The Court took the OSG\\u2019s position that the State has an imprescriptible right to bring a <em>quo warranto<\\/em> petition under the Latin maxim \\u201c<em>nullum tempus occurit regi<\\/em>.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\">[8]<\\/a> As applied in <em>Sereno<\\/em>, this maxim shows that when the State, through the Solicitor General, files a case on behalf of the people or when the matter involves the interest of the general public, the lapse of time constitutes no bar to the proceeding.<a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\">[9]<\\/a> Thus, prescription or laches will not be a defense when the government is the real party in interest. \\u00a0The Court found that Sereno had consistently failed to file her Statements of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN) for her years of service in the government, particularly during the period she was affiliated with the University of the Philippines. The Court held in no uncertain terms that the SALN requirement is mandatory.<a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\"><sup>[10]<\\/sup><\\/a> It ruled that her failure to file her SALNs reflected on her lack of integrity: a continuing qualification for a member of the Judiciary.<a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\"><sup>[11]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Sereno\\u2019s inconsistent filing of her SALNs as a professor at the University of the Philippines disqualified her at the outset for the position of Chief Justice in 2012. The Judicial and Bar Council (JBC), which screens and recommends applicants to posts in the Judiciary,<a href=\\\"#_ftn12\\\"><sup>[12]<\\/sup><\\/a> required the then applicants to submit their past ten (10) SALNs, specifically for \\u00a02001 to 2011. Despite this rule, the Court found it bizarre for the JBC to have accepted Sereno\\u2019s submission of only three (3) SALNs and her justification-explanation letter indicating that her other SALNS were \\u201cinfeasible to retrieve.\\u201d The OSG disputed this by presenting some of Sereno\\u2019s \\u201cmissing\\u201d SALNs.<a href=\\\"#_ftn13\\\"><sup>[13]<\\/sup><\\/a> As ruled by the Court, Sereno\\u2019s blatant disregard of the JBC rule on SALN submission manifested her lack of integrity. She violated not only the JBC rules but also the law and the Constitution.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Sereno\\u2019s defense consistently relied on the \\u201c<em>Doblada<\\/em> doctrine,\\u201d which pertains to the Court\\u2019s decision in <em>Concerned Taxypayer v. Doblada, Jr.<a href=\\\"#_ftn14\\\"><strong>[14]<\\/strong><\\/a> <\\/em>In this case, Norberto Doblada, a court sheriff, was accused of failing to file his SALNs for 18 years based on the investigation of the Office of the Court Administrator (OCA). However, Doblada presented evidence<a href=\\\"#_ftn15\\\">[15]<\\/a> that he had filed one of the SALNs that he allegedly failed to file. The Court held in this case that \\u201cone cannot readily conclude that respondent failed to file his sworn [SALNs] \\u2026 simply because these documents are missing[.]\\u201d Sereno thus passed the buck to the OSG to show that she did not file her SALNs in the contested years and not just rely on their finding that the SALNs were simply no longer on file in the relevant offices.<a href=\\\"#_ftn16\\\">[16]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Court found that the <em>Doblada <\\/em>case is not on all fours with the circumstances surrounding Sereno\\u2019s alleged non-filing of her SALNs. The Court highlighted the fact that based on the evidence presented, \\u201cthe existence of [the] SALNs and the <em>fact of filing <\\/em>thereof were neither established by direct proof constituting substantial evidence nor by mere inference.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn17\\\">[17]<\\/a> Moreover, the Court found in <em>Doblada <\\/em>that there was no categorical statement from the OCA, the repository agency for the SALNs of employees of the Judiciary, that the contested SALNs were not on file. This was not the same circumstance in Sereno\\u2019s case. The Office of the Ombudsman, the repository agency of Sereno\\u2019s SALNs, categorically stated that Sereno has no SALNs filed for the contested years. Thus, the Ombudsman\\u2019s categorical statement and Sereno\\u2019s inability to show proof of her filing said SALNs conclusively established that she did not file them.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Finally, that former President Benigno Simeon Aquino III eventually appointed Sereno as Chief Justice did not cure her ineligibility and lack of integrity. In <em>Maquiling v. COMELEC,<\\/em><a href=\\\"#_ftn18\\\"><sup>[18]<\\/sup><\\/a>the Court ruled that qualifications for public office must be possessed at the time of appointment and assumption to office and during the officer\\u2019s entire tenure as a continuing requirement. Hence, the Court found Sereno to have unlawfully held the position of, and exercised the powers vested in, the Chief Justice.\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>III. <em>QUO WARRANTO<\\/em> PETITIONS POST-<em>SERENO<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 People have expressed fears that a<em> quo warranto<\\/em> petition may be weaponized against any public officer, impeachable or not. After <em>Sereno<\\/em>, some <em>quo warranto<\\/em> petitions have made headlines locally. In 2018, former presidential candidate Elly Pamatong filed such an action against President Rodrigo Duterte. He claimed that President Duterte was not qualified to become President when the latter filed his Certificate of Candidacy (COC) in the 2016 elections because he initially filed his COC for mayor of Davao City.<a href=\\\"#_ftn19\\\"><sup>[19]<\\/sup><\\/a> Solicitor General Jose Calida (SolGen Calida) sought to have the petition dismissed for false allegations because the COMELEC already affirmed Duterte\\u2019s COC as valid and effective.<a href=\\\"#_ftn20\\\"><sup>[20]<\\/sup><\\/a> Interestingly, SolGen Calida said that Pamatong\\u2019s petition \\u201ctrivialized the rules of procedure.\\u201d<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In February last year, SolGen Calida filed a <em>quo warranto<\\/em> petition against broadcasting network ABS-CBN for unlawfully exercising its franchise by broadcasting for a fee and allowing foreign investors to participate in the network\\u2019s ownership.<a href=\\\"#_ftn21\\\"><sup>[21]<\\/sup><\\/a> The House of Representatives went on recess in March 2020 without tackling ABS-CBN\\u2019s franchise application, and on May 4, the franchise expired. The following day, the network went off the air. On June 23, the Court dismissed the <em>quo <\\/em>warranto petition for being moot, following the expiration of the network\\u2019s franchise.<a href=\\\"#_ftn22\\\"><sup>[22]<\\/sup><\\/a> In July, the House Committee on Legislative Franchises denied the franchise renewal of ABS-CBN.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The latest OSG-initiated quo warranto petition was against incumbent Associate Justice Leonen. Last year, some individuals attempted to retrieve Justice Leonen\\u2019s SALNs from the Office of the Ombudsman and found that some of his SALNs were not on file. Manila Times columnist Rigoberto Tiglao wrote that he had previously requested for copies of Leonen\\u2019s SALNs from the Office of the Ombudsman. The Office of the Ombudsman replied to his request and stated that Justice Leonen had missing SALNs on file, specifically for the years that he was still working at the University of the Philippines.<a href=\\\"#_ftn23\\\">[23]<\\/a> However, the Office of the Court Administrator rebuffed his similar request and noted that such documents are considered privileged communication. Lawyer Larry Gadon also sought to have copies of Leonen\\u2019s copies, but the Court firmly rejected his request.<a href=\\\"#_ftn24\\\">[24]<\\/a> To recall, Gadon filed an impeachment complaint against Sereno in 2017 and assisted in the filing of the impeachment complaint against Justice Leonen last year.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The alleged non-filing of SALNs is reminiscent of the same ground which caused the ouster of Sereno. Making a case out of this, the OSG appealed to the Court to release the SALNs of Justice Leonen in preparation for a possible <em>quo warranto<\\/em> proceeding against him.<a href=\\\"#_ftn25\\\"><sup>[25]<\\/sup><\\/a> However, the Court rebuffed the OSG\\u2019s unrelenting pursuit of Justice Leonen\\u2019s SALNs and reiterated the procedures for entertaining any request for copies of SALNs and personal data sheets of Supreme Court Justices and officers and employees of the Judiciary.<a href=\\\"#_ftn26\\\">[26]<\\/a> The OSG\\u2019s request met a similar fate in the hands of the Board of Regents of the University of the Philippines (UP-BOR). In the Minutes of the UP-BOR Meeting,<a href=\\\"#_ftn27\\\">[27]<\\/a> the Board of Regents deliberated on the OSG\\u2019s requests for copies of Justice Leonen\\u2019s SALNs from the University of the Philippines. It decided not to grant these requests in light of the Court\\u2019s earlier denial of the same requests from the OSG and pending legal advice.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Certain quarters in the political arena forayed once again in filing an impeachment complaint, this time against Justice Leonen, seeking refuge in the landmark <em>Sereno<\\/em> ruling that the non-filing of SALNs reflects on a public official\\u2019s integrity. Promptly, private citizen Edwin Cordevilla filed an impeachment complaint against Justice Leonen on December 7, 2020. Ilocos Norte Rep. Angelo Marcos Barba, the cousin of defeated Vice-Presidential candidate Ferdinand \\u201cBongbong\\u201d Marcos, Jr., promptly endorsed the complaint. The Speaker of the House of Representatives eventually calendared the impeachment complaint and later on referred the same before the Committee on Justice of the House of Representatives per House Rules. Based on the minutes of the meeting held on May 27, 2021,<a href=\\\"#_ftn28\\\">[28]<\\/a> the Committee on Justice, chaired by Leyte Rep. Vicente Veloso III,\\u00a0 deliberated on the impeachment complaint, which cited three grounds:<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:list {\\\"ordered\\\":true,\\\"type\\\":\\\"1\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<ol>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\n<ol>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\n<ol>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\n<ol type=\\\"1\\\">\\n<li>The respondent committed culpable violation of the Constitution for failing to dispose of at least 37 cases within 24 months as mandated under Section 15 (1), Article VIII, in relation to Section 16, Article III of the Constitution, which mandates the prompt action and speedy disposition of cases;<\\/li>\\n<li>The respondent arbitrarily delayed the resolution of cases pending before him as chairperson of the House of Representatives Electoral Tribunal (HRET); and<\\/li>\\n<li>The respondent failed to file his Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN) for a total of 15 years while working at the University of the Philippines.\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0<\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 On the same day and in the same meeting, the House Committee on Justice ruled that the impeachment complaint was insufficient in form. The Committee members found that none of the documents annexed to the complaint are authentic or certified true copies, in violation of the impeachment rules of the House. The members also noted that Cordevilla could not show that he has personal knowledge of the facts in his complaint or the acts and omissions that the complaint attributes to Justice Leonen. The members considered as hearsay the allegations supported only by annexed news articles.<a href=\\\"#_ftn29\\\">[29]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>IV. THE SUPREME COURT AND THE THREAT OF <em>QUO WARRANTO<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Legal precedents bind Supreme Court decisions under the doctrine of <em>stare decisis<\\/em>. <em>Sereno<\\/em> put into the fore the nature of a <em>quo warranto<\\/em> action and laid the doctrine that impeachable officials may be removed from office if they lacked the qualifications required before and during the holding of such office. Many perceive that the OSG is using the petition against personalities that have earned the administration\\u2019s ire.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 It is no secret that President Duterte publicly threatened to block ABS-CBN\\u2019s franchise renewal. While he could not legally do so, his allies in the House of Representatives made sure they carried out his will. Amid House hearings on the franchise renewal, the OSG hedged its bets and filed a <em>quo warranto<\\/em> petition against the network.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The impeachment complaint against Justice Leonen assails his \\u201clack of integrity for failure to file his SALNs\\u201d and \\u201cnegligence and incompetence for failing to dispose of the cases assigned to him in violation of the Constitution.\\u201d As if on cue, the OSG also sought to access Justice Leonen\\u2019s SALNs for a possible <em>quo warranto<\\/em> proceeding, but to no avail.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Has the Court inadvertently allowed the OSG to use the <em>quo warranto <\\/em>action to threaten critical or \\u201cunfriendly\\u201d personalities? While the Court resolved <em>Sereno <\\/em>as a legal matter, its ramifications have caused serious effects on local politics.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>To be clear, Court did not start the politicization or weaponization of a <em>quo warranto<\\/em> action. It merely clarified its use as a remedy under procedural law and applied it in <em>Sereno<\\/em>. The Court cannot judge the intention of <em>quo<\\/em> <em>warranto<\\/em> petitioners because it is not a trier of facts. Besides, its judicial independence transcends the changes in the political landscape where the other two co-equal branches reside.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 However, it may be reasonable for the Court to discuss the procedure for filing a <em>quo warranto<\\/em> petition against impeachable officials. It should establish the proper court jurisdiction for such an action, particularly applying the recent clarification on the doctrine of hierarchy of courts in <em>Gios-Samar v. DOTC and CAAP.<\\/em><a href=\\\"#_ftn30\\\"><sup>[30]<\\/sup><\\/a>It may even consider the imposition of penalties for people who trivialize a <em>quo warranto<\\/em> petition to achieve personal or political wins.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 When an opportunity presents itself, the Court must take steps in harmonizing differing interpretations of Section 8 of R.A. No. 6713,<a href=\\\"#_ftn31\\\">[31]<\\/a> commonly referred to as the SALN Law. Because of the precedent-setting <em>Sereno<\\/em> ruling on the relationship between a public official\\u2019s integrity and his (or her) non-filing of SALNs, there may soon be another case filed in courts involving the same or very similar issue.\\u00a0 The Court must settle the to preserve the country\\u2019s political structure and restore public trust in the government. Decisive action in favoring the greater good transcends even the most powerful, albeit impermanent, politicians and power players in the country.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Court must quash any attempt to seek the perversion of justice through shrewd maneuvers to poke holes into its decisions. It must not venture into any game of semantics and provide our legal system with the correct reading of the law. The Court\\u2019s infallibility resides not in the composition of sitting Justices or the brilliance of its decisions but in the fact that it is the \\u201ccourt of last resort.\\u201d With this in mind, the Court must express its wisdom on this matter before waiting for an actual controversy to avoid making its decision more controversial than the controversy already found therein.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">[1]<\\/a>UST Law Review, Staff Member.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a>G.R. No. 237428, May 11, 2018.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a> <em>Id<\\/em>.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[4]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em> at 48.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[5]<\\/a> CONST., art VI, sec 3.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[6]<\\/a> Official Gazette, Impeachment: A Political and Historical Guide, https:\\/\\/www.officialgazette.gov.ph\\/interactive-a-primer-on-impeachment\\/ (last accessed June 4, 2021).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\">[7]<\\/a> <em>The Diocese of Bacolod v. Commission on Elections<\\/em>, G.R. No. 205728, January 21, 2015.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\">[8]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em>, note 2, at 24. This Latin phrase means \\u201cno time runs against the king.\\u201d<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\">[9]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em>, at 76<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\">[10]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em>, at 90-96.\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\">[11]<\\/a> CONST., art VIII, sec 7(3): <em>A Member of the Judiciary must be a person of proven competence, integrity, probity, and independence.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref12\\\">[12]<\\/a> CONST., art VIII, sec 8(5): <em>The Council shall have the principal function of recommending appointees to the Judiciary. It may exercise such other functions and duties as the Supreme Court may assign to it.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref13\\\">[13]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em>, note 2, at 120.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref14\\\">[14]<\\/a> 498 Phil. 395 (2005).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref15\\\">[15]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em> Based on a letter sent by the Acting Branch Clerk of Court of Branch 155, RTC, Pasig City.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref16\\\">[16]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em>,note 2, at 101.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref17\\\">[17]<\\/a> <em>Id.,<\\/em> \\u00a0at 102.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref18\\\">[18]<\\/a> 709 Phil. 408 (2013).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref19\\\">[19]<\\/a> Tetch Torres-Tupas, Calida asks SC to junk quo warranto case vs Duterte, September 3, 2018, https:\\/\\/newsinfo.inquirer.net\\/ 1027861\\/calida-asks-sc-to-junk-quo-warranto-case-vs-duterte (last accessed February 3, 2021).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref20\\\">[20]<\\/a> Edu Punay, SC asked to junk quo warranto case vs Duterte, September 4, 2018, https:\\/\\/www.philstar.com\\/headlines\\/2018\\/09\\/04\\/1848562\\/sc-asked-junk-quo-warranto-case-vs-duterte (last accessed February 2, 2021).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref21\\\">[21]<\\/a> OSG files petition for quo warranto vs ABS-CBN; asks SC to forfeit legislative franchise, February 10, 2020, https:\\/ \\/pia.gov.ph\\/news\\/articles\\/1034298 (last accessed February 3, 2021).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref22\\\">[22]<\\/a> Rey Panaligan, SC junks quo warranto complaint vs ABS-CBN, June 30, 2020, https:\\/\\/mb.com.ph\\/2020\\/06\\/23\\/sc-junks-quo-warranto-complaint-vs-abs-cbn\\/ (last accessed February 1, 2021).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref23\\\">[23]<\\/a> Rigoberto Tiglao, Leonen failed to file his SALNs like Sereno, but for more years, September 7, 2020, https:\\/\\/www.manilatimes.net\\/2020\\/ 09\\/07\\/opinion\\/columnists\\/topanalysis\\/leonen-failed-to-file-his-salns-like-sereno-but-for-more-years\\/765590 (last accessed June 07, 2021).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref24\\\">[24]<\\/a> Joel San Juan, SC affirms rejection of Gadon request for Leonen\\u2019s SALN, November 3, 2020, https:\\/\\/businessmirror.com.ph\\/2020\\/11\\/03\\/sc-affirms-rejection-of-gadon-request-for-leonens-saln\\/ (last accessed June 07, 2021).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref25\\\">[25]<\\/a> Jomar Canlas, OSG readies quo warranto vs Leonen, November 2, 2020, https:\\/\\/www.manilatimes.net\\/2020\\/11\\/02\\/news\\/ national\\/osg-readies-quo-warranto-vs-leonen\\/790244\\/ (last accessed February 3, 2021).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref26\\\">[26]<\\/a> A.M. No. 09-8-6-SC, June 13, 2012.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref27\\\">[27]<\\/a> The University of the Philippines Gazette, Decisions of the Board of Regents, 1356<sup>th<\\/sup> Meeting, Volume LI Issue Number 7, November 26, 2020, (last accessed June 05, 2021).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref28\\\">[28]<\\/a> House of Representatives, Committee Daily Bulletin, p. 12-13, in Vol. II No. 168, 18<sup>th<\\/sup> Congress, Second Regular Session, (May 27, 2021).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref29\\\">[29]<\\/a> <em>Id<\\/em>., at 13.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref30\\\">[30]<\\/a> G.R. No. 217158, March 12, 2019. Speaking through Justice Jardeleza, the Court <em>En Banc<\\/em> ruled that: \\u201cAccordingly, for the guidance of the bench and the bar, we reiterate that when a question before the Court involves determination of a factual issue indispensable to the resolution of the legal issue, the Court will refuse to resolve the question regardless of the allegation or invocation of compelling reasons, such as the transcendental or paramount importance of the case. Such question must first be brought before the proper trial courts or the CA, both of which are specially equipped to try and resolve factual questions.\\u201d<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref31\\\">[31]<\\/a> An Act Establishing a Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees, to Uphold the Time-Honored Principle of Public Office Being a Public Trust, Granting Incentives and Rewards for Exemplary Service, Enumerating Prohibited Acts and Transactions and Providing Penalties for Violations thereof and for Other Purposes, Republic Act No. 6713, (1989).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0<\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]},\"text_shadow_text_shadow_type\":\"yes\",\"text_shadow_text_shadow\":{\"horizontal\":0,\"vertical\":0,\"blur\":0,\"color\":\"rgba(0,0,0,0.3)\"}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(4707,1424,'_thumbnail_id','1396'),(4709,1425,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(4710,1425,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(4711,1425,'_elementor_version','3.2.5'),(4712,1425,'_wp_page_template','default');
INSERT INTO `wp_postmeta` VALUES (4713,1425,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"2cdfbf39\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"2c640098\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"4b2e55e0\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><!-- wp:heading --><\\/p>\\n<h1><strong><em>Republic v. Sereno<\\/em><\\/strong><strong> and its Aftermath: The Politicization of <em>Quo Warranto<\\/em> Petitions<\\/strong><\\/h1>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><em>By: Bryan Jay L. Santos<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\"><sup><strong><sup>[1]<\\/sup><\\/strong><\\/sup><\\/a><\\/em><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>I. INTRODUCTION<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<blockquote>\\n<p><em>Despite our most solid belief that we are right, we should still have the humility<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><em>to be open to the possibility that others may not see it our way.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><em>- Supreme Court Associate Justice Marvic M. V. F. Leonen<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><em>in his Dissenting Opinion in Republic v. Sereno<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<\\/blockquote>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 On May 11, 2018, the Supreme Court of the Philippines, in one fell swoop, ousted its own Chief Justice. The decision in <em>Republic v. Sereno<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\"><sup><strong><sup>[2]<\\/sup><\\/strong><\\/sup><\\/a><\\/em> took the Office of Solicitor General\\u2019s (OSG) position that even impeachable officials can be removed from office via a <em>quo warranto<\\/em> petition. The decision discarded the traditional concept of removing impeachable officials from office only through impeachment proceedings. Sereno\\u2019s removal even prompted Associate Justice Marvic M. V. F. Leonen to call it a \\u201clegal abomination.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\"><sup>[3]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 But by and large, the <em>Sereno<\\/em> decision, aptly described as <em>sui generis<\\/em> or \\u201cin a class by itself,\\u201d has set a legal precedent for cases based on <em>quo warranto <\\/em>petitions by the OSG. The decision has engendered fears that the OSG has found a way to silence those in the government service who espouse views that are contrary to the current administration\\u2019s position.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>II. DIFFERENTIATING IMPEACHMENTFROM <em>QUO WARRANTO<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Court explained in<em> Sereno<\\/em> that \\u201cat its most basic, impeachment proceedings are political in nature, while an action for <em>quo warranto<\\/em> is judicial or a proceeding traditionally lodged in courts.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\"><sup>[4]<\\/sup><\\/a> Section 2, Article XI of the 1987 Constitution specifies the grounds for impeachment and those officials that may be impeached:<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><em>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Section 2. The President, the Vice-President, the Members of the Supreme Court, the Members of the Constitutional Commissions, and the Ombudsman may be removed from office on impeachment for, and conviction of, culpable violation of the Constitution, treason, bribery, graft and corruption, other high crimes, or betrayal of public trust. All other public officers and employees may be removed from office as provided by law, but not by impeachment.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>\\u00a0<\\/strong>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Court points out that impeachment is \\u201cessentially a political process meant to vindicate the violation of the public\\u2019s trust.\\u201d The Constitution vests in the House of Representatives the power to initiate all cases of impeachment. Meanwhile, it vests in the Senate the power to try and decide all the cases.<a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\"><sup>[5]<\\/sup><\\/a> Any member of the House of Representatives or any citizen with an endorsement of any member of the House of Representatives may file an impeachment complaint.<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\">[6]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Meanwhile, Rule 66 of the Rules of Court defines a <em>quo warranto<\\/em> petition as:<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><em>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Section 1. Action by Government against individuals. \\u2014 An action for the usurpation of a public office, position or franchise may be commenced by a verified petition brought in the name of the Republic of the Philippines against:<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><em>(a) A person who usurps, intrudes into, or unlawfully holds or exercises a public office, position or franchise;<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><em>(b) A public officer who does or suffers an act which, by the provision of law, constitutes a ground for the forfeiture of his office; or<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><em>(c) An association which acts as a corporation within the Philippines without being legally incorporated or without lawful authority so to act.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 This rule allows the Solicitor General to commence the action before the Regional Trial Court (RTC) of Manila, the Court of Appeals (CA), or even the Supreme Court (Court). Procedural law shows that a <em>quo warranto<\\/em> petition proceeds independently from an impeachment case, even if the two may result in the same outcome: the removal of an impeachable official.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>III. HOW THE SUPREME COURT RULED IN <em>SERENO<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In <em>Sereno,<\\/em> the Court tackled the OSG\\u2019s petition for being a matter of transcendental importance, which is an exception to the doctrine of hierarchy of courts.<a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\"><sup>[7]<\\/sup><\\/a> The Court ruled that the one-year prescription on <em>quo warranto<\\/em> cases applies only to private citizens and not to the State. The Court took the OSG\\u2019s position that the State has an imprescriptible right to bring a <em>quo warranto<\\/em> petition under the Latin maxim \\u201c<em>nullum tempus occurit regi<\\/em>.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\">[8]<\\/a> As applied in <em>Sereno<\\/em>, this maxim shows that when the State, through the Solicitor General, files a case on behalf of the people or when the matter involves the interest of the general public, the lapse of time constitutes no bar to the proceeding.<a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\">[9]<\\/a> Thus, prescription or laches will not be a defense when the government is the real party in interest. \\u00a0The Court found that Sereno had consistently failed to file her Statements of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN) for her years of service in the government, particularly during the period she was affiliated with the University of the Philippines. The Court held in no uncertain terms that the SALN requirement is mandatory.<a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\"><sup>[10]<\\/sup><\\/a> It ruled that her failure to file her SALNs reflected on her lack of integrity: a continuing qualification for a member of the Judiciary.<a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\"><sup>[11]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Sereno\\u2019s inconsistent filing of her SALNs as a professor at the University of the Philippines disqualified her at the outset for the position of Chief Justice in 2012. The Judicial and Bar Council (JBC), which screens and recommends applicants to posts in the Judiciary,<a href=\\\"#_ftn12\\\"><sup>[12]<\\/sup><\\/a> required the then applicants to submit their past ten (10) SALNs, specifically for \\u00a02001 to 2011. Despite this rule, the Court found it bizarre for the JBC to have accepted Sereno\\u2019s submission of only three (3) SALNs and her justification-explanation letter indicating that her other SALNS were \\u201cinfeasible to retrieve.\\u201d The OSG disputed this by presenting some of Sereno\\u2019s \\u201cmissing\\u201d SALNs.<a href=\\\"#_ftn13\\\"><sup>[13]<\\/sup><\\/a> As ruled by the Court, Sereno\\u2019s blatant disregard of the JBC rule on SALN submission manifested her lack of integrity. She violated not only the JBC rules but also the law and the Constitution.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Sereno\\u2019s defense consistently relied on the \\u201c<em>Doblada<\\/em> doctrine,\\u201d which pertains to the Court\\u2019s decision in <em>Concerned Taxypayer v. Doblada, Jr.<a href=\\\"#_ftn14\\\"><strong>[14]<\\/strong><\\/a> <\\/em>In this case, Norberto Doblada, a court sheriff, was accused of failing to file his SALNs for 18 years based on the investigation of the Office of the Court Administrator (OCA). However, Doblada presented evidence<a href=\\\"#_ftn15\\\">[15]<\\/a> that he had filed one of the SALNs that he allegedly failed to file. The Court held in this case that \\u201cone cannot readily conclude that respondent failed to file his sworn [SALNs] \\u2026 simply because these documents are missing[.]\\u201d Sereno thus passed the buck to the OSG to show that she did not file her SALNs in the contested years and not just rely on their finding that the SALNs were simply no longer on file in the relevant offices.<a href=\\\"#_ftn16\\\">[16]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Court found that the <em>Doblada <\\/em>case is not on all fours with the circumstances surrounding Sereno\\u2019s alleged non-filing of her SALNs. The Court highlighted the fact that based on the evidence presented, \\u201cthe existence of [the] SALNs and the <em>fact of filing <\\/em>thereof were neither established by direct proof constituting substantial evidence nor by mere inference.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn17\\\">[17]<\\/a> Moreover, the Court found in <em>Doblada <\\/em>that there was no categorical statement from the OCA, the repository agency for the SALNs of employees of the Judiciary, that the contested SALNs were not on file. This was not the same circumstance in Sereno\\u2019s case. The Office of the Ombudsman, the repository agency of Sereno\\u2019s SALNs, categorically stated that Sereno has no SALNs filed for the contested years. Thus, the Ombudsman\\u2019s categorical statement and Sereno\\u2019s inability to show proof of her filing said SALNs conclusively established that she did not file them.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Finally, that former President Benigno Simeon Aquino III eventually appointed Sereno as Chief Justice did not cure her ineligibility and lack of integrity. In <em>Maquiling v. COMELEC,<\\/em><a href=\\\"#_ftn18\\\"><sup>[18]<\\/sup><\\/a>the Court ruled that qualifications for public office must be possessed at the time of appointment and assumption to office and during the officer\\u2019s entire tenure as a continuing requirement. Hence, the Court found Sereno to have unlawfully held the position of, and exercised the powers vested in, the Chief Justice.\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>III. <em>QUO WARRANTO<\\/em> PETITIONS POST-<em>SERENO<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 People have expressed fears that a<em> quo warranto<\\/em> petition may be weaponized against any public officer, impeachable or not. After <em>Sereno<\\/em>, some <em>quo warranto<\\/em> petitions have made headlines locally. In 2018, former presidential candidate Elly Pamatong filed such an action against President Rodrigo Duterte. He claimed that President Duterte was not qualified to become President when the latter filed his Certificate of Candidacy (COC) in the 2016 elections because he initially filed his COC for mayor of Davao City.<a href=\\\"#_ftn19\\\"><sup>[19]<\\/sup><\\/a> Solicitor General Jose Calida (SolGen Calida) sought to have the petition dismissed for false allegations because the COMELEC already affirmed Duterte\\u2019s COC as valid and effective.<a href=\\\"#_ftn20\\\"><sup>[20]<\\/sup><\\/a> Interestingly, SolGen Calida said that Pamatong\\u2019s petition \\u201ctrivialized the rules of procedure.\\u201d<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In February last year, SolGen Calida filed a <em>quo warranto<\\/em> petition against broadcasting network ABS-CBN for unlawfully exercising its franchise by broadcasting for a fee and allowing foreign investors to participate in the network\\u2019s ownership.<a href=\\\"#_ftn21\\\"><sup>[21]<\\/sup><\\/a> The House of Representatives went on recess in March 2020 without tackling ABS-CBN\\u2019s franchise application, and on May 4, the franchise expired. The following day, the network went off the air. On June 23, the Court dismissed the <em>quo <\\/em>warranto petition for being moot, following the expiration of the network\\u2019s franchise.<a href=\\\"#_ftn22\\\"><sup>[22]<\\/sup><\\/a> In July, the House Committee on Legislative Franchises denied the franchise renewal of ABS-CBN.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The latest OSG-initiated quo warranto petition was against incumbent Associate Justice Leonen. Last year, some individuals attempted to retrieve Justice Leonen\\u2019s SALNs from the Office of the Ombudsman and found that some of his SALNs were not on file. Manila Times columnist Rigoberto Tiglao wrote that he had previously requested for copies of Leonen\\u2019s SALNs from the Office of the Ombudsman. The Office of the Ombudsman replied to his request and stated that Justice Leonen had missing SALNs on file, specifically for the years that he was still working at the University of the Philippines.<a href=\\\"#_ftn23\\\">[23]<\\/a> However, the Office of the Court Administrator rebuffed his similar request and noted that such documents are considered privileged communication. Lawyer Larry Gadon also sought to have copies of Leonen\\u2019s copies, but the Court firmly rejected his request.<a href=\\\"#_ftn24\\\">[24]<\\/a> To recall, Gadon filed an impeachment complaint against Sereno in 2017 and assisted in the filing of the impeachment complaint against Justice Leonen last year.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The alleged non-filing of SALNs is reminiscent of the same ground which caused the ouster of Sereno. Making a case out of this, the OSG appealed to the Court to release the SALNs of Justice Leonen in preparation for a possible <em>quo warranto<\\/em> proceeding against him.<a href=\\\"#_ftn25\\\"><sup>[25]<\\/sup><\\/a> However, the Court rebuffed the OSG\\u2019s unrelenting pursuit of Justice Leonen\\u2019s SALNs and reiterated the procedures for entertaining any request for copies of SALNs and personal data sheets of Supreme Court Justices and officers and employees of the Judiciary.<a href=\\\"#_ftn26\\\">[26]<\\/a> The OSG\\u2019s request met a similar fate in the hands of the Board of Regents of the University of the Philippines (UP-BOR). In the Minutes of the UP-BOR Meeting,<a href=\\\"#_ftn27\\\">[27]<\\/a> the Board of Regents deliberated on the OSG\\u2019s requests for copies of Justice Leonen\\u2019s SALNs from the University of the Philippines. It decided not to grant these requests in light of the Court\\u2019s earlier denial of the same requests from the OSG and pending legal advice.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Certain quarters in the political arena forayed once again in filing an impeachment complaint, this time against Justice Leonen, seeking refuge in the landmark <em>Sereno<\\/em> ruling that the non-filing of SALNs reflects on a public official\\u2019s integrity. Promptly, private citizen Edwin Cordevilla filed an impeachment complaint against Justice Leonen on December 7, 2020. Ilocos Norte Rep. Angelo Marcos Barba, the cousin of defeated Vice-Presidential candidate Ferdinand \\u201cBongbong\\u201d Marcos, Jr., promptly endorsed the complaint. The Speaker of the House of Representatives eventually calendared the impeachment complaint and later on referred the same before the Committee on Justice of the House of Representatives per House Rules. Based on the minutes of the meeting held on May 27, 2021,<a href=\\\"#_ftn28\\\">[28]<\\/a> the Committee on Justice, chaired by Leyte Rep. Vicente Veloso III,\\u00a0 deliberated on the impeachment complaint, which cited three grounds:<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:list {\\\"ordered\\\":true,\\\"type\\\":\\\"1\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<ol>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\n<ol>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\n<ol>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\n<ol type=\\\"1\\\">\\n<li>The respondent committed culpable violation of the Constitution for failing to dispose of at least 37 cases within 24 months as mandated under Section 15 (1), Article VIII, in relation to Section 16, Article III of the Constitution, which mandates the prompt action and speedy disposition of cases;<\\/li>\\n<li>The respondent arbitrarily delayed the resolution of cases pending before him as chairperson of the House of Representatives Electoral Tribunal (HRET); and<\\/li>\\n<li>The respondent failed to file his Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN) for a total of 15 years while working at the University of the Philippines.\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0<\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 On the same day and in the same meeting, the House Committee on Justice ruled that the impeachment complaint was insufficient in form. The Committee members found that none of the documents annexed to the complaint are authentic or certified true copies, in violation of the impeachment rules of the House. The members also noted that Cordevilla could not show that he has personal knowledge of the facts in his complaint or the acts and omissions that the complaint attributes to Justice Leonen. The members considered as hearsay the allegations supported only by annexed news articles.<a href=\\\"#_ftn29\\\">[29]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>IV. THE SUPREME COURT AND THE THREAT OF <em>QUO WARRANTO<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Legal precedents bind Supreme Court decisions under the doctrine of <em>stare decisis<\\/em>. <em>Sereno<\\/em> put into the fore the nature of a <em>quo warranto<\\/em> action and laid the doctrine that impeachable officials may be removed from office if they lacked the qualifications required before and during the holding of such office. Many perceive that the OSG is using the petition against personalities that have earned the administration\\u2019s ire.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 It is no secret that President Duterte publicly threatened to block ABS-CBN\\u2019s franchise renewal. While he could not legally do so, his allies in the House of Representatives made sure they carried out his will. Amid House hearings on the franchise renewal, the OSG hedged its bets and filed a <em>quo warranto<\\/em> petition against the network.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The impeachment complaint against Justice Leonen assails his \\u201clack of integrity for failure to file his SALNs\\u201d and \\u201cnegligence and incompetence for failing to dispose of the cases assigned to him in violation of the Constitution.\\u201d As if on cue, the OSG also sought to access Justice Leonen\\u2019s SALNs for a possible <em>quo warranto<\\/em> proceeding, but to no avail.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Has the Court inadvertently allowed the OSG to use the <em>quo warranto <\\/em>action to threaten critical or \\u201cunfriendly\\u201d personalities? While the Court resolved <em>Sereno <\\/em>as a legal matter, its ramifications have caused serious effects on local politics.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>To be clear, Court did not start the politicization or weaponization of a <em>quo warranto<\\/em> action. It merely clarified its use as a remedy under procedural law and applied it in <em>Sereno<\\/em>. The Court cannot judge the intention of <em>quo<\\/em> <em>warranto<\\/em> petitioners because it is not a trier of facts. Besides, its judicial independence transcends the changes in the political landscape where the other two co-equal branches reside.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 However, it may be reasonable for the Court to discuss the procedure for filing a <em>quo warranto<\\/em> petition against impeachable officials. It should establish the proper court jurisdiction for such an action, particularly applying the recent clarification on the doctrine of hierarchy of courts in <em>Gios-Samar v. DOTC and CAAP.<\\/em><a href=\\\"#_ftn30\\\"><sup>[30]<\\/sup><\\/a>It may even consider the imposition of penalties for people who trivialize a <em>quo warranto<\\/em> petition to achieve personal or political wins.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 When an opportunity presents itself, the Court must take steps in harmonizing differing interpretations of Section 8 of R.A. No. 6713,<a href=\\\"#_ftn31\\\">[31]<\\/a> commonly referred to as the SALN Law. Because of the precedent-setting <em>Sereno<\\/em> ruling on the relationship between a public official\\u2019s integrity and his (or her) non-filing of SALNs, there may soon be another case filed in courts involving the same or very similar issue.\\u00a0 The Court must settle the to preserve the country\\u2019s political structure and restore public trust in the government. Decisive action in favoring the greater good transcends even the most powerful, albeit impermanent, politicians and power players in the country.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Court must quash any attempt to seek the perversion of justice through shrewd maneuvers to poke holes into its decisions. It must not venture into any game of semantics and provide our legal system with the correct reading of the law. The Court\\u2019s infallibility resides not in the composition of sitting Justices or the brilliance of its decisions but in the fact that it is the \\u201ccourt of last resort.\\u201d With this in mind, the Court must express its wisdom on this matter before waiting for an actual controversy to avoid making its decision more controversial than the controversy already found therein.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">[1]<\\/a>UST Law Review, Staff Member.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a>G.R. No. 237428, May 11, 2018.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a> <em>Id<\\/em>.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[4]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em> at 48.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[5]<\\/a> CONST., art VI, sec 3.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[6]<\\/a> Official Gazette, Impeachment: A Political and Historical Guide, https:\\/\\/www.officialgazette.gov.ph\\/interactive-a-primer-on-impeachment\\/ (last accessed June 4, 2021).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\">[7]<\\/a> <em>The Diocese of Bacolod v. Commission on Elections<\\/em>, G.R. No. 205728, January 21, 2015.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\">[8]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em>, note 2, at 24. This Latin phrase means \\u201cno time runs against the king.\\u201d<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\">[9]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em>, at 76<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\">[10]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em>, at 90-96.\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\">[11]<\\/a> CONST., art VIII, sec 7(3): <em>A Member of the Judiciary must be a person of proven competence, integrity, probity, and independence.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref12\\\">[12]<\\/a> CONST., art VIII, sec 8(5): <em>The Council shall have the principal function of recommending appointees to the Judiciary. It may exercise such other functions and duties as the Supreme Court may assign to it.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref13\\\">[13]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em>, note 2, at 120.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref14\\\">[14]<\\/a> 498 Phil. 395 (2005).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref15\\\">[15]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em> Based on a letter sent by the Acting Branch Clerk of Court of Branch 155, RTC, Pasig City.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref16\\\">[16]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em>,note 2, at 101.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref17\\\">[17]<\\/a> <em>Id.,<\\/em> \\u00a0at 102.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref18\\\">[18]<\\/a> 709 Phil. 408 (2013).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref19\\\">[19]<\\/a> Tetch Torres-Tupas, Calida asks SC to junk quo warranto case vs Duterte, September 3, 2018, https:\\/\\/newsinfo.inquirer.net\\/ 1027861\\/calida-asks-sc-to-junk-quo-warranto-case-vs-duterte (last accessed February 3, 2021).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref20\\\">[20]<\\/a> Edu Punay, SC asked to junk quo warranto case vs Duterte, September 4, 2018, https:\\/\\/www.philstar.com\\/headlines\\/2018\\/09\\/04\\/1848562\\/sc-asked-junk-quo-warranto-case-vs-duterte (last accessed February 2, 2021).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref21\\\">[21]<\\/a> OSG files petition for quo warranto vs ABS-CBN; asks SC to forfeit legislative franchise, February 10, 2020, https:\\/ \\/pia.gov.ph\\/news\\/articles\\/1034298 (last accessed February 3, 2021).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref22\\\">[22]<\\/a> Rey Panaligan, SC junks quo warranto complaint vs ABS-CBN, June 30, 2020, https:\\/\\/mb.com.ph\\/2020\\/06\\/23\\/sc-junks-quo-warranto-complaint-vs-abs-cbn\\/ (last accessed February 1, 2021).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref23\\\">[23]<\\/a> Rigoberto Tiglao, Leonen failed to file his SALNs like Sereno, but for more years, September 7, 2020, https:\\/\\/www.manilatimes.net\\/2020\\/ 09\\/07\\/opinion\\/columnists\\/topanalysis\\/leonen-failed-to-file-his-salns-like-sereno-but-for-more-years\\/765590 (last accessed June 07, 2021).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref24\\\">[24]<\\/a> Joel San Juan, SC affirms rejection of Gadon request for Leonen\\u2019s SALN, November 3, 2020, https:\\/\\/businessmirror.com.ph\\/2020\\/11\\/03\\/sc-affirms-rejection-of-gadon-request-for-leonens-saln\\/ (last accessed June 07, 2021).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref25\\\">[25]<\\/a> Jomar Canlas, OSG readies quo warranto vs Leonen, November 2, 2020, https:\\/\\/www.manilatimes.net\\/2020\\/11\\/02\\/news\\/ national\\/osg-readies-quo-warranto-vs-leonen\\/790244\\/ (last accessed February 3, 2021).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref26\\\">[26]<\\/a> A.M. No. 09-8-6-SC, June 13, 2012.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref27\\\">[27]<\\/a> The University of the Philippines Gazette, Decisions of the Board of Regents, 1356<sup>th<\\/sup> Meeting, Volume LI Issue Number 7, November 26, 2020, (last accessed June 05, 2021).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref28\\\">[28]<\\/a> House of Representatives, Committee Daily Bulletin, p. 12-13, in Vol. II No. 168, 18<sup>th<\\/sup> Congress, Second Regular Session, (May 27, 2021).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref29\\\">[29]<\\/a> <em>Id<\\/em>., at 13.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref30\\\">[30]<\\/a> G.R. No. 217158, March 12, 2019. Speaking through Justice Jardeleza, the Court <em>En Banc<\\/em> ruled that: \\u201cAccordingly, for the guidance of the bench and the bar, we reiterate that when a question before the Court involves determination of a factual issue indispensable to the resolution of the legal issue, the Court will refuse to resolve the question regardless of the allegation or invocation of compelling reasons, such as the transcendental or paramount importance of the case. Such question must first be brought before the proper trial courts or the CA, both of which are specially equipped to try and resolve factual questions.\\u201d<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref31\\\">[31]<\\/a> An Act Establishing a Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees, to Uphold the Time-Honored Principle of Public Office Being a Public Trust, Granting Incentives and Rewards for Exemplary Service, Enumerating Prohibited Acts and Transactions and Providing Penalties for Violations thereof and for Other Purposes, Republic Act No. 6713, (1989).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0<\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]},\"text_shadow_text_shadow_type\":\"yes\",\"text_shadow_text_shadow\":{\"horizontal\":0,\"vertical\":0,\"blur\":0,\"color\":\"rgba(0,0,0,0.3)\"}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(4714,1425,'_thumbnail_id','1396'),(4716,1426,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(4717,1426,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(4718,1426,'_elementor_version','3.2.5'),(4719,1426,'_wp_page_template','default'),(4720,1426,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"2cdfbf39\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"2c640098\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"4b2e55e0\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><!-- wp:heading --><\\/p>\\n<h1><strong><em>Republic v. Sereno<\\/em><\\/strong><strong> and its Aftermath: The Politicization of <em>Quo Warranto<\\/em> Petitions<\\/strong><\\/h1>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><em>By: Bryan Jay L. Santos<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\"><sup><strong><sup>[1]<\\/sup><\\/strong><\\/sup><\\/a><\\/em><\\/p>\\n<p><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>I. INTRODUCTION<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<blockquote>\\n<p><em>Despite our most solid belief that we are right, we should still have the humility<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><em>to be open to the possibility that others may not see it our way.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><em>- Supreme Court Associate Justice Marvic M. V. F. Leonen<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><em>in his Dissenting Opinion in Republic v. Sereno<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<\\/blockquote>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> On May 11, 2018, the Supreme Court of the Philippines, in one fell swoop, ousted its own Chief Justice. The decision in <em>Republic v. Sereno<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\"><sup><strong><sup>[2]<\\/sup><\\/strong><\\/sup><\\/a><\\/em> took the Office of Solicitor General\\u2019s (OSG) position that even impeachable officials can be removed from office via a <em>quo warranto<\\/em> petition. The decision discarded the traditional concept of removing impeachable officials from office only through impeachment proceedings. Sereno\\u2019s removal even prompted Associate Justice Marvic M. V. F. Leonen to call it a \\u201clegal abomination.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\"><sup>[3]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> But by and large, the <em>Sereno<\\/em> decision, aptly described as <em>sui generis<\\/em> or \\u201cin a class by itself,\\u201d has set a legal precedent for cases based on <em>quo warranto <\\/em>petitions by the OSG. The decision has engendered fears that the OSG has found a way to silence those in the government service who espouse views that are contrary to the current administration\\u2019s position.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>II. DIFFERENTIATING IMPEACHMENTFROM <em>QUO WARRANTO<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> The Court explained in<em> Sereno<\\/em> that \\u201cat its most basic, impeachment proceedings are political in nature, while an action for <em>quo warranto<\\/em> is judicial or a proceeding traditionally lodged in courts.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\"><sup>[4]<\\/sup><\\/a> Section 2, Article XI of the 1987 Constitution specifies the grounds for impeachment and those officials that may be impeached:<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><em> Section 2. The President, the Vice-President, the Members of the Supreme Court, the Members of the Constitutional Commissions, and the Ombudsman may be removed from office on impeachment for, and conviction of, culpable violation of the Constitution, treason, bribery, graft and corruption, other high crimes, or betrayal of public trust. All other public officers and employees may be removed from office as provided by law, but not by impeachment.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong> <\\/strong> The Court points out that impeachment is \\u201cessentially a political process meant to vindicate the violation of the public\\u2019s trust.\\u201d The Constitution vests in the House of Representatives the power to initiate all cases of impeachment. Meanwhile, it vests in the Senate the power to try and decide all the cases.<a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\"><sup>[5]<\\/sup><\\/a> Any member of the House of Representatives or any citizen with an endorsement of any member of the House of Representatives may file an impeachment complaint.<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\">[6]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> Meanwhile, Rule 66 of the Rules of Court defines a <em>quo warranto<\\/em> petition as:<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><em> Section 1. Action by Government against individuals. \\u2014 An action for the usurpation of a public office, position or franchise may be commenced by a verified petition brought in the name of the Republic of the Philippines against:<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><em>(a) A person who usurps, intrudes into, or unlawfully holds or exercises a public office, position or franchise;<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><em>(b) A public officer who does or suffers an act which, by the provision of law, constitutes a ground for the forfeiture of his office; or<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 40px;\\\"><em>(c) An association which acts as a corporation within the Philippines without being legally incorporated or without lawful authority so to act.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> This rule allows the Solicitor General to commence the action before the Regional Trial Court (RTC) of Manila, the Court of Appeals (CA), or even the Supreme Court (Court). Procedural law shows that a <em>quo warranto<\\/em> petition proceeds independently from an impeachment case, even if the two may result in the same outcome: the removal of an impeachable official.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>III. HOW THE SUPREME COURT RULED IN <em>SERENO<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> In <em>Sereno,<\\/em> the Court tackled the OSG\\u2019s petition for being a matter of transcendental importance, which is an exception to the doctrine of hierarchy of courts.<a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\"><sup>[7]<\\/sup><\\/a> The Court ruled that the one-year prescription on <em>quo warranto<\\/em> cases applies only to private citizens and not to the State. The Court took the OSG\\u2019s position that the State has an imprescriptible right to bring a <em>quo warranto<\\/em> petition under the Latin maxim \\u201c<em>nullum tempus occurit regi<\\/em>.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\">[8]<\\/a> As applied in <em>Sereno<\\/em>, this maxim shows that when the State, through the Solicitor General, files a case on behalf of the people or when the matter involves the interest of the general public, the lapse of time constitutes no bar to the proceeding.<a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\">[9]<\\/a> Thus, prescription or laches will not be a defense when the government is the real party in interest. The Court found that Sereno had consistently failed to file her Statements of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN) for her years of service in the government, particularly during the period she was affiliated with the University of the Philippines. The Court held in no uncertain terms that the SALN requirement is mandatory.<a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\"><sup>[10]<\\/sup><\\/a> It ruled that her failure to file her SALNs reflected on her lack of integrity: a continuing qualification for a member of the Judiciary.<a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\"><sup>[11]<\\/sup><\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> Sereno\\u2019s inconsistent filing of her SALNs as a professor at the University of the Philippines disqualified her at the outset for the position of Chief Justice in 2012. The Judicial and Bar Council (JBC), which screens and recommends applicants to posts in the Judiciary,<a href=\\\"#_ftn12\\\"><sup>[12]<\\/sup><\\/a> required the then applicants to submit their past ten (10) SALNs, specifically for 2001 to 2011. Despite this rule, the Court found it bizarre for the JBC to have accepted Sereno\\u2019s submission of only three (3) SALNs and her justification-explanation letter indicating that her other SALNS were \\u201cinfeasible to retrieve.\\u201d The OSG disputed this by presenting some of Sereno\\u2019s \\u201cmissing\\u201d SALNs.<a href=\\\"#_ftn13\\\"><sup>[13]<\\/sup><\\/a> As ruled by the Court, Sereno\\u2019s blatant disregard of the JBC rule on SALN submission manifested her lack of integrity. She violated not only the JBC rules but also the law and the Constitution.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> Sereno\\u2019s defense consistently relied on the \\u201c<em>Doblada<\\/em> doctrine,\\u201d which pertains to the Court\\u2019s decision in <em>Concerned Taxpayer v. Doblada, Jr.<a href=\\\"#_ftn14\\\"><strong>[14]<\\/strong><\\/a> <\\/em>In this case, Norberto Doblada, a court sheriff, was accused of failing to file his SALNs for 18 years based on the investigation of the Office of the Court Administrator (OCA). However, Doblada presented evidence<a href=\\\"#_ftn15\\\">[15]<\\/a> that he had filed one of the SALNs that he allegedly failed to file. The Court held in this case that \\u201cone cannot readily conclude that respondent failed to file his sworn [SALNs] \\u2026 simply because these documents are missing[.]\\u201d Sereno thus passed the buck to the OSG to show that she did not file her SALNs in the contested years and not just rely on their finding that the SALNs were simply no longer on file in the relevant offices.<a href=\\\"#_ftn16\\\">[16]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> The Court found that the <em>Doblada <\\/em>case is not on all fours with the circumstances surrounding Sereno\\u2019s alleged non-filing of her SALNs. The Court highlighted the fact that based on the evidence presented, \\u201cthe existence of [the] SALNs and the <em>fact of filing <\\/em>thereof were neither established by direct proof constituting substantial evidence nor by mere inference.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn17\\\">[17]<\\/a> Moreover, the Court found in <em>Doblada <\\/em>that there was no categorical statement from the OCA, the repository agency for the SALNs of employees of the Judiciary, that the contested SALNs were not on file. This was not the same circumstance in Sereno\\u2019s case. The Office of the Ombudsman, the repository agency of Sereno\\u2019s SALNs, categorically stated that Sereno has no SALNs filed for the contested years. Thus, the Ombudsman\\u2019s categorical statement and Sereno\\u2019s inability to show proof of her filing said SALNs conclusively established that she did not file them.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> Finally, that former President Benigno Simeon Aquino III eventually appointed Sereno as Chief Justice did not cure her ineligibility and lack of integrity. In <em>Maquiling v. COMELEC,<\\/em><a href=\\\"#_ftn18\\\"><sup>[18]<\\/sup><\\/a>the Court ruled that qualifications for public office must be possessed at the time of appointment and assumption to office and during the officer\\u2019s entire tenure as a continuing requirement. Hence, the Court found Sereno to have unlawfully held the position of, and exercised the powers vested in, the Chief Justice. <\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>III. <em>QUO WARRANTO<\\/em> PETITIONS POST-<em>SERENO<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> People have expressed fears that a<em> quo warranto<\\/em> petition may be weaponized against any public officer, impeachable or not. After <em>Sereno<\\/em>, some <em>quo warranto<\\/em> petitions have made headlines locally. In 2018, former presidential candidate Elly Pamatong filed such an action against President Rodrigo Duterte. He claimed that President Duterte was not qualified to become President when the latter filed his Certificate of Candidacy (COC) in the 2016 elections because he initially filed his COC for mayor of Davao City.<a href=\\\"#_ftn19\\\"><sup>[19]<\\/sup><\\/a> Solicitor General Jose Calida (SolGen Calida) sought to have the petition dismissed for false allegations because the COMELEC already affirmed Duterte\\u2019s COC as valid and effective.<a href=\\\"#_ftn20\\\"><sup>[20]<\\/sup><\\/a> Interestingly, SolGen Calida said that Pamatong\\u2019s petition \\u201ctrivialized the rules of procedure.\\u201d<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> In February last year, SolGen Calida filed a <em>quo warranto<\\/em> petition against broadcasting network ABS-CBN for unlawfully exercising its franchise by broadcasting for a fee and allowing foreign investors to participate in the network\\u2019s ownership.<a href=\\\"#_ftn21\\\"><sup>[21]<\\/sup><\\/a> The House of Representatives went on recess in March 2020 without tackling ABS-CBN\\u2019s franchise application, and on May 4, the franchise expired. The following day, the network went off the air. On June 23, the Court dismissed the <em>quo <\\/em>warranto petition for being moot, following the expiration of the network\\u2019s franchise.<a href=\\\"#_ftn22\\\"><sup>[22]<\\/sup><\\/a> In July, the House Committee on Legislative Franchises denied the franchise renewal of ABS-CBN.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> The latest OSG-initiated quo warranto petition was against incumbent Associate Justice Leonen. Last year, some individuals attempted to retrieve Justice Leonen\\u2019s SALNs from the Office of the Ombudsman and found that some of his SALNs were not on file. Manila Times columnist Rigoberto Tiglao wrote that he had previously requested for copies of Leonen\\u2019s SALNs from the Office of the Ombudsman. The Office of the Ombudsman replied to his request and stated that Justice Leonen had missing SALNs on file, specifically for the years that he was still working at the University of the Philippines.<a href=\\\"#_ftn23\\\">[23]<\\/a> However, the Office of the Court Administrator rebuffed his similar request and noted that such documents are considered privileged communication. Lawyer Larry Gadon also sought to have copies of Leonen\\u2019s copies, but the Court firmly rejected his request.<a href=\\\"#_ftn24\\\">[24]<\\/a> To recall, Gadon filed an impeachment complaint against Sereno in 2017 and assisted in the filing of the impeachment complaint against Justice Leonen last year.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> The alleged non-filing of SALNs is reminiscent of the same ground which caused the ouster of Sereno. Making a case out of this, the OSG appealed to the Court to release the SALNs of Justice Leonen in preparation for a possible <em>quo warranto<\\/em> proceeding against him.<a href=\\\"#_ftn25\\\"><sup>[25]<\\/sup><\\/a> However, the Court rebuffed the OSG\\u2019s unrelenting pursuit of Justice Leonen\\u2019s SALNs and reiterated the procedures for entertaining any request for copies of SALNs and personal data sheets of Supreme Court Justices and officers and employees of the Judiciary.<a href=\\\"#_ftn26\\\">[26]<\\/a> The OSG\\u2019s request met a similar fate in the hands of the Board of Regents of the University of the Philippines (UP-BOR). In the Minutes of the UP-BOR Meeting,<a href=\\\"#_ftn27\\\">[27]<\\/a> the Board of Regents deliberated on the OSG\\u2019s requests for copies of Justice Leonen\\u2019s SALNs from the University of the Philippines. It decided not to grant these requests in light of the Court\\u2019s earlier denial of the same requests from the OSG and pending legal advice.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> Certain quarters in the political arena forayed once again in filing an impeachment complaint, this time against Justice Leonen, seeking refuge in the landmark <em>Sereno<\\/em> ruling that the non-filing of SALNs reflects on a public official\\u2019s integrity. Promptly, private citizen Edwin Cordevilla filed an impeachment complaint against Justice Leonen on December 7, 2020. Ilocos Norte Rep. Angelo Marcos Barba, the cousin of defeated Vice-Presidential candidate Ferdinand \\u201cBongbong\\u201d Marcos, Jr., promptly endorsed the complaint. The Speaker of the House of Representatives eventually calendared the impeachment complaint and later on referred the same before the Committee on Justice of the House of Representatives per House Rules. Based on the minutes of the meeting held on May 27, 2021,<a href=\\\"#_ftn28\\\">[28]<\\/a> the Committee on Justice, chaired by Leyte Rep. Vicente Veloso III, deliberated on the impeachment complaint, which cited three grounds:<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:list {\\\"ordered\\\":true,\\\"type\\\":\\\"1\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<ol>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\n<ol>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\n<ol>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\n<ol type=\\\"1\\\">\\n<li>The respondent committed culpable violation of the Constitution for failing to dispose of at least 37 cases within 24 months as mandated under Section 15 (1), Article VIII, in relation to Section 16, Article III of the Constitution, which mandates the prompt action and speedy disposition of cases;<\\/li>\\n<li>The respondent arbitrarily delayed the resolution of cases pending before him as chairperson of the House of Representatives Electoral Tribunal (HRET); and<\\/li>\\n<li>The respondent failed to file his Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN) for a total of 15 years while working at the University of the Philippines. <\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> On the same day and in the same meeting, the House Committee on Justice ruled that the impeachment complaint was insufficient in form. The Committee members found that none of the documents annexed to the complaint are authentic or certified true copies, in violation of the impeachment rules of the House. The members also noted that Cordevilla could not show that he has personal knowledge of the facts in his complaint or the acts and omissions that the complaint attributes to Justice Leonen. The members considered as hearsay the allegations supported only by annexed news articles.<a href=\\\"#_ftn29\\\">[29]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>IV. THE SUPREME COURT AND THE THREAT OF <em>QUO WARRANTO<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> Legal precedents bind Supreme Court decisions under the doctrine of <em>stare decisis<\\/em>. <em>Sereno<\\/em> put into the fore the nature of a <em>quo warranto<\\/em> action and laid the doctrine that impeachable officials may be removed from office if they lacked the qualifications required before and during the holding of such office. Many perceive that the OSG is using the petition against personalities that have earned the administration\\u2019s ire.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> It is no secret that President Duterte publicly threatened to block ABS-CBN\\u2019s franchise renewal. While he could not legally do so, his allies in the House of Representatives made sure they carried out his will. Amid House hearings on the franchise renewal, the OSG hedged its bets and filed a <em>quo warranto<\\/em> petition against the network.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> The impeachment complaint against Justice Leonen assails his \\u201clack of integrity for failure to file his SALNs\\u201d and \\u201cnegligence and incompetence for failing to dispose of the cases assigned to him in violation of the Constitution.\\u201d As if on cue, the OSG also sought to access Justice Leonen\\u2019s SALNs for a possible <em>quo warranto<\\/em> proceeding, but to no avail.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> Has the Court inadvertently allowed the OSG to use the <em>quo warranto <\\/em>action to threaten critical or \\u201cunfriendly\\u201d personalities? While the Court resolved <em>Sereno <\\/em>as a legal matter, its ramifications have caused serious effects on local politics.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>To be clear, Court did not start the politicization or weaponization of a <em>quo warranto<\\/em> action. It merely clarified its use as a remedy under procedural law and applied it in <em>Sereno<\\/em>. The Court cannot judge the intention of <em>quo<\\/em> <em>warranto<\\/em> petitioners because it is not a trier of facts. Besides, its judicial independence transcends the changes in the political landscape where the other two co-equal branches reside.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> However, it may be reasonable for the Court to discuss the procedure for filing a <em>quo warranto<\\/em> petition against impeachable officials. It should establish the proper court jurisdiction for such an action, particularly applying the recent clarification on the doctrine of hierarchy of courts in <em>Gios-Samar v. DOTC and CAAP.<\\/em><a href=\\\"#_ftn30\\\"><sup>[30]<\\/sup><\\/a>It may even consider the imposition of penalties for people who trivialize a <em>quo warranto<\\/em> petition to achieve personal or political wins.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> When an opportunity presents itself, the Court must take steps in harmonizing differing interpretations of Section 8 of R.A. No. 6713,<a href=\\\"#_ftn31\\\">[31]<\\/a> commonly referred to as the SALN Law. Because of the precedent-setting <em>Sereno<\\/em> ruling on the relationship between a public official\\u2019s integrity and his (or her) non-filing of SALNs, there may soon be another case filed in courts involving the same or very similar issue. The Court must settle the to preserve the country\\u2019s political structure and restore public trust in the government. Decisive action in favoring the greater good transcends even the most powerful, albeit impermanent, politicians and power players in the country.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> The Court must quash any attempt to seek the perversion of justice through shrewd maneuvers to poke holes into its decisions. It must not venture into any game of semantics and provide our legal system with the correct reading of the law. The Court\\u2019s infallibility resides not in the composition of sitting Justices or the brilliance of its decisions but in the fact that it is the \\u201ccourt of last resort.\\u201d With this in mind, the Court must express its wisdom on this matter before waiting for an actual controversy to avoid making its decision more controversial than the controversy already found therein.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/p>\\n<hr>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">[1]<\\/a>UST Law Review, Staff Member.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a>G.R. No. 237428, May 11, 2018.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a> <em>Id<\\/em>.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[4]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em> at 48.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[5]<\\/a> CONST., art VI, sec 3.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[6]<\\/a> Official Gazette, Impeachment: A Political and Historical Guide, https:\\/\\/www.officialgazette.gov.ph\\/interactive-a-primer-on-impeachment\\/ (last accessed June 4, 2021).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\">[7]<\\/a> <em>The Diocese of Bacolod v. Commission on Elections<\\/em>, G.R. No. 205728, January 21, 2015.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\">[8]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em>, note 2, at 24. This Latin phrase means \\u201cno time runs against the king.\\u201d<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\">[9]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em>, at 76<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\">[10]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em>, at 90-96. <\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\">[11]<\\/a> CONST., art VIII, sec 7(3): <em>A Member of the Judiciary must be a person of proven competence, integrity, probity, and independence.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref12\\\">[12]<\\/a> CONST., art VIII, sec 8(5): <em>The Council shall have the principal function of recommending appointees to the Judiciary. It may exercise such other functions and duties as the Supreme Court may assign to it.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref13\\\">[13]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em>, note 2, at 120.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref14\\\">[14]<\\/a> 498 Phil. 395 (2005).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref15\\\">[15]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em> Based on a letter sent by the Acting Branch Clerk of Court of Branch 155, RTC, Pasig City.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref16\\\">[16]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em>,note 2, at 101.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref17\\\">[17]<\\/a> <em>Id.,<\\/em> at 102.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref18\\\">[18]<\\/a> 709 Phil. 408 (2013).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref19\\\">[19]<\\/a> Tetch Torres-Tupas, Calida asks SC to junk quo warranto case vs Duterte, September 3, 2018, https:\\/\\/newsinfo.inquirer.net\\/ 1027861\\/calida-asks-sc-to-junk-quo-warranto-case-vs-duterte (last accessed February 3, 2021).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref20\\\">[20]<\\/a> Edu Punay, SC asked to junk quo warranto case vs Duterte, September 4, 2018, https:\\/\\/www.philstar.com\\/headlines\\/2018\\/09\\/04\\/1848562\\/sc-asked-junk-quo-warranto-case-vs-duterte (last accessed February 2, 2021).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref21\\\">[21]<\\/a> OSG files petition for quo warranto vs ABS-CBN; asks SC to forfeit legislative franchise, February 10, 2020, https:\\/ \\/pia.gov.ph\\/news\\/articles\\/1034298 (last accessed February 3, 2021).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref22\\\">[22]<\\/a> Rey Panaligan, SC junks quo warranto complaint vs ABS-CBN, June 30, 2020, https:\\/\\/mb.com.ph\\/2020\\/06\\/23\\/sc-junks-quo-warranto-complaint-vs-abs-cbn\\/ (last accessed February 1, 2021).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref23\\\">[23]<\\/a> Rigoberto Tiglao, Leonen failed to file his SALNs like Sereno, but for more years, September 7, 2020, https:\\/\\/www.manilatimes.net\\/2020\\/ 09\\/07\\/opinion\\/columnists\\/topanalysis\\/leonen-failed-to-file-his-salns-like-sereno-but-for-more-years\\/765590 (last accessed June 07, 2021).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref24\\\">[24]<\\/a> Joel San Juan, SC affirms rejection of Gadon request for Leonen\\u2019s SALN, November 3, 2020, https:\\/\\/businessmirror.com.ph\\/2020\\/11\\/03\\/sc-affirms-rejection-of-gadon-request-for-leonens-saln\\/ (last accessed June 07, 2021).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref25\\\">[25]<\\/a> Jomar Canlas, OSG readies quo warranto vs Leonen, November 2, 2020, https:\\/\\/www.manilatimes.net\\/2020\\/11\\/02\\/news\\/ national\\/osg-readies-quo-warranto-vs-leonen\\/790244\\/ (last accessed February 3, 2021).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref26\\\">[26]<\\/a> A.M. No. 09-8-6-SC, June 13, 2012.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref27\\\">[27]<\\/a> The University of the Philippines Gazette, Decisions of the Board of Regents, 1356<sup>th<\\/sup> Meeting, Volume LI Issue Number 7, November 26, 2020, (last accessed June 05, 2021).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref28\\\">[28]<\\/a> House of Representatives, Committee Daily Bulletin, p. 12-13, in Vol. II No. 168, 18<sup>th<\\/sup> Congress, Second Regular Session, (May 27, 2021).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref29\\\">[29]<\\/a> <em>Id<\\/em>., at 13.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref30\\\">[30]<\\/a> G.R. No. 217158, March 12, 2019. Speaking through Justice Jardeleza, the Court <em>En Banc<\\/em> ruled that: \\u201cAccordingly, for the guidance of the bench and the bar, we reiterate that when a question before the Court involves determination of a factual issue indispensable to the resolution of the legal issue, the Court will refuse to resolve the question regardless of the allegation or invocation of compelling reasons, such as the transcendental or paramount importance of the case. Such question must first be brought before the proper trial courts or the CA, both of which are specially equipped to try and resolve factual questions.\\u201d<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref31\\\">[31]<\\/a> An Act Establishing a Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees, to Uphold the Time-Honored Principle of Public Office Being a Public Trust, Granting Incentives and Rewards for Exemplary Service, Enumerating Prohibited Acts and Transactions and Providing Penalties for Violations thereof and for Other Purposes, Republic Act No. 6713, (1989).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]},\"text_shadow_text_shadow_type\":\"yes\",\"text_shadow_text_shadow\":{\"horizontal\":0,\"vertical\":0,\"blur\":0,\"color\":\"rgba(0,0,0,0.3)\"}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(4721,1426,'_thumbnail_id','1396'),(4723,1385,'_elementor_controls_usage','a:3:{s:11:\"text-editor\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:2;s:8:\"controls\";a:2:{s:7:\"content\";a:1:{s:14:\"section_editor\";a:1:{s:6:\"editor\";i:1;}}s:5:\"style\";a:1:{s:13:\"section_style\";a:4:{s:21:\"typography_typography\";i:1;s:22:\"typography_line_height\";i:1;s:28:\"text_shadow_text_shadow_type\";i:1;s:23:\"text_shadow_text_shadow\";i:1;}}}}s:6:\"column\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:0;s:8:\"controls\";a:0:{}}s:7:\"section\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:0;s:8:\"controls\";a:0:{}}}'),(4725,957,'_edit_lock','1626152577:1'),(4726,1427,'_elementor_template_type','wp-page'),(4727,1427,'_elementor_version','3.2.4'),(4728,1427,'_wp_page_template','default'),(4729,1427,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"4de51cd9\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"76ec2c3\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"fdaff1a\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<div><span style=\\\"color: #000000;\\\">\\u00a0[pdfjs-viewer viewer_width=0 viewer_height=800 url=http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/Editorial.pdf download=true print=true fullscreen=true fullscreen_target=false fullscreen_text=\\\"View%20Fullscreen\\\" zoom=auto ]<\\/span><\\/div>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:heading {\\\"level\\\":3} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<h3><span style=\\\"font-size: 18pt; color: #000000;\\\">Articles<\\/span><\\/h3>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><a style=\\\"color: #000000;\\\" href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/Unwanted-Sexual-Advances-and-Sex-Discrimination_Sexual-Harassment-in-light-of-the-Safe-Spaces-Act-of-2019_R.A.-11313_Alyssa-Gomez.pdf\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">Unwanted Sexual Advances and Sex Discrimination: Sexual Harassment in light of the Safe Spaces Act of 2019 (R.A. 11313)<\\/a><\\/span><br \\/><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><strong><em>By: Alyssa Gomez<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><a style=\\\"color: #000000;\\\" href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/journal-volume-64\\/\\\">R<\\/a><a style=\\\"color: #000000;\\\" href=\\\"https:\\/\\/drive.google.com\\/file\\/d\\/1rVTCBx0aIS1kI4Qk4jNSbnFX2hK-VFir\\/view?usp=sharing\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">egulating War: A Systematic Approach on the Different Measures and Instruments to Implement the International Humanitarian Law<\\/a><\\/span><br \\/><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><strong><em>By: Atty. Kenneth James Carlo C. Hizon<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><a style=\\\"color: #000000;\\\" href=\\\"https:\\/\\/drive.google.com\\/file\\/d\\/1-WScrAt_Fti5qO6qrcz4h9wxk4UddlRG\\/view?usp=sharing\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">Job Contracting Deconstructed: An Analysis of the Labor\\u2019s Right to Security of Tenure and the Global Trend of Job Outsourcing<\\/a><\\/span><br \\/><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><strong><em>B<\\/em><\\/strong>y: <strong><em>Atty. King James Carlo C. Hizon<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:heading {\\\"level\\\":3} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<h3><span style=\\\"font-size: 18pt; color: #000000;\\\">Features<\\/span><\\/h3>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><a style=\\\"color: #000000;\\\" href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/A-DEMOCRACY-BY-ANY-OTHER-NAME_RAPHAEL-LORENZO-A.-PANGALANGAN.pdf\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">A Democracy by any Other Name<\\/a><\\/span><br \\/><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><strong><em>By: Raphael Lorenzo A. Pangalangan<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><a style=\\\"color: #000000;\\\" href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/ANTI-SUIT-INJUNCTION-IN-INTERNATIONAL-COMMERCIAL-ARBITRATION_A-Critical-Analysis_HON.-RONALD-B.-MORENO-LL.M.-DCL-compressed.pdf\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">Anti-Suit Injunction in International Commercial Arbitration: A Critical Analysis <\\/a><\\/span><br \\/><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><strong><em>By: Hon. Ronald B. Moreno, LL.M., DCL Associate Justice, Sandiganbayan<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:heading {\\\"level\\\":3} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<h3><span style=\\\"font-size: 18pt; color: #000000;\\\">Comment<\\/span><\\/h3>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><a style=\\\"color: #000000;\\\" href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/WTOS-DISPUTE-RESOLUTION-IN-MULTILATERAL-TRADING-SYSTEM_INDISPENSABLE-OR-OPTIONAL_MARIELLA-MARASIGAN.pdf\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">WTO\\u2019s Dispute Resolution in Multilateral Trading System: Indispensable or Optional? <\\/a><\\/span><br \\/><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><strong><em>By: Mariella Marasigan<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:heading {\\\"level\\\":3} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<h3><span style=\\\"font-size: 18pt; color: #000000;\\\">Trends in Jurisprudence<\\/span><\\/h3>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><a style=\\\"color: #000000;\\\" href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/New-Guidelines-on-Prescription-for-Insurers-as-Subrogees.pdf\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">New Guidelines on Prescription for Insurers as Subrogees<\\/a><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed {\\\"imageURL\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/Editorial.pdf\\\",\\\"imgID\\\":881,\\\"imgTitle\\\":\\\"Editorial\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<div>\\u00a0<\\/div>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed --><\\/span><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]},\"typography_font_size\":{\"unit\":\"px\",\"size\":12,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(4730,1427,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(4732,1428,'_elementor_template_type','wp-page'),(4733,1428,'_elementor_version','3.2.4'),(4734,1428,'_wp_page_template','default'),(4735,1428,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"4de51cd9\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"76ec2c3\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"fdaff1a\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<div><span style=\\\"color: #000000;\\\">\\u00a0[pdfjs-viewer viewer_width=0 viewer_height=800 url=http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/Editorial.pdf download=true print=true fullscreen=true fullscreen_target=false fullscreen_text=\\\"View%20Fullscreen\\\" zoom=auto ]<\\/span><\\/div>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:heading {\\\"level\\\":3} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<h3><span style=\\\"font-size: 18pt; color: #000000;\\\">Articles<\\/span><\\/h3>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><a style=\\\"color: #000000;\\\" href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/Unwanted-Sexual-Advances-and-Sex-Discrimination_Sexual-Harassment-in-light-of-the-Safe-Spaces-Act-of-2019_R.A.-11313_Alyssa-Gomez.pdf\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">Unwanted Sexual Advances and Sex Discrimination: Sexual Harassment in light of the Safe Spaces Act of 2019 (R.A. 11313)<\\/a><\\/span><br \\/><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><strong><em>By: Alyssa Gomez<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><a style=\\\"color: #000000;\\\" href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/journal-volume-64\\/\\\">R<\\/a><a style=\\\"color: #000000;\\\" href=\\\"https:\\/\\/drive.google.com\\/file\\/d\\/1rVTCBx0aIS1kI4Qk4jNSbnFX2hK-VFir\\/view?usp=sharing\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">egulating War: A Systematic Approach on the Different Measures and Instruments to Implement the International Humanitarian Law<\\/a><\\/span><br \\/><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><strong><em>By: Atty. Kenneth James Carlo C. Hizon<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><a style=\\\"color: #000000;\\\" href=\\\"https:\\/\\/drive.google.com\\/file\\/d\\/1-WScrAt_Fti5qO6qrcz4h9wxk4UddlRG\\/view?usp=sharing\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">Job Contracting Deconstructed: An Analysis of the Labor\\u2019s Right to Security of Tenure and the Global Trend of Job Outsourcing<\\/a><\\/span><br \\/><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><strong><em>B<\\/em><\\/strong>y: <strong><em>Atty. King James Carlo C. Hizon<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:heading {\\\"level\\\":3} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<h3><span style=\\\"font-size: 18pt; color: #000000;\\\">Features<\\/span><\\/h3>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><a style=\\\"color: #000000;\\\" href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/A-DEMOCRACY-BY-ANY-OTHER-NAME_RAPHAEL-LORENZO-A.-PANGALANGAN.pdf\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">A Democracy by any Other Name<\\/a><\\/span><br \\/><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><strong><em>By: Raphael Lorenzo A. Pangalangan<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><a style=\\\"color: #000000;\\\" href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/ANTI-SUIT-INJUNCTION-IN-INTERNATIONAL-COMMERCIAL-ARBITRATION_A-Critical-Analysis_HON.-RONALD-B.-MORENO-LL.M.-DCL-compressed.pdf\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">Anti-Suit Injunction in International Commercial Arbitration: A Critical Analysis <\\/a><\\/span><br \\/><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><strong><em>By: Hon. Ronald B. Moreno, LL.M., DCL Associate Justice, Sandiganbayan<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:heading {\\\"level\\\":3} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<h3><span style=\\\"font-size: 18pt; color: #000000;\\\">Comment<\\/span><\\/h3>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><a style=\\\"color: #000000;\\\" href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/WTOS-DISPUTE-RESOLUTION-IN-MULTILATERAL-TRADING-SYSTEM_INDISPENSABLE-OR-OPTIONAL_MARIELLA-MARASIGAN.pdf\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">WTO\\u2019s Dispute Resolution in Multilateral Trading System: Indispensable or Optional? <\\/a><\\/span><br \\/><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><strong><em>By: Mariella Marasigan<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:heading {\\\"level\\\":3} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<h3><span style=\\\"font-size: 18pt; color: #000000;\\\">Trends in Jurisprudence<\\/span><\\/h3>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><a style=\\\"color: #000000;\\\" href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/New-Guidelines-on-Prescription-for-Insurers-as-Subrogees.pdf\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">New Guidelines on Prescription for Insurers as Subrogees<\\/a><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed {\\\"imageURL\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/Editorial.pdf\\\",\\\"imgID\\\":881,\\\"imgTitle\\\":\\\"Editorial\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<div>\\u00a0<\\/div>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed --><\\/span><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]},\"typography_font_size\":{\"unit\":\"px\",\"size\":12,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(4736,1428,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(4738,1429,'_elementor_template_type','wp-page'),(4739,1429,'_elementor_version','3.2.4'),(4740,1429,'_wp_page_template','default'),(4741,1429,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"4de51cd9\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"76ec2c3\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"fdaff1a\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<div><span style=\\\"color: #000000;\\\">\\u00a0[pdfjs-viewer viewer_width=0 viewer_height=800 url=<a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/Front-Matters-Editorial.pdf\\\">http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/Editorial.pdf<\\/a> download=true print=true fullscreen=true fullscreen_target=false fullscreen_text=\\\"View%20Fullscreen\\\" zoom=auto ]<\\/span><\\/div>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:heading {\\\"level\\\":3} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<h3><span style=\\\"font-size: 18pt; color: #000000;\\\">Articles<\\/span><\\/h3>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><a style=\\\"color: #000000;\\\" href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/Unwanted-Sexual-Advances-and-Sex-Discrimination_Sexual-Harassment-in-light-of-the-Safe-Spaces-Act-of-2019_R.A.-11313_Alyssa-Gomez.pdf\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">Unwanted Sexual Advances and Sex Discrimination: Sexual Harassment in light of the Safe Spaces Act of 2019 (R.A. 11313)<\\/a><\\/span><br \\/><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><strong><em>By: Alyssa Gomez<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><a style=\\\"color: #000000;\\\" href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/journal-volume-64\\/\\\">R<\\/a><a style=\\\"color: #000000;\\\" href=\\\"https:\\/\\/drive.google.com\\/file\\/d\\/1rVTCBx0aIS1kI4Qk4jNSbnFX2hK-VFir\\/view?usp=sharing\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">egulating War: A Systematic Approach on the Different Measures and Instruments to Implement the International Humanitarian Law<\\/a><\\/span><br \\/><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><strong><em>By: Atty. Kenneth James Carlo C. Hizon<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><a style=\\\"color: #000000;\\\" href=\\\"https:\\/\\/drive.google.com\\/file\\/d\\/1-WScrAt_Fti5qO6qrcz4h9wxk4UddlRG\\/view?usp=sharing\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">Job Contracting Deconstructed: An Analysis of the Labor\\u2019s Right to Security of Tenure and the Global Trend of Job Outsourcing<\\/a><\\/span><br \\/><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><strong><em>B<\\/em><\\/strong>y: <strong><em>Atty. King James Carlo C. Hizon<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:heading {\\\"level\\\":3} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<h3><span style=\\\"font-size: 18pt; color: #000000;\\\">Features<\\/span><\\/h3>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><a style=\\\"color: #000000;\\\" href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/A-DEMOCRACY-BY-ANY-OTHER-NAME_RAPHAEL-LORENZO-A.-PANGALANGAN.pdf\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">A Democracy by any Other Name<\\/a><\\/span><br \\/><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><strong><em>By: Raphael Lorenzo A. Pangalangan<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><a style=\\\"color: #000000;\\\" href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/ANTI-SUIT-INJUNCTION-IN-INTERNATIONAL-COMMERCIAL-ARBITRATION_A-Critical-Analysis_HON.-RONALD-B.-MORENO-LL.M.-DCL-compressed.pdf\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">Anti-Suit Injunction in International Commercial Arbitration: A Critical Analysis <\\/a><\\/span><br \\/><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><strong><em>By: Hon. Ronald B. Moreno, LL.M., DCL Associate Justice, Sandiganbayan<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:heading {\\\"level\\\":3} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<h3><span style=\\\"font-size: 18pt; color: #000000;\\\">Comment<\\/span><\\/h3>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><a style=\\\"color: #000000;\\\" href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/WTOS-DISPUTE-RESOLUTION-IN-MULTILATERAL-TRADING-SYSTEM_INDISPENSABLE-OR-OPTIONAL_MARIELLA-MARASIGAN.pdf\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">WTO\\u2019s Dispute Resolution in Multilateral Trading System: Indispensable or Optional? <\\/a><\\/span><br \\/><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><strong><em>By: Mariella Marasigan<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:heading {\\\"level\\\":3} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<h3><span style=\\\"font-size: 18pt; color: #000000;\\\">Trends in Jurisprudence<\\/span><\\/h3>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><a style=\\\"color: #000000;\\\" href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/New-Guidelines-on-Prescription-for-Insurers-as-Subrogees.pdf\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">New Guidelines on Prescription for Insurers as Subrogees<\\/a><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed {\\\"imageURL\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/Editorial.pdf\\\",\\\"imgID\\\":881,\\\"imgTitle\\\":\\\"Editorial\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<div>\\u00a0<\\/div>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed --><\\/span><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]},\"typography_font_size\":{\"unit\":\"px\",\"size\":12,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(4742,1429,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(4746,957,'_edit_last','1'),(4747,1430,'_elementor_template_type','wp-page'),(4748,1430,'_elementor_version','3.2.5'),(4749,1430,'_wp_page_template','default'),(4750,1430,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"4de51cd9\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"76ec2c3\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"fdaff1a\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<div><span style=\\\"color: #000000;\\\">\\u00a0[pdfjs-viewer viewer_width=0 viewer_height=800 url=<a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/Front-Matters-Editorial.pdf\\\">http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/Editorial.pdf<\\/a> download=true print=true fullscreen=true fullscreen_target=false fullscreen_text=\\\"View%20Fullscreen\\\" zoom=auto ]<\\/span><\\/div>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:heading {\\\"level\\\":3} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<h3><span style=\\\"font-size: 18pt; color: #000000;\\\">Articles<\\/span><\\/h3>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><a style=\\\"color: #000000;\\\" href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/Unwanted-Sexual-Advances-and-Sex-Discrimination_Sexual-Harassment-in-light-of-the-Safe-Spaces-Act-of-2019_R.A.-11313_Alyssa-Gomez.pdf\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">Unwanted Sexual Advances and Sex Discrimination: Sexual Harassment in light of the Safe Spaces Act of 2019 (R.A. 11313)<\\/a><\\/span><br \\/><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><strong><em>By: Alyssa Gomez<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><a style=\\\"color: #000000;\\\" href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/journal-volume-64\\/\\\">R<\\/a><a style=\\\"color: #000000;\\\" href=\\\"https:\\/\\/drive.google.com\\/file\\/d\\/1rVTCBx0aIS1kI4Qk4jNSbnFX2hK-VFir\\/view?usp=sharing\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">egulating War: A Systematic Approach on the Different Measures and Instruments to Implement the International Humanitarian Law<\\/a><\\/span><br \\/><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><strong><em>By: Atty. Kenneth James Carlo C. Hizon<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><a style=\\\"color: #000000;\\\" href=\\\"https:\\/\\/drive.google.com\\/file\\/d\\/1-WScrAt_Fti5qO6qrcz4h9wxk4UddlRG\\/view?usp=sharing\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">Job Contracting Deconstructed: An Analysis of the Labor\\u2019s Right to Security of Tenure and the Global Trend of Job Outsourcing<\\/a><\\/span><br \\/><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><strong><em>B<\\/em><\\/strong>y: <strong><em>Atty. King James Carlo C. Hizon<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:heading {\\\"level\\\":3} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<h3><span style=\\\"font-size: 18pt; color: #000000;\\\">Features<\\/span><\\/h3>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><a style=\\\"color: #000000;\\\" href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/A-DEMOCRACY-BY-ANY-OTHER-NAME_RAPHAEL-LORENZO-A.-PANGALANGAN.pdf\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">A Democracy by any Other Name<\\/a><\\/span><br \\/><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><strong><em>By: Raphael Lorenzo A. Pangalangan<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><a style=\\\"color: #000000;\\\" href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/ANTI-SUIT-INJUNCTION-IN-INTERNATIONAL-COMMERCIAL-ARBITRATION_A-Critical-Analysis_HON.-RONALD-B.-MORENO-LL.M.-DCL-compressed.pdf\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">Anti-Suit Injunction in International Commercial Arbitration: A Critical Analysis <\\/a><\\/span><br \\/><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><strong><em>By: Hon. Ronald B. Moreno, LL.M., DCL Associate Justice, Sandiganbayan<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:heading {\\\"level\\\":3} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<h3><span style=\\\"font-size: 18pt; color: #000000;\\\">Comment<\\/span><\\/h3>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><a style=\\\"color: #000000;\\\" href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/WTOS-DISPUTE-RESOLUTION-IN-MULTILATERAL-TRADING-SYSTEM_INDISPENSABLE-OR-OPTIONAL_MARIELLA-MARASIGAN.pdf\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">WTO\\u2019s Dispute Resolution in Multilateral Trading System: Indispensable or Optional? <\\/a><\\/span><br \\/><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><strong><em>By: Mariella Marasigan<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:heading {\\\"level\\\":3} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<h3><span style=\\\"font-size: 18pt; color: #000000;\\\">Trends in Jurisprudence<\\/span><\\/h3>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><a style=\\\"color: #000000;\\\" href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/New-Guidelines-on-Prescription-for-Insurers-as-Subrogees.pdf\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">New Guidelines on Prescription for Insurers as Subrogees<\\/a><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed {\\\"imageURL\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/Editorial.pdf\\\",\\\"imgID\\\":881,\\\"imgTitle\\\":\\\"Editorial\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<div>\\u00a0<\\/div>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed --><\\/span><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]},\"typography_font_size\":{\"unit\":\"px\",\"size\":12,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(4751,1430,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(4753,1431,'_elementor_template_type','wp-page'),(4754,1431,'_elementor_version','3.2.5'),(4755,1431,'_wp_page_template','default'),(4756,1431,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"4de51cd9\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"76ec2c3\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"fdaff1a\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<div><span style=\\\"color: #000000;\\\">\\u00a0[pdfjs-viewer viewer_width=0 viewer_height=800 url=<a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/Front-Matters-Editorial.pdf\\\">http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/Editorial.pdf<\\/a> download=true print=true fullscreen=true fullscreen_target=false fullscreen_text=\\\"View%20Fullscreen\\\" zoom=auto ]<\\/span><\\/div>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:heading {\\\"level\\\":3} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<h3><span style=\\\"font-size: 18pt; color: #000000;\\\">Articles<\\/span><\\/h3>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><a style=\\\"color: #000000;\\\" href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/Unwanted-Sexual-Advances-and-Sex-Discrimination_Sexual-Harassment-in-light-of-the-Safe-Spaces-Act-of-2019_R.A.-11313_Alyssa-Gomez.pdf\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">Unwanted Sexual Advances and Sex Discrimination: Sexual Harassment in light of the Safe Spaces Act of 2019 (R.A. 11313)<\\/a><\\/span><br \\/><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><strong><em>By: Alyssa Gomez<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><a style=\\\"color: #000000;\\\" href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/journal-volume-64\\/\\\">R<\\/a><a style=\\\"color: #000000;\\\" href=\\\"https:\\/\\/drive.google.com\\/file\\/d\\/1rVTCBx0aIS1kI4Qk4jNSbnFX2hK-VFir\\/view?usp=sharing\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">egulating War: A Systematic Approach on the Different Measures and Instruments to Implement the International Humanitarian Law<\\/a><\\/span><br \\/><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><strong><em>By: Atty. Kenneth James Carlo C. Hizon<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><a style=\\\"color: #000000;\\\" href=\\\"https:\\/\\/drive.google.com\\/file\\/d\\/1-WScrAt_Fti5qO6qrcz4h9wxk4UddlRG\\/view?usp=sharing\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">Job Contracting Deconstructed: An Analysis of the Labor\\u2019s Right to Security of Tenure and the Global Trend of Job Outsourcing<\\/a><\\/span><br \\/><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><strong><em>B<\\/em><\\/strong>y: <strong><em>Atty. King James Carlo C. Hizon<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:heading {\\\"level\\\":3} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<h3><span style=\\\"font-size: 18pt; color: #000000;\\\">Features<\\/span><\\/h3>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><a style=\\\"color: #000000;\\\" href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/A-DEMOCRACY-BY-ANY-OTHER-NAME_RAPHAEL-LORENZO-A.-PANGALANGAN.pdf\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">A Democracy by any Other Name<\\/a><\\/span><br \\/><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><strong><em>By: Raphael Lorenzo A. Pangalangan<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><a style=\\\"color: #000000;\\\" href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/ANTI-SUIT-INJUNCTION-IN-INTERNATIONAL-COMMERCIAL-ARBITRATION_A-Critical-Analysis_HON.-RONALD-B.-MORENO-LL.M.-DCL-compressed.pdf\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">Anti-Suit Injunction in International Commercial Arbitration: A Critical Analysis <\\/a><\\/span><br \\/><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><strong><em>By: Hon. Ronald B. Moreno, LL.M., DCL Associate Justice, Sandiganbayan<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:heading {\\\"level\\\":3} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<h3><span style=\\\"font-size: 18pt; color: #000000;\\\">Comment<\\/span><\\/h3>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><a style=\\\"color: #000000;\\\" href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/WTOS-DISPUTE-RESOLUTION-IN-MULTILATERAL-TRADING-SYSTEM_INDISPENSABLE-OR-OPTIONAL_MARIELLA-MARASIGAN.pdf\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">WTO\\u2019s Dispute Resolution in Multilateral Trading System: Indispensable or Optional? <\\/a><\\/span><br \\/><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><strong><em>By: Mariella Marasigan<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:heading {\\\"level\\\":3} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<h3><span style=\\\"font-size: 18pt; color: #000000;\\\">Trends in Jurisprudence<\\/span><\\/h3>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><a style=\\\"color: #000000;\\\" href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/New-Guidelines-on-Prescription-for-Insurers-as-Subrogees.pdf\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">New Guidelines on Prescription for Insurers as Subrogees<\\/a><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed {\\\"imageURL\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/Editorial.pdf\\\",\\\"imgID\\\":881,\\\"imgTitle\\\":\\\"Editorial\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<div>\\u00a0<\\/div>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed --><\\/span><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]},\"typography_font_size\":{\"unit\":\"px\",\"size\":12,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(4757,1431,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(4759,1432,'_elementor_template_type','wp-page'),(4760,1432,'_elementor_version','3.2.5'),(4761,1432,'_wp_page_template','default'),(4762,1432,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"4de51cd9\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"76ec2c3\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"fdaff1a\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:heading {\\\"level\\\":3} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<h3><span style=\\\"font-size: 18pt; color: #000000;\\\">Articles<\\/span><\\/h3>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><a style=\\\"color: #000000;\\\" href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/Unwanted-Sexual-Advances-and-Sex-Discrimination_Sexual-Harassment-in-light-of-the-Safe-Spaces-Act-of-2019_R.A.-11313_Alyssa-Gomez.pdf\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">Unwanted Sexual Advances and Sex Discrimination: Sexual Harassment in light of the Safe Spaces Act of 2019 (R.A. 11313)<\\/a><\\/span><br \\/><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><strong><em>By: Alyssa Gomez<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><a style=\\\"color: #000000;\\\" href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/journal-volume-64\\/\\\">R<\\/a><a style=\\\"color: #000000;\\\" href=\\\"https:\\/\\/drive.google.com\\/file\\/d\\/1rVTCBx0aIS1kI4Qk4jNSbnFX2hK-VFir\\/view?usp=sharing\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">egulating War: A Systematic Approach on the Different Measures and Instruments to Implement the International Humanitarian Law<\\/a><\\/span><br \\/><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><strong><em>By: Atty. Kenneth James Carlo C. Hizon<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><a style=\\\"color: #000000;\\\" href=\\\"https:\\/\\/drive.google.com\\/file\\/d\\/1-WScrAt_Fti5qO6qrcz4h9wxk4UddlRG\\/view?usp=sharing\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">Job Contracting Deconstructed: An Analysis of the Labor\\u2019s Right to Security of Tenure and the Global Trend of Job Outsourcing<\\/a><\\/span><br \\/><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><strong><em>B<\\/em><\\/strong>y: <strong><em>Atty. King James Carlo C. Hizon<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:heading {\\\"level\\\":3} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<h3><span style=\\\"font-size: 18pt; color: #000000;\\\">Features<\\/span><\\/h3>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><a style=\\\"color: #000000;\\\" href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/A-DEMOCRACY-BY-ANY-OTHER-NAME_RAPHAEL-LORENZO-A.-PANGALANGAN.pdf\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">A Democracy by any Other Name<\\/a><\\/span><br \\/><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><strong><em>By: Raphael Lorenzo A. Pangalangan<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><a style=\\\"color: #000000;\\\" href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/ANTI-SUIT-INJUNCTION-IN-INTERNATIONAL-COMMERCIAL-ARBITRATION_A-Critical-Analysis_HON.-RONALD-B.-MORENO-LL.M.-DCL-compressed.pdf\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">Anti-Suit Injunction in International Commercial Arbitration: A Critical Analysis <\\/a><\\/span><br \\/><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><strong><em>By: Hon. Ronald B. Moreno, LL.M., DCL Associate Justice, Sandiganbayan<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:heading {\\\"level\\\":3} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<h3><span style=\\\"font-size: 18pt; color: #000000;\\\">Comment<\\/span><\\/h3>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><a style=\\\"color: #000000;\\\" href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/WTOS-DISPUTE-RESOLUTION-IN-MULTILATERAL-TRADING-SYSTEM_INDISPENSABLE-OR-OPTIONAL_MARIELLA-MARASIGAN.pdf\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">WTO\\u2019s Dispute Resolution in Multilateral Trading System: Indispensable or Optional? <\\/a><\\/span><br \\/><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><strong><em>By: Mariella Marasigan<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:heading {\\\"level\\\":3} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<h3><span style=\\\"font-size: 18pt; color: #000000;\\\">Trends in Jurisprudence<\\/span><\\/h3>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><a style=\\\"color: #000000;\\\" href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/New-Guidelines-on-Prescription-for-Insurers-as-Subrogees.pdf\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">New Guidelines on Prescription for Insurers as Subrogees<\\/a><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed {\\\"imageURL\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/Editorial.pdf\\\",\\\"imgID\\\":881,\\\"imgTitle\\\":\\\"Editorial\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<div>\\u00a0<\\/div>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed --><\\/span><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]},\"typography_font_size\":{\"unit\":\"px\",\"size\":12,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(4763,1432,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(4772,1434,'_elementor_template_type','wp-page'),(4773,1434,'_elementor_version','3.2.5'),(4774,1434,'_wp_page_template','default'),(4775,1434,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"4de51cd9\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"76ec2c3\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"fdaff1a\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:heading {\\\"level\\\":3} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<h3><span style=\\\"font-size: 18pt; color: #000000;\\\">Articles<\\/span><\\/h3>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><a style=\\\"color: #000000;\\\" href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/Unwanted-Sexual-Advances-and-Sex-Discrimination_Sexual-Harassment-in-light-of-the-Safe-Spaces-Act-of-2019_R.A.-11313_Alyssa-Gomez.pdf\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">Unwanted Sexual Advances and Sex Discrimination: Sexual Harassment in light of the Safe Spaces Act of 2019 (R.A. 11313)<\\/a><\\/span><br \\/><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><strong><em>By: Alyssa Gomez<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><a style=\\\"color: #000000;\\\" href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/journal-volume-64\\/\\\">R<\\/a><a style=\\\"color: #000000;\\\" href=\\\"https:\\/\\/drive.google.com\\/file\\/d\\/1rVTCBx0aIS1kI4Qk4jNSbnFX2hK-VFir\\/view?usp=sharing\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">egulating War: A Systematic Approach on the Different Measures and Instruments to Implement the International Humanitarian Law<\\/a><\\/span><br \\/><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><strong><em>By: Atty. Kenneth James Carlo C. Hizon<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><a style=\\\"color: #000000;\\\" href=\\\"https:\\/\\/drive.google.com\\/file\\/d\\/1-WScrAt_Fti5qO6qrcz4h9wxk4UddlRG\\/view?usp=sharing\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">Job Contracting Deconstructed: An Analysis of the Labor\\u2019s Right to Security of Tenure and the Global Trend of Job Outsourcing<\\/a><\\/span><br \\/><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><strong><em>B<\\/em><\\/strong>y: <strong><em>Atty. King James Carlo C. Hizon<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:heading {\\\"level\\\":3} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<h3><span style=\\\"font-size: 18pt; color: #000000;\\\">Features<\\/span><\\/h3>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><a style=\\\"color: #000000;\\\" href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/A-DEMOCRACY-BY-ANY-OTHER-NAME_RAPHAEL-LORENZO-A.-PANGALANGAN.pdf\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">A Democracy by any Other Name<\\/a><\\/span><br \\/><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><strong><em>By: Raphael Lorenzo A. Pangalangan<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><a style=\\\"color: #000000;\\\" href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/ANTI-SUIT-INJUNCTION-IN-INTERNATIONAL-COMMERCIAL-ARBITRATION_A-Critical-Analysis_HON.-RONALD-B.-MORENO-LL.M.-DCL-compressed.pdf\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">Anti-Suit Injunction in International Commercial Arbitration: A Critical Analysis <\\/a><\\/span><br \\/><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><strong><em>By: Hon. Ronald B. Moreno, LL.M., DCL Associate Justice, Sandiganbayan<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:heading {\\\"level\\\":3} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<h3><span style=\\\"font-size: 18pt; color: #000000;\\\">Comment<\\/span><\\/h3>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><a style=\\\"color: #000000;\\\" href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/WTOS-DISPUTE-RESOLUTION-IN-MULTILATERAL-TRADING-SYSTEM_INDISPENSABLE-OR-OPTIONAL_MARIELLA-MARASIGAN.pdf\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">WTO\\u2019s Dispute Resolution in Multilateral Trading System: Indispensable or Optional? <\\/a><\\/span><br \\/><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><strong><em>By: Mariella Marasigan<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:heading {\\\"level\\\":3} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<h3><span style=\\\"font-size: 18pt; color: #000000;\\\">Trends in Jurisprudence<\\/span><\\/h3>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><a style=\\\"color: #000000;\\\" href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/New-Guidelines-on-Prescription-for-Insurers-as-Subrogees.pdf\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">New Guidelines on Prescription for Insurers as Subrogees<\\/a><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed {\\\"imageURL\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/Editorial.pdf\\\",\\\"imgID\\\":881,\\\"imgTitle\\\":\\\"Editorial\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<div>\\u00a0<\\/div>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed --><\\/span><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]},\"typography_font_size\":{\"unit\":\"px\",\"size\":12,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(4776,1434,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(4778,1435,'_elementor_template_type','wp-page'),(4779,1435,'_elementor_version','3.2.5'),(4780,1435,'_wp_page_template','default'),(4781,1435,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"4de51cd9\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"76ec2c3\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"fdaff1a\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:heading {\\\"level\\\":3} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<h3><span style=\\\"font-size: 18pt; color: #000000;\\\">Articles<\\/span><\\/h3>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><a style=\\\"color: #000000;\\\" href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/Unwanted-Sexual-Advances-and-Sex-Discrimination_Sexual-Harassment-in-light-of-the-Safe-Spaces-Act-of-2019_R.A.-11313_Alyssa-Gomez.pdf\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">Unwanted Sexual Advances and Sex Discrimination: Sexual Harassment in light of the Safe Spaces Act of 2019 (R.A. 11313)<\\/a><\\/span><br \\/><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><strong><em>By: Alyssa Gomez<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><a style=\\\"color: #000000;\\\" href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/journal-volume-64\\/\\\">R<\\/a><a style=\\\"color: #000000;\\\" href=\\\"https:\\/\\/drive.google.com\\/file\\/d\\/1rVTCBx0aIS1kI4Qk4jNSbnFX2hK-VFir\\/view?usp=sharing\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">egulating War: A Systematic Approach on the Different Measures and Instruments to Implement the International Humanitarian Law<\\/a><\\/span><br \\/><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><strong><em>By: Atty. Kenneth James Carlo C. Hizon<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><a style=\\\"color: #000000;\\\" href=\\\"https:\\/\\/drive.google.com\\/file\\/d\\/1-WScrAt_Fti5qO6qrcz4h9wxk4UddlRG\\/view?usp=sharing\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">Job Contracting Deconstructed: An Analysis of the Labor\\u2019s Right to Security of Tenure and the Global Trend of Job Outsourcing<\\/a><\\/span><br \\/><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><strong><em>B<\\/em><\\/strong>y: <strong><em>Atty. King James Carlo C. Hizon<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:heading {\\\"level\\\":3} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<h3><span style=\\\"font-size: 18pt; color: #000000;\\\">Features<\\/span><\\/h3>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><a style=\\\"color: #000000;\\\" href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/A-DEMOCRACY-BY-ANY-OTHER-NAME_RAPHAEL-LORENZO-A.-PANGALANGAN.pdf\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">A Democracy by any Other Name<\\/a><\\/span><br \\/><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><strong><em>By: Raphael Lorenzo A. Pangalangan<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><a style=\\\"color: #000000;\\\" href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/ANTI-SUIT-INJUNCTION-IN-INTERNATIONAL-COMMERCIAL-ARBITRATION_A-Critical-Analysis_HON.-RONALD-B.-MORENO-LL.M.-DCL-compressed.pdf\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">Anti-Suit Injunction in International Commercial Arbitration: A Critical Analysis <\\/a><\\/span><br \\/><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><strong><em>By: Hon. Ronald B. Moreno, LL.M., DCL Associate Justice, Sandiganbayan<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:heading {\\\"level\\\":3} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<h3><span style=\\\"font-size: 18pt; color: #000000;\\\">Comment<\\/span><\\/h3>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><a style=\\\"color: #000000;\\\" href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/WTOS-DISPUTE-RESOLUTION-IN-MULTILATERAL-TRADING-SYSTEM_INDISPENSABLE-OR-OPTIONAL_MARIELLA-MARASIGAN.pdf\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">WTO\\u2019s Dispute Resolution in Multilateral Trading System: Indispensable or Optional? <\\/a><\\/span><br \\/><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><strong><em>By: Mariella Marasigan<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:heading {\\\"level\\\":3} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<h3><span style=\\\"font-size: 18pt; color: #000000;\\\">Trends in Jurisprudence<\\/span><\\/h3>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><a style=\\\"color: #000000;\\\" href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/New-Guidelines-on-Prescription-for-Insurers-as-Subrogees.pdf\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">New Guidelines on Prescription for Insurers as Subrogees<\\/a><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed {\\\"imageURL\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/Editorial.pdf\\\",\\\"imgID\\\":881,\\\"imgTitle\\\":\\\"Editorial\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<div>\\u00a0<\\/div>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed --><\\/span><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]},\"typography_font_size\":{\"unit\":\"px\",\"size\":12,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(4782,1435,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(4784,1436,'_elementor_template_type','wp-page'),(4785,1436,'_elementor_version','3.2.5'),(4786,1436,'_wp_page_template','default'),(4787,1436,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"4de51cd9\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"76ec2c3\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"fdaff1a\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<div>\\n<pre><code>[pdfjs-viewer url=http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/Front-Matters-Editorial.pdf viewer_width=600px viewer_height=700px fullscreen=true download=true print=true]<\\/code><\\/pre>\\n<\\/div>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:heading {\\\"level\\\":3} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<h3><span style=\\\"font-size: 18pt; color: #000000;\\\">Articles<\\/span><\\/h3>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><a style=\\\"color: #000000;\\\" href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/Unwanted-Sexual-Advances-and-Sex-Discrimination_Sexual-Harassment-in-light-of-the-Safe-Spaces-Act-of-2019_R.A.-11313_Alyssa-Gomez.pdf\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">Unwanted Sexual Advances and Sex Discrimination: Sexual Harassment in light of the Safe Spaces Act of 2019 (R.A. 11313)<\\/a><\\/span><br \\/><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><strong><em>By: Alyssa Gomez<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><a style=\\\"color: #000000;\\\" href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/journal-volume-64\\/\\\">R<\\/a><a style=\\\"color: #000000;\\\" href=\\\"https:\\/\\/drive.google.com\\/file\\/d\\/1rVTCBx0aIS1kI4Qk4jNSbnFX2hK-VFir\\/view?usp=sharing\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">egulating War: A Systematic Approach on the Different Measures and Instruments to Implement the International Humanitarian Law<\\/a><\\/span><br \\/><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><strong><em>By: Atty. Kenneth James Carlo C. Hizon<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><a style=\\\"color: #000000;\\\" href=\\\"https:\\/\\/drive.google.com\\/file\\/d\\/1-WScrAt_Fti5qO6qrcz4h9wxk4UddlRG\\/view?usp=sharing\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">Job Contracting Deconstructed: An Analysis of the Labor\\u2019s Right to Security of Tenure and the Global Trend of Job Outsourcing<\\/a><\\/span><br \\/><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><strong><em>B<\\/em><\\/strong>y: <strong><em>Atty. King James Carlo C. Hizon<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:heading {\\\"level\\\":3} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<h3><span style=\\\"font-size: 18pt; color: #000000;\\\">Features<\\/span><\\/h3>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><a style=\\\"color: #000000;\\\" href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/A-DEMOCRACY-BY-ANY-OTHER-NAME_RAPHAEL-LORENZO-A.-PANGALANGAN.pdf\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">A Democracy by any Other Name<\\/a><\\/span><br \\/><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><strong><em>By: Raphael Lorenzo A. Pangalangan<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><a style=\\\"color: #000000;\\\" href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/ANTI-SUIT-INJUNCTION-IN-INTERNATIONAL-COMMERCIAL-ARBITRATION_A-Critical-Analysis_HON.-RONALD-B.-MORENO-LL.M.-DCL-compressed.pdf\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">Anti-Suit Injunction in International Commercial Arbitration: A Critical Analysis <\\/a><\\/span><br \\/><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><strong><em>By: Hon. Ronald B. Moreno, LL.M., DCL Associate Justice, Sandiganbayan<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:heading {\\\"level\\\":3} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<h3><span style=\\\"font-size: 18pt; color: #000000;\\\">Comment<\\/span><\\/h3>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><a style=\\\"color: #000000;\\\" href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/WTOS-DISPUTE-RESOLUTION-IN-MULTILATERAL-TRADING-SYSTEM_INDISPENSABLE-OR-OPTIONAL_MARIELLA-MARASIGAN.pdf\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">WTO\\u2019s Dispute Resolution in Multilateral Trading System: Indispensable or Optional? <\\/a><\\/span><br \\/><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><strong><em>By: Mariella Marasigan<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:heading {\\\"level\\\":3} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<h3><span style=\\\"font-size: 18pt; color: #000000;\\\">Trends in Jurisprudence<\\/span><\\/h3>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><a style=\\\"color: #000000;\\\" href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/New-Guidelines-on-Prescription-for-Insurers-as-Subrogees.pdf\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">New Guidelines on Prescription for Insurers as Subrogees<\\/a><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed {\\\"imageURL\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/Editorial.pdf\\\",\\\"imgID\\\":881,\\\"imgTitle\\\":\\\"Editorial\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<div>\\u00a0<\\/div>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed --><\\/span><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]},\"typography_font_size\":{\"unit\":\"px\",\"size\":12,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(4788,1436,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(4792,451,'_edit_lock','1626155766:1'),(4793,1136,'_edit_lock','1626759352:1'),(4794,1136,'_edit_last','1'),(4795,1136,'wptr_hide_title','0'),(4796,1136,'ss_social_share_disable',''),(4797,1136,'_yoast_wpseo_content_score','30'),(4798,1136,'_yoast_wpseo_estimated-reading-time-minutes','1'),(4799,1438,'_edit_lock','1626759460:1'),(4800,459,'_yoast_wpseo_estimated-reading-time-minutes','1'),(4801,1440,'_edit_lock','1629543052:1'),(4802,1440,'_edit_last','1'),(4803,1440,'wptr_hide_title','0'),(4804,1440,'ss_social_share_disable',''),(4805,1440,'_yoast_wpseo_content_score','30'),(4806,1440,'_yoast_wpseo_estimated-reading-time-minutes','5'),(4807,1443,'_edit_lock','1626761394:1'),(4808,1443,'_wp_trash_meta_status','draft'),(4809,1443,'_wp_trash_meta_time','1626761409'),(4810,1443,'_wp_desired_post_slug',''),(4811,1452,'_edit_lock','1630040931:1'),(4812,1452,'_edit_last','1'),(4813,1452,'wptr_hide_title','1'),(4814,1452,'ss_social_share_disable',''),(4815,1452,'_yoast_wpseo_primary_category','98'),(4816,1452,'_yoast_wpseo_estimated-reading-time-minutes','10'),(4817,1452,'_yoast_wpseo_content_score','30'),(4818,692,'_yoast_wpseo_estimated-reading-time-minutes','5'),(4819,1462,'_wp_attached_file','2021/07/ULR-SEAL-Hi-Definition.png'),(4820,1462,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:5:{s:5:\"width\";i:3600;s:6:\"height\";i:4450;s:4:\"file\";s:34:\"2021/07/ULR-SEAL-Hi-Definition.png\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:14:{s:6:\"medium\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:34:\"ULR-SEAL-Hi-Definition-243x300.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:243;s:6:\"height\";i:300;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:5:\"large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:35:\"ULR-SEAL-Hi-Definition-828x1024.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:828;s:6:\"height\";i:1024;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:9:\"thumbnail\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:34:\"ULR-SEAL-Hi-Definition-150x150.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:12:\"medium_large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:34:\"ULR-SEAL-Hi-Definition-768x949.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:768;s:6:\"height\";i:949;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:9:\"1536x1536\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:36:\"ULR-SEAL-Hi-Definition-1243x1536.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:1243;s:6:\"height\";i:1536;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:9:\"2048x2048\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:36:\"ULR-SEAL-Hi-Definition-1657x2048.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:1657;s:6:\"height\";i:2048;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:24:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:34:\"ULR-SEAL-Hi-Definition-170x110.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:25:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:32:\"ULR-SEAL-Hi-Definition-86x70.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:33:\"ULR-SEAL-Hi-Definition-89x110.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:89;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:22:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:34:\"ULR-SEAL-Hi-Definition-370x250.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:30:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:34:\"ULR-SEAL-Hi-Definition-202x250.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:202;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:21:\"bfastmag_related_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:34:\"ULR-SEAL-Hi-Definition-288x160.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:288;s:6:\"height\";i:160;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:18:\"bfastmag_blog_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:34:\"ULR-SEAL-Hi-Definition-780x544.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:26:\"bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:34:\"ULR-SEAL-Hi-Definition-440x544.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:440;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:0:\"\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:1:\"0\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:1:\"0\";s:3:\"iso\";s:1:\"0\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:1:\"0\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";s:1:\"0\";s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}}'),(4821,1463,'_wp_attached_file','2021/07/ULR-SEALSmall.png'),(4822,1463,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:5:{s:5:\"width\";i:388;s:6:\"height\";i:480;s:4:\"file\";s:25:\"2021/07/ULR-SEALSmall.png\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:8:{s:6:\"medium\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:25:\"ULR-SEALSmall-243x300.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:243;s:6:\"height\";i:300;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:9:\"thumbnail\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:25:\"ULR-SEALSmall-150x150.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:24:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:25:\"ULR-SEALSmall-170x110.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:25:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:23:\"ULR-SEALSmall-86x70.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:24:\"ULR-SEALSmall-89x110.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:89;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:22:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:25:\"ULR-SEALSmall-370x250.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:30:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:25:\"ULR-SEALSmall-202x250.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:202;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:21:\"bfastmag_related_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:25:\"ULR-SEALSmall-288x160.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:288;s:6:\"height\";i:160;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:0:\"\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:1:\"0\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:1:\"0\";s:3:\"iso\";s:1:\"0\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:1:\"0\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";s:1:\"0\";s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}}'),(4823,1464,'_wp_attached_file','2021/07/ULR-SEALSmall-edited.png'),(4824,1464,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:6:{s:5:\"width\";i:388;s:6:\"height\";i:479;s:4:\"file\";s:32:\"2021/07/ULR-SEALSmall-edited.png\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:8:{s:6:\"medium\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:32:\"ULR-SEALSmall-edited-243x300.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:243;s:6:\"height\";i:300;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:9:\"thumbnail\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:32:\"ULR-SEALSmall-edited-150x150.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:24:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:32:\"ULR-SEALSmall-edited-170x110.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:25:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:30:\"ULR-SEALSmall-edited-86x70.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:31:\"ULR-SEALSmall-edited-89x110.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:89;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:22:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:32:\"ULR-SEALSmall-edited-370x250.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:30:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:32:\"ULR-SEALSmall-edited-203x250.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:203;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:21:\"bfastmag_related_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:32:\"ULR-SEALSmall-edited-288x160.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:288;s:6:\"height\";i:160;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:0:\"\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:1:\"0\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:1:\"0\";s:3:\"iso\";s:1:\"0\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:1:\"0\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";s:1:\"0\";s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}s:12:\"parent_image\";a:2:{s:13:\"attachment_id\";s:4:\"1463\";s:4:\"file\";s:25:\"2021/07/ULR-SEALSmall.png\";}}'),(4825,1473,'_elementor_template_type','wp-page'),(4826,1473,'_elementor_version','3.2.5'),(4827,1473,'_wp_page_template','default'),(4828,1473,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"4de51cd9\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"76ec2c3\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"fdaff1a\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<div>\\n<pre><code>[pdfjs-viewer url=http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/Front-Matters-Editorial.pdf viewer_width=600px viewer_height=700px fullscreen=true download=true print=true]<\\/code><\\/pre>\\n<\\/div>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:heading {\\\"level\\\":3} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<h3><span style=\\\"font-size: 18pt; color: #000000;\\\">Articles<\\/span><\\/h3>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><a style=\\\"color: #000000;\\\" href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/Unwanted-Sexual-Advances-and-Sex-Discrimination_Sexual-Harassment-in-light-of-the-Safe-Spaces-Act-of-2019_R.A.-11313_Alyssa-Gomez.pdf\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">Unwanted Sexual Advances and Sex Discrimination: Sexual Harassment in light of the Safe Spaces Act of 2019 (R.A. 11313)<\\/a><\\/span><br \\/><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><strong><em>By: Alyssa Gomez<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><a style=\\\"color: #000000;\\\" href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/journal-volume-64\\/\\\">R<\\/a><a style=\\\"color: #000000;\\\" href=\\\"https:\\/\\/drive.google.com\\/file\\/d\\/1rVTCBx0aIS1kI4Qk4jNSbnFX2hK-VFir\\/view?usp=sharing\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">egulating War: A Systematic Approach on the Different Measures and Instruments to Implement the International Humanitarian Law<\\/a><\\/span><br \\/><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><strong><em>By: Atty. Kenneth James Carlo C. Hizon<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><a style=\\\"color: #000000;\\\" href=\\\"https:\\/\\/drive.google.com\\/file\\/d\\/1-WScrAt_Fti5qO6qrcz4h9wxk4UddlRG\\/view?usp=sharing\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">Job Contracting Deconstructed: An Analysis of the Labor\\u2019s Right to Security of Tenure and the Global Trend of Job Outsourcing<\\/a><\\/span><br \\/><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><strong><em>B<\\/em><\\/strong>y: <strong><em>Atty. King James Carlo C. Hizon<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:heading {\\\"level\\\":3} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<h3><span style=\\\"font-size: 18pt; color: #000000;\\\">Features<\\/span><\\/h3>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><a style=\\\"color: #000000;\\\" href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/A-DEMOCRACY-BY-ANY-OTHER-NAME_RAPHAEL-LORENZO-A.-PANGALANGAN.pdf\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">A Democracy by any Other Name<\\/a><\\/span><br \\/><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><strong><em>By: Raphael Lorenzo A. Pangalangan<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><a style=\\\"color: #000000;\\\" href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/ANTI-SUIT-INJUNCTION-IN-INTERNATIONAL-COMMERCIAL-ARBITRATION_A-Critical-Analysis_HON.-RONALD-B.-MORENO-LL.M.-DCL-compressed.pdf\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">Anti-Suit Injunction in International Commercial Arbitration: A Critical Analysis <\\/a><\\/span><br \\/><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><strong><em>By: Hon. Ronald B. Moreno, LL.M., DCL Associate Justice, Sandiganbayan<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:heading {\\\"level\\\":3} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<h3><span style=\\\"font-size: 18pt; color: #000000;\\\">Comment<\\/span><\\/h3>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><a style=\\\"color: #000000;\\\" href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/WTOS-DISPUTE-RESOLUTION-IN-MULTILATERAL-TRADING-SYSTEM_INDISPENSABLE-OR-OPTIONAL_MARIELLA-MARASIGAN.pdf\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">WTO\\u2019s Dispute Resolution in Multilateral Trading System: Indispensable or Optional? <\\/a><\\/span><br \\/><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><strong><em>By: Mariella Marasigan<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:heading {\\\"level\\\":3} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<h3><span style=\\\"font-size: 18pt; color: #000000;\\\">Trends in Jurisprudence<\\/span><\\/h3>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><a style=\\\"color: #000000;\\\" href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/New-Guidelines-on-Prescription-for-Insurers-as-Subrogees.pdf\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">New Guidelines on Prescription for Insurers as Subrogees<\\/a><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed {\\\"imageURL\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/Editorial.pdf\\\",\\\"imgID\\\":881,\\\"imgTitle\\\":\\\"Editorial\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<div>\\u00a0<\\/div>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed --><\\/span><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]},\"typography_font_size\":{\"unit\":\"px\",\"size\":12,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(4829,1473,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(4831,1474,'_elementor_template_type','wp-page'),(4832,1474,'_elementor_version','3.2.5'),(4833,1474,'_wp_page_template','default'),(4834,1474,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"4de51cd9\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"76ec2c3\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"fdaff1a\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<div>\\n<pre><code>[pdfjs-viewer url=http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/Front-Matters-Editorial.pdf viewer_width=600px viewer_height=700px fullscreen=true download=true print=true]<\\/code><\\/pre>\\n<\\/div>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:heading {\\\"level\\\":3} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<h3><span style=\\\"font-size: 18pt; color: #000000;\\\">Articles<\\/span><\\/h3>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><a style=\\\"color: #000000;\\\" href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/Unwanted-Sexual-Advances-and-Sex-Discrimination_Sexual-Harassment-in-light-of-the-Safe-Spaces-Act-of-2019_R.A.-11313_Alyssa-Gomez.pdf\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">Unwanted Sexual Advances and Sex Discrimination: Sexual Harassment in light of the Safe Spaces Act of 2019 (R.A. 11313)<\\/a><\\/span><br \\/><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><strong><em>By: Alyssa Gomez<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><a style=\\\"color: #000000;\\\" href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/journal-volume-64\\/\\\">R<\\/a><a style=\\\"color: #000000;\\\" href=\\\"https:\\/\\/drive.google.com\\/file\\/d\\/1rVTCBx0aIS1kI4Qk4jNSbnFX2hK-VFir\\/view?usp=sharing\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">egulating War: A Systematic Approach on the Different Measures and Instruments to Implement the International Humanitarian Law<\\/a><\\/span><br \\/><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><strong><em>By: Atty. Kenneth James Carlo C. Hizon<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><a style=\\\"color: #000000;\\\" href=\\\"https:\\/\\/drive.google.com\\/file\\/d\\/1-WScrAt_Fti5qO6qrcz4h9wxk4UddlRG\\/view?usp=sharing\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">Job Contracting Deconstructed: An Analysis of the Labor\\u2019s Right to Security of Tenure and the Global Trend of Job Outsourcing<\\/a><\\/span><br \\/><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><strong><em>B<\\/em><\\/strong>y: <strong><em>Atty. King James Carlo C. Hizon<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:heading {\\\"level\\\":3} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<h3><span style=\\\"font-size: 18pt; color: #000000;\\\">Features<\\/span><\\/h3>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><a style=\\\"color: #000000;\\\" href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/A-DEMOCRACY-BY-ANY-OTHER-NAME_RAPHAEL-LORENZO-A.-PANGALANGAN.pdf\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">A Democracy by any Other Name<\\/a><\\/span><br \\/><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><strong><em>By: Raphael Lorenzo A. Pangalangan<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><a style=\\\"color: #000000;\\\" href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/ANTI-SUIT-INJUNCTION-IN-INTERNATIONAL-COMMERCIAL-ARBITRATION_A-Critical-Analysis_HON.-RONALD-B.-MORENO-LL.M.-DCL-compressed.pdf\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">Anti-Suit Injunction in International Commercial Arbitration: A Critical Analysis <\\/a><\\/span><br \\/><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><strong><em>By: Hon. Ronald B. Moreno, LL.M., DCL Associate Justice, Sandiganbayan<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:heading {\\\"level\\\":3} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<h3><span style=\\\"font-size: 18pt; color: #000000;\\\">Comment<\\/span><\\/h3>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><a style=\\\"color: #000000;\\\" href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/WTOS-DISPUTE-RESOLUTION-IN-MULTILATERAL-TRADING-SYSTEM_INDISPENSABLE-OR-OPTIONAL_MARIELLA-MARASIGAN.pdf\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">WTO\\u2019s Dispute Resolution in Multilateral Trading System: Indispensable or Optional? <\\/a><\\/span><br \\/><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><strong><em>By: Mariella Marasigan<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:heading {\\\"level\\\":3} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<h3><span style=\\\"font-size: 18pt; color: #000000;\\\">Trends in Jurisprudence<\\/span><\\/h3>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><a style=\\\"color: #000000;\\\" href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/New-Guidelines-on-Prescription-for-Insurers-as-Subrogees.pdf\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">New Guidelines on Prescription for Insurers as Subrogees<\\/a><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed {\\\"imageURL\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/Editorial.pdf\\\",\\\"imgID\\\":881,\\\"imgTitle\\\":\\\"Editorial\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<div>\\u00a0<\\/div>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed --><\\/span><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]},\"typography_font_size\":{\"unit\":\"px\",\"size\":12,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(4835,1474,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(4837,1475,'_elementor_template_type','wp-page'),(4838,1475,'_elementor_version','3.2.5'),(4839,1475,'_wp_page_template','default'),(4840,1475,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"4de51cd9\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"76ec2c3\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"fdaff1a\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<div>\\n<pre><code>[pdfjs-viewer url=http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/Front-Matters-Editorial.pdf viewer_width=600px viewer_height=700px fullscreen=true download=true print=true]<\\/code><\\/pre>\\n<\\/div>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:heading {\\\"level\\\":3} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<h3><span style=\\\"font-size: 18pt; color: #000000;\\\">Articles<\\/span><\\/h3>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><a style=\\\"color: #000000;\\\" href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/Unwanted-Sexual-Advances-and-Sex-Discrimination_Sexual-Harassment-in-light-of-the-Safe-Spaces-Act-of-2019_R.A.-11313_Alyssa-Gomez.pdf\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\"><span style=\\\"text-decoration: underline;\\\"><span style=\\\"color: #000000; text-decoration: underline;\\\">Unwanted Sexual Advances and Sex Discrimination: Sexual Harassment in light of the Safe Spaces Act of 2019 (R.A. 11313)<\\/span><\\/span><\\/a><\\/span><br \\/><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><strong><em>By: Alyssa Gomez<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><span style=\\\"text-decoration: underline;\\\"><a style=\\\"color: #000000; text-decoration: underline;\\\" href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/journal-volume-64\\/\\\">R<\\/a><\\/span><a style=\\\"color: #000000;\\\" href=\\\"https:\\/\\/drive.google.com\\/file\\/d\\/1rVTCBx0aIS1kI4Qk4jNSbnFX2hK-VFir\\/view?usp=sharing\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\"><span style=\\\"text-decoration: underline;\\\">egulating War: A Systematic Approach on the Different Measures and Instruments to Implement the International Humanitarian Law<\\/span><\\/a><\\/span><br \\/><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><strong><em>By: Atty. Kenneth James Carlo C. Hizon<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><a style=\\\"color: #000000;\\\" href=\\\"https:\\/\\/drive.google.com\\/file\\/d\\/1-WScrAt_Fti5qO6qrcz4h9wxk4UddlRG\\/view?usp=sharing\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\"><span style=\\\"text-decoration: underline;\\\">Job Contracting Deconstructed: An Analysis of the Labor\\u2019s Right to Security of Tenure and the Global Trend of Job Outsourcing<\\/span><\\/a><\\/span><br \\/><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><strong><em>B<\\/em><\\/strong>y: <strong><em>Atty. King James Carlo C. Hizon<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:heading {\\\"level\\\":3} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<h3><span style=\\\"font-size: 18pt; color: #000000;\\\">Features<\\/span><\\/h3>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><a style=\\\"color: #000000;\\\" href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/A-DEMOCRACY-BY-ANY-OTHER-NAME_RAPHAEL-LORENZO-A.-PANGALANGAN.pdf\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\"><span style=\\\"text-decoration: underline;\\\">A Democracy by any Other Name<\\/span><\\/a><\\/span><br \\/><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><strong><em>By: Raphael Lorenzo A. Pangalangan<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><a style=\\\"color: #000000;\\\" href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/ANTI-SUIT-INJUNCTION-IN-INTERNATIONAL-COMMERCIAL-ARBITRATION_A-Critical-Analysis_HON.-RONALD-B.-MORENO-LL.M.-DCL-compressed.pdf\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\"><span style=\\\"text-decoration: underline;\\\">Anti-Suit Injunction in International Commercial Arbitration: A Critical Analysis<\\/span> <\\/a><\\/span><br \\/><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><strong><em>By: Hon. Ronald B. Moreno, LL.M., DCL Associate Justice, Sandiganbayan<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:heading {\\\"level\\\":3} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<h3><span style=\\\"font-size: 18pt; color: #000000;\\\">Comment<\\/span><\\/h3>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><a style=\\\"color: #000000;\\\" href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/WTOS-DISPUTE-RESOLUTION-IN-MULTILATERAL-TRADING-SYSTEM_INDISPENSABLE-OR-OPTIONAL_MARIELLA-MARASIGAN.pdf\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\"><span style=\\\"text-decoration: underline;\\\">WTO\\u2019s Dispute Resolution in Multilateral Trading System: Indispensable or Optional?<\\/span> <\\/a><\\/span><br \\/><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><strong><em>By: Mariella Marasigan<\\/em><\\/strong><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":20} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:heading {\\\"level\\\":3} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<h3><span style=\\\"font-size: 18pt; color: #000000;\\\">Trends in Jurisprudence<\\/span><\\/h3>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:list --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><a style=\\\"color: #000000;\\\" href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/New-Guidelines-on-Prescription-for-Insurers-as-Subrogees.pdf\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\"><span style=\\\"text-decoration: underline;\\\">New Guidelines on Prescription for Insurers as Subrogees<\\/span><\\/a><\\/span><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed {\\\"imageURL\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2020\\/09\\/Editorial.pdf\\\",\\\"imgID\\\":881,\\\"imgTitle\\\":\\\"Editorial\\\"} --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<div>\\u00a0<\\/div>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed --><\\/span><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]},\"typography_font_size\":{\"unit\":\"px\",\"size\":12,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(4841,1475,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(4843,866,'_elementor_controls_usage','a:3:{s:11:\"text-editor\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:2;s:8:\"controls\";a:2:{s:7:\"content\";a:1:{s:14:\"section_editor\";a:1:{s:6:\"editor\";i:1;}}s:5:\"style\";a:1:{s:13:\"section_style\";a:3:{s:21:\"typography_typography\";i:1;s:22:\"typography_line_height\";i:1;s:20:\"typography_font_size\";i:1;}}}}s:6:\"column\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:0;s:8:\"controls\";a:0:{}}s:7:\"section\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:0;s:8:\"controls\";a:0:{}}}'),(4844,1302,'_edit_lock','1626765429:1'),(4845,1476,'_wp_attached_file','2021/07/Editorial3.pdf'),(4848,1487,'_wp_attached_file','2021/07/Termination-of-the-RP-US-Visiting-Forces-Agreement-by-Roberto-Beltran.pdf'),(4849,1488,'_wp_attached_file','2021/07/The-Stepping-Stones-to-Solve-Jail-Overcrowding_-Limitations-in-Legislation-and-Litigation-by-Gabriel-Adora.pdf'),(4850,1489,'_wp_attached_file','2021/07/Trapped-in-a-Brokern-Bail-System-by-Rochelle-Curiba.pdf'),(4852,1491,'_wp_attached_file','2021/07/Justice-Among-Us-by-Ruby-Roselle-Tugade-and-Athena-Charanne-Presto.pdf'),(4853,1492,'_wp_attached_file','2021/07/Publishing-Jus-Gentium-by-Kristoffer-Pereda.pdf'),(4854,1493,'_wp_attached_file','2021/07/Revised-Corporation-Code_Stronger-Framework-and-Governance-by-Marian-Joanne-Co-Pua.pdf'),(4855,1494,'_wp_attached_file','2021/07/Setting-a-Concrete-Standard-for-Sustainability-by-Chister-James-Ray-Gaudiano.pdf'),(4856,1504,'_wp_attached_file','2021/07/Recent_Jurisprudence'),(4857,1505,'_wp_attached_file','2021/07/Journal_Volume_65'),(4858,1494,'_edit_lock','1627190736:1'),(4859,1487,'_edit_lock','1627191251:1'),(4860,1508,'_wp_attached_file','2021/07/Legal-Ethics_Recent-Jurisprudence_2021.pdf'),(4861,1509,'_wp_attached_file','2021/07/Political-Law_Recent-Jurisprudence_2021.pdf'),(4863,1511,'_wp_attached_file','2021/07/Taxation-Law_Recent-Jurisprudence_2021.pdf'),(4864,1512,'_wp_attached_file','2021/07/Civil-Law_Recent-Jurisprudence_2021.pdf'),(4865,1513,'_wp_attached_file','2021/07/Commercial-Law_Recent-Jurisprudence_2021.pdf'),(4866,1514,'_wp_attached_file','2021/07/Criminal-Law_Recent-Jurisprudence_2021.pdf'),(4867,1515,'_wp_attached_file','2021/07/Labor-Law_Recent-Jurisprudence_2021.pdf'),(4868,1549,'_wp_trash_meta_status','publish'),(4869,1549,'_wp_trash_meta_time','1627208489'),(4870,1551,'_edit_lock','1627208966:1'),(4871,1551,'_wp_trash_meta_status','publish'),(4872,1551,'_wp_trash_meta_time','1627208983'),(4873,1553,'_wp_trash_meta_status','publish'),(4874,1553,'_wp_trash_meta_time','1627209018'),(4875,1559,'_edit_lock','1627209637:1'),(4876,1559,'_wp_trash_meta_status','publish'),(4877,1559,'_wp_trash_meta_time','1627209647'),(4880,1562,'_wp_attached_file','2021/07/ULR-Journal-Banner-Volume-65.png'),(4881,1562,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:5:{s:5:\"width\";i:2548;s:6:\"height\";i:1433;s:4:\"file\";s:40:\"2021/07/ULR-Journal-Banner-Volume-65.png\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:14:{s:6:\"medium\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:40:\"ULR-Journal-Banner-Volume-65-300x169.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:300;s:6:\"height\";i:169;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:5:\"large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:41:\"ULR-Journal-Banner-Volume-65-1024x576.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:1024;s:6:\"height\";i:576;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:9:\"thumbnail\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:40:\"ULR-Journal-Banner-Volume-65-150x150.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:12:\"medium_large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:40:\"ULR-Journal-Banner-Volume-65-768x432.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:768;s:6:\"height\";i:432;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:9:\"1536x1536\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:41:\"ULR-Journal-Banner-Volume-65-1536x864.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:1536;s:6:\"height\";i:864;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:9:\"2048x2048\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:42:\"ULR-Journal-Banner-Volume-65-2048x1152.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:2048;s:6:\"height\";i:1152;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:24:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:40:\"ULR-Journal-Banner-Volume-65-170x110.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:25:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:38:\"ULR-Journal-Banner-Volume-65-86x70.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:39:\"ULR-Journal-Banner-Volume-65-170x96.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:96;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:22:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:40:\"ULR-Journal-Banner-Volume-65-370x250.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:30:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:40:\"ULR-Journal-Banner-Volume-65-370x208.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:208;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:21:\"bfastmag_related_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:40:\"ULR-Journal-Banner-Volume-65-288x160.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:288;s:6:\"height\";i:160;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:18:\"bfastmag_blog_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:40:\"ULR-Journal-Banner-Volume-65-780x544.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:26:\"bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:40:\"ULR-Journal-Banner-Volume-65-780x439.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:439;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:0:\"\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:1:\"0\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:1:\"0\";s:3:\"iso\";s:1:\"0\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:1:\"0\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";s:1:\"0\";s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}}'),(4882,1440,'_thumbnail_id','1651'),(4883,1452,'_thumbnail_id','1819'),(4884,1452,'_pingme','1'),(4885,1452,'_encloseme','1'),(4886,1576,'_wp_trash_meta_status','publish'),(4887,1576,'_wp_trash_meta_time','1627214520'),(4888,187,'_yoast_wpseo_estimated-reading-time-minutes','1'),(4889,1578,'_wp_trash_meta_status','publish'),(4890,1578,'_wp_trash_meta_time','1627214967'),(4891,1579,'_wp_trash_meta_status','publish'),(4892,1579,'_wp_trash_meta_time','1627214990'),(4893,1580,'_wp_trash_meta_status','publish'),(4894,1580,'_wp_trash_meta_time','1627215017'),(4895,1581,'_wp_trash_meta_status','publish'),(4896,1581,'_wp_trash_meta_time','1627215028'),(4897,1583,'_wp_trash_meta_status','publish'),(4898,1583,'_wp_trash_meta_time','1627215177'),(4899,1093,'ss_ss_click_share_count_print','1'),(4900,1584,'_wp_trash_meta_status','publish'),(4901,1584,'_wp_trash_meta_time','1627226793'),(4902,1585,'_wp_trash_meta_status','publish'),(4903,1585,'_wp_trash_meta_time','1627226802'),(4904,1586,'_wp_trash_meta_status','publish'),(4905,1586,'_wp_trash_meta_time','1627226812'),(4906,1587,'_wp_trash_meta_status','publish'),(4907,1587,'_wp_trash_meta_time','1627226826'),(4908,1593,'_edit_lock','1627227996:1'),(4909,1593,'_wp_trash_meta_status','publish'),(4910,1593,'_wp_trash_meta_time','1627228019'),(4911,1595,'_edit_lock','1627228226:1'),(4912,1595,'_wp_trash_meta_status','publish'),(4913,1595,'_wp_trash_meta_time','1627228252'),(4914,1596,'_edit_lock','1627231246:1'),(4915,1452,'ss_ss_click_share_count_twitter','1'),(4916,1452,'ss_total_share_count','0'),(4917,1596,'_customize_restore_dismissed','1'),(4918,1597,'_edit_lock','1627228910:1'),(4919,1452,'ss_ss_click_share_count_facebook','2'),(4920,1597,'_wp_trash_meta_status','publish'),(4921,1597,'_wp_trash_meta_time','1627228955'),(4922,1598,'_edit_lock','1627229739:1'),(4923,1599,'_wp_attached_file','2021/07/print.png'),(4924,1599,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:5:{s:5:\"width\";i:512;s:6:\"height\";i:512;s:4:\"file\";s:17:\"2021/07/print.png\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:8:{s:6:\"medium\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:17:\"print-300x300.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:300;s:6:\"height\";i:300;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:9:\"thumbnail\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:17:\"print-150x150.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:24:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:17:\"print-170x110.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:25:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:15:\"print-86x70.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:17:\"print-110x110.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:110;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:22:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:17:\"print-370x250.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:30:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:17:\"print-250x250.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:250;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:21:\"bfastmag_related_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:17:\"print-288x160.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:288;s:6:\"height\";i:160;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:0:\"\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:1:\"0\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:1:\"0\";s:3:\"iso\";s:1:\"0\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:1:\"0\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";s:1:\"0\";s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}}'),(4925,1600,'_wp_attached_file','2021/07/Twitter-social-icons-circle-blue.png'),(4926,1600,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:5:{s:5:\"width\";i:400;s:6:\"height\";i:400;s:4:\"file\";s:44:\"2021/07/Twitter-social-icons-circle-blue.png\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:8:{s:6:\"medium\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:44:\"Twitter-social-icons-circle-blue-300x300.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:300;s:6:\"height\";i:300;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:9:\"thumbnail\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:44:\"Twitter-social-icons-circle-blue-150x150.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:24:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:44:\"Twitter-social-icons-circle-blue-170x110.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:25:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:42:\"Twitter-social-icons-circle-blue-86x70.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:44:\"Twitter-social-icons-circle-blue-110x110.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:110;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:22:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:44:\"Twitter-social-icons-circle-blue-370x250.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:30:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:44:\"Twitter-social-icons-circle-blue-250x250.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:250;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:21:\"bfastmag_related_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:44:\"Twitter-social-icons-circle-blue-288x160.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:288;s:6:\"height\";i:160;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:0:\"\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:1:\"0\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:1:\"0\";s:3:\"iso\";s:1:\"0\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:1:\"0\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";s:1:\"0\";s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}}'),(4927,1601,'_wp_attached_file','2021/07/f_logo_RGB-Blue_58.png'),(4928,1601,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:5:{s:5:\"width\";i:130;s:6:\"height\";i:130;s:4:\"file\";s:30:\"2021/07/f_logo_RGB-Blue_58.png\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:3:{s:24:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:30:\"f_logo_RGB-Blue_58-130x110.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:130;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:25:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:28:\"f_logo_RGB-Blue_58-86x70.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:30:\"f_logo_RGB-Blue_58-110x110.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:110;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:0:\"\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:1:\"0\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:1:\"0\";s:3:\"iso\";s:1:\"0\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:1:\"0\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";s:1:\"0\";s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}}'),(4929,1598,'_wp_trash_meta_status','publish'),(4930,1598,'_wp_trash_meta_time','1627229746'),(4931,1602,'_edit_lock','1627230006:1'),(4932,1602,'_wp_trash_meta_status','publish'),(4933,1602,'_wp_trash_meta_time','1627230043'),(4934,1603,'_edit_lock','1627230936:1'),(4935,1604,'_wp_attached_file','2021/07/pdf.png'),(4936,1604,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:5:{s:5:\"width\";i:512;s:6:\"height\";i:512;s:4:\"file\";s:15:\"2021/07/pdf.png\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:8:{s:6:\"medium\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:15:\"pdf-300x300.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:300;s:6:\"height\";i:300;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:9:\"thumbnail\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:15:\"pdf-150x150.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:24:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:15:\"pdf-170x110.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:25:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:13:\"pdf-86x70.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:15:\"pdf-110x110.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:110;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:22:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:15:\"pdf-370x250.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:30:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:15:\"pdf-250x250.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:250;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:21:\"bfastmag_related_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:15:\"pdf-288x160.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:288;s:6:\"height\";i:160;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:0:\"\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:1:\"0\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:1:\"0\";s:3:\"iso\";s:1:\"0\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:1:\"0\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";s:1:\"0\";s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}}'),(4937,1603,'_wp_trash_meta_status','publish'),(4938,1603,'_wp_trash_meta_time','1627230981'),(4939,1605,'_wp_trash_meta_status','publish'),(4940,1605,'_wp_trash_meta_time','1627231189'),(4941,1261,'ss_ss_click_share_count_twitter','1'),(4942,1606,'_wp_attached_file','2021/07/Debunking-the-Notion-of-a-Living-Constitution-by-Yurii-Ramos.pdf'),(4944,1611,'_wp_attached_file','2021/07/RA-11534_CREATE.pdf'),(4945,1612,'_wp_attached_file','2021/07/RA-11479_Anti-Terrorism-Act-of-2020.pdf'),(4946,1617,'_wp_attached_file','2021/07/Front-Matters_Volume-65.pdf'),(4947,1618,'_wp_attached_file','2021/07/Remedial-Law_Recent-Jurisprudence_2021.pdf'),(4948,1625,'_menu_item_type','post_type'),(4949,1625,'_menu_item_menu_item_parent','0'),(4950,1625,'_menu_item_object_id','1440'),(4951,1625,'_menu_item_object','page'),(4952,1625,'_menu_item_target',''),(4953,1625,'_menu_item_classes','a:1:{i:0;s:0:\"\";}'),(4954,1625,'_menu_item_xfn',''),(4955,1625,'_menu_item_url',''),(4956,1624,'_wp_trash_meta_status','publish'),(4957,1624,'_wp_trash_meta_time','1627277455'),(4958,1414,'_oembed_d547544464a94b01d9748f1b59035b68','<blockquote class=\"wp-embedded-content\" data-secret=\"A6b6KeNKSc\"><a href=\"http://lawreview.ust.edu.ph/archives/journal-volumes/volume-61-63/journal-volume-65/\">Protected: Journal Volume 65</a></blockquote><iframe class=\"wp-embedded-content\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts\" security=\"restricted\" style=\"position: absolute; clip: rect(1px, 1px, 1px, 1px);\" title=\"“Protected: Journal Volume 65” — UST Law Review\" src=\"http://lawreview.ust.edu.ph/archives/journal-volumes/volume-61-63/journal-volume-65/embed/#?secret=A6b6KeNKSc\" data-secret=\"A6b6KeNKSc\" width=\"600\" height=\"338\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"></iframe>'),(4959,1414,'_oembed_time_d547544464a94b01d9748f1b59035b68','1627277620'),(4960,1626,'_edit_lock','1627278436:1'),(4961,1626,'_wp_trash_meta_status','publish'),(4962,1626,'_wp_trash_meta_time','1627278441'),(4963,1629,'_wp_trash_meta_status','publish'),(4964,1629,'_wp_trash_meta_time','1627278609'),(4965,1630,'_edit_lock','1627278894:1'),(4966,1630,'_wp_trash_meta_status','publish'),(4967,1630,'_wp_trash_meta_time','1627278897'),(4968,1631,'_wp_trash_meta_status','publish'),(4969,1631,'_wp_trash_meta_time','1627279037'),(4970,1632,'_edit_lock','1627279053:1'),(4971,1632,'_wp_trash_meta_status','publish'),(4972,1632,'_wp_trash_meta_time','1627279054'),(4973,1634,'_edit_lock','1627279273:1'),(4974,1635,'_edit_lock','1627279311:1'),(4975,1636,'_edit_lock','1627279391:1'),(4976,1637,'_edit_lock','1631082613:1'),(4977,1637,'_thumbnail_id','1651'),(4978,1637,'_links_to','http://lawreview.ust.edu.ph/archives/journal-volumes/volume-61-63/journal-volume-65/'),(4979,1637,'_links_to_target',''),(4980,1637,'_edit_last','1'),(4981,1637,'wptr_hide_title','0'),(4982,1637,'ss_social_share_disable',''),(4983,1637,'_yoast_wpseo_primary_category','98'),(4984,1637,'_yoast_wpseo_content_score','60'),(4985,1637,'_yoast_wpseo_estimated-reading-time-minutes','1'),(4986,1637,'_pingme','1'),(4987,1637,'_encloseme','1'),(4988,1440,'ss_ss_click_share_count_facebook','3'),(4989,1440,'ss_total_share_count','0'),(4990,1649,'_wp_attached_file','2021/07/213710316_139557224923183_7547303406856432933_n-e1627280472612.jpg'),(4991,1649,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:5:{s:5:\"width\";i:1353;s:6:\"height\";i:892;s:4:\"file\";s:74:\"2021/07/213710316_139557224923183_7547303406856432933_n-e1627280472612.jpg\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:13:{s:6:\"medium\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:74:\"213710316_139557224923183_7547303406856432933_n-e1627280472612-300x198.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:300;s:6:\"height\";i:198;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:5:\"large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:75:\"213710316_139557224923183_7547303406856432933_n-e1627280472612-1024x675.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1024;s:6:\"height\";i:675;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"thumbnail\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:74:\"213710316_139557224923183_7547303406856432933_n-e1627280472612-150x150.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:12:\"medium_large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:74:\"213710316_139557224923183_7547303406856432933_n-e1627280472612-768x506.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:768;s:6:\"height\";i:506;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"1536x1536\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:61:\"213710316_139557224923183_7547303406856432933_n-1084x1536.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1084;s:6:\"height\";i:1536;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:24:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:74:\"213710316_139557224923183_7547303406856432933_n-e1627280472612-170x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:25:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:72:\"213710316_139557224923183_7547303406856432933_n-e1627280472612-86x70.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:74:\"213710316_139557224923183_7547303406856432933_n-e1627280472612-167x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:167;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:22:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:74:\"213710316_139557224923183_7547303406856432933_n-e1627280472612-370x250.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:30:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:74:\"213710316_139557224923183_7547303406856432933_n-e1627280472612-370x244.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:244;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:21:\"bfastmag_related_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:74:\"213710316_139557224923183_7547303406856432933_n-e1627280472612-288x160.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:288;s:6:\"height\";i:160;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:18:\"bfastmag_blog_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:74:\"213710316_139557224923183_7547303406856432933_n-e1627280472612-780x544.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:26:\"bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:74:\"213710316_139557224923183_7547303406856432933_n-e1627280472612-780x514.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:514;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:0:\"\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:1:\"0\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:1:\"0\";s:3:\"iso\";s:1:\"0\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:1:\"0\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";s:1:\"0\";s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}}'),(4992,1649,'_wp_attachment_backup_sizes','a:14:{s:9:\"full-orig\";a:3:{s:5:\"width\";i:1355;s:6:\"height\";i:1920;s:4:\"file\";s:51:\"213710316_139557224923183_7547303406856432933_n.jpg\";}s:14:\"thumbnail-orig\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:59:\"213710316_139557224923183_7547303406856432933_n-150x150.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:11:\"medium-orig\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:59:\"213710316_139557224923183_7547303406856432933_n-212x300.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:212;s:6:\"height\";i:300;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:17:\"medium_large-orig\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:60:\"213710316_139557224923183_7547303406856432933_n-768x1088.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:768;s:6:\"height\";i:1088;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:10:\"large-orig\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:60:\"213710316_139557224923183_7547303406856432933_n-723x1024.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:723;s:6:\"height\";i:1024;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:14:\"1536x1536-orig\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:61:\"213710316_139557224923183_7547303406856432933_n-1084x1536.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1084;s:6:\"height\";i:1536;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:29:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb-orig\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:59:\"213710316_139557224923183_7547303406856432933_n-170x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:30:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop-orig\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:57:\"213710316_139557224923183_7547303406856432933_n-86x70.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:37:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop-orig\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:58:\"213710316_139557224923183_7547303406856432933_n-78x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:78;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:27:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb-orig\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:59:\"213710316_139557224923183_7547303406856432933_n-370x250.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:35:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop-orig\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:59:\"213710316_139557224923183_7547303406856432933_n-176x250.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:176;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:26:\"bfastmag_related_post-orig\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:59:\"213710316_139557224923183_7547303406856432933_n-288x160.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:288;s:6:\"height\";i:160;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:23:\"bfastmag_blog_post-orig\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:59:\"213710316_139557224923183_7547303406856432933_n-780x544.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:31:\"bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop-orig\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:59:\"213710316_139557224923183_7547303406856432933_n-384x544.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:384;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}}'),(4993,1650,'_wp_attached_file','2021/07/Untitled-design4.png'),(4994,1650,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:5:{s:5:\"width\";i:1920;s:6:\"height\";i:1080;s:4:\"file\";s:28:\"2021/07/Untitled-design4.png\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:13:{s:6:\"medium\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:28:\"Untitled-design4-300x169.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:300;s:6:\"height\";i:169;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:5:\"large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:29:\"Untitled-design4-1024x576.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:1024;s:6:\"height\";i:576;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:9:\"thumbnail\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:28:\"Untitled-design4-150x150.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:12:\"medium_large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:28:\"Untitled-design4-768x432.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:768;s:6:\"height\";i:432;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:9:\"1536x1536\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:29:\"Untitled-design4-1536x864.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:1536;s:6:\"height\";i:864;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:24:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:28:\"Untitled-design4-170x110.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:25:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:26:\"Untitled-design4-86x70.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:27:\"Untitled-design4-170x96.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:96;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:22:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:28:\"Untitled-design4-370x250.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:30:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:28:\"Untitled-design4-370x208.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:208;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:21:\"bfastmag_related_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:28:\"Untitled-design4-288x160.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:288;s:6:\"height\";i:160;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:18:\"bfastmag_blog_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:28:\"Untitled-design4-780x544.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:26:\"bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:28:\"Untitled-design4-780x439.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:439;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:0:\"\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:1:\"0\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:1:\"0\";s:3:\"iso\";s:1:\"0\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:1:\"0\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";s:1:\"0\";s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}}'),(4995,1651,'_wp_attached_file','2021/07/Untitled-design5.png'),(4996,1651,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:5:{s:5:\"width\";i:1920;s:6:\"height\";i:1080;s:4:\"file\";s:28:\"2021/07/Untitled-design5.png\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:13:{s:6:\"medium\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:28:\"Untitled-design5-300x169.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:300;s:6:\"height\";i:169;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:5:\"large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:29:\"Untitled-design5-1024x576.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:1024;s:6:\"height\";i:576;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:9:\"thumbnail\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:28:\"Untitled-design5-150x150.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:12:\"medium_large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:28:\"Untitled-design5-768x432.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:768;s:6:\"height\";i:432;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:9:\"1536x1536\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:29:\"Untitled-design5-1536x864.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:1536;s:6:\"height\";i:864;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:24:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:28:\"Untitled-design5-170x110.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:25:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:26:\"Untitled-design5-86x70.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:27:\"Untitled-design5-170x96.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:96;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:22:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:28:\"Untitled-design5-370x250.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:30:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:28:\"Untitled-design5-370x208.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:208;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:21:\"bfastmag_related_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:28:\"Untitled-design5-288x160.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:288;s:6:\"height\";i:160;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:18:\"bfastmag_blog_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:28:\"Untitled-design5-780x544.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:26:\"bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:28:\"Untitled-design5-780x439.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:439;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:0:\"\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:1:\"0\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:1:\"0\";s:3:\"iso\";s:1:\"0\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:1:\"0\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";s:1:\"0\";s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}}'),(4997,1655,'_wp_attached_file','2021/07/Cover-Page-Masthead-Table-of-Contents.pdf'),(4999,1658,'_wp_attached_file','2021/07/Tracing-its-Roots_Brief-History-of-ULR.pdf'),(5000,1440,'_yoast_wpseo_metadesc','The online release of UST Law Review Volume 65.'),(5001,1440,'_yoast_wpseo_focuskw','ULR Volume 65'),(5002,1440,'_yoast_wpseo_linkdex','53'),(5003,1440,'_yoast_wpseo_opengraph-description','The online release of UST Law Review Volume 65.'),(5004,1440,'_yoast_wpseo_opengraph-title','%%title%% %%sep%% %%sitename%%'),(5007,1660,'_wp_trash_meta_status','publish'),(5008,1660,'_wp_trash_meta_time','1627285301'),(5009,1661,'_edit_lock','1627516965:1'),(5010,1662,'_wp_attached_file','2021/07/1Atty.-Co-Pua-Article-Banner.png'),(5011,1662,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:5:{s:5:\"width\";i:1920;s:6:\"height\";i:1080;s:4:\"file\";s:40:\"2021/07/1Atty.-Co-Pua-Article-Banner.png\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:13:{s:6:\"medium\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:40:\"1Atty.-Co-Pua-Article-Banner-300x169.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:300;s:6:\"height\";i:169;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:5:\"large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:41:\"1Atty.-Co-Pua-Article-Banner-1024x576.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:1024;s:6:\"height\";i:576;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:9:\"thumbnail\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:40:\"1Atty.-Co-Pua-Article-Banner-150x150.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:12:\"medium_large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:40:\"1Atty.-Co-Pua-Article-Banner-768x432.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:768;s:6:\"height\";i:432;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:9:\"1536x1536\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:41:\"1Atty.-Co-Pua-Article-Banner-1536x864.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:1536;s:6:\"height\";i:864;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:24:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:40:\"1Atty.-Co-Pua-Article-Banner-170x110.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:25:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:38:\"1Atty.-Co-Pua-Article-Banner-86x70.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:39:\"1Atty.-Co-Pua-Article-Banner-170x96.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:96;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:22:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:40:\"1Atty.-Co-Pua-Article-Banner-370x250.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:30:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:40:\"1Atty.-Co-Pua-Article-Banner-370x208.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:208;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:21:\"bfastmag_related_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:40:\"1Atty.-Co-Pua-Article-Banner-288x160.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:288;s:6:\"height\";i:160;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:18:\"bfastmag_blog_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:40:\"1Atty.-Co-Pua-Article-Banner-780x544.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:26:\"bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:40:\"1Atty.-Co-Pua-Article-Banner-780x439.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:439;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:0:\"\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:1:\"0\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:1:\"0\";s:3:\"iso\";s:1:\"0\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:1:\"0\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";s:1:\"0\";s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}}'),(5012,1661,'_thumbnail_id','1662'),(5013,1661,'_edit_last','1'),(5014,1661,'wptr_hide_title','1'),(5015,1661,'ss_social_share_disable',''),(5016,1661,'_yoast_wpseo_primary_category','98'),(5017,1661,'_yoast_wpseo_content_score','30'),(5018,1661,'_yoast_wpseo_estimated-reading-time-minutes','3'),(5020,1661,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(5021,1661,'_elementor_version','3.2.5'),(5028,1672,'_thumbnail_id','1662'),(5029,1672,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(5030,1672,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(5031,1672,'_elementor_version','3.2.5'),(5032,1673,'_thumbnail_id','1662'),(5033,1673,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(5034,1673,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(5035,1673,'_elementor_version','3.2.5'),(5036,1661,'_wp_page_template','elementor_theme'),(5037,1661,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"1aa4016d\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":{\"content_width\":{\"unit\":\"px\",\"size\":1000,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"512200af\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"71260315\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p style=\\\"text-align: center;\\\"><!-- wp:heading --><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<h2 style=\\\"text-align: center;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 18pt;\\\"><strong>The Revised Corporation Code:<\\/strong> <\\/span><br \\/><span style=\\\"font-size: 18pt;\\\"><strong>Stronger Framework and Governance Towards<\\/strong> <\\/span><br \\/><span style=\\\"font-size: 18pt;\\\"><strong>Better Protection of Minority Rights and<\\/strong> <strong><br \\/>Improved Ease of Doing Business<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/h2>\\n<p style=\\\"text-align: center;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"text-align: center;\\\">By <em>Marian Joanne K. Co-Pua<\\/em><a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-admin\\/post.php?post=1661&action=edit#_ftn1\\\"><em>*<\\/em><\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:file {\\\"id\\\":1493,\\\"href\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Revised-Corporation-Code_Stronger-Framework-and-Governance-by-Marian-Joanne-Co-Pua.pdf\\\",\\\"displayPreview\\\":false,\\\"align\\\":\\\"right\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-file alignright\\\"><a class=\\\"wp-block-file__button\\\" href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Revised-Corporation-Code_Stronger-Framework-and-Governance-by-Marian-Joanne-Co-Pua.pdf\\\" download=\\\"\\\">Download PDF Here<\\/a><\\/div>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:file --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":13} --><\\/p>\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-spacer\\\" style=\\\"height: 13px;\\\" aria-hidden=\\\"true\\\">\\u00a0<\\/div>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"text-align: center;\\\"><strong>I. THE REVISED CORPORATION CODE<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Republic Act No. 11232, otherwise known as the \\u201cRevised Corporation Code of the Philippines\\u201d (RCC), is a consolidation of Senate Bill No. 1280 and House Bill No. 8374 aimed at increasing competitiveness and improving ease of doing business, especially considering that the Philippines slipped to rank 124<sup>th<\\/sup> from rank 113<sup>th<\\/sup> out of one hundred ninety (190) economies surveyed in the <em>Doing Business 2019 <\\/em>report of the World Bank. By documenting changes in regulation in twelve (12) areas of business activity in the said economies,<em>\\u00a0Doing Business<\\/em>\\u00a0analyzes regulation that encourages efficiency and supports freedom to do business; as it measures how easy or difficult it is for an entrepreneur to open, manage and operate his business, and how such business may readily comply with regulations.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>In the sponsorship speech of Senate Bill No. 1280, four (4) main reform clusters were mentioned, to wit:<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 80px;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\"><a>First, policies that would enhance the ease of doing business in the Philippines;<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 80px;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\">Second, rules that prioritize corporate and stockholder protection;<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 80px;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\">Third, provisions that instill corporate and civic responsibility; and<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 80px;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\">Fourth, amendments that will strengthen the country\\u2019s policy and regulatory corporate framework.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The adoption of the RCC in February 2019 readily resulted to a 29-notch jump for the Philippines, now ranked 95<sup>th<\\/sup> in the <em>Doing Business 2020 <\\/em>report. Based on the report, the Philippines improved in three areas: starting a business, dealing with construction permits, and protecting minority investors. The report stated that starting a business was made easier by abolishing the minimum capital requirement for domestic companies; dealing with construction permits was made easier by improving coordination and streamlining the process for obtaining an occupancy certificate; and protecting minority investors was strengthened by requiring greater disclosure of transactions with interested parties and enhancing director liability for transactions with interested parties.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) as the overseer of the corporate sector considers the adoption of the RCC as one giant leap forward as it fills the gaps in the four-decade-old Batas Pambansa Blg. 68, otherwise known as \\u201cThe Corporation Code of the Philippines\\u201d (CCP) and supersedes provisions that have become obsolete and even hindersome in a fast-paced and highly competitive environment.<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\">[1]<\\/a> According to the SEC, \\u201coverall, the Revised Corporation Code fosters inclusive entrepreneurship, improves the ease of doing business in the country and subsequently the economy\\u2019s competitiveness, promotes good corporate governance, and increases protection afforded to corporations, investors and other stakeholders through progressive provisions.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\">[2]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 This article intends to discuss the changes introduced by the RCC championing the four (4) main reform clusters, provide insights on such changes and recent circulars issued by the SEC, and discuss additional measures that may be further adopted to better achieve the laudable objectives of the RCC.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">*<\\/a> Doctor of Civil Law: University of Santo Tomas; Lecturer: University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Civil Law and Bulacan State University College of Law; Editorial Board: UST Law Journal (First Edition - 2019); Editor-in-Chief: UST Law Review<em> - <\\/em>Vol. 50 (2005-2006).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[1]<\\/a> Foreword, SEC Briefer on Revised Corporation Code. Available at: <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.sec.gov.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2019\\/11\\/2019RCC_BrieferonRevisedCorporationCode.pdf\\\">https:\\/\\/www.sec.gov.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2019\\/11\\/2019RCC_BrieferonRevisedCorporationCode.pdf<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[2]<\\/a> Ibid.<\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed {\\\"imageURL\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Revised-Corporation-Code_Stronger-Framework-and-Governance-by-Marian-Joanne-Co-Pua.pdf\\\",\\\"imgID\\\":1493,\\\"imgTitle\\\":\\\"Revised Corporation Code_Stronger Framework and Governance by Marian Joanne Co Pua\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-pdfjsblock-pdfjs-embed pdfjs-wrapper\\\">[pdfjs-viewer viewer_width=0 viewer_height=800 url=http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Revised-Corporation-Code_Stronger-Framework-and-Governance-by-Marian-Joanne-Co-Pua.pdf download=true print=true fullscreen=false fullscreen_target=false fullscreen_text=\\\"View%20Fullscreen\\\" zoom=auto search_term=\\\"\\\" ]<\\/div>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed --><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]},\"_margin\":{\"unit\":\"px\",\"top\":\"0\",\"right\":\"0\",\"bottom\":\"0\",\"left\":\"0\",\"isLinked\":true},\"_padding\":{\"unit\":\"px\",\"top\":\"8\",\"right\":\"8\",\"bottom\":\"8\",\"left\":\"8\",\"isLinked\":true}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(5038,1674,'_thumbnail_id','1662'),(5039,1674,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(5040,1674,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(5041,1674,'_elementor_version','3.2.5'),(5042,1674,'_wp_page_template','default'),(5043,1674,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"1aa4016d\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"512200af\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"71260315\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<!-- wp:heading -->\\n<h2><strong>The Revised Corporation Code:<\\/strong> <strong>Stronger Framework and Governance Towards<\\/strong> <strong>Better Protection of Minority Rights and<\\/strong> <strong>Improved Ease of Doing Business<\\/strong><\\/h2>\\n<!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>By <em>Marian Joanne K. Co-Pua<\\/em><a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-admin\\/post.php?post=1661&action=edit#_ftn1\\\"><em>*<\\/em><\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:file {\\\"id\\\":1493,\\\"href\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Revised-Corporation-Code_Stronger-Framework-and-Governance-by-Marian-Joanne-Co-Pua.pdf\\\",\\\"displayPreview\\\":false,\\\"align\\\":\\\"right\\\"} -->\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-file alignright\\\"><a class=\\\"wp-block-file__button\\\" href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Revised-Corporation-Code_Stronger-Framework-and-Governance-by-Marian-Joanne-Co-Pua.pdf\\\" download=\\\"\\\">Download PDF Here<\\/a><\\/div>\\n<!-- \\/wp:file --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":13} -->\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-spacer\\\" style=\\\"height: 13px;\\\" aria-hidden=\\\"true\\\">\\u00a0<\\/div>\\n<!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><strong>I. THE REVISED CORPORATION CODE<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Republic Act No. 11232, otherwise known as the \\u201cRevised Corporation Code of the Philippines\\u201d (RCC), is a consolidation of Senate Bill No. 1280 and House Bill No. 8374 aimed at increasing competitiveness and improving ease of doing business, especially considering that the Philippines slipped to rank 124<sup>th<\\/sup> from rank 113<sup>th<\\/sup> out of one hundred ninety (190) economies surveyed in the <em>Doing Business 2019 <\\/em>report of the World Bank. By documenting changes in regulation in twelve (12) areas of business activity in the said economies,<em>\\u00a0Doing Business<\\/em>\\u00a0analyzes regulation that encourages efficiency and supports freedom to do business; as it measures how easy or difficult it is for an entrepreneur to open, manage and operate his business, and how such business may readily comply with regulations.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>In the sponsorship speech of Senate Bill No. 1280, four (4) main reform clusters were mentioned, to wit:<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 80px;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\"><a>First, policies that would enhance the ease of doing business in the Philippines;<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 80px;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\">Second, rules that prioritize corporate and stockholder protection;<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 80px;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\">Third, provisions that instill corporate and civic responsibility; and<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 80px;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\">Fourth, amendments that will strengthen the country\\u2019s policy and regulatory corporate framework.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The adoption of the RCC in February 2019 readily resulted to a 29-notch jump for the Philippines, now ranked 95<sup>th<\\/sup> in the <em>Doing Business 2020 <\\/em>report. Based on the report, the Philippines improved in three areas: starting a business, dealing with construction permits, and protecting minority investors. The report stated that starting a business was made easier by abolishing the minimum capital requirement for domestic companies; dealing with construction permits was made easier by improving coordination and streamlining the process for obtaining an occupancy certificate; and protecting minority investors was strengthened by requiring greater disclosure of transactions with interested parties and enhancing director liability for transactions with interested parties.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) as the overseer of the corporate sector considers the adoption of the RCC as one giant leap forward as it fills the gaps in the four-decade-old Batas Pambansa Blg. 68, otherwise known as \\u201cThe Corporation Code of the Philippines\\u201d (CCP) and supersedes provisions that have become obsolete and even hindersome in a fast-paced and highly competitive environment.<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\">[1]<\\/a> According to the SEC, \\u201coverall, the Revised Corporation Code fosters inclusive entrepreneurship, improves the ease of doing business in the country and subsequently the economy\\u2019s competitiveness, promotes good corporate governance, and increases protection afforded to corporations, investors and other stakeholders through progressive provisions.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\">[2]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>This article intends to discuss the changes introduced by the RCC championing the four (4) main reform clusters, provide insights on such changes and recent circulars issued by the SEC, and discuss additional measures that may be further adopted to better achieve the laudable objectives of the RCC.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">*<\\/a> Doctor of Civil Law: University of Santo Tomas; Lecturer: University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Civil Law and Bulacan State University College of Law; Editorial Board: UST Law Journal (First Edition - 2019); Editor-in-Chief: UST Law Review<em> - <\\/em>Vol. 50 (2005-2006).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[1]<\\/a> Foreword, SEC Briefer on Revised Corporation Code. Available at: <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.sec.gov.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2019\\/11\\/2019RCC_BrieferonRevisedCorporationCode.pdf\\\">https:\\/\\/www.sec.gov.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2019\\/11\\/2019RCC_BrieferonRevisedCorporationCode.pdf<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[2]<\\/a> Ibid.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed {\\\"imageURL\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Revised-Corporation-Code_Stronger-Framework-and-Governance-by-Marian-Joanne-Co-Pua.pdf\\\",\\\"imgID\\\":1493,\\\"imgTitle\\\":\\\"Revised Corporation Code_Stronger Framework and Governance by Marian Joanne Co Pua\\\"} -->\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-pdfjsblock-pdfjs-embed pdfjs-wrapper\\\">[pdfjs-viewer viewer_width=0 viewer_height=800 url=http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Revised-Corporation-Code_Stronger-Framework-and-Governance-by-Marian-Joanne-Co-Pua.pdf download=true print=true fullscreen=false fullscreen_target=false fullscreen_text=\\\"View%20Fullscreen\\\" zoom=auto search_term=\\\"\\\" ]<\\/div>\\n<!-- \\/wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed -->\"},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(5045,1675,'_wp_trash_meta_status','publish'),(5046,1675,'_wp_trash_meta_time','1627302569'),(5047,1677,'_edit_lock','1627302686:1'),(5048,1677,'_wp_trash_meta_status','publish'),(5049,1677,'_wp_trash_meta_time','1627302694'),(5050,1679,'_thumbnail_id','1662'),(5051,1679,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(5052,1679,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(5053,1679,'_elementor_version','3.2.5'),(5054,1679,'_wp_page_template','default'),(5055,1679,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"1aa4016d\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"512200af\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"71260315\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<!-- wp:heading -->\\n<h2><strong>The Revised Corporation Code:<\\/strong> <strong>Stronger Framework and Governance Towards<\\/strong> <strong>Better Protection of Minority Rights and<\\/strong> <strong>Improved Ease of Doing Business<\\/strong><\\/h2>\\n<!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>By <em>Marian Joanne K. Co-Pua<\\/em><a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-admin\\/post.php?post=1661&action=edit#_ftn1\\\"><em>*<\\/em><\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:file {\\\"id\\\":1493,\\\"href\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Revised-Corporation-Code_Stronger-Framework-and-Governance-by-Marian-Joanne-Co-Pua.pdf\\\",\\\"displayPreview\\\":false,\\\"align\\\":\\\"right\\\"} -->\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-file alignright\\\"><a class=\\\"wp-block-file__button\\\" href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Revised-Corporation-Code_Stronger-Framework-and-Governance-by-Marian-Joanne-Co-Pua.pdf\\\" download=\\\"\\\">Download PDF Here<\\/a><\\/div>\\n<!-- \\/wp:file --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":13} -->\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-spacer\\\" style=\\\"height: 13px;\\\" aria-hidden=\\\"true\\\">\\u00a0<\\/div>\\n<!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><strong>I. THE REVISED CORPORATION CODE<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Republic Act No. 11232, otherwise known as the \\u201cRevised Corporation Code of the Philippines\\u201d (RCC), is a consolidation of Senate Bill No. 1280 and House Bill No. 8374 aimed at increasing competitiveness and improving ease of doing business, especially considering that the Philippines slipped to rank 124<sup>th<\\/sup> from rank 113<sup>th<\\/sup> out of one hundred ninety (190) economies surveyed in the <em>Doing Business 2019 <\\/em>report of the World Bank. By documenting changes in regulation in twelve (12) areas of business activity in the said economies,<em>\\u00a0Doing Business<\\/em>\\u00a0analyzes regulation that encourages efficiency and supports freedom to do business; as it measures how easy or difficult it is for an entrepreneur to open, manage and operate his business, and how such business may readily comply with regulations.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>In the sponsorship speech of Senate Bill No. 1280, four (4) main reform clusters were mentioned, to wit:<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 80px;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\"><a>First, policies that would enhance the ease of doing business in the Philippines;<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 80px;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\">Second, rules that prioritize corporate and stockholder protection;<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 80px;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\">Third, provisions that instill corporate and civic responsibility; and<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 80px;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\">Fourth, amendments that will strengthen the country\\u2019s policy and regulatory corporate framework.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The adoption of the RCC in February 2019 readily resulted to a 29-notch jump for the Philippines, now ranked 95<sup>th<\\/sup> in the <em>Doing Business 2020 <\\/em>report. Based on the report, the Philippines improved in three areas: starting a business, dealing with construction permits, and protecting minority investors. The report stated that starting a business was made easier by abolishing the minimum capital requirement for domestic companies; dealing with construction permits was made easier by improving coordination and streamlining the process for obtaining an occupancy certificate; and protecting minority investors was strengthened by requiring greater disclosure of transactions with interested parties and enhancing director liability for transactions with interested parties.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) as the overseer of the corporate sector considers the adoption of the RCC as one giant leap forward as it fills the gaps in the four-decade-old Batas Pambansa Blg. 68, otherwise known as \\u201cThe Corporation Code of the Philippines\\u201d (CCP) and supersedes provisions that have become obsolete and even hindersome in a fast-paced and highly competitive environment.<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\">[1]<\\/a> According to the SEC, \\u201coverall, the Revised Corporation Code fosters inclusive entrepreneurship, improves the ease of doing business in the country and subsequently the economy\\u2019s competitiveness, promotes good corporate governance, and increases protection afforded to corporations, investors and other stakeholders through progressive provisions.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\">[2]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>This article intends to discuss the changes introduced by the RCC championing the four (4) main reform clusters, provide insights on such changes and recent circulars issued by the SEC, and discuss additional measures that may be further adopted to better achieve the laudable objectives of the RCC.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">*<\\/a> Doctor of Civil Law: University of Santo Tomas; Lecturer: University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Civil Law and Bulacan State University College of Law; Editorial Board: UST Law Journal (First Edition - 2019); Editor-in-Chief: UST Law Review<em> - <\\/em>Vol. 50 (2005-2006).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[1]<\\/a> Foreword, SEC Briefer on Revised Corporation Code. Available at: <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.sec.gov.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2019\\/11\\/2019RCC_BrieferonRevisedCorporationCode.pdf\\\">https:\\/\\/www.sec.gov.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2019\\/11\\/2019RCC_BrieferonRevisedCorporationCode.pdf<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[2]<\\/a> Ibid.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed {\\\"imageURL\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Revised-Corporation-Code_Stronger-Framework-and-Governance-by-Marian-Joanne-Co-Pua.pdf\\\",\\\"imgID\\\":1493,\\\"imgTitle\\\":\\\"Revised Corporation Code_Stronger Framework and Governance by Marian Joanne Co Pua\\\"} -->\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-pdfjsblock-pdfjs-embed pdfjs-wrapper\\\">[pdfjs-viewer viewer_width=0 viewer_height=800 url=http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Revised-Corporation-Code_Stronger-Framework-and-Governance-by-Marian-Joanne-Co-Pua.pdf download=true print=true fullscreen=false fullscreen_target=false fullscreen_text=\\\"View%20Fullscreen\\\" zoom=auto search_term=\\\"\\\" ]<\\/div>\\n<!-- \\/wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed -->\"},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(5056,1680,'_thumbnail_id','1662'),(5057,1680,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(5058,1680,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(5059,1680,'_elementor_version','3.2.5'),(5060,1680,'_wp_page_template','default'),(5061,1680,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"1aa4016d\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"512200af\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"71260315\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<!-- wp:heading -->\\n<h2><strong>The Revised Corporation Code:<\\/strong> <strong>Stronger Framework and Governance Towards<\\/strong> <strong>Better Protection of Minority Rights and<\\/strong> <strong>Improved Ease of Doing Business<\\/strong><\\/h2>\\n<!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>By <em>Marian Joanne K. Co-Pua<\\/em><a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-admin\\/post.php?post=1661&action=edit#_ftn1\\\"><em>*<\\/em><\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:file {\\\"id\\\":1493,\\\"href\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Revised-Corporation-Code_Stronger-Framework-and-Governance-by-Marian-Joanne-Co-Pua.pdf\\\",\\\"displayPreview\\\":false,\\\"align\\\":\\\"right\\\"} -->\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-file alignright\\\"><a class=\\\"wp-block-file__button\\\" href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Revised-Corporation-Code_Stronger-Framework-and-Governance-by-Marian-Joanne-Co-Pua.pdf\\\" download=\\\"\\\">Download PDF Here<\\/a><\\/div>\\n<!-- \\/wp:file --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":13} -->\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-spacer\\\" style=\\\"height: 13px;\\\" aria-hidden=\\\"true\\\">\\u00a0<\\/div>\\n<!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><strong>I. THE REVISED CORPORATION CODE<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Republic Act No. 11232, otherwise known as the \\u201cRevised Corporation Code of the Philippines\\u201d (RCC), is a consolidation of Senate Bill No. 1280 and House Bill No. 8374 aimed at increasing competitiveness and improving ease of doing business, especially considering that the Philippines slipped to rank 124<sup>th<\\/sup> from rank 113<sup>th<\\/sup> out of one hundred ninety (190) economies surveyed in the <em>Doing Business 2019 <\\/em>report of the World Bank. By documenting changes in regulation in twelve (12) areas of business activity in the said economies,<em>\\u00a0Doing Business<\\/em>\\u00a0analyzes regulation that encourages efficiency and supports freedom to do business; as it measures how easy or difficult it is for an entrepreneur to open, manage and operate his business, and how such business may readily comply with regulations.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>In the sponsorship speech of Senate Bill No. 1280, four (4) main reform clusters were mentioned, to wit:<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 80px;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\"><a>First, policies that would enhance the ease of doing business in the Philippines;<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 80px;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\">Second, rules that prioritize corporate and stockholder protection;<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 80px;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\">Third, provisions that instill corporate and civic responsibility; and<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 80px;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\">Fourth, amendments that will strengthen the country\\u2019s policy and regulatory corporate framework.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The adoption of the RCC in February 2019 readily resulted to a 29-notch jump for the Philippines, now ranked 95<sup>th<\\/sup> in the <em>Doing Business 2020 <\\/em>report. Based on the report, the Philippines improved in three areas: starting a business, dealing with construction permits, and protecting minority investors. The report stated that starting a business was made easier by abolishing the minimum capital requirement for domestic companies; dealing with construction permits was made easier by improving coordination and streamlining the process for obtaining an occupancy certificate; and protecting minority investors was strengthened by requiring greater disclosure of transactions with interested parties and enhancing director liability for transactions with interested parties.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) as the overseer of the corporate sector considers the adoption of the RCC as one giant leap forward as it fills the gaps in the four-decade-old Batas Pambansa Blg. 68, otherwise known as \\u201cThe Corporation Code of the Philippines\\u201d (CCP) and supersedes provisions that have become obsolete and even hindersome in a fast-paced and highly competitive environment.<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\">[1]<\\/a> According to the SEC, \\u201coverall, the Revised Corporation Code fosters inclusive entrepreneurship, improves the ease of doing business in the country and subsequently the economy\\u2019s competitiveness, promotes good corporate governance, and increases protection afforded to corporations, investors and other stakeholders through progressive provisions.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\">[2]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>This article intends to discuss the changes introduced by the RCC championing the four (4) main reform clusters, provide insights on such changes and recent circulars issued by the SEC, and discuss additional measures that may be further adopted to better achieve the laudable objectives of the RCC.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">*<\\/a> Doctor of Civil Law: University of Santo Tomas; Lecturer: University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Civil Law and Bulacan State University College of Law; Editorial Board: UST Law Journal (First Edition - 2019); Editor-in-Chief: UST Law Review<em> - <\\/em>Vol. 50 (2005-2006).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[1]<\\/a> Foreword, SEC Briefer on Revised Corporation Code. Available at: <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.sec.gov.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2019\\/11\\/2019RCC_BrieferonRevisedCorporationCode.pdf\\\">https:\\/\\/www.sec.gov.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2019\\/11\\/2019RCC_BrieferonRevisedCorporationCode.pdf<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[2]<\\/a> Ibid.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed {\\\"imageURL\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Revised-Corporation-Code_Stronger-Framework-and-Governance-by-Marian-Joanne-Co-Pua.pdf\\\",\\\"imgID\\\":1493,\\\"imgTitle\\\":\\\"Revised Corporation Code_Stronger Framework and Governance by Marian Joanne Co Pua\\\"} -->\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-pdfjsblock-pdfjs-embed pdfjs-wrapper\\\">[pdfjs-viewer viewer_width=0 viewer_height=800 url=http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Revised-Corporation-Code_Stronger-Framework-and-Governance-by-Marian-Joanne-Co-Pua.pdf download=true print=true fullscreen=false fullscreen_target=false fullscreen_text=\\\"View%20Fullscreen\\\" zoom=auto search_term=\\\"\\\" ]<\\/div>\\n<!-- \\/wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed -->\"},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(5062,1681,'_thumbnail_id','1662'),(5063,1681,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(5064,1681,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(5065,1681,'_elementor_version','3.2.5'),(5066,1681,'_wp_page_template','default'),(5067,1681,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"1aa4016d\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"512200af\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"71260315\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><!-- wp:heading --><\\/p>\\n<h2><strong>The Revised Corporation Code:<\\/strong> <strong>Stronger Framework and Governance Towards<\\/strong> <strong>Better Protection of Minority Rights and<\\/strong> <strong>Improved Ease of Doing Business<\\/strong><\\/h2>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>By <em>Marian Joanne K. Co-Pua<\\/em><a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-admin\\/post.php?post=1661&action=edit#_ftn1\\\"><em>*<\\/em><\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:file {\\\"id\\\":1493,\\\"href\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Revised-Corporation-Code_Stronger-Framework-and-Governance-by-Marian-Joanne-Co-Pua.pdf\\\",\\\"displayPreview\\\":false,\\\"align\\\":\\\"right\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-file alignright\\\"><a class=\\\"wp-block-file__button\\\" href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Revised-Corporation-Code_Stronger-Framework-and-Governance-by-Marian-Joanne-Co-Pua.pdf\\\" download=\\\"\\\">Download PDF Here<\\/a><\\/div>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:file --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":13} --><\\/p>\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-spacer\\\" style=\\\"height: 13px;\\\" aria-hidden=\\\"true\\\"> <\\/div>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>I. THE REVISED CORPORATION CODE<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> Republic Act No. 11232, otherwise known as the \\u201cRevised Corporation Code of the Philippines\\u201d (RCC), is a consolidation of Senate Bill No. 1280 and House Bill No. 8374 aimed at increasing competitiveness and improving ease of doing business, especially considering that the Philippines slipped to rank 124<sup>th<\\/sup> from rank 113<sup>th<\\/sup> out of one hundred ninety (190) economies surveyed in the <em>Doing Business 2019 <\\/em>report of the World Bank. By documenting changes in regulation in twelve (12) areas of business activity in the said economies,<em> Doing Business<\\/em> analyzes regulation that encourages efficiency and supports freedom to do business; as it measures how easy or difficult it is for an entrepreneur to open, manage and operate his business, and how such business may readily comply with regulations.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>In the sponsorship speech of Senate Bill No. 1280, four (4) main reform clusters were mentioned, to wit:<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 80px;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\"><a>First, policies that would enhance the ease of doing business in the Philippines;<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 80px;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\">Second, rules that prioritize corporate and stockholder protection;<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 80px;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\">Third, provisions that instill corporate and civic responsibility; and<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 80px;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\">Fourth, amendments that will strengthen the country\\u2019s policy and regulatory corporate framework.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> The adoption of the RCC in February 2019 readily resulted to a 29-notch jump for the Philippines, now ranked 95<sup>th<\\/sup> in the <em>Doing Business 2020 <\\/em>report. Based on the report, the Philippines improved in three areas: starting a business, dealing with construction permits, and protecting minority investors. The report stated that starting a business was made easier by abolishing the minimum capital requirement for domestic companies; dealing with construction permits was made easier by improving coordination and streamlining the process for obtaining an occupancy certificate; and protecting minority investors was strengthened by requiring greater disclosure of transactions with interested parties and enhancing director liability for transactions with interested parties.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) as the overseer of the corporate sector considers the adoption of the RCC as one giant leap forward as it fills the gaps in the four-decade-old Batas Pambansa Blg. 68, otherwise known as \\u201cThe Corporation Code of the Philippines\\u201d (CCP) and supersedes provisions that have become obsolete and even hindersome in a fast-paced and highly competitive environment.<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\">[1]<\\/a> According to the SEC, \\u201coverall, the Revised Corporation Code fosters inclusive entrepreneurship, improves the ease of doing business in the country and subsequently the economy\\u2019s competitiveness, promotes good corporate governance, and increases protection afforded to corporations, investors and other stakeholders through progressive provisions.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\">[2]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> This article intends to discuss the changes introduced by the RCC championing the four (4) main reform clusters, provide insights on such changes and recent circulars issued by the SEC, and discuss additional measures that may be further adopted to better achieve the laudable objectives of the RCC.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\">\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">*<\\/a> Doctor of Civil Law: University of Santo Tomas; Lecturer: University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Civil Law and Bulacan State University College of Law; Editorial Board: UST Law Journal (First Edition - 2019); Editor-in-Chief: UST Law Review<em> - <\\/em>Vol. 50 (2005-2006).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[1]<\\/a> Foreword, SEC Briefer on Revised Corporation Code. Available at: <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.sec.gov.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2019\\/11\\/2019RCC_BrieferonRevisedCorporationCode.pdf\\\">https:\\/\\/www.sec.gov.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2019\\/11\\/2019RCC_BrieferonRevisedCorporationCode.pdf<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[2]<\\/a> Ibid.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed {\\\"imageURL\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Revised-Corporation-Code_Stronger-Framework-and-Governance-by-Marian-Joanne-Co-Pua.pdf\\\",\\\"imgID\\\":1493,\\\"imgTitle\\\":\\\"Revised Corporation Code_Stronger Framework and Governance by Marian Joanne Co Pua\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-pdfjsblock-pdfjs-embed pdfjs-wrapper\\\">[pdfjs-viewer viewer_width=0 viewer_height=800 url=http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Revised-Corporation-Code_Stronger-Framework-and-Governance-by-Marian-Joanne-Co-Pua.pdf download=true print=true fullscreen=false fullscreen_target=false fullscreen_text=\\\"View%20Fullscreen\\\" zoom=auto search_term=\\\"\\\" ]<\\/div>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed --><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(5070,1682,'_thumbnail_id','1662'),(5071,1682,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(5072,1682,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(5073,1682,'_elementor_version','3.2.5'),(5074,1682,'_wp_page_template','default'),(5075,1682,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"1aa4016d\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"512200af\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"71260315\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><!-- wp:heading --><\\/p>\\n<h2><strong>The Revised Corporation Code:<\\/strong> <strong>Stronger Framework and Governance Towards<\\/strong> <strong>Better Protection of Minority Rights and<\\/strong> <strong>Improved Ease of Doing Business<\\/strong><\\/h2>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>By <em>Marian Joanne K. Co-Pua<\\/em><a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-admin\\/post.php?post=1661&action=edit#_ftn1\\\"><em>*<\\/em><\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:file {\\\"id\\\":1493,\\\"href\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Revised-Corporation-Code_Stronger-Framework-and-Governance-by-Marian-Joanne-Co-Pua.pdf\\\",\\\"displayPreview\\\":false,\\\"align\\\":\\\"right\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-file alignright\\\"><a class=\\\"wp-block-file__button\\\" href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Revised-Corporation-Code_Stronger-Framework-and-Governance-by-Marian-Joanne-Co-Pua.pdf\\\" download=\\\"\\\">Download PDF Here<\\/a><\\/div>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:file --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":13} --><\\/p>\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-spacer\\\" style=\\\"height: 13px;\\\" aria-hidden=\\\"true\\\"> <\\/div>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>I. THE REVISED CORPORATION CODE<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> Republic Act No. 11232, otherwise known as the \\u201cRevised Corporation Code of the Philippines\\u201d (RCC), is a consolidation of Senate Bill No. 1280 and House Bill No. 8374 aimed at increasing competitiveness and improving ease of doing business, especially considering that the Philippines slipped to rank 124<sup>th<\\/sup> from rank 113<sup>th<\\/sup> out of one hundred ninety (190) economies surveyed in the <em>Doing Business 2019 <\\/em>report of the World Bank. By documenting changes in regulation in twelve (12) areas of business activity in the said economies,<em> Doing Business<\\/em> analyzes regulation that encourages efficiency and supports freedom to do business; as it measures how easy or difficult it is for an entrepreneur to open, manage and operate his business, and how such business may readily comply with regulations.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>In the sponsorship speech of Senate Bill No. 1280, four (4) main reform clusters were mentioned, to wit:<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 80px;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\"><a>First, policies that would enhance the ease of doing business in the Philippines;<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 80px;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\">Second, rules that prioritize corporate and stockholder protection;<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 80px;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\">Third, provisions that instill corporate and civic responsibility; and<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 80px;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\">Fourth, amendments that will strengthen the country\\u2019s policy and regulatory corporate framework.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> The adoption of the RCC in February 2019 readily resulted to a 29-notch jump for the Philippines, now ranked 95<sup>th<\\/sup> in the <em>Doing Business 2020 <\\/em>report. Based on the report, the Philippines improved in three areas: starting a business, dealing with construction permits, and protecting minority investors. The report stated that starting a business was made easier by abolishing the minimum capital requirement for domestic companies; dealing with construction permits was made easier by improving coordination and streamlining the process for obtaining an occupancy certificate; and protecting minority investors was strengthened by requiring greater disclosure of transactions with interested parties and enhancing director liability for transactions with interested parties.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) as the overseer of the corporate sector considers the adoption of the RCC as one giant leap forward as it fills the gaps in the four-decade-old Batas Pambansa Blg. 68, otherwise known as \\u201cThe Corporation Code of the Philippines\\u201d (CCP) and supersedes provisions that have become obsolete and even hindersome in a fast-paced and highly competitive environment.<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\">[1]<\\/a> According to the SEC, \\u201coverall, the Revised Corporation Code fosters inclusive entrepreneurship, improves the ease of doing business in the country and subsequently the economy\\u2019s competitiveness, promotes good corporate governance, and increases protection afforded to corporations, investors and other stakeholders through progressive provisions.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\">[2]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> This article intends to discuss the changes introduced by the RCC championing the four (4) main reform clusters, provide insights on such changes and recent circulars issued by the SEC, and discuss additional measures that may be further adopted to better achieve the laudable objectives of the RCC.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\">\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">*<\\/a> Doctor of Civil Law: University of Santo Tomas; Lecturer: University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Civil Law and Bulacan State University College of Law; Editorial Board: UST Law Journal (First Edition - 2019); Editor-in-Chief: UST Law Review<em> - <\\/em>Vol. 50 (2005-2006).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[1]<\\/a> Foreword, SEC Briefer on Revised Corporation Code. Available at: <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.sec.gov.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2019\\/11\\/2019RCC_BrieferonRevisedCorporationCode.pdf\\\">https:\\/\\/www.sec.gov.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2019\\/11\\/2019RCC_BrieferonRevisedCorporationCode.pdf<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[2]<\\/a> Ibid.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed {\\\"imageURL\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Revised-Corporation-Code_Stronger-Framework-and-Governance-by-Marian-Joanne-Co-Pua.pdf\\\",\\\"imgID\\\":1493,\\\"imgTitle\\\":\\\"Revised Corporation Code_Stronger Framework and Governance by Marian Joanne Co Pua\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-pdfjsblock-pdfjs-embed pdfjs-wrapper\\\">[pdfjs-viewer viewer_width=0 viewer_height=800 url=http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Revised-Corporation-Code_Stronger-Framework-and-Governance-by-Marian-Joanne-Co-Pua.pdf download=true print=true fullscreen=false fullscreen_target=false fullscreen_text=\\\"View%20Fullscreen\\\" zoom=auto search_term=\\\"\\\" ]<\\/div>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed --><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(5077,1683,'_thumbnail_id','1662'),(5078,1683,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(5079,1683,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(5080,1683,'_elementor_version','3.2.5'),(5081,1683,'_wp_page_template','default'),(5082,1683,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"1aa4016d\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"512200af\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"71260315\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><!-- wp:heading --><\\/p>\\n<h2><strong>The Revised Corporation Code:<\\/strong> <strong>Stronger Framework and Governance Towards<\\/strong> <strong>Better Protection of Minority Rights and<\\/strong> <strong>Improved Ease of Doing Business<\\/strong><\\/h2>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>By <em>Marian Joanne K. Co-Pua<\\/em><a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-admin\\/post.php?post=1661&action=edit#_ftn1\\\"><em>*<\\/em><\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:file {\\\"id\\\":1493,\\\"href\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Revised-Corporation-Code_Stronger-Framework-and-Governance-by-Marian-Joanne-Co-Pua.pdf\\\",\\\"displayPreview\\\":false,\\\"align\\\":\\\"right\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-file alignright\\\"><a class=\\\"wp-block-file__button\\\" href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Revised-Corporation-Code_Stronger-Framework-and-Governance-by-Marian-Joanne-Co-Pua.pdf\\\" download=\\\"\\\">Download PDF Here<\\/a><\\/div>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:file --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":13} --><\\/p>\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-spacer\\\" style=\\\"height: 13px;\\\" aria-hidden=\\\"true\\\"> <\\/div>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>I. THE REVISED CORPORATION CODE<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> Republic Act No. 11232, otherwise known as the \\u201cRevised Corporation Code of the Philippines\\u201d (RCC), is a consolidation of Senate Bill No. 1280 and House Bill No. 8374 aimed at increasing competitiveness and improving ease of doing business, especially considering that the Philippines slipped to rank 124<sup>th<\\/sup> from rank 113<sup>th<\\/sup> out of one hundred ninety (190) economies surveyed in the <em>Doing Business 2019 <\\/em>report of the World Bank. By documenting changes in regulation in twelve (12) areas of business activity in the said economies,<em> Doing Business<\\/em> analyzes regulation that encourages efficiency and supports freedom to do business; as it measures how easy or difficult it is for an entrepreneur to open, manage and operate his business, and how such business may readily comply with regulations.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>In the sponsorship speech of Senate Bill No. 1280, four (4) main reform clusters were mentioned, to wit:<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 80px;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\"><a>First, policies that would enhance the ease of doing business in the Philippines;<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 80px;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\">Second, rules that prioritize corporate and stockholder protection;<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 80px;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\">Third, provisions that instill corporate and civic responsibility; and<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 80px;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\">Fourth, amendments that will strengthen the country\\u2019s policy and regulatory corporate framework.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> The adoption of the RCC in February 2019 readily resulted to a 29-notch jump for the Philippines, now ranked 95<sup>th<\\/sup> in the <em>Doing Business 2020 <\\/em>report. Based on the report, the Philippines improved in three areas: starting a business, dealing with construction permits, and protecting minority investors. The report stated that starting a business was made easier by abolishing the minimum capital requirement for domestic companies; dealing with construction permits was made easier by improving coordination and streamlining the process for obtaining an occupancy certificate; and protecting minority investors was strengthened by requiring greater disclosure of transactions with interested parties and enhancing director liability for transactions with interested parties.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) as the overseer of the corporate sector considers the adoption of the RCC as one giant leap forward as it fills the gaps in the four-decade-old Batas Pambansa Blg. 68, otherwise known as \\u201cThe Corporation Code of the Philippines\\u201d (CCP) and supersedes provisions that have become obsolete and even hindersome in a fast-paced and highly competitive environment.<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\">[1]<\\/a> According to the SEC, \\u201coverall, the Revised Corporation Code fosters inclusive entrepreneurship, improves the ease of doing business in the country and subsequently the economy\\u2019s competitiveness, promotes good corporate governance, and increases protection afforded to corporations, investors and other stakeholders through progressive provisions.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\">[2]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> This article intends to discuss the changes introduced by the RCC championing the four (4) main reform clusters, provide insights on such changes and recent circulars issued by the SEC, and discuss additional measures that may be further adopted to better achieve the laudable objectives of the RCC.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\">\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">*<\\/a> Doctor of Civil Law: University of Santo Tomas; Lecturer: University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Civil Law and Bulacan State University College of Law; Editorial Board: UST Law Journal (First Edition - 2019); Editor-in-Chief: UST Law Review<em> - <\\/em>Vol. 50 (2005-2006).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[1]<\\/a> Foreword, SEC Briefer on Revised Corporation Code. Available at: <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.sec.gov.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2019\\/11\\/2019RCC_BrieferonRevisedCorporationCode.pdf\\\">https:\\/\\/www.sec.gov.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2019\\/11\\/2019RCC_BrieferonRevisedCorporationCode.pdf<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[2]<\\/a> Ibid.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed {\\\"imageURL\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Revised-Corporation-Code_Stronger-Framework-and-Governance-by-Marian-Joanne-Co-Pua.pdf\\\",\\\"imgID\\\":1493,\\\"imgTitle\\\":\\\"Revised Corporation Code_Stronger Framework and Governance by Marian Joanne Co Pua\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-pdfjsblock-pdfjs-embed pdfjs-wrapper\\\">[pdfjs-viewer viewer_width=0 viewer_height=800 url=http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Revised-Corporation-Code_Stronger-Framework-and-Governance-by-Marian-Joanne-Co-Pua.pdf download=true print=true fullscreen=false fullscreen_target=false fullscreen_text=\\\"View%20Fullscreen\\\" zoom=auto search_term=\\\"\\\" ]<\\/div>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed --><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(5084,1684,'_thumbnail_id','1662'),(5085,1684,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(5086,1684,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(5087,1684,'_elementor_version','3.2.5'),(5088,1684,'_wp_page_template','default'),(5089,1684,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"1aa4016d\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"512200af\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"71260315\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><!-- wp:heading --><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<h2><strong>The Revised Corporation Code:<\\/strong> <strong>Stronger Framework and Governance Towards<\\/strong> <strong>Better Protection of Minority Rights and<\\/strong> <strong>Improved Ease of Doing Business<\\/strong><\\/h2>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>By <em>Marian Joanne K. Co-Pua<\\/em><a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-admin\\/post.php?post=1661&action=edit#_ftn1\\\"><em>*<\\/em><\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:file {\\\"id\\\":1493,\\\"href\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Revised-Corporation-Code_Stronger-Framework-and-Governance-by-Marian-Joanne-Co-Pua.pdf\\\",\\\"displayPreview\\\":false,\\\"align\\\":\\\"right\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-file alignright\\\"><a class=\\\"wp-block-file__button\\\" href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Revised-Corporation-Code_Stronger-Framework-and-Governance-by-Marian-Joanne-Co-Pua.pdf\\\" download=\\\"\\\">Download PDF Here<\\/a><\\/div>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:file --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":13} --><\\/p>\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-spacer\\\" style=\\\"height: 13px;\\\" aria-hidden=\\\"true\\\">\\u00a0<\\/div>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>I. THE REVISED CORPORATION CODE<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Republic Act No. 11232, otherwise known as the \\u201cRevised Corporation Code of the Philippines\\u201d (RCC), is a consolidation of Senate Bill No. 1280 and House Bill No. 8374 aimed at increasing competitiveness and improving ease of doing business, especially considering that the Philippines slipped to rank 124<sup>th<\\/sup> from rank 113<sup>th<\\/sup> out of one hundred ninety (190) economies surveyed in the <em>Doing Business 2019 <\\/em>report of the World Bank. By documenting changes in regulation in twelve (12) areas of business activity in the said economies,<em>\\u00a0Doing Business<\\/em>\\u00a0analyzes regulation that encourages efficiency and supports freedom to do business; as it measures how easy or difficult it is for an entrepreneur to open, manage and operate his business, and how such business may readily comply with regulations.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>In the sponsorship speech of Senate Bill No. 1280, four (4) main reform clusters were mentioned, to wit:<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 80px;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\"><a>First, policies that would enhance the ease of doing business in the Philippines;<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 80px;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\">Second, rules that prioritize corporate and stockholder protection;<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 80px;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\">Third, provisions that instill corporate and civic responsibility; and<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 80px;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\">Fourth, amendments that will strengthen the country\\u2019s policy and regulatory corporate framework.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The adoption of the RCC in February 2019 readily resulted to a 29-notch jump for the Philippines, now ranked 95<sup>th<\\/sup> in the <em>Doing Business 2020 <\\/em>report. Based on the report, the Philippines improved in three areas: starting a business, dealing with construction permits, and protecting minority investors. The report stated that starting a business was made easier by abolishing the minimum capital requirement for domestic companies; dealing with construction permits was made easier by improving coordination and streamlining the process for obtaining an occupancy certificate; and protecting minority investors was strengthened by requiring greater disclosure of transactions with interested parties and enhancing director liability for transactions with interested parties.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) as the overseer of the corporate sector considers the adoption of the RCC as one giant leap forward as it fills the gaps in the four-decade-old Batas Pambansa Blg. 68, otherwise known as \\u201cThe Corporation Code of the Philippines\\u201d (CCP) and supersedes provisions that have become obsolete and even hindersome in a fast-paced and highly competitive environment.<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\">[1]<\\/a> According to the SEC, \\u201coverall, the Revised Corporation Code fosters inclusive entrepreneurship, improves the ease of doing business in the country and subsequently the economy\\u2019s competitiveness, promotes good corporate governance, and increases protection afforded to corporations, investors and other stakeholders through progressive provisions.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\">[2]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 This article intends to discuss the changes introduced by the RCC championing the four (4) main reform clusters, provide insights on such changes and recent circulars issued by the SEC, and discuss additional measures that may be further adopted to better achieve the laudable objectives of the RCC.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">*<\\/a> Doctor of Civil Law: University of Santo Tomas; Lecturer: University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Civil Law and Bulacan State University College of Law; Editorial Board: UST Law Journal (First Edition - 2019); Editor-in-Chief: UST Law Review<em> - <\\/em>Vol. 50 (2005-2006).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[1]<\\/a> Foreword, SEC Briefer on Revised Corporation Code. Available at: <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.sec.gov.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2019\\/11\\/2019RCC_BrieferonRevisedCorporationCode.pdf\\\">https:\\/\\/www.sec.gov.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2019\\/11\\/2019RCC_BrieferonRevisedCorporationCode.pdf<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[2]<\\/a> Ibid.<\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed {\\\"imageURL\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Revised-Corporation-Code_Stronger-Framework-and-Governance-by-Marian-Joanne-Co-Pua.pdf\\\",\\\"imgID\\\":1493,\\\"imgTitle\\\":\\\"Revised Corporation Code_Stronger Framework and Governance by Marian Joanne Co Pua\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-pdfjsblock-pdfjs-embed pdfjs-wrapper\\\">[pdfjs-viewer viewer_width=0 viewer_height=800 url=http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Revised-Corporation-Code_Stronger-Framework-and-Governance-by-Marian-Joanne-Co-Pua.pdf download=true print=true fullscreen=false fullscreen_target=false fullscreen_text=\\\"View%20Fullscreen\\\" zoom=auto search_term=\\\"\\\" ]<\\/div>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed --><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(5098,1685,'_thumbnail_id','1662'),(5099,1685,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(5100,1685,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(5101,1685,'_elementor_version','3.2.5'),(5102,1685,'_wp_page_template','default'),(5103,1685,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"1aa4016d\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"512200af\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"71260315\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><!-- wp:heading --><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<h2><strong>The Revised Corporation Code:<\\/strong> <strong>Stronger Framework and Governance Towards<\\/strong> <strong>Better Protection of Minority Rights and<\\/strong> <strong>Improved Ease of Doing Business<\\/strong><\\/h2>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>By <em>Marian Joanne K. Co-Pua<\\/em><a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-admin\\/post.php?post=1661&action=edit#_ftn1\\\"><em>*<\\/em><\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:file {\\\"id\\\":1493,\\\"href\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Revised-Corporation-Code_Stronger-Framework-and-Governance-by-Marian-Joanne-Co-Pua.pdf\\\",\\\"displayPreview\\\":false,\\\"align\\\":\\\"right\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-file alignright\\\"><a class=\\\"wp-block-file__button\\\" href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Revised-Corporation-Code_Stronger-Framework-and-Governance-by-Marian-Joanne-Co-Pua.pdf\\\" download=\\\"\\\">Download PDF Here<\\/a><\\/div>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:file --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":13} --><\\/p>\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-spacer\\\" style=\\\"height: 13px;\\\" aria-hidden=\\\"true\\\">\\u00a0<\\/div>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>I. THE REVISED CORPORATION CODE<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Republic Act No. 11232, otherwise known as the \\u201cRevised Corporation Code of the Philippines\\u201d (RCC), is a consolidation of Senate Bill No. 1280 and House Bill No. 8374 aimed at increasing competitiveness and improving ease of doing business, especially considering that the Philippines slipped to rank 124<sup>th<\\/sup> from rank 113<sup>th<\\/sup> out of one hundred ninety (190) economies surveyed in the <em>Doing Business 2019 <\\/em>report of the World Bank. By documenting changes in regulation in twelve (12) areas of business activity in the said economies,<em>\\u00a0Doing Business<\\/em>\\u00a0analyzes regulation that encourages efficiency and supports freedom to do business; as it measures how easy or difficult it is for an entrepreneur to open, manage and operate his business, and how such business may readily comply with regulations.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>In the sponsorship speech of Senate Bill No. 1280, four (4) main reform clusters were mentioned, to wit:<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 80px;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\"><a>First, policies that would enhance the ease of doing business in the Philippines;<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 80px;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\">Second, rules that prioritize corporate and stockholder protection;<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 80px;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\">Third, provisions that instill corporate and civic responsibility; and<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 80px;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\">Fourth, amendments that will strengthen the country\\u2019s policy and regulatory corporate framework.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The adoption of the RCC in February 2019 readily resulted to a 29-notch jump for the Philippines, now ranked 95<sup>th<\\/sup> in the <em>Doing Business 2020 <\\/em>report. Based on the report, the Philippines improved in three areas: starting a business, dealing with construction permits, and protecting minority investors. The report stated that starting a business was made easier by abolishing the minimum capital requirement for domestic companies; dealing with construction permits was made easier by improving coordination and streamlining the process for obtaining an occupancy certificate; and protecting minority investors was strengthened by requiring greater disclosure of transactions with interested parties and enhancing director liability for transactions with interested parties.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) as the overseer of the corporate sector considers the adoption of the RCC as one giant leap forward as it fills the gaps in the four-decade-old Batas Pambansa Blg. 68, otherwise known as \\u201cThe Corporation Code of the Philippines\\u201d (CCP) and supersedes provisions that have become obsolete and even hindersome in a fast-paced and highly competitive environment.<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\">[1]<\\/a> According to the SEC, \\u201coverall, the Revised Corporation Code fosters inclusive entrepreneurship, improves the ease of doing business in the country and subsequently the economy\\u2019s competitiveness, promotes good corporate governance, and increases protection afforded to corporations, investors and other stakeholders through progressive provisions.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\">[2]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 This article intends to discuss the changes introduced by the RCC championing the four (4) main reform clusters, provide insights on such changes and recent circulars issued by the SEC, and discuss additional measures that may be further adopted to better achieve the laudable objectives of the RCC.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">*<\\/a> Doctor of Civil Law: University of Santo Tomas; Lecturer: University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Civil Law and Bulacan State University College of Law; Editorial Board: UST Law Journal (First Edition - 2019); Editor-in-Chief: UST Law Review<em> - <\\/em>Vol. 50 (2005-2006).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[1]<\\/a> Foreword, SEC Briefer on Revised Corporation Code. Available at: <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.sec.gov.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2019\\/11\\/2019RCC_BrieferonRevisedCorporationCode.pdf\\\">https:\\/\\/www.sec.gov.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2019\\/11\\/2019RCC_BrieferonRevisedCorporationCode.pdf<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[2]<\\/a> Ibid.<\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed {\\\"imageURL\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Revised-Corporation-Code_Stronger-Framework-and-Governance-by-Marian-Joanne-Co-Pua.pdf\\\",\\\"imgID\\\":1493,\\\"imgTitle\\\":\\\"Revised Corporation Code_Stronger Framework and Governance by Marian Joanne Co Pua\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-pdfjsblock-pdfjs-embed pdfjs-wrapper\\\">[pdfjs-viewer viewer_width=0 viewer_height=800 url=http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Revised-Corporation-Code_Stronger-Framework-and-Governance-by-Marian-Joanne-Co-Pua.pdf download=true print=true fullscreen=false fullscreen_target=false fullscreen_text=\\\"View%20Fullscreen\\\" zoom=auto search_term=\\\"\\\" ]<\\/div>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed --><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(5105,1686,'_thumbnail_id','1662'),(5106,1686,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(5107,1686,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(5108,1686,'_elementor_version','3.2.5'),(5109,1686,'_wp_page_template','default'),(5110,1686,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"1aa4016d\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"512200af\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"71260315\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><!-- wp:heading --><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<h2><strong>The Revised Corporation Code:<\\/strong> <strong>Stronger Framework and Governance Towards<\\/strong> <strong>Better Protection of Minority Rights and<\\/strong> <strong>Improved Ease of Doing Business<\\/strong><\\/h2>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>By <em>Marian Joanne K. Co-Pua<\\/em><a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-admin\\/post.php?post=1661&action=edit#_ftn1\\\"><em>*<\\/em><\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:file {\\\"id\\\":1493,\\\"href\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Revised-Corporation-Code_Stronger-Framework-and-Governance-by-Marian-Joanne-Co-Pua.pdf\\\",\\\"displayPreview\\\":false,\\\"align\\\":\\\"right\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-file alignright\\\"><a class=\\\"wp-block-file__button\\\" href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Revised-Corporation-Code_Stronger-Framework-and-Governance-by-Marian-Joanne-Co-Pua.pdf\\\" download=\\\"\\\">Download PDF Here<\\/a><\\/div>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:file --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":13} --><\\/p>\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-spacer\\\" style=\\\"height: 13px;\\\" aria-hidden=\\\"true\\\">\\u00a0<\\/div>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>I. THE REVISED CORPORATION CODE<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Republic Act No. 11232, otherwise known as the \\u201cRevised Corporation Code of the Philippines\\u201d (RCC), is a consolidation of Senate Bill No. 1280 and House Bill No. 8374 aimed at increasing competitiveness and improving ease of doing business, especially considering that the Philippines slipped to rank 124<sup>th<\\/sup> from rank 113<sup>th<\\/sup> out of one hundred ninety (190) economies surveyed in the <em>Doing Business 2019 <\\/em>report of the World Bank. By documenting changes in regulation in twelve (12) areas of business activity in the said economies,<em>\\u00a0Doing Business<\\/em>\\u00a0analyzes regulation that encourages efficiency and supports freedom to do business; as it measures how easy or difficult it is for an entrepreneur to open, manage and operate his business, and how such business may readily comply with regulations.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>In the sponsorship speech of Senate Bill No. 1280, four (4) main reform clusters were mentioned, to wit:<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 80px;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\"><a>First, policies that would enhance the ease of doing business in the Philippines;<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 80px;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\">Second, rules that prioritize corporate and stockholder protection;<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 80px;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\">Third, provisions that instill corporate and civic responsibility; and<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 80px;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\">Fourth, amendments that will strengthen the country\\u2019s policy and regulatory corporate framework.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The adoption of the RCC in February 2019 readily resulted to a 29-notch jump for the Philippines, now ranked 95<sup>th<\\/sup> in the <em>Doing Business 2020 <\\/em>report. Based on the report, the Philippines improved in three areas: starting a business, dealing with construction permits, and protecting minority investors. The report stated that starting a business was made easier by abolishing the minimum capital requirement for domestic companies; dealing with construction permits was made easier by improving coordination and streamlining the process for obtaining an occupancy certificate; and protecting minority investors was strengthened by requiring greater disclosure of transactions with interested parties and enhancing director liability for transactions with interested parties.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) as the overseer of the corporate sector considers the adoption of the RCC as one giant leap forward as it fills the gaps in the four-decade-old Batas Pambansa Blg. 68, otherwise known as \\u201cThe Corporation Code of the Philippines\\u201d (CCP) and supersedes provisions that have become obsolete and even hindersome in a fast-paced and highly competitive environment.<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\">[1]<\\/a> According to the SEC, \\u201coverall, the Revised Corporation Code fosters inclusive entrepreneurship, improves the ease of doing business in the country and subsequently the economy\\u2019s competitiveness, promotes good corporate governance, and increases protection afforded to corporations, investors and other stakeholders through progressive provisions.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\">[2]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 This article intends to discuss the changes introduced by the RCC championing the four (4) main reform clusters, provide insights on such changes and recent circulars issued by the SEC, and discuss additional measures that may be further adopted to better achieve the laudable objectives of the RCC.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">*<\\/a> Doctor of Civil Law: University of Santo Tomas; Lecturer: University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Civil Law and Bulacan State University College of Law; Editorial Board: UST Law Journal (First Edition - 2019); Editor-in-Chief: UST Law Review<em> - <\\/em>Vol. 50 (2005-2006).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[1]<\\/a> Foreword, SEC Briefer on Revised Corporation Code. Available at: <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.sec.gov.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2019\\/11\\/2019RCC_BrieferonRevisedCorporationCode.pdf\\\">https:\\/\\/www.sec.gov.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2019\\/11\\/2019RCC_BrieferonRevisedCorporationCode.pdf<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[2]<\\/a> Ibid.<\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed {\\\"imageURL\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Revised-Corporation-Code_Stronger-Framework-and-Governance-by-Marian-Joanne-Co-Pua.pdf\\\",\\\"imgID\\\":1493,\\\"imgTitle\\\":\\\"Revised Corporation Code_Stronger Framework and Governance by Marian Joanne Co Pua\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-pdfjsblock-pdfjs-embed pdfjs-wrapper\\\">[pdfjs-viewer viewer_width=0 viewer_height=800 url=http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Revised-Corporation-Code_Stronger-Framework-and-Governance-by-Marian-Joanne-Co-Pua.pdf download=true print=true fullscreen=false fullscreen_target=false fullscreen_text=\\\"View%20Fullscreen\\\" zoom=auto search_term=\\\"\\\" ]<\\/div>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed --><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(5112,1687,'_thumbnail_id','1662'),(5113,1687,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(5114,1687,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(5115,1687,'_elementor_version','3.2.5'),(5116,1687,'_wp_page_template','elementor_theme'),(5117,1687,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"1aa4016d\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":{\"content_width\":{\"unit\":\"px\",\"size\":1000,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"512200af\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"71260315\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><!-- wp:heading --><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<h2><strong>The Revised Corporation Code:<\\/strong> <strong>Stronger Framework and Governance Towards<\\/strong> <strong>Better Protection of Minority Rights and<\\/strong> <strong>Improved Ease of Doing Business<\\/strong><\\/h2>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>By <em>Marian Joanne K. Co-Pua<\\/em><a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-admin\\/post.php?post=1661&action=edit#_ftn1\\\"><em>*<\\/em><\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:file {\\\"id\\\":1493,\\\"href\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Revised-Corporation-Code_Stronger-Framework-and-Governance-by-Marian-Joanne-Co-Pua.pdf\\\",\\\"displayPreview\\\":false,\\\"align\\\":\\\"right\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-file alignright\\\"><a class=\\\"wp-block-file__button\\\" href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Revised-Corporation-Code_Stronger-Framework-and-Governance-by-Marian-Joanne-Co-Pua.pdf\\\" download=\\\"\\\">Download PDF Here<\\/a><\\/div>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:file --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":13} --><\\/p>\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-spacer\\\" style=\\\"height: 13px;\\\" aria-hidden=\\\"true\\\">\\u00a0<\\/div>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>I. THE REVISED CORPORATION CODE<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Republic Act No. 11232, otherwise known as the \\u201cRevised Corporation Code of the Philippines\\u201d (RCC), is a consolidation of Senate Bill No. 1280 and House Bill No. 8374 aimed at increasing competitiveness and improving ease of doing business, especially considering that the Philippines slipped to rank 124<sup>th<\\/sup> from rank 113<sup>th<\\/sup> out of one hundred ninety (190) economies surveyed in the <em>Doing Business 2019 <\\/em>report of the World Bank. By documenting changes in regulation in twelve (12) areas of business activity in the said economies,<em>\\u00a0Doing Business<\\/em>\\u00a0analyzes regulation that encourages efficiency and supports freedom to do business; as it measures how easy or difficult it is for an entrepreneur to open, manage and operate his business, and how such business may readily comply with regulations.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>In the sponsorship speech of Senate Bill No. 1280, four (4) main reform clusters were mentioned, to wit:<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 80px;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\"><a>First, policies that would enhance the ease of doing business in the Philippines;<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 80px;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\">Second, rules that prioritize corporate and stockholder protection;<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 80px;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\">Third, provisions that instill corporate and civic responsibility; and<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 80px;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\">Fourth, amendments that will strengthen the country\\u2019s policy and regulatory corporate framework.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The adoption of the RCC in February 2019 readily resulted to a 29-notch jump for the Philippines, now ranked 95<sup>th<\\/sup> in the <em>Doing Business 2020 <\\/em>report. Based on the report, the Philippines improved in three areas: starting a business, dealing with construction permits, and protecting minority investors. The report stated that starting a business was made easier by abolishing the minimum capital requirement for domestic companies; dealing with construction permits was made easier by improving coordination and streamlining the process for obtaining an occupancy certificate; and protecting minority investors was strengthened by requiring greater disclosure of transactions with interested parties and enhancing director liability for transactions with interested parties.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) as the overseer of the corporate sector considers the adoption of the RCC as one giant leap forward as it fills the gaps in the four-decade-old Batas Pambansa Blg. 68, otherwise known as \\u201cThe Corporation Code of the Philippines\\u201d (CCP) and supersedes provisions that have become obsolete and even hindersome in a fast-paced and highly competitive environment.<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\">[1]<\\/a> According to the SEC, \\u201coverall, the Revised Corporation Code fosters inclusive entrepreneurship, improves the ease of doing business in the country and subsequently the economy\\u2019s competitiveness, promotes good corporate governance, and increases protection afforded to corporations, investors and other stakeholders through progressive provisions.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\">[2]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 This article intends to discuss the changes introduced by the RCC championing the four (4) main reform clusters, provide insights on such changes and recent circulars issued by the SEC, and discuss additional measures that may be further adopted to better achieve the laudable objectives of the RCC.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">*<\\/a> Doctor of Civil Law: University of Santo Tomas; Lecturer: University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Civil Law and Bulacan State University College of Law; Editorial Board: UST Law Journal (First Edition - 2019); Editor-in-Chief: UST Law Review<em> - <\\/em>Vol. 50 (2005-2006).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[1]<\\/a> Foreword, SEC Briefer on Revised Corporation Code. Available at: <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.sec.gov.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2019\\/11\\/2019RCC_BrieferonRevisedCorporationCode.pdf\\\">https:\\/\\/www.sec.gov.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2019\\/11\\/2019RCC_BrieferonRevisedCorporationCode.pdf<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[2]<\\/a> Ibid.<\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed {\\\"imageURL\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Revised-Corporation-Code_Stronger-Framework-and-Governance-by-Marian-Joanne-Co-Pua.pdf\\\",\\\"imgID\\\":1493,\\\"imgTitle\\\":\\\"Revised Corporation Code_Stronger Framework and Governance by Marian Joanne Co Pua\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-pdfjsblock-pdfjs-embed pdfjs-wrapper\\\">[pdfjs-viewer viewer_width=0 viewer_height=800 url=http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Revised-Corporation-Code_Stronger-Framework-and-Governance-by-Marian-Joanne-Co-Pua.pdf download=true print=true fullscreen=false fullscreen_target=false fullscreen_text=\\\"View%20Fullscreen\\\" zoom=auto search_term=\\\"\\\" ]<\\/div>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed --><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]},\"_margin\":{\"unit\":\"px\",\"top\":\"0\",\"right\":\"0\",\"bottom\":\"0\",\"left\":\"0\",\"isLinked\":true},\"_padding\":{\"unit\":\"px\",\"top\":\"8\",\"right\":\"8\",\"bottom\":\"8\",\"left\":\"8\",\"isLinked\":true}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(5121,1688,'_thumbnail_id','1662'),(5122,1688,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(5123,1688,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(5124,1688,'_elementor_version','3.2.5'),(5125,1688,'_wp_page_template','elementor_theme'),(5126,1688,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"1aa4016d\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":{\"content_width\":{\"unit\":\"px\",\"size\":1000,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"512200af\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"71260315\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><!-- wp:heading --><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<h2><strong>The Revised Corporation Code:<\\/strong> <strong>Stronger Framework and Governance Towards<\\/strong> <strong>Better Protection of Minority Rights and<\\/strong> <strong>Improved Ease of Doing Business<\\/strong><\\/h2>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>By <em>Marian Joanne K. Co-Pua<\\/em><a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-admin\\/post.php?post=1661&action=edit#_ftn1\\\"><em>*<\\/em><\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:file {\\\"id\\\":1493,\\\"href\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Revised-Corporation-Code_Stronger-Framework-and-Governance-by-Marian-Joanne-Co-Pua.pdf\\\",\\\"displayPreview\\\":false,\\\"align\\\":\\\"right\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-file alignright\\\"><a class=\\\"wp-block-file__button\\\" href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Revised-Corporation-Code_Stronger-Framework-and-Governance-by-Marian-Joanne-Co-Pua.pdf\\\" download=\\\"\\\">Download PDF Here<\\/a><\\/div>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:file --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":13} --><\\/p>\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-spacer\\\" style=\\\"height: 13px;\\\" aria-hidden=\\\"true\\\">\\u00a0<\\/div>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>I. THE REVISED CORPORATION CODE<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Republic Act No. 11232, otherwise known as the \\u201cRevised Corporation Code of the Philippines\\u201d (RCC), is a consolidation of Senate Bill No. 1280 and House Bill No. 8374 aimed at increasing competitiveness and improving ease of doing business, especially considering that the Philippines slipped to rank 124<sup>th<\\/sup> from rank 113<sup>th<\\/sup> out of one hundred ninety (190) economies surveyed in the <em>Doing Business 2019 <\\/em>report of the World Bank. By documenting changes in regulation in twelve (12) areas of business activity in the said economies,<em>\\u00a0Doing Business<\\/em>\\u00a0analyzes regulation that encourages efficiency and supports freedom to do business; as it measures how easy or difficult it is for an entrepreneur to open, manage and operate his business, and how such business may readily comply with regulations.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>In the sponsorship speech of Senate Bill No. 1280, four (4) main reform clusters were mentioned, to wit:<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 80px;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\"><a>First, policies that would enhance the ease of doing business in the Philippines;<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 80px;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\">Second, rules that prioritize corporate and stockholder protection;<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 80px;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\">Third, provisions that instill corporate and civic responsibility; and<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 80px;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\">Fourth, amendments that will strengthen the country\\u2019s policy and regulatory corporate framework.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The adoption of the RCC in February 2019 readily resulted to a 29-notch jump for the Philippines, now ranked 95<sup>th<\\/sup> in the <em>Doing Business 2020 <\\/em>report. Based on the report, the Philippines improved in three areas: starting a business, dealing with construction permits, and protecting minority investors. The report stated that starting a business was made easier by abolishing the minimum capital requirement for domestic companies; dealing with construction permits was made easier by improving coordination and streamlining the process for obtaining an occupancy certificate; and protecting minority investors was strengthened by requiring greater disclosure of transactions with interested parties and enhancing director liability for transactions with interested parties.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) as the overseer of the corporate sector considers the adoption of the RCC as one giant leap forward as it fills the gaps in the four-decade-old Batas Pambansa Blg. 68, otherwise known as \\u201cThe Corporation Code of the Philippines\\u201d (CCP) and supersedes provisions that have become obsolete and even hindersome in a fast-paced and highly competitive environment.<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\">[1]<\\/a> According to the SEC, \\u201coverall, the Revised Corporation Code fosters inclusive entrepreneurship, improves the ease of doing business in the country and subsequently the economy\\u2019s competitiveness, promotes good corporate governance, and increases protection afforded to corporations, investors and other stakeholders through progressive provisions.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\">[2]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 This article intends to discuss the changes introduced by the RCC championing the four (4) main reform clusters, provide insights on such changes and recent circulars issued by the SEC, and discuss additional measures that may be further adopted to better achieve the laudable objectives of the RCC.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">*<\\/a> Doctor of Civil Law: University of Santo Tomas; Lecturer: University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Civil Law and Bulacan State University College of Law; Editorial Board: UST Law Journal (First Edition - 2019); Editor-in-Chief: UST Law Review<em> - <\\/em>Vol. 50 (2005-2006).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[1]<\\/a> Foreword, SEC Briefer on Revised Corporation Code. Available at: <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.sec.gov.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2019\\/11\\/2019RCC_BrieferonRevisedCorporationCode.pdf\\\">https:\\/\\/www.sec.gov.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2019\\/11\\/2019RCC_BrieferonRevisedCorporationCode.pdf<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[2]<\\/a> Ibid.<\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed {\\\"imageURL\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Revised-Corporation-Code_Stronger-Framework-and-Governance-by-Marian-Joanne-Co-Pua.pdf\\\",\\\"imgID\\\":1493,\\\"imgTitle\\\":\\\"Revised Corporation Code_Stronger Framework and Governance by Marian Joanne Co Pua\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-pdfjsblock-pdfjs-embed pdfjs-wrapper\\\">[pdfjs-viewer viewer_width=0 viewer_height=800 url=http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Revised-Corporation-Code_Stronger-Framework-and-Governance-by-Marian-Joanne-Co-Pua.pdf download=true print=true fullscreen=false fullscreen_target=false fullscreen_text=\\\"View%20Fullscreen\\\" zoom=auto search_term=\\\"\\\" ]<\\/div>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed --><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]},\"_margin\":{\"unit\":\"px\",\"top\":\"0\",\"right\":\"0\",\"bottom\":\"0\",\"left\":\"0\",\"isLinked\":true},\"_padding\":{\"unit\":\"px\",\"top\":\"8\",\"right\":\"8\",\"bottom\":\"8\",\"left\":\"8\",\"isLinked\":true}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(5127,1688,'_elementor_controls_usage','a:3:{s:11:\"text-editor\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:2;s:8:\"controls\";a:3:{s:7:\"content\";a:1:{s:14:\"section_editor\";a:1:{s:6:\"editor\";i:1;}}s:5:\"style\";a:1:{s:13:\"section_style\";a:2:{s:21:\"typography_typography\";i:1;s:22:\"typography_line_height\";i:1;}}s:8:\"advanced\";a:1:{s:14:\"_section_style\";a:2:{s:7:\"_margin\";i:1;s:8:\"_padding\";i:1;}}}}s:6:\"column\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:0;s:8:\"controls\";a:0:{}}s:7:\"section\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:0;s:8:\"controls\";a:1:{s:6:\"layout\";a:1:{s:14:\"section_layout\";a:1:{s:13:\"content_width\";i:1;}}}}}'),(5137,1690,'_wp_trash_meta_status','publish'),(5138,1690,'_wp_trash_meta_time','1627303071'),(5139,1661,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(5151,1694,'_thumbnail_id','1662'),(5152,1694,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(5153,1694,'_elementor_version','3.2.5'),(5154,1694,'_wp_page_template','elementor_theme'),(5155,1694,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"1aa4016d\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":{\"content_width\":{\"unit\":\"px\",\"size\":1000,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"512200af\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"71260315\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><!-- wp:heading --><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<h2><strong>The Revised Corporation Code:<\\/strong> <strong>Stronger Framework and Governance Towards<\\/strong> <strong>Better Protection of Minority Rights and<\\/strong> <strong>Improved Ease of Doing Business<\\/strong><\\/h2>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>By <em>Marian Joanne K. Co-Pua<\\/em><a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-admin\\/post.php?post=1661&action=edit#_ftn1\\\"><em>*<\\/em><\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:file {\\\"id\\\":1493,\\\"href\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Revised-Corporation-Code_Stronger-Framework-and-Governance-by-Marian-Joanne-Co-Pua.pdf\\\",\\\"displayPreview\\\":false,\\\"align\\\":\\\"right\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-file alignright\\\"><a class=\\\"wp-block-file__button\\\" href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Revised-Corporation-Code_Stronger-Framework-and-Governance-by-Marian-Joanne-Co-Pua.pdf\\\" download=\\\"\\\">Download PDF Here<\\/a><\\/div>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:file --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":13} --><\\/p>\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-spacer\\\" style=\\\"height: 13px;\\\" aria-hidden=\\\"true\\\">\\u00a0<\\/div>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>I. THE REVISED CORPORATION CODE<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Republic Act No. 11232, otherwise known as the \\u201cRevised Corporation Code of the Philippines\\u201d (RCC), is a consolidation of Senate Bill No. 1280 and House Bill No. 8374 aimed at increasing competitiveness and improving ease of doing business, especially considering that the Philippines slipped to rank 124<sup>th<\\/sup> from rank 113<sup>th<\\/sup> out of one hundred ninety (190) economies surveyed in the <em>Doing Business 2019 <\\/em>report of the World Bank. By documenting changes in regulation in twelve (12) areas of business activity in the said economies,<em>\\u00a0Doing Business<\\/em>\\u00a0analyzes regulation that encourages efficiency and supports freedom to do business; as it measures how easy or difficult it is for an entrepreneur to open, manage and operate his business, and how such business may readily comply with regulations.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>In the sponsorship speech of Senate Bill No. 1280, four (4) main reform clusters were mentioned, to wit:<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 80px;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\"><a>First, policies that would enhance the ease of doing business in the Philippines;<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 80px;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\">Second, rules that prioritize corporate and stockholder protection;<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 80px;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\">Third, provisions that instill corporate and civic responsibility; and<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 80px;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\">Fourth, amendments that will strengthen the country\\u2019s policy and regulatory corporate framework.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The adoption of the RCC in February 2019 readily resulted to a 29-notch jump for the Philippines, now ranked 95<sup>th<\\/sup> in the <em>Doing Business 2020 <\\/em>report. Based on the report, the Philippines improved in three areas: starting a business, dealing with construction permits, and protecting minority investors. The report stated that starting a business was made easier by abolishing the minimum capital requirement for domestic companies; dealing with construction permits was made easier by improving coordination and streamlining the process for obtaining an occupancy certificate; and protecting minority investors was strengthened by requiring greater disclosure of transactions with interested parties and enhancing director liability for transactions with interested parties.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) as the overseer of the corporate sector considers the adoption of the RCC as one giant leap forward as it fills the gaps in the four-decade-old Batas Pambansa Blg. 68, otherwise known as \\u201cThe Corporation Code of the Philippines\\u201d (CCP) and supersedes provisions that have become obsolete and even hindersome in a fast-paced and highly competitive environment.<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\">[1]<\\/a> According to the SEC, \\u201coverall, the Revised Corporation Code fosters inclusive entrepreneurship, improves the ease of doing business in the country and subsequently the economy\\u2019s competitiveness, promotes good corporate governance, and increases protection afforded to corporations, investors and other stakeholders through progressive provisions.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\">[2]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 This article intends to discuss the changes introduced by the RCC championing the four (4) main reform clusters, provide insights on such changes and recent circulars issued by the SEC, and discuss additional measures that may be further adopted to better achieve the laudable objectives of the RCC.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">*<\\/a> Doctor of Civil Law: University of Santo Tomas; Lecturer: University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Civil Law and Bulacan State University College of Law; Editorial Board: UST Law Journal (First Edition - 2019); Editor-in-Chief: UST Law Review<em> - <\\/em>Vol. 50 (2005-2006).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[1]<\\/a> Foreword, SEC Briefer on Revised Corporation Code. Available at: <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.sec.gov.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2019\\/11\\/2019RCC_BrieferonRevisedCorporationCode.pdf\\\">https:\\/\\/www.sec.gov.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2019\\/11\\/2019RCC_BrieferonRevisedCorporationCode.pdf<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[2]<\\/a> Ibid.<\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed {\\\"imageURL\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Revised-Corporation-Code_Stronger-Framework-and-Governance-by-Marian-Joanne-Co-Pua.pdf\\\",\\\"imgID\\\":1493,\\\"imgTitle\\\":\\\"Revised Corporation Code_Stronger Framework and Governance by Marian Joanne Co Pua\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-pdfjsblock-pdfjs-embed pdfjs-wrapper\\\">[pdfjs-viewer viewer_width=0 viewer_height=800 url=http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Revised-Corporation-Code_Stronger-Framework-and-Governance-by-Marian-Joanne-Co-Pua.pdf download=true print=true fullscreen=false fullscreen_target=false fullscreen_text=\\\"View%20Fullscreen\\\" zoom=auto search_term=\\\"\\\" ]<\\/div>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed --><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]},\"_margin\":{\"unit\":\"px\",\"top\":\"0\",\"right\":\"0\",\"bottom\":\"0\",\"left\":\"0\",\"isLinked\":true},\"_padding\":{\"unit\":\"px\",\"top\":\"8\",\"right\":\"8\",\"bottom\":\"8\",\"left\":\"8\",\"isLinked\":true}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(5156,1694,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(5158,1695,'_thumbnail_id','1662'),(5159,1695,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(5160,1695,'_elementor_version','3.2.5'),(5161,1695,'_wp_page_template','elementor_theme'),(5162,1695,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"1aa4016d\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":{\"content_width\":{\"unit\":\"px\",\"size\":1000,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"512200af\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"71260315\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><!-- wp:heading --><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<h2><strong>The Revised Corporation Code:<\\/strong> <strong>Stronger Framework and Governance Towards<\\/strong> <strong>Better Protection of Minority Rights and<\\/strong> <strong>Improved Ease of Doing Business<\\/strong><\\/h2>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>By <em>Marian Joanne K. Co-Pua<\\/em><a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-admin\\/post.php?post=1661&action=edit#_ftn1\\\"><em>*<\\/em><\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:file {\\\"id\\\":1493,\\\"href\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Revised-Corporation-Code_Stronger-Framework-and-Governance-by-Marian-Joanne-Co-Pua.pdf\\\",\\\"displayPreview\\\":false,\\\"align\\\":\\\"right\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-file alignright\\\"><a class=\\\"wp-block-file__button\\\" href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Revised-Corporation-Code_Stronger-Framework-and-Governance-by-Marian-Joanne-Co-Pua.pdf\\\" download=\\\"\\\">Download PDF Here<\\/a><\\/div>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:file --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":13} --><\\/p>\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-spacer\\\" style=\\\"height: 13px;\\\" aria-hidden=\\\"true\\\">\\u00a0<\\/div>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>I. THE REVISED CORPORATION CODE<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Republic Act No. 11232, otherwise known as the \\u201cRevised Corporation Code of the Philippines\\u201d (RCC), is a consolidation of Senate Bill No. 1280 and House Bill No. 8374 aimed at increasing competitiveness and improving ease of doing business, especially considering that the Philippines slipped to rank 124<sup>th<\\/sup> from rank 113<sup>th<\\/sup> out of one hundred ninety (190) economies surveyed in the <em>Doing Business 2019 <\\/em>report of the World Bank. By documenting changes in regulation in twelve (12) areas of business activity in the said economies,<em>\\u00a0Doing Business<\\/em>\\u00a0analyzes regulation that encourages efficiency and supports freedom to do business; as it measures how easy or difficult it is for an entrepreneur to open, manage and operate his business, and how such business may readily comply with regulations.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>In the sponsorship speech of Senate Bill No. 1280, four (4) main reform clusters were mentioned, to wit:<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 80px;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\"><a>First, policies that would enhance the ease of doing business in the Philippines;<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 80px;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\">Second, rules that prioritize corporate and stockholder protection;<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 80px;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\">Third, provisions that instill corporate and civic responsibility; and<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 80px;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\">Fourth, amendments that will strengthen the country\\u2019s policy and regulatory corporate framework.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The adoption of the RCC in February 2019 readily resulted to a 29-notch jump for the Philippines, now ranked 95<sup>th<\\/sup> in the <em>Doing Business 2020 <\\/em>report. Based on the report, the Philippines improved in three areas: starting a business, dealing with construction permits, and protecting minority investors. The report stated that starting a business was made easier by abolishing the minimum capital requirement for domestic companies; dealing with construction permits was made easier by improving coordination and streamlining the process for obtaining an occupancy certificate; and protecting minority investors was strengthened by requiring greater disclosure of transactions with interested parties and enhancing director liability for transactions with interested parties.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) as the overseer of the corporate sector considers the adoption of the RCC as one giant leap forward as it fills the gaps in the four-decade-old Batas Pambansa Blg. 68, otherwise known as \\u201cThe Corporation Code of the Philippines\\u201d (CCP) and supersedes provisions that have become obsolete and even hindersome in a fast-paced and highly competitive environment.<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\">[1]<\\/a> According to the SEC, \\u201coverall, the Revised Corporation Code fosters inclusive entrepreneurship, improves the ease of doing business in the country and subsequently the economy\\u2019s competitiveness, promotes good corporate governance, and increases protection afforded to corporations, investors and other stakeholders through progressive provisions.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\">[2]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 This article intends to discuss the changes introduced by the RCC championing the four (4) main reform clusters, provide insights on such changes and recent circulars issued by the SEC, and discuss additional measures that may be further adopted to better achieve the laudable objectives of the RCC.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">*<\\/a> Doctor of Civil Law: University of Santo Tomas; Lecturer: University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Civil Law and Bulacan State University College of Law; Editorial Board: UST Law Journal (First Edition - 2019); Editor-in-Chief: UST Law Review<em> - <\\/em>Vol. 50 (2005-2006).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[1]<\\/a> Foreword, SEC Briefer on Revised Corporation Code. Available at: <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.sec.gov.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2019\\/11\\/2019RCC_BrieferonRevisedCorporationCode.pdf\\\">https:\\/\\/www.sec.gov.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2019\\/11\\/2019RCC_BrieferonRevisedCorporationCode.pdf<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[2]<\\/a> Ibid.<\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed {\\\"imageURL\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Revised-Corporation-Code_Stronger-Framework-and-Governance-by-Marian-Joanne-Co-Pua.pdf\\\",\\\"imgID\\\":1493,\\\"imgTitle\\\":\\\"Revised Corporation Code_Stronger Framework and Governance by Marian Joanne Co Pua\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-pdfjsblock-pdfjs-embed pdfjs-wrapper\\\">[pdfjs-viewer viewer_width=0 viewer_height=800 url=http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Revised-Corporation-Code_Stronger-Framework-and-Governance-by-Marian-Joanne-Co-Pua.pdf download=true print=true fullscreen=false fullscreen_target=false fullscreen_text=\\\"View%20Fullscreen\\\" zoom=auto search_term=\\\"\\\" ]<\\/div>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed --><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]},\"_margin\":{\"unit\":\"px\",\"top\":\"0\",\"right\":\"0\",\"bottom\":\"0\",\"left\":\"0\",\"isLinked\":true},\"_padding\":{\"unit\":\"px\",\"top\":\"8\",\"right\":\"8\",\"bottom\":\"8\",\"left\":\"8\",\"isLinked\":true}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(5163,1695,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(5165,1696,'_thumbnail_id','1662'),(5166,1696,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(5167,1696,'_elementor_version','3.2.5'),(5168,1696,'_wp_page_template','elementor_theme'),(5169,1696,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"1aa4016d\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":{\"content_width\":{\"unit\":\"px\",\"size\":1000,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"512200af\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"71260315\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><!-- wp:heading --><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<h2><strong>The Revised Corporation Code:<\\/strong> <strong>Stronger Framework and Governance Towards<\\/strong> <strong>Better Protection of Minority Rights and<\\/strong> <strong>Improved Ease of Doing Business<\\/strong><\\/h2>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>By <em>Marian Joanne K. Co-Pua<\\/em><a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-admin\\/post.php?post=1661&action=edit#_ftn1\\\"><em>*<\\/em><\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:file {\\\"id\\\":1493,\\\"href\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Revised-Corporation-Code_Stronger-Framework-and-Governance-by-Marian-Joanne-Co-Pua.pdf\\\",\\\"displayPreview\\\":false,\\\"align\\\":\\\"right\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-file alignright\\\"><a class=\\\"wp-block-file__button\\\" href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Revised-Corporation-Code_Stronger-Framework-and-Governance-by-Marian-Joanne-Co-Pua.pdf\\\" download=\\\"\\\">Download PDF Here<\\/a><\\/div>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:file --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":13} --><\\/p>\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-spacer\\\" style=\\\"height: 13px;\\\" aria-hidden=\\\"true\\\">\\u00a0<\\/div>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>I. THE REVISED CORPORATION CODE<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Republic Act No. 11232, otherwise known as the \\u201cRevised Corporation Code of the Philippines\\u201d (RCC), is a consolidation of Senate Bill No. 1280 and House Bill No. 8374 aimed at increasing competitiveness and improving ease of doing business, especially considering that the Philippines slipped to rank 124<sup>th<\\/sup> from rank 113<sup>th<\\/sup> out of one hundred ninety (190) economies surveyed in the <em>Doing Business 2019 <\\/em>report of the World Bank. By documenting changes in regulation in twelve (12) areas of business activity in the said economies,<em>\\u00a0Doing Business<\\/em>\\u00a0analyzes regulation that encourages efficiency and supports freedom to do business; as it measures how easy or difficult it is for an entrepreneur to open, manage and operate his business, and how such business may readily comply with regulations.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>In the sponsorship speech of Senate Bill No. 1280, four (4) main reform clusters were mentioned, to wit:<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 80px;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\"><a>First, policies that would enhance the ease of doing business in the Philippines;<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 80px;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\">Second, rules that prioritize corporate and stockholder protection;<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 80px;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\">Third, provisions that instill corporate and civic responsibility; and<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 80px;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\">Fourth, amendments that will strengthen the country\\u2019s policy and regulatory corporate framework.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The adoption of the RCC in February 2019 readily resulted to a 29-notch jump for the Philippines, now ranked 95<sup>th<\\/sup> in the <em>Doing Business 2020 <\\/em>report. Based on the report, the Philippines improved in three areas: starting a business, dealing with construction permits, and protecting minority investors. The report stated that starting a business was made easier by abolishing the minimum capital requirement for domestic companies; dealing with construction permits was made easier by improving coordination and streamlining the process for obtaining an occupancy certificate; and protecting minority investors was strengthened by requiring greater disclosure of transactions with interested parties and enhancing director liability for transactions with interested parties.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) as the overseer of the corporate sector considers the adoption of the RCC as one giant leap forward as it fills the gaps in the four-decade-old Batas Pambansa Blg. 68, otherwise known as \\u201cThe Corporation Code of the Philippines\\u201d (CCP) and supersedes provisions that have become obsolete and even hindersome in a fast-paced and highly competitive environment.<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\">[1]<\\/a> According to the SEC, \\u201coverall, the Revised Corporation Code fosters inclusive entrepreneurship, improves the ease of doing business in the country and subsequently the economy\\u2019s competitiveness, promotes good corporate governance, and increases protection afforded to corporations, investors and other stakeholders through progressive provisions.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\">[2]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 This article intends to discuss the changes introduced by the RCC championing the four (4) main reform clusters, provide insights on such changes and recent circulars issued by the SEC, and discuss additional measures that may be further adopted to better achieve the laudable objectives of the RCC.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">*<\\/a> Doctor of Civil Law: University of Santo Tomas; Lecturer: University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Civil Law and Bulacan State University College of Law; Editorial Board: UST Law Journal (First Edition - 2019); Editor-in-Chief: UST Law Review<em> - <\\/em>Vol. 50 (2005-2006).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[1]<\\/a> Foreword, SEC Briefer on Revised Corporation Code. Available at: <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.sec.gov.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2019\\/11\\/2019RCC_BrieferonRevisedCorporationCode.pdf\\\">https:\\/\\/www.sec.gov.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2019\\/11\\/2019RCC_BrieferonRevisedCorporationCode.pdf<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[2]<\\/a> Ibid.<\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed {\\\"imageURL\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Revised-Corporation-Code_Stronger-Framework-and-Governance-by-Marian-Joanne-Co-Pua.pdf\\\",\\\"imgID\\\":1493,\\\"imgTitle\\\":\\\"Revised Corporation Code_Stronger Framework and Governance by Marian Joanne Co Pua\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-pdfjsblock-pdfjs-embed pdfjs-wrapper\\\">[pdfjs-viewer viewer_width=0 viewer_height=800 url=http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Revised-Corporation-Code_Stronger-Framework-and-Governance-by-Marian-Joanne-Co-Pua.pdf download=true print=true fullscreen=false fullscreen_target=false fullscreen_text=\\\"View%20Fullscreen\\\" zoom=auto search_term=\\\"\\\" ]<\\/div>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed --><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]},\"_margin\":{\"unit\":\"px\",\"top\":\"0\",\"right\":\"0\",\"bottom\":\"0\",\"left\":\"0\",\"isLinked\":true},\"_padding\":{\"unit\":\"px\",\"top\":\"8\",\"right\":\"8\",\"bottom\":\"8\",\"left\":\"8\",\"isLinked\":true}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(5170,1696,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(5174,1697,'_thumbnail_id','1662'),(5175,1697,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(5176,1697,'_elementor_version','3.2.5'),(5177,1697,'_wp_page_template','elementor_theme'),(5178,1697,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"1aa4016d\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":{\"content_width\":{\"unit\":\"px\",\"size\":1000,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"512200af\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"71260315\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><!-- wp:heading --><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<h2><strong>The Revised Corporation Code:<\\/strong> <strong>Stronger Framework and Governance Towards<\\/strong> <strong>Better Protection of Minority Rights and<\\/strong> <strong>Improved Ease of Doing Business<\\/strong><\\/h2>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>By <em>Marian Joanne K. Co-Pua<\\/em><a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-admin\\/post.php?post=1661&action=edit#_ftn1\\\"><em>*<\\/em><\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:file {\\\"id\\\":1493,\\\"href\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Revised-Corporation-Code_Stronger-Framework-and-Governance-by-Marian-Joanne-Co-Pua.pdf\\\",\\\"displayPreview\\\":false,\\\"align\\\":\\\"right\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-file alignright\\\"><a class=\\\"wp-block-file__button\\\" href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Revised-Corporation-Code_Stronger-Framework-and-Governance-by-Marian-Joanne-Co-Pua.pdf\\\" download=\\\"\\\">Download PDF Here<\\/a><\\/div>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:file --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":13} --><\\/p>\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-spacer\\\" style=\\\"height: 13px;\\\" aria-hidden=\\\"true\\\">\\u00a0<\\/div>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>I. THE REVISED CORPORATION CODE<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Republic Act No. 11232, otherwise known as the \\u201cRevised Corporation Code of the Philippines\\u201d (RCC), is a consolidation of Senate Bill No. 1280 and House Bill No. 8374 aimed at increasing competitiveness and improving ease of doing business, especially considering that the Philippines slipped to rank 124<sup>th<\\/sup> from rank 113<sup>th<\\/sup> out of one hundred ninety (190) economies surveyed in the <em>Doing Business 2019 <\\/em>report of the World Bank. By documenting changes in regulation in twelve (12) areas of business activity in the said economies,<em>\\u00a0Doing Business<\\/em>\\u00a0analyzes regulation that encourages efficiency and supports freedom to do business; as it measures how easy or difficult it is for an entrepreneur to open, manage and operate his business, and how such business may readily comply with regulations.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>In the sponsorship speech of Senate Bill No. 1280, four (4) main reform clusters were mentioned, to wit:<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 80px;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\"><a>First, policies that would enhance the ease of doing business in the Philippines;<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 80px;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\">Second, rules that prioritize corporate and stockholder protection;<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 80px;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\">Third, provisions that instill corporate and civic responsibility; and<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 80px;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\">Fourth, amendments that will strengthen the country\\u2019s policy and regulatory corporate framework.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The adoption of the RCC in February 2019 readily resulted to a 29-notch jump for the Philippines, now ranked 95<sup>th<\\/sup> in the <em>Doing Business 2020 <\\/em>report. Based on the report, the Philippines improved in three areas: starting a business, dealing with construction permits, and protecting minority investors. The report stated that starting a business was made easier by abolishing the minimum capital requirement for domestic companies; dealing with construction permits was made easier by improving coordination and streamlining the process for obtaining an occupancy certificate; and protecting minority investors was strengthened by requiring greater disclosure of transactions with interested parties and enhancing director liability for transactions with interested parties.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) as the overseer of the corporate sector considers the adoption of the RCC as one giant leap forward as it fills the gaps in the four-decade-old Batas Pambansa Blg. 68, otherwise known as \\u201cThe Corporation Code of the Philippines\\u201d (CCP) and supersedes provisions that have become obsolete and even hindersome in a fast-paced and highly competitive environment.<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\">[1]<\\/a> According to the SEC, \\u201coverall, the Revised Corporation Code fosters inclusive entrepreneurship, improves the ease of doing business in the country and subsequently the economy\\u2019s competitiveness, promotes good corporate governance, and increases protection afforded to corporations, investors and other stakeholders through progressive provisions.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\">[2]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 This article intends to discuss the changes introduced by the RCC championing the four (4) main reform clusters, provide insights on such changes and recent circulars issued by the SEC, and discuss additional measures that may be further adopted to better achieve the laudable objectives of the RCC.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">*<\\/a> Doctor of Civil Law: University of Santo Tomas; Lecturer: University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Civil Law and Bulacan State University College of Law; Editorial Board: UST Law Journal (First Edition - 2019); Editor-in-Chief: UST Law Review<em> - <\\/em>Vol. 50 (2005-2006).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[1]<\\/a> Foreword, SEC Briefer on Revised Corporation Code. Available at: <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.sec.gov.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2019\\/11\\/2019RCC_BrieferonRevisedCorporationCode.pdf\\\">https:\\/\\/www.sec.gov.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2019\\/11\\/2019RCC_BrieferonRevisedCorporationCode.pdf<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[2]<\\/a> Ibid.<\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed {\\\"imageURL\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Revised-Corporation-Code_Stronger-Framework-and-Governance-by-Marian-Joanne-Co-Pua.pdf\\\",\\\"imgID\\\":1493,\\\"imgTitle\\\":\\\"Revised Corporation Code_Stronger Framework and Governance by Marian Joanne Co Pua\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-pdfjsblock-pdfjs-embed pdfjs-wrapper\\\">[pdfjs-viewer viewer_width=0 viewer_height=800 url=http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Revised-Corporation-Code_Stronger-Framework-and-Governance-by-Marian-Joanne-Co-Pua.pdf download=true print=true fullscreen=false fullscreen_target=false fullscreen_text=\\\"View%20Fullscreen\\\" zoom=auto search_term=\\\"\\\" ]<\\/div>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed --><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]},\"_margin\":{\"unit\":\"px\",\"top\":\"0\",\"right\":\"0\",\"bottom\":\"0\",\"left\":\"0\",\"isLinked\":true},\"_padding\":{\"unit\":\"px\",\"top\":\"8\",\"right\":\"8\",\"bottom\":\"8\",\"left\":\"8\",\"isLinked\":true}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(5179,1697,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(5181,1698,'_thumbnail_id','1662'),(5182,1698,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(5183,1698,'_elementor_version','3.2.5'),(5184,1698,'_wp_page_template','elementor_theme'),(5185,1698,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"1aa4016d\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":{\"content_width\":{\"unit\":\"px\",\"size\":1000,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"512200af\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"71260315\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><!-- wp:heading --><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<h2><strong>The Revised Corporation Code:<\\/strong> <strong>Stronger Framework and Governance Towards<\\/strong> <strong>Better Protection of Minority Rights and<\\/strong> <strong>Improved Ease of Doing Business<\\/strong><\\/h2>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>By <em>Marian Joanne K. Co-Pua<\\/em><a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-admin\\/post.php?post=1661&action=edit#_ftn1\\\"><em>*<\\/em><\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:file {\\\"id\\\":1493,\\\"href\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Revised-Corporation-Code_Stronger-Framework-and-Governance-by-Marian-Joanne-Co-Pua.pdf\\\",\\\"displayPreview\\\":false,\\\"align\\\":\\\"right\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-file alignright\\\"><a class=\\\"wp-block-file__button\\\" href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Revised-Corporation-Code_Stronger-Framework-and-Governance-by-Marian-Joanne-Co-Pua.pdf\\\" download=\\\"\\\">Download PDF Here<\\/a><\\/div>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:file --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":13} --><\\/p>\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-spacer\\\" style=\\\"height: 13px;\\\" aria-hidden=\\\"true\\\">\\u00a0<\\/div>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>I. THE REVISED CORPORATION CODE<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Republic Act No. 11232, otherwise known as the \\u201cRevised Corporation Code of the Philippines\\u201d (RCC), is a consolidation of Senate Bill No. 1280 and House Bill No. 8374 aimed at increasing competitiveness and improving ease of doing business, especially considering that the Philippines slipped to rank 124<sup>th<\\/sup> from rank 113<sup>th<\\/sup> out of one hundred ninety (190) economies surveyed in the <em>Doing Business 2019 <\\/em>report of the World Bank. By documenting changes in regulation in twelve (12) areas of business activity in the said economies,<em>\\u00a0Doing Business<\\/em>\\u00a0analyzes regulation that encourages efficiency and supports freedom to do business; as it measures how easy or difficult it is for an entrepreneur to open, manage and operate his business, and how such business may readily comply with regulations.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>In the sponsorship speech of Senate Bill No. 1280, four (4) main reform clusters were mentioned, to wit:<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 80px;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\"><a>First, policies that would enhance the ease of doing business in the Philippines;<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 80px;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\">Second, rules that prioritize corporate and stockholder protection;<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 80px;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\">Third, provisions that instill corporate and civic responsibility; and<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 80px;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\">Fourth, amendments that will strengthen the country\\u2019s policy and regulatory corporate framework.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The adoption of the RCC in February 2019 readily resulted to a 29-notch jump for the Philippines, now ranked 95<sup>th<\\/sup> in the <em>Doing Business 2020 <\\/em>report. Based on the report, the Philippines improved in three areas: starting a business, dealing with construction permits, and protecting minority investors. The report stated that starting a business was made easier by abolishing the minimum capital requirement for domestic companies; dealing with construction permits was made easier by improving coordination and streamlining the process for obtaining an occupancy certificate; and protecting minority investors was strengthened by requiring greater disclosure of transactions with interested parties and enhancing director liability for transactions with interested parties.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) as the overseer of the corporate sector considers the adoption of the RCC as one giant leap forward as it fills the gaps in the four-decade-old Batas Pambansa Blg. 68, otherwise known as \\u201cThe Corporation Code of the Philippines\\u201d (CCP) and supersedes provisions that have become obsolete and even hindersome in a fast-paced and highly competitive environment.<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\">[1]<\\/a> According to the SEC, \\u201coverall, the Revised Corporation Code fosters inclusive entrepreneurship, improves the ease of doing business in the country and subsequently the economy\\u2019s competitiveness, promotes good corporate governance, and increases protection afforded to corporations, investors and other stakeholders through progressive provisions.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\">[2]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 This article intends to discuss the changes introduced by the RCC championing the four (4) main reform clusters, provide insights on such changes and recent circulars issued by the SEC, and discuss additional measures that may be further adopted to better achieve the laudable objectives of the RCC.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">*<\\/a> Doctor of Civil Law: University of Santo Tomas; Lecturer: University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Civil Law and Bulacan State University College of Law; Editorial Board: UST Law Journal (First Edition - 2019); Editor-in-Chief: UST Law Review<em> - <\\/em>Vol. 50 (2005-2006).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[1]<\\/a> Foreword, SEC Briefer on Revised Corporation Code. Available at: <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.sec.gov.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2019\\/11\\/2019RCC_BrieferonRevisedCorporationCode.pdf\\\">https:\\/\\/www.sec.gov.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2019\\/11\\/2019RCC_BrieferonRevisedCorporationCode.pdf<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[2]<\\/a> Ibid.<\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed {\\\"imageURL\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Revised-Corporation-Code_Stronger-Framework-and-Governance-by-Marian-Joanne-Co-Pua.pdf\\\",\\\"imgID\\\":1493,\\\"imgTitle\\\":\\\"Revised Corporation Code_Stronger Framework and Governance by Marian Joanne Co Pua\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-pdfjsblock-pdfjs-embed pdfjs-wrapper\\\">[pdfjs-viewer viewer_width=0 viewer_height=800 url=http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Revised-Corporation-Code_Stronger-Framework-and-Governance-by-Marian-Joanne-Co-Pua.pdf download=true print=true fullscreen=false fullscreen_target=false fullscreen_text=\\\"View%20Fullscreen\\\" zoom=auto search_term=\\\"\\\" ]<\\/div>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed --><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]},\"_margin\":{\"unit\":\"px\",\"top\":\"0\",\"right\":\"0\",\"bottom\":\"0\",\"left\":\"0\",\"isLinked\":true},\"_padding\":{\"unit\":\"px\",\"top\":\"8\",\"right\":\"8\",\"bottom\":\"8\",\"left\":\"8\",\"isLinked\":true}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(5186,1698,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(5188,1699,'_thumbnail_id','1662'),(5189,1699,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(5190,1699,'_elementor_version','3.2.5'),(5191,1699,'_wp_page_template','elementor_theme'),(5192,1699,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"1aa4016d\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":{\"content_width\":{\"unit\":\"px\",\"size\":1000,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"512200af\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"71260315\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p style=\\\"text-align: center;\\\"><!-- wp:heading --><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<h2 style=\\\"text-align: center;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 18pt;\\\"><strong>The Revised Corporation Code:<\\/strong> <\\/span><br \\/><span style=\\\"font-size: 18pt;\\\"><strong>Stronger Framework and Governance Towards<\\/strong> <\\/span><br \\/><span style=\\\"font-size: 18pt;\\\"><strong>Better Protection of Minority Rights and<\\/strong> <strong><br \\/>Improved Ease of Doing Business<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/h2>\\n<p style=\\\"text-align: center;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"text-align: center;\\\">By <em>Marian Joanne K. Co-Pua<\\/em><a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-admin\\/post.php?post=1661&action=edit#_ftn1\\\"><em>*<\\/em><\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:file {\\\"id\\\":1493,\\\"href\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Revised-Corporation-Code_Stronger-Framework-and-Governance-by-Marian-Joanne-Co-Pua.pdf\\\",\\\"displayPreview\\\":false,\\\"align\\\":\\\"right\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-file alignright\\\"><a class=\\\"wp-block-file__button\\\" href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Revised-Corporation-Code_Stronger-Framework-and-Governance-by-Marian-Joanne-Co-Pua.pdf\\\" download=\\\"\\\">Download PDF Here<\\/a><\\/div>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:file --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":13} --><\\/p>\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-spacer\\\" style=\\\"height: 13px;\\\" aria-hidden=\\\"true\\\">\\u00a0<\\/div>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"text-align: center;\\\"><strong>I. THE REVISED CORPORATION CODE<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Republic Act No. 11232, otherwise known as the \\u201cRevised Corporation Code of the Philippines\\u201d (RCC), is a consolidation of Senate Bill No. 1280 and House Bill No. 8374 aimed at increasing competitiveness and improving ease of doing business, especially considering that the Philippines slipped to rank 124<sup>th<\\/sup> from rank 113<sup>th<\\/sup> out of one hundred ninety (190) economies surveyed in the <em>Doing Business 2019 <\\/em>report of the World Bank. By documenting changes in regulation in twelve (12) areas of business activity in the said economies,<em>\\u00a0Doing Business<\\/em>\\u00a0analyzes regulation that encourages efficiency and supports freedom to do business; as it measures how easy or difficult it is for an entrepreneur to open, manage and operate his business, and how such business may readily comply with regulations.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>In the sponsorship speech of Senate Bill No. 1280, four (4) main reform clusters were mentioned, to wit:<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 80px;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\"><a>First, policies that would enhance the ease of doing business in the Philippines;<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 80px;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\">Second, rules that prioritize corporate and stockholder protection;<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 80px;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\">Third, provisions that instill corporate and civic responsibility; and<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 80px;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\">Fourth, amendments that will strengthen the country\\u2019s policy and regulatory corporate framework.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The adoption of the RCC in February 2019 readily resulted to a 29-notch jump for the Philippines, now ranked 95<sup>th<\\/sup> in the <em>Doing Business 2020 <\\/em>report. Based on the report, the Philippines improved in three areas: starting a business, dealing with construction permits, and protecting minority investors. The report stated that starting a business was made easier by abolishing the minimum capital requirement for domestic companies; dealing with construction permits was made easier by improving coordination and streamlining the process for obtaining an occupancy certificate; and protecting minority investors was strengthened by requiring greater disclosure of transactions with interested parties and enhancing director liability for transactions with interested parties.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) as the overseer of the corporate sector considers the adoption of the RCC as one giant leap forward as it fills the gaps in the four-decade-old Batas Pambansa Blg. 68, otherwise known as \\u201cThe Corporation Code of the Philippines\\u201d (CCP) and supersedes provisions that have become obsolete and even hindersome in a fast-paced and highly competitive environment.<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\">[1]<\\/a> According to the SEC, \\u201coverall, the Revised Corporation Code fosters inclusive entrepreneurship, improves the ease of doing business in the country and subsequently the economy\\u2019s competitiveness, promotes good corporate governance, and increases protection afforded to corporations, investors and other stakeholders through progressive provisions.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\">[2]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 This article intends to discuss the changes introduced by the RCC championing the four (4) main reform clusters, provide insights on such changes and recent circulars issued by the SEC, and discuss additional measures that may be further adopted to better achieve the laudable objectives of the RCC.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">*<\\/a> Doctor of Civil Law: University of Santo Tomas; Lecturer: University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Civil Law and Bulacan State University College of Law; Editorial Board: UST Law Journal (First Edition - 2019); Editor-in-Chief: UST Law Review<em> - <\\/em>Vol. 50 (2005-2006).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[1]<\\/a> Foreword, SEC Briefer on Revised Corporation Code. Available at: <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.sec.gov.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2019\\/11\\/2019RCC_BrieferonRevisedCorporationCode.pdf\\\">https:\\/\\/www.sec.gov.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2019\\/11\\/2019RCC_BrieferonRevisedCorporationCode.pdf<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[2]<\\/a> Ibid.<\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed {\\\"imageURL\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Revised-Corporation-Code_Stronger-Framework-and-Governance-by-Marian-Joanne-Co-Pua.pdf\\\",\\\"imgID\\\":1493,\\\"imgTitle\\\":\\\"Revised Corporation Code_Stronger Framework and Governance by Marian Joanne Co Pua\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-pdfjsblock-pdfjs-embed pdfjs-wrapper\\\">[pdfjs-viewer viewer_width=0 viewer_height=800 url=http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Revised-Corporation-Code_Stronger-Framework-and-Governance-by-Marian-Joanne-Co-Pua.pdf download=true print=true fullscreen=false fullscreen_target=false fullscreen_text=\\\"View%20Fullscreen\\\" zoom=auto search_term=\\\"\\\" ]<\\/div>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed --><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]},\"_margin\":{\"unit\":\"px\",\"top\":\"0\",\"right\":\"0\",\"bottom\":\"0\",\"left\":\"0\",\"isLinked\":true},\"_padding\":{\"unit\":\"px\",\"top\":\"8\",\"right\":\"8\",\"bottom\":\"8\",\"left\":\"8\",\"isLinked\":true}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(5193,1699,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(5197,1700,'_thumbnail_id','1662'),(5198,1700,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(5199,1700,'_elementor_version','3.2.5'),(5200,1700,'_wp_page_template','elementor_theme'),(5201,1700,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"1aa4016d\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":{\"content_width\":{\"unit\":\"px\",\"size\":1000,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"512200af\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"71260315\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p style=\\\"text-align: center;\\\"><!-- wp:heading --><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<h2 style=\\\"text-align: center;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 18pt;\\\"><strong>The Revised Corporation Code:<\\/strong> <\\/span><br \\/><span style=\\\"font-size: 18pt;\\\"><strong>Stronger Framework and Governance Towards<\\/strong> <\\/span><br \\/><span style=\\\"font-size: 18pt;\\\"><strong>Better Protection of Minority Rights and<\\/strong> <strong><br \\/>Improved Ease of Doing Business<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/h2>\\n<p style=\\\"text-align: center;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"text-align: center;\\\">By <em>Marian Joanne K. Co-Pua<\\/em><a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-admin\\/post.php?post=1661&action=edit#_ftn1\\\"><em>*<\\/em><\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:file {\\\"id\\\":1493,\\\"href\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Revised-Corporation-Code_Stronger-Framework-and-Governance-by-Marian-Joanne-Co-Pua.pdf\\\",\\\"displayPreview\\\":false,\\\"align\\\":\\\"right\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-file alignright\\\"><a class=\\\"wp-block-file__button\\\" href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Revised-Corporation-Code_Stronger-Framework-and-Governance-by-Marian-Joanne-Co-Pua.pdf\\\" download=\\\"\\\">Download PDF Here<\\/a><\\/div>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:file --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":13} --><\\/p>\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-spacer\\\" style=\\\"height: 13px;\\\" aria-hidden=\\\"true\\\">\\u00a0<\\/div>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"text-align: center;\\\"><strong>I. THE REVISED CORPORATION CODE<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Republic Act No. 11232, otherwise known as the \\u201cRevised Corporation Code of the Philippines\\u201d (RCC), is a consolidation of Senate Bill No. 1280 and House Bill No. 8374 aimed at increasing competitiveness and improving ease of doing business, especially considering that the Philippines slipped to rank 124<sup>th<\\/sup> from rank 113<sup>th<\\/sup> out of one hundred ninety (190) economies surveyed in the <em>Doing Business 2019 <\\/em>report of the World Bank. By documenting changes in regulation in twelve (12) areas of business activity in the said economies,<em>\\u00a0Doing Business<\\/em>\\u00a0analyzes regulation that encourages efficiency and supports freedom to do business; as it measures how easy or difficult it is for an entrepreneur to open, manage and operate his business, and how such business may readily comply with regulations.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>In the sponsorship speech of Senate Bill No. 1280, four (4) main reform clusters were mentioned, to wit:<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 80px;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\"><a>First, policies that would enhance the ease of doing business in the Philippines;<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 80px;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\">Second, rules that prioritize corporate and stockholder protection;<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 80px;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\">Third, provisions that instill corporate and civic responsibility; and<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 80px;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\">Fourth, amendments that will strengthen the country\\u2019s policy and regulatory corporate framework.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The adoption of the RCC in February 2019 readily resulted to a 29-notch jump for the Philippines, now ranked 95<sup>th<\\/sup> in the <em>Doing Business 2020 <\\/em>report. Based on the report, the Philippines improved in three areas: starting a business, dealing with construction permits, and protecting minority investors. The report stated that starting a business was made easier by abolishing the minimum capital requirement for domestic companies; dealing with construction permits was made easier by improving coordination and streamlining the process for obtaining an occupancy certificate; and protecting minority investors was strengthened by requiring greater disclosure of transactions with interested parties and enhancing director liability for transactions with interested parties.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) as the overseer of the corporate sector considers the adoption of the RCC as one giant leap forward as it fills the gaps in the four-decade-old Batas Pambansa Blg. 68, otherwise known as \\u201cThe Corporation Code of the Philippines\\u201d (CCP) and supersedes provisions that have become obsolete and even hindersome in a fast-paced and highly competitive environment.<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\">[1]<\\/a> According to the SEC, \\u201coverall, the Revised Corporation Code fosters inclusive entrepreneurship, improves the ease of doing business in the country and subsequently the economy\\u2019s competitiveness, promotes good corporate governance, and increases protection afforded to corporations, investors and other stakeholders through progressive provisions.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\">[2]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 This article intends to discuss the changes introduced by the RCC championing the four (4) main reform clusters, provide insights on such changes and recent circulars issued by the SEC, and discuss additional measures that may be further adopted to better achieve the laudable objectives of the RCC.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">*<\\/a> Doctor of Civil Law: University of Santo Tomas; Lecturer: University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Civil Law and Bulacan State University College of Law; Editorial Board: UST Law Journal (First Edition - 2019); Editor-in-Chief: UST Law Review<em> - <\\/em>Vol. 50 (2005-2006).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[1]<\\/a> Foreword, SEC Briefer on Revised Corporation Code. Available at: <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.sec.gov.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2019\\/11\\/2019RCC_BrieferonRevisedCorporationCode.pdf\\\">https:\\/\\/www.sec.gov.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2019\\/11\\/2019RCC_BrieferonRevisedCorporationCode.pdf<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[2]<\\/a> Ibid.<\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed {\\\"imageURL\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Revised-Corporation-Code_Stronger-Framework-and-Governance-by-Marian-Joanne-Co-Pua.pdf\\\",\\\"imgID\\\":1493,\\\"imgTitle\\\":\\\"Revised Corporation Code_Stronger Framework and Governance by Marian Joanne Co Pua\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-pdfjsblock-pdfjs-embed pdfjs-wrapper\\\">[pdfjs-viewer viewer_width=0 viewer_height=800 url=http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Revised-Corporation-Code_Stronger-Framework-and-Governance-by-Marian-Joanne-Co-Pua.pdf download=true print=true fullscreen=false fullscreen_target=false fullscreen_text=\\\"View%20Fullscreen\\\" zoom=auto search_term=\\\"\\\" ]<\\/div>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed --><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]},\"_margin\":{\"unit\":\"px\",\"top\":\"0\",\"right\":\"0\",\"bottom\":\"0\",\"left\":\"0\",\"isLinked\":true},\"_padding\":{\"unit\":\"px\",\"top\":\"8\",\"right\":\"8\",\"bottom\":\"8\",\"left\":\"8\",\"isLinked\":true}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(5202,1700,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(5204,1701,'_thumbnail_id','1662'),(5205,1701,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(5206,1701,'_elementor_version','3.2.5'),(5207,1701,'_wp_page_template','elementor_theme'),(5208,1701,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"1aa4016d\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":{\"content_width\":{\"unit\":\"px\",\"size\":1000,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"512200af\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"71260315\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p style=\\\"text-align: center;\\\"><!-- wp:heading --><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<h2 style=\\\"text-align: center;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 18pt;\\\"><strong>The Revised Corporation Code:<\\/strong> <\\/span><br \\/><span style=\\\"font-size: 18pt;\\\"><strong>Stronger Framework and Governance Towards<\\/strong> <\\/span><br \\/><span style=\\\"font-size: 18pt;\\\"><strong>Better Protection of Minority Rights and<\\/strong> <strong><br \\/>Improved Ease of Doing Business<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/h2>\\n<p style=\\\"text-align: center;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"text-align: center;\\\">By <em>Marian Joanne K. Co-Pua<\\/em><a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-admin\\/post.php?post=1661&action=edit#_ftn1\\\"><em>*<\\/em><\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:file {\\\"id\\\":1493,\\\"href\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Revised-Corporation-Code_Stronger-Framework-and-Governance-by-Marian-Joanne-Co-Pua.pdf\\\",\\\"displayPreview\\\":false,\\\"align\\\":\\\"right\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-file alignright\\\"><a class=\\\"wp-block-file__button\\\" href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Revised-Corporation-Code_Stronger-Framework-and-Governance-by-Marian-Joanne-Co-Pua.pdf\\\" download=\\\"\\\">Download PDF Here<\\/a><\\/div>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:file --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":13} --><\\/p>\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-spacer\\\" style=\\\"height: 13px;\\\" aria-hidden=\\\"true\\\">\\u00a0<\\/div>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"text-align: center;\\\"><strong>I. THE REVISED CORPORATION CODE<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Republic Act No. 11232, otherwise known as the \\u201cRevised Corporation Code of the Philippines\\u201d (RCC), is a consolidation of Senate Bill No. 1280 and House Bill No. 8374 aimed at increasing competitiveness and improving ease of doing business, especially considering that the Philippines slipped to rank 124<sup>th<\\/sup> from rank 113<sup>th<\\/sup> out of one hundred ninety (190) economies surveyed in the <em>Doing Business 2019 <\\/em>report of the World Bank. By documenting changes in regulation in twelve (12) areas of business activity in the said economies,<em>\\u00a0Doing Business<\\/em>\\u00a0analyzes regulation that encourages efficiency and supports freedom to do business; as it measures how easy or difficult it is for an entrepreneur to open, manage and operate his business, and how such business may readily comply with regulations.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>In the sponsorship speech of Senate Bill No. 1280, four (4) main reform clusters were mentioned, to wit:<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 80px;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\"><a>First, policies that would enhance the ease of doing business in the Philippines;<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 80px;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\">Second, rules that prioritize corporate and stockholder protection;<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 80px;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\">Third, provisions that instill corporate and civic responsibility; and<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 80px;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\">Fourth, amendments that will strengthen the country\\u2019s policy and regulatory corporate framework.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The adoption of the RCC in February 2019 readily resulted to a 29-notch jump for the Philippines, now ranked 95<sup>th<\\/sup> in the <em>Doing Business 2020 <\\/em>report. Based on the report, the Philippines improved in three areas: starting a business, dealing with construction permits, and protecting minority investors. The report stated that starting a business was made easier by abolishing the minimum capital requirement for domestic companies; dealing with construction permits was made easier by improving coordination and streamlining the process for obtaining an occupancy certificate; and protecting minority investors was strengthened by requiring greater disclosure of transactions with interested parties and enhancing director liability for transactions with interested parties.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) as the overseer of the corporate sector considers the adoption of the RCC as one giant leap forward as it fills the gaps in the four-decade-old Batas Pambansa Blg. 68, otherwise known as \\u201cThe Corporation Code of the Philippines\\u201d (CCP) and supersedes provisions that have become obsolete and even hindersome in a fast-paced and highly competitive environment.<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\">[1]<\\/a> According to the SEC, \\u201coverall, the Revised Corporation Code fosters inclusive entrepreneurship, improves the ease of doing business in the country and subsequently the economy\\u2019s competitiveness, promotes good corporate governance, and increases protection afforded to corporations, investors and other stakeholders through progressive provisions.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\">[2]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 This article intends to discuss the changes introduced by the RCC championing the four (4) main reform clusters, provide insights on such changes and recent circulars issued by the SEC, and discuss additional measures that may be further adopted to better achieve the laudable objectives of the RCC.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">*<\\/a> Doctor of Civil Law: University of Santo Tomas; Lecturer: University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Civil Law and Bulacan State University College of Law; Editorial Board: UST Law Journal (First Edition - 2019); Editor-in-Chief: UST Law Review<em> - <\\/em>Vol. 50 (2005-2006).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[1]<\\/a> Foreword, SEC Briefer on Revised Corporation Code. Available at: <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.sec.gov.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2019\\/11\\/2019RCC_BrieferonRevisedCorporationCode.pdf\\\">https:\\/\\/www.sec.gov.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2019\\/11\\/2019RCC_BrieferonRevisedCorporationCode.pdf<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[2]<\\/a> Ibid.<\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed {\\\"imageURL\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Revised-Corporation-Code_Stronger-Framework-and-Governance-by-Marian-Joanne-Co-Pua.pdf\\\",\\\"imgID\\\":1493,\\\"imgTitle\\\":\\\"Revised Corporation Code_Stronger Framework and Governance by Marian Joanne Co Pua\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-pdfjsblock-pdfjs-embed pdfjs-wrapper\\\">[pdfjs-viewer viewer_width=0 viewer_height=800 url=http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Revised-Corporation-Code_Stronger-Framework-and-Governance-by-Marian-Joanne-Co-Pua.pdf download=true print=true fullscreen=false fullscreen_target=false fullscreen_text=\\\"View%20Fullscreen\\\" zoom=auto search_term=\\\"\\\" ]<\\/div>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed --><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]},\"_margin\":{\"unit\":\"px\",\"top\":\"0\",\"right\":\"0\",\"bottom\":\"0\",\"left\":\"0\",\"isLinked\":true},\"_padding\":{\"unit\":\"px\",\"top\":\"8\",\"right\":\"8\",\"bottom\":\"8\",\"left\":\"8\",\"isLinked\":true}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(5209,1701,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(5211,1702,'_thumbnail_id','1662'),(5212,1702,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(5213,1702,'_elementor_version','3.2.5'),(5214,1702,'_wp_page_template','elementor_theme'),(5215,1702,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"1aa4016d\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":{\"content_width\":{\"unit\":\"px\",\"size\":1000,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"512200af\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"71260315\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p style=\\\"text-align: center;\\\"><!-- wp:heading --><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<h2 style=\\\"text-align: center;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 18pt;\\\"><strong>The Revised Corporation Code:<\\/strong> <\\/span><br \\/><span style=\\\"font-size: 18pt;\\\"><strong>Stronger Framework and Governance Towards<\\/strong> <\\/span><br \\/><span style=\\\"font-size: 18pt;\\\"><strong>Better Protection of Minority Rights and<\\/strong> <strong><br \\/>Improved Ease of Doing Business<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/h2>\\n<p style=\\\"text-align: center;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"text-align: center;\\\">By <em>Marian Joanne K. Co-Pua<\\/em><a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-admin\\/post.php?post=1661&action=edit#_ftn1\\\"><em>*<\\/em><\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:file {\\\"id\\\":1493,\\\"href\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Revised-Corporation-Code_Stronger-Framework-and-Governance-by-Marian-Joanne-Co-Pua.pdf\\\",\\\"displayPreview\\\":false,\\\"align\\\":\\\"right\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-file alignright\\\"><a class=\\\"wp-block-file__button\\\" href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Revised-Corporation-Code_Stronger-Framework-and-Governance-by-Marian-Joanne-Co-Pua.pdf\\\" download=\\\"\\\">Download PDF Here<\\/a><\\/div>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:file --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":13} --><\\/p>\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-spacer\\\" style=\\\"height: 13px;\\\" aria-hidden=\\\"true\\\">\\u00a0<\\/div>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"text-align: center;\\\"><strong>I. THE REVISED CORPORATION CODE<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Republic Act No. 11232, otherwise known as the \\u201cRevised Corporation Code of the Philippines\\u201d (RCC), is a consolidation of Senate Bill No. 1280 and House Bill No. 8374 aimed at increasing competitiveness and improving ease of doing business, especially considering that the Philippines slipped to rank 124<sup>th<\\/sup> from rank 113<sup>th<\\/sup> out of one hundred ninety (190) economies surveyed in the <em>Doing Business 2019 <\\/em>report of the World Bank. By documenting changes in regulation in twelve (12) areas of business activity in the said economies,<em>\\u00a0Doing Business<\\/em>\\u00a0analyzes regulation that encourages efficiency and supports freedom to do business; as it measures how easy or difficult it is for an entrepreneur to open, manage and operate his business, and how such business may readily comply with regulations.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>In the sponsorship speech of Senate Bill No. 1280, four (4) main reform clusters were mentioned, to wit:<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 80px;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\"><a>First, policies that would enhance the ease of doing business in the Philippines;<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 80px;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\">Second, rules that prioritize corporate and stockholder protection;<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 80px;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\">Third, provisions that instill corporate and civic responsibility; and<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 80px;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\">Fourth, amendments that will strengthen the country\\u2019s policy and regulatory corporate framework.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The adoption of the RCC in February 2019 readily resulted to a 29-notch jump for the Philippines, now ranked 95<sup>th<\\/sup> in the <em>Doing Business 2020 <\\/em>report. Based on the report, the Philippines improved in three areas: starting a business, dealing with construction permits, and protecting minority investors. The report stated that starting a business was made easier by abolishing the minimum capital requirement for domestic companies; dealing with construction permits was made easier by improving coordination and streamlining the process for obtaining an occupancy certificate; and protecting minority investors was strengthened by requiring greater disclosure of transactions with interested parties and enhancing director liability for transactions with interested parties.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) as the overseer of the corporate sector considers the adoption of the RCC as one giant leap forward as it fills the gaps in the four-decade-old Batas Pambansa Blg. 68, otherwise known as \\u201cThe Corporation Code of the Philippines\\u201d (CCP) and supersedes provisions that have become obsolete and even hindersome in a fast-paced and highly competitive environment.<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\">[1]<\\/a> According to the SEC, \\u201coverall, the Revised Corporation Code fosters inclusive entrepreneurship, improves the ease of doing business in the country and subsequently the economy\\u2019s competitiveness, promotes good corporate governance, and increases protection afforded to corporations, investors and other stakeholders through progressive provisions.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\">[2]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 This article intends to discuss the changes introduced by the RCC championing the four (4) main reform clusters, provide insights on such changes and recent circulars issued by the SEC, and discuss additional measures that may be further adopted to better achieve the laudable objectives of the RCC.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">*<\\/a> Doctor of Civil Law: University of Santo Tomas; Lecturer: University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Civil Law and Bulacan State University College of Law; Editorial Board: UST Law Journal (First Edition - 2019); Editor-in-Chief: UST Law Review<em> - <\\/em>Vol. 50 (2005-2006).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[1]<\\/a> Foreword, SEC Briefer on Revised Corporation Code. Available at: <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.sec.gov.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2019\\/11\\/2019RCC_BrieferonRevisedCorporationCode.pdf\\\">https:\\/\\/www.sec.gov.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2019\\/11\\/2019RCC_BrieferonRevisedCorporationCode.pdf<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[2]<\\/a> Ibid.<\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed {\\\"imageURL\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Revised-Corporation-Code_Stronger-Framework-and-Governance-by-Marian-Joanne-Co-Pua.pdf\\\",\\\"imgID\\\":1493,\\\"imgTitle\\\":\\\"Revised Corporation Code_Stronger Framework and Governance by Marian Joanne Co Pua\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-pdfjsblock-pdfjs-embed pdfjs-wrapper\\\">[pdfjs-viewer viewer_width=0 viewer_height=800 url=http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Revised-Corporation-Code_Stronger-Framework-and-Governance-by-Marian-Joanne-Co-Pua.pdf download=true print=true fullscreen=false fullscreen_target=false fullscreen_text=\\\"View%20Fullscreen\\\" zoom=auto search_term=\\\"\\\" ]<\\/div>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed --><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]},\"_margin\":{\"unit\":\"px\",\"top\":\"0\",\"right\":\"0\",\"bottom\":\"0\",\"left\":\"0\",\"isLinked\":true},\"_padding\":{\"unit\":\"px\",\"top\":\"8\",\"right\":\"8\",\"bottom\":\"8\",\"left\":\"8\",\"isLinked\":true}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(5216,1702,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(5220,1703,'_edit_lock','1628477001:1'),(5221,1703,'_edit_last','1'),(5222,1703,'wptr_hide_title','0'),(5223,1703,'ss_social_share_disable',''),(5224,1703,'_yoast_wpseo_primary_category','98'),(5225,1703,'_yoast_wpseo_content_score','30'),(5226,1703,'_yoast_wpseo_estimated-reading-time-minutes','5'),(5229,1703,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(5230,1703,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(5234,1707,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(5235,1707,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(5236,1708,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(5237,1708,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(5238,1703,'_wp_page_template','default'),(5239,1703,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"5711063f\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"5f654083\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"3c0a78bd\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p style=\\\"text-align: center;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 18pt;\\\"><strong>Justice Among Us<\\/strong><strong>:<br \\/><\\/strong><strong>Producing an Equilibrium of Interests <br \\/><\\/strong><strong>in Peer-to-Peer Sexual Harassment Proceedings <br \\/><\\/strong><strong>Within Educational and Training Institutions<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p style=\\\"text-align: center;\\\"><em>Ruby Rosselle L. Tugade<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\">*<\\/a><br \\/><\\/em><em>Athena Charanne R. Presto<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\">**<\\/a><\\/em><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:file {\\\"id\\\":1491,\\\"href\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Justice-Among-Us-by-Ruby-Roselle-Tugade-and-Athena-Charanne-Presto.pdf\\\",\\\"displayPreview\\\":false} -->\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-file\\\" style=\\\"text-align: right;\\\"><a class=\\\"wp-block-file__button\\\" href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Justice-Among-Us-by-Ruby-Roselle-Tugade-and-Athena-Charanne-Presto.pdf\\\" download=\\\"\\\">Download PDF Here<\\/a><\\/div>\\n<!-- \\/wp:file --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<h5 style=\\\"text-align: center;\\\"><strong>ABSTRACT<\\/strong><\\/h5>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"className\\\":\\\".type-post p {text-align: justify; }\\\"} -->\\n<p class=\\\".type-post p {text-align: justify; }\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Peer-to-peer sexual harassment is a relatively new species of gender-based sexual harassment under Philippine law. Through the inclusion of punishable conduct of such nature in the <em>Safe Spaces Act of 2019<\\/em>, Congress has recognized the need to update the definition of sexual harassment to cover acts committed between peers taking place in online and public spaces. Peer-to-peer sexual harassment still exists within asymmetrical and gendered power relations, albeit less overt in its manifestation. With a focus on peer-to-peer sexual harassment taking place in educational institutions, this Essay examines how the social policy behind the <em>Safe Spaces Act <\\/em>is complicated by existing jurisprudence on due process rights, laws involving the privacy of the individual, and the rights of minors who may stand as accused. It anticipates the questions that may arise from the interaction between the policy considerations of the <em>Safe Spaces Act<\\/em> and other rights and interests. Taking into account the cultural ethos which produced the necessity to update the law on sexual harassment, the Essay presents an interdisciplinary examination of anti-sexual harassment policy in academic institutions that considers broader legal and social implications.<\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<h5 style=\\\"text-align: center;\\\"><strong>INTRODUCTION: SAFE SPACES ACT AND THE <br \\/>CHANGING FORMS OF SEXUAL HARASSMENT<\\/strong><\\/h5>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The amplification of voices of victims of gender-based crimes in mainstream platforms surfaced a grim reality in our legal system\\u2014it had not fully caught up with the varying forms of sexual harassment as a crime. The different permutations of gender-based sexual harassment that went unpunished effectively exposed the gaps in legal remedies that were then available to victims. The enactment of Republic Act No. 11313 or the Safe Spaces Act of 2019 came at a time when a victim-focused broad cultural movement was taking place globally and domestically.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Safe Spaces Act criminalizes various kinds of gender-based sexual harassment occurring in public spaces that were previously not contemplated by Philippine law.\\u00a0 Under this legislation, a wide definition of public spaces where sexual harassment can occur is put into place.<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\">[1]<\\/a> Moreover, the Safe Spaces Act recognized the different social contexts where sexual harassment can happen, even outside a superior-subordinate relationship.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 One such area where the Safe Spaces Act expands the coverage of criminal law on sexual harassment is that which takes place in educational institutions. Only relationships with overt moral ascendancy of the perpetrator on the victim were penalized under the old Anti Sexual Harassment Act of 1995 (ASH Law)<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\">[2]<\\/a>. Previously, sexual harassment among peers within the context of educational settings fell through the cracks. However, the reality is that acts of gender-based harassment can also occur \\u00a0outside the traditional hierarchy of power.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 There is a need to ensure that public places such as educational institutions and the pockets of interactions arising from these environments remain safe and secure. As declared in the Safe Spaces Act, its main policy consideration is the State\\u2019s recognition of the dignity of every human person and fundamental equality before the law.<a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\">[3]<\\/a> Therefore, transgressions occurring in these spaces and within the relationships forged in these contexts merit the full force of mechanisms for accountability. On the other hand, the basic notions of fair play and due process must still be strictly observed. Failure to implement fair play and due process dilutes the credibility of institutions to exact accountability and justice, which ultimately hurts both alleged perpetrator and victim.<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\">[4]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 As a silent plague creeping across educational institutions, peer-to-peer sexual harassment victimizes the vulnerable in multiple ways: as conduct that directly harms the injured party; through the difficulty in gaining access to justice mechanisms after the fact; and as reinforcement of asymmetrical and gendered power relations in educational settings. While Congress has recognized the need to punish peer-to-peer sexual harassment in this environment, the enforcement of the Safe Spaces Act may give rise to new questions of law given the existing state of jurisprudence with respect to academic due process, and other relevant legislation relating to privacy rights and the rights of minors who may face accusations.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Adding to the legalistic challenge of enforcing anti-sexual harassment policies in schools are developmental perspectives on adolescent behavior and the complicated peer relations in learning environments. Some actions that provoke distress and discomfort to peers may be interpreted as a normal occurrence in an environment where social actors are seen to be exploring their identities vis-\\u00e0-vis dealing with others who are themselves growing up. This complicates peer sexual harassment in school setting, especially where students can be victims or perpetrators given different social circumstances.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 This paper explores the different legal and policy questions that may flow from the implementation of the Safe Spaces Act in education institutions, with a focus on peer-to-peer sexual harassment. Part I presents peer-to-peer harassment as a social fact together with its nuances and broader implications. Part II looks at the legislative design of the Safe Spaces Act and how it departs from the previous legal regime on sexual harassment. Part III zooms in on peer-to-peer sexual harassment as punishable conduct and its potential interaction with other areas of law. Finally, Part IV tackles the broader social response to peer-to-peer sexual harassment in educational institutions, taking into account the preceding legal discussion.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">*<\\/a> LL.M., University for Peace & United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (2020); J.D., University of the Philippines (2016); Vice Chair (Volume 88), Philippine Law Journal; AB Political Science, <em>cum laude<\\/em>, Ateneo de Manila University (2010). Lecturer, University of the Philippines College of Law and the Department of Political Science Ateneo de Manila University.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">**<\\/a> MA Sociology, University of the Philippines Diliman (ongoing), BA Sociology, <em>summa cum laude, <\\/em>University of the Philippines Diliman (2016). Vice President for Research and Education, Youth Against Sexual Harassment (2020). Instructor, Department of Sociology, University of the Philippines Diliman.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[1]<\\/a> An Act Defining Gender-Based Sexual Harassment in Streets, Public Spaces, Online, Workplaces, and Educational or Training Institutions, Providing Protective Measures and Prescribing Penalties Therefor, Republic Act 11313, sec. 3(g) (2019).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[2]<\\/a>An Act Declaring Sexual Harassment Unlawful in the Employment, Education or Training Environment, and for Other Purposes, Republic Act 7877 (1995).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[3]<\\/a> R.A. 11313, sec. 2.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[4]<\\/a> Harper, S., Maskaly, J., Kirkner, A., & Lorenz, K. <em>Enhancing Title IX Due Process Standards in Campus Sexual Assault Adjudication: Considering the Roles of Distributive, Procedural, and Restorative Justice.<\\/em> 16 Journ. of School Violence, 302 (2017).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed {\\\"imageURL\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Justice-Among-Us-by-Ruby-Roselle-Tugade-and-Athena-Charanne-Presto.pdf\\\",\\\"imgID\\\":1491,\\\"imgTitle\\\":\\\"Justice Among Us by Ruby Roselle Tugade and Athena Charanne Presto\\\"} -->\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-pdfjsblock-pdfjs-embed pdfjs-wrapper\\\">[pdfjs-viewer viewer_width=0 viewer_height=800 url=http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Justice-Among-Us-by-Ruby-Roselle-Tugade-and-Athena-Charanne-Presto.pdf download=true print=true fullscreen=false fullscreen_target=false fullscreen_text=\\\"View%20Fullscreen\\\" zoom=auto search_term=\\\"\\\" ]<\\/div>\\n<!-- \\/wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed -->\",\"align\":\"justify\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_text_decoration\":\"none\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.15,\"sizes\":[]},\"text_shadow_text_shadow\":{\"horizontal\":0,\"vertical\":0,\"blur\":0,\"color\":\"rgba(0,0,0,0.3)\"},\"__globals__\":{\"typography_typography\":\"\"}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(5240,1709,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(5241,1709,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(5242,1709,'_wp_page_template','default'),(5243,1709,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"5711063f\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"5f654083\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"3c0a78bd\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p style=\\\"text-align: center;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 18pt;\\\"><strong>Justice Among Us<\\/strong><strong>:<br \\/><\\/strong><strong>Producing an Equilibrium of Interests <br \\/><\\/strong><strong>in Peer-to-Peer Sexual Harassment Proceedings <br \\/><\\/strong><strong>Within Educational and Training Institutions<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p style=\\\"text-align: center;\\\"><em>Ruby Rosselle L. Tugade<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\">*<\\/a><br \\/><\\/em><em>Athena Charanne R. Presto<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\">**<\\/a><\\/em><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:file {\\\"id\\\":1491,\\\"href\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Justice-Among-Us-by-Ruby-Roselle-Tugade-and-Athena-Charanne-Presto.pdf\\\",\\\"displayPreview\\\":false} -->\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-file\\\" style=\\\"text-align: right;\\\"><a class=\\\"wp-block-file__button\\\" href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Justice-Among-Us-by-Ruby-Roselle-Tugade-and-Athena-Charanne-Presto.pdf\\\" download=\\\"\\\">Download PDF Here<\\/a><\\/div>\\n<!-- \\/wp:file --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><strong>ABSTRACT<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"className\\\":\\\".type-post p {text-align: justify; }\\\"} -->\\n<p class=\\\".type-post p {text-align: justify; }\\\">Peer-to-peer sexual harassment is a relatively new species of gender-based sexual harassment under Philippine law. Through the inclusion of punishable conduct of such nature in the <em>Safe Spaces Act of 2019<\\/em>, Congress has recognized the need to update the definition of sexual harassment to cover acts committed between peers taking place in online and public spaces. Peer-to-peer sexual harassment still exists within asymmetrical and gendered power relations, albeit less overt in its manifestation. With a focus on peer-to-peer sexual harassment taking place in educational institutions, this Essay examines how the social policy behind the <em>Safe Spaces Act <\\/em>is complicated by existing jurisprudence on due process rights, laws involving the privacy of the individual, and the rights of minors who may stand as accused. It anticipates the questions that may arise from the interaction between the policy considerations of the <em>Safe Spaces Act<\\/em> and other rights and interests. Taking into account the cultural ethos which produced the necessity to update the law on sexual harassment, the Essay presents an interdisciplinary examination of anti-sexual harassment policy in academic institutions that considers broader legal and social implications.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><strong>INTRODUCTION: SAFE SPACES ACT AND THE CHANGING FORMS OF SEXUAL HARASSMENT<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>The amplification of voices of victims of gender-based crimes in mainstream platforms surfaced a grim reality in our legal system\\u2014it had not fully caught up with the varying forms of sexual harassment as a crime. The different permutations of gender-based sexual harassment that went unpunished effectively exposed the gaps in legal remedies that were then available to victims. The enactment of Republic Act No. 11313 or the Safe Spaces Act of 2019 came at a time when a victim-focused broad cultural movement was taking place globally and domestically.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>The Safe Spaces Act criminalizes various kinds of gender-based sexual harassment occurring in public spaces that were previously not contemplated by Philippine law.\\u00a0 Under this legislation, a wide definition of public spaces where sexual harassment can occur is put into place.<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\">[1]<\\/a> Moreover, the Safe Spaces Act recognized the different social contexts where sexual harassment can happen, even outside a superior-subordinate relationship.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0One such area where the Safe Spaces Act expands the coverage of criminal law on sexual harassment is that which takes place in educational institutions. Only relationships with overt moral ascendancy of the perpetrator on the victim were penalized under the old Anti Sexual Harassment Act of 1995 (ASH Law)<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\">[2]<\\/a>. Previously, sexual harassment among peers within the context of educational settings fell through the cracks. However, the reality is that acts of gender-based harassment can also occur \\u00a0outside the traditional hierarchy of power.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>There is a need to ensure that public places such as educational institutions and the pockets of interactions arising from these environments remain safe and secure. As declared in the Safe Spaces Act, its main policy consideration is the State\\u2019s recognition of the dignity of every human person and fundamental equality before the law.<a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\">[3]<\\/a> Therefore, transgressions occurring in these spaces and within the relationships forged in these contexts merit the full force of mechanisms for accountability. On the other hand, the basic notions of fair play and due process must still be strictly observed. Failure to implement fair play and due process dilutes the credibility of institutions to exact accountability and justice, which ultimately hurts both alleged perpetrator and victim.<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\">[4]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>As a silent plague creeping across educational institutions, peer-to-peer sexual harassment victimizes the vulnerable in multiple ways: as conduct that directly harms the injured party; through the difficulty in gaining access to justice mechanisms after the fact; and as reinforcement of asymmetrical and gendered power relations in educational settings. While Congress has recognized the need to punish peer-to-peer sexual harassment in this environment, the enforcement of the Safe Spaces Act may give rise to new questions of law given the existing state of jurisprudence with respect to academic due process, and other relevant legislation relating to privacy rights and the rights of minors who may face accusations.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Adding to the legalistic challenge of enforcing anti-sexual harassment policies in schools are developmental perspectives on adolescent behavior and the complicated peer relations in learning environments. Some actions that provoke distress and discomfort to peers may be interpreted as a normal occurrence in an environment where social actors are seen to be exploring their identities vis-\\u00e0-vis dealing with others who are themselves growing up. This complicates peer sexual harassment in school setting, especially where students can be victims or perpetrators given different social circumstances.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>This paper explores the different legal and policy questions that may flow from the implementation of the Safe Spaces Act in education institutions, with a focus on peer-to-peer sexual harassment. Part I presents peer-to-peer harassment as a social fact together with its nuances and broader implications. Part II looks at the legislative design of the Safe Spaces Act and how it departs from the previous legal regime on sexual harassment. Part III zooms in on peer-to-peer sexual harassment as punishable conduct and its potential interaction with other areas of law. Finally, Part IV tackles the broader social response to peer-to-peer sexual harassment in educational institutions, taking into account the preceding legal discussion.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">*<\\/a> LL.M., University for Peace & United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (2020); J.D., University of the Philippines (2016); Vice Chair (Volume 88), Philippine Law Journal; AB Political Science, <em>cum laude<\\/em>, Ateneo de Manila University (2010). Lecturer, University of the Philippines College of Law and the Department of Political Science Ateneo de Manila University.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">**<\\/a> MA Sociology, University of the Philippines Diliman (ongoing), BA Sociology, <em>summa cum laude, <\\/em>University of the Philippines Diliman (2016). Vice President for Research and Education, Youth Against Sexual Harassment (2020). Instructor, Department of Sociology, University of the Philippines Diliman.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[1]<\\/a> An Act Defining Gender-Based Sexual Harassment in Streets, Public Spaces, Online, Workplaces, and Educational or Training Institutions, Providing Protective Measures and Prescribing Penalties Therefor, Republic Act 11313, sec. 3(g) (2019).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[2]<\\/a>An Act Declaring Sexual Harassment Unlawful in the Employment, Education or Training Environment, and for Other Purposes, Republic Act 7877 (1995).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[3]<\\/a> R.A. 11313, sec. 2.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[4]<\\/a> Harper, S., Maskaly, J., Kirkner, A., & Lorenz, K. <em>Enhancing Title IX Due Process Standards in Campus Sexual Assault Adjudication: Considering the Roles of Distributive, Procedural, and Restorative Justice.<\\/em> 16 Journ. of School Violence, 302 (2017).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed {\\\"imageURL\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Justice-Among-Us-by-Ruby-Roselle-Tugade-and-Athena-Charanne-Presto.pdf\\\",\\\"imgID\\\":1491,\\\"imgTitle\\\":\\\"Justice Among Us by Ruby Roselle Tugade and Athena Charanne Presto\\\"} -->\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-pdfjsblock-pdfjs-embed pdfjs-wrapper\\\">[pdfjs-viewer viewer_width=0 viewer_height=800 url=http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Justice-Among-Us-by-Ruby-Roselle-Tugade-and-Athena-Charanne-Presto.pdf download=true print=true fullscreen=false fullscreen_target=false fullscreen_text=\\\"View%20Fullscreen\\\" zoom=auto search_term=\\\"\\\" ]<\\/div>\\n<!-- \\/wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed -->\"},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(5244,1703,'_elementor_version','3.2.5'),(5247,1710,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(5248,1710,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(5249,1710,'_wp_page_template','default'),(5250,1710,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"5711063f\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"5f654083\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"3c0a78bd\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p style=\\\"text-align: center;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 18pt;\\\"><strong>Justice Among Us<\\/strong><strong>:<br \\/><\\/strong><strong>Producing an Equilibrium of Interests <br \\/><\\/strong><strong>in Peer-to-Peer Sexual Harassment Proceedings <br \\/><\\/strong><strong>Within Educational and Training Institutions<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p style=\\\"text-align: center;\\\"><em>Ruby Rosselle L. Tugade<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\">*<\\/a><br \\/><\\/em><em>Athena Charanne R. Presto<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\">**<\\/a><\\/em><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:file {\\\"id\\\":1491,\\\"href\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Justice-Among-Us-by-Ruby-Roselle-Tugade-and-Athena-Charanne-Presto.pdf\\\",\\\"displayPreview\\\":false} -->\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-file\\\" style=\\\"text-align: right;\\\"><a class=\\\"wp-block-file__button\\\" href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Justice-Among-Us-by-Ruby-Roselle-Tugade-and-Athena-Charanne-Presto.pdf\\\" download=\\\"\\\">Download PDF Here<\\/a><\\/div>\\n<!-- \\/wp:file --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><strong>ABSTRACT<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"className\\\":\\\".type-post p {text-align: justify; }\\\"} -->\\n<p class=\\\".type-post p {text-align: justify; }\\\">Peer-to-peer sexual harassment is a relatively new species of gender-based sexual harassment under Philippine law. Through the inclusion of punishable conduct of such nature in the <em>Safe Spaces Act of 2019<\\/em>, Congress has recognized the need to update the definition of sexual harassment to cover acts committed between peers taking place in online and public spaces. Peer-to-peer sexual harassment still exists within asymmetrical and gendered power relations, albeit less overt in its manifestation. With a focus on peer-to-peer sexual harassment taking place in educational institutions, this Essay examines how the social policy behind the <em>Safe Spaces Act <\\/em>is complicated by existing jurisprudence on due process rights, laws involving the privacy of the individual, and the rights of minors who may stand as accused. It anticipates the questions that may arise from the interaction between the policy considerations of the <em>Safe Spaces Act<\\/em> and other rights and interests. Taking into account the cultural ethos which produced the necessity to update the law on sexual harassment, the Essay presents an interdisciplinary examination of anti-sexual harassment policy in academic institutions that considers broader legal and social implications.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><strong>INTRODUCTION: SAFE SPACES ACT AND THE CHANGING FORMS OF SEXUAL HARASSMENT<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>The amplification of voices of victims of gender-based crimes in mainstream platforms surfaced a grim reality in our legal system\\u2014it had not fully caught up with the varying forms of sexual harassment as a crime. The different permutations of gender-based sexual harassment that went unpunished effectively exposed the gaps in legal remedies that were then available to victims. The enactment of Republic Act No. 11313 or the Safe Spaces Act of 2019 came at a time when a victim-focused broad cultural movement was taking place globally and domestically.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>The Safe Spaces Act criminalizes various kinds of gender-based sexual harassment occurring in public spaces that were previously not contemplated by Philippine law.\\u00a0 Under this legislation, a wide definition of public spaces where sexual harassment can occur is put into place.<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\">[1]<\\/a> Moreover, the Safe Spaces Act recognized the different social contexts where sexual harassment can happen, even outside a superior-subordinate relationship.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0One such area where the Safe Spaces Act expands the coverage of criminal law on sexual harassment is that which takes place in educational institutions. Only relationships with overt moral ascendancy of the perpetrator on the victim were penalized under the old Anti Sexual Harassment Act of 1995 (ASH Law)<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\">[2]<\\/a>. Previously, sexual harassment among peers within the context of educational settings fell through the cracks. However, the reality is that acts of gender-based harassment can also occur \\u00a0outside the traditional hierarchy of power.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>There is a need to ensure that public places such as educational institutions and the pockets of interactions arising from these environments remain safe and secure. As declared in the Safe Spaces Act, its main policy consideration is the State\\u2019s recognition of the dignity of every human person and fundamental equality before the law.<a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\">[3]<\\/a> Therefore, transgressions occurring in these spaces and within the relationships forged in these contexts merit the full force of mechanisms for accountability. On the other hand, the basic notions of fair play and due process must still be strictly observed. Failure to implement fair play and due process dilutes the credibility of institutions to exact accountability and justice, which ultimately hurts both alleged perpetrator and victim.<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\">[4]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>As a silent plague creeping across educational institutions, peer-to-peer sexual harassment victimizes the vulnerable in multiple ways: as conduct that directly harms the injured party; through the difficulty in gaining access to justice mechanisms after the fact; and as reinforcement of asymmetrical and gendered power relations in educational settings. While Congress has recognized the need to punish peer-to-peer sexual harassment in this environment, the enforcement of the Safe Spaces Act may give rise to new questions of law given the existing state of jurisprudence with respect to academic due process, and other relevant legislation relating to privacy rights and the rights of minors who may face accusations.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Adding to the legalistic challenge of enforcing anti-sexual harassment policies in schools are developmental perspectives on adolescent behavior and the complicated peer relations in learning environments. Some actions that provoke distress and discomfort to peers may be interpreted as a normal occurrence in an environment where social actors are seen to be exploring their identities vis-\\u00e0-vis dealing with others who are themselves growing up. This complicates peer sexual harassment in school setting, especially where students can be victims or perpetrators given different social circumstances.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>This paper explores the different legal and policy questions that may flow from the implementation of the Safe Spaces Act in education institutions, with a focus on peer-to-peer sexual harassment. Part I presents peer-to-peer harassment as a social fact together with its nuances and broader implications. Part II looks at the legislative design of the Safe Spaces Act and how it departs from the previous legal regime on sexual harassment. Part III zooms in on peer-to-peer sexual harassment as punishable conduct and its potential interaction with other areas of law. Finally, Part IV tackles the broader social response to peer-to-peer sexual harassment in educational institutions, taking into account the preceding legal discussion.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">*<\\/a> LL.M., University for Peace & United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (2020); J.D., University of the Philippines (2016); Vice Chair (Volume 88), Philippine Law Journal; AB Political Science, <em>cum laude<\\/em>, Ateneo de Manila University (2010). Lecturer, University of the Philippines College of Law and the Department of Political Science Ateneo de Manila University.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">**<\\/a> MA Sociology, University of the Philippines Diliman (ongoing), BA Sociology, <em>summa cum laude, <\\/em>University of the Philippines Diliman (2016). Vice President for Research and Education, Youth Against Sexual Harassment (2020). Instructor, Department of Sociology, University of the Philippines Diliman.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[1]<\\/a> An Act Defining Gender-Based Sexual Harassment in Streets, Public Spaces, Online, Workplaces, and Educational or Training Institutions, Providing Protective Measures and Prescribing Penalties Therefor, Republic Act 11313, sec. 3(g) (2019).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[2]<\\/a>An Act Declaring Sexual Harassment Unlawful in the Employment, Education or Training Environment, and for Other Purposes, Republic Act 7877 (1995).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[3]<\\/a> R.A. 11313, sec. 2.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[4]<\\/a> Harper, S., Maskaly, J., Kirkner, A., & Lorenz, K. <em>Enhancing Title IX Due Process Standards in Campus Sexual Assault Adjudication: Considering the Roles of Distributive, Procedural, and Restorative Justice.<\\/em> 16 Journ. of School Violence, 302 (2017).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed {\\\"imageURL\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Justice-Among-Us-by-Ruby-Roselle-Tugade-and-Athena-Charanne-Presto.pdf\\\",\\\"imgID\\\":1491,\\\"imgTitle\\\":\\\"Justice Among Us by Ruby Roselle Tugade and Athena Charanne Presto\\\"} -->\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-pdfjsblock-pdfjs-embed pdfjs-wrapper\\\">[pdfjs-viewer viewer_width=0 viewer_height=800 url=http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Justice-Among-Us-by-Ruby-Roselle-Tugade-and-Athena-Charanne-Presto.pdf download=true print=true fullscreen=false fullscreen_target=false fullscreen_text=\\\"View%20Fullscreen\\\" zoom=auto search_term=\\\"\\\" ]<\\/div>\\n<!-- \\/wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed -->\"},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(5251,1710,'_elementor_version','3.2.5'),(5253,1711,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(5254,1711,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(5255,1711,'_wp_page_template','default'),(5256,1711,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"5711063f\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"5f654083\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"3c0a78bd\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p style=\\\"text-align: center;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 18pt;\\\"><strong>Justice Among Us<\\/strong><strong>:<br \\/><\\/strong><strong>Producing an Equilibrium of Interests <br \\/><\\/strong><strong>in Peer-to-Peer Sexual Harassment Proceedings <br \\/><\\/strong><strong>Within Educational and Training Institutions<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p style=\\\"text-align: center;\\\"><em>Ruby Rosselle L. Tugade<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\">*<\\/a><br \\/><\\/em><em>Athena Charanne R. Presto<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\">**<\\/a><\\/em><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:file {\\\"id\\\":1491,\\\"href\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Justice-Among-Us-by-Ruby-Roselle-Tugade-and-Athena-Charanne-Presto.pdf\\\",\\\"displayPreview\\\":false} -->\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-file\\\" style=\\\"text-align: right;\\\"><a class=\\\"wp-block-file__button\\\" href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Justice-Among-Us-by-Ruby-Roselle-Tugade-and-Athena-Charanne-Presto.pdf\\\" download=\\\"\\\">Download PDF Here<\\/a><\\/div>\\n<!-- \\/wp:file --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><strong>ABSTRACT<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"className\\\":\\\".type-post p {text-align: justify; }\\\"} -->\\n<p class=\\\".type-post p {text-align: justify; }\\\">Peer-to-peer sexual harassment is a relatively new species of gender-based sexual harassment under Philippine law. Through the inclusion of punishable conduct of such nature in the <em>Safe Spaces Act of 2019<\\/em>, Congress has recognized the need to update the definition of sexual harassment to cover acts committed between peers taking place in online and public spaces. Peer-to-peer sexual harassment still exists within asymmetrical and gendered power relations, albeit less overt in its manifestation. With a focus on peer-to-peer sexual harassment taking place in educational institutions, this Essay examines how the social policy behind the <em>Safe Spaces Act <\\/em>is complicated by existing jurisprudence on due process rights, laws involving the privacy of the individual, and the rights of minors who may stand as accused. It anticipates the questions that may arise from the interaction between the policy considerations of the <em>Safe Spaces Act<\\/em> and other rights and interests. Taking into account the cultural ethos which produced the necessity to update the law on sexual harassment, the Essay presents an interdisciplinary examination of anti-sexual harassment policy in academic institutions that considers broader legal and social implications.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><strong>INTRODUCTION: SAFE SPACES ACT AND THE CHANGING FORMS OF SEXUAL HARASSMENT<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>The amplification of voices of victims of gender-based crimes in mainstream platforms surfaced a grim reality in our legal system\\u2014it had not fully caught up with the varying forms of sexual harassment as a crime. The different permutations of gender-based sexual harassment that went unpunished effectively exposed the gaps in legal remedies that were then available to victims. The enactment of Republic Act No. 11313 or the Safe Spaces Act of 2019 came at a time when a victim-focused broad cultural movement was taking place globally and domestically.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>The Safe Spaces Act criminalizes various kinds of gender-based sexual harassment occurring in public spaces that were previously not contemplated by Philippine law.\\u00a0 Under this legislation, a wide definition of public spaces where sexual harassment can occur is put into place.<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\">[1]<\\/a> Moreover, the Safe Spaces Act recognized the different social contexts where sexual harassment can happen, even outside a superior-subordinate relationship.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0One such area where the Safe Spaces Act expands the coverage of criminal law on sexual harassment is that which takes place in educational institutions. Only relationships with overt moral ascendancy of the perpetrator on the victim were penalized under the old Anti Sexual Harassment Act of 1995 (ASH Law)<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\">[2]<\\/a>. Previously, sexual harassment among peers within the context of educational settings fell through the cracks. However, the reality is that acts of gender-based harassment can also occur \\u00a0outside the traditional hierarchy of power.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>There is a need to ensure that public places such as educational institutions and the pockets of interactions arising from these environments remain safe and secure. As declared in the Safe Spaces Act, its main policy consideration is the State\\u2019s recognition of the dignity of every human person and fundamental equality before the law.<a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\">[3]<\\/a> Therefore, transgressions occurring in these spaces and within the relationships forged in these contexts merit the full force of mechanisms for accountability. On the other hand, the basic notions of fair play and due process must still be strictly observed. Failure to implement fair play and due process dilutes the credibility of institutions to exact accountability and justice, which ultimately hurts both alleged perpetrator and victim.<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\">[4]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>As a silent plague creeping across educational institutions, peer-to-peer sexual harassment victimizes the vulnerable in multiple ways: as conduct that directly harms the injured party; through the difficulty in gaining access to justice mechanisms after the fact; and as reinforcement of asymmetrical and gendered power relations in educational settings. While Congress has recognized the need to punish peer-to-peer sexual harassment in this environment, the enforcement of the Safe Spaces Act may give rise to new questions of law given the existing state of jurisprudence with respect to academic due process, and other relevant legislation relating to privacy rights and the rights of minors who may face accusations.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Adding to the legalistic challenge of enforcing anti-sexual harassment policies in schools are developmental perspectives on adolescent behavior and the complicated peer relations in learning environments. Some actions that provoke distress and discomfort to peers may be interpreted as a normal occurrence in an environment where social actors are seen to be exploring their identities vis-\\u00e0-vis dealing with others who are themselves growing up. This complicates peer sexual harassment in school setting, especially where students can be victims or perpetrators given different social circumstances.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>This paper explores the different legal and policy questions that may flow from the implementation of the Safe Spaces Act in education institutions, with a focus on peer-to-peer sexual harassment. Part I presents peer-to-peer harassment as a social fact together with its nuances and broader implications. Part II looks at the legislative design of the Safe Spaces Act and how it departs from the previous legal regime on sexual harassment. Part III zooms in on peer-to-peer sexual harassment as punishable conduct and its potential interaction with other areas of law. Finally, Part IV tackles the broader social response to peer-to-peer sexual harassment in educational institutions, taking into account the preceding legal discussion.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">*<\\/a> LL.M., University for Peace & United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (2020); J.D., University of the Philippines (2016); Vice Chair (Volume 88), Philippine Law Journal; AB Political Science, <em>cum laude<\\/em>, Ateneo de Manila University (2010). Lecturer, University of the Philippines College of Law and the Department of Political Science Ateneo de Manila University.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">**<\\/a> MA Sociology, University of the Philippines Diliman (ongoing), BA Sociology, <em>summa cum laude, <\\/em>University of the Philippines Diliman (2016). Vice President for Research and Education, Youth Against Sexual Harassment (2020). Instructor, Department of Sociology, University of the Philippines Diliman.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[1]<\\/a> An Act Defining Gender-Based Sexual Harassment in Streets, Public Spaces, Online, Workplaces, and Educational or Training Institutions, Providing Protective Measures and Prescribing Penalties Therefor, Republic Act 11313, sec. 3(g) (2019).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[2]<\\/a>An Act Declaring Sexual Harassment Unlawful in the Employment, Education or Training Environment, and for Other Purposes, Republic Act 7877 (1995).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[3]<\\/a> R.A. 11313, sec. 2.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[4]<\\/a> Harper, S., Maskaly, J., Kirkner, A., & Lorenz, K. <em>Enhancing Title IX Due Process Standards in Campus Sexual Assault Adjudication: Considering the Roles of Distributive, Procedural, and Restorative Justice.<\\/em> 16 Journ. of School Violence, 302 (2017).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed {\\\"imageURL\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Justice-Among-Us-by-Ruby-Roselle-Tugade-and-Athena-Charanne-Presto.pdf\\\",\\\"imgID\\\":1491,\\\"imgTitle\\\":\\\"Justice Among Us by Ruby Roselle Tugade and Athena Charanne Presto\\\"} -->\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-pdfjsblock-pdfjs-embed pdfjs-wrapper\\\">[pdfjs-viewer viewer_width=0 viewer_height=800 url=http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Justice-Among-Us-by-Ruby-Roselle-Tugade-and-Athena-Charanne-Presto.pdf download=true print=true fullscreen=false fullscreen_target=false fullscreen_text=\\\"View%20Fullscreen\\\" zoom=auto search_term=\\\"\\\" ]<\\/div>\\n<!-- \\/wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed -->\"},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(5257,1711,'_elementor_version','3.2.5'),(5259,1712,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(5260,1712,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(5261,1712,'_wp_page_template','default'),(5262,1712,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"5711063f\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"5f654083\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"3c0a78bd\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p style=\\\"text-align: center;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 18pt;\\\"><strong>Justice Among Us<\\/strong><strong>:<br \\/><\\/strong><strong>Producing an Equilibrium of Interests <br \\/><\\/strong><strong>in Peer-to-Peer Sexual Harassment Proceedings <br \\/><\\/strong><strong>Within Educational and Training Institutions<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p style=\\\"text-align: center;\\\"><em>Ruby Rosselle L. Tugade<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\">*<\\/a><br \\/><\\/em><em>Athena Charanne R. Presto<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\">**<\\/a><\\/em><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:file {\\\"id\\\":1491,\\\"href\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Justice-Among-Us-by-Ruby-Roselle-Tugade-and-Athena-Charanne-Presto.pdf\\\",\\\"displayPreview\\\":false} -->\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-file\\\" style=\\\"text-align: right;\\\"><a class=\\\"wp-block-file__button\\\" href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Justice-Among-Us-by-Ruby-Roselle-Tugade-and-Athena-Charanne-Presto.pdf\\\" download=\\\"\\\">Download PDF Here<\\/a><\\/div>\\n<!-- \\/wp:file --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><strong>ABSTRACT<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"className\\\":\\\".type-post p {text-align: justify; }\\\"} -->\\n<p class=\\\".type-post p {text-align: justify; }\\\">Peer-to-peer sexual harassment is a relatively new species of gender-based sexual harassment under Philippine law. Through the inclusion of punishable conduct of such nature in the <em>Safe Spaces Act of 2019<\\/em>, Congress has recognized the need to update the definition of sexual harassment to cover acts committed between peers taking place in online and public spaces. Peer-to-peer sexual harassment still exists within asymmetrical and gendered power relations, albeit less overt in its manifestation. With a focus on peer-to-peer sexual harassment taking place in educational institutions, this Essay examines how the social policy behind the <em>Safe Spaces Act <\\/em>is complicated by existing jurisprudence on due process rights, laws involving the privacy of the individual, and the rights of minors who may stand as accused. It anticipates the questions that may arise from the interaction between the policy considerations of the <em>Safe Spaces Act<\\/em> and other rights and interests. Taking into account the cultural ethos which produced the necessity to update the law on sexual harassment, the Essay presents an interdisciplinary examination of anti-sexual harassment policy in academic institutions that considers broader legal and social implications.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><strong>INTRODUCTION: SAFE SPACES ACT AND THE CHANGING FORMS OF SEXUAL HARASSMENT<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>The amplification of voices of victims of gender-based crimes in mainstream platforms surfaced a grim reality in our legal system\\u2014it had not fully caught up with the varying forms of sexual harassment as a crime. The different permutations of gender-based sexual harassment that went unpunished effectively exposed the gaps in legal remedies that were then available to victims. The enactment of Republic Act No. 11313 or the Safe Spaces Act of 2019 came at a time when a victim-focused broad cultural movement was taking place globally and domestically.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>The Safe Spaces Act criminalizes various kinds of gender-based sexual harassment occurring in public spaces that were previously not contemplated by Philippine law.\\u00a0 Under this legislation, a wide definition of public spaces where sexual harassment can occur is put into place.<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\">[1]<\\/a> Moreover, the Safe Spaces Act recognized the different social contexts where sexual harassment can happen, even outside a superior-subordinate relationship.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0One such area where the Safe Spaces Act expands the coverage of criminal law on sexual harassment is that which takes place in educational institutions. Only relationships with overt moral ascendancy of the perpetrator on the victim were penalized under the old Anti Sexual Harassment Act of 1995 (ASH Law)<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\">[2]<\\/a>. Previously, sexual harassment among peers within the context of educational settings fell through the cracks. However, the reality is that acts of gender-based harassment can also occur \\u00a0outside the traditional hierarchy of power.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>There is a need to ensure that public places such as educational institutions and the pockets of interactions arising from these environments remain safe and secure. As declared in the Safe Spaces Act, its main policy consideration is the State\\u2019s recognition of the dignity of every human person and fundamental equality before the law.<a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\">[3]<\\/a> Therefore, transgressions occurring in these spaces and within the relationships forged in these contexts merit the full force of mechanisms for accountability. On the other hand, the basic notions of fair play and due process must still be strictly observed. Failure to implement fair play and due process dilutes the credibility of institutions to exact accountability and justice, which ultimately hurts both alleged perpetrator and victim.<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\">[4]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>As a silent plague creeping across educational institutions, peer-to-peer sexual harassment victimizes the vulnerable in multiple ways: as conduct that directly harms the injured party; through the difficulty in gaining access to justice mechanisms after the fact; and as reinforcement of asymmetrical and gendered power relations in educational settings. While Congress has recognized the need to punish peer-to-peer sexual harassment in this environment, the enforcement of the Safe Spaces Act may give rise to new questions of law given the existing state of jurisprudence with respect to academic due process, and other relevant legislation relating to privacy rights and the rights of minors who may face accusations.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Adding to the legalistic challenge of enforcing anti-sexual harassment policies in schools are developmental perspectives on adolescent behavior and the complicated peer relations in learning environments. Some actions that provoke distress and discomfort to peers may be interpreted as a normal occurrence in an environment where social actors are seen to be exploring their identities vis-\\u00e0-vis dealing with others who are themselves growing up. This complicates peer sexual harassment in school setting, especially where students can be victims or perpetrators given different social circumstances.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>This paper explores the different legal and policy questions that may flow from the implementation of the Safe Spaces Act in education institutions, with a focus on peer-to-peer sexual harassment. Part I presents peer-to-peer harassment as a social fact together with its nuances and broader implications. Part II looks at the legislative design of the Safe Spaces Act and how it departs from the previous legal regime on sexual harassment. Part III zooms in on peer-to-peer sexual harassment as punishable conduct and its potential interaction with other areas of law. Finally, Part IV tackles the broader social response to peer-to-peer sexual harassment in educational institutions, taking into account the preceding legal discussion.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">*<\\/a> LL.M., University for Peace & United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (2020); J.D., University of the Philippines (2016); Vice Chair (Volume 88), Philippine Law Journal; AB Political Science, <em>cum laude<\\/em>, Ateneo de Manila University (2010). Lecturer, University of the Philippines College of Law and the Department of Political Science Ateneo de Manila University.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">**<\\/a> MA Sociology, University of the Philippines Diliman (ongoing), BA Sociology, <em>summa cum laude, <\\/em>University of the Philippines Diliman (2016). Vice President for Research and Education, Youth Against Sexual Harassment (2020). Instructor, Department of Sociology, University of the Philippines Diliman.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[1]<\\/a> An Act Defining Gender-Based Sexual Harassment in Streets, Public Spaces, Online, Workplaces, and Educational or Training Institutions, Providing Protective Measures and Prescribing Penalties Therefor, Republic Act 11313, sec. 3(g) (2019).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[2]<\\/a>An Act Declaring Sexual Harassment Unlawful in the Employment, Education or Training Environment, and for Other Purposes, Republic Act 7877 (1995).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[3]<\\/a> R.A. 11313, sec. 2.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[4]<\\/a> Harper, S., Maskaly, J., Kirkner, A., & Lorenz, K. <em>Enhancing Title IX Due Process Standards in Campus Sexual Assault Adjudication: Considering the Roles of Distributive, Procedural, and Restorative Justice.<\\/em> 16 Journ. of School Violence, 302 (2017).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed {\\\"imageURL\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Justice-Among-Us-by-Ruby-Roselle-Tugade-and-Athena-Charanne-Presto.pdf\\\",\\\"imgID\\\":1491,\\\"imgTitle\\\":\\\"Justice Among Us by Ruby Roselle Tugade and Athena Charanne Presto\\\"} -->\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-pdfjsblock-pdfjs-embed pdfjs-wrapper\\\">[pdfjs-viewer viewer_width=0 viewer_height=800 url=http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Justice-Among-Us-by-Ruby-Roselle-Tugade-and-Athena-Charanne-Presto.pdf download=true print=true fullscreen=false fullscreen_target=false fullscreen_text=\\\"View%20Fullscreen\\\" zoom=auto search_term=\\\"\\\" ]<\\/div>\\n<!-- \\/wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed -->\"},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(5263,1712,'_elementor_version','3.2.5'),(5266,1703,'_yoast_wpseo_focuskw','Peer-to-peer sexual harassment'),(5267,1703,'_yoast_wpseo_linkdex','62'),(5269,1713,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(5270,1713,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(5271,1713,'_wp_page_template','default'),(5272,1713,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"5711063f\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"5f654083\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"3c0a78bd\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p style=\\\"text-align: center;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 18pt;\\\"><strong>Justice Among Us<\\/strong><strong>:<br \\/><\\/strong><strong>Producing an Equilibrium of Interests <br \\/><\\/strong><strong>in Peer-to-Peer Sexual Harassment Proceedings <br \\/><\\/strong><strong>Within Educational and Training Institutions<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p style=\\\"text-align: center;\\\"><em>Ruby Rosselle L. Tugade<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\">*<\\/a><br \\/><\\/em><em>Athena Charanne R. Presto<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\">**<\\/a><\\/em><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:file {\\\"id\\\":1491,\\\"href\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Justice-Among-Us-by-Ruby-Roselle-Tugade-and-Athena-Charanne-Presto.pdf\\\",\\\"displayPreview\\\":false} -->\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-file\\\" style=\\\"text-align: right;\\\"><a class=\\\"wp-block-file__button\\\" href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Justice-Among-Us-by-Ruby-Roselle-Tugade-and-Athena-Charanne-Presto.pdf\\\" download=\\\"\\\">Download PDF Here<\\/a><\\/div>\\n<!-- \\/wp:file --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><strong>ABSTRACT<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"className\\\":\\\".type-post p {text-align: justify; }\\\"} -->\\n<p class=\\\".type-post p {text-align: justify; }\\\">Peer-to-peer sexual harassment is a relatively new species of gender-based sexual harassment under Philippine law. Through the inclusion of punishable conduct of such nature in the <em>Safe Spaces Act of 2019<\\/em>, Congress has recognized the need to update the definition of sexual harassment to cover acts committed between peers taking place in online and public spaces. Peer-to-peer sexual harassment still exists within asymmetrical and gendered power relations, albeit less overt in its manifestation. With a focus on peer-to-peer sexual harassment taking place in educational institutions, this Essay examines how the social policy behind the <em>Safe Spaces Act <\\/em>is complicated by existing jurisprudence on due process rights, laws involving the privacy of the individual, and the rights of minors who may stand as accused. It anticipates the questions that may arise from the interaction between the policy considerations of the <em>Safe Spaces Act<\\/em> and other rights and interests. Taking into account the cultural ethos which produced the necessity to update the law on sexual harassment, the Essay presents an interdisciplinary examination of anti-sexual harassment policy in academic institutions that considers broader legal and social implications.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><strong>INTRODUCTION: SAFE SPACES ACT AND THE CHANGING FORMS OF SEXUAL HARASSMENT<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>The amplification of voices of victims of gender-based crimes in mainstream platforms surfaced a grim reality in our legal system\\u2014it had not fully caught up with the varying forms of sexual harassment as a crime. The different permutations of gender-based sexual harassment that went unpunished effectively exposed the gaps in legal remedies that were then available to victims. The enactment of Republic Act No. 11313 or the Safe Spaces Act of 2019 came at a time when a victim-focused broad cultural movement was taking place globally and domestically.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>The Safe Spaces Act criminalizes various kinds of gender-based sexual harassment occurring in public spaces that were previously not contemplated by Philippine law.\\u00a0 Under this legislation, a wide definition of public spaces where sexual harassment can occur is put into place.<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\">[1]<\\/a> Moreover, the Safe Spaces Act recognized the different social contexts where sexual harassment can happen, even outside a superior-subordinate relationship.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0One such area where the Safe Spaces Act expands the coverage of criminal law on sexual harassment is that which takes place in educational institutions. Only relationships with overt moral ascendancy of the perpetrator on the victim were penalized under the old Anti Sexual Harassment Act of 1995 (ASH Law)<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\">[2]<\\/a>. Previously, sexual harassment among peers within the context of educational settings fell through the cracks. However, the reality is that acts of gender-based harassment can also occur \\u00a0outside the traditional hierarchy of power.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>There is a need to ensure that public places such as educational institutions and the pockets of interactions arising from these environments remain safe and secure. As declared in the Safe Spaces Act, its main policy consideration is the State\\u2019s recognition of the dignity of every human person and fundamental equality before the law.<a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\">[3]<\\/a> Therefore, transgressions occurring in these spaces and within the relationships forged in these contexts merit the full force of mechanisms for accountability. On the other hand, the basic notions of fair play and due process must still be strictly observed. Failure to implement fair play and due process dilutes the credibility of institutions to exact accountability and justice, which ultimately hurts both alleged perpetrator and victim.<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\">[4]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>As a silent plague creeping across educational institutions, peer-to-peer sexual harassment victimizes the vulnerable in multiple ways: as conduct that directly harms the injured party; through the difficulty in gaining access to justice mechanisms after the fact; and as reinforcement of asymmetrical and gendered power relations in educational settings. While Congress has recognized the need to punish peer-to-peer sexual harassment in this environment, the enforcement of the Safe Spaces Act may give rise to new questions of law given the existing state of jurisprudence with respect to academic due process, and other relevant legislation relating to privacy rights and the rights of minors who may face accusations.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Adding to the legalistic challenge of enforcing anti-sexual harassment policies in schools are developmental perspectives on adolescent behavior and the complicated peer relations in learning environments. Some actions that provoke distress and discomfort to peers may be interpreted as a normal occurrence in an environment where social actors are seen to be exploring their identities vis-\\u00e0-vis dealing with others who are themselves growing up. This complicates peer sexual harassment in school setting, especially where students can be victims or perpetrators given different social circumstances.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>This paper explores the different legal and policy questions that may flow from the implementation of the Safe Spaces Act in education institutions, with a focus on peer-to-peer sexual harassment. Part I presents peer-to-peer harassment as a social fact together with its nuances and broader implications. Part II looks at the legislative design of the Safe Spaces Act and how it departs from the previous legal regime on sexual harassment. Part III zooms in on peer-to-peer sexual harassment as punishable conduct and its potential interaction with other areas of law. Finally, Part IV tackles the broader social response to peer-to-peer sexual harassment in educational institutions, taking into account the preceding legal discussion.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">*<\\/a> LL.M., University for Peace & United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (2020); J.D., University of the Philippines (2016); Vice Chair (Volume 88), Philippine Law Journal; AB Political Science, <em>cum laude<\\/em>, Ateneo de Manila University (2010). Lecturer, University of the Philippines College of Law and the Department of Political Science Ateneo de Manila University.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">**<\\/a> MA Sociology, University of the Philippines Diliman (ongoing), BA Sociology, <em>summa cum laude, <\\/em>University of the Philippines Diliman (2016). Vice President for Research and Education, Youth Against Sexual Harassment (2020). Instructor, Department of Sociology, University of the Philippines Diliman.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[1]<\\/a> An Act Defining Gender-Based Sexual Harassment in Streets, Public Spaces, Online, Workplaces, and Educational or Training Institutions, Providing Protective Measures and Prescribing Penalties Therefor, Republic Act 11313, sec. 3(g) (2019).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[2]<\\/a>An Act Declaring Sexual Harassment Unlawful in the Employment, Education or Training Environment, and for Other Purposes, Republic Act 7877 (1995).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[3]<\\/a> R.A. 11313, sec. 2.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[4]<\\/a> Harper, S., Maskaly, J., Kirkner, A., & Lorenz, K. <em>Enhancing Title IX Due Process Standards in Campus Sexual Assault Adjudication: Considering the Roles of Distributive, Procedural, and Restorative Justice.<\\/em> 16 Journ. of School Violence, 302 (2017).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed {\\\"imageURL\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Justice-Among-Us-by-Ruby-Roselle-Tugade-and-Athena-Charanne-Presto.pdf\\\",\\\"imgID\\\":1491,\\\"imgTitle\\\":\\\"Justice Among Us by Ruby Roselle Tugade and Athena Charanne Presto\\\"} -->\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-pdfjsblock-pdfjs-embed pdfjs-wrapper\\\">[pdfjs-viewer viewer_width=0 viewer_height=800 url=http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Justice-Among-Us-by-Ruby-Roselle-Tugade-and-Athena-Charanne-Presto.pdf download=true print=true fullscreen=false fullscreen_target=false fullscreen_text=\\\"View%20Fullscreen\\\" zoom=auto search_term=\\\"\\\" ]<\\/div>\\n<!-- \\/wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed -->\"},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(5273,1713,'_elementor_version','3.2.5'),(5275,1714,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(5276,1714,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(5277,1714,'_wp_page_template','default'),(5278,1714,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"5711063f\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"5f654083\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"3c0a78bd\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p style=\\\"text-align: center;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 18pt;\\\"><strong>Justice Among Us<\\/strong><strong>:<br \\/><\\/strong><strong>Producing an Equilibrium of Interests <br \\/><\\/strong><strong>in Peer-to-Peer Sexual Harassment Proceedings <br \\/><\\/strong><strong>Within Educational and Training Institutions<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p style=\\\"text-align: center;\\\"><em>Ruby Rosselle L. Tugade<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\">*<\\/a><br \\/><\\/em><em>Athena Charanne R. Presto<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\">**<\\/a><\\/em><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:file {\\\"id\\\":1491,\\\"href\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Justice-Among-Us-by-Ruby-Roselle-Tugade-and-Athena-Charanne-Presto.pdf\\\",\\\"displayPreview\\\":false} -->\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-file\\\" style=\\\"text-align: right;\\\"><a class=\\\"wp-block-file__button\\\" href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Justice-Among-Us-by-Ruby-Roselle-Tugade-and-Athena-Charanne-Presto.pdf\\\" download=\\\"\\\">Download PDF Here<\\/a><\\/div>\\n<!-- \\/wp:file --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><strong>ABSTRACT<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"className\\\":\\\".type-post p {text-align: justify; }\\\"} -->\\n<p class=\\\".type-post p {text-align: justify; }\\\">Peer-to-peer sexual harassment is a relatively new species of gender-based sexual harassment under Philippine law. Through the inclusion of punishable conduct of such nature in the <em>Safe Spaces Act of 2019<\\/em>, Congress has recognized the need to update the definition of sexual harassment to cover acts committed between peers taking place in online and public spaces. Peer-to-peer sexual harassment still exists within asymmetrical and gendered power relations, albeit less overt in its manifestation. With a focus on peer-to-peer sexual harassment taking place in educational institutions, this Essay examines how the social policy behind the <em>Safe Spaces Act <\\/em>is complicated by existing jurisprudence on due process rights, laws involving the privacy of the individual, and the rights of minors who may stand as accused. It anticipates the questions that may arise from the interaction between the policy considerations of the <em>Safe Spaces Act<\\/em> and other rights and interests. Taking into account the cultural ethos which produced the necessity to update the law on sexual harassment, the Essay presents an interdisciplinary examination of anti-sexual harassment policy in academic institutions that considers broader legal and social implications.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><strong>INTRODUCTION: SAFE SPACES ACT AND THE CHANGING FORMS OF SEXUAL HARASSMENT<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>The amplification of voices of victims of gender-based crimes in mainstream platforms surfaced a grim reality in our legal system\\u2014it had not fully caught up with the varying forms of sexual harassment as a crime. The different permutations of gender-based sexual harassment that went unpunished effectively exposed the gaps in legal remedies that were then available to victims. The enactment of Republic Act No. 11313 or the Safe Spaces Act of 2019 came at a time when a victim-focused broad cultural movement was taking place globally and domestically.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>The Safe Spaces Act criminalizes various kinds of gender-based sexual harassment occurring in public spaces that were previously not contemplated by Philippine law.\\u00a0 Under this legislation, a wide definition of public spaces where sexual harassment can occur is put into place.<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\">[1]<\\/a> Moreover, the Safe Spaces Act recognized the different social contexts where sexual harassment can happen, even outside a superior-subordinate relationship.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0One such area where the Safe Spaces Act expands the coverage of criminal law on sexual harassment is that which takes place in educational institutions. Only relationships with overt moral ascendancy of the perpetrator on the victim were penalized under the old Anti Sexual Harassment Act of 1995 (ASH Law)<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\">[2]<\\/a>. Previously, sexual harassment among peers within the context of educational settings fell through the cracks. However, the reality is that acts of gender-based harassment can also occur \\u00a0outside the traditional hierarchy of power.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>There is a need to ensure that public places such as educational institutions and the pockets of interactions arising from these environments remain safe and secure. As declared in the Safe Spaces Act, its main policy consideration is the State\\u2019s recognition of the dignity of every human person and fundamental equality before the law.<a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\">[3]<\\/a> Therefore, transgressions occurring in these spaces and within the relationships forged in these contexts merit the full force of mechanisms for accountability. On the other hand, the basic notions of fair play and due process must still be strictly observed. Failure to implement fair play and due process dilutes the credibility of institutions to exact accountability and justice, which ultimately hurts both alleged perpetrator and victim.<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\">[4]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>As a silent plague creeping across educational institutions, peer-to-peer sexual harassment victimizes the vulnerable in multiple ways: as conduct that directly harms the injured party; through the difficulty in gaining access to justice mechanisms after the fact; and as reinforcement of asymmetrical and gendered power relations in educational settings. While Congress has recognized the need to punish peer-to-peer sexual harassment in this environment, the enforcement of the Safe Spaces Act may give rise to new questions of law given the existing state of jurisprudence with respect to academic due process, and other relevant legislation relating to privacy rights and the rights of minors who may face accusations.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Adding to the legalistic challenge of enforcing anti-sexual harassment policies in schools are developmental perspectives on adolescent behavior and the complicated peer relations in learning environments. Some actions that provoke distress and discomfort to peers may be interpreted as a normal occurrence in an environment where social actors are seen to be exploring their identities vis-\\u00e0-vis dealing with others who are themselves growing up. This complicates peer sexual harassment in school setting, especially where students can be victims or perpetrators given different social circumstances.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>This paper explores the different legal and policy questions that may flow from the implementation of the Safe Spaces Act in education institutions, with a focus on peer-to-peer sexual harassment. Part I presents peer-to-peer harassment as a social fact together with its nuances and broader implications. Part II looks at the legislative design of the Safe Spaces Act and how it departs from the previous legal regime on sexual harassment. Part III zooms in on peer-to-peer sexual harassment as punishable conduct and its potential interaction with other areas of law. Finally, Part IV tackles the broader social response to peer-to-peer sexual harassment in educational institutions, taking into account the preceding legal discussion.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">*<\\/a> LL.M., University for Peace & United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (2020); J.D., University of the Philippines (2016); Vice Chair (Volume 88), Philippine Law Journal; AB Political Science, <em>cum laude<\\/em>, Ateneo de Manila University (2010). Lecturer, University of the Philippines College of Law and the Department of Political Science Ateneo de Manila University.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">**<\\/a> MA Sociology, University of the Philippines Diliman (ongoing), BA Sociology, <em>summa cum laude, <\\/em>University of the Philippines Diliman (2016). Vice President for Research and Education, Youth Against Sexual Harassment (2020). Instructor, Department of Sociology, University of the Philippines Diliman.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[1]<\\/a> An Act Defining Gender-Based Sexual Harassment in Streets, Public Spaces, Online, Workplaces, and Educational or Training Institutions, Providing Protective Measures and Prescribing Penalties Therefor, Republic Act 11313, sec. 3(g) (2019).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[2]<\\/a>An Act Declaring Sexual Harassment Unlawful in the Employment, Education or Training Environment, and for Other Purposes, Republic Act 7877 (1995).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[3]<\\/a> R.A. 11313, sec. 2.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[4]<\\/a> Harper, S., Maskaly, J., Kirkner, A., & Lorenz, K. <em>Enhancing Title IX Due Process Standards in Campus Sexual Assault Adjudication: Considering the Roles of Distributive, Procedural, and Restorative Justice.<\\/em> 16 Journ. of School Violence, 302 (2017).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed {\\\"imageURL\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Justice-Among-Us-by-Ruby-Roselle-Tugade-and-Athena-Charanne-Presto.pdf\\\",\\\"imgID\\\":1491,\\\"imgTitle\\\":\\\"Justice Among Us by Ruby Roselle Tugade and Athena Charanne Presto\\\"} -->\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-pdfjsblock-pdfjs-embed pdfjs-wrapper\\\">[pdfjs-viewer viewer_width=0 viewer_height=800 url=http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Justice-Among-Us-by-Ruby-Roselle-Tugade-and-Athena-Charanne-Presto.pdf download=true print=true fullscreen=false fullscreen_target=false fullscreen_text=\\\"View%20Fullscreen\\\" zoom=auto search_term=\\\"\\\" ]<\\/div>\\n<!-- \\/wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed -->\"},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(5279,1714,'_elementor_version','3.2.5'),(5281,1703,'_elementor_page_settings','a:1:{s:10:\"hide_title\";s:3:\"yes\";}'),(5282,1715,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(5283,1715,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(5284,1715,'_wp_page_template','default'),(5285,1715,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"5711063f\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"5f654083\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"3c0a78bd\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p style=\\\"text-align: center;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 18pt;\\\"><strong>Justice Among Us<\\/strong><strong>:<br \\/><\\/strong><strong>Producing an Equilibrium of Interests <br \\/><\\/strong><strong>in Peer-to-Peer Sexual Harassment Proceedings <br \\/><\\/strong><strong>Within Educational and Training Institutions<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p style=\\\"text-align: center;\\\"><em>Ruby Rosselle L. Tugade<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\">*<\\/a><br \\/><\\/em><em>Athena Charanne R. Presto<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\">**<\\/a><\\/em><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:file {\\\"id\\\":1491,\\\"href\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Justice-Among-Us-by-Ruby-Roselle-Tugade-and-Athena-Charanne-Presto.pdf\\\",\\\"displayPreview\\\":false} -->\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-file\\\" style=\\\"text-align: right;\\\"><a class=\\\"wp-block-file__button\\\" href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Justice-Among-Us-by-Ruby-Roselle-Tugade-and-Athena-Charanne-Presto.pdf\\\" download=\\\"\\\">Download PDF Here<\\/a><\\/div>\\n<!-- \\/wp:file --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<h5 style=\\\"text-align: center;\\\"><strong>ABSTRACT<\\/strong><\\/h5>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"className\\\":\\\".type-post p {text-align: justify; }\\\"} -->\\n<p class=\\\".type-post p {text-align: justify; }\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Peer-to-peer sexual harassment is a relatively new species of gender-based sexual harassment under Philippine law. Through the inclusion of punishable conduct of such nature in the <em>Safe Spaces Act of 2019<\\/em>, Congress has recognized the need to update the definition of sexual harassment to cover acts committed between peers taking place in online and public spaces. Peer-to-peer sexual harassment still exists within asymmetrical and gendered power relations, albeit less overt in its manifestation. With a focus on peer-to-peer sexual harassment taking place in educational institutions, this Essay examines how the social policy behind the <em>Safe Spaces Act <\\/em>is complicated by existing jurisprudence on due process rights, laws involving the privacy of the individual, and the rights of minors who may stand as accused. It anticipates the questions that may arise from the interaction between the policy considerations of the <em>Safe Spaces Act<\\/em> and other rights and interests. Taking into account the cultural ethos which produced the necessity to update the law on sexual harassment, the Essay presents an interdisciplinary examination of anti-sexual harassment policy in academic institutions that considers broader legal and social implications.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<h5 style=\\\"text-align: center;\\\"><strong>INTRODUCTION: SAFE SPACES ACT AND THE <br \\/>CHANGING FORMS OF SEXUAL HARASSMENT<\\/strong><\\/h5>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The amplification of voices of victims of gender-based crimes in mainstream platforms surfaced a grim reality in our legal system\\u2014it had not fully caught up with the varying forms of sexual harassment as a crime. The different permutations of gender-based sexual harassment that went unpunished effectively exposed the gaps in legal remedies that were then available to victims. The enactment of Republic Act No. 11313 or the Safe Spaces Act of 2019 came at a time when a victim-focused broad cultural movement was taking place globally and domestically.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Safe Spaces Act criminalizes various kinds of gender-based sexual harassment occurring in public spaces that were previously not contemplated by Philippine law.\\u00a0 Under this legislation, a wide definition of public spaces where sexual harassment can occur is put into place.<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\">[1]<\\/a> Moreover, the Safe Spaces Act recognized the different social contexts where sexual harassment can happen, even outside a superior-subordinate relationship.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 One such area where the Safe Spaces Act expands the coverage of criminal law on sexual harassment is that which takes place in educational institutions. Only relationships with overt moral ascendancy of the perpetrator on the victim were penalized under the old Anti Sexual Harassment Act of 1995 (ASH Law)<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\">[2]<\\/a>. Previously, sexual harassment among peers within the context of educational settings fell through the cracks. However, the reality is that acts of gender-based harassment can also occur \\u00a0outside the traditional hierarchy of power.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 There is a need to ensure that public places such as educational institutions and the pockets of interactions arising from these environments remain safe and secure. As declared in the Safe Spaces Act, its main policy consideration is the State\\u2019s recognition of the dignity of every human person and fundamental equality before the law.<a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\">[3]<\\/a> Therefore, transgressions occurring in these spaces and within the relationships forged in these contexts merit the full force of mechanisms for accountability. On the other hand, the basic notions of fair play and due process must still be strictly observed. Failure to implement fair play and due process dilutes the credibility of institutions to exact accountability and justice, which ultimately hurts both alleged perpetrator and victim.<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\">[4]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 As a silent plague creeping across educational institutions, peer-to-peer sexual harassment victimizes the vulnerable in multiple ways: as conduct that directly harms the injured party; through the difficulty in gaining access to justice mechanisms after the fact; and as reinforcement of asymmetrical and gendered power relations in educational settings. While Congress has recognized the need to punish peer-to-peer sexual harassment in this environment, the enforcement of the Safe Spaces Act may give rise to new questions of law given the existing state of jurisprudence with respect to academic due process, and other relevant legislation relating to privacy rights and the rights of minors who may face accusations.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Adding to the legalistic challenge of enforcing anti-sexual harassment policies in schools are developmental perspectives on adolescent behavior and the complicated peer relations in learning environments. Some actions that provoke distress and discomfort to peers may be interpreted as a normal occurrence in an environment where social actors are seen to be exploring their identities vis-\\u00e0-vis dealing with others who are themselves growing up. This complicates peer sexual harassment in school setting, especially where students can be victims or perpetrators given different social circumstances.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 This paper explores the different legal and policy questions that may flow from the implementation of the Safe Spaces Act in education institutions, with a focus on peer-to-peer sexual harassment. Part I presents peer-to-peer harassment as a social fact together with its nuances and broader implications. Part II looks at the legislative design of the Safe Spaces Act and how it departs from the previous legal regime on sexual harassment. Part III zooms in on peer-to-peer sexual harassment as punishable conduct and its potential interaction with other areas of law. Finally, Part IV tackles the broader social response to peer-to-peer sexual harassment in educational institutions, taking into account the preceding legal discussion.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">*<\\/a> LL.M., University for Peace & United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (2020); J.D., University of the Philippines (2016); Vice Chair (Volume 88), Philippine Law Journal; AB Political Science, <em>cum laude<\\/em>, Ateneo de Manila University (2010). Lecturer, University of the Philippines College of Law and the Department of Political Science Ateneo de Manila University.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">**<\\/a> MA Sociology, University of the Philippines Diliman (ongoing), BA Sociology, <em>summa cum laude, <\\/em>University of the Philippines Diliman (2016). Vice President for Research and Education, Youth Against Sexual Harassment (2020). Instructor, Department of Sociology, University of the Philippines Diliman.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[1]<\\/a> An Act Defining Gender-Based Sexual Harassment in Streets, Public Spaces, Online, Workplaces, and Educational or Training Institutions, Providing Protective Measures and Prescribing Penalties Therefor, Republic Act 11313, sec. 3(g) (2019).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[2]<\\/a>An Act Declaring Sexual Harassment Unlawful in the Employment, Education or Training Environment, and for Other Purposes, Republic Act 7877 (1995).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[3]<\\/a> R.A. 11313, sec. 2.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[4]<\\/a> Harper, S., Maskaly, J., Kirkner, A., & Lorenz, K. <em>Enhancing Title IX Due Process Standards in Campus Sexual Assault Adjudication: Considering the Roles of Distributive, Procedural, and Restorative Justice.<\\/em> 16 Journ. of School Violence, 302 (2017).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed {\\\"imageURL\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Justice-Among-Us-by-Ruby-Roselle-Tugade-and-Athena-Charanne-Presto.pdf\\\",\\\"imgID\\\":1491,\\\"imgTitle\\\":\\\"Justice Among Us by Ruby Roselle Tugade and Athena Charanne Presto\\\"} -->\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-pdfjsblock-pdfjs-embed pdfjs-wrapper\\\">[pdfjs-viewer viewer_width=0 viewer_height=800 url=http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Justice-Among-Us-by-Ruby-Roselle-Tugade-and-Athena-Charanne-Presto.pdf download=true print=true fullscreen=false fullscreen_target=false fullscreen_text=\\\"View%20Fullscreen\\\" zoom=auto search_term=\\\"\\\" ]<\\/div>\\n<!-- \\/wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed -->\"},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(5286,1715,'_elementor_version','3.2.5'),(5288,1715,'_elementor_page_settings','a:1:{s:10:\"hide_title\";s:3:\"yes\";}'),(5291,1716,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(5292,1716,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(5293,1716,'_wp_page_template','default'),(5294,1716,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"5711063f\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"5f654083\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"3c0a78bd\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p style=\\\"text-align: center;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 18pt;\\\"><strong>Justice Among Us<\\/strong><strong>:<br \\/><\\/strong><strong>Producing an Equilibrium of Interests <br \\/><\\/strong><strong>in Peer-to-Peer Sexual Harassment Proceedings <br \\/><\\/strong><strong>Within Educational and Training Institutions<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p style=\\\"text-align: center;\\\"><em>Ruby Rosselle L. Tugade<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\">*<\\/a><br \\/><\\/em><em>Athena Charanne R. Presto<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\">**<\\/a><\\/em><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:file {\\\"id\\\":1491,\\\"href\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Justice-Among-Us-by-Ruby-Roselle-Tugade-and-Athena-Charanne-Presto.pdf\\\",\\\"displayPreview\\\":false} -->\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-file\\\" style=\\\"text-align: right;\\\"><a class=\\\"wp-block-file__button\\\" href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Justice-Among-Us-by-Ruby-Roselle-Tugade-and-Athena-Charanne-Presto.pdf\\\" download=\\\"\\\">Download PDF Here<\\/a><\\/div>\\n<!-- \\/wp:file --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<h5 style=\\\"text-align: center;\\\"><strong>ABSTRACT<\\/strong><\\/h5>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"className\\\":\\\".type-post p {text-align: justify; }\\\"} -->\\n<p class=\\\".type-post p {text-align: justify; }\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Peer-to-peer sexual harassment is a relatively new species of gender-based sexual harassment under Philippine law. Through the inclusion of punishable conduct of such nature in the <em>Safe Spaces Act of 2019<\\/em>, Congress has recognized the need to update the definition of sexual harassment to cover acts committed between peers taking place in online and public spaces. Peer-to-peer sexual harassment still exists within asymmetrical and gendered power relations, albeit less overt in its manifestation. With a focus on peer-to-peer sexual harassment taking place in educational institutions, this Essay examines how the social policy behind the <em>Safe Spaces Act <\\/em>is complicated by existing jurisprudence on due process rights, laws involving the privacy of the individual, and the rights of minors who may stand as accused. It anticipates the questions that may arise from the interaction between the policy considerations of the <em>Safe Spaces Act<\\/em> and other rights and interests. Taking into account the cultural ethos which produced the necessity to update the law on sexual harassment, the Essay presents an interdisciplinary examination of anti-sexual harassment policy in academic institutions that considers broader legal and social implications.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<h5 style=\\\"text-align: center;\\\"><strong>INTRODUCTION: SAFE SPACES ACT AND THE <br \\/>CHANGING FORMS OF SEXUAL HARASSMENT<\\/strong><\\/h5>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The amplification of voices of victims of gender-based crimes in mainstream platforms surfaced a grim reality in our legal system\\u2014it had not fully caught up with the varying forms of sexual harassment as a crime. The different permutations of gender-based sexual harassment that went unpunished effectively exposed the gaps in legal remedies that were then available to victims. The enactment of Republic Act No. 11313 or the Safe Spaces Act of 2019 came at a time when a victim-focused broad cultural movement was taking place globally and domestically.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Safe Spaces Act criminalizes various kinds of gender-based sexual harassment occurring in public spaces that were previously not contemplated by Philippine law.\\u00a0 Under this legislation, a wide definition of public spaces where sexual harassment can occur is put into place.<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\">[1]<\\/a> Moreover, the Safe Spaces Act recognized the different social contexts where sexual harassment can happen, even outside a superior-subordinate relationship.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 One such area where the Safe Spaces Act expands the coverage of criminal law on sexual harassment is that which takes place in educational institutions. Only relationships with overt moral ascendancy of the perpetrator on the victim were penalized under the old Anti Sexual Harassment Act of 1995 (ASH Law)<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\">[2]<\\/a>. Previously, sexual harassment among peers within the context of educational settings fell through the cracks. However, the reality is that acts of gender-based harassment can also occur \\u00a0outside the traditional hierarchy of power.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 There is a need to ensure that public places such as educational institutions and the pockets of interactions arising from these environments remain safe and secure. As declared in the Safe Spaces Act, its main policy consideration is the State\\u2019s recognition of the dignity of every human person and fundamental equality before the law.<a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\">[3]<\\/a> Therefore, transgressions occurring in these spaces and within the relationships forged in these contexts merit the full force of mechanisms for accountability. On the other hand, the basic notions of fair play and due process must still be strictly observed. Failure to implement fair play and due process dilutes the credibility of institutions to exact accountability and justice, which ultimately hurts both alleged perpetrator and victim.<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\">[4]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 As a silent plague creeping across educational institutions, peer-to-peer sexual harassment victimizes the vulnerable in multiple ways: as conduct that directly harms the injured party; through the difficulty in gaining access to justice mechanisms after the fact; and as reinforcement of asymmetrical and gendered power relations in educational settings. While Congress has recognized the need to punish peer-to-peer sexual harassment in this environment, the enforcement of the Safe Spaces Act may give rise to new questions of law given the existing state of jurisprudence with respect to academic due process, and other relevant legislation relating to privacy rights and the rights of minors who may face accusations.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Adding to the legalistic challenge of enforcing anti-sexual harassment policies in schools are developmental perspectives on adolescent behavior and the complicated peer relations in learning environments. Some actions that provoke distress and discomfort to peers may be interpreted as a normal occurrence in an environment where social actors are seen to be exploring their identities vis-\\u00e0-vis dealing with others who are themselves growing up. This complicates peer sexual harassment in school setting, especially where students can be victims or perpetrators given different social circumstances.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 This paper explores the different legal and policy questions that may flow from the implementation of the Safe Spaces Act in education institutions, with a focus on peer-to-peer sexual harassment. Part I presents peer-to-peer harassment as a social fact together with its nuances and broader implications. Part II looks at the legislative design of the Safe Spaces Act and how it departs from the previous legal regime on sexual harassment. Part III zooms in on peer-to-peer sexual harassment as punishable conduct and its potential interaction with other areas of law. Finally, Part IV tackles the broader social response to peer-to-peer sexual harassment in educational institutions, taking into account the preceding legal discussion.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">*<\\/a> LL.M., University for Peace & United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (2020); J.D., University of the Philippines (2016); Vice Chair (Volume 88), Philippine Law Journal; AB Political Science, <em>cum laude<\\/em>, Ateneo de Manila University (2010). Lecturer, University of the Philippines College of Law and the Department of Political Science Ateneo de Manila University.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">**<\\/a> MA Sociology, University of the Philippines Diliman (ongoing), BA Sociology, <em>summa cum laude, <\\/em>University of the Philippines Diliman (2016). Vice President for Research and Education, Youth Against Sexual Harassment (2020). Instructor, Department of Sociology, University of the Philippines Diliman.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[1]<\\/a> An Act Defining Gender-Based Sexual Harassment in Streets, Public Spaces, Online, Workplaces, and Educational or Training Institutions, Providing Protective Measures and Prescribing Penalties Therefor, Republic Act 11313, sec. 3(g) (2019).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[2]<\\/a>An Act Declaring Sexual Harassment Unlawful in the Employment, Education or Training Environment, and for Other Purposes, Republic Act 7877 (1995).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[3]<\\/a> R.A. 11313, sec. 2.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[4]<\\/a> Harper, S., Maskaly, J., Kirkner, A., & Lorenz, K. <em>Enhancing Title IX Due Process Standards in Campus Sexual Assault Adjudication: Considering the Roles of Distributive, Procedural, and Restorative Justice.<\\/em> 16 Journ. of School Violence, 302 (2017).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed {\\\"imageURL\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Justice-Among-Us-by-Ruby-Roselle-Tugade-and-Athena-Charanne-Presto.pdf\\\",\\\"imgID\\\":1491,\\\"imgTitle\\\":\\\"Justice Among Us by Ruby Roselle Tugade and Athena Charanne Presto\\\"} -->\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-pdfjsblock-pdfjs-embed pdfjs-wrapper\\\">[pdfjs-viewer viewer_width=0 viewer_height=800 url=http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Justice-Among-Us-by-Ruby-Roselle-Tugade-and-Athena-Charanne-Presto.pdf download=true print=true fullscreen=false fullscreen_target=false fullscreen_text=\\\"View%20Fullscreen\\\" zoom=auto search_term=\\\"\\\" ]<\\/div>\\n<!-- \\/wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed -->\"},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(5295,1716,'_elementor_version','3.2.5'),(5296,1716,'_elementor_page_settings','a:1:{s:10:\"hide_title\";s:3:\"yes\";}'),(5298,1717,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(5299,1717,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(5300,1717,'_wp_page_template','default'),(5301,1717,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"5711063f\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"5f654083\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"3c0a78bd\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p style=\\\"text-align: center;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 18pt;\\\"><strong>Justice Among Us<\\/strong><strong>:<br \\/><\\/strong><strong>Producing an Equilibrium of Interests <br \\/><\\/strong><strong>in Peer-to-Peer Sexual Harassment Proceedings <br \\/><\\/strong><strong>Within Educational and Training Institutions<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p style=\\\"text-align: center;\\\"><em>Ruby Rosselle L. Tugade<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\">*<\\/a><br \\/><\\/em><em>Athena Charanne R. Presto<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\">**<\\/a><\\/em><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:file {\\\"id\\\":1491,\\\"href\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Justice-Among-Us-by-Ruby-Roselle-Tugade-and-Athena-Charanne-Presto.pdf\\\",\\\"displayPreview\\\":false} -->\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-file\\\" style=\\\"text-align: right;\\\"><a class=\\\"wp-block-file__button\\\" href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Justice-Among-Us-by-Ruby-Roselle-Tugade-and-Athena-Charanne-Presto.pdf\\\" download=\\\"\\\">Download PDF Here<\\/a><\\/div>\\n<!-- \\/wp:file --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<h5 style=\\\"text-align: center;\\\"><strong>ABSTRACT<\\/strong><\\/h5>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"className\\\":\\\".type-post p {text-align: justify; }\\\"} -->\\n<p class=\\\".type-post p {text-align: justify; }\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Peer-to-peer sexual harassment is a relatively new species of gender-based sexual harassment under Philippine law. Through the inclusion of punishable conduct of such nature in the <em>Safe Spaces Act of 2019<\\/em>, Congress has recognized the need to update the definition of sexual harassment to cover acts committed between peers taking place in online and public spaces. Peer-to-peer sexual harassment still exists within asymmetrical and gendered power relations, albeit less overt in its manifestation. With a focus on peer-to-peer sexual harassment taking place in educational institutions, this Essay examines how the social policy behind the <em>Safe Spaces Act <\\/em>is complicated by existing jurisprudence on due process rights, laws involving the privacy of the individual, and the rights of minors who may stand as accused. It anticipates the questions that may arise from the interaction between the policy considerations of the <em>Safe Spaces Act<\\/em> and other rights and interests. Taking into account the cultural ethos which produced the necessity to update the law on sexual harassment, the Essay presents an interdisciplinary examination of anti-sexual harassment policy in academic institutions that considers broader legal and social implications.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<h5 style=\\\"text-align: center;\\\"><strong>INTRODUCTION: SAFE SPACES ACT AND THE <br \\/>CHANGING FORMS OF SEXUAL HARASSMENT<\\/strong><\\/h5>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The amplification of voices of victims of gender-based crimes in mainstream platforms surfaced a grim reality in our legal system\\u2014it had not fully caught up with the varying forms of sexual harassment as a crime. The different permutations of gender-based sexual harassment that went unpunished effectively exposed the gaps in legal remedies that were then available to victims. The enactment of Republic Act No. 11313 or the Safe Spaces Act of 2019 came at a time when a victim-focused broad cultural movement was taking place globally and domestically.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Safe Spaces Act criminalizes various kinds of gender-based sexual harassment occurring in public spaces that were previously not contemplated by Philippine law.\\u00a0 Under this legislation, a wide definition of public spaces where sexual harassment can occur is put into place.<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\">[1]<\\/a> Moreover, the Safe Spaces Act recognized the different social contexts where sexual harassment can happen, even outside a superior-subordinate relationship.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 One such area where the Safe Spaces Act expands the coverage of criminal law on sexual harassment is that which takes place in educational institutions. Only relationships with overt moral ascendancy of the perpetrator on the victim were penalized under the old Anti Sexual Harassment Act of 1995 (ASH Law)<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\">[2]<\\/a>. Previously, sexual harassment among peers within the context of educational settings fell through the cracks. However, the reality is that acts of gender-based harassment can also occur \\u00a0outside the traditional hierarchy of power.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 There is a need to ensure that public places such as educational institutions and the pockets of interactions arising from these environments remain safe and secure. As declared in the Safe Spaces Act, its main policy consideration is the State\\u2019s recognition of the dignity of every human person and fundamental equality before the law.<a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\">[3]<\\/a> Therefore, transgressions occurring in these spaces and within the relationships forged in these contexts merit the full force of mechanisms for accountability. On the other hand, the basic notions of fair play and due process must still be strictly observed. Failure to implement fair play and due process dilutes the credibility of institutions to exact accountability and justice, which ultimately hurts both alleged perpetrator and victim.<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\">[4]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 As a silent plague creeping across educational institutions, peer-to-peer sexual harassment victimizes the vulnerable in multiple ways: as conduct that directly harms the injured party; through the difficulty in gaining access to justice mechanisms after the fact; and as reinforcement of asymmetrical and gendered power relations in educational settings. While Congress has recognized the need to punish peer-to-peer sexual harassment in this environment, the enforcement of the Safe Spaces Act may give rise to new questions of law given the existing state of jurisprudence with respect to academic due process, and other relevant legislation relating to privacy rights and the rights of minors who may face accusations.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Adding to the legalistic challenge of enforcing anti-sexual harassment policies in schools are developmental perspectives on adolescent behavior and the complicated peer relations in learning environments. Some actions that provoke distress and discomfort to peers may be interpreted as a normal occurrence in an environment where social actors are seen to be exploring their identities vis-\\u00e0-vis dealing with others who are themselves growing up. This complicates peer sexual harassment in school setting, especially where students can be victims or perpetrators given different social circumstances.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 This paper explores the different legal and policy questions that may flow from the implementation of the Safe Spaces Act in education institutions, with a focus on peer-to-peer sexual harassment. Part I presents peer-to-peer harassment as a social fact together with its nuances and broader implications. Part II looks at the legislative design of the Safe Spaces Act and how it departs from the previous legal regime on sexual harassment. Part III zooms in on peer-to-peer sexual harassment as punishable conduct and its potential interaction with other areas of law. Finally, Part IV tackles the broader social response to peer-to-peer sexual harassment in educational institutions, taking into account the preceding legal discussion.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">*<\\/a> LL.M., University for Peace & United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (2020); J.D., University of the Philippines (2016); Vice Chair (Volume 88), Philippine Law Journal; AB Political Science, <em>cum laude<\\/em>, Ateneo de Manila University (2010). Lecturer, University of the Philippines College of Law and the Department of Political Science Ateneo de Manila University.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">**<\\/a> MA Sociology, University of the Philippines Diliman (ongoing), BA Sociology, <em>summa cum laude, <\\/em>University of the Philippines Diliman (2016). Vice President for Research and Education, Youth Against Sexual Harassment (2020). Instructor, Department of Sociology, University of the Philippines Diliman.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[1]<\\/a> An Act Defining Gender-Based Sexual Harassment in Streets, Public Spaces, Online, Workplaces, and Educational or Training Institutions, Providing Protective Measures and Prescribing Penalties Therefor, Republic Act 11313, sec. 3(g) (2019).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[2]<\\/a>An Act Declaring Sexual Harassment Unlawful in the Employment, Education or Training Environment, and for Other Purposes, Republic Act 7877 (1995).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[3]<\\/a> R.A. 11313, sec. 2.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[4]<\\/a> Harper, S., Maskaly, J., Kirkner, A., & Lorenz, K. <em>Enhancing Title IX Due Process Standards in Campus Sexual Assault Adjudication: Considering the Roles of Distributive, Procedural, and Restorative Justice.<\\/em> 16 Journ. of School Violence, 302 (2017).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed {\\\"imageURL\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Justice-Among-Us-by-Ruby-Roselle-Tugade-and-Athena-Charanne-Presto.pdf\\\",\\\"imgID\\\":1491,\\\"imgTitle\\\":\\\"Justice Among Us by Ruby Roselle Tugade and Athena Charanne Presto\\\"} -->\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-pdfjsblock-pdfjs-embed pdfjs-wrapper\\\">[pdfjs-viewer viewer_width=0 viewer_height=800 url=http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Justice-Among-Us-by-Ruby-Roselle-Tugade-and-Athena-Charanne-Presto.pdf download=true print=true fullscreen=false fullscreen_target=false fullscreen_text=\\\"View%20Fullscreen\\\" zoom=auto search_term=\\\"\\\" ]<\\/div>\\n<!-- \\/wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed -->\"},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(5302,1717,'_elementor_version','3.2.5'),(5303,1717,'_elementor_page_settings','a:1:{s:10:\"hide_title\";s:3:\"yes\";}'),(5305,1718,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(5306,1718,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(5307,1718,'_wp_page_template','default'),(5308,1718,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"5711063f\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"5f654083\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"3c0a78bd\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p style=\\\"text-align: center;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 18pt;\\\"><strong>Justice Among Us<\\/strong><strong>:<br \\/><\\/strong><strong>Producing an Equilibrium of Interests <br \\/><\\/strong><strong>in Peer-to-Peer Sexual Harassment Proceedings <br \\/><\\/strong><strong>Within Educational and Training Institutions<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p style=\\\"text-align: center;\\\"><em>Ruby Rosselle L. Tugade<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\">*<\\/a><br \\/><\\/em><em>Athena Charanne R. Presto<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\">**<\\/a><\\/em><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:file {\\\"id\\\":1491,\\\"href\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Justice-Among-Us-by-Ruby-Roselle-Tugade-and-Athena-Charanne-Presto.pdf\\\",\\\"displayPreview\\\":false} -->\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-file\\\" style=\\\"text-align: right;\\\"><a class=\\\"wp-block-file__button\\\" href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Justice-Among-Us-by-Ruby-Roselle-Tugade-and-Athena-Charanne-Presto.pdf\\\" download=\\\"\\\">Download PDF Here<\\/a><\\/div>\\n<!-- \\/wp:file --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<h5 style=\\\"text-align: center;\\\"><strong>ABSTRACT<\\/strong><\\/h5>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"className\\\":\\\".type-post p {text-align: justify; }\\\"} -->\\n<p class=\\\".type-post p {text-align: justify; }\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Peer-to-peer sexual harassment is a relatively new species of gender-based sexual harassment under Philippine law. Through the inclusion of punishable conduct of such nature in the <em>Safe Spaces Act of 2019<\\/em>, Congress has recognized the need to update the definition of sexual harassment to cover acts committed between peers taking place in online and public spaces. Peer-to-peer sexual harassment still exists within asymmetrical and gendered power relations, albeit less overt in its manifestation. With a focus on peer-to-peer sexual harassment taking place in educational institutions, this Essay examines how the social policy behind the <em>Safe Spaces Act <\\/em>is complicated by existing jurisprudence on due process rights, laws involving the privacy of the individual, and the rights of minors who may stand as accused. It anticipates the questions that may arise from the interaction between the policy considerations of the <em>Safe Spaces Act<\\/em> and other rights and interests. Taking into account the cultural ethos which produced the necessity to update the law on sexual harassment, the Essay presents an interdisciplinary examination of anti-sexual harassment policy in academic institutions that considers broader legal and social implications.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<h5 style=\\\"text-align: center;\\\"><strong>INTRODUCTION: SAFE SPACES ACT AND THE <br \\/>CHANGING FORMS OF SEXUAL HARASSMENT<\\/strong><\\/h5>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The amplification of voices of victims of gender-based crimes in mainstream platforms surfaced a grim reality in our legal system\\u2014it had not fully caught up with the varying forms of sexual harassment as a crime. The different permutations of gender-based sexual harassment that went unpunished effectively exposed the gaps in legal remedies that were then available to victims. The enactment of Republic Act No. 11313 or the Safe Spaces Act of 2019 came at a time when a victim-focused broad cultural movement was taking place globally and domestically.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Safe Spaces Act criminalizes various kinds of gender-based sexual harassment occurring in public spaces that were previously not contemplated by Philippine law.\\u00a0 Under this legislation, a wide definition of public spaces where sexual harassment can occur is put into place.<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\">[1]<\\/a> Moreover, the Safe Spaces Act recognized the different social contexts where sexual harassment can happen, even outside a superior-subordinate relationship.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 One such area where the Safe Spaces Act expands the coverage of criminal law on sexual harassment is that which takes place in educational institutions. Only relationships with overt moral ascendancy of the perpetrator on the victim were penalized under the old Anti Sexual Harassment Act of 1995 (ASH Law)<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\">[2]<\\/a>. Previously, sexual harassment among peers within the context of educational settings fell through the cracks. However, the reality is that acts of gender-based harassment can also occur \\u00a0outside the traditional hierarchy of power.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 There is a need to ensure that public places such as educational institutions and the pockets of interactions arising from these environments remain safe and secure. As declared in the Safe Spaces Act, its main policy consideration is the State\\u2019s recognition of the dignity of every human person and fundamental equality before the law.<a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\">[3]<\\/a> Therefore, transgressions occurring in these spaces and within the relationships forged in these contexts merit the full force of mechanisms for accountability. On the other hand, the basic notions of fair play and due process must still be strictly observed. Failure to implement fair play and due process dilutes the credibility of institutions to exact accountability and justice, which ultimately hurts both alleged perpetrator and victim.<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\">[4]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 As a silent plague creeping across educational institutions, peer-to-peer sexual harassment victimizes the vulnerable in multiple ways: as conduct that directly harms the injured party; through the difficulty in gaining access to justice mechanisms after the fact; and as reinforcement of asymmetrical and gendered power relations in educational settings. While Congress has recognized the need to punish peer-to-peer sexual harassment in this environment, the enforcement of the Safe Spaces Act may give rise to new questions of law given the existing state of jurisprudence with respect to academic due process, and other relevant legislation relating to privacy rights and the rights of minors who may face accusations.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Adding to the legalistic challenge of enforcing anti-sexual harassment policies in schools are developmental perspectives on adolescent behavior and the complicated peer relations in learning environments. Some actions that provoke distress and discomfort to peers may be interpreted as a normal occurrence in an environment where social actors are seen to be exploring their identities vis-\\u00e0-vis dealing with others who are themselves growing up. This complicates peer sexual harassment in school setting, especially where students can be victims or perpetrators given different social circumstances.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 This paper explores the different legal and policy questions that may flow from the implementation of the Safe Spaces Act in education institutions, with a focus on peer-to-peer sexual harassment. Part I presents peer-to-peer harassment as a social fact together with its nuances and broader implications. Part II looks at the legislative design of the Safe Spaces Act and how it departs from the previous legal regime on sexual harassment. Part III zooms in on peer-to-peer sexual harassment as punishable conduct and its potential interaction with other areas of law. Finally, Part IV tackles the broader social response to peer-to-peer sexual harassment in educational institutions, taking into account the preceding legal discussion.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">*<\\/a> LL.M., University for Peace & United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (2020); J.D., University of the Philippines (2016); Vice Chair (Volume 88), Philippine Law Journal; AB Political Science, <em>cum laude<\\/em>, Ateneo de Manila University (2010). Lecturer, University of the Philippines College of Law and the Department of Political Science Ateneo de Manila University.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">**<\\/a> MA Sociology, University of the Philippines Diliman (ongoing), BA Sociology, <em>summa cum laude, <\\/em>University of the Philippines Diliman (2016). Vice President for Research and Education, Youth Against Sexual Harassment (2020). Instructor, Department of Sociology, University of the Philippines Diliman.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[1]<\\/a> An Act Defining Gender-Based Sexual Harassment in Streets, Public Spaces, Online, Workplaces, and Educational or Training Institutions, Providing Protective Measures and Prescribing Penalties Therefor, Republic Act 11313, sec. 3(g) (2019).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[2]<\\/a>An Act Declaring Sexual Harassment Unlawful in the Employment, Education or Training Environment, and for Other Purposes, Republic Act 7877 (1995).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[3]<\\/a> R.A. 11313, sec. 2.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[4]<\\/a> Harper, S., Maskaly, J., Kirkner, A., & Lorenz, K. <em>Enhancing Title IX Due Process Standards in Campus Sexual Assault Adjudication: Considering the Roles of Distributive, Procedural, and Restorative Justice.<\\/em> 16 Journ. of School Violence, 302 (2017).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed {\\\"imageURL\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Justice-Among-Us-by-Ruby-Roselle-Tugade-and-Athena-Charanne-Presto.pdf\\\",\\\"imgID\\\":1491,\\\"imgTitle\\\":\\\"Justice Among Us by Ruby Roselle Tugade and Athena Charanne Presto\\\"} -->\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-pdfjsblock-pdfjs-embed pdfjs-wrapper\\\">[pdfjs-viewer viewer_width=0 viewer_height=800 url=http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Justice-Among-Us-by-Ruby-Roselle-Tugade-and-Athena-Charanne-Presto.pdf download=true print=true fullscreen=false fullscreen_target=false fullscreen_text=\\\"View%20Fullscreen\\\" zoom=auto search_term=\\\"\\\" ]<\\/div>\\n<!-- \\/wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed -->\",\"align\":\"justify\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_text_decoration\":\"none\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.15,\"sizes\":[]},\"text_shadow_text_shadow\":{\"horizontal\":0,\"vertical\":0,\"blur\":0,\"color\":\"rgba(0,0,0,0.3)\"},\"__globals__\":{\"typography_typography\":\"\"}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(5309,1718,'_elementor_version','3.2.5'),(5310,1718,'_elementor_page_settings','a:1:{s:10:\"hide_title\";s:3:\"yes\";}'),(5314,1719,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(5315,1719,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(5316,1719,'_wp_page_template','default'),(5317,1719,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"5711063f\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"5f654083\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"3c0a78bd\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p style=\\\"text-align: center;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 18pt;\\\"><strong>Justice Among Us<\\/strong><strong>:<br \\/><\\/strong><strong>Producing an Equilibrium of Interests <br \\/><\\/strong><strong>in Peer-to-Peer Sexual Harassment Proceedings <br \\/><\\/strong><strong>Within Educational and Training Institutions<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p style=\\\"text-align: center;\\\"><em>Ruby Rosselle L. Tugade<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\">*<\\/a><br \\/><\\/em><em>Athena Charanne R. Presto<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\">**<\\/a><\\/em><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:file {\\\"id\\\":1491,\\\"href\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Justice-Among-Us-by-Ruby-Roselle-Tugade-and-Athena-Charanne-Presto.pdf\\\",\\\"displayPreview\\\":false} -->\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-file\\\" style=\\\"text-align: right;\\\"><a class=\\\"wp-block-file__button\\\" href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Justice-Among-Us-by-Ruby-Roselle-Tugade-and-Athena-Charanne-Presto.pdf\\\" download=\\\"\\\">Download PDF Here<\\/a><\\/div>\\n<!-- \\/wp:file --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<h5 style=\\\"text-align: center;\\\"><strong>ABSTRACT<\\/strong><\\/h5>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"className\\\":\\\".type-post p {text-align: justify; }\\\"} -->\\n<p class=\\\".type-post p {text-align: justify; }\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Peer-to-peer sexual harassment is a relatively new species of gender-based sexual harassment under Philippine law. Through the inclusion of punishable conduct of such nature in the <em>Safe Spaces Act of 2019<\\/em>, Congress has recognized the need to update the definition of sexual harassment to cover acts committed between peers taking place in online and public spaces. Peer-to-peer sexual harassment still exists within asymmetrical and gendered power relations, albeit less overt in its manifestation. With a focus on peer-to-peer sexual harassment taking place in educational institutions, this Essay examines how the social policy behind the <em>Safe Spaces Act <\\/em>is complicated by existing jurisprudence on due process rights, laws involving the privacy of the individual, and the rights of minors who may stand as accused. It anticipates the questions that may arise from the interaction between the policy considerations of the <em>Safe Spaces Act<\\/em> and other rights and interests. Taking into account the cultural ethos which produced the necessity to update the law on sexual harassment, the Essay presents an interdisciplinary examination of anti-sexual harassment policy in academic institutions that considers broader legal and social implications.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<h5 style=\\\"text-align: center;\\\"><strong>INTRODUCTION: SAFE SPACES ACT AND THE <br \\/>CHANGING FORMS OF SEXUAL HARASSMENT<\\/strong><\\/h5>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The amplification of voices of victims of gender-based crimes in mainstream platforms surfaced a grim reality in our legal system\\u2014it had not fully caught up with the varying forms of sexual harassment as a crime. The different permutations of gender-based sexual harassment that went unpunished effectively exposed the gaps in legal remedies that were then available to victims. The enactment of Republic Act No. 11313 or the Safe Spaces Act of 2019 came at a time when a victim-focused broad cultural movement was taking place globally and domestically.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Safe Spaces Act criminalizes various kinds of gender-based sexual harassment occurring in public spaces that were previously not contemplated by Philippine law.\\u00a0 Under this legislation, a wide definition of public spaces where sexual harassment can occur is put into place.<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\">[1]<\\/a> Moreover, the Safe Spaces Act recognized the different social contexts where sexual harassment can happen, even outside a superior-subordinate relationship.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 One such area where the Safe Spaces Act expands the coverage of criminal law on sexual harassment is that which takes place in educational institutions. Only relationships with overt moral ascendancy of the perpetrator on the victim were penalized under the old Anti Sexual Harassment Act of 1995 (ASH Law)<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\">[2]<\\/a>. Previously, sexual harassment among peers within the context of educational settings fell through the cracks. However, the reality is that acts of gender-based harassment can also occur \\u00a0outside the traditional hierarchy of power.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 There is a need to ensure that public places such as educational institutions and the pockets of interactions arising from these environments remain safe and secure. As declared in the Safe Spaces Act, its main policy consideration is the State\\u2019s recognition of the dignity of every human person and fundamental equality before the law.<a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\">[3]<\\/a> Therefore, transgressions occurring in these spaces and within the relationships forged in these contexts merit the full force of mechanisms for accountability. On the other hand, the basic notions of fair play and due process must still be strictly observed. Failure to implement fair play and due process dilutes the credibility of institutions to exact accountability and justice, which ultimately hurts both alleged perpetrator and victim.<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\">[4]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 As a silent plague creeping across educational institutions, peer-to-peer sexual harassment victimizes the vulnerable in multiple ways: as conduct that directly harms the injured party; through the difficulty in gaining access to justice mechanisms after the fact; and as reinforcement of asymmetrical and gendered power relations in educational settings. While Congress has recognized the need to punish peer-to-peer sexual harassment in this environment, the enforcement of the Safe Spaces Act may give rise to new questions of law given the existing state of jurisprudence with respect to academic due process, and other relevant legislation relating to privacy rights and the rights of minors who may face accusations.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Adding to the legalistic challenge of enforcing anti-sexual harassment policies in schools are developmental perspectives on adolescent behavior and the complicated peer relations in learning environments. Some actions that provoke distress and discomfort to peers may be interpreted as a normal occurrence in an environment where social actors are seen to be exploring their identities vis-\\u00e0-vis dealing with others who are themselves growing up. This complicates peer sexual harassment in school setting, especially where students can be victims or perpetrators given different social circumstances.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 This paper explores the different legal and policy questions that may flow from the implementation of the Safe Spaces Act in education institutions, with a focus on peer-to-peer sexual harassment. Part I presents peer-to-peer harassment as a social fact together with its nuances and broader implications. Part II looks at the legislative design of the Safe Spaces Act and how it departs from the previous legal regime on sexual harassment. Part III zooms in on peer-to-peer sexual harassment as punishable conduct and its potential interaction with other areas of law. Finally, Part IV tackles the broader social response to peer-to-peer sexual harassment in educational institutions, taking into account the preceding legal discussion.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">*<\\/a> LL.M., University for Peace & United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (2020); J.D., University of the Philippines (2016); Vice Chair (Volume 88), Philippine Law Journal; AB Political Science, <em>cum laude<\\/em>, Ateneo de Manila University (2010). Lecturer, University of the Philippines College of Law and the Department of Political Science Ateneo de Manila University.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">**<\\/a> MA Sociology, University of the Philippines Diliman (ongoing), BA Sociology, <em>summa cum laude, <\\/em>University of the Philippines Diliman (2016). Vice President for Research and Education, Youth Against Sexual Harassment (2020). Instructor, Department of Sociology, University of the Philippines Diliman.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[1]<\\/a> An Act Defining Gender-Based Sexual Harassment in Streets, Public Spaces, Online, Workplaces, and Educational or Training Institutions, Providing Protective Measures and Prescribing Penalties Therefor, Republic Act 11313, sec. 3(g) (2019).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[2]<\\/a>An Act Declaring Sexual Harassment Unlawful in the Employment, Education or Training Environment, and for Other Purposes, Republic Act 7877 (1995).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[3]<\\/a> R.A. 11313, sec. 2.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[4]<\\/a> Harper, S., Maskaly, J., Kirkner, A., & Lorenz, K. <em>Enhancing Title IX Due Process Standards in Campus Sexual Assault Adjudication: Considering the Roles of Distributive, Procedural, and Restorative Justice.<\\/em> 16 Journ. of School Violence, 302 (2017).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed {\\\"imageURL\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Justice-Among-Us-by-Ruby-Roselle-Tugade-and-Athena-Charanne-Presto.pdf\\\",\\\"imgID\\\":1491,\\\"imgTitle\\\":\\\"Justice Among Us by Ruby Roselle Tugade and Athena Charanne Presto\\\"} -->\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-pdfjsblock-pdfjs-embed pdfjs-wrapper\\\">[pdfjs-viewer viewer_width=0 viewer_height=800 url=http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Justice-Among-Us-by-Ruby-Roselle-Tugade-and-Athena-Charanne-Presto.pdf download=true print=true fullscreen=false fullscreen_target=false fullscreen_text=\\\"View%20Fullscreen\\\" zoom=auto search_term=\\\"\\\" ]<\\/div>\\n<!-- \\/wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed -->\",\"align\":\"justify\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_text_decoration\":\"none\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.15,\"sizes\":[]},\"text_shadow_text_shadow\":{\"horizontal\":0,\"vertical\":0,\"blur\":0,\"color\":\"rgba(0,0,0,0.3)\"},\"__globals__\":{\"typography_typography\":\"\"}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(5318,1719,'_elementor_version','3.2.5'),(5319,1719,'_elementor_page_settings','a:1:{s:10:\"hide_title\";s:3:\"yes\";}'),(5321,1720,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(5322,1720,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(5323,1720,'_wp_page_template','default'),(5324,1720,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"5711063f\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"5f654083\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"3c0a78bd\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p style=\\\"text-align: center;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 18pt;\\\"><strong>Justice Among Us<\\/strong><strong>:<br \\/><\\/strong><strong>Producing an Equilibrium of Interests <br \\/><\\/strong><strong>in Peer-to-Peer Sexual Harassment Proceedings <br \\/><\\/strong><strong>Within Educational and Training Institutions<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p style=\\\"text-align: center;\\\"><em>Ruby Rosselle L. Tugade<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\">*<\\/a><br \\/><\\/em><em>Athena Charanne R. Presto<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\">**<\\/a><\\/em><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:file {\\\"id\\\":1491,\\\"href\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Justice-Among-Us-by-Ruby-Roselle-Tugade-and-Athena-Charanne-Presto.pdf\\\",\\\"displayPreview\\\":false} -->\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-file\\\" style=\\\"text-align: right;\\\"><a class=\\\"wp-block-file__button\\\" href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Justice-Among-Us-by-Ruby-Roselle-Tugade-and-Athena-Charanne-Presto.pdf\\\" download=\\\"\\\">Download PDF Here<\\/a><\\/div>\\n<!-- \\/wp:file --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<h5 style=\\\"text-align: center;\\\"><strong>ABSTRACT<\\/strong><\\/h5>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"className\\\":\\\".type-post p {text-align: justify; }\\\"} -->\\n<p class=\\\".type-post p {text-align: justify; }\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Peer-to-peer sexual harassment is a relatively new species of gender-based sexual harassment under Philippine law. Through the inclusion of punishable conduct of such nature in the <em>Safe Spaces Act of 2019<\\/em>, Congress has recognized the need to update the definition of sexual harassment to cover acts committed between peers taking place in online and public spaces. Peer-to-peer sexual harassment still exists within asymmetrical and gendered power relations, albeit less overt in its manifestation. With a focus on peer-to-peer sexual harassment taking place in educational institutions, this Essay examines how the social policy behind the <em>Safe Spaces Act <\\/em>is complicated by existing jurisprudence on due process rights, laws involving the privacy of the individual, and the rights of minors who may stand as accused. It anticipates the questions that may arise from the interaction between the policy considerations of the <em>Safe Spaces Act<\\/em> and other rights and interests. Taking into account the cultural ethos which produced the necessity to update the law on sexual harassment, the Essay presents an interdisciplinary examination of anti-sexual harassment policy in academic institutions that considers broader legal and social implications.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<h5 style=\\\"text-align: center;\\\"><strong>INTRODUCTION: SAFE SPACES ACT AND THE <br \\/>CHANGING FORMS OF SEXUAL HARASSMENT<\\/strong><\\/h5>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The amplification of voices of victims of gender-based crimes in mainstream platforms surfaced a grim reality in our legal system\\u2014it had not fully caught up with the varying forms of sexual harassment as a crime. The different permutations of gender-based sexual harassment that went unpunished effectively exposed the gaps in legal remedies that were then available to victims. The enactment of Republic Act No. 11313 or the Safe Spaces Act of 2019 came at a time when a victim-focused broad cultural movement was taking place globally and domestically.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Safe Spaces Act criminalizes various kinds of gender-based sexual harassment occurring in public spaces that were previously not contemplated by Philippine law.\\u00a0 Under this legislation, a wide definition of public spaces where sexual harassment can occur is put into place.<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\">[1]<\\/a> Moreover, the Safe Spaces Act recognized the different social contexts where sexual harassment can happen, even outside a superior-subordinate relationship.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 One such area where the Safe Spaces Act expands the coverage of criminal law on sexual harassment is that which takes place in educational institutions. Only relationships with overt moral ascendancy of the perpetrator on the victim were penalized under the old Anti Sexual Harassment Act of 1995 (ASH Law)<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\">[2]<\\/a>. Previously, sexual harassment among peers within the context of educational settings fell through the cracks. However, the reality is that acts of gender-based harassment can also occur \\u00a0outside the traditional hierarchy of power.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 There is a need to ensure that public places such as educational institutions and the pockets of interactions arising from these environments remain safe and secure. As declared in the Safe Spaces Act, its main policy consideration is the State\\u2019s recognition of the dignity of every human person and fundamental equality before the law.<a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\">[3]<\\/a> Therefore, transgressions occurring in these spaces and within the relationships forged in these contexts merit the full force of mechanisms for accountability. On the other hand, the basic notions of fair play and due process must still be strictly observed. Failure to implement fair play and due process dilutes the credibility of institutions to exact accountability and justice, which ultimately hurts both alleged perpetrator and victim.<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\">[4]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 As a silent plague creeping across educational institutions, peer-to-peer sexual harassment victimizes the vulnerable in multiple ways: as conduct that directly harms the injured party; through the difficulty in gaining access to justice mechanisms after the fact; and as reinforcement of asymmetrical and gendered power relations in educational settings. While Congress has recognized the need to punish peer-to-peer sexual harassment in this environment, the enforcement of the Safe Spaces Act may give rise to new questions of law given the existing state of jurisprudence with respect to academic due process, and other relevant legislation relating to privacy rights and the rights of minors who may face accusations.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Adding to the legalistic challenge of enforcing anti-sexual harassment policies in schools are developmental perspectives on adolescent behavior and the complicated peer relations in learning environments. Some actions that provoke distress and discomfort to peers may be interpreted as a normal occurrence in an environment where social actors are seen to be exploring their identities vis-\\u00e0-vis dealing with others who are themselves growing up. This complicates peer sexual harassment in school setting, especially where students can be victims or perpetrators given different social circumstances.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 This paper explores the different legal and policy questions that may flow from the implementation of the Safe Spaces Act in education institutions, with a focus on peer-to-peer sexual harassment. Part I presents peer-to-peer harassment as a social fact together with its nuances and broader implications. Part II looks at the legislative design of the Safe Spaces Act and how it departs from the previous legal regime on sexual harassment. Part III zooms in on peer-to-peer sexual harassment as punishable conduct and its potential interaction with other areas of law. Finally, Part IV tackles the broader social response to peer-to-peer sexual harassment in educational institutions, taking into account the preceding legal discussion.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">*<\\/a> LL.M., University for Peace & United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (2020); J.D., University of the Philippines (2016); Vice Chair (Volume 88), Philippine Law Journal; AB Political Science, <em>cum laude<\\/em>, Ateneo de Manila University (2010). Lecturer, University of the Philippines College of Law and the Department of Political Science Ateneo de Manila University.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">**<\\/a> MA Sociology, University of the Philippines Diliman (ongoing), BA Sociology, <em>summa cum laude, <\\/em>University of the Philippines Diliman (2016). Vice President for Research and Education, Youth Against Sexual Harassment (2020). Instructor, Department of Sociology, University of the Philippines Diliman.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[1]<\\/a> An Act Defining Gender-Based Sexual Harassment in Streets, Public Spaces, Online, Workplaces, and Educational or Training Institutions, Providing Protective Measures and Prescribing Penalties Therefor, Republic Act 11313, sec. 3(g) (2019).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[2]<\\/a>An Act Declaring Sexual Harassment Unlawful in the Employment, Education or Training Environment, and for Other Purposes, Republic Act 7877 (1995).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[3]<\\/a> R.A. 11313, sec. 2.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[4]<\\/a> Harper, S., Maskaly, J., Kirkner, A., & Lorenz, K. <em>Enhancing Title IX Due Process Standards in Campus Sexual Assault Adjudication: Considering the Roles of Distributive, Procedural, and Restorative Justice.<\\/em> 16 Journ. of School Violence, 302 (2017).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed {\\\"imageURL\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Justice-Among-Us-by-Ruby-Roselle-Tugade-and-Athena-Charanne-Presto.pdf\\\",\\\"imgID\\\":1491,\\\"imgTitle\\\":\\\"Justice Among Us by Ruby Roselle Tugade and Athena Charanne Presto\\\"} -->\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-pdfjsblock-pdfjs-embed pdfjs-wrapper\\\">[pdfjs-viewer viewer_width=0 viewer_height=800 url=http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Justice-Among-Us-by-Ruby-Roselle-Tugade-and-Athena-Charanne-Presto.pdf download=true print=true fullscreen=false fullscreen_target=false fullscreen_text=\\\"View%20Fullscreen\\\" zoom=auto search_term=\\\"\\\" ]<\\/div>\\n<!-- \\/wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed -->\",\"align\":\"justify\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_text_decoration\":\"none\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.15,\"sizes\":[]},\"text_shadow_text_shadow\":{\"horizontal\":0,\"vertical\":0,\"blur\":0,\"color\":\"rgba(0,0,0,0.3)\"},\"__globals__\":{\"typography_typography\":\"\"}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(5325,1720,'_elementor_version','3.2.5'),(5326,1720,'_elementor_page_settings','a:1:{s:10:\"hide_title\";s:3:\"yes\";}'),(5328,1721,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(5329,1721,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(5330,1721,'_wp_page_template','default'),(5331,1721,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"5711063f\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"5f654083\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"3c0a78bd\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p style=\\\"text-align: center;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 18pt;\\\"><strong>Justice Among Us<\\/strong><strong>:<br \\/><\\/strong><strong>Producing an Equilibrium of Interests <br \\/><\\/strong><strong>in Peer-to-Peer Sexual Harassment Proceedings <br \\/><\\/strong><strong>Within Educational and Training Institutions<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p style=\\\"text-align: center;\\\"><em>Ruby Rosselle L. Tugade<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\">*<\\/a><br \\/><\\/em><em>Athena Charanne R. Presto<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\">**<\\/a><\\/em><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:file {\\\"id\\\":1491,\\\"href\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Justice-Among-Us-by-Ruby-Roselle-Tugade-and-Athena-Charanne-Presto.pdf\\\",\\\"displayPreview\\\":false} -->\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-file\\\" style=\\\"text-align: right;\\\"><a class=\\\"wp-block-file__button\\\" href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Justice-Among-Us-by-Ruby-Roselle-Tugade-and-Athena-Charanne-Presto.pdf\\\" download=\\\"\\\">Download PDF Here<\\/a><\\/div>\\n<!-- \\/wp:file --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<h5 style=\\\"text-align: center;\\\"><strong>ABSTRACT<\\/strong><\\/h5>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"className\\\":\\\".type-post p {text-align: justify; }\\\"} -->\\n<p class=\\\".type-post p {text-align: justify; }\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Peer-to-peer sexual harassment is a relatively new species of gender-based sexual harassment under Philippine law. Through the inclusion of punishable conduct of such nature in the <em>Safe Spaces Act of 2019<\\/em>, Congress has recognized the need to update the definition of sexual harassment to cover acts committed between peers taking place in online and public spaces. Peer-to-peer sexual harassment still exists within asymmetrical and gendered power relations, albeit less overt in its manifestation. With a focus on peer-to-peer sexual harassment taking place in educational institutions, this Essay examines how the social policy behind the <em>Safe Spaces Act <\\/em>is complicated by existing jurisprudence on due process rights, laws involving the privacy of the individual, and the rights of minors who may stand as accused. It anticipates the questions that may arise from the interaction between the policy considerations of the <em>Safe Spaces Act<\\/em> and other rights and interests. Taking into account the cultural ethos which produced the necessity to update the law on sexual harassment, the Essay presents an interdisciplinary examination of anti-sexual harassment policy in academic institutions that considers broader legal and social implications.<\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<h5 style=\\\"text-align: center;\\\"><strong>INTRODUCTION: SAFE SPACES ACT AND THE <br \\/>CHANGING FORMS OF SEXUAL HARASSMENT<\\/strong><\\/h5>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The amplification of voices of victims of gender-based crimes in mainstream platforms surfaced a grim reality in our legal system\\u2014it had not fully caught up with the varying forms of sexual harassment as a crime. The different permutations of gender-based sexual harassment that went unpunished effectively exposed the gaps in legal remedies that were then available to victims. The enactment of Republic Act No. 11313 or the Safe Spaces Act of 2019 came at a time when a victim-focused broad cultural movement was taking place globally and domestically.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Safe Spaces Act criminalizes various kinds of gender-based sexual harassment occurring in public spaces that were previously not contemplated by Philippine law.\\u00a0 Under this legislation, a wide definition of public spaces where sexual harassment can occur is put into place.<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\">[1]<\\/a> Moreover, the Safe Spaces Act recognized the different social contexts where sexual harassment can happen, even outside a superior-subordinate relationship.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 One such area where the Safe Spaces Act expands the coverage of criminal law on sexual harassment is that which takes place in educational institutions. Only relationships with overt moral ascendancy of the perpetrator on the victim were penalized under the old Anti Sexual Harassment Act of 1995 (ASH Law)<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\">[2]<\\/a>. Previously, sexual harassment among peers within the context of educational settings fell through the cracks. However, the reality is that acts of gender-based harassment can also occur \\u00a0outside the traditional hierarchy of power.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 There is a need to ensure that public places such as educational institutions and the pockets of interactions arising from these environments remain safe and secure. As declared in the Safe Spaces Act, its main policy consideration is the State\\u2019s recognition of the dignity of every human person and fundamental equality before the law.<a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\">[3]<\\/a> Therefore, transgressions occurring in these spaces and within the relationships forged in these contexts merit the full force of mechanisms for accountability. On the other hand, the basic notions of fair play and due process must still be strictly observed. Failure to implement fair play and due process dilutes the credibility of institutions to exact accountability and justice, which ultimately hurts both alleged perpetrator and victim.<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\">[4]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 As a silent plague creeping across educational institutions, peer-to-peer sexual harassment victimizes the vulnerable in multiple ways: as conduct that directly harms the injured party; through the difficulty in gaining access to justice mechanisms after the fact; and as reinforcement of asymmetrical and gendered power relations in educational settings. While Congress has recognized the need to punish peer-to-peer sexual harassment in this environment, the enforcement of the Safe Spaces Act may give rise to new questions of law given the existing state of jurisprudence with respect to academic due process, and other relevant legislation relating to privacy rights and the rights of minors who may face accusations.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Adding to the legalistic challenge of enforcing anti-sexual harassment policies in schools are developmental perspectives on adolescent behavior and the complicated peer relations in learning environments. Some actions that provoke distress and discomfort to peers may be interpreted as a normal occurrence in an environment where social actors are seen to be exploring their identities vis-\\u00e0-vis dealing with others who are themselves growing up. This complicates peer sexual harassment in school setting, especially where students can be victims or perpetrators given different social circumstances.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 This paper explores the different legal and policy questions that may flow from the implementation of the Safe Spaces Act in education institutions, with a focus on peer-to-peer sexual harassment. Part I presents peer-to-peer harassment as a social fact together with its nuances and broader implications. Part II looks at the legislative design of the Safe Spaces Act and how it departs from the previous legal regime on sexual harassment. Part III zooms in on peer-to-peer sexual harassment as punishable conduct and its potential interaction with other areas of law. Finally, Part IV tackles the broader social response to peer-to-peer sexual harassment in educational institutions, taking into account the preceding legal discussion.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">*<\\/a> LL.M., University for Peace & United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (2020); J.D., University of the Philippines (2016); Vice Chair (Volume 88), Philippine Law Journal; AB Political Science, <em>cum laude<\\/em>, Ateneo de Manila University (2010). Lecturer, University of the Philippines College of Law and the Department of Political Science Ateneo de Manila University.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">**<\\/a> MA Sociology, University of the Philippines Diliman (ongoing), BA Sociology, <em>summa cum laude, <\\/em>University of the Philippines Diliman (2016). Vice President for Research and Education, Youth Against Sexual Harassment (2020). Instructor, Department of Sociology, University of the Philippines Diliman.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[1]<\\/a> An Act Defining Gender-Based Sexual Harassment in Streets, Public Spaces, Online, Workplaces, and Educational or Training Institutions, Providing Protective Measures and Prescribing Penalties Therefor, Republic Act 11313, sec. 3(g) (2019).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[2]<\\/a>An Act Declaring Sexual Harassment Unlawful in the Employment, Education or Training Environment, and for Other Purposes, Republic Act 7877 (1995).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[3]<\\/a> R.A. 11313, sec. 2.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[4]<\\/a> Harper, S., Maskaly, J., Kirkner, A., & Lorenz, K. <em>Enhancing Title IX Due Process Standards in Campus Sexual Assault Adjudication: Considering the Roles of Distributive, Procedural, and Restorative Justice.<\\/em> 16 Journ. of School Violence, 302 (2017).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed {\\\"imageURL\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Justice-Among-Us-by-Ruby-Roselle-Tugade-and-Athena-Charanne-Presto.pdf\\\",\\\"imgID\\\":1491,\\\"imgTitle\\\":\\\"Justice Among Us by Ruby Roselle Tugade and Athena Charanne Presto\\\"} -->\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-pdfjsblock-pdfjs-embed pdfjs-wrapper\\\">[pdfjs-viewer viewer_width=0 viewer_height=800 url=http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Justice-Among-Us-by-Ruby-Roselle-Tugade-and-Athena-Charanne-Presto.pdf download=true print=true fullscreen=false fullscreen_target=false fullscreen_text=\\\"View%20Fullscreen\\\" zoom=auto search_term=\\\"\\\" ]<\\/div>\\n<!-- \\/wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed -->\",\"align\":\"justify\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_text_decoration\":\"none\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.15,\"sizes\":[]},\"text_shadow_text_shadow\":{\"horizontal\":0,\"vertical\":0,\"blur\":0,\"color\":\"rgba(0,0,0,0.3)\"},\"__globals__\":{\"typography_typography\":\"\"}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(5332,1721,'_elementor_version','3.2.5'),(5333,1721,'_elementor_page_settings','a:1:{s:10:\"hide_title\";s:3:\"yes\";}'),(5337,1722,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(5338,1722,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(5339,1722,'_wp_page_template','default'),(5340,1722,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"5711063f\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"5f654083\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"3c0a78bd\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p style=\\\"text-align: center;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 18pt;\\\"><strong>Justice Among Us<\\/strong><strong>:<br \\/><\\/strong><strong>Producing an Equilibrium of Interests <br \\/><\\/strong><strong>in Peer-to-Peer Sexual Harassment Proceedings <br \\/><\\/strong><strong>Within Educational and Training Institutions<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p style=\\\"text-align: center;\\\"><em>Ruby Rosselle L. Tugade<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\">*<\\/a><br \\/><\\/em><em>Athena Charanne R. Presto<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\">**<\\/a><\\/em><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:file {\\\"id\\\":1491,\\\"href\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Justice-Among-Us-by-Ruby-Roselle-Tugade-and-Athena-Charanne-Presto.pdf\\\",\\\"displayPreview\\\":false} -->\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-file\\\" style=\\\"text-align: right;\\\"><a class=\\\"wp-block-file__button\\\" href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Justice-Among-Us-by-Ruby-Roselle-Tugade-and-Athena-Charanne-Presto.pdf\\\" download=\\\"\\\">Download PDF Here<\\/a><\\/div>\\n<!-- \\/wp:file --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<h5 style=\\\"text-align: center;\\\"><strong>ABSTRACT<\\/strong><\\/h5>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"className\\\":\\\".type-post p {text-align: justify; }\\\"} -->\\n<p class=\\\".type-post p {text-align: justify; }\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Peer-to-peer sexual harassment is a relatively new species of gender-based sexual harassment under Philippine law. Through the inclusion of punishable conduct of such nature in the <em>Safe Spaces Act of 2019<\\/em>, Congress has recognized the need to update the definition of sexual harassment to cover acts committed between peers taking place in online and public spaces. Peer-to-peer sexual harassment still exists within asymmetrical and gendered power relations, albeit less overt in its manifestation. With a focus on peer-to-peer sexual harassment taking place in educational institutions, this Essay examines how the social policy behind the <em>Safe Spaces Act <\\/em>is complicated by existing jurisprudence on due process rights, laws involving the privacy of the individual, and the rights of minors who may stand as accused. It anticipates the questions that may arise from the interaction between the policy considerations of the <em>Safe Spaces Act<\\/em> and other rights and interests. Taking into account the cultural ethos which produced the necessity to update the law on sexual harassment, the Essay presents an interdisciplinary examination of anti-sexual harassment policy in academic institutions that considers broader legal and social implications.<\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<h5 style=\\\"text-align: center;\\\"><strong>INTRODUCTION: SAFE SPACES ACT AND THE <br \\/>CHANGING FORMS OF SEXUAL HARASSMENT<\\/strong><\\/h5>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The amplification of voices of victims of gender-based crimes in mainstream platforms surfaced a grim reality in our legal system\\u2014it had not fully caught up with the varying forms of sexual harassment as a crime. The different permutations of gender-based sexual harassment that went unpunished effectively exposed the gaps in legal remedies that were then available to victims. The enactment of Republic Act No. 11313 or the Safe Spaces Act of 2019 came at a time when a victim-focused broad cultural movement was taking place globally and domestically.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Safe Spaces Act criminalizes various kinds of gender-based sexual harassment occurring in public spaces that were previously not contemplated by Philippine law.\\u00a0 Under this legislation, a wide definition of public spaces where sexual harassment can occur is put into place.<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\">[1]<\\/a> Moreover, the Safe Spaces Act recognized the different social contexts where sexual harassment can happen, even outside a superior-subordinate relationship.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 One such area where the Safe Spaces Act expands the coverage of criminal law on sexual harassment is that which takes place in educational institutions. Only relationships with overt moral ascendancy of the perpetrator on the victim were penalized under the old Anti Sexual Harassment Act of 1995 (ASH Law)<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\">[2]<\\/a>. Previously, sexual harassment among peers within the context of educational settings fell through the cracks. However, the reality is that acts of gender-based harassment can also occur \\u00a0outside the traditional hierarchy of power.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 There is a need to ensure that public places such as educational institutions and the pockets of interactions arising from these environments remain safe and secure. As declared in the Safe Spaces Act, its main policy consideration is the State\\u2019s recognition of the dignity of every human person and fundamental equality before the law.<a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\">[3]<\\/a> Therefore, transgressions occurring in these spaces and within the relationships forged in these contexts merit the full force of mechanisms for accountability. On the other hand, the basic notions of fair play and due process must still be strictly observed. Failure to implement fair play and due process dilutes the credibility of institutions to exact accountability and justice, which ultimately hurts both alleged perpetrator and victim.<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\">[4]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 As a silent plague creeping across educational institutions, peer-to-peer sexual harassment victimizes the vulnerable in multiple ways: as conduct that directly harms the injured party; through the difficulty in gaining access to justice mechanisms after the fact; and as reinforcement of asymmetrical and gendered power relations in educational settings. While Congress has recognized the need to punish peer-to-peer sexual harassment in this environment, the enforcement of the Safe Spaces Act may give rise to new questions of law given the existing state of jurisprudence with respect to academic due process, and other relevant legislation relating to privacy rights and the rights of minors who may face accusations.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Adding to the legalistic challenge of enforcing anti-sexual harassment policies in schools are developmental perspectives on adolescent behavior and the complicated peer relations in learning environments. Some actions that provoke distress and discomfort to peers may be interpreted as a normal occurrence in an environment where social actors are seen to be exploring their identities vis-\\u00e0-vis dealing with others who are themselves growing up. This complicates peer sexual harassment in school setting, especially where students can be victims or perpetrators given different social circumstances.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 This paper explores the different legal and policy questions that may flow from the implementation of the Safe Spaces Act in education institutions, with a focus on peer-to-peer sexual harassment. Part I presents peer-to-peer harassment as a social fact together with its nuances and broader implications. Part II looks at the legislative design of the Safe Spaces Act and how it departs from the previous legal regime on sexual harassment. Part III zooms in on peer-to-peer sexual harassment as punishable conduct and its potential interaction with other areas of law. Finally, Part IV tackles the broader social response to peer-to-peer sexual harassment in educational institutions, taking into account the preceding legal discussion.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">*<\\/a> LL.M., University for Peace & United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (2020); J.D., University of the Philippines (2016); Vice Chair (Volume 88), Philippine Law Journal; AB Political Science, <em>cum laude<\\/em>, Ateneo de Manila University (2010). Lecturer, University of the Philippines College of Law and the Department of Political Science Ateneo de Manila University.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">**<\\/a> MA Sociology, University of the Philippines Diliman (ongoing), BA Sociology, <em>summa cum laude, <\\/em>University of the Philippines Diliman (2016). Vice President for Research and Education, Youth Against Sexual Harassment (2020). Instructor, Department of Sociology, University of the Philippines Diliman.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[1]<\\/a> An Act Defining Gender-Based Sexual Harassment in Streets, Public Spaces, Online, Workplaces, and Educational or Training Institutions, Providing Protective Measures and Prescribing Penalties Therefor, Republic Act 11313, sec. 3(g) (2019).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[2]<\\/a>An Act Declaring Sexual Harassment Unlawful in the Employment, Education or Training Environment, and for Other Purposes, Republic Act 7877 (1995).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[3]<\\/a> R.A. 11313, sec. 2.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[4]<\\/a> Harper, S., Maskaly, J., Kirkner, A., & Lorenz, K. <em>Enhancing Title IX Due Process Standards in Campus Sexual Assault Adjudication: Considering the Roles of Distributive, Procedural, and Restorative Justice.<\\/em> 16 Journ. of School Violence, 302 (2017).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed {\\\"imageURL\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Justice-Among-Us-by-Ruby-Roselle-Tugade-and-Athena-Charanne-Presto.pdf\\\",\\\"imgID\\\":1491,\\\"imgTitle\\\":\\\"Justice Among Us by Ruby Roselle Tugade and Athena Charanne Presto\\\"} -->\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-pdfjsblock-pdfjs-embed pdfjs-wrapper\\\">[pdfjs-viewer viewer_width=0 viewer_height=800 url=http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Justice-Among-Us-by-Ruby-Roselle-Tugade-and-Athena-Charanne-Presto.pdf download=true print=true fullscreen=false fullscreen_target=false fullscreen_text=\\\"View%20Fullscreen\\\" zoom=auto search_term=\\\"\\\" ]<\\/div>\\n<!-- \\/wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed -->\",\"align\":\"justify\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_text_decoration\":\"none\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.15,\"sizes\":[]},\"text_shadow_text_shadow\":{\"horizontal\":0,\"vertical\":0,\"blur\":0,\"color\":\"rgba(0,0,0,0.3)\"},\"__globals__\":{\"typography_typography\":\"\"}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(5341,1722,'_elementor_version','3.2.5'),(5342,1722,'_elementor_page_settings','a:1:{s:10:\"hide_title\";s:3:\"yes\";}'),(5343,1722,'_elementor_controls_usage','a:3:{s:11:\"text-editor\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:2;s:8:\"controls\";a:2:{s:7:\"content\";a:1:{s:14:\"section_editor\";a:1:{s:6:\"editor\";i:1;}}s:5:\"style\";a:1:{s:13:\"section_style\";a:5:{s:5:\"align\";i:1;s:21:\"typography_typography\";i:1;s:26:\"typography_text_decoration\";i:1;s:22:\"typography_line_height\";i:1;s:23:\"text_shadow_text_shadow\";i:1;}}}}s:6:\"column\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:0;s:8:\"controls\";a:0:{}}s:7:\"section\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:0;s:8:\"controls\";a:0:{}}}'),(5346,1703,'_yoast_wpseo_metadesc',' Peer-to-peer sexual harassment is a relatively new species of gender-based sexual harassment under Philippine law. Through the inclusion of punishable conduct of such nature in the Safe Spaces Act of 2019, Congress has recognized the need to update the definition of sexual harassment to cover acts committed between peers taking place in online and public spaces.'),(5347,1723,'_edit_lock','1628211031:1'),(5348,1724,'_wp_attached_file','2021/07/3Termination-of-RP-US-VFA.png'),(5349,1724,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:5:{s:5:\"width\";i:1920;s:6:\"height\";i:1080;s:4:\"file\";s:37:\"2021/07/3Termination-of-RP-US-VFA.png\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:13:{s:6:\"medium\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:37:\"3Termination-of-RP-US-VFA-300x169.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:300;s:6:\"height\";i:169;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:5:\"large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:38:\"3Termination-of-RP-US-VFA-1024x576.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:1024;s:6:\"height\";i:576;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:9:\"thumbnail\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:37:\"3Termination-of-RP-US-VFA-150x150.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:12:\"medium_large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:37:\"3Termination-of-RP-US-VFA-768x432.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:768;s:6:\"height\";i:432;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:9:\"1536x1536\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:38:\"3Termination-of-RP-US-VFA-1536x864.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:1536;s:6:\"height\";i:864;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:24:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:37:\"3Termination-of-RP-US-VFA-170x110.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:25:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:35:\"3Termination-of-RP-US-VFA-86x70.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:36:\"3Termination-of-RP-US-VFA-170x96.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:96;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:22:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:37:\"3Termination-of-RP-US-VFA-370x250.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:30:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:37:\"3Termination-of-RP-US-VFA-370x208.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:208;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:21:\"bfastmag_related_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:37:\"3Termination-of-RP-US-VFA-288x160.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:288;s:6:\"height\";i:160;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:18:\"bfastmag_blog_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:37:\"3Termination-of-RP-US-VFA-780x544.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:26:\"bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:37:\"3Termination-of-RP-US-VFA-780x439.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:439;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:0:\"\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:1:\"0\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:1:\"0\";s:3:\"iso\";s:1:\"0\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:1:\"0\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";s:1:\"0\";s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}}'),(5350,1723,'_thumbnail_id','1724'),(5351,1723,'_edit_last','1'),(5352,1723,'wptr_hide_title','1'),(5353,1723,'ss_social_share_disable',''),(5354,1723,'_yoast_wpseo_primary_category','98'),(5355,1723,'_yoast_wpseo_focuskw','Visiting Forces Agreement'),(5356,1723,'_yoast_wpseo_metadesc','Last February 11, 2020, the Duterte administration notified the U.S. Government that it would terminate the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) with the United States. President Rodrigo Duterte made this decision without consulting Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro L. Locsin and Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana.'),(5357,1723,'_yoast_wpseo_linkdex','65'),(5358,1723,'_yoast_wpseo_content_score','30'),(5359,1723,'_yoast_wpseo_estimated-reading-time-minutes','7'),(5360,1723,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(5361,1723,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(5362,1723,'_elementor_version','3.2.5'),(5363,1728,'_thumbnail_id','1724'),(5364,1728,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(5365,1728,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(5366,1728,'_elementor_version','3.2.5'),(5367,1729,'_thumbnail_id','1724'),(5368,1729,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(5369,1729,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(5370,1729,'_elementor_version','3.2.5'),(5371,1723,'_wp_page_template','default'),(5372,1723,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"8c11a15\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"4c3d93e\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"5c724350\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<h2 style=\\\"text-align: center;\\\"><strong>Termination of the R.P. \\u2013 U.S.<\\/strong> <strong>Visiting Forces Agreement: <\\/strong> <strong>Its Legality and Impact on the Maritime Dispute<\\/strong> <strong>in the West Philippine Sea<\\/strong><\\/h2>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"align\\\":\\\"center\\\"} -->\\n<p class=\\\"has-text-align-center\\\" style=\\\"text-align: center;\\\"><em>Roberto Francisco R. Beltran<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\">*<\\/a><\\/em><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:file {\\\"id\\\":1487,\\\"href\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Termination-of-the-RP-US-Visiting-Forces-Agreement-by-Roberto-Beltran.pdf\\\",\\\"displayPreview\\\":false,\\\"align\\\":\\\"right\\\"} -->\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-file alignright\\\"><a class=\\\"wp-block-file__button\\\" href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Termination-of-the-RP-US-Visiting-Forces-Agreement-by-Roberto-Beltran.pdf\\\" download=\\\"\\\">Download PDF Here<\\/a><\\/div>\\n<!-- \\/wp:file --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":28} -->\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-spacer\\\" style=\\\"height: 28px;\\\" aria-hidden=\\\"true\\\">\\u00a0<\\/div>\\n<!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p style=\\\"text-align: center;\\\"><strong>INTRODUCTION<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Last February 11, 2020, the Duterte administration notified the U.S. Government that it would terminate the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) with the United States.<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\">[1]<\\/a> President Rodrigo Duterte made this decision without consulting Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro L. Locsin and Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana.<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\">[2]<\\/a> Secretary Locsin stated before the Foreign Relations Committee of the Philippine Senate last February 6, 2020, that \\u201cthe continuance of the agreement is deemed to be more beneficial to the Philippines compared to any benefits were it to be terminated\\u201d.<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\">[3]<\\/a> Instead, \\u201ca vigorous review of the Visiting Forces Agreement is called for,\\u201d according to Secretary Locsin.<a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\">[4]<\\/a> On February 10, 2020, the Senate of the Philippines <a>adopted Senate Resolution No. 312 as Resolution No. 37 and earnestly requested <\\/a>\\u201cthe President to reconsider his planned abrogation of the Visiting Forces Agreement in the meantime that the Senate is conducting a thorough review of the same.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\">[5]<\\/a> Undeterred, the Duterte administration pushed through with the termination of the VFA.<a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\">[6]<\\/a> This recent development on the subsistence of the VFA has been brewing since President Duterte took office in 2016. As early as October 21, 2016, while on a state visit to China, President Rodrigo Duterte announced his \\u201cseparation from the United States\\u201d at a forum attended by Filipino and Chinese businessmen and Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli.<a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\">[7]<\\/a> He also said that the separation is not just military-wise but economically as well.<a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\">[8]<\\/a> He also added that he has \\u201crealigned\\u201d himself with China and their ideological flow and will also go to Russia and talk to Russian President Vladimir Putin and tell him that \\u201cthere are three of us against the world.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\">[9]<\\/a> These comments came amidst the rising tensions between the Philippines and China over the maritime dispute in the West Philippine Sea. These comments also came at a time when the United States seeks to reassert itself geopolitically in Asia after a decade of wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. However, with President Duterte, a clarification must be sought first before making any conclusions. Eventually, the President did clarify his comments, and no separation will happen between him and the U.S.<a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\">[10]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Then, on December 16, 2016, during a speech in Davao City, President Duterte stated that America should be put on notice and prepare for the eventual repeal or abrogation of the VFA.<a href=\\\"#_ftn12\\\">[11]<\\/a> That eventuality was triggered on January 23, 2020, when President Duterte threatened to terminate the VFA due to the cancellation by the U.S. Government of the U.S. Visa of Senator Ronald \\u201cBato\\u201d Dela Rosa during a speech in the province of Leyte.<a href=\\\"#_ftn13\\\">[12]<\\/a> Duterte went on to say that if the United States does not correct the cancellation of Senator Dela Rosa\\u2019s Visa, the VFA will be terminated.<a href=\\\"#_ftn14\\\">[13]<\\/a> In less than a month, the Duterte administration pulled the plug on the VFA on February 11, 2020.<a href=\\\"#_ftn15\\\">[14]<\\/a> On March 9, 2020, the Senate led by Senate President Vicente Sotto, III filed a Petition for Declaratory Relief and Mandamus with the Supreme Court to clarify its role as an institution in the cancellation of treaties.<a href=\\\"#_ftn16\\\">[15]<\\/a> Three months later, President Duterte would change his tune once again on the abrogation of the VFA by calling for a suspension of the termination of the VFA for six months starting on June 1, 2020 which is extendible for another six months, thereafter, the 180 day period for the effectivity of the termination of the VFA shall resume.<a href=\\\"#_ftn17\\\">[16]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The unilateral abrogation by President Duterte of the VFA with the United States, albeit later suspended, will have a severe and profound effect on the Philippines\\u2019 national security, particularly on the maritime dispute with China in the West Philippine Sea. Moreover, the establishment of a precedent in recognizing the power of the President to abrogate treaties unilaterally can affect not only the relationship of the Philippines with other countries and its ability to negotiate with them, but it also grants unbridled power in one chief executive to repeal treaties and concomitantly the laws enacted in furtherance of said treaties.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Whether the President can unilaterally abrogate a treaty seems simple enough for its advocates and critics. Senator Francis Tolentino stated that since there is no express provision found in Article VII, Section 21 of the 1987 Constitution<a href=\\\"#_ftn18\\\">[17]<\\/a> that provides for Senate concurrence in treaty abrogation, the Senate has no power in the termination of treaties and international agreements.<a href=\\\"#_ftn19\\\">[18]<\\/a> On the other hand, Senator Franklin Drilon argued that since the treaties and international agreements that the President enters into cannot be valid without Senate Concurrence, then withdrawal therefrom should only be valid with the Senate\\u2019s concurrence.<a href=\\\"#_ftn20\\\">[19]<\\/a> As simple as both Senators\\u2019 arguments may sound, such simplicity is only on the surface as there is no express provision in the 1987 Constitution that provides for the abrogation of a treaty. The silence of the 1987 Constitution on treaty abrogation amounting to a legal issue was mentioned by Justice Francis H. Jardeleza during the oral arguments of <a><em>Pangilinan v. Cayetan<\\/em><\\/a><em>o<\\/em><a href=\\\"#_ftn21\\\"><em><strong>[20]<\\/strong><\\/em><\\/a> or otherwise known as the case on the Rome Statute withdrawal of President Duterte.<a href=\\\"#_ftn22\\\">[21]<\\/a>\\u00a0 Justice Jardeleza pointed out during the said oral arguments that both the petitioners and the government cannot find textual support in the 1987 Constitution for their arguments on the unilateral abrogation from a treaty by the President.<a href=\\\"#_ftn23\\\">[22]<\\/a> What is certain is that there is, at the very least, a legal issue brought about by the unilateral termination of a treaty by the President, considering that the 1987 Constitution is silent on <a>whether or not the President can abrogate treaties and international agreements without Senate concurrence<\\/a>. Recently, the Supreme Court, in its ruling in <em>Pangilinan v. Cayetano,<a href=\\\"#_ftn24\\\"><sup><strong><sup>[23]<\\/sup><\\/strong><\\/sup><\\/a> <\\/em>ruled that the discretion of the President in withdrawing from a treaty is not absolute<a href=\\\"#_ftn25\\\"><sup>[24]<\\/sup><\\/a> and is subject to the guidelines that it adopted <a>in \\u201cevaluating cases concerning the President\\u2019s withdrawal from international agreements.\\u201d<\\/a><a href=\\\"#_ftn26\\\"><sup>[25]<\\/sup><\\/a>This article will analyze the said legal issue in relation to the termination of the VFA along with the possible impact on the maritime dispute between the Philippines and China on the West Philippine Sea.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">*<\\/a> The author is a graduate of San Beda College Alabang School of Law (2016); Bachelor of Arts in Consular and Diplomatic Affairs, De La Salle\\u2014College of Saint Benilde (2010); and currently, an Associate Lawyer at Dennis P. Manalo Law Office. The author remains solely responsible for the views expressed herein.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[1]<\\/a> Sofia Tomacruz, <em>Philippines sends VFA notice of termination to U.S.<\\/em>, Rappler, Feb. 11, 2020, and updated on Feb. 12, 2020, <em>available at<\\/em> https:\\/\\/www.rappler.com\\/nation\\/251508-philippines-terminates-visiting-forces-agreement-united-states (last visited May 8, 2020).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[2]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[3]<\\/a> <a><em>Id.<\\/em><\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[4]<\\/a> Paolo Romero, <em>Locsin says VFA needs \\u2018vigorous review\\u2019<\\/em>, PHIL. STAR, Feb. 7, 2020, <em>available at<\\/em>, https:\\/\\/www.philstar.com\\/headlines\\/2020\\/02\\/07\\/1991105\\/locsin-says-vfa-needs-vigorous-review (last visited May 8, 2020).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[5]<\\/a> S. Res. No. 37, 18<sup>th<\\/sup> Cong., 1<sup>st<\\/sup> Reg. Sess. (2020).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\">[6]<\\/a> Tomacruz,<em> supra<\\/em> note 1.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\">[7]<\\/a> Ben Blanchard, <em>Duterte aligns Philippines with China, says U.S. has lost<\\/em>, Reuters, Oct. 20, 2016, <em>available at<\\/em> https:\\/\\/www.reuters.com\\/article\\/us-china-philippines\\/duterte-aligns-philippines-with-china-says-u-s-has-lost-idUSKCN12K0AS (last visited May 7, 2020).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\">[8]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\">[9]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\">[10]<\\/a> Neil Jerome Morales, <em>Philippines\' Duterte says didn\'t really mean \'separation\' from U.S.,<\\/em> Reuters, Oct. 22, 2016, <em>available at<\\/em> https:\\/\\/www.reuters.com\\/article\\/us-china-philippines-idUSKCN12L28T (last visited May 7, 2020).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref12\\\">[11]<\\/a> Pia Ranada, <em>Duterte wants VFA scrapped, but will \'wait\' for Trump<\\/em>, Rappler, Dec. 17, 2016, <em>available at<\\/em> https:\\/\\/www.rappler.com\\/nation\\/155785-duterte-visiting-forces-agreement-trump (last visited May 8, 2020).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref13\\\">[12]<\\/a> Sofia Tomacruz, <em>After U.S. cancels Bato\'s visa, Duterte threatens to scrap visiting forces agreement<\\/em>, Rappler, Jan. 23, 2020, and updated on Jan. 25, 2020, <em>available at<\\/em> https:\\/\\/www.rappler.com\\/nation\\/250054-duterte-threatens-scrap-visiting-forces-agreement-january-2020 (last visited May 8, 2020).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref14\\\">[13]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref15\\\">[14]<\\/a> Tomacruz, <em>supra<\\/em> note 1.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref16\\\">[15]<\\/a> Petition by Senate of the Philippines, as represented by Vicente C. Sotto III, in his capacity as Senate President, Ralph G. Recto, in his capacity as Senate President Pro Tempore, Juan Miguel \\u201cMigz\\u201d F. Zubiri, in his capacity as Majority Leader, Franklin M. Drilon, in his capacity as Minority Leader, and Richard J. Gordon, and Panfilo \\u201cPing\\u201d M. Lacson, in their individual capacity as members of the Senate of the Philippines, Mar. 9, 2020 (on file with the Supreme Court), in Senate of the Philippines v. Office of the Executive Secretary, G.R. No. 251977 (Supreme Court, filed Mar. 9, 2020).\\u00a0\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref17\\\">[16]<\\/a> CNN Philippines Staff, <em>PH suspends termination of Visiting Forces Agreement with US \\u2014 DFA<\\/em>, June 2, 2020, and updated on June 3, 2020, <em>available at<\\/em> https:\\/\\/www.cnnphilippines.com\\/news\\/2020\\/6\\/2\\/locsin-VFA-termination-suspension-.html (last visited June 7, 2020).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref18\\\">[17]<\\/a> SECTION 21. No treaty or international agreement shall be valid and effective unless concurred in by at least two-thirds of all the Members of the Senate.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref19\\\">[18]<\\/a> Francis N. Tolentino, Senator of the Philippines, Remarks at the Senate Floor (Feb. 11, 2020) (transcript <em>available at<\\/em> https:\\/\\/news.mb.com.ph\\/2020\\/02\\/13\\/vfa-and-separation-of-powers\\/ (last accessed May 9, 2020)).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref20\\\">[19]<\\/a> Katrina Hallare, <em>Drilon joins Senate leaders\\u2019 move to question VFA abrogation before SC<\\/em>, PHIL. DAILY INQUIRER., Feb. 16, 2020, <em>available at<\\/em> https:\\/\\/newsinfo.inquirer.net\\/1229429\\/drilon-joins-senate-leaders-move-to-question-vfa-abrogation-before-sc (last visited May 9, 2020).\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref21\\\">[20]<\\/a> <em>Pangilinan v. Cayetano<\\/em> [hereinafter \\u201cPangilinan\\u201d], <a>G.R. No. 238875, March 16, 2021. This refers to the copy initially released by the Supreme Court.<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref22\\\">[21]<\\/a> Ina Reformina, <em>No need for Senate concurrence? SC tackles petitions vs Philippines\' ICC pullout<\\/em>, ABS-CBN News, Aug. 29, 2018, <em>available at<\\/em> https:\\/\\/news.abs-cbn.com\\/news\\/08\\/29\\/18\\/no-need-for-senate-concurrence-sc-tackles-petitions-vs-philippines-icc-pullout (last visited May 10, 2020).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref23\\\">[22]<\\/a> <a><em>Id.<\\/em><\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref24\\\">[23]<\\/a> <em>Pangilinan<\\/em>, G.R. Nos. 238875.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref25\\\">[24]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em> at 4.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref26\\\">[25]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em> at 51.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed {\\\"imageURL\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Termination-of-the-RP-US-Visiting-Forces-Agreement-by-Roberto-Beltran.pdf\\\",\\\"imgID\\\":1487,\\\"imgTitle\\\":\\\"Termination of the RP-US Visiting Forces Agreement by Roberto Beltran\\\",\\\"openFullscreen\\\":true} -->\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-pdfjsblock-pdfjs-embed pdfjs-wrapper\\\">[pdfjs-viewer viewer_width=0 viewer_height=800 url=http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Termination-of-the-RP-US-Visiting-Forces-Agreement-by-Roberto-Beltran.pdf download=true print=true fullscreen=false fullscreen_target=true fullscreen_text=\\\"View%20Fullscreen\\\" zoom=auto search_term=\\\"\\\" ]<\\/div>\\n<!-- \\/wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed -->\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.15,\"sizes\":[]},\"text_shadow_text_shadow\":{\"horizontal\":0,\"vertical\":0,\"blur\":0,\"color\":\"rgba(0,0,0,0.3)\"}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(5373,1730,'_thumbnail_id','1724'),(5374,1730,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(5375,1730,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(5376,1730,'_elementor_version','3.2.5'),(5377,1730,'_wp_page_template','default'),(5378,1730,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"8c11a15\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"4c3d93e\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"5c724350\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<h2 style=\\\"text-align: center;\\\"><strong>Termination of the R.P. \\u2013 U.S.<\\/strong> <strong>Visiting Forces Agreement: <\\/strong> <strong>Its Legality and Impact on the Maritime Dispute<\\/strong> <strong>in the West Philippine Sea<\\/strong><\\/h2>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"align\\\":\\\"center\\\"} -->\\n<p class=\\\"has-text-align-center\\\" style=\\\"text-align: center;\\\"><em>Roberto Francisco R. Beltran<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\">*<\\/a><\\/em><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:file {\\\"id\\\":1487,\\\"href\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Termination-of-the-RP-US-Visiting-Forces-Agreement-by-Roberto-Beltran.pdf\\\",\\\"displayPreview\\\":false,\\\"align\\\":\\\"right\\\"} -->\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-file alignright\\\"><a class=\\\"wp-block-file__button\\\" href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Termination-of-the-RP-US-Visiting-Forces-Agreement-by-Roberto-Beltran.pdf\\\" download=\\\"\\\">Download PDF Here<\\/a><\\/div>\\n<!-- \\/wp:file --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":28} -->\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-spacer\\\" style=\\\"height: 28px;\\\" aria-hidden=\\\"true\\\">\\u00a0<\\/div>\\n<!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p style=\\\"text-align: center;\\\"><strong>INTRODUCTION<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Last February 11, 2020, the Duterte administration notified the U.S. Government that it would terminate the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) with the United States.<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\">[1]<\\/a> President Rodrigo Duterte made this decision without consulting Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro L. Locsin and Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana.<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\">[2]<\\/a> Secretary Locsin stated before the Foreign Relations Committee of the Philippine Senate last February 6, 2020, that \\u201cthe continuance of the agreement is deemed to be more beneficial to the Philippines compared to any benefits were it to be terminated\\u201d.<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\">[3]<\\/a> Instead, \\u201ca vigorous review of the Visiting Forces Agreement is called for,\\u201d according to Secretary Locsin.<a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\">[4]<\\/a> On February 10, 2020, the Senate of the Philippines <a>adopted Senate Resolution No. 312 as Resolution No. 37 and earnestly requested <\\/a>\\u201cthe President to reconsider his planned abrogation of the Visiting Forces Agreement in the meantime that the Senate is conducting a thorough review of the same.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\">[5]<\\/a> Undeterred, the Duterte administration pushed through with the termination of the VFA.<a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\">[6]<\\/a> This recent development on the subsistence of the VFA has been brewing since President Duterte took office in 2016. As early as October 21, 2016, while on a state visit to China, President Rodrigo Duterte announced his \\u201cseparation from the United States\\u201d at a forum attended by Filipino and Chinese businessmen and Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli.<a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\">[7]<\\/a> He also said that the separation is not just military-wise but economically as well.<a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\">[8]<\\/a> He also added that he has \\u201crealigned\\u201d himself with China and their ideological flow and will also go to Russia and talk to Russian President Vladimir Putin and tell him that \\u201cthere are three of us against the world.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\">[9]<\\/a> These comments came amidst the rising tensions between the Philippines and China over the maritime dispute in the West Philippine Sea. These comments also came at a time when the United States seeks to reassert itself geopolitically in Asia after a decade of wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. However, with President Duterte, a clarification must be sought first before making any conclusions. Eventually, the President did clarify his comments, and no separation will happen between him and the U.S.<a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\">[10]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Then, on December 16, 2016, during a speech in Davao City, President Duterte stated that America should be put on notice and prepare for the eventual repeal or abrogation of the VFA.<a href=\\\"#_ftn12\\\">[11]<\\/a> That eventuality was triggered on January 23, 2020, when President Duterte threatened to terminate the VFA due to the cancellation by the U.S. Government of the U.S. Visa of Senator Ronald \\u201cBato\\u201d Dela Rosa during a speech in the province of Leyte.<a href=\\\"#_ftn13\\\">[12]<\\/a> Duterte went on to say that if the United States does not correct the cancellation of Senator Dela Rosa\\u2019s Visa, the VFA will be terminated.<a href=\\\"#_ftn14\\\">[13]<\\/a> In less than a month, the Duterte administration pulled the plug on the VFA on February 11, 2020.<a href=\\\"#_ftn15\\\">[14]<\\/a> On March 9, 2020, the Senate led by Senate President Vicente Sotto, III filed a Petition for Declaratory Relief and Mandamus with the Supreme Court to clarify its role as an institution in the cancellation of treaties.<a href=\\\"#_ftn16\\\">[15]<\\/a> Three months later, President Duterte would change his tune once again on the abrogation of the VFA by calling for a suspension of the termination of the VFA for six months starting on June 1, 2020 which is extendible for another six months, thereafter, the 180 day period for the effectivity of the termination of the VFA shall resume.<a href=\\\"#_ftn17\\\">[16]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The unilateral abrogation by President Duterte of the VFA with the United States, albeit later suspended, will have a severe and profound effect on the Philippines\\u2019 national security, particularly on the maritime dispute with China in the West Philippine Sea. Moreover, the establishment of a precedent in recognizing the power of the President to abrogate treaties unilaterally can affect not only the relationship of the Philippines with other countries and its ability to negotiate with them, but it also grants unbridled power in one chief executive to repeal treaties and concomitantly the laws enacted in furtherance of said treaties.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Whether the President can unilaterally abrogate a treaty seems simple enough for its advocates and critics. Senator Francis Tolentino stated that since there is no express provision found in Article VII, Section 21 of the 1987 Constitution<a href=\\\"#_ftn18\\\">[17]<\\/a> that provides for Senate concurrence in treaty abrogation, the Senate has no power in the termination of treaties and international agreements.<a href=\\\"#_ftn19\\\">[18]<\\/a> On the other hand, Senator Franklin Drilon argued that since the treaties and international agreements that the President enters into cannot be valid without Senate Concurrence, then withdrawal therefrom should only be valid with the Senate\\u2019s concurrence.<a href=\\\"#_ftn20\\\">[19]<\\/a> As simple as both Senators\\u2019 arguments may sound, such simplicity is only on the surface as there is no express provision in the 1987 Constitution that provides for the abrogation of a treaty. The silence of the 1987 Constitution on treaty abrogation amounting to a legal issue was mentioned by Justice Francis H. Jardeleza during the oral arguments of <a><em>Pangilinan v. Cayetan<\\/em><\\/a><em>o<\\/em><a href=\\\"#_ftn21\\\"><em><strong>[20]<\\/strong><\\/em><\\/a> or otherwise known as the case on the Rome Statute withdrawal of President Duterte.<a href=\\\"#_ftn22\\\">[21]<\\/a>\\u00a0 Justice Jardeleza pointed out during the said oral arguments that both the petitioners and the government cannot find textual support in the 1987 Constitution for their arguments on the unilateral abrogation from a treaty by the President.<a href=\\\"#_ftn23\\\">[22]<\\/a> What is certain is that there is, at the very least, a legal issue brought about by the unilateral termination of a treaty by the President, considering that the 1987 Constitution is silent on <a>whether or not the President can abrogate treaties and international agreements without Senate concurrence<\\/a>. Recently, the Supreme Court, in its ruling in <em>Pangilinan v. Cayetano,<a href=\\\"#_ftn24\\\"><sup><strong><sup>[23]<\\/sup><\\/strong><\\/sup><\\/a> <\\/em>ruled that the discretion of the President in withdrawing from a treaty is not absolute<a href=\\\"#_ftn25\\\"><sup>[24]<\\/sup><\\/a> and is subject to the guidelines that it adopted <a>in \\u201cevaluating cases concerning the President\\u2019s withdrawal from international agreements.\\u201d<\\/a><a href=\\\"#_ftn26\\\"><sup>[25]<\\/sup><\\/a>This article will analyze the said legal issue in relation to the termination of the VFA along with the possible impact on the maritime dispute between the Philippines and China on the West Philippine Sea.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">*<\\/a> The author is a graduate of San Beda College Alabang School of Law (2016); Bachelor of Arts in Consular and Diplomatic Affairs, De La Salle\\u2014College of Saint Benilde (2010); and currently, an Associate Lawyer at Dennis P. Manalo Law Office. The author remains solely responsible for the views expressed herein.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[1]<\\/a> Sofia Tomacruz, <em>Philippines sends VFA notice of termination to U.S.<\\/em>, Rappler, Feb. 11, 2020, and updated on Feb. 12, 2020, <em>available at<\\/em> https:\\/\\/www.rappler.com\\/nation\\/251508-philippines-terminates-visiting-forces-agreement-united-states (last visited May 8, 2020).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[2]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[3]<\\/a> <a><em>Id.<\\/em><\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[4]<\\/a> Paolo Romero, <em>Locsin says VFA needs \\u2018vigorous review\\u2019<\\/em>, PHIL. STAR, Feb. 7, 2020, <em>available at<\\/em>, https:\\/\\/www.philstar.com\\/headlines\\/2020\\/02\\/07\\/1991105\\/locsin-says-vfa-needs-vigorous-review (last visited May 8, 2020).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[5]<\\/a> S. Res. No. 37, 18<sup>th<\\/sup> Cong., 1<sup>st<\\/sup> Reg. Sess. (2020).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\">[6]<\\/a> Tomacruz,<em> supra<\\/em> note 1.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\">[7]<\\/a> Ben Blanchard, <em>Duterte aligns Philippines with China, says U.S. has lost<\\/em>, Reuters, Oct. 20, 2016, <em>available at<\\/em> https:\\/\\/www.reuters.com\\/article\\/us-china-philippines\\/duterte-aligns-philippines-with-china-says-u-s-has-lost-idUSKCN12K0AS (last visited May 7, 2020).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\">[8]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\">[9]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\">[10]<\\/a> Neil Jerome Morales, <em>Philippines\' Duterte says didn\'t really mean \'separation\' from U.S.,<\\/em> Reuters, Oct. 22, 2016, <em>available at<\\/em> https:\\/\\/www.reuters.com\\/article\\/us-china-philippines-idUSKCN12L28T (last visited May 7, 2020).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref12\\\">[11]<\\/a> Pia Ranada, <em>Duterte wants VFA scrapped, but will \'wait\' for Trump<\\/em>, Rappler, Dec. 17, 2016, <em>available at<\\/em> https:\\/\\/www.rappler.com\\/nation\\/155785-duterte-visiting-forces-agreement-trump (last visited May 8, 2020).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref13\\\">[12]<\\/a> Sofia Tomacruz, <em>After U.S. cancels Bato\'s visa, Duterte threatens to scrap visiting forces agreement<\\/em>, Rappler, Jan. 23, 2020, and updated on Jan. 25, 2020, <em>available at<\\/em> https:\\/\\/www.rappler.com\\/nation\\/250054-duterte-threatens-scrap-visiting-forces-agreement-january-2020 (last visited May 8, 2020).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref14\\\">[13]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref15\\\">[14]<\\/a> Tomacruz, <em>supra<\\/em> note 1.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref16\\\">[15]<\\/a> Petition by Senate of the Philippines, as represented by Vicente C. Sotto III, in his capacity as Senate President, Ralph G. Recto, in his capacity as Senate President Pro Tempore, Juan Miguel \\u201cMigz\\u201d F. Zubiri, in his capacity as Majority Leader, Franklin M. Drilon, in his capacity as Minority Leader, and Richard J. Gordon, and Panfilo \\u201cPing\\u201d M. Lacson, in their individual capacity as members of the Senate of the Philippines, Mar. 9, 2020 (on file with the Supreme Court), in Senate of the Philippines v. Office of the Executive Secretary, G.R. No. 251977 (Supreme Court, filed Mar. 9, 2020).\\u00a0\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref17\\\">[16]<\\/a> CNN Philippines Staff, <em>PH suspends termination of Visiting Forces Agreement with US \\u2014 DFA<\\/em>, June 2, 2020, and updated on June 3, 2020, <em>available at<\\/em> https:\\/\\/www.cnnphilippines.com\\/news\\/2020\\/6\\/2\\/locsin-VFA-termination-suspension-.html (last visited June 7, 2020).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref18\\\">[17]<\\/a> SECTION 21. No treaty or international agreement shall be valid and effective unless concurred in by at least two-thirds of all the Members of the Senate.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref19\\\">[18]<\\/a> Francis N. Tolentino, Senator of the Philippines, Remarks at the Senate Floor (Feb. 11, 2020) (transcript <em>available at<\\/em> https:\\/\\/news.mb.com.ph\\/2020\\/02\\/13\\/vfa-and-separation-of-powers\\/ (last accessed May 9, 2020)).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref20\\\">[19]<\\/a> Katrina Hallare, <em>Drilon joins Senate leaders\\u2019 move to question VFA abrogation before SC<\\/em>, PHIL. DAILY INQUIRER., Feb. 16, 2020, <em>available at<\\/em> https:\\/\\/newsinfo.inquirer.net\\/1229429\\/drilon-joins-senate-leaders-move-to-question-vfa-abrogation-before-sc (last visited May 9, 2020).\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref21\\\">[20]<\\/a> <em>Pangilinan v. Cayetano<\\/em> [hereinafter \\u201cPangilinan\\u201d], <a>G.R. No. 238875, March 16, 2021. This refers to the copy initially released by the Supreme Court.<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref22\\\">[21]<\\/a> Ina Reformina, <em>No need for Senate concurrence? SC tackles petitions vs Philippines\' ICC pullout<\\/em>, ABS-CBN News, Aug. 29, 2018, <em>available at<\\/em> https:\\/\\/news.abs-cbn.com\\/news\\/08\\/29\\/18\\/no-need-for-senate-concurrence-sc-tackles-petitions-vs-philippines-icc-pullout (last visited May 10, 2020).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref23\\\">[22]<\\/a> <a><em>Id.<\\/em><\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref24\\\">[23]<\\/a> <em>Pangilinan<\\/em>, G.R. Nos. 238875.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref25\\\">[24]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em> at 4.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref26\\\">[25]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em> at 51.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed {\\\"imageURL\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Termination-of-the-RP-US-Visiting-Forces-Agreement-by-Roberto-Beltran.pdf\\\",\\\"imgID\\\":1487,\\\"imgTitle\\\":\\\"Termination of the RP-US Visiting Forces Agreement by Roberto Beltran\\\",\\\"openFullscreen\\\":true} -->\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-pdfjsblock-pdfjs-embed pdfjs-wrapper\\\">[pdfjs-viewer viewer_width=0 viewer_height=800 url=http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Termination-of-the-RP-US-Visiting-Forces-Agreement-by-Roberto-Beltran.pdf download=true print=true fullscreen=false fullscreen_target=true fullscreen_text=\\\"View%20Fullscreen\\\" zoom=auto search_term=\\\"\\\" ]<\\/div>\\n<!-- \\/wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed -->\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.15,\"sizes\":[]},\"text_shadow_text_shadow\":{\"horizontal\":0,\"vertical\":0,\"blur\":0,\"color\":\"rgba(0,0,0,0.3)\"}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(5381,767,'_elementor_css','a:6:{s:4:\"time\";i:1627310300;s:5:\"fonts\";a:2:{i:0;s:6:\"Roboto\";i:1;s:11:\"Roboto Slab\";}s:5:\"icons\";a:0:{}s:20:\"dynamic_elements_ids\";a:0:{}s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"file\";i:0;s:0:\"\";}'),(5382,1414,'_elementor_css','a:6:{s:4:\"time\";i:1627310300;s:5:\"fonts\";a:0:{}s:5:\"icons\";a:0:{}s:20:\"dynamic_elements_ids\";a:0:{}s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"file\";i:0;s:0:\"\";}'),(5383,1401,'_elementor_css','a:6:{s:4:\"time\";i:1627310306;s:5:\"fonts\";a:0:{}s:5:\"icons\";a:0:{}s:20:\"dynamic_elements_ids\";a:0:{}s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"file\";i:0;s:0:\"\";}'),(5384,1385,'_elementor_css','a:6:{s:4:\"time\";i:1627310456;s:5:\"fonts\";a:0:{}s:5:\"icons\";a:0:{}s:20:\"dynamic_elements_ids\";a:0:{}s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"file\";i:0;s:0:\"\";}'),(5385,1723,'_elementor_css','a:6:{s:4:\"time\";i:1627310458;s:5:\"fonts\";a:0:{}s:5:\"icons\";a:0:{}s:20:\"dynamic_elements_ids\";a:0:{}s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"file\";i:0;s:0:\"\";}'),(5394,1015,'_elementor_css','a:6:{s:4:\"time\";i:1627310958;s:5:\"fonts\";a:0:{}s:5:\"icons\";a:0:{}s:20:\"dynamic_elements_ids\";a:0:{}s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"file\";i:0;s:0:\"\";}'),(5395,1143,'_elementor_css','a:6:{s:4:\"time\";i:1627311112;s:5:\"fonts\";a:0:{}s:5:\"icons\";a:0:{}s:20:\"dynamic_elements_ids\";a:0:{}s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"file\";i:0;s:0:\"\";}'),(5396,1314,'_elementor_css','a:6:{s:4:\"time\";i:1627312913;s:5:\"fonts\";a:0:{}s:5:\"icons\";a:0:{}s:20:\"dynamic_elements_ids\";a:0:{}s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"file\";i:0;s:0:\"\";}'),(5397,1307,'_elementor_css','a:6:{s:4:\"time\";i:1627312913;s:5:\"fonts\";a:0:{}s:5:\"icons\";a:0:{}s:20:\"dynamic_elements_ids\";a:0:{}s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"file\";i:0;s:0:\"\";}'),(5398,1261,'_elementor_css','a:6:{s:4:\"time\";i:1627312913;s:5:\"fonts\";a:0:{}s:5:\"icons\";a:0:{}s:20:\"dynamic_elements_ids\";a:0:{}s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"file\";i:0;s:0:\"\";}'),(5399,1215,'_elementor_css','a:6:{s:4:\"time\";i:1627312913;s:5:\"fonts\";a:0:{}s:5:\"icons\";a:0:{}s:20:\"dynamic_elements_ids\";a:0:{}s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"file\";i:0;s:0:\"\";}'),(5400,965,'_elementor_css','a:6:{s:4:\"time\";i:1627316545;s:5:\"fonts\";a:0:{}s:5:\"icons\";a:0:{}s:20:\"dynamic_elements_ids\";a:0:{}s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"file\";i:0;s:0:\"\";}'),(5401,832,'_elementor_css','a:6:{s:4:\"time\";i:1627318021;s:5:\"fonts\";a:1:{i:0;s:7:\"Georgia\";}s:5:\"icons\";a:0:{}s:20:\"dynamic_elements_ids\";a:0:{}s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"file\";i:0;s:0:\"\";}'),(5402,786,'_elementor_css','a:6:{s:4:\"time\";i:1627318021;s:5:\"fonts\";a:0:{}s:5:\"icons\";a:0:{}s:20:\"dynamic_elements_ids\";a:0:{}s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"file\";i:0;s:0:\"\";}'),(5403,1038,'_elementor_css','a:6:{s:4:\"time\";i:1627322317;s:5:\"fonts\";a:0:{}s:5:\"icons\";a:0:{}s:20:\"dynamic_elements_ids\";a:0:{}s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"file\";i:0;s:0:\"\";}'),(5404,990,'_elementor_css','a:6:{s:4:\"time\";i:1627327867;s:5:\"fonts\";a:0:{}s:5:\"icons\";a:0:{}s:20:\"dynamic_elements_ids\";a:0:{}s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"file\";i:0;s:0:\"\";}'),(5405,866,'_elementor_css','a:6:{s:4:\"time\";i:1627354003;s:5:\"fonts\";a:0:{}s:5:\"icons\";a:0:{}s:20:\"dynamic_elements_ids\";a:0:{}s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"file\";i:0;s:0:\"\";}'),(5406,296,'_elementor_css','a:6:{s:4:\"time\";i:1627361738;s:5:\"fonts\";a:0:{}s:5:\"icons\";a:0:{}s:20:\"dynamic_elements_ids\";a:0:{}s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"file\";i:0;s:0:\"\";}'),(5407,850,'_elementor_css','a:6:{s:4:\"time\";i:1627364380;s:5:\"fonts\";a:1:{i:0;s:7:\"Georgia\";}s:5:\"icons\";a:0:{}s:20:\"dynamic_elements_ids\";a:0:{}s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"file\";i:0;s:0:\"\";}'),(5408,1154,'_elementor_css','a:6:{s:4:\"time\";i:1627377302;s:5:\"fonts\";a:0:{}s:5:\"icons\";a:0:{}s:20:\"dynamic_elements_ids\";a:0:{}s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"file\";i:0;s:0:\"\";}'),(5409,1046,'_elementor_css','a:6:{s:4:\"time\";i:1627410683;s:5:\"fonts\";a:0:{}s:5:\"icons\";a:0:{}s:20:\"dynamic_elements_ids\";a:0:{}s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"file\";i:0;s:0:\"\";}'),(5410,1002,'_elementor_css','a:6:{s:4:\"time\";i:1627443707;s:5:\"fonts\";a:1:{i:0;s:7:\"Georgia\";}s:5:\"icons\";a:0:{}s:20:\"dynamic_elements_ids\";a:0:{}s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"file\";i:0;s:0:\"\";}'),(5411,1093,'_elementor_css','a:6:{s:4:\"time\";i:1627513279;s:5:\"fonts\";a:0:{}s:5:\"icons\";a:0:{}s:20:\"dynamic_elements_ids\";a:0:{}s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"file\";i:0;s:0:\"\";}'),(5412,1661,'_elementor_css','a:6:{s:4:\"time\";i:1627516598;s:5:\"fonts\";a:0:{}s:5:\"icons\";a:0:{}s:20:\"dynamic_elements_ids\";a:0:{}s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"file\";i:0;s:0:\"\";}'),(5413,1661,'_elementor_controls_usage','a:3:{s:11:\"text-editor\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:2;s:8:\"controls\";a:3:{s:7:\"content\";a:1:{s:14:\"section_editor\";a:1:{s:6:\"editor\";i:1;}}s:5:\"style\";a:1:{s:13:\"section_style\";a:2:{s:21:\"typography_typography\";i:1;s:22:\"typography_line_height\";i:1;}}s:8:\"advanced\";a:1:{s:14:\"_section_style\";a:2:{s:7:\"_margin\";i:1;s:8:\"_padding\";i:1;}}}}s:6:\"column\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:0;s:8:\"controls\";a:0:{}}s:7:\"section\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:0;s:8:\"controls\";a:1:{s:6:\"layout\";a:1:{s:14:\"section_layout\";a:1:{s:13:\"content_width\";i:1;}}}}}'),(5414,1661,'_pingme','1'),(5415,1661,'_encloseme','1'),(5416,1743,'_thumbnail_id','1662'),(5417,1743,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(5418,1743,'_elementor_version','3.2.5'),(5419,1743,'_wp_page_template','elementor_theme'),(5420,1743,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"1aa4016d\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":{\"content_width\":{\"unit\":\"px\",\"size\":1000,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"512200af\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"71260315\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p style=\\\"text-align: center;\\\"><!-- wp:heading --><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<h2 style=\\\"text-align: center;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 18pt;\\\"><strong>The Revised Corporation Code:<\\/strong> <\\/span><br \\/><span style=\\\"font-size: 18pt;\\\"><strong>Stronger Framework and Governance Towards<\\/strong> <\\/span><br \\/><span style=\\\"font-size: 18pt;\\\"><strong>Better Protection of Minority Rights and<\\/strong> <strong><br \\/>Improved Ease of Doing Business<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/h2>\\n<p style=\\\"text-align: center;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"text-align: center;\\\">By <em>Marian Joanne K. Co-Pua<\\/em><a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-admin\\/post.php?post=1661&action=edit#_ftn1\\\"><em>*<\\/em><\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:file {\\\"id\\\":1493,\\\"href\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Revised-Corporation-Code_Stronger-Framework-and-Governance-by-Marian-Joanne-Co-Pua.pdf\\\",\\\"displayPreview\\\":false,\\\"align\\\":\\\"right\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-file alignright\\\"><a class=\\\"wp-block-file__button\\\" href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Revised-Corporation-Code_Stronger-Framework-and-Governance-by-Marian-Joanne-Co-Pua.pdf\\\" download=\\\"\\\">Download PDF Here<\\/a><\\/div>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:file --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":13} --><\\/p>\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-spacer\\\" style=\\\"height: 13px;\\\" aria-hidden=\\\"true\\\">\\u00a0<\\/div>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"text-align: center;\\\"><strong>I. THE REVISED CORPORATION CODE<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Republic Act No. 11232, otherwise known as the \\u201cRevised Corporation Code of the Philippines\\u201d (RCC), is a consolidation of Senate Bill No. 1280 and House Bill No. 8374 aimed at increasing competitiveness and improving ease of doing business, especially considering that the Philippines slipped to rank 124<sup>th<\\/sup> from rank 113<sup>th<\\/sup> out of one hundred ninety (190) economies surveyed in the <em>Doing Business 2019 <\\/em>report of the World Bank. By documenting changes in regulation in twelve (12) areas of business activity in the said economies,<em>\\u00a0Doing Business<\\/em>\\u00a0analyzes regulation that encourages efficiency and supports freedom to do business; as it measures how easy or difficult it is for an entrepreneur to open, manage and operate his business, and how such business may readily comply with regulations.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>In the sponsorship speech of Senate Bill No. 1280, four (4) main reform clusters were mentioned, to wit:<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 80px;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\"><a>First, policies that would enhance the ease of doing business in the Philippines;<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 80px;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\">Second, rules that prioritize corporate and stockholder protection;<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 80px;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\">Third, provisions that instill corporate and civic responsibility; and<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 80px;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\">Fourth, amendments that will strengthen the country\\u2019s policy and regulatory corporate framework.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The adoption of the RCC in February 2019 readily resulted to a 29-notch jump for the Philippines, now ranked 95<sup>th<\\/sup> in the <em>Doing Business 2020 <\\/em>report. Based on the report, the Philippines improved in three areas: starting a business, dealing with construction permits, and protecting minority investors. The report stated that starting a business was made easier by abolishing the minimum capital requirement for domestic companies; dealing with construction permits was made easier by improving coordination and streamlining the process for obtaining an occupancy certificate; and protecting minority investors was strengthened by requiring greater disclosure of transactions with interested parties and enhancing director liability for transactions with interested parties.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) as the overseer of the corporate sector considers the adoption of the RCC as one giant leap forward as it fills the gaps in the four-decade-old Batas Pambansa Blg. 68, otherwise known as \\u201cThe Corporation Code of the Philippines\\u201d (CCP) and supersedes provisions that have become obsolete and even hindersome in a fast-paced and highly competitive environment.<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\">[1]<\\/a> According to the SEC, \\u201coverall, the Revised Corporation Code fosters inclusive entrepreneurship, improves the ease of doing business in the country and subsequently the economy\\u2019s competitiveness, promotes good corporate governance, and increases protection afforded to corporations, investors and other stakeholders through progressive provisions.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\">[2]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 This article intends to discuss the changes introduced by the RCC championing the four (4) main reform clusters, provide insights on such changes and recent circulars issued by the SEC, and discuss additional measures that may be further adopted to better achieve the laudable objectives of the RCC.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">*<\\/a> Doctor of Civil Law: University of Santo Tomas; Lecturer: University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Civil Law and Bulacan State University College of Law; Editorial Board: UST Law Journal (First Edition - 2019); Editor-in-Chief: UST Law Review<em> - <\\/em>Vol. 50 (2005-2006).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[1]<\\/a> Foreword, SEC Briefer on Revised Corporation Code. Available at: <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.sec.gov.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2019\\/11\\/2019RCC_BrieferonRevisedCorporationCode.pdf\\\">https:\\/\\/www.sec.gov.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2019\\/11\\/2019RCC_BrieferonRevisedCorporationCode.pdf<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[2]<\\/a> Ibid.<\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed {\\\"imageURL\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Revised-Corporation-Code_Stronger-Framework-and-Governance-by-Marian-Joanne-Co-Pua.pdf\\\",\\\"imgID\\\":1493,\\\"imgTitle\\\":\\\"Revised Corporation Code_Stronger Framework and Governance by Marian Joanne Co Pua\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-pdfjsblock-pdfjs-embed pdfjs-wrapper\\\">[pdfjs-viewer viewer_width=0 viewer_height=800 url=http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Revised-Corporation-Code_Stronger-Framework-and-Governance-by-Marian-Joanne-Co-Pua.pdf download=true print=true fullscreen=false fullscreen_target=false fullscreen_text=\\\"View%20Fullscreen\\\" zoom=auto search_term=\\\"\\\" ]<\\/div>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed --><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]},\"_margin\":{\"unit\":\"px\",\"top\":\"0\",\"right\":\"0\",\"bottom\":\"0\",\"left\":\"0\",\"isLinked\":true},\"_padding\":{\"unit\":\"px\",\"top\":\"8\",\"right\":\"8\",\"bottom\":\"8\",\"left\":\"8\",\"isLinked\":true}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(5421,1743,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(5422,1743,'_elementor_css','a:6:{s:4:\"time\";i:1627516598;s:5:\"fonts\";a:0:{}s:5:\"icons\";a:0:{}s:20:\"dynamic_elements_ids\";a:0:{}s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"file\";i:0;s:0:\"\";}'),(5423,1743,'_elementor_controls_usage','a:3:{s:11:\"text-editor\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:2;s:8:\"controls\";a:3:{s:7:\"content\";a:1:{s:14:\"section_editor\";a:1:{s:6:\"editor\";i:1;}}s:5:\"style\";a:1:{s:13:\"section_style\";a:2:{s:21:\"typography_typography\";i:1;s:22:\"typography_line_height\";i:1;}}s:8:\"advanced\";a:1:{s:14:\"_section_style\";a:2:{s:7:\"_margin\";i:1;s:8:\"_padding\";i:1;}}}}s:6:\"column\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:0;s:8:\"controls\";a:0:{}}s:7:\"section\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:0;s:8:\"controls\";a:1:{s:6:\"layout\";a:1:{s:14:\"section_layout\";a:1:{s:13:\"content_width\";i:1;}}}}}'),(5424,1661,'_yoast_wpseo_opengraph-title','%%title%% %%sep%% Atty. Marian Joanne K. Co-Pua'),(5425,1661,'_yoast_wpseo_opengraph-description','This article intends to discuss the changes introduced by the Revised Corporation Code(RCC) championing the four (4) main reform clusters, provide insights on such changes and recent circulars issued by the SEC, and discuss additional measures that may be further adopted to better achieve the laudable objectives of the RCC.'),(5426,1744,'_thumbnail_id','1662'),(5427,1744,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(5428,1744,'_elementor_version','3.2.5'),(5429,1744,'_wp_page_template','elementor_theme'),(5430,1744,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"1aa4016d\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":{\"content_width\":{\"unit\":\"px\",\"size\":1000,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"512200af\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"71260315\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p style=\\\"text-align: center;\\\"><!-- wp:heading --><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<h2 style=\\\"text-align: center;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 18pt;\\\"><strong>The Revised Corporation Code:<\\/strong> <\\/span><br \\/><span style=\\\"font-size: 18pt;\\\"><strong>Stronger Framework and Governance Towards<\\/strong> <\\/span><br \\/><span style=\\\"font-size: 18pt;\\\"><strong>Better Protection of Minority Rights and<\\/strong> <strong><br \\/>Improved Ease of Doing Business<\\/strong><\\/span><\\/h2>\\n<p style=\\\"text-align: center;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"text-align: center;\\\">By <em>Marian Joanne K. Co-Pua<\\/em><a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-admin\\/post.php?post=1661&action=edit#_ftn1\\\"><em>*<\\/em><\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:file {\\\"id\\\":1493,\\\"href\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Revised-Corporation-Code_Stronger-Framework-and-Governance-by-Marian-Joanne-Co-Pua.pdf\\\",\\\"displayPreview\\\":false,\\\"align\\\":\\\"right\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-file alignright\\\"><a class=\\\"wp-block-file__button\\\" href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Revised-Corporation-Code_Stronger-Framework-and-Governance-by-Marian-Joanne-Co-Pua.pdf\\\" download=\\\"\\\">Download PDF Here<\\/a><\\/div>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:file --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":13} --><\\/p>\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-spacer\\\" style=\\\"height: 13px;\\\" aria-hidden=\\\"true\\\">\\u00a0<\\/div>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"text-align: center;\\\"><strong>I. THE REVISED CORPORATION CODE<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Republic Act No. 11232, otherwise known as the \\u201cRevised Corporation Code of the Philippines\\u201d (RCC), is a consolidation of Senate Bill No. 1280 and House Bill No. 8374 aimed at increasing competitiveness and improving ease of doing business, especially considering that the Philippines slipped to rank 124<sup>th<\\/sup> from rank 113<sup>th<\\/sup> out of one hundred ninety (190) economies surveyed in the <em>Doing Business 2019 <\\/em>report of the World Bank. By documenting changes in regulation in twelve (12) areas of business activity in the said economies,<em>\\u00a0Doing Business<\\/em>\\u00a0analyzes regulation that encourages efficiency and supports freedom to do business; as it measures how easy or difficult it is for an entrepreneur to open, manage and operate his business, and how such business may readily comply with regulations.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>In the sponsorship speech of Senate Bill No. 1280, four (4) main reform clusters were mentioned, to wit:<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 80px;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\"><a>First, policies that would enhance the ease of doing business in the Philippines;<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 80px;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\">Second, rules that prioritize corporate and stockholder protection;<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 80px;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\">Third, provisions that instill corporate and civic responsibility; and<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 80px;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\">Fourth, amendments that will strengthen the country\\u2019s policy and regulatory corporate framework.<\\/span><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The adoption of the RCC in February 2019 readily resulted to a 29-notch jump for the Philippines, now ranked 95<sup>th<\\/sup> in the <em>Doing Business 2020 <\\/em>report. Based on the report, the Philippines improved in three areas: starting a business, dealing with construction permits, and protecting minority investors. The report stated that starting a business was made easier by abolishing the minimum capital requirement for domestic companies; dealing with construction permits was made easier by improving coordination and streamlining the process for obtaining an occupancy certificate; and protecting minority investors was strengthened by requiring greater disclosure of transactions with interested parties and enhancing director liability for transactions with interested parties.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) as the overseer of the corporate sector considers the adoption of the RCC as one giant leap forward as it fills the gaps in the four-decade-old Batas Pambansa Blg. 68, otherwise known as \\u201cThe Corporation Code of the Philippines\\u201d (CCP) and supersedes provisions that have become obsolete and even hindersome in a fast-paced and highly competitive environment.<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\">[1]<\\/a> According to the SEC, \\u201coverall, the Revised Corporation Code fosters inclusive entrepreneurship, improves the ease of doing business in the country and subsequently the economy\\u2019s competitiveness, promotes good corporate governance, and increases protection afforded to corporations, investors and other stakeholders through progressive provisions.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\">[2]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 This article intends to discuss the changes introduced by the RCC championing the four (4) main reform clusters, provide insights on such changes and recent circulars issued by the SEC, and discuss additional measures that may be further adopted to better achieve the laudable objectives of the RCC.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">*<\\/a> Doctor of Civil Law: University of Santo Tomas; Lecturer: University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Civil Law and Bulacan State University College of Law; Editorial Board: UST Law Journal (First Edition - 2019); Editor-in-Chief: UST Law Review<em> - <\\/em>Vol. 50 (2005-2006).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[1]<\\/a> Foreword, SEC Briefer on Revised Corporation Code. Available at: <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.sec.gov.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2019\\/11\\/2019RCC_BrieferonRevisedCorporationCode.pdf\\\">https:\\/\\/www.sec.gov.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2019\\/11\\/2019RCC_BrieferonRevisedCorporationCode.pdf<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[2]<\\/a> Ibid.<\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed {\\\"imageURL\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Revised-Corporation-Code_Stronger-Framework-and-Governance-by-Marian-Joanne-Co-Pua.pdf\\\",\\\"imgID\\\":1493,\\\"imgTitle\\\":\\\"Revised Corporation Code_Stronger Framework and Governance by Marian Joanne Co Pua\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-pdfjsblock-pdfjs-embed pdfjs-wrapper\\\">[pdfjs-viewer viewer_width=0 viewer_height=800 url=http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Revised-Corporation-Code_Stronger-Framework-and-Governance-by-Marian-Joanne-Co-Pua.pdf download=true print=true fullscreen=false fullscreen_target=false fullscreen_text=\\\"View%20Fullscreen\\\" zoom=auto search_term=\\\"\\\" ]<\\/div>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed --><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.5,\"sizes\":[]},\"_margin\":{\"unit\":\"px\",\"top\":\"0\",\"right\":\"0\",\"bottom\":\"0\",\"left\":\"0\",\"isLinked\":true},\"_padding\":{\"unit\":\"px\",\"top\":\"8\",\"right\":\"8\",\"bottom\":\"8\",\"left\":\"8\",\"isLinked\":true}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(5431,1744,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(5432,1744,'_elementor_css','a:6:{s:4:\"time\";i:1627516598;s:5:\"fonts\";a:0:{}s:5:\"icons\";a:0:{}s:20:\"dynamic_elements_ids\";a:0:{}s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"file\";i:0;s:0:\"\";}'),(5433,1744,'_elementor_controls_usage','a:3:{s:11:\"text-editor\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:2;s:8:\"controls\";a:3:{s:7:\"content\";a:1:{s:14:\"section_editor\";a:1:{s:6:\"editor\";i:1;}}s:5:\"style\";a:1:{s:13:\"section_style\";a:2:{s:21:\"typography_typography\";i:1;s:22:\"typography_line_height\";i:1;}}s:8:\"advanced\";a:1:{s:14:\"_section_style\";a:2:{s:7:\"_margin\";i:1;s:8:\"_padding\";i:1;}}}}s:6:\"column\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:0;s:8:\"controls\";a:0:{}}s:7:\"section\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:0;s:8:\"controls\";a:1:{s:6:\"layout\";a:1:{s:14:\"section_layout\";a:1:{s:13:\"content_width\";i:1;}}}}}'),(5434,1661,'_yoast_wpseo_focuskw','Revisec Corporation Code'),(5435,1661,'_yoast_wpseo_linkdex','59'),(5436,1661,'_yoast_wpseo_title','%%title%% %%sep%% Atty. Marian Joanne K. Co-Pua'),(5437,1661,'_yoast_wpseo_metadesc','This article intends to discuss the changes introduced by the Revised Corporation Code(RCC) championing the four (4) main reform clusters, provide insights on such changes and recent circulars issued by the SEC, and discuss additional measures that may be further adopted to better achieve the laudable objectives of the RCC.'),(5438,911,'_elementor_css','a:6:{s:4:\"time\";i:1627528443;s:5:\"fonts\";a:0:{}s:5:\"icons\";a:0:{}s:20:\"dynamic_elements_ids\";a:0:{}s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"file\";i:0;s:0:\"\";}'),(5439,1661,'ss_ss_click_share_count_copy','1'),(5440,1661,'ss_total_share_count','0'),(5441,1661,'ss_ss_click_share_count_envelope','1'),(5442,1703,'_elementor_css','a:6:{s:4:\"time\";i:1627887666;s:5:\"fonts\";a:0:{}s:5:\"icons\";a:0:{}s:20:\"dynamic_elements_ids\";a:0:{}s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"file\";i:0;s:0:\"\";}'),(5463,1749,'_wp_attached_file','2021/07/MeToo3.png'),(5464,1749,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:5:{s:5:\"width\";i:1920;s:6:\"height\";i:1080;s:4:\"file\";s:18:\"2021/07/MeToo3.png\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:13:{s:6:\"medium\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:18:\"MeToo3-300x169.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:300;s:6:\"height\";i:169;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:5:\"large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:19:\"MeToo3-1024x576.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:1024;s:6:\"height\";i:576;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:9:\"thumbnail\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:18:\"MeToo3-150x150.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:12:\"medium_large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:18:\"MeToo3-768x432.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:768;s:6:\"height\";i:432;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:9:\"1536x1536\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:19:\"MeToo3-1536x864.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:1536;s:6:\"height\";i:864;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:24:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:18:\"MeToo3-170x110.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:25:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:16:\"MeToo3-86x70.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:17:\"MeToo3-170x96.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:96;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:22:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:18:\"MeToo3-370x250.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:30:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:18:\"MeToo3-370x208.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:208;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:21:\"bfastmag_related_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:18:\"MeToo3-288x160.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:288;s:6:\"height\";i:160;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:18:\"bfastmag_blog_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:18:\"MeToo3-780x544.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:26:\"bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:18:\"MeToo3-780x439.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:439;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:0:\"\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:1:\"0\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:1:\"0\";s:3:\"iso\";s:1:\"0\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:1:\"0\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";s:1:\"0\";s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}}'),(5465,1703,'_elementor_controls_usage','a:3:{s:11:\"text-editor\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:2;s:8:\"controls\";a:2:{s:7:\"content\";a:1:{s:14:\"section_editor\";a:1:{s:6:\"editor\";i:1;}}s:5:\"style\";a:1:{s:13:\"section_style\";a:5:{s:5:\"align\";i:1;s:21:\"typography_typography\";i:1;s:26:\"typography_text_decoration\";i:1;s:22:\"typography_line_height\";i:1;s:23:\"text_shadow_text_shadow\";i:1;}}}}s:6:\"column\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:0;s:8:\"controls\";a:0:{}}s:7:\"section\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:0;s:8:\"controls\";a:0:{}}}'),(5466,1703,'_pingme','1'),(5467,1703,'_encloseme','1'),(5468,1703,'_thumbnail_id','1749'),(5469,1703,'_yoast_wpseo_title','%%title%% %%page%% %%sep%% Atty. Ruby Rosselle L. Tugad and Ms. Athena Charanne R. Presto'),(5470,1703,'_yoast_wpseo_opengraph-title','%%title%% %%sep%% Atty. Ruby Rosselle L. Tugade, LL.M. and Ms. Athena Charanne R. Presto'),(5471,1703,'_yoast_wpseo_twitter-title','%%title%% %%sep%% Atty. Ruby Rosselle L. Tugade, LL.M. and Ms. Athena Charanne R. Presto'),(5481,1703,'ss_ss_click_share_count_facebook','1'),(5482,1703,'ss_total_share_count','0'),(5483,1723,'_elementor_controls_usage','a:3:{s:11:\"text-editor\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:2;s:8:\"controls\";a:2:{s:7:\"content\";a:1:{s:14:\"section_editor\";a:1:{s:6:\"editor\";i:1;}}s:5:\"style\";a:1:{s:13:\"section_style\";a:3:{s:21:\"typography_typography\";i:1;s:22:\"typography_line_height\";i:1;s:23:\"text_shadow_text_shadow\";i:1;}}}}s:6:\"column\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:0;s:8:\"controls\";a:0:{}}s:7:\"section\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:0;s:8:\"controls\";a:0:{}}}'),(5484,1723,'_pingme','1'),(5485,1723,'_encloseme','1'),(5486,1751,'_thumbnail_id','1724'),(5487,1751,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(5488,1751,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(5489,1751,'_elementor_version','3.2.5'),(5490,1751,'_wp_page_template','default'),(5491,1751,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"8c11a15\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"4c3d93e\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"5c724350\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<h2 style=\\\"text-align: center;\\\"><strong>Termination of the R.P. \\u2013 U.S.<\\/strong> <strong>Visiting Forces Agreement: <\\/strong> <strong>Its Legality and Impact on the Maritime Dispute<\\/strong> <strong>in the West Philippine Sea<\\/strong><\\/h2>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"align\\\":\\\"center\\\"} -->\\n<p class=\\\"has-text-align-center\\\" style=\\\"text-align: center;\\\"><em>Roberto Francisco R. Beltran<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\">*<\\/a><\\/em><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:file {\\\"id\\\":1487,\\\"href\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Termination-of-the-RP-US-Visiting-Forces-Agreement-by-Roberto-Beltran.pdf\\\",\\\"displayPreview\\\":false,\\\"align\\\":\\\"right\\\"} -->\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-file alignright\\\"><a class=\\\"wp-block-file__button\\\" href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Termination-of-the-RP-US-Visiting-Forces-Agreement-by-Roberto-Beltran.pdf\\\" download=\\\"\\\">Download PDF Here<\\/a><\\/div>\\n<!-- \\/wp:file --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":28} -->\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-spacer\\\" style=\\\"height: 28px;\\\" aria-hidden=\\\"true\\\">\\u00a0<\\/div>\\n<!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p style=\\\"text-align: center;\\\"><strong>INTRODUCTION<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Last February 11, 2020, the Duterte administration notified the U.S. Government that it would terminate the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) with the United States.<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\">[1]<\\/a> President Rodrigo Duterte made this decision without consulting Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro L. Locsin and Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana.<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\">[2]<\\/a> Secretary Locsin stated before the Foreign Relations Committee of the Philippine Senate last February 6, 2020, that \\u201cthe continuance of the agreement is deemed to be more beneficial to the Philippines compared to any benefits were it to be terminated\\u201d.<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\">[3]<\\/a> Instead, \\u201ca vigorous review of the Visiting Forces Agreement is called for,\\u201d according to Secretary Locsin.<a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\">[4]<\\/a> On February 10, 2020, the Senate of the Philippines <a>adopted Senate Resolution No. 312 as Resolution No. 37 and earnestly requested <\\/a>\\u201cthe President to reconsider his planned abrogation of the Visiting Forces Agreement in the meantime that the Senate is conducting a thorough review of the same.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\">[5]<\\/a> Undeterred, the Duterte administration pushed through with the termination of the VFA.<a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\">[6]<\\/a> This recent development on the subsistence of the VFA has been brewing since President Duterte took office in 2016. As early as October 21, 2016, while on a state visit to China, President Rodrigo Duterte announced his \\u201cseparation from the United States\\u201d at a forum attended by Filipino and Chinese businessmen and Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli.<a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\">[7]<\\/a> He also said that the separation is not just military-wise but economically as well.<a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\">[8]<\\/a> He also added that he has \\u201crealigned\\u201d himself with China and their ideological flow and will also go to Russia and talk to Russian President Vladimir Putin and tell him that \\u201cthere are three of us against the world.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\">[9]<\\/a> These comments came amidst the rising tensions between the Philippines and China over the maritime dispute in the West Philippine Sea. These comments also came at a time when the United States seeks to reassert itself geopolitically in Asia after a decade of wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. However, with President Duterte, a clarification must be sought first before making any conclusions. Eventually, the President did clarify his comments, and no separation will happen between him and the U.S.<a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\">[10]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Then, on December 16, 2016, during a speech in Davao City, President Duterte stated that America should be put on notice and prepare for the eventual repeal or abrogation of the VFA.<a href=\\\"#_ftn12\\\">[11]<\\/a> That eventuality was triggered on January 23, 2020, when President Duterte threatened to terminate the VFA due to the cancellation by the U.S. Government of the U.S. Visa of Senator Ronald \\u201cBato\\u201d Dela Rosa during a speech in the province of Leyte.<a href=\\\"#_ftn13\\\">[12]<\\/a> Duterte went on to say that if the United States does not correct the cancellation of Senator Dela Rosa\\u2019s Visa, the VFA will be terminated.<a href=\\\"#_ftn14\\\">[13]<\\/a> In less than a month, the Duterte administration pulled the plug on the VFA on February 11, 2020.<a href=\\\"#_ftn15\\\">[14]<\\/a> On March 9, 2020, the Senate led by Senate President Vicente Sotto, III filed a Petition for Declaratory Relief and Mandamus with the Supreme Court to clarify its role as an institution in the cancellation of treaties.<a href=\\\"#_ftn16\\\">[15]<\\/a> Three months later, President Duterte would change his tune once again on the abrogation of the VFA by calling for a suspension of the termination of the VFA for six months starting on June 1, 2020 which is extendible for another six months, thereafter, the 180 day period for the effectivity of the termination of the VFA shall resume.<a href=\\\"#_ftn17\\\">[16]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The unilateral abrogation by President Duterte of the VFA with the United States, albeit later suspended, will have a severe and profound effect on the Philippines\\u2019 national security, particularly on the maritime dispute with China in the West Philippine Sea. Moreover, the establishment of a precedent in recognizing the power of the President to abrogate treaties unilaterally can affect not only the relationship of the Philippines with other countries and its ability to negotiate with them, but it also grants unbridled power in one chief executive to repeal treaties and concomitantly the laws enacted in furtherance of said treaties.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Whether the President can unilaterally abrogate a treaty seems simple enough for its advocates and critics. Senator Francis Tolentino stated that since there is no express provision found in Article VII, Section 21 of the 1987 Constitution<a href=\\\"#_ftn18\\\">[17]<\\/a> that provides for Senate concurrence in treaty abrogation, the Senate has no power in the termination of treaties and international agreements.<a href=\\\"#_ftn19\\\">[18]<\\/a> On the other hand, Senator Franklin Drilon argued that since the treaties and international agreements that the President enters into cannot be valid without Senate Concurrence, then withdrawal therefrom should only be valid with the Senate\\u2019s concurrence.<a href=\\\"#_ftn20\\\">[19]<\\/a> As simple as both Senators\\u2019 arguments may sound, such simplicity is only on the surface as there is no express provision in the 1987 Constitution that provides for the abrogation of a treaty. The silence of the 1987 Constitution on treaty abrogation amounting to a legal issue was mentioned by Justice Francis H. Jardeleza during the oral arguments of <a><em>Pangilinan v. Cayetan<\\/em><\\/a><em>o<\\/em><a href=\\\"#_ftn21\\\"><em><strong>[20]<\\/strong><\\/em><\\/a> or otherwise known as the case on the Rome Statute withdrawal of President Duterte.<a href=\\\"#_ftn22\\\">[21]<\\/a>\\u00a0 Justice Jardeleza pointed out during the said oral arguments that both the petitioners and the government cannot find textual support in the 1987 Constitution for their arguments on the unilateral abrogation from a treaty by the President.<a href=\\\"#_ftn23\\\">[22]<\\/a> What is certain is that there is, at the very least, a legal issue brought about by the unilateral termination of a treaty by the President, considering that the 1987 Constitution is silent on <a>whether or not the President can abrogate treaties and international agreements without Senate concurrence<\\/a>. Recently, the Supreme Court, in its ruling in <em>Pangilinan v. Cayetano,<a href=\\\"#_ftn24\\\"><sup><strong><sup>[23]<\\/sup><\\/strong><\\/sup><\\/a> <\\/em>ruled that the discretion of the President in withdrawing from a treaty is not absolute<a href=\\\"#_ftn25\\\"><sup>[24]<\\/sup><\\/a> and is subject to the guidelines that it adopted <a>in \\u201cevaluating cases concerning the President\\u2019s withdrawal from international agreements.\\u201d<\\/a><a href=\\\"#_ftn26\\\"><sup>[25]<\\/sup><\\/a>This article will analyze the said legal issue in relation to the termination of the VFA along with the possible impact on the maritime dispute between the Philippines and China on the West Philippine Sea.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">*<\\/a> The author is a graduate of San Beda College Alabang School of Law (2016); Bachelor of Arts in Consular and Diplomatic Affairs, De La Salle\\u2014College of Saint Benilde (2010); and currently, an Associate Lawyer at Dennis P. Manalo Law Office. The author remains solely responsible for the views expressed herein.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[1]<\\/a> Sofia Tomacruz, <em>Philippines sends VFA notice of termination to U.S.<\\/em>, Rappler, Feb. 11, 2020, and updated on Feb. 12, 2020, <em>available at<\\/em> https:\\/\\/www.rappler.com\\/nation\\/251508-philippines-terminates-visiting-forces-agreement-united-states (last visited May 8, 2020).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[2]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[3]<\\/a> <a><em>Id.<\\/em><\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[4]<\\/a> Paolo Romero, <em>Locsin says VFA needs \\u2018vigorous review\\u2019<\\/em>, PHIL. STAR, Feb. 7, 2020, <em>available at<\\/em>, https:\\/\\/www.philstar.com\\/headlines\\/2020\\/02\\/07\\/1991105\\/locsin-says-vfa-needs-vigorous-review (last visited May 8, 2020).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[5]<\\/a> S. Res. No. 37, 18<sup>th<\\/sup> Cong., 1<sup>st<\\/sup> Reg. Sess. (2020).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\">[6]<\\/a> Tomacruz,<em> supra<\\/em> note 1.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\">[7]<\\/a> Ben Blanchard, <em>Duterte aligns Philippines with China, says U.S. has lost<\\/em>, Reuters, Oct. 20, 2016, <em>available at<\\/em> https:\\/\\/www.reuters.com\\/article\\/us-china-philippines\\/duterte-aligns-philippines-with-china-says-u-s-has-lost-idUSKCN12K0AS (last visited May 7, 2020).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\">[8]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\">[9]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\">[10]<\\/a> Neil Jerome Morales, <em>Philippines\' Duterte says didn\'t really mean \'separation\' from U.S.,<\\/em> Reuters, Oct. 22, 2016, <em>available at<\\/em> https:\\/\\/www.reuters.com\\/article\\/us-china-philippines-idUSKCN12L28T (last visited May 7, 2020).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref12\\\">[11]<\\/a> Pia Ranada, <em>Duterte wants VFA scrapped, but will \'wait\' for Trump<\\/em>, Rappler, Dec. 17, 2016, <em>available at<\\/em> https:\\/\\/www.rappler.com\\/nation\\/155785-duterte-visiting-forces-agreement-trump (last visited May 8, 2020).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref13\\\">[12]<\\/a> Sofia Tomacruz, <em>After U.S. cancels Bato\'s visa, Duterte threatens to scrap visiting forces agreement<\\/em>, Rappler, Jan. 23, 2020, and updated on Jan. 25, 2020, <em>available at<\\/em> https:\\/\\/www.rappler.com\\/nation\\/250054-duterte-threatens-scrap-visiting-forces-agreement-january-2020 (last visited May 8, 2020).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref14\\\">[13]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref15\\\">[14]<\\/a> Tomacruz, <em>supra<\\/em> note 1.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref16\\\">[15]<\\/a> Petition by Senate of the Philippines, as represented by Vicente C. Sotto III, in his capacity as Senate President, Ralph G. Recto, in his capacity as Senate President Pro Tempore, Juan Miguel \\u201cMigz\\u201d F. Zubiri, in his capacity as Majority Leader, Franklin M. Drilon, in his capacity as Minority Leader, and Richard J. Gordon, and Panfilo \\u201cPing\\u201d M. Lacson, in their individual capacity as members of the Senate of the Philippines, Mar. 9, 2020 (on file with the Supreme Court), in Senate of the Philippines v. Office of the Executive Secretary, G.R. No. 251977 (Supreme Court, filed Mar. 9, 2020).\\u00a0\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref17\\\">[16]<\\/a> CNN Philippines Staff, <em>PH suspends termination of Visiting Forces Agreement with US \\u2014 DFA<\\/em>, June 2, 2020, and updated on June 3, 2020, <em>available at<\\/em> https:\\/\\/www.cnnphilippines.com\\/news\\/2020\\/6\\/2\\/locsin-VFA-termination-suspension-.html (last visited June 7, 2020).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref18\\\">[17]<\\/a> SECTION 21. No treaty or international agreement shall be valid and effective unless concurred in by at least two-thirds of all the Members of the Senate.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref19\\\">[18]<\\/a> Francis N. Tolentino, Senator of the Philippines, Remarks at the Senate Floor (Feb. 11, 2020) (transcript <em>available at<\\/em> https:\\/\\/news.mb.com.ph\\/2020\\/02\\/13\\/vfa-and-separation-of-powers\\/ (last accessed May 9, 2020)).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref20\\\">[19]<\\/a> Katrina Hallare, <em>Drilon joins Senate leaders\\u2019 move to question VFA abrogation before SC<\\/em>, PHIL. DAILY INQUIRER., Feb. 16, 2020, <em>available at<\\/em> https:\\/\\/newsinfo.inquirer.net\\/1229429\\/drilon-joins-senate-leaders-move-to-question-vfa-abrogation-before-sc (last visited May 9, 2020).\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref21\\\">[20]<\\/a> <em>Pangilinan v. Cayetano<\\/em> [hereinafter \\u201cPangilinan\\u201d], <a>G.R. No. 238875, March 16, 2021. This refers to the copy initially released by the Supreme Court.<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref22\\\">[21]<\\/a> Ina Reformina, <em>No need for Senate concurrence? SC tackles petitions vs Philippines\' ICC pullout<\\/em>, ABS-CBN News, Aug. 29, 2018, <em>available at<\\/em> https:\\/\\/news.abs-cbn.com\\/news\\/08\\/29\\/18\\/no-need-for-senate-concurrence-sc-tackles-petitions-vs-philippines-icc-pullout (last visited May 10, 2020).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref23\\\">[22]<\\/a> <a><em>Id.<\\/em><\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref24\\\">[23]<\\/a> <em>Pangilinan<\\/em>, G.R. Nos. 238875.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref25\\\">[24]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em> at 4.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref26\\\">[25]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em> at 51.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed {\\\"imageURL\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Termination-of-the-RP-US-Visiting-Forces-Agreement-by-Roberto-Beltran.pdf\\\",\\\"imgID\\\":1487,\\\"imgTitle\\\":\\\"Termination of the RP-US Visiting Forces Agreement by Roberto Beltran\\\",\\\"openFullscreen\\\":true} -->\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-pdfjsblock-pdfjs-embed pdfjs-wrapper\\\">[pdfjs-viewer viewer_width=0 viewer_height=800 url=http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Termination-of-the-RP-US-Visiting-Forces-Agreement-by-Roberto-Beltran.pdf download=true print=true fullscreen=false fullscreen_target=true fullscreen_text=\\\"View%20Fullscreen\\\" zoom=auto search_term=\\\"\\\" ]<\\/div>\\n<!-- \\/wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed -->\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.15,\"sizes\":[]},\"text_shadow_text_shadow\":{\"horizontal\":0,\"vertical\":0,\"blur\":0,\"color\":\"rgba(0,0,0,0.3)\"}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(5492,1751,'_elementor_css','a:6:{s:4:\"time\";i:1627310458;s:5:\"fonts\";a:0:{}s:5:\"icons\";a:0:{}s:20:\"dynamic_elements_ids\";a:0:{}s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"file\";i:0;s:0:\"\";}'),(5493,1751,'_elementor_controls_usage','a:3:{s:11:\"text-editor\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:2;s:8:\"controls\";a:2:{s:7:\"content\";a:1:{s:14:\"section_editor\";a:1:{s:6:\"editor\";i:1;}}s:5:\"style\";a:1:{s:13:\"section_style\";a:3:{s:21:\"typography_typography\";i:1;s:22:\"typography_line_height\";i:1;s:23:\"text_shadow_text_shadow\";i:1;}}}}s:6:\"column\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:0;s:8:\"controls\";a:0:{}}s:7:\"section\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:0;s:8:\"controls\";a:0:{}}}'),(5494,1723,'_yoast_wpseo_opengraph-title','%%title%% | Atty. Roberto Fransisco R. Beltran'),(5495,1723,'_yoast_wpseo_opengraph-description','The beauty in the mirror principle is that it neither favors unilateral abrogation of a treaty by the President, exclusively, nor a Senate concurrence to every withdrawal from a treaty made by the President, exclusively. Instead, it accommodates the shared responsibility of the President and the Senate over treaties. At the same time, it recognizes the realities of exigencies that require the President to exercise what Justice Santiago M. Kapunan called ‘on-the-spot decisions that may be imperatively necessary in emergency situations to avert great loss of human lives and mass destruction of property.’ In other words, the mirror principle is substance-dependent because it considers ‘which branch of government has substantive constitutional prerogatives to make law in any particular area of foreign policy.’…Based on the foregoing facts, and any doubts about its validity quashed, the VFA cannot be terminated without Senate concurrence pursuant to the mirror principle. The subject matter of the VFA is foreign military presence in the Philippines, which is required by no less than the 1987 Constitution to be in treaty form, and to be treated as such by the other contracting State, which are both present in the case of the VFA. In addition, the degree of legislative participation in the entrance to the VFA was concurred by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the Senate on May 27, 1999. It is then unequivocal that the withdrawal from the VFA requires the same degree of legislative participation for its entrance, that is, Presidential action with Senate concurrence.'),(5496,1752,'_thumbnail_id','1724'),(5497,1752,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(5498,1752,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(5499,1752,'_elementor_version','3.2.5'),(5500,1752,'_wp_page_template','default'),(5501,1752,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"8c11a15\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"4c3d93e\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"5c724350\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<h2 style=\\\"text-align: center;\\\"><strong>Termination of the R.P. \\u2013 U.S.<\\/strong> <strong>Visiting Forces Agreement: <\\/strong> <strong>Its Legality and Impact on the Maritime Dispute<\\/strong> <strong>in the West Philippine Sea<\\/strong><\\/h2>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"align\\\":\\\"center\\\"} -->\\n<p class=\\\"has-text-align-center\\\" style=\\\"text-align: center;\\\"><em>Roberto Francisco R. Beltran<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\">*<\\/a><\\/em><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:file {\\\"id\\\":1487,\\\"href\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Termination-of-the-RP-US-Visiting-Forces-Agreement-by-Roberto-Beltran.pdf\\\",\\\"displayPreview\\\":false,\\\"align\\\":\\\"right\\\"} -->\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-file alignright\\\"><a class=\\\"wp-block-file__button\\\" href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Termination-of-the-RP-US-Visiting-Forces-Agreement-by-Roberto-Beltran.pdf\\\" download=\\\"\\\">Download PDF Here<\\/a><\\/div>\\n<!-- \\/wp:file --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":28} -->\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-spacer\\\" style=\\\"height: 28px;\\\" aria-hidden=\\\"true\\\">\\u00a0<\\/div>\\n<!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p style=\\\"text-align: center;\\\"><strong>INTRODUCTION<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Last February 11, 2020, the Duterte administration notified the U.S. Government that it would terminate the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) with the United States.<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\">[1]<\\/a> President Rodrigo Duterte made this decision without consulting Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro L. Locsin and Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana.<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\">[2]<\\/a> Secretary Locsin stated before the Foreign Relations Committee of the Philippine Senate last February 6, 2020, that \\u201cthe continuance of the agreement is deemed to be more beneficial to the Philippines compared to any benefits were it to be terminated\\u201d.<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\">[3]<\\/a> Instead, \\u201ca vigorous review of the Visiting Forces Agreement is called for,\\u201d according to Secretary Locsin.<a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\">[4]<\\/a> On February 10, 2020, the Senate of the Philippines <a>adopted Senate Resolution No. 312 as Resolution No. 37 and earnestly requested <\\/a>\\u201cthe President to reconsider his planned abrogation of the Visiting Forces Agreement in the meantime that the Senate is conducting a thorough review of the same.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\">[5]<\\/a> Undeterred, the Duterte administration pushed through with the termination of the VFA.<a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\">[6]<\\/a> This recent development on the subsistence of the VFA has been brewing since President Duterte took office in 2016. As early as October 21, 2016, while on a state visit to China, President Rodrigo Duterte announced his \\u201cseparation from the United States\\u201d at a forum attended by Filipino and Chinese businessmen and Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli.<a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\">[7]<\\/a> He also said that the separation is not just military-wise but economically as well.<a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\">[8]<\\/a> He also added that he has \\u201crealigned\\u201d himself with China and their ideological flow and will also go to Russia and talk to Russian President Vladimir Putin and tell him that \\u201cthere are three of us against the world.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\">[9]<\\/a> These comments came amidst the rising tensions between the Philippines and China over the maritime dispute in the West Philippine Sea. These comments also came at a time when the United States seeks to reassert itself geopolitically in Asia after a decade of wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. However, with President Duterte, a clarification must be sought first before making any conclusions. Eventually, the President did clarify his comments, and no separation will happen between him and the U.S.<a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\">[10]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Then, on December 16, 2016, during a speech in Davao City, President Duterte stated that America should be put on notice and prepare for the eventual repeal or abrogation of the VFA.<a href=\\\"#_ftn12\\\">[11]<\\/a> That eventuality was triggered on January 23, 2020, when President Duterte threatened to terminate the VFA due to the cancellation by the U.S. Government of the U.S. Visa of Senator Ronald \\u201cBato\\u201d Dela Rosa during a speech in the province of Leyte.<a href=\\\"#_ftn13\\\">[12]<\\/a> Duterte went on to say that if the United States does not correct the cancellation of Senator Dela Rosa\\u2019s Visa, the VFA will be terminated.<a href=\\\"#_ftn14\\\">[13]<\\/a> In less than a month, the Duterte administration pulled the plug on the VFA on February 11, 2020.<a href=\\\"#_ftn15\\\">[14]<\\/a> On March 9, 2020, the Senate led by Senate President Vicente Sotto, III filed a Petition for Declaratory Relief and Mandamus with the Supreme Court to clarify its role as an institution in the cancellation of treaties.<a href=\\\"#_ftn16\\\">[15]<\\/a> Three months later, President Duterte would change his tune once again on the abrogation of the VFA by calling for a suspension of the termination of the VFA for six months starting on June 1, 2020 which is extendible for another six months, thereafter, the 180 day period for the effectivity of the termination of the VFA shall resume.<a href=\\\"#_ftn17\\\">[16]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The unilateral abrogation by President Duterte of the VFA with the United States, albeit later suspended, will have a severe and profound effect on the Philippines\\u2019 national security, particularly on the maritime dispute with China in the West Philippine Sea. Moreover, the establishment of a precedent in recognizing the power of the President to abrogate treaties unilaterally can affect not only the relationship of the Philippines with other countries and its ability to negotiate with them, but it also grants unbridled power in one chief executive to repeal treaties and concomitantly the laws enacted in furtherance of said treaties.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Whether the President can unilaterally abrogate a treaty seems simple enough for its advocates and critics. Senator Francis Tolentino stated that since there is no express provision found in Article VII, Section 21 of the 1987 Constitution<a href=\\\"#_ftn18\\\">[17]<\\/a> that provides for Senate concurrence in treaty abrogation, the Senate has no power in the termination of treaties and international agreements.<a href=\\\"#_ftn19\\\">[18]<\\/a> On the other hand, Senator Franklin Drilon argued that since the treaties and international agreements that the President enters into cannot be valid without Senate Concurrence, then withdrawal therefrom should only be valid with the Senate\\u2019s concurrence.<a href=\\\"#_ftn20\\\">[19]<\\/a> As simple as both Senators\\u2019 arguments may sound, such simplicity is only on the surface as there is no express provision in the 1987 Constitution that provides for the abrogation of a treaty. The silence of the 1987 Constitution on treaty abrogation amounting to a legal issue was mentioned by Justice Francis H. Jardeleza during the oral arguments of <a><em>Pangilinan v. Cayetan<\\/em><\\/a><em>o<\\/em><a href=\\\"#_ftn21\\\"><em><strong>[20]<\\/strong><\\/em><\\/a> or otherwise known as the case on the Rome Statute withdrawal of President Duterte.<a href=\\\"#_ftn22\\\">[21]<\\/a>\\u00a0 Justice Jardeleza pointed out during the said oral arguments that both the petitioners and the government cannot find textual support in the 1987 Constitution for their arguments on the unilateral abrogation from a treaty by the President.<a href=\\\"#_ftn23\\\">[22]<\\/a> What is certain is that there is, at the very least, a legal issue brought about by the unilateral termination of a treaty by the President, considering that the 1987 Constitution is silent on <a>whether or not the President can abrogate treaties and international agreements without Senate concurrence<\\/a>. Recently, the Supreme Court, in its ruling in <em>Pangilinan v. Cayetano,<a href=\\\"#_ftn24\\\"><sup><strong><sup>[23]<\\/sup><\\/strong><\\/sup><\\/a> <\\/em>ruled that the discretion of the President in withdrawing from a treaty is not absolute<a href=\\\"#_ftn25\\\"><sup>[24]<\\/sup><\\/a> and is subject to the guidelines that it adopted <a>in \\u201cevaluating cases concerning the President\\u2019s withdrawal from international agreements.\\u201d<\\/a><a href=\\\"#_ftn26\\\"><sup>[25]<\\/sup><\\/a>This article will analyze the said legal issue in relation to the termination of the VFA along with the possible impact on the maritime dispute between the Philippines and China on the West Philippine Sea.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">*<\\/a> The author is a graduate of San Beda College Alabang School of Law (2016); Bachelor of Arts in Consular and Diplomatic Affairs, De La Salle\\u2014College of Saint Benilde (2010); and currently, an Associate Lawyer at Dennis P. Manalo Law Office. The author remains solely responsible for the views expressed herein.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[1]<\\/a> Sofia Tomacruz, <em>Philippines sends VFA notice of termination to U.S.<\\/em>, Rappler, Feb. 11, 2020, and updated on Feb. 12, 2020, <em>available at<\\/em> https:\\/\\/www.rappler.com\\/nation\\/251508-philippines-terminates-visiting-forces-agreement-united-states (last visited May 8, 2020).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[2]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[3]<\\/a> <a><em>Id.<\\/em><\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[4]<\\/a> Paolo Romero, <em>Locsin says VFA needs \\u2018vigorous review\\u2019<\\/em>, PHIL. STAR, Feb. 7, 2020, <em>available at<\\/em>, https:\\/\\/www.philstar.com\\/headlines\\/2020\\/02\\/07\\/1991105\\/locsin-says-vfa-needs-vigorous-review (last visited May 8, 2020).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[5]<\\/a> S. Res. No. 37, 18<sup>th<\\/sup> Cong., 1<sup>st<\\/sup> Reg. Sess. (2020).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\">[6]<\\/a> Tomacruz,<em> supra<\\/em> note 1.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\">[7]<\\/a> Ben Blanchard, <em>Duterte aligns Philippines with China, says U.S. has lost<\\/em>, Reuters, Oct. 20, 2016, <em>available at<\\/em> https:\\/\\/www.reuters.com\\/article\\/us-china-philippines\\/duterte-aligns-philippines-with-china-says-u-s-has-lost-idUSKCN12K0AS (last visited May 7, 2020).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\">[8]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\">[9]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\">[10]<\\/a> Neil Jerome Morales, <em>Philippines\' Duterte says didn\'t really mean \'separation\' from U.S.,<\\/em> Reuters, Oct. 22, 2016, <em>available at<\\/em> https:\\/\\/www.reuters.com\\/article\\/us-china-philippines-idUSKCN12L28T (last visited May 7, 2020).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref12\\\">[11]<\\/a> Pia Ranada, <em>Duterte wants VFA scrapped, but will \'wait\' for Trump<\\/em>, Rappler, Dec. 17, 2016, <em>available at<\\/em> https:\\/\\/www.rappler.com\\/nation\\/155785-duterte-visiting-forces-agreement-trump (last visited May 8, 2020).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref13\\\">[12]<\\/a> Sofia Tomacruz, <em>After U.S. cancels Bato\'s visa, Duterte threatens to scrap visiting forces agreement<\\/em>, Rappler, Jan. 23, 2020, and updated on Jan. 25, 2020, <em>available at<\\/em> https:\\/\\/www.rappler.com\\/nation\\/250054-duterte-threatens-scrap-visiting-forces-agreement-january-2020 (last visited May 8, 2020).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref14\\\">[13]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref15\\\">[14]<\\/a> Tomacruz, <em>supra<\\/em> note 1.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref16\\\">[15]<\\/a> Petition by Senate of the Philippines, as represented by Vicente C. Sotto III, in his capacity as Senate President, Ralph G. Recto, in his capacity as Senate President Pro Tempore, Juan Miguel \\u201cMigz\\u201d F. Zubiri, in his capacity as Majority Leader, Franklin M. Drilon, in his capacity as Minority Leader, and Richard J. Gordon, and Panfilo \\u201cPing\\u201d M. Lacson, in their individual capacity as members of the Senate of the Philippines, Mar. 9, 2020 (on file with the Supreme Court), in Senate of the Philippines v. Office of the Executive Secretary, G.R. No. 251977 (Supreme Court, filed Mar. 9, 2020).\\u00a0\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref17\\\">[16]<\\/a> CNN Philippines Staff, <em>PH suspends termination of Visiting Forces Agreement with US \\u2014 DFA<\\/em>, June 2, 2020, and updated on June 3, 2020, <em>available at<\\/em> https:\\/\\/www.cnnphilippines.com\\/news\\/2020\\/6\\/2\\/locsin-VFA-termination-suspension-.html (last visited June 7, 2020).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref18\\\">[17]<\\/a> SECTION 21. No treaty or international agreement shall be valid and effective unless concurred in by at least two-thirds of all the Members of the Senate.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref19\\\">[18]<\\/a> Francis N. Tolentino, Senator of the Philippines, Remarks at the Senate Floor (Feb. 11, 2020) (transcript <em>available at<\\/em> https:\\/\\/news.mb.com.ph\\/2020\\/02\\/13\\/vfa-and-separation-of-powers\\/ (last accessed May 9, 2020)).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref20\\\">[19]<\\/a> Katrina Hallare, <em>Drilon joins Senate leaders\\u2019 move to question VFA abrogation before SC<\\/em>, PHIL. DAILY INQUIRER., Feb. 16, 2020, <em>available at<\\/em> https:\\/\\/newsinfo.inquirer.net\\/1229429\\/drilon-joins-senate-leaders-move-to-question-vfa-abrogation-before-sc (last visited May 9, 2020).\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref21\\\">[20]<\\/a> <em>Pangilinan v. Cayetano<\\/em> [hereinafter \\u201cPangilinan\\u201d], <a>G.R. No. 238875, March 16, 2021. This refers to the copy initially released by the Supreme Court.<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref22\\\">[21]<\\/a> Ina Reformina, <em>No need for Senate concurrence? SC tackles petitions vs Philippines\' ICC pullout<\\/em>, ABS-CBN News, Aug. 29, 2018, <em>available at<\\/em> https:\\/\\/news.abs-cbn.com\\/news\\/08\\/29\\/18\\/no-need-for-senate-concurrence-sc-tackles-petitions-vs-philippines-icc-pullout (last visited May 10, 2020).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref23\\\">[22]<\\/a> <a><em>Id.<\\/em><\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref24\\\">[23]<\\/a> <em>Pangilinan<\\/em>, G.R. Nos. 238875.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref25\\\">[24]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em> at 4.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref26\\\">[25]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em> at 51.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed {\\\"imageURL\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Termination-of-the-RP-US-Visiting-Forces-Agreement-by-Roberto-Beltran.pdf\\\",\\\"imgID\\\":1487,\\\"imgTitle\\\":\\\"Termination of the RP-US Visiting Forces Agreement by Roberto Beltran\\\",\\\"openFullscreen\\\":true} -->\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-pdfjsblock-pdfjs-embed pdfjs-wrapper\\\">[pdfjs-viewer viewer_width=0 viewer_height=800 url=http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Termination-of-the-RP-US-Visiting-Forces-Agreement-by-Roberto-Beltran.pdf download=true print=true fullscreen=false fullscreen_target=true fullscreen_text=\\\"View%20Fullscreen\\\" zoom=auto search_term=\\\"\\\" ]<\\/div>\\n<!-- \\/wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed -->\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.15,\"sizes\":[]},\"text_shadow_text_shadow\":{\"horizontal\":0,\"vertical\":0,\"blur\":0,\"color\":\"rgba(0,0,0,0.3)\"}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(5502,1752,'_elementor_css','a:6:{s:4:\"time\";i:1627310458;s:5:\"fonts\";a:0:{}s:5:\"icons\";a:0:{}s:20:\"dynamic_elements_ids\";a:0:{}s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"file\";i:0;s:0:\"\";}'),(5503,1752,'_elementor_controls_usage','a:3:{s:11:\"text-editor\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:2;s:8:\"controls\";a:2:{s:7:\"content\";a:1:{s:14:\"section_editor\";a:1:{s:6:\"editor\";i:1;}}s:5:\"style\";a:1:{s:13:\"section_style\";a:3:{s:21:\"typography_typography\";i:1;s:22:\"typography_line_height\";i:1;s:23:\"text_shadow_text_shadow\";i:1;}}}}s:6:\"column\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:0;s:8:\"controls\";a:0:{}}s:7:\"section\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:0;s:8:\"controls\";a:0:{}}}'),(5504,1753,'_edit_lock','1628477855:1'),(5505,1754,'_wp_attached_file','2021/08/Cement-Trucks-Photo.png'),(5506,1754,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:5:{s:5:\"width\";i:1920;s:6:\"height\";i:1080;s:4:\"file\";s:31:\"2021/08/Cement-Trucks-Photo.png\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:13:{s:6:\"medium\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:31:\"Cement-Trucks-Photo-300x169.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:300;s:6:\"height\";i:169;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:5:\"large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:32:\"Cement-Trucks-Photo-1024x576.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:1024;s:6:\"height\";i:576;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:9:\"thumbnail\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:31:\"Cement-Trucks-Photo-150x150.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:12:\"medium_large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:31:\"Cement-Trucks-Photo-768x432.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:768;s:6:\"height\";i:432;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:9:\"1536x1536\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:32:\"Cement-Trucks-Photo-1536x864.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:1536;s:6:\"height\";i:864;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:24:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:31:\"Cement-Trucks-Photo-170x110.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:25:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:29:\"Cement-Trucks-Photo-86x70.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:30:\"Cement-Trucks-Photo-170x96.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:96;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:22:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:31:\"Cement-Trucks-Photo-370x250.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:30:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:31:\"Cement-Trucks-Photo-370x208.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:208;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:21:\"bfastmag_related_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:31:\"Cement-Trucks-Photo-288x160.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:288;s:6:\"height\";i:160;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:18:\"bfastmag_blog_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:31:\"Cement-Trucks-Photo-780x544.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:26:\"bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:31:\"Cement-Trucks-Photo-780x439.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:439;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:0:\"\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:1:\"0\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:1:\"0\";s:3:\"iso\";s:1:\"0\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:1:\"0\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";s:1:\"0\";s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}}'),(5507,1753,'_thumbnail_id','1754'),(5508,1753,'_edit_last','1'),(5509,1753,'wptr_hide_title','1'),(5510,1753,'ss_social_share_disable',''),(5511,1753,'_yoast_wpseo_primary_category','98'),(5512,1753,'_yoast_wpseo_metadesc','The production of cement has significant positive and negative impacts. On the positive side, the cement industry has generated employment and business opportunities for the people where the cementmanufacturing companies operate. On the other hand, its negative effects include disturbance to the landscape, dust and noise pollution, and disruption of local biodiversity resulting from quarrying limestone, which is the principal raw material for cement. The implementation of the Sustainability Reporting Guidelines of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for publicly-listed companies will encourage the local cement manufacturers to integrate sustainability in their operations. This paper aims to compare and analyze the submissions and compliance of the three (3) publicly-listed cement companies in the Philippines, namely, Eagle Cement Corporation, Holcim Cement Corporation, and Cemex Holdings Philippines, and to determine whether or not there is a real effort to make their respective operations sustainable for the community and the environment.'),(5513,1753,'_yoast_wpseo_content_score','30'),(5514,1753,'_yoast_wpseo_estimated-reading-time-minutes','3'),(5515,1753,'_pingme','1'),(5516,1753,'_encloseme','1'),(5517,1753,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(5518,1753,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(5519,1753,'_elementor_version','3.3.1'),(5520,1758,'_thumbnail_id','1754'),(5521,1758,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(5522,1758,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(5523,1758,'_elementor_version','3.3.1'),(5524,1759,'_thumbnail_id','1754'),(5525,1759,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(5526,1759,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(5527,1759,'_elementor_version','3.3.1'),(5528,1753,'_wp_page_template','default'),(5529,1753,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"1258038\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"5d2357c\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"2effeac8\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><!-- wp:heading {\\\"textAlign\\\":\\\"center\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<h2 class=\\\"has-text-align-center\\\"><strong>Setting a Concrete Standard<\\/strong> <strong>For Sustainability:<\\/strong> <strong>A Critical Assessment and Comparative Analysis of the Sustainability Reports and Compliance of the Three Publicly Listed Cement Manufacturing Companies in the Philippines<\\/strong><\\/h2>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:heading --><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"align\\\":\\\"center\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-text-align-center\\\"><em>By Christer James Ray A. Gaudiano<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\"><strong>*<\\/strong><\\/a><\\/em><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":7} --><\\/p>\\n<div style=\\\"height:7px\\\" aria-hidden=\\\"true\\\" class=\\\"wp-block-spacer\\\"><\\/div>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- wp:file {\\\"id\\\":1494,\\\"href\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Setting-a-Concrete-Standard-for-Sustainability-by-Chister-James-Ray-Gaudiano.pdf\\\",\\\"displayPreview\\\":false,\\\"align\\\":\\\"right\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-file alignright\\\"><a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Setting-a-Concrete-Standard-for-Sustainability-by-Chister-James-Ray-Gaudiano.pdf\\\" class=\\\"wp-block-file__button\\\" download=\\\"\\\">Download PDF Here<\\/a><\\/div>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:file --><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":17} --><\\/p>\\n<div style=\\\"height:17px\\\" aria-hidden=\\\"true\\\" class=\\\"wp-block-spacer\\\"><\\/div>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"align\\\":\\\"center\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-text-align-center\\\"><strong>PREFATORY STATEMENT<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><em> The Philippines is abundant with substantial reserves of limestone, one of the main ingredients in the production of cement. Limestone reserves are estimated to last at least one thousand (1,000) years at the present rate of domestic consumption.<\\/em><a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\">[1]<\\/a><em> While this wealth of natural resources presents great potential for domestic cement manufacturing, this is expected to pose a substantial impact on the community and the environment, which necessitating a more sustainable operation.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"align\\\":\\\"center\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-text-align-center\\\"><strong>I. INTRODUCTION<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> Cement is one of the world\\u2019s most important building materials. It is a fine powdery substance composed of various minerals that are extracted from the earth, such as limestone (calcium), sand or clay (silicon), bauxite (aluminum), and iron ore, and may include shells, chalk, marl, shale, clay, blast furnace slag, and slate. These raw materials are processed in <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/civiltoday.com\\/civil-engineering-materials\\/cement\\/106-cement-manufacturing-process\\\">cement-manufacturing<\\/a> plants and heated to form a rock-hard substance, which is then ground into fine powder. Cement mixed with water causes a chemical reaction and forms a paste that sets and hardens to bind individual structures of building materials.<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\">[2]<\\/a> On the other hand, concrete, which is the final product of cement, is the most widely used man-made material in existence. It is second only to water as the most-consumed resource in the world.<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\">[3]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>The manufacturing of cement products creates a substantial impact on communities, specifically on the social, economic, and environmental aspects. Its effects include emission of airborne polluting agents in the form of dust and gases, noise, and vibration when operating machineries or during blasting in quarry sites.<a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\">[4]<\\/a>.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> Accordingly,the production of cement has significant positive and negative impacts.<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\">[5]<\\/a> On the positive side, the cement industry has generated employment and business opportunities for the people where the cement-manufacturing companies operate. On the other hand, its negative effects include disturbance to the landscape, dust and noise pollution, and disruption of local biodiversity resulting from quarrying limestone, which is the principal raw material for cement.<a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\">[6]<\\/a><strong><\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> The implementation of the Sustainability Reporting Guidelines of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for publicly-listed companies will encourage the local cement manufacturers to integrate sustainability in their operations. This paper aims to compare and analyze the submissions and compliance of the three (3) publicly-listed cement companies in the Philippines, namely, Eagle Cement Corporation, Holcim Cement Corporation, and Cemex Holdings Philippines, and to determine whether or not there is a real effort to make their respective operations sustainable for the community and the environment.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- wp:separator --><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\">\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:separator --><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">*<\\/a> Member (Vol. 50), UST Law Review; Juris Doctor, Faculty of Civil Law, University of Santo Tomas; A.B. Legal Management, University of Santo Tomas; International Master of Laws (<em>LL.M. Cand.),<\\/em> Ateneo de Manila University with specialization in International Business and Corporate Law. <\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[1]<\\/a> Cement Manufacturers Association of the Philippines (CEMAP). Position Paper. 04 November 2019. PCC Case No. E-2019-002<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[2]<\\/a><a>Syeda Tahsin Hasan, <u>What is cement? History, Chemistry, Industries. Civil Engineering<\\/u>. https:\\/\\/civiltoday.com\\/civil-engineering-materials\\/cement\\/81-cement-definition-and-full-details<\\/a> (last accessed on 31 October 2020).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[3]<\\/a> Lucy Rodgers, Climate Change: The massive CO2 emitter you may not know about, https:\\/\\/www.bbc.com\\/news\\/science-environment-46455844 (last accessed on 31 October 2020).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>Narayanan, Subramanian. Environmental and Social Impacts of Cement Industries. LinkedIn, available at https:\\/\\/www.linkedin.com\\/pulse\\/environmental-social-impacts-cement-industries-narayanan\\/ (last accessed on 31 October 2020).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[4]<\\/a> Narayanan, Subramanian. <a href=\\\"file:\\/\\/\\/C:\\/Users\\/cgaudiano\\/Desktop\\/LLM\\/Environmental%20and%20Social%20Impacts%20of%20Cement%20Industries.%20LinkedIn,%20available%20at%20https:\\/www.linkedin.com\\/pulse\\/environmental-social-impacts-cement-industries-narayanan\\/%20(last%20accessed%20on%2031%20October%202020)\\\">E<em>nvironmental and Social Impacts of Cement Industries. <\\/em>LinkedIn<em>, a<\\/em>vailable at https:\\/\\/www.linkedin.com\\/pulse\\/environmental-social-impacts-cement-industries-narayanan\\/ (last accessed on 31 October 2020).<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[5]<\\/a> <em>Id<\\/em>.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\">[6]<\\/a> <em>Id<\\/em>.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed {\\\"imageURL\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Setting-a-Concrete-Standard-for-Sustainability-by-Chister-James-Ray-Gaudiano.pdf\\\",\\\"imgID\\\":1494,\\\"imgTitle\\\":\\\"Setting a Concrete Standard for Sustainability by Chister James Ray Gaudiano\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-pdfjsblock-pdfjs-embed pdfjs-wrapper\\\">[pdfjs-viewer viewer_width=0 viewer_height=800 url=http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Setting-a-Concrete-Standard-for-Sustainability-by-Chister-James-Ray-Gaudiano.pdf download=true print=true fullscreen=false fullscreen_target=false fullscreen_text=\\\"View%20Fullscreen\\\" zoom=auto search_term=\\\"\\\" ]<\\/div>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed --><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.15,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(5530,1760,'_thumbnail_id','1754'),(5531,1760,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(5532,1760,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(5533,1760,'_elementor_version','3.3.1'),(5534,1760,'_wp_page_template','default'),(5535,1760,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"1258038\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"5d2357c\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"2effeac8\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><!-- wp:heading {\\\"textAlign\\\":\\\"center\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<h2 class=\\\"has-text-align-center\\\"><strong>Setting a Concrete Standard<\\/strong> <strong>For Sustainability:<\\/strong> <strong>A Critical Assessment and Comparative Analysis of the Sustainability Reports and Compliance of the Three Publicly Listed Cement Manufacturing Companies in the Philippines<\\/strong><\\/h2>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:heading --><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"align\\\":\\\"center\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-text-align-center\\\"><em>By Christer James Ray A. Gaudiano<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\"><strong>*<\\/strong><\\/a><\\/em><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":7} --><\\/p>\\n<div style=\\\"height:7px\\\" aria-hidden=\\\"true\\\" class=\\\"wp-block-spacer\\\"><\\/div>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- wp:file {\\\"id\\\":1494,\\\"href\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Setting-a-Concrete-Standard-for-Sustainability-by-Chister-James-Ray-Gaudiano.pdf\\\",\\\"displayPreview\\\":false,\\\"align\\\":\\\"right\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-file alignright\\\"><a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Setting-a-Concrete-Standard-for-Sustainability-by-Chister-James-Ray-Gaudiano.pdf\\\" class=\\\"wp-block-file__button\\\" download=\\\"\\\">Download PDF Here<\\/a><\\/div>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:file --><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":17} --><\\/p>\\n<div style=\\\"height:17px\\\" aria-hidden=\\\"true\\\" class=\\\"wp-block-spacer\\\"><\\/div>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"align\\\":\\\"center\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-text-align-center\\\"><strong>PREFATORY STATEMENT<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><em> The Philippines is abundant with substantial reserves of limestone, one of the main ingredients in the production of cement. Limestone reserves are estimated to last at least one thousand (1,000) years at the present rate of domestic consumption.<\\/em><a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\">[1]<\\/a><em> While this wealth of natural resources presents great potential for domestic cement manufacturing, this is expected to pose a substantial impact on the community and the environment, which necessitating a more sustainable operation.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"align\\\":\\\"center\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-text-align-center\\\"><strong>I. INTRODUCTION<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> Cement is one of the world\\u2019s most important building materials. It is a fine powdery substance composed of various minerals that are extracted from the earth, such as limestone (calcium), sand or clay (silicon), bauxite (aluminum), and iron ore, and may include shells, chalk, marl, shale, clay, blast furnace slag, and slate. These raw materials are processed in <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/civiltoday.com\\/civil-engineering-materials\\/cement\\/106-cement-manufacturing-process\\\">cement-manufacturing<\\/a> plants and heated to form a rock-hard substance, which is then ground into fine powder. Cement mixed with water causes a chemical reaction and forms a paste that sets and hardens to bind individual structures of building materials.<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\">[2]<\\/a> On the other hand, concrete, which is the final product of cement, is the most widely used man-made material in existence. It is second only to water as the most-consumed resource in the world.<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\">[3]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>The manufacturing of cement products creates a substantial impact on communities, specifically on the social, economic, and environmental aspects. Its effects include emission of airborne polluting agents in the form of dust and gases, noise, and vibration when operating machineries or during blasting in quarry sites.<a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\">[4]<\\/a>.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> Accordingly,the production of cement has significant positive and negative impacts.<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\">[5]<\\/a> On the positive side, the cement industry has generated employment and business opportunities for the people where the cement-manufacturing companies operate. On the other hand, its negative effects include disturbance to the landscape, dust and noise pollution, and disruption of local biodiversity resulting from quarrying limestone, which is the principal raw material for cement.<a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\">[6]<\\/a><strong><\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> The implementation of the Sustainability Reporting Guidelines of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for publicly-listed companies will encourage the local cement manufacturers to integrate sustainability in their operations. This paper aims to compare and analyze the submissions and compliance of the three (3) publicly-listed cement companies in the Philippines, namely, Eagle Cement Corporation, Holcim Cement Corporation, and Cemex Holdings Philippines, and to determine whether or not there is a real effort to make their respective operations sustainable for the community and the environment.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- wp:separator --><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\">\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:separator --><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">*<\\/a> Member (Vol. 50), UST Law Review; Juris Doctor, Faculty of Civil Law, University of Santo Tomas; A.B. Legal Management, University of Santo Tomas; International Master of Laws (<em>LL.M. Cand.),<\\/em> Ateneo de Manila University with specialization in International Business and Corporate Law. <\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[1]<\\/a> Cement Manufacturers Association of the Philippines (CEMAP). Position Paper. 04 November 2019. PCC Case No. E-2019-002<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[2]<\\/a><a>Syeda Tahsin Hasan, <u>What is cement? History, Chemistry, Industries. Civil Engineering<\\/u>. https:\\/\\/civiltoday.com\\/civil-engineering-materials\\/cement\\/81-cement-definition-and-full-details<\\/a> (last accessed on 31 October 2020).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[3]<\\/a> Lucy Rodgers, Climate Change: The massive CO2 emitter you may not know about, https:\\/\\/www.bbc.com\\/news\\/science-environment-46455844 (last accessed on 31 October 2020).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>Narayanan, Subramanian. Environmental and Social Impacts of Cement Industries. LinkedIn, available at https:\\/\\/www.linkedin.com\\/pulse\\/environmental-social-impacts-cement-industries-narayanan\\/ (last accessed on 31 October 2020).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[4]<\\/a> Narayanan, Subramanian. <a href=\\\"file:\\/\\/\\/C:\\/Users\\/cgaudiano\\/Desktop\\/LLM\\/Environmental%20and%20Social%20Impacts%20of%20Cement%20Industries.%20LinkedIn,%20available%20at%20https:\\/www.linkedin.com\\/pulse\\/environmental-social-impacts-cement-industries-narayanan\\/%20(last%20accessed%20on%2031%20October%202020)\\\">E<em>nvironmental and Social Impacts of Cement Industries. <\\/em>LinkedIn<em>, a<\\/em>vailable at https:\\/\\/www.linkedin.com\\/pulse\\/environmental-social-impacts-cement-industries-narayanan\\/ (last accessed on 31 October 2020).<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[5]<\\/a> <em>Id<\\/em>.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\">[6]<\\/a> <em>Id<\\/em>.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed {\\\"imageURL\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Setting-a-Concrete-Standard-for-Sustainability-by-Chister-James-Ray-Gaudiano.pdf\\\",\\\"imgID\\\":1494,\\\"imgTitle\\\":\\\"Setting a Concrete Standard for Sustainability by Chister James Ray Gaudiano\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-pdfjsblock-pdfjs-embed pdfjs-wrapper\\\">[pdfjs-viewer viewer_width=0 viewer_height=800 url=http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Setting-a-Concrete-Standard-for-Sustainability-by-Chister-James-Ray-Gaudiano.pdf download=true print=true fullscreen=false fullscreen_target=false fullscreen_text=\\\"View%20Fullscreen\\\" zoom=auto search_term=\\\"\\\" ]<\\/div>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed --><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.15,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(5537,1753,'_elementor_page_assets','a:0:{}'),(5538,1753,'_elementor_controls_usage','a:3:{s:11:\"text-editor\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:1;s:8:\"controls\";a:2:{s:7:\"content\";a:1:{s:14:\"section_editor\";a:1:{s:6:\"editor\";i:1;}}s:5:\"style\";a:1:{s:13:\"section_style\";a:2:{s:21:\"typography_typography\";i:1;s:22:\"typography_line_height\";i:1;}}}}s:6:\"column\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:0;s:8:\"controls\";a:0:{}}s:7:\"section\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:0;s:8:\"controls\";a:0:{}}}'),(5539,1753,'_elementor_css','a:6:{s:4:\"time\";i:1628477742;s:5:\"fonts\";a:0:{}s:5:\"icons\";a:0:{}s:20:\"dynamic_elements_ids\";a:0:{}s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"file\";i:0;s:0:\"\";}'),(5540,1761,'_thumbnail_id','1754'),(5541,1761,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(5542,1761,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(5543,1761,'_elementor_version','3.3.1'),(5544,1761,'_wp_page_template','default'),(5545,1761,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"1258038\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"5d2357c\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"2effeac8\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><!-- wp:heading {\\\"textAlign\\\":\\\"center\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<h2 class=\\\"has-text-align-center\\\"><strong>Setting a Concrete Standard<\\/strong> <strong>For Sustainability:<\\/strong> <strong>A Critical Assessment and Comparative Analysis of the Sustainability Reports and Compliance of the Three Publicly Listed Cement Manufacturing Companies in the Philippines<\\/strong><\\/h2>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:heading --><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"align\\\":\\\"center\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-text-align-center\\\"><em>By Christer James Ray A. Gaudiano<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\"><strong>*<\\/strong><\\/a><\\/em><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":7} --><\\/p>\\n<div style=\\\"height:7px\\\" aria-hidden=\\\"true\\\" class=\\\"wp-block-spacer\\\"><\\/div>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- wp:file {\\\"id\\\":1494,\\\"href\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Setting-a-Concrete-Standard-for-Sustainability-by-Chister-James-Ray-Gaudiano.pdf\\\",\\\"displayPreview\\\":false,\\\"align\\\":\\\"right\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-file alignright\\\"><a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Setting-a-Concrete-Standard-for-Sustainability-by-Chister-James-Ray-Gaudiano.pdf\\\" class=\\\"wp-block-file__button\\\" download=\\\"\\\">Download PDF Here<\\/a><\\/div>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:file --><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":17} --><\\/p>\\n<div style=\\\"height:17px\\\" aria-hidden=\\\"true\\\" class=\\\"wp-block-spacer\\\"><\\/div>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"align\\\":\\\"center\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-text-align-center\\\"><strong>PREFATORY STATEMENT<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><em> The Philippines is abundant with substantial reserves of limestone, one of the main ingredients in the production of cement. Limestone reserves are estimated to last at least one thousand (1,000) years at the present rate of domestic consumption.<\\/em><a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\">[1]<\\/a><em> While this wealth of natural resources presents great potential for domestic cement manufacturing, this is expected to pose a substantial impact on the community and the environment, which necessitating a more sustainable operation.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"align\\\":\\\"center\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-text-align-center\\\"><strong>I. INTRODUCTION<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> Cement is one of the world\\u2019s most important building materials. It is a fine powdery substance composed of various minerals that are extracted from the earth, such as limestone (calcium), sand or clay (silicon), bauxite (aluminum), and iron ore, and may include shells, chalk, marl, shale, clay, blast furnace slag, and slate. These raw materials are processed in <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/civiltoday.com\\/civil-engineering-materials\\/cement\\/106-cement-manufacturing-process\\\">cement-manufacturing<\\/a> plants and heated to form a rock-hard substance, which is then ground into fine powder. Cement mixed with water causes a chemical reaction and forms a paste that sets and hardens to bind individual structures of building materials.<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\">[2]<\\/a> On the other hand, concrete, which is the final product of cement, is the most widely used man-made material in existence. It is second only to water as the most-consumed resource in the world.<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\">[3]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>The manufacturing of cement products creates a substantial impact on communities, specifically on the social, economic, and environmental aspects. Its effects include emission of airborne polluting agents in the form of dust and gases, noise, and vibration when operating machineries or during blasting in quarry sites.<a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\">[4]<\\/a>.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> Accordingly,the production of cement has significant positive and negative impacts.<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\">[5]<\\/a> On the positive side, the cement industry has generated employment and business opportunities for the people where the cement-manufacturing companies operate. On the other hand, its negative effects include disturbance to the landscape, dust and noise pollution, and disruption of local biodiversity resulting from quarrying limestone, which is the principal raw material for cement.<a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\">[6]<\\/a><strong><\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> The implementation of the Sustainability Reporting Guidelines of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for publicly-listed companies will encourage the local cement manufacturers to integrate sustainability in their operations. This paper aims to compare and analyze the submissions and compliance of the three (3) publicly-listed cement companies in the Philippines, namely, Eagle Cement Corporation, Holcim Cement Corporation, and Cemex Holdings Philippines, and to determine whether or not there is a real effort to make their respective operations sustainable for the community and the environment.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- wp:separator --><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\">\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:separator --><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">*<\\/a> Member (Vol. 50), UST Law Review; Juris Doctor, Faculty of Civil Law, University of Santo Tomas; A.B. Legal Management, University of Santo Tomas; International Master of Laws (<em>LL.M. Cand.),<\\/em> Ateneo de Manila University with specialization in International Business and Corporate Law. <\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[1]<\\/a> Cement Manufacturers Association of the Philippines (CEMAP). Position Paper. 04 November 2019. PCC Case No. E-2019-002<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[2]<\\/a><a>Syeda Tahsin Hasan, <u>What is cement? History, Chemistry, Industries. Civil Engineering<\\/u>. https:\\/\\/civiltoday.com\\/civil-engineering-materials\\/cement\\/81-cement-definition-and-full-details<\\/a> (last accessed on 31 October 2020).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[3]<\\/a> Lucy Rodgers, Climate Change: The massive CO2 emitter you may not know about, https:\\/\\/www.bbc.com\\/news\\/science-environment-46455844 (last accessed on 31 October 2020).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>Narayanan, Subramanian. Environmental and Social Impacts of Cement Industries. LinkedIn, available at https:\\/\\/www.linkedin.com\\/pulse\\/environmental-social-impacts-cement-industries-narayanan\\/ (last accessed on 31 October 2020).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[4]<\\/a> Narayanan, Subramanian. <a href=\\\"file:\\/\\/\\/C:\\/Users\\/cgaudiano\\/Desktop\\/LLM\\/Environmental%20and%20Social%20Impacts%20of%20Cement%20Industries.%20LinkedIn,%20available%20at%20https:\\/www.linkedin.com\\/pulse\\/environmental-social-impacts-cement-industries-narayanan\\/%20(last%20accessed%20on%2031%20October%202020)\\\">E<em>nvironmental and Social Impacts of Cement Industries. <\\/em>LinkedIn<em>, a<\\/em>vailable at https:\\/\\/www.linkedin.com\\/pulse\\/environmental-social-impacts-cement-industries-narayanan\\/ (last accessed on 31 October 2020).<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[5]<\\/a> <em>Id<\\/em>.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\">[6]<\\/a> <em>Id<\\/em>.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed {\\\"imageURL\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Setting-a-Concrete-Standard-for-Sustainability-by-Chister-James-Ray-Gaudiano.pdf\\\",\\\"imgID\\\":1494,\\\"imgTitle\\\":\\\"Setting a Concrete Standard for Sustainability by Chister James Ray Gaudiano\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-pdfjsblock-pdfjs-embed pdfjs-wrapper\\\">[pdfjs-viewer viewer_width=0 viewer_height=800 url=http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Setting-a-Concrete-Standard-for-Sustainability-by-Chister-James-Ray-Gaudiano.pdf download=true print=true fullscreen=false fullscreen_target=false fullscreen_text=\\\"View%20Fullscreen\\\" zoom=auto search_term=\\\"\\\" ]<\\/div>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed --><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.15,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(5546,1761,'_elementor_page_assets','a:0:{}'),(5547,1761,'_elementor_controls_usage','a:3:{s:11:\"text-editor\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:1;s:8:\"controls\";a:2:{s:7:\"content\";a:1:{s:14:\"section_editor\";a:1:{s:6:\"editor\";i:1;}}s:5:\"style\";a:1:{s:13:\"section_style\";a:2:{s:21:\"typography_typography\";i:1;s:22:\"typography_line_height\";i:1;}}}}s:6:\"column\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:0;s:8:\"controls\";a:0:{}}s:7:\"section\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:0;s:8:\"controls\";a:0:{}}}'),(5548,1761,'_elementor_css','a:6:{s:4:\"time\";i:1628477742;s:5:\"fonts\";a:0:{}s:5:\"icons\";a:0:{}s:20:\"dynamic_elements_ids\";a:0:{}s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"file\";i:0;s:0:\"\";}'),(5549,1753,'_yoast_wpseo_opengraph-title','%%title%% | Atty. Christer James Ray A. Gaudiano'),(5550,1415,'_edit_lock','1628643987:1'),(5551,1396,'_edit_lock','1628643994:1'),(5552,1313,'_edit_lock','1628644000:1'),(5553,1166,'_edit_lock','1628644006:1'),(5554,1144,'_edit_lock','1628644007:1'),(5555,1040,'_edit_lock','1628644012:1'),(5556,1017,'_edit_lock','1628644016:1'),(5557,1003,'_edit_lock','1628644020:1'),(5558,1762,'_edit_lock','1628844338:1'),(5559,1763,'_edit_lock','1628847154:1'),(5560,1763,'_edit_last','1'),(5561,1763,'wptr_hide_title','1'),(5562,1763,'ss_social_share_disable',''),(5563,1763,'_yoast_wpseo_primary_category','98'),(5564,1763,'_yoast_wpseo_metadesc','The publication of laws is arguably the most oft-overlooked element in the compliance with due process requirements. After the Court’s categorical pronouncement in Tañada, clarified by its subsequent cases, publication has become almost a non-issue as it became a standard practice in legislation, signifying the final stage in the legislative mill. Thus, after Tañada, no other canonical jurisprudence was promulgated dealing with publication of laws. Rather, much of the Court’s energy was devoted in passing upon cases concerning the other facets of procedural due process, i.e. the twin requirements of notice and hearing, and the substantive validity of statutes.Nonetheless, it seems that the general non-concern on publication with regard to statutes was able to contaminate international law that are domestically applicable. A survey of jurisprudence suggests that the primary concern of litigants was the substantive aspect of international law or compliance with the constitutional methods of their internalization, but not the observance of procedural due process. Indeed, non-publication of international law may appear as a trivial matter, considering the annals of existing literature on jus gentium devotes much of its attention to its deepest complexities, intricacies, and consequences.Considering the magnitude of the spirit of Tañada, non-publication can cast a legitimate doubt on the applicability of international law insofar as the ideas of justice and fair play are concerned. If the Court once held that it is unfair to bind the people with an unpublished piece of legislation crafted by their representatives, would it not be more unfair to bind them with a rule developed by the community of nations itself?'),(5565,1763,'_yoast_wpseo_content_score','30'),(5566,1763,'_yoast_wpseo_estimated-reading-time-minutes','4'),(5567,1766,'_wp_attached_file','2021/08/Publishing-Jus-Gentium.png'),(5568,1766,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:5:{s:5:\"width\";i:1920;s:6:\"height\";i:1080;s:4:\"file\";s:34:\"2021/08/Publishing-Jus-Gentium.png\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:13:{s:6:\"medium\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:34:\"Publishing-Jus-Gentium-300x169.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:300;s:6:\"height\";i:169;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:5:\"large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:35:\"Publishing-Jus-Gentium-1024x576.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:1024;s:6:\"height\";i:576;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:9:\"thumbnail\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:34:\"Publishing-Jus-Gentium-150x150.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:12:\"medium_large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:34:\"Publishing-Jus-Gentium-768x432.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:768;s:6:\"height\";i:432;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:9:\"1536x1536\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:35:\"Publishing-Jus-Gentium-1536x864.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:1536;s:6:\"height\";i:864;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:24:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:34:\"Publishing-Jus-Gentium-170x110.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:25:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:32:\"Publishing-Jus-Gentium-86x70.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:33:\"Publishing-Jus-Gentium-170x96.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:96;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:22:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:34:\"Publishing-Jus-Gentium-370x250.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:30:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:34:\"Publishing-Jus-Gentium-370x208.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:208;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:21:\"bfastmag_related_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:34:\"Publishing-Jus-Gentium-288x160.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:288;s:6:\"height\";i:160;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:18:\"bfastmag_blog_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:34:\"Publishing-Jus-Gentium-780x544.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:26:\"bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:34:\"Publishing-Jus-Gentium-780x439.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:439;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:0:\"\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:1:\"0\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:1:\"0\";s:3:\"iso\";s:1:\"0\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:1:\"0\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";s:1:\"0\";s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}}'),(5569,1763,'_thumbnail_id','1766'),(5570,1763,'_yoast_wpseo_opengraph-title','%%title%% | John Kristoffer P. Pereda'),(5571,1763,'_yoast_wpseo_opengraph-description','The publication of laws is arguably the most oft-overlooked element in the compliance with due process requirements. After the Court’s categorical pronouncement in Tañada, clarified by its subsequent cases, publication has become almost a non-issue as it became a standard practice in legislation, signifying the final stage in the legislative mill. Thus, after Tañada, no other canonical jurisprudence was promulgated dealing with publication of laws. Rather, much of the Court’s energy was devoted in passing upon cases concerning the other facets of procedural due process, i.e. the twin requirements of notice and hearing, and the substantive validity of statutes.'),(5572,1763,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(5573,1763,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(5574,1763,'_elementor_version','3.3.1'),(5575,1768,'_thumbnail_id','1766'),(5576,1768,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(5577,1768,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(5578,1768,'_elementor_version','3.3.1'),(5579,1769,'_thumbnail_id','1766'),(5580,1769,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(5581,1769,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(5582,1769,'_elementor_version','3.3.1'),(5583,1763,'_wp_page_template','default'),(5584,1763,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"79fa3f6d\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"5a738ade\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"112f4de3\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><!-- wp:heading {\\\"textAlign\\\":\\\"center\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<h2 class=\\\"has-text-align-center\\\" style=\\\"text-align: center;\\\"><strong>Publishing <em>Jus Gentium<\\/em><\\/strong><strong>:<br><\\/strong><strong>Satisfying Procedural Due Process in the Application of International Law in Domestic Disputes<\\/strong><\\/h2>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"align\\\":\\\"center\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-text-align-center\\\" style=\\\"text-align: center;\\\"><em>By John Kristoffer P. Pereda<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\">*<\\/a><\\/em><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":17} --><\\/p>\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-spacer\\\" style=\\\"height: 17px;\\\" aria-hidden=\\\"true\\\"> <\\/div>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:file {\\\"id\\\":1492,\\\"href\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Publishing-Jus-Gentium-by-Kristoffer-Pereda.pdf\\\",\\\"displayPreview\\\":false} --><\\/p>\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-file\\\" style=\\\"text-align: right;\\\"><a class=\\\"wp-block-file__button\\\" href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Publishing-Jus-Gentium-by-Kristoffer-Pereda.pdf\\\" download=\\\"\\\">Download PDF Here<\\/a><\\/div>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:file --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":15} --><\\/p>\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-spacer\\\" style=\\\"height: 15px;\\\" aria-hidden=\\\"true\\\"> <\\/div>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"align\\\":\\\"right\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-text-align-right\\\" style=\\\"text-align: right;\\\"><em>Laws must come out in the open in the clear light of the sun<br>instead of skulking in the shadows with their dark, deep secrets.<br>Mysterious pronouncements and rumored rules cannot be recognized as binding<br>unless their existence and contents are confirmed by a valid publication<br>intended to make full disclosure and give proper notice to the people.<br>The furtive law is like a scabbarded saber that cannot feint, parry or cut<br>unless the naked blade is drawn.<\\/em> <a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\">[1]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":27} --><\\/p>\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-spacer\\\" style=\\\"height: 27px;\\\" aria-hidden=\\\"true\\\"> <\\/div>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"align\\\":\\\"center\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-text-align-center\\\" style=\\\"text-align: center;\\\"><strong>I. INTRODUCTION<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> The idea of due process, in its present conception, is a product of a long and tedious evolutionary process. While it is said that as early as 1354, the majestic phrase \\u201cdue process of law\\u201d already appeared in an English statute,<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\">[2]<\\/a> its precise meaning was subject to disagreement among several scholars.<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\">[3]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>The concept of due process of law made its way to the Philippines when the Americans introduced the Anglo-American legal tenets in the Philippine legal regime. This is readily apparent from the Philippine Organic Act of 1902<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\">[4]<\\/a>, which provides \\u201cthat no law shall be enacted in [the Philippine Islands] which shall deprive any person of life, liberty, or property without due process of law\\u2026\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\">[5]<\\/a> Since then, the subsequent versions of the fundamental law of the land, including the present one, have contained the same provision.<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\">[6]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> Despite the constant presence of the due process clause in the previous versions of the Philippine Constitution, as well as the present one, its precise meaning has been elusive. In fact, the Court once pronounced that \\u201cthere is no controlling and precise definition of due process,\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\">[7]<\\/a> at least in this jurisdiction. Perhaps, that is because \\u201c[t]he requirements of due process are interpreted in \\u2026 the Philippines as not denying to the law the capacity for progress and improvement.\\u201d Toward this effect and to avoid the confines of a legal straitjacket, the courts instead prefer to have the meaning of the due process clause gradually ascertained by the process of inclusion and exclusion in the course of the decisions of cases as they arise.<a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\">[8]<\\/a> Thus, due process is dynamic and resilient; adaptable to every situation calling for its application that makes it appropriate to accept an enlarged concept of the term as and when there is a possibility that the right of an individual to life, liberty and property might be diffused.<a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\">[9]<\\/a> <\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> Accordingly, despite the debate on the historical meaning of \\u201cdue process of law,\\u201d compliance with both procedural and substantive due process is required in the Philippine jurisdiction.<a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\">[10]<\\/a> As such, notwithstanding the malleability of its concept, there are fundamental facets of due process, developed by jurisprudence and shaped by the prevailing social forces and the ideals of democracy, that must be observed at all costs. A simple overlook of any of this facet, no matter how obscure, should be deemed as a violation of this sanctified right.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\">\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">[1]<\\/a> Justice Isagani Cruz, <em>Ta\\u00f1ada v. Tuvera<\\/em> <em>(Resolution), <\\/em>146 SCRA 446 (1986).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a> J. Scalia\'s Concurring Opinion in <em>Pacific Mutual Life ins. Co. v. Haslip<\\/em>, 499 U.S. 1 (1991).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a> Keith Jurow, <em>Untimely Thoughts: A Reconsideration of the Origins of Due Process of law<\\/em>, 19 AM. J. LEGAL HIST. 265 (1975).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[4]<\\/a> 32. Stat. 691<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[5]<\\/a> <em>Id., sec. 5<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[6]<\\/a> PHILIPPINE AUTONOMY ACT, 39 Stat. 545, sec 3(a) (1916); CONST. (1935), art. III, sec. 1(1); CONST. (1943), art. VII, sec. 2; CONST. (1973), art. IV, sec. 1; CONST. art. III, sec. 1.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\">[7]<\\/a> <em>Ermita-Malate Hotel and Motel Operators Association, Inc. v. The Honorable City Mayor of Manila,<\\/em> 20 SCRA 249 (1967).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\">[8]<\\/a> <em>Secretary of Justice v. Lantion<\\/em>, 322 SCRA 160 (2000), citing <em>Twining vs. New Jersey<\\/em>, 211 U.S. 78 (1908)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\">[9]<\\/a> ISAGANI A. CRUZ, CONSTITUTIONAL LAW 94-95 (1995 ed.)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\">[10]<\\/a> <em>Provincial Bus Operators Association of the Philippines v. DOLE<\\/em>, G.R. No. 202275, July 17, 2018<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\">\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">*<\\/a> Staff: <em>UST Law Review <\\/em>- Vol. 65 (2021); Third-year law student: UST Faculty of Civil Law; AB Political Science: University of Santo Tomas (2018).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed {\\\"imageURL\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Publishing-Jus-Gentium-by-Kristoffer-Pereda.pdf\\\",\\\"imgID\\\":1492,\\\"imgTitle\\\":\\\"Publishing Jus Gentium by Kristoffer Pereda\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-pdfjsblock-pdfjs-embed pdfjs-wrapper\\\">[pdfjs-viewer viewer_width=0 viewer_height=800 url=http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Publishing-Jus-Gentium-by-Kristoffer-Pereda.pdf download=true print=true fullscreen=false fullscreen_target=false fullscreen_text=\\\"View%20Fullscreen\\\" zoom=auto search_term=\\\"\\\" ]<\\/div>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed --><\\/p>\",\"align\":\"justify\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.15,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(5585,1770,'_thumbnail_id','1766'),(5586,1770,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(5587,1770,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(5588,1770,'_elementor_version','3.3.1'),(5589,1770,'_wp_page_template','default'),(5590,1770,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"79fa3f6d\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"5a738ade\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"112f4de3\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><!-- wp:heading {\\\"textAlign\\\":\\\"center\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<h2 class=\\\"has-text-align-center\\\" style=\\\"text-align: center;\\\"><strong>Publishing <em>Jus Gentium<\\/em><\\/strong><strong>:<br><\\/strong><strong>Satisfying Procedural Due Process in the Application of International Law in Domestic Disputes<\\/strong><\\/h2>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"align\\\":\\\"center\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-text-align-center\\\" style=\\\"text-align: center;\\\"><em>By John Kristoffer P. Pereda<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\">*<\\/a><\\/em><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":17} --><\\/p>\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-spacer\\\" style=\\\"height: 17px;\\\" aria-hidden=\\\"true\\\"> <\\/div>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:file {\\\"id\\\":1492,\\\"href\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Publishing-Jus-Gentium-by-Kristoffer-Pereda.pdf\\\",\\\"displayPreview\\\":false} --><\\/p>\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-file\\\" style=\\\"text-align: right;\\\"><a class=\\\"wp-block-file__button\\\" href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Publishing-Jus-Gentium-by-Kristoffer-Pereda.pdf\\\" download=\\\"\\\">Download PDF Here<\\/a><\\/div>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:file --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":15} --><\\/p>\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-spacer\\\" style=\\\"height: 15px;\\\" aria-hidden=\\\"true\\\"> <\\/div>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"align\\\":\\\"right\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-text-align-right\\\" style=\\\"text-align: right;\\\"><em>Laws must come out in the open in the clear light of the sun<br>instead of skulking in the shadows with their dark, deep secrets.<br>Mysterious pronouncements and rumored rules cannot be recognized as binding<br>unless their existence and contents are confirmed by a valid publication<br>intended to make full disclosure and give proper notice to the people.<br>The furtive law is like a scabbarded saber that cannot feint, parry or cut<br>unless the naked blade is drawn.<\\/em> <a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\">[1]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":27} --><\\/p>\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-spacer\\\" style=\\\"height: 27px;\\\" aria-hidden=\\\"true\\\"> <\\/div>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"align\\\":\\\"center\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-text-align-center\\\" style=\\\"text-align: center;\\\"><strong>I. INTRODUCTION<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> The idea of due process, in its present conception, is a product of a long and tedious evolutionary process. While it is said that as early as 1354, the majestic phrase \\u201cdue process of law\\u201d already appeared in an English statute,<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\">[2]<\\/a> its precise meaning was subject to disagreement among several scholars.<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\">[3]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>The concept of due process of law made its way to the Philippines when the Americans introduced the Anglo-American legal tenets in the Philippine legal regime. This is readily apparent from the Philippine Organic Act of 1902<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\">[4]<\\/a>, which provides \\u201cthat no law shall be enacted in [the Philippine Islands] which shall deprive any person of life, liberty, or property without due process of law\\u2026\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\">[5]<\\/a> Since then, the subsequent versions of the fundamental law of the land, including the present one, have contained the same provision.<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\">[6]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> Despite the constant presence of the due process clause in the previous versions of the Philippine Constitution, as well as the present one, its precise meaning has been elusive. In fact, the Court once pronounced that \\u201cthere is no controlling and precise definition of due process,\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\">[7]<\\/a> at least in this jurisdiction. Perhaps, that is because \\u201c[t]he requirements of due process are interpreted in \\u2026 the Philippines as not denying to the law the capacity for progress and improvement.\\u201d Toward this effect and to avoid the confines of a legal straitjacket, the courts instead prefer to have the meaning of the due process clause gradually ascertained by the process of inclusion and exclusion in the course of the decisions of cases as they arise.<a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\">[8]<\\/a> Thus, due process is dynamic and resilient; adaptable to every situation calling for its application that makes it appropriate to accept an enlarged concept of the term as and when there is a possibility that the right of an individual to life, liberty and property might be diffused.<a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\">[9]<\\/a> <\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> Accordingly, despite the debate on the historical meaning of \\u201cdue process of law,\\u201d compliance with both procedural and substantive due process is required in the Philippine jurisdiction.<a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\">[10]<\\/a> As such, notwithstanding the malleability of its concept, there are fundamental facets of due process, developed by jurisprudence and shaped by the prevailing social forces and the ideals of democracy, that must be observed at all costs. A simple overlook of any of this facet, no matter how obscure, should be deemed as a violation of this sanctified right.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\">\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">[1]<\\/a> Justice Isagani Cruz, <em>Ta\\u00f1ada v. Tuvera<\\/em> <em>(Resolution), <\\/em>146 SCRA 446 (1986).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a> J. Scalia\'s Concurring Opinion in <em>Pacific Mutual Life ins. Co. v. Haslip<\\/em>, 499 U.S. 1 (1991).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a> Keith Jurow, <em>Untimely Thoughts: A Reconsideration of the Origins of Due Process of law<\\/em>, 19 AM. J. LEGAL HIST. 265 (1975).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[4]<\\/a> 32. Stat. 691<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[5]<\\/a> <em>Id., sec. 5<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[6]<\\/a> PHILIPPINE AUTONOMY ACT, 39 Stat. 545, sec 3(a) (1916); CONST. (1935), art. III, sec. 1(1); CONST. (1943), art. VII, sec. 2; CONST. (1973), art. IV, sec. 1; CONST. art. III, sec. 1.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\">[7]<\\/a> <em>Ermita-Malate Hotel and Motel Operators Association, Inc. v. The Honorable City Mayor of Manila,<\\/em> 20 SCRA 249 (1967).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\">[8]<\\/a> <em>Secretary of Justice v. Lantion<\\/em>, 322 SCRA 160 (2000), citing <em>Twining vs. New Jersey<\\/em>, 211 U.S. 78 (1908)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\">[9]<\\/a> ISAGANI A. CRUZ, CONSTITUTIONAL LAW 94-95 (1995 ed.)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\">[10]<\\/a> <em>Provincial Bus Operators Association of the Philippines v. DOLE<\\/em>, G.R. No. 202275, July 17, 2018<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\">\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">*<\\/a> Staff: <em>UST Law Review <\\/em>- Vol. 65 (2021); Third-year law student: UST Faculty of Civil Law; AB Political Science: University of Santo Tomas (2018).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed {\\\"imageURL\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Publishing-Jus-Gentium-by-Kristoffer-Pereda.pdf\\\",\\\"imgID\\\":1492,\\\"imgTitle\\\":\\\"Publishing Jus Gentium by Kristoffer Pereda\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-pdfjsblock-pdfjs-embed pdfjs-wrapper\\\">[pdfjs-viewer viewer_width=0 viewer_height=800 url=http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Publishing-Jus-Gentium-by-Kristoffer-Pereda.pdf download=true print=true fullscreen=false fullscreen_target=false fullscreen_text=\\\"View%20Fullscreen\\\" zoom=auto search_term=\\\"\\\" ]<\\/div>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed --><\\/p>\",\"align\":\"justify\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.15,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(5591,1763,'_elementor_page_assets','a:0:{}'),(5593,1771,'_thumbnail_id','1766'),(5594,1771,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(5595,1771,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(5596,1771,'_elementor_version','3.3.1'),(5597,1771,'_wp_page_template','default'),(5598,1771,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"79fa3f6d\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"5a738ade\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"112f4de3\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><!-- wp:heading {\\\"textAlign\\\":\\\"center\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<h2 class=\\\"has-text-align-center\\\" style=\\\"text-align: center;\\\"><strong>Publishing <em>Jus Gentium<\\/em><\\/strong><strong>:<br><\\/strong><strong>Satisfying Procedural Due Process in the Application of International Law in Domestic Disputes<\\/strong><\\/h2>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"align\\\":\\\"center\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-text-align-center\\\" style=\\\"text-align: center;\\\"><em>By John Kristoffer P. Pereda<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\">*<\\/a><\\/em><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":17} --><\\/p>\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-spacer\\\" style=\\\"height: 17px;\\\" aria-hidden=\\\"true\\\"> <\\/div>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:file {\\\"id\\\":1492,\\\"href\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Publishing-Jus-Gentium-by-Kristoffer-Pereda.pdf\\\",\\\"displayPreview\\\":false} --><\\/p>\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-file\\\" style=\\\"text-align: right;\\\"><a class=\\\"wp-block-file__button\\\" href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Publishing-Jus-Gentium-by-Kristoffer-Pereda.pdf\\\" download=\\\"\\\">Download PDF Here<\\/a><\\/div>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:file --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":15} --><\\/p>\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-spacer\\\" style=\\\"height: 15px;\\\" aria-hidden=\\\"true\\\"> <\\/div>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"align\\\":\\\"right\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-text-align-right\\\" style=\\\"text-align: right;\\\"><em>Laws must come out in the open in the clear light of the sun<br>instead of skulking in the shadows with their dark, deep secrets.<br>Mysterious pronouncements and rumored rules cannot be recognized as binding<br>unless their existence and contents are confirmed by a valid publication<br>intended to make full disclosure and give proper notice to the people.<br>The furtive law is like a scabbarded saber that cannot feint, parry or cut<br>unless the naked blade is drawn.<\\/em> <a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\">[1]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":27} --><\\/p>\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-spacer\\\" style=\\\"height: 27px;\\\" aria-hidden=\\\"true\\\"> <\\/div>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"align\\\":\\\"center\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-text-align-center\\\" style=\\\"text-align: center;\\\"><strong>I. INTRODUCTION<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> The idea of due process, in its present conception, is a product of a long and tedious evolutionary process. While it is said that as early as 1354, the majestic phrase \\u201cdue process of law\\u201d already appeared in an English statute,<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\">[2]<\\/a> its precise meaning was subject to disagreement among several scholars.<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\">[3]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>The concept of due process of law made its way to the Philippines when the Americans introduced the Anglo-American legal tenets in the Philippine legal regime. This is readily apparent from the Philippine Organic Act of 1902<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\">[4]<\\/a>, which provides \\u201cthat no law shall be enacted in [the Philippine Islands] which shall deprive any person of life, liberty, or property without due process of law\\u2026\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\">[5]<\\/a> Since then, the subsequent versions of the fundamental law of the land, including the present one, have contained the same provision.<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\">[6]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> Despite the constant presence of the due process clause in the previous versions of the Philippine Constitution, as well as the present one, its precise meaning has been elusive. In fact, the Court once pronounced that \\u201cthere is no controlling and precise definition of due process,\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\">[7]<\\/a> at least in this jurisdiction. Perhaps, that is because \\u201c[t]he requirements of due process are interpreted in \\u2026 the Philippines as not denying to the law the capacity for progress and improvement.\\u201d Toward this effect and to avoid the confines of a legal straitjacket, the courts instead prefer to have the meaning of the due process clause gradually ascertained by the process of inclusion and exclusion in the course of the decisions of cases as they arise.<a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\">[8]<\\/a> Thus, due process is dynamic and resilient; adaptable to every situation calling for its application that makes it appropriate to accept an enlarged concept of the term as and when there is a possibility that the right of an individual to life, liberty and property might be diffused.<a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\">[9]<\\/a> <\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> Accordingly, despite the debate on the historical meaning of \\u201cdue process of law,\\u201d compliance with both procedural and substantive due process is required in the Philippine jurisdiction.<a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\">[10]<\\/a> As such, notwithstanding the malleability of its concept, there are fundamental facets of due process, developed by jurisprudence and shaped by the prevailing social forces and the ideals of democracy, that must be observed at all costs. A simple overlook of any of this facet, no matter how obscure, should be deemed as a violation of this sanctified right.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\">\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">[1]<\\/a> Justice Isagani Cruz, <em>Ta\\u00f1ada v. Tuvera<\\/em> <em>(Resolution), <\\/em>146 SCRA 446 (1986).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a> J. Scalia\'s Concurring Opinion in <em>Pacific Mutual Life ins. Co. v. Haslip<\\/em>, 499 U.S. 1 (1991).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a> Keith Jurow, <em>Untimely Thoughts: A Reconsideration of the Origins of Due Process of law<\\/em>, 19 AM. J. LEGAL HIST. 265 (1975).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[4]<\\/a> 32. Stat. 691<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[5]<\\/a> <em>Id., sec. 5<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[6]<\\/a> PHILIPPINE AUTONOMY ACT, 39 Stat. 545, sec 3(a) (1916); CONST. (1935), art. III, sec. 1(1); CONST. (1943), art. VII, sec. 2; CONST. (1973), art. IV, sec. 1; CONST. art. III, sec. 1.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\">[7]<\\/a> <em>Ermita-Malate Hotel and Motel Operators Association, Inc. v. The Honorable City Mayor of Manila,<\\/em> 20 SCRA 249 (1967).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\">[8]<\\/a> <em>Secretary of Justice v. Lantion<\\/em>, 322 SCRA 160 (2000), citing <em>Twining vs. New Jersey<\\/em>, 211 U.S. 78 (1908)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\">[9]<\\/a> ISAGANI A. CRUZ, CONSTITUTIONAL LAW 94-95 (1995 ed.)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\">[10]<\\/a> <em>Provincial Bus Operators Association of the Philippines v. DOLE<\\/em>, G.R. No. 202275, July 17, 2018<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\">\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">*<\\/a> Staff: <em>UST Law Review <\\/em>- Vol. 65 (2021); Third-year law student: UST Faculty of Civil Law; AB Political Science: University of Santo Tomas (2018).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed {\\\"imageURL\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Publishing-Jus-Gentium-by-Kristoffer-Pereda.pdf\\\",\\\"imgID\\\":1492,\\\"imgTitle\\\":\\\"Publishing Jus Gentium by Kristoffer Pereda\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-pdfjsblock-pdfjs-embed pdfjs-wrapper\\\">[pdfjs-viewer viewer_width=0 viewer_height=800 url=http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Publishing-Jus-Gentium-by-Kristoffer-Pereda.pdf download=true print=true fullscreen=false fullscreen_target=false fullscreen_text=\\\"View%20Fullscreen\\\" zoom=auto search_term=\\\"\\\" ]<\\/div>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed --><\\/p>\",\"align\":\"justify\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.15,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(5599,1771,'_elementor_page_assets','a:0:{}'),(5600,1771,'_elementor_controls_usage','a:3:{s:11:\"text-editor\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:2;s:8:\"controls\";a:2:{s:7:\"content\";a:1:{s:14:\"section_editor\";a:1:{s:6:\"editor\";i:1;}}s:5:\"style\";a:1:{s:13:\"section_style\";a:3:{s:5:\"align\";i:1;s:21:\"typography_typography\";i:1;s:22:\"typography_line_height\";i:1;}}}}s:6:\"column\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:0;s:8:\"controls\";a:0:{}}s:7:\"section\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:0;s:8:\"controls\";a:0:{}}}'),(5601,1763,'_elementor_css','a:6:{s:4:\"time\";i:1628846163;s:5:\"fonts\";a:0:{}s:5:\"icons\";a:0:{}s:20:\"dynamic_elements_ids\";a:0:{}s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"file\";i:0;s:0:\"\";}'),(5602,1763,'_yoast_wpseo_focuskw','Publishing Jus Gentium'),(5603,1763,'_yoast_wpseo_linkdex','61'),(5604,1763,'_elementor_controls_usage','a:3:{s:11:\"text-editor\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:2;s:8:\"controls\";a:2:{s:7:\"content\";a:1:{s:14:\"section_editor\";a:1:{s:6:\"editor\";i:1;}}s:5:\"style\";a:1:{s:13:\"section_style\";a:3:{s:5:\"align\";i:1;s:21:\"typography_typography\";i:1;s:22:\"typography_line_height\";i:1;}}}}s:6:\"column\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:0;s:8:\"controls\";a:0:{}}s:7:\"section\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:0;s:8:\"controls\";a:0:{}}}'),(5605,1763,'_pingme','1'),(5606,1763,'_encloseme','1'),(5607,1772,'_thumbnail_id','1766'),(5608,1772,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(5609,1772,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(5610,1772,'_elementor_version','3.3.1'),(5611,1772,'_wp_page_template','default'),(5612,1772,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"79fa3f6d\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"5a738ade\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"112f4de3\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><!-- wp:heading {\\\"textAlign\\\":\\\"center\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<h2 class=\\\"has-text-align-center\\\" style=\\\"text-align: center;\\\"><strong>Publishing <em>Jus Gentium<\\/em><\\/strong><strong>:<br><\\/strong><strong>Satisfying Procedural Due Process in the Application of International Law in Domestic Disputes<\\/strong><\\/h2>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"align\\\":\\\"center\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-text-align-center\\\" style=\\\"text-align: center;\\\"><em>By John Kristoffer P. Pereda<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\">*<\\/a><\\/em><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":17} --><\\/p>\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-spacer\\\" style=\\\"height: 17px;\\\" aria-hidden=\\\"true\\\"> <\\/div>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:file {\\\"id\\\":1492,\\\"href\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Publishing-Jus-Gentium-by-Kristoffer-Pereda.pdf\\\",\\\"displayPreview\\\":false} --><\\/p>\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-file\\\" style=\\\"text-align: right;\\\"><a class=\\\"wp-block-file__button\\\" href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Publishing-Jus-Gentium-by-Kristoffer-Pereda.pdf\\\" download=\\\"\\\">Download PDF Here<\\/a><\\/div>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:file --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":15} --><\\/p>\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-spacer\\\" style=\\\"height: 15px;\\\" aria-hidden=\\\"true\\\"> <\\/div>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"align\\\":\\\"right\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-text-align-right\\\" style=\\\"text-align: right;\\\"><em>Laws must come out in the open in the clear light of the sun<br>instead of skulking in the shadows with their dark, deep secrets.<br>Mysterious pronouncements and rumored rules cannot be recognized as binding<br>unless their existence and contents are confirmed by a valid publication<br>intended to make full disclosure and give proper notice to the people.<br>The furtive law is like a scabbarded saber that cannot feint, parry or cut<br>unless the naked blade is drawn.<\\/em> <a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\">[1]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":27} --><\\/p>\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-spacer\\\" style=\\\"height: 27px;\\\" aria-hidden=\\\"true\\\"> <\\/div>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"align\\\":\\\"center\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-text-align-center\\\" style=\\\"text-align: center;\\\"><strong>I. INTRODUCTION<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> The idea of due process, in its present conception, is a product of a long and tedious evolutionary process. While it is said that as early as 1354, the majestic phrase \\u201cdue process of law\\u201d already appeared in an English statute,<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\">[2]<\\/a> its precise meaning was subject to disagreement among several scholars.<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\">[3]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>The concept of due process of law made its way to the Philippines when the Americans introduced the Anglo-American legal tenets in the Philippine legal regime. This is readily apparent from the Philippine Organic Act of 1902<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\">[4]<\\/a>, which provides \\u201cthat no law shall be enacted in [the Philippine Islands] which shall deprive any person of life, liberty, or property without due process of law\\u2026\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\">[5]<\\/a> Since then, the subsequent versions of the fundamental law of the land, including the present one, have contained the same provision.<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\">[6]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> Despite the constant presence of the due process clause in the previous versions of the Philippine Constitution, as well as the present one, its precise meaning has been elusive. In fact, the Court once pronounced that \\u201cthere is no controlling and precise definition of due process,\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\">[7]<\\/a> at least in this jurisdiction. Perhaps, that is because \\u201c[t]he requirements of due process are interpreted in \\u2026 the Philippines as not denying to the law the capacity for progress and improvement.\\u201d Toward this effect and to avoid the confines of a legal straitjacket, the courts instead prefer to have the meaning of the due process clause gradually ascertained by the process of inclusion and exclusion in the course of the decisions of cases as they arise.<a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\">[8]<\\/a> Thus, due process is dynamic and resilient; adaptable to every situation calling for its application that makes it appropriate to accept an enlarged concept of the term as and when there is a possibility that the right of an individual to life, liberty and property might be diffused.<a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\">[9]<\\/a> <\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> Accordingly, despite the debate on the historical meaning of \\u201cdue process of law,\\u201d compliance with both procedural and substantive due process is required in the Philippine jurisdiction.<a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\">[10]<\\/a> As such, notwithstanding the malleability of its concept, there are fundamental facets of due process, developed by jurisprudence and shaped by the prevailing social forces and the ideals of democracy, that must be observed at all costs. A simple overlook of any of this facet, no matter how obscure, should be deemed as a violation of this sanctified right.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\">\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">[1]<\\/a> Justice Isagani Cruz, <em>Ta\\u00f1ada v. Tuvera<\\/em> <em>(Resolution), <\\/em>146 SCRA 446 (1986).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a> J. Scalia\'s Concurring Opinion in <em>Pacific Mutual Life ins. Co. v. Haslip<\\/em>, 499 U.S. 1 (1991).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a> Keith Jurow, <em>Untimely Thoughts: A Reconsideration of the Origins of Due Process of law<\\/em>, 19 AM. J. LEGAL HIST. 265 (1975).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[4]<\\/a> 32. Stat. 691<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[5]<\\/a> <em>Id., sec. 5<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[6]<\\/a> PHILIPPINE AUTONOMY ACT, 39 Stat. 545, sec 3(a) (1916); CONST. (1935), art. III, sec. 1(1); CONST. (1943), art. VII, sec. 2; CONST. (1973), art. IV, sec. 1; CONST. art. III, sec. 1.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\">[7]<\\/a> <em>Ermita-Malate Hotel and Motel Operators Association, Inc. v. The Honorable City Mayor of Manila,<\\/em> 20 SCRA 249 (1967).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\">[8]<\\/a> <em>Secretary of Justice v. Lantion<\\/em>, 322 SCRA 160 (2000), citing <em>Twining vs. New Jersey<\\/em>, 211 U.S. 78 (1908)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\">[9]<\\/a> ISAGANI A. CRUZ, CONSTITUTIONAL LAW 94-95 (1995 ed.)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\">[10]<\\/a> <em>Provincial Bus Operators Association of the Philippines v. DOLE<\\/em>, G.R. No. 202275, July 17, 2018<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\">\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">*<\\/a> Staff: <em>UST Law Review <\\/em>- Vol. 65 (2021); Third-year law student: UST Faculty of Civil Law; AB Political Science: University of Santo Tomas (2018).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed {\\\"imageURL\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Publishing-Jus-Gentium-by-Kristoffer-Pereda.pdf\\\",\\\"imgID\\\":1492,\\\"imgTitle\\\":\\\"Publishing Jus Gentium by Kristoffer Pereda\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-pdfjsblock-pdfjs-embed pdfjs-wrapper\\\">[pdfjs-viewer viewer_width=0 viewer_height=800 url=http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Publishing-Jus-Gentium-by-Kristoffer-Pereda.pdf download=true print=true fullscreen=false fullscreen_target=false fullscreen_text=\\\"View%20Fullscreen\\\" zoom=auto search_term=\\\"\\\" ]<\\/div>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed --><\\/p>\",\"align\":\"justify\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.15,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(5613,1772,'_elementor_page_assets','a:0:{}'),(5614,1772,'_elementor_css','a:6:{s:4:\"time\";i:1628846163;s:5:\"fonts\";a:0:{}s:5:\"icons\";a:0:{}s:20:\"dynamic_elements_ids\";a:0:{}s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"file\";i:0;s:0:\"\";}'),(5615,1772,'_elementor_controls_usage','a:3:{s:11:\"text-editor\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:2;s:8:\"controls\";a:2:{s:7:\"content\";a:1:{s:14:\"section_editor\";a:1:{s:6:\"editor\";i:1;}}s:5:\"style\";a:1:{s:13:\"section_style\";a:3:{s:5:\"align\";i:1;s:21:\"typography_typography\";i:1;s:22:\"typography_line_height\";i:1;}}}}s:6:\"column\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:0;s:8:\"controls\";a:0:{}}s:7:\"section\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:0;s:8:\"controls\";a:0:{}}}'),(5616,1763,'ss_ss_click_share_count_facebook','2'),(5617,1763,'ss_total_share_count','0'),(5618,1773,'_edit_lock','1632031691:1'),(5619,1773,'_edit_last','1'),(5620,1773,'wptr_hide_title','1'),(5621,1773,'ss_social_share_disable',''),(5622,1773,'_yoast_wpseo_primary_category','98'),(5623,1773,'_yoast_wpseo_content_score','30'),(5624,1773,'_yoast_wpseo_estimated-reading-time-minutes','2'),(5625,1773,'_yoast_wpseo_opengraph-title','%%title%% | Rochelle Nieva D. Curiba'),(5626,1773,'_yoast_wpseo_opengraph-description','Philippine jails are another realm where social injustice reigns. Notably, there is a connection that can be established between an accused’s length of stay in detention facilities and his ability to pay; financial status has been correlated to one’s inability to exercise the right to bail, and harsher pre-trial practices can also be linked to poorer socioeconomic conditions.'),(5630,1777,'_wp_attached_file','2021/08/MeToo6.png'),(5631,1777,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:5:{s:5:\"width\";i:1920;s:6:\"height\";i:1080;s:4:\"file\";s:18:\"2021/08/MeToo6.png\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:13:{s:6:\"medium\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:18:\"MeToo6-300x169.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:300;s:6:\"height\";i:169;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:5:\"large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:19:\"MeToo6-1024x576.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:1024;s:6:\"height\";i:576;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:9:\"thumbnail\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:18:\"MeToo6-150x150.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:12:\"medium_large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:18:\"MeToo6-768x432.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:768;s:6:\"height\";i:432;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:9:\"1536x1536\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:19:\"MeToo6-1536x864.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:1536;s:6:\"height\";i:864;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:24:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:18:\"MeToo6-170x110.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:25:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:16:\"MeToo6-86x70.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:17:\"MeToo6-170x96.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:96;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:22:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:18:\"MeToo6-370x250.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:30:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:18:\"MeToo6-370x208.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:208;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:21:\"bfastmag_related_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:18:\"MeToo6-288x160.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:288;s:6:\"height\";i:160;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:18:\"bfastmag_blog_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:18:\"MeToo6-780x544.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:26:\"bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:18:\"MeToo6-780x439.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:439;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:0:\"\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:1:\"0\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:1:\"0\";s:3:\"iso\";s:1:\"0\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:1:\"0\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";s:1:\"0\";s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}}'),(5632,1773,'_thumbnail_id','1777'),(5633,1773,'_pingme','1'),(5634,1773,'_encloseme','1'),(5635,1773,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(5636,1773,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(5637,1773,'_elementor_version','3.3.1'),(5638,1781,'_thumbnail_id','1777'),(5639,1781,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(5640,1781,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(5641,1781,'_elementor_version','3.3.1'),(5642,1782,'_thumbnail_id','1777'),(5643,1782,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(5644,1782,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(5645,1782,'_elementor_version','3.3.1'),(5646,1773,'_wp_page_template','default'),(5647,1773,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"3648f28a\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"3ff74065\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"4979d249\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<!-- wp:heading {\\\"textAlign\\\":\\\"center\\\"} -->\\n<h2 class=\\\"has-text-align-center\\\"><strong>Trapped in a Broken Bail System:<\\/strong><br \\/>Re-thinking Pre-Trial Detention Practices in the Philippines<\\/h2>\\n<!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"align\\\":\\\"center\\\"} -->\\n<p class=\\\"has-text-align-center\\\" style=\\\"text-align: center;\\\">By <em>Rochelle Nieva Dugenio Curiba<\\/em><a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\"><em>*<\\/em><\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":15} -->\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-spacer\\\" style=\\\"height: 15px;\\\" aria-hidden=\\\"true\\\">\\u00a0<\\/div>\\n<!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:file {\\\"id\\\":1489,\\\"href\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Trapped-in-a-Brokern-Bail-System-by-Rochelle-Curiba.pdf\\\",\\\"displayPreview\\\":false,\\\"align\\\":\\\"right\\\"} -->\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-file alignright\\\"><a class=\\\"wp-block-file__button\\\" href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Trapped-in-a-Brokern-Bail-System-by-Rochelle-Curiba.pdf\\\" download=\\\"\\\">Download PDF Here<\\/a><\\/div>\\n<!-- \\/wp:file --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":18} -->\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-spacer\\\" style=\\\"height: 18px;\\\" aria-hidden=\\\"true\\\">\\u00a0<\\/div>\\n<!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"align\\\":\\\"right\\\"} -->\\n<p class=\\\"has-text-align-right\\\" style=\\\"text-align: right;\\\"><em>\\u201cAnyone who has struggled with poverty know[s]<\\/em><br \\/><em>how extremely expensive it is to be poor.\\u201d<\\/em><br \\/><em>James Baldwin<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"align\\\":\\\"center\\\"} -->\\n<p class=\\\"has-text-align-center\\\" style=\\\"text-align: center;\\\"><strong>I. INTRODUCTION<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Philippine jails are another realm where social injustice reigns. Notably, there is a connection that can be established between an accused\\u2019s length of stay in detention facilities and his ability to pay; financial status has been correlated to one\\u2019s inability to exercise the right to bail, and harsher pre-trial practices can also be linked to poorer socioeconomic conditions.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 An indigent may not be able to afford bail and is therefore constructively forced into pre-trial detention until acquittal.<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\">[1]<\\/a> On the other hand, a wealthy individual may find that losing any money posted to cash bail is \\u201cinconsequential\\u201d and thus not an incentive to return to court.<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\">[2]<\\/a> What appears to be a reasonable sum of money to a wealthy individual may be unreasonable\\u00a0 viewed from the perspective of one of lesser means, assuming that both have been charged with a similar offense.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Presently, only two countries in the world\\u2014the United States and the Philippines\\u2014have cash bail systems controlled by commercial bail bondsmen, that require a defendant to pay cash to be released during the pendency of their case.<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\">[3]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">*<\\/a> Managing Editor, Vol. 65, UST Law Review; J.D. (2021), Faculty of Civil Law, University of Santo Tomas; BS Accountancy (2016), Asia Pacific College; and Certified Public Accountant.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[1]<\\/a>Palafox, E., & McLeod, B., Scholarly Commons @ UNLV Law, University of Nevada, Las Vegas -- William S. Boyd School of Law Research, https:\\/\\/scholars.law.unlv.edu\\/cgi\\/viewcontent.cgi?article =1013&context=nljforum (last accessed February 7, 2021).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[2]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[3]<\\/a> Sebastian, T., & Karakatsanis, A., Challenging money bail in the courts, American Bar Association, (August 1, 2018),\\u00a0 https:\\/\\/www.americanbar.org\\/groups\\/judicial\\/publications\\/judges_journal \\/2018\\/summer\\/challenging-money-bail-the-courts\\/.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed {\\\"imageURL\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Trapped-in-a-Brokern-Bail-System-by-Rochelle-Curiba.pdf\\\",\\\"imgID\\\":1489,\\\"imgTitle\\\":\\\"Trapped in a Brokern Bail System by Rochelle Curiba\\\"} -->\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-pdfjsblock-pdfjs-embed pdfjs-wrapper\\\">[pdfjs-viewer viewer_width=0 viewer_height=800 url=http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Trapped-in-a-Brokern-Bail-System-by-Rochelle-Curiba.pdf download=true print=true fullscreen=false fullscreen_target=false fullscreen_text=\\\"View%20Fullscreen\\\" zoom=auto search_term=\\\"\\\" ]<\\/div>\\n<!-- \\/wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed -->\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.15,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(5648,1783,'_thumbnail_id','1777'),(5649,1783,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(5650,1783,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(5651,1783,'_elementor_version','3.3.1'),(5652,1783,'_wp_page_template','default'),(5653,1783,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"3648f28a\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"3ff74065\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"4979d249\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<!-- wp:heading {\\\"textAlign\\\":\\\"center\\\"} -->\\n<h2 class=\\\"has-text-align-center\\\"><strong>Trapped in a Broken Bail System:<\\/strong><br \\/>Re-thinking Pre-Trial Detention Practices in the Philippines<\\/h2>\\n<!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"align\\\":\\\"center\\\"} -->\\n<p class=\\\"has-text-align-center\\\" style=\\\"text-align: center;\\\">By <em>Rochelle Nieva Dugenio Curiba<\\/em><a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\"><em>*<\\/em><\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":15} -->\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-spacer\\\" style=\\\"height: 15px;\\\" aria-hidden=\\\"true\\\">\\u00a0<\\/div>\\n<!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:file {\\\"id\\\":1489,\\\"href\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Trapped-in-a-Brokern-Bail-System-by-Rochelle-Curiba.pdf\\\",\\\"displayPreview\\\":false,\\\"align\\\":\\\"right\\\"} -->\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-file alignright\\\"><a class=\\\"wp-block-file__button\\\" href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Trapped-in-a-Brokern-Bail-System-by-Rochelle-Curiba.pdf\\\" download=\\\"\\\">Download PDF Here<\\/a><\\/div>\\n<!-- \\/wp:file --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":18} -->\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-spacer\\\" style=\\\"height: 18px;\\\" aria-hidden=\\\"true\\\">\\u00a0<\\/div>\\n<!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"align\\\":\\\"right\\\"} -->\\n<p class=\\\"has-text-align-right\\\" style=\\\"text-align: right;\\\"><em>\\u201cAnyone who has struggled with poverty know[s]<\\/em><br \\/><em>how extremely expensive it is to be poor.\\u201d<\\/em><br \\/><em>James Baldwin<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"align\\\":\\\"center\\\"} -->\\n<p class=\\\"has-text-align-center\\\" style=\\\"text-align: center;\\\"><strong>I. INTRODUCTION<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Philippine jails are another realm where social injustice reigns. Notably, there is a connection that can be established between an accused\\u2019s length of stay in detention facilities and his ability to pay; financial status has been correlated to one\\u2019s inability to exercise the right to bail, and harsher pre-trial practices can also be linked to poorer socioeconomic conditions.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 An indigent may not be able to afford bail and is therefore constructively forced into pre-trial detention until acquittal.<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\">[1]<\\/a> On the other hand, a wealthy individual may find that losing any money posted to cash bail is \\u201cinconsequential\\u201d and thus not an incentive to return to court.<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\">[2]<\\/a> What appears to be a reasonable sum of money to a wealthy individual may be unreasonable\\u00a0 viewed from the perspective of one of lesser means, assuming that both have been charged with a similar offense.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Presently, only two countries in the world\\u2014the United States and the Philippines\\u2014have cash bail systems controlled by commercial bail bondsmen, that require a defendant to pay cash to be released during the pendency of their case.<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\">[3]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">*<\\/a> Managing Editor, Vol. 65, UST Law Review; J.D. (2021), Faculty of Civil Law, University of Santo Tomas; BS Accountancy (2016), Asia Pacific College; and Certified Public Accountant.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[1]<\\/a>Palafox, E., & McLeod, B., Scholarly Commons @ UNLV Law, University of Nevada, Las Vegas -- William S. Boyd School of Law Research, https:\\/\\/scholars.law.unlv.edu\\/cgi\\/viewcontent.cgi?article =1013&context=nljforum (last accessed February 7, 2021).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[2]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[3]<\\/a> Sebastian, T., & Karakatsanis, A., Challenging money bail in the courts, American Bar Association, (August 1, 2018),\\u00a0 https:\\/\\/www.americanbar.org\\/groups\\/judicial\\/publications\\/judges_journal \\/2018\\/summer\\/challenging-money-bail-the-courts\\/.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed {\\\"imageURL\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Trapped-in-a-Brokern-Bail-System-by-Rochelle-Curiba.pdf\\\",\\\"imgID\\\":1489,\\\"imgTitle\\\":\\\"Trapped in a Brokern Bail System by Rochelle Curiba\\\"} -->\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-pdfjsblock-pdfjs-embed pdfjs-wrapper\\\">[pdfjs-viewer viewer_width=0 viewer_height=800 url=http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Trapped-in-a-Brokern-Bail-System-by-Rochelle-Curiba.pdf download=true print=true fullscreen=false fullscreen_target=false fullscreen_text=\\\"View%20Fullscreen\\\" zoom=auto search_term=\\\"\\\" ]<\\/div>\\n<!-- \\/wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed -->\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.15,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(5655,1773,'_elementor_page_assets','a:0:{}'),(5658,1784,'_thumbnail_id','1777'),(5659,1784,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(5660,1784,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(5661,1784,'_elementor_version','3.3.1'),(5662,1784,'_wp_page_template','default'),(5663,1784,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"3648f28a\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"3ff74065\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"4979d249\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<!-- wp:heading {\\\"textAlign\\\":\\\"center\\\"} -->\\n<h2 class=\\\"has-text-align-center\\\"><strong>Trapped in a Broken Bail System:<\\/strong><br \\/>Re-thinking Pre-Trial Detention Practices in the Philippines<\\/h2>\\n<!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"align\\\":\\\"center\\\"} -->\\n<p class=\\\"has-text-align-center\\\" style=\\\"text-align: center;\\\">By <em>Rochelle Nieva Dugenio Curiba<\\/em><a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\"><em>*<\\/em><\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":15} -->\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-spacer\\\" style=\\\"height: 15px;\\\" aria-hidden=\\\"true\\\">\\u00a0<\\/div>\\n<!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:file {\\\"id\\\":1489,\\\"href\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Trapped-in-a-Brokern-Bail-System-by-Rochelle-Curiba.pdf\\\",\\\"displayPreview\\\":false,\\\"align\\\":\\\"right\\\"} -->\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-file alignright\\\"><a class=\\\"wp-block-file__button\\\" href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Trapped-in-a-Brokern-Bail-System-by-Rochelle-Curiba.pdf\\\" download=\\\"\\\">Download PDF Here<\\/a><\\/div>\\n<!-- \\/wp:file --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":18} -->\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-spacer\\\" style=\\\"height: 18px;\\\" aria-hidden=\\\"true\\\">\\u00a0<\\/div>\\n<!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"align\\\":\\\"right\\\"} -->\\n<p class=\\\"has-text-align-right\\\" style=\\\"text-align: right;\\\"><em>\\u201cAnyone who has struggled with poverty know[s]<\\/em><br \\/><em>how extremely expensive it is to be poor.\\u201d<\\/em><br \\/><em>James Baldwin<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"align\\\":\\\"center\\\"} -->\\n<p class=\\\"has-text-align-center\\\" style=\\\"text-align: center;\\\"><strong>I. INTRODUCTION<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Philippine jails are another realm where social injustice reigns. Notably, there is a connection that can be established between an accused\\u2019s length of stay in detention facilities and his ability to pay; financial status has been correlated to one\\u2019s inability to exercise the right to bail, and harsher pre-trial practices can also be linked to poorer socioeconomic conditions.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 An indigent may not be able to afford bail and is therefore constructively forced into pre-trial detention until acquittal.<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\">[1]<\\/a> On the other hand, a wealthy individual may find that losing any money posted to cash bail is \\u201cinconsequential\\u201d and thus not an incentive to return to court.<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\">[2]<\\/a> What appears to be a reasonable sum of money to a wealthy individual may be unreasonable\\u00a0 viewed from the perspective of one of lesser means, assuming that both have been charged with a similar offense.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Presently, only two countries in the world\\u2014the United States and the Philippines\\u2014have cash bail systems controlled by commercial bail bondsmen, that require a defendant to pay cash to be released during the pendency of their case.<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\">[3]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">*<\\/a> Managing Editor, Vol. 65, UST Law Review; J.D. (2021), Faculty of Civil Law, University of Santo Tomas; BS Accountancy (2016), Asia Pacific College; and Certified Public Accountant.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[1]<\\/a>Palafox, E., & McLeod, B., Scholarly Commons @ UNLV Law, University of Nevada, Las Vegas -- William S. Boyd School of Law Research, https:\\/\\/scholars.law.unlv.edu\\/cgi\\/viewcontent.cgi?article =1013&context=nljforum (last accessed February 7, 2021).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[2]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[3]<\\/a> Sebastian, T., & Karakatsanis, A., Challenging money bail in the courts, American Bar Association, (August 1, 2018),\\u00a0 https:\\/\\/www.americanbar.org\\/groups\\/judicial\\/publications\\/judges_journal \\/2018\\/summer\\/challenging-money-bail-the-courts\\/.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed {\\\"imageURL\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Trapped-in-a-Brokern-Bail-System-by-Rochelle-Curiba.pdf\\\",\\\"imgID\\\":1489,\\\"imgTitle\\\":\\\"Trapped in a Brokern Bail System by Rochelle Curiba\\\"} -->\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-pdfjsblock-pdfjs-embed pdfjs-wrapper\\\">[pdfjs-viewer viewer_width=0 viewer_height=800 url=http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Trapped-in-a-Brokern-Bail-System-by-Rochelle-Curiba.pdf download=true print=true fullscreen=false fullscreen_target=false fullscreen_text=\\\"View%20Fullscreen\\\" zoom=auto search_term=\\\"\\\" ]<\\/div>\\n<!-- \\/wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed -->\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.15,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(5664,1784,'_elementor_page_assets','a:0:{}'),(5665,1784,'_elementor_css','a:6:{s:4:\"time\";i:1629071427;s:5:\"fonts\";a:0:{}s:5:\"icons\";a:0:{}s:20:\"dynamic_elements_ids\";a:0:{}s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"file\";i:0;s:0:\"\";}'),(5666,1785,'_thumbnail_id','1777'),(5667,1785,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(5668,1785,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(5669,1785,'_elementor_version','3.3.1'),(5670,1785,'_wp_page_template','default'),(5671,1785,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"3648f28a\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"3ff74065\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"4979d249\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<!-- wp:heading {\\\"textAlign\\\":\\\"center\\\"} -->\\n<h2 class=\\\"has-text-align-center\\\"><strong>Trapped in a Broken Bail System:<\\/strong><br \\/>Re-thinking Pre-Trial Detention Practices in the Philippines<\\/h2>\\n<!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"align\\\":\\\"center\\\"} -->\\n<p class=\\\"has-text-align-center\\\" style=\\\"text-align: center;\\\">By <em>Rochelle Nieva Dugenio Curiba<\\/em><a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\"><em>*<\\/em><\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":15} -->\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-spacer\\\" style=\\\"height: 15px;\\\" aria-hidden=\\\"true\\\">\\u00a0<\\/div>\\n<!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:file {\\\"id\\\":1489,\\\"href\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Trapped-in-a-Brokern-Bail-System-by-Rochelle-Curiba.pdf\\\",\\\"displayPreview\\\":false,\\\"align\\\":\\\"right\\\"} -->\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-file alignright\\\"><a class=\\\"wp-block-file__button\\\" href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Trapped-in-a-Brokern-Bail-System-by-Rochelle-Curiba.pdf\\\" download=\\\"\\\">Download PDF Here<\\/a><\\/div>\\n<!-- \\/wp:file --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":18} -->\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-spacer\\\" style=\\\"height: 18px;\\\" aria-hidden=\\\"true\\\">\\u00a0<\\/div>\\n<!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"align\\\":\\\"right\\\"} -->\\n<p class=\\\"has-text-align-right\\\" style=\\\"text-align: right;\\\"><em>\\u201cAnyone who has struggled with poverty know[s]<\\/em><br \\/><em>how extremely expensive it is to be poor.\\u201d<\\/em><br \\/><em>James Baldwin<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"align\\\":\\\"center\\\"} -->\\n<p class=\\\"has-text-align-center\\\" style=\\\"text-align: center;\\\"><strong>I. INTRODUCTION<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Philippine jails are another realm where social injustice reigns. Notably, there is a connection that can be established between an accused\\u2019s length of stay in detention facilities and his ability to pay; financial status has been correlated to one\\u2019s inability to exercise the right to bail, and harsher pre-trial practices can also be linked to poorer socioeconomic conditions.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 An indigent may not be able to afford bail and is therefore constructively forced into pre-trial detention until acquittal.<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\">[1]<\\/a> On the other hand, a wealthy individual may find that losing any money posted to cash bail is \\u201cinconsequential\\u201d and thus not an incentive to return to court.<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\">[2]<\\/a> What appears to be a reasonable sum of money to a wealthy individual may be unreasonable\\u00a0 viewed from the perspective of one of lesser means, assuming that both have been charged with a similar offense.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Presently, only two countries in the world\\u2014the United States and the Philippines\\u2014have cash bail systems controlled by commercial bail bondsmen, that require a defendant to pay cash to be released during the pendency of their case.<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\">[3]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">*<\\/a> Managing Editor, Vol. 65, UST Law Review; J.D. (2021), Faculty of Civil Law, University of Santo Tomas; BS Accountancy (2016), Asia Pacific College; and Certified Public Accountant.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[1]<\\/a>Palafox, E., & McLeod, B., Scholarly Commons @ UNLV Law, University of Nevada, Las Vegas -- William S. Boyd School of Law Research, https:\\/\\/scholars.law.unlv.edu\\/cgi\\/viewcontent.cgi?article =1013&context=nljforum (last accessed February 7, 2021).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[2]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[3]<\\/a> Sebastian, T., & Karakatsanis, A., Challenging money bail in the courts, American Bar Association, (August 1, 2018),\\u00a0 https:\\/\\/www.americanbar.org\\/groups\\/judicial\\/publications\\/judges_journal \\/2018\\/summer\\/challenging-money-bail-the-courts\\/.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed {\\\"imageURL\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Trapped-in-a-Brokern-Bail-System-by-Rochelle-Curiba.pdf\\\",\\\"imgID\\\":1489,\\\"imgTitle\\\":\\\"Trapped in a Brokern Bail System by Rochelle Curiba\\\"} -->\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-pdfjsblock-pdfjs-embed pdfjs-wrapper\\\">[pdfjs-viewer viewer_width=0 viewer_height=800 url=http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Trapped-in-a-Brokern-Bail-System-by-Rochelle-Curiba.pdf download=true print=true fullscreen=false fullscreen_target=false fullscreen_text=\\\"View%20Fullscreen\\\" zoom=auto search_term=\\\"\\\" ]<\\/div>\\n<!-- \\/wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed -->\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.15,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(5672,1785,'_elementor_page_assets','a:0:{}'),(5673,1785,'_elementor_css','a:6:{s:4:\"time\";i:1629071427;s:5:\"fonts\";a:0:{}s:5:\"icons\";a:0:{}s:20:\"dynamic_elements_ids\";a:0:{}s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"file\";i:0;s:0:\"\";}'),(5674,1786,'_thumbnail_id','1777'),(5675,1786,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(5676,1786,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(5677,1786,'_elementor_version','3.3.1'),(5678,1786,'_wp_page_template','default'),(5679,1786,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"3648f28a\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"3ff74065\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"4979d249\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<!-- wp:heading {\\\"textAlign\\\":\\\"center\\\"} -->\\n<h2 class=\\\"has-text-align-center\\\"><strong>Trapped in a Broken Bail System:<\\/strong><br \\/>Re-thinking Pre-Trial Detention Practices in the Philippines<\\/h2>\\n<!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"align\\\":\\\"center\\\"} -->\\n<p class=\\\"has-text-align-center\\\" style=\\\"text-align: center;\\\">By <em>Rochelle Nieva Dugenio Curiba<\\/em><a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\"><em>*<\\/em><\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":15} -->\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-spacer\\\" style=\\\"height: 15px;\\\" aria-hidden=\\\"true\\\">\\u00a0<\\/div>\\n<!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:file {\\\"id\\\":1489,\\\"href\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Trapped-in-a-Brokern-Bail-System-by-Rochelle-Curiba.pdf\\\",\\\"displayPreview\\\":false,\\\"align\\\":\\\"right\\\"} -->\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-file alignright\\\"><a class=\\\"wp-block-file__button\\\" href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Trapped-in-a-Brokern-Bail-System-by-Rochelle-Curiba.pdf\\\" download=\\\"\\\">Download PDF Here<\\/a><\\/div>\\n<!-- \\/wp:file --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":18} -->\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-spacer\\\" style=\\\"height: 18px;\\\" aria-hidden=\\\"true\\\">\\u00a0<\\/div>\\n<!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"align\\\":\\\"right\\\"} -->\\n<p class=\\\"has-text-align-right\\\" style=\\\"text-align: right;\\\"><em>\\u201cAnyone who has struggled with poverty know[s]<\\/em><br \\/><em>how extremely expensive it is to be poor.\\u201d<\\/em><br \\/><em>James Baldwin<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"align\\\":\\\"center\\\"} -->\\n<p class=\\\"has-text-align-center\\\" style=\\\"text-align: center;\\\"><strong>I. INTRODUCTION<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Philippine jails are another realm where social injustice reigns. Notably, there is a connection that can be established between an accused\\u2019s length of stay in detention facilities and his ability to pay; financial status has been correlated to one\\u2019s inability to exercise the right to bail, and harsher pre-trial practices can also be linked to poorer socioeconomic conditions.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 An indigent may not be able to afford bail and is therefore constructively forced into pre-trial detention until acquittal.<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\">[1]<\\/a> On the other hand, a wealthy individual may find that losing any money posted to cash bail is \\u201cinconsequential\\u201d and thus not an incentive to return to court.<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\">[2]<\\/a> What appears to be a reasonable sum of money to a wealthy individual may be unreasonable\\u00a0 viewed from the perspective of one of lesser means, assuming that both have been charged with a similar offense.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Presently, only two countries in the world\\u2014the United States and the Philippines\\u2014have cash bail systems controlled by commercial bail bondsmen, that require a defendant to pay cash to be released during the pendency of their case.<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\">[3]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">*<\\/a> Managing Editor, Vol. 65, UST Law Review; J.D. (2021), Faculty of Civil Law, University of Santo Tomas; BS Accountancy (2016), Asia Pacific College; and Certified Public Accountant.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[1]<\\/a>Palafox, E., & McLeod, B., Scholarly Commons @ UNLV Law, University of Nevada, Las Vegas -- William S. Boyd School of Law Research, https:\\/\\/scholars.law.unlv.edu\\/cgi\\/viewcontent.cgi?article =1013&context=nljforum (last accessed February 7, 2021).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[2]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[3]<\\/a> Sebastian, T., & Karakatsanis, A., Challenging money bail in the courts, American Bar Association, (August 1, 2018),\\u00a0 https:\\/\\/www.americanbar.org\\/groups\\/judicial\\/publications\\/judges_journal \\/2018\\/summer\\/challenging-money-bail-the-courts\\/.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed {\\\"imageURL\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Trapped-in-a-Brokern-Bail-System-by-Rochelle-Curiba.pdf\\\",\\\"imgID\\\":1489,\\\"imgTitle\\\":\\\"Trapped in a Brokern Bail System by Rochelle Curiba\\\"} -->\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-pdfjsblock-pdfjs-embed pdfjs-wrapper\\\">[pdfjs-viewer viewer_width=0 viewer_height=800 url=http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Trapped-in-a-Brokern-Bail-System-by-Rochelle-Curiba.pdf download=true print=true fullscreen=false fullscreen_target=false fullscreen_text=\\\"View%20Fullscreen\\\" zoom=auto search_term=\\\"\\\" ]<\\/div>\\n<!-- \\/wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed -->\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.15,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(5680,1786,'_elementor_page_assets','a:0:{}'),(5681,1786,'_elementor_css','a:6:{s:4:\"time\";i:1629071427;s:5:\"fonts\";a:0:{}s:5:\"icons\";a:0:{}s:20:\"dynamic_elements_ids\";a:0:{}s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"file\";i:0;s:0:\"\";}'),(5683,1787,'_thumbnail_id','1777'),(5684,1787,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(5685,1787,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(5686,1787,'_elementor_version','3.3.1'),(5687,1787,'_wp_page_template','default'),(5688,1787,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"3648f28a\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"3ff74065\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"4979d249\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<!-- wp:heading {\\\"textAlign\\\":\\\"center\\\"} -->\\n<h2 class=\\\"has-text-align-center\\\"><strong>Trapped in a Broken Bail System:<\\/strong><br \\/>Re-thinking Pre-Trial Detention Practices in the Philippines<\\/h2>\\n<!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"align\\\":\\\"center\\\"} -->\\n<p class=\\\"has-text-align-center\\\" style=\\\"text-align: center;\\\">By <em>Rochelle Nieva Dugenio Curiba<\\/em><a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\"><em>*<\\/em><\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":15} -->\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-spacer\\\" style=\\\"height: 15px;\\\" aria-hidden=\\\"true\\\">\\u00a0<\\/div>\\n<!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:file {\\\"id\\\":1489,\\\"href\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Trapped-in-a-Brokern-Bail-System-by-Rochelle-Curiba.pdf\\\",\\\"displayPreview\\\":false,\\\"align\\\":\\\"right\\\"} -->\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-file alignright\\\"><a class=\\\"wp-block-file__button\\\" href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Trapped-in-a-Brokern-Bail-System-by-Rochelle-Curiba.pdf\\\" download=\\\"\\\">Download PDF Here<\\/a><\\/div>\\n<!-- \\/wp:file --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":18} -->\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-spacer\\\" style=\\\"height: 18px;\\\" aria-hidden=\\\"true\\\">\\u00a0<\\/div>\\n<!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"align\\\":\\\"right\\\"} -->\\n<p class=\\\"has-text-align-right\\\" style=\\\"text-align: right;\\\"><em>\\u201cAnyone who has struggled with poverty know[s]<\\/em><br \\/><em>how extremely expensive it is to be poor.\\u201d<\\/em><br \\/><em>James Baldwin<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"align\\\":\\\"center\\\"} -->\\n<p class=\\\"has-text-align-center\\\" style=\\\"text-align: center;\\\"><strong>I. INTRODUCTION<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Philippine jails are another realm where social injustice reigns. Notably, there is a connection that can be established between an accused\\u2019s length of stay in detention facilities and his ability to pay; financial status has been correlated to one\\u2019s inability to exercise the right to bail, and harsher pre-trial practices can also be linked to poorer socioeconomic conditions.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 An indigent may not be able to afford bail and is therefore constructively forced into pre-trial detention until acquittal.<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\">[1]<\\/a> On the other hand, a wealthy individual may find that losing any money posted to cash bail is \\u201cinconsequential\\u201d and thus not an incentive to return to court.<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\">[2]<\\/a> What appears to be a reasonable sum of money to a wealthy individual may be unreasonable\\u00a0 viewed from the perspective of one of lesser means, assuming that both have been charged with a similar offense.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Presently, only two countries in the world\\u2014the United States and the Philippines\\u2014have cash bail systems controlled by commercial bail bondsmen, that require a defendant to pay cash to be released during the pendency of their case.<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\">[3]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">*<\\/a> Managing Editor, Vol. 65, UST Law Review; J.D. (2021), Faculty of Civil Law, University of Santo Tomas; BS Accountancy (2016), Asia Pacific College; and Certified Public Accountant.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[1]<\\/a>Palafox, E., & McLeod, B., Scholarly Commons @ UNLV Law, University of Nevada, Las Vegas -- William S. Boyd School of Law Research, https:\\/\\/scholars.law.unlv.edu\\/cgi\\/viewcontent.cgi?article =1013&context=nljforum (last accessed February 7, 2021).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[2]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[3]<\\/a> Sebastian, T., & Karakatsanis, A., Challenging money bail in the courts, American Bar Association, (August 1, 2018),\\u00a0 https:\\/\\/www.americanbar.org\\/groups\\/judicial\\/publications\\/judges_journal \\/2018\\/summer\\/challenging-money-bail-the-courts\\/.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed {\\\"imageURL\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Trapped-in-a-Brokern-Bail-System-by-Rochelle-Curiba.pdf\\\",\\\"imgID\\\":1489,\\\"imgTitle\\\":\\\"Trapped in a Brokern Bail System by Rochelle Curiba\\\"} -->\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-pdfjsblock-pdfjs-embed pdfjs-wrapper\\\">[pdfjs-viewer viewer_width=0 viewer_height=800 url=http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Trapped-in-a-Brokern-Bail-System-by-Rochelle-Curiba.pdf download=true print=true fullscreen=false fullscreen_target=false fullscreen_text=\\\"View%20Fullscreen\\\" zoom=auto search_term=\\\"\\\" ]<\\/div>\\n<!-- \\/wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed -->\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.15,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(5689,1787,'_elementor_page_assets','a:0:{}'),(5691,1788,'_thumbnail_id','1777'),(5692,1788,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(5693,1788,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(5694,1788,'_elementor_version','3.3.1'),(5695,1788,'_wp_page_template','default'),(5696,1788,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"3648f28a\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"3ff74065\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"4979d249\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<!-- wp:heading {\\\"textAlign\\\":\\\"center\\\"} -->\\n<h2 class=\\\"has-text-align-center\\\"><strong>Trapped in a Broken Bail System:<\\/strong><br \\/>Re-thinking Pre-Trial Detention Practices in the Philippines<\\/h2>\\n<!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"align\\\":\\\"center\\\"} -->\\n<p class=\\\"has-text-align-center\\\" style=\\\"text-align: center;\\\">By <em>Rochelle Nieva Dugenio Curiba<\\/em><a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\"><em>*<\\/em><\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":15} -->\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-spacer\\\" style=\\\"height: 15px;\\\" aria-hidden=\\\"true\\\">\\u00a0<\\/div>\\n<!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:file {\\\"id\\\":1489,\\\"href\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Trapped-in-a-Brokern-Bail-System-by-Rochelle-Curiba.pdf\\\",\\\"displayPreview\\\":false,\\\"align\\\":\\\"right\\\"} -->\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-file alignright\\\"><a class=\\\"wp-block-file__button\\\" href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Trapped-in-a-Brokern-Bail-System-by-Rochelle-Curiba.pdf\\\" download=\\\"\\\">Download PDF Here<\\/a><\\/div>\\n<!-- \\/wp:file --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":18} -->\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-spacer\\\" style=\\\"height: 18px;\\\" aria-hidden=\\\"true\\\">\\u00a0<\\/div>\\n<!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"align\\\":\\\"right\\\"} -->\\n<p class=\\\"has-text-align-right\\\" style=\\\"text-align: right;\\\"><em>\\u201cAnyone who has struggled with poverty know[s]<\\/em><br \\/><em>how extremely expensive it is to be poor.\\u201d<\\/em><br \\/><em>James Baldwin<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"align\\\":\\\"center\\\"} -->\\n<p class=\\\"has-text-align-center\\\" style=\\\"text-align: center;\\\"><strong>I. INTRODUCTION<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Philippine jails are another realm where social injustice reigns. Notably, there is a connection that can be established between an accused\\u2019s length of stay in detention facilities and his ability to pay; financial status has been correlated to one\\u2019s inability to exercise the right to bail, and harsher pre-trial practices can also be linked to poorer socioeconomic conditions.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 An indigent may not be able to afford bail and is therefore constructively forced into pre-trial detention until acquittal.<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\">[1]<\\/a> On the other hand, a wealthy individual may find that losing any money posted to cash bail is \\u201cinconsequential\\u201d and thus not an incentive to return to court.<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\">[2]<\\/a> What appears to be a reasonable sum of money to a wealthy individual may be unreasonable\\u00a0 viewed from the perspective of one of lesser means, assuming that both have been charged with a similar offense.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Presently, only two countries in the world\\u2014the United States and the Philippines\\u2014have cash bail systems controlled by commercial bail bondsmen, that require a defendant to pay cash to be released during the pendency of their case.<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\">[3]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">*<\\/a> Managing Editor, Vol. 65, UST Law Review; J.D. (2021), Faculty of Civil Law, University of Santo Tomas; BS Accountancy (2016), Asia Pacific College; and Certified Public Accountant.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[1]<\\/a>Palafox, E., & McLeod, B., Scholarly Commons @ UNLV Law, University of Nevada, Las Vegas -- William S. Boyd School of Law Research, https:\\/\\/scholars.law.unlv.edu\\/cgi\\/viewcontent.cgi?article =1013&context=nljforum (last accessed February 7, 2021).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[2]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[3]<\\/a> Sebastian, T., & Karakatsanis, A., Challenging money bail in the courts, American Bar Association, (August 1, 2018),\\u00a0 https:\\/\\/www.americanbar.org\\/groups\\/judicial\\/publications\\/judges_journal \\/2018\\/summer\\/challenging-money-bail-the-courts\\/.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed {\\\"imageURL\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Trapped-in-a-Brokern-Bail-System-by-Rochelle-Curiba.pdf\\\",\\\"imgID\\\":1489,\\\"imgTitle\\\":\\\"Trapped in a Brokern Bail System by Rochelle Curiba\\\"} -->\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-pdfjsblock-pdfjs-embed pdfjs-wrapper\\\">[pdfjs-viewer viewer_width=0 viewer_height=800 url=http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Trapped-in-a-Brokern-Bail-System-by-Rochelle-Curiba.pdf download=true print=true fullscreen=false fullscreen_target=false fullscreen_text=\\\"View%20Fullscreen\\\" zoom=auto search_term=\\\"\\\" ]<\\/div>\\n<!-- \\/wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed -->\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.15,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(5697,1788,'_elementor_page_assets','a:0:{}'),(5698,1788,'_elementor_css','a:6:{s:4:\"time\";i:1629071472;s:5:\"fonts\";a:0:{}s:5:\"icons\";a:0:{}s:20:\"dynamic_elements_ids\";a:0:{}s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"file\";i:0;s:0:\"\";}'),(5699,1789,'_thumbnail_id','1777'),(5700,1789,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(5701,1789,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(5702,1789,'_elementor_version','3.3.1'),(5703,1789,'_wp_page_template','default'),(5704,1789,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"3648f28a\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"3ff74065\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"4979d249\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<!-- wp:heading {\\\"textAlign\\\":\\\"center\\\"} -->\\n<h2 class=\\\"has-text-align-center\\\"><strong>Trapped in a Broken Bail System:<\\/strong><br \\/>Re-thinking Pre-Trial Detention Practices in the Philippines<\\/h2>\\n<!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"align\\\":\\\"center\\\"} -->\\n<p class=\\\"has-text-align-center\\\" style=\\\"text-align: center;\\\">By <em>Rochelle Nieva Dugenio Curiba<\\/em><a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\"><em>*<\\/em><\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":15} -->\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-spacer\\\" style=\\\"height: 15px;\\\" aria-hidden=\\\"true\\\">\\u00a0<\\/div>\\n<!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:file {\\\"id\\\":1489,\\\"href\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Trapped-in-a-Brokern-Bail-System-by-Rochelle-Curiba.pdf\\\",\\\"displayPreview\\\":false,\\\"align\\\":\\\"right\\\"} -->\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-file alignright\\\"><a class=\\\"wp-block-file__button\\\" href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Trapped-in-a-Brokern-Bail-System-by-Rochelle-Curiba.pdf\\\" download=\\\"\\\">Download PDF Here<\\/a><\\/div>\\n<!-- \\/wp:file --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":18} -->\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-spacer\\\" style=\\\"height: 18px;\\\" aria-hidden=\\\"true\\\">\\u00a0<\\/div>\\n<!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"align\\\":\\\"right\\\"} -->\\n<p class=\\\"has-text-align-right\\\" style=\\\"text-align: right;\\\"><em>\\u201cAnyone who has struggled with poverty know[s]<\\/em><br \\/><em>how extremely expensive it is to be poor.\\u201d<\\/em><br \\/><em>James Baldwin<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"align\\\":\\\"center\\\"} -->\\n<p class=\\\"has-text-align-center\\\" style=\\\"text-align: center;\\\"><strong>I. INTRODUCTION<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Philippine jails are another realm where social injustice reigns. Notably, there is a connection that can be established between an accused\\u2019s length of stay in detention facilities and his ability to pay; financial status has been correlated to one\\u2019s inability to exercise the right to bail, and harsher pre-trial practices can also be linked to poorer socioeconomic conditions.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 An indigent may not be able to afford bail and is therefore constructively forced into pre-trial detention until acquittal.<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\">[1]<\\/a> On the other hand, a wealthy individual may find that losing any money posted to cash bail is \\u201cinconsequential\\u201d and thus not an incentive to return to court.<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\">[2]<\\/a> What appears to be a reasonable sum of money to a wealthy individual may be unreasonable\\u00a0 viewed from the perspective of one of lesser means, assuming that both have been charged with a similar offense.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Presently, only two countries in the world\\u2014the United States and the Philippines\\u2014have cash bail systems controlled by commercial bail bondsmen, that require a defendant to pay cash to be released during the pendency of their case.<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\">[3]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">*<\\/a> Managing Editor, Vol. 65, UST Law Review; J.D. (2021), Faculty of Civil Law, University of Santo Tomas; BS Accountancy (2016), Asia Pacific College; and Certified Public Accountant.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[1]<\\/a>Palafox, E., & McLeod, B., Scholarly Commons @ UNLV Law, University of Nevada, Las Vegas -- William S. Boyd School of Law Research, https:\\/\\/scholars.law.unlv.edu\\/cgi\\/viewcontent.cgi?article =1013&context=nljforum (last accessed February 7, 2021).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[2]<\\/a> <em>Id.<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[3]<\\/a> Sebastian, T., & Karakatsanis, A., Challenging money bail in the courts, American Bar Association, (August 1, 2018),\\u00a0 https:\\/\\/www.americanbar.org\\/groups\\/judicial\\/publications\\/judges_journal \\/2018\\/summer\\/challenging-money-bail-the-courts\\/.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed {\\\"imageURL\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Trapped-in-a-Brokern-Bail-System-by-Rochelle-Curiba.pdf\\\",\\\"imgID\\\":1489,\\\"imgTitle\\\":\\\"Trapped in a Brokern Bail System by Rochelle Curiba\\\"} -->\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-pdfjsblock-pdfjs-embed pdfjs-wrapper\\\">[pdfjs-viewer viewer_width=0 viewer_height=800 url=http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Trapped-in-a-Brokern-Bail-System-by-Rochelle-Curiba.pdf download=true print=true fullscreen=false fullscreen_target=false fullscreen_text=\\\"View%20Fullscreen\\\" zoom=auto search_term=\\\"\\\" ]<\\/div>\\n<!-- \\/wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed -->\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.15,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(5705,1789,'_elementor_page_assets','a:0:{}'),(5706,1789,'_elementor_css','a:6:{s:4:\"time\";i:1629071472;s:5:\"fonts\";a:0:{}s:5:\"icons\";a:0:{}s:20:\"dynamic_elements_ids\";a:0:{}s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"file\";i:0;s:0:\"\";}'),(5707,1773,'_elementor_controls_usage','a:3:{s:11:\"text-editor\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:1;s:8:\"controls\";a:2:{s:7:\"content\";a:1:{s:14:\"section_editor\";a:1:{s:6:\"editor\";i:1;}}s:5:\"style\";a:1:{s:13:\"section_style\";a:2:{s:21:\"typography_typography\";i:1;s:22:\"typography_line_height\";i:1;}}}}s:6:\"column\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:0;s:8:\"controls\";a:0:{}}s:7:\"section\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:0;s:8:\"controls\";a:0:{}}}'),(5708,1773,'_elementor_css','a:6:{s:4:\"time\";i:1629073103;s:5:\"fonts\";a:0:{}s:5:\"icons\";a:0:{}s:20:\"dynamic_elements_ids\";a:0:{}s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"file\";i:0;s:0:\"\";}'),(5709,1790,'_edit_lock','1629712094:1'),(5710,1791,'_wp_attached_file','2021/08/MeToo.jpg'),(5711,1791,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:5:{s:5:\"width\";i:1920;s:6:\"height\";i:1080;s:4:\"file\";s:17:\"2021/08/MeToo.jpg\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:13:{s:6:\"medium\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:17:\"MeToo-300x169.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:300;s:6:\"height\";i:169;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:5:\"large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:18:\"MeToo-1024x576.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1024;s:6:\"height\";i:576;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"thumbnail\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:17:\"MeToo-150x150.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:12:\"medium_large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:17:\"MeToo-768x432.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:768;s:6:\"height\";i:432;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"1536x1536\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:18:\"MeToo-1536x864.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1536;s:6:\"height\";i:864;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:24:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:17:\"MeToo-170x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:25:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:15:\"MeToo-86x70.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:16:\"MeToo-170x96.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:96;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:22:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:17:\"MeToo-370x250.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:30:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:17:\"MeToo-370x208.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:208;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:21:\"bfastmag_related_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:17:\"MeToo-288x160.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:288;s:6:\"height\";i:160;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:18:\"bfastmag_blog_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:17:\"MeToo-780x544.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:26:\"bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:17:\"MeToo-780x439.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:439;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:0:\"\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:1:\"0\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:1:\"0\";s:3:\"iso\";s:1:\"0\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:1:\"0\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";s:1:\"1\";s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}}'),(5712,1791,'_wp_attachment_image_alt','Quezon City Jail 2016 by Noel Celis-AFP/Getty Images'),(5713,1790,'_pingme','1'),(5714,1790,'_encloseme','1'),(5716,1790,'_edit_last','1'),(5717,1790,'wptr_hide_title','1'),(5718,1790,'ss_social_share_disable',''),(5719,1790,'_yoast_wpseo_primary_category','98'),(5720,1790,'_yoast_wpseo_title','%%title%% | Gabriel D.R. Adora'),(5721,1790,'_yoast_wpseo_metadesc','To paint a more vivid picture, the IRR of the National Building Code provides that the size of an average automobile (car) parking slot must be computed at 2.50 meters by 5.00 meters for perpendicular or diagonal parking.46 This is equivalent to 12.5 square meters. If the ideal habitable floor area per inmate is 4.7 square meters, then an inmate would have to share a parking slot with one or two other inmates. Having two inmates in one parking slot space complies with the ideal standard, but adding one more inmate (who, collectively, should have an allowance of 14.1 square meters) already violates the ideal floor area. They will have to share 4.17 square meters each. It seems that to have space equivalent to one parking slot is already a luxury in Philippine jails and prisons—and in terms of treatment as to the facilities wherein they are confined, at least in law, detained and convicted prisoners in the Philippines are treated in the same way. Once more, reality proves to be crueler, since jails managed by the BJMP are more crowded than the prisons managed by BuCor. In fine, the conditions in which an untried prisoner is detained are harsher than that of a convicted prisoner.'),(5722,1790,'_yoast_wpseo_content_score','30'),(5723,1790,'_yoast_wpseo_estimated-reading-time-minutes','4'),(5724,1790,'_yoast_wpseo_opengraph-title','%%title%% | Gabriel D.R. Adora'),(5725,1790,'_yoast_wpseo_opengraph-description','To paint a more vivid picture, the IRR of the National Building Code provides that the size of an average automobile (car) parking slot must be computed at 2.50 meters by 5.00 meters for perpendicular or diagonal parking.46 This is equivalent to 12.5 square meters. If the ideal habitable floor area per inmate is 4.7 square meters, then an inmate would have to share a parking slot with one or two other inmates. Having two inmates in one parking slot space complies with the ideal standard, but adding one more inmate (who, collectively, should have an allowance of 14.1 square meters) already violates the ideal floor area. They will have to share 4.17 square meters each. It seems that to have space equivalent to one parking slot is already a luxury in Philippine jails and prisons—and in terms of treatment as to the facilities wherein they are confined, at least in law, detained and convicted prisoners in the Philippines are treated in the same way. Once more, reality proves to be crueler, since jails managed by the BJMP are more crowded than the prisons managed by BuCor. In fine, the conditions in which an untried prisoner is detained are harsher than that of a convicted prisoner.'),(5726,1790,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(5727,1790,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(5728,1790,'_elementor_version','3.3.1'),(5729,1793,'_thumbnail_id','1791'),(5730,1793,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(5731,1793,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(5732,1793,'_elementor_version','3.3.1'),(5733,1794,'_thumbnail_id','1791'),(5734,1794,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(5735,1794,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(5736,1794,'_elementor_version','3.3.1'),(5737,1790,'_wp_page_template','default'),(5738,1790,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"4c472a96\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"69eaecf9\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"446c630a\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><!-- wp:heading {\\\"textAlign\\\":\\\"center\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<h2 class=\\\"has-text-align-center\\\">The Stepping Stones to Solve Jail Overcrowding:<br \\/>Limitations in Legislation and Litigation<\\/h2>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":25} --><\\/p>\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-spacer\\\" style=\\\"height: 25px; text-align: center;\\\" aria-hidden=\\\"true\\\"><em>By Gabriel D.R. Adora<\\/em><\\/div>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:file {\\\"id\\\":1488,\\\"href\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/The-Stepping-Stones-to-Solve-Jail-Overcrowding_-Limitations-in-Legislation-and-Litigation-by-Gabriel-Adora.pdf\\\",\\\"displayPreview\\\":false,\\\"align\\\":\\\"right\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-file alignright\\\"><a class=\\\"wp-block-file__button\\\" href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/The-Stepping-Stones-to-Solve-Jail-Overcrowding_-Limitations-in-Legislation-and-Litigation-by-Gabriel-Adora.pdf\\\" download=\\\"\\\">Download PDF Here<\\/a><\\/div>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:file --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":25} --><\\/p>\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-spacer\\\" style=\\\"height: 25px;\\\" aria-hidden=\\\"true\\\">\\u00a0<\\/div>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:paragraph --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"text-align: right;\\\"><em>\\u201cThere is no humane punishment without a horizon.<br \\/><\\/em><em>No one can change their life if they don\\u2019t see a horizon.<br \\/><\\/em><em>And so many times we are used to blocking the view of our inmates.<br \\/><\\/em><em>Take this image of the windows and the horizon<br \\/>and ensure that in your countries the prisons always have a window and horizon.<br \\/><\\/em><em>even a life sentence \\u2013 which for me is questionable \\u2013 even a life sentence would have to have a horizon.\\u201d<br \\/><\\/em>- Pope Francis<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\">[1]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"text-align: center;\\\"><strong>I. INTRODUCTION<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The problem of jail congestion is often set aside and ignored in the Philippines. It is a longstanding issue that remains unaddressed by the government, with statistics showing congested jails since the 1990s. The Senate finance committee hearings reveal the lack of enthusiasm in even attempting to resolve the issue. On October 2020, jails chief Director Allan Iral pointed out that the allotments made by the Department of Budget Management (DBM) for the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) only corresponded to the creation of perimeter fences.<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\">[2]<\\/a> The meager allotment goes to show that despite the overwhelming congestion rate of about 400%, the plans to expand the correctional facilities in the Philippines remain as blueprints. This rate translates to six detainees sharing a space made only for one detainee.<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\">[3]<\\/a> A Commission on Audit (COA) report further reveals that the completion of forty nine (49) infrastructure projects with a total contract cost of P2,762,141,293.54 was delayed. This effectively hampered BJMP\\u2019s objective of providing a functional and responsive jail facility to Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDL) pursuant to Section 63 of R.A. 6975.<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\">[4]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The issue of overcrowding, however, does not solely stem from the government\\u2019s budgetary constraints. While the allotment of additional funds\\u00a0 leads to the establishment of more spacious facilities, these efforts and resources will be for naught if the same is continuously occupied by an increasing number of detainees whose cases are still ongoing. With the clogged dockets of Philippine courts, there is a good chance that these detainees will stay behind bars for a relatively long time.<a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\">[5]<\\/a> If there are no alternatives to confinement in jails, then the newly constructed facilities are bound to be crowded.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Extreme congestion poses serious threats to the life and health of detainees due to sanitation issues as viruses\\u2014like COVID-19\\u2014and other contagious diseases spread easily. Hence, they should have a remedy under the law, when necessary, to obtain transfers or temporary release from confinement upon sufficient showing of such dangers.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The entitlement of detainees to basic human rights, such as humane and healthy living conditions, is anchored in the 1987 Constitution of the Philippines, Philippine Statutes and Regulations, and in International Law. However, the fact that the issue remains unresolved and that it worsens over time indicates that the relevant Constitutional and statutory provisions are not brought to life as intended by their makers. Since jail congestion involves the life and liberty of persons, society as a whole\\u2014both the public and the private sector\\u2014must treat it as a matter of great importance. It seems that society at large has yet to launch an aggressive campaign that advocates for a detainee\\u2019s human rights.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The author submits that while the allotment of additional facilities is necessary to alleviate the congestion rates at present, the detainees should also have a recourse under the law to enforce their rights in case overcrowding poses a threat to their life and health. Additionally, coming up with alternatives to confinement might provide long-term solutions to jail overcrowding.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">[1]<\\/a>Cindy Wooden, Concern for inmates, prison reform is obligatory act of mercy, pope says, (November 8, 2019), https:\\/\\/www.ncronline.org\\/news\\/justice\\/francis-chronicles\\/concern-inmates-prison-reform-obligatory-act-mercy-pope-says.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a> Rambo Talabong, No budget for new PH jails in 2021 despite over congestion, (October 1, 2020) https:\\/\\/www.rappler.com\\/nation\\/no-budget-for-new-ph-jails-in-2021-despite-over-congestion.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a> Rambo Talabong, Jodesz Galivan, and Lian Buan, \'Takot na takot kami\': While government stalls, coronavirus breaks into PH jails, (April 18. 2020), https:\\/\\/www.rappler.com\\/newsbreak\\/in-depth\\/while-government-stalls-coronavirus-breaks-into-philippine-jails.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[4]<\\/a>Commission on Audit, Annual Audit Report on the BJMP: Executive Summary, https:\\/\\/www.coa.gov.ph\\/phocadownloadpap\\/userupload\\/annual_audit_report\\/NGAs\\/2019\\/National-Government-Sector\\/Department-of-the-Interior-and-Local-Government\\/BJMP_ES2019.pdf, (last accessed June 20, 2021).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[5]<\\/a> Dr. Raymund Narag, A HUMANITARIAN CRISIS, A MONSTER IN OUR MIDST. State of the PH in 2018: Our jails are now world\'s most congested, (July 23, 2018), https:\\/\\/pcij.org\\/article\\/923\\/state-of-the-ph-in-2018-our-jails-are-now-worlds-most-congested.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed {\\\"imageURL\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/The-Stepping-Stones-to-Solve-Jail-Overcrowding_-Limitations-in-Legislation-and-Litigation-by-Gabriel-Adora.pdf\\\",\\\"imgID\\\":1488,\\\"imgTitle\\\":\\\"The Stepping Stones to Solve Jail Overcrowding_ Limitations in Legislation and Litigation by Gabriel Adora\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-pdfjsblock-pdfjs-embed pdfjs-wrapper\\\">[pdfjs-viewer viewer_width=0 viewer_height=800 url=http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/The-Stepping-Stones-to-Solve-Jail-Overcrowding_-Limitations-in-Legislation-and-Litigation-by-Gabriel-Adora.pdf download=true print=true fullscreen=false fullscreen_target=false fullscreen_text=\\\"View%20Fullscreen\\\" zoom=auto search_term=\\\"\\\" ]<\\/div>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>Featured Image by Noel Celis\\u2014AFP\\/Getty Images<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.15,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(5739,1795,'_thumbnail_id','1791'),(5740,1795,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(5741,1795,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(5742,1795,'_elementor_version','3.3.1'),(5743,1795,'_wp_page_template','default'),(5744,1795,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"4c472a96\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"69eaecf9\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"446c630a\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><!-- wp:heading {\\\"textAlign\\\":\\\"center\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<h2 class=\\\"has-text-align-center\\\">The Stepping Stones to Solve Jail Overcrowding:<br>Limitations in Legislation and Litigation<\\/h2>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":25} --><\\/p>\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-spacer\\\" style=\\\"height: 25px;\\\" aria-hidden=\\\"true\\\"> <\\/div>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:file {\\\"id\\\":1488,\\\"href\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/The-Stepping-Stones-to-Solve-Jail-Overcrowding_-Limitations-in-Legislation-and-Litigation-by-Gabriel-Adora.pdf\\\",\\\"displayPreview\\\":false,\\\"align\\\":\\\"right\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-file alignright\\\"><a class=\\\"wp-block-file__button\\\" href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/The-Stepping-Stones-to-Solve-Jail-Overcrowding_-Limitations-in-Legislation-and-Litigation-by-Gabriel-Adora.pdf\\\" download=\\\"\\\">Download PDF Here<\\/a><\\/div>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:file --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":25} --><\\/p>\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-spacer\\\" style=\\\"height: 25px;\\\" aria-hidden=\\\"true\\\"> <\\/div>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:paragraph --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"text-align: right;\\\"><em>\\u201cThere is no humane punishment without a horizon.<br><\\/em><em>No one can change their life if they don\\u2019t see a horizon.<br><\\/em><em>And so many times we are used to blocking the view of our inmates.<br><\\/em><em>Take this image of the windows and the horizon<br>and ensure that in your countries the prisons always have a window and horizon.<br><\\/em><em>even a life sentence \\u2013 which for me is questionable \\u2013 even a life sentence would have to have a horizon.\\u201d<br><\\/em>- Pope Francis<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\">[1]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"text-align: center;\\\"><strong>I. INTRODUCTION<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> The problem of jail congestion is often set aside and ignored in the Philippines. It is a longstanding issue that remains unaddressed by the government, with statistics showing congested jails since the 1990s. The Senate finance committee hearings reveal the lack of enthusiasm in even attempting to resolve the issue. On October 2020, jails chief Director Allan Iral pointed out that the allotments made by the Department of Budget Management (DBM) for the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) only corresponded to the creation of perimeter fences.<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\">[2]<\\/a> The meager allotment goes to show that despite the overwhelming congestion rate of about 400%, the plans to expand the correctional facilities in the Philippines remain as blueprints. This rate translates to six detainees sharing a space made only for one detainee.<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\">[3]<\\/a> A Commission on Audit (COA) report further reveals that the completion of forty nine (49) infrastructure projects with a total contract cost of P2,762,141,293.54 was delayed. This effectively hampered BJMP\\u2019s objective of providing a functional and responsive jail facility to Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDL) pursuant to Section 63 of R.A. 6975.<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\">[4]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> The issue of overcrowding, however, does not solely stem from the government\\u2019s budgetary constraints. While the allotment of additional funds leads to the establishment of more spacious facilities, these efforts and resources will be for naught if the same is continuously occupied by an increasing number of detainees whose cases are still ongoing. With the clogged dockets of Philippine courts, there is a good chance that these detainees will stay behind bars for a relatively long time.<a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\">[5]<\\/a> If there are no alternatives to confinement in jails, then the newly constructed facilities are bound to be crowded.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> Extreme congestion poses serious threats to the life and health of detainees due to sanitation issues as viruses\\u2014like COVID-19\\u2014and other contagious diseases spread easily. Hence, they should have a remedy under the law, when necessary, to obtain transfers or temporary release from confinement upon sufficient showing of such dangers.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> The entitlement of detainees to basic human rights, such as humane and healthy living conditions, is anchored in the 1987 Constitution of the Philippines, Philippine Statutes and Regulations, and in International Law. However, the fact that the issue remains unresolved and that it worsens over time indicates that the relevant Constitutional and statutory provisions are not brought to life as intended by their makers. Since jail congestion involves the life and liberty of persons, society as a whole\\u2014both the public and the private sector\\u2014must treat it as a matter of great importance. It seems that society at large has yet to launch an aggressive campaign that advocates for a detainee\\u2019s human rights.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> The author submits that while the allotment of additional facilities is necessary to alleviate the congestion rates at present, the detainees should also have a recourse under the law to enforce their rights in case overcrowding poses a threat to their life and health. Additionally, coming up with alternatives to confinement might provide long-term solutions to jail overcrowding.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\">\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">[1]<\\/a>Cindy Wooden, Concern for inmates, prison reform is obligatory act of mercy, pope says, (November 8, 2019), https:\\/\\/www.ncronline.org\\/news\\/justice\\/francis-chronicles\\/concern-inmates-prison-reform-obligatory-act-mercy-pope-says.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a> Rambo Talabong, No budget for new PH jails in 2021 despite over congestion, (October 1, 2020) https:\\/\\/www.rappler.com\\/nation\\/no-budget-for-new-ph-jails-in-2021-despite-over-congestion.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a> Rambo Talabong, Jodesz Galivan, and Lian Buan, \'Takot na takot kami\': While government stalls, coronavirus breaks into PH jails, (April 18. 2020), https:\\/\\/www.rappler.com\\/newsbreak\\/in-depth\\/while-government-stalls-coronavirus-breaks-into-philippine-jails.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[4]<\\/a>Commission on Audit, Annual Audit Report on the BJMP: Executive Summary, https:\\/\\/www.coa.gov.ph\\/phocadownloadpap\\/userupload\\/annual_audit_report\\/NGAs\\/2019\\/National-Government-Sector\\/Department-of-the-Interior-and-Local-Government\\/BJMP_ES2019.pdf, (last accessed June 20, 2021).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[5]<\\/a> Dr. Raymund Narag, A HUMANITARIAN CRISIS, A MONSTER IN OUR MIDST. State of the PH in 2018: Our jails are now world\'s most congested, (July 23, 2018), https:\\/\\/pcij.org\\/article\\/923\\/state-of-the-ph-in-2018-our-jails-are-now-worlds-most-congested.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed {\\\"imageURL\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/The-Stepping-Stones-to-Solve-Jail-Overcrowding_-Limitations-in-Legislation-and-Litigation-by-Gabriel-Adora.pdf\\\",\\\"imgID\\\":1488,\\\"imgTitle\\\":\\\"The Stepping Stones to Solve Jail Overcrowding_ Limitations in Legislation and Litigation by Gabriel Adora\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-pdfjsblock-pdfjs-embed pdfjs-wrapper\\\">[pdfjs-viewer viewer_width=0 viewer_height=800 url=http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/The-Stepping-Stones-to-Solve-Jail-Overcrowding_-Limitations-in-Legislation-and-Litigation-by-Gabriel-Adora.pdf download=true print=true fullscreen=false fullscreen_target=false fullscreen_text=\\\"View%20Fullscreen\\\" zoom=auto search_term=\\\"\\\" ]<\\/div>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\">\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>Featured Image by Noel Celis\\u2014AFP\\/Getty Images<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\"},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(5746,1790,'_elementor_page_assets','a:0:{}'),(5749,1796,'_thumbnail_id','1791'),(5750,1796,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(5751,1796,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(5752,1796,'_elementor_version','3.3.1'),(5753,1796,'_wp_page_template','default'),(5754,1796,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"4c472a96\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"69eaecf9\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"446c630a\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><!-- wp:heading {\\\"textAlign\\\":\\\"center\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<h2 class=\\\"has-text-align-center\\\">The Stepping Stones to Solve Jail Overcrowding:<br>Limitations in Legislation and Litigation<\\/h2>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":25} --><\\/p>\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-spacer\\\" style=\\\"height: 25px;\\\" aria-hidden=\\\"true\\\"> <\\/div>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:file {\\\"id\\\":1488,\\\"href\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/The-Stepping-Stones-to-Solve-Jail-Overcrowding_-Limitations-in-Legislation-and-Litigation-by-Gabriel-Adora.pdf\\\",\\\"displayPreview\\\":false,\\\"align\\\":\\\"right\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-file alignright\\\"><a class=\\\"wp-block-file__button\\\" href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/The-Stepping-Stones-to-Solve-Jail-Overcrowding_-Limitations-in-Legislation-and-Litigation-by-Gabriel-Adora.pdf\\\" download=\\\"\\\">Download PDF Here<\\/a><\\/div>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:file --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":25} --><\\/p>\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-spacer\\\" style=\\\"height: 25px;\\\" aria-hidden=\\\"true\\\"> <\\/div>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:paragraph --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"text-align: right;\\\"><em>\\u201cThere is no humane punishment without a horizon.<br><\\/em><em>No one can change their life if they don\\u2019t see a horizon.<br><\\/em><em>And so many times we are used to blocking the view of our inmates.<br><\\/em><em>Take this image of the windows and the horizon<br>and ensure that in your countries the prisons always have a window and horizon.<br><\\/em><em>even a life sentence \\u2013 which for me is questionable \\u2013 even a life sentence would have to have a horizon.\\u201d<br><\\/em>- Pope Francis<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\">[1]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"text-align: center;\\\"><strong>I. INTRODUCTION<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> The problem of jail congestion is often set aside and ignored in the Philippines. It is a longstanding issue that remains unaddressed by the government, with statistics showing congested jails since the 1990s. The Senate finance committee hearings reveal the lack of enthusiasm in even attempting to resolve the issue. On October 2020, jails chief Director Allan Iral pointed out that the allotments made by the Department of Budget Management (DBM) for the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) only corresponded to the creation of perimeter fences.<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\">[2]<\\/a> The meager allotment goes to show that despite the overwhelming congestion rate of about 400%, the plans to expand the correctional facilities in the Philippines remain as blueprints. This rate translates to six detainees sharing a space made only for one detainee.<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\">[3]<\\/a> A Commission on Audit (COA) report further reveals that the completion of forty nine (49) infrastructure projects with a total contract cost of P2,762,141,293.54 was delayed. This effectively hampered BJMP\\u2019s objective of providing a functional and responsive jail facility to Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDL) pursuant to Section 63 of R.A. 6975.<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\">[4]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> The issue of overcrowding, however, does not solely stem from the government\\u2019s budgetary constraints. While the allotment of additional funds leads to the establishment of more spacious facilities, these efforts and resources will be for naught if the same is continuously occupied by an increasing number of detainees whose cases are still ongoing. With the clogged dockets of Philippine courts, there is a good chance that these detainees will stay behind bars for a relatively long time.<a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\">[5]<\\/a> If there are no alternatives to confinement in jails, then the newly constructed facilities are bound to be crowded.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> Extreme congestion poses serious threats to the life and health of detainees due to sanitation issues as viruses\\u2014like COVID-19\\u2014and other contagious diseases spread easily. Hence, they should have a remedy under the law, when necessary, to obtain transfers or temporary release from confinement upon sufficient showing of such dangers.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> The entitlement of detainees to basic human rights, such as humane and healthy living conditions, is anchored in the 1987 Constitution of the Philippines, Philippine Statutes and Regulations, and in International Law. However, the fact that the issue remains unresolved and that it worsens over time indicates that the relevant Constitutional and statutory provisions are not brought to life as intended by their makers. Since jail congestion involves the life and liberty of persons, society as a whole\\u2014both the public and the private sector\\u2014must treat it as a matter of great importance. It seems that society at large has yet to launch an aggressive campaign that advocates for a detainee\\u2019s human rights.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> The author submits that while the allotment of additional facilities is necessary to alleviate the congestion rates at present, the detainees should also have a recourse under the law to enforce their rights in case overcrowding poses a threat to their life and health. Additionally, coming up with alternatives to confinement might provide long-term solutions to jail overcrowding.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\">\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">[1]<\\/a>Cindy Wooden, Concern for inmates, prison reform is obligatory act of mercy, pope says, (November 8, 2019), https:\\/\\/www.ncronline.org\\/news\\/justice\\/francis-chronicles\\/concern-inmates-prison-reform-obligatory-act-mercy-pope-says.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a> Rambo Talabong, No budget for new PH jails in 2021 despite over congestion, (October 1, 2020) https:\\/\\/www.rappler.com\\/nation\\/no-budget-for-new-ph-jails-in-2021-despite-over-congestion.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a> Rambo Talabong, Jodesz Galivan, and Lian Buan, \'Takot na takot kami\': While government stalls, coronavirus breaks into PH jails, (April 18. 2020), https:\\/\\/www.rappler.com\\/newsbreak\\/in-depth\\/while-government-stalls-coronavirus-breaks-into-philippine-jails.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[4]<\\/a>Commission on Audit, Annual Audit Report on the BJMP: Executive Summary, https:\\/\\/www.coa.gov.ph\\/phocadownloadpap\\/userupload\\/annual_audit_report\\/NGAs\\/2019\\/National-Government-Sector\\/Department-of-the-Interior-and-Local-Government\\/BJMP_ES2019.pdf, (last accessed June 20, 2021).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[5]<\\/a> Dr. Raymund Narag, A HUMANITARIAN CRISIS, A MONSTER IN OUR MIDST. State of the PH in 2018: Our jails are now world\'s most congested, (July 23, 2018), https:\\/\\/pcij.org\\/article\\/923\\/state-of-the-ph-in-2018-our-jails-are-now-worlds-most-congested.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed {\\\"imageURL\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/The-Stepping-Stones-to-Solve-Jail-Overcrowding_-Limitations-in-Legislation-and-Litigation-by-Gabriel-Adora.pdf\\\",\\\"imgID\\\":1488,\\\"imgTitle\\\":\\\"The Stepping Stones to Solve Jail Overcrowding_ Limitations in Legislation and Litigation by Gabriel Adora\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-pdfjsblock-pdfjs-embed pdfjs-wrapper\\\">[pdfjs-viewer viewer_width=0 viewer_height=800 url=http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/The-Stepping-Stones-to-Solve-Jail-Overcrowding_-Limitations-in-Legislation-and-Litigation-by-Gabriel-Adora.pdf download=true print=true fullscreen=false fullscreen_target=false fullscreen_text=\\\"View%20Fullscreen\\\" zoom=auto search_term=\\\"\\\" ]<\\/div>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\">\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>Featured Image by Noel Celis\\u2014AFP\\/Getty Images<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\"},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(5755,1796,'_elementor_page_assets','a:0:{}'),(5756,1796,'_elementor_css','a:7:{s:4:\"time\";i:1629299373;s:5:\"fonts\";a:0:{}s:5:\"icons\";a:0:{}s:20:\"dynamic_elements_ids\";a:0:{}s:6:\"status\";s:5:\"empty\";i:0;s:0:\"\";s:3:\"css\";s:0:\"\";}'),(5757,1797,'_thumbnail_id','1791'),(5758,1797,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(5759,1797,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(5760,1797,'_elementor_version','3.3.1'),(5761,1797,'_wp_page_template','default'),(5762,1797,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"4c472a96\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"69eaecf9\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"446c630a\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><!-- wp:heading {\\\"textAlign\\\":\\\"center\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<h2 class=\\\"has-text-align-center\\\">The Stepping Stones to Solve Jail Overcrowding:<br>Limitations in Legislation and Litigation<\\/h2>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":25} --><\\/p>\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-spacer\\\" style=\\\"height: 25px;\\\" aria-hidden=\\\"true\\\"> <\\/div>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:file {\\\"id\\\":1488,\\\"href\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/The-Stepping-Stones-to-Solve-Jail-Overcrowding_-Limitations-in-Legislation-and-Litigation-by-Gabriel-Adora.pdf\\\",\\\"displayPreview\\\":false,\\\"align\\\":\\\"right\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-file alignright\\\"><a class=\\\"wp-block-file__button\\\" href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/The-Stepping-Stones-to-Solve-Jail-Overcrowding_-Limitations-in-Legislation-and-Litigation-by-Gabriel-Adora.pdf\\\" download=\\\"\\\">Download PDF Here<\\/a><\\/div>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:file --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":25} --><\\/p>\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-spacer\\\" style=\\\"height: 25px;\\\" aria-hidden=\\\"true\\\"> <\\/div>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:paragraph --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"text-align: right;\\\"><em>\\u201cThere is no humane punishment without a horizon.<br><\\/em><em>No one can change their life if they don\\u2019t see a horizon.<br><\\/em><em>And so many times we are used to blocking the view of our inmates.<br><\\/em><em>Take this image of the windows and the horizon<br>and ensure that in your countries the prisons always have a window and horizon.<br><\\/em><em>even a life sentence \\u2013 which for me is questionable \\u2013 even a life sentence would have to have a horizon.\\u201d<br><\\/em>- Pope Francis<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\">[1]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"text-align: center;\\\"><strong>I. INTRODUCTION<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> The problem of jail congestion is often set aside and ignored in the Philippines. It is a longstanding issue that remains unaddressed by the government, with statistics showing congested jails since the 1990s. The Senate finance committee hearings reveal the lack of enthusiasm in even attempting to resolve the issue. On October 2020, jails chief Director Allan Iral pointed out that the allotments made by the Department of Budget Management (DBM) for the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) only corresponded to the creation of perimeter fences.<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\">[2]<\\/a> The meager allotment goes to show that despite the overwhelming congestion rate of about 400%, the plans to expand the correctional facilities in the Philippines remain as blueprints. This rate translates to six detainees sharing a space made only for one detainee.<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\">[3]<\\/a> A Commission on Audit (COA) report further reveals that the completion of forty nine (49) infrastructure projects with a total contract cost of P2,762,141,293.54 was delayed. This effectively hampered BJMP\\u2019s objective of providing a functional and responsive jail facility to Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDL) pursuant to Section 63 of R.A. 6975.<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\">[4]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> The issue of overcrowding, however, does not solely stem from the government\\u2019s budgetary constraints. While the allotment of additional funds leads to the establishment of more spacious facilities, these efforts and resources will be for naught if the same is continuously occupied by an increasing number of detainees whose cases are still ongoing. With the clogged dockets of Philippine courts, there is a good chance that these detainees will stay behind bars for a relatively long time.<a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\">[5]<\\/a> If there are no alternatives to confinement in jails, then the newly constructed facilities are bound to be crowded.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> Extreme congestion poses serious threats to the life and health of detainees due to sanitation issues as viruses\\u2014like COVID-19\\u2014and other contagious diseases spread easily. Hence, they should have a remedy under the law, when necessary, to obtain transfers or temporary release from confinement upon sufficient showing of such dangers.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> The entitlement of detainees to basic human rights, such as humane and healthy living conditions, is anchored in the 1987 Constitution of the Philippines, Philippine Statutes and Regulations, and in International Law. However, the fact that the issue remains unresolved and that it worsens over time indicates that the relevant Constitutional and statutory provisions are not brought to life as intended by their makers. Since jail congestion involves the life and liberty of persons, society as a whole\\u2014both the public and the private sector\\u2014must treat it as a matter of great importance. It seems that society at large has yet to launch an aggressive campaign that advocates for a detainee\\u2019s human rights.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> The author submits that while the allotment of additional facilities is necessary to alleviate the congestion rates at present, the detainees should also have a recourse under the law to enforce their rights in case overcrowding poses a threat to their life and health. Additionally, coming up with alternatives to confinement might provide long-term solutions to jail overcrowding.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\">\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">[1]<\\/a>Cindy Wooden, Concern for inmates, prison reform is obligatory act of mercy, pope says, (November 8, 2019), https:\\/\\/www.ncronline.org\\/news\\/justice\\/francis-chronicles\\/concern-inmates-prison-reform-obligatory-act-mercy-pope-says.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a> Rambo Talabong, No budget for new PH jails in 2021 despite over congestion, (October 1, 2020) https:\\/\\/www.rappler.com\\/nation\\/no-budget-for-new-ph-jails-in-2021-despite-over-congestion.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a> Rambo Talabong, Jodesz Galivan, and Lian Buan, \'Takot na takot kami\': While government stalls, coronavirus breaks into PH jails, (April 18. 2020), https:\\/\\/www.rappler.com\\/newsbreak\\/in-depth\\/while-government-stalls-coronavirus-breaks-into-philippine-jails.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[4]<\\/a>Commission on Audit, Annual Audit Report on the BJMP: Executive Summary, https:\\/\\/www.coa.gov.ph\\/phocadownloadpap\\/userupload\\/annual_audit_report\\/NGAs\\/2019\\/National-Government-Sector\\/Department-of-the-Interior-and-Local-Government\\/BJMP_ES2019.pdf, (last accessed June 20, 2021).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[5]<\\/a> Dr. Raymund Narag, A HUMANITARIAN CRISIS, A MONSTER IN OUR MIDST. State of the PH in 2018: Our jails are now world\'s most congested, (July 23, 2018), https:\\/\\/pcij.org\\/article\\/923\\/state-of-the-ph-in-2018-our-jails-are-now-worlds-most-congested.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed {\\\"imageURL\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/The-Stepping-Stones-to-Solve-Jail-Overcrowding_-Limitations-in-Legislation-and-Litigation-by-Gabriel-Adora.pdf\\\",\\\"imgID\\\":1488,\\\"imgTitle\\\":\\\"The Stepping Stones to Solve Jail Overcrowding_ Limitations in Legislation and Litigation by Gabriel Adora\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-pdfjsblock-pdfjs-embed pdfjs-wrapper\\\">[pdfjs-viewer viewer_width=0 viewer_height=800 url=http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/The-Stepping-Stones-to-Solve-Jail-Overcrowding_-Limitations-in-Legislation-and-Litigation-by-Gabriel-Adora.pdf download=true print=true fullscreen=false fullscreen_target=false fullscreen_text=\\\"View%20Fullscreen\\\" zoom=auto search_term=\\\"\\\" ]<\\/div>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\">\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>Featured Image by Noel Celis\\u2014AFP\\/Getty Images<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\"},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(5763,1797,'_elementor_page_assets','a:0:{}'),(5764,1797,'_elementor_css','a:7:{s:4:\"time\";i:1629299373;s:5:\"fonts\";a:0:{}s:5:\"icons\";a:0:{}s:20:\"dynamic_elements_ids\";a:0:{}s:6:\"status\";s:5:\"empty\";i:0;s:0:\"\";s:3:\"css\";s:0:\"\";}'),(5765,1798,'_thumbnail_id','1791'),(5766,1798,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(5767,1798,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(5768,1798,'_elementor_version','3.3.1'),(5769,1798,'_wp_page_template','default'),(5770,1798,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"4c472a96\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"69eaecf9\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"446c630a\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><!-- wp:heading {\\\"textAlign\\\":\\\"center\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<h2 class=\\\"has-text-align-center\\\">The Stepping Stones to Solve Jail Overcrowding:<br \\/>Limitations in Legislation and Litigation<\\/h2>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":25} --><\\/p>\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-spacer\\\" style=\\\"height: 25px; text-align: center;\\\" aria-hidden=\\\"true\\\"><em>By Gabriel D.R. Adora<\\/em><\\/div>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:file {\\\"id\\\":1488,\\\"href\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/The-Stepping-Stones-to-Solve-Jail-Overcrowding_-Limitations-in-Legislation-and-Litigation-by-Gabriel-Adora.pdf\\\",\\\"displayPreview\\\":false,\\\"align\\\":\\\"right\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-file alignright\\\"><a class=\\\"wp-block-file__button\\\" href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/The-Stepping-Stones-to-Solve-Jail-Overcrowding_-Limitations-in-Legislation-and-Litigation-by-Gabriel-Adora.pdf\\\" download=\\\"\\\">Download PDF Here<\\/a><\\/div>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:file --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":25} --><\\/p>\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-spacer\\\" style=\\\"height: 25px;\\\" aria-hidden=\\\"true\\\">\\u00a0<\\/div>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:paragraph --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"text-align: right;\\\"><em>\\u201cThere is no humane punishment without a horizon.<br \\/><\\/em><em>No one can change their life if they don\\u2019t see a horizon.<br \\/><\\/em><em>And so many times we are used to blocking the view of our inmates.<br \\/><\\/em><em>Take this image of the windows and the horizon<br \\/>and ensure that in your countries the prisons always have a window and horizon.<br \\/><\\/em><em>even a life sentence \\u2013 which for me is questionable \\u2013 even a life sentence would have to have a horizon.\\u201d<br \\/><\\/em>- Pope Francis<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\">[1]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"text-align: center;\\\"><strong>I. INTRODUCTION<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The problem of jail congestion is often set aside and ignored in the Philippines. It is a longstanding issue that remains unaddressed by the government, with statistics showing congested jails since the 1990s. The Senate finance committee hearings reveal the lack of enthusiasm in even attempting to resolve the issue. On October 2020, jails chief Director Allan Iral pointed out that the allotments made by the Department of Budget Management (DBM) for the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) only corresponded to the creation of perimeter fences.<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\">[2]<\\/a> The meager allotment goes to show that despite the overwhelming congestion rate of about 400%, the plans to expand the correctional facilities in the Philippines remain as blueprints. This rate translates to six detainees sharing a space made only for one detainee.<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\">[3]<\\/a> A Commission on Audit (COA) report further reveals that the completion of forty nine (49) infrastructure projects with a total contract cost of P2,762,141,293.54 was delayed. This effectively hampered BJMP\\u2019s objective of providing a functional and responsive jail facility to Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDL) pursuant to Section 63 of R.A. 6975.<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\">[4]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The issue of overcrowding, however, does not solely stem from the government\\u2019s budgetary constraints. While the allotment of additional funds\\u00a0 leads to the establishment of more spacious facilities, these efforts and resources will be for naught if the same is continuously occupied by an increasing number of detainees whose cases are still ongoing. With the clogged dockets of Philippine courts, there is a good chance that these detainees will stay behind bars for a relatively long time.<a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\">[5]<\\/a> If there are no alternatives to confinement in jails, then the newly constructed facilities are bound to be crowded.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Extreme congestion poses serious threats to the life and health of detainees due to sanitation issues as viruses\\u2014like COVID-19\\u2014and other contagious diseases spread easily. Hence, they should have a remedy under the law, when necessary, to obtain transfers or temporary release from confinement upon sufficient showing of such dangers.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The entitlement of detainees to basic human rights, such as humane and healthy living conditions, is anchored in the 1987 Constitution of the Philippines, Philippine Statutes and Regulations, and in International Law. However, the fact that the issue remains unresolved and that it worsens over time indicates that the relevant Constitutional and statutory provisions are not brought to life as intended by their makers. Since jail congestion involves the life and liberty of persons, society as a whole\\u2014both the public and the private sector\\u2014must treat it as a matter of great importance. It seems that society at large has yet to launch an aggressive campaign that advocates for a detainee\\u2019s human rights.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The author submits that while the allotment of additional facilities is necessary to alleviate the congestion rates at present, the detainees should also have a recourse under the law to enforce their rights in case overcrowding poses a threat to their life and health. Additionally, coming up with alternatives to confinement might provide long-term solutions to jail overcrowding.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">[1]<\\/a>Cindy Wooden, Concern for inmates, prison reform is obligatory act of mercy, pope says, (November 8, 2019), https:\\/\\/www.ncronline.org\\/news\\/justice\\/francis-chronicles\\/concern-inmates-prison-reform-obligatory-act-mercy-pope-says.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a> Rambo Talabong, No budget for new PH jails in 2021 despite over congestion, (October 1, 2020) https:\\/\\/www.rappler.com\\/nation\\/no-budget-for-new-ph-jails-in-2021-despite-over-congestion.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a> Rambo Talabong, Jodesz Galivan, and Lian Buan, \'Takot na takot kami\': While government stalls, coronavirus breaks into PH jails, (April 18. 2020), https:\\/\\/www.rappler.com\\/newsbreak\\/in-depth\\/while-government-stalls-coronavirus-breaks-into-philippine-jails.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[4]<\\/a>Commission on Audit, Annual Audit Report on the BJMP: Executive Summary, https:\\/\\/www.coa.gov.ph\\/phocadownloadpap\\/userupload\\/annual_audit_report\\/NGAs\\/2019\\/National-Government-Sector\\/Department-of-the-Interior-and-Local-Government\\/BJMP_ES2019.pdf, (last accessed June 20, 2021).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[5]<\\/a> Dr. Raymund Narag, A HUMANITARIAN CRISIS, A MONSTER IN OUR MIDST. State of the PH in 2018: Our jails are now world\'s most congested, (July 23, 2018), https:\\/\\/pcij.org\\/article\\/923\\/state-of-the-ph-in-2018-our-jails-are-now-worlds-most-congested.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed {\\\"imageURL\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/The-Stepping-Stones-to-Solve-Jail-Overcrowding_-Limitations-in-Legislation-and-Litigation-by-Gabriel-Adora.pdf\\\",\\\"imgID\\\":1488,\\\"imgTitle\\\":\\\"The Stepping Stones to Solve Jail Overcrowding_ Limitations in Legislation and Litigation by Gabriel Adora\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-pdfjsblock-pdfjs-embed pdfjs-wrapper\\\">[pdfjs-viewer viewer_width=0 viewer_height=800 url=http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/The-Stepping-Stones-to-Solve-Jail-Overcrowding_-Limitations-in-Legislation-and-Litigation-by-Gabriel-Adora.pdf download=true print=true fullscreen=false fullscreen_target=false fullscreen_text=\\\"View%20Fullscreen\\\" zoom=auto search_term=\\\"\\\" ]<\\/div>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>Featured Image by Noel Celis\\u2014AFP\\/Getty Images<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\"},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(5771,1798,'_elementor_page_assets','a:0:{}'),(5772,1798,'_elementor_css','a:7:{s:4:\"time\";i:1629299373;s:5:\"fonts\";a:0:{}s:5:\"icons\";a:0:{}s:20:\"dynamic_elements_ids\";a:0:{}s:6:\"status\";s:5:\"empty\";i:0;s:0:\"\";s:3:\"css\";s:0:\"\";}'),(5775,1799,'_thumbnail_id','1791'),(5776,1799,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(5777,1799,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(5778,1799,'_elementor_version','3.3.1'),(5779,1799,'_wp_page_template','default'),(5780,1799,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"4c472a96\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"69eaecf9\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"446c630a\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><!-- wp:heading {\\\"textAlign\\\":\\\"center\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<h2 class=\\\"has-text-align-center\\\">The Stepping Stones to Solve Jail Overcrowding:<br \\/>Limitations in Legislation and Litigation<\\/h2>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":25} --><\\/p>\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-spacer\\\" style=\\\"height: 25px; text-align: center;\\\" aria-hidden=\\\"true\\\"><em>By Gabriel D.R. Adora<\\/em><\\/div>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:file {\\\"id\\\":1488,\\\"href\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/The-Stepping-Stones-to-Solve-Jail-Overcrowding_-Limitations-in-Legislation-and-Litigation-by-Gabriel-Adora.pdf\\\",\\\"displayPreview\\\":false,\\\"align\\\":\\\"right\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-file alignright\\\"><a class=\\\"wp-block-file__button\\\" href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/The-Stepping-Stones-to-Solve-Jail-Overcrowding_-Limitations-in-Legislation-and-Litigation-by-Gabriel-Adora.pdf\\\" download=\\\"\\\">Download PDF Here<\\/a><\\/div>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:file --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":25} --><\\/p>\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-spacer\\\" style=\\\"height: 25px;\\\" aria-hidden=\\\"true\\\">\\u00a0<\\/div>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:paragraph --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"text-align: right;\\\"><em>\\u201cThere is no humane punishment without a horizon.<br \\/><\\/em><em>No one can change their life if they don\\u2019t see a horizon.<br \\/><\\/em><em>And so many times we are used to blocking the view of our inmates.<br \\/><\\/em><em>Take this image of the windows and the horizon<br \\/>and ensure that in your countries the prisons always have a window and horizon.<br \\/><\\/em><em>even a life sentence \\u2013 which for me is questionable \\u2013 even a life sentence would have to have a horizon.\\u201d<br \\/><\\/em>- Pope Francis<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\">[1]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"text-align: center;\\\"><strong>I. INTRODUCTION<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The problem of jail congestion is often set aside and ignored in the Philippines. It is a longstanding issue that remains unaddressed by the government, with statistics showing congested jails since the 1990s. The Senate finance committee hearings reveal the lack of enthusiasm in even attempting to resolve the issue. On October 2020, jails chief Director Allan Iral pointed out that the allotments made by the Department of Budget Management (DBM) for the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) only corresponded to the creation of perimeter fences.<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\">[2]<\\/a> The meager allotment goes to show that despite the overwhelming congestion rate of about 400%, the plans to expand the correctional facilities in the Philippines remain as blueprints. This rate translates to six detainees sharing a space made only for one detainee.<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\">[3]<\\/a> A Commission on Audit (COA) report further reveals that the completion of forty nine (49) infrastructure projects with a total contract cost of P2,762,141,293.54 was delayed. This effectively hampered BJMP\\u2019s objective of providing a functional and responsive jail facility to Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDL) pursuant to Section 63 of R.A. 6975.<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\">[4]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The issue of overcrowding, however, does not solely stem from the government\\u2019s budgetary constraints. While the allotment of additional funds\\u00a0 leads to the establishment of more spacious facilities, these efforts and resources will be for naught if the same is continuously occupied by an increasing number of detainees whose cases are still ongoing. With the clogged dockets of Philippine courts, there is a good chance that these detainees will stay behind bars for a relatively long time.<a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\">[5]<\\/a> If there are no alternatives to confinement in jails, then the newly constructed facilities are bound to be crowded.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Extreme congestion poses serious threats to the life and health of detainees due to sanitation issues as viruses\\u2014like COVID-19\\u2014and other contagious diseases spread easily. Hence, they should have a remedy under the law, when necessary, to obtain transfers or temporary release from confinement upon sufficient showing of such dangers.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The entitlement of detainees to basic human rights, such as humane and healthy living conditions, is anchored in the 1987 Constitution of the Philippines, Philippine Statutes and Regulations, and in International Law. However, the fact that the issue remains unresolved and that it worsens over time indicates that the relevant Constitutional and statutory provisions are not brought to life as intended by their makers. Since jail congestion involves the life and liberty of persons, society as a whole\\u2014both the public and the private sector\\u2014must treat it as a matter of great importance. It seems that society at large has yet to launch an aggressive campaign that advocates for a detainee\\u2019s human rights.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The author submits that while the allotment of additional facilities is necessary to alleviate the congestion rates at present, the detainees should also have a recourse under the law to enforce their rights in case overcrowding poses a threat to their life and health. Additionally, coming up with alternatives to confinement might provide long-term solutions to jail overcrowding.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">[1]<\\/a>Cindy Wooden, Concern for inmates, prison reform is obligatory act of mercy, pope says, (November 8, 2019), https:\\/\\/www.ncronline.org\\/news\\/justice\\/francis-chronicles\\/concern-inmates-prison-reform-obligatory-act-mercy-pope-says.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a> Rambo Talabong, No budget for new PH jails in 2021 despite over congestion, (October 1, 2020) https:\\/\\/www.rappler.com\\/nation\\/no-budget-for-new-ph-jails-in-2021-despite-over-congestion.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a> Rambo Talabong, Jodesz Galivan, and Lian Buan, \'Takot na takot kami\': While government stalls, coronavirus breaks into PH jails, (April 18. 2020), https:\\/\\/www.rappler.com\\/newsbreak\\/in-depth\\/while-government-stalls-coronavirus-breaks-into-philippine-jails.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[4]<\\/a>Commission on Audit, Annual Audit Report on the BJMP: Executive Summary, https:\\/\\/www.coa.gov.ph\\/phocadownloadpap\\/userupload\\/annual_audit_report\\/NGAs\\/2019\\/National-Government-Sector\\/Department-of-the-Interior-and-Local-Government\\/BJMP_ES2019.pdf, (last accessed June 20, 2021).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[5]<\\/a> Dr. Raymund Narag, A HUMANITARIAN CRISIS, A MONSTER IN OUR MIDST. State of the PH in 2018: Our jails are now world\'s most congested, (July 23, 2018), https:\\/\\/pcij.org\\/article\\/923\\/state-of-the-ph-in-2018-our-jails-are-now-worlds-most-congested.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed {\\\"imageURL\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/The-Stepping-Stones-to-Solve-Jail-Overcrowding_-Limitations-in-Legislation-and-Litigation-by-Gabriel-Adora.pdf\\\",\\\"imgID\\\":1488,\\\"imgTitle\\\":\\\"The Stepping Stones to Solve Jail Overcrowding_ Limitations in Legislation and Litigation by Gabriel Adora\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-pdfjsblock-pdfjs-embed pdfjs-wrapper\\\">[pdfjs-viewer viewer_width=0 viewer_height=800 url=http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/The-Stepping-Stones-to-Solve-Jail-Overcrowding_-Limitations-in-Legislation-and-Litigation-by-Gabriel-Adora.pdf download=true print=true fullscreen=false fullscreen_target=false fullscreen_text=\\\"View%20Fullscreen\\\" zoom=auto search_term=\\\"\\\" ]<\\/div>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>Featured Image by Noel Celis\\u2014AFP\\/Getty Images<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\"},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(5781,1799,'_elementor_page_assets','a:0:{}'),(5782,1799,'_elementor_css','a:7:{s:4:\"time\";i:1629299430;s:5:\"fonts\";a:0:{}s:5:\"icons\";a:0:{}s:20:\"dynamic_elements_ids\";a:0:{}s:6:\"status\";s:5:\"empty\";i:0;s:0:\"\";s:3:\"css\";s:0:\"\";}'),(5783,1800,'_thumbnail_id','1791'),(5784,1800,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(5785,1800,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(5786,1800,'_elementor_version','3.3.1'),(5787,1800,'_wp_page_template','default'),(5788,1800,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"4c472a96\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"69eaecf9\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"446c630a\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><!-- wp:heading {\\\"textAlign\\\":\\\"center\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<h2 class=\\\"has-text-align-center\\\">The Stepping Stones to Solve Jail Overcrowding:<br \\/>Limitations in Legislation and Litigation<\\/h2>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":25} --><\\/p>\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-spacer\\\" style=\\\"height: 25px; text-align: center;\\\" aria-hidden=\\\"true\\\"><em>By Gabriel D.R. Adora<\\/em><\\/div>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:file {\\\"id\\\":1488,\\\"href\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/The-Stepping-Stones-to-Solve-Jail-Overcrowding_-Limitations-in-Legislation-and-Litigation-by-Gabriel-Adora.pdf\\\",\\\"displayPreview\\\":false,\\\"align\\\":\\\"right\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-file alignright\\\"><a class=\\\"wp-block-file__button\\\" href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/The-Stepping-Stones-to-Solve-Jail-Overcrowding_-Limitations-in-Legislation-and-Litigation-by-Gabriel-Adora.pdf\\\" download=\\\"\\\">Download PDF Here<\\/a><\\/div>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:file --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":25} --><\\/p>\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-spacer\\\" style=\\\"height: 25px;\\\" aria-hidden=\\\"true\\\">\\u00a0<\\/div>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:paragraph --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"text-align: right;\\\"><em>\\u201cThere is no humane punishment without a horizon.<br \\/><\\/em><em>No one can change their life if they don\\u2019t see a horizon.<br \\/><\\/em><em>And so many times we are used to blocking the view of our inmates.<br \\/><\\/em><em>Take this image of the windows and the horizon<br \\/>and ensure that in your countries the prisons always have a window and horizon.<br \\/><\\/em><em>even a life sentence \\u2013 which for me is questionable \\u2013 even a life sentence would have to have a horizon.\\u201d<br \\/><\\/em>- Pope Francis<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\">[1]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"text-align: center;\\\"><strong>I. INTRODUCTION<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The problem of jail congestion is often set aside and ignored in the Philippines. It is a longstanding issue that remains unaddressed by the government, with statistics showing congested jails since the 1990s. The Senate finance committee hearings reveal the lack of enthusiasm in even attempting to resolve the issue. On October 2020, jails chief Director Allan Iral pointed out that the allotments made by the Department of Budget Management (DBM) for the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) only corresponded to the creation of perimeter fences.<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\">[2]<\\/a> The meager allotment goes to show that despite the overwhelming congestion rate of about 400%, the plans to expand the correctional facilities in the Philippines remain as blueprints. This rate translates to six detainees sharing a space made only for one detainee.<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\">[3]<\\/a> A Commission on Audit (COA) report further reveals that the completion of forty nine (49) infrastructure projects with a total contract cost of P2,762,141,293.54 was delayed. This effectively hampered BJMP\\u2019s objective of providing a functional and responsive jail facility to Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDL) pursuant to Section 63 of R.A. 6975.<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\">[4]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The issue of overcrowding, however, does not solely stem from the government\\u2019s budgetary constraints. While the allotment of additional funds\\u00a0 leads to the establishment of more spacious facilities, these efforts and resources will be for naught if the same is continuously occupied by an increasing number of detainees whose cases are still ongoing. With the clogged dockets of Philippine courts, there is a good chance that these detainees will stay behind bars for a relatively long time.<a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\">[5]<\\/a> If there are no alternatives to confinement in jails, then the newly constructed facilities are bound to be crowded.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Extreme congestion poses serious threats to the life and health of detainees due to sanitation issues as viruses\\u2014like COVID-19\\u2014and other contagious diseases spread easily. Hence, they should have a remedy under the law, when necessary, to obtain transfers or temporary release from confinement upon sufficient showing of such dangers.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The entitlement of detainees to basic human rights, such as humane and healthy living conditions, is anchored in the 1987 Constitution of the Philippines, Philippine Statutes and Regulations, and in International Law. However, the fact that the issue remains unresolved and that it worsens over time indicates that the relevant Constitutional and statutory provisions are not brought to life as intended by their makers. Since jail congestion involves the life and liberty of persons, society as a whole\\u2014both the public and the private sector\\u2014must treat it as a matter of great importance. It seems that society at large has yet to launch an aggressive campaign that advocates for a detainee\\u2019s human rights.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The author submits that while the allotment of additional facilities is necessary to alleviate the congestion rates at present, the detainees should also have a recourse under the law to enforce their rights in case overcrowding poses a threat to their life and health. Additionally, coming up with alternatives to confinement might provide long-term solutions to jail overcrowding.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">[1]<\\/a>Cindy Wooden, Concern for inmates, prison reform is obligatory act of mercy, pope says, (November 8, 2019), https:\\/\\/www.ncronline.org\\/news\\/justice\\/francis-chronicles\\/concern-inmates-prison-reform-obligatory-act-mercy-pope-says.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a> Rambo Talabong, No budget for new PH jails in 2021 despite over congestion, (October 1, 2020) https:\\/\\/www.rappler.com\\/nation\\/no-budget-for-new-ph-jails-in-2021-despite-over-congestion.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a> Rambo Talabong, Jodesz Galivan, and Lian Buan, \'Takot na takot kami\': While government stalls, coronavirus breaks into PH jails, (April 18. 2020), https:\\/\\/www.rappler.com\\/newsbreak\\/in-depth\\/while-government-stalls-coronavirus-breaks-into-philippine-jails.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[4]<\\/a>Commission on Audit, Annual Audit Report on the BJMP: Executive Summary, https:\\/\\/www.coa.gov.ph\\/phocadownloadpap\\/userupload\\/annual_audit_report\\/NGAs\\/2019\\/National-Government-Sector\\/Department-of-the-Interior-and-Local-Government\\/BJMP_ES2019.pdf, (last accessed June 20, 2021).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[5]<\\/a> Dr. Raymund Narag, A HUMANITARIAN CRISIS, A MONSTER IN OUR MIDST. State of the PH in 2018: Our jails are now world\'s most congested, (July 23, 2018), https:\\/\\/pcij.org\\/article\\/923\\/state-of-the-ph-in-2018-our-jails-are-now-worlds-most-congested.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed {\\\"imageURL\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/The-Stepping-Stones-to-Solve-Jail-Overcrowding_-Limitations-in-Legislation-and-Litigation-by-Gabriel-Adora.pdf\\\",\\\"imgID\\\":1488,\\\"imgTitle\\\":\\\"The Stepping Stones to Solve Jail Overcrowding_ Limitations in Legislation and Litigation by Gabriel Adora\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-pdfjsblock-pdfjs-embed pdfjs-wrapper\\\">[pdfjs-viewer viewer_width=0 viewer_height=800 url=http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/The-Stepping-Stones-to-Solve-Jail-Overcrowding_-Limitations-in-Legislation-and-Litigation-by-Gabriel-Adora.pdf download=true print=true fullscreen=false fullscreen_target=false fullscreen_text=\\\"View%20Fullscreen\\\" zoom=auto search_term=\\\"\\\" ]<\\/div>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>Featured Image by Noel Celis\\u2014AFP\\/Getty Images<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\"},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(5789,1800,'_elementor_page_assets','a:0:{}'),(5790,1800,'_elementor_css','a:7:{s:4:\"time\";i:1629299430;s:5:\"fonts\";a:0:{}s:5:\"icons\";a:0:{}s:20:\"dynamic_elements_ids\";a:0:{}s:6:\"status\";s:5:\"empty\";i:0;s:0:\"\";s:3:\"css\";s:0:\"\";}'),(5791,1801,'_thumbnail_id','1791'),(5792,1801,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(5793,1801,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(5794,1801,'_elementor_version','3.3.1'),(5795,1801,'_wp_page_template','default'),(5796,1801,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"4c472a96\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"69eaecf9\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"446c630a\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><!-- wp:heading {\\\"textAlign\\\":\\\"center\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<h2 class=\\\"has-text-align-center\\\">The Stepping Stones to Solve Jail Overcrowding:<br \\/>Limitations in Legislation and Litigation<\\/h2>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":25} --><\\/p>\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-spacer\\\" style=\\\"height: 25px; text-align: center;\\\" aria-hidden=\\\"true\\\"><em>By Gabriel D.R. Adora<\\/em><\\/div>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:file {\\\"id\\\":1488,\\\"href\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/The-Stepping-Stones-to-Solve-Jail-Overcrowding_-Limitations-in-Legislation-and-Litigation-by-Gabriel-Adora.pdf\\\",\\\"displayPreview\\\":false,\\\"align\\\":\\\"right\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-file alignright\\\"><a class=\\\"wp-block-file__button\\\" href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/The-Stepping-Stones-to-Solve-Jail-Overcrowding_-Limitations-in-Legislation-and-Litigation-by-Gabriel-Adora.pdf\\\" download=\\\"\\\">Download PDF Here<\\/a><\\/div>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:file --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":25} --><\\/p>\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-spacer\\\" style=\\\"height: 25px;\\\" aria-hidden=\\\"true\\\">\\u00a0<\\/div>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:paragraph --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"text-align: right;\\\"><em>\\u201cThere is no humane punishment without a horizon.<br \\/><\\/em><em>No one can change their life if they don\\u2019t see a horizon.<br \\/><\\/em><em>And so many times we are used to blocking the view of our inmates.<br \\/><\\/em><em>Take this image of the windows and the horizon<br \\/>and ensure that in your countries the prisons always have a window and horizon.<br \\/><\\/em><em>even a life sentence \\u2013 which for me is questionable \\u2013 even a life sentence would have to have a horizon.\\u201d<br \\/><\\/em>- Pope Francis<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\">[1]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"text-align: center;\\\"><strong>I. INTRODUCTION<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The problem of jail congestion is often set aside and ignored in the Philippines. It is a longstanding issue that remains unaddressed by the government, with statistics showing congested jails since the 1990s. The Senate finance committee hearings reveal the lack of enthusiasm in even attempting to resolve the issue. On October 2020, jails chief Director Allan Iral pointed out that the allotments made by the Department of Budget Management (DBM) for the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) only corresponded to the creation of perimeter fences.<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\">[2]<\\/a> The meager allotment goes to show that despite the overwhelming congestion rate of about 400%, the plans to expand the correctional facilities in the Philippines remain as blueprints. This rate translates to six detainees sharing a space made only for one detainee.<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\">[3]<\\/a> A Commission on Audit (COA) report further reveals that the completion of forty nine (49) infrastructure projects with a total contract cost of P2,762,141,293.54 was delayed. This effectively hampered BJMP\\u2019s objective of providing a functional and responsive jail facility to Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDL) pursuant to Section 63 of R.A. 6975.<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\">[4]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The issue of overcrowding, however, does not solely stem from the government\\u2019s budgetary constraints. While the allotment of additional funds\\u00a0 leads to the establishment of more spacious facilities, these efforts and resources will be for naught if the same is continuously occupied by an increasing number of detainees whose cases are still ongoing. With the clogged dockets of Philippine courts, there is a good chance that these detainees will stay behind bars for a relatively long time.<a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\">[5]<\\/a> If there are no alternatives to confinement in jails, then the newly constructed facilities are bound to be crowded.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Extreme congestion poses serious threats to the life and health of detainees due to sanitation issues as viruses\\u2014like COVID-19\\u2014and other contagious diseases spread easily. Hence, they should have a remedy under the law, when necessary, to obtain transfers or temporary release from confinement upon sufficient showing of such dangers.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The entitlement of detainees to basic human rights, such as humane and healthy living conditions, is anchored in the 1987 Constitution of the Philippines, Philippine Statutes and Regulations, and in International Law. However, the fact that the issue remains unresolved and that it worsens over time indicates that the relevant Constitutional and statutory provisions are not brought to life as intended by their makers. Since jail congestion involves the life and liberty of persons, society as a whole\\u2014both the public and the private sector\\u2014must treat it as a matter of great importance. It seems that society at large has yet to launch an aggressive campaign that advocates for a detainee\\u2019s human rights.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The author submits that while the allotment of additional facilities is necessary to alleviate the congestion rates at present, the detainees should also have a recourse under the law to enforce their rights in case overcrowding poses a threat to their life and health. Additionally, coming up with alternatives to confinement might provide long-term solutions to jail overcrowding.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">[1]<\\/a>Cindy Wooden, Concern for inmates, prison reform is obligatory act of mercy, pope says, (November 8, 2019), https:\\/\\/www.ncronline.org\\/news\\/justice\\/francis-chronicles\\/concern-inmates-prison-reform-obligatory-act-mercy-pope-says.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a> Rambo Talabong, No budget for new PH jails in 2021 despite over congestion, (October 1, 2020) https:\\/\\/www.rappler.com\\/nation\\/no-budget-for-new-ph-jails-in-2021-despite-over-congestion.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a> Rambo Talabong, Jodesz Galivan, and Lian Buan, \'Takot na takot kami\': While government stalls, coronavirus breaks into PH jails, (April 18. 2020), https:\\/\\/www.rappler.com\\/newsbreak\\/in-depth\\/while-government-stalls-coronavirus-breaks-into-philippine-jails.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[4]<\\/a>Commission on Audit, Annual Audit Report on the BJMP: Executive Summary, https:\\/\\/www.coa.gov.ph\\/phocadownloadpap\\/userupload\\/annual_audit_report\\/NGAs\\/2019\\/National-Government-Sector\\/Department-of-the-Interior-and-Local-Government\\/BJMP_ES2019.pdf, (last accessed June 20, 2021).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[5]<\\/a> Dr. Raymund Narag, A HUMANITARIAN CRISIS, A MONSTER IN OUR MIDST. State of the PH in 2018: Our jails are now world\'s most congested, (July 23, 2018), https:\\/\\/pcij.org\\/article\\/923\\/state-of-the-ph-in-2018-our-jails-are-now-worlds-most-congested.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed {\\\"imageURL\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/The-Stepping-Stones-to-Solve-Jail-Overcrowding_-Limitations-in-Legislation-and-Litigation-by-Gabriel-Adora.pdf\\\",\\\"imgID\\\":1488,\\\"imgTitle\\\":\\\"The Stepping Stones to Solve Jail Overcrowding_ Limitations in Legislation and Litigation by Gabriel Adora\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-pdfjsblock-pdfjs-embed pdfjs-wrapper\\\">[pdfjs-viewer viewer_width=0 viewer_height=800 url=http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/The-Stepping-Stones-to-Solve-Jail-Overcrowding_-Limitations-in-Legislation-and-Litigation-by-Gabriel-Adora.pdf download=true print=true fullscreen=false fullscreen_target=false fullscreen_text=\\\"View%20Fullscreen\\\" zoom=auto search_term=\\\"\\\" ]<\\/div>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>Featured Image by Noel Celis\\u2014AFP\\/Getty Images<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.15,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(5797,1801,'_elementor_page_assets','a:0:{}'),(5798,1801,'_elementor_css','a:7:{s:4:\"time\";i:1629299430;s:5:\"fonts\";a:0:{}s:5:\"icons\";a:0:{}s:20:\"dynamic_elements_ids\";a:0:{}s:6:\"status\";s:5:\"empty\";i:0;s:0:\"\";s:3:\"css\";s:0:\"\";}'),(5801,1802,'_thumbnail_id','1791'),(5802,1802,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(5803,1802,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(5804,1802,'_elementor_version','3.3.1'),(5805,1802,'_wp_page_template','default'),(5806,1802,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"4c472a96\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"69eaecf9\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"446c630a\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><!-- wp:heading {\\\"textAlign\\\":\\\"center\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<h2 class=\\\"has-text-align-center\\\">The Stepping Stones to Solve Jail Overcrowding:<br \\/>Limitations in Legislation and Litigation<\\/h2>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":25} --><\\/p>\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-spacer\\\" style=\\\"height: 25px; text-align: center;\\\" aria-hidden=\\\"true\\\"><em>By Gabriel D.R. Adora<\\/em><\\/div>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:file {\\\"id\\\":1488,\\\"href\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/The-Stepping-Stones-to-Solve-Jail-Overcrowding_-Limitations-in-Legislation-and-Litigation-by-Gabriel-Adora.pdf\\\",\\\"displayPreview\\\":false,\\\"align\\\":\\\"right\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-file alignright\\\"><a class=\\\"wp-block-file__button\\\" href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/The-Stepping-Stones-to-Solve-Jail-Overcrowding_-Limitations-in-Legislation-and-Litigation-by-Gabriel-Adora.pdf\\\" download=\\\"\\\">Download PDF Here<\\/a><\\/div>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:file --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":25} --><\\/p>\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-spacer\\\" style=\\\"height: 25px;\\\" aria-hidden=\\\"true\\\">\\u00a0<\\/div>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:paragraph --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"text-align: right;\\\"><em>\\u201cThere is no humane punishment without a horizon.<br \\/><\\/em><em>No one can change their life if they don\\u2019t see a horizon.<br \\/><\\/em><em>And so many times we are used to blocking the view of our inmates.<br \\/><\\/em><em>Take this image of the windows and the horizon<br \\/>and ensure that in your countries the prisons always have a window and horizon.<br \\/><\\/em><em>even a life sentence \\u2013 which for me is questionable \\u2013 even a life sentence would have to have a horizon.\\u201d<br \\/><\\/em>- Pope Francis<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\">[1]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"text-align: center;\\\"><strong>I. INTRODUCTION<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The problem of jail congestion is often set aside and ignored in the Philippines. It is a longstanding issue that remains unaddressed by the government, with statistics showing congested jails since the 1990s. The Senate finance committee hearings reveal the lack of enthusiasm in even attempting to resolve the issue. On October 2020, jails chief Director Allan Iral pointed out that the allotments made by the Department of Budget Management (DBM) for the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) only corresponded to the creation of perimeter fences.<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\">[2]<\\/a> The meager allotment goes to show that despite the overwhelming congestion rate of about 400%, the plans to expand the correctional facilities in the Philippines remain as blueprints. This rate translates to six detainees sharing a space made only for one detainee.<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\">[3]<\\/a> A Commission on Audit (COA) report further reveals that the completion of forty nine (49) infrastructure projects with a total contract cost of P2,762,141,293.54 was delayed. This effectively hampered BJMP\\u2019s objective of providing a functional and responsive jail facility to Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDL) pursuant to Section 63 of R.A. 6975.<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\">[4]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The issue of overcrowding, however, does not solely stem from the government\\u2019s budgetary constraints. While the allotment of additional funds\\u00a0 leads to the establishment of more spacious facilities, these efforts and resources will be for naught if the same is continuously occupied by an increasing number of detainees whose cases are still ongoing. With the clogged dockets of Philippine courts, there is a good chance that these detainees will stay behind bars for a relatively long time.<a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\">[5]<\\/a> If there are no alternatives to confinement in jails, then the newly constructed facilities are bound to be crowded.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Extreme congestion poses serious threats to the life and health of detainees due to sanitation issues as viruses\\u2014like COVID-19\\u2014and other contagious diseases spread easily. Hence, they should have a remedy under the law, when necessary, to obtain transfers or temporary release from confinement upon sufficient showing of such dangers.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The entitlement of detainees to basic human rights, such as humane and healthy living conditions, is anchored in the 1987 Constitution of the Philippines, Philippine Statutes and Regulations, and in International Law. However, the fact that the issue remains unresolved and that it worsens over time indicates that the relevant Constitutional and statutory provisions are not brought to life as intended by their makers. Since jail congestion involves the life and liberty of persons, society as a whole\\u2014both the public and the private sector\\u2014must treat it as a matter of great importance. It seems that society at large has yet to launch an aggressive campaign that advocates for a detainee\\u2019s human rights.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The author submits that while the allotment of additional facilities is necessary to alleviate the congestion rates at present, the detainees should also have a recourse under the law to enforce their rights in case overcrowding poses a threat to their life and health. Additionally, coming up with alternatives to confinement might provide long-term solutions to jail overcrowding.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">[1]<\\/a>Cindy Wooden, Concern for inmates, prison reform is obligatory act of mercy, pope says, (November 8, 2019), https:\\/\\/www.ncronline.org\\/news\\/justice\\/francis-chronicles\\/concern-inmates-prison-reform-obligatory-act-mercy-pope-says.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a> Rambo Talabong, No budget for new PH jails in 2021 despite over congestion, (October 1, 2020) https:\\/\\/www.rappler.com\\/nation\\/no-budget-for-new-ph-jails-in-2021-despite-over-congestion.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a> Rambo Talabong, Jodesz Galivan, and Lian Buan, \'Takot na takot kami\': While government stalls, coronavirus breaks into PH jails, (April 18. 2020), https:\\/\\/www.rappler.com\\/newsbreak\\/in-depth\\/while-government-stalls-coronavirus-breaks-into-philippine-jails.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[4]<\\/a>Commission on Audit, Annual Audit Report on the BJMP: Executive Summary, https:\\/\\/www.coa.gov.ph\\/phocadownloadpap\\/userupload\\/annual_audit_report\\/NGAs\\/2019\\/National-Government-Sector\\/Department-of-the-Interior-and-Local-Government\\/BJMP_ES2019.pdf, (last accessed June 20, 2021).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[5]<\\/a> Dr. Raymund Narag, A HUMANITARIAN CRISIS, A MONSTER IN OUR MIDST. State of the PH in 2018: Our jails are now world\'s most congested, (July 23, 2018), https:\\/\\/pcij.org\\/article\\/923\\/state-of-the-ph-in-2018-our-jails-are-now-worlds-most-congested.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed {\\\"imageURL\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/The-Stepping-Stones-to-Solve-Jail-Overcrowding_-Limitations-in-Legislation-and-Litigation-by-Gabriel-Adora.pdf\\\",\\\"imgID\\\":1488,\\\"imgTitle\\\":\\\"The Stepping Stones to Solve Jail Overcrowding_ Limitations in Legislation and Litigation by Gabriel Adora\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-pdfjsblock-pdfjs-embed pdfjs-wrapper\\\">[pdfjs-viewer viewer_width=0 viewer_height=800 url=http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/The-Stepping-Stones-to-Solve-Jail-Overcrowding_-Limitations-in-Legislation-and-Litigation-by-Gabriel-Adora.pdf download=true print=true fullscreen=false fullscreen_target=false fullscreen_text=\\\"View%20Fullscreen\\\" zoom=auto search_term=\\\"\\\" ]<\\/div>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>Featured Image by Noel Celis\\u2014AFP\\/Getty Images<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.15,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(5807,1802,'_elementor_page_assets','a:0:{}'),(5808,1802,'_elementor_controls_usage','a:3:{s:11:\"text-editor\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:1;s:8:\"controls\";a:2:{s:7:\"content\";a:1:{s:14:\"section_editor\";a:1:{s:6:\"editor\";i:1;}}s:5:\"style\";a:1:{s:13:\"section_style\";a:2:{s:21:\"typography_typography\";i:1;s:22:\"typography_line_height\";i:1;}}}}s:6:\"column\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:0;s:8:\"controls\";a:0:{}}s:7:\"section\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:0;s:8:\"controls\";a:0:{}}}'),(5809,1802,'_elementor_css','a:6:{s:4:\"time\";i:1629299443;s:5:\"fonts\";a:0:{}s:5:\"icons\";a:0:{}s:20:\"dynamic_elements_ids\";a:0:{}s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"file\";i:0;s:0:\"\";}'),(5810,1803,'_thumbnail_id','1262'),(5811,1803,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(5812,1803,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(5813,1803,'_elementor_version','3.1.1'),(5814,1803,'_wp_page_template','default'),(5815,1803,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"3d1e02bb\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"4005cedf\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"6508c5f0\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><!-- wp:separator --><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"text-align: center;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 10pt;\\\"><em><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">*<\\/a>This should not be treated as a medical advice. It is always best to consult your physician.<\\/em><\\/span><\\/p>\\n<hr \\/>\\n<p style=\\\"text-align: right;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>By: Ashley Faye S. Cruz**<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 You are a 15-year-old high school kid lining up in an annual physical examination. The school physician asked if you were vaccinated when you were still a newborn. You answered in the negative, and the physician gave you flyers for free vaccines at the public health center. You went home and excitedly told your mother about this thing called \\u201cvaccine\\u201d and how it can help your immune system. Your mom, who believes in medical conspiracy theories, adamantly denied your request and pulled a litany of conspiracy theories taken from social media websites. Determined, you went to the public health center, but the nurse denied you a free vaccine because there needs parental consent.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 It is very alarming that the Philippines could have avoided diseases by a simple vaccine trip to the nearest pediatrician. United Nations International Children\'s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) reported that as of 2019, an estimated 2.9 million Filipino children remain unvaccinated and remain vulnerable to serious diseases such as rubella and polio. <a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\">[1]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 World Health Organization (WHO) representative Rabindra Abeyasinghe said that to halt the proliferation of disease in the country, 95% need to be vaccinated<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\">[2]<\\/a>. Notwithstanding the availability of free vaccines at public health centers, many parents still refuse to vaccinate their children. Parents have the \\u201cvaccine hesitancy\\u201d, which is the delay in acceptance or refusal of vaccines despite the availability of vaccination services.<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\">[3]<\\/a> Studies have identified several factors that have caused the loss of public confidence in vaccine, though the recommended vaccines are long proven to be effective.<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\">[4]<\\/a> Among these are the following:<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:list {\\\"ordered\\\":true,\\\"type\\\":\\\"1\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<ol>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\n<ol type=\\\"1\\\">\\n<li>Dengvaxia controversy, where 10% of the 800,000 students who were immunized with a vaccine against Dengue known as Dengvaxia, but did not have a prior dengue infection, posed a higher risk of contracting severe Dengue<a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\">[5]<\\/a>;<\\/li>\\n<li>Circumstantial events surrounding vaccinations such as when parents attach significance to events such as sleep or behavioral patterns and birth timing;<\\/li>\\n<li>Over-reporting of adverse effects of immunization by mass media such as newspapers and television; and<\\/li>\\n<li>Social media also contributed to vaccine hesitancy, and parents tend to be more susceptible to media reports on the Internet.<a href=\\\"#_ftn6\\\">[6]<\\/a><\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<\\/li>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\u00a0<\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Parents who choose not to vaccinate their children endanger not only themselves but also everyone else as immunization rates fall too low for vaccine-preventable diseases. In the school year before the COVID-19 outbreak in the United States (U.S.), the rate of childhood vaccine exemptions claimed by parents rose in 40 of 49 states as reflected in the records. <a href=\\\"#_ftn7\\\">[7]<\\/a> Dr. Arthur Caplan, founding director of the Division of Medical Ethics at New York University Langone Medical Center, said that \\u201c<em>Parents should not have the authority to subject their children to serious preventable harm<\\/em>\\u201d. <a href=\\\"#_ftn8\\\">[8]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 However, there is a solution made by certain states in the U.S. to combat the ever-worsening disease statistics. Nine states allow minors to receive vaccinations without their parents\' permission. Four states allow adolescents to receive specific vaccines, while five states allow minors to consent to any healthcare. <a href=\\\"#_ftn9\\\">[9]<\\/a> The American Medical Association and the Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine and other medical organizations, strongly support laws allowing older minors to self-consent to vaccinations. Granting teenagers this right is essential to stemming the spread of diseases, whether they are newly emerging like COVID-19 or have faded from the news.<a href=\\\"#_ftn10\\\">[10]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 English, et al., of the Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine, stated in their position paper <em>Adolescent Consent for Vaccination: A Position Paper of the Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine<\\/em>, that adolescent vaccines allow the enhancement of adolescent and adult health. Approaches to boost the proportion of adolescents who receive vaccines will be essential to assure that adolescent vaccination will lead to developments in the health of populations. Within ethical and legal guidelines, it will be important to develop policies and strategies that expand opportunities for minors to receive vaccinations when parents are not physically present.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn11\\\">[11]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The U.S. laws on emancipation from parental authority vary from state to state. For instance, some states adopt the \\u201cmature minor\\u201d doctrine. The mature minor doctrine legally recognizes the medical decision-making capacity of adolescents, even though they are still minors under parental or legal guardian control. They are usually 12 years old or older, and they are required to demonstrate adequate cognitive maturity and capacity to understand the risks of medical evaluations and treatments. Some other states allow this practice but its application is restricted only on the grounds of parental availability and sensitive clinical situations.<a href=\\\"#_ftn12\\\">[12]<\\/a> They also allow medical service without parental consent in times of emergency. Other medical services that are available to adolescents that do not need parental consent are rape or sexual assault services, contraception services. sexually transmitted infections, prenatal care, abortion, pediatric care for children of minors, substance use disorder treatment, and mental health treatment. <a href=\\\"#_ftn13\\\">[13]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>Federal law of the U.S, does not contain any requirements for parent\\u2019s consent for vaccination of minors. As an exception, the mature minor doctrine which developed from jurisprudence provides an avenue for minors to obtain vaccines for themselves, as long as the patient can give informed consent, the treatment is not high risk, and is provided in a nonnegligent manner.<a href=\\\"#_ftn14\\\">[14]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 To illustrate, in the case of <em>In Re: Swan<\\/em>, Maine Supreme Judicial Court addressed the issue of discontinuing the treatment of minor patient in a chronic vegetative state with little hope of recovery, specifically that the medical decision maker here is the minor patient himself. Chad had an accident which rendered him needing a life-sustaining procedure included a gastrostomy tube that provided hydration and nutrients to his body. Chad\'s mother and brother said that prior to his accident, Chad told them that he did not want to be held alive by artificial means if an injury rendered him incapable of existing otherwise. The tube eventually deteriorated and made his condition worse. Chad\\u2019s parents acquiesced to his wishes.<a href=\\\"#_ftn15\\\">[15]<\\/a> The District Attorney contended that Chad\'s ability to refuse medical care was \\\"significantly limited\\\" since he was under the legal age of majority when he articulated his wishes. Maine Supreme Judicial Court opposed such contention, saying that Chad\'s age was only a \\\"factor to be weighed by the truth finder in judging the seriousness and deliberateness\\\" of his comments. Chad\'s aspirations to not be held in a permanent vegetative condition were \\\"well-informed medical care decisions\\\" that should be respected.<a href=\\\"#_ftn16\\\">[16]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Some suggest that all states should allow minors to make some health care decisions, especially in stigmatized areas such as sexual health and drug addiction. <a href=\\\"#_ftn17\\\">[17]<\\/a> In California, children aged 12 and up will undergo sexually transmitted disease vaccinations without parental supervision. Hepatitis B vaccine may be given to children of any age without their parents\' consent in Minnesota. In Alabama, children ages 14 and up can consent to all healthcare services.<a href=\\\"#_ftn18\\\">[18]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>The situation in the Philippines \\u2013 Emancipation Laws<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Philippines has legislation for emancipation from parental authority. The age of eighteen years is the age of majority unless otherwise provided, and emancipation takes place in such event.<a href=\\\"#_ftn19\\\">[19]<\\/a> According to the law, \\u201cEmancipation shall terminate parental authority over the person and property of the child who shall then be qualified and responsible for all acts of civil life, save the exceptions established by existing laws in special cases.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn20\\\">[20]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Parental authority is also ingrained in our statutes. Article 17 of The Child and Youth Welfare Code states that \\u201cthe father and mother shall exercise jointly just and reasonable parental authority and responsibility for their legitimate or adopted children.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn21\\\">[21]<\\/a> In case of absence or death or either parent, the surviving parent shall exercise the parental authority. <a href=\\\"#_ftn22\\\">[22]<\\/a> \\u201cGrandparents and in their default, the oldest brother or sister who is at least eighteen years of age, or the relative who has actual custody of the child, shall exercise parental authority in case of absence or death of both parents unless a guardian has been appointed following the succeeding provision.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn23\\\">[23]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The Code also provides in Chapter 2, Article 43 \\u00a0that \\u201cthe parents shall have the right to the company of their children and, concerning all other persons or institutions dealing with the child\'s development, the primary right and obligation to provide for their upbringing.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn24\\\">[24]<\\/a> The authority of parents\\/legal guardians are also strengthened by Article 209 of the Act: \\u201cUnder the natural right and duty of parents over the person and property of their unemancipated children, parental authority and responsibility shall include the caring for and rearing them for civic consciousness and efficiency and the development of their moral, mental and physical character and well-being.\\u201d <a href=\\\"#_ftn25\\\">[25]<\\/a> It cannot be renounced or transferred except in cases authorized by law. <a href=\\\"#_ftn26\\\">[26]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Parental authority terminates permanently upon the death of the parents, upon the death of the child, or emancipation of the child. <a href=\\\"#_ftn27\\\">[27]<\\/a> Moreover, unless subsequently revived by final judgment, it is also terminated upon adoption of the child, upon judicial declaration of abandonment of the child in a case filed for the purpose, upon the final judgment of a competent court divesting the party concerned of parental authority, upon judicial declaration of absence or incapacity of the person exercising parental authority. <a href=\\\"#_ftn28\\\">[28]<\\/a> It can be suspended upon conviction of the parent or the person exercising the same of a crime which carries with it the penalty of civil interdiction, <a href=\\\"#_ftn29\\\">[29]<\\/a> or if they treat the child with excessive harshness or cruelty, gives the child corrupting orders, counsel, or example, compels the child to beg, or subjects the child or allows him to be subjected to acts of lasciviousness<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>Vaccine laws in the Philippines<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 There is a law mandating the basic immunization services for infants and children, or the An Act Providing For Mandatory Basic Immunization Services For Infants And Children, Repealing For The Purpose Presidential Decree No. 996, As Amended (Republic Act No. 10152). It is the policy of the State to take a proactive role in the preventive health care of infants and children, and through this legislation, the State wants to adopt a comprehensive, mandatory and sustainable immunization program for vaccine-preventable diseases for all infants and children.<a href=\\\"#_ftn30\\\">[30]<\\/a> This law covers the following vaccine-preventable diseases:<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:list {\\\"ordered\\\":true,\\\"type\\\":\\\"a\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<ol>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\n<ol>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\n<ol type=\\\"a\\\">\\n<li>Tuberculosis<\\/li>\\n<li>Diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis;<\\/li>\\n<li>Poliomyelitis;<\\/li>\\n<li>Measles;<\\/li>\\n<li>Mumps;<\\/li>\\n<li>Rubella or German measles;<\\/li>\\n<li>Hepatitis-B;<\\/li>\\n<li>H. Influenza type B (HIB); and<\\/li>\\n<li>Such other types may be determined by the Secretary of Health in a department circular.<\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<p>\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Such basic immunizations shall be given for free at any government hospital or health center to infants and children up to five (5) years of age.<a href=\\\"#_ftn31\\\">[31]<\\/a> R.A. 10152 also mandates that all health care practitioners or health care workers who are administering prenatal care shall educate all pregnant mothers on the importance of giving their infants the basic immunization services as well as any possible effects of immunization and that the Department of Health (DOH) and other government and private sectors shall make available appropriate information materials and shall have a system of its distribution to the public.<a href=\\\"#_ftn32\\\">[32]<\\/a> One of the important provisions is Section 5 which provides that any physician, nurse, midwife, nursing aide or skilled birth attendant, who delivers, or assists in the delivery of, a newborn shall, before delivery, inform parents or legal guardian of the newborn of the availability, nature, and benefits of immunization against Hepatitis-B and other vaccine-preventable diseases at birth.<a href=\\\"#_ftn33\\\">[33]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 However, Secretary to the Cabinet Karlo Nograles said that \\u201cthe government could neither force parents to have their children vaccinated nor punish them if they have not.\\u201d He said that \\u201cRA 10152 does not have any penal provisions and does not punish parents who do not have their children vaccinated, unlike the Presidential Decree (PD) it replaced. Under PD 996, it was the duty of parents or those having custody of the child to see to it that the child is immunized. Those who did not could be punished with a P200 fine or one-month imprisonment\\u201d <a href=\\\"#_ftn34\\\">[34]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 With the advent of R.A. 11166 or the Philippine HIV and AIDS Policy Act, the threshold of consent for the screening, voluntary testing, and treatment for human immunodeficiency virus infection, was lowered to fifteen years of age\\u2014 a characterization of the mature minor doctrine. It requires the assent of the child below 15 years old or those mentally incapacitated, if capacity to assent exists, in order to avail of voluntary testing and protect its interests.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 As seen from the aforementioned laws, just like at the federal level of the US, there is a vacuum in terms of parental consent for vaccination of minors in the Philippines.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>Philippine laws: parental consent for medical treatments<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 A doctor-patient relationship is a form of contract. It is an elementary principle that one of the elements of a contract is consent. The person giving consent must be of legal age (18 years of age, unless otherwise provided) and mentally and physically competent. As the legal guardians, parents are the persons who must sign the consent forms.<a href=\\\"#_ftn35\\\">[35]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Article 1327 of the Civil Code provides the persons who cannot give consent to a contract: unemancipated minors and insane or demented persons, and deaf-mutes who do not know how to write. <a href=\\\"#_ftn36\\\">[36]<\\/a> The Civil Code does not define who can consent to a contract, rather, it defines who has no capacity. These persons can easily be victims of fraud as they are not capable of understanding or knowing the nature of their actions, thus they can only enter into an agreement or contracts through their parents or their legal guardians.<a href=\\\"#_ftn37\\\">[37]<\\/a> The contract they have entered is voidable, meaning it is valid and binding until it is annulled by a proper action in court.<a href=\\\"#_ftn38\\\">[38]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In the medical field, there is the right to informed consent, \\u00a0a legal right recognized and protected by law and jurisprudence. The patient has the right to choose openly whether or not to consent to care after being adequately advised by the specialist about the complications and benefits of the recommended treatment, as well as the viable treatment alternatives, including the possibility of no treatment.<a href=\\\"#_ftn39\\\">[39]<\\/a> It is further drawn as a legal concept, where a person can be said, \\u201cto have given consent based upon a clear appreciation and understanding of the facts, implications, and future consequences of an action.\\u201d He must have adequate reasoning faculties and knows all relevant facts at the time consent is given. If a person cannot give informed consent, say a child, another person is generally authorized to give consent on their behalf, in this case, his parents or legal guardian\\/s. <a href=\\\"#_ftn40\\\">[40]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The key elements of informed consent, according to Tejam of Asia Pacific Journal of Pediatrics and Child Health are disclosure of information, assessment of the decision maker\\u2019s capacity to make medical choices, and process of obtaining consent in the form of a voluntary agreement from the patient without coercion or persuasion. In pediatrics, it comes from the parent or legal guardian. Per the best interests standard, parents are regarded to be in the best position to determine their child\\u2019s best interest because parental decision aims to maximize benefits for their children while minimizing harm. However, the determination of what is in children\\u2019s best interest is often subjective and debatable. While written or verbal informed parental consent may be enough for ethical and legal purposes, but it does not meet the necessities of the ethical concept of informed concept. <a href=\\\"#_ftn41\\\">[41]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The purpose of informed consent and the strict guidelines surrounding this concept is the respect for autonomy, which includes the liberty of the patient, defined as \\u201cthe capacity to live life according to one\'s reasons and motives and agency \\u2026[or] rational capacity for intentional action.\\u201d This principle served as one of the pillars in resolving ethical dilemmas.<a href=\\\"#_ftn42\\\">[42]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>Legal consequences of letting Filipino adolescents make vaccine related medical decisions<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Suppose the teen suffered injuries because of the vaccine<a href=\\\"#_ftn43\\\">[43]<\\/a> and the parents want to file a suit against the physician who administered the vaccine. Here are some of the laws that are usually invoked in a medical malpractice suit.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><em>Medical malpractice<\\/em> is defined by Bellosillo, et al (2010) as:<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<blockquote>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u201cAny professional misconduct, or bad skillful practice, or any practice contrary to law or established rules and regulations whereby the health of a person is injured because of failure of a physician to behave or act as a reasonable, prudent physician who is charged with a duty to use a standard of due care and to foresee harm that may result from failure to meet such standard which may be the proximate cause of injury. It ordinarily refers to any malfeasance or dereliction of duty committed by a physician.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn44\\\">[44]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<\\/blockquote>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>The elements of medical malpractice, as enunciated in the case of <em>Lucas vs Tua\\u00f1o, <\\/em>(2009), are:<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:list {\\\"ordered\\\":true,\\\"type\\\":\\\"1\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<ol>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\n<ol>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\n<ol type=\\\"1\\\">\\n<li>A patient engages the services of a physician whereby a physician-patient relationship is generated<\\/li>\\n<li>A physician is under a duty to [the former] to exercise that degree of care, skill, and diligence which physicians in the same general neighborhood and the same general line of practice ordinarily possess and exercise in like cases<\\/li>\\n<li>There is a breach of duty of care, skill, and diligence, or the improper performance of such duty, by the attending physician when the patient is injured in body or health<\\/li>\\n<li>Proof of such breach must likewise rest upon the testimony of an expert witness that the treatment accorded to the patient failed to meet the standard level of care, skill, and diligence which physicians in the same general neighborhood and the same general line of practice ordinarily possess and exercise in like cases.<\\/li>\\n<li>The proximate cause of an injury is that cause, which, in the natural and continuous sequence, unbroken by any efficient intervening cause, produces the injury, and without which the result would not have occurred<a href=\\\"#_ftn45\\\">[45]<\\/a><\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<div>\\u00a0<\\/div>\\n<\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 With these elements present, the physician can be held liable for negligence which is a tort liability. Negligence is defined as \\u201cthe doing of some act which a reasonable and prudent physician would not do, or the failure to do some act which such a person should or would do.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn46\\\">[46]<\\/a> While it is true that physicians are not required to possess extraordinary learning and skill, however, they must keep abreast with medical developments and techniques and must refrain from experimenting. <a href=\\\"#_ftn47\\\">[47]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In terms of evidence, the patient must prove that the health care provider failed to do something which a reasonably prudent health care provider would have done, or that he or she did something that a reasonably prudent provider would not have done; and that that failure or action caused injury to the patient. <a href=\\\"#_ftn48\\\">[48]<\\/a> The injured minor or his parents\\/legal guardian can recover financial damages (actual damages for the pecuniary loss suffered by a party, and moral damages, for the physical suffering and\\/or mental anguish, fright, shock, etc.). <a href=\\\"#_ftn49\\\">[49]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 He can also be held criminally liable<a href=\\\"#_ftn50\\\">[50]<\\/a>. Under the Revised Penal Code (RPC), he can be liable for the crime of administering injurious substances or beverages. The elements are:<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:list {\\\"ordered\\\":true,\\\"type\\\":\\\"1\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<ol>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\n<ol>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\n<ol type=\\\"1\\\">\\n<li>The offender in\\ufb02icted upon another any serious physical injury;<\\/li>\\n<li>That it was done by knowingly administering to him any injurious substances or beverages or by taking advantage of his weakness of mind or credulity;<\\/li>\\n<li>That he had no intent to kill. <a href=\\\"#_ftn51\\\">[51]<\\/a><\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<div>\\u00a0<\\/div>\\n<\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 He can also be made liable for Physical Injuries<a href=\\\"#_ftn52\\\">[52]<\\/a> and for Reckless Imprudence (quasi-offense). Reckless imprudence, as defined in Article 365 of RPC, \\u201cconsists in voluntarily, but without malice, doing or failing to do an act from which material damage results because of inexcusable lack of precaution on the part of the person performing or failing to perform such act, taking into consideration his employment or occupation, degree of intelligence, physical condition and other circumstances regarding persons, time and place.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn53\\\">[53]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 On the other end, the medical practitioner can take shelter on legal doctrines to save themselves from liability. The first is the <em>doctrine of foreseeability<\\/em>, which provides that:<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<blockquote>\\n<p>\\u201cA physician cannot be held liable for negligence if the injury sustained by a patient is on account of unforeseen conditions. But, a physician who fails to ascertain the condition of the patient for want of the requisite skills and training is answerable for the injury sustained by the patient if an injury resulted thereto. Such foreseeable injury may be ascertained from the history, physical examination, observation and from information gathered from another member of the family.\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn54\\\">[54]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<\\/blockquote>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 He can also avoid liability by invoking the defense of accident, that is, an event which happens without any human agency or, if happening through human agency, an event which, under the circumstances, is unusual to and not expected by the person to whom it happened.<a href=\\\"#_ftn55\\\">[55]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>Practical Consequences \\u2013 Risks of letting minors make health care decisions<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 David DeLugas, executive director of the National Association of Parents (U.S.), said that letting minors make health care decisions in lieu of their parents may introduce conflict into families. He does not think states should upset the parent-child relationship by taking power from the parents and transferring it to the children.<a href=\\\"#_ftn56\\\">[56]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Grootens-Wiegers, et al. also noted that there is no general agreement as to which age is appropriate for minors to be considered competent for informed decision-making. Some studies suggest that it is at 9 years old, some studies suggest that it is ages of 14 or 15. Minors of the same age may have a different level of maturity. Young children, who exhibited an adequate aptitude for decision-making in a certain situation, can lack ample ability in another.<a href=\\\"#_ftn57\\\">[57]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 They also discussed that adolescence is a period when various health issues and increased risks appear. Teenagers experience changes in diet and tend to explore vices such as tobacco and substance abuse. The increase in mortality is attributed to decision-making being affected by risky behavior, sensation seeking, and peer influences. The increased risk can also be attributed to lower cognitive control because of the developing brain in adolescence, especially the brain\\u2019s reward system combined with late development of the control system which decreases decision-making competence. Since the maturity of adolescence varies from one child to another, the practice can be very unpredictable.<a href=\\\"#_ftn58\\\">[58]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 However, good practical outcomes can also come with the idea of minors making medical decisions for themselves, especially for vaccines. Assent from minors aged seven years and above can improve moral growth and develop autonomy. It can even encourage them to comply with the medical treatment and allow them to express their interests in such endeavor. It offers a chance to contribute to their healthcare and provide an honest and open relationship between the family and medical service team.<a href=\\\"#_ftn59\\\">[59]<\\/a> Children will no longer be obligated to keep quiet for the sake of their parents. It also ensures that a child\'s unanswered questions, unresolved worries, or desire to be acknowledged are treated as legitimate and rational issues that matter in the child\'s world, rather than being dismissed as complete nonsense. <a href=\\\"#_ftn60\\\">[60]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>Recommendation<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 With the positive and negative outcomes analyzed, the recommendations are set forth to guide future legislators and policymakers and to help outweigh the negative effects.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:list --><\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\n<ul>\\n<li style=\\\"list-style-type: none;\\\">\\n<ul>\\n<li>The requirements of assent are: 1) properly informing patients about the issues at hand and what to expect; 2) assessment of their understanding; 3) soliciting agreement or acknowledgment of the decision.<a href=\\\"#_ftn61\\\">[61]<\\/a><\\/li>\\n<li>American Academy of Pediatrics said that assent should be obtained whenever reasonable, and that assent should only be obtained in situations in which the medical service team would be willing to honor, at least in part, a child\\u2019s dissent.<a href=\\\"#_ftn62\\\">[62]<\\/a><\\/li>\\n<li>Legislation should reflect the concept of <em>care ethics<\\/em> (\\u201cIndividuals do not exist in isolation but with others to\\u00a0 whom\\u00a0 they are emotionally or psychologically close,\\u00a0 such as parents,\\u00a0 siblings, and friends \\u201d). Medical professionals should educate a minor by generating information that can provide specific medical context that can be weighed and analyzed with perspectives offered by family and friends which can largely affect their thought processes. The legislation should also recognize the limitations of judgments of minors.<a href=\\\"#_ftn63\\\">[63]<\\/a><\\/li>\\n<li>The legislators should also limit the age bracket (ideally at the age of 14), and limit the vaccines to the recommended types that have been long proven to be effective by science (Ex. measles, polio, diphtheria, influenza) to minimize health risks.<\\/li>\\n<li>In the legislation, healthcare professionals, adolescent health care clinicians, public health personnel, medical organizations should be present and give their inputs.<a href=\\\"#_ftn64\\\">[64]<\\/a><\\/li>\\n<li>The legislators should frame the law in a way that reflects the thought that \\u201cparental consent should be considered a responsibility that supports the minor\'s best interests and preserves a family\'s interests, rather than a parent\'s right to express their own autonomous choices.\\u201d\\u00a0 Davis and Fang, in an article, said that \\u201c<em>Providers have to serve the pediatric patient\'s best interest and not necessarily the parents\' desires.<\\/em>\\u201d<a href=\\\"#_ftn65\\\">[65]<\\/a><\\/li>\\n<li>For policy-making among healthcare professionals or even in the legislation itself, a set of protocols should be developed to serve as a guide to assess minor\\u2019s maturity and decision-making ability. Legal documentation guidelines should be executed to protect healthcare workers against a suit.<a href=\\\"#_ftn66\\\">[66]<\\/a><\\/li>\\n<li>Adolescent\\u2019s privacy should be reflected in the legislation and healthcare protocols. <a href=\\\"#_ftn67\\\">[67]<\\/a><\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<div>\\u00a0<\\/div>\\n<\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:list --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><strong>Conclusion<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Vaccines have greatly contributed in eradicating serious diseases that could have led to mortality or permanent disability. They are one of the scientific breakthroughs that are gravely misunderstood and often subjected to prejudicial preference. Time and again refused because of misinformation as well as cultural and religious differences. In the Philippines, there is a huge vacuum in emancipation laws for medical decisions for minors. Assuming that minors would be allowed to obtain a vaccine without parental consent, different positive outcomes could be factored, such as a decrease in disease statistics and empowerment in adolescence, while negative outlooks include increased risky behavior in minors because of their developing mental and physical structure, and the boosted risk of medical malpractice suits if ever the vaccine produces adverse effects in their body. Legislators should strive to include healthcare workers in developing legislation that would allow minors to get vaccines for themselves without parental permission, all while preserving the family harmony and the patient\\u2019s well-being, as well as knowing that this is about a patient\\u2019s health and not grandstanding parental authority.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>* Associate Research Editor, UST Law Review; freelance writer<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">[1]<\\/a>UNICEF Philippines, #VaccinesWork: UNICEF stresses importance of immunization on World Immunization Week, UNICEF Philippines, (January 31, 2021), https:\\/\\/www.unicef.org\\/philippines\\/press-releases\\/vaccineswork-unicef-stresses-importance-immunization-world-immunization-week<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a> Jenny Lei Ravelo, Another casualty of vaccine hesitancy: Philippines declares polio outbreak, (January 31, 2021), https:\\/\\/www.devex.com\\/news\\/another-casualty-of-vaccine-hesitancy-philippines-declares-polio-outbreak-95648<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a> Department of Health, Doh Identifies Vaccine Hesitancy as One of The Reasons For Measles Outbreak, Department of Health, (January 31, 2021), https:\\/\\/doh.gov.ph\\/node\\/16721<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[4]<\\/a> Id.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[5]<\\/a> World Health Organization, Revised SAGE recommendation on use of dengue vaccine, (Apil 19, 2018), https:\\/\\/www.who.int\\/immunization\\/diseases\\/dengue\\/revised_SAGE_recommendations_dengue_vaccines_apr2018\\/en\\/<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref6\\\">[6]<\\/a> Migrino, Jr J, Gayados B. Birol RJ, De Jesus L, Lopez CW, Mercado WC, et al. Factors affecting vaccine hesitancy among families with children 2 years old and younger in two urban communities in Manila, Philippines. Western Pac Surveill Response J. 2020 Jun; 10(2). doi: 10.5365\\/wpsar.2019.10.2.006<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref7\\\">[7]<\\/a> Kelly Danielpour, Commentary: Why all 50 states need to allow teens to get vaccinated without parental consent, Los Angeles Times, (Nov. 19, 2020), https:\\/\\/journaltimes.com\\/news\\/commentary-why-all-50-states-need-to-allow-teens-to-get-vaccinated-without-parental-consent\\/article_264a2b69-0924-5c08-aabd-fb79fa5deec4.html<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref8\\\">[8]<\\/a> Id.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref9\\\">[9]<\\/a> Michael Ollove, Teens of \\u2018Anti-Vaxxers\\u2019 Can Get Their Own Vaccines, Some States Say, Stateline, (June 24, 2019), https:\\/\\/www.pewtrusts.org\\/en\\/research-and-analysis\\/blogs\\/stateline\\/2019\\/06\\/24\\/teens-of-anti-vaxxers-can-get-their-own-vaccines-some-states-say<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref10\\\">[10]<\\/a> Kelly Danielpour, Commentary: Why all 50 states need to allow teens to get vaccinated without parental consent, Los Angeles Times, (Nov. 19, 2020), https:\\/\\/journaltimes.com\\/news\\/commentary-why-all-50-states-need-to-allow-teens-to-get-vaccinated-without-parental-consent\\/article_264a2b69-0924-5c08-aabd-fb79fa5deec4.html<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref11\\\">[11]<\\/a> Abigail English, Carol A. Ford, Jessica A. Kahn, Elyse Olshen Kharbanda, Adolescent Consent for Vaccination: A Position Paper of the Societyfor Adolescent Health and Medicine, 53 Journal of Adolescent Health, 550, 550-553, (2013)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref12\\\">[12]<\\/a> Michael Davis & Andrea Fang, Emancipated Minor, StatPearls Publishing LLC, (May 19, 2020), https:\\/\\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\\/books\\/NBK554594\\/<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref13\\\">[13]<\\/a> Id.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref14\\\">[14]<\\/a> Abigail English, Carol A. Ford, Jessica A. Kahn, Elyse Olshen Kharbanda, Adolescent Consent for Vaccination: A Position Paper of the Societyfor Adolescent Health and Medicine, 53 Journal of Adolescent Health, 550, 552, (2013)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref15\\\">[15]<\\/a> <em>In Re: Chad Eric Swan, <\\/em>569 A.2d 1202 (1990), decided January 23, 1990, opinion Issued February 15, 1990.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref16\\\">[16]<\\/a> Id.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref17\\\">[17]<\\/a> Michael Ollove, Teens of \\u2018Anti-Vaxxers\\u2019 Can Get Their Own Vaccines, Some States Say, Stateline, (June 24, 2019), https:\\/\\/www.pewtrusts.org\\/en\\/research-and-analysis\\/blogs\\/stateline\\/2019\\/06\\/24\\/teens-of-anti-vaxxers-can-get-their-own-vaccines-some-states-say<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref18\\\">[18]<\\/a> Mackenzie Bean, 9 states where minors can get vaccinated without parental consent, ASC COMMUNICATIONS 2021, (June 24, 2019), https:\\/\\/www.beckershospitalreview.com\\/quality\\/9-states-where-minors-can-get-vaccinated-without-parental-consent.html<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref19\\\">[19]<\\/a> An Act Lowering The Age Of Majority From Twenty-One To Eighteen Years, Amending For The Purpose Executive Order Numbered Two Hundred Nine, And For Other Purposes, Republic Act No. 6809, sec. 234 (1989)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref20\\\">[20]<\\/a> R.A. 386, sec. 236<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref21\\\">[21]<\\/a> The Child and Youth Welfare Code, Presidential Decree No. 603, art. 17 (1974)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref22\\\">[22]<\\/a>P.D. 603, art. 17<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref23\\\">[23]<\\/a> P.D. 603, art. 19 (1974)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref24\\\">[24]<\\/a> P.D. 603, art. 43 (1974)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref25\\\">[25]<\\/a> The Family Code of The Philippines, Executive Order No. 209, art. 209 (1988)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref26\\\">[26]<\\/a> E.O. 209, art. 210<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref27\\\">[27]<\\/a> E.O. 209, art. 228<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref28\\\">[28]<\\/a> E.O. 209, art. 229<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref29\\\">[29]<\\/a> E.O. 209, art. 230<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref30\\\">[30]<\\/a> An Act Providing For Mandatory Basic Immunization Services For Infants And Children, Repealing For The Purpose Presidential Decree No. 996, As Amended, Republic Act No. 10152, sec. 2 (2011)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref31\\\">[31]<\\/a> R.A. 10152, sec. 3<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref32\\\">[32]<\\/a> R.A. 10152, sec. 4<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref33\\\">[33]<\\/a> R.A. 10152, sec. 5<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref34\\\">[34]<\\/a> Sheila Crisostomo & Gilbert Bayoran, Mandatory immunization ordered, The Philippine Star, (Feb. 10, 2019), https:\\/\\/www.philstar.com\\/headlines\\/2019\\/02\\/10\\/1892465\\/mandatory-immunization-ordered<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref35\\\">[35]<\\/a> Josue N. Bellosillo, Bu C. Castro, Emmanuel LJ. Mapili, Albert D. Rebosa, Antonio D. Rebosa, Basics of Philippine Medical Jurisprudence and Ethics, p. 113, (2010 ed. Central Book Supply, 2010)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref36\\\">[36]<\\/a> An Act To Ordain And Institute The Civil Code Of The Philippines, Republic Act No. 386, art. 1327 (1950)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref37\\\">[37]<\\/a> Hector S. De Leon & Hector M. De Leon, Jr. The Law on Obligations and Contracts, p. 342-349, (Rex Printing Company, Inc., 2014)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref38\\\">[38]<\\/a> Id. at p. 431<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref39\\\">[39]<\\/a> Josue N. Bellosillo, Bu C. Castro, Emmanuel LJ. Mapili, Albert D. Rebosa, Antonio D. Rebosa, Basics of Philippine Medical Jurisprudence and Ethics, p. 113, (2010 ed. Central Book Supply, 2010)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref40\\\">[40]<\\/a> Id. at p. 412 (2010 ed. Central Book Supply, 2010)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref41\\\">[41]<\\/a> Cyrus Cesar R. Tejam, Clinical Pediatrics in the Philippines: Parental Assent and Consent, 2 Asia Pacific Journal of Pediatrics and Child Health, 27, 29 \\u00a0(2019)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref42\\\">[42]<\\/a> Id.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref43\\\">[43]<\\/a> An instance is when it is recommended that \\u201c<em>vaccines not be given during chemo or radiation treatments \\u2013 the only exception to this is the flu shot. This is mainly because vaccines need an immune system response to work, and you may not get an adequate response during cancer treatment<\\/em>.\\u201d \\u2013 American Cancer Society, Vaccinations and Flu Shots for People with Cancer: Should people with cancer get any vaccines? , American Cancer Society webpage, Inc. (2020), <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.cancer.org\\/treatment\\/treatments-and-side-effects\\/physical-side-effects\\/low-blood-counts\\/infections\\/vaccination-during-cancer-treatment.html\\\">https:\\/\\/www.cancer.org\\/treatment\\/treatments-and-side-effects\\/physical-side-effects\\/low-blood-counts\\/infections\\/vaccination-during-cancer-treatment.html<\\/a>. This should not be treated as a medical advice. It is always best to consult your physician.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref44\\\">[44]<\\/a> Josue N. Bellosillo, Bu C. Castro, Emmanuel LJ. Mapili, Albert D. Rebosa, Antonio D. Rebosa, Basics of Philippine Medical Jurisprudence and Ethics, p. 117 (2010 ed. Central Book Supply, 2010)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref45\\\">[45]<\\/a> <em>Lucas v. Tua\\u00f1o<\\/em>, 586 SCRA 173 (2009)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref46\\\">[46]<\\/a> Josue N. Bellosillo, Bu C. Castro, Emmanuel LJ. Mapili, Albert D. Rebosa, Antonio D. Rebosa, Basics of Philippine Medical Jurisprudence and Ethics, p. 131, (2010 ed. Central Book Supply, 2010)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref47\\\">[47]<\\/a> Id.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref48\\\">[48]<\\/a> Professional Services, Inc. v. Natividad and Enrique Agana, 542 Phil. 464, 481 (2007).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref49\\\">[49]<\\/a> Josue N. Bellosillo, Bu C. Castro, Emmanuel LJ. Mapili, Albert D. Rebosa, Antonio D. Rebosa, Basics of Philippine Medical Jurisprudence and Ethics, p. 59, (2010 ed. Central Book Supply, 2010)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref50\\\">[50]<\\/a> Id at 195<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref51\\\">[51]<\\/a> The Revised Penal Code, Act No. 3815, art. 264, (1930)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref52\\\">[52]<\\/a> Act No. 3815, art. 266, (1930)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref53\\\">[53]<\\/a> <em>Gonzaga v. People, <\\/em>G.R. No. 195671, January 21, 2015.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref54\\\">[54]<\\/a> Josue N. Bellosillo, Bu C. Castro, Emmanuel LJ. Mapili, Albert D. Rebosa, Antonio D. Rebosa, Basics of Philippine Medical Jurisprudence and Ethics, p. 154, (2010 ed. Central Book Supply, 2010)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref55\\\">[55]<\\/a> Id.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref56\\\">[56]<\\/a> Michael Ollove, Teens of \\u2018Anti-Vaxxers\\u2019 Can Get Their Own Vaccines, Some States Say, Stateline, (June 24, 2019), https:\\/\\/www.pewtrusts.org\\/en\\/research-and-analysis\\/blogs\\/stateline\\/2019\\/06\\/24\\/teens-of-anti-vaxxers-can-get-their-own-vaccines-some-states-say<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref57\\\">[57]<\\/a> Petronella Grootens-Wiegers,\\u00a0 Irma M. Hein, Jos M. van den Broek, & Martine C. de Vries, Medical decision-making in children and adolescents: developmental and neuroscientific aspects, BMC Pediatrics, 1, 2 (2017)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref58\\\">[58]<\\/a> Petronella Grootens-Wiegers,\\u00a0 Irma M. Hein, Jos M. van den Broek, & Martine C. de Vries, Medical decision-making in children and adolescents: developmental and neuroscientific aspects, BMC Pediatrics, 1, 6 (2017)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref59\\\">[59]<\\/a> Cyrus Cesar R. Tejam, Clinical Pediatrics in the Philippines: Parental Assent and Consent, 2 Asia Pacific Journal of Pediatrics and Child Health, 27, 29 (2019)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref60\\\">[60]<\\/a> Rebecca Babcock, Medical Decision-Making for Minors: Using Care Ethics to Empower Adolescents and Amend the Current Power Imbalances, 8 Asian Bioethics Review, 4, 13 (2016)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref61\\\">[61]<\\/a> Cyrus Cesar R. Tejam, Clinical Pediatrics in the Philippines: Parental Assent and Consent, 2 Asia Pacific Journal of Pediatrics and Child Health, 27, 29 (2019)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref62\\\">[62]<\\/a> Id at 27-33<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref63\\\">[63]<\\/a> Rebecca Babcock, Medical Decision-Making for Minors: Using Care Ethics to Empower Adolescents and Amend the Current Power Imbalances, 8 Asian Bioethics Review, 4, 13 (2016)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref64\\\">[64]<\\/a> Abigail English, Carol A. Ford, Jessica A. Kahn, Elyse Olshen Kharbanda, Adolescent Consent for Vaccination: A Position Paper of the Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine, 53 Journal of Adolescent Health, 550, 552, (2013)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref65\\\">[65]<\\/a> Michael Davis & Andrea Fang, Emancipated Minor, StatPearls Publishing LLC, (May 19, 2020), https:\\/\\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\\/books\\/NBK554594\\/<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref66\\\">[66]<\\/a> Id.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref67\\\">[67]<\\/a> Id.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>Featured Photo by <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/unsplash.com\\/@thenewmalcolm?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText\\\">Obi Onyeador<\\/a> on <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/unsplash.com\\/s\\/photos\\/vaccine-choice?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText\\\">Unsplash<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.15,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(5816,1803,'_elementor_controls_usage','a:3:{s:11:\"text-editor\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:1;s:8:\"controls\";a:2:{s:7:\"content\";a:1:{s:14:\"section_editor\";a:1:{s:6:\"editor\";i:1;}}s:5:\"style\";a:1:{s:13:\"section_style\";a:2:{s:21:\"typography_typography\";i:1;s:22:\"typography_line_height\";i:1;}}}}s:6:\"column\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:0;s:8:\"controls\";a:0:{}}s:7:\"section\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:0;s:8:\"controls\";a:0:{}}}'),(5817,1803,'_elementor_css','a:6:{s:4:\"time\";i:1627312913;s:5:\"fonts\";a:0:{}s:5:\"icons\";a:0:{}s:20:\"dynamic_elements_ids\";a:0:{}s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"file\";i:0;s:0:\"\";}'),(5818,1804,'_edit_lock','1629346313:1'),(5820,1215,'ss_ss_click_share_count_envelope','1'),(5821,1805,'_edit_lock','1629545869:1'),(5822,1806,'_wp_attached_file','2021/08/Vol.65-Recent-Jurisprudence_2020-2021.pdf'),(5823,1805,'_pingme','1'),(5824,1805,'_encloseme','1'),(5825,1805,'_thumbnail_id','1187'),(5826,1805,'_edit_last','1'),(5827,1805,'wptr_hide_title','0'),(5828,1805,'ss_social_share_disable',''),(5829,1805,'_yoast_wpseo_primary_category','98'),(5830,1805,'_yoast_wpseo_content_score','30'),(5831,1805,'_yoast_wpseo_estimated-reading-time-minutes','1'),(5832,1805,'_yoast_wpseo_opengraph-title','%%title%% | Volume 65'),(5833,1805,'ss_ss_click_share_count_envelope','109'),(5834,1805,'ss_total_share_count','0'),(5835,1805,'ss_ss_click_share_count_copy','130'),(5836,1805,'ss_ss_click_share_count_print','82'),(5837,1805,'ss_ss_click_share_count_facebook','32'),(5838,1805,'ss_ss_click_share_count_mix','2'),(5839,263,'ss_ss_click_share_count_copy','1'),(5840,263,'ss_total_share_count','0'),(5841,39,'ss_ss_click_share_count_copy','1'),(5842,39,'ss_total_share_count','0'),(5843,1805,'ss_ss_click_share_count_twitter','1'),(5844,153,'ss_ss_click_share_count_copy','1'),(5845,153,'ss_total_share_count','0'),(5846,1808,'_wp_attached_file','2021/08/20190821-new-bilibid-prison-jc-39-950x540-1.jpg'),(5847,1808,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:5:{s:5:\"width\";i:950;s:6:\"height\";i:540;s:4:\"file\";s:55:\"2021/08/20190821-new-bilibid-prison-jc-39-950x540-1.jpg\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:11:{s:6:\"medium\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:55:\"20190821-new-bilibid-prison-jc-39-950x540-1-300x171.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:300;s:6:\"height\";i:171;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"thumbnail\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:55:\"20190821-new-bilibid-prison-jc-39-950x540-1-150x150.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:12:\"medium_large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:55:\"20190821-new-bilibid-prison-jc-39-950x540-1-768x437.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:768;s:6:\"height\";i:437;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:24:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:55:\"20190821-new-bilibid-prison-jc-39-950x540-1-170x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:25:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:53:\"20190821-new-bilibid-prison-jc-39-950x540-1-86x70.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:54:\"20190821-new-bilibid-prison-jc-39-950x540-1-170x97.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:97;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:22:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:55:\"20190821-new-bilibid-prison-jc-39-950x540-1-370x250.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:30:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:55:\"20190821-new-bilibid-prison-jc-39-950x540-1-370x210.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:210;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:21:\"bfastmag_related_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:55:\"20190821-new-bilibid-prison-jc-39-950x540-1-288x160.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:288;s:6:\"height\";i:160;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:18:\"bfastmag_blog_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:55:\"20190821-new-bilibid-prison-jc-39-950x540-1-780x540.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:540;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:26:\"bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:55:\"20190821-new-bilibid-prison-jc-39-950x540-1-780x443.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:443;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:0:\"\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:10:\"1629737551\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:1:\"0\";s:3:\"iso\";s:1:\"0\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:1:\"0\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";s:1:\"1\";s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}}'),(5858,1790,'_wp_old_date','2021-08-18'),(5859,1810,'_thumbnail_id','1808'),(5860,1810,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(5861,1810,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(5862,1810,'_elementor_version','3.3.1'),(5863,1810,'_wp_page_template','default'),(5864,1810,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"4c472a96\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"69eaecf9\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"446c630a\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><!-- wp:heading {\\\"textAlign\\\":\\\"center\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<h2 class=\\\"has-text-align-center\\\">The Stepping Stones to Solve Jail Overcrowding:<br \\/>Limitations in Legislation and Litigation<\\/h2>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":25} --><\\/p>\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-spacer\\\" style=\\\"height: 25px; text-align: center;\\\" aria-hidden=\\\"true\\\"><em>By Gabriel D.R. Adora<\\/em><\\/div>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:file {\\\"id\\\":1488,\\\"href\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/The-Stepping-Stones-to-Solve-Jail-Overcrowding_-Limitations-in-Legislation-and-Litigation-by-Gabriel-Adora.pdf\\\",\\\"displayPreview\\\":false,\\\"align\\\":\\\"right\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-file alignright\\\"><a class=\\\"wp-block-file__button\\\" href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/The-Stepping-Stones-to-Solve-Jail-Overcrowding_-Limitations-in-Legislation-and-Litigation-by-Gabriel-Adora.pdf\\\" download=\\\"\\\">Download PDF Here<\\/a><\\/div>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:file --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":25} --><\\/p>\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-spacer\\\" style=\\\"height: 25px;\\\" aria-hidden=\\\"true\\\">\\u00a0<\\/div>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:paragraph --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"text-align: right;\\\"><em>\\u201cThere is no humane punishment without a horizon.<br \\/><\\/em><em>No one can change their life if they don\\u2019t see a horizon.<br \\/><\\/em><em>And so many times we are used to blocking the view of our inmates.<br \\/><\\/em><em>Take this image of the windows and the horizon<br \\/>and ensure that in your countries the prisons always have a window and horizon.<br \\/><\\/em><em>even a life sentence \\u2013 which for me is questionable \\u2013 even a life sentence would have to have a horizon.\\u201d<br \\/><\\/em>- Pope Francis<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\">[1]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"text-align: center;\\\"><strong>I. INTRODUCTION<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The problem of jail congestion is often set aside and ignored in the Philippines. It is a longstanding issue that remains unaddressed by the government, with statistics showing congested jails since the 1990s. The Senate finance committee hearings reveal the lack of enthusiasm in even attempting to resolve the issue. On October 2020, jails chief Director Allan Iral pointed out that the allotments made by the Department of Budget Management (DBM) for the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) only corresponded to the creation of perimeter fences.<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\">[2]<\\/a> The meager allotment goes to show that despite the overwhelming congestion rate of about 400%, the plans to expand the correctional facilities in the Philippines remain as blueprints. This rate translates to six detainees sharing a space made only for one detainee.<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\">[3]<\\/a> A Commission on Audit (COA) report further reveals that the completion of forty nine (49) infrastructure projects with a total contract cost of P2,762,141,293.54 was delayed. This effectively hampered BJMP\\u2019s objective of providing a functional and responsive jail facility to Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDL) pursuant to Section 63 of R.A. 6975.<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\">[4]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The issue of overcrowding, however, does not solely stem from the government\\u2019s budgetary constraints. While the allotment of additional funds\\u00a0 leads to the establishment of more spacious facilities, these efforts and resources will be for naught if the same is continuously occupied by an increasing number of detainees whose cases are still ongoing. With the clogged dockets of Philippine courts, there is a good chance that these detainees will stay behind bars for a relatively long time.<a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\">[5]<\\/a> If there are no alternatives to confinement in jails, then the newly constructed facilities are bound to be crowded.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Extreme congestion poses serious threats to the life and health of detainees due to sanitation issues as viruses\\u2014like COVID-19\\u2014and other contagious diseases spread easily. Hence, they should have a remedy under the law, when necessary, to obtain transfers or temporary release from confinement upon sufficient showing of such dangers.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The entitlement of detainees to basic human rights, such as humane and healthy living conditions, is anchored in the 1987 Constitution of the Philippines, Philippine Statutes and Regulations, and in International Law. However, the fact that the issue remains unresolved and that it worsens over time indicates that the relevant Constitutional and statutory provisions are not brought to life as intended by their makers. Since jail congestion involves the life and liberty of persons, society as a whole\\u2014both the public and the private sector\\u2014must treat it as a matter of great importance. It seems that society at large has yet to launch an aggressive campaign that advocates for a detainee\\u2019s human rights.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The author submits that while the allotment of additional facilities is necessary to alleviate the congestion rates at present, the detainees should also have a recourse under the law to enforce their rights in case overcrowding poses a threat to their life and health. Additionally, coming up with alternatives to confinement might provide long-term solutions to jail overcrowding.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">[1]<\\/a>Cindy Wooden, Concern for inmates, prison reform is obligatory act of mercy, pope says, (November 8, 2019), https:\\/\\/www.ncronline.org\\/news\\/justice\\/francis-chronicles\\/concern-inmates-prison-reform-obligatory-act-mercy-pope-says.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a> Rambo Talabong, No budget for new PH jails in 2021 despite over congestion, (October 1, 2020) https:\\/\\/www.rappler.com\\/nation\\/no-budget-for-new-ph-jails-in-2021-despite-over-congestion.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a> Rambo Talabong, Jodesz Galivan, and Lian Buan, \'Takot na takot kami\': While government stalls, coronavirus breaks into PH jails, (April 18. 2020), https:\\/\\/www.rappler.com\\/newsbreak\\/in-depth\\/while-government-stalls-coronavirus-breaks-into-philippine-jails.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[4]<\\/a>Commission on Audit, Annual Audit Report on the BJMP: Executive Summary, https:\\/\\/www.coa.gov.ph\\/phocadownloadpap\\/userupload\\/annual_audit_report\\/NGAs\\/2019\\/National-Government-Sector\\/Department-of-the-Interior-and-Local-Government\\/BJMP_ES2019.pdf, (last accessed June 20, 2021).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[5]<\\/a> Dr. Raymund Narag, A HUMANITARIAN CRISIS, A MONSTER IN OUR MIDST. State of the PH in 2018: Our jails are now world\'s most congested, (July 23, 2018), https:\\/\\/pcij.org\\/article\\/923\\/state-of-the-ph-in-2018-our-jails-are-now-worlds-most-congested.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed {\\\"imageURL\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/The-Stepping-Stones-to-Solve-Jail-Overcrowding_-Limitations-in-Legislation-and-Litigation-by-Gabriel-Adora.pdf\\\",\\\"imgID\\\":1488,\\\"imgTitle\\\":\\\"The Stepping Stones to Solve Jail Overcrowding_ Limitations in Legislation and Litigation by Gabriel Adora\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-pdfjsblock-pdfjs-embed pdfjs-wrapper\\\">[pdfjs-viewer viewer_width=0 viewer_height=800 url=http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/The-Stepping-Stones-to-Solve-Jail-Overcrowding_-Limitations-in-Legislation-and-Litigation-by-Gabriel-Adora.pdf download=true print=true fullscreen=false fullscreen_target=false fullscreen_text=\\\"View%20Fullscreen\\\" zoom=auto search_term=\\\"\\\" ]<\\/div>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>Featured Image by Noel Celis\\u2014AFP\\/Getty Images<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.15,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(5865,1810,'_elementor_page_assets','a:0:{}'),(5866,1810,'_elementor_css','a:6:{s:4:\"time\";i:1629299443;s:5:\"fonts\";a:0:{}s:5:\"icons\";a:0:{}s:20:\"dynamic_elements_ids\";a:0:{}s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"file\";i:0;s:0:\"\";}'),(5867,1811,'_thumbnail_id','1808'),(5868,1811,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(5869,1811,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(5870,1811,'_elementor_version','3.3.1'),(5871,1811,'_wp_page_template','default'),(5872,1811,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"4c472a96\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"69eaecf9\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"446c630a\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><!-- wp:heading {\\\"textAlign\\\":\\\"center\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<h2 class=\\\"has-text-align-center\\\">The Stepping Stones to Solve Jail Overcrowding:<br \\/>Limitations in Legislation and Litigation<\\/h2>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":25} --><\\/p>\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-spacer\\\" style=\\\"height: 25px; text-align: center;\\\" aria-hidden=\\\"true\\\"><em>By Gabriel D.R. Adora<\\/em><\\/div>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:file {\\\"id\\\":1488,\\\"href\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/The-Stepping-Stones-to-Solve-Jail-Overcrowding_-Limitations-in-Legislation-and-Litigation-by-Gabriel-Adora.pdf\\\",\\\"displayPreview\\\":false,\\\"align\\\":\\\"right\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-file alignright\\\"><a class=\\\"wp-block-file__button\\\" href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/The-Stepping-Stones-to-Solve-Jail-Overcrowding_-Limitations-in-Legislation-and-Litigation-by-Gabriel-Adora.pdf\\\" download=\\\"\\\">Download PDF Here<\\/a><\\/div>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:file --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":25} --><\\/p>\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-spacer\\\" style=\\\"height: 25px;\\\" aria-hidden=\\\"true\\\">\\u00a0<\\/div>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:paragraph --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"text-align: right;\\\"><em>\\u201cThere is no humane punishment without a horizon.<br \\/><\\/em><em>No one can change their life if they don\\u2019t see a horizon.<br \\/><\\/em><em>And so many times we are used to blocking the view of our inmates.<br \\/><\\/em><em>Take this image of the windows and the horizon<br \\/>and ensure that in your countries the prisons always have a window and horizon.<br \\/><\\/em><em>even a life sentence \\u2013 which for me is questionable \\u2013 even a life sentence would have to have a horizon.\\u201d<br \\/><\\/em>- Pope Francis<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\">[1]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"text-align: center;\\\"><strong>I. INTRODUCTION<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The problem of jail congestion is often set aside and ignored in the Philippines. It is a longstanding issue that remains unaddressed by the government, with statistics showing congested jails since the 1990s. The Senate finance committee hearings reveal the lack of enthusiasm in even attempting to resolve the issue. On October 2020, jails chief Director Allan Iral pointed out that the allotments made by the Department of Budget Management (DBM) for the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) only corresponded to the creation of perimeter fences.<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\">[2]<\\/a> The meager allotment goes to show that despite the overwhelming congestion rate of about 400%, the plans to expand the correctional facilities in the Philippines remain as blueprints. This rate translates to six detainees sharing a space made only for one detainee.<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\">[3]<\\/a> A Commission on Audit (COA) report further reveals that the completion of forty nine (49) infrastructure projects with a total contract cost of P2,762,141,293.54 was delayed. This effectively hampered BJMP\\u2019s objective of providing a functional and responsive jail facility to Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDL) pursuant to Section 63 of R.A. 6975.<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\">[4]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The issue of overcrowding, however, does not solely stem from the government\\u2019s budgetary constraints. While the allotment of additional funds\\u00a0 leads to the establishment of more spacious facilities, these efforts and resources will be for naught if the same is continuously occupied by an increasing number of detainees whose cases are still ongoing. With the clogged dockets of Philippine courts, there is a good chance that these detainees will stay behind bars for a relatively long time.<a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\">[5]<\\/a> If there are no alternatives to confinement in jails, then the newly constructed facilities are bound to be crowded.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Extreme congestion poses serious threats to the life and health of detainees due to sanitation issues as viruses\\u2014like COVID-19\\u2014and other contagious diseases spread easily. Hence, they should have a remedy under the law, when necessary, to obtain transfers or temporary release from confinement upon sufficient showing of such dangers.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The entitlement of detainees to basic human rights, such as humane and healthy living conditions, is anchored in the 1987 Constitution of the Philippines, Philippine Statutes and Regulations, and in International Law. However, the fact that the issue remains unresolved and that it worsens over time indicates that the relevant Constitutional and statutory provisions are not brought to life as intended by their makers. Since jail congestion involves the life and liberty of persons, society as a whole\\u2014both the public and the private sector\\u2014must treat it as a matter of great importance. It seems that society at large has yet to launch an aggressive campaign that advocates for a detainee\\u2019s human rights.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The author submits that while the allotment of additional facilities is necessary to alleviate the congestion rates at present, the detainees should also have a recourse under the law to enforce their rights in case overcrowding poses a threat to their life and health. Additionally, coming up with alternatives to confinement might provide long-term solutions to jail overcrowding.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">[1]<\\/a>Cindy Wooden, Concern for inmates, prison reform is obligatory act of mercy, pope says, (November 8, 2019), https:\\/\\/www.ncronline.org\\/news\\/justice\\/francis-chronicles\\/concern-inmates-prison-reform-obligatory-act-mercy-pope-says.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a> Rambo Talabong, No budget for new PH jails in 2021 despite over congestion, (October 1, 2020) https:\\/\\/www.rappler.com\\/nation\\/no-budget-for-new-ph-jails-in-2021-despite-over-congestion.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a> Rambo Talabong, Jodesz Galivan, and Lian Buan, \'Takot na takot kami\': While government stalls, coronavirus breaks into PH jails, (April 18. 2020), https:\\/\\/www.rappler.com\\/newsbreak\\/in-depth\\/while-government-stalls-coronavirus-breaks-into-philippine-jails.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[4]<\\/a>Commission on Audit, Annual Audit Report on the BJMP: Executive Summary, https:\\/\\/www.coa.gov.ph\\/phocadownloadpap\\/userupload\\/annual_audit_report\\/NGAs\\/2019\\/National-Government-Sector\\/Department-of-the-Interior-and-Local-Government\\/BJMP_ES2019.pdf, (last accessed June 20, 2021).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[5]<\\/a> Dr. Raymund Narag, A HUMANITARIAN CRISIS, A MONSTER IN OUR MIDST. State of the PH in 2018: Our jails are now world\'s most congested, (July 23, 2018), https:\\/\\/pcij.org\\/article\\/923\\/state-of-the-ph-in-2018-our-jails-are-now-worlds-most-congested.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed {\\\"imageURL\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/The-Stepping-Stones-to-Solve-Jail-Overcrowding_-Limitations-in-Legislation-and-Litigation-by-Gabriel-Adora.pdf\\\",\\\"imgID\\\":1488,\\\"imgTitle\\\":\\\"The Stepping Stones to Solve Jail Overcrowding_ Limitations in Legislation and Litigation by Gabriel Adora\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-pdfjsblock-pdfjs-embed pdfjs-wrapper\\\">[pdfjs-viewer viewer_width=0 viewer_height=800 url=http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/The-Stepping-Stones-to-Solve-Jail-Overcrowding_-Limitations-in-Legislation-and-Litigation-by-Gabriel-Adora.pdf download=true print=true fullscreen=false fullscreen_target=false fullscreen_text=\\\"View%20Fullscreen\\\" zoom=auto search_term=\\\"\\\" ]<\\/div>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>Featured Image by Noel Celis\\u2014AFP\\/Getty Images<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.15,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(5873,1811,'_elementor_page_assets','a:0:{}'),(5874,1811,'_elementor_css','a:6:{s:4:\"time\";i:1629299443;s:5:\"fonts\";a:0:{}s:5:\"icons\";a:0:{}s:20:\"dynamic_elements_ids\";a:0:{}s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"file\";i:0;s:0:\"\";}'),(5875,1812,'_thumbnail_id','1808'),(5876,1812,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(5877,1812,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(5878,1812,'_elementor_version','3.3.1'),(5879,1812,'_wp_page_template','default'),(5880,1812,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"4c472a96\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"69eaecf9\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"446c630a\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><!-- wp:heading {\\\"textAlign\\\":\\\"center\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<h2>The Stepping Stones to Solve Jail Overcrowding:<br>Limitations in Legislation and Litigation<\\/h2>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":25} --><\\/p>\\n<div style=\\\"height: 25px; text-align: center;\\\" aria-hidden=\\\"true\\\"><em>By Gabriel D.R. Adora<\\/em><\\/div>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:file {\\\"id\\\":1488,\\\"href\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/The-Stepping-Stones-to-Solve-Jail-Overcrowding_-Limitations-in-Legislation-and-Litigation-by-Gabriel-Adora.pdf\\\",\\\"displayPreview\\\":false,\\\"align\\\":\\\"right\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<div><a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/The-Stepping-Stones-to-Solve-Jail-Overcrowding_-Limitations-in-Legislation-and-Litigation-by-Gabriel-Adora.pdf\\\" download=\\\"\\\">Download PDF Here<\\/a><\\/div>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:file --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":25} --><\\/p>\\n<div style=\\\"height: 25px;\\\" aria-hidden=\\\"true\\\"> <\\/div>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:paragraph --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"text-align: right;\\\"><em>\\u201cThere is no humane punishment without a horizon.<br><\\/em><em>No one can change their life if they don\\u2019t see a horizon.<br><\\/em><em>And so many times we are used to blocking the view of our inmates.<br><\\/em><em>Take this image of the windows and the horizon<br>and ensure that in your countries the prisons always have a window and horizon.<br><\\/em><em>even a life sentence \\u2013 which for me is questionable \\u2013 even a life sentence would have to have a horizon.\\u201d<br><\\/em>- Pope Francis<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\">[1]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"text-align: center;\\\"><strong>I. INTRODUCTION<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> The problem of jail congestion is often set aside and ignored in the Philippines. It is a longstanding issue that remains unaddressed by the government, with statistics showing congested jails since the 1990s. The Senate finance committee hearings reveal the lack of enthusiasm in even attempting to resolve the issue. On October 2020, jails chief Director Allan Iral pointed out that the allotments made by the Department of Budget Management (DBM) for the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) only corresponded to the creation of perimeter fences.<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\">[2]<\\/a> The meager allotment goes to show that despite the overwhelming congestion rate of about 400%, the plans to expand the correctional facilities in the Philippines remain as blueprints. This rate translates to six detainees sharing a space made only for one detainee.<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\">[3]<\\/a> A Commission on Audit (COA) report further reveals that the completion of forty nine (49) infrastructure projects with a total contract cost of P2,762,141,293.54 was delayed. This effectively hampered BJMP\\u2019s objective of providing a functional and responsive jail facility to Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDL) pursuant to Section 63 of R.A. 6975.<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\">[4]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> The issue of overcrowding, however, does not solely stem from the government\\u2019s budgetary constraints. While the allotment of additional funds leads to the establishment of more spacious facilities, these efforts and resources will be for naught if the same is continuously occupied by an increasing number of detainees whose cases are still ongoing. With the clogged dockets of Philippine courts, there is a good chance that these detainees will stay behind bars for a relatively long time.<a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\">[5]<\\/a> If there are no alternatives to confinement in jails, then the newly constructed facilities are bound to be crowded.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> Extreme congestion poses serious threats to the life and health of detainees due to sanitation issues as viruses\\u2014like COVID-19\\u2014and other contagious diseases spread easily. Hence, they should have a remedy under the law, when necessary, to obtain transfers or temporary release from confinement upon sufficient showing of such dangers.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> The entitlement of detainees to basic human rights, such as humane and healthy living conditions, is anchored in the 1987 Constitution of the Philippines, Philippine Statutes and Regulations, and in International Law. However, the fact that the issue remains unresolved and that it worsens over time indicates that the relevant Constitutional and statutory provisions are not brought to life as intended by their makers. Since jail congestion involves the life and liberty of persons, society as a whole\\u2014both the public and the private sector\\u2014must treat it as a matter of great importance. It seems that society at large has yet to launch an aggressive campaign that advocates for a detainee\\u2019s human rights.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> The author submits that while the allotment of additional facilities is necessary to alleviate the congestion rates at present, the detainees should also have a recourse under the law to enforce their rights in case overcrowding poses a threat to their life and health. Additionally, coming up with alternatives to confinement might provide long-term solutions to jail overcrowding.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/p>\\n<hr>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">[1]<\\/a>Cindy Wooden, Concern for inmates, prison reform is obligatory act of mercy, pope says, (November 8, 2019), https:\\/\\/www.ncronline.org\\/news\\/justice\\/francis-chronicles\\/concern-inmates-prison-reform-obligatory-act-mercy-pope-says.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a> Rambo Talabong, No budget for new PH jails in 2021 despite over congestion, (October 1, 2020) https:\\/\\/www.rappler.com\\/nation\\/no-budget-for-new-ph-jails-in-2021-despite-over-congestion.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a> Rambo Talabong, Jodesz Galivan, and Lian Buan, \'Takot na takot kami\': While government stalls, coronavirus breaks into PH jails, (April 18. 2020), https:\\/\\/www.rappler.com\\/newsbreak\\/in-depth\\/while-government-stalls-coronavirus-breaks-into-philippine-jails.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[4]<\\/a>Commission on Audit, Annual Audit Report on the BJMP: Executive Summary, https:\\/\\/www.coa.gov.ph\\/phocadownloadpap\\/userupload\\/annual_audit_report\\/NGAs\\/2019\\/National-Government-Sector\\/Department-of-the-Interior-and-Local-Government\\/BJMP_ES2019.pdf, (last accessed June 20, 2021).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[5]<\\/a> Dr. Raymund Narag, A HUMANITARIAN CRISIS, A MONSTER IN OUR MIDST. State of the PH in 2018: Our jails are now world\'s most congested, (July 23, 2018), https:\\/\\/pcij.org\\/article\\/923\\/state-of-the-ph-in-2018-our-jails-are-now-worlds-most-congested.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed {\\\"imageURL\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/The-Stepping-Stones-to-Solve-Jail-Overcrowding_-Limitations-in-Legislation-and-Litigation-by-Gabriel-Adora.pdf\\\",\\\"imgID\\\":1488,\\\"imgTitle\\\":\\\"The Stepping Stones to Solve Jail Overcrowding_ Limitations in Legislation and Litigation by Gabriel Adora\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<div>[pdfjs-viewer viewer_width=0 viewer_height=800 url=http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/The-Stepping-Stones-to-Solve-Jail-Overcrowding_-Limitations-in-Legislation-and-Litigation-by-Gabriel-Adora.pdf download=true print=true fullscreen=false fullscreen_target=false fullscreen_text=\\\"View%20Fullscreen\\\" zoom=auto search_term=\\\"\\\" ]<\\/div>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/p>\\n<hr>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>Featured Image by ABS-CBN News<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.15,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(5881,1812,'_elementor_page_assets','a:0:{}'),(5882,1812,'_elementor_css','a:6:{s:4:\"time\";i:1629299443;s:5:\"fonts\";a:0:{}s:5:\"icons\";a:0:{}s:20:\"dynamic_elements_ids\";a:0:{}s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"file\";i:0;s:0:\"\";}'),(5894,1814,'_thumbnail_id','1808'),(5895,1814,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(5896,1814,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(5897,1814,'_elementor_version','3.3.1'),(5898,1814,'_wp_page_template','default'),(5899,1814,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"4c472a96\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"69eaecf9\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"446c630a\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><!-- wp:heading {\\\"textAlign\\\":\\\"center\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<h2>The Stepping Stones to Solve Jail Overcrowding:<br>Limitations in Legislation and Litigation<\\/h2>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":25} --><\\/p>\\n<div style=\\\"height: 25px; text-align: center;\\\" aria-hidden=\\\"true\\\"><em>By Gabriel D.R. Adora<\\/em><\\/div>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:file {\\\"id\\\":1488,\\\"href\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/The-Stepping-Stones-to-Solve-Jail-Overcrowding_-Limitations-in-Legislation-and-Litigation-by-Gabriel-Adora.pdf\\\",\\\"displayPreview\\\":false,\\\"align\\\":\\\"right\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<div><a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/The-Stepping-Stones-to-Solve-Jail-Overcrowding_-Limitations-in-Legislation-and-Litigation-by-Gabriel-Adora.pdf\\\" download=\\\"\\\">Download PDF Here<\\/a><\\/div>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:file --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":25} --><\\/p>\\n<div style=\\\"height: 25px;\\\" aria-hidden=\\\"true\\\"> <\\/div>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:paragraph --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"text-align: right;\\\"><em>\\u201cThere is no humane punishment without a horizon.<br><\\/em><em>No one can change their life if they don\\u2019t see a horizon.<br><\\/em><em>And so many times we are used to blocking the view of our inmates.<br><\\/em><em>Take this image of the windows and the horizon<br>and ensure that in your countries the prisons always have a window and horizon.<br><\\/em><em>even a life sentence \\u2013 which for me is questionable \\u2013 even a life sentence would have to have a horizon.\\u201d<br><\\/em>- Pope Francis<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\">[1]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"text-align: center;\\\"><strong>I. INTRODUCTION<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> The problem of jail congestion is often set aside and ignored in the Philippines. It is a longstanding issue that remains unaddressed by the government, with statistics showing congested jails since the 1990s. The Senate finance committee hearings reveal the lack of enthusiasm in even attempting to resolve the issue. On October 2020, jails chief Director Allan Iral pointed out that the allotments made by the Department of Budget Management (DBM) for the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) only corresponded to the creation of perimeter fences.<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\">[2]<\\/a> The meager allotment goes to show that despite the overwhelming congestion rate of about 400%, the plans to expand the correctional facilities in the Philippines remain as blueprints. This rate translates to six detainees sharing a space made only for one detainee.<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\">[3]<\\/a> A Commission on Audit (COA) report further reveals that the completion of forty nine (49) infrastructure projects with a total contract cost of P2,762,141,293.54 was delayed. This effectively hampered BJMP\\u2019s objective of providing a functional and responsive jail facility to Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDL) pursuant to Section 63 of R.A. 6975.<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\">[4]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> The issue of overcrowding, however, does not solely stem from the government\\u2019s budgetary constraints. While the allotment of additional funds leads to the establishment of more spacious facilities, these efforts and resources will be for naught if the same is continuously occupied by an increasing number of detainees whose cases are still ongoing. With the clogged dockets of Philippine courts, there is a good chance that these detainees will stay behind bars for a relatively long time.<a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\">[5]<\\/a> If there are no alternatives to confinement in jails, then the newly constructed facilities are bound to be crowded.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> Extreme congestion poses serious threats to the life and health of detainees due to sanitation issues as viruses\\u2014like COVID-19\\u2014and other contagious diseases spread easily. Hence, they should have a remedy under the law, when necessary, to obtain transfers or temporary release from confinement upon sufficient showing of such dangers.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> The entitlement of detainees to basic human rights, such as humane and healthy living conditions, is anchored in the 1987 Constitution of the Philippines, Philippine Statutes and Regulations, and in International Law. However, the fact that the issue remains unresolved and that it worsens over time indicates that the relevant Constitutional and statutory provisions are not brought to life as intended by their makers. Since jail congestion involves the life and liberty of persons, society as a whole\\u2014both the public and the private sector\\u2014must treat it as a matter of great importance. It seems that society at large has yet to launch an aggressive campaign that advocates for a detainee\\u2019s human rights.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> The author submits that while the allotment of additional facilities is necessary to alleviate the congestion rates at present, the detainees should also have a recourse under the law to enforce their rights in case overcrowding poses a threat to their life and health. Additionally, coming up with alternatives to confinement might provide long-term solutions to jail overcrowding.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/p>\\n<hr>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">[1]<\\/a>Cindy Wooden, Concern for inmates, prison reform is obligatory act of mercy, pope says, (November 8, 2019), https:\\/\\/www.ncronline.org\\/news\\/justice\\/francis-chronicles\\/concern-inmates-prison-reform-obligatory-act-mercy-pope-says.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a> Rambo Talabong, No budget for new PH jails in 2021 despite over congestion, (October 1, 2020) https:\\/\\/www.rappler.com\\/nation\\/no-budget-for-new-ph-jails-in-2021-despite-over-congestion.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a> Rambo Talabong, Jodesz Galivan, and Lian Buan, \'Takot na takot kami\': While government stalls, coronavirus breaks into PH jails, (April 18. 2020), https:\\/\\/www.rappler.com\\/newsbreak\\/in-depth\\/while-government-stalls-coronavirus-breaks-into-philippine-jails.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[4]<\\/a>Commission on Audit, Annual Audit Report on the BJMP: Executive Summary, https:\\/\\/www.coa.gov.ph\\/phocadownloadpap\\/userupload\\/annual_audit_report\\/NGAs\\/2019\\/National-Government-Sector\\/Department-of-the-Interior-and-Local-Government\\/BJMP_ES2019.pdf, (last accessed June 20, 2021).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[5]<\\/a> Dr. Raymund Narag, A HUMANITARIAN CRISIS, A MONSTER IN OUR MIDST. State of the PH in 2018: Our jails are now world\'s most congested, (July 23, 2018), https:\\/\\/pcij.org\\/article\\/923\\/state-of-the-ph-in-2018-our-jails-are-now-worlds-most-congested.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed {\\\"imageURL\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/The-Stepping-Stones-to-Solve-Jail-Overcrowding_-Limitations-in-Legislation-and-Litigation-by-Gabriel-Adora.pdf\\\",\\\"imgID\\\":1488,\\\"imgTitle\\\":\\\"The Stepping Stones to Solve Jail Overcrowding_ Limitations in Legislation and Litigation by Gabriel Adora\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<div>[pdfjs-viewer viewer_width=0 viewer_height=800 url=http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/The-Stepping-Stones-to-Solve-Jail-Overcrowding_-Limitations-in-Legislation-and-Litigation-by-Gabriel-Adora.pdf download=true print=true fullscreen=false fullscreen_target=false fullscreen_text=\\\"View%20Fullscreen\\\" zoom=auto search_term=\\\"\\\" ]<\\/div>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/p>\\n<hr>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>Featured Image by ABS-CBN News<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.15,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(5900,1814,'_elementor_page_assets','a:0:{}'),(5902,1815,'_thumbnail_id','1808'),(5903,1815,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(5904,1815,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(5905,1815,'_elementor_version','3.3.1'),(5906,1815,'_wp_page_template','default'),(5907,1815,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"4c472a96\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"69eaecf9\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"446c630a\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><!-- wp:heading {\\\"textAlign\\\":\\\"center\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<h2>The Stepping Stones to Solve Jail Overcrowding:<br>Limitations in Legislation and Litigation<\\/h2>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":25} --><\\/p>\\n<div style=\\\"height: 25px; text-align: center;\\\" aria-hidden=\\\"true\\\"><em>By Gabriel D.R. Adora<\\/em><\\/div>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:file {\\\"id\\\":1488,\\\"href\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/The-Stepping-Stones-to-Solve-Jail-Overcrowding_-Limitations-in-Legislation-and-Litigation-by-Gabriel-Adora.pdf\\\",\\\"displayPreview\\\":false,\\\"align\\\":\\\"right\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<div><a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/The-Stepping-Stones-to-Solve-Jail-Overcrowding_-Limitations-in-Legislation-and-Litigation-by-Gabriel-Adora.pdf\\\" download=\\\"\\\">Download PDF Here<\\/a><\\/div>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:file --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":25} --><\\/p>\\n<div style=\\\"height: 25px;\\\" aria-hidden=\\\"true\\\"> <\\/div>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:paragraph --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"text-align: right;\\\"><em>\\u201cThere is no humane punishment without a horizon.<br><\\/em><em>No one can change their life if they don\\u2019t see a horizon.<br><\\/em><em>And so many times we are used to blocking the view of our inmates.<br><\\/em><em>Take this image of the windows and the horizon<br>and ensure that in your countries the prisons always have a window and horizon.<br><\\/em><em>even a life sentence \\u2013 which for me is questionable \\u2013 even a life sentence would have to have a horizon.\\u201d<br><\\/em>- Pope Francis<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\">[1]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"text-align: center;\\\"><strong>I. INTRODUCTION<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> The problem of jail congestion is often set aside and ignored in the Philippines. It is a longstanding issue that remains unaddressed by the government, with statistics showing congested jails since the 1990s. The Senate finance committee hearings reveal the lack of enthusiasm in even attempting to resolve the issue. On October 2020, jails chief Director Allan Iral pointed out that the allotments made by the Department of Budget Management (DBM) for the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) only corresponded to the creation of perimeter fences.<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\">[2]<\\/a> The meager allotment goes to show that despite the overwhelming congestion rate of about 400%, the plans to expand the correctional facilities in the Philippines remain as blueprints. This rate translates to six detainees sharing a space made only for one detainee.<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\">[3]<\\/a> A Commission on Audit (COA) report further reveals that the completion of forty nine (49) infrastructure projects with a total contract cost of P2,762,141,293.54 was delayed. This effectively hampered BJMP\\u2019s objective of providing a functional and responsive jail facility to Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDL) pursuant to Section 63 of R.A. 6975.<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\">[4]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> The issue of overcrowding, however, does not solely stem from the government\\u2019s budgetary constraints. While the allotment of additional funds leads to the establishment of more spacious facilities, these efforts and resources will be for naught if the same is continuously occupied by an increasing number of detainees whose cases are still ongoing. With the clogged dockets of Philippine courts, there is a good chance that these detainees will stay behind bars for a relatively long time.<a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\">[5]<\\/a> If there are no alternatives to confinement in jails, then the newly constructed facilities are bound to be crowded.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> Extreme congestion poses serious threats to the life and health of detainees due to sanitation issues as viruses\\u2014like COVID-19\\u2014and other contagious diseases spread easily. Hence, they should have a remedy under the law, when necessary, to obtain transfers or temporary release from confinement upon sufficient showing of such dangers.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> The entitlement of detainees to basic human rights, such as humane and healthy living conditions, is anchored in the 1987 Constitution of the Philippines, Philippine Statutes and Regulations, and in International Law. However, the fact that the issue remains unresolved and that it worsens over time indicates that the relevant Constitutional and statutory provisions are not brought to life as intended by their makers. Since jail congestion involves the life and liberty of persons, society as a whole\\u2014both the public and the private sector\\u2014must treat it as a matter of great importance. It seems that society at large has yet to launch an aggressive campaign that advocates for a detainee\\u2019s human rights.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p> The author submits that while the allotment of additional facilities is necessary to alleviate the congestion rates at present, the detainees should also have a recourse under the law to enforce their rights in case overcrowding poses a threat to their life and health. Additionally, coming up with alternatives to confinement might provide long-term solutions to jail overcrowding.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/p>\\n<hr>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">[1]<\\/a>Cindy Wooden, Concern for inmates, prison reform is obligatory act of mercy, pope says, (November 8, 2019), https:\\/\\/www.ncronline.org\\/news\\/justice\\/francis-chronicles\\/concern-inmates-prison-reform-obligatory-act-mercy-pope-says.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a> Rambo Talabong, No budget for new PH jails in 2021 despite over congestion, (October 1, 2020) https:\\/\\/www.rappler.com\\/nation\\/no-budget-for-new-ph-jails-in-2021-despite-over-congestion.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a> Rambo Talabong, Jodesz Galivan, and Lian Buan, \'Takot na takot kami\': While government stalls, coronavirus breaks into PH jails, (April 18. 2020), https:\\/\\/www.rappler.com\\/newsbreak\\/in-depth\\/while-government-stalls-coronavirus-breaks-into-philippine-jails.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[4]<\\/a>Commission on Audit, Annual Audit Report on the BJMP: Executive Summary, https:\\/\\/www.coa.gov.ph\\/phocadownloadpap\\/userupload\\/annual_audit_report\\/NGAs\\/2019\\/National-Government-Sector\\/Department-of-the-Interior-and-Local-Government\\/BJMP_ES2019.pdf, (last accessed June 20, 2021).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[5]<\\/a> Dr. Raymund Narag, A HUMANITARIAN CRISIS, A MONSTER IN OUR MIDST. State of the PH in 2018: Our jails are now world\'s most congested, (July 23, 2018), https:\\/\\/pcij.org\\/article\\/923\\/state-of-the-ph-in-2018-our-jails-are-now-worlds-most-congested.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed {\\\"imageURL\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/The-Stepping-Stones-to-Solve-Jail-Overcrowding_-Limitations-in-Legislation-and-Litigation-by-Gabriel-Adora.pdf\\\",\\\"imgID\\\":1488,\\\"imgTitle\\\":\\\"The Stepping Stones to Solve Jail Overcrowding_ Limitations in Legislation and Litigation by Gabriel Adora\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<div>[pdfjs-viewer viewer_width=0 viewer_height=800 url=http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/The-Stepping-Stones-to-Solve-Jail-Overcrowding_-Limitations-in-Legislation-and-Litigation-by-Gabriel-Adora.pdf download=true print=true fullscreen=false fullscreen_target=false fullscreen_text=\\\"View%20Fullscreen\\\" zoom=auto search_term=\\\"\\\" ]<\\/div>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/p>\\n<hr>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>Featured Image by ABS-CBN News<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.15,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(5908,1815,'_elementor_page_assets','a:0:{}'),(5909,1815,'_elementor_css','a:6:{s:4:\"time\";i:1629710824;s:5:\"fonts\";a:0:{}s:5:\"icons\";a:0:{}s:20:\"dynamic_elements_ids\";a:0:{}s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"file\";i:0;s:0:\"\";}'),(5910,1816,'_thumbnail_id','1808'),(5911,1816,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(5912,1816,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(5913,1816,'_elementor_version','3.3.1'),(5914,1816,'_wp_page_template','default'),(5915,1816,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"4c472a96\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"69eaecf9\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"446c630a\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><!-- wp:heading {\\\"textAlign\\\":\\\"center\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<h2 class=\\\"has-text-align-center\\\">The Stepping Stones to Solve Jail Overcrowding:<br \\/>Limitations in Legislation and Litigation<\\/h2>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":25} --><\\/p>\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-spacer\\\" style=\\\"height: 25px; text-align: center;\\\" aria-hidden=\\\"true\\\"><em>By Gabriel D.R. Adora<\\/em><\\/div>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:file {\\\"id\\\":1488,\\\"href\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/The-Stepping-Stones-to-Solve-Jail-Overcrowding_-Limitations-in-Legislation-and-Litigation-by-Gabriel-Adora.pdf\\\",\\\"displayPreview\\\":false,\\\"align\\\":\\\"right\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-file alignright\\\"><a class=\\\"wp-block-file__button\\\" href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/The-Stepping-Stones-to-Solve-Jail-Overcrowding_-Limitations-in-Legislation-and-Litigation-by-Gabriel-Adora.pdf\\\" download=\\\"\\\">Download PDF Here<\\/a><\\/div>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:file --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":25} --><\\/p>\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-spacer\\\" style=\\\"height: 25px;\\\" aria-hidden=\\\"true\\\">\\u00a0<\\/div>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:paragraph --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"text-align: right;\\\"><em>\\u201cThere is no humane punishment without a horizon.<br \\/><\\/em><em>No one can change their life if they don\\u2019t see a horizon.<br \\/><\\/em><em>And so many times we are used to blocking the view of our inmates.<br \\/><\\/em><em>Take this image of the windows and the horizon<br \\/>and ensure that in your countries the prisons always have a window and horizon.<br \\/><\\/em><em>even a life sentence \\u2013 which for me is questionable \\u2013 even a life sentence would have to have a horizon.\\u201d<br \\/><\\/em>- Pope Francis<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\">[1]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"text-align: center;\\\"><strong>I. INTRODUCTION<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The problem of jail congestion is often set aside and ignored in the Philippines. It is a longstanding issue that remains unaddressed by the government, with statistics showing congested jails since the 1990s. The Senate finance committee hearings reveal the lack of enthusiasm in even attempting to resolve the issue. On October 2020, jails chief Director Allan Iral pointed out that the allotments made by the Department of Budget Management (DBM) for the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) only corresponded to the creation of perimeter fences.<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\">[2]<\\/a> The meager allotment goes to show that despite the overwhelming congestion rate of about 400%, the plans to expand the correctional facilities in the Philippines remain as blueprints. This rate translates to six detainees sharing a space made only for one detainee.<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\">[3]<\\/a> A Commission on Audit (COA) report further reveals that the completion of forty nine (49) infrastructure projects with a total contract cost of P2,762,141,293.54 was delayed. This effectively hampered BJMP\\u2019s objective of providing a functional and responsive jail facility to Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDL) pursuant to Section 63 of R.A. 6975.<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\">[4]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The issue of overcrowding, however, does not solely stem from the government\\u2019s budgetary constraints. While the allotment of additional funds\\u00a0 leads to the establishment of more spacious facilities, these efforts and resources will be for naught if the same is continuously occupied by an increasing number of detainees whose cases are still ongoing. With the clogged dockets of Philippine courts, there is a good chance that these detainees will stay behind bars for a relatively long time.<a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\">[5]<\\/a> If there are no alternatives to confinement in jails, then the newly constructed facilities are bound to be crowded.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Extreme congestion poses serious threats to the life and health of detainees due to sanitation issues as viruses\\u2014like COVID-19\\u2014and other contagious diseases spread easily. Hence, they should have a remedy under the law, when necessary, to obtain transfers or temporary release from confinement upon sufficient showing of such dangers.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The entitlement of detainees to basic human rights, such as humane and healthy living conditions, is anchored in the 1987 Constitution of the Philippines, Philippine Statutes and Regulations, and in International Law. However, the fact that the issue remains unresolved and that it worsens over time indicates that the relevant Constitutional and statutory provisions are not brought to life as intended by their makers. Since jail congestion involves the life and liberty of persons, society as a whole\\u2014both the public and the private sector\\u2014must treat it as a matter of great importance. It seems that society at large has yet to launch an aggressive campaign that advocates for a detainee\\u2019s human rights.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The author submits that while the allotment of additional facilities is necessary to alleviate the congestion rates at present, the detainees should also have a recourse under the law to enforce their rights in case overcrowding poses a threat to their life and health. Additionally, coming up with alternatives to confinement might provide long-term solutions to jail overcrowding.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">[1]<\\/a>Cindy Wooden, Concern for inmates, prison reform is obligatory act of mercy, pope says, (November 8, 2019), https:\\/\\/www.ncronline.org\\/news\\/justice\\/francis-chronicles\\/concern-inmates-prison-reform-obligatory-act-mercy-pope-says.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a> Rambo Talabong, No budget for new PH jails in 2021 despite over congestion, (October 1, 2020) https:\\/\\/www.rappler.com\\/nation\\/no-budget-for-new-ph-jails-in-2021-despite-over-congestion.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a> Rambo Talabong, Jodesz Galivan, and Lian Buan, \'Takot na takot kami\': While government stalls, coronavirus breaks into PH jails, (April 18. 2020), https:\\/\\/www.rappler.com\\/newsbreak\\/in-depth\\/while-government-stalls-coronavirus-breaks-into-philippine-jails.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[4]<\\/a>Commission on Audit, Annual Audit Report on the BJMP: Executive Summary, https:\\/\\/www.coa.gov.ph\\/phocadownloadpap\\/userupload\\/annual_audit_report\\/NGAs\\/2019\\/National-Government-Sector\\/Department-of-the-Interior-and-Local-Government\\/BJMP_ES2019.pdf, (last accessed June 20, 2021).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[5]<\\/a> Dr. Raymund Narag, A HUMANITARIAN CRISIS, A MONSTER IN OUR MIDST. State of the PH in 2018: Our jails are now world\'s most congested, (July 23, 2018), https:\\/\\/pcij.org\\/article\\/923\\/state-of-the-ph-in-2018-our-jails-are-now-worlds-most-congested.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed {\\\"imageURL\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/The-Stepping-Stones-to-Solve-Jail-Overcrowding_-Limitations-in-Legislation-and-Litigation-by-Gabriel-Adora.pdf\\\",\\\"imgID\\\":1488,\\\"imgTitle\\\":\\\"The Stepping Stones to Solve Jail Overcrowding_ Limitations in Legislation and Litigation by Gabriel Adora\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-pdfjsblock-pdfjs-embed pdfjs-wrapper\\\">[pdfjs-viewer viewer_width=0 viewer_height=800 url=http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/The-Stepping-Stones-to-Solve-Jail-Overcrowding_-Limitations-in-Legislation-and-Litigation-by-Gabriel-Adora.pdf download=true print=true fullscreen=false fullscreen_target=false fullscreen_text=\\\"View%20Fullscreen\\\" zoom=auto search_term=\\\"\\\" ]<\\/div>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>Featured Image by Noel Celis\\u2014AFP\\/Getty Images<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.15,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(5916,1816,'_elementor_page_assets','a:0:{}'),(5917,1816,'_elementor_css','a:6:{s:4:\"time\";i:1629710824;s:5:\"fonts\";a:0:{}s:5:\"icons\";a:0:{}s:20:\"dynamic_elements_ids\";a:0:{}s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"file\";i:0;s:0:\"\";}'),(5918,1790,'_elementor_controls_usage','a:3:{s:11:\"text-editor\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:1;s:8:\"controls\";a:2:{s:7:\"content\";a:1:{s:14:\"section_editor\";a:1:{s:6:\"editor\";i:1;}}s:5:\"style\";a:1:{s:13:\"section_style\";a:2:{s:21:\"typography_typography\";i:1;s:22:\"typography_line_height\";i:1;}}}}s:6:\"column\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:0;s:8:\"controls\";a:0:{}}s:7:\"section\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:0;s:8:\"controls\";a:0:{}}}'),(5919,1790,'_elementor_css','a:6:{s:4:\"time\";i:1629710829;s:5:\"fonts\";a:0:{}s:5:\"icons\";a:0:{}s:20:\"dynamic_elements_ids\";a:0:{}s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"file\";i:0;s:0:\"\";}'),(5920,1817,'_thumbnail_id','1808'),(5921,1817,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(5922,1817,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(5923,1817,'_elementor_version','3.3.1'),(5924,1817,'_wp_page_template','default');
INSERT INTO `wp_postmeta` VALUES (5925,1817,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"4c472a96\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"69eaecf9\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"446c630a\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><!-- wp:heading {\\\"textAlign\\\":\\\"center\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<h2 class=\\\"has-text-align-center\\\">The Stepping Stones to Solve Jail Overcrowding:<br \\/>Limitations in Legislation and Litigation<\\/h2>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":25} --><\\/p>\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-spacer\\\" style=\\\"height: 25px; text-align: center;\\\" aria-hidden=\\\"true\\\"><em>By Gabriel D.R. Adora<\\/em><\\/div>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:file {\\\"id\\\":1488,\\\"href\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/The-Stepping-Stones-to-Solve-Jail-Overcrowding_-Limitations-in-Legislation-and-Litigation-by-Gabriel-Adora.pdf\\\",\\\"displayPreview\\\":false,\\\"align\\\":\\\"right\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-file alignright\\\"><a class=\\\"wp-block-file__button\\\" href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/The-Stepping-Stones-to-Solve-Jail-Overcrowding_-Limitations-in-Legislation-and-Litigation-by-Gabriel-Adora.pdf\\\" download=\\\"\\\">Download PDF Here<\\/a><\\/div>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:file --><!-- wp:spacer {\\\"height\\\":25} --><\\/p>\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-spacer\\\" style=\\\"height: 25px;\\\" aria-hidden=\\\"true\\\">\\u00a0<\\/div>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:spacer --><!-- wp:paragraph --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"text-align: right;\\\"><em>\\u201cThere is no humane punishment without a horizon.<br \\/><\\/em><em>No one can change their life if they don\\u2019t see a horizon.<br \\/><\\/em><em>And so many times we are used to blocking the view of our inmates.<br \\/><\\/em><em>Take this image of the windows and the horizon<br \\/>and ensure that in your countries the prisons always have a window and horizon.<br \\/><\\/em><em>even a life sentence \\u2013 which for me is questionable \\u2013 even a life sentence would have to have a horizon.\\u201d<br \\/><\\/em>- Pope Francis<a href=\\\"#_ftn1\\\">[1]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"text-align: center;\\\"><strong>I. INTRODUCTION<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The problem of jail congestion is often set aside and ignored in the Philippines. It is a longstanding issue that remains unaddressed by the government, with statistics showing congested jails since the 1990s. The Senate finance committee hearings reveal the lack of enthusiasm in even attempting to resolve the issue. On October 2020, jails chief Director Allan Iral pointed out that the allotments made by the Department of Budget Management (DBM) for the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) only corresponded to the creation of perimeter fences.<a href=\\\"#_ftn2\\\">[2]<\\/a> The meager allotment goes to show that despite the overwhelming congestion rate of about 400%, the plans to expand the correctional facilities in the Philippines remain as blueprints. This rate translates to six detainees sharing a space made only for one detainee.<a href=\\\"#_ftn3\\\">[3]<\\/a> A Commission on Audit (COA) report further reveals that the completion of forty nine (49) infrastructure projects with a total contract cost of P2,762,141,293.54 was delayed. This effectively hampered BJMP\\u2019s objective of providing a functional and responsive jail facility to Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDL) pursuant to Section 63 of R.A. 6975.<a href=\\\"#_ftn4\\\">[4]<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The issue of overcrowding, however, does not solely stem from the government\\u2019s budgetary constraints. While the allotment of additional funds\\u00a0 leads to the establishment of more spacious facilities, these efforts and resources will be for naught if the same is continuously occupied by an increasing number of detainees whose cases are still ongoing. With the clogged dockets of Philippine courts, there is a good chance that these detainees will stay behind bars for a relatively long time.<a href=\\\"#_ftn5\\\">[5]<\\/a> If there are no alternatives to confinement in jails, then the newly constructed facilities are bound to be crowded.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Extreme congestion poses serious threats to the life and health of detainees due to sanitation issues as viruses\\u2014like COVID-19\\u2014and other contagious diseases spread easily. Hence, they should have a remedy under the law, when necessary, to obtain transfers or temporary release from confinement upon sufficient showing of such dangers.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The entitlement of detainees to basic human rights, such as humane and healthy living conditions, is anchored in the 1987 Constitution of the Philippines, Philippine Statutes and Regulations, and in International Law. However, the fact that the issue remains unresolved and that it worsens over time indicates that the relevant Constitutional and statutory provisions are not brought to life as intended by their makers. Since jail congestion involves the life and liberty of persons, society as a whole\\u2014both the public and the private sector\\u2014must treat it as a matter of great importance. It seems that society at large has yet to launch an aggressive campaign that advocates for a detainee\\u2019s human rights.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The author submits that while the allotment of additional facilities is necessary to alleviate the congestion rates at present, the detainees should also have a recourse under the law to enforce their rights in case overcrowding poses a threat to their life and health. Additionally, coming up with alternatives to confinement might provide long-term solutions to jail overcrowding.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref1\\\">[1]<\\/a>Cindy Wooden, Concern for inmates, prison reform is obligatory act of mercy, pope says, (November 8, 2019), https:\\/\\/www.ncronline.org\\/news\\/justice\\/francis-chronicles\\/concern-inmates-prison-reform-obligatory-act-mercy-pope-says.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref2\\\">[2]<\\/a> Rambo Talabong, No budget for new PH jails in 2021 despite over congestion, (October 1, 2020) https:\\/\\/www.rappler.com\\/nation\\/no-budget-for-new-ph-jails-in-2021-despite-over-congestion.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref3\\\">[3]<\\/a> Rambo Talabong, Jodesz Galivan, and Lian Buan, \'Takot na takot kami\': While government stalls, coronavirus breaks into PH jails, (April 18. 2020), https:\\/\\/www.rappler.com\\/newsbreak\\/in-depth\\/while-government-stalls-coronavirus-breaks-into-philippine-jails.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref4\\\">[4]<\\/a>Commission on Audit, Annual Audit Report on the BJMP: Executive Summary, https:\\/\\/www.coa.gov.ph\\/phocadownloadpap\\/userupload\\/annual_audit_report\\/NGAs\\/2019\\/National-Government-Sector\\/Department-of-the-Interior-and-Local-Government\\/BJMP_ES2019.pdf, (last accessed June 20, 2021).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"#_ftnref5\\\">[5]<\\/a> Dr. Raymund Narag, A HUMANITARIAN CRISIS, A MONSTER IN OUR MIDST. State of the PH in 2018: Our jails are now world\'s most congested, (July 23, 2018), https:\\/\\/pcij.org\\/article\\/923\\/state-of-the-ph-in-2018-our-jails-are-now-worlds-most-congested.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed {\\\"imageURL\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/The-Stepping-Stones-to-Solve-Jail-Overcrowding_-Limitations-in-Legislation-and-Litigation-by-Gabriel-Adora.pdf\\\",\\\"imgID\\\":1488,\\\"imgTitle\\\":\\\"The Stepping Stones to Solve Jail Overcrowding_ Limitations in Legislation and Litigation by Gabriel Adora\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-pdfjsblock-pdfjs-embed pdfjs-wrapper\\\">[pdfjs-viewer viewer_width=0 viewer_height=800 url=http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/The-Stepping-Stones-to-Solve-Jail-Overcrowding_-Limitations-in-Legislation-and-Litigation-by-Gabriel-Adora.pdf download=true print=true fullscreen=false fullscreen_target=false fullscreen_text=\\\"View%20Fullscreen\\\" zoom=auto search_term=\\\"\\\" ]<\\/div>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>Featured Image by Noel Celis\\u2014AFP\\/Getty Images<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"em\",\"size\":1.15,\"sizes\":[]}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(5926,1817,'_elementor_page_assets','a:0:{}'),(5927,1817,'_elementor_controls_usage','a:3:{s:11:\"text-editor\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:1;s:8:\"controls\";a:2:{s:7:\"content\";a:1:{s:14:\"section_editor\";a:1:{s:6:\"editor\";i:1;}}s:5:\"style\";a:1:{s:13:\"section_style\";a:2:{s:21:\"typography_typography\";i:1;s:22:\"typography_line_height\";i:1;}}}}s:6:\"column\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:0;s:8:\"controls\";a:0:{}}s:7:\"section\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:0;s:8:\"controls\";a:0:{}}}'),(5928,1817,'_elementor_css','a:6:{s:4:\"time\";i:1629710829;s:5:\"fonts\";a:0:{}s:5:\"icons\";a:0:{}s:20:\"dynamic_elements_ids\";a:0:{}s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"file\";i:0;s:0:\"\";}'),(5929,1818,'_wp_attached_file','2021/08/MeToo-1.jpg'),(5930,1818,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:5:{s:5:\"width\";i:1920;s:6:\"height\";i:1080;s:4:\"file\";s:19:\"2021/08/MeToo-1.jpg\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:13:{s:6:\"medium\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:19:\"MeToo-1-300x169.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:300;s:6:\"height\";i:169;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:5:\"large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"MeToo-1-1024x576.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1024;s:6:\"height\";i:576;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"thumbnail\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:19:\"MeToo-1-150x150.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:12:\"medium_large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:19:\"MeToo-1-768x432.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:768;s:6:\"height\";i:432;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:9:\"1536x1536\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"MeToo-1-1536x864.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:1536;s:6:\"height\";i:864;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:24:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:19:\"MeToo-1-170x110.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:25:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:17:\"MeToo-1-86x70.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:18:\"MeToo-1-170x96.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:96;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:22:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:19:\"MeToo-1-370x250.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:30:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:19:\"MeToo-1-370x208.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:208;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:21:\"bfastmag_related_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:19:\"MeToo-1-288x160.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:288;s:6:\"height\";i:160;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:18:\"bfastmag_blog_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:19:\"MeToo-1-780x544.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}s:26:\"bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:19:\"MeToo-1-780x439.jpg\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:439;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";}}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:0:\"\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:10:\"1629327819\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:1:\"0\";s:3:\"iso\";s:1:\"0\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:1:\"0\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";s:1:\"1\";s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}}'),(5931,1790,'_thumbnail_id','1818'),(5932,1790,'_yoast_wpseo_opengraph-image','http://lawreview.ust.edu.ph/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/MeToo-1.jpg'),(5933,1790,'_yoast_wpseo_opengraph-image-id','1818'),(5934,1790,'ss_ss_click_share_count_facebook','1'),(5935,1790,'ss_total_share_count','0'),(5936,1661,'ss_ss_click_share_count_facebook','1'),(5937,1819,'_wp_attached_file','2021/07/MeToo14.png'),(5938,1819,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:5:{s:5:\"width\";i:1920;s:6:\"height\";i:1080;s:4:\"file\";s:19:\"2021/07/MeToo14.png\";s:5:\"sizes\";a:13:{s:6:\"medium\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:19:\"MeToo14-300x169.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:300;s:6:\"height\";i:169;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:5:\"large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"MeToo14-1024x576.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:1024;s:6:\"height\";i:576;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:9:\"thumbnail\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:19:\"MeToo14-150x150.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:150;s:6:\"height\";i:150;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:12:\"medium_large\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:19:\"MeToo14-768x432.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:768;s:6:\"height\";i:432;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:9:\"1536x1536\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:20:\"MeToo14-1536x864.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:1536;s:6:\"height\";i:864;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:24:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:19:\"MeToo14-170x110.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:110;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:25:\"bfastmag_small_thumb_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:17:\"MeToo14-86x70.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:86;s:6:\"height\";i:70;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:32:\"bfastmag_blk_small_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:18:\"MeToo14-170x96.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:170;s:6:\"height\";i:96;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:22:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:19:\"MeToo14-370x250.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:250;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:30:\"bfastmag_blk_big_thumb_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:19:\"MeToo14-370x208.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:370;s:6:\"height\";i:208;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:21:\"bfastmag_related_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:19:\"MeToo14-288x160.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:288;s:6:\"height\";i:160;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:18:\"bfastmag_blog_post\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:19:\"MeToo14-780x544.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:544;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}s:26:\"bfastmag_blog_post_no_crop\";a:4:{s:4:\"file\";s:19:\"MeToo14-780x439.png\";s:5:\"width\";i:780;s:6:\"height\";i:439;s:9:\"mime-type\";s:9:\"image/png\";}}s:10:\"image_meta\";a:12:{s:8:\"aperture\";s:1:\"0\";s:6:\"credit\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"camera\";s:0:\"\";s:7:\"caption\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"created_timestamp\";s:1:\"0\";s:9:\"copyright\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"focal_length\";s:1:\"0\";s:3:\"iso\";s:1:\"0\";s:13:\"shutter_speed\";s:1:\"0\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"orientation\";s:1:\"0\";s:8:\"keywords\";a:0:{}}}'),(5939,1452,'_wp_old_date','2021-07-20'),(5940,1452,'_yoast_wpseo_focuskw','Living Constitution'),(5941,1452,'_yoast_wpseo_linkdex','67'),(5942,1452,'_yoast_wpseo_opengraph-title','%%title%% | Yurii C. Ramos'),(5943,1452,'_yoast_wpseo_opengraph-description','The 1987 Philippine Constitution is described as conventional or enacted, written, and rigid or inelastic. It is clear and definite and is not easily bent or twisted by the legislature or by the courts to meet the fleeting fancies of the moment. It is stable and free from the dangers of temporary popular passion. The downside of having a written constitution lies in the difficulty of its amendment, which prevents the immediate introduction of desired changes. This is particularly true with respect to specific provisions of the 1987 Constitution, which should have been left for Congress to legislate, such as the provisions on national economy and patrimony under Article XII. However, this also holds true to those who wish to introduce contemporary moral values contrary to those clearly enshrined in our Constitution. It is this latter difficulty of introducing changes in a written constitution that inspired the notion that a constitution evolves to comport with “the evolving standards of decency that mark the progress of a maturing society.”'),(5944,1452,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(5945,1452,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(5951,1822,'_thumbnail_id','1819'),(5952,1822,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(5953,1822,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(5954,1822,'_elementor_css','a:7:{s:4:\"time\";i:1630040622;s:5:\"fonts\";a:0:{}s:5:\"icons\";a:0:{}s:20:\"dynamic_elements_ids\";a:0:{}s:6:\"status\";s:5:\"empty\";i:0;s:0:\"\";s:3:\"css\";s:0:\"\";}'),(5955,1823,'_thumbnail_id','1819'),(5956,1823,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(5957,1823,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(5958,1823,'_elementor_css','a:7:{s:4:\"time\";i:1630040622;s:5:\"fonts\";a:0:{}s:5:\"icons\";a:0:{}s:20:\"dynamic_elements_ids\";a:0:{}s:6:\"status\";s:5:\"empty\";i:0;s:0:\"\";s:3:\"css\";s:0:\"\";}'),(5959,1452,'_wp_page_template','default'),(5960,1452,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"234e6658\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"55f00b9\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"aac3f57\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><!-- wp:heading --><\\/p>\\n<h2 style=\\\"text-align: center;\\\">Debunking the Notion of A Living Constitution<\\/h2>\\n<p style=\\\"text-align: center;\\\"><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:columns --><\\/p>\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-columns\\\">\\n<p style=\\\"text-align: center;\\\"><!-- wp:column {\\\"width\\\":\\\"66.66%\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-column\\\" style=\\\"flex-basis: 66.66%;\\\">\\n<p style=\\\"text-align: center;\\\"><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"text-align: center;\\\"><em>Yurii C. Ramos*<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<\\/div>\\n<\\/div>\\n<p class=\\\"has-text-align-center\\\" style=\\\"text-align: center;\\\"><strong>I. INTRODUCTION<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:group --><\\/p>\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-group\\\">\\n<p><!-- wp:tadv\\/classic-paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 One question the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) often asks those vying for the position of Supreme Court Associate Justice is whether the candidate, if appointed, would exercise judicial activism or judicial restraint. <sup>2<\\/sup> During the June 2019 JBC interviews, then Chief Justice Lucas Bersamin would ask candidates for their understanding of the terms judicial activism and judicial restraint and ask if they consider themselves a textualist. Associate Justice Noel Tijam, on the other hand, would ask the candidates for their understanding of the phrase \\u201cthe living constitution.\\u201d<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:tadv\\/classic-paragraph --><!-- wp:tadv\\/classic-paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In the United States, the Senate Judiciary Committee asks a similar line of questions during confirmation hearings of nominees to the U.S. Supreme Court. The Committee would ask nominees if they believe in the notion of a \\u201cliving constitution\\u201d. The late U.S. Supreme Court Justice William Rehnquist explains why choosing the \\u201cliving constitution\\u201d (over originalism) is prudent in this situation:<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:tadv\\/classic-paragraph --><!-- wp:tadv\\/classic-paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 80px;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 At least one of the more than half-dozen persons nominated during the past decade to be an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States has been asked by the Senate Judiciary Committee at his confirmation hearings whether he believed in a living Constitution. <strong>It is not an easy question to answer; the phrase \\u201cliving Constitution\\u201d has about it a teasing imprecision that makes it a coat of many colors.<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 80px;\\\"><strong>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 One\\u2019s first reaction tends to be along the lines of public relations or ideological sex appeal, I suppose. At first blush it seems certain that a living Constitution is better than what must be its counterpart, a dead Constitution. It would seem that only a necrophile could disagree.<\\/strong> If we could get one of the major public opinion research firms in the country to sample public opinion concerning whether the United States Constitution should be living or dead, the overwhelming majority of the responses doubtless would favor a living Constitution.<sup>3 <\\/sup>(Emphasis supplied)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:tadv\\/classic-paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 It certainly seems that one who does not adhere to the notion of a living constitution would prefer a \\u2018dead\\u2019 constitution. Yet, as pointed out by Justice Rehnquist, this term deserves to be analyzed in more than just the public relations context, as a judge\\u2019s perception of the Constitution will necessarily affect his opinion on issues of constitutionality.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The notion of a living constitution originated in the United States and has sparked debates between originalists and evolutionists. As defined by the late U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, quoting Trop v. Dulles, the \\u201cliving constitution\\u201d is the notion that a written constitution changes from decade to decade to comport with \\u201cthe evolving standards of decency that mark the progress of a maturing society.\\u201d Thus, for the evolutionist, the constitution \\u201cgrows and changes from age to age, in order to meet the needs of a changing society.\\u201d<\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Not much has been said about the notion of a living constitution in the context of Philippine democracy. However, several Supreme Court Justices have occasionally alluded to this notion.<\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In a keynote address delivered during a Fellowship Luncheon of the Philippine Bar Association in 2014, the former Chief Justice Artemio V. Panganiban said that there are at least two ways of interpreting the Constitution: textualism\\/originalism and what is called \\u201cthe living constitution\\u201d. He says:<\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 80px;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 [T]here are at least two ways of interpreting or construing constitutions and laws. <strong>The textualists or originalists interpret according to the original intent of the framers, regardless of the dire consequences on current and future events. They rely on \\u201cdura lex sed lex.\\u201d<\\/strong> Their self-imposed duty is \\u201cto apply laws faithfully and desist from engaging in socio-economic or political experimentations,\\u201d which they denounce as \\u201cjudicial legislation.\\u201d<br \\/>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 <strong>On the other hand, the liberals or progressives believe in a living Constitution; one that grows with time, solves the vagaries of the present and anticipates the needs of the future.<\\/strong> I belong to this latter group who believe that jurists are not mere social technicians and legal automatons. Rather, they are social engineers who courageously fix their gaze on the underlying principles and overarching aspirations of the Constitution to nurture a free and prosperous nation. (Emphasis supplied)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Unfortunately, this explanation oversimplifies the philosophy underlying the originalist and textualist schools of thought. It also suggests that originalists and textualists are \\u201clegal automatons\\u201d who ignore the actual consequences of giving the Constitution its straightforward meaning.<br \\/>This article will focus on the \\u201cGreat Debate\\u201d in Constitutional Law between originalism\\/textualism and the notion of a living constitution.<\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 This article will explain why the notion of a living constitution is in many respects problematic and untenable in a modern\\/representative democracy, and why it runs afoul basic legal principles such as the rule of majority, checks and balances, and the political question doctrine.<\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 To lay down the premises, Chapter II discusses the concept of a written constitution and some unique features of the 1987 Philippine Constitution; Chapter III discusses the step-by-step rules on how to read (interpret and construe) the 1987 Constitution, adopted by the Supreme Court; Chapter IV discusses the Philippine legal system and how its unique mix of the common law and civil law traditions affects how we must read the Constitution; Chapter V discusses the major judicial philosophies and their distinctions; Chapter VI surveys Supreme Court decisions demonstrating how the notion of a living constitution has developed in Philippine Jurisprudence, if at all. The latter part of the said chapter discusses the rebuttals to the arguments in favor of the living constitution. Finally, Chapter VIII concludes this article.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<\\/div>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:group --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>* Editor-in-Chief: UST Law Review \\u00ad- Vol. 65 (2021); J.D. Candidate: UST Faculty of Civil Law (2021); AB Philosophy, cum laude: University of San Agustin, Saint Thomas of Villanova Institute \\u2013 San Agustin Center of Studies (2015).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>[1] Glenn R. Morrow, Plato\\u2019s Cretan City: A Historical Interpretation of the LAWS 544-545 (Princeton University Press: Princeton, N.J., 1960).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>[2] Lian Buan, \\u201cRecent JBC Interviews Had Less Tough Questions on SC Decisions.\\u201d Rappler, 2 Oct. 2018, www.rappler.com\\/newsbreak\\/in-depth\\/jbc-interviews-fewer-tough-questions-supreme-court.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>[3] William H. Rehnquist, <em>The Notion of a Living Constitution<\\/em>, 54 Texas L. Rev. 693 (1976), reprinted in 29 Harvard J.L. & Pub. Pol\\u2019y, 401, (2006).<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:file {\\\"id\\\":1490,\\\"href\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Debunking-the-Notion-of-a-Living-Constitution-by-Yurii-Ramos.pdf\\\",\\\"align\\\":\\\"right\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-file alignright\\\"><a href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Debunking-the-Notion-of-a-Living-Constitution-by-Yurii-Ramos.pdf\\\">Download the article to continue reading.<\\/a><a class=\\\"wp-block-file__button\\\" href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Debunking-the-Notion-of-a-Living-Constitution-by-Yurii-Ramos.pdf\\\" download=\\\"\\\">Download<\\/a><\\/div>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:file --><!-- wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed {\\\"imageURL\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Debunking-the-Notion-of-a-Living-Constitution-by-Yurii-Ramos.pdf\\\",\\\"imgID\\\":1490,\\\"imgTitle\\\":\\\"Debunking the Notion of a Living Constitution by Yurii Ramos\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-pdfjsblock-pdfjs-embed pdfjs-wrapper\\\">[pdfjs-viewer viewer_width=0 viewer_height=800 url=http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Debunking-the-Notion-of-a-Living-Constitution-by-Yurii-Ramos.pdf download=true print=true fullscreen=false fullscreen_target=false fullscreen_text=\\\"View%20Fullscreen\\\" zoom=auto search_term=\\\"\\\" ]<\\/div>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:pdfjsblock\\/pdfjs-embed --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>Featured Image by <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/commons.wikimedia.org\\/wiki\\/File:Supreme_Court_of_the_Philippines.jpg\\\">Mike Gonzalez (TheCoffee)<\\/a>, <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/creativecommons.org\\/licenses\\/by-sa\\/3.0\\\">CC BY-SA 3.0<\\/a>, via Wikimedia Commons<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\"},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]'),(5961,1824,'_thumbnail_id','1819'),(5962,1824,'_elementor_edit_mode','builder'),(5963,1824,'_elementor_template_type','wp-post'),(5964,1824,'_elementor_css','a:7:{s:4:\"time\";i:1630040622;s:5:\"fonts\";a:0:{}s:5:\"icons\";a:0:{}s:20:\"dynamic_elements_ids\";a:0:{}s:6:\"status\";s:5:\"empty\";i:0;s:0:\"\";s:3:\"css\";s:0:\"\";}'),(5965,1824,'_wp_page_template','default'),(5966,1824,'_elementor_data','[{\"id\":\"234e6658\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"55f00b9\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"aac3f57\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><!-- wp:heading --><\\/p>\\n<h2>Debunking the Notion of A Living Constitution<\\/h2>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:heading --><!-- wp:columns --><\\/p>\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-columns\\\">\\n<p><!-- wp:column {\\\"width\\\":\\\"66.66%\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-column\\\" style=\\\"flex-basis: 66.66%;\\\">\\n<p><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><em>Yurii C. Ramos*<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<\\/div>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:column --><!-- wp:column {\\\"width\\\":\\\"33.33%\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-column\\\" style=\\\"flex-basis: 33.33%;\\\">\\n<p><!-- wp:file {\\\"id\\\":1490,\\\"href\\\":\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Debunking-the-Notion-of-a-Living-Constitution-by-Yurii-Ramos.pdf\\\",\\\"align\\\":\\\"right\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-file alignright\\\"><a class=\\\"wp-block-file__button\\\" href=\\\"http:\\/\\/lawreview.ust.edu.ph\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2021\\/07\\/Debunking-the-Notion-of-a-Living-Constitution-by-Yurii-Ramos.pdf\\\" download=\\\"\\\">Download PDF Here<br \\/><\\/a><\\/div>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:file --><\\/p>\\n<\\/div>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:column --><\\/p>\\n<\\/div>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:columns --><!-- wp:quote --><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:quote --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"align\\\":\\\"center\\\"} --><\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-text-align-center\\\" style=\\\"text-align: center;\\\"><strong>I. INTRODUCTION<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:group --><\\/p>\\n<div class=\\\"wp-block-group\\\">\\n<p><!-- wp:tadv\\/classic-paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 One question the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) often asks those vying for the position of Supreme Court Associate Justice is whether the candidate, if appointed, would exercise judicial activism or judicial restraint. <sup>2<\\/sup> During the June 2019 JBC interviews, then Chief Justice Lucas Bersamin would ask candidates for their understanding of the terms judicial activism and judicial restraint and ask if they consider themselves a textualist. Associate Justice Noel Tijam, on the other hand, would ask the candidates for their understanding of the phrase \\u201cthe living constitution.\\u201d<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:tadv\\/classic-paragraph --><!-- wp:tadv\\/classic-paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In the United States, the Senate Judiciary Committee asks a similar line of questions during confirmation hearings of nominees to the U.S. Supreme Court. The Committee would ask nominees if they believe in the notion of a \\u201cliving constitution\\u201d. The late U.S. Supreme Court Justice William Rehnquist explains why choosing the \\u201cliving constitution\\u201d (over originalism) is prudent in this situation:<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:tadv\\/classic-paragraph --><!-- wp:tadv\\/classic-paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 80px;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 At least one of the more than half-dozen persons nominated during the past decade to be an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States has been asked by the Senate Judiciary Committee at his confirmation hearings whether he believed in a living Constitution. <strong>It is not an easy question to answer; the phrase \\u201cliving Constitution\\u201d has about it a teasing imprecision that makes it a coat of many colors.<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 80px;\\\"><strong>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 One\\u2019s first reaction tends to be along the lines of public relations or ideological sex appeal, I suppose. At first blush it seems certain that a living Constitution is better than what must be its counterpart, a dead Constitution. It would seem that only a necrophile could disagree.<\\/strong> If we could get one of the major public opinion research firms in the country to sample public opinion concerning whether the United States Constitution should be living or dead, the overwhelming majority of the responses doubtless would favor a living Constitution.<sup>3 <\\/sup>(Emphasis supplied)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:tadv\\/classic-paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 It certainly seems that one who does not adhere to the notion of a living constitution would prefer a \\u2018dead\\u2019 constitution. Yet, as pointed out by Justice Rehnquist, this term deserves to be analyzed in more than just the public relations context, as a judge\\u2019s perception of the Constitution will necessarily affect his opinion on issues of constitutionality.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 The notion of a living constitution originated in the United States and has sparked debates between originalists and evolutionists. As defined by the late U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, quoting Trop v. Dulles, the \\u201cliving constitution\\u201d is the notion that a written constitution changes from decade to decade to comport with \\u201cthe evolving standards of decency that mark the progress of a maturing society.\\u201d Thus, for the evolutionist, the constitution \\u201cgrows and changes from age to age, in order to meet the needs of a changing society.\\u201d<\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Not much has been said about the notion of a living constitution in the context of Philippine democracy. However, several Supreme Court Justices have occasionally alluded to this notion.<\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 In a keynote address delivered during a Fellowship Luncheon of the Philippine Bar Association in 2014, the former Chief Justice Artemio V. Panganiban said that there are at least two ways of interpreting the Constitution: textualism\\/originalism and what is called \\u201cthe living constitution\\u201d. He says:<\\/p>\\n<p style=\\\"padding-left: 80px;\\\">\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 [T]here are at least two ways of interpreting or construing constitutions and laws. <strong>The textualists or originalists interpret according to the original intent of the framers, regardless of the dire consequences on current and future events. They rely on \\u201cdura lex sed lex.\\u201d<\\/strong> Their self-imposed duty is \\u201cto apply laws faithfully and desist from engaging in socio-economic or political experimentations,\\u201d which they denounce as \\u201cjudicial legislation.\\u201d<br \\/>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 <strong>On the other hand, the liberals or progressives believe in a living Constitution; one that grows with time, solves the vagaries of the present and anticipates the needs of the future.<\\/strong> I belong to this latter group who believe that jurists are not mere social technicians and legal automatons. Rather, they are social engineers who courageously fix their gaze on the underlying principles and overarching aspirations of the Constitution to nurture a free and prosperous nation. (Emphasis supplied)<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 Unfortunately, this explanation oversimplifies the philosophy underlying the originalist and textualist schools of thought. It also suggests that originalists and textualists are \\u201clegal automatons\\u201d who ignore the actual consequences of giving the Constitution its straightforward meaning.<br \\/>This article will focus on the \\u201cGreat Debate\\u201d in Constitutional Law between originalism\\/textualism and the notion of a living constitution.<\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 This article will explain why the notion of a living constitution is in many respects problematic and untenable in a modern\\/representative democracy, and why it runs afoul basic legal principles such as the rule of majority, checks and balances, and the political question doctrine.<\\/p>\\n<p>\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0 To lay down the premises, Chapter II discusses the concept of a written constitution and some unique features of the 1987 Philippine Constitution; Chapter III discusses the step-by-step rules on how to read (interpret and construe) the 1987 Constitution, adopted by the Supreme Court; Chapter IV discusses the Philippine legal system and how its unique mix of the common law and civil law traditions affects how we must read the Constitution; Chapter V discusses the major judicial philosophies and their distinctions; Chapter VI surveys Supreme Court decisions demonstrating how the notion of a living constitution has developed in Philippine Jurisprudence, if at all. The latter part of the said chapter discusses the rebuttals to the arguments in favor of the living constitution. Finally, Chapter VIII concludes this article.<\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<\\/div>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:group --><!-- wp:separator --><\\/p>\\n<hr class=\\\"wp-block-separator\\\" \\/>\\n<p><!-- \\/wp:separator --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\/p>\\n<p>* Editor-in-Chief: UST Law Review \\u00ad- Vol. 65 (2021); J.D. Candidate: UST Faculty of Civil Law (2021); AB Philosophy, cum laude: University of San Agustin, Saint Thomas of Villanova Institute \\u2013 San Agustin Center of Studies (2015).<\\/p>\\n<p><